bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetal and infant exposure to the Chinese famine increases the risk of fatty liver disease in Chongqing, China
Authors: Chen Jiang‐Peng , Peng Bin , Tang Lan , Sun Rong , Hu Shan , Wen Xiao‐Yan , Que Ping , Wang Yong‐Hong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground and Aim:Early life exposure to the famine may affect the susceptibility to the metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of early life exposure to the Chinese Famine (1959–1961) with the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia in adulthood.Methods:We used the data of 10 935 adults born between 1956 and 1965 in Chongqing from check‐up center at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in 2011. Logistic regression models were used to explore the effects of famine on the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia.ResultsIn Chongqing, prevalences of fatty liver disease among adults in non‐exposed (1956–1958 plus 1963–1965) group and born in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962 were 34.01%, 36.42%, 34.63%, 40.27%, and 36.09%, respectively. Prevalences of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly higher in males versus females. The risk of fatty liver disease was about 1.375‐fold (1.303 (95% confidence interval, 1.066–1.594) for male, 1.547(95% confidence interval, 1.195–2.002) for female) higher in subjects born in 1961, and 1.142‐fold (1.117 (95% confidence interval, 0.957–1.305) for male, 1.242 (95% confidence interval, 1.003–1.537) for female) higher in subjects born in 1962 after adjustment of age and sex, compared with non‐exposed subjects. Early life exposure to the Chinese famine was also associated with the increased risk of obesity and hyperglycemia.Conclusions:Exposure to the Chinese famine during fetal life and infancy was associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease in adulthood.
Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing
Authors: Marvinney Elias , Kendall Alissa , Brodt Sonja 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis is the second part of a two‐article series examining California almond production. The part I article describes development of the analytical framework and life cycle–based model and presents typical energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for California almonds. This part II article builds on this by exploring uncertainty in the life cycle model through sensitivity and scenario analysis, and by examining temporary carbon storage in the orchard.Sensitivity analysis shows life cycle GHG emissions are most affected by biomass fate and utilization, followed by nitrous oxide emissions rates from orchard soils. Model sensitivity for net energy consumption is highest for irrigation system parameters, followed by biomass fate and utilization.Scenario analysis shows utilization of orchard biomass for electricity production has the greatest potential effect, assuming displacement methods are used for co‐product allocation. Results of the scenario analysis show that 1 kilogram (kg) of almond kernel and associated co‐products are estimated to cause between −3.12 to 2.67 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2‐eq) emissions and consume between 27.6 to 52.5 megajoules (MJ) of energy. Co‐product displacement credits lead to avoided emissions of between −1.33 to 2.45 kg CO2‐eq and between −0.08 to 13.7 MJ of avoided energy use, leading to net results of −1.39 to 3.99 kg CO2‐eq and 15.3 to 52.6 MJ per kg kernel (net results are calculated by subtracting co‐product credits from the results for almonds and co‐products).Temporary carbon storage in orchard biomass and soils is accounted for by using alternative global warming characterization factors and leads to a 14% to 18% reduction in CO2‐eq emissions. Future studies of orchards and other perennial cropping systems should likely consider temporary carbon storage.
An anatomical study of porcine peripheral nerve and its potential use in nerve tissue engineering
Authors: Zilic Leyla , Garner Philippa E. , Yu Tong , Roman Sabiniano , Haycock John W. , Wilshaw Stacy‐Paul 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCurrent nerve tissue engineering applications are adopting xenogeneic nerve tissue as potential nerve grafts to help aid nerve regeneration. However, there is little literature that describes the exact location, anatomy and physiology of these nerves to highlight their potential as a donor graft. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise the structural and extracellular matrix (ECM) components of porcine peripheral nerves in the hind leg. Methods included the dissection of porcine nerves, localisation, characterisation and quantification of the ECM components and identification of nerve cells. Results showed a noticeable variance between porcine and rat nerve (a commonly studied species) in terms of fascicle number. The study also revealed that when porcine peripheral nerves branch, a decrease in fascicle number and size was evident. Porcine ECM and nerve fascicles were found to be predominately comprised of collagen together with glycosaminoglycans, laminin and fibronectin. Immunolabelling for nerve growth factor receptor p75 also revealed the localisation of Schwann cells around and inside the fascicles. In conclusion, it is shown that porcine peripheral nerves possess a microstructure similar to that found in rat, and is not dissimilar to human. This finding could extend to the suggestion that due to the similarities in anatomy to human nerve, porcine nerves may have utility as a nerve graft providing guidance and support to regenerating axons.
Breastfeeding and child development outcomes: an investigation of the nurturing hypothesis
Authors: Huang Jin , Vaughn Michael G. , Kremer Kristen P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study investigated whether the nurturing hypothesis – that breastfeeding serves as a proxy for family socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours – accounts for the association of breastfeeding with children's academic abilities. Data used were from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which followed up a cohort of 3563 children aged 0–12 in 1997. Structural equation modelling simultaneously regressed outcome variables, including three test scores of academic ability and two subscales of behaviour problems, on the presence and duration of breastfeeding, family socio‐economic characteristics, parenting behaviours and covariates. Breastfeeding was strongly related to all three tests scores but had no relationships with behaviour problems. The adjusted mean differences in the Letter–Word Identification, Passage Comprehension) and Applied Problems test scores between breastfed and non‐breastfed children were 5.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.14, 7.14], 3.46 (95% CI: 1.67, 5.26) and 4.24 (95% CI: 2.43, 6.04), respectively. Both socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours were related to higher academic test scores and were associated with a lower prevalence of externalising and internalising behaviour problems. The associations of breastfeeding with behaviour problems are divergent from those of socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours. The divergence suggests that breastfeeding may not be a proxy of socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours, as proposed by the nurturing hypothesis. The mechanism of breastfeeding benefits is likely to be different from those by which family socio‐economic background and parenting practices exert their effects. Greater clarity in understanding the mechanisms behind breastfeeding benefits will facilitate the development of policies and programs that maximise breastfeeding's impact.
Efficacy of e‐technologies in improving breastfeeding outcomes among perinatal women: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lau Ying , Htun Tha P. , Tam Wai S.W. , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA growing line of research has highlighted that e‐technologies may play a promising role in improving breastfeeding outcomes. The objective of this review was to synthesise the best of available evidence by conducting a meta‐analysis to evaluate whether e‐technologies have had any effect in improving breastfeeding outcomes among perinatal women. The review was conducted using nine electronic databases to search for English‐language research studies from 2007 to 2014. A ‘risk of bias’ table was used to assess methodological quality. Meta‐analysis was performed with the RevMan software. The Q test and I2 test was used to assess the heterogeneity. The test of overall effect was assessed using z‐statistics at P < 0.05. Of 1842 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 16 experimental studies were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Half of the selected studies had a low risk of bias, from which a total of 5505 women in six countries in these studies were included. Meta‐analyses revealed that e‐technologies significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding initiation (z = 6.90, P < 0.00001), exclusive breastfeeding at 4 weeks (z = 2.12, P = 0.03) and 6 months (z = 3.2, P = 0.001), breastfeeding attitude (z = 3.01, P = 0.003) and breastfeeding knowledge (z = 4.54, P = < 0.00001) in subgroup analyses. This review provides support for the development of web‐based, texting messaging, compact disc read‐only memory, electronic prompts and interactive computer agent interventions for promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
Modified veranda‐trap hut for improved evaluation of vector control interventions
Authors: OXBOROUGH R. M. , KITAU J. , MOSHA F. W. , ROWLAND M. W. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractExperimental huts with veranda traps have been used in Tanzania since 1963 for the study of residual insecticides for use with insecticide‐treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Mosquitoes are allowed unrestricted entry through the eaves to facilitate the collection of an estimable proportion of mosquitoes that attempt to exit through the eave gaps, which are left open on two sides of the hut. This study was designed to validate the use of eave baffles to funnel entry and to prevent mosquito escape, and to determine biting times of Anopheles arabiensis (Patton) (Diptera: Culicidae). Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) were released into the room at 20.30 hours and collected the following morning from veranda traps, window traps and the room. Centers for Disease Control light traps hung overnight next to volunteers were emptied every 2 h to determine peak biting times. A total of 55% of An. arabiensis were trapped before 22.30 hours and the highest peak in ‘biting’ was recorded during 18.30–20.30 hours. Of the released An. arabiensis that exited into veranda traps, 7% were captured in veranda traps entered through baffles and 93% were captured in traps entered through unmodified eaves. When veranda screens were left open to allow for escape outdoors, recapture rates were 68% for huts with eave baffles and 39% for huts with unmodified eaves. The comparison of open eaves with baffled eaves validated the assumption that in huts of the traditional non‐baffled design, 50% of mosquitoes escape through open eaves. Eave baffles succeeded in reducing the potential for mosquito exit and produced more precise estimates of effect.
Antibodies to m‐type phospholipase A2 receptor in children with idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Ramachandran Raja , Kumar Ashwani , Nada Ritambhra , Suri Deepti , Gupta Anju , Kohli Harbir Singh , Gupta Krishan Lal , Jha Vivekanand 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIdiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), the commonest cause of adult nephrotic syndrome (NS), accounts for only a minority of paediatric NS. Antibodies to m‐type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) are seen in two‐thirds of adult IMN cases. PLA2R staining in glomerular deposits is observed in 74% and 45% of adult and paediatric IMN cases, respectively. However, there are no reports of anti‐PLA2R in paediatric IMN. We evaluated anti‐PLA2R levels and PLA2R in gloemrular deposits in paediatric IMN seen at our center. Five cases were enrolled, all the cases stained for PLA2R in glomeruli and three (60%) had antibodies to PLA2R antigen. There was a parellel reduction in proteinuria and anti‐PLA2R titer. The present report suggests that PLA2R has a contributory role in the pathogenesis of paediatric IMN.
Dimethylarginines as biomarkers for the kidney transplant management in methylmalonic aciduria
Authors: Aldámiz‐Echevarria Luis , Andrade Fernando , Llarena Marta , de las Heras Javier , Couce María Luz 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMethylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an inborn error of metabolism associated with many complications despite treatment. Chronic renal failure is the most common problem, and patients may eventually require kidney transplant. Therefore, it is worth investigating whether living donor kidney transplant offers a better option than deceased kidney donors; and the value of novel vascular risk biomarkers in the assessment of transplanted MMA patients. We report a case of a 26‐year‐old man with MMA, who progressed to end‐stage renal disease and received kidney transplant from a heterozygous next‐of‐kin living donor at 20 years of age. Although post‐transplant urinary levels of methylmalonic acid decreased, this reduction was lower than previously reported for deceased donors. No episodes of metabolic decompensation were observed after transplantation. During his clinical progress, vascular complications appeared; and finally, pancreatitis was the cause of death. After kidney transplant, we evaluated novel vascular risk factors, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), which were used as early biomarkers of progression and metabolic management for this transplanted patient. This case report illustrates the disadvantage of transplantation with an allograft from a heterozygous living donor, and the utility of vascular risk biomarkers in renal transplant assessment.
Phylogenetic investigation of the complex evolutionary history of dispersal mode and diversification rates across living and fossil Fagales
Authors: Larson‐Johnson Kathryn 
Published: July 2015

SummaryAs a primary determinant of spatial structure in angiosperm populations, fruit dispersal may impact large‐scale ecological and evolutionary processes. Essential to understanding these mechanisms is an accurate reconstruction of dispersal mode over the entire history of an angiosperm lineage.A total‐evidence phylogeny is presented for most fossil fruit and all extant genera in Fagales over itsc. 95 million yr history. This phylogeny – the largest of its kind to include plant fossils – was used to reconstruct an evolutionary history directly informed by fossil morphologies and to assess relationships among dispersal mode, biogeographic range size, and diversification rate.Reconstructions indicate four transitions to wind dispersal and seven to biotic dispersal, with the phylogenetic integration of fossils crucial to understanding these patterns. Complexity further increased when more specialized behaviors were considered, with fluttering, gliding, autorotating, and scatter‐hoarding evolving multiple times across the order.Preliminary biogeographic analyses suggest larger range sizes in biotically dispersed lineages, especially when pollination mode was held constant. Biotically dispersed lineages had significantly higher diversification rates than abiotically dispersed lineages, although transitions in dispersal mode alone cannot explain all detected diversification rate shifts across Fagales.
Identification and functional characterization of natural human melanocortin 1 receptor mutant alleles in Pakistani population
Authors: Shahzad Mohsin , Sires Campos Julia , Tariq Nabeela , Herraiz Serrano Cecilia , Yousaf Rizwan , Jiménez‐Cervantes Celia , Yousaf Sairah , Waryah Yar M. , Dad Haseeb A. , Blue Elizabeth M. , Sobreira Nara , López‐Giráldez Francesc ,   University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Kausar Tasleem , Ali Muhammad , Waryah Ali M. , Riazuddin Saima , Shaikh Rehan S. , García‐Borrón José C. , Ahmed Zubair M. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryMelanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a Gs protein‐coupled receptor of the melanocyte's plasma membrane, is a major determinant of skin pigmentation and phototype. Upon activation by α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone, MC1R triggers the cAMP cascade to stimulate eumelanogenesis. We used whole‐exome sequencing to identify causative alleles in Pakistani families with skin and hair hypopigmentation. Six MC1R mutations segregated with the phenotype in seven families, including a p.Val174del in‐frame deletion and a p.Tyr298* nonsense mutation, that were analyzed for function in heterologous HEK293 cells. p.Tyr298* MC1R showed no agonist‐induced signaling to the cAMP or ERK pathways, nor detectable agonist binding. Conversely, signaling was comparable for p.Val174del and wild‐type in HEK cells overexpressing the proteins, but binding analysis suggested impaired cell surface expression. Flow cytometry and confocal imaging studies revealed reduced plasma membrane expression of p.Val174del and p.Tyr298*. Therefore, p.Tyr298* was a total loss‐of‐function (LOF) allele, while p.Val174del displayed a partial LOF attribute.
The relative efficacy of telephone and email reminders to elicit blood donation
Authors: Germain M. , Godin G. 
Published: July 2015

The aim of the study was to test the relative efficacy of telephone and email reminders to trigger blood donation. A sample of 3454 donors was randomized to one of three conditions: phone only (n = 1176), email only (n = 1091) and phone + email (n = 1187). There was a higher proportion of donors who registered to give blood in the phone + email condition (18·45%) compared to the other two conditions (phone: 15·73%, P < 0·05; email: 13·20%; P < 0·001); this effect was apparent only in men. The phone and email conditions did not differ significantly (P = 0·16), suggesting equivalent efficacy.
Development of a video image‐based QA system for the positional accuracy of dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system
Authors: Ebe Kazuyu , Sugimoto Satoru , Utsunomiya Satoru , Kagamu Hiroshi , Aoyama Hidefumi , Court Laurence , Tokuyama Katsuichi , Baba Ryuta , Ogihara Yoshisada , Ichikawa Kosuke , Toyama Joji 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:To develop and evaluate a new video image‐based QA system, including in‐house software, that can display a tracking state visually and quantify the positional accuracy of dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system.Methods:Sixteen trajectories in six patients with pulmonary cancer were obtained with the ExacTrac in the Vero4DRT system. Motion data in the cranio–caudal direction (Y direction) were used as the input for a programmable motion table (Quasar). A target phantom was placed on the motion table, which was placed on the 2D ionization chamber array (MatriXX). Then, the 4D modeling procedure was performed on the target phantom during a reproduction of the patient's tumor motion. A substitute target with the patient's tumor motion was irradiated with 6‐MV x‐rays under the surrogate infrared system. The 2D dose images obtained from the MatriXX (33 frames/s; 40 s) were exported to in‐house video‐image analyzing software. The absolute differences in the Y direction between the center of the exposed target and the center of the exposed field were calculated. Positional errors were observed. The authors’ QA results were compared to 4D modeling function errors and gimbal motion errors obtained from log analyses in the ExacTrac to verify the accuracy of their QA system. The patients’ tumor motions were evaluated in the wave forms, and the peak‐to‐peak distances were also measured to verify their reproducibility.Results:Thirteen of sixteen trajectories (81.3%) were successfully reproduced with Quasar. The peak‐to‐peak distances ranged from 2.7 to 29.0 mm. Three trajectories (18.7%) were not successfully reproduced due to the limited motions of the Quasar. Thus, 13 of 16 trajectories were summarized. The mean number of video images used for analysis was 1156. The positional errors (absolute mean difference + 2 standard deviation) ranged from 0.54 to 1.55 mm. The error values differed by less than 1 mm from 4D modeling function errors and gimbal motion errors in the ExacTrac log analyses (n = 13).Conclusions:The newly developed video image‐based QA system, including in‐house software, can analyze more than a thousand images (33 frames/s). Positional errors are approximately equivalent to those in ExacTrac log analyses. This system is useful for the visual illustration of the progress of the tracking state and for the quantification of positional accuracy during dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system.
Differential Effects of Penicillin Binding Protein Deletion on the Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecium to Cationic Peptide Antibiotics
Authors: Sakoulas George , Kumaraswamy Monika , Nonejuie Poochit , Werth Brian J. , Rybak Micahel J. , Pogliano Joseph , Rice Louis B. , Nizet Victor 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Beta-lactam antibiotics sensitize
Enterococcus faecium
to killing by endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of the innate immune system and daptomycin through mechanisms yet to be elucidated. It has been speculated that beta-lactam inactivation of select
E. faecium
penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) may play a pivotal role in this sensitization process. To characterize the specific PBP inactivation that may be responsible for these phenotypes, we utilized a previously characterized set of
E. faecium
PBP knockout mutants to determine the effects of such mutations on the activity of daptomycin and the AMP human cathelicidin (LL-37). Enhanced susceptibility to daptomycin was dependent more on a cumulative effect of multiple PBP deletions than on inactivation of any single specific PBP. Selective knockout of PBPZ rendered
E. faecium
more vulnerable to killing by both recombinant LL-37 and human neutrophils, which produce the antimicrobial peptide in high quantities. Pharmacotherapy targeting multiple PBPs may be used as adjunctive therapy with daptomycin to treat difficult
E. faecium
infections.