bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linear skin markings in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida
Authors: Titcomb Elizabeth Murdoch , Stevens Jessie , Sleeman Anne , Nelson Brandy , Yrastorza Luke , Schaefer Adam M. , Bossart Gregory D. , Reif John S. , Mazzoil Marilyn 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA previously undescribed skin abnormality, referred to as “linear skin markings” (LSM), has been identified in free‐ranging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida (IRL). The lesions were identified during photo‐identification surveys conducted from 2002 and 2015. LSM presented as distinct, parallel lines running dorso‐ventrally on the torso and varied in length and width. The goals of this study were to determine (1) prevalence of the condition in IRL dolphins, (2) age and sex distribution of affected animals, (3) spatial and temporal distribution patterns, (4) duration of the condition, and (5) development of hypotheses regarding the etiology of the condition. Among 1,357 individual dolphins identified during the study period, 96 (7.0%) showed evidence of LSM. Nearly all (98.8%) cases with an established home range occurred in the northern and central regions of the IRL. The majority of cases of known sex were female (85%), of which 100% had given birth to one or more calves. The mean age of animals with LSM when first observed was 7.3 with a range of 1–20 years. The maximum observed duration of LSM was 15 years. Once observed, the condition persisted indefinitely. The etiology of LSM has not been established.
Current burden of serious fungal infections in Republic of Congo
Authors: Amona Fructueux M. , Denning David W. , Moukassa Donatien , Hennequin Christophe 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Republic of Congo (RoC) is characterised by a high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, which largely drive the epidemiology of serious fungal infections.ObjectiveWe aimed to estimate the current burden of serious fungal infections in RoC.Material and MethodsUsing local, regional or global data and estimates of population and at‐risk population groups, deterministic modelling was employed to estimate national incidence or prevalence of the most serious fungal infections.ResultsOur study revealed that about 5.4% of the Congolese population (283 450) suffer from serious fungal infections yearly. The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients was estimated at 560, 830 and 120 cases per year. Oral and oesophageal candidiasis collectively affects 12 320 HIV‐infected patients. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, 67% post‐tuberculosis, probably has a prevalence of 3420. Fungal asthma (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation) probably has a prevalence of 3640 and 4800, although some overlap due to disease definition is likely. The estimated prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and tinea capitis is 85 440 and 178 400 respectively. Mostly related to agricultural activity, fungal keratitis affects an estimated 700 Congolese yearly.ConclusionThese data underline the urgent need for an intensified awareness towards Congolese physicians to fungal infections and for increased efforts to improve diagnosis and management of fungal infections in the RoC.
Aetiology of chronic kidney disease and risk factors for disease progression in Chinese subjects: A single‐centre retrospective study in Beijing
Authors: Sui Zhun , Wang Jiemin , Cabrera Claudia , Wei Jia , Wang Mi , Zuo Li 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo assess the aetiological factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and factors associated with disease progression.MethodsSingle‐centre retrospective study evaluating thorough electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with CKD at Peking University People's Hospital (April 2010‐April 2015). The objectives were to identify the aetiological factors of CKD in Chinese patients and risk factors associated with CKD progression.ResultsOf 15 425 CKD patients, 12 380 had aetiology recorded. The leading aetiologies associated with CKD were chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN; 36.8%), hypertensive nephropathy (HTN; 28.5%) and diabetic nephropathy (DN; 27.1%). CGN was most common in patients with early stage disease (stages 1‐2); DN and HTN were common in advanced‐stages (stages 3‐4). In a longitudinal subcohort of 2923 patients with ≥6‐month follow‐up, 19.6% experienced CKD progression. Patients with CKD progression were significantly older in age and had a greater number of comorbidities and laboratory anomalies, and were more likely to have DN (40.5%) and CGN (40.5%) than HTN (5.5%) at baseline than patients without progression. In a multivariate analysis, factors associated with disease progression included macro‐ and micro‐albuminuria, anaemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperphosphataemia, metabolic acidosis, CKD stage 4 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).ConclusionThis study identified CGN, DN and HTN as the leading aetiological factors for CKD in Chinese patients. DN was a strong predictor of faster disease progression, with albuminuria (a complication of T2DM) associated with highest risk for disease progression.
Gene and immunohistochemical expression of HIF‐1α, GLUT‐1, FASN, and adipophilin in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma development
Authors: Scarini João Figueira , Rosa Larissa Fernandes , Souza Reydson Alcides de Lima , Egal Erika Said Abu , Tincani Alfio José , Martins Antônio Santos , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Graner Edgard , Coletta Ricardo Della , Carlos Roman , Gondak Rogério de Oliveira , de Almeida Oslei Paes , Altemani Albina Messias de Almeida Milani , Bastos Débora Campanella , Mariano Fernanda Viviane 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the gene and immunohistochemical expression of HIF‐1α, GLUT‐1, FASN, and adipophilin in normal salivary gland (NSG), pleomorphic adenoma (PA), and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) samples.Material and MethodsThe gene expression was investigated by the real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) method in 9 samples of frozen tissues of normal salivary gland, 13 PA, and 10 CXPA. We validated the reactions by immunohistochemistry on 20 samples from NSG, 85 PA, and 44 CXPA.ResultsOur results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in HIF‐1α gene and immunohistochemistry expression among the tissues studied while FASN gene and immunohistochemistry expression increased along the carcinogenesis of the PA. GLUT‐1 was significantly more expressed in tumor tissues (PA and CXPA), although protein is mainly expressed in transformed cells than in PA and NSG. In contrast, adipophilin was significantly more expressed in NSG while the expression of the protein increased in PA and CXPA.ConclusionsIn summary, the data presented here suggest that neoplastic cells reprogram the expression of GLUT‐1 and adipophilin to adapt to the tumor microenvironment and reinforce, through immunohistochemical results, a possible transcriptional and post‐translational regulatory mechanisms that act on the expression of these genes.
Genome‐enabled prediction models for black tea (Camellia sinensis) quality and drought tolerance traits
Authors: Koech Robert K. , Malebe Pelly M. , Nyarukowa Christopher , Mose Richard , Kamunya Samson M. , Loots Theodor , Apostolides Zeno 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGenomic selection in tea plant (Camellia sinensis) breeding has the potential to accelerate efficiency of choosing parents with desirable traits at the seedling stage. The study evaluated different genome‐enabled prediction models for black tea quality and drought tolerance traits in discovery and validation populations. The discovery population comprised of two segregating tea populations (TRFK St. 504 and TRFK St. 524) with 255 F1 progeny and 56 individual tea cultivars in validation population genotyped using 1,421 DArTseq markers. Twofold cross‐validation was used for training the prediction models in the discovery population on eight different phenotypic traits. The best prediction models in the discovery population were consequently fitted to the validation population. Of all the four model‐based prediction approaches, putative QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) + annotated proteins + KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway‐based prediction approach showed more robustness. The findings have for the first time opened up a new avenue for future application of genomic selection in tea breeding.
Good Governance and Party System Change
Authors: Pelizzo Riccardo 
Published: March 2020

While scholars and practitioners have extensively analyzed the causes, the consequences and, more generally, the correlates of good governance, little‐to‐no attention has been paid to whether the institutionalization of political parties—as evidenced by the stability of the party system—is in any way related to good governance. The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between party system change, good governance, and its dividends. The analyses reveal three main conclusions. First, the stability of a party system is strongly and significantly related to each of the good governance indicators identified by Kaufmann and his colleagues. Second, that while party system instability is not significantly related to a country's wealth, it has a positive impact on economic growth even when we control for the effects of good governance. Third, that good enough governance is a better predictor of economic performance than good governance.Related ArticlesNwokora, Zim, and Riccardo Pelizzo. 2015. “The Political Consequences of Party System Change.” Politics & Policy 43 (4): 453‐473. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/polp.12124Pelizzo, Riccardo, and Salvatore J. Babones. 2003. “The Political Economy of Polarization: The Italian Case, 1963‐1987.” Politics & Policy 31 (1): 54‐78. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2003.tb00887.xPelizzo, Riccardo, and Zim Nwokora. 2016. “Bridging the Divide: Measuring Party System Change and Classifying Party Systems.” Politics & Policy 44 (6): 1017‐1052. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/polp.12188Related Media“Challenges of Governance in Africa ‐ HE President Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe.” 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y6LcF8LAss“#TalkAfrica: Good Governance in Africa.” 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWsvN0i_ZcgCrocker, Chester A. 2019. “African Governance: Challenges and Their Implications.” https://www.hoover.org/research/african-governance-challenges-and-their-implications
The knowledge norm of assertion in dialectical context
Authors: Begby Endre 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper aims to show that the Knowledge Norm of Assertion (KNA) can lead to trouble in certain dialectical contexts. Suppose a person knows that p but does not know that they know that p. They assert p in compliance with the KNA. Their interlocutor responds: ‘but do you know that p?’ It will be shown that the KNA blocks the original asserter from providing any good response to this perfectly natural follow‐up question, effectively forcing them to retract p from the conversational scoreboard. This finding is not simply of theoretical interest: I will argue that the KNA would allow the retort ‘but do you know that p?’ to be weaponized in strategic communication, serving as a tool for silencing speakers without having to challenge their testimonial contributions on their own merits. Our analysis can thereby provide a new dimension to the study of epistemic injustice, as well as underscoring the importance of considering the norms governing speech acts also from the point of view of non‐ideal social contexts.
Family Planning During and After the West African Ebola Crisis
Authors: Bietsch Kristin , Williamson Jessica , Reeves Margaret 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe West African Ebola outbreak of 2013–2016 had the potential to devastate family planning programs in affected countries, which had made great progress in years prior. We examine monthly provision of family planning service statistics from government sources for Liberia and Sierra Leone from 6 months before the first Ebola case to 24 months after the last Ebola case to measure the impact during and after the epidemic. By calculating the couple‐years of protection from service statistics, we find that family planning distribution declined by 65 percent in Liberia and 23 percent in Sierra Leone at the peak of the epidemic. Two years after Ebola, Liberia's average monthly contraception distribution is 39 percent above precrisis levels, while distribution in Sierra Leone increased by 27 percent, findings echoed in data from the Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Increased contraceptive use comes from implants in both countries, and injectables in Liberia. This study indicates that the family planning sector can recover, and continue to improve, following a significant disruption and is a lesson in resilience.
Adjuvant-containing control arms in pivotal quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine trials: restoration of previously unpublished methodology
Authors: Doshi Peter , Bourgeois Florence , Hong Kyungwan , Jones Mark , Lee Haeyoung , Shamseer Larissa , Spence O'Mareen , Jefferson Tom 
Published: March 2020

PurposeTrustworthy reporting of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine trials is the foundation for assessing the vaccine’s risks and benefits. However, several pivotal trial publications incompletely reported important methodological details and inaccurately described the formulation that the control arms received. Under the Restoring Invisible and Abandoned Trials initiative (RIAT), we aim to restore the public record regarding the content and rationale of the controls used in the trials.MethodsWe assembled a cohort (five randomised controlled trials) described as placebo-controlled using clinical study reports (CSRs) obtained from the European Medicines Agency. We extracted the content and rationale for the choice of control used in each trial across six data sources: trial publications, register records, CSR synopses, CSR main bodies, protocols and informed consent forms.ResultsAcross data sources, the control was inconsistently reported as ‘placebo’-containing aluminium adjuvant (sometimes with dose information). Amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulfate (AAHS) was not mentioned in any trial registry entry, but was mentioned in all publications and CSRs. In three of five trials, consent forms described the control as an ‘inactive’ substance. No rationale for the selection of the control was reported in any trial publication, register, consent form, CSR synopsis or protocol. Three trials reported the rationale for choice of control in CSRs: to preserve blinding and assess the safety of HPV virus-like particles as the ‘safety profile of (AAHS) is well characterised’.ConclusionsThe stated rationale of using AAHS control—to characterise the safety of the HPV virus-like particles—lacks clinical relevance. A non-placebo control may have obscured an accurate assessment of safety and the participant consent process of some trials raises ethical concerns.Trial registration numbersNCT00092482,NCT00092521,NCT00092534,NCT00090220,NCT00090285.
Qualitative exploration of the intersection between social influences and cultural norms in relation to the development of alcohol use behaviour during adolescence
Authors: MacArthur Georgie J , Hickman Matthew , Campbell Rona 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesFew contemporary studies have examined peer and social drivers of alcohol use during mid-adolescence. We sought to explore young people’s perspectives on socio-cultural influences relating to alcohol use behaviour during this period.DesignQualitative research study.MethodsSemi-structured one-to-one (n=25), paired (n=4) or triad (n=1) interviews and one focus group (n=6) were conducted with 30 young people aged 14 to 15 (13 males, 17 females) recruited from 4 schools, and 12 participants (aged 14 to 18, 8 males, 4 females) recruited from two youth groups in an urban centre in the West of England. Nineteen participants abstained from alcohol use, 9 were occasional or moderate drinkers and 14 drank alcohol more regularly. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using NVivo V.10, through a lens of social influence and social norms theories.ResultsAlcohol consumption was associated with being cool, mature and popular, while enabling escape from reality and boosting confidence and enjoyment. Positive expectancies, alongside opportunity, contributed to motivating initiation, but social influences were paramount, with participants describing a need to ‘fit in’ with friends to avoid social exclusion. Such influences positioned drinking at parties as a normative social practice, providing opportunities for social learning and the strengthening of peer norms. Social media presented young people with positive alcohol-associated depictions of social status, enjoyment and maturity. This intersection of influences and norms generated a pressurised environment and a sense of unease around resisting pressures, which could elicit stigmatising insults.ConclusionsCultural norms, social influences and social media intersect to create a pressurised environment around alcohol use during mid-adolescence, driving the escalation in the prevalence of excessive consumption at this stage. New interventions need to address normative influences to enable the prevention of excessive alcohol use during adolescence.
Double burden of malnutrition in children aged 24 to 59 months by socioeconomic status in five South Asian countries: evidence from demographic and health surveys
Authors: Hossain Fariha Binte , Shawon Md Shajedur Rahman , Al-Abid Md Shehab Uddin , Mahmood Sultan , Adhikary Gourab , Bulbul Md M Islam 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the socioeconomic inequalities in the burden of underweight and overweight among children in South Asia. We also examined other factors that were associated with these outcomes independently of household’s socioeconomic status.DesignNationally-representative surveys.SettingsDemographic and Health Surveys from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal, which were conducted between 2009 and 2016.ParticipantsChildren aged 24 to 59 months with valid measurement for height and weight (n=146 996).Primary exposure and outcome measuresPrimary exposures were household’s wealth index and level of education. Underweight and overweight were defined according to the WHO and International Obesity Task Force definitions, respectively.ResultsUnderweight prevalence was 37% in Bangladesh, 38% in India, 19% in Maldives, 29% in Nepal and 28% in Pakistan. Bangladesh, India and Nepal had similar overweight prevalence (between 2% and 4%) whereas Pakistan (7%) and Maldives (9%) had higher prevalence. Households with higher wealth index or education had lower odds of having underweight children. Adjusted ORs of underweight for richest versus poorest households were 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3 to 0.5), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.5 to 0.6), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.2 to 1.4), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3 to 0.8) and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.1) for Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan, respectively. Compared with poorest households, richest households were more likely to have overweight children in all countries except Pakistan, but such associations were not significant after adjustment for other factors. There were higher odds of having overweight children in households with higher education in Bangladesh (OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3 to 3.5)), India (OR 1.2 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.3)) and Pakistan (OR 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9)) when compared with households with no education. Maternal nutritional status was consistently associated with children’s nutritional outcomes after adjustments for socioeconomic status.ConclusionsOur study provides evidence for socioeconomic inequalities for childhood underweight and overweight in South Asian countries, although the directions of associations for underweight and overweight might be different.
Changes to cardiovascular risk factors over 7 years: a prospective cohort study of in situ urbanised residents in the Chaoyang District of Beijing
Authors: Li Zhe , Yu Shicheng , Han Xiaoyan , Liu Jianjun , Yao Hongyan 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo examine changes in cardiovascular risk factors of in situ urbanised residents between 2010 and 2017.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.SettingThe Chaoyang District of Beijing, China.ParticipantsA total of 942 in situ urbanised rural residents aged 35–64 who participated in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors study in China between 2010 and 2017.Main outcome measuresLifestyles (smoking, drinking and effective exercise) and medical history (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, overweight and obesity) were self-reported. New cases of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, overweight and obesity were confirmed by physical examination or blood biochemical tests. Multiple linear regression and log-binomial models analyses adjusted for sociodemographic confounders were conducted to evaluate any changes of clinical indexes and to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRRs), respectively.ResultsDuring the study period of 2010–2017, diastolic blood pressure elevated by 3.55 mm Hg, central blood pressure increased by 4.39 mm Hg, total cholesterol decreased by 0.29 mmol/L and hypertension increased significantly (PRR=1.25, p<0.05) after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle and family history factors. Effective exercise rate (PRR=1.57), prevalence of diabetes (PRR=1.36) and dyslipidaemia (PRR=1.19) all increased from 2010 to 2017. However, these changes were not significant after adjusting for confounders (p>0.05). Prevalence of smoking, drinking, hypertension, overweight and obesity was significantly higher in males than females in both 2010 and 2017. In 2017, the 10-year risk of atherosclerotic CVD increased in 29.8% of participants and decreased in 6.1% of individuals.ConclusionsCVD risk factors augmented remarkably for in situ urbanised rural residents aged 35–64 in the Chaoyang District of Beijing, especially those indicators related to blood pressure. Awareness of the direction and magnitude of these risk factor changes may be beneficial in informing targeted strategies for preventing CVDs of in situ urbanised populations.