bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Men’s experience of their partners’ breast cancer diagnosis, breast surgery and oncological treatment
Authors: Catania Anna M. , Sammut Scerri Clarissa , Catania Gottfried J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo investigate the experiences of male partners of female breast cancer patients who had undergone surgery and oncological treatment and who were still raising children.BackgroundResearch on the psychological effects of breast cancer has focused primarily on the patients undergoing treatment, neglecting the effect of such a condition on their closest family members. This study addresses this gap by focusing on understanding the effects of this disease on male partners of these patients.DesignAn interpretative phenomenological approach was used.MethodsEight males whose female partners were diagnosed with primary breast cancer between the ages of 30 and 55 and who had young children still living at home at the time were interviewed by the first author of this article. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological framework, in accordance with the guidelines in the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies.ResultsParticipants emphasized the difficulties they faced in trying to juggle work and family responsibilities while offering support to their partners, a task they felt ill‐prepared for. At times, they felt excluded by their partners and worried about the impact of the disease on their children. A common fear was that of recurrence of the disease, and while some discussed the financial difficulties associated with treating the disease, others saw it as enhancing the potential for their personal and couple growth.ConclusionsThis study adds to the topic by uncovering the perspectives of male partners of breast cancer patients and the effects of their partner’s condition on them and their families.Relevance to clinical practiceThe results of this study can be used to inform policy when providing holistic care. They also highlight the importance of counselling and support interventions for partners of breast cancer patients.
Correlated Trading by Life Insurers and Its Impact on Bond Prices
Authors: Chiang Chia‐Chun , Niehaus Greg 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOur evidence indicates that U.S. life insurers’ decisions to buy and sell individual corporate bonds are correlated across companies within the life insurance industry. On average, the correlation in sell decisions is greater in smaller bonds, bonds with lower ratings, bonds that have been downgraded, and bonds that have recently experienced relatively large abnormal returns. Correlated trading was also elevated during the financial crisis. In addition, correlated buying and selling are greater when insurers designated as systemically important financial institutions are actively trading. We also find that the bonds that insurers sell in a correlated manner exhibit negative average abnormal returns during the quarter in which insurers are selling. One explanation is that insurers’ correlated selling is temporarily pushing bond prices below their fundamental value. In this case, we would expect prices to bounce back in the subsequent quarter. However, we do not find a rebound in prices and therefore our evidence supports the alternative explanation that insurers’ correlated selling is impounding information into bond prices.
A new masticatory performance assessment method for infants: A feasibility study
Authors: Tournier Carole , Demonteil Lauriane , Canon Francis , Marduel Agnès , Feron Gilles , Nicklaus Sophie 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study evaluated the feasibility of assessing masticatory performance in infants and toddlers. Four groups of healthy children (n = 97, 42 girls and 55 boys) participated in the study: two study groups (SG) followed at 6, 8, and 10 months old (MO) or at 12, 15, and 18 MO, and two control groups (CG) of respectively 10 and 18 MO children. Masticatory performance was determined from children's ability to comminute a model gel during videotaped lab measurements. The gel was inserted in a mesh feeder and offered to the child for a 60s oral processing duration, then gel particles were collected from the feeder and photographed. Resulting gel breakdown was assessed from the characterization of the area and number of formed particles. Children strategy to orally process the gel (sucking vs. biting/chewing) was evaluated from video recordings. Children's compliance (acceptance of the feeder in the mouth for the expected duration) was average (51%) overall. It decreased from 1 year of age and was higher in SG than in CG. The number and area of gel particles formed under oral processing increased significantly with age, demonstrating an increase in children masticatory performance as they grew up. Median particles area was positively associated with sucking behavior and negatively associated with biting/chewing. The association with teeth emergence was not significant. In conclusion, the proposed method is relevant for quantifying the development of early masticatory performance in children who accept to hold the feeder in their mouth.Practical applicationsIn this article, a method to easily quantify masticatory performance in young children aged 6–18 MO was evaluated. The method is based on a feeder and could be used for collecting boluses, as an alternative to the chew‐and‐spit method when it is unfeasible. Children's compliance to the method and the impact of previous study participation on compliance to the protocol are detailed, giving thus a rationale for an optimal application of this method in future experiments. Finally, the determination of masticatory performance as a function of age thanks to this method could contribute to the understanding of food oral processing and food texture acceptance in childhood in future studies.
Fire can weaken or trigger functional responses of trees to flooding in wetland forest patches
Authors: de Almeida Souza Allan H. , Batalha Marco Antônio , Casagrande José Carlos , Rivaben Rodrigo Cyrino , Assunção Vivian Almeida , Pott Arnildo , Alves Damasceno‐Junior Geraldo 
Published: January 2019

AbstractQuestionFire and flood act as ecological filters on vegetation, either separately or combined, and cause morphological and physiological changes. Hence, they influence the composition and structure of plant communities. Since evidence strongly suggests that they are important filters operating in the system, we asked if fire, flood intensity, and their interaction could be related to variation in the functional traits of studied trees.Study SitePantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.MethodsWe sampled 14 individuals (totaling 280) of the 20 most representative trees in 24 forest patches along the flooding gradient and measured functional traits related to allocation of resources and protection in response to these filters. We also assessed leaf and soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels.ResultsAlong the flooding gradient, the studied tree species showed a tendency toward decreasing specific leaf area (SLA), as well as leaf nitrogen concentrations, whereas leaf thickness and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) increased. In burned areas, LDMC and leaf nitrogen exhibited the opposite tendency and decreased along the flooding gradient. Leaf thickness (LT) showed less increase in burned areas, while SLA had less decrease. Relative Bark Thickness (RBT) increased along the flooding gradient only after fire. Soil nitrogen decreased along the flooding gradient without an effect of fire.ConclusionsSince LDMC is a proxy of flammability, the probability of burning decreases after each fire event, while the most flooded environments become less fire‐prone. In burned environments, the differences in the allocation of resources (SLA and LT) diminish along the flooding gradient, indicating that leaf behavior is almost the same post‐fire. RBT increases with increased flooding only after a fire, contributing to oxygen exchange during floods to protect the bark against fire. The interaction between fire and flood causes tree species to invest in structures for protection and resistance to fire, as well as retain nutrients.
Administrative (in)Visibility of Patient Structural Vulnerability and the Hierarchy of Moral Distress among Health Care Staff
Authors: Armin Julie S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPublic programs such as Medicaid offer highly circumscribed access to health care for low‐income patients in the United States. This article describes the work of a variety of health care staff who manage specialized cancer care for publicly insured patients who have difficulty gaining or maintaining program eligibility or for uninsured and undocumented patients who are excluded from state programs. I highlight the moral distress that occurs when clinic employees become individually responsible for reconciling policies that limit patients’ access to care. I conclude that responsibility for securing access to cancer care for structurally vulnerable patients frequently falls to safety net clinics and that patients’ financial constraints are visible to particular types of staff, such as non‐licensed health care staff and non‐physician providers, who may experience moral distress disproportionately.
A trait‐based approach to predict population genetic structure in bees
Authors: López‐Uribe Margarita M. , Jha Shalene , Soro Antonella 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUnderstanding population genetic structure is key to developing predictions about species susceptibility to environmental change, such as habitat fragmentation and climate change. It has been theorized that life‐history traits may constrain some species in their dispersal and lead to greater signatures of population genetic structure. In this study, we use a quantitative comparative approach to assess if patterns of population genetic structure in bees are driven by three key species‐level life‐history traits: body size, sociality, and diet breadth. Specifically, we reviewed the current literature on bee population genetic structure, as measured by the differentiation indices Nei's GST, Hedrick's G′ST, and Jost's D. We then used phylogenetic generalised linear models to estimate the correlation between the evolution of these traits and patterns of genetic differentiation. Our analyses revealed a negative and significant effect of body size on genetic structure, regardless of differentiation index utilized. For Hedrick's G′ST and Jost's D, we also found a significant impact of sociality, where social species exhibited lower levels of differentiation than solitary species. We did not find an effect of diet specialization on population genetic structure. Overall, our results suggest that physical dispersal or other functions related to body size are among the most critical for mediating population structure for bees. We further highlight the importance of standardizing population genetic measures to more easily compare studies and to identify the most susceptible species to landscape and climatic changes.
Outer surface protein polymorphisms linked to host‐spirochete association in Lyme borreliae
Authors: Tufts Danielle M. , Hart Thomas M. , Chen Grace F. , Kolokotronis Sergios‐Orestis , Diuk‐Wasser Maria A. , Lin Yi‐Pin 
Published: January 2019

SummaryLyme borreliosis is caused by multiple species of the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The spirochetes are transmitted by ticks to vertebrate hosts, including small‐ and medium‐sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and humans. Strain‐to‐strain variation in host‐specific infectivity has been documented, but the molecular basis that drives this differentiation is still unclear. Spirochetes possess the ability to evade host immune responses and colonize host tissues to establish infection in vertebrate hosts. In turn, hosts have developed distinct levels of immune responses when invaded by different species/strains of Lyme borreliae. Similarly, the ability of Lyme borreliae to colonize host tissues varies among different spirochete species/strains. One potential mechanism that drives this strain‐to‐strain variation of immune evasion and colonization is the polymorphic outer surface proteins produced by Lyme borreliae. In this review, we summarize research on strain‐to‐strain variation in host competence and discuss the evidence that supports the role of spirochete‐produced protein polymorphisms in driving this variation in host specialization. Such information will provide greater insights into the adaptive mechanisms driving host and Lyme borreliae association, which will lead to the development of interventions to block pathogen spread and eventually reduce Lyme borreliosis health burden.
The projection of anorectal afferents to spinal cord and effect of sacral neuromodulation on dorsal horn neurons which receive such input in the rat
Authors: Turner Keira , O'Connell Patrick Ronan , Jones James F. X. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe rat has served usefully as a model for fecal incontinence and exploration of the mechanism of action of sacral neuromodulation (SNM). There remains a deficit in information regarding the location and type of spinal neurons which receive anorectal input and the effect of SNM on those neurons.MethodsSingle neuronal extracellular recordings of neurons receiving anorectal input were made at the S1 level of the spinal cord using sharp glass electrodes. SNM at S1 was delivered at 2 Hz for 3 minutes and its effect on discharge was quantified.Key ResultsIn total, 31 units (n = 14 animals) receiving anorectal synaptic input were recorded at the first sacral (S1) segmental level in either lamina III or IV of the dorsal horn. The inputs were classified according to afferent fiber conduction speed (16 Aδ, 11 Aβ, and 4 C‐fiber). The baseline firing frequency (ie, the mean firing frequency before the application of SNM) was 0.48 Hz ± 0.49 (mean ± SD) and 58% of units responded to acute SNM with either an increase or decrease in mean firing frequency.Conclusions & InferencesIn this study, the majority of spinal neurons receiving anorectal input changed their activity in response to SNM. These findings provide the basis for future studies which aim to explore the precise cellular mechanism of action of SNM on this fecal continence pathway.
Snow algae communities in Antarctica: metabolic and taxonomic composition
Authors: Davey Matthew P. , Norman Louisa , Sterk Peter , Huete‐Ortega Maria , Bunbury Freddy , Loh Bradford Kin Wai , Stockton Sian , Peck Lloyd S. , Convey Peter , Newsham Kevin K. , Smith Alison G. 
Published: January 2019

Summary

Snow algae are found in snowfields across cold regions of the planet, forming highly visible red and green patches below and on the snow surface. In Antarctica, they contribute significantly to terrestrial net primary productivity due to the paucity of land plants, but our knowledge of these communities is limited. Here we provide the first description of the metabolic and species diversity of green and red snow algae communities from four locations in Ryder Bay (Adelaide Island, 68°S), Antarctic Peninsula.

During the 2015 austral summer season, we collected samples to measure the metabolic composition of snow algae communities and determined the species composition of these communities using metabarcoding.

Green communities were protein‐rich, had a high chlorophyll content and contained many metabolites associated with nitrogen and amino acid metabolism. Red communities had a higher carotenoid content and contained more metabolites associated with carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism. Chloromonas, Chlamydomonas and Chlorella were found in green blooms but only Chloromonas was detected in red blooms. Both communities also contained bacteria, protists and fungi.

These data show the complexity and variation within snow algae communities in Antarctica and provide initial insights into the contribution they make to ecosystem functioning.
Sex differences in interleukin‐6 stress responses in people with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Panagi Laura , Poole Lydia , Hackett Ruth A. , Steptoe Andrew 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPeople with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) show dysregulated inflammatory responses to acute stress, but the effect of sex on inflammatory responses in T2D remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in interleukin (IL)‐6 stress responses between older men and women with T2D. One hundred and twenty‐one people (76 men; mean age = 64.09, SD = 7.35, 45 women; mean age = 63.20, SD = 6.70) with doctor‐verified T2D took part in this laboratory‐based stress testing study. Participants carried out acute mental stress tasks, and blood was sampled at baseline, immediately poststress, 45 min poststress, and 75 min poststress to detect plasma IL‐6 concentrations. IL‐6 change scores were computed as the difference between the baseline measurement and the three time points poststress. Main effects and interactions were tested using mixed model analysis of covariance. We found a significant main effect of time on IL‐6 levels, and a significant Sex × Time interaction. In adjusted analyses including the three change scores and all the covariates, the significant Sex × Time interaction was maintained; IL‐6 responses were greater in women at 45 and 75 min poststress compared with men, adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, household income, glycated hemoglobin, oral antidiabetic medication, insulin/other injectable antidiabetic medication, depressive symptoms, and time of day of testing. Different inflammatory stress response pathways are present in men and women with T2D, with women producing larger IL‐6 increases. The long‐term implications of these differences need to be elucidated in future studies.
Evaluating Quality of Contraceptive Counseling: An Analysis of the Method Information Index
Authors: Chang Karen T. , Mukanu Mulenga , Bellows Ben , Hameed Waqas , Kalamar Amanda M. , Grépin Karen A. , Gul Xaher , Chakraborty Nirali M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe Method Information Index (MII) is calculated from contraceptive users’ responses to questions regarding counseling content—whether they were informed about methods other than the one they received, told about method‐specific side effects, and advised what to do if they experienced side effects. The MII is increasingly reported in national surveys and used to track program performance, but little is known about its properties. Using additional questions, we assessed the consistency between responses and the method received in a prospective, multicountry study. We employed two definitions of consistency: (1) presence of any concordant response, and (2) absence of discordant responses. Consistency was high when asking whether users were informed about other methods and what to do about side effects. Responses were least consistent when asking whether side effects were mentioned. Adjusting for inconsistency, scores were up to 50 percent and 30 percent lower in Pakistan and Uganda, respectively, compared to unadjusted MII scores. Additional questions facilitated better understanding of counseling quality.
Aging‐related changes of cognitive performance and stress regulation in high functioning elderly individuals
Authors: Finkenzeller Thomas , Würth Sabine , Müller Erich , Amesberger Günter 
Published: January 2019

This article aims to analyse long‐term changes in cognitive performance and psychophysiological stress regulation in a specific sample of 10 young‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 63.2 ± 1.5) and 12 old‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 69 ± 2) persons possessing a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle. Psychophysiological parameters were recorded prior to, during, and after the administration of a cognitive performance test battery. The measurements took place three times within a 6‐month period, and again 6 years later in a follow‐up test. Considering practice and habituation effects, findings provide no compelling evidence of an aging‐associated cognitive decline in attention, multiple choice reaction performance, and information processing speed, either in the young‐olds, or in the old‐olds. Furthermore, psychophysiological stress regulation showed no long‐term alteration regarding skin conductance level and heart rate. Based on these findings, it is assumed that psychosocial health and physical activity might contribute to the preservation of cognitive abilities and stress regulation into the 70s. Finally, this study demonstrated the significance of considering practice and habituation effects elicited through test repetitions in order to estimate long‐term effects.
The role of arthroscopic capsulo-labral repair in unidirectional post-traumatic shoulder instability in adolescent athletes participating in overhead or contact sports
Authors: Rose Giacomo , Borroni Mario , Castagna Alessandro 
Published: January 2019

Purpose: this study was performed to identify the role of arthroscopic capsulo-labral repair (ACR) in unidirectional post-traumatic shoulder instability in adolescent athletes participating in overhead or contact sports.
Methods: sixty-five adolescent patients (aged 13 to 18 years) with post-traumatic shoulder instability submitted to arthroscopic surgery were selected from our database. The mean follow-up duration was 63 months. Shoulder range of motion and functional outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Rowe, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores. In addition, details in the database on the type of sport practiced, time until surgery, and number of dislocations were analyzed to look for possible correlations with the recurrence rate.
Results: at the final follow-up, the mean SANE score was 87.23% (range: 30% to 100%) (preoperative mean score: 46.15% [range, 20% to 50%]); the mean Rowe score was 85 (range: 30 to 100) (preoperative mean score: 35.9 [range: 30 to 50]); and the mean ASES score was 84.12 (range: 30 to 100) (preoperative mean score: 36.92 [range: 30 to 48]). Mean forward flexion and external rotation with the arm at 90° abduction did not show changes compared with preoperative values; 81.5% of the patients returned to their pre-injury level of sports activities, and the failure rate was 21.5%. The recurrence rate was not related to the postoperative scores (p = 0.556 for SANE, p = 0.753 for Rowe, and p = 0.478 for ASES), number of preoperative episodes of instability (p = 0.59), or time that elapsed between the first instability episode and the surgery (p = 0.43). A statistically significant association (p = 0.0021) was found between recurrence and the type of sport practiced.
Conclusions: ACR is a reasonable surgical option in an adolescent population participating in sports. It has a role in restoring shoulder stability with very low morbidity; however, the failure rate is higher than in the adult population and both the young patients and their relatives must be properly informed about the expected outcome of the procedure.
Level of Evidence: level IV, therapeutic case series.