bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bruxism in Movement Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ella Bruno , Ghorayeb Imad , Burbaud Pierre , Guehl Dominique
Published: April 2016

Bruxism is an abnormal repetitive movement disorder characterized by jaw clenching and tooth gnashing or grinding. It is classified into two overlapping types: awake bruxism (AB) and sleep bruxism (SB). Theories on factors causing bruxism are a matter of controversy, but a line of evidence suggests that it may to some extent be linked to basal ganglia dysfunction although so far, this topic has received little attention. The purpose of this article was to review cases of bruxism reported in various movement disorders. The biomedical literature was searched for publications reporting the association of bruxism with various types of movement disorders. As a whole, very few series were found, and most papers corresponded to clinical reports. In Parkinsonian syndromes, AB was rarely reported, but seems to be exacerbated by medical treatment, whereas SB is mainly observed during non‐REM sleep, as in restless leg syndrome. AB is occasionally reported in Huntington's disease, primary dystonia, and secondary dystonia; however, its highest incidence and severity is reported in syndromes combining stereotypies and cognitive impairment, such as Rett's syndrome (97%), Down syndrome (42%), and autistic spectrum disorders (32%). Taken as a whole, AB seems to be more frequent in hyperkinetic movement disorders, notably those with stereotypies, and is influenced by anxiety, suggesting an involvement of the limbic part of the basal ganglia in its pathophysiology.
Live performance, carcass characteristic and blood metabolite responses of broilers to two distinct corn types with different extent of grinding
Authors: Zhao J. P. , Cui D. P. , Zhang Z. Y. , Jiao H. C. , Song Z. G. , Lin H.
Published: April 2016

The major objective of this research was to establish the main and interactive effects of corn type and extent of grinding on broiler performance including carcass characteristics. A completely randomized experimental design with a 2 (corn type) × 2 (fine and coarse) factorial arrangement, each with six replicates of 45 male Ross chicks, was applied. Experimental diets, containing dent or hard corn, were formulated with two extents of grinding (3.00 or 6.00 mm screens) for three growing phases. In comparison with dent corn, the hard corn increased body weight (BW) gain and thigh muscle yield (p < 0.05), while decreasing feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) and abdominal fat deposition (p < 0.05), some aspects of which were age‐dependent and appeared to vary with extent of grinding. Coarser grinding increased the weight of proventriculus (p < 0.01), gizzard (p < 0.05) and small + large intestine (p < 0.10) relative to BW, particularly towards market size. These results suggest that feeding hard corn or large‐particle‐size corn have some favourable effects on growth performance or gastrointestinal development for finishing broilers.
An association between the level of oxidative stress and the concentrations of NEFA and BHBA in the plasma of ketotic dairy cows
Authors: Li Y. , Ding H. Y. , Wang X. C. , Feng S. B. , Li X. B. , Wang Z. , Liu G. W. , Li X. W.
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative status in ketotic cows. We observed changes in the oxidative status and correlations between the oxidative and metabolic status in non‐ketotic (n = 10), subclinical ketotic (n = 10) and ketotic cows (n = 10). Plasma samples were analysed by standard biochemical techniques and ELISA to determine traditional metabolic parameters: triglyceride (TG), phosphonium (P), calcium (Ca), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), immune globulin (Ig), total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); energy metabolism indices: glucose, β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA); and indices of oxidative status: malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), catalase (CAT), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). The results of this study showed that plasma glucose levels were lower in ketotic and subclinical ketotic cows than in non‐ketotic cows; however, the plasma NEFA and BHBA concentrations were higher. In addition, significant decreases in TC, HDL and VLDL and significant increases in AST, ALT and LDH were observed in the plasma of the ketotic cows. The ketotic cows showed decreased plasma SOD, CAT, vitamin C and vitamin E, inhibited hydroxyl radical capacity and increased plasma H2O2 and MDA. There were positive correlations between the plasma NEFA and ALT, AST, LDH and MDA and negative correlations between the plasma NEFA and TC, HDL, VLDL, SOD, vitamin C, vitamin E, 1542280 uric acid and inhibited hydroxyl radical capacity. In addition, there were positive correlations between BHBA concentrations and ALT, AST and LDH and negative correlations between plasma BHBA concentrations and TC, HDL, VLDL, vitamin E and inhibited hydroxyl radical capacity. Overall, ketotic dairy cows experience oxidative stress, which is presumably associated with hyperketonemia and higher NEFA.
Antioxidant and haematological biomarkers in different groups of horses supplemented with polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E
Authors: Mélo S. K. M. , Diniz A. I. A. , de Lira V. L. , de Oliveira Muniz S. K. , da Silva G. R. , Manso H. E. C. da C. C. , Manso Filho H. C.
Published: April 2016

Summay

Oxidative stress has been correlated with pathologies that impair the performance of athlete horses. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with a mixture of polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E on the antioxidant and haematological biomarkers of horses. Horses under maintenance care (n = 6) and horses in training (n = 10) received 100 and 300 ml of the oil mixture respectively. Supplementation was provided for a period of 8 weeks, together with isocaloric inclusion. Blood samples were collected at three time periods (pretest, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks) to analyse the following: the red blood cell count (RBCc); haemoglobin (Hb); haematocrit (HT); leucocytes; lymphocytes; platelets; the mean corpuscular volume (MCV); the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC); the standard deviation of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW‐SD); the coefficient of variation of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW‐CV); glutathione peroxidase (GPx); superoxide dismutase (SOD); uric acid (UrAc); total plasma proteins (TPP); and creatine kinase (CK). After the 8 weeks of supplementation, animals under maintenance care exhibited significant increases in SOD, UrAc, the white blood cell count (WBCc), the RDW‐SD and the RDW‐CV (p < 0.05). The animals in training exhibited increases in GPx, SOD and UrAc (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E increases blood antioxidants among animals under maintenance and in training, with different trends, while contributing to the fight against oxidative stress in each group analysed.
Tropical legume supplementation influences microbial protein synthesis and rumen ecology
Authors: Phesatcha K. , Wanapat M.
Published: April 2016

Four rumen‐fistulated male swamp buffaloes, 5‐year‐old with initiated live weight at 360 ± 12 kg, were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of feeding high level of dried Leucaena leaf (DLL) on feed intake, fermentation efficiency and microbial protein synthesis. The dietary treatments were the feeding levels of DLL at 0, 2, 4 and 6 kg/head/day. All buffaloes were supplemented with concentrate mixtures at 0.1% of body weight, and rice straw was fed ad libitum with the availability of water and mineral block at all time. The results revealed that the total feed intake and nutrient digestibility were significantly improved with the increasing levels of DLL feeding, and the highest was in the buffaloes consuming DLL at 6 kg/head/day. Feeding high levels of DLL did not affect on ruminal pH and temperature, while ammonia nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen and volatile fatty acid concentration were significantly enhanced. Moreover, methane production was dramatically reduced by increasing levels of DLL feeding. Total direct counts of the micro‐organism population were increased with the increasing levels of DLL feeding. According to the application of quantitative PCR to quantity cellulolytic bacteria (16S rRNA) targets, it was found that the population of total bacteria and Fibrobactor succinogenes was affected by treatments, while Ruminococcus flavefaciens and methanogen population were significantly decreased as buffaloes were fed with DLL. The nitrogen balance and microbial nitrogen supply were remarkably improved with the increasing levels of DLL feeding. Based on this study, it could be concluded that high levels of DLL feeding at 6 kg/head/day could enhance feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency and microbial protein synthesis in swamp buffaloes fed on rice straw without any adverse effect.
High dietary biotin levels affect the footpad and hock health of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities and litter conditions
Authors: Sun Z. W. , Fan Q. H. , Wang X. X. , Guo Y. M. , Wang H. J. , Dong X.
Published: April 2016

Responses to stocking density (SD), dietary biotin concentration and litter condition were evaluated on 2016 Ross 308 male broilers in the fattening period (day 22–day 42). The birds were placed in 48 pens with either dry or wet litter to simulate the final stocking density of 30 kg (12 broilers/m2; normal stocking density, NSD) and 40 kg (16 broilers/m2; high stocking density, HSD) of body weight (BW)/m2 floor space. A corn–soybean meal‐based diet was supplemented with biotin to provide a normal (NB; 155 μg/kg) or high (HB, 1521 μg/kg) level of dietary biotin. There were six repetitions per treatment. The inappropriate moisture content of litter associated with HSD was avoided (p < 0.05) by good management (SD difference: dry litter, 6.65% vs. wet litter, 13.23%; 42 days), which made it advantageous (p < 0.01) for footpad (SD difference: dry litter, 0.118 vs. wet litter, 0.312; weekly average value) and hock health (SD difference: dry litter, 0.090 vs. wet litter, 0.303; weekly average value) of HSD birds, but not (p > 0.05) for growth and processing yield. In HSD, the biotin effect (gains, FCR) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in NSD. The similar response of HSD birds to supplemental biotin was observed (p < 0.05) for lesion scores of footpad and hock in particularly finishing chickens, and a significant interaction (p < 0.01) among stocking density, biotin supplementation and litter condition existed from 35 to 42 days of age. Taken together, increasing dietary biotin improves the performance and well‐being of broiler chickens stocked at high densities in litter‐independent and litter‐dependent manners respectively.
Net mineral requirements for growth of Saanen goat kids in early life are similar among genders
Authors: Mendonça A. N. , Härter C. J. , Souza S. F. , Oliveira D. , Boaventura Neto O. , Biagioli B. , Resende K. T. , Teixeira I. A. M. A.
Published: April 2016

The current mineral requirements for growing goat kids are based on sheep and cattle studies without differentiating between the stages of development or gender. The aims of this study were to determine the net requirements for growth of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K of Saanen goat kids during the initial stages of growth and to analyse the effect of gender on the net requirements for growth of these macrominerals. Eighteen female, 19 intact male and 10 castrated male Saanen goat kids were studied. The kids were selected applying a completely randomized design and slaughtered when their body weight (BW) reached approximately 5, 10 and 15 kg to determine the mineral requirements for growth at these stages. The net mineral requirements for growth were similar among genders. The goat kids had slightly increased net requirements of Ca, P and Mg for growth with increasing BW from 5 to 15 kg. The net requirements for growth of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K ranged from 9.61 to 9.67 g/kg of BW gain, 7.14 to 7.56 g/kg of BW gain, 0.34 to 0.37 g/kg of BW gain, 1.26 to 1.13 g/kg of BW gain, 1.88 to 1.82 g/kg of BW gain as the animals grew from 5 to 15 kg respectively. In conclusion, when formulating diets for Saanen goat kids in early growth stage mineral levels do not need to adjusted based on gender.
Species delimitations in plants: lessons learned from potato taxonomy by a practicing taxonomist
Authors: Spooner David M.
Published: April 2016

Solanum section Petota has been the subject of intensive taxonomic work since the description of the cultivated potato in 1753. In total, there are 494 epithets for wild taxa and 626 epithets for cultivated taxa. Different taxonomists applied various taxonomic philosophies and species concepts to the section. Hypotheses of the number of species and their interrelationships have differed greatly among authors. A taxonomic treatment of section Petota by Jack Hawkes in 1990 recognized 228 wild species and seven cultivated species, divided into 21 taxonomic series. In 2014 Spooner and collaborators more than halved this number to 107 wild species and four cultivated species, partitioned into four clades; not using series. The purpose of this paper is to provide a retrospective of the methods and philosophies that have resulted in this drastic decrease in the number of species and their infrasectional classification.
Multicriteria Evaluation of Building Foundation Alternatives
Authors: Turskis Zenonas , Daniūnas Alfonsas , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Medzvieckas Jurgis
Published: April 2016

In real conditions, decision makers usually deal with multiple objectives and should make a decision in a state of certainty or uncertainty. The selection of the best constructions for a building from a number of alternatives is of great importance for owners, contractors, and stakeholders. Dozens of multicriteria/multi‐attribute decision‐making (MCDM/MADM) models developed for evaluating the performance of the available alternatives can be used for selecting the most suitable alternative from a given finite set of options based on a set of attributes. A guide to systematic selection among the available alternatives of building structures is the integrated methodology, thoroughly analyzed in the article. The article presents a MCDM model for selecting the type of foundation for a single‐storey dwelling house based on the WASPAS‐G (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The aggregate criteria weights are determined by using the AHP and experts’ judgement methods.
Risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing dialysis
Authors: Wang I‐Kuan , Wang Ching‐Yuan , Muo Chih‐Hsin , Yen Tzung‐Hai , Sung Fung‐Chang
Published: April 2016

Aim

The study evaluated the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHR) in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis

Methods

We identified 18 905 patients newly diagnosed with ESRD, comprising 6382 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 12 523 patients on hemodialysis (HD) using Taiwan's National Health Insurance claims data from 2000 to 2010. A total of 76 520 controls without kidney disease were randomly selected with frequency matched with the ESRD group by age and sex. We further established additional cohorts with 6375 patients on PD and 6375 patients on HD matched by their propensity scores. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the effect of ESRD and dialysis modality on the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) by the end of 2011.

Results

The incidences for SSHR were 0.49, 2.37, 2.95, and 2.12 per 1000 person‐years in the control, ESRD (PD and HD), PD, and HD cohorts, respectively. The adjusted HRs of SSHR was 2.71, 3.60, and 2.33 for ESRD, PD, and HD groups (95% CI = 2.17–3.38, 2.71–4.78 and 1.81–2.99, respectively) compared with the control cohort. Patients on PD exhibited 1.53‐fold (95% CI = 1.14–2.04) and 1.64‐fold (95% CI = 1.19–2.27) higher SSHL risk than their age‐ and sex‐matched and propensity score‐matched patients on HD, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with ESRD exhibit a higher risk of SSHL than people without kidney disease. The SSHL risk is greater for patients on PD than on HD.
Evaluation of a program on self‐esteem and ego‐identity for Korean nursing students
Authors: Choi Yun‐Jung
Published: April 2016

Nursing students with high levels of self‐esteem and a strong ego‐identity maintain a level of self‐integrity that enables them to participate successfully in shared group values and interests while simultaneously meeting their own needs. Self‐esteem and ego‐identity are associated with academic achievement, major (area of study) satisfaction, and life satisfaction in undergraduate students. This study evaluated a brief group program for Korean nursing students that focused on promoting positive self‐esteem and ego‐identity development. Twenty‐three Korean nursing school students participated. Changes in the students' ego‐identity and self‐esteem were quantitatively examined. Scores for ego‐identity and self‐esteem increased significantly for the students who participated in the group, while scores in the control group remained the same. The program is judged as an effective method for nursing educators or college mental health providers to utilize in order to promote affirmative ego‐identity and self‐esteem in nursing students. Additionally, the program contributes to helping students achieve developmental goals during their college life.
Inonotus krawtzewii causes noteworthy damage to oak stands in Zagros, western Asia, with a key to morphologically similar species worldwide
Authors: Ghobad‐Nejhad Masoomeh
Published: April 2016

Zagros is a mountainous region in western Asia, extending roughly along the western borders of Iran. In the past few years oak decline in the Zagros region has become a serious national concern in Iran, with multiple factors seemingly acting as causal agents. During field surveys recently made in central Zagros, signs of canker trunk rot on oaks and considerable damage were observed, caused by a resupinate polypore identified as Inonotus krawtzewii, previously known from the Russian Far East, China and central Europe. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by analyses of morphological characters and sequences of the nuclear ribosomal ITS region. A description of the species and illustrations are provided, and the symptoms are discussed. A key is given to the known resupinate species of Inonotus developing under bark. This is the first report of I. krawtzewii from western Asia and on Persian oak, and the first report of its invasiveness, at least partly contributing to the Zagros oak decline.
China's Engagement Patterns towards North Korea
Authors: Song Wenzhi , Lee Sangkeun
Published: April 2016

Analysis of China's response to North Korea's grave provocations confirms that China has been adjusting its policy toward North Korea, considering North Korea's stability and the likelihood of US military intervention while pursuing an engagement with North Korea. China has pursued soft engagement when the likelihood of US military intervention has been low and North Korea has been unstable, semi‐hard engagement when the likelihood of US military intervention has been high and North Korea has been stable, and hard engagement when the likelihood of US military intervention has been low and North Korea has been stable. China has increased its pressure on Pyongyang to denuclearize since North Korea's third nuclear test. However, this is merely hard engagement and cannot result in a fundamental change of China's policy toward North Korea. Unless China changes its strategic goal to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, it will retain its engagement policies toward North Korea.
The Meaning of Weight: A Big Way of Life for Rural Mexican‐American Adolescent Men and Caregivers
Authors: Collins Jennifer L. , Owen Donna C. , Champion Jane Dimmitt
Published: April 2016

Objective

To describe the meaning of body weight among rural Mexican‐American adolescents (RMAA) and an influential person (IP) of their social network.

Design and Sample

This is qualitative descriptive study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit RMAA seeking care at a rural primary care‐based clinic. Content analysis was used to identify categories and subcategories. Fifteen male adolescents and 14 IPs were interviewed (n = 29).

Measures

Individual interviews were conducted using a semi‐structured questionnaire.

Results

Participants described body weight through family norms, body size, and history of heart disease or diabetes. Cultural scripts were used to describe weight gain, judgment of size, and resource limitations.

Conclusions

Health care providers must evaluate cultural scripts associated with body size to develop interventions that are derived from the meaning ascribed to weight status rather than simply based on evidence‐based standards.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01387646
Functional characterization of a basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor GhDEL65 from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Shangguan Xiao‐Xia , Yang Chang‐Qing , Zhang Xiu‐Fang , Wang Ling‐Jian
Published: April 2016

Cotton fiber is proposed to share some similarity with the Arabidopsis thaliana leaf trichome, which is regulated by the MYB‐bHLH‐WD40 transcription complex. Although several MYB transcription factors and WD40 family proteins in cotton have been characterized, little is known about the role of bHLH family proteins in cotton. Here, we report that GhDEL65, a bHLH protein from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), is a functional homologue of Arabidopsis GLABRA3 (GL3) and ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3) in regulating trichome development. Transcripts of GhDEL65 were detected in 0 ∼ 1 days post‐anthesis (DPA) ovules and abundant in 3‐DPA fibers, implying that GhDEL65 may act in early fiber development. Ectopic expression of GhDEL65 in Arabidopsis gl3 egl3 double mutant partly rescued the trichome development, and constitutive expression of GhDEL65 in wild‐type plants led to increased trichome density on rosette leaves and stems, mainly by activating the transcription of two key positive regulators of trichome development, GLABRA1 (GL1) and GLABRA2 (GL2), and suppressed the expression of a R3 single‐repeat MYB factor TRIPTYCHON (TRY). GhDEL65 could interact with cotton R2R3 MYB transcription factors GhMYB2 and GhMYB3, as well as the WD40 protein GhTTG3, suggesting that the MYB‐bHLH‐WD40 protein complex also exists in cotton fiber cell, though its function in cotton fiber development awaits further investigation.
Retracted: Each of the chloroplast potassium efflux antiporters affects photosynthesis and growth of fully developed Arabidopsis rosettes under short‐day photoperiod
Authors: Dana Somnath , Herdean Andrei , Lundin Björn , Spetea Cornelia
Published: April 2016

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the chloroplast harbors three potassium efflux antiporters (KEAs), namely KEA1 and KEA2 in the inner envelope and KEA3 in the thylakoid membrane. They may play redundant physiological roles as in our previous analyses of young developing Arabidopsis rosettes under long‐day photoperiod (16 h light per day), chloroplast kea single mutants resembled the wild‐type plants, whereas kea1kea2 and kea1kea2kea3 mutants were impaired in chloroplast development and photosynthesis resulting in stunted growth. Here, we aimed to study whether chloroplast KEAs play redundant roles in chloroplast function of older Arabidopsis plants with fully developed rosettes grown under short‐day photoperiod (8 h light per day). Under these conditions, we found defects in photosynthesis and growth in the chloroplast kea single mutants, and most dramatic defects in the kea1kea2 double mutant. The mechanism behind these defects in the single mutants involves reduction in the electron transport rate (kea1 and kea3), and stomata conductance (kea1, kea2 and kea3), which in turn affect CO2 fixation rates. The kea1kea2 mutant, in addition to these alterations, displayed reduced levels of photosynthetic machinery. Taken together, our data suggest that, in addition to the previously reported roles in chloroplast development in young rosettes, each chloroplast KEA affects photosynthesis and growth of Arabidopsis fully developed rosettes.
The evolution of substrate specificity‐associated residues and Ca2+‐binding motifs in EF‐hand‐containing type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases
Authors: Hao Meng‐Shu , Rasmusson Allan G.
Published: April 2016

Most eukaryotic organisms, except some animal clades, have mitochondrial alternative electron transport enzymes that allow respiration to bypass the energy coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The energy bypass enzymes in plants include the external type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases (DHs) of the NDB family, which are characterized by an EF‐hand domain for Ca2+ binding. Here we investigate these plant enzymes by combining molecular modeling with evolutionary analysis. Molecular modeling of the Arabidopsis thaliana AtNDB1 with the yeast ScNDI1 as template revealed distinct similarities in the core catalytic parts, and highlighted the interaction between the pyridine nucleotide and residues correlating with NAD(P)H substrate specificity. The EF‐hand domain of AtNDB1 has no counterpart in ScNDI1, and was instead modeled with Ca2+‐binding signal transducer proteins. Combined models displayed a proximity of the AtNDB1 EF‐hand domain to the substrate entrance side of the catalytic part. Evolutionary analysis of the eukaryotic NDB‐type proteins revealed ancient and recent reversions between the motif observed in proteins specific for NADH (acidic type) and NADPH (non‐acidic type), and that the clade of enzymes with acidic motifs in angiosperms derives from non‐acidic‐motif NDB‐type proteins present in basal plants, fungi and protists. The results suggest that Ca2+‐dependent external NADPH oxidation is an ancient process, indicating that it has a fundamental importance for eukaryotic cellular redox metabolism. In contrast, the external NADH DHs in plants are products of a recent expansion, mirroring the expansion of the alternative oxidase family.
40‐Hz oscillations underlying perceptual binding in young and older adults
Authors: Ross Bernhard , Fujioka Takako
Published: April 2016

Auditory object perception requires binding of elementary features of complex stimuli. Synchronization of high‐frequency oscillation in neural networks has been proposed as an effective alternative to binding via hard‐wired connections because binding in an oscillatory network can be dynamically adjusted to the ever‐changing sensory environment. Previously, we demonstrated in young adults that gamma oscillations are critical for sensory integration and found that they were affected by concurrent noise. Here, we aimed to support the hypothesis that stimulus evoked auditory 40‐Hz responses are a component of thalamocortical gamma oscillations and examined whether this oscillatory system may become less effective in aging. In young and older adults, we recorded neuromagnetic 40‐Hz oscillations, elicited by monaural amplitude‐modulated sound. Comparing responses in quiet and under contralateral masking with multitalker babble noise revealed two functionally distinct components of auditory 40‐Hz responses. The first component followed changes in the auditory input with high fidelity and was of similar amplitude in young and older adults. The second, significantly smaller in older adults, showed a 200‐ms interval of amplitude and phase rebound and was strongly attenuated by contralateral noise. The amplitude of the second component was correlated with behavioral speech‐in‐noise performance. Concurrent noise also reduced the P2 wave of auditory evoked responses at 200‐ms latency, but not the earlier N1 wave. P2 modulation was reduced in older adults. The results support the model of sensory binding through thalamocortical gamma oscillations. Limitation of neural resources for this process in older adults may contribute to their speech‐in‐noise understanding deficits.
Blood pressure and the perception of illusive pain
Authors: Scheuren Raymonde , Duschek Stefan , Schulz André , Sütterlin Stefan , Anton Fernand
Published: April 2016

Numerous studies have documented an inverse relationship between blood pressure and sensitivity to experimental nociceptive stimulation. The present study aimed to investigate possible associations between blood pressure and the occurrence and intensity of paradoxical pain induced by the thermal grill paradigm. Thirty‐one healthy subjects were stimulated three times for 1 min with the nonnoxious temperatures of 15°C and 41°C set at the interlaced cold and warm bars of a water bath‐driven thermal grill. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded concomitantly. On account of previous observations of an association between the sensitivity of the cardiac baroreflex and pain perception, this parameter was additionally obtained. Numerical rating scales were used to quantify subjective pain intensity and pain unpleasantness; subjects were classified as responders and nonresponders to thermal grill stimulation based on pain intensity ratings. Responders exhibited lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than nonresponders, and inverse linear associations arose between blood pressure and pain intensity and unpleasantness. Baroreflex sensitivity was unrelated to pain ratings. The findings confirmed the hypothesis of a blood pressure dependence of paradoxical pain and support the notion that the cardiovascular and pain regulatory systems interact not only in the processing of pain elicited by noxious input, but also in nonnoxiously generated illusive pain. While this finding is not consistent with the assumption of an involvement of the baroreflex system in mediating the observed interaction, psychological traits and neurochemical factors are alternatively considered.
We Perform Surveillance for Arteriovenous Graft Stenosis
Authors: Whittier William L.
Published: April 2016

Successful hemodialysis is dependent on high unimpeded blood flow. Arteriovenous grafts are notorious for access stenosis, a precursor for access thrombosis. Access surveillance techniques are available and in observational studies have been superior to clinical monitoring for the detection of access stenosis and subsequent prevention of thrombosis in arteriovenous grafts. However, in prospective randomized controlled studies, these surveillance techniques have not been superior to clinical monitoring in reducing access thrombosis and or prolonging access survival. Presently, routine surveillance should not be performed until it can be proven to be effective at prolonging thrombosis free graft survival.
We Underutilize the Leg Graft
Authors: Allon Michael
Published: April 2016

Once hemodialysis patients have exhausted all option for a permanent vascular access in both upper extremities, they are often relegated at many dialysis centers to permanent catheter dependence with all its attendant complications, including infections, frequent dysfunction, and central vein stenosis. This commentary makes the case that thigh grafts are a far superior alternative to dialysis catheters in many of these patients. Technical graft failure may occur in some patients due to severe femoral artery calcification, but screening for calcification by ultrasound or computerized tomography can reduce the likelihood of a technical failure. Placement of a thigh graft may lead to critical lower extremity ischemia, but preoperative screening for peripheral vascular disease should minimize this possibility. Thigh grafts have comparable secondary patency to that obtained with upper extremity grafts. Finally, although the risk of infection is somewhat higher for thigh grafts than upper extremity grafts, it is still much lower than the risk of catheter‐related bacteremia. In summary, thigh grafts should be used much more frequently in patients without an option for an upper extremity access.
We Use Heparin as the Anticoagulant for CRRT
Authors: Karakala Nithin , Tolwani Ashita
Published: April 2016

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) usually requires anticoagulation to prevent clotting of the extracorporeal circuit. Interruptions due to filter clotting significantly reduce total therapy time and CRRT efficacy. Although heparin has traditionally been the most common anticoagulant used for CRRT, increasing evidence suggests that heparin is less effective than regional citrate in prolonging circuit life and considerably increases patient bleeding risk. Advantages of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) include less bleeding, increased circuit life, and less blood transfusion requirement. RCA should be the anticoagulant of choice for CRRT.
Dropping Highly Collinear Variables from a Model: Why it Typically is Not a Good Idea*
Authors: O'Brien Robert M.
Published: April 2016

Objective

To change the common practice of eliminating independent variables from models because they produce multicollinearity in an independent variable of special interest.

Methods

I supplement my presentation, which is based on the purposes of regression analysis, by using Venn diagrams, simple formulas, and two small simulations.

Results

Independent variables that when removed from a model substantially change the statistics associated with the independent variable(s) of most interest are variables that should typically be kept in the model. Multicollinearity is not a sufficient reason to drop variables from a model.

Conclusion

I argue against the routine dropping of variables that cause multicollinearity in an independent variable of interest from regression models. A more important criterion to consider when contemplating dropping a variable from a model is “model influence.”
Identification of the novel HLA‐DRB1*12:50 allele by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Qin F. , Chen N.‐Y. , Dong L.‐N. , He J. , Zhu F.‐M.
Published: April 2016

HLA‐DRB1*12:50 is different from HLA‐DRB1*12:02:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 320 A>C.
Prognostic risk‐stratified score for predicting mortality in hospitalized patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: nationally representative data from 2007 to 2012
Authors: Goel Ruchika , King Karen E. , Takemoto Clifford M. , Ness Paul M. , Tobian Aaron A.R.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Despite proven efficacy and increased availability of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), mortality for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) remains high with a limited understanding of those at highest risk of death.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007‐2012) to derive a prognostic score for mortality in hospitalized TTP patients. Odds ratios of death with various putative risk factors adjusted for age, sex, and race were calculated (adjOR). Weighted mean of adjOR estimates were incorporated in a risk‐stratified score.

RESULTS

Among 8203 hospitalizations with TTP as primary admission diagnosis who underwent TPE, 613 deaths were identified (all‐cause mortality, 7.5%; median time‐to‐death, 9 days; interquartile range, 4‐14 days). In multivariable logistic regression, arterial thrombosis (adjOR 6.7, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1‐40.9), intracranial hemorrhage (adjOR, 6.1; 95% CI, 1.6‐23.2), age at least 60 years (adjOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.1‐5.6), renal failure (adjOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5‐4.5), ischemic stroke (adjOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2‐5.0), platelet (PLT) transfusions (adjOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2‐4.1), and myocardial infarction (adjOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2‐4.6) were significant independent predictors of mortality in TTP patients who underwent TPE. A prognostic weighted mortality prediction scoring system incorporating arterial thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, age, renal failure, ischemic stroke, PLT transfusion, and myocardial infarction showed very good discrimination and was predictive of 78.6% deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Early and targeted therapy for high‐risk individuals should be used to guide management of TTP patients for improved survival outcomes.
Platelet transfusion therapy in sub‐Saharan Africa: bacterial contamination, recipient characteristics, and acute transfusion reactions
Authors: Hume Heather A. , Ddungu Henry , Angom Racheal , Baluku Hannington , Kajumbula Henry , Kyeyune‐Byabazaire Dorothy , Orem Jackson , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra , Tobian Aaron A.R.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Little data are available on bacterial contamination (BC) of platelet units or acute transfusion reactions to platelet transfusions (PTs) in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This prospective, observational study evaluated the rate of BC in whole blood–derived platelet units (WB‐PUs), the utility of performing Gram stains to prevent septic reactions, characteristics of patients receiving PTs, and the rate of acute reactions associated with PTs at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala, Uganda. An aliquot of each WB‐PU studied was taken to perform Gram stains and culture using the Bactec 9120 instrument. Study participants were monitored for reactions.

RESULTS

In total, 337 WB‐PUs were evaluated for BC, of which 323 units were transfused in 151 transfusion episodes to 50 patients. The frequency of BC ranged from 0.3% to 2.1% (according to criteria used to define BC). The Gram stain had high specificity (99.1%) but low sensitivity to detect units with BC. The median platelet count before PT was 10,900 cells/µL (interquartile range, 6000‐18,900 cells/µL). Overall, 78% of PTs were given to patients with no bleeding. Acute reactions occurred in 11 transfusion episodes, involving 13 WB‐PUs, for a rate of 7.3% (95% confidence interval, 3.7%‐12.7%) per transfusion episode. All recipients of units with positive bacterial cultures were receiving antibiotics at the time of transfusion; none experienced a reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of BC observed in this study is lower than previously reported in SSA, but still remains a safety issue. Because Gram staining appears to be an ineffective screening tool, alternate methods should be explored to prevent transfusing bacterially contaminated platelets in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Biofilm‐Associated Gene Expression in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius on a Variety of Implant Materials
Authors: Crawford Evan C. , Singh Ameet , Gibson Thomas W.G. , Weese J. Scott
Published: April 2016

Objective

To evaluate the expression of biofilm‐associated genes in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius on multiple clinically relevant surfaces.

Study Design

In vitro experimental study.

Sample Population

Two strains of methicillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius isolated from clinical infections representing the most common international isolates.

Methods

A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for expression of genes related to biofilm initial adhesion, formation/maturation, antimicrobial resistance, and intracellular communication was developed and validated. S. pseudintermedius biofilms were grown on 8 clinically relevant surfaces (polymethylmethacrylate, stainless steel, titanium, latex, silicone, polydioxanone, polystyrene, and glass) and samples of logarithmic and stationary growth phases were collected. Gene expression in samples was measured by qPCR.

Results

Significant differences in gene expression were identified between surfaces and between bacterial strains for most gene/strain/surface combinations studied. Expression of genes responsible for production of extracellular matrix were increased in biofilms. Expression of genes responsible for initial adhesion and intracellular communication was markedly variable. Antimicrobial resistance gene expression was increased on multiple surfaces, including stainless steel and titanium.

Conclusion

A method for evaluation of expression of multiple biofilm‐associated genes in S. pseudintermedius was successfully developed and applied to the study of biofilms on multiple surfaces. Variations in expression of these genes have a bearing on understanding the development and treatment of implant‐associated biofilm infections and will inform future clinical research.
A finiteness theorem on symplectic singularities
Authors: Namikawa Yoshinori
Published: April 2016

An affine symplectic singularity$X$with a good$\mathbf{C}^{\ast }$-action is called a conical symplectic variety. In this paper we prove the following theorem. For fixed positive integers$N$and$d$, there are only a finite number of conical symplectic varieties of dimension$2d$with maximal weights$N$, up to an isomorphism. To prove the main theorem, we first relate a conical symplectic variety with a log Fano Kawamata log terminal (klt) pair, which has a contact structure. By the boundedness result for log Fano klt pairs with fixed Cartier index, we prove that conical symplectic varieties of a fixed dimension and with a fixed maximal weight form a bounded family. Next we prove the rigidity of conical symplectic varieties by using Poisson deformations.
Vanishing at infinity on homogeneous spaces of reductive type
Authors: Krötz Bernhard , Sayag Eitan , Schlichtkrull Henrik
Published: April 2016

Let $G$ be a real reductive group and $Z=G/H$ a unimodular homogeneous $G$ space. The space $Z$ is said to satisfy VAI (vanishing at infinity) if all smooth vectors in the Banach representations $L^{p}(Z)$ vanish at infinity, $1\leqslant p<\infty$. For $H$ connected we show that $Z$ satisfies VAI if and only if it is of reductive type.
Active subthreshold dendritic conductances shape the local field potential
Authors: Ness Torbjørn V. , Remme Michiel W. H. , Einevoll Gaute T.
Published: April 2016

Key points

The local field potential (LFP), the low‐frequency part of extracellular potentials recorded in neural tissue, is often used for probing neural circuit activity. Interpreting the LFP signal is difficult, however.

While the cortical LFP is thought mainly to reflect synaptic inputs onto pyramidal neurons, little is known about the role of the various subthreshold active conductances in shaping the LFP.

By means of biophysical modelling we obtain a comprehensive qualitative understanding of how the LFP generated by a single pyramidal neuron depends on the type and spatial distribution of active subthreshold currents.

For pyramidal neurons, the h‐type channels probably play a key role and can cause a distinct resonance in the LFP power spectrum.

Our results show that the LFP signal can give information about the active properties of neurons and imply that preferred frequencies in the LFP can result from those cellular properties instead of, for example, network dynamics.

The main contribution to the local field potential (LFP) is thought to stem from synaptic input to neurons and the ensuing subthreshold dendritic processing. The role of active dendritic conductances in shaping the LFP has received little attention, even though such ion channels are known to affect the subthreshold neuron dynamics. Here we used a modelling approach to investigate the effects of subthreshold dendritic conductances on the LFP. Using a biophysically detailed, experimentally constrained model of a cortical pyramidal neuron, we identified conditions under which subthreshold active conductances are a major factor in shaping the LFP. We found that, in particular, the hyperpolarization‐activated inward current, Ih, can have a sizable effect and cause a resonance in the LFP power spectral density. To get a general, qualitative understanding of how any subthreshold active dendritic conductance and its cellular distribution can affect the LFP, we next performed a systematic study with a simplified model. We found that the effect on the LFP is most pronounced when (1) the synaptic drive to the cell is asymmetrically distributed (i.e. either basal or apical), (2) the active conductances are distributed non‐uniformly with the highest channel densities near the synaptic input and (3) when the LFP is measured at the opposite pole of the cell relative to the synaptic input. In summary, we show that subthreshold active conductances can be strongly reflected in LFP signals, opening up the possibility that the LFP can be used to characterize the properties and cellular distributions of active conductances.
Ecological aspects of Lebiasina erythrinoides (Characiformes: Lebiasinidae) from an andean piedmont stream in Colombia
Authors: Maldonado Ocampo Javier Alejandro , Urbano Bonilla Alexander , Zamudio Jhon
Published: April 2016

The present study describes ecological aspects of Lebiasina erythrinoides; 200 individuals were sampled throughout an annual hydrological cycle from October 2008 to September 2009 in La Calaboza stream, a Piedmont tributary of the Rio Cravo Sur. The studied population had more females than males (1.5:1) and preferred habitats dominated by shoreline vegetation and rocky substrates. Prior to reproductive events, individuals presented an increase in the condition factor (K) and the gonosomatic index (GSI). On average, 648.8 oocytes are discharged twice a year: at the beginning of the rainy season, and during falling water phase. The mean sizes at sexual maturity found for females were 73.5 mm standard length (SL) and for males 70 mm SL. Rounding up, an average minimum size of capture of 75 mm SL is proposed. Most specimens of the population (65 %) were found to be maturing or mature (stages II and III), 28.5 % immature (stage I), 5.0 % in post reproduction stage V, and 1.5 % in reproductive phase (IV). Results suggest this species is omnivorous with a preference for invertebrates (IRI = 41.2 %) and vegetal material (IRI = 27.8 %), but also includes a variety of other items. The values of the diet are correlated with hydrological cycle and size.
Transient Motion of Hydrostatic Lead Screws With Continuous Helical Recesses
Authors: Zhang Yongtao , Lu Changhou , Pan Wei , Chen Shujiang , Liu Yunpeng
Published: April 2016

Hydrostatic lead screws possess superior motion characteristics and often run under high speeds and variable loads. This paper presents research on the transient motion of capillary compensated hydrostatic lead screws with continuous helical recesses under high speeds and variable loads. The model is based on the Reynolds equation, the equation of motion and the Euler equation, and takes pitch errors into account. The simulation results show that: (a) the displacement curves of the nut thread calculated under lower static loads can be obtained approximately by translating the displacement curve calculated under no load, (b) under high speeds and higher static loads, the displacement curves of the nut thread present differences, (c) under step loads, the hydrostatic nut has a smooth transient process, and (d) under sinusoidal loads, the amplitude of transient response path is smaller than the displacement of the nut thread under a static load with the same magnitude, and decreases with increase in the frequency of the sinusoidal load.
Analytical/Experimental Study of the Contribution of Individual Seals to Friction Force in Pneumatic Actuators
Authors: Mazza Luigi , Belforte Guido
Published: April 2016

This paper presents an analytical model and its experimental validation for assessing friction forces in reciprocating seals for single and double rod pneumatic cylinders. The contributions of individual piston and rod seals are analyzed using a combination of analytical and experimental approaches. The former entails a friction force formulation based on a lumped parameter seal model, whereas the latter involves carrying out measurements on complete actuators. Selecting appropriate test conditions made it possible to analyze separately the contributions that individual seals make to the overall friction measured on complete actuators. Analysis results were validated by means of friction measurements on the actuators seals, which were tested individually in specific devices. The experimental results were interpreted on the basis of the proposed analytical formulation and confirmed its validity.