bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability with the risk of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular events in general population
Authors: Dai Liye , Song Lu , Li Xiaoli , Yang Yuling , Zheng Xiaoming , Wu Yuntao , Li Chunhui , Zhao Hualing , Wang Yilong , Wu Shouling , Wang Yongjun 
Published: February 2018

The association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and the risk of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is not well understood. The Kailuan study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study on cerebrovascular events and cardiovascular factors. In this study, resting blood pressure was measured at baseline and every 2 years from 2006 to 2007. BPV is mainly defined as the coefficient of variation (CV). Hazard ratio (HR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated using Cox regression model. Among 52 387 participants, we identified 1817 who ended up with all‐cause death and 1198 with CVD. Each 4.68% increase in BPV was associated with a 13% increase in the risk of mortality (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.09‐1.18) and a 7% increase in CVD (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02‐1.13), respectively. After adjustment of confounding factors, the HR of comparing participants in the highest versus lowest quartile of CV of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 1.37 (1.19, 1.57) for all‐cause death, 1.18 (1.01, 1.39) for CVD. Similar results were also observed when BPV was measured by different parameters. We concluded that visit‐to‐visit BPV was associated with all‐cause death and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Chinese general population.
24‐hour aortic blood pressure variability showed a stronger association with carotid damage than 24‐hour brachial blood pressure variability: TheSAFARstudy
Authors: Yu Shikai , Chi Chen , Protogerou Athanase D. , Safar Michel E. , Blacher Jacques , Argyris Antonis A. , Nasothimiou Efthimia G. , Sfikakis Petros P. , Papaioannou Theodore G. , Xu Henry , Zhang Yi , Xu Yawei 
Published: February 2018

We aim to compare 24‐hour aortic blood pressure variability (BPV) with brachialBPVin relation to carotid damage as estimated by carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and cross‐sectional area (CCSA). Four hundred and forty five individuals received brachial and aortic 24‐hour ambulatoryBPmonitoring with a validated device (Mobil‐O‐Graph). SystolicBPVwas estimated by average real variability (ARV) and time‐weighted standard deviation (wSD). In multiple logistic regression analysis,CIMT > 900 μm was significantly and independently associated with aorticARV(OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.04‐1.84), aortic wSD(OR = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.19‐2.29) and brachialARV(OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.07‐2.18), but not with brachial wSD.CCSA > 90th percentile was significantly and independently associated with aorticARV(OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.07‐2.10) and wSD(OR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.12‐2.56), but not with brachialBPVs. In receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, aortic wSDidentifiedCCSA > 90th percentile better than brachial wSD(AUC: 0.73 vs 0.68,P < .01). In conclusion, aortic 24‐hour systolicBPVshowed a slightly stronger association with carotid damage than brachial BPV.
Fixed‐dose vs free‐dose combinations for the management of hypertension—An analysis of 81 958 patients
Authors: Bramlage Peter , Schmidt Stefanie , Sims Helen 
Published: February 2018

Fixed‐dose combinations (FDC) have been developed to reduce the pill burden for hypertensive patients. Data on fixed‐dose or free‐dose (freeDC) ramipril/amlodipine (R/A) or candesartan/amlodipine (C/A) combination treatment initiation were assessed. 71 463 patients were prescribed R/A and 10 495 C/A. For both R/A and C/A, FDC patients were younger (both P < .001) and less comorbid. Prior MI (OR: 0.61 and 0.60), prior stroke (OR: 0.68 and 0.70) and CHD (OR: 0.68 and 0.64) were negatively associated with FDC use, whereas hyperlipidemia was positively associated (OR: 1.26 and 1.19). Use of antihypertensive comedication (OR: 0.78; OR: 0.55) and treatment discontinuation within 12 months (HR: 0.65 and 0.82) were less likely in FDC patients, who also showed superior adherence (mean MPR; both P < .001). Cost of the combination was higher for FDCs (both P < .001). FDCs improve persistence and adherence, although they are more commonly prescribed in patients with less cardiovascular disease.
Restoration of Facial Form and Lip Competence in a Patient with a Midfacial Defect
Authors: Kapetanakos Melani , Wisniewski Sarah , Golden Marjorie , Randazzo Joseph 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck can be treated with a combination of modalities. There is an esthetic and functional compromise with midfacial defects secondary to ablative surgery and adjuvant therapies for SCC. Osteoradionecrosis, tissue contracture, and trismus, are all negative side effects of treatment and can impact a patient's function and possibly their nutrition. In this report, we describe a procedure for fabrication of a prosthesis that provides cosmetic improvement and labial competence to maintain caloric intake.
Clinical Risk Factors for Early Seizure Recurrence in Dogs Hospitalized for Seizure Evaluation
Authors: Kwiatkowska M. , Tipold A. , Huenerfauth E. , Pomianowski A. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundEpileptic seizures are a common cause for neurological evaluations in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the timing, frequency, and risk factors for early seizure recurrence (ESR) among dogs admitted to the hospital for seizure evaluation and to facilitate rapid decision making about whether dogs should be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) or day ward.AnimalsNine‐hundred twenty‐two dogs referred for seizure investigation; 214 patients were included.MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records between 2000 and 2017 were reviewed to determine risk factors for ESR. Findings were compared among dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (IE), structural epilepsy (StE) and reactive seizures (RS), as well as in all selected cases together.ResultsFifty percent of dogs had a seizure while hospitalized. In the group 53.1 and 52.2% in the StE group, whereas in the RS 40.44% had ESR. The average time to ESR was 7 hours. In IE group, abnormal postictal neurological examination with prosencephalon signs predicted ESR. In StE group, a single generalized or focal seizure 72 hours before hospital admission and abnormal neurologic examination predicted ESR. In the RS group, ERS was predicted by long‐term antiepileptic monotheraphy. When all dogs were analyzed together, abnormal neurological examination, the occurrence of cluster seizures, status epilepticus, or combination of them 72 hours before presentation predicted ESR.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceEpileptic seizures recurred in 50% of patients within a mean time of 7 hours. In general, when cluster seizures, status epilepticus or both occurred 72 hours before presentation and neurological examination was abnormal upon presentation, the dog should be placed in ICU for observation.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and metabolism of acepromazine following intravenous, oral, and sublingual administration to exercised Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Knych H. K. , Seminoff K. , McKemie D. S. , Kass P. H. 
Published: February 2018

Acepromazine is a tranquilizer used commonly in equine medicine. This study describes serum and urine concentrations and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of acepromazine following intravenous, oral, and sublingual (SL) administration. Fifteen exercised adult Thoroughbred horses received a single intravenous, oral, and SL dose of 0.09 mg/kg of acepromazine. Blood and urine samples were collected at time 0 and at various times for up to 72 hr and analyzed for acepromazine and its two major metabolites (2‐(1‐hydroxyethyl) promazine and 2‐(1‐hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfoxide) using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Acepromazine was also incubated in vitro with whole equine blood and serum concentrations of the parent drug and metabolites determined. Acepromazine was quantitated for 24 hr following intravenous administration and 72 hr following oral and SL administration. Results of in vitro incubations with whole blood suggest additional metabolism byRBCs. The mean ± SEMelimination half‐life was 5.16 ± 0.450, 8.58 ± 2.23, and 6.70 ± 2.62 hr following intravenous, oral, and SL administration, respectively. No adverse effects were noted and horses appeared sedate as noted by a decrease in chin‐to‐ground distance within 5 (i.v.) or 15 (p.o. andSL) minutes postadministration. The duration of sedation lasted 2 hr. Changes in heart rate were minimal.
Backward SDEs for control with partial information
Authors: Papanicolaou Andrew 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper considers a non‐Markov control problem arising in a financial market where asset returns depend on hidden factors. The problem is non‐Markov because nonlinear filtering is required to make inference on these factors, and hence the associated dynamic program effectively takes the filtering distribution as one of its state variables. This is of significant difficulty because the filtering distribution is a stochastic probability measure of infinite dimension, and therefore the dynamic program has a state that cannot be differentiated in the traditional sense. This lack of differentiability means that the problem cannot be solved using a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. This paper will show how the problem can be analyzed and solved using backward stochastic differential equations, with a key tool being the problem's dual formulation.
Prediction of humpback whale group densities along the Brazilian coast using spatial autoregressive models
Authors: Pavanato Heloise J. , Mayer Fernando P. , Wedekin Leonardo L. , Engel Márcia H. , Kinas Paul G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAt the breeding grounds of most baleen whales the patchiness and gaps in spatial distribution results from interactions between behavior patterns and environmental conditions. We evaluated the influence of environmental factors (bathymetry and distance from shore with quadratic terms, and wind speed), effort, and spatial autocorrelation effects to predict humpback whale group density in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Count data of groups by grid cells were fitted with conditional autoregressive models (CAR). Bayesian inference was performedviaintegrated nested Laplace approximation. The best‐fit model contained distance from shore and its quadratic term, bathymetry, and the autoregressive component. Occupancy probability was high for the Abrolhos Bank, some cells from the northeast continental shelf and southeast margin, but gaps in occurrence were identified. High densities were estimated in the east continental margin, with the highest density in the Abrolhos Bank, in some cells of the northeast continental margin and in the southernmost area. We report that intermediate distances from the coast, and shallow waters were preferred for breeding and calving activities. We suggest that CAR models may incorporate aggregation mechanisms into habitat modeling and may provide advances in marine mammal analyses by accounting for residual autocorrelation.
Vaginal isolation of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus from bitches with and without neonatal deaths in the litters
Authors: Guerrero AE , Stornelli MC , Jurado SB , Giacoboni G , Sguazza GH , de la Sota RL , Stornelli MA 
Published: February 2018

ContentsThe aim of the study was to identify beta‐haemolytic streptococci in the vagina of bitches who had delivered healthy litters and bitches who had delivered litters in which neonatal deaths occurred. Fifty‐one bitches divided into two groups were used. Group 1 (G1) included 28 bitches that had delivered healthy litters and group 2 (G2) included 23 bitches that had delivered puppies who died in the neonatal period. Two vaginal samples were taken, one in proestrus and the other at the end of gestation (EG). Beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus (BS) was isolated from 16 bitches (57%) in G1 and from 21 bitches (91%) in G2. The bacteriological cultures, serological tests (Streptex®) and PCR assay allowed identification of Streptococcus canis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae in G1 and G2. Ultramicroscopic studies allowed the observation of M Protein and capsules in strains of S. dysgalactiae and S. canis in G1 and G2. The S. canis strains isolated from G2 showed thicker capsules than S. canis strains isolated from G1 (234 ± 24.2 vs 151.23 ± 28.93 nm; p < .001.). No differences were observed in capsule thickness between strains of S. dysgalactiae isolated from G1 and G2 (210 ± 13.54 vs 211.66 ± 19.67 nm; p > .70). All strains of beta‐haemolytic Streptococcus isolated were penicillin sensitive. Penicillin was administered from EG to 5 days post‐partum in 10 G2 females with isolation of BS (G2A). Saline solution was administered in eleven G2 females with isolation of BS (G2B). Ninety per cent of the puppies survived in G2A and 25% survived in G2B. Our results suggest BS is involved in canine neonatal deaths.
Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy, dermatoscopy and histopathological correlation of common inflammatory balanitis
Authors: Lacarrubba F. , Verzì A.E. , Ardigò M. , Micali G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe term balanitis includes a variety of inflammatory skin diseases involving the glans penis whose clinical diagnosis may be challenging. A biopsy is often required to obtain a definitive diagnosis, although it is barely accepted by patients. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), that provides a real‐time, en face imaging of the epidermis and upper dermis, is currently utilized for the diagnosis of some neoplastic and inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the RCM handheld findings of some common balanitis and to correlate them with dermatoscopy and histopathological features.Materials and MethodsThirty‐two patients with biopsy‐proven diagnosis of psoriatic balanitis (10 patients), Zoon's balanitis (11 patients) and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (11 patients) were evaluated using a handheld RCM device and ×10 dermatoscopy.ResultsAt the end of the study, each disorder presented specific RCM patterns that correlated with dermatoscopy and histopathological findings.ConclusionThe use of handheld RCM as complementary tool in everyday clinical practice for the evaluation of inflammatory diseases involving sensitive areas such as male genitalia, may contribute to reduce the need of invasive procedures.
Population Pharmacokinetic Properties of Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine: a Pooled Analysis To Inform Optimal Dosing in African Children with Uncomplicated Malaria
Authors: de Kock Miné , Tarning Joel , Workman Lesley , Allen Elizabeth N. , Tekete Mamadou M. , Djimde Abdoulaye A. , Bell David J. , Ward Steve A. , Barnes Karen I. , Denti Paolo 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine with amodiaquine is recommended by the World Health Organization as seasonal malaria chemoprevention for children aged 3 to 59 months in the sub-Sahel regions of Africa. Suboptimal dosing in children may lead to treatment failure and increased resistance. Pooled individual patient data from four previously published trials on the pharmacokinetics of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine in 415 pediatric and 386 adult patients were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to evaluate the current dosing regimen and, if needed, to propose an optimized dosing regimen for children under 5 years of age. The population pharmacokinetics of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine were both best described by a one-compartment disposition model with first-order absorption and elimination. Body weight, age, and nutritional status (measured as the weight-for-age Z-score) were found to be significant covariates. Allometric scaling with total body weight and the maturation of clearance in children by postgestational age improved the model fit. Underweight-for-age children were found to have 15.3% and 26.7% lower bioavailabilities of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, respectively, for each Z-score unit below −2. Under current dosing recommendations, simulation predicted that the median day 7 concentration was below the 25th percentile for a typical adult patient (50 kg) for sulfadoxine for patients in the weight bands of 8 to 9, 19 to 24, 46 to 49, and 74 to 79 kg and for pyrimethamine for patients in the weight bands of 8 to 9, 14 to 24, and 42 to 49 kg. An evidence-based dosing regimen was constructed that would achieve sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine exposures in young children and underweight-for-age young children that were similar to those currently seen in a typical adult.
Evaluation of the Role of
stat3
in Antibody and T
H
17-Mediated Responses to Pneumococcal Immunization and Infection by Use of a Mouse Model of Autosomal Dominant Hyper-IgE Syndrome
Authors: Moffitt Kristin , Cheung Elaine , Manis John , Malley Richard 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Loss-of-function mutations in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene (
stat3
) result in autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES), a condition in which patients have recurrent debilitating infections, including frequent pneumococcal and staphylococcal pneumonias.
stat3
mutations cause defective adaptive T
H
17 cellular responses, an immune mechanism believed to be critical for clearance of pneumococcal colonization and diminished antibody responses. Here we wished to evaluate the role of
stat3
in the clearance of pneumococcal carriage and immunity using mice with a
stat3
mutation recapitulating AD-HIES. We show here that naive AD-HIES mice have prolonged nasal carriage of pneumococcus compared to WT mice. Mutant and wild-type mice were then immunized with a pneumococcal whole-cell vaccine (WCV) that provides T
H
17-mediated protection against pneumococcal colonization and antibody-mediated protection against pneumonia and sepsis. WCV-immunized AD-HIES mice made significantly less pneumococcus-specific interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and antibody than WT mice. The WCV-elicited protection against colonization was abrogated in AD-HIES mice, but immunization with WCV still protected AD-HIES mice against aspiration pneumonia/sepsis. Taken together, our results suggest that impaired clearance of nasopharyngeal carriage due to poor adaptive IL-17A responses may contribute to the increased rates of pneumococcal respiratory infection in AD-HIES patients.
Regeneration of Escherichia coli from Minicells through Lateral Gene Transfer
Authors: Kobayashi Hideki 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Recently, artificial life has been created with artificial materials and methods. Life can be created when genomic DNA molecules are integrated in liposomes containing biochemical reactions for biogenic needs. However, it is not yet known whether the integration of these parts will be able to occur in nature and constitute a living system. I planned to regenerate bacteria from biologically active liposomes by inserting genomic DNA using only natural materials and methods. Minicells of
Escherichia coli
, containing plasmids and activated SOS proteins, act as protocells. Four new
E. coli
strains were regenerated from minicells by inserting the genomes by using the system for conjugation between F
−
and Hfr strains. Cells of the four regenerated strains showed the same genetic markers as the two genome donors. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis of their genomes showed admixing of those of both donors. In addition, the genomes of the four regenerated strains had chimeric genome of the two donors. These results show that synthesis of life can occur in nature without artificial arrangement.

IMPORTANCE
What is the difference between inanimate objects and organisms? Organisms always have genomic DNA. When organisms lose their genomes, they can neither grow nor reproduce. As the result, organisms turn into inanimate objects without their genomes. In this study, I regenerated microbes from cells that had lost their genomes (cell corpses) by inserting another genome. All steps of regeneration used the natural behavior of microbes. The same regeneration of microbes could happen in nature. These primitive lives have plasticity, which accelerates evolution and provides various kinds of life in the world.
Elegant Science
Authors: Casadevall Arturo , Fang Ferric C. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Elegance is a prized quality in science that is associated with simplicity and explanatory power. This essay considers the qualities that make a scientific model, experiment, method, or theory “elegant,” with a focus on the life sciences. We propose a definition of elegance that includes clarity, cleverness, correctness, explanatory power, parsimony, and beauty. The pursuit of elegance can improve the quality of science, but elegance must be pursued with caution, as the truth is sometimes inelegant.
N-glycosylation of Viral E Protein Is the Determinant for Vector Midgut Invasion by Flaviviruses
Authors: Wen Dan , Li Suhua , Dong Fangfang , Zhang Yanan , Lin Yongfang , Wang Jumei , Zou Zhen , Zheng Aihua 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Transmission of flaviviruses by hematophagous insects such as mosquitoes requires acquisition of the virus during blood feeding on the host, with midgut as the primary infection site. Here, we report that N-glycosylation of the E protein, which is conserved among most flaviviruses, is critical for the Zika virus (ZIKV) to invade the vector midgut by inhibiting the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway of the mosquito immune system. Our data further show that removal of the ZIKV E glycosylation site prevents mosquito infection by flaviviruses via the oral route, whereas there is no effect on infection by intrathoracic microinjection, which bypasses the midgut. Interestingly, the defect in infection of the mosquito midgut by the mutant virus through blood feeding is rescued by reduction of the ROS level by application of vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant. Therefore, our data demonstrate that ZIKV utilizes the glycosylation on the envelope to antagonize the vector immune defense during infection.

IMPORTANCE
Most flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV), are transmitted between hosts by arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, which acquire the virus during a blood meal. Here, by mutagenesis, we found a major role of the N-glycosylation of flavivirus E protein in its transmission circle, facilitating its survival against the vector immune system during invasion of the mosquito midgut while blood feeding on the host. In spite of the extensive studies of the involvement of N-glycan modification of flavivirus E protein in virus-host interactions, we discovered its critical role in virus-vector interaction and the evolution of flavivirus. Given the deleterious effects of ZIKV on human health, this study might have a significant impact on development of novel transmission-blocking strategies.