bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Capital, Income Diversification and Climate Change Adaptation: Panel Data Evidence from Rural Ethiopia
Authors: Wuepper David , Yesigat Ayenew Habtamu , Sauer Johannes 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe choice between specialisation and diversification of income is driven by multiple, interacting factors, such as economies of scale and scope, risk considerations, context, and household characteristics. Using panel data from Ethiopia, we investigate the role of social capital and the covariate risk of climate change and their interaction. We find that households with greater social capital tend to be more specialised, implying that diversification and informal insurance are substitutes in the mitigation of risk. We also find that this effect is significantly weaker in regions more prone to climate change, which is consistent with the average farmer being aware that informal insurance is not an effective protection against risks that affect the entire social network. We use instrumental variable random effects estimation to account for the plausible endogeneity of social capital and we also establish that our results do not depend on the poorest and most constrained individuals in our sample.
Tuberculosis screening prior to anti‐tumor necrosis factor therapy among patients with immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases in Japan: a longitudinal study using a large‐scale health insurance claims database
Authors: Tomio Jun , Yamana Hayato , Matsui Hiroki , Yamashita Hiroyuki , Yoshiyama Takashi , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimTuberculosis screening is recommended for patients with immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) prior to anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. However, adherence to the recommended practice is unknown in the current clinical setting in Japan.MethodsWe used a large‐scale health insurance claims database in Japan to conduct a longitudinal observational study. Of more than two million beneficiaries in the database between 2013 and 2014, we enrolled those with IMIDs aged 15–69 years who had initiated anti‐TNF therapy. We defined tuberculosis screening primarily as tuberculin skin test and/or interferon‐gamma release assay (TST/IGRA) within 2 months before commencing anti‐TNF therapy. We analyzed the proportions of the patients who had undergone tuberculosis screening and the associations with primary disease, type of anti‐TNF agent, methotrexate prescription prior to anti‐TNF therapy, and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).ResultsOf 385 patients presumed to have initiated anti‐TNF therapy, 252 (66%) had undergone tuberculosis screening by TST/IGRA (22% TST, 56% IGRA, and 12% both TST and IGRA), and 231 (60%) had undergone TST/IGRA and radiography. Patients with psoriasis tended to be more likely to undergo tuberculosis screening than those with other diseases; however, this association was not statistically significant. Treatment for LTBI was provided to 43 (11%) patients; 123 (32%) received neither TST/IGRA nor LTBI treatment.ConclusionsTuberculosis screening was often not performed prior to anti‐TNF therapy despite the guidelines’ recommendations; thus, patients could be put at unnecessary risk of reactivation of tuberculosis.
Do Analysts Gain an Informational Advantage by Visiting Listed Companies?
Authors: Han Bing , Kong Dongmin , Liu Shasha 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTWe examine the improvements in forecast accuracy that result from analysts' visits to listed companies. We find that company visits significantly enhance the accuracy of the analysts' earnings forecasts for those companies. The benefit from company visits is more pronounced for companies that are more neglected or less accessible and for brokerage firms that face less pressure for optimistic forecasts from buy‐side clients. Our results are robust and remain significant after controlling for endogeneity and selection bias. Overall, our findings show that private interactions with company management provide analysts with an informational advantage and suggest that company visits facilitate the mosaic approach to information acquisition.
Edge effects on small mammals: Differences between arboreal and ground‐dwelling species living near roads in Brazilian fragmented landscapes
Authors: da Rosa Clarissa Alves , Secco Helio , Carvalho Nathália , Maia Ana Carolina , Bager Alex 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHabitat fragmentation often induces edge effects that can increase, decrease or have minimal effect upon the population density of a species, depending upon environmental conditions and the requirements of the species. Using a trapping study and generalized linear mixed models, we evaluated edge effects on small tropical mammals living near roads, including two ground‐dwelling (Akodon sp. and Cerradomys subflavus) and two arboreal (Marmosops incanus and Rhipidomys sp.) species. We examined the relationship of these edge effects to environmental factors at both plot and patch scales. Generalist ground‐dwelling species were attracted to edges, with higher population densities recorded in habitats close to road or matrix edges where vegetation density was lower. In contrast, populations of the generalist arboreal species avoided edge habitats, their populations were found in greater density in habitats far from roads/matrix edges. Thus, our results show that patterns of edge habitat utilization were related to the ecological requirements of each species. These findings are especially important in the tropics, where demand for economic growth in many countries has accelerated the fragmentation process and has recently culminated in increased road construction and expansion. Fragmented habitats promote an increase in edge environments, and consequently will reduce the abundance of arboreal small mammal species, such as those used as models in this study.
The clinical response to omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients is linked to and predicted by IgE levels and their change
Authors: Ertas R. , Ozyurt K. , Atasoy M. , Hawro T. , Maurer M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundOmalizumab is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Markers and predictors of response are largely unknown, but needed to optimize omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab targets IgE, and IgE levels may be linked to the effects of treatment. We evaluated whether response rates to treatment with omalizumab in patients with CSU are linked to their baseline IgE levels, their IgE levels after omalizumab treatment, and the ratio of on treatment IgE and baseline IgE levels.MethodsChronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients (n = 113) were treated with omalizumab 300 mg/4 weeks for 12 weeks, when their treatment responses, that is, no, partial, or complete response, were assessed by use of the urticaria activity score, physician and patient visual analog scale, and treatment effectiveness score. Total IgE levels were measured before treatment (bIgE) with omalizumab and 4 weeks thereafter (w4IgE).ResultsNonresponders to omalizumab had significantly lower bIgE levels (17.9, 17.0‐55.0 IU/mL) than partial responders (82.0, 46.2‐126.5 IU/mL, P = .008) and complete responders (73.7, 19.45‐153.8 IU/mL, P = .032). Nonresponders also had lower w4IgE levels and lower ratios of w4IgE/bIgE levels than partial and complete responders (P < .001). Nonresponse to omalizumab was best predicted by patients' w4IgE/bIgE ratios, significantly better than by bIgE levels (P = .016).ConclusionsIn CSU, total IgE levels and their change predict the response to treatment with omalizumab. The assessment of pre‐ and post‐treatment IgE levels and their ratio may help to improve the management of CSU in patients who require omalizumab treatment.
Gut microbiome in gestational diabetes: a cross‐sectional study of mothers and offspring 5 years postpartum
Authors: Hasan Sayyid , Aho Velma , Pereira Pedro , Paulin Lars , Koivusalo Saila B. , Auvinen Petri , Eriksson Johan G. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionAn altered gut microbiome composition is shown to be associated with various diseases and health outcomes. We compare the gut microbiota of women who developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with that of those who did not, and the gut microbiota of their offspring, to determine any differences in the composition and diversity of their gut microbiota, which may be correlated with their GDM state.Material and methodsAll women were at high risk for GDM and participated in the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL). Stool samples were obtained, 5 years postpartum, from 60 GDM‐positive women, 68 non‐GDM control women, and their children (n = 109), 237 individuals in total. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was employed to determine the composition of bacterial communities present. Statistical correlations were inferred between clinical variables and microbiota, while taking into account potential confounders.ResultsIn mothers, no significant differences were observed in microbiota composition between the two groups. Genus Anaerotruncus was increased in children of women with GDM (p < 0.001). Beta‐diversity measures showed that a mother and her child have a more similar microbiome composition when compared with unrelated children, other mothers, or the children compared with each other (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest that there may be no discernible microbiome basis to GDM susceptibility in high‐risk women, whereas microbiome differences between the offspring could be of greater biological significance. The heterogeneous nature of the disease could be obscuring potential differences between women. A longer time‐series study, with carefully defined subject subgroups, may be an appropriate course of future investigation into GDM and the microbiome.
Review article: the gut microbiome as a therapeutic target in the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic liver disease
Authors: Woodhouse C. A. , Patel V. C. , Singanayagam A. , Shawcross D. L. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundMortality from chronic liver disease is rising exponentially. The liver is intimately linked to the gut via the portal vein, and exposure to gut microbiota and their metabolites translocating across the gut lumen may impact upon both the healthy and diseased liver. Modulation of gut microbiota could prove to be a potential therapeutic target.AimTo characterise the changes in the gut microbiome that occur in chronic liver disease and to assess the impact of manipulation of the microbiome on the liver.MethodsWe conducted a PubMed search using search terms including ‘microbiome’, ‘liver’ and ‘cirrhosis’ as well as ‘non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease’, ‘steatohepatitis’, ‘alcohol’ and ‘primary sclerosing cholangitis’. Relevant articles were also selected from references of articles and review of the ClinicalTrials.gov website.ResultsReduced bacterial diversity, alcohol sensitivity and the development of gut dysbiosis are seen in several chronic liver diseases, including non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol‐related liver disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Perturbations in gut commensals could lead to deficient priming of the immune system predisposing the development of immune‐mediated diseases. Furthermore, transfer of stool from an animal with the metabolic syndrome may induce steatosis in a healthy counterpart. Patients with cirrhosis develop dysbiosis, small bowel bacterial overgrowth and increased gut wall permeability, allowing bacterial translocation and uptake of endotoxin inducing hepatic and systemic inflammation.ConclusionsManipulation of the gut microbiota with diet, probiotics or faecal microbiota transplantation to promote the growth of “healthy” bacteria may ameliorate the dysbiosis and alter prognosis.
Involvement of μ/m‐calpain in the proteolysis and meat quality changes during postmortem storage of chicken breast muscle
Authors: Zhao Liang , Xing Tong , Huang Jichao , Qiao Yan , Chen Yulian , Huang Ming 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the role of calpain isotypes, especially poultry‐specific μ/m‐calpain in the proteolysis and meat quality changes of chicken breast muscle during postmortem storage. Calpain activity was detected by casein zymography, while the degradation of titin, desmin and Troponin‐T was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot. Meat quality indicators such as water holding capacity and tenderness were also studied. The correlation analysis between calpain activity, proteolysis and the changes in meat quality indicators indicated that there were strong correlations for μ‐calpain during the first 12 h of storage, while such strong correlations for μ/m‐calpain were only found in samples stored from 12 h to 7 days. Our study suggested that μ‐calpain played a major role in meat quality changes while μ/m‐calpain could also be involved but played a limited role in the proteolysis and meat quality changes during 12 h to 7 days postmortem storage of chicken breast muscle.
Factors affecting colostrum quality in Australian pasture‐based dairy herds
Authors: Chuck GM , Mansell PD , Stevenson MA , Izzo MM 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify factors affecting colostrum quality in dairy cattle.MethodsColostrum samples were collected from lactating dairy cows (n = 990) from nine commercial dairy herds in south‐west Victoria. Colostrum quality was measured using an optical Brix refractometer. Cow‐level factors thought to influence colostrum quality included season of calving, dam breed and age, volume of first‐milking colostrum produced and whether the dam leaked colostrum prior to calving. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify the association between each cow‐level factor and whether or not colostrum was assessed to be of poor quality.ResultsCows older than 5 years of age were less likely to have poor‐quality colostrum compared with primiparous heifers (odds ratio (OR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11–0.89, P = 0.009). The odds of having poor‐quality colostrum was increased in cows and primiparous heifers that leaked colostrum prior to calving (OR 2.06, 95% CI, 1.33–3.17, P = 0.001). Cows and primiparous heifers that produced ≥ 8.5 L of colostrum were 1.76 times as likely to have poor‐quality colostrum as individuals that produced < 8.5 L (95% CI, 1.10–2.82, P = 0.018). Visual assessment of colostrum by the herd manager was moderately correlated with colostrum quality, with 69% of poor‐quality samples being correctly classified.ConclusionAlthough this study identified factors that increase the risk of poor‐quality colostrum, we concluded that objective assessment using a Brix refractometer is a more reliable means of assessing colostrum quality.
Risk factors contributing to a low darunavir plasma concentration
Authors: Daskapan Alper , Stienstra Ymkje , Kosterink Jos G. W. , Bierman Wouter F. W. , van der Werf Tjip S. , Touw Daan J. , Alffenaar Jan‐Willem C. 
Published: October 2017

Darunavir is an efficacious drug; however, pharmacokinetic variability has been reported. The objective of this study was to find predisposing factors for low darunavir plasma concentrations in patients starting the once‐ or twice‐daily dosage. Darunavir plasma concentrations from January 2010 till December 2014 of human immunodeficiency virus‐infected individuals treated in the outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen were retrospectively reviewed. The first darunavir plasma concentration of patients within 8 weeks after initiation of darunavir therapy was selected. A dichotomous logistic regression analysis was conducted to select the set of variables best predicting a darunavir concentration below median population pharmacokinetic curve. In total 113 patients were included. The variables best predicting a darunavir concentration besides food intake included age together with estimated glomerular filtration rate (Hosmer–Lemeshow test P = 0.945, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.284). Systematic evaluation of therapeutic drug monitoring results may help to identify patients at risk for low drug exposure.
Durable graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects without donor lymphocyte infusions – results of a phase II study of sequential T‐replete allogeneic transplantation for high‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplasia
Authors: Davies Jeff K. , Hassan Sandra , Sarker Shah‐Jalal , Besley Caroline , Oakervee Heather , Smith Matthew , Taussig David , Gribben John G. , Cavenagh Jamie D. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryAllogeneic haematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and high‐risk myelodysplasia but has previously been limited to patients who achieve remission before transplant. New sequential approaches employing T‐cell depleted transplantation directly after chemotherapy show promise but are burdened by viral infection and require donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) to augment donor chimerism and graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects. T‐replete transplantation in sequential approaches could reduce both viral infection and DLI usage. We therefore performed a single‐arm prospective Phase II clinical trial of sequential chemotherapy and T‐replete transplantation using reduced‐intensity conditioning without planned DLI. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Forty‐seven patients with relapsed/refractory AML or high‐risk myelodysplasia were enrolled; 43 proceeded to transplantation. High levels of donor chimerism were achieved spontaneously with no DLI. Overall survival of transplanted patients was 45% and 33% at 1 and 3 years. Only one patient developed cytomegalovirus disease. Cumulative incidences of treatment‐related mortality and relapse were 35% and 20% at 1 year. Patients with relapsed AML and myelodysplasia had the most favourable outcomes. Late‐onset graft‐versus‐host disease protected against relapse. In conclusion, a T‐replete sequential transplantation using reduced‐intensity conditioning is feasible for relapsed/refractory AML and myelodysplasia and can deliver graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects without DLI.
Effects of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors on megakaryocytes and platelets and related diseases
Authors: Yang Jin‐Gang , Wang Li‐Li , Ma Dong‐Chu 
Published: October 2017

SummaryIt is well known that vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, VEGFRs) are expressed in different tissues, and VEGF‐VEGFR loops regulate a wide range of responses, including metabolic homeostasis, cell proliferation, migration and tubuleogenesis. As ligands, VEGFs act on three structurally related VEGFRs (VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 [also termed FLT1, KDR and FLT4, respectively]) that deliver downstream signals. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), megakaryocytic cell lines, cultured megakaryocytes (MKs), primary MKs and abnormal MKs express and secrete VEGFs. During the development from HSCs to MKs, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 are expressed at different developmental stages, respectively, and re‐expressed, e.g., VEGFR2, and play different roles in commitment, differentiation, proliferation, survival and polyplodization of HSCs/MKs via autocrine, paracrine and/or even intracrine loops. Moreover, VEGFs and their receptors are abnormally expressed in MK‐related diseases, including myeloproliferative neoplasms, myelodysplastic syndromes and acute megakaryocytic leukaemia (a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia), and they lead to the disordered proliferation/differentiation of bone marrow cells and angiogenesis, indicating that they are closely related to these diseases. Thus, targeting VEGF‐VEGFR loops may be of potential therapeutic value.
Ecological consequences of forest elephant declines for Afrotropical forests
Authors: Poulsen John R. , Rosin Cooper , Meier Amelia , Mills Emily , Nuñez Chase L. , Koerner Sally E. , Blanchard Emily , Callejas Jennifer , Moore Sarah , Sowers Mark 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPoaching is rapidly extirpating African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) from most of their historical range, leaving vast areas of elephant‐free tropical forest. Elephants are ecological engineers that create and maintain forest habitat; thus, their loss will have large consequences for the composition and structure of Afrotropical forests. Through a comprehensive literature review, we evaluated the roles of forest elephants in seed dispersal, nutrient recycling, and herbivory and physical damage to predict the cascading ecological effects of their population declines. Loss of seed dispersal by elephants will favor tree species dispersed abiotically and by smaller dispersal agents, and tree species composition will depend on the downstream effects of changes in elephant nutrient cycling and browsing. Loss of trampling and herbivory of seedlings and saplings will result in high tree density with release from browsing pressures. Diminished seed dispersal by elephants and high stem density are likely to reduce the recruitment of large trees and thus increase homogeneity of forest structure and decrease carbon stocks. The loss of ecological services by forest elephants likely means Central African forests will be more like Neotropical forests, from which megafauna were extirpated thousands of years ago. Without intervention, as much as 96% of Central African forests will have modified species composition and structure as elephants are compressed into remaining protected areas. Stopping elephant poaching is an urgent first step to mitigating these effects, but long‐term conservation will require land‐use planning that incorporates elephant habitat into forested landscapes that are being rapidly transformed by industrial agriculture and logging.
Species composition of the international shark fin trade assessed through a retail‐market survey in Hong Kong
Authors: Fields Andrew T. , Fischer Gunter A. , Shea Stanley K. H. , Zhang Huarong , Abercrombie Debra L. , Feldheim Kevin A. , Babcock Elizabeth A. , Chapman Demian D. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe shark fin trade is a major driver of shark exploitation in fisheries all over the world, most of which are not managed on a species‐specific basis. Species‐specific trade information highlights taxa of particular concern and can be used to assess the efficacy of management measures and anticipate emerging threats. The species composition of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, one of the world's largest fin trading hubs, was partially assessed in 1999–2001. We randomly selected and genetically identified fin trimmings (n = 4800), produced during fin processing, from the retail market of Hong Kong in 2014–2015 to assess contemporary species composition of the fin trade. We used nonparametric species estimators to determine that at least 76 species of sharks, batoids, and chimaeras supplied the fin trade and a Bayesian model to determine their relative proportion in the market. The diversity of traded species suggests species substitution could mask depletion of vulnerable species; one‐third of identified species are threatened with extinction. The Bayesian model suggested that 8 species each comprised >1% of the fin trimmings (34.1–64.2% for blue [Prionace glauca], 0.2–1.2% for bull [Carcharhinus leucas] and shortfin mako [Isurus oxyrinchus]); thus, trade was skewed to a few globally distributed species. Several other coastal sharks, batoids, and chimaeras are in the trade but poorly managed. Fewer than 10 of the species we modeled have sustainably managed fisheries anywhere in their range, and the most common species in trade, the blue shark, was not among them. Our study and approach serve as a baseline to track changes in composition of species in the fin trade over time to better understand patterns of exploitation and assess the effects of emerging management actions for these animals.