bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of phenanthrene on oxidative stress and inflammation in lung and liver of female rats
Authors: Ma Haitao , Wang Huiling , Zhang Haojun , Guo Huizhen , Zhang Wenwen , Hu Fengjing , Yao Yueli , Wang Dong , Li Chengyun , Wang Junling 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPhenanthrene (Phe) female rat model was established to explore the effects of Phe on oxidative stress and inflammation. The rats were randomly divided into three groups including control (C), low (L), and high (H) group. Phe was supplied to L and H groups at the dosage of 180 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg orally at first day, and with the dose 90 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection at the last 2 days. The C group was enriched with the same volume of corn oil. The blood, lung, and liver tissues were collected. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), and 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) were detected to evaluate oxidative stress. The protein and mRNA expressions of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), and interleukin 10 (IL‐10) were detected to evaluate inflammation. Further, the forkhead box transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) was analyzed to hint the injury mechanism of inflammation. The results showed SOD and MDA in lung and liver, and serum 8‐OHdG elevated significantly in H groups (P < .05). Meanwhile, there were significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression of TNF‐α and IL‐6 in lung and liver of H groups (P < .05). In addition, the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF‐β and Foxp3 were all decreased significantly in both lung and liver of H groups (P < .05). Results demonstrated that an obvious change of Phe exposure could induce oxidative stress and inflammation in female rats. This is a first pilot study to explore the association between Phe exposure and oxidative stress and inflammation using a female rat model.
Tattoos and tattoo inks: Forensic considerations
Authors: Miranda Michelle D. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTattoos and tattoo inks play a critical role in forensic investigations, and have done so for centuries. Tattoos are most useful as a means of identification for both the living and deceased. From their continued discovery on mummified remains dating from antiquity to their utilization in modern day investigations and prosecutions, tattoos demonstrate persistence and clues to cultural practices and identity. The tools and techniques of tattooing, as well as the phenomena of visualization of pigments according to the interaction of light radiation in human tissue is presented. An overview of the history of tattoos is provided, with a specific focus on tattoos in criminological, medicolegal and forensic investigations—from the characterization of criminals in the 19th century to the introduction of tattoo evidence in criminal trials of present day. Finally, an overview of the scientific study of tattoos and tattoo inks is presented, including the visualization of obscured tattoos, the chemical analysis of modern tattoo inks, and trends towards understanding the migration, retention, and photodecomposition of pigment particles. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the importance and utilization of tattoos and tattoo inks in a forensic context—specifically highlighting that tattoos can prove critical to providing investigatory leads in criminal investigations and tattoos and tattoo inks should have an increased use in forensic endeavors moving forward, both in casework and scholarly research.This article is categorized under:
Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Ink and Paper Analysis
Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Documentation and Visualization
Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Special Situations and Investigations
Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods
Strong Law of Large Numbers for a Function of the Local Times of a Transient Random Walk in $${\mathbb {Z}}^d$$
Authors: Asymont Inna M. , Korshunov Dmitry 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFor an arbitrary transient random walk$$(S_n)_{n\ge 0}$$(Sn)n≥0in$${\mathbb {Z}}^d$$Zd,$$d\ge 1$$d≥1, we prove a strong law of large numbers for the spatial sum$$\sum _{x\in {\mathbb {Z}}^d}f(l(n,x))$$∑x∈Zdf(l(n,x))of a functionfof the local times$$l(n,x)=\sum _{i=0}^n{\mathbb {I}}\{S_i=x\}$$l(n,x)=∑i=0nI{Si=x}. Particular cases are the number ofvisited sites [first considered by Dvoretzky and Erdős (Proceedings of the Second Berkeley Symposium on Mathematical Statistics and Probability, pp 353–367, 1951)], which corresponds to the function$$f(i)={\mathbb {I}}\{i\ge 1\}$$f(i)=I{i≥1};$$\alpha $$α-fold self-intersections of the random walk [studied by Becker and König (J Theor Probab 22:365–374, 2009)], which corresponds to$$f(i)=i^\alpha $$f(i)=iα;sites visited by the random walk exactlyjtimes [considered by Erdős and Taylor (Acta Math Acad Sci Hung 11:137–162, 1960) and Pitt (Proc Am Math Soc 43:195–199, 1974)], where$$f(i)={\mathbb {I}}\{i=j\}$$f(i)=I{i=j}.
Case Series: Redefining Severe Grade 5 Vaginismus
Authors: Pacik Peter T. , Babb Corey R. , Polio Andrew , Nelson Craig E. , Goekeler Carlie E. , Holmes Lauren N. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Vaginismus is poorly understood and relatively unknown among health care providers. For those who understand and treat vaginismus, few make an assessment of the severity of this condition. The importance of classifying the severity of vaginismus impacts the clinician’s ability to diagnose and treat vaginismus, and understanding of the patient’s experience.

Aim
The aims of this paper are to identify the distinguishing features of severe grade 5 vaginismus, determine if vaginal spasm is present in severe grade vaginismus, and to establish qualifications for the Pacik grade 5 classification.

Methods
Assessment of 553 referred or self-referred women who were unable to tolerate intercourse completed a comprehensive pretreatment questionnaire. Of those women, 391 underwent a vaginal examination in a certified surgicenter using sedation and anesthesia as needed.

Main Outcome Measure
The main outcome measures were to detect the presence of a visceral reaction with an intended or actual gynecologic examination in Grade 5 patients, and to identify vaginal spasm on examination.

Results
A visceral response reaction to routine gynecologic examinations, as well as spasm of the bulbocavernosum, occurred in patients with severe vaginismus.

Conclusion
Severe vaginismus with visceral response manifestations to routine gynecologic examinations, inability to have intercourse, and spasm of the bulbocavernosum is newly defined as severe grade 5 vaginismus.
Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and economic impact of a multi-specialty charitable surgical center in Honduras
Authors: Eblovi Darren , Antúnez Merlin , Clitheroe Kate , Meeks Monica , Balmert Lauren , Thornton Hollie , West David , Waldvogel Nicholas , Daly Peter 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Despite significant demand and evidence indicating cost-effectiveness, surgical care is neglected in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Research indicates complex charitable surgical interventions are more effective in specialty hospitals than in short-term mission trips. This study aims to determine the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and economic impact of a multi-specialty charitable ambulatory surgical center in a LMIC.

Materials and methods:
Surgeries performed at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in rural Honduras in six specialties were evaluated for a one-year period for complications, infections, and patient satisfaction. Each patient's decrease in disability was determined by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and these data were used to estimate the cost per Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) averted. Economic benefit was calculated by the human capital approach and the value of a statistical life (VSL) approach.

Results:
Of the 963 surgeries performed, four patients (0.4%) experienced surgical site infections and 16 (1.6%) experienced complications, comparable to rates at ASCs in high-income countries. Cost per DALY averted was $638.08. The economic benefit was $17.9 million using the human capital approach and $328.4 million using the VSL approach.

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest a multi-specialty charitable surgical center in a low-middle income country can achieve similar outcomes to surgery centers in high-income countries. The operations were slightly less cost-effective than many short-term surgical missions, likely due to the investment in equipment and local labor which leads to the more favorable outcomes. This model of charitable surgical care provides a substantial benefit to the population.

Highlights:
Entitlement, Epistemic Risk, and Scepticism
Authors: Moretti Luca 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCrispin Wright maintains that the architecture of perceptual justification is such that we can acquire justification for our perceptual beliefs only if we have antecedent justification for ruling out any sceptical alternative. Wright contends that this principle doesn't elicit scepticism, for we are non-evidentially entitled to accept the negation of any sceptical alternative. Sebastiano Moruzzi has challenged Wright's contention by arguing that since our non-evidential entitlements don't remove the epistemic risk of our perceptual beliefs, they don't actually enable us to acquire justification for these beliefs. In this paper I show that Wright's responses to Moruzzi are ineffective and that Moruzzi's argument is validated by probabilistic reasoning. I also suggest that Wright couldn't answer Moruzzi's challenge without weakening the support available for his conception of the architecture of perceptual justification.
Use of antibiotics among end-of-life hospitalized patients with advanced directives: Status examination and association with infectious disease consultation and physician burnout
Authors: Fedorowsky Rina , Bachner Yaacov G. , Borer Abraham , Ciobotaro Pnina , Kushnir Talma 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground:Overuse of antibiotics in end-of-life patients with advanced directives increases bacterial resistance and causes morbidity and mortality. Consultations with infectious disease (ID) physicians and burnout, which can affect antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) prescribed by physicians, have not been examined so far.Objectives:To assess antibiotic use by physicians in end-of-life (EOL) patients with advanced directives and to investigate the association between ID consultations, physician burnout, and antibiotic DOT in those patients.Design:A descriptive correlational study.Setting:Acute-care and post–acute-care hospitals.Participants:The study included 213 physicians and 932 their hospitalized patients in the last 2 weeks of lifeMethods:We distributed questionnaires and analyzed the data collected regarding ID consultation, EOL antibiotics prescription with and without an advanced directive, and physician burnout to 278 physicians, and 213 were completed (response rate 76%).Results:Of the 932 deaths, 435 of 664 (>50%) were EOL patients with advanced directives. Of these patients, 74% received antibiotics, 29.9% had bacterial resistance cultures, and antibiotics were discontinued in only 5%. Half of the physicians lacked knowledge concerning antibiotics use issues and had significantly fewer consultations with ID physicians in EOL patients with advanced directives (mean rate, 0.27) than those without advanced directives (mean rate, 0.47). ID physicians reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion levels (mean rate, 29) than other medical specialties (mean rate, 19.2). Antibiotic DOT was significantly higher when patients had ID consultations (mean rate, 21.6) than in patients who did not (mean rate, 16.2). In post–acute-care hospitals and/or geriatric wards, antibiotic DOT was significantly higher than in other types of hospitals and/or wards. Depersonalization level was negatively related to antibiotic DOT (P < .05).Conclusions:Antibiotics are overused in EOL patients with advanced directives. ID physician burnout and impact of ID consultation should be further assessed.
EXTERNAL THREATS, INTERNAL CHALLENGES, AND STATE BUILDING IN EAST ASIA
Authors: Han Enze , Thies Cameron 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper empirically tests bellicist theories of state building in the East Asian context, paying attention to the interplay between external threats and internal challenges and their implications for these states’ extractive power. How much variation in state building in the region can be attributed to war and war preparation as a result of both external threats and internal challenges? In particular, it provides more fine-grained analysis on the different types of internal challenges and their impact on state capacity building. The article argues that in the East Asia region, both external threats and internal challenges are crucial to explaining the variation in state capacity across the region. However, we also find that different types of internal challenges have different effects. Particularly, communist insurgencies seem to have both an immediate and long-term positive effect in compelling the state to respond with more extraction to engage in state-building efforts.
The Normative and Material Foundations of Judicial Confidence in Bolivia
Authors: Kaire José 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTWhat allows unpopular judiciaries to gain the trust of the public? Some suggest that judicial confidence depends on procedural integrity. Others emphasize the importance of ideological congruence between the court and the public. This article examines the explanatory power of these two leading hypotheses while also paying closer attention to the moderating effects of political and economic inclusion. It finds that confidence in the judiciary is driven by normative considerations when inclusion is high, but by ideological proximity when inclusion is low. The findings highlight that institutional support does not emerge from a single causal path. Instead, inequalities in the economic and political structure make people trust institutions for different—and sometimes contrasting—reasons.
Extremely low malaria prevalence in a wetland specialist passerine
Authors: Szöllősi Eszter , Tóth Zsófia , Mahr Katharina , Hoi Herbert , Lendvai Ádám Z. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAvian malaria (caused byPlasmodiumspp.) and avian malaria-like infections (caused byHaemoproteusspp.) are widespread and can seriously affect the health of their bird hosts, especially of immunologically naïve individuals. Therefore, these parasites have long been in the focus of bird-parasite studies. However, the species richness and diversity of these protozoan species have only been revealed since the use of molecular techniques. Diversity and prevalence of these parasites among different bird species and even between populations of a species show a large variation. Here, we investigated prevalence of avian malaria and avian malaria-like parasites in two distant populations of a non-migratory wetland specialist passerine, the bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus). While previous studies have shown that reed-dwelling bird species often carry various blood parasite lineages and the presence of the vectors transmittingPlasmodiumandHaemoproteusspecies has been confirmed from our study sites, prevalence of these parasites was extremely low in our populations. This may either suggest that bearded reedlings may avoid or quickly clear these infections, or these parasites cause high mortality in this species. The remarkably low prevalence of infection in this species is consistent with earlier studies and makes bearded reedlings a possible model organism for investigating the genetic or behavioural adaptations of parasite resistance.
Obstetric complications and intelligence in patients on the schizophrenia-bipolar spectrum and healthy participants
Authors: Wortinger Laura Anne , Engen Kristine , Barth Claudia , Lonning Vera , Jørgensen Kjetil Nordbø , Andreassen Ole A. , Haukvik Unn Kristin , Vaskinn Anja , Ueland Torill , Agartz Ingrid 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundWhether severe obstetric complications (OCs), which harm neural function in offspring, contribute to impaired cognition found in psychiatric disorders is currently unknown. Here, we sought to evaluate how a history of severe OCs is associated with cognitive functioning, indicated by Intelligence Quotient (IQ).MethodsWe evaluated the associations of a history of OCs and IQ in 622 healthy controls (HC) and 870 patients on the schizophrenia (SCZ) – bipolar disorder (BIP) spectrum from the ongoing Thematically Organized Psychosis study cohort, Oslo, Norway. Participants underwent assessments using the NART (premorbid IQ) and the WASI (current IQ). Information about OCs was obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Multiple linear regression models were used for analysis.ResultsSevere OCs were equally common across groups. SCZ patients with OCs had lower performances on both premorbid and current IQ measures, compared to those without OCs. However, having experienced more than one co-occurring severe OC was associated with lower current IQ in all groups.ConclusionsSevere OCs were associated with lower IQ in the SCZ group and in the BIP and HC groups, but only if they had experienced more than one severe OC. Low IQ might be a neurodevelopmental marker for SCZ; wherein, severe OCs influence cognitive abilities and increase the risk of developing SCZ. Considering OCs as a variable of neurodevelopmental risk for severe mental illness may promote the development of neuroprotective interventions, improve outcome in vulnerable newborns and advance our ability to make clinical prognoses.
Laws in Conflict: Legacies of War, Gender, and Legal Pluralism in Chechnya
Authors: Lazarev Egor 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHow do legacies of conflict affect choices between state and nonstate legal institutions? This article studies this question in Chechnya, where state law coexists with Sharia and customary law. The author focuses on the effect of conflict-induced disruption of gender hierarchies because the dominant interpretations of religious and customary norms are discriminatory against women. The author finds that women in Chechnya are more likely than men to rely on state law and that this gender gap in legal preferences and behavior is especially large in more-victimized communities. The author infers from this finding that the conflict created the conditions for women in Chechnya to pursue their interests through state law—albeit not without resistance. Women’s legal mobilization has generated a backlash from the Chechen government, which has attempted to reinstate a patriarchal order. The author concludes that conflict may induce legal mobilization among the weak and that gender may become a central cleavage during state-building processes in postconflict environments.
Examining criterion-oriented validity of the Repetitive Behavior Scales for Early Childhood (RBS-EC) and the Video-Referenced Rating of Reciprocal Social Behavior (vrRSB)
Authors: Lasch Carolyn , Wolff Jason J. , Elison Jed T. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractImproved characterization of quantitative traits and dimensionally distributed complex behaviors during toddlerhood may improve early identification of autism spectrum disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Parents of 205 community-ascertained toddlers (age: mean = 20.2, SD = 2.6 months) completed the Repetitive Behavior Scales for Early Childhood (RBS-EC) and the Video-Referenced Rating of Reciprocal Social Behavior (vrRSB), with longitudinal follow-up of behavioral assessments and/or another round of parent-report questionnaires. Criterion validity was examined both concurrently and longitudinally using the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) as a criterion anchor. Reciprocal social behavior as measured by the vrRSB was significantly associated with social competence as measured by the ITSEA, longitudinally and concurrently. Reciprocal social behavior was not associated with the externalizing subscale on the ITSEA, providing evidence of discriminant validity. Higher-order repetitive behaviors (restricted interests; rituals and routines) as measured by RBS-EC subscales were associated with the dysregulation and internalizing subscales of the ITSEA, longitudinally and concurrently. All RBS-EC subscales (excepting repetitive motor) were associated concurrently and longitudinally with the dysregulation subscale of the ITSEA. We report evidence of criterion-oriented and discriminant validity for the constructs/domains captured by the RBS-EC and vrRSB. These instruments may be particularly useful in characterizing dimensional variability across the typical-to-atypical continuum.
Affiliation with depressive peer groups and social and school adjustment in Chinese adolescents
Authors: Chen Lingjun , Chen Xinyin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to examine the role of depressive peer group context in individual social and school adjustment in a sample of 1,430 Chinese adolescents (672 boys,meanage = 15.43 years) from middle (n= 430) and high (n= 1000) schools. Peer groups were identified using the Social Cognitive Map technique. One-year longitudinal data on depression and social and school adjustment were obtained from self-reports, peer nominations, teacher ratings, and school records. Multilevel analyses showed that group-level depression positively predicted later individual depression. Moreover, group-level depression negatively predicted later social competence, peer preference, school competence, and academic achievement, and it positively predicted later peer victimization and learning problems. The results suggest that affiliation with more depressive peer groups contributes to more psychological, social, and school adjustment problems in a cascading manner among Chinese adolescents.
Assessment of cardiac function and electrocardiographic findings in patients with Wilson’s disease
Authors: Karhan Asuman N. , Aykan Hayrettin H. , Gümüş Ersin , Dönmez Yasemin , Alehan Dursun , Özkutlu Süheyla , Demir Hülya , Saltık Temizel İnci N. , Özen Hasan , Yüce Aysel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground:This study evaluated cardiac function using tissue Doppler echocardiography and assessed electrocardiographic findings in children diagnosed with Wilson’s disease.Method:Asymptomatic patients with a diagnosis of Wilson’s disease (n = 43) were compared to healthy controls (n = 37) that were age and gender matched.Results:The standard electrocardiographic and conventional echocardiographic examinations were similar in both groups. The left ventricular ejection fraction, shortening fraction, and diastolic function were not significantly different between the two groups. The Tei index for mitral lateral, mitral septal, tricuspid lateral, tricuspid septal, and inter-ventricular septum on tissue Doppler echocardiography was higher in the patient group, yet it did not reach statistical significance. Mitral lateral and septal systolic annular velocity values were significantly lower in the patient group when compared to the control group (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Also, mitral lateral and septal isovolumetric contraction time values were higher in the patient group (p = 0.04). Although the left ventricular values were not significantly different, relative left ventricular wall thickness was higher in the patient group when compared to the control group, and concentric remodelling in the left ventricle was found in 7 (16%) of 42 patients. QT interval (p = 0.02) and P-wave dispersion values (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group, and these tend to predict arrhythmias.Conclusion:Our study based on the tissue Doppler echocardiography assessment indicated a subclinical systolic, rather than diastolic, dysfunction in the myocardium with increased QT interval and P-wave dispersion, despite the young age of the patients and short disease duration.