bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Prescribed Central Nervous System Depressant Medications Among Adults Who Regularly Consume Alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014
Authors: Borodovsky Jacob T. , Krauss Melissa J. , Chi Tingying , Bierut Laura J. , Grucza Richard A. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundAlthough the risks of using central nervous system depressant (CNS‐D) medications with alcohol are well documented, little is known about trends in prescribed use of these medications among individuals who regularly consume alcohol (i.e., trends in “concurrent use”). We examined changes in the prevalence of prescribed CNS‐D medications among individuals who drank alcohol on 52 or more occasions in the past year (“regular drinking”). CNS‐D medications included sedative‐hypnotics (subclassified as anxiolytics or sleep medications) and opioids.MethodsWe used 8 cross‐sectional cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2000 to 2013–2014) from participants aged 20 and older (n = 37,709). We used log‐binomial regression to examine (i) prevalence trends of prescribed CNS‐D medication use, (ii) trend differences by drinking status, and (iii) correlates of CNS‐D medication use.ResultsAmong those who drink regularly, the relative annual increase in prevalence of sedative‐hypnotic use was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.7 to 7.9): Anxiolytic and sleep medication use increased annually by 3.7% (95% CI: 0.8 to 6.7) and 11.2% (95% CI: 6.5 to 16.0), respectively. Opioid use trends among those who drink regularly were not statistically significant but were nonlinear. Differences in CNS‐D medication trends between those who drink regularly and those who drink infrequently/abstain were not statistically significant. Those who drink regularly were less likely than those who drink infrequently/abstain to use opioids (adjusted relative risk [ARR]: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.78) and anxiolytics (ARR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.81), but not sleep medications (ARR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.35). Those aged 40 and older were 2 to 5 times as likely as those aged 20 to 29 to use sedative‐hypnotics.ConclusionsAmong those who drink regularly, the prevalence of prescribed sedative‐hypnotic use increased and prescribed opioid use remained common. These trends indicate that a substantial portion of the population is at risk of alcohol‐related adverse drug reactions—particularly those aged 40 and older.
Falls, fear of falling and related factors in community‐dwelling individuals aged 80 and over in Turkey
Authors: Simsek Hatice , Erkoyun Erdem , Akoz Ali , Ergor Alp , Ucku Reyhan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls, fear of falling (FOF) and related factors in individuals aged 80 and over living in the Balçova district of Izmir.MethodsOne thousand and seventy‐five individuals aged 80 years or older participated. The dependent variables were falls and fear of falling. The independent variables were socio‐demographic and socio‐economic characteristics, health‐related characteristics and 'safety status of home' features.ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 84.1 ± 3.7 (range, 80‐101) years, and 60.8% were female (n = 582). The prevalence of falls was 35.4% in the last year, and fear of falling was 86.6%. The risk factors for falls were number of chronic diseases, moderate and high fall risk, sleep disturbance and slippery bathroom floors, whilst for fear of falling they were number of chronic diseases, female gender, living alone and moderate or high fall risk.ConclusionA monitoring program is indicated to address high fall and fear of falling prevalence among people aged 80 and over.
Expression of Toll‐like receptors and costimulatory molecules in splenic B cells in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model
Authors: Lorek Daria , Kedzierska Anna Ewa , Slawek Anna , Chelmonska‐Soyta Anna 
Published: May 2019

AbstractProblemThe regulatory role of B lymphocytes in the pregnancy‐induced maternal immune response is not well recognized. B lymphocytes function as antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and regulate Toll‐like receptors and costimulatory molecule expression in response to intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, and MHC class II and the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40 in splenic B cells in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model.Methods of studyThe expression level of these molecules on female splenic B cells was investigated using real‐time PCR and flow cytometry. The analysis was performed on the 3rd and 14th day of normal (CBA/JxBALB/c) and abortion‐prone (CBA/JxDBA/2J) murine pregnancy.ResultsThe expression of Tlr9, Cd86, and H2‐Ab1 in splenic B cells on the 3rd day after mating was upregulated, whereas Tlr2 was downregulated in abortion‐prone females. On day 14, we observed lower expression levels of Tlr4 and Cd80 and higher expression levels of Cd86 in CBA/J females mated with DBA/2J males. At the protein level, the differences were observed only on day 3 of pregnancy. TLR4 and CD40 molecules were upregulated in splenic B cells, while TLR9 and CD86 were downregulated in abortion‐prone mice.ConclusionDifferential expression of TLRs and costimulatory molecules in splenic B cells in abortion‐prone and normal pregnancies suggests the involvement of these cells in the regulation of the immune response at the periphery in pregnant females.
Does Direct Democracy Hurt Immigrant Minorities? Evidence from Naturalization Decisions in Switzerland
Authors: Hainmueller Jens , Hangartner Dominik 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDo minorities fare worse under direct democracy than under representative democracy? We provide new evidence by studying naturalization requests of immigrants in Switzerland that were typically decided with referendums in each municipality. Using panel data from about 1,400 municipalities for the 1991–2009 period, we exploit Federal Court rulings that forced municipalities to transfer the decisions to their elected municipality councils. We find that naturalization rates surged by about 60% once politicians rather than citizens began deciding on naturalization applications. Whereas voters in referendums face no cost of arbitrarily rejecting qualified applicants based on discriminatory preferences, politicians in the council are constrained to formally justify rejections and may be held accountable by judicial review. Consistent with this mechanism, the increase in naturalization rates caused by switching from direct to representative democracy is much stronger for more marginalized immigrant groups and in areas where voters are more xenophobic or where judicial review is more salient.
Editorial: mesalazine and mucosal microbiome in quiescent ulcerative colitis—what can we learn?
Authors: Buchner Anna M. , Lichtenstein Gary R. 
Published: May 2019

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Olaisen et al and Olaisen and Fossmark papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15227 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15285.
Editorial: mesalamine and mucosal microbiome in quiescent ulcerative colitis—what can we learn? Authors' reply
Authors: Olaisen Maya , Fossmark Reidar 
Published: May 2019

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Olaisen et al and Buchner and Lichtenstein papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15227 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15281.
Mercury exposure and its effects on fertility and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Bjørklund Geir , Chirumbolo Salvatore , Dadar Maryam , Pivina Lyudmila , Lindh Ulf , Butnariu Monica , Aaseth Jan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMercury (Hg), a highly toxic environmental pollutant, shows harmfulness which still represents a big concern for human health, including hazards to fertility and pregnancy outcome. Research has shown that Hg could induce impairments in the reproductive function, cellular deformation of the Leydig cells and the seminiferous tubules, and testicular degeneration as well as abnormal menstrual cycles. Some studies investigated spontaneous abortion and complicated fertility outcome due to occupational Hg exposure. Moreover, there is a relation between inhaled Hg vapour and reproductive outcome. This MiniReview evaluates the hypothesis that exposure to Hg may increase the risk of reduced fertility, spontaneous abortion and congenital deficits or abnormalities.
Compensation for cures: Why we should pay a premium for participation in ‘challenge studies’
Authors: Anomaly Jonathan , Savulescu Julian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health problems humanity faces. Research into new classes of antibiotics and new kinds of treatments – including risky experimental treatments such as phage therapy and vaccines – is an important part of improving our ability to treat infectious diseases. In order to aid this research, we will argue that we should permit researchers to pay people any amount of money to compensate for the risks of participating in clinical trials, including ‘challenge studies’ that involve deliberately infecting patients. We think that standard worries about paying for participation in risky research are reducible to concerns that can be addressed with the right screening mechanisms.
Impact of metformin use on the outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma
Authors: Wang Yucai , Maurer Matthew J. , Larson Melissa C. , Allmer Cristine , Feldman Andrew L. , Bennani N. Nora , Thompson Carrie A. , Porrata Luis F. , Habermann Thomas M. , Witzig Thomas E. , Ansell Stephen M. , Slager Susan L. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Cerhan James R. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThe diabetes mellitus (DM) drug metformin targets mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin and inhibits lymphoma growth in vitro. We investigated whether metformin affected outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell (DLBCL, n = 869) and follicular lymphoma (FL, n = 895) patients enrolled in the Mayo component of the Molecular Epidemiology Resource cohort study between 2002 and 2015. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, prognostic index and treatment were used to estimate the association of metformin exposure (No DM/No metformin; DM/No metformin; DM/Metformin) with event‐free (EFS), lymphoma‐specific (LSS) and overall (OS) survival. Compared to No DM/No metformin DLBCL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 48; HR = 1·05, 95% CI 0·59–1·89) or DM/No metformin(n = 54; HR = 1·41, 95% CI 0·88–2·26) with EFS; results were similar for LSS and OS. Compared to No DM/No metformin FL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 37; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·71–1·89) or DM/No metformin (n = 19; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·66–2·04) with EFS; results were similar for LSS. However, DM/Metformin was associated with inferior OS (HR = 2·17; 95% CI 1·19–3·95) compared to No DM/No metformin. In conclusion, we found no evidence that metformin use was associated with improved outcomes in newly diagnosed DLBCL and FL.
New basic insights on the potential of a chitosan‐based medical device for improving functional recovery after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Muratori Luisa , Fregnan Federica , Ronchi Giulia , Haastert‐Talini Kirsten , Metzen Jennifer , Bertolo Riccardo , Porpiglia Francesco , Geuna Stefano 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate: (i) the neuro‐regenerative potential of chitosan membrane (CS‐Me) on acutely axotomised autonomic neurones in vitro; (ii) to exclude the possibility that a pro‐regenerative biomaterial could interfere with the proliferation activity of prostate cancer cell lines; (iii) to provide an in vivo proof of the biocompatibility and regeneration promoting effect of CS‐Me in a standardised rat model of peripheral nerve injury and repair; (iv) finally, to evaluate the tissue reaction induced by the degrading material; as previous studies have shown promising effects of CS‐Me for protection of the neurovascular bundles for potency recovery in patients that undergo nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy (RP).Materials and MethodsAddressing aim (i), the neuro‐regenerative potential, organotypic cultures derived from primary sympathetic ganglia were cultured on CS‐Me over 3 days and neurite extension and axonal sprouting were evaluated.Addressing aim (ii), effects of CS on cancer cells, different human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU‐145, LN‐Cap) were seeded on CS‐coated plates or cultured in the presence of CS‐Me dissolution products.Addressing aims (iii) and (iv), functional recovery of peripheral nerve fibres and tissue reaction with the biomaterial, CS‐Me and CS nerve guides were used to repair a median nerve injury in the rat. Functional recovery was evaluated during the post‐recovery time by the behavioural grasping test.ResultsCS‐Me significantly stimulated axon elongation from autonomic ganglia in comparison to control conditions in organotypic three‐dimensional cultures. CS coating, as well as the dissolution products of CS‐Me, led to a significantly lower proliferation rate of prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.Tissue reaction towards CS‐Me and standard CS nerve guides was similar in the rat median nerve model, as was the outcome of nerve fibre regeneration and functional recovery.ConclusionThe results of this study provide the first experimental evidence in support of the clinical safety of CS‐Me and of their postulated effectiveness for improving functional recovery after RP. The presented results are coherent in demonstrating that acutely axotomised autonomic neurones show increased neurite outgrowth on CS‐Me substrate, whilst the same substrate reduces prostate cancer cell line proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, CS‐Me do not demonstrate any disadvantage for peripheral nerve repair in a standard animal model.
Relationships between tectonic activity and sedimentary source‐to‐sink system parameters in a lacustrine rift basin: A quantitative case study of the Huanghekou Depression (Bohai Bay Basin, E China)
Authors: Liu Hao , van Loon A. J. (Tom) , Xu Jie , Tian Lixin , Du Xiaofeng , Zhang Xintao , Chen Danlei 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLacustrine rift basins commonly preserve a fairly complete record of the sediment source‐to‐sink (S2S) system, and consequently may form an ideal natural laboratory for establishing quantitative relationships between the various elements within the S2S system. The tectonic‐activity rate in the source (e.g., fault‐growth rate and fault‐activity rate), accommodation space and depositional system in the sink (e.g., areal extent and volume, as well as the depositional dip of the fan‐ and braid‐deltas) are genetically related and their quantitative correlations are explored. The Palaeogene succession on the southwestern margin of the Huanghekou Depressionin the Bohai Bay Basin, one of the largest lacustrine rift basins in eastern China, was chosen to study these relationships, using 3‐D seismic, core and well‐log data. The tectonic activity was strongly related to the sediment supply, accommodation space and morphology of the sink area. Three different rates of tectonic activity are identified; these led to changes in the basic features of the S2S system that influenced each other. In Members 4 and 3 (lower unit) of the Shahejie Fm. (40.44–44.7 Ma), strong tectonic activity led to significant uplift, resulting in the widest exposure of the provenance area to erosion, to a high sediment‐supply rate, to a steep slope and to a large accommodation space which controlled the development of several fan‐deltas with steep progradational angles. In Member 3 (upper unit) of Shahejie Fm. (37.89–40.44 Ma) and Member 3 of Dongying Fm. (30.2–33.28 Ma), decreased tectonic activity led to slower uplifting, resulting in a wider alluvial plain, longer transport distances, a lower sediment‐supply rate and less accommodation space, so that braid‐deltas with larger volumes and a gentler slope developed; In Members 1 and 2 of Shahejie Fm. (33.28–37.89 Ma) and Member 2 of Dongying Fm. (26.71–30.2 Ma), still further decreasing tectonic activity led to a still lower sediment‐supply rate, a more gentle depositional slope, less accommodation space, and the development of several braid‐deltas with a gentle angle. The quantitative relationships established here advance our understanding of the relationships within lacustrine source‐to‐sink systems, especially for tectonically controlled rift basins.
Superorganisms or loose collections of species? A unifying theory of community patterns along environmental gradients
Authors: Liautaud Kevin , van Nes Egbert H. , Barbier Matthieu , Scheffer Marten , Loreau Michel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe question whether communities should be viewed as superorganisms or loose collections of individual species has been the subject of a long‐standing debate in ecology. Each view implies different spatiotemporal community patterns. Along spatial environmental gradients, the organismic view predicts that species turnover is discontinuous, with sharp boundaries between communities, while the individualistic view predicts gradual changes in species composition. Using a spatially explicit multispecies competition model, we show that organismic and individualistic forms of community organisation are two limiting cases along a continuum of outcomes. A high variance of competition strength leads to the emergence of organism‐like communities due to the presence of alternative stable states, while weak and uniform interactions induce gradual changes in species composition. Dispersal can play a confounding role in these patterns. Our work highlights the critical importance of considering species interactions to understand and predict the responses of species and communities to environmental changes.
The Value of Choice: An Experiment Using Multiple‐Choice Tests
Authors: Aray Henry , Pedauga Luis 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article presents a novel experimental methodology in which groups of students were offered the option to choose between two equivalent scoring rules to assess a multiple‐choice test. The effect of choosing the scoring rule on marks is tested. Two major contributions arise from this research. First, it contributes to the literature on the value of choice. Second, it also contributes to the literature on the educational measurement of knowledge. The results suggest that choice could positively affect students' scores. However, students need to learn to choose the assessment method. Moreover, women seem to obtain greater benefits from the option of choosing the scoring rule.
Associations between habitat quality, body size and reproductive fitness in the alpine endemic spider Vesubia jugorum
Authors: Mammola Stefano , Milano Filippo , Vignal Matthieu , Andrieu Julien , Isaia Marco 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimIn theory, the highest‐quality habitat across a species’ range should support individuals with the highest fitness, making it possible to evaluate the outputs of species distribution models (SDMs) by exploring the relationship between habitat quality and functional traits related to species’ fitness. However, this relationship has been tested almost exclusively in plants. We investigated the degree to which morphological and reproductive traits of an alpine spider varied along a gradient of habitat quality projected via SDMs.LocationSouth‐western Alps (France and Italy).Time period2007–2018.Major taxa studiedVesubia jugorum (Arachnida: Araneae: Lycosidae).MethodsWe used climatic, topographical and geomorphological variables at a resolution of 250 m to model habitat quality for V. jugorum, with multiple algorithms (generalized additive models, boosted regression trees and maximum entropy models). We collected spiders in the field and measured their body size and egg‐case size (a functional trait related to reproductive success). We tested the relationship between functional traits and habitat quality with linear mixed models.ResultsAll SDM algorithms we tested fit the data well, with similar explanatory ability. Models revealed a positive relationship between the probability of presence and cumulative precipitation and percentage of rock. An additional important variable in the SDMs was duration of snow coverage, with optimal projected habitat quality between 40 and 100 days/year with snow. Modelled habitat quality was positively associated with maximum body and egg‐case size.Main conclusionsOur work provides evidence of a positive association between projected habitat quality and traits of a terrestrial invertebrate. A model that fits the data well potentially can be used to predict variations in species’ traits, thus offering an experimental test of SDM projections with field‐collected data. We encourage SDM users to incorporate data on functional traits into their modelling fitting exercises.
Engaging patients in primary care design: An evaluation of a novel approach to codesigning care
Authors: Hertel Erin , Cheadle Allen , Matthys Juno , Coleman Katie , Gray Marlaine , Robbins Michele , Tufte Janice , Hsu Clarissa 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveRecognition is growing that to create truly patient‐centred care, health‐care organizations need to partner with patients around care design. More research into the benefits of engaging patients and the most effective ways of partnering with them is needed.MethodsThis study assessed the process and impact of a collaborative effort to design a new clinic service that balanced the number of patient and clinical provider/staff codesigners involved and recruited patients to represent diverse perspectives. Data sources included interviews with participants, event observation and participant surveys.ResultsOur evaluation found that including patients as equal partners improved the design process by infusing a real‐world, patient perspective. The pre‐event orientation and interactive methods used in the event fostered positive collaboration, as well as personal growth for the patient codesigners.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of including a roughly equal number of patients and clinical providers/staff in design events and ensuring that the patients represent diverse perspectives.