bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maturation of the human foetal basioccipital: quantifying shape changes in second and third trimesters using elliptic Fourier analysis
Authors: Niel Mélissa , Chaumoître Kathia , Corny Julien , Lalys Loïc , Adalian Pascal 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDuring prenatal development, the brain is considered the best maturation criterion for the estimation of foetal physiological age, regardless of the conditions of pregnancy. Unfortunately, the brain lyses very quickly after death, but fortunately, the brain also has a major influence over osseous structures of the cranial base during development. Therefore, we considered the osseous structures of the cranial base potential indirect maturation indicators of foetal age. Because of its early formation and robustness, the basioccipital is a cranial base bone that is often used for studies in biological anthropology. Studies generally use conventional morphometry and bone size ratio to highlight morphological changes occurring during the foetal period and to create age estimation methods. These methods usually define thresholds beyond which the morphology of the basioccipital changes, but do not fully consider the form that might be valuable precisely to visualize its development or improve age estimation methods. Using geometric morphometric methods, the present study aims to analyse the development of the basioccipital during the second and third trimesters of foetal life by quantifying and visualizing shape changes in the inferior view. Basioccipital shapes are used as direct indicators of the maturation of the cranial base and as indirect indicators of the maturation of the brain and, by extension, the whole body. A sample of 221 anonymized computed tomographic (CT) scans of normal foetuses, ranging from 18 to 41 gestational weeks (GW), was used. Elliptic Fourier analysis (EFA) was used to quantify the basioccipital outline, and maturation stages were established to visualize shape changes with a principal component analysis. Our study allowed us precisely to quantify and continuously visualize shape changes occurring during prenatal life. Additionally, this study provides the first evidence of two distinct linear shape trajectories of the basioccipital. Foetuses aged between 18 and 26GWhave a rapid shape change with well‐individualized stages, whereas shape changes are less visible in the second trajectory (27–41GW). Furthermore, intra‐stage shape variation is higher for the basioccipital at the beginning of the second and third trimesters than at the first trimester. By using geometric morphometric methods andEFA, this study shows that it was possible to go beyond classical methods. Indeed, the developed methodology enabled the first quantification of the overall shape changes of the basioccipital between gestational ages. The morphological shape changes throughout the foetal period can be useful for anthropological studies and provide new perspectives for immature age estimation methods.
Caucasian endemic medicinal and nutraceutical plants: in-vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and bioactive compounds
Authors: Manukyan Artur , Lumlerdkij Natchagorn , Heinrich Michael 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Objectives
In order to assess traditional claims about the therapeutic potential of Caucasian endemic medicinal plants and to select plants for phytochemical research, nine plant species were selected and assessed for their in-vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The metabolite profiles of some priority plants were analysed.

Methods
Antioxidant effects were assessed using the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) system, lipid peroxidation and Folin–Ciocalteu methods. Cytotoxic activities were examined against human liver cancer cells (HepG2) using the Alamar Blue assay. Terpenoids of selected species were analysed by GC and GC-MS. Polyphenols were separated by HPLC.

Key findings
Thymus transcaucasicus, Heracleum transcaucasicum, Ribes armenum, Crataegus armena showed most promising antioxidant activity in ABTS model system. Moreover, Rubus takhtadjanii, C. armena, T. transcaucasicus showed a high level of antioxidant activity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. C. armena and T. transcaucasicus expressed high-to-moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. The main terpenoids and polyphenols of Centaurea hajastana, C. armena and T. transcaucasicus were quantified.

Conclusions
This study provides in-vitro data relevant for assessing the use of Caucasian endemic medicinal plants, most importantly C. armena and T. transcaucasicus as traditional antioxidant supplements and potential anticancer remedies. Metabolite profiles of some lead plants showed the nature of bioactive compounds of medical interest.
Preliminary results on the association with feeding and recovery length in equine colic patients after laparotomy
Authors: Valle Emanuela , Giusto Gessica , Penazzi Livio , Giribaldi Marzia , Bergero Domenico , Fradinho Maria João , Lamas Luís Ressano Garcia P. , Gandini Marco 
Published: April 2019

AbstractColic is a serious disease for horses and the nutritional management of postoperative colic patients is an extremely important field. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the different factors, especially related to nutritional management, that may be associated with recovery length during hospitalization after a surgical intervention for colic, using a multivariate model. Data were collected from the records of horses presented to two hospitals and undergoing surgery for colic. The length (days) of recovery was the outcome of interest and was taken into account as a reference parameter (short, medium, long). The parameters collected (patient details, preoperative clinical and laboratory examinations, postoperative parameters and post‐surgery nutritional parameters) were subjected to multivariate analysis (MCA and PCoA). A ranking class dataset was used to calculate Kendall's tau correlation of the length of recovery with respect to other parameters. Descriptive statistic to identify differences in the recovery length among groups (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's Multiple Comparison Test) was also performed. p value was set at < 0.05. Groups were not different in preoperative clinical parameters (BCS, PCV, total protein), postoperative parameters (time to 1st defecation, time to the end of IV fluid therapy and time to first water drinking, anaesthesia) and patient details (age). The comparison among groups revealed differences on the post‐surgical nutritional parameters. Horses with short recovery consumed higher % of DM as forages in the 24 hr compared with the horses that have a long recovery and reach the minimum DM intake in a shorter period. Both Kendall and MCA analysis confirmed that the time to first feeding had a positive association with the length of recovery. Only 37 horses undergoing colic surgery were included in the study. From a clinical standpoint, this study has shown which nutritional parameters are associated with short recovery.
Correlation Between Reduction Quality of Femoral Neck Fracture and Femoral Head Necrosis Based on Biomechanics
Authors: Wang Ying , Ma Jian‐xiong , Yin Tao , Han Zhe , Cui Shuang‐shuang , Liu Zhi‐peng , Ma Xin‐long 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate the biomechanical effects of reduction quality on patients after femoral neck fracture internal fixation.MethodsThe data of individual patients with femoral neck fractures were reviewed. Data for patients with simple unilateral femoral neck fractures whose reduction quality was evaluated as good by hip X‐ray films after internal fixation were collected from January 2013 to January 2017. The CT data of the patients was used to reconstruct 3D models of the femur and the screw. The spatial displacement after the operation of femoral neck fracture was measured, which included the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea, the displacement of the center of the femoral head, and the rotational angle. The cases were followed up by telephone consultation and clinical review to determine whether the osteonecrosis of the femoral head occurred. Follow‐up time should be more than 18 months after surgery. The cases were grouped according to the results into an osteonecrosis of the femoral head group and a non‐osteonecrosis of the femoral head group. Finally, the differences in postoperative spatial displacement between the two groups were compared and analyzed. In addition, a mechanical analysis of femoral force during gait was performedviafinite element analysis.ResultsData for 241 patients with femoral neck fractures who were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation were collected. 3D measurement showed the average displacement value, including the center of the femoral head (5.90 ± 3.4 mm), the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea (9.32 ± 4.8 mm), and the rotational angle (16.1° ± 9.4°). After telephone consultation and clinical review, osteonecrosis of the femoral head was diagnosed in 28 (11.62%) of the patients. In the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) group, the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea was 10.92 ± 9.18 mm; the displacement was 8.86 ± 6.29 mm in the non‐ONFH group. The displacement of the center of the femoral head in the ONFH group was 7.575 ± 5.69 mm and 5.31 ± 4.05 mm in non‐ONFH group. The rotational angle was 20.11° ± 10.27° in the ONFH group and 14.19° ± 11.09° in the non‐ONFH group. The statistical analysis showed that the postoperative spatial displacements, including the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea, the displacement of the center of the femoral head, and the rotational angle between the two groups, had statistical differences. Finite element analysis showed that as the spatial displacement increased, the stress, the displacement, and the equivalent strain of the proximal femur also increased.ConclusionPoor reduction quality after femoral neck fracture is a risk factor for re‐fracture and femoral head necrosis, and the measurement method of this study can be used to predict the occurrence of femoral head necrosis early after femoral neck fracture.
Molecular detection of WA‐CMS restorers from tropical japonica‐derived lines, their evaluation for fertility restoration and adaptation
Authors: Shidenur Shivakumar , Singh Vikram Jeet , Vinod Kunnummal Kurungara , Gopala Krishnan Subbaiyan , Ghritlahre Surendra Kumar , Bollinedi Haritha , Ellur Ranjith K. , Dixit Brijesh Kumar , Singh Binder , Nagarajan Mariappan , Singh Ashok Kumar , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHybrid rice based on wild‐abortive cytoplasmic male sterility (WA‐CMS) is important in boosting rice production, which requires diverse parents to harness heterosis. For this, exploiting the diversity of japonica through tropical japonica (TRJ) lines is an excellent route. In this study, 310 TRJ‐based new plant type (NPT) lines were developed and evaluated for Rf3 and Rf4 genes. Gene‐based (DRRM‐Rf3‐5 and DRRM‐Rf3‐10) and functional marker (RMS‐SF21‐5) targeted Rf3 locus, while gene‐linked (RM6100) and functional marker (RMS‐PPR9‐1) targeted the Rf4 locus. The frequency of the restorer allele of Rf3 gene was lower when compared to that of Rf4. Combined phenotypic and molecular screening using gene‐based and functional markers identified 42 lines that carried Rf3 and/or Rf4 genes. All the selected lines produced fertile F1s when crossed to a WA‐CMS line, “Pusa 6A”, but with varying levels of spikelet fertility. This is the first report of a marker‐cum‐phenotype‐based restorer selection using TRJ‐derived lines. Multilocation evaluation of these lines at three locations indicated better adaptation for grain yield in some of the lines.
Clinical effectiveness and speed of response of electroconvulsive therapy in treatment‐resistant schizophrenia
Authors: Chan Christopher Yi Wen , Abdin Edimansyah , Seow Esmond , Subramaniam Mythily , Liu Jianlin , Peh Chao Xu , Tor Phern Chern 
Published: April 2019

AimAlthough electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been shown to be efficacious for patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia, there has been limited evidence on the rate of response, cognition, and quality‐of‐life outcomes. The primary aims of the present study were thus to examine the effectiveness and speed of response to ECT in a naturalistic retrospective cohort in patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia.MethodsWe performed a retrospective database analysis. The primary effectiveness outcome was defined as an improvement of ≥40% from pretreatment scores based on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) Psychotic Symptom subscale. Data were included for analysis for all patients with a primary DSM‐5 diagnosis of schizophrenia that was treatment‐resistant and who had had an acute course of ECT initiated for the treatment of schizophrenia between 1 July 2016 and 1 December 2016.ResultsA total of 50 inpatients were included for analysis. The present study revealed that 50% of patients showed at least a 40% reduction in BPRS Psychotic Symptom subscale scores after completion of ECT and that 16.7% of patients responded after the first three sessions, 39.3% after six sessions, 46.4% after nine sessions, and 50% after 12 sessions. The greatest improvement in BPRS scores was between the third and sixth ECT sessions. BPRS scores, Clinical Global Impression, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Global Assessment of Functioning showed significant improvement. There was no significant difference in quality‐of‐life outcomes.ConclusionUtilizing modern techniques in treatment‐resistant schizophrenia, this study demonstrates the real‐world effectiveness and rate of response of patients receiving ECT.
Advances in genetic improvement for salmon and trout aquaculture: the Chilean situation and prospects
Authors: Lhorente Jean P. , Araneda Marcelo , Neira Roberto , Yáñez José M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractGenetic improvement is key to the development of a more efficient aquaculture industry. By 2010, there were 104 breeding programmes for aquaculture species in the world, most of them for fish species. Usually, the breeding goals include traits such as growth rate, disease resistance, maturation and carcass quality. Resistance to specific pathogens has been one of the main objectives of research and development in the genetic improvement programmes of salmonids in Chile and worldwide. In Chile, trait selection has been conducted through the application of selection indexes. New technologies like next generation sequencing and genotyping have helped disentangle the genetic basis and enhance genetic evaluation methods of economically important traits. This work aims to review the advances in genetic improvement for salmon and trout aquaculture with emphasis on the Chilean experience. We focus on the implementation of breeding programmes in the country, definition of breeding objectives, results on genetic parameters and response to selection and incorporation of genomics. Future challenges and opportunities regarding genotype‐by‐environment interactions, climate change and research and development, plus the demonstration of the economic benefit of breeding programmes are also addressed.
Structural racism as the fundamental cause of the academic achievement gap
Authors: Merolla David M. , Jackson Omari 
Published: April 2019

AbstractOver six decades since the Supreme Court ruled that all American children have the right to a high quality education, the academic achievement gap remains an important social problem in the United States. Researchers interested in understanding the achievement gap generally seek to find the mechanisms that can explain why Black students continue to achieve at lower levels than their White counterparts. This research has shown that differences in socioeconomic status, family cultural resources, school quality and racial composition, and bias and prejudice in schools all act as mechanisms that link race to academic achievement. In this paper, we review studies from the past 10 years on the academic achievement gap. We argue that while all of the factors identified in the literature can add insight to how race structures educational achievement, the fundamental cause of the achievement gap is structural racism, a system of social organization that privileges White Americans and disadvantages Americans of color. We argue that acknowledging structural racism as the fundamental cause of the achievement gap can provide a unifying framework for interpreting findings from studies of specific mechanisms link race to academic outcomes.
Social Networks and Coping with Poverty in Rural Areas
Authors: Klärner Andreas , Knabe André 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis article draws attention to the spatial dimensions of poverty and the importance of social networks as coping resources for the rural poor. We analyse data from an explorative, mixed‐methods study conducted in rural and urban areas in north‐eastern Germany, and show that spatial contexts shape poor people's social networks. Our quantitative analyses indicate that compared to the urban networks, the rural networks in our sample are smaller, and include more family members and fewer supportive relationships. Our analysis of qualitative interviews with rural poor people yields a typology of strategies for coping with poverty. It also shows that while social networks represent important resources for coping with poverty in rural areas, the support capacities of these networks are weakened by structural changes, the selective out‐migration of younger and better educated individuals, and by the ageing and shrinking of the population.
Academic medicine: the continuing challenges
Authors: Mashar Meghavi , Kilgour James , Nanapragasam Hannah , Lipworth Sam 
Published: April 2019

SummaryBackgroundNumbers of academic medicine trainees have been declining internationally. Many countries have taken differing approaches to improving recruitment, with some having established pathways. In the UK, the academic foundation programme (AFP) is one such pathway aimed towards those interested in an academic medical career. Variation exists amongst universities with respect to application and success rates. As a group of AFP doctors, we aimed to explore these issues.Numbers of academic medicine trainees have been declining internationallyMethodsWe created and implemented a 1‐day national course, comprising lectures and small group workshops, geared towards informing applicants about the AFP. It was evaluated via pre‐ and post‐course questionnaires using a Likert scale, ranging from 1 to 5.We created and implemented a 1‐day national course, comprising lectures and small group workshops, geared towards informing applicants about the AFPResultsA total of 150 attendees were present from 16 different medical schools; 95% (143/150) of the attendees filled in both questionnaires. Attendees appeared unaware of the stages involved in the application process and felt underprepared. Following the course, learners reported median scores (with interquartile limits) that demonstrated increased overall knowledge, from 2 (1) to 4 (1) (p < 0.01), and increased preparedness, from 2 (1) to 3 (1) (p < 0.01).DiscussionOur findings indicate that recruitment remains challenging, even in countries with established pathways. In the UK, the awareness of these pathways appears to be poor and courses such as ours may remedy that. Further exploration into the most effective methods to increase recruitment is necessary. The effect of institutional disparities in research culture and impact on application success needs investigation. Perhaps medical schools should introduce students to the prospect of academic careers earlier in training. Globally, efforts still need to be concentrated largely towards establishing integrated pathways.
Keep calm and carry on: miRNA biogenesis under stress
Authors: Manavella Pablo A. , Yang Seong W. , Palatnik Javier 
Published: April 2019

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are major post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Their biogenesis relies on the cleavage of longer precursors by a nuclear localized processing machinery. The evolutionary preference of plant miRNAs to silence transcription factors turned these small molecules into key actors during growth and adaptive responses. Furthermore, during their life cycle plants are subject to changes in the environmental conditions surrounding them. In order to face these changes, plants display unique adaptive capacities based on an enormous developmental plasticity, where miRNAs play central roles. Many individual miRNAs have been shown to modulate the plant response to different environmental cues and stresses. In the last few years, increasing evidence has shown that not only individual genes encoding miRNAs but also the miRNA pathway as a whole is subject to regulation in response to external stimulus. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the miRNA pathway. We dissect the pathway to analyze the events leading to the generation of these small RNAs and emphasize the regulation of core components of the miRNA biogenesis machinery.
A Multicountry Study on Nursing Students’ Self‐Perceived Competence and Barriers to Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Labrague Leodoro J. , McEnroe‐Petitte Denise , D'Souza Melba Sheila , Cecily Helen Shaji John , Fronda Dennis C. , Edet Olaide B. , Ibebuike Julia Enang , Venkatesan Latha , Almazan Joseph U. , Al Amri Majid , Mirafuentes Ephraim C. , Cayaban Arcalyd Rose R. , Al Yahyaei Asma , Bin Jumah Jawaher A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundNursing education and training are essential in the attainment of evidence‐based practice (EBP) competence in nursing students. Although there is a growing literature on EBP among nursing students, most of these studies are confined to a single cultural group. Thus, cross‐cultural studies may provide shared global perspectives and theoretical understandings for the advancement of knowledge in this critical area.AimsThis study compared self‐perceived EBP competence among nursing students in four selected countries (India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Oman) as well as perceived barriers to EBP adoption.MethodsA descriptive, cross‐sectional, and comparative survey of 1,383 nursing students from India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Oman participated in the study. The Evidence‐Based Practice Questionnaire (EBP‐COQ) and the BARRIERS scale were used to collect data during the months of January 2016 to August 2017.ResultsCross‐country comparisons revealed significant differences in EBP competence (F = 24.437, p < .001), knowledge (F = 3.621, p = .013), skills (F = 9.527, p < .001), and attitudes (F = 74.412, p < .001) among nursing students. Three variables including nursing students’ gender (β = .301, p < .001), type of institution, (β = −0.339, p = .001), and type of nursing student (β = .321, p < .001) were associated with EBP competence. Barriers to EBP adoption included having no authority to change patient care policies (M = 1.65, SD = 1.05), slow publication of evidence (M = 1.59, SD = 1.01), and paucity of time in the clinical area to implement the evidence (M = 1.59, SD = 1.05).Linking Evidence to ActionBoth academe and hospital administration can play a pivotal role in the successful acquisition of EBP competence in nursing students.