bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequential MR Assessment of the Susceptibility Vessel Sign and Arterial Occlusion in Acute Stroke
Authors: Ritzenthaler Thomas , Lacalm Audrey , Cho Tae‐Hee , Maucort‐Boulch Delphine , Klaerke Mikkelsen Irene , Ribe Lars , Østergaard Leif , Hjort Niels , Fiehler Jens , Pedraza Salvador , Louis Tisserand Guy , Baron Jean‐Claude , Berthezene Yves , Nighoghossian Norbert 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTPURPOSESusceptibility vessel sign (SVS) may likely influence recanalization after thrombolysis. We assessed, through the European sequential MRI database “I‐KNOW,” the relationship between the presence of SVS on T2‐weighted gradient echo imaging, its angiographic counterpart on magnetic resonance angiography and its subsequent impact on recanalization after thrombolysis.MATERIALS AND METHODSInitial clinical and MRI characteristics and early follow up were analyzed in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with rt‐Pa within 4.5 hours. Patients underwent multimodal MRI at admission. Sequential imaging performed 3 hours, 2 days and 1 month later allowed the analysis of SVS changes and recanalization.RESULTSFifty patients were included in the study. SVS was observed in 54% of cases at admission. SVS was still present in 46% patients at 3 hours, 16% at 2 days, and 0% at 1 month. It was an independent predictor of no recanalization after thrombolysis (P = .04). After 3 hours, SVS disappeared in only 4 cases, and was not linked with recanalization on MRA. Conversely, when SVS persisted, a partial or complete recanalization was observed in 9 and 6 cases, respectively.CONCLUSIONSSVS is a predictor of lower recanalization rate. Its disappearance is not necessarily correlated with recanalization.
Effects of Aging and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors on the Expression of Sirtuins in the Human Corpus Cavernosum
Authors: Freitas Margarida , Rodrigues Adriana R. , Tomada Nuno , Fonseca João , Magalhães Alexandre , Gouveia Alexandra M. , Neves Delminda 
Published: November 2015

Abstract

Introduction
Sirtuin (SIRT)1 was recently identified in human corpus cavernosum (CC). We hypothesized that other sirtuins could also be expressed in the CC. Expression of these enzymes in tissues is affected by aging, the main independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction besides other cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF), such as diabetes or obesity.

Aim
The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of SIRT1-3 and SIRT5–7 in human CC relatively to age and CVDRF.

Methods
Samples of CC collected from patients submitted to programmed surgeries or organ donors were divided in three groups according to age and presence of CVDRF. Expression of SIRT1–3 and SIRT5–7 mRNAs was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cellular localization and semi-quantification of sirtuins proteins were performed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting (WB), respectively. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB)-p65, inducible (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels were also assayed by WB.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measure was to characterize the expression of SIRT1–3 and SIRT5–7 in human CC.

Results
SIRT1–3 and SIRT5–7 mRNAs were detected in all individuals, without statistical differences among groups, excepting SIRT7 that decreased four times in aged groups relatively to young (P = 0.013). WB analysis demonstrated that aged individuals with CVDRF presented higher levels of SIRT7 protein relatively to young (P = 0.0495) and lower levels of SIRT3 protein relatively to healthy aged (P = 0.0077). Expression of NFkB-p65 and iNOS were higher in aged than in young individuals (P = 0.0185; P = 0.004, respectively). No differences in other sirtuins or total eNOS were seen among groups although phospho eNOS Ser1177 levels decreased in groups of aged men relatively to young (P = 0.0043; P = 0.0099).

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate for the first time expression of SIRT2–3 and SIRT5–7 in the human CC. Aged individuals with CVDRF presented an increase in SIRT7 protein levels and a decrease in mitochondrial SIRT3. This finding suggests that CVDRF induces the loss of antioxidant defense mechanisms leading to endothelial injury.
Sildenafil Increases the p50 and Shifts the Oxygen–Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve to the Right
Authors: Ellis Shantol Sastrice , Pepple Dagogo John 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sildenafil (Viagra®) is a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that block the breakdown of cyclic guanyl monophosphate (cGMP) leading to relaxation of the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernous and an increase in blood flow resulting in penile erection. It is hypothesized that sildenafil will increase the release of oxygen from erythrocytes and shift the oxygen–hemoglobin curve to the right.

Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varying doses of sildenafil on the p50 of the oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve in blood samples from eight (8) healthy adult male volunteers with normal hemoglobin HbAA.

Method
The hemox-analyzer was used to generate the p50 and the oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curves.

Main Outcome Measures
The effect of different doses of sildenafil on the p50 values and shift of the oxygen–hemoglobin curve were the main outcome measures.

Result
Sildenafil caused a statistically significant increase in the p50 values and rightward shift of the oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve.

Conclusion
Sildenafil caused a dose-dependent increase in the release of oxygen from the erythrocytes as shown by the increased p50 values and rightward shift of the oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve.
How to measure snoring? A comparison of the microphone, cannula and piezoelectric sensor
Authors: Arnardottir Erna S. , Isleifsson Bardur , Agustsson Jon S. , Sigurdsson Gunnar A. , Sigurgunnarsdottir Magdalena O. , Sigurđarson Gudjon T. , Saevarsson Gudmundur , Sveinbjarnarson Atli T. , Hoskuldsson Sveinbjorn , Gislason Thorarinn 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe objective of this study was to compare to each other the methods currently recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to measure snoring: an acoustic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor and a nasal pressure transducer (cannula). Ten subjects reporting habitual snoring were included in the study, performed at Landspitali—University Hospital, Iceland. Snoring was assessed by listening to the air medium microphone located on a patient's chest, compared to listening to two overhead air medium microphones (stereo) and manual scoring of a piezoelectric sensor and nasal cannula vibrations. The chest audio picked up the highest number of snore events of the different snore sensors. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of scoring snore events from the different sensors was compared to the chest audio: overhead audio (0.78, 0.98), cannula (0.55, 0.67) and piezoelectric sensor (0.78, 0.92), respectively. The chest audio was capable of detecting snore events with lower volume and higher fundamental frequency than the other sensors. The 200 Hz sampling rate of the cannula and piezoelectric sensor was one of their limitations for detecting snore events. The different snore sensors do not measure snore events in the same manner. This lack of consistency will affect future research on the clinical significance of snoring. Standardization of objective snore measurements is therefore needed. Based on this paper, snore measurements should be audio‐based and the use of the cannula as a snore sensor be discontinued, but the piezoelectric sensor could possibly be modified for improvement.
Impact of gender and menopausal status on metabolic parameters in chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Gonzales C. A. , Bacchetti P. , Khalili M. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryHepatitis C infection (HCV) and menopause are associated with insulin resistance (IR), and IR accelerates HCV‐induced liver disease. The relationship between menopause and IR has not been studied in this population. This study aimed to assess the impact of menopause on IR and metabolic syndrome in HCV. One hundred and three (69 men, 16 premenopausal, 18 postmenopausal women) noncirrhotic, nondiabetic HCV‐infected adults underwent IR measurement via steady‐state plasma glucose during a 240‐min insulin suppression test. Metabolic syndrome was defined by at least three of five standard laboratory/clinical criteria. The patient characteristics were as follows: mean age 48 years, waist circumference 94.4 ± 12.4 cm and 37.9% Caucasian. SSPG was higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal women or men (mean difference 18, 95% CI −41 to 76 and 35, 95% CI −3 to 72 mg/dL; respectively). After adjusting for waist circumference, female gender, nonwhite race and triglycerides were positively associated and high‐density lipoprotein negatively associated with steady‐state plasma glucose. Compared to men, both pre‐ (Coef 48, 95% CI 12–84) and postmenopausal women (Coef 49, 95% CI 17–82) had higher steady‐state plasma glucose. Compared to premenopausal women, men (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.38–10.2) and postmenopausal women (OR 2.9, 95% CI 0.46–18.8) had higher odds of metabolic syndrome, but this was statistically nonsignificant. Both liver inflammation (OR 7.9) and nonwhite race (OR 6.9) were associated with metabolic syndrome. We conclude that women are at inc‐reased risk for IR in HCV. There may also be an increased risk of metabolic syndrome postmenopause. Along with lifestyle modification and weight loss, women with metabolic abnormalities represent an especially at‐risk group warranting HCV treatment to prevent adverse metabolic outcomes.
Wage Expectations for Higher Education Students in Spain
Authors: Alonso‐Borrego César , Romero‐Medina Antonio 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe assess students' ability to forecast future earnings by using data on expected wages self‐reported by college students with different graduation horizons. We find a significant gender gap, by which wage expectations are systematically lower for women than for men. However, women do not fully account for the gender gap in their future earnings. We also find that student performance, degree type, and graduation horizon play a relevant role in wage forecasts. In any case, students' expectations do not conform market wages but become more realistic as they approach graduation.
Status of Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii (Chiroptera) and range expansion in Central and south‐eastern Europe: a review
Authors: Uhrin Marcel , Hüttmeir Ulrich , Kipson Marina , Estók Péter , Sachanowicz Konrad , Bücs Szilárd , Karapandža Branko , Paunović Milan , Presetnik Primož , Bashta Andriy‐Taras , Maxinová Edita , Lehotská Blanka , Lehotský Roman , Barti Levente , Csösz István , Szodoray‐Paradi Farkas , Dombi Imre , Görföl Tamás , Boldogh Sándor A. , Jére Csaba , Pocora Irina , Benda Petr 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii is a Mediterranean faunal element among the bats; it occurs in southern Europe, the Canary Islands, north‐western Africa, most of the Mediterranean islands, in the northern part of the Middle East, in the Crimea, Caucasus, West Turkestan, and northern Afghanistan. The northern margin of its geographical range in Europe reaches the Pyrenees, Massif Central, southern Alps, Dalmatia, Balkan Mountains and southern Crimea, like that of other similar biogeographical elements.
Since the 1990s, Hypsugo savii started to be found in inland areas of south‐eastern Europe and in Central Europe as far northwards as in central Bohemia and southern Poland. These numerous new occurrences seem to be either 1) connected to environmental changes caused by the current climate change; 2) evidence of an intrinsic expansion process powered by the species' synanthropic tendency, including passive human‐mediated transport; or 3) a reflection of the increase in field survey efforts.
Distributional data on Hypsugo savii from central and south‐eastern parts of Europe were gathered and evaluated.
We provide a detailed review of all records available by the end of 2013. The assessment of temporal distribution of the data clearly shows an ongoing and relatively fast expansion of Hypsugo savii from southern to Central Europe, which represents a shift of almost 800 km northwards in the last 20–25 years.
Most of the records (65%) originate from urban habitats. This suggests that the synanthropic habits of the species are the most plausible explanation for the northwards shift of the range limits of Hypsugo savii.
Regional Trade Agreements and Cross‐border Lobbying: Empirical Evidence from the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
Authors: Stoyanov Andrey 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis paper documents participation of special interest groups in negotiations of the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement. Using data on the tariff reduction schedules mandated by the agreement, it shows that industries represented by strong lobby groups were faced with more favorable tariff reduction paths in both countries: phase‐out periods were longer at home and shorter in the partner country. This result provides evidence on the involvement of industry lobbying in negotiation of regional trade agreements and suggests that countries negotiating trade agreements are responsive to the interests of lobbying groups from across the border. Both results provide important implications for the political economy theory of trade agreements.
Making Amends: Children's Expectations about and Responses to Apologies
Authors: Drell Marissa B. , Jaswal Vikram K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTwo studies investigate children's expectations and actual responses to a transgressor's attempt to make amends. In Study 1, six‐ and seven‐year‐olds (N = 16) participated in a building activity and then imagined how they would respond if a transgressor knocked over their tower and then apologized spontaneously, apologized after prompting, offered restitution, or did nothing. Children forecasted that they would feel better and would share more when a transgressor offered restitution or apologized spontaneously than when the transgressor had to be prompted to apologize or did not apologize at all. In Study 2, six‐ and seven‐year‐olds (N = 64) participated in the same building activity, but then actually had their towers knocked over and received one of the four responses. The only response that actually made children feel better was when the transgressor offered restitution. However, children shared more with a transgressor who offered restitution, a spontaneous apology, or a prompted apology than with one who failed to offer any apology. Restitution can both mitigate hurt feelings and repair relationships in children; apologies serve mainly to repair relationships.
Wage Reimbursement and Minority Voter Turnout*
Authors: Hostetter Joshua D. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveIn this article, I estimate the conditional effect of racial minorities and women on the relationship between wage reimbursement laws and voter turnout. Scholars have found evidence that voting laws affect demographic segments of the population differently. However, scholars have not considered the theoretical implications of pay incentive structures for different minority groups.MethodsUsing pooled cross‐sectional survey data from the November Supplement Current Population Survey 1996–2012, I test whether paid time off to vote laws increase the likelihood of voting for racial and gender minorities.ResultsThe findings indicate that women and Asian Americans are highly responsive to wage reimbursement, Hispanic Americans are relatively unresponsive, and blacks are highly unresponsive relative to whites.ConclusionsReimbursing minorities for wages lost while voting decreases the costs of voting and increases turnout for these racial and gender minority groups except for blacks. I suggest the long history of discrimination and mistreatment by economic and political institutions has led to a lower level of blacks willing to engage in wage reimbursement because of mistrust in the delivery system.
Subthreshold vagal stimulation suppresses ventricular arrhythmia and inflammatory response in a canine model of acute cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion
Authors: Zhang Ling , Lu Yanmei , Sun Juan , Zhou Xianhui , Tang Baopeng 
Published: November 2015

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Vagal stimulation (VS) with heart rate reduction has been performed to protect against ventricular arrhythmias for several decades. Recent studies show that subthreshold VS (SVS) suppresses atrial arrhythmias in both canine models and humans. However, it is unknown whether SVS could decrease ventricular arrhythmia during ischaemia and reperfusion.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Our results show that SVS without heart rate reduction is also capable of suppressing ventricular arrhythmia and inflammatory responses in a canine model of ischaemia and reperfusion. These findings suggest that SVS may serve as a novel therapeutic modality to treat ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Subthreshold vagal stimulation (SVS) suppresses atrial arrhythmias in canine models and humans. This study was designed to examine whether SVS could decrease ventricular arrhythmia during ischaemia and reperfusion. Twenty‐four anaesthetized dogs subjected to 1 h of coronary artery occlusion and 3 h of reperfusion were equally assigned into sham and SVS groups. Subthreshold vagal stimulation was initiated 15 min before coronary occlusion and maintained until the end of the reperfusion period using electrical stimulation on bilateral vagal trunks at 50% below the voltage which slowed the sinus rate. Ventricular arrhythmias were recorded during ischaemia and reperfusion periods. Serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and noradrenaline were detected at baseline, at the end of ischaemia and at the end of reperfusion. Area at risk and infarct size were evaluated after 3 h of reperfusion. Compared with the sham group, SVS significantly suppressed ischaemia‐ and reperfusion‐induced ventricular arrhythmias and decreased serum concentrations of CRP, IL‐6, TNF‐α, HMGB1 and noradrenaline during both the ischaemia period and the reperfusion period. However, SVS did not affect the area at risk, infarct size or the ratio of infarct size to area at risk. This study demonstrated that SVS exerted antiarrhythmic and anti‐inflammatory effects in a canine model of ischaemia and reperfusion.
Differential signalling and glutamate receptor compositions in the OFF bipolar cell types in the mouse retina
Authors: Ichinose Tomomi , Hellmer Chase B. 
Published: November 2015

Key points
Using whole‐cell clamp methods, we characterized the temporal coding in each type of OFF bipolar cell.
We found that type 2 and 3a cells are transient, type 1 and 4 cells are sustained, and type 3b cells are intermediate.
The light‐evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials in some types were rectified, suggesting that they provide inputs to the non‐linear ganglion cells.
Visual signalling from the photoreceptors was mediated exclusively through the kainate receptors in the transient OFF bipolar cells, whereas both kainate and AMPA receptors contributed in the other cells.
This study demonstrates, for the first time, that parallel visual encoding starts at the OFF bipolar cells in a type‐specific manner.
AbstractThe retina is the entrance to the visual system, which receives various kinds of image signals and forms multiple encoding pathways. The second‐order retinal neurons, the bipolar cells, are thought to initiate multiple neural streams by encoding various visual signals in different types of cells. However, the functions of each bipolar cell type have not been fully understood. We investigated whether OFF bipolar cells encode visual signals in a type‐dependent manner. We recorded the changes in the bipolar cell voltage in response to two input functions: step and sinusoidal light stimuli. Type 1 and 4 OFF bipolar cells were sustained cells and responded to sinusoidal stimuli over a broad range of frequencies. Type 2 and 3a cells were transient and exhibited band‐pass filtering. Type 3b cells were in the middle of these two groups. The distinct temporal responses might be attributed to different types of glutamate receptors. We examined the AMPA and kainate glutamate receptor composition in each bipolar cell type. The light responses in the transient OFF bipolar cells were exclusively mediated by kainate receptors. Although the kainate receptors mediated the light responses in the sustained cells, the AMPA receptors also mediated a portion of the responses in sustained cells. Furthermore, we found that some types of cells were rectified more than other types. Taken together, we found that the OFF bipolar cells encode diverse temporal image signals in a type‐dependent manner, confirming that each type of OFF bipolar cell initiates diverse temporal visual processing in parallel.
Enhancement on Wingate Anaerobic Test Performance With Hyperventilation
Authors: Leithäuser Renate M. , Böning Dieter , Hütler Matthias , Beneke Ralph 
Published: November 2015

Relatively long-lasting metabolic alkalizing procedures such as bicarbonate ingestion have potential for improving performance in long-sprint to middle-distance events. Within a few minutes, hyperventilation can induce respiratory alkalosis. However, corresponding performance effects are missing or equivocal at best.Purpose:To test a potential performance-enhancing effect of respiratory alkalosis in a 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT).Methods:10 men (mean ± SD age 26.6 ± 4.9 y, height 184.4 ± 6.1 cm, body-mass test 1 80.7 ± 7.7 kg, body-mass test 2 80.4 ± 7.2 kg, peak oxygen uptake 3.95 ± 0.43 L/min) performed 2 WAnTs, 1 with and 1 without a standardized 15-min hyperventilation program pre-WAnT in randomized order separated by 1 wk.Results:Compared with the control condition, hyperventilation reduced (all P < .01) pCO2 (40.5 ± 2.8 vs 22.5 ± 1.6 mm Hg) and HCO3− (25.5 ± 1.7 vs 22.7 ± 1.6 mmol/L) and increased (all P < .01) pH (7.41 ± 0.01 vs 7.61 ± 0.03) and actual base excess (1.4 ± 1.4 vs 3.2 ± 1.6 mmol/L) pre-WAnT with an ergogenic effect on WAnT average power (681 ± 41 vs 714 ± 44 W) and total metabolic energy (138 ± 12 vs. 144 ± 13 kJ) based on an increase in glycolytic energy (81 ± 13 vs 88 ± 13 kJ).Conclusion:Hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis can enhance WAnT cycling sprint performance well in the magnitude of what is seen after successful bicarbonate ingestion.
Self–Myofascial Release: No Improvement of Functional Outcomes in “Tight” Hamstrings
Authors: Morton Robert W. , Oikawa Sara Y. , Phillips Stuart M. , Devries Michaela C. , Mitchell Cameron J. 
Published: November 2015

Purpose:Self–myofascial release (SMR) is a common exercise and therapeutic modality shown to induce acute improvements in joint range of motion (ROM) and recovery; however, no long-term studies have been conducted. Static stretching (SS) is the most common method used to increase joint ROM and decrease muscle stiffness. It was hypothesized that SMR paired with SS (SMR+SS) compared with SS alone over a 4-wk intervention would yield greater improvement in knee-extension ROM and hamstring stiffness.Methods:19 men (22 ± 3 y) with bilateral reduced hamstring ROM had each of their legs randomly assigned to either an SMR+SS or an SS-only group. The intervention consisted of 4 repetitions of SS each for 45 s or the identical amount of SS preceded by 4 repetitions of SMR each for 60 s and was performed on the respective leg twice daily for 4 wk. Passive ROM, hamstring stiffness, rate of torque development (RTD), and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were assessed pre- and postintervention.Results:Passive ROM (P < .001), RTD, and MVC (P < .05) all increased after the intervention. Hamstring stiffness toward end-ROM was reduced postintervention (P = .02). There were no differences between the intervention groups for any variable.Conclusion:The addition of SMR to SS did not enhance the efficacy of SS alone. SS increases joint ROM through a combination of decreased muscle stiffness and increased stretch tolerance.