bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Intensity Physical Activity, Stable Relationship, and High Education Level Associate with Decreasing Risk of Erectile Dysfunction in 1,000 Apparently Healthy Cardiovascular Risk Subjects
Authors: Ettala Otto O. , Syvänen Kari T. , Korhonen Päivi E. , Kaipia Antti J. , Vahlberg Tero J. , Boström Peter J. , Aarnio Pertti T. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is especially common in men with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the data are scarce concerning populations without manifested CVD.

Aim
The aim of this study was to describe factors associated with ED, especially those associated with decreasing risk of ED, in men with cardiovascular risk factors but without CVD, diabetes, or chronic renal disease.

Methods
In 2004 to 2007, a cross-sectional population-based sample of men 45 to 70 years old in two rural towns in Finland was collected. Men with previously diagnosed CVD, diabetes, or kidney disease were not invited to the study. In total 1,000 eligible men with cardiovascular risk factors, i.e., central obesity, high scores in the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, high blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, or family history of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, or stroke, were included in the analysis. Questionnaires, clinical measurements, and laboratory tests were obtained. The prevalence of ED was studied comparing the means, and risk factors were studied using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Main Outcome Measures
The rate of ED was defined by the International Index of Erectile Function short form (IIEF-5) and by two questions (2Q) about the ability to achieve and to maintain an erection.

Results
The prevalence of ED was 57% or 68% using IIEF-5 or 2Q, respectively. Age (odds ratio [OR]: up to 9.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.00–16.79; P &lt; 0.001), smoking (OR: 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04–1.91; P = 0.028), depressive symptoms (OR: 4.04 for moderate and severe; 95% CI,1.22–13.45; P = 0.001), high-intensity physical activity (OR: 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29–0.86; P = 0.045), high education (OR: 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33–0.83; P = 0.013), and stable relationship (OR: 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21–0.88; P = 0.046) were associated with ED.

Conclusions
In apparently healthy men with cardiovascular risk factors, decreasing risk of ED is associated with high-intensity physical activity, stable relationship, and high education level.
Neural Plasticity, Neuronal Recycling and Niche Construction
Authors: MENARY RICHARD 
Published: June 2014

AbstractInReading in the Brain, Stanislas Dehaene presents a compelling account of how the brain learns to read. Central to this account is his neuronal recycling hypothesis: neural circuitry is capable of being ‘recycled’ or converted to a different function that is cultural in nature. The original function of the circuitry is not entirely lost and constrains what the brain can learn. It is argued that the neural niche co‐evolves with the environmental niche in a way that does not undermine the core ideas of neuronal recycling, but which is quite different from the models of cognitive and cultural evolution provided by evolutionary psychology and epidemiology.Dehaene contrasts neuronal recycling with a naïve model of the brain as a general learning device that is unconstrained in what it can learn. Consequently a tension develops in Dehaene's account of the role of plasticity in the acquisition of language. It is argued that the functional and structural changes in the brain that Dehaene documents in great detail are driven by learning and that this learning‐driven plasticity does not commit us to a naïve model of the brain.
All Forms of Writing
Authors: DOWNEY GREG 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAnthropological contributions are essential to understanding the evolution of writing and its potential variation. Although Stanislas Dehaene calls for a ‘neuro‐anthropological perspective’, he neglects anthropological evidence, including the only indisputable case of independent invention of writing: the pre‐Columbian systems of the Americas. Here I argue that anthropological and historical accounts of the cultural evolution of language suggest that ecological, technological, social and political factors have all influenced the ongoing development of writing systems, even in directions contrary to that predicted by a model of increased neural efficiency. In addition, Pre‐Columbian writing systems, not subject to a diffusionist confound because of their independent invention, caution that our research on diversity in writing may represent a small, systematically biased sample. To truly understand neuro‐cognitive variation, we have to avoid both overly ambitious universalisms and radical cultural relativism.
Speech Acts: Natural or Normative Kinds? The Case of Assertion
Authors: BALL BRIAN 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThere are two views of the essences of speech acts: according to one view, they are natural kinds; according to the other, they are what I call normative kinds—kinds in the (possibly non‐reductive) definition of which some normative term occurs. In this article I show that speech acts can be normative but also natural kinds by deriving Williamson's account of assertion, on which it is an act individuated, and constitutively governed, by a norm (the knowledge rule), from a consideration of the natural characteristics of normal cases of its performance.
Early Cretaceous non‐marine Ostracoda from theNorthFalklandBasin,SouthAtlantic
Authors: Ayress Michael A. , Whatley Robin C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractTwenty‐seven species of well‐preserved and abundant Early Cretaceous non‐marine ostracod crustaceans were recovered from the North Falkland Basin. The assemblage is unusually diverse for a non‐marine palaeoenvironment and is sourced from cuttings samples collected during 2011 drilling of wells by Desire and Rockhopper Exploration, in the northern and southern areas of the basin. Ostracoda are entirely undocumented in published accounts from this basin, and all but one species appear to be new to science. For the new taxa, one new family (Alloiocyprideidae; type genusHourcqia) is proposed and includesHourcqia woodisp. nov. Four new genera are erected:Falklandicyprisgen. nov.; type speciesF. petrasaltatasp. nov.,Gangamoncytheregen. nov.; type speciesG. colinisp. nov.,Paraplesiocyprideagen. nov.; type speciesP. alloiossp. nov., andMusacchiocytheregen nov.; type speciesM. sarunata(Musacchio,). Nine other species are described as new and areFalklandicypris desiderata,Clinocypris epacrus,Cypria poietes,Ilhasina? leiodermatus,Looneyellopsis tuberculatus,Theriosynoecum petasmathylacus,Theriosynoecum ballentae,Timiriasevia fluitans,andVecticypris samesi. The remainder are left in open nomenclature due to paucity of material. The ostracod assemblage is largely restricted to the southern part of the basin (wells 25/5‐1 and 26/6‐1). In the northern part of the basin only four species, dominated byVecticypris samesi, are present and with one possible exception are restricted there. There appears to have been little or no interchange of species suggesting that a barrier probably existed between the northern and southern regions. The more diverse southern assemblage indicates that more favourable conditions existed to the south. Stratigraphically, a distinct change in faunal composition recorded in both southern wells is likely to be an isochronous event correlatable across the southern area, and of an age no younger than Hauterivian.
New data on the palaeobiology of the enigmatic yunnanozoans from theChengjiangBiota,LowerCambrian,China
Authors: Cong Pei‐Yun , Hou Xian‐Guang , Aldridge Richard J. , Purnell Mark A. , Li Yi‐Zhen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractInterpretation of the enigmatic soft‐bodied yunnanozoans from theLowerCambrian (Stage 3,Series 2)ChengjiangBiota has remained controversial for decades because of their strange body plan and their variable taphonomic alteration. Proposed affinities have ranged from stem bilaterian to stem vertebrate. A study of over seven hundred slabs, many newly collected, from five sections at two localities demonstrates that yunnanozoans have sclerotized dorsal and axial segments, a body cavity, a unique feeding region and a coiled alimentary canal. Although two genera have been previously discriminated, all specimens have the same number of filamentous arches (seven pairs) and of ventral circular structures (four pairs); this indicates thatHaikouellaChen,Huang andLi, 1999 is a junior synonym ofYunnanozoonHou,Ramsköld andBergström, 1991. Our analysis reveals new details of the putative pharyngeal pores ofYunnanozoon lividum,and although there are similarities with the gill slits of deuterostomes, the question of their homology remains moot. The filamentous arches and their supporting rods were probably sclerotized and represent a specialized feeding structure. Yunnanozoans exhibit characters that are open to a number of alternative interpretations of putative homology, encompassing comparisons with deuterostomes and protostomes (including members of thePlatyzoa). Given their unique features, and the current lack of secure homologies, the affinities of yunnanozoans should continue to be considered in a wider bilaterian context.
In utero sensitization modulates IgG isotype, IFN‐γ and IL‐10 responses of neonates in bancroftian filariasis
Authors: Achary K. G. , Mandal N. N. , Mishra S. , Mishra R. , Sarangi S. S. , Satapathy A. K. , Kar S. K. , Bal M. S. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryIn utero exposure has been considered as a risk factor for filarial infection. To evaluate the influence of maternal infection on filarial‐specific IgG subclass response in neonates and their correlation with plasma levels IL‐10 and interferon‐γ, 145 pairs of mothers and their respective cord bloods were examined. Transplacental transfer of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was observed in 34·8% cord bloods from CFA positive mothers. Filarial‐specific IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 responses of cord bloods were found to be positively correlated with CFA of mothers. In contrast, IgG3 responses negatively correlated with CFA of mothers. The % of similarity of recognition pattern in the cord blood with maternal blood was high for IgG3 response than IgG4 in all three groups. An increased levels of IL‐10 and decreased levels of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) were observed in cord blood of infected mothers. Interferon gamma was positively correlated with IgG3 and negatively correlated with IgG4 level. On the other hand, IL‐10 was positively correlated with IgG4 and CFA, indicating that cytokines may play a role in modulating the immune responses in cord bloods of sensitized foetus. The findings of the study reveal that in utero tolerance or sensitization may influence the filarial‐specific immunity to infection in neonates.
Increased Interleukin‐27 Promotes Th1 Differentiation in Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Li Q. , Zhang L. , Yang M. , Xia R. , Xia L. , Liu F. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractChronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) is an autoimmune disease with disturbed cytokine profile. Although plasma levels of IL‐27 are shown to be associated with cITP, its association with T cell subsets has not been studied. The objective of this study was to study the association between IL‐27 and different T cell subsets in patients with cITP. Heparinized blood was collected from 31 patients with cITP and 36 healthy controls (platelet count <100 × 109/l and 103–280 × 109/l, respectively). The percentage of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were enumerated by flow cytometry, and the mRNA levels of IL‐27, T‐bet, GATA‐3 and retinoid‐related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt) by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain (RT‐PCR). Plasma cytokine levels of IL‐27, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), IL‐4 and IL‐17A were estimated by flow cytometrix. The effect of exogenous recombinant IL‐27(rhIL‐27) on the differentiation of T cells into Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells was investigated by cell culture. The percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells and the plasma concentration and mRNA levels of IL‐27 were significantly higher in cITP patients compared with healthy controls. Plasma levels of IL‐27 correlated positively with percentage of Th1 cells in patients with cITP. Exogenous (rhIL‐27) could significantly up‐regulate the percentage of Th1 cells and down‐regulate Th2 cells in vitro. Th17 cells were reduced in the presence of (rhIL‐27) in controls but had no effect in patients with cITP. The up‐regulation of IL‐27 might cause Th1 differentiation and might be involved in the pathophysiology of cITP.
Naive Tumour‐Specific CD4+ T Cells were Efficiently Primed in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Authors: Noyan F. , Lieke T. , Taubert R. , Sievers M. , Dywicki J. , Hapke M. , Falk C. S. , Manns M. P. , Jaeckel E. , Hardtke‐Wolenski M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe recognition and neutralization of tumour cells is one of the big challenges in immunity. The immune system has to recognize syngeneic tumour cells and has to be primed and respond in an adequate manner. Priming of a leukaemia‐specific immune response is a crucial step in tumour immunology that can mislead to tumour tolerance either by T cell ignorance, deletion or Treg induction. To resemble the situation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in patients, we used the murine BALB/c model with syngeneic BM185 tumour cells. We established a tumour cell line that expresses the neo‐antigen ovalbumin (BM185‐OVA/GFP) to allow the application of T cell receptor transgenic, antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells. Here, we demonstrate that effective anti‐ALL immunity can be established by in vivo priming of CD4+ T cells that is sufficient to differentiate into effector cells. Yet they failed to control tumour alone, but initiated a Th1 response. An efficient tumour clearance was dependent on both antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ effector T cells from the endogenous repertoire. The tolerogeneic milieu was characterized by increased Tregs numbers and elevated IL‐10 level. Tregs hamper effective antitumour immune response, but their depletion did not result in reduced tumour growth. In contrast, neutralization of IL‐10 improved median mouse survival. Future therapies should focus on establishing a strong CD4+ T cells response, either by adjuvant or by adoptive transfer.
Evaluation of peptide selection approaches for epitope‐based vaccine design
Authors: Schubert B. , Lund O. , Nielsen M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA major challenge in epitope‐based vaccine (EV) design stems from the vast genomic variation of pathogens and the diversity of the host cellular immune system. Several computational approaches have been published to assist the selection of potential T cell epitopes for EV design. So far, no thorough comparison between the current methods has been realized. Using human immunodeficiency virus as test case, different EV selection algorithms were evaluated with respect to their ability to select small peptides sets with broad coverage of allelic and pathogenic diversity. The methods were compared in terms of in silico measurements simulating important vaccine properties like the ability of inducing protection against a multivariant pathogen in a population; the predicted immunogenicity; pathogen, allele, and population coverage; as well as the conservation of selected epitopes. Additionally, we evaluate the use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) supertypes with regards to their applicability for population‐spanning vaccine design. The results showed that in terms of induced protection methods that simultaneously aim to optimize pathogen and HLA coverage significantly outperform methods focusing on pathogen coverage alone. Moreover, supertype‐based approaches for coverage of HLA diversity were showed to yield only satisfying results in populations in which the supertype representatives are prevalent.
Using the five practices model to promote statistical discourse
Authors: Groth Randall E. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryStatistical tasks that can be solved in a variety of ways provide rich sites for classroom discourse. Orchestrating such discourse requires careful planning and execution. Five specific practices can help teachers do so. The five practices can be used to structure conversations so that coherent classroom narratives about solutions to tasks may be formed. In this manuscript, two classroom examples that illustrate the five practices are offered. It is argued that employing the five practices can lead to higher quality classroom discussion than some commonly used arrangements.
Cytomegalovirus antiviral resistance: characterization of results from clinical specimens
Authors: Kleiboeker S. , Nutt J. , Schindel B. , Dannehl J. , Hester J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are a major cause of disease among immunocompromised patients. Prolonged antiviral therapy is often necessary to prevent or treat CMV disease, and may lead to development of antiviral resistance (AVR). Timely identification of viral mutations conferring resistance is essential for effective patient management.MethodsAmplification by polymerase chain reaction followed by bi‐directional nucleotide sequencing was performed for relevant regions of the CMV UL97 and UL54 genes. Results from 570 samples submitted to a commercial reference laboratory for testing were reviewed and characterized with respect to the frequency of mutations detected, association with viral load (VL), and consistency of results in a subset of patients with multiple samples. Only AVR mutations confirmed by marker transfer experiments were included in the analysis.ResultsAVR mutations were identified in 176 (30.9%) of the 570 samples evaluated. A total of 17 different UL97 mutations and 29 different UL54 mutations were detected. A single mutation per sample was most commonly observed, although 61 samples (10.7%) had >1 mutation, with 40 samples (7.0%) having mutations in both UL97 and UL54 genes. The VL of samples with AVR mutations ranged from 2.03–7.15 log10 copies/mL, and the VL did not differ significantly from samples without AVR mutations. A subset of patients (N = 85) had >1 sample tested, and 48.2% of these patients returned the same result for each sample analyzed, while the remainder had a different results.ConclusionsGenomic mutations conferring resistance in CMV to antiviral drugs were commonly identified in samples submitted from clinical patients to a reference laboratory for AVR testing. Mutations were identified over the full range of VLs and no correlation was identified between VL and the presence of AVR mutations. In patients with multiple samples submitted for analysis, approximately half of the patients had samples with variable results when the initial result was compared to subsequent results.
Reproducibility of a quantitative cutaneous cytological technique
Authors: Udenberg Tyler J. , Griffin Craig E. , Rosenkrantz Wayne S. , Ghubash Rudayna M. , Angus John C. , Polissar Nayak L. , Neradilek Moni B. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundCutaneous cytology is a valuable tool for diagnosis of canine superficial pyoderma. Current published reproducible techniques are semiquantitative.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of a quantitative method for skin surface cytology in dogs with superficial pyoderma.AnimalsImpression smears were collected from five normal dogs and 20 dogs with clinical and cytological evidence of superficial pyoderma.MethodsFour investigators evaluated 10 oil immersion fields (OIF) on 25 slides, selecting fields with inflammatory cells, nuclear streaming and or keratinocytes under ×10 magnification. Investigators repeated blinded evaluations of all slides at least twice. For each OIF, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), intracellular (IC) cocci, extracellular (EC) cocci, IC rods, EC rods and yeast were quantified. Nuclear streaming was scored as present or absent. For each parameter, within‐reader and between‐reader agreements were expressed by the intraclass correlation (ICC) value (≤0.20 poor, 0.21–0.40 fair, 0.41–0.60 moderate, 0.61–0.80 good and 0.81–1.00 excellent) or kappa statistic (κ).ResultsReproducible parameters included: PMNs (ICC = 0.58), nuclear streaming (ICC = 0.68), EC cocci (ICC = 0.64) and IC cocci (ICC = 0.32). When qualified as present or absent, within‐reader κ for IC cocci was 0.71. The method demonstrated 93% sensitivity in identifying dogs with superficial pyoderma and 51% specificity in identifying normal dogs according to established criteria. However, if criteria for normal dogs were limited to the absence of PMNs and IC bacteria, sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 98% were demonstrated.Conclusions and clinical importanceFor several parameters, including PMNs, nuclear streaming, EC cocci and IC cocci, a reproducible, quantitative cytological technique was identified.
The establishment of Taraxacum officinale plants in grassland
Authors: Martinkova Z , Honek A 
Published: June 2014

SummaryFactors involved in the establishment of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) seedlings in grasslands and plant mortality in the first growing season were studied during 2008–2011. The study was conducted at 11 grassland sites that differed in the quantity of seed rain and the intensity of seedling predation by slugs. In April, of each study year, 10 plots open to the sedimentation of naturally dispersed seeds were established at each site, five plots of which were also sown with 250 T. officinale seeds each. The amount of natural seed rain, slug feeding activity and number of plants in each plot were then recorded at monthly intervals. Seed rain and seedling predation accounted for c. 50% of the variation in seedling establishment. Populations of established seedlings then declined through October, at which point they were at 25% of the original abundance on average. The percentage of plants that survived varied among sites and years. The temporal and spatial variation in T. officinale establishment and survival of young plants was enormous, even within a small area. Predation of seedlings by slugs can effectively prevent the establishment of T. officinale in grassland. This only occurred, however, at slug abundances not acceptable under conditions of public access.
Early postoperative treatment of thyroidectomy scars using botulinum toxin: A split‐scar, double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Youn Sung , Lee Hyun Joo , Cho Sang Hyun , Lee Jeong Deuk , Kim Hei Sung 
Published: June 2014

AbstractOperational scars, especially those located on the exposed parts of the body, can be distressing. Despite high demand for an early intervention to minimize surgical scars, there is yet no universal consensus on optimal treatment. A split‐scar, double‐blind randomized controlled trial was held to assess the safety and efficacy of early postoperative botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injection in surgical scars. A single session of treatment was performed where BTA was allocated to one half of the scar and 0.9% saline to the control half. Scars were assessed using the modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) with standardized photographs. Fifteen patients completed the study, and their data were analyzed. At 6 months' follow‐up, a significant improvement in SBSES score was noted for the BTA‐treated halves of the scars (p < 0.001), with minimal change on the saline‐treated side (p = 0.785). The mean calculated difference in SBSES scores (final/initial) between the BTA‐treated side and the saline‐treated side was also significant (p < 0.001). Early postoperative BTA injection was safe and effective in modulating thyroidectomy scars and may be a promising option for scar prevention.