bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Doubled lifespan and patient‐like pathologies in progeria mice fed high‐fat diet
Authors: Kreienkamp Ray , Billon Cyrielle , Bedia‐Diaz Gonzalo , Albert Carolyn J. , Toth Zacharie , Butler Andrew A. , McBride‐Gagyi Sara , Ford David A. , Baldan Angel , Burris Thomas P. , Gonzalo Susana 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHutchinson‐Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a devastating premature aging disease. Mouse models have been instrumental for understanding HGPS mechanisms and for testing therapies, which to date have had only marginal benefits in mice and patients. Barriers to developing effective therapies include the unknown etiology of progeria mice early death, seemingly unrelated to the reported atherosclerosis contributing to HGPS patient mortality, and mice not recapitulating the severity of human disease. Here, we show that progeria mice die from starvation and cachexia. Switching progeria mice approaching death from regular diet to high‐fat diet (HFD) rescues early lethality and ameliorates morbidity. Critically, feeding the mice only HFD delays aging and nearly doubles lifespan, which is the greatest lifespan extension recorded in progeria mice. The extended lifespan allows for progeria mice to develop degenerative aging pathologies of a severity that emulates the human disease. We propose that starvation and cachexia greatly influence progeria phenotypes and that nutritional/nutraceutical strategies might help modulate disease progression. Importantly, progeria mice on HFD provide a more clinically relevant animal model to study mechanisms of HGPS pathology and to test therapies.
COMPARING PPP WITH TRADITIONAL PROCUREMENT: THE CASE OF SCHOOLS PROCUREMENT IN IRELAND
Authors: O'SHEA Cian , PALCIC Dónal , REEVES Eoin 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTAdvocates of public‐private partnerships (PPPs) argue that they can deliver public infrastructure more efficiently than traditional procurement through timelier completion and superior value for money. Despite these claims comparative analysis of the performance of both procurement methods has received scant attention in the PPP literature to date. This paper addresses this issue by providing an in‐depth, case‐based comparison of PPP versus traditional procurement in the schools sector in Ireland. Through detailed semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders and an examination of the available documentation, we assess whether the key objectives of using PPP have been achieved. Overall, we find no evidence that PPP leads to faster delivery of infrastructure when the overall procurement process from contract notice to delivery is accounted for. In addition, we find only limited evidence to suggest that PPP results in better value for money.
Fruitful first experience with an 8K ultra‐high‐definition endoscope for laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: Ohigashi Seiji , Taketa Takashi , Shimada Gen , Kubota Keisuke , Sunagawa Hiroki , Kishida Akihiro 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe performed laparoscopic surgery for three cases of colorectal cancer using an 8K ultra‐high‐definition endoscopic system, which offers 16‐fold higher resolution than the current 2K high‐definition endoscope. The weight of the camera has been successfully reduced to 370 g. To maximize the advantages of the 8K ultra‐high‐definition endoscope, surgery was performed by darkening the room and placing a large 85‐in. display as close to the surgeon as possible. As a result, the autonomic nerve was preserved, and the membrane structure could be clearly observed. Moreover, we were able to feel the stereoscopic effect near the 3‐D image. This suggests the possibility of improved curability and function preservation with the 8K endoscope. Although there are some disadvantages that need to be overcome, the 8K ultra‐high‐definition endoscope will surely contribute to further progress in laparoscopic surgery.
Drawing Inferences for High-Dimensional Linear Models: A Selection-Assisted Partial Regression and Smoothing Approach
Authors: Fei Zhe , Zhu Ji , Banerjee Moulinath , Li Yi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDrawing inferences for high-dimensional models is challenging as regular asymptotic theories are not applicable. This article proposes a new framework of simultaneous estimation and inferences for high-dimensional linear models. By smoothing over partial regression estimates based on a given variable selection scheme, we reduce the problem to low-dimensional least squares estimations. The procedure, termed as Selection-assisted Partial Regression and Smoothing (SPARES), utilizes data splitting along with variable selection and partial regression. We show that the SPARES estimator is asymptotically unbiased and normal, and derive its variance via a nonparametric delta method. The utility of the procedure is evaluated under various simulation scenarios and via comparisons with the de-biased LASSO estimators, a major competitor. We apply the method to analyze two genomic datasets and obtain biologically meaningful results.
The right to exit and skilled labour emigration: Ethical considerations for compulsory health service programmes
Authors: Yuksekdag Yusuf 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCompulsory (health) service contracts have recently received considerable attention in the normative literature. The service contracts are considered and offered as a permissible and liberal alternative to emigration restrictions if individuals relinquish their right to exit via contract in exchange for the state‐funded tertiary education. To that end, the recent normative literature on the service programmes has particularly focused on discussing the circumstances or conditions in which the contracts should be signed, so that they are morally binding on the part of the skilled workers. However, little attention is devoted to the relevance of the right to exit for the debate on compulsory service programmes. In this paper, I argue that even if the service contracts are voluntary, and thus the would‐be medical students voluntarily relinquish their right to exit, the reasons behind the right should be taken into account for the contracts to be morally valid. A clear understanding of the right to exit is a must in order not to breach its basic components and for the service contracts to be morally binding. To that end, I provide two accounts of the reasons to value the right to exit by presenting Patti Lenard's discussion of the right to exit and by reconstructing James Griffin's account of human rights. I conclude by offering brief ethical considerations for compulsory health service programmes grounded in the reasons to value the right to exit.
Cardiac septation in heart development and evolution
Authors: Katano Wataru , Moriyama Yuuta , Takeuchi Jun K. , Koshiba‐Takeuchi Kazuko 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe heart is one of the vital organs and is functionalized for blood circulation from its early development. Some vertebrates have altered their living environment from aquatic to terrestrial life over the course of evolution and obtained circulatory systems well adapted to their lifestyles. The morphology of the heart has been changed together with the acquisition of a sophisticated respiratory organ, the lung. Adaptation to a terrestrial environment requires the coordination of heart and lung development due to the intake of oxygen from the air and the production of the large amount of energy needed for terrestrial life. Therefore, vertebrates developed pulmonary circulation and a septated heart (four‐chambered heart) with venous and arterial blood completely separated. In this review, we summarize how vertebrates change the structures and functions of their circulatory systems according to environmental changes.
Early psychosis detection program in Chile: A first step for the South American challenge in psychosis research
Authors: Gaspar Pablo A. , Castillo Rolando I. , Maturana Alejandro , Villar María J. , Ulloa Karen , González Gabriel , Ibaceta Osvaldo , Ortiz Andrea , Corral Sebastián , Mayol Rocío , De Angel Valeria , Aburto María B. , Martínez Antígona , Corcoran Cheryl M. , Silva Hernán 
Published: December 2018

AimEarly detection and intervention (EDI) is a main challenge in psychosis research. The Chilean schizophrenia (SZ) national program has universal support and treatment by law for all SZ patients, but this does not yet extend to earlier stages of illness. Therefore, we have piloted an ultra‐high risk (UHR) program to demonstrate the utility and feasibility of this public health approach in Chile.MethodsWe introduce “The University of Chile High‐risk Intervention Program,” which is the first national EDI program for UHR youths. Longitudinal follow‐up included clinical and cognitive assessments, and monitoring of physiological sensory and cognitive indices, through electroencephalographic techniques.ResultsWe recruited 27 UHR youths over 2 years. About 92.6% met criteria for attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS). Mean Scale of Psychosis‐Risk Symptoms (SOPS) ratings in the cohort were 6.9 (SD 4.6) for positive, 9.1 (SD 8.3) for negative, 5.4 (SD 5.3) for disorganized and 6.3 (SD 4.1) for general symptoms. About 14.8% met criteria for comorbid anxiety disorders and 44.4% for mood disorders. Most participants received cognitive behavioural therapy (62.9%) and were prescribed low dose antipsychotics (85.2%). The transition rate to psychosis was 22% within 2 years.ConclusionsWe describe our experience in establishing the first EDI program for UHR subjects in Chile. Our cohort is similar in profile and risk to those identified in higher‐income countries. We will extend our work to further optimize psychosocial and preventive interventions, to promote its inclusion in the Chilean SZ national program and to establish a South American collaboration network for SZ research.
Declining population trends of European mountain birds
Authors: Lehikoinen Aleksi , Brotons Lluís , Calladine John , Campedelli Tommaso , Escandell Virginia , Flousek Jiri , Grueneberg Christoph , Haas Fredrik , Harris Sarah , Herrando Sergi , Husby Magne , Jiguet Frederic , Kålås John Atle , Lindström Åke , Lorrillière Romain , Molina Blas , Pladevall Clara , Calvi Gianpiero , Sattler Thomas , Schmid Hans , Sirkiä Päivi M. , Teufelbauer Norbert , Trautmann Sven 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMountain areas often hold special species communities, and they are high on the list of conservation concern. Global warming and changes in human land use, such as grazing pressure and afforestation, have been suggested to be major threats for biodiversity in the mountain areas, affecting species abundance and causing distribution shifts towards mountaintops. Population shifts towards poles and mountaintops have been documented in several areas, indicating that climate change is one of the key drivers of species’ distribution changes. Despite the high conservation concern, relatively little is known about the population trends of species in mountain areas due to low accessibility and difficult working conditions. Thanks to the recent improvement of bird monitoring schemes around Europe, we can here report a first account of population trends of 44 bird species from four major European mountain regions: Fennoscandia, UK upland, south‐western (Iberia) and south‐central mountains (Alps), covering 12 countries. Overall, the mountain bird species declined significantly (−7%) during 2002–2014, which is similar to the declining rate in common birds in Europe during the same period. Mountain specialists showed a significant −10% decline in population numbers. The slope for mountain generalists was also negative, but not significantly so. The slopes of specialists and generalists did not differ from each other. Fennoscandian and Iberian populations were on average declining, while in United Kingdom and Alps, trends were nonsignificant. Temperature change or migratory behaviour was not significantly associated with regional population trends of species. Alpine habitats are highly vulnerable to climate change, and this is certainly one of the main drivers of mountain bird population trends. However, observed declines can also be partly linked with local land use practices. More efforts should be undertaken to identify the causes of decline and to increase conservation efforts for these populations.
Winter grazing stockpiled native warm‐season grasses in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Tilhou Neal W. , Nave Renata L. G. , Mulliniks J. Travis , McFarlane Zachary D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the Southeastern United States, native warm‐season grasses (NWSG) are not harvested during autumn to rebuild root reserves, resulting in de facto stockpiled winter forage. Senesced NWSG forage is considered nutritionally inadequate by temperate livestock managers, but comparable forage is regularly utilized in rangeland systems. This experiment compared the forage characteristics of two NWSG pastures: switchgrass [Panicum virgatum L. (SG)] and a two species mixture of big bluestem/indiangrass [Andropogon gerardii Vitman/Sorghastrum nutans L. (BBIG)] to tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (TF)]. During two winter periods (January‐April), monthly samples were collected and measured for dry‐matter herbage mass (HM), crude protein (CP), in‐vitro true dry‐matter digestibility (48 hr; IVTDMD), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), NDF digestibility (dNDF) and lignin. Across sampling dates, TF provided adequate forage for low‐input animal maintenance (90.3 CP g/kg; 488 g IVTDMD/kg; 4,040 kg DM/ha), while SG had lowest nutritive values and greatest DM (21.0 g CP/kg; 366 g IVTDMD/kg; 7,670 kg DM/ha). Samples of BBIG had results intermediate to SG and TF (32.1 g CP/kg; 410 g IVTDMD/kg; 5,160 kg DM/ha). Leaf sub‐samples of NWSG indicated greater forage nutritive value compared to whole plant samples (e.g., SG: 65 vs 27 g CP/kg respectively). This indicates that selective grazing could allow superior outcomes to those expected from whole plant NWSG nutritive values. Although consistently nutritionally inferior to TF, further research could reveal strategies to make stockpiled NWSG economically useful to livestock managers.
The impact of R&D and knowledge spillovers on the economic growth of Russian regions
Authors: Kaneva Maria , Untura Galina 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRussia presents an interesting case of a country which has strived to implement innovation policies since the transition period but so far has achieved mixed results. This study aims to analyze the impact of knowledge production and knowledge spillovers on regional growth in Russia within a framework of endogenous growth models. Applying GMM and spatial error panel modeling techniques to Rosstat data for 80 Russian regions from 2005 to 2013, the authors test the hypothesis about the relevance of R&D and expenditure on technological innovations (H1) and the hypothesis about the relevance of knowledge spillovers (H2) on the growth rates of GRP per capita. Hypothesis 1 was confirmed while Hypothesis 2 was rejected, indicating the absorptive capacities of innovatively lagging regions were not high enough for effective adaptation of new technologies from technologically innovative regions. Inclusion of indicators related to additional channels of knowledge diffusion in regressions resulted in the relevance of FDI and imports of goods and services for regional growth. Results of the study could form the basis for developing innovation policies for the Russian regions.
Microstructure, bonding strength, and friction–wear performance of AlCrN/nitrided layer composite coating on H13 hot work mould steel
Authors: Zhao Wen , Kong Dejun 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAn AlCrN/nitrided layer (NL) composite coating was fabricated on H13 hot work mould steel using a cathode arc ion plating and low temperature plasma nitriding. The surface and cross‐section morphologies, chemical composition, phases, and roughness of AlCrN/NL coating were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer, X–ray diffractometer (XRD), and atomic force microscope, respectively, the friction–wear performances of AlCrN/NL coatings at 400, 500, and 600°C were investigated using a high‐temperature wear test. The results show that the AlCrN/NL coating with the surface roughness of 76.8 nm forms the AlN phase, which increase its hardness from 1088 HV of NL to 2381 HV. The average coefficients of friction (COFs) of AlCrN/NL coating at 400, 500, and 600°C are 0.70, 0.55, and 0.56, respectively, and the corresponding wear rates are 1.59 × 10−5, 9.77 × 10−5, and 3.93 × 10−5 mm3/N/m, respectively, as a result, the lowest average COF and wear rate are at 500 and 400°C respectively. The wear mechanism of AlCrN/NL coating at 400°C is primary abrasive wear, accompanied by adhesive wear, while those at 500 and 600°C are primary adhesive wear, accompanied by abrasive wear.
Head lice infestations in rural Honduras: the need for an integrated approach to control neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Jamani Shabana , Rodríguez Carol , Rueda María M. , Matamoros Gabriela , Canales Maritza , Bearman Gonzalo , Stevens Michael , Sanchez Ana 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundPediculosis capitis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that receives little attention in countries where it continues to be endemic. This study aimed to understand the impact of Pediculus humanus capitis infestations in the lives of Honduran children living in extreme poverty.MethodsA qualitative study on head lice infestation was conducted in June 2016 in a rural community in Honduras. Parents were invited to bring their children for head lice inspection using a dry‐combing technique with a stainless steel‐toothed comb with suction power. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to participants. Questions were broadly grouped into knowledge about transmission, control practices, barriers to treatment, and the overall impact of these infestations in children's wellbeing. Responses were coded, categorized, and organized through a theme‐based approach.ResultsIn total, 52 children aged 2–14 years (42 girls) and their mothers were enrolled in the study. The overall proportion of children with an infestation was 83%. Response analysis revealed a lack of understanding regarding lice transmission and stigmatization of infested children and the widespread belief that head lice were acquired during bathing in the slow‐flowing river running through the village. An agricultural plaguicide was commonly used to rid children of head lice.ConclusionsThe study underscores the dire situation of the rural poor, their physical and mental health affected by pediculosis capitis as well as other NTDs. These results highlight the need to reassess approaches and action towards combating NTDS under an integrated framework.
Mineralocorticoid receptor deficiency improves the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells for myocardial infarction via enhanced cell survival
Authors: Xie Xinxing , Shen Yunli , Chen Jing , Huang Zheyong , Ge Junbo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe poor survival of stem cells seriously limits their therapeutic efficacy for myocardial infarction (MI). Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. Here, we examined whether MR silencing in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could improve MSCs’ survival and enhance their cardioprotective effects in MI. MSCs from male Sprague‐Dawley rats were transfected with adenoviral small interfering RNA to silence MR (siRNA‐MR). MR silencing decreased hypoxia‐induced MSCs’ apoptosis, as demonstrated by Annexin V/7‐AAD staining. The mechanisms contributing to the beneficial effects of MR depletion were associated with inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species production and increased Bcl‐2/Bax ratio. In vivo study, 1 × 106 of MSCs with or without siRNA‐MR were injected into rat hearts immediately after MI. Depletion of MR could improve the MSCs’ survival significantly in infarcted myocardium, associated with more cardiac function improvement and smaller infarct size. Capillary density were also significantly higher in siRNA group with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. Our study demonstrated that silencing MR promoted MSCs’ survival and repair efficacy in ischaemic hearts. MR might be a potential target for enhancing the efficacy of cell therapy in ischaemic heart disease.
Impact of albumin–bilirubin grade on survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received sorafenib: An analysis using time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic
Authors: Tada Toshifumi , Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Tsuji Kunihiko , Hiraoka Atsushi , Michitaka Kojiro , Deguchi Akihiro , Ishikawa Toru , Imai Michitaka , Ochi Hironori , Joko Koji , Shimada Noritomo , Tajiri Kazuto , Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Hiasa Yoichi , Tanaka Junko 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground and AimAlbumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade was developed as a new method to assess hepatic function. Sorafenib has been confirmed to be effective in improving survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the impact of ALBI grade versus Child–Pugh classification on survival in HCC patients who received sorafenib.MethodsA total of 567 patients with advanced HCC who received sorafenib were included. We analyzed survival based on Child–Pugh classification or score and ALBI grade or score. We also compared the ability of ALBI and Child–Pugh scores to predict survival using time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis.ResultsCumulative survival rates at 90, 180, 360, and 720 days were 84.1%, 66.6%, 47.0%, and 23.3%, respectively. Median survival was 316 days (95% confidence interval, 279–377). Both Child–Pugh classification and ALBI grade were independently associated with overall survival in multivariate analyses. In addition, overall survival differed significantly between patients with ALBI grades 1 and 2 (hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.92, P = 0.011) among patients with a Child–Pugh score of 5. Time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that ALBI score predicted overall survival better than Child–Pugh score.ConclusionsAlbumin–bilirubin grade is a better predictor of survival in patients with advanced HCC who received sorafenib therapy than Child–Pugh classification.