bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retracted: The role of ADIPOQ methylation in curcumin‐administrated experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Chen Wen Ji , Cai Bing , Chen Hui Ting , Cao Chuang Yu , Du Yan Lei , Li Yu Yuan , Nie Yu Qiang , Zhou Yong Jian 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of adiponectin precursor (ADIPOQ) DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the effect of curcumin on the development of NAFLD using rat models.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the control, NAFLD and curcumin‐treated groups. The genetic and epigenetic features of each rat were measured and recorded. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) were used to quantify the ADIPOQ mRNA and protein expressions, and DNA methylation status, respectively.ResultsSerum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and fasting blood glucose in the NAFLD group were significantly increased compared with the control group. The genetic and epigenetic features were reversed after curcumin treatment. The ADIPOQ mRNA and protein expressions in the livers of the NAFLD rats was lower compared with the control and the curcumin‐treated groups. ADIPOQ methylation rate in the NAFLD group was significantly higher than in the control group, which was declined slightly following curcumin treatment. A negative correlation was found between the degrees of DNA methylation and ADIPOQ mRNA expression. ALT, TC, TG and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index had a positive correlation with ADIPOQ DNA methylation, showing that curcumin might affect the gene expression involved in lipid and glucose metabolism by influencing ADIPOQ DNA methylation modifications, which contributed to alleviation of NAFLD.ConclusionAltering the DNA methylation of ADIPOQ is one of the mechanisms by which curcumin executes its hepatoprotective function in NAFLD.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α ligands and modulators from dietary compounds: Types, screening methods and functions
Authors: Yang Haixia , Xiao Lei , Wang Nanping 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) plays a key role in lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis and a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases. Natural dietary compounds, including nutrients and phytochemicals, are PPARα ligands or modulators. High‐throughput screening assays have been developed to screen for PPARα ligands and modulators in our diet. In the present review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of PPARα, including its structure, function, and ligand and modulator screening assays, and summarize the different types of dietary PPARα ligands and modulators.
Evidence for clinical progression of unipolar and bipolar disorders
Authors: Kessing L. V. , Andersen P. K. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveIt is a widely held belief that affective disorders are progressive of nature; however, some recent reviews have questioned this belief. The objective of the present systematic literature review was to present evidence for associations between number of affective episodes and (i) the risk of recurrence of episodes, (ii) probability of recovery from episodes, (iii) severity of episodes, (iv) the threshold for developing episodes, and (v) progression of cognitive deficits in unipolar and bipolar disorders.MethodA systematic review comprising an extensive literature search conducted in Medline, Embase, and PsychInfo up to September 2016 and including cross‐references from identified papers and reviews.ResultsMost of the five areas are superficially investigated and hampered by methodological challenges. Nevertheless, studies with the longest follow‐up periods, using survival analysis methods, taking account of the individual heterogeneity all support a clinical progressive course of illness. Overall, increasing number of affective episodes seems to be associated with (i) increasing risk of recurrence, (ii) increasing duration of episodes, (iii) increasing symptomatic severity of episodes, (iv) decreasing threshold for developing episodes, and (v) increasing risk of developing dementia.ConclusionAlthough the course of illness is heterogeneous, there is evidence for clinical progression of unipolar and bipolar disorders.
Gone with the Wind: Federalism and the Strategic Location of Air Polluters
Authors: Monogan James E. , Konisky David M. , Woods Neal D. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn federal systems, both state governments and firms have incentives to strategically locate polluting facilities where the environmental and health consequences will be borne as much as possible by residents of other jurisdictions. We analyze air polluter location in the United States using a spatial point pattern model, which models where events occur in latitude and longitude. Our analyses indicate that major air polluters are significantly more likely to be located near a state's downwind border than a control group of other industrial facilities, results that are robust to a wide variety of model specifications and measurement strategies. This effect is particularly pronounced for facilities with toxic air emissions. The observed pattern of polluter location varies systematically across states and time in ways that suggest it is responsive to public policy at both the national and state levels.
A House Divided? Roll Calls, Polarization, and Policy Differences in the U.S. House, 1877–2011
Authors: Bateman David A. , Clinton Joshua D. , Lapinski John S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe study of political conflict in legislatures is fundamental to understanding the nature of governance, but also difficult because of changes in membership and the issues addressed over time. Focusing on the enduring issue of civil rights in the United States since Reconstruction, we show that using current methods and measures to characterize elite ideological disagreements makes it hard to interpret or reconcile the conflicts with historical understandings because of their failure to adequately account for the policies being voted upon and the consequences of the iterative lawmaking process. Incorporating information about the policies being voted upon provides a starkly different portrait of elite conflict—not only are contemporary parties relatively less divided than is commonly thought, but the conflict occurs in a smaller, and more liberal, portion of the policy space. These findings have important implications for a broad range of work that uses elite actions to compare political conflict/polarization across time.
Citrate‐Buffered Dialysis Solution (Citrasate) Allows Avoidance of Anticoagulation During Intermittent Hemodiafiltration—At the Cost of Decreased Performance and Systemic Biocompatibility
Authors: Richtrova Pavlina , Mares Jan , Kielberger Lukas , Trefil Ladislav , Eiselt Jaromir , Reischig Tomas 
Published: November 2016

AbstractReportedly, citrate‐based dialysis solution enables heparin dose tapering or even complete exclusion, particularly in postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF). The aim of the study was to verify this strategy in predilution setting and to assess its short‐term safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility. Ten regular hemodialysis patients were assigned to predilution HDF on acetate‐ and citrate‐based dialysis solutions (0.8 mmol/l trisodium citrate) at random order. Acetate HDF was performed using routine dose of heparin while citrate HDF was heparin free. Plasma calcium, thrombin‐antithrombin complexes (TAT), and citrate levels were measured at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. Following each session, a semiquantitative dialyzer clotting score (DCT 1‐5) was assessed and HDF adequacy was determined as spKt/V. Statistical relevance was tested by ANOVA with pP < 0.05 held significant, data are given as means ± standard deviations. All sessions were accomplished successfully, premature termination or circuit re‐setting was not necessary. However, DCT was significantly higher in citrate‐HDF compared to acetate‐HDF regimen (3.4 ± 0.65 and 1.8 ± 0.79, respectively, P = 0.002) as well as TAT generation rate (increase per session by factor 11.0 ± 8.43 and 2.1 ± 1.26, respectively, P = 0.004 between regimens). Ionized calcium declined only by the end of citrate‐HDF (from 1.09 ± 0.086 to 0.99 ± 0.030 mmol/L, P = 0.002) yet without accompanying clinical symptoms. Systemic citrate levels increased along the citrate‐HDF session but stayed an order of magnitude below concentrations needed to establish citrate anticoagulation (peak at 0.276 ± 0.112 mmol/L). Dialysis adequacy estimated by spKt/V was found lower in citrate‐HDF vs. acetate‐HDF (1.48 ± 0.163 and 1.58 ± 0.165, respectively, P = 0.006). Although predilution HDF using citrate‐based dialysate is feasible without heparin, both dialysis adequacy and biocompatibility is significantly compromised. Therefore, this approach can be adopted for a single procedure but is not acceptable on a regular basis.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of chrysin derivatives as potential FabH inhibitors
Authors: Li Hong‐Xia , Wang Zhong‐Chang , Qian Yu‐Mei , Yan Xiao‐Qiang , Lu Ya‐Dong , Zhu Hai‐Liang 
Published: November 2016

New series of chrysin derivatives (4a–4t) were designed and synthesized by introducing different substituted piperazines at C‐7 position. Their inhibitory effects on FabH were evaluated using two Gram‐negative bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and two Gram‐positive bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. To our delight, most of these compounds exhibited a dramatic increase in inhibitory potency, compared with the control positive drugs. Among them, compound 4s exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 5.78 ± 0.24 μm inhibiting E. coli FabH and potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with MIC of 1.25 ± 0.01, 1.15 ± 0.12 μg/mL, respectively, comparing to the control positive drugs penicillin G (7.56 ± 0.30 μm). Docking simulation was performed to position compound 4s into the FabH active site, and the result showed that compound 4s could bind well with the FabH as potent FabH inhibitor.
Nonverbal Executive Function is Mediated by Language: A Study of Deaf and Hearing Children
Authors: Botting Nicola , Jones Anna , Marshall Chloe , Denmark Tanya , Atkinson Joanna , Morgan Gary 
Published: November 2016

Studies have suggested that language and executive function (EF) are strongly associated. Indeed, the two are difficult to separate, and it is particularly difficult to determine whether one skill is more dependent on the other. Deafness provides a unique opportunity to disentangle these skills because in this case, language difficulties have a sensory not cognitive basis. In this study, deaf (n = 108) and hearing (n = 125) children (age 8 years) were assessed on language and a wide range of nonverbal EF tasks. Deaf children performed significantly less well on EF tasks, even controlling for nonverbal intelligence and speed of processing. Language mediated EF skill, but the reverse pattern was not evident. Findings suggest that language is key to EF performance rather than vice versa.
Therapeutic alliance and obesity management in primary care – a cross‐sectional pilot using the Working Alliance Inventory
Authors: Sturgiss E. A. , Sargent G. M. , Haesler E. , Rieger E. , Douglas K. 
Published: November 2016

Summary
Therapeutic alliance is a well‐recognized predictor of patient outcomes within psychological therapy. It has not been applied to obesity interventions, and Bordin's theoretical framework shows particular relevance to the management of obesity in primary health care. This cross‐sectional study of a weight management programme in general practice aimed to determine if therapeutic alliance was associated with patient outcomes. The Working Alliance Inventory short revised version (WAI‐SR) was administered to 23 patients and 11 general practitioners (GPs) at the end of a 6‐month weight management programme. Use of the WAI‐SR indicated that the strength of therapeutic alliance varied between different patient–GP relationships in this pilot intervention. A robust therapeutic alliance was strongly associated with patient engagement in the weight management programme indicated by number of appointments. It was also associated with some general health and quality of life outcomes. These are promising results that require confirmation with larger studies in primary health care. The measurement of therapeutic alliance using the WAI‐SR may predict patient attendance and outcomes in obesity interventions in primary healthcare settings.
Consumption‐Based Conservation Targeting: Linking Biodiversity Loss to Upstream Demand through a Global Wildlife Footprint
Authors: Kitzes Justin , Berlow Eric , Conlisk Erin , Erb Karlheinz , Iha Katsunori , Martinez Neo , Newman Erica A. , Plutzar Christoph , Smith Adam B. , Harte John 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAlthough most conservation efforts address the direct, local causes of biodiversity loss, effective long‐term conservation will require complementary efforts to reduce the upstream economic pressures, such as demands for food and forest products, which ultimately drive these downstream losses. Here, we present a wildlife footprint analysis that links global losses of wild birds to consumer purchases across 57 economic sectors in 129 regions. The United States, India, China, and Brazil have the largest regional wildlife footprints, while per‐person footprints are highest in Mongolia, Australia, Botswana, and the United Arab Emirates. A US$100 purchase of bovine meat or rice products occupies approximately 0.1 km2 of wild bird ranges, displacing 1–2 individual birds, for 1 year. Globally significant importer regions, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France, have large footprints that drive wildlife losses elsewhere in the world and represent important targets for consumption‐focused conservation attention.
Usage and effectiveness of systemic treatments in adults with severe atopic eczema: First results of the German Atopic Eczema Registry TREATgermany
Authors: Schmitt Jochen , Abraham Susanne , Trautmann Freya , Stephan Victoria , Fölster‐Holst Regina , Homey Bernhard , Bieber Thomas , Novak Natalija , Sticherling Michael , Augustin Matthias , Kleinheinz Andreas , Elsner Peter , Weidinger Stephan , Werfel Thomas 
Published: November 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe goal of clinical registries is to document the use and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions under real‐life conditions. They are an indispensable prerequisite of evidence‐based health care.MethodsInitiated in 2011, the German Atopic Dermatitis Registry TREATgermany is the first registry of patients with severe atopic dermatitis worldwide. Adults with severe atopic dermatitis (current/prior systemic antiinflammatory treatment and/or objective SCORAD ≥ 40) are prospectively followed over the course of 24 months. Employed treatment modalities are documented, and validated measuring tools are used to assess clinical disease severity (EASI, objective SCORAD), quality of life (DLQI), symptoms (POEM), global disease severity, as well as patient satisfaction. Herein, we describe the characteristics, therapeutic selection, and effectiveness of systemic antiinflammatory treatments of patients enrolled in the registry until October 2014.ResultsOverall, 78 individuals (mean age 39 years, 61 % men) were enrolled at five recruitment centers. Patients frequently made use of inpatient and outpatient services. Not only was cyclosporine the most frequently administered systemic treatment, but also the most effective (EASI 50 response rate 51 %; EASI 75 response rate 34 % at 12 weeks). Azathioprine, methotrexate, oral prednisolone, mycophenolate, alitretinoin, and leflunomide were also used in some patients.ConclusionsThe present analysis of the German Atopic Dermatitis Registry provides important data with respect to current medical care of adults with severe atopic dermatitis in Germany. It shows the high disease burden, the benefits of current treatment options, and the need for additional effective and safe long‐term treatment options.
Nail involvement can predict enthesopathy in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Castellanos‐González Maria , Joven Beatriz Esther , Sánchez Julio , Andrés‐Esteban Eva María , Vanaclocha‐Sebastián Francisco , Romero Pablo Ortiz , Díaz Raquel Rivera 
Published: November 2016

SummaryBackground: Although subclinical enthesopathy is a well‐established diagnostic criterion for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), it is frequently overlooked, as many patients are asymptomatic. The possibility of finding a clinical clue predicting enthesopathy would help clinicians establish an early diagnosis of PsA.Material and methods: A prospective single‐center study of a total of 90 patients with psoriasis was conducted to assess the presence of entheseal abnormalities as detected by ultrasound, and to determine any correlation with nail involvement.Results: Entheseal abnormalities were found in 23 patients (25.5 %), 19 (82.6 %) of whom showed nail involvement, whereas four (17.4 %) individuals did not. Enthesopathy was present in 31.1 % (19/61) of patients with onychopathy compared to 13.8 % (4/29) of those without nail involvement (p = 0.07). There was a significant correlation between target NAPSI score and evidence of enthesopathy. In addition, the number of nails affected also showed a significant correlation with the presence of enthesopathy (p = 0.035).Conclusions: Clinical evidence of onychopathy may be the clue to an early diagnosis of enthesopathy in psoriasis patients.
Experimental fire increases soil carbon dioxide efflux in a grassland long‐term multifactor global change experiment
Authors: Strong Aaron L. , Johnson Tera P. , Chiariello Nona R. , Field Christopher B. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractNumerous studies have demonstrated that soil respiration rates increase under experimental warming, although the long‐term, multiyear dynamics of this feedback are not well constrained. Less is known about the effects of single, punctuated events in combination with other longer‐duration anthropogenic influences on the dynamics of soil carbon (C) loss. In 2012 and 2013, we assessed the effects of decadal‐scale anthropogenic global change – warming, increased nitrogen (N) deposition, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), and increased precipitation – on soil respiration rates in an annual‐dominated Mediterranean grassland. We also investigated how controlled fire and an artificial wet‐up event, in combination with exposure to the longer‐duration anthropogenic global change factors, influenced the dynamics of C cycling in this system. Decade‐duration surface soil warming (1–2 °C) had no effect on soil respiration rates, while +N addition and elevated CO2 concentrations increased growing‐season soil CO2 efflux rates by increasing annual aboveground net primary production (NPP) and belowground fine root production, respectively. Low‐intensity experimental fire significantly elevated soil CO2 efflux rates in the next growing season. Based on mixed‐effects modeling and structural equation modeling, low‐intensity fire increased growing‐season soil respiration rates through a combination of three mechanisms: large increases in soil temperature (3–5 °C), significant increases in fine root production, and elevated aboveground NPP. Our study shows that in ecosystems where soil respiration has acclimated to moderate warming, further increases in soil temperature can stimulate greater soil CO2 efflux. We also demonstrate that punctuated short‐duration events such as fire can influence soil C dynamics with implications for both the parameterization of earth system models (ESMs) and the implementation of climate change mitigation policies that involve land‐sector C accounting.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and the longitudinal progression of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chou Ping‐Song , Wu Meng‐Ni , Chou Mei‐Chuan , Chien I , Yang Yuan‐Han 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimThe angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism is considered a biologically plausible gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cross‐sectional studies. The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effect of ACE I/D polymorphism on AD progression.MethodsThis 3‐year observational study investigated the longitudinal effect of ACE I/D polymorphism on AD progression. Clinically diagnosed AD patients with a clinical dementia rating (CDR) of 0.5 or 1 were enrolled in the study. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Assessment Screening Instrument (CASI) and the CDR scale were carried out for all patients on the date of the initial interview and 36 ± 6 months after the initial evaluation.ResultsA total of 177 patients with sporadic AD were enrolled in this study. Among all patients, those with the I/I genotype showed a higher risk of CDR deterioration (I/I versus I/D + D/D: adjusted OR 2.103, 95% CI 1.113–3.972; adjusted P = 0.022). Among 74 AD patients without hypertension, those with the I/I genotype showed significantly greater differences in the MMSE, CASI and the CDR‐sum of box scores, and a higher risk of CDR deterioration (I/I versus I/D + D/D: adjusted OR 3.255, 95% CI 1.099–9.639; adjusted P = 0.033) after adjustment for possible confounders during the 3‐year follow up.ConclusionsPatients with AD who were homozygous for the I allele presented with a more rapid AD deterioration than did those who had other ACE genotypes, particularly those patients without hypertension. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1544–1550.
Does organizational adaptation really matter? How mission change affects the survival of U.S. federal independent agencies, 1933–2011
Authors: Boin Arjen , Kofman Celesta , Kuilman Jeroen , Kuipers Sanneke , van Witteloostuijn Arjen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPublic administration scholars tend to take for granted that organizational adaptation is important. This common notion that public organizations must adapt to stay alive has not been put to the test in the field of public administration, however. Intriguingly, organization ecologists find that adaptation does not matter and might even be counterproductive for individual organizations. They argue that the absence of adaptation—which they refer to as structural inertia—actually enhances the likelihood of survival. But organization ecologists focus mostly on nonpublic organizations. This prompts the question whether adaptation in public organizations really matters. In this article, we test these contrasting claims (while controlling for design features) on a population of U.S. federal independent public agencies (n = 142). Our findings suggest a subtle narrative. We conclude that proactive adaptation increases termination hazards. But inertia does not seem to significantly enhance survival chances.