bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions between Private Health and Long‐term Care Insurance and the Effects of the Crisis: Evidence for Spain
Authors: Jiménez‐Martín Sergi , Labeaga‐Azcona José M. , Vilaplana‐Prieto Cristina 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper analyzes the reasons for the scarce development of the private long‐term care insurance market in Spain, and its relationship with health insurance. We are also interested in the effects the crisis has had both on the evolution of the demand for long‐term care insurance and on the existence of regional disparities. We estimate bivariate probit models with endogenous variables using Spanish data from the Survey on Health and Retirement in Europe. Our results confirm that individuals wishing to purchase long‐term care insurance are, in a sense, forced to subscribe a health insurance policy. In spite of this restriction in the supply of long‐term care insurance contracts, we find its demand has grown in recent years, which we attribute to the budget cuts affecting the implementation of Spain's System of Autonomy and Attention to Dependent People. Regional differences in its implementation, as well as the varying effects the crisis has had across Spanish regions, lead to the existence of a crowding‐in effect in the demand for long‐term care insurance in those regions where co‐payment is based on income and wealth, those that have a lower percentage of public long‐term care beneficiaries, or those with a smaller share of cash benefits over total public benefits. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Have Standard VARS Remained Stable Since the Crisis?
Authors: Aastveit Knut Are , Carriero Andrea , Clark Todd E. , Marcellino Massimiliano 
Published: November 2016

SummarySmall vector autoregressions are commonly used in macroeconomics for forecasting and evaluating shock transmission. This requires VAR parameters to be stable over the evaluation and forecast sample or modeled as time‐varying. Prior work has considered whether there were sizable parameter changes in the early 1980s and in the subsequent period until the beginning of the new century. This paper conducts a similar analysis focused on the period since the recent crisis. Using a range of techniques, we provide substantial evidence against parameter stability. The evolution of the unemployment rate seems particularly different relative to its past behavior. We also evaluate alternative methods to handle parameter instability in a forecasting context. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonographic measurement of fetal thymus size in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies
Authors: Tangshewinsirikul Chayada , Panburana Panyu 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeTo establish sonographic reference ranges of the normal fetal thymus size between 17 and 38 weeks of gestational age (GA).MethodsThe study was conducted between April 1 and December 31, 2013. Low‐risk singleton pregnancies without obstetrical and medical complications at the GAs between 17 and 38 weeks were recruited for thymus measurement. The fetal thymus was identified on transabdominal sonography at the three‐vessel view. Maximal transverse diameter, perimeter, and thymus/thoracic ratio were measured. The best‐fit models in predicting thymic dimensions as a function of GA and biparietal diameter (BPD) were determined using regression analysis, and percentile charts for predicting thymic dimensions were constructed.ResultsA total of 296 singleton pregnancies were recruited in this study. Maximal transverse diameter, perimeter, and thymus/thoracic ratio increased throughout pregnancy. The regression equation for maximal transverse diameter of the thymus as a function of GA was as follows: Predicted mean thymus diameter (mm) = −25.904 + 2.476 × GA − 0.019 × GA2 (r = 0.915; p < 0.001) with predicted standard deviations of thymus diameter (mm) = 1.428 + 0.044 × GA (r = 0.017; p < 0.001).ConclusionsSonographic reference ranges of the normal fetal thymic dimensions between 17 and 38 weeks of GA have been established. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:150–159, 2017
Internal jugular vein thrombosis with OHSS
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Park Jung‐Woo , Han Myoungseok , Bae Jong Woon , Cho Yeon Jean 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) includes ovarian enlargement and ascites. It is usually mild but can be, rarely, fatal. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is among the potentially fatal complications of OHSS. During pregnancy, DVT is more common in the lower extremities than in the upper part of the body, but OHSS‐related DVT occurs more frequently in the upper part. Internal jugular vein thrombosis is considered rare, and duplex ultrasound is the appropriate examination for its diagnosis. We present a rare case of internal jugular vein thrombosis following OHSS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:450–452, 2017
A novel method for a high enrichment of human corneal epithelial stem cells for genomic analysis
Authors: Kasinathan Jhansi Rani , Namperumalsamy Venkatesh Prajna , Veerappan Muthukkaruppan , Chidambaranathan Gowri Priya 
Published: November 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs) in maintaining corneal homeostasis remains elusive largely due to the lack of a specific marker for their isolation. This study aims to enrich CESCs from human donor limbal epithelium and to evaluate the level of enrichment based on expression of ΔNp63α, a putative CESC marker. A two‐stage enrichment of CESCs was carried out. (a) The limbal basal epithelial cells were isolated by differential enzymatic treatment and five‐fold enrichment was achieved from 2% of CESCs present in the total limbal epithelium. The CESCs were quantified on the basis of two parameters—high expression of p63/ABCG2 and nucleus to cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio ≥0.7. (b) Cytospin smears of isolated basal cells were Giemsa stained and cells with N/C ratio ≥0.7 were separated by laser capture microdissection. This strategy resulted in an enrichment of CESCs to 78.57% based on two‐parameter analysis using p63 and 76.66% using ABCG2. RT‐PCR was carried out for ΔNp63 isoforms (α, β, and γ) and connexin‐43, with GAPDH for normalization. The expression of ΔNp63α was restricted to the enriched population of CESCs in contrast to its absence in limbal basal cells with N/C ratio <0.7 and CCECs. The unique expression of ΔNp63α and 5.9‐fold reduced connexin‐43 expression in the enriched population of CESCs indicates its high purity. Further analysis of these cells will help in elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with stemness and also in identifying a specific marker for CESCs.
Morphological investigation of various orthodontic lingual bracket slots using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Choi Samjin , Kim Jae‐Hyung , Kim Nam‐Joon , Lee Seung‐Hoon , Kim Hyunsoo , Kim Kyung‐A , Park Ki‐Ho , Park Young‐Guk 
Published: November 2016

AbstractVarious labial and lingual orthodontic appliances with aesthetic materials have been developed due to an increased demand in aesthetic orthodontic treatment. However, there are few reports regarding the morphology of lingual orthodontic appliances. Therefore, this study evaluates the roughness of slot surfaces of various orthodontic lingual brackets using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three types of stainless steel lingual brackets (Stealth®, 7th Generation®, and Clippy L®) and one gold lingual bracket (Incognito™) with a slot size of 0.018 inches × 0.025 inches (0.457 × 0.635 mm2) were selected as representative lingual materials. Both FE‐SEM and AFM examinations showed that the Stealth® and Clippy L® brackets had the lowest surface roughness, while the 7th Generation® bracket had the highest surface roughness. There was a significant difference in surface morphology between the types of lingual brackets, even when composed of the same material. The surface roughness of the bracket slot was dependent on the manufacturing process or surface polishing process rather than the fundamental properties of the bracket materials. There was no significant difference in the mean surface roughness of the slot floor between gold and stainless steel lingual brackets. These findings suggest that, although the gold lingual bracket is very expensive, it has great potential for use in patients with nickel allergy.
Antibodies to H1 histone from the sera of HIV‐infected patients recognize and catalyze site‐specific degradation of this histone
Authors: Baranova Svetlana V. , Dmitrienok Pavel S. , Ivanisenko Nikita V. , Buneva Valentina N. , Nevinsky Georgy A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHistones and their posttranslational modifications have key roles in chromatin remodeling and gene transcription. Besides intranuclear functions, histones act as damage‐associated molecules when they are released into the extracellular space. Administration of histones to animals leads to systemic inflammatory and toxic responses. Autoantibodies with enzymatic activities (abzymes) are distinctive feature of some autoimmune and viral diseases. Electrophoretically and immunologically homogeneous IgGs containing no canonical enzymes were isolated from sera of human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients by chromatography on several affinity sorbents. In contrast to canonical proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and proteinase K), IgGs from human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose containing immobilized histones specifically recognized and hydrolyzed only histones but not many other tested globular proteins. Using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, the sites of H1 histone (193 amino acids [AAs]) cleavage by anti‐H1 histone IgGs were determined for the first time. It was shown that 1 cluster of 2 major and 4 moderate sites of cleavage is located at the beginning (106‐112 AAs) of the known antigenic determinants disposed at the long C‐terminal sequence of H1. Two clusters of minor and very weak sites of the protein cleavage correspond to middle (8 sites, 138‐158 AAs) and terminal (5 sites, 166‐176 AAs) parts of the antigenic determinants. It was shown that in contrast to canonical proteases, N‐terminal part of H1 histone (1‐136 AAs) containing no antigenic determinants is an unpredictably very resistant against hydrolysis by abzymes, while it can be easily cleavage by canonical proteases. Because histones act as damage‐associated molecules, abzymes against H1 and other histones can play important role in pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and probably other different diseases.
Brain circuitry associated with the development of substance use in bipolar disorder and preliminary evidence for sexual dimorphism in adolescents
Authors: Lippard Elizabeth T.C. , Mazure Carolyn M. , Johnston Jennifer A.Y. , Spencer Linda , Weathers Judah , Pittman Brian , Wang Fei , Blumberg Hilary P. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTSubstance use disorders and mood disorders are highly comorbid and confer a high risk for adverse outcomes. However, data are limited on the neurodevelopmental basis of this comorbidity. Substance use initiation typically occurs during adolescence, and sex‐specific developmental mechanisms are implicated. In this preliminary study, we review the literature and investigate regional gray matter volume (GMV) associated with subsequent substance use problems in adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD) and explore these associations for females and males. Thirty adolescents with DSM‐IV–diagnosed BD and minimal alcohol/substance exposure completed baseline structural magnetic resonance imaging scans. At follow‐up (on average 6 years post baseline), subjects were administered the CRAFFT interview and categorized into those scoring at high ( ≥ 2: CRAFFTHIGH) vs. low ( < 2: CRAFFTLOW) risk for alcohol/substance problems. Lower GMV in prefrontal, insular, and temporopolar cortices were observed at baseline among adolescents with BD reporting subsequent alcohol and cannabis use compared to adolescents with BD who did not (P < 0.005, clusters ≥ 20 voxels). Lower dorsolateral prefrontal GMV was associated with future substance use in both females and males. In females, lower orbitofrontal and insula GMV was associated with future substance use, while in males, lower rostral prefrontal GMV was associated with future use. Lower orbitofrontal, insular, and temporopolar GMV was observed in those who transitioned to smoking tobacco. Findings indicate that GMV development is associated with risk for future substance use problems in adolescents with BD, with results implicating GMV development in regions subserving emotional regulation in females and regions subserving executive processes and attention in males. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complex Nonlinear Behavior in the Bromate–2‐Aminophenol Reaction
Authors: Tang Alexander , Bell Jeffrey G. , Green James R. , Wang Jichang 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTThe bromate–2‐aminophenol reaction in a batch reactor was investigated in this research, in which both simple and sequential oscillations were observed. The occurrence of sequential oscillations were found to be very sensitive to changes of the initial concentrations, where decreasing the concentration of sulfuric acid or sodium bromate or increasing the 2‐aminophenol concentration caused the two oscillation windows to coalesce. Lowering the reaction temperature from 30 to 5°C also caused the two oscillation windows to merge into one. A phase diagram in the bromate–sulfuric acid concentration plane demonstrates that sequential oscillations only occur within a narrow band of conditions. Mechanistic studies of the system through employing 1H NMR and mass spectrometry suggest that a dibrominated ortho‐benzoquinone is a major product. The oxidation of 2‐aminophenol, on the other hand, can lead to the formation of pyrocatechol, which may be the substrate responsible for the second set of oscillations.
Solvent Influence on the Diels‐Alder Reaction Rates of 9‐(Hydroxymethyl)anthracene and 9,10‐Bis(hydroxymethyl)anthracene with Two Maleimides
Authors: Kiselev Vladimir D. , Kornilov Dmitry A. , Sedov Igor A. , Konovalov Alexander I. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTThe rates of the Diels–Alder reaction of 9‐(hydroxymethyl)anthracene and 9,10‐bis(hydroxymethyl)anthracene with maleic anhydride and two maleimides, N‐ethyl‐ and N‐phenylmaleimide, have been studied at various temperatures and pressures in different solvent media. A rate acceleration in water in comparison with organic solvents is observed. Thermodynamic functions of activation for the reaction of 9,10‐bis(hydroxymethyl)anthracene with N‐ethylmaleimide in binary 1,4‐dioxane–water mixtures are determined. From the observed tendencies, it can be concluded that acceleration of the Diels–Alder reactions in water is linked with an energetically favorable dehydration of the reaction centers of the reactants on the way to the activated complex. Addition of an organic cosolvent makes the desolvation of these centers less favorable.
Continental‐scale Impacts of Livestock Grazing on Ecosystem Supporting and Regulating Services
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel 
Published: November 2016

AbstractGrazing by livestock supports millions of people worldwide, particularly in drylands, but has marked negative effects on ecosystem services and functions. In Australia, its effects on ecosystem services have not been fully quantified. We examined the extent to which grazing by livestock influenced supporting (productivity, habitat for organisms and biodiversity) and regulating (carbon cycling and hydrological function) services, using data from published and unpublished studies on livestock grazing from a large number of sites across Australia. Grazing reduced our measure of supporting services by about 20% and regulatory services by 8%. On average, grazing reduced plant productivity by 40%, habitat value by 20%, and biodiversity, hydrological function and carbon sequestration by about 10%. Habitat and productivity showed strong declines with increasing grazing intensity, and carbon showed strong declines at the lowest and highest contrasts. Hydrological function and biodiversity did not decline with increasing grazing intensity. Overall, the results indicate that livestock grazing leads to substantial degradation at a continental scale by reducing ecosystem services associated with habitat provision, biodiversity, and soil and water functions. Management of livestock grazing will be critical if we are to retain functional levels of ecosystem services into the next century. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multivalent Aptamer–RNA Conjugates for Simple and Efficient Delivery of Doxorubicin/siRNA into Multidrug‐Resistant Cells
Authors: Jeong Hyosook , Lee Soo Hyeon , Hwang Yeonju , Yoo Hyundong , Jung Heesun , Kim Sun Hwa , Mok Hyejung 
Published: November 2016

Multivalent aptamer–siRNA conjugates containing multiple mucin‐1 aptamers and BCL2‐specific siRNA are synthesized, and doxorubicin, an anthracycline anticancer drug, is loaded into these conjugates through intercalation with nucleic acids. These doxorubicin‐incorporated multivalent aptamer–siRNA conjugates are transfected to mucin‐1 overexpressing MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and their multidrug‐resistant cell lines. Doxorubicin‐incorporated multivalent aptamer–siRNA conjugates exert promising anticancer effects, such as activation of caspase‐3/7 and decrease of cell viability, on multidrug‐resistant cancer cells because of their high intracellular uptake efficiency. Thus, this delivery system is an efficient tool for combination oncotherapy with chemotherapeutics and nucleic acid drugs to overcome multidrug resistance.
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Reduction of GAPDH in lenses of Parkinson's disease patients: A possible new biomarker
Authors: Klettner Alexa , Tholey Andreas , Wiegandt Alena , Richert Elisabeth , Nölle Bernhard , Deuschl Günther , Roider Johann , Schneider Susanne A. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe previously showed that the protein pattern of lenses removed in cataract surgery differs between patients with Parkinson's disease and age‐matched controls. In this study, we identified the protein reduced in abundance in the 34‐ to 37‐kDa gel band.MethodsDuring cataract surgery (phacoemulsification), we collected the rinsing fluid and lens particles from the eyes of PD patients and controls. Residual lens fragments in the supernatant of 3 PD patients and aged‐matched controls were studied for protein profiles using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and Western blots.ResultsWe identified glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase by mass spectrometry as the protein reduced in abundance and verified this finding in Western blots.ConclusionsGlyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase has been implicated in PD development. The reduction of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase in the lenses of PD patients may be a new biomarker for PD and might also indicate an important role for this protein in PD development. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effects of ferric citrate supplementation on advanced glycation end products in a rat model of streptozotocin/nicotinamide‐induced diabetes
Authors: Chao Kuo‐Ching , Chen Seu‐Hwa , Chang Chun‐Chao , Lee Yu‐Chieh , Wang Chi‐Mei , Chang Jung‐Su 
Published: November 2016

ScopeDiabetes is associated with the increased risks of anemia and activation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). However, the effects of pharmacological doses of iron supplementation on AGE metabolism are less clear. The aim was to investigate the effect of ferric citrate supplementation on AGE metabolism.Methods and resultsDiabetes was induced in overnight starved rats by intraperitoneal injections of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin and 120 mg/kg nicotinamide. Diabetic rats were fed a standard diet or pharmacological doses of ferric citrate (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 g of ferric iron/kg diet) for 10 weeks. Ferric citrate supplementation showed a dose‐related effect on the hepatic steatosis score, malondialdehyde, cathepsin D, and glyoxalase I. A Western blot analysis revealed that >1 g of ferric iron suppressed hepatic AGE receptor 1 and high‐mobility group‐box 1 expressions but increased heme oxygenase‐1 and RAGE expressions. Further analysis showed that high doses of ferric iron triggered sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c, p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor‐κB protein expressions.ConclusionOverall, the present results suggest a dose‐related effect of ferric citrate supplementation on AGE metabolism, and this effect was more evident at high iron doses (>1 g of ferric iron/kg diet).
Stochastic call center staffing with uncertain arrival, service and abandonment rates: A Bayesian perspective
Authors: Aktekin Tevfik , Ekin Tahir 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn this article, we introduce staffing strategies for the Erlang‐A queuing system in call center operations with uncertain arrival, service, and abandonment rates. In doing so, we model the system rates using gamma distributions that create randomness in operating characteristics used in the optimization formulation. We divide the day into discrete time intervals where a simulation based stochastic programming method is used to determine staffing levels. More specifically, we develop a model to select the optimal number of agents required for a given time interval by minimizing an expected cost function, which consists of agent and abandonment (opportunity) costs, while considering the service quality requirements such as the delay probability. The objective function as well as the constraints in our formulation are random variables. The novelty of our approach is to introduce a solution method for the staffing of an operation where all three system rates (arrival, service, and abandonment) are random variables. We illustrate the use of the proposed model using both real and simulated call center data. In addition, we provide solution comparisons across different formulations, consider a dynamic extension, and discuss sensitivity implications of changing constraint upper bounds as well as prior hyper‐parameters. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 460–478, 2016
Genome evolution in ductal carcinoma in situ: invasion of the clones
Authors: Casasent Anna K , Edgerton Mary , Navin Nicholas E 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most frequently diagnosed early‐stage breast cancer. Only a subset of patients progress to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and this presents a formidable clinical challenge for determining which patients to treat aggressively and which patients to monitor without therapeutic intervention. Understanding the molecular and genomic basis of invasion has been difficult to study in DCIS cancers due to several technical obstacles, including low tumour cellularity, lack of fresh‐frozen tissues, and intratumour heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss the role of intratumour heterogeneity in the progression of DCIS to IDC in the context of three evolutionary models: independent lineages, evolutionary bottlenecks, and multiclonal invasion. We examine the evidence in support of these models and their relevance to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with DCIS. We also discuss how emerging technologies, such as single‐cell sequencing, STAR‐FISH, and imaging mass spectrometry, are likely to provide new insights into the evolution of this enigmatic disease. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.