bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disease origin and progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an immunology perspective
Authors: Malaspina Andrea , Puentes Fabiola , Amor Sandra 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe immune system is inextricably linked with many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neuromuscular disorder affecting motor cell function with an average survival of 3 years from symptoms onset. In ALS, there is a dynamic interplay between the resident innate immune cells, that is, microglia and astrocytes, which may become progressively harmful to motor neurons. Although innate and adaptive immune responses are associated with progressive neurodegeneration, in the early stages of ALS immune activation pathways are primarily considered to be beneficial promoting neuronal repair of the damaged tissues, though a harmful effect of T cells at this stage of disease has also been observed. In addition, although auto-antibodies against neuronal antigens are present in ALS, it is unclear whether these arise as a primary or secondary event to neuronal damage, and whether the auto-antibodies are indeed pathogenic. Understanding how the immune system contributes to the fate of motor cells in ALS may shed light on the triggers of disease as well as on the mechanisms contributing to the propagation of the pathology. Immune markers may also act as biomarkers while pathways involved in immune action may be targets of new therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the modalities by which the immune system senses the core pathological process in motor neuron disorders, focusing on tissue-specific immune responses in the neuromuscular junction and in the neuroaxis observed in affected individuals and in animal models of ALS. We elaborate on existing data on the immunological fingerprint of ALS that could be used to identify clues on the disease origin and patterns of progression.
CNS Hemangiopericytoma
Authors: Ghose Abhimanyu , Guha Gunjan , Kundu Ria , Tew John , Chaudhary Rekha 
Published: October 2014

Background:
Central nervous system (CNS) hemangiopericytomas are rare mesenchymal tumors of the brain. In the absence of randomized clinical trials or large studies, the only information we have about the natural history and the management is from isolated clinical case series. They have suggested that surgery is beneficial, with conflicting results on the role of complete resection and adjuvant radiation. We have conducted a systematic review of clinical case series of CNS hemangiopericytoma analyzing the biology of the tumor and the best follow-up and management strategy.

Methods:
Fifteen pertinent clinical case series on newly diagnosed CNS hemangiopericytoma were selected by a review of literature. A total of 523 patients were analyzed for age, sex, mode of recurrence and metastases, and survival after complete/incomplete resection with or without radiation.

Results:
The mean age was found to be 44.17 (±3.59) years. The incidence was higher in male individuals younger than 45 years and in older female individuals. Complete resection and adjuvant radiation significantly improved survival in comparison with incomplete resection and no radiation, respectively (P<0.0001). Furthermore, a significant trend of the tumor to recur locally compared with extraneural and neural axis metastases was noted (P<0.0001). The mean time for distant metastases was seen to be 91.33 (±12.66) months.

Conclusions:
Complete resection followed by adjuvant radiation improves survival. Extraneural metastases, especially to lung, bone, and liver, are not uncommon and can occur late in the disease course for which continued follow-up is required. There is also a need to establish a systemic treatment regimen to control the distant metastases.
Extrapolating histone marks across developmental stages, tissues, and species: an enhancer prediction case study
Authors: Capra John A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundDynamic activation and inactivation of gene regulatory DNA produce the expression changes that drive the differentiation of cellular lineages. Identifying regulatory regions active during developmental transitions is necessary to understand how the genome specifies complex developmental programs and how these processes are disrupted in disease. Gene regulatory dynamics are mediated by many factors, including the binding of transcription factors (TFs) and the methylation and acetylation of DNA and histones. Genome-wide maps of TF binding and DNA and histone modifications have been generated for many cellular contexts; however, given the diversity and complexity of animal development, these data cover only a small fraction of the cellular and developmental contexts of interest. Thus, there is a need for methods that use existing epigenetic and functional genomics data to analyze the thousands of contexts that remain uncharacterized.ResultsTo investigate the utility of histone modification data in the analysis of cellular contexts without such data, I evaluated how well genome-wide H3K27ac and H3K4me1 data collected in different developmental stages, tissues, and species were able to predict experimentally validated heart enhancers active at embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) in mouse. Using a machine-learning approach to integrate the data from different contexts, I found that E11.5 heart enhancers can often be predicted accurately from data from other contexts, and I quantified the contribution of each data source to the predictions. The utility of each dataset correlated with nearness in developmental time and tissue to the target context: data from late developmental stages and adult heart tissues were most informative for predicting E11.5 enhancers, while marks from stem cells and early developmental stages were less informative. Predictions based on data collected in non-heart tissues and in human hearts were better than random, but worse than using data from mouse hearts.Conclusions:The ability of these algorithms to accurately predict developmental enhancers based on data from related, but distinct, cellular contexts suggests that combining computational models with epigenetic data sampled from relevant contexts may be sufficient to enable functional characterization of many cellular contexts of interest.
Why won’t task conflict cooperate? Deciphering stubborn results
Authors: L. Loughry Misty , C. Amason Allen 
Published: October 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to suggest why the theoretically positive relationship between task conflict and team performance has received mixed empirical support.Design/methodology/approach– We review the literature on task conflict and offer explanations for findings that contradict the expected positive relationship between task conflict and team performance.Findings– High levels of correlation among task, relationship and process conflict, and measurement and data analysis issues make it difficult to isolate the effects of each type of conflict. Group-level moderators, including values congruence, goal alignment, norms for debate and the group’s performance history and conflict history affect the relationship between task conflict and performance. The complex relationship between conflict and trust may cause task conflict to have mixed effects on performance. Individual differences and conflict management approaches also affect the relationship between task conflict and performance. Temporal issues and stages of group development are other relevant influences.Practical implications– To better achieve the theorized performance benefits of task conflict, a context characterized by trust is needed. Then norms fostering task conflict can be cultivated and employees can be trained in conflict management. Individual differences that affect team members’ ability to confidently accept task conflict can be considered in selection.Originality/value– Suggestions are presented for future research that may explain discrepant findings in the past empirical literature. In particular, it may be difficult for some team members to perceive task conflict in well-functioning teams. Measures of task conflict that avoid the use of words with a negative connotation should be tested.
Only narratives can reflect the experience of objectivity: effective persuasion
Authors: Goosseff Kyrill A. 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences between objective language and narratives and how differences affect rhetoric.

Design/methodology/approach
– Conceptual implications are drawn from an analysis and discussion of the literature in the fields of autopoiesis, meanings and narratives.

Findings
– Only narratives convey the experience of objectivity, which makes them more effective to persuade people to change than just providing “objective” data and explanatory knowledge.

Originality/value
– The paper discusses how the projection of meaning is not an experience but knowledge. Meaning is experienced as an empirical property of the perceived.
Broad‐scale variation of fungal‐endophyte incidence in temperate grasses
Authors: Semmartin María , Omacini Marina , Gundel Pedro E. , Hernández‐Agramonte Ignacio M. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

The strength of many interactions between plants and other organisms changes across regional gradients. For example, the relevance of plant‐herbivore interactions increases with primary production. Likewise, biotic interactions collectively become more intense from the poles to the equator. Yet, the regional variation of the interaction between grasses and systemic fungal endophytes, which provide resistance to biotic and abiotic environmental factors (i.e. herbivory and drought), is poorly understood.

We compiled 1008 records of the incidence level of fungal endophytes (Epichloë, Ascomycetes: Clavicipitaceae) on wild populations of 48 cool season grasses, encompassing 10 biomes across a broad latitudinal expanse and primary production gradient. Symbiosis incidence was analysed as a function of mean primary production, precipitation, temperature and latitude of each site, which in turn were obtained from climatic and satellital sources.

Across a 30‐fold variation of mean primary production, average symbiosis incidence increased from 20% to 70%. The pattern became stronger when the analysis was restricted to the single grass genus Festuca, which accounted for half of the total data.

The number of grass populations showing no symbiosis incidence (0%) decreased as primary production increased, whereas those with 100% of incidence increased.

Primary production at the regional scale was negatively correlated with latitude but positively with mean annual temperature and precipitation. Symbiosis incidence was similarly correlated with latitude and temperature, and it was not with mean annual precipitation.

Synthesis. Different descriptors of this grass‐fungus symbiosis show that average incidence in wild populations world‐wide increases with mean primary production. As at large spatial scales herbivory and temperature increase and aridity decreases with primary production, our results suggest that, at broad‐scales, these biotic and abiotic factors may be important drivers of the symbiosis success.
An Uncertain Future for the BBC World Service
Authors: WEBB ALBAN 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn recent years, the BBC World Service has undergone the most radical overhaul of its governance, finance and working practices since the Second World War. In examining these changes, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report on The Future of the BBC World Service articulates ‘clear differences’ between it and the BBC about how the World Service should be governed, and ‘serious reservations’ about the transfer of funding in April this year from government grant‐in‐aid to the licence fee. With a new BBC Charter due in 2017, will the distinct ethos and culture of the World Service survive this major reorganisation?
Effect of Date Palm Coproducts and Annatto Extract on Lipid Oxidation and Microbial Quality in a Pork Liver Pâté
Authors: Martín‐Sánchez A.M. , Ciro‐Gómez G.L. , Zapata‐Montoya J.E. , Vilella‐Esplá J. , Pérez‐Álvarez J.A. , Sayas‐Barberá E. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDates are an interesting source of bioactive compounds, and coproducts from the date industry are of potential use in the manufacturing of meat products. In the present research, spreadable pork liver pâtés were made using fresh date coproducts (2.5% and 7.5%) as a potential functional ingredient and an ethanolic annatto extract (128 mg/kg) as colorant. The effect of these 2 ingredients on the lipid oxidation and microbial quality of the pâtés was assessed during 21 d of storage. The pâtés containing 7.5% date paste were seen to have the highest content of phenolic compounds during storage. The combination of 2.5% date paste and annatto protected pâtés against lipid oxidation throughout the 21 d of storage, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances values being 0.47 mg MDA/kg at the end of this period, while other combinations increased oxidation compared to the control pâté. The control and those made with 2.5% date paste alone showed the highest counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, while the addition of annatto and/or 7.5% date paste reduced this count. The results suggest that a combination of both ingredients is necessary to reduce oxidation and microbial growth, but whereas the concentration of 2.5% is more appropriate to reduce oxidation, the combination with 7.5% date paste reduces the microbial counts. Both ingredients could have an opportunity of valorization in the meat industry for improving the quality.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities of Zein Protein Fractions
Authors: Tang Ning , Zhuang Hong 
Published: October 2014

AbstractZein protein was extracted from the by‐product corn gluten meal. The obtained zein protein was 1st hydrolyzed by 4 different proteases. The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates or peptides were evaluated by free radical scavenging activity, metal ion chelating activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity. Among hydrolysates produced, alkaline protease hydrolysates exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. A regression model was established by uniform design to optimize the alkaline protease hydrolysis conditions. The hydrolysates with molecular weight < 3 kDa obtained from ultrafiltration showed the highest antioxidant activities in all relevant assays. The hydrolysates with molecular weight <3 kDa were subsequently purified by gel filtration chromatography, and fraction F3 exhibited the highest antioxidant activities. Two peptides were identified from fraction F3 using LC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF MS/MS as Pro‐Phe (263.13 Da) and Leu‐Pro‐Phe (375.46 Da). These peptides exhibited good free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect. The results clearly indicated that zein protein fractions are good sources for the development of natural antioxidants for the food industry.
Determinants of incident prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in a 7‐year cohort in a developing country: The Isfahan Cohort Study
Authors: Sadeghi Masoumeh , Talaei Mohammad , Parvaresh Rizi Ehsan , Dianatkhah Minoo , Oveisgharan Shahram , Sarrafzadegan Nizal 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to identify determinants of new onset type‐2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes in a region with high rate of T2D but scarcity of evidence.MethodsParticipants free of T2D were identified in a population‐based study of adults older than 35 years living in the rural and urban areas of three districts in Iran in 2001 and were re‐examined after 7 years. Biochemical measurements, anthropometric data, blood pressure, smoking status and dietary intake were determined at both measurement points through identical protocols and procedures. Data analysis was done using multivariate ordered logistic regressions.ResultsIncidence rate of prediabetes and T2D was 32.3 (95%CI, 29.7–35.1) and 18.9 (17.1–20.9) per 1000 person‐year, respectively. Odds of progression to prediabetes and T2D were increased with ageing, living in rural area (OR = 1.28), unhealthy diet (OR = 1.32), overweight (OR = 1.45), obesity (OR = 1.97), waist gain (OR = 1.37), high waist‐to‐hip ratio (OR = 1.35), hypertension (OR = 1.35), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.50); but reduced with higher education (OR = 0.76) and weight loss (OR = 0.67) in the adjusted models. In those with prediabetes at baseline, parental history of T2D (OR = 2.26), obesity (OR = 2.59), high waist circumference (OR = 2.03), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.94) were associated with developing T2D. No factor was found to be associated with regression from prediabetes to normoglycemia in adjusted models.ConclusionsCurrent data endorses proposed statistical projections for the future trend of diabetes, and highlights the potential role of obesity specifically visceral type.
Endothelial dysfunction after non‐cardiac surgery: a systematic review
Authors: SØNDERGAARD E. S. , FONNES S. , GÖGENUR I. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundMore than 50% of patients with increased troponin levels after non‐cardiac surgery have an impaired endothelial function pre‐operatively. Non‐invasive markers of endothelial function have been developed for the assessment of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the literature to evaluate the association between non‐cardiac surgery and non‐invasive markers of endothelial function.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library Database according to the PRISMA guidelines. Endothelial dysfunction was described only with non‐invasive measurements done both pre‐ and post‐operatively and published in English. All types of non‐cardiac surgery and both men and women of all ages were included.ResultsWe found 1722 eligible studies in our search, and of these, five studies fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Endothelial function was disturbed in patients after non‐cardiac surgery. Three studies found a significant decrease in the endothelial function immediately after surgery (2 and 24 h post‐operatively). Two studies found that patients with previous endothelial dysfunction and scheduled for surgery (renal transplantation and vascular surgery respectively) had an improvement in endothelial dysfunction 1 month after surgery.ConclusionEndothelial function changes in relation to surgery. Assessment of endothelial function by non‐invasive measures has the potential to guide clinicians in the prevention or treatment of post‐operative myocardial damage.
Ontogenetic Scaling of the Hindlimb Muscles of the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
Authors: Picasso M. B. J. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe greater rhea (Rhea americana) is the largest South American bird. It is a cursorial, flightless species with long powerful legs and reduced forelimbs. The goal of this study was to explore how hindlimb muscles scale with body mass during postnatal growth and to analyze whether the specialized locomotion of this species affects the growth of muscle masses. The mass of 19 muscles and body mass were weighed in 21 specimens ranging from 1‐month‐old individuals to adults. Seventeen muscles scaled with positive allometry with respect to body mass, whereas two muscles scaled isometrically. The predominance of positive allometric growth in hindlimb muscles results in a limb with massive and powerful muscles specialized to support a large body mass and to attain relatively high running speeds. Analysis of muscle mass scaling is a simple and useful way to compare possible differences between locomotor styles, and it is valuable in studies that reconstruct the paleobiology of extinct taxa.
Incidence and outcomes of pregnancy‐associated melanoma in New South Wales 1994–2008
Authors: Bannister‐Tyrrell Melanie , Roberts Christine L. , Hasovits Csilla , Nippita Tanya , Ford Jane B. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundThere is controversy about the interaction between melanoma and pregnancy. There is a lack of Australian data on pregnancy outcomes associated with melanoma in pregnancy, despite Australia having the highest incidence of melanoma in the world.AimsDescribe trends, maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes associated with pregnancy‐associated melanoma in New South Wales.Materials and MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study of all births (n = 1 309 501) of at least 20‐week gestation or 400 g birthweight in New South Wales, 1994–2008. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between melanoma in pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.Results577 pregnancy‐associated melanomas were identified, including 195 diagnosed during pregnancy and 382 diagnosed within 12 months postpartum. The crude incidence of pregnancy‐associated melanoma increased from 37.1 per 100 000 maternities in 1994 to 51.84 per 100 000 maternities in 2008. Adjusting for maternal age accounted for the trend in pregnancy‐associated melanoma. Melanomas diagnosed in pregnancy were thicker (median = 0.75 mm) than melanomas diagnosed postpartum (median = 0.60 mm) (P = 0.002). Pregnancy‐associated melanoma was associated with the increased risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age infant but not preterm birth, planned birth, caesarean section or stillbirth. Parity was inversely associated with pregnancy‐associated melanoma, as women with three or more previous pregnancies had 0.59 times the odds of pregnancy‐associated melanoma compared to nulliparous women (95% CI 0.42–0.84, P = 0.003).ConclusionsThe incidence of pregnancy‐associated melanoma has increased with increasing maternal age. The observation of thicker melanomas in pregnancy and increased risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants may suggest a role for growth‐related pregnancy factors in pregnancy‐associated melanoma.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: post‐infectious functional dyspepsia
Authors: Futagami S. , Itoh T. , Sakamoto C. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) following infectious gastroenteritis has not been systematically reviewed.AimTo conduct a systematic review and calculate the summary odds ratio (OR) for the development of FD following infectious gastroenteritis, as compared to a control population.MethodsPublished studies in PubMed, EmBASE, and Cochrane Database and abstracts from standard sources were screened for eligible studies. Data from studies meeting inclusion criteria were pooled for meta‐analysis.ResultsNineteen studies were eligible for inclusion. The mean prevalence of FD following acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was 9.55% (FD, n = 909; AGE, n = 9517) in adult populations. The summary OR for the development of post‐infectious FD was 2.54 (95% CI = 1.76–3.65) at more than 6 months after AGE, as compared to the prevalence in controls within the same population. This is compared with the summary OR (3.51; 95% CI = 2.05–6.00) for the development of post‐infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the same population at more than 6 months after AGE. There was significant statistical heterogeneity with an I2 of 72.8% for the summary OR of post‐infectious FD. Several pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157, Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia lamblia and Norovirus have been shown to be associated with post‐infectious FD symptoms.ConclusionsInfectious gastroenteritis is associated with an increased risk for subsequent dyspepsia as well as for irritable bowel syndrome. Post‐infectious FD and post‐infectious irritable bowel syndrome may represent different aspects of the same pathophysiology. Further studies will be needed to determine this.