bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential Role of Neurohypophysial Hormones in Hypotension and Nitric Oxide Production During Endotoxaemia
Authors: Stabile A. M. , Moreto V. , Batalhão M. E. , Rocha M. J. , Antunes‐Rodrigues J. , Cárnio E. C. 
Published: April 2016

Besides their well‐established endocrine roles, vasopressin and oxytocin are also important regulators of immune function, participating in a complex neuroendocrine–immune network. In the present study, we investigated whether and how vasopressin and oxytocin could modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a well‐established model of experimental endotoxaemia. Male Wistar rats were previously treated i.v. with vasopressin V1 or oxytocin receptor antagonists and then received either an i.v. LPS injection to induce endotoxaemia or a saline imjection as a control. The animals were divided into two groups: in the first group, blood was collected at 2, 4 and 6 h after LPS injection; in the second group, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded over 6 h. Plasma vasopressin and oxytocin values were higher in LPS‐ compared to saline‐injected animals at 2 and 4 h but returned to basal levels at 6 h. NO levels exhibited an opposite pattern, showing a progressive increase over the entire period. The previous administration of a vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist significantly reduced NO plasma concentrations at 2 and 4 h but not at 6 h. By contrast, oxytocin receptor agonist pre‐treatment had no effect on the NO plasma concentration. In relation to MABP, previous treatment with vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist reversed the LPS‐induced hypotension at 4 h, although this was not the case for oxytocin antagonist‐treated animals. None of the antagonists affected HR. Our findings indicate that vasopressin (but not oxytocin) has effects on NO production during endotoxaemia in rats, although they do not lend support to the proposed anti‐inflammatory actions of vasopressin during endotoxaemia.
High plasma osteocalcin is associated with low blood haemoglobin in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden Study
Authors: Lewerin C. , Johansson H. , Karlsson M. K. , Lorentzon M. , Lerner U. H. , Kindblom J. M. , Ohlsson C. , Smith U. , Mellström D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundIt has been suggested that osteoblasts are involved in the regulation of haematopoietic stem cells. Whether osteocalcin, which is derived from osteoblasts and is metabolically active, influences blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels is not known.ObjectiveTo determine whether plasma osteocalcin is a determinant of Hb in elderly men.MethodsA total of 993 men (mean age 75.3 ± 3.2 years) participated in the population‐based MrOS (osteoporotic fractures in men) study. Plasma osteocalcin concentration was evaluated in relation to Hb and adjustments were made for potential confounders (i.e. age, body mass index, erythropoietin, total oestradiol, fasting insulin, adiponectin, ferritin and cystatin C).ResultsHb correlated (age adjusted) negatively with osteocalcin in the total study group (r = −0.12, P < 0.001) as well as in the subgroup of nondiabetic men (r = −0.16, P < 0.001). In nondiabetic men with higher osteocalcin levels, it was more likely that Hb would be in the lowest quartile (odds ratio per SD decrease in osteocalcin 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.13–1.53). Quartiles of Hb were negatively associated (age adjusted) with osteocalcin (P < 0.001). Anaemic men (47/812) (Hb <130 g L−1) had significantly higher mean osteocalcin levels than nonanaemic men (33.9 vs. 27.1 μg L−1, P < 0.001). In multiple stepwise linear regression analyses (adjusted for age, body mass index, total oestradiol, adiponectin, erythropoietin, fasting insulin, cystatin C, leptin, ferritin and holotranscobalamin), osteocalcin was an independent predictor of Hb concentration in nondiabetic men (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese data add further support to the evidence indicating that the bone‐specific protein osteocalcin has several endocrine functions targeting the pancreas, testes, adipocytes, brain. An additional novel finding is that osteocalcin may also have a paracrine function as a regulator of haematopoiesis.
Technique to Match Gingival Shade when Using Pink Ceramics for Anterior Fixed Implant Prostheses
Authors: Papaspyridakos Panos , Amin Sarah , El‐Rafie Khaled , Weber Hans‐Peter 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUse of pink gingival ceramics can reduce the necessity for extensive surgical procedures attempting to restore missing soft and hard tissues in the maxillary esthetic zone. Selecting the appropriate shade for pink porcelain poses a challenge, especially when the patient presents with a high smile line. This paper describes a simple and effective technique to facilitate shade selection for gingival ceramics to match the patient's existing gingival shade.
Once a Utilitarian, Consistently a Utilitarian? Examining Principledness in Moral Judgment via the Robustness of Individual Differences
Authors: Helzer Erik G. , Fleeson William , Furr R. Michael , Meindl Peter , Barranti Maxwell 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAlthough individual differences in the application of moral principles, such as utilitarianism, have been documented, so too have powerful context effects—effects that raise doubts about the durability of people's moral principles. In this article, we examine the robustness of individual differences in moral judgment by examining them across time and across different decision contexts. In Study 1, consistency in utilitarian judgment of 122 adult participants was examined over two different survey sessions. In Studies 2A and 2B, large samples (Ns = 130 and 327, respectively) of adult participants made a series of 32 moral judgments across eight different contexts that are known to affect utilitarian endorsement. Contrary to some contemporary theorizing, our results reveal a strong degree of consistency in moral judgment. Across time and experimental manipulations of context, individuals maintained their relative standing on utilitarianism, and aggregated moral decisions reached levels of near‐perfect consistency. Results support the view that on at least one dimension (utilitarianism), people's moral judgments are robustly consistent, with context effects tailoring the application of principles to the particulars of any given moral judgment.
Organizational Cultures of Corruption
Authors: SCHNEIDER PATRICK , BOSE GAUTAM 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSystematic differences in the incidence of corruption between countries can be explained by models of coordination failure that suggest that corruption can only be reduced by a “big push” across an entire economy. However, there is significant evidence that corruption is often sustained as an organizational culture, and can be combated with targeted effort in individual organizations one at a time. In this paper, we propose a model that reconciles these two theories of corruption.We explore a model of corruption with two principal elements. First, agents suffer a moral cost if their corruption behavior diverges from the level they perceive to be the social norm; second, the perception of the norm is imperfect; it gives more weight to the behavior of colleagues with whom the agent interacts regularly. This leads to the possibility that different organizations within the same country may stabilize at widely different levels of corruption. Furthermore, the level of corruption in an organization is persistent, implying that some organizations may have established internal “cultures” of corruption. The organizational foci are determined primarily by the opportunities and (moral) costs of corruption. Depending on the values of these parameters, the degree of corruption across departments may be relatively uniform or widely dispersed.These results also explain another surprising empirical observation: that in different countries similar government departments such as tax and education rank very differently relative to each other in the extent to which they are corrupt. This is difficult to explain in incentive‐based models if similar departments face similar incentives in different countries.
A systematic review of the effects of novel psychoactive substances ‘legal highs’ on people with severe mental illness
Authors: Gray R. , Bressington D. , Hughes E. , Ivanecka A. 
Published: April 2016

Accessible summaryWhat is known on the subject?

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) include synthetic drugs mimicking the effects of illicit drugs, e.g. synthetic cannabinoids, and herbs such as Salvia divinorum. NPS are substances that can trigger hallucinations and other effects altering the mind, and are currently uncontrolled by the United Nations' 1961 Narcotic Drugs/1971 Psychotropic Substances Conventions.

NPS affect brain chemistry that induces the psychoactive effects, such as hallucinations and feeling ‘high’. It is unknown what effects such drugs have on people with severe mental illness (i.e. psychotic illnesses).

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Our review demonstrates that little is known about the effects of various NPS on people with severe mental illness. Almost nothing is known about the long‐term consequences of NPS use on the mental and physical health of SMI patients.

Patients may lack understanding that NPS are psychoactive drugs that can impact on their mental and physical wellbeing.

What are the implications for practice?

Some patients might be reluctant or do not think it is relevant to disclose NPS use. Commonly used illicit drug screening is unlikely to detect the presence of NPS, therefore health and mental health professionals should directly enquire about NPS and actively encourage patients with severe mental illness to disclose any substance use.

Patient and public involvement in the research

There was no significant patient and public involvement in the development and conduct of this study
.AbstractIntroductionNovel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances that have been developed to produce altered states of consciousness and perceptions. People with severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to use NPS than people without mental illness, but the short‐ and long‐term effects of NPS are largely unknown.MethodWe systematically reviewed the literature about the effects of NPS on people with SMI.ResultsWe included 12 case reports, 1 cross‐sectional survey and 1 qualitative study. Participants included mostly males aged between 20 and 35 years. A variety of NPS were used, including synthetic cathinones and herbs such as Salvia. The most commonly reported effects of NPS were psychotic symptoms (in some cases novel in form and content to the patients' usual symptoms) and significant changes in behaviour, including agitation, aggression and violence. Patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature, were also commonly affected.ConclusionNPS potentially have serious effects on people with SMI, but our findings have limited generalizability due to a reliance on case studies. There is a paucity of evidence about the long‐term effects of these substances. Further research is required to provide a better understanding about how different NPS affect patients' mental and physical health.
Reproductive isolation and introgression between sympatricMimulusspecies
Authors: Kenney Amanda M. , Sweigart Andrea L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIncompletely isolated species provide an opportunity to investigate the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary forces that maintain distinct species in the face of ongoing gene flow. Here, we use field surveys and reduced representation sequencing to characterize the patterns of reproductive isolation, admixture and genomic divergence between populations of the outcrossing wildflowerMimulus guttatusand selfingM. nasutus. Focusing on a single site where these two species have come into secondary contact, we find that phenological isolation is strong, although incomplete, and is likely driven by divergence in response to photoperiod. In contrast to previous field studies, which have suggested that F1‐hybrid formation might be rare, we discover patterns of genomic variation consistent with ongoing introgression. Strikingly, admixed individuals vary continuously from highly admixed to nearly pureM. guttatus, demonstrating ongoing hybridization and asymmetric introgression fromM. nasutusintoM. guttatus. Patterns of admixture and divergence across the genome show that levels of introgression are more variable than expected by chance. Some genomic regions show a reduced introgression, including one region that overlaps a critical photoperiodQTL, whereas other regions show elevated levels of interspecific gene flow. In addition, we observe a genome‐wide negative relationship between absolute divergence and the local recombination rate, potentially indicating natural selection againstM. nasutusancestry inM. guttatusgenetic backgrounds. Together, our results suggest thatMimulusspeciation is both ongoing and dynamic and that a combination of divergence in phenology and mating system, as well as selection against interspecific alleles, likely maintains these sympatric species.
Cloud forest trees with higher foliar water uptake capacity and anisohydric behavior are more vulnerable to drought and climate change
Authors: Eller Cleiton B. , Lima Aline L. , Oliveira Rafael S. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Many tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) trees are capable of foliar water uptake (FWU) during leaf‐wetting events. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that maintenance of leaf turgor during periods of fog exposure and soil drought is related to species’ FWU capacity.

We conducted several experiments using apoplastic tracers, deuterium labeling and leaf immersion in water to evaluate differences in FWU among three common TMCF tree species. We also measured the effect of regular fog exposure on the leaf water potential of plants subjected to soil drought and used these data to model species’ response to long‐term drought.

All species were able to absorb water through their leaf cuticles and/or trichomes, although the capacity to do so differed between species. During the drought experiment, the species with higher FWU capacity maintained leaf turgor for a longer period when exposed to fog, whereas the species with lower FWU exerted tighter stomatal regulation to maintain leaf turgor. Model results suggest that without fog, species with high FWU are more likely to lose turgor during seasonal droughts.

We show that leaf‐wetting events are essential for trees with high FWU, which tend to be more anisohydric, maintaining leaf turgor during seasonal droughts.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE: A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS FOR AN ALASKA FISHERY
Authors: SEUNG CHANG , IANELLI JAMES 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe compute the effects on the Alaska economy of reduced pollock harvests from rising sea surface temperature using a regional dynamic computable general equilibrium model coupled with a stochastic stock‐yield projection model for eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock. We show that the effects of decreased pollock harvest are offset to some extent by increased pollock price, and that fuel costs and the world demand for the fish, as well as the reduced supply of the fish from rising sea surface temperature, are also important factors that determine the economic and welfare effects.
Generation of tribenuron‐methyl herbicide‐resistant OsCYP81A6‐expressing rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plants for hybrid seed production using chemical‐induced male sterility
Authors: Yao Xuan , Wang Yaqin , Yue Xiaopeng , Liu Meng , Liu Kede 
Published: April 2016

AbstractChemical‐induced male sterility (CIMS) is a method for hybrid rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) production. Some sulphonylurea herbicides such as tribenuron‐methyl (TBM) are used as chemical hybridization agents (CHAs) in CIMS systems. However, the male parents must be protected from herbicide injury with a shield during spraying of the female parents with CHAs to induce male sterility. Thus, using herbicide‐resistant rapeseed lines as the male parents can significantly simplify the seed production procedure and reduce the cost in hybrid seed production. A rice cytochrome P450 hydroxylase, OsCYP81A6, has been previously characterized to confer resistance to bentazon and sulphonylurea herbicides. We demonstrate here that the introduction of OsCYP81A6 renders rapeseed plants resistant to TBM. Compared with wild‐type plants, the transgenic plants displayed normal stamen development and male fertility when treated with 0.05 mg/l of TBM, the dose used for inducing male sterility in hybrid seed production. These results indicate that the OsCYP81A6‐expressing rapeseed plants can be used as the male parents for hybrid rapeseed production using CIMS.
Organelle redox autonomy during environmental stress
Authors: Bratt Avishay , Rosenwasser Shilo , Meyer Andreas , Fluhr Robert 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOxidative stress is generated in plants because of inequalities in the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging. The subcellular redox state under various stress conditions was assessed using the redox reporter roGFP2 targeted to chloroplastic, mitochondrial, peroxisomal and cytosolic compartments. In parallel, the vitality of the plant was measured by ion leakage. Our results revealed that during certain physiological stress conditions the changes in roGFP2 oxidation are comparable to application of high concentrations of exogenous H2O2. Under each stress, particular organelles were affected. Conditions of extended dark stress, or application of elicitor, impacted chiefly on the status of peroxisomal redox state. In contrast, conditions of drought or high light altered the status of mitochondrial or chloroplast redox state, respectively. Amalgamation of the results from diverse environmental stresses shows cases of organelle autonomy as well as multi‐organelle oxidative change. Importantly, organelle‐specific oxidation under several stresses proceeded cell death as measured by ion leakage, suggesting early roGFP oxidation as predictive of cell death. The measurement of redox state in multiple compartments enables one to look at redox state connectivity between organelles in relation to oxidative stress as well as assign a redox fingerprint to various types of stress conditions.
A loss‐of‐function allele of OsHMA3 associated with high cadmium accumulation in shoots and grain of Japonica rice cultivars
Authors: Yan Jiali , Wang Peitong , Wang Peng , Yang Meng , Lian Xingming , Tang Zhong , Huang Chao‐Feng , Salt David E. , Zhao Fang Jie 
Published: April 2016

AbstractExcessive cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice poses a risk to food safety. OsHMA3 plays an important role in restricting Cd translocation from roots to shoots. A non‐functional allele of OsHMA3 has been reported in some Indica rice cultivars with high Cd accumulation, but it is not known if OsHMA3 allelic variation is associated with Cd accumulation in Japonica cultivars. In this study, we identified a Japonica cultivar with consistently high Cd accumulation in shoots and grain in both field and greenhouse experiments. The cultivar possesses an OsHMA3 allele with a predicted amino acid mutation at the 380th position from Ser to Arg. The haplotype had no Cd transport activity when the gene was expressed in yeast, and the allele did not complement a known nonfunctional allele of OsHMA3 in F1 test. The allele is present only in temperate Japonica cultivars among diversity panels of 1483 rice cultivars. Different cultivars possessing this allele showed greatly increased root‐to‐shoot Cd translocation and a shift in root Cd speciation from Cd―S to Cd―O bonding determined by synchrotron X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. Our study has identified a new loss‐of‐function allele of OsHMA3 in Japonica rice cultivars leading to high Cd accumulation in shoots and grain.
Element distribution and iron speciation in mature wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) using synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence microscopy mapping and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) imaging
Authors: De Brier Niels , Gomand Sara V. , Donner Erica , Paterson David , Smolders Erik , Delcour Jan A. , Lombi Enzo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSeveral studies have suggested that the majority of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in wheat grains are associated with phytate, but a nuanced approach to unravel important tissue‐level variation in element speciation within the grain is lacking. Here, we present spatially resolved Fe‐speciation data obtained directly from different grain tissues using the newly developed synchrotron‐based technique of X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy imaging, coupling this with high‐definition μ‐X‐ray fluorescence microscopy to map the co‐localization of essential elements. In the aleurone, phosphorus (P) is co‐localized with Fe and Zn, and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure imaging confirmed that Fe is chelated by phytate in this tissue layer. In the crease tissues, Zn is also positively related to P distribution, albeit less so than in the aleurone. Speciation analysis suggests that Fe is bound to nicotianamine rather than phytate in the nucellar projection, and that more complex Fe structures may also be present. In the embryo, high Zn concentrations are present in the root and shoot primordium, co‐occurring with sulfur and presumably bound to thiol groups. Overall, Fe is mainly concentrated in the scutellum and co‐localized with P. This high resolution imaging and speciation analysis reveals the complexity of the physiological processes responsible for element accumulation and bioaccessibility.
Pharmacokinetics of drugs for pediatric pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Nakau Kouichi , Sugimoto Masaya , Oka Hideharu , Kajihama Aya , Maeda Jun , Yamagishi Hiroyuki , Kamiyama Naoya , Tasaki Yoshikazu , Kajino Hiroki , Azuma Hiroshi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundOver the past few years, several drugs, each with a different mechanism, have been developed for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and are now prescribed in the clinical setting. While the optimal doses of these drugs in adults have been determined, the optimal dose in children, however, is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore, to measure blood drug levels and analyze the pharmacokinetics of two such drugs in children.MethodsFrom April 2010 to May 2015, we prospectively enrolled 23 children with PH for treatment with bosentan and/or tadalafil. Twenty children were treated with bosentan and 19 received tadalafil. Sixteen children were given both drugs. Blood samples were collected after 2 weeks of treatment, and blood drug levels measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography.ResultsFor both drugs, the peak plasma concentration was lower and the half‐life was shorter than the known values in adults. The blood trough level of bosentan significantly correlated with its dose, but no such correlation was seen for tadalafil. For both drugs, no correlation was observed between age and blood drug levels.ConclusionsOral dosing with bosentan and tadalafil in children may not achieve therapeutic blood concentration. Thus, the optimal dosing must be established individually while monitoring blood drug level.
Ultrasonic vs. hand instrumentation in periodontal therapy: clinical outcomes
Authors: Krishna Ranjitha , De Stefano Jamie A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPeriodontal disease is the most common oral disease in adults. Traditional nonsurgical periodontal therapy involves subgingival removal of hard and soft deposits on the root surface, along with maintenance of good oral hygiene. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy can either be definitive or part of the initial phase before surgical therapy. Mechanical therapy, either with hand or ultrasonic instrumentation, is the keystone of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. This requires considerable amounts of time and a high level of operator skill. The use of appropriate instruments greatly increases clinical efficiency. This article discusses the use of ultrasonic and hand instrumentation, along with recent advances, and the benefits of adjunctive therapy during nonsurgical periodontal therapy.