bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting oxidative stress improves disease outcomes in a rat model of acquired epilepsy
Authors: Pauletti Alberto , Terrone Gaetano , Shekh-Ahmad Tawfeeq , Salamone Alessia , Ravizza Teresa , Rizzi Massimo , Pastore Anna , Pascente Rosaria , Liang Li-Ping , Villa Bianca R , Balosso Silvia , Abramov Andrey Y , van Vliet Erwin A , Del Giudice Ennio , Aronica Eleonora , Patel Manisha , Walker Matthew C , Vezzani Annamaria 
Published: April 2019

AbstractEpilepsy therapy is based on antiseizure drugs that treat the symptom, seizures, rather than the disease and are ineffective in up to 30% of patients. There are no treatments for modifying the disease—preventing seizure onset, reducing severity or improving prognosis. Among the potential molecular targets for attaining these unmet therapeutic needs, we focused on oxidative stress since it is a pathophysiological process commonly occurring in experimental epileptogenesis and observed in human epilepsy. Using a rat model of acquired epilepsy induced by electrical status epilepticus, we show that oxidative stress occurs in both neurons and astrocytes during epileptogenesis, as assessed by measuring biochemical and histological markers. This evidence was validated in the hippocampus of humans who died following status epilepticus. Oxidative stress was reduced in animals undergoing epileptogenesis by a transient treatment with N-acetylcysteine and sulforaphane, which act to increase glutathione levels through complementary mechanisms. These antioxidant drugs are already used in humans for other therapeutic indications. This drug combination transiently administered for 2 weeks during epileptogenesis inhibited oxidative stress more efficiently than either drug alone. The drug combination significantly delayed the onset of epilepsy, blocked disease progression between 2 and 5 months post-status epilepticus and drastically reduced the frequency of spontaneous seizures measured at 5 months without modifying the average seizure duration or the incidence of epilepsy in animals. Treatment also decreased hippocampal neuron loss and rescued cognitive deficits. Oxidative stress during epileptogenesis was associated with de novo brain and blood generation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a neuroinflammatory molecule implicated in seizure mechanisms. Drug-induced reduction of oxidative stress prevented HMGB1 generation, thus highlighting a potential novel mechanism contributing to therapeutic effects. Our data show that targeting oxidative stress with clinically used drugs for a limited time window starting early after injury significantly improves long-term disease outcomes. This intervention may be considered for patients exposed to potential epileptogenic insults.
BarrettNET—a prospective registry for risk estimation of patients with Barrett's esophagus to progress to adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wiethaler Maria , Slotta-Huspenina Julia , Brandtner Anna , Horstmann Julia , Wein Frederik , Baumeister Theresa , Radani Nikole , Gerland Sophie , Anand Akanksha , Lange Sebastian , Schmidt Melissa , Janssen Klaus-Peter , Conrad Anja , Johannes Widya , Strauch Konstantin , Quante Anne S , Linkohr Birgit , Kuhn Klaus A , Blaser Rainer , Lehmann Andreas , Kohlmayer Florian , Weichert Wilko , Schmid Roland M , Becker Karl-Friedrich , Quante Michael 
Published: April 2019

SUMMARYRisk stratification in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) to prevent the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an unsolved task. The incidence of EAC and BE is increasing and patients are still at unknown risk. BarrettNET is an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study initiated to identify and validate molecular and clinical biomarkers that allow a more personalized surveillance strategy for patients with BE. For BarrettNET participants are recruited in 20 study centers throughout Germany, to be followed for progression to dysplasia (low-grade dysplasia or high-grade dysplasia) or EAC for >10 years. The study instruments comprise self-administered epidemiological information (containing data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and health), as well as biological specimens, i.e., blood-based samples, esophageal tissue biopsies, and feces and saliva samples. In follow-up visits according to the individual surveillance plan of the participants, sample collection is repeated. The standardized collection and processing of the specimen guarantee the highest sample quality. Via a mobile accessible database, the documentation of inclusion, epidemiological data, and pathological disease status are recorded subsequently. Currently the BarrettNET registry includes 560 participants (23.1% women and 76.9% men, aged 22–92 years) with a median follow-up of 951 days. Both the design and the size of BarrettNET offer the advantage of answering research questions regarding potential causes of disease progression from BE to EAC. Here all the integrated methods and materials of BarrettNET are presented and reviewed to introduce this valuable German registry.
Physiotherapeutic intervention to promote self-care: exploratory study on Spanish caregivers of patients with dementia
Authors: Alonso-Cortés Beatriz , Seco-Calvo Jesús , González-Cabanach Ramón 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The caregivers of dependent persons should benefit from social–health interventions that empower them. Physiotherapists can play an important role as facilitators of self-care learning by boosting the mind–body interaction. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of a physiotherapeutic intervention centered on the promotion of self-care within a sample of caregivers, members of four Spanish Associations of Relative of Alzheimer's and other dementias. To fulfill the study goal, a pre-experimental study was developed with two different groups. Group 1 participated in four training sessions based exclusively on the communication of information and which addressed, among other aspects, the most frequent health problems in caregivers and the powerful role of self-care to face such problems. Group 2 received the same theoretical information as group 1, followed by 10 sessions of practical training in several concrete strategies of body–mind self-care. The results obtained support the usefulness of combining theoretical and practical training in mind–body strategies (relaxation, self-massage and stretching), as such combination managed to favor their implication to self-care and certain dimensions of psychological well-being, while attenuating the burden. Conversely, training based solely on theoretical approaches was not beneficial. Besides evidencing the usefulness of combining passive and active methodologies to favor self-care, the data provided calls for greater consideration of aspects close to philosophical perspectives like personal growth.
Outcomes of the Adelante community social marketing campaign for Latino youth
Authors: Evans W Douglas , Andrade Elizabeth L , Barrett Nicole , Snider Jeremy , Cleary Sean , Edberg Mark 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The authors designed and evaluated an innovative, branded campaign called ‘Adelante’ to promote positive youth development (PYD) and reduce risk behaviors among Latino youth near Washington, DC. Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the intervention and a comparison community to evaluate campaign exposure and changes in PYD outcomes. The sample consisted of 1549 Latino and immigrant adolescents surveyed at three time points in intervention and comparison communities. A social marketing campaign was implemented using outdoor advertising, Web, video and social media channels to promote PYD and health outcomes over a 1-year period from 2015 to 2016. Measures included media use; self-reported exposure to campaign promotions; Adelante message receptivity; validated PYD scales; substance use, sexual risk taking, violence-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, intentions and risk behavior. Outcomes were regressed first on campaign exposure to examine dose–response effects of the Adelante campaign over time. Second, we compared outcomes between the Adelante and comparison communities. We observed a positive effect of self-reported exposure on multiple outcomes, including improvements in pro-violence and sexual risk outcomes and lower pro-violence attitudes and lower risky attitudes toward sex. Adelante was effective in improving youth risk outcomes and offers a promising model for future health promotion with Latino and immigrant populations.
Adaptive finite element methods for sparse PDE-constrained optimization
Authors: Allendes A , Fuica F , Otárola E 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We propose and analyse reliable and efficient a posteriori error estimators for an optimal control problem that involves a nondifferentiable cost functional, the Poisson problem as state equation and control constraints. To approximate the solution to the state and adjoint equations we consider a piecewise linear finite element method, whereas three different strategies are used to approximate the control variable: piecewise constant discretization, piecewise linear discretization and the so-called variational discretization approach. For the first two aforementioned solution techniques we devise an error estimator that can be decomposed as the sum of four contributions: two contributions that account for the discretization of the control variable and the associated subgradient and two contributions related to the discretization of the state and adjoint equations. The error estimator for the variational discretization approach is decomposed only in two contributions that are related to the discretization of the state and adjoint equations. On the basis of the devised a posteriori error estimators, we design simple adaptive strategies that yield optimal rates of convergence for the numerical examples that we perform.
The visual side of digital humanities: a survey on topics, researchers, and epistemic cultures
Authors: Münster Sander , Terras Melissa 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Although the digital humanities have traditionally been conceived as a text-based discipline, both digital visualization techniques as well as visual analysis are increasingly used for research in various humanities disciplines. Since there are several overlaps in epistemic cultures of visually oriented and digitally supported research in art and architectural history studies, museology, and archaeology, as well as cultural heritage, we introduce ‘visual digital humanities’ as novel ‘umbrella’ term to cover research approaches in the digital humanities that are dependent on both consuming and producing pictorial, rather than textual, information to answer their humanities research questions. This article aims to determine this particular field of research in terms of (1) research topics, (2) disciplinary standards, and (3) a scholarly culture as well as (4) researchers’ habits and backgrounds. This study is intended to highlight a scope of phenomena and aspects of relevance. Information is gathered by interviews with researchers at London universities and workshops held in Germany and Sweden.
Biochemical reconstitution of UV-induced mutational processes
Authors: Sugiyama Tomohiko , Chen Yizhang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe reconstituted two biochemical processes that may contribute to UV-induced mutagenesis in vitro and analysed the mutational profiles in the products. One process is translesion synthesis (TLS) by DNA polymerases (Pol) δ, η and ζ, which creates C&gt;T transitions at pyrimidine dimers by incorporating two dAMPs opposite of the dimers. The other process involves spontaneous deamination of cytosine, producing uracil in pyrimidine dimers, followed by monomerization of the dimers by secondary UV irradiation, and DNA synthesis by Pol δ. The mutational spectrum resulting from deamination without translesion synthesis is similar to a mutational signature found in melanomas, suggesting that cytosine deamination encountered by the replicative polymerase has a prominent role in melanoma development. However, CC&gt;TT dinucleotide substitution, which is also commonly observed in melanomas, was produced almost exclusively by TLS. We propose that both TLS-dependent and deamination-dependent mutational processes are likely involved in UV-induced melanoma development.
An evaluation of Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN), a Canadian education program, in Chinese neonatal nurseries
Authors: Aziz Khalid , Ma Xiaolu , Lockyer Jocelyn , McMillan Douglas , Ye Xiang Y , Du Lizhong , Lee Shoo K , Singhal Nalini 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
The Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN) program was developed in Canada to train health care providers in the identification and management of newborns who are at-risk and/or become unwell after birth. The ACoRN process follows a stepwise framework that enables evaluation, decision, and action irrespective of caregiver experience. This study examined the hypothesis that the ACoRN educational program improved clinical practices and outcomes in China.

Methods
In a before-and-after study, ACoRN training was provided to physicians, neonatal nurses, and administrators in 16 county hospitals in Zhejiang, PRC. Demographic and clinical data were collected on babies admitted to neonatal units before (May 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009) and after (June 1, 2010 to April 30, 2012) training.

Results
A total of 4,310 babies (1,865 pre- and 2,445 post-training) from 14 sites were included. There were more in-hospital births (97.8% versus 95.6%, P&lt;0.01) in the post-training epoch, fewer babies needing resuscitation (12.7% versus 16.0%, P=0.02), and more babies finishing their care in hospital (67.4% versus 53.1%, P&lt;0.0001). After training, significantly more babies were evaluated as having respiratory distress at admission (14.2% versus 9.4%, P&lt;0.0001); more babies had saturation, glucose and temperature measured on admission and at discharge; and more babies received intravenous fluids (86.3% versus 72.8%, P&lt;0.0001). No significant improvements were noted in mortality (0.49% [post] versus 0.8% [pre], P=0.19 and adjusted odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.23 to 1.29).

Conclusions
ACoRN training significantly increased patient evaluations and changed clinical practices. However, we were unable to ascertain improvement in morbidity or mortality.
College Cops around the Nation: A 30-Year and 40-Year Update on the State of Higher Education in US Policing
Authors: Gardiner Christine L 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
This article describes the findings of a recent national survey of 958 local (municipal and county) law enforcement agencies on the subject of higher education in US policing. It is the first national study in 30 years to examine the issue and in 40 years to examine higher education in small departments. Findings reveal that minimum education requirements to be hired, which are primarily dictated by state standards, have not changed significantly since 1988 but CEO education has changed and is highly important for agency policy and practice. Although a college degree is not usually required to be hired, it is usually required to promote to higher ranks. About half (51.5%) of sworn officers in the US who work for local agencies have a 2-year degree or higher, 28.6% have a 4-year degree or higher, and 5.4% have a graduate degree but this varies considerably by agency size, type, region, Chief/Sheriff education level, and union presence. Implications for improving education in policing are discussed.
Inputs, Incentives, and Complementarities in Education: Experimental Evidence from Tanzania*
Authors: Mbiti Isaac , Muralidharan Karthik , Romero Mauricio , Schipper Youdi , Manda Constantine , Rajani Rakesh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe present results from a large-scale randomized experiment across 350 schools in Tanzania that studied the impact of providing schools with (i) unconditional grants, (ii) teacher incentives based on student performance, and (iii) both of the above. After two years, we find (i) no impact on student test scores from providing school grants, (ii) some evidence of positive effects from teacher incentives, and (iii) significant positive effects from providing both programs. Most important, we find strong evidence of complementarities between the programs, with the effect of joint provision being significantly greater than the sum of the individual effects. Our results suggest that combining spending on school inputs (the default policy) with improved teacher incentives could substantially increase the cost-effectiveness of public spending on education.
Late growing season carbon subsidy in native gymnosperms in a northern temperate forest
Authors: Li Ximeng , Xu Chengyuan , Li Zhengzhen , Feng Jinchao , Tissue David T , Griffin Kevin L 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Evergreen tree species that maintain positive carbon balance during the late growing season may subsidize extra carbon in a mixed forest. To test this concept of ‘carbon subsidy’, leaf gas exchange characteristics and related leaf traits were measured for three gymnosperm evergreen species (Chamaecyparis thyoides, Tsuga canadensis and Pinus strobus) native to the oak-hickory deciduous forest in northeast USA from March (early Spring) to October (late Autumn) in a single year. All three species were photosynthetically active in Autumn. During the Summer–Autumn transition, photosynthetic capacity (Amax) of T. canadensis and P. strobus increased (T-test, P < 0.001) and was maintained in C. thyoides (T-test, P = 0.49), while dark respiration at 20 °C (Rn) and its thermal sensitivity were generally unchanged for all species (one-way ANOVA, P > 0.05). In Autumn, reductions in mitochondrial respiration rate in the daylight (RL) and the ratio of RL to Rn (RL/Rn) were observed in P. strobus (46.3% and 44.0% compared to Summer, respectively). Collectively, these physiological adjustments resulted in higher ratios of photosynthesis to respiration (A/Rnand A/RL) in Autumn for all species. Across season, photosynthetic biochemistry and respiratory variables were not correlated with prevailing growth temperature. Physiological adjustments allowed all three gymnosperm species to maintain positive carbon balance into late Autumn, suggesting that gymnosperm evergreens may benefit from Autumn warming trends relative to deciduous trees that have already lost their leaves.
Drought-induced mortality in Scots pine: opening the metabolic black box
Authors: MacAllister Sarah , Mencuccini Maurizio , Sommer Ulf , Engel Jasper , Hudson Andrew , Salmon Yann , Dexter Kyle G 
Published: April 2019

AbstractForests are sensitive to droughts, which increase the mortality rate of tree species. Various processes have been proposed to underlie drought-induced tree mortality, including hydraulic failure, carbon starvation and increased susceptibility to natural enemies. To give insights into these processes, we assessed the metabolic effects of a mortality-inducing drought on seedlings of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots Pine), a widespread and important Eurasian species. We found divergence over time in the foliar metabolic composition of droughted vs well-watered seedlings, with the former showing increased abundance of aromatic amino acids and decreases in secondary metabolism associated with defence. We observed no significant differences amongst provenances in these effects: seedlings from drought-prone areas showed the same foliar metabolic changes under drought as seedlings from moist environments, although morphological effects of drought varied by provenance. Overall, our results demonstrate how severe drought prior to death may target particular primary and secondary metabolic pathways, weakening defences against natural enemies and contributing to the risk of drought-induced mortality in P. sylvestris.
Cost-effectiveness of antiosteoporosis strategies for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in China
Authors: Li Na , Zheng Bin , Liu Maobai , Zhou Haimei , Zhao Lingfen , Cai Hongfu , Huang Jingze 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Objective:
Osteoporosis has become an important public health problem in China, especially among elderly postmenopausal women. Massive amounts of medical and health resources have been devoted to patients with osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures. This study estimated the cost-effectiveness of alendronate, zoledronate, raloxifene, teriparatide, and calcium/vitamin D as treatments for osteoporosis in elderly postmenopausal women in China from the medical system perspective.

Methods:
A Markov model was constructed by using TreeAge Pro 2015 software. This model simulated the disease process over 40 years in response to the five investigated therapeutic strategies. Each cycle lasted for 1 year. The model parameters included Chinese epidemiological data, clinical effectiveness, cost, and utility. Total treatment costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated, and incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the model.

Results:
The calcium/vitamin D strategy, zoledronate, alendronate, teriparatide, and raloxifene offered patients 10.24, 10.83, 10.70, 10.88, and 10.54 QALYs at the cost of $3,799.72, $8,425.61, $9,849.89, $34,843.72, and $13,353.33 for over 40 years, respectively. The alendronate and raloxifene strategies were eliminated because they were less effective and more expensive than the other strategies. The base-case analysis revealed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the zoledronate strategy relative to those of the calcium/vitamin D strategy were $7,864.59/QALY. This result indicated that the zoledronate strategy was more cost-effective than other strategies and was within the willingness-to-pay threshold of China ($28,624/QALY). The ICERs of the teriparatide versus zoledronate strategies were $4,70,797.08/QALY, which exceeded the threshold.

Conclusion:
From the perspective of the Chinese medical system, zoledronate is more cost-effective than the calcium/vitamin D strategy, alendronate, raloxifene, and teriparatide for the treatment of osteoporosis in elderly postmenopausal women. Not factoring the parameters of adherence and persistence in, and consequent variability in treatment effectiveness relative risks, seems like a major limitation, but it can be speculated that it would not change the conclusion that zoledronate is the most economical strategy.