bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of type 2 diabetes mellitus on hypertensive‐related aortic stiffness
Authors: Sciatti Edoardo , Vizzardi Enrico , Castiello Assunta , Valentini Francesca , Bonadei Ivano , Gelsomino Sandro , Lorusso Roberto , Metra Marco 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundHypertension is strongly related to arterial stiffness in a cause‐effect fashion. Diabetes mellitus is also thought to determine vascular damage, mostly by means of advanced glycosylation end‐products (AGEs). Aim of our study was to study the role of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as regard ascending aortic elastic properties in hypertensive patients.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled outpatients with hypertension (n = 99) and type 2 diabetes mellitus plus hypertension (n = 42) without cardiovascular events. They underwent a transthoracic echocardiography to measure aortic diameters, aortic elastic properties (ie, compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, Peterson's elastic modulus, pulse wave velocity, M‐mode strain), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to calculate diastolic (Eʹ and Aʹ) and systolic (Sʹ) velocities, and tissue strain. Multivariable analysis was run to assess the association between T2DM and these variables after correcting for possible confounders (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], dyslipidemia).ResultsThe two groups did not differ as regards age, sex, BMI, and blood pressure. However, T2DM patients were more likely to be dyslipidemic (43% vs 71%, P = .003). Aortic diameters were similar in the two groups, but the aortic elastic properties significantly more impaired in T2DM group. At multivariable analysis, stiffness index, Peterson's elastic modulus, the TDI waves, and the tissue strain remained associated with the co‐presence of T2DM and hypertension.ConclusionOur data suggest that people suffering from both T2DM and hypertension have more impaired aortic elastic properties than those hypertensive alone. Considering the prognostic role of aortic stiffness, these patients may benefit from a closer follow‐up.
Evaluation of sex differences in the relationship between diastolic dysfunction and thromboembolism using propensity score analysis
Authors: Kim Mi‐Na , Shim Jae‐Min , Choi Jong‐il , Park Seong‐Mi , Kim Young Hoon , Shim Wan Joo 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundFemale sex is a risk factor for thromboembolism (TE) in atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We postulated that left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) could be associated with increased thromboembolic risk in women.MethodsFrom a retrospective cohort, 158 patients (female : male = 79:79) with nonvalvular AF were propensity score‐matched for age, presence of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, embolic history, AF type, and AF duration. Cardiac size and function and central aortic stiffness parameters were evaluated. Diastolic function was classified as normal, indeterminate, and LVDD according to recent guidelines. Surrogate markers for thromboembolism (dense spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus) were evaluated using transesophageal echocardiography.ResultsSurrogate markers for TE showed a trend to be more frequent in women than in men (21.5% vs 11.4%, P = .086). LVDD was more prevalent in women than in men (22.8% vs 2.5%, P < .001); however, the prevalence of indeterminate diastolic function was not different between sexes (26.6% vs 20.3%, P = .453). Surrogate markers for TE were detected mostly in women with LVDD. LV diastolic parameters showed a restrictive pattern, and aortic stiffness parameters were worse in women than in men. Women with LVDD had increased aortic stiffness compared to women with indeterminate and normal function, whereas aortic stiffness did not differ among men in all groups. Significant relations between LV diastolic function and aortic stiffness parameters were observed only in women.ConclusionLVDD due to increased aortic stiffness could be related to a higher thromboembolic risk in women with AF.
Speed under sail during the early industrial revolution (c. 1750–1830)
Authors: Kelly Morgan , Ó Gráda Cormac 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis article measures technological progress in oceanic shipping directly by using a large database of daily log entries from British, Dutch, and Spanish ships to estimate daily sailing speed in different wind conditions from 1750 to 1850. Against the consensus among economic (but not maritime) historians that the technology of sailing ships was fairly static during this time, we find that average sailing speeds of British East India Company and Navy ships in moderate to strong winds rose considerably after the 1770s. Driving this progress was the introduction of coppering in the 1780s, but subsequent rises are probably due to a continuous evolution of sails and rigging, and improved hulls that allowed a greater area of sail to be set safely in a given wind. By contrast, the speeds of Dutch and Spanish vessels were stagnant. Using separate data on the crossing times of Atlantic mail packets, we find gradual progress from the 1750s, followed by marked improvements when American packets appeared in the 1820s.
What can dental education gain by understanding student experience of the curriculum?
Authors: Leadbeatter D. , Bell A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionWithin higher education, there is increasing recognition that understanding the ways students experience the educational environment is critical to developing programmes that can educate our future professionals. There is a small body of literature about how students experience the dental educational environment; however, none that adopts a qualitative phenomenographic approach. This study aims to contribute to our understanding by asking what is the variation in the ways dental students experience their curriculum?MethodsThis study uses a phenomenographic methodology. Phenomenography investigates the variation in the way a group of people experience a situation, and how they ascribe meaning to it. Interviews were conducted with 14 senior dental students at the University of Sydney. Transcripts were analysed using a phenomenographic approach.ResultsSix increasingly sophisticated, qualitatively distinct categories of description were identified from the collective of transcripts: surviving the education system; following a guide or manual, learning how to treat teeth, learning how to meet patient treatment needs, learning how to relate with patients and understanding the complexities of dental practice. The outcome space consists of ways the categories of description are related; considering interactions with teachers, ways of coping with multiple opinions and integration of disciplinary learning.ConclusionThis study provides new insights into the multifaceted and relational ways that dental students experience their educational environment. It could point curriculum designers towards strategies that assist students develop sophisticated understandings about themselves as practitioners, patients and the complexities of dental practice. Suggestions about the practical implications of the findings of this research are given.
Periodontal education and assessment in the undergraduate dental curriculum—A questionnaire‐based survey in European countries
Authors: Gürsoy M. , Wilensky A. , Claffey N. , Herrera D. , Preshaw P. M. , Sanz M. , Schlagenhauf U. , Trombelli L. , Demirel K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis survey aimed to evaluate whether periodontal education and assessment in undergraduate dental curricula amongst the member countries of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) follow the competency‐based curricular guidelines and recommendations developed by the Association for Dental Education in Europe.Materials and methodsA multiple‐choice questionnaire was emailed to 244 dental institutes amongst the 24 EFP member countries between November 2014 and July 2015.ResultsData were received from 16 (66.7%) EFP member countries. Out of 117 responding dental institutes, 76 (64.95%) were included as valid responders. In most of the institutes (86.3%), a minimum set of competencies in periodontology was taken into account when constructing their dental education programmes. Out of 76 responders, 98.1% included lecture‐based, 74.1% case‐based and 57.1% problem‐based teaching in their periodontal curricula, whilst a minority (15.9%) also used other methods. A similar pattern was also seen in the time allocation for these four educational methods, that is, the highest proportion (51.8%) was dedicated to lecture‐based teaching and only a small proportion (5.7%) to other methods. Periodontal competencies and skills were most frequently assessed by clinical grading on clinic, multiple‐choice examination (written examination) and oral examination, whereas competency tests and self‐assessment were rarely used. Only in 11 (14.5%) cases, access flap procedures were performed by students.ConclusionGreat diversity in teaching methodology amongst the surveyed schools was demonstrated, and thus, to harmonise undergraduate periodontal education and assessment across Europe, a minimum set of recommendations could be developed and disseminated by the EFP.
Associations between fatigue, physical activity, and QoL in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Tolstrup Larsen Rasmus , Tang Lars H. , Brochmann Nana , Meulengracht Flachs Esben , Illemann Christensen Anne , Hasselbalch Hans C. , Zwisler Ann‐Dorthe 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundPatients with Philadelphia chromosome‐negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) report fatigue as the most common symptom and contributing significantly to reduction in their quality of life (QoL). Targeted non‐pharmacological intervention to increase levels of physical activity is suggested as a fatigue‐reducing and QoL‐enhancing intervention in MPN patients. The interrelationship between physical activity, fatigue, and QoL has, to our knowledge, never been reported.MethodsWe analyzed data from 1807 MPN patients. The primary analysis included a multiple regression model allowing fatigue to mediate the relationship between physical activity and QoL.ResultsWe herein report the first and the largest study of patients with MPNs, in whom we have investigated the interrelationship between fatigue, physical activity, and QoL. Sedentary patients were more likely to report fatigue compared to highly active patients. There was a negative association between fatigue and QoL, and there was a positive association between physical activity and QoL. There was no interaction between fatigue and physical activity in the association with QoL.ConclusionWe found positive associations between level of physical activity and QoL, independently of fatigue being present. More research is needed before physical activity can be introduced as a targeted intervention to reduce fatigue and increase QoL in the management of patients.
Subpopulations of vomeronasal sensory neurons with coordinated coexpression of type 2 vomeronasal receptor genes are differentially dependent on Vmn2r1
Authors: Akiyoshi Sachiko , Ishii Tomohiro , Bai Zhaodai , Mombaerts Peter 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe mouse vomeronasal organ is specialized in the detection of pheromones. Vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) express chemosensory receptors of two large gene repertoires, V1R and V2R, which encode G‐protein‐coupled receptors. Phylogenetically, four families of V2R genes can be discerned as follows: A, B, C, and D. VSNs located in the basal layer of the vomeronasal epithelium coordinately coexpress V2R genes from two families: Approximately half of basal VSNs coexpress Vmn2r1 of family C with a single V2R gene of family A8‐10, B, or D (‘C1 type of V2Rs’), and the other half coexpress Vmn2r2 through Vmn2r7 of family C with a single V2R gene of family A1‐6 (‘C2 type V2Rs’). The regulatory mechanisms of the coordinated coexpression of V2Rs from two families remain poorly understood. Here, we have generated two mouse strains carrying a knockout mutation in Vmn2r1 by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. These mutations cause a differential decrease in the numbers of VSNs expressing a given C1 type of V2R. There is no compensatory expression of Vmn2r2 through Vmn2r7. VSN axons coalesce into glomeruli in the appropriate region of the accessory olfactory bulb in the absence of Vmn2r1. Gene expression profiling by NanoString reveals a differential and graded decrease in the expression levels across C1 type of V2Rs. There is no change in the expression levels of C2 type of V2Rs, with two exceptions that we reclassified as C1 type. Thus, there appears to be a fixed probability of gene choice for a given C2 type of V2R.
Epilepsy with auditory features: Long‐term outcome and predictors of terminal remission
Authors: Bisulli Francesca , Menghi Veronica , Vignatelli Luca , Licchetta Laura , Zenesini Corrado , Stipa Carlotta , Morigi Francesca , Gizzi Matteo , Avoni Patrizia , Provini Federica , Mostacci Barbara , d'Orsi Giuseppe , Pippucci Tommaso , Muccioli Lorenzo , Tinuper Paolo 
Published: February 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo assess the long‐term outcome of epilepsy with auditory features (EAF) and to identify the clinical predictors for prognosis.MethodsThe study involved consecutive EAF patients with a follow‐up of ≥5 years. Terminal remission (TR) was defined as a period of ≥5 consecutive years of seizure freedom at the last follow‐up. We used Kaplan‐Meier estimate to calculate the cumulative time‐dependent probability of conversion to TR. Log‐rank test and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to study the association between time to TR and prognostic determinants.ResultsWe included 123 EAF patients (male/female = 58/65) with a median follow‐up of 11 years (1626.9 person‐years). Most were sporadic cases (68.3%), whereas 31.7% reported a family history of epilepsy. At last assessment, 42 patients had achieved TR (34.1%). Of the remaining 81 cases with no TR (65.9%), 37% had been in remission for 1‐4 years and 62.9% still had seizures within the past year. The cumulative rates of TR were 26.6%, 35.7%, and 51.6% at 10, 20, and 30 years from inclusion. On multivariate analysis, age at onset > 10 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.2, P = .028), auditory aura characterized by distortions only versus simple/complex hallucinations (HR = 2.9, P = .041), and unremarkable scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) versus EEG with focal epileptiform activity (HR = 3.5, P = .041) were associated with TR.SignificanceOur data show a wide prognostic spectrum of EAF, ranging from mild forms with spontaneous remission, to severely refractory epilepsy addressed to surgery. The outcome, less favorable than expected from previous studies, appears to be primarily a function of 3 prognostic negative risk factors: age at onset < 10 years, auditory aura characterized by complex auditory hallucinations, and focal epileptiform abnormalities on scalp EEG. These predictors, easy to collect even at the first visit, may inform both clinicians and patients about the long‐term prognosis and aid patient management.
Validation of four real‐time TaqMan PCRs for the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum and/or Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum and/or Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in potato tubers using a statistical regression approach
Authors: Vreeburg R. A. M. , Zendman A. J. W. , Pol A. , Verheij E. , Nas M. , Kooman‐Gersmann M. 
Published: February 2018

A new DNA extraction method and a new multiplex real‐time TaqMan PCR test for detection of Ralstonia solanacearum, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in asymptomatic potato tubers are presented. This new multiplex PCR and three published TaqMan PCRs for detection of R. solanacearum and/or R. pseudosolanacearum and/or R. syzygii spp. and/or C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus were validated using linear regression analysis for estimating the Ct values and its variation at 5 × 103 bacteria mL−1. The three published PCRs that have been validated are Massart et al. (2014, detecting R. solanacearum and C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus), Weller et al. (1999, detecting R. solanacearum, R. pseudosolanacearum and R. syzygii spp.) and Gudmestad et al. (2009, detecting C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus). All tested PCRs were fit for purpose for their target organisms. The PCR tests have different target genes, allowing one of the sets to be used as first screening test and another as second screening test for the detection of R. solanacearum and/or R. pseudosolanacearum and/or C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in asymptomatic potato tubers.
Advances in multisensor information fusion: A Markov–Kalman viscosity fuzzy statistical predictor for analysis of oxygen flow, diffusion, speed, temperature, and time metrics in CPAP
Authors: Rodger James A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe efficacies of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are well documented in decreasing the apnoea–hypopnoea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. To guarantee these efficacies, CPAP manufacturers must thoroughly test these devices to ensure the flow of oxygenated air to the patient at various temperatures during a prescribed time frame. The calculation of the percent oxygen in a “bimixture” of gas can be done by measuring the travel time of a sound wave through the gas, and the travel time is proportional to the density of the air. We utilized existing multisensor tubes that were developed to collect and measure oxygen flow, diffusion, speed, temperature, and time metrics. Then these metrics were analysed using a Markov fuzzy, statistical, artificial neural network, nearest‐neighbour predictive approach to determine the interactions between these variables. An improved Kalman filter method was employed to reduce noise, increase viscosity, and obtain correct data from the CPAP system.
Effect of initial texture on fatigue properties of extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy
Authors: Xiong Y. , Gong X. , Jiang Y. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe effect of initial texture on cyclic deformation behavior of extruded ZK60 magnesium (Mg) alloy was experimentally investigated under strain‐controlled loading with the strain amplitudes at 4%, 1%, and 0.35%. The testing specimens were taken from extrusion direction (ED), transverse direction (TD), and a material precompressed to 9.4% along the ED (ED−9.4%). At a high strain amplitude of 4%, the cyclic deformation modes of ED and ED−9.4% specimens are similar, and they experience twinning exhaustion → <c + a> slip and detwinning exhaustion → <c + a> slip during each loading cycle. At a medium strain amplitude of 1%, twinning‐detwinning is involved in the cyclic deformation, but different deformation mechanisms were observed in the 3 different specimens. Partial twinning‐complete detwinning mode dominates the cyclic deformation in the ED specimen, while partial detwinning‐retwinning mode occurs in the ED−9.4% specimen. For the TD specimen, both <a> basal slip and
tension twinning occur during cyclic deformation. At a low strain amplitude of 0.35%, dislocation slips dominate the deformation for the ED specimen with a few observable tension twins. For the ED−9.4% specimen, initially twined texture increases the ductility of the material and enhances fatigue life as compared with the other 2 specimens.
A genomic assessment of population structure and gene flow in an aquatic salamander identifies the roles of spatial scale, barriers, and river architecture
Authors: Murphy Mason O. , Jones Kara S. , Price Steven J. , Weisrock David W. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Population structure and gene flow of species in lotic environments can be constrained by river network architecture, species life history and heterogeneous local barriers. Identifying the factors that influence population structure and gene flow, especially in species limited to movement within a river network, is vital for understanding the evolutionary and demographic history of a species.

We explored population structure and gene flow for a fully aquatic salamander, the common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), in Kentucky (USA) using genomic data. We examined population structure using both parametric and nonparametric methods, and we tested for a history of lineage divergence among identified genetic clusters. We quantified the partitioning of genetic variation at different hierarchical levels, and we tested for signatures of isolation by distance. Additionally, we used coalescent‐based model selection to identify a best‐fit model of gene flow between our three sampled basins.

We found the greatest support for population structure between the Kentucky River basin and the combined Licking and Kinniconick basins, with further subdivision within both the Kentucky and Licking River basins. However, we found no evidence for a history of lineage divergence among these structured units. The movement of N. maculosus is constrained by the lotic network architecture, which likely drives the evolution of this hierarchical population structure, with increasing differentiation between sites nested in river basins, and even greater differentiation between basins. However, we also found evidence for population structure not explained by river architecture, with an isolated population embedded within the Kentucky River basin.

This study demonstrates the heterogeneity in population structure that can evolve in aquatic species occupying lotic systems and illustrates the potential for genomic data to disentangle these complex patterns.
Predatory strategies and behaviours in cephalopods are altered by elevated CO2
Authors: Spady Blake L. , Munday Philip L. , Watson Sue‐Ann 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that projected near‐future carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can alter predator avoidance behaviour in marine invertebrates, yet little is known about the possible effects on predatory behaviours. Here we tested the effects of elevated CO2 on the predatory behaviours of two ecologically distinct cephalopod species, the pygmy squid, Idiosepius pygmaeus, and the bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana. Both species exhibited an increased latency to attack and altered body pattern choice during the attack sequence at elevated CO2. I. pygmaeus also exhibited a 20% decrease in predation rate, an increased striking distance, and reduced preference for attacking the posterior end of prey at elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 increased activity levels of S. lessoniana comparable to those previously shown in I. pygmaeus, which could adversely affect their energy budget and increase their potential to be preyed upon. The effects of elevated CO2 on predatory behaviours, predation strategies and activity levels of cephalopods reported here could have far‐reaching consequences in marine ecosystems due to the ecological importance of cephalopods in the marine food web.