bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ω‐3 fatty acid α‐linolenic acid extends Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan via NHR‐49/PPARα and oxidation to oxylipins
Authors: Qi Wenbo , Gutierrez Gloria E. , Gao Xiaoli , Dixon Hong , McDonough Joe A. , Marini Ann M. , Fisher Alfred L. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe dietary intake of ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been linked to a reduction in the incidence of aging‐associated disease including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Additionally, long‐lived Caenorhabditis elegans glp‐1 germ line‐less mutant animals show a number of changes in lipid metabolism including the increased production of the ω‐3 fatty acid, α‐linolenic acid (ALA). Here, we show that the treatment of C. elegans with ALA produces a dose‐dependent increase in lifespan. The increased longevity of the glp‐1 mutant animals is known to be dependent on both the NHR‐49/PPARα and SKN‐1/Nrf2 transcription factors, although the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. We find that ALA treatment increased the lifespan of wild‐type worms and that these effects required both of these transcription factors. Specifically, NHR‐49 was activated by ALA to promote the expression of genes involved in the β‐oxidation of lipids, whereas SKN‐1 is not directly activated by ALA, but instead, the exposure of ALA to air results in the oxidation of ALA to a group of compounds termed oxylipins. At least one of the oxylipins activates SKN‐1 and enhances the increased longevity resulting from ALA treatment. The results show that ω‐3 fatty acids inhibit aging and that these effects could reflect the combined effects of the ω‐3 fatty acid and the oxylipin metabolites. The benefits of ω‐3 fatty acid consumption on human health may similarly involve the production of oxylipins, and differences in oxylipin conversion could account for at least part of the variability found between observational vs. interventional clinical trials.
Will growth in cryptomarket drug buying increase the harms of illicit drugs?
Authors: Aldridge Judith , Stevens Alex , Barratt Monica J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground and aimCryptomarkets—on‐line, anonymous market‐places for illicit goods and services that specialize mainly in drugs—account for a small but rapidly growing share of the illicit drug market in many countries. Policy responses so far are based generally on the assumption that their rise will only increase drug harms. In this contribution for debate, we question this assumption.MethodsWe provide a narrative review of the emerging literature connected to drug cryptomarkets. We use MacCoun & Reuter's formula to understand the effect of population‐level increases in use on total harm as depending on the level of harm associated with each unit of use. We then consider the potential for cryptomarkets to increase or decrease the harms and benefits related to each unit of drug use, with specific attention to the quality of drugs sold and the non‐drug‐related harms and benefits for customers.ResultsIt is likely that cryptomarkets will increase both the amount and the range of substances that are sold. However, we argue that the effects on harms will depend upon whether cryptomarkets also increase the quality and safety of products that are sold, provide harm‐reducing information to consumers and reduce transactional conflict involved in drug purchasing.ConclusionsThere is an emerging and rapidly growing evidence base connected to the macro and micro harms and benefits of cryptomarkets for drug users. Future researchers should use appropriately matched comparative designs to establish more firmly the differential harms and benefits of sourcing drugs both on‐ and off‐line. While it is unlikely that the on‐line drug trade can be eradicated completely, cryptomarkets will respond to regulation and enforcement in ways that have complex, and sometimes unanticipated, effects on both harms and benefits.
Implementing entrustable professional activities: the yellow brick road towards competency‐based training?
Authors: Moore David , Young Christopher J. , Hong Jonathan 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundWe describe implementation of competency‐based postgraduate surgical training, using an entrustable professional activities (EPAs) programme. The programme aims to improve patient outcomes by optimizing supervision of surgical trainees, creating opportunities for additional teaching and feedback. The curriculum was designed to maximize feasibility for implementation within a colorectal surgical department.MethodsThe curriculum was developed using previously described methods by consensus between two consultants within the department. Seven EPAs were identified and described for each grade of trainee. A consultant within the teaching faculty or a delegate is required to assess each EPA and provide formal feedback until the trainee is given permission to act autonomously.ResultsIt is hoped the programme can progress with minimal disruption to key stakeholders. We will record trainee assessment data anticipating that performance of trainees on other tasks in the future may provide some evidence of validity for the EPA assessments.ConclusionsThere are perceived benefits and problems evident in the EPA model at this early stage of implementation. The programme should result in an increase in the number of formative assessments and feedback opportunities for trainees. The assessment process is familiar to supervisors, which should facilitate implementation of the curriculum. There is concern that supervisors may require further training to ensure the assessment process is objective and reproducible. The EPA programme could make the process of delegating patient care to trainees more transparent, but we have not identified a method of widely disseminating trainee assessment data without the potential to prejudice trainees unfairly.
Comparisons of neutrophil‐, monocyte‐, eosinophil‐, and basophil‐ lymphocyte ratios among various systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Authors: Yang Zaixing , Zhang Zhiyu , Lin Feng , Ren Yingpeng , Liu Donghong , Zhong Renqian , Liang Yan 
Published: August 2017

This study was aimed to evaluate levels of neutrophil‐ (NLR), monocyte‐ (MLR), eosinophil‐ (ELR), and basophil‐lymphocyte ratio (BLR) and their association with inflammatory markers in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). A total of 1139 SARD patients and 170 healthy individuals were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted. NLR and MLR were significantly increased, but BLR decreased in most SARD patients (p < 0.05). ELR were significantly decreased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, but increased in those with other SARDs (p < 0.001). In SLE patients, C‐reactive protein (CRP) showed positive correlation with NLR, MLR, and BLR. IgG negatively correlated with NLR, and did positively with ELR. IgM negatively correlated with NLR and MLR. In those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and osteoarthritis (OA), NLR and MLR positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CRP. In primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients, ESR showed positive correlation with NLR and MLR. IgA had positive correlation with BLR. In polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) patients, ESR and CRP positively correlated with NLR. Additionally, significant correlations were also found between CRP and BLR, IgG and ELR, IgM and ELR. In systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, clear correlations were only observed between CRP and NLR or MLR. In mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) patients, NLR positively correlated with ESR and CRP, while NLR and MLR did negatively with IgM. In polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) patients, MLR positively correlated with CRP, while ELR did negatively with IgG. This study demonstrated increased NLR and MLR and deceased BLR in most SARDs, decreased ELR in SLE and increased ELR in other SARDs. Furthermore, NLR and MLR may be useful tools to reflect inflammatory status of SARDs.
Outcome-dependent Sampling with Interval-censored Failure Time Data
Authors: Zhou Qingning , Cai Jianwen , Zhou Haibo 
Published: August 2017

Summary
Epidemiologic studies and disease prevention trials often seek to relate an exposure variable to a failure time that suffers from interval-censoring. When the failure rate is low and the time intervals are wide, a large cohort is often required so as to yield reliable precision on the exposure-failure-time relationship. However, large cohort studies with simple random sampling could be prohibitive for investigators with a limited budget, especially when the exposure variables are expensive to obtain. Alternative cost-effective sampling designs and inference procedures are therefore desirable. We propose an outcome-dependent sampling (ODS) design with interval-censored failure time data, where we enrich the observed sample by selectively including certain more informative failure subjects. We develop a novel sieve semiparametric maximum empirical likelihood approach for fitting the proportional hazards model to data from the proposed interval-censoring ODS design. This approach employs the empirical likelihood and sieve methods to deal with the infinite-dimensional nuisance parameters, which greatly reduces the dimensionality of the estimation problem and eases the computation difficulty. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the resulting regression parameter estimator are established. The results from our extensive simulation study show that the proposed design and method works well for practical situations and is more efficient than the alternative designs and competing approaches. An example from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study is provided for illustration.
Do Infants Really Experience Emotional Contagion?
Authors: Ruffman Ted , Lorimer Benjamin , Scarf Damian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSeveral modern theories on the origins of human empathy and morality hold that empathic understanding is innate and use research on emotional contagion to support this claim. However, all studies on emotional contagion are limited and far from conclusive. In this article, we argue that the findings from these studies could be explained alternatively in terms of neonates responding to nonemotional acoustic features of the cries they hear rather than to the emotional distress the cries convey. We highlight several areas of concern in the literature and show how research findings on emotional contagion fit comfortably within the alternative framework of acoustic features. Beyond its implications for the literature on emotional contagion, the questions we raise have implications for theories on the origins of morality and empathic understanding. Given the recent proliferation of these theories, this highlights the need to examine with greater scrutiny the evidence that supports them, particularly studies on emotional contagion.
Japanese multicenter clinical trial of intravenous polyethylene glycol‐treated immunoglobulin and comparison with previous clinical trial of sulfonated immunoglobulin in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Nomura Kyoichi , Kusunoki Susumu ,   the Research Group of IVIG for GBS in Japan
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveIn Japan, freeze‐dried sulfonated human immunoglobulin is indicated for the treatment of patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), and the efficacy and safety of this intravenous immunoglobulin treatment is well established. However, the efficacy and safety of freeze‐dried polyethylene glycol‐treated human immunoglobulin (PEG‐Ig; Kenketsu Glovenin‐I) in patients with GBS remains unclear. In the present study, we therefore evaluated the efficacy and safety of treatment with PEG‐Ig in patients with GBS.MethodsWe carried out a multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm Japanese clinical trial to verify the efficacy and safety of treatment with PEG‐Ig in patients with GBS.ResultsThe percentage of patients who improved one grade on the Hughes’ functional grading scale after 4 weeks (primary outcome) of treatment with PEG‐Ig was 65.0% (95% confidence interval 40.8–84.6). The median period required for the one‐grade functional grading improvement after treatment with PEG‐Ig was 15.0 days (interquartile range 8.5–33.0 days). Although the incidence of adverse drug reactions to PEG‐Ig treatment was 72.7%, none of the adverse reactions was serious.ConclusionsThe results of the present study confirmed that treatment with PEG‐Ig was as therapeutically useful as treatment with sulfonated human immunoglobulin in patients with GBS.
Realistic Ultrasound Simulation of Complex Surface Models Using Interactive Monte‐Carlo Path Tracing
Authors: Mattausch Oliver , Makhinya Maxim , Goksel Orcun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRay‐based simulations have been shown to generate impressively realistic ultrasound images in interactive frame rates. Recent efforts used GPU‐based surface raytracing to simulate complex ultrasound interactions such as multiple reflections and refractions. These methods are restricted to perfectly specular reflections (i.e. following only a single reflective/refractive ray), whereas real tissue exhibits roughness of varying degree at tissue interfaces, causing partly diffuse reflections and refractions. Such surface interactions are significantly more complex and can in general not be handled by conventional deterministic raytracing approaches. However, these can be efficiently computed by Monte‐Carlo sampling techniques, where many ray paths are generated with respect to a probability distribution. In this paper, we introduce Monte‐Carlo raytracing for ultrasound simulation. This enables the realistic simulation of ultrasound‐tissue interactions such as soft shadows and fuzzy reflections. We discuss how to properly weight the contribution of each ray path in order to simulate the behaviour of a beamformed ultrasound signal. Tracing many individual rays per transducer element is easily parallelizable on modern GPUs, as opposed to previous approaches based on recursive binary raytracing. We further propose a significant performance optimization based on adaptive sampling.
Measurement of the zygomatic region for the optimal placement of quad zygomatic implants
Authors: Hung Kuo‐feng , Ai Qi‐yong , Fan Sheng‐chi , Wang Feng , Huang Wei , Wu Yi‐qun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe zygomatic implant is suggested to be placed in zygomatic areas with the largest thickness, but regions to obtain the largest bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) were unknown.PurposeTo identify the zygomatic regions for placing quad zygomatic implants that obtain the largest BIC.Materials and MethodsThe zygomatic thicknesses of 300 zygomata were measured at total 12 points on the superior, middle, and inferior areas on the 3‐dimensional reconstruction images. In 50 edentulous maxillae, the zygomatic BICs of virtually placed implants were measured and the incidence of the intrusion into the infratemporal fossa calculated at each point.ResultsThe largest thickness in the superior, middle, and inferior regions were at Point A1 (8.01 ± 2.10 mm), Point B1 (7.02 ± 1.73 mm), and Point C0 (6.65 ± 1.66 mm), respectively. The virtually placed implants at Point A3 (16.70 ± 4.18 mm) and Point B1 (12.07 ± 3.84 mm) had the highest BICs while retaining the minimum incidence of the intrusion complications.ConclusionTo obtain the largest BICs and avoid the intrusion complications, results suggested that the postero‐superior region (Point A3) and the center of zygoma (Point B1) were the optimal places for the placement of quad zygomatic implants.
Comparison of marginal bone loss and implant success between axial and tilted implants in maxillary All‐on‐4 treatment concept rehabilitations after 5 years of follow‐up
Authors: Hopp Milena , de Araújo Nobre Miguel , Maló Paulo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere is need for more scientific and clinical information on longer‐term outcomes of tilted implants compared to implants inserted in an axial position.PurposeComparison of marginal bone loss and implant success after a 5‐year follow‐up between axial and tilted implants inserted for full‐arch maxillary rehabilitation.Material and MethodsThe retrospective clinical study included 891 patients with 3564 maxillary implants rehabilitated according to the All‐on‐4 treatment concept. The follow‐up time was 5 years. Linear mixed‐effect models were performed to analyze the influence of implant orientation (axial/tilted) on marginal bone loss and binary logistic regression to assess the effect of patient characteristics on occurrence of marginal bone loss >2.8 mm. Only those patients with measurements of at least one axial and one tilted implant available were analyzed. This resulted in a data set of 2379 implants (1201 axial, 1178 tilted) in 626 patients (=reduced data set).ResultsAxial and tilted implants showed comparable mean marginal bone losses of 1.14 ± 0.71 and 1.19 ± 0.82 mm, respectively. Mixed model analysis indicated that marginal bone loss levels at 5 years follow up was not significantly affected by the orientation (axial/tilted) of the implants in the maxillary bone. Smoking and female gender were associated with marginal bone loss >2.8 mm in a logistic regression analysis. Five‐year implant success rates were 96%. The occurrence of implant failure showed to be statistically independent from orientation.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this study and considering a follow‐up time of 5 years, it can be concluded that tilted implants behave similarly with regards to marginal bone loss and implant success in comparison to axial implants in full‐arch rehabilitation of the maxilla. Longer‐term outcomes (10 years +) are needed to verify this result.
Design and evaluation of planning and mathematical models for generating learning paths
Authors: Sanchez Nigenda R. , Maya Padrón C. , Martínez‐Salazar I. , Torres‐Guerrero F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEducation research has emphasized the need to develop instructional design tools to facilitate the generation of learning paths for students. Learning paths are important because they enable the personalization and optimization of the learning process. In this work, we present a flexible conceptual framework that allows the representation of curricula information as Artificial Intelligence Planning and Mathematical Programming models to facilitate the generation of learning paths by domain independent algorithms. The resulting models consider a rich set of properties from the education domain, like hierarchical learning structures, enabling conditions, temporal actions, mandatory activities, quality accumulation functions, and metric information. We show that the proposed mathematical models return optimal solutions very efficiently if we relax the total ordering constraints of learning paths. These relaxations allow evaluating greedy planning algorithms to identify the properties from the models that increase the complexity of solution synthesis. We expect that the results of this research can be helpful to education researchers and computer scientists in the quest of scalable systems that capture more flexible standards to model learning and compute more informed learning paths for students.
Value of a flow cytometry cross‐match in the setting of a negative complement‐dependent cytotoxicity cross‐match in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Keeshan Britton C. , O'Connor Matthew J. , Lin Kimberly Y. , Monos Dimitrios , Lind Curt , Mascio Christopher E. , Rame Jesus Eduardo , Spray Thomas L. , Shaddy Robert E. , Rossano Joseph W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractComplement‐dependent cytotoxicity cross‐match (CDCXM) is used for evaluation of preformed HLA‐specific antibodies in patients undergoing heart transplantation. Flow cytometry cross‐match (FCXM) is a more sensitive assay and used with increasing frequency. To determine the clinical relevance of a positive FCXM in the context of negative CDCXM in heart transplantation, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was analyzed. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to assess graft survival for three different patient cohorts defined by cross‐match results: T‐cell and B‐cell CDCXM+ (“CDCXM+” cohort), CDCXM− but T‐cell and/or B‐cell FCXM+ (“FCXM+” cohort), and T‐cell/B‐cell CDCXM− and FCXM‐ (“XM−” cohort). During the study period, 2558 patients met inclusion criteria (10.7% CDCXM+, 18.8% FCXM+, 65.5% XM−). CDCXM+ patients had significantly decreased graft survival compared to FCXM+ and XM− cohorts (P = .003 and <.001, respectively). CDCXM− and FCXM+ patients did not have decreased graft survival compared to XM− patients (P = .09). In multivariate analysis, only CDCXM+ was associated with decreased graft survival (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01‐1.49). In conclusion, positive FCXM in the context of negative CDCXM does not confer increased risk of graft failure. Further study is needed to understand implications of CDCXM and FCXM testing in heart transplant recipients.
The influence of functional warm ischemia time on DCD liver transplant recipients’ outcomes
Authors: Coffey Jessica C. , Wanis Kerollos N. , Monbaliu Diethard , Gilbo Nicholas , Selzner Markus , Vachharajani Neeta , Levstik Mark A. , Marquez Max , Doyle Maria B. Majella , Pirenne Jacques , Grant David , Heimbach Julie K. , Chapman William , Vogt Kelly , Hernandez‐Alejandro Roberto 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundDuration of functional warm ischemia (f‐WIT) is thought to have a causal effect on outcomes in controlled donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at five centers. Data were extracted on donor and recipient characteristics, with attention to parameters recorded during withdrawal of life support to in situ cold perfusion. F‐WIT was the time elapsed from any of the hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters to the start of in situ cold perfusion. Parameters were as follows: MAP ≤ 50 mm Hg; SBP ≤ 50 mm Hg; and SPO2 ≤ 60%. The primary endpoint was a composite of disseminated ischemic cholangiopathy (IC), primary non‐function (PNF), and early graft failure.Results35 patients (14%) developed one or more of the primary outcomes. On univariate analysis, older donors and longer WITs were associated with greater likelihood of complications. Of the f‐WIT variations analyzed, only f‐WIT with SpO2 ≤ 60% was longer among patients with complications. On multivariate analysis, only donor age was a significant predictor of complications.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that, of the f‐WITs, f‐WIT with SpO2 ≤ 60% is most predictive of post‐DCD complications. However, results suggest that there may be an alternate etiology for poor outcomes, and that donor age plays a key role.
Do storybooks with anthropomorphized animal characters promote prosocial behaviors in young children?
Authors: Larsen Nicole E. , Lee Kang , Ganea Patricia A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFor millennia, adults have told children stories not only to entertain but also to impart important moral lessons to promote prosocial behaviors. Many such stories contain anthropomorphized animals because it is believed that children learn from anthropomorphic stories as effectively, if not better than, from stories with human characters, and thus are more inclined to act according to the moral lessons of the stories. Here we experimentally tested this belief by reading preschoolers a sharing story with either human characters or anthropomorphized animal characters. Reading the human story significantly increased preschoolers' altruistic giving but reading the anthropomorphic story or a control story decreased it. Thus, contrary to the common belief, realistic stories, not anthropomorphic ones, are better for promoting young children's prosocial behavior.