bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An integrative view of mammalian seasonal neuroendocrinology
Authors: Dardente Hugues , Wood Shona , Ebling Francis , Sáenz de Miera Cristina 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSeasonal neuroendocrine cycles that govern annual changes in reproductive activity, energy metabolism and hair growth are almost ubiquitous in mammals that have evolved at temperate and polar latitudes. Changes in nocturnal melatonin secretion regulating gene expression in the pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary stalk are a critical common feature in seasonal mammals. The PT sends signal(s) to the pars distalis of the pituitary to regulate prolactin secretion and thus the annual moult cycle. The PT also signals in a retrograde manner via thyroid‐stimulating hormone to tanycytes, which line the ventral wall of the third ventricle in the hypothalamus. Tanycytes show seasonal plasticity in gene expression and play a pivotal role in regulating local thyroid hormone (TH) availability. Within the mediobasal hypothalamus, the cellular and molecular targets of TH remain elusive. However, two populations of hypothalamic neurones, which produce the RF‐amide neuropeptides kisspeptin and RFRP3 (RF‐amide related peptide 3), are plausible relays between TH and the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone‐pituitary‐gonadal axis. By contrast, the ways by which TH also impinges on hypothalamic systems regulating energy intake and expenditure remain unknown. Here, we review the neuroendocrine underpinnings of seasonality and identify several areas that warrant further research.
Skin‐lightening practices behind the veil: An epidemiological study among Saudi women
Authors: Alrayyes Sarah Fahad , Alrayyes Saad Fahad , Farooq Dar Umar 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundWomen are adopting skin‐lightening practices worldwide in an attempt to enhance their skin tone. The reasons and beliefs behind such practices vary from culture to culture. Scarce data are available for this phenomenon among Saudi women. We carried out this study to determine the practices, reasons, and correlates of skin‐lightening practices among women in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.MethodUsing nonprobability convenient sampling, an analytical cross‐sectional study was carried out among women attending two multispecialty hospitals in the Al‐Jouf region. A prevalidated, self‐administered questionnaire containing 35 items about demographic characteristics, skin‐lightening practices, knowledge of skin‐lightening products (SLPs), reasons, and perceptions about lighter skin tone was used to collect data.ResultsAmong 605 sampled women, usage of skin‐lightening practices was found in 382 participants (63.1%). All participants had relatively lighter skin. Skin type and education affected skin‐lightening practices significantly (P values = 0.002 and 0.012, respectively). The prevalent reason for using SLPs was cosmetic (66%). One‐third of users faced side effects from these products. The SLP users believed that lighter skin tone plays a role in self‐esteem, perception of beauty, social class, marriage, and employment opportunities (P values < 0.01) as compared to nonusers. Media was found to influence the use of SLPs (P values < 0.001).ConclusionSkin‐lightening practices are prevalent among Saudi women. Such practices are reinforced by a belief that fairer skin is associated with beauty, self‐esteem, and financial and social advantages. A public health educational campaign is needed to decrease the usage of SLPs.
Effects of pH and the plasma or serum concentrations of total calcium, chloride, magnesium,l‐lactate, and albumin on the plasma ionized calcium concentration in calves
Authors: Constable Peter , Trefz Florian M. , Stämpfli Henry 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe plasma ionized calcium concentration (cCa2+) represents the biologically active form of calcium and is the preferred method for evaluating calcium status in animals. Different pH‐corrective equations have been developed for human plasma, but the validity of the equations for bovine plasma is unknown.HypothesisWe hypothesized that pH‐corrective equations for bovine plasma would be similar to those used for human plasma;cCa2+was dependent on the plasma concentrations of total calcium (cTCa), chloride (cCl), L‐lactate (cLactate), and albumin (cAlbumin); and the in vitro and in vivocCa2+‐pH relationships would differ.AnimalsTen healthy calves (in vitro study), 1426 critically ill calves.MethodsThe in vitro plasma log10(cCa2+)‐pH relationship was determined by CO2tonometry of 465 plasma samples. PlasmacCl was altered by equivolume dilution of plasma with 3 electrolyte solutions of differentcCl. The in vivo plasmacCa2+‐pH relationship was investigated and validated using clinicopathologic data extracted from the medical records of 950 (model development) and 476 (model validation) critically ill calves.ResultspH‐corrective equations for bovine plasma were similar to those used for human plasma. PlasmacCa2+increased in vitro with increases in plasmacCl. PlasmacCa2+in critically ill calves was associated with plasmacTCa, blood pH, plasmacCl, serumcMg, andcL‐lactate (R2 = 0.69) but not plasmacAlbumin.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCalculation ofcCa2+fromcTCa in calf plasma or serum requires adjustment for at least pH andcCl when 1 or both are outside the reference range.
Pharyngeal trauma in dairy cattle: 27 cases
Authors: Gomez Diego E. , Desrochers André , Francoz David , Nichols Sylvain , Babkine Marie , Fecteau Gilles 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundCharacterization of the clinical signs, response to treatment and prognosis can be useful information for decision‐making when evaluating cattle with pharyngeal trauma.ObjectiveTo describe the signalment, history, clinicopathologic, endoscopic, ultrasonographic, radiographic, and postmortem findings as well as treatments and outcomes of cattle diagnosed with pharyngeal perforation/trauma.AnimalsReview of medical records of cattle >1 month of age admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1995 to 2017.MethodsRetrospective study. Review of medical records of cattle with pharyngeal perforation/trauma identified by oral or endoscopic examination in hospital setting.ResultsTwenty‐seven out of 7550 (0.36%) cases met the inclusion criteria. Pharyngeal perforation/trauma was associated with the administration of a bolus in 24 (89%) cows and a magnet in 3 (11%) cases. The boluses contained monensin (n = 12), calcium salts (n = 5), iodine (n = 1), aspirin (n = 1), vitamins (n = 1), and an unknown product (n = 4). The primary clinical signs were dysphagia, swelling of the throatlatch, subcutaneous emphysema, swelling, and pain on palpation of the throatlatch. Seventeen (63%) cows were discharged whereas 10 (37%) were euthanized. Median time between the suspected traumatic event and hospital admission was 1 day (range: 0.5‐3 days) and 2 days (range: 0.5‐15) for surviving and nonsurviving cattle, respectively. All 5 cows that suffered pharyngeal trauma associated with administration of calcium salt bolus were euthanized.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePharyngeal trauma is a rare condition in cattle. Case fatality rate increases if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The nature of the penetrating foreign body influences the outcome.
krn1, a major quantitative trait locus for kernel row number in maize
Authors: Wang Jian , Lin Zhelong , Zhang Xuan , Liu Hangqin , Zhou Leina , Zhong Shuyang , Li Yan , Zhu Can , Lin Zhongwei 
Published: May 2019

Summary

Kernel row number is a fundamental component of maize (Zea mays) yield and an important target for maize breeding. The revolutionary transition from the two‐rowed teosinte to maize with increased kernel row numbers dramatically enhanced yields during domestication. Kernel row number is controlled by many quantitative trait loci (QTLs), however most genes responsible for these QTLs remain uncharacterised and the molecular genetic mechanisms are unknown.

Here, we combined map‐based cloning and association mapping to identify a major QTL for kernel row number, krn1, which is likely to correspond to an existing gene (ids1/Ts6) encoding an AP2 domain protein homologous to the product of the wheat key domestication gene Q.

The increased expression of ids1/Ts6 in two maize mutants increased spikelet pair meristem numbers and then enhanced kernel row numbers. Nucleotide diversity analysis further revealed that ids1/Ts6 and Q were under strong parallel selection in maize and wheat that increased their yields during domestication or improvement.

RNA‐seq revealed that ids1/Ts6 is involved in multiple pathways regulating spikelet pair meristem development, involving several key genes such as fea3, fea4 and ra3. The cloning of the krn1 gene will pave a new way to efficiently improve maize yield in the near future.
StomataCounter: a neural network for automatic stomata identification and counting
Authors: Fetter Karl C. , Eberhardt Sven , Barclay Rich S. , Wing Scott , Keller Stephen R. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryStomata regulate important physiological processes in plants and are often phenotyped by researchers in diverse fields of plant biology. Currently, there are no user‐friendly, fully automated methods to perform the task of identifying and counting stomata, and stomata density is generally estimated by manually counting stomata.We introduce StomataCounter, an automated stomata counting system using a deep convolutional neural network to identify stomata in a variety of different microscopic images. We use a human‐in‐the‐loop approach to train and refine a neural network on a taxonomically diverse collection of microscopic images.Our network achieves 98.1% identification accuracy onGinkgoscanning electron microscropy micrographs, and 94.2% transfer accuracy when tested on untrained species.To facilitate adoption of the method, we provide the method in a publicly available website athttp://www.stomata.science/.
Histone modifications in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders
Authors: Yang Huamei , Jin Xin , Dan Hongxia , Chen Qianming 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignancy with dismal prognosis without effective therapeutic options in advanced cases. The evolution from oral potentially malignant disorders to OSCC has poorly described underlying epigenetic features. With the ability of silencing or activation of vital genes, histone modifications’ and modifiers’ potentiality for early diagnosis, prognosis predicting, and therapy in OSCC were evaluated by extensive epigenetic studies. This review investigates the roles of dysregulated histone modifications and the associated modifying enzymes in OSCC onset and progression. Also, we focus on the current advances of histone modifications as therapeutic targets and the potential value of epi‐drugs.
Characterization of a stress tolerance‐defective mutant of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRB
Authors: Biswas Saswati , Keightley Andrew , Biswas Indranil 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLactobacillus rhamnosus is a lactic acid bacterium that survives diverse ecological niches, including the human oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. L. rhamnosus is an acidogenic bacterium that produces copious amounts of lactic acid. The organism is also considered as aciduric, since it can survive prolonged exposure to an acidic environment. For a probiotic bacterium such as L. rhamnosus, it is necessary to understand how this organism survives acid stress. In this study we used L. rhamnosus LRB to isolate one spontaneous mutant that was sensitive to acid stress. The mutant, which we named RBM1, also displayed sensitivity to a wide range of stresses including osmotic, thermal, and others. Using whole genome sequencing, we mapped the putative mutations in the mutant strain. It appears that three single nucleotide substitutions occurred in the mutant as compared to the wild‐type LRB strain. Among those, the most relevant mutation occurred in the ftsH gene that created a single amino acid change in the protein. We performed a comparative proteomic study to understand the molecular basis for stress sensitivity and found that ~15% of the proteome is altered in the mutant strain. Our study suggests that generation of spontaneous mutants during L. rhamnosus colonization could drastically affect bacterial physiology and survival under stress conditions.
Implementing European case law at the bureaucratic frontline: How domestic signalling influences the outcomes of EU law
Authors: Martinsen Dorte Sindbjerg , Blauberger Michael , Heindlmaier Anita , Thierry Jessica Sampson 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article analyses the implementation of European case law at the bureaucratic frontline of European member states. Theoretically, insights from street‐level implementation studies are combined with judicial impact research. Empirically, we compare how EU rules on free movement and cross‐border welfare are applied in practice in Denmark, Austria and France. We find that when applying EU rules in practice, street‐level bureaucrats are confronted with a world of legal complexity, consisting of ambiguous rules, underspecified concepts and a recent judicial turn by the Court of Justice of the European Union. In order to manage complexity, street‐level bureaucrats turn to their more immediate superiors for guidance. As a consequence, domestic signals shape the practical application of EU law. Despite bureaucratic discretion and many country differences, domestic signals create uniform, restrictive outcomes of EU law in all three cases. Thus we show that there is considerable room for politics in EU implementation processes.
Depression, negative relating with the oldest child, and the mediating role of resilience in community elders’ psychological well‐being: a pilot study in Greece
Authors: Kalaitzaki Argyroula E. , Pattakou‐Parasiri Vassiliki , Foukaki Eirini‐Michaela 
Published: May 2019

AimThis study examined the role of both positive and negative aspects of social relationships with partners, friends, and children on the psychological well‐being of Greek elders, as well as the potential mediating role of resilience.MethodsThe sample included 100 Greek older community‐dwellings recruited from three care centres. They completed questionnaires consisted of the Scales of Psychological Well‐Being, the shortened Family Members’ Interrelating Questionnaire, the Significant Others Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Brief Resilience Scale.ResultsThe findings suggested that mental health (i.e. depression), rather than physical frailty, and a negative relationship with the oldest child, rather than a lack of social support from family or friends in general, have detrimental effects in elders’ well‐being. In contrast, resilience has a positive effect on well‐being that mediates the association between negative relating with the oldest child and well‐being. Elderly parents perceived their child's relating more negatively than their own relating towards the child, and it was the child's negative relating to them, rather than their relating toward the child, that predicted their psychological well‐being. An interdisciplinary approach to the care of the geriatric population is highlighted.ConclusionsTo improve elders’ well‐being and enhance successful ageing, the determinants of well‐being should be key targets of ageing research. Policy, prevention, and intervention actions should address the modifiable variables of any underlying emotional and social issues among elderly people (i.e. depression, negative relating with children, and resilience).
Activities of daily living are associated with outcomes of epilepsy treatment in elderly patients
Authors: Fujimoto Ayataka , Okanishi Tohru , Sato Keishiro , Masuda Yosuke , Nishimura Mitsuyo , Homma Yoichiro , Enoki Hideo 
Published: May 2019

AimControlling epileptic seizures in elderly populations is widely considered to be relatively easy, but we hypothesized that the lifestyles of elderly individuals may affect the outcomes of epilepsy treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly individuals with epilepsy and compare them with the outcomes of epilepsy treatment.MethodsOf the 177 patients ≥65 years old who were referred to our epilepsy centre, epilepsy was diagnosed in 84. ADL and treatment outcomes were then reviewed, with ADL classified into three levels: ADL I, without disability; ADL II, disabled only in some instrumental ADL; and ADL III, disabled in some basic ADL. Epilepsy syndromes and use of anti‐seizure drugs were also evaluated.ResultsForty‐five patients (53.6%) achieved freedom from seizures, 23 (27.4%) achieved ≥80% but <100% reduction in seizures, 5 (6%) achieved ≥50% but <80% reduction in seizures, and 11 (13.1%) achieved <50% reduction in seizures. Thirty‐five patients (81.4%) with ADL I achieved freedom from seizures, compared with seven patients with ADL II (28.0%) and three patients with ADL III (19.0%). A significant difference was evident among the three groups (F = 6.145, P = 0.003).ConclusionsADL should be taken into account when an epilepsy treatment is being selected.
State Space Models for Non-Stationary Intermittently Coupled Systems: An Application to the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Sansom Philip G. , Williamson Daniel B. , Stephenson David B. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryWe develop Bayesian state space methods for modelling changes to the mean level or temporal correlation structure of an observed time series due to intermittent coupling with an unobserved process. Novel intervention methods are proposed to model the effect of repeated coupling as a single dynamic process. Latent time varying auto-regressive components are developed to model changes in the temporal correlation structure. Efficient filtering and smoothing methods are derived for the resulting class of models. We propose methods for quantifying the component of variance attributable to an unobserved process, the effect during individual coupling events and the potential for skilful forecasts. The methodology proposed is applied to the study of winter time variability in the dominant pattern of climate variation in the northern hemisphere: the North Atlantic oscillation. Around 70% of the interannual variance in the winter (December–January–February) mean level is attributable to an unobserved process. Skilful forecasts for the winter (December–January–February) mean are possible from the beginning of December.
Maternity‐ward nurses’ kangaroo mother care attitudes and practices: implications and future challenges
Authors: Almazan Joseph U. , Cruz Jonas P. , Albougami Abdulrhman S. , Alamri Majed S. , Adolfo Cris S. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundSuccessful implementation of KMC depends on the attitudes and practices of maternity‐ward nurses. This study assessed the attitudes and practices of kangaroo mother care (KMC) by maternity‐ward nurses in the Eastern Philippines.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey design was used in the study. A convenience sample of 138 maternity‐ward nurses working in six rural health units (RHUs), two public hospitals and one private hospital. A questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes and practices of KMC by the recruited maternity‐ward nurses. Data were collected from June to July 2017 in maternity‐ward nurses’ workplace.ResultsMaternity‐ward nurses have a positive attitude towards KMC. Age is associated with attitudes towards KMC. Married maternity‐ward nurses have exhibit better attitudes and practice than single nurses. The attitudes of maternity‐ward nurses with master's degrees towards KMC are more positive than those with BSN degrees. Maternity‐ward nurses from Rural Health Units have better attitudes but fewer support to practice the KMC skills than those from public hospitals.ConclusionsMaternity‐ward nurses who are married, hold master's degrees and are working in RHUs have better KMC attitudes than their counterparts. Maternity‐ward nurses have good KMC attitude but poor KMC practices. The KMC information and skills of maternity‐ward nurses should be continuously updated to implement KMC effectively and efficiently.
First‐time fathers’ experiences of professional support from child health nurses
Authors: Hrybanova Yana , Ekström Anette , Thorstensson Stina 
Published: May 2019

Nowadays, in Sweden, fathers are expected to be active in their father role and to share caring responsibilities for their children equally with mothers. This active role of a father in a family can be challenging, especially for the first‐time fathers. Child health nurses’ support is an important factor for fathers to become confident caregivers. The Father Perceived Professional Support scale (FaPPS scale) can be used in nursing practice for better understanding father's needs of professional support. The aim of this study was to describe first‐time fathers’ experiences of the professional support received from child health nurses and to validate the instrument: ‘FaPPS scale’. A qualitative design, with inductive and deductive approaches, was used in this study. Twelve first‐time fathers participated in the semi‐structured interviews, thereafter grading the FaPPS scale items and commenting on them. The fathers experienced nurses’ support positively when nurses provided practical information and stimulated them to be involved in care of their children. In contrast, the support was experienced negatively because of nurses’ lack of commitment, availability and adaptation to the fathers’ individual needs. The fathers also felt inequality between the support received by fathers and by mothers. Although some fathers perceived it as negative, others considered it fair, believing that mothers needed more support. In addition, fathers expect nurses to actively offer support to them and supervise them in childcare. The fathers also needed meeting other parents, for example in parental groups.This study also indicates that FaPPS scale can be used both in research and clinical practice, though still needing further development.
Effectiveness of continuous‐care model on self‐care in patients with heart failure: application of line follow‐up
Authors: Rezamand Fatemeh , Shahnazi Hossein , Hassanzadeh Akbar 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundSelf‐care behaviours are one of the most important determinant factors in the prognosis of heart failure, which can improve the symptoms of the disease, the performance and the reduction of mortality in these patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of continuous‐care pattern on self‐care in heart failure patients admitted to Shahid Chamran Hospital in Isfahan.MethodsThis quasi‐experimental study is implemented on 72 patients with heart failure who are admitted to Shahid Chamran Hospital in Isfahan. The patients are randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (36 patients in each group). For a period of three months, a continuous‐care model is performed, and then, the self‐care score of patients with heart failure is compared in both groups at baseline and follow‐up assessment. The required data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire and a European Heart Failure Self‐Care Behavior (EHFSCB).ResultsRegarding the implementation of the continuous‐care model, the results showed that the mean self‐care score before the implementation of the continuous‐care model was 28.2 ± 5.02 in the experimental group and 29.5 ± 3.7 in the control group, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). However, after implementing continuous‐care model, the mean self‐care score of the experimental group was 51.4.4 ± 2.8 as compared to the control group (30.8 ± 3.2) (p < 0.001).ConclusionBased on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the implementation of this care model can lead to an increase in self‐care score in patients with chronic heart failure.