bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The elusive and heterogeneous pattern of type 2M von Willebrand disease: A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Casonato Alessandra , Galletta Eva , Daidone Viviana 
Published: August 2018

AbstractType 2M is a very heterogeneous form of von Willebrand disease (VWD) associated with impaired platelet and von Willebrand factor (VWF) interactions not due to a lack of large VWF multimers.ObjectivesTo investigate type 2M heterogeneity and to establish the most appropriate diagnostic flowchart.MethodsHemostatic and genetic VWF analyses were performed in 14 type 2M VWD patients carrying the p.G1324S, p.R1374H, p.R1374C, p.A1344_A1350del, or p.F1293L mutations.ResultsPFA‐100 was always significantly prolonged, and ristocetin‐induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) and VWF ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo) greatly reduced or absent. Plasma VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) was reduced except in the p.G1324S patient, while platelet VWF:Ag was normal or near normal except in the p.R1374C patients. The ratio of collagen binding (VWF:CB) to VWF:Ag was normal or near normal except in patients carrying the p.R1374H and p.A1344_A1350del mutations, whose large VWF multimers were slightly reduced. Multimer patterns were normal or lacking in large oligomers, or with larger than normal VWF components.ConclusionsOnly PFA100, RIPA and VWF:RCo were always abnormal. We thus propose a minimal diagnostic test battery: RIPA (demonstrating the defective VWF‐platelet interaction), VWF:Ag (exploring VWF synthesis), and VWF:CB and its ratio (to explore multimer patterns). Other tests would only serve for confirmation, if necessary.
Adaptive threshold hunting reveals differences in interhemispheric inhibition between young and older adults
Authors: Mooney Ronan A. , Cirillo John , Byblow Winston D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInterhemispheric inhibition between bilateral motor cortices is important for the performance of unimanual activities and may be compromised with advancing age. Conventionally, interhemispheric inhibition is assessed using paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with constant conditioning and test stimulation parameters. Adaptive threshold hunting TMS, whereby a target motor‐evoked potential amplitude is maintained in the presence of the conditioning, may provide an alternative means of assessment. Furthermore, interhemispheric inhibition may suppress late indirect‐waves more so than early indirect‐waves which can be preferentially elicited using anterior–posterior (AP) and posterior–anterior (PA) induced currents, respectively. The aim of this study was to assess age‐related effects on interhemispheric inhibition using both conventional and threshold hunting techniques with PA‐ and AP‐induced current. In 15 young and 15 older adults, short (10 ms) and long (40 ms) interval interhemispheric inhibition was examined in the nondominant extensor carpi radialis muscle at rest and during voluntary extension of the contralateral wrist. With the conventional technique, there were no age‐related differences in short‐interval interhemispheric inhibition. With threshold hunting and AP‐induced current, young adults exhibited greater short‐interval interhemispheric inhibition during contralateral activation compared with rest and compared with older adults. Furthermore, long‐interval interhemispheric inhibition was greater in older adults compared with young for both conventional and threshold hunting techniques. Age‐related differences in interhemispheric inhibition are evident with threshold hunting using PA‐ and AP‐induced current.
Analytical solution of the one‐dimensional nonlinear Richards equation based on special hydraulic functions and the variational principle
Authors: Su L. , Wang Q. , Qin X. , Shan Y. , Zhou B. , Wang J. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryA simple analytical solution of a one‐dimensional transient and nonlinear Richards equation is of great importance for estimating the hydraulic properties of soil and for precision irrigation. We developed simple approximate solutions in explicit and implicit forms for equations describing one‐dimensional, constant‐water‐head horizontal absorption and vertical infiltration for a special case of an exponential water‐retention curve and power‐law hydraulic conductivity, respectively, based on least‐action and variational principles. The profile of the soil water content (SWC) depended on the soil hydraulic parameter n associated with the pore‐size distribution, and the new solutions could be applied to most soils for 3.5 ≤ n ≤ 24.5. A comparison with numerical solutions calculated by an implicit‐difference scheme indicated that the approximate solution in explicit form accurately estimated the special hydraulic‐function parameters for calculating the SWC profile, cumulative infiltration, infiltration rate and wetting‐front distance in horizontal‐absorption experiments. An approximate solution in implicit form was also obtained with Nth order Taylor‐series expansions for an equation describing one‐dimensional, constant‐water‐head vertical infiltration. A large N was used to simulate SWC for soils with a large n, but this did not influence estimates of cumulative infiltration. The relation between infiltration rate and the inverse wetting‐front depth was not strictly linear for vertical infiltration, and the implicit method could be used to describe this nonlinear relation.Highlights
A simple solution of the Richards equation is important to research soil water infiltration.
Least‐action and variational principles were used to analyse soil water content distribution.
Analytical solutions of a nonlinear Richards equation by special hydraulic functions were proposed.
A method was proposed to predict the infiltration and estimate soil hydraulic parameters.
Coupling effects of surface charges, adsorbed counterions and particle‐size distribution on soil water infiltration and transport
Authors: Gong Y. , Tian R. , Li H. 
Published: August 2018

SummarySoil pores are the channels for water transport. The surface charges, the non‐classic polarizabilities and concentrations of the adsorbed counterions in a soil determine soil particle interaction forces that affect soil pore status. Particle‐size distribution is another important factor that affects soil pore status. Therefore, surface charges, adsorbed counterions and particle‐size distribution would probably be coupled in soil water transport. In this study, two soils with different surface charge densities, different adsorbed counterions and different particle‐size distributions were used to study their coupling effects on soil water movement. The results showed that these factors were strongly coupled in soil water movement. When the soil electric field strength was strong (depending on surface charges, adsorbed counterion polarizabilities and concentrations), the net interaction forces of soil particles was repulsive, thus soil aggregates could be broken. The degree of aggregate breakdown coupled with particle‐size distribution determined soil water movement. For this case we found that (i) increasing attractive forces of soil particles could greatly improve soil water movement and (ii) water movement was slow when the soil had large clay or small silt or sand contents. When the soil electric field was weak, the net interaction force of soil particles was attractive, thus aggregates could not be broken. For this case we found that (i) further increasing the attractive forces of soil particles could not improve soil water movement and (ii) water movement was fast when the soil had large clay or small silt or sand contents.Highlights

Coupling effects of particle size and particle interactions on soil water movement are not clear.
Large clay contents can decrease or increase soil water movement depending on soil particle interaction forces.
Fast water movement occurred in soil with strongly polarized cations and large clay content.
Particle interaction forces and particle‐size distribution were strongly coupled in soil water movement.
Fertilizer type and organic amendments affect gross N dynamics in a Chinese Chernozem
Authors: Li G. , Meng F. , Zhu P. , Lu C. , Yu W. , Müller C. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe effects of partial substitution of synthetic fertilizer N (NPK) with equal quantities of maize (Zea mays L.) stover N (50 kg ha−1, NPKS) or cattle manure N (115 N kg ha−1, NPKM) were investigated after 23 years with respect to maize yield, biomass N uptake, residual soil N and gross soil N dynamics in a fertile Chernozem soil. Maize yields were not different among these three treatments: maize biomass N uptake followed the order NPKM≈NPK > NPKS, whereas total N in soil was significantly larger under NPKM. A 15N tracing method was used to explain differences in gross N dynamics of labile and recalcitrant organic N pools and total N in soil. The results showed that NPKS and NPKM compared with NPK increased gross N mineralization by 2.8 and 1.3 times, respectively. The NPKS decreased the gross rate of N nitrification by 14%, whereas NPKM increased it by 47% compared with NPK. The NPKS stimulated microbial competition for NH4+, whereas NPKM increased NO3− immobilization compared with NPK. Our results suggested that acceleration of the soil N cycle under NPKS provided the most likely reason for the small total N stock in soil. In contrast, large organic N input and considerable immobilization of NO3− to a recalcitrant pool was probably the reason for the large total N stock under NPKM.Highlights
How do fertilizer regimes affect gross N dynamics and soil N stock in a Chernozem soil?
Changes in NH4+, NO3− and 15N enrichment were simulated by a two‐pool model.
Mineralization of recalcitrant organic N was the main source for NH4+.
Large organic N input and considerable immobilization of NO3− to a recalcitrant pool probably resulted in large total N stock under NPKM.
Identification of key determinants in Porphyromonas gingivalis host‐cell invasion assays
Authors: Al‐Taweel Firas B. H. , Al‐Magsoosi Mohanad J. N. , Douglas Charles W. I. , Whawell Simon A. 
Published: August 2018

The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis can invade host cells, a virulence trait which may contribute to the persistence of infection at subgingival sites. Whilst the antibiotic protection assay has been commonly employed to investigate and quantify P. gingivalis invasion, data obtained have varied widely and a thorough investigation of the factors influencing this is lacking. We investigated the role of a number of bacterial and host‐cell factors and report that the growth phase of P. gingivalis, source (laboratory strain vs. clinical strain), host‐cell identity (cell line vs. primary), host‐cell lysis method, and host‐cell passage number had no significant effect on bacterial invasion. However, incubation time, host‐cell seeding density, method of quantification (viable count vs. DNA), and whether host cells were plated or in suspension, were shown to influence invasion. Also, cells isolated by rapid adhesion to fibronectin exhibited higher levels of P. gingivalis invasion, possibly as a result of increased levels of active α5β1 integrin. Interestingly, this may represent a population of cells with stem cell‐like properties. This study provides important new information by identifying the most important factors that influence P. gingivalis invasion assays and may help to explain variations in the levels previously reported.
Resilience of seed production to a severe El Niño‐induced drought across functional groups and dispersal types
Authors: O'Brien Michael J. , Peréz‐Aviles Daniel , Powers Jennifer S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMore frequent and severe El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO) are causing episodic periods of decreased rainfall. Although the effects of these ENSO‐induced droughts on tree growth and mortality have been well studied, the impacts on other demographic rates such as reproduction are less well known. We use a four‐year seed rain dataset encompassing the most severe ENSO‐induced drought in more than 30 years to assess the resilience (i.e., resistance and recovery) of the seed composition and abundance of three forest types in a tropical dry forest. We found that forest types showed distinct differences in the timing, duration, and intensity of drought during the ENSO event, which likely mediated seed composition shifts and resilience. Drought‐deciduous species were particularly sensitive to the drought with overall poor resilience of seed production, whereby seed abundance of this functional group failed to recover to predrought levels even two years after the drought. Liana and wind‐dispersed species were able to maintain seed production both during and after drought, suggesting that ENSO events promote early successional species or species with a colonization strategy. Combined, these results suggest that ENSO‐induced drought mediates the establishment of functional groups and dispersal types suited for early successional conditions with more open canopies and reduced competition among plants. The effects of the ENSO‐induced drought on seed composition and abundance were still evident two years after the event suggesting the recovery of seed production requires multiple years that may lead to shifts in forest composition and structure in the long term, with potential consequences for higher trophic levels like frugivores.
JMJD2B/KDM4B inactivation in adipose tissues accelerates obesity and systemic metabolic abnormalities
Authors: Kang Changkeun , Saso Kayoko , Ota Kazushige , Kawazu Masahito , Ueda Takeshi , Okada Hitoshi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObesity is a serious global health issue; however, the roles of genetics and epigenetics in the onset and progression of obesity are still not completely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the role of Kdm4b, which belongs to a subfamily of histone demethylases, in adipogenesis and fat metabolism in vivo. We established conditional Kdm4b knockout mice. Inactivation of Kdm4b in adipocytes (K4bKO) induced profound obesity in mice on a high fat diet (HFD). The HFD‐fed K4bKO mice exhibited an increased volume of fat mass and higher expression levels of adipogenesis‐related genes. In contrast, the genes involved in energy expenditure and mitochondrial functions were down‐regulated. Supporting these findings, the energy expenditure of Kdm4b‐deficient cells was markedly decreased. In addition, progression of glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis with hepatocellular damages was observed. These data indicate that Kdm4b is a critical regulator of systemic metabolism via enhancing energy expenditure in adipocytes.
Teaching & Learning Tips 11: Teaching a procedure
Authors: Ojevwe Cindy , Rana Jasmine , Burgin Susan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChallenge: Balancing patient‐centered clinical care with learner‐centered teaching in a clinical setting becomes particularly challenging when it comes to teaching procedures to trainees (e.g. biopsies, excisions, etc.). How can procedures be taught in a way that reinforces repetition and mastery without compromising patient safety, care, and comfort?
Health‐related quality of life in patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma?
Authors: Holahan Heather M. , Farah Ronda S. , Fitz Sara , Mott Sarah L. , Ferguson Nkanyezi N. , McKillip Julie , Link Brian , Liu Vincent 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundLittle is currently known about health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL), a condition characterized by chronic, pruritic, visible lesions, features which may be uniquely influential.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to establish baseline HRQoL data for patients with CTCL and identify its influencing factors.MethodsProspective, nonblinded survey design utilizing questionnaires including panels of QoL indices obtained from 105 patients with mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, and CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder. Chart review correlated QoL with year of disease onset/diagnosis, type/stage of disease, current/past therapies, and medical/psychiatric diagnoses.ResultsPsychiatric condition was significantly associated with symptoms (P < 0.01), emotions (P < 0.01), and functioning (P < 0.03) subscales along with overall composite measure (P < 0.01). High‐grade systemic therapy (OR = 5.28) showed greater increase in odds of a lower health state than low grade (OR = 1.54). The number of medical comorbidities was significantly related to itching (P < 0.01). Increased age was a protective factor with respect to the emotions (P < 0.01), functioning (P < 0.01), and overall composite (P < 0.01) but not predictive of symptoms. Lower income was associated with higher bother on the symptoms subscale.ConclusionsHRQoL in CTCL appears related to a number of factors, including presence of a psychiatric condition, use of systemic (particularly high grade) therapy, number of medical comorbidities, and income.
Transfection reagent Lipofectamine triggers type I interferon signaling activation in macrophages
Authors: Guo Xiaomin , Wang Huan , Li Yang , Leng Xiaopeng , Huang Weiwei , Ma Yanbing , Xu Tao , Qi Xiaopeng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe commercial transfection reagent Lipofectamine has been widely used for cytoplasmic delivery of nucleic acids and for cytosolic engagement with intracellular innate immune sensors to trigger type I interferon (IFN) production. However, the effect of Lipofectamine alone on type I IFN response has not been studied in detail. Here, we show that Lipofectamine induced type I IFN signaling in both RAW 264.7 macrophage‐like cells and primary bone marrow‐derived macrophages. Type I IFN induction was dependent on interferon regulatory factor (IRF)3 and IRF7 and partially required the toll/interleukin‐1 receptor‐domain‐containing adapter‐inducing interferon‐β. In contrast, the transfection reagent Xfect did not activate type I IFN signaling. Our study highlights the potential confounding experimental interpretation when using Lipofectamine‐based transfection for delivering intracellular ligands and provides important insights into lipid signaling in innate immune responses.
Copepod diapause and the biogeography of the marine lipidscape
Authors: Record Nicholas R. , Ji Rubao , Maps Frédéric , Varpe Øystein , Runge Jeffrey A. , Petrik Colleen M. , Johns David 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimOne of the primary characteristics that determines the structure and function of marine food webs is the utilization and prominence of energy‐rich lipids. The biogeographical pattern of lipids throughout the ocean delineates the marine “lipidscape,” which supports lipid‐rich fish, mammal, and seabird communities. While the importance of lipids is well appreciated, there are no synoptic measurements or biogeographical estimates of the marine lipidscape. Productive lipid‐rich food webs in the pelagic ocean depend on the critical diapause stage of large pelagic copepods, which integrate lipid production from phytoplankton, concentrating it in space and time, and making it available to upper trophic levels as particularly energy‐rich wax esters. As an important first step towards mapping the marine lipidscape, we compared four different modelling approaches of copepodid diapause, each representing different underlying hypotheses, and evaluated them against global datasets.LocationGlobal Ocean.TaxonCopepoda.MethodsThrough a series of global model runs and data comparisons, we demonstrated the potential for regional studies to be extended to estimate global biogeographical patterns of diapause. We compared four modelling approaches each designed from a different perspective: life history, physiology, trait‐based community ecology, and empirical relationships. We compared the resulting biogeographical patterns and evaluated the model results against global measurements of copepodid diapause.ResultsModels were able to resolve more than just the latitudinal pattern of diapause (i.e. increased diapause prevalence near the poles), but to also pick up a diversity of regions where diapause occurs, such as coastal upwelling zones and seasonal seas. The life history model provided the best match to global observations. The predicted global biogeographical patterns, combined with carbon flux estimates, suggested a lower bound of 0.031–0.25 Pg C yr−1 of downward flux associated with copepodid diapause.Main conclusionsResults indicated a promising path forward for representing a detailed biogeography of the marine lipidscape and its associated carbon flux in global ecosystem and climate models. While complex models may offer advantages in terms of reproducing details of community structure, simpler theoretically based models appeared to best reproduce broad‐scale biogeographical patterns and showed the best correlation with observed biogeographical patterns.
The effect of periodontal therapy on oxidative stress biomarkers: A systematic review
Authors: da Silva Júlia Christ , Muniz Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes , Oballe Harry Juan Rivera , Andrades Michael , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker , Cavagni Juliano 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimTo systematically review the literature about the effect of periodontal treatment on oxidative stress (OxS) biomarkers.Material and MethodsThree databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus) were searched up to February 2018. Clinical trials with a follow‐up of at least 6 weeks after mechanical periodontal treatment were included. Due to the high heterogeneity among the units and indices of measurements used in the studies, a meta‐analysis was not performed.ResultsOverall, 3,199 studies were retrieved, of which 20 were included. Four studies were randomized clinical trials (RCT), and 16 studies were non‐RCTs. The most common OxS biomarkers used were 8‐hydroxydeoxiguanosine (8‐OHdG), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS). After treatment, most of the studies reported a decrease in 8‐OHdG concentration in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva. In addition, the salivary concentration of this biomarker was similar to periodontally healthy patients. Periodontal therapy was effective in reducing TOS in GCF, saliva, and serum in most studies. TAS, however, responded inconsistently to the periodontal intervention.ConclusionPeriodontal therapy reduces the levels of OxS biomarkers, even to values similar to those found in periodontally healthy individuals. Additional RCTs are warranted, as the information is mainly based on nonrandomized studies.
Effects of Bifidobacterium probiotic on the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Invernici Marcos M. , Salvador Sérgio L. , Silva Pedro H. F. , Soares Mariana S. M. , Casarin Renato , Palioto Daniela B. , Souza Sérgio L. S. , Taba Mario , Novaes Arthur B. , Furlaneto Flávia A. C. , Messora Michel R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimThis randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019‐containing probiotic lozenges as adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis.Materials and MethodsForty‐one chronic periodontitis patients were recruited and monitored clinically, immunologically, and microbiologically at baseline (before SRP) and 30 and 90 days after SRP. All patients were randomly assigned to a Test (SRP + Probiotic, n = 20) or Control (SRP + Placebo, n = 21) group. The probiotic lozenges were used twice a day for 30 days. The data were statistically analysed.ResultsThe Test group presented a decrease in probing pocket depth and a clinical attachment gain significantly higher than those of the Control group at 90 days. The Test group also demonstrated significantly fewer periodontal pathogens of red and orange complexes, as well as lower proinflammatory cytokine levels when compared to the Control group. Only the Test group showed an increase in the number of B. lactis HN019 DNA copies on subgingival biofilm at 30 and 90 days.ConclusionThe use of B. lactis HN019 as an adjunct to SRP promotes additional clinical, microbiological, and immunological benefits in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (NCT03408548).