bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiology teaching for interns: Experiences, current practice and suggestions for improvement
Authors: Glenn‐Cox Sophie , Hird Kathryn , Sweetman Greg , Furness Erin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionJunior doctors are typically responsible for requesting and interpreting diagnostic imaging studies. European studies have highlighted the paucity of radiology teaching leading to junior doctors feeling underprepared for clinical practice involving radiology. There is a lack of published data on the experiences of Australian medical students and junior doctors. This study aimed to describe the experiences of interns in Western Australia to establish whether they felt prepared for clinical practice by the radiology teaching they received at medical school and beyond.MethodsThis cross‐sectional observational study involved a needs analysis questionnaire. The study population included all interns currently employed by Fiona Stanley Hospital (n = 121).ResultsRadiology teaching at medical school was reportedly mostly informal and infrequent. More than half felt this was inadequate (52%). Current teaching was also reportedly infrequent and 31% reported receiving no radiology teaching in their current rotation. The interns reported requesting high volumes of diagnostic imaging with 66% reporting requesting imaging once a day or more frequently. The overwhelming majority stated their clinical practice would benefit from additional teaching in radiology (98%).ConclusionThis study has demonstrated a paucity of radiology teaching provided to interns in a large Australian teaching hospital. As they request and interpret high volumes of diagnostic imaging, skills in this domain are paramount in the provision of safe, effective and timely patient care. The results are being used in the design and implementation of a high‐quality radiology teaching programme to improve junior doctors’ skill and develop the radiologist–clinical referrer interface.
Modelling the three‐dimensional space use of aquatic animals combining topography and Eulerian telemetry data
Authors: Aspillaga Eneko , Safi Kamran , Hereu Bernat , Bartumeus Frederic 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Passive acoustic telemetry provides the opportunity to monitor and contextualize the movements of diverse aquatic animals. Despite depth being an essential dimension along which many processes are organized, the Eulerian structure of the acoustic telemetry data (movements perceived from fixed locations) and the consequences of sound propagation in water hinders the incorporation of the vertical dimension into animal’s space use analyses.

Here, we propose a new data‐driven quantitative method to estimate 3D space use from telemetry networks. The methodology is based on simulating large numbers of stochastic synthetic paths, accommodating the detection probability around receivers and the depth information from transmitters and integrating the local topography.

The methodological protocol is explained in detail and tested with acoustic telemetry data from the common dentex Dentex dentex in a Mediterranean marine protected area. We present 3D space use estimations for the tagged individuals and compare them with other 3D and 2D estimations derived with existing probabilistic methods.

3D space use estimations that incorporate topography provided a more comprehensive view of the movement ecology of tracked individuals, with relevant pieces being missed by 2D representations. Our method generated realistic representations of the actual spatial co‐occurrence of individuals, including the spatio‐temporal identification of relevant aggregation areas.
Soil, Striga, or subsidies? Determinants of maize productivity in northern Ghana
Authors: Scheiterle Lilli , Häring Volker , Birner Regina , Bosch Christine 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHigh yield gaps persist in sub‐Saharan Africa and increased fertilizer use is considered among the crucial measures to increase productivity. Despite high government investments, particularly in fertilizer subsidy programs (FSPs), overwhelming evidence has revealed their inefficiency. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach to identify the determinants of low maize yields in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana. We conducted a socioeconomic household survey and analyzed plot‐specific soil samples. Econometric models were estimated based on both socioeconomic and soil variables. The results show that a common parasitic weed, Striga, and labile soil structure have significant effects on yield in the study region. Plot sizes were recorded both from farmers’ direct elicitation and using GPS devices. Considerable discrepancies were detected between self‐reported and GPS‐measured plot sizes. Fertilizer samples from randomly selected agro‐input shops were analyzed to control for adulterated or fake inputs. The measured nutrient contents of the samples reflected the composition indicated on the package labels. Findings underline the need of site‐specific data collection, supported by laboratory‐based soil test results, to efficiently address low productivity. Although there are no signs of fertilizer adulteration, governance challenges persist in targeting, timing, and elite capture in the distribution system of the subsidy program. The study shows that the FSP has not been an effective standalone measure. Rather, the government needs to invest in capacity building and extension services to address the site‐specific problems through comprehensive soil fertility management techniques and weed control. Promoting soil carbon management, minimum mechanical stress, crop rotation, and permanent soil cover should be further investigated as options for the region.
Vaginal microbiome profiles of pregnant women in Korea using a 16S metagenomics approach
Authors: You Young‐Ah , Kwon Eun Jin , Choi Suk‐Joo , Hwang Han‐Sung , Choi Sae‐Kyung , Lee Seung Mi , Kim Young Ju 
Published: May 2019

AbstractProblemThe stability and dominance of Lactobacillus spp. in vaginal fluid are important for reproductive health. However, the characterization of the vaginal microbiota of women with preterm labor (PTL) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (P‐PROM), and its association with preterm birth (PTB) are poorly understood.Method of studyWe collected vaginal fluid from women at risk of PTB (n = 58) in five university hospitals in Korea. We performed a hierarchical clustering analysis and classification according to the Lactobacillus spp. and Lactobacillus abundance using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons.ResultsWomen at risk for PTB caused by P‐PROM had greater bacterial richness and diversity at the time of admission than those with PTL (P < 0.05). However, they were not significantly different between term and preterm samples. In the classification by Lactobacillus spp., the community commonly dominated by Bacteroides and Lactobacillus crispatus was found for the first time in pregnant women in Korea, and all women with this community delivered preterm. Intriguingly, women with an abundance of Weissella in a Bacteroides‐dominant community delivered at term. Moreover, in the classification by Lactobacillus proportion, the abundances of Weissella and Rickettsiales were associated with term deliveries, but the abundances of Bacteroides and Escherichia‐Shigella were associated with PTBs (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis result suggests that Lactobacillus abundance‐based classification of vaginal fluid may reveal the microbiome associated with PTB. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism underlying the link between the microbiome and PTB.
The Distortion of Related Beliefs
Authors: Little Andrew T. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWhen forming beliefs about themselves, politics, and how the world works more generally, people often face a tension between conclusions they inherently wish to reach and those which are plausible. And the likelihood of beliefs about one variable (e.g., the performance of a favored politician) depends on beliefs about other, related variables (e.g., the quality and bias of newspapers reporting on the politician). I propose a formal approach to combine these two forces, creating a tractable way to study the distortion of related beliefs. The approach unifies several central ideas from psychology (e.g., motivated reasoning, attribution) that have been applied heavily to political science. Concrete applications shed light on why successful individuals sometimes attribute their performance to luck (“imposter syndrome”), why those from advantaged groups believe they in fact face high levels of discrimination (the “persecution complex”), and why partisans disagree about the accuracy and bias of news sources.
Quality‐of‐life research in adult patients with congenital heart disease: current status and the way forward
Authors: Moons Philip , Luyckx Koen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOver the past four decades, the number of papers on quality of life (QoL) in congenital heart disease (CHD) has grown exponentially. However, firm conclusions have been hard to draw, because conceptual issues occurred and methodological differences prevented direct comparisons of studies. In general, QoL in CHD patients is good and it can be even better than in healthy peers when measured as life satisfaction. When QoL is measured as physical functioning, patients with complex CHD do worse than patients with moderate or mild defects or healthy individuals. APPROACH‐IS was a large‐scale international project that confirmed international variations in QoL, with Australian patients reporting the best QoL. Poor QoL was predicted by older age, being a job seeker, unemployed or disabled, never having married and those with worse functional status. Perceived illness and religion and spirituality were also significant predictors for QoL. On the other hand, country‐specific characteristics and healthcare system factors did not play a significant role in explaining variances in QoL of patients with CHD around the globe. Future studies should rely on a sound conceptual basis, use longitudinal research designs, be conducted in international, multi‐centre settings and evaluate interventions that promote patients’ QoL.
High risk of clinical events in untreated HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients with high viral load and no significant ALT elevation
Authors: Choi Gwang Hyeon , Kim Gi‐Ae , Choi Jonggi , Han Seungbong , Lim Young‐Suk 
Published: May 2019

SummaryBackgroundIt remains unknown whether antiviral treatment for HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients having high viral loads without significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels would reduce the risks of clinical events.AimTo compare clinical outcomes of high viral load CHB patients untreated for normal or mildly elevated ALT vs those treated for ALT ≥ 2 upper limit of normal (ULN).MethodsThis historical cohort study included 5414 HBeAg‐negative CHB patients without cirrhosis at a tertiary hospital in Korea from 2000 to 2013. Inactive phase was defined as serum hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA < 2000 IU/mL and persistently normal ALT (n = 3572). High viral load (HBV DNA ≥ 2000 IU/mL) patients were classified into three phases by ALT levels: Replicative (persistently normal ALT, n = 900); Mildly active (ALT 1‐2ULN, n = 396); and Active (ALT ≥ 2ULN, n = 546) phases. All Active phase patients were treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 47 years without a significant difference among the groups. Compared with the treated Active phase group, the untreated Replicative phase group showed a significantly higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; HR 1.76; 95% CI 1.00 ‐ 3.10, P = 0.05) and death/transplantation (HR 2.14; 5% CI 1.09 ‐ 4.21, P = 0.03) by propensity score‐matched analysis. The untreated mildly active phase patients had further increase in risk of HCC and death/transplantation compared with the treated Active phase group by unadjusted, PS‐matched, competing risks, and multivariable‐adjusted analyses.ConclusionsUntreated high viral load HBeAg‐negative CHB patients without significant ALT elevation had higher risks of clinical events than treated Active phase patients with elevated ALT.
Potential role of ALDH3A2 on the lipid and glucose metabolism regulated by (‐)‐hydroxycitric acid in chicken embryos
Authors: Li Shengnan , Yang Zhongmiao , Zhang Huihui , Peng Mengling , Ma Haitian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effect of (‐)‐hydroxycitric acid ((‐)‐HCA) on lipid and glucose metabolism, and further analyzed these actions whether associated with modulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A2 (ALDH3A2) expression in chicken embryos. Results showed that (‐)‐HCA decreased triglyceride content and lipid droplet counts, while these effects induced by (‐)‐HCA were reversed in chicken embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. (‐)‐HCA decreased malic enzyme, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c mRNA level, while increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) and peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptor α (PPARα) mRNA level; and the action of (‐)‐HCA on lipid metabolism factors had completely eliminated in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. Chicken embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2 had eliminated the increasing of serum glucose and hepatic glycogen content induced by (‐)‐HCA. (‐)‐HCA decreased phosphofructokinase‐1 and increased G6P, fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and pyruvate carboxylase mRNA level in chicken embryos. Similarly, the effect of (‐)‐HCA on these key enzyme mRNA level was reversed in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. Furthermore, (‐)‐HCA increased PPAR‐γ‐coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), PPARα, hepatic nuclear factor‐4A, PEPCK, and CPT1A protein level, and these actions of (‐)‐HCA disappeared in embryos pre‐transfected with sh4‐ALDH3A2. These results indicated that (‐)‐HCA reduced fat accumulation and accelerated gluconeogenesis via activation of PGC‐1α signaling pathway, and these effects of (‐)‐HCA might associate with the increasing of ALDH3A2 expression level in chicken embryos.
Thermal stimulation at 39°C facilitates the fusion and elongation of C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Hayashi Satoko , Yonekura Shinichi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of thermal stimulation at 39°C on the fusion and elongation of skeletal muscle cells. During a 5 day differentiation process of C2C12 cells, nine groups subjected to varying lengths of thermal stimulation at 39°C were established. Afterward, all groups were immunostained using anti‐muscle heavy‐chain antibody to test for myotube formation. Quantification of the myotube area demonstrated a significant increase in the group subjected to thermal stimulation at 39°C during the latter half of the differentiation compared with the control group, but the fusion index was significantly higher in the group that received hyperthermic treatment during the first half of the differentiation period. Moreover, the longitudinal length of myotubes was significantly increased in the groups that were subjected to thermal stimulation at 39°C during the latter half of the differentiation period. The distance between the center of myotubes and the nucleus farthest away from the center was substantially extended in the group receiving thermal stimulation at 39°C only on the fourth day of the differentiation. Together, these results demonstrate that thermal stimulation at 39°C facilitates myoblast fusion and elongation.
Effortless or less effort? Effects of tracks on students’ engagement
Authors: Dockx Jonas , Van den Branden Naomi , De Fraine Bieke 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundIt is found that assigning students to a lower track during secondary education negatively affects their academic performance. As an explanation, it is often mentioned that an anti‐school culture in lower tracks undermines students’ effort and involvement.AimsThis study assessed whether going to a lower track affects student engagement. For if an anti‐school culture is to blame for limiting lower track students’ performance, lower track assignment should reduce engagement.SampleA sample of a longitudinal cohort study during secondary education in Flanders (northern Belgium) was used to describe development in engagement with n = 5,417 students in 46 schools. Four tracks were investigated across four school years.MethodTwo main methodological challenges were present in this study, different student intake in each track and many students changing from a higher to lower track over time. Accordingly, we used inverse probability treatment weights with marginal structural mean models to account for different student intake and track changes. A comparison was made per pair of tracks that are hierarchically consecutive by matching students who were comparable across these tracks. Accordingly, there were three pairwise comparisons.ResultsIt was never found that being continuously in lower track negatively affects engagement. Only for one pairwise comparison, there was evidence that students who changed from the higher to lower track had lower engagement.ConclusionsWe rejected the hypothesis that lower tracks negatively affect student engagement. This makes the anti‐school culture as an explanation for lower track assignment negatively affecting academic performance implausible.
Allodepleted T‐cell immunotherapy after haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation without severe acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) in the absence of GVHD prophylaxis
Authors: Roy Denis Claude , Lachance Sylvie , Cohen Sandra , Delisle Jean‐Sébastien , Kiss Thomas , Sauvageau Guy , Busque Lambert , Ahmad Imran , Bernard Lea , Bambace Nadia , Boumédine Radia S. , Guertin Marie‐Claude , Rezvani Katayoun , Mielke Stephan , Perreault Claude , Roy Jean 
Published: May 2019

SummaryGraft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of transplant‐related mortality (TRM) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and presents a challenge in haploidentical HSCT. GVHD may be prevented by ex vivo graft T‐cell depletion or in vivo depletion of proliferating lymphocytes. However, both approaches pose significant risks, particularly infections and relapse, compromising survival. A photodepletion strategy to eliminate alloreactive T cells from mismatched donor lymphocyte infusions (enabling administration without immunosuppression), was used to develop ATIR101, an adjunctive therapy for use after haploidentical HSCT. In this phase I dose‐finding study, 19 adults (median age: 54 years) with high‐risk haematological malignancies were treated with T‐cell‐depleted human leucocyte antigen‐haploidentical myeloablative HSCT followed by ATIR101 at doses of 1 × 104–5 × 106 CD3+ cells/kg (median 31 days post‐transplant). No patient received post‐transplant immunosuppression or developed grade III/IV acute GVHD, demonstrating the feasibility of ATIR101 infusion for evaluation in two subsequent phase 2 studies. Additionally, we report long‐term follow ‐up of patients treated with ATIR101 in this study. At 1 year, all 9 patients receiving doses of 0·3–2 × 106 CD3+ cells/kg ATIR101 remained free of serious infections and after more than 8 years, TRM was 0%, relapse‐related mortality was 33% and overall survival was 67% in these patients.
Recommended antibiotic prophylaxis regimen in retrograde intrarenal surgery: evidence from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Zhijian , Fan Junhong , Sun Hongling , Zhong Wen , Zhu Wei , Liu Yongda , Wu Wenqi , de la Rosette Jean , del Pilar Laguna Pes Maria , Zeng Guohua 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo study the incidence of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following different antibiotic prophylaxis (ABP) regimens in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).Patients and MethodsSingle‐centre, randomised, controlled trial (August 2014–September 2017) including 426 patients with renal stones with preoperative sterile urine managed by RIRS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02304822). Different ciprofloxacin‐based ABP regimens were used and included a zero dose, single dose (30 min before surgery) or two doses (first dose at 30 min before RIRS and additional dose within 6 h after RIRS). The incidence of SIRS was compared using intention‐to‐treat (ITT) and per‐protocol (PP) analyses.ResultsEach group enrolled 142 patients. In the ITT analysis, a zero dose of ABP was statistically similar to the two ABP regimes for the incidence of SIRS (9.9% vs single dose 4.9%, P = 0.112; vs two doses 4.2%, P = 0.062). There were also no relevant differences across groups in the PP analysis; no urosepsis was recorded. In subgroup analysis with stratification by stone area, the three regimens all had a low and similar incidence of SIRS for stones of ≤200 mm2 in the ITT analysis with a sufficient power value (5.4% vs 6.2% vs 3.6%, P = 0.945 vs single dose and P = 0.553 vs two doses). However, there was a greater chance of SIRS in patients who received no ABP with stones of >200 mm2 (18% vs single dose 4.3%, P = 0.036; vs two doses 5.5%, P = 0.044). Similar trends were seen in the PP analysis.ConclusionsFor patients with preoperative sterile urine, ABP is not strongly recommended in patients with stones of ≤200 mm2, but for stones >200 mm2 single‐dose ABP is still required.
Temporal variation in the influence of forest succession on caterpillar communities: A long‐term study in a tropical dry forest
Authors: Boege Karina , Villa‐Galaviz Edith , López‐Carretero Antonio , Pérez‐Ishiwara Rubén , Zaldivar‐Riverón Alejandro , Ibarra Adolfo , del‐Val Ek 
Published: May 2019

AbstractForest succession can influence herbivore communities through changes in host availability, plant quality, microclimate, canopy structure complexity and predator abundance. It is not well known, however, if such influence is constant across years. Caterpillars have been reported to be particularly susceptible to changes in plant community composition across forest succession, as most species are specialists and rely on the presence of their hosts. Nevertheless, in the case of tropical dry forests, plant species have less defined successional boundaries than tropical wet forests, and hence herbivore communities should be able to persist across different successional stages. To test this prediction, caterpillar communities were surveyed during eight consecutive years in a tropical dry forest in four replicated successional stages in Chamela, Jalisco and Mexico. Lepidopteran species richness and diversity were equivalent in mature forests and early successional stages, but a distinctive caterpillar community was found for the recently abandoned pastures. Species composition tended to converge among all four successional stages during the span of eight years. Overall, our results highlight the importance of both primary and secondary forest for the conservation of caterpillar biodiversity at a landscape level. We also highlight the relevance of long‐term studies when assessing the influence of forest succession to account for across year variation in species interactions and climatic factors.Abstract in French is available with online material.