bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing emergency CT radiation doses with simple techniques: A quality initiative project
Authors: Sulagaesuan Chakkarat , Saksobhavivat Nitima , Asavaphatiboon Sawwanee , Kaewlai Rathachai 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionUse of indication‐specific CT protocols and adjustment of scan parameters to decrease radiation exposure may result in significant dose reduction. We implemented these strategies and compare pre‐ and post‐implementation radiation dose in emergency department (ED) patients.MethodThis was a descriptive, retrospective study. Patients older than 15 years who had undergone emergency CT examinations of the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and abdominopelvic region in periods before and after dose‐reduction implementation were included. The primary outcome was volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length products (DLP).ResultsThere were 786 studies in the pre‐implementation (group 1) and 955 studies in the post‐implementation (group 2) periods. Radiation dose from all CT types significantly reduced in the post‐implementation period. Average CTDIvol for head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and abdominopelvic region (doses during pre‐implementation period in parentheses) were 51.5 (109), 8.1 (30.4), 13.1 (41.8), 11 (38), 11.2 (41.8) mGy, respectively. Average DLP was also significantly lower (pre‐implementation dose in parentheses) in all CT types, which were 943 (2232), 324 (2517), 944 (5605), 280 (4024), 809 (7118) mGy●cm, respectively. Patients' age, gender, body mass index and size were not significantly different between the two groups. Image quality decreased but almost all examinations received an acceptable diagnostic subjective image quality.ConclusionSimple methods could help significantly reduce CT radiation exposure in ED patients while maintaining an acceptable level of diagnostic image quality.
Efficacy of diffusion‐weighted MRI in the differentiation of all liver hydatid cyst types
Authors: Koken Deniz , Cagli Bekir , Tuncel Sedat Alpaslan , Sengul Ersin , Yilmaz Erdem , Unlu Mehmet Ercument 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of diffusion‐weighted images (DWIs) in the differentiation of hydatid cysts (HCs) of the liver.MethodsIn this prospective study, 54 patients with 92 HC lesions were evaluated. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of each lesion were calculated using the ADC maps derived from the DWIs at b‐values of 50, 500 and 1000 s/mm2. We compared the mean ADC values of the different HC types, which had already been classified using the sonographic criteria. A receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis was used for determining the diagnostic performance of the ADC values of the HC types.ResultsWhen the mean ADC values of each type of HC were compared using each of the b‐values, no statistically significant differences were obtained between (cystic echinococcosis) CE1 and CE2 or CE3, CE2 and CE3, CE3 and CE4, or CE4 and CE5. In addition, the mean ADC values of CE1 and CE2 were significantly higher than those of CE4 and CE5. For discrimination between types CE1, CE2 and CE3, and types CE4 and CE5, the sensitivity and specificity values were, respectively, 75.9 and 89.5 for the b50 DWI, 87.0 and 86.8 for the b500 DWI, and 75.9 and 89.5 for the b1000 DWI in the ROC analysis.ConclusionDiffusion‐weighted imaging may be useful for providing additional data to determine the type of HC, and for differentiating types CE1, CE2 and CE3 from types CE4 and CE5.
Sex‐related variation in the vulnerability of wandering albatrosses to pelagic longline fleets
Authors: Jiménez S. , Domingo A. , Brazeiro A. , Defeo O. , Wood A. G. , Froy H. , Xavier J. C. , Phillips R. A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe population of wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans at South Georgia is decreasing because of bycatch in longline fisheries. Until at least the early 1990s, the survival rate of females was lower than males, consistent with the adult female‐biased bycatch reported for fisheries operating around the Brazil‐Falklands Confluence (BFC). Here we use extensive tracking data (1990–2012) from breeding birds at South Georgia to investigate overlap with longline fishing effort reported to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Using data from multiple years, we conclude that breeding females are at higher risk than males from all the main pelagic longline fleets in the south‐west Atlantic. Our overlap index (based on fishing effort and bird distributions) correlated positively with numbers of ringed birds reported dead on longliners, indicating that the metric was a good proxy of bycatch risk. The consistent sex bias in overlap across years, and the likely resulting sex‐biased mortality, could account for lower adult female survival rate at the colony. The risk from fisheries changed seasonally; both sexes overlapped with pelagic longline effort during incubation (January–March), and particularly during post‐brood chick‐rearing (May–December), whereas overlap was negligible during brooding (April). The highest percentage of overlap was with the Taiwanese fleet, then vessels flagged to Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, Japan and Portugal. Females were consistently at greatest risk in the BFC region, whereas males showed lower and more variable levels of overlap with fisheries from 35 to 45°S. Our results have important implications for management of ICCAT longline fisheries and conservation of this highly threatened albatross population.
Glucocorticoid receptor but not mineralocorticoid receptor mediates the activation of ERK pathway and CREB during morphine withdrawal
Authors: Navarro‐Zaragoza Javier , Laorden M. Luisa , Milanés M. Victoria 
Published: November 2015

AbstractRecent research suggests that glucocorticoids are involved in the development of addiction to drugs of abuse. They share this role with dopamine (DA), and with different signalling pathways and/or transcription factors such as extracellular‐signal regulated kinases (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). However, the relation between them is not completely elucidated. In this report, we further characterize the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor (GR and MR) signalling in DA turnover at the Nacc, and in opiate withdrawal‐induced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, ERK and CREB phosphorylation (activation) in the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS‐A2). The role of GR and MR signalling was assessed with the selective GR antagonist, mifepristone or the MR antagonist, spironolactone (i.p.). Rats were implanted two morphine (or placebo) pellets. Six days later rats were pretreated with mifepristone, spironolactone or vehicle 30 min before naloxone, and DA turnover, TH expression, ERK and CREB phosphorylation, were measured using HPLC and immunoblotting. Glucocorticoid receptor blockade attenuated ERK and CREB phosphorylation and the TH expression induced by morphine withdrawal. In contrast, no changes were seen after MR blockade. Finally, GR and MR blockade did not alter the morphine withdrawal‐induced increase seen both in DA turnover and DA metabolite production, in the NAcc. These results show that not only ERK and CREB phosphorylation but also TH expression in the NTS is modulated by GR signalling. The present results suggest that GR is a therapeutic target to improve aversive events associated with opiate withdrawal.
Stable immediate early gene expression patterns in medial prefrontal cortex and striatum after long‐term cocaine self‐administration
Authors: Gao Ping , Limpens Jules H. W. , Spijker Sabine , Vanderschuren Louk J. M. J. , Voorn Pieter 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe transition from casual to compulsive drug use is thought to occur as a consequence of repeated drug taking leading to neuroadaptive changes in brain circuitry involved in emotion and cognition. At the basis of such neuroadaptations lie changes in the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) implicated in transcriptional regulation, synaptic plasticity and intracellular signalling. However, little is known about how IEG expression patterns change during long‐term drug self‐administration. The present study, therefore, compares the effects of 10 and 60‐day self‐administration of cocaine and sucrose on the expression of 17 IEGs in brain regions implicated in addictive behaviour, i.e. dorsal striatum, ventral striatum and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Increased expression after cocaine self‐administration was found for 6 IEGs in dorsal and ventral striatum (c‐fos, Mkp1, Fosb/ΔFosb, Egr2, Egr4, and Arc) and 10 IEGs in mPFC (same 6 IEGs as in striatum, plus Bdnf, Homer1, Sgk1 and Rgs2). Five of these 10 IEGs (Egr2, Fosb/ΔFosb, Bdnf, Homer1 and Jun) and Trkb in mPFC were responsive to long‐term sucrose self‐administration. Importantly, no major differences were found between IEG expression patterns after 10 or 60 days of cocaine self‐administration, except Fosb/ΔFosb in dorsal striatum and Egr2 in mPFC, whereas the amount of cocaine obtained per session was comparable for short‐term and long‐term self‐administration. These steady changes in IEG expression are, therefore, associated with stable self‐administration behaviour rather than the total amount of cocaine consumed. Thus, sustained impulses to IEG regulation during prolonged cocaine self‐administration may evoke neuroplastic changes underlying compulsive drug use.
Outcome of attempted vaginal delivery after a previous vacuum extraction: a population‐based study
Authors: Elvander Charlotte , Cnattingius Sven 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionFew studies have investigated long‐term effects of a first vaginal instrumental delivery on subsequent mode of delivery. We investigated risks of repeat vacuum extraction and risk factors associated with a repeat vacuum extraction delivery.Material and methodsThis is a population‐based register study including 391 160 women with two consecutive singleton term (≥37 weeks) live births in cephalic presentation between/within the time period of 1992–2010 in Sweden. Rates and risk ratios of mode of delivery in second pregnancy in relation to primary mode of delivery were calculated using descriptive analyses and generalized linear models. Risk of repeat vacuum extraction was adjusted for maternal age and height, interpregnancy interval, gestational length, birthweight, induction, sex and occiput posterior position.ResultsCompared with women with a primary spontaneous vaginal delivery, women with a primary vacuum extraction had an almost five‐fold risk of vacuum extraction delivery and nearly a three‐fold risk of emergency cesarean section at second delivery. For women with a primary emergency cesarean section, corresponding risks were substantially higher. Risk factors for a repeat vacuum extraction were increasing maternal age and an interpregnancy interval >4 years, decreasing maternal stature, increasing gestation length and birthweight, induction, giving birth to a male infant and occiput posterior position.ConclusionsNine of ten women who attempted a vaginal birth after a primary vacuum extraction succeeded in having a spontaneous vaginal delivery at second delivery. Compared with women with a primary spontaneous vaginal delivery, women with a primary vacuum extraction were at increased risk of repeat vacuum extraction and emergency cesarean section in subsequent delivery although their risk was not as high as that of women with a primary emergency cesarean section.
A 4‐gene expression score associated with high levels of Wilms Tumor‐1 (WT1) expression is an adverse prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Niavarani Ahmadreza , Herold Tobias , Reyal Yasmin , Sauerland Maria C. , Buchner Thomas , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Bohlander Stefan K. , Valk Peter J. M. , Bonnet Dominique 
Published: November 2015

SummaryWilms Tumor‐1 (WT1) expression level is implicated in the prognosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We hypothesized that a gene expression profile associated with WT1 expression levels might be a good surrogate marker. We identified high WT1 gene sets by comparing the gene expression profiles in the highest and lowest quartiles of WT1 expression in two large AML studies. Two high WT1 gene sets were found to be highly correlated in terms of the altered genes and expression profiles. We identified a 17‐probe set signature of the high WT1 set as the optimal prognostic predictor in the first AML set, and showed that it was able to predict prognosis in the second AML series after adjustment for European LeukaemiaNet genetic groups. The gene signature also proved to be of prognostic value in a third AML series of 163 samples assessed by RNA sequencing, demonstrating its cross‐platform consistency. This led us to derive a 4‐gene expression score, which faithfully predicted adverse outcome. In conclusion, a short gene signature associated with high WT1 expression levels and the resultant 4‐gene expression score were found to be predictive of adverse prognosis in AML. This study provides new clues to the molecular pathways underlying high WT1 states in leukaemia.
Taxation and top incomes in Canada
Authors: Milligan Kevin , Smart Michael 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe estimate the elasticity of reported income with respect to tax rates for high earners using sub‐national variation across Canadian provinces. We argue this allows for better identification of tax elasticities than the existing literature. We find that elasticities of reported income at the provincial level are large for incomes in the top 1%, but small for lower earners. There are strong indications that the response happens both through earned and capital income. While our estimated elasticities are large, changes in tax rates cannot explain much of the overall long‐run trend of higher income concentration in Canada.
From the bench to clinical practice: understanding the challenges and uncertainties in immunogenicity testing for biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Gunn G R , Sealey D C F , Jamali F , Meibohm B , Ghosh S , Shankar G 
Published: November 2015

Summary
Unlike conventional chemical drugs where immunogenicity typically does not occur, the development of anti-drug antibodies following treatment with biologics has led to concerns about their impact on clinical safety and efficacy. Hence the elucidation of the immunogenicity of biologics is required for drug approval by health regulatory authorities worldwide. Published ADA ‘incidence’ rates can vary greatly between same-class products and different patient populations. Such differences are due to disparate bioanalytical methods and interpretation approaches, as well as a plethora of product-specific and patient-specific factors that are not fully understood. Therefore, the incidence of ADA and their association with clinical consequences cannot be generalized across products. In this context, the intent of this review article is to discuss the complex nature of ADA and key nuances of the methodologies used for immunogenicity assessments, and to dispel some fallacies and myths.
Efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with COPD followed in intensive care unit
Authors: Akar Olcay , Günay Ersin , Sarinc Ulasli Sevinc , Ulasli Alper Murat , Kacar Emre , Sariaydin Muzaffer , Solak Özlem , Celik Sefa , Ünlü Mehmet 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionSerious problems on muscle strength and functional status can be seen in bedridden‐patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) receiving mechanical ventilation. We aimed to investigate the impact of active extremity mobilization and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on weaning processes, discharge from hospital and inflammatory mediators in COPD patients receiving mechanical ventilation.MethodsThirty conscious COPD patients (F/M:15/15) hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) with diagnosis of respiratory failure were enrolled to this study. Patients were randomized into three groups, including 10 patients for each. Active extremity‐exercise training and NMES were applied to Group‐1, only NMES was applied to Group‐2 and active extremity exercise training was applied to Group‐3. Muscle strengths, mobilization duration and weaning situation were evaluated. Serum cytokine levels were evaluated.ResultsLower extremity muscle‐strength was significantly improved in Group‐1 (from 3.00 to 5.00, P = 0.014) and 2 (from 4.00 to 5.00, P = 0.046). Upper extremity muscle strength was also significantly improved in all three groups (from 4.00 to 5.00 for all groups, P = 0.038, P = 0.046 and P = 0.034, respectively). Duration of mobilization and discharge from the ICU were similar among groups. There was a significant decrease in serum interleukin (IL)‐6 level in Group‐1 and in serum IL‐8 level in Group‐1 and Group‐2 after rehabilitation.ConclusionThis study indicates that pulmonary rehabilitation can prevent loss of muscle strength in ICU. Nevertheless, we consider that further studies with larger populations are needed to examine the impact of NMES and/or active and passive muscle training in bedridden ICU patients who are mechanically ventilated.
Early Language Learning for All: Examination of a Prekindergarten French Program in an Inclusion Setting
Authors: Regalla Michele , Peker Hilal 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis preliminary study examined a prekindergarten multimodal French program conducted for students in an inclusion charter school. Due to the age and varied ability levels of the students, media such as video and songs combined with kinesthetic activities served as the primary instructional approach. Data on children's ability to understand and use simple language were obtained from videorecordings as well as from vocabulary recognition and recall measures. Additional data from teacher questionnaires showed that students of all abilities developed basic communication skills in French and demonstrated enjoyment of the French program.
Variability and evolution of global land surface phenology over the past three decades (1982–2012)
Authors: Garonna Irene , de Jong Rogier , Schaepman Michael E. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMonitoring land surface phenology (LSP) is important for understanding both the responses and feedbacks of ecosystems to the climate system, and for representing these accurately in terrestrial biosphere models. Moreover, by shedding light on phenological trends at a variety of scales, LSP provides the potential to fill the gap between traditional phenological (field) observations and the large‐scale view of global models. In this study, we review and evaluate the variability and evolution of satellite‐derived growing season length (GSL) globally and over the past three decades. We used the longest continuous record of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data available to date at global scale to derive LSP metrics consistently over all vegetated land areas and for the period 1982–2012. We tested GSL, start‐ and end‐of‐season metrics (SOS and EOS, respectively) for linear trends as well as for significant trend shifts over the study period. We evaluated trends using global environmental stratification information in place of commonly used land cover maps to avoid circular findings. Our results confirmed an average lengthening of the growing season globally during 1982–2012 – averaging 0.22–0.34 days yr−1, but with spatially heterogeneous trends. About 13–19% of global land areas displayed significant GSL change, and over 30% of trends occurred in the boreal/alpine biome of the Northern Hemisphere, which showed diverging GSL evolution over the past three decades. Within this biome, the ‘Cold and Mesic’ environmental zone appeared as an LSP change hotspot. We also examined the relative contribution of SOS and EOS to the overall changes, finding that EOS trends were generally stronger and more prevalent than SOS trends. These findings constitute a step towards the identification of large‐scale phenological drivers of vegetated land surfaces, necessary for improving phenological representation in terrestrial biosphere models.
Scaling up the diversity–resilience relationship with trait databases and remote sensing data: the recovery of productivity after wildfire
Authors: Spasojevic Marko J. , Bahlai Christie A. , Bradley Bethany A. , Butterfield Bradley J. , Tuanmu Mao‐Ning , Sistla Seeta , Wiederholt Ruscena , Suding Katharine N. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying ecosystem resilience – why some systems have an irreversible response to disturbances while others recover – is critical for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem function in the face of global change. Despite the widespread acceptance of a positive relationship between biodiversity and resilience, empirical evidence for this relationship remains fairly limited in scope and localized in scale. Assessing resilience at the large landscape and regional scales most relevant to land management and conservation practices has been limited by the ability to measure both diversity and resilience over large spatial scales. Here, we combined tools used in large‐scale studies of biodiversity (remote sensing and trait databases) with theoretical advances developed from small‐scale experiments to ask whether the functional diversity within a range of woodland and forest ecosystems influences the recovery of productivity after wildfires across the four‐corner region of the United States. We additionally asked how environmental variation (topography, macroclimate) across this geographic region influences such resilience, either directly or indirectly via changes in functional diversity. Using path analysis, we found that functional diversity in regeneration traits (fire tolerance, fire resistance, resprout ability) was a stronger predictor of the recovery of productivity after wildfire than the functional diversity of seed mass or species richness. Moreover, slope, elevation, and aspect either directly or indirectly influenced the recovery of productivity, likely via their effect on microclimate, while macroclimate had no direct or indirect effects. Our study provides some of the first direct empirical evidence for functional diversity increasing resilience at large spatial scales. Our approach highlights the power of combining theory based on local‐scale studies with tools used in studies at large spatial scales and trait databases to understand pressing environmental issues.
The effects of body image and self‐esteem on frequency of closet cleaning
Authors: Saiki Diana , Crecelius Kayla 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine divestment of clothing and its relationship to psychological characteristics (body image and self‐esteem) and demographic characteristics (gender and age) of the consumer. The relationship between frequencies in closet cleaning to categories selected for body image (Appearance Orientation, Appearance Evaluation, Body Areas Satisfaction, Subjective Weight, and Weight Preoccupation) were calculated using Pearson's Correlation and Analysis of Variance. Frequencies in closet cleaning were also compared to the overall score from responses to the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. The relationship between disposal frequency and Appearance Orientation was statistically significant for both gender groups, particularly among groups 18–25 years. Individuals with a higher Appearance Orientation tended to dispose clothing more frequently than others. When comparing men to women, body image accounted for garment disposal more among men, suggesting women have more varied reasons to dispose of clothing. Self‐esteem measures were not related to disposal frequency among all groups. The findings contribute to knowledge and have implications related to self‐concept and consumption behavior post purchasing. For example, results were similar between young men and women suggesting men may have similar clothing and appearance oriented behavior to women. In another example, those with high appearance orientation could be targeted for campaigns related to sustainable disposal strategies.