bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Grazing intensity effects on the partitioning of evapotranspiration in the semiarid typical steppe ecosystems in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Huizhi , Bernhofer Christian 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTGrazing intensity effects on the evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) were investigated using eddy covariance measurement data during the growing season (May to September) from 2005 to 2008 over typical steppes in Inner Mongolia, China. Four grazing intensities were examined (UG79, ungrazed since 1979; WG, winter grazed; CG, continuously grazed; HG, heavily grazed). Soil water content (SWC) significantly influenced daily T/ET by affecting T and E in different ways. On a monthly scale, T/ET at UG79 (0.46–0.77) increased with vegetation growth regardless of the uneven distribution of precipitation. The mean T/ET at UG79 for the growing season ranged from 0.50 to 0.74 for 2005 to 2008. In the normal precipitation year (2006), WG and HG reduced T/ET because they significantly reduced T through the removal of leaf area. In the dry year (2005), this negative effect on T was depressed by summer droughts, while WG and HG decreased E primarily due to the decreased interception of rainfall by the canopy. The grazing effect on T/ET was opposite to that in 2006. These results indicate that grazing effects on ET partitioning could vary with soil water conditions in the semiarid typical steppe ecosystems.
Isostatic compensation of Quaternary vertical crustal motions: coupling between uplift of Britain and subsidence beneath the North Sea
Authors: Westaway Rob 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTNew data from offshore and onshore regions confirm the view that the Quaternary uplift of Britain and subsidence beneath the North Sea are coupled, mediated by lower‐crustal flow induced by the lateral pressure gradient caused by climate‐driven surface processes. Most measured onshore uplift rates, in both upland and lowland localities, are only applicable since the Mid‐Pleistocene Revolution; beforehand, generally lower rates prevailed. Earlier (?Oligocene–Pliocene) phases of uplift and subsidence had typically even lower rates; furthermore, the western margin of the North Sea depocentre was ∼200 km farther from the modern coastline of north‐east England. In the earliest Cenozoic, complex isostatic adjustments occurred in response to the magmatism associated with the Iceland mantle plume; the contemporaneous land surface (relative to the present‐day rock column) in northern England was typically ∼1500 m OD. However, this activity died out during the Palaeogene; the main effect of these events on the modern isostatic configuration was via the emplacement of thick mafic underplating, which now constricts the mobile lower‐crustal layer, explaining the Late Cenozoic ultra‐stability of Ireland. The evidence enables interpretations of the present‐day topography of Britain as static, caused by the Iceland mantle plume, or actively developing in response to plate motions or plate boundary forces, to be excluded.
Prognostic relevance of preoperative diabetes mellitus and the degree of hyperglycemia on the outcomes of resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Woohyung , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Han Ho‐Seong , Cho Jai Young , Choi YoungRok , Jang Jae Yool , Choi Hanlim 
Published: January 2016

IntroductionThe prognostic relevance of preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcomes of resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is controversial. Most previous studies evaluated the prognostic role of DM based on a single blood test.MethodsThe participants included 147 patients with PDAC who underwent pancreatectomy between September 2003 and June 2012. They were divided into following groups according to the preoperative DM and degree of hyperglycemia defined by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c): non‐DM (n = 70), DM with HbA1c < 9.0% (n = 52), and DM with HbA1c ≥ 9.0% (n = 25).ResultsThere were no significant differences in cancer stage or postoperative complications among the three groups. The survival rate was significantly lower in the DM with HbA1c ≥ 9.0% group (22.3%) than in the non‐DM group (33.6%) and the DM with HbA1c < 9.0% group (33.8%) (P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis revealed that DM with HbA1c ≥ 9.0% (hazard ratio [HR] 2.495, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.274–4.886, P = 0.008) and the presence of venous invasion (HR 1.836, 95%CI 1.072–3.146, P = 0.027) were independent prognostic factors for survival.ConclusionUncontrolled severe hyperglycemia rather than preoperative DM negatively affects the survival outcomes following PDAC resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:203–208. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peripheral Synucleinopathy in Early Parkinson's Disease: Submandibular Gland Needle Biopsy Findings
Authors: Adler Charles H. , Dugger Brittany N. , Hentz Joseph G. , Hinni Michael L. , Lott David G. , Driver‐Dunckley Erika , Mehta Shyamal , Serrano Geidy , Sue Lucia I. , Duffy Amy , Intorcia Anthony , Filon Jessica , Pullen Joel , Walker Douglas G. , Beach Thomas G. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionFinding a peripheral tissue biopsy site to diagnose early PD would be of value for clinical care, biomarker validation, and as research enrollment criteria. Whereas autopsy and advanced PD studies suggest that the submandibular gland is an important biopsy site, there are no studies in early PD. The aim of this study was to determine whether needle biopsy of the submandibular gland reveals Lewy type alpha‐synucleinopathy in early PD.MethodsTwenty‐five early PD (duration < 5 years) and 10 controls underwent transcutaneous needle core biopsies of the submandibular gland. Tissue was stained for phosphorylated alpha‐synuclein, reviewed blind to clinical diagnosis, and only nerve element staining was considered positive.ResultsMean (standard deviation) age was 69.5 (8.3) for the PD group, 64.8 (8.0) years for controls, and disease duration 2.6 (1.1) years. Six PD and 1 control subject had inadequate glandular tissue. Positive staining was found in 14 of 19 (74%) PD and 2 of 9 (22%) control subjects. PD‐positive and ‐negative cases did not differ clinically. Adverse events (mainly swelling and bruising) were common (77% of cases), but were minor and transient.ConclusionsSubmandibular gland needle biopsies identified phosphorylated alpha‐synuclein staining in 74% of early PD subjects. False positives may be true false positives or may represent prodromal PD. If confirmed in larger studies with eventual autopsy confirmation, the potential value of submandibular gland biopsies for early PD may be to aid in clinical trial inclusion/exclusion and eventually serve as a gold standard for biomarker studies short of autopsy confirmation. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Influence of macromolecule baseline on 1H MR spectroscopic imaging reproducibility
Authors: Birch Rebecca , Peet Andrew C. , Dehghani Hamid , Wilson Martin 
Published: January 2016

PurposePoorly characterized macromolecular (MM) and baseline artefacts are known to reduce metabolite quantitation accuracy in 1H MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Increasing echo time (TE) and improvements in MM analysis schemes have both been proposed as strategies to improve metabolite measurement reliability. In this study, the influence of TE and two MM analysis schemes on MRSI reproducibility are investigated.MethodsAn experimentally acquired baseline was collected using an inversion recovery sequence (TI = 750 ms) and incorporated into the analysis method. Intrasubject reproducibility of MRSI scans, acquired at 3 Tesla, was assessed using metabolite coefficients of variance (COVs) for both experimentally acquired and simulated MM analysis schemes. In addition, the reproducibility of TE = 35 ms, 80 ms, and 144 ms was evaluated.ResultsTE = 80 ms was the most reproducible for singlet metabolites with COVs < 6% for total N‐acetyl‐aspartate, total creatine, and total choline; however, moderate multiplet dephasing was observed. Analysis incorporating the experimental baseline achieved higher Glu and Glx reproducibility at TE = 35 ms, and showed improvements over the simulated baseline, with higher efficacy for poorer data.ConclusionOverall, TE = 80 ms yielded the most reproducible singlet metabolite estimates. However, combined use of a short TE sequence and the experimental baseline may be preferred as a compromise between accuracy, multiplet dephasing, and T2 bias on metabolite estimates. Magn Reson Med 77:34–43, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Yin Yang 1‐mediated epigenetic silencing of tumour‐suppressive microRNAs activates nuclear factor‐κB in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tsang Daisy PF , Wu William KK , Kang Wei , Lee Ying‐Ying , Wu Feng , Yu Zhuo , Xiong Lei , Chan Anthony W , Tong Joanna H , Yang Weiqin , Li May SM , Lau Suki S , Li Xiangchun , Lee Sau‐Dan , Yang Yihua , Lai Paul BS , Yu Dae‐Yeul , Xu Gang , Lo Kwok‐Wai , Chan Matthew TV , Wang Huating , Lee Tin L , Yu Jun , Wong Nathalie , Yip Kevin Y , To Ka‐Fai , Cheng Alfred SL 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEnhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) catalyses histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) to silence tumour‐suppressor genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the process of locus‐specific recruitment remains elusive. Here we investigated the transcription factors involved and the molecular consequences in HCC development. The genome‐wide distribution of H3K27me3 was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high‐throughput sequencing or promoter array analyses in HCC cells from hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein transgenic mouse and human cell models. Transcription factor binding site analysis was performed to identify EZH2‐interacting transcription factors followed by functional characterization. Our cross‐species integrative analysis revealed a crucial link between Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and EZH2‐mediated H3K27me3 in HCC. Gene expression analysis of human HBV‐associated HCC specimens demonstrated concordant overexpression of YY1 and EZH2, which correlated with poor survival of patients in advanced stages. The YY1 binding motif was significantly enriched in both in vivo and in vitro H3K27me3‐occupied genes, including genes for 15 tumour‐suppressive microRNAs. Knockdown of YY1 reduced not only global H3K27me3 levels, but also EZH2 and H3K27me3 promoter occupancy and DNA methylation, leading to the transcriptional up‐regulation of microRNA‐9 isoforms in HCC cells. Concurrent EZH2 knockdown and 5‐aza‐2'‐deoxycytidine treatment synergistically increased the levels of microRNA‐9, which reduced the expression and transcriptional activity of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). Functionally, YY1 promoted HCC tumourigenicity and inhibited apoptosis of HCC cells, at least partially through NF‐κB activation. In conclusion, YY1 overexpression contributes to EZH2 recruitment for H3K27me3‐mediated silencing of tumour‐suppressive microRNAs, thereby activating NF‐κB signalling in hepatocarcinogenesis. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recommendations for benefit–risk assessment methodologies and visual representations
Authors: Hughes Diana , Waddingham Ed , Mt‐Isa Shahrul , Goginsky Alesia , Chan Edmond , Downey Gerald F. , Hallgreen Christine E. , Hockley Kimberley S. , Juhaeri Juhaeri , Lieftucht Alfons , Metcalf Marilyn A. , Noel Rebecca A. , Phillips Lawrence D. , Ashby Deborah , Micaleff Alain ,   PROTECT Benefit–Risk Group
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study is to draw on the practical experience from the PROTECT BR case studies and make recommendations regarding the application of a number of methodologies and visual representations for benefit–risk assessment.MethodsEight case studies based on the benefit–risk balance of real medicines were used to test various methodologies that had been identified from the literature as having potential applications in benefit–risk assessment. Recommendations were drawn up based on the results of the case studies.ResultsA general pathway through the case studies was evident, with various classes of methodologies having roles to play at different stages. Descriptive and quantitative frameworks were widely used throughout to structure problems, with other methods such as metrics, estimation techniques and elicitation techniques providing ways to incorporate technical or numerical data from various sources. Similarly, tree diagrams and effects tables were universally adopted, with other visualisations available to suit specific methodologies or tasks as required. Every assessment was found to follow five broad stages: (i) Planning, (ii) Evidence gathering and data preparation, (iii) Analysis, (iv) Exploration and (v) Conclusion and dissemination.ConclusionsAdopting formal, structured approaches to benefit–risk assessment was feasible in real‐world problems and facilitated clear, transparent decision‐making. Prior to this work, no extensive practical application and appraisal of methodologies had been conducted using real‐world case examples, leaving users with limited knowledge of their usefulness in the real world. The practical guidance provided here takes us one step closer to a harmonised approach to benefit–risk assessment from multiple perspectives. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐Dependent and Immunosuppressive Drug–Associated Adverse Event Profiles in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients Converted from Tacrolimus to Sirolimus Regimens
Authors: Felix Maria Julia Pereira , Felipe Claudia Rosso , Tedesco‐Silva Hélio , Osmar Medina‐Pestana José 
Published: January 2016

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and tolerability of immunosuppressive drugs used in a planned randomized conversion from a calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus, to a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, sirolimus, in de novo kidney transplant recipients.DesignProspective safety analysis of data from a prospective, randomized, open‐label, controlled study.PatientsA total of 119 adult kidney transplant recipients who received tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate sodium (MPS), and prednisone between February 2008 and May 2010; after 3 months of this regimen, 60 of these patients were randomized to conversion from TAC to sirolimus (SRL/MPS group), and 59 patients continued with the TAC regimen (TAC/MPS group).Measurements and Main ResultsBoth groups were followed for 24 months after transplantation for immunosuppressive regimen–associated and time‐dependent occurrences of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Before conversion from TAC to SRL, the cumulative incidence of AEs was 98%; 25% were SAEs. Gastrointestinal AEs (66%) and infections (58%) were the most frequent AEs. The incidences of TAC and MPS dose reductions due to AEs were 1.7% and 12%, respectively. After conversion, no significant differences were noted in the SRL/MPS group versus the TAC/MPS group in the cumulative incidences of AEs (100% vs 98%) and SAEs (27% vs 30%). The most common AEs were gastrointestinal (70% vs 54%, p=0.23) and infection (77% vs 73%, p=0.79) in the SRL/MPS versus TAC/MPS groups. The incidence of aphthous ulcer (28% vs 0%, p=< 0.01), sinusitis (10% vs 0%, p=0.01), dermatitis (15% vs 3%, p=0.03), and dyslipidemia (35% vs 14%, p=0.02) were higher in the SRL/MPS group compared with the TAC/MPS group. Cox proportion regression analysis showed a higher relative risk for gastrointestinal (hazard ratio [HR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–3.01, p<0.05) and skin and subcutaneous tissue (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–4.1, p<0.05) AEs in the SRL/MPS group compared with the TAC/MPS group. AE‐related dose reductions occurred in 18.3% of patients receiving SRL and 3.3% of patients receiving TAC. MPS dose reductions due to AEs occurred in 11.7% of patients receiving SRL and 13.6% of patients receiving TAC.ConclusionSRL/MPS treatment was associated with a time‐dependent higher incidence of gastrointestinal and skin and subcutaneous tissue AEs, which occurred mainly during the first 6 months after conversion from TAC/MPS. Although the treatments with SRL or TAC after 3 months of transplantation showed different safety profiles, both regimens demonstrated adequate tolerability, with low rates of early discontinuation related to AEs.
Core − shell microgels with controlled structural properties
Authors: Battista Edmondo , Mazzarotta Alessia , Causa Filippo , Cusano Angela Maria , Netti Paolo Antonio 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMicrogels have gained great attention in the biomedical field for their wide application in diagnostic and drug delivery systems. The bulk properties as well as the surface features of these particular microparticles define their final performance. In particular, multifunctional microgels with complex architectures have been widely used in multiplex assays for their favourable capability to accommodate encoding systems and anchoring groups for probes to capture circulating targets by simply changing synthesis parameters. In this work a limited set of fluorescent encoded poly(ethyleneglycol) based microgels, of size ranging between 0.5 and 1.3 µm, with a core − shell architecture were obtained by combining precipitation and seeded polymerizations. Here we demonstrate the possibility of tailoring and controlling the bulk and surface properties according to the synthesis by fluorescence imaging and pH titrations. Concerning the structural characterization, we adopted a method to calculate polymer fraction volumes from AFM images and combined these with equilibrium swelling theory (Peppas–Merrill equation) to determine the mesh size of the microgels. Surface composition was probed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy directly on freeze‐dried microgels. In such a way we were able to describe the organizations of the different adlayers also in response to pH, highlighting the possibility of some overlap of the adlayers representing physical barriers at the boundaries of each shell. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Improving the photovoltaic performance of co‐evaporated Cu2ZnSnS4 thin‐film solar cells by incorporation of sodium from NaF layers
Authors: Mise Takahiro , Tajima Shin , Fukano Tatsuo , Higuchi Kazuo , Washio Tsukasa , Jimbo Kazuo , Katagiri Hironori 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe have investigated the influence of sodium (Na) on the properties of co‐evaporated Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layer microstructures and solar cells. The photovoltaic performance and diode properties were improved by incorporating Na from NaF layers into the CZTS layers, while Na had a negligible effect on the microstructural properties of the layer. The best cell fabricated by using an optimal CZTS layer (Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.70, Zn/Sn = 1.8) yielded an active area efficiency of 5.23%. The analysis of device properties suggests that charge‐carrier recombination at CZTS/CdS interface is suppressed by intentional Na incorporation from NaF layers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishment of polyethylene‐glycol‐mediated protoplast transformation for Lecanicillium lecanii and development of virulence‐enhanced strains against Aphis gossypii
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Jun , Xie Ming , Zhang Xiao‐Lin , Peng De‐Liang , Yu Wen‐Bin , Li Qiang , Li Qian , Zhao Jin‐Jin , Zhang Zhao‐Rong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDLecanicillium lecanii has been developed as a biopesticide and used in biological control of several agricultural insects. To improve fungal virulence, an optimised polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐mediated protoplast transformation system was established for L. lecanii. Pr1A‐like cuticle‐degrading protease gene (Cdep1) from Beauveria bassiana was transferred into L. lecanii, and its resulting activity against Aphis gossypii was assessed.RESULTSThe optimised protoplast generation yielded 2.5 × 108 protoplasts g−1 wet mycelium of fungi, and gave nearly 98% viability and 80% regeneration on plates. Protease activities were increased about fivefold in transformants expressing CDEP1. The median lethal concentration (LC50) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was twofold lower than that for the wild type (WT). The median survival time (LT50) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was also 14.2% shorter than that for WT, though no significant difference. There were no significant differences in conidial germination as colony growth and conidial yield on plates between transformants expressing CDEP1 and WT. The transformants expressing CDEP1 grew significantly quicker than WT in insects. The transformants expressing CDEP1 were lower in conidial yields on insect cadavers, but insignificantly different from WT.CONCLUSIONThe PEG‐mediated protoplast transformation system was effective for L. lecanii, and the expression of CDEP1 significantly enhanced fungal virulence against cotton aphids. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of the buckling behaviour of thin‐walled hollow concrete piers
Authors: Zhou Lin‐Yun , Liu Zhao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTall hollow concrete piers with high width‐to‐thickness ratios are commonly used in long‐span box girder bridges. Such thin‐walled structures present the possibility of failure due to local buckling. So, in common practice, diaphragms are usually included in hollow piers to improve the local stability; however, is that necessary? Although experimental research on the buckling behaviour of hollow piers has been conducted extensively, few analytical attempts have been performed to reveal the effects of the width‐to‐thickness ratio on local buckling behaviour. To this end, an analytical model has been proposed to investigate the local buckling behaviour of hollow piers. Following the Ritz‐Timoshenko method, an analytical formula for critical local buckling stress has been developed and verified to have good accuracy compared with finite element analyses. Based on the buckling failure mode of a hollow pier with a slenderness ratio > 6, it can be reasonably postulated that the strength of the hollow pier will be unaffected by local compression flange buckling when the wall width‐to‐thickness ratio is < 24, and it is entirely unnecessary to include diaphragms in hollow piers for stability. Additionally, it is equally interesting that the critical width‐to‐thickness ratio of a hollow pier with a slenderness ratio > 4 derived using the proposed model is the same as the value given by the current AASHTO‐LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
Permeability of blood–brain barrier in macaque model of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced Parkinson disease
Authors: Thiollier Thibaud , Wu Caisheng , Contamin Hugues , Li Qin , Zhang Jinlan , Bezard Erwan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTBrain bioavailability of drugs developed to address central nervous system diseases is classically documented through cerebrospinal fluid collected in normal animals, i.e., through an approximation as there are fundamental differences between cerebrospinal fluid and tissue contents. The fact that disease might affect brain availability of drugs is almost never considered at this stage although several conditions are associated with blood–brain barrier damage. Building upon our expertise in Parkinson's disease translational research, the present study addressed this gap comparing plasma and cerebrospinal fluid bioavailability ofl−3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine, carbamazepine, quinidine, lovastatin, and simvastatin, in healthy and 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐treated macaques, the gold standard model of Parkinson's disease. The drugs were selected based upon their differential transport across the blood–brain barrier. Interestingly, brain bioavailability of quinidine was decreased while others were unaffected. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics experiments of drugs addressing Parkinson's disease might thus be performed in healthy animals unless the drugs are known to interact with the organic cation transporter.Synapse 70:231–239, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.