bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traditional Balkan fermented milk products
Authors: Teneva‐Angelova Tsvetanka , Balabanova Tatyana , Boyanova Petya , Beshkova Dora 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTraditional fermented milk products have been prepared since ancient time by various civilizations. Despite their long history, popularity, and nutritive and healthy value, the acceleration and industrialization of food production leads to increase of the diversity of fermented milk products in the Balkan Peninsula. As a result of the multitude of food‐microbe combinations, there are thousands of different types of fermented milk products — yoghurts, yogurt‐like products, and various types of cheeses with proven health benefits. Among those products is the domestic Bulgarian yoghurt “kiselo mlyako”, whose anti‐aging effect has been scientifically studied yet at the beginning of 20th century. The current review summerizes the wide range of traditional fermented milk products at the Balkan countries, which are the primary source for their production.
The role of antecedent groundwater heads in controlling transient aquifer storage and flood peak attenuation in karst watersheds
Authors: Spellman Patricia , Gulley Jason , Martin Jonathan B. , Loucks Jeremy 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTransient storage of floodwaters in aquifers is known to attenuate peak flows in rivers and drive subsurface dissolution. Transient aquifer storage could be enhanced in watersheds overlying karst aquifers where caves facilitate surface and groundwater exchange. Few studies, however, have examined controls on, or magnitudes of, transient aquifer storage or flood peak attenuation in karstic watersheds. Here we evaluate flood peak attenuation with multiple linear regression analyses of 10 years of river and groundwater data from the Suwannee River, which flows over the karstic upper Floridan aquifer in north‐central Florida and experiences frequent flooding. Regressions show antecedent river stage exerts the dominant control on magnitudes of transient aquifer storage, with recharge and time to peak having secondary controls. Specifically, low antecedent stages result in larger magnitudes of transient aquifer storage and thus greater flood attenuation than conditions of elevated antecedent stage. These findings suggest subsurface weathering, including cave formation and enlargement, caused by transient aquifer storage could occur on a more frequent basis in aquifers where groundwater table elevation is lowered due to anthropogenic or climatic influences. Our work also shows that measures of groundwater table elevation prior to an event could be used to improve predictive flood models. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A systematic method to enforce conservativity on semi‐Lagrangian schemes
Authors: Cameron Alexandre 
Published: August 2018

SummarySemi‐Lagrangian schemes have proven to be very efficient in modeling advection problems. However, most semi‐Lagrangian schemes are not conservative. Here, a systematic method is introduced in order to enforce the conservative property on a semi‐Lagrangian advection scheme. This method is shown to generate conservative schemes with the same linear stability range and the same order of accuracy as the initial advection scheme from which they are derived. We used a criterion based on the column‐balance property of the schemes to assess their conservativity property. We introduce an unsplit geometrical reconstruction that enforces conservativity. We show that this approach can be used with large Courant‐Friedrichs‐Lewy numbers and third‐order schemes. We give a physical application in the case of the Rayleigh‐Taylor instability.
Excess returns to buying low options‐volume stocks and selling high options‐volume stocks: Information or characteristics?
Authors: Cai Li , Du Jian 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper documents a negative relationship between options‐trading volume and stock returns. The relationship is remarkably robust and cannot be explained by existing asset‐pricing theorems. We find that strategies that require buying stocks with low options‐trading volume in the past and selling stocks with high options‐trading volume in the past generate significant positive abnormal returns. Further analysis indicates that the pattern mostly represents a characteristic effect, in which options trading predicts stock returns through its relationship with determinant characteristics such as beta, illiquidity, and idiosyncratic volatility.
An Overview of Systematic Reviews to Inform the Institutional Design of Scientific Advisory Committees
Authors: Behdinan Asha , Gunn Elliot , Baral Prativa , Sritharan Lathika , Fafard Patrick , Hoffman Steven J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe current lack of synthesized evidence for informing the design of scientific advisory committees (SACs) is surprising in light of the widespread use of SACs throughout decision‐making processes. While existing research points to the importance of quality, relevance, and legitimacy for SACs' effectiveness, those planning SACs would benefit from efforts to systematically pinpoint optimal designs of these committees for maximal effectiveness. Search strategies are developed for seven electronic databases. Of the 1895 systematic reviews identified, six reviews meet the inclusion criteria: they report the results of systematic reviews that followed a clearly identified systematic methodology, examine factors related to the design of SACs, and involve processes in the natural or social sciences. These reviews collectively summarize 444 primary studies. Three of the six reviews look at the impacts of SAC size, two evaluate the influence of the committee's diversity, and half mention the importance of properly on‐boarding new members. The goal is to identify recurring themes to understand the specific institutional features that optimize the usefulness of SACs. In turn, this overview of systematic reviews aims to contribute to a growing body of literature on how SACs should be designed to maximize their effectiveness and helpfulness for decision‐making.
Inequality of opportunity in health: A decomposition‐based approach
Authors: Carrieri Vincenzo , Jones Andrew M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents new decomposition‐based approaches to measure inequality of opportunity in health that capture Roemer's distinction between circumstances and effort and are consistent with both compensation and reward principles. Our approach is fully nonparametric in the way that it handles differences in circumstances and provides decompositions of both a rank‐dependent relative (the Gini coefficient) and a rank‐independent absolute inequality index (the variance). The decompositions distinguish the contribution of effort from the direct and indirect (through effort) contribution of circumstances to the total inequality. Our approach is illustrated by an empirical application that uses objectively measured biomarkers as health outcomes and as proxies for relevant effort variables. Using data from the Health Survey for England from 2003 to 2012, we find that circumstances are the leading determinant of inequality in cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin, and in a combined ill‐health index whereas effort plays a substantial role in explaining inequality in fibrinogen only.
Exploring reasons for vaccine‐hesitancy among higher‐SES parents in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Swaney Sharon Elizabeth , Burns Sharyn 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIssues AddressedThe increasing prevalence among higher‐socioeconomic (higher‐SES) parents in Perth, Western Australia (WA), to be vaccine‐hesitant (VH) is placing herd immunity at risk.MethodsEighteen one‐on‐one interviews were conducted; (n = 11) parents who earned >$125 000 pa and expressed ever having concerns surrounding vaccination; (n = 7) health care professionals (HCPs), who provided clinical services. Using grounded theory methodology, data were analysed by constant coding and comparison until themes emerged and an explanatory model was developed.ResultsFour main areas leading to vaccine‐hesitancy emerged from the data: We are Educated; We Control our Health; Safe from Disease, At Risk from Vaccines; and What We Want. Parents believed themselves capable of making good vaccination decisions based on their higher education levels and self‐sourced vaccination information, yet frequently sought reassurance. Healthism concepts were adopted and parents believed lifestyle factors could control for vaccine‐preventable diseases (VPD). Risk perception of disease was low and influenced by the remote geographic location of Perth, whilst perceived negative consequences of vaccination were high. A reduced concept of the social responsibility for vaccination and understanding of herd immunity emerged. Parents called for vaccine contents to be listed and requested more information on why vaccination was necessary.ConclusionFour areas of VH emerged and reflected parents’ belief that higher educational and socioeconomic status, previous successes in life and where they live would result in positive health outcomes and reduce the risk of contracting VPDs.So what?This study provides new research into the perceptions among higher‐SES VH parents who live in Perth, WA. It provides a model that fills a significant gap in information that could be used effectively for future health promotion interventions.
Cost comparison and determinants of out‐of‐pocket payments on child delivery care in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Abdur Razzaque , Sultana Marufa , Ali Nausad , Akram Raisul , Sheikh Nurnabi , Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Morton Alec 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectivesThe objective of this study is to capture the relevant out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs, coping mechanisms, and associated factors that are related to child delivery in Bangladesh through the use of nationwide household level data.Data and methodsThe study was conducted using a secondary data source of the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014. A cross‐sectional survey was performed for 6 months, from June to November 2014, where closed‐ended questions regarding child delivery–related expenditure were included. Log linear regression and descriptive analysis methods were used to analyze these data.ResultsAnalysis indicated that the average self‐reported OOP payment per child delivery was US$ 79.23 (SD ±128.05). The highest OOP was observed for C‐section (US$ 249.89, SD ±153.54), followed by institutional normal delivery (US$ 61.62, SD ±75.28). The average cost per normal home delivery was US$ 15.89 (SD ±25.84). The richest quintile spent significantly more than the poorest quintile regarding C‐section (US$ 281 vs US$ 204), normal delivery at an institution (US$ 80 vs US$ 65), and even normal delivery at home (US$ 22 vs US$ 13).ConclusionsThe study showed that there was a huge variation of OOP, which was dependent on the facility and socioeconomic demographic status of the households. As such, policy efforts need to focus on lowest wealth quintiles to avoid economic burdens during child delivery–related activities, and therefore, financial risk protection should be provided. Social health insurance might be an option for financing during child delivery, which is in line with the core objective of the Healthcare Financing Strategy of Bangladesh, which is to achieve universal health coverage.
Enhancing policy implementation to improve healthcare practices: The role and strategies of hybrid national‐local support structures
Authors: Granström Emma , Hansson Johan , Sparring Vibeke , Brommels Mats , Nyström Monica Elisabeth 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundIn this study, we followed a national initiative to enhance the use of quality indicators gathered in national quality registries (NQRs) for improvement of clinical practices in Swedish healthcare, more specifically by investigating the support strategies of regional support centers with national and local missions. The aim was to increase knowledge on the role, challenges, and strategies of support structures with mixed and complex missions in the healthcare system.MethodsDocuments and 25 semistructured interviews with staff at 6 regional support centers, ie, quality registry centers, formed this multiple case study. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.ResultsThe centers' strategies varied from developing the NQRs to become more suitable for improvement to supporting healthcare's use of NQRs, from the use of task to process‐oriented support strategies, and from taking on national responsibilities to responding to local initiatives. All quality registry centers engaged in initiatives inspired by the Breakthrough Series approach. Some used preexisting change concepts or collaborated with local development units. A main challenge was to overcome a lack of formal mandate to act in the healthcare organizations they served.ConclusionsSupport functions with mixed and complex missions have to use a variation of strategies to reach relevant actors and achieve changes. This study provides valuable input for policy and decision‐makers on the support strategies used and challenges of support functions with complex missions situated in‐between national and local levels of the healthcare system, here denoted hybrid national‐local support structures.
Do HIV prevention interventions in Asia lead to increase in condom utilization?: A meta‐analysis study
Authors: Auchynnikava Alena 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis meta‐analytic review synthesizes the findings of published independent studies that assessed the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in promoting condom usage in Asia. We focused on 20 studies that used randomized control studies to establish whether HIV prevention interventions lead to increased condom utilization. As compared with the average control group client, we found that 68% of the clients who participated in an intervention group increased their condom usage. The effectiveness of HIV prevention intervention is not related to country and rural‐urban contexts, to male‐female samples, to the type of outcome measured, or the timing of the latest follow‐up assessment. The implications of these findings are that policy‐makers, health administrators, and international donors should view behavioral HIV prevention interventions as an effective approach through which to increase condom usage in order to reduce the HIV infection rate in Asia.
Evidence of latent molecular diversity determining the virulence of community‐associated MRSA USA300 clones in mice
Authors: Sonoda Shiro , Yamaguchi Tetsuo , Aoki Kotaro , Ono Daisuke , Sato Ayami , Kajiwara Chiaki , Kimura Soichiro , Akasaka Yoshikiyo , Ishii Yoshikazu , Miyazaki Yasunari , Inase Naohiko , Tateda Kazuhiro 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe USA300 clone of community‐associated MRSA is reported to be hypervirulent and epidemic in the United States. This clone causes a variety of diseases from lethal pneumonia to mild skin infections. We hypothesized that evolutionary diversity may exist among USA300 clones, which may link virulence traits with host responses and mortality rates.MethodsUSA300 isolates from severe pneumonia (IP) and skin infection (IS) were characterized by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and next‐generation sequencing. Their virulence traits and host responses were compared in a lung infection model.ResultsThe two USA300 isolates were found to be identical in genomic analysis. Robust IL‐6 production, aggregation of bacteria, and hemorrhaging were observed in IP‐infected lungs, which were associated with a higher rate of mortality than that observed with strain IS. Few neutrophils were detected in the lungs infected with strain IP, even at high bacterial loads. Massive production of α‐toxin and coagulase were evident during the early phase of IP infection, and robust gene expression of hla (α‐toxin) and lukS‐PV (Panton–Valentine leukocidin), but not coa, agrA, or rnaIII, was confirmed in vitro. Strain IP also induced strong hemolysis in red blood cells.ConclusionsThe present data demonstrated latent diversity in the virulence of USA300 clones. Unknown regulatory mechanisms, probably involving a host factor(s) as a trigger, may govern the virulence expression and resultant high mortality in certain sub‐clones of USA300.
Novel Topology in Semiconducting Tetrathiafulvalene Lanthanide Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Xie Lilia S. , Dincă Mircea 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTetrathiafulvalene tetrabenzoate (TTFTB) and several lanthanide ions self‐assemble into metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) that exhibit a novel topology, a (3,3,3,6,6)‐coordinated net, which features an unusual ligand coordination mode and stacking motif. The Yb and Lu MOFs are electrically conductive, with pellet conductivity values of 9(7) × 10−7 and 3(2) × 10−7 S/cm, respectively. The crystallographically‐determined bond lengths indicate partial oxidation of the ligand, with close S ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ S contacts between ligands providing likely charge transport pathways in the material. Magnetometry reveals temperature‐independent paramagnetism, consistent with the presence of ligand‐based radicals, as well as weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Yb3+ centers. These results illustrate the diversity of MOF structures and properties that are accessible with the TTFTB ligand owing to its electroactive nature, propensity for intermolecular interactions, and conformational flexibility.
Why we need epidemiologic studies of polycystic ovary syndrome in Africa
Authors: Maya Ernest T. , Guure Chris B. , Adanu Richard M.K. , Sarfo Bismark , Ntumy Michael , Bonney Evelyn Y. , Lizneva Daria , Walker Walidah , Azziz Ricardo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe primary objective of the Ghana Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Epidemiology and Phenotype (Ghana‐PEP) study will be to assess the relevance and phenotypic distribution of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in a medically unbiased population of reproductive‐aged women. In addition, the study will also attempt to identify sociodemographic, environmental, and psychological factors that may play a role in the development of PCOS phenotype. The study aims to recruit 990 randomly selected women aged 18–45 years living in Nsawam, the district capital of the Nsawam‐Adoagyiri Municipality, in the Eastern region of Ghana. Participants will complete a questionnaire with the aid of trained personnel, undergo a physical examination, and undergo ultrasonography and biochemical evaluations relevant to PCOS. It is anticipated that the study will provide the population prevalence and phenotypes, and distribution of PCOS.
The use of heparin, bFGF, and VEGF 145 grafted acellular vascular scaffold in small diameter vascular graft
Authors: Kong Xiaoying , Kong Chen , Wen Shunsheng , Shi Jinsheng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe aim to test the application of heparin, bFGF, and VEGF 145 grafted acellular vascular scaffold in small diameter vascular graft. The amount of bFGF and VEGF 145 were determined by ELISA. Femoral artery transplantation was performed. Mechanical strength of acellular vascular scaffolds was determined. Angiography was performed for blood vessel patency. Factor VIII and α2‐actin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. bFGF and VEGF 145 had stable release at 60 and 70 days in vitro, and the release rate of VEGF 145 was slightly slower than that of bFGF. After transplantation, 9 months of the vascular patency rate was 100% at 1, 3, and 9 months, and, was up to 90% at 18 months, while the patency rate in group with grafted heparin only at 1‐month was 60%, at 3‐month was 40%, at 9‐month was 15%, and at 18‐month was 10%. The blood vessels taken after 18 months had no significant difference in the mechanical properties between the transplanted and the natural vessels. Positive expression of factor VIII and α2‐actin was observed. The heparinized and bFGF and VEGF 145 grafted allogeneic vascular acellular scaffolds are preliminarily obtained, which show good biocompatibility and patency and are of great importance for small diameter vascular graft. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 672–679, 2019.
The toxicological impact of some avermectins on human erythrocytes glutathione S‐transferase enzyme
Authors: Türkan Fikret , Huyut Zübeyir , Atalar Mehmet Nuri 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe drugs of the class avermectins are antiparasitic agents, which are widely used in medical and agricultural fields, especially in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of avermectin derivatives such as abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, and moxidectin, which are used for internal and external mammalian parasites. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST, E.C. 2.5.1.18) was purified from fresh human erythrocytes. The purification of the GST enzyme was performed separately by affinity chromatography with a yield of 34.81% and 117.94‐fold purification. The control of the pure GST enzyme was performed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a single band was obtained. The IC50 values were approximately 0.31, 0.39, 0.13, 0.44, and 0.73 mM for abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, and moxidectin, and the Ki values were 0.32 ± 0.06, 0.39 ± 0.09, 0.13 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.02, 0.73 ± 0.04 mM, respectively. This data revealed that the tested avermectins showed significant inhibitory effects on the GST enzyme.
Trisenox induces cytotoxicity through phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase molecules in acute leukemia cells
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Farah Ibrahim O. , Tchounwou Paul B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTrisenox (TX) has been used successfully for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. TX‐induced cytotoxicity in APL cells remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of TX cytotoxicity using APL cell lines. We assessed TX toxicity by quantitatively measuring lactate dehydrogenase levels. Inhibition of cell cycle progression was assessed by confocal microscopy of Ki‐67 expression. Apoptosis was evaluated by Western blot analysis of apoptotic proteins expression, immunocytochemistry, and confocal imaging of annexin V and propidium iodide. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade was analyzed by Western blot analysis and inhibitor‐based experiments with APL cells. We found that TX‐induced cytotoxicity inhibited APL cell cycle progression. TX also induced significant (P < 0.05) changes in the expression levels of apoptotic molecules and activated the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways in APL cells. Understanding the mechanism of TX cytotoxicity would be helpful in the design of new APL drugs.
In vitro cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of usnic acid on hormone‐dependent breast and prostate cancer cells
Authors: Eryilmaz Isil Ezgi , Guney Eskiler Gamze , Egeli Unal , Yurdacan Beste , Cecener Gulsah , Tunca Berrin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of the current study was first to investigate cytotoxic activity of usnic acid (UA) on hormone‐dependent breast and prostate cancer, and normal cells. Cells were treated with increasing concentrations (25 to 150 µM) of UA for 48 hours and cell viability, quantitative and morphological analysis of cell death, and cell cycle analysis were performed. UA was shown to have selective cytotoxicity on hormone‐dependent cancer cells with the IC50 levels of 71.4 and 77.5 µM for MCF7 and LNCaP cells, respectively. UA induced apoptotic cell death and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest without damaging normal cells. MCF7 cells were more sensitive to UA than LNCaP cells. Our results first revealed that UA is a promising candidate as an alternative agent for hormone‐dependent breast and prostate cancers. However, molecular mechanism underlying the UA‐mediated cell death in cancer cells should be investigated further.