bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between body size and secondary sexual characters, and sperm characters in male Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma)
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiaki , Hirohashi Noritaka , Fujiwara Eiji , Suzuki Tatsuya , Maruta Hatsuna , Omiya Hirotake , Kitanishi Shigeru 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn Salmonidae, subordinate males are exposed to higher risks of sperm competition than dominant males and thus are expected to improve the sperm characteristics (sperm concentrations, sperm velocity and sperm longevity). In this study, we investigated the relationships between body size and secondary sexual characters (breeding colour, hump height and snout length), and sperm characteristics of one‐year‐old (newly matured) Dolly Varden char. Small males displayed higher sperm concentrations than large males. Moreover, males with dull breeding colours, but not with lesser snout length and hump height, displayed an increased sperm velocity compared to males with bright colours, suggesting a trade‐off between sperm quantity and the investment in breeding colour. In addition, sperm longevity decreased as sperm swimming velocity increased. These findings indicate that small males with dull breeding colours improve the quantity and quality of their sperm to a great extent to enhance their chances of reproductive success.
Does dental undergraduate education and postgraduate training enable intention to provide inhalation sedation in primary dental care? A path analytical exploration
Authors: Yuan S. , J Carson S. , Rooksby M. , McKerrow J. , Lush C. , Humphris G. , Freeman R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo examine how quality standards of dental undergraduate education, postgraduate training and qualifications together with confidence and barriers could be utilised to predict intention to provide inhalation sedation.MethodsAll 202 dentists working within primary dental care in NHS Highland were invited to participate. The measures in the questionnaire survey included demographic information, undergraduate education and postgraduate qualifications, current provision and access to sedation service, attitudes towards confidence, barriers and intention to provide inhalation sedation. A path analytical approach was employed to investigate the fit of collected data to the proposed mediational model.ResultsOne hundred and nine dentists who completed the entire questionnaire participated (response rate of 54%). Seventy‐six per cent of dentists reported receiving lectures in conscious sedation during their undergraduate education. Statistically significantly more Public Dental Service dentists compared with General Dental Service (GDS) dentists had postgraduate qualification and Continuing Professional Development training experience in conscious sedation. Only twenty‐four per cent of the participants stated that they provided inhalation sedation to their patients. The findings indicated that PDS dentists had higher attitudinal scores towards inhalation sedation than GDS practitioners. The proposed model showed an excellent level of fit. A multigroup comparison test confirmed that the level of association between confidence in providing inhalation sedation and intention varied by group (GDS vs. PDS respondents). Public Dental Service respondents who showed extensive postgraduate training experience in inhalation sedation were more confident and likely to provide this service.ConclusionThe quality standards of dental undergraduate education, postgraduate qualifications and training together with improved confidence predicted primary care dentists’ intention to provide inhalation sedation.
Immunostimulating and Gram‐negative‐specific antibacterial cyclotides from the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)
Authors: Nguyen Kim Ngan T. , Nguyen Giang Kien Truc , Nguyen Phuong Quoc Thuc , Ang Koon Hwee , Dedon Peter C. , Tam James P. 
Published: March 2016

Cyclotides are plant‐derived, cyclic miniproteins with three interlocking disulfide bonds that have attracted great interests because of their excellent stability and potential as peptide therapeutics. In this study, we characterize the cyclotides of the medicinal plant Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) and investigate their biological activities. Using a combined proteomic and transcriptomic method, we identified 41 novel cyclotide sequences, which we named cliotides, making C. ternatea one of the richest cyclotide‐producing plants to date. Selected members of the cationic cliotides display potent antibacterial activity specifically against Gram‐negative bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.5 μm. Remarkably, they also possess prominent immunostimulating activity. At a concentration of 1 μm, cationic cliotides are capable of augmenting the secretion of various cytokines and chemokines in human monocytes at both resting and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated states. Chemokines such as macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β, interferon γ‐induced protein 10, interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor α were among the most upregulated with up to 129‐fold increase in secretion level. These findings suggest cyclotides can serve as potential candidates for novel immunomodulating therapeutics.DatabaseThe protein sequences reported in this paper (cT13–cT21) are available in the UniProt Knowledgebase under the accession numbers C0HJS0, C0HJS1, C0HJS2, C0HJS3, C0HJS4, C0HJS5, C0HJS6, C0HJS7 and C0HJS8, respectively. The transcriptome data in this paper are available at the Sequence Read Archive database (NCBI) under accession number SRR1613316. The protein precursors reported in this paper (ctc13, ctc15, ctc17–ctc19, ctc21–ctc53) are available at GenBank under the accession numbers KT732712, KT732713, KT732714, KT732715, KT732716, KT732717, KT732718, KT732719, KT732720, KT732721, KT732722, KT732723, KT732724, KT732725, KT732726, KT732727, KT732728, KT732729, KT732730, KT732731, KT732732, KT732733, KT732734, KT732735, KT732736, KT732737, KT732738, KT732739, KT732740, KT732741, KT732742, KT732743, KT732744, KT732745, KT732746, KT732747, KT732748 and KT732749, respectively.
Global patterns and drivers of species and trait composition in diatoms
Authors: Soininen Janne , Jamoneau Aurélien , Rosebery Juliette , Passy Sophia I. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo examine species and trait composition in stream diatoms along environmental, climatic and spatial gradients and to ascertain if the use of different levels of biological organization is beneficial for investigating global environmental changes and the role of history in structuring communities.LocationGlobal cover with datasets from the Antilles, France, Finland, New Zealand, La Réunion and the United States.MethodsWe related diatom species composition, guild composition, total richness and richness across guilds to environmental, climatic and spatial variables. We used non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) with environmental variable fitting, redundancy analysis (RDA) with variation partitioning, analysis of similarities and linear mixed models as statistical tools.ResultsSpecies composition differed significantly among the study regions, while the differences in guild composition were less pronounced. US and French streams shared a large number of species, whereas islands shared only a few species with continents. For species composition, all predictors showed significant relationships with diatoms but pH, longitude, annual temperature and precipitation had the strongest impact. Variation partitioning revealed that the local environment outperformed climatic and spatial variables. For guild composition, there was a substantial overlap across regions in NMDS. The results from RDA demonstrated, however, that guild composition was better explained than species composition, especially by environmental variables. Both species and guild richness were significantly correlated with most predictors. Notably, species richness scaled positively with latitude.Main conclusionsDiatom species and guild composition varied substantially in response to local environment and climatic and spatial variables indicating both environmental and historical effects. Species composition discriminated the geographical regions better, while guild composition detected the environmental gradients better. This emphasizes the need to examine different levels of organization to gain a deeper understanding of the roles of environment versus history in structuring communities. These findings suggest that diatom species distributions are under strong microevolutionary constraints. Conversely, guild distributions are less dependent on historic factors and are driven primarily by the environment, which makes them better suited for research on global environmental change.
Health and happiness among community‐dwelling older adults in Domkhar valley, Ladakh, India
Authors: Sakamoto Ryota , Okumiya Kiyohito , Norboo Tsering , Tsering Norboo , Wada Taizo , Fujisawa Michiko , Imai Hissei , Nose Mitsuhiro , Ishimoto Yasuko , Kimura Yumi , Fukutomi Eriko , Chen Wenling , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: March 2016

AimThe aim of the present study was to show the status of objective geriatric functions and subjective quality of life in Ladakh, India, compared with Japanese controls.MethodsWe analyzed data of 117 people aged 60 years or older in Domkhar, and age‐ and sex‐specific Japanese controls. Variables measured included blood pressure, hemoglobin, timed up & go test, basic activities of daily living, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for subjective quality of life.ResultsPeople in Domkhar were more likely to have difficulties in basic activities of daily living compared with Japanese controls. However, they were significantly more likely to maintain social roles. The Visual Analog Scale scores in subjective friendship, economic satisfaction and happiness were higher in Domkhar compared with Japanese controls. Living alone (OR 9.92, 95% CI 2.13–46.26), high Geriatric Depression Scale score (6 or more; OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.65–43.35) and timed up & go test (17 s or more; OR 21.00, 95% CI 1.69–260.87) were significantly associated with a low score of subjective happiness (less than 50). Residence in Domkhar (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.77) was a significant factor for low prevalence of a low score of subjective happiness by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ConclusionsSubjective quality of life among older adults in Domkhar was higher than Japanese controls despite a higher rate of difficulty in basic activities of daily living. We have to consider prevention, treatment, and care of not only diseases and disabilities, but also loneliness for the older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 480–486.
Prediagnostic Helicobacter pylori Antibodies and Colorectal Cancer Risk in an Elderly, Caucasian Population
Authors: Blase Jennifer L. , Campbell Peter T. , Gapstur Susan M. , Pawlita Michael , Michel Angelika , Waterboer Tim , Teras Lauren R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundStudy results on overall seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and colorectal cancer risk have been inconsistent. However, one study found positive associations with antibodies to specific H. pylori proteins. To follow up on those findings, we assessed associations of 15 H. pylori specific proteins with colorectal cancer incidence in the prospective Cancer Prevention Study‐II Nutrition Cohort.Materials and MethodsParticipants in this nested case–control study included 392 cases and 774 controls who were predominantly elderly (median age at blood draw: 71 years) and Caucasian (98%). Seroreactivity against 15 H. pylori proteins was assessed by fluorescent bead‐based multiplex serology and associations with colorectal cancer were estimated using conditional logistic regression.ResultsHelicobacter pylori serostatus was not associated with colorectal cancer incidence (odds ratio (OR), 1.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.91–1.50). Among individual antigens, GroEl serostatus was associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR, 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03–1.70), whereas CagM was associated with colon cancer risk only (OR, 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.80). No dose–response relationships were observed for any of the antigens, including GroEl and CagM.ConclusionsThe results of our study do not support an association between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk in this elderly, mostly Caucasian population.
Identifying key habitats for the conservation of Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata using radiotracking
Authors: Real Joan , Bosch Rafel , Tintó Albert , Hernández‐Matías Antonio 
Published: March 2016

Identifying the priority habitats of endangered species is crucial to implementing effective conservation actions. We characterize the key habitats used by Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata, an umbrella and flagship species that is endangered in Mediterranean countries. We radiotracked 17 breeding individuals (10 males and seven females) in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula) and used compositional analysis to determine the key habitats in home‐ranges of both sexes. The main habitats identified within the home‐range area were scrubland, coniferous forests, cropland, sclerophyllous forests, rock outcrops and urban areas, with little difference in habitat use between the sexes. Bonelli's Eagles preferred rocky habitats as breeding areas and scrubland as foraging areas, as these hold the highest abundance of their main prey, Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and Red‐legged Partridges Alectoris rufa. Habitat selection varied seasonally in foraging areas: scrubland was the most preferred habitat type during the breeding season, whereas rocky areas were preferred during the non‐breeding season (although scrubland was also highly selected). Urban areas were avoided both as breeding and as foraging areas. Home‐range size was inversely correlated with the proportion of scrubland, suggesting that this is a key habitat for Bonelli's Eagle. To conserve this species effectively, policies that ensure the preservation of the cliffs used as breeding sites, as well as suitable management of the scrubland used for foraging, should be implemented in the areas inhabited by this species. The promotion of traditional land uses and management techniques that will enhance open areas in Mediterranean landscapes should in the future play an essential role in the conservation of Bonelli's Eagle in Mediterranean habitats.
Microneedle‐mediated intradermal delivery of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Puri A. , Nguyen H. X. , Banga A. K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveEpigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) is the physiologically most active and abundant flavanol, accounting for 50–80% of green tea catechins. It is an anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and skin photoprotective agent. However, light sensitivity and low permeability of EGCG across the stratum corneum due to its high molecular weight as well as strong binding to the lipid bilayers in the skin make it difficult to be used as a key ingredient in cosmetic products. This study aimed to formulate a photostable hydrogel of EGCG with good rheological properties for dermal application and investigate the effect of skin microporation using maltose microneedles on its permeation through dermatomed porcine skin.MethodsEffect of l‐glutathione on photodegradation of EGCG was investigated by exposing samples to ultraviolet irradiation for 1 h using a solar simulator. Hydrogels with varying concentrations of Carbopol 980 (0.5–2% w/v) as an gelling agent were prepared, and their rheological properties were evaluated using a rheometer. Skin microporation was confirmed by assessing the skin resistance, transepidermal water loss and calcein imaging of the microchannels created by the microneedles. Permeation of EGCG from aqueous solution as well as the rheologically optimized hydrogel through the dermatomed porcine skin (untreated and microneedle treated) was evaluated using static vertical Franz diffusion cells.Resultsl‐glutathione acting as a co‐antioxidant and photostabilizer significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the degradation of EGCG from 21.53 ± 2.78% to 1.0 ± 0.68% after 1 h of ultraviolet irradiation. Rotational and oscillatory rheological tests indicated that the hydrogel containing 1.5% Carbopol 980 is acceptable for topical application in terms of flow behaviour, elasticity, spreadability, structural stability and thixotropy. Microneedle‐treated skin showed significant enhancement (P < 0.05) in the delivery of EGCG to viable epidermis and dermis from the aqueous solution (38.67 ± 2.96 μg cm−2) as well as hydrogel (24.60 ± 2.62 μg cm−2) in comparison with the untreated skin (24.16 ± 2.11 and 15.62 ± 0.24 μg cm−2 for aqueous solution and hydrogel, respectively).ConclusionAddition of glutathione in EGCG formulations significantly reduces its photodegradation. Skin microporation with maltose microneedles facilitates the penetration of EGCG across the stratum corneum into the deeper skin layers – viable epidermis and dermis.
Comparison of two preventive interventions on dental caries among children in Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Authors: Tarvonen P‐L , Sipilä K , Yang GS , Kim JK , Lamidi M‐L , Suominen AL 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe aim was to compare the change in dental caries status in two different intervention groups of the Children's Oral Health Promotion Programme (COHPP).MethodsA longitudinal study among 500 children who had participated into the COHPP for 6 years was conducted in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Children in Group I received intensified school‐based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2007 (n = 250), 10 years in 2010 (n = 250) and 13 years in 2013 (n = 242). Children in Group II (n = 250) joined the programme at the age of 4 years in kindergarten in 2007, were provided with early preschool‐based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2010 and 10 years in 2013.ResultsBoth the prevalence and the mean number of dt + DT decreased significantly in both groups during the follow‐up. This was due to decrease in the number of dt, whereas the number of DT remained relatively constant. Poisson regression showed that the association between the group status and the change in the number of dt + DT was statistically significant when adjusted for gender but disappeared when the school was included in the analysis.ConclusionsThe decrease in dental caries may be partly due to the exfoliation of deciduous teeth and dental treatment received. However, the study gave some reference emphasizing the early starting of the prevention.
Sodium hypochlorite solution penetration into human dentine: a histochemical evaluation
Authors: Giardino L. , Cavani F. , Generali L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate ex vivo the penetration depth of sodium hypochlorite solutions, with and without surfactants, into human dentine using a histochemical stain and the bleaching ability of NaOCl.MethodologyExtracted maxillary central incisors were decoronated and their root canals were shaped to a size 30, .07 taper. Dentinal tubules were stained with 10% copper sulphate solution followed by a 1% rubeanic acid alcohol solution under vacuum. Specimens were irrigated with 5 mL of Niclor 5 (5.25% NaOCl solution) or 5 mL of Hypoclean (5.25% NaOCl solution + surfactants) according to the corresponding treatment group, for 2 min. A transverse section was obtained in the middle portion of the apical, middle and coronal thirds of each tooth. Under microscopic examination, irrigant penetration was evaluated by measuring the following: the bleached circumference of the root canal with respect to the stained circumference; bleached areas, mean and maximum penetration depth. For statistical analysis, Pearson's chi‐squared test and one‐way anova were used.ResultsOnly 30% of dentine tubules in the apical portions were stained; therefore, these were excluded from further comparisons. In the middle and coronal thirds, the average bleached circumference of the root canal was 80–99% of the stained circumference and the bleached area was 73757–135107 μm2. The average penetration depth ranged from 39 to 62 μm and maximum penetration from 74 to 131 μm. For all reported results, no differences within and between groups were observed (P = 1).ConclusionNo differences in penetration of irrigants with and without surfactants into dentinal tubules were observed in the middle and coronal thirds of incisor teeth.
Validation of obesity susceptibility loci identified by genome‐wide association studies in early childhood in South Brazilian children
Authors: Zandoná M. R. , Sangalli C. N. , Campagnolo P. d. B. , Vitolo M. R. , Almeida S. , Mattevi V. S. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence of childhood obesity has been dramatically increasing in developing countries as it has been reported for developed nations. Identifying susceptibility genes in early life could provide the foundations for interventions in lifestyle to prevent obese children to become obese adults.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic variants related to obesity identified by genome‐wide association studies (MC4R, TMEM18, KCTD15, SH2B1, SEC16B, BDNF, NEGR1, OLFM4 and HOXB5 genes) on anthropometric and dietary phenotypes in two Brazilian cohorts followed‐up since birth.MethodsThere were 745 children examined at birth, after 1 year and after 3.5 years of follow‐up. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped. Anthropometric and dietary parameters were compared among genotypes. Children were classified as overweight when body mass index Z‐score was >+1.ResultsOverweight prevalence was 30.7% at 3.5 years old. Significant associations were identified at 3.5 years old for TMEM18 rs6548238, NEGR1 rs2815752, BDNF rs10767664 and rs6265 (1 year old and 3.5 years old) with anthropometric phenotypes and at 3.5 years old for SEC16B rs10913469 with dietary parameters.ConclusionsOur results indicate that genetic variants in/near these genes contribute to obesity susceptibility in childhood and highlight the age at which they begin to affect obesity‐related phenotypes.
Vertical skill mismatch and wage consequences in low‐skilled jobs: Evidence from Iran
Authors: HADDAD GholamReza Keshavarz , HABIBI Nader 
Published: March 2016

AbstractUsing microdata from Iran's Household Income and Expenditure Survey, the authors investigate the incidence of over‐education over the period 2001–12 and show that the ratio of workers with post‐secondary education increased steadily in many low‐skilled jobs that required lower educational attainment. Their econometric analysis shows that the odds of over‐education were higher for women than for men and that the likelihood of over‐education also had a strong negative association with a worker's experience. Additional econometric tests reveal that over‐education had a negative impact on workers' wages in the private sector but that the opposite was true for public sector jobs.