bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linking Tarim Basin sea retreat (west China) and Asian aridification in the late Eocene
Authors: Bosboom R. , Dupont‐Nivet G. , Grothe A. , Brinkhuis H. , Villa G. , Mandic O. , Stoica M. , Huang W. , Yang W. , Guo Z. , Krijgsman W. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe Tarim Basin in western China formed the easternmost margin of a shallow epicontinental sea that extended across Eurasia and was well connected to the western Tethys during the Paleogene. Climate modelling studies suggest that the westward retreat of this sea from Central Asia may have been as important as the Tibetan Plateau uplift in forcing aridification and monsoon intensification in the Asian continental interior due to the redistribution of the land‐sea thermal contrast. However, testing of this hypothesis is hindered by poor constraints on the timing and precise palaeogeographic dynamics of the retreat. Here, we present an improved integrated bio‐ and magnetostratigraphic chronological framework of the previously studied marine to continental transition in the southwest Tarim Basin along the Pamir and West Kunlun Shan, allowing us to better constrain its timing, cause and palaeoenvironmental impact. The sea retreat is assigned a latest Lutetian–earliest Bartonian age (ca. 41 Ma; correlation of the last marine sediments to calcareous nannofossil ZoneCP14 and correlation of the first continental red beds to the base of magnetochron C18r). Higher up in the continental deposits, a major hiatus includes the Eocene–Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). This suggests the Tarim Basin was hydrologically connected to the Tethyan marine Realm until at least the earliest Oligocene and had not yet been closed by uplift of the Pamir–Kunlun orogenic system. The westward sea retreat atca. 41 Ma and the disconformity at the Eocene–Oligocene transition are both time‐equivalent with reported Asian aridification steps, suggesting that, consistent with climate modelling results, the sea acted as an important moisture source for the Asian continental interior.
Food allergens in mattress dust in Norwegian homes – a potentially important source of allergen exposure
Authors: Bertelsen R. J. , Faeste C. K. , Granum B. , Egaas E. , London S. J. , Carlsen K.‐H. , Lødrup Carlsen K. C. , Løvik M. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryBackgroundSensitization to food allergens and food allergic reactions are mostly caused by ingesting the allergen, but can also occur from exposure via the respiratory tract or the skin. Little is known about exposure to food allergens in the home environment.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was firstly to describe the frequency of detection of allergens from fish, egg, milk, and peanut in mattress dust collected from homes of 13‐year‐old adolescents and secondly to identify home characteristics associated with the presence of food allergen contamination in dust.MethodsFood allergens were measured by dot blot analysis in mattress dust from 143 homes in Oslo, Norway. We analysed associations between home characteristics (collected by parental questionnaires and study technicians) and food allergens by multivariate regression models.ResultsFish allergen was detected in 46%, peanut in 41%, milk in 39%, and egg allergen in 22% of the mattress dust samples; only three samples contained none of these allergens. All four food allergens were more frequently detected in mattresses in small dwellings (< 100 m2) than larger dwellings (≥ 130 m2); 63–71% of the small dwellings (n = 24) had milk, peanut, and fish allergens in the samples compared with 33–44% of the larger dwellings (n = 95). Milk, peanut, and egg allergens were more frequently detected in homes with bedroom and kitchen on the same floor as compared with different floors, with odds ratios of 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 5.6) for milk, 2.4 (95% CI: 1.0, 6.1) for peanut, and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.3, 7.5) for egg allergens.Conclusions and clinical relevanceFood allergens occurred frequently in beds in Norwegian homes, with dwelling size and proximity of kitchen and bedroom as the most important determinants. Due to the amount of time children spent in the bedroom, mattress dust may be an important source of exposure to food allergens.
Are patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and autoimmune gastritis at risk of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms type 1?
Authors: Alexandraki Krystallenia I. , Nikolaou Argiro , Thomas Dimitrios , Syriou Vassiliki , Korkolopoulou Penelope , Sougioultzis Stavros , Kaltsas Gregory 
Published: November 2013

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of autoimmune gastritis, enterochromaffin‐like cell (ECL‐cell) hyperplasia and gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms type 1 (GNEN1) in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.DesignProspective observational study in a single institutional study.Patients and MeasurementsOne hundred and twenty patients with autoimmune thyroid disease were consecutively recruited from the Endocrine Unit. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy (UGE) and biochemical parameters for autoimmune thyroid disease and autoimmune gastritis were assessed at recruitment and annually thereafter in patients with a mean follow‐up of 37·5 ± 14·4 months. Autoimmune gastritis was defined by the presence of antiparietal cell antibodies (APCA) and histological confirmation after UGE. Serum gastrin and chromogranin Α were also measured.ResultsOne hundred and eleven patients had Hashimoto's thyroiditis and nine Graves' disease. Autoimmune gastritis was identified in 40 (38 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and two with Graves' disease) patients all of whom had increased levels of gastrin and chromogranin Α; Helicobacter pylori infection was histologically identified in 15 of 40 (37·5%) patients. Six patients had isolated nodular ECL‐cell hyperplasia and one mixed nodular and linear ECL‐cell hyperplasia [7 of 40 (17·5%)]. Only increased gastrin (P = 0·03) levels predicted the presence ECL‐cell hyperplasia. A GNEN1 developed in one patient with nodular ECL‐cell hyperplasia after 39 months of follow‐up.ConclusionsConcomitant autoimmune gastritis was found in 33·3% of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, 17·5% of whom had ECL‐cell hyperplasia that evolved to GNEN1 in one (2·5%). Larger studies with longer follow‐up are needed to define the incidence of GNEN1 in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and ECL‐cell hyperplasia and potential implications.
Long‐term survival following laparoscopic and open colectomy for colon cancer: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Theophilus M. , Platell C. , Spilsbury K. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimLarge randomized clinical trials comparing long‐term survival after laparoscopic and open colectomy for large bowel cancer show equivalence, but meaningful analysis of data by stage has not been possible due to the small numbers of patients in individual trials. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to improve statistical power by combining data to enable assessment of survival for individual stages.MethodA systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted through a computerized search of all randomized controlled trials comparing open and laparoscopic surgery for large bowel cancer. Overall survival data were analysed and subgroup analysis was performed for cancer of Stages I–III.ResultsFive trials (3152 patients) were included. Overall survival was equivalent (hazard ration 0.93; 95% confidence interval 0.80–1.07). With each of the cancer stages, I–III, there was no difference in 5‐year survival. There was, however, a nonsignificant trend in favour of open surgery in the subgroup analysis of Stage II patients.ConclusionLaparoscopic‐assisted surgery for colon cancer is equivalent to open surgery with respect to long‐term survival although there may be a difference for Stage II cancer.
Seamount benthos in a cobalt‐rich crust region of the central Pacific: conservation challenges for future seabed mining
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Baco Amy R. , Rowden Ashley A. , O'Hara Timothy D. , Clark Malcolm R. , Kelley Chris , Dower John F. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimThe benthic fauna of seamounts typically includes organisms that are slow‐growing, long‐lived and sensitive to mechanical disturbance, making seamounts susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. Such impacts may arise from mining cobalt‐rich crusts, envisaged for seamounts in the central North Pacific; this scenario requires that environmental guidelines for mining operations on seamounts be developed. Here, we provide the biological information essential for effective conservation planning of deep‐sea features targeted for such mining.LocationCentral North Pacific, Hawaiian Seamount Chain.MethodsSpatial analysis of seamount benthos using a large biological dataset (> 600 taxa) obtained from 144 submersible dives (depth range: 113–1985 m) on 27 seamounts covering a distance of over 2200 km of ocean.ResultsBenthic assemblages of invertebrates are structurally different between seamounts located inside and outside a region with cobalt‐rich crusts. This spatial contrast results from variations in species composition and relative abundance of species, rather than differences in species richness, challenging historical notions of an impoverished cobalt‐rich crust fauna in the region. Seamount assemblages also have high species turnover with depth and distance at the scale of individual seamounts, but geographic separation was a poor predictor of ecological separation for the region at large.Main conclusionSeveral implications for the design of spatial management and conservation tools with respect to mining emerge: (1) conservation of seamounts outside the cobalt‐rich crust region is unlikely to capture the full range of ecological features found inside the region; (2) conservation areas need to encompass a broad bathymetric gradient; (3) ideally, mining blocks on individual seamounts should not exceed 2 km in length. Overall, the life history characteristics and morphological traits of the deep‐water invertebrate fauna typical of seamounts in the region imply that any recovery from mechanical impacts is likely to be very slow.
Regional distribution models with lack of proximate predictors: Africanized honeybees expanding north
Authors: Jarnevich Catherine S. , Esaias Wayne E. , Ma Peter L. A. , Morisette Jeffery T. , Nickeson Jaime E. , Stohlgren Thomas J. , Holcombe Tracy R. , Nightingale Joanne M. , Wolfe Robert E. , Tan Bin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimSpecies distribution models have often been hampered by poor local species data, reliance on coarse‐scale climate predictors and the assumption that species–environment relationships, even with non‐proximate predictors, are consistent across geographical space. Yet locally accurate maps of invasive species, such as the Africanized honeybee (AHB) in North America, are needed to support conservation efforts. Current AHB range maps are relatively coarse and are inconsistent with observed data. Our aim was to improve distribution maps using more proximate predictors (phenology) and using regional models rather than one across the entire range of interest to explore potential differences in drivers.LocationUnited States of America.MethodsWe provide a generalized framework for regional and local species distribution modelling with our more nuanced and spatially detailed forecast of potential AHB spread using multiple habitat modelling techniques and newly derived remotely sensed phenology layers.ResultsVariable importance did differ between the two regions for which we modelled AHB. Phenology metrics were important, especially in the south‐east.Main conclusionsResults demonstrate that incorporating a combination of both climate drivers and vegetation phenology information into models can be important for predicting the suitable habitat range of these pollinators. Regional models may provide evidence of differing drivers of distributions geographically. This framework may improve many local and regional species distribution modelling efforts.
Forecasting plant range collapse in a mediterranean hotspot: when dispersal uncertainties matter
Authors: Benito Blas M. , Lorite Juan , Pérez‐Pérez Ramón , Gómez‐Aparicio Lorena , Peñas Julio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimThe Mediterranean Basin is threatened by climate change, and there is an urgent need for studies to determine the risk of plant range shift and potential extinction. In this study, we simulate potential range shifts of 176 plant species to perform a detailed prognosis of critical range decline and extinction in a transformed mediterranean landscape. Particularly, we seek to answer two pivotal questions: (1) what are the general plant‐extinction patterns we should expect in mediterranean landscapes during the 21st century? and (2) does dispersal ability prevent extinction under climate change?LocationAndalusia: southern Iberian Peninsula; 87,597 km2; 300 by 520 km.MethodsWe gathered information on the dispersal traits of 176 plant species (dispersal vector, average and maximum dispersal distances, shape of the dispersal kernel). We used these data to feed a stochastic dynamic species distribution model (a combination of a cellular automaton with an ensemble of species distribution models) to simulate plant range shift under climate change with realistic dispersal under two different warming scenarios. We compared dispersal and non‐dispersal simulations to assess the influence that climate change and species‐distribution characteristics exert on plant‐extinction patterns.ResultsThe dispersal simulation showed a lower percentage of extinct (−1%) and quasi‐extinct species (−19%) than did the non‐dispersal simulation. Summer temperatures of 37 °C and 33 °C, respectively, accelerated the critical range decline and extinction rates. The average elevation of the plant populations was the variable with the highest influence on extinction probability.Main conclusionsStochastic dynamic species distribution models proved to be useful when there was lack of data on dispersal distances and population dynamics. Dispersal ability showed minor effectiveness in preventing extinction, but greatly reduced the likelihood of critical range decline for a significant percentage of species.
Quarantine arthropod invasions in Europe: the role of climate, hosts and propagule pressure
Authors: Bacon Steven J. , Aebi Alexandre , Calanca Pierluigi , Bacher Sven 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimTo quantify the relative importance of propagule pressure, climate‐matching and host availability for the invasion of agricultural pest arthropods in Europe and to forecast newly emerging pest species and European areas with the highest risk of arthropod invasion under current climate and a future climate scenario (A1F1).LocationEurope.MethodsWe quantified propagule pressure, climate‐matching and host availability by aggregating large global databases for trade, European arthropod interceptions, Koeppen–Geiger world climate classification (including the A1F1 climate change scenario until 2100) and host plant distributions for 118 quarantine arthropod species.ResultsAs expected, all the three factors, propagule pressure, climate suitability and host availability, significantly explained quarantine arthropod invasions in Europe, but the propagule pressure only had a positive effect on invasion success when considered together with climate suitability and host availability. Climate change according to the A1F1 scenario generally increased the climate suitability of north‐eastern European countries and reduced the climate suitability of central European countries for pest arthropod invasions.Main conclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that propagule pressure interacts with other factors to drive invasions and is not alone sufficient to explain arthropod establishment patterns. European countries with more suitable climate and large agricultural areas of suitable host plants for pest arthropods should thus be more vigilant about introduction pathways. Moreover, efforts to reduce the propagule pressure, such as preventing pests from entering pathways and strengthening border controls, will become more important in north‐eastern Europe in the future as the climate becomes more favourable to arthropod invasions.
Early combination therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Phung O. J. , Sobieraj D. M. , Engel S. S. , Rajpathak S. N. 
Published: November 2013

AimsGuidelines for type 2 diabetes recommend add‐on agents when metformin alone fails to provide adequate glycaemic control. However, early combination therapy may benefit health outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate this question.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL (up to July 2012) without language restrictions. We sought randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating initial combination therapy with metformin versus metformin monotherapy in patients with untreated type 2 diabetes. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) for changes from baseline and relative risks (RRs) [with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were calculated using random‐effects model.ResultsIn 15 RCTs (N = 6693), the mean age range was 48.4–62.7 years; mean baseline glycosylated haemoglobin (A1c) was 7.2–9.9% and mean diabetes duration was 1.6–4.1 years, with median follow‐up of 6 months and with 13 comparisons for A1c change, 14 comparisons for A1c goal attainment of <7% and 13 comparisons for change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Drugs combined with metformin included thiazolidinediones (TZDs), insulin secretagogues, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors or sodium glucose transporterase (SGLT‐2) inhibitors. Compared to metformin alone, combination therapy with metformin provided statistically significant reductions in A1c (WMD −0.43%, 95% CI −0.56, −0.30), increases in attainment of A1c goal of less than 7% (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.33–1.48) and reductions in FPG (WMD −14.30 mg/dl, 95% CI −16.09, −12.51).ConclusionsThese results suggest a potential benefit of initial combination therapy on glycaemic outcomes in diabetes compared to metformin monotherapy across a wide range of baseline A1c levels. Further research should explore if early combination treatment may also affect longer term health outcomes in diabetes.
A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of saxagliptin as add‐on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control on metformin plus a sulphonylurea
Authors: Moses R. G. , Kalra S. , Brook D. , Sockler J. , Monyak J. , Visvanathan J. , Montanaro M. , Fisher S. A. 
Published: November 2013

AimsTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of saxagliptin as add‐on therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycaemic control on metformin plus a sulphonylurea.MethodsIn this 24‐week, multicentre, randomized, parallel‐group, double‐blind study, outpatients aged ≥18 years with type 2 diabetes, body mass index ≤40 kg/m2 and inadequate glycaemic control, received saxagliptin 5 mg or placebo once‐daily added to background medication consisting of a stable maximum tolerated dose of metformin plus a sulphonylurea. The primary end point was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 24. Safety and tolerability assessments included adverse events (AEs), hypoglycaemia and body weight.ResultsA total of 257 patients were randomized, treated and included in the safety analysis (saxagliptin, n = 129; placebo, n = 128); 255 were included in the efficacy analysis (saxagliptin, n = 127; placebo, n = 128). HbA1c reduction was greater with saxagliptin versus placebo [between‐group difference in adjusted mean change from baseline, −0.66%; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.86 to −0.47 (7 mmol/mol, −9.4 to −5.1); p < 0.0001]. The proportion of patients with ≥1 AE was 62.8% with saxagliptin and 71.7% with placebo. In the saxagliptin and placebo groups, rates of reported hypoglycaemia were 10.1 and 6.3%, respectively, and rates of confirmed hypoglycaemia (symptoms + glucose < 2.8 mmol/l) were 1.6 and 0%. Mean change in body weight was 0.2 kg for saxagliptin and −0.6 kg for placebo (p = 0.0272).ConclusionAddition of saxagliptin 5 mg/day in patients inadequately controlled on metformin and sulphonylurea effectively improved glycaemic control and was well tolerated.
Caffeic acid, naringenin and quercetin enhance glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity in INS‐1E cells
Authors: Bhattacharya S. , Oksbjerg N. , Young J. F. , Jeppesen P. B. 
Published: November 2013

AimsCaffeic acid, naringenin and quercetin are naturally occurring phenolic compounds (PCs) present in many plants as secondary metabolites. The aim of this study was to investigate their effect on glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS‐1E cells and to explore their effect on expression of genes involved in β‐cell survival and function under normoglycaemic and glucotoxic conditions.MethodsFor acute studies, INS‐1E cells were grown in 11 mM glucose (72 h) and then incubated with the PCs (1 h) with 3.3/16.7 mM glucose; whereas, for chronic studies, the cells were grown in 11 mM glucose (72 h) with/without the PCs, and then incubated with 3.3/16.7 mM glucose (1 h); thereafter, GSIS was measured. For GSIS and gene expression studies (GES) under glucotoxic conditions, two sets of cells were grown in 11/25 mM glucose with/without the PCs (72 h): one was used for GES, using real time RT‐PCR, and the other was exposed to 3.3/16.7 mM glucose, followed by measurement of GSIS.ResultsThe study demonstrated that the PCs can enhance GSIS under hyperglycaemic and glucotoxic conditions in INS‐1E cells. Moreover, these compounds can differentially, yet distinctly change the expression profile of genes [Glut2 (glucose transporter 2), Gck (glucokinase), Ins1 (insulin 1), Ins2, Beta2 (neurogenic differentiation protein 1), Pdx1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox protein 1), Akt1 (RAC‐α serine/threonine‐protein kinase encoding gene), Akt2 (RAC‐β serine/threonine‐protein kinase encoding gene), Irs1 (insulin receptor substrate 1), Acc1 (acetyl CoA carboxylase 1), Bcl2 (β‐cell lymphoma 2 protein), Bax (Bcl‐2 associated X protein), Casp3 (Caspase 3), Hsp70 (heat shock protein 70), and Hsp90] involved in β‐cell stress, survival and function.ConclusionThe results indicate that the PCs tested enhance GSIS and glucose sensitivity in INS‐1E cells. They also modulate gene expression profiles to improve β‐cell survival and function during glucotoxicity.