bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index
Authors: Choi S.A. , Shim H.S. , Jung J.Y. , Kim H.J. , Kim S.H. , Byun J.Y. , Park M.S. , Yeo S.G. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundAlthough many factors have been found to be involved in recovery from Bell's palsy, no study has investigated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and obesity. This study therefore evaluated the association between recovery from Bell's palsy and body mass index (BMI).MethodsSubjects were classified into five groups based on BMI (kg/m2). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among these groups. Assessed factors included sex, age, time from paralysis to visiting a hospital, the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, degree of initial facial nerve paralysis by House–Brackmann (H‐B) grade and neurophysiological testing, and final recovery rate.ResultsBased on BMI, 37 subjects were classified as underweight, 169 as normal weight, 140 as overweight, 155 as obese and 42 as severely obese. Classification of the degree of initial facial nerve paralysis as moderate or severe, according to H‐B grade and electroneurography, showed no difference in severity of initial facial paralysis among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, the final recovery rate was significantly higher in the normal weight than in the underweight or obese group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsObesity or underweight had no effect on the severity of initial facial paralysis, but the final recovery rate was lower in the obese and underweight groups than in the normal group.
Complement C3F allotype synthesized by liver recipient modifies transplantation outcome independently from donor hepatic C3
Authors: Valero‐Hervás Diana María , Sánchez‐Zapardiel Elena , Castro María José , Gallego‐Bustos Fernando , Cambra Félix , Justo Iago , Laguna‐Goya Rocío , Jiménez‐Romero Carlos , Moreno Enrique , López‐Medrano Francisco , San Juan Rafael , Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , Aguado José María , Paz‐Artal Estela 
Published: November 2016

AbstractComplement component 3 (C3) presents both slow (C3S) and fast (C3F) variants, which can be locally produced and activated by immune system cells. We studied C3 recipient variants in 483 liver transplant patients by RT‐PCR‐HRM to determine their effect on graft outcome during the first year post‐transplantation. Allograft survival was significantly decreased in C3FF recipients (C3SS 95% vs C3FS 91% vs C3FF 83%; P=.01) or C3F allele carriers (C3F absence 95% vs C3F presence 90%, P=.02). C3FF genotype or presence of C3F allele independently increased risk for allograft loss (OR: 2.38, P=.005 and OR: 2.66, P=.02, respectively). C3FF genotype was more frequent among patients whose first infection was of viral etiology (C3SS 13% vs C3FS 18% vs C3FF 32%; P=.04) and independently increased risk for post‐transplant viral infections (OR: 3.60, P=.008). On the other hand, C3FF and C3F protected from rejection events (OR: 0.54, P=.03 and OR: 0.63, P=.047, respectively). Differences were not observed in hepatitis C virus recurrence or patient survival. In conclusion, we show that, independently from C3 variants produced by donor liver, C3F variant from recipient diminishes allograft survival, increases susceptibility to viral infections, and protects from rejection after transplantation. C3 genotyping of liver recipients may be useful to stratify risk.
A bilingual advantage in 54‐month‐olds’ use of referential cues in fast mapping
Authors: Yow W. Quin , Li Xiaoqian , Lam Sarah , Gliga Teodora , Chong Yap Seng , Kwek Kenneth , Broekman Birit F.P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractResearch has demonstrated a bilingual advantage in how young children use referential cues such as eye gaze and pointing gesture to locate an object or to categorize objects. This study investigated the use of referential cues (i.e. eye gaze) in fast mapping in three groups of children that differed in their language exposure. One hundred and seven 54‐month‐old children who were English monolinguals (n = 28), English‐Mandarin bilinguals (n = 48), and English‐Mandarin bilinguals with exposure to a third language (i.e. trilinguals, n = 31) were assessed with a word learning task using two types of test – a referent test and a mutual exclusivity test. During the task, following the gaze of an adult speaker was needed to be able to indicate the correct referent of a novel word at test. All three groups of children demonstrated successful word learning in explicit selection of and implicit looking time toward the target object during testing. However, bilingual and trilingual children outperformed their monolingual peers in both types of test when they were asked to explicitly select the correct objects. These findings suggest positive effects of bilingualism on children's use of referential cues in fast mapping.
Chronic ghrelin treatment reduced photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors in nitroglycerin‐ induced migraine: role of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide
Authors: Farajdokht Fereshteh , Babri Shirin , Karimi Pouran , Alipour Mohammad Reza , Bughchechi Ramin , Mohaddes Gisou 
Published: November 2016

AbstractChronic migraine is a debilitating disorder that has a significant impact on patients and society. Nearly all migraineurs frequently reported light sensitivity during a headache attack. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an important role in the activation of trigeminal system and migraine pain. To identify the effect of chronic ghrelin treatment on endogenous PACAP and associated symptoms of migraine, an experimental chronic migraine model was induced by intermittent intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of nitroglycerin (NTG). Photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors were determined in the modified elevated plus maze on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 and in the light/dark box on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Blood levels of PACAP and cortisol were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits. Chronic injection of NTG evoked photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors and treatment with ghrelin (150 μg/kg) for 11 days effectively attenuated photophobia and anxiety‐like behaviors in the both paradigms. We further found that NTG increased the blood levels of PACAP and cortisol, which was significantly reduced by ghrelin treatment. Additionally, staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) revealed that ghrelin reduced NTG‐induced increase in the number of satellite glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion. Furthermore, for the first time we showed that repeated administrations of NTG increased white blood cell (WBC) counts and mean platelet volume (MPV), and decreased platelet counts. These results indicated that ghrelin decreased migraine associated symptoms possibly through attenuating endogenous PACAP and cortisol levels. Therefore, ghrelin may hold therapeutic potentialities in managing the chronic migraine.
Evolutionary consequences of ecological factors: pollinator reliability predicts mating‐system traits of a perennial plant
Authors: Opedal Øystein H. , Albertsen Elena , Armbruster W. Scott , Pérez‐Barrales Rocío , Falahati‐Anbaran Mohsen , Pélabon Christophe 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe reproductive‐assurance hypothesis predicts that mating‐system traits will evolve towards increased autonomous self‐pollination in plant populations experiencing unreliable pollinator service. We tested this long‐standing hypothesis by assessing geographic covariation among pollinator reliability, outcrossing rates, heterozygosity and relevant floral traits across populations of Dalechampia scandens in Costa Rica. Mean outcrossing rates ranged from 0.16 to 0.49 across four populations, and covaried with the average rates of pollen arrival on stigmas, a measure of pollinator reliability. Across populations, genetically based differences in herkogamy (anther–stigma distance) were associated with variation in stigmatic pollen loads, outcrossing rates and heterozygosity. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that, when pollinators are unreliable, floral traits promoting autonomous selfing evolve as a mechanism of reproductive assurance. Extensive covariation between floral traits and mating system among closely related populations further suggests that floral traits influencing mating systems track variation in adaptive optima generated by variation in pollinator reliability.
Climate‐related changes of soil characteristics affect bacterial community composition and function of high altitude and latitude lakes
Authors: Rofner Carina , Peter Hannes , Catalán Núria , Drewes Fabian , Sommaruga Ruben , Pérez María Teresa 
Published: November 2016

AbstractLakes at high altitude and latitude are typically unproductive ecosystems where external factors outweigh the relative importance of in‐lake processes, making them ideal sentinels of climate change. Climate change is inducing upward vegetation shifts at high altitude and latitude regions that translate into changes in the pools of soil organic matter. Upon mobilization, this allochthonous organic matter may rapidly alter the composition and function of lake bacterial communities. Here, we experimentally simulate this potential climate‐change effect by exposing bacterioplankton of two lakes located above the treeline, one in the Alps and one in the subarctic region, to soil organic matter from below and above the treeline. Changes in bacterial community composition, diversity and function were followed for 72 h. In the subarctic lake, soil organic matter from below the treeline reduced bulk and taxon‐specific phosphorus uptake, indicating that bacterial phosphorus limitation was alleviated compared to organic matter from above the treeline. These effects were less pronounced in the alpine lake, suggesting that soil properties (phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon availability) and water temperature further shaped the magnitude of response. The rapid bacterial succession observed in both lakes indicates that certain taxa directly benefited from soil sources. Accordingly, the substrate uptake profiles of initially rare bacteria (copiotrophs) indicated that they are one of the main actors cycling soil‐derived carbon and phosphorus. Our work suggests that climate‐induced changes in soil characteristics affect bacterioplankton community structure and function, and in turn, the cycling of carbon and phosphorus in high altitude and latitude aquatic ecosystems.
Diverging shrub and tree growth from the Polar to the Mediterranean biomes across the European continent
Authors: Pellizzari Elena , Camarero Jesus Julio , Gazol Antonio , Granda Elena , Shetti Rohan , Wilmking Martin , Moiseev Pavel , Pividori Mario , Carrer Marco 
Published: November 2016

AbstractClimate warming is expected to enhance productivity and growth of woody plants, particularly in temperature‐limited environments at the northernmost or uppermost limits of their distribution. However, this warming is spatially uneven and temporally variable, and the rise in temperatures differently affects biomes and growth forms. Here, applying a dendroecological approach with generalized additive mixed models, we analysed how the growth of shrubby junipers and coexisting trees (larch and pine species) responds to rising temperatures along a 5000‐km latitudinal range including sites from the Polar, Alpine to the Mediterranean biomes. We hypothesize that, being more coupled to ground microclimate, junipers will be less influenced by atmospheric conditions and will less respond to the post‐1950 climate warming than coexisting standing trees. Unexpectedly, shrub and tree growth forms revealed divergent growth trends in all the three biomes, with juniper performing better than trees at Mediterranean than at Polar and Alpine sites. The post‐1980s decline of tree growth in Mediterranean sites might be induced by drought stress amplified by climate warming and did not affect junipers. We conclude that different but coexisting long‐living growth forms can respond differently to the same climate factor and that, even in temperature‐limited area, other drivers like the duration of snow cover might locally play a fundamental role on woody plants growth across Europe.
Accurate and Precise Silicon Isotope Analysis of Sulfur‐ and Iron‐Rich Samples by MC‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Chen Xinyang , Lapen Thomas J. , Chafetz Henry S. 
Published: November 2016

Silicon isotope determination of sulfur‐rich samples by MC‐ICP‐MS can be challenging because cation‐exchange chromatography used for Si purification does not efficiently remove anionic sulfur species. Results for pure Si standard solutions with addition of sulfate showed shifts of up to +1.04 ± 0.10‰ (2s) in δ30Si. Doping of both standard solutions and samples with S to a fixed S/Si ratio can eliminate the relative change in instrumental mass fractionation due to variable S/Si in samples and also boosts the relative sensitivity of Si by up to 66%. Moreover, Fe hydroxide precipitation during sample processing adsorbs Si resulting in isotopic fractionations. Tests using Fe‐rich samples showed that this could be a major factor for observed shifts in δ30Si. Acidification of the sample and standard solutions to a pH < 1 aggressively dissolved any Fe hydroxide precipitates, even in relatively Fe‐rich samples such as chondrite meteorites. The pH values of the sample solutions were subsequently adjusted to a range of 2–3 by adding ultra‐pure NaOH solutions. The combination of sulfur doping and the pH adjustment protocol ensured a full recovery of Si and proved to be an efficient and reliable method for Si isotope determination of S‐ and Fe‐rich materials.
Differences in Topographical Pressure Pain Sensitivity Maps of the Scalp Between Patients With Migraine and Healthy Controls
Authors: Barón Johanna , Ruiz Marina , Palacios‐Ceña María , Madeleine Pascal , Guerrero Ángel L. , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo investigate differences in topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps of the scalp between patients with migraine and healthy controls considering the chronicity (episodic/chronic) and side (strictly unilateral/bilateral) of the symptoms.BackgroundIt seems that the trigeminal area is sensitized in migraine. No study has investigated topographical pressure sensitivity maps of the scalp in patients with migraine.MethodsPressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed from 21 points distributed over the scalp in 86 patients with episodic migraine, 76 with chronic migraine, and 42 healthy age and matched healthy controls in a blinded design. Topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps based on interpolation of the PPTs were constructed. Clinical features of migraine, anxiety, and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) were collected.ResultsThe multivariate ANCOVA revealed significant differences in PPT between points (F = 55.674; P < .001) and groups (F = 5.316; P = .006), but not sides (F = 0.880; P = .417). No significant effect of gender (F = 0.897; P = .656), depression (F = 1.109; P = .220), or anxiety (F = 0.981; F = 0.569) was found. Post hoc comparisons revealed: (1) lower PPTs in both migraine groups than in healthy controls in all points (P < .001); (2) no significant differences between chronic or episodic migraine (P > .335) except for Fp1 (P = .045) and Fp2 (P = .017) points where subjects with chronic migraine had lower PPTs than those with episodic migraine; (3) no differences between bilateral/unilateral migraine (P > .417). An anterior to posterior gradient was found, with the lowest PPTs located in frontal regions and the highest PPTs in occipital areas (all groups, P < .001).ConclusionsWe found that patients with migraine exhibited generalized pressure pain hypersensitivity in the head as compared to healthy controls and that hypersensitivity was similar between episodic/chronic and unilateral/bilateral migraine. Topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps revealed an anterior to posterior gradient of pressure pain sensitivity in both migraine and control groups.
Gender Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Their Association With Moderate Mental Distress in U.S. Adults With Migraines/Severe Headaches
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Harris Ila M. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveWe examined whether the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use varies by gender, and assessed the interaction of gender and CAM use on moderate mental distress (MMD) in U.S. adults with migraines/severe headaches.MethodsWe used data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, which represents non‐institutionalized U.S. adults with migraines/severe headaches (n = 4645 unweighted). Using a cross‐sectional design with survey sampling techniques, we conducted descriptive analyses for prevalence of CAM use by gender. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were run to investigate potential roles of migraines/severe headaches and CAM use on MMD by gender.ResultsThe overall prevalence of past year CAM use was 44.4%. Women consistently used CAM more frequently than men (P = .004). The most commonly used CAM types included herbal supplements (22.2%), massage (14.2%), and chiropractic/osteopathic (13.9%). After controlling for covariates, the odds of MDD were increased by the presence of migraines/severe headaches (P < .001) and the use of any CAM (P < .001). The interaction effect of migraines/severe headaches and CAM use decreased the odds of MMD by 27% in women (P < .05), but not in men.ConclusionWomen used CAM more frequently than men among adults with migraines/severe headaches in the United States. In addition, the interaction of gender and CAM use exists; the CAM use was associated with decreased odds of MMD among women only, suggesting that women with migraines/severe headaches may have benefited from CAM for their mental distress. Future research is needed to explore why such patterns vary by gender.
The probiotic role of Lactobacillus plantarum in reducing risks associated with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Liu Dong‐Mei , Guo Jun , Zeng Xin‐An , Sun Da‐Wen , Brennan Charles S. , Zhou Quan‐Xing , Zhou Jin‐Song 
Published: November 2016

SummaryA novel strain of Lactobacillus plantarum DMDL 9010 (CGMCC No. 5172) was isolated from naturally fermented mustard. The potential cholesterol reduction effects of this strain were investigated using an in vivo model. The results showed that L. plantarum DMDL 9010 at a dose of 109 cells per day significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) serum total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol content (LDL‐C) levels and atherosclerosis index (AI) by 23.03%, 28.00% and 34.03%, respectively, while L. plantarum DMDL 9010 did not exhibit a significant effect on reducing serum triglycerides (TG) and increasing the serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol content (HDL‐C) in experimental rats (P > 0.05). The morphological and pathological changes in the liver illustrated that L. plantarum DMDL 9010 protected the rats against hepatocyte steatosis. Additionally, a high dose of L. plantarum DMDL 9010 was shown to exhibit a positive cholesterol‐lowering effect through decreasing the liver cholesterol (−33.20%) and triglyceride (−40.86%) levels, and increasing significantly (P ≤ 0.05) faecal cholesterol (+31.07%) and bile acid excretion (+70.18%). The results demonstrated that L. plantarum DMDL 9010 acted in a dose‐dependent way to decrease serum and total hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride and enhance faecal excretion of bile acids. In conclusion, these findings suggest that L. plantarum DMDL 9010 has potential to be explored as a probiotic for hypercholesterolaemic preventive and therapeutic.
Solubility, functional properties, ACE‐I inhibitory and DPPH scavenging activities of Alcalase hydrolysed soy protein hydrolysates
Authors: Horax Ronny , Vallecios Mariela Serrano , Hettiarachchy Navam , Osorio Luis Fernando , Chen Pengyin 
Published: November 2016

SummarySoy proteins are less soluble at acidic pH value, which impedes their utilisation in acidic beverages. Soy protein isolate (SPI) was hydrolysed using varying Alcalase concentrations (0.0001–2.0 U g−1 protein) at different pHs (3.0–4.0). Degree of hydrolysis (DH) of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) at pH 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 were 5.0–10.7%, 2.3–6.1% and 0–5.4%, respectively, while solubilities ranged from 70.7 to 74.9%, 18.8 to 51.2% and 7.1 to 40.4%, respectively. The highest solubility (74.9%) was observed at pH 3.0 with 1.5 U Alcalase per g protein (DH = 9.2%). Emulsifying activities of SPHs at pH 3.0 and 4.0 ranged from 0.49 to 0.63 AU and 0.19 to 0.24 AU, respectively, while the emulsifying stabilities were 12.2–14.7 min and 18.7–56.0 min, respectively. The foaming capacity at pH 3.0 and 4.0 was 44.9–46.3 mL and 31.2–41.3 mL, respectively, whereas the foaming stability was 25.5–35.2 min and 12.8–15.1 min, respectively. However, hydrolysates had an insignificant effect on ACE‐I inhibitory and DPPH scavenging activities in comparison with SPI.
Childhood obesity prevention cluster randomized trial for Hispanic families: outcomes of the healthy families study
Authors: Hull P. C. , Buchowski M. , Canedo J. R. , Beech B. M. , Du L. , Koyama T. , Zoorob R. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryBackgroundObesity prevalence is disproportionately high among Hispanic children.ObjectivesThe Healthy Families Study assessed the efficacy of a culturally targeted, family‐based weight gain prevention intervention for Hispanic immigrant families with children ages 5–7 years.MethodsThe study used a two‐group, cluster randomized trial design, assigning 136 families (clusters) to the active intervention (weight gain prevention) and 136 families to attention control (oral health). The active intervention included a 4‐month intensive phase (eight classes) and an 8‐month reinforcement phase (monthly mail/telephone contact). Children's body mass index z‐score (BMI‐Z) was the primary outcome.ResultsThe BMI‐Z growth rate of the active intervention group did not differ from the attention control group at short‐term follow‐up (median 6 months; 168 families, 206 children) or long‐term follow‐up (median 16 months; 142 families, 169 children). Dose response analyses indicated a slower increase in BMI‐Z at short term among overweight/obese children who attended more intervention classes. Moderate physical activity on weekends increased at short term. Weekend screen time decreased at short term among those attending at least one class session.ConclusionLow class attendance likely impacted intention‐to‐treat results. Future interventions targeting this population should test innovative strategies to maximize intervention engagement to produce and sustain effects on weight gain prevention.