bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of cold versus hot snare polypectomy for resecting small colorectal polyps: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shinozaki Satoshi , Kobayashi Yasutoshi , Hayashi Yoshikazu , Sakamoto Hirotsugu , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Yamamoto Hironori 
Published: April 2018

Background and AimSafety and effectiveness of cold snare polypectomy (CSP) compared with hot snare polypectomy (HSP) has been reported. The aim of the present study is to carry out a meta‐analysis of the efficacy and safety of HSP and CSP.MethodsRandomized controlled trials were reviewed to compare HSP with CSP for resecting small colorectal polyps. Outcomes reviewed include complete resection rate, polyp retrieval, delayed bleeding, perforation and procedure time. Outcomes were documented by pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the Mantel‐Haenszel random effect model.ResultsEight studies were reviewed in this meta‐analysis, including 1665 patients with 3195 polyps. Complete resection rate using HSP was similar to CSP (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.98–1.07, P = 0.31). Polyp retrieval after HSP was similar to CSP (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00–1.01, P = 0.60). Delayed bleeding rate after HSP was higher than after CSP, although not significantly (patient basis: RR: 7.53, 95% CI: 0.94–60.24, P = 0.06; polyp basis: RR: 7.35, 95% CI: 0.91–59.33, P = 0.06). Perforation was not reported in all eight studies. Total colonoscopy time for HSP was significantly longer than CSP (mean difference 7.13 min, 95% CI: 5.32–8.94, P < 0.001). Specific polypectomy time for HSP was significantly longer than CSP (mean difference 30.92 s, 95% CI: 9.15–52.68, P = 0.005).ConclusionThis meta‐analysis shows significantly shorter procedure time using CSP compared with HSP. CSP tends toward less delayed bleeding compared with HSP. We recommend CSP as the standard treatment for resecting small benign colorectal polyps.
Serum ApoA4 levels predicted the progression of renal impairment in T2DM
Authors: Cheng Chao‐Wen , Chang Che‐Chang , Chen Hsiu‐Wen , Lin Ching‐Yu , Chen Jin‐Shuen 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundAmong multiple causes, diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major underlying renal disease that leads to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), and early diagnosis can effectively prevent or delay the progression to ESRD. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop noninvasive, accurate detection markers.Materials & MethodsFor this study, 62 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, 59 DN patients and 21 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. All participants’ serum samples were subjected to concavanalin (Con) A affinity chromatography, which utilizes glycoproteins to discover potential markers.ResultsFrom nano LC‐MS and Western blot analysis, apolipoprotein A‐IV (ApoA4) was selected which featured a gradual, almost twofold increase in the order of HC, DM and DN. In the Con A‐based ELISA, the DM group was 1.91‐fold higher than the HC group, while the DN group was 2.56‐fold higher than the HCs and 1.33‐fold higher than the DM group. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between ApoA4 and blood urea nitrogen levels and between ApoA4 and creatine levels, while significant negative correlations were seen between serum protein levels and between serum albumin levels in comparisons of DM and DN samples.ConclusionsSerum Con A‐bound ApoA4 levels were higher in the DM group than in HCs, and further increased in the DN group. Levels of ApoA4 were positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen and creatine, but negatively correlated with serum protein and albumin. This evidence supports serum Con A‐bound ApoA4 as a circulating marker for predicting the progression of renal impairment in DM patients.
Narrow lenses for capturing the complexity of fisheries: A topic analysis of fisheries science from 1990 to 2016
Authors: Syed Shaheen , Borit Melania , Spruit Marco 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDespite increased fisheries science output and publication outlets, the global crisis in fisheries management is as present as ever. Since a narrow research focus may be a contributing factor to this failure, this study uncovers topics in fisheries research and their trends over time. This interdisciplinary research evaluates whether science is diversifying fisheries research topics in an attempt to capture the complexity of the fisheries system, or whether it is multiplying research on similar topics, attempting to achieve an in‐depth, but possibly marginal, understanding of a few selected components of this system. By utilizing latent Dirichlet allocation as a generative probabilistic topic model, we analyse a unique dataset consisting of 46,582 full‐text articles published in the last 26 years in 21 specialized scientific fisheries journals. Among the 25 topics uncovered by the model, only one (Fisheries management) refers to the human dimension of fisheries understood as socio‐ecological complex adaptive systems. The most prevalent topics in our dataset directly relating to fisheries refer to Fisheries management, Stock assessment, and Fishing gear, with Fisheries management attracting the most interest. We propose directions for future research focus that most likely could contribute to providing useful advice for successful management of fisheries.
Proton‐Pump Inhibitors and Long‐Term Risk of Community‐Acquired Pneumonia in Older Adults
Authors: Zirk‐Sadowski Jan , Masoli Jane A. , Delgado Joao , Hamilton Willie , Strain W. David , Henley William , Melzer David , Ble Alessandro 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo estimate associations between long‐term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and pneumonia incidence in older adults in primary care.DesignLongitudinal analyses of electronic medical records.SettingEnglandParticipantsIndividuals aged 60 and older in primary care receiving PPIs for 1 year or longer (N=75,050) and age‐ and sex‐matched controls (N=75,050).MeasurementsNet hazard ratios for pneumonia incidence in Year 2 of treatment were estimated using the prior event rate ratio (PERR), which adjusts for pneumonia incidence differences before initiation of treatment. Inverse probability weighted models adjusted for 78 demographic, disease, medication, and healthcare usage measures.ResultsDuring the second year after initiating treatment, PPIs were associated with greater hazard of incident pneumonia (PERR‐adjusted hazard ratio=1.82, 95% confidence interval=1.27–2.54), accounting for pretreatment pneumonia rates. Estimates were similar across age and comorbidity subgroups. Similar results were also obtained from propensity score– and inverse probability–weighted models.ConclusionIn a large cohort of older adults in primary care, PPI prescription was associated with greater risk of pneumonia in the second year of treatment. Results were robust across alternative analysis approaches. Controversies about the validity of reported short‐term harms of PPIs should not divert attention from potential long‐term effects of PPI prescriptions on older adults.
Electron backscattered diffraction analysis of friction stir processed nanocomposites produced via spark plasma sintering
Authors: SADEGHI B. , CAVALIERE P. , SHAMANIAN M. , SANAYEI M. , SZPUNAR J.A. , NOSKO M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn the present study, Spark Plasma Sintered (SPSed) aluminium matrix composites were severely deformed through Friction stir processing (FSP). Pure aluminium powders and bimodal sized Al2O3 particles (80 nm and 25 m) were firstly mixed by ball milling and then consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The effect of the heat input as well the bimodal particle size of the alumina on the materials’ microstructure and texture development was evaluated by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The EBSD analysis clearly showed that the SPSed nanocomposites possessed bimodal aluminium matrix grain structure as well as a crystallography characterised by random texture. In addition, microstructural examination revealed that the partial recrystallisation occurred during SPS for all the nanocomposites. Also, it is revealed that the Zener pinning effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles retarded recrystallised grain growth following recrystallisation during FSP and then leading to grain refinement of the aluminium. The results revealed that the heat generated during FSP has a remarkable effect on the grain distribution as well as on the crystallographic orientation. Also, a mixture of {112} <110> shear elements and an ideal strong B/ component were observed. The microstructural changes, occurred during FSP in the stir zone region for Al‐Al2O3 nanocomposites, were attributed to both the discontinuous along with the continuous recrystallisation (DDRX/CDRX). It should be pointed out that with increasing the heat input, recrystallised grains portion increased.
Clonidine modulates the activity of the subthalamic‐supplementary motor loop: evidence from a pharmacological study combining deep brain stimulation and electroencephalography recordings in Parkinsonian patients
Authors: Spay Charlotte , Albares Marion , Lio Guillaume , Thobois Stephane , Broussolle Emmanuel , Lau Brian , Ballanger Benedicte , Boulinguez Philippe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractClonidine is an anti‐hypertensive medication which acts as an alpha‐adrenergic receptor agonist. As the noradrenergic system is likely to support cognitive functions including attention and executive control, other clinical uses of clonidine have recently gained popularity for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders like attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder or Tourette syndrome, but the mechanism of action is still unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that the noradrenergic system regulates the activity of subthalamo‐motor cortical loops, and that this influence can be modulated by clonidine. We used pharmacological manipulation of clonidine in a placebo‐controlled study in combination with subthalamic nucleus‐deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) in 16 Parkinson's disease patients performing a reaction time task requiring to refrain from reacting (proactive inhibition). We recorded electroencephalographical activity of the whole cortex, and applied spectral analyses directly at the source level after advanced blind source separation. We found only one cortical source localized to the supplementary motor area (SMA) that supported an interaction of pharmacological and subthalamic stimulation. Under placebo, STN‐DBS reduced proactive alpha power in the SMA, a marker of local inhibitory activity. This effect was associated with the speeding‐up of movement initiation. Clonidine substantially increased proactive alpha power from the SMA source, and canceled out the benefits of STN‐DBS on movement initiation. These results provide the first direct neural evidence in humans that the tonic inhibitory activity of the subthalamocortical loops underlying the control of movement initiation is coupled to the noradrenergic system, and that this activity can be targeted by pharmacological agents acting on alpha‐adrenergic receptors.
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Erythropoietin regulates the expression of dimeric form of acetylcholinesterase during differentiation of erythroblast
Authors: Xu Miranda L. , Luk Wilson K. W. , Bi Cathy W. C. , Liu Etta Y. L. , Wu Kevin Q. Y. , Yao Ping , Dong Tina T. X. , Tsim Karl W. K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAcetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) is known to hydrolyze acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses. In mammalian erythrocyte, AChE exists as a dimer (G2) and is proposed to play role in erythropoiesis. To reveal the regulation of AChE during differentiation of erythroblast, erythroblast‐like cells (TF‐1) were induced to differentiate by application of erythropoietin (EPO). The expression of AChE was increased in parallel to the stages of differentiation. Application of EPO in cultured TF‐1 cells induced transcriptional activity of ACHE gene, as well as its protein product. This EPO‐induced event was in parallel with erythrocytic proteins, for example, α‐ and β‐globins. The EPO‐induced AChE expression was mediated by phosphorylations of Akt and GATA‐1; because the application of Akt kinase inhibitor blocked the gene activation. Erythroid transcription factor also known as GATA‐1, a downstream transcription factor of EPO signaling, was proposed here to account for regulation of AChE in TF‐1 cell. A binding sequence of GATA‐1 was identified in ACHE gene promoter, which was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Over‐expression of GATA‐1 in TF‐1 cultures induced AChE expression, as well as activity of ACHE promoter tagged with luciferase gene (pAChE‐Luc). The deletion of GATA‐1 sequence on the ACHE promoter, pAChEΔGATA‐1‐Luc, reduced the promoter activity during erythroblastic differentiation. On the contrary, the knock‐down of AChE in TF‐1 cultures could lead to a reduction in EPO‐induced expression of erythrocytic proteins. These findings indicated specific regulation of AChE during maturation of erythroblast, which provided an insight into elucidating possible mechanisms in regulating erythropoiesis.
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Hearing vulnerability after noise exposure in a mouse model of reactive oxygen species overproduction
Authors: Morioka Shigefumi , Sakaguchi Hirofumi , Yamaguchi Taro , Ninoyu Yuzuru , Mohri Hiroaki , Nakamura Takashi , Hisa Yasuo , Ogita Kiyokazu , Saito Naoaki , Ueyama Takehiko 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPrevious studies have convincingly argued that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the development of several major types of sensorineural hearing loss, such as noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL), drug‐induced hearing loss, and age‐related hearing loss. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms induced by ROS in these pathologies remain unclear. To resolve this issue, we established an in vivo model of ROS overproduction by generating a transgenic (TG) mouse line expressing the human NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4, NOX4‐TG mice), which is a constitutively active ROS‐producing enzyme that does not require stimulation or an activator. Overproduction of ROS was detected at the cochlea of the inner ear in NOX4‐TG mice, but they showed normal hearing function under baseline conditions. However, they demonstrated hearing function vulnerability, especially at high‐frequency sounds, upon exposure to intense noise, which was accompanied by loss of cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs). The vulnerability to loss of hearing function and OHCs was rescued by treatment with the antioxidant Tempol. Additionally, we found increased protein levels of the heat‐shock protein 47 (HSP47) in models using HEK293 cells, including H2O2 treatment and cells with stable and transient expression of NOX4. Furthermore, the up‐regulated levels of Hsp47 were observed in both the cochlea and heart of NOX4‐TG mice. Thus, antioxidant therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of NIHL. Hsp47 may be an endogenous antioxidant factor, compensating for the chronic ROS overexposure in vivo, and counteracting ROS‐related hearing loss.
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Can Taxes Shape an Industry? Evidence from the Implementation of the “Amazon Tax”
Authors: BAUGH BRIAN , BEN‐DAVID ITZHAK , PARK HOONSUK 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTFor years, online retailers have maintained a price advantage over brick‐and‐mortar retailers by not collecting sales tax at the time of sale. Recently, several states have required that online retailer Amazon collect sales tax during checkout. Using transaction‐level data, we document that households living in these states reduced their Amazon purchases by 9.4% following the implementation of the sales tax laws, implying elasticities of –1.2 to –1.4. The effect is stronger for large purchases, where purchases declined by 29.1%, corresponding to an elasticity of –3.9. Studying competitors in the electronics field, we find some evidence of substitution toward competing retailers.
Transmission of “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni”‐related strain associated with broccoli stunt by four species of leafhoppers
Authors: Kreyci Patrícia Fabretti , Eckstein Bárbara , Lopes João Roberto Spotti , Ferreira Jacson , Bedendo Ivan Paulo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA disease known as broccoli stunt, associated with “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni”‐related strain, has been responsible by significant economic losses in crops grown in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Previous investigations evidenced some species of leafhoppers observed in broccoli fields as potential vectors of the phytoplasma. In this study, the six species more frequently found in broccoli crops were collected to confirm that evidence. Group of five insects of each species were confined per broccoli seedling for an inoculation access period (IAP) of 48 hr. After the IAP, each group was tested for detection of phytoplasma. Evaluation of plants was performed 60 days after inoculation based on the presence of phytoplasma in their tissues. When transmission was positive, genomic fragments corresponding to 16S rDNA were sequenced both for the infected plants and its respective group of insects. The results revealed that the species Agallia albidula, Agalliana sticticollis, Atanus nitidus and Balcluta hebe were able to transmit phytoplasma to broccoli seedlings. Based on the estimates of transmission probability by single insects (P), the highest transmission rate was observed for A. nitidus (24.2%) and the lowest for B. hebe (1.9%). The sequencing of 16S rDNA revealed complete similarity between the sequences of the phytoplasma transmitted to broccoli test plants and the sequences of the phytoplasma found in the field‐collected leafhoppers. These findings support the inclusion of those species as vectors of phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrIII group in broccolis, providing additional information to improve management of this important disease of endemic occurrence.
The Keys to Unlocking Public Payments Data
Authors: Rahal Charles 
Published: April 2018

SummaryWe mechanize some of the richest yet significantly under‐utilized data resources within developed, ‘Open Data' economies. We show how it is possible to scrape, parse, clean and merge tens of thousands of disaggregated public payments datasets in an attempt to bridge the methodological gap between newly available data from the administrative sphere and applications in empirical social science research. We outline techniques to unambiguously link records to various freely available institutional registers. In particular, we offer guidance on overcoming the substantial challenges of heterogeneous provision and administrative recording errors in the absence of Uniform Resource Identifiers, namely in the form of an approximate, domain‐specific ‘record‐linkage' type matching algorithm. As an illuminating example, we construct a cleaned database of 24,581,192 local government payments subject to the Local Transparency Codes which total £169.87bn in value. We overcome various challenges in a detailed examination of the procurement of services by local government from the voluntary sector: an important contemporary issue due to the rise of the ‘Big Society’ political ideology of the early 21st century. Finally, we motivate future work in this area and discuss potential international applications and practical advancements.
Foraging and feeding ecology of Platanista: an integrative review
Authors: Kelkar Nachiket , Dey Subhasis , Deshpande Kadambari , Choudhary Sunil Kumar , Dey Sushant , Morisaka Tadamichi 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Limited visual perception in aquatic environments has driven the evolution of diverse sensory modalities in aquatic mammals. Dolphins largely use echolocation for prey capture in the face of limited visual and olfactory cues. Multiple foraging modes exist, although an understanding of how sensory systems are adapted to environmental and prey characteristics is limited. This is especially true for animals with extreme sensory specialisation, such as South Asian river dolphins of the genus Platanista. This taxon is effectively blind and retains plesiomorphic traits from its once‐diverse ancestors. Distributed in murky rivers of the Indus‐Ganga‐Brahmaputra basins, it is thought to use mainly echolocation for feeding on fish and shrimp.

We hypothesised that foraging modes used by Platanista differ according to prey position in the water column (at the river surface, mid‐column, and bottom) and are mediated by ecomorphology, acoustics, prey characteristics, and habitat features.

To test this, we combined a detailed review of the literature (anatomy–physiology–morphology studies, observations in captivity) with preliminary field observations and acoustics studies to investigate foraging mode selection.

Platanista displays peculiar foraging and feeding behaviours, including side swimming, rotational feeding, and grasp‐suction feeding. Feeding is restricted to small prey with low body depth. At the river surface and bottom, echolocation‐based foraging may not be efficient due to acoustic reflection or reverberation effects.

Platanista uses echolocation clicks to scan and detect prey at distances of about 20 m across the river mid‐column, possibly switching to passive listening at the surface, and electroreception at the bottom, to maximise prey capture rate and feeding success.

Platanista is remarkable for its ability to persist in some of the most intensively used and abused river basins of the world. Using echolocation, electroreception, and passive listening might reduce overall foraging costs and contribute to the adaptability of the taxon.
Shrub range expansion alters diversity and distribution of soil fungal communities across an alpine elevation gradient
Authors: Collins Courtney G. , Stajich Jason E. , Weber Sören E. , Pombubpa Nuttapon , Diez Jeffrey M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGlobal climate and land use change are altering plant and soil microbial communities worldwide, particularly in arctic and alpine biomes where warming is accelerated. The widespread expansion of woody shrubs into historically herbaceous alpine plant zones is likely to interact with climate to affect soil microbial community structure and function; however, our understanding of alpine soil ecology remains limited. This study aimed to (i) determine whether the diversity and community composition of soil fungi vary across elevation gradients and to (ii) assess the impact of woody shrub expansion on these patterns. In the White Mountains of California, sagebrush (Artemisia rothrockii) shrubs have been expanding upwards into alpine areas since 1960. In this study, we combined observational field data with a manipulative shrub removal experiment along an elevation transect of alpine shrub expansion. We utilized next‐generation sequencing of the ITS1 region for fungi and joint distribution modelling to tease apart effects of the environment and intracommunity interactions on soil fungi. We found that soil fungal diversity declines and community composition changes with increasing elevation. Both abiotic factors (primarily soil moisture and soil organic C) and woody sagebrush range expansion had significant effects on these patterns. However, fungal diversity and relative abundance had high spatial variation, overwhelming the predictive power of vegetation type, elevation and abiotic soil conditions at the landscape scale. Finally, we observed positive and negative associations among fungal taxa which may be important in structuring community responses to global change.