bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of tofacitinib in treatment of alopecia universalis in two patients
Authors: Gupta A.K. , Carviel J.L. , Abramovits W. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundAutoimmune‐triggered non‐scarring hair loss is a feature of alopecia areata (AA). Initially patchy and often self‐limited, severe hair loss forms include the complete loss of scalp hair or alopecia totalis (AT) and complete loss of all hair or alopecia universalis (AU). For AT and AU a reliable treatment has remained elusive. The targeted kinase inhibitor tofacitinib, in current use for treatment of other immune diseases, has been hypothesized as a viable option for AA, AT and AU therapy and a few case reports support this.ObjectiveOur study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of tofacitinib in the treatment of AU.MethodsTwo patients diagnosed with long‐term AU were prescribed tofacitinib citrate at a dosage of 5 mg twice daily and observed for eight months.ResultsIn the first patient, beard growth was significant by 3 months of treatment. By 6 months of treatment, hair growth was apparent throughout the entire body. By 8 months of treatment, scalp hair continued to grow longer and thicker. In addition, eyelashes and eyebrows were established. In the second patient, a noticeable increase in scalp hair was present just 1 month into treatment. By 4 months into treatment, significant scalp regrowth was observed as well as eyelash, eyebrow and beard regrowth. Axillary hair regrowth and isolated leg hair was noted by 8 months.ConclusionIn our patients, tofacitinib successfully alleviated AU in the absence of significant adverse side‐effects. We recommend that further study be required to establish safety and confirm efficacy.
Ambient humidity and the skin: the impact of air humidity in healthy and diseased states
Authors: Goad N. , Gawkrodger D.J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHumidity, along with other climatic factors such as temperature and ultraviolet radiation, can have an important impact on the skin. Limited data suggest that external humidity influences the water content of the stratum corneum. An online literature search was conducted through Pub‐Med using combinations of the following keywords: skin, skin disease, humidity, dermatoses, dermatitis, eczema, and mist. Publications included in this review were limited to (i) studies in humans or animals, (ii) publications showing relevance to the field of dermatology, (iii) studies published in English and (iv) publications discussing humidity as an independent influence on skin function. Studies examining environmental factors as composite influences on skin health are only included where the impact of humidity on the skin is also explored in isolation of other environmental factors. A formal systematic review was not feasible for this topic due to the heterogeneity of the available research. Epidemiological studies indicated an increase in eczema with low internal (indoors) humidity and an increase in eczema with external high humidity. Other studies suggest that symptoms of dry skin appear with low humidity internal air‐conditioned environments. Murine studies determined that low humidity caused a number of changes in the skin, including the impairment of the desquamation process. Studies in humans demonstrated a reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (a measure of the integrity of the skin's barrier function) with low humidity, alterations in the water content in the stratum corneum, decreased skin elasticity and increased roughness. Intervention with a humidifying mist increased the water content of the stratum corneum. Conversely, there is some evidence that low humidity conditions can actually improve the barrier function of the skin. Ambient relative humidity has an impact on a range of parameters involved in skin health but the literature is inconclusive. Further studies are needed to better delineate the interactions that can occur in normal and diseased states. Therapeutic measures might be forthcoming especially for skin diseases such as eczema, which are regarded as being characterized by ‘skin dryness’. Further research examining the interaction between different environmental exposures thought to impact the skin, and indeed the interplay between genetic, environmental and immunological influences, are required.
Testing the cranial evolutionary allometric ‘rule’ in Galliformes
Authors: Linde‐Medina M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRecent comparative studies have indicated the existence of a common cranial evolutionary allometric (CREA) pattern in mammals and birds, in which smaller species have relatively smaller faces and bigger braincases than larger species. In these studies, cranial allometry was tested using a multivariate regression between shape (described using landmarks coordinates) and size (i.e. centroid size), after accounting for phylogenetic relatedness. Alternatively, cranial allometry can be determined by comparing the sizes of two anatomical parts using a bivariate regression analysis. In this analysis, a slope higher or lower than one indicates the existence of positive or negative allometry, respectively. Thus, in those species that support the CREA ‘rule’, positive allometry is expected for the association between face size and braincase size, which would indicate that larger species have disproportionally larger faces. In this study, I applied these two approaches to explore cranial allometry in 83 Galliformes (Aves, Galloanserae), ranging in mean body weight from 30 g to 2.5 kg. The multivariate regression between shape and centroid size revealed the existence of a significant allometric pattern resembling CREA, whereas the second analysis revealed a negative allometry for beak size and braincase size (i.e. contrary to the CREA ‘rule’, larger galliform species have disproportionally shorter beaks than smaller galliform species). This study suggests that the presence of CREA may be overestimated when using cranium size as the standard measurement.
Large‐brained birds suffer less oxidative damage
Authors: Vágási C. I. , Vincze O. , Pătraş L. , Osváth G. , Marton A. , Bărbos L. , Sol D. , Pap P. L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLarge brains (relative to body size) might confer fitness benefits to animals. Although the putative costs of well‐developed brains can constrain the majority of species to modest brain sizes, these costs are still poorly understood. Given that the neural tissue is energetically expensive and demands antioxidants, one potential cost of developing and maintaining large brains is increased oxidative stress (‘oxidation exposure’ hypothesis). Alternatively, because large‐brained species exhibit slow‐paced life histories, they are expected to invest more into self‐maintenance such as an efficacious antioxidative defence machinery (‘oxidation avoidance’ hypothesis). We predict decreased antioxidant levels and/or increased oxidative damage in large‐brained species in case of oxidation exposure, and the contrary in case of oxidation avoidance. We address these contrasting hypotheses for the first time by means of a phylogenetic comparative approach based on an unprecedented data set of four redox state markers from 85 European bird species. Large‐brained birds suffered less oxidative damage to lipids (measured as malondialdehyde levels) and exhibited higher total nonenzymatic antioxidant capacity than small‐brained birds, whereas uric acid and glutathione levels were independent of brain size. These results were not altered by potentially confounding variables and did not depend on how relative brain size was quantified. Our findings partially support the ‘oxidation avoidance’ hypothesis and provide a physiological explanation for the linkage of large brains with slow‐paced life histories: reduced oxidative stress of large‐brained birds can secure brain functionality and healthy life span, which are integral to their lifetime fitness and slow‐paced life history.
Interpreting risk as evidence of causality: lessons learned from a legal case to determine medical malpractice
Authors: Mercuri Mathew , Baigrie Brian S 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTranslating risk estimates derived from epidemiologic study into evidence of causality for a particular patient is problematic. The difficulty of this process is not unique to the medical context; rather, courts are also challenged with the task of using risk estimates to infer evidence of cause in particular cases. Thus, an examination of how this is done in a legal context might provide insight into when and how it is appropriate to use risk information as evidence of cause in a medical context. A careful study of the case of Goodman v. Viljoen, a medical malpractice suit litigated in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2011, reveals different approaches to how risk information is used as or might be considered a substitute for evidence of causation, and the pitfalls associated with these approaches. Achieving statistical thresholds, specifically minimizing the probability of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis, and exceeding a relative risk of 2, plays a significant role in establishing causality of the particular in the legal setting. However, providing a reasonable explanation or establishing “biological plausibility” of the causal association also seems important, and (to some) may even take precedent over statistical thresholds for a given context.
Infection routes of Aeromonas salmonicida in rainbow trout monitored in vivo by real‐time bioluminescence imaging
Authors: Bartkova S , Kokotovic B , Dalsgaard I 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRecent development of imaging tools has facilitated studies of pathogen infections in vivo in real time. This trend can be exemplified by advances in bioluminescence imaging (BLI), an approach that helps to visualize dissemination of pathogens within the same animal over several time points. Here, we employ bacterial BLI for examining routes of entry and spread of Aeromonas salmonicida susbp. salmonicida in rainbow trout. A virulent Danish A. salmonicida strain was tagged with pAKgfplux1, a dual‐labelled plasmid vector containing the mutated gfpmut3a gene from Aequorea victoria and the luxCDABE genes from the bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens. The resulting A. salmonicida transformant exhibited growth properties and virulence identical to the wild‐type A. salmonicida, which made it suitable for an experimental infection, mimicking natural conditions. Fish were infected with pAKgfplux1 tagged A. salmonicida via immersion bath. Colonization and subsequent tissue dissemination was followed over a 24‐h period using the IVIS spectrum imaging workstation. Results suggest the pathogen's colonization sites are the dorsal and pectoral fin and the gills, followed by a progression through the internal organs and an ensuing exit via the anal opening. This study provides a tool for visualizing colonization of A. salmonicida and other bacterial pathogens in fish.
Noninvasive Monitoring by Ultrasound of Liquid Foodstuff to Ice Slurry Transitions Within Steel Ducts and Pipes
Authors: Lucas Edward J.K. , Brooks Sam , Hales Alastair , McBryde Daniel , Yun Xiao , Quarini Giuseppe L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractUltrasound was assessed as a noninvasive method of detecting dynamic transitions occurring as a scouring high ice fraction ice slurry forces liquid food products through process lines. The attenuation of ultrasound waves passing through a test section was measured within a time window that captured waves with arrival time's characteristic of a direct path through the tubing and its contents. A recording transducer measuring the attenuated signal provided an output in volts, corresponding to the extent of attenuation. Water as a comparable substitute for a liquid food product gave typical values of 2.32 ± 0.07 V for mean amplitude of these waves. The passage of ice slurry reduced this value to 0.75 ± 0.03 V which represented a highly significant (P < 0.001) reduction in transmission. Tomato soup under similar circumstances gave values of 1.93 ± 0.09 V reduced to 0.64 ± 0.02 V when ice slurry flowed between the transducers. Dynamic transitions involving yoghurt and yoghurt mixtures were also detectable except when the yoghurt and the ice slurry shared similar degrees of signal attenuation. Pipe geometry was typically found to introduce systematic changes to recorded values but these did not detract from the basic finding that significant differences were always found between flowing food products and ice slurry, except in the case of pure yoghurt in a large channel. Noninvasive monitoring of dynamic product to ice slurry transitions in food grade steel pipes by ultrasound is readily achievable and could become a method of choice for product recovery systems.Practical ApplicationsIce slurries can be used to clean out foodstuffs from processing lines and offer the possibility of product recovery from within lines that would otherwise be lost by traditional cleaning methods such as water flushing. This process ideally needs noninvasive monitoring in real time using on‐line sensors. External ultrasound transducers allow noninvasive monitoring without changes to existing infrastructure. Food grade stainless steel presents a challenge to ultrasound due to the high impedance mismatch between it and liquid food products. Knowledge of the moment of transition is an advance on rudimentary timing methods and would help to minimise wastage with prevention of contamination in recovered product. Present work demonstrates that noninvasive ultrasound can detect dynamic transitions to ice slurry within steel pipes and ducts, opening the way for automated control processes to minimise wastage and maximise product recovery.
Fabrication and Characterization of Polyglycerol Fatty Acid Esters/Polyethylene Antifogging Film
Authors: Wei L.‐J. , Yang F.‐X. , Du Y.‐P. , Chen J.‐Y. , Wang H.‐L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe antifogging polyglycerol fatty acid esters (PGFE)/polyethylene (PE) film with polyethylene wax emulsions (WE1) as a dispersant was fabricated using twin‐screw extruder and then extrusion blow molding. The study was conducted to investigate the influence that different levels of PGFE on the antifogging performance, mechanical, optical, thermostability and cross‐section microstructures of PGFE/PE film. The modified polymer film had been characterized by contact angle measurement (CAM), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that WE1 and PGFE could mix evenly with PE resin. Compared with 100% low‐density polyethylene film, PGFE incorporation improved antifogging performance, hydrophilicity, haze and thermostability, however, decreased light transmittance and tensile strength. When the content of PGFE is 2%, PGFE/PE film has a long lasting antifogging performance, high‐quality mechanical stability and light transmittance. It has a great potential to be applied in food packaging.Practical ApplicationsBecause of the utilization as antifogging, antistatic additive, lubricant and plasticizer of polyglycerol fatty acid esters (PGFE) in synthetic resin and plastics processing, it is receiving much more attention. Investigation of the antifogging performance in PGFE in polymer matrix has recently been considered. Study of the antifogging and physical parameters is one of the ways to find the influence of antifoggant on the antifogging, mechanical and structural properties of the films. In this work, high‐temperature antifogging property, water contact angle, morphology of water droplets on the film surface, mechanical and optical behaviors of film samples affected by the concentration of PGFE were studied. Investigation of scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the film allows a better understanding of film structure in the process of film fabrication. More importantly, the study solves the uneven distribution of antifoggant in the polymer resin.
Identifying Patterns of Multimorbidity in Older Americans: Application of Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Whitson Heather E. , Johnson Kimberly S. , Sloane Richard , Cigolle Christine T. , Pieper Carl F. , Landerman Lawrence , Hastings Susan N. 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo define multimorbidity “classes” empirically based on patterns of disease co‐occurrence in older Americans and to examine how class membership predicts healthcare use.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingNationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries in file years 1999–2007.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older in the Medicare Beneficiary Survey who had data available for at least 1 year after index interview (N = 14,052).MeasurementsSurveys (self‐report) were used to assess chronic conditions, and latent class analysis (LCA) was used to define multimorbidity classes based on the presence or absence of 13 conditions. All participants were assigned to a best‐fit class. Primary outcomes were hospitalizations and emergency department visits over 1 year.ResultsThe primary LCA identified six classes. The largest portion of participants (32.7%) was assigned to the minimal disease class, in which most persons had fewer than two of the conditions. The other five classes represented various degrees and patterns of multimorbidity. Usage rates were higher in classes with greater morbidity, but many individuals could not be assigned to a particular class with confidence (sample misclassification error estimate = 0.36). Number of conditions predicted outcomes at least as well as class membership.ConclusionAlthough recognition of general patterns of disease co‐occurrence is useful for policy planning, the heterogeneity of persons with significant multimorbidity (≥3 conditions) defies neat classification. A simple count of conditions may be preferable for predicting usage.
Associations Between Inflammation and Physical Function in African Americans and European Americans with Prevalent Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Windham B. Gwen , Wilkening Steven R. , Lirette Seth T. , Kullo Iftikhar J. , Turner Stephen T. , Griswold Michael E. , Mosley Thomas H. 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo examine associations between inflammation and physical function and potential mediation by white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs).DesignCross‐sectional analysis using linear and logistic models with generalized estimating equations to account for family clustering, reporting results as regression coefficients (β) and odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for education, alcohol, exercise, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, cognition, ankle–brachial index, race (site), and supported interactions.SettingGenetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy‐Genetics of Microangiopathic Brain Injury Study cohort.ParticipantsAA and EA sibships with two or more siblings with hypertension before age 60 (N = 1,960; 65% female, 51% AA, aged 26–91, 50% obese, 72% hypertensive).MeasurementsInflammation (C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFRs) 1 and 2, WMH volume (cm3) according to magnetic resonance imaging), walking speed (cm/s) over 25 feet, and mobility difficulty (any self‐reported difficulty walking half a mile).ResultsIn separate models, inflammatory markers were associated with walking speed (sTNFR1: β = −2.74, P < .001; sTNFR2: β = −1.23, P = .03; CRP: β = −1.95, P = .001; IL6: β = −1.24, P = .03) and mobility difficulty (sTNFR1: OR = 1.36, P = .001; sTNFR2: OR = 1.25, P = .005; CRP: OR = 1.22, P = .005; IL6: OR = 1.18, P = .02); the association between WMH volume and sTNFR1 in AA (β = 0.07, P = .06) did not reach typical statistical thresholds. WMH volume was associated with walking speed in AA (β = −3.17, P = .02) but not with mobility difficulty (OR = 1.10, P = .54). Adjusting for WMH did not change associations.ConclusionIn young, middle‐aged, and older adults with prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, multiple inflammatory biomarkers were associated with slower walking speed independent of microvascular disease in the brain. There was little evidence of mediation by brain WMH volume. Inflammation may contribute to physical function impairments through pathways other than brain microvascular disease, particularly in AAs.
Markers of Overall Nutritional Status and Incident Hearing Impairment in Community‐Dwelling Older Japanese: The Kurabuchi Study
Authors: Michikawa Takehiro , Nakamura Takahiro , Imamura Haruhiko , Mizutari Kunio , Saito Hideyuki , Takebayashi Toru , Nishiwaki Yuji 
Published: June 2016

ObjectivesTo examine the association between four markers of overall nutritional status (a serum biomarker (albumin) and three anthropometric indices (body mass index (BMI), midarm circumference (MAC), calf circumference (CC))) and incident hearing impairment in older Japanese adults.DesignCommunity‐based prospective cohort study.SettingKurabuchi Town, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older (143 men, 195 women) without hearing impairment at baseline examination (2005–06) who participated in repeated examinations 4 years later (2009–10) (N = 338).MeasurementsThe three anthropometric indices were measured at baseline, and nephelometry was used to assess serum albumin levels. Hearing impairment was defined as failure to hear a 30‐dB hearing level signal at 1 kHz and a 40‐dB signal at 4 kHz in the better ear on pure‐tone audiometry.ResultsOver the 4‐year period, 16.3% of participants developed hearing impairment. Those with lower marker values had greater risk of hearing impairment than those with higher marker values (multivariable adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–4.57 for albumin ≤4.0 g/dL; aOR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.10–6.71 for BMI <19.0 kg/m2). The pattern of association showed a similar tendency for MAC and CC. Excluding obese participants did not changed the results substantially.ConclusionFurther research is needed to determine whether interventions that improve markers of nutritional status may help prevent age‐related hearing loss in older adults.