bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in management and outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: A report from TECOS
Authors: Alfredsson Joakim , Green Jennifer B. , Stevens Susanna R. , Reed Shelby D. , Armstrong Paul W. , Angelyn Bethel M. , Engel Samuel S. , McGuire Darren K. , Van de Werf Frans , Hramiak Irene , White Harvey D. , Peterson Eric D. , Holman Rury R. ,   on behalf of the TECOS Study Group
Published: June 2018

AimTo examine sex differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular disease.Materials and methodsCox models were used to analyse the association between sex and outcomes in the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS), a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial assessing the impact of sitagliptin on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular disease.ResultsA total of 4297 women and 10 374 men were followed for a median of 3.0 years. Women were slightly older and more often had cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease but less often coronary heart disease than men. At baseline, women were less likely to use aspirin or statins. The primary composite outcome of CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina occurred in 418 women (9.7%) and 1272 men (12.3%; 3.48 vs 4.38 events/100 participant‐years, crude hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71‐0.89, adjusted HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.55‐0.74; P < .0001). Women also had a significantly lower risk of secondary CV outcomes and all‐cause death.ConclusionsIn this large prospective study of people with type 2 diabetes and CV disease, women had different CV disease burden, worse CV risk factor profiles, and less use of indicated medications than men. Despite this, women had significantly lower risk of CV events, suggesting that the cardioprotective effects of female sex extend to populations with type 2 diabetes.
Efficacy of a novel herbal formulation for weight loss demonstrated in a 16‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial with healthy overweight adults
Authors: Dixit Kashinath , Kamath Dinesh V. , Alluri Krishnaraju V. , Davis Barbara A. 
Published: June 2018

AimTo re‐evaluate the weight loss efficacy of LI85008F in healthy overweight adults via a 16‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical study.Materials and MethodsOne hundred and forty overweight participants (body mass index [BMI] 27‐29.9 kg/m2, 29.3% male; ages 21‐50 years) were randomized into placebo (n =70) and LI85008F (n =70) groups. The participants received either 900 mg/d of LI85008F in two divided doses or two identical placebo capsules. In addition, participants were counselled to follow an ~1800 kcal/d diet and to engage in walking for 30 min, 5 d/wk throughout the study.ResultsAt the end of the trial period, the LI85008F supplemented group showed significant reductions in body weight (5.36 ± 1.769 vs. 0.87 ± 1.381 kg; P < 0.0001) and BMI (2.05 ± 0.693 vs. 0.34 ± 0.559 kg/m2; P < 0.0001), compared with placebo. Significant reductions in waist and hip circumferences, and a 2.08‐fold reduction of waist/hip ratio, were noted in the LI85008F supplemented group. LI85008F supplementation also resulted in significant improvements in lipid profiles, compared with the placebo; low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased, while high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased, resulting in a significantly improved LDL/HDL ratio. No major adverse events were reported by the participants during the study.ConclusionsThe unique herbal extract blend LI85008F, combined with modest calorie restriction and physical activity, is well tolerated, safe, and effective for weight management in overweight men and women.Video AbstractA free Video Abstract to accompany this article is available at: https://player.vimeo.com/video/288617068.
HOW IS THE PRO‐CAPITALIST MENTALITY GLOBALLY DISTRIBUTED?
Authors: Czeglédi Pál , Newland Carlos 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis article demonstrates the existence of conglomerates of nations that seem to have similar ideological attitudes towards capitalism. The main finding is the existence of relatively homogeneous global cultural clusters, the Anglosphere and Northern European nations showing the highest appreciation for free markets, followed by the Sinosphere. The rest of the world tends to be more anti‐capitalist, with the Middle East and Eastern Europe standing out for being at the end of the spectrum. Statistical analysis suggests that the capitalist mentality is to some extent autonomous, and does not seem to be determined strongly by other variables such as income, growth or inequality. At the same time, the capitalistic mentality appears to correlate with economic freedom, as measured by the Economic Freedom of the World index. If a pro‐capitalist ideology is connected to institutional development, then some conglomerates seem to be in a better position to attain or maintain economic growth in the future.
USING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE ONE‐TIME PLASTIC BAG USAGE
Authors: Kish Richard J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPlastic bag litter generates serious environmental concerns and poses a risk to wildlife. As this does not seem to be a problem which can be resolved by the private sector alone, or by ‘Coasean’ negotiation, legislation is proposed, particularly focusing on ‘one‐use’ bags. This article surveys legislation worldwide, while concentrating on lessons from the United States and the United Kingdom. The issues are more complex than is often assumed. While environmentalists argue for restriction and ultimate elimination of one‐use bags, manufacturers, especially those that have reformulated the composition of their bags, see legislation as an overreaction to a problem that is already being addressed within the industry. They cite evidence that, when used within a comprehensive recycling programme, plastic bags are not only cost‐effective but a sound use of our limited resources. Bans or restrictions can have knock‐on effects which can create new problems.
Environmental risk factors and nonpharmacological and nonsurgical interventions for obesity: An umbrella review of meta‐analyses of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials
Authors: Solmi Marco , Köhler Cristiano A. , Stubbs Brendon , Koyanagi Ai , Bortolato Beatrice , Monaco Francesco , Vancampfort Davy , Machado Myrela O. , Maes Michael , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Firth Joseph , Ioannidis John P. A. , Carvalho André F. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundMultiple environmental factors have been implicated in obesity, and multiple interventions, besides drugs and surgery, have been assessed in obese patients. Results are scattered across many studies and meta‐analyses, and they often mix obese and overweight individuals.Materials and methodsPubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched through 21 January 2017 for meta‐analyses of cohort studies assessing environmental risk factors for obesity, and randomized controlled trials investigating nonpharmacological and nonsurgical therapeutic interventions for obesity. We excluded data on overweight participants. Evidence from observational studies was graded according to criteria that included the statistical significance of the random‐effects summary estimate and of the largest study in a meta‐analysis, the number of obesity cases, heterogeneity between studies, 95% prediction intervals, small‐study effects and excess significance. The evidence of intervention studies for obesity was assessed with the GRADE framework.ResultsFifty‐four articles met eligibility criteria, including 26 meta‐analyses of environmental risk factors (166 studies) and 46 meta‐analyses of nondrug, nonsurgical interventions (206 trials). In adults, the only risk factor with convincing evidence was depression, and childhood obesity, adolescent obesity, childhood abuse and short sleep duration had highly suggestive evidence. Infancy weight gain during the first year of life, depression and low maternal education had convincing evidence for association with paediatric obesity. All interventions had low or very‐low‐quality evidence with one exception of moderate‐quality evidence for one comparison (no differences in efficacy between brief lifestyle primary care interventions and other interventions for paediatric obesity). Summary effect sizes were mostly small across compared interventions (maximum 5.1 kg in adults and 1.78 kg in children) and even these estimates may be inflated.ConclusionsDepression, obesity in earlier age groups, short sleep duration, childhood abuse and low maternal education have the strongest support among proposed risk factors for obesity. Furthermore, there is no high‐quality evidence to recommend treating obesity with a specific nonpharmacological and nonsurgical intervention among many available, and whatever benefits in terms of magnitude of weight loss appear small.
The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as a marker of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its exacerbations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Fois Alessandro G , Sotgia Salvatore , Mangoni Arduino A , Zinellu Elisabetta , Pirina Pietro , Carru Ciriaco , Zinellu Angelo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe main white blood cell populations, neutrophils and lymphocytes, are involved in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies investigating the relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, a marker of subclinical inflammation), presence of COPD, and its exacerbations.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases; two investigators independently reviewed suitable studies.ResultsNine studies, from 247 initially identified, were included in the meta‐analysis. Seven studies, in 775 COPD patients with stable disease and 496 healthy controls, showed a significant increase in NLR values in stable COPD (standardised mean difference, SMD, 0.773, 95% CI 0.410‐1.136; P < 0.001). Furthermore, in six studies in 527 COPD patients with acute exacerbation and 620 COPD patients with stable disease, NLR values were significantly higher in patients with exacerbations (random effects SMD 0.850, 95% CI 0.549‐1.151; P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis showed that NLR values are significantly higher in stable COPD patients when compared to healthy individuals, although the magnitude of the difference is reduced after trim and fill adjustment, and in patients with COPD exacerbations when compared to patients with stable disease. Further studies, in larger cohorts, are needed to confirm whether the NLR is a useful tool in discriminating between COPD patients with stable disease, those with acute exacerbations, and subjects without the disease.
Obesity impairs leukocyte‐endothelium cell interactions and oxidative stress in humans
Authors: López‐Domènech Sandra , Bañuls Celia , Díaz‐Morales Noelia , Escribano‐López Irene , Morillas Carlos , Veses Silvia , Orden Samuel , Álvarez Ángeles , Víctor Víctor M. , Hernández‐Mijares Antonio , Rocha Milagros 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the relationship between leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions and oxidative stress parameters in non‐diabetic patients with different grades of obesity.Material and methodsFor this cross‐sectional study, 225 subjects were recruited from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 and divided into groups according to BMI (<30 kg/m2, 30‐40 kg/m2 and >40 kg/m²). We determined clinical parameters, systemic inflammatory markers, soluble cellular adhesion molecules, leukocyte‐endothelium cell interactions—rolling flux, velocity and adhesion—, oxidative stress parameters—total ROS, total superoxide, glutathione—and mitochondrial membrane potential in leukocytes.ResultsWe verified that HOMA‐IR and hsCRP increased progressively as obesity developed, whereas A1c, IL6 and TNFα were augmented in the BMI > 40 kg/m² group. The cellular adhesion molecule sP‐selectin was increased in patients with obesity, while sICAM, total ROS, total superoxide and mitochondrial membrane potential were selectively higher in the BMI > 40 kg/m² group. Obesity induced a progressive decrease in rolling velocity and an enhancement of rolling flux and leukocyte adhesion.ConclusionOur findings reveal that endothelial dysfunction markers are altered in human obesity and are associated with proinflammatory cytokines and increased oxidative stress parameters.
Dispersal capacity of Monochamus saltuarius on flight mills
Authors: Kwon Hyuk Jun , Jung Jong‐Kook , Jung Chansik , Han Hyerim , Koh Sang‐Hyun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPine wilt disease (PWD) is caused by pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle, transmitted by Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) to healthy Korean white pine, Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc. (Pinaceae). It is a serious threat to forest ecosystems worldwide. To better understand and predict the spread of PWD in Korean white pine forests, we investigated flight distance, time, and velocity of M. saltuarius adults using computer‐linked flight mills under laboratory conditions. In addition, we investigated the impact of biological characteristics on flight distance of this vector insect. Flight distance and time were individually measured during flight mill experiments (30 min per session) and repeatedly measured twice a week. Our results revealed large variation in flight distance within the population. Half of the beetles tested in this study flew more than 1 km and no difference was found between males and females when only fliers were considered. The average flight velocity of females was higher than that of males, but intermittent flights were observed more frequently in males compared to females. Both unmated male and female M. saltuarius adults can fly more than 5 km during their entire lifespan based on these flight mill experiments. Consequently, guidelines for managing dead pines in infected areas should consider a large buffer zone around PWN‐invaded areas so that uninfected areas are beyond the dispersal capacity of M. saltuarius.
Cowpea aphid–plant interactions: endosymbionts and related salivary protein patterns
Authors: Bayendi Loudit Sandrine Mariella , Bauwens Julien , Francis Frédéric 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe specificity of plant use by aphids is related to symbiont diversity of some aphid models. Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Aphidini) is a well‐known aphid that feeds on species of Fabaceae, but has also been recorded recently on Amaranthus species (Amaranthaceae) in Gabon (Africa). Aphis craccivora strains used in this study were originally collected from crop Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. (Fabaceae) from Togba in Benin (Africa) and Amaranthus hybridus L. from Libreville in Gabon, for a comparative study of symbionts. Saliva composition, potentially including bacterial proteins, also contributes to the phytotoxic effect of aphid attacks. Both, endosymbiont bacteria and saliva protein diversity should be targeted to investigate the feeding behavior of aphids and to explain plant–aphid interactions. Bacteria‐targeted PCR was conducted on six symbionts in A. craccivora. The obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola Munson et al. (Enterobacteriaceae) was identified in all aphids collected. In comparison, the facultative symbiont Serratia symbiotica Moran et al. (Enterobacteriaceae) was only found in A. craccivora from Gabon, whereas Rickettsia sp. (Rickettsiaceae) was only found in aphids from Benin. Using nano‐LC‐MS/MS (liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry), some proteins were only found in solid or soluble saliva, whereas others originated from S. symbiotica. Two of the identified proteins are involved in plant–pathogen interactions: calmodulin and elongation factor Tu. This information on endosymbionts and related salivary proteomes from A. craccivora in Gabon helps improve our understanding of aphid–plant interactions.
Cholinergic control of striatal neurons to modulate L‐dopa‐induced dyskinesias
Authors: Bordia Tanuja , Perez Xiomara A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractL‐dopa induced dyskinesias (LIDs) are a disabling motor complication of L‐dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) management. Treatment options remain limited and the underlying network mechanisms remain unclear due to a complex pathophysiology. What is well‐known, however, is that aberrant striatal signaling plays a key role in LIDs development. Here, we discuss the specific contribution of striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) and GABAergic medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) with a particular focus on how cholinergic signaling may integrate multiple striatal systems to modulate LIDs expression. Enhanced ChI transmission, altered MSN activity and the associated abnormal downstream signaling responses that arise with nigrostriatal damage are well known to contribute to LIDs development. In fact, enhancing M4 muscarinic receptor activity, a receptor favorably expressed on D1 dopamine receptor‐expressing MSNs dampens their activity to attenuate LIDs. Likewise, ChI activation via thalamostriatal neurons is shown to interrupt cortical signaling to enhance D2 dopamine receptor‐expressing MSN activity via M1 muscarinic receptors, which may interrupt ongoing motor activity. Notably, numerous preclinical studies also show that reducing nicotinic cholinergic receptor activity decreases LIDs. Taken together, these studies indicate the importance of cholinergic control of striatal neuronal activity and point to muscarinic and nicotinic receptors as significant pharmacological targets for alleviating LIDs in PD patients.
Quantification and statistical analysis of the transient visual evoked potential to a contrast‐reversing pattern: A frequency‐domain approach
Authors: Zemon Vance M. , Gordon James 
Published: June 2018

AbstractVisual function is often assessed by recording transient visual evoked potentials to contrast reversal of spatial patterns (tVEP‐CR). This technique relies on measurements of amplitudes and peak times of a few points in the time‐domain waveform, which require subjective selection of appropriate time points in a possibly noisy waveform and ignores much of the informational content in the response. Here, we introduce a set of frequency‐domain measures that capture the full content of the response. Magnitude‐squared coherence is used to determine the significance and reliability of magnitude measures; estimates of time delay are based on frequency‐domain phase measures. In Study 1, extensive testing of a small number of observers revealed response details, and in Study 2, testing of a larger sample verified the novel frequency‐domain measures and demonstrated the validity of a short‐duration technique to produce reliable tVEP‐CRs. In addition, Study 2 revealed adaptation effects present under prolonged stimulation conditions. Principal component analyses provided evidence for six distinct frequency mechanisms, and comparisons with time‐domain measures indicated that power in high‐frequency bands may be used as objective measures of excitatory input to visual cortex. A middle‐frequency band captures the major peaks in the tVEP‐CR waveform, and its power is highly correlated with the standard peak‐to‐trough amplitude measure. These novel frequency‐domain indices may serve as more precise and powerful tools to assess visual function in healthy and diseased states.
High‐frequency peripheral vibration decreases completion time on a number of motor tasks
Authors: Macerollo Antonella , Palmer Clare , Foltynie Thomas , Korlipara Prasad , Limousin Patricia , Edwards Mark , Kilner James M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA recent theoretical account of motor control proposes that modulation of afferent information plays a role in affecting how readily we can move. Increasing the estimate of uncertainty surrounding the afferent input is a necessary step in being able to move. It has been proposed that an inability to modulate the gain of this sensory information underlies the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to test this theory by modulating the uncertainty of the proprioceptive signal using high‐frequency peripheral vibration, to determine the subsequent effect on motor performance. We investigated if this peripheral stimulus might modulate oscillatory activity over the sensorimotor cortex in order to understand the mechanism by which peripheral vibration can change motor performance. We found that 80 Hz peripheral vibration applied to the right wrist of a total of 54 healthy human participants reproducibly improved performance across four separate randomised experiments on a number of motor control tasks (nine‐hole peg task, box and block test, reaction time task and finger tapping). Improved performance on all motor tasks (except the amplitude of finger tapping) was also seen for a sample of 18PD patients ON medication. EEG data investigating the effect of vibration on oscillatory activity revealed a significant decrease in beta power (15–30 Hz) over the contralateral sensorimotor cortex at the onset and offset of 80 Hz vibration. This finding is consistent with a novel theoretical account of motor initiation, namely that modulating uncertainty of the proprioceptive afferent signal improves motor performance potentially by gating the incoming sensory signal and allowing for top‐down proprioceptive predictions.
Remodeling of the number and structure of dendritic spines in the medial amygdala: From prepubertal sexual dimorphism to puberty and effect of sexual experience in male rats
Authors: Zancan Mariana , da Cunha Rick Shandler R. , Schroeder Francielle , Xavier Léder L. , Rasia‐Filho Alberto A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) is a sexually dimorphic area and plays a central role in the social behavior network of rats. Dendritic spines modulate synaptic processing and plasticity. Here, we compared the number and structure of dendritic spines in the MePD of prepubertal males and females and postpubertal males with and without sexual experience. Spines were classified and measured after three‐dimensional image reconstruction using DiI fluorescent labeling and confocal microscopy. Significantly differences are as follows: (a) Prepubertal males have more proximal spines, stubby/wide spines with long length and large head diameter and thin and mushroom spines with wide neck and head diameters than prepubertal females, whereas (b) prepubertal females have more mushroom spines with long neck length than age‐matched males. (c) In males, the number of thin spines reduces after puberty and, compared to sexually experienced counterparts, (d) naive males have short stubby/wide spines as well as mushroom spines with reduced neck diameter. In addition, (e) sexually experienced males have an increase in the number of mushroom spines, the length of stubby/wide spines, the head diameter of thin and stubby/wide spines and the neck diameter of thin and mushroom spines. These data indicate that a sexual dimorphism in the MePD dendritic spines is evident before adulthood and a spine‐specific remodeling of number and shape can be brought about by both puberty and sexual experience. These fine‐tuned ontogenetic, hormonally and experience‐dependent changes in the MePD are relevant for plastic synaptic processing and the reproductive behavior of adult rats.