bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher order language impairments can predict the transition of ultrahigh risk state to psychosis—An empirical study
Authors: Pawełczyk Agnieszka , Łojek Emilia , Żurner Natalia , Kotlicka‐Antczak Magdalena , Pawełczyk Tomasz 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimHigher order language skills, for example, non‐literal language, humour, prosody deal with ‘what is meant’ and they are necessary for communicative exchange and relationships; No study has investigated their link with conversion to psychosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such skills could act as predictors of the onset of psychosis, and compare those of individuals converting and non‐converting to psychosis with control of cognitive functions.MethodsSeventy‐three patients, aged 15 to 32 years, fulfilling ultrahigh risk criteria took part: 14% of whom were receiving antipsychotic drugs. The study was observational, prospective and longitudinal in nature, and scheduled for 60 months. Pragmatic language skills were evaluated using the Polish version of the right hemisphere language battery. The ultrahigh risk (UHR) criteria were evaluated with Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States; attention, intelligence and verbal fluency were controlled.ResultsThe conversion rate was 25%; converters demonstrated impaired humour comprehension and metaphor explanation abilities; composite score of pragmatic language was associated with a hazard ratio of 6.0 (95% CI 1.8‐20.5) and AUC of .73. Verbal fluency was an independent predictor of conversion, but attention and intelligence were not; pragmatic language skills were associated with social function but not with prodromal symptoms.ConclusionsThe results suggest that deficits in humour comprehension and metaphor explanation could predict conversion to psychosis. These findings could improve diagnosis and create implications for speech and language therapy in UHR groups. Further studies on the mechanisms of pragmatic skills should analyze their relationship with abstract measures and semantic coherence.
Social cognition and interaction training for recent‐onset schizophrenia: A preliminary randomized trial
Authors: Rocha Nuno Barbosa , Campos Carlos , Figueiredo João Mateus , Saraiva Sérgio , Almeida Carla , Moreira Cátia , Pereira Guilherme , Telles‐Correia Diogo , Roberts David 
Published: February 2020

AbstractComprehensive social cognition training programs have been effective to improve social cognition in people with chronic schizophrenia, although there is insufficient quality evidence for recent‐onset psychosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) in a sample of recent‐onset schizophrenia outpatients. Sixteen participants who had their first psychotic episode for less than 2 years were randomly allocated to the SCIT group during 20 weeks (weekly sessions) or to a psychoeducation group and completed baseline and post‐training assessment for cognitive biases, social cognition, clinical symptoms and functioning. Permutation‐based analysis revealed improvements in overall functioning (P = 0.036) and blame score (P = 0.070) in the SCIT group compared to the psychoeducation intervention, with large effect sizes (d = 1.438 and d = 1.204, respectively). There were also large effect sizes for hostility, emotion recognition, social perception, positive and total symptoms (d = 0.833‐1.158). These results suggest that SCIT may be an effective tool to improve attributional biases and functional outcomes in recent‐onset schizophrenia outpatients. Future controlled trials with larger sample size and follow‐up assessments should be developed to further understand effective intervention outcomes for this population.
Dentists’ practices and patient safety: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Al‐Mahalawy Haytham , El‐Mahallawy Yehia , El Tantawi Maha 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPurposeTo assess the frequency of dentist‐reported practices to ensure patient safety in the dental office and the impact of training and work environment on this frequency using the framework of the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs).MethodsDentists attending major conferences in Egypt and Saudi Arabia were recruited in a cross‐sectional study in 2018. They completed a questionnaire assessing professional background and the frequency of practices for the IPSGs. The relationship between explanatory variables: training (postgraduate degrees and continuing education) and work environment (years in profession, working in public sector and performing surgical procedures) and the outcome variable: frequency of practices for 4 IPSGs was assessed using multivariate general linear model, and univariate general linear model was used to assess their relationship to the overall score of safety practices calculated for all goals.ResultsThe response rate was 81.1%. Practices related to reducing harm in the office environment were significantly less frequent than practices ensuring medication safety, ensuring safe surgery and controlling infection. The overall frequency of safety practices was significantly higher amongst senior than junior dentists. There were significant differences in safety practices frequency based on postgraduate degrees and receiving safety training. Dentists performing surgical procedures reported less frequent safety practices.ConclusionPractices to reduce harm because of the dental office environment were less frequent than other safety practices. Senior dentists, dentists who had postgraduate degrees and who received safety training reported more safety practices whilst those performing surgical procedures reported fewer safety practices.
Does predator abundance influence species diversity of equilibrium macroinvertebrate assemblages in spring fens?
Authors: Zhai Marie , Syrovátka Vít , Bojková Jindřiška , Šorfová Vanda , Polášková Vendula , Schenková Jana , Horsák Michal 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Predation may significantly control number and density of coexisting species. The effects of predation on species diversity have traditionally been tested in experiments and theoretical models of simple trophic systems. In complex natural ecosystems, however, disentangling multiple sources of variation is difficult. In groundwater‐fed environments, a significant effect of predation can be expected due to the relatively stable environmental conditions; however, it has never been properly examined.

We analysed species diversity and total abundance of macroinvertebrate assemblages in 48 Western Carpathian spring fens, separately for whole sites and mesohabitat/season, and partitioned the effects of predation intensity from those of environmental variables in robust models using a bootstrapping technique. We verified our results by accounting for taxa resistant to predation.

The assumption that predation‐mediated coexistence of species is the main mechanism responsible for the relatively species‐rich assemblages in the Western Carpathian spring fens was not supported. However, predation may significantly influence abundance of non‐predatory species and, under some conditions, it may contribute to explaining patterns in species diversity.

The effect of predation did not differ between the mesohabitats with different stability. However, we found higher environmental control in spring and a stronger effect of predators in autumn, which suggests that different mechanisms influence fen assemblages in different seasons.

Our study provides a new robust approach how to test the effect of predation on natural macroinvertebrate assemblages. The importance of predation was lower than expected in equilibrium assemblages but it may vary in time.
Biofeedback Treatment App for Pediatric Migraine: Development and Usability Study
Authors: Stubberud Anker , Tronvik Erling , Olsen Alexander , Gravdahl Gøril , Linde Mattias 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to develop and investigate the usability of a biofeedback treatment smartphone app for adolescent migraine sufferers.BackgroundBiofeedback is effective in treating pediatric migraine. However, biofeedback is not widely used due to the necessity of a trained therapist and specialized equipment. Emerging digital technology, including smartphones and wearables, enables new ways of administering biofeedback.MethodsIn a prospective open‐label development and usability study, 10 adolescent migraine sufferers used a newly developed biofeedback app with wearable sensors that measured their muscle tension, finger temperature, and heart rate. Three iterative rounds of usability testing, including a 2‐week home testing period, were completed. A biofeedback algorithm, combining and optimizing the 3 physiological modalities, and several algorithms for sham‐treatment were created. Usability was evaluated statistically and summarized thematically.ResultsFive of ten participants completed all 3 rounds of usability testing. A total of 72 biofeedback sessions were completed. Usability scoring was consistently high, with median scores ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 on a 5‐point scale. The biofeedback optimization algorithm correlated excellently to the raw physiological measurements (r = 0.85, P < .001). The intervention was safe and tolerable.ConclusionWe developed an app for young migraine sufferers to receive therapist‐independent biofeedback. The app underwent a rigorous development process as well as usability and feasibility testing. It is now ready for clinical trials.
Expression of melatonin receptors and CD4 in the ovine thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver during early pregnancy
Authors: Bai Jiachen , Zhang Leying , Zhao Zimo , Li Ning , Wang Bin , Yang Ling 
Published: February 2020

SummaryAs a pineal gland hormone, melatonin acts through its receptors to modulate the immune system. The immune system is composed of primary and secondary organs, and immune organs are adapted to the presence of the fetal alloantigen during pregnancy. However, it is unclear whether melatonin affects maternal immune organs during early pregnancy in sheep. In this study, the ovine thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver were sampled at day 16 of the oestrous cycle, and at days 13, 16 and 25 of pregnancy. The expression of melatonin receptor 1A (MT1), melatonin receptor 1B (MT2) and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry experiments. Our results showed that during early pregnancy there was an upregulation of MT1 mRNA and protein in the thymus, lymph node and liver, and there was a downregulation in the spleen. The expression of MT2 mRNA and protein was increased in the thymus but decreased in the spleen and liver, and there was no significant change in the lymph node during early pregnancy. CD4 protein was upregulated in the thymus, lymph node and liver, but there were no significant changes in the spleen during early pregnancy. In conclusion, early pregnancy induces tissue‐specific expression of MT1, MT2 and CD4, which may be due to the different functions of the thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver. Further, melatonin is involved in immune regulation of the maternal thymus, lymph node, spleen and liver during early pregnancy in sheep.
Self‐Love and Its Forms
Authors: Brewer Talbot 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSarah Buss argues that if we are to rise to the challenge of standing up to justice when doing so is costly, we will have to internalise a sense of our own unimportance. That is, we will have to cultivate an attitude that is ‘the opposite of self‐love’. I try to show that what we need is not to eliminate our love of self but to give it a proper and discerning shape, so that it conduces to our goodness rather than to our self‐interest narrowly construed.
Some Musings About the Limits of an Ethics That Can Be Applied – A Response to a Question About Courage and Convictions That Confronted the Author When She Woke Up on November 9, 2016
Authors: Buss Sarah 
Published: February 2020

AbstractI experienced the 2016 Presidential election as a loss of innocence. For the first time in my life, the prospect of losing my most basic rights and freedoms did not feel so remote. Confronting this possibility prompted the musings in this article. I call them ‘musings' because the article is not a systematic defense of a clearly demarcated position. It is, rather, a somewhat circuitous exploration of the many questions that pressed themselves upon me as I struggled to understand what distinguishes (a) reasonable accommodations to injustice from (b) morally unacceptable accommodations. When is a commitment not really a commitment? When does reasonable fear become shameful cowardice? When does my knowledge that I can do something to resist injustice give me good enough reason to resist? Under what conditions is my reason an enemy of my ideals? What is the proper balance between valuing myself beyond price and appreciating that many, many things matter far more than my own life and security? In grappling with these questions, I have been reminded of the extent to which moral discernment does not involve applying a ‘philosophy' and the extent to which it cannot be secured by prior training.
Work motivation perceptions of students with intellectual disabilities before and after participation in a short‐term vocational rehabilitation summer programme: An exploratory study
Authors: Myers Cassidy , Cox Carol 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundA small group of transition‐aged students with intellectual disabilities participated in a short‐term summer work experience programme under the mentorship of a job coach.MethodsDyadic interview technique was used to identify student and mentor participants' perceptions of student participant work motivation pre‐ and post‐programme. Themes were identified and interpreted.ResultsStudent participants reported becoming more intrinsically motivated and future‐focused by programme completion. They noted a broader outlook about the meaning of employment; moving from a narrow, financial‐focused, short‐term perception to a longer‐term, more holistic view of work. Although student participants reported high confidence levels for obtaining and keeping employment by programme completion, mentors voiced concerns about realism of their goals due to employment barriers for people with disabilities.ConclusionsWork motivation has been previously associated with positive employment participation. Findings provide some support for assessment of work motivation in school‐to‐work transition planning.
Quercetin inhibits macrophage polarization through the p‐38α/β signalling pathway and regulates OPG/RANKL balance in a mouse skull model
Authors: Ge Yu‐Wei , Feng Kai , Liu Xiao‐Liang , Zhu Zhen‐An , Chen Hong‐Fang , Chang Yong‐Yun , Sun Zhen‐Yu , Wang Hao‐Wei , Zhang Jing‐Wei , Yu De‐Gang , Mao Yuan‐Qing 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAseptic loosening caused by wear particles is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty. We investigated the effect of the quercetin on wear particle‐mediated macrophage polarization, inflammatory response and osteolysis. In vitro, we verified that Ti particles promoted the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into M1 macrophages through p‐38α/β signalling pathway by using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence assay and small interfering p‐38α/β RNA. We used enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays to confirm that the protein expression of M1 macrophages increased in the presence of Ti particles and that these pro‐inflammatory factors further regulated the imbalance of OPG/RANKL and promoted the differentiation of osteoclasts. However, this could be suppressed, and the protein expression of M2 macrophages was increased by the presence of the quercetin. In vivo, we revealed similar results in the mouse skull by μ‐CT, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay. We obtained samples from patients with osteolytic tissue. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that most of the macrophages surrounding the wear particles were M1 macrophages and that pro‐inflammatory factors were released. Titanium particle‐mediated M1 macrophage polarization, which caused the release of pro‐inflammatory factors through the p‐38α/β signalling pathway, regulated OPG/RANKL balance. Macrophage polarization is expected to become a new clinical drug therapeutic target.
AQP1 suppression by ATF4 triggers trabecular meshwork tissue remodelling in ET‐1‐induced POAG
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Zhu Huazhang , Yang Yangfan , Ye Yiming , Yao Youli , Huang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yixiang , Shu Xingsheng , Chen Xianxiong , Yang Yatao , Ma Junxian , Cheng Le , Wang Xiaomei , Ying Ying 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPrimary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Increased endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) has been observed in aqueous humour (AH) of POAG patients, resulting in an increase in the out‐flow resistance of the AH. However, the underlining mechanisms remain elusive. Using established in vivo and in vitro POAG models, we demonstrated that water channel Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is down‐regulated in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells upon ET‐1 exposure, which causes a series of glaucomatous changes, including actin fibre reorganization, collagen production, extracellular matrix deposition and contractility alteration of TM cells. Ectopic expression of AQP1 can reverse ET‐1‐induced TM tissue remodelling, which requires the presence of β‐catenin. More importantly, we found that ET‐1‐induced AQP1 suppression is mediated by ATF4, a transcription factor of the unfolded protein response, which binds to the promoter of AQP1 and negatively regulates AQP1 transcription. Thus, we discovered a novel function of ATF4 in controlling the process of TM remodelling in ET‐1‐induced POAG through transcription suppression of AQP1. Our findings also detail a novel pathological mechanism and a potential therapeutic target for POAG.
Effect of the use of passive body trunk exercise equipment on oxygen consumption and self‐efficacy for carrying out exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kawae Toshihiro , Iwaki Daisuke , Nakashima Yuki , Fudeyasu Kenichi , Ishiguro Tomoyasu , Kimura Hiroaki , Sekikawa Kiyokazu , Hamada Hironobu , Ohno Haruya , Yoneda Masayasu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionConsidering the difficulty in inculcating the habit of exercise among patients with type 2 diabetes, devising an easily maintained means of exercise is preferable. Passive body trunk exercise equipment (PBTE) developed for home use might solve several problems related to exercise therapy, both for patients and clinical staff involved in diabetes treatment; however, its efficacy as a therapeutic exercise device for patients with diabetes has not been ascertained. The purpose of this study was to measure the exercise intensity and self‐efficacy of PBTE, and to determine whether PBTE is a useful tool for exercise therapy.Materials and MethodsThe participants were 20 patients with type 2 diabetes, and the duration of exercise using the PBTE was set to 10 min. Oxygen consumption during exercise was measured, and self‐efficacy for continuing to exercise using the PBTE and for walking was evaluated after completion of the study.ResultsThe average exercise intensity using the PBTE was 1.7 metabolic equivalents, whereas the maximum exercise intensity was an average of 2.0 metabolic equivalents; the reported self‐efficacy for continuing to exercise using the PBTE was significantly higher than for walking.ConclusionsExercise intensity using the PBTE is similar to low‐intensity walking, and thus, it might be a useful therapeutic exercise device for patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it could be an effective exercise device for diabetes patients who do not have regular exercise habits, especially with reduced motor function or lower leg muscle strength.
Biomechanical properties of anuran long bones: correlations with locomotor modes and habitat use
Authors: Vera Miriam Corina , Ferretti José Luis , Abdala Virginia , Cointry Gustavo Roberto 
Published: February 2020

AbstractLong bones are subjected to mechanical loads during locomotion that will influence their biomechanical properties through a feedback mechanism (the bone mechanostat). This mechanism adapts the spatial distribution of the mineralized tissue to resist compression, bending and torsion. Among vertebrates, anurans represent an excellent group to study long bone properties because they vary widely in locomotor modes and habitat use, which enforce different skeletal loadings. In this study, we hypothesized that (a) the cortical bone mass, density and design of anuran femur and tibiofibula would reflect the mechanical influences of the different locomotor modes and habitat use, and (b) the relationships between the architectural efficiency of cortical design (cross‐sectional moments of inertia) and the intrinsic stiffness of cortical tissue [cortical mineral density; the 'distribution/quality' (d/q) relationship] would describe some inter‐specific differences in the efficiency of the bone mechanostat to improve bone design under different mechanical loads. To test this hypothesis, we determined tomographic (peripheral quantitative computed tomography) indicators of bone mass, mineralization, and design along the femur and tibiofibula of four anuran species with different modes of locomotion and use of habitat. We found inter‐specific differences in all measures between the distal and proximal ends and mid‐diaphysis of the bones. In general, terrestrial‐hopper species had the highest values. Arboreal‐walker species had the lowest values for all variables except for cortical bone mineral density, which was lowest in aquatic‐swimmer species. The d/q relationships showed similar responses of bone modeling as a function of cortical stiffness for aquatic and arboreal species, whereas terrestrial‐hoppers had higher values for moments of inertia regardless of the tissue compliance to be deformed. These results provide new evidence regarding the significant role of movement and habitat use in addition to the biomechanical properties of long bones within a morpho‐functional and comparative context in anuran species.
Different patterns in age‐related morphometric alteration of myelinated fibers and capillaries of the tibial nerve: a longitudinal study in normal rats
Authors: Sakita Masahiro , Murakami Shinichiro , Nonaka Koji , Sakamoto Ryuji , Saito Takafumi , Isobe Wataru , Kumagai Shuzo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAge‐related regression of myelinated fibers in peripheral nerves of the lower limbs is strongly influenced by capillaries and results in balance dysfunction and falls. However, the temporal relationships between alteration patterns of myelinated fibers and capillaries have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate age‐related morphological and histological changes of both myelinated fibers and capillaries in peripheral nerves to clarify whether myelinated fibers or capillaries change earlier. Seven male Wistar rats each were randomly selected at 20 weeks (young group), 70 weeks (middle group), and 97 weeks (old group) for histological evaluations. The left and right tibial nerves were removed morphologically and histologically to examine myelinated fibers and capillaries. Axon diameter and myelin thickness were almost unaltered in the middle group compared with the young group but were significantly reduced in the old group when compared with the other two groups. However, the capillary diameter and number of microvascular branch points were substantially reduced in the middle group. The current study demonstrates that myelinated fibers of peripheral nerves show signs of regression in elderly rats, whereas capillaries start to reduce in middle‐aged animals. In normal aging of the tibial nerve, capillaries may regress before myelinated fibers.