bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of an Association Between Genomic Hypomethylation of FCGR2A and Susceptibility to Kawasaki Disease and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance by DNA Methylation Array
Authors: Kuo Ho‐Chang , Chang Jen‐Chieh , Kuo Hsing‐Chun , Yu Hong‐Ren , Wang Chih‐Lu , Lee Chiu‐Ping , Huang Li‐Tong , Yang Kuender D. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveKawasaki disease (KD) is characterized by systemic vasculitis, and it is the most common acquired heart disease in children. However, the etiology and immunopathogenesis of KD are still unclear. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) identified polymorphisms in CD40, BLK, and FCGR2A as the susceptibility genes for KD. No epigenetic array studies of KD have previously been published. This study was undertaken to investigate differences in DNA methylation in patients with KD as compared to controls.MethodsThe HumanMethylation27 BeadChip (Illumina) was used to survey the differences in DNA methylation between KD patients and controls. DNA methylation array validation was performed in a separate cohort by pyrosequencing assay and reporter gene assays. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was determined, and the association of methylation with response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment was analyzed.ResultsHumanMethylation27 BeadChip assay showed a 15% difference in methylation of 10 genes between KD patients and controls. The FCGR2A cg24422489 group, which was recently reported to be associated with KD susceptibility in a GWAS, had significant hypomethylation of 15.54% less in the KD group than in the control group. Validation of FCGR2A methylation in another cohort also showed significant hypomethylation in the KD group (5 of 5 CpG sites [P < 0.01]; n = 43 in the KD group and n = 55 in the control group). KD patients with IVIG resistance showed hypomethylation of 5 CpG sites (P < 0.05). FCGR2A mRNA expression was significantly increased in patients in the acute stage of KD compared to controls. Reporter gene assays indicated that the CpG sites of the FCGR2A promoter region were sufficient to modulate gene expression.ConclusionThis is the first study to examine the DNA methylation array in KD and identify a role of hypomethylation of FCGR2A in susceptibility to KD and IVIG resistance.
Dominant Role of the ERAP1 Polymorphism R528K in Shaping the HLA–B27 Peptidome Through Differential Processing Determined by Multiple Peptide Residues
Authors: Sanz‐Bravo Alejandro , Campos José , Mazariegos Marina S. , López de Castro José A. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo characterize the alterations, as well as their mechanisms, induced in the HLA–B27–bound peptidome expressed in live cells by the natural ERAP1 polymorphisms predisposing to ankylosing spondylitis (AS): R528K and N575D/Q725R.MethodsHLA–B*27:05–bound peptides were isolated from 3 human lymphoid cell lines expressing distinct ERAP1 variants differing at residues 528 and/or 575/725. The high‐performance liquid chromatography–fractionated peptide pools were compared by mass spectrometry based on identity of molecular mass and chromatographic retention time. The relative amount of each shared peptide in any given cell line pair was estimated from the respective ion peak intensities. Peptide sequencing was also carried out by mass spectrometry.ResultsHLA–B27–bound ligands predominant in the context of the ERAP1 variant with K528 collectively showed higher molecular mass, higher frequency of N‐terminal residues resistant to ERAP1, and bulkier residues downstream of the N‐terminus, relative to peptides predominant in the R528 context. None of these differences were observed with ERAP1 variants differing at positions 575/725, but not at residue 528. Neither R528K nor N575D/Q725R altered the mean length of B*27:05‐bound ligands.ConclusionThe R528K, but not the N575D/Q725R, polymorphism alters the expression levels of many HLA–B*27:05–bound peptides, depending on the susceptibility of their N‐terminal residues to trimming and depending on the size of the amino acid side chains at multiple positions downstream of the N‐terminus. The significant alterations in the B*27:05 peptidome and the structural features of the peptides that determine their differential expression in distinct ERAP1 contexts account for the association of the R528K polymorphism with AS.
A new perspective on Australian snow
Authors: Fiddes Sonya Louise , Pezza Alexandre Bernardes , Barras Vaughan 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe Australian Alps have a unique climatological, ecological and hydrological environment and play a key role in water supply for southeastern Australia. Using resort observations we compile a new and robust snow accumulation data set. Both maximum snow depth and total snow accumulation have declined over the last 25 years. A significant decreasing trend was observed for the total number of light snow days, whereas the total number of heavy snow occurrences has remained constant. Maximum temperatures are highly related to all snow variables. It is suggested that global warming is already impacting light snowfall events, while heavy events are less affected.
α‐Hydroxymethylation of Pyridines at a Frustrated Lewis Pair Template
Authors: Sajid Muhammad , Kehr Gerald , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Erker Gerhard 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe “η2‐formylborane” moiety formed by CO reduction with HB(C6F5)2 at a P/B frustrated Lewis pair template undergoes a hydroxymethylation reaction at the α‐position to nitrogen in pyridine or isoquinoline. The analogous reaction with pyrimidine revealed a mechanism related to the Tschitschibabin reaction.
Population history, gene flow, and bottlenecks in island populations of a secondary seed disperser, the southern grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis koenigi)
Authors: Padilla David P. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Fairfield Eleanor A. , Illera Juan Carlos , Richardson David S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractStudying the population history and demography of organisms with important ecological roles can aid understanding of evolutionary processes at the community level and inform conservation. We screened genetic variation (mtDNA and microsatellite) across the populations of the southern grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis koenigi) in the Canary Islands, where it is an endemic subspecies and an important secondary seed disperser. We show that the Canarian subspecies is polyphyletic with L. meridionalis elegans from North Africa and that shrikes have colonized the Canary Islands from North Africa multiple times. Substantial differences in genetic diversity exist across islands, which are most likely the product of a combination of historical colonization events and recent bottlenecks. The Eastern Canary Islands had the highest overall levels of genetic diversity and have probably been most recently and/or frequently colonized from Africa. Recent or ongoing bottlenecks were detected in three of the islands and are consistent with anecdotal evidence of population declines due to human disturbance. These findings are troubling given the shrike's key ecological role in the Canary Islands, and further research is needed to understand the community‐level consequences of declines in shrike populations. Finally, we found moderate genetic differentiation among populations, which largely reflected the shrike's bottleneck history; however, a significant pattern of isolation‐by‐distance indicated that some gene flow occurs between islands. This study is a useful first step toward understanding how secondary seed dispersal operates over broad spatial scales.
Tracing the radiation of Maniola (Nymphalidae) butterflies: new insights from phylogeography hint at one single incompletely differentiated species complex
Authors: Kreuzinger Angelina J. , Fiedler Konrad , Letsch Harald , Grill Andrea 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe use of DNA sequence data often leads to the recognition of cryptic species within putatively well‐known taxa. The opposite case, detecting less diversity than originally described, has, however, far more rarely been documented. Maniola jurtina, the Meadow Brown butterfly, occurs all over Europe, whereas all other six species in the genus Maniola are restricted to the Mediterranean area. Among them, three are island endemics on Sardinia, Cyprus, and Chios, respectively. Maniola species are almost indistinguishable morphologically, and hybridization seems to occur occasionally. To clarify species boundaries and diversification history of the genus, we reconstructed the phylogeography and phylogeny of all seven species within Maniola analyzing 138 individuals from across its range using mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. Examination of variation in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA surprisingly revealed a case of taxonomic “oversplitting”. The topology of the recovered phylogenetic tree is not consistent with accepted taxonomy, but rather reveals haplotype clades that are incongruent with nominal species boundaries: instead of seven species, we recognized only two major, yet incompletely segregated, lineages. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that Maniola originated in Africa. We suggest that one lineage dispersed over the Strait of Gibraltar and the Iberian Peninsula to the west of Europe, while the other lineage spreads eastward through Asia Minor and over the Bosporus to Eastern Europe.
Neuromodulatory signaling in hippocampus‐dependent memory retrieval
Authors: Thomas Steven A. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTConsiderable advances have been made toward understanding the molecular signaling events that underlie memory acquisition and consolidation. In contrast, less is known about memory retrieval, despite its necessity for utilizing learned information. This review focuses on neuromodulatory and intracellular signaling events that underlie memory retrieval mediated by the hippocampus, for which the most information is currently available. Among neuromodulators, adrenergic signaling is required for the retrieval of various types of hippocampus‐dependent memory. Although they contribute to acquisition and/or consolidation, cholinergic and dopaminergic signaling are generally not required for retrieval. Interestingly, while not required for retrieval, serotonergic and opioid signaling may actually constrain memory retrieval. Roles for histamine and non‐opioid neuropeptides are currently unclear but possible. A critical effector of adrenergic signaling in retrieval is reduction of the slow afterhyperpolarization mediated by β1 receptors, cyclic AMP, protein kinase A, Epac, and possibly ERK. In contrast, stress and glucocorticoids impair retrieval by decreasing cyclic AMP, mediated in part by the activation of β2‐adrenergic receptors. Clinically, alterations in neuromodulatory signaling and in memory retrieval occur in Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, depression, and post‐traumatic stress disorder, and recent evidence has begun to link changes in neuromodulatory signaling with effects on memory retrieval. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The response of actual evaporation to global warming in China based on six reanalysis datasets
Authors: Su Tao , Feng Guolin , Zhou Jie , Ye Min 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we present the response of actual evaporation to global warming in China based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis 1, the NCEP‐Department of Energy (NCEP/DOE) reanalysis 2, 40‐year ECMWF Re‐Analysis (ERA‐40), ECMWF‐Interim Re‐Analysis (ERA‐Interim), Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). Rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF) analysis was applied to reveal the coherent pattern of the change in reanalysis evaporation (RE). According to the first four REOF modes in NCEP/NCAR, we subdivided China into six climatic regions, and found that RE increased significantly in central and southeast of China from 1979 to 2012, especially during the sub‐period of 1985–2004. Various estimates of linear trend are statistically consistent, and most of them are significant at the 95% confidence level. Conversely, RE decreased in northern and northeast although the magnitude of decreasing trends is inconsistently among the reanalysis. Moreover, there is a general tendency of RE to increase in northwest, but mostly RE trends are not significant. In the dry northwest and northern regions, rainfall is an important factor affecting the changing of RE, while RE is less sensitive to the change of temperature. However, RE rates are dominated by temperature in the humid central and southeast regions. These results support the view that the sensitivity of RE to global warming largely depends on the environment. In view of data availability, despite the general similarity, differences exist among the various reanalysis, especially in NCEP/NCAR and CFSR. In summary, it can be concluded that the quality of RE values is higher in central and southeast, while even greater uncertainties lie in the estimates of RE in northwest China and Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.
An 850‐year tree‐ring‐based reconstruction of drought history in the western Qilian Mountains of northwestern China
Authors: Gou Xiaohua , Gao Linlin , Deng Yang , Chen Fahu , Yang Meixue , Still Christopher 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTStudies of regional drought history will be helpful for understanding current hydroclimate variability with global warming as well as predicting future hydroclimate shifts. Long‐term tree‐ring records are scarce in the western Qilian Mountains of northwestern China, which is also the western boundary of the natural distribution of Qilian Juniper (Juniperus przewalskii Kom.) in this area. Here, we present an 850‐year (AD 1161–2010) reconstruction of May–July self‐calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) in the western Qilian Mountains that is based on two nearly millennia of ring‐width chronologies derived from long‐lived Qilian Juniper trees. The reconstruction suggests a relatively dry phase from the 15th century to the 18th century during the Little Ice Age (LIA) and a relatively wet period over the past two centuries. This reconstruction is consistent with other tree‐ring‐based hydroclimatic reconstructions from the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, as well as the corresponding century‐scale solar activity during the LIA. The three mega‐drought periods (AD 1260s–1340s, 1430s–1540s and 1640s–1740s) recorded by the tree‐ring series also correspond to the Wolf, Spörer and Maunder solar activity minimum periods. Results of the multi‐tape method analysis and wavelet analysis further confirmed the relationship between regional hydroclimate variability and solar activity forcing.
Improvement of CGCM prediction for wet season precipitation over Maritime Continent using a bias correction method
Authors: Jo Sera , Ahn Joong‐Bae 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTA new model output statistics method – Ensemble Selective Simple Linear Regression (E‐SSLR) – is developed based on SLR in order to increase the seasonal prediction skill of a Coupled General Circulation Model (CGCM) over the Maritime Continent (MC), a region with large model simulation errors. E‐SSLR is applied to Pusan National University (PNU) CGCM hindcast over the MC region for the period of 1981–2010 to reduce the systematic model bias in boreal winter (DJF) seasonal mean precipitation and outgoing long‐wave radiation (OLR) anomalies. Three oceanic indices (Nino 3.4, El Nino Modoki and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Mode indices) and one atmospheric index (Southern Oscillation Index, SOI) produced from PNU CGCM hindcast are used as SLR predictor. E‐SSLR consists of three steps: Selection, SLR and Ensemble. The selection and ensemble steps are added to the conventional SLR step to overcome the weakness of the linear regression method. In the selection step, the grids with a temporal correlation coefficient between predictor and predictand exceeding the threshold are selected. These grids (grid‐selected) are corrected by SLR in the second step. For the grids that are grid‐not‐selected, the original CGCM results are used without further correction. This prevents insignificant statistical correction due to the application of low correlated predictors to the SLR. The correction effect of E‐SSLR is analysed in terms of deterministic and categorical analyses. The result shows that the seasonal predictability of DJF seasonal precipitation and OLR in the MC region is increased by using E‐SSLR, and this increment is statistically significant. The correction effect is larger when indices with high predictability that are closely correlated with the predictand are used as predictors.
Den entry behavior in Scandinavian brown bears: Implications for preventing human injuries
Authors: Sahlén Veronica , Friebe Andrea , Sæbø Solve , Swenson Jon E. , Støen Ole‐Gunnar 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTEncounters between Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) and humans that result in human injuries and fatalities typically coincide with den entry in October and November, and commonly occur near a den. Our aim was to determine when bears arrive at their dens, identify potential predictors of this event, document behavior and activity associated with this period, and attempt to explain the increased risk of bear‐caused human injuries in this period. We analyzed global positioning system (GPS) location and activity data from brown bears in south‐central Sweden, using generalized linear mixed models, statistical process control, and activity analyses. Bears arrived at their den sites between 6 October and 1 December. Timing varied by reproductive category, bear age, and year. Half of all bears significantly reduced their activity before arriving at the den area: on average 2,169 m away from the den and 1.8 days before arrival. The other half reduced their activity after arriving at the den area. The latter bears took longer time to reach hibernation activity levels, but we did not find a difference in the start date of hibernation between the 2 groups. Bears also appeared to be sensitive to disturbance in this period, with higher den abandonment rates than later in winter, particularly for males and for bears that had not visited their den sites previously. Den entry occurred from October to December, with high variability and poor predictability of its timing. Therefore, restricting hunting or other recreation activities to reduce risk of injury by bears and disturbing bears probably would be both impractical and ineffective. Our findings can be used to educate hunters about bear behavior at this time of year. Many people associate dens with an increased risk of a bear responding aggressively to disturbance to defend its den, but our results indicate that other behavioral, and possibly physiological, changes in this period also may be involved. © 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by The Wildlife Society.
Linking neuroscience with modern concepts of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Napier T. Celeste , Corvol Jean‐Christophe , Grace Anthony A. , Roitman Jamie D. , Rowe James , Voon Valerie , Strafella Antonio P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience impulse control disorders (ICDs) when on dopamine agonist therapy for their motor symptoms. In the last few years, a rapid growth of interest for the recognition of these aberrant behaviors and their neurobiological correlates has occurred. Recent advances in neuroimaging are helping to identify the neuroanatomical networks responsible for these ICDs, and together with psychopharmacological assessments are providing new insights into the brain status of impulsive behavior. The genetic associations that may be unique to ICDs in PD are also being identified. Complementing human studies, electrophysiological and biochemical studies in animal models are providing insights into neuropathological mechanisms associated with these disorders. New animal models of ICDs in PD patients are being implemented that should provide critical means to identify efficacious therapies for PD‐related motor deficits while avoiding ICD side effects. Here, we provide an overview of these recent advances, with a particular emphasis on the neurobiological correlates reported in animal models and patients along with their genetic underpinnings. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Poverty Scorecards: Lessons from a Microlender in Bosnia‐Herzegovina
Authors: Schreiner Mark , Matul Michal , Pawlak Ewa , Kline Sean 
Published: December 2014

AbstractHow poor are participants in development projects? This article analyzes how well a simple scorecard identifies poor clients at a microlender in Bosnia‐Herzegovina. The scorecard effectively ranks clients by the likelihood that they are poor by an absolute, expenditure‐based standard. The score tracks poverty more closely than loan size, microfinance's traditional poverty indicator. Overall, poverty scorecards are a simple, inexpensive way for microlenders—or any other development entity—to target the poor, track changes in poverty over time, manage poverty outreach, and report on clients' absolute poverty.
Physical Activity Levels During Acute Inpatient Admission After Hip Fracture are Very Low
Authors: Davenport Sarah J , Arnold Meaghan , Hua Carol , Schenck Amie , Batten Sarah , Taylor Nicholas F 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground and PurposeHip fractures are very common in older adults and result in serious health consequences. Early mobilization post‐surgical intervention for hip fractures is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine physical activity levels during an acute inpatient admission of patients after surgery for hip fracture.MethodsThe observational study was completed on an orthopaedic ward in an acute general hospital. Twenty patients (18 women, mean age ± standard deviation, 79.1 ± 9.3 years) post‐surgical intervention for a hip fracture were included. Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer to record the percentage of time spent in lying/sitting, standing and walking, number of steps taken and average energy expenditure.ResultsPhysical activity levels were extremely low, with participants spending an average of 99% of the day either lying or sitting and a little more than 1% of the day either standing or walking (16 min). Participants took an average of 35.7 ± 80.4 steps per day. Patients received more physiotherapy intervention on weekdays compared with weekends. There was no significant difference in activity levels between weekdays to weekends. No measures of physical activity were associated with length of stay. A mild to moderate association (r = 0.26–0.41) was observed between the measures of physical activity and the amount of physiotherapy received during the weekdays.DiscussionPhysical activity levels during an acute inpatient admission surgery for hip fracture are very low. Patients may have difficulty completing basic activities of daily living post‐discharge into the community. Physical activity should be optimized as early in the rehabilitation process as able. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.