bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sorafenib in advanced iodine‐refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: efficacy, safety and exploratory analysis of role of serum thyroglobulin and FDG‐PET
Authors: Marotta Vincenzo , Ramundo Valeria , Camera Luigi , Prete Michela Del , Fonti Rosa , Esposito Raffaella , Palmieri Giovannella , Salvatore Marco , Vitale Mario , Colao Annamaria , Faggiano Antongiulio 
Published: September 2012

SummaryContextRadioactive iodine is a crucial tool for treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In 5% of cases, DTCs lose I‐131 avidity and assume an aggressive behaviour. Treatment options for iodine‐refractory DTC are limited. We report the experience of off‐label use of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib for treatment of advanced iodine‐refractory DTC.DesignPatients with progressive DTC refractory to radioactive iodine were treated with sorafenib used off‐label independently from their performance status. Primary study end‐points were radiological response, progression‐free survival (PFS) and safety. Secondary end‐points were site‐specific radiological response and overall survival (OS). An exploratory analysis of the role of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) was performed.ResultsA total of 17 patients were included in the study. Median follow‐up was 15·5 months. Clinical benefit was obtained in 71% of subjects (30% partial response and 41% stable disease). Sorafenib was mostly well tolerated, but a high incidence of fatal events was reported (three patients died from severe bleeding events and two from cardiac arrest). Median PFS was 9 months. Median OS was 10 months. The best responses were observed in lymph nodes and lung. Baseline Tg levels and the Tg response to treatment were correlated to both radiological response and PFS. Baseline FDG‐PET assessment and early FDG‐PET response were correlated to radiological response.ConclusionsSorafenib allows morphological disease control in the majority of patients with iodine‐refractory DTC. Progression‐free survival and overall survival were lower than in previous studies as a consequence of the worse clinical condition of our patients. Sorafenib is mostly well tolerated but could have been responsible for the reported fatal events. Baseline Tg and the Tg response to treatment could be useful for predicting morphological response and clinical outcome. Early FDG‐PET response could be helpful for the timely identification of nonresponding patients.
Chronic electrical stimulation of transected peripheral nerves preserves anatomy and function in the primary somatosensory cortex
Authors: Herrera‐Rincon Celia , Torets Carlos , Sanchez‐Jimenez Abel , Avendaño Carlos , Panetsos Fivos 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe structure and function of the central nervous system strongly depend on the organization and efficacy of the incoming sensory input. A disruption of somesthetic input severely alters the metabolic activity, electrophysiological properties and even gross anatomical features of the primary somatosensory cortex. Here we examined, in the rat somatosensory cortex, the neuroprotective and therapeutic effects of artificial sensory stimulation after irreversible unilateral transection of a peripheral sensory nerve (the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve). The proximal stump of the nerve was inserted into a silicon tube with stimulating electrodes, through which continuous electrical stimulation was applied for 12 h/day (square pulses of 100 μs, 3.0 V, at 20 Hz) for 4 weeks. Deafferented animals showed significant decreases in cortical evoked potentials, cytochrome oxidase staining intensity (layers II–IV), cortical volume (layer IV) and number of parvalbumin‐expressing (layers II–IV) and calbindin‐D28k‐expressing (layers II/III) interneurons. These deafferentation‐dependent effects were largely absent in the nerve‐stimulated animals. Together, these results provide evidence that chronic electrical stimulation has a neuroprotective and preservative effect on the sensory cortex, and raise the possibility that, by controlling the physical parameters of an artificial sensory input to a sectioned peripheral nerve, chronically deafferented brain regions could be maintained at near‐‘normal’ conditions. Our findings could be important for the design of sensory neuroprostheses and for therapeutic purposes in brain lesions or neural degenerative processes.
Re‐Feeding Food‐Deprived Male Meadow Voles Affects the Sperm Allocation of Their Rival Males
Authors: Vaughn Ashlee A. , delBarco‐Trillo Javier , Ferkin Michael H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAn individual's nutritional status affects the manner in which same‐ and opposite‐sex conspecifics respond to that individual, which may affect their fitness. Male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, increase their sperm allocation if they encounter the scent mark of an unfamiliar male that is not nutritionally challenged. If, however, the scent mark comes from a male that has been food deprived for 24 h, stud male voles do not increase their sperm allocation. Food‐deprived males may be viewed as being lower quality and a reduced risk of sperm competition by rival males. We hypothesized that stud males in promiscuous mating systems tailor their sperm allocations depending on whether rival males have been food deprived and then re‐fed. We predicted that newly re‐fed males will be considered a strong risk of sperm competition because of the potentially high fitness and survival costs associated with food deprivation in males, and that they will cause stud males to increase their sperm allocation. Our results, however, showed that the recovery period from 24 h of food deprivation was a relatively slow process. It took between 96 and 336 h of re‐feeding male scent donors that were food deprived for 24 h to induce stud males to increase their sperm allocation to levels comparable to when scent donors were not food deprived. Stud male voles may be conserving the amount of sperm allocated until the male scent donors have recovered from food deprivation and subsequent re‐feeding.
Gravidity‐Associated Shoaling Decisions in Three‐Spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Frommen Joachim G. , Bakker Theo C. M. , Proscurcin Leonie C. , Mehlis Marion 
Published: September 2012

AbstractGroup living has evolved in many animal species as an antipredator behavior, an evolutionary effect that might be augmented by grouping with similarly looking individuals. Consequently, groups are often composed according to species, size, or coloration. During egg ripening or embryo growth, the outer appearance of females often changes drastically within days, which makes them more prone to predation. Thus, a female's group preference should change according to her reproductive state, an issue that has seldom been investigated. To test this, we gave gravid and non‐gravid three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) the choice to shoal either with a gravid or a non‐gravid conspecific. The results showed that shoaling preferences of gravid and non‐gravid individuals differed significantly. Non‐gravid females preferred gravid fish as shoaling partners, which might rely on the fact that gravid sticklebacks show reduced escape performance, which in turn might increase a non‐gravid female's chance of survival. However, in contrast to our predictions, gravid fish did not show any significant preference. A reason for this pattern might be competition between gravid females for mating partners, which might overrule benefits of shoaling with similar looking individuals. Hence, gravidity influences social preferences in a shoaling fish, which might pose a largely overlooked form of the cost of reproduction.
Biodiversity buffers pollination from changes in environmental conditions
Authors: Brittain Claire , Kremen Claire , Klein Alexandra‐Maria 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA hypothesized underlying principle of the diversity‐functioning relationship is that functional groups respond differently to environmental change. Over 3 years, we investigated how pollinator diversity contributes to the magnitude of pollination service through spatial complementarity and differential response to high winds in California almond orchards. We found honey bees preferentially visited the top sections of the tree. Where wild pollinators were present, they showed spatial complementarity to honey bees and visited the bottom tree sections more frequently. As wind speed increased, honey bees' spatial preference shifted toward the bottom tree sections. In high winds (>2.5 m s−1), orchards with low pollinator diversity (honey bees only) received almost no flower visits. In orchards with high pollinator diversity, visitation decreased to a lesser extent as wild bee visitation was unaffected by high winds. Our results demonstrate how spatial complementarity in diverse communities can help buffer pollination services to environmental changes like wind speed.
The effect of heat waves, elevated [CO2] and low soil water availability on northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings
Authors: Bauweraerts Ingvar , Wertin Timothy M. , Ameye Maarten , McGuire Mary Anne , Teskey Robert O. , Steppe Kathy 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe frequency and intensity of heat waves are predicted to increase. This study investigates whether heat waves would have the same impact as a constant increase in temperature with the same heat sum, and whether there would be any interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and soil moisture content. We grew Quercus rubra seedlings in treatment chambers maintained at either ambient or elevated [CO2] (380 or 700 μmol CO2 mol−1) with temperature treatments of ambient, ambient +3 °C, moderate heat wave (+6 °C every other week) or severe heat wave (+12 °C every fourth week) temperatures. Averaged over a 4‐week period, and the entire growing season, the three elevated temperature treatments had the same average temperature and heat sum. Half the seedlings were watered to a soil water content near field capacity, half to about 50% of this value. Foliar gas exchange measurements were performed morning and afternoon (9:00 and 15:00 hours) before, during and after an applied heat wave in August 2010. Biomass accumulation was measured after five heat wave cycles. Under ambient [CO2] and well‐watered conditions, biomass accumulation was highest in the +3 °C treatment, intermediate in the +6 °C heat wave and lowest in the +12 °C heat wave treatment. This response was mitigated by elevated [CO2]. Low soil moisture significantly decreased net photosynthesis (Anet) and biomass in all [CO2] and temperature treatments. The +12 °C heat wave reduced afternoon Anet by 23% in ambient [CO2]. Although this reduction was relatively greater under elevated [CO2], Anet values during this heat wave were still 34% higher than under ambient [CO2]. We concluded that heat waves affected biomass growth differently than the same amount of heat applied uniformly over the growing season, and that the plant response to heat waves also depends on [CO2] and soil moisture conditions.
Introduced annual grass increases regional fire activity across the arid westernUSA(1980–2009)
Authors: Balch Jennifer K. , Bradley Bethany A. , D'Antonio Carla M. , Gómez‐Dans José 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNon‐native, invasive grasses have been linked to altered grass‐fire cycles worldwide. Although a few studies have quantified resulting changes in fire activity at local scales, and many have speculated about larger scales, regional alterations to fire regimes remain poorly documented. We assessed the influence of large‐scaleBromus tectorum(hereafter cheatgrass) invasion on fire size, duration, spread rate, and interannual variability in comparison to other prominent land cover classes across the Great Basin,USA. We compared regional land cover maps to burned area measured using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for 2000–2009 and to fire extents recorded by theUSGSregistry of fires from 1980 to 2009. Cheatgrass dominates at least 6% of the central Great Basin (650 000 km2).MODISrecords show that 13% of these cheatgrass‐dominated lands burned, resulting in a fire return interval of 78 years for any given location within cheatgrass. This proportion was more than double the amount burned across all other vegetation types (range: 0.5–6% burned). During the 1990s, this difference was even more extreme, with cheatgrass burning nearly four times more frequently than any native vegetation type (16% of cheatgrass burned compared to 1–5% of native vegetation). Cheatgrass was also disproportionately represented in the largest fires, comprising 24% of the land area of the 50 largest fires recorded byMODISduring the 2000s. Furthermore, multi‐date fires that burned across multiple vegetation types were significantly more likely to have started in cheatgrass. Finally, cheatgrass fires showed a strong interannual response to wet years, a trend only weakly observed in native vegetation types. These results demonstrate that cheatgrass invasion has substantially altered the regional fire regime. Although this result has been suspected by managers for decades, this study is the first to document recent cheatgrass‐driven fire regimes at a regional scale.
Livestock‐type effects on biomass and nitrogen partitioning in temperate pastures with different functional‐group abundance
Authors: Rose L. , Hertel D. , Leuschner C. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLivestock grazing can be a means to maintain biodiversity in grasslands, but the outcome for vegetation structure and species composition depends on livestock type and grazing regime. This study aims at disentangling the effects of plant functional‐group abundance and livestock type on the above‐ and below‐ground biomass and N allocation in temperate pastures.We investigated the effects of cattle, sheep and mixed stocking on above‐ground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) and plant N pools in a replicated grazing experiment in two pasture community types with different plant functional‐group abundance (diverse vs. grass‐dominated swards).In the six treatments, AGB was reduced up to 80% compared with an ungrazed control. Cattle reduced AGB to a larger extent than sheep in diverse pastures (80 vs 44% reduction) while sheep grazing tended to do so in grass‐dominated pastures (57 vs 46% reduction); mixed stocking led to intermediate values. Grazing reduced AGB more than the N pool in AGB, thus lowering the biomass C/N ratio relative to the ungrazed control. Neither BGB nor the N pool in BGB differed between the grazing treatments and the control plots.We conclude that livestock type and functional‐group abundance are interacting factors that influence plant biomass and N pools in swards of managed temperate pastures. The contrasting biomass removal rates of cattle and sheep could be used to increase the structural heterogeneity and total plant species pool of pastures by keeping different livestock species in neighbouring patches.
Ultrasonic monitoring of the effect of sodium hypochlorite on the elasticity of dentine
Authors: John C. , Löst C. , ElAyouti A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimTo determine the change in ultrasonic velocity of dentine after the application of 5% NaOCl.MethodologyTwenty standardized plano‐parallel dentine bars were divided into two groups. Dentine bars were wetted on only one surface. The test group (n = 10) was irrigated with 5% NaOCl, and the control group, (n = 10) with saline. Ultrasonic velocities before and after irrigation were compared to determine the change in the modulus of elasticity. Finally, dentine bars were loaded until failure in a 3‐point bending test. Paired t‐test and the mean of differences were used to assess the statistical significance between the groups.ResultsThe mean ultrasonic velocity decreased by 1.4% after the application of NaOCl; no change was observed for saline. The mean velocity reduction of 49 m s−1 was found to be highly significant (P = 0.004). The ultrasonically derived modulus of elasticity decreased by 2.6% compared to the initial value of 17.8 GPa. However, the observed reduction in elasticity derived from the 3‐point bending test was not significant (P = 0.238).ConclusionsNaOCl reduced the ultrasonic velocity of dentine and the ultrasonically derived modulus of elasticity.
Illite/smectite transformation in detrital glaucony during burial diagenesis of sandstone: A study from Siri Canyon – Danish North Sea
Authors: KAZEROUNI AFSOON M. , POULSEN METTE L. K. , FRIIS HENRIK , SVENDSEN JOHAN B. , HANSEN JENS P. V. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDetrital glaucony in the Palaeogene glauconitic sandstones in Siri Canyon, Danish North Sea, has been analysed from 15 exploration wells by X‐ray diffraction, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy. These sandstones consist of mixed‐layer illite/smectite and have a large variability in chemical composition and structure. In the most shallow wells (ca 1700 m), the glaucony is rich in Fe and consists of mixed‐layer illite/smectite with random‐interstratification (R = 0). In the depth interval from 1700 to 2000 m, the composition changes as Si is incorporated. The structure changes to ordered R = 1. Further increase in burial leads to the loss of Fe. Ordered R = 3 mixed‐layer illite/smectite is recognized from burial depths of 2200 m. The proportion of illite in illite/smectite mixed layers increases only slightly with depth and temperature. Although the structural changes generally are associated with chemical changes, they can also take place isochemically when the detrital glaucony is tightly embedded in earlier cement, which prevented chemical exchange. The glaucony transformation in the Siri Canyon sandstones partly reflects a supply of Si and partly significant loss of Fe. Thus, the glaucony transformation relates to the general diagenesis of the host sandstone. These sandstones are cemented by microquartz at an early stage, followed by precipitation of Fe‐rich grain‐coating berthierine or chlorite.
Non‐specific effects of diphtheria‐tetanus‐pertussis and measles vaccinations? An analysis of surveillance data from Navrongo, Ghana
Authors: Welaga Paul , Nielsen Jens , Adjuik Martin , Debpuur Cornelius , Ross David A. , Ravn Henrik , Benn Christine S. , Aaby Peter 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives  Studies from low‐income countries have suggested that routine vaccinations may have non‐specific effects on child mortality; measles vaccine (MV) is associated with lower mortality and diphtheria‐tetanus‐pertussis (DTP) with relatively higher mortality. We used data from Navrongo, Ghana, to examine the impact of vaccinations on child mortality.Methods  Vaccination status was assessed at the initiation of a trial of vitamin A supplementation and after 12 and 24 months of follow‐up. Within the placebo group, we compared the mortality over the first 4 months and the full 2 years of follow‐up for different vaccination status groups with different likelihoods of additional vaccinations during follow‐up. The frequency of additional vaccinations was assessed among children whose vaccination card was seen at 12 and 24 months of follow‐up.Results  Among children with a vaccination card, more than 75% received missing DTP or MV during the first 12 months of follow‐up, whereas only 25% received these vaccines among children with no vaccination card at enrolment. Children without a card at enrolment had a significant threefold higher mortality over the 2‐year follow‐up period than those fully vaccinated. The small group of children with DTP3‐4 but no MV at enrolment had lower mortality than children without a card and had the same mortality as fully vaccinated children. In contrast, children with 1–2 DTP doses but no MV had a higher mortality during the first 4 months than children without a card [MRR = 1.65 (0.95, 2.87)]; compared with the fully vaccinated children, they had significantly higher mortality after 4 months [MRR = 2.38 (1.07, 5.30)] and after 2 years [MRR = 2.41 (1.41, 4.15)]. Children with 0–2 DTP doses at enrolment had higher mortality after 4 months (MRR = 1.67 (0.82, 3.43) and after 2 years [MRR = 1.85 (1.16, 2.95)] than children who had all three doses of DTP at enrolment.Conclusions  As hypothesised, DTP vaccination was associated with higher child mortality than measles vaccination. To optimise vaccination policies, routine vaccinations need to be evaluated in randomised trials measuring the impact on survival.
Evolution of extrafloral nectaries: adaptive process and selective regime changes from forest to savanna
Authors: Nogueira A. , Rey P. J. , Lohmann L. G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMuch effort has been devoted to understanding the function of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) for ant–plant–herbivore interactions. However, the pattern of evolution of such structures throughout the history of plant lineages remains unexplored. In this study, we used empirical knowledge on plant defences mediated by ants as a theoretical framework to test specific hypotheses about the adaptive role ofEFNs during plant evolution. Emphasis was given to different processes (neutral or adaptive) and factors (habitat change and trade‐offs with new trichomes) that may have affected the evolution of ant–plant associations. We measured sevenEFNquantitative traits in all 105 species included in a well‐supported phylogeny of the tribeBignonieae (Bignoniaceae) and collected field data on ant–EFNinteractions in 32 species. We identified a positive association between ant visitation (a surrogate of ant guarding) and the abundance ofEFNs in vegetative plant parts and rejected the hypothesis of phylogenetic conservatism ofEFNs, with most traits presentingK‐values < 1. Modelling the evolution ofEFNtraits using maximum likelihood approaches further suggested adaptive evolution, with static‐optimum models showing a better fit than purely drift models. In addition, the abundance ofEFNs was associated with habitat shifts (with a decrease in the abundance ofEFNs from forest to savannas), and a potential trade‐off was detected between the abundance ofEFNs and estipitate glandular trichomes (i.e. trichomes with sticky secretion). These evolutionary associations suggest divergent selection between species as well as explainsK‐values < 1. Experimental studies with multiple lineages of forest and savanna taxa may improve our understanding of the role of nectaries in plants. Overall, our results suggest that the evolution ofEFNs was likely associated with the adaptive process which probably played an important role in the diversification of this plant group.