bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability of Diagnoses of Cognitive Impairment, Not Dementia in a Veterans Affairs Primary Care Population
Authors: Holsinger Tracey , Plassman Brenda L. , Stechuchak Karen M. , Burke James R. , Coffman Cynthia J. , Williams John W. 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesTo describe the stability of cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND) in a longitudinal cohort of primary care veterans. To examine the association between baseline brief cognitive screening tests, demographic and clinical characteristics, and cognitive decline.DesignFollow‐up cognitive assessment after an average of 2.5 years of a cohort of veterans in primary care whose baseline status was CIND or normal cognition.SettingThree Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinics.ParticipantsSubjects with CIND at baseline and a sampling of subjects with baseline normal cognition.MeasurementsVeterans underwent a standard assessment, including neuropsychological tests and informant interview.ResultsOf 293 potentially eligible individuals, 186 enrolled in the follow‐up study. Of the 131 subjects with a baseline diagnosis of CIND, 16 (12%) progressed to dementia, 88 (67%) continued to have a diagnosis of CIND, and 27 (21%) improved to normal cognition. Of the 55 subjects with a baseline diagnosis of normal cognition, one (2%) progressed to dementia, 17 (31%) progressed to CIND, and 37 (67%) remained cognitively normal. In bivariate analyses, poorer performance on baseline cognitive screening tests was associated with cognitive decline, whereas Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP) and education were not. Similarly, higher scores on cognitive screening tests were associated with return to normal cognition. In multivariable logistic regression models, lower baseline Mini‐Cog and Modified Mini–Mental State scores were associated with cognitive decline, whereas Memory Impairment Screen scores, FSRP, and years of education were not.ConclusionA minority of subjects had worsening of cognitive function sufficient to change diagnostic category. Over an average of 2.5 years, subjects diagnosed with CIND at baseline reverted to normal cognition at a higher rate than progressed to dementia. Cognitive screening tests addressing multiple domains of cognitive impairment were predictive of cognitive decline.
Association Between Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Older Adults without Diabetes Mellitus in the General Population: The Leiden 85‐Plus Study
Authors: Birkenhäger‐Gillesse Elizabeth G. , den Elzen Wendy P. J. , Achterberg Wilco P. , Mooijaart Simon P. , Gussekloo Jacobijn , de Craen Anton J. M. 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesTo examine the association between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality in 85‐year‐old individuals without diabetes mellitus from the general population.DesignPopulation‐based prospective follow‐up study.SettingGeneral population.ParticipantsIndividuals without known diabetes mellitus (N = 445, n = 291 female).MeasurementsHbA1c levels were categorized into three groups (<5.0% (31 mmol/mol), 5.0–5.7% (31–39 mmol/mol; reference), 5.7–6.5% (39–48 mmol/mol)).ResultsAt baseline, a history of myocardial infarction (MI) was more prevalent in subjects in the highest HbA1c group (18%) than in the reference group (7%) (P = .001). Prospectively, those with the highest level of HbA1c at baseline had a risk of incident MI during the 5‐year follow‐up that was 3.6 (95% confidence interval = 1.5–8.3) times as great as that of the reference group. No association was found between HbA1c level and incident stroke, cardiovascular mortality, or all‐cause mortality.ConclusionIn individuals aged 85 and older without diabetes mellitus, higher HbA1c is associated with greater risk of MI but not with stroke and mortality.
Comparison of Wells and Revised Geneva Rule to Assess Pretest Probability of Pulmonary Embolism in High‐Risk Hospitalized Elderly Adults
Authors: Di Marca Salvatore , Cilia Chiara , Campagna Andrea , D'Arrigo Graziella , ElHafeez Samar Abd , Tripepi Giovanni , Puccia Giuseppe , Pisano Marcella , Mastrosimone Gianluca , Terranova Valentina , Cardella Antonella , Buonacera Agata , Stancanelli Benedetta , Zoccali Carmine , Malatino Lorenzo 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesTo assess and compare the diagnostic power for pulmonary embolism (PE) of Wells and revised Geneva scores in two independent cohorts (training and validation groups) of elderly adults hospitalized in a non‐emergency department.DesignProspective clinical study, January 2011 to January 2013.SettingUnit of Internal Medicine inpatients, University of Catania, Italy.ParticipantsElderly adults (mean age 76 ± 12), presenting with dyspnea or chest pain and with high clinical probability of PE or D‐dimer values greater than 500 ng/mL (N = 203), were enrolled and consecutively assigned to a training (n = 101) or a validation (n = 102) group. The clinical probability of PE was assessed using Wells and revised Geneva scores.MeasurementsClinical examination, D‐dimer test, and multidetector computed angiotomography were performed in all participants. The accuracy of the scores was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analyses.ResultsPE was confirmed in 46 participants (23%) (24 training group, 22 validation group). In the training group, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–0.98) for the Wells score and 0.69 (95% CI = 0.56–0.82) for the revised Geneva score (P < .001). These results were confirmed in the validation group (P < .05). The positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR−) (two indices combining sensitivity and specificity) of the Wells score were superior to those of the revised Geneva score in the training (LR+, 7.90 vs 1.34; LR−, 0.23 vs 0.66) and validation (LR+, 13.5 vs 1.46; LR−, 0.47 vs 0.54) groups.ConclusionIn high‐risk elderly hospitalized adults, the Wells score is more accurate than the revised Geneva score for diagnosing PE.
Routinised and compulsive‐like behaviours in individuals with Down syndrome
Authors: Glenn S. , Cunningham C. , Nananidou A. , Prasher V. , Glenholmes P. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundIncreased intensities of routinised and compulsive‐like behaviours are seen in those with intellectual disabilities and have sometimes been shown to be associated with worries. We used the Childhood Routines Inventory (CRI, Evans et al., 1997) with two samples of children and adults with Down syndrome: (1) to determine whether routinised and compulsive‐like behaviours were associated with mental health problems and (2) to determine the factor structure of the CRI.MethodParents or carers completed the CRI for (1) 125 adults with Down syndrome (aged 18–43 years) who had been assessed for mental health problems; worries and fears were also rated by parents/carers and (2) 206 individuals with Down syndrome (aged 4.5–43 years, with verbal mental ages of 2 years and above).Results(1) People with a psychiatric diagnosis had significantly more worries and fears than those without such a diagnosis, but there was no significant difference in CRI scores. Logistic regression indicated that the fear rating was the only significant predictor of a diagnosis. (2) Exploratory and confirmatory analyses showed a three‐factor model (Just right, Repetitive behaviour and Clothes sensitivity) to be the best solution. Those with psychiatric diagnoses had significantly higher ratings on the Repetitive behaviour factor.ConclusionIncreased levels of routinised and compulsive‐like behaviours were shown by individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, were not associated with mental health problems, but were associated with worries and fears. Factor analysis found three factors, two of which (Just right and Repetitive behaviours), were similar to those identified in typically developing samples. This suggests that the behaviours have similar adaptive functions in individuals with developmental delays.
The influence of self‐esteem and social support on the relationship between stigma and depressive symptomology in parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Cantwell J. , Muldoon O. , Gallagher S. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundThis study explored the synergistic relationship between stigma, self‐esteem and social support, as predictors of depressive symptomology in parents of children with disabilities (e.g. Autism and Down syndrome).MethodOne hundred and seventy‐three parents (115 parents of children with disabilities and 58 control parents) completed measures of perceived stigma, self‐esteem, social support and depressive symptoms.ResultsParents of children with disabilities reported more depressive symptomology; additionally, stigma, self‐esteem and social support were associated with depressive symptomology. Moreover, the association between stigma and depressive symptomology was mediated by self‐esteem, i.e. parents who reported higher stigma were lower on self‐esteem and more depressed. Further, this path varied as a function of emotional support.ConclusionResults highlight the need for tailored interventions that offer parents effective strategies in dealing with stigma through social support and self‐esteem.
Natural Hedging Strategies for Life Insurers: Impact of Product Design and Risk Measure
Authors: Wong Andy , Sherris Michael , Stevens Ralph 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNatural hedging allows life insurers to manage long‐term longevity and investment risks of life annuity products through offsetting risks in life insurance products. Benefits include a reduction in risk‐based capital. We use stochastic mortality and interest rate models to assess life insurance and annuity capital requirements and to quantify the benefits of natural hedging for a range of different types of life insurance product designs and risk measures based on probability of insurer solvency. We show that level‐premium life insurance products with a medium duration (around 20–30 years) can better hedge annuity products than whole life products. Renewable term life insurance products have less hedge effectiveness than level‐premium term insurance. Results vary with the risk measure used, with the 1‐year horizon Solvency II risk measure showing lower natural hedging benefits of life insurance compared to multiple‐period risk measures.
The Influence of Affect on Heuristic Thinking in Insurance Demand
Authors: Jaspersen Johannes G. , Aseervatham Vijay 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHeuristic thinking can influence human behavior in decisions under risk and uncertainty. In an experimental setting, we study whether emotional activation primes individuals to use the representativeness heuristic and the affect heuristic. We observe the decision behavior of 272 subjects in a computer‐based experiment that differentiates between incidental affect and integral affect. Positive incidental affect and integral affect increase the use of the representativeness heuristic, while negative incidental affect has no effect. Our findings have statistical and economic significance and carry implications for insurance companies and regulators.
Differentiating zones at periodontal ligament–bone and periodontal ligament–cementum entheses
Authors: Lee J‐H. , Pryce B. A. , Schweitzer R. , Ryder M. I. , Ho S. P. 
Published: June 2015

Background and ObjectiveThe structural and functional integrity of bone–periodontal ligament (PDL)–cementum complex stems from the load‐bearing attachment sites (entheses) between soft (PDL) and hard (bone, cementum) tissues. These attachment sites are responsible for the maintenance of a bone–PDL–cementum complex biomechanical function. The objective was to investigate changes in spatiotemporal expression of key biomolecules in developing and functionally active entheses.Material and MethodsMultilabeling technique was performed on hemimandibles of 3 wk and 3 mo‐old scleraxis–GFP transgenic mice for CD146, CD31, NG2, osterix and bone sialoprotein. Regions of dominant stretch within the PDL were evaluated by identifying directionality of collagen fibrils, PDL fibroblasts and PDL cell cytoskeleton.ResultsCD146+ cells adjacent to CD31+ vasculature were identified at PDL–bone enthesis. NG2+ cells were located at coronal bone–PDL and apical cementum–PDL entheses in the 3‐wk‐old group, but at 3 mo, NG2 was positive at the entheses of the apical region and alveolar crest. NG2 and osterix were colocalized at the osteoid and cementoid regions of the PDL–bone and PDL–cementum entheses. Bone sialoprotein was prominent at the apical region of 3‐wk‐old mice. The directionality of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and their cytoskeleton overlapped, except in the apical region of 3 wk.ConclusionColocalization of biomolecules at zones of the PDL adjacent to attachment sites may be essential for the formation of precementum and osteoid interfaces at a load‐bearing bone–PDL–tooth fibrous joint. Biophysical cues resulting from development and function can regulate recruitment and differentiation of stem cells potentially from a vascular origin toward osteo‐ and cemento‐blastic lineages at the PDL–bone and PDL–cementum entheses. Investigating the coupled effect of biophysical and biochemical stimuli leading to cell differentiation at the functional attachment sites is critical for developing regeneration strategies to enable functional reconstruction of the periodontal complex.
More than one way to evolve a weed: parallel evolution of US weedy rice through independent genetic mechanisms
Authors: Qi Xinshuai , Liu Yan , Vigueira Cynthia C. , Young Nelson D. , Caicedo Ana L. , Jia Yulin , Gealy David R. , Olsen Kenneth M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMany different crop species were selected for a common suite of ‘domestication traits’, which facilitates their use for studies of parallel evolution. Within domesticated rice (Oryza sativa), there has also been independent evolution of weedy strains from different cultivated varieties. This makes it possible to examine the genetic basis of parallel weed evolution and the extent to which this process occurs through shared genetic mechanisms. We performed comparative QTL mapping of weediness traits using two recombinant inbred line populations derived from crosses between an indica crop variety and representatives of each of the two independently evolved weed strains found in US rice fields, strawhull (S) and blackhull awned (B). Genotyping‐by‐sequencing provided dense marker coverage for linkage map construction (average marker interval <0.25 cM), with 6016 and 13 730 SNPs mapped in F5 lines of the S and B populations, respectively. For some weediness traits (awn length, hull pigmentation and pericarp pigmentation), QTL mapping and sequencing of underlying candidate genes confirmed that trait variation was largely attributable to individual loci. However, for more complex quantitative traits (including heading date, panicle length and seed shattering), we found multiple QTL, with little evidence of shared genetic bases between the S and B populations or across previous studies of weedy rice. Candidate gene sequencing revealed causal genetic bases for 8 of 27 total mapped QTL. Together these findings suggest that despite the genetic bottleneck that occurred during rice domestication, there is ample genetic variation in this crop to allow agricultural weed evolution through multiple genetic mechanisms.
Phage T4‐induced DNA breaks activate a tRNA repair‐defying anticodon nuclease
Authors: Bitton Lital , Klaiman Daniel , Kaufmann Gabriel 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe natural role of the conserved bacterial anticodon nuclease (ACNase) RloC is not known, but traits that set it apart from the homologous phage T4‐excluding ACNase PrrC could provide relevant clues. PrrC is silenced by a genetically linked DNA restriction‐modification (RM) protein and turned on by a phage‐encoded DNA restriction inhibitor. In contrast, RloC is rarely linked to an RM protein, and its ACNase is regulated by an internal switch responsive to double‐stranded DNA breaks. Moreover, PrrC nicks the tRNA substrate, whereas RloC excises the wobble nucleotide. These distinctions suggested that (i) T4 and related phage that degrade their host DNA will activate RloC and (ii) the tRNA species consequently disrupted will not be restored by phage tRNA repair enzymes that counteract PrrC. Consistent with these predictions we show that Acinetobacter baylyi RloC expressed in Escherichia coli is activated by wild‐type phage T4 but not by a mutant impaired in host DNA degradation. Moreover, host and T4 tRNA species disrupted by the activated ACNase were not restored by T4's tRNA repair system. Nonetheless, T4's plating efficiency was inefficiently impaired by AbaRloC, presumably due to a decoy function of the phage encoded tRNA target, the absence of which exacerbated the restriction.
Emerging therapies in immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Yeo See Cheng , Liew Adrian , Barratt Jonathan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDespite advances in our understanding of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) over the past decade, there are currently no specific therapies capable of targeting key pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent studies have, however, provided new insights into important molecular pathways that are likely to be amenable to therapeutic manipulation in the future. Specifically, a deeper understanding of the role of mucosal immunity, B‐cell activation and mesangial cell activation in IgAN has provided the impetus for a number of exciting phase II/III clinical trials in IgAN. In this review, we examine some of these on‐going studies, first examining studies that clarify the role of traditional immunosuppression in IgAN, then focusing on novel therapies in early clinical studies, looking closely at the rationale for these agents in relation to our current understanding of the pathogenesis of IgAN. Finally, we examine emerging pathways and therapeutic agents that have the potential to be developed as novel therapies in the coming years. It is hoped that as we continue to develop a greater understanding of IgAN, emerging therapies will soon become a reality in the day‐to‐day treatment of patients with IgAN.
MeCP2 in the enteric nervous system
Authors: Wahba G. , Schock S. C. , Claridge E. , Bettolli M. , Grynspan D. , Humphreys P. , Staines W. A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundRett syndrome (RTT) is an intellectual deficit and movement disorder that develops during early childhood in girls. Affected children are normal until 6–18 months of age, after which symptoms begin to appear. Most cases of RTT are due to mutations in the MeCP2 gene leading to disruption of neuronal communication in the central nervous system. In addition, RTT patients show peripheral ailments such as gastrointestinal (GI), respiratory, and cardiac dysfunction. The etiology of intestinal dysfunction in RTT is not well‐understood. Reports on the presence of MeCP2 in the peripheral nervous system are scant. As such we examined the levels of MeCP2 in human and murine GI tissue and assessed MeCP2 expression at various developmental stages.MethodsImmunohistochemistry for MeCP2, HuC/D, juvenile beta tubulin, and GFAP was performed on human and murine intestine. Western blots of these same tissues were probed with MeCP2, vAChT, nNOS, and beta‐actin antibodies.Key ResultsMeCP2 is expressed throughout the GI tract. MeCP2 is expressed specifically in the enteric nervous system of the GI tract. MeCP2 is expressed in the GI tract throughout development with appearance beginning at or before E11.5 in the murine intestine.Conclusions & InferencesThe proof of MeCP2 expression in enteric neurons suggests that the GI dysmotility in Rett may arise from enteric network dysfunction secondary to MeCP2 mutation.
Inter‐rater reliability and validity of automated impedance manometry analysis and fluoroscopy in dysphagic patients after head and neck cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Szczesniak M. M. , Maclean J. , Zhang T. , Liu R. , Cock C. , Rommel N. , Omari T. I. , Cook I. J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundPharyngeal automated impedance manometry (AIM) analysis is a novel non‐radiological method to analyze swallowing function based on impedance‐pressure recordings. In dysphagic head and neck cancer patients, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the AIM‐derived swallow risk index (SRI) and a novel measure of postswallow residue (iZn/Z) by comparing it against videofluoroscopy as the gold standard.MethodsThree blinded experts classified 88 videofluoroscopic swallows from 16 patients for aspiration and degree of postswallow residue. Pressure–impedance recordings of the patient and age‐matched control swallows were analyzed using AIM by three observers who derived the SRI and iZn/Z. Intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for videofluoroscopic and AIM measures. Patient pressure/impedance measurements were compared with videofluoroscopy scores and control subjects to determine validity for detecting clinically relevant swallowing dysfunction.Key ResultsAgreement among observers assessing presence of penetration and aspiration was modest (ICC 0.57) for videofluoroscopy and good (ICC 0.71, 0.82) for AIM‐derived SRI and iZn/Z. When compared with age‐matched controls, the SRI was higher in patients with aspiration (mean diff. 28.6, 95% CI [55.85, 1.355], p < 0.05). The iZn/Z had moderate positive correlation with bolus residue on fluoroscopy (BRS score) (rs(86) = 0.4120, p < 0.0001) and was increased in both patients with aspiration (∆244 [419.7, 69.52; p < 0.05]) and penetration (∆240 [394.3, 85.77]; p < 0.05) compared to controls.Conclusions & InferencesAIM‐based measures of swallowing function have better inter‐rater reliability than comparable fluoroscopically derived measures. These measures are easily determined and objective markers of clinically relevant features of disordered swallowing following radiotherapy.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi mediate indirect effects of a bark beetle outbreak on secondary chemistry and establishment of pine seedlings
Authors: Karst Justine , Erbilgin Nadir , Pec Gregory J. , Cigan Paul W. , Najar Ahmed , Simard Suzanne W. , Cahill James F. 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Dendroctonus ponderosae has killed millions of Pinus contorta in western North America with subsequent effects on stand conditions, including changes in light intensity, needle deposition, and the composition of fungal community mutualists, namely ectomycorrhizal fungi. It is unknown whether these changes in stand conditions will have cascading consequences for the next generation of pine seedlings.

To test for transgenerational cascades on pine seedlings, we tested the effects of fungal inoculum origin (beetle‐killed or undisturbed stands), light intensity and litter (origin and presence) on seedling secondary chemistry and growth in a glasshouse. We also tracked survival of seedlings over two growing seasons in the same stands from which fungi and litter were collected.

Fungal communities differed by inoculum origin. Seedlings grown with fungi collected from beetle‐killed stands had lower monoterpene concentrations and fewer monoterpene compounds present compared with seedlings grown with fungi collected from undisturbed stands. Litter affected neither monoterpenes nor seedling growth. Seedling survival in the field was lower in beetle‐killed than in undisturbed stands.

We demonstrate that stand mortality caused by prior beetle attacks of mature pines have cascading effects on seedling secondary chemistry, growth and survival, probably mediated through effects on below‐ground mutualisms.