bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between vitamin A, retinol and carotenoid intake and pancreatic cancer risk: Evidence from epidemiologic studies
Authors: Huang Xiaoyi , Gao Yisha , Zhi Xiaosong , Ta Na , Jiang Hui , Zheng Jianming 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with poor prognosis. The association between vitamin A, retinol and carotenoid intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer occurrence remains controversial, and therefore it is necessary to make a meta-analysis to clarify the association between vitamin A, retinol and carotenoid intake and pancreatic cancer risk. In the present study, PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to identify qualified studies. The association between dietary vitamin A, retinol and carotenoids was estimated by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). It was found that there was an inverse correlation between vitamin A, beta-carotene and lycopene intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer (for vitamin A, pooled OR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.74–0.97, P = 0.015; for beta-carotene, pooled OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.66–0.92, P = 0.003; for lycopene, pooled OR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.73–0.97, P = 0.020), which was more prominent in case-control study subgroup. In conclusion, dietary vitamin A, beta-carotene and lycopene might inversely correlate with pancreatic cancer.
Effects of iron and boron combinations on the suppression of Fusarium wilt in banana
Authors: Dong Xian , Wang Min , Ling Ning , Shen Qirong , Guo Shiwei 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe effects of mineral nutrient on banana wilt disease, which are the result of a competitive relationship between host plants and pathogens, can affect the interactions of plants with microorganisms. To investigate the mineral nutrient effect, hydroponic experiments were conducted in glasshouse containing combinations of low, medium, and high iron (Fe) and boron (B) concentrations, followed by pathogen inoculation. High Fe and B treatment significantly reduced the disease index and facilitated plants growth. With increasing Fe and B concentrations, more Fe and B accumulated in plants. High Fe and B treatment dramatically reduced the Fusarium oxysporum conidial germination rate and fungal growth compared with the other two treatments, contributing to decreased numbers of the pathogen on infected plants. Furthermore, High Fe and B treatment decreased the fusaric acid production of F. oxysporum in vitro and also increased the mannitol content of the plants, which in turn decreased the phytotoxin production of infected plants and finally reduced the disease index due to the virulence factor of phytotoxin. Taken together, these results indicate that Fe and B play a multifunctional role in reducing the severity of diseases by affecting the growth of F. oxysporum and the responses between plants and pathogens.
Antimicrobial mechanism of theaflavins: They target 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, the key enzyme of the MEP terpenoid biosynthetic pathway
Authors: Hui Xian , Yue Qiao , Zhang Dan-Dan , Li Heng , Yang Shao-Qing , Gao Wen-Yun 
Published: December 2016

Abstract1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) is the first committed enzyme in the 2-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) terpenoid biosynthetic pathway and is also a validated antimicrobial target. Theaflavins, which are polyphenolic compounds isolated from fermented tea, possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, especially an antibacterial effect, but little has been reported on their modes of antimicrobial action. To uncover the antibacterial mechanism of theaflavins and to seek new DXR inhibitors from natural sources, the DXR inhibitory activity of theaflavins were investigated in this study. The results show that all four theaflavin compounds could specifically suppress the activity of DXR, with theaflavin displaying the lowest effect against DXR (IC50 162.1 μM) and theaflavin-3,3′-digallate exhibiting the highest (IC50 14.9 μM). Moreover, determination of inhibition kinetics of the theaflavins demonstrates that they are non-competitive inhibitors of DXR against 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) and un-competitive inhibitors with respect to NADPH. The possible interactions between DXR and the theaflavins were simulated via docking experiments.
Fully transparent flexible tin-doped zinc oxide thin film transistors fabricated on plastic substrate
Authors: Han Dedong , Zhang Yi , Cong Yingying , Yu Wen , Zhang Xing , Wang Yi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this work, we have successfully fabricated bottom gate fully transparent tin-doped zinc oxide thin film transistors (TZO TFTs) fabricated on flexible plastic substrate at low temperature by RF magnetron sputtering. The effect of O2/Ar gas flow ratio during channel deposition on the electrical properties of TZO TFTs was investigated, and we found that the O2/Ar gas flow ratio have a great influence on the electrical properties. TZO TFTs on flexible substrate has very nice electrical characteristics with a low off-state current (Ioff) of 3 pA, a high on/off current ratio of 2 × 107, a high saturation mobility (μsat) of 66.7 cm2/V•s, a steep subthreshold slope (SS) of 333 mV/decade and a threshold voltage (Vth) of 1.2 V. Root-Mean-Square (RMS) roughness of TZO thin film is about 0.52 nm. The transmittance of TZO thin film is about 98%. These results highlight that the excellent device performance can be realized in TZO film and TZO TFT can be a promising candidate for flexible displays.
Sulfur Geochemistry of a Lacustrine Record from Taiwan Reveals Enhanced Marine Aerosol Input during the Early Holocene
Authors: Ding Xiaodong , Li Dawei , Zheng Liwei , Bao Hongyan , Chen Huei-Fen , Kao Shuh-Ji 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLacustrine record of marine aerosol input has rarely been documented. Here, we present the sulfur geochemistry during the last deglaciation and early Holocene of a sediment core retrieved from the Dongyuan Lake in southern Taiwan. An unusually high sulfur peak accompanying pyrite presence is observed at 10.5 ka BP. Such high sulfur content in lacustrine record is unusual. The δ34S of sulfur varied from +9.5 to + 17.1‰ with two significant positive shifts at 10.5 and 9.4 ka BP. The sources of sulfur and potential processes involving the sulfur isotope variation including bacterial sulfate reduction, volcanic emissions, in-catchment sulfide oxidation and marine aerosol input are discussed. Enhanced marine aerosol input is the most likely explanation for such sulfur peaks and δ34S shifts. The positive δ34S shifts appeared concurrently with the maximum landslide events over Taiwan resulted from enhanced typhoon activities. The synchronicity among records suggests that increased typhoon activities promoted sea spray, and consequently enhanced the marine aerosol input with34S-enriched sulfate. Our sulfur geochemistry data revealed sea spray history and marine influence onto terrestrial environment at coastal regions. Wider coverage of spatial-temporal lacustrine sulfur geochemistry record is needed to validate the applicability of sulfur proxy in paleoenvironmental research.
Compact crossover on multilayer substrate for UWB applications
Authors: Seddiki M.L. , Ghanem F. , Nedil M. , Bouklif A. 
Published: December 2016

A new design of planar bilayer ultra‐wideband (UWB) crossover is presented. The structure is composed of double slot coupled transitions and a microstrip transmission line to provide a better isolation between the cross‐lines. A good agreement between simulation results and measurements has been achieved. Experimental results show excellent impedance matching of more than 15 dB at the all four ports. A good isolation and insertion loss between the two signal paths of the crossover with more than 25 and 1.3 dB, respectively, over the entire UWB band is observed.
Interaction of Serum Phosphate with Age as Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk Scores in Stable Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Kerry Jillian , Mansell Holly , Elmoselhi Hamdi , Moser Mike , Shoker Ahmed 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe calculated rate of changes in the cardiovascular risk calculator for renal transplant recipients (CRCRTR) major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in clinically stable renal transplant recipients (RTRs) to identify covariables that associate with fast cardiovascular (CV) risk progression. CRCRTR-MACE scores were calculated on 139 patients in 2011 and 2014. Score changes above and below median changes in scores were labeled fast or slow CV risk progression. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed to identify variables significant to percentage changes in scores. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define sensitivity and specificity of factors significant to fast score progression. Follow-up was 2.61 (2.02–4.47) years. Slow and fast progressions were present in 50.4 and 49.6% of patients, with a median change of 25.8% (− 92.1 to 1,444.7%). MVA showed percentage changes in age and serum phosphate were the only significant variables impacting fast progression in scores. ROC showed 2011 serum phosphate of 1.15 mmol/L to predict fast progression (area under the curve [AUC] of 0.628, p > 0.0126). Age older than 45 years combined with 2011 serum phosphate above 1.15 mmol/L had a significant AUC of 0.781, p < 0.0010 interleukin (IL)-1A and IL-28A were significant associates with serum phosphate above 1.1 mmol/L in the MVA. Changes in CV risk in RTR over time are highly variable. Serum phosphate, even within upper normal levels, predicts worsening of CV risk scores in stable RTR.
Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humerus Fractures, Their Operative Treatment and Lateral Pinning Are Increasing: A Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of Extension-Type Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children
Authors: Pokka Tytti , Sirviö Minna , Serlo Willy , Sinikumpu Juha-Jaakko 
Published: December 2016

Background Supracondylar humerus fractures are usual in children but their recent trends are unclear.
Material and Methods A population-based study was performed to determine the epidemiology of childhood supracondylar humerus fractures during the decade, 2000 to 2009, in a geographic area of Oulu, Finland. Altogether, 565 extension-type supracondylar humerus fractures were included. The fractures and their treatment were analyzed according to the Gartland classification.
Results Fracture incidence increased by 28%, from 50.9 to 65.2 per 100,000 during 2000 to 2009 (β = 1.03, p < 0.001). The increase was from 41.3 to 57.6 per 100,000 in girls (β = 1.9, p < 0.001). Trampoline-related fractures in particular increased in girls. Type II fractures increased twofold from 7.1 to 16.3 per 100,000 (β = 1.1, p < 0.001), whereas type I fractures decreased from 22.4 to 20.9 per 100,000 (β = −0.3, p = 0.026).Surgical treatment increased during the 10 years study period from 32.6 to 51.8% (p = 0.022); it was in particular due to increase of operative care of type II fractures (from 5.9% in 2000–2001 to 37.1% in 2008–2009; p = 0.011). Lateral pin fixation increased from nil to six (10.7%) (p < 0.001).
Conclusion The incidence and surgical stabilization of type II fractures in particular are increasing. There is a trend toward lateral pin fixation.
MetaMap Lite: an evaluation of a new Java implementation of MetaMap
Authors: Demner-Fushman Dina , Rogers Willie J , Aronson Alan R 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
MetaMap is a widely used named entity recognition tool that identifies concepts from the Unified Medical Language System Metathesaurus in text. This study presents MetaMap Lite, an implementation of some of the basic MetaMap functions in Java. On several collections of biomedical literature and clinical text, MetaMap Lite demonstrated real-time speed and precision, recall, and F1 scores comparable to or exceeding those of MetaMap and other popular biomedical text processing tools, clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System (cTAKES) and DNorm.
A new era of quality measurement in rheumatology: electronic clinical quality measures and national registries
Authors: Tonner Chris , Schmajuk Gabriela , Yazdany Jinoos 
Published: December 2016

Purpose of review
This article reviews the evolution of quality measurement in rheumatology, highlighting new health-information technology infrastructure and standards that are enabling unprecedented innovation in this field.

Recent findings
Spurred by landmark legislation that ties physician payment to value, the widespread use of electronic health records, and standards such as the Quality Data Model, quality measurement in rheumatology is rapidly evolving. Rather than relying on retrospective assessments of care gathered through administrative claims or manual chart abstraction, new electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) allow automated data capture from electronic health records. At the same time, qualified clinical data registries, like the American College of Rheumatology's Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry, are enabling large-scale implementation of eCQMs across national electronic health record networks with real-time performance feedback to clinicians. Although successful examples of eCQM development and implementation in rheumatology and other fields exist, there also remain challenges, such as lack of health system data interoperability and problems with measure accuracy.

Summary
Quality measurement and improvement is increasingly an essential component of rheumatology practice. Advances in health information technology are likely to continue to make implementation of eCQMs easier and measurement more clinically meaningful and accurate in coming years.
Factors modulating the inflammatory response in acute gouty arthritis
Authors: Cleophas Maartje C. , Crişan Tania O. , Joosten Leo A.B. 
Published: December 2016

Purpose of review
Gout is a common debilitating form of arthritis and despite our extensive knowledge on the pathogenesis its prevalence is still rising quickly. In the current review, we provide a concise overview of recent discoveries in factors tuning the inflammatory response to soluble uric acid and monosodium urate crystals.

Recent findings
It appears that soluble uric acid has a much larger role to play than just being a risk factor for gout. It may have widespread consequences for systemic inflammation and the development of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, a specific gout-related gut microbiome might not only provide us with a new diagnostic tool, but also highlights possible new therapeutic targets. Furthermore, several recent publications further elucidated the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction, production of reactive oxygen species, autophagy, and AMP-dependent protein kinase in monosodium urate-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Finally, neutrophils have been shown to be involved in both the promotion and resolution of gouty inflammation. A new alpha-1-antitrypsin fusion protein may limit the proinflammatory effects of neutrophil-derived serine proteases.

Summary
Together, these studies provide us with many new insights in the pathogenesis of gout, important new treatment targets, and a rationale to further study the role of soluble uric acid in inflammatory diseases.
Mesenchymal stem cells for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: immune modulation, repair or both?
Authors: Ansboro Sharon , Roelofs Anke J. , De Bari Cosimo 
Published: December 2016

Purpose of review
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, in addition to their ability to form cartilage and bone. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent developments and current knowledge gaps in our understanding of the protective effects of MSCs against inflammatory arthritis, and to discuss their clinical exploitation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Recent findings
The weight of evidence for protective mechanisms of exogenously administered MSCs is on immunomodulatory effects, including inhibition of dendritic cell maturation, polarization of macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype, and activation of regulatory T cells, thereby dampening inflammation and preventing joint damage. Evidence for direct effects on tissue repair is scant. Recent studies have identified MSC subsets in vivo and an important question is whether MSCs in their native tissues have similar immunoregulatory functions. Recent proof-of-concept clinical studies have shown a satisfactory safety profile of allogeneic MSC therapy in RA patients with promising trends for clinical efficacy.

Summary
Allogeneic MSCs could be effective in RA. Larger, multicentre clinical studies are needed to provide robust evidence, and MSC treatment at early stages of RA should be explored to ‘reset’ the immune system.
Use of Phenylacetonitrile Plus Acetic Acid to MonitorPandemis pyrusana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Apple
Authors: Knight A. L. , Basoalto E. , Judd G. J. R. , Hilton R. , Suckling D. M. , El-Sayed A. M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTA recent discovery have demonstrated that herbivore induced plant volatile compounds from apple tree infested with leafrollers were highly attractive to con-specific adult male and female leafrollers. However, this work has been conducted in New Zealand and Canada testing only low doses of kairomone. This study has been conducted in US to assess the attractiveness of higher doses of the six apple volatiles provisory identified in apple trees infested by tortricid larvaeto the leafroller,Pandemis pyrusanaKearfott. These volatiles included, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, benzyl alcohol, phenylacetonitrile, (E)-nerolidol, and indole. No volatiles were attractive toP. pyrusanawhen used alone. However, traps baited with phenylacetonitrile plus acetic acid caught both sexes ofP. pyrusana. Traps baited with the other volatiles plus acetic acid caught zero to only incidental numbers of moths, ≤ 1.0. Adding phenylacetonitrile to traps baited with pear ester, ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate plus acetic acid significantly reduced catches of codling moth,Cydia pomonella(L.). However, adding phenylacetonitrile to traps baited with codling moth sex pheromone, pear ester, and acetic acid did not similarly reduce moth catches ofC. pomonella. Interestingly, traps baited with phenylacetonitrile plus acetic acid caught significantly moreP. pyrusanathan traps baited with a commercial sex pheromone lure. The evaporation rate of the acetic acid co-lure was an important factor affecting catches ofP. pyrusanawith phenylacetonitrile, and studies are needed to optimize the emission rates of both lure components. Further studies are warranted to develop phenylacetonitrile and possibly other aromatic plant volatiles as bisexual lures for the range of tortricid pests attacking horticultural crops.
Interpreting short tandem repeat variations in humans using mutational constraint
Authors: Gymrek Melissa , Willems Thomas , Reich David , Erlich Yaniv 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIdentifying regions of the genome that are depleted of mutations can reveal potentially deleterious variants. Short tandem repeats (STRs), also known as microsatellites, are among the largest contributors ofde novomutations in humans and are implicated in a variety of human disorders. However, because of the challenges STRs pose to bioinformatics tools, per-locus studies of STR mutations have been limited to highly ascertained panels of several dozen loci. Here, we harnessed bioinformatics tools and a novel analytical framework to estimate mutation parameters for each STR in the human genome by correlating STR genotypes with local sequence heterozygosity. We applied our method to obtain robust estimates of the impact of local sequence features on mutation parameters and used this to create a framework for measuring constraint at STRs by comparing observed vs. expected mutation rates. Constraint scores identified known pathogenic variants with early onset effects. Our constraint metrics will provide a valuable tool for prioritizing pathogenic STRs in medical genetics studies.
Evidence for Philopatry and Homing in a New World Elapid Snake
Authors: Hall Alexander S. , Vázquez-Quinto Abigail M. K. , Ramírez-Velázquez Antonio , Smith Eric N. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAnimal navigation allows individuals to efficiently find and use best available habitats. Despite the long history of research into well-studied taxa (e.g., pigeons, salmon, sea turtles), we know relatively little about squamate navigational abilities. Among snakes, documented philopatry (range maintenance) in a non-colubrid species has been rare. In this study, we document the first example of philopatry and homing in a new world elapid snake,Micrurus apiatus. Our data come from the first multi-year mark-recapture study of this species at the open urban preserveZoológico Regional Miguel Álvarez del Toro, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. We show that on average snakes returned to within 144 m of their last capture point. By releasing snakes in one location, we noted that recaptured individuals preferentially returned to their last capture location, compared to a distribution of random locations in the park. We conclude with a preliminary discussion of the evolution of snake homing and potential mechanisms.
Detecting ancient positive selection in humans using extended lineage sorting
Authors: Peyrégne Stéphane , James Boyle Michael , Dannemann Michael , Prüfer Kay 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTNatural selection that affected modern humans early in their evolution has likely shaped some of the traits that set present-day humans apart from their closest extinct and living relatives. The ability to detect ancient natural selection in the human genome could provide insights into the molecular basis for these human-specific traits. Here, we introduce a method for detecting ancient selective sweeps by scanning for extended genomic regions where our closest extinct relatives, Neandertals and Denisovans, fall outside of the present-day human variation. Regions that are unusually long indicate the presence of lineages that reached fixation in the human population faster than expected under neutral evolution. Using simulations we show that the method is able to detect ancient events of positive selection and that it can differentiate those from background selection. Applying our method to the 1000 Genomes dataset, we find evidence for ancient selective sweeps favoring regulatory changes and present a list of genomic regions that are predicted to underlie positively selected human specific traits.
Using social media to quantify spatial and temporal dynamics of nature-based recreational activities
Authors: Mancini Francesca , Coghill George M. , Lusseau David 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBig data offer a great opportunity for nature-based recreation (NbR) mapping and evaluation. However, it is important to determine when and how it is appropriate to use this resource. We used Scotland as a case study to validate the use of data from Flickr as an indicator of NbR on a national scale and at several regional spatial and temporal resolutions. We compared Flickr photographs to visitor statistics in the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) and determined whether temporal variability in photo counts could be explained by known annual estimates of CNP visitor numbers. We then used a unique recent national survey of nature recreation in Scotland to determine whether the spatial distribution of Flickr photos could be explained by known spatial variability in nature use. Following this validation work, we used Flickr data to identify hotspots of wildlife watching in Scotland and investigated how they changed between 2005 and 2015.We found that spatial and temporal patterns in Flickr count are explained by measures of visitation obtained through surveys and that this relationship is reliable down to a 10 Km scale resolution. Our findings have implications for planning and management of NbR as they suggest that photographs uploaded on Flickr reflect patterns of NbR at spatial and temporal scales that are relevant for ecosystem management.