bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain functional impairment in beta‐thalassaemia: the cognitive profile in Italian neurologically asymptomatic adult patients in comparison to the reported literature
Authors: Tartaglione Immacolata , Manara Renzo , Caiazza Martina , Carafa Pasquale Alessandro , Caserta Violetta , Ferrantino Teresa , Granato Ilaria , Ippolito Noemi , Maietta Caterina , Oliveto Tiziana , Casale Maddalena , Di Concilio Rosanna , Ciancio Angela , De Michele Elisa , Russo Camilla , Elefante Andrea , Ponticorvo Sara , Russo Andrea Gerardo , Femina Gianluca , Canna Antonietta , Ermani Mario , Cirillo Mario , Esposito Fabrizio , Centanni Antonella , Gritti Paolo , Perrotta Silverio 
Published: May 2019

SummaryCognitive involvement in beta‐thalassaemia is strikingly controversial and poorly studied in adulthood. This multicentre prospective study investigated 74 adult neurologically‐asymptomatic beta‐thalassaemia patients (mean‐age 34·5 ± 10·3 years; 53 transfusion‐dependent [TDT], 21 non‐transfusion dependent [NTDT]) and 45 healthy volunteers (mean‐age 33·9 ± 10·7 years). Participants underwent testing with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Fourth Edition (WAIS‐IV), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and multiparametric brain 3T‐magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for parenchymal, vascular and iron content evaluation. Patients had lower Full‐Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) than controls (75·5 ± 17·9 vs. 97·4 ± 18·1, P < 0·0001) even after correction for education level. Compared to TDT, NTDT showed a trend of higher FSIQ (P = 0·08) but a similar cognitive profile at WAIS‐subtests. FSIQ correlated with total and indirect bilirubin (P < 0·0001 and P = 0·002, respectively); no correlation was found with splenectomy, intracranial MRI/magnetic resonance‐angiography findings, brain tissue iron content or other disease‐related clinical/laboratory/treatment data. FSIQ did not correlate with BPRS scores, although the latter were higher among patients (28·74 ± 3·1 vs. 27·29 ± 4·8, P = 0·01) mainly because of increased depression and anxiety levels. Occupation rate was higher among controls (84·4% vs. 64·9%, P = 0·004) and correlated with higher FSIQ (P = 0·001) and education level (P = 0·001). In conclusion, Italian adult beta‐thalassaemia patients seem to present a characteristic cognitive profile impairment and an increased rate of psychological disorders with possible profound long‐term socio‐economic consequences.
L’émergence de la grappe industrielle de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) à Montréal
Authors: Doloreux David , Savoie‐Dansereau Geneviève 
Published: May 2019

Messages clés
L’émergence de la grappe industrielle en IA a été supportée à la fois par les conditions initiales locales ainsi que par les processus d'interaction avec des acteurs étrangers.
La formation de la grappe industrielle l'IA à Montréal suggère que, dès le début, les liens globaux avec d'autres industries et grappes industrielles sont primordiaux.
La naissance d'une grappe industrielle n'est pas un phénomène isolé mais plutôt basé sur les relations entre différents acteurs, processus et communautés qui œuvrent à différentes échelles géographiques.
Metabolism at the centre of the host–microbe relationship
Authors: Maslowski K M 
Published: May 2019

SummaryMaintaining homoeostatic host–microbe interactions is vital for host immune function. The gut microbiota shapes the host immune system and the immune system reciprocally shapes and modifies the gut microbiota. However, our understanding of how these microbes are tolerated and how individual, or communities of, gut microbes influence host function is limited. This review will focus on metabolites as key mediators of this complex host–microbe relationship. It will look at the central role of epithelial metabolism in shaping the gut microbiota, how microbial metabolites influence the epithelium and the mucosal and peripheral immune system, and how the immune system shapes microbial composition and metabolism. Finally, this review will look at how metabolites are involved in cross-talk between different members of the microbiota and their role during infections.
Changes in the multidisciplinary management of rectal cancer from 2009 to 2015 and associated improvements in short‐term outcomes
Authors: Roxburgh C. S. D. , Strombom P. , Lynn P. , Cercek A. , Gonen M. , Smith J. J. , Temple L. K. F. , Nash G. M. , Guillem J. G. , Paty P. B. , Shia J. , Vakiani E. , Yaeger R. , Stadler Z. K. , Segal N. H. , Reidy D. , Varghese A. , Wu A. J. , Crane C. H. , Gollub M. J. , Saltz L. B. , Garcia‐Aguilar J. , Weiser M. R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimSignificant recent changes in management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) include preoperative staging, use of extended neoadjuvant therapies and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study was aimed at characterizing these changes and associated short‐term outcomes.MethodWe retrospectively analysed treatment and outcome data from patients with T3/4 or N+ LARC ≤ 15 cm from the anal verge who were evaluated at a comprehensive cancer centre in 2009–2015.ResultsIn total, 798 patients were identified and grouped into five cohorts based on treatment year: 2009–2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014–2015. Temporal changes included increased reliance on MRI staging, from 57% in 2009–2010 to 98% in 2014–2015 (P < 0.001); increased use of total neoadjuvant therapy, from 17% to 76% (P < 0.001); and increased use of MIS, from 33% to 70% (P < 0.001). Concurrently, median hospital stay decreased (from 7 to 5 days; P < 0.001), as did the rates of Grade III–V complications (from 13% to 7%; P < 0.05), surgical site infections (from 24% to 8%; P < 0.001), anastomotic leak (from 11% to 3%; P < 0.05) and positive circumferential resection margin (from 9% to 4%; P < 0.05). TNM downstaging increased from 62% to 74% (P = 0.002).ConclusionShifts toward MRI‐based staging, total neoadjuvant therapy and MIS occurred between 2009 and 2015. Over the same period, treatment responses improved, and lengths of stay and the incidence of complications decreased.
Perceptions of foundation dentists on minor oral surgery teaching in dental foundation training
Authors: Ross Jennie , Baker Sarah R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimsThe aim of this service evaluation was to explore the experiences of foundation dentists (FDs) during their dental foundation year (DFT) in the field of oral surgery and surgical extractions.MethodsA phenomenological approach was taken aiming to explore the FDs' experiences through a qualitative design. All FDs in the region deemed eligible for the evaluation were invited to attend a semi‐structured interview or answer a qualitative questionnaire when attending for their exit interview at the completion of DFT. The interviews were then transcribed and thematic analysis was undertaken.Results79 FDs took part in the evaluation, representing 86% of trainees eligible for inclusion. Findings showed that not all FDs had the opportunity to undertake surgical extractions independently during the year. Data was analysed and 4 main themes generated when evaluating FDs' experiences; specific learning encounters, influence of the educational supervisor, supportive learning environment and ready for independent practice.ConclusionsThis evaluation shows that there are a number of factors associated with FDs' experience during DFT, and not all FDs are leaving the training with a positive experience, with a query as to whether they are fulfilling the aims of training to become an "independent practitioner." It poses questions about what can be done to improve future training and what exactly does DFT need to achieve in terms of experience in surgical extractions.
Ecogeographical rules and the macroecology of food webs
Authors: Baiser Benjamin , Gravel Dominique , Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Dunne Jennifer A. , Fahimipour Ashkaan K. , Gilarranz Luis J. , Grochow Joshua A. , Li Daijiang , Martinez Neo D. , McGrew Alicia , Poisot Timothée , Romanuk Tamara N. , Stouffer Daniel B. , Trotta Lauren B. , Valdovinos Fernanda S. , Williams Richard J. , Wood Spencer A. , Yeakel Justin D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimHow do factors such as space, time, climate and other ecological drivers influence food web structure and dynamics? Collections of well‐studied food webs and replicate food webs from the same system that span biogeographical and ecological gradients now enable detailed, quantitative investigation of such questions and help integrate food web ecology and macroecology. Here, we integrate macroecology and food web ecology by focusing on how ecogeographical rules [the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), Bergmann's rule, the island rule and Rapoport's rule] are associated with the architecture of food webs.LocationGlobal.Time periodCurrent.Major taxa studiedAll taxa.MethodsWe discuss the implications of each ecogeographical rule for food webs, present predictions for how food web structure will vary with each rule, assess empirical support where available, and discuss how food webs may influence ecogeographical rules. Finally, we recommend systems and approaches for further advancing this research agenda.ResultsWe derived testable predictions for some ecogeographical rules (e.g. LDG, Rapoport's rule), while for others (e.g., Bergmann's and island rules) it is less clear how we would expect food webs to change over macroecological scales. Based on the LDG, we found weak support for both positive and negative relationships between food chain length and latitude and for increased generality and linkage density at higher latitudes. Based on Rapoport's rule, we found support for the prediction that species turnover in food webs is inversely related to latitude.Main conclusionsThe macroecology of food webs goes beyond traditional approaches to biodiversity at macroecological scales by focusing on trophic interactions among species. The collection of food web data for different types of ecosystems across biogeographical gradients is key to advance this research agenda. Further, considering food web interactions as a selection pressure that drives or disrupts ecogeographical rules has the potential to address both mechanisms of and deviations from these macroecological relationships. For these reasons, further integration of macroecology and food webs will help ecologists better understand the assembly, maintenance and change of ecosystems across space and time.
Comparison between clinical judgment and integrated lung and inferior vena cava ultrasonography for dry weight estimation in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Arun Thomas E. T. , Mohandas M. K. , George Jacob 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroduction:Correct dry weight estimation is very crucial for hemodialysis (HD) patients to maintain euvolemia. Most dialysis centers practice clinical judgment for dry weight estimation, which is subjective and can differ significantly from the actual weight. We designed this study to redefine the clinically estimated dry weight of patients on HD using integrated lung–inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasonography (USG) and compare the symptoms arising due to volume overload and/or volume depletion before and after modifying the dry weight.Methods:Breathlessness and orthostatic giddiness were scored and documented for 2 weeks while patients were on HD based on clinically estimated dry weight and again for 2 weeks after redefining dry weight using lung–IVC USG. New dry weight was defined as the weight of the patient at which the number of B‐lines was <4 on eight site lung USG and IVC collapsibility index was between 50% and 75%.Findings:After redefining the dry weight, 34 patients (group I) had change in dry weight and 40 (group II) had no change. There was 0.21 ± 1.80 reduction in the score for orthostatic giddiness in group I and 0.03 ± 0.16 in group II (P = 0.147). The score for breathlessness during the 24 hours following dialysis reduced by 0.21 ± 0.41 in group I, but did not change in group II (P = 0.003). Score for breathlessness in the predialysis day reduced by 0.56 ± 0.56 in group I and by 0.05 ± 0.22 in group II (P < 0.001).Discussion:Symptoms related to volume overload and depletion were less when HD prescription was based on lung–IVC USG defined dry weight.
Reduced Short‐Latency Afferent Inhibition Indicates Impaired Sensorimotor Integrity During Migraine Attacks
Authors: Alaydin Halil Can , Vuralli Doga , Keceli Yeliz , Can Ezgi , Cengiz Bulent , Bolay Hayrunnisa 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveMigraine attacks disrupt sensory information processing and may also disturb sensorimotor integration. This prospective pilot study aimed to assess the sensorimotor integration and inhibitory circuitry in the sensorimotor cortex using short‐latency afferent inhibition (SAI) paradigm in migraine.MethodsTwenty‐five migraine without aura patients (10 interictal, 5 preictal, 10 ictal) and 16 healthy controls were enrolled. SAI was elicited by combining the right median nerve electrical stimulation and left motor cortical magnetic stimulation at the 21‐millisecond interval. Mean motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude ratio, recorded from right abductor pollicis muscle after single and conditioned stimulations, was calculated as SAI.ResultsAverage MEP inhibition ratio after single and conditioned stimuli in healthy controls was not significantly different from interictal patients (45.1% ± 20.3% vs 44.5% ± 14.75% [P = .93]). However, SAI was significantly reduced during preictal/prodromal (−14.6% ± 42.8% [P = .002]) and ictal/headache (−7.4% ± 31.1% [P = .0001]) periods of migraine compared to healthy controls.ConclusionPronounced decrease in SAI during preictal and ictal periods in migraine was shown for the first time. Instead of inhibition to a conditioned stimulus, facilitation in the sensorimotor cortex was detected both ictally and preictally. Preictal SAI results suggest the presence of increased excitability state several hours prior to the headache phase. This phenomenon could be related to the cortical hyperresponsivity to sensory stimuli and cognitive disturbances accompanying migraine attacks as SAI is modulated by cholinergic activity.
Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase δ is a regulatory T‐cell target in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Lim Ee Lyn , Okkenhaug Klaus 
Published: May 2019

SummaryTumour infiltration by regulatory T (Treg) cells contributes to suppression of the anti‐tumour immune response, which limits the efficacy of immune‐mediated cancer therapies. The phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway has key roles in mediating the function of many immune cell subsets, including Treg cells. Treg function is context‐dependent and depends on input from different cell surface receptors, many of which can activate the PI3K pathway. In this review, we explore how PI3Kδ contributes to signalling through several major immune cell receptors, including the T‐cell receptor and co‐stimulatory receptors such as CD28 and ICOS, but is antagonized by the immune checkpoint receptors CTLA‐4 and PD‐1. Understanding how PI3Kδ inhibition affects Treg signalling events will help to inform how best to use PI3Kδ inhibitors in clinical cancer treatment.
Electrocaloric effect and pyroelectric performance in (K,Na)NbO3‐based lead‐free ceramics
Authors: Yang Junlin , Hao Xihong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe issue of how to achieve an electrocaloric effect (ECE) and pyroelectric effect in a material simultaneously remains to be a challenge for developing practical solid‐state cooling devices and RF‐detectors. Here, we structure a polymorphic phase transition (PPT) region by doping modification in KNN‐based ceramics, which are developed to achieve the ECE. The direct measured ECE and pyroelectric properties are investigated in lead‐free (1‐x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐xBi0.5Na0.5ZrO3 (KNN‐xBNZ) ceramics. The adiabatic temperature change (∆T) of 0.22 K at 100°C, 0.14 K at 70°C and 0.16 K at 30°C can be obtained under an electric field of 35 kV cm–1 for x = 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05, respectively. In addition, the temperature dependence of pyroelectric coefficient (p) is established for all compositions via the Byer‐Roundy method. A large p of 454.46 × 10–4 C m–2 K–1 is detected at Curie temperature (TC) in the ceramics with x = 0.03. Achieving electrocaloric effect and pyroelectric performance simultaneously may shed light and provide a feasible design scheme for developing practically useful electrocaloric and pyroelectric materials.
Doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity is maturation dependent due to the shift from topoisomerase IIα to IIβ in human stem cell derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Cui Ning , Wu Fujian , Lu Wen‐Jing , Bai Rui , Ke Bingbing , Liu Taoyan , Li Lei , Lan Feng , Cui Ming 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX) is widely used to treat various cancers affecting adults and children; however, its clinical application is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Previous studies have shown that children are more susceptible to the cardiotoxic effects of DOX than adults, which may be related to different maturity levels of cardiomyocyte, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Moreover, researchers investigating DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity caused by human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) have shown that dexrazoxane, the recognized cardioprotective drug for treating DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity, does not alleviate the toxicity of DOX on hiPSC‐CMs cultured for 30 days. We have suggested that this may be ascribed to the immaturity of the 30 days hiPSC‐CMs. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of DOX induced cardiotoxicity in cardiomyocytes of different maturity. We selected 30‐day‐old and 60‐day‐old hiPSC‐CMs (day 30 and day 60 groups), which we term ‘immature’ and ‘relatively mature’ hiPSC‐CMs, respectively. The day 30 CMs were found to be more susceptible to DOX than the day 60 CMs. DOX leads to more ROS (reactive oxygen species) production in the day 60 CMs than in the relatively immature group due to increased mitochondria number. Moreover, the day 60 CMs mainly expressed topoisomerase IIβ presented less severe DNA damage, whereas the day 30 CMs dominantly expressed topoisomerase IIα exhibited much more severe DNA damage. These results suggest that immature cardiomyocytes are more sensitive to DOX as a result of a higher concentration of topoisomerase IIα, which leads to more DNA damage.
Short‐ and longer‐term impacts of Child Friendly Space Interventions in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda
Authors: Metzler Janna , Diaconu Karin , Hermosilla Sabrina , Kaijuka Robert , Ebulu George , Savage Kevin , Ager Alastair 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThe establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) has become a widespread intervention targeting protection and support for displaced children in humanitarian contexts. There is a lack of evidence of impact of these interventions with respect to both short‐term outcomes and longer‐term developmental trajectories.MethodsWe collected data from caregivers of Congolese refugee children residing in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement at three timepoints. To assess short‐term impact of CFSs, we compared indicators assessed shortly after refugees’ arrival (baseline, T1) and endline (T2, three to six months after CFS implementation) amongst 430 CFS attenders and 161 nonattenders. Follow‐up assessments after the end of CFS programming were conducted 18 months post‐baseline (T3) with caregivers of 249 previous CFS attenders and 77 CFS nonattenders.ResultsIn the short‐term, attendance at CFSs was associated with better maintenance of psychosocial well‐being (PSWB; β = 2.093, p < .001, Cohen's d = .347) and greater increases in developmental assets (β = 2.517, p < .001, Cohen's d = .231), with significantly stronger impacts for girls. CFS interventions meeting higher programing quality criteria were associated with greater impact on both PSWB and development assets (β = 2.603 vs. β = 1.793 and β = 2.942 vs. β = 2.337 for attenders at higher and lower‐quality CFSs c.f. nonattenders, respectively). Amongst boys, benefits of program attendance were only indicated for those attending higher‐quality CFS (β = 2.084, p = .006 for PSWB). At follow‐up, however, there were no discernable impacts of prior CFS attendance on any measures. Age and school attendance were the only characteristics that predicted an outcome – developmental assets – at follow‐up.ConclusionsAttendance at CFSs – particularly involving higher‐quality programming – supported children's well‐being and development. However, sustained impact beyond active CFS programming was not demonstrated. Intervention goals and strategies in humanitarian contexts need to address the challenge of connecting children to other resources to facilitate developmental progress in conditions of protracted displacement.
Potential for industrial ecology to support healthcare sustainability: Scoping review of a fragmented literature and conceptual framework for future research
Authors: Cimprich Alexander , Santillán‐Saldivar Jair , Thiel Cassandra L. , Sonnemann Guido , Young Steven B. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryHealthcare is a critical service sector with a sizable environmental footprint from both direct activities and the indirect emissions of related products and infrastructure. As in all other sectors, the “inside‐out” environmental impacts of healthcare (e.g., from greenhouse gas emissions, smog‐forming emissions, and acidifying emissions) are harmful to public health. The environmental footprint of healthcare is subject to upward pressure from several factors, including the expansion of healthcare services in developing economies, global population growth, and aging demographics. These factors are compounded by the deployment of increasingly sophisticated medical procedures, equipment, and technologies that are energy‐ and resource‐intensive. From an “outside‐in” perspective, on the other hand, healthcare systems are increasingly susceptible to the effects of climate change, limited resource access, and other external influences. We conducted a comprehensive scoping review of the existing literature on environmental issues and other sustainability aspects in healthcare, based on a representative sample from over 1,700 articles published between 1987 and 2017. To guide our review of this fragmented literature, and to build a conceptual foundation for future research, we developed an industrial ecology framework for healthcare sustainability. Our framework conceptualizes the healthcare sector as comprising “foreground systems” of healthcare service delivery that are dependent on “background product systems.” By mapping the existing literature onto our framework, we highlight largely untapped opportunities for the industrial ecology community to use “top‐down” and “bottom‐up” approaches to build an evidence base for healthcare sustainability.