bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Edible insects in China: Utilization and prospects
Authors: Feng Ying , Chen Xiao‐Ming , Zhao Min , He Zhao , Sun Long , Wang Cheng‐Ye , Ding Wei‐Feng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe use of edible insects has a long history in China, where they have been consumed for more than 2000 years. In general, the level of acceptance is high for the consumption of insects in China. Many studies on edible insects have been conducted in the last 20 years, and the scope of the research includes the culture of entomophagy and the identification, nutritional value, farming and breeding of edible insects, in addition to food production and safety. Currently, 324 species of insects from 11 orders are documented that are either edible or associated with entomophagy in China, which include the common edible species, some less commonly consumed species and some medicinal insects. However, only approximately 10 to 20 types of insects are regularly consumed. The nutritional values for 174 species are available in China, including edible, feed and medicinal species. Although the nutritional values vary among species, all the insects examined contain protein, fat, vitamins and minerals at levels that meet human nutritional requirements. Edible insects were, and continue to be, consumed by different ethnic groups in many parts of China. People directly consume insects or food products made from insects. The processing of products from insect protein powder, oil and chitin, and the development of healthcare foods has been studied in China. People also consume insects indirectly by eating livestock that were fed insects, which may be a more acceptable pathway to use insects in human diets. Although limited, the data on the food safety of insects indicate that insects are safe for food or feed. Incidences of allergic reactions after consuming silkworm pupae, cicadas and crickets have been reported in China. Insect farming is a unique breeding industry in rural China and is a source of income for local people. Insects are reared and bred for human food, medicine and animal feed using two approaches in China: the insects are either fully domesticated and reared completely in captivity or are partially raised in captivity, and the insect habitat is manipulated to increase production. Depending on the type of relationship the insect has with humans, plants and the environment, different farming strategies are used. The social and scientific communities must work together to promote the use of insects as food and feed.
Synthetic extreme environments: overlooked sources of potential biotechnologically relevant microorganisms
Authors: Sibanda Timothy , Selvarajan Ramganesh , Tekere Memory 
Published: February 2017

SummarySynthetic extreme environments like carwash effluent tanks and drains are potential sources of biotechnologically important microorganisms and molecules which have, however, remained unexplored. Using culture‐ and molecular‐based methods, a total of 17 bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Shewanella, Proteus, Paenibacillus, Enterobacter and Citrobacter, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Pantoea were identified. Hydrocarbon utilization and enzyme production screening assays showed that Aeromonas sp. CAC11, Paenibacillus sp. CAC12 and Paenibacillus sp. CAC13 and Citrobacter sp. PCW7 were able to degrade benzanthracene, naphthalene and diesel oil, Paenibacillus sp. CAC12 and Paenibacillus sp. CAC13 could produce cellulase enzyme, while Proteus sp. BPS2, Pseudomonas sp. SAS8 and Proteus sp. CAL3 could produce lipase. GC‐MS analysis of bacterial secondary metabolites resulted in identification of 107 different compounds produced by Proteus sp. BPS2, Paenibacillus sp. CAC12, Pseudomonas sp. SAS8, Proteus sp. CAL3 and Paenibacillus sp. CAC13. Most of the compounds identified by both GC‐MS and LC‐MS have previously been determined to have antibacterial, antifungal and/or anticancer properties. Further, microbial metabolites which have previously been known to be produced only by plants or microorganisms found in natural extreme environments were also identified in this study. This research has revealed the immense bioresource potential of microorganisms inhabiting synthetic extreme environments.
Economic and social impact of diabetes mellitus in a low‐income country: A case‐control study in Sudan
Authors: Elrayah‐Eliadarous Hind A. , Östenson Claes‐Göran , Eltom Mohamed , Johansson Pia , Sparring Vibeke , Wahlström Rolf 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes mellitus accounts for 11% of total health expenditure worldwide, and most people with diabetes live in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The present study examined the economic and social effects attributed to diabetes in Sudan by calculating out‐of‐pocket medical expenses and the health and social effects of the disease for people with diabetes (n = 375) and their families compared with a non‐diabetic control group (n = 375), matched for age, sex, and residence area.MethodsData were obtained in 2013 in four states within the Sudan, via structured interviews, using instruments from the International Diabetes Federation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze differences between case and control participants.ResultsThe median total annual medical expenditure was fourfold higher for people with than without diabetes (US$579 vs US$148, respectively). Annual mean expenditure was 85% higher for those with diabetes (US$1004 vs US$544). People with diabetes were also significantly more likely to suffer from serious comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disorders and foot ulcers, compared with control participants. Moreover, those with diabetes reported a higher proportion of personal adverse social effects, such as being prevented from doing paid work or participating in education, both for themselves and their families.ConclusionsThe high economic burden and adverse social effects on people with diabetes and their families in Sudan call for the development of evidence‐based policy and program strategies for the prevention and management of diabetes, with an emphasis on low‐resource communities.
Modeling human methamphetamine use patterns in mice: chronic and binge methamphetamine exposure, reward function and neurochemistry
Authors: Kesby James P. , Chang Ariel , Markou Athina , Semenova Svetlana 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDifferent methamphetamine use patterns in human subjects may contribute to inconsistent findings regarding the effects of methamphetamine abuse on brain and behavior. The present study investigated whether human‐derived chronic and binge methamphetamine use patterns have differential effects on reward and neurochemistry in mice. Brain reward function in mice was evaluated during acute/prolonged withdrawal, and in response to methamphetamine challenge using the intracranial self‐stimulation procedure. Brain dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic neurochemistry was determined with high‐performance liquid chromatography. Chronic and binge regimens induced withdrawal‐related decreases in reward function that were more severe during the binge regimen during cycles 1–2. Despite large differences in methamphetamine dose, both regimens induced similar reward deficits during cycles 3–4. Neither methamphetamine regimen led to persistent alterations in the sensitivity to the reward‐enhancing effects of acute methamphetamine challenge. The binge regimen severely depleted striatal dopamine levels and increased brain glutamine levels. The chronic regimen had milder effects on striatal dopamine levels and altered cortical dopamine and serotonin levels. This work highlights that the magnitude of acute/prolonged withdrawal may not reflect amount or frequency of methamphetamine intake. In contrast, the array of underlying neurochemical alterations was methamphetamine regimen dependent. Thus, stratifying methamphetamine‐dependent individuals based on use pattern may help to cater therapeutic interventions more appropriately by targeting use pattern‐specific neurotransmitter systems.
Natural evolution in patients with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced urticaria/angioedema
Authors: Doña I. , Barrionuevo E. , Salas M. , Cornejo‐García J. A. , Perkins J. R. , Bogas G. , Prieto A. , Torres M. J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundNonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most frequent triggers of drug hypersensitivity with NSAIDs‐induced urticaria/angioedema (NIUA) the most common phenotype. Loss of hypersensitivity has been reported for IgE‐mediated reactions; however, it has not been assessed in nonimmunological reactions such as NIUA. We evaluated NSAID‐hypersensitivity over time in NIUA patients.MethodsPatients confirmed as NIUA by positive drug provocation test (DPT) with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) during 2005‐2012 (V1) were included (n=38). Subjects were prospectively re‐evaluated by DPT with ASA/other NSAIDs at two time points between 2013 and 2015 (V2 and V3). Atopy was assessed by skin prick test (SPT) using inhalant and food allergens.ResultsPatients were evaluated at V1 and re‐evaluated after 60 months (V2; IR:48‐81) and a further 18 months (V3; IR:14‐24). At V2, the majority (24; 63.15%) tolerated ASA and other NSAIDs (Group A) while 14 (36.84%) still reacted (Group B). At V3, all Group A patients remained tolerant; all Group B patients remained hypersensitive. The number of previous episodes reported at V1 and the percentage of reactions induced by ASA/ibuprofen were significantly lower in Group A (P=.005 and P=.006, respectively). Group A patients developed tolerance 72 months (IR:45‐87) after their last evaluated reaction (V1); this interval was shorter in nonatopics (P=.003), patients who experienced reactions over 1 hour after NSAIDs administration (P=.001), and those who experienced isolated urticaria after NSAID intake (P=.024).ConclusionsNIUA patients may develop tolerance to NSAIDs over time, a process that seems to be influenced by atopy and type of clinical reaction.
Person‐specific versus multilevel autoregressive models: Accuracy in parameter estimates at the population and individual levels
Authors: Liu Siwei 
Published: February 2017

This paper compares the multilevel modelling (MLM) approach and the person‐specific (PS) modelling approach in examining autoregressive (AR) relations with intensive longitudinal data. Two simulation studies are conducted to examine the influences of sample heterogeneity, time series length, sample size, and distribution of individual level AR coefficients on the accuracy of AR estimates, both at the population level and at the individual level. It is found that MLM generally outperforms the PS approach under two conditions: when the sample has a homogeneous AR pattern, namely, when all individuals in the sample are characterized by AR processes with the same order; and when the sample has heterogeneous AR patterns, but a multilevel model with a sufficiently high order (i.e., an order equal to or higher than the maximum order of individual AR patterns in the sample) is fitted and successfully converges. If a lower‐order multilevel model is chosen for heterogeneous samples, the higher‐order lagged effects are misrepresented, resulting in bias at the population level and larger prediction errors at the individual level. In these cases, the PS approach is preferable, given sufficient measurement occasions (T ≥ 50). In addition, sample size and distribution of individual level AR coefficients do not have a large impact on the results. Implications of these findings on model selection and research design are discussed.
Molecular identification and distribution of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from clinical specimens byPCR‐sequencing method inWest ofIran
Authors: Dastranj Mahsa , Farahani Abbas , Hashemi Shahraki Abdolrazagh , Atashi Sara , Mohajeri Parviz 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackground and AimsInfections by non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has rapidly increased in recent years, due to high infection rates related to the populations at risk like immunocompromised individuals, patients predisposed by prior pulmonary. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of NTM in clinical samples and genetic diversity using 16S rRNA andrpoBsequence analysis.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 45 diverse isolates collected from sputum in 2 years 2014‐2015 using standard decontamination procedure. All mycobacterial isolates were grown on LJ medium and also conventional tests for preliminary identification of mycobacteria rely on traits and then DNA extraction. PCR was performed, and sequencing of 16S rRNA andrpoBgenes was applied for NTM strains identification.ResultsA total of 45 isolates collected, 37 samples (83%) were evaluated as NTM. All NTM strains using molecular methods by sequencing 16S rRNA andrpoBgene were identified, by this way 12 different species have been identified which sequencing ofrpoBwas able to identify all species. The major species obtained wereMycobacterium simiae(22%),M. fortuitum(19%), andM. abscessus(13%).ConclusionsThe results of our study showed that the patients were infected by a wide range of atypical mycobacteria. It was concluded that 16S rRNA gene sequencing coupled withrpoBmarker is a high discriminatory power in identification of NTM. The presence of various species in clinical samples in Iran emphasizes the use of molecular method like sequence analysis of genes is necessary for reliable identification.
Airway and sleep disorders in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Turan Onur , Akinci Barış , Ikiz Ahmet Omer , Itil Oya , Oztura Ibrahim , Ada Emel , Akdeniz Bahri , Yener Serkan , Kaya Murat , Gedik Arzu , Comlekci Abdurrahman 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveAcromegaly is a multisystemic disorder caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH). Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) such as sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) may occur in acromegaly. The aim of study was to assess the presence of sleep disorders and evaluate the systemic complications on respiratory, cardiovascular, and upper airway systems in acromegalic patients.MethodsThe study group consisted of 30 acromegaly outpatients. GH and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) measurements were obtained; body pletysmography, arterial blood gas analysis, tissue‐doppler imaging, echocardiography, polysomnography, otorhinolaryngologic examination, and head‐neck computed tomography were performed.ResultsSixteen female (53.3%) and 14 male (46.7%) acromegalic patients had a mean age of 51.1 ± 13.2. GH was supressed in 19 patients (63.3%) when 11 had active acromegaly (36.7%). There were 17 patients with SAS (62.9%) (7: mild, 3:intermediate, 7:severe SAS) and average AHI was 16/h. Sixteen patients had predominantly obstructive SAS while one patient had predominantly central SAS. SAS was statistically more frequent in males than females (P = .015). The mean neck circumference was significantly longer in patients with SAS (P = .048). In SAS patients,the soft palate was elongated and thickened,which was statistically significant (P = .014 and P = .05).Vallecula‐to‐tongue distance was statistically longer in acromegalic patients with SAS (P = .007).There was a positive correlation between tonsil size,vallecula‐to‐tongue distance and AHI (r = 0.432, P = .045 and r = 0.512, P = .021, respectively).ConclusionSDB seems to be common and clinically important in patients with acromegaly, particularly in men. The most frequent type of apnea in acromegalics is obstructive. Hormonal activity of acromegaly does not seem to have an effect on the development of SAS. Despite its high prevalence, SAS is frequently under‐assessed in patients with acromegaly. Systemic complications and SDB should be researched in acromegalics.
Shared musical knowledge in 11‐month‐old infants
Authors: Mehr Samuel A. , Spelke Elizabeth S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractFive‐month‐old infants selectively attend to novel people who sing melodies originally learned from a parent, but not melodies learned from a musical toy or from an unfamiliar singing adult, suggesting that music conveys social information to infant listeners. Here, we test this interpretation further in older infants with a more direct measure of social preferences. We randomly assigned 64 11‐month‐old infants to 1–2 weeks’ exposure to one of two novel play songs that a parent either sang or produced by activating a recording inside a toy. Infants then viewed videos of two new people, each singing one song. When the people, now silent, each presented the infant with an object, infants in both conditions preferentially chose the object endorsed by the singer of the familiar song. Nevertheless, infants’ visual attention to that object was predicted by the degree of song exposure only for infants who learned from the singing of a parent. Eleven‐month‐olds thus garner social information from songs, whether learned from singing people or from social play with musical toys, but parental singing has distinctive effects on infants’ responses to new singers. Both findings support the hypothesis that infants endow music with social meaning. These findings raise questions concerning the types of music and behavioral contexts that elicit infants’ social responses to those who share music with them, and they support suggestions concerning the psychological functions of music both in contemporary environments and in the environments in which humans evolved.
Inter‐ and intrarater clinician agreement on joint motion patterns during gait in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Nieuwenhuys Angela , Papageorgiou Eirini , Molenaers Guy , Monari Davide , de Laet Tinne , Desloovere Kaat 
Published: February 2017

AimThis study aimed to quantify the inter‐ and intrarater clinician agreement on joint motion patterns in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), which were recently specified by a Delphi consensus study. It also examined whether experience with three‐dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is a prerequisite for using the patterns.MethodThe experimental group consisted of 82 patients with CP (57 males, 25 females; uni‐/bilateral CP [n=27/55]; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III; mean age 9y 5mo [range 4y–18y]). Thirty‐two clinicians were split into ‘experienced’ and ‘inexperienced’ rater groups. Each rater was asked to classify 3DGA reports of 27 or 28 patients twice. Inter‐ and intrarater agreement on 49 joint motion patterns was estimated using percentage of agreement and kappa statistics.ResultsTwenty‐eight raters completed both classification rounds. Intrarater agreement was ‘substantial’ to ‘almost perfect’ for all joints (0.64<ĸ<0.91). Interrater agreement reached similar results (0.63<ĸ<0.86), except for the knee patterns during stance (ĸ=0.49, ‘moderate agreement’). Experienced raters performed significantly better on patterns of the knee during stance and ankle during swing.InterpretationApart from some specific knee patterns during stance and ankle patterns during swing, the results suggested that clinicians could use predefined joint motion patterns in CP with good confidence, even in case of limited experience with 3DGA.
Use of self‐collected capillary blood samples for islet autoantibody screening in relatives: a feasibility and acceptability study
Authors: Liu Y. , Rafkin L. E. , Matheson D. , Henderson C. , Boulware D. , Besser R. E. J. , Ferrara C. , Yu L. , Steck A. K. , Bingley P. J. ,   the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the feasibility of using self‐collected capillary blood samples for islet autoantibody testing to identify risk in relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes.MethodsParticipants were recruited via the observational TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study, which screens and monitors relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes for islet autoantibodies. Relatives were sent kits for capillary blood collection, with written instructions, an online instructional video link and a questionnaire. Sera from capillary blood samples were tested for autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2, insulin and zinc transporter 8. ‘Successful’ sample collection was defined as obtaining sufficient volume and quality to provide definitive autoantibody results, including confirmation of positive results by repeat assay.ResultsIn 240 relatives who returned samples, the median (range) age was 15.5 (1–49) years and 51% were male. Of these samples, 98% were sufficient for glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2 and zinc transporter 8 autoantibody testing and 84% for insulin autoantibody testing and complete autoantibody screen. The upper 90% confidence bound for unsuccessful collection was 4.4% for glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2 and/or zinc transporter 8 autoantibody assays, and 19.3% for insulin autoantibodies. Despite 43% of 220 questionnaire respondents finding capillary blood collection uncomfortable or painful, 82% preferred home self‐collection of capillary blood samples compared with outpatient venepuncture (90% of those aged <8 years, 83% of those aged 9–18 years and 73% of those aged >18 years). The perceived difficulty of collecting capillary blood samples did not affect success rate.ConclusionsSelf‐collected capillary blood sampling offers a feasible alternative to venous sampling, with the potential to facilitate autoantibody screening for Type 1 diabetes risk.
Entry of adult Atlantic salmon into a tributary of the Aberdeenshire Dee, Scotland
Authors: Sparholt Henrik , Hawkins Anthony , Thomson Alistair 
Published: February 2017

AbstractUpstream counts of adult salmon in a tributary to the River Dee during autumn and winter were examined over a 13‐year period using an optical fish counter. Statistical analysis indicated that salmon were mainly primed to enter the tributary at a particular time of year, peaking at early December. However, environmental factors also had a large influence. Entry of salmon was initiated by high flow rates in the main stem of the River Dee. Increases in water level in the tributary itself were not needed to stimulate the entry of salmon. Moreover, a change in flow from 1 day to the next did not result in a response from salmon. Rather, they reacted only after more than a day of flow increase. There was no consistent threshold level of flow that triggered tributary entry. The upstream passage of salmon was reduced at low temperatures (below 3°C). The numbers of salmon migrating upstream showed a gradual increase as the temperatures increased up to 11°C, and then sharply decreased at higher temperatures. Female salmon migrated earlier by about 2 weeks on average than males. Increasingly, counters and traps are being installed on spawning tributaries to examine the state of salmon stocks. Caution should be exercised, however, in using upstream entry data from individual tributaries to provide an overall assessment of salmon abundance, as local conditions in the tributaries may affect the salmon counts in particular years.
Why School Choice Reforms in Denmark Fail: the blocking power of the teacher union
Authors: Wiborg Susanne , Larsen Kristina R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article investigates why school choice is exercised to a limited degree by parents despite major government initiatives to enhance diversity, competition and choice in the Danish education system. Denmark has had 20 years of centre‐right governments, promoting choice reforms perhaps even more vigorously than the other Nordic countries, yet school choice is seldom used – only 12% of parents choose a public school that differs from the one that is allocated to them. The literature on school choice in Denmark argues that this is primarily due to a general lack of parental interest because of the relatively high similarity across schools. In this article, we argue that the main reason is to be found in the politics of vested interests, namely municipalities’ persistent use of pupil assignment schemes supported by powerful teacher union branches at the local level.