bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inner workings of thrombolites: spatial gradients of metabolic activity as revealed by metatranscriptome profiling
Authors: Mobberley J. M. , Khodadad C. L. M. , Visscher P. T. , Reid R. P. , Hagan P. , Foster J. S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMicrobialites are sedimentary deposits formed by the metabolic interactions of microbes and their environment. These lithifying microbial communities represent one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of these communities are poorly understood. In this study, we used comparative metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to characterize the spatial organization of the thrombolites of Highborne Cay, The Bahamas, an actively forming microbialite system. At midday, there were differences in gene expression throughout the spatial profile of the thrombolitic mat with a high abundance of transcripts encoding genes required for photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and exopolymeric substance production in the upper three mm of the mat. Transcripts associated with denitrification and sulfate reduction were in low abundance throughout the depth profile, suggesting these metabolisms were less active during midday. Comparative metagenomics of the Bahamian thrombolites with other known microbialite ecosystems from across the globe revealed that, despite many shared core pathways, the thrombolites represented genetically distinct communities. This study represents the first time the metatranscriptome of living microbialite has been characterized and offers a new molecular perspective on those microbial metabolisms and their underlying genetic pathways, that influence the mechanisms of carbonate precipitation in lithifying microbial mat ecosystems.
Survival and prognostic factors in patients with connective tissue disease‐associated pulmonary hypertension diagnosed by echocardiography: results from a Korean nationwide registry
Authors: Kang Kwi Young , Jeon Chan Hong , Choi Sung Jae , Yoon Bo Young , Choi Chan‐Bum , Lee Chang Hoon , Suh Chang‐Hee , Lee Choong Won , Cho Chul Soo , Nam Eon Jeong , Koh Eun‐Mi , Kim Ho‐Youn , Choi Hyo Jin , Kim Hyoun‐Ah , Jun Jae‐Bum , Lee Jaejoon , Kim Jinseok , Ji Jong Dae , Min Jun Ki , Kim Ki Jo , Shin Kichul , So Min Wook , Kwon Seong Ryul , Kim Seong‐Kyu , Nah Seong‐Su , Kwok Seung‐Ki , Lee Soo‐Kon , Lee Sung Won , Park Sung‐Hwan , Park Won , Park Yong‐Beom , Lee Young Ho , Lee Shin‐Seok , Yoo Dae Hyun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectivesPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). The survival rates and mortality‐predictive factors of a nationwide registry of Korean patients with CTD‐PH measured by echocardiography were determined.MethodsPatients with CTD‐PH were enrolled between April 2008 and December 2012. Hemodynamic parameters and clinical data (WHO‐functional class [FC], organ involvement, laboratory tests and treatment agents) were recorded. Survival rates were calculated by using the Kaplan–Meier method. Mortality‐associated factors were examined by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.ResultsIn total, 174 incident PH cases (61 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 50 with systemic sclerosis, 10 with mixed CTD, 22 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 31 with other CTDs) were diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography. Of these, 25 (14%) died during the 3.8 ± 2.7 year follow‐up period after PH diagnosis. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 90.7% and 87.3%, respectively. Compared to the other CTD‐PHs, RA‐PH had the lowest survival rates (56% 3 year survival; P = 0.022). Multiple regression analysis revealed that low diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), pleural effusion and diabetes mellitus were poor prognostic factors (P = 0.008, 0.04 and 0.009, respectively). Anti‐UI‐RNP (ribonucleoprotein) antibody positivity was protective (P = 0.022). In patients with WHO‐FC III/IV, patients who received vasodilators had lower mortality than those who did not (P = 0.038).ConclusionsIn Korean patients with CTD‐PH, the 3‐year survival rate was 87%. Low diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), pleural effusion and diabetes mellitus were independent poor prognostic factors. Anti‐UI‐RNP antibody was protective. Prompt PAH‐specific vasodilator therapy may improve the survival of patients with severe CTD‐PH.
Effect of stroke volume variation‐directed fluid management on blood loss during living‐donor right hepatectomy: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Choi S.‐S. , Jun I.‐G. , Cho S.‐S. , Kim S.‐K. , Hwang G.‐S. , Kim Y.‐K. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryReducing blood loss is beneficial in living liver donor hepatectomy. Although it has been suggested that maintaining a low central venous pressure is important, it is known that low stroke volume variation may be associated with increased blood loss. Therefore, we compared the effect on blood loss of 40 patients randomly assigned to a high stroke volume variation group (maintaining 10–20% of stroke volume variation) vs 38 patients in a control group (maintaining < 10% stroke volume variation) during living‐donor right hepatectomy. Mean (SD) blood loss during donor hepatectomy was significantly lower in the high stroke volume variation group than in the control group: 476 (131) ml vs 836 (341) ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Blood pressure and peri‐operative laboratory values did not differ between the two groups. However, in the high stroke volume variation group, central venous pressure values were also significantly lower. We were unable to disentangle the effects of stroke volume variation and central venous pressure, but our results confirm that the two together appear beneficial.
Unifying Color and Texture Transfer for Predictive Appearance Manipulation
Authors: Okura Fumio , Vanhoey Kenneth , Bousseau Adrien , Efros Alexei A. , Drettakis George 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRecent color transfer methods use local information to learn the transformation from a source to an exemplar image, and then transfer this appearance change to a target image. These solutions achieve very successful results for general mood changes, e.g., changing the appearance of an image from “sunny” to “overcast”. However, such methods have a hard time creating new image content, such as leaves on a bare tree. Texture transfer, on the other hand, can synthesize such content but tends to destroy image structure. We propose the first algorithm that unifies color and texture transfer, outperforming both by leveraging their respective strengths. A key novelty in our approach resides in teasing apart appearance changes that can be modeled simply as changes in color versus those that require new image content to be generated. Our method starts with an analysis phase which evaluates the success of color transfer by comparing the exemplar with the source. This analysis then drives a selective, iterative texture transfer algorithm that simultaneously predicts the success of color transfer on the target and synthesizes new content where needed. We demonstrate our unified algorithm by transferring large temporal changes between photographs, such as change of season – e.g., leaves on bare trees or piles of snow on a street – and flooding.
Stepped‐up surveillance for early detection of Anoplophora chinensis in a nursery district
Authors: Ciampitti M. , Cavagna B. , Bianchi A. , Cappa V. , Asti S. , Fumagalli A. 
Published: July 2015

The Plant Protection Service of Lombardy Region (Italy) has been working to control Anoplophora chinensis for many years. A specific plan was developed by the Plant Protection Service in 2011 to implement stepped‐up surveillance for early detection of this pest in the most important nursery area in the region. The Canneto sull'Oglio district area hosts the highest concentration of commercial nurseries in Lombardy. The nurseries specialize in the cultivation of full‐size deciduous ornamental trees. The reinforced surveillance plan includes the following steps: planning, inspection of the urban green spaces, surveillance in rural areas and surveillance of identified sources of risk. A new procedure was defined for the enhanced territorial surveillance, as there were no established guidelines to follow. Two buffer zones were delineated, with a 2 km radius and a 500 m radius around all the areas dedicated to nursery cultivation, and a grid of 500 × 500 m was superimposed on it. Between one and four inspection points were defined for each cell, depending on the risk to plant health, and more than 3450 inspection points were identified, corresponding to 11 233 potential host plants that were to be inspected. In addition, the fields of 16 nurseries classified as high risk sources were inspected as well as the potential hosts in the buffer zone of 100 m radius around them. The annual cost of the surveillance is 30 000 EUR, which corresponds to about 0.025% of the annual production value of the nurseries in this district.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc) in subjects with haemophilia A
Authors: Nolan B. , Mahlangu J. , Perry D. , Young G. , Liesner R. , Konkle B. , Rangarajan S. , Brown S. , Hanabusa H. , Pasi K. J. , Pabinger I. , Jackson S. , Cristiano L. M. , Li X. , Pierce G. F. , Allen G. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionThe safety, efficacy and prolonged half‐life of recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc) in previously treated patients with severe haemophilia A was demonstrated in the phase 3 A‐LONG and Kids A‐LONG studies. Here, we report interim safety and efficacy data from the rFVIIIFc extension study, ASPIRE (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01454739).MethodsEligible subjects could enrol in ASPIRE upon completing A‐LONG or Kids A‐LONG. There were four treatment groups: individualized prophylaxis; weekly prophylaxis; modified prophylaxis (for subjects in whom optimal treatment could not be achieved with individualized or weekly prophylaxis); and episodic treatment. The primary endpoint was development of inhibitors.ResultsA total of 150 A‐LONG subjects and 61 Kids A‐LONG subjects enrolled in ASPIRE. As of the interim data cut (6 January 2014), the median time on study was 80.9 (A‐LONG) and 23.9 (Kids A‐LONG) weeks. The majority of subjects (A‐LONG, 92.0%; Kids A‐LONG, 57.4%) had ≥100 cumulative rFVIIIFc exposure days. No inhibitors were observed. Adverse events were generally consistent with those expected in the general haemophilia A population. Median annualized bleeding rates (ABRs) were low with individualized [A‐LONG: 0.66; Kids A‐LONG: 0.00 (<6 years old), 1.54 (6 to <12 years old)], weekly (A‐LONG: 2.03) and modified (A‐LONG: 1.97) prophylaxis. There was no change in prophylactic infusion frequency or total weekly prophylactic dose in the majority of subjects from A‐LONG and Kids A‐LONG.ConclusionInterim data from ASPIRE confirm the long‐term safety of rFVIIIFc and the maintenance of a low ABR with extended‐interval prophylactic dosing in patients with severe haemophilia A.
Trends over 30 years in the prevalence and severity of alveolar bone loss and the influence of smoking and socio‐economic factors – based on epidemiological surveys in Sweden 1983–2013
Authors: Edman K , Öhrn K , Nordström B , Holmlund A , Hellberg D 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveEpidemiological studies of the prevalence of periodontitis over an extended time using the same methodology to investigate and classify periodontitis are sparse in the literature. Smoking and socio‐economic factors have been proven to increase the risk for periodontal disease. The objective of this study was to investigate 30‐year time trends, using the same methodology to classify the prevalence and severity in alveolar bone loss (ABL) and to investigate the influence of tobacco and socio‐economic factors.MethodsFour cross‐sectional epidemiological studies in an adult population were performed in the county of Dalarna, Sweden, in 1983, 2003, 2008 and 2013. Random samples of 787–1133 individuals aged 35–85 who answered a questionnaire about tobacco use and socio‐economic factors were radiographically and clinically examined. A number of teeth, ABL and calculus visible on radiographs were registered. The severity of ABL as detected on radiographs was classified into no bone loss, moderate or severe.ResultsThe prevalence of moderate ABL decreased from 45% in 1983 to 16% in 2008, but increased to 33% in 2013 (P < 0.05). The prevalence of severe ABL remained the same from 1983 (7%) to 2013 (6%). Calculus visible on radiographs increased from 22% in 2008 to 32% in 2013 (P < 0.05). Socio‐economic factors had limited impact on the severity of ABL.ConclusionModerate ABL and calculus visible on radiographs significantly increased between 2008 and 2013. Smoking was the strongest factor associated with ABL overall.
The dynamic changes of ascorbic acid, tocopherols and antioxidant activity during germination of soya bean (Glycine max)
Authors: Wang Linzhen , Wang Hong , Lai Qinrun , Li Tong , Fu Xiong , Guo Xinbo , Liu Rui Hai 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe objective of this investigation was to study the dynamic changes of ascorbic acid, tocopherols and their antioxidant activity of soya bean sprouts during germination. Results showed that the expression levels of genes related to biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and tocopherols dramatically increased during germination. The expression levels of most genes were up to the peak at day 3 and kept constantly until the end of germination. The contents of ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol, δ‐tocopherol and total tocopherols increased during soya bean sprouts germination and reached peak levels on day 5, of 74.42 ± 1.64 mg/100 g DW, 7.64 ± 0.13 mg/100 g DW, 15.84 ± 1.85 mg/100 g DW, 12.37 ± 1.06 mg/100 g DW, 35.85 ± 2.81 mg/100 g DW, respectively. The antioxidant activity of soya bean sprouts increased during germination and reached peak level on day 5 to 311.01 ± 49.01 μmol ASA equiv./100 g DW. Therefore, germination significantly increased the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, tocopherols and antioxidant activity of soya bean sprouts.
Transplanted microvascular endothelial cells promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell survival in ischemic demyelinating lesions
Authors: Iijima Keiya , Kurachi Masashi , Shibasaki Koji , Naruse Masae , Puentes Sandra , Imai Hideaki , Yoshimoto Yuhei , Mikuni Masahiko , Ishizaki Yasuki 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe previously showed that transplantation of brain microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) greatly stimulated remyelination in the white matter infarct of the internal capsule (IC) induced by endothelin‐1 injection and improved the behavioral outcome. In the present study, we examined the effect of MVEC transplantation on the infarct volume using intermittent magnetic resonance image and on the behavior of oligodendrocyte lineage cells histochemically. Our results in vivo show that MVEC transplantation reduced the infarct volume in IC and apoptotic death of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). These results indicate that MVECs have a survival effect on OPCs, and this effect might contribute to the recovery of the white matter infarct. The conditioned‐medium from cultured MVECs reduced apoptosis of cultured OPCs, while the conditioned medium from cultured fibroblasts did not show such effect. These results suggest a possibility that transplanted MVECs increased the number of OPCs through the release of humoral factors that prevent their apoptotic death. Identification of such humoral factors may lead to the new therapeutic strategy against ischemic demyelinating diseases.
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Transplanted microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) release humoral factors which increase the number of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) by inhibiting their apoptotic death. The resultant increase in OPCs promotes remyelination by existing (intrinsic) mature oligodendrocytes in the ischemic infarct region. Identification of such humoral factors may lead to the new therapeutic strategy against ischemic demyelinating diseases.
Targeting Adenosine Monophosphate‐Activated Protein Kinase by Metformin Adjusts Post‐Ischemic Hyperemia and Extracellular Neuronal Discharge in Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Farbood Yaghoob , Sarkaki Alireza , Khalaj Leila , Khodagholi Fariba , Badavi Mohammad , Ashabi Ghorbangol 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveI/R and its subsequent reactive hyperemia results in different adverse effects such as brain edema and BBB disruption. AMPK activation has been perceived as one of the target factors for I/R treatment. We investigated the effect of Met (an AMPK activator) on some physiological parameters including vascular responses, hyperemia, BBB disruption, and electrophysiological activity following tGCI.MethodsRats were pretreated with Met for two weeks and CC was administered half an hour before tGCI. Brain vascular responses, hyperemia, BBB disruption, and electrophysiological activity were evaluated following the ischemia.ResultsMet attenuated BBB disruption and reactive hyperemia in tGCI rats compared with the untreated I/R rats (p < 0.001). Met administration along with CC in the ischemic rats reversed the beneficial effects of Met on BBB disruption and reactive hyperemia (p < 0.001). Electrophysiological records indicated that Met increased spike rates in the ischemic rats comparing with I/R rats (p < 0.001), whereas, CC administration blocked the beneficial effects of Met on the neuronal discharges (p < 0.05).ConclusionWe established a regulatory role for AMPK in vascular and electrophysiological responses to tGCI. Studies are ongoing to determine if activation of AMPK in the reperfusion period would offer similar protection.
Mark‐recapture abundance estimate of tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis) in a lake system of the Central Amazon
Authors: Coimbra Zulmira H. , Assis Carlos A. , da Silva Vera M. F. , dos Santos Manuel E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) is a small dolphin endemic to the Amazon River basin. Because the abundance and trends are currently unknown for the species, this study aimed to estimate its abundance in a lake system of the Central Amazon. A total of 10 two‐day sampling periods were carried out from March to June of 2013 throughout a 13.5 km2 area in the Mamirauá Reserve. In the 104 encounters with the species, a minimum number of 389 dolphins were sighted and photographed, which allowed the positive identification of 49 individuals. Mark‐recapture models were used to estimate an abundance of 119 individuals (95% CI = 105–150) (corrected for the proportion of identifiable individuals). This is the first estimation of S. fluviatilis abundance using mark‐recapture analyses and, together with the photo‐id catalog made available, provides a useful reference for future studies regarding tucuxi dolphins.
Intragroup Conflict and Conflict Management Approaches as Determinants of Team Performance and Satisfaction: Two Field Studies
Authors: Dimas Isabel Dórdio , Lourenço Paulo Renato 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe effects of intragroup conflict and conflict management on team outcomes were analyzed in two empirical studies with a multilevel approach. In the first study, 68 production teams from eight industrial companies were surveyed. In the second study, we analyzed 77 workgroups from 14 companies. Hierarchical regression analysis was computed to test the hypotheses at the team level, and hierarchical linear modeling was conducted to test the hypotheses at the individual level. The results revealed a negative impact of task conflict on team effectiveness and a positive effect of integrating. No moderator effects were found. Our results, being similar in both studies, come out against the importance of the type of task on the relationship between conflict and team outcomes. Furthermore, our findings suggest that reducing intragroup conflict and providing team members with the abilities to manage conflict cooperatively is a way to increase group performance and team members’ satisfaction.
The DYT1‐interacting proteins bHLH010, bHLH089 and bHLH091 are redundantly required for Arabidopsis anther development and transcriptome
Authors: Zhu Engao , You Chenjiang , Wang Shuangshuang , Cui Jie , Niu Baixiao , Wang Yingxiang , Qi Ji , Ma Hong , Chang Fang 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe anther is the male reproductive organ of flowering plants, and the Arabidopsis bHLH transcription factors encoded by DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM1 (DYT1) and ABORTED MICROSPORE (AMS) are required for control of the complex transcriptional networks regulating anther development. Knowledge of the mechanisms by which the bHLH proteins affect this diverse gene expression is quite limited. We examine here three recently duplicated Arabidopsis bHLH genes, bHLH010, bHLH089 and bHLH091, using evolutionary, genetic, morphological and transcriptomic approaches, and uncover their redundant functions in anther development. These three genes are relatively highly expressed in the tapetum of the Arabidopsis anther; single mutants at each of the bHLH010, bHLH089 and bHLH091 loci are developmentally normal, but the various double and triple combinations progressively exhibit increasingly defective anther phenotypes (abnormal tapetum morphology, delayed callose degeneration, and aborted pollen development), indicating their redundant functions in male fertility. Further transcriptomic and molecular analyses suggest that these three proteins act slightly later than DYT1, and also form protein complexes with DYT1, subsequently affecting the correct expression of many DYT1 target genes in the anther development transcriptional network. This study demonstrated that bHLH010, bHLH089 and bHLH091 together are important for the normal transcriptome of the developing Arabidopsis anther, possibly by forming a feed‐forward loop with DYT1.
Bilateral microphthalmos with cyst in a neonatal foal
Authors: Greenberg Shari M. , Plummer Caryn E. , Sledge Dodd , Komine Misa , Craft Serena L. , Conway Julia A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA 1‐day–old miniature horse filly was presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Ophthalmology service for evaluation of multiple ocular anomalies which were present from birth. Protruding from the right orbit was a large, fluctuant, red, dry and variably ulcerated mass. A globe could not be appreciated clinically in the left orbit. Ocular ultrasound of both orbits was performed. This revealed a lobular, hypo‐echoic structure filling the right orbit, with multiple hyperechoic septations; normal ocular structures were not identified. Ultrasound of the left orbit revealed a microphthalmic eye, with a well‐defined, hyperechoic structure in the vitreous that was thought to be the lens. Due to irreversible blindness, the foal was humanely euthanized. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the orbital contents revealed bilateral microphthalmos with cyst, a congenital defect rarely reported in the veterinary literature.