bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Power Rosalie , King Catherine , Muhit Mohammad , Heanoy Eamin , Galea Claire , Jones Cheryl , Badawi Nadia , Khandaker Gulam 
Published: February 2018

AimTo systematically review literature on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents (≤18yo) with cerebral palsy (CP) from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) to identify trends in HRQoL and areas for future research.MethodWe systematically reviewed six key bibliographic databases and two reviewers independently screened results. Peer‐reviewed original articles examining HRQoL of children from LMICs were eligible.ResultsA total of 22 524 papers were identified, of which 16, from eight LMICs, were included. Four measures of HRQoL were used; Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 50 (n=5); Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 and 4.0 (n=4); CP Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (n=4); Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire CP (n=3). Children with CP from LMICs (n=1579; 2–18y) had significantly poorer HRQoL on all instrument dimensions when compared to age‐matched controls (p<0.003) and on all except two dimensions when compared to peers in high‐income countries (p<0.001). Physical well‐being dimensions of HRQoL were poorest overall and associated with impaired motor function.InterpretationResearch to improve HRQoL in LMICs is required and should address all aspects of HRQoL. Future research is recommended to incorporate multi‐respondent assessment, utilize both general and CP‐specific measures of HRQoL, and delineate adolescents as a unique cohort.
What this paper adds

Children with cerebral palsy from low‐ and middle‐income countries are at high risk of poor health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Physical well‐being was poorest dimension of HRQoL and associated with impaired motor function.
How to become larger: ontogenetic basis of among‐population size differences in a moth
Authors: Meister Hendrik , Hämäläinen Henna Reetta , Valdma Daniel , Martverk Merili , Tammaru Toomas 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEvolutionary studies on animal body size have primarily focussed on selective pressures operating during the adult life. In contrast, ontogenetic pathways leading to differently sized adults have received less attention. In the present study, based on a common garden experiment, we report considerable genetic differences in body size among European populations of Ematurga atomaria (L.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). In terms of body mass, the moths from a southern (Georgian) population are twice as large as their northern (Estonian) conspecifics. Detailed monitoring of larval growth schedules revealed that the size difference arises through a longer development period of the Georgian larvae, with no difference in the number of instars. Differential (instantaneous) growth rates of the larvae do not differ between the populations. Eggs and newly hatched larvae are larger in the Georgian population but the difference vanishes in the second instar. The larger size of the Georgian moths is regained through higher relative mass increments during each of the three final instars. Such gradual ‘accumulation of the difference’ confirms the idea about constraints on substantial evolutionary changes in growth patterns within a single instar. The larger Georgian moths were found to be considerably more fecund which implies a strong selection for large female size. It remains unclear which counteracting selective pressures have favored the smaller size of Estonian conspecifics. As the associated difference in egg size appears not to be carried over to larger larval size, the adaptive value of larger eggs is not likely in contributing to the prospective large adult size. The larger eggs of the Georgian population should have an adaptive value per se, or represent a mechanistic consequence of larger maternal body size.
Neural mechanisms of mental schema: a triplet of delta, low beta/spindle and ripple oscillations
Authors: Ohki Takefumi , Takei Yuichi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSchemas are higher‐level knowledge structures that integrate and organise lower‐level representations. As internal templates, schemas are formed according to how events are perceived, interpreted and remembered. Although these higher‐level units are assumed to play a fundamental role in our daily life from an early age, the neuronal basis and mechanisms of schema formation and use remain largely unknown. It is important to elucidate how the brain constructs and maintains these higher‐level units. In order to examine the possible neural underpinnings of schema, we recapitulate previous work and discuss their findings related to schemas as the brain template. We specifically focused on low beta/spindle oscillations, which are assumed to be the key components of schemas, and propose that the brain template is implemented with a triplet of neural oscillations, that is delta, low beta/spindle and ripple oscillations.
The concept of type 2 segmental mosaicism, expanding from dermatology to general medicine
Authors: Happle R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn autosomal dominant skin disorders, the well‐known type 1 segmental mosaicism reflects heterozygosity for a postzygotic new mutation. By contrast, type 2 segmental mosaicism originates in a heterozygous embryo from an early postzygotic mutational event giving rise to loss of the corresponding wild‐type allele, which results in a pronounced segmental involvement being superimposed on the ordinary, non‐segmental phenotype. Today, this concept has been proven by molecular analysis in many cutaneous traits. The purpose of this review was to seek publications of cases suggesting an extracutaneous manifestation of type 2 segmental mosaicism. Case reports documenting a pronounced extracutaneous segmental involvement were collected from the literature available in PubMed and from personal communications to the author. Pertinent cases are compared to the description of cutaneous segmental mosaicism of type 1 or type 2 as reported in a given trait. In total, reports suggesting extracutaneous type 2 segmental mosaicism were found in 14 different autosomal dominant skin disorders. In this way, clinical evidence is accumulated that extracutaneous type 2 segmental mosaicism does likewise occur in many autosomal dominant skin disorders. So far, however, molecular proof of this particular form of mosaicism is lacking. The present review may stimulate readers to inform colleagues of other specialties on this new concept, in order to initiate further research in this particular field of knowledge that has important implications for diagnosis, treatment and genetic counselling.
Safety and efficacy of leukocytapheresis in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis: The impact in steroid‐free elderly patients
Authors: Komoto Shunsuke , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Kobayashi Taku , Yokoyama Yoko , Suzuki Yasuo , Hibi Toshifumi , Miura Soichiro , Hokari Ryota 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackground and AimThe number of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Several new therapies for UC have improved patient outcomes. Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is an extracorporeal therapy for UC. However, its efficacy and safety for elderly UC patients has not been reported.MethodsWe conducted a post hoc analysis of data from a large, prospective, observational study of LCAP, conducted at 116 medical facilities in Japan between May 2010 and December 2012. Of 847 patients included in this analysis, LCAP was used in 75 (8.9%) elderly patients (≥ 65 years) and 772 (91.1%) non‐elderly patients.ResultsThere were no serious adverse events in the elderly, and the rate of adverse events between the non‐elderly and elderly was not different. Overall rate of remission was also not different between the two groups. In patients who were not on concomitant treatment with corticosteroids, the rate of remission was significantly higher in the elderly group than in the non‐elderly group (90.9% [20/22] vs 64.6% [135/209], P = 0.02).ConclusionsReal‐world data demonstrate that the safety and tolerability of LCAP were comparable in the elderly and non‐elderly groups, indicating that it is well tolerated by elderly UC patients.
Auxin polar transport flanking incipient primordium initiates leaf adaxial‐abaxial polarity patterning
Authors: Dong Jiaqiang , Huang Hai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe leaves of most higher plants are polar along their adaxial‐abaxial axis, and the development of the adaxial domain (upper side) and the abaxial domain (lower side) makes the leaf a highly efficient photosynthetic organ. It has been proposed that a hypothetical signal transported from the shoot apical meristem (SAM) to the incipient leaf primordium, or conversely, the plant hormone auxin transported from the leaf primordium to the SAM, initiates leaf adaxial‐abaxial patterning. This hypothetical signal has been referred to as the Sussex signal, because the research of Ian Sussex published in 1951 was the first to imply its existence. Recent results, however, have shown that auxin polar transport flanking the incipient leaf primordium, but not the Sussex signal, is the key to initiate leaf polarity. Here, we review the new findings and integrate them with other recently published results in the field of leaf development, mainly focusing on the early steps of leaf polarity establishment.
Detection of exogenous double‐stranded RNA movement in in vitro peanut plants
Authors: Faustinelli P. C. , Power I. L. , Arias R. S. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

New technologies are needed to eliminate mycotoxins and/or fungal pathogens from agricultural products. RNA interference (RNAi) has shown potential to control fungi associated with crops. In RNAi, double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) targets homologous mRNA for cleavage, and can reach the mRNA of pathogens in contact with the plant. The key element in this process is the movement of RNA signals cell‐to‐cell and over long distances within the plant, and between host plants and parasites.

In this study, we selected a regulatory gene in the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway, aflS/aflR, necessary for the production of aflatoxins in Aspergillus spp. We designed a Dicer‐substrate RNA (DsiRNA) to study the movement and stability of the duplex over time in in vitro peanut plants using stem‐loop primers and RT‐PCR for DsiRNA detection.

The preliminary results demonstrated that DsiRNA was absorbed and moved away from the point of application, spread systemically and was transported rapidly, most likely through the phloem of the shoot, to the sink tissues, such as new auxiliary shoots, flowers and newly formed pegs. The DsiRNA remained detectable for at least 30 days after treatment.

This is the first time that movement of exogenous DsiRNA in in vitro peanut plants has been described. Since DsiRNA was detectable in the pegs 15 days after treatment, aflatoxin reduction may be possible if the duplexes containing part of the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathogen gene induce silencing in the peanut seeds colonised by Aspergillus spp. The application of small RNAs could be a non‐transformative option for mycotoxin contamination control.
Occupational pensions in Europe: Trojan horse of financialization?
Authors: Natali David 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this article is to shed light on the nexus between occupational pensions (OPs) and the financialization of pensions in Europe. In particular, we address the following questions: Has the recent evolution of OPs contributed to the financialization of pension policy? Is the nexus between OPs and financialization the result of the increased influence of financial markets in the pension field? Or of a more complex interaction of state, market, and social actors?By comparing Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, we show financialization is a broad process that affects the three countries, but it has followed three different paths. In Italy, financialization is spreading through individual pension schemes rather than OPs. The Dutch collective OPs are still a central part of the pension systems, but are increasingly influenced by the financial markets. In the United Kingdom, employer‐led OPs are in the hands of the financial services industry.This proves that financialization is a powerful trend, but has to deal with domestic socioeconomic institutions (a country's political economies and pensions institutions) that shape actors' strategies and reforms. Financial actors have an increased role in pension politics, but are involved in complex interactions with the state, employers, and trade unions.
Non‐invasive evaluation of human mucosal structures by multiphoton laser scanning tomography in vitro
Authors: Springer S. , Zieger M. , Hipler U. C. , König K. , Lademann J. , Kaatz M. , Koehler M. J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundMucous membranes may be affected by various diseases and the diagnostic accessibility is limited. Multiphoton laser tomography (MPT) is a useful tool for in vivo evaluation of superficial skin structures and might also be useful for the imaging of mucosa.ObjectivesIn order to investigate the suitability ofMPTfor the evaluation of mucous membranes, tissue samples of different donors and anatomical localizations have been imaged.MethodsHuman mucosa samples from the urinary bladder, palatine tonsil and ocular conjunctiva were investigated byMPTand subsequently compared with conventional histology.ResultsHorizontal images of the epithelium and the underlying connective tissue were obtained using the autofluorescence and second harmonics generation signals byMPT. The stratification of multilayered epithelium was consistently reproduced. Also inflammatory changes like lymphocytic infiltrates and widened intercellular spaces were imaged in some cases.ConclusionMucous tissue samples were obtained andMPTimaging was successfully performed. In the direct comparison with histology of the same tissue samples, the characteristic morphology of the epithelia was found. Further studies are necessary in order to compare images of healthy and diseased mucosal epithelium and the use ofMPTfor its evaluation in vivo.
Impact of 21st Century Cures Act on Breakpoints and Commercial Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Systems: Progress and Pitfalls
Authors: Humphries Romney M. , Ferraro Mary Jane , Hindler Janet A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance is the most pressing medical challenge of the past decade. At the front line are clinical laboratories, which are responsible for accurately reporting antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results to clinicians and public health authorities. The ability of the laboratory to detect resistance has been hampered by several factors. In 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law, marking an important step toward resolving many regulatory dilemmas that hampered development and updates to commercial AST systems (cASTs). We describe the pathway and history of U.S. regulation of cASTs and outline both the rewards and unmet needs possible from the 21st Century Cures Act.
Fungemia Surveillance in Denmark Demonstrates Emergence of Non-albicans Candida Species and Higher Antifungal Usage and Resistance Rates than in Other Nations
Authors: Castanheira Mariana 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Recent changes in the occurrence of fungal species and the difficulties in performing reference antifungal susceptibility testing highlight the importance of surveillance of fungal organisms and antifungal resistance rates. K. M. T. Astvad et al. report results from recent (2012 to 2015) fungemia surveillance in Denmark and compare the results to previous data (2004 to 2011), showing a decrease in
Candida albicans
infections accompanied by an increase in
C. glabrata
and
C. dubliniensis
infections (J Clin Microbiol 56:e01564-17, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01564-17
). Azole resistance among
C. tropicalis
and
C. parapsilosis
isolates and echinocandin resistance in
C. krusei
isolates were higher in Denmark than in other regions. Interestingly, the usage of antifungals is higher in Denmark than in other Nordic countries.
A Polyamide Inhibits Replication of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus by Targeting RNA in the Nucleocapsid
Authors: Gumpper Ryan H. , Li Weike , Castañeda Carlos H. , Scuderi M. José , Bashkin James K. , Luo Ming 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
Polyamides have been shown to bind double-stranded DNA by complementing the curvature of the minor groove and forming various hydrogen bonds with DNA. Several polyamide molecules have been found to have potent antiviral activities against papillomavirus, a double-stranded DNA virus. By analogy, we reason that polyamides may also interact with the structured RNA bound in the nucleocapsid of a negative-strand RNA virus. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was selected as a prototype virus to test this possibility since its genomic RNA encapsidated in the nucleocapsid forms a structure resembling one strand of an A-form RNA duplex. One polyamide molecule, UMSL1011, was found to inhibit infection of VSV. To confirm that the polyamide targeted the nucleocapsid, a nucleocapsid-like particle (NLP) was incubated with UMSL1011. The encapsidated RNA in the polyamide-treated NLP was protected from thermo-release and digestion by RNase A. UMSL1011 also inhibits viral RNA synthesis in the intracellular activity assay for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The crystal structure revealed that UMSL1011 binds the structured RNA in the nucleocapsid. The conclusion of our studies is that the RNA in the nucleocapsid is a viable antiviral target of polyamides. Since the RNA structure in the nucleocapsid is similar in all negative-strand RNA viruses, polyamides may be optimized to target the specific RNA genome of a negative-strand RNA virus, such as respiratory syncytial virus and Ebola virus.

IMPORTANCE
Negative-strand RNA viruses (NSVs) include several life-threatening pathogens, such as rabies virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and Ebola virus. There are no effective antiviral drugs against these viruses. Polyamides offer an exceptional opportunity because they may be optimized to target each NSV. Our studies on vesicular stomatitis virus, an NSV, demonstrated that a polyamide molecule could specifically target the viral RNA in the nucleocapsid and inhibit viral growth. The target specificity of the polyamide molecule was proved by its inhibition of thermo-release and RNA nuclease digestion of the RNA bound in a model nucleocapsid, and a crystal structure of the polyamide inside the nucleocapsid. This encouraging observation provided the proof-of-concept rationale for designing polyamides as antiviral drugs against NSVs.
African Easterly Wave Forecast Verification and Its Relation to Convective Errors within the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Elless Travis J. , Torn Ryan D. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
African easterly waves (AEWs) are the primary synoptic-scale weather feature found in sub-Saharan Africa during boreal summer, yet there have been few studies documenting the performance of operational ensemble prediction systems (EPSs) for these phenomena. Here, AEW forecasts in the 51-member ECMWF EPS are validated against an average of four operational analyses during two periods of enhanced AEW activity (July–September 2007–09 and 2011–13). During 2007–09, AEW position forecasts were mainly underdispersive and characterized by a slow bias, while intensity forecasts were characterized by an overintensification bias, yet the ensemble-mean errors generally matched the forecast uncertainty. Although 2011–13 position forecasts were still underdispersive with a slow bias, the ensemble-mean error is smaller than for 2007–09. In addition, the 2011–13 intensity forecasts were overdispersive and had a negligible intensity bias. Forecasts from 2007 to 2009 were characterized by higher precipitation in the AEW trough center and high correlations between divergence errors and intensity errors, suggesting the intensity bias is associated with errors in convection. By contrast, forecasts from 2011 to 2013 have smaller precipitation biases than those from 2007 to 2009 and exhibit a weaker correlation between divergence errors and intensity errors, suggesting a weaker connection between AEW forecast errors and convective errors.
HIV Positivity per se Does Not Affect Tympanoplasty Outcomes
Authors: Bedri Es-Hak , Bitew Asnake , Redleaf Miriam 
Published: February 2018

Background: The English language literature finds no clear protocols for otologic surgery for HIV+ patients. Objective: To demonstrate that simple tympanoplasty and type III tympanoplasty in HIV+ patients with CD4 >400 cells/cc results in tympanic membrane closures and hearing improvements equivalent to the same procedures in controls. Materials and Methods: This retrospective review documents the otologic conditions and operative results of 32 HIV+ patients and 32 controls. The controls were healthy and had no opportunistic infections or other medications. Results: Genders, ages, sizes of tympanic membrane perforations, severity of air bone gaps, and type of operation were equivalent between the HIV+ and the control groups. Thirty of 32 patients in each group had closure of their perforations after 1 operation. Air bone gaps improved significantly for each group ( P = .001): 22 dB (SD = 11 dB) in the HIV+ group and 26 dB (SD = 10 dB) in the control group. And there was no statistically significant difference in change in hearing between the 2 groups. There were no complications of infection, wound dehiscence, worsened sensorineural levels, dizziness, or facial weakness in either group. Conclusion: HIV+ patients whose CD4 counts are above 400 cells/cc can undergo simple tympanoplasty or type III tympanoplasty with acceptable outcomes.