bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and dietary effects on Vitamin D deficiencies detected in wild boar from mid‐western Spain
Authors: Risco David , Gonçalves Pilar , Bravo María , García‐Jiménez Waldo , Cerrato Rosario , Hermoso de Mendoza Javier , Fernández‐Llario Pedro 
Published: January 2019

AbstractVitamin D (VitD) is involved in important mammalian physiological mechanisms, such as Ca–P metabolism, bone development and immunological response. VitD deficiencies are frequently detected in domestic animals and related to various health problems (e.g., rickets, bone deformation). However, knowledge about the status of VitD in wildlife species, such as the wild boar, is scarce. The aims of this work were to explore VitD status in wild boar populations from mid‐western Spain and to elucidate the influence of daylight exposure and food supplementation in levels of VitD. Serum concentration of VitD (measured as 25‐hydroxivitaminD) was assessed in 276 wild boar from 27 game estates located in mid‐western Spain using a commercial ELISA kit. In 19 out of 27 estates, the staff supplied a specific VitD‐enriched food (2,000 UI/Kg) ad libitum throughout the year, while in the remaining estates (8), no food was supplied. Blood samples were extracted from hunted animals (198) between October and February of hunting seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, and from live wild boar (78) that were captured, sampled and released (March–September of 2017). The percentage of animals with VitD deficiency (<20 ng/ml), VitD insufficiency (20–30 ng/ml) and VitD sufficiency (>30 ng/ml) was estimated, and the relationship of these levels to factors like sex, age and season was assessed using chi‐square tests. Furthermore, associations between daylight exposure and supplemental food with VitD levels were explored using linear models. Of the studied wild boar population, 82.2% showed a VitD deficiency or insufficiency. VitD deficiencies were more frequent in animals sampled in winter and spring. Furthermore, levels of VitD positively correlated with daylight exposure and supplemental food intake. Ad libitum supplementation with VitD‐enriched food was insufficient to prevent VitD deficiencies in wild boar from November to April, probably because food consumption is lower during this period.
Sugar‐sweetened beverage behaviors of Tennessee school children: How do parent‐ and child‐report compare on school days and nonschool days?
Authors: Smith Laureen H. , Baumker Erica 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionThis study describes sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) behaviors of children and compares child‐reported SSB behaviors to parent‐reported SSB behaviors during school days and nonschool days.MethodSix elementary schools from Tennessee participated with 444 students and 287 parents. Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviation (SD), ranges of values, and measures of central tendency. To explore the relationship between parent and child report, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were analyzed. The mean (
SD) differences and limits of agreement were calculated using paired
t tests with Bonferroni corrections for multiple outcomes of interest. A
p < 0.05 was significant.ResultsReporting differed with SSB type of school day. Children reported higher quantities of sweet tea and “coke/soda.” Both agreed on SSB abstention, except for juice. ICCs ranged from 0.383 to 0.513 (
p = 0.000). The lowest and highest ICCs were for sweet tea, based on school days or nonschool days.DiscussionTo determine the best estimate of SSBs, information should be obtained from children and parents to improve accuracy and enhance education about health behaviors.
The presence of cerebral white matter lesions and lower skin microvascular perfusion predicts lower cognitive performance in type 1 diabetes patients with retinopathy but not in healthy controls—A longitudinal study
Authors: Emanuel Anna L. , van Duinkerken Eelco , Wattjes Mike P. , Klein Martin , Barkhof Frederik , Snoek Frank J. , Diamant Michaela , Eringa Etto C. , IJzerman Richard G. , Serné Erik H. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveCognitive impairments in type 1 diabetes may result from hyperglycemia‐associated cerebral microangiopathy. We aimed to identify cerebral microangiopathy and skin microvascular dysfunction—as a surrogate marker for generalized microvascular function—as predictors of cognitive performance over time.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 25 type 1 diabetes patients with proliferative retinopathy and 25 matched healthy controls underwent neurocognitive testing at baseline and after follow‐up (3.8 ± 0.8 years). At baseline, 1.5‐T cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect WML and cerebral microbleeds. Skin capillary perfusion was assessed by means of capillary microscopy.ResultsIn type 1 diabetes patients, but not in healthy controls, the presence of WML (ß = −0.419; P = 0.037) as well as lower skin capillary perfusion (baseline: ß = 0.753; P < 0.001; peak hyperemia: ß = 0.743; P = 0.001; venous occlusion: ß = 0.675; P = 0.003; capillary recruitment: ß = 0.549; P = 0.022) at baseline was associated with lower cognitive performance over time, independent of age, sex, HbA1c, and severe hypoglycemia. The relationship between WML and lower cognitive performance was significantly reduced after adjusting for capillary perfusion.ConclusionsThese data fit the hypothesis that cerebral microangiopathy is a manifestation of generalized microvascular dysfunction, leading to lower cognitive performance.
Fractal characterization of retinal microvascular network morphology during diabetic retinopathy progression
Authors: Popovic Natasa , Lipovac Mirko , Radunovic Miroslav , Ugarte Jurgi , Isusquiza Erik , Beristain Andoni , Moreno Ramón , Aranjuelo Nerea , Popovic Tomo 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to characterize morphological changes of the retinal microvascular network during the progression of diabetic retinopathy.MethodsPublicly available retinal images captured by a digital fundus camera from DIARETDB1 and STARE databases were used. The retinal microvessels were segmented using the automatic method, and vascular network morphology was analyzed by fractal parametrization such as box‐counting dimension, lacunarity, and multifractals.ResultsThe results of the analysis were affected by the ability of the segmentation method to include smaller vessels with more branching generations. In cases where the segmentation was more detailed and included a higher number of vessel branching generations, increased severity of diabetic retinopathy was associated with increased complexity of microvascular network as measured by box‐counting and multifractal dimensions, and decreased gappiness of retinal microvascular network as measured by lacunarity parameter. This association was not observed if the segmentation method included only 3‐4 vessel branching generations.ConclusionsSevere stages of diabetic retinopathy could be detected noninvasively by using high resolution fundus photography and automatic microvascular segmentation to the high number of branching generations, followed by fractal analysis parametrization. This approach could improve risk stratification for the development of microvascular complications, cardiovascular disease, and dementia in diabetes.
Automatic pixel‐level multiple damage detection of concrete structure using fully convolutional network
Authors: Li Shengyuan , Zhao Xuefeng , Zhou Guangyi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDeep learning‐based structural damage detection methods overcome the limitation of inferior adaptability caused by extensively varying real‐world situations (e.g., lighting and shadow changes). However, most deep learning‐based methods detect structural damage at the image level and grid‐cell level. To provide pixel‐level detection of multiple damages, a Fully Convolutional Network (FCN)‐based multiple damages detection method for concrete structure is proposed. To realize this method, a database of 2,750 images (with 504 × 376 pixels) including crack, spalling, efflorescence, and hole images in concrete structure is built, and the four damages included in those images are labeled manually. Then, the architecture of the FCN is modified, trained, validated, and tested using this database. A strategy of model‐based transfer learning is used to initialize the parameters of the FCN during the training process. The results show 98.61% pixel accuracy (PA), 91.59% mean pixel accuracy (MPA), 84.53% mean intersection over union (MIoU), and 97.34% frequency weighted intersection over union (FWIoU). Subsequently, the robustness and adaptability of the trained FCN model is tested and the damage is extracted, where damage areas are provided according to a calibrated relation between the ratio (the pixel area and true area of the detected object) and the distance from the smartphone to the concrete surface using a laser range finder. A comparative study is conducted to examine the performance of the proposed FCN‐based approach using a SegNet‐based method. The results show that the proposed method substantiates quite better performance and can indeed detect multiple concrete damages at the pixel level in realistic situations.
Combined fused in sarcoma‐positive (FUS+) basophilic inclusion body disease and atypical tauopathy presenting with an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease (ALS/MND)‐plus phenotype
Authors: Wharton S. B. , Verber N. S. , Wagner B. E. , Highley J. R. , Fillingham D. J. , Waller R. , Strand K. , Ince P. G. , Shaw P. J. 
Published: January 2019

AimsAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease (ALS/MND) is characterized by the presence of inclusions containing TDP‐43 within motor neurones. In rare cases, ALS/MND may be associated with inclusions containing other proteins, such as fused in sarcoma (FUS), while motor system pathology may rarely be a feature of other neurodegenerative disorders. We here have investigated the association of FUS and tau pathology.MethodsWe report a case with an ALS/MND‐plus clinical syndrome which pathologically demonstrated both FUS pathology and an atypical tauopathy.ResultsClinical motor involvement was predominantly present in the upper motor neurone, and was accompanied by extrapyramidal features and sensory involvement, but with only minimal cognitive impairment. The presentation was sporadic and gene mutation screening was negative. Post mortem study demonstrated inclusions positive for FUS, including basophilic inclusion bodies. This was associated with 4R‐tauopathy, largely as non‐fibrillary diffuse phospho‐tau in neurones, with granulovacuolar degeneration in a more restricted distribution. Double‐staining revealed that neurones contained both types of protein pathology.ConclusionFUS‐positive basophilic inclusion body disease is a rare cause of ALS/MND, but in this case was associated with an unusual atypical tauopathy. The coexistence of two such rare neuropathologies raises the question of a pathogenic interaction.
Towards a more physiological representation of vegetation phosphorus processes in land surface models
Authors: Jiang Mingkai , Caldararu Silvia , Zaehle Sönke , Ellsworth David S. , Medlyn Belinda E. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryOur ability to understand the effect of nutrient limitation on ecosystem productivity is key to the prediction of future terrestrial carbon storage. Significant progress has been made to include phosphorus (P) cycle processes in land surface models (LSMs), but these efforts are focused on the soil component of the P cycle. Incorporating the soil component is important to estimate plant‐available P, but does not necessarily address the vegetation response to P limitation or plant–soil interactions. A more detailed representation of plant P processes is needed to link nutrient availability and ecosystem productivity. We review physiological and biochemical evidence for vegetation responses to P availability, and recommend ways to move towards a more physiological representation of vegetation P processes in LSMs.
Epigenetic consequences of interploidal hybridisation in synthetic and natural interspecific potato hybrids
Authors: Cara Nicolás , Ferrer María Soledad , Masuelli Ricardo Williams , Camadro Elsa Lucila , Marfil Carlos Federico 
Published: January 2019

Summary

Interploidal hybridisation can generate changes in plant chromosome numbers, which might exert effects additional to the expected due to genome merger per se (that is genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic novelties).

Wild potatoes are suitable to address this question in an evolutionary context. To this end, we performed genetic (AFLP and single sequence repeart (SSR)), epigenetic (MSAP), and cytological comparisons in: (1) natural populations of the diploid cytotype of the hybrid taxonomic species Solanum × rechei (2n = 2×, 3×) and its parental species, the triploid cytotype of Solanum microdontum (2n = 2×, 3×) and Solanum kurtzianum (2n = 2×); and (2) newly synthesised intraploidal (2× × 2×) and interploidal (3× × 2×) S. microdontum × S. kurtzianum hybrids.

Aneuploidy was detected in S. × rechei and the synthetic interploidal progeny; this phenomenon might have originated the significantly higher number of methylation changes observed in the interploidal vs the intraploidal hybrids. The wide epigenetic variability induced by interploidal hybridisation is consistent with the novel epigenetic pattern established in S. × rechei compared to its parental species in nature.

These results suggest that aneuploid potato lineages can persist throughout the short term, and possibly medium term, and that differences in parental ploidy resulting in aneuploidy are an additional source of epigenetic variation.
Bacteremia after professional mechanical plaque removal in patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: Beutler Jakob , Jentsch Holger F. R. , Rodloff Arne C. , Stingu Catalina‐Suzana 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of bacteremia caused by professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) in two groups of patients with generalized moderate chronic periodontitis.Materials and MethodsVenous blood samples were taken at multiple time points for one hour following PMPR in fifty patients with generalized moderate chronic periodontitis. Subjects consisted of two groups, one group was receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT, n = 25) and the other group was receiving initial periodontal therapy (IPT, n = 25). Blood samples were processed and analyzed for cultivable microflora. Pertinent clinical parameters were recorded for each patient in both groups.ResultsBacteremia was detected in 10 of 25 SPT and 8 of 25 IPT patients (p = 0.796). In both groups, the prevalence of bacteremia was dependent on the time of blood sampling and varied in magnitude between <102 CFU/ml and 106 CFU/ml. Sixteen different bacterial species were identified in both groups, mostly Actinomyces naeslundii (SPT n = 3, IPT n = 4) and Streptococcus spp. (SPT n = 6, IPT n = 2). In regression models, Grade II furcation involvement (p = 0.004) and Gingival Bleeding Index (p = 0.036) had affected the occurrence of bacteremia but in the SPT group only.ConclusionProfessional mechanical plaque removal was associated with bacteremia regardless of whether a patient was receiving SPT or IPT.
Predators and priority effects suggested as potential drivers of microfauna communities in a community transplantation experiment along an elevational gradient
Authors: Busse Annika , Schoreisz Jeremias J. , Petermann Jana S. 
Published: January 2019

Transplantation experiments are a useful method to identify responses of organisms to environmental change. However, they are typically restricted to single or few species. Our experiment was carried out using entire bromeliad‐inhabiting microfauna communities which were transplanted along an elevational gradient, simulating environmental change acting on the communities. Additionally, we manipulated trophic interactions, i.e. resource availability and predator presence, thus combining abiotic and biotic effects in a full‐factorial experimental design. Using this experiment, we found a strong signal of original elevation in microfauna community structure (abundance, evenness, functional composition) with a shift from amoeba‐dominated to flagellate‐dominated communities with increasing original elevation. Surprisingly, the transplantation of communities along the elevational gradient did not affect community structure, indicating strong priority effects. Predation decreased microfauna abundance and increased microfauna evenness, specifically in higher original elevation and high resource levels.In summary, our results suggest that microfauna communities in bromeliads might be primarily shaped by priority effects and predator presence. However, interacting effects (between predator presence and resource availability, as well as between predator presence and original elevation) highlight the usefulness of studies with full‐factorial experimental designs to understand community‐structuring processes. Bromeliads and other micro‐ecosystems provide convenient study systems for community level approaches that could be used in future studies concerning the effects of environmental change, for example climate change on community structure.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy with His bundle pacing
Authors: Boczar Krzysztof , Sławuta Agnieszka , Ząbek Andrzej , Dębski Maciej , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi , Gajek Jacek , Lelakowski Jacek , Małecka Barbara 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimsA novel therapy offering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with an additional lead placed in His bundle has been reported in a few case reports and case series as improving the hemodynamical and clinical condition of patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) in whom other therapeutic methods have not been successful.MethodsFourteen consecutive patients with permanent AF, heart failure (HF), bundle branch block (BBB) with QRS complex width >130 ms, and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)/CRT systems with His bundle pacing (HBP). During the follow‐up, we assessed the efficacy of ICD/CRT systems with HBP in HF treatment.ResultsThe study cohort consisted of 14 patients with the mean age of 67.35 ± 10 years. The mean duration of QRS was 159.2 ± 28.6 ms, mean LVEF was 24.36 ± 10.7%, and mean follow‐up duration was 14.4 months. One patient died due to HF aggravation during the follow‐up. In the remaining 13 patients, the mean LVEF significantly improved from 24% to 38%, P = 0.0015. The left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension decreased from 72 mm to 59 mm, P < 0.001; left ventricular end‐systolic dimension decreased from 59 mm to 47 mm, P = 0.0026. The mean QRS duration shortened from 159 ms to 128 ms, P = 0.016. The mean percentage of HBP reached 97%. As a result, 92.3% of patients demonstrated significant improvement in the New York Heart Association functional class, P < 0.001.ConclusionThe use of atrial channel for HBP, choice of optimal ICD/CRT pacing configuration, and optimization of pharmacological therapy resulted in a substantial narrowing of QRS width and clinical improvement in left ventricular mechanical function during the follow‐up.
Transient rise in His‐lead threshold due to acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Hall Robert , Jones Daniel A , Muthumala Amal , Weerackody Roshan , Sohaib Afzal , Monkhouse Christopher 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAn 85‐year‐old male was admitted to our center with a non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction. The patient had a dual‐chamber pacemaker in situ with an atrial and His lead. A transient increase in His threshold and loss of nonselective capture occurred at the presentation of right coronary artery infarction, peaking during rotational atherectomy therapy causing loss of capture and complete atrioventricular block. A follow‐up interrogation, 2 weeks postrevascularization, showed a return to a normal nonselective capture morphology and threshold measurements. Physicians should be aware of this complication in patients with His leads, particularly those with a history of coronary artery disease.
Dizziness Handicap and Its Contributing Factors in Patients With Migraine
Authors: Lee Sun Hwa , Kang Yeonwook , Sohn Jong‐Hee , Cho Soo‐Jin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveDizziness is frequently reported in patients with migraine. However, its assessment is often neglected in clinical practice. We investigated the dizziness handicap experienced by patients with migraine and its contributing factors.MethodsA total of 361 migraine outpatients (270 women, 91 men; mean age 39.01 ± 11.2 years) were given the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (KDHI) questionnaire (total score: 100 points; cutoff: 29). The Headache Impact Test, Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were also administered. Clinical data such as age, sex, number of headache attacks per month, pain intensity on the visual analog scale, and average sleep hours were collected to find contributing factors. Comparisons were made between chronic and episodic migraine.ResultsA total of 153 patients were classified as having dizziness handicap (M+DH) and 208 had migraine without dizziness handicap (M‐DH). Patients with M+DH experienced more headache attacks per month than patients with M‐DH (P = 0.010). The proportion of patients with chronic migraine was larger in the M+DH group (29.4% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.006). Patients with M+DH showed higher scores than patients with M‐DH in all the KDHI subscales. Multivariable logistic regression showed headache impact, pain intensity, anxiety, and depression to be significantly associated with dizziness handicap.ConclusionThe data suggest that patients with migraine, especially those with chronic‐type migraine, experience physical, emotional, and functional handicaps due to dizziness. Dizziness handicap is related to headache impact, anxiety, and depression. Targeted management of such factors is required to reduce the severity of subjective discomfort.
Hormetic UV‐C seed treatments for the control of tomato diseases
Authors: Scott G. , Almasrahi A. , Malekpoor Mansoorkhani F. , Rupar M. , Dickinson M. , Shama G. 
Published: January 2019

Hormesis is a dose response phenomenon in which low, non‐damaging doses of a stressor bring about a positive response in the organism undergoing treatment. Evidence is provided here that hormetic UV‐C treatments of tomato seed can control disease caused by Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) and f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici (FORL) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Treating seeds with a 4 kJ m−2 dose of UV‐C significantly reduced both the disease incidence and progression of B. cinerea, with approximately 10% reductions in both on cv. Shirley. Disease severity assays for FOL and FORL on cv. Moneymaker showed dose‐dependent responses: UV‐C treatments of 4 and 6 kJ m−2 significantly reduced the disease severity scores of FOL, whilst only the 6 kJ m−2 showed significant reductions for FORL. To determine the effects of treatment on germination and seedling growth, UV‐C doses of 4, 8 and 12 kJ m−2 were performed on cv. Shirley. No negative impacts on germination or seedling growth were observed for any of the treatments. However, the 8 kJ m−2 treatment showed significant biostimulation, with increases in seedling, root and hypocotyl dry weight of 11.4%, 23.1% and 12.0%, respectively, when compared to the control. Furthermore, significant increases in the root‐mass fraction (10.6%) and root:shoot ratio (13.1%) along with a decrease in shoot‐mass fraction (2.0%) indicates that the 8 kJ m−2 treatment stimulated root growth to the greatest extent. There was no effect on hypocotyl and primary root length or the number of lateral roots, indicating no adverse effects to basic root architecture or seedling growth.