bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver stiffness reduction and serum fibrosis score improvement in HIV/hepatitis C virus‐coinfected patients treated with direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Fabbri G , Mastrorosa I , Vergori A , Timelli L , Lorenzini P , Zaccarelli M , Cicalini S , Bellagamba R , Plazzi MM , Mazzotta V , Antinori A , Ammassari A 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesOnly a few studies have addressed liver stiffness dynamics after hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection. The aim was to evaluate the variation in liver stiffness and in serum liver fibrosis scores in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients before and after treatment with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs).MethodsLiver stiffness measured using transient elastography as well as serum liver fibrosis scores [fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI)] were evaluated before and at 6–12 months after DAA treatment. Variation in the outcome variables was evaluated using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression models were used.ResultsA total of 78 HIV/HCV‐coinfected subjects were included in the study. Median values of hepatic stiffness significantly decreased after DAA treatment compared with baseline [16.8 (interquartile range (IQR) 10.2–27.0) kPa at baseline vs. 9.4 (IQR 6.7–15.0) kPa after DAA treatment; P < 0.01). Further, a decrease in median FIB‐4 score [2.8 (IQR 1.5–4.8) vs. 2.0 (IQR 1.3–3.2), respectively; P < 0.01] and APRI [0.9 (IQR 0.5–2.2) vs. 0.4 (IQR 0.2–0.7), respectively; P < 0.01] was found. In univariate analysis, liver stiffness decrease was associated with increasing age, ‘other’ HCV genotype (vs. G1), the presence of cirrhosis, higher pre‐DAA liver stiffness, sofosbuvir‐based regimens and longer DAA treatment (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression confirmed the significance of the association only with higher baseline liver stiffness (P < 0.01). Greater FIB‐4 and APRI reductions were associated with higher respective baseline values, while the presence of hepatic steatosis correlated with lower score reduction after DAA.ConclusionsA reduction in liver stiffness and an improvement in fibrosis scores were observed in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients soon after DAA treatment. The clinical implications of these observations need to be evaluated in larger populations with longer follow‐up.
Performance assessment and definition of improvement paths for microfinance institutions: an application to a network of village banks in Cameroon
Authors: Piot‐Lepetit Isabelle , Nzongang Joseph 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe objective of this paper is an assessment of the financial and social performance of a network of village banks in Cameroon and the provision of data‐driven guidance to managers helping them in their decision‐making process. An analysis framework in three stages is developed. First, a data envelopment analysis (DEA) is implemented for measuring efficiency, identifying best practices, and setting goals to less efficient microfinance institutions. Then, a DEA operating frontiers (DEA‐OF) model is designed to identify improvement paths setting short‐term goals toward their long‐term DEA objective and providing effective and time‐dependent guidance to managers in their efficiency improvement process. Finally, DEA and DEA‐OF results are translated into financial and nonfinancial indicators daily used by managers through three different and interrelated scorecards. Results of this third stage are used for identifying village banks ready for the new phase of development of the network aiming to fund community projects.
Increasing pre‐acclimation temperature reduces the freezing tolerance of winter‐type faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Landry Erik J. , Hu Jinguo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAutumn‐sown winter‐type faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has been shown to have a yield advantage over spring sowing. Still, adoption of this overwintered pulse crop remains limited in temperate locations, due to inadequate winter hardiness. This research sought to understand how the prevailing temperature during emergence and seedling development, that is pre‐acclimation, influences freezing tolerance. Seedlings grown under a controlled “warm” 17/12°C (day/night) pre‐acclimation environment were initially less freezing tolerant than those grown under a “cold” 12/5°C temperature treatment. Stem and particularly root tissues were primarily responsible for slower cold acclimation, and there was a genotype specific response of above‐ground tissues to pre‐acclimation treatment. Both above and below‐ground tissues should be tested across a range of pre‐acclimation temperatures when screening faba bean germplasm for freezing tolerance.
Kinetics of microwave synthesis of AlN by carbothermal‐reduction‐nitridation at low temperature
Authors: Chikami Hideaki , Fukushima Jun , Hayashi Yamato , Takizawa Hirotsugu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAluminum nitride (AlN) was synthesized at 1000‐1400°C from a mixture of alumina and carbon powders using 2.45 GHz microwaves in a N2 atmosphere. High nitridation ratios (>0.90) were obtained in the temperature range 1200‐1400°C. The apparent activation energy of the carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) reaction using 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation was calculated from the nitridation ratio. The value obtained, 79.9 kJ/mol, is 11% of the energy reported for conventional synthesis using α‐Al2O3 as the raw material. This result indicates that 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation could promote the kinetics of the CRN reaction, and AlN could be effectively synthesized at low temperature.
The lifestyle behaviours of young adults with intellectual disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood: A pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Mitchell Fiona , Stevens Gemma , Jahoda Andrew , Matthews Lynsay , Hankey Catherine , Murray Heather , Melville Craig 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn the general population, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been identified as a “high‐risk” period for weight gain. There has been no research examining health behaviours over this transition in adults with intellectual disabilities.Methods/designThe feasibility of recruitment, retention and relevant health behaviours were measured in 31 adolescents with mild‐moderate intellectual disabilities. Anthropometric, objective physical activity, dietary and self‐determination measures were collected over a 12‐month transitional period from school to adulthood.ResultsKey results suggest weight and BMI increased significantly from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.043). Waist circumference increased significantly from baseline to month 12 (p = 0.049), and from month 6 to month 12 (p = 0.03).DiscussionRecruiting and retaining young adults with intellectual disabilities over a 12‐month health behaviour study is feasible. The data indicate the transition from school to adulthood may be the start of a high‐risk period for weight gain.
Violent incidents in a secure service for individuals with learning disabilities: Incident types, circumstances and staff responses
Authors: Malda Castillo Javier , Smith Ian , Morris Lucy , Perez‐Algorta Guillermo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe issue of violence in secure services has long been recognized both in the UK and worldwide. However, there is currently scarce literature available about violence within learning disability (LD) secure settings.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted on violent incidents, using information routinely collected by the staff over a 1‐year period.ResultsPhysical assaults were the most frequent type of incident, and the distribution in terms of days or months was homogenous and incidents were concentrated in the corridors, lounges and dining rooms of secure facilities. Antipsychotic medication was not regularly prescribed. Generalized linear modelling analyses revealed significant predictors that increased the chances of seclusion and physical restraint, such as being female or directing the violence towards staff.ConclusionsThese findings can inform staff training on violence prevention and suggest that increased ward‐based supervision and enhanced use of psychological formulations may help in reducing violence within this service context.
Psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors. A population‐based study
Authors: Fernández‐Armenteros J.M. , Gómez‐Arbonés X. , Buti‐Soler M. , Betriu‐Bars A. , Sanmartin‐Novell V. , Ortega‐Bravo M. , Martínez‐Alonso M. , Garí E. , Portero‐Otín M. , Santamaria‐Babi L. , Casanova‐Seuma J.M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a very prevalent systemic chronic inflammatory disease. Major cardiovascular events are the main cause of mortality in these patients which suggests an association between psoriasis and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.ObjectiveTo identify classic cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with psoriasis, their possible association with its severity and compare it with the non‐psoriatic population.MethodsThis is an observational and cross‐sectional population study in Lleida (Spain) from a joint hospital/primary care database.ResultsThe database comprised 398 701 individuals. There were 6868 cases registered as psoriasis (1.7%), and 499 of them (7.3%) were classified as moderate–severe psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis had a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors than non‐psoriatic population: diabetes mellitus 2 (13.9% vs 7.4%, OR 2.01), dyslipidaemia (28.8% vs 17.4%, OR 1.92), arterial hypertension (31.2% vs 19.0%, OR 1.93), obesity (33.7% vs 28.1%, OR 1.30), altered fasting basal glycaemia (21.4% vs 15.1%, OR 1.54), low cholesterol HDL (38.1% vs 32.3%, OR 1.29), hypertriglyceridaemia (45.7% vs 35.2%, OR 1.55) and high waist circumference (75.7% vs 72.3%, OR 1.19). MS was more prevalent in psoriatic patients (28.3% vs 15.1%, OR 2.21), and cardiovascular risk factors were similar between psoriasis severity groups. Psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (3.3% vs 1.8%, OR 1.87) and vascular cerebral accidents (1.8% vs 1.2%, OR 1.55). A model for MS showed a significant nonlinear relationship with age and sex and significant differences between patients with and without psoriasis.ConclusionWe found statistically significant differences in relation to the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, MS and major cardiovascular events in psoriatic patients. However, differences were not seen between psoriasis severity groups. Our work reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach and close monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients to prevent a cardiovascular event.
International nurses to the rescue: The role and contribution of the nurses of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War
Authors: Anton‐Solanas Isabel , Wakefield Ann , Hallett Christine E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimTo describe the life and work of the international nurses of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War and to examine their role in relation to their contribution to Spanish nursing in this period.MethodsThis historical study is based primarily on the memoirs of the international nurses who joined the war health services of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. The evidence that was elicited from these sources was compared and contrasted with other contemporary documents in order to compare their perspectives with those of other contemporaries.ResultsThe nurses of the International Brigades joined the front line health services as part of the mobile medical and surgical teams that were attached to the fighting units. They lived and worked under extreme conditions, often under fire. Their work while in Spain was not limited to care delivery but also included managerial and educational aspects. The international nurses' observations of Spanish nursing at the time were not always accurate, which might be explained by a lack of contact with qualified Spanish nursing staff due to a shortage of fully qualified nurses.ConclusionIn the absence of the voices of the Spanish nurses themselves, the written records of the international nurses were invaluable in analyzing Spanish nursing in this period. Their testimonies are, in essence, the international nurses’ legacy to the Spanish nurses who stayed behind after the departure of the International Brigadists in 1938.
Efficacy of essential oils combination on performance, ileal bacterial counts, intestinal histology and immunocompetence of laying hens fed alternative lipid sources
Authors: Mousavi Asma , Mahdavi Amir Hossein , Riasi Ahmad , Soltani‐Ghombavani Masoud 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis study was carried out to assess the effects of a blend of herbal essential oils (namely Thymus vulgaris, Mentha piperita, Rosmarinus offisinalis and Anethum graveolens) and different dietary lipid sources on the performance, ileal bacterial enumeration, intestinal histological alterations and immune responses in laying hens. For this purpose, a total of 150 laying hens were randomly allocated to six experimental treatments with five replicates of five birds each. Dietary treatments consisted of three levels of a mixture of essential oils (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and two sources of lipid (soybean oil and fish oil containing different ratios of n‐6 to n‐3 fatty acids) fed to the animals during an 80‐days feeding trial. Findings indicated that dietary administration of fish oil not only increased significantly the spleen relative weight (p < 0.01) and the antibody titre against Newcastle virus (p < 0.05) but also led to reductions in liver relative weight (p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mixture of herbal essential oils brought about declines in hepatic relative weight, heterophile to lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05) and intestinal pathogen populations (p < 0.01). Mention must also be made of the improvements it made in spleen weight (p < 0.01), antibody titres against SRBC (p < 0.01) and Newcastle virus (p < 0.05), villus height to crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01), goblet cell numbers (p < 0.05), lamina propria lymphatic follicle diameters (p < 0.01) and feed conversion ratio (p = 0.06). It may be claimed that the enhancements observed in the performance of laying hens fed fish oil and 200 mg/kg of the blend of essential oils could have potentially been associated with improved intestinal health indices as well as cellular and humoral immune responses.
Global implications of the new WHO and UNICEF implementation guidance on the revised Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative
Authors: Aryeetey Richmond , Dykes Fiona 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAlthough breastfeeding confers both short‐ and long‐term benefits for children and their mothers, breastfeeding practice remains suboptimal, globally. In addition to barriers including misperceptions and inappropriate marketing of breast milk substitutes, inadequate support for breastfeeding remains a challenge in many settings. To improve access to appropriate health system support, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed the Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), which ensures provision of optimal clinical care and support to mothers and their infants. This review has resulted in revision of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which form the core standards of (BFHI). These now consist of critical management procedures to support breastfeeding (Steps 1 and 2) and key clinical practices to support breastfeeding (Steps 3‐10). In Step 1, there is now specific emphasis on compliance with the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions as well as on internal monitoring. There are also significant position shifts like the recommendation to “Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats, and pacifiers,” which is a departure from the earlier position of avoiding reference to these technologies. These revisions require countries and states to revise activities and tools for their local situation but without compromising the standards.
Dissecting the basis of novel trait evolution in a radiation with widespread phylogenetic discordance
Authors: Wu Meng , Kostyun Jamie L. , Hahn Matthew W. , Moyle Leonie C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPhylogenetic analyses of trait evolution can provide insight into the evolutionary processes that initiate and drive phenotypic diversification. However, recent phylogenomic studies have revealed extensive gene tree–species tree discordance, which can lead to incorrect inferences of trait evolution if only a single species tree is used for analysis. This phenomenon—dubbed “hemiplasy”—is particularly important to consider during analyses of character evolution in rapidly radiating groups, where discordance is widespread. Here, we generate whole‐transcriptome data for a phylogenetic analysis of 14 species in the plant genus Jaltomata (the sister clade to Solanum), which has experienced rapid, recent trait evolution, including in fruit and nectar colour, and flower size and shape. Consistent with other radiations, we find evidence for rampant gene tree discordance due to incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and to introgression events among the well‐supported subclades. As both ILS and introgression increase the probability of hemiplasy, we perform several analyses that take discordance into account while identifying genes that might contribute to phenotypic evolution. Despite discordance, the history of fruit colour evolution in Jaltomata can be inferred with high confidence, and we find evidence of de novo adaptive evolution at individual genes associated with fruit colour variation. In contrast, hemiplasy appears to strongly affect inferences about floral character transitions in Jaltomata, and we identify candidate loci that could arise either from multiple lineage‐specific substitutions or standing ancestral polymorphisms. Our analysis provides a generalizable example of how to manage discordance when identifying loci associated with trait evolution in a radiating lineage.
Outcomes of patients with autosomal‐dominant polycystic kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Boonpheng Boonphiphop , Thongprayoon Charat , Wijarnpreecha Karn , Medaura Juan , Chebib Fouad T , Cheungpasitporn Wisit 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundComplications related to peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with autosomal‐dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), including intraperitoneal rupture of renal cyst, hernia, membrane failure and peritonitis, have been reported. However, long‐term clinical outcomes of ADPKD patients on PD remain unclear. We performed this meta‐analysis to assess the risks of death, technique failure and peritonitis in ADPKD patients on PD.MethodsA systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from inception to October 2017 to identify studies that evaluated the outcomes of ADPKD patients on PD, including the risks of death, technique failure and peritonitis. Non‐ADPKD patients on PD were used as controls. Effect estimates from the individual study were extracted and combined using the random‐effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.ResultsTwelve cohort studies with a total of 14 673 patients on PD (931 ADPKD and 13 742 non‐ADPKD patients) were enrolled. Compared with non‐ADPKD status, ADPKD was associated with significantly decreased mortality risk with pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.53–0.86; I2 = 0). There were no associations of ADPKD with the risks of technique failure of PD and peritonitis with pooled OR of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.79–1.10; I2 = 0) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.75–1.05; I2 = 0), respectively. We found no publication bias as assessed by Egger's regression asymmetry test, with P = 0.90, 0.28 and 0.60 for the risks of mortality, technique failure and peritonitis in ADPKD patients on PD, respectively.ConclusionCompared with non‐ADPKD patients on PD, our study demonstrates that ADPKD patients on PD have 0.68‐fold decreased mortality risk. There are no associations of ADPKD status with the risks of technique failure or peritonitis.
Marker‐assisted backcross breeding for improvement of drought tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell)
Authors: Rai Neha , Bellundagi Amasiddha , Kumar Prashant K. C. , Kalasapura Thimmappa Ramya , Rani Sushma , Sinha Nivedita , krishna Hari , Jain Neelu , Singh Gyanendra P. , Singh Pradeep K. , Chand Suresh , Prabhu Kumble Vinod 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDrought stress is presently a major productivity limiting factor in wheat. This study developed five wheat lines with inbuilt tolerance to drought stress using marker‐assisted backcross breeding (MABB) approach employing three linked quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in an initial population of 516 BC1F1 plants. The high‐yielding wheat cultivar ‘HD2733’ grown over last few years extensively in the eastern plains of India is largely sensitive to drought and is used as the recurrent parent. ‘HI1500’ released for water‐limiting conditions and carrying drought‐tolerant QTLs was used as donor parent. MABB lines were advanced using foreground and background selection, coupled with stringent phenotyping. We identified 29 lines that were homozygous for targeted QTLs in different combinations with background recovery range of 89.2%–95.4%. Further evaluation of selected lines for physiological traits and distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) characters under rainfed condition identified five potential varieties for national varietal evaluation programme in the zone. The report is first of its kind in implementing known QTLs for the development of drought‐tolerant wheat lines through MABB approach.
Detection and validation of QTLs associated with seed longevity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Liu Wenqiang , Pan Xiaowu , Li Yongchao , Duan Yonghong , Min Jun , Liu Sanxiong , Sheng Xinnian , Li Xiaoxiang 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSeed longevity in rice is a major determinant in seed production and germplasm preservation. In this paper, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population consisting of 172 lines derived from the cross between Xiang743 and ‘Katy’ was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed longevity (SL) after seed storage for 18 and 30 months under ambient conditions. Two putative QTLs, qSL‐2 and qSL‐8, were detected and located on chromosomes 2 and 8, respectively. qSL‐2 is an allele from Xiang743 allele and increases seed longevity. qSL‐8 was a novel QTL from ‘Katy’ allele and increases seed longevity. qSL‐8 explained 15.29% and 17.35% of the phenotypic variance after seed storage for 18 and 30 months, respectively. Furthermore, qSL‐8 was validated in a secondary population developed by self‐pollination of a residual heterozygous line (RHL) selected from the RIL population, which explained 25.93% of the phenotypic contribution. These results provide an opportunity for map‐based cloning of qSL‐8. Furthermore, qSL‐8 may be a target for improving seed longevity by marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in rice.