bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aging well: Processing speed inhibition and working memory related to balance and aerobic endurance
Authors: Zettel‐Watson Laura , Suen Meagan , Wehbe Lara , Rutledge Dana N , Cherry Barbara J 
Published: December 2015

AimThe present study explored whether certain physical performance measures could be linked to specific cognitive domains in healthy older adults.MethodA total of 50 adults (mean age 69.5 years, SD 8.1) were evaluated on physical performance using measures of balance (Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale), functional mobility (8‐ft up‐and‐go), lower body strength (30‐s chair stand), gait (30‐ft walk velocity) and aerobic endurance (6‐min walk). Cognitive measures included Stroop Color–Word Test, Digit Span Backward, Trail Making Tests, Everyday Problems Test, Digit Symbol Substitution and a Brown–Peterson test. Principal component analyses reduced cognition to domains of processing speed, inhibition and working memory.ResultsHierarchical regression analyses were carried out with age and each physical measure as potential predictors of the three cognitive domains. The balance scale and 6‐min walk were specifically associated with processing speed, inhibition and working memory.ConclusionsBetter dynamic balance and aerobic endurance predicted enhanced processing speed, inhibition and working memory in older adults, with these last two domains considered components of executive function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 108–115.
Expression of angiopoietin‐1, angiopoietin‐2, and their receptor Tie2 in verruca vulgaris (common skin warts)
Authors: El‐Nabarawy Eman A. , El‐Hanafy Ghada M. , Rashed Laila A. , Yasin Fatma S. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundAngiogenesis and vasodilatation are reported associated with the development of verruca vulgaris, yet vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression was not detected in the lesions of common warts. Angiopoietins, as angiogenesis factors, have not been studied before in warts.ObjectivesTo assess tissue expression of angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), and their receptor Tie2 in the lesions of common warts to try to identify their role as pro‐angiogenic factors in the development of these lesions.Patients and methodsFifty patients with common skin warts and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were included in this study. Four millimeter punch skin biopsies were taken from warts and from normal skin of controls for the detection of gene expression of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe mean levels of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 were significantly higher in the lesions of common warts compared to the normal skin of controls (P < 0.001 for all).ConclusionsUpregulation of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 seems to play a possible role in the angiogenesis associated with common skin warts.
The home environment and toddler physical activity: an ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: Hager E.R. , Tilton N.A. , Wang Y. , Kapur N.C. , Arbaiza R. , Merry B.C. , Black M.M. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundPhysical activity (PA) promotion/obesity prevention in toddlerhood should include home environments.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine social/physical home environment factors associated with toddler PA using ecological momentary assessment (EMA, real‐time data collection).MethodsLow‐income mother–toddler dyads were recruited and given a handheld EMA device (53 random beeps followed by social/physical environment survey over 8 d). Simultaneously, PA was assessed via accelerometry (data extracted 15 min before/after response, average activity counts per minute). Linear mixed‐effects models were used, adjusting for toddler age, urban/suburban residence and time of day; covariate moderating effects were examined; within‐subjects and between‐subjects findings were reported. PA was hypothesized to be greater when toddlers are outside (vs. inside), children are nearby (vs. alone), toddlers are interacting with their mothers (vs. not) and TV is off (vs. on).ResultsThe final count was 2454 EMA/PA responses for 160 toddlers (mean age 20 months, range 12–31; 55% male, 66% Black and 54% urban). Associations with PA include (within subjects) the following: outside location (212 additional counts min−1), children nearby (153 additional counts min−1) and interacting with mother (321 additional counts min−1), compared with alternatives. Age was moderated by outside location/PA association (within subjects), with 90 additional counts min−1 per 3‐month age group outside vs. inside. No between‐subjects or television/PA associations were found.ConclusionsHome environment factors were associated with PA, including outside location, children nearby and mother interaction. EMA is a novel method, allowing identification of contextual factors associated with behaviours in natural environments.
Transplantation tolerance – a historical introduction
Authors: Brent Leslie 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe concept of immunological tolerance – the state of specific unresponsiveness to allogeneic transplants and all manner of other antigens – began in 1945 with R.D. Owen's finding that cattle dizygotic twins are red blood cell chimeras. Peter Medawar's group in Birmingham likewise discovered, quite independently, that cattle dizygotic twins accept each others’ skin grafts. These findings, together with F.M. Burnet and F. Fenner's speculations in 1949, prompted Medawar, together with R.E. Billingham and L. Brent, now at University College London, to embark on an extensive series of experiments that established immunological tolerance as a fundamental phenomenon, forming a new branch of immunology.
Interleukin‐17A neutralization alleviated ocular neovascularization by promoting M2 and mitigating M1 macrophage polarization
Authors: Zhu Yanji , Tan Wei , Demetriades Anna M. , Cai Yujuan , Gao Yushuo , Sui Ailing , Lu Qing , Shen Xi , Jiang Chunhui , Xie Bing , Sun Xinghuai 
Published: December 2015

SummaryNeovascularization (NV), as a cardinal complication of several ocular diseases, has been intensively studied, and research has shown its close association with inflammation and immune cells. In the present study, the role of interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) in angiogenesis in the process of ocular NV both in vivo and in vitro was investigated. Also, a paracrine role of IL‐17A was demonstrated in the crosstalk between endothelial cells and macrophages in angiogenesis. In the retinas of mice with retinopathy of prematurity, the IL‐17A expression increased significantly at postnatal day 15 (P15) and P18 during retinal NV. Mice given IL‐17A neutralizing antibody (NAb) developed significantly reduced choroidal NV and retinal NV. Studies on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over‐expressing mice suggested that IL‐17A modulated NV through the VEGF pathway. Furthermore, IL‐17A deficiency shifted macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype during retinal NV with significantly reduced M1 cytokine expression compared with wild‐type controls. In vitro assays revealed that IL‐17A treated macrophage supernatant gave rise to elevated human umbilical vascular endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and VEGF receptor 1 and receptor 2 expression. Therefore, IL‐17A could potentially serve as a novel target for treating ocular NV diseases. The limitation of this study involved the potential mechanisms, such as which transcription accounted for macrophage polarization and how the subsequent cytokines were modulated when macrophages were polarized. Further studies need to be undertaken to definitively determine the extent to which IL‐17A neutralizing anti‐angiogenic activity depends on macrophage modulation compared with anti‐VEGF treatment.
A Practical Method for Accurate Measurement of Trace Level Fluorine in Mg‐ and Fe‐Bearing Minerals and Glasses Using Electron Probe Microanalysis
Authors: Zhang Chao , Koepke Jürgen , Wang Lian‐Xun , Wolff Paul E. , Wilke Sören , Stechern André , Almeev Renat , Holtz Francois 
Published: December 2015

Fluorine plays an important role in magmatic and hydrothermal processes, but due to its low abundance in geological samples determining F is difficult by electron probe microanalysis. By using a W‐Si multi‐layered pseudocrystal as the diffraction crystal instead of thallium acid phthalate (TAP), count rates were considerably higher, which however introduced spectral interferences between FKα and FeLα and MgKβ lines when normal integral mode is applied. In this study, we developed a protocol using a W‐Si multi‐layered pseudocrystal for measuring accurately trace level F in both minerals and glasses. First, we used differential mode with an optimised PHA (pulse height analysis) setting in signal processing, instead of normal integral mode, which completely eliminated the second‐order MgKβ line. Second, the overlap of the first‐order FeLα on FKα peak, which cannot be filtered by modifying the PHA setting, was calibrated quantitatively using F‐free minerals and silicate glasses. Applying this two‐step method, F was determined in a number of reference glasses, as well as in glasses synthesised from powders of the rock reference materials AC‐E, GS‐N and DR‐N. Our data are consistent within error with F concentrations determined by other methods, demonstrating the reliability of this method.
Reference Values Following ISO Guidelines for Frequently Requested Rock Reference Materials
Authors: Jochum Klaus Peter , Weis Ulrike , Schwager Beate , Stoll Brigitte , Wilson Stephen A. , Haug Gerald H. , Andreae Meinrat O. , Enzweiler Jacinta 
Published: December 2015

We present new reference values for nineteen USGS, GSJ and GIT‐IWG rock reference materials that belong to the most accessed samples of the GeoReM database. The determination of the reference values and their uncertainties at the 95% confidence level follows as closely as possible ISO guidelines and the Certification Protocol of the International Association of Geoanalysts. We used analytical data obtained by the state‐of‐the‐art techniques published mainly in the last 20 years and available in GeoReM. The data are grouped into four categories of different levels of metrological confidence, starting with isotope dilution mass spectrometry as a primary method. Data quality was checked by careful investigation of analytical procedures and by the application of the Horwitz function. As a result, we assign a new and more reliable set of reference values and respective uncertainties for major, minor and a large group of trace elements of the nineteen investigated rock reference materials.
Photosynthesis and Remobilization of Dry Matter in Wheat as Affected by Progressive Drought Stress at Stem Elongation Stage
Authors: Tatar Ö. , Brück H. , Asch F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWith increasingly erratic rainfall patterns particularly in drought‐prone production systems, the capacity of plants to recover productively from drought spells becomes an important feature for yield stability in rainfed agriculture. Consequently, effects of water management at the stem elongation stage on partitioning and remobilization of dry matter, alteration in photosynthesis and water‐use efficiency (WUE), and yield components of wheat plants were studied in a glasshouse pot experiment. The plants were subjected to three soil moisture regimes: well watered during all phenological stages (WW), drought affected during stem elongation and post‐anthesis stages (DD) and drought affected during stem elongation and rewatered at post‐anthesis stage (DW). Total dry weight substantially decreased by both drought treatments. However, DD plants allocated relatively higher assimilates to roots whereas DW plants remobilized them to the grains. Drought applications resulted in a decrease of grain yield and thousand grain weight while reduction was more pronounced in DD treatment. Relative contribution of post‐anthesis photosynthesis to dry matter formation in grain was higher in WW treatment (72.6 %) than DD (68.5 %) and DW (68.2 %) treatments. Photosynthetic rate, gas exchange and transpiration decreased whereas leaf (photosynthetic) and plant level WUE increased with drought applications. However, all these parameters were rapidly and completely reversed by rewatering. Our findings showed that partitioning of dry weight to grain increases with rewatering of wheat plants subjected to drought during stem elongation phase, but the relative contributions of remobilization of stem reserves and post‐anthesis photosynthesis to grain did not change. Moreover, rewatering of plants at booting stage after a drought period lead to full recovery in photosynthesis and WUE, and a significant although partial recovery of yield components, such as grain yield, TGW and harvest index.
Comparison of phylogeographical structures of a lichen‐forming fungus and its green algal photobiont in western North America
Authors: Chen Jin‐Ming , Werth Silke , Sork Victoria L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimLichens comprise a symbiosis of two separate taxa that share geographical distribution but not necessarily the same evolutionary history. Comparison of phylogeographical structures of lichen symbionts provides valuable insight about the processes shaping the lichen's biogeographical pattern. In this study, we tested the extent to which the shared distribution of the widespread lichen‐forming fungus Ramalina menziesii and its photobiont Trebouxia decolorans across six major ecoregions reflect parallel genetic structure and gene flow.LocationWestern North America.MethodsBased on DNA sequences from multiple genes, we employed distance‐based methods to assess co‐divergence of symbiosis partners. To assess historical opportunity for co‐evolution, we compare migrations among six ecoregions.ResultsTests of genetic concordance between the mycobiont and the photobiont genetic variation revealed an overall significant congruent genetic structure across ecoregions. However, the photobiont and the mycobiont do not have high congruencies within ecoregions and the two taxa have different histories of migration among ecoregions.Main conclusionsCongruent phylogeographical patterns in several clades between the mycobiont and the photobiont on a large spatial scale can be explained either by parallel isolation due to ecological and geographical discontinuities or by similar selective pressures on the symbionts due to common environmental conditions within each ecoregion leading to co‐divergence. At the regional spatial scale, the two taxa share some degree of evolutionary history but the weak phylogeographical congruence within ecoregions and the lack of shared migration history both indicate a flexible association between mutualists. This flexibility may facilitate the widespread geographical distribution of the lichen.
Study of Demodex mites: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Lacey N. , Russell‐Hallinan A. , Powell F.C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDemodex mites are the largest and most complex organisms of the skin microflora. How they interact with the innate and adaptive immune systems is unknown. Their potential to have a pathogenic role in the causation of human skin disorders causes continued speculation. With growing interest in the microflora of human skin and its relevance to cutaneous health, the role of Demodex mites needs to be better understood. The main challenges facing scientists investigating the role of these organisms and possible solutions are reviewed under the following headings: (1) Determining the mite population in skin, (2) Transporting, extracting and imaging live mites, (3) Maintaining mites viable ex vivo and (4) Establishing methods to determine the immune response to Demodex mites and their internal contents.
Clinical pharmacist home visits and 30‐day readmissions in Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
Authors: Shcherbakova Natalia , Tereso Gary 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRationale, aims & objectivesA variety of transition of care interventions has been evaluated to date to reduce readmissions. No studies evaluated effectiveness of clinical pharmacist's home‐visits to recently discharged Medicare Advantage patients with the goal of preventing subsequent readmissions and urgent care use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of in‐home clinical pharmacist's transition of care program on 30‐day all‐cause readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, outpatient visits, as well as to assess patient satisfaction with the program.MethodsThe study used retrospective cohort design.ResultsA total of 245 patients were included in the study (mean (SD) age 77.8 (8.7); mean Charlson's Comorbidity Index 5.0 (2.5); 53.5% male). Forty‐seven patients (19.0%) experienced at least one ED visit and twenty‐two patients (9.0%) were readmitted within 30 days. The two groups did not differ on available demographic and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). There was no difference in 30‐day readmission rates, percent of patients with ≥1 ED visit, ≥1 outpatient physician office visit between the groups (p > 0.05). A total of 78 program participants responded to a satisfaction survey with 95% agreeing the program helped to stay healthy at home.ConclusionMultiple medication‐related problems were identified by in‐home pharmacists and the program appeared to be well‐accepted by participants. In this study we did not find that the program had an impact on reduction of inpatient or urgent healthcare use. Further research using a different study design and a larger sample to estimate the program effectiveness is warranted.
How effectively are your patients taking their medicines? A critical review of the Strathclyde Compliance Risk Assessment Tool in relation to the ‘MMAS’ and ‘MARS’
Authors: Alhomoud Faten , Alhomoud Farah , Millar Ian 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesA useful assessment tool that can support health care professionals in anticipating elderly patients' care needs regarding additional support in managing their own medicines is essential, but currently lacking. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess whether the 13‐item Strathclyde Compliance Risk Assessment Tool (SCRAT) is an appropriate instrument for identifying community‐dwelling elderly people who may be at risk of medication non‐adherence.MethodAn 8‐week survey was performed from October to November 2009. Patients were ≥65 years old, receiving ≥3 medications and were either using multi‐compartment compliance aids or receiving social care support, or both. The data were collected in 45 face‐to‐face structured interviews using the 13‐item SCRAT, 5‐item Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) and 8‐item Modified Morisky Adherence Scale (MMAS) in sheltered housing complexes in Glasgow, Scotland. Interviews were analysed quantitatively using SPSS version 21 software.ResultsThe SCRAT instrument showed substantial inter‐rater reliability (Cohen's kappa of 0.730 for the 13‐item scale). There was a significant strong negative correlation between the 13‐item SCRAT total risk score and 8‐item MMAS (r = −0.654; P = 0.0036), and the 13‐item SCRAT total risk score and 5‐item MARS (r = −0.481; P = 0.0084). The SCRAT instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.853 for the 13‐item scale). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC ± standard error; 95% confidence interval) showed that the SCRAT had good discriminatory capacity and was able to distinguish between adherent and non‐adherent participants on the MARS (0.729 ± 0.17; 0.39, 1.00). The best cut‐off (sensitivity, specificity) was <3 (75%, 45%). In the sub‐analyses, there was a significant difference in total risk score (3 vs. 2, P = 0.011) between users and non‐users of multi‐compartment compliance aids.ConclusionThe study shows that the 13‐item SCRAT has the potential to be used in identifying elderly participants who may have problems managing their own medicines and it may help to determine the level and type of assistance that patients require to manage their medicines.
Red pitaya betacyanins protects from diet‐induced obesity, liver steatosis and insulin resistance in association with modulation of gut microbiota in mice
Authors: Song Haizhao , Chu Qiang , Yan Fujie , Yang Yunyun , Han Wen , Zheng Xiaodong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackground and AimGrowing evidence indicates that gut microbiota contributes to obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Betacyanins possess free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, suggesting its potential beneficial effects on metabolic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic effect of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit betacyanins (HPBN) on high‐fat diet‐fed mice and determine whether the beneficial effects of HPBN are associated with the modulation of gut microbiota.MethodsThirty‐six male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups and fed low‐fat diet (LFD), high‐fat diet (HFD), or high‐fat diet plus HPBN of 200 mg/kg for 14 weeks. Sixteen seconds rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the composition of gut microbiota.ResultsOur results indicated that administration of HPBN reduced HFD‐induced body weight gain and visceral obesity and improved hepatic steatosis, adipose hypertrophy, and insulin resistance in mice. Sixteen seconds rRNA sequencing performed on the MiSeq Illumina platform (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) showed that HPBN supplement not only decreased the proportion of Firmicutes and increased the proportion of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level but also induced a dramatic increase in the relative abundance of Akkermansia at the genus level.ConclusionsRed pitaya betacyanins protect from diet‐induced obesity and its related metabolic disorders, which is associated with improved inflammatory status and modulation of gut microbiota, especially its ability to decrease the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and increase the relative abundance of Akkermansia. The study suggested a clinical implication of HPBN in the management of obesity, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Infectious Disease–Related Emergency Department Visits of Elderly Adults in the United States, 2011–2012
Authors: Goto Tadahiro , Yoshida Kazuki , Tsugawa Yusuke , Camargo Carlos A. , Hasegawa Kohei 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate the frequency of infectious disease (ID)‐related emergency department (ED) visits of elderly adults in the United States.DesignCross‐sectional analysis.SettingNationwide emergency department sample in 2011–12.ParticipantsIndividuals in the ED aged 65 and older with a primary diagnosis of an ID.MeasurementsID‐related ED visits, hospitalizations, hospital‐based mortality.ResultsDuring 2012, a weighted estimate of 3,123,909 ED visits for IDs was calculated in elderly U.S. adults. This accounted for 13.5% (3.1 million visits) of all ED visits of elderly adults; this burden was higher than that for myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure combined. The rate of ID‐related ED visits was 7,231 per 100,000 elderly adults. The most‐common diagnoses were lower respiratory infections (26.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.7–26.6%), urinary tract infections (25.3%, 95% CI = 25.0–25.7%), and septicemia (18.9%, 95% CI = 18.3–19.6%). Of all ID‐related ED visits, 1,786,657 (57.2%, 95% CI = 56.6–57.7%) resulted in hospitalization. The leading cause of hospitalization was septicemia, accounting for 32.2% (95% CI = 31.1–33.3%) of all ID‐related hospitalizations through EDs, followed by lower respiratory infections (27.8%, 95% CI = 27.2–28.4%). Overall, 123,894 individuals (4.0%, 95% CI = 3.8–4.1%) died during their ED visit or hospitalization. Of these, septicemia was the leading cause of mortality (74.7%, 95% CI = 73.8–75.6%), followed by lower respiratory infections (15.2%, 95% CI = 14.6–15.9%). Analysis of the 2011 data gave similar results for the burden of ID‐related ED visits, hospitalizations, and mortality.ConclusionUsing a nationally representative sample, it was found that the public health burden of IDs in elderly U.S. adults was substantial, as measured by ED visits, subsequent hospitalizations, and hospital‐based mortality.