bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A mouse model of gestational glucose intolerance through exposure to a low protein diet during fetal and neonatal development
Authors: Szlapinski Sandra K. , King Renee T. , Retta Gabrielle , Yeo Erica , Strutt Brenda J. , Hill David J. 
Published: June 2019

Key points
Pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction is hypothesized to be the significant determinant of gestational diabetes pathogenesis, however pancreatic samples from patients are scarce.
This study reports a novel mouse model of gestational glucose intolerance in pregnancy, originating from previous nutrition restriction in utero, in which glucose intolerance was restricted to late gestation as is seen in human gestational diabetes.
Glucose intolerance was attributed to reduced β‐cell proliferation, leading to impaired gestational β‐cell mass expansion in maternal endocrine pancreas, in addition to reduced glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion.
This model reproduces some of the features of gestational diabetes and is suitable for testing safe therapeutic interventions that increase β‐cell mass during pregnancy and prevent or reverse gestational glucose intolerance.
AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly prevalent form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. Pathological studies link a failure to adaptively increase maternal pancreatic β‐cell mass (BCM) in pregnancy to GDM. Due to the scarcity of pancreatic samples from GDM patients, we sought to develop a novel mouse model for impaired gestational glucose tolerance. Mature female C57Bl/6 mouse offspring (F1) born to dams fed either a control (C) or low‐protein (LP) diet during gestation and lactation were randomly allocated into two subsequent study groups: pregnant (CP, LPP) or non‐pregnant (CNP, LPNP). Glucose tolerance tests were performed at gestational day (GD) 9, 12 and 18. Subsequently, pancreata were removed for fluorescence immunohistochemistry to assess α‐cell mass (ACM), BCM and β‐cell proliferation. An additional group of animals was used to measure insulin secretion from isolated islets at GD18. LPP females displayed glucose intolerance compared to CP females at GD18 (P < 0.001). BCM increased threefold at GD18 in CP females. However, LPP females had reduced BCM expansion (P < 0.01) concurrent with reduced β‐cell proliferation at GD12 (P < 0.05). LPP females also had reduced ACM expansion at GD18 (P < 0.01). LPP islets had impaired glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in vitro compared to CP islets (P < 0.01). Therefore, impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy is associated with a failure to adequately adapt BCM, as a result of reduced β‐cell proliferation, in addition to lower glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. This model could be used to evaluate novel interventions during pregnancy to increase BCM or function as a strategy to prevent/reverse GDM.
Cosserat Effects in Achiral and Chiral Cubic Lattices
Authors: Reasa Daniel R. , Lakes Roderic S. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Cubic 3D lattices were designed, made by 3D printing, and studied experimentally. One lattice was simple cubic with ribs of diameter 1/5 the cell size. The second lattice was chiral with spiral ribs. The chiral lattice, but not the achiral lattice, exhibited squeeze-twist coupling with size effects. The squeeze-twist coupling cannot occur in a classically elastic solid but is anticipated by theory in a Cosserat solid. Both lattices exhibited size effects in bending and torsion.
Cognitive impairment of workers in a large-scale aluminium factory in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Meng Huaxing , Wang Shanshan , Guo Junhong , Zhao Yarong , Zhang Shuhui , Zhao Yuqing , Niu Qiao 
Published: June 2019

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and the relationship with plasma aluminium among aluminium workers.DesignThis was a cross-sectional case-control study in the SH Aluminium Factory, China.SettingThe university and affiliated hospital cooperated in the study.ParticipantsThere were 910 aluminium workers on duty, among whom 853 participated in our study. Participants, such as those with cerebral vascular disease, epilepsy, brain trauma, Parkinson’s and mental diseases, aluminium-containing drug and mental drug use, and any family history of dementia in first-degree relatives were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresBlood samples were collected, and plasma aluminium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. For each case, four age-matched controls were evaluated to determine the relationship between aluminium exposure and mild cognitive impairment. Conditional logistic regression was used to explore influential factors in mild cognitive impairment.ResultsAmong 910 workers, 93.74% participated in stage 1; 53 cases were finally diagnosed. The crude prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among aluminium workers on duty was 6.21%. There was a significant difference in plasma aluminium concentration between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, we found that a higher level of plasma aluminium was associated with a high risk of cognitive impairment when compared with a lower aluminium level (AOR=2.24, 95% CI=1.17 to 4.26), and a high education level was a protective factor (AOR=0.36, 95% CI=0.18 to 0.70). No other factor was statistically significant.ConclusionsMild cognitive impairment is no longer a disease specific to elderly people. High plasma aluminium exposure might be associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment, but a reduced risk was observed with a high education level. The cognitive function of aluminium workers on duty must be considered seriously.
Exercise interventions for ankylosing spondylitis: a protocol for a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Kan Shun-Li , Chen Ling-Xiao , Yuan Zhi-Fang , Hu Wei , Zhu Ru-Sen 
Published: June 2019

IntroductionAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a universal chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease which predominantly results in chronic back pain and stiffness. However, some patients suffering from AS do not react well to pharmacological interventions. Exercise intervention has been employed for the treatment of AS and works as a complementary part of the management of AS. However, the effect of different types of exercise interventions remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative efficacy of different types of exercise interventions for individuals with AS using a Bayesian network meta-analysis.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials that compare different types of exercise interventions for individuals with AS. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library will be searched up to February 2019. The primary outcomes are functional capacity, pain and disease activity. The risk of bias for individual studies will be evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook. A Bayesian network meta-analysis will be performed to compare the efficacy of different types of exercise interventions. The quality of evidence will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval and patient consent are not required as this study is a meta-analysis based on published studies. The results of this network meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019123099.
Comparison of Automated Anti-Müllerian Hormone Assays and Antral Follicle Count in Predicting Ovarian Response During Ovarian Stimulation
Authors: Tan Eek Chaw , Chincholkar Pallavi , Yu Su Ling , Lim Serene Liqing , Renuka Rajkumaralal , Yong Tze Tein , Yeo Chin Pin , Rajesh Hemashree 
Published: June 2019

Objective: Various parameters had been used to predict ovarian response. Among them, Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) demonstrate the most favourable analytical and performance characteristics. In this pilot study, we aim to determine the cut-off levels of AMH using automated AMH assays and AFC in the prediction of poor and high responders. Study Design: Prospective study of 43 women between 21 to 45 years old scheduled for assisted reproduction. AMH levels on day 3 of menstruation were analysed using two immunoassay kits, namely the Beckman Coulter Access AMH and the Roche Elecsys AMH on the two automated analysers Beckman Coulter DxI 800 and Roche Cobas e602 respectively. AFC was also assessed on day 3 of menstruation prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). These were compared with the number of oocytes retrieved after controlled ovarian stimulation. Results: AMH (Beckman Coulter Access AMH and Roche Elecsys AMH) highly correlated with AFC and the number of oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation. Beckman Coulter Access AMH was the better predictor for poor ovarian response with ROC [Formula: see text] of 0.83. For the prediction of a high response, AFC had a higher ROC [Formula: see text] of 0.95. Through ROC, the AMH cut-off level for poor ovarian response was 2.23 ng/ml with Beckman Coulter Access AMH and 2.02 ng/ml with Roche Elecsys AMH, while the AMH cut-off for a high ovarian response was 5.19 ng/ml with Beckman Coulter Access AMH and 4.60 ng/ml with Roche Elecsys AMH. For AFC, the cut-off for poor ovarian response was 18 and for high response was 34. Conclusion: AMH and AFC are reliable predictors of ovarian response. Establishment of specific levels may improve individualised controlled ovarian stimulation and optimise the oocyte yield. Larger studies are required to establish these findings.
Fuzzy C-Means, ANFIS and Genetic Algorithm for Segmenting Astrocytoma –A Type of Brain Tumor
Authors: Sharma Minakshi , Mukherjee Saourabh 
Published: June 2019

<p>Imaging plays an important role in medical field like medical diagnosis, treatment planning and patient follow up. Image segmentation is the backbone process to accomplish these tasks by dividing an image in to meaningful parts which share similar properties. Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) is primary diagnostic technique to do image segmentation. There are several techniques proposed for image segmentation of different parts of body like Region growing, Thresholding, Clustering methods and Soft computing techniques (Fuzzy Logic, Neural Network, Genetic Algorithm).The proposed research work uses Grey level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) for texture feature extraction, ANFIS(Adaptive Network Fuzzy inference System) plus Genetic Algorithm for feature selection and FCM(Fuzzy C-Means) for segmentation of Astrocytoma (Brain Tumor) with all four Grades. The comparative study between FCM, FCM plus K-mean, Genetic Algorithm, ANFIS and proposed technique shows improved Accuracy, Sensitivity and Specificity.</p>
Multilayer neural network synchronized secured session key based encryption in wireless communication
Authors: Sarkar Arindam 
Published: June 2019

In this paper, multilayer neural network synchronized session key based encryption has been proposed for wireless communication of data/information. Multilayer perceptron transmitting systems at both ends accept an identical input vector, generate an output bit and the network are trained based on the output bit which is used to form a protected variable length secret-key. For each session, different hidden layer of multilayer neural network is selected randomly and weights or hidden units of this selected hidden layer help to form a secret session key. The plain text is encrypted through chaining , cascaded xoring of multilayer perceptron generated session key. If size of the final block of plain text is less than the size of the key then this block is kept unaltered. Receiver will use identical multilayer perceptron generated session key for performing deciphering process for getting the plain text. Parametric tests have been done and results are compared in terms of Chi-Square test, response time in transmission with some existing classical techniques, which shows comparable results for the proposed technique.
Unusual Nasal Insufficiency in an Infant: What’s Behind the Nostril?
Authors: Alzate Amaya Fabian , Invencio da Costa Liliana F. , Martinez Moran Alejandro , Alvarez Rodriguez Roberto 
Published: June 2019

Objectives: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare benign lesion, especially in the pediatric age. There are several cases described in pulmonary, digestive and renal localizations, but involvement in head and neck area is infrequent. Methods: Case report and review of the literature. Results: A 1 year and 11 months old child, during 2 months had clinical signs of nasal respiratory insufficiency and epistaxis subsequently developing a purulent rhinorrhea and a sleep apnea. His pediatrician previously requested a sinus and cavum X-ray with the finding of an image compatible with an intranasal mass. Endoscopic resection was performed of the mass with further immunohistochemical analysis showing the result of a lesion compatible with IMT. Conclusions: Even though there are very few cases in scientific literature of a tumor with these characteristics in infants, IMT must be present as a differential diagnosis of intranasal masses. The role of the pathologist is essential to reach the definitive diagnosis and the performance of an early surgical treatment decreases aesthetic consequences in this pathology.
A Spatial Analysis of Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Support in the United States: The Leaders and Laggards Landscape
Authors: Grubesic Tony H. , Durbin Kelly M. 
Published: June 2019

Background: To better track progress in achieving the Healthy People 2020 goals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes an annual Breastfeeding Report Card (BRC) that represents a compilation of data on breastfeeding practices in all states. With data drawn from the CDC National Immunization Survey, the BRC provides an especially valuable source of information about geographic trends in breastfeeding and related support activities. Research aim: This study aimed to identify important geographic trends in both breastfeeding practices and support structures in the United States, highlighting their spatial disparities. Methods: Exploratory spatial data analysis, including local indicators of spatial association, is combined with spatial regression models to highlight geographic variations in breastfeeding practices and support. Results: Geographic variation in both breastfeeding practices and allied support exists within the United States. Geographic hot spots of breastfeeding are found in the western and northeastern sections of the United States, and cool spots are located primarily in the Southeast. Regression results suggested that unemployment and demographic diversity are negatively associated with breastfeeding rates, whereas higher education and the presence of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs®) are positively connected to persistent breastfeeding practices. Further, although the availability of professional support (IBCLC) strengthened nationwide between 2011 and 2016, the availability of mother-to-mother support (La Leche League) softened. Conclusion: Although breastfeeding initiation rates continue to increase in the United States, rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months remain low, displaying significant geographic variation. The ability to pinpoint lagging regions can help to efficiently allocate additional breastfeeding support resources and interventions.
Lateral Transfer of the Flexor Digitorum Longus for Peroneal Tendinopathy
Authors: Sherman Thomas I. , Koury Kimberly , Orapin Jakrapong , Schon Lew C. 
Published: June 2019

Background: Few studies have reported midterm outcomes after single-stage flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfer to the lateral foot for irreparable rupture of the peroneal tendons. Methods: Over a 7-year period (2008-2015), 25 consecutive patients underwent transfer of the FDL to the fifth metatarsal for irreparable peroneal tendon tears. Of these, 15 patients were available for inclusion with a mean follow-up of 53.7 ± 23.3 months, mean age at surgery of 48.4 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.8 kg/m2. Patients completed the pain visual analog scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and participated in range of motion, peak force, and peak power testing. Results: All 15 patients were satisfied with their surgery and reported a reduction in their pain level with a decreased VAS of 5.6 ± 2.5. The mean FFI was 12.8 ± 9.2, the SMFA Function Index was 12.4 ± 8, and the mean SMFA Bothersome Index was 11.5 ± 11. The mean FAAM was 86.4 ± 9.7. Patients had on average 58% less eversion and 28% less inversion compared with the nonoperative side. Isometric peak torque and isotonic peak velocity were 38.4% and 28.8% less compared with the contralateral side, respectively. The average power in the operative limb was diminished by 56% compared with the nonoperative limb. Conclusion: In this small case series with midterm follow-up, FDL transfer to the lateral foot for significant, irreparable peroneal tendinopathy was an effective and durable treatment option. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Surgical hip dislocation with femoral osteotomy and bone grafting prevents head collapse in hips with advanced necrosis
Authors: Steppacher Simon D , Sedlmayer Raphael , Tannast Moritz , Schmaranzer Florian , Siebenrock Klaus A 
Published: June 2019

Questions: Does surgical hip dislocation with drilling or bone grafting, cartilage treatment and femoral osteotomy in avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) result in: (1) progression of osteonecrosis or osteoarthritis; (2) pain relief and improved function; and (3) subsequent surgery and complications? Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients (13 hips, mean age 29 ± 9 years) undergoing surgical hip dislocation for AVN. Preoperative ARCO stages were: 1 hip ARCO II, 8 hips ARCO III early, 4 hips ARCO III late. Drilling was performed in 4 hips, 9 hips underwent curettage, drilling and autologous bone grafting. Cartilage was sutured in 5 hips, autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis was performed in 3 hips, an osteochondral autograft was used in 1 hip. Femoral osteotomy was performed in 10 hips. Mean follow-up was 3 ± 2 years. Progression of AVN and osteoarthritis was assessed preoperatively and at latest follow-up using Tönnis and ARCO staging. Pain and function were assessed with the Merle d’Aubigné-Postel score. Complications were graded according to Sink et al. Results: 1 hip had AVN progression and converted to THA. 9 hips showed no AVN- or advanced osteoarthritis progression and 3 hips improved at least 1 ARCO stage. The Merle d’Aubigné-Postel score increased from preoperatively 14.1 ± 3.2 to 16.6 ± 1.2 ( p = 0.012). Subsequent surgery were performed in 3 hips, complications occurred in 3 hips. Conclusion: Although the first results are promising a longer follow-up with more patients is needed to draw a definite conclusion regarding the joint preserving potential in AVN.
Neuroscience and Early Childhood: A Necessary Partnership
Authors: Talay-Ongan Ayshe 
Published: June 2019

The 1990s have been called the decade of the brain; indeed, we are faced with more and more opportunities that highlight the interface of neuroscience with facets of human learning, behaviour, and effect. All aspects of our adaptive life, including thought, perception, language, and emotion, as well as fine and gross motor skills, are mediated by the brain. Most developmental disorders of childhood are attributable to some brain-related event.The human brain holds amazing mysteries, especially during the early childhood years: it reaches 70 per cent of its adult weight by two years of age, nearly 90 per cent by age six, and its full weight by puberty. It consumes twice as much glucose, the brains source of energy, as the adult brain from age four to until about puberty. Researchers think that young brains are as primed as they will ever be to process new information.As neuroscience unfolds to inform us of some of its wonders, we come to realise how indispensable it is to understand and apply this knowledge to our practice with young children, for in no other period in development is the brain as responsive to environmental input as in early childhood.
Research with Children: Ethical Mind-fields
Authors: Fasoli Lyn 
Published: June 2019

This article explores some ethical issues involved in research with young children. Research that involves children always contains assumptions about the nature of the child and of childhood in general and these can affect every aspect of the research undertaken with them, particularly ethical concerns. Seeing children as social actors, not as passive participants, has profound implications for researchers who work with children, particularly in how power relations between adults and children are conceived and experienced. In this article I problematise these relations through analysis of taped transcribed conversations with children. ‘While the young have always been identifiable by their physical size and age, the meanings these differences have been given are not universal’ (Baker, 1998, p. 117).
Mothers’ Perceptions of their Young Children's Literacy Development
Authors: Potter Gillian 
Published: June 2019

There has been increasing interest shown by researchers in those children who attain an obvious understanding of reading and writing before attending school. It has been indicated that those children are not necessarily otherwise precocious (Smith, F. 1984; Harste, J., Burke, C., Woodward, V. 1984). Talking with mothers about their perceptions of their preschoolers’ literacy development, revealed how sensitive they are and how perceptive in their observations of what their children are doing. Following, is a report on research carried out to investigate the phenomenon of natural learning of literacy among 50 preschoolers.
Bananas Can't Talk: Young Children Judging the Reality of Big Bird, Bugs and the Bananas
Authors: Howard Susan 
Published: June 2019

Research exploring the ways older children and adolescents interact with and make sense of television is providing us with a fascinating picture of active viewers who use various strategies to assess the extent to which television content relates to real life. The preschooler has not received the same research attention although considerable anxiety exists over the effects that television may have on the young viewer. At the heart of this concern lie questions regarding the child's ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality in television content. In this article, five 4-year-olds talk about how ‘real’ they think some TV characters are and from their discussions there emerges a picture of active, thinking viewers not the passive, mesmerised children so often constructed in public debate. These children are aware that TV images are representations which have varying degrees of relationship to things in the ‘real’ world. Some of their working hypotheses about these degrees of relationship are presented here.