bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of the impacts of degradation threats on soil properties in theUK
Authors: Gregory A. S. , Ritz K. , McGrath S. P. , Quinton J. N. , Goulding K. W. T. , Jones R. J. A. , Harris J. A. , Bol R. , Wallace P. , Pilgrim E. S. , Whitmore A. P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractNational governments are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of their soil resources and are shaping strategies accordingly. Implicit in any such strategy is that degradation threats and their potential effect on important soil properties and functions are defined and understood. In this paper, we aimed to review the principal degradation threats on important soil properties in theUK, seeking quantitative data where possible. Soil erosion results in the removal of important topsoil and, with it, nutrients, C and porosity. A decline in soil organic matter principally affects soil biological and microbiological properties, but also impacts on soil physical properties because of the link with soil structure. Soil contamination affects soil chemical properties, affecting nutrient availability and degrading microbial properties, whilst soil compaction degrades the soil pore network. Soil sealing removes the link between the soil and most of the ‘spheres’, significantly affecting hydrological and microbial functions, and soils on re‐developed brownfield sites are typically degraded in most soil properties. Having synthesized the literature on the impact on soil properties, we discuss potential subsequent impacts on the important soil functions, including food and fibre production, storage of water and C, support for biodiversity, and protection of cultural and archaeological heritage. Looking forward, we suggest a twin approach of field‐based monitoring supported by controlled laboratory experimentation to improve our mechanistic understanding of soils. This would enable us to better predict future impacts of degradation processes, including climate change, on soil properties and functions so that we may manage soil resources sustainably.
Ceppellini Lecture 2012: Collateral damage from HLA mismatching in kidney transplantation
Authors: Opelz G. , Döhler B. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInclusion of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in donor kidney allocation schemes has been based solely on its association with graft survival. Other long‐term effects associated with HLA incompatibility are largely unexplored. Data from deceased donor kidney transplants reported to the Collaborative Transplant Study have been analyzed to assess the relation between HLA mismatching and clinical events to 3 years post‐transplant, and an overview of these analyses is presented. A significant correlation was observed between the number of mismatches and the need for anti‐rejection therapy during the first year post‐transplant, which was maintained for HLA‐DR and HLA‐A + B mismatching separately and at years 2 and 3 post‐transplant. The number of HLA‐DR mismatches and the number of HLA‐A + B mismatches as well as rejection treatment showed significant associations with the dose of maintenance steroids. The cumulative incidences of death with a functioning graft from infection or cardiovascular causes, but not from cancer, were also significantly associated with HLA mismatching. The number of HLA‐DR mismatches showed a significant association with the incidence of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and hip fractures. These findings show that the adverse consequences of HLA mismatching on kidney transplants extend beyond an effect on graft survival, and include an increased risk of death with a functioning graft, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and hip fracture.
Extracting multiple interacting root systems using X‐ray microcomputed tomography
Authors: Mairhofer Stefan , Sturrock Craig J. , Bennett Malcolm J. , Mooney Sacha J. , Pridmore Tony P. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryRoot system interactions and competition for resources are active areas of research that contribute to our understanding of how roots perceive and react to environmental conditions. Recent research has shown this complex suite of processes can now be observed in a natural environment (i.e. soil) through the use of X‐ray microcomputed tomography (μCT), which allows non‐destructive analysis of plant root systems. Due to their similar X‐ray attenuation coefficients and densities, the roots of different plants appear as similar greyscale intensity values in μCT image data. Unless they are manually and carefully traced, it has not previously been possible to automatically label and separate different root systems grown in the same soil environment. We present a technique, based on a visual tracking approach, which exploits knowledge of the shape of root cross‐sections to automatically recover from X‐ray μCT data three‐dimensional descriptions of multiple, interacting root architectures growing in soil. The method was evaluated on both simulated root data and real images of two interacting winter wheat Cordiale (Triticumaestivum L.) plants grown in a single soil column, demonstrating that it is possible to automatically segment different root systems from within the same soil sample. This work supports the automatic exploration of supportive and competitive foraging behaviour of plant root systems in natural soil environments.
Cheek Tooth Extraction Via a Minimally Invasive Transbuccal Approach and Intradental Screw Placement in 54 Equids
Authors: Langeneckert Frederik , Witte Thomas , Schellenberger Frank , Czech Christian , Aebischer David , Vidondo Beatriz , Koch Christoph 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTo describe (1) preoperative findings and surgical technique, (2) intraoperative difficulties, and (3) postoperative complications and long‐term outcome of equine cheek tooth extraction using a minimally invasive transbuccal screw extraction (MITSE) technique.Study DesignRetrospective case series.AnimalsFifty‐four equids; 50 horses, 3 ponies, and 1 mule.MethodsFifty‐eight MITSE procedures were performed to extract cheek teeth in 54 equids. Peri‐ and intraoperative difficulties, as well as short‐ (<1 month) and long‐term (>6 months) postoperative complications were recorded. Followup information was obtained through telephone interviews, making specific inquiries about nasal discharge, facial asymmetry, and findings consistent with surgical site infection.ResultsPreoperative findings that prompted exodontia included 50 cheek teeth with apical infections, 48 fractures, 4 neoplasia, 2 displacements, and 1 supernumerary tooth. Previous oral extraction was attempted but had failed in 55/58 (95%) animals because of cheek tooth fracture in 28, or insufficient clinical crown for extraction with forceps in 27. MITSE was successful in removing the entire targeted dental structure in 47/58 (81%) procedures. However, MITSE failed to remove the entire targeted dental structure in 11/58 (19%) procedures and was followed by repulsion in 10/11 (91%). Short‐term postoperative complications included bleeding (4/58 procedures, 7%) and transient facial nerve paralysis (4/58 procedures, 7%). Owners were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic outcome for 40/41 (98%) animals with followup.ConclusionMITSE offers an alternate for cheek tooth extraction in equids, where conventional oral extraction is not possible or has failed. Overall, there was low morbidity, which compares favorably with invasive buccotomy or repulsion techniques.
Screening pigs for xenotransplantation: prevalence and expression of porcine endogenous retroviruses in Göttingen minipigs
Authors: Semaan Marwan , Rotem Avi , Barkai Uriel , Bornstein Stefan , Denner Joachim 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo establish the safety of xenotransplantation when cells, tissues, or organs of pigs are used, an effective screening for potential zoonotic microorganisms has to be performed. In doing so, special attendance has to be paid to porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) that are widely distributed as proviruses in the genome of pigs. PERV‐A and PERV‐B are present in all pigs, they infect human cells in vitro and therefore represent a direct risk. PERV‐C infects only pig cells; however, recombinant PERV‐A/C infecting human cells and replicating at a higher rate were found in pigs indicating an indirect risk. To prevent the transmission of PERV, it was suggested to use animals characterized by a low expression of PERV‐A and PERV‐B that are free of PERV‐C and cannot generate recombinants. Göttingen minipigs are used for numerous biomedical investigations and they are well characterized; however, the prevalence and the expression of PERV in these animals were not yet investigated.MethodsThe presence and expression of all PERVs including a new variant (nv) of PERV‐C and PERV‐A/C were analyzed using PCR and real‐time PCR methods. Altogether, 15 animals belonging to different families were analyzed. To make a low expression better measurable, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the animals were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin generally increasing the expression of PERV and allowing a better classification into animals with high and low expression. As a major end point, the release of virus particles able to infect susceptible human 293 cells was investigated.ResultsPERV‐A, PERV‐B, PERV‐C, and PERV‐Cnv were found in the genome of all investigated Göttingen minipigs, but recombinant PERV‐A/Cs were not found. When the expression of PERV was compared with that in previously analyzed pig strains, it was higher than in German landrace and some other pigs, but lower than in Yucatan miniature pigs. Virus particles able to infected human 293 cells were not detected even after mitogen treatment of the PBMCs.ConclusionThe Göttingen minipigs are well defined concerning their physiologic parameters, their health status, and their genetics, and therefore, they may be considered as donor animals for at least cell xenotransplantation. When the prevalence and the expression of PERVs were analyzed in these animals, it was demonstrated that although PERV‐A, ‐B, and ‐C proviruses were found in all animals, their expression was low. Additional investigations are required to assess the suitability of Göttingen minipigs and other animals for xenotransplantation in terms of microbiological safety.
Technical Note: Clinical translation of the Rapid‐Steady‐State‐T1 MRI method for direct cerebral blood volume quantification
Authors: Perles‐Barbacaru Teodora‐Adriana , Tropres Irene , Sarraf Michel G. , Chechin David , Zaccaria Affif , Grand Sylvie , Le Bas Jean‐François , Berger François , Lahrech Hana 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:In preclinical studies, the Rapid‐Steady‐State‐T1 (RSST1) MRI method has advantages over conventional MRI methods for blood volume fraction (BVf) mapping, since after contrast agent administration, the BVf is directly quantifiable from the signal amplitude corresponding to the vascular equilibrium magnetization. This study focuses on its clinical implementation and feasibility.Methods:Following sequence implementation on clinical Philips Achieva scanners, the RSST1‐method is assessed at 1.5 and 3 T in the follow‐up examination of neurooncological patients receiving 0.1–0.2 mmol/kg Gd‐DOTA to determine the threshold dose needed for cerebral BVf quantification. Confounding effects on BVf quantification such as transendothelial water exchange, transverse relaxation, and contrast agent extravasation are evaluated.Results:For a dose ≥0.13 mmol/kg at 1.5 T and ≥0.16 mmol/kg at 3 T, the RSST1‐signal time course in macrovessels and brain tissue with Gd‐DOTA impermeable vasculature reaches a steady state at maximum amplitude for about 8 s. In macrovessels, a BVf of 100% was obtained validating cerebral microvascular BVf quantification (3.5%–4.5% in gray matter and 1.5%–2.0% in white matter). In tumor tissue, a continuously increasing signal is detected, necessitating signal modeling for tumor BVf calculation.Conclusions:Using approved doses of Gd‐DOTA, the steady state RSST1‐signal in brain tissue is reached during the first pass and corresponds to the BVf. The first‐pass duration is sufficient to allow accurate BVf quantification. The RSST1‐method is appropriate for serial clinical studies since it allows fast and straightforward BVf quantification without arterial input function determination. This quantitative MRI method is particularly useful to assess the efficacy of antiangiogenic agents.
Benzo[
b
]quinolizinium Derivatives Have a Strong Antimalarial Activity and Inhibit Indoleamine Dioxygenase
Authors: Jortzik Esther , Zocher Kathleen , Isernhagen Antje , Mailu Boniface M. , Rahlfs Stefan , Viola Giampietro , Wittlin Sergio , Hunt Nicholas H. , Ihmels Heiko , Becker Katja 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

The heme-containing enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) and IDO-2 catalyze the conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan into kynurenine. Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway and IDO itself are involved in immunity and the pathology of several diseases, having either immunoregulatory or antimicrobial effects. IDO-1 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, which is the most severe and often fatal neurological complication of infection with
Plasmodium falciparum
. Mouse models are usually used to study the underlying pathophysiology. In this study, we screened a natural compound library against mouse IDO-1 and identified 8-aminobenzo[
b
]quinolizinium (compound 2c) to be an inhibitor of IDO-1 with potency at nanomolar concentrations (50% inhibitory concentration, 164 nM). Twenty-one structurally modified derivatives of compound 2c were synthesized for structure-activity relationship analyses. The compounds were found to be selective for IDO-1 over IDO-2. We therefore compared the roles of prominent amino acids in the catalytic mechanisms of the two isoenzymes via homology modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetic analyses. Notably, methionine 385 of IDO-2 was identified to interfere with the entrance of
l
-tryptophan to the active site of the enzyme, which explains the selectivity of the inhibitors. Most interestingly, several benzo[
b
]quinolizinium derivatives (6 compounds with 50% effective concentration values between 2.1 and 6.7 nM) were found to be highly effective against
P. falciparum
3D7 blood stages in cell culture with a mechanism independent of IDO-1 inhibition. We believe that the class of compounds presented here has unique characteristics; it combines the inhibition of mammalian IDO-1 with strong antiparasitic activity, two features that offer potential for drug development.
Parasite-Specific CD4
+
IFN-γ
+
IL-10
+
T Cells Distribute within Both Lymphoid and Nonlymphoid Compartments and Are Controlled Systemically by Interleukin-27 and ICOS during Blood-Stage Malaria Infection
Authors: Villegas-Mendez Ana , Shaw Tovah N. , Inkson Colette A. , Strangward Patrick , de Souza J. Brian , Couper Kevin N. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Immune-mediated pathology in interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice during blood-stage malaria infection typically manifests in nonlymphoid organs, such as the liver and lung. Thus, it is critical to define the cellular sources of IL-10 in these sensitive nonlymphoid compartments during infection. Moreover, it is important to determine if IL-10 production is controlled through conserved or disparate molecular programs in distinct anatomical locations during malaria infection, as this may enable spatiotemporal tuning of the regulatory immune response. In this study, using dual gamma interferon (IFN-γ)–yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and IL-10–green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter mice, we show that CD4
+
YFP
+
T cells are the major source of IL-10 in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid compartments throughout the course of blood-stage
Plasmodium yoelii
infection. Mature splenic CD4
+
YFP
+
GFP
+
T cells, which preferentially expressed high levels of CCR5, were capable of migrating to and seeding the nonlymphoid tissues, indicating that the systemically distributed host-protective cells have a common developmental history. Despite exhibiting comparable phenotypes, CD4
+
YFP
+
GFP
+
T cells from the liver and lung produced significantly larger quantities of IL-10 than their splenic counterparts, showing that the CD4
+
YFP
+
GFP
+
T cells exert graded functions in distinct tissue locations during infection. Unexpectedly, given the unique environmental conditions within discrete nonlymphoid and lymphoid organs, we show that IL-10 production by CD4
+
YFP
+
T cells is controlled systemically during malaria infection through IL-27 receptor signaling that is supported after CD4
+
T cell priming by ICOS signaling. The results in this study substantially improve our understanding of the systemic IL-10 response to malaria infection, particularly within sensitive nonlymphoid organs.
Bacterial Stimulation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Drives Macrophages To Hemophagocytose
Authors: McDonald Erin M. , Pilonieta M. Carolina , Nick Heidi J. , Detweiler Corrella S. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTDuring acute infection with bacteria, viruses or parasites, a fraction of macrophages engulf large numbers of red and white blood cells, a process called hemophagocytosis. Hemophagocytes persist into the chronic stage of infection and have an anti-inflammatory phenotype.Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium infection of immunocompetent mice results in acute followed by chronic infection, with the accumulation of hemophagocytes. The mechanism(s) that triggers a macrophage to become hemophagocytic is unknown, but it has been reported that the proinflammatory cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is responsible. We show that primary macrophages become hemophagocytic in the absence or presence of IFN-γ upon infection with Gram-negative bacterial pathogens or prolonged exposure to heat-killedSalmonella enterica, the Gram-positive bacteriumBacillus subtilis, orMycobacterium marinum. Moreover, conserved microbe-associated molecular patterns are sufficient to stimulate macrophages to hemophagocytose. Purified bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced hemophagocytosis in resting and IFN-γ-pretreated macrophages, whereas lipoteichoic acid and synthetic unmethylated deoxycytidine-deoxyguanosine dinucleotides, which mimic bacterial DNA, induced hemophagocytosis only in IFN-γ-pretreated macrophages. Chemical inhibition or genetic deletion of Toll-like receptor 4, a pattern recognition receptor responsive to LPS, prevented bothSalmonella- and LPS-stimulated hemophagocytosis. Inhibition of NF-κB also prevented hemophagocytosis. These results indicate that recognition of microbial products by Toll-like receptors stimulates hemophagocytosis, a novel outcome of prolonged Toll-like receptor signaling, suggesting hemophagocytosis is a highly conserved innate immune response.
Hybrid high algebraic order two-step method with vanished phase-lag and its first, second, third, fourth and fifth derivatives
Authors: Ma Junyan , Simos T. E. 
Published: October 2015

A hybrid tenth algebraic order two-step method with vanished phase-lag and its first, second, third, fourth and fifth derivatives are obtained in this paper. We will investigate • the construction of the method • the local truncation error (LTE) of the newly obtained method. We will also compare the lte of the newly developed method with other methods in the literature (this is called the comparative LTE analysis) • the stability (interval of periodicity) of the produced method using frequency for the scalar test equation different from the frequency used in the scalar test equation for phase-lag analysis (this is called stability analysis) • the application of the newly obtained method to the resonance problem of the Schrödinger equation. We will compare its effectiveness with the efficiency of other known methods in the literature. It will be proved that the developed method is effective for the approximate solution of the Schrödinger equation and related periodical or oscillatory initial value or boundary value problems.
Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis Prevalence and Correlations in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: Data From Nonrandomized Single‐Center Study (REN‐ACS)—A Single Center, Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Burlacu Alexandru , Siriopol Dimitrie , Voroneanu Luminita , Nistor Ionut , Hogas Simona , Nicolae Ana , Nedelciuc Igor , Tinica Grigore , Covic Adrian 
Published: October 2015

Background

We are the first to evaluate the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (
RAS
) in consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention from a single tertiary center. As a novelty, we assessed hydration and metabolic status and measured arterial stiffness. We elaborated a predicting model for
RAS
in
AMI
.

Methods and Results

One hundred and eighty‐one patients with
AMI
underwent concomitantly primary percutaneous coronary intervention and renal angiography. We obtained data on demographics, medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, echocardiography, Killip class, and blood tests. In the first 24 hours post–primary percutaneous coronary intervention, we assessed bioimpedance through Body Composition Monitoring
®
and arterial stiffness through pulsed‐wave velocity, SphygmoCor
®
. Significant
RAS
(>50% lumen narrowing,
RAS
+) was present in 16.6% patients. In the
RAS
+ group we recorded significantly higher stiffness,
CRUSADE
score and dehydration, and more women with higher prevalence of multivascular coronary artery disease and heart failure. In our multivariate models, variables independently associated with
RAS
+ were previous percutaneous coronary intervention, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, multivascular coronary artery disease, and total/extracellular body water. These models had good specificity and low sensitivity.

Conclusions

We observed that
RAS
+
AMI
patients have a particular hydration, metabolic, and endothelial profile that could generate more future major adverse cardiac events. Hence, renal angiography in
AMI
should be considered in specific subsets of patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02388139.
On the Number of Iranian Turkophones
Authors: Arakelova Victoria 
Published: October 2015

The main body of the Iranian Turkophone mass generally consists of two parts: proper Turkic groups (the Turkmens par excellence) and the Turkic-speaking ethnic Iranians, predominantly the Azaris, inhabiting the north-west provinces of Iran roughly covering historical Aturpatākān. The number of the latter, usually depicted as a huge multimillion conglomeration, has remained one of the most speculative issues of the field.
The article analyses the statistical data concerning namely this segment of the Iranian citizenry.