bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effects of G‐CSF and bone marrow stromal cells on nerve regeneration with acellular nerve xenografts
Authors: Jia Hua , Wang Ying , Wang Tao , Dong Yi , Li Wei‐Li , Li Jun‐Ping , Ma Wen‐Zhi , Tong Xiao‐Jie , He Zhong‐Yi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPeripheral nerve defects result in severe denervation presenting sensory and motor functional incapacitation. Currently, a satisfactory therapeutic treatment promoting the repair of injured nerves is not available. As shown in our previous study, acellular nerve xenografts (ANX) implanted with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) replaced allografts and promoted nerve regeneration. Additionally, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been proven to mobilize supplemental cells and enhance vascularization in the niche. Thus, the study aimed to explore whether the combination of G‐CSF and BMSC‐laden ANX exhibited a synergistic effect. Adult Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: ANX group, ANX combined with G‐CSF group, BMSCs‐laden ANX group, BMSCs‐laden ANX combined with G‐CSF group and autograft group. Electrophysiological parameters and weight ratios of tibialis anterior muscles were detected at 8 weeks post‐transplantation. The morphology of the regenerated nerves was assayed, and growth‐promoting factors present in the nerve grafts following G‐CSF administration or BMSCs seeding were also investigated. Nerve regeneration and functional rehabilitation induced by the combination therapy were significantly advanced, and the rehabilitation efficacy was comparable with autografting. Moreover, the expression of Schwann cell markers, neurotrophic factors and neovessel markers in the nerve grafts was substantially increased. In conclusion, G‐CSF administration and BMSCs transplantation synergistically promoted the regeneration of ANX‐bridged nerves, which offers a superior strategy to replace autografts in repairing peripheral nerve injuries.
Empowering Nonnative‐English–Speaking Teachers in Primary School Contexts: An Ethnographic Case Study
Authors: Burri Michael 
Published: March 2017

With the prospect of economic growth, governments in many parts of the world where English is spoken as an additional language have pushed for educational reforms and introduced English at the primary school level. However, the implementation of such reforms along with a general lack of training opportunities available to primary school teachers has caused considerable uncertainty and anxiety among practitioners. This article reports on a small‐scale ethnographic case study that explored a Japanese approach to English teaching/learning with the aim of identifying pedagogical practices that nonnative‐English–speaking teachers could implement in their primary English lessons. Seven observations, four unstructured interviews, and five semistructured interviews were triangulated to collect data in the Kansai and Tokyo areas over a period of 4 weeks. Findings show that the approach consists of seven distinct stages that not only include a multitude of pedagogical practices but also provide a rich learning environment. Findings further suggest that two practices could be of particular use in primary school contexts: input‐focused teaching and theme‐based teaching.
The effect of aquatic and terrestrial habitat characteristics on occurrence and breeding probability in a montane amphibian: insights from a spatially explicit multistate occupancy model
Authors: Băncilă Raluca Ioana , Cogălniceanu Dan , Ozgul Arpat , Schmidt Benedikt R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractUnderstanding species distribution and predicting range shifts are major goals of ecology and biogeography. Obtaining reliable predictions of how species distribution might change in response to habitat change requires knowledge of habitat availability, occupancy, use for breeding, and spatial autocorrelation in these parameters. Amphibians in alpine areas provide an excellent model system for disentangling habitat drivers of occupancy from that of breeding while explicitly accounting for spatial autocorrelation. We focused on the widespread common frog (Rana temporaria) inhabiting alpine lakes in the Southern Carpathians, Romania. We used single season multistate occupancy models developed to account for imperfect detection and spatial autocorrelation to estimate the occupancy and breeding probabilities and to evaluate their response to habitat characteristics. We found that frogs do not occur in all water bodies [occupancy probability: 0.697; 95% credible interval (0.614, 0.729)] and do not breed in a substantial proportion of water bodies where they occur [breeding probability conditional on occupancy: 0.707; 95% credible interval (0.670, 0.729)]. Habitat characteristics explain water body occupancy but not breeding probability; and altitude, water body surface area, water body sinuosity and permanency, presence of invertebrates, and grazing along the banks all had positive effects on occupancy. We also detected strong spatial autocorrelation in occupancy and breeding probabilities. Thus, our results indicate that habitat choice by montane amphibians is influenced by both spatial autocorrelation and habitat characteristics. Because spatial autocorrelations matter and because the presence of adults is not the same as the presence of a reproducing population, it will be difficult to predict the effects of habitat change on high altitude amphibian populations.
Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Support Psychotherapy for Depression Treatment Among People with HIV/AIDS in Northern Uganda
Authors: Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda , Wamala Kizito , Okello James , Ndyanabangi Sheila , Kanters Steve , Mojtabai Ramin , Nachega Jean B. , Mills Edward J. , Musisi Seggane 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe describe the process evaluation for a randomized controlled trial that compared group support psychotherapy (GSP) with group HIV education for treatment of depression among people with HIV. Process data were obtained using mixed methods. Variables evaluated were indicators of feasibility and acceptability; causal mediating processes and contextual influences. GSP was feasible and acceptable. Potential mediating variables between GSP and reduction of depression were improved emotional and social support, better coping strategies, and pursuit of livelihoods. Culturally sensitive intervention content facilitated intervention delivery. These data complement the trial outcomes, and may provide a contextualized description of how GSP treats depression.
A Qualitative Study to Explore the Views and Attitudes towards Prenatal Testing in Adults Who Have Muenke Syndrome and their Partners
Authors: Phipps Julie , Skirton Heather 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMuenke syndrome constitutes the most common syndromic form of craniosynostosis, occurring in 1 in 30,000 live births. The phenotype is variable, ranging from no clinical findings to complex presentation. Facilitating reproductive decision making for couples at genetic risk of having a child with Muenke syndrome is an important aspect of genetic counselling. Prenatal genetic testing for Muenke syndrome is accurate; however the value of testing is uncertain with a variable phenotype. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes towards prenatal testing in couples where one partner had tested positive for the Muenke mutation. We used a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis and collected data using individual semi‐structured interviews with eight parents. Five key themes were: The Muenke journey; Impact and knowledge of diagnosis; Knowledge and attitude to prenatal testing; Stigma and sharing of information; and Information retention. Knowledge of Muenke syndrome and prenatal testing was poor. Genetic information was provided when treatment of their affected child was their paramount concern. Couples reported not sharing genetic information with family due to fear of stigmatisation. Couples cannot make reproductive decisions if lacking appropriate understanding of the choices: timely genetic counselling regarding prenatal testing is needed when relevant to them.
The influence of methamphetamine on maternal behavior and development of the pups during the neonatal period
Authors: Ševčíková Mária , Hrebíčková Ivana , Macúchová Eva , Šlamberová Romana 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSince it enters breast milk, methamphetamine (MA) abuse during lactation can not only affect the quality of maternal behavior but also postnatal development of pups. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of injected MA (5 mg/kg) on maternal behavior of rats and the differences in postnatal development, during postnatal days (PD) 1–11, of pups when the pups were directly exposed (i.e., injected) to MA or received MA indirectly via breast milk. Maternal behavior was examined using observation test (PD 1–22) and pup retrieval test (PD 1–12). The following developmental tests were also used: surface righting reflex (PD 1–12), negative geotaxis (PD 9), mid‐air righting reflex (PD 17), and the rotarod and beam‐balance test (PD 23). The weight of the pups was recorded during the entire testing period and the day of eye opening was also recorded. MA‐treated mothers groomed their pups less and returned the pups to the nest slower than control dams. The weight gain of pups indirectly exposed to MA was significantly slower. In addition, pups indirectly exposed to MA were slower on the surface righting reflex (on PD 1 and PD 2) and the negative geotaxis test. In females, indirect exposure to MA led to earlier eye opening compared to controls. At the end of lactation, males who received MA indirectly via breast milk performed worse on the balance beam test compared to males who received MA directly. However, direct exposure to MA improved performance on rotarod relative to controls. Our results suggest that indirect MA exposure, via breast milk, has a greater impact than direct MA exposure.
Early‐postnatal iron deficiency impacts plasticity in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in piglets
Authors: Nelissen Ellis , De Vry Jochen , Antonides Alexandra , Paes Dean , Schepers Melissa , van der Staay Franz Josef , Prickaerts Jos , Vanmierlo Tim 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this study, we investigated whether alterations in plasticity markers such as brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) are underlying iron deficiency (ID)‐induced cognitive impairments in iron depleted piglets. Newborn piglets were either fed an iron‐depleted diet (21 mg Fe/kg) or an iron‐sufficient diet (88 mg Fe/kg) for four weeks. Subsequently, eight weeks after iron repletion (190–240 mg Fe/kg) we found a significant decrease in mature BDNF (14 kDa) and proBDNF (18 kDa and 24 kDa) protein levels in the ventral hippocampus, whereas we found increases in the dorsal hippocampus. The phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) follows the mature BDNF protein level pattern. No effects were found on BDNF and CREB protein levels in the prefrontal cortex. The protein levels of the high affinity BDNF receptor, TrkB, was significantly decreased in both dorsal and ventral hippocampus of ID piglets, whereas it was increased in the prefrontal cortex. Together, our data suggest a disrupted hippocampal plasticity upon postnatal ID.
Intrauterine exposure to maternal stress alters Bdnf IV DNA methylation and telomere length in the brain of adult rat offspring
Authors: Blaze Jennifer , Asok Arun , Borrelli Kristyn , Tulbert Christina , Bollinger Justin , Ronca April E. , Roth Tania L. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDNA methylation (addition of methyl groups to cytosines) and changes in telomere length (TTAGGG repeats on the ends of chromosomes) are two molecular modifications that result from stress and could contribute to the long‐term effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal stress on offspring behavior. Here, we measured methylation of DNA associated with the Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene, a gene important in development and plasticity, and telomere length in the brains of adult rat male and female offspring whose mothers were exposed to unpredictable and variable stressors throughout gestation. Males exposed to prenatal stress had greater methylation (Bdnf IV) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared to non‐stressed male controls and stressed females. Further, prenatally‐stressed animals had shorter telomeres than controls in the mPFC. Together findings indicate a long‐term impact of prenatal stress on brain DNA methylation and telomere biology with relevance for behavioral and health outcomes, and contribute to a growing literature linking stress to intergenerational molecular changes.
Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on otologic symptoms associated with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Teo Neville W. , Mace Jess C. , Smith Timothy L. , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate improvements in otologic symptoms after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and identify differences in symptoms, if any, between CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyposis.Material and methodsThis is a prospective multi‐center observational cohort study. Adults with medically recalcitrant CRS who elected ESS were enrolled in a prospective, multi‐center, observational cohort study between March, 2011 and October, 2014. Preoperative evaluation of subjects included assessment of clinical characteristics, measures of disease severity, and quality of life evaluation using the 22‐item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Postoperative improvement in otologic symptoms (ear fullness, dizziness, ear pain) scores were evaluated and compared between CRSwNP and CRSsNP subgroups.ResultsThree hundred and ninety‐five study patients completed both preoperative and postoperative evaluations, with an average follow‐up of 13.9 months after ESS. The prevalence of patients reporting at least one otologic symptom preoperatively (87%) significantly decreased after ESS (63%, P < 0.001). Significant postoperative improvement across all otologic scores was also reported (P < 0.001). Relative mean improvement in otologic symptom severity was similar for both CRSwNP and CRSsNP, except patients with CRSwNP reported significantly greater postoperative improvement in ear fullness compared to CRSsNP (54% vs. 41%, P = 0.039). A total of 61%, 44%, and 43% of patients reported experiencing improvement in “ear fullness”, “dizziness” and “ear pain”, respectively.ConclusionSinus surgery significantly improves otologic symptoms associated with CRS. CRSwNP patients reported slightly greater relief of ear fullness than CRSsNP patients following ESS.
COHERENT FORECASTING OF MORTALITY RATES: A SPARSE VECTOR-AUTOREGRESSION APPROACH
Authors: Li Hong , Lu Yang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper proposes a spatial-temporal autoregressive model for the mortality surface, where mortality rates of each age depend on the historical values of itself (temporality) and the neighbouring ages (spatiality). The mortality dynamics is formulated as a large, first order vector autoregressive model which encompasses standard factor models such as the Lee and Carter (1992) model. Sparsity and smoothness constraints are then introduced, based on the idea that the nearer the two ages, the more important the dependence between mortalities at these ages. Our model has several novelties. First, it ensures that in the long-run, mortality rates at different ages do not diverge. Second, it provides a natural explanation of the so-called cohort effect without identifiability difficulties. Third, the model is easily extended to the multiple-population case in a coherent way. Finally, the model is associated with a closed form, non-parametric estimation method: the penalized least square, which ensures spatial smoothness of the age-dependent parameters. Using US and UK mortality data, we find that our model produces reasonable projected mortality profile in the long-run, as well as satisfying short-run out-of-sample forecast performance.
Identification of Blastocystis subtypes in clinical stool samples from Sao Paulo City, Brazil
Authors: MELO GESSICA B. , PAULA FABIANA M. , MALTA FERNANDA M. , MARUTA CELINA W. , CRIADO PAULO R. , CASTILHO VERA L. P. , GONÇALVES ELENICE M. N. , ESPIRITO SANTO MARIA C. , GRYSCHEK RONALDO C. B. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARY

Blastocystis sp. is a protozoan commonly found in human and animal stool samples. Several pathogenic and zoonotic aspects of this organism are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate Blastocystis subtypes (STs) in samples from patients of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculdade de Medicina at the Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), Brazil. Blastocystis sp.-positive stool samples diagnosed at the Section of Parasitology of the Central Laboratory (HC-FMUSP) were used for DNA isolation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers targeting the small-subunit rRNA gene. Direct DNA sequencing of the PCR products was performed and the DNA sequences were then aligned and compared with other sequences obtained from the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis was used to identify STs and determine the phylogenetic relationships between the sequences. Four STs were identified: ST1 (22·5%), ST2 (12·5%), ST3 (60%) and ST6 (5%). In conclusion, ST3 was the most prevalent ST among the human isolates followed by ST1. The present study is one of the few providing STs data from the human population in South America. Determining ST prevalence in human samples may contribute to the monitoring of Blastocystis sp. infection transmission in endemic regions.
JAPAN'S PASSPORT SYSTEM AND THE OPENING OF BORDERS, 1866–1878
Authors: YAMAMOTO TAKAHIRO 
Published: March 2017

abstractThis article sheds new light on the opening of Japan in the late nineteenth century focusing on the legalization of overseas travel and the introduction of passports. It argues that the Tokugawa shogunate introduced passports as a belated endorsement of the increasingly common practice of undercover border-crossing as it feared losing the political grip. Once the new regulation was in place, most travellers went to China or Korea as petty merchants or low-skill labourers, in part recruited by Western merchants and consuls. The foreign ministry, fearing that unrestricted emigration of labourers and mercenaries might harm the country's international reputation and political stability, limited the number of passports to distribute to the treaty ports. Japan's passport system thus focused more on regulating the overseas travel than promoting it, in contrast to the positive light in which the opening of Japan is commonly portrayed. The government largely succeeded in preventing the unwanted emigration, but never fully controlled the process because of the less vigilant port officials and the ambiguity on some of the borders' exact location. Overall, the investigation into the first two decades of the Japanese passport travellers leads to a more complex understanding of modern Japan's opening of borders.
Wheat cultivar yield response to some organic and conventional farming conditions and the yield potential of mixtures
Authors: NEWTON A. C. , GUY D. C. , PREEDY K. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYA range of wheat cultivars, including elite cultivars, older cultivars and some preferred by organic growers, were trialled under high and low nitrogen (N) conventional and organic conditions to determine whether cultivars that yield highly under organic conditions have the same relative yield under conventional conditions. A range of cultivar mixtures was also assessed to see whether these gave yield advantages or superiority in either farming system. The conventional trials were grown with and without full fungicide programmes, which largely controlled disease. Amongst the cultivars, Alchemy showed superior yield under organic conditions as did Pegassos, but under conventional conditions Pegassos was always one of the low-ranking cultivars. Under conventional conditions the more recent cultivars Alchemy, Glasgow and Istabraq yielded highly, while an older one, Consort, yielded highly under low fertilizer conditions, and both Ambrosia and Deben also yielded highly generally. Fungicide and high N favoured the disease-susceptible, high-yield cultivars such as Glasgow whereas Consort, an older susceptible cultivar, was favoured by fungicide and low N. Together this demonstrates that whilst the yield characteristics of some elite germplasm are also expressed under organic conditions, at least one cultivar that yielded poorly under conventional conditions showed adaptation towards the organic conditions of these trials. Other cultivars yielding poorly under conventional conditions also gave poor yield under organic conditions. The equal proportion mixtures of cultivars grown under conventional conditions showed no evidence of differences in yield from the mean of the component cultivars grown separately, but combinations of Glasgow, Alchemy and Istabraq gave consistently high yield.
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I haplotype reveals high genetic diversity of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae)
Authors: Eamsobhana P. , Yong H.S. , Song S.L. , Prasartvit A. , Boonyong S. , Tungtrongchitr A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe rat lungworm Angiostrongylus malaysiensis is a metastrongyloid nematode parasite. It has been reported in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan. In this study, A. malaysiensis adult worms recovered from the lungs of wild rats in different geographical regions/provinces in Thailand were used to determine their haplotype by means of the mitochondrial partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence. The results revealed high COI haplotype diversity of A. malaysiensis from Thailand. The geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis from Thailand and other countries formed a monophyletic clade distinct from the closely related A. cantonensis. In the present study, five new haplotypes were identified in addition to the four haplotypes reported in the literature. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that four of these five new haplotypes – one from Mae Hong Song (northern region), two from Tak (western region) and one from Phang Nga (southern region) – formed a distinct clade with those from Phatthalung (southern region) and Malaysia. The haplotype from Malaysia was identical to that of Phatthalung (haplotype AM1). In general, the COI sequences did not differentiate unambiguously the various geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis. This study has confirmed the presence of high COI genetic diversity in various geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis. The COI gene sequence will be suitable for studying genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeography.