bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comorbidity, physical and mental health among cancer patients and survivors: An Australian population‐based study
Authors: Ng Huah Shin , Roder David , Koczwara Bogda , Vitry Agnes 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimTo assess the prevalence of comorbidities and measures of physical and mental health among the cancer patients and survivors compared with the general population.MethodsData collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from 2011–2012 National Health Survey were utilized for this cross‐sectional study. Comparisons were made between adults aged 25 years and over with history of cancer (n = 2170) and those respondents who did not report having had a cancer (n = 11 592) using logistic regression models. Analyses were repeated according to cancer status (current cancer vs. cancer survivor).ResultsPeople with history of cancer had significantly higher odds of reporting mental and behavioral problems (overall cancer group adjusted odds ratio 1.36, 95 percent confidence interval 1.20–1.54; current cancer 2.53, 1.97–3.27; cancer survivor 1.20, 1.05–1.38), circulatory conditions (overall cancer group 1.25, 1.12–1.39; current cancer 1.38, 1.08–1.76; cancer survivor 1.22, 1.09–1.38), musculoskeletal conditions (overall cancer group 1.37, 1.24–1.52; current cancer 1.66, 1.30–2.12; cancer survivor 1.33, 1.19–1.48) and endocrine system disorders (overall cancer group 1.19, 1.06–1.34; current cancer 1.29, 1.00–1.66; cancer survivor 1.17, 1.04–1.33) compared with the noncancer group. Cancer patients and survivors were more likely to report poor health status, a higher level of distress, and a greater number of chronic conditions compared with the noncancer group.ConclusionPoor health and comorbidity is more prevalent among cancer patients and survivors than the noncancer population. Our results further support the need to develop models of care that effectively address multiple chronic conditions experienced by the cancer population.
Effects of Nano‐Graphene Oxide on Testis, Epididymis and Fertility of Wistar Rats
Authors: Nirmal Naresh Kumar , Awasthi Kumud Kant , John Placheril Joseph 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNanoscale graphene oxide (NGO) has great potential in biomedicine by the virtue of its facile functionalization and tunable characteristics. Toxicity assessments have therefore become essential prior to its biomedical applications. This study examined the effects of NGO exposure on male reproductive function of adult Wistar rats. Rats were exposed intraperitoneally to three increasing doses, namely low‐dose (0.4 mg/kg BW), mid‐dose (2.0 mg/kg BW) and high‐dose (10.0 mg/kg BW) of NGO. Repeated exposure of NGO for 15 and 30 days resulted in decreased epididymal sperm counts and elevated sperm abnormalities. Percentage of motile sperms was also significantly reduced due to the exposure. Activities of SOD, GPx and malondialdehyde concentration in the testes increased in a dose‐specific manner. Results of the study demonstrated that high‐dose of NGO resulted in considerable histological damage to testicular tissue which included atrophy of seminiferous tubules with reduction in germinal epithelium, germ cell loss and vacuolization. Low and mid‐doses of NGO were not associated with sperm dysfunction or testis damage. Withdrawal of treatment for 30 days demonstrated significant recovery potential. Histology of epididymis and male fertility potential were not affected due to the NGO exposure. These findings are important for assessment of the risk involved in manufacturing, use and processing of the graphene oxide‐based materials towards male reproductive function.
Corporate volunteering: A bibliometric analysis from 1990 to 2015
Authors: Dreesbach‐Bundy Suska , Scheck Barbara 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article describes a quantitative examination of corporate volunteering research in the form of a bibliometric analysis. Using author, journal, geography, epistemological, and industry data from 115 refereed and 445 non‐refereed publications published during 1990–2015, we identify corporate volunteering as a rather young research field. Although the field has progressively developed, it is still limited in magnitude, with recent signs of stagnation. The current state is characterized by moderate publication and author activity rates, with a shift toward more peer‐reviewed publications conducted in coauthorship, mostly in the disciplines of business, management, and ethics; a focus on financial services as well as the professional service sector; few high‐impact studies; and a narrow geographic spread, with North America as the market leader and a rising interest in Western European countries. Findings on the field's prevalent research orientation further indicate a strong employee‐centered focus emphasizing the underlying business case. However, in contrast to the overarching concept of corporate social responsibility research, a relatively large share of the corporate volunteering literature also addresses society‐related issues, namely, corporates' relationship with non‐profits.
Second-Order Quasi-Likelihood for Spatial Point Processes
Authors: Deng Chong , Guan Yongtao , Waagepetersen Rasmus P. , Zhang Jingfei 
Published: March 2017

Summary
Applications of spatial point processes for large and complex data sets with inhomogeneities as encountered, example, in tropical rain forest ecology call for estimation methods that are both statistically and computationally efficient. We propose a novel second-order quasi-likelihood procedure to estimate the parameters for a second-order intensity reweighted stationary spatial point process. Our approach is to derive first- and second-order estimating functions and then combine them linearly using appropriate weight functions. In the stationary case, we argue that the asymptotically optimal weight functions are respectively a constant and a function of lags between distinct locations in the observation window. This leads to a considerable gain in computational efficiency. We further exploit this simplification in the nonstationary case. Simulations show that, when compared with several existing approaches, our method can achieve significant gains in statistical efficiency. An application to a tropical rain forest data set further illustrates the advantages of our procedure.
New alkenyl derivative from Piper malacophyllum and analogues: Antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum
Authors: Varela Marina T. , Lima Marta L. , Galuppo Mariana K. , Tempone Andre G. , de Oliveira Alberto , Lago João Henrique G. , Fernandes João Paulo S. 
Published: March 2017

Alkylphenols isolated from Piper malacophyllum (Piperaceae), gibbilimbols A and B, showed interesting activity against the parasites Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. In continuation to our previous work, a new natural product from the essential oil of the leaves of P. malacophyllum was isolated, the 5‐[(3E)‐oct‐3‐en‐1‐il]‐1,3‐benzodioxole, and also a new set of five compounds was prepared. The antiparasitic activity of the natural product was evaluated in vitro against these parasites, indicating potential against the promastigote/trypomastigote/amastigote forms (IC50 32–83 μm) of the parasites and low toxicity (CC50 > 200 μm) to mammalian cells. The results obtained to the synthetic compounds indicated that the new derivatives maintained the promising antiparasitic activity, but the cytotoxicity was considerably lowered. The amine derivative LINS03011 displayed the most potent IC50 values (13.3 and 16.7 μm) against amastigotes of T. cruzi and L. infantum, respectively, indicating comparable activity to the phenolic prototype LINS03003, with threefold decreased (CC50 73.5 μm) cytotoxicity, leading the selectivity index (SI) towards the parasites up to 24.5. In counterpart, LINS03011 has not shown membrane disruptor activity in SYTOX Green model. In summary, this new set showed the hydroxyl is not essential for the antiparasitic activity, and its substitution could decrease the toxicity to mammalian cells.
Reprofiling of full‐length phosphonated carbocyclic 2′‐oxa‐3′‐aza‐nucleosides toward antiproliferative agents: Synthesis, antiproliferative activity, and molecular docking study
Authors: Bkhaitan Majdi M. , Mirza Agha Zeeshan , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Shamshad Hina , Ul‐Haq Zaheer , Alarjah Mohammed , Piperno Anna 
Published: March 2017

A series of phosphonated carbocyclic 2′‐oxa‐3′‐aza‐nucleosides were synthesized via 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against the growth of cancer cell lines (MCF‐7, A2780, HCT116) and normal non‐transformed fibroblast (MRC5) using MTT assay. Synthesized compounds exhibited antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range. Compounds 11b showed the highest activity against MCF‐7 cells (IC50 of 0.2344 μm). Cell cycle analysis was performed for compound 11b on MCF7 cells showing arrest of cells in the S phase. Molecular docking of synthesized compounds confirmed high affinity of these compounds to two different receptors for anticancer nucleosides on dCK, namely the 1P5Z and 2ZIA, showing scores higher than the cognate ligand for all tested compounds. All synthesized compounds were evaluated according to the Lipinski, Veber, and Opera rules, and all of them passed the evaluation showing excellent features, superior to reference drugs. In addition, ADME for all the synthesized compounds was predicted through a theoretical kinetic study using the discovery studio 3.1 software.
Historical spatial reconstruction of a spawning‐aggregation fishery
Authors: Buckley Sarah M. , Thurstan Ruth H. , Tobin Andrew , Pandolfi John M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAggregations of individual animals that form for breeding purposes are a critical ecological process for many species, yet these aggregations are inherently vulnerable to exploitation. Studies of the decline of exploited populations that form breeding aggregations tend to focus on catch rate and thus often overlook reductions in geographic range. We tested the hypothesis that catch rate and site occupancy of exploited fish‐spawning aggregations (FSAs) decline in synchrony over time. We used the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) spawning‐aggregation fishery in the Great Barrier Reef as a case study. Data were compiled from historical newspaper archives, fisher knowledge, and contemporary fishery logbooks to reconstruct catch rates and exploitation trends from the inception of the fishery. Our fine‐scale analysis of catch and effort data spanned 103 years (1911–2013) and revealed a spatial expansion of fishing effort. Effort shifted offshore at a rate of 9.4 nm/decade, and 2.9 newly targeted FSAs were reported/decade. Spatial expansion of effort masked the sequential exploitation, commercial extinction, and loss of 70% of exploited FSAs. After standardizing for improvements in technological innovations, average catch rates declined by 90.5% from 1934 to 2011 (from 119.4 to 11.41 fish/vessel/trip). Mean catch rate of Spanish mackerel and occupancy of exploited mackerel FSAs were not significantly related. Our study revealed a special kind of shifting spatial baseline in which a contraction in exploited FSAs occurred undetected. Knowledge of temporally and spatially explicit information on FSAs can be relevant for the conservation and management of FSA species.
Raised intracranial pressure and retinal haemorrhages in childhood encephalopathies
Authors: Minns Robert A , Jones Patricia A , Tandon Anamika , Fleck Brian W , Mulvihill Alan O , Minns Fiona C 
Published: March 2017

AimTo explore the relationship between raised intracranial pressure (RICP) and retinal haemorrhages in traumatic and non‐traumatic childhood encephalopathies.MethodA prospective study of 112 children (35 females and 77 males, age range 0.01mo–17y 8.3mo; mean 5y 8.6mo, median 4y 5.6mo) included 57 accidental traumatic brain injuries (ATBIs), 21 inflicted traumatic brain injuries (ITBIs), and 34 non‐traumatic encephalopathy cases. Measurements included intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure, pressure‐time index of ICP, and number, zone, and layer of retinal haemorrhages on retinal imaging.ResultsGroup I had measured elevated ICP (n=42), Group II had clinical and/or radiological signs of RICP (n=21), and Group III had normal ICP (n=49). In the combined Groups I and II, 38% had retinal haemorrhages. Multiple logistic regression confirmed that the presence of retinal haemorrhages was significantly related to the presence of RICP independent of age and aetiology; however, the occurrence and overall numbers were not significantly related to the specific ICP level. The numbers of intraretinal (nerve‐fibre layer and dot blot) retinal haemorrhages were significantly greater in those with RICP. The ITBI population was significantly different from the other combined aetiological categories.InterpretationThe study results indicate a complex RICP/retinal haemorrhage relationship. There was no evidence of existing retinal haemorrhages being exacerbated or new retinal haemorrhages developing during periods of confirmed RICP.
Spatial distribution, total length frequencies and otolith morphometry as tools to analyse the effects of a flash flood on populations of roach (Rutilus rutilus)
Authors: Morat Fabien , Gibert Pierre , Reynaud Nathalie , Testi Baptiste , Favriou Pierre , Raymond Virginie , Carrel Georges , Maire Anthony 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFloods are known to be the major source of natural variability and disturbance in stream ecosystems. However, the management and channelisation of large rivers have impacted the fluvial geomorphology and disconnected the main channel and floodplains used as nurseries by many species of fish. This study examines the influence of a first autumnal flood event of the Ardèche River on the roach population, Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Caderousse reach on the Rhône River. This influence was evaluated through an analysis of the spatial distribution for the abundance and size of juvenile roach and an analysis of otolith shape. Juvenile roach from the three sections of the reach formed well‐defined local populations before and after the flood event. Juvenile roach were always more abundant in the less modified section (BPS) of the river than in the other sections (RES and TAIL). While the original primary river channel was directly impacted by the flash flood, no significant difference in otolith shape was observed before or after the flash flood. Our results suggest that this part of the reach provides refuge habitats used by fish during high flow events.
Land cover diversity increases predator aggregation and consumption of prey
Authors: Penn Hannah J. , Athey Kacie J. , Lee Brian D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA lower diversity of land cover types is purported to decrease arthropod diversity in agroecosystems and is dependent on patterns of land use and fragmentation. Ants, important providers of ecosystem services such as biological control, are susceptible to landscape‐level changes. We determined the relationships between land cover diversity and fragmentation on the within‐field spatial associations of ants to pests and resulting predation events by combining mapping and molecular tools. Increased land cover diversity and decreased fragmentation increased ant abundance, spatial association to pests and predation. Land cover diversity and fragmentation were more explanatory than land cover types. Even so, specific land cover types, such as deciduous forest, influenced ant and pest diversity more so than abundance. These results indicate that geospatial techniques and molecular gut content analysis can be combined to determine the role of land use in influencing predator–prey interactions and resulting predation events in agroecosystems.
Facilitators and barriers influencing the readiness to receive dental implants in a geriatric institutionalised population—A randomized non‐invasive interventional study
Authors: Merz Miriam A. , Terheyden Hendrik , Huber Christian G. , Seixas Azizi A. , Schoetzau Andreas , Schneeberger Andres R. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveAlthough elderly people have many serious dental issues and are in need of prosthesis, few opt for dental implants. The aim of this study was to investigate barriers that prevent elderly people from receiving dental implants. Specifically, we examined (i) whether the message was delivered before or after the interview had an impact, and (ii) whether it did matter who delivered the message.Materials and MethodsSixty‐six residents from seven residential homes in the Canton of Grisons, Switzerland were included. The sample was randomized to a treatment group that received comprehensive education about dental implants before the interview and a control group that received education after completing the questionnaire.ResultsThe sample consisted of 54 women (81.8%) and 12 males (18.2%) with an average age of 86.2 years. Education before the interview did not show any impact on the attitude towards dental implants. Main reasons for a negative attitude towards implants were old age and high costs. Participants who received information about implants from their relatives and their own dentist and not from the study dentist were significantly more willing to receive implants.ConclusionProviding an adequate education about benefits and risks of receiving dental implants does not change the attitude towards dental implants. The source of information/messenger does influence attitudes towards implants. If the person delivering the education and information is a relative or a known medical person, the person's attitude is more likely to change as compared to people receiving the information from an unrelated person.
The Likelihood of Coliform Bacteria in NJ Domestic Wells Based on Precipitation and Other Factors
Authors: Procopio Nicholas A. , Atherholt Thomas B. , Goodrow Sandra M. , Lester Lori A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe influence of precipitation on coliform bacteria detection rates in domestic wells was investigated using data collected through the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act. Measured precipitation data from the National Weather Service (NWS) monitoring stations was compared to estimated data from the Multisensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) in order to determine which source of data to include in the analyses. A strong concordance existed between these two precipitations datasets; therefore, MPE data was utilized as it is geographically more specific to individual wells. Statewide, 10 days of cumulative precipitation prior to testing was found to be an optimal period influencing the likelihood of coliform detections in wells. A logistic regression model was developed to predict the likelihood of coliform occurrence in wells from 10 days of cumulative precipitation data and other predictive variables including geology, season, coliform bacteria analysis method, pH, and nitrate concentration. Total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform or Escherichia coli (FC/EC) were detected more frequently when the preceding 10 days of cumulative precipitation exceeded 34.5 and 54 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the likelihood of coliform detection was highest in wells located in the bedrock region, during summer and autumn, analyzed with the enzyme substrate method, with pH between 5 and 6.99, and (for FC/EC but not TC) nitrate greater than 10 mg/L. Thus, the likelihood of coliform presence in domestic wells can be predicted from readily available environmental factors including timing and magnitude of precipitation, offering outreach opportunities and potential changes to coliform testing recommendations.
Transforming growth factor β1 regulates the expression of CCN2 in human keratinocytes via Smad‐ERK signalling
Authors: Kiwanuka Elizabeth , Junker Johan PE , Eriksson Elof 
Published: March 2017

AbstractConnective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) are important regulators of skin wound healing, but controversy remains regarding their expression in epithelial cell lineages. Here, we investigate the expression of CCN2 in keratinocytes during reepithelialisation and its regulation by TGF‐β1. CCN2 was detected in the epidermis of healing full‐thickness porcine wounds. Human keratinocytes were incubated with or without 10 ng/ml TGF‐β1, and signalling pathways were blocked with 10‐μM SIS3 or 20‐μM PD98059. Semi‐quantitative real‐time PCR was used to study CCN2 mRNA expression, and western blot was used to measure CCN2, phosphorylated‐ERK1/2, ERK1/2, phosphorylated‐Smad3 and Smad2/3 proteins. CCN2 was transiently expressed in neoepidermis at the leading edge of the wound in vivo. In vitro, CCN2 expression was induced by TGF‐β1 at 2 hours (7·5 ± 1·9‐fold mRNA increase and 3·0 ± 0·6‐fold protein increase) and 12 hours (5·4 ± 1·9‐fold mRNA increase and 3·3 ± 0·6‐fold protein increase). Compared with inhibiting the SMAD pathway, inhibiting the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was more effective in reducing TGF‐β1‐induced CCN2 mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway had minimal impact on the activity of the SMAD pathway. CCN2 is expressed in keratinocytes in response to tissue injury or TGF‐β1. In addition, TGF‐β1 induces CCN2 expression in keratinocytes through the ras/MEK/ERK pathway. A complete understanding of CCN2 expression in keratinocytes is critical to developing novel therapies for wound healing and cutaneous malignancy.
Distribution of the xeric clade species of Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae) in South America: a perspective based on areas of endemism
Authors: Gomes‐da‐Silva Janaína , Amorim André Márcio , Forzza Rafaela Campostrini 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimThe main goals were to assess the distributional concordance among taxa of the xeric clade of Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae) to establish biogeographical units (i.e. endemic areas), and to use the results to identify conservation priorities.LocationGeographical data were analysed between parallels −1° and −47° S and meridians 35°6′ and 80°1′ W, which includes the Andean region, the Chacoan subregion and the South American Transition Zone, and three global hotspots (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Tropical Andes).MethodsTwo methods were employed, parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and endemicity analysis (EA), to search for the biogeographical congruence between endemic areas for 220 species. Two grid cell sizes (2° and 3°) and three criteria were employed to delimit the areas of endemism.ResultsThe results of the PAE demonstrated eight candidate areas of endemism when applying a grid cell size of 2° and six areas of endemism with 3°. The EA optimization method, using a grid size of 2°, recovered six (consensus 75%) and four (consensus 5%) areas, and a size of 3° recovered eight (consensus 75%) and three (consensus 5%) areas. Based on consistent results of the three combined criteria and the congruence of areas of endemism, we delimited three biogeographical areas of endemism for the clade in the Chacoan subregion of South America. The following areas in Brazil were delimited: (1) south‐eastern Minas Gerais, (2) north‐eastern Minas Gerais, and (3) north‐eastern Goiás.Main conclusionsEndemic species with congruent occurrence patterns were identified to propose primary biogeographical homologies and to highlight areas that should be prioritized for conservation of species in the xeric clade of Pitcairnioideae. Furthermore, we suggest that evolutionary and historical processes (adaptive radiation; glacial and interglacial period in the Quaternary), as well as ecological factors, could have induced the high diversification rates for this clade in South America.