bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paternal and joint parental occupational pesticide exposure and spina bifida in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997 to 2002
Authors: Pettigrew Stacy M. , Bell Erin M. , Van Zutphen Alissa R. , Rocheleau Carissa M. , Shaw Gary M. , Romitti Paul A. , Olshan Andrew , Lupo Philip J. , Soim Aida , Makelarski Jennifer A. , Michalski Adrian M. , Sanderson Wayne ,   and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: November 2016

BackgroundBecause of persistent concerns over the association between pesticides and spina bifida, we examined the role of paternal and combined parental occupational pesticide exposures in spina bifida in offspring using data from a large population‐based study of birth defects.MethodsOccupational information from fathers of 291 spina bifida cases and 2745 unaffected live born control infants with estimated dates of delivery from 1997 to 2002 were collected by means of maternal report. Two expert industrial hygienists estimated exposure intensity and frequency to insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for exposure to any pesticide and to any class of pesticide (yes/no; and by median), and exposure to combinations of pesticides (yes/no) and risk of spina bifida. Adjusted odds ratios were also estimated by parent exposed to pesticides (neither, mother only, father only, both parents).RESULTSJoint parental occupational pesticide exposure was positively associated with spina bifida (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9–2.4) when compared with infants with neither maternal nor paternal exposures; a similar association was not observed when only one parent was exposed. There was a suggested positive association between combined paternal insecticide and fungicide exposures and spina bifida (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.8–2.8), however, nearly all other aORs were close to unity.ConclusionOverall, there was little evidence paternal occupational pesticide exposure was associated with spina bifida. However, the small numbers make it difficult to precisely evaluate the role of pesticide classes, individually and in combination. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:963–971, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acardiac twin pregnancies part IV: Acardiac onset from unequal embryonic splitting simulated by a fetoplacental resistance model
Authors: Gemert Martin J.C. van , Wijngaard Jeroen P.H.M. van den , Paarlberg K. Marieke , Gardiner Helena M. , Nikkels Peter G.J. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundBenirschke postulated that acardiac twinning occurs when markedly unequal embryonic splitting combines with arterioarterial (AA) and venovenous placental anastomoses. We tested this hypothesis by model simulations and by comparison of outcomes with 18 “pseudo‐” (twin fetus with beating heart but otherwise with clear signs of an acardiac) and 3 “normal” acardiac cases.MethodsThe smaller/larger cell volume ratio at embryonic splitting becomes the smaller/larger embryonic/fetal blood volume ratio (a). From a, we derived nonpulsating blood pressures using normal values (larger twin) and normal values at an appropriate earlier gestational age (smaller twin). These unequal pressure sources were used in a linear resistance fetoplacental network to calculate umbilical venous diameter ratios. Acardiac onset occurs when the smaller twin has 50% left of its normal, singleton placenta. Comparison with clinical cases approximated a by crown‐rump‐length‐ratio to the 3rd power. Input parameters are a and the AA‐radius at 40 weeks.ResultsAcardiacs can be small or large, can occur early or late, earlier at smaller a and larger AA, with larger umbilical venous diameter ratios at smaller a and smaller AA. Comparison with the 21 clinical cases was good, except for 2.ConclusionOur analysis supports Benirschke's hypothesis. The smaller twin has to share its placental perfusion with the larger twin, which is a novel finding. The AA size is essential for the future of both fetuses but complicates easy understanding of (pseudo‐)acardiac clinical presentations. Late acardiac onset occurs infrequently. Using nonpulsating circulations may have caused our extensive predictions of late onset. An improved model requires including hypoxemia in the smaller twin from chronic placental hypoperfusion. Birth Defects Research 109:211–223, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Editorial brain malformation surveillance in the Zika era
Authors: Trevathan Edwin 
Published: November 2016

The current surveillance systems for congenital microcephaly are necessary to monitor the impact of Zika virus (ZIKV) on the developing human brain, as well as the ZIKV prevention efforts. However, these congenital microcephaly surveillance systems are insufficient. Abnormalities of neuronal differentiation, development and migration may occur among infants with normal head circumference who have intrauterine exposure to ZIKV. Therefore, surveillance for congenital microcephaly does not ascertain many of the infants seriously impacted by congenital ZIKV infection. Furthermore, many infants with normal head circumference and with malformations of the brain cortex do not have clinical manifestations of their congenital malformations until several months to many years after birth, when they present with clinical manifestations such as seizures/epilepsy, developmental delays with or without developmental regression, and/or motor impairment.In response to the ZIKV threat, public health surveillance systems must be enhanced to ascertain a wide variety of congenital brain malformations, as well as their clinical manifestations that lead to diagnostic brain imaging. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:869–874, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative T1‐mapping detects cloudy‐enhancing tumor compartments predicting outcome of patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Müller Andreas , Jurcoane Alina , Kebir Sied , Ditter Philip , Schrader Felix , Herrlinger Ulrich , Tzaridis Theophilos , Mädler Burkhard , Schild Hans H. , Glas Martin , Hattingen Elke 
Published: November 2016

AbstractContrast enhancement of glioblastomas (GBM) is caused by the decrease in relaxation time, T1. Here, we demonstrate that the quantitative measurement of T1 (qT1) discovers a subtle enhancement in GBM patients that is invisible in standard MRI. We assessed the volume change of this “cloudy” enhancement during radio‐chemotherapy and its impact on patients’ progression‐free survival (PFS). We enrolled 18 GBM patients in this observational, prospective cohort study and measured 3T‐MRI pre‐ and post contrast agent with standard T1‐weighted (T1w) and with sequences to quantify T1 before radiation, and at 6‐week intervals during radio‐chemotherapy. We measured contrast enhancement by subtracting pre from post contrast contrast images, yielding relative signal increase ∆T1w and relative T1 shortening ∆qT1. On ∆qT1, we identified a solid and a cloudy‐enhancing compartment and evaluated the impact of their therapy‐related volume change upon PFS. In ∆qT1 maps cloudy‐enhancing compartments were found in all but two patients at baseline and in all patients during therapy. The qT1 decrease in the cloudy‐enhancing compartment post contrast was 21.64% versus 1.96% in the contralateral control tissue (P < 0.001). It was located at the margin of solid enhancement which was also seen on T1w. In contrast, the cloudy‐enhancing compartment was visually undetectable on ∆T1w. A volume decrease of more than 21.4% of the cloudy‐enhancing compartment at first follow‐up predicted longer PFS (P = 0.038). Cloudy‐enhancing compartment outside the solid contrast‐enhancing area of GBM is a new observation which is only visually detectable with qT1‐mapping and may represent tumor infiltration. Its early volume decrease predicts a longer PFS in GBM patients during standard radio‐chemotherapy.
The pertinence of new public management in a developing country: The healthcare system in Morocco
Authors: Errami Youssef , Cargnello Charles Emmanuelle 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMorocco has reformed its health systems according to the New Public Management (NPM) model. Despite several positive results of the refo, our account and analysis of events related to the reform, as a chronological narrative from 2002 to 2012, along with findings of a qualitative study and semi‐structured interviews reveal organizational dysfunction alongside an increase in managerial problems. The Moroccan case is symptomatic of situations in many developing countries. It raises questions about the relevance of NMP in these countries and about the institutional prerequisites for successful public reforms in particular. Copyright © 2016 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer and treatment distress psychometric evaluation over time: A BMT CTN 0902 secondary analysis
Authors: Syrjala Karen L. , Sutton Steven K. , Jim Heather S. L. , Knight Jennifer M. , Wood William A. , Lee Stephanie J. , Jacobsen Paul B. , Abidi Muneer H. , Yi Jean C. 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUNDRoutine monitoring of cancer‐related distress is recognized as essential to quality care and mandated by a major accrediting organization. However, to the authors' knowledge, few cancer‐specific measures have been developed to date to assess the multiple cancer‐related factors contributing to this distress. In the current study, the authors examined the psychometric properties of the Cancer and Treatment Distress (CTXD) measure over time in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients.METHODSAs a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial, adult patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic HCT completed patient‐reported outcomes including the CTXD and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) before transplantation and 100 days and 180 days after HCT.RESULTSAcross 21 transplantation centers, a total of 701 patients consented, underwent transplantation, and were included in the current analyses, 645 of whom were alive at 100 days and 618 of whom were alive at 180 days. Internal consistency reliability was found to be strong for the overall CTXD at the 3 time points: Cronbach alphas (α) were .94, .95, and .95, respectively. Subscale reliability met hypothesized levels of an α>.70 across time, with the lowest reliability noted for the Identity subscale at 180 days (α = .77). Correlations with the SF‐36 Mental Health subscale were higher than with the Physical Functioning subscale at each time point, thereby supporting convergent and discriminant validity. Strong correlations of the pretransplantation CTXD with the posttransplantation CTXD and SF‐36 Mental Health subscale supported predictive validity.CONCLUSIONSThe CTXD is reliable and valid as a measure of cancer distress both before and after HCT. It may be a useful tool for measuring dimensions of distress and for defining those patients requiring treatment for distress during and after transplantation. Cancer 2017;123:1416–1423. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Heterogeneous microcommunities and ecosystem multifunctionality in seminatural grasslands under three management modes
Authors: Li Jingpeng , Zheng Zhirong , Xie Hongtao , Zhao Nianxi , Gao Yubao 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIncreasing attention has been paid to the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) because of the rapid increase in species loss. However, over the past 20 years, most BEF studies only focused on the effect of species diversity on one or a few ecosystem functions, and only a few studies focused on ecosystem multifunctionality (i.e., the simultaneous provision of several ecosystem functions). Grassland ecosystems have important economic, environmental, and esthetic value; thus, this study focused on the heterogeneous microcommunities in grasslands under three management modes. The multifunctionality index (M‐index) was assessed at community and microcommunity scales, and the relationship between species diversity and multifunctionality was investigated. The communities were found to be respectively composed of one, three, and six microcommunities in grazing, clipping, and enclosure management, based on a two‐way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) for community structure. Biodiversity and soil indicators showed an apparent degradation of the grazing community, which had the worst M‐index. Clipping and enclosure communities showed no significant difference in biodiversity indices, soil variables, and M‐index; however, these indices were clearly different among microcommunities. Therefore, the microcommunity scale may be suitable to investigate the relationship between vegetation and multifunctionality in seminatural grassland ecosystems. Dominant species richness had more explanatory power for ecosystem multifunctionality than subdominant species richness, rare species richness, and the number of all species. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the role and rank of different species in the species richness–multifunctionality model; otherwise, the model might include redundant and unclear information. Communities with more codominant species whose distribution is also even might have better multifunctionality.
Cardiac extracellular matrix is associated with adverse outcome in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Duca Franz , Zotter‐Tufaro Caroline , Kammerlander Andreas A. , Panzenböck Adelheid , Aschauer Stefan , Dalos Daniel , Köll Benedikt , Börries Benedikt , Agis Hermine , Kain Renate , Aumayr Klaus , Klinglmüller Florian , Mascherbauer Julia , Bonderman Diana 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimsAccumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). However, its prognostic relevance is poorly investigated.Methods and resultsA total of 73 HF patients who underwent LV endomyocardial biopsy were enrolled in our study. ECM area was quantified by TissueFAXS and ImageJ software. Patients were followed‐up at 6‐month intervals. The study endpoint was defined as hospitalization for a cardiac reason and/or cardiac death. Furthermore, the influence of the ECM on invasively measured haemodynamic parameters was tested. During a median follow‐up period of 9.0 months, 34 patients (46.6%) reached the combined endpoint. Median ECM area was 30.5%. Patients with ECM area ≥30.5% experienced significantly more events (67.6% vs. 25.0%, P < 0.001) in comparison with patients with an ECM area <30.5%. ECM area was independently associated with outcome in the total HF cohort [hazard ratio (HR) 1.041, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.017–1.066, P = 0.001] as well as in HF patients with preserved (HR 1.079, 95% CI 1.001–1.163, P =0 .046) or reduced ejection fraction (HR 1.149, 95% CI 1.036–1.275, P = 0.009). Positive correlations were found between ECM area and LV end‐diastolic pressure (P = 0.021, R = 0.303), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (P = 0.042, R = 0.249), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (P = 0.035, R = 0.258), as well as right atrial pressure (P = 0.003, R = 0.353).ConclusionECM area within the LV myocardium correlates with left and right heart haemodynamics and is associated with clinical course in various non‐ischaemic HF types.
Effect of ionic liquid confinement on CO2 solubility and permeability characteristics
Authors: Wang Jin , Ding Hong , Cao Bai‐chuan , Huang Xue 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCO2 gas solubility and permeability in conventional imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) confined in hydrophobic and hydrophilic PVDF membranes were investigated and compared with that in the bulk IL phase, revealing the effect of the support and the possible interactions of IL with the support material. Experimental results showed CO2 solubility in supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) increased approximately by a factor of 1.2 to 3.9 compared with that in the bulk IL. Meanwhile, the CO2 permeability in different SILMs was in the range of (0.5∼10.5) × 10−12 m2·s−1·kPa−1, which was almost a hundred times higher than that of CO2 in the pure IL. Compared with hydrophobic SILMs, hydrophilic SILMs with same pore size and porosity could load more ILs, however, providing lower specific surface for adsorbent. Correspondingly, CO2 solubility in all hydrophobic SILMs was higher than that in hydrophilic SILMs, which is consistent with the molecular property expression of the Henry constant derived from statistic mechanics, manifesting CO2 solubility affected by the interface effect of membrane with ILs. Besides the effect of specific surface area of IL adsorbent, the reorganization of cation and anion confined in sub‐micrometer pores maybe causes more IL free volume and improves CO2 permeance. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older patients with hypertension in rural China
Authors: Xue Jiang , Chen Shulin , Bogner Hillary R. , Tang Wan , Li Lydia , Conwell Yeates 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveThe comorbidity of depression and hypertension (HTN) is common and complicates the management of both conditions. This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older patients with HTN in rural China and explored the relationship between the two conditions.MethodsThe baseline data of older patients diagnosed with HTN included in the depression/HTN in Chinese Older Adults—Collaborations for Health Study were used for the analysis. The Chinese Older Adults—Collaborations for Health Study was conducted in rural villages of Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province, China. In all, 10 389 older village residents had HTN (57.2% female, mean age 71.5 ± 8.1 years). Blood pressure was measured by using a calibrated manual sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Depressive symptom was measured by using the Chinese version of the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire.ResultsAmong 10 389 patients with HTN, 12.8% had significant depressive symptoms (nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire ≥ 10). Rates of significant depressive symptoms were 5.3% and 32.8% among patients with controlled and uncontrolled HTN (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90), respectively (χ2 = 8.701,p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that those in older age group (≥70 years) and with uncontrolled HTN have higher rates of significant depressive symptoms than those who are younger (age 60 to <70) and with controlled HTN.ConclusionOur findings show high rates of depressive symptoms among patients with HTN in rural China and higher rates of depressive symptoms among patients with uncontrolled HTN. These support the development and dissemination of integrative care approaches for older adults with HTN and depression in rural China. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring suspended sediment delivery dynamics of two Mediterranean nested catchments
Authors: López‐Tarazón José A. , Estrany Joan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates suspended sediment transport and dynamics of two nested agricultural lowland Mediterranean catchments with a difference of two orders of magnitude in the surface area (i.e., 1 and 264 km2). The effects of the drainage catchment area over the specific suspended sediment yield are assessed by using the nested approach over various timeframes. A detailed analysis of the rainfall–runoff–sediment transport relationships during the 2‐year study period shows that the hydrological and sedimentological responses were extremely variable for both catchments. Very low or no correlations were observed between the rainfall intensity and the selected hydrological variables and sediment loads. However, remarkable or high correlations were obtained between the rainfall intensity and the maximum and average suspended sediment concentrations, indicating that rainfall per unit time has little control on the hydrological response, but that, simultaneously, its high‐erosive power triggers sediment production, increasing the sedimentary response of the catchments. This study also illustrates how sediment is mainly transported during floods, producing predominantly clockwise hysteretic loops. Moreover, the small headwater catchment exerts a reduced (or even negligible) effect over the hydro‐sedimentary response of the larger downstream catchment, caused by the reduced sediment availability in a landscape with an inherent disconnection of the sediment pathways.
Paris Climate Accord: Miles to Go
Authors: Mahapatra Sushanta Kumar , Ratha Keshab Chandra 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe vicious effects of climate change are sweeping the planet along with the creation of a level of emissions that would lock in a future of rising sea levels, intense droughts and food shortages, more destructive storms and floods and other catastrophic effects. With a best hope to face the bad effects of climate change on world security and to drive the world on a low‐carbon pathway, a multinational effort of the world leaders is on the process to hammer out a new global pact for reducing the emissions. But the Paris Climate Summit has not served for this purpose because of absence of actionable commitments, discord on sharing of remaining carbon space, disagreement over finance, lack of clarity and sidelining the least developed and vulnerable countries. Delivery on commitments made in Paris, therefore, calls for new systems of governance, new infrastructures, user practices, institutions, policies and cultural meanings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low breeding propensity and wide‐ranging movements by marbled murrelets in Washington
Authors: Lorenz Teresa J. , Raphael Martin G. , Bloxton Thomas D. , Cunningham Patrick G. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTThe marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a threatened seabird that forages in nearshore marine waters but nests inland, commonly in older coniferous forests. Information on ranging behavior and breeding propensity can be useful for informing management, especially when comparisons can be made between declining or threatened populations and more stable, unthreatened populations. Over 5 years, we measured ranging behavior and breeding propensity of marbled murrelets in Washington, USA where murrelets are considered threatened. Our primary objective was to compare space use and breeding by murrelets in Washington with those from other regions and where the species is not considered threatened. We radio tracked 157 murrelets from 2004 to 2008. Median marine 95% kernel ranges were 487 km2 ( [SD]) and larger than those reported for non‐threatened populations in Alaska, USA in other studies. Ranges computed from minimum convex polygons (MCPs; median = 404 km2; ) were on average similar to those reported for threatened populations in California, USA, although larger than those reported for Alaska. Distances traveled between consecutive marine telemetry locations were greater than reported previously in Alaska. Variation in movements in our study were not associated with oceanographic conditions although appeared greater for murrelets captured along the Pacific Coast compared to those occupying interior marine waters in the Salish Sea. Twenty individuals (12.7%) attempted to breed in our study, and we estimated breeding propensity was 13.1–20.0%. This is the lowest breeding propensity reported for a population of murrelets to date. For breeders, nest‐sea commuting distances were greater than reported previously, with 4 breeders traveling farther than the previously reported maximum of 125 km. The low breeding propensity, large marine ranges, and long nest‐sea commutes in this study may point to poor‐quality marine habitat in Washington compared to other parts of the murrelet's range. In combination with reported declines in terrestrial nesting habitat from other studies, this indicates that additional management is needed to improve murrelet breeding habitat in Washington. Future management actions should focus on improving both terrestrial and marine habitat. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.