bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detrusor after‐contraction on ambulatory urodynamics in symptomatic women
Authors: Veeratterapillay Rajan , Coates James , Leonard Ann , Pickard Robert , Drinnan Michael , Harding Chris 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between detrusor after‐contraction and urodynamic parameters in a cohort of patients undergoing urodynamic studies by ambulatory monitoring.MethodsAll symptomatic adult female patients with non‐neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction having ambulatory monitoring over the period January 1998 to January 2014 were included. Urodynamic traces were reviewed to identify detrusor after‐contraction. Measured urodynamic variables were Qmax (mL/s), Vvoid (mL) and Pdet.Qmax (cmH2O). Student's unpaired t‐test was used to compare the mean of the variable in the detrusor after‐contraction and non‐detrusor after‐contraction groups.ResultsWe identified 331 women with a median age of 50 years (range 16–82). Detrusor after‐contraction was seen after at least one void in 122 patients giving a prevalence of 37%. A total of 167 (51%) patients had detrusor overactivity. Diagnosis of detrusor overactivity was associated with the presence of detrusor after‐contraction (P < 0.05). Overall, patients with detrusor after‐contraction had a statistically higher mean Pdet.Qmax (32 vs 28 cmH2O, P = 0.04) and lower mean voided volume (300 vs 378 mL, P < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings suggest a relatively high prevalence of detrusor after‐contraction during ambulatory monitoring, and an association between detrusor overactivity, Vvoid, Pdet.Qmax and detrusor after‐contraction recorded during ambulatory monitoring. Therefore, a link between detrusor after‐contractions and the syndrome of overactive bladder can be postulated.
Prediction of root coverage for single recessions in anterior teeth: a 6‐month study
Authors: Ozcelik Onur , Seydaoglu Gulsah , Haytac M. Cenk 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive values of baseline inter‐dental papilla height (IPH), loss of inter‐dental papilla height (LPH), avascular exposed root surface area (AERSA) and inter‐dental clinical attachment level (ICAL) measurements on complete root coverage (CRC) of single recession defects treated with coronally advanced flap and connective tissue graft technique (CAF+CTG).Material & MethodsA total of 122 patients with one isolated gingival recession were enrolled. All recession defects without loss of ICAL (ID‐CAL) (RT1) and with an amount of ID‐CAL equal or smaller to the buccal attachment loss (RT2), located at upper and lower anterior teeth were treated with CAF+CTG. IPH, LPH, AERSA and ICAL parameters were analysed for possible correlation with CRC after 6 months.ResultsThe CRC was 86.7% for RT1, 74.2% for RT2 groups. The ROC analyses revealed acceptable cut‐off points for baseline AERSA, IPH and LPH for achieving CRC. The results of logistic regression analyses showed that having baseline AERSA≥19 mm2 (OR:23.7), IPH lower ≤1 mm (OR:97.3) and belonging to RT2 group (OR:15.0) were found to be independent risk factors related with not achieving final CRC.ConclusionThis study indicates that AERSA and IPH may be used to predict the final CRC outcomes in RT1 and RT2 defects treated with CAF+CTG.
Psychological impacts from expectation of worsening conditions and obstacles to life planning are affected by glycemic control, self‐reported symptoms, and drug therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakao Motoyuki , Hara Yoriko , Ishihara Yoko 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroduction/AimsIt is important to reduce psychological stresses for glycemic control in diabetes. We investigated the factors affecting psychological impact, which was involved in the disease conditions in 378 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and MethodsPatients’ self‐assessed symptoms and four subscales of psychological impacts on diabetes – impact from diabetes (S1), anxiety from having a chronic disease (S2), expectation of worsening conditions (S3) and obstacles to life planning (S4) – were analyzed.ResultsSignificant odds ratios (ORs) were found for sex and age in S1, age and glycemic control in S2, glycemic control in S3, disease duration and glycemic control in S4, and number of symptoms in S1–S4. Scores of S1 and S2 in women were lower than those in men, and decreased age‐dependently. Significant ORs for the number of symptoms in S3 and S4 were greater than in S1 and S2. ORs increased markedly for patients under oral hypoglycemic agent therapy in S4 and insulin therapy in S1–S4 when compared with ORs for lifestyle therapy alone.ConclusionsThe psychological impact of type 2 diabetes involved a priori factors dependent on sex and aging in the subscales of current anxieties and impact, and a posteriori factors, such as disease duration, glycemic control and treatment methods, in the subscales of expectation of worsening conditions and obstacles to life planning.
Roles of lignin biosynthesis and regulatory genes in plant development
Authors: Yoon Jinmi , Choi Heebak , An Gynheung 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLignin is an important factor affecting agricultural traits, biofuel production, and the pulping industry. Most lignin biosynthesis genes and their regulatory genes are expressed mainly in the vascular bundles of stems and leaves, preferentially in tissues undergoing lignification. Other genes are poorly expressed during normal stages of development, but are strongly induced by abiotic or biotic stresses. Some are expressed in non‐lignifying tissues such as the shoot apical meristem. Alterations in lignin levels affect plant development. Suppression of lignin biosynthesis genes causes abnormal phenotypes such as collapsed xylem, bending stems, and growth retardation. The loss of expression by genes that function early in the lignin biosynthesis pathway results in more severe developmental phenotypes when compared with plants that have mutations in later genes. Defective lignin deposition is also associated with phenotypes of seed shattering or brittle culm. MYB and NAC transcriptional factors function as switches, and some homeobox proteins negatively control lignin biosynthesis genes. Ectopic deposition caused by overexpression of lignin biosynthesis genes or master switch genes induces curly leaf formation and dwarfism.
RNA silencing movement in plants
Authors: Mermigka Glykeria , Verret Frédéric , Kalantidis Kriton 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMulticellular organisms, like higher plants, need to coordinate their growth and development and to cope with environmental cues. To achieve this, various signal molecules are transported between neighboring cells and distant organs to control the fate of the recipient cells and organs. RNA silencing produces cell non‐autonomous signal molecules that can move over short or long distances leading to the sequence specific silencing of a target gene in a well defined area of cells or throughout the entire plant, respectively. The nature of these signal molecules, the route of silencing spread, and the genes involved in their production, movement and reception are discussed in this review. Additionally, a short section on features of silencing spread in animal models is presented at the end of this review.
Comparison of dopamine kinetics in the larval Drosophila ventral nerve cord and protocerebrum with improved optogenetic stimulation
Authors: Privman Eve , Venton B. Jill 
Published: August 2015

AbstractDopamine release and uptake have been studied in the Drosophila larval ventral nerve cord (VNC) using optogenetics to stimulate endogenous release. However, other areas of the central nervous system remain uncharacterized. Here, we compare dopamine release in the VNC and protocerebrum of larval Drosophila. Stimulations were performed with CsChrimson, a new, improved, red light‐activated channelrhodopsin. In both regions, dopamine release was observed after only a single, 4 ms duration light pulse. Michaelis‐Menten modeling was used to understand release and uptake parameters for dopamine. The amount of dopamine released ([DA]p) on the first stimulation pulse is higher than the average [DA]p released from subsequent pulses. The initial and average amount of dopamine released per stimulation pulse is smaller in the protocerebrum than in the VNC. The average Vmax of 0.08 μM/s in the protocerebrum was significantly higher than the Vmax of 0.05 μM/s in the VNC. The average Km of 0.11 μM in the protocerebrum was not significantly different from the Km of 0.10 μM in the VNC. When the competitive dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor nisoxetine was applied, the Km increased significantly in both regions while Vmax stayed the same. This work demonstrates regional differences in dopamine release and uptake kinetics, indicating important variation in the amount of dopamine available for neurotransmission and neuromodulation.
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We use a new optogenetic tool, red light activated CsChrimson, to stimulate the release of dopamine in the ventral nerve cord and medial protocerebrum of the larval Drosophila central nervous system. We monitored extracellular dopamine by fast scan cyclic voltammetry and used Michaelis‐Menten modeling to probe the regulation of extracellular dopamine, discovering important similarities and differences in these two regions.
ADAM10 and BACE1 are localized to synaptic vesicles
Authors: Lundgren Jolanta L. , Ahmed Saheeb , Schedin‐Weiss Sophia , Gouras Gunnar K. , Winblad Bengt , Tjernberg Lars O. , Frykman Susanne 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSynaptic degeneration and accumulation of the neurotoxic amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer disease. Aβ is produced by sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), by the β‐secretase β‐site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ‐secretase. However, Aβ generation is precluded if APP is cleaved by the α‐secretase ADAM10 instead of BACE1. We have previously shown that Aβ can be produced locally at the synapse. To study the synaptic localization of the APP processing enzymes we used western blotting to demonstrate that, compared to total brain homogenate, ADAM10 and BACE1 were greatly enriched in synaptic vesicles isolated from rat brain using controlled‐pore glass chromatography, whereas Presenilin1 was the only enriched component of the γ‐secretase complex. Moreover, we detected ADAM10 activity in synaptic vesicles and enrichment of the intermediate APP‐C‐terminal fragments (APP‐CTFs). We confirmed the western blotting findings using in situ proximity ligation assay to demonstrate close proximity of ADAM10 and BACE1 with the synaptic vesicle marker synaptophysin in intact mouse primary hippocampal neurons. In contrast, only sparse co‐localization of active γ‐secretase and synaptophysin was detected. These results indicate that the first step of APP processing occurs in synaptic vesicles whereas the final step is more likely to take place elsewhere.
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The amyloid‐β (Aβ) precursor protein, FL‐APP, is cleaved into the synaptotoxic Aβ by BACE1 and γ‐secretase while ADAM10 cleavage precludes Aβ formation. We demonstrate enrichment of ADAM10 and BACE1, but not γ‐secretase, in synaptic vesicles which indicates that the first step of APP processing occurs in synaptic vesicles whereas the final step is more likely to take place elsewhere.
Cannabinoid receptor type 1 agonist ACEA improves motor recovery and protects neurons in ischemic stroke in mice
Authors: Caltana Laura , Saez Trinidad Maria , Aronne María Paula , Brusco Alicia 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBrain ischemia produces neuronal cell death and the recruitment of pro‐inflammatory cells. In turn, the search for neuroprotection against this type of insult has rendered results involving a beneficial role of endocannabinoid receptor agonists in the Central Nervous System. In this work, to further elucidate the mechanisms associated to this neuroprotective effect, focal brain ischemia was generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in C57Bl/6 mice. Three, 24 and 48 h after MCAo, animals received CB1R agonist ACEA (1 mg/kg), CB1R antagonist AM251 (1 mg/kg) or vehicle. To assess motor activity, neural deficit scores and motor tests were performed 1 day before and 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after MCAo. At 7 and 28 days post lesion, cytoskeleton structure, astroglial and microglial reaction, and alterations in synapsis were studied in the cerebral cortex. ACEA treatment reduced astrocytic reaction, neuronal death, and dendritic loss. In contrast, AM251 treatment increased these parameters. Motor tests showed a progressive deterioration in motor activity in ischemic animals, which only ACEA treatment was able to counteract. Our results suggest that CB1R may be involved in neuronal survival and in the regulation of neuroprotection during focal cerebral ischemia in mice.image
ACEA improved the motor activity affected by the middle cerebral artery occlusion. At histologic level, ACEA preserved the neuronal cytoarchitecture, decreased the astroglial and microglial reaction.
IS THE CAPITAL STRUCTURE LOGIC OF CORPORATE FINANCE APPLICABLE TO INSURERS? REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Authors: Dhaene Jan , Van Hulle Cynthia , Wuyts Gunther , Schoubben Frederiek , Schoutens Wim 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSince the financial crisis of 2008, next to banks, insurers have received increasing attention from researchers and regulators because of their crucial role in the financial system. A key point for a stable insurer is its capital structure, i.e. the choice between equity, debt and provisions in financing its operations. Based on earlier work a quickly developing literature has directly applied capital structure theories (in particular trade‐off and pecking order) from corporate finance to insurers’ financing choices. Corporate finance concepts used herein however, are developed for industrial firms. In this paper we provide an overview of the literature on the capital structure of insurers, but contribute by systematically clarifying how to account for the specificities of insurers when transferring the trade‐off and pecking‐order logic from an industrial to an insurer context. This way, we add several new insights on an insurer's choice between equity, financial debt and provisions. In particular, we are able to explain why, as compared to industrial firms, insurers use less financial debt, and why insurers focus so strongly on self‐financing. Finally, we identify multiple avenues for future research.
Prognostic Value of Quantitative Diffusion‐Weighted MRI in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Shakir Afaaf , Aksoy Didem , Mlynash Michael , Harris Odette A. , Albers Gregory W. , Hirsch Karen G. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEData about the predictive value of quantitative diffusion‐weighted MRI in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is lacking. This study aimed to determine if specific apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) thresholds could be determined that correlate with outcome in moderate‐severe TBI.METHODSThis retrospective observational study investigated patients with moderate‐severe TBI. MRIs obtained post‐injury days 1‐13 were analyzed. MRIs were obtained on a 1.5T scanner; 20‐23 contiguous diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sections with a spin‐echo echo planar imaging DWI 256×256 reconstructed matrix; field of view 24×24 cm; slice thickness/gap of 5/1.5 or 5/2.5 mm. The ADC value of each brain tissue voxel was determined. The percentage of voxels below different ADC thresholds was calculated and correlated with outcome. A good outcome was defined as discharge to home or a rehabilitation facility.RESULTSSeventy‐six patients were analyzed. Thirty‐five patients (46%) had a good outcome. The timing of MRI scans did not differ between groups, but the mean age did (42±18 years vs. 56±19 years,p<.01, good vs. poor outcome). Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher percentage of brain volume with ADC < 400×10‐6mm2/second (.85±.67% vs. .60±.29%, poor vs. good outcome,p<.05). Using a ROC curve analysis and Youden's index, an ADC <400×10‐6mm2/second in ≥.49% of brain was 85% sensitive and 46% specific for poor outcome (p<.05).CONCLUSIONSQuantitative MRI offers additional prognostic information in acute TBI. A whole brain tissue ADC threshold of <400×10‐6mm2/second in ≥.49% of brain may be a novel prognostic biomarker.
Vitamin D inhibits the growth of and virulence factor gene expression byPorphyromonas gingivalisand blocks activation of the nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor in monocytes
Authors: Grenier D. , Morin M.‐P. , Fournier‐Larente J. , Chen H. 
Published: August 2015

Background and ObjectiveIncreasing evidence suggests that 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3), a fat‐soluble secosteroid hormone, has a positive impact on periodontal health through diverse mechanisms. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3on the growth of and virulence factor gene expression by the periodontopathogenic bacteriumPorphyromonas gingivalis. The effect of 1,25(OH)2D3onP. gingivalis‐mediated activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) transcription factor in monocytes was also assessed.Material and MethodsA broth microdilution assay was used to determine the antibacterial activity of 1,25(OH)2D3. The modulation of virulence factor gene expression inP. gingivaliswas assessed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. NF‐κB activation was assessed using a human monocytic cell line stably transfected with a luciferase reporter containing NF‐κB binding sites.ResultsMinimal inhibitory concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3againstP. gingivalisranged from 3.125 to 6.25 μg/mL. Moreover, a partial synergistic effect was observed when 1,25(OH)2D3was used in association with metronidazole. 1,25(OH)2D3attenuated the virulence ofP. gingivalisby reducing the expression of genes coding for important virulence factors, including adhesins (fimA,hagAandhagB) and proteinases (rgpA,rgpBandkgp). 1,25(OH)2D3dose‐dependently preventedP. gingivalis‐induced NF‐κB activation in a monocyte model.ConclusionOur study suggested that 1,25(OH)2D3selectively inhibits the growth of and virulence factor gene expression byP. gingivalis, in addition to attenuating NF‐κB activation by this periodontopathogen. This dual action onP. gingivalisand the inflammatory response of host cells may be of particular interest with a view to developing a novel and inexpensive preventive/therapeutic strategy.
Annual plant functional traits explain shrub facilitation in a desert community
Authors: Rolhauser Andrés G. , Pucheta Eduardo 
Published: August 2015

AbstractQuestionFor a desert where winter is the driest, harshest season we asked: does the effect of dominant shrubs (Bulnesia retama) on annual species depend on (1) the functional traits of the latter, (2) the season of the year, or (3) the activity of livestock?LocationA low‐density goat farm in central‐northern Monte Desert, Argentina.MethodsWe estimated the effect of shrubs using a log response ratio based on annual species population sizes underneath shrub canopies and in open spaces. We collected density data of annual species in 18 visits between Aug 2010 and Apr 2013 in permanent 50‐cm square areas laid out according to a split‐plot design, in which the activity of livestock (fenced and unfenced; plots were 10‐m squares) was the main factor, and microsite type (shrub and open) was the subordinate factor, with 20 replicates for each combination. We also gathered data on eight functional traits (characterizing whole plants, leaves, roots and seeds) from annual plants collected in the study site following standardized protocols.ResultsAnnual species with acquisitive attributes (high specific leaf area, intermediate‐to‐low leaf dry matter content, large leaves and high specific root volume) were more benefited by shrubs compared to species with the opposite, relatively conservative attributes. Facilitative influences of shrubs were pervasive during winter, while competitive influences increased in frequency during summer, when total plant density was higher. This pattern was not affected by livestock.ConclusionsThe outcome of species interactions depended on the interplay between plant strategies and abiotic stress: facilitated species were mostly acquisitive, and shrub facilitation was more important during the harshest season (winter). Specific root volume, along with widely used functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf size) delineated such strategies. This underlines the importance of considering below‐ground traits when studying plant–plant interactions. Single traits achieved superior explanatory power of shrub effects than composite ones (i.e. principal component axes based on single traits), reinforcing the idea that single functional traits are themselves meaningful indicators of complex physiological trade‐offs that ultimately affect community structure and dynamics.
Ranavirus infection in northern leopard frogs: the timing and number of exposures matter
Authors: Echaubard P. , Pauli B. D. , Trudeau V. L. , Lesbarrères D. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTransmission is a central feature of pathogen fitness and influences host population dynamics. The form and magnitude of transmission rates determine whether a pathogen establishes itself in a host population and the proportion of a population that becomes infected. While the effects of environmental variation on pathogen transmission dynamics have received substantial attention, the time and number of pathogen exposure in relation to host ontogeny has been relatively less investigated. Such understanding is particularly important in host species exhibiting distinct life‐history stages such as amphibians as this temporal variation in infection modulates transmission trends at the population level. We investigated the role of the timing and number of ranavirus (FV3) exposures on infection rate and mortality patterns inLithobates pipienstadpoles in a two‐step laboratory experiment with four treatments: individuals exposed as hatchlings but not as tadpoles, individuals not exposed as hatchlings but exposed as tadpoles, individuals exposed both as hatchlings and tadpoles and individuals that were never exposed. Our results indicate that individuals exposed twice presented higher infection and mortality rates over individuals exposed only once (infection: 40 vs. 16%; mortality: 16.8 vs. 8.1%, respectively). Among individuals exposed only once, but at different time, no difference in mortality was observed; yet, dissimilar infection rates indicate a differential capacity to carry and transmit virions among various developmental stages suggesting distinct epidemiological roles. Our results stress the importance of considering stage‐dependent host susceptibility to better understand infection patterns and transmission dynamics and advocate its incorporation in models and field study designs.