bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of ovine AANAT and HIOMT genes in switchgrass leads to improved growth performance and salt-tolerance
Authors: Huang Yan-Hua , Liu Si-Jia , Yuan Shan , Guan Cong , Tian Dan-Yang , Cui Xin , Zhang Yun-Wei , Yang Fu-Yu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMelatonin is a well-known bioactive molecule with an array of health-promoting properties. Here, we detected the physiological function of melatonin in transgenic switchgrass overexpressing the homologous sheep arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase genes, which catalyze the last two steps of melatonin synthesis. Compared to the wild-type (WT) and transgenic control (EV, expressing the empty vector only) plants, the transgenic switchgrass showed higher melatonin levels. Melatonin was detected in almost all switchgrass tissues, and relatively higher levels were detected in the roots and stems. Besides, melatonin showed diurnal or circadian rhythms in switchgrass similar to that in other species. Furthermore, we also found that melatonin positively affected switchgrass growth, flowering and salt tolerance. The genes related to flowering (APL3, SL1, FT1, FLP3, MADS6 and MADS15) and salt stress resistance (PvNHX1) in transgenic switchgrass exhibited a different expression profiles when compared to the control plants. Our study provided valuable findings that melatonin functions as a promoter in the regulation of switchgrass growth, flowering and salt tolerance.
Effect of Linguistic and Musical Experience on Distributional Learning of Nonnative Lexical Tones
Authors: Ong Jia Hoong , Burnham Denis , Escudero Paola , Stevens Catherine J. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeEvidence suggests that extensive experience with lexical tones or musical training provides an advantage in perceiving nonnative lexical tones. This investigation concerns whether such an advantage is evident in learning nonnative lexical tones based on the distributional structure of the input.MethodUsing an established protocol, distributional learning of lexical tones was investigated with tone language (Mandarin) listeners with no musical training (Experiment 1) and nontone language (Australian English) listeners with musical training (Experiment 2). Within each experiment, participants were trained on a bimodal (2-peak) or a unimodal (single peak) distribution along a continuum spanning a Thai lexical tone minimal pair. Discrimination performance on the target minimal pair was assessed before and after training.ResultsMandarin nonmusicians exhibited clear distributional learning (listeners in the bimodal, but not those in the unimodal condition, improved significantly as a function of training), whereas Australian English musicians did not (listeners in both the bimodal and unimodal conditions improved as a function of training).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that veridical perception of lexical tones is not sufficient for distributional learning of nonnative lexical tones to occur. Rather, distributional learning appears to be modulated by domain-specific pitch experience and is constrained possibly by top-down interference.
A Newly Developed mm-Wave Sensor for Detecting Plaques of Arterial Vessels
Authors: Detert Markus , Wagner David , Wessel Jan , Ramzan Rabia , Nimphius Wilhelm , Ramaswamy Anette , Guha Subhajit , Wenger Christian , Jamal Farabi , Eissa Mohammed , Schumann Ulrich , Schmidt Betram , Rose Georg , Dahl Christoph , Rolfes Ilona , Notzon Gordon , Baer Christoph , Musch Thomas , Vogt Sebastian 
Published: September 2017

Background Microcalcifications within the fibrous cap of the arteriosclerotic plaques lead to the accrual of plaque-destabilizing mechanical stress. New techniques for plaque screening with small detectors and the ability to differentiate between the smooth and hard elements of plaque formation are necessary.
Method Vascular plaque formations are characterized as calcium phosphate containing structures organized as hydroxylapatite resembling the mineral whitlockite. In transmission and reflexion studies with a simple millimeter wave (mm-wave)–demonstrator, we found that there is a narrow window for plaque detection in arterial vessels because of the tissue water content, the differentiation to fatty tissue, and the dielectric property of air or water, respectively.
Result The new sensor is based on a sensing oscillator working around 27 GHz. The open-stub capacitance determines the operating frequency of the sensor oscillator. The capacitance depends on the dielectric properties of the surrounding material. The sensor components were completely built up in surface mount technique.
Conclusion Completed with a catheter, the sensor based on microwave technology appears as a robust tool ready for further clinical use.
MitraClip for High-Risk Patients with Significant Mitral Insufficiency: Shall We Unreservedly Recommend It?
Authors: Claus Thomas , Hartrumpf Martin , Kuehnel Ralf , Braun Christian , Butter Christian , Albes Johannes , Ostovar Roya 
Published: September 2017

Background MitraClip (Abbott Inc.) is propagated as a palliative option for high-risk patients with mitral insufficiency considered not qualifying for surgical repair. A proportion of patients requires consecutive surgery because of technical failure or inappropriate clinical improvement. Furthermore, surgical reconstruction is impossible in almost all patients after MitraClip implantation. Consequently, these patients receive replacement although primary repair may have been possible. The outcome of those patients compared with patients receiving primary mitral valve replacement (MVR) or mitral valve repair (MVP) was analyzed.
Methods A total of 23 patients were retrospectively analyzed after MVR following MitraClip. Overall, 46 patients with corresponding demographic data and risk profile receiving primary MVR (23 patients) or MVP (23 patients) were retrieved for matched pair analysis.
Results Mean age was 70 years in all groups, log European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 22.47% ± 16.30 in MVR after MitraClip (MC), 22.34% ± 16.23 in MVP, and 22.33% ± 16.14 in MVR group. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 44%, and postoperative LVEF was 48% in all groups. The 30-day mortality was 21.7% in the MitraClip group whereas it was 4.3% in the MVR and 13.0% in the MVP group. The 1-year survival was 56.5% in the MitraClip group while it was 95.6% in the MVR group and 82.6% in the MVP group (Wilcoxon test: p = 0.007; chi-square test: p = 0.001 MitraClip vs. MVR; p = 0.054 MitraClip vs. MVP).
Conclusions Patients requiring surgical MVR after the previous MitraClip fared worse than matched cohorts receiving primary MVR or MVP. Indication for MitraClip should, therefore, be made very cautiously given the excellent results gained with primary surgery.
Latent Class Analysis of Brain Injury Symptomatology among College Students
Authors: Hux Karen , Brown Jessica , Lambert Matthew 
Published: September 2017

Background Incidents potentially causing mild brain injury (BI) are common, and most people recover rapidly; however, a subset experiences long-lasting challenges.
Objective This study used latent class analysis to identify a subset of college students presenting chronic symptomatology consistent with a mild BI diagnosis and pseudo-class mean equality tests to examine relations between latent classes and BI event and academic outcome variables.
Methods Participants were 118/423 undergraduates self-reporting possible mild BIs through a survey about general health, daily habits, academic performance, and potential BI events. Twenty-four cognitive, physiological, or socio-emotional sequelae served to identify symptomatology profiles.
Results A three-class model including 11% with high symptomatology, 49% with moderate symptomatology, and 40% with negligible symptomatology provided excellent fit and entropy. Symptoms best separating high and moderate classes were memory, thinking speed, new learning, and attention problems. Mean equality tests revealed no significant difference in number of BI events across classes, but high symptomatology respondents were significantly less likely to lose consciousness and significantly more likely to have lower grade point averages and to have failed courses than moderate symptomatology respondents.
Discussion Cognitive problems are paramount in distinguishing college students with chronic high symptomatology following BI from those with moderate and negligible symptomatology. Because high symptomatology class individuals differ academically from their counterparts, a functional consequence of mild BI appears to exist.
Conclusion About 1 in 10 undergraduate students self-reporting BI events experiences chronic symptomatology affecting general health and academic achievement. Because they may benefit from supportive services, accurate identification is critical.
Ultraschall peripherer Gelenke und des Achsenskeletts
Authors: Scheicht D. , Strunk J. , Hartung W. 
Published: September 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Sonografie von Gelenken und periartikulären Strukturen ist heute zu einem festen Bestandteil der rheumatologischen Diagnostik geworden. Besonders in der Diagnostik der frühen Arthritis und der Differenzialdiagnostik bei unklaren klinischen Befunden besteht aufgrund der hohen Sensitivität hinsichtlich entzündlicher Veränderungen an Knochen und Weichteilen eine wichtige Bedeutung. Weiterhin hat die Gelenkultraschalluntersuchung einen festen Stellenwert im Therapiemonitoring und der Prognoseabschätzung.
Combination Therapy of Intravenous Steroids and Orbital Irradiation is More Effective Than Intravenous Steroids Alone in Patients with Graves’ Orbitopathy
Authors: Oeverhaus Michael , Witteler Tobias , Lax Hildegard , Esser Joachim , Führer Dagmar , Eckstein Anja 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of intravenous (iv) glucocorticoids (GCs) with and without orbital radiotherapy (ORT) in a retrospective analysis of patients with active, moderate-to-severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Since diplopia has the strongest impact on quality of life, a careful work up of motility and binocular single vision (BSV) has been performed. The Essen-EUGOGO-Center database (n=3655) was screened for patients with untreated moderate-to-severe, active GO, onset ≤12 months. The inclusion criteria were met by 148 patients (n=76 ivGC, n=72 ivGC + ORT). We analyzed CAS (inactivation: ≤2), NOSPECS, lid-width, proptosis, motility, and field of BSV. To score the overall ophthalmic outcome, a severity-weighted-score (SOS) was compared with an established EUGOGO inflammation-weighted-score (IOS). Cumulative ivGCs dosages and duration of GO did not differ between the groups. Patients with combination therapy had a significantly more severe GO at baseline. Therefore, a subgroup with matched severity was additionally compared. In the IOS, both groups reached similar improvement rates (55.2 vs. 63.9%; p=0.31). However, in the SOS, the rates differed significantly (46.1 vs. 61.1%; p=0.03- unmatched and p=0.03 matched), despite similar rates of inactivation (65.8 vs. 63.8%). Impaired motility improved significantly more often after combination therapy (p=0.01 matched, p=0.004 unmatched). Treatment responders showed only partial improvement (proptosis: 2.5±0.5 mm; motility: 11.3±10.9°). In our retrospective analysis, combination therapy (ivGCs + ORT) was significantly more effective in reduction of severity and should therefore always be considered in moderate-to-severe GO stages, especially in the presence of motility disorders. However, the limited improvement in clinical parameters, despite the promising effect on inactivation of inflammation, has to be outlined to the patients.
A Critical Commentary on the 2017 AGNP Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors: de Leon Jose 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn 2004, 2011, and 2017, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie (AGNP), a group of German-speaking psychiatric researchers and psychiatrists, published successive versions of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) expert group consensus guidelines. The 2017 version has as a major strength its encyclopedic nature, including 1358 references. The guideline has 3 major sections: 1) theoretical aspects of TDM, 2) drug concentration levels in blood to guide neuropsychopharmacotherapy, and 3) practical aspects of TDM in psychiatry and neurology. The writer hopes the time is right for a TDM guideline in psychiatry, which is indicated for: 1) psychiatric researchers ready to value how TDM can contribute to moving psychopharmacology forward, 2) flexible clinicians ready to improve their patient care by personalizing dosing, and 3) today’s psychiatry residents prepared as a new generation ready to be trained in TDM and willing to continue incorporating TDM as new psychiatric drugs are marketed.
Exercise Training Protects Cardiomyocytes from Deleterious Effects of Palmitate
Authors: Alves Marcia , Roman-Campos Danilo , Parreira Amanda , Almeida Pedro , Cruz Jader , Guatimosim Silvia , Dias-Peixoto Marco 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe investigated the effects of palmitate, a high saturated fat, on Ca2+, action potential and reactive oxygen species dynamics in cardiomyocytes from untrained and trained mice. Male mice were subjected to moderate intensity exercise training on a treadmill. Cardiomyocytes of untrained and trained mice were isolated, treated for 30 min with palmitate and intracellular calcium transient and action potential duration were recorded. Additionally, we assessed reactive oxygen species generation. Treatment of cardiomyocytes from untrained mice with palmitate induced a significant decrease in Ca2+ transient magnitude by 34%. Exercise training did not change cardiomyocyte Ca2+ dynamics in the control group. However, trained cardiomyocytes were protected from deleterious effects of palmitate. Action potential duration was not altered by palmitate in either untrained or trained cardiomyocytes. Moreover, palmitate treatment increased reactive oxygen species generation in both untrained and trained cardiomyocytes. Nevertheless, the levels of reactive oxygen species in trained cardiomyocytes treated with palmitate were still 27% lower than those seen at basal conditions in untrained cardiomyocytes. Taken together, these findings indicate that exercise training protects cardiomyocytes from deleterious effects of palmitate possibly by inhibiting exacerbated ROS production.
English transitive particle verbs
Authors: Luo Han 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAdopting the Cognitive Linguistic (CL) framework, this study focuses on the particle placement phenomenon of English transitive particle verbs and its relationship with idiomaticity. Construal is argued to play a key role in determining which order a transitive particle verb should take. When a caused motion event or state change event is construed sequentially, the discontinuous order is taken to emphasize the final resultant state of the object. When the holistic construal is taken to view the same situation, the continuous order is adopted to profile the object or the interaction between the subject and the object. The holistic construal requires two conditions. First, the particle has a dynamic sense. It can designate both the process and the endpoint of motion. Second, the final state denoted by the particle is directly caused by the action denoted by the verb. In contrast, the sequential construal is allowed as long as a causal link can be established between the two participants under discussion or between the verb and the state change of one participant. In addition, the present study argues that the particle placement of idiomatic particle verbs depends on the processes in which the particle verb has developed its idiomaticity. If the idiomatic meaning develops from the inference associated with the sequential construal, the discontinuous order is preferred. On the other hand, if the idiomatic meaning is based on the holistic construal, the continuous order is then preferred. Moreover, item-by-item analyses of particle verbs that only allow one order listed in theCollins COBUILD Dictionary of Phrasal Verbsprovide corpus-based support to the CL view of the relationship between construal, particle placement, and idiomaticity proposed in this study.
Are the impacts of land use on warming underestimated in climate policy?
Authors: Mahowald Natalie M , Ward Daniel S , Doney Scott C , Hess Peter G , Randerson James T 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWhile carbon dioxide emissions from energy use must be the primary target of climate change mitigation efforts, land use and land cover change (LULCC) also represent an important source of climate forcing. In this study we compute time series of global surface temperature change separately for LULCC and non-LULCC sources (primarily fossil fuel burning), and show that because of the extra warming associated with the co-emission of methane and nitrous oxide with LULCC carbon dioxide emissions, and a co-emission of cooling aerosols with non-LULCC emissions of carbon dioxide, the linear relationship between cumulative carbon dioxide emissions and temperature has a two-fold higher slope for LULCC than for non-LULCC activities. Moreover, projections used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the rate of tropical land conversion in the future are relatively low compared to contemporary observations, suggesting that the future projections of land conversion used in the IPCC may underestimate potential impacts of LULCC. By including a ‘business as usual’ future LULCC scenario for tropical deforestation, we find that even if all non-LULCC emissions are switched off in 2015, it is likely that 1.5 °C of warming relative to the preindustrial era will occur by 2100. Thus, policies to reduce LULCC emissions must remain a high priority if we are to achieve the low to medium temperature change targets proposed as a part of the Paris Agreement. Future studies using integrated assessment models and other climate simulations should include more realistic deforestation rates and the integration of policy that would reduce LULCC emissions.
Development of the MapMe intervention body image scales of known weight status for 4–5 and 10–11 year old children
Authors: Jones A R , Tovée M J , Cutler L R , Parkinson K N , Ells L J , Araujo-Soares V , Pearce M S , Mann K D , Scott D , Harris J M , Adamson A J 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Background
Parents tend to visually assess children to determine their weight status and typically underestimate child body size. A visual tool may aid parents to more accurately assess child weight status and so support strategies to reduce childhood overweight. Body image scales (BIS) are visual images of people ranging from underweight to overweight but none exist for children based on UK criteria. Our aim was to develop sex- and age-specific BIS for children, based on British growth reference (UK90) criteria.

Methods
BIS were developed using 3D surface body scans of children, their associated weight status using UK90 criteria from height and weight measurements, and qualitative work with parents and health professionals.

Results
Height, weight and 3D body scans were collected (211: 4–5 years; 177: 10–11 years). Overall, 12 qualitative sessions were held with 37 participants. Four BIS (4–5-year-old girls and boys, 10–11-year-old girls and boys) were developed.

Conclusions
This study has created the first sex- and age-specific BIS, based on UK90 criteria. The BIS have potential for use in child overweight prevention and management strategies, and in future research. This study also provides a protocol for the development of further BIS appropriate to other age groups and ethnicities.
Evaluation of common breast complaints in primary care
Authors: Smania Mary Alison 
Published: September 2017

Abstract:
Discovery of a breast mass, nipple discharge, or breast pain is a common, anxiety-producing occurrence for many women. Although most irregularities are benign, every woman presenting with a breast complaint should be evaluated to exclude or establish a diagnosis of cancer. The patient visit to the provider for a breast complaint can also present an opportunity for the NP to address and update any needed breast screenings.
Essential tremor & Parkinson disease
Authors: Vernon Gwyn M. , Leiningen Cheryl , Thomas Cathi A. , Dunlop Susan Rebecca 
Published: September 2017

Abstract:
Tremor is a common movement disorder in adults and older adults. There are many different types of tremor and many conditions that present with tremor as a symptom. This article discusses the causes of tremor, and through the use of a case study, helps NPs understand the assessment of tremor and differentiate two common neurologic disorders that can present with tremor: essential tremor and Parkinson disease.
Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing) ameliorated postmenopausal osteoporosis in rat model
Authors: Bokhari Rubiatul Adawiyah , Lau Seng Fong , Mohamed Suhaila 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Objective:

Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) or Misai Kucing (Java tea) is a popular herbal supplement from Southeast Asia for various metabolic, age-related diseases. This study investigated the potential use of OS leaf extracts to ameliorate osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

Methods:
Fifty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 7): SHAM (healthy sham control); OVX (ovarietomized) nontreated rats (negative control); OVX + Remifemin (100 mg/kg body weight), and 2% green tea extract (positive controls); OVX + OS 50% ethanolic and aqueous extracts, both at either 150 or 300 mg/kg. After 16 weeks, the rats’ bones and blood were evaluated for osteoporosis indicators (protein and mRNA expressions), micro-computed tomography for bone histomorphometry, and three-point bending test for tibia mechanical strength.

Results:
The extracts dose-dependently and significantly (P < 0.05) improved bone strength and flexibility, bone mineral density, bone formation protein markers (P1NP), and bone histomorphometry. All extracts reduced the inflammation biomarker (interleukin-6). The extracts up-regulated osteoblastogenesis (bone morphogenetic protein-2) and collagen-1 synthesis (collagen type 1 alpha-1) mRNA expressions, and down-regulated bone resorption (TNFSF11 and nuclear factor-kappa B) mRNA expressions. Both the water and 50% ethanolic extract were effective. The effective dose is equivalent to 25 to 50 mg/kg extract for humans.

Conclusions:
The extract showed bone-protective and antiosteoporotic effects (improving bone strength, flexibility, bone density, and bone morphometry) by reducing inflammation and the bone resorption biomarkers, while enhancing bone formation biomarkers and collagen synthesis.