bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Groundwater salinization intensifies drought impacts in forests and reduces refuge capacity
Authors: Kath Jarrod , Powell Sue , Reardon‐Smith Kathryn , El Sawah Sondoss , Jakeman Anthony J. , Croke Barry F. W. , Dyer Fiona J. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

Shallow groundwater aquifers regularly support drought refuges for water‐dependent ecosystems. However, many aquifers are impacted by over‐extraction and pollution, potentially degrading their ability to support groundwater‐fed drought refuges.

We investigated the response of groundwater‐connected riverine forests to a drought considered equivalent in intensity to those predicted under severe climate change for 2030. The drought's impact was investigated in an area where shallow groundwater resources are heavily exploited and polluted by salinization.

We used remotely sensed vegetation productivity (enhanced vegetation index) data from a long‐term data set (2000–2011) at 475 riverine forest sites in the Campaspe catchment, south‐eastern Australia. Generalized additive mixed models and boosted regression trees were used to model the relationship between groundwater and other environmental covariates with forest change during drought.

Models explained up to 44% of the variation in forest change during drought. Forests underwent the greatest declines in areas of high salinity (>6000 μS cm−1) associated with shallow groundwater depths (0–5 m). Conversely, forests in areas of lowest salinity (<2000 μS cm−1) and groundwater depths of more than 7·5 m showed the least decline during drought.

In landscapes where groundwater quality is not compromised, previous studies have shown that shallow groundwater provides important drought refuges and refugia. Here, we show that when groundwater salinization has occurred, forests connected to shallow groundwater are more vulnerable to drought. In effect, salinization reduces the capacity of groundwater‐connected habitats to function as drought refuges.

Synthesis and applications. Currently, there is an emphasis on managing environmental flows to support freshwater ecosystems and associated forests under water stress. However, delivery of environmental water is restricted to areas within a linear stream network and there is often limited capacity to deliver environmental flows during drought. Alternatively, a focus on drought refuges and refugia and processes important for maintaining groundwater quality (e.g. catchment revegetation to reduce shallow groundwater salinization) may better allow drought effects to be managed across a catchment, without directly focusing on highly contested surface water resources.
‘Rule your condition, don't let it rule you’: young adults’ sense of mastery in their accounts of growing up with a chronic illness
Authors: Heaton Janet , Räisänen Ulla , Salinas Maria 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPoor control of chronic illness is often attributed to patients’ non‐adherence to medical advice and treatment. Policy and practice has traditionally focused on improving adherence, assuming that the more patients comply, the better their control and outcomes will be. Drawing on complexity theory, we question this logic in a secondary analysis of qualitative data from studies of young adults’ experiences of growing up with a chronic illness. Examining their sense of mastery of their condition, we found they valued both being in medical control of their condition and having autonomy but had different ideas about how to achieve these goals. While some young adults mostly shared the traditional medical view that achieving good control was the key to retaining their autonomy, others saw control and autonomy as independent, non‐linear and potentially conflicting goals. The latter endeavoured to achieve both goals by striking a balance, variously adopting strategies of engagement with and resistance to their regime in the changing social contexts of their lives. We suggest that policy and practice needs to do more to promote autonomy and adaptive capacity, rather than simply maximising adherence and control, recognising the mundane complexity of living with and managing a chronic illness.
Susceptibility of northern corn rootworm Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab Bacillus thuringiensis proteins
Authors: Oyediran Isaac O. , Matthews Phillip , Palekar Narendra , French Wade , Conville Jared , Burd Tony 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe susceptibility of the northern corn rootworm Diabrotica barberi (Smith & Lawrence) to mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was determined using a diet bioassay. Northern corn rootworm neonates were exposed to different concentrations of mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab, incorporated into artificial diet. Larval mortality was evaluated after 7 d. The mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab proteins were found to be toxic to the northern corn rootworm larvae. The LC50 and LC99 values for mCry3A were 5.13 and 2482.31 μg/mL, respectively. For eCry3.1Ab, the LC50 and LC99 values were 0.49 and 213.01 μg/mL. Based on the estimated lethal concentrations, eCry3.1Ab protein was more efficacious to northern corn rootworm larvae than mCry3A. These lethal concentration values will be used as diagnostic doses for routine annual monitoring for change in susceptibility of field collected northern corn rootworm to mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab toxins.
Recombinant pediocin in Lactococcus lactis: increased production by propeptide fusion and improved potency by co‐production with PedC
Authors: Back Alexandre , Borges Frédéric , Mangavel Cécile , Paris Cédric , Rondags Emmanuel , Kapel Romain , Aymes Arnaud , Rogniaux Hélène , Pavlović Marija , van Heel Auke J. , Kuipers Oscar P. , Revol‐Junelles Anne‐Marie , Cailliez‐Grimal Catherine 
Published: July 2015

SummaryWe describe the impact of two propeptides and PedC on the production yield and the potency of recombinant pediocins produced in Lactococcus lactis. On the one hand, the sequences encoding the propeptides SD or LEISSTCDA were inserted between the sequence encoding the signal peptide of Usp45 and the structural gene of the mature pediocin PA‐1. On the other hand, the putative thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductase PedC was coexpressed with pediocin. The concentration of recombinant pediocins produced in supernatants was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The potency of recombinant pediocins was investigated by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration by agar well diffusion assay. The results show that propeptides SD or LEISSTCDA lead to an improved secretion of recombinant pediocins with apparently no effect on the antibacterial potency and that PedC increases the potency of recombinant pediocin. To our knowledge, this study reveals for the first time that pediocin tolerates fusions at the N‐terminal end. Furthermore, it reveals that only expressing the pediocin structural gene in a heterologous host is not sufficient to get an optimal potency and requires the accessory protein PedC. In addition, it can be speculated that PedC catalyses the correct formation of disulfide bonds in pediocin.
Manganese is an additional cation that enhances colonial phase variation of Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Kaluskar Zelam M. , Garrison‐Schilling Katherine L. , McCarter Kevin S. , Lambert Bliss , Simar Shelby R. , Pettis Gregg S. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryVibrio vulnificus, an inhabitant of marine and estuarine environments around the world, is the leading cause of reported seafood‐related deaths in the United States. Disease is caused by opaque colony‐forming strains that produce capsular polysaccharide, loss of which results in an unencapsulated translucent phenotype with diminished virulence potential. Rugose is a third phenotypic variant of V. vulnificus, and produces a separate exopolysaccharide that results in a dry, wrinkled appearance and the ability to form profuse biofilms. Phase variation among these three phenotypes is influenced by several environmental factors, including the presence of calcium in the medium (Garrison‐Schilling et al.). In this study, we have identified a second cation, manganese, which substantially increases the propensity of opaque V. vulnificus strains to switch to translucent or rugose phenotypes. In comparative studies, manganese and calcium promoted switching to the same phenotype for some strains but to different phenotypes for others, results of which indicate that the two cations do not always promote the same changes in underlying gene expression. The data here provide further evidence that exposure of V. vulnificus to select cations results in phenotypic changes that impact both virulence capacity and ecology of the organism.
EpiRADseq: scalable analysis of genomewide patterns of methylation using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Schield Drew R. , Walsh Matthew R. , Card Daren C. , Andrew Audra L. , Adams Richard H. , Castoe Todd A. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

Research addressing the role of epigenetics in a diversity of experimental and natural systems is rapidly accumulating. Diverse methods have been developed to study epigenetic states, including bisulphite sequencing and AFLP‐based approaches. However, existing methods are sometimes difficult to apply to non‐traditional model organisms that lack genomic resources (bisulphite sequencing), and can fail to be economical and readily scalable to diverse research questions because of reliance on traditional Sanger sequencing (AFLP approaches).

Here we develop a reduced‐representation library‐based approach that is scalable and economical to quantitatively compare patterns of genomewide methylation. This approach shares substantial similarity to the now widely used double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing‐based method (ddRADseq), except that it utilizes a methylation‐sensitive restriction enzyme. This method therefore identifies changes in the genomic methylation state of cytosine (to 5‐methylcytosine; 5mC) by sampling loci (via next‐generation sequencing) that are not methylated within a sample. We test this method to identify shifts in the epigenome of clonal water fleas (Daphnia ambigua) in response to exposure to fish predator cues, which are known to induce transgenerational changes in life‐history traits.

We found evidence for differential transgenerational responses (inferred via significant shifts in the methylation state of sampled loci) to predator cues among our treatment groups and remarkably consistent responses within treatment groups. Our results demonstrate that this method is capable of producing highly repeatable results even without the use of a reference genome.

Applications of this general method are broad and diverse and include the analysis of epigenetic shifts in both experimental and natural study systems.
A Review of the History of Attitudes Toward Drinking in Pregnancy
Authors: Warren Kenneth R. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundIt is now well accepted in pediatrics and obstetrics that prenatal alcohol is a teratogenic agent and the primary causative factor underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), although for the majority of the 20th century that knowledge was either unknown or ignored. At least 2 factors contributed to the delay in recognizing alcohol's role in teratogenicity: the rejection of earlier evidence pertaining to alcohol and pregnancy following the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, Canada, and several European countries; and misinterpretation of earlier research findings in a eugenic rather than toxicological context. The pervasive belief held well into the 1970s that there was no risk to either mother or fetus from prenatal alcohol posed a major challenge to changing physician and public attitudes on alcohol and pregnancy. This review provides insight on key events that occurred in changing physician and public understanding of the risks posed by prenatal alcohol use in pregnancy.MethodsHistorical review of events primarily in the U.S. federal government, found in referenced documents.ResultsThe transition in physician and public understanding of the risks posed by prenatal alcohol use was aided by the existence of National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) which was created in 1971. This government agency was able to support research on alcohol and pregnancy immediately following the 1973 published clinical reports calling attention to a proposed fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). These early research studies provided the foundation for the first government health advisory on alcohol and pregnancy, issued by NIAAA in 1977. Subsequently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used this new knowledge on FAS in their effort to add alcoholic beverages to the range of products with ingredient and consumer information labeling. The ensuing hearings and actions resulted in a new health advisory under the auspices of the Surgeon General, encouraging avoidance of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. In subsequent years, Congressional attention to the FAS issue resulted in the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Law.ConclusionsThe pace at which understanding of the risks of prenatal alcohol moved forward from a total misunderstanding to acceptance was aided by both the efforts of the NIAAA in its support of research, and the FDA in its efforts to improve consumer information. Today, many women in the United States as well as other countries continue to ignore advisories on avoiding alcohol consumption in pregnancy, emphasizing the need for persistence in education on these health risks.
Inflammation, neurotrophism and oxidative stress and childhood psychopathology in a large community sample
Authors: Cunha G. R. , Asevedo E. , Mansur R. B. , Zugman A. , Pan P. M. , Gadelha A. , Belangero S. I. , Rizzo L. B. , Coelho R. , Stertz L. , Cogo‐Moreira H. , Grassi‐Oliveira R. , Teixeira A. L. , Kauer‐Sant'Anna M. , Mari J. J. , Miguel E. C. , Bressan R. A. , Brietzke E. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between peripheral biomarkers and child psychopathology in a large community sample.MethodA total of 625 aged 6‐ to 13‐year old subjects were recruited from a community school‐based study. Psychopathology was assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Psychiatric diagnosis was evaluated using the Development and Well‐Being Assessment. The following biomarkers were examined in peripheral blood: brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17, IFN‐g, and TNF‐α), chemokines (eotaxin/CCL11, IP‐10, MCP‐1), cytokine receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2), and the oxidative stress marker TBARS.ResultsWe found significant associations between sTNFR2, eotaxin/CCL11 and CBCL total score, as well as with specific dimensions of psychopathology. There were different patterns of association between these biomarkers and psychological and behavioural symptoms in children with and without a mental disorder. TBARS, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 were more specific to some clusters of symptoms in children with a psychiatric diagnosis.ConclusionOur data support the potential use of biomarkers, especially those involved in immune–inflammatory pathways, in investigating neurodevelopmental psychopathology. Their association with different dimensions of symptoms might be of useful when analyzing illness severity and clusters of symptoms within specific disorders.
Structural brain aberrations associated with the dissociative subtype of post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Daniels J. K. , Frewen P. , Theberge J. , Lanius R. A. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveOne factor potentially contributing to the heterogeneity of previous results on structural grey matter alterations in adult participants suffering from post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the varying levels of dissociative symptomatology. The aim of this study was therefore to test whether the recently defined dissociative subtype of PTSD characterized by symptoms of depersonalization and derealization is characterized by specific differences in volumetric brain morphology.MethodWhole‐brain MRI data were acquired for 59 patients with PTSD. Voxel‐based morphometry was carried out to test for group differences between patients classified as belonging (n = 15) vs. not belonging (n = 44) to the dissociative subtype of PTSD. The correlation between dissociation (depersonalization/derealization) severity and grey matter volume was computed.ResultsPatients with PTSD classified as belonging to the dissociative subtype exhibited greater grey matter volume in the right precentral and fusiform gyri as well as less volume in the right inferior temporal gyrus. Greater dissociation severity was associated with greater volume in the right middle frontal gyrus.ConclusionThe results of this first whole‐brain investigation of specific grey matter volume in dissociative subtype PTSD indentified structural aberrations in regions subserving the processing and regulation of emotional arousal. These might constitute characteristic biomarkers for the dissociative subtype PTSD.
Contemporary trends in urinary tract stone surgery, a regional perspective: Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Acland George , Zargar‐Shoshtari Kamran , Rice Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study is to assess the contemporary patterns of utilization of various therapeutic options for the management of nephrolithiasis in our tertiary referral institution in Auckland, New Zealand.MethodsA retrospective audit was conducted for all urinary stone procedures between January 2007 and December 2013. Procedure‐related information was collected for each year. All elective and emergency procedures were included. Data were collected on the elective waiting lists for each procedure.ResultsA total of 5512 stone‐related cases were performed during the study period. Six hundred and fifty‐three cases were performed in 2007 compared with 945 in 2013. Total number of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNLs) performed, as well as the proportion of PCNL cases, demonstrated a significant decline from 84 (12.9%) in 2007 to 67 (7.1%) in 2013. While the annual numbers of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWLs) have increased, the percentage of ESWLs performed relative to total stone procedures has declined from 33% to 23% over the last 4 years of this audit. There has been a significant rise in the numbers of rigid and flexible ureteroscopies, with these now being the most utilized procedure. The number of patients awaiting elective procedures declined over the duration of this audit, with an associated improvement in meeting annual demand for treatment of nephrolithiasis from 78% in 2007 to 91% in 2013.ConclusionsA proportional decline in PCNL and ESWL utilization with a significant increase in flexible and rigid ureteroscopic procedures has been observed over this time and this pattern has been associated with improved adherence to surgical targets despite an increasing number of cases.
Contralateral neck failure in lateralized oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Habib Miriam , Murgasen Jothi , Gao Kan , Ashford Bruce , Shannon Kerwin , Ebrahimi Ardalan , Clark Jonathan R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundElective treatment of the contralateral clinically node‐negative (cN0) neck is not routinely recommended for lateralized oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We sought to determine the failure rate in the untreated contralateral neck in patients with lateralized oral SCC undergoing treatment of the primary and ipsilateral neck and to identify any features placing patients at sufficient risk of contralateral regional failure to justify elective treatment.MethodsWe identified 688 patients with oral SCC undergoing curative surgery ± adjuvant therapy between 1985 and 2012 from a prospectively collected database. Patients with midline primaries and those undergoing bilateral neck treatment were excluded. The primary endpoint was isolated contralateral neck failure.ResultsOf 481 patients, 14 (2.9%) developed isolated contralateral neck recurrence, with median time to recurrence of 8 months. Patients with poorly differentiated tumours or pathologically proven ipsilateral nodal metastases were at significantly higher risk of contralateral failure (hazard ratio (HR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–11.9, P = 0.037 and HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5–13.8, P = 0.006 respectively). Presence of both of these factors conferred a 10% risk of contralateral failure.ConclusionPatients with lateralized oral SCC undergoing treatment of the primary tumour and ipsilateral neck have a low rate of isolated contralateral neck failure. Although poorly differentiated primaries and ipsilateral nodal metastases were predictors of contralateral recurrence, the risk remains relatively modest in this subset of patients suggesting close observation may be more appropriate than elective treatment. Our results support current recommendations for observation of the cN0 contralateral neck in lateralized oral SCC.
The calcium‐activated potassium channel KCa3.1 plays a central role in the chemotactic response of mammalian neutrophils
Authors: Henríquez C. , Riquelme T. T. , Vera D. , Julio‐Kalajzić F. , Ehrenfeld P. , Melvin J. E. , Figueroa C. D. , Sarmiento J. , Flores C. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimNeutrophils are the first cells to arrive at sites of injury. Nevertheless, many inflammatory diseases are characterized by an uncontrolled infiltration and action of these cells. Cell migration depends on volume changes that are governed by ion channel activity, but potassium channels in neutrophil have not been clearly identified. We aim to test whether KCa3.1 participates in neutrophil migration and other relevant functions of the cell.MethodsCytometer and confocal measurements to determine changes in cell volume were used. Cells isolated from human, mouse and horse were tested for KCa3.1‐dependent chemotaxis. Chemokinetics, calcium handling and release of reactive oxygen species were measured to determine the role of KCa3.1 in those processes. A mouse model was used to test for neutrophil recruitment after acute lung injury in vivo.ResultsWe show for the first time that KCa3.1 is expressed in mammalian neutrophils. When the channel is inhibited by a pharmacological blocker or by genetic silencing, it profoundly affects cell volume regulation, and chemotactic and chemokinetic properties of the cells. We also demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of KCa3.1 did not affect calcium entry or reactive oxygen species production in neutrophils. Using a mouse model of acute lung injury, we observed that Kca3.1−/− mice are significantly less effective at recruiting neutrophils into the site of inflammation.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that KCa3.1 channels are key actors in the migration capacity of neutrophils, and its inhibition did not affect other relevant cellular functions.