bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Meta‐Analytic Test of Redundancy and Relative Importance of the Dark Triad and Five‐Factor Model of Personality
Authors: O'Boyle Ernest H. , Forsyth Donelson R. , Banks George C. , Story Paul A. , White Charles D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe examined the relationships between Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—the three traits of the Dark Triad (DT)—and the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) of personality. The review identified 310 independent samples drawn from 215 sources and yielded information pertaining to global trait relationships and facet‐level relationships. We used meta‐analysis to examine (a) the bivariate relations between the DT and the five global traits and 30 facets of the FFM, (b) the relative importance of each of the FFM global traits in predicting DT, and (c) the relationship between the DT and FFM facets identified in translational models of narcissism and psychopathy. These analyses identified consistent and theoretically meaningful associations between the DT traits and the facets of the FFM. The five traits of the FFM, in a relative importance analysis, accounted for much of the variance in Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, respectively, and facet‐level analyses identified specific facets of each FFM trait that were consistently associated with narcissism (e.g., angry/hostility, modesty) and psychopathy (e.g., straightforwardness, deliberation). The FFM explained nearly all of the variance in psychopathy (R2c = .88) and a substantial portion of the variance in narcissism (R2c = .42).
Specific and Sensitive Detection of Phytophthora nicotianae by Nested PCR and Loop‐mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays
Authors: Li Benjin , Liu Peiqing , Xie Shiyong , Yin Rongmei , Weng Qiyong , Chen Qinghe 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPhytophthora nicotianae is an important soilborne plant pathogen. It causes black shank in tobacco and other commercially important crop diseases. Early and accurate detection of P. nicotianae is essential for controlling these diseases. In this study, primers based on the Ras‐related protein gene (Ypt1) of P. nicotianae were tested for their specific detection of the pathogen using nested PCR and LAMP assays. For specificity testing, DNA extracts from 47 P. nicotianae isolates, 45 isolates of 16 different oomycetes and 25 isolates of other fungal species were used; no cross‐reaction with other pathogens was observed. The sensitivity assay showed that the nested PCR and LAMP assays had detection limits of 100 fg and 10 fg genomic DNA per 25‐μl reaction, respectively. Furthermore, the nested PCR and LAMP assays were used for the detection of DNA from naturally P. nicotianae‐infected tobacco tissues and soil. Our results suggest that the LAMP assay has the greatest potential for the specific detection of P. nicotianae in regions that are at risk of contracting tobacco black shank disease and that the Ypt1 gene is a novel and effective target of P. nicotianae LAMP visual detection.
Phylogenetic trait conservation in the partner choice of a group of ectomycorrhizal trees
Authors: Hayward Jeremy , Horton Thomas R. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEcological interactions are frequently conserved across evolutionary time. In the case of mutualisms, these conserved interactions may play a large role in structuring mutualist communities. We hypothesized that phylogenetic trait conservation could play a key role in determining patterns of association in the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, a globally important trophic mutualism. We used the association between members of the pantropical plant tribe Pisonieae and its fungal mutualist partners as a model system to test the prediction that Pisonieae‐associating ectomycorrhizal fungi will be more closely related than expected by chance, reflecting a conserved trait. We tested this prediction using previously published and newly generated sequences in a Bayesian framework incorporating phylogenetic uncertainty. We report that phylogenetic trait conservation does exist in this association. We generated a five‐marker phylogeny of members of the Pisonieae and used this phylogeny in a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analysis. We established that the most recent common ancestors of Pisonieae species and Pisonieae‐associating fungi sharing phylogenetic conservation of their patterns of ectomycorrhizal association occurred no more recently than 14.2 Ma. We therefore suggest that phylogenetic trait conservation in the Pisonieae ectomycorrhizal mutualism association represents an inherited syndrome which has existed for at least 14 Myr.
Advances in epilepsy treatment: lacosamide pharmacokinetic profile
Authors: Cawello Willi , Stockis Armel , Andreas Jens‐Otto , Dimova Svetlana 
Published: August 2014

Lacosamide (LCM) is a functionalized amino acid specifically developed for use as an antiepileptic drug (AED) and is currently indicated as adjunctive treatment for partial‐onset seizures in adults with focal epilepsy (maximum approved dose 400 mg/day). Characterization of the pharmacokinetic profile is an important aspect in the development of LCM. Studies in healthy subjects and in patients with focal epilepsy have established that LCM has several favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, including rapid absorption and high oral bioavailability not affected by food, linear and dose‐proportional pharmacokinetics, low inter‐ and intraindividual variability, low plasma protein binding, renal elimination, and a low potential for clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions both with AEDs and other common medications. Studies have demonstrated bioequivalence among the three LCM formulations (oral tablets, oral solution, and solution for intravenous (IV) infusion), allowing direct conversion to or from oral and IV administration without titration. Thus, the favorable and predictable pharmacokinetic profile and bioequivalence of LCM formulations, coupled with the low potential for clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions, make LCM an easy‐to‐use adjunctive treatment for the management of patients with focal epilepsy.
The effects of plant traits on species' responses to present and historical patch configurations and patch age
Authors: Hemrová Lucie , Münzbergová Zuzana 
Published: August 2014

Patch configuration is viewed as an important factor affecting the distributions of plant species. Although a number of studies have explored the relationship between plant life‐history traits and species’ distributions in fragmented landscapes, the effect of individual traits on the dependence of species on historical versus current landscape configurations remains unclear.We identified the extent to which present (2000s) and historical (1843, 1954, 1980s) patch configurations (area and connectivity) and patch age affected the distributions of 99 species inhabiting dry calcareous grasslands. We used traits related to dispersal, survival, growth and habitat preferences to explain the dependence of 60 of these species on present and historical configurations, and the age of grassland patches.We found that most of the species had an affinity to currently or historically large, older and more isolated patches. This suggests that many dry grassland species are not in equilibrium with the current landscape, as their distributions still reflect past landscape structures. Rapidly growing species with higher seed bank longevity and nutrient requirements primarily occur in young, large grassland patches whereas species with the opposite traits occur in older, historically large and currently more isolated smaller patches. We hypothesise that patch quality is the reason why different species occupy patches of different age. Species occupying young, large patches commonly disperse by endozoochory. By contrast, no dispersal trait is associated with species occupying old, usually isolated patches. Our results suggest that species occupying old patches are exposed to higher potential risk of extinction, as their distributions are probably limited by the low number and connectivity of available suitable patches and poor dispersal ability. We thus suggest that the dynamics of these species can effectively be supported by improving the quality of young grassland patches.
Comparison of actual oxygen delivery kinetics to those predicted by mathematical modeling following stage 1 palliation just prior to superior cavopulmonary anastomosis
Authors: Yuki Koichi , DiNardo James A. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryBackgroundOptimizing systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) and hemodynamics in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a clinical challenge. Mathematical modeling of the HLHS circulation has been used to determine the relationship between oxygen kinetic parameters and DO2 and to determine how DO2 might be optimized. The model demonstrates that neither arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) nor mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) alone accurately predicts DO2.ObjectivesOxygen delivery kinetics predicted by previously described mathematical modeling were compared with actual patients' hemodynamic data. We sought to determine which patient derived parameters correlated best with DO2.MethodsPatients with HLHS who underwent cardiac catheterization prior to surgery to create a superior cavopulmonary anastomosis from 2007 to 2011 were identified. Hemodynamic data obtained were compared with the data derived from the mathematical model. Correlations between SaO2, SvO2, SaO2‐SvO2, SaO2/(SaO2‐SvO2), pulmonary‐to‐systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs), and DO2 were evaluated using both linear and nonlinear analyses, and R2 was calculated.Results/ConclusionsPatients' data fit most aspects of the mathematical model. DO2 had the best correlation with SaO2/(SaO2‐SvO2; R2 = 0.8755) followed by SaO2‐SvO2 (R2 = 0.8063), while SaO2 or SvO2 alone did not demonstrate a significant correlation as predicated by the mathematical model (R2 = 0.09564 and 0.4831, respectively). SaO2/(SaO2‐SvO2) would be useful clinically to track changes in DO2 that occur with changes in patient condition or with interventions.
Neural Markers of Neuropathic Pain Associated with Maladaptive Plasticity in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Pascoal‐Faria Paula , Yalcin Nilufer , Fregni Felipe 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesGiven the potential use of neural markers for the development of novel treatments in spinal cord pain, we aimed to characterize the most effective neural markers of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsA systematic PubMed review was conducted, compiling studies that were published prior to April, 2014 that examined neural markers associated with neuropathic pain after SCI using electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques.ResultsWe identified 6 studies: Four using electroencephalogram (EEG); 1 using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and FDG‐PET (positron emission tomography); and 1 using MR spectroscopy. The EEG recordings suggested a reduction in alpha EEG peak frequency activity in the frontal regions of SCI patients with neuropathic pain. The MRI scans showed volume loss, primarily in the gray matter of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and by FDG‐PET, hypometabolism in the medial prefrontal cortex was observed in SCI patients with neuropathic pain compared with healthy subjects. In the MR spectroscopy findings, the presence of pain was associated with changes in the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex.ConclusionsWhen analyzed together, the results of these studies seem to point out to a common marker of pain in SCI characterized by decreased cortical activity in frontal areas and possibly increased subcortical activity. These results may contribute to planning further mechanistic studies as to better understand the mechanisms by which neuropathic pain is modulated in patients with SCI as well as clinical studies investigating best responders of treatment.
Fisetin Inhibits UVB‐induced Cutaneous Inflammation and Activation of PI3K/AKT/NFκB Signaling Pathways in SKH‐1 Hairless Mice
Authors: Pal Harish Chandra , Athar Mohammad , Elmets Craig A. , Afaq Farrukh 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSolar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation has been shown to induce inflammation, DNA damage, p53 mutations and alterations in signaling pathways eventually leading to skin cancer. In this study, we investigated whether fisetin reduces inflammatory responses and modulates PI3K/AKT/NFκB cell survival signaling pathways in UVB‐exposed SKH‐1 hairless mouse skin. Mice were exposed to 180 mJ cm−2 of UVB radiation on alternate days for a total of seven exposures, and fisetin (250 and 500 nmol) was applied topically after 15 min of each UVB exposure. Fisetin treatment to UVB‐exposed mice resulted in decreased hyperplasia and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. Fisetin treatment also reduced inflammatory mediators such as COX‐2, PGE2 as well as its receptors (EP1–EP4) and MPO activity. Furthermore, fisetin reduced the level of inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL‐1β and IL‐6 in UVB‐exposed skin. Fisetin treatment also reduced cell proliferation markers as well as DNA damage as evidenced by increased expression of p53 and p21 proteins. Further studies revealed that fisetin inhibited UVB‐induced expression of PI3K, phosphorylation of AKT and activation of the NFκB signaling pathway in mouse skin. Overall, these data suggest that fisetin may be useful against UVB‐induced cutaneous inflammation and DNA damage.
Prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity among the elderly in Burkina Faso: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hien Hervé , Berthé Abdramane , Drabo Maxime Koiné , Meda Nicolas , Konaté Blahima , Tou Fatoumata , Badini‐Kinda Fatoumata , Macq Jean 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the prevalence and distribution patterns of multimorbidity among urban older adults in Burkina Faso.MethodsCross‐sectional study among community‐dwelling elderly people aged ≥60 in Bobo‐Dioulasso. We performed interviews, clinical examination and medical record review. Multimorbidity was defined as co‐occurrence of at least two chronic diseases in one person whether as a coincidence or not.ResultsThe overall prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults was 65%. Age ≥70 was associated with multimorbidity in multivariate analysis: adjusted OR = 1.65, 95% CI (1.01–2.68, P = 0.04). The most common chronic diseases were hypertension (82%) 95% CI (78; 86), malnutrition (39%) 95% CI (34; 44), visual impairments (28%) 95% CI (24; 33) and diabetes mellitus (27%) 95% CI (22; 31). Those aged ≥70 had significantly more malnutrition (50% vs. 31%, P = 0.0003) and osteoarthritis (8% vs. 3%, P = 0.01) than those aged 60–69.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of multimorbidity requires a reorganization of healthcare systems in sub‐Saharan Africa, especially in Burkina Faso. Interventions and care guidelines usually focused on individual diseases should be improved to better reflect this reality.
The effect of plasmapheresis on blood pressure in voluntary plasma donors
Authors: Rosa‐Bray M. , Wisdom C. , Marier J. F. , Mouksassi M.‐S. , Wada S. 
Published: August 2014

Background and ObjectivesDonor plasmapheresis involves the removal of a weight‐adjusted volume of plasma and the return of cellular components to the donor. Although plasma volume generally returns to normal, some residual effect on vital signs may be possible. This analysis was performed to determine the possible effects of plasmapheresis on blood pressure.Materials and MethodsA 16‐week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plasma donations on cholesterol levels in healthy donors. From this study, the vital signs obtained prior to donation were analysed using statistical and dynamic analytical predictive models.ResultsPreliminary analyses revealed a change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from the corresponding baseline values (Pearson Coefficient −0·44 and −0·47, respectively). Statistical models predicted a marked decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following multiple donations in donors with baseline pressure in the Stage 2 hypertension range with less pronounced decreases predicted in Stage 1 donors. Little or no change in blood pressure was predicted in donors with baseline normal blood pressure or prehypertension. Dynamic models including time between donations supported these results and predicted a recovery period of about 14 days without donation in donors with Stage 2 baseline levels.ConclusionsResults suggest that systolic and diastolic blood pressure may be decreased following plasmapheresis used for plasma donations at intervals of <14 days in donors with high baseline blood pressure levels.
Influence of cutting time and stubble height on regrowth capacity of Juncus effusus and Juncus conglomeratus
Authors: Kaczmarek‐Derda W , Folkestad J , Helgheim M , Netland J , Solhaug K A , Brandsæter L O 
Published: August 2014

SummaryInfestation by Juncus effusus and Juncus conglomeratus causes a serious reduction in forage quality along the western coastline in Norway. Timing of treatments, for example cutting to reduce photosynthate return to the weeds, is crucial for successful and cost‐effective weed control. However, the effect may depend on changes in regrowth capacity over the growing season. A growth chamber experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of cutting time and stubble height on the regrowth capacity of J. effusus and J. conglomeratus from western and eastern Norway. Tussocks were collected from extensively managed pastures at 4‐ and 6‐week intervals in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The plants were potted, cut at 1 or 5 cm and exposed to three different temperatures (7.5, 12.5 and 17.5°C) in 2009 and to 17.5°C only in 2010. The regrowth ability was evaluated after 6 weeks by measuring stem number and dry biomass from old mowed and new shoots. Regrowth increased more with temperature for the eastern than for the western ecotype of J. effusus. Cutting to 1 cm stubble height gave substantially less regrowth than 5 cm cutting, both for dry biomass and number of shoots in both years. Regrowth varied significantly with date of cut and was lowest in late summer (mid‐July–August). This suggests that weeding strategies based on low cutting and mowing rush tussocks in late summer will be most effective, due to the low regrowth capacity.
Secondary neutron spectrum from 250‐MeV passively scattered proton therapy: Measurement with an extended‐range Bonner sphere system
Authors: Howell Rebecca M. , Burgett E. A. 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:Secondary neutrons are an unavoidable consequence of proton therapy. While the neutron dose is low compared to the primary proton dose, its presence and contribution to the patient dose is nonetheless important. The most detailed information on neutrons includes an evaluation of the neutron spectrum. However, the vast majority of the literature that has reported secondary neutron spectra in proton therapy is based on computational methods rather than measurements. This is largely due to the inherent limitations in the majority of neutron detectors, which are either not suitable for spectral measurements or have limited response at energies greater than 20 MeV. Therefore, the primary objective of the present study was to measure a secondary neutron spectrum from a proton therapy beam using a spectrometer that is sensitive to neutron energies over the entire neutron energy spectrum.Methods:The authors measured the secondary neutron spectrum from a 250‐MeV passively scattered proton beam in air at a distance of 100 cm laterally from isocenter using an extended‐range Bonner sphere (ERBS) measurement system. Ambient dose equivalent H*(10) was calculated using measured fluence and fluence‐to‐ambient dose equivalent conversion coefficients.Results:The neutron fluence spectrum had a high‐energy direct neutron peak, an evaporation peak, a thermal peak, and an intermediate energy continuum between the thermal and evaporation peaks. The H*(10) was dominated by the neutrons in the evaporation peak because of both their high abundance and the large quality conversion coefficients in that energy interval. The H*(10) 100 cm laterally from isocenter was 1.6 mSv per proton Gy (to isocenter). Approximately 35% of the dose equivalent was from neutrons with energies ≥20 MeV.Conclusions:The authors measured a neutron spectrum for external neutrons generated by a 250‐MeV proton beam using an ERBS measurement system that was sensitive to neutrons over the entire energy range being measured, i.e., thermal to 250 MeV. The authors used the neutron fluence spectrum to demonstrate experimentally the contribution of neutrons with different energies to the total dose equivalent and in particular the contribution of high‐energy neutrons (≥20 MeV). These are valuable reference data that can be directly compared with Monte Carlo and experimental data in the literature.
Reduction of ring artifacts in CBCT: Detection and correction of pixel gain variations in flat panel detectors
Authors: Altunbas Cem , Lai Chao‐Jen , Zhong Yuncheng , Shaw Chris C. 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:In using flat panel detectors (FPD) for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), pixel gain variations may lead to structured nonuniformities in projections and ring artifacts in CBCT images. Such gain variations can be caused by change in detector entrance exposure levels or beam hardening, and they are not accounted by conventional flat field correction methods. In this work, the authors presented a method to identify isolated pixel clusters that exhibit gain variations and proposed a pixel gain correction (PGC) method to suppress both beam hardening and exposure level dependent gain variations.Methods:To modulate both beam spectrum and entrance exposure, flood field FPD projections were acquired using beam filters with varying thicknesses. “Ideal” pixel values were estimated by performing polynomial fits in both raw and flat field corrected projections. Residuals were calculated by taking the difference between measured and ideal pixel values to identify clustered image and FPD artifacts in flat field corrected and raw images, respectively. To correct clustered image artifacts, the ratio of ideal to measured pixel values in filtered images were utilized as pixel‐specific gain correction factors, referred as PGC method, and they were tabulated as a function of pixel value in a look‐up table.Results:0.035% of detector pixels lead to clustered image artifacts in flat field corrected projections, where 80% of these pixels were traced back and linked to artifacts in the FPD. The performance of PGC method was tested in variety of imaging conditions and phantoms. The PGC method reduced clustered image artifacts and fixed pattern noise in projections, and ring artifacts in CBCT images.Conclusions:Clustered projection image artifacts that lead to ring artifacts in CBCT can be better identified with our artifact detection approach. When compared to the conventional flat field correction method, the proposed PGC method enables characterization of nonlinear pixel gain variations as a function of change in x‐ray spectrum and intensity. Hence, it can better suppress image artifacts due to beam hardening as well as artifacts that arise from detector entrance exposure variation.