bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using an energetic cost–benefit approach to identify ecological traps: the case of the African wild dog
Authors: van der Meer E. , Rasmussen G. S. A. , Fritz H. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn a natural environment, there are high‐quality habitats that produce a surplus of animals (sources), facilitating migration into low‐quality habitats in which mortality exceeds natality (sinks). Human alterations can increase the attractiveness of a low‐quality habitat and/or decrease the suitability of a high‐quality habitat, herewith creating an ecological trap. In an ecological trap, animals prefer to stay in habitats where mortality exceeds natality, which can result in extirpation of a population. It is important to distinguish ecological traps from sinks; however, relative population densities do not necessarily give reliable information. In order to identify ecological traps and set appropriate conservation priorities, it is necessary to gain insight into the relationship between habitat preference, quality and suitability. In this study, we used African wild dog hunt data and energetic cost–benefit analysis to determine whether the preferred habitat outside Hwange National Park (HNP) serves as an ecological trap. This analysis enabled us to take several ecological factors into account while assessing habitat quality. Although outside HNP anthropogenic mortality exceeded natality, per capita energetic intake was higher. This indicates that the habitat outside HNP serves as an ecological trap where human alterations have decreased the suitability of the high quality habitat. In order to ensure the recovery of the African wild dog population, conservation efforts should therefore focus on improving the suitability of the habitat outside HNP. This study shows that an energetic cost–benefit analysis can assist with identifying ecological traps and setting conservation priorities. Moreover, in cases of social territorial species, the cost–benefit analysis may also help to identify ecological traps before source populations are depleted, thus increasing the likelihood of population recovery.
Eruptive disseminated Spitz naevus (EDSN) in a young girl of Indian origin
Authors: Sharma Niyati , Ho Stephanie , Bing Tan Kong , McCormack Chris , Scolyer Richard , Lee Joyce 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEruptive disseminated Spitz naevus (EDSN) is a rare entity and has never been documented in a South‐east Asian individual (of Indian origin) previously. We report an adolescent with this condition which, to our knowledge, has only been previously reported a few times.
Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance
Authors: Lomer M. C. E. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBackgroundFood intolerance is non‐immunological and is often associated with gastrointestinal symptoms.AimTo focus on food intolerance associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and critically appraise the literature in relation to aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence.MethodsA search using the terms and variants of food intolerance, lactose, FODMAP, gluten, food chemicals within Pubmed, Embase and Scopus was carried out and restricted to human studies published in English. Additionally, references from relevant papers were hand searched for other appropriate studies.ResultsFood intolerance affects 15–20% of the population and may be due to pharmacological effects of food components, noncoeliac gluten sensitivity or enzyme and transport defects. There have been significant advances in understanding the scientific basis of gastrointestinal food intolerance due to short‐chain fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs). The most helpful diagnostic test for food intolerance is food exclusion to achieve symptom improvement followed by gradual food reintroduction. A low FODMAP diet is effective, however, it affects the gastrointestinal microbiota and FODMAP reintroduction to tolerance is part of the management strategy.ConclusionsThere is increasing evidence for using a low FODMAP diet in the management of functional gastrointestinal symptoms where food intolerance is suspected. Exclusion diets should be used for as short a time as possible to induce symptom improvement, and should be followed by gradual food reintroduction to establish individual tolerance. This will increase dietary variety, ensure nutritional adequacy and minimise impact on the gastrointestinal microbiota.
Forecast Verification and Visualization based on Gaussian Mixture Model Co‐estimation
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Fan C. R. , Zhang J. , Niu T. , Zhang S. , Jiang J. R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPrecipitation forecast verification is essential to the quality of a forecast. The Gaussian mixture model (GMM) can be used to approximate the precipitation of several rain bands and provide a concise view of the data, which is especially useful for comparing forecast and observation data. The robustness of such comparison mainly depends on the consistency of and the correspondence between the extracted rain bands in the forecast and observation data. We propose a novel co‐estimation approach based on GMM in which forecast and observation data are analysed simultaneously. This approach naturally increases the consistency of and correspondence between the extracted rain bands by exploiting the similarity between both forecast and observation data. Moreover, a novel visualization and exploration framework is implemented to help the meteorologists gain insight from the forecast. The proposed approach was applied to the forecast and observation data provided by the China Meteorological Administration. The results are evaluated by meteorologists and novel insight has been gained.
Breaking Down Silos: Mapping Growth of Cross‐Disciplinary Collaboration in a Translational Science Initiative
Authors: Luke Douglas A. , Carothers Bobbi J. , Dhand Amar , Bell Ryan A. , Moreland‐Russell Sarah , Sarli Cathy C. , Evanoff Bradley A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe importance of transdisciplinary collaboration is growing, though not much is known about how to measure collaboration patterns. The purpose of this paper is to present multiple ways of mapping and evaluating the growth of cross‐disciplinary partnerships over time. Social network analysis was used to examine the impact of a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) on collaboration patterns. Grant submissions from 2007 through 2010 and publications from 2007 through 2011 of Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) members were examined. A Cohort Model examining the first‐year ICTS members demonstrated an overall increase in collaborations on grants and publications, as well as an increase in cross‐discipline collaboration as compared to within‐discipline. A Growth Model that included additional members over time demonstrated the same pattern for grant submissions, but a decrease in cross‐discipline collaboration as compared to within‐discipline collaboration for publications. ICTS members generally became more cross‐disciplinary in their collaborations during the CTSA. The exception of publications for the Growth Model may be due to the time lag between funding and publication, as well as pressure for younger scientists to publish in their own fields. Network analysis serves as a valuable tool for evaluating changes in scientific collaboration.
Pioglitazone has a dubious bladder cancer risk but an undoubted cardiovascular benefit
Authors: Ryder R. E. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOn 8 April 2014, a US jury ordered Takeda and Eli Lilly to pay $9 bn in punitive damages after finding that they had concealed the cancer risks associated with pioglitazone. By contrast, on 28 August 2014, the long‐awaited outcome of the 10‐year Kaiser Permanente Northern California study was announced. That study was specifically designed to investigate whether patients exposed to pioglitazone were at an increased risk of bladder cancer and found no association; thus, at last, the controversial issue has been resolved. A review, in retrospect, of the story of the proposed link between pioglitazone and bladder cancer reveals flaws at every stage. In 2012, a BMJ editorial, in keeping with some other contemporary reports, stated ‘it can confidently be assumed that pioglitazone increases the risk of bladder cancer’. Examination of the information which led to such a statement shows that: 1) the pre‐clinical findings of bladder cancer in male rats is not indicative of human risk; 2) there is no association between bladder cancer and pioglitazone in randomized controlled trials, once cases that could not plausibly be related to treatment are removed; and 3) the observational studies that have suggested a link have over‐extrapolated from the data: pioglitazone‐treated patients had more risk factors for bladder cancer than those not treated with pioglitazone. Meanwhile careful study of randomized controlled trials shows evidence of cardiovascular benefit from pioglitazone in Type 2 diabetes, a condition which results, more than anything, in premature cardiovascular death and morbidity.
Diabetes in the young: a population‐based study of South Asian, Chinese and White people
Authors: Ke C. , Sohal P. , Qian H. , Quan H. , Khan N. A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsRates of diabetes mellitus in the young have not been quantified on a population level, particularly in South Asian and Chinese populations, which bear high rates of diabetes. We determined the incidence of diabetes (Type 2 diabetes and diabetes using insulin only) and rates of hospitalizations among South Asian, Chinese and White people aged 5–29 years with newly diagnosed diabetes.MethodsPeople with newly diagnosed diabetes (1997–2006) in British Columbia, Canada were identified using population‐based administrative data and pharmacy databases. Age‐standardized incidence rates were calculated for people with diabetes prescribed insulin only and those with Type 2 diabetes. They were followed for up to 8 years for all hospitalizations and diabetes‐related complications.ResultsThere were 712 South Asians, 498 Chinese and 6176 White people aged 5–29 years with diabetes. Most youth with diabetes had Type 2 diabetes (South Asian 86.4%; Chinese 87.1% and White 61.8%). The incidence of diabetes on insulin only was highest in White people compared with the other groups. The incidence of Type 2 diabetes was highest in South Asians, particularly in 20–29‐year‐olds, with rates 2.2 times that of White people and 3.1 times that of Chinese people. Hospitalization and diabetes‐related complications were uncommon in all groups.ConclusionThe incidence of Type 2 diabetes is higher than previously estimated among youth and is now surpassing diabetes on insulin only. Significant reductions in Type 2 diabetes screening ages in South Asians need to be considered and prevention efforts are urgently required in childhood and adolescence. Global estimates need to consider the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in the young.
Clinical relevance and cost‐effectiveness of HLA genotyping in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in screening for coeliac disease in the Netherlands
Authors: Elias J. , Hoorweg‐Nijman J. J. G. , Balemans W. A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsTo investigate the clinical relevance and cost‐effectiveness of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐genotyping in the Netherlands as a screening tool for the development of coeliac disease in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed in 110 children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosed between January 1996 and January 2013. All children were screened for coeliac disease using coeliac disease‐specific antibodies and HLA genotyping was performed in all children.ResultsOne hundred and ten children were screened for coeliac disease, and coeliac disease could be confirmed in seven. Eighty‐six per cent of the children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus had one of the variants of HLA–DQ2.5 and DQ8. HLA genotypes observed in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus children and coeliac disease were heterozygote DQ2.5, homozygote DQ2.5 and heterozygote DQ2.5/DQ8. HLA genotyping in coeliac disease screening in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus is more expensive than screening for coeliac disease with antibodies alone (€326 vs. €182 per child).ConclusionsThe risk of coeliac disease development in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus is increased when they are heterozygote DQ2.5/DQ8, homozygote or heterozygote DQ2.5. The implementation of HLA genotyping as a first‐line screening tool has to be reconsidered because it is not distinctive or cost‐effective.
Association of Mitral Annular Calcification with Left Ventricular Mechanics: A Speckle Tracking Study
Authors: Gökdeniz Tayyar , Boyaci Faruk , Hatem Engin , Bektaş Hüseyin , Kalaycıoğlu Ezgi , Gürsoy Mustafa Ozan , Aykan Ahmet Çağrı , Yıldız Banu Şahin , Altıntaş Bernas 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundMitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common echocardiographic finding in clinical practice and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis. However, data regarding left ventricular (LV) functions are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MAC and LV mechanical functions with the utility of two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).MethodsThe study involved 91 patients with MAC and 48 control subjects. Mitral annular thickness of 1–2 mm was reported as mild, 2–5 mm as moderate, and >5 mm as severe MAC. All patients underwent 2D echocardiography.ResultsMAC was observed in 91 (65.5%) patients. Of LV diastolic parameters, E/Em ratio, LAVI, LV mass index, and t‐LV UR were increased. Of LV systolic parameters, GLS and Sm were decreased, whereas Ar, Ar‐rate systole, peak LV twist, peak LV twist rate, LV‐tor, and MPI were increased, which were all correlated with presence and severity of MAC. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that LV mass index (β = 0.225, P = 0.012), t‐LV UR (β = 0.370, P < 0.001), LV mass index (β = 0.183, P = 0.025), MPI (β = 0.288, P < 0.001), and GLS (β = −0.385, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with MAC severity.ConclusionThe presence and severity of MAC is associated with impaired LV systolic and diastolic functions. Therefore, preventive strategies might be taken in patients with MAC to avoid LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
Anatomical variation of the spinous and transverse processes in the caudal cervical vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra in horses
Authors: Santinelli I. , Beccati F. , Arcelli R. , Pepe M. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyThere are scant data on the incidence of different anatomical variants of the equine caudal cervical spine, despite interest in cervical pathology.ObjectivesTo identify morphological radiographic variation in the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra in horses of different breeds and to determine whether there are breed‐ and sex‐related differences.Study designRetrospective descriptive study.MethodsRadiographs of the cervical spine of 270 horses were assessed retrospectively. The Chi‐square test, or Fisher's exact test when appropriate, was used to test for associations between radiographic findings and sex or breed, and residual analysis was performed to localise differences. Chi‐square tests and calculation of phi coefficient (φ) were used to test for associations between different types of radiological variation.ResultsThree variants were identified in the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra, and 2 variants were identified in the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra. The presence of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra was associated with breed, and transposition of the ventral process of the 6th cervical vertebra onto the ventral aspect of the 7th cervical vertebra was associated with sex. The shape of the spinous process of first thoracic vertebra was associated with the shape of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra and with the presence of transposition of the ventral process of the 6th cervical vertebra onto the ventral aspect of the 7th.ConclusionsA large number of anatomical variants can be detected radiographically in the caudal cervical area; some of these have a higher frequency, depending on sex and breed. Knowledge of the different shapes is very important in avoiding misdiagnosis of periarticular new bone formation. The spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra has 2 morphological variants.
Tat predominantly associates with host promoter elements in HIV‐1‐infected T‐cells – regulatory basis of transcriptional repression of c‐Rel
Authors: Dhamija Neeru , Choudhary Deepika , Ladha Jayashree S. , Pillai Beena , Mitra Debashis 
Published: December 2014

HIV‐1 Tat is a multifunctional regulatory protein that, in addition to its primary function of transactivating viral transcription, also tends to modulate cellular gene expression, for which the molecular mechanism remains to be clarified. We have reported earlier nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) enhancer binding activity of Tat and proposed this DNA binding activity as a possible molecular basis for Tat‐mediated regulation of cellular gene expression in infected cells. In the present study, we analyzed the genome‐wide occupancy of Tat protein on host cell chromatin in HIV‐1‐infected T‐cells to investigate a potential role of Tat on cellular gene expression. The results obtained identify a spectrum of binding sites of Tat protein on the chromatin and reveal that Tat is also recruited on a number of cellular gene promoters in HIV‐1‐infected T‐cells, indicating its possible involvement in the regulation of gene expression of such cellular genes. Tat was identified as a repressor of one such validated gene, c‐Rel, because it downregulates the expression of c‐Rel in both Tat expressing and HIV‐1‐infected T‐cells. The results also show that Tat downregulates c‐Rel promoter activity by interacting with specific NFκB sites on the c‐Rel promoter, thus providing a molecular basis of Tat‐mediated regulation of cellular gene expression. Thus, in the present study, we have not only identified recruitment sites of Tat on the chromatin in HIV‐1‐infected T‐cells, but also report for the first time that c‐Rel is downregulated in HIV‐1‐infected cells specifically by interaction of Tat with NFκB binding sites on the promoter.DatabaseThe microarray data supporting the results of this article are available in GEO (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo) under accession number GSE37183.
No evidence that elevated CO2 gives tropical lianas an advantage over tropical trees
Authors: Marvin David C. , Winter Klaus , Burnham Robyn J. , Schnitzer Stefan A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractRecent studies indicate that lianas are increasing in size and abundance relative to trees in neotropical forests. As a result, forest dynamics and carbon balance may be altered through liana‐induced suppression of tree growth and increases in tree mortality. Increasing atmospheric CO2 is hypothesized to be responsible for the increase in neotropical lianas, yet no study has directly compared the relative response of tropical lianas and trees to elevated CO2. We explicitly tested whether tropical lianas had a larger response to elevated CO2 than co‐occurring tropical trees and whether seasonal drought alters the response of either growth form. In two experiments conducted in central Panama, one spanning both wet and dry seasons and one restricted to the dry season, we grew liana (n = 12) and tree (n = 10) species in open‐top growth chambers maintained at ambient or twice‐ambient CO2 levels. Seedlings of eight individuals (four lianas, four trees) were grown in the ground in each chamber for at least 3 months during each season. We found that both liana and tree seedlings had a significant and positive response to elevated CO2 (in biomass, leaf area, leaf mass per area, and photosynthesis), but that the relative response to elevated CO2 for all variables was not significantly greater for lianas than trees regardless of the season. The lack of differences in the relative response between growth forms does not support the hypothesis that elevated CO2 is responsible for increasing liana size and abundance across the neotropics.
Mind the gap: non‐biological processes contributing to soil CO2 efflux
Authors: Rey Ana 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWidespread recognition of the importance of soil CO2 efflux as a major source of CO2 to the atmosphere has led to active research. A large soil respiration database and recent reviews have compiled data, methods, and current challenges. This study highlights some deficiencies for a proper understanding of soil CO2 efflux focusing on processes of soil CO2 production and transport that have not received enough attention in the current soil respiration literature. It has mostly been assumed that soil CO2 efflux is the result of biological processes (i.e. soil respiration), but recent studies demonstrate that pedochemical and geological processes, such as geothermal and volcanic CO2 degassing, are potentially important in some areas. Besides the microbial decomposition of litter, solar radiation is responsible for photodegradation or photochemical degradation of litter. Diffusion is considered to be the main mechanism of CO2 transport in the soil, but changes in atmospheric pressure and thermal convection may also be important mechanisms driving soil CO2 efflux greater than diffusion under certain conditions. Lateral fluxes of carbon as dissolved organic and inorganic carbon occur and may cause an underestimation of soil CO2 efflux. Traditionally soil CO2 efflux has been measured with accumulation chambers assuming that the main transport mechanism is diffusion. New techniques are available such as improved automated chambers, CO2 concentration profiles and isotopic techniques that may help to elucidate the sources of carbon from soils. We need to develop specific and standardized methods for different CO2 sources to quantify this flux on a global scale. Biogeochemical models should include biological and non‐biological CO2 production processes before we can predict the response of soil CO2 efflux to climate change. Improving our understanding of the processes involved in soil CO2 efflux should be a research priority given the importance of this flux in the global carbon budget.
Conditions that favor clover establishment in permanent grass swards
Authors: Tracy Benjamin F. , Schlueter David H. , Flores Joao Paulo 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOver seeding clover into permanent grasslands has many benefits, but successful establishment can be difficult as it depends on multiple interacting variables. This paper reports on a 2‐year factorial experiment conducted to evaluate how the interaction of several variables: (i) height of residual grass stubble at sowing, (ii) defoliation frequency, and (iii) fertilization with P and K affected clover seedling emergence and subsequent biomass in a permanent grass sward. In 2010, a red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) mix was broadcast seeded into grass plots arranged in a split‐split plot arrangement of treatments. Clover seed sown into short grass stubble produced two times more seedlings (226 m−2) compared with sowing into tall swards (106 m−2). Frequent defoliation facilitated clover establishment, but only when seed had been sown into short grass stubble. Fertilization increased red clover yield in year 1, but this also depended on interactions with defoliation frequency and stubble height. Overall, red clover benefitted from fertilization with P and K but only during the establishing year. Fertilization also promoted a less desirable weedy species, hop clover (Trifolium campestre Schreb.), which may have had negative impacts on clover yield and white clover persistence in year 2. The results highlight the complexity of managing grass‐legume mixtures especially with respect to fertilization.