bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation improve global pelvic function in women with faecal incontinence?
Authors: Kelly S. L. , Radley S. C. , Brown S. R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimPercutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a minimally invasive treatment for faecal incontinence. Many patients with faecal incontinence have coexisting pelvic floor disorders such as urinary incontinence and vaginal symptoms. We utilized a pelvic floor assessment tool to analyse any effect of PTNS on global pelvic floor function.MethodsPatients with faecal incontinence attending our institution who had failed to respond sufficiently to biofeedback were offered a course of PTNS. Patients underwent pre‐ and post‐stimulation assessment with a validated electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire – Pelvic Floor (ePAQ‐PF) for pelvic floor disorders. Scores were compared to assess the effect of treatment on global pelvic floor function.ResultsDuring the study period pre‐ and post‐stimulation ePAQ‐PF data were available for 60 patients (55% of all patients starting PTNS). In this cohort there was a significant improvement in bowel continence, bowel related quality of life, irritable bowel syndrome and bowel evacuation with a large effect size for continence and bowel related quality of life. There was also a significant improvement in non‐bowel related symptoms, including urinary pain and stress incontinence, urinary related quality of life and bowel related sexual function. Sixty‐five per cent of those who answered the question reported improvement in global health after stimulation.ConclusionFor patients presenting with faecal incontinence, PTNS appears to have a positive effect on bowel related function in approximately two‐thirds of patients. However, for treatment responders, improvement appears to relate mainly to improvement in bowel related function rather than a global pelvic floor effect.
Transitivity, Space, and Hand: The Spatial Grounding of Syntax
Authors: Boiteau Timothy W. , Almor Amit 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrevious research has linked the concept of number and other ordinal series to space via a spatially oriented mental number line. In addition, it has been shown that in visual scene recognition and production, speakers of a language with a left‐to‐right orthography respond faster to and tend to draw images in which the agent of an action is located to the left of the patient. In this study, we aim to bridge these two lines of research by employing a novel method that measures the spatial bias produced by transitive sentences that use a wide variety of abstract and concrete verbs. Across four experiments, participants read sentences and then responded to probe words appearing on either the left or right sides of the screen. Probe words consisted of agents, patients, other words in the sentence, or newly encountered words. We found consistent lateral biases to responding to agents and patients, which appears to be independent of order of mention in the sentence but which does reflect a correspondence between position in the sentence and role in the causal sequence of the action. Our results also show that this spatial bias is driven by the use of the hands in two different ways: The left hand shows a greater sensitivity to the spatial effect than the right hand, and vocal responses produce no spatial effect.
A Critical Comparison of Conventional, Certified, and Community Management of Tropical Forests for Timber in Terms of Environmental, Economic, and Social Variables
Authors: Burivalova Zuzana , Hua Fangyuan , Koh Lian Pin , Garcia Claude , Putz Francis 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTropical forests are crucial in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services, but at the same time, they are major sources of revenue and provide livelihoods for forest‐dependent people. Hopes for the simultaneous achievement of conservation goals and poverty alleviation are therefore increasingly placed on forests used for timber extraction. Most timber exploitation is carried out unsustainably, which causes forest degradation. Two important mechanisms have emerged to promote sustainable forest management: certification and community‐based forest management (CFM). We synthesize the published information about how forest certification and CFM perform in terms of environmental, social, and economic variables. With the caveat that very few published studies meet the standards for formal impact evaluation, we found that certification has substantial environmental benefits, typically achieved at a cost of reduced short‐term financial profit, and accompanied by some improvement to the welfare of neighboring communities. We found that the economic and environmental benefits of CFM are understudied, but that the social impacts are controversial, with both positive and negative changes reported. We identify the trade‐offs that likely caused these conflicting results and that, if addressed, would help both CFM and certification deliver the hoped‐for benefits.
Integrating Expert Perceptions into Food Web Conservation and Management
Authors: Stier Adrian C. , Samhouri Jameal F. , Gray Steven , Martone Rebecca G. , Mach Megan E. , Halpern Benjamin S. , Kappel Carrie V. , Scarborough Courtney , Levin Phillip S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDecision‐makers often rely on expert knowledge, especially in complex and data‐poor social‐ecological systems (SESs). However, expert knowledge and perceptions of SES structure and function vary; therefore, understanding how these perceptions differ is critical to building knowledge and developing sustainability solutions. Here, we quantify how scientific, local, and traditional knowledge experts vary in their perceptions of food webs centered on Pacific herring—a valuable ecological, economic, and cultural resource in Haida Gwaii, BC, Canada. Expert perceptions of the herring food web varied markedly in structure, and a simulated herring recovery with each of these unique mental models demonstrated wide variability in the perceived importance of herring to the surrounding food web. Using this general approach to determine the logical consequences of expert perceptions of SES structure in the context of potential future management actions, decision‐makers can work explicitly toward filling knowledge gaps while embracing a diversity of perspectives.
Acute and delayed response to resistance exercise leading or not leading to muscle failure
Authors: Pareja‐Blanco Fernando , Rodríguez‐Rosell David , Sánchez‐Medina Luis , Ribas‐Serna Juan , López‐López Covadonga , Mora‐Custodio Ricardo , Yáñez‐García Juan Manuel , González‐Badillo Juan José 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThis study compared the time course of recovery following two resistance exercise protocols differing in the number of repetitions per set with regard to the maximum possible (to failure) number. Ten men performed three sets of 6 versus 12 repetitions with their 70% 1RM (3 × 6 [12] versus 3 × 12 [12]) in the bench press (BP) and squat (SQ) exercises. Mechanical [CMJ height, velocity against the 1 m s−1 load (V1‐load)], biochemical [testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, creatine kinase (CK)] and heart rate variability (HRV) and complexity (HRC) were assessed pre‐, postexercise (Post) and at 6, 24 and 48 h‐Post. Compared with 3 × 6 [12], the 3 × 12 [12] protocol resulted in significantly: higher repetition velocity loss within each set (BP: 65% versus 26%; SQ: 44% versus 20%); reduced V1‐load until 24 h‐Post (BP) and 6 h‐Post (SQ); decreased CMJ height up to 48 h‐Post; greater increases in cortisol (Post), prolactin (Post, 48 h‐Post) and CK (48 h‐Post); and reductions in HRV and HRC at Post. This study shows that the mechanical, neuroendocrine and autonomic cardiovascular response is markedly different when manipulating the number of repetitions per set. Halving the number of repetitions in relation to the maximum number that can be completed serves to minimize fatigue and speed up recovery following resistance training.
Comparison of amplitude‐mode ultrasound versus air displacement plethysmography for assessing body composition changes following participation in a structured weight‐loss programme in women
Authors: Schoenfeld Brad J. , Aragon Alan A. , Moon Jordan , Krieger James W. , Tiryaki‐Sonmez Gul 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to compare body composition changes as measured by A‐mode ultrasound (US) versus a criterion densitometry‐based measure, air displacement plethysmography (ADP), over a 4‐week weight‐loss protocol in healthy, non‐obese young women. Twenty healthy, young female volunteers were provided with customized dietary plans for the length of the study intended to facilitate a 500 calorie‐a‐day deficit. Subjects also performed 3 h a week of supervised aerobic exercise. Per cent fat mass and lean body mass were obtained via ADP and US both pre‐ and postintervention. Pretesting, post‐testing and delta data for %fat resulted in no significant differences in mean values along with a slope of the regression line no different than one and a y‐intercept no different than zero (P<0·05). Similar to %fat values, pretesting, post‐testing and delta data for fat‐free mass resulted in no significant differences in mean values along with a slope of the regression line no different than one and a y‐intercept no different than zero (P<0·05) with the exception of the delta for slope (0·39, P = 0·04). The current findings indicate that US can provide a similar degree of accuracy for tracking group‐based fat loss in women compared to ADP. Given the low‐cost relative to DXA and ADP, researchers and practitioners therefore can consider US as a viable option for monitoring group‐based changes in body fat over time.
MicroRNA‐30a promotes extracellular matrix degradation in articular cartilage via downregulation of Sox9
Authors: Chang Tingjie , Xie Jie , Li Hongzhuo , Li Dong , Liu Ping , Hu Yihe 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesSox9 has recently been reported to be a key mediator during cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis (OA). Our aim was to clarify the role of microRNA‐30a (miR‐30a) and its target gene Sox9 in regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in OA.Materials and methodsExpression of miR‐30a in cartilage tissues and in primary chondrocytes from healthy and OA donors, was determined by real‐time PCR, and levels of Sox9 mRNA and protein were analyzed by real‐time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Subsequently, the target of miR‐30a was predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed using a luciferase assay. Expression of ECM‐related genes was determined by tissue‐specific staining, immunofluorescence, real‐time PCR, and western blotting. The role of miR‐30a in OA was examined in vivo using a collagenase‐induced OA rat model.ResultsmiR‐30a was significantly upregulated and Sox9 was downregulated in primary chondrocytes from cartilage taken from OA donors compared to healthy controls. We showed that miR‐30a specifically bound to the 3′ UTR of Sox9, and overexpression of miR‐30a downregulated expression levels of Sox9, proteoglycan aggrecan, and Col II compared to those induced by small interfering RNA transfection to knockdown Sox9. miR‐30a inhibition reversed the effects of ECM degradation in vitro and in vivo.ConclusionsmiR‐30a acts as a virulence MRA in OA, promoting ECM degradation by targeting Sox9 and by modulating activity of its downstream effectors Col II and proteoglycan aggrecan.
Cytokeratin 17 is highly sensitive in discriminating cutaneous lymphadenoma (a distinct trichoblastoma variant) from basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Goyal Amrita , Solus Jason F. , Chan May P. , Doyle Leona A. , Schaffer Andras , Thakuria Manisha , Horn Thomas D. , Duncan Lyn M. , Nazarian Rosalynn M. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundCutaneous lymphadenoma (CL) is rare neoplasm that clinically and histologically resembles basal cell carcinoma (BCC). CL, composed of dermal basaloid epithelial islands with prominent admixed lymphocytes, characteristically contains cytokeratin 20 (CK20)‐positive Merkel cells (MCs). However, CK20 may be of limited use because of low MC density in small samples. CK17 is expressed diffusely throughout BCC. We investigated the discriminatory utility of CK17 and CK20 in CL and BCC.MethodsA retrospective clinicopathological review of 11 cases of CL and 14 BCC was performed. CK20‐positive MCs within basaloid tumor lobules and CK17 immunohistochemical staining and pattern of expression were recorded.ResultsIntratumoral CK20‐positive MCs were identified in 4/11 CL cases (36.4%) and 0/14 BCC cases (p = 0.012, sensitivity = 0.36). CK17 showed diffuse positive staining in all 14 BCC cases. CK17 showed a distinct patchy and peripheral rim staining in basaloid islands of 10/11 CL cases (p < 0.001, sensitivity = 0.91); one case showed patchy staining throughout tumor lobules.ConclusionsIn cases with a differential diagnosis of CL and BCC, CK20 staining of intratumoral MCs has a high positive predictive value for CL but is of low sensitivity. The pattern of CK17 expression is a highly sensitive marker for distinguishing CL from BCC in small samples.
The self‐reported use of immunostains and cytogenetic testing in the diagnosis of melanoma by practicing U.S. pathologists of 10 selected states
Authors: Zhao Ge , Lee Kachiu C. , Kwon Gina , Frederick Paul D. , Onega Tracy L. , Piepkorn Michael W. , Knezevich Stevan , Barnhill Raymond L. , Elder David E. , Elmore Joann G. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundsThe diagnosis of melanoma can be challenging, especially in lesions for which the histopathologic criteria bridge two or more taxonomic categories. Newer genomic analytical methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) have been introduced as ancillary techniques to differentiate benign and malignant melanocytic proliferations.MethodsWe evaluated how pathologists perceive and are incorporating these new cytogenetic testing technologies into their practices. We conducted a study of 207 U.S. pathologists who interpret melanocytic lesions in clinical practice in 10 SEER states. Pathologists were surveyed regarding perceptions and utilization of FISH and/or CGH in their clinical practices.ResultsResults showed that 38% of pathologists use FISH and/or CGH in interpreting melanocytic lesions. Pathologists reporting FISH and/or CGH use were significantly younger (p < 0.05), were fellowship trained or board certified in dermatopathology (p < 0.001) and were affiliated with an academic institute (p < 0.001). Pathologists reporting that their colleagues consider them an expert in the assessment of melanocytic lesions were more likely to employ FISH and/or CGH in their practices than non‐experts.ConclusionsEarly users of cytogenetic testing technologies in cutaneous pathology are more likely to be younger, affiliated with an academic institution and fellowship trained or board certified in dermatopathology.
Incidence of atypical nevi in Olmsted County: an epidemiological study
Authors: Adaji Afolake , Gaba Prakriti , Lohse Christine M. , Brewer Jerry D. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundThe association of atypical nevi with melanoma and other forms of skin cancer has not been clearly defined.MethodsWe studied 631 patients with first lifetime diagnosis of mild, moderate or severely atypical nevus from 2000 through 2005, identified through a population‐based approach.ResultsAge at first diagnosis differed significantly between men and women (p<.001). Incidence rates peaked in the second through fourth decades in women and in the third, sixth and seventh decades in men. From 2000 through 2005, the overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence rate of all degrees of atypical nevi was 76.0 per 100,000 person‐years. There were no statistically significant associations identified between the degree of atypia and the future development of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or MM (p = 0.51, p = 0.28 and p = 0.19, respectively).ConclusionThere is no association between atypical nevi and the subsequent development of non‐melanoma skin cancer and MM. Incidence rates of atypical nevi are higher among younger women and older men. The association between degree of atypia and malignant melanoma warrants further study.
The prevalence of neuromuscular disease in the paediatric population in Yorkshire, UK; variation by ethnicity and deprivation status
Authors: Woodcock Ian R , Fraser Lorna , Norman Paul , Pysden Karen , Manning Sue , Childs Anne‐Marie 
Published: March 2016

AimPrevious studies suggest a higher prevalence of neurological disease within certain ethnic communities, but have not specifically considered neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence and relationship of NMDs to ethnicity and deprivation status.MethodWe undertook a retrospective case‐note review of those younger than 16 years with a confirmed diagnosis of NMD in a single centre in Yorkshire in 2010.ResultsTwo‐hundred and sixty‐one cases were included. The population (0–16y) in Yorkshire was 707 961. The overall prevalence was 36.9 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.6–39.1). Dystrophin‐related muscle disease was the most common condition, with a prevalence of 16.9 per 100 000 males (95% CI 14.7–19.1). There was a significant difference between ethnic groups, with a total NMD prevalence of 91.2 per 100 000 (95% CI 81.6–100.7) in the South Asian ethnic group compared with 28.7 per 100 000 (95% CI 26.4–30.9) in the White group. Prevalence of non‐dystrophin‐related NMDs was four times higher in South Asian than in White children. There was a linear relation between increased prevalence and increased deprivation.InterpretationThis study confirms higher levels of NMD, particularly recessively inherited NMDs within the South Asian population, as well as a link with higher deprivation. This has implications for service provision and resource allocation.
Relationship between weight change and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving once‐weekly dulaglutide treatment
Authors: Umpierrez G. E. , Pantalone K. M. , Kwan A. Y. M. , Zimmermann A. G. , Zhang N. , Fernández Landó L. 
Published: March 2016

AimTo assess the relationship between weight change and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) change in dulaglutide‐treated patients by analysing data from six head‐to‐head phase III AWARD clinical trials.MethodsAt 26 weeks, the relationship between weight and HbA1c was analysed in each trial rather than by pooling data because of differences in design and background therapy. The effect of baseline characteristics was also evaluated with regard to weight and HbA1c response.ResultsAcross the studies, 87–97% and 83–95% of patients treated with dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg, respectively, had reductions in HbA1c levels, while 57–88% and 43–84% of patients treated with dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg, respectively, experienced weight loss. The majority (55–83%) of patients receiving dulaglutide 1.5 mg experienced weight loss and HbA1c reductions, while 41–79% of patients in the dulaglutide 0.75 mg arm lost weight and had reductions in HbA1c level. A weak and inconsistent correlation was observed between the changes in weight and HbA1c (range from −0.223 to 0.267) in patients treated with dulaglutide. The baseline characteristics of gender, age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, body weight and BMI were not related to different combinations of weight and HbA1c responses.ConclusionsDulaglutide is an effective treatment option across the type 2 diabetes treatment spectrum. Dulaglutide showed dose‐dependent effects on both weight loss and HbA1c reduction. These effects had a weak correlation and appeared to be independent.
Scale of inference: on the sensitivity of habitat models for wide‐ranging marine predators to the resolution of environmental data
Authors: Scales Kylie L. , Hazen Elliott L. , Jacox Michael G. , Edwards Christopher A. , Boustany Andre M. , Oliver Matthew J. , Bograd Steven J. 
Published: March 2016

Understanding and predicting the responses of wide‐ranging marine predators such as cetaceans, seabirds, sharks, turtles, pinnipeds and large migratory fish to dynamic oceanographic conditions requires habitat‐based models that can sufficiently capture their environmental preferences. Marine ecosystems are inherently dynamic, and animal–environment interactions are known to occur over multiple, nested spatial and temporal scales. The spatial resolution and temporal averaging of environmental data layers are therefore key considerations in modelling the environmental determinants of habitat selection. The utility of environmental data contemporaneous to animal presence or movement (e.g. daily, weekly), versus synoptic products (monthly, seasonal, climatological) is currently debated, as are the trade‐offs between near real‐time, high resolution and composite (i.e. synoptic, cloud‐free) data fields.Using movement simulations with built‐in environmental preferences in combination with both modelled and remotely‐sensed (ROMS, MODIS‐Aqua) sea surface temperature (SST) fields, we explore the effects of spatial and temporal resolution (3–111 km, daily–climatological) in predictive habitat models. Results indicate that models fitted using seasonal or climatological data fields can introduce bias in presence‐availability designs based upon animal movement datasets, particularly in highly dynamic oceanographic domains. These effects were pronounced where models were constructed using seasonal or climatological fields of coarse (> 0.25 degree) spatial resolution. However, cloud obstruction can lead to significant information loss in remotely‐sensed data fields. We found that model accuracy decreased substantially above 70% data loss. In cloudy regions, weekly or monthly environmental data fields may therefore be preferable. These findings have important implications for marine resource management, particularly in identifying key habitats for populations of conservation concern, and in forecasting climate‐mediated ecosystem changes.
Identification and characterization of fungi associated with internal wood lesions and decline disease of willow and poplar trees in Iran
Authors: Hashemi H. , Mohammadi H. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryDuring the study of fungal trunk pathogens associated with urban trees decline in Shiraz (Iran), a serious decline of willow and poplar trees was observed. Therefore, an investigation was conducted on these trees in some areas of this city during spring and summer 2012 and 2013, to determine the main fungal trunk pathogens associated with these ornamental plants. Plant materials were collected from trees exhibiting disease symptoms such as yellowing, shoot canker, shoot dieback, defoliation and internal wood necrosis and decayed wood. Fungal isolations were made from discoloured or decayed wood tissue onto 2% malt extract agar (MEA) amended with streptomycin sulphate. Nine species,Fomes fomentarius,Diplodia seriata,Lasiodiplodia theobromae,Dothiorella sarmentorum,Neoscytalidium hyalinum,Diatrype whitmanensis,Phaeoacremonium rubrigenum,P. aleophilumandP. parasiticum, were identified based on morphology and DNA sequence comparisons. Pathogenicity tests were performed on detached shoots of willow and poplar trees under greenhouse conditions.Lasiodiplodia theobromaecaused the longest lesions on willow. On poplar shoots, the longest lesions were caused byP. parasiticum.Diplodia seriataproduced the smallest lesions on both woody hosts. First reports from willow wood includeP. parasiticum, P. rubrigenum, D. whitmanensis, L. theobromae, D. seriataandN. hyalinum,while new reports from poplar wood includeP. parasiticumandDo. sarmentorum. Based on our knowledge, this is also the first report ofD. whitmanensisin Iran.