bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synaptic vesicle protein 2A: basic facts and role in synaptic function
Authors: Mendoza‐Torreblanca Julieta Griselda , Vanoye‐Carlo América , Phillips‐Farfán Bryan Víctor , Carmona‐Aparicio Liliana , Gómez‐Lira Gisela 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn recent years, there has been considerable interest in determining the function of synaptic vesicle protein 2A and its role as a target for antiepileptic drugs. Although it is known that synaptic vesicle protein 2A is involved in normal synaptic vesicle function, its participation in synaptic vesicle cycling and neurotransmitter release in normal and pathological conditions is unclear. However, the experimental evidence suggests that synaptic vesicle protein 2A could be a vesicular transporter, regulate synaptic exocytosis as a gel matrix, or modulate synaptotagmin‐1 activity. This review describes and discusses the participation of synaptic vesicle protein 2A in synaptic modulation in normal and pathological conditions.
Different TRPV1‐mediated brain responses to intragastric infusion of capsaicin and capsiate
Authors: Tsurugizawa Tomokazu , Nogusa Yoshihito , Ando Yumi , Uneyama Hisayuki 
Published: October 2013

AbstractCapsaicin and capsiate, which is an analogue of capsaicin, are agonists of capsaicin‐binding transient potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors. However, their physiological effects are different. Capsaicin induces thermogenesis and nociception, while the different kinetics of capsiate result in thermogenesis without nociception in the oral cavity. In the present study, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared the brain activation after intragastric infusion of non‐nociceptive levels of capsaicin and capsiate in wild‐type and TRPV1‐knockout (KO) mice. Capsaicin activated several brain regions, such as the periaqueductal grey (PAG), thalamic nuclei and hypothalamus, including the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Most of these areas were not activated in TRPV1‐KO mice. Capsiate activated several regions, including the thalamic nuclei, mPOA and VMH but not PAG in wild‐type mice. Most of the activated areas were not activated by intragastric capsiate infusion in TRPV1‐KO mice. These results demonstrate that TRPV1 is critical for the induction of activation in the hypothalamus by capsaicin and capsiate, and these distinct brain activations could help to explain the individual physiological reactions of capsaicin and capsiate.
Rethinking the Priority of Practical Reason inKant
Authors: Mudd Sasha 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThroughout the critical periodKant enigmatically insists that reason is a ‘unity’, thereby suggesting that both our theoretical and practical endeavors are grounded in one and the same rational capacity. HowKant's unity thesis ought to be interpreted and whether it can be substantiated remain sources of controversy in the literature. According to the strong reading of this claim, reason is a ‘unity’ because all our reasoning, including our theoretical reasoning, functions practically. Although several prominent commentators endorse this view, it is widely thought to lack exegetical support. This paper seeks to strengthen the case for this reading by showing how theoretical reason's positive function, asKant presents it in theAppendix to theTranscendentalDialectic, may be construed as fundamentally practical. I argue that reason's supreme regulative principle ought to be understood as a categorical practical imperative. This interpretation, I suggest, resolves the apparent inconsistencies that blightKant's account of the principle in theAppendix, while bringing greater overall coherence to his account of theoretical reason's regulative function.
Population incidence of Guillain−Barré syndrome in parts of China: three large populations in Jiangsu province, 2008–2010
Authors: Chen Y. , Ma F. , Zhang J. , Chu X. , Xu Y. 
Published: October 2013

Background and purposeIt is important to have an estimate of the incidence of Guillain−Barré syndrome (GBS) because of the expansion of vaccination programs and the associated risks of vaccine‐related GBS. Incidence information in Asia, especially in China, is scarce. This study attempts to describe GBS incidence in large Chinese populations located in three geographically different and moderately distant areas of the same province.MethodsThe surveyed areas were Nanjing, Yancheng and Xuzhou, which are three cities in Jiangsu province in China. Nanjing is in the south of Jiangsu province, Yancheng is in the middle and Xuzhou is in the north. The survey was carried out in regions that might have received patients meeting the case definition from 2008 to 2010. The population numbers came from the local Bureau of Statistics. Data analysis was conducted in 2011.ResultsThe incidence of GBS was 0.59 cases per 100 000 person‐years. The GBS incidence increased with age amongst people <80 years old. Males had a higher incidence of GBS than females. GBS incidence in Nanjing was the highest amongst the three regions.ConclusionsThe incidence rates in parts of Jiangsu province were lower than those in Europe and North America. There was one peak in incidence amongst older adults (70–80 years). Geographical differences in GBS incidence rates may be related to socioeconomic status. There were no significant seasonal variations of incidence in Jiangsu.
Linking Behavior and Community Ecology: Interspecific Aggression Provides Evidence for Competition Between a Migrant and Resident Warbler
Authors: Toms Judith D. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntraspecific aggression is known to be an important behavior structuring bird communities, but interspecific aggression has been studied less frequently. Because of a high degree of similarity in foraging niches, I hypothesized that American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) and Adelaide's warblers (S. adelaidae) would interact aggressively during the non‐breeding season in southwest Puerto Rico. I used a crossover experiment to determine whether these species were aggressive to heterospecifics, presenting decoys and vocalizations of these two species, along with a control, to individuals and observing their vocal and physical responses. However, the study used only a single playback and decoy for each species, limiting the generality of the conclusions. Both species responded aggressively to decoys of conspecifics and heterospecifics, while no individual responded to the control. Responses to conspecifics were stronger than responses to heterospecifics as hypothesized, although the differences were significant only in Adelaide's warblers. The interspecific aggression observed in this study, combined with previous studies showing a high degree of overlap in space use and foraging niches and probable food limitation, strongly suggests that these species are competing for food during the non‐breeding season.
Male Ornamentation in the European Minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) Signals Swimming Performance
Authors: Lai Yi‐Te , Kekäläinen Jukka , Kortet Raine 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe association between male secondary sexual ornamentation and male quality has been under intensive study for decades. It has been shown that male ornaments in fish indicate a variety of physical and genetic qualities. However, only few studies have investigated whether male ornaments signal locomotor performance, a trait that is expected to be vital for individual fitness in the nature. In this study, we sampled two populations of European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus), a cyprinid fish species with spectacular and colourful male breeding ornamentation, and examined the association between male ornaments (tubercle number, lateral darkness and abdominal redness), swimming performance, and three fitness‐related traits, body length (LT), condition factor (K) and gonadosomatic index (GI). We found that male tubercle number and abdominal redness were positively correlated with their swimming performance. In addition, these two ornaments were correlated with male fitness‐related traits, which in turn were also directly associated with the swimming performance. In general, these results suggest that in the European minnow male ornamentation may act as an honest signal of several fitness‐related traits and locomotor performance in the nature.
Drought footprint on European ecosystems between 1999 and 2010 assessed by remotely sensed vegetation phenology and productivity
Authors: Ivits Eva , Horion Stephanie , Fensholt Rasmus , Cherlet Michael 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDrought affects more people than any other natural disaster but there is little understanding of how ecosystems react to droughts. This study jointly analyzed spatio‐temporal changes of drought patterns with vegetation phenology and productivity changes between 1999 and 2010 in major European bioclimatic zones. The Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was used as drought indicator whereas changes in growing season length and vegetation productivity were assessed using remote sensing time‐series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Drought spatio‐temporal variability was analyzed using a Principal Component Analysis, leading to the identification of four major drought events between 1999 and 2010 in Europe. Correspondence Analysis showed that at the continental scale the productivity and phenology reacted differently to the identified drought events depending on ecosystem and land cover. Northern and Mediterranean ecosystems proved to be more resilient to droughts in terms of vegetation phenology and productivity developments. Western Atlantic regions and Eastern Europe showed strong agglomerations of decreased productivity and shorter vegetation growing season length, indicating that these ecosystems did not buffer the effects of drought well. In a climate change perspective, increase in drought frequency or intensity may result in larger impacts over these ecosystems, thus management and adaptation strategies should be strengthened in these areas of concerns.
Quantifying the global warming potential of CO2 emissions from wood fuels
Authors: Holtsmark Bjart 
Published: October 2013

AbstractRecent studies have introduced the metric GWPbio, an indicator of the potential global warming impact of CO2 emissions from biofuels. When a time horizon of 100 years was applied, the studies found the GWPbio of bioenergy from slow‐growing forests to be significantly lower than the traditionally calculated GWP of CO2 from fossil fuels. This result means that bioenergy is an attractive energy source from a climate mitigation perspective. The present paper provides an improved method for quantifying GWPbio. The method is based on a model of a forest stand that includes basic dynamics and interactions of the forest's multiple carbon pools, including harvest residues, other dead organic matter, and soil carbon. Moreover, the baseline scenario (with no harvest) takes into account that a mature stand will usually continue to capture carbon if not harvested. With these methodological adjustments, the resulting GWPbio estimates are found to be two to three times as high as the estimates of GWPbio found in other studies, and also significantly higher than the GWP of fossil CO2, when a 100‐year time horizon is applied. Hence, the climate impact per unit of CO2 emitted seems to be even higher for the combustion of slow‐growing biomass than for the combustion of fossil carbon in a 100‐year time frame.
Accidental aspiration of foreign bodies in dental practice: clinical management and prevention
Authors: Cossellu Gianguido , Farronato Giampietro , Carrassi Antonio , Angiero Francesca 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveForeign body aspiration is a possible complication of dental treatment that may result in a life‐threatening situation. The foreign body is often spontaneously ejected from the airway, but in other cases, surgical intervention is needed. Prevention, diagnostic procedures, treatment and complications are discussed.Materials and methodsThree cases of aspiration of dental instruments are described: the piece was localised in the right main bronchus in two cases and in the left main bronchus in one case.ResultsAll three cases underwent surgery (resection and bronchoscopy); in one case, the surgical attempt failed, and the foreign body was not located by radiography; it was assumed to have been expelled spontaneously.ConclusionThe management of dental materials and instruments requires particular care, especially if the patient is supine or semi‐recumbent. The dentist must be able to manage emergency situations in which patients accidentally inspire or swallow dental instruments or materials during treatment. Preventive techniques must be put in place because these incidents are preventable if the correct precautions are taken.
Serum atrial natriuretic peptide level inversely associates with metabolic syndrome in older adults
Authors: Wang Ji‐Hung , Lee Chung‐Jen , Hsieh Jen‐Che , Chen Yu‐Chih , Hsu Bang‐Gee 
Published: October 2013

AimAtrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a potent lipolytic agent that acts in adipose tissue. Low levels of ANP might lead to reduced lipolysis and excessive weight gain, which could be one of the biological alterations that contribute to the development of obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and fasting serum ANP concentrations in older adults.MethodsFasting blood samples were obtained from 90 older adults. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation.ResultsA total of 40 older adults (44.4%) had metabolic syndrome. Fasting ANP level was negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome (P = 0.015). Univariate linear regression analysis showed that high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001) was positively correlated with serum logANP levels, whereas waist circumference (P = 0.001) and body fat mass (P = 0.002) were negatively correlated with fasting serum logANP levels. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables showed that high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.419, R2= 0.268, P < 0.001) and body fat mass (β = −0.396, R2 = 0.154, P = 0.002) were independent predictors of fasting serum logANP levels in geriatric persons.ConclusionsSerum ANP levels were reduced in geriatric persons affected by metabolic syndrome. Body fat mass and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent predictors of fasting serum ANP levels in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 640–646.
A New Operational Paradigm for Small‐Scale ASR in Saline Aquifers
Authors: van Ginkel Marloes , Olsthoorn Theo N. , Bakker Mark 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA new operational paradigm is presented for small‐scale aquifer storage and recovery systems (ASR) in saline aquifers. Regular ASR is often not feasible for small‐scale storage in saline aquifers because fresh water floats to the top of the aquifer where it is unrecoverable. In the new paradigm, fresh water storage is combined with salt water extraction from below the fresh water cone. The salt water extraction counteracts the buoyancy due to the density difference between fresh water and salt water, thus preventing the fresh water from floating up. The proposed approach is applied to assess the feasibility of ASR for the seasonal storage of fresh water produced by desalination plants in tourist resorts along the Egyptian Red Sea coast. In these situations, the continuous extraction of salt water can be used for desalination purposes. An analytical Dupuit solution is presented for the steady flow of salt water toward a well with a volume of fresh water floating on top of the cone of depression. The required salt water discharge for the storage of a given volume of fresh water can be computed with the analytical solution. Numerical modeling is applied to determine how the stored fresh water can be recovered. Three recovery approaches are examined. Fresh water recovery rates on the order of 70% are achievable when salt water is extracted in high volumes, subsurface impermeable barriers are constructed at a distance from the well, or several fresh water recovery drains are used. The effect of ambient flow and interruptions of salt water pumping on the recovery efficiency are reported.
Using Domestic Well Records to Determine Fractured Bedrock Watersheds and Recharge Rates
Authors: Metcalf Meredith J. , Robbins Gary A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis study presents an approach for delineating groundwater basins and estimating rates of recharge to fractured crystalline bedrock. It entailed the use of completion report data (boring logs) from 2500 domestic wells in bedrock from the Coventry Quadrangle, which is located in northeastern Connecticut and characterized by metamorphic gneiss and schist. Completion report data were digitized and imported into ArcGIS® for data analysis. The data were processed to delineate groundwater drainage basins for the fractured rock based on flow conditions and to estimate groundwater recharge to the bedrock. Results indicate that drainage basins derived from surface topography, in general, may not correspond with bedrock drainage basins due to scale. Estimates of recharge to the bedrock for the study area indicate that only a small fraction of the precipitation or the amount of water that enters the overburden recharges the rock. The approach presented here can be a useful method for water resource‐related assessments that involve fractured rock aquifers.
Detection of high levels of Survivin–immunoglobulin M immune complex in sera from hepatitis C virus infected patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Matteucci Claudia , Sorrentino Roberta , Bellis Lia , Ettorre Giuseppe Maria , Svicher Valentina , Santoro Roberto , Vennarecci Giovanni , Biasiolo Alessandra , Pontisso Patrizia , Scacciatelli Daria , Beneduce Luca , Sarrecchia Cesare , Casalino Paolo , Bernardini Sergio , Pierimarchi Pasquale , Garaci Enrico , Puoti Claudio , Rasi Guido 
Published: October 2013

AimThe identification and surveillance of patients with liver dysfunctions and the discovering of new disease biomarkers are needed in the clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate on Survivin–immunoglobulin (Ig)M immune complex (IC) as a potential biomarker of chronic liver diseases.MethodsSerum levels of Survivin–IgM were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunoassay that had been standardized and validated in our laboratory in 262 individuals, including healthy subjects and patients with chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).ResultsSurvivin–IgM IC was lower in healthy subjects (median, 99.39 AU/mL) than in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (median, 148.03 AU/mL; P = 0.002) or with cirrhosis (median, 371.00 AU/mL; P < 0.001). Among patients with cirrhosis, those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed the highest level of Survivin–IgM IC (median, 633.71 AU/mL; P < 0.001). The receiver–operator curve analysis revealed that Survivin–IgM accurately distinguishes HCV correlated cirrhosis from chronic viral hepatitis (area under the curve [AUC], 0.738; sensitivity, 74.5%; specificity, 70.7%). A multivariate logistic regression model, including Survivin–IgM IC, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio increased the prediction accuracy for the identification of the cirrhotic HCV patients (AUC, 0.818; sensitivity, 87.2%; specificity, 65.9%). Conversely, Survivin–IgM IC significantly decreased in HCC patients (median, 165.72 AU/mL; P = 0.022).ConclusionOur results suggest that Survivin–IgM immune complex may be used as a potential biomarker for liver damage, particularly for the identification of the HCV‐related cirrhotic population.
Can research development bursaries for patient and public involvement have a positive impact on grant applications? A UK‐based, small‐scale service evaluation
Authors: Walker Dawn‐Marie , Pandya‐Wood Raksha 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundIncreasingly, research grant awarding bodies are regarding involvement at all stages of research, including prior to funding, as good practice. However, it is unclear how researchers should pay for this. Therefore, a pre‐funding bursary scheme was designed. Up to £500 could be requested for involvement to develop a grant application for which user involvement is a key requisite for the funding body concerned. As the bursary scheme had run for 2 years, an evaluation was conducted to ascertain whether the scheme was effective for incorporating early involvement and in developing the grant proposal.ResultsTwelve applications were made of which all were funded. The mean amount requested was £432.91; with the mean amount awarded £308.72. The involvement activities conducted all used qualitative methodology. Feedback regarding the bursaries was positive: enabling refinement of the research question and design; developing dialogue between the service users and the researchers; and helping with team building, with service users sometimes becoming co‐applicants or members of the steering groups. The bursaries provided a learning opportunity – about involvement for the researchers and about research for the service users. The ultimate aim of the scheme was to enhance the research grant. Regarding this, the involvement paid for by the bursary meant that applicants could complete the involvement sections with in‐depth information and clarity.ConclusionFor a relatively small financial outlay, appropriate involvement was made possible at an important part of the research process which is usually neglected due to lack of funding. Recommendations for implementation made.
The reasons behind variation in Gleason grading of prostatic biopsies: areas of agreement and misconception among 266 European pathologists
Authors: Berney Daniel M , Algaba Ferran , Camparo Philippe , Compérat Eva , Griffiths David , Kristiansen Glen , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Montironi Rodolfo , Varma Murali , Egevad Lars 
Published: October 2013

AimsThe Gleason scoring system underwent revision at the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) conference in 2005. It is not known how uropathologists have interpreted its recommendations.Method and resultsA web‐based survey to European Network of Uropathology members received replies from 266 pathologists in 22 countries. Eighty‐nine per cent claimed to follow ISUP recommendations. Key areas of disagreement included the following. Smoothly rounded cribriform glands were assigned Gleason pattern (GP) 3 by 51% and GP 4 by 49%. Necrosis was diagnosed as GP 5 by 62%. Any amount of secondary pattern of higher grade in needle biopsies was included in the Gleason score by 58%. Tertiary GP of higher grade on needle biopsies was included in the Gleason score by only 58%. If biopsy cores were embedded separately, only 56% would give a Gleason score for each core/slide examined; 68% would give a concluding Gleason score and the most common method was a global Gleason score (77%). Among those who blocked multiple biopsy cores together, 46% would only give an overall Gleason score for the case.ConclusionMisinterpretation of ISUP 2005 is widespread, and may explain the variation in Gleason scoring seen. Clarity and uniformity in teaching ISUP 2005 recommendations is necessary.