bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When evolution is the solution to pollution: Key principles, and lessons from rapid repeated adaptation of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) populations
Authors: Whitehead Andrew , Clark Bryan W. , Reid Noah M. , Hahn Mark E. , Nacci Diane 
Published: February 2017

AbstractFor most species, evolutionary adaptation is not expected to be sufficiently rapid to buffer the effects of human‐mediated environmental changes, including environmental pollution. Here we review how key features of populations, the characteristics of environmental pollution, and the genetic architecture underlying adaptive traits, may interact to shape the likelihood of evolutionary rescue from pollution. Large populations of Atlantic killifish(Fundulus heteroclitus)persist in some of the most contaminated estuaries of the United States, and killifish studies have provided some of the first insights into the types of genomic changes that enable rapid evolutionary rescue from complexly degraded environments. We describe how selection by industrial pollutants and other stressors has acted on multiple populations of killifish and posit that extreme nucleotide diversity uniquely positions this species for successful evolutionary adaptation. Mechanistic studies have identified some of the genetic underpinnings of adaptation to a well‐studied class of toxic pollutants; however, multiple genetic regions under selection in wild populations seem to reflect more complex responses to diverse native stressors and/or compensatory responses to primary adaptation. The discovery of these pollution‐adapted killifish populations suggests that the evolutionary influence of anthropogenic stressors as selective agents occurs widely. Yet adaptation to chemical pollution in terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate wildlife may rarely be a successful “solution to pollution” because potentially adaptive phenotypes may be complex and incur fitness costs, and therefore be unlikely to evolve quickly enough, especially in species with small population sizes.
Improving the interpretability of climate landscape metrics: An ecological risk analysis of Japan's Marine Protected Areas
Authors: García Molinos Jorge , Takao Shintaro , Kumagai Naoki H. , Poloczanska Elvira S. , Burrows Michael T. , Fujii Masahiko , Yamano Hiroya 
Published: February 2017

AbstractConservation efforts strive to protect significant swaths of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems from a range of threats. As climate change becomes an increasing concern, these efforts must take into account how resilient‐protected spaces will be in the face of future drivers of change such as warming temperatures. Climate landscape metrics, which signal the spatial magnitude and direction of climate change, support a convenient initial assessment of potential threats to and opportunities within ecosystems to inform conservation and policy efforts where biological data are not available. However, inference of risk from purely physical climatic changes is difficult unless set in a meaningful ecological context. Here, we aim to establish this context using historical climatic variability, as a proxy for local adaptation by resident biota, to identify areas where current local climate conditions will remain extant and future regional climate analogues will emerge. This information is then related to the processes governing species’ climate‐driven range edge dynamics, differentiating changes in local climate conditions as promoters of species range contractions from those in neighbouring locations facilitating range expansions. We applied this approach to assess the future climatic stability and connectivity of Japanese waters and its network of marine protected areas (MPAs). We find 88% of Japanese waters transitioning to climates outside their historical variability bounds by 2035, resulting in large reductions in the amount of available climatic space potentially promoting widespread range contractions and expansions. Areas of high connectivity, where shifting climates converge, are present along sections of the coast facilitated by the strong latitudinal gradient of the Japanese archipelago and its ocean current system. While these areas overlap significantly with areas currently under significant anthropogenic pressures, they also include much of the MPA network that may provide stepping‐stone protection for species that must shift their distribution because of climate change.
Dental status as a predictor of mortality among nursing facility residents in eastern Iowa
Authors: Caplan Daniel J. , Ghazal Tariq S. , Cowen Howard J. , Oliveira Deise C. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate dental status (ie, number of teeth and presence of removable dental prostheses) as a predictor of all‐cause mortality among nursing facility residents.BackgroundEdentulism has been associated with poorer health outcomes in geriatric populations.Materials and MethodsBetween March 2006 and June 2008, oral health screening examinations were completed for 584 residents of 10 nursing facilities in four eastern Iowa counties. In September 2013, demographic, general and oral health information was obtained from the screening forms and linked with Iowa state death certificate data. The study outcome (time to death) was defined as the number of days between the screening examination and death. Univariate and bivariate distributions were assessed, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were generated to arrive at factors associated with time to death.ResultsA total of 535 residents were eligible for data analysis. Age at screening ranged from 60‐103 years (mean=85.2), 70% were female, and 33% were edentulous. By September 2013, 468 (87.5%) had died, with a median time to death among these individuals of 2.0 years. The final multivariable Cox model included data from 393 (73.4%) of the residents; statistically significant relationships were observed between time to death and dental status, age, sex, cooperativeness with care providers and renal disease.ConclusionsDental status remained strongly associated with time to death even after controlling for other important demographic and health‐related factors.
Tooth loss among the elders in an inner city area of Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ibiyemi Olushola , Idiga Ejiro 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and factors associated with tooth loss among elders in an inner city area of Ibadan, Nigeria.BackgroundTooth loss is an indication of the oral health of a population, and the possible effects of oral health on general health of the elders has been reported.Material and methodsA cross‐sectional study was undertaken among 392 consenting elders in Idikan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Information on socio‐demographic characteristics, causes and effects of tooth loss was obtained using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. After the interview, the elders were examined for the presence of tooth loss by a trained examiner.ResultMean (SD) age of the elders was 73.0 (9.2) years. One hundred and eighty‐seven (47.7%) participants had ≥1 missing tooth, and 20 (5.1%) participants had complete edentulousness. The mean SD number of missing teeth was 5.9 (4.7) teeth. Age, level of education, monthly income and physical impairment were associated with mean (SD) number of missing teeth (P˂.05). Speech difficulty, appearance problems, chewing difficulty, feeling bereaved, mobility of adjacent teeth, halitosis and premature ageing were reported more by participants who had ˃16 missing teeth compared to those who had ≤16 teeth (P˂.05).ConclusionThe mouth prevalence of tooth loss was 47.7%, and mean (SD) number of missing teeth was 5.9 (4.7) teeth. Age, level of education, monthly income and physical impairment were associated with number of missing teeth (P˂.05). Speech difficulty, appearance problem, chewing difficulty, feeling of bereavement, mobility of adjacent teeth, halitosis and premature ageing were associated with increasing number of missing teeth (P˂.05).
Mechanical properties of 1 mol% CeO2‐10 mol% Sc2O3 co‐doped and stabilized ZrO2 synthesized through hydro/solve‐thermal method
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Chen Xiaoyu , Yao Rui , Liao Songyi , Chen Weiping , Nie Donghong , Wang Yueming , Zheng Feng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractUltra‐fine 1 mol% CeO2‐10 mol% Sc2O3 co‐doped and stabilized ZrO2 (1Ce10ScSZ) powders with average grain size less than 10 nm in diameter were prepared by hydro/solve‐thermal method using either deionized water, ethanol, or methanol as solvent. As‐synthesized powders were characterized in terms of phase structure, particle morphology, and chemical composition by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES), respectively. Sintering studying was conducted on pellets of 15 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness under uniaxial compaction using 25 MPa at either 600, 800, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1400, or 1500°C for 1 hour. Phase transitions and grain morphologies of those sintered samples were characterized by XRD and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Mechanical properties were characterized on dense pellets sintered at 1500°C by nanoindentation. Experimental results showed that ethanol was more effective to synthesize agglomerate‐free 1Ce10ScSZ powders as compared with deionized water and methanol. Choice of solvent affected the environment of hydro/solve‐thermal solution, which led to variation of chemical compositions of powders and porosities of sintered pellets, and therefore, influenced their mechanical performance. Our study showed that solvent was important to make dense, thin, and mechanically robust 1Ce10ScSZ electrolyte for potential applications in electrochemical devices. Absolute values of hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) measured from our samples are much higher and more consistence than those results obtained from commercial vendors reported in literatures.
Improving the quality of Sichuan pickle by adding a traditional Chinese medicinal herb Lycium barbarum in its fermentation
Authors: Liao Meng , Wu Zheng‐Yun , Yu Guo‐Hang , Zhang Wen‐Xue 
Published: February 2017

SummarySichuan pickle is a traditional Chinese food fermented mainly by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study, effect of adding Lycium barbarum on Sichuan pickle fermentation was investigated using kinetic modelling and correlation analysis. It was found that L. barbarum addition not only increased the amount of LAB, the total acid content and antioxidant capacity, but also improved the organoleptic quality and reduced nitrite content of the pickle considerably. Model‐based analyses revealed that L. barbarum addition increased the growth rate and decreased the death rate of LAB. The increase in antioxidant capacity of the pickle, especially the phenolics, can at least partly be attributed to its transferring from the L. barbarum. Correlation analysis results suggest that the nitrite reduction in pickle is closely related with pH value decrease and the increase in acids, and LAB, yeast and acids may all make contribution to the antioxidant capacity of the pickle.
Effects of culture substrates on taste component content and taste quality of Lentinula edodes
Authors: Li Wen , Chen Wanchao , Yang Yan , Zhang Jingsong , Feng Jie , Yu Hailong , Zhou Shuai , Li Xiaobei , Liu Yanfang 
Published: February 2017

SummaryIn this research, the effects of culture substrates on taste component content of Lentinula edodes were studied, and the resulting taste quality of L. edodes was evaluated. The results revealed that single‐carbon and single‐nitrogen sources were beneficial to production of soluble sugars and polyols, organic acids and sweet amino acids, whereas a single‐carbon source was beneficial to essential amino acid production, and a mixed‐carbon source was beneficial to umami 5′‐nucleotides and high mushroom production yield. High C/N values were beneficial to trehalose, arabitol, malic acid, and succinic acid production, while low C/N values were beneficial to mannitol and citric acid production. L. edodes fruiting bodies, harvested from a culture substrate containing single carbon, high proportion of cereal bran, had a more palatable taste quality, while a substrate containing bagasse and low C/N values was not suitable for L. edodes cultivation due to unfavourable taste quality. These results provide cultivation information how to obtain fruiting bodies L. edodes with more taste components.
Effect of preprocessing techniques on pearl millet flour and changes in technological properties
Authors: Akinola Stephen A. , Badejo Adebanjo A. , Osundahunsi Oluwatooyin F. , Edema Mojisola O. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThis study investigated the effect of some preprocessing techniques on the physicochemical and technological properties of pearl millet flour for possible industrial application. Pearl millet was processed into flour using different preprocessing techniques (blanching, debranning, fermentation and malting) and evaluated for physicochemical and functional properties, grain morphology and total viable count. The result showed that fermentation and malting brought about loosening of starch granules. Fermentation significantly reduced the bulk density by 22% and improved the colour lightness and paste viscosity properties of the preprocessed flour. Malting alone resulted in about 50% increase in protein content of the flour with improved solubility up to 64 g/100 g. Total viable count was highest in fermented sample in the order of 108 cfu g−1. Thus, the combination of fermentation and malting would give the best pearl millet flour with improved technological properties for application in the industries, thereby promoting food security in the region.
A randomized comparative evaluation of clinical and home application to investigate the effectiveness of silver nitrate (AgNO3) (95%) for the treatment of verruca pedis
Authors: Concannon Michael , Keogh Lisa , Stephenson John , Parfitt Grace , Forrest James 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the clinical effectiveness of silver nitrate (95%) for the treatment of verruca pedis comparing professional and self-application treatments.

Methods
A single-centre, two-armed randomized evaluation was conducted at a University podiatry clinic. A total of 113 participants (101 analysed) with verruca pedis were included. Participants were randomized to either a clinical group, where silver nitrate was applied by a healthcare professional or a home group, where silver nitrate was self-applied. The main outcome measure was post-treatment pain, controlling for pre-treatment pain, and resolution of the verruca. Secondary outcome measures were participant satisfaction, partial reduction in the verruca and ease of use of the product.

Key findings
The study showed no significant difference between home treatment and clinically applied treatment for the treatment of verruca pedis in either primary outcome; however, a substantive difference in resolution between groups was recorded, with 34.0% full resolution and 26.4% partial resolution in the clinical treatment group, and 18.8% full resolution and 37.5% partial resolution in the home treatment group. Participants widely reported general ease of use of the product. All participants reported a reduction in pain as a result of the intervention.

Conclusion
Silver nitrate has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for verruca pedis, with equal success rates when compared between home and clinical applications.
Pharmacy students in private institutions of higher education: motivating factors when studying pharmacy and influences on university choice
Authors: Loo Jason S E , Lim Shiao Wei , Ng Yew Keong , Tiong John J L 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objectives
To identify factors influencing the decisions of Malaysian first-year pharmacy undergraduate students in private higher education when choosing to pursue a degree in pharmacy as well as their choice of private university.

Methods
This cross-sectional study employed a validated, self-administered questionnaire which was administered to 543 first-year pharmacy students from nine different private universities. Factor analysis was utilised to extract key factors from the responses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.

Key findings
Eight factors motivating students' decision to study pharmacy emerged from the responses, accounting for 63.8% of the variance observed. Students were primarily motivated by intrinsic interests, with work conditions and profession attributes also exerting significant influence. In terms of choice of private university, nine factors were identified, accounting for 73.8% of the variance observed. The image of the school and university were most influential factors in this context, followed by university safety, programme attributes and financial factors.

Conclusions
First-year pharmacy students in the private higher education sector are motivated by intrinsic interest when choosing to study pharmacy over other courses, while their choice of private university is influenced primarily by the image of the school and university.
The effects of sodium fluoride content on the properties of fluorochlorozirconate glass‐ceramic storage phosphors
Authors: Leonard Russell L. , Lubinsky Anthony R. , Johnson Jacqueline A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe sodium fluoride content in fluorochlorozirconate (FCZ) glass‐ceramic storage phosphor plates was varied to determine the effect on sample properties, including photostimulated luminescence (PSL) light output for computed radiography applications. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that increasing sodium fluoride content, in general, lowered the glass transition, crystallization, and phase transformation temperatures of the as‐made glasses. Spectrophotometry results showed an increase in transparency with increased sodium fluoride content. Portions of each glass composition were heat treated to precipitate europium‐doped, orthorhombic barium chloride crystals within the glass matrix, creating glass‐ceramic storage phosphors. PSL decay curves were generated for each sample after exposure to X‐ray radiation. Sodium fluoride content is shown to have a significant role in the optimized performance of these materials.
Dehumanizing but competent: The impact of gender, illness type, and emotional expressiveness on patient perceptions of doctors
Authors: Adams Samantha M. , Case Trevor I. , Fitness Julie , Stevenson Richard J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis study is the first attempt to investigate men's and women's anticipated reactions to a consultation with a doctor holding either a dehumanizing or humanistic approach to patient treatment. Participants (N = 375) read a vignette depicting a doctor's treatment philosophy—emphasizing either the metaphor of the body as a machine (dehumanizing condition) or emphasizing individual humanness (humanizing condition). They then imagined consulting the doctor about a psychological or physical illness. Although, medical dehumanization had undesirable consequences, some men rated the dehumanizing doctor as more competent than the humanizing doctor. These were men who were (a) emotionally expressive and seeking help for a psychological illness, and (b) men low in emotional expressiveness seeking help for a physical illness.
Recurrences in the Blanking Period and 12‐Month Success Rate by Continuous Cardiac Monitoring After Cryoablation of Paroxysmal and Non‐Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: PIERAGNOLI PAOLO , PAOLETTI PERINI ALESSANDRO , RICCIARDI GIUSEPPE , CHECCHI LUCA , GIOMI ANDREA , MURACA IACOPO , MANNUCCI LETIZIA , PADELETTI LUIGI 
Published: February 2017

Early and Late Recurrences in AF CryoablationIntroductionRecurrences within the blanking period (early recurrences) are common after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), but their clinical significance is still controversial. We aimed at evaluating the significance of within‐blanking recurrences at 12‐month follow‐up after cryoballoon (CB) PVI, and to assess the real procedural success rate by continuous monitoring of cardiac rhythm.Methods and ResultsSixty consecutive AF patients (34 paroxysmal, 56.7%) underwent their first CB‐PVI at one Italian center (May 2013 to April 2015), and subsequent implantation of an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Overall, 12‐month success rate after the blanking period was 55%. The shortest detected event was 7 minutes long. Late recurrences were more frequent in non‐paroxysmal (19/26, 73.1%) than in paroxysmal AF (8/34, 23.5%; P <0.001). Early recurrences occurred in 17 (28.3%) patients, with 14 also having late recurrences (82.3%), while only 13 out of 43 (30.2%) without within‐blanking recurrences experienced post‐blanking events (P <0.001). Overall, early recurrences showed 51.8% sensitivity (95% CI 31.9–71.3%) and 90.9% specificity (95% CI 75.7–98.1%) for later recurrences, with 82.3% (95% CI 56.6–96.2%) positive and 69.8% (95% CI 53.9–82.8%) negative predictive value. The positive likelihood ratio was 5.7 (95% CI 1.8–17.8). At multivariable analysis, non‐paroxysmal AF (HR: 3.113; 95% CI 1.309–7.403; P = 0.010) and within‐blanking recurrences (HR: 3.453; 95% CI 1.544–7.722; P = 0.003) were independent predictors of post‐blanking AT/AF.ConclusionCB‐PVI for paroxysmal AF shows a 12‐month success rate of 76.5% after one single procedure, as assessed by continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring. Within‐blanking recurrences predict the ablation failure in more than 80% of patients.
DDA1, a novel oncogene, promotes lung cancer progression through regulation of cell cycle
Authors: Cheng Lin , Yang Qianmei , Li Can , Dai Lei , Yang Yang , Wang Qingnan , Ding Yu , Zhang Junfeng , Liu Lei , Zhang Shuang , Fan Ping , Hu Xun , Xiang Rong , Yu Dechao , Wei Yuquan , Deng Hongxin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractLung cancer is globally widespread and associated with high morbidity and mortality. DDA1 (DET1 and DDB1 associated 1) was first discovered and registered in the GenBank database by our colleagues. DDA1, an evolutionarily conserved gene, might have significant functions. Recent reports have demonstrated that DDA1 is linked to the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway and facilitates the degradation of target proteins. However, the function of DDA1 in lung cancer was previously unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether DDA1 contributes to tumorigenesis and progression of lung cancer. We found that the expression of DDA1 in normal lung cells and tissue was significantly lower than that in lung cancer and was associated with poor prognosis. DDA1 overexpression promoted proliferation of lung tumour cells and facilitated cell cycle progression in vitro and subcutaneous xenograft tumour progression in vivo. Mechanistically, this was associated with the regulation of S phase and cyclins including cyclin D1/D3/E1. These results indicate that DDA1 promotes lung cancer progression, potentially through promoting cyclins and cell cycle progression. Therefore, DDA1 may be a potential novel target for lung cancer treatment, and a biomarker for tumour prognosis.