bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a novel selective peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α modulator, pemafibrate, on hepatic and peripheral glucose uptake in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance
Authors: Matsuba Ikuro , Matsuba Ren , Ishibashi Shun , Yamashita Shizuya , Arai Hidenori , Yokote Koutaro , Suganami Hideki , Araki Eiichi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionPemafibrate is a novel selective peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α modulator with potent triglyceride‐lowering and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol‐raising effects. We showed that pemafibrate decreased the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance in patients with dyslipidemia. To investigate how pemafibrate improves insulin sensitivity, we used a hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp technique to determine the splanchnic and peripheral glucose uptake in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance.Materials and MethodsA total of 27 patients with hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance were randomly assigned to receive pemafibrate (0.4 mg/day, b.i.d.) or placebo treatment for 12 weeks. The hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp test combined with oral glucose loading was carried out at weeks 0 and 12 to evaluate the splanchnic and peripheral glucose uptake.ResultsPemafibrate, but not the placebo, significantly increased the splanchnic glucose uptake rate from baseline (19.6 ± 5.9% with P = 0.005 and 2.1 ± 7.4% with P = 0.78, respectively), although no significant difference between the groups was observed (P = 0.084). Conversely, peripheral glucose uptake rate was not significantly altered. Pemafibrate, compared with the placebo, significantly decreased plasma triglycerides (−61.4 ± 16.4% vs −2.5 ± 41.4%, P = 0.001), free fatty acids (−24.8 ± 23.2% vs 2.0 ± 26.8%, P = 0.016) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (−30 ± 46 vs 10 ± 19 U/L, P = 0.009) levels, and significantly increased fibroblast growth factor 21 (457.7 ± 402.1 vs −41.7 ± 37.4 pg/mL, P = 0.007) levels.ConclusionsPemafibrate increased splanchnic glucose uptake from baseline in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Interspecific competition promotes habitat and morphological divergence in a secondary contact zone between two hybridizing songbirds
Authors: Sottas Camille , Reif Jiří , Kuczyński Lechosław , Reifová Radka 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInterspecific competition is assumed to play an important role in the ecological differentiation of species and speciation. However, empirical evidence for competition's role in speciation remains surprisingly scarce. Here, we studied the role of interspecific competition in the ecological differentiation and speciation of two closely related songbird species, the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia). Both species are insectivorous and ecologically very similar. They hybridize in a secondary contact zone, which is a mosaic of sites where both species co‐occur (syntopy) and sites where only one species is present (allotopy). We analysed fine‐scale habitat data for both species in both syntopic and allotopic sites and looked for associations between habitat use and bill morphology, which have been previously shown to be more divergent in sympatry than in allopatry. We found that the two nightingale species differ in habitat use in allotopic sites, where L. megarhynchos occurred in drier habitats and at slightly higher elevations, but not in syntopic sites. Birds from allotopic sites also showed higher interspecific divergence in relative bill size compared to birds from syntopic sites. Finally, we found an association between bill morphology and elevation. Our results are consistent with the view that interspecific competition in nightingales has resulted in partial habitat segregation in sympatry and that the habitat‐specific food supply has in turn very likely led to bill size divergence. Such ecological divergence may enhance prezygotic as well as extrinsic postzygotic isolation and thus accelerate the completion of the speciation process.
Effects of Metarhizium robertsii on the bloodsucking mosquito Aedes flavescens and non‐target predatory insects (Odonata)
Authors: Belevich O. , Yurchenko Y. , Krivopalov A. , Kryukov V. , Glupov V. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe effects of different concentrations and methods of treatment with Metarhizium robertsii Bisch., Rehner & Humber conidia on the non‐target aquatic dragonfly larvae Lestes sponsa Hansemann, Lestes dryas Kirby and Aeshna affinis Vander Linden and on the target bloodsucking mosquito larvae Aedes (O.) flavescens (Muller) were analysed. We found that dragonflies are significantly less susceptible than mosquitoes to the fungus. Larvae of L. sponsa larvae were more susceptible to wet conidia than dry conidia. However, the mortality of the air‐breathing larvae of A. affinis was significantly higher after treatment with dry conidia relative to aqueous suspension. The results help to minimize the negative effects of entomopathogenic fungi on non‐target predator insects under the control of mosquito larvae.
Translational neuroscience and psychiatry: A conceptual analysis
Authors: Marková Ivana S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAs rapidly developing research disciplines and enterprises, the translational sciences have made significant impact on research direction in medicine. Psychiatry has likewise been affected, and in this regard, the translational neurosciences have been the major drivers. This paper explores the conceptual underpinnings of this enterprise in relation to psychiatry. It shows that translation is used in a metaphorical sense in this context but that this can be misleading because of the resultant connotation that there is equivalence between neurobiological states and mental states. Furthermore, this equivalence is reinforced by the unidirectional flow or bottom up approach of the translational process.Given that the epistemological basis to psychiatry is fundamentally different to that underlying medicine, questions are raised concerning the application of the translational neurosciences approach to mental symptoms and mental disorders. The hybrid structure of mental symptoms and mental disorders demands that attention is paid to the “semantic” as well as the neurobiological constituents. Neglect of the former would carry implications for the validity of research findings as well as have ethical consequences for treating patients. Translational neurosciences may have greater validity in those mental disorders and mental symptoms whose constitution and sense are carried by the neurobiological elements.
Objective quantification of psychomotor disturbances in patients with a major depressive episode
Authors: Terziivanova Petya , Haralanova Evelina , Milushev Emil , Dimitrov Rumen , Claussen Claus‐Frenz , Haralanov Svetlozar 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesPsychomotor disturbances have been regarded as cardinal symptoms of depression for centuries, and their objective assessment may have predictive value with respect to the severity of clinical depression, treatment outcome, and prognosis of the depressive disorder. In clinical practice, psychomotor disturbances are evaluated and measured subjectively—through clinical observation and/or by means of rating scales. Our aim is to introduce a novel objective approach for recording and measuring psychomotor activity and reactivity in patients with clinical depression.MethodPsychomotor indicators of activity and reactivity were objectively recorded and measured using computerized ultrasonographic cranio‐corpo‐graphy.Results and discussionObjective and quantitative assessment of psychomotor symptoms may have pathophysiological significance as psychomotor disturbances go along with affective dysregulation. It is presumed that common neurotransmitter pathology in the brain structures causes simultaneously psychomotor and affective dysregulation that underlies the pathophysiology of the depressive disorder. Also, psychomotor retardation is thought to be a cardinal depressive symptom in endogenous depressions—unipolar and bipolar. On the other hand, psychomotor agitation may be considered as latent bipolarity, although the presence of manic symptoms within a depressive state and the role of psychomotor agitation in depressive patients are still disputable.ConclusionIntegration between different methods is needed to improve the understanding of psychopathology and neurobiology of a disputable diagnosis such as clinical depression. We introduce in the field of psychiatry an objective and quantitative approach, which could permit psychomotor discrimination not only between depressive patients and healthy controls but also between subgroups of depressive patients.
Flawed statistics and science confirming existing paradigms
Authors: Rutten Lex A. L. B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundPart of the scientific community states that implausible methods cannot have a true effect and that epidemiological proof can only lead to false positives.DiscussionHomeopathy is regarded as an example of an implausible method with false positive evidence. However, epidemiological proof is necessary to falsify the placebo hypothesis. Implausibility is now supposed to rectify selection of a part of all trials, but the applied selection criteria are diverse and not common in conventional medicine. Applying Bayes' theorem only once to demonstrate that a low prior chance does not lead to reasonable probability is flawed application of this theorem.ConclusionDemanding scientific evidence and then rejecting the same with post‐hoc selection of trials and flawed statistics shows unwillingness to falsify the completeness of existing paradigms.
Mathematical modeling and thermodynamic properties of rice parboiling
Authors: Balbinoti Thaisa Carvalho Volpe , Jorge Luiz Mário de Matos , Jorge Regina Maria Matos 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDue to the importance of hydration stage for parboiling, related studies are insufficiently addressed in the literature. The objective of this study was to model the moisture absorption kinetics of paddy rice, as well as estimate the thermodynamic properties involved in the hydration. The observed mass transfer in the process was directly influenced by the temperature of the system, showing changes in absorption capacity over time. The models addressed allowed satisfactorily describing the moisture gain under various thermal conditions. Particularly, the model based on Fick's second law best represented the experimental data. The effective diffusion coefficient was adjusted to an Arrhenius equation and a new model was generated, capable of describing hydration. The coefficient presented positive dependence with the temperature increase and allowed the determination of different forms of process energy. It was concluded that the hydration of the rice in the parboiling process is nonspontaneous and exothermic.Practical applicationsThis study allowed characterizing the moisture transfer in the hydration stage of the parboiling process, exploring the time and temperature relationship. From these data, mathematical modeling was used as a quality tool, guaranteeing for the parboiling industries control and optimization of the process in a cheap and easy way. In addition, this study presented relevant information on the thermodynamic properties, which made it possible to understand the different forms of energies and phenomena involved. This information can help, in a practical way, in the elaboration of industrial projects aimed at the parboiling of rice.
Clinical and genetic risk factors for decreased bone mineral density in Japanese patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Naito Takeo , Yokoyama Naonobu , Kakuta Yoichi , Ueno Kazuko , Kawai Yosuke , Onodera Motoyuki , Moroi Rintaro , Kuroha Masatake , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Kimura Tomoya , Shiga Hisashi , Endo Katsuya , Nagasaki Masao , Masamune Atsushi , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Shimosegawa Tooru 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground and AimPatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a high risk of low bone mineral density (BMD). Reportedly, clinical and genetic factors cause low BMD in Caucasians; however, studies in non‐Caucasian populations remain scarce.MethodsClinical risk factors for low BMD were investigated in 266 Japanese patients with IBD, and a genome‐wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed using linear regression with associated clinical factors as covariates. Genotyping was performed using a population‐optimized genotyping array (Japonica array®). After quality control, the genotype data of 4 384 682 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 254 patients with IBD were used for GWAS.ResultsBody mass index, age, and disease duration were independently associated with the BMD of the femoral neck (P = 1.41E − 13, 1.04E − 5, and 1.58E − 3, respectively), and body mass index and sex were associated with the BMD of the lumbar spine (P = 6.90E − 10 and 6.84E − 3, respectively). In GWAS, 118 and 42 candidate SNPs of the femoral neck and lumbar spine, respectively, were identified. Among 118, 111 candidate SNPs of the femoral neck were located within the SLC22A23 gene, which is a known IBD susceptibility gene (minimum P = 1.42E − 07). Among 42, 18 candidate SNPs of the lumbar spine were located within the MECOM gene, which is associated with osteopenia (minimum P = 5.86E − 07). Interestingly, none of the known loci showed a significant association with BMD.ConclusionsAlthough clinical risk factors for low BMD in IBD were similar to those in the general population, genetic risk factors were rather different.
Can the same controlled attenuation parameter cut‐offs be used for M and XL probes for diagnosing hepatic steatosis?
Authors: Chan Wah‐Kheong , Nik Mustapha Nik Raihan , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Cheng Jenny Yeuk‐Ki , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground and AimThere are limited studies on controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using Fibroscan XL probe for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis grade. The aim of this study was to determine whether previously defined optimal cut‐offs for CAP using the M probe could be applied for the XL probe.MethodsAdult patients with chronic liver disease who had a liver biopsy and examination with both the M and XL probes were included. Previously defined optimal cut‐offs for CAP using the M probe were used for the diagnosis of steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 (248, 268, and 280 dB/m, respectively).ResultsData for 180 patients were analyzed (mean age 53.7 ± 10.8 years; central obesity 84.5%; non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease 86.7%). The distribution of steatosis grades was S0, 9.4%; S1, 28.3%; S2, 43.9%, and S3, 18.3%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CAP using the M/XL probe for the diagnosis of steatosis grade ≥S1 was 93.9%/93.3%, 58.8%/58.8%, 95.6%/95.6%, and 50.0%/47.6%, respectively. These values were 94.6%/94.6%, 41.2%/44.1%, 72.6%/73.6%, and 82.4%/83.3%, respectively, for ≥S2, and 87.9%/87.9%, 27.2%/27.9%, 21.3%/21.5%, and 90.9%/91.1%, respectively, for S3.ConclusionThe same cut‐off values for CAP may be used for the M and XL probes for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis grade.
Oral budesonide in gastrointestinal and liver disease: A practical guide for the clinician
Authors: Miehlke Stephan , Acosta Manuel Barreiro‐de , Bouma Gerd , Carpio Daniel , Magro Fernando , Moreels Tom , Probert Chris 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOral budesonide is a second‐generation steroid that allows local, selective treatment of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver, minimizing systemic exposure. The results of randomized trials comparing budesonide versus placebo or active comparators have led to expert recommendations that budesonide be used to treat mild or moderate active ileocecal Crohn's disease, microscopic colitis (including both collagenous and lymphocytic colitis), ulcerative colitis, and non‐cirrhotic autoimmune hepatitis. The mechanism of budesonide action obviates the need for dose tapering due to safety reasons after induction therapy. Where low‐dose budesonide is used to maintain remission, usually in microscopic colitis, it does not appear to have adverse safety implications other than slight reductions in cortisol levels on rare occasions. As a gut‐selective and liver‐selective corticosteroid, budesonide offers an appealing alternative to conventional systemic glucocorticoids in diseases of these organs.
Apically extruded debris during the removal of canal filling material from root canals using three techniques
Authors: Topçuoğlu Hüseyin S. , Ulusan Özge , Topçuoğlu Gamze , Biricik Eda 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimIn the present study, we evaluated the effect of the single‐cone technique (SCT), cold lateral compaction (CLC), and wave vertical compaction (WVC) technique performed using two different sealers on the amount of apically extruded debris (AED) produced during the removal of canal filling material.MethodsNinety extracted mandibular premolars were prepared with ProTaper instruments. The teeth were then randomly assigned to six groups (N = 15) for root canal filling: (a) group 1, CLC+AH Plus; (b) group 2, SCT+AH Plus; (c) group 3, WVC+AH Plus; (d) group 4, CLC+MTA Fillapex; (e) group 5, SCT+MTA Fillapex; and (f) group 6, WVC+MTA Fillapex. In all groups, the removal of canal filling material was performed with ProTaper retreatment instruments. The mean weight of the AED was assessed with an analytical balance.ResultsThe amount of AED was lowest in groups 2 and 5 (P < .05), with no difference between these groups (P > .05). Groups 3 and 6 produced the greatest amount of extruded debris (P < .05); there was no difference between these groups (P > .05). Additionally, there was no difference between groups 1 and 4 (P > .05). There was no significant difference among the groups regarding sealer type (P > .05).ConclusionsThe canal filling technique used affected the amount of AED produced during the removal of canal filling material, but not sealer type.
Uncertainty Quantification in Life Cycle Assessments: Exploring Distribution Choice and Greater Data Granularity to Characterize Product Use
Authors: Ross Stephen A. , Cheah Lynette 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe life cycle environmental profile of energy‐consuming products is dominated by the products’ use stage. Variation in real‐world product use can therefore yield large differences in the results of life cycle assessment (LCA). Adequate characterization of input parameters is paramount for uncertainty quantification and has been a challenge to wider adoption of the LCA method. After emphasis in recent years on methodological development, data development has become the primary focus again. Pervasive sensing presents the opportunity to collect rich data sets and improve profiling of use‐stage parameters. Illustrating a data‐driven approach, we examine energy use in domestic cooling systems, focusing on climate change as the impact category. Specific objectives were to examine: (1) how characterization of the use stage by different probability distributions and (2) how characterizing data aggregated at successively higher granularity affects LCA modeling results and the uncertainty in output. Appliance‐level electricity data were sourced from domestic residences for 3 years. Use‐stage variables were propagated in a stochastic model and analyses simulated by Monte Carlo procedure. Although distribution choice did not necessarily significantly impact the estimated output, there were differences in the estimated uncertainty. Characterization of use‐stage power consumption in the model at successively higher data granularity reduced the output uncertainty with diminishing returns. Results therefore justify the collection of high granularity data sets representing the life cycle use stage of high‐energy products. The availability of such data through proliferation of pervasive sensing presents increasing opportunities to better characterize data and increase confidence in results of LCA.
Quantity, Components, and Value of Waste Materials Landfilled in the United States
Authors: Powell Jon T. , Chertow Marian R. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe current system of production and consumption needs end‐of‐life disposal to function, but the linkage between upstream production‐consumption with the downstream landfill as terminus is, at best, a tenuous, one‐way relationship, suggesting a partial system failure. A starting point to fix this link is to confront, systematically, the messy “black box” that is mixed waste landfilling, interrogate its contents locally, and determine a baseline that can be used to scale up results. Here, we develop a detailed model characterizing landfilled municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States across the dimensions of material quantity, quality, location, and time. The model triangulates measurements spanning 1,161 landfills (representing up to 95% of landfilled MSW) and 15,169 solid waste samples collected and analyzed at 222 sites across the United States. We confirm that landfilled quantities of paper (63 million megagrams [Mg]), food waste (35 million Mg), plastic (32 million Mg, textiles (10 million Mg), and electronic waste (3.5 million Mg) are far larger than computed by previous top‐down U.S. government estimates. We estimate the cost of MSW landfill disposal in 2015 (10.7 billion U.S. dollars [USD]) and gross lost commodity value of recyclable material (1.4 billion USD). Further, we estimate landfill methane emissions to be up to 14% greater (mass basis) than the 2015 U.S. inventory. By principally relying on measurements of waste quantity and type that are recorded annually, the model can inform more effective, targeted interventions to divert waste materials from landfill disposal, improve local, regional, and national emission estimates, enhance dissipative loss estimates in material flow analyses, and illuminate the dynamics linking material, energy, and economic dimensions to production, consumption, and disposal cycles.
HRTEMFringeAnalyzer a free python module for an automated analysis of fringe pattern in transmission electron micrographs
Authors: ALXNEIT IVO 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA python module (HRTEMFringeAnalyzer) is reported to evaluate the local crystallinity of samples from high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images in a mostly automated fashion. The user only selects the size of a square analyser window and a step size which translates the window in the micrograph. Together they define the resolution of the results obtained. Regions where fringe patterns are visible are identified and their lattice spacing d and direction ϕ as well as the corresponding mean errors σ determined. is proportional to the coherence length of the structure, whereas is a measure of how well the direction of the fringes is defined. Maps of these four indicators are computed. The performance of the program is demonstrated on two very different samples: ill‐crystalline carbon deposits on a coked Ni/LFNO (reduced LaFe0.8Ni0.2O) catalyst and well‐crystallized nanoparticles of zinc doped ceria. In the latter case, the automatic segmentation of large aggregates into individual crystalline domains is achieved by ϕ maps.