bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep sequencing of circulating exosomal microRNA allows non-invasive glioblastoma diagnosis
Authors: Ebrahimkhani Saeideh , Vafaee Fatemeh , Hallal Susannah , Wei Heng , Lee Maggie Yuk T. , Young Paul E. , Satgunaseelan Laveniya , Shivalingam Brindha , Suter Catherine M. , Buckland Michael E. , Kaufman Kimberley L. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTExosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles released by many cells that contain molecules characteristic of their cell-of-origin, including microRNA. Exosomes released by glioblastoma cross the blood-brain-barrier into the peripheral circulation, and carry molecular cargo distinct to that of ‘free-circulating’ miRNA. In this pilot study, serum exosomal-microRNAs were isolated from glioblastoma (n=12) patients and analyzed using unbiased deep sequencing. Results were compared to sera from age- and gender-matched healthy controls, and to grades II-III (n=10) glioma patients. Significant differentially expressed microRNAs were identified, and the predictive power of individual and subsets of microRNAs were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses. Additional sera from glioblastoma patients (n=4) and independent sets of healthy (n=9) and non-glioma (n=10) controls were used to further test the specificity and predictive power of this unique exosomal-microRNA signature. Twenty-six microRNAs were differentially expressed in serum exosomes from glioblastoma patients’ relative to healthy controls. Random forest modeling and data partitioning selected seven miRNAs (miR-182-5p, miR-328-3p, miR-339-5p, miR-340-5p, miR-485-3p, miR-486-5p and miR-543) as the most stable for classifying glioblastoma. Strikingly, within this model, six iterations of these miRNA classifiers could distinguish glioblastoma patients from controls with perfect accuracy. The seven-miRNA panel was able to correctly classify all specimens in validation cohorts (n=23). Also identified were 23 dysregulated miRNAs in IDHMUTgliomas, a partially overlapping yet distinct signature of lower grade glioma. Serum exosomal-miRNA signatures can accurately diagnose glioblastoma preoperatively. miRNA signatures identified are distinct from previously reported ‘free-circulating’ miRNA studies in GBM patients, and appear to be superior.
The swimming plus-maze test: a novel high-throughput model for assessment of anxiety-related behaviour in larval zebrafish. (Danio rerio)
Authors: Varga Zoltán K , Zsigmond Áron , Pejtsik Diána , Varga Máté , Demeter Kornél , Mikics Éva , Haller József , Aliczki Manó 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLarval zebrafish (Danio rerio) has the potential to supplement rodent models due to the availability of resource efficient methods implying high-throughput screening and high-resolution imaging techniques. Although behavioural models are available in larvae, only a few, insensitive approaches can be employed to assess anxiety. Here we present the swimming plus-maze (SPM) test paradigm to assess anxiety-related states in young zebrafish. The “+” shaped apparatus consists of arms of different depth representing differentially aversive context. The paradigm was validated i.) in larval and juvenile zebrafish, ii.) after administration of compounds affecting human anxiety and iii.) in differentially aversive experimental conditions. Furthermore, we compared the SPM with conventional “anxiety tests” of larvae such as the open tank and light/dark tank tests to identify their shared characteristics. We clarified that the preference towards deeper water is conserved trough the ontogenesis and can be abolished by anxiolytic or enhanced by anxiogenic agents, respectively. The behavioural read-out is insensitive to the aversiveness of the platform and unrelated to behaviours assessed by conventional tests utilizing larval fish. Taken together, we developed a sensitive high-throughput test measuring anxiety-related responses of larval zebrafish, which likely reflect bottom-dwelling behaviour of adults, potentially supporting larva-based integrative approaches.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Melon thrips, Thrips palmi (Thripinae) and comparative analysis: A vector for Tospoviruses
Authors: Chakraborty Rajasree , Tyagi Kaomud , Kundu Shantanu , Rahaman Iftikar , Singha Devkant , Chandra Kailash , Patnaik Srinivas , Kumar Vikas 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe melon thrips, Thrips palmi is a serious pest and vector for plant viruses on a wide range of economically important crops. DNA barcoding evidenced the presence of cryptic diversity in T. palmi and that warrants exhaustive molecular data. Our present study is on decoding the first complete mitochondrial genome of T. palmi (15,333 bp) through NGS technology. The mitogenome contains 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and two control regions. The comparative analyses were conducted for gene arrangements, nucleotide composition, codon usage and phylogenetic relationship with other thrips mitogenomes. The nucleotide composition was 78.29% AT, and 21.72% GC with positive AT skewness (0.09) and negative GC skewness (−0.06). The ATN initiation codons were observed in 12 PCGs except cox1 with unique start codon (TTG). The RSCU analysis revealed Phe, Leu, Ile, Tyr, Asn, Lys and Met were the most frequently used amino acids in all PCGs. The codon CGG (Arg) was absent in T. palmi as compared to other thrips mitogenomes. The Ka/Ks ratio ranges from 0.078 in cox1 to 0.913 in atp8. We observed the typical cloverleaf secondary structure in most of the tRNA genes with a few exceptions; absence of DHU stem and loop in trnV and trnS, absence of DHU loop in trnE, lack of T-arm and loop in trnN. The position of trnS1 (between cox3 and CR2) is unique in T. palmi among all the studied thrips mitogenomes. The mitogenome contained 24 intergenic spacer regions and 12 overlapping regions. The CR2 is 63.77% similar to CR1, indicating a possible duplication and translocation in control region. Both the ML and BI phylogenetic trees revealed the close relationships of Thrips with Scirtothrips as compared to Frankliniella. Thus, more mitogenomes on the diverse thrips species is required to understand the in-depth phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships.
Group Size as a Trade Off Between Fertility and Predation Risk: Implications for Social Evolution
Authors: Dunbar R.I.M. , Carron Padraig Mac 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCluster analysis reveals a fractal pattern in the sizes of baboon groups, with peaks at ∼20, ∼40, ∼80 and ∼160. Although all baboon species individually exhibit this pattern, the two largest are mainly characteristic of the hamadryas and gelada. We suggest that these constitute three pairs of linear oscillators (20/40, 40/80 and 80/160), where in each case the higher value is set by limits on female fertility and the lower by predation risk. The lower pair of oscillators form an ESS in woodland baboons, with choice of oscillator being determined by local predation risk. Female fertility rates would naturally prevent baboons from achieving the highest oscillator with any regularity; nonetheless, hamadryas and gelada have been able to break through this fertility ‘glass ceiling’ and we suggest that they have been able to do so by using substructuring (based partly on using males as ‘hired guns’). This seems to have allowed them to increase group size significantly so as to occupy higher predation risk habitats (thereby creating the upper oscillator).
The meiotic recombination landscape ofDrosophila virilisis robust to mitotic damage during hybrid dysgenesis
Authors: Hemmer Lucas W. , Dias Guilherme , Smith Brittny , Vaerenberghe Kelley Van , Howard Ashley , Bergman Casey M. , Blumenstiel Justin P. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTGermline DNA damage is a double-edged sword. Programmed double-strand breaks establish the foundation for meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation. However, double-strand breaks also pose a significant challenge for genome stability. Because of this, meiotic double-strand break formation is tightly regulated. However, natural selection can favor selfish behavior in the germline and transposable elements can cause double-strand breaks independent of the carefully regulated meiotic process. To understand how the regulatory mechanisms of meiotic recombination accommodate unregulated transposition, we have characterized the female recombination landscape in a syndrome of hybrid dysgenesis inDrosophila virilis. In this system, a cross between two strains ofD. viriliswith divergent transposable element and piRNA profiles results in germline transposition of diverse transposable elements, reduced fertility, and male recombination. We sought to determine how increased transposition during hybrid dysgenesis might perturb the meiotic recombination landscape. Our results show that the overall frequency and distribution of meiotic recombination is extremely robust to germline transposable element activation. However, we also find that hybrid dysgenesis can result in mitotic recombination within the female germline. Overall, these results show that landscape of meiotic recombination may be insensitive to the DNA damage caused by transposition during early development.
Scarless gene tagging of transcriptionally silent genes in hiPSCs to visualize cardiomyocyte sarcomeres in live cells
Authors: Roberts Brock , Arakaki Joy , Gerbin Kaytlyn A. , Malik Haseeb , Nelson Angelique , Hendershott Melissa C. , Hookway Caroline , Ludmann Susan A. , Mueller Irina A. , Yang Ruian , Rafelski Susanne M. , Gunawardane Ruwanthi N. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe describe a multi-step CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing method to create endogenously tagged GFP-fusions of transcriptionally silent genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), allowing visualization of proteins that are only expressed upon differentiation. To do this, we designed a donor template containing the monomeric EGFP (mEGFP) fusion tag and an mCherry selection cassette delivered in tandem to a target locus via homology directed repair (HDR). mCherry expression was driven by a constitutive promoter and served as a drug-free, excisable selection marker. Following selection, the mCherry cassette was excised with Cas9, creating an mEGFP-fusion with the target gene. We achieved scarless excision by using repetitive sequences to guide microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and introduce linker sequences between the mEGFP tag and the target gene. Using this strategy, we successfully tagged genes encoding the cardiomyocyte sarcomeric proteins troponin I (TNNI1), alpha-actinin (ACTN2), titin (TTN), myosin light chain 2a (MYL7), and myosin light chain 2v (MYL2) with mEGFP in undifferentiated hiPSCs. This methodology provides a general strategy for scarlessly introducing tags to transcriptionally silent loci in hiPSCs.
Gradual vs entire sponsorship termination
Authors: Dick Christopher 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The few studies on the effects of a sponsorship termination do not consider the effects of different exit options on consumers’ attitudes toward the exiting sponsor. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the extent of the exit (gradual vs entire) as well as the timing of the announcement (early vs late) on consumers’ attitudes. Moreover, this research considers the mediating role of the perceived abandonment of the sponsored party.

Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an experimental study (n=204). Data were collected among supporters of a German second division soccer team.

Findings
The results emphasize that the extent of the exit as well as the timing of the announcement influences consumers’ attitudes. They develop negative attitudes toward the withdrawing sponsor, especially when the sponsor exits entirely instead of gradually and announces the decision late instead of early. Furthermore, the results reveal that the perceived abandonment of the sponsored party mediates the effect of the extent of exit on attitudes.

Practical implications
The results help to formulate several exit options for the withdrawing sponsor that will help to minimize the possible negative effects on their brand. Specifically, the author recommends a gradual exit as well as an early announcement of the decision to prevent negative effects on the sponsor brand.

Originality/value
This study expands the research on the effects of a sponsorship termination on consumers’ attitudes toward the sponsor brand. Specifically, it is the first study that considers several aspects regarding the sponsor management of a sponsorship termination as important determinants of consumers’ attitudes.
Financial inclusion and economic growth linkage: some cross country evidence
Authors: Sethi Dinabandhu , Acharya Debashis 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the dynamic impact of financial inclusion on economic growth for a large number of developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses some panel data models such as country-fixed effect, random effect and time fixed effect regressions, panel cointegration, and panel causality tests to examine the linkage between financial inclusion and economic growth. Panel cointegration is being used to test the long run association between financial inclusion and economic growth, whereas panel causality test is used to find the direction of causality between financial inclusion and economic growth. The data on financial inclusion are taken from Sarma (2012) for the period 2004-2010.

Findings
The empirical findings reveal that there is a positive and long run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth across 31 countries in the world. Further, panel causality test shows a bi-directional causality between financial inclusion and economic growth Thus, the study confirms that financial inclusion is one of the main drivers of economic growth.

Research limitations/implications
This study has two limitations. First, this study considers only banking institutions in the analysis. Second, the period tested for the long run relationship is not long enough.

Practical implications
This study empirically measures the quantitative impact of financial inclusion policies pursued across the world. The study also suggests that policies emphasizing financial sector reforms in general and promoting financial inclusion in particular shall result in higher economic growth in the long run.

Originality/value
This study attempts to assess the long run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth with the help of a multidimensional index of financial inclusion. Therefore, this can be a valuable contribution to the banks and policymakers.
Mapping preferences for the number of built elements
Authors: Hussein Dheyaa , Sarkar Somwrita , Armstrong Peter 
Published: June 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the number of design elements in the context of building facades in urban streetscapes and visual preferences of users to enable a more meaningful citizen participation in the design of local streetscapes.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper developed a web application, which manages experiments through programmatically creating scenes and displaying them online to participants using questionnaires. It collects preferences towards the number of design elements in the scenes and determines the statistical relationship between them.

Findings
The results offer an empirical description of a semi-convex relationship between the number of elements and preferences. They confirm that participants from a particular area inter-subjectively agree in their visual judgements towards the number of design elements, and justify the employment of a regression model fitted on the preferences of residents to assess design proposal in their area.

Originality/value
The paper offers an empirical description of the relationships between preferences and a wide range of values of the number of design elements and empirically supports that people from one area inter-subjectively agree in their judgements towards a visual aspect of the building facades. The study introduces a new analytical component, known as the vertex, which could alter future methods on the visual evaluation of the built environment.
Efficiency of Rice Farming in Ghana: Policy Implications for Rice Sector Development
Authors: Donkor Emmanuel , Matthews Nicolette , Ogundeji Abiodun A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThere is high demand for food commodities due to population growth in sub‐Saharan Africa. However, the agricultural productivity remains low making it difficult to meet this increased food demand. Therefore a need arose to improve agricultural productivity, including the productivity of the rice industry in Ghana. This study analysed the factors influencing the efficiency of Ghana's rice industry using the stochastic metafrontier model. A total of 470 smallholder rice producers from two districts in Upper East region were selected for the study. The empirical results reveal that the rice producers are technically inefficient and operating below the metafrontier. The results also indicate that the factors that influence farmers’ technical efficiency level are different between the two districts. Results also indicate that technology adoption or use of improved production practices increase the technical efficiency of rice farmers. Based on the results it is recommended that policy‐makers and researchers develop district specific recommendations, and determine how the adoption of improved technology can be increased.
Quantifying Impacts of Macroeconomic and Non‐economic Factors on Public Health Expenditure: A Structural Time Series Model
Authors: Tajudeen Olufunmilayo S. , Tajudeen Ibrahim A. , Dauda Risikat O. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDespite technological progress and society's changing lifestyles, preferences and attitudes towards public healthcare, little is known about the impact of these non‐economic factors (NEFs) on public health expenditure because existing studies have focused mainly on macroeconomic factors. This paper employs a structural time series model (STSM) to re‐examine and quantify the contributions of the key underlying drivers of public health expenditure while accounting for technological progress and other NEFs that have hitherto been ignored. The STSM captures the impact of NEFs via a stochastic trend component. The results of our application for Nigeria using data (1971–2013) sourced from the World Bank and Central Bank of Nigeria are robust to a battery of unit‐root and cointegration tests. We found that the key macroeconomic factors — economic output, current account and fiscal balance, official development assistance, oil revenue as well as urbanization and crude birth rate — are important drivers of public health expenditure. Technological progress and other NEFs have a non‐linear significant impact that varies with time and remains the largest contributor to annual change in public health expenditure. Policy implications from our findings are noted. Specifically, understanding and stabilizing both the macroeconomic and non‐economic factors are crucial to improve public health expenditure.
Exploring the feasibility of targeted chronic hepatitis B screening in the emergency department: A pilot study
Authors: Brock Catherine , Yi Yuan , Papaluca Timothy , Lucas Benjamin , Angus Peter W , Taylor David , Leung Christopher 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of an ED chronic hepatitis B (CHB) screening programme.MethodsAdult patients born in intermediate‐high CHB prevalent regions completed a pre‐screening questionnaire and were offered CHB testing. ED staff were surveyed to gauge potential barriers to the programme.ResultsEighty patients demonstrated limited knowledge of hepatitis B virus transmission and perceived many barriers to screening. Among 65 tested for CHB, no new cases were detected but 36 (55.4%, 95% CI 42.6–67.5) were susceptible to infection. Staff supported the programme but reported potential barriers.ConclusionTargeted ED CHB screening is feasible but effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness need further exploration.
The impact of ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis on graft survival following liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Trivedi P. J. , Reece J. , Laing R. W. , Slaney E. , Cooney R. , Gunson B. K. , Kamarajah S. K. , Pinkney T. , Thompson F. , Muiesan P. , Schlegel A. , Hirschfield G. M. , Iqbal T. , Ferguson J. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundLiver transplantation is the only life‐extending intervention for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Given the co‐existence with colitis, patients may also require colectomy; a factor potentially conferring improved post‐transplant outcomes.AimTo determine the impact of restorative surgery via ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA) vs retaining an end ileostomy on liver‐related outcomes post‐transplantation.MethodsGraft survival was evaluated across a prospectively accrued transplant database, stratified according to colectomy status and type.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2016, 240 individuals with PSC/colitis underwent transplantation (cumulative 1870 patient‐years until first graft loss or last follow‐up date), of whom 75 also required colectomy. A heightened incidence of graft loss was observed for the IPAA group vs those retaining an end ileostomy (2.8 vs 0.4 per 100 patient‐years, log‐rank P = 0.005), whereas rates between IPAA vs no colectomy groups were not significantly different (2.8 vs 1.7, P = 0.1). In addition, the ileostomy group experienced significantly lower graft loss rates vs. patients retaining an intact colon (P = 0.044). The risks conferred by IPAA persisted when taking into account timing of colectomy as related to liver transplantation via time‐dependent Cox regression analysis. Hepatic artery thrombosis and biliary strictures were the principal aetiologies of graft loss overall. Incidence rates for both were not significantly different between IPAA and no colectomy groups (P = 0.092 and P = 0.358); however, end ileostomy appeared protective (P = 0.007 and 0.031, respectively).ConclusionIn PSC, liver transplantation, colectomy + IPAA is associated with similar incidence rates of hepatic artery thrombosis, recurrent biliary strictures and re‐transplantation compared with no colectomy. Colectomy + end ileostomy confers more favourable graft outcomes.
Small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia caused by the ureter after laparoscopic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit: A case report
Authors: Ataka Ryo , Sato Shinsuke , Matsubara Kazuyosi , Takagi Masakazu , Chihara Ichiro , Kohei Naoki , Yoshimura Koji 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA 74‐year‐old man presented at our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. He had undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit for urinary bladder cancer 1 month earlier. The patient had abdominal distention, resonant sounds on percussion, and diffuse abdominal tenderness without rebound or guarding. Abdominal CT revealed dilated jejunal loops herniated through a cord‐like structure. Based on these findings, emergency surgery was performed, and intestinal dilatation into the space between the ureter, the ileal conduit, and the sacral bone was detected. The loops were released manually and were not resected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia caused by the ureter after laparoscopic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit. Retroperitonealization and the minimum required mobilization of the ureters may be necessary when urinary diversion is constructed, especially in laparoscopic or robotic surgeries.