bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterosis in age‐specific selected populations of a seed beetle: Sex differences in longevity and reproductive behavior
Authors: Stojković Biljana , Đorđević Mirko , Janković Jelena , Savković Uroš , Tucić Nikola 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe tested mutation accumulation hypothesis for the evolution of senescence using short‐lived and long‐lived populations of the seed‐feeding beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say), obtained by selection on early‐ and late‐life for many generations. The expected consequence of the mutation accumulation hypothesis is that in short‐lived populations, where the force of natural selection is the strongest early in life, the late‐life fitness traits should decline due to genetic drift which increases the frequency of mutations with deleterious effects in later adult stages. Since it is unlikely that identical deleterious mutations will increase in several independent populations, hybrid vigor for late‐life fitness is expected in offspring obtained in crosses among populations selected for early‐life fitness traits. We tested longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and male reproductive behavior for hybrid vigor by comparing hybrid and nonhybrid short‐lived populations. Hybrid vigor was confirmed for male virility, mating speed and copulation duration, and longevity of both sexes at late ages. In contrast to males, the results on female fecundity in short‐lived populations did not support mutation accumulation as a genetic mechanism for the evolution of this trait. Contrary to the prediction of this hypothesis, male mating ability indices and female fecundity in long‐lived populations exhibited hybrid vigor at all assayed age classes. We demonstrate that nonhybrid long‐lived populations diverged randomly regarding female and male reproductive fitness, indicating that sexually antagonistic selection, when accompanied with genetic drift for female fecundity and male virility, might be responsible for overriding natural selection in the independently evolving long‐lived populations.
Antioxidant and Anti‐inflammatory Activities of Methanol Extracts of Tremella fuciformis and Its Major Phenolic Acids
Authors: Li Hua , Lee Hee‐Seok , Kim Su‐Hwan , Moon BoKyung , Lee Chan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMethanol extract subfractions of the edible white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), were assessed for the following antioxidant properties: ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory activity of human low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Among the subfractions tested, the chloroform subfraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with the highest total phenolic content (66.31 μg CAE/mg extract) and flavonoids content (5.12 μg QE/mg extract). The ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of the chloroform subfraction was 7.89 μmol trolox/mg extract, which was the highest among all subfractions. This subfraction also showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity of LDL oxidation. In addition, the chloroform subfraction demonstrated anti‐inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Major phenolic acids from the mushroom extract were identified as 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (323 mg/kg dry weight of mushroom), gentisic acid (174 mg/kg dry weight of mushroom), and 4‐coumaric acid (30 mg/kg dry weight of mushroom).
Tracking dietary habits of cave arthropods associated with deposits of hematophagous bat guano: A study from a neotropical savanna
Authors: Salgado Simone S. , Motta Paulo C. , de Souza Aguiar Ludmilla M. , Nardoto Gabriela B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCarbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were used to track major dietary variations in arthropods found in a cave located in a neotropical savanna in Central Brazil. We determined the δ13C and δ15N for cave crickets, cockroaches, spiders, guano of a hematophagous bat, and leaf litter found on the ground near the cave entrance. The δ13C and δ15N for the cricket and cockroaches showed that bat guano was not the only food item for these arthropods. They had intermediate δ13C and δ15N between bat guano and leaf litter, which means that they consumed additional food resources other than guano in their diet, independent of distribution of guano deposits in the cave. The spiders, predators with great mobility, seemed to not have a preferential diet item since their isotope signals indicated they hunt both crickets and cockroaches. The δ13C of the bat guano (−15.4‰) indicated that the diet of these hematophagous bats relied on animals fed with C4 plants. The conversion of native savanna vegetation of which the debris is mostly from C3 plants, to pasture, based on C4 African grass, a remarkably common land use transformation in the region, is indirectly influencing the diet of hematophagous bats, which basically relied on exotic fauna. The C and N stable isotope ratios showed that the arthropods inside the cave do not rely solely on bat guano for their diet, but interact directly with the external environment, through litter debris, indicating a significant exchange of energy and matter between the cave environment and the surrounding area.
Validation of a landscape‐scale planning tool for cavity‐dependent wildlife
Authors: Stojanovic Dejan , Koch Amelia J. , Webb Matthew , Cunningham Ross , Roshier David , Heinsohn Robert 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTree cavities provide important habitat for wildlife. Effective landscape‐scale management of cavity‐dependent wildlife requires an understanding of where cavities occur, but tree cavities can be cryptic and difficult to survey. We assessed whether a landscape‐scale map of mature forest habitat availability, derived from aerial photographs, reflected the relative availability of mature trees and tree cavities. We assessed cavities for their suitability for use by wildlife, and whether the map reflected the availability of such cavities. There were significant differences between map categories in several characteristics of mature trees that can be used to predict cavity abundance (i.e. tree form and diameter at breast height). There were significant differences between map categories in the number of potential cavity bearing trees and potential cavities per tree. However, the index of cavity abundance based on observations made from the ground provided an overestimate of true cavity availability. By climbing a sample of mature trees we showed that only 5.1% of potential tree cavities detected from the ground were suitable for wildlife, and these were found in only 12.5% of the trees sampled. We conclude that management tools developed from remotely sensed data can be useful to guide decision‐making in the conservation management of tree cavities but stress that the errors inherent in these data limit the scale at which such tools can be applied. The rarity of tree cavities suitable for wildlife in our study highlights the need to conserve the tree cavity resource across the landscape, but also the importance of increasing the accuracy of management tools for decision‐making at different scales. Mapping mature forest habitat availability at the landscape scale is a useful first step in managing habitat for cavity‐dependent wildlife, but the potential for overestimating actual cavity abundance in a particular area highlights the need for complementary on‐ground surveys.
The use of 3‐dimensional ultrasound of the pelvic floor to predict recurrence risk after pelvic reconstructive surgery
Authors: Rodrigo Natassia , Wong Vivien , Shek Ka Lai , Martin Andrew , Dietz Hans Peter 
Published: February 2014

AimsFemale pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition. Prolapse recurrence following surgical treatment is a significant clinical issue. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for recurrence, attempting to improve clinical practice by allowing better patient selection prior to surgery.MethodsThis was a retrospective study utilising patient records and ultrasound volume imaging data sets obtained in four clinical audits following anterior colporrhaphy ± mesh. Prolapse recurrence was diagnosed clinically and by ultrasound; findings were analysed against potential predictors.ResultsSymptomatic prolapse recurrence was demonstrated in 86 (26%), on clinical examination in 141 (42%) and on ultrasound in 113/334 women (34%). None of the tested predictors were predictive of recurrent symptoms, likely due to a lack of power. However, both levator avulsion and hiatal area on Valsalva were shown to be highly significant predictors of objective prolapse recurrence on clinical examination and ultrasound.ConclusionsProlapse recurrence following surgery is a common complaint. The state of the patient's pelvic floor muscle seems to be the strongest determinant.
Immediate and long‐term outcomes of assault in pregnancy
Authors: Gulliver Pauline J. , Dixon Robyn S. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveWe examined the immediate and long‐term health outcomes of hospitalised pregnancy‐related assault.MethodsA retrospective review of hospital records was conducted using data from theNewZealandMinistry ofHealth'sNationalMinimumDataSet of hospital discharges. The hospital records of pregnant women admitted to a public hospital inNewZealand between 2001 and 2006 were included in this investigation. Unique identifiers were used to identify the index pregnancy event, subsequent discharge events and mortality for five years after the index event. Discharge records were grouped as follows:pregnancy‐related hospital admission, but no associated or subsequent assault recorded (pregnant only);an assault‐related hospital admission event after the pregnancy, but within five years of the index pregnancy (assault after pregnancy);an assault recorded within the same hospital admission event as the pregnancy (assault during pregnancy). Generalised linear models for the binomial family were conducted to explore increased risk ratios of adverse maternal, fetal and subsequent injury outcomes depending on group assignment.ResultsCompared with the pregnancy‐only group, the assault after pregnancy and assault during pregnancy groups had increased risk ratios for death, preterm labour, antepartum haemorrhage, infectious complication, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.ConclusionAssault during pregnancy substantially increased the risks for a number of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The identification of women who live in a violent relationship and the provision of adequate social support to these women may reduce the risks of subsequent injury and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
Vitamin E, γ‐tocopherol, diminishes ex vivo basophil response to dust mite allergen
Authors: Mills K. , Lay J. , Wu W. , Robinette C. , Kesic M. J. , Dreskin S. C. , Peden D. B. , Hernandez M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractEpidemiologic studies suggest that dietary vitamin E is a candidate intervention for atopic disease. We used in vitro and ex vivo exposures to test the hypothesis that the most common dietary isoform of vitamin E, γ‐tocopherol (γT), could suppress FcεRI‐mediated basophil activation. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)‐SX38 cells that express human FcεRI were treated with or without γT, followed by stimulation with α‐IgE. In the ex vivo study, 20 Der f 1‐allergic volunteers consumed a γT‐enriched supplement for 7 days. Their basophils were challenged ex vivo with α‐IgE and graded doses of Der f 1 before and after the supplementation period. γt treatment of RBL‐SX38 cells significantly reduced basophil degranulation and de novo TH2 cytokine production. Daily consumption of a γT‐rich supplement by dust mite‐allergic volunteers reduced basophil activation after ex vivo dust mite challenge. Vitamin E supplements rich in γT may be useful adjuncts in decreasing atopic disease.
The traffic light bougie: a study of a novel safety modification
Authors: Paul A. , Gibson A. A. , Robinson O. D. G. , Koch J. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryUse of a bougie is not without risk, and insertion too far may cause airway injury. We designed a new bougie with a ‘traffic light’ system to indicate depth of insertion. Forty anaesthetists were randomly assigned to insert either a conventional single‐coloured bougie or a novel traffic light bougie. Depth of insertion was measured before and after railroading a tracheal tube. Participants were not informed as to the purpose of the colouring system. The median (IQR [range]) insertion depth of the traffic light bougie was 22 (21–24 [19–27]) cm and for the conventional bougie was 28 (21–32 [20–35]) cm (p = 0.011). Median (IQR [range]) insertion depth after railroading for the traffic light bougie was 25 (25–28 [21–34]) cm and for the conventional bougie was 30.5 (27–35 [23–40]) cm (p = 0.003). This simple colouring system appears to allow intuitive use and significantly reduced the depth of bougie insertion. This system could be also used with other airway exchange devices to improve safety.
Factors influencing short‐ and long‐term mortality after lower limb amputation
Authors: Scott S. W. M. , Bowrey S. , Clarke D. , Choke E. , Bown M. J. , Thompson J. P. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryMortality after lower limb amputation is high, with UK 30‐day mortality rates of 9–17%. We performed a retrospective analysis of factors affecting early and late outcome after lower limb amputation for peripheral vascular disease or diabetic complications at a UK tertiary referral vascular centre between 2003 and 2010. Three hundred and thirty‐nine patients (233 male), of median (IQR [range]) age 73 (62–79 [26–92]) years underwent amputation. Thirty‐day mortality was 12.4%. On regression modelling, the risk of 30‐day mortality was increased in patients of ASA grade ≥ 4 (OR 4.23, 95% CI 2.07–8.63), p < 0.001 and age between 74 and 79 years (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.10–13.13), p = 0.04 and older than 79 years (OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.25–13.25), p = 0.02. Peri‐operative (30‐day) mortality for these groups was 23.2%, 13.7% and 18.8%, respectively. Survival and Cox regression analysis demonstrated that long‐term mortality was associated with: age 74–79 years (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.38–3.35), p = 0.001; age > 79 years (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.82–4.25), p < 0.001; ASA grade ≥ 4 (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.51–2.75), p < 0.001; out‐of‐hours operating (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08–2.10), p = 0.02; and chronic kidney disease stage 4–5 (1.57, 95% CI 1.07–2.30), p = 0.02. Anaesthetic technique was associated with long‐term mortality on survival analysis (p = 0.04), but not when analysed using regression modelling. Mortality after lower limb amputation relates to patient age, ASA, out‐of‐hours surgery and renal dysfunction. These data support lower limb amputations’ being performed during daytime hours and after modification of correctable risk factors.
Renal artery embolization prior to nephrectomy for locally advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zargar Homayoun , Addison Ben , McCall John , Bartlett Adam , Buckley Brendan , Rice Michael 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous renal artery embolization (PRAE) prior to radical nephrectomy.MethodsWe performed retrospective chart review of patients undergoing PRAE in Auckland Public Hospital from January 2004 to December 2011. PRAE was performed under epidural anaesthesia and within 24 h of nephrectomy. We compared our perioperative outcomes with the published literature.ResultsForty‐two patients were identified in this series. Patients had predominantly more advanced stage disease with 30 (71%) being T3 or higher (TNM staging). Median operation time was 192 min (range 84–428). 45.2% of patients experienced complications from the surgery. There were no complications associated with PRAE.ConclusionsPRAE prior to nephrectomy is a safe procedure. There is no convincing evidence in the literature that the benefits outweigh the risks. All published studies are non‐randomized and subject to selection bias, so the true role of PRAE has not yet been determined and routine use is probably not justified.
On the Use of Fixed‐Intensity Functional Electrical Stimulation for Attenuating Essential Tremor
Authors: Bó Antônio Padilha Lanari , Azevedo‐Coste Christine , Geny Christian , Poignet Philippe , Fattal Charles 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA great proportion of essential tremor (ET) patients have not so far been able to receive functional benefits from traditional therapies. In this regard, the use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been proposed for reducing tremor amplitude by stimulating muscles in antiphase with respect to the trembling motion. Although some studies have reported success in terms of tremor attenuation, drawbacks still exist that prevent the method from being used in real‐life applications. In this article, we explore an alternative approach: a strategy based on the hypothesis that FES‐induced constant muscle contraction may provide functional benefit for tremor patients. To evaluate the proposed strategy, experiments were conducted in which stimulation was intermittently turned on and off while the subjects performed a static motor task. The results of the proposed experimental protocol indicate that tremor attenuation using this strategy is feasible, as consistent tremor attenuation levels were obtained in eight out of 10 ET patients. Nonetheless, tremor reduction was not instantaneous for all successful trials, indicating that prior training with FES may improve the overall response. Furthermore, although simpler assistive devices may potentially be designed based on this technique, some experimental difficulties still exist, which suggests that further studies are necessary.
William John Adie: the man behind the syndrome
Authors: Siddiqui Aazim A , Clarke Jonathan C , Grzybowski Andrzej 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWilliam John Adie was an Australian neurologist in the early 20th century responsible for extensively describing the tonically dilated pupil associated with absent deep tendon reflexes – both features of a syndrome that now bears his name. In addition to other neurological syndromes, he was also significant in delineating narcolepsy through his clinical essays and case series. His ophthalmic and neurologic contributions have served the test of time and played an important role in the modern understanding of Adie syndrome and narcolepsy. This report reviews Adie's medical contributions, extensive descriptions of Adie syndrome, and provides a brief biographical account of his life.
Association between health‐related quality of life and impaired glucose metabolism in Iran: the Qazvin Metabolic Diseases Study
Authors: Ghorbani A. , Ziaee A. , Esmailzadehha N. , Javadi H. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate the association between health‐related quality of life and glucose metabolism status in a study population in Qazvin, Iran.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in 1044 people (aged 20–78 years old) between September 2010 and April 2011 in Qazvin, Iran. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed for each participant who had never been diagnosed with diabetes. Participants were characterized as having normal glucose metabolism, pre‐diabetes or diabetes according to American Diabetes Association criteria. The short‐form 36 questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Data were analysed using a chi‐squared test, anova and ancova.ResultsA total of 530 (51.7%) of the participants were women, and 24.1 and 11.6% of the participants were categorized as having prediabetes and diabetes mellitus, respectively. Except for the role emotional domain, there was a gradual decrease in the mean scores of every domain of the short‐form 36 scale across the three study groups. The mean scores in the physical domains were significantly different among the participants with normal glucose metabolism and those with diabetes. After adding age as covariate, there were no significant differences between the categories in any of the domains.ConclusionThere is no association between quality of life domains and glucose metabolism status in Iranian subjects. More longitudinal studies are necessary to investigate the natural history of pre‐diabetes, diabetes and quality of life.
Screening of diabetes of youth for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 mutations: clinical phenotype of HNF1β‐related maturity‐onset diabetes of the young and HNF1α‐related maturity‐onset diabetes of the young in Japanese
Authors: Horikawa Y. , Enya M. , Fushimi N. , Fushimi Y. , Takeda J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo compare the prevalence and clinical features of HNF1β‐related MODY and HNF1α‐related MODY in Japanese.MethodsWe enrolled 230 Japanese patients with suspected MODY and examined them for HNF1α and HNF1β mutations. We characterized the clinical features of HNF1β‐related MODY (HNF1β‐MODY) and HNF1α‐related MODY (HNF1α‐MODY).ResultsSix patients had HNF1β mutations, four of which were large gene deletions and 24 patients had HNF1α mutations, which included one gene deletion. The mean fasting plasma glucose level at onset of HNF1β‐MODY was considerably higher and the age of onset of HNF1β‐MODY was considerably older than they were for HNF1α‐MODY, while the mean BMI and C‐peptide index at onset were similar. Three patients with HNF1β‐MODY were found to have dorsal pancreatic agenesis and four of them had whole‐gene deletion. Five of the patients with HNF1β‐MODY had insulin secretion defects and were treated with insulin, and four of these did not have a parent with overt diabetes.ConclusionHNF1β‐MODY may present as β‐cell dysfunction in Japanese rather than as hyperinsulinaemia, which it does among European/American. This dysfunction might result from an intrinsically lower capacity for insulin secretion in Japanese. HNF1β‐MODY has an older age of onset than HNF1α‐MODY, which may suggest lower penetrance of the disease. In addition, HNF1β‐MODY has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, some of which are detectable by imaging. This may be helpful in some cases for selecting HNF1β‐MODY candidates for genetic testing.
Specific immunoadsorption of pathogenic autoantibodies in pemphigus requires the entire ectodomains of desmogleins
Authors: Langenhan Jana , Dworschak Jenny , Saschenbrecker Sandra , Komorowski Lars , Schlumberger Wolfgang , Stöcker Winfried , Westermann Jürgen , Recke Andreas , Zillikens Detlef , Schmidt Enno , Probst Christian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPemphigus foliaceus (PF) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are life‐threatening autoimmune blistering skin diseases. They are characterized by circulating autoantibodies which bind to the ectodomains of desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and Dsg3. These antibodies induce acantholysis in skin and mucous membranes. In severe cases of pemphigus, immunoadsorption is applied to remove total IgG from patient plasma using protein A or other ligands. To develop a specific adsorber for anti‐Dsg antibodies, epitope mapping studies of Dsg1 and Dsg3 ectodomains were conducted. Dsg variants were expressed on the surface of HEK‐293 cells and analysed for reactivity with pemphigus and control sera by indirect immunofluorescence technique. For Dsg1, a construct consisting of domain 1 directly fused to domain 5, seemed to be suitable for specific immunoadsorption of anti‐Dsg1 antibodies. The recognized epitopes were mainly conformation‐dependent. However, adsorption of pemphigus foliaceus IgG using this protein coupled to a Sepharose matrix did not completely remove pathogenicity from the sera, as proven by a keratinocyte dissociation assay. In contrast, full‐length Dsg1 and Dsg3 ectodomains were able to specifically adsorb anti‐Dsg antibodies and to efficiently eliminate pathogenicity. Therefore, the complete and correctly folded ectodomains of both desmogleins are required for therapeutic immunoadsorption.