bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Legislative science advice in Europe: the case for international comparative research
Authors: Kenny Caroline , Washbourne Carla-Leanne , Tyler Chris , Blackstock Jason J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis article provides an introduction to science advisory structures in elected legislatures; an arena of public decision-making which, although critical to the healthy functioning of democratic societies, has been largely neglected in recent discussions of science advice. The article begins by contrasting the functions and operating environments of legislatures with those of executive branches of governments, examining how these differences shape the requirements of their respective science advisory structures. A study of three national legislative science advice units within Europe is then presented, revealing a range of advisory structures and practices. These variations in approach suggest different underpinning conceptions about both why science advice is being provided, and how science advice can most effectively influence a legislature’s activities. Given these differences, and our currently limited comparative understanding of the influence of scientific knowledge across different spheres of public decision-making, we argue that more attention needs to be focused on the difficult challenge of mapping and understanding legislative science advisory structures via a comparative international study. We close by arguing that an international comparative exercise of this type could significantly improve our understanding of the different influences science advisory practices and structures can have on the function of our democratic societies’ deliberative bodies. This article is published as part of a collection on scientific advice to governments.
Talking security and rights
Authors: Demirsu Ipek 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis article addresses the question of how draconian counter-terrorism policies are legitimized in long-established democracies. Being the heartland of liberal rights, the UK comes to the fore as a striking case where some of the most controversial security policies have been enacted. The study undertakes a systematic frame analysis of UK parliamentary debates with the help of ATLAS.ti, which allows the analyst to trace and map out recurrent concepts, themes, and arguments as well as their overall distribution. While demonstrating the workings of securitization in the formulation of key counter-terrorism legislation, the study unearths how the security narrative in the UK context evidently relies on the language of rights in invoking legitimacy. The study suggests that far from negating the indispensable status of human rights, security narrative resorts to the latter’s moral power and mimics rights language, heralding the weight of these international norms even in hard-core security matters.
Traditional balance and slackline training are associated with task‐specific adaptations as assessed with sensorimotor tests
Authors: Volery Samuel , Singh Navrag , de Bruin Eling D. , List Renate , Jaeggi Marc Morten , Mattli Baur Brigitte , Lorenzetti Silvio 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to measure alterations in sensorimotor skills and balance resulting from slackline training and conventional balance training. Forty‐three physically fit subjects were randomized into three groups. Two groups practiced three times a week for 15 minutes, including at least once supervised session, on the slackline or perform conventional balance training for 6 weeks. The control group was not allowed to perform any balance training. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent sensorimotor and strength tests. The results of our intra‐class correlation analysis showed that the stability parameters from the multifunctional training device (MFT, 0.7), the height during the countermovement jump (CMJ, 0.95) and the maximum force (0.88) during leg press showed excellent reliability. A post hoc comparison indicated a larger effect of conventional training (almost 11% reduction in MFT stability) compared with slackline training in group‐wide comparisons of the pre‐ to the post‐training measurements. The factor analysis showed that stability and sensorimotor assessment using MFT were correlated, as were height during CMJ and maximal force during leg press, which represented dynamic strength. Because CMJ had the highest intra‐class correlation value, it was chosen over maximum force from leg press. For these reasons, only two out of nine measured parameters, namely MFT stability and CMJ, were analysed across groups. The only observed difference between the two groups was MFT stability (slackline − 1.5%, conventional − 13%), whereas the improvement of CMJ was the same (slackline + 3%, conventional + 3%). It can be concluded that slacklining is partly complementary to conventional sensorimotor training.
Three-Hand Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery: Experience With an Anatomy-Preserving Mononostril Approach Technique
Authors: Eseonu Chikezie I , ReFaey Karim , Pamias-Portalatin Eva , Asensio Javier , Garcia Oscar , Boahene Kofi D , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Variations on the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach present unique surgical techniques that have unique effects on surgical outcomes, extent of resection (EOR), and anatomical complications.

OBJECTIVE
To analyze the learning curve and perioperative outcomes of the 3-hand endoscopic endonasal mononostril transsphenoidal technique.

METHODS
Prospective case series and retrospective data analysis of patients who were treated with the 3-hand transsphenoidal technique between January 2007 and May 2015 by a single neurosurgeon. Patient characteristics, preoperative presentation, tumor characteristics, operative times, learning curve, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Volumetric EOR was evaluated, and a logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of EOR.

RESULTS
Two hundred seventy-five patients underwent an endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using the 3-hand technique. One hundred eighteen patients in the early group had surgery between 2007 and 2010, while 157 patients in the late group had surgery between 2011 and 2015. Operative time was significantly shorter in the late group (161.6 min) compared to the early group (211.3 min, P = .001). Both cohorts had similar EOR (early group 84.6% vs late group 85.5%, P = .846) and postoperative outcomes. The learning curve showed that it took 54 cases to achieve operative proficiency with the 3-handed technique. Multivariate modeling suggested that prior resections and preoperative tumor size are important predictors for EOR.

CONCLUSION
We describe a 3-hand, mononostril endoscopic transsphenoidal technique performed by a single neurosurgeon that has minimal anatomic distortion and postoperative complications. During the learning curve of this technique, operative time can significantly decrease, while EOR, postoperative outcomes, and complications are not jeopardized.
TREATMENT OF NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION PATIENTS WITH VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INHIBITORS IN EVERYDAY PRACTICE
Authors: Ehlken Christoph , Wilke Thomas , Bauer-Steinhusen Ulrike , Agostini Hansjürgen T. , Hasanbasic Zoran , Müller Sabrina 
Published: May 2017

Purpose:
The PONS study was conceived to analyze the extent of nonpersistence (NP) and nonadherence (NA) in the treatment of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in everyday clinical practice in Germany. Further objectives were to identify factors that can affect NP and NA and to analyze clinical outcomes under everyday conditions.

Methods:
Nonpersistence (no contact with doctor for at least 3 months) and NA (no treatment or follow-up for at least 6 weeks) as well as clinical data were analyzed up to 24 months retrospectively and 12 months prospectively in 480 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in 23 treatment centers. Patients were interviewed for factors possibly affecting NP and NA.

Results:
One third of patients fulfilled criteria of NA in the first 3 months and two thirds after 6 months. The NP was 18.8% after 12 months. Treatment exclusively at one center, a higher number of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration at the treating center, and fixed appointments were associated with a lower risk for NP. An initial gain in visual acuity after upload was not preserved after 12 months (mean change −0.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters). Whereas visual acuity declined by 7.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in patients with good baseline visual acuity >20/40, visual acuity improved by 8.5 letters in patients with baseline visual acuity of ≤20/200. Only 7.5% of patients underwent an optical coherence tomography scan after 3 upload injections, and only 2.0 optical coherence tomographies were performed in the first 12 months.

Conclusion:
The NP and NA were high in our study population and are likely to have contributed to a suboptimal clinical outcome compared with randomized clinical trials. Shortcomings in the management of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, including restrictions in the timely and adequate follow-up (including optical coherence tomography) and retreatment, appear to be constraining factors in Germany.
Expression of Peroxiredoxin 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Pterygium
Authors: Wang Yuchuan , Lin Jinyong , Chen Luxia , Wang Liming , Hao Peng , Han Ruifang , Ying Ming , Li Xuan 
Published: May 2017

Purpose:
The expression of peroxiredoxin 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was detected in pterygium to investigate whether they are involved in the pathogenesis or recurrence of pterygium and to evaluate the association between peroxiredoxin 2 and VEGFR2 in pterygium.

Methods:
Ten normal bulbar conjunctivae, 35 primary pterygia, and 35 recurrent pterygia were obtained. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax–embedded tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with peroxiredoxin 2 and VEGFR2 antibodies.

Results:
There was no statistical difference between primary pterygia and recurrent pterygia in terms of age and sex (P = 0.685; P = 0.811). The expression rate of peroxiredoxin 2 (94.3%, 66/70) and VEGFR2 (61.4%, 43/70) was increased in pterygia compared with normal conjunctivae (negative). The expression of peroxiredoxin 2 in recurrent pterygia (negative 0, weak 0, moderate 27, strong 8) was higher than that in primary pterygia (negative 6, weak 16, moderate 13, strong 0) (P < 0.001). The expression of VEGFR2 in recurrent pterygia (negative 4, weak 5, moderate 12, strong 4) was higher than that in primary pterygia (negative 23, weak 10, moderate 1, strong 1) (P < 0.001). The expression of peroxiredoxin 2 was consistent with that of VEGFR2 in pterygium (r = 0.348, P = 0.006).

Conclusions:
Overexpression of peroxiredoxin 2 and VEGFR2 in pterygium might be involved in the pathogenesis or recurrence of pterygium. The increase of VEGFR2 might be related to the increase of peroxiredoxin 2 in response to excessive reactive oxygen species from ultraviolet exposure.
Tear Cytokine Levels in Contact Lens Wearers With Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Authors: Carnt Nicole , Montanez Vicente M. , Galatowicz Grazyna , Veli Neyme , Calder Virginia 
Published: May 2017

Purpose:
To determine differences in key tear film cytokines between mild and severe cases of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and control contact lens (CL) wearers.

Methods:
This was a prospective study of CL wearers with AK attending Moorfields Eye Hospital and control CL wearers from the Institute of Optometry, London. Basal tear specimens were collected by 10-μL capillary tubes (BLAUBRAND intraMark, Wertheim, Germany), and tear protein levels were measured with a multiplex magnetic bead array (Luminex 100; Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX) for cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17E, IL-17F, IL-22, and interferon gamma and with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Abcam, Cambridge, United Kingdom) for CXCL2. Severe cases of AK were defined as having active infection for over 12 months and at least 1 severe inflammatory event.

Results:
One hundred and thirty-two tear samples were collected from a total of 61 cases (15 severe and 46 mild–moderate) and 22 controls. IL-8, part of the Toll-like receptor 4 cytokine cascade, was found to be expressed at a detectable level more often in cases of AK than in control CL wearers (P = 0.003) and in higher concentrations in severe cases than in milder forms of the disease (z = −2.35). IL-22, part of the IL-10 family, and a proinflammatory Th17 cytokine, was detected more often in severe cases than in milder forms of AK (P < 0.02).

Conclusions:
Profiling patients with AK during disease shows differences in cytokine levels between severe and milder disease that may inform clinical management. The Toll-like receptor 4 and IL-10/Th17 inflammatory pathways should be included in further investigations of this disease.
Dog Ownership and Dog Walking
Authors: Dunn Susan L. , Sit Michael , DeVon Holli A. , Makidon Devynn , Tintle Nathan L. 
Published: May 2017

Background:
Dog ownership has been associated with increased physical activity in the general adult population.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to examine dog ownership and dog walking and their relationship with home-based and phase II cardiac rehabilitation exercise, depression, and hopelessness in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Methods:
A total of 122 patients with ischemic heart disease were included in this prospective observational study. Patients completed dog ownership/walking questions during their hospitalization. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Participation Tool, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and State-Trait Hopelessness Scale were completed by mail at 3, 8, or 12 months later. Regression modeling was used to evaluate the significance of dog ownership/walking on exercise, depression and hopelessness.

Results:
The sample was 34.4% female and had a mean age of 64.7 ± 9.1 years. Forty-two patients (34.4%) reported owning a dog. Patients who owned but did not walk their dog reported significantly lower levels of home exercise compared with patients who walked their dogs at least 1 day per week (36.8% for non–dog walkers vs 73.9% for dog walkers, P = .019). The odds of participating in home exercise were significantly higher for dog walkers compared with non–dog walkers (odds ratio, 8.1 [1.7, 38.5] vs 1.0). There were no differences in phase II cardiac rehabilitation exercise, depression, or hopelessness between dog owners and non–dog owners or between dog walkers and non–dog walkers.

Conclusions:
These findings show a beneficial effect on home-based exercise for those who dog-walk at least 1 day per week. Healthcare professionals should encourage dog walking to increase dog owners' physical activity levels.
The Changing Landscape of HIV Prevention in the United States: Health Department Experiences and Local Adaptations in Response to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and High-Impact Prevention Approach
Authors: Fisher Holly H. , Essuon Aba , Hoyte Tamika , Shapatava Ekaterine , Shelley Gene , Rios Aisha , Beane Stephanie , Bourgeois Stacey , Dunbar Erica , Sapiano Tobey 
Published: May 2017

Objective:
HIV prevention has changed substantially in recent years due to changes in national priorities, biomedical advances, and health care reform. Starting in 2010, motivated by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) High-Impact Prevention (HIP), health departments realigned resources so that cost-effective, evidence-based interventions were targeted to groups at risk in areas most affected by HIV. This analysis describes how health departments in diverse settings were affected by NHAS and HIP.

Methods:
We conducted interviews and a consultation with health departments from 16 jurisdictions and interviewed CDC project officers who monitored programs in 5 of the jurisdictions. Participants were asked to describe changes since NHAS and HIP and how they adapted. We used inductive qualitative analysis to identify themes of change.

Results:
Health departments improved their HIV prevention practices in different ways. They aligned jurisdictional plans with NHAS and HIP goals, increased local data use to monitor program performance, streamlined services, and strengthened partnerships to increase service delivery to persons at highest risk for infection/transmission. They shifted efforts to focus more on the needs of people with diagnosed HIV infection, increased HIV testing and routine HIV screening in clinical settings, raised provider and community awareness about preexposure prophylaxis, and used nontraditional strategies to successfully engage out-of-care people with diagnosed HIV infection. However, staff-, provider-, and data-related barriers that could slow scale-up of priority programs were consistently reported by participants, potentially impeding the ability to meet national goals.

Conclusion:
Findings suggest progress toward NHAS and HIP goals has been made in some jurisdictions but highlight the need to monitor prevention programs in different contexts to identify areas for improvement and increase the likelihood of national success. Health departments and federal funders alike can benefit from the routine sharing of successes and challenges associated with local policy implementation, considering effects on the overall portfolio of programs.
Optimal HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Regimen Completion With Single Tablet Daily Elvitegravir/Cobicistat/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine Compared With More Frequent Dosing Regimens
Authors: Mayer Kenneth H. , Jones Daniel , Oldenburg Catherine , Jain Sachin , Gelman Marcy , Zaslow Shayne , Grasso Chris , Mimiaga Matthew J. 
Published: May 2017

Structure:
The study evaluated elvitegravir/cobicistat/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) (“Quad pill”) for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Background:
HIV-exposed individuals may benefit from PEP, but completion rates have been suboptimal because of regimen complexity and side effects. Newer antiretroviral combinations coformulated as single daily pills may optimize PEP adherence.

Setting:
One hundred HIV-uninfected individuals who presented to a Boston community health center after an acute HIV sexual exposure were enrolled and initiated PEP with the daily, single-pill combination Quad pill for a 28-day course.

Methods:
Side effects and medication completion rates from study participants were compared with historical controls who had used PEP regimens consisting of TDF/FTC daily and raltegravir twice daily, or earlier regimens of twice daily zidovudine (AZT)/lamivudine (3TC) and a protease inhibitor, using χ2 tests for independence.

Results:
Of the 100 participants who initiated the Quad pill for PEP after a high-risk sexual exposure, 71% completed the 28-day Quad pill regimen, which was significantly greater than historical controls who used TDF/FTC and raltegravir (57%, P < 0.05) or AZT/3TC plus a protease inhibitor (39%, P < 0.001). The most common side effects reported by Quad pill users were as follows: abdominal discomfort or pain, gas or bloating (42%), diarrhea (38%), fatigue (28%), nausea or vomiting (28%), headache (14%), or dizziness or lightheadedness (6%). Most symptoms were mild, limited, and did not result in medication discontinuation. No participants became HIV infected.

Conclusions:
Fixed-dose combination of elvitegravir/cobicistat/TDF/FTC was safe and well tolerated for PEP, with higher regimen completion rates than more frequently dosed PEP regimens.
Sex-specific changes in gene expression and delayed sex differentiation in response to estrogen pollution in grayling (Salmonidae)
Authors: Selmoni Oliver M. , Maitre Diane , Roux Julien , Wilkins Laetitia G. E. , da Cunha Lucas Marques , Vermeirssen Etienne L. M. , Knörr Susanne , Robinson-Rechavi Marc , Wedekind Claus 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe synthetic 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an estrogenic compound of oral contraceptives and therefore a common pollutant that has been suspected to affect the demography of river-dwelling salmonids. We study a population of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) that suffers from sex ratio distortions. Here we test how ecologically relevant concentrations of EE2 affect sex-specific gene expression around early stages of sex differentiation. We collected gametes from F1s of wild spawners, used them forin vitrofertilizations, and raised the resulting embryos singly under experimentally controlled conditions. Embryos were either exposed to 1ng/L EE2 or sham-exposed. RNA was collected from samples taken 10 days before hatching, at the day of hatching, and towards the end of the yolk-sac stage, to study gene expression and relate it to genetic sex (sdY genotype). We found that EE2 affects gene expression of a very large number of genes especially at the day of hatching. The effects of EE2 on gene expression is strongly sex-specific. At the day of hatching, EE2 affected about twice as many genes in females than in males, and towards the end of the yolk-sac larval stage, EE2 effects were nearly exclusively observed in females. Among the many effects was, for example, a surprising EE2-induced molecular masculinization in the females’ heads. Histological examination of gonadal development of EE2-treated or sham-exposed juveniles during the first 4.5 months after hatching revealed a delaying effect of EE2 on sex differentiation. Because grayling sex determination goes through an all-male stage (a rare case of undifferentiated gonochorism), the rate of EE2-induced sex reversal could not be unequivocally determined during the observational period. However, two EE2-treated genetic males had ovarian tissues at the end of the study. We conclude that common levels of EE2 pollution affect grayling from very early stages on by interfering with male and female gene expression around the onset of sex differentiation, by delaying sex differentiation, and by feminizing some males.Author contributionMRR and CW initiated the project. OS, DM, LW, LMC, and CW sampled the adult fish, did the experimentalin vitrofertilizations, and prepared the embryos for experimental rearing in the laboratory. All further manipulations on the embryos and the larvae were done by OS, DM, LW, and LMC. The RNA-seq data were analyzed by OS, JR, and MRR, the histological analyses were done by DM, supervised by SK, the molecular genetic sexing was performed by OS and DM, and EV supervised the EE2 analytics. OS and CW performed the remaining statistical analyses and wrote the first version of the manuscript that was then critically revised by all other authors.