bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paediatric infections in the first 3 years of life after maternal anti‐TNF treatment during pregnancy
Authors: Bröms Gabriella , Kieler Helle , Ekbom Anders , Gissler Mika , Hellgren Karin , Leinonen Maarit K. , Pedersen Lars , Schmitt‐Egenolf Marcus , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Granath Fredrik 
Published: July 2020

SummaryBackgroundMost anti‐tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) agents are transferred across the placenta and may increase paediatric susceptibility to infections.AimsTo assess the risk of paediatric infections after maternal anti‐TNF treatment.MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study in Denmark, Finland and Sweden 2006‐2013 in which 1027 children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or inflammatory bowel disease, treated with anti‐TNF, and 9346 children to women with non‐biologic systemic treatment, were compared to 1 617 886 children of the general population. Children were followed for 3 years.ResultsAdjusted by maternal age, parity, smoking, body mass index, country and calendar year, the incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) for hospital admissions for infection in the first year were 1.43 (1.23‐1.67) for anti‐TNF and 1.14 (1.07‐1.21) for non‐biologic systemic treatment, and 1.29 (1.11‐1.50) and 1.09 (1.02‐1.15), respectively, when additionally adjusting for adverse birth outcomes. There was a slight increase in antibiotic prescriptions in the second year for anti‐TNF, 1.19 (1.11‐1.29), and for non‐biologic systemic treatment, 1.10 (1.07‐1.13). There was no difference among anti‐TNF agents, treatment in the third trimester, or between mono/combination therapy with non‐biologic systemic treatment.ConclusionsBoth anti‐TNF and non‐biologic systemic treatment were associated with an increased risk of paediatric infections. However, reassuringly, the increased risks were present regardless of treatment in the third trimester, or with combination treatment, and were not persistent during the first 3 years of life. Our findings may indicate a true risk, but could also be due to unadjusted confounding by disease severity and healthcare‐seeking behaviour. This may in turn shift the risk‐benefit equation towards continuation of treatment even in the third trimester.
Changes in plant functional composition of wetland vegetation along an aridity gradient on the Highveld plateau of South Africa
Authors: Mofutsanyana Seadi S. , Collins Nacelle B. , Adelabu Samuel A. , Chatanga Peter , Sieben Erwin J. J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractQuestionPlant communities will change along environmental gradients, even in “azonal” vegetation such as wetlands. It is hypothesized that functional community composition of wetland vegetation changes along a natural gradient from dry low‐lying areas to wet high‐lying areas. We wanted to know how the functional groups that make up wetland plant communities change along such aridity and altitudinal gradients.LocationHighveld area of Central South Africa, covering four provinces of the country: Northern Cape, Free State, North West and Mpumalanga.MethodsThe community composition of 201 vegetation plots was obtained from a compilation of South African wetland vegetation types of the study area. Functional traits were collected for the dominant plant species and community‐weighted means of plant functional traits were calculated for wetland vegetation plots. Redundancy analysis was performed to plot these against environmental and climatic gradients.ResultsThe ordination results showed that the community‐weighted plant functional traits were correlated with environmental and climatic variables. For example, specific correlations reveal that root/shoot biomass ratio, leaf nitrogen and specific leaf area are associated with high temperature and evaporation, conditions that prevail in the driest end of the gradient. On the opposite end, wetland vegetation in mesic areas has adaptations for fast growth and high productivity, as it is composed of tall plants with wide stems and deep roots. A hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) resulted in nine plant functional groups, with different representation along the aridity gradient in the Highveld Plateau of South Africa.ConclusionsWetlands in dry areas have plant functional groups different from those in mesic areas. Changes in community composition show how wetlands are responding to climatic variability and environmental change. Thus, the study of changes in plant functional groups can be useful for detecting the impacts of climate change on wetland vegetation.
Loss of capillary pericytes and the blood–brain barrier in white matter in poststroke and vascular dementias and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ding Ren , Hase Yoshiki , Ameen‐Ali Kamar E. , Ndung'u Michael , Stevenson William , Barsby Joseph , Gourlay Ryan , Akinyemi Tolulope , Akinyemi Rufus , Uemura Maiko T. , Polvikoski Tuomo , Mukaetova‐Ladinska Elizabeta , Ihara Masafumi , Kalaria Raj N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhite matter (WM) disease is associated with disruption of the gliovascular unit, which involves breach of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We quantified pericytes as components of the gliovascular unit and assessed their status in vascular and other common dementias. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent methods were developed to assess the distribution and quantification of pericytes connected to the frontal lobe WM capillaries. Pericytes with a nucleus were identified by collagen 4 (COL4) and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β (PDGFR‐β) antibodies with further verification using PDGFR‐β‐specific ELISA. We evaluated a total of 124 post‐mortem brains from subjects with post‐stroke dementia (PSD), vascular dementia (VaD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), AD‐VaD (Mixed) and post‐stroke non‐demented (PSND) stroke survivors as well as normal aging controls. COL4 and PDGFR‐β reactive pericytes adopted the characteristic “crescent” or nodule‐like shapes around capillary walls. We estimated densities of pericyte somata to be 225 ±38 and 200 ±13 (SEM) per COL4 mm2 area or 2.0 ± 0.1 and 1.7 ± 0.1 per mm capillary length in young and older aging controls. Remarkably, WM pericytes were reduced by ~35%–45% in the frontal lobe of PSD, VaD, Mixed and AD subjects compared to PSND and controls subjects (P < 0.001). We also found pericyte numbers were correlated with PDGFR‐β reactivity in the WM. Our results first demonstrate a reliable method to quantify COL4‐positive pericytes and then, indicate that deep WM pericytes are decreased across different dementias including PSD, VaD, Mixed and AD. Our findings suggest that downregulation of pericytes is associated with the disruption of the BBB in the deep WM in several aging‐related dementias.
What is philosophy as a way of life? Why philosophy as a way of life?
Authors: Grimm Stephen R. , Cohoe Caleb 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDespite a recent surge of interest in philosophy as a way of life, it is not clear what it might mean for philosophy to guide one's life, or how a “philosophical” way of life might differ from a life guided by religion, tradition, or some other source. We argue against John Cooper that spiritual exercises figure crucially in the idea of philosophy as a way of life—not just in the ancient world but also today, at least if the idea is to be viable. In order to make the case we attempt to clarify the nature of spiritual exercises, and to explore a number of fundamental questions, such as “What role does reason have in helping us to live well?” Here we distinguish between the discerning and motivational powers of reason, and argue that both elements have limitations as guides to living well.
Ecological impacts of human‐induced animal behaviour change
Authors: Wilson Margaret W. , Ridlon April D. , Gaynor Kaitlyn M. , Gaines Steven D. , Stier Adrian C. , Halpern Benjamin S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA growing body of literature has documented myriad effects of human activities on animal behaviour, yet the ultimate ecological consequences of these behavioural shifts remain largely uninvestigated. While it is understood that, in the absence of humans, variation in animal behaviour can have cascading effects on species interactions, community structure and ecosystem function, we know little about whether the type or magnitude of human‐induced behavioural shifts translate into detectable ecological change. Here we synthesise empirical literature and theory to create a novel framework for examining the range of behaviourally mediated pathways through which human activities may affect different ecosystem functions. We highlight the few empirical studies that show the potential realisation of some of these pathways, but also identify numerous factors that can dampen or prevent ultimate ecosystem consequences. Without a deeper understanding of these pathways, we risk wasting valuable resources on mitigating behavioural effects with little ecological relevance, or conversely mismanaging situations in which behavioural effects do drive ecosystem change. The framework presented here can be used to anticipate the nature and likelihood of ecological outcomes and prioritise management among widespread human‐induced behavioural shifts, while also suggesting key priorities for future research linking humans, animal behaviour and ecology.
Precision medicine and therapies of the future
Authors: Sisodiya Sanjay M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPrecision medicine in the epilepsies has gathered much attention, especially with gene discovery pushing forward new understanding of disease biology. Several targeted treatments are emerging, some with considerable sophistication and individual‐level tailoring. There have been rare achievements in improving short‐term outcomes in a few very select patients with epilepsy. The prospects for further targeted, repurposed, or novel treatments seem promising. Along with much‐needed success, difficulties are also arising. Precision treatments do not always work, and sometimes are inaccessible or do not yet exist. Failures of precision medicine may not find their way to broader scrutiny. Precision medicine is not a new concept: It has been boosted by genetics and is often focused on genetically determined epilepsies, typically considered to be driven in an individual by a single genetic variant. Often the mechanisms generating the full clinical phenotype from such a perceived single cause are incompletely understood. The impact of additional genetic variation and other factors that might influence the clinical presentation represent complexities that are not usually considered. Precision success and precision failure are usually equally incompletely explained. There is a need for more comprehensive evaluation and a more rigorous framework, bringing together information that is both necessary and sufficient to explain clinical presentation and clinical responses to precision treatment in a precision approach that considers the full picture not only of the effects of a single variant, but also of its genomic and other measurable environment, within the context of the whole person. As we may be on the brink of a treatment revolution, progress must be considered and reasoned: One possible framework is proposed for the evaluation of precision treatments.
Women with drug‐resistant epilepsy: Surgery or pregnancy first?
Authors: Kandraju Sai Satish , Jose Manna , Salini Reshma A. , Pavithran Veena , Samuel Peedicail Joseph , Menon Ramsekhar N. , Radhakrishnan Ashalatha , Cherian Ajith , Abraham Mathew , Vilanilam George C. , Thomas Sanjeev V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe compared women with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy who had undergone surgery (WWE‐S) with those who were managed medically (WWE‐M) for maternal and fetal outcomes of their pregnancies.MethodsWe classified all WWE‐S who were enrolled in a prospective registry of epilepsy and pregnancy (1998‐2015) as those who underwent the surgery before pregnancy (WWE‐SF) or after pregnancy (WWE‐PF). The comparator group (WWE‐M) was twice that number of age‐matched women with focal epilepsy in this registry. Their clinical profile, anti‐epileptic drug (AED) use, and pregnancy outcomes were extracted from the records of the registry.ResultsThe number of completed pregnancies with known outcome was 74 for WWE‐S (67 WWE‐SF and 7 WWE‐PF) and 134 for WWE‐M. Seizures increased during pregnancy for fewer WWE‐SF than for WWE‐M (14.9% vs 39.6%, P = .001). Compared to WWE‐M, fewer WWE‐SF had dose escalation during pregnancy (28.4% vs 14.9%, P = .025). Preterm deliveries were more frequent in WWE‐SF than WWE‐M (24.6% vs 12.2%, P = .029). The differences between the WWE‐SF and WWE‐M regarding the rates of fetal loss (10.4% vs 6.7%, P = .255), major congenital malformations (8.5% vs. 11.1%, P = .395), and development quotient at 1 year of age <85 (42.5% vs 42.3%, P = .569) were not statistically significant. Compared to WWE‐PF, fewer WWE‐SF had AED dose escalation (14.9% vs 85.7%, P = .001) or increase in seizures (14.9% vs 100%, P = .001) during pregnancy. WWE‐SF had fewer infants with development quotient <85 (41.0% vs 100%, P = .005).SignificanceWWE‐SF can expect better control of seizures and decreased AED burden during pregnancy than WWE with focal epilepsies managed with medicines only. WWE who undergo surgery for epilepsy before their pregnancies can expect fewer seizures and lower AED burden during pregnancy.
World cities and peripheral development: The interplay of gateways and subordinate places in Argentina and Ghana’s upstream oil and gas sector
Authors: Scholvin Sören 
Published: July 2020

AbstractServing as “gateways”, some world cities tie their wider hinterlands to global networks. The article revisits gateway–hinterland relations against the backdrop of assessments that lead to opposed conclusions on the benefits and shortcomings of integration into the world economy. Referring to the oil and gas sector in Argentina and Ghana, it answers the question of how gateways interact with subordinate places and also uncovers obstacles to peripheral development. The author finds that Accra and Buenos Aires concentrate corporate control. Argentina's capital serves as a gateway for knowledge generation and logistics too. Opportunities for peripheral development in both countries are considerable, albeit largely limited to generic services. Besides a certain concentration of business activities in the gateway cities, more important challenges to peripheral development are typical for small and medium enterprises (insufficient finance and management capabilities, unawareness of business opportunities, and the like). They include rent seeking and subcontracting. The latter leaves local companies in a particularly weak position vis‐à‐vis lead firms. The author argues that while integration into the world economy allows for peripheral development, the corresponding outcomes may not meet everyone's expectations. Related expectations must, therefore, be more down‐to‐earth than overly optimistic statements frequently made by politicians.
Small Area Estimation for Disease Prevalence Mapping
Authors: Wakefield Jonathan , Okonek Taylor , Pedersen Jon 
Published: July 2020

SummarySmall area estimation (SAE) entails estimating characteristics of interest for domains, often geographical areas, in which there may be few or no samples available. SAE has a long history and a wide variety of methods have been suggested, from a bewildering range of philosophical standpoints. We describe design‐based and model‐based approaches and models that are specified at the area level and at the unit level, focusing on health applications and fully Bayesian spatial models. The use of auxiliary information is a key ingredient for successful inference when response data are sparse, and we discuss a number of approaches that allow the inclusion of covariate data. SAE for HIV prevalence, using data collected from a Demographic Health Survey in Malawi in 2015–2016, is used to illustrate a number of techniques. The potential use of SAE techniques for outcomes related to coronavirus disease 2019 is discussed.
Andrographolide attenuates epithelial‐mesenchymal transition induced by TGF‐β1 in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Li Jingpei , Liu Jun , Yue Weifeng , Xu Ke , Cai Weipeng , Cui Fei , Li Zhuoyi , Wang Wei , He Jianxing 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAndrographolide (Andro), a component from Chinese medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata, could alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in rodents. Yet, whether and how Andro mitigates epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF‐β1 remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect of Andro on TGF‐β1‐induced EMT in human alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) and the mechanisms involved. We illustrated that Andro inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced EMT and EMT‐related transcription factors in alveolar epithelial A549 cells. Andro also reduced TGF‐β1‐induced cell migration and synthesis of pro‐fibrotic factors (ie CCN‐2, TGF‐β1), matrix metalloproteinases (ie MMP‐2, MMP‐9) and extracellular matrix (ECM) components (ie collagen 1), implying the inhibiting effect of Andro on TGF‐β1‐induced EMT‐like cell behaviours. Mechanistically, Andro treatment not only repressed TGF‐β1‐induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and Smad4 nuclear translocation, but also suppressed TGF‐β1‐induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in A549 cells. And treatment with ALK5 inhibitor (SB431542) or Erk1/2 inhibitors (SCH772984 and PD98059) remarkably reduced EMT evoked by TGF‐β1. In addition, Andro also reduced TGF‐β1‐induced intracellular ROS generation and NOX4 expression, and elevated antioxidant superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression, demonstrating the inhibiting effect of Andro on TGF‐β1‐induced oxidative stress, which is closely linked to EMT. Furthermore, Andro remarkably attenuated TGF‐β1‐induced down‐regulation of sirtuin1 (Sirt1) and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), implying that Andro protects AECs from EMT partially by activating Sirt1/FOXO3‐mediated anti‐oxidative stress pathway. In conclusion, Andro represses TGF‐β1‐induced EMT in AECs by suppressing Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 signalling pathways and is also closely linked to the activation of sirt1/FOXO3‐mediated anti‐oxidative stress pathway.
Cytological analysis of integumentary and muscular adaptations in three sand‐dwelling marine teleosts, Ammodytes tobianus (Ammodytidae), Gorgasia preclara (Congridae) and Heteroconger hassi (Congridae) (Teleostei; Actinopterygii)
Authors: Canei Jérôme , Trupia Arnaud , Nonclercq Denis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSandy bottoms are a ubiquitous environment found from sea bottoms to intertidal and freshwater zones. They are inhabited by many invertebrates and vertebrates which have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to sustain life under these particular conditions. Sandy habitats exhibit three potential constraints: abrasion, hypoxia and mechanical resistance. Here, three teleost species living in sandy environments were investigated: Ammodytes tobianus (Ammodytidae), Gorgasia preclara and Heteroconger hassi (Congridae). These teleost fishes were studied for their integument and muscular systems, which are potentially subject to sand abrasion and hypoxia, respectively. Based on histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, we found the complex mucus system of G. preclara and H. hassi consists of two types of goblet cells and one type of sacciform cell. The secretions of both species are made of complex polysaccharides. In contrast, the scaly integument of A. tobianus has only a few goblet cells and no sacciform cells. We also highlighted, by immunohistochemistry, that the epidermal cell proliferation was much higher for this latter species, potentially resulting from the high rate of sand abrasion when A. tobianus buries itself quickly in the substrate. For all species, the major muscle fibre type was revealed by histoenzymology and corresponds to fast glycolytic fibres followed by intermediate fibres with slow fibres in the lowest proportion. Ammodytes tobianus possesses the highest fast fibre proportion (about 87% for A. tobianus and 75–78% for both garden eels). Our results provide new insights into the previously poorly studied teleost species, such as G. preclara, and allow us to highlight the complex skin histology of both garden eel species. Furthermore, the previously unknown muscle typing of these three species was determined.
Two‐Year Follow‐Up of the Efficacy of the PREP Training on Iranian Newlyweds
Authors: Fallahchai Reza , Fallahi Maryam , Badiee Manijeh 
Published: July 2020

The aim of the present study was to replicate the efficacy of the Prevention and Relationship Education Program (PREP) training on marital satisfaction and dyadic adjustment among a group of Iranian newlyweds. One hundred and sixty heterosexual couples (N = 320 participants) were randomly assigned to an experimental or a wait list control group. Data from one hundred and forty‐eight couples were analyzed. Participants completed the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (The Family Journal, 1, 1993, 196–207) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (The Journal of Sex Research, 39, 1976, 190–196) at pretest, posttest, 1‐year follow‐up, and 2‐year follow‐up. Results indicated that mean marital satisfaction and dyadic adjustment scores between the experimental and control groups were significantly different at posttest. Therefore, PREP training improved marital satisfaction and dyadic adjustment of couples at posttest. The data suggests that PREP training program can be introduced as an effective relationship education program for Iranian newlyweds.
Pentadactyl manus of the Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland, the first record of pentadactyly among Temnospondyli
Authors: Konietzko‐Meier Dorota , Teschner Elżbieta M. , Bodzioch Adam , Sander P. Martin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTemnospondyli are commonly believed to have possessed four digits in the manus and five in the pes. However, actual finds of articulated autopodia are extremely rare. Therefore, an articulated, slightly incomplete forelimb skeleton with preserved manus of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland is important in providing new details about the structure and ossification sequence in the temnospondyl limb. The most important observation is the presence of five metacarpals in this specimen. This allows reconstructing the manus as pentadactyl. The number of phalanges and the distribution of distal articulation facets allow reconstruction of the digit formula as (2?)‐3‐3‐(3?)‐(2?). The well‐developed fifth digit suggests that the Metoposaurus manus shows a unique ossification sequence: the reduction or late ossification of the first digit conforms to the amniote‐frog pattern, and the early development of the second and third digit makes Metoposaurus similar to salamanders. Based on the distribution of pentadactyly vs. tetradactyly in the temnospondyl manus, the number of digits was not phylogenetically constrained in temnospondyls, similar to today's amphibians.