bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ‘tyranny of reproduction’: Could ectogenesis further women’s liberation?
Authors: MacKay Kathryn 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper imagines what the liberatory possibilities of (full) ectogenesis are, insofar as it separates woman from female reproductive function. Even before use with human infants, ectogenesis productively disrupts the biological paradigm underlying current gender categories and divisions of labour. I begin by presenting a theory of women’s oppression drawn from the radical feminisms of the 1960s, which sees oppression as deeply rooted in biology. On this view, oppressive social meanings are overlaid upon biology and body, as artefacts of culture and history. I then argue that ectogenesis should be pursued to replace two modes of assisted gestation that can be seen as outgrowths of oppressive assumptions about women's function, ectogenesis should be pursued to replace two modes of assisted gestation. These are gestational surrogacy and uterine transplant, which arise partly from gendered, pronatalist, and geneticist norms. These practices are supported by assumptions about women’s identity and value. Pursuing technologies such as ectogenesis, which weaken the presumed link between biology and gender, is beneficial to (trans‐inclusionary radical) feminist aims, as part of a broad project of challenging dominant power relations resting on and maintaining gender categories. By allowing the conceptual separation of female reproductive function from ‘woman’, ectogenesis raises questions about how we determine who counts in this gender identity, and also how we value those who claim the identity ‘woman’. I conclude that ectogenesis has the potential to challenge traditional patriarchal family structures, and thence all other male‐dominated structures (of work, education, cultural production), allowing a reimagining of the family and society in more radical ways than we have yet achieved.
Phenotypes of fetal macrosomia and risk of stillbirth among term deliveries over the previous four decades
Authors: Salihu Hamisu M. , Dongarwar Deepa , King Lindsey M. , Yusuf Korede K. , Ibrahimi Sahra , Salinas‐Miranda Abraham A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the association between macrosomia and stillbirth over the previous four decades and to determine the consistency of the relationship.MethodsThis was a population‐based retrospective cohort study using United States Natality and Fetal Death Data from 1982 to 2017 and restricted to the gestational age range of 37‐41 weeks inclusive. Macrosomia was defined as birthweight ≥4000 g and subdivided into its grades as previously recommended: grade 1 (4000‐4499 g), grade 2 (4500‐4999 g), and grade 3 (≥5000 g). We calculated temporal trends of stillbirth among fetuses with macrosomia over the years using joinpoint regression. We generated odds ratios from adjusted binomial logistic regression models to examine the association between macrosomia and risk of stillbirth stratified by grades using normal‐weight infants (2500‐3999 g) as referent.ResultsWithin the fetal macrosomia group, the rate of stillbirth declined from 2.04/1000 in 1982 to 1.05/1000 by the end of the study period (2017), representing a drop of about 48.5%. For the normal‐weight fetuses, stillbirth rate declined from 1.95/1000 to 0.83/1000, equivalent to a decline of 57.4%. Macrosomia was significantly associated with elevated risk for stillbirth: grade 2 (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.22‐1.32) and grade 3 (OR = 5.97; 95% CI = 5.69‐6.22).ConclusionsFetal macrosomia is a significant risk factor for fetal demise with the worst intrauterine survival observed among those classified as grade 3. Fetal macrosomia is a heterogeneous rather than a homogeneous entity in terms of risk profiles, and this needs to be considered in future policy guidelines.
ARL4C is associated with initiation and progression of lung adenocarcinoma and represents a therapeutic target
Authors: Kimura Kenji , Matsumoto Shinji , Harada Takeshi , Morii Eiichi , Nagatomo Izumi , Shintani Yasushi , Kikuchi Akira 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLung adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of lung cancer and is classified into adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA). Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) lesions are possible precursors to adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanism underlying the stepwise continuum of lung adenocarcinoma is unclear. In this study, the involvement of ADP‐ribosylation factor (ARF)‐like (ARL) 4C (ARL4C), a member of the small GTP‐binding protein family, in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma and the possibility of ARL4C as a molecular target for lung cancer therapy were explored. ARL4C was frequently expressed in AAH and ARL4C expression in immortalized human small airway epithelial cells promoted cell proliferation and suppressed cell death. In addition, ARL4C was expressed with increased frequency in AIS, MIA and IA in a stage‐dependent manner, and the expression was correlated with histologic grade, fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and poor prognosis. An anti–sense oligonucleotide (ASO) against ARL4C (ARL4C ASO‐1316) inhibited RAS‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate activity and nuclear import of Yes‐associated protein and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif, and suppressed in vitro proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells with KRAS or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. In addition, transbronchial administration of ARL4C ASO‐1316 suppressed orthotopic tumor formation induced by these cancer cells. Thus, ARL4C is involved in the initiation of the premalignant stage and is associated with the stepwise continuum of lung adenocarcinoma. ARL4C ASO‐1316 would be useful for lung adenocarcinoma patients expressing ARL4C regardless of the KRAS or EGFR mutation.
Extracellular vesicles and asthma: A review of the literature
Authors: Sangaphunchai Phoomphut , Todd Ian , Fairclough Lucy C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAsthma is a chronic, recurrent and incurable allergy‐related respiratory disease characterized by inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and narrowing of the airways. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a universal feature of cellular function and can be detected in different bodily fluids. Recent evidence has shown the possibility of using EVs in understanding the pathogenesis of asthma, including their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Studies have reported that EVs released from key cells involved in asthma can induce priming and activation of other asthma‐associated cells. A literature review was conducted on all current research regarding the role and function of EVs in the pathogenesis of asthma via the PRISMA statement method. An electronic search was performed using EMBASE and PubMed through to November 2018. The EMBASE search returned 76 papers, while the PubMed search returned 211 papers. Following duplicate removal, titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility with a total of 34 studies included in the final qualitative analysis. The review found evidence of association between the presence of EVs and physiological changes characteristic of asthma, suggesting that EVs are involved in the pathogenesis, with the weight of evidence presently favouring deleterious effects of EVs in asthma. Numerous studies highlighted differences in exosomal contents between EVs of healthy and asthmatic individuals, which could be employed as potential diagnostic markers. In some circumstances, EVs were also found to be suppressive to disease, but more often promote inflammation and airway remodelling. In conclusion, EVs hold immense potential in understanding the pathophysiology of asthma, and as diagnostic and therapeutic markers. While more research is needed for definitive conclusions and their application in medical practice, the literature presented in this review should encourage further research and discovery within the field of EVs and asthma.
Effects of tibolone or continuous combined oestradiol and norethisterone acetate on lipids, high‐density lipoprotein subfractions and apolipoproteins in postmenopausal women in a two‐year, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Kotecha Payal Trupti , Godsland Ian F. , Crook David , Stevenson John C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effects of (a) tibolone, (b) continuous combined oestrogen plus progestogen and (c) placebo on plasma lipid and lipoprotein markers of cardiovascular risk in healthy postmenopausal women.Study designRandomized, single‐centre, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study.PatientsOne hundred and one postmenopausal women were randomized (1:1:1) into one of three groups taking daily 2.5 mg tibolone, continuous oral oestradiol‐17β 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg daily (E2/NETA) or placebo.Main outcome measuresFasting serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment.ResultsBoth tibolone and E2/NETA lowered plasma total cholesterol concentrations relative to placebo. With tibolone, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) was reduced (−27% at 24 months, P < .001), the greatest effect being in the cholesterol‐enriched HDL2 subfraction (−40%, P < .001). Tibolone's effect on HDL concentrations was also apparent in the principal HDL protein component, apolipoprotein AI (−29% at 24 months, P < .001). However, there was no significant effect of tibolone on low‐density or very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C and VLDL‐C, respectively). By contrast, the greatest reduction in cholesterol with E2/NETA was in LDL‐C (−22% at 24 months, P = .008). E2/NETA reduced HDL‐C to a lesser extent than tibolone (−12% at 24 months, P < .001). Effects on HDL apolipoproteins were similarly diminished relative to tibolone. E2/NETA had no effect on VLDL‐C or on the protein component of LDL, apolipoprotein B.ConclusionTibolone reduces serum HDL. E2/NETA reduces LDL cholesterol but not apolipoprotein B, suggesting decreased cholesterol loading of LDL. Any impact these changes may have on CVD risk needs further investigation.
Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment and the current status in Japan
Authors: Suichi Tomoki , Misawa Sonoko 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPolyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare cause of demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells. Because the disorder shows diverse symptoms, its diagnosis is often difficult. Previously reported diagnostic criteria had many items, and their accuracy was not confirmed. Recently, new diagnostic criteria have been proposed, which consist of just seven items and have better diagnostic accuracy. Since around 2000, treatments for myeloma, such as high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation, immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors, have been applied to polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes syndrome. A recent national survey carried out in Japan showed that the prognosis has been prominently improved by these plasma cell‐targeting therapeutic interventions: 10‐year overall survival was 93%. Conversely, 24% of the patients were still treated with corticosteroid alone as an initial treatment, suggesting that recognition of the disorder is not sufficient. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment in the early phase of the disease are essential to further improve the prognosis of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes syndrome. The present review focuses on diagnosis, treatment and the current status of the disease in Japan.
Enhancing the wash fastness of disperse dyes on wool with oxidants
Authors: McNeil Steven J. , Zaitseva Larissa I. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDisperse dyes are not currently applied to wool commercially, in large part because of inadequate wash fastness, but they do have potential, especially for wool‐polyester blends. In this study, for the first time hydrogen peroxide was investigated to increase the wash fastness of disperse dyes on wool. In the absence of oxidants, 10 disperse dyes from seven classes imparted colours with a range of depths (K/S 2‐26) with wash fastness (grey scale ratings for colour change) grades of 3 to 4‐5. Hydrogen peroxide had only small effects on colours and gave only small enhancements to wash fastness, which were limited to anthraquinone, nitrodiphenylamine, disazo and coumarin dyes. The bleach activators Prestogen W and citric acid enhanced the bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide but did not assist with raising wash fastness. Hydrogen peroxide in post‐dyeing scouring made the dyeings brighter but did not significantly enhance wash fastness. Ammonium persulphate, which was included for benchmarking with earlier studies, yellowed the wool and decomposed some dyes. This study extends the range of dye classes whose wash fastness on wool can be improved by ammonium persulphate to now include diazo, coumarin and methine, and confirms that oxidants/free radical initiators have potential for enabling the disperse dyeing of wool.
Consistency issues in hair spectral reflectance and colour measurements
Authors: Liberini Simone , Avolio Antonio , Yankowski Stevn Thomas , Rizzi Alessandro 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe colour shade quality control scenario is ubiquitous within the cosmetic hair colouring industry. Visual inspection is nowadays the go‐to standard for the evaluation of dye application outcomes, even although the increased availability of easily operated spectrophotometers has favoured the introduction of colorimeters in the manufacturing process. Human hairs, however, are very efficient scatterers, and this makes their instrumental measurements more difficult and less consistent. To assess the degree to which this intrinsic property compromises the reliability of spectrophotometric measurements, we tested a variety of samples of human hair locks (swatches), both dyed and undyed, and those of nylon fibre hair swatches. First, we analysed results from two measuring modalities made available by instrumentation: Specular Component Included and Specular Component Excluded. Then, to modify macroscopic spatial orientation, we arranged swatches so that hair strands would cross at varying angles. Measurements confirmed the expected dependencies, namely, the clear influence of the scattered component and of sample orientation on instrumental reading outputs. Having settled on a preferred measuring setup, we analysed measurement variance. Here, we briefly discuss the qualitative visual inspection of spectra, before switching to ΔE to show the unreliability, at least as far as lighter coloured dyes are concerned, of the classic target‐sample measurements which are employed to issue pass‐or‐fail verdicts. Despite quantitative measurements being an asset for quality control, we suggest that greater care should be placed in spectrophotometric readings when human hair is involved, as opposed to more traditional fields of application.
Social Policy, Inequalities and the Battle of Rights in Latin America
Authors: Riggirozzi Pia 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTTargeted social policies and other more universal forms of social protection have shaped (the shifts in) the politics of popular support in Latin America. Since the early 2000s this has led to a tendency towards the election of left‐leaning governments, stimulating stronger political pressure for more extensive redistribution. Yet despite a wide range of cash transfers, subsidies and other social policies, the ‘post‐neoliberal’ ideal of welfare did not reshape the political and relational powers of citizens in the ways necessary to redress the structural determinants of poverty and inequality across the region. This article reveals a ‘dark side’ of social policy in Latin America, arguing that targeted and precariously funded welfare regimes are creating tensions between the socio‐economic and ecological spheres that undermine inclusive citizenship and democracy.
Evaluation of a new e‐learning resource for calibrating OSCE examiners on the use of rating scales
Authors: Moreno‐López Rosa , Sinclair Serena 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionRating scales have been described as better at assessing behaviours such as professionalism during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). However, there is an increased need to train and calibrate staff on their use prior to student assessment.Material and methodsAn online e‐learning package was developed and made available to all examiners at the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Aberdeen. The package included videos of three OSCE stations (medical emergency, rubber dam placement and handling a complaint) which were recorded in two different scenarios; (excellent and unsatisfactory candidate). These videos were recorded to meet a pre‐defined marking score. The examiners were required to mark the six videos using pre‐set marking criteria (checklist and rating scales). The rating scales included professionalism, general clinical ability and/or communication skills. For each video, examiners were given four possible options (unsatisfactory, borderline, satisfactory or excellent), and they were provided with a description for each domain. They were also required to complete a questionnaire to gather their views on the use of this e‐learning environment.ResultsFifteen examiners completed the task. The total scores given were very similar to the expected scores for the medical emergency and complaint stations; however, this was not the case for the rubber dam station (P‐value .017 and .036). This could be attributed to some aspects of the placement of the rubber dam being unclear as commented on in the examiners questionnaires. There was consistency in the selection of marks on the rating scales (inter‐examiner correlation ranged between 0.916 and 0.979).ConclusionFurther studies are required on the field of e‐learning training to calibrate examiners for practical assessment; however, this study provides preliminary evidence to support the use of videos as part of an online training package to calibrate OSCE examiners on the use of rating scales.
Dental educators’ attitudes towards the teaching of dental amalgam
Authors: Alexander George , Hopcraft Matthew S. , Tyas Martin J. , Wong Rebecca H. K. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo ascertain dental educators’ attitudes towards the teaching of dental amalgam at dental schools in Australia and identify preferred curricular approaches in a potentially “amalgamless” profession.MethodsA mixed methods analysis was employed based on an open‐ended response survey followed by a closed‐ended questionnaire. Identification of key issues from the survey helped frame the questionnaire. Participants included those with expertise in operative and restorative dentistry, with direct involvement in curriculum development or delivery, at Australian dental schools.ResultsParticipants numbered fifteen and represented seven of the nine dental schools in Australia. Key themes identified and explored included the following: (in)consistency of approach to teaching restorative dentistry; a perceived disconnect between undergraduate study and the “real world”; a need for a focus on teaching of alternatives to dental amalgam (80 per cent (strongly) agreeing); the contradictory nature of the evidence base and literature that is not readily understood; the need for more post‐graduate education relating to adhesive restorative materials (86 per cent (strongly) agreeing); the need for dental amalgam to continue to be available; formal understandings (guidelines) as to the use of dental amalgam; dental schools in Australia being heard on these issues; and the relevance of this issue (100 per cent (strongly) agreeing the issue is topical and important).ConclusionThere is a broad consensus of dental educators at Australian dental schools as how best to approach the teaching of amalgam if a phase‐down is to occur and the issues any such approach may face.
Two conceptions of voluntary action in the Nicomachean Ethics
Authors: Wolt Daniel 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIt is nearly universally agreed among commentators that according to Aristotle's account of voluntary action in the Nicomachean Ethics (NE), only voluntary actions are blameworthy. I argue for a qualified rejection of this assumption: some actions that Aristotle counts as blameworthy do not meet the criteria for voluntariness set out in NE 3.1. However, in NE 3.5 and elsewhere, one finds a broader conception of voluntary action, and it is true that, for Aristotle, an action must be voluntary on this broader conception in order to be blameworthy. While the narrow conception only counts actions that are under the agent's direct control as voluntary, the broader conception includes also actions that are under the agent's indirect control. The compresence of these two conceptions in the NE is not simply a matter of sloppiness on Aristotle's part. Rather, he has good philosophical reasons for employing both.
Abrupt declines in marine phytoplankton production driven by warming and biodiversity loss in a microcosm experiment
Authors: Bestion Elvire , Barton Samuel , García Francisca C. , Warfield Ruth , Yvon‐Durocher Gabriel 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRising sea surface temperatures are expected to lead to the loss of phytoplankton biodiversity. However, we currently understand very little about the interactions between warming, loss of phytoplankton diversity and its impact on the oceans' primary production. We experimentally manipulated the species richness of marine phytoplankton communities under a range of warming scenarios, and found that ecosystem production declined more abruptly with species loss in communities exposed to higher temperatures. Species contributing positively to ecosystem production in the warmed treatments were those that had the highest optimal temperatures for photosynthesis, implying that the synergistic impacts of warming and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning were mediated by thermal trait variability. As species were lost from the communities, the probability of taxa remaining that could tolerate warming diminished, resulting in abrupt declines in ecosystem production. Our results highlight the potential for synergistic effects of warming and biodiversity loss on marine primary production.
‘I was cracking more than everyone else’: young adults' daily life experiences of hypermobility and jaw disorders
Authors: Ilgunas Aurelia , Wänman Anders , Strömbäck Maria 
Published: January 2020

Most studies on general joint hypermobility (GJH) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are quantitative and have concluded that joint hypermobility is a risk factor for development of TMD. The present qualitative study aimed to explore young adults' daily life experiences of GJH, specifically these relating to jaw function, and their experiences of medical and dental care providers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine young adults (18–22 yr of age) and data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The overarching thematic category that emerged was ‘Hypermobility in daily life’, which was broken into six subthemes and three themes: ‘emotional perception’, ‘dealing with symptoms’, and ‘outside influences’. Participants' narratives centred on experiences of complex symptoms, awkward jaw function and joint noises, feeling different, and a lack of support from general medical and dental care providers. The findings show that young adults with joint hypermobility need early support from medical and dental care providers for managing their symptoms and conditions related to GJH. Future studies are warranted to develop guidelines for professionals in medical and dental care to detect and prevent forthcoming problems and to offer relevant support to hypermobile youths.