bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioural mating displays depend on mitochondrial function: a potential mechanism for linking behaviour to individual condition
Authors: Koch Rebecca E. , Hill Geoffrey E. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTMales of many animal species court females using complex behavioural displays that are challenging to produce, and some of these displays have been shown to be associated with aspects of male quality. However, the mechanisms by which behavioural displays are linked to individual condition remain uncertain. Herein, we illustrate fundamental mechanistic connections between mitochondrial function and neurogenesis, energy production, and a variety of pathways that underlie the ability of an individual to perform complex behaviours. We consider the biomedical evidence for how mitochondrial activity shapes neurogenesis during development and neural function in adulthood, and how both genetics and environmental conditions can cause variation in mitochondrial function in wild animals. An individual's mitochondrial phenotype determines not just metabolism and available energy, but also appears to serve as an important driver of capacity to perform cognitively complex and other challenging display behaviours. We apply this concept to the example of birdsong, a well‐studied display behaviour with known links to neural pathways, and we describe how mitochondrial involvement in a variety of important internal processes creates links between display quality and key traits like immunocompetence. By synthesizing the intimate involvement of mitochondria in neural processes with the physiological bases of display behaviour, we aim to provide new mechanistic explanations for information that females may gain by assessing complex male displays.
Dynamic Changes in Peer Victimization and Adjustment Across Middle School: Does Friends’ Victimization Alleviate Distress?
Authors: Schacter Hannah L. , Juvonen Jaana 
Published: February 2018

Although some adolescents are chronically bullied throughout middle school, others may only experience peer victimization temporarily. This study examined the effects of time‐invariant (average level) and time‐varying (year‐to‐year) victimization experiences across middle school on adolescents’ depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, and self‐blame. A key question was whether friends’ victimization buffered students from their victimization‐related distress. The diverse sample (n = 5,991) was surveyed four times between sixth and eighth grade (Mage at sixth grade = 11.54 years). Three‐level multilevel models revealed both time‐invariant and time‐varying effects of victimization on adjustment, but these maladaptive associations were attenuated when adolescents’ friends experienced more victimization across middle school. The results suggest that even temporarily victimized youth may have unmet mental health needs, and sharing social plight with friends can protect victims.
Voice quality outcomes of idiopathic Parkinson's disease medical treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Lechien J.R. , Blecic S. , Huet K. , Delvaux V. , Piccaluga M. , Roland V. , Harmegnies B. , Saussez S. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionTo investigate voice quality (VQ) impairments in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and to explore the impact of medical treatments and L‐Dopa challenge testing on voice.MethodsRelevant studies published between January 1980 and June 2017 describing VQ evaluations in IPD were retrieved using PubMed, Scopus, Biological Abstracts, BioMed Central and Cochrane databases. Issues of clinical relevance, including IPD treatment efficiency and voice quality outcomes, were evaluated for each study. The grade of recommendation for each publication was determined according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine evidence levels.ResultsThe database research yielded 106 relevant publications, of which 33 studies met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 964 patients with IPD. Data were extracted by 3 independent physicians who identified 21, 11 and 1 trials with IIIb, IIb and IIa evidence levels, respectively. The main VQ assessment tools used were acoustic testing (N = 27), aerodynamic testing (N = 10), subjective measurements (N = 8) and videolaryngostroboscopy (N = 3). The majority of trials (N = 32/33) identified subjective or objective VQ improvements after medical treatment (N = 10) or better VQ evaluations in healthy subjects compared to patients with IPD (N = 22). Especially, our analysis supports that VQ overall improves during the L‐Dopa challenge testing, making the VQ evaluation an additional tool for the IPD diagnosis. The methodology used to assess subjective and objective VQ substantially varied from 1 study to another. All of the included studies took into consideration the patient's clinical profile in the VQ analysis.ConclusionThe majority of studies supported that VQ assessments remain useful as outcome measures of the effectiveness of medical treatment and could be helpful for the IPD diagnosis based on L‐Dopa challenge testing. Further controlled studies using standardised and transparent methodology for measuring acoustic parameters are necessary to confirm the place of each tool in both IPD diagnosis and treatment evaluation.
Cross‐country comparison of proportion of alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions using the International Alcohol Control Study
Authors: Viet Cuong Pham , Casswell Sally , Parker Karl , Callinan Sarah , Chaiyasong Surasak , Kazantseva Elena , Meier Petra , MacKintosh Anne‐Marie , Piazza Marina , Gray‐Phillip Gaile , Parry Charles D. H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThis study examines the proportion of alcohol markets consumed in harmful drinking occasions in a range of high‐, middle‐income countries and assesses the implications of these findings for conflict of interest between alcohol producers and public health and the appropriate role of the alcohol industry in alcohol policy space.Design and MethodsCross‐sectional surveys were conducted in 10 countries as part of the International Alcohol Control study. Alcohol consumption was measured using location‐ and beverage‐specific measures. A level of consumption defined as harmful use of alcohol was chosen and the proportion of the total market consumed in these drinking occasions was calculated for both commercial and informal alcohol.ResultsIn all countries, sizeable proportions of the alcohol market were consumed during harmful drinking occasions. In general, a higher proportion of alcohol was consumed in harmful drinking occasions by respondents in the middle‐income countries than respondents in the high‐income countries. The proportion of informal alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions was lower than commercial alcohol.Discussion and ConclusionsInformal alcohol is less likely to be consumed in harmful drinking occasions compared with commercial alcohol. The proportion of commercial alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions in a range of alcohol markets shows the reliance of the transnational alcohol corporations on harmful alcohol use. This reliance underpins industry lobbying against effective policy and support for ineffective approaches. The conflict of interest between the alcohol industry and public health requires their exclusion from the alcohol policy space.
A case for clean conferences in gambling research
Authors: Livingstone Charles 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroduction and AimsGambling research is characterised by widespread gambling industry involvement. It is likely (as with alcohol and tobacco industry influence) that this will delay or divert effective harm prevention or minimisation measures. Gambling harms are known to be significant and widespread. Effective action to reduce these harms requires concomitant efforts to eliminate industry influence.Design and MethodsGambling industry influence and activity in three research forums is described. The influence of tobacco and alcohol industry involvement in research directions and outcomes is discussed. Aspects of the discursive elements of industry funded and/or directed research outputs are analysed in the context of industry‐friendly discourse and its effects. Industry activity and participation at representative research forums is outlined.ResultsThe examples and background provided demonstrate that specific material and discursive effects of gambling industry involvement can be discerned in the gambling literature. The consequences of this for the gambling evidence base around harm prevention and minimisation are presented.Discussion and ConclusionsIndustry influence operates at multiple levels within the gambling research field. There is increasing awareness of this, and of the effects it may have on the development and deployment of effective harm prevention and minimisation efforts. Key reforms are proposed: (i) the elimination of industry participation and sponsorship of gambling research associations and forums; and (ii) the establishment where necessary of new research forums and international scholarly associations.
Mineral trioxide aggregate enriched with iron disulfide nanostructures: an evaluation of their physical and biological properties
Authors: Argueta‐Figueroa Liliana , Delgado‐García José J. , García‐Contreras René , Martínez‐Alvarez Omar , Santos‐Cruz José , Oliva‐Martínez Carlos , Acosta‐Torres Laura S. , de la Fuente‐Hernández Javier , Arenas‐Arrocena Ma C. 
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to characterize mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) enriched with iron disulfide (FeS2) nanostructures at different concentrations, and to investigate their storage modulus, radiopacity, setting time, pH, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity. Iron disulfide nanostructures [with particle size of 0.357 ± 0.156 μm (mean ± SD)] at weight ratios of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% were added to white MTA (wMTA). The radiopacity, rheological properties, setting time, and pH, as well as the cytotoxicity (assessed using the MTT assay) and antibacterial activity (assessed using the broth microdilution test) were determined for MTA/FeS2 nanostructures. The nanostructures did not modify the radiopacity values of wMTA (~6 mm of aluminium); however, they reduced the setting time from 18.2 ± 3.20 min to 13.7 ± 1.8 min, and the storage modulus was indicative of a good stiffness. Whereas the wMTA/FeS2 nanostructures did not induce cytotoxicity when in contact with human pulp cells (HPCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), they showed bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. Adding FeS2 nanostructures to MTA might be an option for improving the root canal sealing and antibacterial effects of wMTA in endodontic treatments.
Effect of rivastigmine on plasma butyrylcholine esterase activity and plasma ghrelin levels in patients with dementia in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kuroda Atsushi , Setoguchi Manabu , Uchino Yasushi , Nagata Kazuya , Hokonohara Daisuke 
Published: February 2018

AimAlzheimer’s disease causes loss of appetite, resulting in bodyweight reduction. This, in turn, causes progression of cognitive dysfunction and physical complications that hasten death. Earlier care for loss of appetite is essential in Alzheimer’s disease management. Rivastigmine is a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease that has dual inhibition effects on acetylcholine esterase and butyrylcholine esterase. Butyrylcholine esterase is known to degrade the gastric hormone, ghrelin, which regulates appetite; therefore, we considered that rivastigmine might have an effect on appetite. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that rivastigmine improves appetite in Alzheimer’s disease patients.MethodsRivastigmine was given to mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients for 16 weeks. We evaluated the effects of rivastigmine on food intake, bodyweight, motivation (estimated by the vitality index), cognition function (estimated by the Hasegawa Dementia Scale‐Revised), plasma butyrylcholine esterase activity, active ghrelin and inactive ghrelin.ResultsPlasma butyrylcholine esterase activity significantly decreased over time (percent change: −18.9 ± 27.0%, P < 0.05 at week 8; percent change: −33.4 ± 45.4%, P < 0.05 at week 16). Negative correlations were detected between percent changes in butyrylcholine esterase activity and active ghrelin (rs = −0.62, P = 0.033) or active/inactive ghrelin ratio (rs = −0.73, P = 0.007). Furthermore, motivation (including appetite) improved significantly (percent change: 17.9 ± 18.6%, P < 0.05 at week 16).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that rivastigmine might improve appetite in mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients by suppressing degradation of plasma active ghrelin through the inhibition of plasma butyrylcholine esterase. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 886–891
Factoring policy with constant demand and limited capital
Authors: Li Yanhai , Gu Chaocheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe convention of selling on credit (to customers) results in mass accumulation of accounts receivable (AR) on the balance sheet of firms. However, capital‐constrained firms do not have enough capital to invest in AR and cover the production cost incurred during the credit period. To finance future business, a capital‐constrained firm can employ factoring—a financing scheme wherein firms sell AR to a financial institution (called a factor) at a discount—to advance cash from AR. By formulating a time‐continuous model with constant demand over an infinite horizon, we study the factoring policy of firms in two practice‐based discounting schemes: automatic discounting and manual discounting. In the automatic discounting scheme, AR should be discounted at the same age, whereas this requirement is relaxed in the manual discounting scheme and how long in advance to discount the AR is contingent over time. In both discounting schemes, the firm needs to choose the timing of discounting in order to reach a capital‐unconstrained state as soon as possible. In the automatic discounting scheme, we approximate the firm's objective function with a quasi‐convex function whose error is demonstrated to be small. Based on this approximation, the firm's optimal decision and the factor's profit can be calculated more easily. When manual discounting is adopted, the firm should meet all the demand by exploiting factoring if the profit margin under immediate discounting is nonnegative. Given the same factoring discount rate, manual discounting is always more attractive to the firm than automatic discounting. However, the preference of the factor over the two discounting schemes depends on the factoring discount rate.
Sites occupancy preference of Bi3+ and white light emission through co‐doped Sm3+ in LiGd5P2O8
Authors: Xu Hongwei , Wang Lili , Tan Lingling , Wang Deguo , Wang Chunyu , Shi Jinsheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBi3+, Sm3+‐activated LiGd5P2O8 (LGPO) phosphors were prepared through high‐temperature solid‐state method. In LGPO host, there are 5 types of Gd crystallographic sites, named as Gd(1)/Gd(2)/Gd(3)/Gd(4), and Gd(5). Bi3+‐activated LGPO phosphors exhibit 1 broad excitation band from 250 to 320 nm centered at 293 nm and a broad asymmetric emission band ranging from 350 to 600 nm with the maximum value approximately at 409 nm. It can be concluded from dual‐emission spectra that Bi3+ may occupy 2 Gd sites and an obvious spectral blue‐shift appeared with increasing Bi3+ content, which is caused by the intensity of crystal field of Bi3+ is decreased. Notably, through the calculation of each Gd‐O chemical parameter, the environmental factor (he) value of each Gd site can be obtained and it can be further inferred that 2 emission bands centered at 409/461 nm are ascribed to Bi3+ ions which occupies Gd(3) and Gd(4) sites, respectively. Energy transfer from Bi3+ to Sm3+ ions in Bi3+/Sm3+ co‐doped LGPO samples occurred and it realizes the color‐tunable emission from cyan to yellow including white‐light emission, through controlling Sm3+ content. Moreover, energy transfer mechanism between Bi3+ and Sm3+ ions is verified to be dipole‐dipole interaction by analyzing the spectroscopic experimental results and the critical distance between them is calculated to be 8.22 Å by concentration quenching method. Finally, it is illustrated that Bi3+ and Sm3+ co‐doped LGPO phosphors will be a promising candidate for n‐UV chip pumped w‐LEDs.
SV40 intron, a potent strong intron element that effectively increases transgene expression in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Xu Dan‐hua , Wang Xiao‐yin , Jia Yan‐long , Wang Tian‐yun , Tian Zheng‐wei , Feng Xin , Zhang Yin‐na 
Published: February 2018

AbstractChinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have become the most widely utilized mammalian cell line for the production of recombinant proteins. However, the product yield and transgene instability need to be further increased and solved. In this study, we investigated the effect of five different introns on transgene expression in CHO cells. hCMV intron A, adenovirus tripartite leader sequence intron, SV40 intron, Chinese hamster EF‐1alpha gene intron 1 and intervening sequence intron were cloned downstream of the eGFP expression cassette in a eukaryotic vector, which was then transfected into CHO cells. qRT‐PCR and flow cytometry were used to explore eGFP expression levels. And gene copy number was also detected by qPCR, respectively. Furthermore, the erythropoietin (EPO) protein was used to test the selected more strong intron. The results showed that SV40 intron exhibited the highest transgene expression level among the five compared intron elements under transient and stable transfections. In addition, the SV40 intron element can increase the ratio of positive colonies and decrease the coefficient of variation in transgene expression level. Moreover, the transgene expression level was not related to the gene copy number in stable transfected CHO cells. Also, the SV40 intron induced higher level of EPO expression than IVS intron in transfected CHO cell. In conclusion, SV40 intron is a potent strong intron element that increases transgene expression, which can readily be used to more efficient transgenic protein production in CHO cells.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 Glu504Lys variant predicts a worse prognosis of acute coronary syndrome patients
Authors: Pan Chang , Zhao Yu , Bian Yuan , Shang Rui , Wang Jia‐li , Xue Li , Wei Shu‐jian , Zhang He , Chen Yu‐guo , Xu Feng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) Glu504Lys variant was an independent risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there are lacking researches about the relationship between the variant and prognosis of ACS. In the prospective study, 377 ACS patients were grouped into the wild‐type (*1/*1) and the mutation (*2/*2 + *1/*2) groups according to genotype detection. Compared with the wild‐type group, incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and cardiac death were both higher in the mutation group (9.2% vs 21.0%, P = .002; 5.2% vs 12.2%, P = .026); the MACE‐free and the cardiac‐death‐free cumulative survival rates were obviously lower in the mutation group. Moreover, the mutant genotypes were associated with significantly increased risk of MACE and cardiac death (HR 2.443, 95%CI: 1.390‐4.296, P = .002; HR 2.727, 95%CI: 1.303‐5.708, P = .008). These results suggested that ALDH2 Glu504Lys variant could predict a worse prognosis of ACS patients.
The dermal arteries in the cutaneous angiosome of the descending genicular artery
Authors: Tinhofer Ines E. , Zaussinger Maximilian , Geyer Stefan H. , Meng Stefan , Kamolz Lars‐Peter , Tzou Chieh‐Han J. , Weninger Wolfgang J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractStudies examining thick skin of the thumb pad have challenged the existence of an arterial plexus in the papillary dermis. Instead of a plexus, discrete arterial units, interconnected by arterio‐arterial anastomoses, were identified. We hypothesise that the dermal arteries of thin skin are arranged likewise and that there are fewer arterio‐arterial anastomoses in the centre of an angiosome than in zones where neighbouring angiosomes overlap. To test these hypotheses, we examined the dermal arteries in the centre of the cutaneous angiosome of the descending genicular artery (DGA) and its zone of overlap with neighbouring angiosomes. Using traditional perfusion techniques, the cutaneous angiosomes of the DGA and the popliteal artery were identified in 11 fresh frozen human lower limbs. Biopsies were harvested from the centre of the cutaneous DGA angiosome and from the zone where neighbouring vascular territories overlapped. Employing high‐resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM), digital volume data were generated and the dermal arteries were three‐dimensionally reconstructed and examined. In all examined skin areas, the dermal arteries showed tree‐like ramifications. The branches of the dermal arteries were connected on average by 1.73 ± 1.01 arterio‐arterial anastomoses in the centre of the DGA angiosome and by 3.27 ± 1.27 in the zone where angiosomes overlapped. We demonstrate that discrete but overlapping dermal arterial units with a mean dimension of 1.62 ± 1.34 and 1.80 ± 1.56 mm2, respectively, supply oxygen and nutrients to the superficial dermis and epidermis of the thin skin of the medial femur. This forms the basis for diagnosing and researching skin pathologies.
Surveying social adversity in pregnancy: The antenatal risk burden experienced by Australian women
Authors: Goldfeld Sharon , D'Abaco Elise , Bryson Hannah , Mensah Fiona , Price Anna MH 
Published: February 2018

AimMany, varied, antenatal risk factors can adversely impact children's health, behaviour and cognition. Understanding the antenatal risk factors experienced by women can help identify which families are most likely to benefit from additional early supports; however, there is a dearth of published Australian antenatal risk data. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and co‐occurrence of a broad range of risk factors in a community‐based sample of pregnant Australian women.MethodsA brief risk factor survey (10 items, including age, social support, health, smoking, stress or anxious mood, education, household income, employment) completed by pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic waiting rooms of 10 public maternity hospitals, which were selected for their provision of care to areas with fewer socio‐economic resources in the states of Victoria and Tasmania, between May 2013 and August 2014.ResultsA total of 5586 women participated, with an average age of 29.0 years and gestation of 26.9 weeks. The most prevalent antenatal risk factors were poorer global health (38.9%), not finishing high school (33.5%) and smoking (14.9%), all proportions higher than the general population. Most women reported at least one risk factor (68.6%), with 21.5% reporting ≥3. There was a high degree of co‐occurrence between risk factors, especially the three most prevalent.ConclusionsThis study reveals the considerable and varied risk burden experienced by Australian women during pregnancy. By understanding where need is greatest and tailoring support accordingly, risk factor assessment provides an opportunity to address equity through health care, ultimately optimising the future developmental outcomes of all children.