bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rituximab extended schedule or retreatment trial for low tumour burden non‐follicular indolent B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Protocol E4402
Authors: Williams Michael E. , Hong Fangxin , Gascoyne Randy D. , Wagner Lynne I. , Krauss John C. , Habermann Thomas M. , Swinnen Lode J. , Schuster Stephen J. , Peterson Christopher G. , Sborov Mark D. , Martin S. Eric , Weiss Matthias , Ehmann W. Christopher , Horning Sandra J. , Kahl Brad S. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe rituximab extended schedule or retreatment trial (RESORT; E4402) was a phase 3 randomized prospective trial comparing maintenance rituximab (MR) versus a retreatment (RR) dosing strategy in asymptomatic, low tumour burden indolent lymphoma. A planned exploratory sub‐study compared the two strategies for small lymphocytic (SLL) and marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). Patients responding to rituximab weekly × 4 were randomized to MR (single dose rituximab every 3 months until treatment failure) or RR (rituximab weekly × 4) at the time of each progression until treatment failure. The primary endpoint was time to treatment failure (TTTF). Patients with SLL (n = 57), MZL (n = 71) and unclassifiable small B‐cell lymphoma (n = 3) received induction rituximab. The overall response rate (ORR) was 40% [95% confidence interval (CI) 31–49%; SLL ORR 22·8%; MZL ORR 52·1%]; all 52 responders were randomized. At a median of 4·3 years from randomization, treatment failure occurred in 18/23 RR and 15/29 MR. The median TTTF was 1·4 years for RR and 4·8 years for MR (P = 0·012); median time to first cytotoxic therapy was 6·3 years for RR and not reached for MR (P = 0·0002). Survival did not differ (P = 0·72). In low tumour burden SLL and MZL patients responding to rituximab induction, MR significantly improved TTTF as compared with RR.
Molecular genetics of childhood, adolescent and young adult non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Miles Rodney R. , Shah Rikin K. , Frazer J. Kimble 
Published: March 2016

SummaryMolecular genetic abnormalities are ubiquitous in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but genetic changes are not yet used to define specific lymphoma subtypes. Certain recurrent molecular genetic abnormalities in NHL underlie molecular pathogenesis and/or are associated with prognosis or represent potential therapeutic targets. Most molecular genetic studies of B‐ and T‐NHL have been performed on adult patient samples, and the relevance of many of these findings for childhood, adolescent and young adult NHL remains to be demonstrated. In this review, we focus on NHL subtypes that are most common in young patients and emphasize features actually studied in younger NHL patients. This approach highlights what is known about NHL genetics in young patients but also points to gaps that remain, which will require cooperative efforts to collect and share biological specimens for genomic and genetic analyses in order to help predict outcomes and guide therapy in the future.
Effects of transplanted circulating endothelial progenitor cells and platelet microparticles in atherosclerosis development
Authors: Georgescu Adriana , Alexandru Nicoleta , Andrei Eugen , Dragan Emanuel , Cochior Daniel , Dias Sérgio 
Published: March 2016

Background InformationAtherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, in which risk factors such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension affect the arterial endothelium, resulting in dysfunction, cell damage or both. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and microparticles provides invaluable outcome prediction for atherosclerosis disease. However, evidence for the therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells and microparticles in atherosclerosis development is limited. Our study was designed to investigate the possible protective role of a cell therapy‐based approach, using endothelial progenitor cells and the dual behaviour of circulating platelet microparticles, on atherosclerosis development in hypertensive‐hypercholesterolemic hamster model. Consequently, control hamsters received four intravenous inoculations of: (1) 1×105 endothelial progenitor cells of healthy origins in one dose per month, during four months of diet‐induced atherosclerosis, and after hypertensive‐hypercholesterolemic diet for further four months; (2) in a second set of experiments, 1×105 endothelial progenitor cells of healthy origins or/and 1×105 platelet microparticles of atherosclerotic origins were inoculated every other month during hypertensive‐hypercholesterolemic diet.ResultsEndothelial progenitor cell treatment had the following effects: (1) re‐established plasmatic parameters: cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, blood pressure, heart rate, cytokine and chemokine profiles, platelet microparticle pro‐thrombotic activity and endothelial progenitor cell paracrine activity reflected by cytokine/chemokine detection; (2) reduced lipid, macrophage and microparticle accumulation in liver; (3) reduced atherosclerosis development, revealed by decreased lipid, macrophage and microparticle content of arterial wall; (4) induced the recruitment and incorporation of endothelial progenitor cells into liver and arterial wall; (5) improved arterial dysfunction by increasing contraction and relaxation; (6) reduced the protein expression of specific pro‐inflammatory molecules in liver and arterial wall. Platelet microparticle transplantation aggravated the above‐mentioned biomarkers and atherosclerosis process, which were partially reverted with co‐inoculation of platelet microparticles and endothelial progenitor cells.ConclusionsWith this study, we demonstrate in a hypertensive‐hypercholesterolemic hamster model, that the endothelial progenitor cell‐based therapy suppresses the development of atherosclerosis and reduces hepatic lipid and macrophage accumulation with the consequent alleviation of dyslipidaemia and hypertension.SignificanceOur results support the notion that increasing the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells by different ways could be a promising therapeutic tool for atherosclerosis.
The evolution of fishes and corals on reefs: form, function and interdependence
Authors: Bellwood David R. , Goatley Christopher H. R. , Bellwood Orpha 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTCoral reefs are renowned for their spectacular biodiversity and the close links between fishes and corals. Despite extensive fossil records and common biogeographic histories, the evolution of these two key groups has rarely been considered together. We therefore examine recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and palaeoecology, and place the evolution of fishes and corals in a functional context. In critically reviewing the available fossil and phylogenetic evidence, we reveal a marked congruence in the evolution of the two groups. Despite one group consisting of swimming vertebrates and the other colonial symbiotic invertebrates, fishes and corals have remarkably similar evolutionary histories. In thePaleocene andEocene [66–34 million years ago (Ma)] most modern fish and coral families were present, and both were represented by a wide range of functional morphotypes. However, there is little evidence of diversification at this time. By contrast, in theOligocene andMiocene (34–5.3 Ma), both groups exhibited rapid lineage diversification. There is also evidence of increasing reef area, occupation of new habitats, increasing coral cover, and potentially, increasing fish abundance. Functionally, theOligocene–Miocene is marked by the appearance of new fish and coral taxa associated with high‐turnover fast‐growth ecosystems and the colonization of reef flats. It is in this period that the functional characteristics of modern coral reefs were established. Most species, however, only arose in the last 5.3 million years (Myr;Plio–Pleistocene), with the average age of fish species being 5.3 Myr, and corals just 1.9 Myr. While these species are genetically distinct, phenotypic differences are often limited to variation in colour or minor morphological features. This suggests that the rapid increase in biodiversity during the last 5.3 Myr was not matched by changes in ecosystem function. For reef fishes, colour appears to be central to recent diversification. However, the presence of pigment patterns in theEocene suggests that colour may not have driven recent diversification. Furthermore, the lack of functional changes in fishes or corals over the last 5 Myr raises questions over the role and importance of biodiversity in shaping the future of coral reefs.
Facultative nitrogen fixation by legumes in the central Congo basin is downregulated during late successional stages
Authors: Bauters Marijn , Mapenzi Neville , Kearsley Elizabeth , Vanlauwe Bernard , Boeckx Pascal 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe contribution of the legume community to the nitrogen cycle during natural forest regeneration remains poorly understood. We systematically assessed the changes in abundance and nodulation status of all legumes, across taxa and plant types, in a forest succession gradient in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our results clearly show that symbiotic N2 fixation is downregulated during late successional stages.
No evidence of intrinsic spatial processes driving Neotropical savanna vegetation on different substrates
Authors: Mews Henrique A. , Pinto José Roberto R. , Eisenlohr Pedro V. , Lenza Eddie 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe relationships between floristic patterns and environmental variation in tropical savannas have been the focus of many studies worldwide. However, important aspects of these relationships, such as the role of geographic distance in structuring plant communities, have received little attention. We investigated the individual and combined influences of substrate, climatic, and spatial factors on the floristic‐structural dissimilarity between two savanna physiognomies in the core region of Brazilian savannas: one on plain relief with deep soils and another on steep relief with shallow rocky soils. Ten 1‐ha plots were sampled in each physiognomy. We modeled species abundance using multiple linear models and variance partitioning. Our results indicated that spatial processes that are intrinsically related to species variation have negligible effects on floristic variation. The most important predictors in our models were related to soil characteristics (mainly nutrient availability) and topography (relief and elevation). Consequently, the substrate component exhibited the greatest power (14%) in explaining the floristic‐structural variation in the overall variance partitioning. Our results provide the first demonstration of the individual and combined contributions of substrate, climatic, and spatial factors to the occurrence and abundance of woody species in the most diverse and threatened savanna in the world. We also provide evidence that neutral processes might not be strong predictors of vegetation structure where savanna substrates differ greatly; instead, community structure may be primarily regulated by environmental filters.
Predicting the terminal velocity of dipterocarp fruit
Authors: Smith James R. , Bagchi Robert , Kettle Chris J. , Maycock Colin , Khoo Eyen , Ghazoul Jaboury 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe measured the terminal velocity of helicopter‐like fruit from the Dipterocarpaceae family and present a model predicting the terminal velocities for all dipterocarp species in the Malesiana region. A ballistic model of seed dispersal using the observed terminal velocities predicted dispersal distances of 17–77 m under normal atmospheric conditions. These data are of applied use in parametizing models of species coexistence, forest regeneration and habitat connectivity in Southeast Asian tropical forests.
Conservation strategies for Araucaria Forests in Southern Brazil: assessing current and alternative approaches
Authors: Lacerda André E. B. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEfforts to protect the remaining Araucaria Forest fragments in Southern Brazil have focused on large forests dominated by the threatened species Araucaria angustifolia. However, such an approach can miss significant biodiversity by ignoring smaller forest fragments scattered throughout the landscape, many of which exist on small farms. Here, I evaluate the method used to define a set of natural reserves in Southern Brazil to assess if it captures and preserves the significant biodiversity that exists in this unique biome. I used a relatively simple field sampling methodology and statistical analyses to evaluate floristic and structural parameters, comparing tree species diversity within a large forest fragment (with and without A. angustifolia dominance) to smaller fragments in the surrounding landscape. While stands dominated by A. angustifolia showed primary forest‐like physiognomy, they did not have the levels of diversity expected for old‐growth forests. Traditional forestry parameters, especially basal area and number of individuals, are useful for differentiating forest types in terms of structure. While no single diversity index provides a complete picture of the composition and variation of diversity in forest fragments, when taken together and assessed using extrapolation and comparative statistics, they provide a meaningful method for comparing and identifying high priority areas for conservation. Future conservation strategies should look to alternative approaches for assessing biodiversity across the landscape, while including small‐scale landowners in conservation efforts.
Leaf litter decomposition rates in degraded and fragmented tropical rain forests of Borneo
Authors: Yeong Kok Loong , Reynolds Glen , Hill Jane K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPreviously extensive tracts of primary rain forest have been degraded by human activities, and we examined how the effects of forest disturbance arising from habitat fragmentation and commercial selective logging affected ecosystem functioning in these habitats by studying leaf litter decomposition rates in litter bags placed on the forest floor. The rain forests of Borneo are dominated by trees from the family Dipterocarpaceae, and we compared leaf litter decomposition rates of three dipterocarp species at eight forest fragment sites (area 3–3529 ha) that had different histories of disturbance pre‐fragmentation: four fragments had been selectively logged prior to fragmentation and four had been formed from previously undisturbed forest. We compared these logged and unlogged forest fragments with sites in continuous forest that had been selectively logged (two sites) and fully protected and undisturbed (two sites). After 120 d, undisturbed continuous forest sites had the fastest rates of decomposition (52% mass loss). Forest fragments formed from unlogged forest (32% mass loss) had faster decomposition rates than logged forest fragments (28% mass loss), but slower rates than continuous logged forest (39% mass loss). Leaves of a light‐demanding species (Parashorea malaanonan) decomposed faster than those of a shade‐tolerant species (Hopea nervosa), but decomposition of all three dipterocarp species that we studied responded similarly to logging and fragmentation effects. Reduced decomposition rates in logged and fragmented forest sites may affect nutrient cycling and thus have detrimental consequences for forest regeneration. Conservation management to improve forest quality should be a priority, particularly in logged forest fragments.
Nutrition of Borneo's ‘exploding’ ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae:Colobopsis): a preliminary assessment
Authors: Davidson Diane W. , Kopchinskiy Alexey , Salim Kamariah Abu , Grujic Marica , Lim Linda , Mei Chan Chin , Jones Tappey H. , Casamatta Dale , Atanasova Lea , Druzhinina Irina S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFunctional effects of ants in rainforest canopies depend on difficult to characterize ant diets. In Bornean dipterocarp forests, certain diurnal, arboreal, territorial, and ecologically dominant ‘COCY’ ant species (Colobopsis cylindricaclade) grazed epiphytic biofilms on adaxial leaf surfaces, as well as on tree trunks and branches. Microscopic examination of worker buccal pellets revealed numerous (mainly ascomycete) fungal spores, together with insect appendages and cuticle. Direct observations, video‐imaging, andδ15Nisotope data rule out feeding by predation, but isotopes cannot separate fungi from plant and insect exudates as principal nitrogen sources. Lipid‐rich products, extracted from pelletsin situ, are hypothesized sources of essential sterols. Also present in pellets were colorful mandibular gland (MG) compounds unique to this ant clade and deployed, as a derived character state, in suicidal defense of foraging territories. Mildly antimicrobial and highly adhesiveMGproducts also occur basally in the clade and may have first evolved for roles in microbial sterilization and food‐gathering and processing. Proteomic studies of YG COCY ants detected 2% proteins in hypertrophied, product‐filledMGreservoirs, butSDS‐PAGEqualitative analysis revealed mostly low‐molecular mass proteins and peptides (8–15 kDa), too small for enzymes but consistent with membrane‐binding proteins and/or antimicrobial peptides. Breakdown of chitin and chitosan in pellets may occur with enzymes derived from molting fluids in insect cuticle (proteases and chitinases) and/or fungi and bacteria. To the extent thatCOCYworkers collect and consume pathogenic and/or beneficial phyllosphere microbes, ant effects on plants may be mediated by these activities.
Idiopathic histaminergic angioedema without wheals: a case series of 31 patients
Authors: Faisant C , Boccon-Gibod I , Mansard C , Dumestre Perard C , Pralong P , Chatain C , Deroux A , Bouillet L 
Published: March 2016

Summary
Idiopathic histaminergic acquired angioedema (IH-AAE) is a common cause of recurrent angioedema without wheals. It is a mast cell-mediated disease thought to belong to the same clinical entity as chronic urticaria (CU). The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of IH-AAE patients. From 2014 to 2015, 534 patients were seen at our national reference centre for angioedema and/or urticaria. Among them, we identified 31 patients with idiopathic histaminergic acquired angioedema without wheals (IH-AAE). Thirty-one patients (15 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 50 years met the criteria for IH-AAE. The average delay in diagnosis was 6·3 years. A history of allergy was found in 12 patients (38·7%), nine suffering from allergic rhinitis. The mean duration of attacks was 28·1 h. The AE attack was located in the upper respiratory tract in 54·8% of cases (17 patients). A lingual location was found in 29% of patients. Men were more likely than women to have an upper airway involvement. No intubations or admissions to intensive care units were reported. The dosage of anti-histamines to control the symptoms was onefold the recommended dose in 51·6% of patients (16 patients), twofold in 32% (10 patients) and three–fourfold in 16·1% (five patients). IH-AAE is characterized by an important delay in diagnosis, a frequent involvement of the upper airway and a benign course during attacks. As in CU, a trial of up to fourfold dose of H1-anti-histamines may be necessary to control symptoms.
17β-Oestradiol enhances the expansion and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)−3 signalling in human pregnancy
Authors: Pan T , Zhong L , Wu S , Cao Y , Yang Q , Cai Z , Cai X , Zhao W , Ma N , Zhang W , Zhang H , Zhou J 
Published: March 2016

Summary
During a successful pregnancy, the maternal immune system plays a critical role in maintaining immunotolerance towards semi-allogeneic fetal antigens. Recent studies have indicated that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are active players in establishing fetal–maternal tolerance; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we observed a significant expansion of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of pregnant women, which suppressed T cell responses in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner and required cell–cell contact. The number of M-MDSCs correlated positively with serum oestrogen and progesterone levels. Administration of 17β-oestradiol, but not progesterone, enhanced both the expansion and suppressive activity of M-MDSCs through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3. Pretreatment with STAT-3 inhibitor JSI-124 almost completely abrogated the effects of 17β-oestradiol on MDSCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 17β-oestradiol-induced STAT-3 signalling plays an important role in both the expansion and activation of MDSCs during human pregnancy, which may benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies for prevention of immune-related miscarriage.
Bone regeneration in critical‐sized bone defect enhanced by introducing osteoinductivity to biphasic calcium phosphate granules
Authors: Wang D. , Tabassum A. , Wu G. , Deng L. , Wismeijer D. , Liu Y. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesBiphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) is frequently used as bone substitute and often needs to be combined with autologous bone to gain an osteoinductive property for guided bone regeneration in implant dentistry. Given the limitations of using autologous bone, bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP2)‐coprecipitated, layer‐by‐layer assembled biomimetic calcium phosphate particles (BMP2‐cop.BioCaP) have been developed as a potential osteoinducer. In this study, we hypothesized that BMP2‐cop.BioCaP could introduce osteoinductivity to BCP and so could function as effectively as autologous bone for the repair of a critical‐sized bone defect.Materials and methodsWe prepared BMP2‐cop.BioCaP and monitored the loading and release kinetics of BMP2 from it in vitro. Seven groups (n = 6 animals/group) were established: (i) Empty defect; (ii) BCP; (iii) BCP mixed with biomimetic calcium phosphate particles (BioCaP); (iv) BCP mixed with BMP2‐cop.BioCaP; (v) BioCaP; (vi) BMP2‐cop.BioCaP; (vii) BCP mixed with autologous bone. They were implanted into 8‐mm‐diameter rat cranial critical‐sized bone defects for an in vivo evaluation. Autologous bone served as a positive control. The osteoinductive efficacy and degradability of materials were evaluated using micro‐CT, histology and histomorphometry.ResultsThe combined application of BCP and BMP2‐cop.BioCaP resulted in significantly more new bone formation than BCP alone. The osteoinductive efficacy of BMP2‐cop.BioCaP was comparable to the golden standard use of autologous bone. Compared with BCP alone, significantly more BCP degradation was found when mixed with BMP2‐cop.BioCaP.ConclusionThe combination of BCP and BMP2‐cop.BioCaP showed a promising potential for guided bone regeneration clinically in the future.