bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hemispheric asymmetries in subcortical visual and auditory relay structures in congenital deafness
Authors: Amaral L. , Ganho‐Ávila A. , Osório A. , Soares M. J. , He D. , Chen Q. , Mahon B. Z. , Gonçalves O. F. , Sampaio A. , Fang F. , Bi Y. , Almeida J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNeuroplasticity – the capacity of the brain to change as a response to internal and external pressures – has been studied from a number of different perspectives. Perhaps one of the most powerful models is the study of populations that have been congenitally deprived of a sense. It has been shown that the right Auditory Cortex (AC) of congenitally deaf humans is neuroplastically modified in order to represent visual properties of a stimulus. One unresolved question is how this visual information is routed to the AC of congenitally deaf individuals. Here, we performed volumetric analysis of subcortical auditory and visual brains regions – namely the thalamus (along with three thalamic nuclei: the pulvinar, the lateral geniculate nucleus and the medial geniculate nucleus), and the inferior and superior colliculi – in deaf and hearing participants in order to identify which structures may be responsible for relaying visual information toward the altered AC. Because there is a hemispheric asymmetry in the neuroplastic changes observed in the AC of the congenitally deaf, we reasoned that subcortical structures that also showed a similar asymmetry in their total volume could have been enlisted in the effort of relaying visual information to the neuroplastically altered right AC. We show that for deaf, but not for hearing individuals, the right thalamus, right lateral geniculate nucleus and right inferior colliculus are larger than their left counterparts. These results suggest that these subcortical structures may be responsible for rerouting visual information to the AC in congenital deafness.
Deep brain stimulation in the central nucleus of the amygdala decreases ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ of food rewards
Authors: Ross Shani E. , Lehmann Levin Emily , Itoga Christy A. , Schoen Chelsea B. , Selmane Romeissa , Aldridge J. Wayne 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe investigated the potential of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in rats to modulate functional reward mechanisms. The CeA is the major output of the amygdala with direct connections to the hypothalamus and gustatory brainstem, and indirect connections with the nucleus accumbens. Further, the CeA has been shown to be involved in learning, emotional integration, reward processing, and regulation of feeding. We hypothesized that DBS, which is used to treat movement disorders and other brain dysfunctions, might block reward motivation. In rats performing a lever‐pressing task to obtain sugar pellet rewards, we stimulated the CeA and control structures, and compared stimulation parameters. During CeA stimulation, animals stopped working for rewards and rejected freely available rewards. Taste reactivity testing during DBS exposed aversive reactions to normally liked sucrose tastes and even more aversive taste reactions to normally disliked quinine tastes. Interestingly, given the opportunity, animals implanted in the CeA would self‐stimulate with 500 ms trains of stimulation at the same frequency and current parameters as continuous stimulation that would stop reward acquisition. Neural recordings during DBS showed that CeA neurons were still active and uncovered inhibitory‐excitatory patterns after each stimulus pulse indicating possible entrainment of the neural firing with DBS. In summary, DBS modulation of CeA may effectively usurp normal neural activity patterns to create an ‘information lesion’ that not only decreased motivational ‘wanting’ of food rewards, but also blocked ‘liking’ of rewards.
An epidemiological survey on the prevalence of equine peripheral dental caries in the United Kingdom and possible risk factors for its development
Authors: Borkent D. , Reardon R. J. M. , McLachlan G. , Smith S. , Dixon P. M. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundEquine peripheral caries (PC) is an increasingly recognised disorder that causes premature wear of teeth and dental fractures and thus has major welfare implications. Little information is available on its prevalence or severity in UK horses and there are no proven associations with any risk factors.ObjectivesTo document the prevalence of PC over a wide area of the UK, assess its intraoral distribution and severity in affected horses and examine for potential risk factors for its development.Study designCross sectional study.MethodsExperienced personnel were recruited for a UK wide dental survey on their patients during dental examinations. Established guidelines were used for grading PC. Frequency of PC occurrence was compared between teeth and dental arcades using McNemar's tests. Potential risk factors for PC were screened using univariable logistic regression prior to building a multivariable model.ResultsA total of 706 horses were examined by 25 participants, showing a 51.7% prevalence of PC (365/706). Some regional differences in prevalence were found. The PC primarily affected the cheek teeth with the 12 caudal being significantly more commonly affected than the 12 rostral cheek teeth. Most of the hypothesised risk factors including age, breed, sex, time at pasture and feeding of silage (haylage) were unproven. A limited association with moderate levels of concentrate feeding was observed. The presence of concurrent dental abnormalities were significantly associated with the likelihood of having PC.Main limitationsNot all regions in UK were included and there may be inconsistencies between examiners.ConclusionsPeripheral caries is common in British horses, primarily affecting the caudal cheek teeth. There was limited evidence of an association between feeding and PC. The association between PC and concurrent dental disorders indicates that these should be addressed in affected horses.
Effect of subacute agomelatine treatment on painful diabetic neuropathy: involvement of catecholaminergic mechanisms
Authors: Aydın Taliha H. , Can Özgür D. , Demir Özkay Ümide , Turan Nazlı 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effects of subacute agomelatine (40 and 80 mg/kg) administration on chronic hyperglycemia, metabolic parameters, and pain perception in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed to evaluate the effect of agomelatine on glycemia, while metabolic parameters were monitored using metabolic cages. Potential effect of agomelatine on diabetes‐induced mechanical and thermal allodynia was evaluated using dynamic plantar aesthesiometer and warm plate (38 °C) tests, respectively. Additionally, influence of agomelatine on hyperalgesia occurring in connection with diabetic neuropathy was examined using the Randall–Selitto (mechanical nociceptive stimulus), Hargreaves (thermal nociceptive stimulus), and cold plate (4 °C, thermal nociceptive stimulus) tests. Obtained data indicated that, in diabetic rats, agomelatine significantly improved hyperalgesia and allodynia responses, without no effect on hyperglycemia or the associated polydipsia, polyuria, and hyperphagia. Therapeutic potential of agomelatine on neuropathic pain was suppressed with α‐methyl‐para‐tyrosine methyl ester (an inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis), phentolamine (a nonselective α‐adrenoceptor antagonist), and propranolol (a nonselective β‐adrenoceptor antagonist) administrations. However, p‐chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) pretreatment could not be achieved to reverse these antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects. These results suggest that the curative effect of agomelatine on neuropathic pain is mediated through rising synaptic catecholamine levels as well as through interactions with both α‐ and β‐adrenoceptors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show findings that indicate catecholaminergic system mediated antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of agomelatine.
Realized climate niche breadth varies with population trend and distribution in North American birds
Authors: Ralston Joel , DeLuca William V. , Feldman Richard E. , King David I. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimEcological niche theory states that realized niche breadth should increase with population growth. This relationship has been studied extensively in the context of density‐dependent habitat selection, and there is evidence that animal populations at higher density occupy a wider range of vegetation types. To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the relationship between population growth and climate niche breadth (i.e. the range of climatic conditions occupied). Here we aim to estimate the influence of population trend, as well as changes in distribution, on realized climate niche breadth.LocationNorth America.MethodsWe estimated changes in realized climate niche breadth and distribution between 1980 and 2012 for 46 bird species using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and standard ecological niche modelling techniques. We analysed changes in niche breadth in relation to population trends and distributional changes from the BBS for these same species.ResultsChanges in realized climate niche breadth were significantly and positively associated with population growth, as reflected by BBS population trends, and with changes in distributional extent. Using variance partitioning, we showed that 44.2% of the variation in change in niche breadth can be explained by population trend, and that roughly half of this was independent of changes in distribution.ConclusionsRealized climate niche breadth is variable on an ecological time‐scale as a function of population trend. Mechanisms associated with changes in distribution and those acting within current species range limits appear to be equally important in driving this relationship. Observed changes in niche breadth may violate distribution modelling assumptions of niche conservatism. Studying how population growth influences realized climate niche breadth is therefore important for understanding dynamic species distributions, responses to climate change and our ability to model future species distributions.
Combination of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and early des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin change ratio as a useful predictor of treatment response for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tsunematsu Seiji , Suda Goki , Yamasaki Kazushi , Kimura Megumi , Takaaki Izumi , Umemura Machiko , Ito Jun , Sato Fumiyuki , Nakai Masato , Sho Takuya , Morikawa Kenichi , Ogawa Koji , Kamiyama Toshiya , Taketomi Akinobu , Sakamoto Naoya 
Published: July 2016

AimHepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a potent therapeutic option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are few known predictive factors of treatment response to HAIC. We clarified the most accurate predictive factors early on in treatment.MethodsStudy subjects were 70 patients with advanced HCC who had been treated with HAIC. We assessed the relationships between patient characteristics, change ratios of early tumor markers, tumor response, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival.ResultsAfter two courses of HAIC, 1 (1.4%), 16 (22.9%), 30 (42.8%), and 23 (32.9%) of the 70 patients showed complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. Overall survival was related to Child–Turcotte–Pugh score, extrahepatic metastasis, and the des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin (DCP) response. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and DCP response as significant determinants of treatment response and PFS. Progression‐free survival with a low NLR (<2.87) was significantly longer than with a high NLR (median, 8.4 months vs. 2.8 months, respectively). Progression‐free survival was 7.2 months for patients with a responsive DCP (<0.7) and 2.3 months for an unresponsive DCP (≥0.7). Additionally, even with baseline high NLR, patients with responsive DCP achieved better PFS.ConclusionBaseline NLR and early DCP response were significant predictors of treatment response and PFS after HAIC for patients with advanced HCC. The combination of baseline NLR and early DCP response could be accurate and useful predictive factors of response to HAIC and could help optimize treatments for patients with advanced HCC.
MicroRNA‐135b inhibits odontoblast‐like differentiation of human dental pulp cells by regulating Smad5 and Smad4
Authors: Song Z. , Chen L. L. , Wang R. F. , Qin W. , Huang S. H. , Guo J. , Lin Z. M. , Tian Y. G. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimTo investigate the function of miRNAs in odontoblast‐like differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs).MethodologyIntegrated comparative miRNA microarray profiling was used to determine the differential miRNAs expression in odontoblast‐like differentiation of hDPCs. The abundance of microRNA‐135b (miR‐135b) was measured by quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Bioinformatic analyses combined with luciferase assays were utilized to identify the targets interacting with miR‐135b. Overexpression of miR‐135b was performed to investigate the role and mechanism in odontoblast‐like differentiation of hDPCs. Statistical analysis was performed by one‐way analysis of variance (anova) or Student's t‐test.ResultsThirty‐six differentially expressed microRNAs in odontoblast‐like differentiation of hDPCs were identified. MiR‐135b expression was significantly downregulated during hDPCs differentiation (P < 0.05). In addition, miR‐135b was able to bind to the 3′‐UTR of the Smad5 and Smad4 and repressed these two genes expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of miR‐135b suppressed odontoblast‐like differentiation of hDPCs and attenuated the expression of Smad5 and Smad4 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese observations indicated a potential role of miR‐135b in mediating odontoblast‐like differentiation of hDPCs and inhibition of miR‐135b might be a promising therapeutic way to facilitate dentine tissue engineering.
Antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of tilapia skin collagen peptide in mice
Authors: Zhang Ruilin , Chen Jian , Jiang Xiongwu , Yin Lasheng , Zhang Xuewu 
Published: July 2016

SummaryIn this study, tilapia collagen peptide (TCP) was prepared by alcalase hydrolysis of tilapia skin, and the antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects of TCP were investigated. The results showed that TCP possessed DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals‐scavenging activities. In diabetic mice in which diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan (50 mg kg−1 bw), high‐dose TCP (1.7 g kg−1 bw) and the drug metformin (1.0 g kg−1 bw) were found to reduce 31.8% and 30.3% of blood glucose levels in 25 days, respectively. Moreover, in diabetic mice receiving high‐dose TCP, antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT were increased by 23% and 59.2%, respectively, and MDA was decreased by 39.1%. Comparing the treated high‐dose TCP group with the metformin group, there were similar SOD (61.5 U mg−1 vs. 60.2 U mg−1) and MDA (1.4 nmol mg−1 vs. 1.3 nmol mg−1), but more (~7%) CAT (359.8 U g−1 vs. 336.1 U g−1). Together, the present data, for the first time, demonstrated that TCP possessed hypoglycaemic effects in mice.
Interatrial Conduction Time Can Predict New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Radiofrequency Ablation of Isolated, Typical Atrial Flutter
Authors: HENMI RYUTA , EJIMA KOICHIRO , SHODA MORIO , YAGISHITA DAIGO , HAGIWARA NOBUHISA 
Published: July 2016

Interatrial Conduction TimeIntroductionMany patients with successful atrial flutter (AFL) ablation will develop atrial fibrillation (AF) during follow‐up. This study aimed to determine whether prolonged interatrial conduction time (IACT) is associated with risk for new‐onset AF after ablation of isolated, typical AFL.MethodsParticipants were 80 consecutive patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation of isolated, typical AFL from 2004 to 2012. Patients with any history of AF prior to AFL ablation were excluded. IACT was defined as the interval from the earliest onset of the P‐wave on the ECG to the latest activation in the coronary sinus catheter during sinus rhythm measured after AFL ablation. New‐onset AF was identified from 12‐lead ECGs, 24‐hour ambulatory monitoring, and device interrogations.ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up of 4.1 ± 2.5 years after successful AFL ablation, 22 patients (27.5%) developed new‐onset AF. Cox regression multivariate analysis demonstrated that IACT was the independent predictor of new‐onset AF after AFL ablation (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.06; P = 0.02). IACT was accurate in predicting new‐onset AF (AUC = 0.70). The optimal cut‐off point of IACT for predicting new‐onset AF was 120 milliseconds (sensitivity 47.6%, specificity 89.8%). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that new‐onset AF after AFL ablation was significantly higher in patients with IACT ≥120 milliseconds than in patients with IACT< 120 milliseconds (P = 0.0016).ConclusionProlonged IACT predicted new‐onset AF after ablation of isolated AFL. This finding may contribute to guiding decisions regarding the maintenance of anticoagulation after AFL ablation.
Catheter Ablation for Atrial Arrhythmias in Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: TAN NICHOLAS Y. , MOHSIN YOUSEF , HODGE DAVID O. , LACY MARTHA Q. , PACKER DOUGLAS L. , DISPENZIERI ANGELA , GROGAN MARTHA , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J. , MADHAVAN MALINI , McLEOD CHRISTOPHER J. 
Published: July 2016

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Arrhythmias in Patients With CABackgroundCardiac amyloidosis (CA) is associated with increased atrial arrhythmias risk. The efficacy/safety of catheter‐based ablation therapy in patients with CA has not been adequately assessed.Methods and ResultsAll diagnosed CA patients who underwent atrial arrhythmia ablation therapy from 1995 to 2015 were reviewed. Arrhythmia recurrence, NYHA symptoms, and mortality were recorded. A total of 26 patients with CA and atrial arrhythmias were included; there were 7 light‐chain (AL), 17 wild‐type transthyretin (ATTRwt), and 2 mutated transthyretin (ATTRm) amyloidosis patients in total. Of which 13 underwent atrial arrhythmia ablation (CA‐A) and 13 underwent AV nodal ablation (CA‐AVN). In the CA‐A group, there were: 3 with atrial fibrillation (AF); 6 with atrial flutter (AFL); 2 with AF/AFL; and 2 with atrial tachycardia (AT). One‐year and 3‐year recurrence‐free survival were 75% and 60%, respectively. NYHA symptom improvement 6 months postablation was observed in both CA‐A and CA‐AVN groups: 7/10 (70%) and 4/8 (50%), respectively. Eleven patients with CA died (8 in CA‐AVN group vs. 3 in CA‐A group).ConclusionsCatheter‐based ablation for patients with CA appears to provide important symptomatic relief. However, mortality from the underlying disease remains a significant issue for the amyloid light‐chain subtype.
Cryoballoon versus Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: CARDOSO RHANDERSON , MENDIRICHAGA RODRIGO , FERNANDES GILSON , HEALY CHRIS , LAMBRAKOS LITSA K. , VILES‐GONZALEZ JUAN F. , GOLDBERGER JEFFREY J. , MITRANI RAUL D. 
Published: July 2016

Cryoballoon vs. Radiofrequency AF AblationIntroductionRadiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) catheter ablation are effective for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF). This report presents an updated meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of CB versus RF ablations in AF.MethodsDatabases and conference abstracts were systematically searched for studies that directly compared CB and RF PVI, and reported safety or efficacy outcomes in follow‐up ≥12 months. Recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) were defined as AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia.ResultsTwenty‐two studies and 8,668 patients were included. Freedom from AT was not significantly different between CB and RF ablations in the pooled population (OR 1.12; 95%CI 0.97–1.29; P = 0.13) and in randomized trials (OR 1.0; 95%CI 0.65–1.56; P = 0.99). Second‐generation CB (CB2; 78.1%) and contact‐force (CF) sensing RF (78.2%) have improved procedure success rate as compared to first‐generation technology (57.9% CB, 58.1% RF). As compared to CF‐RF, CB2 demonstrated similar freedom from recurrent AT (OR 1.04; 95%CI 0.71–1.51; P = 0.84). The incidence of pericardial effusions (OR 0.44; 95%CI 0.28–0.69; P < 0.01), tamponade (OR 0.31; 95%CI 0.15–0.64; P < 0.01), and non‐AF AT (OR 0.46; 95%CI 0.26–0.83; P < 0.01) were significantly lower with CB ablation, whereas transient phrenic nerve palsy was more incident after CB (OR 7.40; 95%CI 2.56–21.34; P < 0.01).ConclusionThere was comparable freedom from AT between CB and RF in patients with AF undergoing PVI. Additionally, freedom from AT was similar between CB2 and CF‐RF. However, CB was associated with a lower incidence of pericardial effusions or tamponade, albeit with a higher rate of transient phrenic nerve palsies.
Mutations in the mevalonate pathway genes in Chinese patients with porokeratosis
Authors: Li M. , Li Z. , Wang J. , Ni C. , Sun Z. , Wilson N.J. , Zhang J. , Chen F. , Li X. , Du X. , Yu H. , Zhang L. , Smith F.J.D. , Zhang G. , Yao Z. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPorokeratosis (PK, MIM 175800) is a chronic autosomal dominant cutaneous keratinization disorder, which has a wide variety of clinical manifestations.ObjectivesWe analysed the molecular basis of 10 families and 12 sporadic cases with different subtypes of porokeratosis in the Chinese population.MethodsGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Mutation screening was performed by direct sequencing of exons and flanking intron–exon boundaries for the entire coding region of four mevalonate pathway genes and SLC17A9 gene.ResultsWe detected three novel mutations and seven previously described mutations by direct sequence analysis of the PCR products. Mutations p.Phe249Ser and p.Asn292Ser in mevalonate decarboxylase (MVD) were the most common mutations in this PK cohort; their presence was 27.3% and 13.6% respectively.ConclusionsThis study extended the mutation spectrum of PK in the Chinese Han population and provided further evidence for the genetic basis of PK. We first identified MVD simultaneously responsible for porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminate development and confirmed the genotype–phenotype correlations.
Comparative histological analysis of drug‐induced maculopapular exanthema and DRESS
Authors: Skowron F. , Bensaid B. , Balme B. , Depaepe L. , Kanitakis J. , Nosbaum A. , Maucort‐Boulch D. , Bérard F. , D'Incan M. , Kardaun S.H. , Nicolas J.‐F. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous adverse drug reactions frequently present as a benign maculopapular exanthema (MPE) with a rapid healing. Sometimes systemic signs are present, which could represent a more severe or systemic MPE (sMPE) or even be the initial phase of a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Histopathology associated with MPE, sMPE and DRESS has not been well characterized.ObjectivesTo study the cutaneous histopathological changes associated with MPE, sMPE and DRESS.MethodsA retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 13 cases of MPE, 13 of sMPE and 45 of DRESS, collected in one centre from 2005 to 2013.ResultsThe number of histopathological changes per section increased gradually from MPE to sMPE and DRESS. Prevalence of spongiosis, dermal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils did not differ between MPE, sMPE and DRESS. Keratinocyte damage, rare in MPE, was regularly found in sMPE and frequent in DRESS. The density of the inflammatory infiltrate increased progressively from MPE to sMPE and DRESS. Atypical lymphocytes were absent in MPE, present in sMPE and more frequent in DRESS. Deep dermal involvement and leukocytoclastic vasculitis were only observed in DRESS.LimitationsThis was a retrospective study.ConclusionsNumerous histopathological changes per section in drug‐induced exanthema should alert for a more severe form of cutaneous adverse drug reactions, i.e. DRESS.