bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Huperzine A ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation in kainic acid‐induced epileptic rats by antioxidant activity and NLRP3/caspase‐1 pathway inhibition
Authors: Mohseni‐Moghaddam Parvaneh , Sadr Seyed Shahabeddin , Roghani Mehrdad , Arabzadeh Somayeh , Khamse Safoura , Zamani Elham , Hosseini Marjan , Moradi Fatemeh 
Published: January 2019

SummaryTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most prevalent types of epilepsy in human. Huperzine A (Hup‐A) has been reported to possess antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties; however, its role in TLE induced by kainic acid has not been determined. The current study investigated the protective effects of Hup‐A (0.1 mg/kg) in kainic acid‐induced model of TLE in the rat. In the current study, it was found that Hup‐A significantly prevented the seizure intensity and learning and memory deterioration which was assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition task (NOR). Additionally, Hup‐A inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation, and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). In addition, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased after Hup‐A treatment, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels significantly reduced. Regarding inflammation, this drug decreased kainic acid‐induced NLRP3 expression in microglial cells and caspase‐1 activity in hippocampal tissue, possibly through diminishing oxidative stress. Taken together, our data showed that Hup‐A could be a potential protective substance to ameliorate seizure severity and some memory deficits related to epilepsy via attenuating neuroinflammation and protection of neurons.
Characteristics of fruits consumed by mammalian frugivores in Japanese temperate forest
Authors: Koike Shinsuke , Masaki Takashi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the interactions among fruits and frugivore assemblages provides fundamental information for the management of ecosystems. Asian temperate forests are inhabited by distinct frugivores, namely, large tree‐climbing mammals such as bears and macaques, suggesting that fruits and frugivore assemblages may vary from those of other temperate forests. Our aim here was to systematically analyze the characteristics of fruits consumed by four dominant frugivorous mammals in Japanese temperate forests and to clarify the fruit palatability or preference of each species by comparing the fruit consumption patterns of the frugivores. We collected fruit feeding records of Asian black bear, Japanese marten, raccoon dog and Japanese macaque, as well as detailed information on the characteristics of the fruits consumed. Among the 299 fruit species recorded, the size, color and type of fruits consumed by bears and macaques were similar, and the fruiting season and life form of plants bearing fruits consumed by bears, macaques and raccoon dogs were similar. However, the characteristics of fruits consumed by martens were different. The ability to climb trees, body weight and manual dexterity may influence these differences.
Agency and clientship in public encounters: co‐constructing ‘neediness’ and ‘worthiness’ in shelter placement meetings
Authors: Mik‐Meyer Nanna , Silverman David 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis article seeks to develop our understanding of the agency of vulnerable groups who at first sight may not seem to have much agency in their lives. It explores the co‐constructed nature of agency in three Danish homeless shelters. Unlike earlier interview‐based studies, our research is based on naturalistic data drawn from 23 video‐recorded placement meetings. Using concepts from Goffman, we examine how versions of the neediness and worthiness of homeless people are negotiated verbally and bodily between staff and clients. We find that homeless people have to juggle two partly contradictory roles when they are given or take the roles of either a (active) citizen or a (passive) client. Clientship is actively negotiated by both parties and demonstrates the agency of homeless people: they can collaborate with (as clients) or challenge (as citizens) the staff’s attempts to formulate solutions to their troubles. We further examine how the professional ideology of client centredness affects the meeting between the two parties. However, we show that, like any discourse, client centredness has no intrinsic meaning and is played out by actors in very different ways. In work with the homeless, the discourse of client centredness is related to discourses of ‘neediness’, ‘worthiness’ and ‘value for money’ that define agency in different ways and make three different client positions available: the resolute client, the acquiescent client and the passive client.
Psychological individuation and spiritual enlightenment: some comparisons and points of contact
Authors: Stein Murray 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn his writings on individuation Jung often references Eastern religions and philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. This essay discusses differences and similarities between analytical psychology's concept of individuation, especially in its advanced stages, and enlightenment as expressed in such texts as Zen (Chan) Buddhism's Ten Ox‐Herding Pictures. I advance the argument that important common features can be found while cultural differences must also be respected. There is here a convergence between West and East that can foster dialogue and mutuality.
State Pension Accounting Estimates and Strong Public Unions
Authors: Bonsall Samuel B. , Comprix Joseph , Muller Karl A. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTConcerns are commonly raised that strong public unions extract generous pension benefits from state governments and are the cause of states' burdensome pension obligations. Prior research (Anzia and Moe 2015) finds evidence supporting such concerns. Consistent with incentives to minimize such perceptions, our findings suggest that state pension plans with stronger public unions select higher discount rates to improve reported funding levels. While riskier asset allocations are used to support the higher discount rates (which equal the expected return on the plan assets), most of the higher rates appear opportunistic. In addition, consistent with a desire to avoid drawing attention to persistent plan underfunding, our evidence indicates that stronger union plans are less likely to select longer amortization periods to recognize pension deficits when underfunding is larger. We do not, however, find evidence for asset smoothing periods being used to delay the recognition of investment losses on plan assets. Together, our findings suggest that stronger union plans take steps to make their pension obligations look less burdensome to the public.
Expanding the role of social science in conservation through an engagement with philosophy, methodology, and methods
Authors: Moon Katie , Blackman Deborah A. , Adams Vanessa M. , Colvin Rebecca M. , Davila Federico , Evans Megan C. , Januchowski‐Hartley Stephanie R. , Bennett Nathan J. , Dickinson Helen , Sandbrook Chris , Sherren Kate , St. John Freya A. V. , van Kerkhoff Lorrae , Wyborn Carina 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

The Special Feature led by Sutherland, Dicks, Everard, and Geneletti (Methods Ecology and Evolution, 9, 7–9, 2018) sought to highlight the importance of “qualitative methods” for conservation. The intention is welcome, and the collection makes many important contributions. Yet, the articles presented a limited perspective on the field, with a focus on objectivist and instrumental methods, omitting discussion of some broader philosophical and methodological considerations crucial to social science research. Consequently, the Special Feature risks narrowing the scope of social science research and, potentially, reducing its quality and usefulness. In this article, we seek to build on the strengths of the articles of the Special Feature by drawing in a discussion on social science research philosophy, methodology, and methods.

We start with a brief discussion on the value of thinking about data as being qualitative (i.e., text, image, or numeric) or quantitative (i.e., numeric), not methods or research. Thinking about methods as qualitative can obscure many important aspects of research design by implying that “qualitative methods” somehow embody a particular set of assumptions or principles. Researchers can bring similar, or very different, sets of assumptions to their research design, irrespective of whether they collect qualitative or quantitative data.

We clarify broad concepts, including philosophy, methodology, and methods, explaining their role in social science research design. Doing so provides us with an opportunity to examine some of the terms used across the articles of the Special Feature (e.g., bias), revealing that they are used in ways that could be interpreted as being inconsistent with their use in a number of applications of social science.

We provide worked examples of how social science research can be designed to collect qualitative data that not only understands decision‐making processes, but also the unique social–ecological contexts in which it takes place. These examples demonstrate the importance of coherence between philosophy, methodology, and methods in research design, and the importance of reflexivity throughout the research process.

We conclude with encouragement for conservation social scientists to explore a wider range of qualitative research approaches, providing guidance for the selection and application of social science methods for ecology and conservation.
The association of tobacco use with prescription of muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and opioid analgesics for non‐cancer pain
Authors: Takaki Hiroko , Ieiri Ichiro , Shibuta Hidetoshi , Onozuka Daisuke , Hagihara Akihito 
Published: January 2019

Background and ObjectivesTobacco use and co‐prescription of sedative hypnotics are risk factors for misuse of prescribed opioids among patients with non‐cancer pain. However, the association between tobacco use and these co‐prescriptions has not been clarified. We aimed to assess differences in the prescription and co‐prescription rates of opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines between tobacco users and non‐users.MethodsVisit data were obtained from the 2006 to 2009 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, an annual cross‐sectional survey of visits to office‐based physicians in outpatient settings in the United States. Our sample patients were aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with non‐cancer back and neck pain. The χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess bivariate and multivariate associations between prescription or co‐prescription rates and tobacco use status.ResultsWe analyzed a total of 114,199,536 weighted visits (unweighted number: 3,521). Significant odds ratios (ORs) of tobacco users (vs non‐users) for medical prescriptions were as follows: opioid analgesics, OR 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64–2.80; muscle relaxants and opioid analgesics, OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.76–3.74; benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics, OR 3.66, 95%CI 2.11–6.35, and muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and opioid analgesics, OR 7.02, 95%CI 2.98–16.57.Conclusions and Scientific SignificanceTobacco users were more likely to receive prescriptions for opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines than non‐users. Healthcare professionals need to limit co‐prescription of opioid analgesics with muscle relaxants and/or benzodiazepines among tobacco users and provide a comprehensive approach to pain management. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1–8)
Myricetin inhibits panel of kinases implicated in tumorigenesis
Authors: Stoll Stefani , Bitencourt Shanna , Laufer Stefan , Inês Goettert Márcia 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMyricetin is a flavonoid with several biological properties, including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory features. Its protective effect in chronic diseases may occur through the inhibition of protein kinases that trigger inflammation and carcinogenesis pathways. Considering the influence of kinases on such pathological disorders, it is crucial to study compounds that inhibit these proteins. This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory potential of 14 flavonoids on TNF‐α release in human whole blood as well as the inhibitory potential of myricetin towards kinases involved in tumorigenesis. Our results showed that, out of all flavonoids, myricetin had the highest inhibitory effect on TNF‐α level. In addition, myricetin showed potential as a multi‐anti‐kinase compound, reducing the activity of 7 kinases by >70% and of 9 kinases by >90%. Together these data demonstrate the great inhibitory activity of myricetin on tumorigenic kinases and potential for the development of new therapeutics.
Sometimes more is better: Agent gestures, procedural knowledge and the foreign language learner
Authors: Davis Robert O. , Vincent Joseph 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPedagogical agents in multimedia learning environments have frequently been designed to produce pointing gestures (deictic) to direct spatial awareness. Although this might be beneficial for native English‐speaking students who possess high levels of comprehension, only using pointing gestures with foreign language students learning English is problematic because these students need more assistance with language comprehension than just directing spatial awareness. The purpose of this study was to explore how gesture type and gesture frequency help foreign language students perceive the agent’s persona and the ability to recall procedural information. The results found one significant interaction between average gestures and no gesture in terms of facilitation, but all other conditions and persona subscales were not significant. For learning outcomes, the enhanced gesture condition significantly recalled more information than the no gesture condition (p = 0.017), and was approaching significance with the conversational gesture condition (p = 0.059). The findings suggest that when the learning population consists of foreign language students, pedagogical agents should use representational and beat gestures to help students comprehend more of the language, and the gesture frequency needs to be increased to account for the lack of verbal listening skills with this population.
Adapting the Friends of the Children programme for child welfare system‐involved families
Authors: Salazar Amy M. , Haggerty Kevin P. , Walsh Susan , Noell Bailey , Kelley‐Siel Erinn 
Published: January 2019

AbstractResearch has shown the importance of long‐term, caring adults for children in foster care. This paper reviews the Friends of the Children (FOTC) long‐term mentoring programme and how it was adapted to serve children and families with child welfare system involvement. This study's two research questions are (1) How do Friends (FOTC's paid professional mentors) currently work with, and in turn, have an impact on, child welfare‐involved families? and (2) How can Friends better support child welfare system‐involved caregivers and families to promote family stability, permanence, and child well‐being? Data were collected from 21 caregivers (foster and biological), 24 FOTC Friends, five child welfare workers, and five teachers. Qualitative analyses of focus group, interview, and open‐ended survey data revealed a wide variety of ways Friends currently support children and families. In addition, several recommendations were made for strengthening programming. These findings provide valuable insights into providing long‐term mentoring to child welfare system‐involved children and families.
Bone mineral density and osteoporosis in heart transplanted patients: A single‐center retrospective study at Skåne University Hospital in Lund 1988‐2016
Authors: Löfdahl Eveline , Söderlund Carl , Rådegran Göran 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, the incidence of osteoporosis, and survival up to 10 years after heart transplantation (HT) were investigated in 169 patients who underwent HT at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, 1988‐2016. Within the first year post‐transplantation, mean (SD) BMD decreased by 3.9% (10.1) (P < 0.001) and 9.0% (10.5) (P < 0.001) in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively. The cumulative incidence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine and femoral neck increased rapidly within the first year after HT and was detected in 17% and 13% of the patients, respectively. A higher T score before HT was a negative predictor of osteoporosis up to 10 years post‐HT in the lumbar spine (HR 0.13; 95% CI 0.063‐0.26; P < 0.001) and femoral neck (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.34‐0.85; P < 0.001). Moreover, only 13%, 14%, and 6% of the HT patients received calcium, vitamin D, and/or bisphosphonates before HT. In conclusion, BMD drops significantly during the first postoperative year. Optimization of BMD early among HT candidates, potentially through usage of osteoporosis preventive treatment, may be a future means to prevent osteoporosis late postoperatively.
Biologika und Immunglobuline für die Therapie des Pyoderma gangraenosum – Analyse von 52 Patienten
Authors: Herberger Katharina , Dissemond Joachim , Brüggestrat Sarah , Sorbe Christina , Augustin Matthias 
Published: January 2019

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleVor dem Hintergrund häufiger Nebenwirkungen und Therapieversager unter Glukokortikosteroiden (GCS) und Ciclosporin (CSA) bei Pyoderma gangraenosum (PG), war das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit eine Analyse der Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit von Biologika und intravenösen Immunglobulinen (IVIG).Patienten und MethodikRetrospektive, bizentrische Analyse der Therapieverläufe von Patienten mit PG unter Biologika und IVIG.ErgebnisseEs wurden 52 Patienten mit 75 Wundepisoden, einem mittleren Alter von 58,4 Jahren und einer mittleren Wundgröße von 53,2 cm² eingeschlossen. Insgesamt 92,3 % (48/52) erhielten zunächst GCS, 51,9 % (27/52) CSA. Bei 275 Therapieversuchen zeigten sich Abheilungen oder Besserungen bei 63,6 % (21/33) mit Infliximab (INF), bei 57,1 % (16/28) mit Adalimumab (ADA), bei 71,4 % (5/7) mit Etanercept, bei 66,6 % (6/9) mit Ustekinumab (UST) und bei 66,7 % (10/15) mit IVIG, hingegen bei 48,8 % (38/78) mit GCS und bei 20,0 % (7/35) mit CSA. Die Rate unerwünschter Ereignisse pro Therapieversuch lag bei den Biologika bei 18,5 % (15/81), für IVIG bei 20 % (3/15), bei CSA bei 40 % (14/35) und bei GCS bei 10,4 % (5/48).SchlussfolgerungenDie vorliegende retrospektive Analyse gibt Hinweise auf eine gute Verträglichkeit und Sicherheit der Biologika, insbesondere der TNFα‐Antagonisten und IVIG bei PG. Weitere Erkenntnisse aus prospektiven Vergleichsstudien wären von großem Nutzen.
Nonlinear model for the carotid artery disease 10‐year risk prediction by fusing conventional cardiovascular factors to carotid ultrasound image phenotypes: A Japanese diabetes cohort study
Authors: Khanna Narendra N. , Jamthikar Ankush D. , Araki Tadashi , Gupta Deep , Piga Matteo , Saba Luca , Carcassi Carlo , Nicolaides Andrew , Laird John R. , Suri Harman S. , Gupta Ajay , Mavrogeni Sophie , Kitas George D. , Suri Jasjit S. 
Published: January 2019

MotivationThis study presents a novel nonlinear model which can predict 10‐year carotid ultrasound image‐based phenotypes by fusing nine traditional cardiovascular risk factors (ethnicity, gender, age, artery type, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, hypertension, low‐density lipoprotein, and smoking) with five types of carotid automated image phenotypes (three types of carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT), wall variability, and total plaque area).MethodologyTwo‐step process was adapted: First, five baseline carotid image‐based phenotypes were automatically measured using AtheroEdge™ (AtheroPoint™, CA, USA) system by two operators (novice and experienced) and an expert. Second, based on the annual progression rates of cIMT due to nine traditional cardiovascular risk factors, a novel nonlinear model was adapted for 10‐year predictions of carotid phenotypes.ResultsInstitute review board (IRB) approved 204 Japanese patients’ left/right common carotid artery (407 ultrasound scans) was collected with a mean age of 69 ± 11 years. Age and hemoglobin were reported to have a high influence on the 10‐year carotid phenotypes. Mean correlation coefficient (CC) between 10‐year carotid image‐based phenotype and age was improved by 39.35% in males and 25.38% in females. The area under the curves for the 10‐year measurements of five phenotypes IMTave10yr, IMTmax10yr, IMTmin10yr, IMTV10yr, and TPA10yr were 0.96, 0.94, 0.90, 1.0, and 1.0. Inter‐operator variability between two operators showed significant CC (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsA nonlinear model was developed and validated by fusing nine conventional CV risk factors with current carotid image‐based phenotypes for predicting the 10‐year carotid ultrasound image‐based phenotypes which may be used risk assessment.
Alternative surgical treatment for synovial ganglion cyst of the digital tendon sheath in one horse
Authors: Lipreri G. , Kelly P. G. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryA 6‐year‐old Highland pony gelding was presented with severe left fore (LF) limb lameness of acute onset. The lameness occurred concomitantly with mild digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) effusion and focal painful swelling on the lateral aspect of the LF fetlock region. Clinical examination and diagnostic analgesia localised the lameness to the fetlock region and on ultrasound, a cyst‐like structure filled with anaechoic fluid was detected just proximal to the lateral sesamoid bone, at the proximo‐lateral aspect of the DFTS and adjacent to the lateral neurovascular bundle. Communication between the cyst‐like structure and the DFTS was suspected ultrasonographically and then confirmed with contrast tenography. Tenoscopic examination of the LF DFTS was performed and the communication between the fluid‐filled structure and the synovial cavity was detected. The defect in the DFTS wall was enlarged tenoscopically and the lining of the cyst‐like structure was debrided. The horse recovered well post‐operatively and was back in work with no evident lameness 8 months after surgery. This alternative minimally invasive surgical treatment had an excellent outcome and has the advantage of reducing the risk associated with en bloc resection.