bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis of Personality Traits in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comparison with Healthy Subjects
Authors: D’Iorio Alfonsina , Garramone Federica , Piscopo Fausta , Baiano Chiara , Raimo Simona , Santangelo Gabriella 
Published: February 2018

Background: The role of specific personality traits as factor risks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been consistently found, whereas personality traits specifically related to AD (after the diagnosis) have not been outlined yet. Objective: A meta-analysis of published studies was performed to determine whether AD patients have a distinctive personality trait profile compared to healthy subjects (HC), similar to or different from a premorbid personality profile consistently reported in previous studies. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PsycInfo (PROQUEST), PubMed, and Scopus. The meta-analysis pooled results from primary studies using Hedges’ g unbiased approach. Results: The meta-analysis included 10 primary studies and revealed that, when the personality was evaluated by informant-rated measures, AD patients had significantly higher levels of Neuroticism, lower levels of Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion than HCs. When the personality was evaluated by self-rated measures, the results obtained from informants were confirmed for Neuroticism, Openness, and Extraversion but not for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness where AD patients and HCs achieved similar scores. Conclusions: The meta-analysis revealed that high Neuroticism and low Openness and Extraversion are distinctive personality traits significantly associated with a diagnosis of AD when evaluated both self-rated and informant-rated measures. This personality trait profile is similar to premorbid one, which contributes to development of AD over time. Therefore, our findings indirectly support the idea of specific premorbid personality traits as harbingers of AD.
Longitudinal Modeling of Functional Decline Associated with Pathologic Alzheimer’s Disease in Older Persons without Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wang Dai , Schultz Tim , Novak Gerald P. , Baker Susan , Bennett David A. , Narayan Vaibhav A. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Therapeutic research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has moved to intercepting the disease at the preclinical phase. Most drugs in late development have focused on the amyloid hypothesis. Objective: To understand the magnitude of amyloid-related functional decline and to identify the functional domains sensitive to decline in a preclinical AD population. Methods: Data were from the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Cognitive decline was measured by a modified version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite. The trajectories of functional decline, as measured by the instrumental and basic activities of daily living, were longitudinally modeled in 484 participants without cognitive impairment at baseline and having both a final clinical and a postmortem neuropathology assessment of AD. Results: Individuals with different final clinical diagnoses had different trajectories of cognitive and functional decline. Individuals with AD dementia, minor cognitive impairment, and no cognitive impairment had the most, intermediate, and least declines. While individuals with pathologic AD had significantly more cognitive decline over time than those without, the magnitude of difference in functional decline between these two groups was small. Functional domains such as handling finance and handling medications were more sensitive to decline. Conclusion: Demonstrating the functional benefit of an amyloid-targeting drug represents a significant challenge as elderly people experience functional decline due to a wide range of reasons with limited manifestation attributable to AD neuropathology. More sensitive functional scales focusing on the functional domains sensitive to decline in preclinical AD are needed.
A Network of Genetic Effects on Non-Demented Cognitive Aging: Alzheimer’s Genetic Risk (CLU + CR1 + PICALM) Intensifies Cognitive Aging Genetic Risk (COMT + BDNF) Selectively for APOEɛ4 Carriers
Authors: Sapkota Shraddha , Dixon Roger A. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Trajectories of complex neurocognitive phenotypes in preclinical aging may be produced differentially through selective and interactive combinations of genetic risk. Objective: We organize three possible combinations into a “network” of genetic risk indices derived from polymorphisms associated with normal and impaired cognitive aging, as well as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Specifically, we assemble and examine three genetic clusters relevant to non-demented cognitive trajectories: 1) Apolipoprotein E ( APOE), 2) a Cognitive Aging Genetic Risk Score (CA-GRS; Catechol-O-methyltransferase + Brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and 3) an AD-Genetic Risk Score (AD-GRS; Clusterin + Complement receptor 1 +  Phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein). Method: We use an accelerated longitudinal design ( n = 634; age range = 55–95 years) to test whether AD-GRS (low versus high) moderates the effect of increasing CA-GRS risk on executive function (EF) performance and change as stratified by APOE status ( ɛ4+ versus ɛ4–). Results: APOE ɛ4 carriers with high AD-GRS had poorer EF performance at the centering age (75 years) and steeper 9-year decline with increasing CA-GRS but this association was not present in APOE ɛ4 carriers with low AD-GRS. Conclusions: APOE ɛ4 carriers with high AD-GRS are at elevated risk of cognitive decline when they also possess higher CA-GRS risk. Genetic risk from both common cognitive aging and AD-related indices may interact in intensification networks to differentially predict (1) level and trajectories of EF decline and (2) potential selective vulnerability for transitions into impairment and dementia.
The First Historically Reported Italian Family with FTD/ALS Teaches a Lesson on C9orf72 RE: Clinical Heterogeneity and Oligogenic Inheritance
Authors: Giannoccaro Maria Pia , Bartoletti-Stella Anna , Piras Silvia , Casalena Alfonsina , Oppi Federico , Ambrosetto Giovanni , Montagna Pasquale , Liguori Rocco , Parchi Piero , Capellari Sabina 
Published: February 2018

Background: In 1969, Dazzi and Finizio reported the second observation of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) association in a large Italian kindred affected by an autosomal dominant form of ALS with high penetrance, frequent bulbar onset, and frequent cognitive decline. Objective: To expand the original characterization of this family and report the link with the C9orf72 repeat expansion (RE). Methods: We followed or reviewed the medical records of thirteen patients belonging to the original family and performed genetic analyses in four individuals. Results: Eight patients presented with ALS, four with FTD, and one with schizophrenia. The C9orf72 RE was found in three patients but not in the healthy survivor. Additionally, we found a novel possible pathogenic variant in the ITM2B gene in one patient with a complex phenotype, associating movement disorders, psychiatric and cognitive features, deafness, and optic atrophy. The neuropathological examination of this patient did not show the classical features of ITM2B mutation related dementias suggesting that the putative pathogenic mechanism does not involve cellular mislocalization of the protein or the formation of amyloid plaques. Conclusion: We showed that the original Italian pedigree described with FTD/ALS carries the C9orf72 RE. Moreover, the finding of an additional mutation in another dementia causing gene in a patient with a more complex phenotype suggests a possible role of genetic modifiers in the disease. Together with other reports showing the coexistence of mutations in multiple ALS/FTD causative genes in the same family, our study supports an oligogenic etiology of ALS/FTD.
Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Subtypes among Community-Dwelling Older Persons and the Association with DSM-5 Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Liew Tau Ming , Yu Junhong , Mahendran Rathi , Ng Tze-Pin , Kua Ee-Heok , Feng Lei 
Published: February 2018

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) have been shown to increase the risk of neurocognitive disorders (NCD), leading to the recently-published criteria of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) to identify pre-dementia using NPS alone. However, MBI drew concerns about over-diagnosing subclinical psychiatric disorders. Objective: We hypothesized that the specificity of NPS in predicting NCD may be improved by considering NPS together with various domains of cognitive deficits. We tested this hypothesis by identifying subtypes based on the combination of NPS and cognitive deficits among community-dwelling older persons, and evaluating how the identified subtypes were associated with mild NCD. Methods: Our participants were from a community-based cohort study. They completed assessments such as Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Those with possible cognitive impairment underwent further evaluations for mild NCD. Latent class analysis was conducted using GDS, GAI, and MoCA domains. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between the latent-classes and mild NCD. Results: We included 825 participants, and identified four distinct subtypes: Subtype 1 (no NPS or cognitive deficits), Subtype 2 (NPS alone), Subtype 3 (cognitive deficits alone), and Subtype 4 (both NPS and cognitive deficits). Subtype 1 and 2 had low risk of prevalent mild NCD (OR 0.92– 1.00), while Subtype 3 conferred a moderate risk (OR 4.47– 4.85) and Subtype 4 had the highest risk (OR 7.95– 8.63). Conclusion: We demonstrated the benefits of combining NPS and cognitive deficits to predict those at highest risk of prevalent mild NCD. Our findings highlighted the relevance of subclinical psychiatric symptoms in predicting NCD, and indirectly supported the need for longer durations of NPS to improve its specificity.
Impact of a Virtual Dementia Experience on Medical and Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward People with Dementia: A Controlled Study
Authors: Gilmartin-Thomas Julia F.-M. , McNeil John , Powell Anne , Malone Daniel T. , Wolfe Rory , Larson Ian C. , O’Reilly Claire L. , Kirkpatrick Carl M. , Kipen Eva , Petrovich Tanya , Bell J. Simon 
Published: February 2018

Background: Clinical practice guidelines for dementia highlight the importance of providing patient-centered care. This can be achieved by improving health professionals’ attitudes and knowledge toward people with dementia. Objective: Quantitatively evaluate the impact of a virtual dementia experience on medical and pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes toward people with dementia. Methods: A non-randomized controlled study from September-October 2016. The intervention group received a 1.5-hour multisensory, virtual simulation of light, sound, color, and visual content to experience the cognitive and perceptual difficulties faced by people with dementia. Controls participated in the standard curriculum only. All students were invited to complete the 20-item Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 278 students ( n = 64 medical, n = 214 pharmacy) were analyzed ( n = 80 intervention, n = 198 control). The majority of students were female ( n = 184, 66.2%), with an average age of 22.5 years. The intervention improved the DAS total score and subdomains of comfort and knowledge ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: The intervention had a positive impact on medical and pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes toward people with dementia.
Homocysteine and Dementia: An International Consensus Statement
Authors: Smith A. David , Refsum Helga , Bottiglieri Teodoro , Fenech Michael , Hooshmand Babak , McCaddon Andrew , Miller Joshua W. , Rosenberg Irwin H. , Obeid Rima 
Published: February 2018

Identification of modifiable risk factors provides a crucial approach to the prevention of dementia. Nutritional or nutrient-dependent risk factors are especially important because dietary modifications or use of dietary supplements may lower the risk factor level. One such risk factor is a raised concentration of the biomarker plasma total homocysteine, which reflects the functional status of three B vitamins (folate, vitamins B12, B6). A group of experts reviewed literature evidence from the last 20 years. We here present a Consensus Statement, based on the Bradford Hill criteria, and conclude that elevated plasma total homocysteine is a modifiable risk factor for development of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease in older persons. In a variety of clinical studies, the relative risk of dementia in elderly people for moderately raised homocysteine (within the normal range) ranges from 1.15 to 2.5, and the Population Attributable risk ranges from 4.3 to 31%. Intervention trials in elderly with cognitive impairment show that homocysteine-lowering treatment with B vitamins markedly slows the rate of whole and regional brain atrophy and also slows cognitive decline. The findings are consistent with moderately raised plasma total homocysteine (>11 μmol/L), which is common in the elderly, being one of the causes of age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Thus, the public health significance of raised tHcy in the elderly should not be underestimated, since it is easy, inexpensive, and safe to treat with B vitamins. Further trials are needed to see whether B vitamin treatment will slow, or prevent, conversion to dementia in people at risk of cognitive decline or dementia.
Physical Activity in Early Parkinson Disease
Authors: Mantri Sneha , Fullard Michelle E. , Duda John E. , Morley James F. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Physical activity and exercise improve outcomes in Parkinson disease (PD), however little is known about activity levels in early PD patients. Objective and Methods: We examined self-reported activity scores and examined associations with clinical characteristics in 383 PD subjects and 175 healthy controls from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Results: Activity scores were 8% lower for PD subjects than HC (162.6±86.2 vs 175.0±78.5, p = 0.10). Higher scores were associated with younger age and male sex. Only 47% of PD subjects and 44% of HC reported activity consistent with standard recommendations for adults. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to encourage exercise even in early PD.
A Neptune-mass Free-floating Planet Candidate Discovered by Microlensing Surveys
Authors: Mróz Przemek , Ryu Y.-H. , Skowron J. , Udalski A. , Gould A. , Szymański M. K. , Soszyński I. , Poleski R. , Pietrukowicz P. , Kozłowski S. , Pawlak M. , Ulaczyk K. ,   (The OGLE Collaboration), Albrow M. D. , Chung S.-J. , Jung Y. K. , Han C. , Hwang K.-H. , Shin I.-G. , Yee J. C. , Zhu W. , Cha S.-M. , Kim D.-J. , Kim H.-W. , Kim S.-L. , Lee C.-U. , Lee D.-J. , Lee Y. , Park B.-G. , Pogge R. W. ,   (The KMTNet Collaboration)
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Current microlensing surveys are sensitive to free-floating planets down to Earth-mass objects. All published microlensing events attributed to unbound planets were identified based on their short timescale (below two days), but lacked an angular Einstein radius measurement (and hence lacked a significant constraint on the lens mass). Here, we present the discovery of a Neptune-mass free-floating planet candidate in the ultrashort (t
E = 0.320 ± 0.003 days) microlensing event OGLE-2016-BLG-1540. The event exhibited strong finite-source effects, which allowed us to measure its angular Einstein radius of θ
E = 9.2 ± 0.5 μas. There remains, however, a degeneracy between the lens mass and distance. The combination of the source proper motion and source-lens relative proper motion measurements favors a Neptune-mass lens located in the Galactic disk. However, we cannot rule out that the lens is a Saturn-mass object belonging to the bulge population. We exclude stellar companions up to ∼15 au.
The Direct Detection and Characterization of M-dwarf Planets Using Light Echoes
Authors: Sparks William B. , White Richard L. , Lupu Roxana E. , Ford Holland C. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Exoplanets orbiting M-dwarf stars are a prime target in the search for life in the universe. M-dwarf stars are active, with powerful flares that could adversely impact prospects for life, though there are counter-arguments. Here, we turn flaring to advantage and describe ways in which it can be used to enhance the detectability of planets, in the absence of transits or a coronagraph, significantly expanding the accessible discovery and characterization space. Flares produce brief bursts of intense luminosity, after which the star dims. Due to the light travel time between the star and planet, the planet receives the high-intensity pulse, which it re-emits through scattering (a light echo) or intrinsic emission when the star is much fainter, thereby increasing the planet’s detectability. The planet’s light-echo emission can potentially be discriminated from that of the host star by means of a time delay, Doppler shift, spatial shift, and polarization, each of which can improve the contrast of the planet to the star. Scattered light can reveal the albedo spectrum of the planet to within a size scale factor, and is likely to be polarized. Intrinsic emission mechanisms include fluorescent pumping of multiple molecular hydrogen and neutral oxygen lines by intense Lyα and Lyβ flare emission, recombination radiation of ionized and photodissociated species, and atmospheric processes such as terrestrial upper atmosphere airglow and near-infrared hydroxyl emission. We discuss the feasibility of detecting light echoes and find that light echo detection is possible under favorable circumstances.
Where is OH and Does It Trace the Dark Molecular Gas (DMG)?
Authors: Li Di , Tang Ningyu , Nguyen Hiep , Dawson J. R. , Heiles Carl , Xu Duo , Pan Zhichen , Goldsmith Paul F. , Gibson Steven J. , Murray Claire E. , Robishaw Tim , McClure-Griffiths N. M. , Dickey John , Pineda Jorge , Stanimirović Snežana , Bronfman L. , Troland Thomas ,   The PRIMO Collaboration
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Hydroxyl (OH) is expected to be abundant in diffuse interstellar molecular gas because it forms along with H2 under similar conditions and forms within a similar extinction range. We have analyzed absorption measurements of OH at 1665 MHz and 1667 MHz toward 44 extragalactic continuum sources, together with the J = 1–0 transitions of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O, and the J = 2–1 transition of 12CO. The excitation temperatures of OH were found to follow a modified lognormal distribution

the peak of which is close to the temperature of the Galactic emission background (CMB+synchrotron). In fact, 90% of the OH has excitation temperatures within 2 K of the Galactic background at the same location, providing a plausible explanation for the apparent difficulty of mapping this abundant molecule in emission. The opacities of OH were found to be small and to peak around 0.01. For gas at intermediate extinctions (A
V ∼ 0.05–2 mag), the detection rate of OH with a detection limit N(OH) ≃ 1012 cm−2 is approximately independent of A

V
. We conclude that OH is abundant in the diffuse molecular gas and OH absorption is a good tracer of “dark molecular gas (DMG).” The measured fraction of DMG depends on the assumed detection threshold of the CO data set. The next generation of highly sensitive low-frequency radio telescopes, such as FAST and SKA, will make feasible the systematic inventory of diffuse molecular gas through decomposing, in velocity, the molecular (e.g., OH and CH) absorption profiles toward background continuum sources with numbers exceeding what is currently available by orders of magnitude.
Fécondation d’une chienne avec de la semence congelée. Naissance d’une première portée en France
Authors: Théret Marcel , Régnier M. 
Published: February 2018

Fertilisation of a bitch with frozen semen. First birth of a litter in France.
The authors relate the first birth in France of a litter of puppies (nine Greyhounds) : the bitch was inseminated with frozen semen that was stored from three months in liquid nitrogen.
Advantages of frozen semen ar called again with the necessity to restate a national and international legislation for usual practice.
Vaccination du renard contre la rage par voie orale
Authors: Blancou Jean , Andral L. , Aubert Michel , Artois Marc 
Published: February 2018

Oral vaccination of foxes against rabies results of trials in France.
Trials of oral vaccination against rabies are reported in 117 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), their results being evaluated by titration of antibodies and challenge with a wild strain. These trials used six different strains of rabies virus (Flury, S.A.D., C.V.S., G.S./C., Ts O 55 and Av O 1) living, modified by serial passages in vivo or in vitro, and one inactivated C.V.S. strain. This last did not protect foxes after direct deposit in their mouth, but living virus did, provided they were used at sufficient titres.
However safety test of these virus, for non target species, remain to be achieved before their practical use in the field.
Isolement d'un virus dans une enzootie de polyarthrite chez la chèvre. Enquête sérologique préliminaire
Authors: Russo Pierre , Delor Véronique , Thévenot C. 
Published: February 2018

Ce travail décrit l'isolement, pour la première fois en France, d'un virus (Réf. 1736-81) à partir d’une articulation de chèvre atteinte de polyarthrites. Ses caractères «in vitro» et son étude en microscopie électronique peuvent nous permettre de le classer aux côtés du virus Maedi-Visna et de le rapprocher de l’agent viral spécifique, responsable du syndrome encéphalite-arthrite de la chèvre (C.A.E.V.).
Les examens sérologiques, ainsi que les signes cliniques, montrent que la maladie est présente en France avec une fréquence non négligeable.
L’utilisation d'un antigène homologue pourrait permettre une détection plus précoce des animaux atteints, donc un meilleur dépistage de cette affection.
Une étude plus approfondie de l’agent pathogène et de l’épidémiologie de la maladie sera poursuivie.
Étude de la repolarisation auriculaire chez le cheval. Application d'un programme informatique
Authors: Sevestre Jacques 
Published: February 2018

Une recherche statistique de la signification de la forme des ondes de repolarisation auriculaire Ta est faite à partir de 498 observations. Chez le cheval, l’onde Ta peut revêtir trois aspects, une onde Ta-1 qui débute après la fin de l’onde P et dont l’amplitude est modérée, une onde Ta-2 qui débute également après la fin de l'onde P et qui excède la moitié de l’amplitude de l’onde de dépolarisation auriculaire, une onde Ta-3 qui est séparée de P par un court segment isoélectrique.
L’onde Ta-1 s’observe chez les jeunes chevaux non entraînés, chez les chevaux peu sollicités à l'effort, et chez les chevaux retirés au haras. L’onde Ta-3 est caractéristique des chevaux en plein entraînement, bien adaptés à l'effort sportif ; néanmoins, on observe un pourcentage élevé d'aspects pathologiques de l'onde P indiquant probablement des cas de cardiopathies compensés dans ce lot. L'aspect Ta-2 marque un état frontière entre la forme sportive et le déséquilibre de surentraînement, ce qui incite à conseiller de surveiller plus étroitement ces sujets.