bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health insurance coverage and access to skilled birth attendance in Togo
Authors: Mati Komi , Adegoke Korede K. , Michael‐Asalu Abimbola , Salihu Hamisu M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effect of the newly introduced national health insurance plan on access to skilled birth attendance (SBA).MethodsThe present secondary analysis used data from the 2014 Togo Demographic and Health Survey. The study sample comprised women aged 15–49 years who had at least one delivery in the 5 years preceding the survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted.ResultsThe adjusted sample included 4826 women. Overall, 195 (4.0%) of 4826 pregnant women had health insurance. The coverage rate varied by wealth, with poor women having the lowest coverage rate (22/931 [1.1%]). Approximately one‐third of the women had no SBA at delivery. Women with health insurance were almost three times as likely to be assisted by skilled healthcare personnel at delivery as were those without health insurance (adjusted odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.63–4.59). Other factors associated with SBA included education, household wealth, and age.ConclusionThe study highlights the positive impact health insurance coverage could have on access to SBA and provides evidence that SBA use could be improved through improved access to health insurance. An accessible health insurance scheme will offer a pathway to achieving health equity and Sustainable Development Goal 3 in Togo.
How fast to run in the Red Queen race?
Authors: Oldham Matthew 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis paper creates a market ecosystem, via an agent‐based model, that combines the dynamic features of the Red Queen effect with well‐accepted business world performance indicators. Essentially, firms are tasked with remaining ‘alive’ by adapting to their environment through implementing a competitive response of innovating or imitating. An analysis of the firms’ behaviours delivers a deep understanding of the drivers of innovative behaviour within the economy. The key findings of the paper are (1) that concentrated markets are not entirely detrimental to innovative behaviour, with the blend of firm type being a more important consideration, and (2) that the rate at which an innovation impairs existing markets affects the activity levels of the firms within the population. The model's results are validated against a matching study based on real‐world data.
Placental basement membrane proteins are required for effective cytotrophoblast invasion in a three‐dimensional bioprinted placenta model
Authors: Kuo Che‐Ying , Guo Ting , Cabrera‐Luque Juan , Arumugasaamy Navein , Bracaglia Laura , Garcia‐Vivas Amy , Santoro Marco , Baker Hannah , Fisher John , Kim Peter 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFetal cytotrophoblast invasion of maternal decidual vasculature is necessary to normal pregnancy. In preeclampsia, there is shallow invasion and abnormal remodeling of the uterine vasculature that lead to significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The placental basement membrane (BM) proteins (e.g., laminin and collagen) has been implicated in the development of placenta while the level of laminin is significantly lower in preeclampsia. However, there are very limited studies, if any, on the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment on the invasion of cytotrophoblast. In this study, we hypothesized that placental BM proteins are required for effective cytotrophoblast invasion. Using proteomics, we found that more than 80% of ECM proteins in placental basal plate (pECM) were BM proteins. In addition to upregulating expressions of MMP2 (1.5‐fold) and MMP9 (6.3‐fold), pECM significantly increased the motility rates of cytotrophoblasts by 13‐fold (from 5.60 ± 0.95 to 75.5 ± 21.8 µm/day) to achieve an effective invasion rate that was comparable toin vivoresults. Treatments with PI3K inhibitors completely removed the pECM‐enhanced invasive phenotypes and genotypes of cytotrophoblasts, suggesting its dominant role in cytotrophoblast‐ECM interactions. Our results described, for the first time, the substantial effects of the ECM microenvironment on regulating cytotrophoblast invasion, an area that is less investigated but appear to be critical in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Moreover, the approach presented in this work that fabricates organ models with organ‐specific ECM can be an attractive option to screen and develop novel therapeutics and biomarkers not only in preeclampsia but also other diseases such as cancer metastasis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1476–1487, 2018.
Regulation of skeletal myotube formation and alignment by nanotopographically controlled cell‐secreted extracellular matrix
Authors: Jiao Alex , Moerk Charles T. , Penland Nisa , Perla Mikael , Kim Jinsung , Smith Alec S. T. , Murry Charles E. , Kim Deok‐Ho 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSkeletal muscle has a well‐organized tissue structure comprised of aligned myofibers and an encasing extracellular matrix (ECM) sheath or lamina, within which reside satellite cells. We hypothesize that the organization of skeletal muscle tissues in culture can affect both the structure of the deposited ECM and the differentiation potential of developing myotubes. Furthermore, we posit that cellular and ECM cues can be a strong determinant of myoblast fusion and morphology in 3D tissue culture environments. To test these, we utilized a thermoresponsive nanofabricated substratum to engineer anisotropic sheets of myoblasts which could then be transferred and stacked into multilayered tissues. Within such engineered tissues, we found that myoblasts rapidly sense topography and deposit structurally organized ECM proteins. Furthermore, the initial tissue structure was found to exert significant control over myoblast fusion and eventual myotube organization. These results highlight the importance of ECM structure on myoblast fusion and organization, and provide insights into substrate‐mediated control of myotube formation in the development of novel, more effective, engineered skeletal muscle tissues. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1543–1551, 2018.
ATM and p53 combined analysis predicts survival in glioblastoma multiforme patients: A clinicopathologic study
Authors: Romano Francesco Jacopo , Guadagno Elia , Solari Domenico , Borrelli Giorgio , Pignatiello Sara , Cappabianca Paolo , Del Basso De Caro Marialaura 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGlioblastoma is one of the most malignant cancers, with a distinguishing dismal prognosis: surgery followed by chemo‐ and radiotherapy represents the current standard of care, and chemo‐ and radioresistance underlie disease recurrence and short overall survival of patients suffering from this malignancy. ATM is a kinase activated by autophosphorylation upon DNA doublestrand breaks arising from errors during replication, byproducts of metabolism, chemotherapy or ionizing radiations; TP53 is one of the most popular tumor suppressor, with a preeminent role in DNA damage response and repair. To study the effects of the immunohistochemical expression of p‐ATM and p53 in glioblastoma patients, 21 cases were retrospectively examined. In normal brain tissue, p‐ATM was expressed only in neurons; conversely, in tumors cells, the protein showed a variable cytoplasmic expression (score: +,++,+++), with being completely undetectable in three cases. Statistical analysis revealed that high p‐ATM score (++/+++) strongly correlated to shorter survival (P = 0.022). No difference in overall survival was registered between p53 normally expressed (NE) and overexpressed (OE) glioblastoma patients (P = 0.669). Survival analysis performed on the results from combined assessment of the two proteins showed that patients with NE p53 /low pATM score had longer overall survival than the NE p53/ high pATM score counterpart. Cox‐regression analysis confirmed this finding (HR = 0.025; CI 95% = 0.002–0.284; P = 0.003). Our study outlined the immunohistochemical expression of p‐ATM/p53 in glioblastomas and provided data on their possible prognostic/predictive of response role. A “non‐oncogene addiction” to ATM for NEp53 glioblastoma could be postulated, strengthening the rationale for development of ATM inhibiting drugs.
Pioglitazone/metformin adduct regulates insulin secretion and inhibits high glucose‐induced apoptosis via p21‐p53‐MDM2 signaling in INS‐1 cells
Authors: Liu Rong‐Xing , Ma Yan , Hu Xue‐Lian , Liao Yun‐Peng , Hu Xiang‐Nan , He Bai‐Cheng , Sun Wen‐Juan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPioglitazone/metformin adduct is a novel compound synthesized from pioglitazone and metformin combined at a molar mass ratio of 1:1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pioglitazone/metformin adduct on high glucose‐induced insulin secretion and apoptosis in INS‐1 cells. Western blot and CCK8 analyses showed that the death rate of INS‐1 cells increased in response to glucose treatment in a concentration‐dependent manner. ELISA assays and Western blot analyses showed that insulin secretion peaked following treatment with glucose concentration at 33.33 mM. Treatment of INS‐1 cells with 1 μM pioglitazone/metformin adduct in the presence of 33.33 mM glucose greatly improveded the levels of insulin and apoptosis rates compared to those of the control group. Analysis of mechanism underlying these effects revealed the involvement of the p21‐p53‐MDM2 signaling pathway. Our results indicate that pioglitazone/metformin adduct is superior to pioglitazone and/or metformin in regulating high glucose‐induced insulin secretion and apoptosis in INS‐1 cells.
Positive youth development and adolescent eating disorder symptomatology: The role of natural mentors
Authors: Stephens Lauren E. , Bowers Edmond P. , Lerner Jacqueline V. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNatural mentoring relationships have been linked to diverse outcomes in youth; however, little research has examined the role of natural mentors in adolescent eating disorder symptomatology. The present study applied a strength‐based, positive youth development (PYD) perspective to examine the cross‐sectional relations among disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, PYD, and natural mentoring relationships. We used data from 975 9th‐grade youth (61.1% female; meanage = 15.01, standard deviation = 0.73) who participated in the 4‐H Study of PYD. Natural mentoring relationships had a differential association with outcomes based on youth sex. Natural mentors were linked to higher levels of PYD in both males and females, but these relationships were more strongly linked to eating disorder symptomatology and PYD in males. Having a natural mentor predicted significantly lower body dissatisfaction in males, but not in females. Natural mentoring relationships did buffer the relation between drive for thinness symptoms and PYD in females. The present study provides evidence for the benefits natural mentors may provide to youth reporting disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The findings suggest taking an ecological approach to eating disorder symptomatology and ways youth–adult partnerships can be leveraged or nurtured to promote positive and healthy development.
Early time course of variation in coelomic fluid ionic concentrations in sea urchins abruptly exposed to hypo‐ and hyper‐osmotic salinity challenges: Role of size and cross‐section area of test holes
Authors: Castellano Giovanna Carstens , Lopes Elinia Medeiros , Ventura Carlos Renato Rezende , Freire Carolina Arruda 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEchinoderms are restricted to the marine environment and are osmoconformer invertebrates. However, some species live in unstable environments. Especially those species, and those of larger body size, tend to show variable, albeit transient, ionic gradients between their coelomic fluid and external seawater. In order to further examine how sea urchin size relates to apparent ionic permeability of their body wall/epithelia, specimens of Echinometra lucunter, Lytechinus variegatus, Paracentrotus gaimardi, and Arbacia lixula—A. lixula of two distinct populations, Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina—were abruptly transferred from 35 psu to either 25 or 45 psu. Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium concentrations were assayed in their coelomic fluids after 0, 1, 2, and 3 hr of exposure. Relative area of putative permeable (i.e., cross section areas of soft tissues, or test holes) surfaces (PPS) was estimated in empty tests as the sum of the peristomial area (oral hole in the empty test) and the total cross‐section area of ambulacral holes, divided by the total volume (TV) of the test. L. variegatus and E. lucunter, the largest species, had PPS/TV values similar to that of the much smaller P. gaimardi. A. lixula was the “most putatively‐permeable and conformer” among them all, especially urchins from the Santa Catarina population. Internal ionic levels equilibrated faster with external water in 45 than in 25, and differences among ions were observed. Body size is relevant, among many other factors, to aid conformers such as sea urchins to dwell in intertidal unstable habitats.
Defining spatiotemporal characteristics of climate change trends from downscaled GCMs ensembles: how climate change reacts in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Luo Min , Liu Tie , Frankl Amaury , Duan Yongchao , Meng Fanhao , Bao Anming , Kurban Alishir , De Maeyer Philippe 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe fragile ecosystem, scarce water resources, and limited ecosystem resilience of Xinjiang, China make the region especially vulnerable to climate change. Researchers need reliable analyses of climate change trends to formulate regional mitigation and adaption strategies and to support sustainable development. Therefore, two statistical downscaling methods and the combination of a Mann–Kendall test with Co‐Kriging interpolation were used to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of climate change in Xinjiang based on the ensemble of 37 general circulation models (GCMs) in 2021–2060. The reliabilities of single run and ensemble downscaling results of GCMs were evaluated by 69 meteorological stations over the period 1965–2004. The correlation coefficients (CC) with the observations for precipitation and temperature ranged between 0.4–0.8 and 0.9–0.99 in the reference period, respectively. CC improved to 0.87 and was close to 1 after downscaling for precipitation and temperature, respectively. A pronounced increase of ca. 0.27–0.51 °C decade−1 was projected overall, and especially for Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 in northern Xinjiang. In general, the precipitation changed by −1.66 to 6.83% decade−1 while varying seasonally and spatially; a declining tendency emerged in the western regions of Xinjiang during summer. More extreme rainfall events are predicted to occur in summer and autumn months, while warmer extremes would be concentrated in August. The climate in Xinjiang will continue to become warmer and wetter. Nevertheless, Western Xinjiang will experience a warmer and drier climate in summer and autumn. These projections of climate change in the near future are able to provide useful information for the development of potential mitigation measures and adaptation strategies. Multiple circulation mechanisms are also suggested accounting for the changes in precipitation and temperature which will benefit the understanding of the possible drivers of climate variability in this region.
A new assessment in total and extreme rainfall trends over central and southern Peruvian Andes during 1965–2010
Authors: Heidinger Haline , Carvalho Leila , Jones Charles , Posadas Adolfo , Quiroz Roberto 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the spatio‐temporal variability of rainfall over mountainous regions such as the Andes is crucial for the maintenance of water resources and ecosystems. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the signal, statistical significance and spatial pattern of rainfall trends in central and southern Peruvian Andes (CSPA) from 1965 to 2010. Rainfall from 47 quality‐controlled rain gauge stations was examined using the hydrologic calendar year. Total and extreme rainfall indices proposed by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) were calculated and trends were examined with Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. Significant regional patterns of changes in rainfall extremes were investigated and compared with previous studies. Four major regions of stations were identified based on principal component analysis and clustering techniques: Amazon, central Pacific, southern Pacific and Titicaca basins. Statistically significant trend patterns showed that the annual total rainfall has decreased in the Amazon basin, despite the increase in the number of rainy days and some extreme rainfall indices. Decrease in 1‐day and 5‐day yearly maximum rainfall was observed in central Pacific, along with an increase in the number of wet days. Positive trends in indices related to the intensity of very strong daily rainfall were detected in southern Pacific. Titicaca basin showed an increase in the intensity of rainfall extremes. Rainfall variability and trends were evaluated during contrasting El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Most stations in the CSPA exhibited positive (negative) anomaly of total and extreme rainfall indices (consecutive dry days) during La Niña (El Niño) years. Positive (negative) anomalies of annual total rainfall and consecutive dry days during positive (negative) PDO occurred in the Amazon, southern Pacific and Titicaca basins, respectively. The ENSO–PDO conditions may have influenced the complex and mostly non‐statistically significant long‐term trends in CSPA.
Treatment of hypertension in older people
Authors: Wing Lindon M. H. , Gabb Genevieve M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality, particularly in older people. Effective blood pressure lowering reduces the risk of death and cardiovascular events, including stroke and acute myocardial infarction. The absolute benefits of blood pressure reduction are greater with increasing age. In older people (≥ 65 years), blood pressure lowering should be considered if clinic systolic blood pressure is consistently ≥ 150 mmHg. Reduction of systolic blood pressure initially to < 150 mmHg, and then to < 140 mmHg if tolerated, improves outcomes and is generally safe. Choices of blood pressure lowering medications are similar to those in younger people with the exceptions that beta‐blockers may be relatively ineffective with predominant systolic hypertension and some older people may be intolerant of diuretics. Ongoing monitoring is essential to assess for adequacy of blood pressure control, tolerability of medications and adherence to treatment. Temporary adjustments to therapy may be required with intercurrent illness. Refractory systolic hypertension due to large artery stiffness is a particular problem in older people. Understanding the pathophysiological changes of ageing and their impact on medication efficacy and safety are important. In frail older patients, particularly those with very limited life expectancy, treatment decisions should be individualised and the effects of any treatment carefully monitored.
UNderstanding pain in aged care: the UNPAC study – exploring the nature and treatment of chronic pain in the Australian aged care setting
Authors: Alderman Christopher P. , Soulsby Natalie R. , Ward Trevor S. , Bisiani Leah 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo analyse management of chronic pain in the Australian aged care setting.MethodsIn the course of performing medication reviews, details of medications prescribed (including dosage) were collated and stored in a secure database along with information about medical morbidities, demographic data and the results of clinical investigations. Details of analgesic and adjuvant medication used in pain management was subjected to de‐identified analysis.ResultsThere were 22 319 reviews analysed. Prescribing of opiate analgesics was widespread, with products containing oxycodone used in 24% of cases. Many residents were concurrently prescribed two or more analgesics. Adjuvant agents were prescribed in 3073 cases, with the most commonly used individual agent being pregabalin (n = 1411). Use of medications for management of adverse effects associated with opioids was common.ConclusionUse of analgesics and related medications is widespread in the aged care sector. These agents are associated with significant adverse effects, and older people may not tolerate doses that deliver satisfactory pain control.
Unravelling decomposition products of phosphine under high pressure
Authors: Liu Mingkun , Huang Xiaoli , Wang Xin , Huang Yanping , Li Fangfei , Wu Gang , Li Xin , Liang Yongfu , Zhou Di , Lu Mengya , Liu Bingbing , Cui Tian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRecently, the superconductivity in phosphine (PH3) has been discovered with the superconducting transition temperature Tc up to 203 GPa by using high pressure resistance measurements. However, the structural information of PH3 under high pressure remains elusive. Motivated by this, in this work, the behavior of PH3 under high pressure has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy at 298 K. The Raman spectra varied with pressure increasing, accompanying with the change of the sample color, which first became yellow, then red, and finally opaque. In the pressure range of 8.53–18.36 GPa, the decomposition of PH3 was observed, and the main decomposition products were P2H4 and element hydrogen (H2). Upon compression to higher pressure, the Raman signal of hydrogen vibration was observed to become stronger, indicating that PH3 or P2H4 further decomposed into element phosphorus and hydrogen. The original PH3 did not form again upon decomposition to ambient pressure. P2H4 and other decomposition products of compressed phosphine were considered as main products of the high temperature superconducting phase reported in experiment.
Efficient analysis of phytochemical constituents in the peel of Chinese wild citrus Mangshanju (Citrus reticulata Blanco) by ultra high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhao Xi Juan , Xing Tian Tian , Li Yuan Fang , Jiao Bi Ning , Jiang Dong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn efficient ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was developed for separation and profiling of phytochemical constituents of Chinese wild mandarin Mangshanju (Citrus reticulata Blanco). All constituents were well separated within 16 min. Based on retention times, accurate mass, MSE fragments, and/or reference standards as well as databases, a total of 81 compounds were unambiguously identified or tentatively assigned including flavonoid glycosides, acylated flavonoid glycosides, flavones, polymethoxylated flavonoids, and limonoids as well as four other compounds. Among them, 22 polymethoxylated flavones and ten polymethoxylated flavanones/chalcones were identified in Mangshanju, more types than other citrus reported before. A basic procedure for identifying flavonoid‐O‐glycosides and the aglycones including polymethoxylated flavonoids was proposed. In addition, this method was successfully used to analyze another four mandarin germplasms, Cenxi suan ju, Xipi gousi gan, Nanfeng miju, and Or, showing that Mangshanju contained two characteristic compounds distinct from the other four citrus species. This study systematically profiled phytochemical constituents of Mangshanju, which was helpful for further utilization of Mangshanju owing to its abundant bioactive compounds.