bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detecting green shoots of recovery: the importance of long‐term individual‐based monitoring of marine turtles
Authors: Stokes K. L. , Fuller W. J. , Glen F. , Godley B. J. , Hodgson D. J. , Rhodes K. A. , Snape R. T. E. , Broderick A. C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPopulation monitoring is an essential part of evaluating the effectiveness of management interventions for conservation. Coastal breeding aggregations of marine vertebrate species that come ashore to pup or nest provide an opportunistic window of observation into otherwise widely dispersed populations. Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting on the north and west coasts of northern Cyprus has been monitored consistently and exhaustively since 1993, with an intensive saturation tagging programme running at one key site for the same duration. This historically depleted nesting population is showing signs of recovery, possibly in response to nest protection approaching two decades, with increasing nest numbers and rising levels of recruitment. Strong correlation between year‐to‐year magnitude of nesting and the proportion of new breeders in the nesting cohort implies that recruitment of new individuals to the breeding population is an important driver of this recovery trend. Recent changes in fishing activities may be impacting the local juvenile neritic stage, however, which may hinder this potential recovery. Individuals returning to breed after two years laid fewer clutches than those returning after three or four years, demonstrating a trade‐off between remigration interval and breeding output. Average clutch frequencies have remained stable around a median of three clutches a year per female despite the demographic shift towards new nesters, which typically lay fewer clutches in their first season. We show that where local fecundity has been adequately assessed, the use of average clutch frequencies can be a reliable method for deriving nester abundance from nest counts. Index sites where individual‐based monitoring is possible will be important in monitoring long‐term climate driven changes in reproductive rates.
Drug‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Vilholm Ole Jakob , Christensen Alex Alban , Zedan Ahmed Hussein , Itani Mustapha 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPeripheral neuropathy can be caused by medication, and various descriptions have been applied for this condition. In this MiniReview, the term ‘drug‐induced peripheral neuropathy’ (DIPN) is used with the suggested definition: Damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system caused by a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of a disease. Optic neuropathy is included in this definition. A distinction between DIPN and other aetiologies of peripheral neuropathy is often quite difficult and thus, the aim of this MiniReview is to discuss the major agents associated with DIPN.
Accounting for Greenfield Union Organizing Outcomes
Authors: Simms Melanie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a framework for evaluating and accounting for the outcomes of ‘greenfield’ union organizing campaigns. It argues that previous studies have tended to focus too much on the establishment of collective bargaining and negotiation of first contract as a campaign outcome. Instead, the effectiveness and representativeness of new union structures are emphasized, and the sustainability of those structures is emphasized as the most important outcome. A key finding from the empirical data is that campaigns that build both workplace activism and are co‐ordinated by officers create more sustainable outcomes than campaigns that focus on one or the other. The evidence shows how and why these outcomes emerge, and the paper concludes with a consideration of the theoretical and practical implications.
Altered significance of D'Amico risk classification in patients with prostate cancer linked to a familial breast cancer (kConFab) cohort
Authors: Bolton Damien , Cheng Yuan , Willems‐Jones Amber J. , Li Jason , Niedermeyr Eveline , Mitchell Gillian , Clouston David , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Sliwinski Ania , Fox Stephen , Thorne Heather 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo ascertain whether D'Amico risk classification is an accurate discriminator of prostate cancer mortality risk in BRCA2 pathogenic mutation carriers and non‐carriers from a familial breast cancer cohort.Patients and MethodsFrom family cancer pedigrees of patients evaluated through a familial breast cancer cohort all related men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer were identified. Genotyping of each patient or of the dominant familial BRCA2 mutation was undertaken in each instance. Prostate cancers were analysed by BRCA2 carrier vs non‐carrier status for their clinical progression and survival according to their D'Amico risk groups.ResultsFor patients who were BRCA2‐mutation positive, there was no significant difference in cancer‐specific survival (CSS) between those patients who were graded as having D'Amico high‐ or intermediate‐risk disease. For patients who were BRCA2‐mutation negative, but were identified via a family cancer pedigree, there was no statistically significant difference in CSS between D'Amico high‐ and intermediate‐risk prostate cancers. Patients with D'Amico high‐risk disease who were BRCA2‐mutation carriers had substantially increased disease‐specific mortality compared with high‐risk non‐carriers (hazard ratio 2.94, P = 0.004).ConclusionD'Amico risk classification has limitations in predicting variations in prostate cancer‐specific mortality for this group of patients.
Inhibition of COX‐2‐mediated eicosanoid production plays a major role in the anti‐inflammatory effects of the endocannabinoid N‐docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA) in macrophages
Authors: Meijerink Jocelijn , Poland Mieke , Balvers Michiel G J , Plastina Pierluigi , Lute Carolien , Dwarkasing Jvalini , van Norren Klaske , Witkamp Renger F 
Published: April 2014

Background and PurposeN‐docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA) is the ethanolamine conjugate of the long‐chain polyunsaturated n‐3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22: 6n‐3). Its concentration in animal tissues and human plasma increases when diets rich in fish or krill oil are consumed. DHEA displays anti‐inflammatory properties in vitro and was found to be released during an inflammatory response in mice. Here, we further examine possible targets involved in the immune‐modulating effects of DHEA.Experimental ApproachAntagonists for cannabinoid (CB)1 and CB2 receptors and PPARγ were used to explore effects of DHEA on NO release by LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The possible involvement of CB2 receptors was studied by comparing effects in LPS‐stimulated peritoneal macrophages obtained from CB2−/− and CB2+/+ mice. Effects on NF‐κB activation were determined using a reporter cell line. To study DHEA effects on COX‐2 and lipoxygenase activity, 21 different eicosanoids produced by LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells were quantified by LC‐MS/MS. Finally, effects on mRNA expression profiles were analysed using gene arrays followed by Ingenuity® Pathways Analysis.Key ResultsCB1 and CB2 receptors or PPARs were not involved in the effects of DHEA on NO release. NF‐κB and IFN‐β, key elements of the myeloid differentiation primary response protein D88 (MyD88)‐dependent and MyD88‐independent pathways were not decreased. By contrast, DHEA significantly reduced levels of several COX‐2‐derived eicosanoids. Gene expression analysis provided support for an effect on COX–2‐mediated pathways.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur findings suggest that the anti‐inflammatory effects of DHEA in macrophages predominantly take place via inhibition of eicosanoids produced through COX‐2.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013 published in volume 171 issue 6. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-6/issuetoc
The use of acellular dermal matrix membrane for vertical soft tissue augmentation during submerged implant placement: a case series
Authors: Puisys Algirdas , Vindasiute Egle , Linkevciene Laura , Linkevicius Tomas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficiency of acellular dermal matrix membrane to augment vertical peri‐implant soft tissue thickness during submerged implant placement.Material and methodsForty acellular dermal matrix‐derived allogenic membranes (AlloDerm, BioHorizons, Birmingham, AL, USA) and 42 laser‐modified surface internal hex implants (BioHorizons Tapered Laser Lok, Birmingham, AL, USA) were placed in submerged approach in 40 patients (15 males and 25 females, mean age 42.5 ± 1.7) with a thin vertical soft tissue thickness of 2 mm or less. After 3 months, healing abutments were connected to implants, and the augmented soft tissue thickness was measured with periodontal probe. The gain in vertical soft tissue volume was calculated. Mann–Whitney U‐test was applied and significance was set to 0.05.ResultsAll 40 allografts healed successfully. Thin soft tissue before augmentation had an average thickness of 1.54 ± 0.51 mm SD (range, 0.5–2.0 mm, median 1.75 mm), and after soft tissue augmentation with acellular dermal matrix, thickness increased to 3.75 ± 0.54 mm SD (range, 3.0–5.0 mm, median 4.0 mm) at 3 months after placement. This difference between medians was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Mean increase in soft tissue thickness was 2.21 ± 0.85 mm SD (range, 1.0–4.5 mm, median 2.0 mm).ConclusionsIt can be concluded that acellular dermal matrix membrane can be successfully used for vertical soft tissue augmentation.
Genome size increase in the phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata species complex (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Matsubayashi Kei W. , Ohshima Issei 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis study reports genome size (C‐value) estimates for seven species of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Japan using flow cytometry. The results demonstrated genome sizes of 1.0–1.4 Gb in four closely related phytophagous ladybird beetles belonging to the Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata species complex. These values were approximately two times larger than that of a congeneric phytophagous ladybird beetle H. vigintioctopunctata (0.66 Gb), and of two very distantly related common carnivorous ladybird beetles, Harmonia axyridis (0.46 Gb) and Coccinella septempunctata (0.42 Gb). These lines of evidence suggest that rapid and large genome size increase occurred just after the branching of the common ancestor of the H. vigintioctomaculata species complex from other ladybird species.
Effect ofN‐butylscopolammonium bromide on equine ileal smooth muscle activity in anex vivomodel
Authors: Hart K. A. , Sherlock C. E. , Davern A. J. , Lewis T. H. , Robertson T. P. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyN‐butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) is an anticholinergic agent used to treat spasmodic colic in horses. Intestinal smooth muscle spasm also occurs in horses with intraluminal intestinal obstructions, such as ileal impactions. The antispasmodic effects ofNBBmay be useful in managing ileal impactions, but the effects ofNBBon equine ileal smooth muscle are unknown.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects ofNBBon spontaneous and induced contraction of the equine ileum in anex vivomodel.Study designEx vivobiomechanical study assessing contractile properties in isolate equine ileal smooth muscle with and without exposure to NBB.MethodsIleal tissue was collected from 6 healthy horses after euthanasia, and isolated circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips were connected to isometric force transducers in organ baths. After equilibration, the effect ofNBB(1 nmol/l to 100 μmol/l) on spontaneous and carbachol‐induced contraction was determined and compared with responses in control tissue.ResultsAt ≥30 μmol/l,NBBinhibited spontaneous contractions in all muscle strips that exhibited spontaneous activity.N‐butylscopolammonium bromide pre‐treatment inhibited carbachol‐induced contraction in circular (NBB‐treated half maximal effective concentration [EC50] 0.530 × 10−8mol/l vs. control EC5041.57 × 10−8mol/l) and longitudinal muscle strips (NBB‐treated EC500.243 × 10−8mol/l vs. control EC5090.84 × 10−8mol/l). Abolition of carbachol‐induced contraction with NBB was observed at lower concentrations in circular than longitudinal muscle strips. Pretreatment with NBB significantly inhibited carbachol‐induced contractions; NBB‐treated tissue required greater carbachol concentrations to produce sustained contractions than control muscle strips. Histamine‐evoked contraction was not affected byNBB.ConclusionsN‐butylscopolammonium bromide inhibits spontaneous and cholinergically mediated contraction in equine ileal smooth muscle stripsex vivo. Thus,NBBmight reduce intestinal spasm in equine ileal impactions and could be useful for medical management of these cases, although further study is needed to confirm these effectsin vivo.
New molecular diagnostic kit to assess Y‐chromosome deletions in the Japanese population
Authors: Iijima Masashi , Koh Eitetsu , Izumi Kouji , Taya Masaki , Maeda Yuji , Kyono Kouichi , Yoshida Atsumi , Namiki Mikio 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesDeletions in the azoospermia factor regions are the most common known molecular genetic cause of human male infertility involving spermatogenetic failure. Testing for these deletions in Japanese DNA samples using conventional sequence‐tagged site probes occasionally lead to considerable non‐specific or faint products in the Japanese population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a newly developed kit for the detection of azoospermia factor microdeletions in the Japanese population.MethodsSequence‐tagged site probes were reselected and the Luminex suspension array assay was carried out. Validation was retrospectively carried out with 2014 DNA sequences with known microdeletions, which were divided into four categories.ResultsCategory 1 deletions that corresponded to the conventional classification of azoospermia factor deletion were present in 83 men (4.2%), which can result in intrachromosomal homologous recombination. Kit data confirmed the presence of deletions of this type in DNA sequences known to harbor the azoospermia factor deletions. Category 2 deletions involved cytogenetic abnormalities in 28 men (1.4%), whereas category 3 deletions in 759 men (37.7%) were atypical classifications including the gr/gr deletion. As these deletions are thought to be a result of palindromic units and non‐homologous recombination, these microdeletions might impact in the interpretation of some clinical findings. The rest of the 1145 cases (56.8%) were assigned to category 4 as normal variants (polymorphism/no deletion).ConclusionsThe present findings show that this new kit offers good sensitivity and specificity with the advantage of saving in terms of cost and time.
Evolving renorrhaphy technique for retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Single‐surgeon series
Authors: Wahafu Wasilijiang , Ma Xin , Li Hong‐Zhao , Ding Qiang , Wang Bao‐Jun , Shi Tao‐Ping , Zheng Tao , Dong Jun , Cai Wei , Zhang Xu 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate renorrhaphy techniques and to analyze surgical outcomes in retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.MethodsA retrospective study from January 2008 to December 2011 analyzed 526 patients with renal tumors in whom renorrhaphy was changed from one layer, interrupted, figure‐of‐eight (n = 228) suture to two layers, continuous, unknotted (n = 298) suture. All procedures were carried out by the same laparoscopic surgeon (XZ). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative outcomes and perioperative renal function were compared.ResultsMedian follow up for one layer, interrupted, figure‐of‐eight suture and two layers, continuous, unknotted suture was 31 and 28 months, respectively. The two layers, continuous, unknotted suture group had shorter warm ischemia time (P = 0.021), faster removal of Jackson‐Pratt drains (P = 0.029) and shorter hospital stay (P = 0.037) than the one layer, interrupted, figure‐of‐eight suture group. There was a trend towards a better preservation of glomerular filtration rates in the two layers, continuous, unknotted suture group (P = 0.045). In a multivariable model, the two layers, continuous, unknotted suture technique was a statistically significant independent predictor of warm ischemia time (P = 0.01), hospital stay (P = 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rates (P = 0.043).ConclusionsTwo layers, continuous, unknotted suture renorrhaphy allows better outcomes than one layer, interrupted, figure‐of‐eight suture renorrhaphy in retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. A longer clinical follow‐up evaluation is warranted.
Defending the fort: a role for defensin‐2 in limitingRickettsia montanensisinfection ofDermacentor variabilis
Authors: Pelc R. S. , McClure J. C. , Sears K. T. , Chung A. , Rahman M. S. , Ceraul S. M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe importance of tick defensins is evidenced by their expression in a wide variety of tick tissues and prevalence across many tick genera. To date, the functional and biological significance of defensin‐2 as a rickettsiastatic or rickettsiacidal antimicrobial peptide has not been addressed. In a previous study, defensin‐2 transcription was shown to increase inDermacentor variabilisticks challenged withRickettsia montanensis. In the present study, the hypothesis that defensin‐2 is functional as a rickettsiastatic and/or rickettsiacidal antimicrobial peptide is tested. We show that defensin‐2 plays a role in reducing burden after acquisition ofRickettsia montanensisthrough capillary feeding. Moreover, defensin‐2 is shown to associate withR. montanensis in vitroandin vivo, causing cytoplasmic leakiness.
Knowledge, instruction and behavioural change: building a framework for effective eczema education in clinical practice
Authors: Thompson Deryn Lee , Thompson Murray John 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimsA discussion on the reasons educational interventions about eczema, by nurses, are successful, with the subsequent development of a theoretical framework to guide nurses to become effective patient educators.BackgroundEffective child and parent education is the key to successful self‐management of eczema. When diagnosed, children and parents should learn to understand the condition through clear explanations, seeing treatment demonstrations and have ongoing support to learn practical skills to control eczema. Dermatology nurses provide these services, but no one has proposed a framework of the concepts underpinning their successful eczema educational interventions.DesignA discussion paper.Data SourcesA literature search of online databases was undertaken utilizing terms ‘eczema OR atopic dermatitis’, ‘education’, ‘parent’, ‘nurs*’, ‘framework’, ‘knowledge’, motivation’, in Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Medline and Pubmed. Limits were English language and 2003–2013.Implications for NursingThe framework can inform discussion on child and parent education, provide a scaffold for future research and guide non‐specialist nurses, internationally, in providing consistent patient education about eczema.ConclusionFounded on an understanding of knowledge, the framework utilizes essential elements of cognitive psychology and social cognitive theory leading to successful self‐management of eczema. This framework may prove useful as a basis for future research in child and parent education, globally, in the healthcare community. A framework has been created to help nurses understand the essential elements of the learning processes at the foundation of effective child and parent education. The framework serves to explain the improved outcomes reported in previous nurse‐led eczema educational interventions.
The stem cell adjuvant with Exendin‐4 repairs the heart after myocardial infarction via STAT3 activation
Authors: Liu Jianfeng , Wang Haibin , Wang Yan , Yin Yujing , Du Zhiyan , Liu Zhiqiang , Yang Junjie , Hu Shunying , Wang Changyong , Chen Yundai 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe poor survival of cells in ischaemic myocardium is a major obstacle for stem cell therapy. Exendin‐4 holds the potential of cardioprotective effect based on its pleiotropic activity. This study investigated whether Exendin‐4 in conjunction with adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) could improve the stem cell survival and contribute to myocardial repairs after infarction. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by the left anterior descending artery ligation in adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats. ADSCs carrying double‐fusion reporter gene [firefly luciferase and monomeric red fluorescent protein (fluc‐mRFP)] were quickly injected into border zone of MI in rats treated with or without Exendin‐4. Exendin‐4 enhanced the survival of transplanted ADSCs, as demonstrated by the longitudinal in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Moreover, ADSCs adjuvant with Exendin‐4 decreased oxidative stress, apoptosis and fibrosis. They also improved myocardial viability and cardiac function and increased the differentiation rates of ADSCs into cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo. Then, ADSCs were exposed to hydrogen peroxide/serum deprivation (H2O2/SD) to mimic the ischaemic environment in vitro. Results showed that Exendin‐4 decreased the apoptosis and enhanced the paracrine effect of ADSCs. In addition, Exendin‐4 activated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) through the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Furthermore, Exendin‐4 increased the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2, but decreased the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax of ADSCs. In conclusion, Exendin‐4 could improve the survival and therapeutic efficacy of transplanted ADSCs through STAT3 activation via the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. This study suggests the potential application of Exendin‐4 for stem cell–based heart regeneration.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells protected post‐infarcted myocardium against arrhythmias via reversing potassium channels remodelling
Authors: Cai Benzhi , Wang Gang , Chen Nan , Liu Yanju , Yin Kun , Ning Chunping , Li Xingda , Yang Fan , Wang Ning , Wang Yang , Pan Zhenwei , Lu Yanjie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) emerge as a promising approach for treating heart diseases. However, the effects of BMSCs‐based therapy on cardiac electrophysiology disorders after myocardial infarction were largely unclear. This study was aimed to investigate whether BMSCs transplantation prevents cardiac arrhythmias and reverses potassium channels remodelling in post‐infarcted hearts. Myocardial infarction was established in male SD rats, and BMSCs were then intramyocardially transplanted into the infarcted hearts after 3 days. Cardiac electrophysiological properties in the border zone were evaluated by western blotting and whole‐cell patch clamp technique after 2 weeks. We found that BMSCs transplantation ameliorated the increased heart weight index and the impaired LV function. The survival of infarcted rats was also improved after BMSCs transplantation. Importantly, electrical stimulation‐induced arrhythmias were less observed in BMSCs‐transplanted infarcted rats compared with rats without BMSCs treatment. Furthermore, BMSCs transplantation effectively inhibited the prolongation of action potential duration and the reduction of transient and sustained outward potassium currents in ventricular myocytes in post‐infarcted rats. Consistently, BMSCs‐transplanted infarcted hearts exhibited the increased expression of KV4.2, KV4.3, KV1.5 and KV2.1 proteins when compared to infarcted hearts. Moreover, intracellular free calcium level, calcineurin and nuclear NFATc3 protein expression were shown to be increased in infarcted hearts, which was inhibited by BMSCs transplantation. Collectively, BMSCs transplantation prevented ventricular arrhythmias by reversing cardiac potassium channels remodelling in post‐infarcted hearts.