bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In‐hospital and long‐term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty with concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Daniec Marzena , Sorysz Danuta , Dziewierz Artur , Kleczyński Paweł , Rzeszutko Łukasz , Krawczyk‐Ożóg Agata , Dudek Dariusz 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundSevere aortic stenosis (AS) often coexists with significant coronary artery disease.ObjectiveTo evaluate procedural complications and long‐term outcomes of patients with severe AS undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsA total of 97 patients with severe AS underwent 104 BAVs as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non‐cardiac surgery. Patients were followed‐up for at least 12 months.ResultsOf the 97 patients, 34 (35.0%) underwent standalone BAV, 45 (46.4%) underwent BAV with coronary angiography, and 18 (18.6%) BAV with PCI. There were no differences in baseline characteristics and indications for BAV among the groups (P > 0.05). No higher risk of complications after BAV performed with concomitant coronary angiography/PCI was observed. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed after BAV in 13 (13.4%) patients and surgical aortic valve replacement in three (3.1%) patients. In spite of no difference in in‐hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.76), patients with BAV and concomitant PCI had lower long‐term mortality than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography (28.5% vs. 51.0%; P = 0.03). In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was identified as the only independent predictor of long‐term mortality for all patients (HR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.04‐1.15, P = 0.0006).ConclusionsConcomitant PCI or coronary angiography performed with BAV may not increase the risk of major and vascular complications. Patients with BAV and concomitant PCI may have better survival than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography.
Financing Recovery After Disasters: Explaining Community Credit Market Responses to Severe Events
Authors: Collier Benjamin L. , Babich Volodymyr O. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCredit provides a means for uninsured households and businesses to manage disaster losses, but access to credit may be tenuous after severe events. Using lender fixed effects models, we examine how natural disasters affect the amount of credit supplied by community lenders in developing and emerging economies. We find that disasters reduce lending. We consider two potential causes of lending reductions: (1) disasters reduce expected returns on loans made after the event or (2) capital constraints (lenders’ difficulty replacing equity lost during the event). We develop a dynamic model that informs our empirical identification of these causes and conclude that capital constraints cause observed credit contractions. We also examine the effects of insurance market development and find evidence that insurance preserves the creditworthiness of borrowers. Our results demonstrate pervasive disaster‐related credit supply shocks in developing and emerging economies and identify new insurance market opportunities.
Melatonin limits paclitaxel‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and protects against paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain in the rat
Authors: Galley Helen F. , McCormick Barry , Wilson Kirsten L. , Lowes Damon A. , Colvin Lesley , Torsney Carole 
Published: August 2017

AbstractChemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain is a debilitating and common side effect of cancer treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with oxidative stress in peripheral nerves has been implicated in the underlying mechanism. We investigated the potential of melatonin, a potent antioxidant that preferentially acts within mitochondria, to reduce mitochondrial damage and neuropathic pain resulting from the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel. In vitro, paclitaxel caused a 50% reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and metabolic rate, independent of concentration (20‐100 μmol/L). Mitochondrial volume was increased dose‐dependently by paclitaxel (200% increase at 100 μmol/L). These effects were prevented by co‐treatment with 1 μmol/L melatonin. Paclitaxel cytotoxicity against cancer cells was not affected by co‐exposure to 1 μmol/L melatonin of either the breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 or the ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780. In a rat model of paclitaxel‐induced painful peripheral neuropathy, pretreatment with oral melatonin (5/10/50 mg/kg), given as a daily bolus dose, was protective, dose‐dependently limiting development of mechanical hypersensitivity (19/43/47% difference from paclitaxel control, respectively). Melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) was similarly effective when administered continuously in drinking water (39% difference). Melatonin also reduced paclitaxel‐induced elevated 8‐isoprostane F2α levels in peripheral nerves (by 22% in sciatic; 41% in saphenous) and limited paclitaxel‐induced reduction in C‐fibre activity‐dependent slowing (by 64%). Notably, melatonin limited the development of mechanical hypersensitivity in both male and female animals (by 50/41%, respectively), and an additive effect was found when melatonin was given with the current treatment, duloxetine (75/62% difference, respectively). Melatonin is therefore a potential treatment to limit the development of painful neuropathy resulting from chemotherapy treatment.
Population transcriptomic characterization of the genetic and expression variation of a candidate progenitor of Miscanthus energy crops
Authors: Yan Juan , Song Zhihong , Xu Qin , Kang Lifang , Zhu Caiyun , Xing Shilai , Liu Wei , Greimler Josef , Züst Tobias , Li Jianqiang , Sang Tao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe use of transcriptome data in the study of the population genetics of a species can capture faint signals of both genetic variation and expression variation and can provide a broad picture of a species’ genomic response to environmental conditions. In this study, we characterized the genetic and expression diversity of Miscanthus lutarioriparius by comparing more than 16,225 transcripts obtained from 78 individuals, belonging to 10 populations distributed across the species’ entire geographic range. We only observed a low level of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.000434) among the transcriptome data of these populations, which is consistent with highly conserved sequences of functional elements and protein‐coding genes captured with this method. Tests of population divergence using the transcriptome data were consistent with previous microsatellite data but proved to be more sensitive, particularly if gene expression variation was considered as well. For example, the analysis of expression data showed that genes involved in photosynthetic processes and responses to temperature or reactive oxygen species stimuli were significantly enriched in certain populations. This differential gene expression was primarily observed among populations and not within populations. Interestingly, nucleotide diversity was significantly negatively correlated with expression diversity within populations, while this correlation was positive among populations. This suggests that genetic and expression variation play separate roles in adaptation and population persistence. Combining analyses of genetic and gene expression variation represents a promising approach for studying the population genetics of wild species and may uncover both adaptive and nonadaptive processes.
Exploring spatially varying relationships between children's lead poisoning and environmental factors
Authors: Shao Liyang , Zhang Lianjun , Zhen Zhen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractChildren's lead poisoning continues to compromise children's health and development, particularly in the inner cities of the United States. We applied a global Poisson model, a Poisson with random effects model, and a geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) model to deal with the spatial dependence and heterogeneity of the number of children's lead poisoning cases in Syracuse, New York. We used three environmental factors—the building year (i.e., the year of construction) of houses, the town taxable value of houses, and the soil lead concentration—averaged at the census block level to explore the spatially varying relationships between children's lead poisoning and environmental factors. The results indicated that GWPR not only produced better model fitting and reduced the spatial dependence and heterogeneity in the model residuals but also improved the model predictions for the spatial clusters, or hot spots, of children's lead poisoning across inner city neighborhoods. Furthermore, the spatially varying model coefficients and their associated statistical tests were visualized using geographical information system maps to show the high‐risk areas for the impacts of the environmental factors on the response variable. This information can provide valuable insights for public health agencies to make better decisions on lead hazard intervention, mitigation, and control programs.
Acclimation responses to short‐term temperature treatments during early life stages causes long lasting changes in spontaneous activity of adult Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: MacLean Heidi J. , Kristensen Torsten N. , Overgaard Johannes , Sørensen Jesper G. , Bahrndorff Simon 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEcotherms adjust their physiology to environmental temperatures. Long‐term exposures to heat or cold typically induce acclimation responses that generate directional, but reversible shifts in thermal tolerance and performance. However, less is known about how short exposure in different life stages will affect the adult phenotype. In the present study, we compared the effects of long‐term temperature exposure to 15, 19 and 31 °C with that of brief (16 h) exposure periods at the same temperatures in Drosophila melanogaster eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults, respectively. The acclimation responses are evaluated using activity measurements at 11, 15, 19, 27, 31 and 33 °C and by measuring upper and lower thermal limits (CTmax and CTmin) in 5‐day‐old adult males. As expected, long‐term cold exposure reduces relative CTmin, whereas long‐term heat exposure increases relative CTmax. By contrast, we find little effect on thermal limits when using short‐term exposures at different life stages. Long‐term exposures to 31 and 15 °C both suppressed activity relative to the 19 °C control, suggesting that development at high and low temperatures may lead to reduced activity later in life. Short‐term cold exposure early in development reduces activity in the adult stage, whereas the effects of short‐term heat exposure on behaviour are dependent on life stage and test temperature. Together, our results highlight how the thermal sensitivity of the trait measured determines the ability to detect acclimation responses.
P‐removal for restoration ofNardusgrasslands on former agricultural land: cutting traditions
Authors: Schelfhout Stephanie , Mertens Jan , Perring Michael P. , Raman Maud , Baeten Lander , Demey Andreas , Reubens Bert , Oosterlynck Simon , Gibson‐Roy Paul , Verheyen Kris , De Schrijver An 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPast intensive land use complicates the successful restoration of oligotrophic species‐rich grassland types. One of the major bottlenecks are the elevated nutrient levels due to fertilization, especially residual phosphorus (P). Aiming to deplete nutrients, managers often reintroduce traditional haymaking management, sometimes combined with grazing. Here, we evaluate whether this technique restores the abiotic and biotic boundary conditions for restoration ofNardusgrassland. Seven grasslands were selected in Flanders, Belgium, which had elevated nutrient levels after the cessation of intensive agriculture 16–24 years ago, and which have been mown and grazed since. We compared soil and vegetation data of these postfertilization grasslands with 34 well‐developed oligotrophicNardusgrasslands. Mowing and grazing did not cause community composition to resemble that ofNardusgrassland. Furthermore, bioavailable P‐concentrations were significantly higher in the postfertilization grasslands and P‐limitation was not obtained. Restoring P‐poor soil conditions through continued mowing and grazing management would take at least decades. Phosphorus‐mining can shorten the restoration time by increased P‐removal. Given our results, we propose a decision framework to aid planners and managers in their choice of interventions. Cost‐effective efforts for restoration should be well‐prepared, including measurements of important initial soil characteristics. This allows for an evaluation of “distance to target” and the selection of an effective restoration technique. These techniques may involve cutting the mowing tradition, and utilizing P‐mining or topsoil removal instead.
Parents' experiences of their child being admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit: a qualitative study–like being in another world
Authors: Dahav Pia , Sjöström‐Strand Annica 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundThere is very little research on the parent's experiences of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. Identifying and describing ‘such experiences’ could facilitate better parental support from the paediatric intensive care team and help the parents manage a stressful situation.AimsThis study aimed to describe parents' experiences of having their child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 12 parents whose children had been admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. A qualitative design was used, and the interviews were analysed based on content analysis.ResultThe analysis revealed two categories: ‘being involved’ and ‘being informed’ with seven subcategories: ‘caring for the parents’, ‘security and trust’, ‘altering the parental role’, ‘stress and fear’, ‘the importance of knowing’, ‘interaction in the care process’ and ‘being prepared’. An overarching theme emerged: the experience was ‘like being in another world’. The study concludes that a child's admission to a paediatric intensive care unit is a stressful situation, and for the parents to be able to handle the anxiety and stress, they need to be informed of and involved in their child's care.ConclusionsThe parents' experience when their child is admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit is fraught with a range of emotion and fear. There are indications that things such as good information, involvement and a positive experience of the transfer to the paediatric ward reduce the stress and anxiety associated with paediatric intensive care admission. The result of this study could be used as a basis for a post‐paediatric intensive care follow‐up service for the children and their families.
Facilitating the transition from a nursing student to a Registered Nurse in the final clinical practicum: a scoping literature review
Authors: Kaihlanen Anu‐Marja , Haavisto Elina , Strandell‐Laine Camilla , Salminen Leena 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundTransition from a nursing student to a Registered Nurse is a stressful and challenging process. Different postgraduate residency and orientation programmes have been developed to ease the first year of employment, but less attention has been paid to pregraduate programmes and how the final clinical practicum of nursing education should be conducted to facilitate this transition.AimTo review the empirical studies concerning interventions that aim to facilitate the transition from nursing student to Registered Nurse in the final clinical practicum of nursing education. The aim was to scrutinise the structures and contents of the interventions and factors connected with the facilitated transition.MethodA scoping literature review was conducted with systematic searches in three electronic databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE and ERIC. The searches were limited to studies that were written in English, had available abstract and were published between 2005 and 2016. Two researchers assessed the studies regarding their eligibility with reference to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 17 articles were included in this review. Inductive content analysis was used to categorise the contents of studies.ResultsThe structures of the interventions described included: the participation, learning environment, amount of clinical work, supervisor criteria and supervision methods. The contents of the interventions included supervisor support, transition supportive learning activities and the student's practicum duties. The factors that were connected with facilitated transition were the quality of the supervision, adjusting to a professional nurse's role, achieved comfort and confidence and achieved competence.ConclusionThis scoping review offers insight into the diversity of interventions facilitating transition implemented in the final clinical practicum of nursing education. In order to unify these practices and determine the elements necessary to include, studies with stronger designs need to be conducted.
The Emotional Underpinnings of Populism: How Anger and Fear Affect Populist Attitudes
Authors: Rico Guillem , Guinjoan Marc , Anduiza Eva 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPopular accounts of populist movements often point to negative emotions as a key motivating factor underlying their support. However, little systematic research has been devoted to examining differences in how distinct negative emotions affect levels of populism among voters. This paper attempts to fill this gap by focusing on the influence of the two emotions most frequently connected to populism in political commentary: fear and anger. Informed by appraisal theories of emotions, we hypothesize that populist attitudes are driven by feelings of anger, rather than fear. Using a three‐wave online panel survey of Spanish citizens between 2014 and 2016, we find that anger expressed over the economic crisis is consistently associated with variations in support for populism both between individuals and over time, whereas no significant effects emerge for expressions of fear. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the nature of populist support.
Improving the experimental protocol for a more accurate identification of a given mechanical behaviour in a single assay: Application to skin
Authors: Affagard J‐S. , Wijanto F. , Allain J‐M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMechanical properties of the skin, the external organ of the human body, are important for many applications such as surgery or cosmetics. Due to the highly hierarchical structure of the tissue, it is interesting to develop microstructural models that have better predictability and should reduce the consequences of sample variability. However, these models generally include a quite large number of mechanical parameters. Therefore, complex assays are required to achieve a proper identification of the microstructural models. We investigated here the best experimental protocol to identify a nonlinear, anisotropic, model of skin behaviour, namely, the Holzapfel law, using displacement field and force measurements. This was done through a sensitivity analysis of the different parameters. We determined first the optimal assay, which appears to be a biaxial test with an alternated loading: first a stretch in one direction, then in the perpendicular one, and so on. To further improve the quality of the assay, we also determined the optimal geometry. Interestingly, slightly asymmetric geometries are more adequate than symmetric ones, while being easier to realise.
Magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography to plan hemilaminectomies in chondrodystrophic dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion
Authors: Noyes Julie A. , Thomovsky Stephanie A. , Chen Annie V. , Owen Tina J. , Fransson Boel A. , Carbonneau Kira J. , Matthew Susan M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the influence of preoperative computed tomography (CT) versus magnetic resonance (MR) on hemilaminectomies planned to treat thoracolumbar (TL) intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusions in chondrodystrophic dogs.Study designProspective clinical study.Sample populationForty chondrodystrophic dogs with TL IVD extrusion and preoperative CT and MR studies.MethodsMR and CT images were randomized and reviewed by 4 observers masked to the dog's identity and corresponding imaging studies. Observers planned the location along the spine, side, and extent (number of articular facets to be removed) based on individual reviews of CT and MR studies. Intra‐observer agreement was determined between overall surgical plan, location, side, and size of the hemilaminectomy planned on CT versus MR of the same dog.ResultsSimilar surgical plans were developed based on MR versus CT in 43.5%‐66.6% of dogs, depending on the observer. Intra‐observer agreement in location, side, and size of the planned hemilaminectomy based on CT versus MR ranged between 48.7%‐66.6%, 87%‐92%, and 51.2%‐71.7% of dogs, respectively. Observers tended to plan larger laminectomy defects based on MR versus CT of the same dog.ConclusionFindings from this study indicated considerable differences in hemilaminectomies planned on preoperative MR versus CT imaging. Surgical location and size varied the most; the side of planned hemilaminectomies was most consistent between imaging modalities.
Preliminary insights into the occurrence of similar clones of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria in humans, animals and the environment in Tanzania: A systematic review and meta‐analysis between 2005 and 2016
Authors: Seni J. , Moremi N. , Matee M. , van der Meer F. , DeVinney R. , Mshana S. E. , D Pitout J. D. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe emergence and spread of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐PE) are complex and of the public health concern across the globe. This review aimed at assessing the ESBL‐PE clones circulating in humans, animals and the environment to provide evidence‐based insights for combating ESBL‐PE using One Health approach. Systematic search from Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar and African Journals Online was carried out and retrieved nine eligible articles (of 131) based on phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBL‐PE between 2005 and 2016 in Tanzania. Analysis was performed using STATA 11.0 software to delineate the prevalence of ESBL‐PE, phenotypic resistance profiles and clones circulating in the three interfaces. The overall prevalence of ESBL‐PE in the three interfaces was 22.6% (95% CI: 21.1–24.2) with the predominance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains (51.6%). The majority of ESBL‐PE were resistant to the commonly used antimicrobials such as trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline/doxycycline, 38%–55% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and all were sensitive to meropenem/imipenem. ESBL‐PE infections were more associated with deaths compared to non‐ESBL‐PE infections. Strikingly, E. coli ST38, ST131 and ST2852 were found to intersect variably across the three interfaces. The predominant allele, blaCTX‐M‐15, was found mostly in the conjugative IncF plasmids connoting transmission potential. The high prevalence of ESBL‐PE and shared clones across the three interfaces, including the global E. coli ST131 clone, indicates wide and inter‐compartmental spread that calls for One Health genomic‐driven studies to track the resistome flow.