bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biogeochemistry of iron in the Arabian Sea
Authors: Moffett James W. , Vedamati Jagruti , Goepfert Tyler J. , Pratihary Anil , Gauns Mangesh , Naqvi S. W. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe Arabian Sea is a productive basin where seasonal upwelling and convective mixing result in high surface nutrient concentrations and widespread algal blooms. The factors controlling primary productivity in the Arabian Sea are of interest because the region contains an intense oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) that is a major sink for nitrate in the ocean. A survey of iron (Fe) distribution and redox chemistry was carried out in 2007 to assess its role in Arabian Sea biogeochemistry, including an investigation of the biological response to Fe additions. Results show that Fe is strongly enriched in the eastern Arabian Sea, associated with the OMZ. Much of the Fe within the OMZ is present as Fe(II), which enhances the residence time and accumulation of Fe. In contrast, Fe concentrations are lower in the western Arabian Sea, separated from the Fe‐rich OMZ by a water mass boundary. Consequently, low surface values are associated with monsoon‐driven upwelling off the Omani coast. Incubations revealed that primary production during the southwest monsoon was strongly limited by Fe over much of the study area. Incubation of surface waters with Fe resulted in rapid growth of Phaeocystis and up to sixfold increase in chlorophyll. This is the first demonstration of Fe limitation in the Arabian Sea, and the first high resolution zonal survey of dissolved Fe and Fe(II) across the basin. Our findings suggest that models developed to predict the response of the Arabian Sea biogeochemistry to global warming need to consider effects on Fe inputs.
RESPIRE: An in situ particle interceptor to conduct particle remineralization and microbial dynamics studies in the oceans’ Twilight Zone
Authors: Boyd Philip W. , McDonnell Andrew , Valdez Jim , LeFevre Dominique , Gall Mark P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSinking biogenic particles are centers of remineralization in the ocean's interior, a stratum which has large vertical biogeochemical gradients in the mesopelagic (i.e., 100–1000 m depth) realm. Due to difficulties in studying this region, our understanding of particle remineralization is based upon investigations employing biogeochemical algorithms, proxies, or shipboard incubations of deep‐water samples. Here we circumvent many of these issues by fabricating and deploying a REspiration of Sinking Particles In the subsuRface ocEan (RESPIRE) particle interceptor in the open ocean to nonintrusively intercept settling particles at fixed depths (100–300 m). After a preprogrammed particle interception phase, the RESPIRE interceptor switches to a particle incubation mode, during which remineralization rate at in situ temperature and pressure is tracked using a dissolved‐oxygen optode time series. A rotating (every 10 min) indented sphere transfers particles into a chamber that houses the dissolved‐oxygen optode, and minimizes access to particles by mesozooplankton. Deployments of typically 72 h (36 h interception: 36 h incubation) yield rates of particle remineralization primarily by attached microbes, and concurrently provide samples for geochemical analyses and microbial assays to explore the relationship between bacterial community structure, enzymatic solubilisation, and trends in particle remineralization. The interceptor has also been used to follow temporal changes in microbial dynamics associated with remineralization. RESPIRE provides more realistic conditions within which remineralization rates can be measured in the ocean's interior, and will foster new linkages between the disparate disciplines of microbial physiology and particle biogeochemistry in the ocean's Twilight Zone.
Appendectomy may delay Parkinson's disease Onset
Authors: Mendes Alexandre , Gonçalves Alexandra , Vila‐Chã Nuno , Moreira Inês , Fernandes Joana , Damásio Joana , Teixeira‐Pinto Armando , Taipa Ricardo , Lima António Bastos , Cavaco Sara 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundAlpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) is particularly abundant in the vermiform appendix, which makes this structure an anatomical candidate for the initiation of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology. We hypothesized that history of appendectomy might affect PD clinical onset.MethodsA total of 295 PD patients enrolled in a comprehensive observational study were asked about past history of appendectomy. Cox's regression, with a time‐dependent covariate, explored the effects of appendectomy on age at PD onset.ResultsThirty‐four patients (11.5%) had appendectomy before PD onset. There was no significant effect of appendectomy on age at PD onset for the entire cohort (P = 0.153). However, among patients with late onset (≥55 years), we found evidence that those with past appendectomy had more years of life without PD symptoms than patients without appendectomy (P = 0.040). No association was found for the young‐onset group (P = 0.663).ConclusionsAn apparent relationship was observed between appendectomy and PD onset in the late PD cohort. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Therapeutic advances in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Poewe Werner , Mahlknecht Philipp , Krismer Florian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMultiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative diseases leading to severe disability and ultimately death within less than 10 y. Despite increasing efforts in basic and clinical research, effective therapies for these atypical parkinsonian disorders are lacking. Although earlier small clinical studies in MSA and PSP mainly focused on symptomatic treatment, advances in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of these diseases and in the search for biomarkers have paved the way for the first large and well‐designed clinical trials aiming at disease modification. Targets of intervention in these trials have included α‐synuclein inclusion pathology in the case of MSA and tau‐related mechanisms in PSP. Since 2013, four large randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind disease‐modification trials have been completed and published, using rasagiline (MSA), rifampicin (MSA), tideglusib (PSP), or davunetide (PSP). All of these failed to demonstrate signal efficacy with regard to the primary outcome measures. In addition, two randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trials have studied the efficacy of droxidopa in the symptomatic treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, including patients with MSA, with positive results in one trial. This review summarizes the design and the outcomes of these and other smaller trials published since 2013 and attempts to highlight priority areas of future therapeutic research in MSA and PSP. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Neurochemical and neuroendocrine correlates of overactive bladder at first demyelinating episode
Authors: Koutsis Georgios , Evangelopoulos Maria‐Eleftheria , Sfagos Constantinos , Markianos Manolis 
Published: July 2015

AimsBladder dysfunction is frequent during the course of multiple sclerosis (MS), observed in up to 75% of patients. Urinary symptomatology can be a feature of the first episode of MS in a minority of cases, and most often shows characteristics of an overactive bladder (OAB), with voiding symptoms seen less frequently, often in combination with OAB. The neural control of micturition is complex, involving systems located in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery, and implicating central noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic activities. Urinary disorders are also linked to anxiety and depression, conditions connected to hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis activity. In this study we aimed to investigate neurochemical and neuroendocrine correlates of bladder dysfunction in early MS.MethodsWe included 101 patients at first demyelinating episode suggestive of MS that were drug‐free at assessment. We evaluated the presence of urinary symptomatology and estimated CSF levels of the main metabolites of noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, as well CSF‐ACTH and serum cortisol.ResultsIn total, 15 patients (15%) reported urinary dysfunction suggestive of OAB. Four of these had coexistent voiding symptomatology. The serotonin metabolite 5‐HIAA was significantly reduced (P = 0.017) in patients with OAB syndrome, while there were no differences in the metabolites of noradrenaline (MHPG) and of dopamine (HVA). Additionally, significantly lower serum cortisol (P = 0.009) and borderline lower CSF‐ACTH (P = 0.08) were found in patients with OAB.ConclusionsMS patients with OAB syndrome at the first demyelinating episode show reductions in central serotonergic activity and stress hormones. Whether the same changes persist at later disease stages remains to be investigated. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:955–958, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of serotonergic mechanism in the rat prefrontal cortex for controlling the micturition reflex: An in vivo microdialysis study
Authors: Chiba Hiroki , Mitsui Takahiko , Kitta Takeya , Ohmura Yu , Moriya Kimihiko , Kanno Yukiko , Yoshioka Mitsuhiro , Shinohara Nobuo 
Published: July 2015

AimsTo investigate the role of the PFC in the micturition reflex using an in vivo microdialysis study in rats.MethodsAdult female Sprague‐Dawley rats were used and microdyalysis in the PFC and cystometrography (CMG) were performed under consciousness and free movement in the present study. Experiment 1: Samples including extracellular neurotransmitters were collected by microdyalysis and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. At the same time, CMG were performed to measure intercontraction interval (ICI) and maximum voiding pressure (MVP).  Experiment 2: SSRI (citalopram, 1 µM) was administered into the PFC, and microdyalysis and cystometrography (CMG) were performed simultaneously. Experiment 3: Following SSRI administration, 5‐HT1A agonist (8‐OH‐DPAT, 300 µM), which has the effect of decreasing the level of serotonin (5‐HT) in the PFC, was administered into the PFC, and microdyalysis and CMG were performed simultaneously.ResultsExperiment 1: Extracellular level of 5‐HT in the PFC significantly increased during micturition reflex (P < 0.05), whereas levels of glutamate or dopamine were not significantly changed. Experiment 2: Local administration of SSRI in the PFC increased the 5‐HT level up to approximate 600% of the basal level. It also significantly increased ICI (P < 0.05), whereas no significant change was found in MVP. Experiment 3: The extracellular level of 5‐HT gradually decreased after local administration of 5‐HT1A agonist, thereby ICI significantly decreased (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that the PFC has a suppressive effect on neural control of the micturition reflex via serotonin. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:902–907, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First trimester ultrasound screening for Down syndrome based on maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency and different combinations of the additional markers nasal bone, tricuspid and ductus venosus flow
Authors: Abele Harald , Wagner Philipp , Sonek Jiri , Hoopmann Markus , Brucker Sara , Artunc‐Ulkumen Burcu , Kagan Karl Oliver 
Published: July 2015

What's already known about this topic?

First trimester screening for Down syndrome based on maternal age and fetal NT detects about 70% of affected fetuses for a 3% false positive rate.
What does this study add?

The assessment of one, two and three of the additional ultrasound markers nasal bone, tricuspid and ductus venosus flow increases the detection rate to about 80%, 87% and 94%, respectively, for the same false positive rate.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing sequence‐dependent protein models using coevolutionary information
Authors: Cheng Ryan R. , Raghunathan Mohit , Noel Jeffrey K. , Onuchic José N. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRecent developments in global statistical methodologies have advanced the analysis of large collections of protein sequences for coevolutionary information. Coevolution between amino acids in a protein arises from compensatory mutations that are needed to maintain the stability or function of a protein over the course of evolution. This gives rise to quantifiable correlations between amino acid sites within the multiple sequence alignment of a protein family. Here, we use the maximum entropy‐based approach called mean field Direct Coupling Analysis (mfDCA) to infer a Potts model Hamiltonian governing the correlated mutations in a protein family. We use the inferred pairwise statistical couplings to generate the sequence‐dependent heterogeneous interaction energies of a structure‐based model (SBM) where only native contacts are considered. Considering the ribosomal S6 protein and its circular permutants as well as the SH3 protein, we demonstrate that these models quantitatively agree with experimental data on folding mechanisms. This work serves as a new framework for generating coevolutionary data‐enriched models that can potentially be used to engineer key functional motions and novel interactions in protein systems.
Electromagnetic absorption of quasi‐1D Majorana nanowires
Authors: Osca Javier , Serra Llorenç 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe calculate the electromagnetic absorption cross section of long and narrow nanowires, in the so‐called quasi‐1D limit. We consider only two transverse bands and compute the dipole absorption cross section taking into account quasiparticle transitions from negative to positive energy eigenstates of the Bogoliubov‐de Gennes Hamiltonian. The presence of the zero energy (Majorana) state manifests in the different absorption spectra for x (parallel) and y (transverse) polarizations of the electromagnetic field.In the y ‐polarized case, the Majorana state causes a low energy absorption plateau extending from mid‐gap up to full‐gap energy. Increasing further the energy, the plateau is followed by a region of enhanced absorption due to transitions across the full gap. For x polarization the low energy absorption plateau is not observed. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modelling uncertainties for the loadbearing capacity of corroded simply supported RC beams
Authors: Allaix Diego Lorenzo , Carbone Vincenzo Ilario , Mancini Giuseppe 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe probabilistic assessment of structures damaged by corrosion calls for deterministic models of the degradation of the structural performance and probabilistic models accounting for the uncertainties in material properties, geometry and models used in the reliability analysis. This paper describes the development of a probabilistic model of the uncertainties that arise from the prediction of the loadbearing capacity of reinforced concrete structures damaged by corrosion of the reinforcement. The investigation focuses on the flexural failure of simply supported beams suffering from chloride‐induced corrosion. The loss of steel cross‐sectional area, the reduction in strength and ductility of the corroded bars, the loss of bond between reinforcement and concrete and the cracking of the concrete cover are taken into account in a non‐linear finite element analysis. The comparison between experimental results and numerical predictions of the failure load allows the quantification of the model uncertainty according to the framework proposed by the Joint Committee on Structural Safety. A Bayesian updating methodology is proposed to account for prior knowledge and experimental results.
Persistence of plague outbreaks among great gerbils in Kazakhstan: effects of host population dynamics
Authors: Heier Lise , Viljugrein Hildegunn , Storvik Geir O. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractOutbreaks of plague (Yersinia pestis) among great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) generally require a high host abundance to be initiated. The duration of an outbreak is expected to depend on the subsequent development of this abundance; however, prediction is nontrivial due to the complexity of the gerbil–plague system. The aim of this study was to investigate how the duration of outbreaks depends on different types of host population dynamics generated from: a cyclic model; an autoregressive model giving irregular fluctuations; and a simple model with uncorrelated fluctuations. For each model, outbreak duration was studied under various levels of mean and variability of host abundance. Its focus on the effect of different gerbil dynamics sets this study apart from the few published studies on diseases in dynamic host populations. Plague outbreaks were simulated in a cellular automaton model based on statistical analysis of archived records of plague and host abundance. Temporal autocorrelation was found to make outbreak duration less sensitive to changes in mean abundance than uncorrelated fluctuations. Cyclicity had little effect on the mean duration of outbreaks, but resulted in a multimodal distribution. For all three types of gerbil dynamics, increased variability in gerbil abundance reduced the duration of outbreaks when the mean abundance was high (paralleling results on the risk of species extinction in fluctuating environments), but increased their duration when the mean abundance was lower. Spatial heterogeneity was briefly tested and produced longer outbreaks than the homogenous case. The results are relevant to predicting plague activity in populations of great gerbils.
Reference values of amino acids and of common clinical chemistry in plasma of healthy infants aged 1 and 4 months
Authors: Haschke‐Becher Elisabeth , Kainz Alexander , Bachmann Claude 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare plasma levels of amino acids and clinical chemistry parameters in healthy infants at 1 and 4 months of age and to establish corresponding reference limits.MethodsData of three multicenter studies assessing the safety of new infant formulas were used. During these studies infants of both age‐groups were either breast‐fed or received formulas of low or high protein content. All samples were analyzed centrally in the same accredited laboratory.ResultsPlasma was collected from 521 infants in total, 157 boys and 135 girls aged 1 month and 121 boys and 108 girls aged 4 months. At the age of 1 month, 62 infants had received exclusively breast milk, 198 exclusively formula, and 27 both; in the 4‐months age group corresponding numbers were 49, 158 and 18, respectively; for 9 infants, diet was unknown. Concentrations of most amino acids and clinical chemistry parameters differed significantly between both ages. Regardless of age, most plasma amino acid levels were comparable or lower in breast‐fed than in formula‐fed infants whereas at 1 month of age most clinical chemistry parameters were higher. While in breast‐fed infants the plasma urea concentration decreased over 4 months of age, it increased in formula‐fed infants. There were significant differences between infants fed a low and high protein formula. At both ages, high protein formulas resulted in significantly higher threonine, 2‐aminobutyrate, and urea concentrations.ConclusionsFor clinical use, age‐ and diet specific reference limits in infants are warranted.
Comorbid Profile Rather than Age Determines Hip Fracture Mortality in a Nonagenarian Population
Authors: Graver Adam , Merwin Sara , Collins Lewis , Kohn Nina , Goldman Ariel 
Published: July 2015

Background In light of poor outcomes with nonoperative management of hip fractures, orthopedic surgeons are faced with difficult decisions about which patients are too ill or too old for surgical treatment. Questions/Purposes This study sought to investigate if patients over 90 years had different preoperative laboratory, clinical, and injury characteristics than younger patients with the same injury. We compared our cohort with previously published data. We wished to identify if there were pre-injury risk factors associated with 30-day mortality, which could be modified to enhance postoperative outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective review of 198 operatively managed hip fractures in patients 75 years or older. We collected data on demographics, select preoperative laboratory values, injury type, comorbidities, and 30-day mortality. Results Eleven (5.6%) of the cohort died within 30 days of surgery, 6.3% in the younger group, and 3.7% in the older group; the difference was not statistically significant. For baseline characteristics, there was no difference between the age groups for pre-injury comorbidities, hemoglobin, serum albumin, BUN, prevalence of UTI, or fracture type. A total of 67 (35.8%) patients had evidence of UTI on admission. Conclusions These findings reveal that in our dichotomized cohort, pre-injury characteristics were similar and age alone was not an independent predictor of mortality. These data may inform decision-making for orthopedic surgeons and the medical providers who consult to optimize these patients for surgery. We identified high rates of UTI in both age groups, a potentially remediable factor to optimize outcomes in hip fracture surgery in elderly patients.
Biochemical Characterization of Turkish Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Six Different Olive Varieties of Identical Growing Conditions
Authors: Dag Cagdas , Demirtas Ilknur , Ozdemir Ibrahim , Bekiroglu Somer , Ertas Erdal 
Published: July 2015

AbstractExtra virgin olive oils were extracted from six different major olive cultivars (Gemlik, Ayvalik, Domat, Akhisar, Memecik, Arbequina) cultivated in the Aegean region of Turkey. Fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol compositions were analyzed and the results were compared by multivariate statistical analysis. Olive samples were collected from the same orchard in order to limit the contribution of parameters such as climate, soil quality and agricultural practices to the total variance of chemical composition of olive oils. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that cultivars can be clearly distinguished on the basis of fatty acid and sterol composition. It is of interest to note that palmitoleic acid content of Arbequina, a Spanish cultivar, is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the local Turkish cultivars in question and it is the only olive sample whose palmitoleic acid concentration is higher than that of the stearic acid concentration, exhibiting a divergent composition from the local Turkish cultivars. β‐Sitosterol and Δ5‐avenasterol contents of the oils are significantly correlated (r = −0.989, p < 0.05) and this results in a discriminative axis on the PCA loading plot. Tocopherol composition was relatively insufficient in discriminating the olive varieties. Regarding tocopherol compositions Gemlik cultivar is distinguished from other cultivars with its γ‐tocopherol content, which is in average two times higher than that of other cultivars. The result of the present compositional study provides important data which can be used for olive oil authenticity studies in Turkey.