bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the rural population of Bangladesh using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation definitions
Authors: Bhowmik Bishwajit , Afsana Faria , Siddiquee Tasnima , Munir Sanjida B , Sheikh Fareeha , Wright Erica , Bhuiyan Farjana R , Ashrafuzzaman Sheikh Mohammad , Mahtab Hajera , Azad Khan Abul Kalam , Hussain Akhtar 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Plan III (NCEP) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions and, using both definitions, determine and compare the association of MS, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD).Materials and MethodsA total of 2,293 randomly selected participants (aged ≥20 years) in a rural community in Bangladesh were investigated in a population‐based cross‐sectional study. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profiles were studied. Age‐adjusted data for MS and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed, and their relationships were examined.ResultsThe age‐adjusted prevalence of MS was 30.7% (males 30.5%; females 30.5%) using the NCEP definition, and 24.5% (males 19.2%, females 27.5%) using the IDF definition. The prevalence of MS using the NCEP definition was also higher in study participants with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, HTN and CVD risk. The agreement rate between both definitions was 92% (k = 0.80). The NCEP definition had a stronger association with type 2 diabetes and HTN (odds ratio 12.4 vs 5.2; odds ratio 7.0 vs 4.7, respectively) than the IDF definition. However, the odds ratios for prediabetes and CVD risk were not significantly different.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS was higher using the NCEP definition, and was more strongly associated with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, HTN and CVD in this Bangladeshi population.
Brief Report on Obstetricians'/Gynecologists' Distribution of Scarce Resources
Authors: Raglan Greta B. , Cain Joanna M. , Schulkin Jay 
Published: August 2014

Abstract:
On a day-to-day basis, doctors must decide which treatments are most beneficial for their patients, and which make the most sense in terms of costs. In medical decision making, factors such as efficiency and cost-effectiveness can be particularly challenging to navigate because many of the most expensive procedures encountered in medical practice are also high-stake treatments for patients. One-hundred-six obstetricians–gynecologists (Obs/Gyns) completed a survey asking them to allocate the following resources in scenarios in which they are scarce: human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations, mammograms, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Additional questions focused on how fairness and cost-effectiveness factored into the allocation decisions of each group. Results indicated that Obs/Gyns were more efficient in their distribution of HPV vaccinations and mammograms than in their distribution of IVF treatments. More efficient responding was associated with placing less emphasis on fairness in decision making. This study demonstrates the differences that exist in the emphasis that physicians place on medical evidence, cost, outcomes, and perceptions of fair (equal) allocation when faced with different costs and health impacts.
Correlation between orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 expression and amyloid deposition in 5XFADmice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Moon Minho , Jeong Inhye , Kim Chun‐Hyung , Kim Jihong , Lee Paula K. J. , Mook‐Jung Inhee , Leblanc Pierre , Kim Kwang‐Soo 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe functional roles of the orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr1, have been extensively studied and well established in the development and survival of midbrain dopamine neurons. As Nurr1 and otherNR4A members are widely expressed in the brain in overlapping and distinct manners, it has been an open question whether Nurr1 has important function(s) in other brain areas. Recent studies suggest that up‐regulation of Nurr1 expression is critical for cognitive functions and/or long‐term memory in forebrain areas including hippocampal formation. Questions remain about the association between Nurr1 expression and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology. Here, using our newly developed Nurr1‐selective antibody, we report that Nurr1 protein is prominently expressed in brain areas with Aβ accumulation, that is, the subiculum and the frontal cortex, in the 5XFAD mouse and that Nurr1 is highly co‐expressed with Aβ at early stages. Furthermore, the number of Nurr1‐expressing cells significantly declines in the 5XFADmouse in an age‐dependent manner, accompanied by increased plaque deposition. Thus, our findings suggest that altered expression of Nurr1 is associated withADprogression.imageUsing our newly developed Nurr1‐selective antibody, we show that Nurr1 protein is prominently expressed in brain areas accumulating amyloid‐beta (Aβ) in the transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that Nurr1 is highly co‐expressed with Aβ at early stages (upper panel). Furthermore, in the AD brain the number of Nurr1‐expressing cells significantly declines in an age‐dependent manner concomitant with increased Aβ accumulation (lower diagram) highlighting a possible Nurr1 involvement in AD pathology.
HIV‐1 Tat activates a RhoA signaling pathway to reduce NMDA‐evoked calcium responses in hippocampal neurons via an actin‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Krogh Kelly A. , Lyddon Elizabeth , Thayer Stanley A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders afflict approximately half of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐infected cells within the CNS release neurotoxic viral proteins such as the transactivator of transcription (Tat). Tat caused a biphasic change in NMDAR function; NMDA‐evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+ were initially potentiated following 16 h exposure to Tat and then adapted by gradually returning to baseline by 24 h. Following Tat‐induced NMDAR potentiation, a RhoA/Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway was activated; a subsequent remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton reduced NMDA‐evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of RhoA or ROCK failed to affect potentiation, but prevented adaptation of NMDAR function. Activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling increases the formation of filamentous actin. Drugs that prevent changes to filamentous actin blocked adaptation of NMDAR function following Tat‐induced potentiation, whereas stimulating either depolymerization or polymerization of actin attenuated NMDAR function. These findings indicate that Tat activates a RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway resulting in actin remodeling and subsequent reduction of NMDAR function. Adaptation of NMDAR function may be a mechanism to protect neurons from excessive Ca2+ influx and could reveal targets for the treatment of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders.image
HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) afflict approximately half of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐infected cells within the CNS release neurotoxic viral proteins such as the transactivator of transcription (Tat). (a) Stylized traces (red lines) depict time‐dependent, biphasic changes in NMDA‐evoked increases in [Ca2+]i following exposure to HIV‐1 Tat for the time indicated above the trace. Initially, Tat potentiates NMDA‐evoked responses. Subsequently, NMDARs adapt following activation of a previously reported signaling pathway (Krogh et al. 2014). (b) Tat interacts with LRP leading to Src‐dependent potentiation of the NMDAR and activation of the NOS/sGC/PKG signaling pathway. PKG activates a RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway leading to remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and subsequent reduction of NMDAR function.
Revisiting the peripheral sink hypothesis: inhibiting BACE1 activity in the periphery does not alter β‐amyloid levels in the CNS
Authors: Georgievska Biljana , Gustavsson Susanne , Lundkvist Johan , Neelissen Jan , Eketjäll Susanna , Ramberg Veronica , Bueters Tjerk , Agerman Karin , Juréus Anders , Svensson Samuel , Berg Stefan , Fälting Johanna , Lendahl Urban 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and the subsequent neural plaque formation is a central aspect of Alzheimer's disease. Various strategies to reduce Aβ load in the brain are therefore intensely pursued. It has been hypothesized that reducing Aβ peptides in the periphery, that is in organs outside the brain, would be a way to diminish Aβ levels and plaque load in the brain. In this report, we put this peripheral sink hypothesis to test by investigating how selective inhibition of Aβ production in the periphery using a β‐secretase (BACE)1 inhibitor or reduced BACE1 gene dosage affects Aβ load in the brain. Selective inhibition of peripheral BACE1 activity in wild‐type mice or mice over‐expressing amyloid precursor protein (APPswe transgenic mice; Tg2576) reduced Aβ levels in the periphery but not in the brain, not even after chronic treatment over several months. In contrast, a BACE1 inhibitor with improved brain disposition reduced Aβ levels in both brain and periphery already after acute dosing. Mice heterozygous for BACE1, displayed a 62% reduction in plasma Aβ40, whereas brain Aβ40 was only lowered by 11%. These data suggest that reduction of Aβ in the periphery is not sufficient to reduce brain Aβ levels and that BACE1 is not the rate‐limiting enzyme for Aβ processing in the brain. This provides evidence against the peripheral sink hypothesis and suggests that a decrease in Aβ via BACE1 inhibition would need to be carried out in the brain.
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Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is a central aspect of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of Aβ formation by BACE1 inhibitors needs to be carried out in the brain and that reduction of Aβ in the periphery is not sufficient to reduce brain Aβ levels. This information is useful for developing future Aβ‐targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Association between near occlusal contact areas and mixing ability
Authors: Horie T. , Kanazawa M. , Komagamine Y. , Hama Y. , Minakuchi S. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThis study investigated the relationship between occlusal contact and near contact areas defined by clenching intensity using electromyograms (EMGs) and mixing ability assessed with colour‐changeable chewing gum. Participants comprised 44 dentate adults (24 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 28·2 ± 6·8 years. Silicone material was used to measure the occlusal contact and near contact areas (the area of each type of tooth, the total area of the first molar and second molar, the second premolar to the second molar and the first premolar to the second molar) defined by clenching intensity at 10% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Colour‐changeable chewing gum was used to assess mixing ability. A colorimeter was used to measure colour changes, and the calculated colour difference (ΔE) was used as a measure of mixing ability. Correlation analysis of ΔE and occlusal contact and near contact areas revealed a significant positive correlation of 0·47 at 0–160 μm thicknesses of the silicone registration material of the second molar (P < 0·01). The near contact area with a thickness up to 200 μm was correlated with mixing ability, with the correlation strengthening as the interocclusal distance increased up to 160 μm. Notably, occlusal contact and near contact areas of the second molar were strongly correlated with mixing ability in dentate adults.
Effects of Different Processing Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Dry Noodles
Authors: Jiang Song , Yao Dan‐Dan , Sun Ke , Zhu Mei‐Ru 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis work adopted the method of compressive rod post‐buckling to determine the mechanical properties of dry noodles made under different processing conditions including flour mixing, dough resting and noodle pressing. The results showed that dry noodles had its highest elastic modulus at water addition of 33%, and the bending resistance ability of dry noodles increased as water addition increased. Within a certain range, all mechanical properties of dry noodles increased as mixing time and mixing speed increased. The effect of double resting was better than that of single resting of multidirectional compound pressing was superior to that of unidirectional compound pressing.Practical ApplicationsThe mechanical properties of dry noodles, including elastic modulus and bending resistance ability, which are greatly influenced by different processing conditions, are one of the main texture parameters to evaluate the quality of dry noodles and an aggregative indicator in order to characterize the component and the quality of dry noodles. So far, little research has been conducted to study the effects of processing conditions on the elastic modulus and the bending resistance ability of dry noodles. This work demonstrates a practical way for using instrumental method in order to determine the elastic modulus and bending resistance ability of dry noodles based on the compressive rod post‐buckling principle, which is suitable for quality inspection and control of dry noodle products. Moreover, this article provides a good example of process design and process parameter selection based on production requirements of noodle industry, thus having certain guiding values to the production of dry noodles.
Take up the challenge! Opportunities for evolution research from resolving conflict in integrative taxonomy
Authors: Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Arthofer Wolfgang , Steiner Florian M. 
Published: August 2014

What's in a species? The multiple connotations of the question tend to lack simple answers, and not surprisingly so. For example, speciation is a gradual process. Can we say when exactly a child has become an adult? We have precocious youngsters and late bloomers, and often, adults are in some ways childish. There are many triggers for and routes to adolescence. All this holds for speciation, and delimiting species can therefore be a tricky task. Recently, the field of integrative taxonomy has emerged—species delimitation based on multiple sources of evidence. Given that we expect species to exhibit peculiarities in at least one or a few aspects, might it be their alleles of a gene, their morphology, chemistry, behaviour, ecology, reproductive compatibility, or whatever, investigating not just one but several of these aspects makes it more likely that we capture such peculiarities. If the same pattern is found multiply, we talk about agreement among disciplines, and species delimitation is easy. But what if different disciplines tell different stories? Such disagreement makes species delimitation more difficult but is also an opportunity for evolutionary biology (Schlick‐Steiner et al. 2010). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Andújar et al. (2014) present a comprehensive integrative‐taxonomic case study of Mesocarabus ground beetles including nomenclatural consequences. They resolve extensive disagreement among disciplines by invoking evolutionary explanations, and the process of conflict resolution thus advances knowledge on species boundaries and evolutionary processes simultaneously.
Genomic footprints of speciation in Atlantic eels (Anguilla anguilla and A. rostrata)
Authors: Jacobsen Magnus W. , Pujolar Jose Martin , Bernatchez Louis , Munch Kasper , Jian Jianbo , Niu Yongchao , Hansen Michael M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe importance of speciation‐with‐geneflow scenarios is increasingly appreciated. However, the specific processes and the resulting genomic footprints of selection are subject to much discussion. We studied the genomics of speciation between the two panmictic, sympatrically spawning sister species; European (Anguilla anguilla) and American eel (A. rostrata). Divergence is assumed to have initiated more than 3 Ma, and although low gene flow still occurs, strong postzygotic barriers are present. Restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing identified 328 300 SNPs for subsequent analysis. However, despite the presence of 3757 strongly differentiated SNPs (FST > 0.8), sliding window analyses of FST showed no larger genomic regions (i.e. hundreds of thousands to millions of bases) of elevated differentiation. Overall FST was 0.041, and linkage disequilibrium was virtually absent for SNPs separated by more than 1000 bp. We suggest this to reflect a case of genomic hitchhiking, where multiple regions are under directional selection between the species. However, low but biologically significant gene flow and high effective population sizes leading to very low genetic drift preclude accumulation of strong background differentiation. Genes containing candidate SNPs for positive selection showed significant enrichment for gene ontology (GO) terms relating to developmental processes and phosphorylation, which seems consistent with assumptions that differences in larval phase duration and migratory distances underlie speciation. Most SNPs under putative selection were found outside coding regions, lending support to emerging views that noncoding regions may be more functionally important than previously assumed. In total, the results demonstrate the necessity of interpreting genomic footprints of selection in the context of demographic parameters and life‐history features of the studied species.
Ecological divergence combined with ancient allopatry in lizard populations from a small volcanic island
Authors: Suárez N. M. , Pestano J. , Brown R. P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPopulation divergence and speciation are often explained by geographical isolation, but may also be possible under high gene flow due to strong ecology‐related differences in selection pressures. This study combines coalescent analyses of genetic data (11 microsatellite loci and 1 Kbp of mtDNA) and ecological modelling to examine the relative contributions of isolation and ecology to incipient speciation in the scincid lizard Chalcides sexlineatus within the volcanic island of Gran Canaria. Bayesian multispecies coalescent dating of within‐island genetic divergence of northern and southern populations showed correspondence with the timing of volcanic activity in the north of the island 1.5–3.0 Ma ago. Coalescent estimates of demographic changes reveal historical size increases in northern populations, consistent with expansions from a volcanic refuge. Nevertheless, ecological divergence is also supported. First, the two morphs showed non‐equivalence of ecological niches and species distribution modelling associated the northern morph with mesic habitat types and the southern morph with xeric habitat types. It seems likely that the colour morphs are associated with different antipredator strategies in the different habitats. Second, coalescent estimation of gene copy migration (based on microsatellites and mtDNA) suggest high rates from northern to southern morphs demonstrating the strength of ecology‐mediated selection pressures that maintain the divergent southern morph. Together, these findings underline the complexity of the speciation process by providing evidence for the combined effects of ecological divergence and ancient divergence in allopatry.
Onset and establishment of diazotrophs and other bacterial associates in the early life history stages of the coral Acropora millepora
Authors: Lema Kimberley A. , Bourne David G , Willis Bette L. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEarly establishment of coral–microbial symbioses is fundamental to the fitness of corals, but comparatively little is known about the onset and succession of bacterial communities in their early life history stages. In this study, bacterial associates of the coral Acropora millepora were characterized throughout the first year of life, from larvae and 1‐week‐old juveniles reared in laboratory conditions in the absence of the dinoflagellate endosymbiont Symbiodinium to field‐outplanted juveniles with established Symbiodinium symbioses, and sampled at 2 weeks and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Using an amplicon pyrosequencing approach, the diversity of both nitrogen‐fixing bacteria and of bacterial communities overall was assessed through analysis of nifH and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. The consistent presence of sequences affiliated with diazotrophs of the order Rhizobiales (23–58% of retrieved nifH sequences; 2–12% of 16S rRNA sequences), across all samples from larvae to 12‐month‐old coral juveniles, highlights the likely functional importance of this nitrogen‐fixing order to the coral holobiont. Dominance of Roseobacter‐affiliated sequences (>55% of retrieved 16S rRNA sequences) in larvae and 1‐week‐old juveniles, and the consistent presence of sequences related to Oceanospirillales and Altermonadales throughout all early life history stages, signifies their potential importance as coral associates. Increased diversity of bacterial communities once juveniles were transferred to the field, particularly of Cyanobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria, demonstrates horizontal (environmental) uptake of coral‐associated bacterial communities. Although overall bacterial communities were dynamic, bacteria with likely important functional roles remain stable throughout early life stages of Acropora millepora.
Detecting short spatial scale local adaptation and epistatic selection in climate‐related candidate genes in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) populations
Authors: Csilléry Katalin , Lalagüe Hadrien , Vendramin Giovanni G. , González‐Martínez Santiago C. , Fady Bruno , Oddou‐Muratorio Sylvie 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDetecting signatures of selection in tree populations threatened by climate change is currently a major research priority. Here, we investigated the signature of local adaptation over a short spatial scale using 96 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) individuals originating from two pairs of populations on the northern and southern slopes of Mont Ventoux (south‐eastern France). We performed both single and multilocus analysis of selection based on 53 climate‐related candidate genes containing 546 SNPs. FST outlier methods at the SNP level revealed a weak signal of selection, with three marginally significant outliers in the northern populations. At the gene level, considering haplotypes as alleles, two additional marginally significant outliers were detected, one on each slope. To account for the uncertainty of haplotype inference, we averaged the Bayes factors over many possible phase reconstructions. Epistatic selection offers a realistic multilocus model of selection in natural populations. Here, we used a test suggested by Ohta based on the decomposition of the variance of linkage disequilibrium. Overall populations, 0.23% of the SNP pairs (haplotypes) showed evidence of epistatic selection, with nearly 80% of them being within genes. One of the between gene epistatic selection signals arose between an FST outlier and a nonsynonymous mutation in a drought response gene. Additionally, we identified haplotypes containing selectively advantageous allele combinations which were unique to high or low elevations and northern or southern populations. Several haplotypes contained nonsynonymous mutations situated in genes with known functional importance for adaptation to climatic factors.