bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bose Anindita , Beal M. Flint 
Published: August 2016

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. About 2% of the population above the age of 60 is affected by the disease. The pathological hallmarks of the disease include the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies that are made of α‐synuclein. Several theories have been suggested for the pathogenesis of PD, of which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in both sporadic and familial forms of the disease. Dysfunction of the mitochondria that is caused by bioenergetic defects, mutations in mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA gene mutations linked to mitochondria, and changes in dynamics of the mitochondria such fusion or fission, changes in size and morphology, alterations in trafficking or transport, altered movement of mitochondria, impairment of transcription, and the presence of mutated proteins associated with mitochondria are implicated in PD. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the mechanisms that can cause mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. We bring to the forefront, new signaling pathways such as the retromer‐trafficking pathway and its implication in the disease and also provide a brief overview of therapeutic strategies to improve mitochondrial defects in PD.
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Bioenergetic defects, mutations in mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA gene mutations, alterations in mitochondrial dynamics, alterations in trafficking/transport and mitochondrial movement, abnormal size and morphology, impairment of transcription and the presence of mutated proteins associated with mitochondria are implicated in PD. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in PD and bring to the forefront new signaling pathways that may be involved in PD. We also provide an overview of therapeutic strategies to improve mitochondrial defects in PD.This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
Approaches to daily body condition management in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kawada Terue 
Published: August 2016

Aim and objectiveTo clarify the characteristics of sub‐groups of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease having similar approaches to daily body condition management.BackgroundPrior literature has shed light on the experience of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and revealed that these patients engage in many activities and try different things in their daily lives to regulate and manage their body condition. The research so far has all been qualitative, comprising mostly interviews, and no quantitative studies have been performed. In this study, cluster analysis was used to show that subgroups of patients with similar characteristics undertake similar approaches to body condition management.DesignDescriptive, correlational study.MethodsInvitations to participate in the survey were extended to patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cluster analysis was performed on the basis of questionnaire scores relating to nine different categories of daily body condition management actions. The characteristics of the body condition management approaches, in each subgroup, were investigated using analysis of variance and multiple comparisons.ResultsThe cluster analysis produced six subgroups, each defined by the effort expended as part of their body condition management. The subgroups also differed depending on patient age and disease severity.ConclusionBody condition management approaches taken by patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are overall, comprehensive approaches.Relevance to clinical practicePatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were subgrouped based on their engagement in body conditioning. Relationships between the subgroups and the engagement in body conditioning, age and shortness of breath severity were observed. The care of patient support should be comprehensive and depend on their age and the duration of the disease. In addition, it should be long term and recognise that the patients are living their own respective lives. Such considerations and focused perspectives are what we think will lead to an improvement in patients' quality of life and prevent their condition from worsening.
CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE? THE ECONOMICS OF MIDDLE‐INCOME TRAPS
Authors: Agénor Pierre‐Richard 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of the recent analytical and empirical literature on middle‐income traps. The first part examines the descriptive and statistical evidence on these traps. The second discusses the various arguments that have been put forward to explain the existence, and persistence, of middle‐income traps. These arguments include diminishing returns to physical capital, exhaustion of cheap labor and imitation gains, insufficient quality of human capital, inadequate contract enforcement and intellectual property protection, distorted incentives and misallocation of talent, lack of access to advanced infrastructure, and lack of access to finance, especially in the form of venture capital. The third part considers public policies aimed at avoiding, and escaping from, middle‐income traps. The concluding part identifies a number of directions in which the empirical and theoretical literature could fruitfully evolve.
Impact of prenatal and postnatal exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos on the contraction of rat ileal muscle strips: involvement of an inducible nitric oxide synthase‐dependent pathway
Authors: Darwiche W. , Delanaud S. , Dupont S. , Ghamlouch H. , Ramadan W. , Joumaa W. , Bach V. , Gay‐Quéheillard J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundPrenatal/postnatal exposure to insecticides has been linked to developmental disorders in adulthood. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphorus acetylcholinesterase (AChE)‐inhibiting insecticide. The present study established whether prenatal and postnatal exposure to CPF is associated with intestinal motor dysfunction in adult rats.MethodsThree groups of pregnant rats were exposed to either CPF (1 or 5 mg/kg/day; the CPF1 and CPF5 groups) or vehicle (the control group) by gavage from gestational day 1 until weaning. At weaning, the pups were separated from their dams and individually gavaged (with the same dose) until postnatal day 60. We then measured in vivo intestinal transit and the in vitro contractile responses of ileal smooth muscle strips to electrical field stimulation. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the ileum was determined using qRT‐PCR and immunoblots. Morphometry and AChE assays were also performed.Key ResultsAt adulthood, the mean body mass was lower in the CPF1 and CPF5 groups than in controls. CPF5 exposure was associated with weaker in vitro contraction of ileal muscle strips, which was reversed by adding the NOS inhibitor (L‐NAME). There was no significant intergroup difference in the mean in vivo transit time. Exposure to CPF was associated with greater iNOS expression, lower AChE activity and reduced circular and longitudinal smooth muscle thickness.Conclusions & InferencesPrenatal and postnatal exposure to CPF in the rat is associated with weaker contraction of ileal longitudinal smooth muscle via a nitrergic mechanism with increased iNOS expression.
Highly efficient gene tagging in the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens using the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Tnt1 retrotransposon
Authors: Vives Cristina , Charlot Florence , Mhiri Corinne , Contreras Beatriz , Daniel Julien , Epert Aline , Voytas Daniel F. , Grandbastien Marie‐Angèle , Nogué Fabien , Casacuberta Josep M. 
Published: August 2016

Summary

Because of its highly efficient homologous recombination, the moss Physcomitrella patens is a model organism particularly suited for reverse genetics, but this inherent characteristic limits forward genetic approaches.

Here, we show that the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) retrotransposon Tnt1 efficiently transposes in P. patens, being the first retrotransposon from a vascular plant reported to transpose in a bryophyte. Tnt1 has a remarkable preference for insertion into genic regions, which makes it particularly suited for gene mutation.

In order to stabilize Tnt1 insertions and make it easier to select for insertional mutants, we have developed a two‐component system where a mini‐Tnt1 with a retrotransposition selectable marker can only transpose when Tnt1 proteins are co‐expressed from a separate expression unit.

We present a new tool with which to produce insertional mutants in P. patens in a rapid and straightforward manner that complements the existing molecular and genetic toolkit for this model species.
Severe West Nile virus meningoencephalitis in a pediatric renal transplant recipient: successful recovery and long‐term neuropsychological outcome
Authors: Lambert S. L. , Aviles D. , Vehaskari V. M. , Ashoor I. F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWest Nile Virus is an arbovirus that has rapidly spread throughout the United States since the first case was described in Queens, New York in 1999. There has been increasing reports of both community‐acquired and organ‐derived infections in renal transplant recipients. In immunocompromised individuals, WNV infection is a life‐threatening disease with significant neurological morbidity. We report the only pediatric case of community‐acquired WNV disease in a renal transplant recipient to undergo detailed long‐term neuropsychological assessment. Increased surveillance and prompt treatment of WNV meningoencephalitis is critical, and our report highlights the effectiveness of immunosuppression reduction without compromising allograft outcomes.
Dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation in raw boar semen and fertility
Authors: Batista C , van Lier E , Petrocelli H 
Published: August 2016

ContentsThe aims were to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in boars through the dispersion of their chromatin in raw semen samples, quantifying the extent of SDF, and to assess dynamic aspects of sperm DNA damage after incubation to obtain the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation (rSDF) under thermal conditions similar to the uterus (37°C) over a period of up to 24 hr and to correlate the reproductive outcome of the sows with the SDF of the boars at ejaculation. The study was performed on a pig‐breeding farm in southern Uruguay. Sixty‐one ejaculates from five of the most frequently used hybrid boars were evaluated. Semen was collected weekly from each of the boars, using the gloved‐hand technique and discarding the jelly‐like fraction of the ejaculate. Fresh semen was kept in a water bath at 37°C and protected from light, and was thereafter processed with Sperm‐Sus‐Halomax® to evaluate SDF. The smears for time 0 (T0) were made on farm, and thereafter smears were made at the laboratory at 4 hr of obtaining the semen (T4), then every 2 hr (T6, T8, T10, T12) and a final fixation at 24 hr (T24). Differences in SDF were observed among exposure times for all boars (p < .05), but not between T10 and T12 (p = .7751) nor T4 and T24 (p = .9113). In none of the T24 samples, sperm heads could be seen with chromatin dispersion halos. Furthermore, there were differences among boars when comparing sperm rSDF (p < .05). Farrowing rate was not affected by SDF at T0 (r = .38, p = .75), nor was litter size (r = .16, p = .70). With the present experimental conditions, we have not been able to show a relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation at ejaculation and reproductive performance. However, this could be a result of the low number of ejaculates and boars used.
Systematic review of evidence on the effectiveness of safe child faeces disposal interventions
Authors: Morita Tomohiko , Godfrey Samuel , George Christine Marie 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo review and synthesise the available evidence on the effectiveness of interventions targeting unsafe child faeces disposal in reducing this behaviour and improving child health in low‐ and middle‐income countries.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were systematically searched. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed and key information on study methodologies and outcomes were extracted.ResultsA total of 1048 articles were screened, and eight studies representing five countries were included for the review. Three were randomised controlled trials, and five were prospective cohort studies. There was wide variability across studies in the definition of ‘safe disposal’ of child faeces. Six studies reported the change in child faeces disposal practices associated with safe child faeces disposal interventions. However, only one study found a significant improvement in this behaviour. Two of the six studies that evaluated the health impact of delivered interventions found significant reductions in childhood diarrhoea associated with safe faeces disposal practices, and one study reported a positive effect on child growth and ascariasis. Only one study was identified that delivered a single intervention solely focused on safe child faeces disposal. Unfortunately, this study did not investigate the impact of this intervention on child health.ConclusionsThere are major methodological limitations in studies that assessed the impact of safe child faeces disposal interventions. The health impact of these interventions is inconclusive because the quality of the current evidence is poor. Randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to assess the impact of safe faeces disposal interventions on child health.
A novel ABO O allele caused by a large deletion covering two exons of the ABO gene identified in a Caucasian family showing discrepant ABO blood typing results
Authors: Matzhold Eva M. , Drexler Camilla , Wagner Thomas 
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUNDThe presence of ABO subgroup alleles and unusual O alleles often is associated with discrepant serologic findings in ABO blood group typing. In the ABO gene of a Caucasian female and her daughters who had aberrant ABO phenotypes, a novel ABO O allele characterized by a large deletion that included two exons was identified.METHODSABO phenotypes were determined by standard agglutination tests and adsorption‐elution studies. Allele‐specific sequencing analyses of the ABO gene as well as messenger RNA transcripts were carried out.RESULTSAll three samples showed the same discrepant ABO blood typing results lacking A and B antigens, indicating Blood Group O, whereas anti‐A1 and anti‐A2 isoagglutinins were not detectable in reverse typing. Analyses of the ABO gene revealed a novel allele characterized by a deletion of 2169 base pairs, including sequences of Intron 1, Exon 2, Intron 2, Exon 3, and Intron 3. Exon 1 was directly joined to Exon 4 in the ABO transcript.CONCLUSIONBecause the novel allele was associated with a well‐described O allele, the absence of A‐antigens in the inherited ABO subtype phenotype may be due to the identified mutation affecting the transmembrane‐spanning domain of the encoded protein and impairing the transferase activity.
Subchondral bone remodeling: comparing nanofracture with microfracture. An ovine in vivo study
Authors: Zedde Pietro , Cudoni Sebastiano , Giachetti Giacomo , Manunta Maria , Masala Gerolamo , Brunetti Antonio , Manunta Andrea 
Published: August 2016

Purpose: microfracture, providing direct stimulation of chondrogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the subchondral bone, remains the most frequently used primary cartilage repair technique. However, the newly formed type I collagen-rich fibrocartilaginous tissue has poor biomechanical properties and a tendency to degenerate. To overcome these limitations the nanofracture technique was introduced. Our purpose was to compare subchondral bone remodeling 6 months after microfracture versus nanofracture (subchondral needling) treatment in an ovine model.
Methods: full-thickness chondral lesions were created in the load-bearing area of the medial femoral condyles in four adult sheep. Each animal was then treated on one side with microfracture and on the contralateral side with nanofracture. Subchondral bone remodeling was assessed by micro-CT using a Bruker® SKYSCAN and CTVOX 2.7 software (Bruker Corp., Billerica, MA, USA) for image reconstruction; trabecular bone density measurements were performed through a color-representation structure thickness analysis.
Results: at the six-month endpoint, the microfracturetreated samples showed limited perforation depth and cone-shaped channels with large diameters at the joint surface. The channel walls displayed a high degree of regularity with significant trabecular bone compaction leading to a sealing effect with limited communication with the surrounding trabecular canals. Condyles treated with nanofracture showed channels characterized by greater depth and smaller diameters and natural irregularities of the channel walls, absence of trabecular compaction around the perforation, remarkable communication with trabecular canals, and neo-trabecular remodeling inside the channels.
Conclusions: nanofracture is an effective and innovative repair technique allowing deeper perforation into subchondral bone with less trabecular fragmentation and compaction when compared to microfracture; it results in better restoration of the normal subchondral bone architecture at six months.
Clinical Relevance: our data support the use of smaller-diameter and deeper subchondral bone perforation for MSC stimulation; this technique may prove to be an attractive alternative to standard microfracture procedures.
High tibial osteotomy in varus knees: indications and limits
Authors: Loia Marco , Vanni Stefania , Rosso Federica , Bonasia Davide , Bruzzone Matteo , Dettoni Federico , Rossi Roberto 
Published: August 2016

Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is a surgical procedure that aims to correct the weight-bearing axis of the knee, moving the loads laterally from the medial compartment. Conventional indications for OWHTO are medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus malalignment of the knee; recently OWHTO has been used successfully in the treatment of double and triple varus. OWHTO, in contrast to closing wedge high tibial osteotomy, does not require fibular osteotomy or peroneal nerve dissection, or lead to disruption of the proximal tibiofibular joint and bone stock loss. For these reasons, interest in this procedure has grown in recent years.The aim of this study is to review the literature on OWHTO, considering indications and prognostic factors (body mass index, grade of osteoarthritis, instability, range of movement and age), outcomes at midterm follow-up, and limits of the procedure (slope modifications, patellar height changes and difficulties in conversion to a total knee arthroplasty).
Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus in athletes: what is the evidence?
Authors: Vannini Francesca , Costa Giuseppe , Caravelli Silvio , Pagliazzi Gherardo , Mosca Massimiliano 
Published: August 2016

Purpose: ankle injuries make up 15% of all sports injuries and osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are an increasingly frequent problem in active patients. There exist no widely shared guidelines on OLT treatment in the athletic population. The aim of this paper is to review all the existing literature evidence on the surgical treatment of OLTs in athletes, in order to determine the current state of the art in this specific population, underlining both the limits and the potential of the strategies used.
Methods: a systematic review of the literature was performed focusing on the different types of surgical treatment used for OLTs in athletes. The screening process and analysis were performed separately by two independent researchers. The inclusion criteria for relevant articles were: clinical reports of any level of evidence, written in English, with no time limitation, or clinical reports describing the treatment of OLTs in the athletic population.
Results: with the consensus of the two observers, relevant data were then extracted and collected in a single database to be analyzed for the purposes of the present manuscript. At the end of the process, 16 papers met the selection criteria. These papers report a total of 642 athletic patients with OCTs.
Conclusions: the ideal treatment for cartilage lesions in athletes is a controversial topic, due to the need for an early return to sports, especially in elite players; this need leads to extensive use of microfractures in this population, despite the poor quality of repair associated with this technique. None of the surgical strategies described in this paper seems to be superior to the others.
Level of evidence: systematic review of level IV studies, level IV.
Medial
Longitudinal Arch Angle Presents Significant Differences Between Foot Types: A Biplane Fluoroscopy
Study
Authors: Balsdon Megan E.
R. , Bushey Kristen
M. , Dombroski Colin
E. , LeBel Marie-Eve , Jenkyn Thomas R. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The structure of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) affects the foot's overall function and its ability to dissipate plantar pressure forces. Previous research on the MLA includes measuring the calcaneal–first metatarsal angle using a static sagittal plane radiograph, a dynamic height-to-length ratio using marker clusters with a multisegment foot model, and a contained angle using single point markers with a multisegment foot model. The objective of this study was to use biplane fluoroscopy to measure a contained MLA angle between foot types: pes planus (low arch), pes cavus (high arch), and normal arch. Fifteen participants completed the study, five from each foot type. Markerless fluoroscopic radiostereometric analysis (fRSA) was used with a three-dimensional model of the foot bones and manually matching those bones to a pair of two-dimensional radiographic images during midstance of gait. Statistically significant differences were found between barefoot arch angles of the normal and pes cavus foot types (p = 0.036), as well as between the pes cavus and pes planus foot types (p = 0.004). Dynamic walking also resulted in a statistically significant finding compared to the static standing trials (p = 0.014). These results support the classification of individuals following a physical assessment by a foot specialist for those with pes cavus and planus foot types. The differences between static and dynamic kinematic measurements were also supported using this novel method.
Early Triassic productivity crises delayed recovery from world’s worst mass extinction
Authors: Grasby Stephen E. , Beauchamp Benoit , Knies Jochen 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The recovery of life after the latest Permian extinction was protracted over Early Triassic time. Detailed geochemistry of marine sections along northwest Pangea indicates that upwelling ceased at the extinction event. Nitrogen stable isotope data suggest that this was associated with progressive increase in nutrient stress throughout the Early Triassic, coincident with a significant decrease in organic carbon content despite pervasive anoxic to euxinic conditions. We argue that the Early Triassic hothouse both reduced marine productivity and deepened the nutricline, reducing the overall rate of nutrient delivery to the photic zone, creating an Early Triassic nutrient gap. When oceans finally cooled by Middle Triassic time, renewed nutrient upwelling and onset of organic-rich shale deposition occurred across northwest Pangea, marking the final return of global marine productivity.