bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alteration in intrinsic and extrinsic functional connectivity of resting state networks associated with subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Kumar M. , Modi S. , Rana P. , Kumar P. , Kanwar R. , Sekhri T. , D'souza M. , Khushu S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSubclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is characterised by a mild elevation of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (range 5‐10 μIU mL‐1) and normal free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine. Cognitive function impairment is well known in thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, although little is known about deficits in brain functions in SCH subjects. Also, whether hormone‐replacement treatment is necessary or not in SCH subjects is still debatable. To obtain an insight into the cognition of SCH subjects, intrinsic and extrinsic functional connectivity (FC) of the resting state networks (RSNs) was investigated. For resting state data analysis, we used an unbiased, data‐driven approach based on independent component analysis and dual‐regression, which can emphasise widespread changes in FC without restricting to a set of predefined seeds. In total, 28 SCH subjects and 28 matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in the study. RSN analysis showed significantly decreased intrinsic FC in somato‐motor network (SMN) and right frontoparietal attention network (RAN) and increased intrinsic FC in default mode network (DMN) in SCH subjects compared to control subjects. The reduced intrinsic FC in the SMN and RAN suggests neurocognitive alterations in SCH subjects in the corresponding functions, as also evident from the deficit in the neuropsychological performance of the SCH subjects on behavioural tests, such as digit span, delayed recall, visual retention, recognition, Bender Gestalt and Mini‐Mental State Examination. We also found a significant reduction in extrinsic network FC between DMN and RAN; SMN and posterior default mode network; and increased extrinsic FC between SMN and anterior default mode network in SCH subjects compared to controls. An altered extrinsic FC in SCH suggests functional reorganisation in response to neurological disruption. The partial correlation analysis between intrinsic and extrinsic RSN FC and neuropsychological performances, as well as clinical indices, provides interesting insights into the brain‐behaviour relationship in SCH subjects.
IL1A (‐889) gene polymorphism is associated with the effect of diet as a risk factor in Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Ibrahim Adel A , Salem Rehab M , El‐Shimi Ola S , Baghdady Shaymaa M A , Hussein Shimaa 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundDespite the several studies suggesting the genetic basis of acne vulgaris, the exact genetic architecture of this very common condition is not yet clear.Aim of the workThis study aimed to investigate the association between IL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism and acne vulgaris in a sample of patients.Subjects and MethodBlood samples from 100 patients with acne vulgaris and 100 healthy age, sex, and BMI matched controls were obtained. DNA samples were isolated from blood cells, and the PCR‐RFLP method was used for genotyping.ResultsThe genotype distributions of IL‐1A (−889) polymorphism were as expected under Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. T allele was predominant in the patients, while C allele predominated in the control subjects (P value < .001). The frequency of TT genotype in patients was significantly higher than in the control subjects (P value < .001). CT genotype was significantly more frequent in the control subjects compared to patients (P value < .001). Among the 47 patients who reported diet as a risk factor for triggering or exacerbating their lesions, 62.5% had TT genotype (P value = .038).ConclusionIL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism has a role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. We suggest that the triggering or exacerbating effect of diet on acne may be related to IL‐1A (−889) gene polymorphism.
School Connectedness and Chinese Adolescents' Sleep Problems: A Cross‐Lagged Panel Analysis
Authors: Bao Zhenzhou , Chen Chuansheng , Zhang Wei , Jiang Yanping , Zhu Jianjun , Lai Xuefen 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAlthough previous research indicates an association between school connectedness and adolescents' sleep quality, its causal direction has not been determined. This study used a 2‐wave cross‐lagged panel analysis to explore the likely causal direction between these 2 constructs.METHODSParticipants were 888 Chinese adolescents (43.80% boys; Mage = 15.55) who provided self‐report data on school connectedness and sleep quality as well as demographic variables at the beginning and the end of a school year.RESULTSAfter controlling for sex and age, we found that sleep problems at the beginning of the school year were a significant and negative predictor of school connectedness at the end of the school year (b2 = −.26, SE = .13, β2 = −.10, p < .05), but school connectedness at the beginning of the school year did not predict sleep problems at the end of the school year (b1 = .05, SE = .03, β1 = .09, p > .05). Separate analyses by sex showed that the above pattern of results was mainly driven by the boys.CONCLUSIONSOur findings demonstrated that sleep problems could be a risk factor for adolescent boys' school connectedness.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Characteristics Associated With Violence and Safety in Middle Schools
Authors: Vagi Kevin J. , Stevens Mark R. , Simon Thomas R. , Basile Kathleen C. , Carter Sherry P. , Carter Stanley L. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThis study used a new Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment tool to test the associations between physical attributes of schools and violence‐related behaviors and perceptions of students.METHODSData were collected from 4717 students from 50 middle schools. Student perceptions of risk and safety, and violence were assessed. Evaluators used the CPTED School Assessment (CSA) to quantify how well the physical elements of each school correspond to ideal CPTED principles. Generalized linear mixed models were used to adjust for school‐ and student‐level characteristics.RESULTSHigher CSA scores were generally associated with higher perceptions of safety and lower levels of violence perpetration and perceived risk in unadjusted models. Higher CSA scores were also associated with lower odds of missing school because of safety concerns in most adjusted models, with significant adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 0.32 to 0.63. CSA scores for parking and bus loading areas also remained associated with higher perceived safety (AORs = 1.28 and 1.32, respectively) and lower perceived risk (AORs = 0.73 and 0.66, respectively) in adjusted models.CONCLUSIONSThe CSA is useful for assessing school environments that are associated with violence‐related behaviors and perceptions. The CSA might help guide school environmental modifications to reduce violence.
The Impact of State Legislation and Model Policies on Bullying in Schools
Authors: Terry Amanda 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the coverage of state legislation and the expansiveness ratings of state model policies on the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.METHODSThe state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools was based on cross‐sectional data from the 2013 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Multiple regression was conducted to determine whether the coverage of state legislation and the expansiveness rating of a state model policy affected the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.RESULTSThe purpose and definition category of components in state legislation and the expansiveness rating of a state model policy were statistically significant predictors of the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools. The other 3 categories of components in state legislation—District Policy Development and Review, District Policy Components, and Additional Components—were not statistically significant predictors in the model.CONCLUSIONSExtensive coverage in the purpose and definition category of components in state legislation and a high expansiveness rating of a state model policy may be important in efforts to reduce bullying in schools. Improving these areas may reduce the state‐level prevalence of bullying in schools.
Consensus guidelines on the use of bisphosphonate therapy in children and adolescents
Authors: Simm Peter J , Biggin Andrew , Zacharin Margaret R , Rodda Christine P , Tham Elaine , Siafarikas Aris , Jefferies Craig , Hofman Paul L , Jensen Diane E , Woodhead Helen , Brown Justin , Wheeler Benjamin J , Brookes Denise , Lafferty Antony , Munns Craig F ,   on behalf of the APEG Bone Mineral Working Group
Published: March 2018

AbstractBisphosphonate therapy is the mainstay of pharmacological intervention in young people with skeletal fragility. The evidence of its use in a variety of conditions remains limited despite over three decades of clinical experience. On behalf of the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group, this evidence‐based consensus guideline presents recommendations and discusses the graded evidence (using the GRADE system) for these recommendations. Primary bone fragility disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta are considered separately from osteoporosis secondary to other clinical conditions (such as cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy). The use of bisphosphonates in non‐fragility conditions, such as fibrous dysplasia, avascular necrosis, bone cysts and hypercalcaemia, is also discussed. While these guidelines provide an evidence‐based approach where possible, further research is required in all clinical applications in order to strengthen the recommendations made.
Melatonin‐mediated miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p upregulation promotes chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wu Zizhao , Qiu Xianjian , Gao Bo , Lian Chengjie , Peng Yan , Liang Anjing , Xu Caixia , Gao Wenjie , Zhang Liangming , Su Peiqiang , Rong Limin , Huang Dongsheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), with inherent chondrogenic differentiation potential appear to be ideally suited for therapeutic use in cartilage regeneration. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that melatonin can promote chondrogenic differentiation in human BMSCs. However, little is known about the mechanism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate the differentiation of BMSCs, but their roles in melatonin‐promoted chondrogenic differentiation have not been characterized. Here, we demonstrate that melatonin promoted chondrogenic differentiation of human BMSCs via upregulation of miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p. Mechanistically, the elevated miR‐526b‐3p and miR‐590‐5p enhanced SMAD1 phosphorylation by targeting SMAD7. Additionally, administration of miR‐526b‐3p mimics or miR‐590‐5p mimics successfully promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of human BMSCs. Collectively, our study suggests that modification of BMSCs using melatonin or miRNA transduction could be an effective therapy for cartilage damage and degeneration.
Seasonal changes in social networks of giraffes
Authors: Wolf T. E. , Ngonga Ngomo A.‐C. , Bennett N. C. , Burroughs R. , Ganswindt A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFission‐fusion social societies allow animals to respond in a flexible manner to environmental changes by adapting the size and composition of a group. Although group members change frequently in these systems, associations with preferred partners may be found. In this study, we examined the grouping patterns of a population of 80 individual giraffes in a fenced South African game reserve over a 12‐month period. Using social network analyses as a tool to evaluate observed associations, we subsequently analysed both sex‐ and season‐related grouping patterns within the study population. Mixed sex groups represented 49% of all groups observed, and although overall group composition distribution did not differ significantly between seasons, the number of encountered single females decreased by 50%, whereas the number of multi‐male groups increased by over 50% in winter. Overall average group size did not differ significantly between seasons, but significantly larger multi‐female and multi‐male groups were seen in winter. Within the social network, two distinct clusters were found in summer, with the population more divided in winter, with five distinct clusters emerging. The strongest ties (highest HWIGs) were found between adult females. Our study revealed that giraffes not only live in a highly flexible social fission‐fusion system, but also show seasonal patterns of grouping.
An updated global data set for diet preferences in terrestrial mammals: testing the validity of extrapolation
Authors: Gainsbury Alison M. , Tallowin Oliver J. S. , Meiri Shai 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Diet is a key trait of an organism's life history that influences a broad spectrum of ecological and evolutionary processes. Kissling et al. (2014; Ecology and Evolution 4: 2913–2930) compiled a species‐specific data set of diet preferences of mammals for 38% of a total of 5364 terrestrial mammalian species assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, to facilitate future studies. The authors imputed dietary data for the remaining 62% by using extrapolation from phylogenetic relatives.

We collected dietary information for 1261 mammalian species for which data were extrapolated by Kissling et al. (2014), in order to evaluate the success with which such extrapolation can predict true diets.

The extrapolation method devised by Kissling et al. (2014) performed well for broad dietary categories (consumers of plants and animals). However, the method performed inconsistently, and sometimes poorly, for finer dietary categories, varying in accuracy in both dietary categories and mammalian orders.

The results of the extrapolation performance serve as a cautionary tale. Given the large variation in extrapolation performance, we recommend a more conservative approach for inferring mammalian diets, whereby dietary extrapolation is implemented only when there is a high degree of phylogenetic conservatism for dietary traits. Phylogenetic comparative methods can be used to detect and measure phylogenetic signal in diet. If data for species are needed, then only the broadest feeding categories should be used. This would ensure a greater level of accuracy and provide a more robust data set for further ecological and evolutionary analysis.
Differential roles of glucosinolates and camalexin at different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation
Authors: Shih Po‐Yuan , Chou Shu‐Jen , Müller Caroline , Halkier Barbara Ann , Deeken Rosalia , Lai Erh‐Min 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAgrobacterium tumefaciensis the causal agent of crown gall disease in a wide range of plants via a unique interkingdom DNA transfer from bacterial cells into the plant genome.Agrobacterium tumefaciensis capable of transferring its T‐DNA into different plant parts at different developmental stages for transient and stable transformation. However, the plant genes and mechanisms involved in these transformation processes are not well understood. We usedArabidopsis thalianaCol‐0 seedlings to reveal the gene expression profiles at early time points duringAgrobacteriuminfection. Common and differentially expressed genes were found in shoots and roots. A gene ontology analysis showed that the glucosinolate (GS) biosynthesis pathway was an enriched common response. Strikingly, several genes involved in indole glucosinolate (iGS) modification and the camalexin biosynthesis pathway were up‐regulated, whereas genes in aliphatic glucosinolate (aGS) biosynthesis were generally down‐regulated, onAgrobacteriuminfection. Thus, we evaluated the impacts of GSs and camalexin during different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation combiningArabidopsismutant studies, metabolite profiling and exogenous applications of various GS hydrolysis products or camalexin. The results suggest that the iGS hydrolysis pathway plays an inhibitory role on transformation efficiency inArabidopsisseedlings at the early infection stage. Later in theAgrobacteriuminfection process, the accumulation of camalexin is a key factor inhibiting tumour development onArabidopsisinflorescence stalks. In conclusion, this study reveals the differential roles of GSs and camalexin at different stages ofAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation and provides new insights into crown gall disease control and improvement of plant transformation.
Radical Pluralism
Authors: Segal Aaron 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHumean Supervenience is the view that (a) there are a plurality of fundamental beings, (b) there are no inexplicable constraints on modal space, and hence the fundamental nature of each such being is independent of those of all the rest and of the fundamental relations in which it stands to the rest, (c) the fundamental beings stand in no fundamental causal or nomic relations, and hence (d) the distribution of any causal or nomic relations in which they do stand globally supervenes on their fundamental natures and the non‐nomic, non‐causal fundamental relations in which they stand. If Humean Supervenience is true, then as A.J. Ayer put it, it's just one damn thing after another. Radical Pluralism is the view that Humean Supervenience is true, and, moreover, that none of the fundamental beings stands in any fundamental relations at all. If Radical Pluralism is true, then, as William James puts it, the world's pieces are held together by nothing more than conjunction: it's just one damn thing and another. I argue that Radical Pluralism is very likely true, conditional upon Humean Supervenience. Any philosopher pluralist enough to be Humean ought to be radically pluralistic.
Partial correlation analysis of transcriptomes helps detangle the growth and defense network in spruce
Authors: Porth Ilga , White Richard , Jaquish Barry , Ritland Kermit 
Published: March 2018

Summary

In plants, there can be a trade‐off between resource allocations to growth vs defense. Here, we use partial correlation analysis of gene expression to make inferences about the nature of this interaction.

We studied segregating progenies of Interior spruce subject to weevil attack. In a controlled experiment, we measured pre‐attack plant growth and post‐attack damage with several morphological measures, and profiled transcriptomes of 188 progeny. We used partial correlations of individual transcripts (expressed sequence tags, ESTs) with pairs of growth/defense traits to identify important nodes and edges in the inferred underlying gene network, for example, those pairs of growth/defense traits with high mutual correlation with a single EST transcript. We give a method to identify such ESTs.

A terpenoid ABC transporter gene showed strongest correlations (P = 0.019); its transcript represented a hub within the compact 166‐member gene–gene interaction network (P = 0.004) of the negative genetic correlations between growth and subsequent pest attack. A small 21‐member interaction network (P = 0.004) represented the uncovered positive correlations.

Our study demonstrates partial correlation analysis identifies important gene networks underlying growth and susceptibility to the weevil in spruce. In particular, we found transcripts that strongly modify the trade‐off between growth and defense, and allow identification of networks more central to the trade‐off.
Ethylene mediates dichromate‐induced inhibition of primary root growth by altering AUX1 expression and auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wakeel Abdul , Ali Imran , Upreti Sakila , Azizullah Azizullah , Liu Bohan , Khan Ali Raza , Huang Linli , Wu Minjie , Gan Yinbo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe hexavalent form of chromium [Cr(VI)] causes a major reduction in yield and quality of crops worldwide. The root is the first plant organ that interacts with Cr(VI) toxicity, which inhibits primary root elongation, but the underlying mechanisms of this inhibition remain elusive. In this study, we investigate the possibility that Cr(VI) reduces primary root growth of Arabidopsis by modulating the cell cycle‐related genes and that ethylene signalling contributes to this process. We show that Cr(VI)‐mediated inhibition of primary root elongation was alleviated by the ethylene perception and biosynthesis antagonists silver and cobalt, respectively. Furthermore, the ethylene signalling defective mutants (ein2‐1 and etr1‐3) were insensitive, whereas the overproducer mutant (eto1‐1) was hypersensitive to Cr(VI). We also report that high levels of Cr(VI) significantly induce the distribution and accumulation of auxin in the primary root tips, but this increase was significantly suppressed in seedlings exposed to silver or cobalt. In addition, genetic and physiological investigations show that AUXIN‐RESISTANT1 (AUX1) participates in Cr(VI)‐induced inhibition of primary root growth. Taken together, our results indicate that ethylene mediates Cr(VI)‐induced inhibition of primary root elongation by increasing auxin accumulation and polar transport by stimulating the expression of AUX1.
Immunolocalization of angiogenic growth factors in the ovine uterus during the oestrus cycle and in response to Steroids
Authors: Tremaine TD , Fouladi‐Nashta AA 
Published: March 2018

ContentsThe vascular changes associated with endometrial maturation in preparation for embryo implantation depend on numerous growth factors, known to regulate key angiogenic events. Primarily, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family promotes vascular growth, whilst the angiopoietins maintain blood vessel integrity. The aim was to analyse protein levels of VEGFA ligand and receptors, Angiopoietin‐1 and 2 (ANG1/2) and endothelial cell receptor tyrosine kinase (TIE‐2) in the ovine endometrium in the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrus cycle and in response to ovarian steroids. VEGFA and its receptors were localized in both vascular cells and non‐vascular epithelium (glandular and luminal epithelium) and stroma cells. VEGFA and VEGFR2 proteins were elevated in vascular cells in follicular phase endometrium, compared to luteal phase, most significantly in response to oestradiol. VEGFR1 was expressed by epithelial cells and endothelial cells and was stimulated in response to oestradiol. In contrast, Ang‐1 and Ang‐2 proteins were elevated in luteal phase endometrium compared to follicular phase, and in response to progesterone, evident in vascular smooth muscle cells and glands which surround TIE‐2‐expressing blood vessels. Our findings indicate that VEGFA is stimulated by oestradiol, most predominantly in follicular phase endometrium, and Ang‐1 and 2 are stimulated by progesterone and were increased during the luteal phase of the oestrus cycle, during the time of vascular maturation.
Oral myiasis in older adult with severe Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Filho Almir Oliva , Dias Danielle , Miranda Águida , Hebling Eduardo 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTAimsMyiasis is a disease caused by the invasion of tissues by larvae of flies. The aim of this study was to carry out a review of reported cases of oral and maxillofacial myiasis in older adults and to show a case report of oral myiasis in a 95‐year‐old frail man with severe Alzheimer’s disease from Brazil.Methods and ResultsBetween 1988 and 2017, 35 oral and maxillofacial myiasis cases were reported in older adults in English‐language studies from PubMed and Lilacs databases.ConclusionsOral and maxillofacial myiasis in older adults showed low incidence and good prognosis of cure, when there were no systemic complications. Weakness, frailty, dementia, oral lesions, labial incompetence, poor oral hygiene, and bad breath were associated with this disease in reported cases. Preferential therapy choices were debridement alone or combined with Ivermectin. In this case report, debridement and Ivermectin prescription was an effective therapy for an older adult with severe Alzheimer’s disease.