bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacogenomics of 17‐alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate for recurrent preterm birth: a case–control study
Authors: Manuck TA , Watkins WS , Esplin MS , Biggio J , Bukowski R , Parry S , Zhan H , Huang H , Andrews W , Saade G , Sadovsky Y , Reddy UM , Ilekis J , Yandell M , Varner MW , Jorde LB ,   the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Genomics and Proteomics Network for Preterm Birth Research (GPN‐PBR)
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveTo compare maternal genotypes between women with and without significant prolongation of pregnancy in the setting of 17‐alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17‐P) administration for the prevention of recurrent preterm birth (PTB).DesignCase–control.SettingThree tertiary‐care centres across the USA.PopulationWomen (n = 99) with ≥ 1 prior singleton spontaneous PTB, receiving 17‐P.MethodsWomen were classified as having successful prolongation of pregnancy during the 17‐P treated pregnancy, in two ways: (1) Definition A: success/non‐success based on difference in gestational age at delivery between 17‐P‐treated and untreated pregnancies (success: delivered ≥ 3 weeks later with 17‐P) and (2) Definition B: success/non‐success based on reaching term (success: delivered at term with 17‐P).Main outcome measuresTo assess genetic variation, all women underwent whole exome sequencing. Between‐group sequence variation was analysed with the Variant Annotation, Analysis, and Search Tool (VAAST). Genes scored by VAAST with P < 0.05 were then analysed with two online tools: (1) Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER) and (2) Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).ResultsUsing Definition A, there were 70 women with successful prolongation and 29 without; 1375 genes scored by VAAST had P < 0.05. Using Definition B, 47 women had successful prolongation and 52 did not; 1039 genes scored by VAAST had P < 0.05. PANTHER revealed key differences in gene ontology pathways. Many genes from definition A were classified as prematurity genes (P = 0.026), and those from definition B as pharmacogenetic genes (P = 0.0018); (P, non‐significant after Bonferroni correction).ConclusionA novel analytic approach revealed several genetic differences among women delivering early vs later with 17‐P.Tweetable abstractSeveral key genetic differences are present in women with recurrent preterm birth despite 17‐P treatment.
Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research: probable causes of stillbirth in low‐ and middle‐income countries using a prospectively defined classification system
Authors: McClure EM , Garces A , Saleem S , Moore JL , Bose CL , Esamai F , Goudar SS , Chomba E , Mwenechanya M , Pasha O , Tshefu A , Patel A , Dhaded SM , Tenge C , Marete I , Bauserman M , Sunder S , Kodkany BS , Carlo WA , Derman RJ , Hibberd PL , Liechty EA , Hambidge KM , Krebs NF , Koso‐Thomas M , Miodovnik M , Wallace DD , Goldenberg RL 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveWe sought to classify causes of stillbirth for six low‐middle‐income countries using a prospectively defined algorithm.DesignProspective, observational study.SettingCommunities in India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Kenya.PopulationPregnant women residing in defined study regions.MethodsBasic data regarding conditions present during pregnancy and delivery were collected. Using these data, a computer‐based hierarchal algorithm assigned cause of stillbirth. Causes included birth trauma, congenital anomaly, infection, asphyxia, and preterm birth, based on existing cause of death classifications and included contributing maternal conditions.Main outcome measuresPrimary cause of stillbirth.ResultsOf 109 911 women who were enrolled and delivered (99% of those screened in pregnancy), 2847 had a stillbirth (a rate of 27.2 per 1000 births). Asphyxia was the cause of 46.6% of the stillbirths, followed by infection (20.8%), congenital anomalies (8.4%) and prematurity (6.6%). Among those caused by asphyxia, 38% had prolonged or obstructed labour, 19% antepartum haemorrhage and 18% pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia. About two‐thirds (67.4%) of the stillbirths did not have signs of maceration.ConclusionsOur algorithm determined cause of stillbirth from basic data obtained from lay‐health providers. The major cause of stillbirth was fetal asphyxia associated with prolonged or obstructed labour, pre‐eclampsia and antepartum haemorrhage. In the African sites, infection also was an important contributor to stillbirth. Using this algorithm, we documented cause of stillbirth and its trends to inform public health programs, using consistency, transparency, and comparability across time or regions with minimal burden on the healthcare system.Tweetable abstractMajor causes of stillbirth are asphyxia, pre‐eclampsia and haemorrhage. Infections are important in Africa.
Conceptualising the policy engagement of interest groups: Involvement, access and prominence
Authors: HALPIN DARREN R. , FRAUSSEN BERT 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWhile much progress has been made in empirically mapping and analysing a variety of interest group activities in the last decade, less attention has been devoted to conceptual work that clearly defines and distinguishes different forms of policy engagement. This article contributes to this endeavour by developing a theoretical framework that explicitly links currently available measures of the policy engagement of groups to the distinct concepts of group involvement, access and prominence. It argues that greater conceptual clarity will lead to better accumulation of knowledge in the sub‐field and a better understanding of the role of interest groups in political systems.
Informative plot sizes in presence‐absence sampling of forest floor vegetation
Authors: Ståhl Göran , Ekström Magnus , Dahlgren Jonas , Esseen Per‐Anders , Grafström Anton , Jonsson Bengt‐Gunnar 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Plant communities are attracting increased interest in connection with forest and landscape inventories due to society's interest in ecosystem services. However, the acquisition of accurate information about plant communities poses several methodological challenges. Here, we investigate the use of presence‐absence sampling with the aim to monitor state and change in plant density. We study what plot sizes are informative, i.e. the estimators should have as high precision as possible.

Plant occurrences were modelled through different Poisson processes and tests were developed for assessing the plausibility of the model assumptions. Optimum plot sizes were determined by minimizing the variance of the estimators. While state estimators of similar kind as ours have been proposed in previous studies, our tests and change estimation procedures are new.

We found that the most informative plot size for state estimation is 1·6 divided by the plant density, i.e. if the true density is 1 plant per square metre the optimum plot size is 1·6 square metres. This is in accordance with previous findings. More importantly, the most informative plot size for change estimation was smaller and depended on the change patterns. We provide theoretical results as well as some empirical results based on data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory.

Use of too small or too large plots resulted in poor precision of the density (and density change) estimators. As a consequence, a range of different plot sizes would be required for jointly monitoring both common and rare plants using presence‐absence sampling in monitoring programmes.
Multifocal visual evoked potentials for quantifying optic nerve dysfunction in patients with optic disc drusen
Authors: Malmqvist Lasse , de Santiago Luis , Boquete Luciano , Hamann Steffen 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPurposeTo explore the applicability of multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEPs) for research and clinical diagnosis in patients with optic disc drusen (ODD). This is the first assessment of mfVEP amplitude in patients with ODD.MethodsMfVEP amplitude and latency from 33 patients with ODD and 22 control subjects were examined. Mean amplitude, mean inner ring (IR) amplitude (0.87–5.67° of visual field) and mean outer ring amplitude (5.68–24° of visual field) were calculated using signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and peak‐to‐peak analysis. Monocular latency was calculated using second peak analysis, while latency asymmetry was calculated using cross‐correlation analysis.ResultsCompared to normals, significantly decreased mean overall amplitude (p < 0.001), IR amplitude (p < 0.001) and outer ring amplitude (p < 0.001) were found in ODD patients when using SNR. An overall monocular latency delay of 7 ms was seen in ODD patients (p = 0.001). A significant correlation between amplitude and automated perimetric mean deviation as well as retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was found (respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). The overall highest correlation was found in this order: outer ring, full eye and IR. In the control group, SNR intersubject variability was 17.6% and second peak latency intersubject variability was 2.8%.ConclusionDecreased mfVEP amplitude in patients with ODD suggests a direct mechanical compression of the optic nerve axons. Our results suggest that mfVEP amplitude is applicable for the assessment of optic nerve dysfunction in patients with ODD.
Dexamethasone implant with fixed or individualized regimen in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema: six‐month outcomes of the UDBASA study
Authors: Sarao Valentina , Veritti Daniele , Furino Claudio , Giancipoli Ermete , Alessio Giovanni , Boscia Francesco , Lanzetta Paolo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate a pro re nata administration of Ozurdex® implant versus a single administration for treating diabetic macular oedema (DME).MethodsThis exploratory study is designed as a comparative, multicentre, randomized study with a follow‐up of 6 months. Patients with DME were assigned to treatment at baseline either with a single Ozurdex® implant during the entire six‐month follow‐up (fixed group) or Ozurdex® implant followed by retreatment on an individualized basis (PRN group). Patients were scheduled for monthly evaluation based on assessment of best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography.ResultsTwenty eyes were enrolled to the PRN group, and 22 were included in the fixed group. Following an equally steady, initial gain up to month 1, and maintenance up to month 3, vision started to decline in the fixed regimen group. At 6 months, a difference of 0.11 logMAR in BCVA was observed in favour of the PRN group. Compared to baseline, a significant reduction in retinal thickness was achieved up to month 2, when the fixed regimen group had begun to revert to pretreatment level. At 4 and 5 months, the difference in thickness between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mean number of treatments was 1.6 in the PRN group. Both fixed and PRN administration of Ozurdex showed a good safety profile.ConclusionA personalized treatment with monthly monitoring and retreatment as needed is effective in maintaining functional and anatomical benefits of Ozurdex®.
The expression of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 proteins regulating endometrial remodeling in the porcine endometrial tissues during follicular and luteal phase
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Lee Sang‐Hee , Yang Boo‐Keun , Park Choon‐Keun 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEndometrial remodeling is important for successful embryo development and implantation in pigs. Therefore, this study investigated change of proteins regulating endometrial remodeling on follicular and luteal phase in porcine endometrial tissues. The endometrial tissue samples were collected from porcine uterus during follicular and luteal phase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myoglobin and cysteine‐rich protein 2 (CRP2) proteins were expressed by immnofluorescence, immunoblotting, and determined by 2‐DE and MALDI‐TOF/MS. We found that VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 were strongly localized in endometrial tissues during luteal phase, but not follicular phase. The protein levels of VEGF, myoglobin and CRP2 in endometrial tissues were higher than luteal phase (P < 0.05). These results may provide understanding of intrauterine environment during estrous cycle in pigs, and will be used in animal reproduction for developing specific biomarkers in the future.
Role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in endothelium‐independent relaxation to raloxifene in rat aorta
Authors: Wong Chi Ming , Au Chak Leung , Tsang Suk Ying , Lau Chi Wai , Yao Xiaoqiang , Cai Zongwei , Chung Arthur Chi‐Kong 
Published: January 2017

Background and PurposeRaloxifene can induce both endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent relaxation in different arteries. However, the underlying mechanisms by which raloxifene triggers endothelium‐independent relaxation are still incompletely understood. The purpose of present study was to examine the roles of NOSs and Ca2+channels in the relaxant response to raloxifene in the rat isolated, endothelium‐denuded aorta.Experimental ApproachChanges in isometric tension, cGMP, nitrite, inducible NOS protein expression and distribution in response to raloxifene in endothelium‐denuded aortic rings were studied by organ baths, radioimmunoassay, Griess reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively.Key ResultsRaloxifene reduced the contraction to CaCl2in a Ca2+‐free, high K+‐containing solution in intact aortic rings. Raloxifene also acutely relaxed the aorta primarily through an endothelium‐independent mechanism involving NO, mostly from inducible NOS (iNOS) in vascular smooth muscle layers. This effect of raloxifene involved the generation of cGMP and nitrite. Also, it was genomic in nature, as it was inhibited by a classical oestrogen receptor antagonist and inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Raloxifene‐induced stimulation of iNOS gene expression was partly mediated through activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Raloxifene was more potent than 17β‐estradiol or tamoxifen at relaxing endothelium‐denuded aortic rings by stimulation of iNOS.Conclusions and ImplicationsRaloxifene‐mediated vasorelaxation in rat aorta is independent of a functional endothelium and is mediated by oestrogen receptors and NF‐κB. This effect is mainly mediated through an enhanced production of NO, cGMP and nitrite, via the induction of iNOS and inhibition of calcium influx through Ca2+channels in rat aortic smooth muscle.
Metaphorical Accounting: How Framing the Federal Budget Like a Household's Affects Voting Intentions
Authors: Thibodeau Paul H. , Flusberg Stephen J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPolitical discourse is saturated with metaphor, but evidence for the persuasive power of this language has been hard to come by. We addressed this issue by investigating whether voting intentions were affected by implicit mappings suggested by a metaphorically framed message, drawing on a real‐world example of political rhetoric about the federal budget. In the first experiment, the federal budget was framed as similar to or different from a household budget, though the information participants received was identical in both conditions. When the federal budget was described as similar to a household's, people considered the personal finances of a presidential candidate more relevant—a finding we replicated in a larger, pre‐registered study. In a follow‐up experiment, we presented participants with a more explicit rhetorical argument and found a similar effect, moderated by political affiliation. These studies illuminate how metaphorical comparison affects cognition for important real‐world issues, sometimes in unintended ways.
Advancing the Understanding of Regional Economic Adaptability in a Non‐Western Context: An Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Hassink Robert 
Published: January 2017

AbstractRegional economic adaptability is a classical topic in economic geography. Studying the fall and necessary restructuring and adaptability of regional economies has a long tradition in Europe, whereas the non‐Western world is a blind spot particularly concerning the use of newer evolutionary theoretical concepts in analysing and explaining regional economic adaptability. The aim of this special issue is therefore to put an evolutionary perspective on industrial dynamics and regional economic adaptability in non‐Western countries, and by doing that to contribute to theorising back from non‐Western countries to mainly Western concepts on regional economic adaptability.
Industrial Variety and Structural Change in Korean Regional Manufacturing, 1992–2004
Authors: Lee Dongheon 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThere has been increasing concern about the roles of industrial variety, particularly related and unrelated variety, in adaptive response of regional economies to recessionary shock. Using South Korean regional manufacturing data around the 1997 Asian financial crisis, this paper investigates how differently related and unrelated variety affect intrasectoral and intersectoral structural change in regional economy. The empirical findings reveal that regions with higher related variety adapt to recessionary shock mainly through intrasectoral structural change, but that related variety diminishes the opportunity for regional economies to pursue intersectoral reorganization. However, unrelated variety makes up for this negative effect as it increases intersectoral structural change. This study sheds light on the complementary roles of related and unrelated variety in regional adaptability and path creation or diversion.
Physiological oral melanin pigmentation in a South African sample: A clinical study
Authors: Masilana Aubrey , Khammissa Razia A. G. , Lemmer Johan , Feller Liviu 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAimPhysiological oral melanin pigmentation is genetically determined, more frequently affecting people with darker skin. It can involve any oral mucosal site, but predominantly the gingiva. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and to characterize the clinical features of physiological oral melanin pigmentation in a South African population sample.MethodsA trainee in the discipline of periodontology and oral medicine interviewed all participants and examined the oral soft tissues. The diagnosis of physiological oral melanin pigmentation was based on clinical findings and on the history reported by the patient. A predetermined list of exclusion criteria was applied.ResultsThe study population comprised 430 participants, of whom 319 (74%) were black, 55 (13%) Indian, 54 (12.5%) white, and two (0.5%) were mixed race. A total of 182 participants were diagnosed with physiological oral melanin pigmentation. The overall prevalence of physiological oral melanin pigmentation in the ethnically‐mixed study population was 42%: 54% of blacks were affected, 16% of Indians, and 21% of whites. The female (101): male (81) ratio was 1.2:1; the gingiva was the site most frequently affected (73%). The total number of oral mucosal sites with physiological oral melanin pigmentation in the study population was 263; 68% of participants had one, 22% had two, 7% had three, and 3% had four sites affected. There was no significant association between the number of sites affected and sex or age.ConclusionsIn this study of a South African population sample, the prevalence of physiological oral melanin pigmentation was higher in blacks than in Indians or whites, and the gingiva was the oral mucosal site most frequently affected.
The development of a lexicon for cashew nuts
Authors: Griffin L. E. , Dean L. L. , Drake M. A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA lexicon of flavor and texture terms was developed to describe the sensory characteristics of cashew nuts. A highly trained and experienced descriptive analysis panel (n = 10, ages 22–58 each with at least 60 hr of descriptive work in nuts) was used to create the lexicon for cashews. After initial identification and discussion of terms, 22 flavor terms, 4 texture terms, and 3 feeling factors to describe the sensory attributes of cashews were identified. The lexicon was validated by demonstrating that the panel could detect differences among 18 different cashew samples, including raw, oil‐roasted, dry‐roasted, skin‐on, store‐brand, national‐brand, and rancid types when using the identified lexicon. The differences in products were analyzed using analysis of variance and principal component analysis. Differences in flavor and texture were observed across all product categories and the lexicon was validated.Practical applicationsThe lexicon is intended for use in cashew research and by the cashew industry as a way for communicating differences in cashew flavor and texture in a common language.
Temperature dependency of the interaction between xanthan gum and sage seed gum: An interpretation of dynamic rheology and thixotropy based on creep test
Authors: Razavi Seyed M. A. , Behrouzian Fataneh , Alghooneh Ali 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe viscoelastic (transient and dynamic) and time‐dependent rheological behaviors of XG (xanthan gum), SSG (sage seed gum) and their blends at various ratios (1‐3, 1‐1, and 3‐1 SSG‐XG) and temperatures (10, 30, and 50C) were investigated using creep and recovery analyses. The creep compliance was converted to stress relaxation data; then, the structural kinetic model satisfactorily fitted the time‐dependent relaxation modulus. Furthermore, dynamic rheology of mixtures was investigated using creep analyses. The most important contribution of the Maxwell spring to deformation (53.51%), was that corresponding to the SSG at 50C and the most important contribution of the Maxwell dashpot to the maximum deformation, were those corresponding to the XG (61.44%) and 1‐3 SSG‐XG (58.91%) samples both at 50C. The breakdown rate constant (
of the crosslinked gum structure in SSG and 3‐1 SSG‐XG under the application of external shear stress increases with temperature from 10 to 50C in the range of 0.14–0.32 (1/s) and 0.14–0.24 (1/s), respectively, whereas other dispersions showed the reverse trend. Among all dispersions, only XG and 1‐3 SSG‐XG demonstrated crossover frequency at 9.95 and 31.47 rad/s, respectively, at 50C, indicative of the lowest entanglement density for 1‐3 SSG‐XG. The greatest interaction between SSG and XG occurred for 3‐1 ratio at 50C, which was confirmed by the Han curves.Practical applicationsHydrocolloid blends, particularly those consisting of xanthan gum and a galactomannan from new source can provide a range of attractive textural properties. Rheological studies contribute to the description of the molecular structure and prediction of the structural changes during their manufacturing processes. Sage seed gum (SSG), as a polyelectrolyte galactomannan, has a great potential to exert stabilizing, thickening, gelling and binding properties in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical systems. Therefore, we elaborate the interactions between SSG and xanthan gum and also the effect of temperature using transient measurements. In this way, we show that the viscoelastic (transient and dynamic) and time‐dependent rheological behaviors may be investigated using single creep/recovery tests. This new insight into transient measurements is useful to characterize the interaction behavior of similar biopolymers blends.