bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White matter alterations in individuals experiencing attenuated positive psychotic symptoms
Authors: Cooper Shanna , Alm Kylie H. , Olson Ingrid R. , Ellman Lauren M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies suggest that reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) occurs among schizophrenia patients and those at risk for psychosis. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of knowledge investigating white matter fibre pathways in non‐help‐seeking individuals who endorse attenuated positive psychotic symptoms (APPS) across a range of mental disorders. The aim of the current study was to determine if alterations in ILF and SLF microstructures were specific to distressing APPS related to risk for psychosis or to APPS symptoms occurring in multiple mental disorders, which would suggest a shared phenotype among disorders.MethodTwenty‐six non‐help‐seeking young adults were administered the Prodromal Questionnaire. DTI was conducted on participants (n = 13) who endorsed eight or more distressing APPS (D‐APPS, a potentially clinically relevant group) and those who endorsed three or fewer distressing APPS (low‐APPS; n = 13). Semistructured interviews were administered to determine diagnoses, as well as clinical risk for psychosis status.ResultsResults indicated that the D‐APPS group exhibited decreased FA in the left ILF compared with the low‐APPS group, even after removing four D‐APPS participants who were considered at risk for psychosis.ConclusionFindings suggest that white matter microstructure is altered in individuals experiencing APPS across a range of disorders, independent of clinical high risk for psychosis status. Reduced FA in the left ILF may not be specific to psychosis risk, but rather for APPS that occur in a number of mental disorders.
N‐Acetyl cysteine does not prevent liver toxicity from chronic low‐dose plus subacute high‐dose paracetamol exposure in young or old mice
Authors: Kane Alice Elizabeth , Huizer‐Pajkos Aniko , Mach John , McKenzie Catriona , Mitchell Sarah Jayne , de Cabo Rafael , Jones Brett , Cogger Victoria , Le Couteur David G , Hilmer Sarah Nicole 
Published: January 2016

AbstractParacetamol is an analgesic commonly used by people of all ages, which is well documented to cause severe hepatotoxicity with acute overexposures. The risk of hepatotoxicity from nonacute paracetamol exposures is less extensively studied, and this is the exposure most common in older adults. Evidence on the effectiveness of N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) for nonacute paracetamol exposures, in any age group, is lacking. This study aimed to examine the effect of long‐term exposure to therapeutic doses of paracetamol and subacute paracetamol overexposure, in young and old mice, and to investigate whether NAC was effective at preventing paracetamol hepatotoxicity induced by these exposures. Young and old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a paracetamol‐containing (1.33 g/kg food) or control diet for 6 weeks. Mice were then dosed orally eight times over 3 days with additional paracetamol (250 mg/kg) or saline, followed by either one or two doses of oral NAC (1200 mg/kg) or saline. Chronic low‐dose paracetamol exposure did not cause hepatotoxicity in young or old mice, measured by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, and confirmed by histology and a DNA fragmentation assay. Subacute paracetamol exposure caused significant hepatotoxicity in young and old mice, measured by biochemistry (ALT) and histology. Neither a single nor double dose of NAC protected against this toxicity from subacute paracetamol in young or old mice. This finding has important clinical implications for treating toxicity due to different paracetamol exposure types in patients of all ages, and implies a need to develop new treatments for subacute paracetamol toxicity.
Seagrass sediments reveal the long‐term deterioration of an estuarine ecosystem
Authors: Serrano Oscar , Lavery Paul , Masque Pere , Inostroza Karina , Bongiovanni James , Duarte Carlos 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe study of a Posidonia australis sediment archive has provided a record of ecosystem dynamics and processes over the last 600 years in Oyster Harbour (SW Australia). Ecosystem shifts are a widespread phenomenon in coastal areas, and this study identifies baseline conditions and the time‐course of ecological change (cycles, trends, resilience and thresholds of ecosystem change) under environmental stress in seagrass‐dominated ecosystem. The shifts in the concentrations of chemical elements, carbonates, sediments <0.125 mm and stable carbon isotope signatures (δ13C) of the organic matter were detected between 1850s and 1920s, whereas the shift detected in P concentration occurred several decades later (1960s). The first degradation phase (1850s–1950s) follows the onset of European settlement in Australia and was characterized by a strong increase in sediment accumulation rates and fine‐grained particles, driven primarily by enhanced run‐off due to land clearance and agriculture in the catchment. About 80% of total seagrass area at Oyster Harbour was lost during the second phase of environmental degradation (1960s until present). The sharp increase in P concentration and the increasing contribution of algae and terrestrial inputs into the sedimentary organic matter pool around 1960s provides compelling evidence of the documented eutrophication of the estuary and the subsequent loss of seagrass meadows. The results presented demonstrate the power of seagrass sedimentary archives to reconstruct the trajectories of anthropogenic pressures on estuarine ecosystem and the associated regime shifts, which can be used to improve the capacity of scientists and environmental managers to understand, predict and better manage ecological change in these ecosystems.
The effects of nitrogen enrichment on soil CO2 fluxes depending on temperature and soil properties
Authors: Zhong Yangquanwei , Yan Weiming , Shangguan Zhouping 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimThe continuous increase in anthropogenic nitrogen (N) may have a substantial impact on soil carbon (C) fluxes; thus, understanding the dynamics of soil C fluxes under N enrichment is important. Our main goal was to resolve the conflicting results presented to date and to expand our knowledge about the response of soil respiration (Rs) to N enrichment, which may be affected by the physico‐chemical properties of soil and environmental factors.MethodsWe assembled a large dataset for meta‐analysis, including 563 datasets on annual and seasonal Rs with N enrichment from 154 published papers at 163 sites, covering seven types of biomes world‐wide.Results(1) N enrichment was not significantly related to global Rs but we found a negative relationship in forests and a positive one in other biomes. (2) Rs showed a negative correlation with the N levels in forests and croplands and a positive correlation with the N levels in deserts; heterotrophic respiration exhibited negative correlations with N levels globally, and its response was correlated with the incubation environment. (3) The response of Rs to N enrichment was also correlated with mean annual temperature and soil properties, with 15 °C being the threshold for switching between increasing and decreasing Rs. (4) The estimated total C flux for global terrestrial lands was 97.01 Pg C year−1, and 1 kg of N enrichment at ha−1 year−1 induced an average efflux of 1.33 kg C ha−1 year−1.Main conclusionsThe response of Rs to future N enrichment should be predicted separately for each biome. The association between changes in Rs and temperature and soil properties under N enrichment makes soil C flux a more complex challenge in the context of future increases in temperature and N deposition.
Prevalence of depression and related social and physical factors amongst the Iranian elderly population in 2012
Authors: Taheri Tanjanai Parisa , Moradinazar Mahdi , Najafi Farid 
Published: January 2016

AimDepression is the most common psychiatric disorder and the second most common cause of disability among older adults. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and related social and physical factors in the Iranian elderly population in 2012.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 1350 Iranian older adults aged older than 60 years were selected considering the gender proportion of the population of five out of 31 provinces of Iran. To define depression, the short form (15‐item) of the Geriatric Depression Scale was administered. To analyze the data, logistic regression was carried out using stata software (version 12.0).ResultsFrom 1350 participants, 642 (47.5%) were men and the rest were women. The mean ± SD age of the sample was 69 ± 7 years. The prevalence of depression was 36.7% (42.5% in women and 30.2% in men). At the bivariate level, sex, educational level, marital status, satisfaction with income, occupation, relationship with the financial provider, leisure time, activities of daily living, and frequency of meeting with friends and relatives were factors determining the odds of depression. However, after multivariate control, marital status and educational level were removed from the final model. In contrast, smoking, which was insignificant at the bivariate level, became significant at the multivariate level.ConclusionsDepression has a high prevalence among the Iranian elderly population. Therefore, it is important that this vulnerable group is provided with access to supportive environments that involve active participation in occupational and social activities, which in turn help reduce the chance of suffering from depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 126–131.
Correlating biostratigraphy and palaeoceanographic changes during late Quaternary at cold seeps with gas hydrate‐free areas of the Japan Sea using foraminifera paleoecology
Authors: Saeidi Ortakand Mahsa , Hasegawa Shiro , Matsumoto Ryo , Matsuda Hiroki 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLate Quaternary foraminifera assemblages have been examined in two sediment cores (MD179‐3296 and MD179‐3317) from cold seep areas in the eastern margin of the Japan Sea, off Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. Foraminifera assemblages in core MD179‐3296, which was located at the center of a pockmark on the Umitake Spur, show no evidence of methane flux and, especially in its upper portion, share the same paleo‐environmental history as other free gas hydrate areas of the Japan Sea. In comparison, in the core MD179‐3317 at the center of a pockmark at Joetsu Knoll, foraminiferal distributions were strongly affected by methane activities and, in the main part of the core, were deposited under local conditions. Three horizons were identified in this core, which are characterized by the high abundance value of Thalmannammina parkerae and might be related to methane flux due to sea level fall especially through late marine isotope stage (MIS) 3 and MIS 2.
Geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of the Goesan monzodiorite pluton in the central Okcheon belt, Korea
Authors: Cheong Chang‐Sik , Jo Hui Je , Jeong Youn‐Joong , Park Chan‐Soo , Cho Moonsup 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe Permian–Triassic high pressure metamorphism and potassic magmatism in central Korea attest to the extension of the Dabie‐Sulu collision belt in central‐eastern China towards the Korean Peninsula and possibly the Japanese Islands. We present major and trace element and Sr–Nd isotope data for a ca. 230 Ma monzodiorite pluton emplaced in the Goesan area, central Okcheon belt, Korea. This pluton shows geochemical features comparable with those of the coeval monzonite–syenite–gabbro–mangerite suite documented recently in the Gyeonggi massif. The metaluminous and alkali–calcic signatures of the Goesan intrusives correspond to the Caledonian‐type post‐orogenic granitoids. The K2O/Na2O ratios of all analyzed samples are greater than 1, and are not correlative with their SiO2 contents. The enrichment of both large‐ion‐lithophile elements and highly compatible elements in the Goesan pluton is probably indicative of metasomatized mantle origin. The elemental fractionation in the source region must have occurred in the distant past, possibly the Paleoproterozoic, to generate significantly negative εNd(t) values (< –16). Chondrite‐normalized rare earth element patterns as well as Rb/Sr and Ba/Rb ranges suggest that the source consists of amphibole‐bearing rocks. Progressive decreases in negative Eu anomaly and Ba, Sr, Ni, Cr and V contents with increasing SiO2 contents reflect an important role of plagioclase, biotite and hornblende for the fractionation process. Zr is undersaturated in the potassic, metaluminous melt. The initial Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the samples are correlated with their SiO2 contents, substantiating a role of crustal assimilation during the magmatic differentiation. The Sr–Nd elemental and isotopic modeling suggests that the Goesan pluton was initially slightly heterogeneous in its isotopic composition, and underwent concurrent assimilation and fractional crystallization. The occurrence of the Goesan pluton provides further evidence corroborating the amalgamation of allochthonous terranes within the Okcheon belt during the Permian–Triassic collisional orogeny.
Influence of oestrogen deficiency on the development of apical periodontitis
Authors: Brasil S. C. , Santos R. M. M. , Fernandes A. , Alves F. R. F. , Pires F. R. , Siqueira J. F. , Armada L. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effects of a long period of oestrogen deficiency on the development of apical periodontitis in rats.MethodologyWistar rats (n = 24), 3 months old, evaluated by vaginal cytology, were included in the study. Twelve animals were ovariectomized (OVX group) and the other 12 were sham operated (control group). One hundred and twenty days after castration, the pulps of the left mandibular first molars were exposed to induce the development of apical periodontitis. Body mass was verified on a weekly basis. Following 21 and 40 days of lesion induction, the animals were sacrificed. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis, and mandibles were removed for radiographic analysis. Comparative analysis of the data was performed by the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's multiple‐comparisons tests. The t‐test was applied to compare the oestrogen levels between control and OVX groups.ResultsRadiographs revealed that apical periodontitis lesions were significantly larger in the 40‐day OVX group when compared with both 40‐day (P < 0.05) and 21‐day (P < 0.001) control groups. Serum oestrogen levels were significantly lower in the OVX group (P < 0.01), confirming the efficacy of castration. Oestrogen deficiency resulted in significantly greater body mass gain (P < 0.01) in 40‐day OVX group when compared with 40‐day control group. Serum concentrations of calcium were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase levels, although higher in the OVX groups (21 and 40 days), were not significantly different.ConclusionsOvariectomized rats had significantly larger apical periodontitis lesions after 40 days of pulp exposure when compared with controls. These findings suggest that bone alterations as a result of long periods of oestrogen deficiency can influence the progression of apical periodontitis.
Physiological Response to Heat Stress During Seedling and Anthesis Stage in Tomato Genotypes Differing in Heat Tolerance
Authors: Zhou R. , Kjær K. H. , Rosenqvist E. , Yu X. , Wu Z. , Ottosen C.‐O. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTomato cultivars differ in their sensitivity to heat stress, and the sensitivity depends on the developmental stage of the plants. It is less known how heat stress affects tomato at the anthesis stage in terms of leaf physiology and fruit set and whether the ability of tomato to tolerate heat at different developmental stages is linked. To investigate photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics, carbohydrate content and fruit set during heat stress, a thermo‐tolerant cultivar (‘LA1994’) and a thermo‐sensitive cultivar (‘Aromata’) were studied at the seedling and anthesis stage. The photosynthetic parameters, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll content, carbohydrate content and fruit set were determined in plants grown at 26/18 °C (control) and 36/28 °C (heat stress). The physiological responses including net photosynthetic rate (PN), chlorophyll content and Fv/Fm decreased in ‘Aromata’ at both developmental stages during heat stress, whereas they were unaltered in ‘LA1994’ during heat stress as compared to the respective control. This was accompanied by lower contents of glucose and fructose in mature leaves of ‘Aromata’ at the seedling stage under heat stress. In contrast, the glucose content increased while the fructose content was unaltered in mature leaves of ‘LA1994’ at the seedling stage under heat stress. High temperature induced a similar change in carbohydrate content in the young leaves of both cultivars at anthesis. The fructose and sucrose content were unaffected in the mature leaves of ‘Aromata’ but significantly increased in ‘LA1994’ under heat stress at anthesis. The heat stress treatment decreased pollen viability and inhibited fruit set due to flower wilting and abnormal abscission in ‘Aromata’, whereas fruit set was not inhibited in ‘LA1994’. A decrease in chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and carbohydrate content in the mature leaves of tomato could be related to fruit set failure at high temperature. The results show that physiological responses to heat stress at the seedling stage correspond with the responses at the anthesis stage, demonstrating that screening for heat stress sensitivity can be carried out in young plants.
Lysosomal cholesterol accumulation in macrophages leading to coronary atherosclerosis in CD38−/− mice
Authors: Xu Xiaoyang , Yuan Xinxu , Li Ningjun , Dewey William L. , Li Pin‐Lan , Zhang Fan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe disruption in transportation of oxLDL‐derived cholesterol and the subsequent lipid accumulation in macrophages are the hallmark events in atherogenesis. Our recent studies demonstrated that lysosomal Ca2+ messenger of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), an enzymatic product of CD38 ADP‐ribosylcyclase (CD38), promoted lipid endocytic trafficking in human fibroblast cells. The current studies are designed to examine the functional role of CD38/NAADP pathway in the regulation of lysosomal cholesterol efflux in atherosclerosis. Oil red O staining showed that oxLDL concentration‐dependently increased lipid buildup in bone marrow‐derived macrophages from both wild type and CD38−/−, but to a significant higher extent with CD38 gene deletion. Bodipy 493/503 fluorescence staining found that the deposited lipid in macrophages was mainly enclosed in lysosomal organelles and largely enhanced with the blockade of CD38/NAADP pathway. Filipin staining and direct measurement of lysosome fraction further revealed that the free cholesterol constituted a major portion of the total cholesterol segregated in lysosomes. Moreover, in situ assay disclosed that both lysosomal lumen acidity and the acid lipase activity were reduced upon cholesterol buildup in lysosomes. In CD38−/− mice, treatment with Western diet (12 weeks) produced atherosclerotic damage in coronary artery with striking lysosomal cholesterol sequestration in macrophages. These data provide the first experimental evidence that the proper function of CD38/NAADP pathway plays an essential role in promoting free cholesterol efflux from lysosomes and that a defection of this signalling leads to lysosomal cholesterol accumulation in macrophages and results in coronary atherosclerosis in CD38−/− mice.
TGF‐β1 improves mucosal IgA dysfunction and dysbiosis following intestinal ischaemia–reperfusion in mice
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Yu , Liu Zi‐Meng , Zhang Hu‐Fei , Li Yun‐Sheng , Wen Shi‐Hong , Shen Jian‐Tong , Huang Wen‐Qi , Liu Ke‐Xuan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) severely disrupts gut barriers and leads to high mortality in the critical care setting. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 plays a pivotal role in intestinal cellular and immune regulation. However, the effects of TGF‐β1 on intestinal I/R injury remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of TGF‐β1 on gut barriers after intestinal I/R and the molecular mechanisms. Intestinal I/R model was produced in mice by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 1 hr followed by reperfusion. Recombinant TGF‐β1 was intravenously infused at 15 min. before ischaemia. The results showed that within 2 hrs after reperfusion, intestinal I/R disturbed intestinal immunoglobulin A class switch recombination (IgA CSR), the key process of mucosal IgA synthesis, and resulted in IgA dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased production and bacteria‐binding capacity of IgA. Meanwhile, the disruptions of intestinal microflora and mucosal structure were exhibited. Transforming growth factor‐β1 activated IgA CSR as evidenced by the increased activation molecules and IgA precursors. Strikingly, TGF‐β1 improved intestinal mucosal IgA dysfunction, dysbiosis and epithelial damage at the early stage after reperfusion. In addition, SB‐431542, a specific inhibitor of activating mothers against decapentaplegic homologue (SMAD) 2/3, totally blocked the inductive effect of TGF‐β1 on IgA CSR and almost abrogated the above protective effects on intestinal barriers. Taken together, our study demonstrates that TGF‐β1 protects intestinal mucosal IgA immunity, microbiota and epithelial integrity against I/R injury mainly through TGF‐β receptor 1/SMAD 2/3 pathway. Induction of IgA CSR may be involved in the protection conferred by TGF‐β1.
Tracking of Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosis Load in Milk Production Chain: A Real‐Time qPCR And Culture Assay
Authors: Hanifian Shahram , Khani Sajjad 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTMycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) is the causative agent of Johne's disease in ruminants and may contribute to Crohn's disease in humans. This study was conducted to track the changes of Map load throughout the milk production chain to decipher potential sources of contamination. For this purpose, individual cow milk, farm‐bulk‐milk and bulk milk of collection center were analyzed using F57‐quantitative real‐time PCR (F57‐qPCR) and culture examination. According to the results, the occurrence and the mean value of Map load was increased significantly (P < 0.01) from the quarter milk toward bulk‐tank milk. Although a positive correlation was found between Map load and number of hygiene indicator bacteria in bulk‐raw milks, no correlation was observed between somatic cells count and presence of Map. It was concluded that fecal contamination during hand‐milking and/or through the farm environmental plays a major role in increasing Map load in bulk milks.Practical ApplicationsHaving an idea of Map load at each step of milk production and processing chains could be used by food safety organizations to establish regulations for the control of contamination sources. According to the results, Map load was increased from quarter milk en route to the subsequent steps of milk production chain. It was revealed that apart from the primary contamination, a major portion of bulk milk contamination with Map could originate from the farm environment as in nonhygienic practices during teat preparation and hand‐milking. Due to the positive correlation of Map contamination and hygiene indicator bacteria, it seems that in endemic areas, high loads of coliforms and enterococci in bulk milks could be deemed as an indication of Map contamination.