bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Actual and Potential Use of Population Viability Analyses in Recovery of Plant Species Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: ZEIGLER SARA L. , CHE‐CASTALDO JUDY P. , NEEL MAILE C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractUse of population viability analyses (PVAs) in endangered species recovery planning has been met with both support and criticism. Previous reviews promote use of PVA for setting scientifically based, measurable, and objective recovery criteria and recommend improvements to increase the framework's utility. However, others have questioned the value of PVA models for setting recovery criteria and assert that PVAs are more appropriate for understanding relative trade‐offs between alternative management actions. We reviewed 258 final recovery plans for 642 plants listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act to determine the number of plans that used or recommended PVA in recovery planning. We also reviewed 223 publications that describe plant PVAs to assess how these models were designed and whether those designs reflected previous recommendations for improvement of PVAs. Twenty‐four percent of listed species had recovery plans that used or recommended PVA. In publications, the typical model was a matrix population model parameterized with ≤5 years of demographic data that did not consider stochasticity, genetics, density dependence, seed banks, vegetative reproduction, dormancy, threats, or management strategies. Population growth rates for different populations of the same species or for the same population at different points in time were often statistically different or varied by >10%. Therefore, PVAs parameterized with underlying vital rates that vary to this degree may not accurately predict recovery objectives across a species’ entire distribution or over longer time scales. We assert that PVA, although an important tool as part of an adaptive‐management program, can help to determine quantitative recovery criteria only if more long‐term data sets that capture spatiotemporal variability in vital rates become available. Lacking this, there is a strong need for viable and comprehensive methods for determining quantitative, science‐based recovery criteria for endangered species with minimal data availability.Uso Actual y Potencial del Análisis de Viabilidad Poblacional para la Recuperación de Especies de Plantas Enlistadas en el Acta de Especies En Peligro de E.U.A
Ecological Sustainability as the Fourth Landmark in the Development of Conservation Ethics
Authors: WHITE PETER S. , TUTTLE JULIE P. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAldo Leopold, in “The Land Ethic,” made 2 important contributions to conservation ethics: he emphasized the community and ecosystem levels of organization and he explicitly included people as members of the biotic community. Leopold's writings remain eloquent, inspirational, and influential, but the ideas he describes are inherently complex, and ecological science has continued to evolve since “The Land Ethic” was published in 1949. We used 4 sets of quotations from Leopold's essays to develop our commentary on the meaning of and challenges in interpreting his work and to explore the ongoing development of conservation ethics: the “A‐B cleavage” (Leopold's description of the contrast between utilitarian value versus a broader definition of value in nature), “land health” and the rightness of human action, the right of all species to continued existence in natural populations “at least in spots,” and humans as “plain member[s] and citizen[s]” of the “land‐community.” We define the broader function of land and land health in “The Land Ethic” as including completeness, dynamic stability, and self‐renewal in a way that incorporates the needs of humans and all other species. We argue that the consequences of implementing Leopold's land ethic include multiple conservation goals nested within an overall systems approach and that conservation science must clarify the implications of Leopold's ethic by quantitatively investigating and defining large‐scale, system‐level ecological sustainability. At this scale, land use will encompass areas ranging from large expanses of wilderness to areas dominated by humans.La Sustentabilidad Ecológica como el Cuarto Hito en el Desarrollo de la Ética de la Conservación
Combined γ‐tocotrienol and Met inhibitor treatment suppresses mammary cancer cell proliferation, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and migration
Authors: Ayoub N. M. , Akl M. R. , Sylvester P. W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectivesDysregulation of Met signalling is associated with malignant transformation. Combined treatment has been shown to reduce Met activation and mammary tumour cell proliferation. Experiments here, were conducted to determine mechanisms involved in mediating anti‐cancer effects of combined γ‐tocotrienol and SU11274 (Met inhibitor) treatment in various mammary cancer cell lines.Materials and methodsTreatment effects on mouse (+SA) and human (MCF‐7, and MDA‐MB‐231) mammary cancer cell lines, and normal mouse (CL‐S1) and human (MCF10A) mammary epithelial cell lines were compared. Cell proliferation and survival were determined by MTT assay and Ki‐67 staining; protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining was also used to characterize expression and localization of multiple epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Cell migration was determined using a wound‐healing assay.ResultsCombined treatment with γ‐tocotrienol and SU11274 resulted in synergistic inhibition of +SA, MCF‐7, and MDA‐MB‐231, but not CL‐S1 or MCF10A cell growth that was associated with reduction in Akt STAT1/5 and NFκB activation and corresponding blockade in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, as indicated by increased expression of E‐cadherin, β‐catenin, and cytokeratins 8/18 (epithelial markers) and corresponding reduction in vimentin (mesenchymal marker) and reduction in cancer cell motility.ConclusionsSuggest that combined γ‐tocotrienol and Met inhibitor treatment may provide benefit in treatment of breast cancers characterized by aberrant Met activity.
Prevalence of synchronous colorectal neoplasms in surgically treated gastric cancer patients and significance of screening colonoscopy
Authors: Suzuki Akira , Koide Naohiko , Takeuchi Daisuke , Okumura Motohiro , Ishizone Satoshi , Suga Tomoaki , Miyagawa Shinichi 
Published: August 2013

Background and AimThe existence of other primary tumors during the treatment and management of gastric cancer (GC) is an important issue. The present study investigated the prevalence and management of synchronous colorectal neoplasms (CRN) in surgically treated GC patients.MethodsOf 381 surgically treated GC patients, 332 (87.1%) underwent colonoscopy to detect CRN before surgery or within a year after surgery.ResultsCRN were synchronously observed in 140 patients (42.2%). Adenoma was observed in 131 patients (39.4%). Endoscopic resection was done in 18 patients with adenoma. Colorectal cancer (CRC) was observed in 16 patients (4.8%), superficial CRC in 13 and advanced CRC in three patients. Endoscopicresection of superficial CRC was carried out in seven patients, whereas simultaneous surgical resection of CRC was done in nine patients. CRN were more frequently observed in men. CRC was more frequently observed in GC patients with distant metastasis, albeit without significance. The overall survival of GC patients with CRN or CRC was poorer than that of patients without CRN or CRC.ConclusionSynchronous CRN were commonly associated with GC and screening colonoscopy should be offered to patients with GC.
B‐type natriuretic peptide and severity of cognitive disorder
Authors: Hiltunen Matti , Nieminen Tuomo , Kettunen Raimo , Hartikainen Sirpa , Sulkava Raimo , Vuolteenaho Olli , Kerola Tuomas 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundNatriuretic peptides have been linked to cognitive disorder in previous studies. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the severity of cognitive disorder and the levels of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in an older general population.Material and methodsThis study is a part of the larger population‐based, multidisciplinary Kuopio 75+ health study. A total of 601 subjects aged 75 or older participated in the study. A subgroup of 126 individuals was diagnosed with cognitive disorder, and the severity of the disease was assessed. The participants were tested for BNP. Analysis of covariance was carried out to study the relationship between BNP and the stage of cognitive disorder.ResultsThe association between the level of cognitive disorder and BNP resembled an inverse U‐shaped curve, with higher levels of BNP observed among participants with mild cognitive disorder when compared to cognitively intact participants or counterparts with more severe cognitive disorder. This effect remained after adjustment for age (P = 0·02). However, association between BNP and level of cognitive disorder was lost in further adjustment with covariates connected to the levels of BNP.ConclusionThe previously reported elevation of natriuretic peptides among individuals with diagnosed cognitive disorder was found only in people with milder stages of the disorder.
Distinct genetic aberrations in oesophageal adeno and squamous carcinoma
Authors: Pandilla Ramaswamy , Kotapalli Viswakalyan , Gowrishankar Swarnalata , Chigurupati MohanaVamsy , Patnaik Sujith , Uppin Shantveer , Rao Subramanyeshwar , Kalidindi NarasimhaRaju , Regulagadda Sastry , Sundaram Challa , Srinivasulu Mukta , Vasala Anjayneyulu , Bashyam Murali Dharan 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe two main oesophageal cancer subtypes namely adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma exhibit interesting clinical, pathological and geographical variations with the former being more common in the West and the latter in Asia.Materials and methodsWe evaluated status of p53, EGFR, Wnt and HPV in addition to microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity of several chromosomal loci in the two oesophageal cancer subtypes from India. The comparative analysis was extended to two oesophageal adenosquamous mixed cancer samples.ResultsOur results reveal a high frequency of EGFR overexpression in ESCC as against EAC, while Wnt activation was a significantly more common event in EAC as against ESCC. Frequencies of p53 perturbations were not significantly different in the two subtypes. Interestingly, the EGFR and Wnt status in adenocarcinoma and squamous components of the two oesophageal adenosquamous cancer samples were identical to primary tumours. In addition, no common molecular aberration (including instability and loss of heterozygosity) in several microsatellites was detected in DNA isolated from the two components in both adenosquamous cancer samples.ConclusionsOur results reveal the presence of distinct aberrations in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which are replicated in the respective components of adenosquamous cancers. The study therefore suggests perhaps an independent origin of the two components of oesophageal adenosquamous mixed cancer.
Psychotherapeutic interventions in individuals at risk of developing bipolar disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Pfennig Andrea , Correll Christoph U. , Marx Carolin , Rottmann‐Wolf Maren , Meyer Thomas D. , Bauer Michael , Leopold Karolina 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimAccumulating data show that patients with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial symptomatology months or years before full manifestation. Based on the need for early preventive interventions in BD as well as data suggesting effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for BD, we aimed to review the evidence for psychotherapeutic treatments in help‐seeking individuals considered at risk for BD (At‐Risk‐BD).MethodsSearching PubMed and PsycINFO, clinical trial registries and recently published systematic reviews, a systematic review was performed of psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic intervention studies in At‐Risk‐BD individuals.ResultsOnly three completed studies were identified, two of which were randomized trials (n = 77) and one was an open pilot study (n = 13). Two ongoing studies (projected n = 150 and n = 100, respectively) were found in trial registries. The available evidence suggests potential effectiveness of multi‐family psychoeducational psychotherapy and family‐focussed therapy for symptom reduction and prevention of BD conversion.ConclusionsPsychotherapeutic treatments are a reasonable starting point for At‐Risk‐BD subjects when symptom severity, distress and impairment are sufficiently significant to initiate treatment. Ongoing studies will further clarify the effectiveness and timing of psychotherapeutic interventions for At‐Risk‐BD individuals and whether or not they should be given alone or in conjunction with other treatments. Large multi‐site studies with standardized procedures/manuals are needed to advance the field.
What is the current status of training and practice of early intervention in psychiatry? Results from a survey in 35 countries
Authors: Fiorillo Andrea , Sampogna Gaia , Del Vecchio Valeria , Luciano Mario , Del Gaudio Lucia , De Rosa Corrado , Catapano Francesco , Maj Mario 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimTo assess: (i) trainees' educational needs on early intervention in psychiatry; (ii) their satisfaction and competence in early detection and management of patients with severe mental disorders; (iii) characteristics of training on prevention and on early intervention in psychiatry; and (iv) organizational and clinical differences of early intervention programmes and services in different countries.MethodsSixty early career psychiatrists, recruited from the early career psychiatrists' network of the World Psychiatric Association, were invited to participate in the survey. Respondents were asked to provide the collective input of their trainees' association rather than that of any individual officer or member. An online survey was conducted using an ad hoc questionnaire consisting of 18 items.ResultsThirty‐five countries sent back the questionnaire (58.3%). University training in early intervention for mental disorders was provided in 13 countries (38%); 54% of respondents were not satisfied with received training and about half of them did not feel enough confident to provide specialistic interventions to patients at the onset of the disorder. Services for early intervention existed in 22 countries (63%). The most frequently available were those for schizophrenia (75%). Informative campaigns on mental disorders were usually carried out in almost all surveyed countries (85%).ConclusionsAlthough prevention and early intervention represent one of the current paradigms of psychiatric practice and research, efforts are still needed in order to improve training programmes at university sites.
Self‐awareness of functional impairment in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis
Authors: Olvet Doreen M. , Carrión Ricardo E. , Auther Andrea M. , Cornblatt Barbara A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsA major public health concern associated with schizophrenia is the long‐term disability that involves an inability to function independently in the community. An individual's self‐awareness of functional impairment may be a significant factor contributing to long‐term disability. In fact, subjective interpretation of one's illness impacts treatment participation and adherence, and is linked to poor outcomes. However, it remains unclear how illness‐related functional impairment is perceived by individuals prior to the onset of psychosis. This study aims to examine the relationship between clinician‐based and self‐report assessments of functioning, as well as the contribution of clinical symptoms to this relationship in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis.MethodsThe Sheehan Disability Scale, a self‐rated instrument, was used to measure disruption in daily functioning in social and role functioning due to symptoms in a sample of 73 treatment‐seeking patients at clinical high‐risk for psychosis and 50 healthy controls.ResultsRelative to healthy controls, clinical high‐risk patients self‐reported significant disruptions in social and role functioning. In addition, a specific relationship emerged in that clinician‐rated measures of functioning and depression were related to subjective functioning.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that clinical high‐risk patients are significantly disturbed by their illness. Self‐reported disruption of daily functioning was associated with clinician‐rated functioning and depressive symptoms, further highlighting the impact of functional impairments on the level of distress experienced by patients in the early phases of the illness. Intervention strategies that repair functional impairment before the onset of psychosis may prevent long‐term disability.
Long‐term prognosis of childhood acute promyelocytic leukaemia with arsenic trioxide administration in induction and consolidation chemotherapy phases: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Cheng Yifei , Zhang Leping , Wu Jun , Lu Aidong , Wang Bin , Liu Guilan 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe efficacy of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) as induction therapy for adult acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) has been documented in several clinical trials. However, the role of ATRA/As2O3 combination in induction and consolidation therapy in children remains unclear. Here, we report the efficacy of combined treatment with As2O3 and ATRA as induction and consolidation chemotherapy to treat newly diagnosed childhood APL.MethodsFrom 1998 to 2011, 43 children with newly diagnosed APL received induction and consolidation chemotherapy with ATRA and As2O3 (Protocol B). Rates of complete remission (CR), event‐free survival (EFS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) and drug toxicity were compared between children treated with Protocol B and 25 others treated previously with ATRA alone as induction chemotherapy (Protocol A).ResultsOf 43 patients treated with Protocol B, 41 (95.4%) achieved CR (two died of intracranial haemorrhage on day 10 and 14). In contrast, only 20 (80%) of 25 patients treated with Protocol A achieved CR. Thus, the CR rate was significantly lower in patients receiving induction chemotherapy with Protocol A than in those treated with Protocol B (P = 0.045, χ2 = 6.508). Of the 41 patients who achieved CR on induction therapy with Protocol B, 40 also received consolidation therapy. Molecular relapse, but no overt morphological relapse, occurred in one patient at 25 months after diagnosis; this patient regained CR status with As2O3 treatment.With a median follow‐up period of 75 months, estimated EFS, DFS and OS rates were 92.5 ± 4.2%, 97.1 ± 2.9% and 95.3 ± 3.2%, respectively, for Protocol B. In contrast, with a median follow‐up of 127 months, the EFS, DFS and OS rates at 75 months were 70.4 ± 9.4%, 76.4 ± 9.2% and 70.4 ± 9.4%, respectively, for Protocol A. Thus, patients treated with Protocol A showed significantly lower EFS (P = 0.021) and OS (P = 0.007) rates than those treated with Protocol B.ConclusionsApplication of As2O3 and ATRA as induction and consolidation chemotherapy resulted in excellent outcomes and improved long‐term prognosis in children with newly diagnosed APL.
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the supramarginal gyrus facilitates pitch memory
Authors: Schaal Nora K. , Williamson Victoria J. , Banissy Michael J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractFunctional neuroimaging studies have shown activation of the supramarginal gyrus during pitch memory tasks. A previous transcranial direct current stimulation study using cathodal stimulation over the left supramarginal gyrus reported a detrimental effect on short‐term pitch memory performance, indicating an important role of the supramarginal gyrus in pitch memory. The current study aimed to determine whether pitch memory could be improved following anodal stimulation of the left supramarginal gyrus. The performances of non‐musicians on two pitch memory tasks (pitch recognition and recall) and a visual memory control task following anodal or sham transcranial direct current stimulation were compared. The results show that, post‐stimulation, the anodal group but not the control group performed significantly better on both pitch memory tasks; performance did not differ on the face memory task. These findings provide strong support for the causal involvement of the left supramarginal gyrus in the pitch memory process, and highlight the potential efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation as a tool to improve pitch memory.
Addressing a critique of the TEASI framework for invasive species risk assessment
Authors: Leung Brian , Roura‐Pascual Nuria , Bacher Sven , Heikkilä Jaakko , Brotons Lluis , Burgman Mark A , Dehnen‐Schmutz Katharina , Essl Franz , Hulme Philip E , Richardson David M , Sol Daniel , Vilà Montserrat 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe address criticism that the Transport, Establishment, Abundance, Spread, Impact (TEASI) framework does not facilitate objective mapping of risk assessment methods nor defines best practice. We explain why TEASI is appropriate for mapping, despite inherent challenges, and how TEASI offers considerations for best practices, rather than suggesting one best practice.
Immunostimulatory activity of murine keratinocyte‐derived exosomes
Authors: Kotzerke Kristina , Mempel Martin , Aung Thiha , Wulf Gerald G. , Urlaub Henning , Wenzel Dirk , Schön Michael P. , Braun Andrea 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIt has long been known that keratinocytes influence cutaneous immunity through secretion of soluble factors. Exosomes, small membrane vesicles of endocytotic origin, have been implicated in intercellular communication processes such as the transfer of tumor cell antigens and the activation of recipient dendritic cells (DC). However, little is known about immunomodulatory functions of keratinocyte‐derived exosomes. To address this question, we analysed exosome secretion of the murine keratinocyte cell line MPEK under steady state as well as inflammatory conditions (+/− IFNγ). These exosomes were readily taken up by bone marrow‐derived DC (BMDC) in vitro resulting in a matured phenotype, as evidenced by increased CD40 expression as well as by the production of large amounts of IL‐6, IL‐10 and IL‐12. When the transfer of antigen‐specific information through exosomes was investigated, it was found that keratinocytes took up antigen (ovalbumin) and transferred it to their exosomes. However, these antigen‐harbouring exosomes failed to induce antigen‐specific T cell responses via BMDC. Together, this novel biological function suggests that keratinocytes are able to direct unspecific immune processes but do not elicit specific immune responses.
Deletion of the activating NKG2C receptor and a functional polymorphism in its ligand HLA‐E in psoriasis susceptibility
Authors: Zeng Xue , Chen Haoyan , Gupta Rashmi , Paz‐Altschul Oscar , Bowcock Anne M. , Liao Wilson 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPsoriasis is an inflammatory, immune‐mediated disease of the skin. Several studies have suggested that natural killer (NK) cells and their receptors may be important for its pathogenesis. Here, we examined whether deletion of the activating natural killer receptor gene NKG2C, which has a frequency of 20% in the European population, was associated with psoriasis susceptibility. The NKG2C deletion and a functional polymorphism in its ligand HLA‐E were genotyped in a Caucasian cohort of 611 psoriasis cases and 493 controls. We found that the NKG2C deletion was significantly increased in cases compared with controls [0.258 vs 0.200, P = 0.0012, OR = 1.43 (1.15–1.79)]. The low‐expressing HLA‐E*01:01 allele was associated with psoriasis (P = 0.0018), although this association was dependent on HLA‐C. Our findings support a potential immunoregulatory role for NK cells in psoriasis and suggest the importance of future studies to investigate the contribution of NK cells and their regulatory receptors to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.