bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do We Measure What Patients Feel?
Authors: Gierthmühlen Janne , Binder Andreas , Förster Matti , Baron Ralf 
Published: December 2017

Objectives:
Hyperalgesia and allodynia are typical signs of neuropathic pain. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a validated tool to clinically assess these phenomena. However, whether QST reveals findings that are reported by the patients is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the association between self-reported symptoms assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) with results of validated QST.

Materials and Methods:
PDQ and QST data of 96 patients with chronic neuropathic pain were analyzed. Questions upon presence of painful light touch, painful cold or heat, light pressure triggering pain, and numbness upon PDQ were compared with findings of dynamic mechanical allodynia, increased sensitivity to heat, cold, or pressure pain as well as loss of detection upon QST, respectively.

Results:
Self-reported pain symptoms upon PDQ showed only a small to moderate concordance with corresponding signs assessed upon QST, whereat the highest, but still only moderate association between self-reported symptoms and measured signs could be obtained for self-reported presence of painful light touch and dynamic mechanical allodynia upon QST. However, the positive and negative likelihood ratio to predict QST values with PDQ scores did not reach convincing values.

Discussion:
Results demonstrate that self-reported PDQ symptoms cannot predict abnormal QST values. The poor predictive power of the PDQ may depend on several factors based on possibility of comparison between PDQ and QST and also on methodical issues. Both, symptoms (questionnaires) and signs address complementary aspects of the pain experience and should be considered for diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain.
First genome-wide analysis of an endangered lichen reveals isolation by distance and strong population structure
Authors: Allen Jessica L. , McKenzie Sean K. , Sleith Robin S. , Alter S. Elizabeth 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLichenized fungi are evolutionarily diverse and ecologically important, but little is known about the processes driving diversification and genetic differentiation in these lineages. Though few studies have examined population genetic patterns in lichens, their geographic distributions are often assumed to be wholly shaped by ecological requirements rather than dispersal limitations. Furthermore, while their reproductive structures are observable, the lack of information about recombination mechanisms and rates can make inferences about reproductive strategies difficult. Here we investigate the population genomics ofCetradonia linearis, an endangered lichen narrowly endemic to the southern Appalachians of eastern North America, to test the relative contributions of environmental factors and geographic distance in shaping genetic structure, and to gain insights into the demography and reproductive biology of range restricted fungi. Analysis of genome-wide SNP data indicated strong evidence for both low rates of recombination and for strong isolation by distance, but did not support isolation by environment. Hindcast species distribution models and the spatial distribution of genetic diversity also suggested thatC. linearishad a larger range during the last glacial maximum, especially in the southern portion of its current extent, consistent with previous findings in other southern Appalachian taxa. These results contribute to our understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic factors shaping genetic diversity and biogeographic patterns inC. linearis, and more broadly, in rare and endangered fungi.
Genome-wide association study implicatesCHRNA2in cannabis use disorder
Authors: Demontis Ditte , Rajagopal Veera Manikandan , Als Thomas D. , Grove Jakob , Pallesen Jonatan , Hjorthøj Carsten , Qvist Per , Christensen Jane Hvarregaard , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Bækvad-Hansen Marie , Huckins Laura M. , Stahl Eli A. , Timmermann Allan , Agerbo Esben , Hougaard David M. , Werge Thomas , Mors Ole , Mortensen Preben Bo , Nordentoft Merete , Daly Mark , Nyegaard Mette , Børglum Anders D. 
Published: December 2017

Introductory paragraphCannabis is the most frequently used illicit psychoactive substance worldwide1. Life time use has been reported among 35-40% of adults in Denmark2and the United States3. Cannabis use is increasing in the population4–6and among users around 9% become dependent7. The genetic risk component is high with heritability estimates of 518–70%9. Here we report the first genome-wide significant risk locus for cannabis use disorder (CUD, P=9.31×10−12) that replicates in an independent population (Preplication=3.27×10−3, Pmetaanalysis=9.09×10−12). The finding is based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 2,387 cases and 48,985 controls followed by replication in 5,501 cases and 301,041 controls. The index SNP (rs56372821) is a strong eQTL forCHRNA2and analyses of the genetic regulated gene expressions identified significant association ofCHRNA2expression in cerebellum with CUD. This indicates a potential therapeutic use in CUD of compounds with agonistic effect on the neuronal acetylcholine receptor alpha-2 subunit encoded byCHRNA2. At the polygenic level analyses revealed a significant decrease in the risk of CUD with increased load of variants associated with cognitive performance.
Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles
Authors: Fallon Timothy R. , Lower Sarah E. , Chang Ching-Ho , Bessho-Uehara Manabu , Martin Gavin J. , Bewick Adam J. , Behringer Megan , Debat Humberto J. , Wong Isaac , Day John C. , Suvorov Anton , Silva Christian J. , Stanger-Hall Kathrin F. , Hall David W. , Schmitz Robert J. , Nelson David R. , Lewis Sara M. , Shigenobu Shuji , Bybee Seth M. , Larracuente Amanda M. , Oba Yuichi , Weng Jing-Ke 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFireflies and their fascinating luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin of their bioluminescence remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced the genomes of two firefly species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: the North AmericanPhotinus pyralisand JapaneseAquatica lateralis.We also sequenced the genome of a related click-beetle, the CaribbeanIgnelater luminosus,with bioluminescent biochemistry near-identical to fireflies, but anatomically unique light organs, suggesting the intriguing but contentious hypothesis of parallel gains of bioluminescence. Our analyses support two independent gains of bioluminescence between fireflies and click-beetles, and provide new insights into the genes, chemical defenses, and symbionts that evolved alongside their luminous lifestyle.One Sentence Summary:Comparative analyses of the first linkage-group-resolution genomes of fireflies and related bioluminescent beetles address long-standing questions of the origin and evolution of bioluminescence and its associated traits.
Data-driven brain-types and their cognitive consequences
Authors: Bathelt Joe , Johnson Amy , Zhang Mengya ,   the CALM team, Astle Duncan E. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe canonical approach to exploring brain-behaviour relationships is to group individuals according to a phenotype of interest, and then explore the neural correlates of this grouping. A limitation of this approach is that multiple aetiological pathways could result in a similar phenotype, so the role of any one brain mechanism may be substantially underestimated. Building on advances in network analysis, we used a data-driven community-clustering algorithm to identify robust subgroups based on white-matter microstructure in childhood and adolescence (total N=313, mean age: 11.24 years). The algorithm indicated the presence of two equal-size groups that show a critical difference in FA of the left and right cingulum. These different ‘brain types’ had profoundly different cognitive abilities with higher performance in the higher FA group. Further, a connectomics analysis indicated reduced structural connectivity in the low FA subgroup that was strongly related to reduced functional activation of the default mode network.Graphical abstract
Vendor-managed inventory in the joint replenishment problem of a multi-product single-supplier multiple-retailer supply chain
Authors: Pasandideh Seyed Hamid Reza , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan , Ahmadi Pejman 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
In this paper, the joint replenishment problem is modeled for a two-level supply chain consisting of a single supplier and multiple retailers that use the vendor-managed inventory (VMI) policy for several products. This paper aims to find the optimal number of products to order in both policies, the optimal times at which each retailer orders the products in the traditional policy and the optimal times at which the supplier orders the product in the VMI policy.

Design/methodology/approach
The problem is first formulated into the framework of a constrained integer nonlinear programming model; then, the problem is solved using a teacher-learner based optimization algorithm. As there are no benchmarks available in the literature, a genetic algorithm is used as well to validate the results obtained.

Findings
The solutions obtained using both the algorithms for several numerical examples are compared to the ones of a random search procedure for further validation. A real case is solved at the end to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology and to compare both the policies.

Research limitations/implications
The paper does not have any special limitations.

Practical implications
The study has significant practical implications for the sellers and for the suppliers who have to get the most profit. Also, satisfying the constraints make decision more complicated.

Originality/value
This paper has two main originalities. The authors have developed the model of the joint replenishment problem and have contributed in the problem-solving process. They have used a new meta-heuristic and then compared it to a classic one.
An extension of case-based decision theory by using Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence
Authors: Du Fei , Liu Feiyan 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
This study aims to propose a new decision-making method by integrating case-based decision theory and the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence.

Design/methodology/approach
The study developed the entire computational procedures for the proposed method and used a numerical example to illustrate its method.

Findings
The results show that not only the own experiences of the decision-maker but also the opinions of other persons contribute to the selection. Case-based decision theory provides a fundamental technique for the decision-making procedure, and the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence offers support to deal with the different sources of decision information.

Research limitations/implications
In case-based decision theory, the utility is a subjective concept, which cannot be measured easily in numbers. Thus, future research should seek a new method to replace the utility. In addition, how to assess the importance of different persons’ experiences and opinions is an important component of this method.

Originality/value
The contributions of the paper are mainly reflected in three aspects. The first is to expand the traditional concept of “case” of case-based decision theory to multiple sources of cases, which include not only the decision-maker’s own experiences but also other persons’ opinions. The second is to provide a decision-making framework by integrating case-based decision theory and the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence. The third is to develop the entire computational procedures for the proposed method.
The CAP as a Job Stabiliser
Authors: Mattas Konstadinos , Loizou Efstratios 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThe CAP's impact upon farm structures, farm incomes and rural development has attracted significant interest among researchers and policymakers. However, its impact upon employment levels has been studied only indirectly, and valuable inferences have been missed. Taking account of the CAP's role in and impacts on employment requires a broader approach to policy evaluation as employment changes are closely related to changes in sector activity. Besides fulfilling agro‐food production and other rural objectives, the CAP should also be seen as a dynamic job‐generating and maintenance tool. CAP measures, besides directly creating jobs in Pillars I and II, keep alive several farming activities which, without their support, would probably cease, with significant job losses in many regions. Moreover, the CAP, via the multiplier effect (sectoral and fiscal), creates and secures jobs in non‐agro‐food sectors that are crucial for regional and national economies. Furthermore, under the current dismal economic and social conditions in several EU countries not least in terms of employment levels, the CAP's mechanisms are vital. Certainly, a further careful overhaul of the CAP could enhance its power as a job‐stabilising programme.
Microglia modulation through external vagus nerve stimulation in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Robert , Tejera Dario , Simon Bruce J. , Heneka Michael T. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractChronically activated microglia contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the release of pro‐inflammatory mediators that compromise neuronal function and structure. Modulating microglia functions could be instrumental to interfere with disease pathogenesis. Previous studies have shown anti‐inflammatory effects of acetylcholine (ACh) or norepinephrine (NE), which mainly activates the β‐receptors on microglial cells. Non‐invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is used in treatment of drug‐resistant depression, which is a risk factor for developing AD. The vagus nerve projects to the brainstem's locus coeruleus from which noradrenergic fibers reach to the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) and widely throughout the brain. Pilot studies showed first signs of cognitive‐enhancing effects of nVNS in AD patients. In this study, the effects of nVNS on mouse microglia cell morphology were analyzed over a period of 280 min by 2‐photon laser scanning in vivo microscopy. Total branch length, average branch order and number of branches, which are commonly used indicators for the microglial activation state were determined and compared between young and old wild‐type and amyloid precursor protein/presenilin‐1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice. Overall, these experiments show strong morphological changes in microglia, from a neurodestructive to a neuroprotective phenotype, following a brief nVNS in aged animals, especially in APP/PS1 animals, whereas microglia from young animals were morphologically unaffected.
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Determinants of completion of advance directives: a cross-sectional comparison of 649 outpatients from private practices versus 2158 outpatients from a university clinic
Authors: Pfirstinger Jochen , Bleyer Bernhard , Blum Christian , Rechenmacher Michael , Wiese Christoph H , Gruber Hans 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo compare outpatients from private practices and outpatients from a university clinic regarding the determinants of completion of advance directives (AD) in order to generalise results of studies from one setting to the other. Five determinants of completion of AD were studied: familiarity with AD, source of information about AD, prior experiences with own life-threatening diseases or family members in need of care and motives in favour and against completion of AD.DesignObservational cross-sectional study.SettingPrivate practices and a university clinic in Germany in 2012.Participants649 outpatients from private practices and 2158 outpatients from 10 departments of a university clinic.Outcome measuresCompletion of AD, familiarity with AD, sources of information about AD (consultation), prior experiences (with own life-threatening disease and family members in need of care), motives in favour of or against completion of AD, sociodemographic data.ResultsDeterminants of completion of AD did not differ between outpatients from private practices versus university clinic outpatients. Prior experience with severe disease led to a significantly higher rate of completion of AD (33%/36% with vs 24%/24% without prior experience). Participants with completion of AD had more often received legal than medical consultation before completion, but participants without completion of AD are rather aiming for medical consultation. The motives in favour of or against completion of AD indicated inconsistent patterns.ConclusionsDeterminants of completion of AD are comparable in outpatients from private practices and outpatients from a university clinic. Generalisations from university clinic samples towards a broader context thus seem to be legitimate. Only one-third of patients with prior experience with own life-threatening diseases or family members in need of care had completed an AD as expression of their autonomous volition. The participants’ motives for or against completion of AD indicate that ADs are considered a kind of ‘negative autonomy’ as instruments to prevent particular forms of therapy. Interactive, repeated and situation-based AD discussions might reach a higher percentage of patients and concurrently enable personal volitions and thereby strengthen individual ‘positive autonomy’.
Clinical efficacy and effectiveness of 3D printing: a systematic review
Authors: Diment Laura E , Thompson Mark S , Bergmann Jeroen H M 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of using 3D printing to develop medical devices across all medical fields.DesignSystematic review compliant with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.Data sourcesPubMed, Web of Science, OVID, IEEE Xplore and Google Scholar.MethodsA double-blinded review method was used to select all abstracts up to January 2017 that reported on clinical trials of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed medical device. The studies were ranked according to their level of evidence, divided into medical fields based on the International Classification of Diseases chapter divisions and categorised into whether they were used for preoperative planning, aiding surgery or therapy. The Downs and Black Quality Index critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of reporting, external validity, risk of bias, risk of confounding and power of each study.ResultsOf the 3084 abstracts screened, 350 studies met the inclusion criteria. Oral and maxillofacial surgery contained 58.3% of studies, and 23.7% covered the musculoskeletal system. Only 21 studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and all fitted within these two fields. The majority of RCTs were 3D-printed anatomical models for preoperative planning and guides for aiding surgery. The main benefits of these devices were decreased surgical operation times and increased surgical accuracy.ConclusionsAll medical fields that assessed 3D-printed devices concluded that they were clinically effective. The fields that most rigorously assessed 3D-printed devices were oral and maxillofacial surgery and the musculoskeletal system, both of which concluded that the 3D-printed devices outperformed their conventional comparators. However, the efficacy and effectiveness of 3D-printed devices remain undetermined for the majority of medical fields. 3D-printed devices can play an important role in healthcare, but more rigorous and long-term assessments are needed to determine if 3D-printed devices are clinically relevant before they become part of standard clinical practice.
Associations of social environment, socioeconomic position and social mobility with immune response in young adults: the Jerusalem Perinatal Family Follow-Up Study
Authors: Lawrence Gabriella M , Friedlander Yehiel , Calderon-Margalit Ronit , Enquobahrie Daniel A , Huang Jonathan Yinhao , Tracy Russell P , Manor Orly , Siscovick David S , Hochner Hagit 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesImmune response to cytomegalovirus (CMV) impacts adult chronic disease. This study investigates associations of childhood and adulthood social environment, socioeconomic position (SEP) and social mobility with CMV response in young adults.DesignHistorical prospective study design.SettingSubcohort of all 17 003 births to residents of Jerusalem between 1974 and 1976.ParticipantsParticipants included 1319 young adults born in Jerusalem with extensive archival and follow-up data, including childhood and adulthood SEP-related factors and anti-CMV IgG titre levels and seroprevalence measured at age 32.Main exposure and outcome measuresPrincipal component analysis was used to transform correlated social environment and SEP-related variables at two time points (childhood and adulthood) into two major scores reflecting household (eg, number of siblings/children, religiosity) and socioeconomic (eg, occupation, education) components. Based on these components, social mobility variables were created. Linear and Poisson regression models were used to investigate associations of components and mobility with anti-CMV IgG titre level and seroprevalence, adjusted for confounders.ResultsLower levels of household and socioeconomic components in either childhood or adulthood were associated with higher anti-CMV IgG titre level and seropositivity at age 32. Compared with individuals with stable favourable components, anti-CMV IgG titre level and risk for seropositivity were higher in stable unfavourable household and socioeconomic components (household: β=3.23, P<0.001; relative risk (RR)=1.21, P<0.001; socioeconomic: β=2.20, P=0.001; RR=1.14, P=0.01), downward household mobility (β=4.32, P<0.001; RR=1.26, P<0.001) and upward socioeconomic mobility (β=1.37, P=0.04; RR=1.19, P<0.001). Among seropositive individuals, associations between household components and mobility with anti-CMV IgG titre level were maintained and associations between socioeconomic components and mobility with anti-CMV IgG titre level were attenuated.ConclusionsOur study provides evidence that accumulating low SEP from childhood through adulthood and social mobility may compromise immune response in young adulthood.