bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economic evaluation of endoscopic sinus surgery versus continued medical therapy for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Rudmik Luke , Soler Zachary M. , Mace Jess C. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Smith Timothy L. 
Published: September 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) compared to continued medical therapy for patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).Study DesignCohort‐style Markov decision‐tree economic evaluation.MethodsThe economic perspective was the U.S. third‐party payer with a 30‐year time horizon. The two comparative treatment strategies were: 1) ESS, followed by appropriate postoperative medical therapy; and 2) continued medical therapy alone. Primary outcome was the incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY). Costs were discounted at a rate of 3.5% in the reference case. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed, including differing time‐horizons, discounting scenarios, and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA).ResultsThe reference case demonstrated that the ESS strategy cost a total of $48,838.38 and produced a total of 20.50 QALYs. The medical therapy alone strategy cost a total of $28,948.98 and produced a total of 17.13 QALYs. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for ESS versus medical therapy alone is $5,901.90 per QALY. The cost‐effectiveness acceptability curve from the PSA demonstrated that there is a 74% certainty that the ESS strategy is the most cost‐effective decision for any willingness to pay a threshold greater than $25,000. The time‐horizon analysis suggests that ESS becomes the cost‐effective intervention within the third year after surgery.ConclusionResults from this study suggest that employing an ESS treatment strategy is the most cost‐effective intervention compared to continued medical therapy alone for the long‐term management of patients with refractory CRS.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 125:25–32, 2015
North Ethiopian Afro‐Alpine Tree Line Dynamics and Forest‐Cover Change Since the Early 20th Century
Authors: Jacob Miro , Frankl Amaury , Beeckman Hans , Mesfin Gebrekidan , Hendrickx Marijn , Guyassa Etefa , Nyssen Jan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHigh‐altitude forests are very important for local livelihood in the vulnerable environment of the densely populated tropical highlands. Humans need the ecosystem services of the forest and directly impact the forest through livestock herding, fire, and wood harvesting. Nevertheless, temperature‐sensitive tree lines in the tropics are scarcely investigated in comparison with higher northern latitudes. In this study, the Erica arborea L. tree line is studied in a tropical mountain in the North Ethiopian highlands: Lib Amba of the Abune Yosef Mountain range (12°04′N, 39°22′E, 3993 m asl). The present tree line and forest cover was recorded by high‐resolution satellite imagery from Google Maps and field data (2010–2013), while historical forest cover was studied from aerial photographs (1965–1982) and repeat photography (1917–2013). The aerial and satellite images were orthorectified and classified in forest/non‐forest binary maps. The binary forest layers were used to detect forest‐cover change and tree line dynamics by image differencing between the three time layers (1965–1982–2010). These maps and a terrestrial photograph indicate two periods of deforestation (1917–1965 and 1982–2013), whereas the forest cover was stable between 1965 and 1982. Deforestation was especially severe (with 63%) between 1982 and 2010, associated with a population increase from 77 to 153 inhabitants per square km. There is significant evidence that the elevation of the E. arborea L. tree line increased from 7 to 15 vertical meters between 1965 and 2010, in an area with decreasing anthropozoogenic pressure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of Novel Mycobacterial DNA Gyrase B Inhibitors: In Silico and In Vitro Biological Evaluation
Authors: Saxena Shalini , Renuka Janupally , Yogeeswari Perumal , Sriram Dharmarajan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDNA gyrase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a type II topoisomerase that ensures the regulation of DNA topology and has been genetically demonstrated to be a bactericidal drug target. Availability of crystal structure of M. smegmatics GyrB in complex with one of the aminopyrazinamides facilitated us to employ structure‐based virtual screening approach to obtain new hits from a commercial library of Asinex database using energy‐optimized pharmacophore modeling. Further the model was validated using enrichment calculations, and finally three models were employed for high‐throughput virtual screening and docking to identify novel DNA gyrase B inhibitors. This study led to the identification of fifteen potential compounds with IC50 values in the range of 1.5–45.5 µM against M. smegmatics GyrB and 1.16–25 µM in MTB supercoiling assay. Lead 11 emerged as the most potential compound, exhibiting inhibition of MTB DNA gyrase supercoiling with an IC50 of 1.16±0.25 µM, and M. smegmatics GyrB IC50 of 1.5±0.12 µM and hence could be further developed as novel inhibitor for mycobacterial GyrB.
C‐terminal agrin fragment is inversely related to neuromuscular fatigue in older men
Authors: Stout Jeffrey R. , Fragala Maren S. , Hoffman Jay R. , Robinson Edward H. , Mccormack William P. , Townsend Jeremy R. , Jatjner Adam R. , Emerson Nadia S. , Oliveira Leonardo P. , Fukuda David H. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum C‐terminal agrin fragment (CAF) concentrations and neuromuscular fatigue in older adults. Methods: Twenty‐two healthy older men and women volunteered for this study. Resting fasted blood samples were collected and prepared for measurement of serum CAF concentration by a commercially available ELISA kit. The onset of neuromuscular fatigue was measured by monitoring electromyographic fatigue curves from the vastus lateralis muscle using the physical working capacity at fatigue threshold (PWCFT) test. Results: A significant inverse correlation for men was observed between CAF and PWCFT (r = −0.602; P = 0.05), but not for women (r = 0.208; P = 0.54). After controlling for age and body mass index, significant correlations (r = −0.69; P = 0.042) remained for men, but not for women (r = 0.12; P = 0.76). Conclusions: These data suggest that serum CAF concentrations were significantly related to the onset of neuromuscular fatigue independent of age and BMI in men only. Muscle Nerve 51: 132–133, 2015
Novel CHKB mutation expands the megaconial muscular dystrophy phenotype
Authors: Cabrera‐Serrano Macarena , Junckerstorff Reimar C. , Atkinson Vanessa , Sivadorai Padma , Allcock Richard J. , Lamont Phillipa , Laing Nigel G. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Mutations in the choline kinase beta (CHKB) gene are associated with a congenital muscular dystrophy with giant mitochondria at the periphery of muscle fibers. Methods: We describe a patient of Italian origin in whom whole‐exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous nonsense mutation, c.648C>A, p.(Tyr216*), in exon 5 of CHKB. Results: The patient presented with limb‐girdle weakness and hypotonia from birth with mental retardation, and had sudden and transient deteriorations of muscle strength with acute intercurrent illnesses. Previously undescribed sarcolemmal overexpression of utrophin was noted in the muscle biopsy. Conclusions: Pathological features broaden the description of the entity and provide new insight in the pathogenic mechanisms. This case highlights the usefulness of next‐generation sequencing in the diagnosis of rare and incompletely understood conditions. Muscle Nerve 51: 140–143, 2015
A practical hybrid predictive control algorithm for a low‐temperature thermosolar plant
Authors: Álvarez J. D. , Pasamontes M. , Guzmán J. L. , Camacho E. F. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThis work presents a control approach to deal with plants formed by several interconnected subprocesses and where the interconnection between subprocesses can change during the plant operation. The change from one operation mode to another, where each operation mode is defined by a discrete variable set, implies a change in the process behaviour that must be counteracted by the control system. In this work, a practical hybrid model predictive control is proposed to take the behaviour changes related to the hybrid nature of the process into account. The proposed control algorithm is based on the adaptation of several well‐known control strategies that have been successfully applied in the industrial field. A solar thermal system (composed of a solar thermal flat collector field, one or more accumulation tanks connected in series and a gas heater) is used to show the resulting control strategy through detailed simulations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fitness costs of reproductive capacity and ovarian development in a Bt‐resistant strain of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Zhang Wanna , Ma Long , Zhong Feng , Wang Yanan , Guo Yuyuan , Lu Yanhui , Liang Gemei 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera has developed resistance to the insecticidal Cry1Ac toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in China. To gain a better understanding of the fitness cost associated with resistance evolution, reproductive capacities and ovarian development were examined in four strains of H. armigera: a Cry1Ac‐susceptible strain (96S); a Cry1Ac‐resistant strain fed on an artificial diet with Cry1Ac toxin for 135 generations (BtR); two strains derived from BtR: a strain grown without Cry1Ac selection for 38 generations (CK1) and a strain grown for one generation without Cry1Ac selection (CK2).RESULTSStrains 96S and CK1 had similar reproductive capacity and Cry1Ac susceptibility. Compared with the 96S and CK1 strains, the fecundity and hatching rate of CK2 were respectively more than 30% and 50% lower. Moreover, the number of eggs laid by BtR was significantly lower than the number of eggs laid by 96S and CK1, but higher than the number of eggs laid by CK2. In accordance with the differences in reproductive capacity, ovarian development in CK2 and BtR was significantly delayed.CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that there was a fitness cost in the reproductive physiology in the resistant strains. Reversion to susceptibility to the Bt Cry‐toxin in the resistant CK1 strain was associated with an increase in reproductive capacity. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Biosynthesis of Ribosomal RNA in Nucleoli Regulates Pluripotency and Differentiation Ability of Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Watanabe-Susaki Kanako , Takada Hitomi , Enomoto Kei , Miwata Kyoko , Ishimine Hisako , Intoh Atsushi , Ohtaka Manami , Nakanishi Mahito , Sugino Hiromu , Asashima Makoto , Kurisaki Akira 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells have been shown to have unique nuclear properties, for example, hyperdynamic chromatin and large, condensed nucleoli. However, the contribution of the latter unique nucleolar character to pluripotency has not been well understood. Here, we show that fibrillarin (FBL), a critical methyltransferase for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing in nucleoli, is one of the proteins highly expressed in pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells. Stable expression of FBL in ES cells prolonged the pluripotent state of mouse ES cells cultured in the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Analyses using deletion mutants and a point mutant revealed that the methyltransferase activity of FBL regulates stem cell pluripotency. Knockdown of this gene led to significant delays in rRNA processing, growth inhibition, and apoptosis in mouse ES cells. Interestingly, both partial knockdown of FBL and treatment with actinomycin D, an inhibitor of rRNA synthesis, induced the expression of differentiation markers in the presence of LIF and promoted stem cell differentiation into neuronal lineages. Moreover, we identified p53 signaling as the regulatory pathway for pluripotency and differentiation of ES cells. These results suggest that proper activity of rRNA production in nucleoli is a novel factor for the regulation of pluripotency and differentiation ability of ES cells. Stem Cells 2014;32:3099–3111
Brief Reports: Lysosomal Cross-Correction by Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Derived Macrophages Via Tunneling Nanotubes
Authors: Naphade Swati , Sharma Jay , Gaide Chevronnay Héloïse P. , Shook Michael A. , Yeagy Brian A. , Rocca Celine J. , Ur Sarah N. , Lau Athena J. , Courtoy Pierre J. , Cherqui Stephanie 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDespite controversies on the potential of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to promote tissue repair, we previously showed that HSC transplantation could correct cystinosis, a multisystemic lysosomal storage disease, caused by a defective lysosomal membrane cystine transporter, cystinosin (CTNS gene). Addressing the cellular mechanisms, we here report vesicular cross-correction after HSC differentiation into macrophages. Upon coculture with cystinotic fibroblasts, macrophages produced tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) allowing transfer of cystinosin-bearing lysosomes into Ctns-deficient cells, which exploited the same route to retrogradely transfer cystine-loaded lysosomes to macrophages, providing a bidirectional correction mechanism. TNT formation was enhanced by contact with diseased cells. In vivo, HSCs grafted to cystinotic kidneys also generated nanotubular extensions resembling invadopodia that crossed the dense basement membranes and delivered cystinosin into diseased proximal tubular cells. This is the first report of correction of a genetic lysosomal defect by bidirectional vesicular exchange via TNTs and suggests broader potential for HSC transplantation for other disorders due to defective vesicular proteins. Stem Cells 2015;33:301–309
Sheep CD34+ Amniotic Fluid Cells Have Hematopoietic Potential and Engraft After Autologous In Utero Transplantation
Authors: Shaw S. W. Steven , Blundell Michael P. , Pipino Caterina , Shangaris Panicos , Maghsoudlou Panagiotis , Ramachandra Durrgah L. , Georgiades Fanos , Boyd Michael , Thrasher Adrian J. , Porada Christopher D. , Almeida-Porada Graça , Cheng Po-Jen , David Anna L. , de Coppi Paolo 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Unmatched allogeneic in utero stem cell transplantation (IUSCT) produces poor engraftment unless the fetus has congenital immunodeficiency, probably because of maternal and fetal immune responses to injected cells. We studied the functional hematopoietic potential of transduced green fluorescent protein (GFP+) sheep amniotic fluid (AF) stem cells, before and after autologous IUSCT. CD34+ cells were selected from first trimester sheep AF, transduced overnight, and injected intravenously into NOD-SCID-gamma (NSG) mice. At 3 months, primary recipient bone marrow (BM) was injected into secondary NSG recipients. GFP+ cells were detected in the hematopoietic organs and peripheral blood of primary and secondary recipients at 3 months. Autologous IUSCT (transduced GFP+CD34+AF) was performed in fetal sheep. Six months postnatally, lamb BM was injected into secondary NSG recipients. GFP+ cells were detected in the peripheral blood of primary and secondary recipients. This confirms the hematopoietic potential of AF stem cells supporting the concept of autologous IUSCT to treat congenital hematopoietic disease. Stem Cells 2015;33:122–132
Dual Reporter MESP1mCherry/w-NKX2-5eGFP/w hESCs Enable Studying Early Human Cardiac Differentiation
Authors: Den Hartogh Sabine C. , Schreurs Chantal , Monshouwer-Kloots Jantine J. , Davis Richard P. , Elliott David A. , Mummery Christine L. , Passier Robert 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Understanding early differentiation events leading to cardiogenesis is crucial for controlling fate of human pluripotent stem cells and developing protocols that yield sufficient cell numbers for use in regenerative medicine and drug screening. Here, we develop a new tool to visualize patterning of early cardiac mesoderm and cardiomyocyte development in vitro by generating a dual MESP1mCherry/w-NKX2-5eGFP/w reporter line in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and using it to examine signals that lead to formation of cardiac progenitors and subsequent differentiation. MESP1 is a pivotal transcription factor for precardiac mesoderm in the embryo, from which the majority of cardiovascular cells arise. Transcription factor NKX2-5 is expressed upon cardiac crescent formation. Induction of cardiac differentiation in this reporter line resulted in transient expression of MESP1-mCherry, followed by continuous expression of NKX2-5-eGFP. MESP1-mCherry cells showed increased expression of mesodermal and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition markers confirming their mesodermal identity. Whole-genome microarray profiling and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of MESP1-mCherry cells showed enrichment for mesodermal progenitor cell surface markers PDGFR-α, CD13, and ROR-2. No enrichment was found for the previously described KDR+PDGFR-α+ progenitors. MESP1-mCherry derivatives contained an enriched percentage of NKX2-5-eGFP and Troponin T expressing cells, indicating preferential cardiac differentiation; this was enhanced by inhibition of the Wnt-pathway. Furthermore, MESP1-mCherry derivatives harbored smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, demonstrating their cardiac and vascular differentiation potential under appropriate conditions. The MESP1-NKX2-5 hESC reporter line allows us to identify molecular cues crucial for specification and expansion of human cardiac mesoderm and early progenitors and their differentiation to specific cardiovascular derivatives. Stem Cells 2015;33:56–67
Adiponectin Regulates Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Niche Through a Unique Signal Transduction Pathway: An Approach for Treating Bone Disease in Diabetes
Authors: Yu Liming , Tu Qisheng , Han Qianqian , Zhang Lan , Sui Lei , Zheng Leilei , Meng Shu , Tang Yin , Xuan Dongying , Zhang Jin , Murray Dana , Shen Qingping , Cheng Jessica , Kim Sung-Hoon , Dong Lily Q. , Valverde Paloma , Cao Xinming , Chen Jake 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Adiponectin (APN) is an adipocyte-secreted adipokine that exerts well-characterized antidiabetic properties. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by reduced APN levels in circulation and impaired stem cell and progenitor cell mobilization from the bone marrow for tissue repair and remodeling. In this study, we found that APN regulates the mobilization and recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to participate in tissue repair and regeneration. APN facilitated BMSCs migrating from the bone marrow into the circulation to regenerate bone by regulating stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)−1 in a mouse bone defect model. More importantly, we found that systemic APN infusion ameliorated diabetic mobilopathy of BMSCs, lowered glucose concentration, and promoted bone regeneration in diet-induced obesity mice. In vitro studies allowed us to identify Smad1/5/8 as a novel signaling mediator of APN receptor (AdipoR)−1 in BMSCs and osteoblasts. APN stimulation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells led to Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and nuclear localization and increased SDF-1 mRNA expression. Although APN-mediated phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 occurred independently from adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interaction, pleckstrin homology domain, and leucine zipper containing 1, it correlated with the disassembly of protein kinase casein kinase 2 and AdipoR1 in immunoprecipitation experiments. Taken together, this study identified APN as a regulator of BMSCs migration in response to bone injury. Therefore, our findings suggest APN signaling could be a potential therapeutic target to improve bone regeneration and homeostasis, especially in obese and T2D patients. Stem Cells 2015;33:240–252
Is it believable when it's scientific? How scientific discourse style influences laypeople's resolution of conflicts
Authors: Bromme Rainer , Scharrer Lisa , Stadtler Marc , Hömberg Johanna , Torspecken Ronja 
Published: September 2014

AbstractScientific texts are a genre in which adherence to specific discourse conventions allows for conclusions on the scientific integrity of the information and thus on its validity. This study examines whether genre‐typical features of scientific discourse influence how laypeople handle conflicting science‐based knowledge claims. In two experiments with a total of N = 120 participants we investigated to what extent laypeople take into account such features when judging the “scientificness” and credibility of conflicting knowledge claims about medical issues and issues related to climate change and when determining their personal agreement with conflicting claims. Results showed that laypeople use genre‐typical discourse features to evaluate the scientificness and credibility of conflicting science‐based information. However, depending on the scientific topic, they appear to distinguish between what they judge to be credible and what they personally believe to be true. Educational implications of the findings are discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 52: 36–57, 2015
Barriers to effective climate change mitigation: the case of senior government and business decision makers
Authors: Rickards Lauren , Wiseman John , Kashima Yoshi 
Published: September 2014

While the case for rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is compelling, actions being taken by most senior decision makers (SDMs) in government and business compound the problem. Given the systemic reach of much senior decision making, including decisions that constrain their own actions, there is an urgent need to open up the SDM black box. Focused on Western governments and multinational corporations, this article examines a cross‐disciplinary range of literature to ask: What are the key factors affecting the preparedness of SDMs—particularly those who accept the climate science—to take the decisive actions needed to drive rapid and significant emission reductions? The review brings together multiple perspectives on the many compounding factors operating across three interconnected scales: micro (individual and interpersonal factors including disciplinary background, worldview, gender, and risk perceptions); meso (network, organizational and institutional factors including management paradigms, organizational culture, and institutional complexity); and macro (environmental, social, cultural, political, and economic factors including climatic extremes, vested interests, and public opinion). It concludes that SDMs are strongly focused on their ‘local’ professional context and near‐term pressures, including reputation among peers, relationships with competitors, and real‐time financial status. As a group they exist within a largely closed circuit and perceive the world from a particular narrow perspective. Combined with the complexity and embedded character of existing systems, this occludes more systemic or reflexive thinking or action. This deep propensity for inaction suggests that a coordinated multi‐frontal approach is essential for a new more effective mitigation approach. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:753–773. doi: 10.1002/wcc.305This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses