bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of Bioactive Diterpenoids in the Euphorbiaceae Depends on Evolutionarily Conserved Gene Clusters
Authors: King Andrew J. , Brown Geoffrey D. , Gilday Alison D. , Larson Tony R. , Graham Ian A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe Euphorbiaceae produce a diverse range of diterpenoids, many of which have pharmacological activities. These diterpenoids include ingenol mebutate, which is licensed for the treatment of a precancerous skin condition (actinic keratosis), and phorbol derivatives such as resiniferatoxin and prostratin, which are undergoing investigation for the treatment of severe pain and HIV, respectively. Despite the interest in these diterpenoids, their biosynthesis is poorly understood at present, with the only characterized step being the conversion of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate into casbene. Here, we report a physical cluster of diterpenoid biosynthetic genes from castor (Ricinus communis), including casbene synthases and cytochrome P450s from the CYP726A subfamily. CYP726A14, CYP726A17, and CYP726A18 were able to catalyze 5-oxidation of casbene, a conserved oxidation step in the biosynthesis of this family of medicinally important diterpenoids. CYP726A16 catalyzed 7,8-epoxidation of 5-keto-casbene and CYP726A15 catalyzed 5-oxidation of neocembrene. Evidence of similar gene clustering was also found in two other Euphorbiaceae, including Euphorbia peplus, the source organism of ingenol mebutate. These results demonstrate conservation of gene clusters at the higher taxonomic level of the plant family and that this phenomenon could prove useful in further elucidating diterpenoid biosynthetic pathways.
Overview of the methods available for biomechanical testing of the uterine cervix in vivo
Authors: Hee Lene 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo give an overview of the methods available for biomechanical testing of the non‐pregnant and pregnant uterine cervix in vivo.MethodsThe following databases were searched. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Additional studies were identified from reference lists. Only studies on in vivo biomechanical testing on both pregnant and non‐pregnant women were included.Main outcome measuresEstimation of distensibility, compressibility, and biochemical composition of the uterine cervix.ResultsThe distensibility methods evaluated a physiologic variable and might serve as a gold standard; however, they may never be clinically useful as they involve instrumentation of the cervical canal. The compression methods evaluated an unphysiological variable but despite that, they seemed to evaluate biologically relevant figures and were non‐invasive. Of the methods evaluating the biomechanical properties indirectly, those based on ultrasound may be clinically useful. Other indirect methods only measured variables within the most superficial layer of the distal uterine cervix, so further studies are needed to evaluate whether these measurements reflect the entire organ. Both compression methods and indirect methods were similar or superior to the Bishop score and to cervical length measurements regarding prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery and successful induction of labor in small studies.ConclusionThe methods may have the potential to detect the biomechanical changes in the uterine cervix before the cervical length has shortened. The most promising methods need large‐scale clinical testing regarding induction of labor and preterm delivery before they can be used in the clinic.
Amplification of 3q26 and 5p15 regions in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Kudela Erik , Farkasova Anna , Visnovsky Jozef , Balharek Tomas , Sumichrastova Petra , Sivakova Jana , Plank Lukas , Danko Jan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze different amplification patterns of 3q26 and 5p15 regions in low‐grade and high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.DesignExperimental research.SettingDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a medical faculty in Slovakia.PopulationA group of 83 patients referred for colposcopic examination.MethodsAmplification of 3q26 and 5p15 regions was analyzed on the 100 most atypical cells from a cervical cytology slide by fluorescent in situ hybridization using a multicolor hybridization probe. Chi‐squared and Man–Whitney U‐tests were used for statistical analysis.Main outcome measuresLiquid‐based cytology samples and biopsy samples obtained during colposcopic examination correlated with high‐risk human papillomavirus status and with amplification patterns of selected regions analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization.ResultsThe number of cells with 3q26 and 5p15 gain rises with the severity of the lesion p < 0.01. The sensitivity of 3q26 amplification for CIN2+ lesions was 72.1% (95% confidence interval 56.3–84.7) and specificity was 90.0% (95% confidence interval 76.3–97.1). The sensitivity of 5p15 amplification for CIN2+ lesions was 69.8% (95% confidence interval 53.9–82.8) and specificity was 85.0% (95% confidence interval 70.2–94.3).ConclusionEvaluation of telomerase components can help in differential diagnosis of low‐grade and high‐grade cervical lesions and in individualized management of these patients.
Laparoscopic management of bowel endometriosis: resection margins as a predictor of recurrence
Authors: Nirgianakis Konstantinos , McKinnon Brett , Imboden Sara , Knabben Laura , Gloor Beat , Mueller Michael D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate possible predictive factors for recurrence after laparoscopic segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis.DesignCohort study.SettingAcademic tertiary referral center.Methods95 symptomatic women with bowel endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic segmental bowel resection at the Endometriosis clinic, University of Berne, between 2002 and 2012 were enrolled. Since 14 women were lost to follow‐up, 81 formed the final cohort. Clinical and histological characteristics were examined as possible predictive factors for disease recurrence.Main outcome measuresRecurrence, defined as a subsequent operation due to recurrent endometriosis‐associated pain with a histologically confirmed endometriotic lesion.ResultsRecurrence was observed in 13 (16%) patients. Variables that were significantly associated to recurrence by the Cox regression analysis were positive bowel resection margins (hazard ratio 6.5, 95% confidence interval 1.8–23.5, p = 0.005), age <31 years (hazard ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 1.7–18.6, p = 0.005) and body mass index ≥23 kg/m2 (hazard ratio 11.0, 95% confidence interval 2.7–44.6, p = 0.001).ConclusionsPositive bowel resection margins as well as age <31 years and body mass index ≥23 kg/m2 appear to be independent predictors of disease recurrence.
The contribution of general cognitive abilities and approximate number system to early mathematics
Authors: Passolunghi Maria Chiara , Cargnelutti Elisa , Pastore Massimiliano 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundMath learning is a complex process that entails a wide range of cognitive abilities to be fulfilled. There is sufficient evidence that both general and specific cognitive skills assume a fundamental role, despite the absence of shared consensus about the relative extent of their involvement. Moreover, regarding general abilities, there is no agreement about the recruitment of the different memory components or of intelligence. In relation to specific factors, great debate subsists regarding the role of the approximate number system (ANS).AimsStarting from these considerations, we wanted to conduct a wide assessment of memory components and ANS, by controlling for the effects associated with intelligence and also exploring possible relationships between all precursors.Sample and MethodTo achieve this purpose, a sample of 157 children was tested at both beginning and end of their Grade 1. Both general (memory and intelligence) and specific (ANS) precursors were evaluated by a wide battery of tests and put in relation to concurrent and subsequent math skills. Memory was explored in passive and active aspects involving both verbal and visuo‐spatial components.ResultsPath analysis results demonstrated that memory, and especially the more active processes, and intelligence were the strongest precursors in both assessment times. ANS had a milder role which lost significance by the end of the school year. Memory and ANS seemed to influence early mathematics almost independently.ConclusionBoth general and specific precursors seemed to have a crucial role in early math competences, despite the lower involvement of ANS.
Cell death, cavitation and spontaneous multi‐differentiation of dental pulp stem cells‐derived spheroids in vitro: A journey to survival and organogenesis
Authors: Xiao Li , Kumazawa Yasuo , Okamura Hisashi 
Published: August 2014

Background informationDuring embryonic development, cell death transforms the solid embryonic cell mass into a hollow structure (cavitation), which allows the surviving cells to differentiate into varied tissues and organs around the cavity. This process can be partly reproduced with embryonic stem cells. However, it is unknown if adult stem cell masses have the same ability to cavitate and then differentiate into organs. In this study, we assessed the capacity of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)‐derived spheroids to mimic the above‐mentioned cavitation and spontaneous differentiation in vitro.ResultsDPSCs were able to form large‐sized spheroids on matrigel in osteogenic medium. Inside the spheroids, cells in the centre showed positive stain to stem cell markers, alkaline phosphatase and STRO‐1. Hypoxia and massive cell death were observed in the core of the spheroids. Cavities were formed when the spheroids were cultivated in the osteogenic medium for about 14 days. After 28 days of cultivation, the surviving cells around the cavity spontaneously differentiated into neuronal (28.8%), vascular (33.3%), osteogenic (46.7%) and cartilaginous (72.0%) tissues under the osteogenic medium only. In contrast, when DPSCs‐formed cell sheets were folded into giant‐sized lumps and cultivated under the same conditions, the folded cell sheets became an entire lumenal structure and failed to differentiate into neuronal, osteogenic and cartilaginous cells. Marker analysis showed that cavitation‐related molecules BMP7 and FGF3 expressed on the wall of the cavity in the spheroids, suggesting that the cavitation was functional, whereas cavitation‐related molecules were absent in the folded cell sheets.ConclusionsDPSC‐derived spheroids can mimic the developmental process of cell survival, cavitation and spontaneous multi‐differentiation on matrigel under certain conditions. This work allows for functional studies to investigate organ regeneration with human DPSCs in vitro.
Ecosystem engineering effects on species diversity across ecosystems: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Romero Gustavo Q. , Gonçalves‐Souza Thiago , Vieira Camila , Koricheva Julia 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTEcosystem engineering is increasingly recognized as a relevant ecological driver of diversity and community composition. Although engineering impacts on the biota can vary from negative to positive, and from trivial to enormous, patterns and causes of variation in the magnitude of engineering effects across ecosystems and engineer types remain largely unknown. To elucidate the above patterns, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 122 studies which explored effects of animal ecosystem engineers on species richness of other organisms in the community. The analysis revealed that the overall effect of ecosystem engineers on diversity is positive and corresponds to a 25% increase in species richness, indicating that ecosystem engineering is a facilitative process globally. Engineering effects were stronger in the tropics than at higher latitudes, likely because new or modified habitats provided by engineers in the tropics may help minimize competition and predation pressures on resident species. Within aquatic environments, engineering impacts were stronger in marine ecosystems (rocky shores) than in streams. In terrestrial ecosystems, engineers displayed stronger positive effects in arid environments (e.g. deserts). Ecosystem engineers that create new habitats or microhabitats had stronger effects than those that modify habitats or cause bioturbation. Invertebrate engineers and those with lower engineering persistence (<1 year) affected species richness more than vertebrate engineers which persisted for >1 year. Invertebrate species richness was particularly responsive to engineering impacts. This study is the first attempt to build an integrative framework of engineering effects on species diversity; it highlights the importance of considering latitude, habitat, engineering functional group, taxon and persistence of their effects in future theoretical and empirical studies.
Historical ecology: past, present and future
Authors: Szabó Péter 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe term ‘historical ecology’ has been used with various meanings since the first half of the 20th century. Studies labelled as historical ecology have been produced in at least four academic disciplines: history, ecology, geography and anthropology. Although all those involved seem to agree that historical ecology concerns the historical interconnectedness of nature and human culture, this field of study has no unified methodology, specialized institutional background and common publication forums. Knowledge of the development of historical ecology is also limited. As a result, the current multitude of definitions of historical ecology is accompanied by divergent opinions as to where the origins of the field are to be sought. In this review, I follow the development of historical ecology from the 18th century to the present. In the first part, I briefly describe some early examples of historical ecological investigations, followed by a description of the various scientific strands in the 20th century that contributed to the formation of historical ecology. In the second part, I discuss the past five decades of historical ecological investigations in more detail, focusing mostly (but not exclusively) on works that their respective authors identified as historical ecology. I also examine the appearance and interconnectedness of the two main trends (ecological and anthropological) in historical ecological research. In the last part, I attempt to outline the future of historical ecology based on common features in existing research. It appears that at present historical ecology is at a crossroads. With rapidly growing interest in historical ecological research, it may move towards institutionalization or remain an umbrella term.
Verbal Positional Memory in 7‐Month‐Olds
Authors: Benavides‐Varela Silvia , Mehler Jacques 
Published: August 2014

Verbal memory is a fundamental prerequisite for language learning. This study investigated 7‐month‐olds' (N = 62) ability to remember the identity and order of elements in a multisyllabic word. The results indicate that infants detect changes in the order of edge syllables, or the identity of the middle syllables, but fail to encode the order of middle syllables. This suggests that the representational format of multisyllabic words is determined by core mnemonic biases, which favor accurate encoding of edges and limits the encoding of temporal order for internal segments. The studies support accounts proposing that content and order are encoded separately; in addition, the data show that this dissociation occurs early in development.
Language and Cognitive Predictors of Text Comprehension: Evidence From Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Kim Young‐Suk 
Published: August 2014

Using data from children in South Korea (N = 145, Mage = 6.08), it was determined how low‐level language and cognitive skills (vocabulary, syntactic knowledge, and working memory) and high‐level cognitive skills (comprehension monitoring and theory of mind [ToM]) are related to listening comprehension and whether listening comprehension and word reading mediate the relations of language and cognitive skills to reading comprehension. Low‐level skills predicted comprehension monitoring and ToM, which in turn predicted listening comprehension. Vocabulary and syntactic knowledge were also directly related to listening comprehension, whereas working memory was indirectly related via comprehension monitoring and ToM. Listening comprehension and word reading completely mediated the relations of language and cognitive skills to reading comprehension.
Household Income and Preschool Attendance in China
Authors: Gong Xin , Xu Di , Han Wen‐Jui 
Published: August 2014

This article draws upon the literature showing the benefits of high‐quality preschools on child well‐being to explore the role of household income on preschool attendance for a cohort of 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds in China using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 1991–2006. Analyses are conducted separately for rural (N = 1,791) and urban (N = 633) settings. Estimates from a probit model with rich controls suggest a positive association between household income per capita and preschool attendance in both settings. A household fixed‐effects model, conducted only on the rural sample, finds results similar to, although smaller than, those from the probit estimates. Policy recommendations are discussed.
Cerebral haemorrhagic risk in children with sickle‐cell disease
Authors: Kossorotoff Manoelle , Brousse Valentine , Grevent David , Naggara Olivier , Brunelle Francis , Blauwblomme Thomas , Gaussem Pascale , Desguerre Isabelle , De Montalembert Mariane 
Published: August 2014

AimTo address risk of first or recurrent cerebral haemorrhage in children with sickle‐cell disease (SCD) who are being managed with modern stroke prevention strategies.MethodA systematically followed SCD paediatric cohort was retrospectively studied over a 9‐year period. Haemorrhagic risk was defined as intracranial haemorrhage occurrence or intracranial aneurysm diagnosis during the study period. Ischaemic risk was defined as cerebrovascular ischaemic event occurrence or transcranial Doppler/magnetic resonance imaging hallmarks of ischaemic risk finding during the study period.ResultsAmong the 251 patients in the cohort, 36 patients were included in the ischaemic group. Seven patients were included in the haemorrhagic group, of which five also met the criteria for the ischaemic group. Age at first haemorrhagic symptom/hallmark of risk was older (10.4 vs 6.2 years old, p=0.036). Nine intracranial saccular aneurysms were found, mostly on the posterior circulation. Two patients had endovascular embolization.InterpretationThe ratio of ischaemic to haemorrhagic risk was not modified with modern management compared with historical series. Intracranial aneurysm in children with SCD had specific characteristics, close to intracranial aneurysms described in adults with SCD. Data favoured concurrent development of intracranial SCD‐associated anterior stenosis and posterior dilation, suggesting common pathophysiology and management strategies.
First report on the association of Pestalotiopsis mangiferae with leaf blight disease of Canthium dicoccum in India
Authors: Mahadevakumar S. , Janardhana G. R. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThe multi‐use tree Canthium dicoccum (Rubiaceae) growing in shrub forests of Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar (India) was severely affected by a leaf blight disease. The ascomycete Pestalotiopsis mangiferae was consistently isolated from symptomatic leaves and identified by micromorphology and ITS rDNA sequencing analysis. Pathogenicity test was performed and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. This is the first report of P. mangiferae causing leaf blight of C. dicoccum in India.
Ecosystem models for fisheries management: finding the sweet spot
Authors: Collie Jeremy S , Botsford Louis W , Hastings Alan , Kaplan Isaac C , Largier John L , Livingston Patricia A , Plagányi Éva , Rose Kenneth A , Wells Brian K , Werner Francisco E 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe advent of an ecosystem‐based approach dramatically expanded the scope of fisheries management, creating a critical need for new kinds of data and quantitative approaches that could be integrated into the management system. Ecosystem models are needed to codify the relationships among drivers, pressures and resulting states, and to quantify the trade‐offs between conflicting objectives. Incorporating ecosystem considerations requires moving from the single‐species models used in stock assessments, to more complex models that include species interactions, environmental drivers and human consequences. With this increasing model complexity, model fit can improve, but parameter uncertainty increases. At intermediate levels of complexity, there is a ‘sweet spot’ at which the uncertainty in policy indicators is at a minimum. Finding the sweet spot in models requires compromises: for example, to include additional component species, the models of each species have in some cases been simplified from age‐structured to logistic or bioenergetic models. In this paper, we illuminate the characteristics, capabilities and short‐comings of the various modelling approaches being proposed for ecosystem‐based fisheries management. We identify key ecosystem needs in fisheries management and indicate which types of models can meet these needs. Ecosystem models have been playing strategic roles by providing an ecosystem context for single‐species management decisions. However, conventional stock assessments are being increasingly challenged by changing natural mortality rates and environmentally driven changes in productivity that are observed in many fish stocks. Thus, there is a need for more tactical ecosystem models that can respond dynamically to changing ecological and environmental conditions.
Minimizing the biodiversity impact of Neotropical oil palm development
Authors: Gilroy James J. , Prescott Graham W. , Cardenas Johann S. , Castañeda Pamela González del Pliego , Sánchez Andrés , Rojas‐Murcia Luis E. , Medina Uribe Claudia A. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Edwards David P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOil palm agriculture is rapidly expanding in the Neotropics, at the expense of a range of natural and seminatural habitats. A key question is how this expansion should be managed to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity. Focusing on the Llanos of Colombia, a mixed grassland–forest system identified as a priority zone for future oil palm development, we survey communities of ants, dung beetles, birds and herpetofauna occurring in oil palm plantations and the other principal form of agriculture in the region – improved cattle pasture – together with those of surrounding natural forests. We show that oil palm plantations have similar or higher species richness across all four taxonomic groups than improved pasture. For dung beetles, species richness in oil palm was equal to that of forest, whereas the other three taxa had highest species richness in forests. Hierarchical modelling of species occupancy probabilities indicated that oil palm plantations supported a higher proportion of species characteristic of forests than did cattle pastures. Across the bird community, occupancy probabilities within oil palm were positively influenced by increasing forest cover in a surrounding 250 m radius, whereas surrounding forest cover did not strongly influence the occurrence of other taxonomic groups in oil palm. Overall, our results suggest that the conversion of existing improved pastures to oil palm has limited negative impacts on biodiversity. As such, existing cattle pastures of the Colombian Llanos could offer a key opportunity to meet governmental targets for oil palm development without incurring significant biodiversity costs. Our results also highlight the value of preserving remnant forests within these agricultural landscapes, protecting high biodiversity and exporting avian ‘spill‐over’ effects into oil palm plantations.