bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body mass index and oral health status in Korean adults: the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Kim Y‐S , Kim J‐H 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and oral health status in Korean adults.MethodsWe used the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the association between BMI and oral health status. Subjects who were measured for weight and height and had an oral examination in 2010 and 2012 were included (n = 11 466). Using multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for gender, age, educational level, household income, smoking, frequency of tooth brushing and history of diabetes mellitus, the risk of dental caries and periodontitis was estimated in association with BMI.ResultsIn the study population, 90.4% had more than one decayed, missing and filled tooth (DMFT) for permanent tooth, and 23.4% had a community periodontal index score (CPI) of 3 or 4. Distribution of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese was 4.8, 40.5, 22.4 and 32.2%, respectively. Decayed, missing and filled tooth was highest in the normal weight group, and CPI was significantly highest in the obese group. In the overweight and obese groups, the odds ratios for periodontitis (CPI ≥ 3) were 1.18 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.37] before and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.10–1.48) after adjustment for confounding factors. However, the risk for dental caries (DMFT ≥ 1) was not significantly associated with BMI.ConclusionsBody mass index was related to periodontitis, but not to dental caries, suggesting that obesity is a risk factor for periodontitis.
Breakfast consumption and adiposity among children and adolescents: an updated review of the literature
Authors: Blondin S. A. , Anzman‐Frasca S. , Djang H. C. , Economos C. D. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundBreakfast consumption has been associated with reduced risk of overweight and obesity among children, but previous evidence reviews fail to confirm a causal relationship.ObjectivesTo review recent literature on breakfast consumption and adiposity among children and discuss potential underlying mechanisms.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of studies published since the 2010 US National Evidence Library review (January 2010–January 2015) was conducted.ResultsTwelve studies met inclusion criteria. All were conducted in industrialized countries: six in Europe, four in the USA, one in China and one in Australia. Ten of the studies used observational longitudinal designs, with follow‐up periods ranging from 1 to 27 years (median: 3, mean: 7.4); of these, eight reported inverse associations between breakfast consumption and excess adiposity, while two found no association. The other studies (1 case‐control, 1 experimental) each reported a protective effect of breakfast consumption on overweight and obesity among children.ConclusionsFindings corroborate results from previous reviews, adding support for a possible, protective role for breakfast consumption in preventing excess adiposity during childhood and adolescence. However, drawing a causal conclusion from the collective evidence is curtailed by methodological limitations and inconsistencies, including study design, follow‐up duration and frequency, exposure and outcome assessment, as well as limited consideration of confounding, mediating and effect‐modifying variables. More rigorous study designs employing valid and standardized measurement of relevant variables are needed.
Prenatal and early life exposure to traffic pollution and cardiometabolic health in childhood
Authors: Fleisch A. F. , Luttmann‐Gibson H. , Perng W. , Rifas‐Shiman S. L. , Coull B. A. , Kloog I. , Koutrakis P. , Schwartz J. D. , Zanobetti A. , Mantzoros C. S. , Gillman M. W. , Gold D. R. , Oken E. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundPrenatal exposure to traffic pollution has been associated with faster infant weight gain, but implications for cardiometabolic health in later childhood are unknown.MethodsAmong 1418 children in Project Viva, a Boston‐area pre‐birth cohort, we assessed anthropometric and biochemical parameters of cardiometabolic health in early (median age 3.3 years) and mid‐ (median age 7.7 years) childhood. We used spatiotemporal models to estimate prenatal and early life residential PM2.5 and black carbon exposure as well as traffic density and roadway proximity. We performed linear regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographics.ResultsChildren whose mothers lived close to a major roadway at the time of delivery had higher markers of adverse cardiometabolic risk in early and mid‐childhood. For example, total fat mass was 2.1 kg (95%CI: 0.8, 3.5) higher in mid‐childhood for children of mothers who lived <50 m vs. ≥200 m from a major roadway. Black carbon exposure and traffic density were generally not associated with cardiometabolic parameters, and PM2.5 exposure during the year prior was paradoxically associated with improved cardiometabolic profile.ConclusionsInfants whose mothers lived close to a major roadway at the time of delivery may be at later risk for adverse cardiometabolic health.
Greater Pupil Size in Response to Emotional Faces as an Early Marker of Social‐Communicative Difficulties in Infants at High Risk for Autism
Authors: Wagner Jennifer B. , Luyster Rhiannon J. , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A. 
Published: February 2016

When scanning faces, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have shown reduced visual attention (e.g., less time on eyes) and atypical autonomic responses (e.g., heightened arousal). To understand how these differences might explain subclinical variability in social functioning, 9‐month‐olds, with or without a family history of ASD, viewed emotionally expressive faces, and gaze and pupil diameter (a measure of autonomic activation) were recorded using eye‐tracking. Infants at high risk for ASD with no subsequent clinical diagnosis (HRA‐) and low‐risk controls (LRC) showed similar face scanning and attention to eyes and mouth; attention was overall greater to eyes than mouth, but this varied as a function of the emotion presented. As a group, HRA‐ showed significantly larger pupil size than LRC. Correlations between scanning at 9 months, pupil size at 9 months, and 18‐month social‐communicative behavior, revealed positive associations between pupil size and attention to both face and eyes at 9 months in LRC, and a negative association between 9‐month pupil size and 18‐month social‐communicative behavior in HRA‐.The present findings point to heightened autonomic arousal in HRA‐. Further, with greater arousal relating to worse social‐communicative functioning at 18 months, this work points to a mechanism by which unaffected siblings might develop atypical social behavior.
Seasonal influenza vaccine policy, use and effectiveness in the tropics and subtropics – a systematic literature review
Authors: Hirve Siddhivinayak , Lambach Philipp , Paget John , Vandemaele Katelijn , Fitzner Julia , Zhang Wenqing 
Published: February 2016

AimThe evidence needed for tropical countries to take informed decisions on influenza vaccination is scarce. This article reviews policy, availability, use and effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in tropical and subtropical countries.MethodGlobal health databases were searched in three thematic areas – policy, availability and protective benefits in the context of human seasonal influenza vaccine in the tropics and subtropics. We excluded studies on monovalent pandemic influenza vaccine, vaccine safety, immunogenicity and uptake, and disease burden.ResultsSeventy‐four countries in the tropics and subtropics representing 60% of the world's population did not have a national vaccination policy against seasonal influenza. Thirty‐eight countries used the Northern Hemisphere and 21 countries the Southern Hemisphere formulation. Forty‐six countries targeted children and 57 targeted the elderly; though, the age cut‐offs varied. Influenza vaccine supply increased twofold in recent years. However, coverage remained lower than five per 1000 population. Vaccine protection against laboratory‐confirmed influenza in the tropics ranged from 0% to 42% in the elderly, 20–77% in children and 50–59% in healthy adults. Vaccinating pregnant women against seasonal influenza prevented laboratory‐confirmed influenza in both mothers (50%) and their infants <6 months (49–63%).ConclusionGuidelines on vaccine composition, priority risk groups and vaccine availability varied widely. The evidence on vaccine protection was scarce. Countries in the tropics and subtropics need to strengthen and expand their evidence‐base required for making informed decisions on influenza vaccine introduction and expansion, and how much benefit to expect.
F‐actin cytoskeleton and the fate of organelles in chromaffin cells
Authors: Villanueva José , Gimenez‐Molina Yolanda , Viniegra Salvador , Gutiérrez Luis M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn addition to playing a fundamental structural role, the F‐actin cytoskeleton in neuroendocrine chromaffin cells has a prominent influence on governing the molecular mechanism and regulating the secretory process. Performing such roles, the F‐actin network might be essential to first transport, and later locate the cellular organelles participating in the secretory cycle. Chromaffin granules are transported from the internal cytosolic regions to the cell periphery along microtubular and F‐actin structures. Once in the cortical region, they are embedded in the F‐actin network where these vesicles experience restrictions in motility. Similarly, mitochondria transport is affected by both microtubule and F‐actin inhibitors and suffers increasing motion restrictions when they are located in the cortical region. Therefore, the F‐actin cortex is a key factor in defining the existence of two populations of cortical and perinuclear granules and mitochondria which could be distinguished by their different location and mobility. Interestingly, other important organelles for controlling intracellular calcium levels, such as the endoplasmic reticulum network, present clear differences in distribution and much lower mobility than chromaffin vesicles and mitochondria. Nevertheless, both mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum appear to distribute in the proximity of secretory sites to fulfill a pivotal role, forming triads with calcium channels ensuring the fine tuning of the secretory response. This review presents the contributions that provide the basis for our current view regarding the influence that F‐actin has on the distribution of organelles participating in the release of catecholamines in chromaffin cells, and summarizes this knowledge in simple models.
imageIn chromaffin cells, organelles such as granules and mitochondria distribute forming cortical and perinuclear populations whereas others like the ER present homogenous distributions. In the present review we discuss the role of transport systems and the existence of an F‐actin cortical structure as the main factors behind the formation of organelle subpopulations in this neuroendocrine cell model.This article is part of a mini review series on Chromaffin cells (ISCCB Meeting, 2015).Cover image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13322.
The evolution of the meatal chamber in crocodyliforms
Authors: Montefeltro Felipe C. , Andrade Denis V. , Larsson Hans C. E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe unique outer ear of crocodylians consists of a large meatal chamber (MC) concealed by a pair of muscular earlids that shape a large part of the animal's head. This chamber is limited medially by the enlarged tympanic membrane. Yet, the anatomy of this distinctive and complex region is underexplored and its evolutionary history untraced. The osteology and soft tissues of the MC in extant crocodylians was analysed to describe it and establish osteological correlates within this region. A broad survey of the osteological correlates was conducted in major clades of fossil crocodyliforms to estimate evolutionary trends of the MC. The reorganization of the MC at the origin of crocodyliforms includes characters also present in more basal taxa such as ‘sphenosuchians’ as well as unique traits of crocodyliforms. Three major patterns are recognized in the MC of basal mesoeucrocodylians. The distinct ‘thalattosuchian pattern’ indicates that extensive modifications occurred in this clade of aquatic fossil crocodyliforms, even when multiple alternative phylogenetic positions are taken into account. Some traits already established in putative closely related clades are absent or modified in this group. The ‘basal notosuchian/sebecian pattern’ is widespread among basal metasuchians, and establishes for the first time characters maintained later in neosuchians and extant forms. The ‘advanced notosuchian pattern’ includes modifications of the MC possibly related to a terrestrial lifestyle and potentially a structure analogous to the mammalian pinna. The main variation in the MC of neosuchians is associated with the homoplastic secondary opening of the cranioquadrate passage. The inferred phylogenetic trends in the crocodyliform MC suggest the great anatomical disparity in this region followed a complex evolutionary pattern, and tympanic hearing played an important role in the origin and diversification of Crocodyliformes.
Accounting for the influence of inflammation on retinol‐binding protein in a population survey of Liberian preschool‐age children
Authors: Larson Leila Margaret , Addo O. Yaw , Sandalinas Fanny , Faigao Katherine , Kupka Roland , Flores‐Ayala Rafael , Suchdev Parminder S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractVitamin A deficiency (VAD) is an important contributor to child morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of VAD, measured by retinol‐binding protein (RBP) or retinol, is overestimated in populations with a high prevalence of inflammation. We aimed to quantify and adjust for the effect of inflammation on VAD prevalence in a nationally representative survey of Liberian children 6 to 35 months of age. We compared five approaches to adjust RBP for inflammation and estimate VAD prevalence (defined as RBP < 0.7 µmol/L): (1) ignoring inflammation; (2) excluding individuals with inflammation (C‐reactive protein (CRP) >5 mg/L or alpha1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) >1 g/)L; (3) multiplying each individual's RBP by an internal correction factor; (4) by an external correction factor; and (5) using regression (corrected RBP = exp(InRBP – β1(lnCRPobs‐lnCRPref) – β2(lnAGPobs‐lnAGPref)). Corrected RBP was based on a regression model where reference lnCRP and lnAGP were set to the maximum of the lowest decile. The unadjusted prevalence of VAD was 24.7%. Children with elevated CRP and/or AGP had significantly lower RBP concentrations than their apparently healthy peers (geometric mean RBP 0.79 µmol/L (95% CI: 0.76, 0.82) vs. 0.95 µmol/L (95% CI: 0.92, 0.97), P < 0.001). Using approaches 2–5 resulted in a prevalence of VAD of 11.6%, 14.3%, 13.5% and 7.3%, respectively. Depending on the approach, the VAD prevalence is reduced 10–17 percentage points when inflammation is taken into account. Further quantification of the influence of inflammation on biomarkers of vitamin A status from other national surveys is needed to compare and recommend the preferred adjustment approach across populations.
The effect of levosulpiride on in vitro motor patterns in the human gastric fundus, antrum, and jejunum
Authors: Gallego D. , Ortega O. , Arenas C. , López I. , Mans E. , Clavé P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundLevosulpiride is a 5HT4 agonist/D2 antagonist prokinetic agent used to improve gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia or gastroparesis. The aim of this study was to characterize its effect on the main in vitro motility patterns in the human fundus, antrum, and jejunum.MethodsCircular muscle strips from human stomach (antrum and fundus) and jejunum, obtained from 46 patients undergoing bariatric surgery, were studied using organ baths. Enteric motor neurons (EMNs) were stimulated by electrical field stimulation (EFS).Key ResultsLevosulpiride, caused an increase in the EFS‐induced cholinergic contractions in the gastric antrum (+37 ± 15.18% at 100 μM, pEC50 = 4.46 ± 0.14; p < 0.05, n = 8) and jejunum (+45.4 ± 22.03% at 100 μM, pEC50 = 3.78 ± 6.81; p < 0.05, n = 5), but not in the gastric fundus. It also caused a slight decrease in tone and frequency of spontaneous contractions in the jejunum, but did not have any major effect on tone or spontaneous contractions in the stomach. It did not have any effect on EFS‐induced relaxations mediated by nitric oxide (NO) in the stomach (antrum and fundus) and by NO and ATP in the jejunum.Conclusions & InferencesOur results suggest that the prokinetic effects of levosulpiride in humans are mainly due to the facilitation of the release of acetylcholine by enteric motor neurons in the gastric antrum and the jejunum.
The Effects of Female Sex Hormones on Ventricular Premature Beats and Repolarization Parameters in Physiological Menstrual Cycle
Authors: DOGAN MEHMET , YIGINER OMER , UZ OMER , KUCUK UGUR , DEGIRMENCIOGLU GOKHAN , ISILAK ZAFER , UZUN MEHMET , DAVULCU EZGI 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundThe effects of gender difference on cardiac electrophysiology have been well studied. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of estradiol and progesteron changes occuring in physiological menstrual cycle on ventricular premature beats (VPBs) and cardiac repolarization parameters.MethodsWomen of reproductive age with VPBs were included into the study group and healthy women were recruited as the control group. During the menstruation period, a 12‐lead electrocardiography, blood samples, and 24‐hour rhythm Holter were applied to the study group. Similarly, all tests were repeated in the estimated ovulation period (12–14 days before menstruation) by all cases.ResultsThe study group consisted of 20 women patients with VPB, and the control group of 18 healthy women. While the number of VPB in the menstruation period was 210 beats/day (interquartile range [IQR]: 1,144), it decreased to 86 beats/day (IQR: 251) in the ovulation period with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Average heart rate in the menstruation period was 81.4 ± 10 beats/min and it significantly increased to 84.6 ± 8 beats/min in the ovulation period (P < 0.05). There were no differences in cardiac repolarization parameters in both menstruation and ovulation periods between the study and control groups. Comparing the menstruation and the ovulation periods, J‐Tpeak interval, which reflects early repolarization, was shorter in the ovulation period (193 ± 27.7 ms and 201.1 ± 28.6 ms, respectively; P < 0.05). Other repolarization parameters did not show any significant difference.ConclusionVPB frequency decreases with estradiol peak in the ovulation period. This suggests that estrogen may have protective effects against ventricular arrhythmias.
Prospective investigation on the transfer of Ara h 2, the most potent peanut allergen, in human breast milk
Authors: Schocker Frauke , Baumert Joseph , Kull Skadi , Petersen Arnd , Becker Wolf‐Meinhard , Jappe Uta 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundPeanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. Whether breastfeeding induces tolerance to peanuts or on the contrary, pre‐disposes at risk‐babies to occult allergic sensitization to peanuts is still a matter of discussion. We sought to investigate the transfer of the most potent peanut allergen Ara h 2 into human breast milk in a German breast milk study and to shed light on the time kinetics of Ara h 2 appearance.MethodsWe recruited 32 lactating, non‐peanut‐allergic women and collected breast milk samples at different time points after consumption of 100 g dry roasted peanuts. Breast milk samples were investigated for Ara h 2 with different immunological methods: by 2D immunoblotting with a patient's serum, by affinity enrichment using a monoclonal antibody against Ara h 2 followed by LC‐MS/MS‐based detection and by a competitive inhibition ELISA for the detection of Ara h 2 and its digestion‐resistant peptides (DRP‐Ara h 2).ResultsIn a qualitative analysis, Ara h 2 could be identified in a breast milk sample by 2D immunoblot by means of a patient's serum and furthermore by immunoaffinity enrichment followed by LC‐MS/MS analysis. In a semi‐quantitative analysis, Ara h 2 and its digestion‐resistant peptides were detected in the breast milk of 9 of 32 subjects. Evidence suggests that Ara h 2 is excreted individually either rapidly (after 1, 2, 3 or 4 h) or delayed (after 8 or 12 h) and in different concentrations.ConclusionsTime and concentration of secreted Ara h 2 in breast milk appears to be individually regulated. The identification of Ara h 2 in breast milk is the prerequisite for the investigation of its sensitizing or tolerogenic properties.
Vitamin D3 for uncontrolled childhood asthma: A pilot study
Authors: Kerley Conor P. , Hutchinson Katrina , Cormican Liam , Faul John , Greally Peter , Coghlan David , Elnazir Basil 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundObservational and mechanistic data suggest a role for vitamin D in childhood asthma. However, subsequent interventional trials have been inconsistent. We aimed to assess the effect of 15 weeks of vitamin D3 supplementation compared with placebo (PL) in Irish children with asthma.MethodsWe conducted a double‐blind, randomized, PL‐controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation (2000 IU/day) in 44 urban, Caucasian children at high latitude. Assessments were completed at baseline and after 15 weeks of supplementation. Outcome measures were lung function, subjective asthma control and biochemical parameters of total vitamin D, allergy, immunity, airway inflammation, and systemic inflammation. Finally, parents/guardians completed a weekly diary during the trial.ResultsThere was no significant difference in baseline 25(OH)D levels, but there was a significant increase in median 25(OH)D in the vitamin D3 group (57.5–105 nmol/l) compared with the PL group (52.5–57.5 nmol/l) (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups regarding subjective asthma control. Compared with PL, there was a significant decrease in school days missed due to asthma (1 vs. 5 days, p = 0.04) and alkaline phosphatase (−3.4 vs. +16; p = 0.037) in the vitamin D3 group, but there were no beneficial effects regarding several other secondary end‐points. However, there were non‐significant, advantageous changes in the PL group compared with the vitamin D3 group in subjective asthma control and lung function, particularly percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (+2.5 vs. −4; p = 0.06).ConclusionVitamin D3 supplementation led to a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D and decreased school days missed (p = 0.04), but no other advantageous changes in asthma parameters compared with PL. The potential adverse effect of vitamin D deficiency on growth and the potential negative effect of high serum 25(OH)D on pulmonary function warrant further investigation.