bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A tissue‐specific screen of ceramide expression in aged mice identifies ceramide synthase‐1 and ceramide synthase‐5 as potential regulators of fiber size and strength in skeletal muscle
Authors: Tosetti Bettina , Brodesser Susanne , Brunn Anna , Deckert Martina , Blüher Matthias , Doehner Wolfram , Anker Stefan D. , Wenzel Daniela , Fleischmann Bernd , Pongratz Carola , Peters Franziska , Utermöhlen Olaf , Krönke Martin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLoss of skeletal muscle mass is one of the most widespread and deleterious processes in aging humans. However, the mechanistic metabolic principles remain poorly understood. In the framework of a multi‐organ investigation of age‐associated changes of ceramide species, a unique and distinctive change pattern of C16:0 and C18:0 ceramide species was detected in aged skeletal muscle. Consistently, the expression of CerS1 and CerS5 mRNA, encoding the ceramide synthases (CerS) with substrate preference for C16:0 and C18:0 acyl chains, respectively, was down‐regulated in skeletal muscle of aged mice. Similarly, an age‐dependent decline of both CerS1 and CerS5 mRNA expression was observed in skeletal muscle biopsies of humans. Moreover, CerS1 and CerS5 mRNA expression was also reduced in muscle biopsies from patients in advanced stage of chronic heart failure (CHF) suffering from muscle wasting and frailty. The possible impact of CerS1 and CerS5 on muscle function was addressed by reversed genetic analysis using CerS1Δ/Δ and CerS5Δ/Δ knockout mice. Skeletal muscle from mice deficient of either CerS1 or CerS5 showed reduced caliber sizes of both slow (type 1) and fast (type 2) muscle fibers, fiber grouping, and fiber switch to type 1 fibers. Moreover, CerS1‐ and CerS5‐deficient mice exhibited reduced twitch and tetanus forces of musculus extensor digitorum longus. The findings of this study link CerS1 and CerS5 to histopathological changes and functional impairment of skeletal muscle in mice that might also play a functional role for the aging skeletal muscle and for age‐related muscle wasting disorders in humans.
Maternal and infant characteristics associated with maternal opioid overdose in the year following delivery
Authors: Nielsen Timothy , Bernson Dana , Terplan Mishka , Wakeman Sarah E. , Yule Amy M. , Mehta Pooja K. , Bharel Monica , Diop Hafsatou , Taveras Elsie M. , Wilens Timothy E. , Schiff Davida M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsOpioid‐related overdose is increasingly linked to pregnancy‐associated deaths, but factors associated with postpartum overdose are unknown. We aimed to estimate the strength of the association between maternal and infant characteristics and postpartum opioid‐related overdose.DesignRetrospective cohort study using a linked, population‐level data set.SettingMassachusetts, United States.ConclusionAmong women who delivered live infants in Massachusetts, USA between 2012 and 2014, maternal diagnosis of OUD, prior non‐fatal overdose, infant diagnosis of NAS and high unscheduled health‐care utilization appeared to be positively associated with postpartum opioid overdose. However, more than half of postpartum overdoses in that period were to women without a diagnosis of OUD. Engagement in methadone or buprenorphine treatment in the month prior to delivery was not sufficient to reduce the odds of postpartum overdose.ParticipantsWomen who delivered one or more live births from 2012 to 2014 (n = 174 517).MeasurementsThe primary outcome was opioid‐related overdose in the postpartum year. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore the independent associations of maternal (demographics, substance use, pregnancy) and infant [gestational age, birthweight, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)] characteristics with postpartum opioid overdose. Findings were stratified by maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis.FindingsThere were 189 deliveries to women who experienced ≥ 1 opioid overdose in the first year postpartum (11 of 10 000 deliveries). Among women with postpartum opioid overdose, 46.6% had an OUD diagnosis within 12 months before delivery. In our adjusted model, maternal diagnosis of OUD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.73–7.51] and prior non‐fatal overdose (aOR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.11–5.17) were most strongly associated with postpartum overdose. After stratifying by OUD status, infant diagnosis of NAS (OUD+ aOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.26–3.27; OUD– aOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.12–6.93) and high unscheduled health‐care utilization (OUD+ aOR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.38–3.73; OUD– aOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.24–3.58) were positively associated with postpartum overdose in both groups.
Genome‐wide association study shows that microtia in Altay sheep is caused by a 76 bp duplication of HMX1
Authors: He S. , Zhang Z. , Sun Y. , Ren T. , Li W. , Zhou X. , Michal J. J. , Jiang Z. , Liu M. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryMicrotia is a congenital malformation of the external ear that can be observed in many species including sheep. However, the genetic basis of microtia still remains unclear. Here, a GWAS was conducted to investigate the genetic basis underlying microtia. A total of 55 samples from 26 microtia and 29 normal animals were genotyped with Illumina OvineHD BeadChip. The strongest significant SNP was identified on OAR6, approximating the evolutionarily conserved region of the HMX1 gene, which is related to congenital malformations of the external ear in other species such as cattle and rats. Sequencing an evolutionarily conserved region surrounding HMX1 revealed a duplication of 76 bp, which is concordant with microtia, suggesting a dominant inheritance mode. Identification of this causal mutation in the HMX1 gene indicates the role of this particular gene in the development of the external ear and provides a genetic marker for selection against microtia.
Partial chest wall radiation therapy for positive or close surgical margins after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer without lymph node metastasis
Authors: Ishibashi Naoya , Nishimaki Haruna , Maebayashi Toshiya , Adachi Keita , Sakurai Kenichi , Masuda Shinobu , Hata Masaharu , Okada Masahiro 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimWhole‐breast radiation therapy after breast‐conserving surgery can control local recurrence with a long‐term survival rate equivalent to that of radical mastectomy for patients with early breast cancer. However, the significance of radiation therapy for patients with positive/close margins after mastectomy remains controversial. Following radical mastectomy, no residual breast parenchyma remains, and thus radiation therapy of the entire chest wall may represent overtreatment in the patients, especially those without lymph node metastasis (N0). We therefore implemented partial chest wall radiation therapy for patients with N0 breast cancer and positive and/or close margins after mastectomy.MethodsA total of 22 patients with N0 status but positive/close margins underwent partial chest wall radiation therapy to irradiate the predetermined clinical target volume, which had margins of at least 2 cm medial, lateral, superior, and inferior to the primary tumor bed. With reference to chest wall thickness, 4‐10‐MV photons or 5‐8‐MeV electrons with/without a bolus were delivered. The total dose was 50‐66 Gy. We compared the results with those from 18 nonradiation therapy patients using Pearson's χ2 test.ResultsAll patients in the partial chest wall radiation therapy group achieved good local control despite having a significantly higher proportion of positive margins (77.3%) compared with the nonradiation therapy group (27.8%) (P = 0.002). Both groups showed 100% recurrence‐ and disease‐free survival.ConclusionPartial chest wall radiation therapy may offer recurrence‐ and disease‐free survival without local recurrence in N0 mastectomy patients with positive/close surgical margins.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with different lipid profile disorders: a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Soh Hosim , Im Jong Pil , Han Kyungdo , Park Seona , Hong Seung Wook , Moon Jeong Min , Kang Eun Ae , Chun Jaeyoung , Lee Hyun Jung , Kim Joo Sung 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBackgroundThe relationships between lipid profiles and IBD remain elusive.AimTo determine the association of IBD with serum lipid profiles.MethodsA nationwide population‐based study was performed using claims data from the Korean National Healthcare Insurance service. A total of 9 706 026 subjects undergoing medical check‐ups in 2009 were enrolled and followed up until 2016. Individuals who developed Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were identified during follow‐up. Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) by age, sex, body mass index, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, income and underlying comorbidities was calculated to define the impact of serum lipid profiles on developing IBD.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 7.3 years, IBD was detected in 7,058 (0.07%) individuals. Compared with the highest quartile of serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, lower TC levels were associated with higher incidence of CD (aHR: Q1, 2.52; Q2, 1.52; Q3, 1.27), but not UC. Lower serum LDL‐C levels were associated with higher incidence of CD (aHR: Q1, 1.92; Q2, 1.47; Q3, 1.22), but not UC. Moreover, lower serum HDL‐C levels were associated with higher incidence of CD (aHR: Q1, 2.49; Q2, 1.90; Q3, 1.43), but not UC. In contrast, lower serum triglyceride levels were associated with higher incidence of UC (aHR: Q1, 1.22; Q2, 1.19; Q3, 1.19), but not CD.ConclusionsLow serum TC, LDL‐C and HDL‐C levels were associated with CD. Low serum triglyceride levels were related to UC.
Review article: malnutrition/sarcopenia and frailty in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Bunchorntavakul Chalermrat , Reddy K. Rajender 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBackgroundMalnutrition/sarcopenia and frailty are common in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with poor outcomes.AimTo provide an overview of data on the importance, assessment and management of malnutrition/sarcopenia and frailty in cirrhosis.MethodsA literature search was conducted in PubMed and other sources, using the search terms “sarcopenia,” “muscle,” “malnutrition,” “cirrhosis,” “liver” and “frailty” from inception to April 2019, to identify the relevant studies and international guidelines.ResultsThe prevalence of malnutrition/sarcopenia in cirrhosis is 23%‐60%. Frailty generally overlaps with malnutrition/sarcopenia in cirrhosis, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Rapid nutritional screening assessment should be performed in all patients with cirrhosis, and more specific tests for sarcopenia should be performed in those at high risk. The pathogenesis of malnutrition/sarcopenia in cirrhosis is complex/multifactorial and not just reduction in protein/calorie intake. Hyperammonemia appears to be the main driver of sarcopenia in cirrhosis through several molecular signalling pathways. Nutritional management in malnourished patients with cirrhosis should be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team to achieve adequate protein/calorie intake. While the role of branched‐chained amino acids remains somewhat contentious in achieving a global benefit of decreasing mortality‐ and liver‐related events, they, and vitamin supplements, are recommended for those with advanced liver disease. Novel strategies to reverse sarcopenia such as hormone supplementation, long‐term ammonia‐lowering agents and myostatin antagonists, are currently under investigation.ConclusionsMalnutrition/sarcopenia and frailty are unique, inter‐related and multi‐dimensional problems in cirrhosis which require special attention, prompt assessment and appropriate management as they significantly impact morbidity and mortality.
Retinal nerve fibre changes in sports‐related repetitive traumatic brain injury
Authors: Kelman Julian C. , Hodge Christopher , Stanwell Peter , Mustafic Nina , Fraser Clare L. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractImportanceThere is limited literature on the use of optical coherence tomography in the assessment of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in sports‐related repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.BackgroundTo evaluate RNFL thickness in professional rugby league players. RNFL thinning may serve as a proxy for wider white matter degeneration.DesignCross‐sectional observational study.ParticipantsThirteen retired Australian professional rugby league players were recruited.MethodsParticipants underwent binocular optical coherence tomography to measure RNFL thickness. Each participant underwent a complete ophthalmic assessment to exclude concurrent disease.Main Outcome MeasuresRNFL thickness of each eye were compared with a normative database.ResultsParticipants had played professional Rugby League for 18 years on average and reported sustaining 15 sports‐related concussions throughout their career. The RNFL in participants was four micrometres thinner than that of matched normative data. Cohort average RNFL thickness was reduced in 12 out of 14 optical coherence testing parameters. These findings were statistically significant in the left inferonasal [P = .013] and left nasal [P = .006] sectors. There was no statistically significant relationship between RNFL thickness and other visual measures.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study is the first to demonstrate RNFL thinning in a cohort of retired Australian professional Rugby League players. RNFL changes have been shown to correlate with cerebral white matter loss and neurodegeneration. Optical coherence tomography may serve as a safe and economical means of screening for repetitive traumatic brain injury related neurodegeneration in contact sport athletes.
The Matchstick Model for Anisotropic Friction Cones
Authors: Erleben K. , Macklin M. , Andrews S. , Kry P. G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractInspired by frictional behaviour that is observed when sliding matchsticks against one another at different angles, we propose a phenomenological anisotropic friction model for structured surfaces. Our model interpolates isotropic and anisotropic elliptical Coulomb friction parameters for a pair of surfaces with perpendicular and parallel structure directions (e.g. the wood grain direction). We view our model as a special case of an abstract friction model that produces a cone based on state information, specifically the relationship between structure directions. We show how our model can be integrated into LCP and NCP‐based simulators using different solvers with both explicit and fully implicit time‐integration. The focus of our work is on symmetric friction cones, and we therefore demonstrate a variety of simulation scenarios where the friction structure directions play an important part in the resulting motions. Consequently, authoring of friction using our model is intuitive and we demonstrate that our model is compatible with standard authoring practices, such as texture mapping.
Heterogeneity–diversity relationships in sessile organisms: a unified framework
Authors: Ben‐Hur Eyal , Kadmon Ronen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe hypothesis that environmental heterogeneity promotes species richness by increasing opportunities for niche partitioning is a fundamental paradigm in ecology. However, recent studies suggest that heterogeneity–diversity relationships (HDR) are more complex than expected from this niche‐based perspective, and often show a decrease in richness at high levels of heterogeneity. These findings have motivated ecologists to propose new mechanisms that may explain such deviations. Here we provide an overview of currently recognised mechanisms affecting the shape of HDRs and present a conceptual model that integrates all previously proposed mechanisms within a unified framework. We also translate the proposed framework into an explicit community dynamic model and use the model as a tool for generating testable predictions concerning how landscape properties interact with species traits in determining the shape of HDRs. Our main finding is that, despite the enormous complexity of such interactions, the predicted HDRs are rather simple, ranging from positive to unimodal patterns in a highly consistent and predictable manner.
Constitutional risk factors for focal neuropathies in patients referred for electromyography
Authors: Martínez‐Aparicio C. , Jääskeläinen S. K. , Puksa L. , Reche‐Lorite F. , Torné‐Poyatos P. , Paniagua Soto J. , Falck B. 
Published: November 2019

Background and purposeIt is well established that patient‐related constitutional features predispose to focal peripheral neuropathies. Some of these risk factors were investigated in common focal neuropathies encountered in patients referred for electromyography.MethodsGender, age, height and body mass index (BMI) were analysed retrospectively as risk factors for 11 focal neuropathies. In all, 9686 patients (age range 18–96 years; 58% women) were included from three different centres, with identical methods and equipment.ResultsHigh BMI was related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE), combined CTS and UNE, meralgia paraesthetica and lumbar radiculopathy. In women, CTS and Morton's metatarsalgia were more common, whilst long thoracic neuropathies, suprascapular neuropathies and UNE were more common in men. Older age increased the risk for CTS, UNE, Morton's metatarsalgia and radiculopathies.ConclusionsAge, gender and BMI are important risk factors for many common focal neuropathies.
Legacy of the Last Glacial on the present‐day distribution of deciduous versus evergreen boreal forests
Authors: Herzschuh Ulrike 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIssueDespite their rather similar climatic conditions, eastern Eurasia and northern North America are largely covered by different plant functional types (deciduous or evergreen boreal forest) composed of larch or pine, spruce and fir, respectively. I propose that these deciduous and evergreen boreal forests represent alternative quasi‐stable states, triggered by their different northern tree refugia that reflect the different environmental conditions experienced during the Last Glacial.EvidenceThis view is supported by palaeoecological and environmental evidence. Once established, Asian larch forests are likely to have stabilized through a complex vegetation–fire–permafrost soil–climate feedback system.ConclusionWith respect to future forest developments, this implies that Asian larch forests are likely to be governed by long‐term trajectories and are therefore largely resistant to natural climate variability on time‐scales shorter than millennia. The effects of regional human impact and anthropogenic global warming might, however, cause certain stability thresholds to be crossed, meaning that irreversible transitions occur and resulting in marked consequences for ecosystem services on these human‐relevant time‐scales.
Explaining urban economic growth through cluster complementarity
Authors: Brave Scott A. , Mattoon Richard H. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractEconomic development strategies centered on the presence of industry clusters have become quite popular with local policy makers. With this in mind, we test whether or not the degree of cluster complementarity in a given urban area does in fact lead to it having a persistent economic advantage over its peers. Using a spatial factor model built on growth accounting principles, we show that this is indeed the case by identifying key agglomeration factors influencing urban growth. However, our results suggest substantial heterogeneity exists in the types of policies that are likely to best support local economies based on their cluster complementarity.
Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among Spanish students attending special education schools
Authors: Amo‐Setién Francisco , Abajas‐Bustillo Rebeca , Sarabia‐Cobo Carmen , Parás‐Bravo Paula , Leal‐Costa César , Redondo‐Figuero Carlos , Bandini Linda 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundSome studies suggest that children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are at elevated risk of obesity. The objective was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with overweight and obesity among students attending special education schools in Cantabria, Spain.MethodsCross‐sectional design. A sample of n = 220 students with intellectual disability attending seven special education schools was selected using convenience sampling. Body mass index was classified into four categories according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria: underweight; normal weight; overweight; obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight/obesity was 40.9% (95% CI: 34.6–47.5). Obesity was more frequent among females (26.0%) than males (9.8%), with an OR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.53–6.85). Participants with Down syndrome showed an increased risk of obesity compared to other conditions (p = .005).ConclusionsThe prevalence of overweight/obesity among children, adolescents and young adults with intellectual disability was remarkably high, with females in general and students of both sexes with Down syndrome at particularly high risk.
Self‐regulated studying behavior, and the social norms that influence it
Authors: Eyink Julie R. , Motz Benjamin A. , Heltzel Gordon , Liddell Torrin M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTeachers commonly use injunctive norms when telling students what they should be doing. But researchers find that sometimes descriptive norms, information about what others are actually doing, are more powerful influencers of behavior. In the present work, we examine which norm is more effective at increasing self‐regulated studying and performance in an online college course across two semesters. To do this, we randomly assigned 751 undergraduate Introductory Psychology students to receive email messages at the start of every content unit that either contained descriptive norms, injunctive norms, information about the course, or a no message control. We found that injunctive norms increased study behaviors aimed at fulfilling course requirements (completion of assigned activities), but did not improve learning outcomes. Descriptive norms increased behaviors aimed at improving knowledge (ungraded practice with activities after they were due), and improved performance. These results suggest that norms more effectively influence behavior when there is a match, or a sense of fit, between the goal of the behavior (fulfilling course requirements vs. learning) and the pull of a stated norm (social approval vs. efficacy). We discuss these implications with respect to students' motivations for self‐regulated studying behavior in contemporary learning environments, and the overall goals of education.
Blastocystis sp. Subtype Diversity in Wild Carnivore Species from Spain
Authors: Calero‐Bernal Rafael , Santín Mónica , Maloney Jenny G. , Martín‐Pérez Manuel , Habela Miguel A. , Fernández‐García José L. , Figueiredo Ana , Nájera Fernando , Palacios María J. , Mateo Marta , Balseiro Ana , Barral Marta , Lima‐Barberoi José F. , Köster Pamela C. , Carmena David 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe occurrence and molecular diversity of the stramenopile eukaryote Blastocystis sp. was investigated by PCR and sequencing (Sanger and NGS) methods in 380 faecal specimens of free‐living carnivores in Spain. Blastocystis sp. was confirmed in 1.6% (6/380) of the specimens analysed. Two samples from a common genet and a fox were successfully subtyped as ST7 by Sanger. Using NGS, ST14 was found in a fox and a European polecat, ST7 in a fox, and two additional foxes presented mixed infections of ST1/ST2/ST4 and ST1/ST2/ST7, respectively. Wild carnivore species could act as carriers of zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes.