bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personalized prediction model for seizure‐free epilepsy with levetiracetam therapy: a retrospective data analysis using support vector machine
Authors: Zhang Jia‐hui , Han Xiong , Zhao Hong‐wei , Zhao Di , Wang Na , Zhao Ting , He Gui‐nv , Zhu Xue‐rui , Zhang Ying , Han Jiu‐yan , Huang Dian‐ling 
Published: July 2018

AimsTo predict the probability of a seizure‐free (SF) state in patients with epilepsy (PWEs) after treatment with levetiracetam and to identify the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) factors that affect outcomes.MethodsRetrospective analysis of PWEs treated with levetiracetam for 3 years identified 22 patients who were SF and 24 who were not. Before starting levetiracetam, 11 clinical factors and four EEG features (sample entropy of α, β, θ, δ) were identified. Overall, 80% of each the two groups were chosen to establish a support vector machine (SVM) model with 5‐fold cross‐validation, hold‐out validation and jack‐knife validation. The other 20% were used to predict the efficacy of levetiracetam. The mean impact value (MIV) algorithm was used to rank the relativity between factors and outcomes.ResultsCompared with SF patients, not SF patients displayed a specific decrease in EEG sample entropy in α band from the F4 channel, β band from Fp2 and F8 channels, θ band from C3 channel (P < 0.05). The SVM model based on the clinical and EEG features yielded 72.2% accuracy of 5‐fold cross‐validation, 75.0% accuracy of jack‐knife validation, 67.7% accuracy of hold‐out validation in the training set and had a high prediction accuracy of 90% in test set (sensitivity was 100%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96). The feature of β band from Fp2 weighs heavily in the prediction model according to the mean impact value algorithm.ConclusionsThe efficacy of levetiracetam on newly diagnosed PWEs could be predicted using an SVM model, which could guide antiepileptic drug selection.
A comprehensive analysis of Lymphoma‐associated haemophagocytic syndrome in a large French multicentre cohort detects some clues to improve prognosis
Authors: Bigenwald Camille , Fardet Laurence , Coppo Paul , Meignin Véronique , Lazure Thierry , Fabiani Bettina , Kohn Milena , Oksenhendler Eric , Boutboul David , Uzzan Mathieu , Lambotte Olivier , Galicier Lionel 
Published: July 2018

SummaryLymphoma‐associated haemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) accounts for most cases of secondary haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) and has been extensively described in Asian populations. However, little is known about the epidemiology of LAHS in Western countries. We herein report a case series of 71 LAHS patients in which the lymphomas were mainly of the aggressive type. Diagnoses included non‐Hodgkin B cell lymphoma (46·5%) including human herpes virus 8‐associated non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (12·7%), T cell lymphoma (28·2%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (23·9%). An underlying immunodeficiency was described in 30 patients (42·3%). Early mortality within the 30 days following HS diagnosis was observed in 26·8% of cases. The overall survival was estimated at 45·7% [95% confidence interval, CI (35·4–59·0)] at 6 months, and 34·3% [95% CI (24·8–47·4)] at 2 years. Concurrent infection, age over 50 years, ethnicity and etoposide treatment were independently associated with mortality. While it appears that certain types of lymphomas were more prone to trigger HS, LAHS were not restricted to a few types of lymphoma. The overall prognosis was poor, with a particularly high rate of early mortality, highlighting the importance of both early recognition and choice of initial therapeutic management.
Associations between maternal responsive linguistic input and child language performance at age 4 in a community‐based sample of slow‐to‐talk toddlers
Authors: Levickis Penny , Reilly Sheena , Girolametto Luigi , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Wake Melissa 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn a community sample of slow‐to‐talk toddlers, we aimed to (a) quantify how well maternal responsive behaviors at age 2 years predict language ability at age 4 and (b) examine whether maternal responsive behaviors more accurately predict low language status at age 4 than does expressive vocabulary measured at age 2 years.Design or MethodsProspective community‐based longitudinal study. At child age 18 months, 1,138 parents completed a 100‐word expressive vocabulary checklist within a population survey; 251 (22.1%) children scored ≤20th percentile and were eligible for the current study. Potential predictors at 2 years were (a) responsive language behaviors derived from videotaped parent–child free‐play samples and (b) late‐talker status. Outcomes were (a) Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals—Preschool Second Edition receptive and expressive language standard score at 4 years and (b) low language status (standard score > 1.25 standard deviations below the mean on expressive or receptive language).ResultsTwo hundred eight (82.9% of 251) participants were retained to age 4. In adjusted linear regression analyses, maternal expansions predicted higher receptive (p < 0.001, partial R2 = 6.5%) and expressive (p < 0.001, partial R2 = 7.7%), whereas labels predicted lower receptive (p = 0.01, partial R2 = 2.8%) and expressive (p = 0.007, partial R2 = 3.5%) language scores at 4. The logistic regression model containing only responsive behaviors achieved “fair” predictive ability of low language status at age 4 (area under curve [AUC] = 0.79), slightly better than the model containing only late‐talker status (AUC = 0.74). This improved to “good” predictive ability with inclusion of other known risk factors (AUC = 0.82).ConclusionA combination of short measures of different dimensions, such as parent responsive behaviors, in addition to a child's earlier language skills increases the ability to predict language outcomes at age 4 to a precision that is approaching clinical value. Research to further enhance predictive values should be a priority, enabling health professionals to identify which slow‐to‐talk toddlers most likely will or will not experience later poorer language.
Enhanced TLR2 responses in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Fujiwara M , Anstadt E J , Flynn B , Morse K , Ng C , Paczkowski P , Zhou J , Mackay S , Wasko N , Nichols F , Clark R B 
Published: July 2018

Summary
The roles of the microbiome and innate immunity in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. We have previously documented abnormally low levels of a microbiome-derived Toll-like receptor (TLR)2-stimulating bacterial lipid in the blood of MS patients and postulated that this is indicative of a deficiency in the innate immune regulating function of the microbiome in MS. We postulated further that the resulting enhanced TLR2 responsiveness plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS. As proof-of-concept, we reported that decreasing systemic TLR2 responsiveness by administering very low-dose TLR2 ligands attenuated significantly the mouse model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Studies of Toll-like receptor responses in patients with MS have been conflicting. Importantly, most of these investigations have focused on the response to TLR4 ligation and few have characterized TLR2 responses in MS. In the present study, our goal was to characterize TLR2 responses of MS patients using multiple approaches. Studying a total of 26 MS patients and 32 healthy controls, we now document for the first time that a large fraction of MS patients (50%) demonstrate enhanced responsiveness to TLR2 stimulation. Interestingly, the enhanced TLR2 responders include a significant fraction of those with progressive forms of MS, a subset of patients considered unresponsive to adaptive immune system-targeting therapies. Our results suggest the presence of a pathologically relevant TLR2 related innate immune abnormality in patients with both relapsing–remitting and progressive MS. These findings may have significant implications for understanding the role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of MS.
Nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma: A novel predictive factor for metabolic syndrome
Authors: Ribeiro Cavalari Emanuela M. , de Paula Marcela P. , Arruda Mariana , Carraro Nathália , Martins Arthur , de Souza Kamila , Coelho Maria C. , de Oliveira e Silva de Morais Nathalie Anne , Moraes Aline B. , Vieira Neto Leonardo 
Published: July 2018

SummaryContextAlthough metabolic syndrome has been studied in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion, there are limited data for those with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI).ObjectiveTo assess metabolic syndrome frequency in NFAI patients and controls without adrenal adenoma according to World Health Organization (WHO), National Cholesterol Education Program‐Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP‐ATP III), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.DesignRetrospective and transversal study.PatientsSeventy‐four NFAI and 90 controls were evaluated. NFAI diagnosis was established according to current guidelines. The control group was selected based on normal adrenal imaging examinations.MeasurementsSubjects were categorized by metabolic syndrome presence according to WHO, NCEP‐ATP III, AACE/ACE and IDF.ResultsAge, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, menopause, statin and fibrate use were comparable between patients and controls. The frequency of prediabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension as well as waist circumference were significantly higher in the NFAI patients compared to the controls. The metabolic syndrome frequency in the NFAI group was significantly higher compared to the normal adrenal group: WHO: 69.2% × 31.0% (P < 0.001); NCEP‐ATP III: 81.7% × 44.9% (P < 0.001); AACE/ACE: 77.1% × 31.9% (P < 0.001); IDF: 78.6% × 45.5% (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that NFAI was a predictor of metabolic syndrome according to WHO (P = 0.001), NCEP‐ATP III (P = 0.005) and AACE/ACE (P = 0.007).ConclusionsMetabolic syndrome is frequently found in patients with NFAI, and this frequency is higher in NFAI patients than in those with normal adrenal imaging.
Spontaneous activities in baroreflex afferent pathway contribute dominant role in parasympathetic neurocontrol of blood pressure regulation
Authors: Xu Wen‐Xiao , Yu Jin‐Ling , Feng Yan , Yan Qiu‐Xin , Li Xin‐Yu , Li Ying , Liu Zhuo , Wang Di , Sun Xun , Li Ke‐Xin , Wang Lu‐Qi , Qiao Guo‐Fen , Li Bai‐Yan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimTo study the dominant role of parasympathetic inputs at cellular level of baroreflex afferent pathway and underlying mechanism in neurocontrol of blood pressure regulation.MethodsWhole‐cell patch‐clamp and animal study were conducted.ResultsFor the first time, we demonstrated the spontaneous activities from resting membrane potential in myelinated A‐ and Ah‐type baroreceptor neurons (BRNs, the 1st‐order), but not in unmyelinated C‐types, using vagus‐nodose slice of adult female rats. These data were further supported by the notion that the spontaneous synaptic currents could only be seen in the pharmacologically and electrophysiologically defined myelinated A‐ and Ah‐type baroreceptive neurons (the 2nd‐order) of NTS using brainstem slice of adult female rats. The greater frequency and the larger amplitude of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) compared with the inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were only observed in Ah‐types. The ratio of EPSCs:IPSCs was estimated at 3:1 and higher. These results confirmed that the afferent‐specific spontaneous activities were generated from baroreflex afferent pathway in female‐specific subpopulation of myelinated Ah‐type BRNs in nodose and baroreceptive neurons in NTS, which provided a novel insight into the dominant role of sex‐specific baroreflex‐evoked parasympathetic drives in retaining a stable and lower blood pressure status in healthy subjects, particularly in females.ConclusionThe data from current investigations establish a new concept for the role of Ah‐type baroreceptor/baroreceptive neurons in controlling blood pressure stability and provide a new pathway for pharmacological intervention for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Research methods and reporting practices in zoo and aquarium conservation‐education evaluation
Authors: Mellish Sarah , Ryan Jillian C. , Pearson Elissa L. , Tuckey Michelle R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractZoos and aquariums are increasingly incorporating conservation education into their mission statements and visitor experiences to address global biodiversity loss. To advance knowledge and practice in the field, research is being conducted to evaluate the effect of zoo conservation‐education experiences on visitor psychosocial outcomes (e.g., knowledge, attitude, emotions, motivations, behavior). Following recent discussions among scholars and practitioners concerning logistical and methodological challenges that likely undermine the conclusions of such research, we identified and reviewed the methods and reporting practices in peer‐reviewed articles published in English from May 1998 to June 2016 that focused on adult visitor samples (47 articles, 48 studies). We examined elements of internal, external, construct, and statistical conclusion validity. Methodological quality of quantitative methods and reporting practices was determined using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Each study was coded as either strong (no weak ratings), moderate (1 weak rating), or weak (≥2 weak ratings). The quantitative methods of 83.3% of studies were weak. The remaining 16.7% had methods of moderate quality. Using an existing checklist, we also assessed the quality and rigor of qualitative methods and reporting practices and found that some aspects of these methods were reported more comprehensively than others. For example, 69.6% of articles discussed methods for identifying key themes from the data, whereas only 34.8% reported how data verification was performed. We suggest increased application of intensive longitudinal methods (e.g., daily diary) to strengthen self‐reported data, experimental and repeated‐measures designs, and mixed‐methods approaches. Our findings and recommendations could strengthen and guide the research and evaluation agenda for the field and ultimately enhance the contribution zoos make to global biodiversity conservation.
The role of mean platelet volume in the early detection of acute bronchiolitis: A prospective study
Authors: Gökçe Şule , Kurugöl Zafer , Suner Aslı 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroduction and objectiveAcute bronchiolitis might be associated with morbidity and mortality in infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in the prediction of acute bronchiolitis.MethodOne hundred and eighty‐four of these infants were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis and 100 were healthy children. The ability of MPV, C‐reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, and lymphocyte values to predict all bronchiolitis groups and the control group was examined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and their respective areas under the curves (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsPatients with acute bronchiolitis had higher MPVs than their healthy counterparts (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference statistically significant in MPVs among all bronchiolitis groups (P = 0.239). ROC curve analysis suggested that MPV level cut‐off point for making the prediction of acute bronchiolitis was 6.0 fL, with a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 28%, respectively. Our results clearly indicated that AUCs for the MPV, CRP, WBC, and lymphocyte were statistically significant for bronchiolitis groups versus the control group. However, AUC values for MPV were the lowest.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the MPV might be a predictive value for the diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis. However, the predictive capacity of the CRP is better than that of others. Observational studies with a larger group to evaluate the clinical significance of MPV are necessary to predict acute bronchiolitis.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level in plasma and kidney tissue in HCV antibody‐positive donors: Quantitative comparison
Authors: Shike Hiroko , Kadry Zakiyah , Imamura‐Kawasawa Yuka , Greene Wallace , Riley Thomas , Nathan Howard M. , Hasz Rick D. , Jain Ashokkumar 
Published: July 2018

AbstractKidney transplant from donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody has been limited to HCV viremic recipients only, due to concern of the HCV transmission. However, the new antiviral medications provide an opportunity to expand the utilization of these donors. To study the risk of HCV transmission in kidney transplantation, we used discarded donor kidneys and determined HCV RNA levels by quantitative real‐time PCR in bilateral (right and left) kidney biopsies and plasma from 14 HCV antibody‐positive donors (sensitivity: 15 international unit (IU)/mL plasma; 1.8 IU/50 nL kidney). In three NAT‐negative donors, HCV RNA was negative in plasma and kidney. In all 11 NAT‐positive donors, HCV RNA was positive in plasma (range: 5807‐19 134 177 IU/mL) but negative in six kidneys from four donors with plasma HCV RNA <1.5 million IU/μL. HCV RNA correlated between right and left kidneys (P = 0.75) and between kidney and plasma (r = 0.86). When normalized by volume, HCV RNA median (range) was 49 (0‐957) IU/50 nL plasma and 1.0 (0‐103) IU/50 nL kidney, significantly lower in kidney (P = 0.005) than in plasma (14‐fold). Plasma HCV RNA can be used to predict the kidney HCV load. Future studies are needed if plasma/kidney HCV levels can be used to stratify donors for transmission risk and recipients for post‐transplant management in extended utilization of HCV antibody‐positive donors.
Divergent geographic patterns of genetic diversity among wild bees: Conservation implications
Authors: Lecocq Thomas , Michez Denis , Gérard Maxence , Vereecken Nicolas J. , Delangre Jessica , Rasmont Pierre , Vray Sarah , Dufrêne Marc , Mardulyn Patrick , Dellicour Simon 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimGenetic diversity is a key factor to species survival. This diversity is unevenly distributed across the species range, delimiting genetic diversity hotspots (GDH). Focusing conservation efforts on regions whereGDHof several species overlap (i.e., multispeciesGDH) could rationalize conservation efforts by protecting several taxa in one go. However, recent studies suggest the existence of many species‐specificGDH. This would make spatially prioritizing protection even more challenging as it requires the integration of these multipleGDHrather than few hotspots into conservation planning. Here, we characterizeGDHof nine co‐distributed bee species through an original comparative mapping approach to assess the suitability of a spatial prioritization strategy to protect their genetic diversity.LocationWe studied bee populations from Europe.MethodsFirst, we used a sliding window approach to estimate the nucleotide diversity and its geographic distribution to highlightGDHof each species. Second, we assessed the overlap ofGDHbetween species by generating consensus maps based on the species‐specific maps of nucleotide diversity. Third, we used theGDHdistribution patterns to identify the extent of cost‐effective area network that would be needed to protect genetic diversity of all nine species.ResultsGenetic diversity was unevenly distributed across species ranges, but we found no evidence of a large overlap amongGDHfrom all species. Cost‐effective area network needed to protect genetic diversity of all species spreads over several large geographic areas including regions under high human development pressures.Main conclusionsGenetic diversity hotspots' location is species‐specific. Therefore, focusing conservation efforts strictly on the few regions harbouringGDHfor many bee species is unlikely to be sufficient to ensure long‐term persistence of all species. Conservation actions should be implemented simultaneously in different regions according to a complementary‐based conservation approach, to optimize the conservation of all bee diversity.
The evolution of female labour force participation in urban China
Authors: Chen Xi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractStarting from the late 1980s, despite rapid economic growth, female labour force participation in urban China has shown a general declining trend. Using repeated cross‐sections from the Chinese Household Income Project Series (CHIP), this paper attempts to systematically relate the decrease in the labour force participation of married women to the socio‐economic changes happening in urban China during the same period of time. Adopting both linear and nonlinear decomposition techniques, the results indicate that the changes in married women's labour force participation during the periods 1995–2002 and 2007–2013 can be explained by the concurrent changes in the distribution of socio‐economic variables, while the changes during the periods 1988–1995 and 2002–2007 are mostly driven by the leftward shift of married women's participation function.
Investigating an errorless learning approach for developing dental operative technique skills: A pilot study
Authors: Winning Tracey , Malhotra Neha , Masters Rich S.W. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionExplicit instruction (conscious knowledge/rules) is generally used for learning dental operative skills; however, recent work has demonstrated advantages of learning skills implicitly with minimal accrual of conscious knowledge and reduced attentional demands. Therefore, this study examined the effects of learning handpiece manipulation skills explicitly (errorful) and implicitly (errorless: limited error detection/correction) under conditions of increased attentional demands (ie multitasking and additional instructions).Materials and MethodsNon‐dental university students were randomly assigned to errorless (n = 11) or errorful (n = 8) groups. They used pencil lead instead of a bur, with errorless learners shading shapes from simple (small circle) to complex (cross), while errorful learners shaded the shapes in reverse. During testing, they completed simulated cavities in baseline, additional instructions and multitask conditions. Learning performance was calculated as per cent of the shape shaded successfully. Test performance was computed as error in cavity length/depth and was compared with dental students who had completed their operative technique course (n = 14).ResultsErrorless learners were more accurate than errorful learners especially when shading difficult shapes (P = 0.042). With additional instructions, errorless and errorful learners did not differ in cavity depth (P = 0.057) or length (P = 0.540). When multitasking, errorless learners prepared the cavity length (P = 0.048) but not depth (P = 0.920) more accurately than errorful learners. Overall, performance of errorless learners was comparable to dental students.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest handpiece skills can be acquired implicitly via errorless learning, and it is less attentionally demanding than errorful learning, as evident by maintenance of preparation performance when processing additional relevant instructions and multitasking.