bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ivacaftor improves appearance of sinus disease on computerised tomography in cystic fibrosis patients with G551D mutation
Authors: Sheikh S.I. , Long F.R. , McCoy K.S. , Johnson T. , Ryan‐Wenger N.A. , Hayes D. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundMost patients with Cystic fibrosis (CF) have chronic sinus disease which may require multiple sinus surgeries and antibiotic courses. Ivacaftor can improve lung function, lower sweat chloride levels and improve weight by targeting the primary defect, a faulty gene and its protein product, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in patients with the G551D mutation. Its role in improving sinus disease has not been evaluated.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of ivacaftor in improving CF related sinus disease.DesignObservational study.ParticipantsTwelve patients with cystic fibrosis and a G551D‐CFTR mutation.MethodsTwelve patients with a G551D‐CFTR mutation were monitored for at least one year before and after starting ivacaftor.Outcome MeasuresSinus disease progression was monitored by comparing computed tomography (CT) of sinuses before and at one year on therapy. Hospital admissions, pulmonary exacerbations, weight, BMI and lung function were also compared.ResultsMedian age was 17 years (range 10–44). Weight, BMI, FEV1 significantly increased and sweat chloride significantly decreased by six months on ivacaftor therapy. CT of the sinuses in all patients improved. Seven patients had severe sinus disease, improved to moderate in three and mild in remaining four. Four patients had moderate disease which improved to mild in all. One patient had normal sinus CT before and after the therapy.ConclusionsPatients with CF and G551D mutation, within 6 months of starting ivacaftor had significant improvements in weight, BMI and mean % FEV1. Significant lessening of underlying sinus disease measured by CT scan was noted, suggesting a disease modifying effect.
The presence of an audience modulates responses to familiar call stimuli in the male zebra finch forebrain
Authors: Menardy F. , Giret N. , Del Negro C. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe ability to recognize familiar individuals is crucial for establishing social relationships. The zebra finch, a highly social songbird species that forms lifelong pair bonds, uses a vocalization, the distance call, to identify its mate. However, in males, this ability depends on social conditions, requiring the presence of an audience. To evaluate whether the presence of bystanders modulates the auditory processing underlying recognition abilities, we assessed, by using a lightweight telemetry system, whether electrophysiological responses driven by familiar and unfamiliar female calls in a high‐level auditory area [the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM)] were modulated by the presence of conspecific males. Males had experienced the call of their mate for several months and the call of a familiar female for several days. When they were exposed to female calls in the presence of two male conspecifics,NCMneurons showed greater responses to the playback of familiar female calls, including the mate's call, than to unfamiliar ones. In contrast, no such discrimination was observed in males when they were alone or when call‐evoked responses were collected under anaesthesia. Together, these results suggest thatNCMneuronal activity is profoundly influenced by social conditions, providing new evidence that the properties ofNCMneurons are not simply determined by the acoustic structure of auditory stimuli. They also show that neurons in theNCMform part of a network that can be shaped by experience and that probably plays an important role in the emergence of communication sound recognition.
Summer temperature increase has distinct effects on the ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of moist tussock and dry tundra in Arctic Alaska
Authors: Morgado Luis N. , Semenova Tatiana A. , Welker Jeffrey M. , Walker Marilyn D. , Smets Erik , Geml József 
Published: August 2014

AbstractArctic regions are experiencing the greatest rates of climate warming on the planet and marked changes have already been observed in terrestrial arctic ecosystems. While most studies have focused on the effects of warming on arctic vegetation and nutrient cycling, little is known about how belowground communities, such as fungi root‐associated, respond to warming. Here, we investigate how long‐term summer warming affects ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities. We used Ion Torrent sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region to compare ECM fungal communities in plots with and without long‐term experimental warming in both dry and moist tussock tundra. Cortinarius was the most OTU‐rich genus in the moist tundra, while the most diverse genus in the dry tundra was Tomentella. On the diversity level, in the moist tundra we found significant differences in community composition, and a sharp decrease in the richness of ECM fungi due to warming. On the functional level, our results indicate that warming induces shifts in the extramatrical properties of the communities, where the species with medium‐distance exploration type seem to be favored with potential implications for the mobilization of different nutrient pools in the soil. In the dry tundra, neither community richness nor community composition was significantly altered by warming, similar to what had been observed in ECM host plants. There was, however, a marginally significant increase in OTUs identified as ECM fungi with the medium‐distance exploration type in the warmed plots. Linking our findings of decreasing richness with previous results of increasing ECM fungal biomass suggests that certain ECM species are favored by warming and may become more abundant, while many other species may go locally extinct due to direct or indirect effects of warming. Such compositional shifts in the community might affect nutrient cycling and soil organic C storage.
NAIRU Estimates for Germany: New Evidence on the Inflation–Unemployment Tradeoff
Authors: Kajuth Florian 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMeaningful estimates of the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) within a Phillips curve framework require an identified tradeoff between inflation and unemployment. However, observations of inflation and unemployment are equilibrium points giving rise to a simultaneity problem. We assess conventional identifying assumptions in the literature on the German NAIRU in a general bi-variate equations system of inflation and unemplyoment. We use a data-driven method for identification based on shifts in the relative volatility of shocks to unemployment and inflation to identify the tradeoff for Germany. Our results support models which estimate a contemporaneous effect of unemployment on inflation and those which model inflation and unemployment jointly.
Growth characteristics of kochia (Kochia scoparia L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in saline environments
Authors: Endo Tsuneyoshi , Kubo‐Nakano Yuko , Lopez Raul A. , Serrano Rogelio R. , Larrinaga Juan A. , Yamamoto Sadahiro , Honna Toshimasa 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of saline water irrigation and soil salinity on the growth of kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The alfalfa production was low, and half of the plants withered and died under soil electrical conductivity of ≥4 dS m−1. However, high salinity did not affect kochia growth. The mechanism of sodium absorption differs between kochia and alfalfa. Kochia has a salt‐tolerance mechanism whereby the sodium concentration in the plant does not increase, regardless of the environmental conditions of the soil. However, the sodium concentration in alfalfa increases with increasing concentrations of sodium in the soil. Accordingly, changes were observed in the salt composition of alfalfa that harmed the plant. Although good kochia growth was observed in soil with limited water irrigation, it is difficult to grow alfalfa using the same quantity and salinity of irrigation water as used for kochia. Kochia can be cultivated using limited water and in highly saline soil in arid and semiarid regions. Furthermore, since kochia cultivation requires limited irrigation water, the plant may suppress the increase in the salinity of the soil and irrigation water. Therefore, in saline soil in arid and semiarid regions, kochia may be promising as an effective forage crop substitute for alfalfa.
Information and decision‐making needs among people with mental disorders: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Tlach Lisa , Wüsten Caroline , Daubmann Anne , Liebherz Sarah , Härter Martin , Dirmaier Jörg 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundAssessment of users' information and decision‐making needs is one key step in the development of decision‐support interventions.ObjectiveTo identify patients' information and decision‐making needs as a pre‐requisite for the development of high‐quality web‐based patient decision aids (PtDAs) for common mental disorders.Search strategyA systematic MEDLINE search for papers published until December 2012 was conducted, and reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews were searched.Inclusion criteriaOriginal studies containing data on information or decision‐making needs of adults with depression, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, alcohol‐related disorders and schizophrenia were included.Data extraction and synthesisData extraction was performed using a standardized form, and data synthesis was conducted using a theory‐based deductive approach by two independent reviewers. Studies were quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.Main resultsTwelve studies were included focusing on information needs or the identification of decisions patients with depression and schizophrenia were facing. No studies were found for the other mental disorders. Overall, seven information needs categories were identified with the topics ‘basic facts’, ‘treatment’ and ‘coping’ being of major relevance. Six decision categories were identified of which decisions on ‘medication’ and ‘treatment setting’ were most often classified.ConclusionsThis review reveals that patients with schizophrenia and depression show extensive information and decision‐making needs. The identified needs can initially inform the design of PtDAs for schizophrenia and depression. However, there is an urgent need to investigate information and decision‐making needs among patients with other mental disorders.
Disparity in perception of the working condition of dental hygienists between dentists and dental hygiene students in Japan
Authors: Muroga R , Tsuruta J , Morio I 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesIn Japan, there continues to be a shortage of active dental hygienists. The scope of dental hygienists' practice is also considered to be unclear. One of the reasons for this is that dental hygienists find the working conditions during dental hygiene education different from those in reality. The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual working condition of dental hygienists in dental clinics, as well as evaluate the awareness of dental hygiene students and dentists regarding the working condition of dental hygienists.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent by post to 481 dentists and were distributed to 89 dental hygiene students. The awareness about the working condition of dental hygienists was compared between dentists and dental hygiene students.ResultsTwo hundred twenty‐two dentists and 89 dental hygiene students responded to questionnaires. Dental hygiene students considered the team of ‘dental hygienist, dental technician and clerk’ to be more effective in providing dental care than dentists (P < 0.001). Among the dentists, 37.1% did not find any clear distinction between hygienists and assistants in their clinics. However, 97.4% of dental hygiene students answered that dental team members should clearly inform patients of the distinction between hygienists and assistants.ConclusionsThis study indicated that there was disparity between dentists' and dental hygiene students' perception of dental hygienists' working conditions, and dental team work was not always effective. For training high quality dental hygienists, all educational institutions related to dentistry must educate students regarding the more realistic dental hygienists' working condition, as well as benefits.
Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the essential oils of Metaplexis japonica and their antibacterial components
Authors: Wang Da Cheng , Sun Su Hua , Shi Li Na , Qiu Da Ren , Li Xiang , Wei Dong Sheng , Zhang Ya Mei , Qin Jian Chun 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThe aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the essential oils from Metaplexis japonica and isolation of antibacterial constituents from the essential oils. Results showed that 63 components were identified in essential oils. Phenylethyl alcohol (77.978%), α‐terpineol (31.810%) and docosane (21.644%) were the most abundent constituents of flower oil, leaf oil and fruit oil, respectively. Based on bioactivity‐guided fractionation, three active constituents were isolated and identified as phenylethyl alcohol, α‐terpineol and β‐linalool. Both flower oil and phenylethyl alcohol showed high antibacterial performance, with inhibition zone from 25 ± 0.5 to 11 ± 0.6 mm at highest concentration, and MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 2%. In both DPPH and ABTS assay, the oils showed moderate antioxidant activity. These results indicate potential efficacy of active constituents and essential oils of M. japonica to control food‐borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria.
The Deviance Information Criterion in Comparison of Normal Mixing Models
Authors: Fung Thomas , Wang Joanna J.J. , Seneta Eugene 
Published: August 2014

SummaryModel selection from several non‐nested models by using the deviance information criterion within Bayesian inference Using Gibbs Sampling (BUGS) software needs to be treated with caution. This is particularly important if one can specify a model in various mixing representations, as for the normal variance‐mean mixing distribution occurring in financial contexts. We propose a procedure to compare goodness of fit of several non‐nested models, which uses BUGS software in part.
The effect of tetrabromobisphenol A on protamine content and DNA integrity in mouse spermatozoa
Authors: Zatecka E. , Castillo J. , Elzeinova F. , Kubatova A. , Ded L. , Peknicova J. , Oliva R. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryTetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant of increasing concern to human health because of its action as an endocrine disruptor. We have previously demonstrated that TBBPA is able to increase apoptosis of testicular cells and other changes in the first and second generations of mice exposed to TBBPA. However, the potential effects of TBBPA on mouse epididymal spermatozoa have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we initiated this study to determine whether TBBPA exposure could also result in increased DNA fragmentation in epididymal spermatozoa and whether it had an effect on the protamines as the major nuclear proteins. C57Bl/6J mouse pups (n = 10) were exposed to TBBPA (experimental group) during the gestation, lactation, pre‐pubertal and pubertal periods up to the age of 70 days as previously described and compared to control mouse pups (n = 10) that were not exposed. The results demonstrate that TBBPA treatment results in a significantly decreased protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio (0.362 vs. 0.494; p < 0.001), increased total protamine/DNA ratio (0.517 vs. 0.324; p < 0.001) and increased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling positive spermatozoa (39.5% vs. 21.2%; p < 0.05) observed between TBBPA and control mice respectively. These findings indicate that TBBPA exposure, in addition to the resulting increased sperm DNA damage, also has the potential to alter the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin through generation of an anomalous content and distribution of protamines. The possibility is now open to study whether the detected altered protamine content and DNA integrity are related to the previously observed second‐generation effects upon TBBPA exposure.
Growth of AlN Crystals on SiC Substrates by Thermal Nitridation of Al2O3
Authors: You Yu , Ohtsuka Makoto , Miyake Hideto , Fukuyama Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2014

The growth of AlN crystals on c‐plane 6H–SiC substrates by thermal nitridation of Al2O3 pellets in the presence of graphite and ZrO2 was demonstrated. Addition of graphite and ZrO2 effectively accelerated the evaporation of Al2O3, yielding c‐axis oriented AlN films on SiC substrates. The SiC substrate was severely deteriorated at 2173 K, which produced a porous interface between the AlN film and substrate, resulting in low‐quality AlN crystals. The deterioration of SiC was successfully suppressed by introducing a pre‐deposited homo‐buffer layer, allowing two‐dimensional‐like growth of AlN. The buffer layer promoted the formation of a high‐quality AlN film. At 2173 K, the full‐width at half maximum of the X‐ray rocking curves of the (0002) and (10–10) planes of the AlN film was 360 and 425 arcsec, respectively.
‘Cylindrocarpon’ and Ilyonectria Species Causing Root and Crown Rot Disease of Potted Laurustinus Plants in Italy
Authors: Aiello Dalia , Guarnaccia Vladimiro , Epifani Filomena , Perrone Giancarlo , Polizzi Giancarlo 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDuring the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons, a disease was detected on potted laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) plants in two nurseries located in the Catania province (eastern Sicily, Italy). ‘Cylindrocarpon’‐like species were consistently recovered from crown rot and stem rot tissues. Based on morphological characteristics, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of β‐tubulin (TUB), histone H3 (HIS3) and translation elongation factor‐1α (TEF‐1 α) gene sequences, the fungi associated with symptomatic tissues were identified as ‘Cylindrocarpon’ pauciseptatum, Ilyonectria novozelandica and I. torresensis. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by pathogenicity tests carried out on potted V. tinus cuttings. To our knowledge, this is the first report worldwide of ‘C.’ pauciseptatum, I. novozelandica and I. torresensis causing disease on V. tinus.
The Impact of Multimorbidity on Sexual Function in Middle-Aged and Older Women: Beyond the Single Disease Perspective
Authors: Appa Ayesha A. , Creasman Jennifer , Brown Jeanette S. , Van Den Eeden Stephen K. , Thom David H. , Subak Leslee L. , Huang Alison J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Little is known about sexual activity and function in women with multiple chronic health conditions.

Aim
To examine the impact of multimorbidity on sexual activity and function in middle-aged and older women.

Methods
Multiethnic cross-sectional cohort of 1,997 community-dwelling women (mean age of 60.2 [±9.5] years) in California. Structured questionnaires assessed prior diagnoses of common cardiometabolic, colorectal, neuropsychiatric, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary conditions.

Main Outcome Measures
Sexual desire, frequency of sexual activity, overall sexual satisfaction, and specific sexual problems (i.e., difficulty with arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain) were assessed by structured questionnaires.

Results
Seventy-one percent of women had two or more diagnosed chronic conditions. Fifty-nine percent reported low sexual desire, 53% reported less than monthly sexual activity, and 47% reported low overall sexual satisfaction. Multimorbidity was associated with increased odds of reporting low sexual desire (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.06–1.17, per each additional chronic condition), less than monthly sexual activity (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.05–1.17 per each additional condition), and low sexual satisfaction (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.04–1.16 per each additional condition), adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and partner status. Depression and urinary incontinence were each independently associated with low desire (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.19–1.97, and OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.00–1.52, respectively), less than monthly sexual activity (OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.06–1.83, and OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.02–1.62, respectively), and low sexual satisfaction (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.14–1.93, and OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.11–1.73, respectively), adjusting for other types of conditions. After adjustment for total number of chronic conditions, age remained a significant predictor of low desire and less than monthly sexual activity, but not sexual satisfaction.

Conclusions
Women with multiple chronic health conditions are at increased risk for decreased sexual function. Depression and incontinence may have particularly strong effects on sexual desire, frequency of activity, and satisfaction in women, independent of other comorbid conditions. Women's overall sexual satisfaction may be more strongly influenced by multimorbidity than age.
Systematic analysis of funding awarded for viral hepatitis‐related research to institutions in the United Kingdom, 1997–2010
Authors: Head M. G. , Fitchett J. R. , Cooke G. S. , Foster G. R. , Atun R. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryViral hepatitis is responsible for great health, social and economic burden both globally and in the UK. This study aimed to assess the research funding awarded to UK institutions for viral hepatitis research and the relationship of funded research to clinical and public health burden of viral hepatitis. Databases and websites were systematically searched for information on infectious disease research studies funded for the period 1997–2010. Studies specifically related to viral hepatitis research were identified and categorized in terms of funding by pathogen, disease and by a research and development value chain describing the type of science. The overall data set included 6165 studies (total investment £2.6 billion) of which £76.9 million (3.0%) was directed towards viral hepatitis across 323 studies (5.2%). By pathogen, there were four studies specifically investigating hepatitis A (£3.8 million), 69 studies for hepatitis B (21.4%) with total investment of £14.7 million (19.1%) and 236 (73.1%) hepatitis C studies (£62.7 million, 81.5%). There were 4 studies investigating hepatitis G, and none specifying hepatitis D or E. By associated area, viral hepatitis and therapeutics research received £17.0 million, vaccinology £3.1 million and diagnostics £2.9 million. Preclinical research received £50.3 million (65.4%) across 173 studies, whilst implementation and operational research received £19.4 million (25.3%) across 128 studies. The UK is engaged in much hepatology research, but there are areas where the burden is great and may require greater focus, such as hepatitis E, development of a vaccine for hepatitis C, and further research into hepatitis‐associated cancers. Private sector data, and funding information from other countries, would also be useful in priority setting.