bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bmal1 knockdown suppresses wake and increases immobility without altering orexin A, corticotrophin‐releasing hormone, or glutamate decarboxylase
Authors: Akladious Afaf , Azzam Sausan , Hu Yufen , Feng Pingfu 
Published: February 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo determine the effect of Bmal1 knockdown (KD) on sleep, activity, immobility, hypothalamic levels of orexin, corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH), and GABAergic glutamate decarboxylase (GAD).MethodsWe used Bmal1 siRNA, or control siRNA intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection to knock down Bmal1 in C57BL/6 mice. Sleep polysomnography, wheel‐running activity, and tail suspension test were performed. Polysomnographic (PSG) recordings in both groups were preceded by ICV injection made during both the light phase and the dark phase. We also measured brain orexin A and CRH using an ELISA and measured GAD using immunoblotting.ResultsCompared with control group, Bmal1 KD group had reduced wheel activity and increased immobility. Compared with control, the Bmal1 KD group had reduced wheel activity and increased immobility. During the first 24 hours after treatment, we observed that control siRNA induced a much greater increase in sleep during the dark phase, which was associated with lower orexin levels. However, beginning 24 hours after treatment, we observed an increase in sleep and a decrease in time spent awake during the dark phase in the Bmal1 KD group. These changes were not associated with changes in brain levels of orexin A, CRH, or GAD.ConclusionBmal1 KD led to reduced activity, increased immobility, and dramatic reduction in time spent awake as well as an increase in sleep during the dark phase. Early after injection, there was a slight change in sleep but brain levels of orexin, CRH, and GAD remain unchanged. Control siRNA also affected sleep associated with changes in orexin levels.
Impact of blood flow‐restricted bodyweight exercise on skeletal muscle adaptations
Authors: Jakobsgaard J. E. , Christiansen M. , Sieljacks P. , Wang J. , Groennebaek T. , de Paoli F. , Vissing K. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis study ascertains the ability of bodyweight blood flow‐restricted (BFR) exercise training to promote skeletal muscle adaptations of significance for muscle accretion and metabolism. Six healthy young individuals (three males and three females) performed six weeks of bodyweight BFR training. Each session consisted of five sets of sit‐to‐stand BFR exercise to volitional failure with 30‐second inter‐set recovery. Prior to, and at least 72 h after training, muscle biopsies were taken from m. vastus lateralis to assess changes in fibre type‐specific cross‐sectional area (CSA), satellite cell (SC) and myonuclei content and capillarization, as well as mitochondrial protein expression. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess changes in whole thigh muscle CSA. Finally, isometric knee extensor muscle strength was evaluated. An increase in knee extensor whole muscle CSA was observed at middle and distal localizations after training (3·2% and 3·5%, respectively) (P<0·05), and a trend was observed towards an increase in type I fibre CSA, whereas muscle strength did not increase. Additionally, the number of SCs and myonuclei associated with type I fibres increased by 65·7% and 20%, respectively (P<0·05). No significant changes were observed in measures of muscle capillarization and mitochondrial proteins. In conclusion, six weeks of bodyweight‐based BFR exercise promoted myocellular adaptations related to muscle accretion, but not metabolic properties. Moreover, the study revealed that an appropriate total training volume needs further investigation before recommending bodyweight BFR to patient populations.
New developments in India concerning the policy of passive euthanasia
Authors: Kanniyakonil Scaria 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEuthanasia and assisted dying are illegal in India according to Sections 306 and 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Article 21 of the Constitution of India. There have been a number of cases where the Indian High Courts and Indian Supreme Court issued differing verdicts concerning the right to life and the right to die. Nevertheless, on 7 March 2011, a paradigm shift happened as a result of the Indian Supreme Court's judgment on involuntary passive euthanasia in the case of Aruna Shanbaug. In its judgment, the Supreme Court requested the government to prepare a law on euthanasia. Accordingly, the 241st Report of the Law Commission of India proposed a bill to permit passive euthanasia. In May 2016 the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) issued the draft bill for public comment in order to create an informed decision. The Indian people are divided on the issue of euthanasia. The majority of the scientific community welcome it, while some religious groups oppose it. Hindus, in general, express both supporting and opposing views on euthanasia, whereas, Christians and Muslims have hardened their opposition against it. The Supreme Court judgment and the Report of the Law Commission pave the way for the development of new policies pertaining to passive euthanasia by the central government of India. Once such legislation is passed, passive euthanasia may, and probably will, have an enormous impact on the cultural, political, public and medical spheres of India in the near future.
Impact of cigarette smoking on the relationship between body mass index and insulin: Longitudinal observation from the Bogalusa Heart Study
Authors: Li Ying , Zhang Tao , Han Tianshu , Li Shengxu , Bazzano Lydia , He Jiang , Chen Wei 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesDespite the inverse association between cigarette smoking and body mass index (BMI), it is unknown whether the effect of smoking on insulin is mediated through decreased BMI. This study aims to examine the temporal relationship between BMI and insulin, the impact of smoking on this relationship and the mediation effect of BMI on the association between smoking and insulin levels.MethodsThe longitudinal cohort consisted of 1121 adults (807 white and 314 black participants, mean age, 42.0 years at follow‐up) for whom BMI and fasting insulin were measured twice, with an average follow‐up period of 17.1 years. Cross‐lagged panel and mediation analysis models were used to examine the temporal relationship between BMI and insulin, and the mediation effect of BMI on the smoking‐insulin association.ResultsSmoking was inversely associated with insulin (regression coefficient, −0.073; P = .015 at baseline and −0.121; P < .001 at follow‐up), adjusting for age, race and gender. After additional adjustment for follow‐up periods, the cross‐lagged path coefficient from BMI to insulin (β, 0.226; P < .001) was significantly greater than that from insulin to BMI (β, −0.029; P = .208), with P < .001 for the difference. The path coefficient from BMI to insulin was significantly greater in non‐smokers (β, 0.273; P < .001) than in smokers (β, 0.122; P = .046), with P = .013 for the difference. The mediation effect of BMI on the smoking‐insulin association was estimated at 53.4% (P = .030) at baseline and 58.7% (P < .001) at follow‐up.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that cigarette smoking has a significant impact on the one‐directional relationship from BMI to insulin. The insulin‐lowering effect of smoking is predominantly mediated through decreased BMI as the result of smoking.
Longitudinal Analysis of Early Mathematics Learning
Authors: Camilli Gregory , Kim Sunhee 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe trend in mathematics achievement from preschool to kindergarten is studied with a longitudinal growth item response theory model. The three measurement occasions included the spring of preschool and the spring and fall of kindergarten. The growth trend was nonlinear, with a steep drop between spring of preschool and fall of kindergarten. The modeling results provide validation for the argument that a classroom assessment in mathematics can be used to assess developmental skill levels that are consistent with a theory of early mathematics acquisition. The statistical model employed enables an effective illustration of overall gains and individual variability. Implications of the summer loss are discussed as well as model limitations.
Individualized prediction of seizure relapse and outcomes following antiepileptic drug withdrawal after pediatric epilepsy surgery
Authors: Lamberink Herm J. , Boshuisen Kim , Otte Willem M. , Geleijns Karin , Braun Kees P. J. ,   the TimeToStop Study Group
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe objective of this study was to create a clinically useful tool for individualized prediction of seizure outcomes following antiepileptic drug withdrawal after pediatric epilepsy surgery. We used data from the European retrospective TimeToStop study, which included 766 children from 15 centers, to perform a proportional hazard regression analysis. The 2 outcome measures were seizure recurrence and seizure freedom in the last year of follow‐up. Prognostic factors were identified through systematic review of the literature. The strongest predictors for each outcome were selected through backward selection, after which nomograms were created. The final models included 3 to 5 factors per model. Discrimination in terms of adjusted concordance statistic was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67‐0.69) for predicting seizure recurrence and 0.73 (95% CI 0.72‐0.75) for predicting eventual seizure freedom. An online prediction tool is provided on www.epilepsypredictiontools.info/ttswithdrawal. The presented models can improve counseling of patients and parents regarding postoperative antiepileptic drug policies, by estimating individualized risks of seizure recurrence and eventual outcome.
Multifocal discrete osteolysis in a horse with silicate associated osteoporosis
Authors: Zavodovskaya R. , Eckert M. , Murphy B. G. , Stover S. M. , Kol A. , Diab S. 
Published: February 2018

SummarySilicate associated osteoporosis (SAO) was diagnosed post‐mortem in an adult horse with the shortest documented exposure to cytotoxic silicates of 2 years. The horse was evaluated for a 6‐month history of progressive back tenderness and acute onset of lameness. The horse had a marked (4/5) (American Association of Equine Practitioners scale) left forelimb lameness, moderate (2/5) hindlimb ataxia and weakness, and cervical pain upon palpation. Physical examination did not reveal clinical skeletal deformities or respiratory compromise. Radiographs revealed widespread, discrete, sharply delineated, osteolytic lesions in the skull, vertebral column, ribs, scapulae and middle phalanx (P2) of the left forelimb and a diffuse bronchointerstitial lung pattern. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was widespread, metastatic osteolytic neoplasia. Due to the poor quality of life and grave prognosis, the horse was humanely euthanised. Post‐mortem examination revealed pulmonary silicosis in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes and osteolytic lesions with numerous, large osteoclasts and disorganised bone remodelling both consistent with SAO. SAO should be included as a differential diagnosis for horses with widespread, multifocal, discrete osteolysis and history of exposure to endemic regions with possible cytotoxic silicate inhalation. Exposure time of 2 years is potentially sufficient to develop SAO.
Infectious risk of biological drugs vs. traditional systemic treatments in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis: a cohort analysis in the French insurance database
Authors: Couderc Sylvain , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Bourrel Robert , Paul Carle , Montastruc Jean‐Louis , Sommet Agnès 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the infectious risk between a group of psoriasis patients treated by biological drugs (BD) and a group treated by traditional systemic treatments (TST). We built a retrospective observational cohort study from the French health insurance database in the Midi‐Pyrénées area (2.9 million inhabitants, southwest of France) using data from 01/01/2010 to 12/31/2013. We compared the infectious risk between ‘exposed’ patients treated with BD (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, or ustekinumab) and ‘unexposed’ patients treated by TST (phototherapy, acitretin, methotrexate, or cyclosporine). We realized a survival analysis on the first infectious event, defined as an anti‐infective drug delivery or a hospital diagnosis of infection. We selected 101 ‘exposed’ and 788 ‘unexposed’ patients. In our multivariate Cox model, ‘exposure’ did not seem to decrease the time frame of the first infectious event compared with ‘nonexposure’ (HR = 0.94, P = 0.62). Among all treatment, the safest seemed to be ustekinumab while the least safe was etanercept. We found factors statistically associated with the risk of infection: gender (female vs. male), economic deprivation, chronic hepatitis B or C, history of cancer, at least one infectious event, and the number of different drugs during the 6‐month period before the study. We did not find any difference of infective risk between the BD and the TST. This result enhances the recent PSONET registries conclusions.
A multi‐axial low‐cycle fatigue life prediction model considering effects of additional hardening
Authors: Zhao B. F. , Xie L. Y. , Bai X. , Ren J. G. , Li H. Y. , Zhang S. J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIt is generally accepted that the additional hardening of materials could largely shorten multi‐axis fatigue life of engineering components. To consider the effects of additional hardening under multi‐axial loading, this paper summarizes a new multi‐axial low‐cycle fatigue life prediction model based on the critical plane approach. In the new model, while critical plane is adopted to calculate principal equivalent strain, a new plane, subcritical plane, is also defined to calculate a correction parameter due to the effects of additional hardening. The proposed fatigue damage parameter of the new model combines the material properties and the angle of the loading orientation with respect to the principal axis and can be established with Coffin‐Manson equation directly. According to experimental verification and comparison with other traditional models, it is clear that the new model has satisfactory reliability and accuracy in multi‐axial fatigue life prediction.
Impact of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Pichia anomala in combination with chitinase on the preservation of high‐moisture alfalfa hay
Authors: Jin L. , Chevaux E. , McAllister T. , Baah J. , Drouin P. , Wang Y. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study assessed the effects of applying Pediococcus pentosaceus (PED) or Pichia anomala (PIC) in combination with chitinase (CH) on the conservation characteristics and rumen digestibility of large round‐bale high‐moisture alfalfa hay (HMH). Alfalfa was wilted in the field to 23%–27% moisture and baled without (Control) or with PED + CH, PIC + CH and propionic acid (PA). The study was repeated yearly from 2012 to 2014. The PED + CH‐treated HMH had the numerically lowest high degree day (bale internal temperature >30°C) in all 3 years, which was less (p < .05) than Control HMH and PA in 2012. Treatments had no effect on pH, but mixed effects on chemical and microbial compositions across 3 years. The PED + CH treatment had the highest water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (p < .05) in 2012 and 2014, whereas PA treatment had the lowest (p < .05) WSC in these years. Total bacteria were decreased (p < .001) by PIC + CH and PED + CH in 2012 only. The PED + CH treatment had greater (p < .01) soluble fraction of dry matter (DM) than Control HMH and PA in both 2012 and 2014, but treatments did not affect the potential degradable fraction of DM. The PED + CH and PIC + CH treatments increased (p < .01) in situ neutral detergent fibre digestibility after 6, 24 and 96 hr of ruminal incubation in 2012 but not in 2014. Combinations of P. pentosaceus or P. anomala with chitinase have potential as high‐moisture hay inoculants to reduce microbial spoilage and to increase fibre digestibility.
Determination of Trace Elements in Bauxite Using Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry on Lithium Borate Glass Beads
Authors: Monsels Dewany A. , Van Bergen Manfred J. , Mason Paul R. D. 
Published: February 2018

Quantification of trace element contents in bauxite by solution ICP‐MS and other analytical methods that rely on conventional dissolution techniques can be challenging, because the refractory nature of common host minerals complicates complete digestion. Fusion with lithium borate, frequently used as a sample preparation method for XRF analysis of solid materials, avoids these problems. This manuscript documents that subsequent analysis of the low‐dilution glass beads by laser ablation ICP‐MS is a fast, accurate and precise method for determining trace element mass fractions in samples of bauxite and similar natural materials. The method was validated by determining thirty trace elements, including thirteen rare earth elements, in international reference materials for bauxite (ANRT BX‐N, NIST SRM 69b, NIST SRM 696, NIST SRM 698) and iron formations (CCRMP FeR‐2). Trace elements were typically measured to within 20% of reference values with an ‘external’ precision of < 20% RSD. Measurement results from various deposits in Suriname illustrate the procedure's effectiveness for studies concerning chemical properties and origin of bauxite.
Environmental Influences on Infants’ Native Vowel Discrimination: The Case of Talker Number in Daily Life
Authors: Bergmann Christina , Cristia Alejandrina 
Published: February 2018

Both quality and quantity of speech from the primary caregiver have been found to impact language development. A third aspect of the input has been largely ignored: the number of talkers who provide input. Some infants spend most of their waking time with only one person; others hear many different talkers. Even if the very same words are spoken the same number of times, the pronunciations can be more variable when several talkers pronounce them. Is language acquisition affected by the number of people who provide input? To shed light on the possible link between how many people provide input in daily life and infants’ native vowel discrimination, three age groups were tested: 4‐month‐olds (before attunement to native vowels), 6‐month‐olds (at the cusp of native vowel attunement) and 12‐month‐olds (well attuned to the native vowel system). No relationship was found between talker number and native vowel discrimination skills in 4‐ and 6‐month‐olds, who are overall able to discriminate the vowel contrast. At 12 months, we observe a small positive relationship, but further analyses reveal that the data are also compatible with the null hypothesis of no relationship. Implications in the context of infant language acquisition and cognitive development are discussed.
Nursing staff‐led behavioural group intervention in psychiatric in‐patient care: Patient and staff experiences
Authors: Salberg Johanna , Folke Fredrik , Ekselius Lisa , Öster Caisa 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA promising intervention in mental health in‐patient care is behavioural activation (BA). Interventions based on BA can be used by mental health nurses and other staff members. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ and staff members’ experiences of a nursing staff‐led behavioural group intervention in mental health in‐patient care. The intervention was implemented at three adult acute general mental health in‐patient wards in a public hospital setting in Sweden. A self‐administrated questionnaire, completed by 84 patients and 34 nurses and nurse assistants, was administered, and nonparametric data analysed using descriptive statistics. Our findings revealed that both patients and nursing staff ranked nursing care and care environment as important aspects in the recovery process. Patients and staff members reported overall positive experiences of the group sessions. Patients with higher frequencies of attendance and patients satisfied with overall care had a more positive attitude towards the intervention. A more positive experience of being a group leader was reported by staff members who had been leading groups more than ten times. The most common impeding factor during implementation, reported by staff members, was a negative attitude to change. Conducive factors were having support from a psychologist and the perception that patients were showing interest. These positive experiences reported by patients and nursing staff, combined with previous research in this field, are taking us one step further in evaluating group sessions based on BA as a meaningful nursing intervention in mental health in‐patient care.
Children's moral experiences of crisis management in a child mental health setting
Authors: Montreuil Marjorie , Thibeault Catherine , McHarg Linda , Carnevale Franco A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe experiences of children related to conflict and crisis management in child mental health settings, especially those aged 12 and below, have been rarely studied. This study examined the moral experiences of children related to conflict and crisis management and the related use of restraint and seclusion in a child mental health setting. A 5‐month focused ethnography using a participatory hermeneutic framework was conducted in a day hospital programme for children with severe disruptive disorders within a mental health institute. Children considered restraints and seclusion could help them feel safe in certain instances, for example if another child was being aggressive towards them or in exceptional cases to prevent self‐injury. However, their own experiences of being restrained were predominantly negative, especially if not knowing the reason for their use, which they then found unfair. Some of the children emphasized the punitive nature of the use of restraints and seclusion, and most children disagreed with these practices when used as a punishment. Children's perspectives also highlighted the limits of the use of a uniform de‐escalation approach by the staff to manage crises. Children considered discussing with the staff and developing a relationship with them as more helpful in case of a crisis then the use of a de‐escalation approach or coercive strategies.
Theoretical investigation of anisotropic mechanical and thermal properties of ABO3 (A=Sr, Ba; B=Ti, Zr, Hf) perovskites
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Liu Bin , Xiang Huimin , Zhou Yanchun , Nian Hongqiang , Chen Hongfei , Yang Guang , Gao Yanfeng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAs promising TBC (thermal barrier coating) candidates, perovskite oxides own designable properties for their various options of cations and structural diversity, but limited comprehensions of structure‐property relationship delay their engineering applications. In this work, mechanical/thermal properties of ABO3 (A=Sr, Ba; B=Ti, Zr, Hf) perovskites and their anisotropic nature are predicted employing density functional theory. Their theoretical minimum thermal conductivities range from 1.09 to 1.74 W·m−1·K−1, being lower than Y2O3 partially stabilized ZrO2. Reduced thermal conductivities up to 16% along particular directions are reached after considering thermal conductivity anisotropy. All compounds own high hardness while SrZrO3, SrHfO3, and BaHfO3 possess well damage tolerance. We found that small electronegativity discrepancy leads to big anisotropy of chemical bond, Young's/shear moduli and thermal conductivities, together with good damage tolerance. These results suggest that the next generation TBCs with extra low thermal conductivity should be achieved through combining material design and orientation‐growth tailoring.