bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lethal and sublethal effects of eucalyptol on Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus, vectors of Chagas disease
Authors: Moretti Ariadna N. , Zerba Eduardo N. , Alzogaray Raúl A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEucalyptol is the common name for a cyclic ether monoterpene found in essential oils from Eucalyptus species and other plants. Several reports showed its insecticidal activity. In this work, visible symptoms of intoxication, effect on locomotor activity, knock‐down, and repellence produced by eucalyptol were evaluated on nymphs of Triatoma infestans Klug and Rhodnius prolixus Ståhl (both Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Both insects are among the main vectors of Chagas disease in Latin America. Visible symptoms of intoxication were similar to those observed for neurotoxic insecticides. A video tracking technique was used to evaluate locomotor activity and repellence by exposing the nymphs to impregnated papers. Hyperactivity (a non‐directional increase in locomotor activity) is a symptom of intoxication that is used to detect triatomines in rural houses, because it causes the insects to leave their refuges. Eucalyptol produced hyperactivity only in T. infestans at a concentration 1 000× higher than the positive control, deltamethrin [(S)‐cyano(3‐phenoxyphenyl)methyl (1R,3R)‐3‐(2,2‐dibromoethenyl)‐2,2‐dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]. It also produced repellence on both species at a concentration 10× higher than the positive control, DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide). Knock‐down effect was evaluated by exposing the nymphs to impregnated papers in closed containers (contact and fumigation simultaneously). Values of knock‐down time for 50% of exposed nymphs (KT50) were calculated for various concentrations of eucalyptol. The onset of knock‐down occurred more rapidly as the concentration increased. In the best cases, eucalyptol was 12–15× less toxic than the positive control dichlorvos (2,2‐dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate). After these results, eucalyptol seems discouraged as a hyperactivant agent for monitoring insects in rural houses. Nevertheless, its knock‐down and repellence effect on vectors of Chagas disease deserve further investigation.
Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage after thrombolysis with adjuvant anticoagulation in basilar artery occlusion
Authors: Sairanen T. , Strbian D. , Ruuskanen R. , Silvennoinen H. , Salonen O. , Lindsberg P. J. 
Published: December 2014

Background and purposeOur aim was to determine factors associated with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) in basilar artery occlusion patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and adjuvant anticoagulant therapy.MethodsA registry of 176 consecutive patients with angiography‐proven basilar artery occlusion who received IVT with alteplase and heparin between 1995 to 2013 was assessed. Post‐treatment sICH was evaluated with the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II criteria. Unfavourable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6 at 3 months.ResultsTwenty‐four patients developed sICH (13.6%, sICH+), all of whom had unfavourable outcome and only two (8.3%) sICH+ patients survived. On admission, sICH+ patients more frequently had extensive ischaemic changes defined as posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (PC‐ASPECTS) < 8 (50% vs. 27% in sICH−, P = 0.031) and lower platelet counts (183 vs. 218 E9/l; P = 0.011). They also had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (median 160 vs. 147 mmHg, P = 0.034) immediately after IVT. In multivariable regression analysis, lower platelet values [odds ratio (OR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–0.996; P = 0.006], PC‐ASPECTS < 8 on admission (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–10.3; P = 0.017) and higher SBP after treatment (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05; P = 0.017) were independently associated with sICH. Ninety per cent of the sICHs occurred within 48 h from IVT/anticoagulation treatment. No differences in activated partial thrompoplastin times prior to or after the treatment were observed between sICH+ and sICH− patients.ConclusionsThe risk of sICH was largely determined by extension of ischaemic changes on admission computed tomography. Clinically relevantly, also higher post‐thrombolytic SBP as described earlier and lower perithrombolytic platelet counts do increase the risk, a finding requiring confirmation in other patient series.
Life‐course social influences on tooth loss and oral attitudes among older people: evidence from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Åstrøm Anne N. , Ekback Gunnar , Lie Stein A. , Ordell Sven 
Published: December 2014

This study examined the relationship of trajectories in social condition with oral attitudes and major tooth loss, using the social mobility and accumulation life‐course models in a cohort. Whether social‐condition inequalities remained stable or changed from 65 yr of age to 70 yr of age was investigated. In 1992, 6,346 inhabitants born in 1942 and residing in two Swedish counties agreed to participate in a prospective survey. Of the participants in 1992, 3,585 (47.6% men) completed questionnaires in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. In line with the social‐mobility model, the prevalence of negative oral attitudes and major tooth loss in participants at 65 and 70 yr of age showed a consistent gradient according to social‐condition trajectory, whereby it was lowest among those who were persistently high and highest among those who were persistently low, with the upwardly and downwardly mobile categories being intermediate. A linear graded association between the number of periods with disadvantaged social condition and oral health supported the accumulation model. Both the social mobility and accumulation life‐course models were supported. Social‐condition differentials in negative oral attitudes and tooth loss seem to remain stable or to narrow weakly after the usual age of retirement.
Localization of specific language pathways using diffusion‐weighted imaging tractography for presurgical planning of children with intractable epilepsy
Authors: Jeong Jeong‐Won , Asano Eishi , Juhász Csaba , Chugani Harry T. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo examine whether diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) tractography can detect multiple white matter pathways connected to language cortices, we employed a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) classification method, which has been recently validated for the corticospinal tract.MethodsDWI was performed in 12 normally developing children and 17 children with intractable focal epilepsy who underwent subsequent two‐stage epilepsy surgery with intracranial functional mapping. First, whole‐brain DWI tractography was performed to identify unique pathways originating from Broca's area, premotor area, and Wernicke's area on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of normal children and intracranial electrical stimulation mapping (ESM) of children with epilepsy. Group averaging of these pathways based on fMRI was performed to construct the probability maps of language areas in standard MRI space. These maps were finally used to design a DWI‐MAP classifier, which can automatically sort individual fibers originating from fMRI language areas as well as ESM language areas.ResultsIn normally developing children, the DWI‐MAP classifier predicted language‐activation areas on fMRI with up to 77% accuracy. In children with focal epilepsy, the DWI‐MAP classifier also showed high accuracy (up to 82%) for the fibers terminating in proximity to essential language areas determined by ESM. Decreased volumes in DWI‐MAP–defined pathways after epilepsy surgery were associated with postoperative language deficits.SignificanceThis study encourages further investigations to determine if DWI‐MAP analysis can serve as a noninvasive diagnostic tool during pediatric presurgical planning by estimating not only the location of essential language cortices, but also the underlying fibers connecting these cortical areas.
Vitamin C induces a pluripotent state in mouse embryonic stem cells by modulating microRNA expression
Authors: Gao Yuan , Han Zhuo , Li Qian , Wu Yongyan , Shi Xiaoyan , Ai Zhiying , Du Juan , Li Wenzhong , Guo Zekun , Zhang Yong 
Published: December 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of noncoding RNAs, function as post‐transcriptional gene regulators and control the establishment, self‐renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Vitamin C has been recognized as a reprogramming enhancer because of its ability to induce a blastocyst‐like state in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, knowledge on the regulation of miRNAs by vitamin C in ESCs is limited. In this study, we found that vitamin C induced miRNA expression, particularly of ESC‐specific miRNAs. Moreover, vitamin C maintained the miRNA expression of the Dlk1–Dio3 imprinting region. The miRNAs in this region contain identical seed sequences, which target a class of genes, including Kdm6b, Klf13, and Sox6, and are mainly related to cell differentiation and development. These genes were significantly downregulated by vitamin C. Notably, miR‐143 promoted self‐renewal of mouse ESCs and suppressed expression of the de novo methyltransferase gene Dnmt3a. Knockdown of miR‐143 by use of its inhibitor counteracted the vitamin C‐induced reduction in Dnmt3a expression, showing that vitamin C repressed Dnmt3a expression via miR‐143. Vitamin C also promoted DNA demethylation, including of pluripotency gene promoters (Tbx3, Tcl1, and Esrrb) and ESC‐specific miRNA promoters (miR‐290–295 and miR‐17–92 clusters), and DNA hydroxymethylation, including of the intergenic differentially methylated region of the Dlk1–Dio3 region. These results strongly suggested that vitamin C promoted widespread DNA demethylation in gene promoters by modulating epigenetic modifiers, including Dnmt3a, which activated pluripotency genes and ESC‐specific miRNAs. Then, differentiation and development genes were repressed by ESC‐enriched miRNAs, which maintained the stem cell state.
Fatigue crack growth in Haynes 230 single crystals: an analysis with digital image correlation
Authors: Rabbolini S. , Pataky G. J. , Sehitoglu H. , Beretta S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractFatigue crack growth was investigated in Haynes 230, a nickel‐based superalloy. Anisotropic stress intensity factors were calculated with a least squares algorithm using the displacements obtained from digital image correlation. Crack opening/sliding levels were measured by analysing the relative displacement of crack flanks. Reversed crack tip plastic zones were calculated adopting an anisotropic yield criterion. The strains measured in the reversed plastic zone by digital image correlation showed a dependence on crystallographic orientation. Finally, a finite element model was adopted to examine plasticity around the crack tip. Results were compared with the experimentally observed strains.
Study of the fracture of ferritic ductile cast iron under different loading conditions
Authors: Fernandino D. O. , Boeri R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis work is a continuation of the studies presented in a recent paper by the authors, where the fracture surfaces of pearlitic ductile cast iron under different loading conditions were exhaustively analysed. In this study, fracture surfaces of ferritic ductile cast iron (or ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron) generated under impact, bending and fatigue loading conditions were characterised and compared. The fracture surfaces were characterised qualitatively and quantitatively from the observation under a scanning electron microscope. The fracture mechanisms in each case were identified. For impact tests, as test temperature increases, the dominant fracture mechanism changes from brittle to ductile. For bending tests, a fully ductile fracture micromechanism dominates the surface. In fatigue tests, the surface shows a mix of flat facets that appear to be cleavage facets and ductile striations, but the typical fatigue striations are not easily found on the fracture surface. Methodologies for the determination of the macroscopic direction of main crack propagation in both ductile and brittle failure modes are proposed. These allow identifying main crack propagation direction with good approximation.The results are potentially useful to identify the nature of loading conditions in a fractured specimen of ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron. The authors believe that it is necessary to extend the methodologies proposed in samples with different geometry and size, before they can be used to provide additional information to the classical fractographic analysis.
Detecting long‐term growth trends using tree rings: a critical evaluation of methods
Authors: Peters Richard L. , Groenendijk Peter , Vlam Mart , Zuidema Pieter A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTree‐ring analysis is often used to assess long‐term trends in tree growth. A variety of growth‐trend detection methods (GDMs) exist to disentangle age/size trends in growth from long‐term growth changes. However, these detrending methods strongly differ in approach, with possible implications for their output. Here, we critically evaluate the consistency, sensitivity, reliability and accuracy of four most widely used GDMs: conservative detrending (CD) applies mathematical functions to correct for decreasing ring widths with age; basal area correction (BAC) transforms diameter into basal area growth; regional curve standardization (RCS) detrends individual tree‐ring series using average age/size trends; and size class isolation (SCI) calculates growth trends within separate size classes. First, we evaluated whether these GDMs produce consistent results applied to an empirical tree‐ring data set of Melia azedarach, a tropical tree species from Thailand. Three GDMs yielded similar results – a growth decline over time – but the widely used CD method did not detect any change. Second, we assessed the sensitivity (probability of correct growth‐trend detection), reliability (100% minus probability of detecting false trends) and accuracy (whether the strength of imposed trends is correctly detected) of these GDMs, by applying them to simulated growth trajectories with different imposed trends: no trend, strong trends (−6% and +6% change per decade) and weak trends (−2%, +2%). All methods except CD, showed high sensitivity, reliability and accuracy to detect strong imposed trends. However, these were considerably lower in the weak or no‐trend scenarios. BAC showed good sensitivity and accuracy, but low reliability, indicating uncertainty of trend detection using this method. Our study reveals that the choice of GDM influences results of growth‐trend studies. We recommend applying multiple methods when analysing trends and encourage performing sensitivity and reliability analysis. Finally, we recommend SCI and RCS, as these methods showed highest reliability to detect long‐term growth trends.
Annual burning of a tallgrass prairie inhibits C and N cycling in soil, increasing recalcitrant pyrogenic organic matter storage while reducing N availability
Authors: Soong Jennifer L. , Cotrufo M. Francesca 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGrassland ecosystems store an estimated 30% of the world's total soil C and are frequently disturbed by wildfires or fire management. Aboveground litter decomposition is one of the main processes that form soil organic matter (SOM). However, during a fire biomass is removed or partially combusted and litter inputs to the soil are substituted with inputs of pyrogenic organic matter (py‐OM). Py‐OMaccounts for a more recalcitrant plant input toSOMthan fresh litter, and the historical frequency of burning may alter C and N retention of both fresh litter and py‐OMinputs to the soil. We compared the fate of these two forms of plant material by incubating13C‐ and15N‐labeledAndropogon gerardiilitter and py‐OMat both an annually burned and an infrequently burned tallgrass prairie site for 11 months. We traced litter and py‐OMC and N into uncomplexed and organo‐mineralSOMfractions andCO2fluxes and determined how fire history affects the fate of these two forms of aboveground biomass. Evidence fromCO2fluxes andSOMC:N ratios indicates that the litter was microbially transformed during decomposition while, besides an initial labile fraction, py‐OMadded toSOMlargely untransformed by soil microbes. Additionally, at the N‐limited annually burned site, litter N was tightly conserved. Together, these results demonstrate how, although py‐OMmay contribute to C and N sequestration in the soil due to its resistance to microbial degradation, a long history of annual removal of fresh litter and input of py‐OMinfers N limitation due to the inhibition of microbial decomposition of aboveground plant inputs to the soil. These results provide new insight into how fire may impact plant inputs to the soil, and the effects of py‐OMonSOMformation and ecosystem C and N cycling.
A review and meta‐analysis of the effects of multiple abiotic stressors on marine embryos and larvae
Authors: Przeslawski Rachel , Byrne Maria , Mellin Camille 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMarine organisms are simultaneously exposed to anthropogenic stressors with likely interactive effects, including synergisms in which the combined effects of multiple stressors are greater than the sum of individual effects. Early life stages of marine organisms are potentially vulnerable to the stressors associated with global change, but identifying general patterns across studies, species and response variables is challenging. This review represents the first meta‐analysis of multistressor studies to target early marine life stages (embryo to larvae), particularly between temperature, salinity and pH as these are the best studied. Knowledge gaps in research on multiple abiotic stressors and early life stages are also identified. The meta‐analysis yielded several key results: (1) Synergistic interactions (65% of individual tests) are more common than additive (17%) or antagonistic (17%) interactions. (2) Larvae are generally more vulnerable than embryos to thermal and pH stress. (3) Survival is more likely than sublethal responses to be affected by thermal, salinity and pH stress. (4) Interaction types vary among stressors, ontogenetic stages and biological responses, but they are more consistent among phyla. (5) Ocean acidification is a greater stressor for calcifying than noncalcifying larvae. Despite being more ecologically realistic than single‐factor studies, multifactorial studies may still oversimplify complex systems, and so meta‐analyses of the data from them must be cautiously interpreted with regard to extrapolation to field conditions. Nonetheless, our results identify taxa with early life stages that may be particularly vulnerable (e.g. molluscs, echinoderms) or robust (e.g. arthropods, cnidarians) to abiotic stress. We provide a list of recommendations for future multiple stressor studies, particularly those focussed on early marine life stages.
Impact of hepatitis E virus seropositivity on chronic liver disease in cancer patients with hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Kyvernitakis Andreas , Taremi Mahnaz , Blechacz Boris , Hwang Jessica , Jiang Ying , Mahale Parag , Torres Harrys A. 
Published: December 2014

AimImmunocompromised patients can develop chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and progress to cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected cancer patients who have received chemotherapeutic agents experience accelerated liver fibrosis progression. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and impact of HEV seropositivity on liver‐related outcomes in HCV‐infected cancer patients.MethodsAs part of a prospective study of HCV‐infected cancer patients conducted at our center, we investigate the characteristics associated with progression of their liver disease.ResultsOf the 115 patients tested, 13 (11%) were positive for HEV immunoglobulin G. HEV seropositivity was associated with advanced age (P = 0.004), race (P = 0.02), place of birth outside the USA (P = 0.021), cirrhosis (P = 0.027), history of reused needles/syringes during massive vaccination campaigns (P = 0.015) and coronary artery disease (P = 0.039). Overall, 47 (41%) of the patients had cirrhosis. Factors independently associated with cirrhosis were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; P = 0.028) and HEV seropositivity (OR, 4.1; P = 0.032).ConclusionHEV seropositivity is present in 11% of HCV‐infected cancer patients and seems to be associated with cirrhosis. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV‐infected patients with cancer.
Bacillus cereus in personal care products: risk to consumers
Authors: Pitt T. L. , McClure J. , Parker M. D. , Amézquita A. , McClure P. J. 
Published: December 2014

SynopsisBacillus cereus is ubiquitous in nature and thus occurs naturally in a wide range of raw materials and foodstuffs. B. cereus spores are resistant to desiccation and heat and able to survive dry storage and cooking. Vegetative cells produce several toxins which on ingestion in sufficient numbers can cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea depending on the toxins produced. Gastrointestinal disease is commonly associated with reheated or inadequately cooked foods. In addition to being a rare cause of several acute infections (e.g. pneumonia and septicaemia), B. cereus can also cause localized infection of post‐surgical or trauma wounds and is a rare but significant pathogen of the eye where it may result in severe endophthalmitis often leading to loss of vision. Key risk factors in such cases are trauma to the eye and retained contaminated intraocular foreign bodies. In addition, rare cases of B. cereus‐associated keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) have been linked to contact lens use. Bacillus cereus is therefore a microbial contaminant that could adversely affect product safety of cosmetic and facial toiletries and pose a threat to the user if other key risk factors are also present. The infective dose in the human eye is unknown, but as few as 100 cfu has been reported to initiate infection in a susceptible animal model. However, we are not aware of any reports in the literature of B. cereus infections in any body site linked with use of personal care products. Low levels of B. cereus spores may on occasion be present in near‐eye cosmetics, and these products have been used by consumers for many years. In addition, exposure to B. cereus is more likely to occur through other routes (e.g. dustborne contamination) due to its ubiquity and resistance properties of spores. The organism has been recovered from the eyes of healthy individuals. Therefore, although there may be a perceived hazard, the risk of severe eye infections as a consequence of exposure through contaminated near‐eye cosmetics is judged to be vanishingly small. It is unlikely that more stringent microbiological standards for near‐eye cosmetics will have any impact on the risk of severe eye infections caused by B. cereus, as these are not linked to use of personal care products.