bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticholinergic burden and 1‐year mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospital
Authors: Lattanzio Fabrizia , Corica Francesco , Schepisi Roberto , Amantea Diana , Bruno Francesco , Cozza Annalisa , Onder Graziano , Volpato Stefano , Cherubini Antonio , Ruggiero Carmelinda , Maggio Marcello G , Corsonello Andrea 
Published: January 2018

AimThe association between anticholinergic burden and mortality is controversial. We aimed to investigate whether the anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) score predicts 1‐year mortality in older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.MethodsOur series consisted of 807 hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. Patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge. All‐cause mortality was the outcome of the study. The ACB score at discharge (0, 1, ≥2) and increasing ACB score from admission to discharge (no increase, +1, +2 or more) were calculated and used as exposure variables. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders were used for the analysis. Interactions between the ACB score and cognitive impairment or history of falls were also investigated.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, 177 out of 807 participants (21.9%) died. After adjusting for potential confounders, a discharge ACB score of ≥2 (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09–2.65) was significantly associated with the outcome, whereas the association between increasing ACB score of +2 or more and mortality was weaker (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.95–1.92). The interaction between the ACB score at discharge or increasing ACB score and cognitive impairment was statistically significant (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004, respectively), whereas that between the ACB score and falls was not.ConclusionsThe ACB score at discharge and, to a lesser extent, an increasing ACB score during hospital stay are associated with an increased risk of 1‐year mortality in older patients discharged from hospital. Such an association is stronger among patients with cognitive impairment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 705–713
A 2‐year prospective follow‐up study of temporal changes associated with post‐stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Park JongSuk , Seo WhaSook 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimsTo explore temporal patterns of change in cognitive impairments during the 2 years following stroke and to identify factors that affect these temporal changes.BackgroundDespite the prognostic importance, temporal changes in post‐stroke cognitive impairment have not been systematically investigated.DesignA non‐experimental, prospective, longitudinal descriptive study design.MethodsFifty‐two stroke patients were enrolled. Data were collected from April 2015 to September 2017. Cognitive function was evaluated at 5 different times (immediately, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post‐stroke).ResultsSignificant changes in cognitive function following stroke exhibited an “s‐shaped” curve, and the most rapid changes were observed between 3 and 6 months after stroke. The incidence of post‐stroke cognitive impairment ranged from 23.1% to 42.3% and was highest at 3 months and lowest at 6 months. Gender, educational level, pre‐stroke cognitive and functional abilities, haematoma, and brain surgery were associated with incidence of post‐stroke cognitive impairment.ConclusionsThe ongoing changes exhibited by patterns of cognitive impairment provide evidence that consistent efforts are required to achieve positive changes in post‐stroke cognitive function. Our findings may be helpful to develop nursing care strategies aimed at improving cognitive ability and consequently the quality of life of stroke patients.
Use of an abdominal obstetric binder in colonoscopy: A randomized, prospective trial
Authors: Yu Guang Qiu , Huang Xiao Mei , Li Hai Yan , Tang Wen , Hu Duan Min , Lü Mu Han , Fu Kuang‐I 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsVarious methods have been reported as aids to cecal intubation. This study aimed to prospectively investigate whether an abdominal obstetric binder (AOB) used during pregnancy and attached to the patients' abdomen during colonoscopy could facilitate effective colonoscopic insertion.MethodsThis was a prospective study of 451 consecutive outpatient colonoscopies performed by a single experienced endoscopist. The recruited patients were randomly separated into two groups that received colonoscopy either with (Group A) or without an AOB attached (Group B). The cecal intubation time, cecal intubation length of the colonoscope, use of manual pressure, position change of each patient, and the number of patients with abdominal distension were collected for comparison.ResultsA total of 451 patients (224 in Group A and 227 in Group B) were ultimately included in this study. In Group A, cecal intubation time and cecal intubation length of colonoscope (CIL) were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The patients had significantly fewer position changes and manual pressure in Group A (P < 0.001). Significantly less abdominal distension was reported by patients in Group A (P < 0.001).ConclusionsDuring colonoscopy, the application of an AOB provided a significantly faster and more effective colonoscope insertion.
A study about immunomodulatory effect and efficacy and prognosis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B‐induced decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Fang Xueqing , Liu Liwei , Dong Jing , Zhang Junfei , Song Haiyan , Song Youliang , Huang Yizhe , Cui Xiaoling , Lin Jian , Chen Congxin , Liu Bo , Chen Zhaolin , Pan Jingjing , Chen Xi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground and AimThe aim of our study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effect and short‐term efficacy and long‐term prognosis of decompensated liver cirrhosis patients caused by hepatitis B after a double transplantation with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs).MethodsFifty inpatients were recruited and given the same medical treatments, receiving hUCMSCs injection intravenously. Fifty‐three patients (Group B) matched for age, sex, and baseline alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, and model for end‐stage liver disease score and Child–Pugh classification, acted as the control group.ResultsInterleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels markedly decreased, and interleukin‐10 level apparently increased in Group A at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Transforming growth factor beta in Group A increased more remarkably at 2 weeks after treatment. T4 cells and Treg cells in Group A were apparently higher than those in Group B at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, and T8 cells and B cells were significantly lower than those in Group B. Aspartate aminotransferase levels in Group A were dramatically declining at 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. Levels of albumin, total bilirubin, and prothrombin time in Group A were apparently improved from 4 to 12 weeks after treatment. The improvements in model for end‐stage liver disease and Child–Pugh scores in Group A were notably superior to those in Group B from 4 to 36 weeks after treatment. There were no remarkable differences in the incidence of developing liver failure throughout the follow‐up period, but the mortality rate of Group A was lower than that of Group B.ConclusionThis therapeutic method may be an appropriate choice for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Candida species in patients with oral dysesthesia: A comparison of carriage among oral disease states
Authors: Farah Camile S. , Amos Kate , Leeson Rachel , Porter Stephen 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesOral dysesthesia (burning mouth syndrome) is characterized by a burning‐like sensation of the oral mucosa. The etiology of this disorder is still unknown, however, associations with oral fungal carriage have been proposed and applied clinically. The aim of the this study was to compare oral Candida carriage in patients with oral dysesthesia with Candida carriage in patients with other commonly diagnosed oral diseases to clarify the relationship between Candida and oral dysesthesia.Subjects and MethodsIn total, 441 patients in total including 79 patients diagnosed with oral dysesthesia were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of mycological investigations undertaken in patients with clinically diagnosed oral dysesthesia compared with other oral conditions was undertaken.ResultsOral carriage of Candida was found in 63.3% (50 of 79) of patients with oral dysesthesia. The frequency of carriage and oral load of Candida were not significantly increased in patients with oral dysesthesia relative to the other conditions assessed. Patients with clinical signs of fungal infection or xerostomia presented with increased carriage of Candida.ConclusionThere is no association between oral dysesthesia and the presence or load of oral Candida.
Genome‐wide mosaicism in divergence between zoonotic malaria parasite subpopulations with separate sympatric transmission cycles
Authors: Divis Paul C. S. , Duffy Craig W. , Kadir Khamisah A. , Singh Balbir , Conway David J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPlasmodium knowlesi is a significant cause of human malaria transmitted as a zoonosis from macaque reservoir hosts in South‐East Asia. Microsatellite genotyping has indicated that human infections in Malaysian Borneo are an admixture of two highly divergent sympatric parasite subpopulations that are, respectively, associated with long‐tailed macaques (Cluster 1) and pig‐tailed macaques (Cluster 2). Whole‐genome sequences of clinical isolates subsequently confirmed the separate clusters, although fewer of the less common Cluster 2 type were sequenced. Here, to analyse population structure and genomic divergence in subpopulation samples of comparable depth, genome sequences were generated from 21 new clinical infections identified as Cluster 2 by microsatellite analysis, yielding a cumulative sample size for this subpopulation similar to that for Cluster 1. Profound heterogeneity in the level of intercluster divergence was distributed across the genome, with long contiguous chromosomal blocks having high or low divergence. Different mitochondrial genome clades were associated with the two major subpopulations, but limited exchange of haplotypes from one to the other was evident, as was also the case for the maternally inherited apicoplast genome. These findings indicate deep divergence of the two sympatric P. knowlesi subpopulations, with introgression likely to have occurred recently. There is no evidence yet of specific adaptation at any introgressed locus, but the recombinant mosaic types offer enhanced diversity on which selection may operate in a currently changing landscape and human environment. Loci responsible for maintaining genetic isolation of the sympatric subpopulations need to be identified in the chromosomal regions showing fixed differences.
Molecular basis of complement factor I deficiency in Tunisian atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome patients
Authors: Jlajla Hend , Dehman Fatma , Jallouli Manel , Khedher Rania , Ayadi Imen , Zerzeri Yosr , Laadhar Lilia , Sfar Imen , Mahfoudh Abdelmajid , Gorgi Yosr , Cheour Elhem , Zouaghi Karim , Gargah Tahar , Kallel Sellami Maryam 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTAimThe aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular basis of complement factor I deficiency in Tunisian atypical haemolytic and uremic syndrome patients with low factor I levels.MethodsSix adults and seven children were enrolled in this study. Complement factor I levels were assessed by a homemade sandwich ELISA and ranged between 12.5% and 60%. Genomic DNA was amplified by way of a polymerase chain reaction using intronic primers flanking the 13 coding exons. Sequencing of amplified products was carried out by the dye terminator sequencing method. Molecular study was performed on parental samples for three dead paediatric patients. The control group consisted of 100 healthy Tunisian donors.ResultsWe identified a total of 13 substitutions and one insertion: seven in introns, four in exons and three in UTR. The new mutations were c.‐132G > C, c.71 + 181 T > A in 5′UTR and intron 1, respectively. Three intronic polymorphisms were predicted to have impact on splicing events: c.482 + 6C > T, c.884‐42_884‐41insTTAAA (rs34422850) and c.1429 + 33 A > G (rs9998151). They were three missense mutations leading to a p.Ile 357Met, p.Ile416Leu and p.GLu548Gln. p.Ile 357Met was found in two patients and one relative. Half of the patients had associated mutation and/or polymorphisms.ConclusionThis is the first genetic study in Tunisian and Maghrebin atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome patients. The high occurrence of Ile357Met mutation may reflect a founding effect. Functional impact of the two new mutations c.‐132G > C and c.71 + 181A > T have to be studied. Association of simultaneous genetic abnormalities may explain the variability of atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome, penetrance and disease phenotype.
Contrasting cadmium resistance strategies in two metallicolous populations of Arabidopsis halleri
Authors: Corso Massimiliano , Schvartzman M. Sol , Guzzo Flavia , Souard Florence , Malkowski Eugeniusz , Hanikenne Marc , Verbruggen Nathalie 
Published: January 2018

Summary

While cadmium (Cd) tolerance is a constitutive trait in the Arabidopsis halleri species, Cd accumulation is highly variable. Recent adaptation to anthropogenic metal stress has occurred independently within the genetic units of A. halleri and the evolution of different mechanisms involved in Cd tolerance and accumulation has been suggested.

To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance and accumulation in A. halleri, ionomic inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), transcriptomic (RNA sequencing) and metabolomic (high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) profiles were analysed in two A. halleri metallicolous populations from different genetic units (PL22 from Poland and I16 from Italy).

The PL22 and I16 populations were both hypertolerant to Cd, but PL22 hyperaccumulated Cd while I16 behaved as an excluder both in situ and when grown hydroponically. The observed hyperaccumulator vs excluder behaviours were paralleled by large differences in the expression profiles of transporter genes. Flavonoid‐related transcripts and metabolites were strikingly more abundant in PL22 than in I16 shoots. The role of novel A. halleri candidate genes possibly involved in Cd hyperaccumulation or exclusion was supported by the study of corresponding A. thaliana knockout mutants.

Taken together, our results are suggestive of the evolution of divergent strategies for Cd uptake, transport and detoxification in different genetic units of A. halleri.
The BIG protein distinguishes the process of CO2‐induced stomatal closure from the inhibition of stomatal opening by CO2
Authors: He Jingjing , Zhang Ruo‐Xi , Peng Kai , Tagliavia Cecilia , Li Siwen , Xue Shaowu , Liu Amy , Hu Honghong , Zhang Jingbo , Hubbard Katharine E. , Held Katrin , McAinsh Martin R. , Gray Julie E. , Kudla Jörg , Schroeder Julian I. , Liang Yun‐Kuan , Hetherington Alistair M. 
Published: January 2018

Summary

We conducted an infrared thermal imaging‐based genetic screen to identify Arabidopsis mutants displaying aberrant stomatal behavior in response to elevated concentrations of CO2.

This approach resulted in the isolation of a novel allele of the Arabidopsis BIG locus (At3g02260) that we have called CO2 insensitive 1 (cis1).

BIG mutants are compromised in elevated CO2‐induced stomatal closure and bicarbonate activation of S‐type anion channel currents. In contrast with the wild‐type, they fail to exhibit reductions in stomatal density and index when grown in elevated CO2. However, like the wild‐type, BIG mutants display inhibition of stomatal opening when exposed to elevated CO2. BIG mutants also display wild‐type stomatal aperture responses to the closure‐inducing stimulus abscisic acid (ABA).

Our results indicate that BIG is a signaling component involved in the elevated CO2‐mediated control of stomatal development. In the control of stomatal aperture by CO2, BIG is only required in elevated CO2‐induced closure and not in the inhibition of stomatal opening by this environmental signal. These data show that, at the molecular level, the CO2‐mediated inhibition of opening and promotion of stomatal closure signaling pathways are separable and BIG represents a distinguishing element in these two CO2‐mediated responses.
Chk2 deficiency alleviates irradiation‐induced taste dysfunction by inhibiting p53‐dependent apoptosis
Authors: Yuan Zhiyao , Ma Junchi , Meng Xin , Chen Ning , Shen Ming 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTaste dysfunction is one of the most common complications following radiotherapy, which leads to decreased appetite and life quality of patients suffering from head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) deficiency in irradiation‐induced taste dysfunction.Materials and methodsAlterations in oxidative stress, DNA damage, and potential signaling pathway were compared between Chk2‐deficient (Chk2−/−) mice and their wild‐type (WT) littermates pre‐irradiation and 7 and 30 days postirradiation by biochemistry and immunohistochemistry.ResultsChk2−/− mice showed less loss of type II and type III taste cells, lower expression of p53, caspase‐3, and cleaved caspase‐3, and lower apoptosis levels. However, no significant differences in H2O2 and MDA concentrations, T‐SOD and GSH‐Px activities, and expression of SOD1, SOD2, and 8‐OHdG were detected in the taste buds of Chk2−/− mice as compared to those of WT mice.ConclusionChk2 deficiency downregulated the expression of p53 and inhibited cellular apoptosis, partly contributing to the radioprotective effect on taste cells, but did not alter oxidative stress levels, antioxidant ability, and oxidative DNA damage in taste buds.
Reference values for short‐term resting‐state heart rate variability in healthy adults: Results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health—ELSA‐Brasil study
Authors: Dantas Eduardo Miranda , Kemp Andrew Haddon , Andreão Rodrigo Varejão , da Silva Valdo José Dias , Brunoni André Russowsky , Hoshi Rosangela Akemi , Bensenor Isabela Martins , Lotufo Paulo Andrade , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz Pinho , Mill José Geraldo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHeart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological phenomenon with broad implications, providing an accessible index of vagal function, underpinning psychological constructs, including the capacity for social engagement and emotion regulation, and may predict future morbidity and mortality. However, the lack of reference values for short‐term HRV indices for participants of both sexes across the age spectrum is a limiting factor. This was the objective of the present study. Resting electrocardiographic records were obtained from 13,214 participants (both sexes, 35–74 years), and HRV indices in time and frequency domains (mean ± SD) were determined from 5‐min records. Results were based on a subsample of 2,874 nonmedicated, healthy participants stratified by sex across 10‐year age groupings. Men showed lower heart rate (HR, 64 ± 8 bpm vs. 68 ± 8 bpm, p < .05) and normalized high frequency (HF; 39.4 ± 18.0 normalized units [n.u.] vs. 50.4 ± 18.5 n.u., p < .05) than women, and higher N‐N variance (2,214 ± 1,890 ms2 vs. 1,883 ± 1,635 ms2, p < .05), standard deviation of all N‐N intervals (SDNN; 43.7 ± 17.3 ms vs. 40.3 ± 15.8 ms, p < .05) and LF/HF (2.30 ± 2.68 vs. 1.33 ± 1.82, p < .05). HR and HF (n.u.) were also higher in younger than older women. LF/HF was lower in women than men. Percentile curves showed almost all HRV indices decreasing with aging. The availability of short‐term, resting‐state HRV reference values in a large sample of healthy and nonmedicated participants from 35–74 years will provide a valuable tool for researchers, clinicians, and those in the quantified‐self community.
New records of the family Crangonidae (Decapoda: Caridea) from Southwestern Atlantic
Authors: ALVES-JÚNIOR FLAVIO DE ALMEIDA , VIANA GIRLENE FÁBIA SEGUNDO , ARAÚJO MARINA DE SÁ LEITÃO CÂMARA DE , SOUZA-FILHO JESSER F. 
Published: January 2018

The family Crangonidae comprises 22 genera and 219 species. Six species are recorded in the Southwestern Atlantic. In this paper, two species of this family, Pontophilus brevirostris Smith, 1881 and Sabinea hystrix (A. Milne-Edwards, 1881) are recorded for the first time to southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, we record the occurrence of Parapontocaris caribbaea (Boone, 1927), Parapontophilus gracilis (Smith, 1882) and Philocheras gorei (Dardeau, 1980) to the Northeast of Brazil. Through this paper, we raised the number of Cragonidae species to eight from recorded from southwestern Atlantic (Brazilian deep waters).
A Comparative Study of Atmospheric Moisture Recycling Rate between Observations and Models
Authors: Kao Angela , Jiang Xun , Li Liming , Trammell James H. , Zhang Guang J. , Su Hui , Jiang Jonathan H. , Yung Yuk L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPrecipitation and column water vapor data from 13 CMIP5 models and observational datasets are used to analyze atmospheric moisture recycling rate from 1988 to 2008. The comparisons between observations and model simulations suggest that most CMIP5 models capture two main characteristics of the recycling rate: 1) long-term decreasing trend of the global-average maritime recycling rate (atmospheric recycling rate over ocean within 60°S–60°N) and 2) dominant spatial patterns of the temporal variations of the recycling rate (i.e., increasing in the intertropical convergence zone and decreasing in subtropical regions). All models, except one, successfully simulate not only the long-term trend but also the interannual variability of column water vapor. The simulations of precipitation are relatively poor, especially over the relatively short time scales, which lead to the discrepancy of the recycling rate between observations and the CMIP5 models. Comparisons of spatial patterns also suggest that the CMIP5 models simulate column water vapor better than precipitation. The comparative studies indicate the scope of improvement in the simulations of precipitation, especially for the relatively short-time-scale variations, to better simulate the recycling rate of atmospheric moisture, an important indicator of climate change.