bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest management and regional tree composition drive the host preference of saproxylic beetle communities
Authors: Müller Jörg , Wende Beate , Strobl Carolin , Eugster Manuel , Gallenberger Iris , Floren Andreas , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Linsenmair Karl Eduard , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Gossner Martin M. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Among saproxylic beetles, many early colonizers prefer particular host species. Ranking of preferred hosts of local saproxylic beetle communities is critical for effective dead‐wood management in forests, but is rarely done because experiments with numerous tree species are labour and cost intensive.

We analysed the host preference of local saproxylic beetle communities on logs of 13 tree species in relation to management (unmanaged and managed beech stands, conifer plantations on natural beech sites) in three regions of Germany during the most critical period for host specificity, that is the first two years after harvesting. Hosts were ranked quantitatively based on the ordinal ranking of hosts by single beetle species, which in turn was based on the variation in beetle abundance. First, we employed a Bradley–Terry model in which ranking was derived from paired comparisons of host trees. Then, a model‐based recursive partitioning of the Bradley–Terry model tested whether host preference of beetle communities is affected by stand management, region and decay progress of dead wood.

Our results indicated that beetle communities overall avoided logs of Fraxinus, Pseudotsuga, Larix and Tilia, and Carpinus ranked highest in preference. Carpinus also ranked highest for communities of broadleaf specialists; Picea abies ranked highest for communities of conifer specialists. Model‐based recursive partitioning revealed that ranking of local hosts in conifer stands differed from that of broadleaf stands, and that ranking of hosts in broadleaf stands differed between regions, but only in the first year for both.

Synthesis and applications. Early‐colonizing saproxylic beetle communities vary locally in their choice of host trees. Therefore, forest managers should focus on the enrichment of dead wood of regional tree species and tree species of the local stand to successfully promote early‐colonizing beetle.
Inoculation of tannin‐degrading bacteria into novel hosts increases performance on tannin‐rich diets
Authors: Kohl Kevin D. , Stengel Ashley , Dearing M. Denise 
Published: March 2015

SummaryIt has been hypothesized that herbivores host tannin‐degrading bacteria (TDB) to overcome the toxic challenges posed by plant tannins. While TDB have been isolated from the guts of numerous mammals, their functional significance to their hosts has never been explicitly tested. We introduced TDB into lab rats, which do not host TDB, and measured host performance on tannin‐rich diets. We first isolated three species of TDB, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis, from the guts of the desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida), which regularly feeds on tannin‐rich plants. Then, we inoculated isolated TDB, as well as full woodrat microbial communities into laboratory rats. A control group was inoculated with sterilized woodrat faeces. Recipient lab rats were fed increasing concentrations of tannic acid, and we monitored tannic acid intake, body mass and liver damage as measured by serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Lab rats given TDB as isolates or full communities exhibited increased tannic acid intake, higher maintenance of body mass and lower indicators of liver damage compared with control animals. These differences were maintained when the trial was repeated after 6 weeks of feeding on tannin‐free diets. Our results are the first to demonstrate that TDB significantly increase host performance on tannin‐rich diets.
A whole‐of‐population study of term and post‐term gestational age at birth and children's development
Authors: Smithers LG , Searle AK , Chittleborough CR , Scheil W , Brinkman SA , Lynch JW 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo examine the risk of poor child development according to week of gestation at birth, among children born ≥37 weeks' gestation.DesignPopulation‐based study using linked data (n = 12 601).SettingSouth Australia.PopulationAll births ≥37 weeks' gestation.MethodsRelative risks of developmental vulnerability for each week of gestation were calculated with adjustment for confounders and addressing missing information.Main outcome measuresChild development was documented by teachers during a national census of children attending their first year of school in 2009, using the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI). Children scoring in the lowest 10% of the AEDI were categorised as developmentally vulnerable.ResultsThe percentage of children vulnerable on one or more AEDI domains for the following gestational ages 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42–45 weeks was 24.8, 22.3, 20.6, 20.0, 20.4 and 24.2, respectively. Compared with children born at 40 weeks, the adjusted relative risks [(95% confidence interval (CI)] for vulnerability on ≥1 AEDI domain were; 37 weeks 1.13 (0.99–1.28), 38 weeks 1.05 (0.96–1.15), 39 weeks 1.02 (0.94–1.12), 41 weeks 1.00 (0.90–1.11) and 42–45 weeks 1.20 (0.84–1.72).ConclusionsChildren born at 40–41 weeks' gestation may have the lowest risk of developmental vulnerability at school entry, reinforcing the importance of term birth in perinatal care. Early term or post‐term gestational age at birth can help clinicians, teachers and parents recognise children with potential developmental vulnerabilities at school entry.
Are older women more likely to receive surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence since the introduction of the mid‐urethral sling? An examination of Hospital Episode Statistics data
Authors: Gibson W , Wagg A 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo examine the trends in surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in older women since the introduction of the mid‐urethral sling.DesignAnalysis of data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) between 2000 and 2012.Setting and PopulationAll surgical procedures for SUI in the National Health Service (NHS) in England.MethodsRetrospective cohort analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics for England from 2000 to 2012.Main outcome measuresNumber of invasive, less invasive, and urethral bulking procedures performed in women in three age groups.ResultsThere was a 90% fall in the number of invasive surgical treatments for SUI and a four‐fold increase in the number of mid‐urethral slings over this time. The total number of surgical procedures for SUI increased from 8458 to 13 219. However, the rise in the number of procedures in women aged over 75 was more modest—a three‐fold increase from a low start of 187—and these women now make up a smaller proportion of all women receiving a mid‐urethral sling (MUS).ConclusionsDespite the development and wide availability of a less invasive, safe and effective operation for stress urinary incontinence in older women, they do not appear to have benefitted. The reasons for this require prospective investigation.
Is the probability of prenatal diagnosis or termination of pregnancy different for fetuses with congenital anomalies conceived following assisted reproductive techniques? A population‐based evaluation of fetuses with congenital heart defects
Authors: Tararbit K , Lelong N , Jouannic J‐M , Goffinet F , Khoshnood B ,   the EPICARD Study Group
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo compare the probability of prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) between fetuses conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and spontaneously‐conceived fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD).DesignPopulation‐based observational study.SettingParis and surrounding suburbs.PopulationFetuses with CHD in the Paris registry of congenital malformations and cohort of children with CHD (Epicard).MethodsComparison of ART‐conceived and spontaneously conceived fetuses taking into account potential confounders (maternal characteristics, multiplicity and year of birth or TOPFA).Main outcome measuresProbability and gestational age at PND and TOPFA for ART‐conceived versus spontaneously conceived fetuses.ResultsThe probability of PND (28.1% versus 34.6%, P = 0.077) and TOPFA (36.2% versus 39.2%, P = 0.677) were not statistically different between ART‐conceived (n = 171) and spontaneously conceived (n = 4620) fetuses. Estimates were similar after adjustment for potential confounders. Gestational age at PND tended to be earlier for ART fetuses (23.1 versus 24.8 weeks, P = 0.05) but no statistical difference was found after adjustment for confounders. Gestational age at TOPFA was comparable between ART‐conceived and spontaneously conceived fetuses.ConclusionsIn our population, ART conception was not significantly associated with the probability of PND or TOPFA for CHD. One implication of our results is that live births may be adequate for assessing the overall risk of CHD related to ART. However, total prevalence, in particular of severe CHD, would not be adequately assessed if TOPFA are not included.
The influence of the location and extent of intrauterine adhesions on recurrence after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis
Authors: Yang J‐H , Chen C‐D , Chen S‐U , Yang Y‐S , Chen M‐J 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the recurrence potential of intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingTertiary university hospital.PopulationThis study included 115 women who had intrauterine adhesions completely separated during hysteroscopic surgery. The treated adhesions were classified into four groups according to their location and extent: Group 1, central type (i.e. intervening space between the adhesions and both lateral uterine sidewalls) at the middle area of uterine cavity; Group 2, central type at uterine cornua; Group 3, cervico‐isthmic; and Group 4, extensive if the adhesions were dense with occlusion of part of the uterine cavity other than cervico‐isthmic region.MethodsPostoperative outpatient hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was scheduled 10–14 days after the initial hysteroscopic surgery and procedures were repeated every 10–14 days until no reformed adhesions were detected. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to examine initial adhesion characteristics and other factors associated with adhesion reformation and need for subsequent outpatient adhesiolysis. Categorical data were compared using Fisher's exact test.Main outcome measuresNumber of postoperative outpatient hysteroscopic adhesiolysis procedures.ResultsThe location and extent of adhesions according to the allocated group was the only parameter independently related to the number of postoperative outpatient adhesiolysis procedures (P = 0.0004). Women with Group 1 adhesions underwent a lower number of postoperative interventions compared with those with Group 2, 3 and 4 adhesions (P = 0.0355, P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0087, respectively).ConclusionsThere is an increased likelihood of intrauterine adhesion recurrence when successfully divided adhesions were originally located at the uterine cornua, the cervico‐isthmic region or involved a large portion of the uterine cavity.
Risk factors of early proximal gastric carcinoma in Chinese diagnosed using WHO criteria
Authors: Fang Cheng , Huang Qin , Lu Lin , Shi Jiong , Sun Qi , Xu Gui Fang , Gold Jason , Mashimo Hiroshi , Zou Xiao Ping 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveThe incidence of proximal gastric carcinoma (PGC) is rising worldwide for unknown reasons. Herein we compare the risk factors of early PGC with distal gastric carcinoma (DGC) in patients treated at a single tertiary hospital in China.MethodsRisk factors of 379 consecutive surgically resected early gastric carcinoma (EGC) diagnosed according to the 2010 World Health Organization criteria were studied by reviewing their medical records and esophagogastroduodenoscopy/biopsy findings and interviewing patients and family members for the patients' history of environmental toxin exposure (ETE), dietary habits, family (FCH) and personal cancer history (PCH) and survival. Differences between PGC (n = 115), DGC (n = 264) and age‐matched and gender‐matched controls (n = 225) were compared.ResultsProportion of early PGC in all EGC patients was increased significantly (P < 0.05). The independent risk factors for both PGC and DGC identified by multivariate analysis were intake of preserved food and little fruit, and gastric mucosal intestinal metaplasia and atrophy (all P < 0.05). Advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 9.83, P < 0.01), PCH (OR 5.09, P < 0.05), a high body mass index (>24 kg/m2) (OR 2.79, P < 0.01) and ETE (OR 2.31, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for PGC, but not male gender, tobacco or alcohol abuse, hiatus hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease or columnar‐lined esophagus. In contrast, FCH (OR 2.34, P < 0.01) and Helicobacter pylori infection (OR 2.81, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for DGC.ConclusionIndependent risk factors for PGC in Chinese patients differ from those of DGC or esophageal adenocarcinoma, supporting the classification of PGC as a separate gastric carcinoma entity in the Chinese populations.
Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein cannot independently predict type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Zhou Huang , Hu Jinbo , Zhu Qibo , Yang Shumin , Zhang Yi , Gao Rufei , Liu Lulu , Wang Yue , Zhen Qianna , Lv Qiong , Li Qifu 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundCross‐sectional studies have reported a close association between serum lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) and many metabolic disorders. However, no longitudinal study has explored the relationship between LBP and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum LBP levels and the risk of developing T2DM.MethodsA 5‐year nested case‐control study of 3510 individuals was performed as part of the Environment, Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases Study (EIMDS). Clinical data were collected at baseline. Serum levels of LBP and other biochemical factors, such as insulin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, were detected 5 years later. Subjects were diagnosed as having T2DM on the basis of results of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 1998 World Health Organization criteria. Controls were randomly selected to match cases according to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) in a 1:1 ratio. Odds ratios (OR) for T2DM were calculated using conditional logistic regression analysis.ResultsOver a 5‐year follow‐up period, 255 subjects developed T2DM. There was no significant difference in serum LBP levels between the T2DM and control groups at baseline (19.78 ± 6.40 versus 20.53 ± 6.99 μg/mL; P = 0.207). Subjects were divided into three groups based on tertiles of LBP concentrations (n = 170 in each group; T1 = 1.31–17.16 μg/mL LBP; T2 = 17.21–22.37 μg/mL LBP; T3 = 22.49–40.08 μg/mL LBP). There was no significant association between the risk of developing T2DM and any of the LBP tertiles in either a simple model or after adjusting for general status and biochemical factors.ConclusionAfter matching for gender, age, and BMI, LBP does not improve prediction of the development of T2DM independently.
Insulin resistance is associated with all chronic complications in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Pop Andrei , Clenciu Diana , Anghel Monica , Radu Stefania , Socea Bogdan , Mota Eugen , Mota Maria , Panduru Nicolae M. ,   RomDiane Study Group
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) is present in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and is suggested to be related to chronic diabetic complications. The primary aim of our study was to assess IR in T1DM patients with and without chronic complications. A secondary aim was to evaluate the possible association between IR and chronic diabetic complications.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study enrolled 272 patients with T1DM. Insulin resistance was quantified using the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR). Associations between eGDR and each diabetes complication were first evaluated using binary logistic regression, then multiparametric logistic regression with stepwise selection of covariates. The discriminative value of eGDR was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsEstimated GDR was lower in patients with chronic diabetic complications (6.1 vs 6.9 mg/kg per min [P = 0.02] for retinopathy; 6.3 vs 7.3 mg/kg per min [P < 0.01] for nephropathy; 6.5 vs 7.6 mg/kg per min [P < 0.01] for neuropathy; and 5.2 vs 7.5 mg/kg per min [P < 0.01] for cardiovascular complications). In univariate analysis eGDR was associated all diabetic complications. These associations remained significant after adjustment for different variables in the final regression models. In addition, eGDR was a good discriminator for each diabetic complication, with an area under the curve between 0.609 and 0.759.ConclusionsPatients with chronic diabetic complications are more insulin resistant than those without complications. Moreover, IR was independently associated with the presence of each chronic diabetic complication, and seems to be a good discriminator for them all.
Efficacy and safety of linagliptin in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by metformin: A multinational 24‐week, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Wang Weiqing , Yang Jinkui , Yang Gangyi , Gong Yan , Patel Sanjay , Zhang Candice , Izumoto Toshiyasu , Ning Guang 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundDespite the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Asia, clinical trials for glucose‐lowering therapies are often dominated by Caucasian and/or Western populations. The present Phase III randomized placebo‐controlled double‐blind, 24‐week study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor linagliptin added to metformin in Asian T2DM patients.MethodsIn all, 306 patients (n = 265 Chinese; n = 24 Malaysian; n = 17 Filipino), aged 18–80 years with HbA1c between ≥7.0 and ≤10.0% and on metformin therapy were randomized (2:1) to either linagliptin 5 mg daily or placebo added to metformin. Antidiabetes drugs other than metformin were washed out prior to randomization. The primary endpoint was change in mean HbA1c from baseline after 24 weeks.ResultsBaseline characteristics were well‐matched between the groups (overall mean [±SD] HbA1c 8.0 ± 0.8%). Adjusted mean (±SE) HbA1c decreased in the linagliptin and placebo groups by −0.66 ± 0.05 and −0.14 ± 0.07%, respectively (placebo‐corrected difference −0.52 ± 0.09%; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.70, −0.34; P < 0.0001). In patients with baseline HbA1c ≥8.5%, the placebo‐corrected decrease in HbA1c was −0.89 ± 0.17% (P < 0.0001). Adverse events occurred in similar proportions in the linagliptin and placebo patients (27.3% and 28.0%, respectively) and few were considered drug‐related (2.4% and 0.0%, respectively). Hypoglycemia occurred in 1.0% of patients in both groups. Linagliptin therapy was weight neutral.ConclusionsLinagliptin 5 mg was efficacious and well tolerated over 24 weeks in Asian patients with T2DM inadequately controlled by metformin.
Efficacy of bronchoscopic biopsy for the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene rearrangement in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Pei , Pan Qingqing , Wang Mengzhao , Zhong Wei , Zhao Jing 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo explore the efficacy of bronchoscopic biopsy for the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsAll patients with bronchoscopic biopsy‐proven lung adenocarcinoma at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to November 2011 were enrolled. Scorpion amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was used to detect EGFR gene mutations and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect ALK rearrangement. The correlation of immunohistochemistry (IHC) results with standard methods for EGFR mutation status and ALK rearrangement were checked.ResultsBronchoscopic specimens were successfully used to detect EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement with success rates of 85.2% and 71.3%, respectively, in non‐small cell lung cancer patients. EGFR analysis by ARMS yielded a positive result in 35.8% (33/92) and positive ALK rearrangement was detected by FISH in 7.8% (6/77) of cases. It was more likely to be unsuccessful in patients with tumor cells less than 100/high power field and the ratio tumor numbers in 0–10%. In EGFR‐IHC, the sensitivity and specificity of E746‐A750 deletions were 73.3% (11/15) and 93.3% (70/75), respectively, and those of L858R were 93.3% (14/15) and 93.2% (69/74), respectively. In ALK‐IHC, the sensitivity and specificity were 50% (3/6) and 100% (71/71), respectively.ConclusionsSmall bronchoscopic specimens could achieve higher successful detection rates via EGFR mutation and ALK gene rearrangement.
Mir‐23a induces telomere dysfunction and cellular senescence by inhibiting TRF2 expression
Authors: Luo Zhenhua , Feng Xuyang , Wang Haoli , Xu Weiyi , Zhao Yong , Ma Wenbin , Jiang Songshan , Liu Dan , Huang Junjiu , Songyang Zhou 
Published: March 2015

SummaryTelomeric repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) is essential for telomere maintenance and has been implicated in DNA damage response and aging. Telomere dysfunction induced by TRF2 inhibition can accelerate cellular senescence in human fibroblasts. While previous work has demonstrated that a variety of factors can regulate TRF2 expression transcriptionally and post‐translationally, whether microRNAs (miRNAs) also participate in post‐transcriptionally modulating TRF2 levels remains largely unknown. To better understand the regulatory pathways that control TRF2, we carried out a large‐scale luciferase reporter screen using a miRNA expression library and identified four miRNAs that could target human TRF2 and significantly reduce the level of endogenous TRF2 proteins. In particular, our data revealed that miR‐23a could directly target the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of TRF2. Overexpression of miR‐23a not only reduced telomere‐bound TRF2 and increased telomere dysfunction‐induced foci (TIFs), but also accelerated senescence of human fibroblast cells, which could be rescued by ectopically expressed TRF2. Our findings demonstrate that TRF2 is a specific target of miR‐23a, and uncover a previously unknown role for miR‐23a in telomere regulation and cellular senescence.
The exonuclease Nibbler regulates age‐associated traits and modulates piRNA length in Drosophila
Authors: Feltzin Virzhiniya L. , Khaladkar Mugdha , Abe Masashi , Parisi Michael , Hendriks Gert‐Jan , Kim Junhyong , Bonini Nancy M. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryNibbler (Nbr) is a 3′‐to‐5′ exonuclease that trims the 3′end of microRNAs (miRNAs) to generate different length patterns of miRNAs in Drosophila. Despite its effect on miRNAs, we lack knowledge of its biological significance and whether Nbr affects other classes of small RNAs such as piRNAs and endo‐siRNAs. Here, we characterized the in vivo function of nbr by defining the Nbr protein expression pattern and loss‐of‐function effects. Nbr protein is enriched in the ovary and head. Analysis of nbr null animals reveals adult‐stage defects that progress with age, including held‐up wings, decreased locomotion, and brain vacuoles, indicative of accelerated age‐associated processes upon nbr loss. Importantly, these effects depend on catalytic residues in the Nbr exonuclease domain, indicating that the catalytic activity is responsible for these effects. Given the impact of nbr on miRNAs, we also analyzed the effect of nbr on piRNA and endo‐siRNA lengths by deep‐sequence analysis of libraries from ovaries. As with miRNAs, nbr mutation led to longer length piRNAs – an effect that was dependent on the catalytic residues of the exonuclease domain. These analyses indicate a role of nbr on age‐associated processes and to modulate length of multiple classes of small RNAs including miRNAs and piRNAs in Drosophila.