bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting Mortality up to 14 Years Among Community‐Dwelling Adults Aged 65 and Older
Authors: Schonberg Mara A. , Li Vicky , Marcantonio Edward R. , Davis Roger B. , McCarthy Ellen P. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesExtended validation of an index predicting mortality among community‐dwelling US older adults.Design/SettingExamination of the performance of a previously developed index in predicting 10‐ and 14‐year mortality among respondents to the 1997–2000 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) using the original development and validation cohorts. Follow‐up mortality data are now available through 2011.Participants16,063 respondents from the original development cohort and 8,027 respondents from the original validation cohort. All participants were community dwelling and ≥65 years old.MeasurementsWe calculated risk scores for each respondent based on the presence or absence of 11 factors (function, illnesses, behaviors, demographics) that make up the index. Using the Kaplan Meier method, we computed 10‐ and 14‐year mortality estimates for the development and validation cohorts to examine model calibration. We examined model discrimination using the c‐index.ResultsParticipants in the development and validation cohorts were similar. Participants with risk scores 0–4 had 23% risk of 14‐year mortality whereas respondents with risk scores (13+) had 89% risk of 14‐year mortality. The c‐index of the model in both cohorts was 0.73 for predicting 10‐year mortality and 0.72 for predicting 14‐year mortality. Overall, 18.4% of adults 65–74 years and 60.2% of adults ≥75 years have >50% risk of mortality in 10 years.ConclusionsOur index demonstrated excellent calibration and discrimination in predicting 10‐ and 14‐year mortality among community‐dwelling US adults ≥65 years. Information on long‐term prognosis is needed to help clinicians and older adults make more informed person‐centered medical decisions and to help older adults plan for the future.
Growth factors and hormones pro‐peptides: the unexpected adventures of the BDNF prodomain
Authors: Zanin Juan Pablo , Unsain Nicolás , Anastasia Agustin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMost growth factors and hormones are synthesized as pre‐pro‐proteins which are processed to the biologically active mature protein. The pre‐ and prodomains are cleaved from the precursor protein in the secretory pathway or, in some cases, extracellularly. The canonical functions of these prodomains are to assist in folding and stabilization of the mature domain, to direct intra and extracellular localization, to facilitate storage, and to regulate bioavailability of their mature counterpart. Recently, exciting evidence has revealed that prodomains of certain growth factors, after cleaved from the precursor pro‐protein, can act as independent active signaling molecules. In this review, we discuss the various classical functions of prodomains, and the biological consequences of these pro‐peptides acting as ligands. We will focus our attention on the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor prodomain (pBDNF), which has been recently described as a novel secreted ligand influencing neuronal morphology and physiology.
image
Morphological interaction between the nasal septum and nasofacial skeleton during human ontogeny
Authors: Goergen Matthew J. , Holton Nathan E. , Grünheid Thorsten 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe nasal septal cartilage is thought to be a key growth center that contributes to nasofacial skeletal development. Despite the developmental influence of the nasal septum however, humans often exhibit a high frequency of septal deviation suggesting discordance in the growth between the septum and surrounding nasofacial skeleton. While there are numerous etiological factors that contribute to septal deviation, the surrounding nasofacial skeleton may also act to constrain the septum, resulting in altered patterns of growth. That is, while the nasal septum has a direct morphogenetic influence on aspects of the nasofacial skeleton, other nasofacial skeletal components may restrict septal growth resulting in deviation. Detailing the developmental relationship between these structures is important not only for understanding the causal determinants of nasal septal deviation, but also for developing a broader understanding of the complex interaction between the facial skeleton and chondrocranium. We selected 66 non‐syndromic subjects from the University of Minnesota Orthodontic Clinic who ranged from 7 to 18 years in age and had an existing pretreatment cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Using CBCT data, we examined the developmental relationship between nasal septal deviation and the surrounding nasofacial skeleton. We measured septal deviation as a percentage of septal volume relative to a modeled non‐deviated septum. We then collected a series of coordinate landmark data in the region immediately surrounding the nasal septum in the midsagittal plane representing the nasofacial skeleton. First, we examined ontogenetic changes in the magnitude of nasal septal deviation relative to chronological age and nasofacial size. Next, using Procrustes‐based geometric morphometric techniques, we assessed the morphological relationship between nasal septal deviation and nasofacial skeletal shape. Our results indicate that variation in the magnitude of nasal septal deviation was established in our earliest age group and maintained throughout ontogeny. Moreover, nasal septal deviation was correlated with non‐allometric variation in nasofacial shape restricted to the region of the anterior sphenoid body. Ultimately, our results suggest that early developmental variation in midline basicranial components may act to alter or constrain patterns of nasal septal growth.
Balloon Valvuloplasty of Tricuspid Stenosis: A Retrospective Study of 5 Labrador Retriever Dogs
Authors: Lake‐Bakaar G.A. , Griffiths L.G. , Kittleson M.D. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundThere are limited reports of severe tricuspid valve stenosis in dogs and limited data regarding treatment and outcome.ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical signs, echocardiographic features, and outcome of balloon valvuloplasty (BV) in dogs with severe tricuspid valve stenosis (TVS) in which BV was attempted.AnimalsFive client‐owned dogs with severe TVS.MethodsRecords were retrospectively reviewed and data collected regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic findings, procedures, and outcome.ResultsAll dogs were Labrador Retrievers. Presenting complaints included episodic weakness/syncope (4/5), abdominal distension (4/5), lethargy (2/5), and exercise intolerance (2/5). The median and range of measurements before BV were as follows: TV mean velocity 1.5 m/s (range 1.4–1.7 m/s); velocity‐time integral (VTI) 79.8 cm (42.4–99.1 cm); and TV maximum velocity 2.9 m/s (2.3–3.2 m/s). Measurements (available for 3 of 5 dogs) after BV were as follows: TV mean velocity 1.15 m/s (0.9–1.4 m/s); VTI 44.95 cm (41.4–54.8 cm); and TV maximum velocity 1.15 m/s (1.9–2.3 m/s). The procedure was attempted in all dogs and completed in 4/5 dogs. The largest balloon diameter ranged from 15 mm to 25 mm, and length ranged from 4 cm to 5 cm. Right atrial pressure decreased in 4/5 dogs. All but 1 dog had clinical improvement after BV, but recurrence of clinical signs occurred (2/5). Tricuspid regurgitation worsened in 1 dog culminating in right heart failure and euthanasia.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceBV can be an effective treatment; however, clinical signs can recur. Right heart failure due to worsened TR is a potential complication in dogs with pre‐existing moderate‐to‐severe TR.
The fire ant social chromosome supergene variant Sb shows low diversity but high divergence from SB
Authors: Pracana Rodrigo , Priyam Anurag , Levantis Ilya , Nichols Richard A. , Wurm Yannick 
Published: February 2017

AbstractVariation in social behaviour is common, yet little is known about the genetic architectures underpinning its evolution. A rare exception is in the fire antSolenopsis invicta: Alternative variants of a supergene region determine whether a colony will have exactly one or up to dozens of queens. The two variants of this region are carried by a pair of ‘social chromosomes’, SB and Sb, which resemble a pair of sex chromosomes. Recombination is suppressed between the two chromosomes in the supergene region. While the X‐like SB can recombine with itself inSB/SBqueens, recombination is effectively absent in the Y‐like Sb becauseSb/Sbqueens die before reproducing. Here, we analyse whole‐genome sequences of eight haploidSBmales and eight haploidSbmales. We find extensive SB–Sb differentiation throughout the >19‐Mb‐long supergene region. We find no evidence of ‘evolutionary strata’ with different levels of divergence comparable to those reported in several sex chromosomes. A high proportion of substitutions between the SB and Sb haplotypes are nonsynonymous, suggesting inefficacy of purifying selection in Sb sequences, similar to that for Y‐linked sequences in XY systems. Finally, we show that the Sb haplotype of the supergene region has 635‐fold less nucleotide diversity than the rest of the genome. We discuss how this reduction could be due to a recent selective sweep affecting Sb specifically or associated with a population bottleneck during the invasion of North America by the sampled population.
Evolutionary rescue and local adaptation under different rates of temperature increase: a combined analysis of changes in phenotype expression and genotype frequency in Paramecium microcosms
Authors: Killeen Joshua , Gougat‐Barbera Claire , Krenek Sascha , Kaltz Oliver 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEvolutionary rescue (ER) occurs when populations, which have declined due to rapid environmental change, recover through genetic adaptation. The success of this process and the evolutionary trajectory of the population strongly depend on the rate of environmental change. Here we investigated how different rates of temperature increase (from 23 to 32 °C) affect population persistence and evolutionary change in experimental microcosms of the protozoan Paramecium caudatum. Consistent with theory on ER, we found that those populations experiencing the slowest rate of temperature increase were the least likely to become extinct and tended to be the best adapted to the new temperature environment. All high‐temperature populations were more tolerant to severe heat stress (35, 37 °C), indicating a common mechanism of heat protection. High‐temperature populations also had superior growth rates at optimum temperatures, leading to the absence of a pattern of local adaptation to control (23 °C) and high‐temperature (32 °C) environments. However, high‐temperature populations had reduced growth at low temperatures (5–9 °C), causing a shift in the temperature niche. In part, the observed evolutionary change can be explained by selection from standing variation. Using mitochondrial markers, we found complete divergence between control and high‐temperature populations in the frequencies of six initial founder genotypes. Our results confirm basic predictions of ER and illustrate how adaptation to an extreme local environment can produce positive as well as negative correlated responses to selection over the entire range of the ecological niche.
The DnaJ protein OsDjA6 negatively regulates rice innate immunity to the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zhong Xionghui , Yang Jiuxia , Shi Yanlong , Wang Xuli , Wang Guo‐Liang 
Published: February 2017

SummaryRice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (synonym: Pyricularia oryzae), severely reduces rice production and grain quality. The molecular mechanism of rice resistance to M. oryzae is not fully understood. In this study, we identified a chaperone DnaJ protein, OsDjA6, which is involved in basal resistance to M. oryzae in rice. The OsDjA6 protein is distributed in the entire rice cell. The expression of OsDjA6 is significantly induced in rice after infection with a compatible isolate. Silencing of OsDjA6 in transgenic rice enhances resistance to M. oryzae and also results in an increased burst of reactive oxygen species after flg22 and chitin treatments. In addition, the expression levels of WRKY45, NPR1 and PR5 are increased in OsDjA6 RNAi plants, indicating that OsDjA6 may mediate resistance by affecting the salicylic acid pathway. Finally, we found that OsDjA6 interacts directly with the E3 ligase OsZFP1 in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that the DnaJ protein OsDjA6 negatively regulates rice innate immunity, probably via the ubiquitination proteasome degradation pathway.
Financial Depth and the Asymmetric Impact of Monetary Policy
Authors: Caglayan Mustafa , Kandemir Kocaaslan Ozge , Mouratidis Kostas 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the importance of financial depth in evaluating the asymmetric impact of monetary policy on real output over the course of the US business cycle. We show that monetary policy has a significant impact on output growth during recessions. We also show that financial deepening plays an important role by dampening the effects of monetary policy shocks in recessions. The results are robust to the use of alternative financial depth and monetary policy shock measures as well as to two different sample periods.
Pharmacologic Conversion during Dofetilide Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: STEINBERG JONATHAN S. , SHAH YASH , SZEPIETOWSKA BARBARA 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundDofetilide is a pure IKr blocker and is one of the few drugs specifically studied and approved in the United States for the management of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Dofetilide has been noted to have a high rate of pharmacologic conversion during initial dosing in prior smaller studies. The intent of the study was to examine the safety of an inpatient loading strategy, and the incidence and patterns of pharmacologic conversion by dofetilide during the treatment of persistent AF in a large consecutive cohort.Methods and ResultsThis is a retrospective analysis of 308 consecutive patients with persistent AF electively admitted for inpatient dofetilide loading. The initiation dose of dofetilide was determined by the creatinine clearance. Overall, 88% (n = 271) successfully completed initiation of dofetilide and were discharged in sinus rhythm. The most common reason for failure to complete initiation of dofetilide loading was QTc prolongation in 24 patients (7.8%), and torsade de pointes occurred in three patients (1%). Pharmacologic conversion was observed in 56% (n = 151) after a median of two doses. The rate of pharmacologic conversion based on the final dose was 75%, 9%, and 0% for 500 mcg, 250 mcg, and 125 mcg, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDofetilide is a well‐tolerated antiarrhythmic drug with a low incidence of proarrhythmia and an especially high rate of pharmacologic conversion in patients with persistent AF.
Performance of the New BioMonitor 2‐AF Insertable Cardiac Monitoring System: Can Better be Worse?
Authors: LACOUR PHILIPP , DANG PHI LONG , HUEMER MARTIN , PARWANI ABDUL SHOKOR , ATTANASIO PHILIPP , PIESKE BURKERT , BOLDT LEIF‐HENDRIK , HAVERKAMP WILHELM , BLASCHKE FLORIAN 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundImplantable loop recorders (ILR) are valuable tools for the investigation of patients with suspected arrhythmias. The BioMonitor 2‐AF is a novel insertable ILR with enhanced atrial fibrillation (AF) detection algorithm and remote monitoring capability.ObjectiveThe objective of this first‐in‐human study with the BioMonitor 2‐AF was to analyze course of P‐wave sensing performance and R‐wave amplitude, prevalence of false and correctly sensed and classified episodes, and effectiveness of remote monitoring.MethodsAll 19 patients who underwent ILR insertion were included in the BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring® system (BIOTRONIK GmbH, Berlin, Germany). Daily changes in P‐wave and R‐wave sensing were analyzed over 6 weeks. A breathing test (in‐ and expiration) was performed in two different body positions at baseline and during a 6‐week in‐house follow‐up to investigate alterations of P‐wave and R‐wave sensing.ResultsR‐wave amplitude and the high P‐wave visibility (94.4%) remained unchanged during the follow‐up period. In most patients both an increase and decrease of R‐wave amplitude, and in some cases a complete R‐wave vector change (31.6%), was documented during the “breathing test.” Change of body position did not alter R‐wave sensing amplitude mostly. “Breathing test” and change of body position had no effect on P‐wave sensing performance. In 15.8% of the patients, misclassification of episodes as AF or high ventricular rates due to P‐wave oversensing occurred. No ILR‐related complication occurred. Automatic transmission via BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring® was successful 100% of the time.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the BioMonitor 2‐AF is a safe and effective tool for continuous cardiac monitoring.
The genetic architecture of amino acids dissection by association and linkage analysis in maize
Authors: Deng Min , Li Dongqin , Luo Jingyun , Xiao Yingjie , Liu Haijun , Pan Qingchun , Zhang Xuehai , Jin Minliang , Zhao Mingchao , Yan Jianbing 
Published: February 2017

SummaryAmino acids are both constituents of proteins, providing the essential nutrition for humans and animals, and signalling molecules regulating the growth and development of plants. Most cultivars of maize are deficient in essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan. Here, we measured the levels of 17 different total amino acids, and created 48 derived traits in mature kernels from a maize diversity inbred collection and three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. By GWAS, 247 and 281 significant loci were identified in two different environments, 5.1 and 4.4 loci for each trait, explaining 7.44% and 7.90% phenotypic variation for each locus in average, respectively. By linkage mapping, 89, 150 and 165 QTLs were identified in B73/By804, Kui3/B77 and Zong3/Yu87‐1 RIL populations, 2.0, 2.7 and 2.8 QTLs for each trait, explaining 13.6%, 16.4% and 21.4% phenotypic variation for each QTL in average, respectively. It implies that the genetic architecture of amino acids is relative simple and controlled by limited loci. About 43.2% of the loci identified by GWAS were verified by expression QTL, and 17 loci overlapped with mapped QTLs in the three RIL populations. GRMZM2G015534, GRMZM2G143008 and one QTL were further validated using molecular approaches. The amino acid biosynthetic and catabolic pathways were reconstructed on the basis of candidate genes proposed in this study. Our results provide insights into the genetic basis of amino acid biosynthesis in maize kernels and may facilitate marker‐based breeding for quality protein maize.
Stacking transgenic event DAS‐Ø15Ø7‐1 alters maize composition less than traditional breeding
Authors: Herman Rod A. , Fast Brandon J. , Scherer Peter N. , Brune Alyssa M. , de Cerqueira Denise T. , Schafer Barry W. , Ekmay Ricardo D. , Harrigan George G. , Bradfisch Greg A. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe impact of crossing (‘stacking’) genetically modified (GM) events on maize‐grain biochemical composition was compared with the impact of generating nonGM hybrids. The compositional similarity of seven GM stacks containing event DAS‐Ø15Ø7‐1, and their matched nonGM near‐isogenic hybrids (iso‐hybrids) was compared with the compositional similarity of concurrently grown nonGM hybrids and these same iso‐hybrids. Scatter plots were used to visualize comparisons among hybrids and a coefficient of identity (per cent of variation explained by line of identity) was calculated to quantify the relationships within analyte profiles. The composition of GM breeding stacks was more similar to the composition of iso‐hybrids than was the composition of nonGM hybrids. NonGM breeding more strongly influenced crop composition than did transgenesis or stacking of GM events. These findings call into question the value of uniquely requiring composition studies for GM crops, especially for breeding stacks composed of GM events previously found to be compositionally normal.
Family‐centered care for preterm infants: Parent and physical therapist perceptions
Authors: Miyagishima Saori , Himuro Nobuaki , Kozuka Naoki , Mori Mitsuru , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare perceptions between physical therapists and parents about family‐centered care for preterm infants.MethodsTranslated versions of the Measure of Processes of Care‐20 and Measures of Processes of Care for Service Providers were used to evaluate the family‐centered care for preterm infants.ResultsA total of 42 parents of 44 preterm infants and nine physical therapists completed questionnaires. Parent perceptions of the family‐centered care were generally positive. The highest rating was in the domain Enable and Partnership. Physical therapists gave lower scores in all information domains. There were some gaps between parent and physical therapist perceptions of information domains.ConclusionsStrengths and weaknesses in family‐centered care for preterm infants have been identified. Parents viewed the role of physical therapists in family‐centered care for preterm infants as positive.
Interference of allelopathic rice with paddy weeds at the root level
Authors: Yang X.‐F. , Kong C.‐H. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Despite increasing knowledge of the involvement of allelopathy in negative interactions among plants, relatively little is known about its action at the root level. This study aims to enhance understanding of interactions of roots between a crop and associated weeds via allelopathy.

Based on a series of experiments with window rhizoboxes and root segregation methods, we examined root placement patterns and root interactions between allelopathic rice and major paddy weeds Cyperus difformis, Echinochloa crus‐galli, Eclipta prostrata, Leptochloa chinensis and Oryza sativa (weedy rice).

Allelopathic rice inhibited growth of paddy weed roots more than shoots regardless of species. Furthermore, allelopathic rice significantly reduced total root length, total root area, maximum root width and maximum root depth of paddy weeds, while the weeds adjusted horizontal and vertical placement of their roots in response to the presence of allelopathic rice. With the exception of O. sativa (weedy rice), root growth of weeds avoided expanding towards allelopathic rice. Compared with root contact, root segregation significantly increased inhibition of E. crus‐galli, E. prostrata and L. chinensis through an increase in rice allelochemicals. In particular, their root exudates induced production of rice allelochemicals. However, similar results were not observed in C. difformis and O. sativa (weedy rice) with either root segregation or root exudate application.

The results demonstrate that allelopathic rice interferes with paddy weeds by altering root placement patterns and root interactions. This is the first case of a root behavioural strategy in crop–weed allelopathic interaction.