bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil carbon stock change following afforestation in Northern Europe: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bárcena T. G. , Kiær L. P. , Vesterdal L. , Stefánsdóttir H. M. , Gundersen P. , Sigurdsson B. D. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractNorthern Europe supports large soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and has been subjected to high frequency of land‐use changes during the past decades. However, this region has not been well represented in previous large‐scale syntheses of land‐use change effects on SOC, especially regarding effects of afforestation. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis of SOC stock change following afforestation in Northern Europe. Response ratios were calculated for forest floors and mineral soils (0–10 cm and 0–20/30 cm layers) based on paired control (former land use) and afforested plots. We analyzed the influence of forest age, former land‐use, forest type, and soil textural class. Three major improvements were incorporated in the meta‐analysis: analysis of major interaction groups, evaluation of the influence of nonindependence between samples according to study design, and mass correction. Former land use was a major factor contributing to changes in SOC after afforestation. In former croplands, SOC change differed between soil layers and was significantly positive (20%) in the 0–10 cm layer. Afforestation of former grasslands had a small negative (nonsignificant) effect indicating limited SOC change following this land‐use change within the region. Forest floors enhanced the positive effects of afforestation on SOC, especially with conifers. Meta‐estimates calculated for the periods <30 years and >30 years since afforestation revealed a shift from initial loss to later gain of SOC. The interaction group analysis indicated that meta‐estimates in former land‐use, forest type, and soil textural class alone were either offset or enhanced when confounding effects among variable classes were considered. Furthermore, effect sizes were slightly overestimated if sample dependence was not accounted for and if no mass correction was performed. We conclude that significant SOC sequestration in Northern Europe occurs after afforestation of croplands and not grasslands, and changes are small within a 30‐year perspective.
Clinical significance of pretreatment serum interferon‐gamma‐inducible protein 10 concentrations in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with telaprevir‐based triple therapy
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Nasu Akihiro , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Saito Masaki , Tamori Akihiro , Kawada Norifumi , Kimura Toru , Osaki Yukio , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: March 2014

AimWe aimed to determine whether pretreatment serum interferon‐γ‐inducible protein (IP)‐10 concentration can predict response to telaprevir (TVR)‐based triple therapy in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and to examine the effects of IP‐10 concentration on liver histology.MethodsBaseline IP‐10 concentrations were measured in 97 patients with genotype 1 CHC treated with TVR‐based triple therapy, and the associations between baseline IP‐10 and treatment outcome were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Associations between baseline serum IP‐10 concentration and laboratory data and liver histological findings were also investigated.ResultsMedian IP‐10 concentration in these patients was 461.83 pg/mL (range, 151.35–4297.62). Multivariate analysis showed that IL28B genotype (P = 0.025) and IP‐10 level (P = 0.004) were factors significantly predictive of rapid virological response (RVR), whereas in pretreatment factors only, IL28B genotype (P = 0.001) and liver fibrosis (P = 0.035) were independent predictors of sustained virological response. Using a cut‐off IP‐10 concentration of 460 pg/mL, patients with IL28B risk allele and low IP‐10 had a significantly higher RVR rate than those with high IP‐10 (P = 0.005). IP‐10 concentration was significantly correlated with liver fibrosis (P = 0.001) and inflammation activity (P = 0.006) and had the highest areas under the curve for liver histological findings.ConclusionBaseline serum IP‐10 level is a useful predictor of virological response in patients with genotype 1 CHC treated with TVR‐based triple therapy, especially in patients with IL28B risk allele. IP‐10 was well correlated with liver fibrosis and inflammation.
Should older patients be offered varicocoele correction to improve their fertility?
Authors: Ollandini G. , Trombetta C. , Mazzon G. , de Concilio B. , Bucci S. , Pavan N. , Belgrano E. , Liguori G. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryWe reviewed a large number of patients from 2000 to 2010 that underwent varicocoele correction using the retrograde sclerotization approach. Three hundred and seventy‐six of them were included in the study, as they met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at the time of surgery was 32 years (SD: 6.5); 32% of them were 35 years and older. Patients were classified according to the clinical classification (GC) and Sarteschi's Doppler ultrasound classification (GS). The patients showed up at the clinic after an average time of 30 months of referred infertility related (SD: 28.54). Patients underwent pre‐operative assessment with physical examination, sperm analysis and Doppler ultrasound, and again the same assessment at least 3 months after surgery. We evaluated the following parameters: sperm concentration (millions/mL, CONC), percentage motility (a+b, MOT) and the percentage of morphologically typical spermatozoa (MOR). Univariate and Multivariate analysis were performed. The research of Pearson's coefficients was performed to test the correlation between sperm parameters and age, SG, CG. Semen specimens were evaluated according to WHO 1999 criteria. Mean CONC varied from 34.5 to 47.0 millions/mL (+12.5; p < 0.001); MOT from 27.2 to 34.5% (+7.3%; p < 0.001); and MOR from 44.0 to 47.6% (+3.6%; p = 0.001). Univariable and multivariable analysis of variance related to age showed no significant difference of parameters improvement. Pearson's correlation coefficient for pre‐operative and post‐operative sperm MOT related to patients' age was respectively −0.11 (p < 0.001) and −0.18 (p = 0.04). No other significance was found. Usefulness of treating infertile patients affected by varicocoele is confirmed: varicocoele correction leads to significant sperm parameters improvement. There is no evidence of different improvement related to patients' age. The decline in sperm motility related to age of the patients seems to be only age‐dependent: the usefulness of treating patients affected by varicocoele is not influenced by their age: treatment should also be offered to older patients.
Clinical and treatment characteristics determining therapeutic outcome in patients undergoing autologous non‐cultured outer root sheath hair follicle cell suspension for treatment of stable vitiligo
Authors: Vinay K. , Dogra S. , Parsad D. , Kanwar A.J. , Kumar R. , Minz R.W. , Saikia U.N. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundAutologous non‐cultured outer root sheath hair follicle cell suspension (NCORSHFS) is a recently described novel cellular graft technique for the treatment of stable vitiligo. There is lack of data about various factors determining the repigmentation rate in vitiligo patients undergoing this novel surgical therapy.ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and treatment variables determining therapeutic outcome in patients of stable vitiligo undergoing NCORSHFS.MethodsNon‐cultured outer root sheath hair follicle cell suspension was prepared from anagen hairs extracted from the occipital area. The number of melanocytes and hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) in the suspension was quantified by staining with anti‐HMB45 and anti‐CD200 antibody, respectively. In all patients, a 2 mm punch skin biopsy was taken from one of the vitiligo patch to be treated prior to surgery for assessment of histomorphological features. Post surgery patients were followed up at regular intervals for 24 weeks.ResultsThirty patients (21 females, 9 males) with a clinical diagnosis of stable vitiligo, with a total of 60 target lesions were included in this study. The mean age of the study population was 21.10 ± 5.64 years. The number of melanocytes (P = 0.04) and HFSC (P = 0.01) transplanted were significantly higher among patients achieving optimum repigmentation (>75% repigmentation). There was a strong correlation between repigmentation at 24 week and number of melanocytes and HFSC transplanted. Number of HFSC transplanted and absence of dermal inflammation were significant predictors of achieving optimum repigmentation.ConclusionThe number of melanocytes and HFSC transplanted and absence of dermal inflammation were important determents of optimal repigmentation in patients undergoing NCORSHFS for treatment of stable vitiligo. Hence, refining the technique of NCORSHFS on the basis of these factors would help in achieving better surgical outcomes.
Changes in nuclear morphology and chromatin texture of basal keratinocytes in melasma
Authors: Brianezi G. , Handel A.C. , Schmitt J.V. , Miot L.D.B. , Miot H.A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of melasma and the role of keratinocytes in disease development and maintenance are not completely understood. Dermal abnormalities, the expression of inflammatory mediators, growth factors, epithelial expression of melanocortin and sexual hormones receptors suggest that not only melanocytes, but entire epidermal melanin unit is involved in melasma physiopathology.ObjectivesTo compare nuclear morphological features and chromatin texture between basal keratinocytes in facial melasma and adjacent normal skin.MethodsWe took facial skin biopsies (2 mm melasma and adjacent normal skin) from women processed for haematoxylin and eosin. Thirty non‐overlapping basal keratinocyte nuclei were segmented and descriptors of area, highest diameter, perimeter, circularity, pixel intensity, profilometric index (Ra) and fractal dimension were extracted using ImageJ software.ResultsBasal keratinocyte nuclei from facial melasma epidermis displayed larger size, irregular shape, hyperpigmentation and chromatin heterogeneity by fractal dimension than perilesional skin.ConclusionBasal keratinocytes from facial melasma display changes in nuclear form and chromatin texture, suggesting that the phenotype differences between melasma and adjacent facial skin can result from complete epidermal melanin unit alterations, not just hypertrophic melanocytes.
Clinical presentations of patients from different age cohorts with biliary tract stone diseases
Authors: Hu Kuang‐Chun , Wang Horng‐Yuan , Chang Wen‐Hsiung , Chu Cheng‐Hsin , Lin Shee‐Chan , Liu Chun‐Jen , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Shih Shou‐Chuan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThe role of clinical symptoms, transabdominal ultrasound scan (USS), and liver function tests (LFTs) in evaluating common bile duct (CBD) stones in patients suspected to have pancreatobiliary disease has been studied. However, it is unclear whether these predictive models are useful in different age cohorts. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentations from different age cohorts with and without CBD stones.MethodsFour hundred and forty‐three patients with pancreatobiliary diseases were divided into cohorts according to decades as follows: young (Y, 18–64 years old, n = 143), young‐old (YO, 65–74 years old, n = 168), old‐old (OO, 75–84 years old, n = 97), and very old (VO, ≥ 85 years old, n = 35). The clinical symptoms, LFTs, and USS findings were demonstrated and compared among patients.ResultsY‐ and YO‐group patients were more likely to develop symptoms such as biliary colic in the presence of CBD stones. The proportion of abnormal serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly greater in Y‐, YO‐, and OO‐group patients with than in those without CBD stones. Sensitivity of USS for CBD stones in Y: 0.15; YO: 0.45; OO: 0.57; and VO: 0.68. Accuracy of USS for detected CBD stone in Y: 48%; YO: 62.5%; OO: 70.1%; and VO: 71.4%.ConclusionCombined evaluation of clinical symptoms, biochemical and USS findings may help predict the presence of CBD stones. In Y, YO, and OO patients with CBD stones, the incidences of abnormal LFTs were higher. The sensitivity and accuracy of USS in detecting CBD stones were increased according to age.
Lansoprazole enhances the antidiabetic effect of sitagliptin in mice with diet-induced obesity and healthy human subjects
Authors: Hao ShaoJun , Sun JianHua , Tian XiKui , Sun Xu , Zhang ZhenXing , Gao Yuan 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Objectives
Proton pump inhibitors as adjunctive therapy would improve diabetes control and could enhance the hypoglycaemic activity of DPP-4 inhibitors. The aim of the study was to investigate the short-term effects of lansoprazole (LPZ), sitagliptin (SITA) and their combination therapy on glucose regulation and gut peptide secretion.

Methods
Glucose and gut peptide were determined and compared after short-term administration of LPZ or SITA, or in combination to mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) and to healthy human subjects (n = 16) in a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) by a crossover design.

Key findings
In DIO mice, LPZ significantly improve glucose metabolism, increase plasma C-peptide and insulin compared with vehicle treatment. Furthermore, the combination of LPZ and SITA improved glucose tolerance additively, with higher plasma insulin and C-peptide levels compared with SITA-treated mice. Similarly, in human in the OGTT, the combination showed significant improvement in glucose-lowering and insulin increase vs SITA-treated group. However, no significant differences in area under curve (AUC) of insulin, glucose and C-peptide between the LPZ-treated group and baseline, except that mean AUCgastrin was significantly increased by LPZ.

Conclusions
LPZ and SITA combination therapy appears to have complementary mechanisms of action and additive antidiabetic effect.
Sympatric Asian felid phylogeography reveals a major Indochinese–Sundaic divergence
Authors: Luo Shu‐Jin , Zhang Yue , Johnson Warren E. , Miao Lin , Martelli Paolo , Antunes Agostinho , Smith James L. D. , O'Brien Stephen J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe dynamic geological and climatological history of Southeast Asia has spawned a complex array of ecosystems and 12 of the 37 known cat species, making it the most felid‐rich region in the world. To examine the evolutionary histories of these poorly studied fauna, we compared phylogeography of six species (leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, fishing cat P. viverrinus, Asiatic golden cat Pardofelis temminckii, marbled cat P. marmorata, tiger Panthera tigris and leopard P. pardus) by sequencing over 5 kb of DNA each from 445 specimens at multiple loci of mtDNA, Y and X chromosomes. All species except the leopard displayed significant phylogenetic partitions between Indochina and Sundaland, with the central Thai–Malay Peninsula serving as the biogeographic boundary. Concordant mtDNA and nuclear DNA genealogies revealed deep Indochinese–Sundaic divergences around 2 MYA in both P. bengalensis and P. marmorata comparable to previously described interspecific distances within Felidae. The divergence coincided with serial sea level rises during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene, and was probably reinforced by repeated isolation events associated with environmental changes throughout the Pleistocene. Indochinese–Sundaic differentiations within P. tigris and P. temminckii were more recent at 72–108 and 250–1570 kya, respectively. Overall, these results illuminate unexpected, deep vicariance events in Southeast Asian felids and provide compelling evidence of species‐level distinction between the Indochinese and Sundaic populations in the leopard cat and marbled cat. Broader sampling and further molecular and morphometric analyses of these species will be instrumental in defining conservation units and effectively preserving Southeast Asian biodiversity.
Interspecific variation in pollen–ovule ratio is negatively correlated with pollen transfer efficiency in a natural community
Authors: Gong Y.‐B. , Huang S.‐Q. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe pollination efficiency hypothesis has long been proposed as an explanation for interspecific variation in pollen–ovule (P:O) ratios. However, no empirical study onP:Oratios has directly and quantitatively measured pollen transfer efficiency (PE). Here, we use aPEindex, defined as the proportion of pollen grains removed from anthers that are subsequently deposited on conspecific stigmas, as a direct and quantitative measure ofPE. We investigatedP:Oratios, pollen removal and pollen deposition in 26 plant species in an alpine meadow, over three consecutive years. Our community survey showed that nearly 5% of removed pollen was successfully deposited on conspecific stigmas. ThePEindex ranged from 0.01% up to 78.56% among species, and correlated negatively with theP:Oratio across years. This correlation was not changed by controlling for phylogenetic relationships among species, suggesting that the interspecific variation inP:Oratios can be attributed to the probability of pollen grains reaching a stigma. The results indicate that the pollination efficiency hypothesis can help to explain interspecific variation inP:Oratios.
Effect of Supplementation with a Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplement on the Micronutrient Status of Children Aged 6–18 Months Living in the Rural Region of Intibucá, Honduras
Authors: Siega‐Riz Anna M. , Estrada Del Campo Yaniré , Kinlaw Alan , Reinhart Gregory A. , Allen Lindsay H. , Shahab‐Ferdows Setareh , Heck Jeff , Suchindran Chirayath M. , Bentley Margaret E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundLipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) have been effective in the treatment of acute malnutrition among children. We evaluated the use of LNS supplementation for improving the micronutrient status of young children.MethodsA 12‐month randomised controlled trial was conducted among children aged 6–18 months living in Intibucá, Honduras. Communities (n = 18) were randomised into clusters matched by poverty indicators (9 intervention, n = 160 and 9 controls, n = 140). Intervention participants received LNS. All children received food vouchers and nutrition education. Primary outcomes included measures of micronutrient status: at baseline, 6 and 12 months' blood were collected for assessment of folate, iron, zinc, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 status; haemoglobin was measured every 3 months; and dietary and anthropometry collected monthly. Longitudinal analyses were based on intent to treat and LNS adherence. Generalised estimating equations were used in the estimation of generalised linear regression models specified for the data.ResultsAt 6‐month follow‐up, children in the intervention group had a lower proportion classified as deficient for B12 (43.6%) compared with the control (67.7%; P = 0.03). The intervention group had a higher mean concentration for folate at 6 months (P = 0.06), and improvements continued through 12 months for folate (P = 0.002) and vitamin A deficiency (P = 0.03). This pattern of results, with improved significance, remained in subanalysis based on LNS adherence.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that LNS improved select micronutrient status in young non‐malnourished Honduran children.
Cystatin C: A potential biomarker for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Fenster Brett E. , Lasalvia Luis , Schroeder Joyce D. , Smyser Jamey , Silveira Lori J. , Buckner J. Kern , Brown Kevin K. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveCystatin C (CysC), a novel marker of renal function, predicts left heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. The hypothesis that serum CysC levels correlate with right ventricular (RV) morphology, function and pressure in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was tested.MethodsAs part of a prospective study, 14 PAH subjects and 10 matched controls underwent same‐day echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and phlebotomy for CysC, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N‐terminal BNP (NT‐ProBNP). RV ejection fraction (RVEF), end‐diastolic volume, end‐systolic volume and mass were calculated using CMR. RV systolic pressure (RVSP), strain and diastolic function (including tricuspid valve (TV) E velocity, A velocity, e′ velocity, E/A ratio and E/e′ ratio) were assessed using echocardiography.ResultsRVSP was significantly elevated in PAH subjects versus controls (57 ± 17 vs. 28 ± 8 mm Hg, P < 0.0001). CysC was abnormally elevated in the PAH cohort when compared with controls (1.00 ± 0.23 vs 0.78 ± 0.05 mg/L, P = 0.001). CysC positively correlated with RVSP (rho 0.61, P = 0.002), RV end‐diastolic volume (rho 0.50, P = 0.01), RV end‐systolic volume (rho 0.58, P = 0.003), mass index (rho 0.66, P = 0.0004), strain (rho 0.51, P = 0.01) and strain rate (rho 0.51, P = 0.01) and negatively correlated with RVEF (rho −0.58, P = 0.003) and TV e′ (rho −0.75, P < 0.0001). The same correlations with BNP and NT‐ProBNP were comparable with CysC.ConclusionsIn a small cohort, CysC accurately correlates with RV pressure, function and morphology. CysC may represent a novel PAH biomarker.
Pseudo‐hypoproteinemia in a hyperbilirubinemic dog with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia
Authors: Garner Bridget C. , Priest Heather , Smith Jo 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA 10‐year‐old spayed female Miniature Poodle was presented to the University of Georgia veterinary teaching hospital for evaluation of lethargy, vomiting and anorexia of 4 days' duration. Physical examination, history and a minimum database led to a diagnosis of immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia accompanied by marked hyperbilirubinemia. Refractometric protein determination was within the reference interval, whereas the biuret method indicated hypoproteinemia. This discrepancy was attributed to interference of bilirubin and biliverdin with the spectrophotometric read‐out of the biuret total protein assay. The albumin concentration, determined by bromcresol green, and refractometric total protein were less affected by this interference.
Depression and anxiety in prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence rates
Authors: Watts Sam , Leydon Geraldine , Birch Brian , Prescott Philip , Lai Lily , Eardley Susan , Lewith George 
Published: March 2014

ObjectivesTo systematically review the literature pertaining to the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with prostate cancer as a function of treatment stage.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Participants4494 patients with prostate cancer from primary research investigations.Primary outcome measureThe prevalence of clinical depression and anxiety in patients with prostate cancer as a function of treatment stage.ResultsWe identified 27 full journal articles that met the inclusion criteria for entry into the meta-analysis resulting in a pooled sample size of 4494 patients. The meta-analysis of prevalence rates identified pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment depression prevalences of 17.27% (95% CI 15.06% to 19.72%), 14.70% (95% CI 11.92% to 17.99%) and 18.44% (95% CI 15.18% to 22.22%), respectively. Pretreatment, on-treatment and post-treatment anxiety prevalences were 27.04% (95% CI 24.26% to 30.01%), 15.09% (95% CI 12.15% to 18.60%) and 18.49% (95% CI 13.81% to 24.31%), respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the prevalence of depression and anxiety in men with prostate cancer, across the treatment spectrum, is relatively high. In light of the growing emphasis placed on cancer survivorship, we consider that further research within this area is warranted to ensure that psychological distress in patients with prostate cancer is not underdiagnosed and undertreated.