bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of ketamine/xylazine and isoflurane on rat brain glucose metabolism measured by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography
Authors: Prando Silvana , Carneiro Camila de Godoi , Otsuki Denise Aya , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate changes in glucose metabolism in male Wistar rats induced by the anesthetics isoflurane and ketamine combined with xylazine via 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography. We analyzed the differential effects of the anesthetics on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and pharmacokinetics in 33 rats using quantification methods: (a) the standardized uptake value, (b) voxel‐based analyses, and (c) kinetic analysis. Both anesthetics reduced glucose uptake in the entire brain. The voxel‐based analyses detected smaller uptake reductions in the bilateral primary somatosensory system cortex and part of the limbic system in the ketamine‐xylazine (KX) group and in the vestibular nucleus in the isoflurane group. Through kinetic analysis, we found that the volume of distribution and the membrane transport rate K1 were reduced in the KX group. Through various methods of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography quantification, the present study found that anesthesia with the ketamine‐xylazine combination induced a global reduction of glucose metabolism compared with isoflurane; this reduction of metabolism was relatively lower in the primary somatosensory cortex and part of the limbic system. The volume of distribution of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose and its Glut1‐mediated transport across the brain membranes (K1) were decreased in the KX group.
Circadian disruption: What do we actually mean?
Authors: Vetter Céline 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe circadian system regulates physiology and behavior. Acute challenges to the system, such as those experienced when traveling across time zones, will eventually result in re‐synchronization to local environmental time cues, but this re‐synchronization is oftentimes accompanied by adverse short‐term consequences. When such challenges are experienced chronically, adaptation may not be achieved, as for example in the case of rotating night shift workers. The transient and chronic disturbance of the circadian system is most frequently referred to as “circadian disruption”, but many other terms have been proposed and used to refer to similar situations. It is now beyond doubt that the circadian system contributes to health and disease, emphasizing the need for clear terminology when describing challenges to the circadian system and their consequences. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the terms used to describe disruption of the circadian system, discuss proposed quantifications of disruption in experimental and observational settings with a focus on human research, and highlight limitations and challenges of currently available tools. For circadian research to advance as a translational science, clear, operationalizable, and scalable quantifications of circadian disruption are key, as they will enable improved assessment and reproducibility of results, ideally ranging from mechanistic settings, including animal research, to large‐scale randomized clinical trials.
Distinct effects of (R)‐modafinil and its (R)‐ and (S)‐fluoro‐analogs on mesolimbic extracellular dopamine assessed by voltammetry and microdialysis in rats
Authors: Keighron Jacqueline D. , Giancola JoLynn B. , Shaffer Rachel J. , DeMarco Emily M. , Coggiano Mark A. , Slack Rachel D. , Newman Amy Hauck , Tanda Gianluigi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPsychostimulant use disorders remain an unabated public health concern worldwide, but no FDA approved medications are currently available for treatment. Modafinil (MOD), like cocaine, is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and one of the few drugs evaluated in clinical trials that has shown promise for the treatment of cocaine or methamphetamine use disorders in some patient subpopulations. Recent structure–activity relationship and preclinical studies on a series of MOD analogs have provided insight into modifications of its chemical structure that may lead to advancements in clinical efficacy. Here, we have tested the effects of the clinically available (R)‐enantiomer of MOD on extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens shell, a mesolimbic dopaminergic projection field that plays significant roles in various aspects of psychostimulant use disorders, measured in vivo by fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry and by microdialysis in Sprague‐Dawley rats. We have compared these results with those obtained under identical experimental conditions with two novel and enantiopure bis(F) analogs of MOD, JBG1‐048 and JBG1‐049. The results show that (R)‐modafinil (R‐MOD), JBG1‐048, and JBG1‐049, when administered intravenously with cumulative drug‐doses, will block the dopamine transporter and reduce the clearance rate of dopamine, increasing its extracellular levels. Differences among the compounds in their maximum stimulation of dopamine levels, and in their time course of effects were also observed. These data highlight the mechanistic underpinnings of R‐MOD and its bis(F) analogs as pharmacological tools to guide the discovery of novel medications to treat psychostimulant use disorders.
Parallel learning processes of a visuomotor adaptation task in a changing environment
Authors: Mariman Juan J. , Burgos Pablo , Maldonado Pedro E. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDuring the control of reaching movements, a key contribution of the visual system is the localization of relevant environmental targets. In motor adaptation processes, the visual evaluation of effector motor behavior enables learning from errors, which demands continuous visual attentional focus. However, most current adaptation paradigms include static targets; therefore, when a learning situation develops in a highly variable environment and there is a double demand for visual resources (environment and motor performance), the evolution of learning processes is unknown. In order to understand how learning processes evolve in a variable environment, a video game task was designed in which subjects were asked to manage a 60° counterclockwise‐rotated cursor to capture descending targets with initially unpredictable trajectories. During the task, the cursor and eye movements were recorded to dissect visuomotor coordination. We observed that the pursuit of the targets conditioned a predominant and continuous visual inspection of the environment instead of the rotated cursor. As learning progressed, subjects exhibited a linear reduction in directional error and selected a motor strategy based on the degree of reward, which improved the performance. These results suggest that when the environment demands high visual attention, error‐based and reinforced motor learning processes are implemented simultaneously, thus enabling efficient predictive behavior.
Circuit development in the master clock network of mammals
Authors: Carmona‐Alcocer Vania , Rohr Kayla E. , Joye Deborah A. M. , Evans Jennifer A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDaily rhythms are generated by the circadian timekeeping system, which is orchestrated by the master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of mammals. Circadian timekeeping is endogenous and does not require exposure to external cues during development. Nevertheless, the circadian system is not fully formed at birth in many mammalian species and it is important to understand how SCN development can affect the function of the circadian system in adulthood. The purpose of the current review is to discuss the ontogeny of cellular and circuit function in the SCN, with a focus on work performed in model rodent species (i.e., mouse, rat, and hamster). Particular emphasis is placed on the spatial and temporal patterns of SCN development that may contribute to the function of the master clock during adulthood. Additional work aimed at decoding the mechanisms that guide circadian development is expected to provide a solid foundation upon which to better understand the sources and factors contributing to aberrant maturation of clock function.
Reason unbound: Kant's theory of regulative principles
Authors: Walden Kenneth 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIt is an essential part of Kant's conception of regulative principles and ideas that those principles and ideas are in a certain sense indeterminate. The relevant sense of indeterminacy is cashed out in a section in the Antinomies where Kant says that the regress of conditions of experience forms not a “regressus in infinitum” but a “regressus in indefinitum.” The mathematics that Kant appears to rely on in making this distinction turns out to be problematic, as Jonathan Bennett showed long ago. But I suggest that despite this, there is another mathematically legitimate way to make Kant's point, one enunciated by, among others, Michael Dummett. This reading is corroborated, I suggest, by Kant's conception of reason as a radically open‐ended endeavor.
Past is prologue: host community assembly and the risk of infectious disease over time
Authors: Halliday Fletcher W. , Heckman Robert W. , Wilfahrt Peter A. , Mitchell Charles E. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInfectious disease risk is often influenced by host diversity, but the causes are unresolved. Changes in diversity are associated with changes in community structure, particularly during community assembly; therefore, by incorporating change over time, host community assembly may provide a framework to resolve causation. In turn, community assembly can be driven by many processes, including resource enrichment. To test the hypothesis that community assembly causally links host diversity to future disease, we experimentally manipulated host diversity and resource supply to hosts, then allowed communities to assemble for 2 years (surveyed 2012–2014). Initially, host diversity increased disease. Subsequently, host diversity did not directly alter disease. However, host diversity determined the trajectory of host community assembly, altering colonisation by exotic host species and richness‐independent host phylogenetic diversity, which together reversed the initial increase in disease. Ultimately, incorporating the temporal dimension of community assembly revealed novel mechanisms linking host diversity to future disease.
Perceived Collective Efficacy and Parenting Competence: The Roles of Quality of Life and Hope
Authors: Davidson Arad Bilha , McLeigh Jill D. , Katz Carmit 
Published: November 2018

Parents' perceptions of their parenting competence predict successful implementation of parenting tasks and contribute to their interest and involvement in parenting and to their children's development. Thus, identifying factors that contribute to parents' perceptions of parenting competence can help inform efforts to promote children's safety and well‐being. The present study employs social disorganization theory to examine the relationship between collective efficacy and parents' sense of competence, measured along two dimensions: parental efficacy and parental satisfaction. It examines the direct association between the two constructs and whether the association is mediated by parent perceptions of their quality of life (QOL) and sense of hope. Data were collected from 198 parents residing in a neighborhood in southern Tel Aviv, Israel. The analyses indicated that high collective efficacy was directly associated with high parental efficacy, but not with high parental satisfaction. Using structural equation modeling, a mediation model was found whereby higher collective efficacy was associated with (a) higher QOL, which in turn was related to a greater sense of hope, which was linked with higher parental efficacy; and (b) higher QOL, which was directly associated with higher parental satisfaction. The findings provide further support to the idea that neighborhood characteristics play an important role in parents' ability to care for their children.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa in prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes in severe haemophilia A: Final results from the guardian 2 extension trial
Authors: Lentz Steven R. , Janic Dragana , Kavakli Kaan , Miljic Predrag , Oldenburg Johannes , C. Ozelo Margareth , Santagostino Elena , Suzuki Takashi , Zupancic Šalek Silva , Korsholm Lars , Matytsina Irina , Tiede Andreas 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionTuroctocog alfa is a recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) molecule, approved for treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A. In the guardian 1 (adolescents/adults) and guardian 3 (children) phase 3 trials, turoctocog alfa demonstrated a favourable efficacy and safety profile. Guardian 1 or 3 completers could enrol in the guardian 2 extension. Final guardian 2 results are reported here.AimInvestigate long‐term safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa administered for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds.MethodsIn this phase 3b open‐label trial, previously treated males of all ages with severe haemophilia A received prophylaxis regimens of turoctocog alfa or on‐demand treatment of bleeds. The primary safety endpoint was frequency of FVIII inhibitor development. Efficacy endpoints included annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylaxis, haemostatic response in treatment of bleeds and number of injections required to treat bleeds.ResultsOverall, 213 patients were dosed with turoctocog alfa; 207 patients received prophylaxis; 19 received on‐demand treatment. No FVIII inhibitors (≥0.6 BU) were reported. For all patients on prophylaxis, overall median ABR was 1.37 bleeds/y; success rate for treatment of bleeds was 90.2%; and 88.2% of bleeds were controlled with 1‐2 injections of turoctocog alfa. For the on‐demand regimen, overall median ABR was 30.44 bleeds/y; success rate for treatment of bleeds was 96.7%; and 94.9% of bleeds were controlled with 1‐2 injections of turoctocog alfa.ConclusionExtended use of turoctocog alfa is safe and effective for prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes in previously treated patients with haemophilia A across all ages.
Serosal invasion is a strong prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Sakamoto Katsunori , Ogawa Kohei , Tohyama Taiji , Ueno Yoshitomo , Tamura Kei , Inoue Hitoshi , Nakamura Taro , Watanabe Jota , Takai Akihiro , Takada Yasutsugu 
Published: November 2018

AimThe clinical impact of serosal invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the significance of serosal invasion as a prognostic factor for patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC.MethodsThis retrospective study investigated patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between October 2003 and September 2016 in Ehime University Hospital (Toon, Japan). A total of 161 cases were enrolled after excluding cases of concomitant distant metastasis, macroscopic tumor remnant, mixed HCC, and rehepatectomy. We classified these 161 patients into groups with serosal invasion detected (S[+]) and serosal invasion undetected (S[−]). We compared patient characteristics, perioperative data, pathological findings, and prognosis between S(+) and S(−) groups.ResultsSerosal invasion was observed in 19 of the 161 patients (12%). The 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was lower for S(+) (13.0%) than for S(−) (28.7%, P = 0.006). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was lower for S(+) (24.7%) than for S(−) (63.9%, P < 0.001). Regarding OS, serosal invasion, preoperative α‐fetoprotein value, presence of invasion to hepatic veins, and liver cirrhosis were independent predictors in multivariate analyses. The 3‐year OS rate after recurrence was poorer in the S(+) group (22.9%) than in the S(−) group (49.7%, P = 0.001).ConclusionsSerosal invasion was a strong predictor of worse outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC. Patients showing serosal invasion need close postoperative follow‐up or consideration of adjuvant treatment.
Risk of neurosyphilis in HIV‐infected persons with syphilis lacking signs or symptoms of central nervous system infection
Authors: Rotman L , Luo X , Thompson A , Mackesy‐Amiti ME , Young LR , Young JD 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesPeople living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of asymptomatic neurosyphilis; thus, it has been common practice to perform a lumbar puncture (LP) in all PLWH presenting with syphilis regardless of stage, signs or symptoms. However, this practice varies widely among clinicians. Our objective was to elucidate the number of LPs required to diagnose a single case of asymptomatic neurosyphilis.MethodsWe performed an electronic health record (EHR) review of PLWH who were diagnosed with syphilis of any stage over a 10‐year period. EHRs were reviewed to determine the number of subjects who had an LP performed, what proportion had neurological signs or symptoms, and whether a diagnosis of neurosyphilis was made at presentation or follow‐up.ResultsIn 261 separate episodes of syphilis in 230 subjects, we found the major risk factors for asymptomatic neurosyphilis to be low CD4 T‐cell count (P = 0.0007), high rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre (P = 0.019) and lack of HIV virological suppression (P = 0.003). The majority of our subjects (78%) with neurosyphilis presented with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. We estimate, if standard practice is to perform LP in all patients, that the number needed to test (NNTT) = 38.ConclusionsThis large number of potentially unnecessary LPs, along with heterogeneity of presentation, and the never‐nil risk of asymptomatic neurosyphilis should be incorporated into clinical decision‐making. The majority of PLWH presenting with a serological diagnosis of syphilis, but no neurological signs or symptoms, do not necessarily require an LP for an evaluation of asymptomatic neurosyphilis.
Composition effects on mechanical properties of pristine sodium borosilicate glass
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhang Xiaoyang , Yuan Wei , Liu Fengfei , Sun Mengli , Peng Haibo , Wang Tieshan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSodium borosilicate (NBS) glass is widely used in the disposal of high level nuclear waste nowadays. In order to understand the mechanism of hardness in NBS glass varies with various compositions, nanoindentation experiment and molecular dynamics simulation were carried out. Both experimental and calculated results suggested that, the hardness of glass increased with the ratio of R ([Na2O]/[B2O3] in molar percentage) and K ([SiO2]/[B2O3] in molar percentage). In the process of hardness increase, the [BO3] units were transformed into [BO4] units, which could lead to the polymerization increase for the glass system, and the transformation was linear to R. The hardness increase was also accompanying with the increase of silica content, which is another cause for polymerization increase. There are many possible factors that may affect the mechanical properties of pristine NBS glass, and polymerization increase should be the main reason for hardness increase, which could be resulted from the two processes above: (a) the transformation of [BO3] into [BO4]; (b) silica content increase.
Development of an 18‐item abbreviated Chinese version of Berger's HIV Stigma Scale
Authors: Yu Chia‐Hui , Huang Chu‐Yu , Lee Yuan‐Ti , Cheng Su‐Fen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) stigma in people living with HIV is associated with depression and poor treatment adherence. The current literature lacks a Chinese instrument to measure HIV stigma in Taiwan. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop an abbreviated Chinese translation version of Berger's HIV Stigma Scale.MethodsThe instrument development process was guided by Brislin's Translation Model of establishment of construct validity and convergent validity and verification of reliability.ResultsThis study recruited 540 HIV‐infected adults (January‐November 2015). Data analysis using confirmatory factor analysis resulted in an 18‐item abbreviated Chinese version of Berger's HIV Stigma Scale, consisting with four factors: personalized stigma (seven items), disclosure concerns (three items), negative self‐image (four items), and concerns with public attitudes toward people with HIV (four items). The final model demonstrated a good fit. A positive correlation between HIV stigma and depression was found. The Cronbach α for internal consistency was 0.92.ConclusionThe 18‐item abbreviated Chinese version of Berger's HIV Stigma Scale demonstrated adequate reliability and validity to assess HIV stigma among Chinese people living with HIV. It is a feasible tool that allows for rapid assessment of HIV‐related stigma.
HLA‐DR Class II expression on myeloid and lymphoid cells in relation to HLA‐DRB1 as a genetic risk factor for visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Singh Bhawana , Fakiola Michaela , Sudarshan Medhavi , Oommen Joyce , Singh Siddharth Sankar , Sundar Shyam , Blackwell Jenefer M. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryGenetic variation at HLA‐DRB1 is a risk factor for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs9271252 upstream of the DRB1 gene provides a perfect tag for protective versus risk HLA‐DRB1 four‐digit alleles. In addition to the traditional role of the membrane‐distal region of HLA class II molecules in antigen presentation and CD4 T‐cell activation, the membrane‐proximal region mediates ‘non‐traditional’ multi‐functional activation, differentiation, or death signals, including in DR‐expressing T cells. To understand how HLA‐DR contributes to disease pathogenesis, we examined expression at the protein level in circulating myeloid (CD14+, CD16+) and lymphoid (CD4+, CD8+, CD19+) cells of VL patients (pre‐ and post‐treatment) compared with endemic healthy controls (EHC). Although DR expression is reduced in circulating myeloid cells in active disease relative to EHC and post‐treatment groups, expression is enhanced on CD4+ DR+ and CD8+ DR+ T cells consistent with T‐cell activation. Cells of all myeloid and lymphoid populations from active cases were refractory to stimulation of DR expression with interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). In contrast, all populations except CD19+ B cells from healthy blood bank controls showed enhanced DR expression following IFN‐γ stimulation. The rs9271252 genotype did not impact significantly on IFN‐γ‐activated DR expression in myeloid, B or CD8+ T cells, but CD4+ T cells from healthy individuals homozygous for the risk allele were particularly refractory to activated DR expression. Further analysis of DR expression on subsets of CD4+ T cells regulating VL disease could uncover additional ways in which pleiotropy at HLA DRB1 contributes to disease pathogenesis.
Improvement of Japanese adults' English speaking skills via experiences speaking to a robot
Authors: Iio Takamasa , Maeda Ryota , Ogawa Kohei , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Suzuki Kaori , Aoki Tomohiro , Maesaki Miharu , Hama Mika 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper reports how robot‐assisted language learning (RALL) impacts Japanese adults' English speaking skills. With existing research on RALL focusing on children, there is little evidence indicating RALL's effects on adults. We developed a RALL system comprising a robot, a tablet, and designed learning materials for speaking practice. To explore the effects of this system on the speaking skills of adults, we conducted a pretest and posttest designed pilot experiment. The participants in this study were nine female Japanese university students. The participants used the system for speaking practice for a total of 30 min per day for 7 days. The results of comparing the pretests with the posttests demonstrated that the adults' English speaking skills were enhanced; in particular, their speaking accuracy, fluency, and pronunciation improved greatly. This study contributes to providing clear evidence of the effects of RALL on Japanese adults' English speaking skills.