bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis e antigen seroconversion
Authors: Zhou T.‐C. , Lai X. , Feng M.‐H. , Tang Y. , Zhang L. , Wei J. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryHepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is considered to have significantly favourable clinical outcomes for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, inconsistent study results suggest that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still occurs in patients with HBeAg seroconversion. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the incidence of HCC in patients with CHB after HBeAg seroconversion. Web of Science, PubMed and Embase databases were searched through January 2017. The incidence of HCC in CHB patients after HBeAg seroconversion was pooled using a random‐effects model or fix‐effects model. Sixteen studies were finally included, involving 4910 patients with HBeAg seroconversion. The overall pooled proportion suggested that 3.33% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.28%‐4.58%) of patients with CHB develop HCC despite HBeAg seroconversion. In patients with HBeAg seroconversion without cirrhosis, the pooled proportion of HCC development was 0.94% (95% CI: 0.15%‐2.4%). Moreover, patients with cirrhosis, active hepatitis, or aged greater than 40 years at the time of HBeAg seroconversion were at significantly higher risk for HCC development. HBeAg seroconversion was significantly associated with a reduced risk of HCC compared with persistently positive HBeAg (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35‐0.97, P = .04). Despite the reduced risk with HBeAg seroconversion, HCC can still occur in a proportion of patients with CHB after HBeAg seroconversion. Long‐term monitoring is needed for patients with established cirrhosis, active hepatitis or those older than 40 years at the time of HBeAg seroconversion.
The removal of information from working memory
Authors: Lewis‐Peacock Jarrod A. , Kessler Yoav , Oberauer Klaus 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWhat happens to goal‐relevant information in working memory after it is no longer needed? Here, we review evidence for a selective removal process that operates on outdated information to limit working memory load and hence facilitates the maintenance of goal‐relevant information. Removal alters the representations of irrelevant content so as to reduce access to it, thereby improving access to the remaining relevant content and also facilitating the encoding of new information. Both behavioral and neural evidence support the existence of a removal process that is separate from forgetting due to decay or interference. We discuss the potential mechanisms involved in removal and characterize the time course and duration of the process. In doing so, we propose the existence of two forms of removal: one is temporary, and reversible, which modifies working memory content without impacting content‐to‐context bindings, and another is permanent, which unbinds the content from its context in working memory (without necessarily impacting long‐term forgetting). Finally, we discuss limitations on removal and prescribe conditions for evaluating evidence for or against this process.
“Walking” through the sensory, cognitive, and temporal degradations of healthy aging
Authors: Paraskevoudi Nadia , Balcı Fuat , Vatakis Argiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAs we age, there is a wide range of changes in motor, sensory, cognitive, and temporal processing due to alterations in the functioning of the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Specifically, aging is associated with degradations in gait; altered processing of the individual sensory systems; modifications in executive control, memory, and attention; and changes in temporal processing. These age‐related alterations are often inter‐related and have been suggested to result from shared neural substrates. Additionally, the overlap between these brain areas and those controlling walking raises the possibility of facilitating performance in several tasks by introducing protocols that can efficiently target all four domains. Attempts to counteract these negative effects of normal aging have been focusing on research to prevent falls and/or enhance cognitive processes, while ignoring the potential multisensory benefits accompanying old age. Research shows that the aging brain tends to increasingly rely on multisensory integration to compensate for degradations in individual sensory systems and for altered neural functioning. This review covers the age‐related changes in the above‐mentioned domains and the potential to exploit the benefits associated with multisensory integration in aging so as to improve one's mobility and enhance sensory, cognitive, and temporal processing.
Description of public health nursing nutrition assessment and interventions for home‐visited women
Authors: Horning Melissa L. , Olsen Jeanette M. , Lell Shay , Thorson Diane R. , Monsen Karen A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjective(s)The purpose of this manuscript was to describe: Public Health Nurse (PHN) home‐visited, female client Nutrition Knowledge (K), Behavior (B), and Status (S); the number and types of nutrition interventions PHNs used with these clients; and the types of clients receiving nutrition interventions.Design and SampleThis descriptive study used PHN‐generated Omaha System, electronic health record data from January 2012 to July 2015. The analytic sample contains 558 women who received home visits in a rural Midwestern U.S. county that employed universal nutrition assessment for clients.MeasurementsOmaha System data included nutrition KBS scores (from 1 = low to 5 = high) and nutrition interventions delivered. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses (means, frequencies, chi‐squares, general linear models).ResultsPHNs assessed nutrition KBS scores for 84.1% of clients; average Nutrition Knowledge was 3.4 (SD = 0.7), Behavior 3.7 (SD = 0.8), and Status 4.3 (SD = 1.0). PHNs provided 0‐36 nutrition interventions per client. Nutrition intervention patterns were detected by the type of visit clients received.ConclusionsResults suggest home‐visited women have room to improve Nutrition KBS and PHNs utilize myriad nutrition interventions. Results also point to opportunities to improve home‐visited client care by providing more nutrition interventions, especially to those not receiving interventions, and revising standard care plans to reflect important Case Management nutrition interventions.
A tripartite model for recruiting African‐Americans into fatherhood intervention research
Authors: Julion Wrenetha A. , Sumo Jen'nea , Bounds Dawn T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMany studies have examined factors influencing African‐American (AA) participation in research studies. But none inform the recruitment of AA men into fatherhood intervention research. Our purpose is to describe the recruitment and enrollment framework of the Dedicated African American Dad (DAAD) Study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to test a fatherhood intervention against a financial literacy comparison condition. AA nonresident (AANR) fathers are fathers who do not reside with their child on a full‐time basis. Fathers attended 10 group‐based sessions; and father and mother informants completed research interviews at baseline, postintervention, and 12 weeks postintervention. The DAAD Study tripartite model is a system of strategies that address three factors that individually and cooperatively affect recruitment of AANR fathers into research: community partnerships; study infrastructure; and recruitment personnel. The intersection of these three components forms a recruitment nexus that can be used to guide community‐based research. The DAAD study serves as an exemplar of recruitment challenges, strategies, and lessons learned.
Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation
Authors: Fu Y , Knox RV , Li L , Ren S 
Published: May 2018

ContentsThe objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.
Early increase of VEGF‐A is associated with resolution of ventilator‐associated pneumonia: Clinical and experimental evidence
Authors: Strouvalis Ioannis , Routsi Christina , Adamopoulou Maria , Raftogiannis Maria , Renieris George , Orfanos Stylianos E. , Kotanidou Anastasia , Sabracos Labros , Giamarellos‐Bourboulis Evangelos J. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveThe role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A in the resolution of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) was investigated in clinical and mouse pneumonia models.MethodsVEGF‐A was measured for seven consecutive days by an immunosorbent assay in sera of 82 patients with VAP and changes from baseline were correlated with the resolution of VAP. Experimental animals were challenged intratracheally with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mouse bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and segments of lung tissue were obtained at 24, 48 and 124 h after bacterial challenge. Levels of VEGF‐A, tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, interferon‐gamma (IFNγ) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured in these samples.ResultsVAP resolved in 36.1% of patients with a less than 45% increase of VEGF‐A on day 5 compared to 65.2% of patients with a more than 45% increase (P = 0.014). This was also accompanied by an earlier resolution of VAP (log‐rank: 7.99; P = 0.005) and it was not pathogen‐specific. The increase of VEGF‐A was an independent variable associated with VAP resolution in forward logistic regression analysis where Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were included as independent variables. VEGF‐A in mouse BAL and lung tissue increased significantly at 124 h but not with the other mediators. In mice pre‐treated with bevacizumab, VEGF‐A concentrations decreased while TNF‐α and MPO significantly increased.ConclusionIn patients, an association between increased levels of circulating VEGF‐A and VAP resolution was observed. The mouse study suggests that elevated VEGF‐A levels may be associated with lung inflammation resolution.Clinical trial registration: NCT00297674 at www.clinicaltrials.gov
Elastic labor supply, variable markups, and spatial inequalities
Authors: Takatsuka Hajime , Zeng Dao‐Zhi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAssuming an inelastic labor supply, existing studies show that a larger country has a higher wage rate and a higher individual income. We reexamine these results using a model with an endogenous labor supply and variable markups. We find that these results can be reversed. Specifically, in the larger country, the wage rate is lower but the individual income is higher if the love for variety is strong and trade costs are high. In contrast, the wage rate is higher but the individual income may be lower if the love for variety is weak and trade costs are low.
Innovation, FDI, and the long‐run effects of monetary policy
Authors: Chen Hung‐Ju 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper studies the long‐run effects of monetary policy on innovation and pattern of production in a North–South product‐cycle model with foreign direct investment (FDI) and separate cash‐in‐advance (CIA) constraints on innovative and adaptive R&D. If innovative R&D is subject to the CIA constraint, then a decrease in the Northern nominal interest rate raises the rate of Northern innovation, the rate of FDI, and the North–South wage gap. Regarding the production pattern, the extent of Northern production decreases as the extent of FDI increases. If adaptive R&D is subject to the CIA constraint, then a decrease in the Southern nominal interest rate causes the same effects on the rates of innovation and FDI as well as the extents of Northern production and FDI as those in the case of a decrease in the Northern nominal interest rate. However, such a monetary policy change reduces the North–South wage gap. This study also analyzes the stability of the long‐run equilibrium and examines the responses of social welfare for Northern and Southern consumers to monetary policy.
Anterior tooth wear and quality of life in a nursing home population
Authors: al‐Allaq Tumouh , Feng Changyong , Saunders Ralph H. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTAimsThe aim of the study was to assess the extent to which a relationship may exist between the wear of the anterior teeth and quality of life in a population of nursing home residents.Methods and ResultsA population (n = 100) of nursing home residents (mean age 75.7 years) was recruited all members of which had at least 4 upper and 4 lower anterior teeth and were assessed as cognitively intact by nursing personnel who were familiar with their behavior. The investigator evaluated the level of tooth wear of each subject according to the Tooth Wear Index of Donachie and Walls (Adapted) and then verbally administered the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) of Atchison and Dolan. Analyses did not reveal significant differences in tooth wear between males and females nor between age and GOHAI score; however, tooth wear was positively related to age and inversely related to quality of life.ConclusionsResults suggest that tooth wear is negatively related to quality of life.
Twitter and climate change
Authors: Fownes Jennifer R. , Yu Chao , Margolin Drew B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTwitter provides a useful tool for studying public conversations about climate change, an issue that crosses international boundaries and stirs political and scientific debate. This review presents what is currently known about the way climate change is discussed on Twitter, acknowledging advantages and limitations and suggesting future areas for study. As an accessible platform, Twitter allows public expression of opinions on climate change and provides data on how these fluctuate over different times and places. Moving forward, studies assessing climate views can be improved by better linking them to demographic and other data indicating the population that Twitter users represent. The open‐ended content of tweets provides additional information, such as which topics are associated with climate change and which terms are used to discuss it. Future studies can build on these results to capture a wider range of climate‐related discussion. Finally, researchers are using Twitter to understand who initiates and participates in climate change dialog and how, by categorizing users as different actors—such as politicians, celebrities, NGOs, or the general public. Future research could consider how effective these efforts are, and how Twitter activity translates to offline outcomes.
Fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population: Measurements by a full‐field laser perfusion imager
Authors: Fei W. , Xu S. , Ma J. , Zhai W. , Cheng S. , Chang Y. , Wang X. , Gao J. , Tang H. , Yang S. , Zhang X. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundSkin blood flow is believed to link with many diseases, and shows a significant heterogeneity. There are several papers on basal cutaneous microcirculation perfusion in different races, while the data in Chinese is vacant.ObjectiveThe aim was to establish the database of absolute fundamental supply of skin blood flow in the Chinese Han population.MethodsWith a full‐field laser perfusion imager (FLPI), the skin blood flow can be quantified. Cutaneous perfusion values were determined in 17 selected skin areas in 406 healthy participants aged between 20 and 80 years (mean 35.05 ± 11.33). Essential parameters such as weight, height were also measured and values of BMI were calculated. The perfusion values were reported in Arbitrary Perfusion Units (APU).ResultsThe highest cutaneous perfusion value fell on eyelid (931.20 ± 242.59 in male and 967.83 ± 225.49 in female), and pretibial had the lowest value (89.09 ± 30.28 in male and 85.08 ± 33.59 in female). The values were higher in men than women on the bank of fingertips, nose, forehead, cheek, neck and earlobe (P < .05). Perfusion values on stretch and flexion side of forearm had negative correlation with age (P = .01 and P = 4.88 × 10−3, respectively) in male. Abdomen was negatively correlated with BMI in both gender (P = .02, respectively).ConclusionsSkin blood flow values vary with skin regions. There is a tendency to measure higher perfusion values in men than in women. And the values are irrelevant with age or BMI.
No such thing as a free lunch?
Authors: McKechnie Douglas G J , Shashidhara Anush , Houston Pam , Gill Deborah , Dilworth Paul 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundHigh‐quality, out‐of‐classroom interactions between students and teachers help to develop communities of learning. In medicine, they contribute to the professionalisation of students.MethodsWe designed a novel student–faculty member lunch scheme for first‐year medical students at our institution. Students received a free lunch in groups of six with a faculty member ‘hosting’ and paying for lunch, with the cost reimbursed by the medical school. Focus groups with students were used to evaluate the impact of the intervention.ResultsApproximately half of all Year‐1 students signed up for the scheme (n = 153). Twenty faculty members hosted one or more lunches. Focus group analysis revealed that attendees felt more positively about individual faculty members and the institution as a result of participation, and that it helped the process of induction and transition into medical school, but that it suffered from a lack of continuing contact.Out‐of‐classroom interactions between students and teachers help to develop communities of learningConclusionsThis intervention encouraged positive student–faculty member interactions, albeit with a relatively small group of students. It did not seem to encourage longitudinal staff–student relationships, however, which is a key limitation.
Semi‐quantitative methods yield greater inter‐ and intraobserver agreement than subjective methods for interpreting99mtechnetium‐hydroxymethylene‐diphosphonate uptake in equine thoracic processi spinosi
Authors: van Zadelhoff Claudia , Ehrle Anna , Merle Roswitha , Jahn Werner , Lischer Christoph 
Published: May 2018

AbstractScintigraphy is a standard diagnostic method for evaluating horses with back pain due to suspected thoracic processus spinosus pathology. Lesion detection is based on subjective or semi‐quantitative assessments of increased uptake. This retrospective, analytical study is aimed to compare semi‐quantitative and subjective methods in the evaluation of scintigraphic images of the processi spinosi in the equine thoracic spine. Scintigraphic images of 20 Warmblood horses, presented for assessment of orthopedic conditions between 2014 and 2016, were included in the study. Randomized, blinded image evaluation was performed by 11 veterinarians using subjective and semi‐quantitative methods. Subjective grading was performed for the analysis of red‐green‐blue and grayscale scintigraphic images, which were presented in full‐size or as masked images. For the semi‐quantitative assessment, observers placed regions of interest over each processus spinosus. The uptake ratio of each processus spinosus in comparison to a reference region of interest was determined. Subsequently, a modified semi‐quantitative calculation was developed whereby only the highest counts‐per‐pixel for a specified number of pixels was processed. Inter‐ and intraobserver agreement was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Inter‐ and intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficients were 41.65% and 71.39%, respectively, for the subjective image assessment. Additionally, a correlation between intraobserver agreement, experience, and grayscale images was identified. The inter‐ and intraobserver agreement was significantly increased when using semi‐quantitative analysis (97.35% and 98.36%, respectively) or the modified semi‐quantitative calculation (98.61% and 98.82%, respectively). The proposed modified semi‐quantitative technique showed a higher inter‐ and intraobserver agreement when compared to other methods, which makes it a useful tool for the analysis of scintigraphic images. The association of the findings from this study with clinical and radiological examinations requires further investigation.
Complete Genome Sequences of Bacillus Phages Janet and OTooleKemple52
Authors: Kent Brenna , Raymond Thomas , Mosier Philip D. , Johnson Allison A. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

We report here the genome sequences of two novel
Bacillus cereus
group-infecting bacteriophages, Janet and OTooleKemple52. These bacteriophages are double-stranded DNA-containing
Myoviridae
isolated from soil samples. While their genomes share a high degree of sequence identity with one another, their host preferences are unique.
Draft Genome Sequences of Plant-Associated Bacillus Strains Isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Huijun , Borriss Rainer , Xue Pengqi , Liu Fang , Qiao Junqing , Schneider Andy , Lasch Peter , Gao Xuewen 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 45 plant-associated
Bacillus
strains isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. According to their genome sequences, 28 isolates were assigned to 10
Bacillus
species. Seventeen strains could not be assigned and are subjects of further research.