bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bronchodilator responsiveness as a predictor of success for bronchial thermoplasty
Authors: Langton David , Ing Alvin , Fielding David , Wang Wei , Plummer Virginia , Thien Francis 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveA characteristic feature of asthma is hypertrophied airway smooth muscle, responsible for bronchoconstriction. This is the target of bronchial thermoplasty (BT). It is known that with increasing time and severity some patients develop remodelled airways with fixed airflow obstruction. The question arises whether these patients will still respond to BT.MethodsForty‐nine consecutive severe asthmatic patients were prospectively evaluated at baseline and then 6 months after BT. The characteristics recorded included medication usage, exacerbation history, spirometry and the Asthma Control Questionnaire 5‐Item Version score (ACQ‐5). Seven patients were excluded as they did not demonstrate airflow obstruction at baseline (forced expiratory ratio (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)) < 70%). The remaining 42 patients were divided into two cohorts based on their response to bronchodilator. Eighteen patients in whom the FEV1 improved by at least 12% and 200 mL following bronchodilator were allocated to Group 1 (reversible). The remaining patients were allocated to Group 2 (fixed). The outcomes following BT in these two groups were then compared.ResultsThe patient age was 57.2 ± 12.4 years, the ACQ‐5 was 3.2 ± 1.0 and the FEV1 56.0 ± 16.4% predicted. At baseline, the patient cohorts were very similar, save for the response to bronchodilator, which was 28.1 ± 12.5% in Group 1 and 4.1 ± 5.3% in Group 2. Both groups responded to BT equally well, with significant improvements in ACQ‐5, salbutamol usage, exacerbation frequency and the weaning of oral corticosteroids.ConclusionIn patients with severe asthma, the presence or absence of variable airflow obstruction as measured by spirometry does not appear to influence outcomes from BT.
White Ethnic Diversity in Small Town Iowa: A Multilevel Analysis of Community Attachment
Authors: Flagg Chloe , Painter Matthew A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCommunity attachment is the feeling of being connected to community life. Within the community attachment literature, two classic approaches frame scholars’ understanding of this important dimension of community life: the linear development and systemic models. Our empirical models emphasize different factors for community attachment, including population size, density, and heterogeneity for the linear development model and age, length of residence, and social status for the systemic model. Surprisingly, heterogeneity has been omitted from analyses of the linear development model throughout the literature since its introduction, a shortcoming our study addresses. Though heterogeneity can be conceptualized in a number of ways, a large—and growing—body of literature focuses on the effects of race and ethnicity for communities. Here, we focus on a particular type of ethnic heterogeneity—European ancestry—and reincorporate this essential dimension of communities back into the linear development model of community attachment. Using data from the 2004 wave of the Iowa Community Survey and multilevel modeling techniques, we explore how white ethnic diversity matters for community life. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our study, including potential avenues for future research focusing on other ethnicities that are often subsumed under broader racial and panethnic labels.
The transition from arable lands to rubber tree plantations in northern Thailand impacts weed assemblages and soil physical properties
Authors: Neyret M. , Robain H. , de Rouw A. , Soulileuth B. , Trisophon K. , Jumpa K. , Valentin C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn South‐East Asia, rapid land use changes in recent decades have raised concerns for biodiversity and soil conservation. Weeds provide many ecosystemic services for soil protection and support biodiversity, and could mitigate the negative effects of intensification. We investigated the changes in weed assemblages and weed–soil interactions on a chronosequence from annual crops to mature rubber tree plantations. We sampled five fields for each of four land uses in mountainous northern Thailand (rainfed upland rice, maize, young rubber tree (RT) intercropped with maize, and mature RT). We characterized weed assemblages (abundance, richness) and soil properties (bulk density, water, carbon and nitrogen content). Rice had the most diverse and abundant weed assemblages. Weed assemblages differed between (i) rice, (ii) maize and young RT with maize and (iii) mature RT. Soil water content was the highest in mature RT. Other soil properties varied strongly within and among fields, and did not vary significantly among land uses. Water and nitrogen content increased overall with living soil cover but decreased with weed species richness in mature RT. Such interactions could provide a basis for sustainable weeding practices favourable to soil and biodiversity conservation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James 
Published: July 2018

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 8Abdul Azim Akhtar, Independent Academic & Researcher, Delhi, IndiaAgboola O. Paul", Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MalaysiaAmir Hossain, IBAIS University, BangladeshAslan,Yasin, Sinop University, TurkeyEmanuele Achino, C. D. T. O., ItalyFroilan Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippinesLaura Diaconu Maxim, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza University" of Iasi, RomaniaMałgorzata Haładewicz, Opole University of Technology, PolandMichael Brooks, North Carolina A&T State University, USASerkan Cicek, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Turkey
Preconditioning contractions prevent the delayed onset of myofibrillar dysfunction after damaging eccentric contractions
Authors: Yamada Ryotaro , Himori Koichi , Tatebayashi Daisuke , Ashida Yuki , Ikezaki Kazumi , Miyata Hirohumi , Kanzaki Keita , Wada Masanobu , Westerblad Håkan , Yamada Takashi 
Published: July 2018

Key points
We examined the mechanisms underlying the positive effect of preconditioning contractions (PCs) on the recovery of muscle force after damaging eccentric contractions (ECCs).
The mechanisms underlying the immediate force decrease after damaging ECCs differ from those causing depressed force with a few days’ delay, where reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by invading immune cells play an important causative role.
PCs counteracted the delayed onset force depression and this could be explained by prevention of immune cell invasion, which resulted in decreased myeloperoxidase‐mediated ROS production, hence avoiding cell membrane disruption, calpain activation and degenerative changes in myosin and actin molecules.
AbstractPreconditioning contractions (PCs) have been shown to result in markedly improved contractile function during the recovery periods after muscle damage from eccentric contractions (ECCs). Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of PCs with a special focus on the myofibrillar function. Rat medial gastrocnemius muscles were exposed to 100 repeated damaging ECCs in situ and excised immediately (recovery 0, REC0) or after 4 days (REC4). PCs with 10 repeated non‐damaging ECCs were applied 2 days before the damaging ECCs. PCs improved in situ maximal isometric torque at REC4. Skinned muscle fibres were used to directly assess changes in myofibrillar function. PCs prevented the damaging ECC‐induced depression in maximum Ca2+‐activated force at REC4. PCs also prevented the following damaging ECC‐induced effects at REC4: (i) the reduction in myosin heavy chain and actin content; (ii) calpain activation; (iii) changes in redox homeostasis manifested as increased expression levels of malondialdehyde‐protein adducts, NADPH oxidase 2, superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase, and activation of myeloperoxidase (MPO); (iv) infiltration of immune cells and loss of cell membrane integrity. Additionally, at REC0, PCs enhanced the expression levels of heat shock protein (HSP) 70, HSP25, and αB‐crystallin in the myofibrils and prevented the increased mRNA levels of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐6. In conclusion, PCs prevent the delayed force depression after damaging ECCs by an HSP‐dependent inhibition of degenerative changes in myosin and actin molecules caused by myeloperoxidase‐induced membrane lysis and subsequent calpain activation, which were triggered by an inflammatory reaction with immune cells invading damaged muscles.
Hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity: impact of sexual dimorphism, PGC1α and BNIP3‐mediated mitophagy
Authors: Von Schulze Alex , McCoin Colin S. , Onyekere Chiemela , Allen Julie , Geiger Paige , Dorn Gerald W. , Morris E. Matthew , Thyfault John P. 
Published: July 2018

Key points
Hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity may be regulated by mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α) and mitophagy (BNIP3). Additionally, these adaptations may be sex‐dependent.
Chronic increase in physical activity lowers basal mitochondrial respiratory capacity in mice.
Female mice have higher hepatic electron transport system protein content, elevated respiratory capacity, lowered mitophagic flux, and emit less mitochondrial H2O2 independent of physical activity.
Males require chronic daily physical activity to attain a similar mitochondrial phenotype compared to females. In contrast, females have limited hepatic adaptations to chronic physical activity.
Livers deficient in PGC1α and BNIP3 display similar mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity to those found in wild‐type mice.
AbstractHepatic mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity may be regulated by biogenesis‐ and mitophagy‐associated pathways in a sex‐dependent manner. Here, we tested if mice with targeted deficiencies in liver‐specific peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α; LPGC1α+/−) and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein‐interacting protein 3 (BNIP3)‐mediated mitophagy (BNIP3−/−) would have reduced physical activity‐induced adaptations in respiratory capacity, H2O2 emission and mitophagy compared to wild‐type (WT) controls and if these effects were impacted by sex. Male and female WT, LPGC1α+/− and BNIP3−/− C57BL6/J mice were divided into groups that remained sedentary or had access to daily physical activity via voluntary wheel running (VWR) (n = 6–10/group) for 4 weeks. Mice had ad libitum access to low‐fat diet and water. VWR reduced basal mitochondrial respiration, increased mitochondrial coupling and altered ubiquitin‐mediated mitophagy in a sex‐specific manner in WT mice. Female mice of all genotypes displayed higher electron transport system content, displayed increased ADP‐stimulated respiration, produced less mitochondrially derived reactive oxygen species, exhibited reduced mitophagic flux, and were less responsive to VWR compared to males. Males responded more robustly to VWR‐induced changes in hepatic mitochondrial function resulting in a match to adaptations found in females. Deficiencies in PGC1α and BNIP3 alone did not largely alter mitochondrial adaptations to VWR. However, VWR restored sex‐dependent abnormalities in mitophagic flux in LPGC1α+/−. Finally, BNIP3−/− mice had elevated mitochondrial content and increased mitochondrial respiration putatively through repressed mitophagic flux. In conclusion, hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity are more dependent on sex than PGC1α and BNIP3.
Discovery of Human-Specific Immunodominant
Chlamydia trachomatis
B Cell Epitopes
Authors: Rahman K. Shamsur , Darville Toni , Russell Ali N. , O’Connell Catherine M. , Wiesenfeld Harold C. , Hillier Sharon L. , Chowdhury Erfan U. , Juan Yen-Chen , Kaltenboeck Bernhard 
Published: July 2018

Current serological assays for species-specific detection of anti-
Chlamydia
species antibodies suffer from well-known shortcomings in specificity and ease of use. Due to the high prevalences of both anti-
C. trachomatis
and anti-
C. pneumoniae
antibodies in human populations, species-specific serology is unreliable. Therefore, novel specific and simple assays for chlamydial serology are urgently needed. Conventional antigens are problematic due to extensive cross-reactivity within
Chlamydia
spp. Using accurate B cell epitope prediction and a robust peptide ELISA methodology developed in our laboratory, we identified immunodominant
C. trachomatis
B cell epitopes by screening performed with sera from
C. trachomatis
-infected women. We discovered 38 novel human host-dependent antigens from 20 immunodominant
C. trachomatis
proteins, in addition to confirming 10 host-independent mouse serum peptide antigens that had been identified previously. This extended set of highly specific
C. trachomatis
peptide antigens can be used in simple ELISA or multiplexed microarray formats and will provide high specificity and sensitivity to human
C. trachomatis
serodiagnosis.
Comprehensive Molecular Serology of HumanChlamydia trachomatisInfections by Peptide Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays
Authors: Rahman K. Shamsur , Darville Toni , Russell Ali N. , O'Connell Catherine M. , Wiesenfeld Harold C. , Hillier Sharon L. , Lee De’Ashia E. , Kaltenboeck Bernhard 
Published: July 2018

For detection of anti-Chlamydia trachomatisantibodies by serological assays, use of classical whole-organism chlamydial antigens results in high cross-reactivity. These antigens bind mainly antibodies against the major outer membrane protein (OmpA) and bind antibodies against other immunodominant non-OmpA proteins to a lesser extent, resulting in poor assay sensitivity. The specificity ofC. trachomatisserology is also compromised by the high prevalence of cross-reactive anti-C. pneumoniaeantibodies in human populations. We previously identified 48 highly specificC. trachomatisB cell epitope peptide antigens of 21 immunodominant proteins. This study validated peptide antigen-based novel ELISAs that provide highly specific and sensitive detection of anti-C. trachomatisantibodies. Compared to four commercial ELISAs that achieved only poor sensitivities (51.5% to 64.8%), the combined signals of 5 to 11 peptides provided high sensitivity (86.5% to 91.8%) at the same 98% specificity. Thus, by using multiple peptide antigens of immunodominant proteins, we created simple ELISAs with specificity and sensitivity superior to standardC. trachomatisserodiagnosis.
Prevalence, incidence and predictors of volunteer community health worker attrition in Kwale County, Kenya
Authors: Ngugi Anthony K , Nyaga Lucy W , Lakhani Amyn , Agoi Felix , Hanselman Margrette , Lugogo George , Mehta Kala M 
Published: July 2018

IntroductionIn underserved populations, the contribution of community health workers (CHWs) is vital to the healthcare systems. Attrition of these workers causes critical breakdowns in the delivery of essential services to these populations. Literature on reasons for attrition is limited, although some have been identified in studies on sustainability of CHW programmes. These factors are, however, likely to be influenced by context. We measured CHW attrition and its predictors in a rural area in Kenya.MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study and focus group discussions among CHWs involved in a maternal and child health project. A training register of 1005 CHWs was used to sample and follow CHWs for attrition. Incidence of CHW attrition was calculated using a Poisson model. Separately, we used logistic regression to determine predictors of CHW attrition.ResultsOf the 1005 CHWs, 498 (49.6%) had left the project by the time of the study. The incidence of attrition was 46.8/1000 person-years (95% CI 38.7 to 56.5). In the case–control study, lack of interest in peer organisation membership (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.3 to 20.6) was associated with attrition. Absence of refresher training (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.2 to 7.1) and receiving no feedback from supervisors (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.9) were also associated with attrition. Discordance in expectations and perceived heavy workload were also identified as key reasons for attrition in the qualitative study.ConclusionThis study estimates high prevalence and incidence of CHW attrition in Kwale County, Kenya. Ongoing training, feedback and peer support are also important in enhancing retention of CHWs. Additionally, expectations regarding the roles and benefits of involvement in CHW work should be communicated clearly, and workload should be kept reasonable or negotiated with the CHWs.
Research barriers in children and young people with life-limiting conditions: a survey
Authors: Peake Jordana Natalie , Beecham Emma , Oostendorp Linda J M , Hudson Briony F , Stone Patrick , Jones Louise , Lakhanpaul Monica , Bluebond-Langner Myra 
Published: July 2018

Studies indicate research ethics committee (REC) approval and clinician gatekeeping are two key barriers in recruiting children and young people (CYP) with life-limiting conditions (LLCs) and life-threatening illnesses (LTIs) and their families to research.ObjectivesTo explore the reported experiences, difficulties and proposed solutions of chief investigators (CIs) recruiting CYP with LLCs/LTIs and families in the UK.Methods61 CIs conducting studies with CYP with LLCs/LTIs and their families, identified from the UK National Institute of Health Research portfolio, completed an anonymous, web-based questionnaire, including both closed and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and inductive and deductive coding were used to analyse responses.ResultsUK CIs cited limitations on funding, governance procedures including Research and Development, Site-Specific and REC approval processes, and clinician gatekeeping as challenges to research. CIs offered some solutions to overcome identified barriers such as working with CYP and their families to ensure their needs are adequately considered in study design and communicated to ethics committees; and designing studies with broad inclusion criteria and developing effective relationships with clinicians in order to overcome clinician gatekeeping.ConclusionsMany of the challenges and solutions reported by UK CIs have applicability beyond the UK setting. The involvement of clinicians, patients and their families at the inception of and throughout paediatric palliative care research studies is essential. Other important strategies include having clinician research champions and increasing the visibility of research. Further research on the perspectives of all stakeholders, leading to mutually agreed guidance, is required if care and treatment are to improve.
The Blood And Clot Thrombectomy Registry And Collaboration (BACTRAC) protocol: novel method for evaluating human stroke
Authors: Fraser Justin F , Collier Lisa A , Gorman Amy A , Martha Sarah R , Salmeron Kathleen E , Trout Amanda L , Edwards Danielle N , Davis Stephanie M , Lukins Douglas E , Alhajeri Abdulnasser , Grupke Stephen , Roberts Jill M , Bix Gregory J , Pennypacker Keith R 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundIschemic stroke research faces difficulties in translating pathology between animal models and human patients to develop treatments. Mechanical thrombectomy, for the first time, offers a momentary window into the changes occurring in ischemia. We developed a tissue banking protocol to capture intracranial thrombi and the blood immediately proximal and distal to it.ObjectiveTo develop and share a reproducible protocol to bank these specimens for future analysis.MethodsWe established a protocol approved by the institutional review board for tissue processing during thrombectomy (www.clinicaltrials.govNCT03153683). The protocol was a joint clinical/basic science effort among multiple laboratories and the NeuroInterventional Radiology service line. We constructed a workspace in the angiography suite, and developed a step-by-step process for specimen retrieval and processing.ResultsOur protocol successfully yielded samples for analysis in all but one case. In our preliminary dataset, the process produced adequate amounts of tissue from distal blood, proximal blood, and thrombi for gene expression and proteomics analyses. We describe the tissue banking protocol, and highlight training protocols and mechanics of on-call research staffing. In addition, preliminary integrity analyses demonstrated high-quality yields for RNA and protein.ConclusionsWe have developed a novel tissue banking protocol using mechanical thrombectomy to capture thrombus along with arterial blood proximal and distal to it. The protocol provides high-quality specimens, facilitating analysis of the initial molecular response to ischemic stroke in the human condition for the first time. This approach will permit reverse translation to animal models for treatment development.
Management of obstructive sleep apnoea in a primary care vs sleep unit setting: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tarraubella Nuria , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel , Nadal Nuria , De Batlle Jordi , Benítez Iván , Cortijo Anunciación , Urgelés Maria Cruz , Sanchez Virginia , Lorente Iñigo , Lavega M Mercé , Fuentes Araceli , Clotet Joan , Llort Laia , Vilo Lidia , Juni M Carmen , Juarez Aurelia , Gracia Maribel , Castro-Grattoni Anabel L , Pascual Lydia , Minguez Olga , Masa Juan F , Barbé Ferran 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of primary care (PC) and sleep unit (SU) models for the management of subjects with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).MethodsMulticentre, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. A total of 302 subjects with suspected OSA and/or resistant hypertension were consecutively enrolled, 149 were treated at 11 PC units and 153 patients at a SU. The primary outcomes were a 6-month change in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score and Health Utilities Index (HUI). The non-inferiority margin for the ESS score was −2.0.ResultsA total of 80.2% and 70.6% of the PC and SU patients were diagnosed with OSA, respectively, and 59.3% and 60.4% of those were treated with CPAP in PC and SU units, respectively. The Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index was similar between the groups (PC vs SU (median (IQR); 23.1 (26.8) events/h vs 21.8 (35.2) events/h), and the baseline ESS score was higher in the PC than in the SU group (10.3 (6.6) vs 9 (7.2)). After 6 months, the ESS score of the PC group decreased from a mean of 10.1 to 7.6 (−2.49; 95% CI −3.3 to −1.69), and that of the SU group decreased from 8.85 to 5.73 (−3.11; 95% CI −3.94 to 2.28). The adjusted difference between groups for the mean change in the ESS score was −1.25 (one-sided 95% CI −1.88; p=0.025), supporting the non-inferiority of PC management. We did not observe differences in the HUI between groups. The cost analysis showed a median savings of €558.14/patient for the PC setting compared with the SU setting.ConclusionsAmong patients with suspected OSA, the PC model did not result in a worse ESS score or HUI than the specialist model and generated savings in terms of management cost. Therefore, the PC model was more cost-efficient than the SU model.Trial registrationResults; >>NCT02234765, Clinical Trials.gov.