bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative insulin secretion is decreased in patients with preoperative insulin resistance
Authors: Donatelli Francesco , Nafi Matteo , Pietropaoli Lina , Nicola Marta Di , Piva Ilaria R. , Gillis Chelsia , Selladurai Sashika , Fumagalli Roberto , Marinangeli Franco , Carli Francesco 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative hyperglycemia is associated with increased rate of surgical site infection, renal failure, and cardiovascular events. The study of insulin sensitivity state before surgery could help in treating postoperative hyperglycemia and preventing iatrogenic hypoglycemia. We studied the postoperative insulin secretion in patients who have a low insulin sensitivity (IR) before surgery compared to patients with normal preoperative insulin sensitivity (IS).Materials and methodsForty‐two consecutive patients, undergoing abdominal surgery, underwent preoperative sequential hyperglycemic‐euglycemic clamp (SHEC) in order to measure insulin secretion and to screen patients with low insulin sensitivity (IR) or with normal insulin sensitivity (IS). Patients had been randomized to receive either general anesthesia with epidural or PCA.ResultsPostoperative insulin secretion in IR patients is decreased compared to IS (P = 0.059) and to IR before surgery regardless to the type of analgesia (P < 0.001). In the IS group, postoperative insulin secretion depends on type of analgesia. It is increased when using PCA and decreased when using epidural (P < 0.05). Blood glucose increased after surgery in both IS an IR (P < 0.001). Patients with preoperative insulin resistance had a higher glycemia before and after surgery (P < 0.001). Blood glucose levels were comparable between PCA and epidural patients (P = 0.450).ConclusionInsulin secretion is reduced in IR regardless the type of anesthesia. PCA increases insulin secretion, whereas epidural decreases it in patients with normal insulin sensitivity. These findings implicate that after surgery insulin administration is advisable in patients with preoperative insulin resistance while it should be given cautiously in those with normal preoperative insulin sensitivity.
Themyostatingene: an overview of mechanisms of action and its relevance to livestock animals
Authors: Aiello D. , Patel K. , Lasagna E. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryMyostatin, also known as growth differentiation factor 8, a member of the transforming growth factor‐beta super‐family, is a negative regulator of muscle development. Myostatin acts at key points during pre‐ and post‐natal life of amniotes that ultimately determine the overall muscle mass of an animal. Mutations have already demonstrated the impact of attenuating myostatin activity on muscle development. A number of large animals, including cattle, sheep, dogs and humans, display the ‘double muscled’ phenotype due to mutations in themyostatingene. Here, we firstly give an overview of the molecular pathways regulated bymyostatinthat control muscle development. Then we describe the natural mutations and their associated phenotypes as well as the physiological influence of alteringmyostatinexpression in livestock animals (cattle, sheep, goat, horse, pig, rabbit and chicken). Knowledge of null alleles and polymorphisms in themyostatingene are of great interest in the animal breeding field, and it could be utilized to improve meat production in livestock animals.
SCN5A mutation status increases the risk of major arrhythmic events in Asian populations with Brugada syndrome: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rattanawong Pattara , Chenbhanich Jirat , Mekraksakit Poemlarp , Vutthikraivit Wasawat , Chongsathidkiet Pakawat , Limpruttidham Nath , Prasitlumkum Narut , Chung Eugene H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundBrugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmic disease linked to SCN5A mutations. It is controversial whether SCN5A mutation carriers possess a greater risk of major arrhythmic events (MAE). We examined the association of SCN5A mutations and MAE in BrS patients.MethodsWe comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to September 2017. Included studies were published cohort and case–control studies that compared MAE in BrS patients with and without SCN5A mutations. Data from each study were combined using the random‐effects model. Generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird was employed to calculate the risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsSeven studies from March 2002 to October 2017 were included (1,049 BrS subjects). SCN5A mutations were associated with MAE in Asian populations (RR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.37–3.00, p = 0.0004, I2 = 0.0%), patients who were symptomatic (RR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.62–4.36, p = 0.0001, I2 = 23.0%), and individuals with spontaneous type‐1 Brugada pattern (RR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.05–3.23, p = 0.03, I2 = 0.0%).ConclusionsSCN5A mutations in BrS increase the risk of MAE in Asian populations, symptomatic BrS patients, and individuals with spontaneous type‐1 Brugada pattern. Our study suggests that SCN5A mutation status should be an important tool for risk assessment in BrS patients.
Sexual well‐being after first trimester termination of pregnancy: Secondary analysis of a randomized contraceptive trial
Authors: Pohjoranta Elina , Mentula Maarit , Hurskainen Ritva , Suhonen Satu , Heikinheimo Oskari 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionAlthough termination of pregnancy is one of the most common procedures conducted worldwide, little is known about sexual well‐being after termination of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to assess sexual well‐being after termination of pregnancy, and factors affecting it during a 1‐year follow up.Material and methodsIn total, 748 women requesting first trimester termination of pregnancy and participating in a randomized controlled trial on early provision of intrauterine contraception were provided with questionnaires regarding their sexual life, anxiety, quality of life and contraceptive method used at the time of termination of pregnancy, 3 and 12 months after termination of pregnancy. Sexual well‐being was measured by the 9‐item McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire. Anxiety and quality of life were assessed by the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale and EuroQoL questionnaire (EQoL).ResultsThe McCoy index remained unchanged during the follow up. At all three time‐points measured, higher (ie, better) McCoy scores were associated with a lower STAI index (mean difference −2.26 [95% CI −3.23 to −1.29], P < 0.001; −3.76 [95% CI −4.79 to −2.74], P < 0.001; −4.50 [95% CI −5.88 to −3.12], P < 0.001) and being in a relationship (1.16 [95% CI 0.08‐2.25], P = 0.023; 1.67 [95% CI 0.43‐2.89], P < 0.001; 2.81 [95% CI 1.28‐4.34], P < 0.001), and correlated positively with a higher EQoL index (r = 0.20, r = 0.20, r = .27, P < 0.001) and higher frequency of intercourse (r = 0.50, r = 0.46, r = 0.42, P < 0.001). Women using intrauterine contraception had higher McCoy index measurements at 3 months compared with others. There were no significant differences between users of hormonal vs non‐hormonal contraceptive methods.ConclusionsSexual well‐being does not change significantly after termination of pregnancy. Instead, it is strongly and positively associated with quality of life, relationship status and frequency of intercourse. Anxiety is negatively associated with sexual well‐being.
Treatment with lecinoxoids attenuates focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis development in nephrectomized rats
Authors: Yacov Niva , Feldman Boris , Volkov Alexander , Ishai Eti , Breitbart Eyal , Mendel Itzhak 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a scarring process associated with chronic low‐grade inflammation ascribed to toll‐like receptor (TLR) activation and monocyte migration. We developed synthetic, small‐molecule lecinoxoids, VB‐201 and VB‐703, that differentially inhibit TLR‐2‐ and TLR‐4‐mediated activation and monocyte migration. The efficacy of anti‐inflammatory lecinoxoid treatment on FSGS development was explored using a 5/6 nephrectomy rat model. Five‐sixths of nephrectomized rats were treated with lecinoxoids VB‐201, VB‐703 or PBS, for 7 weeks. Upon sacrifice, albumin/creatinine ratio, glomerulosclerosis, fibrosis‐related gene expression and the number of glomerular and interstitial monocyte were evaluated. Treatment of nephrectomized rats with lecinoxoids ameliorated glomerulosclerosis. The percentage of damaged glomeruli, glomerular sclerosis and glomeruli fibrotic score was significantly reduced following VB‐201 and VB‐703 treatment. VB‐703 attenuated the expression of fibrosis hallmark genes collagen, fibronectin (FN) and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) in kidneys and improved albumin/creatinine ratio with higher efficacy than did VB‐201, but only VB‐201 significantly reduced the number of glomerular and interstitial monocytes. These results indicate that treatment with TLR‐2, and more prominently, TLR‐4 antagonizing lecinoxioids, is sufficient to significantly inhibit FSGS. Moreover, inhibiting monocyte migration can also contribute to treatment of FSGS. Our data demonstrate that targeting TLR‐2‐TLR‐4 and/or monocyte migration directly affects the priming phase of fibrosis and may consequently perturb disease parthogenesis.
The role of intelligence in decision‐making in early adolescence
Authors: Flouri Eirini , Moulton Vanessa , Ploubidis George B. 
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the role of intelligence and its development across childhood in decision‐making in adolescence (age 11 years). The sample was 12,514 children from the UK's Millennium Cohort Study, followed at ages 3, 5, 7, and 11 years. Decision‐making (risk‐taking, quality of decision‐making, risk adjustment, deliberation time, and delay aversion) was measured with the Cambridge Gambling Task. Even after adjustment for confounding, intelligence was positively associated with risk adjustment and quality of decision‐making in both boys and girls. Furthermore, in girls risk adjustment was related positively to IQ gains. Our findings suggest that there are important, substantively, associations between intelligence and adapting behaviour to risk at the cusp of adolescence, the period when the response to risk can shape life trajectories.
Statement of Contribution

What is already known on this subject

In children, intelligence and decision‐making, measured with gambling tasks, are inconsistently linked.

This could be due to gambling tasks not separating risk‐taking from contingency‐learning.

What the present study adds

This study measured 11‐year‐olds’ decision‐making using a gambling task in which probabilities of different outcomes are presented explicitly.

IQ was positively associated with risk adjustment and quality of decision‐making.

Also significant were IQ gains (for risk adjustment, only in girls).

There are links between intelligence and adapting behaviour to statistical risk in children.
Predictive value of venous thromboembolism (VTE)‐BLEED to predict major bleeding and other adverse events in a practice‐based cohort of patients with VTE: results of the XALIA study
Authors: Klok Frederikus A. , Barco Stefano , Turpie Alexander G. G. , Haas Sylvia , Kreutz Reinhold , Mantovani Lorenzo G. , Gebel Martin , Herpers Matthias , Bugge Joerg‐Peter , Kostantinides Stavros V. , Ageno Walter 
Published: August 2018

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE)‐BLEED, a decision tool for predicting major bleeding during chronic anticoagulation for VTE has not yet been validated in practice‐based conditions. We calculated the prognostic indices of VTE‐BLEED for major bleeding after day 30 and day 90, as well as for recurrent VTE and all‐cause mortality, in 4457 patients enrolled in the international, prospective XALIA study. The median at‐risk time was 190 days (interquartile range 106–360). The crude hazard ratio (HR) for major bleeding after day 30 was 2·6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3–5·2] and the treatment‐adjusted HR was 2·3 (95% CI 1·1–4·5) for VTE‐BLEED high (versus low) risk patients: the corresponding values for major bleeding after day 90 were 3·8 (95% CI 1·6–9·3) and 3·2 (95% CI 1·3–7·7), respectively. The predictive value of VTE‐BLEED was similar in selected patients with unprovoked VTE or those treated with rivaroxaban. High VTE‐BLEED score was associated with higher incidence of all‐cause mortality (treatment‐adjusted HR 11, 95% CI 4·8–23), but not evidently with recurrent VTE (treatment‐adjusted HR 1·5; 95% CI 0·85–2·7). These results confirm the predictive value of VTE‐BLEED in practice‐based data in patients treated with rivaroxaban or conventional anticoagulation, supporting the hypothesis that VTE‐BLEED may be useful for making management decisions on the duration of anticoagulant therapy.
Reanalysis of exome sequencing data of intellectual disability samples: Yields and benefits
Authors: Al‐Nabhani Maryam , Al‐Rashdi Samiya , Al‐Murshedi Fathiya , Al‐Kindi Adila , Al‐Thihli Khalid , Al‐Saegh Abeer , Al‐Futaisi Amna , Al‐Mamari Watfa , Zadjali Fahad , Al‐Maawali Almundher 
Published: August 2018

Recently, with the advancement in next generation sequencing (NGS) along with the improvement of bioinformatics tools, whole exome sequencing (WES) has become the most efficient diagnostic test for patients with intellectual disability (ID). This study aims to estimate the yield of a reanalysis of ID negative exome cases after data reannotation.Total of 50 data files of exome sequencing, representing 50 samples were collected. The inclusion criteria include ID phenotype, and previous analysis indicated a negative result (no abnormality detected). These files were pre‐processed and reannotated using ANNOVAR tool. Prioritized variants in the 50 cases studied were classified into three groups, (1) disease‐causative variants (2) possible disease‐causing variants and (3) variants in novel genes.Reanalysis resulted in the identification of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in six cases (12%). Thirteen cases (26%) were classified as having possible disease‐causing variants. Candidate genes requiring future functional studies were detected in seven cases (14%). Improvement in bioinformatics tools, update in the genetic databases and literature, and patients' clinical phenotype update were the main reasons for identification of these variants in this study.
Common Object Representations for Visual Production and Recognition
Authors: Fan Judith E. , Yamins Daniel L. K. , Turk‐Browne Nicholas B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractProduction and comprehension have long been viewed as inseparable components of language. The study of vision, by contrast, has centered almost exclusively on comprehension. Here we investigate drawing—the most basic form of visual production. How do we convey concepts in visual form, and how does refining this skill, in turn, affect recognition? We developed an online platform for collecting large amounts of drawing and recognition data, and applied a deep convolutional neural network model of visual cortex trained only on natural images to explore the hypothesis that drawing recruits the same abstract feature representations that support natural visual object recognition. Consistent with this hypothesis, higher layers of this model captured the abstract features of both drawings and natural images most important for recognition, and people learning to produce more recognizable drawings of objects exhibited enhanced recognition of those objects. These findings could explain why drawing is so effective for communicating visual concepts, they suggest novel approaches for evaluating and refining conceptual knowledge, and they highlight the potential of deep networks for understanding human learning.
Multiple metrics provide context for the distribution of a highly mobile fish predator, the blue catfish
Authors: Gerber Kayla M. , Mather Martha E. , Smith Joseph M. , Peterson Zachary J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractData sets with increased spatial and temporal resolution can help researchers and resource managers quantify representative distributional patterns of mobile sportfish. In this research, first, we illustrate patterns of sportfish distribution using individual (percent of population, residence time, number of movements) and combined distributional metrics. Second, we apply these metrics to one highly mobile fish species, the blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), across a range of spatial (whole reservoir, region, site) and temporal (year, month, diel period) scales. Specifically, we tracked 123 acoustically tagged blue catfish with a 20‐receiver array in Milford Reservoir,KS,USA. When we integrated metrics, four site‐specific distributional patterns emerged: (a) a large, active multi‐site fish aggregation, (b) localised site fidelity, (c) transitional sites and (d) rarely used locations. These patterns would not have been detected using a single metric as each measurement revealed a different piece of the distribution story. For example, if we had only quantifiedpercent of population,we could identify fish location, but not whether individual fish spent time at a location or were just passing through. Our examination of multiple scales also provided a novel context for interpreting site‐specific patterns. As an illustration of this insight, using conventional approaches, we would have observed heterogeneity, but we would not have detected fish aggregations, in which individual fish either remained or repeatedly returned to a site. In summary, our results show the advantage of setting the entire ecosystem as the study boundary to integrate multiple responses using a spatially and temporally extensive data set.
Stocked rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) affect space use by Warpaint Shiners (Luxilus coccogenis)
Authors: Elkins Duncan , Nibbelink Nathan P. , Grossman Gary D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDue to widespread stocking, Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) are perhaps the most widely distributed invasive species in the world. Nonetheless, little is known about the effects of stocked Rainbow Trout on native non‐game species. We conducted experiments in an artificial stream to assess the effects of hatchery Rainbow Trout on home range and behaviour of Warpaint Shiners (Luxilus coccogenis Cope), a common minnow frequently found in stocked Southern Appalachian streams. We used the LoCoH algorithm to generate polygons describing the home ranges used by Warpaint Shiners. When a stocked trout was present Warpaint Shiners: (a) increased home range size by 57%, (b) were displaced into higher velocity mesohabitats, and (c) reduced mean overlap between the home ranges of individual warpaint shiners. Rainbow Trout did not significantly affect the edge/area ratio of Warpaint Shiner home ranges. Warpaint Shiner density (two and five fish treatments) did not significantly affect any response variable. Displacement from preferred microhabitats and increases in home range size likely result in increased energy expenditure and exposure to potential predators (i.e., decreased individual fitness) of Warpaint Shiners when stocked trout are present.
Age at onset prediction in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 changes according to population of origin
Authors: de Mattos E. P. , Leotti V. B. , Soong B.‐W. , Raposo M. , Lima M. , Vasconcelos J. , Fussiger H. , Souza G. N. , Kersting N. , Furtado G. V. , Saute J. A. M. , Camey S. A. , Saraiva‐Pereira M. L. , Jardim L. B. 
Published: August 2018

Background and purposeIn spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado–Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD), the length of CAG repeat expansions in ATXN3 shows an inverse correlation with age at onset (AO). Recently, a formula for predicting AO based on CAG expansion was developed for European carriers. We tested this formula in SCA3/MJD carriers from distinct origins and developed population‐specific models to predict AO.MethodsThis was a parametric survival modelling study.ResultsThe European formula (EF) was tested in 739 independent SCA3/MJD carriers from South Brazil, Taiwan and the Portuguese Azorean islands, and it largely underestimated AO in South Brazilian and Taiwanese test cohorts. This finding challenged the universal use of the EF, leading us to develop and validate population‐specific models for AO prediction. Using validation cohorts, we showed that Brazilian and Taiwanese formulas largely outperformed the EF in a population‐specific manner. Inversely, the EF was more accurate at predicting AO among Portuguese Azorean patients. Hence, specific prediction models were required for each SCA3/MJD ethnic group.ConclusionsOur data strongly support the existence of as yet unknown factors that modulate AO in SCA3/MJD in a population‐dependent manner, independent of CAG expansion length. The generated models are made available to the scientific community as they can be useful for future studies on SCA3/MJD carriers from distinct geographical origins.
A project‐level analysis of value creation in firms
Authors: Cohn Jonathan B. , Gurun Umit G. , Moussawi Rabih 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper analyzes value creation in firms at the project level. We present evidence that managers facing short‐termist incentives set a lower threshold for accepting projects. Using novel data on new client and product announcements in both the U.S. and international markets, we find that the market responds less positively to a new project announcement when the firm's managers have incentives to focus on short‐term stock price performance. Furthermore, textual analysis of project announcements shows that firms with short‐termist chief executive officers use vaguer and generically positive language when introducing new projects to the marketplace.
Preparation and characterisation of a novel agar oligosaccharide–iron (III) complex
Authors: He Hong , An Fengping , Teng Hui , Huang Qun , Song Hongbo 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis study aimed to synthesise a complex of agar oligosaccharides (AOS) with ferric iron and to evaluate its physicochemical and structural characteristics. Based on single factor, Plackett–Burman and response surface optimal experiments of three factors at three levels, the optimised chelate conditions of the AOS‐iron (III) complex were mass ratio of AOS to iron ions of 4.5:1 g:g, reaction temperature of 74 °C and reaction time of 60 min. Under these conditions, the iron content and total sugar content were 14.03 ± 0.42% and 66.07 ± 0.96%, respectively. The physicochemical analysis showed that AOS–iron (III) was soluble and steady at physiological pH, and it was easily reduced to iron (II). The structural characteristics of AOS and AOS–iron (III) were analysed by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Nuclear magnetic resonance, and results showed that the iron (III) ions were chelated to AOS by –OH groups and –COOH groups and widely dispersed on the AOS backbone. Therefore, AOS–iron (III) could be a candidate for iron supplementation to treat iron deficiency anaemia.