bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of MASP-1, MASP-3 and MAp44 in patients with type 2 diabetes: influence of glycaemic control, body composition and polymorphisms in the MASP1 gene
Authors: Krogh S S , Holt C B , Steffensen R , Funck K L , Høyem P , Laugesen E , Poulsen P L , Thiel S , Hansen T K 
Published: March 2017

Summary
Mounting evidence indicates that adverse activation of the complement system plays a role in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Plasma levels of the complement proteins mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and its associated serine proteases (MASP-1 and MASP-2) are elevated in diabetes. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MASP1 gene may contribute to altered plasma levels of the belonging gene products; MASP-1, MASP-3 and mannan-binding lectin-associated protein of 44 kDa (MAp44) in patients with type 2 diabetes. To investigate this, we compared plasma levels of MASP-1, MASP-3 and MAp44 in 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 sex- and age-matched controls. Ten carefully selected SNPs were analysed using TaqMan® genotyping assay. Additionally, we included a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mouse model to directly examine the effect of inducing diabetes on MASP-1 levels. MASP-1 levels were significantly higher among patients with type 2 diabetes compared with healthy controls (P = 0·017). Five SNPs (rs874603, rs72549254, rs3774275, rs67143992, rs850312) in the MASP1 gene were associated with plasma levels of MASP-1, MASP-3 and MAp44. In the diabetes mouse model, diabetic mice had significantly higher MASP-1 levels than control mice (P = 0·003). In conclusion, MASP-1 levels were higher among patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic mice. The mechanism behind this increase remains elusive.
The neuroprotective effects of caffeine in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Kolahdouzan Mahshad , Hamadeh Mazen J. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryCaffeine is the most widely used psychostimulant in Western countries, with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), caffeine is beneficial in both men and women, in humans and animals. Similar effects of caffeine were observed in men with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, the effect of caffeine in female PD patients is controversial due to caffeine's competition with estrogen for the estrogen‐metabolizing enzyme, CYP1A2. Studies conducted in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) showed protective effects of A2AR antagonism. A study found caffeine to be associated with earlier age of onset of Huntington's disease (HD) at intakes >190 mg/d, but studies in animal models have found equivocal results. Caffeine is protective in AD and PD at dosages equivalent to 3‐5 mg/kg. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of caffeine on PD in women. As well, the effects of caffeine in ALS, HD and Machado‐Joseph disease need to be further investigated. Caffeine's most salient mechanisms of action relevant to neurodegenerative diseases need to be further explored.
Development of a home‐based auditory training to improve speech recognition on the telephone for patients with cochlear implants: A randomised trial
Authors: Ihler F. , Blum J. , Steinmetz G. , Weiss B.G. , Zirn S. , Canis M. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesSpeech recognition on the telephone poses a challenge for patients with cochlear implants (CIs) due to a reduced bandwidth of transmission. This trial evaluates a home‐based auditory training with telephone‐specific filtered speech material to improve sentence recognition.DesignRandomised controlled parallel double‐blind.SettingOne tertiary referral centre.ParticipantsA total of 20 postlingually deafened patients with CIs.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure was sentence recognition assessed by a modified version of the Oldenburg Sentence Test filtered to the telephone bandwidth of 0.3‐3.4 kHz. Additionally, pure tone thresholds, recognition of monosyllables and subjective hearing benefit were acquired at two separate visits before and after a home‐based training period of 10‐14 weeks. For training, patients received a CD with speech material, either unmodified for the unfiltered training group or filtered to the telephone bandwidth in the filtered group.ResultsPatients in the unfiltered training group achieved an average sentence recognition score of 70.0%±13.6% (mean±SD) before and 73.6%±16.5% after training. Patients in the filtered training group achieved 70.7%±13.8% and 78.9%±7.0%, a statistically significant difference (P=.034, t10=2.292; two‐way RM ANOVA/Bonferroni). An increase in the recognition of monosyllabic words was noted in both groups. The subjective benefit was positive for filtered and negative for unfiltered training.ConclusionsAuditory training with specifically filtered speech material provided an improvement in sentence recognition on the telephone compared to training with unfiltered material.
Role of transnasal flexible laryngo‐oesophagoscopy (TNFLO) in investigating patients with globus symptoms
Authors: Mohammed H. , Coates M. , Masterson L. , Chan W.Y. , Hassan Y. , Nassif R. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveTo explore the rationale for investigating patients presenting with globus symptoms. In this regard, we also assess the efficacy and safety of transnasal flexible laryngo‐oesophagoscopy (TNFLO).MethodsA prospective study in a head and neck cancer centre of patients with persistent globus symptoms with normal flexible nasoendoscopy/indirect mirror laryngoscopy and failure of first‐line medical treatment. The role of TNFLO in investigating these patients was assessed.ResultsA total of 218 patients were recruited in this study. Positive findings included upper aerodigestive cancers in two patients, other pathologies included reflux (four patients), cricopharyngeus‐related pathologies (19 patients), candida (five patients). There were only five re‐referrals of patients who were discharged following normal examination with TNFLO. In nine patients, TNFLO could not be completed and they went on to have other diagnostic proceduresConclusionThis article is the largest to date in the UK to assess the role of TNFLO in investigating patients with globus symptoms. TNFLO is equal to rigid endoscopy as a diagnostic tool. However, it is superior in terms of image clarity, ability to record video images and safety
Bariatric surgery versus lifestyle interventions for severe obesity: 5‐year changes in body weight, risk factors and comorbidities
Authors: Øvrebø B. , Strømmen M. , Kulseng B. , Martins C. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryChanges in body weight (BW), risk factors and comorbidities 5 years after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or different lifestyle interventions are compared. A total of 209 (75% women) severe obese adults were non‐randomly allocated to: (A) RYGB (n = 58), (B) weight loss (WL) camp (n = 30), (C) residential intermittent programme (n = 64) or (D) hospital outpatient programme (n = 57). Body weight, risk factors and comorbidities were assessed at baseline, 1 and 5 years. A total of 89 and 54% completed the 1‐ and 5‐year follow‐up. The RYGB group experienced more WL at 5 years (−23.9%, 95% CI [−27.7, −20.0]) compared with lifestyle groups: (B) (−9.2%, 95% CI [−16.9, −1.5]), (C) (−4.1%, 95% CI [−8.0, −0.1]) and (D) (−4.1 kg, 95% CI [−10.0, 1.8]) (all P < 0.001). No differences were observed between lifestyle groups, although groups B and C had significant WL after 5 years (all P < 0.05). Plasma glucose and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were improved in the RYGB group at 5 years compared with lifestyle groups (all P < 0.05). More patients in the RYGB group experienced remission of hypertension (P < 0.05). RYGB was associated with a lower BW, improved blood parameters and hypertension remission compared with lifestyle interventions at 5 years. However, significant WL was also achieved with lifestyle interventions.
Albendazole therapy in human lung and liver hydatid cysts: A 13‐year experience
Authors: Fattahi Masoom Seyed Hossein , Lari Shahrzad Mohammadzadeh , Fattahi Asieh Sadat , Ahmadnia Negin , Rajabi Mahla , NaderiKalat Maliheh 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic disease in Iran. This study has aimed to report the efficacy of Albendazole therapy in patients with CE.MethodAmong 164 patients with echinococcosis who were referred to the surgery clinic, Ghaem hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences between 2001 and 2013, two were diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and 162 with CE; 43 of whom underwent surgery. The rest 119 patients received medical therapy by Albendazole 15 mg/kg/day for three phases. Each phase included 6 weeks of Albendazole therapy followed by 2 weeks of no medication. The patients were classified according to radiologic evaluations into four groups: (1) cured, (2) improved, (3) unchanged, and (4) worsened or relapsed.ResultsPatients who completed more phases had significantly greater chances of better response. Of the 56 patients who completed all three phases, 37 (66.1%) were cured, 15 (26.8%) improved, 4 (7.1%) remained unchanged, and none worsened or relapsed. [Odds ratio (OR):4.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.95‐7.74, P < .0001].ConclusionAlbendazole can be beneficial for inoperable, multiple cysts, and multiple organs CE patients.
Gendered perceptions of power and decision‐making in rural Kenya
Authors: Aberman Noora‐Lisa , Behrman Julia , Birner Regina 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDevelopment policies and programmes rest on assumptions about what constitutes power and how to change power dynamics. However, they rarely consider local understandings of power. In this article we ask how these common assumptions correspond with socially and culturally specific ideas about what power is, who can hold power, and how power can be transferred, in rural communities in Kenya's lake region. We find that men and women are constantly negotiating for power in the household, within the bounds of their gendered limitations. And the predominant zero‐sum conception of power may undermine common development approaches to empowerment. However, the results also highlight some exceptions to this conceptualization, as well as the value of taking a whole‐family approach to empowerment.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography vs B‐mode ultrasound for visualization of intima‐media thickness and detection of plaques in human carotid arteries
Authors: Shah Benoy N. , Chahal Navtej S. , Kooner Jaspal S. , Senior Roxy 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundCarotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) and plaque are recognized markers of increased risk for cerebrovascular events. Accurate visualization of the IMT and plaques is dependent upon image quality. Ultrasound contrast agents improve image quality during echocardiography—this study assessed whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) improves carotid IMT visualization and plaque detection in an asymptomatic population.Methods & ResultsIndividuals free from known cardiovascular disease, enrolled in a community study, underwent B‐mode and CEUS carotid imaging. Each carotid artery was divided into 10 segments (far and near walls of the proximal, mid and distal segments of the common carotid artery, the carotid bulb, and internal carotid artery). Visualization of the IMT complex and plaque assessments was made during both B‐mode and CEUS imaging for all enrolled subjects, a total of 175 individuals (mean age 65±9 years). Visualization of the IMT was significantly improved during CEUS compared with B‐mode imaging, in both near and far walls of the carotid arteries (% IMT visualization during B‐mode vs CEUS imaging: 61% vs 94% and 66% vs 95% for right and left carotid arteries, respectively, P<.001 for both). Additionally, a greater number of plaques were detected during CEUS imaging compared with B‐mode imaging (367 plaques vs 350 plaques, P=.02).ConclusionContrast‐enhanced ultrasound improves visualization of the intima‐media complex, in both near and far walls, of the common and internal carotid arteries and permits greater detection of carotid plaques. Further studies are required to determine whether there is incremental clinical and prognostic benefit related to superior plaque detection by CEUS.
Contemporary imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic dental injuries: A review
Authors: Cohenca Nestor , Silberman Adrian 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTraumatic dental injuries (TDI) have an array of presentations. Diagnostic challenges are common and clinicians' ability to correctly identify specific injuries dictates the optimal course of treatment(s). The aim of this review was to outline and assess all dental imaging techniques and their applications to traumatic dental injuries. A particular interest is given to the advancement of 3D imaging techniques and their role in diagnosis and treatment planning. The benefits of achieving a more accurate diagnosis are paramount to perfecting clinical judgments and outcomes.
How to make more out of community data? A conceptual framework and its implementation as models and software
Authors: Ovaskainen Otso , Tikhonov Gleb , Norberg Anna , Guillaume Blanchet F. , Duan Leo , Dunson David , Roslin Tomas , Abrego Nerea 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCommunity ecology aims to understand what factors determine the assembly and dynamics of species assemblages at different spatiotemporal scales. To facilitate the integration between conceptual and statistical approaches in community ecology, we propose Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) as a general, flexible framework for modern analysis of community data. While non‐manipulative data allow for only correlative and not causal inference, this framework facilitates the formulation of data‐driven hypotheses regarding the processes that structure communities. We model environmental filtering by variation and covariation in the responses of individual species to the characteristics of their environment, with potential contingencies on species traits and phylogenetic relationships. We capture biotic assembly rules by species‐to‐species association matrices, which may be estimated at multiple spatial or temporal scales. We operationalise theHMSCframework as a hierarchical Bayesian joint species distribution model, and implement it as R‐ and Matlab‐packages which enable computationally efficient analyses of large data sets. Armed with this tool, community ecologists can make sense of many types of data, including spatially explicit data and time‐series data. We illustrate the use of this framework through a series of diverse ecological examples.
Pigmentation phenotype, photosensitivity and skin neoplasms in patients with myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Gadalla S. M. , Hilbert J. E. , Martens W. B. , Givens S. , Moxley R. T. , Greene M. H. 
Published: March 2017

Background and purposeRecent studies have suggested a possible excess risk of skin neoplasms in patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM). Risk factors related to this observation have not been defined.MethodInformation regarding personal history of skin tumors, pigmentation phenotype, and skin reaction to sun exposure were collected from 266 DM patients who were enrolled in the US National Institutes of Health National Registry of Myotonic Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Patients and Family Members.ResultsSeventy‐seven subjects reported having skin tumors that were either benign (n = 31), malignant (n = 32) or both (n = 14). Female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–5.05, P = 0.04], older age (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.05–1.16, P < 0.001) and DM1 subtype (OR = 3.42, 95% CI 1.27–9.26, P = 0.02) were associated with a malignant skin tumor. The associations between malignant skin tumors and known risk factors [light eye color (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 0.78–3.39, P = 0.20), light skin complexion (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 0.63–2.73, P = 0.48) and moderate/extensive face freckles (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 0.50–4.34, P = 0.49)] were modest. Strong, but not statistically significant, associations were noted with sunburn reactions when exposed to sunlight (OR = 4.28, 95% CI 0.91–19.95, P = 0.06, and OR = 2.19, 95% CI 0.67–7.09, P = 0.19, for sunburn with and without blistering, respectively).ConclusionsAlthough our study was limited by small sample size, the risk factors for malignant skin tumors in DM strongly resemble the general population. It is recommended that DM patients adhere to sun exposure protective behavior.
Estimating number of spawning white sturgeon adults from embryo relatedness
Authors: Blankenship S. M. , Schumer G. , Van Eenennaam J. P. , Jackson Z. J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe goal for using genetic information derived from embryo samples is to gain insight into the reproductive biology of adult white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson. The relationship between egg development stages on the extraction of quality DNA was determined, and subsequent genotype data were used to infer contributing spawner numbers. White sturgeon DNA was present in extractions from all stages; however, pre‐gastrulation stage embryos generally failed to amplify sufficient genetic loci for analysis. Using experimentally created families, multivariate ANOVA and maximum‐likelihood sibship methods estimated the presence of 10 contributing parents from 11 actual adult spawners. It was observed that unidentified half‐sibling relationships (offspring sharing one parent) caused error for inferring parent numbers. Genetic methods estimated 13–40 parents potentially contributed to a collection of wild‐caught embryos, with variable numbers of parents inferred from separate spawning events (varying from 8 to 24). Egg source material provides a means to enhance the accuracy of annual spawning population size estimates, which is important for informing habitat restoration, harvest and water management decisions and recovery planning.
Carbon and nutrients of indigestible pollen are transferred to zooplankton by chytrid fungi
Authors: Kagami Maiko , Motoki Yasumichi , Masclaux Hélène , Bec Alexandre 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

The accumulation of pollen grains in freshwater ecosystems may have a significant impact on nutrient dynamics, despite the extracellular wall of pollen grains hampering bacterial degradation and digestion by invertebrates. This is because pollen grains may be readily degraded by saprotrophic fungi (Chytridiomycota).

We tested in the laboratory whether free swimming chytrid zoospores may be grazed by zooplankton, transferring pollen‐derived nutrients to zooplankton. We conducted grazing and growth experiments with daphnids (Daphnia pulex and D. similis), tree pollen grains from the pine family (Pinus and Cedrus), and a chytrid (Boothiomyces sp.).

Both daphnid species grazed on zoospores, but not on pollen. Both daphnid species grew better in the presence of chytrid. Higher growth rates were associated with chytrid zoospores, rather than pollen or bacteria.

The nutritional quality of zoospores was higher than that of the pollen and comparable with that of the green algae Scenedesmus in terms of carbon to phosphorus ratios and fatty acid composition. The percentage of phosphorus from pollen grains used by chytrids was estimated to be 30%–60%, indicating that these organisms used the pollen efficiently. The growth efficiencies of daphnids that ingested zoospores were about 17%–47% and 6%–18%, in terms of carbon and phosphorus, respectively, reflecting substantial growth rates even at low‐food concentrations.

Hence, the release of chytrid zoospores transferring inedible pollen to zooplankton functions as a “mycoloop.” In freshwater systems, saprotrophic chytrid‐dependent mycoloops may play an important role in shaping aquatic food webs, especially where pollen deposition is significant.
Soil parent material—A major driver of plant nutrient limitations in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Augusto Laurent , Achat David L. , Jonard Mathieu , Vidal David , Ringeval Bruno 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBecause the capability of terrestrial ecosystems to fix carbon is constrained by nutrient availability, understanding how nutrients limit plant growth is a key contemporary question. However, what drives nutrient limitations at global scale remains to be clarified. Using global data on plant growth, plant nutritive status, and soil fertility, we investigated to which extent soil parent materials explain nutrient limitations. We found that N limitation was not linked to soil parent materials, but was best explained by climate: ecosystems under harsh (i.e., cold and or dry) climates were more N‐limited than ecosystems under more favourable climates. Contrary to N limitation, P limitation was not driven by climate, but by soil parent materials. The influence of soil parent materials was the result of the tight link between actual P pools of soils and physical–chemical properties (acidity, P richness) of soil parent materials. Some other ground‐related factors (i.e., soil weathering stage, landform) had a noticeable influence on P limitation, but their role appeared to be relatively smaller than that of geology. The relative importance of N limitation versus P limitation was explained by a combination of climate and soil parent material: at global scale, N limitation became prominent with increasing climatic constraints, but this global trend was modulated at lower scales by the effect of parent materials on P limitation, particularly under climates favourable to biological activity. As compared with soil parent materials, atmospheric deposition had only a weak influence on the global distribution of actual nutrient limitation. Our work advances our understanding of the distribution of nutrient limitation at global scale. In particular, it stresses the need to take soil parent materials into account when investigating plant growth response to environment changes.
Instrumentation Development forIn Situ40Ar/39Ar Planetary Geochronology
Authors: Morgan Leah E. , Munk Madicken , Davidheiser‐Kroll Brett , Warner Nicholas H. , Gupta Sanjeev , Slaybaugh Rachel , Harkness Patrick , Mark Darren F. 
Published: March 2017

The chronology of the Solar System, particularly the timing of formation of extra‐terrestrial bodies and their features, is an outstanding problem in planetary science. Although various chronological methods forin situgeochronology have been proposed (e.g., Rb‐Sr, K‐Ar), and even applied (K‐Ar), the reliability, accuracy, and applicability of the40Ar/39Ar method makes it by far the most desirable chronometer for dating extra‐terrestrial bodies. The method however relies on the neutron irradiation of samples, and thus a neutron source. Herein, we discuss the challenges and feasibility of deploying a passive neutron source to planetary surfaces for thein situapplication of the40Ar/39Ar chronometer. Requirements in generating and shielding neutrons, as well as analysing samples are described, along with an exploration of limitations such as mass, power and cost. Two potential solutions for thein situextra‐terrestrial deployment of the40Ar/39Ar method are presented. Although this represents a challenging task, developing the technology to apply the40Ar/39Ar method on planetary surfaces would represent a major advance towards constraining the timescale of solar system formation and evolution.