bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Giant hogweed at its northern distribution limit in North America: Experiments for a better understanding of its dispersal dynamics along rivers
Authors: Trottier N. , Groeneveld E. , Lavoie C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe studied the reproduction and dispersal of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) at its northern distribution limit in North America (Québec, 2014–2016) to better understand the invasion dynamics of the species along rivers. Seeds were collected from a riparian population to conduct germination, floatation, and dispersal experiments. Data were analysed in comparison with a real invasion case that was initiated about 10 years ago along a river system. In Québec, giant hogweed individuals produce on average 14,000 to 16,000 seeds with a germination rate of 75–85%. Seeds with endosperm that fall in water likely sink within 5 hr. Along a small brook, most disperse over short distances (<40 m) in summer, although some can travel 100–300 m. These data suggest that late‐summer or early‐fall water dispersal of seeds would not explain the magnitude and rapidity of the invasion patterns observed along streams. We suggest that late‐fall and, especially, spring floods are the most efficient dispersal vectors for giant hogweed seeds and are likely responsible for the establishment of populations kilometres downstream from introduction points along river systems. The spread of giant hogweed would consequently be less influenced in the near future by a rise in temperature than by a change in the magnitude or timing of flood events.
Analysis of cell‐free DNA in maternal blood in screening for aneuploidies: updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Gil M. M. , Accurti V. , Santacruz B. , Plana M. N. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo review clinical validation or implementation studies of maternal blood cell‐free (cf) DNA analysis and define the performance of screening for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA).MethodsSearches of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were performed to identify all peer‐reviewed articles on cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies between January 2011, when the first such study was published, and 31 December 2016. The inclusion criteria were peer‐reviewed study reporting on clinical validation or implementation of maternal cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies, in which data on pregnancy outcome were provided for more than 85% of the study population. We excluded case–control studies, proof‐of‐principle articles and studies in which the laboratory scientists carrying out the tests were aware of fetal karyotype or pregnancy outcome. Pooled detection rates (DRs) and false‐positive rates (FPRs) were calculated using bivariate random‐effects regression models.ResultsIn total, 35 relevant studies were identified and these were used for the meta‐analysis on the performance of cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies. These studies reported cfDNA results in relation to fetal karyotype from invasive testing or clinical outcome. In the combined total of 1963 cases of trisomy 21 and 223 932 non‐trisomy 21 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 99.7% (95% CI, 99.1–99.9%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.02–0.07%), respectively. In a total of 563 cases of trisomy 18 and 222 013 non‐trisomy 18 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 97.9% (95% CI, 94.9–99.1%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.03–0.07%), respectively. In a total of 119 cases of trisomy 13 and 212 883 non‐trisomy 13 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 99.0% (95% CI, 65.8–100%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.02–0.07%), respectively. In a total of 36 cases of monosomy X and 7676 unaffected singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 95.8% (95% CI, 70.3–99.5%) and 0.14% (95% CI, 0.05–0.38%), respectively. In a combined total of 17 cases of SCA other than monosomy X and 5400 unaffected singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 100% (95% CI, 83.6–100%) and 0.004% (95% CI, 0.0–0.08%), respectively. For twin pregnancies, in a total of 24 cases of trisomy 21 and 1111 non‐trisomy 21 cases, the DR was 100% (95% CI, 95.2–100%) and FPR was 0.0% (95% CI, 0.0–0.003%), respectively.ConclusionsScreening by analysis of cfDNA in maternal blood in singleton pregnancies could detect > 99% of fetuses with trisomy 21, 98% of trisomy 18 and 99% of trisomy 13 at a combined FPR of 0.13%. The number of reported cases of SCA is too small for accurate assessment of performance of screening. In twin pregnancies, performance of screening for trisomy 21 is encouraging but the number of cases reported is small. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Anatomical subgroup analysis of the MERIDIAN cohort: posterior fossa abnormalities
Authors: Griffiths P. D. , Brackley K. , Bradburn M. , Connolly D. J. A. , Gawne‐Cain M. L. , Kilby M. D. , Mandefield L. , Mooney C. , Robson S. C. , Vollmer B. , Mason G. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic and clinical contribution of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses of the MERIDIAN cohort diagnosed with abnormalities of the posterior fossa as the only intracranial abnormality recognized on antenatal ultrasound.MethodsThis was a subgroup analysis of the MERIDIAN study of fetuses with abnormalities of the posterior fossa (with or without ventriculomegaly) diagnosed on antenatal ultrasound in women who had MRI within 2 weeks of ultrasound and for whom outcome reference data were available. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and MRI is reported, as well as indicators of diagnostic confidence and effects on prognosis and clinical management. Appropriate diagnostic confidence was assessed by the score‐based weighted average method, which combines diagnostic accuracy with diagnostic confidence data.ResultsAbnormalities confined to the posterior fossa according to ultrasound were found in 81 fetuses (67 with parenchymal and 14 with cerebrospinal fluid‐containing lesions). The overall diagnostic accuracy for detecting an isolated posterior fossa abnormality was 65.4% for ultrasound and 87.7% for MRI (difference, 22.3% (95% CI, 14.0–30.5%); P < 0.0001). There was an improvement in ‘appropriate’ diagnostic confidence, as assessed by the score‐based weighted average method (P < 0.0001), and a three‐fold reduction in ‘high confidence but incorrect diagnosis’ was achieved using MRI. Prognostic information given to the women changed after MRI in 44% of cases, and the overall effect of MRI on clinical management was considered to be ‘significant’, ‘major’ or ‘decisive’ in 35% of cases.ConclusionsOur data suggest that any woman whose fetus has a posterior fossa abnormality as the only intracranial finding on ultrasound should have MRI for further evaluation. This is on the basis of improved diagnostic accuracy and confidence, which impacts substantially on the prognostic information given to women as well as their clinical management. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Nanotherapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Nance Michael E. , Hakim Chady H. , Yang N. Nora , Duan Dongsheng 
Published: April 2017

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X‐linked childhood muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Nanobiotechnology‐based therapies (such as synthetic nanoparticles and naturally existing viral and nonviral nanoparticles) hold great promise to replace and repair the mutated dystrophin gene and significantly change the disease course. While a majority of DMD nanotherapies are still in early preclinical development, several [such as adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated systemic micro‐dystrophin gene therapy] are advancing for phase I clinical trials. Recent regulatory approval of Ataluren (a nonsense mutation read‐through chemical) in Europe and Exondys51 (an exon‐skipping antisense oligonucleotide drug) in the United States shall offer critical insight in how to move DMD nanotherapy to human patients. Progress in novel, optimized nano‐delivery systems may further improve emerging molecular therapeutic modalities for DMD. Despite these progresses, DMD nanotherapy faces a number of unique challenges. Specifically, the dystrophin gene is one of the largest genes in the genome while nanoparticles have an inherent size limitation per definition. Furthermore, muscle is the largest tissue in the body and accounts for 40% of the body mass. How to achieve efficient bodywide muscle targeting in human patients with nanomedication remains a significant translational hurdle. New creative approaches in the design of the miniature micro‐dystrophin gene, engineering of muscle‐specific synthetic AAV capsids, and novel nanoparticle‐mediated exon‐skipping are likely to result in major breakthroughs in DMD therapy. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1472. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1472This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
An update on carbon nanotube‐enabled X‐ray sources for biomedical imaging
Authors: Puett Connor , Inscoe Christina , Hartman Allison , Calliste Jabari , Franceschi Dora K. , Lu Jianping , Zhou Otto , Lee Yueh Z. 
Published: April 2017

A new imaging technology has emerged that uses carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the electron emitter (cathode) for the X‐ray tube. Since the performance of the CNT cathode is controlled by simple voltage manipulation, CNT‐enabled X‐ray sources are ideal for the repetitive imaging steps needed to capture three‐dimensional information. As such, they have allowed the development of a gated micro‐computed tomography (CT) scanner for small animal research as well as stationary tomosynthesis, an experimental technology for large field‐of‐view human imaging. The small animal CT can acquire images at specific points in the respiratory and cardiac cycles. Longitudinal imaging therefore becomes possible and has been applied to many research questions, ranging from tumor response to the noninvasive assessment of cardiac output. Digital tomosynthesis (DT) is a low‐dose and low‐cost human imaging tool that captures some depth information. Known as three‐dimensional mammography, DT is now used clinically for breast imaging. However, the resolution of currently‐approved DT is limited by the need to swing the X‐ray source through space to collect a series of projection views. An array of fixed and distributed CNT‐enabled sources provides the solution and has been used to construct stationary DT devices for breast, lung, and dental imaging. To date, over 100 patients have been imaged on Institutional Review Board‐approved study protocols. Early experience is promising, showing an excellent conspicuity of soft‐tissue features, while also highlighting technical and post‐acquisition processing limitations that are guiding continued research and development. Additionally, CNT‐enabled sources are being tested in miniature X‐ray tubes that are capable of generating adequate photon energies and tube currents for clinical imaging. Although there are many potential applications for these small field‐of‐view devices, initial experience has been with an X‐ray source that can be inserted into the mouth for dental imaging. Conceived less than 20 years ago, CNT‐enabled X‐ray sources are now being manufactured on a commercial scale and are powering both research tools and experimental human imaging devices. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1475. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1475This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices
Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis: Identifying Risk Factors for Severe Outcomes
Authors: Jaung Rebekah , Kularatna Malsha , Robertson Jason P. , Vather Ryash , Rowbotham David , MacCormick Andrew D. , Bissett Ian P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe management of uncomplicated (Modified Hinchey Classification Ia) acute diverticulitis (AD) has become increasingly conservative, with a focus on symptomatic relief and supportive management. Clear criteria for patient selection are required to implement this safely. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors for severe clinical course in patients with uncomplicated AD.Materials and methodsPatients admitted to General Surgery at two New Zealand tertiary centres over a period of 18 months were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out in order to identify factors associated with a more severe clinical course. This was defined by three endpoints: need for procedural intervention, admission >7 days and 30‐day readmission; these were analysed separately and as a combined outcome.ResultsUncomplicated AD was identified in 319 patients. Fifteen patients (5%) required procedural intervention; this was associated with SIRS (OR 3.92). Twenty‐two (6.9%) patients were admitted for >7 days; this was associated with patient‐reported pain score >8/10 (OR 5.67). Thirty‐one patients (9.8%) required readmission within 30 days; this was associated with pain score >8/10 (OR 6.08) and first episode of AD (OR 2.47). Overall, 49 patients had a severe clinical course, and associated factors were regular steroid/immunomodulator use (OR 4.34), pain score >8/10 (OR 5.9) and higher temperature (OR 1.51) and CRP ≥200 (OR 4.1).ConclusionSIRS, high pain score and CRP, first episode and regular steroid/immunomodulator use were identified as predictors of worse outcome in uncomplicated AD. These findings have the potential to inform prospective treatment decisions in this patient group.
The impact of quality-of-life data in relative effectiveness assessments of new anti-cancer drugs in European countries
Authors: Kleijnen Sarah , Leonardo Alves Teresa , Meijboom Kim , Lipska Iga , De Boer Anthonius , Leufkens Hubertus G. , Goettsch Wim G. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the role of health-related quality-of-life (QoL) data in relative effectiveness assessments (REAs) of new anti-cancer drugs across European jurisdictions, during health technology assessment procedures.

Methods
Comparative analysis of guidelines and publicly available REAs in six European jurisdictions of anti-cancer drugs approved by EMA between 2011 and 2013.

Results
Fourteen anti-cancer drugs were included, adding up to 79 REAs. Whilst all guidelines state that QoL is a relevant endpoint to determine the relative effectiveness of new cancer drugs, QoL data were included in only 54% of the 79 reports and their impact on the recommendations was limited.

Conclusions
Whilst national guidelines recognize the relevance of QoL to determine the relative effectiveness of new anti-cancer drugs, this is not well-reflected in current assessments. Developing and implementing into REAs specific evidence requirements for QoL data would improve the use of this patient-centred outcome in future reimbursement and pricing decisions.
Efficacy of botanical extracts from Brazilian savannah against Diabrotica speciosa and associated bacteria
Authors: Luiz Anderson L. , Perlatti Bruno , Marques Fabiana A. , Rodrigues‐Filho Edson , Costa Eduardo N. , Ribeiro Zulene A. , Eduardo Wellington I. , Boiça‐Júnior Arlindo L. , Imatomi Maristela , Gorecki Tadeusz , Forim Moacir Rossi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBotanical extracts are a plentiful resource of molecules with different biological activities, such as insecticides and antimicrobial pesticides. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of botanical extracts from the Brazilian savannah against Diabrotica speciosa and bacterial strains isolated from the gut of this insect under aseptic conditions. The bacterial isolates were identified by genomic and proteomic approaches, and bioassayed against eighteen botanical extracts in vitro. The best results of bacterial inhibitions were obtained for the extracts of Casearia sylvestris and Psidium laruotteanum. Fractions of C. sylvestris and P. laruotteanum, quantitatively evaluated by chromatographic analyses, showed a relationship between the bactericidal activity and phytochemical profile. In vivo assays showed that P. laruotteanum was also effective for the control of D. speciosa. Those results show that selected natural products can have both antimicrobial and insecticidal activities.
Redox Active Transition Metal ions Make Melanin Susceptible to Chemical Degradation Induced by Organic Peroxide
Authors: Zadlo Andrzej , Pilat Anna , Sarna Michal , Pawlak Anna , Sarna Tadeusz 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWith aging, retinal pigment epithelium melanosomes, by fusion with the age pigment lipofuscin, form complex granules called melanolipofuscin. Lipofuscin granules may contain oxidized proteins and lipid hydroperoxides, which in melanolipofuscin could chemically modify melanin polymer, while transition metal ions present in melanin can accelerate such oxidative modifications. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of selected transition metal ions on melanin susceptibility to chemical modification induced by the water-soluble tert-butyl hydroperoxide used as an oxidizing agent. Synthetic melanin obtained by DOPA autooxidation and melanosomes isolated from bovine retinal pigment epithelium were analyzed. To monitor tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative changes of DMa and BMs, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry were employed. These measurements revealed that both copper and iron ions accelerated chemical degradation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide, while zinc ions had no effect. Strong prooxidant action was detected only in the case of melanosomes and melanin degraded in the presence of iron. It can be postulated that similar chemical processes, if they occur in situ in melanolipofuscin granules of the human retinal pigment epithelium, would modify antioxidant properties of melanin and its reactivity.
The Sibsize Revolution and Social Disparities in Children’s Family Contexts in the United States, 1940–2012
Authors: Fahey Tony 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article points to a sharp decline in children’s sibling numbers (sibsize) that occurred in the United States since the 1970s and was large enough among children with lower socioeconomic status (SES) (particularly black children) to amount to a revolution in their family circumstances. It interprets sibsize decline as a source of social convergence in children’s family contexts that ran counter to trends toward social divergence caused by the rise of lone parenthood. The article is based on new estimates of differences in children’s sibsize and lone parenthood by race and maternal education generated from public-use samples from the Census of Population and Current Population Survey (CPS), focusing especially on the period 1940–2012. I discuss some methodological and substantive challenges for existing scholarship arising from the findings and point to questions for future research.
Navigating (im)mobility: female entrepreneurship and social media in Khartoum
Authors: Steel Griet 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThrough Facebook and other social media, a growing number of well-educated women in Khartoum are marketing and selling typically female personal care and beauty items online. These ‘tajirat al-Facebook’ (or Facebook traders) are the new entrepreneurs of Sudan who work from home to run their businesses and widen their social circles. Relying on the urban infrastructure of mobile phones, delivery boys, digital connectivity and online platforms, they navigate public life from the intimate sphere of the home orharemto become successful businesswomen who continuously transcend conventional gender norms and classic divisions between public and private, online and offline, and work and family. By addressing the day-to-day socio-economic practices of these traders, this article casts innovative light upon the broader discussions surrounding the role of women in economic life in Africa. It is argued that the mobile phone, and the smartphone in particular, has opened up a range of opportunities for women to enhance their social and economic manoeuvring space and to negotiate power within, and beyond, the domestic realm. New communications technologies have paved the way for a new kind of entrepreneurship in which the commercial goals of profit making are intimately entwined with the broader practices of sociality and diversion from boredom.
‘Disordered surroundings’: money and socio-economic exclusion in Western Kenya
Authors: Schmidt Mario 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article explores relations between ways of experiencing socio-economic disorder, strategies on how to deal with it, and monetary classifications that symbolize these ways and strategies. It assumes that we can learn something from the fact that the concept ofpesa makech(‘bitter money’) has been replaced with the much more diffuse notion ofpesa marach(‘bad money’) in Western Kenya during the last twenty-five years. This shift in how ‘negative forms’ of money are discursively marked indexes a change in the way in which the people of Kaleko, a small market centre in Western Kenya, conceptualize the disorder of their surroundings. Instead of interpreting disorder as an effect of events taking place inside their sphere of influence, residents of Kaleko now predominantly situate the cause of disorder in actions of external actors that are perceived as uncontrollable: the ‘economy’, money itself, politicians, members of other ethnic groups and untrustworthy Luo. This necessarily changes the ways in which disorder is tackled: whilepesa makech’s bitterness could be resolved by ‘sorting out’ (rieyo) the homestead's disorder, nowadays people employ other ways that aim at resolving disorder: upscalingrieyo’s potential to the Kenyan nation; ‘struggling’ (chandre) through disorder; and relativizingrieyo’s applicability.
Disrupted migration projects: the moral economy of involuntary return to Ghana from Libya
Authors: Kleist Nauja 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article contributes to the theorization of involuntary return and moral economies in the context of economic crisis and vulnerability prompted by restrictive migration regimes and conflicts. Drawing on fieldwork in a rural town in Ghana where international labour migration is an established livelihood, it analyses deportations from North Africa, Israel and Europe and emergency return from Libya following the civil war in 2011. The article argues that return to the home town, rather than being detained or stuck en route, constitutes a particular context precisely because migrants face family and community expectations upon their return. Involuntary return constitutes a disruption of migration projects when migrants return empty-handed, going from being remitters to burdens for their families. This creates conflicts and disappointments within family and the local community, especially in relation to norms of provision and gender ideals. The paper highlights three effects of the moral economy of involuntary return. First, that involuntary return does not constitute a priori termination of migration, as many involuntary return migrants migrate again, often in high-risk ways. Second, it discusses the ambivalence of reciprocity and interdependency in families. And third, it shows how involuntary return challenges dominant ideals of masculinity.