bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in exosome populations in human breast milk in relation to allergic sensitization and lifestyle
Authors: Torregrosa Paredes P. , Gutzeit C. , Johansson S. , Admyre C. , Stenius F. , Alm J. , Scheynius A. , Gabrielsson S. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundBreast‐feeding has many beneficial effects on the developing immune system of the newborn. Breast milk contains immunoregulatory factors, such as nano‐sized vesicles named exosomes. This study aimed at characterizing breast milk exosomes from human early milk and mature milk and to investigate whether allergic sensitization and an anthroposophic lifestyle could influence the exosome profile.MethodsBreast milk was collected from 22 mothers at day 3–8 and from 61 mothers at 2 months postpartum, all part of the ALADDIN birth cohort. Isolated exosomes were captured on anti‐MHC‐class II‐ or anti‐CD63 beads and analyzed by flow cytometry. Exosomal phenotype was related to lifestyle and allergic sensitization of the mothers, and sensitization of the child at 2 years of age.ResultsWe found a higher content of exosomes in early milk compared with mature milk. Early milk exosomes were enriched in HLA‐DR molecules and displayed significantly lower levels of HLA‐ABC compared with those in mature milk. Phenotypically different subpopulations of exosomes were found in mature milk. Significantly lower levels of MUC1 were detected on CD63‐enriched exosomes from sensitized mothers compared with nonsensitized. Furthermore, women with an anthroposophic lifestyle had significantly lower MUC1 expression on their HLA‐DR‐enriched milk exosomes and up‐regulated levels of CD63 on CD63‐enriched exosomes compared with nonanthroposophic mothers. Notably, mothers whose children developed sensitization had an increased amount of HLA‐ABC on their milk exosomes enriched for CD63.ConclusionsThe phenotype of exosomes in breast milk varies with maternal sensitization and lifestyle, which might influence allergy development in the child.
Outcome by mode of anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery. An observational audit of 65 535 patients in a national dataset
Authors: White S. M. , Moppett I. K. , Griffiths R. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryLarge observational studies of accurate data can provide similar results to more arduous and expensive randomised controlled trials. In 2012, the National Hip Fracture Database extended its dataset to include ‘type of anaesthesia’ data fields. We analysed 65 535 patient record sets to determine differences in outcome. Type of anaesthesia was recorded in 59 191 (90%) patients. Omitting patients who received both general and spinal anaesthesia or in whom an uncertain type of anaesthesia was recorded, there was no significant difference in either cumulative five‐day (2.8% vs 2.8%, p = 0.991) or 30‐day (7.0% vs 7.5%, p = 0.053) mortality between 30 130 patients receiving general anaesthesia and 22 999 patients receiving spinal anaesthesia, even when 30‐day mortality was adjusted for age and ASA physical status (p = 0.226). Mortality within 24 hours after surgery was significantly higher among patients receiving cemented compared with uncemented hemiarthroplasty (1.6% vs 1.2%, p = 0.030), suggesting excess early mortality related to bone cement implantation syndrome. If these data are accurate, then either there is no difference in 30‐day mortality between general and spinal anaesthesia after hip fracture surgery per se, and therefore future research should focus on how to make both types of anaesthesia safer, or there is a difference, but mortality is not the correct outcome to measure after anaesthesia, and therefore future research should focus on differences between general and spinal anaesthesia. These could include more anaesthesia‐sensitive outcomes, such as hypotension, pain, postoperative confusion, respiratory infection and mobilisation.
The role of tree‐fall gaps in the natural regeneration of birch forests in the Taibai Mountains
Authors: Ren Jianyi Y , Kadir Abdulrashid , Yue Ming 
Published: January 2014

AbstractQuestionIn the Taibai Mountains, birch forests dominated by Betula albo‐sinensis and Betula utilis are considered unsustainable because there are few seedlings or saplings in the forests. Tree‐fall gaps play a central role in the natural regeneration of trees. In this study, seed germination and seedling emergence in gap and non‐gap plots were investigated to explore the role of tree‐fall gaps in the natural regeneration of birch forests.LocationTaibai Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China.MethodsA field survey was conducted to reveal the relationship between tree‐fall gaps and birch seedlings. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate seed germination and seedling establishment in gap and non‐gap plots.ResultsIn the field survey, occurrence of birch seedlings was correlated with gap size, which confirms that tree‐fall gaps play a crucial role in the regeneration of birch forests. However, in the field experiment, seed germination was extremely low in both gap and non‐gap plots, and all seedlings died within 60 d in a seedling establishment test. The only difference between gap and non‐gap plots in the field experiment was that more seeds survived winter in the gap plots than in the non‐gap plots. The laboratory experiment helped us understand results of the field experiment. In the seed germination tests, Betula seeds germinated well in light treatments, but very few germinated in darkness, indicating that Betula seeds are photoblastic. No seeds germinated at 15/5 °C (day/night temperature regime), demonstrating the reason for lack of germination in the field experiment. The cover of forest litter reduced the seed germination rate. Seeds stored in dry conditions maintained high survival rates after long‐term storage at low temperature. However, the survival of imbibed seeds decreased with decreasing storage temperature.ConclusionsSeed germination and seedling establishment of Betula require a dry and light environment. The main regeneration barriers to seed germination and seedling growth in the non‐gap plots are chilling injury and lack of light. Tree‐fall gaps are better habitats for Betula seed survival and seedling establishment. This indicates that regeneration of birch forest relies on disturbance.
Response of community‐aggregated plant functional traits along grazing gradients: insights from African semi‐arid grasslands
Authors: Moreno García Cristian A. , Schellberg Jürgen , Ewert Frank , Brüser Katharina , Canales‐Prati Pablo , Linstädter Anja , Oomen Roelof J. , Ruppert Jan C. , Perelman Susana B. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractQuestionsPlant communities fulfil key functions in the ecosystem, which can be characterized by their plant functional traits. In functional ecology, plant communities are considered to hold a set of trait attributes reflecting a specific plant strategy adapted to persist in the environment to which they are exposed. In semi‐arid grasslands of the Republic of South Africa, we addressed the following questions: how are community‐aggregated plant functional traits (CPFT) shaped by grazing gradients; which plant strategies are associated with the response of CPFTs; and are environmental factors, such as soil properties and grazing management, interrelated with the functional response of vegetation to grazing gradients?LocationSemi‐arid grasslands close to Thaba Nchu, Free State (Republic of South Africa).MethodsPiosphere transects from a water point into the field were established to portray grazing gradients on two communal grazing areas with continuous grazing and two commercial farms with rotational grazing. Along each transect, six plots (5 × 5 m) were evenly distributed. The trait–transect sampling was applied to record 12 CPFT related to light capture and forage quality. A redundancy analysis was performed to derive relationship between CPFTs, grazing gradients and environmental conditions.ResultsGrazing intensity decreased along piosphere transects, from the water point into the field. Most CPFTs responded to this decreasing gradient of grazing intensity and so allowed derivation of trait syndromes that clearly reflect plant strategies of ruderal and competitive vegetation. Close to water points, plants had higher nitrogen concentrations, fewer cell wall components and higher specific leaf area, hence light capture might be faster and more efficient per leaf area and leaf mass. Plant communities exposed to intensive grazing were well adapted to defoliation, trampling and nutrient accumulation through fast growth rates and a quick return strategy.ConclusionsIn the sacrifice zone around water points, there is an ecological niche for vegetation communities exhibiting a strategy of fast growth, which is well adapted to intense and frequent grazing and is also associated with forage of high nutritional quality.
Boosting Techniques for Physics‐Based Vortex Detection
Authors: Zhang L. , Deng Q. , Machiraju R. , Rangarajan A. , Thompson D. , Walters D. K. , Shen H.‐W. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractRobust automated vortex detection algorithms are needed to facilitate the exploration of large‐scale turbulent fluid flow simulations. Unfortunately, robust non‐local vortex detection algorithms are computationally intractable for large data sets and local algorithms, while computationally tractable, lack robustness. We argue that the deficiencies inherent to the local definitions occur because of two fundamental issues: the lack of a rigorous definition of a vortex and the fact that a vortex is an intrinsically non‐local phenomenon. As a first step towards addressing this problem, we demonstrate the use of machine learning techniques to enhance the robustness of local vortex detection algorithms. We motivate the presence of an expert‐in‐the‐loop using empirical results based on machine learning techniques. We employ adaptive boosting to combine a suite of widely used, local vortex detection algorithms, which we term weak classifiers, into a robust compound classifier. Fundamentally, the training phase of the algorithm, in which an expert manually labels small, spatially contiguous regions of the data, incorporates non‐local information into the resulting compound classifier. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by applying the compound classifier to two data sets obtained from computational fluid dynamical simulations. Our results demonstrate that the compound classifier has a reduced misclassification rate relative to the component classifiers.
Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms Involved in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and their Interactions with Environmental Factors on Antidepressant Response
Authors: Geng Lei‐Yu , Ye Dong‐Qing , Shi Yan‐Yan , Xu Zhi , Pu Meng‐Jia , Li Zan‐Yuan , Li Xiao‐Li , Li Yang , Zhang Zhi‐Jun 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAimsTo investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes associated with the HPA axis and their interactions with environmental stressors in antidepressant response.MethodsThe remission of depressive symptoms after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment was tested against 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five candidate genes associated with the HPA axis in a Chinese Han sample suffering from unipolar depression (n = 273). Any history of childhood trauma and recent negative life events were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire‐Short Form (CTQ‐SF) (n = 206) and the Life Event Scale (48 item, LES) (n = 207), respectively. Reporter gene assays were used to evaluate the possible effects of the most significant SNP on gene expression.ResultsA functional polymorphism at 3′UTR of the corticotropin‐releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene (rs28364032) and three haplotypes containing it showed significant relationships with antidepressant remission. Further laboratory‐based genomic studies showed that the G‐to‐A change of rs28364032 resulted in a 10–12% decrease in the intensity of luciferase activity. However, we failed to find association of environments and their interaction with HPA system‐related genes with antidepressant remission.ConclusionsOur results support a definite role for CRHR1 in the pharmacogenetics of antidepressant drugs. This may contribute to interpatient differences in their responses to antidepressant drugs.
Aquaporin‐4 Knockout Exacerbates Corticosterone‐Induced Depression by Inhibiting Astrocyte Function and Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Authors: Kong Hui , Zeng Xiao‐Ning , Fan Yi , Yuan Song‐Tao , Ge Song , Xie Wei‐Ping , Wang Hong , Hu Gang 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAimsThe predominant expression of aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) in the brain implies that this water channel may be involved in a range of brain disorders. This study was designed to investigate the role of AQP4 in the pathogenesis of depression, and related possible biological mechanism.Methods and ResultsWild‐type (AQP4+/+) and AQP4 knockout (AQP4−/−) mice were given daily subcutaneous injections of corticosterone (20 mg/kg) for consecutive 21 days. Forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) showed longer immobility times in corticosterone‐treated AQP4−/− genotype, indicating AQP4 knockout exacerbated depressive‐like behaviors in mice. Using immunohistological staining, western blot, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found a significant loss of astrocytes, aggravated downregulation of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), synapsin‐1, and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the hippocampus of AQP4−/− mice. Moreover, even less hippocampal neurogenesis was identified in corticosterone‐treated AQP4−/− mice in vivo and hippocampus‐derived adult neural stem cells (ANSCs) in vitro.ConclusionsThe present findings suggest AQP4 involves the pathogenesis of depression by modulating astrocytic function and adult neurogenesis, highlighting a novel profile of AQP4 as a potential target for the treatment for depression.
Intracranial Artery Atherosclerosis and Lumen Dilation in Cerebral Small‐Vessel Diseases: A High‐resolution MRI Study
Authors: Xu Wei‐Hai , Li Ming‐Li , Niu Jing‐Wen , Feng Feng , Jin Zheng‐Yu , Gao Shan 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackground and AimsUsing high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR‐MRI), we aimed to investigate the abnormalities of intracranial artery in relation to cerebral small‐vessel diseases (SVD)‐related ischemic stroke and white matter lesions (WMLs).MethodsRoutine cranial MRI and HR‐MRI were performed on consecutive patients with a SVD‐related acute deep brain infarct (DBI) in the territory of middle cerebral artery (MCA), patients with SVD‐related WMLs, and age‐matched controls. The presence and distribution of MCA plaque and the area of MCA lumen and wall were comparatively analyzed among the groups.ResultsA total of 2340 image slices of 260 vessels in 130 subjects (57 with an acute DBI, 28 with WMLs, and 45 control subjects) were analyzed. In the patients with a DBI, eccentric plaques were identified in 26 vessels ipsilateral and 24 vessels contralateral to the ischemic lesions. Superior‐wall plaques of MCA were observed more frequently ipsilateral than contralateral to the infarcts (69.2% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.025). Compared to the controls, larger outer‐wall boundary area (P ≤ 0.017) and wall area (P < 0.001) were observed in the patients, while larger lumen was only observed in the WMLs group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsMiddle cerebral artery superior‐wall plaques are associated with acute DBIs, while MCA lumen dilation is associated with WMLs.
Comparison of air‐displacement plethysmography results using predicted and measured lung volumes over a protracted period of time
Authors: Otterstetter Ronald , Johnson Kelly E. , Kiger Dana L. , Agnor Sarah E. , Kappler Rachele M. , Reinking Megan , Tessmer Kathryn 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundAir‐displacement plethysmography (ADP) systems can either measure or predict lung volume (LV) in their test trials. The repeatability of the predicted and the measured value is an important factor in the accuracy of the final test result.ObjectiveCompare the variability and accuracy of ADP tests using predicted and measured LV over a protracted period of time.MethodsTwenty‐four adults (18–30 years) participated in the study. Each subject underwent three ADP tests over a period of 3 weeks, with 1 week between tests. At each testing session, subjects were tested using a predicted LV protocol and a measured LV protocol in random order. LV, body volume (BV) and per cent body fat (% BF) were compared between testing modes and between assessment times.ResultsA two‐way ANOVA examined the effect of the mode of LV assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) for LV and BV and the effect of the LV mode assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) on % BF results. LV and BV did not differ significantly (P>0·05) between the two modes of assessment (measured or predicted). Time (day of assessment) also was not significantly different between trials (P>0·05). Neither mode nor trial was significant (P>0·05), therefore neither had an effect on the % BF results.ConclusionIn this investigation, the method used to determine LV during ADP testing did not significantly affect the final % BF result. Also, tests performed over an extended period of time was not affected by LV measurement method.
Building Local Governance: Participation and Elite Capture in Slum‐upgrading in Kenya
Authors: Rigon Andrea 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTCommunity and democratic participation are still an essential component of current mainstream development interventions. However, elite capture seriously undermines the outcomes of development projects. This article analyses the effects on (in)equality of the implementation of policies that are technically participatory, in the context of an internationally‐funded urban development programme in Nairobi, which was implemented in the aftermath of the post‐election violence of 2007–2008. Ethnographic data reveal how the institutionalization of pre‐existing power imbalances between landlords and tenants is accomplished through the creation of structures of community governance and ‘participatory enumeration’. The article concludes that without the resources to challenge powerful interests within the settlement, the programme is likely to worsen the condition of a large section of the residents. In the context of strong pre‐existing inequalities and conflict, participation needs careful management and firm external agency to achieve genuine social transformation.
Vocal Mimicry of Alarm‐Associated Sounds by a Drongo Elicits Flee and Mobbing Responses from Other Species that Participate in Mixed‐Species Bird Flocks
Authors: Goodale Eben , Ratnayake Chaminda P. , Kotagama Sarath W. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA growing number of studies have shown that vocal mimicry appears to be adaptive for some bird species, although the exact function of this behaviour varies among species. Previous work has looked at the function of the vocal mimicry of non‐alarm sounds by the Greater Racket‐tailed Drongo (Dicurus paradiseus). But drongos also imitate sounds associated with danger, such as predators' vocalisations or the mobbing‐specific vocalisations of other prey species, raising the question of whether the function of mimicry can vary even within a species. In a playback experiment, we compared the effect on other species of different drongo vocalisations including: (1) predator mimicry, (2) mobbing mimicry, (3) drongo species‐specific alarms, (4) drongo species‐specific non‐alarms and (5) a control (barbet) sound. Both mobbing mimicry and drongo species‐specific alarms elicited flee responses from the most numerous species in the flocks, the Orange‐billed Babbler (Turdoides rufescens). Mobbing mimicry also elicited mobbing responses from the Orange‐billed Babbler and from another gregarious babbler, the Ashy‐headed Laughingthrush (Garrulax cinereifrons); when responses from both species were considered together, they were elicited at a significantly higher level by mobbing mimicry than by the barbet control, and a level that tended to be higher (0.07 < p < 0.10) than the response to drongo‐specific alarms. Predator mimicry elicited flee and mobbing responses at an intermediary level. Our results support the hypotheses that mobbing mimicry is a specific category of mimicry that helps attract the aid of heterospecifics during mobbing and that alarm mimicry can in some cases be beneficial to the caller.
Hybridization of an invasive shrub affects tolerance and resistance to defoliation by a biological control agent
Authors: Williams Wyatt I. , Friedman Jonathan M. , Gaskin John F. , Norton Andrew P. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractEvolution has contributed to the successful invasion of exotic plant species in their introduced ranges, but how evolution affects particular control strategies is still under evaluation. For instance, classical biological control, a common strategy involving the utilization of highly specific natural enemies to control exotic pests, may be negatively affected by host hybridization because of shifts in plant traits, such as root allocation or chemical constituents. We investigated introgression between two parent species of the invasive shrub tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) in the western United States, and how differences in plant traits affect interactions with a biological control agent. Introgression varied strongly with latitude of origin and was highly correlated with plant performance. Increased levels of T. ramosissima introgression resulted in both higher investment in roots and tolerance to defoliation and less resistance to insect attack. Because tamarisk hybridization occurs predictably on the western U.S. landscape, managers may be able to exploit this information to maximize control efforts. Genetic differentiation in plant traits in this system underpins the importance of plant hybridization and may explain why some biological control releases are more successful than others.
An ultimobranchial thyroid cyst in a horse
Authors: Østergaard S. , Tnibar A. , Boulouha L. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryA one‐year‐old female trotter was examined for an enlarging mass on the proximoventral aspect on the right side of the proximal cervical area. On clinical and ultrasonographic examination the mass was found to be a fluid filled cavity of approximately 8 cm in diameter surrounded by a capsule. The right lobe of the thyroid gland was closely related to the mass. The mass and the right thyroid gland were surgically excised. Histological examination revealed an ultimobranchial cyst. This is the first description of the diagnosis and treatment of a thyroid cystic abnormality related to the fifth branchial pouch (ultimobranchial body) in a horse.
Three‐dimensional fatigue crack growth modelling in a helical gear using extended finite element method
Authors: Amiri Rad A. , Forouzan M. R. , Sadeghi Dolatabadi A. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the fatigue crack growth in helical gear tooth root has been simulated using linear elastic fracture mechanics. The extended finite element method has been used to simulate 3D fatigue crack growth and obtain growth path. Paris equation has been used to calculate the fatigue life of the gear. The modelling time has reduced considerably compared to previous works carried out on 3D crack growth in gears. Some verifications have been carried out to ensure the reliability of the results.