bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proactive telephone support provided to breastfeeding mothers of preterm infants after discharge: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ericson Jenny , Eriksson Mats , Hellström‐Westas Lena , Hoddinott Pat , Flacking Renée 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimThe aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of proactive telephone support provided to breastfeeding mothers of preterm infants after discharge from neonatal intensive care units (NICU).MethodsBetween March 2013 and December 2015, a randomised controlled trial was conducted at six NICUs across Sweden. At each NICU, a breastfeeding support team recruited, randomised and delivered the support to participating mothers. The intervention group received a daily proactive telephone call up to 14 days after discharge from the support team. The control group could initiate telephone contact themselves. Primary outcome was exclusive breastfeeding eight weeks after discharge. Secondary outcomes were maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding, attachment, quality of life and parental stress.ResultsIn total, 493 mothers were randomised, 231 to intervention group and 262 to control group. There were no differences between the groups for exclusive breastfeeding, odds ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.66–1.38, nor for maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding, attachment or quality of life. The intervention group reported significantly less parental stress than the controls, t = 2.44, 95% CI 0.03–0.23, effect size d = 0.26.ConclusionIn this trial, proactive telephone support was not associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding prevalence eight weeks following discharge. However, intervention group mothers showed significantly lower parental stress.
Nutritional therapy complications in children with ultra‐short bowel syndrome include growth deficiency but not cholestasis
Authors: Olszewska Katarzyna , Ksiazyk Janusz , Kozlowski Dariusz , Pajdowska Magdalena , Janusz Malgorzata , Jaworski Maciej 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimChildren with ultra‐short bowel syndrome (USBS) have not been extensively studied to date because the condition is rare. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of children with USBS receiving home parenteral nutrition, using citrulline serum concentration and cholestasis.MethodsWe studied 17 patients with USBS, with a median age of 6.6 years and median duration of parenteral nutrition of 6.6 years. The study was carried out at The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, from January 2014 to January 2015.ResultsThe median standard deviation score (SDS) was −1.2 for body mass according to chronological age, −1.72 according to height and −0.59 according to height for age. Patients requiring seven days per week parenteral nutrition had a citrulline concentration below 10 μmol/L. Decreased bone‐mineral density was observed in 87% of the patients. Low values of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were found in 53% of the children. None of the patients had elevated conjugated bilirubin levels above 34.2 μmol/L.ConclusionChildren with USBS were growth deficient according to their chronological age, with frequent abnormal bone mineralisation and vitamin D deficiency. Children requiring parenteral nutrition seven days a week had citrulline concentrations below 10 μmol/L. Cholestasis was not seen.
The free androgen index is inaccurate in women when the SHBG concentration is low
Authors: Keevil Brian G. , Adaway Jo , Fiers Tom , Moghetti Paolo , Kaufman Jean‐Marc 
Published: February 2018

SummaryObjective/ContextThe free androgen index (FAI) is known to give erroneous results in men, but it is still a commonly used test for the investigation of hyperandrogenism in women. This study aimed to compare the results of the FAI with the gold standard equilibrium dialysis method for free testosterone in women.Design/PatientsFree serum testosterone T (ED‐T) and total serum T (T) were measured by equilibrium dialysis and LC‐MS/MS in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (n = 130), normal female controls (n = 53) and normal males (n = 120). Calculated free T (cFT) and free androgen index (FAI) were also measured in these patients. In addition, cFT was retrospectively calculated in 4223 female patients with a normal T (<1.6 nmol/L) routinely investigated for hyperandrogenism.ResultsThe cFT showed good agreement with measured ED‐T, and the ratio cFT/ED‐T was stable across all SHBG concentrations. In contrast, the FAI/ED‐T ratio and the FAI/cFT ratio increased when the concentration of SHBG fell below 30 nmol/L.ConclusionsThe FAI is not a reliable indicator of free T when the SHBG concentration is low and would give misleading information in a large number of women being investigated for hyperandrogenism.
Novel mechanism and biomarker of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Oki Shinji 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecent progress in understanding the pathogenicity of multiple sclerosis (MS) has enabled us to develop new drug entities available in the clinic. However, we still have not succeeded in preventing conversion from relapsing–remitting MS to secondary progressive MS (SP‐MS), and in curing this intractable form of MS. Furthermore, diagnosis is usually retrospective, relying on gradual worsening of neurological signs/symptoms. This is due to the lack of understanding of the pathogenicity driving disease progression in MS and of reliable biomarkers reflecting the disease status. Two relevant components are involved in the brain pathology of SP‐MS: neurodegeneration and inflammation. Neurodegeneration can occur spontaneously in a neuron‐intrinsic manner under chronic inflammation, such as glutamate excitotoxicity, mitochondrial/oxidative injury with iron deposit in the brain and loss of trophic support. Meanwhile, inflammatory and/or immune cells stimulated after repeated relapses, including T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of peripheral and central nervous system origin, could mediate the processes of neurodegeneration. Among them, a higher frequency of leptomeningeal follicle‐like structures observed in SP‐MS patients suggests that immune cells sheltered behind a blood–brain barrier are still active under smoldering central nervous system inflammation. Accordingly, our recent comparative analysis between MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, raises a new possibility that ectopic expression of eomesodermin in helper T cells constitutes a previously unappreciated subset of helper T cells with cytotoxic potential against neuronal cells. In the present review article, the mechanisms proposed in the pathogenesis of SP‐MS are summarized, and a new pathogenic mechanism for neurodegeneration mediated by unique cytotoxic helper T cells is proposed.
Expression of nerve growth factor carried by pseudotyped lentivirus improves neuron survival and cognitive functional recovery of post‐ischemia in rats
Authors: Cao Jia‐Yu , Lin Yong , Han Yan‐Fei , Ding Sheng‐Hao , Fan Yi‐Ling , Pan Yao‐Hua , Zhao Bing , Guo Qin‐Hua , Sun Wen‐Hua , Wan Jie‐Qing , Tong Xiao‐Ping 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAimsNerve growth factor (NGF) has been reported to prevent neuronal damage and contributes to the functional recovery in animal brain injury models and human ischemic disease as well. We aimed to investigate a potential therapeutic effect of NGF gene treatment in ischemic stroke and to estimate the functional recovery both at the cellular and cognitive levels in an ischemia rat model.MethodsAfter microinjection of pseudolentivirus‐delivered β‐NGF into an established ischemic stroke model in rats (tMCAO), we estimated neuronal cell apoptosis with TUNEL labeling and neurogenesis by cell proliferation marker Ki67 staining in both ischemic core and penumbra of striatum. Furthermore, we used behavioral functional tests, Morris water maze performance, to evaluate cognitive functional recovery in vivo and propose a potential underlying mechanism.ResultsWe found that pseudolentivirus‐mediated delivery of β‐NGF gene into the brain induced high expression in striatum of the infarct core area after ischemia in rats. The β‐NGF overexpression in the striatal infarction core after ischemia not only improved neuronal survival by reducing cell apoptosis and increasing cell proliferation, but also rescued cognitive functional impairment through upregulation of GAP‐43 protein expression in tMCAO rat model of ischemia.ConclusionThis study demonstrates a potential β‐NGF gene therapy by utilization of pseudolentivirus in ischemia and indicates future applications of NGF gene treatment in ischemic patients.
Effects of temperature and precipitation on grassland bird nesting success as mediated by patch size
Authors: Zuckerberg Benjamin , Ribic Christine A. , McCauley Lisa A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGrassland birds are declining faster than any other bird guild across North America. Shrinking ranges and population declines are attributed to widespread habitat loss and increasingly fragmented landscapes of agriculture and other land uses that are misaligned with grassland bird conservation. Concurrent with habitat loss and degradation, temperate grasslands have been disproportionally affected by climate change relative to most other terrestrial biomes. Distributions of grassland birds often correlate with gradients in climate, but few researchers have explored the consequences of weather on the demography of grassland birds inhabiting a range of grassland fragments. To do so, we modeled the effects of temperature and precipitation on nesting success rates of 12 grassland bird species inhabiting a range of grassland patches across North America (21,000 nests from 81 individual studies). Higher amounts of precipitation in the preceding year were associated with higher nesting success, but wetter conditions during the active breeding season reduced nesting success. Extremely cold or hot conditions during the early breeding season were associated with lower rates of nesting success. The direct and indirect influence of temperature and precipitation on nesting success was moderated by grassland patch size. The positive effects of precipitation in the preceding year on nesting success were strongest in relatively small grassland patches and had little effect in large patches. Conversely, warm temperatures reduced nesting success in small grassland patches but increased nesting success in large patches. Mechanisms underlying these differences may be patch‐size‐induced variation in microclimates and predator activity. Although the exact cause is unclear, large grassland patches, the most common metric of grassland conservation, appears to moderate the effects of weather on grassland‐bird demography and could be an effective component of climate‐change adaptation.
Diverse actions of the modulatory peptide neurotensin on central synaptic transmission
Authors: Tschumi Christopher W. , Beckstead Michael J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNeurotensin (NT) is a 13 amino acid neuropeptide that is expressed throughout the central nervous system and is implicated in the etiology of multiple diseases and disorders. Many primary investigations of NT‐induced modulation of neuronal excitability at the level of the synapse have been conducted, but they have not been summarized in review form in nearly 30 years. Therefore, the goal of this review is to discuss the many actions of NT on neuronal excitability across brain regions as well as NT circuit architecture. In the basal ganglia as well as other brain nuclei, NT can act through diverse intracellular signaling cascades to enhance or depress neuronal activity by modulating activity of ion channels, ionotropic and metabotropic neurotransmitter receptors, and presynaptic release of neurotransmitters. Further, NT can produce indirect effects by evoking endocannabinoid release, and recently has itself been identified as a putative retrograde messenger. In the basal ganglia, the diverse actions and circuit architecture of NT signaling allow for input‐specific control of reward‐related behaviors.
Fabrication of graphitic carbon spheres and their application in Al2O3‐SiC‐C refractory castables
Authors: Li Saisai , Liu Jianghao , Wang Junkai , Zhu Qing , Zhao Xiaowei , Zhang Haijun , Zhang Shaowei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGraphitic carbon spheres (GCS) with an average diameter of about 0.8 μm were prepared via hydrothermal carbonization combined with catalytic graphitization using glucose and in situ formed Fe nanoparticles (NPs) as, respectively, a carbon precursor and catalyst. They were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC). The optimal content of Fe catalyst for graphitization of amorphous CS was found to be 1.0 wt%, and the optimal temperature and soaking time were, respectively, 1473 K and 3 hours. The transformation from CS to GCS was considered to be dominated by the “dissolution‐precipitation” mechanism. Using as‐prepared GCS instead of flake graphite (FG) as a carbon source, not only reduced water demand for casting Al2O3‐SiC‐C samples and decreased their final apparent porosity, but also enhanced their modulus of rupture and cold crushing strength. In addition, castable samples using GCS showed better oxidation resistance than those using FG.
Remission of hyperglycemia after withdrawal of oral antidiabetic drugs in Japanese patients with early‐stage type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hirukawa Hidenori , Hashiramoto Mitsuru , Tanizawa Yukio , Kaku Kohei ,   Pioglitazone and Sulfonylurea Remission from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Anti‐Atherosclerosis in Japan (PREVENT‐J) study group
Published: February 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo assess whether intervention with oral antidiabetic drug in Japanese patients with the early stage of type 2 diabetes could provide a significant remission of the disease process.Materials and MethodsPatients with diabetes duration <5 years were randomized to the lifestyle modification (LFS), pioglitazone (PIO) or sulfonylurea (SU) treatment group. In phase 1 as the on‐treatment period and in phase 2 as the off‐treatment period, the duration that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was maintained at less than the target was compared among groups.ResultsA total of 278 patients were assigned to LFS (n = 84), PIO (n = 101) and SU (n = 93), and 212 patients completed phase 1. The number of patients that dropped out because of HbA1c elevation was larger in the LFS group, and the duration of HbA1c being maintained at <7.9% was longer in the SU group than the other groups. The duration of HbA1c being maintained at <7.4% in phase 2 was significantly shorter in the SU group than in the other groups. The proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c <6.9% or 6.2% at the end of phase 1 was obviously less in the LFS group than other groups. The duration of HbA1c being maintained at <6.2% in phase 2 was longer in the PIO group than other groups, although not significant statistically. An increase in serum adiponectin and decreases in high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were shown in patients treated with PIO, but not LFS and SU, in phase 1, but were canceled in the drug‐off phase 2 period.ConclusionsPIO treatment provided a prolonged remission of hyperglycemia after stopping the dosage in patients with the early stage of type 2 diabetes.
Use of medical photography among dermatologists: a nationwide online survey study
Authors: Milam E.C. , Leger M.C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundMedical photography enhances patient care, medical education and research. Despite medical photography's widespread use, little is known about how dermatologists choose to implement photography in routine clinical practice, and how they approach issues of image storage, image security and patient consent.ObjectiveTo characterize dermatologists' medical photography habits and opinions.MethodsA 32‐item anonymous, multiple‐choice SurveyMonkey questionnaire about medical photography practices was emailed to programme directors of the 117 United States (US) dermatology residency programmes between May and August 2015, with a request to forward to faculty and affiliated dermatologists. Only board‐certified dermatologists practicing in the United States were eligible. The Institutional Review Board exempted our study from full review.ResultsOur survey included 153 board‐certified dermatologists, primarily representing the north‐east (43.1%) and identifying as academic dermatologists (75.5%). Medical photography is prevalent: 61.8% report everyday use and 21.7% photograph every patient. Those reporting rare use (3.3%) were, on average, 20 years older. Dermatologists most commonly use photography to mark biopsy sites (87.5%), track disease (82.9%) and for education/teaching (72.4%). Nearly half (46%) use smartphone cameras. Emailing and texting photographs with patients or colleagues are common (69.1%). Most dermatologists (75.7%) always request patient consent for photographs. Only 23.7% adhere to a photography protocol and 73.9% desire more training opportunities.ConclusionDermatologists value medical photography. While patterns of image acquisition, storage and consent are noted, a variety of methods and preferences exist. Clearer photography guidelines and increased educational resources are likely to improve image quality, exchangeability and confidentiality.
Sleep and dream habits in a sample of French college students who report no sleep disorders
Authors: Vallat Raphael , Eskinazi Mickael , Nicolas Alain , Ruby Perrine 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThere is a lack of up‐to‐date data on sleep and dream habits of college students. To fill in this gap, we used an online questionnaire sent to the student mailing lists of two major universities of Lyon (Lyon 1 and Lyon 2) for the recruitment of an functional magnetic resonance imaging study with sleep disorders as exclusion criteria. In the sample (1,137 French college students, 411 males, mean age = 22.2 ± 2.4 years, body mass index = 22.0 ± 3.2 kg m−2), on average, the participants reported spending about 8 hr in bed during weekdays, 9 hr during the weekends, and 90.9% of them reported no difficulty falling asleep. Less than 0.4% of students reported to have sleep‐walking episodes regularly, but nearly 7% reported regular sleep‐talking episodes. The average dream recall frequency was about 3 mornings per week with a dream in mind. Dream recall frequency was positively correlated with the clarity of dream content and the frequency of lucid dreaming, and was negatively correlated with age. Fourteen percent of the students reported frequent lucid dreams, and 6% reported frequent recurrent dreams. We found a gender effect for several sleep and dream parameters, including dream recall frequency and time in bed, both of which were higher in women than in men. We have also observed differences between academic disciplines, namely humanities students (Lyon 2) reported spending more time in bed than sciences students (Lyon 1). These results confirm a gender difference for several sleep and dream parameters, and suggest a link between academic disciplines and sleep duration.
The role of sleep in aesthetic perception and empathy: A mediation analysis
Authors: Peretti Sara , Tempesta Daniela , Socci Valentina , Pino Maria C. , Mazza Monica , Valenti Marco , De Gennaro Luigi , Di Dio Cinzia , Marchetti Antonella , Ferrara Michele 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe ability to experience aesthetics plays a fundamental role in human social interactions, as well as the capacity to feel empathy. Some studies have shown that beauty perception shares part of the neural network underlying emotional and empathic abilities, which are also known to affect sleep quality and duration. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the effects of sleep on the relation between aesthetic perception and empathic abilities in healthy subjects using a mediation analysis approach. One‐hundred and twenty‐six subjects participated in this study. One‐hundred and one subjects slept at home (Sleep Group). The remaining 25 subjects were tested as controls after 1 night of sleep deprivation to assess the effects of lack of sleep on aesthetic perception and empathy (Sleep‐Deprived Group). All participants underwent one testing session in which they performed a battery of empathy tests and an aesthetic perception task (Golden Beauty). The results showed that sleep duration mediates the relationship between empathy and aesthetic perception in the sleep group. The mediation effect of sleep was more evident on the emotional empathy measures. Conversely, in the sleep deprivation group the lack of correlations among empathy, aesthetic perception and sleep variables did not allow to perform the mediation analysis. These results suggest that adequate sleep duration may play a significant role in improving cognitive and emotional empathic abilities as well as the capability to give accurate aesthetic judgements.
A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of hepatitis D virus full‐length genomes
Authors: Delfino C. M. , Cerrudo C. S. , Biglione M. , Oubiña J. R. , Ghiringhelli P. D. , Mathet V. L. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIn association with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a subviral agent that may promote severe acute and chronic forms of liver disease. Based on the percentage of nucleotide identity of the genome,HDVwas initially classified into three genotypes. However, since 2006, the original classification has been further expanded into eight clades/genotypes. The intergenotype divergence may be as high as 35%‐40% over the entireRNAgenome, whereas sequence heterogeneity among the isolates of a given genotype is <20%; furthermore,HDVrecombinants have been clearly demonstrated. The genetic diversity ofHDVis related to the geographic origin of the isolates. This study shows the first comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the complete available set ofHDVsequences, using both nucleotide and protein phylogenies (based on an evolutionary model selection, gamma distribution estimation, tree inference and phylogenetic distance estimation), protein composition analysis and comparison (based on the presence of invariant residues, molecular signatures, amino acid frequencies and mono‐ and di‐amino acid compositional distances), as well as amino acid changes in sequence evolution. Taking into account the congruent and consistent results of both nucleotide and amino acid analyses of GenBank available sequences (recorded as of January, 2017), we propose that the eight hepatitis D virus genotypes may be grouped into three large genogroups fully supported by their shared characteristics.