bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A benign juvenile environment reduces the strength of antagonistic pleiotropy and genetic variation in the rate of senescence
Authors: Kim Sin‐Yeon , Metcalfe Neil B. , Velando Alberto 
Published: November 2015

Summary

The environment can play an important role in the evolution of senescence because the optimal allocation between somatic maintenance and reproduction depends on external factors influencing life expectancy.

The aims of this study were to experimentally test whether environmental conditions during early life can shape senescence schedules, and if so, to examine whether variation among individuals or genotypes with respect to the degree of ageing differs across environments.

We tested life‐history plasticity and quantified genetic effects on the pattern of senescence across different environments within a reaction norm framework by using an experiment on the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Linnaeus) in which F1 families originating from a wild annual population experienced different temperature regimes.

Male sticklebacks that had experienced a more benign environment earlier in life subsequently reduced their investment in carotenoid‐based sexual signals early in the breeding season, and consequently senesced at a slower rate later in the season, compared to those that had developed under harsher conditions. This plasticity of ageing was genetically determined. Both antagonistic pleiotropy and genetic variation in the rate of senescence were evident only in the individuals raised in the harsher environment.

The experimental demonstration of genotype‐by‐environment interactions influencing the rate of reproductive senescence provides interesting insights into the role of the environment in the evolution of life histories. The results suggest that benign conditions weaken the scope for senescence to evolve and that the dependence on the environment may maintain genetic variation under selection.
A trait‐based metric sheds new light on the nature of the body size–depth relationship in the deep sea
Authors: Mindel Beth L. , Webb Thomas J. , Neat Francis C. , Blanchard Julia L. 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Variation within species is an often‐overlooked aspect of community ecology, despite the fact that the ontogenetic structure of populations influences processes right up to the ecosystem level. Accounting for traits at the individual level is an important advance in the implementation of trait‐based approaches in understanding community structure and function.

We incorporate individual‐ and species‐level traits into one succinct assemblage structure metric, fractional size, which is calculated as the length of an individual divided by its potential maximum length. We test the implementation of fractional size in demersal fish assemblages along a depth gradient in the deep sea. We use data from an extensive trawl survey at depths of 300–2030 m on the continental slope of the Rockall Trough, Northeast Atlantic, to compare changes in fractional size structure along an environmental gradient to those seen using traditional taxonomic and trait‐based approaches.

The relationship between fractional size and depth was particularly strong, with the overall pattern being an increase with depth, implying that individuals move deeper as they grow. Body size increased with depth at the intraspecific and assemblage levels. Fractional size, size structure and species composition all varied among assemblages, and this variation could be explained by the depth that the assemblage occupied.

The inclusion of individual‐level traits and population fractional size structure adds to our understanding at the assemblage level. Fractional size, or where an individual is in its growth trajectory, appears to be an especially important driver of assemblage change with depth. This has implications for understanding fisheries impacts in the deep sea and how these impacts may propagate across depths.
Comparison of sequential pancreatic duct guidewire placement technique and needle knife precut sphincterotomy for difficult biliary cannulation
Authors: Zou Xiao Ping , Leung Joseph W. , Li Yun Hong , Yao Yu Ling , Pei Qing Shan , Wu Yu Lin , He Qi Bin , Cao Jun , Ding Xi Wei 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectivePancreatic duct guidewire placement (PDGP) includes double guidewire technique (DGT) and transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS). DGT can be switched to TPS with ease due to the existing guidewire in the pancreatic duct. In this study, we aimed to combine DGT and TPS as a single technique, named sequential PDGP, and to compare its performance with needle knife precut sphincterotomy (NKPS) in treating difficult biliary cannulation (BC).MethodsA total of 83 patients with difficult BC were enrolled in this study. Of these, 63 underwent sequential PDGP and 20 underwent NKPS. Cannulation success rate, cannulation time and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)‐related complications were prospectively recorded and compared between the two groups.ResultsSuccessful BC was achieved in 88.9% (56/63) of the patients in the sequential PDGP group compared with 70.0% (14/20) in the NKPS group (P = 0.095). Cannulation time was 7.49 ± 5.03 min in the sequential PDGP group and 10.60 ± 7.24 min in the NKPS group (P = 0.086). Post‐ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 12.7% of patients in the sequential PDGP group and 10.0% in the NKPS group (P = 1.000). There was no significant difference in the rates of other complications (bleeding, perforation and cholangitis) between the two groups.ConclusionsSequential PDGP is a safe and effective alternative method to NKPS in cases of difficult BC. In those with failed standard cannulation, sequential PDGP can be considered when the guidewire is inadvertently inserted into the pancreatic duct or can be placed in the pancreatic duct without difficulty.
Evaluation of the impact of RNA preservation methods of spiders for de novo transcriptome assembly
Authors: Kono Nobuaki , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Ito Yusuke , Tomita Masaru , Arakawa Kazuharu 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWith advances in high‐throughput sequencing technologies, de novo transcriptome sequencing and assembly has become a cost‐effective method to obtain comprehensive genetic information of a species of interest, especially in nonmodel species with large genomes such as spiders. However, high‐quality RNA is essential for successful sequencing, and sample preservation conditions require careful consideration for the effective storage of field‐collected samples. To this end, we report a streamlined feasibility study of various storage conditions and their effects on de novo transcriptome assembly results. The storage parameters considered include temperatures ranging from room temperature to −80°C; preservatives, including ethanol, RNAlater, TRIzol and RNAlater‐ICE; and sample submersion states. As a result, intact RNA was extracted and assembly was successful when samples were preserved at low temperatures regardless of the type of preservative used. The assemblies as well as the gene expression profiles were shown to be robust to RNA degradation, when 30 million 150‐bp paired‐end reads are obtained. The parameters for sample storage, RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing and in silico assembly considered in this work provide a guideline for the study of field‐collected samples of spiders.
A novel approach to inhibit bone resorption: exosite inhibitors against cathepsin K
Authors: Panwar Preety , Søe Kent , Guido Rafael VC , Bueno Renata V C , Delaisse Jean‐Marie , Brömme Dieter 
Published: November 2015

Background and PurposeCathepsin K (CatK) is a major drug target for the treatment of osteoporosis. Potent active site‐directed inhibitors have been developed and showed variable success in clinical trials. These inhibitors block the entire activity of CatK and thus may interfere with other pathways. The present study investigates the antiresorptive effect of an exosite inhibitor that selectively inhibits only the therapeutically relevant collagenase activity of CatK.Experimental ApproachHuman osteoclasts and fibroblasts were used to analyse the effect of the exosite inhibitor, ortho‐dihydrotanshinone (DHT1), and the active site inhibitor, odanacatib (ODN), on bone resorption and TGF‐ß1 degradation. Cell cultures, Western blot, light and scanning electron microscopy as well as energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, molecular modelling and enzymatic assays were used to evaluate the inhibitors.Key ResultsDHT1 selectively inhibited the collagenase activity of CatK, without affecting the viability of osteoclasts. Both inhibitors abolished the formation of resorption trenches, with DHT1 having a slightly higher IC50 value than ODN. Maximal reductions of other resorption parameters by DHT1 and ODN were comparable, respectively 41% and 33% for total resorption surface, 46% and 48% for resorption depths, and 83% and 61% for C‐terminal telopetide fragment (CTX) release. DHT1 did not affect the turnover of fibrosis‐associated TGF‐ß1 in fibroblasts, whereas 500 nM ODN was inhibitory.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur study shows that an exosite inhibitor of CatK can specifically block bone resorption without interfering with other pathways.
Threonine532 phosphorylation in ClC‐3 channels is required for angiotensin II‐induced Cl− current and migration in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Ma Ming‐Ming , Lin Cai‐Xia , Liu Can‐Zhao , Gao Min , Sun Lu , Tang Yong‐Bo , Zhou Jia‐Guo , Wang Guan‐Lei , Guan Yong‐Yuan 
Published: November 2015

Background and PurposeAngiotensin II (AngII) induces migration and growth of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), which is responsible for vascular remodelling in some cardiovascular diseases. Ang II also activates a Cl− current, but the underlying mechanism is not clear.Experimental ApproachThe A10 cell line and primary cultures of VSMC from control, ClC‐3 channel null mice and WT mice made hypertensive with AngII infusions were used. Techniques employed included whole‐cell patch clamp, co‐immunoprecipitation, site‐specific mutagenesis and Western blotting,Key ResultsIn VSMC, AngII induced Cl− currents was carried by the chloride ion channel ClC‐3. This current was absent in VSMC from ClC‐3 channel null mice. The AngII‐induced Cl− current involved interactions between ClC‐3 channels and Rho‐kinase 2 (ROCK2), shown by N‐ or C‐terminal truncation of ClC‐3 protein, ROCK2 siRNA and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. Phosphorylation of ClC‐3 channels at Thr532 by ROCK2 was critical for AngII‐induced Cl− current and VSMC migration. The ClC‐3 T532D mutant (mutation of Thr532 to aspartate), mimicking phosphorylated ClC‐3 protein, significantly potentiated AngII‐induced Cl− current and VSMC migration, while ClC‐3 T532A (mutation of Thr532 to alanine) had the opposite effects. AngII‐induced cell migration was markedly decreased in VSMC from ClC‐3 channel null mice that was insensitive to Y27632, an inhibitor of ROCK2. In addition, AngII‐induced cerebrovascular remodelling was decreased in ClC‐3 null mice, possibly by the ROCK2 pathway.Conclusions And ImplicationsClC‐3 protein phosphorylation at Thr532 by ROCK2 is required for AngII‐induced Cl− current and VSMC migration that are involved in AngII‐induced vascular remodelling in hypertension.
Local dynamics of worker activity of the invasive Vespula germanica and V. vulgaris (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) wasps in Argentina
Authors: MASCIOCCHI MAITÉ , PEREIRA ANA J. , CORLEY JUAN C. 
Published: November 2015

1. The abundance of insects depends essentially on the reproductive success of individuals. In social insects, however, the abundance of sterile workers outside a nest depends on colony size but is also determined by ontogeny, nest demands, and local environmental factors. For invasive social wasps, the drivers of worker abundance are important because they determine the impact that these species have on the native systems, people, and their goods.2. The aim of the present study was to understand the relative importance of endogenous and exogenous factors on the abundance of workers of populations of Vespula spp., by analysing 12 years of trap captures in NW Patagonia. This is the first attempt to model the activity levels of invasive Vespula spp. wasps over time in Argentina.3. It was shown that between years, the worker activity of both vespids presents fluctuations, and that of V. germanica is determined by the spring mean temperatures. Within the flight season, V. germanica worker activity is affected by the relative abundance of workers in that year, whereas for V. vulgaris, activity it is affected by the relative abundance of both species that year. We found no relationship between individual weather variables and activity within a flight season for both wasps.4. The patterns observed for Argentina are similar to those observed in all invaded temperate areas where Vespula spp. are established. This study provides useful information to understand the driving factors that affect Vespula spp. worker activity in Argentina. This could be a necessary step to develop plans to manage these invasive social insects.
Checkpoint inhibitors in Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Jezeršek Novaković Barbara 
Published: November 2015

AbstractHodgkin's lymphoma is unusual among cancers in that it consists of a small number of malignant Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg cells in a sea of immune system cells, including T cells. Most of these T cells are reversibly inactivated in different ways and their reactivation may induce a very strong immune response to cancer cells. One way of reactivation of T cells is with antibodies blocking the CTLA‐4 and especially with antibodies directed against PD‐1 or the PD‐L1 ligand thereby reversing the tumor‐induced downregulation of T‐cell function and augmenting antitumor immune activity at the priming (CTLA‐4) or tissue effector (PD‐1) phase. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been evidenced as an additional treatment option with substantial effectiveness and acceptable toxicity in heavily pretreated patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Particularly, PD‐1 blockade with nivolumab and pembrolizumab has demonstrated significant single‐agent activity in this select population.
Mode of delivery and risk of intracranial haemorrhage in newborns with severe haemophilia A: a multicentre study in Gulf region
Authors: Nazir H. F. , Al Lawati T. , Beshlawi I. , AlSharidah S. , Elshinawy M. , Alkasim F. , Khanani M. F. , Tarawa A. , Al Subhi T. , Alrawas A. , Al Riyami W. , Al Kindi S. , Al Saadi K. , Al‐Lamki S. , Wali Y. 
Published: November 2015

IntroductionThe optimum mode of delivery in a known carrier of a haemophilia A is still an issue of debate.AimThis study was conducted to report a multicentre experience in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the incidence of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in newborns with severe haemophilia A delivered by different modalities.MethodsWe have conducted a retrospective/prospective multicentre cohort study including a total of seven hospitals distributed in four GCC countries between 1998 and Jan 2015. A total of 163 patient with severe haemophilia A (factor VIII <1%) were enrolled in this study, age ranged between 2 weeks to 18 years.ResultsMost of the patients were born by spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (131, 80.4%), whereas 26 patients (16%) were born by CS and only six patients were born by instrumental delivery (3.7%), five of them by vacuum and one was delivered using forceps. Five out of 163 patients developed ICH during the first 2 weeks of life (3.1%). Two of them were born by SVD (2/131; 1.5%) and two were born by instrumental delivery (2/6; 33.3%). Only one patient among those who were born by caesarean section developed ICH (1/26; 3.8%). Assisted vaginal delivery was associated with a significant risk of ICH, in comparison to SVD and CS (P = 0.0093).ConclusionNormal vaginal delivery is still considered a safe journey through the birth canal for haemophilic newborns particularly in this area of the world. Larger prospective studies might be needed to define an evidence‐based optimal mode of delivery for the haemophilia carrier expecting an affected child.
The Influences of Major Currencies in Foreign Exchange Markets: A Regression‐Based Measure and Its Application
Authors: Kim Soo‐Hyun , Lee Kyuseok 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBased on the regression explanatory power, we propose a measure of the relative influences of a group of major currencies, including the US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, and UK pound, on the exchange rate behaviors of lesser currencies. Using the measure and 27 sample floating currencies, we empirically examine the cross‐currency and temporal variations in the relative influences of two, three, and four major currencies during the 16‐year post‐euro period of 1999 to 2014.
Pilot study to evaluate a novel three‐dimensional wound measurement device
Authors: Bills Jessica D , Berriman Sandra J , Noble Debby L , Lavery Lawrence A , Davis Kathryn E 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAs the burden of diabetes continues to grow and treatment standards require careful tracking of wound progress, clinicians increasingly need to rely on technological improvements in wound measurement technologies to track the progress of their treatments. This study aims to determine the accuracy of a new three‐dimensional wound measurement (3DWM) device against laser‐assisted wound measurement (LAWM) devices and traditional methods of wound measurement. Using several wound models, we demonstrate that the 3DWM device measures wound area, depth and volume similarly to the other methods tested. This is especially apparent when changes in wound measurements were compared between the two devices. Differences between the two technologies were apparent when analysing wound measurement time and measurement repeatability. There was a significantly lower incidence of error in measurements between the 3DWM device and the LAWM device. Finally, the measurement time was significantly faster with the 3DWM device compared to the LAWM device. Together, these data demonstrate that the 3DWM device provides an accurate and reproducible method for measuring changes in wound healing similar to other available technologies. Further, the use of the 3DWM device provides a faster and more consistent measurement, which is critical for clinical application and use.
Alcohol‐attributable healthcare attendances up to 10 years prior to diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis: a population based case–control study
Authors: Otete Harmony E. , Orton Elizabeth , Fleming Kate M. , West Joe 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsCirrhosis because of alcohol could be avoided if drinking behaviour could be altered earlier in the disease course. Our aim was to quantify the burden of morbidities in patients prior to alcoholic cirrhosis diagnosis, as this may inform the earlier identification of people at high risk for targeted interventions.MethodsWe carried out a case–control study using 2479 incident cases of alcoholic cirrhosis and 24 790 controls identified from 357 primary and secondary care centres in England. We assessed the prevalence of morbidities that are partly attributable to alcohol (namely malignant neoplasms, diabetes, epilepsy, injuries, cardiovascular and digestive diseases) prior to alcoholic cirrhosis diagnosis. We compared prevalence in cases to the control population and used logistic regression to derive odds ratios (95% CI).ResultsFifty‐eight per cent of cases compared to 29% of controls had had at least one alcohol‐attributable condition before cirrhosis diagnosis. The most frequent conditions (proportion in cases vs. controls) were intentional injuries (35.9% vs. 11.9%) and cardiovascular diseases (23.2% vs. 15.6%), followed by diabetes (12.8% vs. 5.3%), digestive diseases (6.1% vs. 1.2%) and epilepsy (5.0% vs. 1.1%). The strongest association with alcoholic cirrhosis was found for digestive diseases [OR 5.4 (4.4–6.7)], epilepsy [OR: 4.4 (3.5–5.5)] and injuries [OR: 4.0 (3.7–4.4)] particularly among those aged 18–44 years.ConclusionThese data highlight the high burden of other alcohol‐attributable conditions in patients prior to alcoholic cirrhosis diagnosis. Reviewing those consistently presenting with any of these conditions more closely could help practitioners reduce/avoid the long‐term consequences of development of alcoholic liver disease.
Probiotics are helpful in hepatic encephalopathy: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Saab Sammy , Suraweera Duminda , Au Jennifer , Saab Elena G. , Alper Tori S. , Tong Myron J. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of cirrhosis and is associated with decreased survival and increased health care utilization.AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the management minimal hepatic encephalopathy HE (MHE) and overt HE (OHE) in comparison to no treatment/placebo and lactulose.MethodsThe main outcomes measured were mortality, improvement in MHE, progression to OHE in patients with MHE and hospitalization. We calculated odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsFourteen studies totalling 1152 patients were included in the analysis. The use of probiotics had no impact on the overall mortality when compared to either lactulose (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.47–2.44, P = 0.88) or no treatment/placebo (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.42–1.14, P = 0.15). When probiotics was compared to no treatment/placebo, it was associated with a significant improvement in MHE (OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 2.25–6.80, P < 0.00001), decreased hospitalization rates (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.86, P = 0.01) and decreased progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.26–0.60, P < 0.0001). However when compared to lactulose, probiotics did not show a significant difference in improvement of MHE (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.52–1.27, P = 0.35), hospitalization rates (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.52–1.99, P = 0.96) or progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 0.73–2.10, P = 0.42).ConclusionsOverall the use of probiotics was more effective in decreasing hospitalization rates, improving MHE and preventing progression to OHE in patients with underlying MHE than placebo, but similar to that seen with lactulose. The use of probiotics did not affect mortality rates.
Incidence, prevalence and complications of Budd–Chiari syndrome in South Korea: a nationwide, population‐based study
Authors: Ki Moran , Choi Hwa Young , Kim Kyung‐Ah , Kim Bo Hyun , Jang Eun Sun , Jeong Sook‐Hyang 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsThe population‐based epidemiology of Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS), a rare disease of hepatic venous outflow obstruction, is largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the nationwide population‐based incidence, prevalence, complications, case fatalities and direct medical cost of BCS in South Korea from 2009 to 2013.MethodsUsing two large data sources, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Claims database and Rare Intractable Disease registration program database in Korea, we identified all patients with BCS who were registered under International Classification of Diseases 10 (code I82.0). The age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence and prevalence of BCS were calculated with analysis of complications and direct medical costs.ResultsA total of 424 patients with BCS were identified in 2009–2013, with a female‐to‐male ratio of 1.8 and a median age of 51 years old. The average age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence from 2011 to 2013 was 0.87 per million per year, and the average age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence from 2009 to 2013 was 5.29 per million population. Among them, 10.3% accompanied liver cancer and 3.3% underwent liver transplantation. Annual case‐fatality rate was 2.8%. Direct medical costs excluding uninsured services for BCS increased by year from 385 720 USD in 2009 to 765 983 USD in 2013.ConclusionsThis is the first population‐based study on the epidemiology of BCS in an Asian country, which presented a higher prevalence than in Western studies. It suggests early diagnosis or improved prognosis of BCS in recent years, and clinical features of BCS that differ by geography.