bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake on glycemic control in patients with diabetes
Authors: Kondo Tatsuya , Miyakawa Nobukazu , Motoshima Hiroyuki , Hanatani Satoko , Ishii Norio , Igata Motoyuki , Yoshinaga Kayo , Kukidome Daisuke , Senokuchi Takafumi , Kawashima Junji , Furukawa Noboru , Matsumura Takeshi , Araki Eiichi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionOn April 14 and 16 2016, the Kumamoto area was severely damaged by several massive magnitude 7 class earthquakes.Materials and MethodsTo examine the effects of these earthquakes on glycemic control and stress factors, glycated hemoglobin, glycated albumin, other biochemical parameters, a self‐administered lifestyle‐associated questionnaire and disaster‐associated stress scores were analyzed. A total of 557 patients with diabetes were enrolled, and data were collected at 13 months before to 13 months after the earthquakes.ResultsIn patients with type 1 diabetes and specific types of diabetes due to other causes, glycemic control was not altered during the observational period. This glycemic stability in type 1 diabetes might result from self‐management of insulin doses. In patients with type 2 diabetes, glycated hemoglobin decreased by 0.11% (from 7.33 to 7.22%) at 1–2 months after the earthquakes, and increased thereafter. The reduction of glycated hemoglobin after 1–2 months in type 2 diabetes was associated with ‘early restoration of lifelines’ and ‘sufficient sleep.’ The glycemic deterioration at a later stage was related to ‘shortage of antidiabetic agents,’ ‘insufficient amount of food,’ ‘largely destroyed houses’ and ‘changes in working environments.’ Disaster‐associated stress levels were positively correlated with ‘age,’ ‘delayed restoration of lifelines,’ ‘self‐management of antidiabetic agents’ and ‘increased amount of physical activity/exercise,’ and negatively associated with ‘early restoration of lifelines’ and ‘sufficient sleep.’ConclusionsGlycemic control, associated factors and stress levels are altered in chronological order. Post‐disaster diabetic medical care must consider these corresponding points in accordance with the time‐period.
Molecular confirmation and anthelmintic efficacy assessment against natural trichurid infections in zoo‐housed non‐human primates
Authors: Moudgil Aman Dev , Singla Lachhman Das 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to assess Trichuris species infection and evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against natural trichurid infections in non‐human primates (NHPs), kept at Mahendra Chaudhury (MC) Zoological Park, Chhatbir, India.Materials and methodsMolecular confirmation of Trichuris infection was carried out using polymerase chain reaction targeting internal transcribed spacer sequences, and anthelmintic efficacy was assessed by fecal egg count reduction test, respectively.ResultsA 710 base pair product confirmed Trichuris species infection in NHPs. Fenbendazole, 10 mg/kg body weight orally for 5 consecutive days and ivermectin, 100 μg/kg body weight orally for 3 alternate days proved effective and showed a maximum fecal egg reduction of 99.20% and 100% (P < .05) at day 7 post‐treatment.ConclusionsThis study highlighted the molecular confirmation of Trichuris species in non‐human primates and its management using fenbendazole and ivermectin.
The disappearance of water buffalo from agrarian landscapes in Western China
Authors: Rousseau Jean‐François , Sturgeon Janet 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFor centuries, water buffalo served important livelihood functions for ethnic minority farmers in Southwest China. Yet, over the past decade, buffalo ownership decreased dramatically in our research sites in Yunnan province. This transition occurred after state policies and projects excluded villagers from significant portions of their land. Increased state control over landscapes allowed the state to respatialize land uses in ways conducive to productivist and environmentalist logics, with farmers cultivating cash crops on limited production landscapes and state agencies taking over control of larger environmental landscapes. Buffalo are welcome in neither setting. Handai and Akha farmers have divergent perceptions on the outcomes of these technological shifts, with Handai beginning to question buffalo loss while Akha having contented to become “modern” farmers. In both cases, our analysis challenges the literatures on sustainability transitions and ecological modernization that posit apolitical and optimistic outcomes for farmers' adoption of “modern” and “green” technologies.
Second language interactional competence and its development: An overview of conversation analytic research on interactional change over time
Authors: Skogmyr Marian Klara , Balaman Ufuk 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis paper reviews the research on the development of second language (L2) interactional competence. We first provide an overview of the historical advancements in L2 learning research that have occasioned the current interest in this topic and discuss some methodological issues involved in developmental investigations of this kind. We then review a number of recent empirical studies that use micro‐analysis of naturally occurring social interaction data to investigate how L2 speakers develop their interactional practices and resources over time. We also address some points of critique commonly voiced against this type of research, discuss implications of its findings for L2 teaching and testing, and offer some avenues for future directions in the field.
Health care policy at a crossroads? A discursive study of patient agency in national health quality strategies between 1993 and 2015
Authors: Lassen Inger , Ottesen Aase M. , Strunck Jeanne 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Danish health care sector currently undergoes changes that imply a gradual transition from an evidence‐based activity model to a value‐based quality model centered on patient involvement and value‐based governance. The patient naturally occupies a central position in health care, and the transition therefore raises important questions about health care quality and how successive national health quality strategies value quality and ascribe roles and agency to patients. To explore the complexity of these quality strategies, we analyze and discuss how political discourse moments influence the contents of the national health quality strategies and how variation in the construal of patient roles and agency indicates discursive struggle in Danish national health care policy. Underlying theoretical concepts are informed by New Public Management, the welfare state, health communication, and discourse theory. Our analytical approach is inspired by Critical Discourse Analysis and combines content analysis with linguistic analysis.
ECE‐1 overexpression in head and neck cancer is associated with poor tumor differentiation and patient outcome
Authors: Xu Enny‐Sonia , Yang Muh‐Hwa , Huang Shih‐Che , Liu Chih‐Yi , Yang Ting‐Ting , Chou Teh‐Ying , Hwang Tzer‐Zen , Hsu Chao‐Tien 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundEndothelin‐converting enzyme‐1 (ECE‐1) primarily converts big endothelins (ETs) into active endothelin‐1 (ET‐1). However, the expression pattern and prognostication status of ECE‐1 in head and neck cancer (HNC) are enigmatic. In this study, we investigated ECE‐1 expression and assessed the roles of ECE‐1 as a predictor for HNC differentiation and prognosis.Materials and MethodsECE‐1 expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis using a tissue microarray (TMA) composed of 100 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The correlation of ECE‐1 expression with clinicopathologic variables and patient outcomes was analyzed.ResultsECE‐1 may be overexpressed in HNC carcinoma cells. Higher ECE‐1 level was detected more frequently in moderately to poorly differentiated tumors and showed a lower differentiation category compared to the G1 cases (p = 0.015); this finding was further confirmed by an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 4.071 (p = 0.042). Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival analyses showed that a higher ECE‐1 expression was associated with a poorer survival in patients with HNC (p < 0.0001). On multivariate Cox proportional hazards models analysis, ECE‐1 of high expression proved to be an independent prognostic factor with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.985 (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur data provide the first evidence that overexpression of ECE‐1 in HNC is a predictor of poor tumor differentiation and prognosis.
Engineering linear, branched‐chain triterpene metabolism in monocots
Authors: Kempinski Chase , Jiang Zuodong , Zinck Garrett , Sato Shirley J. , Ge Zhengxiang , Clemente Thomas E. , Chappell Joe 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTriterpenes are thirty‐carbon compounds derived from the universal five‐carbon prenyl precursors isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Normally, triterpenes are synthesized via the mevalonate (MVA) pathway operating in the cytoplasm of eukaryotes where DMAPP is condensed with two IPPs to yield farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), catalyzed by FPP synthase (FPS). Squalene synthase (SQS) condenses two molecules of FPP to generate the symmetrical product squalene, the first committed precursor to sterols and most other triterpenes. In the green algae Botryococcus braunii, two FPP molecules can also be condensed in an asymmetric manner yielding the more highly branched triterpene, botryococcene. Botryococcene is an attractive molecule because of its potential as a biofuel and petrochemical feedstock. Because B. braunii, the only native host for botryococcene biosynthesis, is difficult to grow, there have been efforts to move botryococcene biosynthesis into organisms more amenable to large‐scale production. Here, we report the genetic engineering of the model monocot, Brachypodium distachyon, for botryococcene biosynthesis and accumulation. A subcellular targeting strategy was used, directing the enzymes (botryococcene synthase [BS] and FPS) to either the cytosol or the plastid. High titres of botryococcene (>1 mg/g FW in T0 mature plants) were obtained using the cytosolic‐targeting strategy. Plastid‐targeted BS + FPS lines accumulated botryococcene (albeit in lesser amounts than the cytosolic BS + FPS lines), but they showed a detrimental phenotype dependent on plastid‐targeted FPS, and could not proliferate and survive to set seed under phototrophic conditions. These results highlight intriguing differences in isoprenoid metabolism between dicots and monocots.
Engineering triterpene metabolism in the oilseed of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kempinski Chase , Chappell Joe 
Published: July 2018

SummarySqualene and botryococcene are linear, hydrocarbon triterpenes that have industrial and medicinal values. While natural sources for these compounds exist, there is a pressing need for robust, renewable production platforms. Oilseeds are an excellent target for heterologous production because of their roles as natural storage repositories and their capacity to produce precursors from photosynthetically‐derived carbon. We generated transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants using a variety of engineering strategies (subcellular targeting and gene stacking) to assess the potential for oilseeds to produce these two compounds. Constructs used seed‐specific promoters and evaluated expression of a triterpene synthase alone and in conjunction with a farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) plus 1‐deoxyxylulose 5‐phosphate synthase (DXS). Constructs directing biosynthesis to the cytosol to harness isoprenoid precursors from the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway were compared to those directing biosynthesis to the plastid compartment diverting precursors from the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. On average, the highest accumulation for both compounds was achieved by targeting the triterpene synthase, FPS and DXS to the plastid (526.84 μg/g seed for botryococcene and 227.30 μg/g seed for squalene). Interestingly, a higher level accumulation of botryococcene (a non‐native compound) was observed when the biosynthetic enzymes were targeted to the cytosol (>1000 μg/g seed in one line), but not squalene (natively produced in the cytosol). Not only do these results indicate the potential of engineering triterpene accumulation in oilseeds, but they also uncover some the unique regulatory mechanisms controlling triterpene metabolism in different cellular compartments of seeds.
The ‘TranSeq’ 3′‐end sequencing method for high‐throughput transcriptomics and gene space refinement in plant genomes
Authors: Tzfadia Oren , Bocobza Samuel , Defoort Jonas , Almekias‐Siegl Efrat , Panda Sayantan , Levy Matan , Storme Veronique , Rombauts Stephane , Jaitin Diego Adhemar , Keren‐Shaul Hadas , Van de Peer Yves , Aharoni Asaph 
Published: July 2018

SummaryHigh‐throughput RNA sequencing has proven invaluable not only to explore gene expression but also for both gene prediction and genome annotation. However, RNA sequencing, carried out on tens or even hundreds of samples, requires easy and cost‐effective sample preparation methods using minute RNA amounts. Here, we present TranSeq, a high‐throughput 3′‐end sequencing procedure that requires 10‐ to 20‐fold fewer sequence reads than the current transcriptomics procedures. TranSeq significantly reduces costs and allows a greater increase in size of sample sets analyzed in a single experiment. Moreover, in comparison with other 3′‐end sequencing methods reported to date, we demonstrate here the reliability and immediate applicability of TranSeq and show that it not only provides accurate transcriptome profiles but also produces precise expression measurements of specific gene family members possessing high sequence similarity. This is difficult to achieve in standard RNA‐seq methods, in which sequence reads cover the entire transcript. Furthermore, mapping TranSeq reads to the reference tomato genome facilitated the annotation of new transcripts improving >45% of the existing gene models. Hence, we anticipate that using TranSeq will boost large‐scale transcriptome assays and increase the spatial and temporal resolution of gene expression data, in both model and non‐model plant species. Moreover, as already performed for tomato (ITAG3.0; www.solgenomics.net), we strongly advocate its integration into current and future genome annotations.
Derivation and external validation of a clinical version of the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) including measures of HbA1c
Authors: Mühlenbruch Kristin , Paprott Rebecca , Joost Hans-Georg , Boeing Heiner , Heidemann Christin , Schulze Matthias B 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveThe German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) is a diabetes prediction model which only includes non-invasively measured risk factors. The aim of this study was to extend the original GDRS by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and validate this clinical GDRS in the nationwide German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) cohort.Research design and methodsExtension of the GDRS was based on the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study with baseline assessment conducted between 1994 and 1998 (N=27 548, main age range 35–65 years). Cox regression was applied with the original GDRS and HbA1c as independent variables. The extended model was evaluated by discrimination (C-index (95% CI)), calibration (calibration plots and expected to observed (E:O) ratios (95% CI)), and reclassification (net reclassification improvement, NRI (95% CI)). For validation, data from the GNHIES98 cohort with baseline assessment conducted between 1997 and 1999 were used (N=3717, age range 18–79 years). Missing data were handled with multiple imputation.ResultsAfter 5 years of follow-up 593 incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred in EPIC-Potsdam and 86 in the GNHIES98 cohort. In EPIC-Potsdam, theC-index for the clinical GDRS was 0.87 (0.81 to 0.92) and the overall NRI was 0.26 (0.21 to 0.30), with a stronger improvement among cases compared with non-cases (NRIcases: 0.24 (0.19 to 0.28); NRInon-cases: 0.02 (0.01 to 0.02)). Almost perfect calibration was observed with a slight tendency toward overestimation, which was also reflected by an E:O ratio of 1.07 (0.99 to 1.16). In the GNHIES98 cohort, discrimination was excellent with aC-index of 0.91 (0.88 to 0.94). After recalibration, the calibration plot showed underestimation of diabetes risk in the highest risk group, while the E:O ratio indicated overall perfect calibration (1.02 (0.83 to 1.26)).ConclusionsThe clinical GDRS provides the opportunity to apply the original GDRS as a first step in risk assessment, which can then be extended in clinical practice with HbA1c whenever it was measured.
Effects of therapeutic play on children undergoing cast-removal procedures: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wong Cho Lee , Ip Wan Yim , Kwok Blondi Ming Chau , Choi Kai Chow , Ng Bobby King Wah , Chan Carmen Wing Han 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo examine (1) the effectiveness of therapeutic play in reducing anxiety and negative emotional manifestations among children undergoing cast-removal procedures and (2) the satisfaction of parents and cast technicians with cast-removal procedures.DesignA randomised controlled trial.SettingAn orthopaedic outpatient department of a regional teaching hospital in Hong Kong.ParticipantsChildren (n=208) aged 3–12 undergoing cast-removal procedure were invited to participate.InterventionsEligible children were randomly allocated to either the intervention (n=103) or control group (n=105) and stratified by the two age groups (3–7 and 8–12 years). The intervention group received therapeutic play intervention, whereas the control group received standard care only. Participants were assessed on three occasions: before, during and after completion of the cast-removal procedure.Outcome measuresChildren’s anxiety level, emotional manifestation and heart rate. The satisfaction ratings of parents and cast technicians with respect to therapeutic play intervention were also examined.ResultsFindings suggested that therapeutic play assists children aged 3–7 to reduce anxiety levels with mean differences between the intervention and control group was −20.1 (95% CI −35.3 to −4.9; p=0.01). Overall, children (aged 3–7 and 8–12) in the intervention groups exhibited fewer negative emotional manifestations than the control group with a mean score difference −2.2 (95% CI −3.1 to −1.4; p<0.001). Parents and technicians in the intervention group also reported a higher level of satisfaction with the procedures than the control group with a mean score difference of 4.0 (95% CI −5.6 to 2.3; p<0.001) and 2.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 1.6; p<0.001), respectively.ConclusionTherapeutic play effectively reduces anxiety and negative emotional manifestations among children undergoing cast-removal procedures. The findings highlight the importance of integrating therapeutic play into standard care, in particular for children in younger age.Trial registration numberChiCTR-IOR-15006822; Pre-results.
Effects of a novel exercise training protocol of Wingate-based sprint bouts dispersed over a day on selected cardiometabolic health markers in sedentary females: a pilot study
Authors: Ho Boon Hor , Lim Ivy , Tian Roger , Tan Frankie , Aziz Abdul Rashid 
Published: July 2018

PurposeSprint interval training (SIT) provides a strong stimulus for improving cardiovascular fitness, which is among the key markers for premature mortality. Recent literature demonstrated that SIT protocols with as few as two stacked 20 s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) cycle sprints provide sufficient training stimulus for a robust increase in maximal aerobic power. However, this effect is lost when only one bout is performed. This suggests training adaptation is still dependent on the volume of SIT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three dispersed 30 s WAnT bouts, done over a day but interspersed with 4 hours of recovery time, on selected cardiometabolic health markers.MethodsEighteen sedentary women, age 36±8 years, were recruited and underwent 8 weeks of supervised training using the WAnT protocol, 3 days a week. Criterion measure of cardiovascular fitness (ie, V̇O2peak), skinfolds and blood lipids such as triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured before and after training intervention.ResultsV̇O2peakimproved by a mean of 14.0% after training (21.7±5.7 vs 24.7±5.7 mL/kg/min, p<0.01). No significant change was observed for body fat and lipid profile.ConclusionPerforming three dispersed WAnT bouts with a 4-hour recovery period between bouts throughout a day, 3 days per week for 8 weeks provides sufficient training stimulus for a robust increase in V̇O2peak, which is comparable with other previous SIT protocols with very short recovery intervals. However, no other changes in the other cardiometabolic health markers were detected.
Changes in the microRNA expression profile during blood storage
Authors: Haberberger Anna , Kirchner Benedikt , Riedmaier Irmgard , Henschler Reinhard , Wichmann Christian , Buhmann Raymund , Pfaffl Michael W 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesFor several decades, autologous blood doping (ABD) in sports has been a major problem, and even today there is still no reliable method for satisfactorily detecting ABD. For this kind of doping, stored individual erythrocytes are used to increase stamina and endurance caused by a higher erythrocyte level in the athlete’s body. Since there is growing evidence that these cells are enriched with microRNAs (miRNAs), this study has been carried out to discover and validate all miRNAs occurring in fresh blood as well as in stored blood.MethodsTherefore, small RNA Next Generation Sequencing has been performed, which allows untargeted detection of all miRNAs in a blood sample. The focus of this investigation has been to find miRNA alterations in blood bags after erythrocyte processing and during storage, as compared with fresh blood directly withdrawn from subjects. Blood samples were obtained from 12 healthy, recreationally active male subjects three times before blood donation and from blood bags at several time points after blood processing.Results189 miRNAs have been considered stable over two consecutive weeks. A further analysis revealed a complex biomarker signature of 28 miRNAs, consisting of 6 miRNAs that altered during 6 weeks of storage and 22 miRNAs that altered due to processing.ConclusionThese results suggest that the identified miRNA biomarker signature may be used for the detection of ABD. These 28 miRNA candidates are tested and verified currently in a follow-up study, a human transfusion clinical trial in healthy sportsmen.
New data on the genus Epipactis (Orchidaceae) in the North Caucasus with description of a new species
Authors: FATERYGA ALEXANDER V. , POPOVICH ANTON V. , FATERYGA VALENTINA V. , AVERYANOVA ELENA A. , KREUTZ KAREL (C.A.J.) 
Published: July 2018

A new self-pollinating species, Epipactis euxina, is described from Gelendzhik District of Krasnodar Territory. The species is closely related to E. persica from which it differs by its remarkable long pedicel, distinctly longer epichile, and indistinct or absent viscidium. It grows in sparse pine forest mixed with oak, on calcareous soils. Four other taxa collected in different localities of Krasnodar Territory are new for the North Caucasus: E. krymmontana, E. leptochila subsp. leptochila, E. leptochila subsp. neglecta, and E. muelleri. A new synonymy is proposed for E. persica = E. helleborine subsp. transcaucasica. An updated key to the species of the genus Epipactis in the North Caucasus is provided. The lectotype of E. muelleri is designated.