bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral health of community‐dwelling older Australian men: the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP)
Authors: Wright FAC , Chu SK‐Y , Milledge KL , Valdez E , Law G , Hsu B , Naganathan V , Hirani V , Blyth FM , Le Couteur DG , Harford J , Waite LM , Handelsman DJ , Seibel MJ , Cumming RG 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) is a cohort study of the health of a representative sample of Australian men aged 70 years and older. The aim of this report is to describe the oral health of these men.MethodsOral health was assessed when the men were all aged 78 years or older. Two calibrated examiners conducted a standardized intraoral assessment. Descriptive data were analysed by statistical association tests. Participants were excluded from the collection of some periodontal assessments if they had a medical contraindication.ResultsDental assessments of 614 participants revealed 90 (14.6%) were edentate. Men had a mean of 13.8 missing teeth and 10.3 filled teeth. Dentate participants had a mean of 1.1 teeth with active coronal decay. Those in the low‐income group had a higher rate of decayed teeth and lower rate of filled teeth. Thirty‐four participants (5.5%) had one or more dental implants, and 66.3% relied on substitute natural teeth for functional occlusion. Of those with full periodontal assessments; 90.9% had sites with pocket depths of 3 mm or more, 96.6% had sites with CAL of 5 mm or more, and 79.7% had three or more sites with GI scores of 2 or more.ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of periodontal diseases and restorative burden of dentitions, which suggests that greater attention needs to be given to prevention and health maintenance in older Australian men.
Male urinary paracetamol and semen quality
Authors: Smarr M. M. , Kannan K. , Chen Z. , Kim S. , Buck Louis G. M. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe endocrine‐disrupting properties of paracetamol have been previously demonstrated in rodent studies of abnormal sperm morphology and diminished testosterone production, in addition to epidemiologic studies of diminished couple fecundity. In this study, we examined the relationship between paracetamol and its metabolite p‐aminophenol quantified in a single spot urine and semen quality among 501 male partners of couples planning for pregnancy. Men provided a urine specimen and two fresh semen samples collected approximately one month apart and underwent 24‐h analysis for 35 semen quality parameters. Paracetamol and p‐aminophenol were quantified in urine by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The relationship between natural‐log‐transformed urinary paracetamol and p‐aminophenol rescaled by their standard deviation and 21 Box‐Cox‐transformed, 14 non‐transformed semen parameters was assessed using linear mixed‐effects models. The median concentrations (IQR) of urinary paracetamol and p‐aminophenol were 15.5 ng/mL (5.44, 73.5) and 978 ng/mL (500, 1596), respectively. Following adjustment for creatinine and age, a 1‐standard deviation increase in log‐transformed urinary paracetamol was associated with a reduction in beat cross‐frequency and an increase in DNA fragmentation [β (95% CI): −0.59 Hz (−1.16, −0.03) and 0.05% (0.01, 0.09), respectively]. These findings were corroborated in models of categorical chemical concentrations; higher concentrations of paracetamol remained associated with reduced beat cross‐frequency and increased DNA fragmentation. A 1‐standard deviation increase in log‐transformed urinary p‐aminophenol was associated with a reduction in sperm head area [β (95% CI): −0.1 μm2 (−0.18, −0.02) and width −0.02 μm (−0.04, −0.01)]. However, only the association with sperm head area remained statistically significant in models of p‐aminophenol quartiles. Our findings suggest that adult male urinary paracetamol is associated with sperm motility and DNA fragmentation, while the metabolite, p‐aminophenol, is predominantly associated with sperm head morphometry.
Children who commute to school unaccompanied have greater autonomy and perceptions of safety
Authors: Herrador‐Colmenero Manuel , Villa‐González Emilio , Chillón Palma 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAimWe explored the rates of children who actively commuted to school, both accompanied and unaccompanied, and identified their safety perceptions.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study focused on 745 children, aged 6‐12 years, from public schools in the Spanish Granada region. They completed a questionnaire, providing personal data, their school grade, safety perceptions, whether they were accompanied to school and how they travelled to school. We analysed how active commuters were accompanied to school by age group and assessed the associations between safety perceptions and whether or not they were accompanied.ResultsChildren aged 10‐12 years were more likely to travel to school unaccompanied, more likely to travel actively and had better safety perceptions than younger children. We also found differences in how active commuters between 10 and 12 years and children aged 6‐7 and 8‐9 years (all p < 0.001) were accompanied to school. Children aged 10‐12 years who actively commuted unaccompanied had a better understanding of safety issues than accompanied children (p < 0.010).ConclusionOlder children who actively commuted to school unaccompanied had better safety perceptions than other children in this sample of children aged 6‐12.
Oxygen needs during resuscitation and surfactant to achieve stabilisation were independent risks factors for pulmonary interstitial emphysema in preterm infants
Authors: Nuñez‐Ramiro Antonio , Aguar Marta , Cernada Maria , Parra‐Llorca Anna , Vento Maximo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAimPulmonary interstitial emphysema is a severe complication of mechanical ventilation in preterm infants that leads to air leakage and, or, chronic lung disease. We determined the associated risk factors.MethodsThis was a retrospective case–control study from 2005 to 2014 at a regional referral centre in Valencia, Spain. The cases were 54 preterm infants up to 30 weeks’ gestation and, or, born weighing less than 1500 g, who were diagnosed with pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE). The 54 controls were preterm infants without PIE matched by gestational age. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed to assess the independent predicting factors.ResultsInfants with PIE had been resuscitated with higher mean fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) (p = 0.008), had received higher peak mean positive end expiratory pressure (p = 0.00) and higher mean airway pressure (p = 0.026) 24 hours before diagnosis. PIE patients also received more surfactant (p = 0.00) and had higher mortality (p = 0.034). A Cox regression model identified that independent risk factors were the total amount of surfactant administered and the mean FiO2 during the 24 hours before diagnosis.ConclusionIndependent risk factors for pulmonary interstitial emphysema in preterm infants were higher oxygen during resuscitation and a higher need for surfactant and ventilatory pressures before diagnosis.
Eigenvalue Significance Testing for Genetic Association
Authors: Zhou Yi-Hui , Marron J. S. , Wright Fred A. 
Published: August 2017

Summary
Genotype eigenvectors are widely used as covariates for control of spurious stratification in genetic association. Significance testing for the accompanying eigenvalues has typically been based on a standard Tracy–Widom limiting distribution for the largest eigenvalue, derived under white-noise assumptions. It is known that even modest local correlation among markers inflates the largest eigenvalues, even in the absence of true stratification. In addition, a few sample eigenvalues may be extreme, creating further complications in accurate testing. We explore several methods to identify appropriate null eigenvalue thresholds, while remaining sensitive to eigenvalues corresponding to population stratification. We introduce a novel block permutation approach, designed to produce an appropriate null eigenvalue distribution by eliminating long-range genomic correlation while preserving local correlation. We also propose a fast approach based on eigenvalue distribution modeling, using a simple fit criterion and the general Marčenko–Pastur equation under a simple discrete eigenvalue model. Block permutation and the model-based approach work well for pure simulations and for data resampled from the 1000 Genomes project. In contrast, we find that the standard approach of computing an “effective” number of markers does not perform well. The performance of the methods is also demonstrated for a motivating example from the International Cystic Fibrosis Consortium.
How are learning strategies reflected in the eyes? Combining results from self‐reports and eye‐tracking
Authors: Catrysse Leen , Gijbels David , Donche Vincent , De Maeyer Sven , Lesterhuis Marije , Van den Bossche Piet 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundUp until now, empirical studies in the Student Approaches to Learning field have mainly been focused on the use of self‐report instruments, such as interviews and questionnaires, to uncover differences in students' general preferences towards learning strategies, but have focused less on the use of task‐specific and online measures.AimsThis study aimed at extending current research on students' learning strategies by combining general and task‐specific measurements of students' learning strategies using both offline and online measures. We want to clarify how students process learning contents and to what extent this is related to their self‐report of learning strategies.SampleTwenty students with different generic learning profiles (according to self‐report questionnaires) read an expository text, while their eye movements were registered to answer questions on the content afterwards.MethodsEye‐tracking data were analysed with generalized linear mixed‐effects models.ResultsThe results indicate that students with an all‐high profile, combining both deep and surface learning strategies, spend more time on rereading the text than students with an all‐low profile, scoring low on both learning strategies.ConclusionsThis study showed that we can use eye‐tracking to distinguish very strategic students, characterized using cognitive processing and regulation strategies, from low strategic students, characterized by a lack of cognitive and regulation strategies. These students processed the expository text according to how they self‐reported.
Chloroquine is a potent pulmonary vasodilator that attenuates hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Wu Kang , Zhang Qian , Wu Xiongting , Lu Wenju , Tang Haiyang , Liang Zhihao , Gu Yali , Song Shanshan , Ayon Ramon J , Wang Ziyi , McDermott Kimberly M , Balistrieri Angela , Wang Christina , Black Stephen M , Garcia Joe G N , Makino Ayako , Yuan Jason X‐J , Wang Jian 
Published: August 2017

Background and PurposeSustained pulmonary vasoconstriction and excessive pulmonary vascular remodelling are two major causes of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chloroquine induced relaxation in the pulmonary artery (PA) and attenuates hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH).Experimental ApproachIsometric tension was measured in rat PA rings pre‐constricted with phenylephrine or high K+ solution. PA pressure was measured in mouse isolated, perfused and ventilated lungs. Fura‐2 fluorescence microscopy was used to measure cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration levels in PA smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Patch‐clamp experiments were performed to assess the activity of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) in PASMC. Rats exposed to hypoxia (10% O2) for 3 weeks were used as the model of HPH or Sugen5416/hypoxia (SuHx) for in vivo experiments.Key ResultsChloroquine attenuated agonist‐induced and high K+‐induced contraction in isolated rat PA. Pretreatment with l‐NAME or indomethacin and functional removal of endothelium failed to inhibit chloroquine‐induced PA relaxation. In PASMC, extracellular application of chloroquine attenuated store‐operated Ca2+ entry and ATP‐induced Ca2+ entry. Furthermore, chloroquine also inhibited whole‐cell Ba2+ currents through VDCC in PASMC. In vivo experiments demonstrated that chloroquine treatment ameliorated the HPH and SuHx models.Conclusions and ImplicationsChloroquine is a potent pulmonary vasodilator that may directly or indirectly block VDCC, store‐operated Ca2+ channels and receptor‐operated Ca2+ channels in PASMC. The therapeutic potential of chloroquine in pulmonary hypertension is probably due to the combination of its vasodilator, anti‐proliferative and anti‐autophagic effects.
Genetics of Cushing's disease
Authors: Albani Adriana , Theodoropoulou Marily , Reincke Martin 
Published: August 2017

SummaryCushing's disease (CD) is a rare disabling condition caused by Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐secreting adenomas of the pituitary. The majority of corticotropic adenomas are monoclonal and occur sporadically. Only rarely does CD arise in the context of genetic familial syndromes. Targeted sequencing of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes commonly mutated in other tumours did not identify recurrent mutations. In contrast, next generation sequencing allowed us recently to clarify the genetic basis of CD: we identified somatic driver mutations in the ubiquitin‐specific protease 8 (USP8) gene in a significant portion of corticotropinomas. These mutations represent a novel and unique mechanism leading to ACTH excess. Inhibition of USP8 or its downstream signalling pathways could represent a new therapeutic approach for the management of CD. In this review, we will focus on this new evidence and its implication for clinical care of affected patients.
The association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and dementia: The Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study
Authors: Aubert Carole E. , Bauer Douglas C. , da Costa Bruno R. , Feller Martin , Rieben Carole , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Yaffe Kristine , Rodondi Nicolas ,   the Health ABC Study
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveData on the association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and dementia are limited and conflicting. We aimed to determine whether subclinical thyroid dysfunction was associated with dementia and cognitive decline.DesignPopulation‐based prospective cohort study.PatientsAdults aged 70‐79 years with measured thyroid function, but no dementia at baseline, and Modified Mini‐Mental State (3MS) at baseline and follow‐up.MeasurementsPrimary outcome was incident‐adjudicated dementia, based on 3MS, hospital records and dementia drugs. Secondary outcome was change in 3MS. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, education and baseline 3MS, and then further for cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsAmong 2558 adults, 85% were euthyroid (TSH 0.45‐4.49mIU/L), 2% had subclinical hyperthyroidism with mildly decreased TSH (TSH 0.10‐0.44 mIU/L), 1% subclinical hyperthyroidism with suppressed TSH (TSH < 0.10 mIU/L with normal free thyroxine [FT4]) and 12% subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 4.50‐19.99 mIU/L with normal FT4). Over 9 years, 22% developed dementia. Compared to euthyroidism, risk of dementia was higher in participants with subclinical hyperthyroidism with suppressed TSH (HR 2.38, 95% CI = 1.13;5.04), while we found no significant association in those with mildly decreased TSH (HR 0.79, 95% CI = 0.45;1.38) or with subclinical hypothyroidism (HR 0.91, 95% CI = 0.70;1.19). Participants with subclinical hyperthyroidism with suppressed TSH had a larger decline in 3MS (−3.89, 95% CI = −7.62; −0.15).ConclusionsAmong older adults, subclinical hyperthyroidism with a TSH < 0.10 mIU/L was associated with a higher risk of dementia and a larger cognitive decline, while subclinical hyperthyroidism with mildly decreased TSH or subclinical hypothyroidism were not.
Assessment of left atrial appendage function by transthoracic pulsed Doppler echocardiography: Comparing against transesophageal interrogation and predicting echocardiographic risk factors for stroke
Authors: Wai Shin Hnin , Kyu Kyu , Galupo Mary Joyce , Songco Geronica G. , Kong William K. F. , Lee Chi Hang , Yeo Tiong Cheng , Poh Kian Keong 
Published: August 2017

AimsTransesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) findings of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus, spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), and LAA dysfunction are established risk factors of cardioembolic stroke. The semi‐invasive nature of TEE limits its utility as a routine risk stratification tool. We aim to correlate TEE and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) pulsed Doppler measurements of LAA flow velocities and use TTE measurements to predict TEE findings.Methods and ResultsWe prospectively measured pulsed Doppler LAA flow velocities in 103 consecutive patients on TEE and TTE. There was a strong correlation between TEE and TTE LAA emptying velocity (LAA E) (r = .88, P < .001) and a moderate correlation between LAA filling velocities (r = .50, P < .001). TTE LAA E predicted the presence of thrombus or SEC independent of atrial fibrillation (AF). To predict the presence of thrombus or SEC, the optimal TTE LAA E cutoff was ≤30 cm/s in all patients (75% sensitive, 90% specific) and ≤31 cm/s in AF patients (80% sensitive, 79% specific). To predict LAA dysfunction (TEE E ≤ 20 cm/s), the optimal TTE LAA E cutoff was ≤27 cm/s (100% sensitive, 89% specific in all patients and 100% sensitive, 74% specific in AF patients).ConclusionsTTE assessment of LAA function is feasible and correlates well with the more invasive TEE method. It predicts the presence of thrombus, SEC, and LAA dysfunction on TEE. TTE LAA assessment has incremental value in thromboembolic risk stratification and should be utilized more frequently.
Soil fertility shapes belowground food webs across a regional climate gradient
Authors: Laliberté Etienne , Kardol Paul , Didham Raphael K. , Teste François P. , Turner Benjamin L. , Wardle David A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractChanges in soil fertility during pedogenesis affect the quantity and quality of resources entering the belowground subsystem. Climate governs pedogenesis, yet how climate modulates responses of soil food webs to soil ageing remains unexplored because of the paucity of appropriate model systems. We characterised soil food webs along each of four retrogressive soil chronosequences situated across a strong regional climate gradient to show that belowground communities are predominantly shaped by changes in fertility rather than climate. Basal consumers showed hump‐shaped responses to soil ageing, which were propagated to higher‐order consumers. There was a shift in dominance from bacterial to fungal energy channels with increasing soil age, while the root energy channel was most important in intermediate‐aged soils. Our study highlights the overarching importance of soil fertility in regulating soil food webs, and indicates that belowground food webs will respond more strongly to shifts in soil resources than climate change.
On the relationship between calcified neurocysticercosis and epilepsy in an endemic village: A large‐scale, computed tomography–based population study in rural Ecuador
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. , Arroyo Gianfranco , Del Brutto Victor J. , Zambrano Mauricio , García Héctor H. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveUsing a large‐scale population‐based study, we aimed to assess prevalence and patterns of presentation of neurocysticercosis (NCC) and its relationship with epilepsy in community‐dwellers aged ≥20 years living in Atahualpa (rural Ecuador).MethodsIn a three‐phase epidemiological study, individuals with suspected seizures were identified during a door‐to‐door survey and an interview (phase I). Then, neurologists evaluated suspected cases and randomly selected negative persons to estimate epilepsy prevalence (phase II). In phase III, all participants were offered noncontrast computed tomography (CT) for identifying NCC cases. The independent association between NCC (exposure) and epilepsy (outcome) was assessed by the use of multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, level of education, and alcohol intake. CT findings were subsequently compared to archived brain magnetic resonance imaging in a sizable subgroup of participants.ResultsOf 1,604 villagers aged ≥20 years, 1,462 (91%) were enrolled. Forty‐one persons with epilepsy (PWE) were identified, for a crude prevalence of epilepsy of 28 per 1,000 population (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20.7–38.2). A head CT was performed in 1,228 (84%) of 1,462 participants, including 39 of 41 PWE. CT showed lesions consistent with calcified parenchymal brain cysticerci in 118 (9.6%) cases (95% CI = 8.1–11.4%). No patient had other forms of NCC. Nine of 39 PWE, as opposed to 109 of 1,189 participants without epilepsy, had NCC (23.1% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.004). This difference persisted in the adjusted logistic regression model (odds ratio = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.35–6.81, p = 0.007).SignificanceThis large CT‐based study demonstrates that PWE had three times the odds of having NCC than those without epilepsy, providing robust epidemiological evidence favoring the relationship between NCC and epilepsy.
Average spectral power changes at the hippocampal electroencephalogram in schizophrenia model induced by ketamine
Authors: Sampaio Luis Rafael L. , Borges Lucas T.N. , Silva Joyse M.F. , de Andrade Francisca Roselin O. , Barbosa Talita M. , Oliveira Tatiana Q. , Macedo Danielle , Lima Ricardo F. , Dantas Leonardo P. , Patrocinio Manoel Cláudio A. , do Vale Otoni C. , Vasconcelos Silvânia M.M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe use of ketamine (Ket) as a pharmacological model of schizophrenia is an important tool for understanding the main mechanisms of glutamatergic regulated neural oscillations. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate Ket‐induced changes in the average spectral power using the hippocampal quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). To this end, male Wistar rats were submitted to a stereotactic surgery for the implantation of an electrode in the right hippocampus. After three days, the animals were divided into four groups that were treated for 10 consecutive days with Ket (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg). Brainwaves were captured on the 1st or 10th day, respectively, to acute or repeated treatments. The administration of Ket (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg), compared with controls, induced changes in the hippocampal average spectral power of delta, theta, alpha, gamma low or high waves, after acute or repeated treatments. Therefore, based on the alterations in the average spectral power of hippocampal waves induced by Ket, our findings might provide a basis for the use of hippocampal QEEG in animal models of schizophrenia.