bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associative plasticity in supplementary motor area - motor cortex pathways in Tourette syndrome
Authors: Tübing Jennifer , Gigla Bettina , Brandt Valerie Cathérine , Verrel Julius , Weissbach Anne , Beste Christian , Münchau Alexander , Bäumer Tobias 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe important role of the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the generation of tics and urges in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is underscored by an increased SMA-motor cortex (M1) connectivity. However, whether plasticity is also altered in SMA-M1 pathways is unclear. We explored whether SMA-M1 plasticity is altered in patients with Tourette syndrome. 15 patients with GTS (mean age of 33.4 years, SD = 9.9) and 19 age and sex matched healthy controls were investigated with a paired association stimulation (PAS) protocol using three transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coils stimulating both M1 and the SMA. Standard clinical measures for GTS symptoms were collected. There was a significant PAS effect showing that MEP amplitudes measured in blocks during and after PAS were significantly higher compared to those in the first block. However, the degree of PAS was not differentially modulated between patients and controls as shown by a Bayesian data analysis. PAS effects in GTS correlated positively with the YGTSS motor tic severity. Plasticity previously reported to be altered in sensorimotor pathways in GTS is normal in SMA-M1 projections suggesting that the dysfunction of the SMA in GTS is not primarily related to altered plasticity in SMA-M1 connections.
Impact of cervical cancer on quality of life of women in Hubei, China
Authors: Thapa Niresh , Maharjan Muna , Xiong Yan , Jiang Daqiong , Nguyen Thi-Phuong , Petrini Marcia A. , Cai Hongbing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL) of the patients with cervical cancer after initial treatment, the factors affecting QOL and their clinical relevance. A total of 256 patients with cervical cancer who visited Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 item (EORTC QLQ-C30) and cervical cancer module (EORTC QLQ-CX24) was used to assess the QOL of patients. More than half of the patients with cervical cancer reported an excellent QOL. Symptoms mostly experienced were insomnia, constipation, financial difficulties, and menopausal symptoms. Global QOL and social functioning were statistically associated with education level, occupation, the area of living, family income and treatment modality. Similarly, role functioning showed significant association with the stage of cancer, treatment modality and time since diagnosis. The rural area of living and poor economic status of the patients with cervical cancer has a negative impact on overall quality of life. Younger and educated patients are more worried about sexuality. Patients treated with multiple therapies had more problems with their QOL scales than patients treated with surgery only.
Effect of carbon black addition on thermal stability and capacitive performances of supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Kyungwhan , Cho Kyoungah , Kim Sangsig 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this study, we propose a simple way to improve thermal stability of solid-state supercapacitors (SCs) by adding carbon black (CB) into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrodes. The CB used as a heat-resistant additive contributes to stable operation of the rGO-CB SC even after 1000 charge/discharge cycles at 90 °C. In the case of the rGO SC without CB, it fails after the 166th cycles at 90 °C. Compared with the rGO SC, the rGO-CB SC exhibits the decrease in internal resistance from 42 to 18 Ω and the increase in specific capacitance from 115 to 160 F/g. Moreover, the rGO-CB SC shows a smaller variation in specific capacitance (12%) than that of rGO SC (30%) as the temperature increases from 30 to 90 °C. The observation reveals that the addition of CB being a heat-resistant additive helps improve performance of thermal stable SCs.
Hairy root induction and benzylisoquinoline alkaloid production in Macleaya cordata
Authors: Huang Peng , Xia Liqiong , Liu Wei , Jiang Ruolan , Liu Xiubin , Tang Qi , Xu Min , Yu Linlan , Tang Zhaoshan , Zeng Jianguo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSanguinarine is currently widely used to replace antibiotic growth promoters in animal feeding and has demonstrated useful anticancer activity. Currently, the main source of sanguinarine is from an important medicinal plant, Macleaya cordata. To obtain a new source of sanguinarine production, we established hairy root cultures of M. cordata by co-cultivating leaf and stem explants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Except the co-cultivation medium, all growth media contained 200 mg/L timentin to eliminate A. rhizogenes. Through comparing the metabolic profiles and gene expression of hairy roots and wild-type roots sampled at five time points, we found that the sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine contents of hairy roots were far higher than those of wild-type roots, and we revealed the molecular mechanism that causes these metabolites to increase. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the hairy root system has further potential for bioengineering and sustainable production of sanguinarine on a commercial scale. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first efficient protocol reported for the establishment of hairy root cultures in M. cordata using A. rhizogenes.
Food mechanical properties and isotopic signatures in forest versus savannah dwelling eastern chimpanzees
Authors: van Casteren Adam , Oelze Vicky M. , Angedakin Samuel , Kalan Ammie K. , Kambi Mohamed , Boesch Christophe , Kühl Hjalmar S. , Langergraber Kevin E. , Piel Alexander K. , Stewart Fiona A. , Kupczik Kornelius 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChimpanzees are traditionally described as ripe fruit specialists with large incisors but relatively small postcanine teeth, adhering to a somewhat narrow dietary niche. Field observations and isotopic analyses suggest that environmental conditions greatly affect habitat resource utilisation by chimpanzee populations. Here we combine measures of dietary mechanics with stable isotope signatures from eastern chimpanzees living in tropical forest (Ngogo, Uganda) and savannah woodland (Issa Valley, Tanzania). We show that foods at Issa can present a considerable mechanical challenge, most saliently in the external tissues of savannah woodland plants compared to their tropical forest equivalents. This pattern is concurrent with different isotopic signatures between sites. These findings demonstrate that chimpanzee foods in some habitats are mechanically more demanding than previously thought, elucidating the broader evolutionary constraints acting on chimpanzee dental morphology. Similarly, these data can help clarify the dietary mechanical landscape of extinct hominins often overlooked by broad C3/C4 isotopic categories.
Weniger akute Atemwegsinfekte durch Vitamin-D-Supplementation?
Authors: Weckbecker Klaus 
Published: August 2018

Martineau AR. et al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.
BMJ 2017; 356: i6583
Vitamin D spielt Studien zufolge auch eine Rolle bei der Abwehr pathogener Keime: 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D (25[OH] Vitamin D) unterstützt z. B. die Synthese
antimikrobieller Peptide. Es gibt also eine mögliche Erklärung für die Beobachtung, dass Personen mit niedrigen Vitamin-D-Spiegeln besonders empfindlich
gegenüber respiratorischen Infekten sind. Untersuchungen zu einer präventiven Wirkung des Vitamin D verliefen jedoch zum Teil widersprüchlich.
Einfluss des Besuchs einer Kindertagesstätte (Kita) auf den Entwicklungsstand bei Vorschulkindern
Authors: Knollmann Carla , Thyen Ute 
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Zahl außerfamiliärer Betreuungsangebote für Klein- und Vorschulkinder wurde in den letzten Jahren erweitert. Neben arbeitsmarktpolitischen Zielen sollte damit auch die Chancengleichheit für Kinder verbessert werden. Die Studie untersuchte, wie sich die Kitabesuchsdauer unter Berücksichtigung sozialer Determinanten auf die Entwicklung eines Kindes auswirkt.
Methoden Daten aus der schleswig-holsteinischen Schuleingangsuntersuchung der Jahre 2014–2015 von 21 272 Kindern im Alter von 5–6 Jahren wurden hinsichtlich bildungsrelevanter Zielgrößen, soziodemografischer Merkmale sowie des Kitabesuchverhaltens analysiert.
Ergebnisse Ein niedriger Bildungsstand der Familie, eine Migrationsbiografie beider Eltern, ein Aufwachsen mit vielen Geschwistern und eine Erziehung durch Alleinerziehende waren mit Auffälligkeiten der Zielgrößen assoziiert (p<0,01). Eine Kitabesuchsdauer von länger als zwei Jahren erwies sich als optimal. Logistische Regressionsanalysen ergaben (Odds-Ratios [95%-Konfidenzintervall]): Mit jedem Kitabesuchsjahr reduzierten sich Auffälligkeiten der Motorik (0,84 [0,79–0,9]), der Kognition (0,7 [0,66–0,73]) und der Sprache (0,91 [0,86–0,96]), mäßiger (pädagogischer) (0,85 [0,79–0,91]) und sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf (0,58 [0,54–0,64]) sowie unzureichende Deutschkenntnisse (0,42 [0,35–0,5]) bei Schuleintritt auch unter Berücksichtigung sozialer Determinanten. Bezüglich des Auftretens von Übergewicht bestand kein signifikanter Zusammenhang mit der Kitabesuchsdauer.
Schlussfolgerungen Der Besuch einer Kita wirkt sich positiv auf die Kindesentwicklung aus. Hierbei profitieren insbesondere sozial benachteiligte Kinder von einem Kitabesuch. Interventionsprogramme innerhalb des Settings Kita sind daher begrüßenswert.
Ultrasonography Classification of the American Thyroid Association for Predicting Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules >1cm with Indeterminate Cytology: A Prospective Study
Authors: Rocha Tiara , Rosario Pedro , Silva Alexandre , Nunes Maurício , Silva Tulio , de Oliveira Pedro , Calsolari Maria 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the ultrasonography classification of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) for predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules >1 cm with indication for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) whose cytology was indeterminate. Additionally, the combination of the ATA classification with Doppler analysis was evaluated. All patients with thyroid nodules >1 cm were eligible. Each nodule was assigned to one of the ATA categories. Exclusively or predominantly intranodular vascularity was considered suspicious. One hundred and thirty-seven patients with 143 nodules underwent FNA and those with indeterminate cytology (Bethesda category III or IV) were selected. All patients were referred for surgery. Among the 143 nodules evaluated, 92 were benign, 33 were malignant, 13 were noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and 5 were tumors of uncertain malignant potential (TUMP). The rate of malignancy, including NIFTP and TUMP in this definition, was 80%, 42.8%, 13%, 10%, and 23% for nodules with a high suspicion, intermediate suspicion, low suspicion, very low suspicion, and undefined ultrasonographic pattern, respectively. Considering NIFPT and TUMP as benign, these rates were 72%, 22.4%, 4.3%, 0%, and 15.4%, respectively. The addition of Doppler analysis did not significantly improve the prediction of malignancy obtained with the ATA classification alone. The results of this prospective study show the usefulness of the ATA ultrasonographic classification for predicting malignancy specifically in thyroid nodules >1 cm with indeterminate cytology. The ATA category of the nodule should influence the decision for follow-up, molecular tests, or surgery.
Enzalutamida vs abiraterona en el manejo del cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración: comparación indirecta de tratamientos
Authors: Poveda José Luis , Bautista Natalia , Gómez Jorge , Rincón Gilberto , Donoso Wilfredo , González Cesar 
Published: August 2018

Introducción Actualmente se dispone de nuevos medicamentos que aumentan la supervivencia en pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración. Entre ellos están la Enzalutamida y la Abiraterona. Actualmente no se dispone de experimentos clínicos comparativos. Este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar las diferencias entre la Enzalutamida y la Abiraterona, a través de un modelo de comparación indirecta de tratamientos en pacientes con cáncer de próstata metastásico resistente a la castración.
Materiales y Métodos Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura incluyendo ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, en pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración que recibieron manejo con Enzalutamida y Abiraterona; tomando como desenlace la supervivencia global y libre de progresión radiológica. Se realizó una comparación de la información y un modelo de Bucher para datos indirectos.
Resultados Se incluyeron 2 experimentos clínicos fase 3 de manejo pre quimioterapia y 2 en manejo postquimioterapia. Se involucraron 1418 pacientes en el grupo de estudio prequimioterapia y 1596 en el grupo de estudio postquimioterapia. Al comparar la Enzalutamida versus Abiraterona, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. En la prequimioterapia, la supervivencia global con HR 0,87 (95%IC 0,70–1,09) (p = 0,94), supervivencia libre de progresion radiológica con HR 0,35 (95% IC 0,28–0,44) (p = 0,81) y en postquimioterapia, supervivencia global con HR 0,85 (95% IC 0,67–1,06) (p = 0,82) y supervivencia libre de progresión radiológica con HR 0,60 (95% IC 0,49–0,74) (p = 0,82).
Conclusiones No existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la supervivencia global y libre de progresión radiológica entre los dos medicamentos.
A Standardized Approach to Cesarean Surgical Technique and Its Effect on Operative Time and Surgical Morbidity
Authors: Pallister M. , Ballas J. , Kohn J. , Eppes C. S. , Belfort M. , Davidson C. 
Published: August 2018

Objective To evaluate the impact of a standardized surgical technique for primary cesarean deliveries (CDs) on operative time and surgical morbidity.
Materials and Methods Two-year retrospective chart review of primary CD performed around the implementation of a standardized CD surgical technique. The primary outcome was total operative time (TOT). Secondary outcomes included incision-to-delivery time (ITDT), surgical site infection, blood loss, and maternal and fetal injuries.
Results When comparing pre- versus postimplementation surgical times, there was no significant difference in TOT (76.5 vs. 75.9 minutes, respectively; p = 0.42) or ITDT (9.8 vs. 8.8 minutes, respectively; p = 0.06) when the entire cohort was analyzed. Subgroup analysis of CD performed early versus late in an academic year among the pre- and postimplementation groups showed no significant difference in TOT (79.3 early vs. 73.8 minutes late; p = 0.10) or ITDT (10.8 early vs. 8.8 minutes late; p = 0.06) within the preimplementation group. In the postimplementation group, however, there was significant decrease in TOT (80.5 early vs. 71.3 minutes late; p = 0.02) and ITDT (10.6 early vs. 6.8 minutes late; p < 0.01). Secondary outcomes were similar for both groups.
Conclusion A standardized surgical technique combined with surgical experience can decrease TOT and ITDT in primary CD without increasing maternal morbidity.
Sildenafil Exposure in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth , Perez Krystle , Smith P. , Clark Reese , Laughon Matthew , Hornik Christoph ,   on behalf of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act—Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee
Published: August 2018

Objective Pulmonary hypertension causes substantial morbidity and mortality in infants. Although Food and Drug Administration approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults, sildenafil is not approved for infants. We sought to describe sildenafil exposure and associated diagnoses and outcomes in infants.
Study Design Retrospective cohort of neonates discharged from more than 300 neonatal intensive care units from 2001 to 2016.
Results Sildenafil was administered to 1,336/1,161,808 infants (0.11%; 1.1 per 1,000 infants); 0/35,977 received sildenafil in 2001 versus 151/90,544 (0.17%; 1.7 per 1,000 infants) in 2016. Among infants <32 weeks' gestational age (GA) with enough data to determine respiratory outcome, 666/704 (95%) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Among infants ≥32 weeks GA, 248/455 (55%) had BPD and 76/552 (14%) were diagnosed with meconium aspiration. Overall, 209/921 (23%) died prior to discharge.
Conclusion The use of sildenafil has increased since 2001. Exposed infants were commonly diagnosed with BPD. Further studies evaluating dosing, safety, and efficacy of sildenafil are needed.
Considering transgender and gender nonconforming people in health communication campaigns
Authors: Combs Ryan , Wendel Monica , Gonzales T. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTransgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people have become more visible and risen in the American public’s consciousness in recent years. Despite this visibility and some political gains such as piecemeal advances in legal gender recognition and nondiscrimination protection, TGNC people continue to experience extensive health and social disparities. Notably, these disparities include a higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden, poorer mental health outcomes, and barriers to health care. Public health professionals in the United States have called for TGNC health inequities to be addressed and health communication is an important component of this effort. This article begins with an overview of the research evidence about the extent of TGNC disparities and contextualizes them socio-politically. Then, we review a sample of existing health communication campaigns relating to breast, cervical, and testicular cancers through a TGNC lens. Finally, we make a case for considering TGNC people in the development and delivery of health communication campaigns. Recommendations are made for how to do this effectively. Suggested actions include reviewing existing materials for gender inclusivity, engaging communities to determine accurate and relevant messaging, collecting population-level demographic data on gender identity, and training employees using a health equity framework.
Macrophage angiotensin II type 2 receptor triggers neuropathic pain
Authors: Shepherd Andrew J. , Mickle Aaron D. , Golden Judith P. , Mack Madison R. , Halabi Carmen M. , de Kloet Annette D. , Samineni Vijay K. , Kim Brian S. , Krause Eric G. , Gereau Robert W. , Mohapatra Durga P. 
Published: August 2018

Significance
Neuropathic pain is a widespread problem that is undermanaged by currently available analgesic drugs. An antagonist of the type II angiotensin II receptor (AT2R) reduces pain behaviors related to neuropathy, suggesting that angiotensin receptor signaling is involved in this pain. We find that AT2R expression is detected not in sensory neurons themselves, but in macrophages that infiltrate the site of nerve injury. Inducible depletion of peripheral macrophages attenuates mechanical and cold pain hypersensitivity related to neuropathy, as does transplantation of AT2R-null bone marrow into an otherwise WT recipient. Our observations provide powerful evidence that neuropathic pain is dependent upon angiotensin signaling, macrophages, and the AT2R-mediated downstream signaling therein.
Collapse of a desert bird community over the past century driven by climate change
Authors: Iknayan Kelly J. , Beissinger Steven R. 
Published: August 2018

Significance
Deserts, already defined by climatic extremes, have warmed and dried more than other regions in the contiguous United States due to climate change. Our resurveys of sites originally visited in the early 20th century found Mojave Desert birds strongly declined in occupancy and sites lost nearly half of their species. Declines were associated with climate change, particularly decreased precipitation. The magnitude of the decline in the avian community and the absence of species that were local climatological “winners” are exceptional. Our results provide evidence that bird communities in the Mojave Desert have collapsed to a new, lower baseline. Declines could accelerate with future climate change, as this region is predicted to become drier and hotter by the end of the century.
Lariat intronic RNAs in the cytoplasm of vertebrate cells
Authors: Talhouarne Gaëlle J. S. , Gall Joseph G. 
Published: August 2018

Significance
Introns are noncoding DNA sequences interspersed among the coding sequences of genes. Shortly after transcription, the intronic sequences are spliced out of the primary RNA transcript as lariat RNAs (circular molecules with a short tail). Most of these lariats are destroyed within minutes in the cell nucleus. We report here that many such intronic RNAs are, in fact, exported to the cytoplasm, where they remain as stable circular molecules. These cytoplasmic introns are derived from hundreds of different genes of widely different functions. We find them in cells of human, mouse, chicken, frog, and zebrafish. The widespread occurrence of so many stable lariat RNAs in the cytoplasm suggests that they play some as-yet unexpected role in cell metabolism.
Novel methods for nucleotide length control in double-stranded polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid production using uneven length components
Authors: Nakano Tetsuo , Yamamura Ei-Tora , Fujita Hiroshi , Sone Teruo , Asano Kozo 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC), a double-stranded RNA that induces innate immunity in mammals, is a candidate immunopotentiator for pharmaceuticals. The potency and adverse effects of PIC are strongly correlated with the nucleotide length, and the inability to precisely control the length in PIC production limits its practical use. Length extension during the annealing process is the major factor underlying the lack of control, but tuning the annealing conditions is insufficient to resolve this issue. In this study, we developed a novel method to produce accurate nucleotide length PIC at an industrial scale. The length extension was significantly suppressed by the assembly of multiple short polyinosinic acid molecules with one long polycytidylic acid molecule. A newly developed PIC, uPIC100-400, demonstrated a reproducible length and better storage stability than that of corresponding evenly structured PIC. Human dsRNA receptors exhibited equivalent responsiveness to uPIC100-400 and the evenly structured PIC with the same length.