bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A type I interferon signature characterizes chronic antibody‐mediated rejection in kidney transplantation
Authors: Rascio Federica , Pontrelli Paola , Accetturo Matteo , Oranger Annarita , Gigante Margherita , Castellano Giuseppe , Gigante Maddalena , Zito Anna , Zaza Gianluigi , Lupo Antonio , Ranieri Elena , Stallone Giovanni , Gesualdo Loreto , Grandaliano Giuseppe 
Published: April 2015

AbstractChronic antibody‐mediated rejection (CAMR) represents the main cause of kidney graft loss. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition, we characterized the molecular signature of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and, separately, of CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from CAMR patients, compared to kidney transplant recipients with normal graft function and histology. We enrolled 29 patients with biopsy‐proven CAMR, 29 stable transplant recipients (controls), and 8 transplant recipients with clinical and histological evidence of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy. Messenger RNA and microRNA profiling of PBMCs and CD4+ T lymphocytes was performed using Agilent microarrays in eight randomly selected patients per group from CAMR and control subjects. Results were evaluated statistically and by functional pathway analysis (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) and validated in the remaining subjects. In PBMCs, 45 genes were differentially expressed between the two groups, most of which were up‐regulated in CAMR and were involved in type I interferon signalling. In the same patients, 16 microRNAs were down‐regulated in CAMR subjects compared to controls: four were predicted modulators of six mRNAs identified in the transcriptional analysis. In silico functional analysis supported the involvement of type I interferon signalling. To further confirm this result, we investigated the transcriptomic profiles of CD4+ T lymphocytes in an independent group of patients, observing that the activation of type I interferon signalling was a specific hallmark of CAMR. In addition, in CAMR patients, we detected a reduction of circulating BDCA2+ dendritic cells, the natural type I interferon‐producing cells, and their recruitment into the graft along with increased expression of MXA, a type I interferon‐induced protein, at the tubulointerstitial and vascular level. Finally, interferon alpha mRNA expression was significantly increased in CAMR compared to control biopsies. We conclude that type I interferon signalling may represent the molecular signature of CAMR. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body mass index and mortality in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Cantarutti Anna , Bonn Stephanie E. , Adami Hans‐Olov , Grönberg Henrik , Bellocco Rino , Bälter Katarina 
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUNDBody Mass index (BMI) has been shown to affect risk and mortality of several cancers. Prostate cancer and obesity are major public health concerns for middle‐aged and older men. Previous studies of pre‐diagnostic BMI have found an increased risk of prostate cancer mortality in obese patients.OBJECTIVETo study the associations between BMI at time of prostate cancer diagnosis and prostate cancer specific and overall mortality.METHODSBMI was analyzed both as a continuous variable and categorized into four groups based on the observed distribution in the cohort (BMI < 22.5, 22.5 < 25, 25 < 27.5 and ≥27.5 kg/m2). The association between BMI and mortality was assessed using stratified Cox proportional hazards models and by fitting regression splines for dose response analysis in 3,161 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. After 11 years of follow up via linkage to the population‐based cause of death registry, we identified 1,161 (37%) deaths off which 690 (59%) were due to prostate cancer.RESULTSHigh BMI (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer specific mortality (HR:1.44, 95%CI: 1.09–1.90) and overall mortality (HR:1.33, 95%CI: 1.09–1.63) compared to the reference group (BMI 22.5 < 25 kg/m2). Additionally, men with a low BMI (<22.5 kg/m2), had a statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer specific mortality (HR:1.33, 95%CI: 1.02–1.74) and overall mortality (HR:1.36, 95%CI: 1.11–1.67) compared to the reference. However, this effect disappeared when men who died within the first two years of follow‐up were excluded from the analyses while the increased risk of prostate cancer specific mortality and overall mortality remained statistically significant for men with a BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 (HR:1.44, 95%CI: 1.09–1.90 and HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.09–1.63, respectively).CONCLUSIONThis study showed that a high BMI at time of prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with increased overall mortality. Prostate 75: 1129–1136, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of gaseous ozone and light‐activated disinfection on the surface hardness of resin‐based root canal sealers
Authors: Tuncay Öznur , Er Özgür , Demirbuga Sezer , Zorba Yahya Orçun , Topçuoğlu Hüseyin Sinan 
Published: April 2015

SummaryAlthough root canal instruments remove most of the content from the main root canal space, disinfection or irrigation plays an indispensable role in all areas of the root canal system, especially in parts that are inaccessible by instruments. The originality of this study was to investigate the effect of two novel disinfection techniques on the surface hardness of resin‐based endodontic sealers using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Forty extracted single‐rooted maxillary central human teeth were prepared and divided into four groups according to treatment methods. The first group was irrigated with saline and served as a control, other groups irrigated with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO); gaseous ozone; and light‐activated disinfection (LAD). The groups were divided into two subgroups, according to the obturation method used: subgroup A: gutta‐percha and AH plus; and subgroup B: EndoREZ/resin‐coated cones. After obturation, atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement was performed to analyze the surface hardness of the sealers. There was a significant difference between group 1A and group 3A (p < 0.05). Group 3B had the highest surface hardness values that were statistically different (p < 0.05). When disregarding the sealers, the ozone possessed statistically higher surface hardness values than the other groups in all root thirds (p < 0.05). The use of ozone and LAD may alter the surface hardness of resin‐based sealers. The use of AFM can be considered an alternative hardness test techonology for sealing material. SCANNING 38:141–147, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Humor in Children's Picture Books
Authors: Serafini Frank , Coles Richard 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHumorous literature for children has been around since Randolph Caldecott first started writing and illustrating picturebooks. In the article, the authors try to understand what makes picturebooks funny and discuss ways to use humor in the classroom. Many examples of humorous picturebooks are cited to provide teachers with resources for their classrooms.
An indoor radio propagation model considering angles for WLAN infrastructures
Authors: Han Shuai , Gong Zijun , Meng Weixiao , Li Cheng 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWireless local area network fingerprint‐based indoor location system is a hot topic these years because it needs no extra hardware and is very easy to deploy. However, it demands a database containing the distribution of received signal strength (RSS) of the area of interest,called radio map. Conventionally, we need to grid the area densely and manually measure RSS values on intersections, which will consume a lot of time and human resources. What is worse, change of the environment may render this database totally useless. Our consideration is to measure RSS on a small amount of these intersections and use them to build a radio propagation model. Then, this model can be deployed to predict RSS values of other intersections and reconstruct the radio map. In other words, we only need to collect a very small part the radio map and utilize the radio propagation model to recover the whole one. So far, many models have been proposed, among which the one suggested by Seidel, named floor attenuation factor propagation model, achieves great balance between computational request and accuracy. But it is not compatible with environments in some scenarios. So as to compensate for this deficiency, we take into account the angles formed by signal and surfaces of obstacles, and the results show better compatibility. The proposed model has four parameters that are related to the environments, and our second contribution in this paper is to propose a method to determine them. In fact, after collecting a small part of the radio map, we can estimate these parameters with least square method. Then, these parameters can be used to predict the signal strength at any other points in the same environment, and the whole radio map is rebuilt. According to practical experiments, performance of the radio map built by the proposed model is not as good as the manually collected one, but 80% of collecting labor is saved. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systems biology of host–microbe metabolomics
Authors: Heinken Almut , Thiele Ines 
Published: April 2015

The human gut microbiota performs essential functions for host and well‐being, but has also been linked to a variety of disease states, e.g., obesity and type 2 diabetes. The mammalian body fluid and tissue metabolomes are greatly influenced by the microbiota, with many health‐relevant metabolites being considered ‘mammalian–microbial co‐metabolites’. To systematically investigate this complex host–microbial co‐metabolism, a systems biology approach integrating high‐throughput data and computational network models is required. Here, we review established top‐down and bottom‐up systems biology approaches that have successfully elucidated relationships between gut microbiota‐derived metabolites and host health and disease. We focus particularly on the constraint‐based modeling and analysis approach, which enables the prediction of mechanisms behind metabolic host–microbe interactions on the molecular level. We illustrate that constraint‐based models are a useful tool for the contextualization of metabolomic measurements and can further our insight into host–microbe interactions, yielding, e.g., in potential novel drugs and biomarkers. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2015, 7:195–219. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1301This article is categorized under:

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
Biological Mechanisms > Metabolism
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Metabolomics
“Suddenly Having two Positive People who are Carriers is a Whole New Thing”‐ Experiences of Couples Both Identified as Carriers of Cystic Fibrosis Through a Population‐Based Carrier Screening Program in Australia
Authors: Ioannou Liane , Delatycki Martin B. , Massie John , Hodgson Jan , Lewis Sharon 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA population‐based CF carrier screening program was implemented in Victoria, Australia in 2006. This study explored the experiences of couples when both partners were identified as CF carriers. Between January 2006 and December 2010, 10 carrier couples were identified and invited to undertake a semi‐structured interview. Nine interviews were conducted, seven couple interviews and two individual interviews. One couple declined to participate due to the recent termination of an affected pregnancy. Interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. All couples experienced surprise on learning their carrier couple result. The couples who were pregnant at the time of screening chose to have prenatal diagnosis, with the majority considering it to be the “next step.” The two couples who had an affected pregnancy reported feelings of devastation and grief upon receiving their prenatal diagnosis result and terminated the pregnancy. All carrier couples were offered free genetic counseling, with only one couple declining the offer. Couples were unprepared for a positive carrier couple result. However, all the couples changed their reproductive behavior as a result of their carrier status. The results of this study have been used to inform the program and service offered to CF carrier couples particularly with respect to genetic counseling for reproductive decision making.
Extraction, Composition and Functional Properties of Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) Press Cake Protein
Authors: Hojilla‐Evangelista Mila P. , Selling Gordon W. , Berhow Mark A. , Evangelista Roque L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study compared two methods for extracting the protein in pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) press cake and determined the composition and functional properties of the protein products. Proteins in pennycress press cake were extracted by using the conventional alkali‐solubilization–acid‐precipitation (AP) method or saline‐based (SE) procedure (0.1 M NaCl at 50 °C). The extraction method has a major influence on the purity and functional properties of press cake protein products. AP had a lower protein yield (23 %) but much higher purity (90 % crude protein) compared with SE (45 % yield, 67 % crude protein). AP protein isolate had high foam capacity (120 ml), high foam stability (96 % foam volume retention) and high emulsion stability (24–35 min), and it was resistant to heat denaturation (3 % loss of solubility at pH 2 and pH 10). On the other hand, SE protein concentrate showed remarkably high solubility (>76 %) between pH 2 and 10 and exceptional emulsifying activity (226–412 m2/g protein), but was more susceptible to heat denaturation at pH 7 and pH 10 (65–78 % loss of solubility). These results strongly demonstrate that higher purity pennycress press cake protein can be produced by either saline extraction or acid precipitation and have functional properties that are desirable for non‐food uses.
Amebic and cytomegalovirus colitis mimic ulcerative colitis
Authors: Weng Meng‐Tzu , Wei Shu‐Chen , Leong Yew‐Loong , Tung Chien‐Chih , Shun Chia‐Tung , Wong Jau‐Min 
Published: April 2015

SummaryHere we present a 50‐year‐old man who suffered from progressively bloody diarrhea for 2 months. A colonoscopy revealed pancolonic mucosal inflammation, ulceration, and spontaneous bleeding. Ulcerative colitis was initially diagnosed and sulfasalazine was prescribed. Hypoalbuminemia and renal function deterioration developed 1 year later. Steroids were prescribed for suspected nephrotic syndrome. His bloody diarrhea and abdominal symptoms worsened after steroid use. Progressive sepsis and acute renal function deterioration also developed. Positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody was found during routine hemodialysis screening. An episode of colon perforation occurred and surgery was performed. The resected colon showed amoeba, cytomegalovirus, and fungal infection. The patient died of sepsis. In this report, we discuss how to diagnose ulcerative colitis. It is important to exclude infection before using an immunosuppressive agent.
Adolescent Performance on The Awareness of Social Inference Test: TASIT
Authors: McDonald Skye , Fisher Alana , Togher Leanne , Tate Robyn , Rushby Jacqueline , English Therese , Kelly Michelle , Mathersul Danielle , Froreich Francesca , Francis Heather 
Published: April 2015

Primary objective: Social cognition underlies social skills and can be disrupted in numerous developmental and acquired brain disorders during childhood and adolescence. Despite this, there are few tools to assess social cognition clinically in this age group. This study examined adolescent performance on The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT), a valid measure of social cognition in adults.Design: Cross-sectional design examining performance on Parts 1, 2 and 3 of TASIT (and alternate forms) in Australian girls and boys with varying levels of English familiarity.Methods: 665 schoolchildren from private and government schools were administered TASIT subtests. Of these, 464 students aged 13–15 were selected to provide normative data. Scores from a further 97 provided information about the effects of lack of English familiarity.Results: The two Forms of TASIT were statistically equivalent for two of the three parts. Adolescents performed lower than adults, although the differences were not large. Some incremental effects were seen for chronological age. Gender effects were apparent on all subtests. Lack of English familiarity (i.e., English not spoken at home) reduced scores a further 6–13% relative to high English proficiency.Conclusions: TASIT appears to be suitable for adolescents. Norms are best aggregated across ages in adolescence and stratified according to gender.
Jaw-bearing polychaetes of the Silurian Eramosa Lagerstätte, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Eriksson Mats E. , von Bitter Peter H. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe Wenlock (middle Silurian) Eramosa Lagerstätte of the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada, is becoming known for its rich and diverse faunas, different preservational styles, and a combination of soft-body preservation associated with shelly body and trace fossils. Sampling for scolecodonts—the jaws of polychaete annelids—has yielded unique material.Hindenites parkheadensisnew species is described from abundant specimens, including apparatuses, from a monospecific fauna that has allowed the complete dorsal maxillary apparatus to be reconstructed. The new species was recovered by acid digestion of carbonates, which are interpreted as having been deposited in shallow, marginally marine environments; the species may become a useful paleoenvironmental indicator, and the occurrence ofHindenitesat Park Head, Ontario, is the first record of the genus outside of Baltoscandia. Bedding-plane material from Wiarton, Ontario, reveals a more diverse fauna of seven to nine additional polychaete taxa, most belonging toKettneritesandOenonites. Strata at Wiarton are interpreted as having been deposited in environments with good water circulation and open-marine conditions. The faunal composition of Eramosa polychaetes varied between localities of the Lagerstätte outcrop belt, supporting previous interpretations of differences in environment and/or taphonomic history. The relative abundance of scolecodonts suggests that jaw-bearing polychaetes played a significant role in the biotas that are now preserved in the Eramosa Lagerstätte. Moreover, the results underpin the notion that different polychaete species had variable environmental preferences and tolerances during the Silurian, and that polychaetaspids and paulinitids formed two of the most common and widely distributed families.
SECULAR GROWTH AND MATURATION CHANGES IN HUNGARY IN RELATION TO SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES
Authors: Bodzsar Eva B. , Zsakai Annamaria , Mascie-Taylor Nicholas 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis paper analyses the secular changes in the body development patterns of Hungarian children between the 1910s and the beginning of the 2000s in relation to socioeconomic and demographic changes in the country. Individual growth data of children were available from two national growth studies (1983–86, 2003–06), while sample-size weighted means of children’s body dimensions were collected through regional studies between the 1920s and 1970s. Gross domestic product, Gini index, life expectancy at birth and under-5 mortality rate were used to assess the changes in economic status, income inequalities of the society and the population’s general health status, respectively. Secular changes in food consumption habits were also examined. The positive Hungarian secular changes in socioeconomic status were associated with a continuous increase in children’s body dimensions. The negative socioeconomic changes reflected only in wartime and post-war periods of children’s growth, and the considerable socioeconomic changes at the beginning of the 1990s did not appear to influence the positive trend in children’s growth. The positive secular trend in stature and body mass did not level off at the beginning of the 2000s: the socioeconomic conditions that support optimal growth and maturation could improve in Hungary.
Prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites in the globally-threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
Authors: NETO JÚLIO MANUEL , PÉREZ-RODRÍGUEZ ANTÓN , HAASE MARTIN , FLADE MARTIN , BENSCH STAFFAN 
Published: April 2015

SUMMARYThe diversity and prevalence of malaria parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus were determined in the globally-threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Birds were sampled during migration in Portugal and at the wintering quarters in Senegal and parasites were detected using molecular methods. Only three generalist parasite lineages (Plasmodium) were found. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of parasites between sexes in Europe, but adults had higher prevalence than first-year birds, and birds in Europe had higher prevalence than those captured in Africa. When comparing with other Acrocephalus species and taking sample size into account, Aquatic Warblers had the lowest prevalence and, together with another threatened species, the Seychelles Warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis, the lowest diversity of malaria parasites. We hypothesize that the low diversity of parasites and absence of specialist lineages of Aquatic Warblers are caused by its small population size and fragmented distribution. Furthermore, Aquatic Warblers’ extreme habitat specialization may decrease their exposure to malaria parasites, but other explanations such as high mortality (which would constraint the sampling of infected birds) or, in contrast, very efficient immunological system in clearing the infections cannot be ruled out. This study contributes to explain variation in prevalence and diversity of malaria parasites among hosts.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of aerosol particles in Antarctica
Authors: Rella Simona , Malitesta Cosimino 
Published: April 2015

AbstractQualitative and quantitative analysis of surface species on size-segregated atmospheric particulate collected in Antarctica during the 2010–11 summer was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This represents the first example of surface characterization of Antarctic aerosols. The size class with particle cut-off diameter of 3 μm was richest in terms of chemical elements. Peculiar findings of the application included detection of Ca (possibly surface-segregated) and surface enrichment of Mg. The determination of nitrate, ammonium and sulphate species on collection filters provides evidence for a possible advantage of XPS over more laborious techniques (e.g. ion chromatography). The presence of these species is in reasonable agreement with other recent reports from Antarctica.
Population constraints on the Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi: preliminary findings and proposals from south-west Grenada
Authors: BOLTON N. M. , van OOSTERHOUT C. , COLLAR N. J. , BELL D. J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Grenada Dove Leptotila wellsi has a very small total population size (< 190 individuals) and faces multiple threats. Over eight weeks in 2012 at the Mount Hartman Estate, we investigated the dove’s habitat selection, established a mongoose index of occupancy and recorded dove use of water sources to help determine key research and conservation needs. Of 12 habitat variables measured, greater levels of canopy cover were the best predictor of dove presence. Tracking tunnels indicated that introduced small Indian mongooses Herpestes auropunctatus, widely known for negatively impacting Caribbean bird populations, have a high level of occupancy in dove habitat, providing baseline mongoose data. Trail cameras revealed that Grenada Doves make good use of water from man-made wells and mongooses scent-mark tunnels. We urge fuller habitat selection studies and water-provision experiments to validate this evidence; strong and immediate control of mongooses and other potential predators, particularly at the nest; and a census backed by a banding programme to establish a monitoring baseline to guide conservation actions.