bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of circulating microRNA‐122 and microRNA‐29a with stage of fibrosis and progression of chronic hepatitis in Labrador Retrievers
Authors: Sakai Manabu , Spee Bart , Grinwis Guy C. M. , Penning Louis C. , van Wolferen Monique E. , van der Laan Luc J. W. , Fieten Hille 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundChronic hepatitis (CH) in dogs is common and has the tendency to progress to liver cirrhosis (LC). Circulating microRNAs might have the potential as markers for disease progression.ObjectivesTo investigate whether concentration of specific microRNAs in serum correlate with the stage and grade of CH in Labrador Retrievers.AnimalsTwenty‐two Labrador Retrievers with histological CH (n = 8), LC (n = 7), and normal liver (NL, n = 7).MethodsIn this retrospective study, serum concentrations of miR‐122, miR‐29a, miR‐133a, miR‐181b, and miR‐17‐5p were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR and evaluated using univariate linear regression in dogs. A multivariate model was fit including the grade of hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis.ResultsOf the 5 microRNAs, only circulating miR‐122 and miR‐29a were significantly associated with the grade of hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis. A positive correlation was identified between the grade of hepatitis with miR‐122 (rs = 0.79, P < .001) and miR‐29a (rs = 0.78, P < .001). Both miR‐122 (rs = 0.81, P < .001) and miR‐29a (rs = 0.67, P < .001) showed a significant positive correlation with the stage of fibrosis. MiR‐122 concentrations were significantly higher in the CH (P < .01) and LC groups (P < .001) compared to the NL group. MiR‐29a concentrations were significantly higher in the CH (P < .001) and LC (P < .001) groups compared to the NL group.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCirculating miR‐122 and miR‐29a concentrations might be useful for monitoring the response to treatment and progression of canine CH.
Grammar Policy and Pedagogy from Primary to Secondary School
Authors: Cushing Ian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractGrammar is a key focus of current UK national curriculum policy, at both primary and secondary school level. But grammar policy across these levels is incongruous: at primary level, policy is largely prescriptive, framing language as a system of constraints and rules, whereas at secondary level, policy is much more geared towards descriptive, functional linguistics. Using data acquired from a survey with 275 secondary English teachers and interviews with 24 secondary English teachers, I critically explore how the incongruity of primary–secondary level grammar policy is impacting upon grammar pedagogy at secondary level. Using a combination of thematic and metaphor analysis, I show how many teachers report secondary students conceptualising grammar as a list of technical terms, with little idea or experience of how to use this knowledge in applications such as critical reading or creative writing. I also show how some secondary teachers were aiming to integrate grammar into their teaching, looking to build and develop on the grammatical knowledge students have from primary level. The data show that teacher and student conceptualisations of grammar are shaped by curriculum policy, and I call for a more coherent and coordinated vision of grammar across primary and secondary level.
Malvinas (Falkland) Plateau structure versus Mjølnir crater: Geophysical workflow template for proposed marine impact craters
Authors: Tsikalas F. , Eldholm O. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA diagnostic geophysical‐based template, supported by modelling, is suggested to be used prior to, or in combination with geological/drilling data, when proposing a marine impact crater. The latter refers to impacts occurring in a marine setting and resulting in structures that are currently partially or totally underwater. The methodology is based on the well‐documented Mjølnir crater in the Barents Sea. The template has been developed in conjunction with the recently proposed and debated impact crater on the Malvinas (Falkland) Plateau in the South Atlantic. Despite their different sizes, their comparison adds to the ambiguous nature of the Malvinas structure and shows that the integrated analysis of seismic and potential field data and modelling is crucial for any interpretation of a marine impact crater without relevant geological information. The proposed workflow template utilizes all available geophysical data and is composed of a series of iterative steps, including a range of alternative nonimpact interpretations that must be discussed and accounted for. Subsequently, further iterative geophysical modelling is required to support and decipher the impact related processes. A more complex impact crater model and additional impact crater features can be resolved by physical property modelling. In all cases, a close spatial correspondence of the defined impact structure with potential field anomalies is a necessity to establish a causal relationship. We suggest that the diagnostic workflow template provides a methodology to be applied to future studies of the Malvinas structure, as well as to proposed marine (and, with minor adaptions, to nonmarine) impact craters in general.
Novel microRNAs are associated with population divergence in transcriptional response to thermal stress in an intertidal copepod
Authors: Graham Allie M. , Barreto Felipe S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe role of gene expression in adaptation to differing thermal environments has been assayed extensively. Yet, in most natural systems, analyses of gene expression reveal only one level of the complexity of regulatory machineries. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs which are key components of many gene regulatory networks, and they play important roles in a variety of cellular pathways by modulating post‐transcriptional quantities of mRNA available for protein synthesis. The characterization of miRNA loci and their regulatory dynamics in nonmodel systems are still largely understudied. In this study, we examine the role of miRNAs in response to high thermal stress in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus. Allopatric populations of this species show varying levels of local adaptation with respect to thermal regimes, and previous studies showed divergence in gene expression between populations from very different thermal environments. We examined the transcriptional response to temperature stress in two populations separated by only 8 km by utilizing RNA‐seq to quantify both mRNA and miRNA levels. Using the currently available genome sequence, we first describe the repertoire of miRNAs in T. californicus and assess the degree to which transcriptional response to temperature stress is governed by miRNA activity. The two populations showed large differences in the number of genes involved, the magnitude of change in commonly used genes and in the number of miRNAs involved in transcriptional modulation during stress. Our results suggest that an increased level of regulatory network complexity may underlie improved survivorship under thermal stress in one of the populations.
Methods to label, image, and analyze the complex structural architectures of microvascular networks
Authors: Corliss Bruce A. , Mathews Corbin , Doty Richard , Rohde Gustavo , Peirce Shayn M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMicrovascular networks play key roles in oxygen transport and nutrient delivery to meet the varied and dynamic metabolic needs of different tissues throughout the body, and their spatial architectures of interconnected blood vessel segments are highly complex. Moreover, functional adaptations of the microcirculation enabled by structural adaptations in microvascular network architecture are required for development, wound healing, and often invoked in disease conditions, including the top eight causes of death in the Unites States. Effective characterization of microvascular network architectures is not only limited by the available techniques to visualize microvessels but also reliant on the available quantitative metrics that accurately delineate between spatial patterns in altered networks. In this review, we survey models used for studying the microvasculature, methods to label and image microvessels, and the metrics and software packages used to quantify microvascular networks. These programs have provided researchers with invaluable tools, yet we estimate that they have collectively attained low adoption rates, possibly due to limitations with basic validation, segmentation performance, and nonstandard sets of quantification metrics. To address these existing constraints, we discuss opportunities to improve effectiveness, rigor, and reproducibility of microvascular network quantification to better serve the current and future needs of microvascular research.
Who Is Being Served At Tables? The Permanent Diaconate Today
Authors: Beck Ashley 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSince Vatican II the restored Permanent Diaconate in the Latin Church has played an increasingly important role in the life of the Catholic Church, particularly in Western Europe and North America. Is there a theology of the diaconate, and if so what are the contentious issues? How far is the diaconate really distinct from the priesthood and the ministry of laypeople? A way forward is to revive the subversive character of διακονία, both in practical pastoral ministry and in serious engagement with Catholic Social Teaching; this necessitates major changes to diaconate formation programmes. A clearly defined diaconate would be able to help the Church renew and reform its understanding of ministry.
Pneumatic dilation improves esophageal emptying and symptoms in patients with idiopathic esophago‐gastric junction outflow obstruction
Authors: Clayton Steven B. , Shin Claire M. , Ewing Alex , Blonski Wojciech , Richter Joel 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsIdiopathic Esophago‐gastric outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is a new clinical entity resulting in delayed esophageal emptying secondary to a poorly relaxing lower esophageal sphincter. Little is known about treatment outcomes of idiopathic EGJOO patients.The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical response of pneumatic dilation (PD) in idiopathic EGJOO patients with a standing barium column and/or with pill arrest on timed barium esophagram (TBE) before and after undergoing PD.MethodsIdiopathic EGJOO patients with retained liquid barium on TBE at 1 minute and/or with pill arrest in esophagus at 5 minutes were included. Patients were treated with PD and evaluated with post‐procedural TBE.ResultsA total of 33 patients with Idiopathic EGJOO and poor esophageal emptying on TBE were treated with PD. 67% of Idiopathic EGJOO patients reported subjective symptom relief, 18% improved and symptoms later recurred, 6% were lost to follow up, and 9% reported no change. TBE results of pre‐PD showed 1 minute average barium column height of 11.0 cm and 1 minute barium column width of 1.7 cm. There was significant decrease in 1 minute liquid barium column height and width (P < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively) as well as significant improvement in pill passing (P < 0.006) after undergoing PD. No complications occurred after PD.ConclusionPD is an effective initial treatment for Idiopathic EGJOO patients with abnormal TBE. Pneumatic dilation relieved symptoms and improved esophageal emptying in Idiopathic EGJOO patients on TBE
MdbHLH93, an apple activator regulating leaf senescence, is regulated by ABA and MdBT2 in antagonistic ways
Authors: An Jian‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Wei , Bi Si‐Qi , You Chun‐Xiang , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Hao Yu‐Jin 
Published: December 2018

Summary

The molecular mechanism of leaf senescence in apple (Malus domestica) is still not fully understood. We used gene expression analysis and protein–protein interactions to decipher the relationships of abscisic acid (ABA) and two proteins, MdbHLH93 and MdBT2, in the senescence process.

We found that MdbHLH93 promoted leaf senescence and the expression of senescence‐related genes, which exhibited similar effects to ABA on leaf senescence. MdbHLH93 activated directly the transcription of MdSAG18.

We also found that an ABA‐responsive protein, MdBT2, interacted directly with MdbHLH93, and induced the ubiquitination and degradation of the MdbHLH93 protein, and thus delayed leaf senescence.

Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory network of leaf senescence through the functional interactions among ABA, MdbHLH93 and MdBT2.
Impaired vascular function in exercising anovulatory premenopausal women is associated with low bone mineral density
Authors: O’Donnell Emma , Scheid Jennifer L. , West Sarah L. , De Souza Mary Jane 
Published: December 2018

In estrogen‐deficient post‐menopausal women, osteoporosis shares a common link with cardiovascular disease risk, including endothelial dysfunction. The current study sought to examine associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and endothelial function in estrogen‐deficient premenopausal women with exercise‐associated menstrual disturbances. Recreationally trained women (24.3 ± 0.8 years; overall mean ± SEM) who were estrogen deficient (amenorrheic or eumenorrheic anovulatory cycles; E2Def; n = 13) or estrogen replete (eumenorrheic ovulatory cycles; E2Rep; n = 14) were studied. Total body and lumbar BMD (L1‐L4) were determined using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Serum markers of oxidative stress (oxidized low‐density lipoprotein; OxLDL), energy deficiency (triiodothyronine), and bone turnover (osteocalcin, c‐telopeptide X, P1NP) were assessed. Estrogen exposure was determined by assessing daily urinary estrone‐3‐glucuronide (E1G) across a monitoring period. Calf blood flow (CBF), an index of endothelial function, was measured using strain‐gauge plethysmography. CBF, total body and L1‐L4 BMD, triiodothyronine and E1G were lower (P < 0.05), and c‐telopeptide crosslinks higher (P < 0.05) in E2Def. Osteocalcin and OxLDL did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. L1‐L4 BMD, osteocalcin, and E1G were the strongest predictors of CBF (R2=0.615, P < 0.001). CBF was the strongest predictor of L1‐L4 BMD (R2=0.478, P < 0.001). L1‐L4 (r = 0.558, P = 0.008) and CBF (r = 0.534, P = 0.004) were independently correlated with E1G. In young recreationally trained premenopausal women with anovulatory menstrual disturbances, low CBF predicts decreased lumbar BMD, suggesting impaired peripheral endothelial function may predict early unfavorable changes in bone metabolism. This finding may be of relevance in the early detection of cardiovascular and bone health decrements in otherwise healthy estrogen‐deficient premenopausal women.
Envisioning a feminist urban ethnography: Structure, culture, and new directions in poverty studies
Authors: Ray Ranita , Tillman Korey 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA “risk” discourse, characterized by the focus on behaviors of the economically marginalized especially as it relates to drugs, gangs, violence, and teen parenthood, has traditionally dominated poverty research in the United States. More recently, this hegemonic risk discourse has become contoured by the so‐called new cultural turn in urban poverty studies, which has been marked as a departure from the earlier “blame the victim” perspectives. In this article, we review the role of urban ethnographers in shaping the structure versus culture debate in the sociology of poverty sub‐discipline. We then point to a scant, but growing, body of work that is encouraging urban ethnographers engaged in poverty research to expand their vision. To conclude, we contend that this new direction can be conceptualized as a feminist urban ethnography frame that advocates for transformation of the poverty research agenda.
Motivation and self‐regulation: The role of want‐to motivation in the processes underlying self‐regulation and self‐control
Authors: Werner Kaitlyn M. , Milyavskaya Marina 
Published: December 2018

AbstractResearch on self‐regulation has largely focused on the idea of effortful self‐control, which assumes that exerting willpower will lead to greater success. However, in recent years, research has challenged this perspective and instead proposes that effortless self‐regulation is more adaptive for long‐term goal pursuit. Taking into consideration the burgeoning literature on effortless self‐regulation, here we propose that motivation—or the reasons why we pursue our goals—plays an integral role in this process. The objective of the present paper is to highlight how motivation can play a role in how self‐regulation unfolds. Specifically, we propose that pursuing goals because you want‐to (vs. have‐to) is associated with better goal attainment as a function of experiencing less temptations and obstacles. While the reason why want‐to motivation relates to experiencing fewer obstacles has yet to be thoroughly explored, here we propose some potential mechanisms drawing from recent research on self‐regulation. We also provide recommendations for future research, highlighting the importance of considering motivation in the study of self‐regulatory processes.
Varicella zoster virus encephalitis in solid organ transplant recipients: Case series and review of literature
Authors: Kang Minji , Aslam Saima 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHerpes zoster encephalitis (HZE) is a rare complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. We report two cases of HZE in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients and review 10 other cases in the literature. In this review, rash was present in 67% of cases. Despite the absence of a rash, high clinical suspicion for HZE is necessary and empiric antiviral therapy should be considered. While with variable outcome, it was associated with high mortality rate of 42%. Prompt initiation of antiviral therapy remains crucial in decreasing morbidity and mortality from this fatal disease.
Susceptible and protective HLA‐DR and HLA‐DQ alleles for Fya alloimmunization in the Croatian population
Authors: Raos Mirela , Zunec Renata , Mocibob Marko , Gojceta Koraljka , Lukic Marija , Golubic Cepulic Branka 
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUNDAlloimmunization is a known risk of transfusion therapy caused by exposure to foreign RBC antigens. However, alloimmunization is not observed in all transfused patients. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules may contribute to the recognition and presentation of foreign antigens and to the potency of immune responses that result in the production of antibodies. The aim of this study was to determine the association of HLA‐DR and HLA‐DQ polymorphisms with alloimunization to Fya antigen in Croatian patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe study was conducted on 70 alloimmunized patients to Fya antigen and two control groups: 165 healthy Croatian individuals (Control 1) and 45 Fya antigen‐negative nonimmunized patients exposed to Fya antigen (Control 2). Phenotype frequencies for HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 alleles were compared between the cases and control groups.RESULTSStatistically significant differences in phenotype frequencies between cases and controls were found for DRB1*04 (odds ratios [ORs], 10.5 and 18.7 for Control 1 and Control 2, respectively), DRB1*15 (ORs, 8.0 and 6.9), and DQB1*02 alleles (ORs, 0.2 and 0.03); and DRB1*04‐DQB1*03:01 (ORs, 7.9 and 17.6), DRB1*04‐DQB1*03:02 (ORs, 5.5 and 7.6), DRB1*15‐DQB1*06:02 (ORs, 7.3 and 5.5), DRB1*03‐DQB1*02:01 (OR, 0.1), and DRB1*07‐DQB1*02:02 (OR, 0.3) haplotypes.CONCLUSIONSeveral HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 alleles and haplotypes were proved to contribute to and protect from alloimmunization to Fya antigens. Alleles DRB1*04 and DRB1*15, as well as haplotypes DRB1*04‐DQB1*03:02 and DRB1*15‐DQB1*06:02 can be considered as risk factors, while allele DQB1*02 and haplotype DRB1*03‐DQB1*02:01 have a protective role in Fya alloimmunization.
Identifying and prioritising systematic review topics with public health stakeholders: A protocol for a modified Delphi study in Switzerland to inform future research agendas
Authors: Hoekstra Dyon , Mütsch Margot , Kien Christina , Gerhardus Ansgar , Lhachimi Stefan K 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionThe Cochrane Collaboration aims to produce relevant and top priority evidence that responds to existing evidence gaps. Hence, research priority setting (RPS) is important to identify which potential research gaps are deemed most important. Moreover, RPS supports future health research to conform both health and health evidence needs. However, studies that are prioritising systematic review topics in public health are surprisingly rare. Therefore, to inform the research agenda of Cochrane Public Health Europe (CPHE), we introduce the protocol of a priority setting study on systematic review topics in several European countries, which is conceptualised as pilot.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a two-round modified Delphi study in Switzerland, incorporating an anonymous web-based questionnaire, to assess which topics should be prioritised for systematic reviews in public health. In the first Delphi round public health stakeholders will suggest relevant assessment criteria and potential priority topics. In the second Delphi round the participants indicate their (dis)agreement to the aggregated results of the first round and rate the potential review topics with the predetermined criteria on a four-point Likert scale. As we invite a wide variety of stakeholders we will compare the results between the different stakeholder groups.Ethics and disseminationWe have received ethical approval from the ethical board of the University of Bremen, Germany (principal investigation is conducted at the University of Bremen) and a certificate of non-objection from the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (fieldwork will be conducted in Switzerland). The results of this study will be further disseminated through peer reviewed publication and will support systematic review author groups (i.a. CPHE) to improve the relevance of the groups´ future review work. Finally, the proposed priority setting study can be used as a framework by other systematic review groups when conducting a priority setting study in a different context.
Dynamic Deadlock Verification for General Barrier Synchronisation
Authors: Cogumbreiro Tiago , Hu Raymond , Martins Francisco , Yoshida Nobuko 
Published: December 2018

We present Armus, a verification tool for dynamically detecting or avoiding barrier deadlocks. The core design of Armus is based on phasers, a generalisation of barriers that supports split-phase synchronisation, dynamic membership, and optional-waits. This allows Armus to handle the key barrier synchronisation patterns found in modern languages and libraries. We implement Armus for X10 and Java, giving the first sound and complete barrier deadlock verification tools in these settings.
Armus introduces a novel event-based graph model of barrier concurrency constraints that distinguishes task-event and event-task dependencies. Decoupling these two kinds of dependencies facilitates the verification of distributed barriers with dynamic membership, a challenging feature of X10. Further, our base graph representation can be dynamically switched between a task-to-task model, Wait-for Graph (WFG), and an event-to-event model, State Graph (SG), to improve the scalability of the analysis.
Formally, we show that the verification is sound and complete with respect to the occurrence of deadlock in our core phaser language, and that switching graph representations preserves the soundness and completeness properties. These results are machine checked with the Coq proof assistant. Practically, we evaluate the runtime overhead of our implementations using three benchmark suites in local and distributed scenarios. Regarding deadlock detection, distributed scenarios show negligible overheads and local scenarios show overheads below 1.15×. Deadlock avoidance is more demanding, and highlights the potential gains from dynamic graph selection. In one benchmark scenario, the runtime overheads vary from 1.8× for dynamic selection, 2.6× for SG-static selection, and 5.9× for WFG-static selection.