bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐diabetes and well‐controlled diabetes are not associated with periodontal disease: the SHIP Trend Study
Authors: Kowall Bernd , Holtfreter Birte , Völzke Henry , Schipf Sabine , Mundt Torsten , Rathmann Wolfgang , Kocher Thomas 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo examine associations of pre‐diabetes and well‐controlled diabetes with periodontitis.Materials and MethodsThe Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)‐Trend is a cross‐sectional survey in North‐Eastern Germany including 3086 participants (49.4% men; age 20–82 years). Clinical attachment loss (CAL) and periodontal probing depth (PPD) were assessed applying a random half‐mouth protocol. The number of teeth was determined. Pre‐diabetes comprised impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Previously known diabetes was defined as well controlled if glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was <7.0%. Participants were categorized as follows: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), pre‐diabetes, newly detected type 2 diabetes (T2DM), known T2DM with HbA1c<7.0% and known T2DM with HbA1c≥7.0%.ResultsPre‐diabetes was neither associated with mean CAL and PPD in multivariable adjusted linear regression models nor with edentulism (OR = 1.09 (95%‐CI: 0.69‐1.71)) and number of teeth (OR = 0.96 (95%‐CI: 0.75–1.22), lowest quartile versus higher quartiles) in logistic regression models. Associations with mean CAL and edentulism were stronger in poorly controlled previously known diabetes than in well‐controlled previously known diabetes (for edentulism: OR = 2.19 (95%‐CI: 1.18–4.05), and OR = 1.40 (95%‐CI: 0.82–2.38), respectively, for comparison with NGT).ConclusionsPeriodontitis and edentulism were associated with poorly controlled T2DM, but not with pre‐diabetes and well‐controlled diabetes.
Dendritic connectivity shapes spatial patterns of genetic diversity: a simulation‐based study
Authors: Paz‐Vinas I. , Blanchet S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLandscape features notoriously affect spatial patterns of biodiversity. For instance, in dendritic ecological networks (such as river basins), dendritic connectivity has been proposed to create unique spatial patterns of biodiversity. Here, we compared genetic datasets simulated under a lattice‐like, a dendritic and a circular landscape to test the influence of dendritic connectivity on neutral genetic diversity. The circular landscape had a level of connectivity similar to that of the dendritic landscape, so as to isolate the influence of dendricity on genetic diversity. We found that genetic diversity and differentiation varied strikingly among the three landscapes. For instance, the dendritic landscape generated higher total number of alleles and higher global Fst than the lattice‐like landscape, and these indices also varied between the dendritic and the circular landscapes, suggesting an effect of dendricity. Furthermore, in the dendritic landscape, allelic richness was higher in highly connected demes (e.g. confluences in rivers) than in low‐connected demes (e.g. upstream and downstream populations), which was not the case in the circular landscape, hence confirming the major role of dendricity. This led to bell‐shaped distributions of allelic richness along an upstream–downstream gradient. Conversely, genetic differentiation (Fst) was lower in highly than in low‐connected demes (which was not observed in circular landscape), and significant patterns of isolation by distance (IBD) were also observed in the dendritic landscape. We conclude that in dendritic networks, the combined influence of dendricity and connectivity generates unique spatial patterns of neutral genetic diversity, which has implications for population geneticists and conservationists.
Measures Used to Assess Chronic Pelvic Pain in Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gurian Maria Beatriz F. , Mitidieri Andréia M. d. S. , Rosa e Silva Júlio C. , Poli Neto Omero B. , Nogueira Antônio A. , Candido dos Reis Francisco José 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRationaleMany types of pain assessment are available to researchers carrying out clinical trials in chronic pelvic pain (CPP), ranging from a single‐item scale to multidimensional inventories.AimOur objective was to investigate which assessments of pain are more commonly used in clinical trials on CPP.MethodWe have reviewed articles published between 1991 and 2014. A total of 74 studies out of 1299 original research articles reviewed met the selection criteria by containing at least one method of pain assessment. The selected studies were classified according to the dimensions of pain evaluated, the type of scale and the descriptors used.ResultsThe instruments most frequently used were single‐item VAS and Biberoglu and Behrman pain score, while multidimensional inventories were used in few studies. The results of clinical studies in CPP are more frequently based on one‐dimensional measurements. Valuable results from clinical studies in CPP might have been omitted because of incomplete outcome measurements.ConclusionWe believe the authors of clinical studies should report their results in a comprehensive way including in the outcomes of the measurement of one‐dimensional and multidimensional pain characteristics.
Effect of γ‐Irradiation on Cooking, Functional and Pasting Properties of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) Cultivars
Authors: Falade Kolawole O. , Adebiyi Alexander O. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe effect of γ‐irradiation dose (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy) on cooking, functional and pasting properties of four bambara groundnut cultivars (TvSu 315, TvSu 571, TvSu 760 and white) was investigated. Generally, sphericity, volume, surface area and aspect ratio of bambara groundnut seed increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose and cooking time. Also, volume and surface area of seeds of TvSu 315 and white cultivars increased with increasing cooking time, while sphericity and aspect ratio showed mixed effect. At lower doses, increased γ‐irradiation resulted in decreased cooking time, elongation ratio and water uptake ratio of the seeds in all cultivars. However at higher doses, cooking time increased, while increase in γ‐irradiation showed little effect on seed elongation and water uptake ratio in all cultivars. Generally, water absorption capacity of flours increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose in all cultivars, while oil absorption capacity increased until the 4 kGy and then declined. Foaming capacity, foam stability and swelling capacity of flours did not show dose‐dependent increase in all cultivars. Peak, trough, final and setback viscosities of flours decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose, while breakdown viscosity and pasting temperature did not show dose‐dependent increase.Practical ApplicationBambara groundnut is underutilized because of constraints like hard‐to‐cook phenomenon, strong beany flavor, presence of antinutrient and poor dehulling and milling characteristics. In many developing countries, the grain legume is stored as dry seeds. However, the seeds are very susceptible to insect infestation, which may start from the field, and vast qualities of seeds are lost annually as a result of insect attacks. Infestation of bambara groundnut seeds by Callosobruchus maculatus causes qualitative and quantitative losses and wastage. Also, the seeds are unsafe for immediate consumption due to the fact that fumigation chemicals are perceived to be carcinogenic. Therefore, γ‐irradiation was proposed as a viable alternative to the use of chemicals for pest control. Consequently, it is important to determine the effect of γ‐irradiation on cooking, functional, pasting and cooking properties of bambara groundnut seeds.
Methamphetamine acutely inhibits voltage‐gated calcium channels but chronically up‐regulates L‐type channels
Authors: Andres Marilou A. , Cooke Ian M. , Bellinger Frederick P. , Berry Marla J. , Zaporteza Maribel M. , Rueli Rachel H. , Barayuga Stephanie M. , Chang Linda 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn neurons, calcium (Ca2+) channels regulate a wide variety of functions ranging from synaptic transmission to gene expression. They also induce neuroplastic changes that alter gene expression following psychostimulant administration. Ca2+ channel blockers have been considered as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of methamphetamine (METH) dependence because of their ability to reduce drug craving among METH users. Here, we studied the effects of METH exposure on voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels using SH‐SY5Y cells as a model of dopaminergic neurons. We found that METH has different short‐ and long‐term effects. A short‐term effect involves immediate (< 5 min) direct inhibition of Ca2+ ion movements through Ca2+ channels. Longer exposure to METH (20 min or 48 h) selectively up‐regulates the expression of only the CACNA1C gene, thus increasing the number of L‐type Ca2+ channels. This up‐regulation of CACNA1C is associated with the expression of the cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein (CREB), a known regulator of CACNA1C gene expression, and the MYC gene, which encodes a transcription factor that putatively binds to a site proximal to the CACNA1C gene transcription initiation site. The short‐term inhibition of Ca2+ ion movement and later, the up‐regulation of Ca2+ channel gene expression together suggest the operation of cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein‐ and C‐MYC‐mediated mechanisms to compensate for Ca2+ channel inhibition by METH. Increased Ca2+ current density and subsequent increased intracellular Ca2+ may contribute to the neurodegeneration accompanying chronic METH abuse.
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Methamphetamine (METH) exposure has both short‐ and long‐term effects. Acutely, methamphetamine directly inhibits voltage‐gated calcium channels. Chronically, neurons compensate by up‐regulating the L‐type Ca2+ channel gene, CACNA1C. This compensatory mechanism is mediated by transcription factors C‐MYC and CREB, in which CREB is linked to the dopamine D1 receptor signaling pathway. These findings suggest Ca2+‐mediated neurotoxicity owing to over‐expression of calcium channels.
Nutrient Sensing Overrides Somatostatin and Growth Hormone‐Releasing Hormone to Control Pulsatile Growth Hormone Release
Authors: Steyn F. J. 
Published: March 2015

Pharmacological studies reveal that interactions between hypothalamic inhibitory somatostatin and stimulatory growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH) govern pulsatile GH release. However, in vivo analysis of somatostatin and GHRH release into the pituitary portal vasculature and peripheral GH output demonstrates that the withdrawal of somatostatin or the appearance of GHRH into pituitary portal blood does not reliably dictate GH release. Consequently, additional intermediates acting at the level of the hypothalamus and within the anterior pituitary gland are likely to contribute to the release of GH, entraining GH secretory patterns to meet physiological demand. The identification and validation of the actions of such intermediates is particularly important, given that the pattern of GH release defines several of the physiological actions of GH. This review highlights the actions of neuropeptide Y in regulating GH release. It is acknowledged that pulsatile GH release may not occur selectively in response to hypothalamic control of pituitary function. As such, interactions between somatotroph networks, the median eminence and pituitary microvasculature and blood flow, and the emerging role of tanycytes and pericytes as critical regulators of pulsatility are considered. It is argued that collective interactions between the hypothalamus, the median eminence and pituitary vasculature, and structural components within the pituitary gland dictate somatotroph function and thereby pulsatile GH release. These interactions may override hypothalamic somatostatin and GHRH‐mediated GH release, and modify pulsatile GH release relative to the peripheral glucose supply, and thereby physiological demand.
Influence of the complex of retinol–vitamin C on skin surface lipids
Authors: Wójcik Aneta , Bartnicka Ewelina , Namieciński Piotr , Rotsztejn Helena 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBackgroundRetinol is used to reduce symptoms of skin aging. It affects surface lipids and increases skin regeneration ability.AimThe aim of our study was to investigate the effect of retinol peel on the face and neck skin lipids in women, aged 50–69.Material and methodsThe level of secreted sebum was measured using Sebumeter SM15 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany) on the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck. The measurements were carried out before each of the 3 retinol peel treatments applied at 3‐week interval and 3 weeks after the last treatment.ResultsA statistically significant increase of lipid film in both U‐zone and T‐zone and on the neck was observed in the study group.ConclusionRetinol peel treatments can help to increase the amount of skin surface lipids in women during menopause.
Osteoporosis: the emperor has no clothes
Authors: Järvinen T. L. N. , Michaëlsson K. , Aspenberg P. , Sievänen H. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractCurrent prevention strategies for low‐trauma fractures amongst older persons depend on the notions that fractures are mainly caused by osteoporosis (pathophysiology), that patients at high risk can be identified (screening) and that the risk is amenable to bone‐targeted pharmacotherapy (treatment). However, all these three notions can be disputed.PathophysiologyMost fracture patients have fallen, but actually do not have osteoporosis. A high likelihood of falling, in turn, is attributable to an ageing‐related decline in physical functioning and general frailty.ScreeningCurrently available fracture risk prediction strategies including bone densitometry and multifactorial prediction tools are unable to identify a large proportion of patients who will sustain a fracture, whereas many of those with a high fracture risk score will not sustain a fracture.TreatmentThe evidence for the viability of bone‐targeted pharmacotherapy in preventing hip fracture and other clinical fragility fractures is mainly limited to women aged 65–80 years with osteoporosis, whereas the proof of hip fracture‐preventing efficacy in women over 80 years of age and in men at all ages is meagre or absent. Further, the antihip fracture efficacy shown in clinical trials is absent in real‐life studies. Many drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis have also been associated with increased risks of serious adverse events. There are also considerable uncertainties related to the efficacy of drug therapy in preventing clinical vertebral fractures, whereas the efficacy for preventing other fractures (relative risk reductions of 20–25%) remains moderate, particularly in terms of the low absolute risk reduction in fractures with this treatment.
Prognostic implication of CD57, CD16, and TGF‐β expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Taghavi Nasim , Bagheri Sara , Akbarzadeh Alireza 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundNatural killer (NK) cells are important immune effector cells against tumors especially in the absence or reducing MHC class I antigen. Downregulation of CD16 receptor is accompanied by decreasing NK cell‐killing activity. It has also been shown that some of tumor cells can evade from immune system through producing transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) and affect prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of CD57+ and CD16+ cells and TGF‐β expression in samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).MethodsCD57, CD16, and TGF‐β expressions were examined immunohistochemically in 57 cases of OSCC. The relationship between markers’ expression and clinicopathologic data using bivariate and multivariate analysis was assessed.ResultsMultivariate analysis revealed that CD57 expression [HR 17.34 (95% CI 3.815–78.830); P < 0.001] and mode of invasion [HR 0.362 (95% CI 0.138–0.947); P = 0.038] correlated with survival rate, but no relation between CD57 expression and mode of invasion was seen (P = 0.96). Furthermore, no correlation between CD57, CD16, and TGF‐β expression was found.ConclusionThese findings suggest that CD57 expression and mode of invasion are independent prognostic factors of survival in OSCC patients.
Daily differential expression of melatonin‐related genes and clock genes in rat cumulus–oocyte complex: changes after pinealectomy
Authors: Coelho L. A. , Peres R. , Amaral F. G. , Reiter R. J. , Cipolla‐Neto J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the maturational stage (immature and mature ovaries) differences of mRNA expression of melatonin‐forming enzymes (Aanat and Asmt), melatonin membrane receptors (Mt1 and Mt2) and putative nuclear (Rorα) receptors, and clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Per1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2) in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) from weaning Wistar rats. We also examined the effects of pinealectomy and of melatonin pharmacological replacement on the daily expression of these genes in COC. qRT‐PCR analysis revealed that in oocytes, the mRNA expression of Asmt, Mt2, Clock, Bmal1, Per2, and Cry1 were higher (P < 0.05) in immature ovaries than in the mature ones. In cumulus cells, the same pattern of mRNA expression for Asmt, Aanat, Rorα, Clock, Per1, Cry1, and Cry2 genes was observed. In oocytes, pinealectomy altered the daily mRNA expression profiles of Asmt, Mt1, Mt2, Clock, Per1, Cry1, and Cry2 genes. In cumulus cells, removal of the pineal altered the mRNA expression profiles of Mt1, Mt2, Rorα, Aanat, Asmt, Clock, Bmal1, Per2, Cry1, and Cry2 genes. Melatonin treatment partially or completely re‐established the daily mRNA expression profiles of most genes studied. The mRNA expression of melatonin‐related genes and clock genes in rat COC varies with the maturational stage of the meiotic cellular cycle in addition to the hour of the day. This suggests that melatonin might act differentially in accordance with the maturational stage of cumulus/oocyte complex. In addition, it seems that circulating pineal melatonin is very important in the design of the daily profile of mRNA expression of COC clock genes and genes related to melatonin synthesis and action.
Melatonin regulates the autophagic flux via activation of alpha‐7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Jeong Jae‐Kyo , Park Sang‐Youel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOur previous study suggested that melatonin‐mediated neuroprotective effects are related with the activation of autophagy. However, the mechanism of melatonin‐mediated autophagic activation in prion‐mediated mitochondrial damage is not reported. Alpha‐7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAchR) is a member of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and α7nAchR activation regulates via melatonin. Thus, we hypothesized that melatonin‐mediated neuroprotective effect related with to autophagy pathway as a result of α7nAchR regulation. Inactivation of α7nAchR inhibited melatonin‐mediated autophagic activation and protective effect against prion‐mediated mitochondrial neurotoxicity. Also, knockdown of ATG5 blocked the melatonin‐mediated neuroprotection and did not influence to the activation of α7nAchR caused by melatonin. This report is the first study demonstrating that melatonin‐mediated autophagic activation regulates via modulation of α7nAchR signals, and upregulation of α7nAchR signals induced by melatonin plays a pivotal role in neuroprotection of prion‐mediated mitochondrial neurotoxicity. Our results suggested that regulator of α7 nAChR signals including melatonin may have used for neuroprotective strategies for the neurodegenerative disorders including prion diseases.
The value of serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transpetidase as biomarkers in hepatotoxicity
Authors: Robles‐Diaz Mercedes , Garcia‐Cortes Miren , Medina‐Caliz Inmaculada , Gonzalez‐Jimenez Andres , Gonzalez‐Grande Rocio , Navarro Jose M. , Castiella Agustin , Zapata Eva M. , Romero‐Gomez Manuel , Blanco Sonia , Soriano German , Hidalgo Ramon , Ortega‐Torres Maria , Clavijo Encarnacion , Bermudez‐Ruiz Pilar M. , Lucena M. Isabel , Andrade Raúl J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsThe current definition of the pattern of liver injury in hepatotoxicity (DILI) is given by the R (ratio) value, dividing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in upper limits of normal at DILI onset. We aimed to explore the validity of using aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as biomarkers of hepatocelullar and cholestatic damage, respectively, when calculating the R value.MethodsClinical, laboratory and histological data from 588 DILI episodes included in the Spanish DILI Registry were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was performed to establish the most appropriate cut‐off points for hepatocellular and cholestatic patterns when calculating R with AST and GGT.ResultsThe overall agreement between ALT/ALP and AST/ALP was 76%, with 96%, 61% and 41% agreement in the hepatocellular (R ≥ 5), cholestatic (R ≤ 2) and mixed groups respectively (P < 0.001). Classified by the causative drug, the agreement was higher (87–95%) among drug classes that mainly present with hepatocellular damage and lower (48–58%) for those in which cholestatic‐mixed injury predominate (P < 0.001)). The overall agreement between ALT/ALP and ALT/GGT was weak (59%), except for in hepatocellular cases that showed a good agreement (94%) (P = 0.001). Pattern of injury according to liver histology demonstrated 65%, 68% and 47% agreement for ALT/ALP, AST/ALP and ALT/GGT ratios respectively.ConclusionsAST can reliably replace ALT when calculating pattern of liver injury in DILI, while GGT can only substitute ALP when the R value scores as hepatocellular. The biochemical signature of causative drugs does influence the validity of the ratios with AST or GGT.
New dimensions of reservoir sedimentation: a case study of Khodiyar Reservoir, India
Authors: Majumdar Pradeep Kumar 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMedium and small reservoirs in water‐scarce regions face two extreme hydrological conditions. In years of lesser rainfall, inadequate water storage in the reservoir is a matter of concern. In contrast, flash floods portend disaster in years of better rainfall. There are also other possible hydrological, hydraulic and structural imbalances that may arise because of sedimentation. This study describes these dimensions, citing the example of Khodiyar Reservoir in Gujarat, India. The reservoir capacity was reduced by 36.12%, and a new zero elevation raised by 50% over 41 years. This study indicated the reservoir experienced silting at a much faster rate during the initial inflow years, reaching a regime state after 20 years. During this period, the water evaporation and seepage losses increased because of storage losses. In addition to reducing the flood return periods, sedimentation also could pose structural instability. The analyses of this study indicated the need for evaluating the regime condition in the planning stage to marginalize the effects of reservoir sedimentation on the socio‐economic aspects of water resources development.