bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chloral Hydrate Preconditioning Protects Against Ischemic Stroke via Upregulating Annexin A1
Authors: Liu Jiu‐Hong , Feng Dan , Zhang Yu‐Fen , Shang You , Wu Yan , Li Xiao‐Feng , Pei Lei 
Published: July 2015

SummaryAimsPreconditioning is promising for treating cerebral ischemic stroke. Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a homeostatic antiinflammatory mediator that participates in countering against ischemic injuries. We investigated whether chloral hydrate preconditioning (CH) exerts neuroprotection via regulation of ANXA1 in stroke.MethodsAdult male C57BL/6J mice or ANXA1 knockout (ANXA1−/−) mice were randomly allocated to control (NCH) and CH groups [2%, 6%, and 10% chloral hydrate (i.p.) 1 h before the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)]. Neurological performances were evaluated by modified 7‐point neurological scales and rotarod test. Cerebral infarction was analyzed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and MRI. The expression of ANXA1, pro‐inflammatory (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6), and antiinflammatory (IL‐4, IL‐10, TGF‐β) cytokines was investigated by RT‐PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence.ResultsChloral hydrate preconditioning significantly improved the neurological outcomes and reduced the infarction and brain edema after ischemia. In addition, CH increased the expression of ANXA1 in the microglia, decreased the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6, while elevated the levels of IL‐4, IL‐10, and TGF‐β in the MCAO mice. Furthermore, both ANXA1 blocker Boc1 (5 mg/kg, i.c.v.) or ANXA1 gene deficiency restrained the protective effects of CH against stroke.ConclusionsChloral hydrate preconditioning protects against ischemic injuries through upregulating the expression of ANXA1, and the followed antiinflammatory mechanisms.
The Relationship Between Artificial and Second Language Learning
Authors: Ettlinger Marc , Morgan‐Short Kara , Faretta‐Stutenberg Mandy , Wong Patrick C.M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractArtificial language learning (ALL) experiments have become an important tool in exploring principles of language and language learning. A persistent question in all of this work, however, is whether ALL engages the linguistic system and whether ALL studies are ecologically valid assessments of natural language ability. In the present study, we considered these questions by examining the relationship between performance in an ALL task and second language learning ability. Participants enrolled in a Spanish language class were evaluated using a number of different measures of Spanish ability and classroom performance, which was compared to IQ and a number of different measures of ALL performance. The results show that success in ALL experiments, particularly more complex artificial languages, correlates positively with indices of L2 learning even after controlling for IQ. These findings provide a key link between studies involving ALL and our understanding of second language learning in the classroom.
Risk of new‐onset heart failure in patients using sitagliptin: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Eurich D. T. , Weir D. L. , Simpson S. H. , Senthilselvan A. , McAlister F. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimsTo examine whether patients using sitagliptin at the time of an acute coronary syndrome event are at increased risk of incident heart failure compared with those not exposed.MethodsUsing US claims data, people with diabetes without a history of heart failure in the 3 years before hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome were identified for the period 2004 to 2010. We used a nested case–control design, whereby cases were patients who developed incident heart failure <30 days after admission to hospital for acute coronary syndrome and were matched by age and sex with up to 10 controls with no heart failure. Subjects exposed or not exposed to sitagliptin in the 90 days before acute coronary syndrome admission were compared using conditional logistic regression after adjustment for clinical and laboratory data, healthcare utilization and propensity scores.ResultsIn total, 457 cases of heart failure developing de novo after diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were matched to 4570 controls. The average age of the subjects was 55 years and 65% were male. Overall, 11 of 147 (7%) people exposed to sitagliptin developed heart failure compared with 446 of the 4880 people not exposed (9%, adjusted odds ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.38–1.46; P=0.40). Sitagliptin exposure before acute coronary syndrome was not associated with an increased risk of death or heart failure combined (7% vs 9%, adjusted odds ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.34–1.28).ConclusionsIn our sample of patients who are at high risk of heart failure after acute coronary syndrome, sitagliptin exposure was not associated with an increased risk of de novo heart failure.
Raspberry inflicts associational susceptibility to meadowsweet in a complex food web
Authors: Stenberg Johan A. , Ericson Lars 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMeadowsweet [Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (Rosaceae)] has previously been reported to enjoy associational resistance in mixed populations with purple loosestrife [Lythrum salicariaL. (Lythraceae)] due to a shared hymenopteran parasitoid that provides top–down control of herbivory. Here, we report that meadowsweet suffers associational susceptibility in mixed populations with raspberry [Rubus idaeusL. (Rosaceae)] due to a shared herbivore, the raspberry flea beetle [Batophila rubi (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)]. Close to raspberry (less than 0.5 m), herbivory on meadowsweet often reached 20–25%, whereas further away (1.5–2 m) herbivory was almost always 0%. We especially highlight the different scales at which the opposing associational effects occur. The shared parasitoid forages throughout entire populations, making the level of population the focal scale of the associational resistance. The shared herbivore, however, spills over from raspberry to neighboring meadowsweets only, making the distance to individual raspberry plants the focal scale for associational susceptibility for meadowsweet. We conclude that different co‐occurring plant species can mediate opposing associational effects on a focal host plant by altering the abundance and composition of herbivores and parasitoids, respectively, resulting in multiple selection layers to the geographic mosaic of herbivory.
Phytophthora cambivora found on beech in Norway
Authors: Telfer K. H. , Brurberg M. B. , Herrero M.‐L. , Stensvand A. , Talgø V. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIn 2011, Phytophthora cambivora was isolated for the first time from a European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in the largest beech forest in Norway, in Larvik. This led to a survey of Phytophthora, both in Larvik and in a small beech stand in Ås. Both locations are in urban areas in south‐eastern Norway. Trees with a circumference above 20 cm at chest height were examined for bleeding cankers. Samples from the leading edge of canker wounds were collected from selected trees in both locations and isolations were carried out on a Phytophthora‐selective medium. Quantification of diseased trees in three areas of the forest in Larvik showed a variation from 1.8 to 22.7% trees with bleeding cankers. In Ås, 9.2% of the trees had bleeding cankers. Isolation from diseased beech in both Larvik and Ås yielded P. cambivora. Inoculation of healthy trees, subsequent development of disease and re‐isolation of the pathogen confirmed the pathogenicity of P. cambivora. Description of morphological features of one of the obtained isolates is included.
Soil organic matter characterization of temperate peatland soil with FTIR‐spectroscopy: effects of mire type and drainage intensity
Authors: Heller C. , Ellerbrock R. H. , Roßkopf N. , Klingenfuß C. , Zeitz J. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPeatlands are an important component of the global carbon cycle because they comprise huge amounts of terrestrial carbon (C). Different conditions during peat formation and secondary peat decomposition affect the quantity and composition of soil organic matter (SOM) in peats. There are few comparative studies on the chemical composition of SOM in temperate peatland soil. This study investigates compositional changes of SOM functional groups in peats and corresponding peat‐forming plants by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Three plant samples and 29 peat samples were taken from seven temperate peatland sites with different genesis and land‐use intensity. Site‐specific differences, such as genesis of the peat, were found to be reflected in the FTIR spectra. In general, there was more variation in FTIR spectra in samples from fens than in those from bogs and peat‐forming plants. The samples from fens have a smaller C–H absorption band than those from bogs and plants, which reflects greater biochemical activity in the minerotrophic than ombrotrophic environments. In addition to peat genesis, drainage and secondary peat decomposition also affect SOM composition substantially. The larger amounts of aliphatic compounds in undrained peats could be explained by selective preservation caused by anaerobic conditions. With increasing drainage of the sites, there was a decrease in the C–H absorption that was accompanied by a relative increase in C=O absorption. These changes in absorption intensities reflect the enhanced aerobic decomposition and mineralization that accompanies drainage and land‐use intensity. However, the ‘degree of peat decomposition’, a diagnostic tool used in the field, is not reflected by OM composition determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Our results contribute to further understanding of changes in SOM composition during peat formation and processes of secondary decomposition caused by drainage.
Cerebral small vessel disease is related to disturbed 24‐h activity rhythms: a population‐based study
Authors: Zuurbier L. A. , Ikram M. A. , Luik A. I. , Hofman A. , Van Someren E. J. W. , Vernooij M. W. , Tiemeier H. 
Published: July 2015

Background and purposeCerebral small vessel disease is common in elderly persons. Patients with dementia or stroke frequently have cerebral small vessel disease and often experience disturbances in the sleep−wake rhythm. It is unknown whether cerebral small vessel disease is related to disturbances in sleep and 24‐h activity rhythms.MethodsThis study was conducted in the Rotterdam Study. A total of 970 community‐dwelling persons (mean age 59.2 years) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and actigraphy. Cerebral small vessel disease was defined as white matter lesions (total volume in millilitres) and the presence of cerebral microbleeds and lacunar infarcts. Twenty‐four hour activity rhythms and sleep were measured with actigraphy by estimating the instability and fragmentation of the activity rhythm and total sleep time. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. White matter lesions, instability, fragmentation and sleep quality were standardized for analyses.ResultsHigher white matter lesion volume (B = 0.09 per SD, 95% confidence interval 0.02; 0.15) and cerebral microbleeds (B = 0.19 per SD, 95% confidence interval 0.02; 0.37) were significantly related to more fragmented 24‐h activity rhythms. None of the small vessel disease markers was related to total sleep time or sleep quality.ConclusionsWhite matter lesion volume and the presence of cerebral microbleeds are related to disturbed activity rhythms. This suggests that subclinical brain damage affects the 24‐h activity rhythm.
Surgical repair of a chronic, oronasal fistula in a horse using an alveolar bone flap
Authors: Easley J. T. , Freeman D. E. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryAn 8‐year‐old Andalusian stallion was presented to the Equine Hospital with a 1.5 year history of an oronasal fistula measuring approximately 2 cm long (caudal to rostral) by 1.5 cm wide following an oral extraction of the right second maxillary premolar (106). An alveolar bone flap was created adjacent to the oronasal fistula and rotated axially and ventrally to close the oral aspect of the fistula. At 3 days after surgery, clinical signs of the fistula, such as green‐tinged purulent nasal discharge and malodorous breath, were no longer evident. At 10 days after surgery, the oral opening of the fistula filled with granulation tissue and mucosa and decreased in size to less than 2 ml. The horse was fed a pelleted mash and grass diet and the small fistula was flushed orally twice daily until it completely healed. At 6 months following surgery, the fistula had completely healed. Few options are available for repairing an oroantral or an oronasal fistula in horses. This case report suggests that a large, chronic oronasal fistula involving the alveolus of a maxillary second premolar can be repaired successfully with an alveolar bone flap.
A rule‐based approach to detect and prevent inconsistency in the domain‐engineering process
Authors: Elfaki Abdelrahman Osman 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA medium‐sized domain‐engineering process can contain thousands of features that all have constraint dependency rules between them. Therefore, the validation of the content of domain‐engineering process is vital to produce high‐quality software products. However, it is not feasible to do this manually. This paper aims to improve the quality of the software products generated by the domain‐engineering process by ensuring the validity of the results of that process. We propose rules for two operations: inconsistency detection and inconsistency prevention. We introduce first‐order logic (FOL) rules to detect three types of inconsistency and prevent the direct inconsistency in the domain‐engineering process. Developing FOL rules to detect and prevent inconsistency in the domain‐engineering process directly without the need to the configuration process is our main contribution. We performed some experiments to test the scalability and applicability of our approach on domain‐engineered software product lines containing 1000 assets to 20000 assets. The results show that our approach is scalable and could be utilized to improve the domain‐engineering process.
A novel NAD(P)H‐dependent carbonyl reductase specifically expressed in the thyroidectomized chicken fatty liver: catalytic properties and crystal structure
Authors: Fukuda Yudai , Sone Takeki , Sakuraba Haruhiko , Araki Tomohiro , Ohshima Toshihisa , Shibata Takeshi , Yoneda Kazunari 
Published: July 2015

A gene encoding a functionally unknown protein that is specifically expressed in the thyroidectomized chicken fatty liver and has a predicted amino acid sequence similar to that of NAD(P)H‐dependent carbonyl reductase was overexpressed in Escherichia coli; its product was purified and characterized. The expressed enzyme was an NAD(P)H‐dependent broad substrate specificity carbonyl reductase and was inhibited by arachidonic acid at 1.5 μm. Enzymological characterization indicated that the enzyme could be classified as a cytosolic‐type carbonyl reductase. The enzyme's 3D structure was determined using the molecular replacement method at 1.98 Å resolution in the presence of NADPH and ethylene glycol. The asymmetric unit consisted of two subunits, and a noncrystallographic twofold axis generated the functional dimer. The structures of the subunits, A and B, differed from each other. In subunit A, the active site contained an ethylene glycol molecule absent in subunit B. Consequently, Tyr172 in subunit A rotated by 103.7° in comparison with subunit B, which leads to active site closure in subunit A. In Y172A mutant, the Km value for 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone (model substrate) was 12.5 times higher than that for the wild‐type enzyme, indicating that Tyr172 plays a key role in substrate binding in this carbonyl reductase. Because the Tyr172‐containing active site lid structure (Ile164–Gln174) is not conserved in all known carbonyl reductases, our results provide new insights into substrate binding of carbonyl reductase. The catalytic properties and crystal structure revealed that thyroidectomized chicken fatty liver carbonyl reductase is a novel enzyme.
Shifts in reciprocal river‐riparian arthropod fluxes along an urban‐rural landscape gradient
Authors: Kautza Adam , Sullivan S. Mažeika P. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

We measured bidirectional arthropod fluxes at 12 river reaches distributed across an urban‐rural gradient of riparian land use and land cover in the Scioto River system of Ohio (U.S.A.).

For the terrestrial‐to‐aquatic arthropod flux (i.e. inputs of terrestrial arthropods to the river from the land), urban development was positively related to density of inputs but negatively related to biomass, partially explained by shifts in community composition and body size. Riparian grassland, typical of rural (i.e. non‐urban) landscapes, was positively associated with both density (range: 2.8–18.9 individuals m−2 day−1) and biomass (range: 7.1–58.7 mg m−2 day−1) of inputs.

For the aquatic‐to‐terrestrial flux of adult aquatic insects (i.e. emergent aquatic insects exported from the river), riparian grassland cover was positively associated with both density (R2 = 0.61; range: 12.8–116.8 individuals m−2 day−1) and biomass (R2 = 0.65; range: 1.4–27.9 mg m−2 day−1), with relatively larger‐bodied taxa dominating emergence at rural reaches.

Riparian landscape composition relates to reciprocal fluxes of arthropods (aquatic insects out, terrestrial insects and other arthropods in) in river‐riparian systems as we found human landscape disturbances were associated with changes in the taxonomic composition of both aquatic emergence and terrestrial input, and an overall decrease in the magnitude of emergence and terrestrial input. Furthermore, landscape changes that alter arthropod fluxes may have broader consequences for linked river‐riparian biodiversity and food webs and should be taken into account in conservation, restoration and management of these systems.
Evaluating the impacts of nearly 30 years of conservation on grassland ecosystem using Landsat TM images
Authors: Xu Dandan , Guo Xulin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWhen grassland degradation became a global issue because of overgrazing and other human activities, grassland managers implemented different management methods in an attempt to restore grassland ecosystems (e.g. conservation actions). Few studies have investigated the impacts of conservation actions (removing large grazers and conserving biodiversity) on grassland ecosystems, therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of conservation actions and to measure the time lag of the significant influences of grassland conservations on mixed grasslands that were assessed by five different biophysical parameters (biodiversity, soil organic matter, fresh biomass, litter cover and green cover). Instead of measuring the biophysical parameters from field data and remotely sensed images, the methodology of this study focused on the difference in biophysical parameters between the ecological comparison sites (grazing sites and conserved sites), which enhance the impacts of grassland conservation on grasslands comparing to grazing management. The results show that: (i) biodiversity in conserved grasslands increased gradually in the first 3–5 years, decreased gradually over the next 4 or 5 years, and then stabilized after that; (ii) soil organic matter increased and reached its maximum value within 7–9 years of conservation and then remained at this level, while litter accumulated the maximum level one year later than soil organic matter; (iii) soil organic matter is the primary factor of biodiversity in the grasslands with low litter accumulation, while high‐density litter layers are the primary cause of decreases in biodiversity; (iv) fresh biomass decreased over a period of 7–10 years under conservation and remained nearly unchanged after that; (v) green vegetation fraction was also increased by conservation action in about 6–7 years. The result of this study provides the fundamental information for implementing and adjusting grassland management policies.
Practical aspects of DDAVP use in patients with von Willebrand Disease undergoing invasive procedures: a European survey
Authors: Windyga J. , Dolan G. , Altisent C. , Katsarou O. , López Fernández M.‐F. , Zülfikar B. ,   the EHTSB
Published: July 2015

IntroductionDesamino D‐arginine vasopressin (DDAVP or desmopressin) is a useful and effective haemostatic treatment for patients with von Willebrand Disease (VWD). However, there are still issues regarding in which subtypes of VWD DDAVP is appropriate and little consensus on its use in different surgical settings. We also lack information concerning the appropriate laboratory parameters that should be monitored.AimThe European Haemophilia Therapy Strategy Board (EHTSB) wished to investigate published information and clinical use of DDAVP in VWD patients.MethodsWe conducted a literature survey on management of VWD during surgical interventions and undertook a survey of specialist haematologist centres across Europe to assess current management of VWD patients.ResultsDDAVP is ineffective in type 3 VWD and its use in type 2B remains controversial due to the possibility of thrombocytopenia. It can, however, be used effectively to cover minor surgery and dental procedures in most other VWD patients. For major surgery there is wider use of factor concentrate in preference to DDAVP depending on the subtype of VWD. We give consensus recommendations on the use of DDAVP for surgical interventions in VWD including laboratory parameters that denote an adequate response and contraindications to its use.ConclusionsDDAVP can be recommended to cover invasive procedure in selected patients with VWD, however, we need more information and systematic recording of adverse events associated with DDAVP use in VWD. A companion paper will be published covering the use of factor concentrates in VWD patients.
The influence of landscape features on nest predation rates of grassland‐breeding waders
Authors: Laidlaw Rebecca A. , Smart Jennifer , Smart Mark A. , Gill Jennifer A. 
Published: July 2015

In Europe, lowland wet grasslands have become increasingly fragmented, and populations of waders in these fragments are subject to unsustainably high levels of nest predation. Patches of taller vegetation in these landscapes can support small mammals, which are the main source of prey for many predators. Providing such patches of habitat could potentially reduce levels of nest predation if predators preferentially target small mammals. However, predator attraction to patches of taller vegetation for foraging, shelter, perching and/or nesting could also result in local increases in predation rates, as a consequence of increased predator densities or spill‐over foraging into the surrounding area. Here we assess the influence of taller vegetation on wader nest predation rates, and the feasibility of managing vegetation structure to alter predator impacts. Between 2005 and 2011, the nest distribution and hatching success of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, which nest in the open, and Common Redshanks Tringa totanus, which conceal their nests in vegetation, were measured on a 487‐ha area of wet grassland in eastern England that is primarily managed for breeding waders. Predation rates of Lapwing nests increased significantly with distance from patches of taller vegetation, and decreased with increasing area of taller vegetation within 1 km of the nest, whereas neither variable influenced Redshank nest predation probability. These findings suggest that the distribution and activity of nest predators in lowland wet grassland landscapes may be influenced by the presence and distribution of areas of taller vegetation. For Lapwings at least, there may therefore be scope for landscape‐scale management of vegetation structure to influence levels of predation in these habitats.