bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Anxiety on the Satisfaction of Dental Implant Patients
Authors: Al‐Radha Afya Sahib Diab 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeTo study the influence of anxiety on dental implant patient satisfaction, and to explore if hemoglobin levels and the amount of body fat affected patient satisfaction.Materials and MethodsOne hundred three partially edentulous patients (mean age 42.06 years) who had received dental implant therapy were enrolled in the study. Self‐administered questionnaires were given to those patients to evaluate their level of satisfaction with implant treatment. The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) self‐reported questionnaire was used to determine anxiety levels. Hemoglobin levels (HB) were measured using an electronic hemoglobin meter, and body fat (BF) was measured using a special diagnostic scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using T‐test to assess any significant differences between the groups. Pearson Correlation was used to measure the correlation between variables.ResultsOverall satisfaction for all patients was high (86.7%) for both STAI‐trait and STAI ‐state anxiety groups. Highly significant differences in patient satisfaction were found between high and low STAI‐state anxiety groups (p < 0.01). Patients with low STAI‐state anxiety levels demonstrated significant negative correlations of many parts of patient satisfaction with HB levels and STAI‐state scores. While for patients in the low STAI‐trait anxiety group, the negative correlation was just with HB levels. For the patients with high STAI‐state anxiety levels, a highly significant positive correlation was observed between many elements of patient satisfaction and BF and patient age.ConclusionThe results of this study indicated that patient satisfaction with dental implant treatment was high in all patients. STAI‐state anxiety had a greater impact on patient satisfaction than did trait anxiety. HB levels negatively affected patient satisfaction in patients with low STAI‐trait and STAI‐state anxiety levels. BF positively affected patient satisfaction in patients with high STAI‐state anxiety levels.
Influence of paeoniflorin and menthol on puerarin transport across MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 cells as blood–brain barrier in vitro model
Authors: Yang Bing , Du Shouying , Lu Yang , Jia Shan , Zhao Mengdi , Bai Jie , Li Pengyue , Wu Huichao 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Objective
Our objective of this research was (1) to investigate the transport characteristics of puerarin through MDCK-MDR1 and MDCK cells and (2) to evaluate the effects of paeoniflorin and menthol on puerarin transport so as to (3) explore the enhancement mechanism.

Methods
The cytotoxicity of drugs on MDCK and MDCK-MDR1 was evaluated by the MTT assay, and the transport studies were performed in both directions. The membrane fluidity was evaluated by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and the membrane potential was estimated by the accumulation of DiBAC4(3) in the cells.

Key findings
Puerarin showed relatively poor absorption and purely passive diffusion. However, the efflux ratio of puerarin was &lt;2 in MDCK-MDR1 models, which suggested puerarin was not P-gp substrates so as to the P-glycoprotein activity determination of puerarin. With the existence of menthol, the transcellular transport of puerarin increased and puerarin transport significantly increased when co-administrated with paeoniflorin and menthol.

Conclusions
The enhancing effect of paeoniflorin and menthol may be attributed to the significant enhancement on cell membrane fluidity, the decrease in membrane potential. Immunostaining results indicated that menthol behaved as transport enhancer by disassembly effect on tight junction integrity.
Establishing the cascade of care for hepatitis C in England—benchmarking to monitor impact of direct acting antivirals
Authors: Simmons R. , Ireland G. , Irving W. , Hickman M. , Sabin C. , Ijaz S. , Ramsay M. , Lattimore S. , Mandal S. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryLittle is known about engagement and retention in care of people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in England. Establishing a cascade of care informs targeted interventions for improving case finding, referral, treatment uptake and retention in care. Using data from the sentinel surveillance of blood‐borne virus (SSBBV) testing between 2005 and 2014, we investigate the continuum of care of those tested for HCV in England. Persons ≥1 year old with an anti‐HCV test and subsequent RNA tests between 2005 and 2014 reported to SSBBV were collated. We describe the cascade of care, as the patient pathway from a diagnostic test, referral into care, treatment and patient outcomes. Between 2005 and 2014, 2 390 507 samples were tested for anti‐HCV, corresponding to 1 766 515 persons. A total of 53 038 persons (35 190 men and 17 165 women) with anti‐HCV positive were newly reported to SSBBV. An RNA test was conducted on 77.0% persons who were anti‐HCV positive, 72.3% of whom were viraemic (RNA positive) during this time period, 21.4% had evidence of treatment and 3130 49.5% had evidence of a sustained virological response (SVR). In multivariable models, confirmation of viraemia by RNA test varied by age and region/test setting; evidence of treatment varied by age, year of test and region/test setting; and SVR varied by age, year of test and region/setting of test. In conclusion, our findings provide HCV cascade of care estimates prior to the introduction of direct acting antivirals. These findings provide important baseline cascade estimates to benchmark progress towards elimination of HCV as a major public health threat.
The antiviral role of zinc and metallothioneins in hepatitis C infection
Authors: Read S. A. , Parnell G. , Booth D. , Douglas M. W. , George J. , Ahlenstiel G. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryMetallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine‐rich proteins characterized by a high affinity for monovalent and divalent cations, such as copper and zinc. Of the four known MT isoforms, only, members of the MT 1 and 2 subfamilies are widely expressed, acting as metal chaperones whose primary role is to mediate intracellular zinc homoeostasis. Metallothioneins are potently induced by heavy metals and other sources of oxidative stress where they facilitate metal binding and detoxification as well as free radical scavenging. Metallothionein expression is well documented in the context of viral infection; however, it remains uncertain whether MTs possess specific antiviral roles or whether induction is merely a consequence of cellular stress. To better understand the role of MTs following hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we examined MT expression and localization in vitro and in vivo and used a siRNA knockdown approach to ascertain their antiviral efficacy. We confirmed HCV‐driven MT induction in vitro and demonstrated MT accumulation in the nucleus of HCV‐infected hepatocytes by immunofluorescence. Using a pan‐MT siRNA to knock down all members of the MT1 and MT2 subfamilies, we demonstrate that they are mildly antiviral against the JFH1 strain of HCV in vitro (~1.4 fold increase in viral RNA, P < .05). Furthermore, the antiviral effect of zinc treatment against HCV in vitro was mediated through MT induction (P < .05). Our data suggest a potential benefit of using zinc as a low‐cost adjunct to current HCV antiviral therapies and suggest that zinc may facilitate the antiviral role of MTs against other viruses.
Nutrients, light and phytoplankton production in the shallow, tropical coastal waters of Bandon Bay, Southern Thailand
Authors: Yoshikawa Takashi , Tomizawa Kosuke , Okamoto Yuki , Watanabe Kazuya , Salaenoi Jintana , Hayashizaki Kenichi , Kurokura Hisashi , Ishikawa Satoshi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPhytoplankton primary production and its regulation by light and nutrient availability were investigated in the shallow, tropical coastal waters of Bandon Bay, Southern Thailand. The bay was meso‐eutrophicated and highly turbid, receiving river water discharge. Water column stratification was consistently weak during both rainy and dry seasons. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was higher off the river mouth than in the other regions, suggesting that river water discharge was a main source of DIN. By contrast, dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) showed a significant negative correlation with total water depth, implying that regeneration around the sea floor was an important source of DIP. Surface DIN and DIP showed positive correlations with surface primary production (PP) and water column primary productivity (ΣPP*), respectively. The combined correlation and model analyses indicate that total water depth had an ambivalent influence on water column primary production (ΣPP); shallower water depth induced more active regeneration of nutrients, but it also caused higher turbidity and lower light availability as a result of enhanced resuspension of sediments. Furthermore, there was a vertical constraint for phytoplankton during the rainy season: total water depth tended to be shallower than euphotic zone depth. In conclusion, light limitation and vertical constraint owing to shallow water depth appear to be more important than nutrient limitation for water column primary production in Bandon Bay.
Influence of environmental variability on distribution and relative abundance of baleen whales (suborder Mysticeti) in the Gulf of California
Authors: García‐Morales Ricardo , Pérez‐Lezama Edgar Leonardo , Shirasago‐Germán Bernardo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Gulf of California (GC) is one of the most productive seas in the Pacific Ocean because of several oceanographic phenomena that support many marine mammal species, particularly of the cetacean order. The environmental variability of the GC was analysed during the cold and warm periods of 2005 and 2006 and its effects on the distribution and relative abundance of baleen whales using sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophylla(Chla) concentration. Satellite image analysis allowed us to detect important differences in both Chlaconcentration and SST including cold to warm periods, even between the two cold periods and between the two warm periods. The cold periods had the highest number of whales: 99 individuals in 2005 and 183 in 2006, which were distributed along the entire gulf. Fewer animals were recorded in the warm period: 46 individuals in 2005 and 30 in 2006, which were mainly distributed in the northern part of the gulf. We concluded that SST influenced the relative abundance of baleen whales while Chlaconcentration influenced their distribution.
Regulation of microvascular function by voltage‐gated potassium channels: New tricks for an “ancient” dog
Authors: Nystoriak Matthew A. , Navedo Manuel F. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractArterial tone is tightly regulated by a variety of potassium (K+) permeable ion channels at the sarcolemma of vascular smooth muscle cells. In particular, several types of KV channels provide a significant hyperpolarizing influence and serve to oppose pressure and agonist‐induced membrane depolarization to promote smooth muscle relaxation and augmentation of vascular diameter and blood flow. In recent years, a number of studies have underscored previously unknown roles for particular KV subunits, new modes of channel regulation, and distinct cellular functions for these channels during physiological and pathological conditions. In this overview, we highlight articles contained in this Special Topics Issue that focus on the latest, most exciting advancements in the field of KV channels in the microcirculation. The collection of articles aims to highlight important new discoveries and controversies in the field of vascular KV channels as well as to shed light on key questions that require additional investigation.
Systemic changes in photosynthesis and reactive oxygen species homeostasis in shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana infected with the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii
Authors: Labudda Mateusz , Różańska Elżbieta , Czarnocka Weronika , Sobczak Mirosław , Dzik Jolanta Maria 
Published: December 2017

SummaryPhotosynthetic efficiency and redox homeostasis are important for plant physiological processes during regular development as well as defence responses. The second‐stage juveniles of Heterodera schachtii induce syncytial feeding sites in host roots. To ascertain whether the development of syncytia alters photosynthesis and the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements and antioxidant responses were studied in Arabidopsis thaliana shoots on the day of inoculation and at 3, 7 and 15 days post‐inoculation (dpi). Nematode parasitism caused an accumulation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide molecules in the shoots of infected plants at 3 dpi, probably as a result of the observed down‐regulation of antioxidant enzymes. These changes were accompanied by an increase in RNA and lipid oxidation markers. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were found to be enhanced on infection at 7 and 15 dpi, and the content of anthocyanins was elevated from 3 dpi. The fluorescence parameter Rfd, defining plant vitality and the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, decreased by 11% only at 7 dpi, and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ), indicating the effectiveness of photoprotection mechanisms, was about 16% lower at 3 and 7 dpi. As a result of infection, the ultrastructure of chloroplasts was changed (large starch grains and plastoglobules), and more numerous and larger peroxisomes were observed in the mesophyll cells of leaves. We postulate that the joint action of antioxidant enzymes/molecules and photochemical mechanisms leading to the maintenance of photosynthetic efficiency promotes the fine‐tuning of the infected plants to oxidative stress induced by parasitic cyst nematodes.
Assessing natural infection with Zika virus in the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, during 2016 in Puerto Rico
Authors: YEE D. A. , DEJESUS‐CRESPO R. , HUNTER F. F. , BAI F. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe epidemic of Zika in the Western hemisphere has led to intense investigations of all species important in the transmission of Zika virus (ZikV), including putative mosquito vectors. Although evidence points to Stegomyia (= Aedes) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes as the primary vectors in nature among humans, there remains the possibility that other common mosquito species may be implicated in the rapid spread of the virus. Herein, field‐caught Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) collected during June 2016 in different neighbourhoods in San Juan, Puerto Rico were examined for the presence of natural infection with ZikV. Stegomyia aegypti (= Aedes aegypti) from the same locations were also analysed. None of the Cx. quinquefasciatus tested showed natural infection for ZikV, whereas S. aegypti tested positive at seven sites. The present results suggest that Cx. quinquefasciatus was not involved in the transmission of ZikV in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2016.
Complement factor H gene polymorphism rs6677604 and the risk, severity and progression of IgA nephropathy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yeo See Cheng , Liu Xinyang , Liew Adrian 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTAimStudies reporting the association between complement factor H gene rs6677604 polymorphism and susceptibility to IgA nephropathy (IgAN) had yielded inconsistent results. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to clarify the association between rs6677604 and IgAN susceptibility, disease severity and chronic progression.MethodsA comprehensive database search was performed to identify eligible studies. Meta‐analyses were performed for rs6677604 allele frequency, genotypes and the association with IgAN susceptibility.Results10 studies were included in the systematic review. Among them, four studies containing 10 distinct datasets (15,617 cases and 31,957 controls) were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled frequency of the minor allele (A) was significantly higher in Europeans than in Asians across both IgAN cases and controls, and the frequency of the minor allele (A) in IgAN cases was also significantly lower than that in controls across both European and Asian subgroups. Significant associations were detected between rs6677604 and risk of developing IgAN, when comparing allele A vs. G, genotype AA vs. GG, genotype AA vs. AG and genotype AG vs. GG. In analysis stratified by ethnicity, significant association was only observed in Europeans but not in Asians when comparing AA vs. GG or AA vs. AG.ConclusionOur pooled analysis showed a significant association between rs6677604‐(A) allele and IgAN susceptibility, supporting the importance of complement activation in the pathogenesis of IgAN. The presence of rs6677604‐(A) allele may be associated with a decreased the risk of IgAN in Europeans, but the association was not confirmed in Asians.
Niche partitioning of intertidal seagrasses: evidence of the influence of substrate temperature
Authors: Campbell Marnie L. , Heppenstall Lara D. , Hendry Rebecca , Martin Ross , Sørensen Stine , Rubenstein Ashley N. , Hewitt Chad L. 
Published: December 2017

Summary

The influence of soil temperature on rhizome depths of four intertidal seagrass species was investigated in central Queensland, Australia. We postulated that certain intertidal seagrass species are soil temperature‐sensitive and vertically stratify rhizome depths.

Below‐ground vertical stratification of intertidal seagrass rhizome depths was analysed based upon microclimate (soil temperature) and microhabitat (soil type).

Soil temperature profiles exhibited heat transfer from surface layers to depth that varied by microhabitat, with vertical stratification of rhizome depths between species. Halodule uninervis rhizomes maintain a narrow median soil temperature envelope; compensating for high surface temperatures by occupying deeper, cooler soil substrates. Halophila decipiens, Halophila ovalis and Zostera muelleri rhizomes are shallow‐rooted and exposed to fluctuating temperatures, with broader median temperature envelopes. Halodule uninervis appears to be a niche specialist, with the two Halophila species considered as generalist niche usage species.

The implications of niche use based upon soil temperature profiles and rhizome rooting depths are discussed in the context of species’ thermal tolerances and below‐ground biomass O2 demand associated with respiration and maintenance of oxic microshields. This preliminary evidence suggests that soil temperature interaction with rhizome rooting depths may be a factor that influences the distribution of intertidal seagrasses.
Using agent‐based modeling to study multiple risk factors and multiple health outcomes at multiple levels
Authors: Yang Yong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMost health studies focus on one health outcome and examine the influence of one or multiple risk factors. However, in reality, various pathways, interactions, and associations exist not only between risk factors and health outcomes but also among the risk factors and among health outcomes. The advance of system science methods, Big Data, and accumulated knowledge allows us to examine how multiple risk factors influence multiple health outcomes at multiple levels (termed a 3M study). Using the study of neighborhood environment and health as an example, I elaborate on the significance of 3M studies. 3M studies may lead to a significantly deeper understanding of the dynamic interactions among risk factors and outcomes and could help us design better interventions that may be of particular relevance for upstream interventions. Agent‐based modeling (ABM) is a promising method in the 3M study, although its potentials are far from being fully explored. Future challenges include the gap of epidemiologic knowledge and evidence, lack of empirical data sources, and the technical challenges of ABM.
Do we still need oral food challenges for the diagnosis of food allergy?
Authors: Eigenmann Philippe A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFood challenges are standard in the diagnosis in patients suspected of being allergic to food. However, their role is regularly questioned due to the time required to perform them, and to their cost and the inherent risk of severe reactions. Food challenges have been challenged by recent advances defining threshold values for food‐specific IgE helping to predict the probability of having symptoms to the suspected food. Also, identification of major allergens to various highly allergenic foods such as peanuts or tree nuts has contributed to an increased accuracy of IgE testing. Altogether, these new data have contributed to a better definition of the role of oral food challenges in the diagnosis of food allergy. Oral food challenges are not outdated and remain the gold standard in the diagnosis of food allergy.
Consequences of Sphaeropsis tip blight disease for the phytohormone profile and antioxidative metabolism of its pine host
Authors: Hu Bin , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kojima Mikiko , Takebayashi Yumiko , Bußkamp Johanna , Langer Gitta J. , Peters Franziska S. , Schumacher Jörg , Eiblmeier Monika , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , Rennenberg Heinz 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPhytopathogenic fungi infections induce plant defence responses that mediate changes in metabolic and signalling processes with severe consequences for plant growth and development. Sphaeropsis tip blight, induced by the endophytic fungus Sphaeropsis sapinea that spreads from stem tissues to the needles, is the most widespread disease of conifer forests causing dramatic economic losses. However, metabolic consequences of this disease on bark and wood tissues of its host are largely unexplored. Here, we show that diseased host pines experience tissue dehydration in both bark and wood. Increased cytokinin and declined indole‐3‐acetic acid levels were observed in both tissues and increased jasmonic acid and abscisic acid levels exclusively in the wood. Increased lignin contents at the expense of holo‐cellulose with declined structural biomass of the wood reflect cell wall fortification by S. sapinea infection. These changes are consistent with H2O2 accumulation in the wood, required for lignin polymerization. Accumulation of H2O2 was associated with more oxidized redox states of glutathione and ascorbate pools. These findings indicate that S. sapinea affects both phytohormone signalling and the antioxidative defence system in stem tissues of its pine host during the infection process.
Clinical outcomes of unrelated cord blood transplantation in children with malignant and non‐malignant diseases: Multicenter experience in China
Authors: Tang Xiangfeng , Fang Jianpei , Yu Jie , Li Zhiguang , Chen Jing , Sun Xin , Zhu Yiping , Hu Shaoyan , Qin Maoquan , Tang Yongmin , Luan Zuo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis multicenter retrospective study included 184 children with malignant and non‐malignant diseases who underwentUCBTbetween January 1998 and August 2012. The malignant disease group included 101 children withALL,AML,CML,JMML, andMDS, and the non‐malignant disease group included 83 children withPID, β‐thalassemia,IMD BMF, andHLH. The median duration to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 16 and 35 days in the malignant disease group vs 15 and 38 days in the non‐malignant disease group. The cumulative incidence of gradeII‐IV aGVHDandcGVHDwas 25.6% and 13.5% in the malignant disease group vs 19.7% and 11.1% in the non‐malignant disease group, respectively. The median duration and cumulative incidence of neutrophil and platelet engraftment, and the cumulative incidence of gradeII‐IV aGVHDandcGVHDwere similar between the two groups. Of the 184 pediatric patients, 114 patients survived during a median follow‐up period of 14 months (range 4‐138). The 5‐yearOSandDFSwere not statistically different between the two groups (56.3% and 46.1% in malignant disease group vs 68.5% and 52.8% in non‐malignant disease group). The above results indicate thatUCBis a viable source forHSCTfor children with malignant or non‐malignant diseases, especially in urgent cases.