bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructural evidence for complex formation histories of amoeboid olivine aggregates from the ALHA77307 CO3.0 chondrite
Authors: Han Jangmi , Brearley Adrian J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe microstructures and compositions of olivine and refractory components in six amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) in the Allan Hills A77307 CO3.0 chondrite have been characterized in detail using the focused ion beam sample preparation technique with transmission electron microscopy. In the AOAs, refractory components (perovskite, melilite, spinel, anorthite, and Al‐Ti‐bearing diopside) provide evidence of a high degree of textural and compositional heterogeneity, suggesting that these phases have formed by disequilibrium gas–solid condensation at high temperatures under highly dynamic conditions. We infer different possible reactions of early‐condensed solid minerals (perovskite and spinel) with a nebular gas, forming diopside with wide ranges of Al and Ti contents and/or anorthite. The progressive, incomplete consumption of spinel in these reactions may have resulted in the Cr enrichment in the remaining, unreacted spinel in the AOAs. In contrast to the refractory components, olivines in the AOAs have equilibrated textures with 120° triple junctions, indicating that the AOAs were subjected to high‐temperature annealing after agglomeration of olivine and refractory components. Because the AOAs consist of fine‐grained olivine grains with numerous pores, the annealing is constrained by experimental data to have occurred for a short duration of the order of a few hours to tens of hours depending on the annealing temperature. In comparison, the effects of annealing on the refractory components are minimal, probably due to pinning of grain boundaries in the multiphase assemblages that inhibited grain growth.
Staphylococcus aureus haem biosynthesis: characterisation of the enzymes involved in final steps of the pathway
Authors: Lobo Susana A. L. , Scott Alan , Videira Marco A. M. , Winpenny David , Gardner Mark , Palmer Mike J. , Schroeder Susanne , Lawrence Andrew D. , Parkinson Tanya , Warren Martin J. , Saraiva Lígia M. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryHaem is a life supporting molecule that is ubiquitous in all major kingdoms. In Staphylococcus aureus, the importance of haem is highlighted by the presence of systems both for the exogenous acquisition and endogenous synthesis of this prosthetic group. In this work, we show that in S. aureus the formation of haem involves the conversion of coproporphyrinogen III into coproporphyrin III by coproporphyrin synthase HemY, insertion of iron into coproporphyrin III via ferrochelatase HemH, and oxidative decarboxylation of Fe‐coproporphyrin III into protohaem IX by Fe‐coproporphyrin oxidase/dehydrogenase HemQ. Together, this route represents a transitional pathway between the classic pathway and the more recently acknowledged alternative biosynthesis machinery. The role of the haem biosynthetic pathway in the survival of the bacterium was investigated by testing for inhibitors of HemY. Analogues of acifluorfen are shown to inhibit the flavin‐containing HemY, highlighting this protein as a suitable target for the development of drugs against S. aureus. Moreover, the presence of a transitional pathway for haem biosynthesis within many Gram positive pathogenic bacteria suggests that this route has the potential not only for the design of antimicrobials but also for the selective discrimination between bacteria operating different routes to the biosynthesis of haem.
Serum posaconazole levels during acute myeloid leukaemia induction therapy: correlations with breakthrough invasive fungal infections
Authors: Cattaneo Chiara , Panzali Annafranca , Passi Angela , Borlenghi Erika , Lamorgese Cinzia , Petullà Marta , Re Alessandro , Caimi Luigi , Rossi Giuseppe 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe usefulness of posaconazole therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is still a matter of debate. A correlation between posaconazole serum levels and breakthrough invasive fungal infections (IFI) has not been clearly demonstrated so far. We analysed posaconazole serum levels in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) during induction therapy and correlated them with the incidence of breakthrough IFI and the need of systemic antifungal therapy. Overall, 77 AML patients receiving posaconazole were evaluated for serum levels; breakthrough IFI were observed in five with at least one posaconazole TDM (6.5%). Median serum level was 534 ng ml−1 (IQ range: 298.5–750.5 ng ml−1) and did not change significantly over time. Four of the 40 patients with median posaconazole levels <500 ng ml−1 developed IFI, as compared with only 1 of the 37 patients with median levels ≥500 (10% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.19). Median posaconazole levels on day 7 were 384.5 ng ml−1 (IQ range: 207–659 ng ml−1) and 560.5 ng ml−1 (IQ range: 395–756 ng ml−1) in patients requiring or not systemic antifungal treatment respectively (P = 0.067). These results seem to confirm that higher median serum levels of posaconazole correlate with higher prophylactic efficacy against proven/probable IFI and with lesser need of systemic antifungal therapy.
Micro‐vesicles derived from bone marrow stem cells protect the kidney both in vivo and in vitro by microRNA‐dependent repairing
Authors: He Juan , Wang Yan , Lu Xingyan , Zhu Bei , Pei Xiaohua , Wu Jianqing , Zhao Weihong 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimsMicro‐vesicles (MVs) from bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to contribute to the recovery of damaged kidney. The aims of the present study are to investigate the biological effects and repair mechanisms of MVs.MethodsMicro‐vesicles were obtained from MSC supernatants. In vitro, the proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2) were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF‐β1). The expressions of E‐cadherin and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) were evaluated. In vitro, the mice were divided into: control, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), UUO+MSC, and UUO+MV group. MVs and MSCs were injected after surgery. The mice were killed 7/14 days after surgery and handled for further tests. The micro‐RNA expressions were labeled using the miRCURY Hy3/Hy5 Power labeling kit and hybridized on the miRCURY LNA Array.ResultsIn vitro, MV reversed transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced morphological changes, and firmed the expression of E‐cadherin and reduced the secretion of α‐SMA in HK2 cells. In vivo, the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the MV and MSC group was lower than the UUO (P < 0.01). The Scr level decreased after 7 days of MV treatment (P < 0.05). Administration of MSC and MV reduced Scr level at day 14 (P < 0.05). The level of serum UA decreased with MV administration (day 7,14, P < 0.01). Herein, a total of 503 expressed miRNAs were detected, of which, 266 were in MSC, including 237 in MVs.ConclusionMicro‐vesicles (MVs) protect kidneys both in vivo and vitro, and MVs are superior to MSCs in some respects. MVs can be a potential therapy in treatment of kidney diseases.
Growth duration is a better predictor of stem increment than carbon supply in a Mediterranean oak forest: implications for assessing forest productivity under climate change
Authors: Lempereur Morine , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas K. , Damesin Claire , Joffre Richard , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Rocheteau Alain , Rambal Serge 
Published: April 2015

Summary

Understanding whether tree growth is limited by carbon gain (source limitation) or by the direct effect of environmental factors such as water deficit or temperature (sink limitation) is crucial for improving projections of the effects of climate change on forest productivity.

We studied the relationships between tree basal area (BA) variations, eddy covariance carbon fluxes, predawn water potential (Ψpd) and temperature at different timescales using an 8‐yr dataset and a rainfall exclusion experiment in a Quercus ilex Mediterranean coppice.

At the daily timescale, during periods of low temperature (< 5°C) and high water deficit (< −1.1 MPa), gross primary productivity and net ecosystem productivity remained positive whereas the stem increment was nil. Thus, stem increment appeared limited by drought and temperature rather than by carbon input. Annual growth was accurately predicted by the duration of BA increment during spring (Δtt0–t1). The onset of growth (t0) was related to winter temperatures and the summer interruption of growth (t1) to a threshold Ψpd value of −1.1 MPa.

We suggest that using environmental drivers (i.e. drought and temperature) to predict stem growth phenology can contribute to an improvement in vegetation models and may change the current projections of Mediterranean forest productivity under climate change scenarios.
Optimal line of hepatotomy for left lateral living donor liver transplantation according to the anatomical variations of left hepatic duct system
Authors: Kiss Mátyás , Deshpande Rahul R. , Nemeskéri Ágnes , Nguyen Tien T. , Kürti Zsuzsanna , Kovács Sándor , Pápai Zsolt , Németh Károly , Szuák András , Dudás Ibolyka , Kóbori László 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMultiple duct anastomoses during LLS transplantation increase the incidence of biliary complications. The optimal plane of hepatotomy that results in the least number of bile ducts at the surface was investigated according to LHD variations. Ducts of 30 human livers were injected with resin and LHD branching on 3D‐CT reconstructions were analyzed. Ducts on the virtual hepatotomy surface were estimated in three splitting lines. Variations with subtypes were described. Ia (66.7%): ducts from segments (S.) II–III form a common trunk and S.IV duct joins it. Ib (10%): common trunk formed by ducts from S.II–S.III while S.IV duct joins the common hepatic duct. IIa (16.67%): S.IV duct drains into S.III duct. IIc (3.33%): S.IV duct drains into both S.II and S.III ducts. III (3.33%): trifurcation of S.II, S.III and S.IV ducts. When the virtual hepatotomy line was on the FL, there was a single duct for the anastomosis in 30% of cases but two, three, or four ducts in 53.3%, 10%, and 3.3%, respectively. Division 1 cm to the right of the FL resulted in one duct (70%), but S.IV duct injury may occur. LLS hepatotomy should not necessarily be performed along the FL. Variations must be taken into consideration to minimize the number of biliary anastomoses during liver implantation.
Accountability and global governance: The view from paternalism
Authors: Barnett Michael 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA standard view is that global governance institutions require strong accountability mechanisms to perform effectively and legitimately. Yet these institutions are much better at preaching than practicing accountability. A standard explanation for this gap references interests. For various reasons, institutions and their creators would rather be less than more accountable, and they are quite content to live with the hypocrisy. This article points to an alternative possibility: the public interest. An article of faith is that modern governance should be staffed by relatively autonomous experts who use their specialized knowledge for the greater good; accordingly, they cannot be accountable to those who are affected by their decisions. Too much democracy, therefore, can be a source of dysfunction. Yet expert authority's virtues also can become vices; namely, insulation from those affected by their decisions can also be a source of dysfunction, most closely associated with the “iron cage.” Although the possibility that expertise is both a virtue (effectiveness) and a vice (dysfunction) is well known in the literature on domestic governance, it has been neglected in discussions of global governance. Indeed, the dangers of, and dysfunctions associated with the iron cage might be greater in global governance than in domestic governance precisely because of the absence of institutional checks that often are produced by a preexisting social contract between the rulers and the ruled. I probe this possibility in the area of humanitarian governance.
The Vitamin D Analogue Calcipotriol Reduces the Frequency of CD8+IL‐17+ T Cells in Psoriasis Lesions
Authors: Dyring‐Andersen B. , Bonefeld C. M. , Bzorek M. , Løvendorf M. B. , Lauritsen J. P. H. , Skov L. , Geisler C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe vitamin D analogue calcipotriol is an immunomodulatory drug widely used to treat psoriasis; however, how calcipotriol affects the immune cells in psoriasis lesions is not fully understood. The aim of this atudy was to investigate the effect of calcipotriol on the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILC) and their production of IL‐17A, IFN‐γ and IL‐22 in psoriasis lesions in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Eighteen patients with psoriasis were included, and two similar psoriasis lesions were chosen for each patient. One lesion was treated with calcipotriol (50 μg/g) and the other with vehicle twice a day for 14 days. The clinical effect was measured by degree of erythema, scaling and induration in each lesion (SUM score). Skin biopsies were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Skin‐derived cells were isolated and analysed by flow cytometry. After 14 days of treatment with calcipotriol, a significant clinical and histological effect was seen; however, we found no differences in the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells or ILC between calcipotriol‐ and vehicle‐treated skin. The main finding was a significant decrease in CD8+IL‐17+ T cells in skin‐derived cells from calcipotriol‐treated skin, which was further supported by the absence of CD8+IL‐17+ T cells in immunohistochemical staining of calcipotriol‐treated skin. No changes in the frequency of IL‐22+ or IFN‐γ+ cells were observed. Our findings show that the vitamin D analogue calcipotriol reduces the frequency of CD8+IL‐17+ T cells in psoriasis lesions concomitant with clinical improvement.
Effects of nitric oxide and its congeners on sickle red blood cell deformability
Authors: Belanger Andrea M. , Keggi Christian , Kanias Tamir , Gladwin Mark T. , Kim‐Shapiro Daniel B. 
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUNDSickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by hemoglobin polymerization upon deoxygenation. Polymerization causes the sickle cells to become rigid and misshapen (sickling). Red blood cell (RBC) dehydration greatly increases polymerization. Cycles of sickling and unsickling cause an influx of calcium that leads to loss of potassium via the calcium‐activated Gardos channel, which dehydrates the cells leading to increased polymerization. In this study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) and its congeners on RBC deformability were examined, focusing on sickle RBCs (sRBCs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSRBCs from patients with SCD and from nonpatients were exposed to various compounds that release NO or its congeners. Intracellular calcium was increased using a calcium ionophore or cycling of oxygen tension for sRBCs. Deformability was measured by laser‐assisted osmotic gradient ektacytometry.RESULTSConsistent with a previous report, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was found to protect against calcium‐induced loss of deformability in normal RBCs, but (contrary to some previous reports) no effect of any NO donors was observed when calcium influx was not induced. Importantly, in studies of deoxygenation‐induced dehydration of sRBCs, SNP resulted in substantial improvements in deformability (p = 0.036) and hydration (p = 0.024). Sodium nitrite showed similar trends. SNP was shown to have no effect on calcium influx, but reduced potassium efflux.CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that SNP and perhaps certain nitrogen oxides (like nitrite) inhibit the Gardos channel and may be able to protect sickle cells from dehydration and thereby improve outcome in the disease.
Elements affecting wound healing time: An evidence based analysis
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Cullen Marianne , Chambers Helen , Carroll Matthew , Walker Judi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify the predominant client factors and comorbidities that affected the time taken for wounds to heal. A prospective study design used the Mobile Wound Care (MWC) database to capture and collate detailed medical histories, comorbidities, healing times and consumable costs for clients with wounds in Gippsland, Victoria. There were 3,726 wounds documented from 2,350 clients, so an average of 1.6 wounds per client. Half (49.6%) of all clients were females, indicating that there were no gender differences in terms of wound prevalence. The clients were primarily older people, with an average age of 64.3 years (ranging between 0.7 and 102.9 years). The majority of the wounds (56%) were acute and described as surgical, crush and trauma. The MWC database categorized the elements that influenced wound healing into 3 groups—factors affecting healing (FAH), comorbidities, and medications known to affect wound healing. While there were a multitude of significant associations, multiple linear regression identified the following key elements: age over 65 years, obesity, nonadherence to treatment plan, peripheral vascular disease, specific wounds associated with pressure/friction/shear, confirmed infection, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Wound healing is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of influencing elements to improve healing times.© 2015 by the Wound Healing Society
Real‐time markerless lung tumor tracking in fluoroscopic video: Handling overlapping of projected structures
Authors: Teske Hendrik , Mercea Paul , Schwarz Michael , Nicolay Nils H. , Sterzing Florian , Bendl Rolf 
Published: April 2015

Purpose:Fluoroscopic imaging is a well‐suited technique for online visualization of tumor motion in the thoracic region. Template‐based approaches for tumor tracking in such images are commonly used. However, overlapping of different structures, mainly bones, can lead to limited visibility of the projected tumor shape, which in turn can negatively affect the performance of the tracking method. In this study, a method based on multiple‐template matching was developed, providing fast and robust detection of tumor motion even under the influence of occurring tumor overlaps.Methods:A cohort of 14 patients with varying tumor sizes and locations was investigated. Image data from eight of these patients were used for evaluation. Based on the requirement of tumor visibility, the remaining datasets did not qualify for tracking. Generation of multiple templates was improved by implementation of an algorithm for automated selection of reference images containing the most characteristic tumor appearances. Various measures were taken to ensure real‐time capability of the algorithm. A prematching step was introduced in order to reduce dispensable comparison operations by selecting the most appropriate template. Subsequent matching was further optimized by using prior knowledge about likely tumor motion to effectively limit necessary matching tasks.Results:Tracking accuracy of the developed multiple‐template method was compared with that of single‐template. Mean errors of the multiple‐template approach were 0.6 ± 0.6 mm in left–right and 0.9 ± 0.9 mm in superior–inferior direction in the isocenter plane. The single‐template approach achieved mean errors of 0.7 ± 0.7 mm in left–right and 1.5 ± 1.3 mm in superior–inferior direction. These results derive from evaluation against manual tumor tracking performed by four expert observers. Computational times needed for tumor detection in a single fluoroscopic frame ranged between 1 and 29 ms depending on the tumor size and motion amplitude.Conclusions:This study shows that in case of tumor overlapping with dense structures, multiple‐template tracking provides more accurate results than a single‐template approach. The developed algorithm shows promising results in terms of suitability for real‐time application and robustness against frequently changing overlapping.
Characterization of a MOSkin detector for in vivo skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures
Authors: Safari M. J. , Wong J. H. D. , Ng K. H. , Jong W. L. , Cutajar D. L. , Rosenfeld A. B. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose:The MOSkin is a MOSFET detector designed especially for skin dose measurements. This detector has been characterized for various factors affecting its response for megavoltage photon beams and has been used for patient dose measurements during radiotherapy procedures. However, the characteristics of this detector in kilovoltage photon beams and low dose ranges have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to characterize the MOSkin detector to determine its suitability for in vivo entrance skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures.Methods:The calibration and reproducibility of the MOSkin detector and its dependency on different radiation beam qualities were carried out using RQR standard radiation qualities in free‐in‐air geometry. Studies of the other characterization parameters, such as the dose linearity and dependency on exposure angle, field size, frame rate, depth‐dose, and source‐to‐surface distance (SSD), were carried out using a solid water phantom under a clinical x‐ray unit.Results:The MOSkin detector showed good reproducibility (94%) and dose linearity (99%) for the dose range of 2 to 213 cGy. The sensitivity did not significantly change with the variation of SSD (±1%), field size (±1%), frame rate (±3%), or beam energy (±5%). The detector angular dependence was within ±5% over 360° and the dose recorded by the MOSkin detector in different depths of a solid water phantom was in good agreement with the Markus parallel plate ionization chamber to within ±3%.Conclusions:The MOSkin detector proved to be reliable when exposed to different field sizes, SSDs, depths in solid water, dose rates, frame rates, and radiation incident angles within a clinical x‐ray beam. The MOSkin detector with water equivalent depth equal to 0.07 mm is a suitable detector for in vivo skin dosimetry during interventional radiology procedures.
Big names or big ideas: Do peer-review panels select the best science proposals?
Authors: Li Danielle , Agha Leila 
Published: April 2015

Proof that peer review picks promising proposals
A key issue in the economics of science is finding effective mechanisms for innovation. A concern about research grants and other research and development subsidies is that the public sector may make poor decisions about which projects to fund. Despite its importance, especially for the advancement of basic and early-stage science, there is currently no large-scale empirical evidence on how successfully governments select research investments. Li and Agha analyze more than 130,000 grants funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health during 1980–2008 and find clear benefits of peer evaluations, particularly for distinguishing high-impact potential among the most competitive applications.

Science
, this issue p. 434
Isolated compact elliptical galaxies: Stellar systems that ran away
Authors: Chilingarian Igor , Zolotukhin Ivan 
Published: April 2015

Galaxies stripped down and evicted
It is easy to imagine that the relatively small and dense compact elliptical galaxies once had more to them. Especially when massive galactic neighbors are seen nearby that may have robbed them of their matter, but sometimes there are no such neighbors. Chilingarian and Zolotukhin have mined survey data to show that stripped-down galaxies are found in varied environments, with and without obvious disruptive companions. These isolated galaxies may still have been tidally stripped and then ejected from more crowded neighborhoods.

Science
, this issue p. 418