bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Irritable bowel syndrome and the perinatal period: lower birth weight increases the risk
Authors: Raslau D. , Herrick L. M. , Locke G. R. , Schleck C. D. , Zinsmeister A. R. , Almazar A. , Talley N. J. , Saito Y. A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundEarly life events have been found to be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) suggesting a role in development of functional disorders. The study aim was to identify potential perinatal risk factors for adult IBS.MethodsUtilizing a population‐based nested case–control design, cases who met modified Rome III criteria for IBS and age‐ and‐gender matched controls were identified using responses from prior mailed surveys to a random sample of Olmsted County residents. Medical records of eligible respondents were reviewed for perinatal events of interest. The association of early life events with subsequent case status was assessed using conditional logistic regression.Key ResultsOf 3 417 respondents, 513 were born in Olmsted County and 108 met criteria for IBS. Due to missing records, 89 pairs were included in the final analyses. Logistic regression revealed only birth weight as a predictor of IBS. Lower birth weight increased the odds for IBS (OR = 1.54 [95% CI = (1.12, 2.08), p = 0.008]). Median birth weight was 3.35 kg (range: 1.96–5.24) and 3.57 kg (range: 2.18–4.59) for cases and controls, respectively. Maternal age, delivery method, and antibiotic exposure were not associated with IBS status but this study was only powered to detect large odds ratios.Conclusions and InferencesLower birth weight was observed as a risk factor for IBS. It is not clear if in utero developmental delays directly lead to IBS or if low birth weight is a prospective marker for subsequent early life problems leading to IBS.
Birth Outcomes in a Prospective Pregnancy–Birth Cohort Study of Environmental Risk Factors in Kuwait: The TRACER Study
Authors: AlSeaidan Mohammad , Al Wotayan Rihab , Christophi Costas A. , Al‐Makhseed Massouma , Abu Awad Yara , Nassan Feiby , Ahmed Ayah , Abraham Smitha , Boley Robert Bruce , James‐Todd Tamarra , Wright Rosalind J. , Dockery Douglas W. , Behbehani Kazem 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundRapid development and westernisation in Kuwait and other Gulf states have been accompanied by rising rates of obesity, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions. Prenatal experiences and exposures may be important targets for intervention. We undertook a prospective pregnancy–birth cohort study in Kuwait, the TRansgenerational Assessment of Children's Environmental Risk (TRACER) Study, to examine prenatal risk factors for early childhood obesity. This article describes the methodology and results of follow‐up through birth.MethodsWomen were recruited at antenatal clinical visits. Interviewers administered questionnaires during the pregnancy and collected and banked biological samples. Children are being followed up with quarterly maternal interviews, annual anthropometric measurements, and periodic collection of biosamples. Frequencies of birth outcomes (i.e. stillbirth, preterm birth, small and large for gestational age, and macrosomia) were calculated as a function of maternal characteristics and behaviours.ResultsTwo thousand four hundred seventy‐eight women were enrolled, and 2254 women were followed to delivery. Overall, frequencies of stillbirth (0.6%), preterm birth (9.3%), and small for gestational age (7.4%) were comparable to other developed countries, but not strongly associated with maternal characteristics or behaviours. Macrosomia (6.1%) and large for gestational age (23.0%) were higher than expected and positively associated with pre‐pregnancy maternal overweight/obesity.ConclusionsA large birth cohort has been established in Kuwait. The collected risk factors and banked biosamples will allow examination of the effects of prenatal exposures on the development of chronic disease in children. Initial results suggest that maternal overweight/obesity before pregnancy should be targeted to prevent macrosomia and its associated sequelae of childhood overweight/obesity.
Designing Global Governance for Agricultural Development and Food and Nutrition Security
Authors: von Braun Joachim , Birner Regina 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe point to deficits in current global institutional arrangements in support of agricultural development and food and nutrition security. A framework for global institutional arrangements proposed here is the set of essential international public goods for a well‐functioning world food system. These public goods include international natural resource management; trade and transboundary competition policy; research and innovation; handling large scale food emergencies; and transboundary food safety. Based on the framework, and institutional economics considerations, causes of current malfunctioning of global food governance are analyzed. It is proposed to redesign global food governance by establishing an international platform with policy clusters mapped along the set of global public goods. To support the platform with needed research‐based evidence an International Panel on Food, Nutrition and Agriculture (IPFNA) is suggested, partly following the design of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Existing organizations and mechanisms would form building blocks of the strengthened and redesigned governance system. A gradual approach toward redesign is proposed. Some redesign in the suggested direction was triggered by the food crisis of 2008, as demonstrated by the reform of the Committee on Food Security (CFS) with its high level panel of experts, but more is needed.
Response to “How We Teach Introductory Bible Courses”
Authors: Reeder Caryn A. , Liew Tat‐siong Benny , Webster Jane S. , Batten Alicia J. , Frilingos Chris 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe essays collected in this manuscript respond to “How We Teach Introductory Bible Courses: A Comparative and Historical Sampling” by Collin Cornell and Joel M. LeMon, published in this issue of the journal.
A Book for None? Teaching Biblical Studies to Millennial Nones
Authors: Reed Randall 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe millennial generation is distinctive for several reasons, not the least is its growing religious disaffiliation. Given a growing disinterest in religion in general and the Bible in particular especially among the fast growing group of millennial “nones” how can biblical studies classes still be seen as appealing and relevant? This article seeks to answer this question by examining the identity and concomitant values of millennials. As a result of this analysis I argue that while the Bible as inherent authority may be quickly losing its appeal, the Bible as an example of human creativity, group reflection, political rhetoric, and social discourse makes the study of the Bible particularly relevant for millennials contemplating careers in the global marketplace even if the importance of the Bible itself is waning for this generation. I show how in my introductory New Testament class I attempt to implement these ideas.
Stripes, jewels and spines: further investigations into the evolution of defensive strategies in a chemically defended gecko radiation (Strophurus, Diplodactylidae)
Authors: Nielsen Stuart V. , Oliver Paul M. , Laver Rebecca J. , Bauer Aaron M. , Noonan Brice P. 
Published: May 2016

The geckos in the genus Strophurus (Diplodactylidae) are one of only two squamate lineages with specialized caudal defensive glands. Many species in this genus also have distinctive caudal ornamentation combined with bright and/or contrasting colour pattern elements on the iris, tail and especially the lining of the mouth that are hypothesized to be adaptations for specialized (e.g. deimatic) defensive functions. We present the first multilocus, phylogenetic analysis of the biogeography and evolution of all recognized taxa of Strophurus. Contrary to previous phenotypic and ecological assessments, our phylogenetic analyses delineate four divergent lineages. Three lineages are relatively small (snout‐vent length [SVL] 40–60 mm), species‐poor (<5 recognized taxa), cryptically coloured (either striped or spotted) and lack precloacal pores (a secondary sexual trait) and putative deimatic elements. In contrast, the remaining lineage is comparatively species rich (at least 14 taxa), attains a larger body size (SVL 60–90 mm), possesses precloacal pores and shows extensive variation in caudal ornamentation and often bright and/or contrasting eye, tail and mouth colouration. The three less diverse lineages have smaller distributions and tend to be associated with spinifex (e.g. Triodia) hummock grasses or rocks, whereas the fourth lineage is much more widespread (including multiple biomes) and consistently reported to utilize more exposed diurnal microhabitats on shrubs and trees. Biogeographical analyses also indicate that – in contrast to many other Australian radiations – the arid biome is the ancestral area of occupation for Strophurus, with multiple inferred shifts into surrounding sclerophyll and monsoon biomes. This study emphasizes that – independent of caudal defensive glands – it appears to be a shift in microhabitat use that correlates with the accumulation of bright and contrasting colouration elements, secondary sexual characters and the widest geographic distribution.
Feasibility and Operational Performance of Tuberculosis Detection by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Platform in Decentralized Settings: Results from a Multicenter Study
Authors: Gray Christen M. , Katamba Achilles , Narang Pratibha , Giraldo Jorge , Zamudio Carlos , Joloba Moses , Narang Rahul , Paramasivan C. N. , Hillemann Doris , Nabeta Pamela , Amisano Danielle , Alland David , Cobelens Frank , Boehme Catharina C. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT
Currently available nucleic acid amplification platforms for tuberculosis (TB) detection are not designed to be simple or inexpensive enough to implement in decentralized settings in countries with a high burden of disease. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification platform (LAMP) may change this. We conducted a study in adults with symptoms suggestive of TB in India, Uganda, and Peru to establish the feasibility of using TB-LAMP (Eiken Chemical Co.) in microscopy laboratories compared with using smear microscopy against a reference standard of solid and liquid cultures. Operational characteristics were evaluated as well. A total of 1,777 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included for analysis. Overall, TB-LAMP sensitivities among culture-positive samples were 97.2% (243/250; 95% confidence interval [CI], 94.3% to 98.2%) and 62.0% (88/142; 95% CI, 53.5% to 70.0%) for smear-positive and smear-negative TB, respectively, but varied widely by country and operator. Specificities ranged from 94.5% (446/472; 95% CI, 92.0% to 96.4%) to 98.0% (350/357; 95% CI, 96.0% to 99.2%) by country. A root cause analysis identified high temperatures, high humidity, and/or low reaction volumes as possible causes for false-positive results, as they may result in nonspecific amplification. The study was repeated in India with training focused on vulnerable steps and an updated protocol; 580 participants were included for analysis. Specificity in the repeat trial was 96.6% (515/533; 95% CI, 94.7% to 97.9%). To achieve acceptable performance of LAMP at the microscopy center level, significant training and infrastructure requirements are necessary.
Lessons Learned from Probing for Impacts of Triclosan and Triclocarban on Human Microbiomes
Authors: Halden Rolf U. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Despite increasing interest in the effects of triclosan and triclocarban on human biology, current knowledge is still limited on the impact of these additives to antimicrobial personal care products on the human microbiome. A carefully designed recent study published in
mSphere
by Poole and colleagues [A. C. Poole et al., mSphere 1(3):e00056-15, 2016,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00056-15
] highlights both the power of novel methodologies for microbiome elucidation and the longstanding challenge of employing small-cohort studies to inform risk assessment for chemicals of ubiquitous use in modern society.
Patterns of demand for non-Ebola health services during and after the Ebola outbreak: panel survey evidence from Monrovia, Liberia
Authors: Morse Ben , Grépin Karen A , Blair Robert A , Tsai Lily 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThe recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was unprecedented in magnitude, duration and geographic scope. Hitherto there have been no population-based estimates of its impact on non-EVD health outcomes and health-seeking behaviour.MethodsWe use data from a population-based panel survey conducted in the late-crisis period and two postcrisis periods to track trends in (1) the prevalence of adult and child illness, (2) subsequent usage of health services and (3) the determinants thereof.ResultsThe prevalence of child and adult illness remained relatively steady across all periods. Usage of health services for children and adults increased by 77% and 104%, respectively, between the late-crisis period and the postcrisis periods. In the late-crisis period, (1) socioeconomic factors weakly predict usage, (2) distrust in government strongly predicts usage, (3) direct exposure to the EVD outbreak, as measured by witnessing dead bodies or knowing Ebola victims, negatively predicts trust and usage and (4) exposure to government-organised community outreach predicts higher trust and usage. These patterns do not obtain in the post-crisis period.InterpretationSupply-side and socioeconomic factors are insufficient to account for lower health-seeking behaviour during the crisis. Rather, it appears that distrust and negative EVD-related experiences reduced demand during the outbreak. The absence of these patterns outside the crisis period suggests that the rebound after the crisis reflects recovery of demand. Policymakers should anticipate the importance of demand-side factors, including fear and trust, on usage of health services during health crises.
Association between treatment for gonorrhoea and chlamydia and lower condom use in a cross-sectional study of female sex workers in southern India
Authors: Legendre-Dugal Marianne , Bradley Janet , Rajaram Subramanian Potty , Lowndes Catherine M , Ramesh Banadakoppa M , Washington Reynold , Moses Stephen , Blanchard James , Alary Michel 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesTo assess whether having received grey packets containing treatment for gonorrhoea and chlamydia was associated with condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) in 5 districts of southern India covered by theAvahanprogramme where both periodic presumptive treatment (PPT) and syndromic management were used to control these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among FSWs.SettingCross-sectional study of FSWs recruited in the field in 5 districts of southern India (Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary, Guntur and Mumbai) in 2006–2007.Participants1378 self-identified FSWs out of 1442 were approached to participate in the study (participation rate: 95.6%). The only exclusion criterion was to be aged <18 years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresConsistent condom use (CCU) with new or occasional clients, and with the most recent repeat client as assessed using a questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews.ResultsUsing the Poisson regression to model the association between the number of grey packets received in the past 3–12 months and reported CCU, adjusting for factors associated with condom use and other potential confounders in our data, CCU was lowest among FSWs who had received ≥3 grey packets in the past 3–12 months with their new or occasional clients (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR): 0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.84, p<0.001) and with the most recent repeat client (APR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.78, p<0.001). Tests for trends showed that CCU with both types of clients decreased with the number of grey packets received (p<0.001).ConclusionsSince we could not distinguish grey packets used for PPT from those given for syndromic management, these results could be either due to a perception of protection conferred by PPT or by the fact that inconsistent condom users are more at risk for STIs. Further research on the potential disinhibiting effect of PPT is warranted.
Cognitive tests predict real-world errors: the relationship between drug name confusion rates in laboratory-based memory and perception tests and corresponding error rates in large pharmacy chains
Authors: Schroeder Scott R , Salomon Meghan M , Galanter William L , Schiff Gordon D , Vaida Allen J , Gaunt Michael J , Bryson Michelle L , Rash Christine , Falck Suzanne , Lambert Bruce L 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundDrug name confusion is a common type of medication error and a persistent threat to patient safety. In the USA, roughly one per thousand prescriptions results in the wrong drug being filled, and most of these errors involve drug names that look or sound alike. Prior to approval, drug names undergo a variety of tests to assess their potential for confusability, but none of these preapproval tests has been shown to predict real-world error rates.ObjectivesWe conducted a study to assess the association between error rates in laboratory-based tests of drug name memory and perception and real-world drug name confusion error rates.MethodsEighty participants, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians and lay people, completed a battery of laboratory tests assessing visual perception, auditory perception and short-term memory of look-alike and sound-alike drug name pairs (eg, hydroxyzine/hydralazine).ResultsLaboratory test error rates (and other metrics) significantly predicted real-world error rates obtained from a large, outpatient pharmacy chain, with the best-fitting model accounting for 37% of the variance in real-world error rates. Cross-validation analyses confirmed these results, showing that the laboratory tests also predicted errors from a second pharmacy chain, with 45% of the variance being explained by the laboratory test data.ConclusionsAcross two distinct pharmacy chains, there is a strong and significant association between drug name confusion error rates observed in the real world and those observed in laboratory-based tests of memory and perception. Regulators and drug companies seeking a validated preapproval method for identifying confusing drug names ought to consider using these simple tests. By using a standard battery of memory and perception tests, it should be possible to reduce the number of confusing look-alike and sound-alike drug name pairs that reach the market, which will help protect patients from potentially harmful medication errors.
Circulating Long RNAs in Serum Extracellular Vesicles: Their Characterization and Potential Application as Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Dong Lei , Lin Wanrun , Qi Peng , Xu Mi-die , Wu Xiaoben , Ni Shujuan , Huang Dan , Weng Wei-wei , Tan Cong , Sheng Weiqi , Zhou Xiaoyan , Du Xiang 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Background: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNAs are long RNAs (≥200 nucleotides) compared with miRNAs. In blood, long RNAs may be protected by serum extracellular vesicles, such as apoptotic bodies (AB), microvesicles (MV), and exosomes (EXO). They are potential biomarkers for identifying cancer.
Methods: Sera from 76 preoperative colorectal cancer patients, 76 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects, and 20 colorectal adenoma patients without colorectal cancer were collected. We investigated the distribution of long RNAs into the three vesicles. Seventy-nine cancer-related long RNAs were chosen and detected using qPCR.
Results: The quantity of long RNA has varying distribution among three subtypes of extracellular vesicles in serum. Most mRNA and lncRNA genes had higher quantity in EXOs than that in ABs and MVs, whereas MVs contain lowest quantity. We investigated 79 long RNAs chosen from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the LncRNADisease database in the sera of healthy patients, and those with colorectal cancer. In the training and test sets, the AUCs were 0.936 and 0.877, respectively. The AUC of total serum RNA was lower (0.857) than that of exosomal RNA in the same samples (0.936).
Conclusion: The present study shows that exosomal mRNAs and lncRNAs in serum could be used as biomarkers to detect colorectal cancer.
Impact: Among three types of vesicles in sera, EXOs were the richest reservoir for almost all measured long RNAs. The combination of two mRNAs, KRTAP5-4 and MAGEA3, and one lncRNA, BCAR4, could be potential candidates to detect colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(7); 1158–66. ©2016 AACR.
Reduced Shedding of Surface Mesothelin Improves Efficacy of Mesothelin-Targeting Recombinant Immunotoxins
Authors: Awuah Prince , Bera Tapan K. , Folivi Messan , Chertov Oleg , Pastan Ira 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a differentiation antigen that is highly expressed in many epithelial cancers. MSLN is an important therapeutic target due to its high expression in cancers and limited expression in normal human tissues. Although it has been assumed that shed antigen is a barrier to immunotoxin action, a modeling study predicted that shed MSLN may enhance the action of MSLN-targeting recombinant immunotoxins such as SS1P and similar therapeutics by facilitating their redistribution within tumors. We aimed to determine whether shed MSLN enhances or reduces the antitumor effect of MSLN-targeting immunotoxins SS1P and RG7787. We engineered a cell line, A431/G9 (TACE mutant) that expresses a mutant form of MSLN in which the TNF-converting enzyme protease site is replaced with GGGS. We compared the response of the TACE-mutant cells with immunotoxins SS1P and RG7787 with that of the parental A431/H9 cell line. We show that TACE-mutant cells shed 80% less MSLN than A431/H9 cells, that TACE-mutant cells show a 2- to 3-fold increase in MSLN-targeted immunotoxin uptake, and that they are about 5-fold more sensitive to SS1P killing in cell culture. Tumors with reduced shedding respond significantly better to treatment with SS1P and RG7787. Our data show that MSLN shedding is an impediment to the antitumor activity of SS1P and RG7787. Approaches that decrease MSLN shedding could enhance the efficacy of immunotoxins and immunoconjugates targeting MSLN-expressing tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1648–55. ©2016 AACR.
Automated Processing of Oceanic Bubble Images for Measuring Bubble Size Distributions underneath Breaking Waves
Authors: Al-Lashi Raied S. , Gunn Steve R. , Czerski Helen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAccurate in situ measurements of oceanic bubble size distributions beneath breaking waves are needed for a better understanding of air–sea gas transfer and aerosol production processes. To achieve this goal, a novel high-resolution optical instrument for imaging oceanic bubbles was designed and built in 2013 for the High Wind Gas Exchange Study (HiWinGS) campaign in the North Atlantic Ocean. The instrument is able to operate autonomously and can continuously capture high-resolution images at 15 frames per second over an 8-h deployment. The large number of images means that it is essential to use an automated processing algorithm to process these images. This paper describes an automated algorithm for processing oceanic images based on a robust feature extraction technique. The main advantages of this robust algorithm are it is significantly less sensitive to the noise and insusceptible to the background changes in illumination, can extract circular bubbles as small as one pixel (approximately 20 μm) in radius accurately, has low computing time (approximately 5 seconds per image), and is simple to implement. The algorithm was successfully used to analyze a large number of images (850 000 images) from deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean as part of the HiWinGS campaign in 2013.