bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asterionellopsis tropicalis(Bacillariophyceae): a new tropical species found in diatom accumulations
Authors: Franco Andréa de Oliveira da Rocha , They Ng Haig , Canani Luis Gustavo de Castro , Maggioni Rodrigo , Odebrecht Clarisse 
Published: June 2016

The diatomAsterionellopsis glacialissensu lato forms high‐density patches in the surf zone of some sandy beaches worldwide and was until recently considered a cosmopolitan species. With the recent description of four cryptic species, the identity of specimens found in these accumulations remains uncertain. In this study, diatom patches were sampled from two sandy beaches of the Brazilian coast: one tropical (Futuro Beach, 3° S; 38° W) and one subtropical (Cassino Beach, 32° S; 52° W). Fine structure of frustules and the sequencing of three phylogenetic markers revealed the subtropical strains to beA. guyunusaeand the tropical strains to be a new species, here described asAsterionellopsis tropicalissp. nov.A. tropicaliswas differentiated morphologically by the number of striae in 10 μm at the foot pole and head (39–44; 38–45, respectively), fromA. lenisilicea(46–55; 46–64),A. maritima (46–51; 46–60), andA. thurstonii(42–58; 55–70). The number of striae at the head region of the valvocopula (10 μm) helped to distinguishA. tropicalis(56–62) fromA. guyunusae(61–64), butA. tropicaliswas morphologically undistinguishable fromA. glacialis. The sequence divergence from other identifiedAsterionellopsisspecies was 13%–16% (Cox1), 11%–12% (5.8S +ITS2) and 2%–6% (RbcL), andA. tropicalisformed a distinct monophyletic clade with high support in all analyzed phylogenetic trees (single or multi‐locus). This work will aid in the understanding of the ecological and physiological diversity of diatom patches that are key to the trophic webs of sandy beaches.
Risk Factors for In‐Hospital Mortality in Heart Failure Patients: Does Rurality, Payer or Admission Source Matter?
Authors: Nayar Preethy , Yu Fang , Chandak Aastha , Kan Ge Lin , Lowes Brian , Apenteng Bettye A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPurposeConsidering the high prevalence of heart failure and the economic burden of the disease, factors that influence in‐hospital mortality are of importance in improving outcomes of care for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of in‐hospital mortality for adult heart failure patients.MethodsThe study design is a retrospective observational study design using the 2010 Nebraska Hospital Discharge data set including 4,319 hospitalizations for 3,521 heart failure patients admitted to 79 hospitals in Nebraska. Hierarchical logistic regression models including patient‐ and hospital‐specific random intercepts were analyzed. Covariates included in the analysis were patient age in years, gender, comorbidity status, length of stay, primary payer, type and source of admission, transfers, and rurality of county of residence.ResultsOverall, 3.5% of heart failure patients died during their hospital stay. In logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities, the odds of dying in hospital for heart failure patients increased with age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.04), co‐morbidity (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.25) and length of stay (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.05). The patient's gender, payer source, rurality of county of residence, source, and type of admission were not risk factors for in‐hospital death.ConclusionIncreasing age, comorbidity and length of stay were risk factors for in‐hospital death for heart failure. An understanding of the risk factors for in‐hospital death is critical to improving outcomes of care for heart failure patients.
Hepatitis C virus dynamics and cellular gene expression in uPA‐SCID chimeric mice with humanized livers during intravenous silibinin monotherapy
Authors: DebRoy S. , Hiraga N. , Imamura M. , Hayes C. N. , Akamatsu S. , Canini L. , Perelson A. S. , Pohl R. T. , Persiani S. , Uprichard S. L. , Tateno C. , Dahari H. , Chayama K. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryLegalon SIL (SIL) is a chemically hydrophilized version of silibinin, an extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds that has exhibited hepatoprotective and antiviral effectiveness against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients leading to viral clearance in combination with ribavirin. To elucidate the incompletely understood mode of action of SIL against HCV, mathematical modelling of HCV kinetics and human hepatocyte gene expression studies were performed in uPA‐SCID‐chimeric mice with humanized livers. Chronically HCV‐infected mice (n = 15) were treated for 14 days with daily intravenous SIL at 469, 265 or 61.5 mg/kg. Serum HCV and human albumin (hAlb) were measured frequently, and liver HCV RNA was analysed at days 3 and 14. Microarray analysis of human hepatocyte gene expression was performed at days 0, 3 and 14 of treatment. While hAlb remained constant, a biphasic viral decline in serum was observed consisting of a rapid 1st phase followed by a second slower phase (or plateau with the two lower SIL dosings). SIL effectiveness in blocking viral production was similar among dosing groups (median ε = 77%). However, the rate of HCV‐infected hepatocyte decline, δ, was dose‐dependent. Intracellular HCV RNA levels correlated (r = 0.66, P = 0.01) with serum HCV RNA. Pathway analysis revealed increased anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes in SIL‐treated mice. The results suggest that SIL could lead to a continuous second‐phase viral decline, that is potentially viral clearance, in the absence of adaptive immune response along with increased anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes.
Efficacy of Inhaled Levalbuterol Compared to Albuterol in Horses with Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Authors: Arroyo M.G. , Couëtil L.L. , Nogradi N. , Kamarudin M.M. , Ivester K.M. 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundThe (R)‐enantiomer of racemic albuterol (levalbuterol) has bronchodilatory properties whereas the (S)‐enantiomer causes adverse effects in human airways, animal models, and isolated equine bronchi. Levalbuterol is commercially available and improves pulmonary function of asthmatic patients with a longer duration of effect than albuterol.ObjectiveTo determine the dose at which inhaled levalbuterol produces maximal bronchodilatory effect (EDmax) and determine its duration of action in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)‐affected horses in comparison to racemic albuterol.AnimalsNine horses with inducible and reversibleRAO.MethodsRandomized, crossover trial. Horses were challenged with moldy hay to induce airway obstruction. Horses were treated with nebulized albuterol or levalbuterol chosen randomly. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) was measured before and for up to 3 hours after bronchodilatation challenge. Maximum change in transpulmonary pressure (DPmax) was measured to assess the dose effect and duration of action of each drug. After a 24 hours washout period, the bronchodilatation challenge was repeated with the second bronchodilator.ResultsThe duration of effect was 60 minutes for albuterol and 120 minutes for levalbuterol. The dose of bronchodilatorEDmax was not significantly different between albuterol and levalbuterol (EDmax = 125.0 [125–125 μg] andEDmax = 188 [125–188 μg] respectively;P= .068). The magnitude of bronchodilatation was not significantly different between the 2 treatments (61.1 and 59.9% decrease inDPmaxfor albuterol and levalbuterol respectively;P= .86).Conclusions and clinical importanceLevalbuterol is as effective a bronchodilator as albuterol; although levalbuterol lasts twice as long as albuterol, its duration of action is still too short to make it practical forRAOtreatment.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: cause or consequence of type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Valenti Luca , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Pajvani Utpal , Targher Giovanni 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGrowing epidemiological evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an early predictor of and determinant for the development of type 2 diabetes and other features of the metabolic syndrome. This finding may have important clinical implications for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications. However, given the complex and bi‐directional relationships between NAFLD, insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycaemia, it is extremely difficult to distinguish whether NAFLD is a cause or a consequence of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, at the molecular level, hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic glucose production depend on differentially regulated branches of the insulin signalling pathway. Furthermore, genetic studies suggest that excess hepatic fat is associated with progressive liver disease, but does not always increase the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Here, we will briefly review the epidemiological, pathophysiological and molecular evidence linking NAFLD to the development of type 2 diabetes. We will also discuss some recent genetic and therapeutic advances that seem to challenge a causal role of NAFLD in the pathogenesis type 2 diabetes, and propose a working hypothesis to explain this apparent conundrum. In conclusion, progressive liver disease and type 2 diabetes are divergent though inter‐related consequences of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.
Does bariatric surgery improve adipose tissue function?
Authors: Frikke‐Schmidt H. , O'Rourke R. W. , Lumeng C. N. , Sandoval D. A. , Seeley R. J. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryBariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for obesity. Not only do these types of surgeries produce significant weight loss but also they improve insulin sensitivity and whole body metabolic function. The aim of this review is to explore how altered physiology of adipose tissue may contribute to the potent metabolic effects of some of these procedures. This includes specific effects on various fat depots, the function of individual adipocytes and the interaction between adipose tissue and other key metabolic tissues. Besides a dramatic loss of fat mass, bariatric surgery shifts the distribution of fat from visceral to the subcutaneous compartment favoring metabolic improvement. The sensitivity towards lipolysis controlled by insulin and catecholamines is improved, adipokine secretion is altered and local adipose inflammation as well as systemic inflammatory markers decreases. Some of these changes have been shown to be weight loss independent, and novel hypothesis for these effects includes include changes in bile acid metabolism, gut microbiota and central regulation of metabolism. In conclusion bariatric surgery is capable of improving aspects of adipose tissue function and do so in some cases in ways that are not entirely explained by the potent effect of surgery. © 2016 World Obesity
Rapid assessment of salivary MMP‐8 and periodontal disease using lateral flow immunoassay
Authors: Johnson N , Ebersole JL , Kryscio RJ , Danaher RJ , Dawson D , Al‐Sabbagh M , Miller CS 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel point‐of‐care immunoflow device (POCID) for detecting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 concentrations in oral fluids in comparison with a gold standard laboratory‐based immunoassay.MethodsOral rinse fluid and whole expectorated saliva samples were collected from 41 participants clinically classified as periodontally healthy or diseased. Samples were analyzed for MMP‐8 by Luminex immunoassay and POCID. Photographed POCID results were assessed by optical scan and visually by two examiners. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation and receiver‐operating characteristics.ResultsMMP‐8 was readily detected by the POCID, and concentrations correlated well with Luminex for both saliva and rinse fluids (r = 0.57–0.93). Thresholds that distinguished periodontitis from health were delineated from both the optical scans and visual reads of the POCID (sensitivity: 0.7–0.9, specificity: 0.5–0.7; P < 0.05).ConclusionsPerformance of this POCID for detecting MMP‐8 in oral rinse fluid or saliva was excellent. These findings help demonstrate the utility of salivary biomarkers for distinguishing periodontal disease from health using a rapid point‐of‐care approach.
High‐dose phenobarbital with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates for acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures
Authors: Uchida Takashi , Takayanagi Masaru , Kitamura Taro , Nishio Toshiyuki , Numata Yurika , Endo Wakaba , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Ohura Toshihiro 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAcute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS) is characterized by repetitive seizures during the acute and chronic phases and has a poor neurological outcome. Burst‐suppression coma via continuous i.v. infusion of a short‐acting barbiturate is used to terminate refractory seizures, but the severe side‐effects of short‐acting barbiturates are problematic. We report on a 9‐year‐old boy with AERRPS who was effectively treated with very‐high‐dose phenobarbital (VHDPB) combined with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates. VHDPB side‐effects were mild, especially compared with those associated with continuous i.v. infusion of short‐acting barbiturates (dosage, 40–75 mg/kg/day; maximum blood level, 290 μg/mL). Using VHDPB as the main treatment, short‐acting barbiturates were used intermittently and in small amounts. This is the first report to show that VHDPB, combined with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates, can effectively treat AERRPS. After treatment, convulsions were suppressed and daily life continued, but intellectual impairment and high‐level dysfunction remained.
Comparing longevity of Pseudacteon species of different sizes: effect of sugar feeding
Authors: Ajayi Olufemi S. , Fadamiro Henry Y. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSugar feeding is known to enhance lifespan in many parasitoid species. Several species of phorid flies in the genus Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) have been introduced in the Southern U.S.A. for the biological control of imported fire ants of Solenopsis species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pseudacteon species are short‐lived flies and little is known about their nutritional ecology. Results from previous studies in our laboratory show that one of the introduced species, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, is capable of feeding on sugar sources with a significant increase in lifespan. However, in Pseudacteon phorid flies, the degree to which sugar feeding can enhance the lifespan of other species is not clear, nor is it known whether there is a relationship between body size and longevity. In the present study, the effect of sugar feeding on the survival of three phorid fly species of different body sizes, Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier and Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier, is investigated. For all three species, flies continuously provided with 40% or 20% sucrose solution live longer than individuals provided water only or 40% sucrose solution only on the first day of adult life. However, the degree to which sugar feeding enhanced longevity varies by species and is highest for P. obtusus. The data also indicate that longevity in Pseudacteon phorid flies is related to body size: the largest species (P. obtusus) lives significantly longer than the smaller species (P. cultellatus and P. curvatus). These results suggest that adults of all three Pseudacteon species are capable of feeding on sucrose solution and that sugar feeding can enhance their longevity. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the field performance of Pseudacteon phorid flies as biological control agents of imported fire ants.
Red Light Treatment in an Axotomy Model of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Beirne Kathy , Rozanowska Malgorzata , Votruba Marcela 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRed light has been shown to provide neuroprotective effects. Axotomizing the optic nerve initiates retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, and an early marker of this is dendritic pruning. We hypothesized that 670 nm light can delay axotomy‐induced dendritic pruning in the retinal explant. To test this hypothesis, we monitored the effects of 670 nm light (radiant exposure of 31.7 J cm−2), on RGC dendritic pruning in retinal explants from C57BL/6J mice, at 40 min, 8 h and 16 h post axotomy. For sham‐treated retinae, area under the Sholl curve, peak of the Sholl curve and dendritic length at 8 h post axotomy showed statistically significant reductions by 42.3% (P = 0.008), 29.8% (P = 0.007) and 38.4% (P = 0.038), respectively, which were further reduced after 16 h by 40.56% (P < 0.008), 33.9% (P < 0.007), 45.43% (P < 0.006), respectively. Dendritic field area was also significantly reduced after 16 h, by 44.23% (P < 0.019). Such statistically significant reductions were not seen in light‐treated RGCs at 8 or 16 h post axotomy. The results demonstrate the ability of 670 nm light to partially prevent ex vivo dendropathy in the mouse retina, suggesting that it is worth exploring as a treatment option for dendropathy‐associated neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease.
Gating of the two‐pore cation channel AtTPC1 in the plant vacuole is based on a single voltage‐sensing domain
Authors: Jaślan D. , Mueller T. D. , Becker D. , Schultz J. , Cuin T. A. , Marten I. , Dreyer I. , Schönknecht G. , Hedrich R. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract

The two‐pore cation channel TPC1 operates as a dimeric channel in animal and plant endomembranes. Each subunit consists of two homologous Shaker‐like halves, with 12 transmembrane domains in total (S1‐S6, S7‐S12). In plants, TPC1 channels reside in the vacuolar membrane, and upon voltage stimulation, give rise to the well‐known slow‐activating SV currents.

Here, we combined bioinformatics, structure modelling, site‐directed mutagenesis, and in planta patch clamp studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of voltage‐dependent channel gating in TPC1 in its native plant background.

Structure‐function analysis of the Arabidopsis TPC1 channel in planta confirmed that helix S10 operates as the major voltage‐sensing site, with Glu450 and Glu478 identified as possible ion‐pair partners for voltage‐sensing Arg537. The contribution of helix S4 to voltage sensing was found to be negligible. Several conserved negative residues on the luminal site contribute to calcium binding, stabilizing the closed channel.

During evolution of plant TPC1s from two separate Shaker‐like domains, the voltage‐sensing function in the N‐terminal Shaker‐unit (S1‐S4) vanished.
Maternal and Neonatal Markers of the Homocysteine Pathway and Fetal Growth: The Generation R Study
Authors: Bergen Nienke E. , Schalekamp‐Timmermans Sarah , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Hofman Albert , Lindemans Jan , Russcher Henk , Tiemeier Henning , Steegers‐Theunissen Régine P. M. , Steegers Eric A.P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundSuboptimal dietary intake during pregnancy may have long‐term health implications in children. These effects may be mediated by fetal growth. We investigated the associations of early pregnancy and umbilical cord total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and total and active vitamin B12 concentrations with fetal growth parameters repeatedly measured in pregnancy and at birth.MethodsThis study was performed in 5890 pregnant women, participating in a population‐based prospective cohort study. Blood samples were obtained from women in early pregnancy and from the umbilical vein at delivery. Fetal size parameters were repeatedly measured by ultrasound. Information about birth anthropometrics was retrieved from medical records.ResultsHigh early pregnancy maternal tHcy (≥8.31 μmol/L), as compared with low maternal homocysteine (≤5.80 μmol/L), and low early pregnancy maternal folate (≤9.10 nmol/L), as compared with high maternal folate (≥25.81 nmol/L) concentrations, were associated with reduced weight growth patterns throughout pregnancy, resulting in birthweight differences of −102.3 g (95% CI −139.6, −65.0) and −113.0 g (95% CI −159.6, −66.3), respectively. Low umbilical cord folate concentrations (≤15.20 nmol/L) as compared with high umbilical cord folate concentrations (≥28.41 nmol/L) were also associated with a lower birthweight and birth length (P < 0.001). Interestingly, compared with higher umbilical cord vitamin B12, lower vitamin B12 concentrations were associated with a higher weight, length, and head circumference at birth (P < 0.01).ConclusionEarly pregnancy maternal and umbilical cord markers of the homocysteine pathway are significantly associated with fetal growth patterns. These differences arise from mid‐pregnancy onwards.
Comparing the validity of informant and self‐reports of personality using laboratory indices of emotional responding as criterion variables
Authors: Lieberman Lynne , Liu Huiting , Huggins Ashley A. , Katz Andrea C. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Shankman Stewart A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPersonality traits relate to risk for psychopathology and can inform predictions about treatment outcome. In an effort to obtain a comprehensive index of personality, informant reports of personality are sometimes obtained in addition to self‐reports of personality. However, there is limited research comparing the validity of self‐ and informant reports of personality, particularly among those with internalizing psychopathology. This is important given that informants may provide an additional (and perhaps different) perspective on individuals’ personality. The present study therefore compared how both reports of positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) relate to psychophysiological and subjective measures of emotional responding to positive and negative stimuli. Given that our sample (n = 117) included individuals with no history of psychopathology, as well as individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and/or panic disorder (PD), we were also able to explore whether these internalizing diagnoses moderated the association between personality reports and measures of emotional responding. Informant‐reported PA predicted physiological responses to positive stimuli (but not negative). Informant‐reported NA predicted physiological responses to negative stimuli (but not positive). Self‐reported personality did not predict physiological responding, but did predict subjectively measured emotional responding (NA for negative responding, PA for positive responding). Diagnoses of internalizing psychopathology (PD or MDD) did not moderate these associations. Results suggest self‐ and informant reports of personality may each provide valid indices of an individual's emotional response tendencies, but predict different aspects of those tendencies.
Optimal Licensing Policy under Vertical Product Differentiation
Authors: Nguyen Xuan , Sgro Pasquale , Nabin Munirul 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis paper explores a vertical product differentiation model with a licensing arrangement between a multinational firm with superior technology and a domestic firm with obsolete technology. We find that a subsidy provided by the domestic country's government to the domestic firm to assist with the licensing arrangement is welfare enhancing for the domestic country. Furthermore, both the multinational firm and the domestic country are better off under royalty than under fixed fee licensing. These findings stand in contrast to earlier results in the literature.