bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chorioamnionitis as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Villamor-Martinez Eduardo , Cavallaro Giacomo , Raffaeli Genny , Rahim Owais M. M. Mohammed , Ghazi Amro M. T. , Mosca Fabio , Degraeuwe Pieter , Villamor Eduardo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe role of chorioamnionitis (CA) in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is difficult to establish, because CA-exposed and CA-unexposed infants frequently present different baseline characteristics. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on the association between CA and ROP. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for relevant articles. Studies were included if they examined preterm or very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) infants and reported primary data that could be used to measure the association between exposure to CA and the presence of ROP. Of 748 potentially relevant studies, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria (38,986 infants, 9,258 CA cases). Meta-analysis showed a significant positive association between CA and any stage ROP (odds ratio [OR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 1.74). CA was also associated with severe (stage ≥3) ROP (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.89). Exposure to funisitis was associated with a higher risk of ROP than exposure to CA in the absence of funisitis. Additional meta-analyses showed that infants exposed to CA had lower gestational age (GA) and lower birth weight (BW). Meta-regression showed that lower GA and BW in the CA-exposed group was significantly associated with a higher risk of ROP. In conclusion, our study confirms that CA is a risk factor for developing ROP. However, part of the effects of CA on the pathogenesis of ROP may be mediated by the role of CA as an etiological factor for very preterm birth.
Geometry-dependent instabilities in electrically excitable tissues
Authors: McNamara Harold M. , Dodson Stephanie , Huang Yi-Lin , Miller Evan W. , Sandstede Björn , Cohen Adam E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLittle is known about how individual cells sense the macroscopic geometry of their tissue environment. Here we explore whether long-range electrical signaling can convey information on tissue geometry to influence electrical dynamics of individual cells. First, we studied an engineered electrically excitable cell line where all voltage-gated channels were well characterized. Cells grown in patterned islands of different shapes showed remarkably diverse firing patterns under otherwise identical conditions, including regular spiking, period-doubling alternans, and arrhythmic firing. A Hodgkin-Huxley numerical model quantitatively reproduced these effects, showing how the macroscopic geometry affected the single-cell electrophysiology via the influence of gap junction-mediated electrical coupling. Qualitatively similar geometry dependent dynamics were experimentally observed in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. The cardiac results urge caution in translating observations of arrhythmia in vitro to predictions in vivo where the tissue geometry is very different. We present simulation results and scaling arguments which explore how to extrapolate electrophysiological measurements between tissues with different geometries and different gap junction couplings.
Population Genomics of Rapidly Invading Lionfish in the Caribbean Reveals Signals of Range Expansion in the Absence of Spatial Population Structure
Authors: Bors Eleanor K. , Herrera Santiago , Morris James A. , Shank Timothy M. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTRange expansions driven by global change and species invasions are likely to have significant genomic, evolutionary, and ecological implications. During range expansions, strong genetic drift characterized by repeated founder events can result in decreased genetic diversity with increased distance from the center of the historic range, or the point of invasion. The invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans, into waters off the U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea provides a natural system to study rapid range expansion in an invasive marine fish with high dispersal capabilities. We report results from 12,759 loci sequenced by restriction enzyme associated DNA sequencing for nine P. volitans populations in the invaded range, including Florida and other Caribbean sites, as well as mitochondrial control region D-loop data. Analyses revealed low to no spatially explicit metapopulation genetic structure in the study area, which is partly consistent with previous finding of little structure within ocean basins, but partly divergent from reports of between-basin structure. Genetic diversity, however, was not homogeneous across all sampled sites. Patterns of genetic diversity correlate with invasion pathway. Observed heterozygosity, averaged across all loci within a population, decreases with distance from Florida while expected heterozygosity is mostly constant throughout sampled populations, indicating population genetic disequilibrium correlated with distance from the point of invasion. Using an FST outlier analysis and a Bayesian environmental correlation analysis, we identified 256 and 616 loci, respectively, that could be experiencing selection or genetic drift. Of these, 24 loci were shared between the two methods.
High resolution data-driven model of the mouse connectome
Authors: Knox Joseph E. , Harris Kameron Decker , Graddis Nile , Whitesell Jennifer D. , Zeng Hongkui , Harris Julie A. , Shea-Brown Eric , Mihalas Stefan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractKnowledge of mesoscopic brain connectivity is important for understanding inter- and intra-region information processing. Models of structural connectivity are typically constructed and analyzed with the assumption that regions are homogeneous. We instead use the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas to construct a model of whole brain connectivity at the scale of 100 µm voxels. The dataset used consists of 366 anterograde tracing experiments in wild type C7BL/6 mice, mapping fluorescently-labeled neuronal projections brain-wide. Inferring spatial connectivity with this dataset remains underdetermined, since the approximately 2 × 105 source voxels outnumber the number of experiments. To address this, we assume that connection patterns and strengths vary smoothly across major brain divisions. We model the connectivity at each voxel as a radial basis kernel-weighted average of the projection patterns of nearby injections. The voxel model outperforms a previous regional model in predicting held-out experiments and compared to a human-curated dataset. This voxel-scale model of the mouse connectome permits researchers to extend their previous analyses of structural connectivity to unprecedented levels of resolution, and allows for comparison with functional imaging and other datasets.
TranCEP: Predicting transmembrane transport proteins using composition, evolutionary, and positional information
Authors: Alballa Munira , Aplop Faizah , Butler Gregory 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTransporters mediate the movement of compounds across the membranes that separate the cell from its environment, and across inner membranes surrounding cellular compartments. It is estimated that one third of a proteome consists of membrane proteins, and many of these are transport proteins. Given the increase in the number of genomes being sequenced, there is a need for computation tools that predict the substrates which are transported by the transmembrane transport proteins.In this paper, we present TranCEP, a predictor of the type of substrate transported by a transmembrane transport protein. TranCEP combines the traditional use of the amino acid composition of the protein, with evolutionary information captured in a multiple sequence alignment, and restriction to important positions of the alignment that play a role in determining specificity of the protein.Our experimental results show that TranCEP significantly outperforms the state of the art. The results quantify the contribution made by each kind of information used.
Systemically administered MSCs given 24hrs after osteotomy do not affect bone formation in rat distraction osteogenesis
Authors: Guevara Jonathan , Toth Zacharie , Kim Daniel , Peters John , Marley-Weaver Adrian , Watson J Tracy , McBride-Gagyi Sarah 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDistraction osteogenesis is a unique postnatal bone formation employed by orthopaedic surgeons to treat many conditions, however, the overall time to external frame removal can be extensive. Any strategies that accelerate healing would improve patient care. Distraction osteogenesis research in the past decade has shown that direct stem cell implantation enhances new bone formation. Systemic implantation would be more clinically desirable. Systemically delivered stem cells have been shown to home to a mandibular distraction site; however, effects on bone formation have not been studied. Ten-week-old, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgery to implant an external fixator-distractor and an osteotomy was performed. Twenty-four hours postoperatively, each rat received tail vein injections of either saline or 10^6 fluorescently labeled primary mesenchymal stem cells. Animals in the validation groups were euthanized two days after surgery and the femora processed for histology. Animals in the experimental groups were given five days of latency, then the femur was lengthened once daily for five days (0.75mm/day, 3.75mm total). Following four weeks of consolidation, the animals were euthanized and the femora were evaluated by microCT and histology to quantify new bone formation. Labeled stem cells were found at the distraction site in validation animals. However, there were no differences in any bone or soft tissue outcomes. Systemic stem cell administration 24 hours after surgery does not improve DO outcomes. It is possible that the animal model was not challenging enough to discriminate any augmentation provided by stem cells.
Feminising Politics to Close the Evidence‐Policy Gap: The Case of Social Policy in Scotland
Authors: Cairney Paul , Rummery Kirstein 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPolicy studies suggest that scientists should adopt two strategies to close the ‘evidence‐policy gap’. First, engage in political debates to help define policy problems and solutions rather than expect the evidence to speak for itself. Second, learn where the action is, form long‐term coalitions, and exploit the ‘rules of the game’ to maximise your influence in complex policy‐making systems. Both lessons can prompt major dilemmas, for many actors, about going beyond your expertise and comfort zone when engaging politically and pragmatically. Scientists should learn from feminist social policy actors who routinely (a) combine evidence with engagement to pursue social change, and (b) face tough choices about framing their aims in terms of the dominant political discourse. We use Scottish social policy as a case study, examining how feminist actors exploited the opportunity, afforded by constitutional and political reforms since 1999, to create a collaborative ‘velvet triangle’ between the government, academia, and interest groups. Their experience suggests that limited and slow policy change requires major engagement and compromise.
Advantageous Selection in Crop Insurance: Theory and Evidence
Authors: He Juan , Rejesus Roderick , Zheng Xiaoyong , Yorobe Jose 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe extend the recently proposed multi‐dimensional asymmetric information model to show that advantageous selection could be present in crop insurance with two types of coverage: (i) multiple perils (e.g. a multi‐peril, ‘all risk’ policy), and (ii) a specific named peril (or set of perils). Our theoretical model suggests that certain characteristics of an insured farmer (or farm) under both types of coverage can be sources of advantageous selection. Farmers who advantageously select are more likely to purchase insurance coverage and less likely to realise a loss. A supplementary empirical analysis, based on data from the Philippine crop insurance market, illustrates how sources of advantageous selection can be identified econometrically.
High Leverage and Willingness to Pay: Evidence from the Residential Housing Market
Authors: Ben‐David Itzhak 
Published: April 2018

AbstractI document a strong correlation between paying the full listing price on homes and borrowing 100% loan‐to‐value. Homebuyers who do both overpay by 2.8% to 3.9% ($4,800 to $6,700) and are 22.7% more likely to have their properties foreclosed within one year. The correlation is not mechanical: there is a discontinuity in the average leverage around the full listing price. The correlation is stronger in areas with a high fraction of financially constrained and unsophisticated residents, and in areas of high past price growth (potentially indicative of buyer optimism).
Cell Damage Index as Computational Indicator for Blood Cell Activation and Damage
Authors: Gusenbauer Markus , Tóthová Renáta , Mazza Giulia , Brandl Martin , Schrefl Thomas , Jančigová Iveta , Cimrák Ivan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractShear‐induced hemolysis is a major concern in the design and optimization of blood‐contacting devices. Even with a small amount of mechanical stress, inflammatory reactions can be triggered in the cells. Blood damage is typically estimated using continuum fluid dynamics simulations. In this study, we report a novel cell damage index (CDI) obtained by simulations on the single‐cell level in a lattice Boltzmann fluid flow. The change of the cell surface area gives important information on mechanical stress of individual cells as well as for whole blood. We are using predefined basic channel designs to analyze and compare the newly developed CDI to the conventional blood damage calculations in very weak shear stress scenarios. The CDI can incorporate both volume fraction and channel geometry information into a single quantitative value for the characterization of flow in artificial chambers.
Reducing potentially inappropriate drug prescribing in nursing home residents: effectiveness of a geriatric intervention
Authors: Cool Charlène , Cestac Philippe , McCambridge Cécile , Rouch Laure , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Rolland Yves , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse 
Published: April 2018

AimsPotentially inappropriate drug prescribing (PIDP) is frequent in nursing home (NH) residents. We aimed to investigate whether a geriatric intervention on quality of care reduced PIDP.MethodsWe performed an ancillary study within a multicentric individually‐tailored controlled trial (IQUARE trial). All NH received a baseline and 18‐month audit regarding drug prescriptions and other quality of care indicators. After the initial audit, NHs of the intervention group benefited of an in‐site intervention (geriatric education for NH staff) provided by a geriatrician from the closest hospital. The analysis included 629 residents of 159 NHs. The main outcome was PIDP, defined as the presence of at least one of the following criteria: (i) drug with an unfavourable benefit‐to‐risk ratio; (ii) with questionable efficacy; (iii) absolute contraindication; (iv) significant drug‐drug interaction. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression models were performed including residents and NH factors as confounders.ResultsPIDP was 65.2% (–3.6% from baseline) in the intervention group (n = 339) and 69.9% (–2.3%) in the control group (n = 290). The intervention significantly decreased PIDP [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.99], as a special care unit in NH (OR = 0.60; (0.42 to 0.85)), and a fall in the last 12 months (OR = 0.63; 0.44–0.90). Charlson Comorbidity Index [ORCCI = 1 vs. 0 = 1.38; 0.87–2.19, ORCCI ≥ 2 vs. 0 = 2.01; (1.31–3.08)] and psychiatric advice and/or hospitalization in a psychiatric unit (OR = 1.53; 1.07–2.18) increased the likelihood of PIDP.ConclusionThis intervention based on a global geriatric education resulted in a significant reduction of PIDP at patient level.
Income instability and fiscal progression
Authors: Cecilia Garcia‐Medina B. , Wen Jean‐François 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe construct the ratio of the post‐fisc to the pre‐fisc variance of the transitory component of family incomes in Canada from 1993 to 2008. The ratio measures how much the tax and transfer system attenuates market income instability. It is shown that the ratio of variances is equivalent theoretically to the concept of residual income progression (squared). The fiscal system became less stabilizing beginning in the late 1990s, especially for families headed by main earners with less than high school education. The trend is attributable to personal income tax reforms and reductions in transfers for lower income families.RésuméInstabilité des revenus et progressivité fiscale. On construit le ratio de la variance de la composante transitoire des revenus des familles au Canada de1993 à 2008 après fiscalité par rapport à avant fiscalité. Ce ratio mesure comment le système de taxes et de transferts atténue l’instabilité des revenus du marché. On montre que le ratio des variances est théoriquement équivalent au concept de progression (au carré) du revenu résiduel. Le système fiscal est devenu moins stabilisant à partir de la fin des années 1990, en particulier pour les familles dont les chefs de famille et sources des principaux gains ont moins qu’un niveau d’éducation secondaire. La tendance est attribuable aux réformes dans l’impôt sur le revenu personnel et aux réductions des transferts vers les familles aux revenus moins élevés.
State ownership reinvented? Explaining performance differences between state‐owned and private firms
Authors: Lazzarini Sergio G. , Musacchio Aldo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study aims to understand the implications of the corporate governance arrangements in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) that are publicly listed in terms of firm performance relative to that of private firms.Research Findings/InsightsUsing a new database of 477 large, listed SOEs observed between 1997 and 2012 in 66 developed and emerging countries, we use matching techniques to show that these firms do not underperform similar private firms, except when the former face shocks that prioritize their social and political objectives, such as during severe recessions. These findings demonstrate the need to revise existing theories of SOE underperformance.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsWe expand the traditional agency view of SOEs by introducing principal–principal conflicts that prevail in publicly traded firms. We argue that governments try to steer SOEs to pursue social and political objectives, which can lead to inefficiencies, but they also provide them rents and protection, factors that should lead them to perform as well or better than similar private firms. Thus, our theory of state ownership argues that their advantage or disadvantage over similar private firms cannot be identified from the theory and thus needs an empirical test.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsWe modify the simplistic view that SOEs are inefficient and highlight that SOEs that compete with private firms may have advantages that give them a competitive edge. This has implications not only for firm‐level strategy, but also for competition policy worldwide.
One‐stop microvascular screening service: an effective model for the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the high‐risk foot
Authors: Binns‐Hall O. , Selvarajah D. , Sanger D. , Walker J. , Scott A. , Tesfaye S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the feasibility of a one‐stop microvascular screening service for the early diagnosis of diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and the at‐risk diabetic foot.MethodsPeople with diabetes attending retinal screening in hospital and community settings had their feet examined by a podiatrist. Assessment included: Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score evaluation; a 10‐g monofilament test; and two validated, objective and quick measures of neuropathy obtained using the point‐of‐care devices ‘DPN‐Check’, a hand‐held device that measures sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, and ‘Sudoscan’, a device that measures sudomotor function. The diagnostic utility of these devices was assessed against the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score as the ‘gold standard’.ResultsA total of 236 consecutive people attending the retinal screening service, 18.9% of whom had never previously had their feet examined, were evaluated. The prevalence of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, assessed using the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score, was 30.9%, and was underestimated by 10‐g monofilament test (14.4%). The prevalence of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy using DPN‐check was 51.5% (84.3% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity), 38.2% using Sudoscan foot electrochemical skin conductance (77.4% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity), and 61.9% using abnormality in either of the results (93.2% sensitivity, 52.8% specificity). The results of both devices correlated with Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (P<0.001). A new diagnosis of painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy was made in 59 participants (25%), and 56.6% had moderate‐ or high‐risk foot. Participants rated the service very highly.ConclusionsCombined, eye, foot and renal screening is feasible, has a high uptake, reduces clinic visits, and identifies painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and the at‐risk foot. Combined large‐ and small‐nerve‐fibre assessment using non‐invasive, quantitative and quick point‐of‐care devices may be an effective model for the early diagnosis of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy.
Clinical risk factors for depressive syndrome in Type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Bruce D. G. , Davis W. A. , Starkstein S. E. , Davis T. M. E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsTo identify early clinical predictors of depressive syndrome in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsDepressive syndrome was assessed in 325 individuals with Type 2 diabetes 15 years after a baseline assessment, which included information on antidepressant use and depressive symptoms obtained using a quality‐of‐life scale. Follow‐up current and lifetime depressive syndrome were assessed using the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire and the Brief Lifetime Depression Scale and taking account of antidepressant use. Analyses were conducted inclusive and exclusive of antidepressant use where Patient Health Questionnaire criteria were not met.ResultsAt baseline, the participants were aged 57.2±9.3 years and the median (interquartile range) diabetes duration was 2.2 (0.6–6.0) years. After a mean of 14.7±1.1 years’ follow‐up, 81 participants (24.9%) had depressive syndrome (14.8% defined by the Patient Health Questionnaire, 10.2% defined by antidepressants) and 31.4% reported lifetime depression, and in 10.2% of participants this preceded diabetes onset. With logistic regression (inclusive of antidepressants), follow‐up depressive syndrome was negatively associated with education level [odds ratio 0.39 (95% CI 0.20–0.75)] and antidepressant use [odds ratio 0.11 (95% CI 0.03–0.36)] and was positively associated with depression history before diabetes onset [odds ratio 2.79 (95% CI 1.24–6.27)]. In the model exclusive of antidepressants, depressive syndrome was positively associated with baseline depressive symptoms [odds ratio 2.57 (95% CI 1.32–5.03)] and antidepressant use [odds ratio 3.54 (95% CI 1.20–10.42)] and was negatively associated with education level [odds ratio 0.39 (95% CI 0.19–0.81)].ConclusionsRisk factors for depressive syndrome can be identified early after the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The early presence of depressive symptoms or its treatment and/or history of depression are likely indicators of vulnerability. Early risk stratification for late depressive syndrome is feasible in people with Type 2 diabetes and could assist with depression treatment or prevention.