bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat to expand knowledge and assist felid conservation in Misiones, Argentina
Authors: DeMATTEO Karen E. , RINAS Miguel A. , ARGÜELLES Carina F. , HOLMAN Bernardo E. , DI BITETTI Mario S. , DAVENPORT Barbara , PARKER Patricia G. , EGGERT Lori S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMany carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs; however, anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats. Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types; however, a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size, habitat use and movement patterns, and individual identification of animals is not always possible. We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for 4 wide‐ranging felids that vary in these characteristics: jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011, a detection dog‐handler team detected 588 scats, from which 176 unique genotypes were detected. We assigned sex to 84.7% of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times. The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques (detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat) not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques, but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.
Stoichiometry of a semi‐aquatic plethodontid salamander: Intraspecific variation due to location, size and diet
Authors: MILANOVICH Joseph R. , HOPTON Matthew E. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEcological stoichiometry provides a framework to investigate an organism's relationship to nutrient cycles. An organism's stoichiometry is thought to constrain its contribution to nutrient cycles (recycling or storage), and to limit its growth and reproduction. Factors that influence the stoichiometry of a consumer are largely unstudied, but what is known is that consumer stoichiometry is influenced by the elemental requirements of the consumer (e.g. for growth, reproduction and cell maintenance) and the availability of elements. We examined whole‐body stoichiometry of larval southern two‐lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera) and described the influence of location, body size, stoichiometry of diet items, and environmental nutrient supply on whole‐body stoichiometry. Mean composition of phosphorous was 2.6%, nitrogen was 11.3%, and carbon was 39.6%, which are similar for other aquatic vertebrate taxa. The most significant predictor of whole‐body stoichiometry was the site where the samples were collected, which was significant for each nutrient and nutrient ratio. Body size and stoichiometry of diet items were also predictors of Eurycea cirrigera stoichiometry. Our study suggests that spatial differences in environmental nutrient supply have a stronger influence on consumer whole‐body stoichiometry among similar‐sized larvae compared to life history traits, such as body size or diet.
Assessment of Myocardial Infarct Size with Body Surface Potential Mapping: Validation against Contrast‐Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kylmälä Minna M. , Konttila Teijo , Vesterinen Paula , Kivistö Sari M. , Lauerma Kirsi , Lindholm Mats , Väänänen Heikki , Stenroos Matti , Nieminen Markku S. , Hänninen Helena , Toivonen Lauri 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundAssessment of myocardial infarct (MI) size is important for therapeutic and prognostic reasons. We used body surface potential mapping (BSPM) to evaluate whether single‐lead electrocardiographic variables can assess MI size.MethodsWe performed BSPM with 120 leads covering the front and back chest (plus limb leads) on 57 patients at different phases of MI: acutely, during healing, and in the chronic phase. Final MI size was determined by contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (DE‐CMR) and correlated with various computed depolarization‐ and repolarization‐phase BSPM variables. We also calculated correlations between BSPM variables and enzymatic MI size (peak CK‐MBm).ResultsBSPM variables reflecting the Q‐ and R wave showed strong correlations with MI size at all stages of MI. R width performed the best, showing its strongest correlation with MI size on the upper right back, there representing the width of the “reciprocal Q wave” (r = 0.64–0.71 for DE‐CMR, r = 0.57–0.64 for CK‐MBm, P < 0.0001). Repolarization‐phase variables showed only weak correlations with MI size in the acute phase, but these correlations improved during MI healing. T‐wave variables and the QRSSTT integral showed their best correlations with DE‐CMR defined MI size on the precordial area, at best r = −0.57, P < 0.0001 in the chronic phase. The best performing BSPM variables could differentiate between large and small infarcts at all stages of MI.ConclusionsComputed, single‐lead electrocardiographic variables can estimate the final infarct size at all stages of MI, and differentiate large infarcts from small.
Childhood consequences of maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy
Authors: Gaillard Romy , Felix Janine F. , Duijts Liesbeth , Jaddoe Vincent W.V. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObesity is a major public health concern. In western countries, the prevalence of obesity in pregnant women has strongly increased, with reported prevalence rates reaching 30%. Also, up to 40% of women gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy. Recent observational studies and meta‐analyses strongly suggest long‐term impact of maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy on adiposity, cardiovascular and respiratory related health outcomes in their children. These observations suggest that maternal adiposity during pregnancy may program common health problems in the offspring. Currently, it remains unclear whether the observed associations are causal, or just reflect confounding by family‐based sociodemographic or lifestyle‐related factors. Parent–offspring studies, sibling comparison studies, Mendelian randomization studies and randomized trials can help to explore the causality and underlying mechanisms. Also, the potential for prevention of common diseases in future generations by reducing maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy needs to be explored.
A between‐experiment analysis of relationships linking dietary protein intake and post‐weaning diarrhea in weanling pigs under conditions of experimental infection with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli
Authors: Heo Jung Min , Kim Jae Cheol , Yoo Jaehong , Pluske John R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNumerous experiments have demonstrated that feeding a lower protein diet decreases protein fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and reduces the incidence of post‐weaning diarrhea (PWD). However, there is a lack of holistic evidence underpinning the relationship between feeding a lower protein diet and PWD in relation to physiological responses and protein fermentation in the GIT. The scope of this article, therefore, will: (i) focus on the impact of dietary protein levels on selected indices of GIT health in weaned pigs without and with experimental infection with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli; and (ii) attempt to conduct regression analysis to examine the relationships between dietary‐origin protein intake, nitrogen fermentation indices, fecal consistency and the incidence of PWD. We used datasets generated from a series of four intensive experiments in weaned pigs. The collective results derived from these datasets indicate that restriction of daily protein intake to less than 60 g through feeding a lower protein diet for as little as 7 days after weaning reduced the incidence of PWD commensurate with a reduction in protein fermentation indices.
Genetic Analysis of Diffuse High‐Grade Astrocytomas in Infancy Defines a Novel Molecular Entity
Authors: Gielen Gerrit H. , Gessi Marco , Buttarelli Francesca R. , Baldi Caterina , Hammes Jennifer , zur Muehlen Anja , Doerner Evelyn , Denkhaus Dorota , Warmuth‐Metz Monika , Giangaspero Felice , Lauriola Libero , von Bueren André O. , Kramm Christof M. , Waha Andreas , Pietsch Torsten 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPediatric high‐grade gliomas are considered to be different when compared to adult high‐grade gliomas in their pathogenesis and biological behavior. Recently, common genetic alterations, including mutations in the H3F3A/ATRX/DAXX pathway, have been described in approximately 30% of the pediatric cases. However, only few cases of infant high‐grade gliomas have been analyzed so far. We investigated the molecular features of 35 infants with diffuse high‐grade astrocytomas, including 8 anaplastic astrocytomas [World Health Organization (WHO) grade III] and 27 glioblastomas (WHO grade IV) by immunohistochemistry, multiplex ligation probe‐dependent amplification (MLPA), pyrosequencing of glioma‐associated genes and molecular inversion probe (MIP) assay. MIP and MLPA analyses showed that chromosomal alterations are significantly less frequent in infants compared with high‐grade gliomas in older children and adults. We only identified H3F3A K27M in 2 of 34 cases (5.9%), with both tumors located in the posterior fossa. PDGFRA amplifications were absent, and CDKN2A loss could be observed only in two cases. Conversely, 1q gain (22.7%) and 6q loss (18.2%) were identified in a subgroup of tumors. Loss of SNORD located on chromosome 14q32 was observed in 27.3% of the infant tumors, a focal copy number change not previously described in gliomas. Our findings indicate that infant high‐grade gliomas appear to represent a distinct genetic entity suggesting a different pathogenesis and biological behavior.
Fragrance patch tests prepared in advance may give false‐negative reactions
Authors: Mowitz Martin , Svedman Cecilia , Zimerson Erik , Bruze Magnus 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundSeveral of the ingredients in fragrance mix I (FM I) have been shown to evaporate from petrolatum preparations applied in test chambers to an extent that can be suspected to affect the patch test result.ObjectivesTo compare the reactivity towards FM I and fragrance mix II (FM II) when they are applied in test chambers in advance and immediately prior to the patch test occasion.MethodsSeven hundred and ninety‐five consecutive patients were simultaneously patch tested with duplicate samples of FM I and FM II. One sample was applied in the test chamber 6 days in advance (6D sample), and the other sample was applied immediately before the patients were patch tested (fresh sample).ResultsTwenty‐two (2.8%) patients reacted exclusively to the fresh sample of FM I, 6 (0.7%) reacted exclusively to the 6D sample, and 22 (2.8%) reacted to both samples. The corresponding numbers for FM II were 9 (1.1%) for the fresh sample, 6 (0.7%) for the 6D sample and 12 (1.5%) for both samples.ConclusionsThere was a statistically significant difference between the numbers of patients reacting to the fresh and 6D samples of FM I. No corresponding difference was observed for FM II. This can probably be explained by differences in volatilities between the ingredients of FM I and FM II.
Assessment of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Head‐to‐Head Comparison between Two‐Dimensional Speckle‐Based Strain and Velocity Vector Imaging Using Volumetric Assessment by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance as a “Gold Standard”
Authors: Park Jae‐Hyeong , Kusunose Kenya , Motoki Hirohiko , Kwon Deborah H. , Grimm Richard A. , Griffin Brian P. , Marwick Thomas H. , Popović Zoran B. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundLongitudinal strain of right ventricle (RV) can be used to determine RV systolic function. This study compared RV longitudinal strain values of two different speckle tracking software technologies, velocity vector imaging (VVI) and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE), and longitudinal strain by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).MethodsWe studied 36 patients (28 men, 63 ± 11 years) with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) who underwent echocardiography with GE machines and CMR. Longitudinal strain of RV analyzed with 2DSTE and VVI in same DICOM files. Longitudinal RV strain analyzed with 2DSTE and VVI in same raw data. These values were compared with RVEF and longitudinal strain by CMR.ResultsVVI strain showed significant correlations with RVEF by CMR (global RV: r = −0.56, P < 0.01, free wall: r = −0.52, P < 0.01, and septum: r = −0.49, P < 0.01). 2DSTE strain also revealed significant correlations (global RV: r = −0.40, P = 0.02, and septum: r = −0.35, P = 0.04). 2DSTE strain had significant bias with wide limits of agreement in global RV and septum compared with CMR strain. 2DSTE strain had significantly lower intra‐observer variability than VVI (P = 0.03) or CMR strain (P = 0.04) in RV‐free wall.ConclusionsRV longitudinal strains by VVI and 2SDTE demonstrated relatively good correlations with RVEF and longitudinal strain by CMR. However, when compared to CMR‐derived strain, 2DSTE‐derived strain underestimates longitudinal strain of RV septum and of global right ventricle. 2DSTE strain had significantly lower intra‐observer variability compared with VVI or CMR strain analysis.
Association between olfactory identification and parkinsonism in patients with non‐affective psychosis
Authors: Meijer Julia H. , van Harten Peter , Meijer Carin J. , Koeter Maarten W. , Bruggeman Richard , Cahn Wiepke , Kahn René S. , de Haan L. ,   the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) Study
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimOlfactory identification deficits (OIDs) are seen in schizophrenia patients and individuals at increased risk for psychosis but its pathophysiology remains unclear. Although dopaminergic imbalance is known to lie at the core of schizophrenia symptomatology, its role in the development of OIDs has not been elucidated yet. This study investigated the association between OIDs and symptoms of parkinsonism as a derivative of dopaminergic functioning.MethodsIn 320 patients diagnosed with non‐affective psychosis, olfactory identification performance was assessed by means of the Sniffin' Sticks task. Level of parkinsonian symptoms was assessed by means of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS‐III). By means of multiple linear regression with bootstrapping, the association between UPDRS and Sniffin' Sticks score was investigated while correcting for potential confounders. A Bonferroni corrected P‐value of 0.007 was used.ResultsHigher UPDRS scores significantly predicted worse olfactory identification in patients with non‐affective psychosis with an unadjusted b = −0.07 (95% CI −0.10 to −0.04) and an adjusted b = −0.04 (95% CI −0.07 to −0.01).ConclusionResults provide preliminary evidence that the same vulnerability may underlie the development of parkinsonism and OIDs in patients with non‐affective psychosis. Further investigation should evaluate the clinical value of OIDs as a marker of dopaminergic vulnerability that may predict psychosis.
Comparative transcriptional profiling of human Merkel cells and Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Mouchet Nicolas , Coquart Nolwenn , Lebonvallet Nicolas , Le Gall‐Ianotto Christelle , Mogha Ariane , Fautrel Alain , Boulais Nicholas , Dréno Brigitte , Martin Ludovic , Hu Weiguo , Galibert Marie‐Dominique , Misery Laurent 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMerkel cell carcinoma is believed to be derived from Merkel cells after infection by Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and other poorly understood events. Transcriptional profiling using cDNA microarrays was performed on cells from MCPy‐negative and MCPy‐positive Merkel cell carcinomas and isolated normal Merkel cells. This microarray revealed numerous significantly upregulated genes and some downregulated genes. The extensive list of genes that were identified in these experiments provides a large body of potentially valuable information of Merkel cell carcinoma carcinogenesis and could represent a source of potential targets for cancer therapy.
Forecasting climate change impacts on the distribution of wetland habitat in the Midwestern United states
Authors: Garris Heath W. , Mitchell Randall J , Fraser Lauchlan H. , Barrett Linda R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractShifting precipitation patterns brought on by climate change threaten to alter the future distribution of wetlands. We developed a set of models to understand the role climate plays in determining wetland formation on a landscape scale and to forecast changes in wetland distribution for the Midwestern United States. These models combined 35 climate variables with 21 geographic and anthropogenic factors thought to encapsulate other major drivers of wetland distribution for the Midwest. All models successfully recreated a majority of the variation in current wetland area within the Midwest, and showed that wetland area was significantly associated with climate, even when controlling for landscape context. Inferential (linear) models identified a consistent negative association between wetland area and isothermality. This is likely the result of regular inundation in areas where precipitation accumulates as snow, then melts faster than drainage capacity. Moisture index seasonality was identified as a key factor distinguishing between emergent and forested wetland types, where forested wetland area at the landscape scale is associated with a greater seasonal variation in water table depth. Forecasting models (neural networks) predicted an increase in potential wetland area in the coming century, with areas conducive to forested wetland formation expanding more rapidly than areas conducive to emergent wetlands. Local cluster analyses identified Iowa and Northeastern Missouri as areas of anticipated wetland expansion, indicating both a risk to crop production within the Midwest Corn Belt and an opportunity for wetland conservation, while Northern Minnesota and Michigan are potentially at risk of wetland losses under a future climate.
Intrinsic Motivations of Public Sector Employees: Evidence for Germany
Authors: Dur Robert , Zoutenbier Robin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe examine differences in altruism and laziness between public sector employees and private sector employees. Our theoretical model predicts that the likelihood of public sector employment increases with a worker’s altruism, and increases or decreases with a worker’s laziness depending on his altruism. Using questionnaire data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study, we find that public sector employees are significantly more altruistic and lazy than observationally equivalent private sector employees. A series of robustness checks show that these patterns are stronger among higher educated workers; that the sorting of altruistic people to the public sector takes place only within the caring industries; and that the difference in altruism is already present at the start of people’s career, while the difference in laziness is only present for employees with sufficiently long work experience.
Trigeminal Neuralgia – A Prospective Systematic Study of Clinical Characteristics in 158 Patients
Authors: Maarbjerg Stine , Gozalov Aydin , Olesen Jes , Bendtsen Lars 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo prospectively describe the clinical characteristics of classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in a standardized manner.BackgroundTN is a rare disease and most clinicians only see a few patients. There is a lack of prospective systematic studies of the clinical characteristics of TN. We hypothesized that contrary to current thinking, some TN patients suffer from sensory abnormalities at neurological examination.MethodsClinical characteristics such as demographics, pain characteristics, and comorbidities were systematically and prospectively collected from consecutive TN patients in a tertiary referral center in a cross‐sectional study.ResultsA total of 158 patients were included. Average age of onset was 52.9 years. TN was more prevalent in women (95; 60%) than in men (63; 40%), P = .011, and more often located on the right (89; 56%) than on the left side (64; 41%), P = .043. It affected solely the second and/or third trigeminal branch in 109 (69%) while the first branch alone was affected in only 7 (4%). Notably, 78 (49%) had concomitant persistent pain in addition to paroxysmal stabbing pain. Autonomic symptoms were present in 48 (31%). Patients who had not undergone surgery for TN had sensory abnormalities in 35 (29%).ConclusionsThis, the first study in a series of papers focusing on the clinical, radiological, and etiological aspects of TN, revealed that the symptomatology of TN includes a high percentage of concomitant persistent pain, autonomic symptoms, and sensory abnormalities. These findings offer new insights to the prevailing clinical impression of the clinical characteristics in TN.
Helicobacter pylori Induces Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production in Gastric Epithelial Cells Through Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1α‐Dependent Pathway
Authors: Kang Min‐Jung , Song Eun‐Jung , Kim Bo‐Yeon , Kim Dong‐Jae , Park Jong‐Hwan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundAlthough Helicobacter pylori have been known to induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in gastric epithelial cells, the precise mechanism for cellular signaling is incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the role of bacterial virulence factor and host cellular signaling in VEGF production of H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells.Materials and methodsWe evaluated production of VEGF, activation of nuclear factor nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) stabilization in gastric epithelial cells infected with H. pylori WT or isogenic mutants deficient in type IV secretion system (T4SS).ResultsH. pylori induced VEGF production in gastric epithelial cells via both T4SS‐dependent and T4SS‐independent pathways, although T4SS‐independent pathway seems to be the dominant signaling. The inhibitor assay implicated that activation of NF‐κB and MAPKs is dispensable for H. pylori‐induced VEGF production in gastric epithelial cells. H. pylori led to HIF‐1α stabilization in gastric epithelial cells independently of T4SS, NF‐κB, and MAPKs, which was essential for VEGF production in these cells. N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor, treatment impaired H. pylori‐induced HIF‐1α stabilization and VEGF production in gastric epithelial cells.ConclusionWe defined the important role of ROS‐HIF‐1α axis in VEGF production of H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells, and bacterial T4SS has a minor role in H. pylori‐induced VEGF production of gastric epithelial cells.