bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptation and validation of a structured version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for use by non‐clinicians in South Africa (AFFIRM‐HDRS)
Authors: Davies Thandi , Garman Emily C. , Lund Crick , Schneider Marguerite 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThe Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) is seen as an international gold standard for the measurement of depression. High rates of untreated depression, including perinatal depression, support the rationale to adapt and validate a structured version of the HDRS to be used by non‐clinicians in low‐income settings.MethodsUsing previous structured versions of the HDRS as a foundation, the tool was adapted, translated, and then validated with an isiXhosa speaking perinatal population in South Africa (n = 187), using cognitive testing, test‐retest reliability, and inter‐rater assessments. The AFFIRM‐HDRS was compared with the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) using the non‐parametric Spearman Rho test to assess concurrent validity. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's Alpha, and inter‐rater and test‐retest reliability were assessed with the intra‐class coefficient (ICC). Cohen's Kappa was used to assess the overall percentage agreement for each individual item of the AFFIRM‐HDRS.ResultsThe AFFIRM‐HDRS showed good construct and content validity had significant associations with the EPDS (Rho = 0.60 and 0.43, P < .001), and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74.). Inter‐rater reliability and test‐retest scores were excellent, with intraclass correlations ranging from 0.97 (0.94‐0.99) to 0.98 (0.97‐0.99) between raters, and test‐retest reliability being 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86‐0.93). The tool performed similarly to previous structured versions. Individual item‐rest correlations suggest that the items “Weight loss or gain,” “Insight,” and “Libido” did not fit well with the overall instrument, but that the rest of the items performed well.ConclusionThe AFFIRM‐HDRS is adequately structured to be used by non‐clinicians in an isiXhosa speaking perinatal population. It is hoped that this structured tool can be used to assist with identification and referral of these at‐risk populations by non‐clinicians in resource‐constrained environments, thereby playing a role in addressing the treatment gap for perinatal depression in LMICs.
Measurement of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 in lichen planus patients
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Samir Mai A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundLichen planus (LP) is an autoinflammatory mucocutaneous skin disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a tumor marker recognized as a part of the ovalbumin‐serpin family. In patients' serum and skin, SCCA expression is increased with inflammatory skin diseases as psoriasis.AimThis study aimed to estimate serum SCCA2 levels in patients with LP and to assess its relationship with disease severity and types.Patients and MethodsWe included 34 adult patients with LP and 20 healthy adults as control. The total score of LP activity, area, and severity index was calculated for all patients, whereas serum SCCA2 levels were measured in all participants using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe mean serum SCCA2 levels were significantly higher in patients than their healthy controls (P < .001) and in female patients than male patients (P < .01). The mean serum SCCA2 levels in patients with eruptive LP were significantly higher compared to those with localized (P < .05) and hypertrophic (P < .01) forms. In ROC analysis, when LPAASI = 5 was taken as the limit, an ideal SCCA2 endpoint was discovered at 0.45 ng/mL with the upper Youden index.ConclusionSerum SCCA2 might be a potential biomarker for LP as it was elevated in patients with LP and was associated with disease severity. Further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic effect of its blockade, which could be a way to improve outcome in LP patients.
Quantitative elastography of cervical stiffness during the three trimesters of pregnancy with a semiautomatic measurement program: A longitudinal prospective pilot study
Authors: Du Liu , Lin Mei‐Fang , Wu Li‐Hong , Zhang Li‐He , Zheng Qiao , Gu Yu‐Jun , Xie Hong‐Ning 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimTo assess the reproducibility of a semiautomatic quantification tool for cervical stiffness and evaluate the normal changes in cervical elasticity during the three trimesters of pregnancy.MethodsThis longitudinal prospective pilot study evaluated cervical elasticity during the three trimesters of pregnancy (11–14, 20–24 and 28–32 weeks) in women with singleton pregnancies. Women with a history of conization, cerclage, cervical Naboth cysts (diameter > 10 mm), cervical tumors, or uterine malformation were excluded. A semiautomatic tool was used to evaluate the stiffness of the whole cervix and the internal and external cervical os with multiple quantitative elasticity parameters and the cervical length (CL) on the sagittal view via transvaginal elastography. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess intra‐ and interobserver variability. E‐Cervix parameters during the three trimesters were compared using the Friedman test.ResultsIn total, 217 women with 651 strain examinations during the three trimesters were included. The intra‐ and interobserver ICC for the E‐Cervix parameters ranged from 0.947 to 0.991 and 0.855 to 0.989, respectively. There were significant differences in all parameters among the three trimesters. Cervical elasticity showed significant softening and became heterogeneous during the three trimesters. The median CL was significantly shorter in the first trimester than in the second and third trimesters (P = 0.004, P < 0.001).ConclusionE‐Cervix provides a graphical tool for operators to easily define regions of interest and obtain multiple repeatable measures of elasticity. The normal references for E‐Cervix parameters during the three trimesters reflect the physiological cervical changes during pregnancy.
Herlyn‐Werner‐Wunderlich syndrome with cervical atresia complicated by ovarian endometrioma: A case report
Authors: Miyazaki Yumiko , Orisaka Makoto , Nishino Chihiro , Onuma Toshimichi , Kurokawa Tetsuji , Yoshida Yoshio 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHerlyn‐Werner‐Wunderlich syndrome (HWWs) is a rare congenital malformation that involves uterus dideslphys, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The obstructed vagina affects menstrual flow and causes related clinical features after menarche. Pelvic endometriosis is one of the common complications of HWWs. Resection of the vaginal septum can release the obstruction and result in good outcomes. However, in the case of cervical atresia, a rare variant of HWWs, ipsilateral hysterectomy is recommended because it is difficult to canalize cervical atresia surgically. Here we present a case of HWWs with cervical atresia complicated with pelvic endometriosis. She was treated with laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy followed by hormonal therapy. Six months after surgery, there is no evidence of recurrence of endometrioma.
Global timing of hepatitis C virus elimination in high‐income countries
Authors: Razavi Homie , Sanchez Gonzalez Yuri , Yuen Cammy , Cornberg Markus 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsIntroduction of highly efficacious pan‐genotypic therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has made the elimination of the disease an attainable goal. This study assessed progress made in 45 high‐income countries towards meeting the World Health Organization's targets for HCV elimination by 2030.MethodsA Markov model developed to forecast annual HCV‐infected population was populated with demographic and epidemiological inputs, with historical incidence calibrated to reported prevalence of chronic HCV for each country. Future incidence was assumed to be a linear function of overall prevalence (or prevalence of minimal fibrosis in countries with treatment restrictions). 2017 levels of diagnosis and treatment were assumed constant in the future. The analysis estimated the year countries would meet HCV elimination targets for 80% reduction in incidence, 65% reduction in liver‐related deaths, 90% diagnosis coverage and 80% treatment among the treatment‐eligible population.ResultsOf the 45 countries analyzed, nine (Australia, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) are on track towards meeting the HCV elimination targets by 2030. While Austria, Germany and Malta could also reach the targets with expanded screening efforts, 30 countries are not projected to eliminate HCV before 2050. Incidence was the most difficult target to achieve, followed by liver‐related deaths.ConclusionsEven with introduction of curative therapies, 80% of high‐income countries are not on track to meet HCV elimination targets by 2030, and 67% are off track by at least 20 years. Immediate action to improve HCV screening and treatment is needed globally to make HCV elimination attainable.
Aid to agriculture, trade and structural change
Authors: Pelloni Alessandra , Stengos Thanasis , Tedesco Ilaria 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper studies the effect on the industrialization process of developing countries of foreign aid given to agriculture to expand its productive capacity. According to our theoretical analysis, this effect is conditional on the openness of receiving countries. Our empirical results based on panel data for developing countries confirm this analysis, as we find that the effect of this kind of agricultural aid on the rate of growth of the industrial sector of landlocked countries is indeed positive.
Lipoxin suppresses inflammation via the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway in periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Ali Muhanad , Yang Fang , Jansen John A. , Walboomers X. Frank 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) for the treatment of periodontitis in an in vitro model.MethodsHuman PDLCs were challenged with Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evoke an inflammatory response. This was done either in monoculture or in coculture with THP‐1, a monocytic cell line. Thereafter, cytokine expression was measured by ELISA, with or without LXA4. In addition, the effects of LXA4 were analyzed on the TLR‐MyD88‐NF‐κB (TMN)‐mediated intracellular signal pathway using immunocytochemistry.ResultsIn response to LPS, the level of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha increased, whereas the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐4 decreased significantly (p < .05). These effects were consistently reversed when LPS‐challenged PDLCs were also treated with LXA4. The results in the coculture system were comparable to the monoculture. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative assessment confirmed the importance of the TMN signal pathway in these processes.ConclusionThese results corroborate earlier findings that PDLCs play an important role in inflammation. Moreover, LXA4 might offer new approaches for the therapeutic treatment of periodontal disease.
Effects of walking on sundown syndrome in community‐dwelling people with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shih Yen‐Hua , Pai Ming‐Chyi , Lin Huey‐Shyan , Sung Pi‐Shan , Wang Jing‐Jy 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundSundown syndrome is an important care issue for people with dementia (PwD) and for family caregivers. Walking is a safe and simple physical activity for most PwD, yet no research has explored the effects of different long‐term walking periods on sundown syndrome.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the effects of walking on sundown syndrome, and to identify whether different walking time periods would show different effects on sundown syndrome in community‐dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease.MethodsA quasi‐experimental designed study with repeated measurements was conducted. Sixty PwD were recruited and assigned to either the control group or the morning or afternoon walking group according to their caregiver's preference. The participants in the two walking groups completed an average of 120‐min walking per week, accompanied by their caregivers. Forty‐six achieved the 6‐month intervention. Four measurements were taken, one at the pretest and one at weeks 8, 16 and 24. The Chinese version of the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory, community form (C‐CMAI) was used to assess the severity of the sundown syndrome. The generalised estimating equation (GEE) was applied for the longitudinal data analysis.ResultsThere was a significant change across the study period (p = .048) in the morning walking group, indicating that the score for sundown syndrome decreased when PwD walked in the morning. Considering group effects, compared to the control group, the C‐CMAI scores significantly decreased after 16 weeks of walking in the afternoon walking group (p = .001) and after 24 weeks in both the morning and afternoon walking groups (p = .001), indicating that after PwD had walked for 16 weeks, sundown syndrome ameliorated in the afternoon group and continually decreased after 24 weeks in both the morning and afternoon groups. However, there was no significant group difference between the morning and afternoon walking groups during the 24‐week walking intervention.ConclusionsThe results indicated that both morning walking and afternoon walking are beneficial for ameliorating the symptoms of sundown syndrome; however, walking in the afternoon may have a faster effect on the symptoms than walking in the morning. Walking is a safe, simple, feasible and effective intervention to benefit individuals with sundown syndrome.Implications for practiceRegularly walking for 30 min a day, four times a week, is beneficial to alleviate sundown syndrome among PwD living in the community. Either morning or afternoon walking is effective for decreasing sundown syndrome, and the longer the walking time, the greater the impact on sundown syndrome.
Periodic shell decollation as an ecology‐driven strategy in the early Cambrian Cupitheca
Authors: Sun Haijing , Yin Zongjun , Li Guoxiang , Zhao Fangchen , Zeng Han , Zhu Maoyan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractShell decollation is a growth strategy that has been adopted by a number of invertebrate taxa to offset the metabolic and ecological disadvantages of shell growth. However, little is known about the origin and evolution of this process. We here describe well‐preserved specimens of the hyolith Cupitheca decollata sp. nov. preserving the decollation process, from the early Cambrian Yu'anshan Formation (c. 518 Ma) of South China. Based on a large number of specimens collectively representing different developmental stages, we use high‐resolution X‐ray microtomography and scanning electronic microscopy to reconstruct the process of decollation in this taxon. Cupitheca is among the earliest known small shelly fossils, and thus our discovery confirms that periodic decollation had evolved by the onset of the Cambrian explosion, reflecting the high intensity of the predator–prey arms race in early Cambrian ecosystems. A comparison between the decollation processes of Cupitheca and other shelly invertebrates suggests that periodic decollation and the associated molecular mechanisms of calcium dissolution, uptake, allocation and deposition may have had multiple independent origins.
What is macroevolution?
Authors: Hautmann Michael 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDefinitions of macroevolution fall into three categories: (1) evolution of taxa of supraspecific rank; (2) evolution on the grand time‐scale; and (3) evolution that is guided by sorting of interspecific variation (as opposed to sorting of intraspecific variation in microevolution). Here, it is argued that only definition 3 allows for a consistent separation of macroevolution and microevolution. Using this definition, speciation has both microevolutionary and macroevolutionary aspects: the process of morphological transformation is microevolutionary, but the variation among species that it produces is macroevolutionary, as is the rate at which speciation occurs. Selective agents may have differential effects on intraspecific and interspecific variation, with three possible situations: effect at one level only, effect at both levels with the same polarity but potentially different intensity, and effects that oppose between levels. Whereas the impact of all selective agents is direct in macroevolution, microevolution requires intraspecific competition as a mediator between selective agents and evolutionary responses. This mediating role of intraspecific competition occurs in the presence of sexual reproduction and has therefore no analogue at the macroevolutionary level where species are the evolutionary units. Competition between species manifests both on the microevolutionary and macroevolutionary level, but with different effects. In microevolution, interspecific competition spurs evolutionary divergence, whereas it is a potential driver of extinction at the macroevolutionary level. Recasting the Red Queen hypothesis in a macroevolutionary framework suggests that the effects of interspecific competition result in a positive correlation between origination and extinction rates, confirming empirical observations herein referred to as Stanley's rule.
A Video of Ultrasound‐Guided S1 Transforaminal Epidural Injection Using Color Doppler: Technical Reports
Authors: Lee Byung Joo , Han Jin , Park Donghwi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLumbosacral radicular pain with or without radiculopathy is a fairly common clinical condition. In such cases, lumbosacral transforaminal epidural injection (TFEI) is one of the most commonly performed interventions. Recent studies have explored the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)‐guided lumbosacral TFEI. Most of these studies have focused on lumbar TFEI via an in‐plane approach. S1 TFEI can also be easily performed, since the S1 foramen is more superficial than the lumbar foramen. However, most studies regarding US‐guided sacral TFEI use an out‐of‐plane technique. Therefore, in this report we present a video of US‐guided S1 TFEI via an in‐plane approach.
The Role of Regional Media in Shaping Political Awareness of Youth: Evidence from Egypt
Authors: Khodair Amany Ahmed , AboElsoud Mostafa E. , Khalifa Mahmoud 
Published: December 2019

This is an exploratory study that aims to answer the question of whether and to what extent regional media are influential in shaping political awareness and its role in influencing public opinion, especially that of young people. We examined regional media in Egypt, more precisely in the Suez Canal Region. To ensure the validity of our results, we deployed a number of different data collection methods: the collection, analysis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative research. The results reveal that regional media have the potential to contribute effectively in raising youths' political awareness of the public policy‐making process. The recommendations specified are the elimination of red tape, governmental bureaucracy, and centralization in the management of regional radio and television is required; also necessary are financial independence and the restructuring of the organizational hierarchy of all state‐run regional media.Related ArticlesAntwi‐Boateng, Osman. 2015. “No Spring in Africa: How Sub‐Saharan Africa has Avoided the Arab Spring Phenomenon.” Politics & Policy 43 (5): 754‐784. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12129Khodr, Hiba, and Isabella Ruble. 2013. “Energy Policies and Domestic Politics in the MENA Region in the Aftermath of the Arab Upheavals: The Cases of Lebanon, Libya, and KSA.” Politics & Policy 41 (5): 656‐689. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12033.xSarquís, David J. 2012. “Democratization after the Arab Spring: The Case of Egypt's Political Transition.” Politics & Policy 40 (5): 871‐903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00381.xRelated MediaBonney, Victoria. 2018. “How Social Media is Shaping our Political Future.” TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kd99IIWJUw&t=34sPainter, David. 2014. “Social Media and Political Campaigns – Youth Voting; Positive Messaging.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxE2OGYhVvo
A novel QTL on chromosome 5AL of Yangmai 158 increases resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat
Authors: Jiang P. , Zhang X. , Wu L. , He Y. , Zhuang W. , Cheng X. , Ge W. , Ma H. , Kong L. 
Published: December 2019

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is a destructive fungal disease worldwide and has become more severe over the last two decades. Development of FHB resistant wheat varieties is the most effective way to manage FHB. The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are the traditional FHB epidemic areas in China. The landraces and germplasms with resistance to FHB originating from this region were used to identity FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Yangmai 158 and Ningmai 9 are the most popular varieties for commercial wheat production in this region and both have moderate FHB resistance. A high‐density genetic map was constructed using 282 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between Ningmai 9 and Yangmai 158. Ten QTLs related to Type II FHB resistance were identified, and QFhb‐3B.1 and QFhb‐5A were stably detected across all environments. Based on position alignment, QFhb‐3B.1 from Ningmai 9 is likely to be Fhb1 and QFhb‐5A from Yangmai 158 is a novel QTL not previously described. A competitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) marker closely linked to QFhb‐5A was developed and could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Distribution of QFhb‐5A was tested with numerous accessions from a widespread core collection. The results suggest that QFhb‐5A has undergone both natural and artificial selection. Some RILs with both Fhb1 and QFhb‐5A presented better FHB resistance than the parents and could be used in FHB resistance breeding.
Measuring the Content of Presidential Policy Making: Applying Text Analysis to Executive Branch Directives
Authors: Kaufman Aaron R. 
Published: December 2019

The executive branch produces huge quantities of text data: policy‐driving documents such as executive orders, national security directives, and agency regulations; procedural documents such as notices of proposed rule making, meeting transcripts, and presidential daily schedules; and public relations documents including press releases, veto statements, and social media posts. Political science is increasingly turning to methods of automated text analysis to rigorously interrogate such corpora. These tools have proved invaluable to scholars of the judiciary, of the legislature, and of political behavior; they hold great promise for the study of the presidency and bureaucracy. These methods' value lies in measuring complex, nuanced, yet theoretically critical quantities of interest like power, agenda setting, policy significance, ideology, and diplomatic resolve: by categorizing individual documents into a researcher‐defined schema, automated text methods produce large‐N data sets with fine temporal granularity. Recent work using text analysis to study unilateral actions illustrates these methods' promise for upturning conventional wisdom, settling long‐standing debates, and illuminating new puzzles in executive politics in the United States.