bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parent experiences with paediatric allergy pathways in the West Midlands: A qualitative study
Authors: Diwakar Lavanya , Cummins Carole , Hackett Scott , Rees Martyn , Charles Lynette , Kerrigan Caroline , Creed Helen , Roberts Tracy 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence, severity and complexity of allergic diseases have been increasing steadily in the United Kingdom over the last few decades. Primary care physicians are often not adequately trained in allergy management while specialist services for allergy are scarce and heterogeneous. Services, therefore, have been unable to meet the rising demand. This is particularly true for paediatric allergy services in the United Kingdom.ObjectiveTo understand parent experiences with paediatric allergy pathways in the West Midlands (WM) region of the United Kingdom.MethodsParents of children aged between 0 and 16 years from the WM region were recruited opportunistically until thematic saturation was achieved. Eighteen semi‐structured interviews were carried out and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed on NVivo software using the framework method. Themes were identified from the transcripts as well as from existing literature.ResultsParents highlighted numerous issues related to allergy services in the region including difficulties with being taken seriously by their physicians, problems with accessing health care and issues with information and the need for additional supportive care for allergies.Conclusions and Clinical relevancePrimary care for children with allergies in the WM is disparate. Parents experience difficulties in accessing primary and secondary care services and also obtaining timely and appropriate information regarding their child's allergies. Most parents were happy to be reviewed by either specialist nurses or by consultants in the hospital. Improving accessibility and availability of reliable information as well as provision of additional services (such as psychologists and dietetics) were highlighted by parents as being important to allergy services in the region. These findings can help inform future planning and commissioning of allergy services.
Kawasaki syndrome: immunomodulatory benefit and potential toxin neutralization by intravenous immune globulin
Authors: Leung D Y M 
Published: January 2019

SummaryKawasaki Syndrome (KS) is an acute multi-system vasculitis of infancy and early childhood associated with the development of coronary artery abnormalities. The prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities can be significantly reduced by treating patients during the first 10 days of illness with high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). Despite the widely held belief that KS is caused by an infectious agent, the aetiology of this illness remains controversial. Recent immunological and microbiological studies suggest a potential role for staphylococcal and streptocococcal toxins (superantigens) in the pathogenesis of KS. Confirmation of these findings could result in more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this common cause of acquired heart disease in children.
Sigmoid resection for diverticular disease – to ligate or to preserve the inferior mesenteric artery? Results of a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cirocchi R. , Popivanov G. , Binda G. A. , Henry B. M. , Tomaszewski K. A. , Davies R. J. , Di Saverio S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimIn colorectal cancer, ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a standard surgical approach. In contrast, ligation of the IMA is not mandatory during treatment of diverticular disease. The object of this meta‐analysis was to assess if preservation of the IMA reduces the risk of anastomotic leakage.MethodA search was performed up to August 2018 using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus. The measures of treatment effect utilized risk ratios for dichotomous variables with calculation of the 95% CI. Data analysis was performed using the meta‐analysis software Review Manager 5.3.ResultsEight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis: two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six non‐RCTs with 2190 patients (IMA preservation 1353, ligation 837). The rate of anastomotic leakage was higher in the IMA ligation group (6%) than the IMA preservation group (2.4%), but this difference was not statistically significant [risk ratio (RR) 0.59, 95% CI 0.26–1.33, I2 = 55%]. The conversion to laparotomy was significantly lower in the IMA ligation group (5.1%) than in the IMA preservation group (9%) (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.14–2.65, I2 = 0%). Regarding the other outcomes (anastomotic bleeding, bowel injury and splenic damage), no significant differences between the two techniques were observed.ConclusionThis meta‐analysis failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the anastomotic leakage rate when comparing IMA preservation with IMA ligation. Thus, to date there is insufficient evidence to recommend the IMA‐preserving technique as mandatory in resection for left‐sided colonic diverticular disease.
Assessing the readability, quality and accuracy of online health information for patients with low anterior resection syndrome following surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Garfinkle R. , Wong‐Chong N. , Petrucci A. , Sylla P. , Wexner S. D. , Bhatnagar S. , Morin N. , Boutros M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimManagement of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) requires a high degree of patient engagement. This process may be facilitated by online health‐related information and education. The aim of this study was to systematically review current online health information on LARS.MethodAn online search of Google, Yahoo and Bing was performed using the search terms ‘low anterior/anterior resection syndrome’ and ‘bowel function/movements after rectal cancer surgery’. Websites were assessed for readability (eight standardized tests), suitability (using the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument), quality (the DISCERN instrument), accuracy and content (using a LARS‐specific content checklist). Websites were categorized as academic, governmental, nonprofit or private.ResultsOf 117 unique websites, 25 met the inclusion criteria. The median readability level was 10.4 (9.2–11.7) and 11 (44.0%) websites were highly suitable. Using the DISCERN instrument, seven (28.0%) websites had clear aims, two (8.0%) divulged the sources used and four (16.0%) had high overall quality. Only eight (32.0%) websites defined LARS and ten (40.0%) listed all five major symptoms associated with the LARS score. There was variation in the number of websites that discussed dietary modifications (80.0%), self‐help strategies (72.0%), medication (68.0%), pelvic floor rehabilitation (60.0%) and neuromodulation (8.0%). The median accuracy of websites was 93.8% (88.2–96.7%). Governmental websites scored highest for overall suitability (P = 0.0079) and quality (P < 0.001).ConclusionsCurrent online information on LARS is suboptimal. Websites are highly variable, important content is often lacking and material is too complex for patients.
The sentineling—Foraging trade‐off in dominant and subordinate Arabian babblers
Authors: Ostreiher Roni , Heifetz Aviad 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMany cooperative breeders forage under predation risks, sentineling is a central activity, and groupmates have to balance between sentineling and foraging. The optimal balance between sentinel activity and foraging may differ among dominant and subordinate individuals, as dominants are more efficient foragers. Two theoretical models pertain to this balance and predict when individuals with different foraging abilities should switch between the two activities on the basis of their energetic state. In one of these models, individuals must attain a critical energetic level by dusk to pass the night, and in the second model fitness is monotonically increasing with the energetic state. We tested these models in the cooperatively breeding Arabian babbler,Turdoides squamiceps. We measured the length of sentinel bouts and the gaps between them both in natural conditions and following experimental feeding. Following feeding ad libitum, subordinates expanded their sentinel bouts significantly more than dominants in comparison with natural conditions. These findings are consistent with the first model, but not with the second. In the experiment, we measured the mass of mealworms consumed by each individual following a sentinel bout relative to its body mass. This ratio was larger for subordinates, indicating that they ended their sentinel bouts at a lower energetic state than dominants. This finding is consistent with the second model, but not with the first. Immediately after eating ad libitum,in 62% of the cases the first behavior performed by the babblers was a new sentinel bout, but in 17% it was a mutual interaction with a groupmate, indicating that social interactions also play a role in the trade‐off vis‐à‐vis sentinel activity.
Main stem and off‐channel habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon in a sub‐Arctic riverscape
Authors: Huntsman Brock M. , Falke Jeffrey A. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Poor growth and survival in freshwater and marine environments have been implicated as responsible for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) declines across Alaska.

Lateral connectivity of river main stems with off‐channel habitats may play an integral role in sustaining Alaskan salmonid populations because off‐channel habitats commonly provide greater growth opportunities than main stem habitats through greater macroinvertebrate productivity and warmer water temperatures. However, off‐channel habitats may impose greater mortality risks to juvenile salmonids, as these habitats are typically more susceptible to drying and are often occupied by potential predators.

We used a hierarchical Bayesian count model to describe juvenile Chinook salmon distributions throughout the Chena River, Alaska in main stem and off‐channel habitats and employed diet, prey availability, and bioenergetic analyses to explain these habitat selection decisions from data collected in the summer of 2015.

We found salmon to be most abundant in off‐channel habitats as summer temperature increased, which suggested that salmon dispersed to off‐channel habitats to take advantage of energetically favourable growth conditions as indicated by the higher prey biomass in benthic and diet samples collected within off‐channel habitats.

Our results could have significant implications for juvenile salmon under a warming Alaskan climate as access to productive off‐channel habitats may be important to offset increased energetic costs as temperature warms.
Importance of scale, land‐use, and stream network properties for riparian plant communities along an urban gradient
Authors: Kuglerová Lenka , Kielstra Brian W. , Moore R. Dan , Richardson John S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRiparian forests along urban streams are affected by flashy hydrological regimes and adjacent upland land‐use, and their downstream dynamics are altered by forest fragmentation and by frequent river network truncation. This can lead to lower riparian habitat quality, decreased dispersal along the river network and increased recruitment of novel plant communities including non‐native species. Compared to forested landscapes, our understanding of riparian plant community diversity and composition along urban river networks is poor.We investigated riparian plant communities and riparian habitat variables along seven river networks situated along an urban gradient in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. Six land‐use metrics classifying the intensity of urbanisation on three spatial scales (sub‐catchment, upstream riparian buffer, site buffer) were tested to explain the variation in riparian plant communities along the river networks and to describe the differences in riparian habitat.Riparian plant diversity peaked at sites which had between 40% and 70% of built‐up land cover within sub‐catchments; however, these communities contained a large number of non‐native species compared to the forested streams. While total species richness and native species richness were more related to river network factors (catchment area), non‐native richness was also affected by land‐use within a site. Community composition was more related to local land‐use than catchment area. Geographical distance between sites (both overland and hydrological) was increasingly more important for community heterogeneity along the urbanisation gradient. Riparian habitat worsened along the urbanisation gradient, with higher disturbance and soil pH and lower soil organic content and bryophyte cover in the more urban catchments. Riparian habitat variables were also related to the position along the river networks.Our results provide important insights into how riparian plant communities and riparian habitat differ along a gradient of urbanisation. Compared to previous studies we investigated the patterns in riparian vegetation in the context of river networks, including a variety of land‐use metrics, and analysed data across different spatial scales. This revealed important trends in plant diversity, demonstrated that urban land‐use increases the occurrence of non‐native species, and showed that the land‐use at the local scale is a stronger determinant of plant assemblages compared to land‐use at broader scales. These novel findings can be applied to land management in order to mitigate the effects of urbanisation on riparian ecosystems and the functions they provide for adjacent streams and rivers.
Whales in warming water: Assessing breeding habitat diversity and adaptability in Oceania's changing climate
Authors: Derville Solène , Torres Leigh G. , Albertson Renee , Andrews Olive , Baker C. Scott , Carzon Pamela , Constantine Rochelle , Donoghue Michael , Dutheil Cyril , Gannier Alexandre , Oremus Marc , Poole Michael M. , Robbins Jooke , Garrigue Claire 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn the context of a changing climate, understanding the environmental drivers of marine megafauna distribution is important for conservation success. The extent of humpback whale breeding habitats and the impact of temperature variation on their availability are both unknown. We used 19 years of dedicated survey data from seven countries and territories of Oceania (1,376 survey days), to investigate humpback whale breeding habitat diversity and adaptability to climate change. At a fine scale (1 km resolution), seabed topography was identified as an important influence on humpback whale distribution. The shallowest waters close to shore or in lagoons were favored, although humpback whales also showed flexible habitat use patterns with respect to shallow offshore features such as seamounts. At a coarse scale (1° resolution), humpback whale breeding habitats in Oceania spanned a thermal range of 22.3–27.8°C in August, with interannual variation up to 2.0°C. Within this range, both fine and coarse scale analyses of humpback whale distribution suggested local responses to temperature. Notably, the most detailed dataset was available from New Caledonia (774 survey days, 1996–2017), where encounter rates showed a negative relationship to sea surface temperature, but were not related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation or the Antarctic Oscillation from previous summer, a proxy for feeding conditions that may impact breeding patterns. Many breeding sites that are currently occupied are predicted to become unsuitably warm for this species (>28°C) by the end of the 21st century. Based on modeled ecological relationships, there are suitable habitats for relocation in archipelagos and seamounts of southern Oceania. Although distribution shifts might be restrained by philopatry, the apparent plasticity of humpback whale habitat use patterns and the extent of suitable habitats support an adaptive capacity to ocean warming in Oceania breeding grounds.
Changes in plaque and gingivitis levels after tooth bleaching: A systematic review
Authors: Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Oteo‐Calatayud Jesús , Serrano Jorge , Martín Conchita , Herrera David 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of external tooth‐bleaching products on plaque indices and to compare it to a placebo or a negative control.MethodsA protocol was developed aimed to answer the next focused question: What is the effect of tooth bleaching compared to no treatment or a placebo, in subjects without periodontitis aged ≥18 years in the levels of plaque and gingivitis? Two electronic databases were used as sources in the search for studies satisfying the inclusion criteria: (a) The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE via PubMed); (b) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.ResultsOnly randomized controlled trials were included. The initial search found 382 potential publications. Seven of them were finally included, and six were used in the meta‐analyses. The use of bleaching products showed higher reductions in plaque (n = 6; standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06, 0.88;P < 0.001) and gingivitis indices (n = 4; SMD = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.73;P < 0.001), when compared to a control group (no treatment or placebo).ConclusionsExternal tooth bleaching is associated with statistically significant short‐term reductions in plaque and gingivitis indices. However, no data were available to evaluate long‐term effects.
Indirubin modulates CD4+ T‐cell homeostasis via PD1/PTEN/AKT signalling pathway in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zhao Yajing , Han Panpan , Liu Lei , Wang Xiaojie , Xu Pengcheng , Wang Haoyi , Yu Tianshu , Sun Yunqi , Li Lizhen , Sun Tao , Liu Xinguang , Zhou Hai , Qiu Jihua , Wang Liang , Peng Jun , Xu Shuqian , Hou Ming 
Published: January 2019

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by an immune mediated decrease in platelet number. Disturbance of CD4+ T‐cell homeostasis with simultaneous decrease of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) as well as unrestricted proliferation and activation of peripheral CD4+ effector T cells underpin the pathophysiology of ITP. Indirubin is an active ingredient of a traditional Chinese herb called Indigofera tinctoria L. which is clinically used for the treatment of ITP patients. Whether indirubin targets the Tregs/effector T cell‐axis to restore platelet number is unknown. In our in vitro studies, Indirubin could significantly enhance the number and function of Tregs and meanwhile dampen the activation of effector T cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Indirubin was observed to restore the expression of programmed cell‐death 1 (PD1) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) on the CD4+ T cells of ITP patients, leading to the subsequent attenuation of the AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, these observations were recapitulated in an active murine model of ITP with a prominent platelet response. Thus, our results identified a potentially novel mechanism of the therapeutic action of indirubin in the treatment of ITP through regulating the homeostasis of CD4+ T cells in a PD1/PTEN/AKT signalling pathway.
Neural induction of porcine‐induced pluripotent stem cells and further differentiation using glioblastoma‐cultured medium
Authors: Kim Eunhye , Kim Mirae , Hwang Seon‐Ung , Kim Jongpil , Lee Gabsang , Park Young Seok , Hyun Sang‐Hwan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPrior to transplantation, preclinical study of safety and efficacy of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is needed. Therefore, it is important to generate an efficient in vitro platform for neural cell differentiation in large animal models such as pigs. In this study, porcine‐induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were seeded at high cell density to a neural induction medium containing the dual Sma‐ and Mad‐related protein (SMAD) inhibitors, a TGF‐β inhibitor and BMP4 inhibitor. The dSMADi‐derived NPCs showed NPC markers such as PLAG1, NESTIN and VIMENTIN and higher mRNA expression of Sox1 compared to the control. The mRNA expression of HOXB4 was found to significantly increase in the retinoic acid‐treated group. NPCs propagated in vitro and generated neurospheres that are capable of further differentiation in neurons and glial cells. Gliobalstoma‐cultured medium including injury‐related cytokines treated porcine iPSC‐NPCs survive well in vitro and showed more neuronal marker expression compared to standard control medium. Collectively, the present study developed an efficient method for production of neural commitment of porcine iPSCs into NPCs.
Neuropeptide W regulates proliferation and differentiation of ATDC5: Possible involvement of GPR7 activation, PKA and PKC‐dependent signalling cascades
Authors: Wang RiKang , Zheng Chaojun , Jiang Wenyu , Xie Xinshu , Liao Rifang , Zhou Guangqian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractVarious neuropeptides related to the energy equilibrium affect bone growth in humans and animals. Neuropeptides W (NPW) are identical in the internal ligands of the two G‐protein receptors (GPRs) included in subtypes 7 and 8. Neuropeptides W inhibits proliferation in the cultivated rat calvarial osteoblast‐like (ROB) cells. This study examines the expression of NPW and GPR7 in murine chondrocyte and their function. An immunohistochemical analysis showed that NPW and GPR7 were expressed in the proliferative chondrocytes of the growth plates in the hind limbs of mice. The NPW mRNA quickly elevated in the early differentiation (7‐14 days) of ATDC5 cells, while NPW and GPR7 mRNA were reduced during the late stage (14‐21 days) of differentiation. Neuropeptide W‐23 (NPW‐23) promoted the proliferation of ATDC5 cells, which was attenuated by inhibiting the GPR7, protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and ERK1/2 pathways. Neuropeptide W‐23 enhanced the early cell differentiation, as evaluated by collagen type II and the aggrecan gene expression, which was unaffected by inhibiting the ERK1/2 pathway, but significantly decreased by inhibiting the PKA, PKC and p38 MAPK pathways. In contrast, NPW‐23 was not involved in the terminal differentiation of the chondrocytes, as evaluated by the mineralization of the chondrocytes and the activity of the alkaline phosphatase. Neuropeptides W stimulated the PKA, PKC, p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 activities in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in the ATDC5 cells. These results show that NPW promotes the proliferation and early differentiation of murine chondrocyte via GPR7 activation, as well as PKA and PKC‐dependent signalling cascades, which may be involved in endochondral bone formation.