bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased baseline RUNX2, caspase 3 and p21 gene expressions in the peripheral blood of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug‐naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients are associated with improved clinical response to methotrexate therapy
Authors: Tchetina Elena V. , Demidova Natalia V. , Markova Galina A. , Taskina Elena A. , Glukhova Svetlana I. , Karateev Dmitry E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the potential of the baseline gene expression in the whole blood of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug‐naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for predicting the response to methotrexate (MTX) treatment.MethodsTwenty‐six control subjects and 40 RA patients were examined. Clinical, immunological and radiographic parameters were assessed before and after 24 months of follow‐up. The gene expressions in the whole blood were measured using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to suggest thresholds that were associated with the prediction of the response.ResultsDecreases in the disease activity at the end of the study were accompanied by significant increases in joint space narrowing score (JSN). Positive correlations between the expressions of the Unc‐51‐like kinase 1 (ULK1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) genes with the level of C‐reactive protein and MMP‐9 expression with Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) and swollen joint count were noted at baseline. The baseline tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α gene expression was positively correlated with JSN at the end of the follow‐up, whereas p21, caspase 3, and runt‐related transcription factor (RUNX)2 were correlated with the ΔDAS28 values.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the expressions of MMP‐9 and ULK1 might be associated with disease activity. Increased baseline gene expressions of RUNX2, p21 and caspase 3 in the peripheral blood might predict better responses to MTX therapy.
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of eribulin therapy for metastatic breast cancer in daily practice
Authors: Tanaka Toshihiro , Ueno Miho , Nakashima Yuta , Chinen Shotaro , Sato Eiichi , Masaki Michio , Mogi Ai , Sasaki Hidenori , Tamura Kazuo , Takamatsu Yasushi 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundEvidence of eribulin therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in clinical practice is not well documented.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of eribulin in 29 MBC patients from 2011 to 2016 at Fukuoka University Hospital.ResultsThe median patient age, number of courses, total dose, and relative dose intensity were as follows: 65 years, five courses, 8.6 mg/m2, and 75%, respectively. One patient achieved a complete response, (CR) six a partial response (PR), eight stable disease (SD) and 14 patients exhibited progressive disease. The objective response rate (ORR: CR + PR) was 24.1%, and the clinical benefit rate (CBR: CR + PR + SD) was 51.7%. The median progression‐free survival was 90 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 67–126) and median overall survival was 264 days (95% CI 198–357). In patients who previously received 2–4 regimens, the ORR was 28.5% and the CBR was 57.1%. In patients who received 5–12 regimens, the ORR was 20% and the CBR was 45%. Chemotherapy was administered to 20 patients (69%) after eribulin administration, and the median overall survival rate of cases that achieved greater than a PR was 1088 days. The most frequent treatment‐related grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (55.2%), and febrile neutropenia (20.1%). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 13.8% of patients, but was not exacerbated even if present before treatment.ConclusionEribulin is effective for MBC patients who have received multiple chemotherapies. Neutropenia and febrile neutropenia may develop after heavy prior therapy.
The association between season of birth, age at onset, and clozapine use in schizophrenia
Authors: Kim J. S , Park C. M. , Choi J. A. , Park E. , Tchoe H. J. , Choi M. , Suh J. K. , Kim Y. H. , Won S. H. , Chung Y. C. , Bae K. Y. , Lee S. K. , Park S. C. , Lee S. H. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether the rate of clozapine use, an indicator of refractoriness in schizophrenia, is associated with the season of birth and age at onset in patients with schizophrenia based on nationwide data.MethodsPatients with schizophrenia (n = 114 749) who received prescriptions for antipsychotic medication between 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study population was divided into three groups based on their age at the onset of schizophrenia (early, middle, and late onset). We assessed differences in the month of birth between patients and the general population. In addition, the cumulative clozapine use was calculated.ResultsCompared to the late‐onset schizophrenia group, the early‐ and middle‐onset groups showed a higher probability of birth during the winter season. In addition, the early‐onset group showed the highest cumulative clozapine use rate. In the middle‐onset group, the initiation of clozapine use was significantly earlier for patients born in winter compared to those born in summer.ConclusionOur results indicate that the age at onset is an important factor in predicting the prognosis of schizophrenia patients. The season of birth also affects the prognosis, but with less robustness. Specifically, it appears that early disease onset and winter birth might be associated with poor outcomes in Korean patients with schizophrenia.
Defining the fire trap: Extension of the persistence equilibrium model in mesic savannas
Authors: Freeman Michelle E. , Vesk Peter A. , Murphy Brett P. , Cook Garry D. , Richards Anna E. , Williams Richard J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMesic savannas are dominated by trees that are strong resprouters caught in a frequent fire trap. Persistence within this fire trap has been described by a resprout curve of SizeNext ~ f(Pre‐fire size), defined by the Michaelis‐Menten function. A key feature of this resprout curve is a stable persistence equilibrium that represents the size of individual plants upon which a population will converge over successive inter‐fire time steps under a given fire regime. Here, we contend that such a resprout curve does not adequately describe resprout tree dynamics in frequently burnt mesic savannas because it is constrained to an asymptote. We propose a new framework for modelling the resprout curve, which recognizes that local environmental stochasticity and growth patterns can interact to change the growth response function entirely, and thus more readily reflect the range of feasible resprout responses. Importantly, we define an unstable equilibrium representing the size above which individuals have escaped the fire trap and explore mechanisms that can shift an individual from persistence to escape. Through a case study from northern Australia, we confirm that our framework provides a simple yet practical approach to defining these critical aspects of savanna tree growth dynamics: persistence and escape.
A randomised, controlled trial of rectus sheath bupivacaine and intrathecal bupivacaine, without or with intrathecal morphine, vs. intrathecal bupivacaine and morphine after caesarean section
Authors: Lui M. W. , Li T. K. T. , Lui F. , Ong C. Y. T. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryWe recruited 144 women of whom 131 underwent scheduled caesarean section and were allocated to intrathecal bupivacaine without (46) or with (47) morphine and postoperative rectus sheath bupivacaine; or intrathecal bupivacaine with morphine and postoperative rectus sheath saline (38). We measured postoperative pain with a 10‐point numeric rating scale. The mean (SD) areas under the curve for pain on movement during 48 postoperative hours were 273.5 (63.6), 223.8 (80.7) and 223.8 (80.7), respectively, p = 0.008. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 1. The equivalent values for pain at rest were 160.8 (64.7), 85.8 (79.4) and 82.8 (74.3), respectively, p < 0.001. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 0.98.
Corneal confocal sub‐basal nerve plexus evaluation: a review
Authors: Kokot Joanna , Wylęgała Adam , Wowra Bogumił , Wójcik Łukasz , Dobrowolski Dariusz , Wylęgała Edward 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to review the most recent data about corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus (SNP) evaluated with the use of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). For this purpose, an electronic search was conducted based on PubMed and Google Scholar and Web of Science databases from 2008 up to the end of 2016. Ninety‐eight articles in English were cited, as well as abstracts in other languages, concerning the morphology and function of corneal SNP in various diseases. Changes in corneal SNP as a result of local treatment were also introduced. Figures with scans from confocal microscopy from our Department were included. The main conclusion of this review was that both corneal SNP diminishment and high tortuosity as well as low sensitivity are in principle related to the presence or level of pathology. In addition, increased nerve tortuosity may represent a morphological determinant of nerve regeneration. However, the presented literature shows that SNP changes are not characteristic for one unified corneal pathology; rather, they reflect the non‐specific pathological process present in many diseases. Future studies should use automatized biometric software and also examine the effects of new treatments on SNP.
Magnetic noninvasive acupuncture for infant comfort (MAGNIFIC) – a single‐blinded randomised controlled pilot trial
Authors: Chen Kerry L. , Lindrea Kwee Bee , Quah‐Smith Im , Schmölzer Georg M. , Daly Mary , Schindler Timothy , Oei Ju Lee 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimTo determine the safety and feasibility of auricular noninvasive magnetic acupuncture (MA) to decrease infant pain during heel pricks.MethodsInfants requiring heel pricks for blood collection were randomised to either MA (n = 21) or placebo (P) (n = 19) after parental informed consent. MA or placebo stickers were placed on both ears according to the Battlefield Protocol by an unblinded investigator and left on for 3 days. Pain was assessed with the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) by blinded clinicians.ResultsMean gestation (MA:34.1, P:34.4 weeks) and age of infants (MA:5.3, P:4.5 days) were similar as were mean (SD) pre (MA:1.7(1.4), P:2.1(1.9)) and post (MA:1.6(1.4), P: 2.1(1.7)) heel prick PIPP scores. PIPP scores were significantly lower in MA infants during heel pricks (MA:5.9(3.7), P: 8.3(4.7), p = 0.04). One‐way ANCOVA modelling showed that MA was significantly associated with lower PIPP scores after controlling for analgesic use (p = 0.043). No differences in heart rate, oxygen saturation, analgesic use or adverse effects (e.g. local skin reactions) noted.ConclusionThis pilot study shows that auricular MA is feasible in neonates and may reduce PIPP scores during heel pricks. Further study is required to determine the impact of MA on other painful or stressful conditions and on neurodevelopment.
Fermentation quality and nutritive value of total mixed ration silages based on desert wormwood (Artemisia desertorum Spreng.) combining with early stage corn
Authors: Yin Guomei , Bai Chunsheng , Sun Juanjuan , Sun Lin , Xue Yanlin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Heping , Yu Zhu , Liu Sibo , Zhang Kewei 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the fermentation quality and nutritive value of total mixed ration (TMR) silages based on desert wormwood (DW) combined with early stage corn (ESC) as forage and determine an optimum formula. Desert wormwood and ESC were harvested, chopped, and mixed with other ingredients according to a formula, packed into laboratory silos at densities of 500–550 g/L, and stored in the dark for 60 days. The DW proportions in the forage of TMR were 1, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 and 0, based on fresh weight. As the proportion of DW decreased, the pH also decreased (P < 0.05), while lactic acid, lactic acid/acetic acid, crude protein, starch, and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05). Ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen in the TMR silages with DW proportions of 0.75, 0.25 and 0 in the forage was more than 10%. These results indicated that the quality of the TMR silage containing DW alone as forage was poor, TMR silages containing DW proportions of 0.75 and 0.25, and ESC alone, in the forage were not well preserved. The optimum TMR silage formula contained a DW proportion of 0.5 in the forage.
Augmented and Doubly Robust G-estimation of Causal Effects under a Structural Nested Failure Time Model
Authors: Mertens Karl , Vansteelandt Stijn 
Published: July 2017

Summary
Structural nested failure time models (SNFTMs) are models for the effect of a time-dependent exposure on a survival outcome. They have been introduced along with so-called G-estimation methods to provide valid adjustment for time-dependent confounding induced by time-varying variables. Adjustment for informative censoring in SNFTMs is possible via inverse probability of censoring weighting (IPCW). In the presence of considerable dropout, this can imply substantial information loss and consequently imprecise effect estimates. In this article, we aim to increase the efficiency of IPCW G-estimators under a SNFTM by deriving an augmented estimator that uses both censored and uncensored observations, and offers robustness against misspecification of the model for the censoring process, provided that a model for a specific functional of the survival time and time-dependent covariates is correctly specified. The empirical properties of the proposed estimators are studied in a simulation experiment, and the estimators are used in the analysis of surveillance data from the field of hospital epidemiology.
Stem cell‐derived exosomes: A promising strategy for fracture healing
Authors: Hao Zi‐Chen , Lu Jun , Wang Shan‐Zheng , Wu Hao , Zhang Yun‐Tong , Xu Shuo‐Gui 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the biological characteristics of exosomes and to summarize the current status of stem cell‐derived exosomes on fracture healing. Meanwhile, future challenges, limitations and perspectives are also discussed.MethodsSearch and analyze the related articles in pubmed database through the multi‐combination of keywords like “stem cells”,”exosomes”,”bone regeneration” and “fracture healing”.ConclusionStem cell‐derived exosome therapy for fracture healing has been enjoying popularity and is drawing increasing attention. This strategy helps to promote proliferation and migration of cells, as well as osteogenesis and angiogenesis, in the process of bone formation. Although the exact mechanisms remain elusive, exosomal miRNAs seem to play vital roles. Future studies are required to solve multiple problems before clinical application, including comprehensive and thorough understanding of exosomes, the exact roles of exosomes in regulating bone formation, and the optimal source, dose and frequency of treatment, as well as technical and safety issues. Moreover, studies based on fracture models of large animals are could offer guidance and are in demand.
Complementary Currency Systems and their Ability to Support Economic and Social Changes
Authors: Fare Marie , Ahmed Pepita Ould 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTComplementary Currency Systems (CCS) are accounting systems that define local monetary spaces created by non‐bank actors to pay for exchange of goods and services inside a trading network. This article aims to investigate the capability of complementary currency systems to foster social and economic changes. The authors use an analysis of the literature to examine the nature and diversity of CCS in terms of objectives, forms, modes of governance, and degrees of connection with political authorities and economic structures. They also assess the potential of CCS to support local economies based on social and environmental values, working to combat economic vulnerability and social exclusion, and examine how CCS challenge the conventional perception of money. The article ends by summarizing the challenges facing CCS, inquiring into the potential problems and benefits that a change of this sort could entail.
Drought stress affects response of phytopathogen vectors and their parasitoids to infection‐ and damage‐induced plant volatile cues
Authors: MARTINI XAVIER , STELINSKI LUKASZ L. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract1. The response of a phytopathogen vector to pathogen‐induced plant volatiles was investigated, as well as the response of the phytopathogen vector's parasitoid to herbivore‐induced plant volatiles released from plants with and without drought stress.2. These experiments were performed with Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), vector of the plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) and its parasitoid Tamarixia radiata as models. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus is the presumed causal pathogen of huanglongbing (HLB), also called citrus greening disease.3. Diaphorina citri vectors were attracted to headspace volatiles of CLas‐infected citrus plants at 95% of their water‐holding capacity (WHC); such attraction to infected plants was much lower under drought stress. Attraction of the vector to infected and non‐stressed plants was correlated with greater release of methyl salicylate (MeSA) as compared with uninfected and non‐stressed control citrus plants. Drought stress decreased MeSA release from CLas‐infected plants as compared with non‐stressed and infected plants.4. Similarly, T. radiata was attracted to headspace volatiles released from D. citri‐infested citrus plants at 95% of their WHC. However, wasps did not show preference between headspace volatiles of psyllid‐infested and uninfested plants when they were at 35% WHC, suggesting that herbivore‐induced defences did not activate to recruit this natural enemy under drought stress.5. Our results demonstrate that herbivore‐ and pathogen‐induced responses are environmentally dependent and do not occur systematically following damage. Drought stress affected both pathogen‐ and herbivore‐induced plant volatile release, resulting in concomitant decreases in behavioural response of both the pathogen's vector and the vector's primary parasitoid.
Disentangling spatial and environmental determinants of fish species richness and assemblage structure in Neotropical rainforest streams
Authors: Cilleros Kévin , Allard Luc , Vigouroux Régis , Brosse Sébastien 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFreshwater ecology templates were developed in temperate streams, but whether they also apply to tropical streams that harbour a higher biological diversity than their temperate counterparts remains uncertain. This is particularly true for tropical fish assemblages inhabiting small streams that have been less studied than larger, higher‐order lowland streams.Here, we disentangled the strength of spatial (longitudinal and environmental) drivers, and scale‐specific (drainage basin, reach and local scale) determinants of species richness and composition of freshwater fish assemblages inhabiting small streams in French Guiana.We found that species richness increased from upstream to downstream but also with increasing local habitat structural diversity independently of stream position in the upstream–downstream gradient. This pattern was shared by the two most speciose fish orders (Characiformes and Siluriformes), demonstrating that species addition rather than species replacement shaped species richness in these assemblages.Species composition of fish assemblages was determined equally by their spatial structure within drainage and by the environment, and assemblages differed both with distance and along an upstream–downstream gradient. The environmental effect on species assemblages indicated by the fact that almost all environmental descriptors had slight but nonetheless significant effects on assemblage composition, probably reflecting species‐specific responses to the local environment. In contrast, despite a strong micro‐endemism between drainages for some taxa, assemblages were only slightly affected by river drainage identity, since widespread species were a common constituent of assemblages in all rivers.We identified five species assemblages characterising different local habitat features from torrential areas to lowland muddy areas. We also distinguished fish assemblages from confluence areas with larger rivers, which differed from the other five assemblages. The fish zonation patterns we report can constitute a benchmark for future studies measuring the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on Neotropical forest streams.
Biophysical homoeostasis of leaf temperature: A neglected process for vegetation and land‐surface modelling
Authors: Dong N. , Prentice I. C. , Harrison S. P. , Song Q. H. , Zhang Y. P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimLeaf and air temperatures are seldom equal, but many vegetation models assume that they are. Land‐surface models calculate canopy temperatures, but how well they do so is unknown. We encourage consideration of the leaf‐ and canopy‐to‐air temperature difference (ΔΤ) as a benchmark for land‐surface modelling and an important feature of plant and ecosystem function.LocationTropical SW China.Time period2013.Major Taxa studiesTropical trees.MethodsWe illustrate diurnal cycles of leaf‐ and canopy‐to‐air temperature difference (ΔΤ) with field measurements in a tropical dry woodland and with continuous monitoring data in a tropical seasonal forest. The Priestley–Taylor (PT) and Penman–Monteith (PM) approaches to evapotranspiration are used to provide insights into the interpretation and prediction of ΔT. Field measurements are also compared with land‐surface model results obtained with the Joint U.K. Land Environment Simulator (JULES) set up for the conditions of the site.ResultsThe ΔT followed a consistent diurnal cycle, with negative values at night (attributable to negative net radiation) becoming positive in the morning, reaching a plateau and becoming negative again when air temperature exceeded a ‘crossover’ in the 24–29 °C range. Daily time courses of ΔT could be approximated by either the PT or the PM model, but JULES tended to underestimate the magnitude of negative ΔT.Main conclusionsLeaves with adequate water supply are partly buffered against air‐temperature variations, through a passive biophysical mechanism. This is likely to be important for optimal leaf function, and land‐surface and vegetation models should aim to reproduce it.
Naïve Simplicity: The Overlooked Piece of the Complexity‐Simplicity Paradigm
Authors: Schwartz Franklin W. , Liu Ganming , Aggarwal Pradeep , Schwartz Cynthia M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractConcepts of simplicity and complexity in modeling have been explored in papers, editorials, and talks. The concept is not well understood because there are at least two flavors of simplicity. Modelers envision simplicity (i.e., elegant simplicity) as the sought‐after goal in modeling, but naïve simplicity, which is the focus of this paper, is commonly unrecognized and dangerous. The problem is that naïve or simple ideas are often mistaken for settled science and come with the prospect of being more wrong than right. The concept of the so‐called simplicity cycle, in relation to classical problems of carbon‐14 age and salinity in closed‐basin lakes, is used to illustrate these points. The emerging problems of water‐mosquitoes‐diseases show the value of mapping new problems to the simplicity cycle. Researchers can “know what they do not know” and avoid the dangers of naïve simplicity.