bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer thickness is nonlinearly associated with cognitive impairment in the community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Liu Yao‐Lin , Hsieh Yi‐Ting , Chen Ta‐Fu , Chiou Jeng‐Min , Tsai Min‐Kuang , Chen Jen‐Hau , Chen Yen‐Ching 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionThinning of optical coherence tomography–measured retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GC‐IPL) thickness has been found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, the association of these retinal markers and cognition in nondemented elders may not be linear.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 227 community‐dwelling elders (age 65+ years). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between retinal nerve fiber layer/GC‐IPL and global/domain‐specific cognition.ResultsThe performance of global cognition decreased as mean GC‐IPL of bilateral eyes deviated from the sample mean (77.5 μm) (quadratic GC‐IPL: β = –0.49 × 10−2; 95% confidence interval: −0.74 × 10−2 to −0.23 × 10−2). Similar associations were also found for logical memory. No significant association was observed between retinal nerve fiber layer and cognition.DiscussionEither thinning or thickening of GC‐IPL was associated with poor cognition in nondemented elderly (a U‐shaped association). GC‐IPL may serve as a noninvasive preclinical predictor of Alzheimer's disease.
Anal dysplasia among solid organ transplant recipients; a cross sectional study
Authors: Khan Aimal , Obaid Thaer , Cetrulo Lawrence , Force Luanne , Bhattacharya Roshmi , Greenberg Richard H. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroduction The incidence of anal cancer in United States has increased over of the last few decades impacting immunosuppressed populations like solid organ transplant recipients, in particular. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anal dysplasia among solid organ transplant patients. We also attempted to identify factors that predispose solid organ transplant recipients to developing anal dysplasia.Methods and materials Patients presenting to transplant office for routine care were recruited to participate in the study. All anal cytology specimens were collected using standard anal pap technique. The results were assessed using Bethesda classification. Information on perceived risk factors for development of anal dysplasia among our subjects was obtained.Results Among 80 patients approached, 47 agreed to participate in the study. Of all the samples 19.1% had an inadequate amount of specimen to perform any analysis. Dysplastic cells were found in 10.5% of the specimens available for analysis. We were not able to identify any risk factors including age, gender distribution, smoking, and duration of immunosuppression that were statistically significant different between patients with anal dysplasia versus those without anal dysplasia.Conclusions The rate of anal dysplasia detectable on cytology is high enough to warrant anal dysplasia screening in transplant recipients, which can then be followed up with high-resolution anoscopy with biopsy. Defining a cohort of patients among solid organ transplant recipients who are at an increased risk for the development of anal dysplasia mandating screening continues to be a challenge.
ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION WITH SWINE OPERATIONS
Authors: COWLEY CORTNEY A. , BRORSEN B. WADE , HAMILTON DOUGLAS W. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAnaerobic digestion systems can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while turning waste products into energy. Past U.S. economic research on anaerobic digesters has studied dairy farms, but limited economic information is available on anaerobic digestion systems for swine. Net present values (NPVs) were calculated for biodigesters and covered lagoons under different coproduct and policy scenarios. With no government intervention, covered lagoons are more promising for swine operations than more capital-intensive biodigesters. As there is interest in subsidizing anaerobic digestion systems, subsidies equal to a $38/t social cost of carbon would provide positive NPVs.
SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND SPEECH RATINGS
Authors: Reid Kym Taylor , Trofimovich Pavel , O’Brien Mary Grantham 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis study examined whether social bias manipulation can influence how naïve multiage listeners evaluate second language (L2) speech. Sixty native English-speaking listeners (Montreal residents) rated audio recordings of 40 Quebec French speakers of L2 English for five dimensions of oral performance (accentedness, comprehensibility, segmental accuracy, intonation, flow) using 1,000-point continuous scales. Immediately before rating, 20 listeners heard critical comments about Quebec French speakers’ English language skills, while 20 heard positive comments. Twenty listeners (baseline group) received no manipulation. Compared to baseline listeners, positively oriented listeners (younger and older) rated four of five dimensions more favorably. However, listeners’ behavior diverged under negative bias. Compared to age-matched baseline listeners, younger listeners upgraded speakers while older listeners downgraded speakers for all targeted measures. Findings cast doubt on the relative stability of L2 speech ratings and point to the importance of social context and generational differences in untrained rater assessments of L2 speaking performance.
What's Epistemically Wrong with Conspiracy Theorising?
Authors: Harris Keith 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBelief in conspiracy theories is often taken to be a paradigm of epistemic irrationality. Yet, as I argue in the first half of this paper, standard criticisms of conspiracy theorising fail to demonstrate that the practice is invariably irrational. Perhaps for this reason, many scholars have taken a relatively charitable attitude toward conspiracy theorists and conspiracy theorising in recent years. Still, it would be a mistake to conclude from the defence of conspiracy theorising offered here that belief in conspiracy theories is on an epistemic par with belief in other theories. I argue that a range of epistemic errors are pervasive among conspiracy theorists. First, the refusal of conspiracy theorists to accept the official account of some target event often seems to be due to the exercise of a probabilistic, and fallacious, extension ofmodus tollens. Additionally, conspiracy theorists tend to be inconsistent in their intellectual attention insofar as the effort they expend on uncovering the truth excludes attention to their own capacities for biased or otherwise erroneous reasoning. Finally, the scepticism with which conspiracy theorists tend to view common sources of information leaves little room for conspiracy theorists to attain positive warrant for their preferred explanations of target events.
Mercury, n-alkane and unresolved complex mixture hydrocarbon pollution in surface sediment across the rural–urban–estuarine continuum of the River Clyde, Scotland, UK
Authors: Vane Christopher H. , Moss-Hayes Vicky , Kim Alexander W. , Edgley Katherine E. , Cave Mark R. , Bearcock Jenny M. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTSurface sediments (n=85) from a 160-km river-estuarine transect of the Clyde, UK, were analysed for total mercury (Hg), saturated hydrocarbons and unresolved complex mixtures (UCMs) of hydrocarbons. Results show that sediment-Hg concentration ranges from 0.01 to 1.38mgkg–1 (mean 0.20mgkg–1) and a spatial trend in Hg-content low–high–low–high, from freshwater source, to Glasgow, to estuary, is evident. In summary, sediment-Hg content is low in the upper Clyde (mean of 0.05Hg mgkg–1), whereas sediments from the Clyde in urbanised Glasgow have higher Hg concentrations (0.04 to 1.26mgkg–1; mean 0.45mgkg–1), and the inner estuary sediments contain less Hg (mean 0.06mgkg–1). The highest mean sediment Hg (0.65mgkg–1) found in the outer estuary is attributed to historical anthropogenic activities. A significant positive Spearman correlation between Hg and total organic carbon is observed throughout the river estuary (0.86; P<0.001). Comparison with Marine Scotland guidelines suggests that no sites exceed the 1.5mgkg–1 criterion (Action Level 2); 22 fall between 0.25 and 1.5mgkg–1 dry wt. (Action Level 1) and 63 are of no immediate concern (<0.25mgkg–1 dry wt.). Saturated (n-alkane) hydrocarbons in the upper Clyde are of natural terrestrial origin. By contrast, the urbanised Glasgow reaches and outer estuary are characterised by pronounced and potentially toxic UCM concentrations in sediments (380–914mg/kg and 103–247mgkg–1, respectively), suggesting anthropogenic inputs such as biodegraded crude oil, sewage discharge and/or urban run-off.
Evolution of Elastic Wave Velocities and Amplitudes During Triaxial Deformation of Aji Granite Under Dry and Water‐Saturated Conditions
Authors: Zaima Kanta , Katayama Ikuo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractElastic wave velocities and amplitudes in fine‐grained Aji granite are measured during a series of deformation experiments under both dry and fluid‐saturated conditions, where compressional and shear waves traveled in a direction normal to the compressional axis, and shear wave was polarized normal to the compressional axis. In the early stages of deformation, both VP and VS increase slightly due to closure of preexisting cracks and then decrease due to nucleation and crack growth as the sample approaches failure. During deformation, the different sensitivities of compressional and shear waves to fluid‐filled cracks mean that the ratio VP/VS tends to increase for wet experiments and decrease for dry experiments prior to failure. The relative changes in elastic wave amplitudes are also related to deformation and fluid saturation: amplitude decreases at high differential stresses due to the opening of cracks oriented subparallel to the axis of maximum compression, whereas a relatively minor change in amplitude was observed under fluid‐saturated conditions. Thus, the changes in velocity and amplitude during the deformation experiments are linked to crack development and geometry. However, this sensitivity differs between dry and fluid‐saturated conditions. The monitoring of fluid injection volumes during fluid‐saturated experiments shows that decreasing elastic wave velocities and amplitudes coincide with increasing fluid injection. These systematic relationships among elastic wave velocity, amplitude, crack development, and fluid saturation suggest that understanding changes in seismic wave properties can offer significant insights into the temporal changes in the structure of fracture zones.
Chronic intake of 4-Methylimidazole induces Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoglycaemia via Pancreatic Beta Cell Hyperplasia and Glucose Dyshomeostasis
Authors: Rekha Balakrishnan , Velmurugan Ganesan , Freddy Allen J. , Anusha Sivakumar , Ramprasath Tharmarajan , Karthik Karuppusamy V. , Suresh Shanmugarajan , Kulshrestha Prerna , Mithieux Gilles , Lyon Alexander R. , Selvam Govindan Sadasivam , Ramasamy Subbiah 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCaramel colours are the preferential food colouring agent globally, reaches wide age groups through eatables. Colas, a sweetened carbonated drink are most common caramel coloured beverage and its consumption is linked with diabetes, obesity, pancreatic cancer and other endocrine disorders. A major by-product produced during caramelization is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) that is detected in noteworthy concentrations in colas and other beverages. Previous studies revealed the neurotoxic and carcinogenic potential of 4-MEI in animals at higher doses but the effect of 4-MEI at theoretical maximum daily intake dose on glucose homeostasis is unexplored. Here, mice treated with 4-MEI (32 µg/kg bodyweight/day) for seven weeks exhibited severe hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia mediated by hyperplasia of pancreatic beta cells and induces metabolic alterations. On combinatorial treatment, 4-MEI suppressed the glucogenic potential of non-artificial sweeteners and promotes lipogenesis. Furthermore, increased levels of C-peptide, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in the humans with regular intake of 4-MEI containing beverages. In summary, 4-MEI induced pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia and leads to disruption of glucose and lipid homeostasis. This study suggests the need for further assessment and reconsideration of the wide usage of 4-MEI containing caramels as food additives.
EEG, behavioural and physiological recordings following a painful procedure in human neonates
Authors: Jones Laura , Laudiano-Dray Maria Pureza , Whitehead Kimberley , Verriotis Madeleine , Meek Judith , Fitzgerald Maria , Fabrizi Lorenzo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe present a dataset of cortical, behavioural, and physiological responses following a single, clinically required noxious stimulus in a neonatal sample. Cortical activity was recorded from 112 neonates (29–47 weeks gestational age at study) using a 20-channel electroencephalogram (EEG), which was time-locked to a heel lance. This data is linked to pain-related behaviour (facial expression), physiology (heart rate, oxygenation) and a composite clinical score (Premature Infant Pain Profile, PIPP). The dataset includes responses to non-noxious sham and auditory controls. The infants’ relevant medical and pain history was collected up to the day of the study and recorded in an extensive database of variables including clinical condition at birth, diagnoses, medications, previous painful procedures, injuries, and selected maternal information. This dataset can be used to investigate the cortical, physiological, and behavioural pain-related processing in human infants and to evaluate the impact of medical conditions and experiences upon the infant response to noxious stimuli. Furthermore, it provides information on the formation of individual pain phenotypes.
Antithrombotic Management during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair with the Mitraclip System in a Patient with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Saia Francesco , Biagini Elena , Berardini Alessandra , Chiarabelli Matteo , Bertolino Emanuela , Compagnone Miriam , Rapezzi Claudio 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInterventional cardiology procedures require full anticoagulation to prevent thrombus formation on catheters and devices with potential development of embolic complications. Bivalirudin, a short half-life direct thrombin inhibitor, has been largely used during percutaneous coronary interventions and represents the preferred alternative to heparin in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). However, few data are available about intraprocedural use of bivalirudin during transcatheter structural heart disease interventions. Activated clotting time (ACT) monitoring during bivalirudin infusion presents some limitations and it is not mandatory. We report a case of bivalirudin use in a patient with type-2 HIT during percutaneous mitral valve repair with the Mitraclip system (Abbott, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States). Despite use of standard bivalirudin dose (0.75 mg/kg bolus and 1.4 mg/kg/min infusion—reduced infusion rate was motivated by a glomerular filtration rate of 37 mL/min), the patient developed a large thrombus on the second clip during its orientation toward the mitral orifice. ACT was measured at that time and was suboptimal (240 seconds). The case was successfully managed with clip and thrombus retrieval, adjunctive 0.3 mg/kg bivalirudin bolus and increased infusion rate, and clip repositioning with ACT monitoring. This report makes the case for mandatory ACT checking and drug titration during high-risk catheter–based structural heart disease interventions, even when thromboprophylaxis is performed with bivalirudin. Additional coagulation tests may be useful to monitor bivalirudin response in similar cases.
Metrics for regulated biochemical pathway systems
Authors: Davis Jacob D , Voit Eberhard O 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Motivation
The assessment of graphs through crisp numerical metrics has long been a hallmark of biological network analysis. However, typical graph metrics ignore regulatory signals that are crucially important for optimal pathway operation, for instance, in biochemical or metabolic studies. Here we introduce adjusted metrics that are applicable to both static networks and dynamic systems.

Results
The metrics permit quantitative characterizations of the importance of regulation in biochemical pathway systems, including systems designed for applications in synthetic biology or metabolic engineering. They may also become criteria for effective model reduction.

Availability and implementation
The source code is available at https://gitlab.com/tienbien44/metrics-bsa
Maternal L-proline supplementation enhances fetal survival, placental development, and nutrient transport in mice†
Authors: Liu Ning , Dai Zhaolai , Zhang Yunchang , Chen Jingqing , Yang Ying , Wu Guoyao , Tso Patrick , Wu Zhenlong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractL-Proline (proline) in amniotic fluid was markedly increased during pregnancy in both pigs and sheep. However, in vivo data to support a beneficial effect of proline on fetal survival are not available. In this study, pregnant C57BL/6J mice were fed a purified diet supplemented with or without 0.50% proline from embryonic day 0.5 (E0.5) to E12.5 or term. Results indicated that dietary supplementation with proline to gestating mice enhanced fetal survival, reproductive performance, the concentrations of proline, arginine, aspartic acid, and tryptophan in plasma and amniotic fluid, while decreasing the concentrations of ammonia and urea in plasma and amniotic fluid. Placental mRNA levels for amino acid transporters, including Slc36a4, Slc38a2, Slc38a4, Slc6a14, and Na+/K+ ATPase subunit-1α (Atp1a1), fatty acid transporter Slc27a4, and glucose transporters Slc2a1 and Slc2a3, were augmented in proline-supplemented mice, compared with the control group. Histological analysis showed that proline supplementation enhanced labyrinth zone in the placenta of mice at E12.5, mRNA levels for Vegf, Vegfr, Nos2, and Nos3, compared with the controls. Western blot analysis showed that proline supplementation increased protein abundances of phosphorylated (p)-mTORC1, p-ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), as well as the protein level of GCN2 (a negative regulator of mTORC1 signaling). Collectively, our results indicate a novel functional role of proline in improving placental development and fetal survival by enhancing placental nutrient transport, angiogenesis, and protein synthesis.
Dense deposit disease: a greatly increased biopsy incidence in India versus the USA
Authors: Prema K S Jansi , Kurien Anila A , Gopalakrishnan Natarajan , Walker Patrick D , Larsen Christopher P 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Background
We present the largest clinicopathologic case series to date of dense deposit disease (DDD) in an Indian population and compare the renal biopsy incidence rate to that seen in a large renal laboratory in USA.

Methods
Cases of DDD were identified and evaluated from native kidney biopsies reported at Renopath, India and at Arkana Laboratories, in the USA. Renopath receives biopsies from four states, located in the South and Eastern part of India. Arkana Laboratories’ biopsies came from 37 states across the USA.

Results
During the study period, there were a total of 25 patients diagnosed with DDD among the 7335 native kidney biopsies at Renopath. Thus, the biopsy incidence rate (cases of DDD/total renal biopsies/year) is 0.0034. By comparison, there were 10 cases of DDD diagnosed among 26 319 native kidney biopsies at Arkana Laboratories during the same time period, with a renal biopsy incidence rate of 0.00038.

Conclusions
DDD in this Indian subpopulation has similar clinical and pathologic characteristics when compared to previously reported studies. However, the biopsy incidence rate is about 890% or 8.9 times more common in this subset of the Indian population when compared with a broad cross-section of the US population. In addition to potential genetic factors, environmental conditions and chronic infections likely contribute to the markedly higher biopsy incidence rate. Given the much greater number of patients with DDD in this population, further retrospective and prospective studies would allow more rapid progress in understanding the pathogenesis of DDD and thus potential treatment of patients with DDD.
Chlamydomonas WDR92 in association with R2TP-like complex and multiple DNAAFs to regulate ciliary dynein preassembly
Authors: Liu Guang , Wang Limei , Pan Junmin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe motility of cilia or eukaryotic flagella is powered by the axonemal dyneins, which are preassembled in the cytoplasm by proteins termed dynein arm assembly factors (DNAAFs) before being transported to and assembled on the ciliary axoneme. Here, we characterize the function of WDR92 in Chlamydomonas. Loss of WDR92, a cytoplasmic protein, in a mutant wdr92 generated by DNA insertional mutagenesis resulted in aflagellate cells or cells with stumpy or short flagella, disappearance of axonemal dynein arms, and diminishment of dynein arm heavy chains in the cytoplasm, suggesting that WDR92 is a DNAAF. Immunoprecipitation of WDR92 followed by mass spectrometry identified inner dynein arm heavy chains and multiple DNAAFs including RuvBL1, RPAP3, MOT48, ODA7, and DYX1C. The PIH1 domain-containing protein MOT48 formed a R2TP-like complex with RuvBL1/2 and RPAP3, while PF13, another PIH1 domain-containing protein with function in dynein preassembly, did not. Interestingly, the third PIH1 domain-containing protein TWI1 was not related to flagellar motility. WDR92 physically interacted with the R2TP-like complex and the other identified DNNAFs. Our data suggest that WDR92 functions in association with the HSP90 co-chaperone R2TP-like complex as well as linking other DNAAFs in dynein preassembly.
The Many Nuanced Evolutionary Consequences of Duplicated Genes
Authors: Teufel Ashley I , Johnson Mackenzie M , Laurent Jon M , Kachroo Aashiq H , Marcotte Edward M , Wilke Claus O 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGene duplication is seen as a major source of structural and functional divergence in genome evolution. Under the conventional models of sub or neofunctionalization, functional changes arise in one of the duplicates after duplication. However, we suggest here that the presence of a duplicated gene can result in functional changes to its interacting partners. We explore this hypothesis by in silico evolution of a heterodimer when one member of the interacting pair is duplicated. We examine how a range of selection pressures and protein structures leads to differential patterns of evolutionary divergence. We find that a surprising number of distinct evolutionary trajectories can be observed even in a simple three member system. Further, we observe that selection to correct dosage imbalance can affect the evolution of the initial function in several unexpected ways. For example, if a duplicate is under selective pressure to avoid binding its original binding partner, this can lead to changes in the binding interface of a nonduplicated interacting partner to exclude the duplicate. Hence, independent of the fate of the duplicate, its presence can impact how the original function operates. Additionally, we introduce a conceptual framework to describe how interacting partners cope with dosage imbalance after duplication. Contextualizing our results within this framework reveals that the evolutionary path taken by a duplicate’s interacting partners is highly stochastic in nature. Consequently, the fate of duplicate genes may not only be controlled by their own ability to accumulate mutations but also by how interacting partners cope with them.