bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Change in sleep duration and visceral fat accumulation over 6 years in adults
Authors: Chaput Jean‐Philippe , Bouchard Claude , Tremblay Angelo 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between change in sleep duration and long‐term visceral adiposity change in adults.MethodsA longitudinal analysis was conducted on 293 participants, aged 18‐65 years, followed for a mean of 6.0 ± 0.9 years. At baseline and year 6, sleep duration was self‐reported and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) assessed using computed tomography. Multivariable modeling was used to examine the association between change in sleep duration and VAT change over the 6‐year time period, with adjustments made for age, sex, change in BMI, personal characteristics, energy intake, and physical activity.ResultsParticipants gained an average of 19.2 ± 37.3 cm2 in VAT over the follow‐up period. Baseline short (≤6 h/day) and long (≥9 h/day) sleepers gained significantly more VAT than those reporting sleeping 7‐8 hours a night (23.4 and 20.2 cm2 vs. 14.1 cm2, respectively, P < 0.05). Using continuous data, we observed that the change in sleep duration was not associated with VAT change. However, a change in sleep duration from ≤6 h/day to 7‐8 h/day was associated with 6 cm2 fewer VAT gain after multivariable adjustment (P < 0.05).ConclusionsA spontaneous change in sleep duration (from a short to an adequate duration) is independently and inversely associated with long‐term VAT accumulation.
Systematic review of the clinical prediction rules for the calculation of the risk of Down syndrome based on ultrasound findings in the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Moreno‐Cid María , Tenías Burillo José María , Rubio‐Lorente Ana , Rodríguez María José , Bueno‐Pacheco Gema , Román‐Ortiz Carmen , Arias Ángel 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe objective of this article is to systematically review the various published clinical prediction rules used to calculate the risk of Down syndrome (DS) after carrying out an ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy.MethodA systematic search in the main bibliographic databases was carried out. Three independent observers identified the odds ratios and regression coefficients that allowed for the estimation of the risk of DS after ultrasound screening. Four of the clinical prediction rules were integrated into a computer application (ecodown 2.0®).ResultsA total of ten clinical prediction rules were found. Three had been validated, two internally and one externally. We empirically checked the accuracy of the clinical prediction rule estimates obtained from 2216 ultrasound scans performed at our hospital. The application of the clinical prediction rules elaborated by Nicolaides and Zhong to the 2216 ultrasound scans showed a low concordance.ConclusionsClinical prediction rules allow for the integration of second‐trimester ultrasound findings to calculate the risk of DS. However, results from the different clinical prediction rules are not concordant and may generate situations of overestimation or underestimation of the risk of DS. It is thus necessary to validate these clinical prediction rules externally to decide which is most suitable for clinical use. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors Associated with Variability in Rifampin Plasma Pharmacokinetics and the Relationship between Rifampin Concentrations and Induction of Efavirenz Clearance
Authors: Kwara Awewura , Cao Lei , Yang Hongmei , Poethke Pamela , Kurpewski Jaclynn , Tashima Karen T. , Mahjoub Behrang D. , Court Michael H. , Peloquin Charles A. 
Published: January 2014

Study ObjectivesTo identify factors associated with variability in rifampin plasma pharmacokinetics and explore the relationship between rifampin pharmacokinetics and change in efavirenz plasma pharmacokinetics with rifampin coadministration.MethodsIn this randomized, cross‐over study, 12 healthy volunteers received either efavirenz 600 mg/day or efavirenz 600 mg with rifampin 600 mg/day for 8 days. After a washout period of at least 2 weeks, subjects crossed over to the alternate 8‐day regimen. Samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic assessment on day 8 of each study cycle. Drugs concentrations were determined by a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to examine factors associated with rifampin pharmacokinetics. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate relationship between rifampin pharmacokinetics and change in efavirenz plasma pharmacokinetics with rifampin coadministration.Measurements and Main ResultsOf 11 evaluable subjects, the median interquartile range, rifampin peak concentration (Cmax), area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC0–24 hour), and weight‐normalized clearance were 8.9 (7.3–13.8) μg/ml, 48.8 (29.6–67.4) μg·h/ml, and 0.19 (0.11–0.29) L/h/kg, respectively. Solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) c.388A→G and SLCO1B1 c.463C→A polymorphisms jointly had significant effect on rifampin Cmax (R2 = 0.75). Male sex and SLCO1B1 c.463C→A polymorphism together influenced rifampin AUC0–24 hour (R2 = 0.52) and weight‐normalized clearance (R2 = 0.65). All four volunteers with rifampin Cmax less than 8 μg/ml (lower end of the normal range) had c.463CA genotype. Rifampin Cmax and AUC0–24 hour had no significant relationship with the efavirenz AUC0–24 hour ratio or weight‐normalized clearance ratio in the presence versus absence of rifampin (p>0.05).ConclusionsMen with the SLCO1B1c.463CA genotype are at increased risk of lower rifampin plasma exposure. However, plasma rifampin concentrations did not correlate with the extent of induction of efavirenz clearance by rifampin during coadministration.
Wafer bonded four‐junction GaInP/GaAs//GaInAsP/GaInAs concentrator solar cells with 44.7% efficiency
Authors: Dimroth Frank , Grave Matthias , Beutel Paul , Fiedeler Ulrich , Karcher Christian , Tibbits Thomas N. D. , Oliva Eduard , Siefer Gerald , Schachtner Michael , Wekkeli Alexander , Bett Andreas W. , Krause Rainer , Piccin Matteo , Blanc Nicolas , Drazek Charlotte , Guiot Eric , Ghyselen Bruno , Salvetat Thierry , Tauzin Aurélie , Signamarcheix Thomas , Dobrich Anja , Hannappel Thomas , Schwarzburg Klaus 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTTriple‐junction solar cells from III–V compound semiconductors have thus far delivered the highest solar‐electric conversion efficiencies. Increasing the number of junctions generally offers the potential to reach even higher efficiencies, but material quality and the choice of bandgap energies turn out to be even more importance than the number of junctions. Several four‐junction solar cell architectures with optimum bandgap combination are found for lattice‐mismatched III–V semiconductors as high bandgap materials predominantly possess smaller lattice constant than low bandgap materials. Direct wafer bonding offers a new opportunity to combine such mismatched materials through a permanent, electrically conductive and optically transparent interface. In this work, a GaAs‐based top tandem solar cell structure was bonded to an InP‐based bottom tandem cell with a difference in lattice constant of 3.7%. The result is a GaInP/GaAs//GaInAsP/GaInAs four‐junction solar cell with a new record efficiency of 44.7% at 297‐times concentration of the AM1.5d (ASTM G173‐03) spectrum. This work demonstrates a successful pathway for reaching highest conversion efficiencies with III–V multi‐junction solar cells having four and in the future even more junctions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived neighborhood safety and asthma morbidity in the School Inner‐City Asthma Study
Authors: Kopel Lianne S. , Gaffin Jonathan M. , Ozonoff Al , Rao Devika R. , Sheehan William J. , Friedlander James L. , Permaul Perdita , Baxi Sachin N. , Fu Chunxia , Subramanian S.V. , Gold Diane R. , Phipatanakul Wanda 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAimThe aim of this study was to investigate whether neighborhood safety as perceived by primary caregivers is associated with asthma morbidity outcomes among inner‐city school children with asthma.MethodsSchool children with asthma were recruited from 25 inner‐city schools between 2009 and 2012 for the School Inner‐City Asthma Study (N = 219). Primary caregivers completed a baseline questionnaire detailing their perception of neighborhood safety and their children's asthma symptoms, and the children performed baseline pulmonary function tests. In this cross‐sectional analysis, asthma control was compared between children whose caregivers perceived their neighborhood to be unsafe versus safe.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, those children whose primary caregivers perceived the neighborhood to be unsafe had twice the odds of having poorly controlled asthma (odds ratio [OR] adjusted = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–3.9, P = 0.009), four times the odds of dyspnea and rescue medication use (OR adjusted = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.7–13.0, P = 0.003, OR adjusted = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.8–8.8, P < 0.001, respectively), three times as much limitation in activity (OR adjusted = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.4–7.7, P = 0.008), and more than twice the odds of night‐time symptoms (OR adjusted = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3–4.0, P = 0.007) compared to participants living in safe neighborhoods. There was no difference in pulmonary function test results between the two groups.ConclusionsPrimary caregivers' perception of neighborhood safety is associated with childhood asthma morbidity among inner‐city school children with asthma. Further study is needed to elucidate mechanisms behind this association, and future intervention studies to address social disadvantage may be important. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:17–24. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Benchmarking protein–protein interface predictions: Why you should care about protein size
Authors: Martin Juliette 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTA number of predictive methods have been developed to predict protein–protein binding sites. Each new method is traditionally benchmarked using sets of protein structures of various sizes, and global statistics are used to assess the quality of the prediction. Little attention has been paid to the potential bias due to protein size on these statistics. Indeed, small proteins involve proportionally more residues at interfaces than large ones. If a predictive method is biased toward small proteins, this can lead to an over‐estimation of its performance. Here, we investigate the bias due to the size effect when benchmarking protein‐protein interface prediction on the widely used docking benchmark 4.0. First, we simulate random scores that favor small proteins over large ones. Instead of the 0.5 AUC (Area Under the Curve) value expected by chance, these biased scores result in an AUC equal to 0.6 using hypergeometric distributions, and up to 0.65 using constant scores. We then use real prediction results to illustrate how to detect the size bias by shuffling, and subsequently correct it using a simple conversion of the scores into normalized ranks. In addition, we investigate the scores produced by eight published methods and show that they are all affected by the size effect, which can change their relative ranking. The size effect also has an impact on linear combination scores by modifying the relative contributions of each method. In the future, systematic corrections should be applied when benchmarking predictive methods using data sets with mixed protein sizes. Proteins 2014; 82:1444–1452. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
When Relationships Depicted Diagrammatically Conflict With Prior Knowledge: An Investigation of Students’ Interpretations of Evolutionary Trees
Authors: NOVICK LAURA R. , CATLEY KEFYN M. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTScience is an important domain for investigating students’ responses to information that contradicts their prior knowledge. In previous studies of this topic, this information was communicated verbally. The present research used diagrams, specifically trees (cladograms) depicting evolutionary relationships among taxa. Effects of college students’ and 10th graders’ prior knowledge on their ability to reason from information depicted in cladograms was evaluated in two ways: (1) By keeping the hierarchical branching structure constant while manipulating whether the taxa‐targeted common misconceptions about biological classification or were unfamiliar; and (2) by keeping the targeted misconception constant while manipulating the strength of the evidence countermanding that misconception. Students demonstrated more sophisticated reasoning when (1) the taxa were unfamiliar, so they had to rely on the diagrammatic information presented rather than their incorrect prior knowledge, and (2) stronger evidence contradicting their incorrect prior knowledge was presented. Students’ challenges to correctly interpreting evolutionary trees included lower level of schooling and greater strength of the misconception. College, but not high school, students showed some ability to transfer their better reasoning with cladograms depicting relationships among unfamiliar taxa to cladograms depicting taxon relationships that contradicted their everyday conceptions. Implications for improving biology education and overcoming misconceptions are discussed.
Boron Enolate Chemistry toward the Syntheses of Polyketide Stereotetrads
Authors: Koskinen Ari M. P. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn 1976 Mukaiyama published a paper that was to make a major impact on the development of the aldol reaction in the future. Mild enolate formation by treatment of a ketone with dibutylboron triflate in the presence of a tertiary amine generates a relatively stable boron enolate, which can subsequently react with an aldehyde to give the cross‐aldol product in good yields. This reaction has become a reliable tool for the practicing synthetic chemist. Nearly 10000 polyketides are known, and of these about 600 contain the tripropionate unit with a stereotetrad, four contiguous stereocenters with alternating methyl and hydroxyl substituents in the main chain. The versatility of the boron enolate aldol reaction is showcased with selected applications in the synthesis of these structural motifs.
Dicamba affects sex steroid hormone level and mRNA expression of related genes in adult rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Zhu Lifei , Li Wei , Zha Jinmiao , Wang Zijian 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTDicamba is a benzoic acid herbicide that has been detected in surface and ground water. The herbicide has been shown to have cytogeneic and DNA damaging effects and to cause organ damage in mammals; however, little is known about the endocrine disrupting effects of dicamba in fish. In this study, histological changes, plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and sex hormone levels, and mRNA expression of sex steroid hormone‐related genes were determined in adult rare minnow exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of dicamba (0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) for 40 days. The results showed inhibition of spermatogenesis in male testes and ovarian degeneration in females. Plasma 17β‐estradiol (E2) levels were significantly increased in both genders, and plasma VTG levels were significantly increased in males (p < 0.05). These results indicate that sex hormone homeostasis and normal reproduction of fish could be affected by dicamba. Moreover, the mRNA levels of vtg were significantly upregulated in the livers and gonads of both male and female rare minnows (p < 0.05). The downregulation of cytochrome P450c19a (cyp19a) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star) mRNA levels, and the upregulation of cytochrome P450c17 (cyp17) mRNA levels were observed in the livers and ovaries (p < 0.05). The results of the mRNA analysis suggest that changes in steroid hormone‐related gene expression could serve as a regulatory mechanism to maintain sex hormone homeostasis. Overall, dicamba exposure could result in histological lesions, plasma VTG increases, changes in sex hormone levels, and alterations of hormone‐related gene expression. Therefore, dicamba should be considered to be a potential endocrine disruptor. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 693–703, 2015.
Prenatal and neonatal exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid results in aberrant changes in miRNA expression profile and levels in developing rat livers
Authors: Wang Fan , Liu Wei , Jin Yihe , Wang Faqi , Ma Junsheng 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is an animal carcinogen. However, the underlying mechanism in cancer initiation is still largely unknown. Recently identified microRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in toxicant exposure and in the process of toxicant‐induced tumorigenesis. We used PFOS to investigate PFOS‐induced changes in miRNA expression in developing rat liver and the potential mechanism of PFOS‐induced toxic action. Dams received 3.2 mg/kg PFOS in their feed from gestational day 1 (GD1) to postnatal day 7 (PND 7). Pups then had free access to treated feed until PND 7. We isolated RNAs from liver tissues on PND 1 and 7 and analyzed the expression profiles of 387 known rat miRNAs using microarray technology. PFOS exposure induced significant changes in miRNA expression profiles. Forty‐six miRNAs had significant expression alterations on PND 1, nine miRNAs on PND 7. Specifically, expression of four miRNAs was up‐regulated on PND 7 but down‐regulated on PND1 (p < 0.05). Many aberrantly expressed miRNAs were related to various cancers. We found oncogenic and tumor‐suppressing miRNAs, which included miR‐19b, miR‐21*, miR‐17‐3p, miR‐125a‐3p, miR‐16, miR‐26a, miR‐1, miR‐200c, and miR‐451. In addition, four miRNAs were simultaneous significantly expressed on both PND 1 and 7. Functional Annotation analysis of the predicted transcript targets revealed that PFOS exposure potentially alters pathways associated with different cancers (cancer, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and glioma), biological processes which include positive regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Results showed PFOS exposure altered the expression of a suite of miRNAs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 712–723, 2015.
Structural basis for microtubule recognition by the human kinetochore Ska complex
Authors: Abad Maria Alba , Medina Bethan , Santamaria Anna , Zou Juan , Plasberg-Hill Carla , Madhumalar Arumugam , Jayachandran Uma , Redli Patrick Marc , Rappsilber Juri , Nigg Erich A. , Jeyaprakash A. Arockia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe ability of kinetochores (KTs) to maintain stable attachments to dynamic microtubule structures (‘straight’ during microtubule polymerization and ‘curved’ during microtubule depolymerization) is an essential requirement for accurate chromosome segregation. Here we show that the kinetochore-associated Ska complex interacts with tubulin monomers via the carboxy-terminal winged-helix domain of Ska1, providing the structural basis for the ability to bind both straight and curved microtubule structures. This contrasts with the Ndc80 complex, which binds straight microtubules by recognizing the dimeric interface of tubulin. The Ska1 microtubule-binding domain interacts with tubulins using multiple contact sites that allow the Ska complex to bind microtubules in multiple modes. Disrupting either the flexibility or the tubulin contact sites of the Ska1 microtubule-binding domain perturbs normal mitotic progression, explaining the critical role of the Ska complex in maintaining a firm grip on dynamic microtubules.
Indigo carmine: An organic crystal as a positive-electrode material for rechargeable sodium batteries
Authors: Yao Masaru , Kuratani Kentaro , Kojima Toshikatsu , Takeichi Nobuhiko , Senoh Hiroshi , Kiyobayashi Tetsu 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUsing sodium, instead of lithium, in rechargeable batteries is a way to circumvent the lithium's resource problem. The challenge is to find an electrode material that can reversibly undergo redox reactions in a sodium-electrolyte at the desired electrochemical potential. We proved that indigo carmine (IC, 5,5′-indigodisulfonic acid sodium salt) can work as a positive-electrode material in not only a lithium-, but also a sodium-electrolyte. The discharge capacity of the IC-electrode was ~100 mAh g−1with a good cycle stability in either the Na or Li electrolyte, in which the average voltage was 1.8 Vvs.Na+/Na and 2.2 Vvs.Li+/Li, respectively. Two Na ions per IC are stored in the electrode during the discharge, testifying to the two-electron redox reaction. An X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a layer structure for the IC powder and the DFT calculation suggested the formation of a band-like structure in the crystal.
Promotion of quality standard of herbal medicine by constituent removing and adding
Authors: Yan Dan , Li Junxian , Xiong Yin , Zhang Congen , Luo Jiaoyang , Han Yumei , Wang Ruiling , Jin Cheng , Qian Hong , Li Jiangyu , Qiu Lingling , Peng Cheng , Lin Yuling , Song Xueai , Xiao Xiaohe 
Published: January 2014

AbstractTo identify major active constituents and measure their levels in a typical medicinal herb–Rhizoma coptidis, we applied the concept of removing and adding, taking inspiration from functional genetic methods. As this herb has bacteriostatic properties and is used to treat bacterial diarrhea, we examined the effects of individual constituents (berberine, palmatine, coptisine, epiberberine, jateorrhizine and columbamine) on the growth of Shigella dysenteriae with microcalorimetry. The removing and adding procedures revealed that berberine and coptisine were the main antibacterial constituents of R. coptidis, with bacteriostatic activities of 54.10% and 39.75%, respectively. The relative levels of berberine and coptisine in R. coptidis were 8.08%–31.92% and 4.05%–14.45%, respectively. On the basis of whole effect, the method of constituents removing and adding, coupled with a bioassay, is a useful strategy to identify the active constituents and measure their levels in herbal medicines, which may provide reference to other natural products.
The probiotic Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 reduces the vascular pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory status in obese mice
Authors: Toral Marta , Gómez-Guzmán Manuel , Jiménez Rosario , Romero Miguel , Sánchez Manuel , Utrilla María Pilar , Garrido-Mesa Natividad , Rodríguez-Cabezas María Elena , Olivares Mónica , Gálvez Julio , Duarte Juan 
Published: January 2014

Obesity is associated with intestine dysbiosis and is characterized by a low-grade inflammatory status, which affects vascular function. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of a probiotic with immunomodulatory properties, Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711, in obese mice fed on an HFD (high-fat diet). The probiotic treatment was given for 12 weeks, and it did not affect the weight evolution, although it reduced basal glycaemia and insulin resistance. L. coryniformis administration to HFD-induced obese mice induced marked changes in microbiota composition and reduced the metabolic endotoxaemia as it decreased the LPS (lipopolysaccharide) plasma level, which was associated with a significant improvement in gut barrier disruption. Furthermore, it lowered TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) expression in liver, improving the inflammatory status, and thus the glucose metabolism. Additionally, the probiotic reversed the endothelial dysfunction observed in obese mice when endothelium- and NO (nitric oxide)-dependent vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine in aortic rings was studied. It also restored the increased vessel superoxide levels observed in obese mice, by reducing NADPH oxidase activity and increasing antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, chronic probiotic administration for 2 weeks also improved endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress induced by in vivo administration of LPS in control mice fed on a standard chow diet. The results of the present study demonstrate an endothelial-protective effect of L. coryniformis CECT5711 in obese mice by increasing NO bioavailability, suggesting the therapeutic potential of this gut microbiota manipulation to prevent vasculopathy in obesity.