bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Treated Hypertensive Individuals: First Population‐Based Study in Lebanon
Authors: Farah Rita , Zeidan Rouba Karen , Chahine Mirna N. , Asmar Roland , Chahine Ramez , Salameh Pascale , Pathak Atul , Hosseini Hassan 
Published: January 2016

Arterial hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. This study aimed to assess the predictors of uncontrolled systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in Lebanon among treated hypertensive individuals. The authors included 562 participants 40 years and older. The potential predictors included sociodemographic characteristics, self‐reported health information, and medication adherence. Prevalence of uncontrolled systolic and diastolic BP reached 43.1% and 24.9%, respectively. Independent predictors of uncontrolled systolic BP were older age, male sex, and low and medium medication adherence level. Predictors of uncontrolled diastolic BP were younger age, obesity, and low medication adherence level. Married individuals and patients taking statins had better diastolic BP control. Uncontrolled BP is a major public health problem in Lebanon. The authors identified low adherence as a major modifiable risk factor for systolic and diastolic BP control and obesity as a major modifiable risk factor for diastolic BP control.
Additive genetic variance in polyandry enables its evolution, but polyandry is unlikely to evolve through sexy or good sperm processes
Authors: Travers L. M. , Simmons L. W. , Garcia‐Gonzalez F. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPolyandry is widespread despite its costs. The sexually selected sperm hypotheses (‘sexy’ and ‘good’ sperm) posit that sperm competition plays a role in the evolution of polyandry. Two poorly studied assumptions of these hypotheses are the presence of additive genetic variance in polyandry and sperm competitiveness. Using a quantitative genetic breeding design in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster, we first established the potential for polyandry to respond to selection. We then investigated whether polyandry can evolve through sexually selected sperm processes. We measured lifetime polyandry and offensive sperm competitiveness (P2) while controlling for sampling variance due to male × male × female interactions. We also measured additive genetic variance in egg‐to‐adult viability and controlled for its effect on P2 estimates. Female lifetime polyandry showed significant and substantial additive genetic variance and evolvability. In contrast, we found little genetic variance or evolvability in P2 or egg‐to‐adult viability. Additive genetic variance in polyandry highlights its potential to respond to selection. However, the low levels of genetic variance in sperm competitiveness suggest that the evolution of polyandry may not be driven by sexy sperm or good sperm processes.
One‐year clinical evaluation of different types of bulk‐fill composites
Authors: Bayraktar Yusuf , Ercan Ertuğrul , Hamidi Mehmet Mustafa , Çolak Hakan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimIn the present study, we evaluated the 1‐year clinical performance of a conventional posterior composite resin and three bulk‐fill composite resins.MethodsFifty patients with four class II restorations under occlusion were enrolled in the present study. A total of 200 restorations were placed in the cavity, 50 for each material (Clearfil Photo Posterior, Filtek Bulk‐Fill Flowable and Filtek P60, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk‐Fill, and SonicFill). One operator placed the restorations in the cavity, and 1 week later the patients were called for baseline examination. Two calibrated examiners evaluated the restorations once every 3 months for 1 year, according to United States Public Health Service criteria. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Non‐parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U‐test, and Friedman) were used for the analysis at a confidence level of 95%.ResultsThe 1‐year recall rate was 86%. All restorations showed minor modifications after 1 year. However, no statistically‐significant differences were detected between the materials’ performance at baseline and after 1 year for all criteria (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe bulk‐fill composite resin materials showed similar clinical performance when compared with a conventional posterior composite resin. Further evaluations are necessary for the long‐term clinical performance of these materials.
Developmental alcohol exposure leads to a persistent change on astrocyte secretome
Authors: Trindade Pablo , Hampton Brian , Manhães Alex C. , Medina Alexandre E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the most common cause of mental disabilities in the western world. It has been quite established that acute alcohol exposure can dramatically affect astrocyte function. Because the effects of early alcohol exposure on cell physiology can persist into adulthood, we tested the hypothesis that ethanol exposure in ferrets during a period equivalent to the last months of human gestation leads to persistent changes in astrocyte secretome in vitro. Animals were treated with ethanol (3.5 g/kg) or saline between postnatal day (P)10–30. At P31, astrocyte cultures were made and cells were submitted to stable isotope labeling by amino acids. Twenty‐four hour conditioned media of cells obtained from ethanol‐ or saline‐treated animals (ET‐CM or SAL‐CM) were collected and analyzed by quantitative mass spectrometry in tandem with liquid chromatography. Here, we show that 65 out of 280 quantifiable proteins displayed significant differences comparing ET‐CM to SAL‐CM. Among the 59 proteins that were found to be reduced in ET‐CM we observed components of the extracellular matrix such as laminin subunits α2, α4, β1, β2, and γ1 and the proteoglycans biglycan, heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2, and lumican. Proteins with trophic function such as insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 4, pigment epithelium‐derived factor, and clusterin as well as proteins involved on modulation of proteolysis such as metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 were also reduced. In contrast, pro‐synaptogeneic proteins like thrombospondin‐1, hevin as well as the modulator of extracelular matrix expression, angiotensinogen, were found increased in ET‐CM. The analysis of interactome maps through ingenuity pathway analysis demonstrated that the amyloid beta A4 protein precursor, which was found reduced in ET‐CM, was previously shown to interact with ten other proteins that exhibited significant changes in the ET‐CM. Taken together our results strongly suggest that early exposure to teratogens such as alcohol may lead to an enduring change in astrocyte secretome.
imageDespite efforts in prevention, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause of mental disabilities. Here, we show that developmental exposure to alcohol lead to a persistent change in the pattern of proteins secreted (secretome) by astrocytes. This study is also the first mass spectrometry‐based assessment of the astrocyte secretome in a gyrencephalic animal.
Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13320.
Identification of a novel starfish neuropeptide that acts as a muscle relaxant
Authors: Kim Chan‐Hee , Kim Eun Jung , Go Hye‐Jin , Oh Hye Young , Lin Ming , Elphick Maurice R. , Park Nam Gyu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNeuropeptides that act as muscle relaxants have been identified in chordates and protostomian invertebrates but little is known about the molecular identity of neuropeptides that act as muscle relaxants in deuterostomian invertebrates (e.g. echinoderms) that are ‘evolutionary intermediates’ of chordates and protostomes. Here, we have used the apical muscle of the starfish Patiria pectinifera to assay for myorelaxants in extracts of this species. A hexadecapeptide with the amino acid sequence Phe‐Gly‐Lys‐Gly‐Gly‐Ala‐Tyr‐Asp‐Pro‐Leu‐Ser‐Ala‐Gly‐Phe‐Thr‐Asp was identified and designated starfish myorelaxant peptide (SMP). Cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the SMP precursor protein revealed that it comprises 12 copies of SMP as well as 3 peptides (7 copies in total) that are structurally related to SMP. Analysis of the expression of SMP precursor transcripts in P. pectinifera using qPCR revealed the highest expression in the radial nerve cords and lower expression levels in a range of neuromuscular tissues, including the apical muscle, tube feet and cardiac stomach. Consistent with these findings, SMP also caused relaxation of tube foot and cardiac stomach preparations. Furthermore, SMP caused relaxation of apical muscle preparations from another starfish species – Asterias amurensis. Collectively, these data indicate that SMP has a general physiological role as a muscle relaxant in starfish. Interestingly, comparison of the sequence of the SMP precursor with known neuropeptide precursors revealed that SMP belongs to a bilaterian family of neuropeptides that include molluscan pedal peptides (PP) and arthropodan orcokinins (OK). This is the first study to determine the function of a PP/OK‐type peptide in a deuterostome.
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Pedal peptide/orcokinin (PP/OK)‐type peptides are a family of structurally related neuropeptides that were first identified and functionally characterised in protostomian invertebrates. Here, we report the discovery of starfish myorelaxant peptide (SMP), a novel member of the PP/OK‐type neuropeptide identified in the starfish Patiria pectinifera (phylum Echinodermata). SMP is the first PP/OK‐type neuropeptide to be functionally characterised in a deuterostome.
2‐Methylcitric acid impairs glutamate metabolism and induces permeability transition in brain mitochondria
Authors: Amaral Alexandre Umpierrez , Cecatto Cristiane , Castilho Roger Frigério , Wajner Moacir 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAccumulation of 2‐methylcitric acid (2MCA) is observed in methylmalonic and propionic acidemias, which are clinically characterized by severe neurological symptoms. The exact pathogenetic mechanisms of brain abnormalities in these diseases are poorly established and very little has been reported on the role of 2MCA. In the present work we found that 2MCA markedly inhibited ADP‐stimulated and uncoupled respiration in mitochondria supported by glutamate, with a less significant inhibition in pyruvate plus malate respiring mitochondria. However, no alterations occurred when α‐ketoglutarate or succinate was used as respiratory substrates, suggesting a defect on glutamate oxidative metabolism. It was also observed that 2MCA decreased ATP formation in glutamate plus malate or pyruvate plus malate‐supported mitochondria. Furthermore, 2MCA inhibited glutamate dehydrogenase activity at concentrations as low as 0.5 mM. Kinetic studies revealed that this inhibitory effect was competitive in relation to glutamate. In contrast, assays of osmotic swelling in non‐respiring mitochondria suggested that 2MCA did not significantly impair mitochondrial glutamate transport. Finally, 2MCA provoked a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and induced swelling in Ca2+‐loaded mitochondria supported by different substrates. These effects were totally prevented by cyclosporine A plus ADP or ruthenium red, indicating induction of mitochondrial permeability transition. Taken together, our data strongly indicate that 2MCA behaves as a potent inhibitor of glutamate oxidation by inhibiting glutamate dehydrogenase activity and as a permeability transition inducer, disturbing mitochondrial energy homeostasis. We presume that 2MCA‐induced mitochondrial deleterious effects may contribute to the pathogenesis of brain damage in patients affected by methylmalonic and propionic acidemias.
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We propose that brain glutamate oxidation is disturbed by 2‐methylcitric acid (2MCA), which accumulates in tissues from patients with propionic and methylmalonic acidemias because of a competitive inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity. 2MCA also induced mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) and decreased ATP generation in brain mitochondria. We believe that these pathomechanisms may be involved in the neurological dysfunction of these diseases.
MFN2‐related genetic and clinical features in a cohort of Chinese CMT2 patients
Authors: Xie Yongzhi , Li Xiaobo , Liu Lei , Hu Zhengmao , Huang Shunxiang , Zhan Yajin , Zi Xiaohong , Xia Kun , Tang Beisha , Zhang Ruxu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCharcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease 2A (CMT2A), caused by mutations in the mitofusin 2 gene (MFN2), is the most common CMT2 subtype. The aim of our study is to assess the frequency and summarize the genetic and clinical characteristics of Chinese CMT2A patients. A total of 17 coding exons of MFN2 were detected by direct sequencing in 82 unrelated Chinese families diagnosed as CMT2. Clinical evaluations were analyzed among CMT2A patients. We identified 14 missense variants in 9 sporadic and 6 familial cases, including four novel mutations (T129A, S249F, Q367P, and Q674L), 4 known mutations (R94W, R94Q, T105M, C132Y, M376V and Q751X), and 4 rare missense variants (K120E, C217F, K307E and T356S). A total of 23 patients had early‐onset phenotype. Two patients had a CMTNS score of 0 to 10; 16 had a score of 11 to 20; and 7 had a score greater than 20. Five patients were confirmed a de novo origin. Six of 14 variants were located or closed to the GTPase domain. We report four novel mutations and four rare missense variants. MFN2 mutations account for 18% of CMT2 families in mainland China. The common characteristics of Chinese pedigree are early disease onset and moderate phenotypes.
X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 6 (CMTX6) patients with a p.R158H mutation in the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 3 gene
Authors: Kennerson Marina L. , Kim Eun J. , Siddell Anna , Kidambi Aditi , Kim Sung M. , Hong Young B. , Hwang Sun H. , Chung Ki W. , Choi Byung‐Ok 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCharcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited peripheral neuropathy. Mutations in the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 3 (PDK3) gene have been found to cause X‐linked dominant CMT type 6 (CMTX6). This study identified the p.R158H PDK3 mutation after screening 67 probable X‐linked CMT families. The mutation fully segregated with the phenotype, and genotyping the family indicated the mutation arose on a different haplotype compared with the original Australian CMTX6 family. Results of bisulphite sequencing suggest that methylated deamination of a CpG dinucleotide may cause the recurrent p.R158H mutation. The frequency of the p.R158H PDK3 mutation in Koreans is very rare. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed fatty infiltration involving distal muscles in the lower extremities. In addition, fatty infiltrations were predominantly observed in the soleus muscles, with a lesser extent in tibialis anterior muscles. This differs from demyelinating CMT1A patients and is similar to axonal CMT2A patients. The clinical, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological findings from a second CMTX6 family with the p.R158H PDK3 mutation were similar to the axonal neuropathy reported in the Australian family.
Effect of Integration Patterns Around Implant Neck on Stress Distribution in Peri‐Implant Bone: A Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Han Jingyun , Sun Yuchun , Wang Chao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the biomechanical performance of different osseointegration patterns between cortical bone and implants using finite element analysis.Materials and MethodsFifteen finite element models were constructed of the mandibular fixed prosthesis supported by implants. Masticatory loads (200 N axial, 100 N oblique, 40 N horizontal) were applied. The cortical bone/implant interface was divided equally into four layers: upper, upper‐middle, lower‐middle, and lower. The bone stress and implant displacement were calculated for 5 degrees of uniform integration (0, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%) and 10 integration patterns.ResultsThe stress was concentrated in the bone margin and gradually decreased as osseointegration progressed, when the integrated and nonintegrated areas were alternated on the bone‐implant surface. Compared with full integration, the integration of only the lower‐middle layer or lower half layers significantly decreased von Mises, tensile, and compressive stresses in cortical bone under oblique and horizontal loads, and these patterns did not induce higher stress in the cancellous bone. For the integration of only the upper or upper‐middle layer, stress in the cortical and cancellous bones significantly increased and was considerably higher than in the case of nonintegration. In addition, the maximum stress in the cortical bone was sensitive to the quantity of integrated nodes at the bone margin; lower quantity was associated with higher stress. There was no significant difference in the displacement of implants among 15 models.ConclusionsIntegration patterns of cortical bone significantly affect stress distribution in peri‐implant bone. The integration of only the lower‐middle or lower half layers helps to increase the load‐bearing capacity of peri‐implant bone and decrease the risk of overloading, while upper integration may further increase the risk of bone resorption.
Prognostic significance of infections in critically ill adult patients with acute liver injury: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zider Alexander D. , Zopey Radhika , Garg Ronak , Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Tisha S. , Deng Jane C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground and AimsPatients with acute liver failure have high rates of infections, likely from defects in immune function. Whether infections are independently associated with poor outcomes is unclear. We hypothesized that patients with acute liver injury who developed infections were at increased risk of adverse outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 150 critically ill adult patients admitted with acute liver dysfunction at a single academic institution between 2005 and 2011. We excluded patients with immunocompromised states, patients with chronic liver disease and patients who died or were discharged within 48 h of admission. Our primary endpoint was a 30‐day event‐free survival, with events defined as either death or liver transplantation. Our secondary endpoint was length of stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine associations between presence of infection and our primary and secondary endpoints.ResultsOf our cohort of 150 patients, 62 (41%) were infected and 88 (59%) were not infected. Of the infected patients, 45% died or underwent transplantation, compared to 22% for the non‐infected patients (P= 0.003). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that infections in patients with acute liver dysfunction were an independent predictor of poor outcome (i.e. death or transplantation). In addition, specific types of infection, including pneumonia, independently led to a 48% increase in length of stay (P= 0.002).ConclusionsInfections in patients with acute liver dysfunction are associated with increased risk of death or transplant and increased hospital length of stay.
The chlorine isotope composition of Martian meteorites 2. Implications for the early solar system and the formation of Mars
Authors: Sharp Zachary , Williams Jeffrey , Shearer Charles , Agee Carl , McKeegan Kevin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe determined the chlorine isotope composition of 16 Martian meteorites using gas source mass spectrometry on bulk samples and in situ secondary ion microprobe analysis on apatite grains. Measured δ37Cl values range from −3.8 to +8.6‰. The olivine‐phyric shergottites are the isotopically lightest samples, with δ37Cl mostly ranging from −4 to −2‰. Samples with evidence for a crustal component have positive δ37Cl values, with an extreme value of 8.6‰. Most of the basaltic shergottites have intermediate δ37Cl values of −1 to 0‰, except for Shergotty, which is similar to the olivine‐phyric shergottites. We interpret these data as due to mixing of a two‐component system. The first component is the mantle value of −4 to −3‰. This most likely represents the original bulk Martian Cl isotope value. The other endmember is a37Cl‐enriched crustal component. We speculate that preferential loss of35Cl to space has resulted in a high δ37Cl value for the Martian surface, similar to what is seen in other volatile systems. The basaltic shergottites are a mixture of the other two endmembers. The low δ37Cl value of primitive Mars is different from Earth and most chondrites, both of which are close to 0‰. We are not aware of any parent‐body process that could lower the δ37Cl value of the Martian mantle to −4 to −3‰. Instead, we propose that this low δ37Cl value represents the primordial bulk composition of Mars inherited during accretion. The higher δ37Cl values seen in many chondrites are explained by later incorporation of37Cl‐enrichedHCl‐hydrate.
Comparison of novel and conventional methods of trapping ixodid ticks in the southeastern U.S.A.
Authors: MAYS S. E. , HOUSTON A. E. , TROUT FRYXELL R. T. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTick‐borne disease surveillance and research rely on resource‐effective methods for tick collection. This study compared the respective performances of several trapping methods in a mixed grassland–forest habitat in western Tennessee. To test for temporal differences in effectiveness, sites were sampled monthly (April–August 2013) using dry ice, dragging, flagging, sweep netting, carbon dioxide (CO2) dragging and CO2 flagging methods. To evaluate the effect of habitat on method effectiveness, four methods (dragging, CO2 dragging, CO2 flagging and dry ice) were compared in four habitat types (bottomland deciduous, upland deciduous, coniferous and grassland) in June 2014. In the temporal comparison, ticks were found to be most abundant in April and May, and there was a significant sampling period and method interaction, such that method effectiveness varied across sampling period. Sweep netting was significantly less effective than the other methods. In the habitat comparison, dry ice trap collections represented the most effective method in upland deciduous and coniferous habitats. Flagging using CO2 was significantly less effective than CO2 dragging and dragging in bottomland deciduous habitats. The success of the various collection methods did not differ significantly within grassland habitats. Overall, dry ice trapping and dragging were the most effective methods for tick collection across time and habitat.
A highly recombined, high‐density, eight‐founder wheat MAGIC map reveals extensive segregation distortion and genomic locations of introgression segments
Authors: Gardner Keith A. , Wittern Lukas M. , Mackay Ian J. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryMultiparent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) mapping populations offer unique opportunities and challenges for marker and QTL mapping in crop species. We have constructed the first eight‐parent MAGIC genetic map for wheat, comprising 18 601 SNP markers. We validated the accuracy of our map against the wheat genome sequence and found an improvement in accuracy compared to published genetic maps. Our map shows a notable increase in precision resulting from the three generations of intercrossing required to create the population. This is most pronounced in the pericentromeric regions of the chromosomes. Sixteen percent of mapped markers exhibited segregation distortion (SD) with many occurring in long (>20 cM) blocks. Some of the longest and most distorted blocks were collinear with noncentromeric high‐marker‐density regions of the genome, suggesting they were candidates for introgression fragments introduced into the bread wheat gene pool from other grass species. We investigated two of these linkage blocks in detail and found strong evidence that one on chromosome 4AL, showing SD against the founder Robigus, is an interspecific introgression fragment. The completed map is available from http://www.niab.com/pages/id/326/Resources.