bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial differences in completion of the living kidney donor evaluation process
Authors: Kumar Komal , Tonascia James M. , Muzaale Abimereki D. , Purnell Tanjala S. , Ottmann Shane E. , Al Ammary Fawaz , Bowring Mary G. , Poon Anna , King Elizabeth A. , Massie Allan B. , Chow Eric K. H. , Thomas Alvin G. , Ying Hao , Borja Marvin , Konel Jonathan M. , Henderson Macey , Cameron Andrew M. , Garonzik‐Wang Jacqueline M. , Segev Dorry L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRacial disparities in living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) persist but the most effective target to eliminate these disparities remains unknown. One potential target could be delays during completion of the live donor evaluation process. We studied racial differences in progression through the evaluation process for 247 African American (AA) and 664 non‐AA living donor candidates at our center between January 2011 and March 2015. AA candidates were more likely to be obese (38% vs 22%: P < .001), biologically related (66% vs 44%: P < .001), and live ≤50 miles from the center (64% vs 37%: P < .001) than non‐AAs. Even after adjusting for these differences, AAs were less likely to progress from referral to donation (aHR for AA vs non‐AA: 0.260.47 0.83; P = .01). We then assessed racial differences in completion of each step of the evaluation process and found disparities in progression from medical screening to in‐person evaluation (aHR: 0.410.620.94; P = .02) and from clearance to donation (aHR: 0.28 0.510.91; P = .02), compared with from referral to medical screening (aHR: 0.781.021.33; P = .95) and from in‐person evaluation to clearance (aHR: 0.59 0.931.44; P = .54). Delays may be a manifestation of the transplant candidate's social network, thus, targeted efforts to optimize networks for identification of donor candidates may help address LDKT disparities.
Impact of intensive dosing of mycophenolate on pancreas allograft survival
Authors: Descourouez Jillian L. , Jorgenson Margaret R. , Menninga Nathan , Leverson Glen , Odorico Jon , Redfield Robert 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the effect of mycophenolate (mycophenolic acid, MPA) dose on pancreas allograft survival following simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplant.MethodsThis was an observational study of adult SPK recipients transplanted between 1/1/2002 and 6/30/2015. Recipients were divided into cohorts based on MPA dose at discharge: high dose (HD), 1000 mg three times daily mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose (SD), 1000 mg twice daily MMF. Primary outcome was pancreas allograft survival. Secondary endpoints included kidney allograft survival, pancreas allograft rejection, infection, time to initial dose decrease, and patient survival (PS).ResultsIn all, 453 patients met inclusion criteria: 324 in HD‐MPA group and 129 in SD‐MPA group. HD‐MPA patients had higher rates of pancreas graft survival (P = .003). There were no differences in rates of pancreas allograft rejection (P = .8), kidney graft survival (P = .15), overall infection (P = .4), overall malignancy (P = .93), time to first dose reduction (P = .35), or patient survival (P = .3). In a multivariable analysis adjusted for differences between groups and known confounders, dosing group continued to significantly affect incidence of pancreas allograft failure (P = .02).ConclusionsHD‐MPA significantly impacted pancreas allograft survival in SPK recipients independent of graft rejection. Further studies are warranted to investigate the etiology of this finding and determine the optimal duration of HD‐MPA associated with positive graft outcomes.
Organ donation after euthanasia, morally acceptable under strict procedural safeguards
Authors: van Dijk Gert , van Bruchem‐Visser Rozemarijn , de Beaufort Inez 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we will present a case of organ donation after active euthanasia (ODE) in the Netherlands from a patient who had his life ended at his explicit and voluntary request. The form of ODE we describe here concerns patients who are not unconscious and on life support, but who are conscious and want to have their life ended because of their hopeless and unbearable suffering, for instance due to a terminal illness such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This form of ODE is of course only possible in jurisdictions where euthanasia is allowed. In these jurisdictions, organ donation after euthanasia is an option that may be considered. We believe ODE is worthwhile to pursue, as it can strengthen patient autonomy, can give meaning to the inevitable death of the patient, and be an extra source of much needed donor organs. To ensure voluntariness of both euthanasia and organ donation and avoid conflict of interest by physicians, ODE does need strict procedural safeguards however. The most important safeguard is a strict separation between the 2 procedures. The paper discusses several ethical issues such as who should broach the subject of organ donation and who should perform the euthanasia, and how a conflict of interest can be avoided.
Patterns of species richness hotspots and estimates of their protection are sensitive to spatial resolution
Authors: McKerrow Alexa J. , Tarr Nathan M. , Rubino Matthew J. , Williams Steven G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimSpecies richness is a measure of biodiversity often used in spatial conservation assessments and mapped by summing species distribution maps. Commission errors inherent those maps influence richness patterns and conservation assessments. We sought to further the understanding of the sensitivity of hotspot delineation methods and conservation assessments to commission errors, and choice of threshold for hotspot delineation.LocationUnited States.MethodsWe created range maps and 30‐m and 1‐km resolution habitat maps for terrestrial vertebrates in the United States and generated species richness maps with each dataset. With the richness maps and the GAP Protected Areas Dataset, we created species richness hotspot maps and calculated the proportion of hotspots within protected areas; calculating protection under a range of thresholds for defining hotspots. Our method allowed us to identify the influence of commission errors by comparing hotspot maps.ResultsCommission errors from coarse spatial grain data and lack of porosity in the range data inflated richness estimates and altered their spatial patterns. Coincidence of hotspots from different data types was low. The 30‐m hotspots were spatially dispersed, and some were very long distances from the hotspots mapped with coarser data. Estimates of protection were low for each of the taxa. The relationship between estimates of hotspot protection and threshold choice was nonlinear and inconsistent among data types (habitat and range) and grain size (30‐m and 1‐km).Main conclusionsCoarse mapping methods and grain sizes can introduce commission errors into species distribution data that could result in misidentifications of the regions where hotspots occur and affect estimates of hotspot protection. Hotspot conservation assessments are also sensitive to choice of threshold for hotspot delineation. There is value in developing species distribution maps with high resolution and low rates of commission error for conservation assessments.
Endogenous GLP‐1 alters postprandial functional connectivity between homeostatic and reward‐related brain regions involved in regulation of appetite in healthy lean males: A pilotstudy
Authors: Meyer‐Gerspach Anne Christin , Ly Huynh Giao , Borgwardt Stefan , Dupont Patrick , Beglinger Christoph , Van Oudenhove Lukas , Wölnerhanssen Bettina K. 
Published: May 2018

AimsPeripheral infusion of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) can affect brain activity in areas involved in the regulation of appetite, including hypothalamic and reward‐related brain regions. In contrast, the physiological role of endogenous GLP‐1 in the central regulation of appetite has hardly been investigated.Materials and MethodsThis was a randomized, cross‐over trial that involved 12 healthy volunteers who received an intragastric (ig) glucose (gluc) load, with or without intravenous (iv) exendin9‐39 (ex9‐39; specific GLP‐1 receptor antagonist). Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate the effect of endogenous GLP‐1 on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between homeostatic and reward‐related brain regions. Visual analogue scales were used to rate appetite‐related sensations. Blood samples were collected for GI hormone measurements.ResultsAdministration of iv‐ex9‐39/ig‐gluc induced a significantly higher rsFC, relative to ig‐gluc administration, between the hypothalamus and the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as well as the left amygdala (P ≤ .001, respectively). Administration of iv‐ex9‐39/ig‐gluc induced a significantly higher rsFC, relative to ig‐gluc administration, between the right nucleus accumbens and the right lateral OFC (P < .001). Administration of iv‐ex9‐39/ig‐gluc induced a significantly lower rsFC, relative to ig‐gluc administration, between the midbrain and the right caudate nucleus (P = .001). Administration of ig‐gluc significantly decreased prospective food consumption and increased sensations of fullness compared to pre‐infusion baseline (P = .028 and P = .019, respectively); these effects were not present in the iv‐ex9‐39/ig‐gluc condition.ConclusionsThis pilot trial provides preliminary experimental evidence that glucose‐induced endogenous GLP‐1 affects central regulation of appetite by modulating rsFC in homeostatic and reward‐related brain regions in healthy lean male participants in a GLP‐1 receptor‐mediated fashion.
Mating and social contact change egg production and longevity in adult females of the mirid Lygus hesperus
Authors: Brent Colin S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThere is frequently a tradeoff between fecundity and longevity, but the relationship is inconsistent across species and influenced by various exogenous and endogenous factors. Previous studies of Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) established that egg production is promoted by insemination, at least temporarily, but little is known about the long‐term effects of mating and nonsexual interactions with conspecifics on egg production and female lifespan. To elucidate these relationships, survivorship and oviposition rate were tracked daily in females that were isolated or paired with a fertile male or another female throughout their adult lives. Mating rates were determined by postmortem examination. Results indicate that male‐specific stimuli accelerate female reproductive maturation, and that mating elevates oviposition rate. However, females paired with either a female or male companion had shortened lifespans, suggesting that social contacts exact a significant cost in this solitary species. Despite the negative impact of conspecific interactions and the finding that a singly mated female has sufficient sperm to fertilize a lifetime supply of eggs, many females were found to have mated more than once. Multiply mated females had higher sustained oviposition rates, lived longer, and had greater lifetime fecundities. Collectively, no strong evidence was found of a direct physiological link between fecundity and longevity, but environmental factors and mating were found to significantly influence both traits.
The returns to invention during the British industrial revolution
Authors: Bottomley Sean 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIt was a commonplace among contemporaries, and remains received wisdom today, that inventors were poorly remunerated during the industrial revolution. Adapting a dataset of 759 British inventors, this article presents the first large‐scale attempt to examine the issue systematically. Using probate information, the article shows that inventors were extremely wealthy relative to the adult male population. Inventors were also significantly wealthier than another group who would have received a similar inheritance (in terms of both financial and social capital) and entered similar occupations: their brothers. Their additional wealth was derived from inventive activities: invention paid.
Evidence‐based dentistry skill acquisition by second‐year dental students
Authors: Marshall T. A. , McKernan S. C. , Straub‐Morarend C. L. , Guzman‐Armstrong S. , Marchini L. , Handoo N. Q. , Cunningham M. A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionIdentification and assessment of Evidence‐based dentistry (EBD) outcomes have been elusive. Our objective was to describe EBD skill acquisition during the second (D2) year of pre‐doctoral dental education and student competency at the end of the year.MethodsThe first and fourth (final) curricular‐required EBD Exercises (ie, application of the first 4 steps of the 5‐Step evidence‐based practice process applied to a real or hypothetical situation) completed by D2 students (n = 151) during 2014‐2015 and 2015‐2016 were evaluated to measure skill acquisition through use of a novel rubric with measures of performance from novice to expert. Exercises were evaluated on the performance for each step, identification of manuscript details and reflective commentary on manuscript components. Changes in performance were evaluated using the chi‐square test for trend and the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsSeventy‐eight per cent of students scored competent or higher on the Ask step at the beginning of the D2 year; scores improved with 58% scoring proficient or expert on the fourth Exercise (P < .001). Most students were advanced beginners or higher in the Acquire, Appraise and Apply steps at the beginning of the D2 year, with minimal growth observed during the year. Identification of manuscript details improved between the first and fourth Exercises (P = .015); however, depth of commentary skills did not change.DiscussionUnlike previous investigations evaluating EBD knowledge or behaviour in a testing situation, we evaluated skill acquisition using applied Exercises.ConclusionConsistent with their clinical and scientific maturity, D2 students minimally performed as advanced beginners at the end of their D2 year.
Neuroplasticity in cholinergic neurons of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus contributes to the development of cocaine addiction
Authors: Kaneda Katsuyuki 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) is a brainstem nucleus that sends cholinergic, glutamatergic, and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a key brain region associated with reward information processing and reinforcement learning, and thus, with addiction induced by drugs of abuse, including cocaine. Recent studies have revealed that the LDT, in addition to the VTA, plays important roles in the development and expression of cocaine‐induced addiction and stress‐induced enhancement of addictive behaviors. Additionally, neuroplasticity induced in LDT cholinergic neurons by repeated cocaine administration critically contributes to these behaviors. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of cocaine‐induced neuroplasticity in the LDT that influences reward circuit activity may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies to treat cocaine addiction and stress‐induced reinstatement of cocaine use. This review summarizes recent progress in the study of the LDT, specifically neuroplasticity in LDT cholinergic neurons induced by cocaine and its functional roles in the development and modulation of addictive behaviors associated with cocaine.
From learning to action: the integration of dorsal striatal input and output pathways in instrumental conditioning
Authors: Peak James , Hart Genevra , Balleine Bernard W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractConsiderable evidence suggests that the learning and performance of instrumental actions depend on activity in basal ganglia circuitry; however, these two functions have generally been considered independently. Whereas research investigating the associative mechanisms underlying instrumental conditioning has identified critical cortical and limbic input pathways to the dorsal striatum, the performance of instrumental actions has largely been attributed to activity in the dorsal striatal output pathways, with direct and indirect pathway projection neurons mediating action initiation, perseveration and cessation. Here, we discuss evidence that the dorsal striatal input and basal ganglia output pathways mediate the learning and performance of instrumental actions, respectively, with the dorsal striatum functioning as a transition point. From this perspective, the issue of how multiple striatal inputs are integrated at the level of the dorsal striatum and converted into relatively restricted outputs becomes one of critical significance for understanding how learning is translated into action. So too does the question of how learning signals are modulated by recent experience. We propose that this occurs through recurrent corticostriatothalamic feedback circuits that serve to integrate performance signals by updating ongoing action‐related learning.
A journey into the retina: Müller glia commanding survival and death
Authors: Subirada Paula V. , Paz María C. , Ridano Magali E. , Lorenc Valeria E. , Vaglienti María V. , Barcelona Pablo F. , Luna José D. , Sánchez María C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMüller glial cells (MGCs) are known to participate actively in retinal development and to contribute to homoeostasis through many intracellular mechanisms. As there are no homologous cells in other neuronal tissues, it is certain that retinal health depends on MGCs. These macroglial cells are located at the centre of the columnar subunit and have a great ability to interact with neurons, astrocytes, microglia and endothelial cells in order to modulate different events. Several investigations have focused their attention on the role of MGCs in diabetic retinopathy, a progressive pathology where several insults coexist. As expected, data suggest that MGCs display different responses according to the severity of the stimulus, and therefore trigger distinct events throughout the course of the disease. Here, we describe physiological functions of MGCs and their participation in inflammation, gliosis, synthesis and secretion of trophic and antioxidant factors in the diabetic retina. We invite the reader to consider the protective/deleterious role of MGCs in the early and late stages of the disease. In the light of the results, we open up the discussion around and ask the question: Is it possible that the modulation of a single cell type could improve or even re‐establish retinal function after an injury?
From noise to knowledge: how randomness generates novel phenomena and reveals information
Authors: Boettiger Carl 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNoise, as the term itself suggests, is most often seen a nuisance to ecological insight, a inconvenient reality that must be acknowledged, a haystack that must be stripped away to reveal the processes of interest underneath. Yet despite this well‐earned reputation, noise is often interesting in its own right: noise can induce novel phenomena that could not be understood from some underlying deterministic model alone. Nor is all noise the same, and close examination of differences in frequency, colour or magnitude can reveal insights that would otherwise be inaccessible. Yet with each aspect of stochasticity leading to some new or unexpected behaviour, the time is right to move beyond the familiar refrain of “everything is important” (Bjørnstad & Grenfell). Stochastic phenomena can suggest new ways of inferring process from pattern, and thus spark more dialog between theory and empirical perspectives that best advances the field as a whole. I highlight a few compelling examples, while observing that the study of stochastic phenomena are only beginning to make this translation into empirical inference. There are rich opportunities at this interface in the years ahead.
Tiled array‐based sequencing identifies enrichment of loss‐of‐function variants in the highly homologous filaggrin gene in African‐American children with severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Mathyer Mary Elizabeth , Quiggle Ashley M. , Wong X. F. Colin C. , Denil Simon L. I. J. , Kumar Monique G. , Ciliberto Heather M. , Bayliss Susan J. , Common John E. , de Guzman Strong Cristina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFilaggrin (FLG) loss‐of‐function (LOF) variants are a major risk factor for the common inflammatory skin disease, atopic dermatitis (AD) and are often population‐specific. African‐American (AA) children are disproportionately affected with AD, often later developing asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and comprise an atopy health disparity group for which the role of FLG LOF is not well known. Discovery of FLG LOF using exome sequencing is challenging given the known difficulties for accurate short‐read alignment to FLG's high homology repeat variation. Here, we employed an array‐based sequencing approach to tile across each FLG repeat and discover FLG LOF in a well‐characterized cohort of AA children with moderate‐to‐severe AD. Five FLG LOF were identified in 23% of our cohort. Two novel FLG LOF singletons, c.488delG and p.S3101*, were discovered as well as p.R501*, p.R826* and p.S3316* previously reported for AD. p.S3316* (rs149484917) is likely an African ancestral FLG LOF, reported in African individuals in ExAC (Exome Aggregation Consortium), Exome Variant Server (ESP), and 4 African 1000G population databases (ESN, MSL, ASW, and ACB). The proportion of FLG LOF (11.5%) among the total FLG alleles in our cohort was significantly higher in comparisons with FLG LOF reported for African individuals in ExAC (2.5%; P = 4.3 × 10−4) and ESP (1.7%; P = 3.5 × 10−5) suggesting a disease‐enrichment effect for FLG LOF. Our results demonstrate the utility of array‐based sequencing in discovering FLG LOF, including novel and population‐specific, which are of higher prevalence in our AA severe AD group than previously reported.
Does corn market uncertainty impact the US ethanol prices?
Authors: Dutta Anupam , Bouri Elie , Junttila Juha , Uddin Gazi Salah 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe growing interest in biofuel as a green energy source has intensified the linkages between corn and ethanol markets, especially in the United States that represents the largest producing and exporting country for ethanol in the world. In this study, we examine the effect of corn market uncertainty on the price changes of US ethanol applying a set of GARCH‐jump models. We find that the US ethanol price changes react positively to the corn market volatility shocks after controlling for the effect of oil price uncertainty. In addition, we document that the impact of corn price volatility on the US ethanol prices appears to be asymmetric. Specifically, only the positive corn market volatility shocks are found to influence the ethanol market returns. Our findings also suggest that time‐varying jumps do exist in the ethanol market.