bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL SIBS WITH A FAMILIAL CHROMOSOMAL TRANSLOCATION
Authors: PITT DAVID , FERGUSON JEAN , BAIKIE A. G. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryA case is described of a moderately retarded boy with cerebral atrophy of unknown cause, inherited epicanthi and other malformations, with 45 chromosomes seen in preparations of both skin and blood. The karyotype showed only four large acrocentric chromosomes in group D (13–15), but there was also present an additional medium metacentric chromosome comparable in size with those in group C (6–12). This would appear to be a translocation between two chromosomes of group D, with deletion of chromosome material from the short arms. The patient's mother and brother, who are both phenotypically normal, except for the presence of similar epicanthi, also show the same autosomal anomaly and translocation. The original assumption that the patient's chromosomal anomaly was solely responsible for his disordered development was therefore disproved, and the cause of his condition remains obscure. The possible relationship between the familial chromosomal abnormality and the phenotypic abnormalities in the index case is discussed.These findings indicate that in the absence of regular association in a sufficient number of cases, abnormal clinical findings should not be too readily attributed to any particular chromosomal anomaly found.
Fecundity of the invasive marine gastropodCrepidula fornicatanear the current northern extreme of its range
Authors: Pechenik Jan A. , Diederich Casey M. , Browman Howard I. , Jelmert Anders 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe calyptraeid gastropodCrepidula fornicatais native to the eastern coast of the United States but has now become an extremely successful invader along much of the European coastline. As the northern limit of its spread is thought to be determined by an inability of adults to tolerate prolonged exposure to low winter temperatures, this study sought to compare the fecundity of females collected from two sites along the Norwegian coastline with that of females collected from Rhode Island, USA. Few other studies have compared the fecundities of marine invertebrates from invasive populations with those found in native populations. For both populations studied, fecundities increased with increasing shell length. However, contrary to expectations, size‐related fecundities were significantly higher for Norwegian females than for Rhode Island females, with Norwegian females producing larger egg capsules and a greater number of embryos per capsule, but not a greater number of egg capsules per brood. Current evidence suggests that at the northern extreme of its invaded range, the fecundity ofC. fornicatais increased rather than compromised.
Nd3+‐Doped Silicate Glasses as an Efficient Color Filter to Improve the Color Gamut of a White LED
Authors: Han Karam , Kim Yong Hwan , Chung Gi Won , Shin Chun Hwa , Hwang Hun , Chung Woon Jin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNd3+‐doped silicate glass (Nd‐glass) was employed as a color filter for a white LED based on red and green phosphor (RG‐LED), to manipulate the photoluminescence spectral shape and thus to provide a wider color gamut. The hypersensitive transition of Nd3+:4I9/2→4G5/2,2G7/2 was adjusted via glass composition and Nd concentration, and improved absorbance as well as reduced the absorption bandwidth. The effective absorption of the Nd‐glass at ~580 nm reduced the spectral linewidth of the green and red emissions, improving the color reproduction range. The color gamut of the RG‐LED was improved from 75.3% to 81.6% NTSC by the introduction of Nd‐glass as a color filter. Reliability under high operating current and high temperature were also examined and discussed.
Types of investor uncertainty and the cost of equity capital
Authors: Larson Chad R. , Resutek Robert J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe jointly test the effects of two types of investor uncertainty, one related to future firm performance and unrelated to accruals (cash flow uncertainty) and one directly related to accrual estimation errors (accounting quality uncertainty). Distinct from prior studies, our uncertainty estimates are based on a matched‐firm design that minimizes the mechanical relationship between the two uncertainty variables. We find a strong negative relationship between cash flow uncertainty and multiple estimates of the cost of equity capital. With respect to accounting quality uncertainty, we find a strong positive association with both expected stock returns and implied costs of equity, but only in settings that control for cash flow uncertainty. Collectively, our results suggest the need to consider different types of investor uncertainty when examining how investor uncertainty affects the cost of equity capital.
Preventive Dental Checkups and Their Association With Access to Usual Source of Care Among Rural and Urban Adult Residents
Authors: Khan Aishah , Thapa Janani R. , Zhang Donglan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPurposeThis study aimed to assess the relationship between rural or urban residence and having a usual source of care (USC), and the utilization of preventive dental checkups among adults.MethodsCross‐sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2012. We performed a logit regression on the relationship between rural and urban residence, having a USC, and having at least 1 dental checkup in the past year, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health status.FindingsAfter controlling for covariates, rural adult residents had significantly lower odds of having at least 1 dental checkup per year compared to their urban counterparts (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62‐0.86,P< .001). Additionally, individuals with a USC had higher odds of having at least 1 dental checkup per year (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.59‐1.95,P< .001). Among both rural and urban residents, having a USC was significantly associated with an 11% (95% CI = 9%‐13%) increase in the probability of having a preventive dental checkup within a year.ConclusionsIndividuals with a USC were more likely to obtain a preventive dental visit, with similar effects in rural and urban settings. We attributed the lower odds of having a checkup in rural regions to the lower density of oral health care providers in these areas. Integration of rural oral health care into primary care may help mitigate the challenges due to a shortage of oral health care providers in rural areas.
Chronicle of a Survival Foretold: How Protest Behavior Against Armed Actors Influenced Violence in the Colombian Civil War, 1988–2005
Authors: León Carlos Enrique Moreno 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article examines the circumstances under which civilians, using protests as a mechanism, alter the strategic use of violence by armed actors (rebels and state forces). By examining the civil war in Colombia between 1988 and 2005, this study finds that combatants decrease their attacks against the population when civilians protest against the enemy. Combatants interpret such demonstrations as costly signals of loyalty. Furthermore, when insurgents are the target of the protests, insurgents increase repression against civilians as rebels get stronger. In contrast, state forces (and paramilitaries) compensate for their weakness in the area by multiplying civilian victims. Both state forces and rebels, however, are likely to decrease violence against civilians when civilians protest against both parties in contested zones. In such contexts, armed actors are likely to refrain from retaliation because any violence might drive noncombatants toward the enemy.
Ritual Demonstrations versus Reactive Protests: Participation Across Mobilizing Contexts in Mexico City
Authors: Inclán María , Almeida Paul D. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsing an innovative survey of protest participants and nonparticipants from five major street demonstrations in Mexico City in 2011 and 2012, this study tests the assumption that influences on protest participation vary across different types of events; namely, ritual demonstrations and reactive protests. The comparison is based on two assumptions: that these are two of the dominant forms of protest in contemporary Latin America, and that specifying the context for different types of social movement participation provides a better understanding of the individual mobilization process for groups seeking to defend their rights or gain new benefits. The comparative analyses reveal some crucial differences. Political interest and previous political experience are more influential in the decision to take part in reactive demonstrations. For ritual demonstrations, the decision to participate tends to be driven more by personal and organizational connections.
Culex torrentium mosquitoes from Germany are negative for Wolbachia
Authors: LEGGEWIE M. , KRUMKAMP R. , BADUSCHE M. , HEITMANN A. , JANSEN S. , SCHMIDT‐CHANASIT J. , TANNICH E. , BECKER S. C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) infects a wide range of arthropods, including several mosquito species. The bacterium is known to induce a plethora of phenotypes in its host, examples being the reproductive phenotype cytoplasmic incompatibility or resistance against infection with arboviruses. The latter is especially relevant when assessing the vector competence of mosquito species for emerging arboviruses. Thus, knowledge of Wolbachia infection status is important for the assessment of vector competence.To facilitate Wolbachia screening in mosquito populations, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed to enable high‐throughput analysis of mosquito samples. Using this assay, the Wolbachia infection status of the two most common Culex mosquito species in Germany, Culex pipiens biotype pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex torrentium Martini (Diptera: Culicidae), was assessed. About 93% of all tested C. pipiens biotype pipiens individuals were positive for Wolbachia, whereas none of the C. torrentium samples was found to be infected. Furthermore, other applications of the qPCR assay were explored by assessing a potential link between the levels of Wolbachia and West Nile virus (WNV) infections in German C. pipiens biotype pipiens mosquitoes. No relationship was found between the two variables, indicating that a Wolbachia‐induced antiviral phenotype in this mosquito population is not exclusively attributable to the general level of bacterial infection.
Associations of oral fluid MMP‐8 with periodontitis in Swiss adult subjects
Authors: Mauramo M , Ramseier AM , Mauramo E , Buser A , Tervahartiala T , Sorsa T , Waltimo T 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveMMP‐8 is a prominent collagenase in periodontal disease. This cross‐sectional study examined whether MMP‐8 levels in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) are associated with periodontitis in a Swiss population.Subjects and MethodsA total of 258 subjects (107 m, 151 f, mean age: 43.5 yr; range: 21–58 yr) acquired from the Swiss bone marrow donor registry participated in the study. Saliva and GCF samples were collected from subjects followed by a thorough dental and periodontal examination. MMP‐8 levels were determined with immunofluorometric assay. Associations of MMP‐8 levels with periodontal diagnosis, probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing were statistically analysed with Pearson chi‐square test, Spearman's rho and logistic regression analysis.ResultsMMP‐8 in GCF correlated with MMP‐8 in saliva (p < .001). Periodontitis was more common (p < .001) among subjects with high levels of MMP‐8 in saliva and/or GCF compared with subjects with low levels of MMP‐8. Higher MMP‐8 levels in GCF and saliva were associated with any periodontal diagnosis (mild, moderate or severe), greater PPD, and bleeding on probing (p < .05). When age, gender, smoking, body mass index, number of medications and decayed, missing and filled teeth were adjusted for, all observed associations remained statistically significant. The area under curve of receiver‐operating characteristic was 0.67 for saliva and 0.71 for GCF.ConclusionElevated MMP‐8 levels both in saliva and GCF are associated with periodontitis in a normal adult population.
Harmine promotes periodontal ligament cell‐induced tissue regeneration
Authors: Lim H‐C , Cha B‐Y , Song SU , Yun J‐H 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveto investigate whether harmine has a promotive effect on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs)‐induced tissue regeneration.Materials and MethodsVarious concentrations of harmine on hPDLCs proliferation were tested. Osteogenic and cementogenic characteristics were examined in hPDLC/rhBMP‐2 and hPDLC/harmine by alizarin red S staining, real‐time PCR, and Western blotting assay. The activity of harmine was investigated in an ectopic transplantation nude mouse model.ResultsWe determined that 10 μM of harmine was the threshold concentration. hPDLC/harmine showed similar mineralized nodule formation in alizarin S staining compared to hPDLC/rhBMP‐2. In real‐time PCR, the highest gene expression level was observed for Runx2 in hPDLC/harmine at all time points. The level of CEMP‐1 in hPDLC/harmine was higher at 7 days than hPDLCs alone. Thicker band of Runx2 in hPDLC/harmine was observed than in hPDLC/rhBMP‐2 at 7 days by Western blotting. The band for CEMP‐1 in hPDLC/harmine was thicker than hPDLCs alone at both 7 and 14 days. In ectopic transplantation, hPDLCs with harmine showed a comparable amount of mineralized tissue formation compared to rhBMP‐2. hPDLCs with harmine or rhBMP‐2 formed both bone and cementum‐like tissue with Sharpey's fiber‐like collagen insertion.ConclusionHarmine can be a potential candidate for promoting hPDLCs‐induced tissue regeneration.
Urinary desmosine is associated with emphysema severity and frequent exacerbation in patients with COPD
Authors: Kim Changhwan , Ko Yousang , Kim Su Hee , Yoo Hyun Ju , Lee Jae Seung , Rhee Chin Kook , Lee Jin Hwa , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Kim Tae‐Hyung , Lim Seong Yong , Yoo Kwang Ha , Seo Joon Beom , Oh Yeon‐Mok , Lee Sang‐Do , Park Yong Bum 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveMatrix degradation is a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Desmosine and isodesmosine (desmosines) are excreted in urine following matrix degradation. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the association between computed tomography (CT) emphysema indices and urinary desmosines in patients with COPD.MethodsA total of 152 subjects were selected from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. Their urine samples were assayed for desmosines using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) methods. The cohort was divided into emphysema‐dominant (n = 80) and non‐emphysema dominant‐ (n = 72) groups according to the CT emphysema index.ResultsThe level of urinary desmosines was significantly higher in the emphysema‐dominant group. Significant differences were also observed between the two groups for body mass index and lung function. Multivariate analysis indicated that a high level of urinary desmosines was a significant independent predictor of emphysema (relative risk: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.11–6.09; P = 0.028). The percentage of frequent exacerbators was significantly higher in the high urinary desmosine group in the first year of follow‐up (P = 0.041). The mean number of exacerbations was higher in the high urinary desmosine group, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.067). The changes in emphysema index did not differ between the two urinary desmosine groups over 3 years of follow‐up.ConclusionThis study indicates that the level of urinary desmosines measured by LC‐MS/MS methods is associated with the CT emphysema index. Urinary desmosine can be a useful predictor in identifying frequent exacerbators.
Life Expectancy and Claiming Behavior in a Flexible Pension System
Authors: Brinch Christian N. , Fredriksen Dennis , Vestad Ola L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe study the relationship between early claiming of pensions and incentives in the highly flexible Norwegian public pension system, measuring incentives to claim based on an estimated model for expected longevity. Despite a strong correlation between incentives and claiming decisions, the additional costs to public budgets arising from this selection turn out to be modest. Based on analyses exploiting only variation in expected pensions generated by variation in parental longevities and only claiming of pensions not in conjunction with retirement, we conclude that part of the selection is active: some individuals claim pensions early because they gain from doing so.
Enhancing blood donor skin disinfection using natural oils
Authors: Alabdullatif Meshari , Boujezza Imen , Mekni Mohamed , Taha Mariam , Kumaran Dilini , Yi Qi‐Long , Landoulsi Ahmed , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra 
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUNDEffective donor skin disinfection is essential in preventing bacterial contamination of blood components with skin flora bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis. Cell aggregates of S. epidermidis (biofilms) are found on the skin and are resistant to the commonly used donor skin disinfectants chlorhexidine‐gluconate and isopropyl alcohol. It has been demonstrated that essential oils synergistically enhance the antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine‐gluconate. The objective of this study was to test plant‐extracted essential oils in combination with chlorhexidine‐gluconate or chlorhexidine‐gluconate plus isopropyl alcohol for their ability to eliminate S. epidermidis biofilms.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe composition of oils extracted from Artemisia herba‐alba, Lavandula multifida, Origanum marjoram, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Thymus capitatus was analyzed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. A rabbit model was used to assess skin irritation caused by the oils. In addition, the anti‐biofilm activity of the oils used alone or in combination with chlorhexidine‐gluconate or chlorhexidine‐gluconate plus isopropyl alcohol was tested against S. epidermidis biofilms.RESULTSEssential oil concentrations 10%, 20%, and 30% were chosen for anti‐biofilm assays, because skin irritation was observed at concentrations greater than 30%. All oils except for O. marjoram had anti‐biofilm activity at these three concentrations. L. multifida synergistically enhanced the anti‐biofilm activity of chlorhexidine‐gluconate and resulted in the highest anti‐biofilm activity observed when combined with chlorhexidine‐gluconate plus isopropyl alcohol. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry revealed that the main component contributing to the activity of L. multifida oil was a natural terpene alcohol called linalool.CONCLUSIONThe anti‐biofilm activity of chlorhexidine‐gluconate plus isopropyl alcohol can be greatly enhanced by L. multifida oil or linalool. Therefore, these components could potentially be used to improve blood donor skin disinfection.
Lull pgm system: A suitable technique to improve the regenerative potential of autologous fat grafting
Authors: Morselli Paolo G. , Giorgini Federico A. , Pazzini Claudia , Muscari Claudio 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAutologous fat grafting and methods of purification of harvested tissue have become one of the most current themes in regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro regenerative potential of abdomen lipoaspirates subjected to a combined washing‐decantation purifying procedure, the Lull pgm System (Lull). Blood cells and stromal‐vascular fraction (SVF) cells contained in the aspirates were investigated and compared with those obtained through more conventional fat‐processing methods, that is, the decantation and Coleman's centrifugation techniques. The lowest number of erythrocytes, which are proinflammatory cells, was observed in the Lull samples, corresponding to about 50% of those isolated by decantation and centrifugation. The highest amount of SVF cells were isolated from the Lull samples whose number of colony forming units, representative of the amount of adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs), was about fourfold and sixfold higher than in the decantation and centrifugation samples, respectively. Adipocyte and osteoblast commitment of SVF cells obtained from all the three procedures also confirmed that the subpopulation of ADSCs was actively represented in the processed aspirates. Moreover, the growth rate of the SVF cells was more accentuated in the samples obtained from decantation and Lull than centrifugation. In conclusion, Lull seems to be the best processing technique for adipose tissue graft with respect to decantation and centrifugation, because it clears more efficiently the fat from proinflammatory blood cells and provides the greatest number of proliferating SFV cells and ADSCs.
Leukoencephalopathy‐causing CLCN2 mutations are associated with impaired Cl− channel function and trafficking
Authors: Gaitán‐Peñas Héctor , Apaja Pirjo M , Arnedo Tanit , Castellanos Aida , Elorza‐Vidal Xabier , Soto David , Gasull Xavier , Lukacs Gergely L , Estévez Raúl 
Published: September 2017

Key points
Characterisation of most mutations found in CLCN2 in patients with CC2L leukodystrophy show that they cause a reduction in function of the chloride channel ClC‐2.
GlialCAM, a regulatory subunit of ClC‐2 in glial cells and involved in the leukodystrophy megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC), increases the activity of a ClC‐2 mutant by affecting ClC‐2 gating and by stabilising the mutant at the plasma membrane.
The stabilisation of ClC‐2 at the plasma membrane by GlialCAM depends on its localisation at cell–cell junctions.
The membrane protein MLC1, which is defective in MLC, also contributes to the stabilisation of ClC‐2 at the plasma membrane, providing further support for the view that GlialCAM, MLC1 and ClC‐2 form a protein complex in glial cells.
AbstractMutations in CLCN2 have been recently identified in patients suffering from a type of leukoencephalopathy involving intramyelinic oedema. Here, we characterised most of these mutations that reduce the function of the chloride channel ClC‐2 and impair its plasma membrane (PM) expression. Detailed biochemical and electrophysiological analyses of the Ala500Val mutation revealed that defective gating and increased cellular and PM turnover contributed to defective A500V‐ClC‐2 functional expression. Co‐expression of the adhesion molecule GlialCAM, which forms a tertiary complex with ClC‐2 and megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts 1 (MLC1), rescued the functional expression of the mutant by modifying its gating properties. GlialCAM also restored the PM levels of the channel by impeding its turnover at the PM. This rescue required ClC‐2 localisation to cell–cell junctions, since a GlialCAM mutant with compromised junctional localisation failed to rescue the impaired stability of mutant ClC‐2 at the PM. Wild‐type, but not mutant, ClC‐2 was also stabilised by MLC1 overexpression. We suggest that leukodystrophy‐causing CLCN2 mutations reduce the functional expression of ClC‐2, which is partly counteracted by GlialCAM/MLC1‐mediated increase in the gating and stability of the channel.