bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nursing home choice, family bargaining, and optimal policy in a Hotelling economy
Authors: Leroux Marie‐Louise , Ponthiere Gregory 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe develop a model of family bargaining to study the impact of the distribution of bargaining power within the family on the choice of nursing homes by families, and on the locations and prices chosen by nursing homes in a Hotelling economy. In the baseline (static) model, where the dependent parent cares only about the location of the nursing home, the markup of nursing homes is increasing in the bargaining power of the dependent parent, and nursing homes are located at the extreme periphery. We compare the laissez‐faire with the social optimum (which involves more central locations of nursing homes), and examine its decentralization in first‐best and second‐best settings. We explore the robustness of our results to introducing a bequest motive in a dynamic overlapping generations model, which allows us to study the joint dynamics of wealth accumulation and nursing home prices. If the bequest motive is strong, the markup is decreasing in the bargaining power of the dependent. However, wealth accumulation, by reducing interest rates, raises markup rates and nursing homes prices.
Melatonin and 5‐fluorouracil co‐suppress colon cancer stem cells by regulating cellular prion protein‐Oct4 axis
Authors: Lee Jun Hee , Yun Chul Won , Han Yong‐Seok , Kim SangMin , Jeong Dongjun , Kwon Hyog Young , Kim Hyeongjoo , Baek Moo‐Jun , Lee Sang Hun 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMelatonin suppresses tumor development. However, the exact relationship between melatonin and cancer stem cells (CSCs) is poorly understood. This study found that melatonin inhibits colon CSCs by regulating the PrPC‐Oct4 axis. In specimens from patients with colorectal cancer, the expressions of cellular prion protein (PrPC) and Oct4 were significantly correlated with metastasis and tumor stages. Co‐treatment with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and melatonin inhibited the stem cell markers Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1 by downregulating PrPC. In this way, tumor growth, proliferation, and tumor‐mediated angiogenesis were suppressed. In colorectal CSCs, PRNP overexpression protects Oct4 against inhibition by 5‐FU and melatonin. In contrast, Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1 have no such protection. These results indicate that PrPC directly regulates Oct4, whereas it indirectly regulates Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1. Taken together, our findings suggest that co‐treatment with anticancer drug and melatonin is a potential therapy for colorectal cancer. Furthermore, PrPC maintains cancer stemness during tumor progression. Therefore, targeting the PrPC‐Oct4 axis may prove instrumental in colorectal cancer therapy.
Dreaming of a learning task is associated with enhanced memory consolidation: Replication in an overnight sleep study
Authors: Wamsley Erin J. , Stickgold Robert 
Published: August 2018

SummarySleep following learning benefits memory. One model attributes this effect to the iterative “reactivation” of memory traces in the sleeping brain, demonstrated in animal models. Although technical limitations prohibit using the same methods to observe memory reactivation in the human brain, the study of mental activity during sleep provides an alternative method of observing memory activation during sleep. In fact, the content of dream experience may reflect the process of memory reactivation and consolidation in the sleeping brain. In line with this hypothesis, we previously reported that dreaming about a spatial learning task during a nap strongly predicts subsequent performance improvements. Here, we replicate this observation in an overnight sleep study, for the first time demonstrating that pre‐sleep training on a virtual maze navigation task is reflected in dreams reported from all phases of sleep, with unambiguous representation of the task in dream content associated with improved next‐morning performance. These observations are consistent with reactivation‐based models of memory consolidation in sleep, confirming our earlier finding that the cognitive‐level activation of recent experience during sleep is associated with subsequent performance gains.
Competitive control of endoglucanase gene engXCA expression in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris by the global transcriptional regulators HpaR1 and Clp
Authors: Liu Guo‐Fang , Su Hui‐Zhao , Sun Han‐Yang , Lu Guang‐Tao , Tang Ji‐Liang 
Published: August 2018

SUMMARYTranscriptional regulators are key players in pathways that allow bacteria to alter gene expression in response to environmental conditions. However, work to understand how such transcriptional regulatory networks interact in bacterial plant pathogens is limited. Here, in the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris, we demonstrate that the global transcriptional regulator HpaR1 influences many of the same genes as another global regulator Clp, including the engXCA gene that encodes extracellular endoglucanase. We demonstrate that HpaR1 facilitates the binding of RNA polymerase to the engXCA promoter. In addition, we show that HpaR1 binds directly to the engXCA promoter. Furthermore, our in vitro tests characterize two binding sites for Clp within the engXCA promoter. Interestingly, one of these sites overlaps with the HpaR1 binding site. Mobility shift assays reveal that HpaR1 has greater affinity for binding to the engXCA promoter. This observation is supported by promoter activity assays, which show that the engXCA expression level is lower when both HpaR1 and Clp are present together, rather than alone. The data also reveal that HpaR1 and Clp activate engXCA gene expression by binding directly to its promoter. This transcriptional activation is modulated as both regulators compete to bind to overlapping sites on the engXCA promoter. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that this mechanism may be used broadly in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) and is probably widespread in Xanthomonads and, potentially, other bacteria. Taken together, these data support a novel mechanism of competitive activation by two global regulators of virulence gene expression in Xcc which is probably widespread in Xanthomonads and, potentially, other bacteria.
The toad fly Lucilia bufonivora: its evolutionary status and molecular identification
Authors: Arias‐Robledo G. , Stark T. , Wall R. L. , Stevens J. R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe blow fly genus Lucilia is composed largely of saprophages and facultative myasis agents, including the economically important species Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen). Only one species is generally recognized as an obligate agent of myiasis, Lucilia bufonivora Moniez, and this is an obligate parasite of toads. Lucilia silvarum (Meigen), a sister species, behaves mainly as a carrion breeder; however, it has also been reported as a facultative parasite of amphibians. Morphologically, these species are almost identical, and historically this has led to misidentification, taxonomic ambiguity and a paucity of studies of L. bufonivora. In this study, dipterous larvae were analysed from toad myiasis cases from the U.K., The Netherlands and Switzerland, together with adult specimens of fly species implicated in amphibian parasitism: L. bufonivora, L. silvarum and Lucilia elongata Shannon (from North America). Partial sequences of two genes, cox1 and ef1α, were amplified. Seven additional blow fly species were analysed as outgroups. Bayesian inference trees of cox1, ef1α and a combined‐gene dataset were constructed. All larvae isolated from toads were identified as L. bufonivora and no specimens of L. silvarum were implicated in amphibian myiasis. This study confirms L. silvarum and L. bufonivora as distinct sister species and provides unambiguous molecular identification of L. bufonivora.
Identification of Mucorales in patients with proven invasive mucormycosis by polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples
Authors: Gholinejad‐Ghadi Nahid , Shokohi Tahereh , Seifi Zahra , Aghili Seyed Reza , Roilides Emmanuel , Nikkhah Mehdi , Pormosa Rostam , Karami Hossein , Larjani Laleh Vahedi , Ghasemi Maryam , Haghani Iman 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundAccurate diagnosis of mucormycosis, a life‐threatening fungal infection, remains a challenge for physicians.ObjectivesTo identify the causative Mucorales in fresh clinical samples and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) samples of patients with proven mucormycosis by molecular method.Patients/MethodsFresh clinical samples of patients with proven mucormycosis according to the EORTC/MSG criteria admitted between 2015 and 2017 and histopathologically proven FFPE archives collected during 2004‐2007 and 2015‐2017 from Mazandaran University‐affiliated hospitals of northern Iran were included. Seminested PCR targeting the 18S rDNA of Mucorales and ITS region was performed, and PCR products were then sequenced.ResultsWhile culture was positive only in 5 of 9 (56%) of fresh specimen cases, PCR was positive in all 9 (100%) histologically proven mucormycosis. Ten of 18 (56%) FFPE samples were PCR‐positive. Overall, Mucorales PCR was positive in 19 of 27 (70%) samples. Mucorales species were Rhizopus arrhizus in 16 (84%) cases, R. arrhizus/Amylomyces rouxii in 2 (10.5%) cases and Rhizopus stolonifer in one case (5.5%). Among 27 mucormycosis cases, 25 (93%) cases were rhinocerebral, and 2 (7%) cases were disseminated. Diabetes mellitus (74%) and neutropaenia (63%) were the main risk factors.ConclusionsSeminested PCR targeting 18S rDNA region of Mucorales is useful for identification of the causative agents of mucormycosis.
Retrospective chart review to assess domains of quality of death (recognition of dying, appropriate limitations, symptom monitoring, anticipatory prescribing) of patients dying in the acute hospital under the care of a nephrology service with renal supportive care support over time
Authors: Urban Agnes K , Foote Celine , Brennan Frank P , Brown Mark , Lee Brendon W H 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTAimTo explore the quality of deaths in an acute hospital under a nephrology service at two teaching hospitals in Sydney with renal supportive care services over time.MethodsRetrospective chart review of all deaths in the years 2004, 2009 and 2014 at St George Hospital (SGH) and in 2014 at the Concord Repatriation General Hospital. Domains assessed were recognition of dying, invasive interventions, symptom assessment, anticipatory prescribing, documentation of spiritual needs and bereavement information for families. End‐of‐life care plan (EOLCP) use was also evaluated at SGH.ResultsOver 90% of patients were recognized to be dying in all 3 years at SGH. Rates of interventions in the last week of life were low and did not differ across the 3 years. There was a significant increase in the prescription of anti‐psychotic, anti‐emetic and anti‐cholinergic medication over the years at SGH. Use of EOLCP was significantly higher at SGH, and their use improved several quality domains. Of all deaths, 68% were referred to palliative care at SGH and 33% at Concord Repatriation General Hospital (not significant). Cessation of observations and non‐essential medications and documentation of bereavement information given to families was low across both sites in all years, although this significantly improved when EOLCP were used.ConclusionWhile acute teams are good at recognizing dying, they need support to care for dying patients. The use of EOLCP in acute services can facilitate improvements in caring for the dying. Renal supportive care services need time to become embedded in the culture of the acute hospital.
Bone‐targeted delivery of TGF‐β type 1 receptor inhibitor rescues uncoupled bone remodeling in Camurati–Engelmann disease
Authors: Qin Yunhao , Tang Shibing , Zhen Gehua , Ding Qiang , Ding Sheng , Cao Xu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCamurati–Engelmann disease (CED) is a genetic bone‐modeling disorder mainly caused by mutations in the gene that encodes transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1). Symptoms of CED include bone pain, fractures, and dysplasia. Currently, effective therapies for bone fracture and dysplasia in CED are urgently needed. We have demonstrated that TGF‐β1 is a coupling factor for bone remodeling and is aberrantly activated in CED. Daily injection of TGF‐β type 1 receptor inhibitor (TβR1I) attenuated CED symptoms, but this systemic administration caused serious side effects. In this study, we created a conjugate linking TβR1I and alendronate, which delivered TβR1I specifically to bone. After weekly injection of the conjugate for 8 weeks, normal bone morphology and remodeling in CED mice was maintained with a minimum effective dose 700 times lower than TβR1I injection. Additionally, we found that the conjugate restored normal bone turnover by reducing the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, maintained a regular osteogenic microenvironment by regulating the formation of CD31 and Endomucin double‐positive vessels, and preserved ordinary bone formation via inhibition of the migration of leptin‐receptor‐positive cells. Thus, targeting delivery of TβR1I to bone is a promising therapy for CED and other uncoupled bone remodeling disorders.
How to reduce parental provision of unhealthy foods to 3‐ to 8‐year‐old children in the home environment? A systematic review utilizing the Behaviour Change Wheel framework
Authors: Johnson B. J. , Zarnowiecki D. , Hendrie G. A. , Mauch C. E. , Golley R. K. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackground and objectiveThe effectiveness of obesity prevention interventions to improve children's diet can be enhanced. Deconstructing past interventions can identify components with potential to change behaviour. This systematic review using the Behaviour Change Wheel aimed to examine the behaviour change content of interventions supporting parents of 3‐ to 8‐year olds to reduce provision of unhealthy foods to children.MethodsEbscohost, Ovid, Scopus and Web of Science were searched. Eligible studies included controlled interventions with active parent involvement, at least one intervention strategy and outcome measure for unhealthy foods ≥3 months from baseline. Seventeen interventions were included describing 18 intervention arms.ResultsInterventions frequently targeted parents' reflective motivation (n = 17) and psychological capability (n = 15), through education (n = 15) or enablement (n = 15) intervention functions and service provision (n = 18) policy category. Only 24 of the 93 behaviour change techniques were used with an average of five techniques used per intervention.ConclusionsExisting interventions achieving small reductions in unhealthy food intake are homogenous in approach. There is potential to utilize untapped behaviour change techniques, through comprehensive intervention design and behavioural analysis guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel. Interventions targeting opportunity through persuasion, modelling or environmental restructuring, and using different policy categories are urgently needed to provide an evidence base to inform policy and practice.
The use of an esophageal catheter to check the results of left atrial posterior wall isolation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Furniss Guy , Panagopoulos Dimitrios , Newcomb Dan , Lines Ian , Dalrymple‐Hay Malcolm , Haywood Guy 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundLeft atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) via catheter, surgical, and hybrid techniques is a promising treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF). We investigated whether confirmation of LAPWI can be achieved using an esophageal pacing and recording electrode.MethodsPatients undergoing PersAF ablation with the intention to achieve LAPWI were enrolled. Two approaches to LAPWI were tested: (1) ablation using endocardial catheter ablation only, and (2) “Staged Hybrid” ablation with thoracoscopic epicardial ablation, followed by endocardial left atrial electrophysiological study and catheter ablation where necessary. Patients enrolled in the study all required further catheter ablation to achieve LAPWI in this group.In both the groups, esophageal recording and esophageal pacing was performed at the start of mapping and electrophysiological study and compared with endocardial electrophysiological findings. This was repeated at the end of the procedure.ResultsTwenty patients (16 M, four F) were studied. Endocardial electrophysiological study showed that in none of the cases was the posterior left atrial wall electrically isolated at the start of the study. One patient with Barrett's esophagus failed to sense or pace from the esophagus at any point in the study. In the remaining 19/19, esophageal pacing captured the atrial rhythm at the start of the procedure. LAPWI was then achieved in 17/19 using endocardial catheter ablation; retesting at this point showed sensing and capture of the atrium from the esophagus was abolished. In the remainder sensing and capture persisted.ConclusionsEsophageal pacing can be used to confirm or refute electrical isolation of the left atrial posterior wall.
Playing it close to the VEST and the clinical guidelines: Clinical guideline compliance in HFrEF patients—Role of WCD
Authors: Mirro Michael J. , Keltner Emily E. , Roebuck Amelia E. , Sears Samuel F. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundGuideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been challenging to achieve universally. Healthcare providers who seek to achieve optimal medical therapy frequently consider either a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) as indicated. The dynamic process of communication and physician recommendations marks a setting to study the relative interdependence of medical therapies and best practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the long‐term impact of the WCD on GDMT. We hypothesized the WCD serves as a “gateway” therapy, likely impacting other optimal strategies such that successful use of WCD improves GDMT adherence.MethodsElectronic medical records (EPIC) were manually reviewed to extract data elements in this observational study of 1289 HFrEF patients from 2013‐2015. Data included demographics, comorbidities, and use of GDMT including an ICD use in persistently low ejection fraction (≤36%) patients after 90 days.ResultsWCD use was significantly associated with prescribing adherence to GDMT, χ2 (1, N = 981) = 33.36, P < 0.001. Further, WCD use was significantly associated with recommendations for follow‐up echocardiographic study, χ2 (1, N = 865) = 66.94, P < 0.001 and use of primary prevention ICD, χ2 (1, N = 1093) = 19.00, P < 0.001.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the use of the WCD correlates with improved clinician use of GDMT, follow‐up echocardiographic studies, and appropriate use of primary prevention ICD. Thus, the potential benefits of the WCD and its care processes may extend beyond prevention of sudden cardiac death to enhanced optimization of GDMT.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mucopolysaccharidosis type VII: A case report
Authors: Sisinni Luisa , Pineda Mercedes , Coll Maria Josep , Gort Laura , Turon Eulalia , Torrent Montserrat , Ey Anna , Tobajas Eva , Badell Isabel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) is an inherited disease characterized by the cellular accumulation of undegraded GAGs due to the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme β‐glucuronidase. We describe a case of a 2‐year‐old female affected by a moderate form of MPS VII and submitted twice to HSCT with the aim of stabilizing skeletal problems and preventing neurocognitive alterations. The child underwent a second transplantation due to the rejection of the graft after a reduced‐intensity conditioning in the first transplant. A myeloablative regimen allowed to achieve a stable full donor engraftment and normal enzyme levels during the 6 years of follow‐up. Clinically, we observed stabilization of skeletal deformities and normal neurocognitive development. This is one of the few reports of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII treated with allogeneic HSCT.
Effects of crowding and water restriction stress on creole goat reproduction in the Oaxacan Sierra Mixteca, Mexico
Authors: Díaz Pacheco Mónica , Vargas Romero Juan , Rojas‐Maya Susana , Retana‐Márquez Socorro 
Published: August 2018

ContentsChronic stress disrupts reproductive efficiency. Yet, the manner in which stress disturbs reproduction in goats is currently unknown. The Oaxacan Mixteca region is one of Mexico's poorest, with high levels of deforestation, high ambient temperatures, and lack of water. Native goats of the Oaxacan Mixteca Region live in these stressful conditions, as well as in overcrowded and water restricted conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these very stressful conditions on the reproduction of male and female goats. Control group was uncrowded, with daily water supply; stress group was overcrowded, with water restriction. The study was conducted from September 2015 to February 2016; the expression of reproductive behaviour and variations of cortisol levels were assessed. In females, oestradiol and progesterone were evaluated during the oestrous cycle. In males, testosterone levels were evaluated before and during reproductive activity. Sexual behaviour decreased in stressed goats: approaching, tail swishing, urination, vaginal discharge and flank contraction decreased in stressed females. Anogenital sniffing, licking, Flehmen reflex, bleating, mount attempts and mounts decreased in male goats. Cortisol levels in stressed animals were higher compared with control animals. Oestradiol and Progesterone levels in stressed females were significantly lower during the follicular and luteal phase, respectively, compared with control females. Testosterone levels in stressed males were lower than in control males, both before and during reproduction. These results indicate that even though goats from the Oaxacan Mixteca Region are habituated to their environmental conditions, they are still stressed by them, as shown by a higher activation of the adrenal axis in stressed goats than in control goats. High cortisol levels may induce low oestradiol levels in females and low testosterone levels in males, as well as a disruption in the expression of their reproductive behaviour.
An Investigation into the Acquired Capability for Suicide
Authors: Bauer Brian W. , Martin Rachel L. , Allan Nicholas P. , Fink‐Miller Erin L. , Capron Daniel W. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveThe acquired capability for suicide (ACS) is one of the most important breakthroughs in suicide research. ACS refers to an individual's increased fearlessness about death over time from experiencing painful and provocative events (PPE) and is based on opponent‐process theory—a habituation model. Few studies have investigated how ACS develops and found that ACS remained relatively stagnant.MethodThis study sought to expand these findings by observing how ACS develops in two cross‐sectional data sets involving high‐risk nonclinical samples of physicians (n = 419) and veterinary students (n = 124). Participants completed online questionnaires assessing both general PPEs (e.g., witnessing abuse) and job‐specific PPEs (e.g., exposure to euthanasia), as well as ACS.ResultsOur results partially replicated prior findings indicating that more PPEs do not significantly affect ACS.ConclusionsLimitations of this study include the use of cross‐sectional data and self‐report measures. These results, in combination with existing models of habituation, suggest ACS may not progress linearly.