bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Herbivore‐induced rice resistance against rice blast mediated by salicylic acid
Authors: Zhang Kai‐Li , Liu Qing‐Song , Kang Hou‐Xiang , Liu Xiao‐Mei , Chen Xiu‐Ping , Peng Yu‐Fa , Li Yun‐He 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn agro‐ecosystems, plants are important mediators of interactions between their associated herbivorous insects and microbes, and any change in plants induced by one species may lead to cascading effects on interactions with other species. Often, such effects are regulated by phytohormones such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Here, we investigated the tripartite interactions among rice plants, three insect herbivores (Chilo suppressalis, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis or Nilaparvata lugens), and the causal agent of rice blast disease, the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. We found that pre‐infestation of rice by C. suppressalis or N. lugens but not by C. medinalis conferred resistance to M. oryzae. For C. suppressalis and N. lugens, insect infestation without fungal inoculation induced the accumulation of both JA and SA in rice leaves. In contrast, infestation by C. medinalis increased JA levels but reduced SA levels. The exogenous application of SA but not of JA conferred resistance against M. oryzae. These results suggest that pre‐infestation by C. suppressalis or N. lugens conferred resistance against M. oryzae by increasing SA accumulation. These findings enhance our understanding of the interactions among rice plant, insects and pathogens, and provide valuable information for developing an ecologically sound strategy for controlling rice blast.
Business strategies and annual report readability
Authors: Habib Ahsan , Hasan Mostafa Monzur 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the association between firm‐level business strategy and the readability of narrative disclosures in annual reports. As business strategy affects the information environment and financial performance of firms, we expect the readability of narrative disclosures to vary with the particular business strategy that a firm pursues. In accord with this expectation, we find that firms with prospector‐type business strategies produce less readable narratives, while those with defender‐type business strategies produce more readable narratives. We also document that the association between strategy and readability is partially mediated by organisational performance, although the mediation effect is rather modest. These findings are robust when subjected to a series of sensitivity tests.
Education and health care provision in the Romanian Danube Valley: Territorial disparities
Authors: Damian Nicoleta , Mocanu Irena , Mitrică Bianca 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Romanian Danube Valley is an integral part of the Danube Region. According to the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), a healthy and well‐educated population is the key issue for sustainable and coherent development of this territory. This paper aims to explore, at micro‐scale level (Local Administrative Units 2 – LAU2), the population's responsivity to health care and education provision according to the demographic characteristics. By using the official statistical data available at a local level and the results provided by the TEMPO‐Online time‐series published by the National Institute of Statistics in 2015, the study assesses current education and health care provision in the Romanian Danube Valley, following the micro‐scale responsivity of the population. The authors have selected some specific statistical indicators in order to highlight education and health care provision and the population's responsivity. The indicators are normalised and gathered in the Education and Health Care Provision Index and the Education and Health Care Responsivity Index. This study shows that the majority of the Danubian LAU2 registered more users of the education and health care services than being available along the Valley. It also highlights the interrelation between low education and health care provision level and poor social and economic opportunities, and therefore the loss of market efficiency, marginalising some groups and reinforcing existing inequalities.
The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids
Authors: Lucas Catherine J. , Galettis Peter , Schneider Jennifer 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThere is increasing interest in the use of cannabinoids for disease and symptom management, but limited information available regarding their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to guide prescribers. Cannabis medicines contain a wide variety of chemical compounds, including the cannabinoids delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is psychoactive, and the nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis use is associated with both pathological and behavioural toxicity and, accordingly, is contraindicated in the context of significant psychiatric, cardiovascular, renal or hepatic illness. The pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids and the effects observed depend on the formulation and route of administration, which should be tailored to individual patient requirements. As both THC and CBD are hepatically metabolized, the potential exists for pharmacokinetic drug interactions via inhibition or induction of enzymes or transporters. An important example is the CBD‐mediated inhibition of clobazam metabolism. Pharmacodynamic interactions may occur if cannabis is administered with other central nervous system depressant drugs, and cardiac toxicity may occur via additive hypertension and tachycardia with sympathomimetic agents. More vulnerable populations, such as older patients, may benefit from the potential symptomatic and palliative benefits of cannabinoids but are at increased risk of adverse effects. The limited availability of applicable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information highlights the need to initiate prescribing cannabis medicines using a ʻstart low and go slowʼ approach, carefully observing the patient for desired and adverse effects. Further clinical studies in the actual patient populations for whom prescribing may be considered are needed, to derive a better understanding of these drugs and enhance safe and optimal prescribing.
Influence of initial mathematical competencies on the effectiveness of a classroom‐based intervention
Authors: Cueli Marisol , Areces Débora , García Trinidad , Rodríguez Celestino , Vallejo Guillermo , González‐Castro Paloma 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundStudents commonly struggle with mathematics and mathematical problem‐solving. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement interventions aimed at improving these essential components of learning. Furthermore, the outcomes of these interventions can vary significantly and appear to be a function of a student's initial competencies in mathematics.AimThis study attempts to analyse the influence of initial levels of mathematics competency with respect to the benefits of a specific intervention known as the Integrated Dynamic Representation (IDR).SampleParticipants were 288 students (aged 6–8 years) who were divided according to their levels of mathematics competency (low–medium–high).MethodsStudents were assigned to the two primary intervention groups, experimental group (EG; students who received the IDR intervention) and control group (CG; students who followed the traditional instructional methods). All participants completed the Test of Early Mathematics Abilities (TEMA‐3) both before and after the intervention.Results and conclusionsAlthough all the three competency levels of the EG improved, the progression was different for each level. Results showed that students with low competency level improved substantially more than the students with medium and/or high baseline competency level.
Developing and testing a web‐based intervention to encourage early help‐seeking in people with symptoms associated with lung cancer
Authors: Mueller Julia , Davies Alan , Jay Caroline , Harper Simon , Blackhall Fiona , Summers Yvonne , Harle Amelie , Todd Chris 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo detail the development method used to produce an online, tailored, theory‐based, user‐centred intervention to encourage help‐seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms.DesignIntervention development was structured around the person‐based approach. The feasibility study involved a randomized controlled trial design.MethodsIntervention development drew on qualitative inquiries, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and identifying concrete mechanisms of change to implement in the intervention (Behaviour Change Techniques). The final intervention involved two key features: (1) tailoring and (2) ‘TPB components’ to target beliefs about help‐seeking. In an online feasibility study, we recruited people reporting potential lung cancer symptoms using mailing lists, social media, websites, and Google AdWords. Participants were randomized to the intervention, a tailored comparison group (CG) without TPB‐components, an untailored CG with TPB components, or a CG with neither. Following treatment, participants clicked a button to indicate whether they wished to make an appointment and completed a TPB questionnaire.ResultsA total of 130 participants reporting relevant symptoms were recruited (24% of website visitors). Participants in the intervention group reported higher intention to seek help than those who received tailored information without TPB components (p = .03). User comments indicate more support is needed for people who sought help for symptoms, but felt dismissed.ConclusionsThe potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration. Future help‐seeking interventions should provide support for those who have previously felt dismissed by health professionals. The feasibility study provides some evidence that our ‘TPB components’ were effective, but validation in a powered trial is necessary.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

People with lung cancer often delay presenting symptoms to health services.

Some patients (or their family/friends) look up symptoms online before their diagnosis, to decide whether they should see a doctor.

Interventions are needed to ensure people can find useful information online that will encourage them to seek help for relevant symptoms.

What does this study add?

Theory‐mapping and user involvement facilitated systematic intervention development.

Lung cancer help‐seeking interventions should address salient beliefs and personal relevance.

The potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration.
Cost‐effectiveness of aprepitant in Japanese patients treated with cisplatin‐containing highly emetogenic chemotherapy
Authors: Tsukiyama Ikuto , Hasegawa Shiori , Ikeda Yoshiaki , Takeuchi Masayuki , Tsukiyama Sumiyo , Kurose Yusuke , Ejiri Masayuki , Sakuma Masaki , Saito Hiroko , Arakawa Ichiro , Inoue Tadao , Yamaguchi Etsuro , Kubo Akihito 
Published: July 2018

Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains a major adverse event in cancer chemotherapy. Although aprepitant is effective in preventing CINV, an increment in financial burden for uniform use of aprepitant is a concern. The aim of the present study was to define the cost‐effectiveness of aprepitant from the perspective of the Japanese National Health Insurance system. Based on the results of a randomized phase II trial comparing an aprepitant‐containing regimen versus a nonaprepitant regimen in Japanese patients who received cisplatin‐containing highly emetogenic chemotherapy, a decision analytic model was developed. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated both in the outpatient care setting (OCS) and in the inpatient care setting (ICS). The use of the aprepitant‐containing regimen was associated with improved quality of life compared with the nonaprepitant regimen, with an increment in quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) of 0.0016. The incremental total medical costs associated with the use of the aprepitant regimen were lower in the OCS than in the ICS, 6192 JPY (56.92 USD) and 9820 JPY (90.27 USD), respectively. The ICER was calculated as 3 906 698 JPY (35 910 USD) per QALY gained in the OCS and 6 195 781 JPY (56 952 USD) per QALY gained in the ICS. Cost‐effectiveness of the aprepitant‐containing antiemetic therapy was limited to the OCS, considering the threshold of willingness‐to‐pay commonly accepted (5 million JPY [45 960 USD] in Japan and 50 000 USD in the USA). The efficacy of aprepitant offsets the costs for revisiting clinics or rehospitalization added with rescue medications in the OCS.
Population pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous C1‐inhibitor for prevention of attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema
Authors: Pawaskar Dipti , Tortorici Michael A. , Zuraw Bruce , Craig Timothy , Cicardi Marco , Longhurst Hilary , Li H. Henry , Lumry William R. , Martinez‐Saguer Inmaculada , Jacobs Joshua , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Riedl Marc A. , Katelaris Constance H. , Keith Paul K. , Feussner Annette , Sidhu Jagdev 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundLong‐term prophylaxis with subcutaneous (SC) administration of a highly concentrated plasma‐derived C1‐esterase inhibitor (C1‐INH) formulation was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for hereditary angioedema (HAE) attack prevention.ObjectiveTo characterize the population pharmacokinetics of C1‐INH (SC) (HAEGARDA®; CSL Behring) in healthy volunteers and HAE patients, and assess the variability and influence of covariates on pharmacokinetics.MethodsC1‐INH functional activity data obtained after administration of various C1‐INH (intravenous; IV) and C1‐INH (SC) doses from 1 study in healthy volunteers (n = 16) and 2 studies in subjects with HAE (n = 108) were pooled to develop a population pharmacokinetic model (NONMEM v7.2). Pharmacokinetic parameters derived from steady‐state simulations based on the final model were also evaluated.ResultsC1‐INH functional activity following C1‐INH (SC) administration was described by a linear one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination, with inter‐individual variability in all parameters tested. The mean population bioavailability of C1‐INH (SC), and pharmacokinetic parameters for clearance (CL), volume of distribution, and absorption rate were estimated to be ~43%, 1.03 mL/hour/kg, 0.05 L/kg and 0.0146 hour−1, respectively. The effect of bodyweight on CL of C1‐INH functional activity was included in the final model, estimated to be 0.74. Steady‐state simulations of C1‐INH functional activity vs time profiles in 1000 virtual HAE patients revealed higher minimum functional activity (Ctrough) levels after twice‐weekly dosing with 40 IU/kg (~40%) and 60 IU/kg (~48%) compared with 1000 IU IV (~30%). Based on the population pharmacokinetic model, the median time to peak concentration was ~59 hours and the median apparent plasma half‐life was ~69 hours.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceTwice‐weekly bodyweight‐adjusted dosing of C1‐INH (SC) exhibits linear pharmacokinetics and dose‐dependent increases in Ctrough levels at each dosing interval. In this analysis, SC dosing led to maintenance of higher Ctrough levels than IV dosing.
The experiences of carers in using shared activities to communicate with looked‐after young people about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
Authors: Carver Hannah 
Published: July 2018

AbstractParental conversations with their teenage children about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are associated with lower rates of use. Looked‐after young people are at greater risk of early initiation, higher rates of use, and more problematic use. However, there is no evidence regarding whether these conversations occur in settings where the parental role is assumed by someone other than the biological parent. The aim of the study was to examine how carers communicate with looked‐after young people about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 16 residential care staff and foster carers in Scotland. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Participants talked about “shared doing” as a way of building relationships and communicating about substance use. Shared doing encompassed particular activities that carers and young people would do together, such as driving in the car, cooking, watching TV, and going for a walk. Shared doing provided an opportunity to spend time together and to create an environment in which communication could be facilitated. These environments were shaped by space, time, and context. Carers should be encouraged to take advantage of the time‐limited occasions they are with young people to have conversations about substance use.
MegaViews: Scalable Many‐View Rendering With Concurrent Scene‐View Hierarchy Traversal
Authors: Kol Timothy R. , Bauszat Pablo , Lee Sungkil , Eisemann Elmar 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe present a scalable solution to render complex scenes from a large amount of viewpoints. While previous approaches rely either on a scene or a view hierarchy to process multiple elements together, we make full use of both, enabling sublinear performance in terms of views and scene complexity. By concurrently traversing the hierarchies, we efficiently find shared information among views to amortize rendering costs. One example application is many‐light global illumination. Our solution accelerates shadow map generation for virtual point lights, whose number can now be raised to over a million while maintaining interactive rates.
Clinical characteristics associated with therapeutic nonadherence of the patients with major depressive disorder: A report on the National Survey on Symptomatology of Depression in China
Authors: Zhou Qian , Wu Zhi‐Guo , Wang Yun , Liu Xiao‐Hua , Chen Jun , Wang Yong , Su You‐Song , Zhang Chen , Peng Dai‐Hui , Hong Wu , Fang Yi‐Ru 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAimsNonadherence is one of the leading challenges to treatment of the major depressive disorder (MDD). Few studies have systematically analyzed the relationship between clinical characteristics, especially symptoms of depressive patients and their therapeutic nonadherence over a relatively large sample. This study aimed to investigate factors of nonadherence in a nationwide survey in China.MethodsParticipants with MDD who met the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) (DSM‐IV) were recruited from 32 sites throughout China. Patients were all over 16 years old. A doctor‐rating questionnaire with 64 symptoms based on DSM‐IV was constructed to evaluate depression‐related feeling and behavior. Single‐factor logistic regression was utilized to screen variables, and multifactor logistic regressive analysis was used to identify which factors were risk or protective for nonadherence. We included 882 patients of poor adherence and 857 patients of good adherence.ResultsRecurrence, untreated first episode, tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)‐treated first episode, antidepressant‐only‐treated current episode, decrease or loss of interest, more somatic symptoms, and “atypical” symptoms were risk factors for nonadherence, whereas selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)‐treated first episode was a protecting factor.ConclusionClinical characteristics may play an important role in predicting nonadherence. Doctors may have to pay much attention on patients with these factors and should keep on discussing them with patients.
Hexavalent chromium in tattoo inks: Dermal exposure and systemic risk
Authors: Bocca Beatrice , Senofonte Oreste , Petrucci Francesco 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe presence of hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]), which is carcinogenic to humans and a dermal sensitizer, in tattoo inks may represent a serious health concern. The level of this impurity is limited to 0.2 mg/kg in tattoo inks by the European Resolution ResAP(2008)1.ObjectivesTo analyse 29 tattoo inks, produced in Europe and the United States, of different colours and brands, for Cr(VI) to assess their conformity with ResAP(2008)1 and to characterize dermal and systemic risks.MethodsIon chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine the levels of Cr(VI) in inks; risk characterization was performed by calculating the systemic exposure dosage (SED) and margin of safety (MoS).ResultsNinety per cent of inks contained Cr(VI) (range: 0.22‐4.09 mg/kg), ie, above the maximum allowed level, and no information appeared on the label. More than 1 mg/kg Cr(VI) was detected in 27.6% of inks; these might represent a possible cause of dermal adverse reactions. Exposure to Cr(VI) in inks resulted in negligible SED values and MoS values of >100 (safety threshold), indicating no appreciable systemic risk.ConclusionsThe minimization of Cr(VI) contamination and the use of technology compliant with good manufacturing practices is recommended to increase the safety of tattoo inks.
Regulation and functions of MicroRNA‐149 in human cancers
Authors: Zhi Yingru , Zhou Hao , Mubalake Abudoureyimu , Chen Ying , Zhang Bei , Zhang Kai , Chu Xiaoyuan , Wang Rui 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMicroRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs that play critical roles in the regulatory mechanisms involving cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Recent research efforts have been conducted to apply these discoveries into clinical functions, including the early diagnosis and therapeutic outcome of patients with cancer. Previous studies have shown that microRNA‐149 (miR‐149) is dysregulated in various human cancers and exerts its effects on tumorigenesis and tumour progression. In this review, we summarized the potential roles of miR‐149 dysregulation and its target genes during tumorigenesis and clinical treatment of human cancers.
Comprehensive molecular profiling of the B7 family in gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Zhao Qijie , Hu Fuyan , Xiao Zhangang , Li Mingxing , Wu Xu , Zhao Yueshui , Wu Yuanlin , Yin Jianhua , Lin Ling , Zhang Hanyu , Zhang Lingling , Cho Chi Hin , Shen Jing 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivesB7 family has been identified as co‐stimulatory or co‐inhibitory molecules on T‐cell response and plays an important role in tumour mortality and malignancy. In this study, the expression pattern of B7 family in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer was examined. Its upstream regulating mechanism, downstream targets and association with clinical parameters were also studied.Materials and methodsThe expression level of B7 members was analysed by FIREHOUSE. The gene mutation, DNA methylation, association with clinical parameters and downstream network of B7 members were analysed in cBioportal. The mutation frequency was analysed by Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) analysis. The phylogenetic tree was constructed in MEGA7. The interaction protein domain analysis was performed by Pfam 31.0.ResultsDifferential expression of B7 family molecules was detected in different kinds of GI cancer. High‐frequency gene alteration was found in tumour samples. There was negative correlation of promoter methylation and mRNA expression of B7 family members in tumour samples, suggesting the epigenetic basis of B7 family gene deregulation in GI cancer. The overexpression of B7‐H1 in pancreatic cancer, B7‐H5 in oesophageal cancer and B7‐H6 in liver cancer were significantly associated with worse overall survival. Finally, by network analysis, we identified some potential interacting proteins for B7‐1/2 and B7‐H1/DC.ConclusionsOverall, our study suggested that B7 member deregulation was strongly involved in GI cancer tumorigenesis.