bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asian management of hypertension: Current status, home blood pressure, and specific concerns in Vietnam
Authors: Huynh Van Minh , Nguyen Lan Viet , Van Huy Tran , Cao Thuc Sinh , Tran Kim Son , To Muoi , Duong Thanh Binh , Hoang Anh Tien 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHypertension and atherosclerotic diseases are becoming important public health issues in Vietnam. This is due, in part, to changing dietary patterns and lifestyles accompanying economic growth in the country. The most recent prevalence data suggest that 29% of the population has hypertension, and the rate of other cardiovascular risk factors is also high. Although use of home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (HBPM and ABPM) is increasing, Vietnamese physicians generally rely on office blood pressure (BP) for diagnosing and managing hypertension. A lack of availability and training are limiting factors. However, out‐of‐office BP monitoring is important to detect white‐coat and masked hypertension, and define the 24‐hour BP profile. This approach is recommended in current Vietnam Society of Hypertension and Vietnamese National Heart Association guidelines. Based on 2016 data, the most commonly used antihypertensive agents in Vietnam are angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, followed by calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and diuretics, with ß‐blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers used less frequently. Combination therapy, usually with an ACE inhibitor plus CCB or diuretic, is quite common (used in 62% of patients). The participation of Vietnam in global hypertension initiatives and organizations has likely contributed to improved treatment and control rates over the last 10 years. Nevertheless, the prevalence of hypertension remains high and additional strategies are needed to reduce this and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Adjunctive effect of locally delivered antimicrobials in periodontitis therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Herrera David , Matesanz Paula , Martín Conchita , Oud Valerie , Feres Magda , Teughels Wim 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimTo answer the following PICOS question: in adult patients with periodontitis, which is the efficacy of adjunctive locally delivered antimicrobials, in comparison with subgingival debridement alone or plus a placebo, in terms of probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, in randomized clinical trials with at least 6 months of follow‐up.Material and methodsA systematic search was conducted: 59 papers, reporting 50 different studies, were included. Data on clinical outcome variables changes were pooled and analysed using weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and prediction intervals (PI), in case of significant heterogeneity.ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed, in 6‐ to 9‐month studies, for PPD (WMD = 0.365, 95% CI [0.262; 0.468], PI [−0.29; 1.01]) and clinical attachment level (CAL) (WMD = 0.263, 95% CI [0.123; 0.403], PI [−0.43; 0.96]). For long‐term studies, significant differences were observed for PPD (WMD = 0.190, 95% CI [0.059; 0.321]), but not for CAL. For adverse events, no differences were observed. Results were affected by study design (split‐mouth versus parallel studies) and assessment (full‐ or partial‐mouth), as well as by the formulation tested.ConclusionsThe use adjunctive locally delivered antimicrobials in periodontitis therapy results in statistically significant benefits in clinical outcomes, without relevant side effects.
Barriers and enablers in the implementation of a standardised process for nutrition care: findings from a multinational survey of dietetic professionals in 10 countries
Authors: Lövestam E. , Vivanti A. , Steiber A. , Boström A.‐M. , Devine A. , Haughey O. , Kiss C. M. , Lang N. R. , Lieffers J. , Lloyd L. , O'Sullivan T. A. , Papoutsakis C. , Peersen C. , Thoresen L. , Orrevall Y. ,   INIS Consortium members (collaborators)
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo explore the barriers and enablers experienced by nutrition and dietetic professionals in the implementation of the standardised Nutrition Care Process (NCP) across 10 different countries. NCP related beliefs, motivations and values were investigated and compared.MethodsA validated online survey was disseminated to nutrition and dietetics professionals in 10 countries in the local language during 2017. Cross‐sectional associations and differences between countries were explored for level of implementation, barriers/enablers and attitudes/motivation among the respondents.ResultsHigher NCP implementation was associated with greater occurrence of enabling aspects, as well as fewer occurrences of barriers. The most common enabler was ‘recommendation by the national dietetic association’ (69%) and the most common barrier was ‘lack of time’ (39%). A longer experience of NCP use was associated with a more positive attitude towards all NCP aspects. Differences between countries were identified, regarding both the occurrence of barriers/enablers and attitudes/motivations.ConclusionsImplementation efforts need to be tailored to country‐specific contexts when implementing a new standard of care framework among nutrition and dietetic professionals. Additional research is needed to further assess the management and workplace strategies to support the development of nutrition and dietetics professionals in multidisciplinary healthcare organisations.
The phenotype and pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum transformed under prolonged stress of excessive exogenous nitrogen
Authors: Wang Yuemeng , Liu Ying , Ding Wei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBacterial wilt, caused by soil‐borne pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, is a serious disease in many plants such as Solanaceae. To investigate the effects of accumulated nitrogen in soil on the phenotype and pathogenicity of the R. solanacearum, a serial passage experiment (SPE) was designed. Specifically speaking, minimal medium supplied with a slight excess of ammonium sulphate (AS) or ammonium nitrate (AN) was used to simulate the nutrition of soil containing excess nitrogen. During the period of 30 SPE, the phenotype, pathogenicity and relative expression of nitrogen metabolism genes in R. solanacearum were monitored. Phenotypic analysis results illustrated that the colony morphology of R. solanacearum changed after long‐term culture, from high virulence colonies with strong fluidity to small, round non‐mucoid colonies; The strain after prolonged stress of excessive exogenous nitrogen was a no‐virulence phenotype conversion type (PC‐type). The time for a change in colony morphology to occur after exposure to exogenous AS or AN was significantly less than the untreated samples, which treated without exogenous nitrogen. The results of pathogenicity also demonstrated that the cultures treated with exogenous AN or AS reduced virulence more quickly than the control. The disease index of 10 SPE with AN treatment or AS treatment was 89% or 68% lower than that of the control, respectively. In addition, as the incubation time increased, the swimming motility and the number of biofilms formation of the cultures were significantly changed under both treatments in comparison to the untreated samples. Furthermore, the relative expression of the nitric oxide reductase norB gene in the cultures treated with AN was 1.51‐fold higher compared with the control after 30 SPE. These results indicated that excessive nitrogen supply in the environment could accelerate the transformation of R. solanacearum from high virulence wild‐type into a PC‐type, probably for the purpose of adapting to the adverse environment.
Effects of Traditional Versus Montessori Schooling on 4‐ to 15‐Year Old children's Performance Monitoring
Authors: Denervaud Solange , Knebel Jean‐François , Immordino‐Yang Mary Helen , Hagmann Patric 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTThrough performance monitoring individuals detect and learn from unexpected outcomes, indexed by post‐error slowing and post‐error improvement in accuracy. Although performance monitoring is essential for academic learning and improves across childhood, its susceptibility to educational influences has not been studied. Here we compared performance monitoring on a flanker task in 234 children aged 4 through 15, from traditional or Montessori classrooms. While traditional classrooms emphasize that students learn from teachers' feedback, Montessori classrooms encourage students to work independently with materials specially designed to support learners discovering errors for themselves. We found that Montessori students paused longer post‐error in early childhood and, by adolescence, were more likely to self‐correct. We also found that a developmental shift from longer to shorter pauses post‐error being associated with self‐correction happened younger in the Montessori group. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that educational experience influences performance monitoring, with implications for neural development, learning, and pedagogy.
Ticks in the ecotone: the impact of agri‐environment field margins on the presence and intensity of Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in farmland in southern England
Authors: Medlock J. M. , Vaux A. G. C. , Hansford K. M. , Pietzsch M. E. , Gillingham E. L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe present study aimed to assess whether agri‐environment field margins provide a habitat for the sheep/deer tick Ixodes ricinus. Field studies were conducted in arable farmland in southern England in both extant and newly constructed field margins. The presence and intensity (i.e. the mean number of nymphs per transect, excluding zeros) of questing nymphs and adult I. ricinus were compared between field margins with three adjacent habitats: woodland, hedgerow and arable land. The presence and intensity of ticks within a field margin was also compared between three ecozones: the ecotone, the margin and the crop. It was found that field margins do support I. ricinus, although the intensity of ticks was associated with field margins with adjacent woodland, with a higher tick intensity along the ecotonal ecozone, compared with the rest of the margin or the crop edge. The presence of a hedge also increased the likelihood of finding questing nymphs in a field margin compared with a margin adjacent to arable land. This effect, however, was less pronounced than in field margins with adjacent woodland. The provision of footpaths within the margin (at least 1–2 m from the ecotone), or on the edge of the crop where paths run next to woodland known to be an important tick habitat, could be promoted to minimize tick exposure. In addition, based on the results of the present study, raising awareness that walking alongside woodlands also constitutes a tick risk could be promoted.
WOODEN TECHNOLOGY DURING THE IRON AGE: THE ASPIO CAVE (RUESGA, NORTH SPAIN)
Authors: del Castillo Rafael Bolado , López‐Bultó Oriol , Cubas Miriam 
Published: January 2020

SummaryRemains of perishable materials only survive at archaeological sites in extraordinary preservation conditions. This means that some technologies, such as woodworking, are clearly under‐represented in the archaeological record. Twelve wooden objects were found in the Aspio Cave (Ruesga, Cantabria). The application of an appropriate analytical methodology has allowed us to identify the processes of their selection, acquisition, fabrication and main morphological characteristics. In the case of the combs, morphological parallels have been established with artefacts at Iron Age sites in the British Isles. This singular archaeological assemblage, from a deposit dated in the second or first centuries cal BC, enables an exploration of the role of wood technology in Iron Age societies in Cantabrian Spain.
Comparison of the organic compounds composition of Hylobius abietis males and females before and after exposure to Beauveria bassiana infection
Authors: Gołębiowski Marek , Bojke Aleksandra , Tkaczuk Cezary , Majchrowska‐Safaryan Anna , Stepnowski Piotr 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn the present study, the lipid composition from male and female Hylobius abietis is analyzed pre‐ and post‐infection with Beauveria bassiana. The compounds are analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. In the lipids of males and females fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, alcohols, amino acids and other organic compounds are identified. The lipids of males and females after B. bassiana exposure contain 31 and 33 organic compounds, respectively, whereas the lipids of non‐infected males and females contain 30 and 37 compounds, respectively. The most abundant compounds in infected and non‐infected males are fatty acids: C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2. Contents of dominant compounds from the lipids of infected and non‐infected males are similar to those extracted from the lipids of infected and non‐infected females. It should be noted that the total mass of organic compounds is higher in non‐infected insects than infected insects.
Explaining Export Duration in Kenya
Authors: Socrates Majune Kraido , Moyi Eliud , Gathiaka Kamau 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study establishes the hazard rate of exports from Kenya and identifies factors that explain the duration of exports using a discrete‐time random effects logit regression model. A difference‐in‐differences estimator is used to assess the effects of AGOA. Export data between Kenya and 176 partners over 21 years (1995–2016) is used. We find that first‐year survival rate is 39%. The median duration of Kenya’s exports is 1 year. AGOA enhances export survival, especially for apparels. COMESA also increases export survival but EAC has a dampening effect, even in SSA region. Differentiated products unlike capital‐intensive products improve export survival.
Impact of risk‐dependent interventions on low haemoglobin deferral rates in whole blood donors
Authors: Baart A. Mireille , van den Hurk Katja , de Kort Wim L.A.M. , Huis in ’t Veld Elisabeth M.J. 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundBlood donors with a relatively low haemoglobin (Hb) level at their previous donation attempt have an increased risk of Hb deferral at the subsequent donation attempt. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the interventions prolongation of donation interval and/or a dietary advice decrease the Hb deferral rate.Methods11 897 whole blood donors with Hb levels from below to 0·2 mmol/l above the cut‐off level for donation received either no intervention, a prolongation of the donation interval to six or twelve months, a dietary advice, or both. Deferral rates for low Hb levels at the subsequent donation attempt were compared in the different intervention groups. Additionally, the effects of the interventions on Hb deferral risk and donor return for a subsequent donation attempt were analysed using generalized estimating equations.ResultsThe Hb deferral rate was substantially lower in the group that received a prolongation of the donation interval to six months than in the Control Group (12·9% vs. 6·3% in men and 20·4% vs. 13·4% in women). However, the additional benefit of twelve over 6‐month interval prolongation was small, and no benefit of a dietary advice showed up. On the other hand, receiving a dietary advice increased the likelihood of donor return for a subsequent donation attempt.ConclusionImplementation of a protocol for the prolongation of donation intervals to six months for donors with Hb levels from below to slightly above the cut‐off level for donation may reduce the deferral rate for low Hb levels while keeping donor lapse at a minimum.
A multi‐centre study on the performance of the molecular genotyping platform ID RHD XT for resolving serological weak RhD phenotype in routine clinical practice
Authors: Londero Donatella , Monge Jorge , Hellberg Asa 
Published: January 2020

Background and objectivesThere is concern regarding the lack of prevention of unnecessary transfusion of RhD negative red cells and unnecessary administration of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG) to pregnant women. In this study, performance of ID RHD XT, a genotyping assay for identification of six RHD allelic variants and human platelet antigens HPA‐1a/1b was assessed.Materials and methodsWhole blood samples presenting weak, discrepant or inconclusive D phenotype results were genotyped with ID RHD XT and compared to reference molecular tests. Candidacy for RhIG prophylaxis was determined by analysing samples from pregnant women. Hands‐on time to complete the procedures was measured.ResultsOverall, 167 samples were tested (55 donors, 56 patients, 52 pregnant women and four newborns). Agreement between ID RHD XT and the reference method was 100% (51% weak D type 1, 2 or 3; 35·5% weak D Types 1, 2 or 3 not detected; 4% RHD deletion; 1% RHD*Pseudogene; 1% RHD*DIIIa‐CE(3‐7)‐D; and 4% no amplification variant detected for RHD genotype; and 64% HPA‐1a/a; 30% HPA‐1a/b; and 3% HPA‐1b/b for HPA‐1 genotype). Call rate was 98·2%. ID RHD XT identified 40% of the pregnant women that would not have required RhIG prophylaxis. Overall hands‐on time was 25–45 min to process a batch of 24 samples, and four hours for total assay time.ConclusionID RHD XT yielded reproducible results for RHD typing in serologically weak D phenotype individuals. ID RHD XT was proven useful for the correct management of patients with RhD serological discrepancies and the rational use of RhIG in pregnancy.
Increased sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a activity underlies the mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of ivabradine
Authors: Xie Ming , Huang Hui‐Li , Zhang Wen‐Hui , Gao Li , Wang Yu‐Wei , Zhu Xiao‐Jia , Li Wei , Chen Ke‐Su , Boutjdir Mohamed , Chen Long 
Published: January 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
The therapeutic effect of ivabradine on patients with chronic heart failure and chronic stable angina pectoris is mediated through a reduction in heart rate: what are the haemodynamic characteristics and the mechanism of the inotropic effect?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Ivabradine has a positive inotropic effect and lowers the heart rate both in vivo and in vitro. These effects are likely mediated by ivabradine's significant increase of the fast component rate constant mediated by sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a and decrease of the slow component rate constant that is mediated by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and sarcolemmal Ca2+‐ATPase during the Ca2+ transient decay phase.

AbstractIvabradine's therapeutic effect is mediated by a reduction of the heart rate; however, its haemodynamic characteristics and the mechanism of its inotropic effect are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the positive inotropic effect of ivabradine and its underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that ivabradine increased the positive inotropy of the rat heart in vivo by increasing the stroke work, cardiac output, stroke volume, end‐diastolic volume, end‐systolic pressure, ejection fraction, ±dP/dtmax, left ventricular end‐systolic elastance and systolic blood pressure without altering the diastolic blood pressure and arterial elastance. This inotropic effect was observed in both non‐paced and paced rat isolated heart. Ivabradine increased the Ca2+ transient amplitude and the reuptake rates of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a), lowered the diastolic Ca2+ level and suppressed the combined extrusion rate of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the sarcolemmal Ca2+‐ATPase. In addition, ivabradine widened the action potential duration, hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential, increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content and reduced Ca2+ leak. Overall, ivabradine had a positive inotropic effect brought about by enhanced SERCA2a activity, which might be mediated by increased phospholamban phosphorylation. The positive inotropic effect along with the lowered heart rate underlies ivabradine's therapeutic effect in heart failure.
MicroRNA‐424‐5p regulates aortic smooth muscle cell function in atherosclerosis by blocking APOC3‐mediated nuclear factor‐κB signalling pathway
Authors: Li Chuanfang , Zhang Meng , Dai Yuchuan , Xu Zesheng 
Published: January 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
What is the role of microRNA‐424‐5p (miR‐424‐5p) in aortic smooth muscle cells? How does miR‐424‐5p function as a suppressor of the inflammatory response?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Upregulation of miR‐424‐5p inhibits the inflammatory response in aortic smooth muscle cells. miR‐424‐5p inactivates the nuclear factor‐κB signalling pathway through the downregulation of apolipoprotein C3.

AbstractDysregulated aortic smooth muscle cells in chronic inflammation result in plaque formation in atherosclerosis (AS), which is a systemic disease that affects the large arteries with the activation of inflammatory pathways as a key process in its pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the regulatory mechanism of microRNA‐424‐5p (miR‐424‐5p) in aortic smooth muscle cell activities and inflammation in AS via the regulation of apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signalling pathway. The results showed that miR‐424‐5p was poorly expressed and APOC3 highly expressed in the peripheral blood of AS patients and rat models of AS. Molecularly, our results confirmed that miR‐424‐5p targeted the APOC3 gene directly and inhibited APOC3 expression, which resulted in repressed activation of the NF‐κB signalling pathway. The gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approaches were used to determine the effects of miR‐424‐5p and APOC3 on inflammation and on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of aortic smooth muscle cells. Upregulation of miR‐424‐5p or silencing of APOC3 significantly suppressed proliferation, migration and inflammation and promoted apoptosis of aortic smooth muscle cells, which was achieved through inactivation of the NF‐κB signalling pathway. Taken together, our results show that miR‐424‐5p upregulation impedes the progression of AS by blocking the APOC3‐mediated NF‐κB signalling pathway, which could be used as a novel target and a potential therapeutic pathway against AS.