bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Movement decline across lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans mutants in the insulin/insulin‐like signaling pathway
Authors: Newell Stamper Breanne L. , Cypser James R. , Kechris Katerina , Kitzenberg David Alan , Tedesco Patricia M. , Johnson Thomas E. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryResearch in aging biology has identified several pathways that are molecularly conserved across species that extend lifespan when mutated. The insulin/insulin‐like signaling (IIS) pathway is one of the most widely studied of these. It has been assumed that extending lifespan also extends healthspan (the period of life with minimal functional loss). However, data supporting this assumption conflict and recent evidence suggest that life extension may, in and of itself, extend the frail period. In this study, we use Caenorhabditis elegans to further probe the link between lifespan and healthspan. Using movement decline as a measure of health, we assessed healthspan across the entire lifespan in nine IIS pathway mutants. In one series of experiments, we studied healthspan in mass cultures, and in another series, we studied individuals longitudinally. We found that long‐lived mutants display prolonged mid‐life movement and do not prolong the frailty period. Lastly, we observed that early‐adulthood movement was not predictive of late‐life movement or survival, within identical phenotypes. Overall, these observations show that extending lifespan does not prolong the period of frailty. Both genotype and a stochastic component modulate aging, and movement late in life is more variable than early‐life movement.
A Novel and Selective Nociceptin Receptor (NOP) Agonist (1‐(1‐((cis)‐4‐isopropylcyclohexyl)piperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methanol (AT‐312) Decreases Acquisition of Ethanol‐Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Authors: Zaveri Nurulain T. , Marquez Paul V. , Meyer Michael E. , Polgar Willma E. , Hamid Abdul , Lutfy Kabirullah 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundNociceptin/orphanin FQ, the endogenous peptide agonist for the opioid receptor‐like receptor (also known as NOP or the nociceptin receptor), has been shown to block the acquisition and expression of ethanol (EtOH)‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Here, we report the characterization of a novel small‐molecule NOP ligand AT‐312 (1‐(1‐((cis)‐4‐isopropylcyclohexyl)piperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)methanol) in receptor binding and GTPγS functional assays in vitro. We then investigated the effect of AT‐312 on the rewarding action of EtOH in mice using the CPP paradigm. Further, using mice lacking the NOP receptor and their wild‐type controls, we also examined the involvement of NOP in the effect of AT‐312. Motivational effects of AT‐312 alone were also assessed in the CPP paradigm.MethodsFemale mice lacking NOP and/or their wild‐type controls received conditioning in the presence or absence of the NOP agonist [AT‐312 (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) or the control NOP agonist SCH221510 (10 mg/kg)] followed by saline/EtOH for 3 consecutive days (twice daily) and tested for CPP in a drug‐free state on the next day.ResultsOur in vitro data showed that AT‐312 is a high‐affinity, selective NOP full agonist with 17‐fold selectivity over the mu opioid receptor and >200‐fold selectivity over the kappa opioid receptor. The results of our in vivo studies showed that AT‐312 reduced EtOH CPP at the lowest dose (1 mg/kg) tested but completely abolished EtOH CPP at higher doses (3 or 10 mg/kg) compared to their vehicle‐treated control group. AT‐312 (3 mg/kg) did not alter EtOH‐induced CPP in mice lacking NOP, confirming that AT‐312 reduced EtOH CPP through its action at the NOP receptor. AT‐312 (3 mg/kg) did not induce reward or aversion when administered alone, showing that the novel small‐molecule NOP agonist shows efficacy in blocking EtOH‐induced CPP via the NOP receptor.ConclusionsTogether, these data suggest that small‐molecule NOP agonists have the potential to reduce alcohol reward and may be promising as medications to treat alcohol addiction.
The impact of Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum on semen parameters: a prospective pre–post‐treatment study
Authors: Meštrović T. , Bedenić B. , Wilson J. , Ljubin‐Sternak S. , Sviben M. , Neuberg M. , Ribić R. , Kozina G. , Profozić Z. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryCorynebacterium glucuronolyticum (C. glucuronolyticum) is a rare isolate that is only recently being acknowledged as a potential urogenital pathogen. The bibliographical references on this bacterial species are scarce, and its influence on all semen parameters was hitherto unknown – therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effects on a range of sperm quality parameters. A prospective approach to compare semen parameters before and after treatment was used in this study. C. glucuronolyticum in semen specimens was identified using analytical profile index biotyping system (API Coryne) and additionally confirmed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass‐spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS), with the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby–Bauer method. Semen analysis was performed according to the criteria from the World Health Organization (with the use of Tygerberg method of sperm morphology categorization). Very strict inclusion criteria for participants also included detailed medical history and urological evaluation. From a total of 2169 screened semen specimens, the inclusion rate for participants with C. glucuronolyticum that satisfied all the criteria was 1.01%. Antibiogram‐guided treatment of the infection with ensuing microbiological clearance has shown that the resolution of the infection correlates with statistically significant improvement in the vitality of spermatozoa, but also with a lower number of neck and mid‐piece defects. Parameters such as sperm count, motility and normal morphology were not affected. In addition, susceptibility testing revealed a trend towards ciprofloxacin resistance, which is something that should be considered when selecting an optimal treatment approach. Albeit it is rarely encountered as a monoisolate in significant quantities, C. glucuronolyticum may negatively influence certain sperm parameters; therefore, it has to be taken into account in the microbiological analysis of urogenital samples.
Thyroid hormones alter estrous cyclicity and antioxidative status in the ovaries of rats
Authors: Wei Quanwei , Fedail Jaafar Sulieman , Kong Lingfa , Zheng Kaizhi , Meng Chunhua , Fadlalla Mohamed Babo , Shi Fangxiong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo expand our understanding of the roles of thyroid hormones on female reproduction, we induced hypo‐ and hyper‐T rat models to investigate the roles of thyroid hormones on estrous cyclicity, as well as the antioxidative status in the ovaries of rats. In the current study, our data show that hypothyroidism (hypo‐T) and hyperthyroidism (hyper‐T) led to significantly reduced body weights and ovarain weights and delayed vaginal opening day. For hyper‐T, thyroxine (T4), tri‐iodothyronine (T3), progesterone (P4) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly increased, while estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly decreased. For hypo‐T rats, serum levels of total T4 and T3, E2, P4, FSH and LH were significantly increased, while concentrations of E2 and LH were significantly decreased. For ovary morphology, the numbers of secondary and antral follicles were significantly decreased with more atretic antral follicles and less corpora lutea in both hyper‐ and hypo‐T groups. Both hyper‐T and hypo‐T treatment significantly decreased the expressions of thyroid hormone receptor α1 in the ovary. Hypo‐T significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO), total NO synthase (tNOS), inducible NOS and constitutive NOS activities, but hyper‐T increased them. For antioxidative parameters, hypo‐T and hyper‐T treatment significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. The activities of both glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and catalase (CAT) significantly decreased in the hypo‐T group but increased in the hyper‐T group. Total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activity was significantly increased in the hyper‐T group. In summary, thyroid hormones alter estrous cyclicity and antioxidative status in the ovary of the rat may act through the NOS signaling pathway.
Helicobacter pylori induces caudal‐type homeobox protein 2 and cyclooxygenase 2 expression by modulating microRNAs in esophageal epithelial cells
Authors: Teng Guigen , Dai Yun , Chu Yunxiang , Li Jing , Zhang Hongchen , Wu Ting , Shuai Xiaowei , Wang Weihong 
Published: December 2017

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked to virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori. The role of H. pylori in esophageal disease has not been clearly defined. We previously reported that H. pylori esophageal colonization promotes the incidence of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma in vivo. Here, we studied the direct effects of H. pylori on the transformation of esophageal epithelial cells, with particular focus on whether H. pylori exerts its effects by modulating miRNAs and their downstream target genes. The normal human esophageal cell line HET‐1A was chronically exposed to H. pylori extract and/or acidified deoxycholic acid for up to 36 weeks. The miRNA profiles of the esophageal epithelial cells associated with H. pylori infection were determined by microarray analysis. We found that chronic H. pylori exposure promoted acidified deoxycholic acid‐induced morphological changes in HET‐1A cells, along with aberrant overexpression of intestinal metaplasia markers and tumorigenic factors, including caudal‐type homeobox protein 2 (CDX2), mucin 2, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). Helicobacter pylori modified the miRNA profiles of esophageal epithelial cells, particularly aberrant silencing of miR‐212‐3p and miR‐361‐3p. Moreover, in biopsies from Barrett's esophagus patients, esophageal H. pylori colonization was associated with a significant decrease in miR‐212‐3p and miR‐361‐3p expression. Furthermore, we identified COX2 as a target of miR‐212‐3p, and CDX2 as a target of miR‐361‐3p. Helicobacter pylori infection of esophageal epithelial cells was associated with miRNA‐mediated upregulation of oncoprotein CDX2 and COX2. Our observations provide new evidence about the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between H. pylori infection and esophageal carcinogenesis.
Sexual Identity and Relationship Quality in Australia and the United Kingdom
Authors: Perales Francisco , Baxter Janeen 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of intimate relationships of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and heterosexual individuals in Australia and the United Kingdom.BackgroundThere is a shortage of research on the relationship quality of nonheterosexual individuals, and the majority of the available evidence comes from the United States. We add to existing knowledge by considering bisexual individuals; examining mixed‐orientation couples; and using recent, large, and nationally representative cross‐national data.MethodData from 25,348 individuals in the United Kingdom (Understanding Society study) and 9,206 individuals in Australia (Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey) were used to estimate regression models predicting relationship quality while adjusting for confounds.ResultsRelationship quality in same‐sex couples was as high as in heterosexual couples in the United Kingdom, and higher in Australia. The lowest relationship quality in both countries was reported by bisexual individuals.ConclusionOur results provide robust evidence to combat deep‐rooted and erroneous social perceptions of same‐sex relationships being conflictual, unhappy, and dysfunctional.ImplicationsOur findings support policies that seek to legalize same‐sex marriage and parenting rights. They also highlight the need to give further attention to bisexual individuals as a distinct group because their outcomes are comparatively poor.
Once frail, always frail? Frailty transitions in home care users with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Martin Lynn , McKenzie Katherine , Ouellette‐Kuntz Hélène 
Published: December 2017

AimFrailty is understood as a dynamic non‐linear process, and used to indicate age‐related decline. Recent work has shown that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of frailty at much earlier ages than the general population. The present study describes transitions in frailty status (i.e. non‐frail, pre‐frail, frail) over 1 year, and explores the association between baseline frailty status and worsening/death over time.MethodsResults are based on secondary analysis of 2893 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving community‐based home care services in Ontario (Canada). Frailty status is based on a validated 42‐item frailty index (FI); where FI ≤0.21 indicates non‐frail, 0.21 < FI ≤ 0.3 indicates pre‐frail and FI >0.30 indicates frail. Baseline characteristics of frailty groups at baseline were compared using the χ2‐test/analysis of variance. Relative risk of worsening/dying was calculated using a modified Poisson regression model.ResultsInitially, 67.0% of participants were non‐frail, 16.2% were pre‐frail and 16.8% were frail. Of those non‐frail at baseline, 84.3% remained non‐frail, 11.8% worsened and 3.9% died. Among those initially pre‐frail, 37.0% remained stable, 35.3% improved, 18.2% worsened and 9.6% died. Although similar proportions of frail individuals improved (37.4%) or remained stable (36.8%), 25.9% had died. After controlling for other factors, being pre‐frail at baseline was associated with an increase in the risk of worsening or death (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.49).ConclusionsWhile many experience worsening of frailty status, stability and improvement are viable goals of care. Future research should examine the rate at which non‐frail, pre‐frail and frail individuals accumulate deficits, as well as the impact of home care services on frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 547–553.
Analysis of sensitive skin barrier function: basic indicators and sebum composition
Authors: Fan L. , Jia Y. , Cui L. , Li X. , He C. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectivesSensitive skin (SS) is a condition characterised by high reactivity, low tolerance, and susceptibility to allergies of the skin. Owing to changes in the environment and marketing strategies, as well as the increasing public awareness about skin care, attention to skin condition is gradually increasing. The aim of this study is to explore the differences in the skin barrier of SS and normal skin (NS).MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted and basic indicators of the skin barrier were analysed. It was found that sebum secretion in the SS group was lower than that in the NS group, suggesting that the development of SS might be associated with sebum secretion and its specific components. Next, an ultra performance liquid chromatography‐quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer was used to identify facial sebum components in female volunteers.ResultsThe results showed that the sebum of female volunteers with SS had high levels of ceramides, glycerophosphoethanolamines, and diacylglycerols, and low levels of glucosylceramides, glycerophosphoserines, glycerophosphocholines, and triacylglycerols.ConclusionAnalysis of lipid functions suggested that the main reason for SS development in women might be a barrier dysfunction caused by excessive apoptosis and lack of water. Therefore, anti‐allergy additives in cosmetic products that could inhibit apoptosis of keratinocytes and methods to maintain the stability of water molecules in the skin should be further studied.
Cortical thickness, resting state heart rate, and heart rate variability in female adolescents
Authors: Koenig Julian , Parzer Peter , Reichl Corinna , Ando Ayaka , Thayer Julian F. , Brunner Romuald , Kaess Michael 
Published: December 2017

AbstractResting state heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological marker that has gained increasing research interest, in particular in developmental neuroscience. HRV has been shown to be associated with mental and physical health, beyond simple measures of heart rate (HR) and shows inter‐ and intraindividual variance across aging. Recently, three studies reported on a positive correlation between resting state HRV and cortical thickness in selected regions of interest (ROIs) in adult samples. Structural thickness, HRV, and HR change during the sensitive period of adolescence. Previously, no study has addressed the structural concomitants of resting HR and HRV in adolescents. Cortical thickness (3‐T MRI), HR, and HRV were recorded in 20 healthy, female adolescents (mean age: 15.92 years; SD = 1.06; range: 14–17). In line with existing research in adults, cortical thickness in a number of ROIs was associated with resting state HRV but not HR. The comparison of regression analyses using the Bayes factor revealed evidence for a correlation between HRV and cortical thickness of the bilateral rostral anterior cingulate cortex. However, unlike in adults, greater cortical thickness was associated with reduced HRV in female adolescents. Analyses on HR showed no superior model fit. Results suggest that greater HRV might be beneficial for cortical development during adolescence (cortical thinning). On the other hand, cortical development might determine changes in autonomic nervous system function in adolescents. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings in larger samples including boys and to test these hypotheses in longitudinal designs.
Curb Your Embodiment
Authors: Pecher Diane 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo explain how abstract concepts are grounded in sensory‐motor experiences, several theories have been proposed. I will discuss two of these proposals, Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Situated Cognition, and argue why they do not fully explain grounding. A central idea in Conceptual Metaphor Theory is that image schemas ground abstract concepts in concrete experiences. Image schemas might themselves be abstractions, however, and therefore do not solve the grounding problem. Moreover, image schemas are too simple to explain the full richness of abstract concepts. Situated cognition might provide such richness. Research in our laboratory, however, has shown that even for concrete concepts, sensory‐motor grounding is task dependent. Therefore, it is questionable whether abstract concepts can be significantly grounded in sensory‐motor processing.
Potential of autologous adipose‐derived stem cells to regenerate atrophied muscle in a rat model
Authors: Park Ji‐Ung , Kwon Sung‐Tack 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMuscle atrophy results in severe functional impairment and is a significant clinical problem. We examined and characterized the therapeutic effects of autologous adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) using an in vivo muscle atrophy rat model. To identify the effect of injected ADSCs into muscle, we developed the following two models of muscle atrophy in rats: induction of denervation by sciatic nerve defects; and nerve repair after severing the sciatic nerve. The inguinal fat pads were harvested from each rat and autologous ADSCs were cultured and ADSCs were injected in the right hind limbs as the experimental group, while normal saline was injected in the left hind limbs, which served as the control group. After 2 weeks, gross examination and histologic analyses were performed. Additionally, to investigate the survival of ADSCs in muscle tissues, we traced the injected ADSCs. The fate of injected ADSCs into muscle was investigated using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging method with lentivirus transfection. The muscle weight and cross‐sectional area of muscle were greater and proliferation of connective tissue was less prominent in the ADSC‐injected group. Alpha‐bungarotoxin binding in the neuromuscular junction was significantly increased, and neoangiogenesis was higher in the ADSCs‐injected group. green fluorescent protein‐labeled ADSCs survived in the gastrocnemius muscle after 2 weeks. These findings could give a support in finding the role of autologous ADSCs as new therapeutic modality for regeneration of atrophied muscle.
Impact of male partner involvement on modern contraceptive use among married or partnered women in developing countries: a protocol for systematic review
Authors: Gebrie Serebe Abay , Abraha Yosef Gebreyohannes , Garoma Desalegn Ararso , Deribe Fasil Mengistu , Tefera Mamuye Hadis , Morankar Sudhakar 
Published: December 2017

Review question/objective:
: The objective of this systematic review is to explore the impact of male partner involvement on modern contraceptive use among married or partnered women of reproductive age in developing countries. Specifically, does male partner involvement:i) Increase the rate of modern contraceptive use?ii) Reduce unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions?
Educational interventions that address handover skills of healthcare professionals: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bøje Rikke Buus , Ludvigsen Mette Spliid 
Published: December 2017

Objectives:
The objective of this scoping review is to identify, organize and present existing literature on training interventions on handovers for healthcare professionals to highlight the existing gaps in evidence to inform future research in this field. More specifically the objectives are to:i) Identify and present the underpinning theories, teaching methods and content that have been used in training interventions on handovers.ii) Identify and present the evaluation tools used to measure the outcome of training interventions on handovers and to present the level of outcomes.
Effectiveness of decision aids on smoking cessation in adult patients: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Moyo Fernea , Archibald Ella , Slyer Jason T. 
Published: December 2017

Review question:
The objective of this review is to determine the effectiveness of the use of decision aids in a shared decision-making encounter between any healthcare provider and adult patients who smoke, compared to standard education on smoking cessation, in any healthcare setting.
Specifically, the review questions are: What is the effectiveness of the use of decision aids in a shared decision-making encounter in any healthcare setting between the healthcare provider and adult patients who smoke compared to standard education, based on the patient's:Smoking cessation rates and number of cessation attempts?Knowledge of smoking cessation methods?Smoking cessation decisional quality?