bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
One minute sit‐to‐stand test is an alternative to 6MWT to measure functional exercise performance in COPD patients
Authors: Reychler Gregory , Boucard Eliott , Peran Loïc , Pichon Romain , Le Ber‐Moy Catherine , Ouksel Hakima , Liistro Giuseppe , Chambellan Arnaud , Beaumont Marc 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with a reduced functional exercise performance. Even if this parameter is routinely evaluated using 6‐minute walking test (6MWT), new field tests are regularly investigated as alternative tests. The aim of this study was to compare functional exercise performance evaluation by sit‐to‐stand test (STST) and 6MWT and to evaluate reliability and repeatability of the STST in COPD patients.MethodForty‐two COPD patients performed randomly two tests: 6MWT and STST. Each test was repeated two times. Distance (6MWD) and number of repetitions were measured. Cardiorespiratory parameters, dyspnea and lower limb fatigue (Borg) were recorded before and after the tests.ResultsSit‐to‐stand repetitions (19 ± 6) and 6MWD (441 ± 104 m) were correlated (r = .716; P < .001). Good repeatability was found for STST and 6MWT. Good reliability was observed for STST (ICC = 0.902). Variations of heart rate and pulsed oxygen saturation were significantly different between these two tests (23% ± 17% vs 13% ± 11%; P = .022 and −7.6% ± 4.6% vs −0.7% ± 2.7%; P < .001 for 6MWT and STST, respectively). Variations of dyspnea and lower limb fatigue were similar between both tests (P = .827 and P = .467).ConclusionThe one minute sit‐to‐stand test is a valuable alternative to 6MWT to estimate functional exercise performance in COPD patients. The cardiorespiratory demand is different between both tests although the variation of dypsnea is similar. No learning effect was observed for STST.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in solid organ transplantation—The role of immunosuppression
Authors: Kanellopoulou Theoni 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHemolysis after solid organ transplantation can be caused by both immune and non‐immune‐mediated mechanisms, and the evaluation must take into account issues distinctive to the post‐transplant period. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia usually occurs within the first year and has been attributed to immunosuppressive treatment, infections, or underlying post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Review of the literature revealed 59 cases with autoimmune hemolytic anemia mostly in children after liver transplantation. Almost all of the patients at the time of diagnosis received immunosuppression with tacrolimus, and first‐line treatment with steroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin was ineffective for complete remission. Rituximab was used as second‐line treatment especially in patients with underlying lymphoproliferative disorders whereas sirolimus showed encouraging results.
College Readiness: Are California Charter School Students Better Prepared?
Authors: Adzima Kerry A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUsing US data from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) I analyse student outcomes from Advanced Placement tests and Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments to determine whether charter school students display higher levels of college readiness. Using panel data from 2011–12 through 2014–15 for the Advanced Placement tests, I find a gain of between 10.8 and 21.0 percentage points for charter students on average over students attending traditional public schools. For the Smarter Balanced Assessment using school years 2014–15 and 2015–16, I again find that charter students outperform traditional public students on average with gains in all categories for both the English and the mathematics portions of the exam. The results of this study seem to offer some support for the view that offering choice in schooling tends to improve performance.
What Marx Means Today
Authors: Sinn Hans‐Werner 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMarx made significant contributions to macroeconomics, laying the grounds for both Keynes's theory of aggregate demand and Schumpeter's theory of creative destruction. His law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall parallels Alvin Hansen's theory of secular stagnation which has recently received much attention among scholars studying the financial crises in Japan, the US and the Eurozone. This article argues that part of the new stagnation does not result from a natural exhaustion of investment possibilities, but from an overly loose central bank monetary policy that keeps zombie banks and their zombie clients alive and blocks the emergence of new start‐up firms.
Larval food affects oviposition preference, female fecundity and offspring survival in Yponomeuta evonymellus
Authors: KAROLEWSKI PIOTR , ŁUKOWSKI ADRIAN , WALCZAK URSZULA , BARANIAK EDWARD , MUCHA JOANNA , GIERTYCH MARIAN J. 
Published: June 2017

1. Yponomeuta evonymellus is a monophagous moth that feeds on Prunus padus which is native to Europe. In recent years, larval feeding and egg clusters have also been observed on non‐native Prunus serotina plants; however, survival of larvae on this new host is very low.2. The objective of the present study was to determine how the feeding of larvae on each of the two host plants impacts oviposition, offspring survival and fecundity in Y. evonymellus. Our hypothesis was that, under controlled conditions, females will lay eggs on the host on which they fed as larvae. We also hypothesised that the lower survival of young larvae feeding on P. serotina was due to the smaller buds and leaves present in this species, relative to those of P. padus.3. A dual‐choice experiment conducted under laboratory conditions demonstrated that females preferentially chose to oviposit on the plant species on which they fed as larvae. In the experiment, potential fecundity and offspring survival were significantly higher on P. padus than on P. serotina. The reduced performance of Y. evonymellus on P. serotina was correlated with a smaller bud mass and volume, lower leaf mass and surface area, and difficulty in constructing a protective tent against unfavourable weather conditions.4. In summary, the identity of the host plant species during larval feeding determines adult oviposition preference for that host species. The survival of larvae on P. serotina growing in the nature is low, but for phenology‐related reasons.
The spectrum of pre‐dementia stages: cognitive profile of motoric cognitive risk syndrome and relationship with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Sekhon H. , Allali G. , Launay C. P. , Chabot J. , Beauchet O. 
Published: June 2017

Background and purposeMotoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome is a pre‐dementia syndrome. There is little information on the cognitive profile of individuals with MCR syndrome and its overlap with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) syndrome. This study aimed to examine and compare the cognitive performance of non‐demented older community dwellers with and without MCR and MCI syndromes.MethodsA total of 291 non‐demented individuals were selected from the Gait and Alzheimer Interactions Tracking study, which is a cross‐sectional study. All participants were referred to a memory clinic. Individuals with and without MCR were separated into those with and without MCI. Cognitive performance was measured using the scores of the Mini Mental Status Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test, Trail Making Test part A and B, and Stroop test.ResultsThe prevalence of MCI was 40.1% and that of MCR was 18.2%, with a higher prevalence of MCI in MCR group compared with the non‐MCR group (47.2% vs. 39.5%). Individuals with MCR and MCI syndromes had poorer cognitive performance in all domains compared with those without MCR (P < 0.005), except for the ratio part III: part I of the Stroop test (P = 0.345). The association between cognitive performance and MCR syndrome was worse on the Mini Mental Status Examination score [effect size, −0.57 (95% confidence interval, −1.02 to −0.12)] and Trail Making Test part B [effect size, 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.14–1.04)] in individuals with MCR and MCI syndromes.ConclusionsMotoric cognitive risk syndrome is associated with low global cognitive performance. Association of MCR and MCI syndromes is characterized by a worse cognitive performance.
Nonintravenous rescue medications for pediatric status epilepticus: A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , Gaínza‐Lein Marina , Loddenkemper Tobias 
Published: June 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo quantify the cost‐effectiveness of rescue medications for pediatric status epilepticus: rectal diazepam, nasal midazolam, buccal midazolam, intramuscular midazolam, and nasal lorazepam.MethodsDecision analysis model populated with effectiveness data from the literature and cost data from publicly available market prices. The primary outcome was cost per seizure stopped ($/SS). One‐way sensitivity analyses and second‐order Monte Carlo simulations evaluated the robustness of the results across wide variations of the input parameters.ResultsThe most cost‐effective rescue medication was buccal midazolam (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio ([ICER]: $13.16/SS) followed by nasal midazolam (ICER: $38.19/SS). Nasal lorazepam (ICER: −$3.8/SS), intramuscular midazolam (ICER: −$64/SS), and rectal diazepam (ICER: −$2,246.21/SS) are never more cost‐effective than the other options at any willingness to pay. One‐way sensitivity analysis showed the following: (1) at its current effectiveness, rectal diazepam would become the most cost‐effective option only if its cost was $6 or less, and (2) at its current cost, rectal diazepam would become the most cost‐effective option only if effectiveness was higher than 0.89 (and only with very high willingness to pay of $2,859/SS to $31,447/SS). Second‐order Monte Carlo simulations showed the following: (1) nasal midazolam and intramuscular midazolam were the more effective options; (2) the more cost‐effective option was buccal midazolam for a willingness to pay from $14/SS to $41/SS and nasal midazolam for a willingness to pay above $41/SS; (3) cost‐effectiveness overlapped for buccal midazolam, nasal lorazepam, intramuscular midazolam, and nasal midazolam; and (4) rectal diazepam was not cost‐effective at any willingness to pay, and this conclusion remained extremely robust to wide variations of the input parameters.SignificanceFor pediatric status epilepticus, buccal midazolam and nasal midazolam are the most cost‐effective nonintravenous rescue medications in the United States. Rectal diazepam is not a cost‐effective alternative, and this conclusion remains extremely robust to wide variations of the input parameters.
Histological assessment of β‐amyloid precursor protein immunolabelled rectal biopsies aids diagnosis of equine grass sickness
Authors: Jago R. C. , Scholes S. , Mair T. S. , Pearson G. R. , Pirie R. S. , Handel I. , Milne E. M. , Coyle F. , Mcgorum B. C. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackgroundAn accurate, minimally invasive, ante‐mortem diagnostic test for equine grass sickness (EGS) is currently lacking. Although histological examination of haematoxylin and eosin‐stained rectal biopsies for chromatolytic neurons is insensitive as a diagnostic test for EGS, we hypothesised that its diagnostic accuracy could be improved by immunolabelling for β‐amyloid precursor protein (β‐APP), which has increased expression in cranial cervical ganglia (CCG) neuronal perikarya in EGS.ObjectivesTo develop a grading scheme for assessing the distribution and intensity of β‐APP immunoreactivity within individual rectal submucosal neurons and subsequently to determine the value of the distribution of different grades of neurons in EGS diagnosis.Study designRetrospective case–control diagnostic accuracy study.MethodsInitially, a standardised grading scheme was developed and β‐APP immunoreactivity in individual neuronal perikarya and axons was compared in sections of CCG and ileum from EGS and control horses. The grading scheme was then refined before being blindly applied to submucosal neurons in rectal biopsies derived from 21 EGS and 23 control horses.Resultsβ‐APP immunoreactivity was increased in neuronal perikarya and axons in sections of CCG, ileum and rectum from EGS horses compared with controls. For rectal biopsies, a mean immunoreactivity grade exceeding 1.1 was 100% specific and sensitive for EGS, and the presence of at least one neuron with diffuse labelling of the entire cytoplasm (grade 3) was 95% sensitive and 100% specific for EGS.Main limitationsAlthough the diagnostic criteria facilitated the discrimination of the EGS and control biopsies evaluated in this study, further prospective validation using a larger sample set is required.ConclusionsHistological assessment of β‐APP immunolabelled rectal biopsies is more sensitive than conventional histological examination in EGS diagnosis. Further validation is required before this technique can be advocated for use in clinical decision making.
Structural plasticity among glutathione transferase Phi members: natural combination of catalytic residues confers dual biochemical activities
Authors: Pégeot Henri , Mathiot Sandrine , Perrot Thomas , Gense Frédéric , Hecker Arnaud , Didierjean Claude , Rouhier Nicolas 
Published: June 2017

The glutathione transferase (GST) gene family is divided into 14 classes in photosynthetic organisms. Among them, the Phi class (GSTF) is composed of a large number of genes that are often induced in response to environmental constraints due to their ability to detoxify xenobiotics, to their peroxidase activity and to their involvement in the biosynthesis and/or transport of secondary metabolites. However, the exact functions of GSTFs from many plants including Populus trichocarpa are unknown. Here, following GSTF1 characterization, we have performed a comparative analysis of the seven other GSTFs found in poplar by systematically evaluating the biochemical and enzymatic properties of the corresponding recombinant proteins and of variants mutated for active site residues and by determining the three‐dimensional structures of several representatives. Owing to the presence of a cysteine with a pKa value around 5 in their active site, GSTF3, F7, and F8 displayed a thiol transferase activity in addition to the usual glutathione transferase and peroxidase activities. From structural analyses, it appeared that these dual biochemical properties originate from the existence of a certain variability in the β1‐α1 loop. This allows positioning of several active site residues at proximity of the glutathione molecule, which itself remains unchanged in GSTF three‐dimensional structures. These results highlight the promiscuity of some GSTFs and that changes of active site residues in some isoforms during evolution generated functional diversity by modifying their activity profile.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB under the accession numbers 5EY6, 5F05, 5F06, and 5F07.
The POU homeodomain transcription factor POUM2 and broad complex isoform 2 transcription factor induced by 20‐hydroxyecdysone collaboratively regulate vitellogenin gene expression and egg formation in the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Lin Y. , Liu H. , Yang C. , Gu J. , Shen G. , Zhang H. , Chen E. , Han C. , Zhang Y. , Xu Y. , Wu J. , Xia Q. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractVitellogenin (Vg) is a source of nutrition for embryo development. Our previous study showed that the silkworm (Bombyx mori) transcription factor broad complex isoform 2 (BmBrC‐Z2) regulates gene expression of the Vg gene (BmVg) by induction with 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E). However, the mechanism by which 20E regulates BmVg expression was not clarified. In this study, cell transfection experiments showed that the BmVg promoter containing the POU homeodomain transcription factor POUM2 (POUM2) and BrC‐Z2 cis‐response elements (CREs) showed a more significant response to 20E than that harbouring only the BrC‐Z2 or POUM2 CRE. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that BmPOUM2 could bind to the POUM2 CRE of the BmVg promoter. Over‐expression of BmPOUM2 and BmBrC‐Z2 in B. mori embryo‐derived cell line (BmE) could enhance the activity of the BmVg promoter carrying both the POUM2 and BrC‐Z2 CREs following 20E induction. Quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence histochemistry showed that the expression pattern and tissue localization of BmPOUM2 correspond to those of BmVg. Glutathione S‐transferase pull‐down and co‐immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that BmPOUM2 interacts only with BmBrC‐Z2 to regulate BmVg expression. Down‐regulation of BmPOUM2 in female silkworm by RNA interference significantly reduced BmVg expression, leading to abnormal egg formation. In summary, these results indicate that BmPOUM2 binds only to BmBrC‐Z2 to collaboratively regulate BmVg expression by 20E induction to control vitellogenesis and egg formation in the silkworm. Moreover, these findings suggest that homeodomain protein POUM2 plays a novel role in regulating insect vitellogenesis.
Plasma microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p and ‐20a‐5p: Novel diagnostic biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cao Ya‐Lei , Jia Yan‐Ju , Xing Bao‐Heng , Shi Dan‐Dan , Dong Xiu‐Juan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimTo explore whether plasma microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p and ‐20a‐5p can be used as diagnostic biomarkers in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to investigate the relationship between those microRNAs and the risk factors of GDM (body mass index [BMI], insulin resistance [IR] and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)).MethodsA total of 85 pregnant women with GDM and 72 pregnant women without GDM were enrolled in this study. The plasma concentration of microRNAs (microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p, ‐19a‐3p, ‐19b‐3p, ‐20a‐5p) was measured using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between those microRNAs and the risk factors of GDM, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.ResultsCompared with non‐GDM women, the relative and absolute expression of plasma microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p, ‐20a‐5p from GDM women were significantly upregulated, when those women were diagnosed as GDM. During pregnancy, the expression of those microRNAs from GDM women also were significantly upregulated. The expression of those microRNAs was also positively correlated with IR, a risk factor of GDM. Plasma microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p, ‐20a‐5p reflected an obvious separation between GDM women and non‐GDM women, with areas under the curve of 0.92 (95%CI: 0.871–0.984), 0.88 (95%CI: 0.798–0.962), and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.618–0.870), respectively, cut‐offs >2554, 1820, 3886 copies/μL, respectively; sensitivity 41.6%, 21.4% and 17.8%, respectively; and specificity 95.8%, 95.4% and 95.4%, respectively.ConclusionPlasma microRNA‐16‐5p, ‐17‐5p and ‐20a‐5p are potential diagnostic biomarkers in GDM.
A focus group approach to understanding food‐related emotions with children using words and emojis
Authors: Gallo Katherine E. , Swaney‐Stueve Marianne , Chambers Delores H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFocus groups were conducted to understand children's use of emotion words and emojis to describe reactions to foods. A total of 17 children, ages 8–11, in three groups of 4–8, were asked to use words and emojis to describe how they felt in response to self‐selected favorite, least favorite, and “just okay” foods before, during, and after recalled consumption occasions. Participants also provided responses to three food interventions before tasting, after tasting, and after seeing product packaging. In addition, the group discussed emotion words and emoji valence. Although children initially were concerned with product characteristics, such as flavor, when explaining their food preferences, participants readily used both words and emojis in discussion and activities to communicate how foods made them feel. Words and emojis not considered for further testing were either infrequently used, redundant (based on children's usage), or not used to describe a feeling in response to a stimulus. Based on children's use of the words and emojis through discussion and activities, a list of 51 words and 38 emojis were considered appropriate for further emotion testing with children ages 8–11.Practical applicationsThis research addresses the need for a food emotion tool for use with children. The findings show that children are able to use both words and emojis to describe their emotions in response to varied products. The resulting lists of words and emojis can be used in subsequent quantitative testing with children.
Healthy Futures: Engaging the oral health community in childhood obesity prevention – Conference summary and recommendations
Authors: Garcia Raul I. , Kleinman Dushanka , Holt Katrina , Battrell Ann , Casamassimo Paul , Grover Jane , Tinanoff Norman 
Published: June 2017

AbstractChildhood obesity is a major public health problem. An association between obesity and dental caries, the most prevalent disease of childhood, has been identified. One explanation for the association is that consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages and frequent snacking on carbohydrate‐rich foods are common risk factors for development of both obesity and caries. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has been at the forefront of national efforts to promote healthy weight in children. As part of these efforts, RWJF sponsored the Healthy Futures: Engaging the Oral Health Community in Childhood Obesity Prevention National Conference, held on November 3–4, 2016, at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The aim of the conference was to increase awareness of evidence‐based recommendations; identify strategies; and promote collaborative efforts that oral health professionals, oral‐health‐related organizations, and others can employ to prevent childhood obesity. This report summarizes the findings presented at the conference and discusses their implications. The report also reviews recommendations made in the areas of research, education, and policy that resulted from the conference.
Amphiphilic naproxen prodrugs: differential scanning calorimetry study on their interaction with phospholipid bilayers
Authors: Giuffrida Maria Chiara , Pignatello Rosario , Castelli Francesco , Sarpietro Maria Grazia 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Objectives
Naproxen, a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug studied for Alzheimer's disease, was conjugated with lipoamino acids (LAA) directly or through a diethylamine (EDA) spacer to improve the drug lipophilicity and the interaction with phospholipid bilayers.

Methods
The interaction of naproxen and its prodrugs with biomembrane models consisting of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The transfer of prodrugs from a lipophilic carrier to a biomembrane model was also studied.

Key findings
Naproxen conjugation to lipoamino acids improves its interaction with biomembrane models and affects the transfer from a lipophilic carrier to biomembrane model. LAA portion may localize between the phospholipid chains; the entity of the interaction depends not only on the presence of the spacer but also on the LAA chain length.

Conclusions
Variation of LAA portion can modulate the naproxen prodrugs affinity towards the biological membrane as well as towards the lipophilic carrier.