bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism and renal function in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yang Guangran , Su Zhiyan , Yang Jinkui 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimTo evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and determine the association of SCH with renal function.MethodsT2D patients hospitalized between June 2007 and July 2008 were cross‐section ally assessed. Clinical indicators and renal function were compared between the SCH and normal thyroid function groups. Risk factors for SCH and diabetic renal injury (albuminuria) were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsSubclinical hypothyroidism prevalence was significantly higher in women, with a male to female ratio of 1:2.7. Age (62.56 ± 10.79 vs. 59.09 ± 10.82 years, P = 0.008), systolic blood pressure (138.80 ± 18.85 vs. 131.29 ± 16.97, P = 0.000), TC (5.22 ± 1.20 vs. 4.83 ± 1.03 mmol/L; P = 0.008), LDL‐C (3.35 ± 0.96 vs. 3.06 ± 0.87 mmol/L; P = 0.007), creatinine (84.54 ± 47.05 vs. 74.49 ± 29.96 µmol/L; P = 0.01), urinary albumin excretion rate [18.6 (7.58–326.78) vs. 10.69 (5.79–40.8) µg/min; P = 0.001], and thyrotropin [4.92 (4.37–6.27) vs. 1.4 (0.92–2.09) μIU/mL; P = 0.000] were significantly higher in the SCH group; meanwhile, TBIL (12.05 ± 5.20 vs. 13.98 ± 5.32 µmol/L; P = 0.008), DBIL (2.54 ± 1.20 vs. 2.88 ± 1.17 µmol/L; P = 0.033), IDBIL (9.51 ± 4.62 vs. 11.10 ± 4.72 µmol/L; P = 0.013), and total glomerular filtration rate [46.96 (35–68.26) vs. 71.74 (50.13–83.36) mL/min; P = 0.000] were significantly lower in SCH patients. Macroalbuminuria prevalence was significantly higher in the SCH group (18.2 vs. 11.4%; P < 0.001). Interestingly, SBP (OR = 1.050; 95%CI 1.034–1.066; P = 0.000), DR (OR = 5.248; 95%CI 2.816–9.777; P = 0.000), SCH (OR = 2.256; 95%CI 1.184–4.299; P = 0.013), and TC (OR = 1.389; 95%CI 1.108–1.742; P = 0.004) were found to be independent risk factors for macroalbuminuria.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate an association of SCH with renal injury in diabetic patients.
Isotopic fingerprints of Milankovitch cycles in Pennsylvanian carbonate platform‐top deposits: the Valdorria record, Northern Spain
Authors: Chesnel Valentin , Merino‐Tomé Óscar , Fernández Luis Pedro , Villa Elisa , Samankassou Elias 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSedimentary cyclic sequences deposited during the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age are widespread. Glacio‐eustatic control of the cyclic patterns is commonly accepted, and the durations of the cyclothems generally match the short‐ and long‐eccentricity Milankovitch orbital parameters. Nevertheless, geochemical fingerprints of orbital parameters are poorly documented in deep‐time sedimentary records. Here, we report on well‐exposed Bashkirian cyclothems of c. 123 ka and c. 400 ka durations from the Valdorria platform. The shorter‐term cyclothems can be grouped into longer‐term composite sequences that are consistent with generally accepted durations of c. 125 ka and c. 400 ka for Milankovitch eccentricity cycles. The stratigraphic pattern is mirrored by the isotope geochemical signals, which show distinct recurring trends. These trends are confirmed by statistical tests. Whereas intrinsic factors and/or subaerial exposure related to sea‐level lowstands might have truncated cycle patterns in tectonically stable basins, rapid subsidence of the Valdorria platform's foreland basin appears to have contributed to a faithful recording of cyclothems of different orders. The patterns and biostratigraphic constraint revealed in this study demonstrate the power of orbital forcing in imprinting sedimentary and geochemical signals in the rock record.
Salmonella Serogroup C: Current Status of Vaccines and Why They Are Needed
Authors: Fuche Fabien J. , Sow Ousmane , Simon Raphael , Tennant Sharon M. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTNontyphoidalSalmonella(NTS; i.e.,Salmonella entericaorganisms that do not cause typhoid or paratyphoid) are responsible for 94 million infections and 155,000 deaths worldwide annually, 86% of which are estimated to be foodborne. Although more than 50 serogroups and 2,600 serovars have been described, not allSalmonellaserovars cause disease in humans and animals. Efforts are being made to develop NTS vaccines, with most approaches eliciting protection against serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis (serogroups B [O:4] and D [O:9], respectively), as they are widely considered the most prevalent. Here, we show that serogroup C (O:6,7, O:6,8, or O:8 epitopes) is the most common serogroup in the United States, and the prevalence of serovars from this serogroup has been increasing in Europe and the United States over the last decade. They are also the most commonly isolated serovars from healthy cattle and poultry, indicating the underlying importance of surveillance in animals. Four out of the 10 most lethal serovars in the United States are serogroup C, and reports from African countries suggest that strains within this serogroup are highly antibiotic resistant. Serogroup C consists of highly diverse organisms among which 37 serovars account for the majority of human cases, compared to 17 and 11 serovars for serogroups B and D, respectively. Despite these concerning data, no human vaccines targeting serogroup C NTS are available, and animal vaccines are in limited use. Here, we describe the underestimated burden represented by serogroup C NTS, as well as a discussion of vaccines that target these pathogens.
Single-Site Glycoprotein Mutants Inhibit a Late Event in Sindbis Virus Assembly
Authors: Magliocca Joseph , Vancini Ricardo , Hernandez Raquel , Brown Dennis T. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

A panel of Sindbis virus mutants that were suspected to have deficiencies in one or more aspects of their replication cycles was examined in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. These included an amino acid deletion (ΔH230) and substitution (H230A) in the Sindbis glycoprotein E1_H230 and similar mutants in E2_G209 (G209A, G209D, and ΔG209). Neither H230 mutation produced a measurable titer, but repeated passaging of the H230A mutant in BHK cells produced a second-site compensatory mutant (V231I) that partially rescued both H230 mutants. Electron micrograph (EM) images of these mutants showed assembled viral nucleocapsids but no completed, mature virions. EM of the compensatory mutant strains showed complete virus particles, but these now formed paracrystalline arrays. None of the E2_G209 substitution mutants had any effect on virus production; however, the deletion mutant (ΔG209) showed a very low titer when grown at 37°C and no titer when grown at 28°C. When the deletion mutant grown at 28°C was examined by EM, partially budded virions were observed at the cell surface.
35
S labeling of this mutant confirmed the presence of mutant virus protein in the transfected BHK cell lysate. We conclude that H230 is essential for the assembly of complete infectious Sindbis virus virions and that the presence of an amino acid at E2 position 209 is required for complete budding of Sindbis virus particles although several different amino acids can be at this location without affecting the titer.

IMPORTANCE
Our data show the importance of single-site mutations at E1_H230 and E2_G209 in Sindbis virus glycoproteins. These sites have been shown to affect assembly and antibody binding in previous studies. Our data indicate that mutation of one histidine residue in E1 is detrimental to the assembly of Sindbis virus particles in baby hamster kidney cells. Repeated passaging leads to a second-site substitution that partially restores the titer although EM still shows an altered phenotype. Substitutions at position G209 in E2 have no effect on titer, but deletion of this residue greatly reduces titer and again prevents assembly. When this mutant is grown at a lower temperature, virus particles bud from the host cell, but budding arrests before the progeny virus escapes. These results allow us to conclude that these sites have essential roles in assembly, and E2_G209 shows us a new viral egress phenotype.
Evolutionary Ecology of Prokaryotic Immune Mechanisms
Authors: van Houte Stineke , Buckling Angus , Westra Edze R. 
Published: July 2016

SUMMARYBacteria have a range of distinct immune strategies that provide protection against bacteriophage (phage) infections. While much has been learned about the mechanism of action of these defense strategies, it is less clear why such diversity in defense strategies has evolved. In this review, we discuss the short- and long-term costs and benefits of the different resistance strategies and, hence, the ecological conditions that are likely to favor the different strategies alone and in combination. Finally, we discuss some of the broader consequences, beyond resistance to phage and other genetic elements, resulting from the operation of different immune strategies.
A new three-tier architecture design for multi-sphere neutron spectrometer with the FLUKA code
Authors: Huang Hong , Yang Jian-Bo , Tuo Xian-Guo , Liu Zhi , Wang Qi-Biao , Wang Xu 
Published: July 2016

The current commercially, available Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer (BSS) has high sensitivity to neutrons below 20 MeV, which causes it to be poorly placed to measure neutrons ranging from a few MeV to 100 MeV. The paper added moderator layers and the auxiliary material layer upon 3He proportional counters with FLUKA code, with a view to improve. The results showed that the responsive peaks to neutrons below 20 MeV gradually shift to higher energy region and decrease slightly with the increasing moderator thickness. On the contrary, the response for neutrons above 20 MeV was always very low until we embed auxiliary materials such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), tungsten (W) into moderator layers. This paper chose the most suitable auxiliary material Pb to design a three-tier architecture multi-sphere neutron spectrometer (NBSS). Through calculating and comparing, the NBSS was advantageous in terms of response for 5–100 MeV and the highest response was 35.2 times the response of polyethylene (PE) ball with the same PE thickness.
FDA Approval: Alectinib for the Treatment of Metastatic, ALK-Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Crizotinib
Authors: Larkins Erin , Blumenthal Gideon M. , Chen Huanyu , He Kun , Agarwal Rajiv , Gieser Gerlie , Stephens Olen , Zahalka Eias , Ringgold Kimberly , Helms Whitney , Shord Stacy , Yu Jingyu , Zhao Hong , Davis Gina , McKee Amy E. , Keegan Patricia , Pazdur Richard 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
On December 11, 2015, the FDA granted accelerated approval to alectinib (Alecensa; Genentech) for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK)-positive, metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. This approval was based on two single-arm trials including 225 patients treated with alectinib 600 mg orally twice daily. The objective response rates (ORR) by an independent review committee in these studies were 38% [95% confidence interval (CI), 28–49] and 44% (95% CI, 36–53); the median durations of response (DOR) were 7.5 months and 11.2 months. In a pooled analysis of 51 patients with measurable disease in the central nervous system (CNS) at baseline, the CNS ORR was 61% (95% CI, 46–74); the CNS DOR was 9.1 months. The primary safety analysis population included 253 patients. The most common adverse reactions were fatigue (41%), constipation (34%), edema (30%), and myalgia (29%). The most common laboratory abnormalities were anemia (56%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (51%), increased alkaline phosphatase (47%), increased creatine phosphokinase (43%), hyperbilirubinemia (39%), hyperglycemia (36%), increased alanine aminotransferase (34%), and hypocalcemia (32%). Dose reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 12% of patients, whereas 27% of patients had alectinib dosing interrupted for adverse reactions. Permanent discontinuation of alectinib due to adverse reactions occurred in only 6% of patients. With the clinically meaningful ORR and DOR as well as the safety profile observed in these trials, alectinib was determined to have a favorable benefit–risk profile for the treatment of the indicated population. Clin Cancer Res; 22(21); 5171–6. ©2016 AACR.
Left Atrial Volumes and Function by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Badano Luigi P. , Miglioranza Marcelo H. , Mihăilă Sorina , Peluso Diletta , Xhaxho Jola , Marra Martina Perazzolo , Cucchini Umberto , Soriani Nicola , Iliceto Sabino , Muraru Denisa 
Published: July 2016

Background—
Our study sought to (1) identify reference values for left atrial (LA) volumes and phasic function indices by 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and compare them with those measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and (2) analyze their relationship with age, sex, body size, and left ventricular function. Accuracy and reproducibility of 3DE and 2DE have been also tested to evaluate the robustness of our data.

Methods and Results—

We obtained maximal, minimal, and preA LA volumes by 3DE and 2DE in 276 healthy volunteers (18–79 years; 57% women). Limits of normality for LA volumes and total LA emptying fraction were larger with 3DE than with 2DE (maximal LA volume: 43 versus 35 mL/m
2
; preA LA volume: 31 versus 25 mL/m
2
; minimal LA volume: 18 versus 14 mL/m
2
; 53 versus 48%, respectively;
P
<0.001). 3DE LA volumes indexed by body surface area were similar in men and women and increased with age. On multivariable analysis, age, weight, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function indices resulted as correlates of LA 3DE indices. LA volumes were tightly correlated with cardiac magnetic resonance measurements, yet more underestimated by 2DE versus 3DE (bias±SD: −17±16 versus −7±15 mL, respectively). Among all LA parameters, maximal LA volume and total emptying fraction were the most reproducible, including at test-retest and at expert versus trainee comparisons.

Conclusions—
This study provides reference values for LA 3DE volumes and function from a relatively large cohort of healthy subjects with a wide age range. Our data may help clinicians to identify LA remodeling and dysfunction.
Particulate Matter and Hospital Admissions for Stroke in Beijing, China: Modification Effects by Ambient Temperature
Authors: Huang Fangfang , Luo Yanxia , Guo Yuming , Tao Lixin , Xu Qin , Wang Chao , Wang Anxin , Li Xia , Guo Jin , Yan Aoshuang , Guo Xiuhua 
Published: July 2016

Background
The impact of particulate matter (PM) on stroke may vary by particle size, stroke subtype, and patient characteristics and temperature. We examined the association of stroke admissions with PM in different subgroups in Beijing, China, during 2013–2014.

Methods and Results

A time‐stratified case‐crossover design was used to assess the relation between PM of different particle sizes and hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and temperature. In total, there were 147 624 stroke admissions during the study period. In the whole‐period analysis, both PM
2.5
and PM
10
were positively associated with ischemic stroke admissions on the day of hospital admission and negatively associated with ischemic stroke at lag2 and lag3 day. In warm days (>13.5°C), the odds ratios of ischemic stroke admissions were 2.071 (95% CI 1.959–2.190), 1.470 (95% CI 1.391–1.554), and 1.590 (95% CI 1.493–1.694) per IQR increase in the same‐day PM
2.5
(82.0 μg/m
3
), PM
2.5–10
(36.6 μg/m
3
), and PM
10
(93.5 μg/m
3
), respectively. For hemorrhagic stroke, the corresponding values were 1.941 (95% CI 1.658–2.273), 1.590 (95% CI 1.366–1.851), and 1.527 (95% CI 1.278–1.826). The positive associations were also observed in the other lag structures and were higher than in cold days (≤13.5°C).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the associations of PM
2.5
, PM
2.5–10
, and PM
10
with stroke admissions differed across levels of temperature. Short‐term exposure to PM
2.5
, PM
2.5–10
, and PM
10
was positively associated with hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke on warm days (>13.5°C).
Circulating N‐Linked Glycoprotein Side‐Chain Biomarker, Rosuvastatin Therapy, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: An Analysis From the JUPITER Trial
Authors: Akinkuolie Akintunde O. , Glynn Robert J. , Padmanabhan Latha , Ridker Paul M , Mora Samia 
Published: July 2016

Background

GlycA, a novel protein glycan biomarker of
N
‐acetyl side chains of acute‐phase proteins, was recently associated with incident cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) in healthy women. Whether GlycA predicts
CVD
events in the setting of statin therapy in men and women without
CVD
but with evidence of chronic inflammation is unknown.

Methods and Results

In the Justfication for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (
JUPITER
) trial (
NCT
00239681), participants with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <130 mg/dL and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs
CRP
) ≥2 mg/L were randomized to rosuvastatin 20 mg/day or placebo. GlycA was quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 12 527 before randomization and 10 039 participants at 1 year. A total of 310 first primary
CVD
events occurred during maximum follow‐up of 5.0 years (median, 1.9). GlycA changed minimally after 1 year on study treatment: 6.8% and 4.7% decrease in the rosuvastatin and placebo groups, respectively. Overall, baseline GlycA levels were associated with increased risk of
CVD
: multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio (
HR
) per
SD
increment, 1.20 (95%
CI
, 1.08–1.34;
P
=0.0006). After additionally adjusting for hs
CRP
, this was slightly attenuated (HR, 1.18; 95%
CI
, 1.04–1.35;
P
=0.01). On‐treatment GlycA levels were also associated with
CVD
; corresponding multivariable‐adjusted
HR
s per
SD
before and after additionally adjusting for hs
CRP
: 1.27 (95%
CI
, 1.13–1.42;
P
<0.0001) and 1.24 (95%
CI
, 1.07–1.44;
P
=0.004), respectively. Tests for heterogeneity by treatment arm were not significant (
P
for interaction, >0.20).

Conclusion

In the
JUPITER
trial, increased levels of GlycA were associated with an increased risk of
CVD
events independent of traditional risk factors and hs
CRP
.

Clinical Trials Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00239681.
Legal Perspectives on Post-mortem Use of Biomaterial and Data for Research: A Focus on the German Situation
Authors: Hänold Stefanie , Forgó Nikolaus , Kobeissi Dania , Nwankwo Iheanyi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAnalyses of biobank informed consent forms show that most of them do not include provisions for post-mortem use of biomaterial and data obtained from a donor who later dies. When these biobanks are confronted with issues of secondary use of these bioresources for research, especially when not completely anonymised, or when genetic research is involved which could reveal not only the identity of the donor, but also those of his biological relatives, they are often confused. Looking at the existing regulatory framework of biobanks, we conclude that no clear guidelines exist on this issue. Although the donor has died, his interests are not completely extinguished. Other interests — those of his biological relatives, researchers, and the public at large may also crop up. Legal reform and clear indications of post-mortem use in the consent document are needed to give donors the opportunity to consider all the implications.
Larvae of Hydropsyche angustipennis (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) as indicators of stream contamination by heavy metals in Łódź agglomeration
Authors: TSZYDEL MARIUSZ , MARKOWSKI MARCIN , MAJECKI JANUSZ 
Published: July 2016

A biomonitoring technique was employed to assess metal contamination of several degraded urban streams in the Łódź agglomeration. Presence of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, was determined in whole bodies of Hydropsyche angustipennis larvae. Larvae of H. angustipennis were the only caddisflies living in most of investigated streams. These metals as well as other environmental variables were investigated in sediments or free waters of urban streams and in a stretch of a similar size of the Grabia River (reference site), outside the city but still in the vicinity of the Łódź agglomeration. The results of our research demonstrated different levels of contamination of urban streams as well as a correlation between environmental and larval tissue concentrations of heavy metals. Significant differences among sites were observed for metal concentrations in H. angustipennis larval bodies and larval responses to metals were time specific. The highest concentration of heavy metals was observed during the spring months. Differences were evident among various heavy metal levels in the bodies of larvae collected from different streams and at different sampling stations in the same stream.
Homogenized Variability of Radiosonde-Derived Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height over the Global Land Surface from 1973 to 2014
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Kaicun 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Boundary layer height (BLH) significantly impacts near-surface air quality, and its determination is important for climate change studies. Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive data from 1973 to 2014 were used to estimate the long-term variability of the BLH based on profiles of potential temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric refractivity. However, this study found that there was an obvious inhomogeneity in the radiosonde-derived BLH time series because of the presence of discontinuities in the raw radiosonde dataset. The penalized maximal F test and quantile-matching adjustment were used to detect the changepoints and to adjust the raw BLH series. The most significant inhomogeneity of the BLH time series was found over the United States from 1986 to 1992, which was mainly due to progress made in sonde models and processing procedures. The homogenization did not obviously change the magnitude of the daytime convective BLH (CBLH) tendency, but it improved the statistical significance of its linear trend. The trend of nighttime stable BLH (SBLH) is more dependent on the homogenization because the magnitude of SBLH is small, and SBLH is sensitive to the observational biases. The global daytime CBLH increased by about 1.6% decade−1 before and after homogenization from 1973 to 2014, and the nighttime homogenized SBLH decreased by −4.2% decade−1 compared to a decrease of −7.1% decade−1 based on the raw series. Regionally, the daytime CBLH increased by 2.8%, 0.9%, 1.6%, and 2.7% decade−1 and the nighttime SBLH decreased significantly by −2.7%, −6.9%, −7.7%, and −3.5% decade−1 over Europe, the United States, Japan, and Australia, respectively.
Proton-Transfer Dynamics in Protonated Benzene
Authors: Kuroki Ayaka , Ushiyama Hiroshi , Yamashita Koichi 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
The proton-transfer reaction mechanism in protonated benzene was examined using ab initio molecular dynamics, paying special attention to cooperative motions. We first examined the lifetime of each stable state of protonated benzene, taken as equal to the time lag between proton-transfer reactions. The theoretically obtained lifetime distribution shows non-statistical behavior, since it contains a large number of short lifetime trajectories. By analyzing the nature of these short trajectories, we found that a transferred proton can be trapped between two carbon atoms. Because carbon atoms adjacent to the transferred proton will change their hybridization during proton-transfer reactions, and since it requires tens of femtoseconds to reform hybrid orbitals, the proton will oscillate between the two carbon atoms without bonding to either. We refer to this trapped state as a “dynamically stable trapped state” and consider that such states may appear in many types of chemical reactions.