bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Very preterm children at risk for developmental coordination disorder have brain alterations in motor areas
Authors: Dewey Deborah , Thompson Deanne K. , Kelly Claire E. , Spittle Alicia J. , Cheong Jeanie L. Y. , Doyle Lex W. , Anderson Peter J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimBrain alterations in very preterm children at risk for developmental coordination disorder were investigated.MethodsInfants born very preterm with gestation age <30 weeks or birthweight <1250 g were recruited from Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne from 2001 to 2003. Volumetric imaging was performed at term equivalent age; at seven years, volumetric imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed. At seven years, 53 of 162 children without cerebral palsy had scores ≤16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children‐Second Edition and were considered at risk for developmental coordination disorder.ResultsAt term equivalent age, smaller brain volumes were found for total brain tissue, cortical grey matter, cerebellum, caudate accumbens, pallidum and thalamus in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (p < 0.05); similar patterns were present at seven years. There was no evidence for catch‐up brain growth in at‐risk children. At seven years, at‐risk children displayed altered microstructural organisation in many white matter tracts (p < 0.05).ConclusionInfants born very preterm at risk for developmental coordination disorder displayed smaller brain volumes at term equivalent age and seven years, and altered white matter microstructure at seven years, particularly in motor areas. There was no catch‐up growth from infancy to seven years.
Life history of frogs of the Brazilian semi‐arid (Caatinga), with emphasis in aestivation
Authors: Jared Carlos , Mailho‐Fontana Pedro Luiz , Mendelson Joseph , Antoniazzi Marta Maria 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe semi‐arid region (Caatinga), that corresponds to 18.26% (1,540,000 km2) of Brazil, occupies most the northeast region. Rainfall is irregular and concentrated within the first 3 months of the year. Prolonged periods of drought, with low total rainfall, may extend for two or more years. Most of the rivers of this biome are temporary, remaining totally dry during periods of drought. We collected and observed the natural history and biology of the species Proceratophrys cristiceps, Pleurodema diplolister and Physalaemus spp, both in the rainy and dry seasons, in ten field expeditions to the State of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). We focused on the morphology of the skin and cutaneous glands, specifically in their defence against desiccation. During the dry season, they form concentrations in the bed of temporary rivers, burrowing themselves in favourable locations within the sand, at depths that may exceed 1.50 m. No morphological evidence was found that there are specific cutaneous adaptations against water loss. We suggest that the cutaneous fragility per se is a cutaneous adaptation to water balance. The behaviour of such anuran species, together with their physiological characteristics, should be the main tools to face the challenge of living in xeric conditions.
MIR29B mediates epigenetic mechanisms of HBG gene activation
Authors: Starlard‐Davenport Athena , Smith Alana , Vu Luan , Li Biaoru , Pace Betty S. 
Published: March 2019

SummarySickle cell disease (SCD) affects over 2 million people worldwide with high morbidity and mortality in underdeveloped countries. Therapeutic interventions aimed at reactivating fetal haemoglobin (HbF) is an effective approach for improving survival and ameliorating the clinical severity of SCD. A class of agents that inhibit DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity show promise as HbF inducers because off‐target effects are not observed at low concentrations. However, these compounds are rapidly degraded by cytidine deaminase when taken by oral administration, creating a critical barrier to clinical development for SCD. We previously demonstrated that microRNA29B (MIR29B) inhibits de novo DNMT synthesis, therefore, the goal of our study was to determine if MIR29 mediates HbF induction. Overexpression of MIR29B in human KU812 cells and primary erythroid progenitors significantly increased the percentage of HbF positive cells, while decreasing the expression of DNMT3A and the HBG repressor MYB. Furthermore, HBG promoter methylation levels decreased significantly following MIR29B overexpression in human erythroid progenitors. We subsequently, observed higher MIR29B expression in SCD patients with higher HbF levels compared to those with low HbF. Our findings provide evidence for the ability of MIR29B to induce HbF and supports further investigation to expand treatment options for SCD.
Tracing clinothem geometry and sediment pathways in the prograding Holocene Po Delta system through integrated core stratigraphy
Authors: Amorosi Alessandro , Bruno Luigi , Campo Bruno , Costagli Bianca , Dinelli Enrico , Hong Wan , Sammartino Irene , Vaiani Stefano Claudio 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThough clinothem geometry represents a key control on fluid flow in reservoir modelling, tracing clinothem boundaries accurately is commonly limited by the lack of sufficiently precise outcrop or subsurface data. This study shows that in basin systems with strongly heterogeneous compositional signatures, the combination of bulk‐sediment geochemistry and benthic foraminiferal distribution can help identify clinothem architecture and generate realistic models of 3D deltaic upbuilding and evolution. Middle‐late Holocene deposits in the Po Delta area form an aggradational to progradational parasequence set that reveals the complex interaction of W–E Po Delta progradation, S‐directed longshore currents (from Alpine rivers) and Apennines rivers supply. Unique catchment lithologies (ophiolite rocks and dolostones) were used to delineate basin‐wide geochemical markers of sediment provenance (Cr and Mg) and to assess distinctive detrital signatures. The geochemical characterization of cored intervals across different components of the sediment routing system enabled a direct linkage between clinothem growth, transport pathways and provenance mixing to be established. On the other hand, abrupt microfaunal variations at clinothem boundaries were observed to reflect the palaeoenvironmental response to sharp changes in sediment flux and fluvial influence. This study documents the ability of an integrated geochemical and palaeoecological approach to delineate three distinct sources (Po, Alps and Apennines) that contributed to coastal progradation and to outline the otherwise lithologically cryptic geometries of clinothems that using conventional sedimentological methods it would be virtually impossible to restore.
CEO overconfidence and CSR decoupling
Authors: Sauerwald Steve , Su Weichieh 
Published: March 2019

AbstractResearch question/issueThis study examines whether there is decoupling between how firms communicate about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and what firms do in terms of CSR. We argue that this CSR decoupling is driven by the CEOs' cognitive biases. Specifically, we propose that overconfident CEOs increase CSR decoupling.Research findings/insightsWe tested our arguments in a sample of S&P 500 firms for the period of 2006–2014. We find that CEO overconfidence is positively related to the decoupling between the optimistic tone of CSR reporting and the firm's actual corporate social performance. However, the board of directors mitigates the effect of CEO overconfidence on CSR decoupling when outside directors have CSR expertise and ownership incentives.Theoretical/academic implicationsPrevious studies have suggested that CSR decoupling is a function of opportunistic management that can be constrained by external monitoring. We examine CSR decoupling as a function of cognitive biases (such as overconfidence) that can be constrained by internal monitoring.Practitioner/policy implicationsThis study provides insights into the conditions when CSR information released by the firm is symbolic. Practitioners may prevent such symbolic CSR reporting by imposing effective oversight by the board of directors.
Spatial Concentration of Innovation Activities in China and the Role of Mega‐economic Zones
Authors: Ma Ru , Liu Wan‐Hsin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper analyzes the development of spatial concentration of various innovation activities in China from 2000 to 2015 by using a generalized Theil index based on a balanced provincial dataset. It tracks concentration development back to the developing heterogeneity within and between regions in general and the mega‐economic zones in particular. Results show that innovation activities tend to be distributed unequally across provinces in China, with more pronounced unequal distribution of innovation outcomes than innovation inputs. Over the research period, the innovation activities considered became more and more equally distributed across provinces. The between‐region inequality of innovation activities has, however, not yet significantly improved, despite the implementation of Chinese regional policies to encourage more equal regional development. Instead, more equal distribution of innovation activities within mega‐economic zones is observed.
How Can Chinese Farmers' Property Income Be Improved? A Population–Land Coupling Urbanization Mechanism
Authors: Wu Yuzhe , Jiang Wendan , Luo Jiaojiao , Zhang Xiaoling , Skitmore Martin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBalancing urban and rural development is an important political goal in China. The failure of rural land privatization has led to a low level of rural economic development and a vast property income gap between citizens and farmers. This paper illustrates the reasons for property income inequality from the perspective of the land tenure system and the dualistic household registration system. After evaluating the segmentation of the rural land market and the rigid nature of rural land assets, a population–land coupling urbanization mechanism is proposed. The paper argues that China's land property system has externalized a high degree of geospatial and social urban and rural intertwinement. Major reform of the rural land property rights system is required to correct the situation (further development of the social security system and stable urbanization) and to increase property income potential for farmers.
The Effects of Certain Vitamins and Natural Anti‐oxidants on Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity and on Atrophic and Premalignant Changes in the Human Gastric Mucosa
Authors: BUKIN Yuriy V. , PODDUBNIY Boris K. , KUVSHINOV Yuruy P. , DRAUDIN-KRYLENKO Vladimir A. , SHABANOV Michael A. 
Published: March 2019

The effects of beta‐carotene, vitamin E and a pharmaceutical complex of natural anti‐oxidants (OXY‐GARD) on abnormally high ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in antral gastric mucosa of patients with atrophic gastritis (AG), accompanied by intestinal metaplasia (IM), were studied in a randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial. In cases with H. pylori infection, preliminary eradication of this bacterium was carried out utilizing a standard chemotherapeutic schedule (de nol+metronidazole+oxytetracycline). Efficient eradication of H. pylori resulted in an ODC activity decrease of 16%, on average. It was shown that supplementation with beta‐carotene, at a daily dose of 20 mg, or with vitamin E, at a daily dose of 400 IU, produced decreases in ODC activity of 46% and 44%, respectively, by three months. Daily supplementation with 1 or 2 capsules of OXY‐GARD for three months resulted in ODC activity decreases of 23% and 48%, respectively. Taking into account that abnormally high ODC activity is associated with a high oncogenic potential and plays a specific role in tumor promotion, it is reasonable to suggest that beta‐carotene, vitamin E and OXY‐GARD act in atrophic or premalignant gastric mucosa as anti‐promoters.Preliminary data indicate that prolonged administration of these nutritional supplements, e.g. beta‐carotene for one year, to IM patients produces the maximum decrease in ODC activity at three months. We found that this decrease was accompanied by a delayed partial regression of IM in nine of 18 patients (response rate 50%, 95% confidence interval 26–74%). A study on the effects of long‐term vitamin E or OXY‐GARD supplementation on IM regression is currently in progress. (Dig Endosc 1996 ; 8 : 184–191)
Effects of pesticides on exposure and susceptibility to parasites can be generalised to pesticide class and type in aquatic communities
Authors: Rumschlag Samantha L. , Halstead Neal T. , Hoverman Jason T. , Raffel Thomas R. , Carrick Hunter J. , Hudson Peter J. , Rohr Jason R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPesticide pollution can alter parasite transmission, but scientists are unaware if effects of pesticides on parasite exposure and host susceptibility (i.e. infection risk given exposure) can be generalised within a community context. Using replicated temperate pond communities, we evaluate effects of 12 pesticides, nested in four pesticide classes (chloroacetanilides, triazines, carbamates organophosphates) and two pesticide types (herbicides, insecticides) applied at standardised environmental concentrations on larval amphibian exposure and susceptibility to trematode parasites. Most of the variation in exposure and susceptibility occurred at the level of pesticide class and type, not individual compounds. The organophosphate class of insecticides increased snail abundance (first intermediate host) and thus trematode exposure by increasing mortality of snail predators (top–down mechanism). While a similar pattern in snail abundance and trematode exposure was observed with triazine herbicides, this effect was driven by increases in snail resources (periphytic algae, bottom–up mechanism). Additionally, herbicides indirectly increased host susceptibility and trematode infections by (1) increasing time spent in susceptible early developmental stages and (2) suppressing tadpole immunity. Understanding generalisable effects associated with contaminant class and type on transmission is critical in reducing complexities in predicting disease dynamics in at‐risk host populations.
Extrasynaptic γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor–mediated sex differences in the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids in status epilepticus and complex partial seizures
Authors: Reddy Doodipala Samba , Carver Chase Matthew , Clossen Bryan , Wu Xin 
Published: March 2019

SummaryObjectiveSex differences are evident in the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids; however, the potential mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether differences in target extrasynaptic δ‐subunit γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABA‐A) receptor expression and function underlie the sex differences in seizure susceptibility and the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids.MethodsSex differences in seizure susceptibility and protective activity of three distinct neurosteroids—allopregnanolone (AP), androstanediol (AD), and ganaxolone—were evaluated in the pilocarpine model of status epilepticus (SE) and kindling seizure test in mice. Immunocytochemistry was used for δGABA‐A receptor expression analysis, and patch‐clamp recordings in brain slices evaluated its functional currents.ResultsSex differences were apparent in kindling epileptogenic seizures, with males exhibiting a faster progression to a fully kindled state. Neurosteroids AP, AD, or ganaxolone produced dose‐dependent protection against SE and acute partial seizures. However, female mice exhibited strikingly enhanced sensitivity to the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids compared to males. Sex differences in neurosteroid protection were unrelated to pharmacokinetic factors, as plasma levels of neurosteroids associated with seizure protection were similar between sexes. Mice lacking extrasynaptic δGABA‐A receptors did not exhibit sex differences in neurosteroid protection. Consistent with a greater abundance of extrasynaptic δGABA‐A receptors, AP produced a significantly greater potentiation of tonic currents in dentate gyrus granule cells in females than males; however, such enhanced AP sensitivity was diminished in δGABA‐A receptor knockout female mice.SignificanceNeurosteroids exhibit greater antiseizure potency in females than males, likely due to a greater abundance of extrasynaptic δGABA‐A receptors that mediate neurosteroid‐sensitive tonic currents and seizure protection. These findings indicate the potential to develop personalized gender‐specific neurosteroid treatments for SE and epilepsy in men and women, including catamenial epilepsy.
Intralesional application of medical grade honey improves healing of surgically treated lacerations in horses
Authors: Mandel H. H. , Sutton G. A. , Abu E. , Kelmer G. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBackgroundInfection and dehiscence of simple lacerations is common in horses, and consistently effective methods of prevention are yet to be found. Honey has been shown to promote wound healing when applied topically; however, intralesional application prior to wound closure has not been reported.ObjectivesTo examine whether intralesional application of medical grade honey (MGH) would reduce the incidence of infection and dehiscence following wound closure.Study designProspective, open‐label randomised block design clinical study.MethodsLacerations, treated by field practitioners, were divided into treatment and control groups using block randomisation. Horses in the treatment group received a single intralesional treatment with l‐mesitran gel (MGH). Data were collected at the time of wound closure and at suture removal.ResultsData from 127 horses were included, 69MGH‐treated and 58 control cases. No adverse effects of theMGHwere recorded.MGH‐treated horses were more likely to completely heal (P = 0.006, odds ratio [OR] 3.40 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–8.20), to have no signs of infection (P = 0.007,OR3.64,CI1.42–9.26) and for the veterinarians to report some degree of satisfaction (P = 0.04,OR2.72,CI1.05–7.09) compared to control cases. Numbers needed to treat for complete healing was 5.1 (CI2.8–40).Main limitationsClinical studies have inherent flaws compared to wound healing models, because of variability between wounds. There were more horses with limb injuries in the control group, although not statistically significant, this may have biased the results. Clinical satisfaction and signs of infection were subjective evaluations and evaluators were not blinded to the treatment group.ConclusionsIntralesional application ofMGHto lacerations prior to wound closure may be beneficial in preventing infection and dehiscence. Larger, blinded studies focusing on wounds at a specific location with more objective assessment should be pursued.
Satellite detection of cumulative and lagged effects of drought on autumn leaf senescence over the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Peng Jie , Wu Chaoyang , Zhang Xiaoyang , Wang Xiaoyue , Gonsamo Alemu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractClimate change has substantial influences on autumn leaf senescence, that is, the end of the growing season (EOS). Relative to the impacts of temperature and precipitation on EOS, the influence of drought is not well understood, especially considering that there are apparent cumulative and lagged effects of drought on plant growth. Here, we investigated the cumulative and lagged effects of drought (in terms of the Standardized Precipitation–Evapotranspiration Index, SPEI) on EOS derived from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI3g) data over the Northern Hemisphere extra‐tropical ecosystems (>30°N) during 1982–2015. The cumulative effect was determined by the number of antecedent months at which SPEI showed the maximum correlation with EOS (i.e., Rmax‐cml) while the lag effect was determined by a month during which the maximum correlation between 1‐month SPEI and EOS occurred (i.e., Rmax‐lag). We found cumulative effect of drought on EOS for 27.2% and lagged effect for 46.2% of the vegetated land area. For the dominant time scales where the Rmax‐cml and Rmax‐lag occurred, we observed 1–4 accumulated months for the cumulative effect and 2–6 lagged months for the lagged effect. At the biome level, drought had stronger impacts on EOS in grasslands, savannas, and shrubs than in forests, which may be related to the different root functional traits among vegetation types. Considering hydrological conditions, the mean values of both Rmax‐cml and Rmax‐lag decreased along the gradients of annual SPEI and its slope, suggesting stronger cumulative and lagged effects in drier regions as well as in areas with decreasing water availability. Furthermore, the average accumulated and lagged months tended to decline along the annual SPEI gradient but increase with increasing annual SPEI. Our results revealed that drought has strong cumulative and lagged effects on autumn phenology, and considering these effects could provide valuable information on the vegetation response to a changing climate.
Staff mix and nursing home quality by level of case mix in Korea
Authors: Song Misook , Song Hyunjong 
Published: March 2019

AimThe purpose of the present study was to identify the relationship between staff mix in nursing homes and quality of care by level of case mix in Korea.MethodsData used in the present study came from Long‐Term Care Insurance claims data with basic information of nursing homes with >29 beds (n = 1137) and quality evaluation reports. Staff mix was calculated as the number of nursing staff, social workers and care workers per total staff number.ResultsIn multinomial logistic regression analyses, institutions with a higher ratio of social workers were classified as top‐quality class institutes after controlling ownership, location, size and percentage of high level of care needs residents. In analyzing the higher case mix nursing homes, institutions with a high ratio of nursing staff and social workers were more likely to be classified as top‐quality class than the lowest class institutions. However, there was no significant association between quality of care and ratio of staff mix in the lower case mix nursing homes.ConclusionsA higher staff mix was positively related to nursing home quality of care, but the relationship was affected by case mix of residents’ care demand. Therefore, the current minimum staffing standard for personnel in nursing homes should be modified considering the acuity of the residents. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 438–443.