bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetics and DNA methylomic profiling in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Roubroeks Janou A. Y. , Smith Rebecca G. , van den Hove Daniel L. A. , Lunnon Katie 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecent studies have suggested a role for epigenetic mechanisms in the complex etiology of various neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss advances that have been made toward understanding the role of epigenetic processes in neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease, where the most extensive studies have been undertaken to date. We provide a brief overview of DNA modifications, followed by a summarization of studies of DNA modifications in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Farmworker Vulnerability to Heat Hazards: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Mac Valerie Vi Thien , McCauley Linda A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPurposeTo review factors that impact the effect of hot environments on the human body in order to develop a conceptual model of human biological response.MethodsThe organizing concept for the model development was the multilevel integration of three major factors, exposure to heat, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and the heat stress response. Exposure of a vulnerable occupational group was used to illustrate the components of the model.FindingsComponents of this framework include the hazard (environmental heat stress), vulnerability factors (workplace exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity), and the heat stress response. The combination of the vulnerability factors of workplace exposure (work intensity, duration), sensitivity (age, gender, etc.), and adaptive capacity (hydration, clothing, work hygiene) mediate a worker's heat stress response to the hazard. A worker's heat stress response can be classified as progressing towards two outcomes: physiologic equilibrium or physiologic disequilibrium.ConclusionsThis framework provides a starting point for the design and development of studies of heat‐related illness (HRI) in farmworker and other vulnerable populations exposed to rising global temperatures.Clinical RelevanceIdentification of vulnerability factors to HRI, informs research designs which will lead to the development of public health interventions.
The threat of invasive species to bats: a review
Authors: Welch Jessica Nicole , Leppanen Christy 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss, but no study has described the scope of threats to bats (Chiroptera) by invasive species.

We reviewed the literature for negative effects of invasive species to bats and summarised threats according to four categories: predation, disease, competition, and indirect interactions. We identified threats of 37 invasive species to 40 bat species. Ten bat species were threatened by more than one invasion pathway.

About 38 percent of cases are speculative and 18 percent circumstantial, many attributed to overlapping ranges, and most accounts do not quantify effects needed to forecast bat population impacts.

Evidence of cat predation is frequently cited, constituting the greatest incidence of observational data. Other direct and indirect impacts were documented from goats, dogs, brown tree snake, rainbow lorikeet, rose‐ringed parakeet, yellow crazy ant, giant centipede, palm, burdock, avian cholera, and white‐nose syndrome. Circumstantial evidence suggests impacts by rats, stoats, coqui frog, common wolf snake, little fire ant, kudzu, and Lantana camara. Other impacts by giant centipede, yellow crazy ant, cats, goats, rats, and avian cholera are speculative, as are those from pigs, deer, white eye, common starling, house sparrow, rock dove, barn and little owls, brush‐tailed possum, honeybee, wasp, phytophagous insects, tamarisk, Cinnamomum verum, and Tabebuia pallida.

Over 60 percent of bat species reviewed are island‐dwelling, corresponding with evidence indicating that most extinctions occur on islands and invasive species’ impacts are worse for island than mainland populations.

Although appreciable bat population reductions owing to invasive species are often unproven, invasions are likely to exacerbate effects of other vulnerabilities. Multiple invaders and synergistic interactions may ultimately lead to species losses.

Managers should exercise the precautionary principle by taking action against non‐native species when first detected, even if new species do not appear to be detrimental.
Contribution of early impact events to metal‐silicate separation, thermal annealing, and volatile redistribution: Evidence in the Pułtusk H chondrite
Authors: Krzesińska Agata M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThree‐dimensional X‐ray tomographic reconstructions and petrologic studies reveal voluminous accumulations of metal in Pułtusk H chondrite. At the contact of these accumulations, the chondritic rock is enriched in troilite. The rock contains plagioclase‐rich bands, with textures suggesting crystallization from melt. Unusually large phosphates are associated with the plagioclase and consist of assemblages of merrillite, and fluorapatite and chlorapatite. The metal accumulations were formed by impact melting, rapid segregation of metal‐sulfide melt and the incorporation of this melt into the fractured crater basement. The impact most likely occurred in the early evolution of the H chondrite parent body, when post‐impact heat overlapped with radiogenic heat. This enabled slow cooling and separation of the metallic melt into metal‐rich and sulfide‐rich fractions. This led to recrystallization of chondritic rock in contact with the metal accumulations and the crystallization of shock melts. Phosphorus was liberated from the metal and subsumed by the silicate shock melt, owing to oxidative conditions upon slow cooling. The melt was also a host for volatiles. Upon further cooling, phosphorus reacted with silicates leading to the formation of merrillite, while volatiles partitioned into the residual halogen‐rich, dry fluid. In the late stages, the fluid altered merrillite to patchy Cl/F‐apatite. The above sequence of alterations demonstrates that impact during the early evolution of chondritic parent bodies might have contributed to local metal segregation and silicate melting. In addition, postshock conditions supported secondary processes: compositional/textural equilibration, redistribution of volatiles, and fluid alterations.
Fire ecology of a tree glacial refugium on a nunatak with a view on Alpine glaciers
Authors: Carcaillet Christopher , Blarquez Olivier 
Published: August 2017

Summary

In paleoecology, the function of biomass as a fire driver has become a focus of attention in cold ecosystems, and concerns have been raised about climate in this context. Little is known about the fire frequency and fire–plant relationships during glaciation when woodlands were limited and the climate was cold.

Fire history and tree biomass were reconstructed from sedimentary charcoal and macroremains, respectively, archived in lake sediments from the western Alps. Two nunataks were investigated, both with lacustrine sediments covering the last 21 000 yr at least.

During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the Lateglacial, fires occurred only on the nunatak sheltering woody plants. Cembra pine (Pinus cembra) and larch (Larix decidua) survived above glaciers during the LGM, thus evidencing a biological refugium and supporting the nunatak theory.

We highlighted a long‐term relationship between fires and dominant trees over the last 21 000 yr, where fire frequencies track the global climate and the local changes in tree biomass. Glacial climate (dry, cold) does not rule out fires. Fuel load and composition were significant fire drivers, with cembra pine dominating during colder periods with rare fires, and larch during the warmer Holocene with frequent fires. These findings increase knowledge of fire ecology in cold environments, and open perspectives in tree population genetics by considering new areas of tree glacial refugia in Europe.
Medicago truncatula Molybdate Transporter type 1 (MtMOT1.3) is a plasma membrane molybdenum transporter required for nitrogenase activity in root nodules under molybdenum deficiency
Authors: Tejada‐Jiménez Manuel , Gil‐Díez Patricia , León‐Mediavilla Javier , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Imperial Juan , González‐Guerrero Manuel 
Published: August 2017

Summary

Molybdenum, as a component of the iron‐molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase, is essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This nutrient has to be provided by the host plant through molybdate transporters.

Members of the molybdate transporter family Molybdate Transporter type 1 (MOT1) were identified in the model legume Medicago truncatula and their expression in nodules was determined. Yeast toxicity assays, confocal microscopy, and phenotypical characterization of a Transposable Element from Nicotiana tabacum (Tnt1) insertional mutant line were carried out in the one M. truncatula MOT1 family member specifically expressed in nodules.

Among the five MOT1 members present in the M. truncatula genome, MtMOT1.3 is the only one uniquely expressed in nodules. MtMOT1.3 shows molybdate transport capabilities when expressed in yeast. Immunolocalization studies revealed that MtMOT1.3 is located in the plasma membrane of nodule cells. A mot1.3‐1 knockout mutant showed impaired growth concomitant with a reduction of nitrogenase activity. This phenotype was rescued by increasing molybdate concentrations in the nutritive solution, or upon addition of an assimilable nitrogen source. Furthermore, mot1.3‐1 plants transformed with a functional copy of MtMOT1.3 showed a wild‐type‐like phenotype.

These data are consistent with a model in which MtMOT1.3 is responsible for introducing molybdate into nodule cells, which is later used to synthesize functional nitrogenase.
Hypopigmented Mycosis Fungoides with Large Cell Transformation in a Child
Authors: Pradhan Dinesh , Jedrych Jaroslaw J. , Ho Jonhan , Akilov Oleg E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is the most common variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) in children. Large‐cell transformation in HMF has never been reported. Herein we report a case of HMF in an 8‐year‐old boy who presented with a 6‐year history of hypopigmented patches on the bilateral arms, lower back, buttocks, posterior thighs, and lower legs. Biopsy revealed an abnormal CD8+ epidermotropic T‐cell infiltrate consistent with the diagnosis of MF. The T‐cell clonality study was positive. The patient was started on narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy and topical steroids. He had a 50% reduction in his patches after 10 months of treatment, after which he developed a single annular plaque on his left thigh. The biopsy specimen demonstrated large cells that were diffusely CD8+ and CD30−. Clobetasol propionate ointment was prescribed, which led to complete resolution of the plaque within 2 weeks. NBUVB phototherapy was continued and the patient had a complete response within the following 5 months. The case is an example of exceptionally rare large‐cell transformation in pediatric MF and stresses the importance of regular follow‐up of these patients.
Mental health literacy, stigma and perception of causation of mental illness among Chinese people in Taiwan
Authors: Zhuang Xiao Yu , Wong Daniel Fu Keung , Cheng Chi-Wei , Pan Shu-Man 
Published: August 2017

Background: Few studies have been performed to explore mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness and their relationships with causal beliefs about mental illness among Chinese people in Taiwan. Aims: Using a comparative approach, this study attempted to compare the mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes of Taiwanese Chinese with those found among Australian and Japanese participants in other studies and to explore how mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes relate to different perceptions of causes of mental illness. Methods: A convenience sample of 287 participants completed a battery of standardised questionnaires. Results: A much lower percentage of Taiwanese people than Australians could correctly identify depression and schizophrenia. The Taiwanese respondents rated psychiatrists and clinical psychologists as more helpful than social workers and general practitioners (GPs) and expressed more uncertainty about the usefulness of certain medications when compared to the Australian and Japanese samples. Interestingly, Taiwanese Chinese hold similarly high levels of stigma towards schizophrenia, but lower levels of stigma towards depression when compared to the Japanese respondents. Taiwanese respondents who have higher levels of mental health literacy about schizophrenia were less willing to interact with people with schizophrenia than those with lower levels of mental health literacy. Conclusion: This study underlines the need for public education programmes to improve knowledge of various mental illnesses and to reduce stigmatising attitudes among Taiwanese Chinese. The aforementioned socially and culturally driven beliefs must be taken into consideration so that culturally relevant education programmes can be developed.
Active controlled motion in early rehabilitation improves outcome after ankle fractures: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jansen Hendrik , Jordan Martin , Frey Sönke , Hölscher-Doht Stefanie , Meffert Rainer , Heintel Timo 
Published: August 2017

Objective: To evaluate the use of active controlled motion (ACM) after unstable ankle fractures needing initial partial weight-bearing. Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Inpatient and outpatient clinic. Subjects: A total of 50 patients with unstable ankle fractures and the need for partial weight-bearing for six weeks. Interventions: Randomization in two groups: physiotherapy alone or physiotherapy with an additional ACM device. Main measures: Follow-up after 6 and 12 weeks. Range of motion, visual analogue scale for foot and ankle (VAS FA), Philip score, Mazur score, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and dynamic pedobarography. Results: Range of motion was better in the ACM group at six weeks (mean 49° ± 11.1° vs. 41.3° ± 8.1°). Questionnaires revealed better outcome after six weeks in the VAS FA (56 ± 13.7 vs. 40.6 ± 10.5), Mazur score (64.4 ± 12.3 vs. 56.7 ± 11) and AOFAS score (71.2 ± 12 vs. 63.6 ± 8.7) ( P > 0.02 for all). Better outcome after 12 weeks in all questionnaires (VAS FA, 77.7 ± 13.8 vs. 61.4 ± 16.3; Philip score, 79.1 ± 10.9 vs. 60.1 ± 21.7; Mazur score, 83.9 ± 10.7 vs. 73.1 ± 14.1; AOFAS score, 87.5 ± 7.9 vs. 75.2 ± 11.7) ( P < 0.01 for all). Pressure balance was better under the midfoot region after 12 weeks in the ACM group (Δ P 4.4 N vs. 34.0 N; P = 0.01). The ACM group had an earlier return to work after 10.5 (range, 3–17) versus 14.7 (range, 9–26) weeks ( P = 0.02). Conclusion: The use of ACM for patients needing initial partial weight-bearing after operatively treated unstable ankle fractures in the first six postoperative weeks leads to better clinical and functional results and an earlier return to work.
A retrospective audit on usage of Diatrizoate Meglumine (Gastrografin®) for intestinal obstruction or constipation in patients with advanced neoplasms
Authors: Heng Sharon , Hardy Janet , Good Phillip 
Published: August 2017

Background: Intestinal obstruction and constipation are common conditions in patients with advanced neoplasms. Diatrizoate Meglumine has been used in the management of both these conditions without good quality evidence of its effectiveness and safety. Aim: This audit aimed to assess the usage, effectiveness and adverse effects of Diatrizoate Meglumine for intestinal obstruction and constipation in patients with advanced neoplasms. Design: A retrospective chart review was undertaken. Descriptive statistics were utilised. Setting/participants: All patients with known advanced neoplasms admitted to Mater Health Services and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane between January 2013 and October 2015; who were administered Diatrizoate Meglumine were included. Results: Seventy-one patients received Diatrizoate Meglumine. The most common diagnoses were ovarian or primary peritoneal neoplasms (33.8%). Diatrizoate Meglumine was most commonly used for intestinal obstruction (59.2%). The median dose used per patient episode was 50 mL (range: 15–500 mL). Thirty-two patients (45%) had imaging 4–24 h post-dose with Diatrizoate Meglumine being present in the large intestine in 75% of these images. Intestinal obstruction or constipation resolved in 90% of patients post-dose. Conclusion: Most clinicians used 50 mL of Diatrizoate Meglumine as a single dose and repeated imaging after 4–24 h. Diatrizoate Meglumine was well tolerated and may be effective in resolving intestinal obstruction and constipation in patients with advanced neoplasms. Quality controlled studies are needed to further guide the use of Diatrizoate Meglumine in intestinal obstruction and constipation in patients with advanced neoplasms.
Health-related quality of life of people with multimorbidity at a community-based, interprofessional student-assisted clinic: Implications for assessment and intervention
Authors: Tyack Zephanie , Kuys Suzanne , Cornwell Petrea , Frakes Kerrie-Anne , McPhail Steven 
Published: August 2017

Objective This study examined the relationship between the number of comorbidities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and between select physical conditions and HRQoL. Differences in HRQoL in comparison to a normative sample were also examined. Method A cross-sectional study among people with multimorbidity ( n = 401) attending a community-based, interdisciplinary health clinic was conducted. HRQoL was measured using the eight dimensions of the SF-36. Multiple linear regression and t-tests were used to analyse the data. Results A downward trend in HRQoL continued from 2 to 14 concurrent comorbidities. Patients with a higher number of comorbidities reported greater deficits in HRQoL, when age, gender, education and perceived social support were controlled for (beta = −0.11 to −0.31). The impact of the number of comorbidities was greatest for the bodily pain dimension of the SF-36 (beta = −0.31). Deficits were greatest for people with gastrointestinal conditions and back pain or sciatica. Moderate to large deficits in HRQoL compared to a normative population were found (Cohen’s d = 0.54–1.16). Discussion Understanding associations between the number and type of physical comorbidities and HRQoL may assist clinical services to design broad but targeted interventions to optimize HRQoL in this group of people.
Inhibition of FGFR Signaling Partially Rescues Hypophosphatemic Rickets in HMWFGF2 Tg Male Mice
Authors: Xiao Liping , Du Erxia , Homer-Bouthiette Collin , Hurley Marja M 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Transgenic mice harboring high molecular weight fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 isoforms (HMWTg) in osteoblast lineage cells phenocopy human X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and Hyp murine model of XLH demonstrating increased FGF23/FGF receptor signaling and hypophosphatemic rickets. Because HMWFGF2 was upregulated in bones of Hyp mice and abnormal FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling is important in XLH, HMWTg mice were used to examine the effect of the FGFR inhibitor NVP-BGJ398, now in clinical trials for cancer therapy, on hypophosphatemic rickets. Short-term treatment with NVP-BGJ398 rescued abnormal FGFR signaling and hypophosphatemia in HMWTg. Long-term treatment with NVP-BGJ398 normalized tail, tibia, and femur length. Four weeks NVP-BGJ398 treatment significantly increased total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in HMWTg mice; however, at 8 weeks, total body BMD and BMC was indistinguishable among groups. Micro-computed tomography revealed decreased vertebral bone volume, trabecular number, and increased trabecular spacing, whereas femur trabecular tissue density was increased; however, NVP-BGJ398 rescued defective cortical bone mineralization, increased thickness, reduced porosity, and increased endosteal perimeter and cortical tissue density in HMWTg. NVP-BGJ398 improved femur cancellous bone, cortical bone structure, growth plate, and double labeling in cortical bone and also increased femur trabeculae double labeled surface, mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, and osteoclast number and surface in HMWTg. The decreased NPT2a protein that is important for renal phosphate excretion was rescued by NVP-BGJ398 treatment. We conclude that NVP-BGJ398 partially rescued hypophosphatemic rickets in HMWTg. However, long-term treatment with NVP-BGJ398 further increased serum FGF23 that could exacerbate the mineralization defect.
Phylogeny and biogeography of the carnivorous plant family Droseraceae with representative Drosera species from Northeast India
Authors: Biswal Devendra Kumar , Yanthan Sureni , Konhar Ruchishree , Debnath Manish , Kumaria Suman , Tandon Pramod 
Published: August 2017

Background: Botanical carnivory is spread across four major angiosperm lineages and five orders: Poales, Caryophyllales, Oxalidales, Ericales and Lamiales. The carnivorous plant family Droseraceae is well known for its wide range of representatives in the temperate zone. Taxonomically, it is regarded as one of the most problematic and unresolved carnivorous plant families. In the present study, the phylogenetic position and biogeographic analysis of the genus Drosera is revisited by taking two species from the genus Drosera (D. burmanii and D. Peltata) found in Meghalaya (Northeast India). Methods: The purposes of this study were to investigate the monophyly, reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and ancestral area of the genus Drosera, and to infer its origin and dispersal using molecular markers from the whole ITS (18S, 28S, ITS1, ITS2) region and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) sequences. Results: The present study recovered most of the findings by previous studies. The basal position of Droseraceae within the non-carnivorous Caryophyllales indicated in the tree topologies and fossil findings strongly support a date of origin for Droseraceae during the Paleocene (55-65 mya). Within the family Droseraceae, the sister relationship between Aldrovanda and Dionaea is supported by our ITS and rbcL dataset. This information can be used for further comparative and experimental studies. Conclusions: Drosera species are best suited as model systems for addressing a wide array of questions concerning evolutionary dynamics and ecological processes governing botanical carnivory.