bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment response and non‐response in CBT and Network Support for alcohol disorders: targeted mechanisms and common factors
Authors: Litt Mark D. , Kadden Ronald M. , Tennen Howard 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimsTo determine whether mechanisms of drinking behavior change that are targeted by specific treatments mediate the effects of Packaged Cognitive Behavior Therapy (PCBT) and Network Support (NS) on abstinence rates throughout 27 months.DesignSecondary analysis of data from two Network Support Project randomized clinical trials, in which participants were assigned to either a case management control treatment (control) or NS treatment in trial 1, or to PCBT or NS treatment in trial 2.SettingAn out‐patient substance abuse treatment site at a university medical center in the United States.ParticipantsA total of 249 men and 154 women (n = 403) with alcohol use disorder.MeasurementsThe primary outcome was membership in a treatment responder class determined by growth mixture modeling (GMM) of monthly proportion days abstinent (PDA) to 27 months. Key predictors of responder class membership included network change variables, and changes in coping scores and self‐efficacy.FindingsGMM analyses indicated that a three‐class solution provided the best fit to the data: a treatment responder class comprising almost 55% of patients, a late relapsing class that showed post‐treatment gains followed by a return to baseline drinking (12.7% of patients) and a non‐responder class (32% of patients). Analyses indicated that treatment effects on responder class membership were moderated by baseline drinking (P < 0.001). PCBT effects were mediated by changes in coping scores (P < 0.05). NS treatment effects were also mediated by coping change, as well as by increases in self‐efficacy and in number of abstinent friends (P < 0.05).ConclusionsLong‐term success in Packaged Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Network Support treatments for alcohol use disorder appears to be mediated by both general mechanisms (developing coping skills and self‐efficacy) and treatment‐targeted mechanisms (developing network strategies that emphasize social support and avoiding friends who drink).
Effects of chelating agent and acids on Biodentine
Authors: Ballal V , Marques JN , Campos CN , Lima CO , Simão RA , Prado M 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the effect of distilled water, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), phosphoric acid and maleic acid on Biodentine regarding surface topography, microhardness and push‐out bond strength (POBS).MethodsFifty‐two cylindrical shaped Biodentine specimens were divided into groups: control (distilled water); EDTA (17% EDTA); PA (37% phosphoric acid); and MA (7% maleic acid). Surfaces were evaluated by topographic analysis and Vickers microhardness test. Topographic changes were evaluated qualitatively and microhardness was statistically analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test. Forty mandibular molars were used to simulate clinical conditions. The crowns were removed and a perforation was created at the furcal floor. The Biodentine was packed into the root perforations and the roots were divided into four groups (DW, EDTA, PA, MA). Samples were stored and subjected to interfacial analysis. POBS data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests.ResultsEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid, MA and PA changed the morphology of the Biodentine surface. PA showed microhardness similar to distilled water (P > 0.05), while MA and EDTA demonstrated reduced values when compared with PA (P < 0.05). PA improved the POBS of Biodentine in comparison with the control.ConclusionsChanges in the topography, microhardness and POBS of Biodentine are associated with irrigant agent used.
Differential seedling regeneration patterns across forest–grassland ecotones in two tropical treeline species (Polylepis spp.)
Authors: Morales Laura V. , Sevillano‐Rios Cristian Steven , Fick Stephen , Young Truman P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSuccessful forest expansion into grassland can be limited by seed dispersal and adverse conditions for tree seedlings in the grassland environment. In the high‐elevation Andes, human‐induced fragmentation has exacerbated the patchy distribution of Polylepis forests, threatening their unique biological communities and spurring restoration interest. Studies of Polylepis forest extent in Peru suggest that forest borders have remained stable over the past century despite decreasing anthropogenic disturbance, suggesting that tree seedling recruitment is being limited in the open grassland habitat. We studied natural seedling dispersion patterns of Polylepis sericea and Polylepis weberbaueri (Rosaceae) at forest–grassland edges across a range of environmental conditions to examine seedling recruitment and colonization of grasslands in Huascaran National Park (Peru). Using data from 2367 seedlings found in 48 forest–grassland edge plots (15 m × 15 m) at forest patches between 3900–4500 masl, we employed generalized mixed modelling to identify the significant associations of seedling densities with environmental covariates. In addition, we compared these associations to patterns of adult presence on the landscape. Seedling densities were associated with a combination of variables varying within (distance to forest edge) and among (elevation and dry season solar irradiation) plots across the landscape. For both species, seedling densities decreased with increasing distance away from the forest in a manner consistent with short‐distance seed dispersal by wind. Our results suggest that such short‐distance dispersal may slow forest expansion, but that there also appear to be substantial post‐dispersal limitations to seedling establishment in the grassland. Polylepis sericea densities decreased with elevation, while P. weberbaueri increased with elevation and decreased with solar irradiation. Associations of adult presence with elevation and solar irradiation mirrored those of seedling densities. Management of areas with forest patches dominated by these species should consider these differences in their environmental tolerances, particularly during species selection and zonation for reforestation.
Promoting and developing insect conservation in Australia's urban environments
Authors: New Tim R 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAccelerating pressures to accommodate rapidly increasing human populations in Australia pose major problems for insect conservation in urban and periurban regions from loss of natural habitats, alien species impacts and a variety of other causes. Several urban insects have become notable flagships for promoting wider conservation interests, leading to wider appreciation of environmental benefits of ‘open spaces’, urban forests, connectivity, ‘green architecture’ and other landscape features as relevant planning considerations in urban development. Their conservation, under a range of ecological contexts and threats, occurs in conjunction with energetic advocacy and educational programs that can emphasise the roles and diversity of Australia's unique insect fauna. Approaches to conserving native insects amidst urban intensification are discussed from selected case studies and citizen science projects that illustrate principles and complexities of single‐species conservation, the values of indicator and diversity surrogate taxa and the implications of alien species on native insect diversity and its losses in urban environments. Important lessons and implications include the following: (1) recognition that taxonomic and ecological diversity of insects can be high in urban areas; (2) acknowledgment that insect diversity in urban environments is vulnerable to changes and a variety of threatening processes; (3) mitigation responses that involve reducing threats, preserving open spaces with natural vegetation, creating new open areas and promoting connectivity; (4) establishment of partnerships that enhance conservation values and prospects through individual people, local authorities and government agencies; and (5) increasing awareness of insects as integral components of ecological sustainability contributing to the wider values of urban environments.
In silico characterization of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms of folate pathway genes
Authors: Vohra Manik , Sharma Anu Radha , Paul Bobby , Bhat Manoj K , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu , Rai Padmalatha S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFolate metabolism genes are pivotal to critical biological processes and are related to several conditions, including developmental, cognitive, and cardiovascular anomalies. A systematic catalog of genetic polymorphisms in protein coding regions, regulatory transcription factor binding sites, and miRNA binding sites associated with folate pathway genes may contribute to personalized medicine. We performed a comprehensive computational survey of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of folate pathway genes to highlight functional polymorphisms in the coding region, transcription factor binding sites, and miRNAs binding sites. Folate pathway genes were searched through PubMed and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway databases. SNPs were identified and characterized using the University of California, Santa Cruz genome browser and SNPnexus tool. Functional characterization of nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPS) was performed using bioinformatics tools, and common deleterious nsSNPs were identified. We identified 48 genes of folate pathway containing 287 SNPs in the coding regions. Out of these SNPs, rs5742905, rs45511401, and rs1801133 were predicted to be deleterious through four different bioinformatics tools. Three‐dimensional structures of two proteins with and without deleterious nsSNPs were predicted by SWISSPDB viewer and SuperPose. Besides, a total of 237 SNPs was identified in transcription factor binding sites using the Genomatix software suite and six miRNA target site SNPs using miRNASNP. This systematic and extensive in silico analysis of functional SNPs of folate pathway may provide a foundation for future targeted mechanistic, structure‐function, and genetic epidemiological studies.
Exosomal tetraspanins as regulators of cancer progression and metastasis and novel diagnostic markers
Authors: Malla Rama Rao , Pandrangi Santhi , Kumari Seema , Gavara Murali Mohan , Badana Anil Kumar 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExosomes are cell–cell communicators emerging as a new paradigm for noninvasive diagnosis and prognosis of treatment response. Exosomal tetraspanin proteins like CD63, CD9 and CD81 play a critical role in sorting, selective recruitment of biomolecules, target selection, cell‐specific entry, capturing, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. These tetraspanins are being used as markers for oral, colorectal and colon cancers and glioblastoma. However, exosomal markers with robust specificity for early detection of carcinomas are the furthest along. EXO CARTA database shows the presence of CD151 in exosomes of colorectal, melanoma, ovarian and prostate cancers. CD151 preferentially targets exosomes to lung, lymph node and stroma cells. The present review discussed the possible role of tetraspanins in the formation, cargo selection, target selection and uptake of exosomes and suggests exciting new directions for future research.
Making Austerity Popular: The Media and Mass Attitudes toward Fiscal Policy
Authors: Barnes Lucy , Hicks Timothy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhat explains variation in individual attitudes toward government deficits? Although macroeconomic stance is of paramount importance for contemporary governments, our understanding of its popular politics is limited. We argue that popular attitudes regarding austerity are influenced by media (and wider elite) framing. Information necessary to form preferences on the deficit is not provided neutrally, and its provision shapes how voters understand their interests. A wide range of evidence from Britain between 2010 and 2015 supports this claim. In the British Election Study, deficit attitudes vary systematically with the source of news consumption, even controlling for party identification. A structural topic model of two major newspapers' reporting shows that content varies systematically with respect to coverage of public borrowing—in ways that intuitively accord with the attitudes of their readership. Finally, a survey experiment suggests causation from media to attitudes: deficit preferences change based on the presentation of deficit information.
Sectarian Framing in the Syrian Civil War
Authors: Corstange Daniel , York Erin A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHow do civilians respond to civil war narratives? Do they react to ethnic frames more strongly than to alternatives? Governments and rebels battle for hearts and minds as well as strategic terrain, and winning the narrative war can shift legitimacy, popular support, and material resources to the sympathetically framed side. We examine the effect of one‐sided and competing war discourses on ordinary people's understandings of the Syrian civil war—a conflict with multiple narratives, but which has become more communal over time. We conduct a framing experiment with a representative sample of Syrian refugees in Lebanon in which we vary the narrative that describes the reasons for the conflict. We find that sectarian explanations, framed in isolation, strongly increase the importance government supporters place on fighting. When counterframed against competing narratives, however, the rallying effect of sectarianism drops and vanishes.
Childhood asthma clusters reveal neutrophil‐predominant phenotype with distinct gene expression
Authors: Su M.‐W. , Lin W.‐C. , Tsai C.‐H. , Chiang B.‐L. , Yang Y.‐H. , Lin Y.‐T. , Wang L.‐C. , Lee J.‐H. , Chou C.‐C. , Wu Y.‐F. , Yeh Y.‐L. , Lee Y. L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundChildhood asthma comprises different phenotypes with complex pathophysiology. Different asthma phenotypes evoke various clinical symptoms and vary in their responses to treatments.MethodsWe applied k‐means clustering algorithm of twelve objective laboratory tests among 351 asthmatic children enrolled in the Taiwanese Consortium of Childhood Asthma Study (TCCAS). We constructed gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from children with different asthma phenotypes.ResultsFive distinct phenotypes of childhood asthma were identified and can be characterized by either eosinophil‐predominant or neutrophil‐predominant inflammatory characteristics. In the gene expression profile analysis, significant differences were noted for neutrophil‐predominant asthma, compared with samples from all the other asthma phenotypes. The vast majority of the differentially expressed genes in neutrophil‐predominant asthma was associated with corticosteroid response. From an independent inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) response cohort, we also found neutrophils could be activated in this severe asthma phenotype and neutrophil‐predominant asthma may be associated with corticosteroid nonresponsiveness.ConclusionPhenotype clustering of childhood asthma can be helpful to identify clinically relevant patients and reveal different inflammatory characteristics in asthmatic children. Neutrophil‐predominant asthma is the most severe asthma phenotype with poor corticosteroid response. Gene expression profile of different asthma phenotypes not only improve our knowledge of childhood asthma, but also can guide asthma precision medicine.
Topical application of corticosteroids to tracheal tubes to prevent postoperative sore throat in adults undergoing tracheal intubation: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kuriyama A. , Maeda H. , Sun R. , Aga M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryPostoperative sore throat negatively affects patient satisfaction and recovery. Numerous randomised trials have tested the efficacy of corticosteroids applied to tracheal tubes to prevent postoperative sore throat. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Wanfang Database, and the China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database from inception to 7 December 2017. We included randomised controlled trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids applied to tracheal tubes, compared either with non‐analgesic controls and analgesic agents, in adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. We pooled the data using a random‐effects model and assessed the risk of random error by applying trial sequential analysis. Our primary outcomes were postoperative sore throat 24 h after surgery/extubation, and adverse events. The evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. We included 20 randomised controlled trials involving 2200 patients. Compared with non‐analgesic controls, corticosteroids applied to tracheal tubes were associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative sore throat, risk ratio (95%CI) 0.39 (0.32–0.49) (18 trials, 1506 patients). Two randomised trials reported no adverse events. Compared with lidocaine, corticosteroids applied to tracheal tubes were associated with reduced incidence of postoperative sore throat, risk ratio (95%CI) 0.42 (0.35–0.51) (nine trials, 706 patients). Trial sequential analyses suggested the presence of firm evidence that corticosteroids applied to tracheal tubes were superior both to non‐analgesic controls and lidocaine, in preventing postoperative sore throat. Evidence for postoperative sore throat for both comparisons was assessed as high quality. Only two trials sought adverse events; none were recorded.
Obstetric synthetic oxytocin use and subsequent hyperactivity/inattention problems in Danish children
Authors: Stokholm Lonny , Juhl Mette , Lønfeldt Nicole N. , Mikkelsen Susanne H. , Obel Carsten , Strandberg‐Larsen Katrine 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe objective was to examine the association between obstetric synthetic oxytocin use and hyperactivity/inattention problems in offspring.Material and methodsWe identified children born in 2000–2003, enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort, with data on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) reported by parents at age seven (n = 33 896) and age 11 (n = 27 561) and the children themselves around age 11 (n = 27 251). Information on oxytocin administration was provided in the Medical Birth Register. We estimated mean differences and odds ratios for childhood hyperactivity/inattention problems according to oxytocin exposure.ResultsSynthetic oxytocin was administered in 26% of the deliveries. We did not find the use of synthetic oxytocin during birth to be associated with childhood hyperactivity/inattention problems, whether analyzed in linear or logistic regression models.ConclusionsOur findings do not support any effects of obstetric use of synthetic oxytocin on hyperactivity/inattention problems in children when measured with the SDQ subscale at 7 or 11 years of age.
Investigation of the Relationship Between Electrical Stimulation Frequency and Muscle Frequency Response Under Submaximal Contractions
Authors: Papcke Caluê , Krueger Eddy , Olandoski Marcia , Nogueira‐Neto Guilherme Nunes , Nohama Percy , Scheeren Eduardo Mendonça 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a common tool that is used in clinical and laboratory experiments and can be combined with mechanomyography (MMG) for biofeedback in neuroprostheses. However, it is not clear if the electrical current applied to neuromuscular tissues influences the MMG signal in submaximal contractions. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the electrical stimulation frequency influences the mechanomyographic frequency response of the rectus femoris muscle during submaximal contractions. Thirteen male participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) recorded in isometric conditions to determine the maximal force of knee extensors. This was followed by the application of nine modulated NMES frequencies (20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, and 100 Hz) to evoke 5% MVIC. Muscle behavior was monitored by the analysis of MMG signals, which were decomposed into frequency bands by using a Cauchy wavelet transform. For each applied electrical stimulus frequency, the mean MMG spectral/frequency response was estimated for each axis (X, Y, and Z axes) of the MMG sensor with the values of the frequency bands used as weights (weighted mean). Only with respect to the Z (perpendicular) axis of the MMG signal, the stimulus frequency of 20 Hz did not exhibit any difference with the weighted mean (P = 0.666). For the frequencies of 20 and 25 Hz, the MMG signal displayed the bands between 12 and 16 Hz in the three axes (P < 0.050). In the frequencies from 30 to 100 Hz, the muscle presented a higher concentration of the MMG signal between the 22 and 29 Hz bands for the X and Z axes, and between 16 and 34 Hz bands for the Y axis (P < 0.050 for all cases). We observed that MMG signals are not dependent on the applied NMES frequency, because their frequency contents tend to mainly remain between the 20‐ and 25‐Hz bands. Hence, NMES does not interfere with the use of MMG in neuroprosthesis.
Evaluation and Comparison of Hemodynamic Performance of Three ECLS Systems in a Simulated Adult Cardiogenic Shock Model
Authors: Ündar Akif , Wang Shigang , Moroi Morgan , Kunselman Allen R. , Brehm Christoph E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate three commercially available ECLS systems with rotary pumps in terms of circuit pressure, pressure drop, perfusion modes, and hemodynamic energy transmission in a simulated adult cardiogenic shock model. One circuit consisted of a Cardiohelp system, which included a Cardiohelp console and HLS Module Advanced 7.0 tubing set with integrated centrifugal pump and oxygenator. The alternative circuit was composed of a Quadrox‐D Adult oxygenator connected in series with either an i‐cor diagonal pump and console or a Rotaflow centrifugal pump and console. The circuit was primed with lactated Ringer's solution and packed red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). The trials were conducted at flow rates of 1‐5 L/min with pseudo patient pressures of 60 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg. Pulsatile flow was tested when using the i‐cor system. Mean pre‐oxygenator pressure and pressure drop across ECLS circuit (including oxygenator and arterial tubing) were lower when using the Cardiohelp system as compared to the Rotaflow and i‐cor systems (P < 0.01). The i‐cor system was able to deliver more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo patient because of its ability to produce pulsatile flow (P < 0.01). The Cardiohelp HLS Module Advanced 7.0 integrated oxygenator had a lower resistance than the Quadrox‐D oxygenator. Although the compact Cardiohelp system had a better hemodynamic performance when compared to Rotaflow and i‐cor systems, the pulsatile flow of the i‐cor system delivered more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo patient. This may render more physiological benefits in high‐risk patients on ECLS.