bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seeing the trees for the forest: drivers of individual growth responses to climate in Pinus uncinata mountain forests
Authors: Galván Juan Diego , Camarero Jesús Julio , Gutiérrez Emilia 
Published: May 2014

Summary

Individual trees, not forests, respond to climate. Such an individual‐scale approach has seldom been used to retrospectively track the radial growth responses of trees to climate in dendrochronology. The aim of this study was to adopt this individual view to retrospectively assess tree sensitivity to climate warming, and to evaluate and compare the potential drivers of tree growth responses to climate acting at species, site and individual scales.

Following a dendroecological framework, we sampled a network of 29 Pinus uncinata forests in NE Spain and obtained tree‐ring widths series from 642 trees. Individual features as northness, elevation, slope, basal area, sapwood area, tree height and tree age were used to evaluate the potential drivers of tree growth responses to climate. The analysed data set includes diverse ecological and biogeographical conditions. The tree growth responses to climate were assessed by relating growth indices to climatic variables using linear‐mixed effects models.

Maximum November temperatures during the year prior to tree‐ring formation enhanced P. uncinata growth mainly in mid‐elevation sites, whereas at higher elevations growth was more dependent on the positive effect of warmer minimum May temperatures during the year of tree‐ring formation. Current June precipitation was the positive main climatic driver of growth in sites prone to water deficit such as the southernmost limit of the species distribution area or very steep sites. Elevation was the main factor controlling how much growth variability is explained by climate at the site and tree scales. Climate warming was more intense during the early 20th century, when the importance of elevation as an indirect modulator of growth declined as compared with the late 20th century.

Synthesis. The individual‐scale approach taken in this study allowed detecting that trees growing at southern and low‐elevation sites were the most negatively affected by warm and dry summer conditions. Our results emphasize that both (i) an individual‐scale approach to quantify tree growth responses to climate and (ii) a detailed evaluation of the potential biotic and abiotic drivers of those individual responses are necessary to understand climate sensitivity of trees.
Molecular mechanisms of ageing and related diseases
Authors: Liu Jun‐Ping 
Published: May 2014

SummaryHuman and other multicellular life species age, and ageing processes become dominant during the late phase of life. Recent studies challenge this dogma, suggesting that ageing does not occur in some animal species. In mammals, cell replicative senescence occurs as early as before birth (i.e. in embryos) under physiological conditions. How the molecular machinery operates and why ageing cells dominate under some circumstances are intriguing questions. Recent studies show that cell ageing involves extensive cellular remodelling, including telomere attrition, heterochromatin formation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial disorders and lysosome processing organelles and chromatins. This article provides an update on the molecular mechanisms underlying the ageing of various cell types, the newly described developmental and programmed replicative senescence and the critical roles of cellular organelles and effectors in Parkinson's disease, diabetes, hypertension and dyskeratosis congenita.
Role of microRNA machinery in kidney fibrosis
Authors: Wang Bo , Ricardo Sharon 
Published: May 2014

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that are critical regulators of gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level. The miRNAs constitute an abundant class of RNAs conserved from plants to animals and, as such, play key roles in diverse biological processes, including inflammation, development, differentiation and apoptosis. More recently, it has become apparent that changes in miRNA expression contribute to a wide spectrum of human pathologies, including heart and kidney disease, organ developmental abnormalities and neuronal degeneration. Moreover, inflammation and the development of kidney fibrosis is accompanied by changes in miRNA expression. This review summarizes the emerging field deciphering the complex connections between human miRNA biology and different aspects of kidney injury, focusing on kidney fibrosis. The miRNA‐regulated fibrosis is discussed based on the classification of pivotal mechanisms, notably involving the transforming growth factor‐β1 signalling pathway. In addition, the challenge of miRNA delivery vehicles as mechanisms of cellular transfer are reviewed, as is the use of miRNA as a potential biomarker for disease.
Natriuretic peptide clearance receptor ligand (C‐ANP4–23) attenuates angiogenesis in a murine sponge implant model
Authors: Almeida Simone A , Cardoso Cibele C , Orellano Laura AA , Reis Adelina M , Barcelos Lucíola S , Andrade Silvia P 
Published: May 2014

SummaryNatriuretic peptide receptor‐C activation by the synthetic ligand C‐ANP‐4–23, a specific agonist for this receptor, has been shown to inhibit key events of the angiogenic cascade, such as migration, proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. In the present study we investigated whether C‐ANP4–23 could also inhibit angiogenesis in the sponge model in vivo. To this end, we evaluated the effects of C‐ANP4–23 on inflammatory and angiogenic components of the fibrovascular tissue induced by polyether polyurethane sponge implants in mice. Measurements of the haemoglobin content (μg/mg wet tissue) and blood flow (laser Doppler perfusion imaging) of the implants, used as an index of vascularization, revealed that single (200 ng) or multiple (200 ng/day, 5 days) doses of C‐ANP4–23 reduced angiogenesis in the implants relative to the phosphate‐buffered saline‐treated group. The peptide exerted an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production (nitrite levels) and had a dual effect on VEGF levels, depending on the number of doses (i.e. stimulation at 4 days after one dose; inhibition at 7 days after five doses). Histological analysis corroborated the biochemical and functional parameters indicative of inhibition of neovascularization (decreased vessel number) by C‐ANP4–23. The peptide failed to modulate inflammation in our system. The inhibitory effect of C‐ANP4–23 on the angiogenic component of the fibrovascular tissue induced by the synthetic matrix extends the range of the its actions and may indicate its therapeutic potential in controlling angiogenesis in fibroproliferative diseases.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine does not inhibit arginase activity and is pro‐proliferative in pulmonary endothelial cells
Authors: Chen Bernadette , Strauch Krista , Jin Yi , Cui Hongmei , Nelin Leif D , Chicoine Louis G 
Published: May 2014

SummaryAsymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenously produced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. l‐Arginine can be metabolised by NOS and arginase, and arginase is the first step in polyamine production necessary for cellular proliferation. We tested the hypothesis that ADMA would inhibit NOS but not arginase activity and that this pattern of inhibition would result in greater l‐arginine bioavailability to arginase, thereby increasing viable cell number. Bovine arginase was used in in vitro activity assays with various concentrations of substrate (l‐arginine, ADMA, NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (L‐NMMA) and NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME)). Only l‐arginine resulted in measurable urea production (Km = 6.9 ± 0.8 mmol/L; Vmax = 6.6 ± 0.3 μmol/mg protein per min). We then incubated bovine arginase with increasing concentrations of ADMA, l‐NMMA and l‐NAME in the presence of 1 mmol/L l‐arginine and found no effect of any of the tested compounds on arginase activity. Using bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (bPAEC) we determined the effects of ADMA on nitric oxide (NO) and urea production and found significantly lower NO production and greater urea production (P < 0.003) with ADMA, without changes in arginase protein levels. In addition, ADMA treatment resulted in an approximately 30% greater number of viable cells after 48 h than in control bPAEC. These results demonstrate that ADMA is neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of arginase activity and that in bPAEC ADMA inhibits NO production and enhances urea production, leading to more viable cells. These results may have pathophysiological implications in disorders associated with higher ADMA levels, such as pulmonary hypertension.
The Effects of Fiscal Policy in New Zealand: Evidence from a VAR Model with Debt Constraints
Authors: Parkyn Oscar , Vehbi Tugrul 
Published: May 2014

This article investigates the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy in New Zealand using a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model. The model is the five‐variableSVARframework proposed by Perotti (2005), further augmented to allow for the possibility that taxes, spending and interest rates might respond to the level of the debt over time. We examine the dynamic responses of output, inflation and the interest rate to changes in government spending and revenues and analyse the contribution of shocks to New Zealand's business cycle for the period 1983:1–2010:2. We find that the effects of government expenditure shocks in New Zealand appear to be positive but small in the short run at the cost of higher interest rates and lower output in the medium to long run. The sign of the effects of tax policy changes are less clear‐cut, but again the effects onGDPappear similarly modest. Past fiscal policy is analysed through a historical decomposition of the shocks in the model. This suggests that discretionary fiscal policy has had a generally pro‐cyclical impact onGDPover the past 15 years, and a material impact on the real long‐term interest rate. A fiscal expansion has a positive but limited impact on inflation.
Comparison of hand‐assisted laparoscopy with open total colectomy for slow transit constipation: A retrospective study
Authors: Sheng Qin Song , Lin Jian Jiang , Chen Wen Bin , Liu Fan Long , Xu Xiang Ming , Hua Han Ju , Lin Cai Zhao , Wang Jin Hai 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of hand‐assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) and open colectomy (OC) for patients with slow transit constipation (STC).MethodsData of patients with STC who underwent total colectomy from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed after clinical evaluation and an exclusion of secondary causes. These patients were further divided into the HALC and OC groups. Patients' outcomes, including intraoperative and postoperative data on their recovery and complications were compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 68 patients with STC were finally enrolled in the study, including 32 in the HALC group and 36 in the OC group. The baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. Compared with the OC group, patients in the HALC group had a shorter length of incision, a longer operative time and less blood loss volume. There was no conversion to OC for patients undergoing HALC and no intraoperative complications in both groups. Furthermore, after operation, patients in HALC group experienced less pain (3.4 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 1.0), earlier first passage of flatus (58.3 ± 6.3 h vs 73.4 ± 13.0 h), shorter length of postoperative hospital stay (8.8 ± 1.2 days vs 11.3 ± 1.7 days) but higher medical cost (RMB 33 979 ± 3 135 vs RMB 29 828 ± 3 216). The overall postoperative complications and the satisfaction in defecation were comparable in the two groups.ConclusionHALC is a safe, minimally invasive and effective surgical alternative for treating STC, which is comparable to OC.
Estimating population size in the presence of temporary migration using a joint analysis of telemetry and capture–recapture data
Authors: Bird Tomas , Lyon Jarod , Nicol Simon , McCarthy Michael , Barker Richard 
Published: May 2014

Summary
Temporary migration – where individuals can leave and re‐enter a sampled population – is a feature of many capture–mark–recapture (CMR) studies of mobile populations which, if unaccounted for, can lead to biased estimates of population capture probabilities and consequently biased estimates of population abundance.

We present a method for incorporating radiotelemetry data within a CMR study to eliminate bias due to temporary migration using a Bayesian state‐space model.

Our results indicate that using a relatively small number of telemetry tags, it is possible to greatly reduce bias in estimates of capture probabilities using telemetry data to model transition probabilities in and out of the sampling area. In a capture–recapture data set for trout Cod in the Murray river, Australia, accounting for temporary migration led to overall higher estimates of capture probabilities than models assuming permanent or zero migration. Also, individual heterogeneity in detectability can be managed through explicit modelling. We show how accounting for temporary migration when estimating capture probabilities can be used to estimate the abundance and size distribution of a population as though it were closed.

Our model provides a basis for more complex models that might integrate telemetry data into other CMR scenarios, thus allowing for greater precision in estimates of vital rates that might otherwise be biased by temporary migration. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for migration in survey design and parameter estimation, and the potential scope for supplementing large‐scale CMR data sets with a subset of auxiliary data that provide information on processes that are hidden to primary sampling processes.
Daumone fed late in life improves survival and reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice
Authors: Park Jong Hee , Chung Hae Young , Kim Minkyu , Lee Jung Hwa , Jung Mankil , Ha Hunjoo 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe liver is one of the most susceptible organs to aging, and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis increase with age. Chronic inflammation has been proposed as the major molecular mechanism underlying aging and age‐related diseases, whereas calorie restriction has been shown to be the most effective in extending mammalian lifespan and to have anti‐aging effects through its anti‐inflammatory action. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective calorie restriction mimetics. Daumone [(2)‐(6R)‐(3,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyltetrahydropyran‐2‐yloxy)heptanoic acid], a pheromone secreted by Caenorhabditis elegans, forces them to enter the dauer stage when facing inadequate conditions. Because Caenorhabditis elegans live longer during the dauer stage under energy deprivation, it was hypothesized that daumone may improve survival in mammals by mimicking calorie restriction. Daumone (2 mg kg−1 day−1) was administered orally for 5 months to 24‐month‐old male C57BL/6J mice. Daumone was found to reduce the risk of death by 48% compared with age‐matched control mice, and the increased plasma insulin normally presented in old mice was significantly reduced by daumone. The increased hepatic hypertrophy, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in old mice were significantly attenuated by daumone. From a mechanistic view, daumone reduced the phosphorylation of the IκBα and upregulation of Rela and Nfkbia mRNA in the livers of old mice. The anti‐inflammatory effect of daumone was confirmed in lipopolysaccharide‐induced liver injury model. Oral administration of daumone improves survival in mice and delivers anti‐aging effects to the aged liver by modulating chronic inflammation, indicating that daumone could be developed as an anti‐aging compound.
Peripartum heart failure caused by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: a case report
Authors: Kakogawa Jun , Nako Takafumi , Igarashi Suguru , Nakamura Shin , Tanaka Mamoru 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPeripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition. The current definition of peripartum cardiomyopathy only includes patients with systolic dysfunction. We describe a 25‐year‐old nulligravid patient with heart failure, i.e. left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic dysfunction during the third trimester of pregnancy. She complained of dyspnea and was referred to our hospital at 31 weeks of gestation. The patient met the clinical criteria for peripartum cardiomyopathy with the exception of systolic dysfunction. Brain‐type natriuretic peptide levels peaked at 1447 pg/dL. The patient responded to therapy for heart failure and showed resolution of her diastolic dysfunction by 1 month postpartum. The case demonstrated the important role of diastolic dysfunction in peripartum heart failure and the possibility of clarifying the pathophysiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy by evaluating diastolic function. Further investigations are needed to provide evidence regarding the clinical role of diastolic dysfunction in peripartum heart failure.
A critical appraisal of the evidence for using cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis for fetal surveillance in labor. Part II: the meta‐analyses
Authors: Olofsson Per , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Kessler Jörg , Tendal Britta , Yli Branka M. , Devoe Lawrence 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe appraised the methodology, execution and quality of the five published meta‐analyses that are based on the five randomized controlled trials which compared cardiotocography (CTG)+ST analysis to cardiotocography. The meta‐analyses contained errors, either created de novo in handling of original data or from a failure to recognize essential differences among the randomized controlled trials, particularly in their inclusion criteria and outcome parameters. No meta‐analysis contained complete and relevant data from all five randomized controlled trials. We believe that one randomized controlled trial excluded in two of the meta‐analyses should have been included, whereas one randomized controlled trial that was included in all meta‐analyses, should have been excluded. After correction of the uncovered errors and exclusion of the randomized controlled trial that we deemed inappropriate, our new meta‐analysis showed that CTG+ST monitoring significantly reduces the fetal scalp blood sampling usage (risk ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.88), total operative delivery rate (0.93; 0.88–0.99) and metabolic acidosis rate (0.61; 0.41–0.91).
A critical appraisal of the evidence for using cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis for fetal surveillance in labor. Part I: the randomized controlled trials
Authors: Olofsson Per , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Kessler Jörg , Tendal Britta , Yli Branka M. , Devoe Lawrence 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe reappraised the five randomized controlled trials that compared cardiotocography plus ECG ST interval analysis (CTG+ST) vs. cardiotocography. The numbers enrolled ranged from 5681 (Dutch randomized controlled trial) to 799 (French randomized controlled trial). The Swedish randomized controlled trial (n = 5049) was the only trial adequately powered to show a difference in metabolic acidosis, and the Plymouth randomized controlled trial (n = 2434) was only powered to show a difference in operative delivery for fetal distress. There were considerable differences in study design: the French randomized controlled trial used different inclusion criteria, and the Finnish randomized controlled trial (n = 1483) used a different metabolic acidosis definition. In the CTG+ST study arms, the larger Plymouth, Swedish and Dutch trials showed lower operative delivery and metabolic acidosis rates, whereas the smaller Finnish and French trials showed minor differences in operative delivery and higher metabolic acidosis rates. We conclude that the differences in outcomes are likely due to the considerable differences in study design and size. This will enhance heterogeneity effects in any subsequent meta‐analysis.
Central nervous system processing of emotions in children with nocturnal enuresis and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Equit Monika , Becker Anna , El Khatib Diana , Rubly Mathias , Becker Nicolas , von Gontard Alexander 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimNocturnal enuresis (NE) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common in childhood. We analysed the central processing of emotions in children with NE, ADHD, NE + ADHD and controls.MethodsWe examined 13 children with NE, 13 with ADHD, 14 with NE + ADHD and 14 controls. Acoustic evoked potentials were recorded using standardised methodology. For the event‐related potentials, positive, negative and neutral pictures were presented and time intervals of 250–450, 450–650 and 650–850 msec evaluated. Hypotheses were tested with repeated‐measures analyses of variance.ResultsIn the frontal region, children with NE showed more intense responses to positive and negative pictures than controls measured with event‐related potentials. Viewing positive pictures, children with NE + ADHD differed from children with ADHD in the central and parietal and for all types of stimuli in the parietal region. Children with NE + ADHD elicited the strongest responses. Children with ADHD did not differ from controls. There was an unspecific interaction effect of the acoustic evoked potentials in children with NE compared to the controls.ConclusionChildren with NE processed emotions differently from children with ADHD and controls. Children with NE + ADHD processed emotions the most intense, displaying interaction effects of the central nervous system that cannot be explained by each disorder alone.
Metformin induces lactate production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets through specific mitochondrial complex I inhibition
Authors: Piel S. , Ehinger J. K. , Elmér E. , Hansson M. J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimMetformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug associated with the rare side effect of lactic acidosis which has been proposed to be linked to drug‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Using respirometry, the aim of this study was to evaluate mitochondrial toxicity of metformin to human blood cells in relation to that of phenformin, a biguanide analogue withdrawn in most countries due to a high incidence of lactic acidosis.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets were isolated from healthy volunteers, and integrated mitochondrial function was studied in permeabilized and intact cells using high‐resolution respirometry. A wide concentration range of metformin (0.1–100 mm) and phenformin (25–500 μm) was investigated for dose‐ and time‐dependent effects on respiratory capacities, lactate production and pH.ResultsMetformin induced respiratory inhibition at complex I in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and platelets (IC50 0.45 mm and 1.2 mm respectively). Phenformin was about 20‐fold more potent in complex I inhibition of platelets than metformin. Metformin further demonstrated a dose‐ and time‐dependent respiratory inhibition and augmented lactate release at a concentration of 1 mm and higher.ConclusionRespirometry of human peripheral blood cells readily detected respiratory inhibition by metformin and phenformin specific to complex I, providing a suitable model for probing drug toxicity. Lactate production was increased at concentrations relevant for clinical metformin intoxication, indicating mitochondrial inhibition as a direct causative pathophysiological mechanism. Relative to clinical dosing, phenformin displayed a more potent respiratory inhibition than metformin, possibly explaining the higher incidence of lactic acidosis in phenformin‐treated patients.