bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross‐cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire to the Spanish language in head and neck surgery
Authors: Restrepo Santiago , Rojas Santiago , Sanabria Alvaro 
Published: November 2019

AbstractExternal appearance is the main aesthetic outcome in patients who undergo surgical procedures. Scars located in exposed areas, such as the neck and face, are important for patients. There are at least eight instruments that are used to evaluate postoperative scars, but few fulfil standard methodological conditions. The Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) was designed and validated using psychometric methodology. However, this scale has not been translated or validated in the Spanish language. The aim of this study was to undergo a cross‐cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the PSAQ scale to the Spanish language in patients who underwent head and neck surgery. We followed The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines for the translation and validation of health‐related scales. Forward and back translations were made by independent translators. We included adult patients who underwent thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, parotidectomy, and neck dissection. For the psychometric validation, we used a principal axis exploratory factor analysis with oblimin rotation. A reliability test involving Cronbachs alpha and the item‐total correlation was performed and for the convergent/concurrent validity, we selected the Spanish version of the Vancouver Scar Scale. A total of 180 patients were recruited. Factor analysis showed a five‐factor solution. Cronbachs alpha for the subscales was >0.7. The comparison between the PSAQ appearance subscale and the VSS demonstrated a high correlation (rho = − 0.89). In a sample of 62 patients, the test‐retest evaluation showed high correlation (0.74‐0.99). Our study supports the Spanish version of the PSAQ as a valid, reliable, and reproducible tool to assess the perception and impact of neck scars in Spanish‐speaking patients who undergo head and neck surgery.
Beyond Sovereign Reason: Issues and Contestations in Contemporary African Identity
Authors: Eze Michael Onyebuchi , van der Wal Katja 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIssues of collective identity discourses and integration in Africa often face competing national and primordial identities. We explore multilayered integrative mechanisms that have become constitutive of collective African identity. We examine the nature of this identity taking a modern constructivist view of Africa's encounter with Europe. But we also address basic anthropological concerns, focusing on present and future prospects and seeking to understand how this identity is shaped by international politics or synchronized with local political units.
Collective Identities and the Integration of Core State Powers: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Kuhn Theresa , Nicoli Francesco 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis special issue explores the relationship between collective identities and the integration of core state powers, that is, the delegation of powers to a centralized institution in policy areas that are essential for the functioning of the modern state. In this introductory article we present the main conceptualizations of the contributions to the special issue that define our understanding of collective identities and core state powers. We discuss the multi‐level nature of collective identities and we discuss theoretical expectations over the link between collective identities and core state powers. Finally, we briefly present each of the contributions to the issue and discuss how they relate to the broad research goals, the special issue and to each other.
A Europe of Creditors and Debtors: Three Orders of Debt Relations in European Integration
Authors: Losada Fernando 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis article proposes a debt‐based narrative able to explain both structural and substantive changes in European integration. The narrative results from a study of the dynamics of three different sources of external debt —cross‐border trade, sovereign debt and direct debt relations between member states– in the context of the successive stages of macroeconomic integration. The outcome is the identification of three cumulative orders of debt relations that can reveal the main features of the concrete constellation of power corresponding to each of those stages. Hence, cross‐border trade was decisive during the decades of monetary cooperation. Once the European Monetary Union was agreed in Maastricht, sovereign debt, as perceived by market actors, played the key role. Finally, since the sovereign debt crisis direct debt relations between member states are essential. The EU institutional system has accordingly adapted to these different constellations and nowadays guarantees the full repayment of debts to fellow member states.
Access to European Union Agencies: Usual Suspects or Balanced Interest Representation in Open and Closed Consultations?
Authors: Arras Sarah , Beyers Jan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTo facilitate stakeholder representation, European Union (EU) agencies use a range of procedures, including closed consultation or advisory committees and open or public consultations. For analysing what kind of stakeholders gain access to advisory committees, we compare these two particular procedures. Two theoretical perspectives guide this analysis. The first is a resource‐based account, which emphasizes informational needs and leads to the expectation that not only regulated interests but also EU‐level associations and European Commission expert group members will gain representation through closed consultations. The second is a norm‐based perspective that stresses the importance for agencies to establish a credible reputation, leading them to balance interest representation. A systematic comparison of stakeholders represented in agency committee with those participating in open consultations demonstrates that regulated interests have no systematic advantage in gaining access to closed consultations. Instead, closed consultations may diversify interest representation and facilitate the involvement of non‐business interests.
Herbal medicine in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan Niandi , Gwee Kok Ann , Tack Jan , Zhang Mengyu , Li Yuwen , Chen Minhu , Xiao Yinglian 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsThe efficacy of herbal medicines (HMs) for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD) and functional constipation (FC) is controversial. A systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted to determine their effectiveness for FGIDs.MethodsWe searched the following electronic databases till July 2019 with English language restriction: The Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PUBMED. Randomized double‐blind controlled trials of HMs compared with placebo or conventional pharmacological drugs for adult FGIDs patients were included.ResultsIn total, 49 trials involving 7396 participants with FGIDs were included. The risk of bias was low in 9, unclear in 36, and high in 4 trials. More than 33 different herbal formulae were tested. HMs demonstrated statistically significant benefits for symptom improvement compared with placebo in 46 trials (RR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.48–1.88). When compared with conventional pharmacological therapy in 5 trials, HMs were found to be non‐inferior (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.18). The number of trials with regards to FD, IBS and FC were 19, 23 and 7 respectively. Subgroup analysis found that HMs were better than placebo in alleviating symptoms for FD (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.32–1.69), IBS (RR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.32–1.97) and FC (RR = 3.83, 95% CI 2.26–6.50). HMs tended to have more patients with adverse events than placebo, but similar to conventional pharmacological drugs.ConclusionsOur findings provide a positive signal for HMs as a potentially well‐tolerated and effective treatment for FGIDs, deserving further examination in high‐quality trials.
Duodenal and rectal mucosal microbiota related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Yang Min , Zhang Lei , Hong Gaichao , Li Ying , Li Gangping , Qian Wei , Xiong Hanhua , Bai Tao , Song Jun , Hou Xiaohua 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimSmall intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been proposed as an etiologic factor in irritable bowel syndrome, particularly the diarrhea‐predominant subtype (IBS‐D). We aimed to identify potential intestinal microbial pattern in IBS‐D patients with SIBO.MethodsDiarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients fulfilling Rome III criteria were recruited and randomly divided into an exploratory cohort (57 cases) and a validation cohort (20 cases). SIBO was identified according to standard glucose hydrogen breath test. For 16S rRNA gene sequencing, samples of duodenal mucosa, duodenal fluid, rectal mucosa, and fresh feces were collected and performed. The α and β diversity, as well as differences in microbial composition and function, in SIBO+ and SIBO− IBS‐D subjects were evaluated.ResultsThe microbial diversity and composition obviously differed between SIBO+ and SIBO− IBS‐D in duodenal and rectal mucosa but not in duodenal fluid and fresh feces. For rectal mucosal microbiota, it displayed markedly reduced aerobe and Gram‐negative bacteria and increased facultative anaerobe and Gram‐positive bacteria, moreover, altered functions of microbial metabolism in SIBO+ IBS‐D. Significantly higher rectal mucosa‐related microbial dysbiosis index was observed in SIBO+ IBS‐D, and a cut‐off value at −0.37 had a sensitivity of 56.55% and specificity of 90.91% to identify the SIBO in IBS‐D subjects.ConclusionsMucosal microbiota, rather than luminal bacteria, has a more apparent dysbiosis in SIBO+ IBS‐D patients relative to those without SIBO. Rectal mucosa‐associated microbiota may act as a potential predictor of SIBO in IBS‐D patients.
Post‐ruminal non‐protein nitrogen supplementation as a strategy to improve fibre digestion and N efficiency in the ruminant
Authors: P. C.de Carvalho Isabela , Doelman John , Martín‐Tereso Javier 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe ruminant is able to transform plant fibres and non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) into edible foods for human consumption. In an effort towards improving our understanding of this process, we sought to challenge convention and examine how the source, amount and site of NPN delivery in the gastrointestinal tract of the ruminant may affect fibre digestibility, rumen stability and N metabolism. In the first study presented here, we used four ruminally cannulated non‐lactating heifers in a Latin square design to infuse 59 g/days of N in the form of ammonia (A) or urea (U) into either the rumen (R) or the abomasum (A). We found that intake was higher (p = .03) for animals receiving supplementary NPN as urea compared with ammonia. In addition, abomasally infused urea (UA) improved fibre fermentation by 9.4% (p = .05) and decreased ruminal pH fluctuations (lower slope in the cumulative pH parameters, p = .04) when compared with the same amount of urea infused ruminally (UR). In a second study, using the same group of heifers, we infused 50 or 150 g/day of urea into the rumen (UR50 and UR150) or 150 g of urea in the abomasum (UA150) or 50 g in the rumen and 100 g in the abomasum (URA150). Fibre digestion was improved by 4% (p = .02) when the same dose of urea was infused into the abomasum compared with the rumen, while estimated microbial protein production and N efficiency were not different between a low rumen dose and high post‐ruminal dose of urea. Collectively, these studies provide insight into the viability of post‐ruminal NPN supplementation as a strategy to improve fibre digestion and NPN inclusion in the ruminant diet.
Long‐term impact of tylosin on fecal microbiota and fecal bile acids of healthy dogs
Authors: Manchester Alison C. , Webb Craig B. , Blake Amanda B. , Sarwar Fatima , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Steiner Jörg M. , Suchodolski Jan S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundTylosin is commonly prescribed to dogs with diarrhea. Orally administered antibiotics may alter the intestinal microbiota, which is responsible for crucial key bile acid (BA) biotransformation reactions.ObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate the impact of tylosin administration on fecal microbiota and unconjugated bile acids (UBAs) over time.AnimalsSixteen healthy adult dogs.MethodsProspective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Dogs were randomized to receive 20 mg/kg of tylosin or a placebo capsule PO q12h for 7 days while undergoing daily fecal scoring. Fecal samples were collected on days 0, 7, 21, and 63. The microbiota was assessed using quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Unconjugated BAs were assessed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS).ResultsFecal scores were unchanged during placebo and tylosin administration. In the placebo group, no significant changes were observed in fecal microbiota or UBA concentrations. Day 7 samples from tylosin‐exposed dogs exhibited decreased bacterial diversity (observed species, Chao1, Shannon, P < .001) characterized by decreases in anaerobes Fusobacteriaceae (linear discriminant analysis [LDA] score, 5.03) and Veillonellaceae (LDA score, 4.85). Primary UBA concentrations were increased at day 21 (median, [range]; 7.42, [0.67‐18.77] μg/kg; P = .04) and day 63 (3.49 [0‐28.43] μg/kg; P = .02) compared to day 0 (.14 [.03‐1.19] μg/kg) in dogs receiving tylosin. At day 63, bacterial taxa were not significantly different compared to day 0, but the extent of microbial recovery was individualized.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceTylosin causes fecal dysbiosis in healthy dogs with corresponding shifts in fecal UBAs. Changes did not uniformly resolve after discontinuation of tylosin.
Turf wars in government administration: Interdepartmental cooperation in theEuropeanCommission
Authors: Finke Daniel 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOne challenge for government administration is to reap the benefits of specialization while minimizing its negative side effects. In this article, I study the factors that motivate departments to contribute to the joint formulation of public policies. I derive testable hypotheses that discriminate between two competing motivations for interdepartmental cooperation. If department managers are concerned for the quality of public policy, I expect cooperation to be efficient. If, by contrast, departments compete for administrative turf, I expect cooperation to be inefficient and resources to be wasted. I test those hypotheses by studying all policy proposals adopted and published by the European Commission between 2015 and 2017—a total of approximately 4,000 cases. For politically salient proposals, I find that departments are more likely to contribute if they expect competing departments to become active, too. By contrast, the preparation of technical, non‐salient proposals is left to the most specialized departments. Overall, my findings suggest that interdepartmental cooperation in the European Commission is significantly motivated by DGs' competition for administrative turf.
Ethylene mediates the branching of the jasmonate‐induced flavonoid biosynthesis pathway by suppressing anthocyanin biosynthesis in red Chinese pear fruits
Authors: Ni Junbei , Zhao Yuan , Tao Ruiyan , Yin Lei , Gao Ling , Strid Åke , Qian Minjie , Li Juncai , Li Yuanjun , Shen Jiaqi , Teng Yuanwen , Bai Songling 
Published: November 2019

SummaryFlavonoid accumulation in most fruits is enhanced by ethylene and jasmonate. However, little is known about the hormone functions related to red pear fruit coloration or their combined effects and potential underlying mechanisms. Various treatments were used to investigate the flavonoid metabolite profile and pear transcriptome to verify the effects of ethylene and jasmonate on flavonoid biosynthesis in red pear fruits as well as the mechanism behind this. Ethylene inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis in red Chinese pear fruits, whereas jasmonate increases anthocyanin and flavone/isoflavone biosyntheses. The branching of the jasmonate‐induced flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is determined by ethylene. Co‐expression network and Mfuzz analyses revealed 4,368 candidate transcripts. Additionally, ethylene suppresses PpMYB10 and PpMYB114 expression via TF repressors, ultimately decreasing anthocyanin biosynthesis. Jasmonate induces anthocyanin accumulation through transcriptional or post‐translational regulation of TFs‐like MYB and bHLH in the absence of ethylene. However, jasmonate induces ethylene biosynthesis and the associated signalling pathway in pear, thereby decreasing anthocyanin production, increasing the availability of the precursors for flavone/isoflavone biosynthesis and enhancing deep yellow fruit coloration. We herein present new phenotypes and fruit coloration regulatory patterns controlled by jasmonate and ethylene, and confirm that the regulation of fruit coloration is complex.
A matter of life and death: Molecular, physiological, and environmental regulation of seed longevity
Authors: Zhou Wenguan , Chen Feng , Luo Xiaofeng , Dai Yujia , Yang Yingzeng , Zheng Chuan , Yang Wenyu , Shu Kai 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBoth seed germination and early seedling establishment are important biological processes in a plant's lifecycle. Seed longevity is a key trait in agriculture, which directly influences seed germination and ultimately determines crop productivity and hence food security. Numerous studies have demonstrated that seed deterioration is regulated by complex interactions between diverse endogenous genetically controlled factors and exogenous environmental cues, including temperature, relative humidity, and oxygen partial pressure during seed storage. The endogenous factors, including the chlorophyll concentration, the structure of the seed coat, the balance of phytohormones, the concentration of reactive oxygen species, the integrity of nucleic acids and proteins and their associated repair systems, are also involved in the control of seed longevity. A precise understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying seed longevity is becoming a hot topic in plant molecular biology. In this review, we describe recent research into the regulation of seed longevity and the interactions between the various environmental and genetic factors. Based on this, the current state‐of‐play regarding seed longevity regulatory networks will be presented, particularly with respect to agricultural seed storage, and the research challenges to be faced in the future will be discussed.
Biochemical study of the effect of stress conditions on the mandelonitrile‐associated salicylic acid biosynthesis in peach
Authors: Bernal‐Vicente A. , Petri C. , Hernández J. A. , Diaz‐Vivancos P. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a central role in plant responses to environmental stresses. In a recent study, we suggested a third pathway for SA biosynthesis from mandelonitrile (MD) in peach plants. This pathway is an alternative to the phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase pathway and links SA biosynthesis and cyanogenesis. In the present work, using biochemical approaches, we studied the effect of salt stress and Plum pox virus (PPV) infection on this proposed SA biosynthetic pathway from MD.

Peach plants were submitted to salt stress and Plum pox virus (PPV) infection. We studied the levels of SA and its intermediates/precursors (phenylalanine, MD, amygdalin and benzoic acid) in in vitro shoots. Moreover, in peach seedlings, we analysed the content of H2O2‐related enzymes, SA and the stress‐related hormones abscisic acid and jasmonic acid.

We showed that the contribution of this SA biosynthetic pathway from MD to the total SA pool does not seem to be important under the stress conditions assayed. Nevertheless, MD treatment not only affected the SA content, but also had a pleiotropic effect on abscisic acid and jasmonic acid levels. Furthermore, MD modulates the antioxidative metabolism via SA‐dependent or ‐independent redox‐related signalling pathways.

Even though the proposed SA biosynthetic pathway seems to be functional under stress conditions, MD, and hence cyanogenic glycosides, may be operating more broadly than by influencing SA pathways and signalling. Thus, the physiological function of the proposed SA biosynthetic pathway remains to be elucidated.
Anthropometric measures that identify premature and low birth weight newborns in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study with community follow-up
Authors: Gidi Netsanet Workneh , Berhane Melkamu , Girma Tsinuel , Abdissa Alemseged , Lim Ruth , Lee Katherine , Nguyen Cattram , Russell Fiona 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate foot length (FL), chest circumference (CHC) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as predictors of low birth weight (LBW) or prematurity, and to describe the agreement between the gestational age (GA) assessments ascertained by the New Ballard Score (NBS) and the Eregie model.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study with community follow-up in a subset was conducted in Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia. GA (NBS and Eregie model), weight, FL, CHC and MUAC were measured at birth. Anthropometrics were repeated at 5 days of age.ResultsThe optimal cut-offs indicative of LBW were ≤7.7 cm for FL; ≤31.2 cm for CHC and ≤9.8 cm for MUAC. CHC, MUAC and FL identified LBW with sensitivities (95% CI) of 91.6 (86.9 to 95), 83.7 (77.8 to 88.5) and 84.2 (78.4 to 88.9), and specificities (95% CI) of 85.4 (83.3 to 87.4), 90.2 (88.4 to 91.9) and 73.9 (71.3 to 76.4), respectively. CHC, MUAC and FL identified prematurity with sensitivities of 83.8 (76.7 to 89.4), 83.1 (75.9 to 88.9) and 81.7 (74.3 to 87.7), and specificities of 81.1 (78.9 to 83.3), 63.4 (60.7 to 66.1) and 77.0 (74.6 to 79.3), respectively. The cut-offs identified have comparable diagnostic ability for LBW and prematurity when measurements are repeated on day 5 of age. The GA assessment by the NBS and the Eregie model gave similar results, with the mean difference of 1.2 weeks.ConclusionCHC, MUAC and FL taken on day 1 and 5 after birth could be used as diagnostic tools for LBW or prematurity. The Eregie model for GA estimation gives similar results to the NBS.
Biologic therapy for Behçet’s uveitis: a systematic review
Authors: Uke Perpetual , Gorodkin Rachel , Beare Nicholas 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundBiologics are increasingly used in management of Behçet’s Disease (BD) including ocular BD, but the evidence base is limited, mostly from studies of uveitis and BD manifestations.ObjectiveTo review the evidence base for biologics in the treatment of ocular BD.MethodsSystematic literature search was made using exploded key words—Behçet’s, ocular, biologics in MEDLINE, Cochrane library, Database of Abstracts Reviews and Effects, Clinical Trials.gov, Science Direct and Google Scholar. There was no limitation on region, language or date (Search updated 16th October 2018). Literature retrieval was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of biologics.ResultsOf 237 papers retrieved, eight met the inclusion criteria. RCTs on interferon alpha 2a (INF-α 2a), adalimumab, secukinumab, gevokizumab, rituximab and daclizumab were retrieved (two for adalimumab and gevokizumab). The outcome measures were not met for secukinumab, daclizumab and gevokizumab. Rituximab and INF-α 2a showed promising preliminary results but sufficiently powered RCTs are needed to provide adequate evidence of efficacy. The RCTs on adalimumab did not evaluate efficacy for BD uveitis specifically, hence are of limited value for this review.ConclusionSome biologics show promise in treating BD uveitis, but more RCTs are needed for firm conclusions about efficacy. A phase IV study or, registry of adalimumab could provide data on its efficacy in BD uveitis compared to other forms.