bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of transthoracic needle biopsy after lung transplantation
Authors: Kavanagh John , Siemienowicz Miranda , Keshavjee Shaf , Rogalla Patrik , Singer Lianne , Kandel Sonja 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and complications of CT‐guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) after lung transplantation. A database search identified all TTNB performed in lung transplant patients over a 14‐year period. Forty‐two biopsies in transplant patients (transplant group) were identified and matched to the next biopsy performed in native lungs by the same operator (nontransplant group) as a control. Primary outcomes recorded were diagnosis, diagnostic yield, pneumothorax requiring intervention, and symptomatic pulmonary hemorrhage. Biopsy outcomes were classified as diagnostic, not specifically diagnostic, and nondiagnostic. Patients in the transplant group were younger (P < .002). Emphysema along the biopsy trajectory was more commonly seen in the nontransplant group (P < .0006). Needle gauge, size of lesion, pleural punctures, lesion depth, and number of passes were not significantly different. Diagnostic yield was 71% in the transplant group and 91% in the nontransplant group. There were 20 of 42 (48%) malignant nodules in the transplant group compared to 31 of 44 (70%) nodules in the nontransplant group (P = .05). There were no complications in the transplant group. The nontransplant group had two pneumothoraces requiring intervention. TTNB after lung transplant is safe with a moderate diagnostic yield. Nonmalignant lesions are more common after lung transplantation.
Complex interactions between hypoxia‐ischemia and inflammation in preterm brain injury
Authors: Galinsky Robert , Lear Christopher A , Dean Justin M , Wassink Guido , Dhillon Simerdeep K , Fraser Mhoyra , Davidson Joanne O , Bennet Laura , Gunn Alistair J 
Published: December 2017

Children surviving preterm birth have a high risk of disability, particularly cognitive and learning problems. There is extensive clinical and experimental evidence that disability is now primarily related to dysmaturation of white and gray matter, defined by failure of oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal dendritic arborization, rather than cell death alone. The etiology of this dysmaturation is multifactorial, with contributions from hypoxia‐ischemia, infection/inflammation and barotrauma. Intriguingly, these factors can interact to both increase and decrease damage. In this review we summarize preclinical and clinical evidence that all of these factors trigger secondary or chronic inflammation and gliosis. Thus, we hypothesize that these shared pathological features play a key role in a final common pathway that leads to the impaired neural maturation and connectivity and cognitive/motor impairments that are commonly observed in infants born preterm. This raises the possibility that secondary or chronic inflammation may be a viable therapeutic target for delayed interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes after preterm birth.What this paper adds

Hypoxia‐ischemia, infection/inflammation, and barotrauma/volutrauma all contribute to preterm brain injury.

Multiple different triggers of preterm brain injury are associated with central nervous system dysmaturation.

Secondary brain inflammation may be a viable target to improve neurodevelopment after preterm birth.
Node self‐connections in network metrics
Authors: Saura Santiago 
Published: December 2017

AbstractZamborain‐Mason et al. (Ecol. Lett., 20, 2017, 815–831) state that they have newly proposed network metrics that account for node self‐connections. Network metrics incorporating node self‐connections, also referred to as intranode (intrapatch) connectivity, were however already proposed before and have been widely used in a variety of conservation planning applications.
Revisionism as a logic of institutional change
Authors: White Jonathan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHow does a treaty‐based organisation account for its shifts in policy and procedure? With the European Union's history in focus, the paper observes a pattern of evolution by which departures from existing practice are justified as moves to better honour commitments already held. This logic of change‐as‐fidelity has long been the usual way of doing transnational politics in post‐war Europe. The concept of revisionism, borrowed from the study of innovation in purposive organisations more generally, elucidates its place in the early European Community. The paper goes on to examine how more recent developments, especially visible in the Euro crisis, challenge this logic of change and threaten to displace it. It concludes by discussing what this implies for the political nature of the EU, and whether the revival of the revisionist method is plausible or desirable.
European federalism: Pitfalls and possibilities
Authors: Fossum John Erik 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to show that federalism provides a better understanding of what the EU is, the nature of the challenges facing it, and the realm of possible solutions than do alternative conceptions such as multilevel governance. First, some important distortions about the EU and federalism in the EU studies literature need to be cleared up, before developing a new federal conception of the EU, that of a ‘poly‐cephalous’ or multi‐headed federation. A poly‐cephalous federation is not only deeply contested; it is a highly unstable system, in particular when facing the types of challenges that the EU has faced since the global economic crisis of 2008. In the final section, the article looks at a full‐fledged pluralistic federation with poly‐cephalous traits, namely Canada that, since the 1980s, has greatly modified its poly‐cephalous features with democratic effects. The article identifies a set of lessons for the EU from Canada's experience.
Avulsion of the proximal digital annular ligament in five hindlimbs
Authors: O'Brien E. J. O. , McAlpine J. M. , Schramme M. C. , Clegg P. D. , Archer R. M. , De Guio C. , Smith R. K. W. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryAvulsion of the proximal attachment of the proximal digital annular ligament (PDAL) was identified in five horses based on characteristic radiographic findings and supported by ultrasonographic examination in four horses. In two cases,PDALavulsion was associated with acute onset lameness based on physical examination (both animals) and diagnostic analgesia (one animal), and was the only lesion identified. Both horses became sound after a period of rest. Radiographs repeated 11 years later in one animal showed minimal change in the appearance of the lesion.PDALavulsion was associated with a substantial tear of the deep digital flexor tendon in another horse and in the remaining two casesPDALavulsion was not associated with lameness. A dissection study found that the proximodistal extent of the proximalPDALattachment, expressed as a proportion of the length of the proximal phalanx, was significantly (P = 0.011) greater in hindlimbs (11.48 ± 1.01%) compared with forelimbs (8.55 ± 1.06%). This finding may explain why hindlimbs appear at greater risk ofPDALavulsion. In conclusion, whilePDALavulsion can be a cause of acute lameness which, in uncomplicated cases, responds to rest, it can also be an incidental radiographic finding.
Using Demographic Variables to Understand Body Size Perception and Implications for Retailers
Authors: Alexander Marina , Pisut Gina , Ivanescu Andrada E. 
Published: December 2017

The purpose of the study was to identify demographic variables associated with women's body mass index (BMI) and body size perceptions and to determine if BMI affects body size perception. SizeUSA data (n = 6,811) were used for the data analysis. A multinomial regression between demographic variables, BMI, and body size perception showed that each demographic variable was a significant predictor of a women's BMI and body size perception. Results can be used to understand the BMI and body size perceptions of female consumers. Retailers can use the results to customize merchandise assortments for each store based on their target market's demographics.
Linking species diversification to palaeo‐environmental changes: A process‐based modelling approach
Authors: Descombes Patrice , Gaboriau Théo , Albouy Camille , Heine Christian , Leprieur Fabien , Pellissier Loïc 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimThe importance of quantifying the contribution of historical processes in shaping current biodiversity patterns is now recognized, but quantitative approaches that explicitly link speciation, extinction and dispersal processes to palaeo‐environmental changes are currently lacking. Here, we propose a spatial diversification model of lineages through time (SPLIT) based on the reconstruction of palaeo‐environments. We illustrate our approach using mangroves as a case study and evaluate whether habitat changes caused by plate tectonics explain the current biodiversity patterns of this group.InnovationsThe SPLIT model allows one to simulate the evolutionary dynamics of species ranges by spatially linking speciation, extinction and dispersal processes to habitat changes over geological time periods. The SPLIT model provides a mechanistic expectation of speciation and extinction assuming that species are ecologically identical and not interacting. The likelihood of speciation and extinction is equivalent across species and depends on two dispersal parameters interacting with habitat dynamics (d a maximum dispersal distance and ds a distance threshold beyond which gene flow is absent). Beyond classical correlative approaches, this model tracks biodiversity dynamics under palaeo‐environmental changes and provides multiple expectations (i.e., α‐, β‐diversity, phylogenies) that can be compared to empirical patterns.Main conclusionsThe SPLIT model allows a better understanding of the origin of biodiversity by explicitly accounting for habitat changes over geological times. The simulations applied to the mangrove case study reproduced the observed longitudinal gradient in species richness, the empirical pattern of β‐diversity and also provided inference on diversification rates. Future developments may include niche evolution and species interactions to evaluate the importance of non‐neutral mechanisms. The method is fully implemented in the InsideDNA platform for bioinformatics analyses, and all modelling results can be accessed via interactive web links.
Break‐through bleeding in relation to pharmacokinetics of Factor VIII in paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A
Authors: Cheng X. , Li P. , Chen Z. , Zhang N. , Zhen Y. , Zhao L. , Wang X. , Wu R. 
Published: December 2017

IntroductionAs the pharmacokinetics (PK) of factor VIII (FVIII) is individualized in children with haemophilia A (HA), PK parameters may be indicators of patients' bleeding phenotype and instruction for their personalized replacement program.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between PK/FVIII level and bleeding frequency in Chinese paediatric patients with severe (HA).MethodsA total of 24 patients were enrolled in Beijing Children's Hospital from February to October 2015, all of whom were given 50 IU/kg of FVIII concentrates after a 72‐hours washout period. Samples' activities (FVIII:C) were tested at 5 time points, using WinNonlin software for PK testing, and then the individual half‐life(t1/2) and the time (h) of FVIII concentrations <1 IU/dL within a week during prophylaxis were calculated. Baseline and the annual bleeding rate (ABR), annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR) were recorded and analyzed.ResultsThe mean t1/2 of FVIII was 10.20 ± 2.72 hours and the mean time of FVIII <1 IU/dL in 1 week was 44.7 hours (−38.56 to 102.33 hours). A significant relationship between t1/2 of FVIII and ABR0/AJBR0 (baseline bleeding) was found (R2 = 0.75 and 0.62, P < .001). Besides, baseline and the annual bleeding rate during prophylactic treatment of haemophilia had a positive correlation with the time (hours) of FVIII <1 IU/dL in 1 week (R2 = 0.67 and 0.52, P < .001).Conclusiont1/2 was an important indicator to prevent bleeding in severe HA; the frequency of bleeding will be reduced with the increased of t1/2 of FVIII. The data also demonstrates that increasing the time with a FVIII<1 IU/dL is associated with an increased rate of bleeding during prophylaxis.
Low‐grade spindle cell proliferation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma is unlikely to be an initial step in sarcomatoid differentiation
Authors: Tanas Isikci Ozlem , He Huying , Grossmann Petr , Alaghehbandan Reza , Ulamec Monika , Michalova Kvetoslava , Pivovarcikova Kristyna , Montiel Delia Perez , Ondic Ondrej , Daum Ondrej , Prochazkova Kristyna , Hora Milan , Michal Michal , Hes Ondrej 
Published: December 2017

AimsSpindle cell proliferation within clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is usually considered as a sarcomatoid differentiation. Low‐grade spindle cell proliferation (LG‐SCP) in ccRCC was first described in 2001. This phenomenon is not common and can pose diagnostic challenges, particularly in core biopsies. The aim of this study was to describe morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics of ccRCCs with LG‐SCP.Methods and resultsEleven cases of ccRCC with LG‐SCP were retrieved from approximately 21 000 renal tumours in our registry. Ten cases of conventional ccRCC and 10 cases of typical sarcomatoid ccRCC were included as control groups. Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analysed. Von Hippel–Lindau syndrome gene abnormalities were also analysed using molecular genetics. Among ccRCC with LG‐SCP cases, there were five males and five females (clinical information was not available in one case) with a median age of 67 years (mean: 68.5, range: 60–81 years). Average tumour size was 7.1 cm (median:7.5, range:1.7–12 cm). Follow‐up data were available in nine cases (mean: 44.78 months), with no aggressive behaviour seen. On average, LG‐SCP areas constituted 5–80% of tumour volume (mean: 32.3%). Necrotic/regressed areas were seen in all cases ranging from 5% to 30%. LG‐SCP was clearly epithelial, with no mitoses or any evidence of mesenchymal differentiation. Immunohistochemical profile of LG‐SCP was consistent with ‘conventional’ ccRCC. Compared with sarcomatoid ccRCC, some EMT markers showed alteration in LG‐SCP, including lower expression of N‐cadherin and Zeb1 as well as higher expression of E‐cadherin. However, there were no significant differences in EMT markers between LG‐SCP and conventional ccRCC. Abnormalities in VHL (mutations, LOH3p) were found in six of 11 cases.ConclusionsOur findings showed that LG‐SCP in ccRCC have comparable immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics to those seen in ‘conventional’ ccRCC. Further, immunohistochemical analysis of EMT markers showed that LG‐SCP did not differ from ‘conventional’ ccRCC. We believe that LG‐SCP is a part of morphological heterogeneity in ccRCCs and that they may not represent an initial stage of sarcomatoid differentiation. This is supported further by the fact that ccRCC with LG‐SCP did not display more aggressive behaviour than ‘conventional’ ccRCC.
Predictors of CD4 cell recovery following initiation of antiretroviral therapy among HIV‐1 positive patients with well‐estimated dates of seroconversion
Authors: Stirrup OT , Copas AJ , Phillips AN , Gill MJ , Geskus RB , Touloumi G , Young J , Bucher HC , Babiker AG ,   CASCADE Collaboration in EuroCoord
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo investigate factors that predict speed of recovery and long‐term CD4 cell count in HIV‐1 seroconverters initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and to quantify the influence of very early treatment initiation. We make use of all pre‐treatment CD4 counts, because analyses using only a single observation at initiation may be subject to biases.MethodsWe used data from the CASCADE (Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS and Death in Europe) multinational cohort collaboration of HIV‐1 seroconverters. We analysed pre‐ and post‐treatment data of patients with seroconversion dates estimated January 2003–March 2014 (n = 7600 for primary analysis) using a statistical model in which the characteristics of recovery in CD4 counts are determined by multiple predictive factors. Secondary analyses were performed incorporating uncertainty in the exact timing of seroconversion to allow more precise estimation of the benefit of very early treatment initiation.Results‘True’ CD4 count at cART initiation was the strongest predictor of CD4 count beyond 3 years on cART. Allowing for lack of complete certainty in the date of seroconversion, CD4 recovery was more rapid for patients in whom treatment was initiated within 4 months. For a given CD4 count, higher viral load (VL) at initiation was strongly associated with higher post‐treatment CD4 recovery. For other patient and drug characteristics, associations with recovery were statistically significant but small in magnitude.ConclusionsCD4 count at cART initiation is the most important factor in predicting post‐treatment recovery, but VL provides substantial additional information. If cART is initiated in the first 4 months following seroconversion, recovery of CD4 counts appears to be more rapid.
COMPETITION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS: CHARTER SCHOOL ENTRY, STUDENT SORTING, AND SCHOOL INPUT DETERMINATION
Authors: Mehta Nirav 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article develops and estimates an equilibrium model of charter school entry, school input choices, and student school choices. The structural model renders a comprehensive and internally consistent picture of treatment effects when there may be general equilibrium effects of school competition. Simulations indicate that the mean effect of charter schools on attendant students is positive and varies widely across locations. The mean spillover effect on public school students is small but positive. Lifting caps on charter schools would more than double entry but reduce gains for attendant students.
GENUINE SAVING AND POSITIONAL EXTERNALITIES
Authors: Aronsson Thomas , Johansson‐Stenman Olof 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMuch evidence suggests that people are concerned with their relative consumption. Yet, positional externalities have so far been ignored in savings‐based indicators of sustainable development. This article examines the implications of relative consumption concerns for measures of sustainable development by deriving analogues to genuine saving when people are concerned with their relative consumption. Unless the positional externalities have been internalized, an indicator of such externalities must be added to genuine saving to arrive at the proper measure of welfare change. We also show how relative consumption concerns affect the way public investment ought to be reflected in genuine saving.
NOMINAL SOVEREIGN DEBT
Authors: Phan Toan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractI show that reputation alone can sustain nominal sovereign debt, which is subject to both the risks of default and opportunistic devaluations. Nominal debt combined with a countercyclical exchange rate policy allows more hedging against shocks than real savings if markets are incomplete. Thus, the loss of either repayment or monetary reputation severely affects the government's ability to smooth consumption. The model offers a simple explanation for the Bulow and Rogoff critique, while simultaneously helping explain the issuance of nominal sovereign bonds by emerging economies. The model also helps explain why many governments borrow and save at the same time.
Electromagnetic shielding properties of carbon‐rich chemical vapor infiltration‐prone silicon carbide matrix composites
Authors: Han Daoyang , Mei Hui , Xiao Shanshan , Cheng Laifei 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study focuses on the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of SiC nanowire/SiC ceramic composites (SiCnw/SiC) manufactured by chemical vapor infiltration of SiCnw aerogels with carbon‐rich SiC. The total EMI SE of a 1.0 mm thick ceramic composite specimen with density of only 2.68 g/cm3, was found to be 43‐44 dB, which indicates an excellent EM shielding capability of the ceramic composite corresponding to blocking of 99.99% of the incident EM signal. It was found that the carbon‐rich CVI‐SiC matrix possess excellent EM shielding properties, therefore, the CVI‐SiC CMCs themselves possess an excellent EM shielding property as a result of the carbon‐rich SiC matrix.
Endosymbiosis and its significance in dermatology
Authors: Kubiak K. , Sielawa H. , Chen W. , Dzika E. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractProposed at the beginning of the twentieth century to explain the origin of eukaryotic organelles from prokaryotes, endosymbiosis is now medically defined by various interaction patterns between microorganisms and their residing hosts, best exemplified by the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia identified in arthropods and filarial nematodes, which can influence normal development, reproduction, survival and transmission of the hosts. Based on the transmission modes, vertical or horizontal, and the function of the endosymbionts, the host–symbiont dependence can be divided into primary or secondary. In dermatology, the role of endosymbionts in skin ectoparasitosis has aroused great interests in the past years. Riesia pediculicola is a primary bacterial endosymbiont in body lice Pediculus humanus, and supplement their hosts with vitamin B, especially pantothenic acid. In cimicosis, the Gram‐negative Wolbachia can synthesize biotin and riboflavin, which are crucial for the growth and reproduction of the bedbug Cimex lectularius. In human demodicosis and rosacea, further study is required to prove the pathogenic role of the Gram‐negative bacteria Bacillus oleronius or the Gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus cereus demonstrated in the Demodex mites. The high infection rate of adult female ticks Ixodes ricinus with the Gram‐negative bacteria Midichloria mitochondrii present in the mitochondria in diverse ovarian cells, with the high seroprevalence rate in tick‐exposed subjects, raises the possibility that this non‐pathogenic endosymbiont may play a role in immune response and successful transmission of the tick‐borne pathogen. The anaerobic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis and bacteria Mycoplasma hominis are two obligate parasites in the urogenital epithelium, with partially overlapping symptoms. Intracellular localization of Mycoplasma hominis can avoid host immune response and penetration of antibiotics, while Trichomonas vaginalis infected with Mycoplasma hominis seems to have a higher cytopathic activity and amoeboid transformation rate. Further study on the biology and pathogenesis of different endosymbionts in dermatological parasitosis will help for the development of new treatment modalities.
Detection of Differential Item Functioning with Nonlinear Regression: A Non‐IRT Approach Accounting for Guessing
Authors: Drabinová Adéla , Martinková Patrícia 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this article we present a general approach not relying on item response theory models (non‐IRT) to detect differential item functioning (DIF) in dichotomous items with presence of guessing. The proposed nonlinear regression (NLR) procedure for DIF detection is an extension of method based on logistic regression. As a non‐IRT approach, NLR can be seen as a proxy of detection based on the three‐parameter IRT model which is a standard tool in the study field. Hence, NLR fills a logical gap in DIF detection methodology and as such is important for educational purposes. Moreover, the advantages of the NLR procedure as well as comparison to other commonly used methods are demonstrated in a simulation study. A real data analysis is offered to demonstrate practical use of the method.