bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
p40 is a more specific marker than p63 for cutaneous poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Alomari Ahmed K. , Glusac Earl J. , McNiff Jennifer M. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundPoorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin may pose a diagnostic challenge for pathologists. p40 is a recently introduced antibody that recognizes specific p63 protein isoforms and has shown superior results labeling non‐cutaneous SCC. We hypothesize that p40 may improve diagnostic accuracy of poorly differentiated SCC.MethodsTwelve cases of poorly differentiated SCC were stained with p63, p40 and cytokeratin MNF116. Control cases included nine atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), five cutaneous leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and three giant cell tumors of soft tissue (GCTST).ResultsAll 12 cases labeled with p63 and p40 and 11/12 were positive with MNF116. Whereas p40 labeled fewer cells, it showed exclusive nuclear staining, with no staining of cytoplasm or of background cells, in contrast to p63. Six of nine AFX and 2 of 3 GCTST showed scattered nuclear staining with p63 but were negative with p40. Additionally, one LMS showed focal staining with MNF116 but was negative with p40.ConclusionFor the diagnosis of cutaneous poorly differentiated SCC, p40 appears equally sensitive to MNF116 and p63. While labeling fewer cells, p40 labels without confounding staining of tumor cytoplasm or background cells. More importantly, p40 appears to be more specific for SCC than p63 and MNF116, each of which occasionally labels non‐squamous tumors.
Current symptomatology in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Muto M. , Mori M. , Sato Y. , Uzawa A. , Masuda S. , Uchida T. , Kuwabara S. 
Published: September 2014

Background and objectivesSeveral symptoms and signs are characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS) such as Lhermitte's sign, Uhthoff's phenomenon and painful tonic seizure. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is another inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, and most of the opticospinal form of MS is thought to be NMO. This study aimed to investigate the frequencies of symptoms and signs, previously regarded as characteristic of MS, in NMO and MS patients.MethodsConsecutive Japanese NMO‐plus patients [NMO (n = 30) or partial NMO (n = 18)] and MS patients (n = 128) seen at Chiba University Hospital between 2011 and 2012 were investigated for the frequencies of symptoms and signs characteristic of MS. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors that distinguished NMO‐plus from MS.ResultsUnivariate analyses revealed that tonic seizures, Lhermitte's sign, persistent pain, fatigue and girdle sensation were more frequent in NMO‐plus patients than in MS patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that paroxysmal itching, Uhthoff's phenomenon, Lhermitte's sign and girdle sensation were more characteristic of NMO‐plus than of MS.ConclusionsSeveral classical MS symptoms and signs are more frequent in NMO patients than MS patients, which may be caused by the differences in the severity of inflammation, and localization and extensiveness of demyelinated lesions.
Prospective, non‐randomised, open‐label study of homeopathic Zingiber officinale (ginger) in the treatment of acne vulgaris
Authors: Miglani Anjali , Manchanda Raj K 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundZingiber officinale (ginger) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, including homeopathy. Studies carried out so far have validated some of the ethno‐medicinal observations.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of homeopathic Z. officinale for the treatment of acne vulgaris and to identify its prescribing indications.MethodsA prospective, non‐randomised open‐label study was conducted on human participants with acne vulgaris. Homeopathic Z. officinale was prescribed in different potencies (6C up to 1M) over a period of 6 months. Outcomes included changes in lesion counts, Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score, and Acne‐Specific Quality of Life (Acne‐QoL) score. Data were analysed using paired t‐tests, Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests and Pearson's correlation tests.ResultsThirty‐two participants enrolled in the study; data for 31 participants were analysed. Statistically significant (P<0.001) changes in lesion counts, GAGS scores and Acne‐QoL scores were observed.ConclusionHomeopathic Z. officinale demonstrates encouraging results in the treatment of facial acne. Further investigation, using a randomised placebo‐controlled trial design and a larger sample size is now required to draw firmer conclusions about the effectiveness of this intervention.
Are ecologists conducting research at the optimal scale?
Authors: Jackson Heather Bird , Fahrig Lenore 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe spatial extent (scale) at which landscape attributes are measured has a strong impact on inferred species–landscape relationships. Consequently, researchers commonly measure landscape variables at multiple scales to select one scale (the ‘scale of effect’) that yields the strongest species–landscape relationship. Scales of effect observed in multiscale studies may not be true scales of effect if scales are arbitrarily selected and/or are too narrow in range. Miscalculation of the scale of effect may explain why the theoretical relationship between scale of effect and species traits, e.g. dispersal distance, is not empirically well supported.LocationWorld‐wide.MethodsUsing data from 583 species in 71 studies we conducted a quantitative review of multiscale studies to evaluate whether research has been conducted at the true scale of effect.ResultsMultiple lines of evidence indicated that multiscale studies are often conducted at suboptimal scales. We did not find convincing evidence of a relationship between observed scale of effect and any of 29 species traits. Instead, observed scales of effect were strongly positively predicted by the smallest and largest scales evaluated by researchers. Only 29% of studies reported biological reasons for the scales evaluated. Scales tended to be narrow in range (the mean range is 0.9 orders of magnitude) and few (the mean number of scales evaluated is four). Many species (44%) had observed scales of effect equal to the smallest or largest scale evaluated, suggesting a better scale was outside that range. Increasing the range of scales evaluated decreased the proportion of species with scales of effect equal to the smallest or largest scale evaluated.Main conclusionsTo ensure that species–landscape relationships are well estimated, we recommend that the scales at which landscape variables are measured range widely, from the size of a single territory to well above the average dispersal distance.
Characteristics of tiger nut milk: effects of milling
Authors: Kizzie‐Hayford Nazir , Jaros Doris , Schneider Yvonne , Rohm Harald 
Published: September 2014

SummaryA standard method for the extraction of tiger nut milk has been introduced. It has been shown that, although milling duration improves the yield of tiger nut milk solids and its nutrient composition, there is a quantifiable loss of nutrient in the pressing residue during milk extraction. Milling duration improved the colloidal stability of the milk against creaming during 16 h of storage. A higher milling intensity resulted in the aggregation of biological polymers which resulted in colloidal destabilisation. Milling improved the lightness and stability and reduced browning rate of the tiger nut milk during storage. This report is important for the production of tiger nut milk of consistent and comparable characteristics. Milling has been introduced as a processing method for the qualitative and quantitative modulation of the properties of tiger nut milk. It is recommended to develop further strategies to improve the colloidal stability of tiger nut milk as a beverage.
Association study of MICA gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility in south Tunisian population
Authors: Achour Y. , Kammoun A. , Ben Hamad M. , Mahfoudh N. , Chaabane S. , Marzouk S. , Keskes L. , Gaddour L. , Bahloul Z. , Maalej A. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain‐related gene A (MICA) polymorphisms, important in natural killer (NK) cell function, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A transmembrane (TM) alanine‐encoding GCT repeats, termed A4, A5, A5.1, A6 and A9 in the MICA gene, and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): the Met129Val polymorphism (rs1051792) and the nonsynonymously coding SNP (rs1051794) were genotyped in 142 patients with RA and 123 unrelated healthy individuals using, respectively, PCR fluorescent method, nested PCR‐RFLP and allele specific PCR (ASP). Association was assessed based on the χ2 test, genotype relative risk (GRR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our results show a trend of association of the different MICA genotypes G/G, G/A and A/A (P = 0.029) which did not attain the significance after Bonferroni's correction (pc = 0.08). Although, we revealed a significant association of the genotype A/A of MICA‐250 in patients with RA compared to healthy controls (pc = 0.033). In contrast, no significant differences between alleles and genotypes frequencies were found either with MICA‐TM or MICA met129 val (P > 0.05) in our sample. Moreover, stratification of patients with RA according to clinical and immunological data for the different polymorphisms studied shows a significant association of both MICA‐250 G allele (pc = 0.0075) and MICA‐250 GG genotype (pc = 0.008) and both allelic (val) (pc = 0.021) and genotypic (val/val) distribution (pc = 0.0095) for MICA met129 val in the RF‐positive subgroup compared to RF‐negative patients with RA. In contrast, we found a strong association of the MICA‐TM A9 allele in RF‐negative patients with RA (pc = 0.0003). This study indicates the involvement of the MICA‐250 polymorphism in the genetic susceptibility and severity to RA and suggests that variations in MICA‐TM and MICA met129 val may have an effect on RA severity in our south Tunisian sample.
Acne:in vivomorphologic study of lesions and surrounding skin by means of reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Manfredini M. , Mazzaglia G. , Ciardo S. , Farnetani F. , Mandel V. D. , Longo C. , Zauli S. , Bettoli V. , Virgili A. , Pellacani G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundAcne vulgaris is a common disease of the pilosebaceous unit, clinically showing alteration of the keratinization process leading to comedos formation and subsequent inflammatory process.ObjectiveTo characterize the morphology of acne lesions and pilosebaceous units by means ofin vivoreflectance confocal microscopy, in order to non‐invasively define the microscopic alterations occurring during the acne process.MethodsA set of standardized clinical pictures and a set of reflectance confocal images were acquired from 25 volunteers, presenting mild‐to‐moderate acne, and 10 healthy volunteers, using Vivascope 3000®, and 10 mosaics on apparently normal skin were acquired by 5 acne patients and 5 healthy volunteers by Vivascope 1500®, and evaluated by experts.ResultsConfocal microscopy enabled to identify morphological aspects characterizing different types of acne lesions. Apparently normal skin of acne patients, compared with healthy skin of patients with no history of acne, revealed peculiar confocal features, such as bright rings around hair follicle that may represent the early events in acne lesion formation.ConclusionThe fast and reliable characterization of acne lesions and identification of subclinical alterations in acne‐prone skin through confocal examination, corresponding to infundibular hyper‐keratinization, may have important clinical consequences in the assessment of acne severity, therapeutic decisions and treatment efficacy monitoring.
Loss of Possession: Concussions, Informed Consent, and Autonomy
Authors: Robeson Richard , King Nancy M. P. 
Published: September 2014

The principle of informed consent is so firmly established in bioethics and biomedicine that the term was soon bowdlerized in common practice, such that engaging in the informed decision-making process with patients or research subjects is now often called “consenting” them. This evolution, from the original concept to the rather questionable coinage that makes consent a verb, reveals not only a loss of rhetorical precision but also a fundamental shift in the potential meaning, value, and implementation of the informed consent process. Too often, the sharing of information has been replaced by the mere acquisition of agreement with the authority ostensibly offering a choice.Scholars of informed consent agree that its salience and its legitimacy derive from a fiduciary duty to inform, in order to respect, protect, and promote autonomous decision making by those to whom the duty is owed.
Comparing topical hydrocortisone cream with Hai's Perianal Support in managing symptomatic hemorrhoids in pregnancy: A preliminary trial
Authors: Lim Soo Soo , Yu Chye Wah , Aw Lin Da 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe prevalence of hemorrhoids among pregnant women is high in late pregnancy. This study was to evaluate the efficacy between drug treatment with Procort (topical hydrocortisone cream 1%) and mechanical treatment with a Hai's Perianal Support (HPS) toilet seat device in managing symptomatic hemorrhoids during the third trimester of pregnancy.MethodsA prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 23 pregnant women with gestation above the 28th week and presented with symptomatic hemorrhoids. Pre‐ and post‐interventional assessment was carried out to obtain data on symptoms of pain, itching, swelling, discomfort and bleeding associated with hemorrhoids. The control group was treated with topical hydrocortisone cream 1% and the test group was provided and taught to use a HPS, a posterior perineal support toilet seat device (Colorec).ResultsThe results showed improvement in symptoms of pain, swelling, bleeding, itching and discomfort in both the test and control groups. However, statistically significant differences were found on symptoms of pain, swelling and discomfort between the test and control groups. There was also a statistically significant difference in well‐being and overall improvement between the test and control groups.ConclusionHPS has to a certain extent significantly reduced the symptoms of hemorrhoids in pregnancy and improved the well‐being of pregnant women in comparison with topical treatment with hydrocortisone cream. However, more clinical trials need to be carried out to recomfirm the role of HPS in hemorrhoids in pregnancy.
Role of osteoprotegerin gene variants in early‐onset severe pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Yang Yan , Liu Xijing , Jia Jin , Bai Yi , Dai Li , Wang Tao , Zhou Bin , Zhang Lin , Zhou Rong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to detect the role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene variants in early‐onset severe pre‐eclampsia.Material and MethodsThe associations of 163A/G (rs3102735) and 950T/C (rs2073617) polymorphisms of OPG with pre‐eclampsia (60 cases of early‐onset severe pre‐eclampsia and 91 cases of late‐onset pre‐eclampsia), as well as with the clinical manifestations of individuals, were evaluated.ResultsData showed lower frequencies of TC and TC + CC genotypes and C allele of 950T/C in the early‐onset group than those of the control and late‐onset groups (P = 0.003; P = 0.002; P = 0.005; P = 0.031; P = 0.021; P = 0.022). However, no significant differences were found in genotype and allele frequencies between the late‐onset and control groups. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the genotype and allele frequencies of 163A/G polymorphism among the three groups. In the early‐onset group, 950T/C TC + CC genotype carriers exhibited significantly lower systolic blood pressure ([147.25 ± 11.89] mmHg) and 24‐h urine protein ([2.46 ± 0.92] g) than the TT carriers ([165.88 ± 20.39] mmHg, [3.64 ± 0.81] g) (P = 0.003; P = 0.001, respectively). Serum creatinine was significantly higher in women with the 163A/G AG + GG genotypes ([82.31 ± 11.66] μmol/L) than in those with the AA genotype ([71.90 ± 16.85] μmol/L) (P = 0.003).ConclusionThis study implicates that OPG gene variants may be associated with early‐onset severe pre‐eclampsia.
Hints for alternative stable states from long‐term vegetation dynamics in an unmanaged heathland
Authors: Ransijn Johannes , Kepfer‐Rojas Sebastian , Verheyen Kris , Riis‐Nielsen Torben , Schmidt Inger Kappel 
Published: September 2014

AbstractQuestionsHow does heathland vegetation composition change during ca. 100 yr of succession in the absence of management? Is succession divergent or mono‐directional? Do soil conditions and land‐use history explain the variation in vegetation dynamics? Is there evidence for alternative stable states?LocationNørholm hede, a 350‐ha heathland in southwest Denmark that was abandoned in 1895 and left to develop naturally via succession.MethodsPermanent vegetation inventory plots were established and have been revisited 11 times between 1921 and 2012. Soil conditions were recorded in 2012. We used clustering, linear mixed models, linear models, ANOVA and multivariate techniques (redundancy analysis and principal response curves) to investigate changes in the plant community and how differences in plant community composition related to soil conditions and disturbance history.ResultsEricaceous dwarf shrubs dominated most of the heathland initially. A dominance shift from dwarf shrubs to grasses occurred on about half of the plots. The other half of the plots remained dominated by dwarf shrubs, although Empetrum nigrum expanded at the expense of Calluna vulgaris. Lichen cover decreased dramatically across all plots. The divergent successional pattern was not explained by nutrient concentrations. Grasses mainly expanded in areas where they already had a substantial presence, and this initial presence was largely correlated with historical soil disturbance. Plots where dwarf shrubs remained dominant had a relatively thick O‐horizon.ConclusionsVegetation dynamics during heathland succession were not deterministically determined by soil conditions. Grass and tree expansion occurred slowly and dwarf shrub dominance was stable for more than 100 yr on large parts of the heath, even in the absence of management. Management actions that disturb stable dwarf shrub vegetation may enhance grass and tree colonization.
Changes in home range sizes and population densities of carnivore species along the natural to urban habitat gradient
Authors: Šálek Martin , Drahníková Lucie , Tkadlec Emil 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWith rapid development and the spread of urbanized land, there is an increasing need to understand species' responses to urban conditions. Carnivores are considered to be sensitive to urbanization; however, there is ample evidence that some carnivore species successfully inhabit urban areas, and human‐modified habitats have recently been recognized as an important refuge for several species.Despite the increasing number of studies on urban carnivore ecology, no comprehensive cross‐species comparisons have been made in order to assess the effects of urbanization on the spatial ecology of carnivores and their population densities. Such a review could provide interesting insight into how some carnivore species respond to increasing urbanization. Specifically, we examine changes in population density and home range size of eight carnivore species that occur along the natural–urban environmental gradient.Using data from 411 articles, we provide evidence that the home range size of carnivores decreases in six out of eight species, and population density increases in three out of six species along the natural–urban habitat gradient. The density‐dependent pattern of variation in home range size is consistent in all species studied.Our results emphasize the remarkable ability of some carnivore species to adapt to novel environments through their behavioural flexibility and life history adaptations. We outline ideas for future research that could be adopted in addressing this phenomenon, namely comparative approaches and detailed studies of biotic and abiotic conditions along natural–urban gradients.
The evolutionary ecology of C4plants
Authors: Christin Pascal‐Antoine , Osborne Colin P. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryC4photosynthesis is a physiological syndrome resulting from multiple anatomical and biochemical components, which function together to increase theCO2concentration around Rubisco and reduce photorespiration. It evolved independently multiple times and C4plants now dominate many biomes, especially in the tropics and subtropics. The C4syndrome comes in many flavours, with numerous phenotypic realizations of C4physiology and diverse ecological strategies. In this work, we analyse the events that happened in a C3context and enabled C4physiology in the descendants, those that generated the C4physiology, and those that happened in a C4background and opened novel ecological niches. Throughout the manuscript, we evaluate the biochemical and physiological evidence in a phylogenetic context, which demonstrates the importance of contingency in evolutionary trajectories and shows how these constrained the realized phenotype. We then discuss the physiological innovations that allowed C4plants to escape these constraints for two important dimensions of the ecological niche – growth rates and distribution along climatic gradients. This review shows that a comprehensive understanding of C4plant ecology can be achieved by accounting for evolutionary processes spread over millions of years, including the ancestral condition, functional convergence via independent evolutionary trajectories, and physiological diversification.ContentsSummary765I.Introduction765II.Which properties are common to all C4plants?767III.What is unique to C4plants?768IV.What happened before C4physiology?768V.What happened during the transition to C4photosynthesis?770VI.What happened after C4evolution?771VII.Contingency and the ecological diversity of C4plants773VIII.Conclusions777Acknowledgements777References777
Root structural and functional dynamics in terrestrial biosphere models – evaluation and recommendations
Authors: Warren Jeffrey M. , Hanson Paul J. , Iversen Colleen M. , Kumar Jitendra , Walker Anthony P. , Wullschleger Stan D. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThere is wide breadth of root function within ecosystems that should be considered when modeling the terrestrial biosphere. Root structure and function are closely associated with control of plant water and nutrient uptake from the soil, plant carbon (C) assimilation, partitioning and release to the soils, and control of biogeochemical cycles through interactions within the rhizosphere. Root function is extremely dynamic and dependent on internal plant signals, root traits and morphology, and the physical, chemical and biotic soil environment. While plant roots have significant structural and functional plasticity to changing environmental conditions, their dynamics are noticeably absent from the land component of process‐based Earth system models used to simulate global biogeochemical cycling. Their dynamic representation in large‐scale models should improve model veracity. Here, we describe current root inclusion in models across scales, ranging from mechanistic processes of single roots to parameterized root processes operating at the landscape scale. With this foundation we discuss how existing and future root functional knowledge, new data compilation efforts, and novel modeling platforms can be leveraged to enhance root functionality in large‐scale terrestrial biosphere models by improving parameterization within models, and introducing new components such as dynamic root distribution and root functional traits linked to resource extraction.ContentsSummary59I.Introduction59II.Current representation of root function in models62III.Recommendations for leveraging root knowledge into models69IV.Conclusions73Acknowledgements73References73