bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of pre‐operative clown intervention on psychological distress: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Yongfu , Yang Yuan , Lau Wing YT , Garg Samradhvi , Lao Jianxin 
Published: October 2016

AimThis study aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge available on the effectiveness of pre‐operative clown intervention on psychological distress in children and parents.Methods
PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Systematic review procedures were followed including a quality assessment. Meta‐analysis of suitable studies was conducted.ResultsEight studies were included; six reported that clown intervention reduced children's pre‐operative anxiety, while one found that children's pre‐operative distress levels were unchanged. Two studies suggested that clown therapy decreased parents’ state anxiety, while three others found inconsistent results. No differences were found on parents’ trait anxiety score. Meta‐analysis of the available data confirmed that clown intervention has a great effect to reduce children's pre‐operative distress (six articles, 341 children, Hedges’ g = 0.867, 95% confidence intervals: 0.374–1.360, P = 0.001), and also had a small‐to‐medium effect on reducing parents’ state anxiety (five articles, 329 parents, Hedges’ g = 0.338, 95% confidence intervals: 0.112–0.564, P = 0.003).ConclusionsWhile significant variability existed between studies, the meta‐analysis confirmed the effectiveness of pre‐operative clown therapy on reducing psychological distress in children and parents. Larger randomised controlled trails and cross‐cultural studies should be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of clown therapy in greater detail.
Utility of blood cultures in children admitted to hospital with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Davis Tessa R , Evans Hannah R , Murtas Jennifer , Weisman Aimee , Francis J Lynn , Khan Ahmed 
Published: October 2016

AimThe aim of the study was to assess the utility of blood cultures in children admitted to hospital with community‐acquired pneumonia. The primary outcome was the number of positive blood culture results, and secondary outcomes included the effect of positive blood culture results on management, and the identification of other clinical/biochemical variables that could predict blood culture results or the course of illness.MethodsA retrospective data analysis was carried out on all children admitted to Gosford Hospital during the 2‐year period from July 2013 to June 2015. Included were patients under 16 years old who had a diagnosis‐related group code of pneumonia. A review of blood culture results, chest X‐ray, serology, C‐reactive protein and white cell count and clinical outcomes were analysed.ResultsThere were 215 paediatric admissions with a diagnosis of pneumonia during the 2‐year study period. A blood culture was collected in 82.3% (177/215). Although seven had a positive blood culture, only two of these were finally reported as true positives and both were Streptococcus pneumoniae. Both patients were treated with a cephalosporin and demonstrated clinical improvement. No changes were made to their treatment based on the blood culture results.ConclusionBlood cultures have a low yield and do not appear to be helpful when collected in all patients admitted to hospital with community‐acquired pneumonia.
A comparative study of the hypolipidaemic effects of a new polysaccharide, mannan Candida albicans serotype A, and atorvastatin in mice with poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Korolenko Tatyana , Johnston Thomas P , Lykov Alexander P , Shintyapina Alexandra B , Khrapova Marina V , Goncharova Natalya V , Korolenko Erik , Bgatova Nataliya P , Machova Eva , Nescakova Zuzana , Sakhno Ludmila V 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Objectives
We evaluated the hypolipidaemic effect of mannan Candida albicans serotype A, relative to atorvastatin, in a mouse model of hyperlipidaemia.

Methods
Mannan serotype A was investigated in vitro and in vivo to determine its effects on macrophage proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) production by cultured macrophages, serum and liver lipids, changes in liver morphology and serum chitotriosidase activity and its expression in the liver.

Key findings
Mannan serotype A stimulates the macrophage proliferation and NO production in murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The activity of serum chitotriosidase (an enzyme released from the activated macrophages) was found to be significantly increased in P-407-induced hyperlipidaemic mice pretreated with low-dose mannan compared with mice administered P-407 only. Mannan treatment in mice was shown to significantly increase the chitotriosidase expression in the liver of both non-hyperlipidaemic and P-407-induced hyperlipidaemic mice. Lastly, mice pretreated with mannan before the induction of hyperlipidaemia with P-407 showed a significant reduction in the serum concentration of atherogenic LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and liver triglycerides.

Conclusions
It is suggested that mannan serotype A, like β-glucan, may represent another hypolipidaemic agent, which could potentially be used as an adjunctive therapy with conventional antihyperlipidaemic drugs (statins and fibrates) in humans.
Reported sulfate mineral in lunar meteorite PCA 02007 is impact glass
Authors: Gross Juliane , Treiman Allan H. , Harlow George E. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA grain of light‐blue sulfate material was reported in the lunar highlands regolith meteorite PCA 02007 (Satterwhite and Righter 2013). Allocated grains of that material are, in fact, aluminosilicate glass with a chemical composition like that of the bulk meteorite and other lunar highlands regoliths. The calcium sulfate detected in PCA 02007 was likely a surface coating, and reasonably of Antarctic (not lunar) origin.
Regulation of katanin activity in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Waclawek Ewa , Joachimiak Ewa , Hall Malgorzata Hanna , Fabczak Hanna , Wloga Dorota 
Published: October 2016

SummaryKatanin is a microtubule severing protein that functions as a heterodimer composed of an AAA domain catalytic subunit, p60, and a regulatory subunit, a WD40 repeat protein, p80. Katanin‐dependent severing of microtubules is important for proper execution of key cellular activities including cell division, migration, and differentiation. Published data obtained in Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus and mammals indicate that katanin is regulated at multiple levels including transcription, posttranslational modifications (of both katanin and microtubules) and degradation. Little is known about how katanin is regulated in unicellular organisms. Here we show that in the ciliated protist Tetrahymena thermophila, as in Metazoa, the localization and activity of katanin requires specific domains of both p60 and p80, and that the localization of p60, but not p80, is sensitive to the levels of microtubule glutamylation. A prolonged overexpression of either a full length, or a fragment of p80 containing WD40 repeats, partly phenocopies a knockout of p60, indicating that in addition to its activating role, p80 could also contribute to the inhibition of p60. We also show that the level of p80 depends on the 26S proteasome activity.
Meningeal SWI/SNF related, matrix‐associated, actin‐dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1)‐deficient tumours: an emerging group of meningeal tumours
Authors: Dadone B. , Fontaine D. , Mondot L. , Cristofari G. , Jouvet A. , Godfraind C. , Varlet P. , Ranchère‐Vince D. , Coindre J.‐M. , Gastaud L. , Baudoin C. , Peyron A.‐C. , Thyss A. , Coutts M. , Michiels J.‐F. , Pedeutour F. , Burel‐Vandenbos F. ,   the RENOP
Published: October 2016

AimsBi‐allelic inactivation of SWI/SNF related, matrix‐associated, actin‐dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1; also known as INI1) and loss of immunohistochemical expression of SMARCB1 define the group of SMARCB1‐deficient tumours. Initially highlighted in malignant rhabdoid tumours, this inactivation has subsequently been observed in several intra and extracranial tumours. To date, primary meningeal SMARCB1‐deficient tumours have not been described. We report two cases of meningeal SMARCB1‐deficient tumours occurring in adults.MethodsWe performed immunohistochemical analyses, comparative genomic hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization and targeted next‐generation sequencing.ResultsThe first meningeal tumour was a solitary mass, composed of rhabdoid, adenoid, chordoid and sarcomatoid areas. The second case presented as multiple, bilateral, supra and infratentorial nodules, was composed of fusiform and ovoid cells embedded in a myxoid stroma. Tumour cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin and CD34 and negative for SMARCB1 and meningothelial, melanocytic, muscular, glial markers. In the first case, one allele of SMARCB1 was completely deleted, whereas in the second case, loss of expression of SMARCB1 was observed as a consequence of a homozygous deletion of SMARCB1.ConclusionsThe phenotype and genotype of these two cases did not fit diagnostically with entities already known to be SMARCB1‐deficient tumours. As both tumours shared common features, they are regarded as belonging to an emerging group of primary meningeal SMARCB1‐deficient tumours, not described to date. To facilitate the identification and characterization of these tumours, we recommend SMARCB1 immunohistochemistry for primary meningeal tumours which are difficult to classify, especially if immunopositive for EMA and CD34.
On Early Thimbles: A Seventh‐Century‐AD Example from Punta Secca, Sicily, in Context
Authors: Wilson R.J.A. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryA copper‐alloy thimble was found in 2010 at Punta Secca, Sicily, in a sealed context datable by coins to the first quarter of the seventh century AD. It has generally been thought that thimbles did not reach the Mediterranean area until the ninth century AD, but at least nine metal examples are in fact attested at various places from contexts datable between the late sixth century and the early ninth. It is suggested that the increasing use of silk in clothing in the Byzantine Empire during the seventh century, probably accompanied by the use for the first time of steel needles which made the use of a finger protector imperative, explains the apparent introduction of thimbles at this time. No securely dated metal thimbles are known from sites of Roman date, except for one at Ephesus of c.AD 100. It is very tentatively suggested that this last example might represent an import from China, where thimbles (and steel needles) are attested from at least the third century BC onwards.
An ECG Index of P‐Wave Force Predicts the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: KANZAKI YASUNORI , INDEN YASUYA , ANDO MONAMI , KAMIKUBO YOSUKE , ITO TADAHIRO , MIZUTANI YOSHIAKI , KATO HIROYUKI , FUJII AYA , YANAGISAWA SATOSHI , HIRAI MAKOTO , MUROHARA TOYOAKI 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundAlthough several prognostic factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) have been investigated, the accurate prediction of AF recurrence remains difficult. We propose an electrocardiogram (ECG) index, the P‐wave force (PWF), which is the product of the amplitude of the negative terminal phase of the P wave in the V1 electrode and the filtered P‐wave duration, obtained by a signal‐averaged P‐wave analysis. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the PWF on the recurrence of AF after PVI.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 79 paroxysmal AF patients (64 ± 9 years, 56 males) who underwent PVI by cryoballoon ablation. Standard 12‐lead ECG and a P‐wave signal‐averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) were recorded the day before and 1 month after the PVI procedure.ResultsDuring the mean follow‐up of 10.2 months, AF recurred in 11 (14%) patients. The PWF 1 month after ablation was significantly higher in the recurrence group compared to that in the nonrecurrence group (8.8 ± 3.1 mVms vs 6.5 ± 2.9 mVms, P = 0.017). The patients with a PWF value ≥9.3 mVms had a significantly greater risk of recurrence after the ablation compared to the patients with a PWF value <9.3 mVms (log‐rank test, P < 0.001).ConclusionHigher PWF after cryoballoon ablation was associated with poor prognosis during follow‐up. The PWF may be a useful and noninvasive marker to predict the recurrence of AF.
Impact of Anatomically Guided Ganglionated Plexus Ablation on Electrical Firing from Isolated Pulmonary Veins
Authors: JIANG RU‐HONG , HU GEN‐SHENG , LIU QIANG , SHENG XIA , SUN YA‐XUN , YU LU , ZHANG PEI , ZHANG ZU‐WEN , CHEN SHI‐QUAN , YE YANG , ZHU JUN , FU GUO‐SHENG , JIANG CHEN‐YANG 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundThe mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) effectiveness remain unclear. Ganglionated plexus (GPs) have been implicated in AF initiation and maintenance. In this study, we evaluated the impact of GP ablation in patients with pulmonary vein (PV) firing after PVI.MethodsPatients with drug‐refractory paroxysmal AF undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy with PVI were screened. Among 840 cases over a 3.75‐year period, 12 cases were identified with persistent PV firing (left = 4 and right = 8) after PVI was achieved and left atrial sinus rhythm restored. Adjacent GP ablation was performed anatomically and followed if necessary by additional PV ablation.ResultsIn eight patients, PV firing was terminated during GP ablation outside of the circumferential ablation line. In one patient, additional PV ablation resulted in cessation of PV firing and in the remaining three patients, firing could not be terminated by GP ablation or additional PVI.ConclusionGP ablation outside of wide antral circumferential line frequently results in the cessation of rapid firing from electrically isolated PVs. These observations suggest that interactions between left atrium and PV beyond electrical conduction warrant consideration in AF mechanisms.
Future‐Bias: A (Qualified) Defense
Authors: Dorsey Dale 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe preferences of ordinary folks typically display a future‐bias. For instance, we care more about pains and pleasures in our future than pains and pleasures in our past. Indeed, this future‐bias is so pervasive, many have taken it for granted that the preferences of rational agents will, or at least can, display this future‐bias to some degree or other. However, the rationality of future‐biased preferences has recently come in for critique. However, in this article, I offer a defense of future‐biased preferences against three recent attempts – offered by David Brink, Preston Greene and Meghan Sullivan, and Tom Dougherty – to show such preferences irrational.
Cytological observation of anther structure and genetic investigation of a new type of cytoplasmic male sterile 0A193‐CMS in Brassica rapa L.
Authors: Huang Qianxin , Xin Xiaoyang , Guo Yuan , Hu Shengwu 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), a maternally transmitted failure in pollen formation, is an effective pollination control system in hybrid rapeseed (Brassica napus) breeding. However, CMS is not widely used in the related oilseed species Brassica rapa. In the past years, several male sterile plants have been isolated from the B. rapa landrace ‘0A193’, collected in Shaanxi, China, in 2011. It is noteworthy that the fertility expression of 0A193‐CMS was affected by temperature. In contrast to pol CMS, fertility tests with 18 B. rapa and 9 B. napus accessions suggest that a different system of maintaining and restoring is responsible for the observed phenotype. Further on, genetic investigation evidenced that fertility of 0A193‐CMS is controlled by both cytoplasmic and one pair of nuclear recessive genes. Interestingly, plants of the 0A193‐CMS type possess a highly specific fragment of the mitochondrial gene orf222, a crucial regulator of male sterility in nap CMS. Our study broadens the CMS resources in B. rapa and provides a highly applicable alternative to pol CMS and ogu CMS for hybrid breeding production.
The efficacy of valganciclovir for prevention of infections with cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus after kidney transplant in children
Authors: Cameron Bernadette M. , Kennedy Sean E. , Rawlinson William D. , Mackie Fiona E. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic ValGCV in preventing CMV and EBV infections in a single‐center pediatric kidney transplant population (2008‐2014). Therapy duration was determined according to donor/recipient serostatus. EBV monitoring was performed using monthly plasma PCR for 18 months post‐transplant and for CMV, monthly for 6 months after prophylaxis cessation. Data were collected on 35 children, median age 10.6 years. There were 15 (42.9%) and 11 (31.4%) recipients seronegative for CMV or EBV, respectively, who received a kidney from a seropositive donor. Prophylaxis was ceased by 6 months in 24 (69%), between seven and 13 months in 10 (29%) children. Fourteen (40%) and eight (23%) children experienced CMV and EBV DNAemia, respectively. Ten of the 14 (71%) episodes of CMV DNAemia occurred in the first 6 months following cessation of prophylaxis. Shorter prophylaxis was associated with increased CMV DNAemia (P = 0.044). There was an inverse correlation between adjusted ValGCV dose and EBV incidence/timing. Neutropenia was more common if ValGCV dosage was ≥10% of the dose predicted (by BSA and creatinine clearance). ValGCV prevents CMV and may modify EBV infection risk. Frequent dosing adjustment for BSA and creatinine clearance is required to optimize safety and efficacy.
Feminist Approaches to Cognitive Disability
Authors: Carlson Licia 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis essay explores various philosophical approaches to cognitive disability within feminist philosophy. In doing so, it addresses three broad questions: What positive contributions can feminist philosophy make to the philosophy of cognitive disability? How have feminist philosophers critiqued the presence and absence of cognitive disability in philosophy? And what challenges does cognitive disability pose to feminist philosophy itself? The essay begins with definitions and models of disability and then turns to feminist work on cognitive disability in moral and political philosophy, bioethics, and epistemology. It concludes with some methodological considerations.
Social movements
Authors: Kolers Avery 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSocial movements are ubiquitous in political life. But what are they? What makes someone a member of a social movement, or some action an instance of movement activity? Are social movements compatible with democracy? Are they required for it? And how should individuals respond to movement calls to action? Philosophers have had much to say on issues impinging on social movements but much less to say on social movements as such. The current article provides a philosophical overview of social movements. To do so it canvasses contemporary work on the nature of shared agency and collective action, social epistemology, democratic theory, and the theory of individual responsibility for structural injustice. The article finds that contemporary analytic philosophy has considerable work to do if it is to account for the nature, epistemology, ethics, and politics of social movements. There may be more things in the streets than are dreamt of in our philosophy.
Automated Co‐Registration of Satellite Images through Luminance Transformation
Authors: Gerçek Deniz , Çeşmeci Davut , Kemal Güllü M. , Ertürk Alp , Ertürk Sarp 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis paper presents an extensive evaluation of a novel intensity‐based image co‐registration method called luminance transformed differences (LTD) which is compared with current alternatives. The proposed method suggests the use of the luminance transform operation (LTO) to reduce luminance differences between images that may well affect image registration accuracy. Registration is implemented in a block‐based fashion in order to achieve a non‐rigid transformation at a sub‐pixel accuracy level. Sample images from different sensors, exhibiting various geometric distortions, are registered to test the various intensity‐based image registration alternatives. LTD is found to outperform other methods; its high accuracy can be achieved even using small searching blocks which substantially reduce the computational cost.
Assessing the Merits of Decentralization: A Framework for Identifying the Causal Mechanisms Influencing Policy Outcomes
Authors: Adams Brian E. 
Published: October 2016

Decentralization is a structural change designed to influence policy outcomes by changing the policy‐making process. Critical to assessing the merits of decentralization is an articulation of the causal mechanisms through which it alters the motivations and behavior of officials which, in turn, influence policy decisions. This article offers a new theoretical framework that explicates these causal mechanisms. It yields two sets of hypotheses. The first posits causal relationships between decentralization and the mix of resources and constraints that a government faces when addressing a policy problem. The second set of hypotheses explores how these resources and constraints influences decisions makers’ preferences, incentives, and capacity. This framework captures the potential ways through which decentralization could alter policy outcomes, pointing to a new research agenda that will allow scholars to empirically sort through the mixed and inconclusive findings on decentralization's impact.Related ArticlesDebrah,Emmanuel.2016. “.”Politics & Policy44():135–164.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12146/abstractMeza,Oliver.2015. “.”Politics & Policy43():723–753.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12131/abstractWaheduzzaman,Wahed, andSharifAs‐Saber.2015. “.”Politics & Policy43():474–501.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12121/abstractRelated MediaDecentralization and Development: Making Local Governance Deliver.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v = P0NsYY2nK_A&index = 9&list = PLWa1aGn9LnaIpr767I7rHC1evmsnC6tw7Federalism and Decentralization MOOC, Leiden University.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v = cWrSladgwxsWorld Bank's Decentralization page.http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/decentralization/what.htm