bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver steatosis is a major predictor of poor outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response
Authors: Peleg Noam , Issachar Assaf , Sneh Arbib Orly , Cohen‐Naftaly Michal , Harif Yael , Oxtrud Evelin , Braun Marius , Leshno Moshe , Barsheshet Alon , Shlomai Amir 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSustained virological response (SVR) results in reduced incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with advanced fibrosis. Since both advanced fibrosis and liver steatosis (LS) may coexist in CHC patients, we evaluated their individual effects on a composite outcome of all‐cause mortality and HCC in CHC patients with SVR following direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) treatment. We retrospectively evaluated inception cohort of 515 CHC patients who achieved SVR following treatment with DAA, with a mean follow‐up of 24 months. Baseline liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastography, and LS was validated by at least three independent ultrasonographic examinations. 211 of 515 patients (41%) had baseline LS. Patients with LS had a higher cumulative rate of all‐cause mortality and HCC at 2 years of follow‐up compared to patients without LS (15.75% and 2.79%, respectively, P < 0.001), although they did not have increased incidence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Consistently, multivariate analysis showed that LS was associated with a significant 7.5‐fold increased risk of all‐cause mortality and HCC (HR 7.51, 95% C.I 3.61‐13.36, P < 0.001) even upon adjustment to components of the metabolic syndrome, whereas advanced fibrosis showed only a trend towards statistical significance (HR 2.32, 95% C.I 0.97‐6.59, P = 0.06). In conclusion, LS is a major predictor of all‐cause mortality and HCC in patients who achieved SVR following DAA treatment regardless of fibrosis stage. These patients should be rigorously screened for HCC.
Canine size, condition and health in wild boars
Authors: Fernández‐Llario P. , Møller A. P. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCanines in wild boar Sus scrofa constitute weapons used in male–male conflict. We analyzed extensive data for the ecological correlates of canine size in several study sites in Extremadura, Spain, to determine their degree of condition‐dependence and their relationship with health status. Boars with relatively large body size had larger canines than small boars. Canine size was larger in estates without livestock, in estates with low population density, and in estates with rich holmoak forest. These findings are consistent with predictions for condition‐dependent secondary sexual characters. Boars with relatively large canines had large spleens for their body size, higher prevalence of Aujeszky's disease and higher prevalence of macroscopic lesions compatible with Bovine Tuberculosis than boars with relatively small canines. Thus, boars with large canines that were likely to be dominant and have differential access to females were in poorer health than boars with small canines. Since the virus responsible for Aujeszky's disease and Mycobacterium bovis are readily transmitted through direct contact during mating, we suggest that there is a sexual conflict over mating. Boars with large canines that are most likely to copulate with sows are also more likely to be a direct cause of transmission of disease to the sows.
Accompanying as accomplices: Pedagogies for community engaged learning in sociocultural linguistics
Authors: Arnold Lynnette 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAs a field, sociocultural linguistics has a long legacy of public scholarship that has worked to counter linguistic prejudices and inequalities perpetuated through language. Today, current community engagement within sociocultural linguistics increasingly takes a collaborative approach that includes students. In this article, I therefore explore how the field prepares both students and faculty for this work. In particular, I focus on courses with a service learning component, suggesting that these constitute key spaces for developing the commitments and capacities necessary for engaged work that advances sociolinguistic justice. I highlight the insights of existing scholarship on service learning in linguistics before turning to a more detailed discussion of pedagogical practice, drawing on current critical pedagogy literature that emphasize the importance of language and culture. Synthesizing two social movement perspectives, I propose a pedagogical framework that supports faculty and students in learning to accompany as an accomplice. I demonstrate the application of this model by discussing specific pedagogical strategies enacted in a community engaged course I taught on Language and Migration at a university in the United States. Ultimately, I suggest that developing social justice pedagogies is a crucial endeavor if we are to counter the ways that language has been used to justify inequalities and motivate violence towards racialized communities, both in the past and in the present.
Phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase 1 contributes to maintenance of root apical meristem by affecting ROS and auxin‐regulated cell differentiation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zou Yi , Zhang Xiaojing , Tan Yunyi , Huang Jia‐Bao , Zheng Zhiqiong , Tao Li‐Zhen 
Published: June 2019

Summary

The continuous growth of roots requires the balance between cell division and differentiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and auxin are important regulators of root development by affecting cell division and differentiation. The mechanism controlling the coordination of cell division and differentiation is not well understood.

Using a forward genetic screen, we isolated a mutant, defective primary root 2 (dpr2), defective in root apical meristem (RAM) maintenance. The DPR2 gene encodes phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase 1 (PEAMT1) that catalyzes phosphocholine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. We characterized the primary root phenotypes of dpr2 using various marker lines, using histochemical and pharmacological analysis to probe early root development.

Loss‐of‐function of DPR2/PEAMT1 resulted in RAM consumption by affecting root stem cell niche, division zone, elongation and differentiation zone (EDZ). PIN‐FORMED (PIN) protein abundance, PIN2 polar distribution and general endocytosis were impaired in the root tip of dpr2. Excess hydrogen peroxide and auxin accumulate in the EDZ of dpr2, leading to RAM consumption by accelerating cell differentiation. Suppression of ROS over‐accumulation or inhibition of auxin signalling partially prevent RAM differentiation in dpr2 after choline starvation.

Taken together, we conclude that the EDZ of the root tip is most sensitive to choline shortage, leading to RAM consumption through an ROS–auxin regulation module.
Anticipatory effects of the implementation of the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on food and beverage product reformulation
Authors: Kanter Rebecca , Reyes Marcela , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Swinburn Boyd , Corvalán Camila 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThis study evaluated the anticipated food and beverage product reformulation by industry before the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising (Law 20.606) was implemented in June 2016 requiring a front‐of‐package (FOP) warning label for products high in sodium, total sugars, saturated fats, and/or total energy. Fieldworkers photographed a purposive sample of packaged food and beverage products in February 2015 (n = 5421) and February 2016 (n = 5479) from six different supermarkets in Santiago, Chile. The same products collected in both years (n = 2086) from 17 food and beverage categories with added critical nutrients (nutrients of concern: sodium, total sugars, and saturated fats) were included in this longitudinal study. The average change in energy and critical nutrient content was estimated by category. The number of warning labels potentially avoided because of reformulation was determined. Between February 2015 and February 2016, no category experienced reductions >5% average change in energy or critical nutrient content; and some increased in critical nutrient content. Few products (<2%) would have avoided at least one warning label with reformulation. In a diverse sample of food and beverage products, there was minimal reformulation by industry in anticipation of the implementation of the 2016 Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising.
Surgical Experience and Complications in 50 Patients Treated with an Anular Closure Device Following Lumbar Discectomy
Authors: Ardeshiri Ardeshir , Miller Larry E , Synowitz Michael , Jadik Senol 
Published: June 2019

ObjectiveTo examine the results of an anular closure device for prevention of lumbar disc reherniation in daily routine practice.MethodsFifty patients with large anular defects were treated with limited discectomy and a bone‐anchored anular closure device. The device physically occludes the defect in the anulus fibrosus and is intended for prevention of lumbar disc reherniation. Pain scores on a visual analogue scale, back function on the Oswestry Disability Index, and neurological status were noted. Symptomatic reherniation and reoperation rates were assessed at each follow‐up. Surgical findings and complications, device‐related and/or procedure‐related, were recorded. Follow‐up was 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.ResultsMean anular defect height/width was 4.6 mm/10.1 mm. The overall symptomatic reherniation and reoperation rate was 2%. During the 1‐year follow‐up period, mean back pain decreased from 43 to 8 (P < 0.001), leg pain decreased from 71 to 4 (P < 0.001), and the Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 46 to 5 (P < 0.001). Among 15 patients with preoperative neurological deficits, improvements in neurological function were noted in 14 (93%). There were no serious device‐related complications.ConclusionsThe presented study shows promising early results in using the anular closure device. The procedure is safe with significantly fewer reherniations than for patients with large anular defects without anular closure. Further studies with longer follow‐up periods are warranted to prove these findings for long‐term outcomes.
National survey of prevalence and prognosis of thanatophoric dysplasia in Japan
Authors: Sawai Hideaki , Oka Kaname , Ushioda Mariko , Nishimura Gen , Omori Takashi , Numabe Hironao , Kosugi Shinji 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is a rare congenital disease of the skeletal system, with an incidence of 1.68–8.3 per 100 000 births, but statistical data on the estimated number of TD patients across Japan are not available. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the prevalence and prognosis of TD in Japan.MethodsA nationwide primary questionnaire survey was conducted.ResultsA total of 127 obstetric, 186 pediatric, and 115 orthopedic facilities provided responses. Excluding duplications, we identified 73 patients with TD. Of the 73 cases, 15 were abortions, four were stillbirths, 51 were live births, and three had unknown details. Of the 51 live newborns, 27 died ≤7 days after birth, with an early neonatal mortality rate of 56%. Of the 24 newborns who survived the early neonatal period, 16 survived for ≥1 year. All of the 24 newborns received respiratory management and survived during the early neonatal period. Of the 51 live newborns, 25 did not receive respiratory management and died ≤2 days after birth.ConclusionsThe prevalence of TD in Japan is estimated to be at 1.1 (95%CI: 0.84–1.37) per 100 000 births, but the actual incidence is expected to be higher. To our knowledge, we have confirmed for the first time that newborns with TD may not always die during the early neonatal period but can survive the early neonatal period with appropriate respiratory management. Therefore, the term “thanatophoric dysplasia” does not accurately reflect the nature of the disease.
Mass‐scale red cell genotyping of blood donors: from data visualization to historical antigen labeling and donor recruitment
Authors: Denomme Gregory A. , Anani Waseem Q. 
Published: June 2019

KEY IDEAS
Donor red cell genotyping provides efficiencies to identify “in demand” blood donors for transfusion recipients requiring antigen‐negative blood.
Donor red cell genotype information can be used to label units with historical types and introduced throughout the supply chain from the blood center to the hospital transfusion service and has potential to be used in recruitment strategies.
Enhancement of Isobutanol and 3-Methyl-1-Butanol Production Yields in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae without Genetic Modification
Authors: Ramli Nor Azah , A. Rahman Roshanida , Md. Illias Rosli 
Published: June 2019

Bio-based fuel produced from the renewable resources is efficiently overcome the shortcomings of fossil fuels. Several factors such as the increasing awareness on environmental problems, fossil fuel prices and the sustainability of energy has encouraged the initiative in finding another source of transportation fuels. Higher alcohols have proved to be a better candidate to replace gasoline as vehicle fuel due to characteristics of higher energy content, low solubility in water, lower vapor pressure and higher blending ability with gasoline. Biologically, isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol are produced through the fermentation of renewable feedstock with microorganism. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known to be able to produce isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers naturally without heterologous pathways. However, the production of these alcohols by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is only in a small quantity, thus several efforts in enhancing the isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol yields have been conducted. In this study, the amino acids (valine and leucine) and amino acid precursor (2-ketoisovalerate) were added into the fermentation medium prior to the fermentation. The results obtained show that the supplementation of 2-ketoisovalerate and leucine individually into the fermentation broth leads to the increased in isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers by 3.3 folds and 1.9 folds, respectively. The combination of 2-ketoisovalerate and valine increased the isobutanol yield by 4.3 folds while the 3-methyl-1-butanol was increased by 2.5 folds when supplemented with 2-ketoisovalerate and leucine. These results portray that the isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol titers can be improved by manipulating several factors which is important for future production of higher alcohols.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Gibbs Nikki 
Published: June 2019

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 4 Andrey KudryavtsevAyoub Taha SidahmedErdal GumusGetamesay Bekele MesheshaHe NieHedieh ShadmaniIan McFarlaneIbrahim BaghdadiIgor MatyushenkoKaveh DalvandMagdalena ZiołoMahmoud Mohammed SabraMamdouh Abdelmoula M. AbdelsalamMarco MeleMarco MuscettolaNuno CrespoOltiana Muharremi PelariPatrycja Kowalczyk-RolczynskaPayal ChadhaRamona OrasteanRichard NguyenRomeo Victor IonescuSebastian SchichSteven V. CatesSzabolcs BlazsekY. Saidi Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com
GABAA receptors modulate sympathetic vasomotor outflow and the pressor response to skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in humans
Authors: Teixeira André L. , Fernandes Igor A. , Vianna Lauro C. 
Published: June 2019

Key points
The activation of the group III/IV skeletal muscle afferents is one of the principal mediators of cardiovascular responses to exercise; however, the neuronal circuitry mechanisms that are involved during the activation of group III/IV muscle afferents in humans remain unknown.
Recently, we showed that GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the cardiac vagal withdrawal during the activation of mechanically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group III fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans.
In the present study, we found that increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and mean blood pressure during isometric handgrip exercise and postexercise ischaemia were significantly greater after the oral administration of diazepam, a benzodiazepine that increases GABAA activity, but not after placebo administration in young healthy subjects.
These findings indicate for the first time that GABAA receptors modulate sympathetic vasomotor outflow and the pressor responses to activation of metabolically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group IV fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans.
AbstractAnimal studies have indicated that GABAA receptors are involved in the neuronal circuitry of the group III/IV skeletal muscle afferent activation‐induced neurocardiovascular responses to exercise. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether GABAA receptors modulate the neurocardiovascular responses to activation of metabolically sensitive (predominantly mediated by group IV fibres) skeletal muscle afferents in humans. In a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled and cross‐over design, 17 healthy subjects (eight women) performed 2 min of ischaemic isometric handgrip exercise at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction followed by 2 min of postexercise ischaemia (PEI). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously measured and trials were conducted before and 60 min after the oral administration of either placebo or diazepam (10 mg), a benzodiazepine that enhances GABAA activity. At rest, MSNA was reduced, whereas HR and BP did not change after diazepam administration. During ischaemic isometric handgrip, greater MSNA (pre: ∆13 ± 9 bursts min−1 vs. post: ∆29 ± 15 bursts min−1, P < 0.001), HR (pre: ∆23 ± 11 beats min−1 vs. post: ∆31 ± 17 beats min−1, P < 0.01) and mean BP (pre: ∆33 ± 12 mmHg vs. post: ∆37 ± 12 mmHg, P < 0.01) responses were observed after diazepam. During PEI, MSNA and mean BP remained elevated from baseline before diazepam (∆10 ± 8 bursts min−1 and ∆25 ± 14 mmHg, respectively) and these elevations were increased after diazepam (∆17 ± 12 bursts min−1 and ∆28 ± 13 mmHg, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Importantly, placebo pill had no effect on neural, cardiac and pressor responses. These findings demonstrate for the first time that GABAA receptors modulate MSNA and the pressor responses to skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in humans.
Arterial wall shear rate response to reactive hyperaemia is markedly different between young and older humans
Authors: Aizawa Kunihiko , Ramalli Alessandro , Sbragi Sara , Tortoli Piero , Casanova Francesco , Morizzo Carmela , Thorn Clare E. , Shore Angela C. , Gates Phillip E. , Palombo Carlo 
Published: June 2019

Key points
The vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with advancing age, but it is unclear whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response.
Using new technology that allows detailed WSR measurement, we assessed the WSR–FMD response in healthy older people.
Our data show that older people have a markedly altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to young people, but reduced WSR alone does not fully explain reduced FMD.
In young people, WSR appears to be coupled to FMD but, by age ∼65 years, the arterial vasodilatory response has begun to uncouple from the WSR stimulus.
These findings point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function, as well as giving new insight into the age‐related alteration in vascular function.
AbstractThe vasodilatory response to reactive hyperaemia is impaired with age, but it is unknown whether this is because of an altered wall shear rate (WSR) stimulus or an altered flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) response to the WSR stimulus. Inherent difficulties in measuring blood flow velocity close to the arterial wall have prevented detailed assessment of the WSR–FMD response. Using an enhanced multigate spectral Doppler ultrasound system (ultrasound advanced open platform), we aimed to produce new data on the WSR–FMD relationship in healthy older adults. Sixty healthy people, comprising 28 young (27.5 ± 5.5 years) and 32 older (64.9 ± 3.7 years) individuals, underwent FMD assessment. Raw data were post‐processed using custom‐designed software to obtain WSR and diameter parameters. The data revealed that older people have a much altered and diminished WSR response to reactive hyperaemia compared to younger people [e.g. WSR peak: 622 (571–673) vs. 443 (396–491) 1/s in young and older respectively; P < 0.05]. However, reduced WSR alone does not appear to fully explain the reduced FMD response in older people because associations between WSR and FMD were few and weak. This was in contrast to young adults, where associations were strong. We conclude that WSR during FMD is much altered and diminished in older people, and there appears to be an ‘uncoupling’ of WSR from FMD in older people that may reflect a loss of precision in the reactive hyperaemia stimulus–response relationship. These findings also point to the importance and utility of comprehensively characterizing the WSR–FMD response when using reactive hyperaemia to assess vascular function.
Influence of Peak Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Changes on Restoration of Fluid Balance After Induced Dehydration
Authors: Rodriguez-Giustiniani Paola , Galloway Stuart D.R. 
Published: June 2019

The present study examined the impact of hormonal differences between late follicular (LF) and midluteal (ML) phases on restoration of fluid balance following dehydration. Ten eumenorrheic female participants were dehydrated by 2% of their body mass through overnight fluid restriction followed by exercise-heat stress. Trials were undertaken during the LF (between Days 10 and 13 of the menstrual cycle) and ML phases (between Days 18 and 23 of the menstrual cycle) with one phase repeated to assess reliability of observations. Following dehydration, participants ingested a volume equivalent to 100% of mass loss of a commercially available sports drink in four equal volumes over 30 min. Mean serum values for steroid hormones during the ML (estradiol [E2]: 92 ± 11 pg/ml, progesterone: 19 ± 4 ng/ml) and LF (estradiol [E2]: 232 ± 64 pg/ml, progesterone: 3 ± 2 ng/ml) were significantly different between phases. Urine tests confirmed no luteinizing hormone surge evident during LF trials. There was no effect of menstrual cycle phase on cumulative urine volume during the 3-hr rehydration period (ML: 630 [197–935] ml, LF: 649 [180–845] ml) with percentage of fluid retained being 47% (33–85)% on ML and 46% (37–89)% on LF (p = .29). There was no association between the progesterone:estradiol ratio and fluid retained in either phase. Net fluid balance, urine osmolality, and thirst intensity were not different between phases. No differences in sodium (ML: −61 [−36 to −131] mmol, LF: −73 [−5 to −118] mmol; p = .45) or potassium (ML: −36 [−11 to −80] mmol, LF: −30 [−19 to −89] mmol; p = .96) balance were observed. Fluid replacement after dehydration does not appear to be affected by normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic young women.