bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐Reported Hearing Loss Predicts 5‐Year Decline in Higher‐Level Functional Capacity in High‐Functioning Elderly Adults: The Fujiwara‐Kyo Study
Authors: Tomioka Kimiko , Okamoto Nozomi , Morikawa Masayuki , Kurumatani Norio 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo clarify the relationship between self‐reported hearing loss (HL) and 5‐year decline in higher‐level functional capacity in high‐functioning elderly adults.DesignPopulation‐based, prospective cohort study.SettingThe Fujiwara‐Kyo Study, Nara, Japan.ParticipantsCommunity‐dwelling individuals aged 65 and older with a perfect baseline and valid follow‐up instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) (n = 3,267), intellectual activity (IA) (n = 2,925), and social role (SR) (n = 2,698) scores.MeasurementsSelf‐reported HL was evaluated using a single question: “Do you feel you have hearing loss?” IADLs, IA, and SR were measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG‐IC) subscales. Geriatric syndromes (depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, falls, urinary incontinence, visual impairment) were self‐reported at baseline. Blood tests were performed to measure cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsDuring 5‐year follow‐up, new declines developed for 213 participants in IADLs, 272 in IA, and 327 in SR. After adjustment for all covariates, including geriatric syndromes, using multiple logistic regression analysis, self‐reported HL at baseline was associated with a decline in IA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–1.86) and SR (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.02–1.76) but not IADLs (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.76–1.48).ConclusionSelf‐reported HL was found to be a significant predictor of decline in IA and SR. Preventive intervention against age‐related HL may contribute to maintaining high‐level functional capacity in independent elderly adults.
Lower Protein Intake Mediates Association Between Lower Occlusal Force and Slower Walking Speed: From the Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians Study
Authors: Okada Tadashi , Ikebe Kazunori , Kagawa Ryosuke , Inomata Chisato , Takeshita Hajime , Gondo Yasuyuki , Ishioka Yoshiko , Okubo Hitomi , Kamide Kei , Masui Yukie , Takahashi Ryutaro , Arai Yasumichi , Thomson William Murray , Maeda Yoshinobu 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between lower extremity motor function and occlusion in older adults and to examine the possibility of dietary intake of protein mediating the association.DesignCross‐sectional, population‐based study.SettingUrban and rural area in Japan.ParticipantsCommunity‐dwelling septuagenarians (N = 655) and octogenarians (N = 629).MeasurementsInformation was collected on occlusal force, protein intake, grip strength, walking speed, sociodemographic characteristics, and medical history. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between walking speed, occlusal force, and protein intake, and structural equation modeling analysis and mediation analysis were performed to investigate the validity of the hypothesized model and identify the indirect effect of protein intake in occlusal force and walking speed.ResultsThe proportion of participants whose walking speed was 0.8 m/s or slower (slow walking speed) was 27.7%. Logistic regression analyses showed that slower walking speed was associated with occlusal force (odds ratio = 1.57, P = .001) after adjusting for medical history, body mass index, grip strength, and protein intake. The fit of the hypothesized model that walking speed was associated with occlusal force through protein intake was good, and the indirect effect was significant.ConclusionSlower walking speed was associated with lower occlusal force. Lower protein intake mediated the association between walking speed and occlusal force. Maintaining occlusal force might prevent insufficient nutrition intake and further deterioration of motor function in older people.
Drug–Alcohol Interactions in Older U.S. Adults
Authors: Qato Dima Mazen , Manzoor Beenish S. , Lee Todd A. 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo characterize the extent and nature of drug–alcohol interactions in older U.S. adults.DesignCross‐sectional.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsNationally representative population‐based sample of community‐dwelling older adults (N = 2,975).MeasurementsRegular drinkers were defined as respondents who consumed alcohol at least weekly. Medication use was defined as the use of a prescription or nonprescription medication or dietary supplement at least daily or weekly. Micromedex was used to determine drug interactions with alcohol and their corresponding severity.ResultsOne thousand one hundred six (41%) of the participants consumed alcohol regularly, and 567 (20%) were at‐risk for a drug–alcohol interaction because they were regular drinkers and concurrently using alcohol‐interacting medications. More than 90% of these interactions were of moderate or major severity. Antidepressants and analgesics were the most commonly used alcohol‐interacting medications in regular drinkers. Older adult men with multiple chronic conditions had the highest prevalence of potential drug–alcohol interactions.ConclusionThe potential for drug–alcohol interactions in the older U.S. adult population may have important clinical implications. Efforts to better understand and prevent the use of alcohol‐interacting medications by regular drinkers, particularly heavy drinkers, are warranted in this population.
Midlife and Late‐Life Smoking and Risk of Dementia in the Community: The Hisayama Study
Authors: Ohara Tomoyuki , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Hata Jun , Ozawa Mio , Yoshida Daigo , Mukai Naoko , Nagata Masaharu , Iwaki Toru , Kitazono Takanari , Kanba Shigenobu , Kiyohara Yutaka 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo clarify the association between midlife and late‐life smoking and risk of dementia.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe Hisayama Study, Japan.ParticipantsJapanese community‐dwellers without dementia aged 65 to 84 (mean age 72) followed for 17 years (1988–2005) (N = 754), 619 of whom had participated in a health examination conducted in 1973–74 (mean age, 57) and were included in the midlife analysis.MeasurementsThe risk estimates of smoking status on the development of dementia were computed using a Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsDuring follow‐up, 252 subjects developed all‐cause dementia; 143 had Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 76 had vascular dementia (VaD). In late life, the multivariable‐adjusted risk of all‐cause dementia was significantly greater in current smokers than in never smokers; similar associations were seen for all‐cause dementia, AD, and VaD in midlife current smokers. Meanwhile, no significant association was observed between past smoking and risk of any type of dementia in late or midlife. Multivariable analysis showed that smokers in midlife and late life had significantly greater risks than lifelong nonsmokers of all‐cause dementia (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49–3.49), AD (aHR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.09–3.61), and VaD (aHR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.34–6.20). Such associations were not observed for midlife smokers who quit smoking in late life.ConclusionPersistent smoking from mid‐ to late life is a significant risk factor for dementia and its subtypes in the general Japanese population.
Impact of shortened dental arches on oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Antunes J. L. F. , Tan H. , Peres K. G. , Peres M. A. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThis study described the prevalence of adults with shortened dental arches (SDA) in Brazil, specifically assessing the differences of oral health‐related quality of life [the prevalence and severity of oral impacts on daily performance (OIDP)] by dentition status. We analysed data from the 2010 National Survey of Oral Health in Brazil, including home interviews and oral examinations. The assessment of SDA used two alternative definitions: having 3–5 natural occlusal units (OUs) in posterior teeth or having 4 OUs in posterior teeth. Both definitions included having intact anterior region and no dental prosthesis. The analysis was weighted, and a complex sampling design was used. Negative binomial regression models assessed associations as adjusted for socio‐demographic conditions and dental outcomes. A total of 9779 adults (35–44 years old) participated in the study. A non‐negligible proportion had SDA: 9·9% and 3·8% for the first and second definition, respectively. Individuals with SDA (first definition) ranked higher in OIDP prevalence [count ratio (CR) 1·22; 1·09–1·36, 95% confidence interval (CI)] and severity (CR = 1·43; 1·19–1·72, 95% CI) than those with more natural teeth. This difference was not statistically significant when adjusted for socio‐demographic and dental covariates: OIDP prevalence (CR = 1·04; 0·92–1·17, 95% CI) and severity (CR = 1·09; 0·91–1·30, 95% CI). Analogous results were obtained when the second definition of SDA was adopted. These findings suggest that a considerable contingent of adults may function well without dental prostheses, despite having several missing teeth. This conclusion challenges the traditional approach of replacing any missing tooth and instructs the allocation of more dental resources to preventive, diagnostic and restorative services.
An observational study of the effectiveness of alternative care providers in the management of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Pendharkar Sachin R. , Dechant Anthony , Bischak Diane P. , Tsai Willis H. , Stevenson Ann‐Marie , Hanly Patrick J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryAlternative care providers have been proposed as a substitute for physician‐based management of obstructive sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical course of patients with a new diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea who were treated with continuous positive airway pressure and followed by alternative care providers at a tertiary care sleep clinic. It was hypothesized that care by alternative care providers would result in improvement of daytime sleepiness and satisfactory treatment adherence, and that a specific number of follow‐up visits could be identified after which clinical outcomes no longer improved. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was measured for each patient at baseline and at each alternative care provider visit. Patients were discharged when they demonstrated a significant improvement in sleepiness and were adherent to therapy. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased by 3.9 points from baseline to discharge. Patients with three or more visits required more follow‐up time to achieve the same clinical improvement as those with only two visits. Continuous positive airway pressure adherence was comparable to previous studies of physician‐led care and improved with ongoing alternative care provider follow‐up. The current results suggest that clinical care by alternative care providers leads to continued improvements in sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are treated with continuous positive airway pressure, and that a minority of patients require longer follow‐up to achieve a satisfactory clinical response to therapy.
Nonnative Speakers Do Not Take Competing Alternative Expressions Into Account the Way Native Speakers Do
Authors: Robenalt Clarice , Goldberg Adele E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWhen native speakers judge the acceptability of novel sentences, they appear to implicitly take competing formulations into account, judging novel sentences with a readily available alternative formulation to be less acceptable than novel sentences with no competing alternative. Moreover, novel sentences with a competing alternative are more strongly dispreferred when they contain high‐ compared to low‐frequency verbs. We replicate these findings with a group of native speakers and extend the paradigm to second language (L2) users. Previous work has found that compared to native speakers, L2 users are less able to generate online expectations during language processing, implying a reduced ability to differentiate between novel sentences with and without a competing alternative. We test this prediction and confirm that, while L2 speakers learn from positive exemplars, they show no evidence of taking competing grammatical alternatives into account, except at the highest quartile of speaking proficiency, where L2 judgments align with native speaker judgments.Open PracticesThis article has been awarded Open Materials and Open Data badges. All materials and data are publicly accessible via the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/f3dh6. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
The evolution of bat nucleic acid‐sensing Toll‐like receptors
Authors: Escalera‐Zamudio Marina , Zepeda‐Mendoza M. Lisandra , Loza‐Rubio Elizabeth , Rojas‐Anaya Edith , Méndez‐Ojeda Maria L. , Arias Carlos F. , Greenwood Alex D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe characterized the nucleic acid‐sensing Toll‐like receptors (TLR) of a New World bat species, the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), and through a comparative molecular evolutionary approach searched for general adaptation patterns among the nucleic acid‐sensing TLRs of eight different bats species belonging to three families (Pteropodidae, Vespertilionidae and Phyllostomidae). We found that the bat TLRs are evolving slowly and mostly under purifying selection and that the divergence pattern of such receptors is overall congruent with the species tree, consistent with the evolution of many other mammalian nuclear genes. However, the chiropteran TLRs exhibited unique mutations fixed in ligand‐binding sites, some of which involved nonconservative amino acid changes and/or targets of positive selection. Such changes could potentially modify protein function and ligand‐binding properties, as some changes were predicted to alter nucleic acid binding motifs in TLR 9. Moreover, evidence for episodic diversifying selection acting specifically upon the bat lineage and sublineages was detected. Thus, the long‐term adaptation of chiropterans to a wide variety of environments and ecological niches with different pathogen profiles is likely to have shaped the evolution of the bat TLRs in an order‐specific manner. The observed evolutionary patterns provide evidence for potential functional differences between bat and other mammalian TLRs in terms of resistance to specific pathogens or recognition of nucleic acids in general.
Divergence times and the evolution of morphological complexity in an early land plant lineage (Marchantiopsida) with a slow molecular rate
Authors: Villarreal A. Juan Carlos , Crandall‐Stotler Barbara J. , Hart Michelle L. , Long David G. , Forrest Laura L. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

We present a complete generic‐level phylogeny of the complex thalloid liverworts, a lineage that includes the model system Marchantia polymorpha. The complex thalloids are remarkable for their slow rate of molecular evolution and for being the only extant plant lineage to differentiate gas exchange tissues in the gametophyte generation. We estimated the divergence times and analyzed the evolutionary trends of morphological traits, including air chambers, rhizoids and specialized reproductive structures.

A multilocus dataset was analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Relative rates were estimated using local clocks.

Our phylogeny cements the early branching in complex thalloids. Marchantia is supported in one of the earliest divergent lineages. The rate of evolution in organellar loci is slower than for other liverwort lineages, except for two annual lineages. Most genera diverged in the Cretaceous. Marchantia polymorpha diversified in the Late Miocene, giving a minimum age estimate for the evolution of its sex chromosomes. The complex thalloid ancestor, excluding Blasiales, is reconstructed as a plant with a carpocephalum, with filament‐less air chambers opening via compound pores, and without pegged rhizoids.

Our comprehensive study of the group provides a temporal framework for the analysis of the evolution of critical traits essential for plants during land colonization.
Extension of oil biosynthesis during the mid‐phase of seed development enhances oil content in Arabidopsis seeds
Authors: Kanai Masatake , Mano Shoji , Kondo Maki , Hayashi Makoto , Nishimura Mikio 
Published: October 2015

SummaryRegulation of oil biosynthesis in plant seeds has been extensively studied, and biotechnological approaches have been designed to increase seed oil content. Oil and protein synthesis is negatively correlated in seeds, but the mechanisms controlling interactions between these two pathways are unknown. Here, we identify the molecular mechanism controlling oil and protein content in seeds. We utilized transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing WRINKLED1 (WRI1), a master transcription factor regulating seed oil biosynthesis, and knockout mutants of major seed storage proteins. Oil and protein biosynthesis in wild‐type plants was sequentially activated during early and late seed development, respectively. The negative correlation between oil and protein contents in seeds arises from competition between the pathways. Extension of WRI1 expression during mid‐phase of seed development significantly enhanced seed oil content. This study demonstrates that temporal activation of genes involved in oil or storage protein biosynthesis determines the oil/protein ratio in Arabidopsis seeds. These results provide novel insights into potential breeding strategies to generate crops with high oil contents in seeds.
Metabolic engineering for the production of plant isoquinoline alkaloids
Authors: Diamond Andrew , Desgagné‐Penix Isabel 
Published: October 2015

SummarySeveral plant isoquinoline alkaloids (PIAs) possess powerful pharmaceutical and biotechnological properties. Thus, PIA metabolism and its fascinating molecules, including morphine, colchicine and galanthamine, have attracted the attention of both the industry and researchers involved in plant science, biochemistry, chemical bioengineering and medicine. Currently, access and availability of high‐value PIAs [commercialized (e.g. galanthamine) or not (e.g. narciclasine)] is limited by low concentration in nature, lack of cultivation or geographic access, seasonal production and risk of overharvesting wild plant species. Nevertheless, most commercial PIAs are still extracted from plant sources. Efforts to improve the production of PIA have largely been impaired by the lack of knowledge on PIA metabolism. With the development and integration of next‐generation sequencing technologies, high‐throughput proteomics and metabolomics analyses and bioinformatics, systems biology was used to unravel metabolic pathways allowing the use of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches to increase production of valuable PIAs. Metabolic engineering provides opportunity to overcome issues related to restricted availability, diversification and productivity of plant alkaloids. Engineered plant, plant cells and microbial cell cultures can act as biofactories by offering their metabolic machinery for the purpose of optimizing the conditions and increasing the productivity of a specific alkaloid. In this article, is presented an update on the production of PIA in engineered plant, plant cell cultures and heterologous micro‐organisms.
Integration of Cyanine, Merocyanine and Styryl Dye Motifs with Synthetic Bacteriochlorins
Authors: Yang Eunkyung , Zhang Nuonuo , Krayer Michael , Taniguchi Masahiko , Diers James R. , Kirmaier Christine , Lindsey Jonathan S. , Bocian David F. , Holten Dewey 
Published: October 2015

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of substituents on spectral properties is essential for the rational design of tailored bacteriochlorins for light‐harvesting and other applications. Toward this goal, three new bacteriochlorins containing previously unexplored conjugating substituents have been prepared and characterized. The conjugating substituents include two positively charged species, 2‐(N‐ethyl 2‐quinolinium)vinyl‐ (B‐1) and 2‐(N‐ethyl 4‐pyridinium)vinyl‐ (B‐2), and a neutral group, acroleinyl‐ (B‐3); the charged species resemble cyanine (or styryl) dye motifs whereas the neutral unit resembles a merocyanine dye motif. The three bacteriochlorins are examined by static and time‐resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy and density functional theoretical calculations. B‐1 and B‐2 have Qy absorption bathochromically shifted well into the NIR region (822 and 852 nm), farther than B‐3 (793 nm) and other 3,13‐disubstituted bacteriochlorins studied previously. B‐1 and B‐2 have broad Qy absorption and fluorescence features with large peak separation (Stokes shift), low fluorescence yields, and shortened S1 (Qy) excited‐state lifetimes (~700 ps and ~100 ps). More typical spectra and S1 lifetime (~2.3 ns) are found for B‐3. The combined photophysical and molecular‐orbital characteristics suggest the altered spectra and enhanced nonradiative S1 decay of B‐1 and B‐2 derive from excited‐state configurations in which electron density is shifted between the macrocycle and the substituents.
Extensible Grids: Uniform Sampling on a Space Filling Curve
Authors: He Zhijian , Owen Art B. 
Published: October 2015

Summary
We study the properties of points in [0,1]d generated by applying Hilbert's space filling curve to uniformly distributed points in [0, 1]. For deterministic sampling we obtain a discrepancy of O(n−1/d) for d⩾2. For random stratified sampling, and scrambled van der Corput points, we derive a mean-squared error of O(n−1−2/d) for integration of Lipschitz continuous integrands, when d⩾3. These rates are the same as those obtained by sampling on d-dimensional grids and they show a deterioration with increasing d. The rate for Lipschitz functions is, however, the best possible at that level of smoothness and is better than plain independent and identically distributed sampling. Unlike grids, space filling curve sampling provides points at any desired sample size, and the van der Corput version is extensible in n. We also introduce a class of piecewise Lipschitz functions whose discontinuities are in rectifiable sets described via Minkowski content. Although these functions may have infinite variation in the sense of Hardy and Krause, they can be integrated with a mean-squared error of O(n−1−1/d). It was previously known only that the rate was o(n−1). Other space filling curves, such as those due to Sierpinski and Peano, also attain these rates, whereas upper bounds for the Lebesgue curve are somewhat worse, as if the dimension were log2(3) times as high.
Double One-sided Cross-validation of Local Linear Hazards
Authors: Gámiz María Luz , Mammen Enno , Miranda María Dolores Martínez , Nielsen Jens Perch 
Published: October 2015

Summary
The paper brings together the theory and practice of local linear kernel hazard estimation. Bandwidth selection is fully analysed, including double one-sided cross-validation that is shown to have good practical and theoretical properties. Insight is provided into the choice of the weighting function in the local linear minimization and it is pointed out that classical weighting sometimes lacks stability. A new semiparametric hazard estimator transforming the survival data before smoothing is introduced and shown to have good practical properties.