bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A model‐based approach to assess the exposure–response relationship of Lorenzo's oil in adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Ahmed Mariam A. , Kartha Reena V. , Brundage Richard C. , Cloyd James , Basu Cynthia , Carlin Bradley P. , Jones Richard O. , Moser Ann B. , Fatemi Ali , Raymond Gerald V. 
Published: February 2016

AimsX‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder, most commonly affecting boys, associated with increased very long chain fatty acids (C26:0) in all tissues, causing cerebral demyelination and adrenocortical insufficiency. Certain monounsaturated long chain fatty acids including oleic and erucic acids, known as Lorenzo's oil (LO), lower plasma C26:0 levels. The aims of this study were to characterize the effect of LO administration on plasma C26:0 concentrations and to determine whether there is an association between plasma concentrations of erucic acid or C26:0 and the likelihood of developing brain MRI abnormalities in asymptomatic boys.MethodsNon‐linear mixed effects modelling was performed on 2384 samples collected during an open label single arm trial. The subjects (n = 104) were administered LO daily at ~2–3 mg kg−1 with a mean follow‐up of 4.88 ± 2.76 years. The effect of erucic acid exposure on plasma C26:0 concentrations was characterized by an inhibitory fractional Emax model. A Weibull model was used to characterize the time‐to‐developing MRI abnormality.ResultsThe population estimate for the fractional maximum reduction of C26:0 plasma concentrations was 0.76 (bootstrap 95% CI 0.73, 0.793). Our time‐to‐event analyses showed that every mg l−1 increase in time‐weighted average of erucic acid and C26:0 plasma concentrations was, respectively, associated with a 3.7% reduction and a 753% increase in the hazard of developing MRI abnormality. However, the results were not significant (P = 0.5344, 0.1509, respectively).ConclusionsLO administration significantly reduces the abnormally high plasma C26:0 concentrations in X‐ALD patients. Further studies to evaluate the effect of LO on the likelihood of developing brain MRI abnormality are warranted.
The impact of event vividness, event severity, and prior paranormal belief on attributions towards a depicted remarkable coincidence experience: Two studies examining the misattribution hypothesis
Authors: Rogers Paul , Qualter Pamela , Wood Dave 
Published: February 2016

Two studies examine the impact event vividness, event severity, and prior paranormal belief has on causal attributions for a depicted remarkable coincidence experience. In Study 1, respondents (n = 179) read a hypothetical vignette in which a fictional character accurately predicts a plane crash 1 day before it occurs. The crash was described in either vivid or pallid terms with the final outcome being either severe (fatal) or non‐severe (non‐fatal). Respondents completed 29 causal attribution items, one attribution confidence item, nine scenario perception items, a popular paranormal belief scale, and a standard demographics questionnaire. Principal axis factoring reduced the 29 attribution items to four attribution factors which were then subjected to a 2 (event vividness) × 2 (event severity) × 2 (paranormal belief)MANCOVAcontrolling for respondent gender. As expected, paranormal believers attributed the accurate crash prediction less to coincidence and more to both paranormal and transcendental knowing than did paranormal sceptics. Furthermore, paranormal (psychokinesis) believers deemed the prediction more reflective of paranormal knowing to both (1) a vivid/non‐fatal and (2) a pallid/fatal crash depiction. Vividness, severity, and paranormal belief types had no impact on attribution confidence. In Study 2, respondents (alson = 179) generated data that were a moderately good fit to the previous factor structure and replicated several differences across attributional pairings albeit for paranormal non‐believers only. Corresponding effects for event severity and paranormal belief were not replicated. Findings are discussed in terms of their support for the paranormal misattribution hypothesis and the impact of availability biases in the form of both vividness and severity effects. Methodological issues and future research ideas are also discussed.
Identifying ligands at orphan GPCRs: current status using structure‐based approaches
Authors: Ngo Tony , Kufareva Irina , Coleman James LJ , Graham Robert M , Abagyan Ruben , Smith Nicola J 
Published: February 2016

GPCRs are the most successful pharmaceutical targets in history. Nevertheless, the pharmacology of many GPCRs remains inaccessible as their endogenous or exogenous modulators have not been discovered. Tools that explore the physiological functions and pharmacological potential of these ‘orphan’ GPCRs, whether they are endogenous and/or surrogate ligands, are therefore of paramount importance. Rates of receptor deorphanization determined by traditional reverse pharmacology methods have slowed, indicating a need for the development of more sophisticated and efficient ligand screening approaches. Here, we discuss the use of structure‐based ligand discovery approaches to identify small molecule modulators for exploring the function of orphan GPCRs. These studies have been buoyed by the growing number of GPCR crystal structures solved in the past decade, providing a broad range of template structures for homology modelling of orphans. This review discusses the methods used to establish the appropriate signalling assays to test orphan receptor activity and provides current examples of structure‐based methods used to identify ligands of orphan GPCRs.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.20/issuetoc
Scale dependency in effectiveness, isolation, and social‐ecological spillover of protected areas
Authors: Ament Judith M. , Cumming Graeme S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractProtected areas are considered vital for the conservation of biodiversity. Given their central role in many conservation strategies, it is important to know whether they adequately protect biodiversity within their boundaries; whether they are becoming more isolated from other natural areas over time; and whether they play a role in facilitating or reducing land‐cover change in their surroundings. We used matching methods and national and local analyses of land‐cover change to evaluate the combined effectiveness (i.e., avoided natural‐cover loss), isolation (i.e., changes in adjacent areas), and spillover effects (i.e., impacts on adjacent areas) of 19 national parks in South Africa from 2000 to 2009. All parks had either similar or lower rates of natural‐cover loss than matched control samples. On a national level, mean net loss of natural cover and mean net gain of cultivation cover decreased with distance from park boundary, but there was considerable variation in trends around individual parks, providing evidence for both increased isolation and buffering of protected areas. Fourteen parks had significant positive spillover and reduced natural‐cover loss in their surroundings, whereas five parks experienced elevated levels of natural‐cover loss. Conclusions about social‐ecological spillover effects from protected areas depended heavily on the measures of land‐cover change used and the scale at which the results were aggregated. Our findings emphasize the need for high‐resolution data when assessing spatially explicit phenomena such as land‐cover change and challenge the usefulness of large‐scale (coarse grain, broad extent) studies for understanding social‐ecological dynamics around protected areas.
Dangers of Decentralisation in Urban Slums: A Comparative Study of Water Supply and Drainage Service Delivery in Kolkata, India
Authors: De Indranil , Nag Tirthankar 
Published: February 2016

Clientelism may lead to the underprovision of services which are deemed suitable for decentralisation. Water distribution and drainage services, managed from a lower level of municipal authority, are liable to be affected by clientelism and consequent underprovision. Water quality, maintained from a higher municipal layer, is not likely to be affected by clientelism. Capture by politically influential and dominant social and religious groups is likely to take place for important services like water supply. The article suggests that awareness, measurability, importance and resource intensiveness of service are additional factors to be considered for assessing the suitability of a sector for decentralisation.
Facial nerve paralysis grade V managed with combined medical and alternative therapy: a case report with literature review
Authors: Abouzeid Olfat 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundVery few studies are available in the management of facial nerve paralysis with alternative therapies.MethodsA medical case is reported with facial nerve paralysis grade V (FNPV) managed with combined medical and alternative therapy, a relatively new modality in management options.ResultsA 23‐years old Saudi woman presented with FNPV according to the House–Brackmann grading system. The patient was immediately offered management with combined drug therapy and alternative therapy for 3 months.ConclusionIn spite of the current debate regarding the application of alternative therapies in treating patients with medical conditions, this 23‐year old woman with FNPV recovered significantly after 3 months’ treatment using a combination of medical and alternative therapies. We conclude that offering alternative therapy, specifically wet cupping, or Hijama, in treating difficult medical conditions like FNPV can aid in the complete recovery of the condition.
Hydropower operations in groundwater‐influenced rivers: implications for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, early life stage development and survival
Authors: Casas‐Mulet R. , Alfredsen K. , Brabrand Å. , Saltveit S. J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDuring their early life stages (egg maturation, hatching, alevin development), between late autumn and early spring, young Atlantic salmon are exposed to surface‐groundwater interactions in the hyporheic zone and may depend on influx of subsurface water during periods of regulated low discharge for survival. Two studies, one in a seasonally regulated river and one in a river exposed to hydropeaking, displayed unexpectedly high survival of eggs in surface de‐watered areas because of the influx of oxygen‐rich subsurface water. Field observations of newly hatched alevins in these two rivers showed them to be more sensitive (i.e. suffered higher mortality from) to surface de‐watering than were eggs. Exposure to dry conditions in drawdown areas was highlighted as the main cause for alevin mortality. Therefore, shorter periods of surface de‐watering in the river with hydropeaking resulted in higher alevin survival than the seasonally regulated river when still permanently drained after egg hatching. Greater consideration should be given to all early life‐history stages when implementing discharge release strategies, and the extent of groundwater influence and the potential for flexible hydropower operations should be taken into account.
Experimental warming alters potential function of the fungal community in boreal forest
Authors: Treseder Kathleen K. , Marusenko Yevgeniy , Romero‐Olivares Adriana L. , Maltz Mia R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFungal community composition often shifts in response to warmer temperatures, which might influence decomposition of recalcitrant carbon (C). We hypothesized that evolutionary trade‐offs would enable recalcitrant C‐using taxa to respond more positively to warming than would labile C‐using taxa. Accordingly, we performed a warming experiment in an Alaskan boreal forest and examined changes in the prevalence of fungal taxa. In a complementary field trial, we characterized the ability of fungal taxa to use labile C (glucose), intermediate C (hemicellulose or cellulose), or recalcitrant C (lignin). We also assigned taxa to functional groups (e.g., free‐living filamentous fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and yeasts) based on taxonomic identity. We found that response to warming varied most among taxa at the order level, compared to other taxonomic ranks. Among orders, ability to use lignin was significantly related to increases in prevalence in response to warming. However, the relationship was weak, given that lignin use explained only 9% of the variability in warming responses. Functional groups also differed in warming responses. Specifically, free‐living filamentous fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi responded positively to warming, on average, but yeasts responded negatively. Overall, warming‐induced shifts in fungal communities might be accompanied by an increased ability to break down recalcitrant C. This change in potential function may reduce soil C storage under global warming.
The effect of zinc deficiency on salt taste acuity, preference, and dietary sodium intake in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Kim So Mi , Kim Miyeon , Lee Eun kyoung , Kim Soon Bae , Chang Jai Won , Kim Hyun Woo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroduction High sodium intake is the main cause of fluid overload in hemodialysis (HD) patients, leading to increased cardiovascular mortality. High sodium intake is known to be associated with low salt taste acuity and/or high preference. As the zinc status could influence taste acuity, we analyzed the effect of zinc deficiency on salt taste acuity, preference, and dietary sodium intake in HD patients. Methods A total of 77 HD patients was enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level with below 70 µg/mL. The patients were divided into two groups based on serum zinc level. Salt taste acuity and preference were determined by a sensory test using varying concentrations of NaCl solution, and dietary sodium intake was estimated using 3‐day dietary recall surveys. Findings The mean salt recognition threshold and salt taste preference were significantly higher in the zinc deficient group than in the non‐zinc deficient group. And there was significant positive correlation between salt taste preference and dietary sodium intake in zinc deficient group (r = 0.43, P = 0.002). Although, the dietary sodium intake showed a high tendency with no significance (P = 0.052), interdialytic weight gain was significantly higher in the zinc deficient group than in the non‐zinc deficient group (2.68 ± 1.02 kg vs. 3.18 ± 1.02 kg; P = 0.047). Discussion Zinc deficiency may be related to low salt taste acuity and high salt preference, leading to high dietary sodium intake in HD patients.
Evaluation of parameters obtained from the Sysmex XN‐2000 for predicting the recovery of the absolute neutrophil count and platelets after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Park S.‐H. , Park C.‐J. , Kim M.‐J. , Han M.‐Y. , Lee B.‐R. , Cho Y.‐U. , Jang S. , Kwon S.‐W. , Kim D.‐Y. , Lee J.‐H. , Lee J.‐H. , Lee K.‐H. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryIntroductionWe analyzed abilities of parameters from Sysmex XN‐2000 (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) to predict absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with hematologic malignancies.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed 911 follow‐up peripheral blood samples from 44 HSCT‐performed patients and evaluated the performances of the following parameters: WBC, immature granulocyte (IG), hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPC), immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), immature platelet fraction (IPF), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet larger cell ratio (P‐LCR).ResultsWhen compared to four other parameters, the identification of initiation in IG (%)/HPC (%) increase enabled earlier prediction of ANC recovery to >500/μL and >1000/μL with more time benefit of 3.5–6.5 days/2.0–5.0 days and 3.0–6.0 days/2.0–5.0 days, respectively. When compared to IPF (%), the identification of initiation in PDW, MPV, and P‐LCR (%) increase enabled earlier prediction of platelet recovery to >20 000/μL and >50 000/μL with more time benefit of 2.5–3.5 days and 2.0–3.0 days, respectively. However, the standard deviation of time benefit obtained from IG (%)/HPC (%)/PDW/MPV/P‐LCR (%) was consistently large (3.0–4.3 days).ConclusionsThere is a systematic pattern where a rise in most of the studied parameters can be observed in most patients before ANC/platelet recovery. However, the interindividual variation between the time of rise of these parameters and ANC/platelet recovery is large, and therefore, using these parameters to predict recovery in the individual patient is probably not meaningful in the clinical setting.
Intra‐European labour migration and low‐wage competition—comparing the Danish and Swedish experiences across three sectors
Authors: Refslund Bjarke , Thörnquist Annette 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe article compares how low‐wage competition and labour migration from EU11 Member States affect industrial relations and working conditions for natives and migrants in three sectors (transport, cleaning and agriculture) in Denmark and Sweden. The analysis shows how already vulnerable sectors with below‐average union density and collective agreements—especially geographical dispersed sectors—are strongly affected.
The Impact of Mixed-member Districts on Legislators' Behavior: The Case of Bolivia
Authors: Corral Margarita , Sánchez Francisco , Rivas Pérez Cristina 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMany studies suggest that mixed-member electoral systems produce different attitudes and behaviors among representatives. This article assesses how this type of electoral system shapes Bolivian legislators' perceptions of their roles as representatives, their district activities, and their relationships with their political parties. It examines these dimensions using elite survey data and interviews with legislators and their personal assistants. The results show that the electoral system does not produce a uniform impact. It shapes how legislators perceive their role as representatives and the nature of the relationship they build with their political parties, but it does not produce differences in the kinds of activities that both types of legislators carry out in their districts.
Clientelism and the Utility of the Left-Right Dimension in Latin America
Authors: Ruth Saskia P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article analyzes the relationship between clientelism and citizens' political orientation in Latin America. Consistent political perceptions in the citizenry are central in traditional theories of political competition. This article argues that clientelism hinders the development of consistent political orientation by reducing the utility of information cues, such as left-right labels. More specifically, clientelistic parties generate indifference among their supporters toward the left-right divide by offering them an alternative voting rationale, and increase uncertainty in the political realm by making left-right labels less meaningful. Both arguments are tested with multilevel regression analyses using cross-sectional data covering 18 Latin American countries. The results indicate that clientelistic party supporters are more likely to show indifference toward the left-right dimension and, to a lesser extent, that their left-right orientation corresponds less with their political attitudes.
An Exploratory Study of the Knowledge of Personal Safety Skills Among Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents
Authors: Miller Hannah L. , Pavlik Kathryn M. , Kim Min Ah , Rogers Karen C. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundThis study assessed the knowledge of personal safety skills among children with developmental disabilities and their parents' perceptions of children's knowledge.MethodThis exploratory study examined the mental health records of 37 children with developmental disabilities referred for an abuse risk reduction group in a community mental health setting. Qualitative analysis of children's responses to questions about personal safety skills (knowledge related to physical development and personal safety, an appropriate and inappropriate touch and safety skills to respond to an inappropriate touch) indicated participants' varied and inconsistent levels of knowledge.ResultsConsistent with the literature, the results indicate risk factors for sexual abuse among children with developmental disabilities, including children's difficulty distinguishing between an appropriate and inappropriate touch and the lack of knowledge regarding appropriate venues for disclosing an inappropriate touch. Among parents, a lack of certainty regarding their children's knowledge and the ability to keep themselves safe was identified.ConclusionResults support the need for education about personal safety for children with developmental disabilities and their families.
Backlash against male elementary educators
Authors: Moss‐Racusin Corinne A. , Johnson Elizabeth R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe investigated the existence, nature, and processes underscoring backlash (social and economic penalties) against men who violate gender stereotypes by working in education, and whether backlash is exacerbated by internal (vs. external) behavioral attributions. Participants (N = 303) rated one of six applications for an elementary teaching position, identical apart from target gender and behavioral attribution type. Male applicants were rated as more likely to be gay, posing a greater safety threat, and less likeable (but not less hireable) than identical female applicants. Perceived sexuality and threat mediated target gender differences in likeability. Unexpectedly, behavioral attributions did not interact with target gender, suggesting that providing internal attributions may not exacerbate men's backlash. Implications for backlash theory and education gender disparities are discussed.
Association of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in China
Authors: Ren Yongcheng , Zhang Ming , Zhao Jingzhi , Wang Chongjian , Luo Xinping , Zhang Jiatong , Zhu Tian , Li Xi , Yin Lei , Pang Chao , Feng Tianping , Wang Bingyuan , Zhang Lu , Li Linlin , Yang Xiangyu , Zhang Hongyan , Hu Dongsheng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo clarify the association of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in China.Materials and MethodsIn the present case–control study, we included 1,685 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 7,141 normal glucose‐tolerant controls from the Henan Province of China in 2011. Elevated waist circumference (GW) was defined as ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women. Hypertriglyceridemia (HT) was defined as >1.7 m mol/L triglycerides (TG) level. The association of hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and type 2 diabetes mellitus was investigated by sex, body mass index, physical activity, and family history of diabetes.ResultsCases and controls differed in age, waist circumference (WC), weight, TG level, fasting glucose, body mass index, smoking status, diabetic family history, physical activity and hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (P < 0.05), but not alcohol drinking (P = 0.63). In the overall sample, as compared with the phenotype of normal TG level and normal WC (NTNW), normal TG level/enlarged WC (NTGW), elevated TG level/normal WC (HTNW) and elevated TG level/enlarged WC (HTGW) were associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 4.14, 2.42 and 6.23, respectively). Only HTGW was consistently associated with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with or without adjustment. The strongest relationship between HTGW and type 2 diabetes mellitus was for subjects with body mass index <24.0 kg/m2 (odds ratio 6.54, 95% confidence interval 4.22–10.14) after adjustment for cofounding variables.ConclusionHTGW was stably and significantly associated with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adult Chinese.