bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male cowbirds vary the attractiveness of courtship songs with changes in the social context
Authors: Gersick Andrew S. , White David J. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Courtship-signalling theory often incorporates the assumption that males must consistently produce the highest-intensity displays they can achieve, thereby indicating their underlying quality to females. Contest-signalling theory, in contrast, assumes that flexible signal performance is routine. The two frameworks thereby suggest conflicting predictions about male flexibility when the same signal operates in both intrasexual and intersexual communication. Sexual competition often occurs within complex social environments where male displays can be received by potential mates, rivals, or both at once. In brown-headed cowbirds’ breeding flocks, for example, multiple males sometimes vie directly for a single female’s attention; at other times males have opportunities to sing to females without interference. We tested whether cowbirds vary the intensity of their signalling across contexts like these. We recorded songs from males courting females both with and without a male competitor in sight. We then played those recordings to solitary, naïve females in sound attenuation chambers, and also to a naïve aviary-housed flock. The songs males had produced when they could see their competitors were more attractive, eliciting more copulatory postures from naïve females and more approaches from birds in the flock. Results suggest high-intensity displays function within a larger, flexible signalling strategy in this species, and the varying audience composition that accompanies social complexity may demand flexible signalling even in classic display behaviours such as birdsong.
Characterisation of the effects on proteases of Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles by inhibitors obtained from cysts of H. glycines
Authors: Masler Edward P. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe protease inhibitor component ofHeterodera glycinescyst contents was explored using a battery of peptide substrates andH. glycinesandMeloidogyne incognitasecond-stage juveniles as enzyme sources. Protease inhibitors were prepared by heat-denaturingH. glycinescyst-egg extract (hHglCE), which was used in all inhibition exploration. Eight substrates targeting four endoprotease groups (aspartic, cysteine, metallo- and serine proteases) revealed that protease inhibition by hHglCE varied significantly betweenH. glycinesandM. incognitawith seven of the eight substrates. Only cysteine protease activity was inhibited equally betweenH. glycinesandM. incognita. Aspartic protease activity was inhibited more strongly inH. glycinesand serine protease activity was inhibited more strongly inM. incognita. Digestion of five matrix metalloprotease (MMP) substrates was inhibited more strongly inH. glycines(two substrates) andM. incognita(three substrates). These variations were particularly intriguing given the potential association of MMP proteases with developing embryos. Inhibition of digestion of nematode FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) showed less variation between nematode species than the targeted substrates, but inhibition did vary significantly across substrates within each species. Digestion of FLP-6 was the least affected by hHglCE but was inhibited significantly more inM. incognitathan inH. glycines. Residue differences between two FLP-14 sequences significantly affected inhibition of FLP-14 digestion in bothH. glycinesandM. incognita. RP-HPLC fractionation of hHglCE clearly demonstrated the presence of high (Fr No.5) and low (Fr No.14) polarity inhibitor components. Potency of inhibition ofM. incognitaserine protease activity, based upon IC50values (1.68 and 2.78 hHglCEeq reaction−1for Fr No.5 and Fr No.14, respectively), was reduced significantly from unfractionated hHglCE (IC50 = 0.61), suggesting inhibitor dilution, loss of component synergy, or both, due to fractionation.
Treaty Monitoring and Compliance in the Field of Transnational Criminal Law
Authors: Rose Cecily 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Most transnational criminal law treaties do not benefit from any sort of monitoring mechanism that would allow states parties or other actors to assess their domestic implementation and enforcement. There are a few exceptions, as treaties and other instruments concerning drug control, corruption, and money laundering are indeed accompanied by monitoring mechanisms. But the general pattern across the field of transnational criminal law is clear. This article explores some possible explanations for why transnational criminal law treaties generally lack monitoring mechanisms, and it also highlights the significance of this absence from a compliance perspective. The article advocates not for the creation of more treaty monitoring bodies in the field of transnational criminal law, but instead seeks to explain their relative absence and its significance for the field. The argument, therefore, is not that monitoring bodies are necessarily desirable and ought to exist in greater numbers in this field, but rather that the absence of these bodies obscures information about compliance and impedes research about what these treaties are actually accomplishing. The current state of treaty monitoring in the field of transnational criminal law is significant because of the extent of what we do not know about the effects of these instruments.
Explaining reforms: post-New Public Management myths or political realities? Social housing delivery in England and France
Authors: Laffin Martin 
Published: February 2018

This article examines the assumption that recent reforms in social and public services can be understood as a transition from New Public Management to post-New Public Management. English and French social housing delivery are selected as two cases in which to test out this assumption, for ostensibly these delivery structures share significant cross-national, post-NPM similarities – a movement towards a more ‘enabling’ or steering role for central government, the creation of coordinating agencies, ‘decentralization’ initiatives, the extensive use of public–private arrangements to finance social housing and the involvement of a wide range of extra- and semi-governmental organizations. However, further investigation reveals that these reforms of delivery structures have not been predominantly driven by an unfolding post-NPM managerial or governance logic as the thesis assumes. Rather the reforms have been driven by the partisan electoral and ideological goals of central government policymakers within the context of institutional legacies and entrenched social values. Points for practitioners New Public Management and post-New Public Management have become the conventional wisdom on administrative reforms particularly in a comparative context. This article argues that these ideas reflect an impoverished understanding of public administration given that they assume that change occurs predominantly through the unfolding of managerial and/or governance logics. These logics exclude the critical role of the political parties and other socio-political factors, such as urban unrest, in driving change. This Anglo-French analysis of social housing delivery demonstrates the significance of these political factors in how policymakers define social problems, re-design and implement social housing service delivery systems.
Risk Stratification for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Beswick Daniel M. , Vaezeafshar Reza , Ma Yifei , Hwang Peter H. , Nayak Jayakar V. , Patel Zara M. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesVenous thromboembolism (VTE) contributes to significant patient morbidity, yet the incidence of VTE following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is unknown. Quality improvement criteria are prompting increased standardization of perioperative VTE prophylaxis. Risk stratification for VTE may better define best practice measures to balance limiting VTE development with avoiding unnecessary chemoprophylaxis.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTertiary institution.Subjects and MethodsAdult patients who underwent ESS without perioperative chemoprophylaxis from 2008 to 2016 were evaluated. Identification of VTE was performed via screening diagnosis and procedure codes and clinical records, with subsequent confirmation of true‐positive VTE. Data for individual Caprini scores were abstracted from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was development of VTE within 30 days following ESS relative to the Caprini score.ResultsA total of 2369 ESS cases were evaluated. While initial screening identified multiple potential VTE events, in‐depth medical record review confirmed only 4 true VTE (0.17%). The VTE rate among cases with a Caprini score of <8 (0.09%, 2/2278) was significantly less (P =. 008) than the rate with a score of ≥8 (2.2%, 2/91). Beyond overall score, specific risk factors associated with development of postoperative VTE included stroke, central venous access, sepsis, and inpatient status (all P <. 025), while prior VTE and hypercoagulability were not associated with postoperative VTE (all P >. 5).ConclusionsIn the absence of perioperative chemoprophylaxis, postoperative VTE following ESS is extremely rare, particularly for patients carrying low‐to‐moderate Caprini scores. Risk stratification based on these data can assist in the design of VTE prophylaxis guidelines for ESS patients.
A Systematic Review of the Association between Cigarette Smoke Exposure and Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Christensen Dallin N. , Franks Zechariah G. , McCrary Hilary C. , Saleh Ahlam A. , Chang Eugene H. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesCigarette smoking and passive smoke exposure have been associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Our goal in this systematic review was to (1) determine if there was a strong correlative effect in large population studies between cigarette smoke exposure and the prevalence of CRS, (2) investigate pathogenic mechanisms of cigarette smoke in the upper airway, and (3) determine if a history of cigarette smoking affects the medical and surgical outcomes of CRS.Data SourcesMEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science SCI and CPCI‐S, and websites.MethodsA comprehensive literature review and quantitative meta‐analysis of studies based on the PRISMA protocol and examining the relationship between cigarette smoke exposure and CRS was performed. A search strategy was developed using various terms such as sinusitis, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, and smoking. The articles were categorized by (1) epidemiology, (2) pathophysiology, and (3) outcomes. Data regarding study design, population/setting, methods, and bias were collected.ResultsThe initial search generated 2621 titles/abstracts with 309 articles undergoing secondary review and 112 articles for final review. We determined that there is a strong correlation between active and passive cigarette smoke with the prevalence of CRS. Cigarette smoke challenge to sinonasal epithelia results in the release of inflammatory mediators and altered ciliary beat frequency. Pediatric patients exposed to secondhand smoke appear to have particularly poor outcomes.ConclusionThere is clear evidence that cigarette smoke is related to CRS, but longitudinal and mechanistic studies are required to determine a causative effect. This information is critical for greater understanding of CRS health outcomes.
Effects of Common Ear Drops on Tympanic Membrane Healing in Rats
Authors: Dirain Carolyn O. , Kosko Brendan , Antonelli Patrick J. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveCiprofloxacin + dexamethasone ear drops have been associated with higher rates of tympanic membrane perforations than ofloxacin. This was thought to be an effect of the steroid; however, ciprofloxacin (sans steroid) has been found to be more toxic to tympanic membrane fibroblasts than ofloxacin in vitro. This study aimed to compare the effect of these agents on tympanic membrane healing in vivo.Study DesignControlled animal study.SettingAcademic research laboratory.MethodsPerforations were created in 54 rats with a carbon dioxide laser. Rats were randomized to 6 groups (9/group), with 1 ear receiving ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, ofloxacin + dexamethasone, ciprofloxacin + dexamethasone, or neomycin, and the contralateral ear receiving saline twice daily for 10 days. Healing was assessed over 40 days.ResultsOfloxacin did not delay healing relative to saline. All other treatments delayed healing relative to ofloxacin at day 10 (P <. 0001). Dexamethasone and ofloxacin + dexamethasone delayed healing up to day 14 (P <. 0001). Neomycin and ciprofloxacin + dexamethasone further delayed healing up to day 28 (P =. 009) and day 35 (P =. 043), respectively. All eardrums healed by day 10 with ofloxacin, day 20 with ciprofloxacin, day 28 for dexamethasone, and day 35 for ofloxacin + dexamethasone. At day 40, 2 of 9 ciprofloxacin + dexamethasone–treated eardrums had not healed. All saline‐treated eardrums in the ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, and ofloxacin + dexamethasone groups were healed by day 14, but this was delayed to day 20 in the ciprofloxacin + dexamethasone group (P =. 007).ConclusionsOtotopical quinolones delay rat tympanic membrane healing in a drug‐specific manner, with ciprofloxacin having a greater impact than ofloxacin. This effect is potentiated by steroids.
A blended-learning programme regarding professional ethics in physiotherapy students
Authors: Aguilar-Rodríguez Marta , Marques-Sule Elena , Serra-Añó Pilar , Espí-López Gemma Victoria , Dueñas-Moscardó Lirios , Pérez-Alenda Sofía 
Published: February 2018

Background: In the university context, assessing students’ attitude, knowledge and opinions when applying an innovative methodological approach to teach professional ethics becomes fundamental to know if the used approach is enough motivating for students. Research objective: To assess the effect of a blended-learning model, based on professional ethics and related to clinical practices, on physiotherapy students’ attitude, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics. Research design and participants: A simple-blind clinical trial was performed (NLM identifier NCT03241693) (control group, n = 64; experimental group, n = 65). Both groups followed clinical practices for 8 months. Control group performed a public exposition of a clinical case about professional ethics. By contrast, an 8-month blended-learning programme regarding professional ethics was worked out for experimental group. An online syllabus and online activities were elaborated, while face-to-face active participation techniques were performed to discuss ethical issues. Students’ attitudes, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics were assessed. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the University Ethic Committee of Human Research and followed the ethical principles according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: After the programme, attitudes and knowledge towards learning professional ethics of experimental group students significantly improved, while no differences were observed in control group. Moreover, opinions reported an adequate extension of themes and temporization, importance of clinical practices and interest of topics. Case study method and role playing were considered as the most helpful techniques. Conclusion: The blended-learning programme proposed, based on professional ethics and related to clinical practices, improves physiotherapy students’ attitudes, knowledge and opinions towards learning professional ethics.
Practice insights on patient care—management overview for chemoradiation toxic mucositis—guidelines, guideline-supported therapies and high potency polymerized cross-linked sucralfate (ProThelial)
Authors: McCullough Ricky W 
Published: February 2018

Aim To offer a practice insight for the management of chemoradiation toxic mucositis. Method Review chemoradiation toxic mucositis, its pathobiology and breadth of symptom presentation. Review mucositis guidelines and guideline-supported anti-mucositis therapies. Offer guidance on guidelines and an abbreviated review of high potency cross-linked sucralfate for management of chemoradiation toxic mucositis. Result There are six major mucositis guidelines but only one that is current and regularly updated. Guidelines from the Multinational Association Supportive Cancer Care suggest 14 interventions gleaned from controlled trials, 12 of which are off-label uses of therapies that offer statistically significant but incrementally beneficial outcomes. Several evidence-based limitations of guidelines are discussed. Data on high potency polymerized cross-linked sucralfate confirming complete prevention and rapid (2–3 days) elimination, sustained throughout cancer treatment is verified as high quality evidence in accordance to standards adopted by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A 96–97% reduction in mucositis duration qualifies as a positive Glasziou treatment effect, which is discussed as an additional measure of evidence-based medicine. Conclusion Statistically significant but fractional treatment effects of guideline-supported interventions are not likely to substantially alter the course of mucositis when it occurs nor completely prevent its onset. Complete prevention and rapid sustained elimination should be the goal, therefore high potency polymerized cross-linked sucralfate may be useful. Where guidelines fail, institution-based protocols led by oncology pharmacists could succeed. In an effort to eliminate toxic mucositis, enhance compliance to chemoradiation regimens, and improve survival, such protocols for practice may verify pharmacoeconomic benefits, if any, in using high potency polymerized cross-linked sucralfate to manage toxic mucositis.
Real-World Data on Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Subcutaneous Trastuzumab
Authors: Syrios John , Pappa Evelina , Volakakis Nikolaos , Grivas Anastasios , Alafis John , Manioudaki Sofia , Tzouda Vasiliki , Korogiannos Athanasios , Rapti Cleopatra , Koufopoulos Nektarios , Nikolaidou Adamantia , Kanavou Eleftheria , Alexopoulos Athanasios , Koumarianou Anna 
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Trastuzumab, a humanized anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2) antibody delivered intravenously, has revolutionized the treatment of patients with breast cancer overexpressing HER2 protein. Recently, a newer subcutaneous formulation was shown to have comparable efficacy to the initial intravenous trastuzumab. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of subcutaneous trastuzumab on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients diagnosed with early or metastatic HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Methods: Patients were provided with the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30) and the BR-23 questionnaires. The scoring of questionnaires and patient’s sociodemographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded and analyzed by descriptive and correlation statistics employing t test and 2-way analysis of variance. Results: A total of 163 patients agreed to participate in the study. About 90 of 163 patients (55.21%) received subcutaneous trastuzumab and 21 patients intravenous trastuzumab (12.88%). A control group of 52 HER2+ patients received chemotherapy without trastuzumab (31.90%). Patients receiving subcutaneous trastuzumab were older and of more advanced disease stage compared with those receiving chemotherapy (58.5 vs 51 years, 39.8% vs 28.8% advanced disease). In univariate analysis, subcutaneous trastuzumab was associated with less nausea and vomiting ( P = .002) but worse cognitive function ( P = .013) and dyspnea ( P = .042). Patients who have received >8 cycles of subcutaneous trastuzumab reported less diarrhea ( P = .049) and systemic therapy side effects ( P = .015). Multivariate analysis showed that patients without comorbidity receiving subcutaneous trastuzumab had less treatment side effects, less upset by hair loss, and higher emotional functioning. Of note, mastectomy and subcutaneous trastuzumab were associated with improved role functioning ( P = .021). In metastatic disease, no negative impact of subcutaneous trastuzumab on HRQoL was found. Conclusions: The administration of subcutaneous trastuzumab improved certain symptoms and did not adversely affect most of the assessed functional scales. Particularly, in the metastatic setting, subcutaneous trastuzumab had no negative impact on HRQoL.
European Society of Cardiology Council for Cardiology Practice worldwide survey of transcatheter aortic valve implantation beliefs and practices
Authors: Asteggiano Riccardo , Bramlage Peter , Richter Dimitrios J 
Published: February 2018

Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) continues to gain popularity in the management of patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS). Distribution of resources to maximise appropriate use remains a priority. Design & methods To determine the current perceptions and behaviours regarding SAS patient management, an 18-point multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Council for Cardiology Practice (CCP) e-journal and/or electronic newsletter subscribers. Respondents to all questions were considered. Sub-analyses based on respondent age, practice setting and geographical location were performed. Results Of 1245 full respondents, 41.5% were aged ≥ 51 years, 22.7% were aged 41–50 years and 35.8% were aged ≤ 40 years. The majority were located in Europe (77.5%), followed by Asia/Oceania (11.6%), America (7.6%) and Africa (3.4%). In-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiologists accounted for 57.4% of and 28.5% of the sample, respectively, with the remainder being general practitioners/other. The majority of respondents (70.1%) claimed to diagnose between one and five cases of SAS per month. Free access to TAVI was reported by 41.2%, being less common for those aged ≤ 40 years (32.7%; p < 0.001), those located in Asia/Oceania, America and Africa (20.1%, 18.1% and 2.4%, respectively; p < 0.01 in each case) and in-hospital compared to out-of-hospital cardiologists (35.7% vs. 54.5%, respectively; p < 0.001). The most common reason for not referring a patient for an aortic valve intervention was assessment that the patient was high risk/non-operable (55.5%), followed by short life expectancy (30.5%). The most common reason for referring a patient for TAVI over surgical replacement was surgical risk score (56.9%). The most commonly perceived main complication of TAVI was stroke (28.9%), while the most frequently selected main benefit was improvement in quality of life (37.2%). A high proportion (82.5%) of respondents believed that TAVI is/may become a viable option for lower-risk SAS patients in future. Conclusion The population of potential TAVI is significant worldwide, with key barriers to referral being access limitations and poor physician education. Strategies to minimise these factors are paramount.