bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nationwide reduction in the number of corneal transplantations for keratoconus following the implementation of cross‐linking
Authors: Godefrooij Daniel A. , Gans Renze , Imhof Saskia M. , Wisse Robert P. L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPurposeKeratoconus is characterized by corneal ectasia and irregular astigmatism, which can lead to diminished vision and corneal scarring. Approximately 10–20% of patients with keratoconus eventually require a corneal transplant. Corneal cross‐linking (CXL) is a relatively new treatment that may help prevent the need for corneal transplantation. Here, we investigated whether the introduction of CXL has reduced the number of corneal transplants performed annually.MethodsData regarding the transplantation procedures performed in patients under the age of 50 years were extracted from the Dutch National Organ Transplant Registry. The number of corneal transplants performed prior to (i.e. in 2005 through 2007) and following the introduction of CXL (i.e. in 2012 through 2014) were compared. Furthermore, a trend analysis on annual keratoplasties over time was performed.ResultsApproximately 25% fewer corneal transplants were performed in the 3‐year period following the introduction of CXL compared to the 3‐year period prior to the introduction of CXL (201 versus 269 transplants, respectively; p = 0.005). Age, gender and visual acuity were similar between the patient groups in the two time periods. Trend analysis also demonstrated a significant decrease in the amount of corneal transplants (p = 0.001).ConclusionSignificantly fewer corneal transplants were performed for treating keratoconus following the nationwide introduction of CXL. This reduction suggests that corneal cross‐linking can significantly reduce the need for corneal transplantation.
Global change, life‐history complexity and the potential for evolutionary rescue
Authors: Marshall Dustin J. , Burgess Scott C. , Connallon Tim 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMost organisms have complex life cycles, and in marine taxa, larval life‐history stages tend to be more sensitive to environmental stress than adult (reproductive) life‐history stages. While there are several models of stage‐specific adaptation across the life history, the extent to which differential sensitivity to environmental stress (defined here as reductions in absolute fitness across the life history) affects the tempo of adaptive evolution to change remains unclear. We used a heuristic model to explore how commonly observed features associated with marine complex life histories alter a population's capacity to cope with environmental change. We found that increasing the complexity of the life history generally reduces the evolutionary potential of taxa to cope with environmental change. Our model also predicted that genetic correlations in stress tolerance between stages, levels of genetic variance in each stage, and the relative plasticity of different stages, all interact to affect the maximum rate of environmental change that will permit species persistence. Our results suggest that marine organisms with complex life cycles are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic global change, but we lack empirical estimates of key parameters for most species.
A single loop is essential for the octamerization of vanillyl alcohol oxidase
Authors: Ewing Tom A. , Gygli Gudrun , van Berkel Willem J. H. 
Published: May 2016

The VAO/PCMH family of flavoenzymes is a family of structurally related proteins that catalyse a wide range of oxidation reactions. It contains a subfamily of enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of para‐substituted phenols using covalently bound FAD cofactors (the 4PO subfamily). This subfamily is composed of two oxidases, vanillyl alcohol oxidase (VAO) and eugenol oxidase (EUGO), and two flavocytochrome dehydrogenases, para‐cresol methylhydroxylase (PCMH) and eugenol hydroxylase (EUGH). Although they catalyse similar reactions, these enzymes differ in terms of their electron acceptor preference and oligomerization state. For example, VAO forms homo‐octamers that can be described as tetramers of stable dimers, whereas EUGO is exclusively dimeric in solution. A possible explanation for this difference is the presence of a loop at the dimer–dimer interface in VAO that is not present in EUGO. Here, the role played by this loop in determining the quaternary structure of these enzymes is investigated. A VAO variant where the loop was deleted, loopless VAO, exclusively formed dimers. However, introduction of the loop into EUGO was not sufficient to induce its octamerization. Neither variant displayed major changes in its catalytic properties as compared to the wild‐type enzyme. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the presence of the loop is conserved within putative fungal oxidases of the 4PO subgroup, but it is never found in putative bacterial oxidases or dehydrogenases. Our results shed light on the molecular mechanism of homo‐oligomerization of VAO and the importance of oligomerization for its enzymatic function.Enzymesp‐cresol methylhydroxylase (4‐methylphenol:acceptor oxidoreductase (methyl‐hydroxylating), EC 1.17.99.1); vanillyl alcohol oxidase (vanillyl alcohol:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.38).
Pseudofolliculitis barbae: understanding the condition and the role of facial grooming
Authors: Gray J. , McMichael A. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is an inflammatory condition of the beard area, with a high prevalence in men of subequatorial African ancestry and, to a much lesser extent, Indo‐Europeans. But it can affect both men and women of all ethnicities. Invariably reported as being associated with shaving, recent evidence suggests a strong genetic component in patients with persistent PFB. There is a lack of robust clinical evidence to support recommendations to avoid or curtail shaving or to shave with a single‐blade razor. There is recent clinical evidence that PFB is not exacerbated by daily shaving with a multiblade razor as part of a regimen. Further, there is preliminary evidence that a daily shaving regimen, which includes pre‐shave hydration and post‐shave moisturization, may be beneficial. To develop evidence‐based initial management strategies for PFB, there is a requirement for more randomized blinded clinical trials comparing the use of multi‐ and single‐edge razors, different shaving techniques, shaving frequencies and pre‐ and post‐shaving cosmetic products.
The effect of carrageenan and gelatine hydrosols incorporated with acidic electrolysed water on surface microbiota and quality changes on pork meat
Authors: Brychcy Ewa , Król Żaneta , Kulig Dominika , Jarmoluk Andrzej 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial efficiency of carrageenan and gelatine hydrosols containing acidic electrolysed water (AEW) on surface microbiota of meat and evaluate possible quality changes in raw meat after treatment with experimental AEW‐containing hydrosols. Microbiological examination of meat samples covered with AEW‐containing hydrosols (total number of microorganisms, yeast and moulds, and psychrotrophs) was performed. To evaluate quality changes, haem pigments, colour, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), antioxidant capacity and preliminary sensory evaluations were performed. Treatment with AEW‐containing hydrosols causes improvement in microbiological quality of meat samples. The treatment with AEW‐containing hydrosols significantly influenced the variability of myoglobin forms of tested meat samples. Changes in L*a*b* colour parameters were found and favourably affected sensory evaluation of meat quality, especially for samples treated with AEW and gelatine‐containing hydrosols. The TBARS values of all AEW–sols‐treated samples were in the range of 0.30–0.39 mg malondialdehyde kg−1. Radical scavenging (DPPH) and reducing ability (FRAP) assays confirmed that process of electrolysis significantly improved antioxidant activity of modified meat samples compared to treatment with hydrosols containing nonelectrolysed salt solutions. Obtained results suggest that hydrosols incorporated with AEW may be used for food preservation because of their antimicrobial activity and positive impact on quality factors of raw meat.
The Bagautdinov dressing method: negative pressure wound therapy in a patient with an allergy to acrylate adhesive
Authors: Daar David A , Wirth Garrett A , Evans Gregory RD , Carmean Melissa , Gordon Ian L 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCurrent embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) create a hermetically sealed chamber at the surface of the body using polyurethane foam connected to a vacuum pump, which is then covered by a flexible adhesive drape. Commercially available NPWT systems routinely use flexible polyethylene films that have a sticky side, coated with the same acrylate adhesives used in other medical devices such as ECG leads and grounding pads. Severe reactions to the acrylate adhesives in these other devices, although uncommon, have been reported. We describe the case of a 63‐year‐old woman with an intractable leg ulcer resulting from external‐beam radiotherapy (XRT). Treatment with a standard commercial NPWT system induced severe inflammation of the skin in direct contact with drape adhesive. We successfully administered prolonged, outpatient NPWT to the patient using an alternative method (first described by Bagautdinov in 1986), using plain polyethylene film and petrolatum. The necessary hermetic seal is achieved by smearing the skin with petrolatum before applying the polyethylene film and activating the vacuum pump. The Bagautdinov method is a practical solution to the problem of adapting NPWT to patients with contact sensitivity or skin tears related to the adhesive compounds in the flexible drapes. Its use of a circumferential elastic wrap to maintain constant pressure on the seal probably limits the Bagautdinov technique to the extremities.
Genes under weaker stabilizing selection increase network evolvability and rapid regulatory adaptation to an environmental shift
Authors: Laarits T. , Bordalo P. , Lemos B. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRegulatory networks play a central role in the modulation of gene expression, the control of cellular differentiation, and the emergence of complex phenotypes. Regulatory networks could constrain or facilitate evolutionary adaptation in gene expression levels. Here, we model the adaptation of regulatory networks and gene expression levels to a shift in the environment that alters the optimal expression level of a single gene. Our analyses show signatures of natural selection on regulatory networks that both constrain and facilitate rapid evolution of gene expression level towards new optima. The analyses are interpreted from the standpoint of neutral expectations and illustrate the challenge to making inferences about network adaptation. Furthermore, we examine the consequence of variable stabilizing selection across genes on the strength and direction of interactions in regulatory networks and in their subsequent adaptation. We observe that directional selection on a highly constrained gene previously under strong stabilizing selection was more efficient when the gene was embedded within a network of partners under relaxed stabilizing selection pressure. The observation leads to the expectation that evolutionarily resilient regulatory networks will contain optimal ratios of genes whose expression is under weak and strong stabilizing selection. Altogether, our results suggest that the variable strengths of stabilizing selection across genes within regulatory networks might itself contribute to the long‐term adaptation of complex phenotypes.
The effect of soy or isoflavones on homocysteine levels: a meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Song X. , Zeng R. , Ni L. , Liu C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to evaluate the effect of soy or isoflavones on blood homocysteine levels via a systematic review and meta‐analysis.MethodsPubmed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library (up to 16 December 2015) were used for the literature review. Only randomised controlled trials were included. The primary outcome was the standard mean difference (SMD) of blood homocysteine levels between the experimental and control groups.ResultsNineteen randomised controlled studies were included for qualitative analysis. Eighteen studies were included in the data synthesis. Soy or isoflavones were found to have no effect on homocysteine levels, with a SMD of −0.21 (95% confidence interval = −0.43 to 0.00, I2=67.7%, random effect model). No publication bias was found among those studies (P = 0.296 for Egger's test, and P = 0.198 for Begg's test).ConclusionsSoy or isoflavones were not found to be associated with a reduction in homocysteine levels. Further studies might still be needed in carefully selected populations.
Differential effects of BDNF and neurotrophin 4 (NT4) on endocytic sorting of TrkB receptors
Authors: Proenca Catia C. , Song Minseok , Lee Francis S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNeurotrophins are a family of growth factors playing key roles in the survival, development, and function of neurons. The neurotrophins brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and NT4 both bind to and activate TrkB receptors, however, they mediate distinct neuronal functions. The molecular mechanism of how TrkB activation by BDNF and NT4 leads to diverse outcomes is unknown. Here, we report that BDNF and NT4 lead to differential endocytic sorting of TrkB receptors resulting in diverse biological functions in cultured cortical neurons. Fluorescent microscopy and surface biotinylation experiments showed that both neurotrophins stimulate internalization of TrkB with similar kinetics. Exposure to BDNF for 2–3 h reduced the surface pool of TrkB receptors to half, whereas a longer treatment (4–5 h) with NT4 was necessary to achieve a similar level of down‐regulation. Although BDNF and NT4 induced TrkB phosphorylation with similar intensities, BDNF induced more rapid ubiquitination and degradation of TrkB than NT4. Interestingly, TrkB receptor ubiquitination by these ligands have substantially different pH sensitivities, resulting in varying degrees of receptor ubiquitination at lower pH levels. Consequently, NT4 was capable of maintaining longer sustained downstream signaling activation that correlated with reduced TrkB ubiquitination at endosomal pH. Thus, by leading to altered endocytic trafficking itineraries for TrkB receptors, BDNF and NT4 elicit differential TrkB signaling in terms of duration, intensity, and specificity, which may contribute to their functional differences in vivo.
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The neurotrophins, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐4 (NT4), both bind to and activate TrkB receptors, however, they mediate distinct neuronal functions. Here, we propose that BDNF and NT4 lead to differential endocytic sorting of TrkB receptors resulting in diverse biological functions. BDNF induces more rapid ubiquitination and degradation of TrkB than NT4. Consequently, NT4 is capable of maintaining more sustained signaling downstream of TrkB receptors.
Ties That Bind: How Business Connections Affect Mutual Fund Activism
Authors: CVIJANOVIĆ DRAGANA , DASGUPTA AMIL , ZACHARIADIS KONSTANTINOS E. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTWe investigate whether business ties with portfolio firms influence mutual funds' proxy voting using a comprehensive data set spanning 2003 to 2011. In contrast to prior literature, we find that business ties significantly influence promanagement voting at the level of individual pairs of fund families and firms after controlling for Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) recommendations and holdings. The association is significant only for shareholder‐sponsored proposals and stronger for those that pass or fail by relatively narrow margins. Our findings are consistent with a demand‐driven model of biased voting in which company managers use existing business ties with funds to influence how they vote.
Credit Rationing, Income Exaggeration, and Adverse Selection in the Mortgage Market
Authors: AMBROSE BRENT W. , CONKLIN JAMES , YOSHIDA JIRO 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTWe examine the role of borrower concerns about future credit availability in mitigating the effects of adverse selection and income misrepresentation in the mortgage market. We show that the majority of additional risk associated with “low‐doc” mortgages originated prior to the Great Recession was due to adverse selection on the part of borrowers who could verify income but chose not to. We provide novel evidence that these borrowers were more likely to inflate or exaggerate their income. Our analysis suggests that recent regulatory changes that have essentially eliminated the low‐doc loan product would result in credit rationing against self‐employed borrowers.
Evaluation of a novel point‐of‐care test for active matrix metalloproteinase‐8: agreement between qualitative and quantitative measurements and relation to periodontal inflammation
Authors: Lorenz K. , Keller T. , Noack B. , Freitag A. , Netuschil L. , Hoffmann T. 
Published: May 2016

Background and ObjectivesSevere periodontitis affects about 10% of the world population. In addition, associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases exist. Therefore, the diagnosis should be made quickly and at an early stage. Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) is the most prominent collagenase found in inflamed periodontal tissues. Its active form (aMMP‐8) is increasingly used as a diagnostic biomarker. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel aMMP‐8 point‐of‐care (POC) test in comparison to the standard laboratory test to diagnose the disease rapidly and reliably.Material and MethodsIn a prospective, mono‐center, double‐blinded, case–control study, participants with healthy gums (n= 35), gingivitis (n= 60) and periodontitis (n= 35) were investigated before and after therapy. Beside clinical variables for plaque and inflammation, aMMP‐8 concentrations were determined in oral rinsing specimens by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by POC. Positive and negative percent agreements with their exact one‐sided lower 95% confidence limits were calculated.ResultsOf 130 participants, 111 finished the study. Overall, positive percent agreements were 75.8% (57.7–88.9) before treatment and 73.7% (56.9–86.6) after treatment. Negative percent agreements were 92.8% (85.7–97.0) before and 93.3% (85.1–97.8) after treatment. Positive test results (POC and ELISA) ranged from 5.7% to 8.6% in healthy patients, 25.0–29.8% in patients with gingivitis and 40.0–48.1% in patients with periodontitis. Patients who had positive aMMP‐8 test results (POC) showed higher scores for plaque and inflammation.ConclusionsThe novel POC test to detect aMMP‐8 has proved to agree strongly with the standard method, ELISA. The test can be recommended to screen patients at risk for periodontitis in dental offices, at the general practitioner and at specialists for associated diseases.
Private Tutoring: Evidence from India
Authors: Azam Mehtabul 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDrawing on the nationally representative “Participation and Expenditure in Education” surveys, we document the incidence and cost of private tutoring at different stages of schooling over the last two decades in India. As private tutoring involves two decisions: (1) whether to take private tuition or not, and (2) how much to spend on private tutoring conditional on positive decision in (1), we analyze the determinants of the two decisions separately using a Hurdle model. We find that private tutoring is not a new phenomenon in India: a significant proportion of students at each stage of schooling took private tutoring even in 1986/87, and there has been no dramatic increase in those proportions. Students from urban areas, private schools, and from better economic backgrounds are more likely to take private tutoring. Furthermore, the demand for private tutoring is inelastic at each stage of schooling, which implies that private tutoring is a necessary good in the household consumption basket. We also find evidence of pro‐male bias in both decisions regarding private tutoring.
How Significant Is Sub‐Saharan Africa's Demographic Dividend for Its Future Growth and Poverty Reduction?
Authors: Ahmed S. Amer , Cruz Marcio , Go Delfin S. , Maliszewska Maryla , Osorio‐Rodarte Israel 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSub‐Saharan Africa will be undergoing substantial demographic changes over the next 15 years with the rising working‐age share of its population. The opportunity of African countries to convert these changes into demographic dividends for growth and poverty reduction will depend on several factors. The outlook will likely be good if African countries can continue the gains already made under better institutions and policies, particularly those affecting the productivity of labor, such as educational outcomes. If African countries can continue to build on the hard‐won development gains, the demographic dividend could account for 11–15% of gross domestic product (GDP) volume growth by 2030, while accounting for 40–60 million fewer poor in 2030. The gains can become more substantial with better educational outcomes that allow African countries to catch up to other developing countries. If the skill share of Africa's labor supply doubles because of improvements in educational attainment, from 25 to about 50% between 2011 and 2030, then the demographic dividends can expand the regional economy additionally by 22% by 2030 relative to the base case and reduce poverty by an additional 51 million people.
Production and management of cattle manure in the UK and implications for land application practice
Authors: Smith K. A. , Williams A. G. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA review of livestock and manure management across the UK was undertaken as part of a wider study of important factors impacting on greenhouse and other gaseous emissions from agriculture. All major livestock sectors were covered by the review, but only data on cattle manure are reported in this study. Cattle manure comprises 67 Mt (80%) of the total 83 Mt of UK annual livestock manure production during the housing period. Overall, about 47% of total UK cattle manure production was estimated to be as undiluted slurry and 53% as solid, mainly straw‐based farmyard manure (FYM). Survey data suggested important regional differences in cattle manure management across the UK; examples include the predominance of slurry in SW Scotland, N Ireland and to a lesser extent, in Wales, compared to the continued importance of straw‐based FYM systems in England. Survey data on land application of manures from the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice (BSFP) generally showed the expected distribution of cattle manure application timings, dominated by crop sowing/establishment or growth patterns. However, in recent years, an apparent increase in land spreading in February–April, with less application in November–January is encouraging, the trend towards spring/early summer spreading of cattle slurry suggesting greater appreciation of its value as a nutrient source. BSFP returns on manure application techniques have also shown increasing uptake of shallow injection of cattle slurry, from <1% (2004) to 10% (2013) and for increasing rapid (<6 h) incorporation of FYM, from 3% (2007) to 14% (2013).