bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greenhead ants Rhytidoponera metallica make trade‐offs between food temperature and food concentration
Authors: PETTIT LACHLAN , LATTY TANYA 
Published: May 2016

1. Foraging animals are often faced with foods that vary in several important attributes, some of which may be in conflict with one another. For ectothermic animals, food temperature can be an important characteristic, as the consumption of cold foods is metabolically costly.2. Here, the effect of food temperature on food preferences in the green‐headed ant Rhytidoponera metallica (Smith, 1858) was investigated. The first aim of the study was to determine how food concentration (caloric value) and relative food temperature influenced colony‐level preferences. We found that, all else being equal, green‐headed ant colonies preferred warmer food solutions over colder solutions, and more concentrated food solutions over less concentrated ones.3. Next, the question of whether green‐head ant colonies could make trade‐offs between temperature and food concentration was tested. It was found that ant colonies switched their preferences in favour of a colder food solution when the colder food solution was 10 times more concentrated than the warmer food solution.4. These experiments show that temperature is an important characteristic shaping food preferences in ants. Moreover, we show that colonies can make trade‐offs between food concentration and food temperature.
What factors influence healthy aging? A person‐centered approach among older adults in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Li‐Fan , Su Pei‐Fang 
Published: May 2016

AimThe present study aimed to identify the health profiles of older adults by using latent class analysis to investigate health heterogeneity and to determine what factors predicted healthy aging among an oldest‐old sample cohort that was followed up for 14 years in Taiwan.MethodsData were drawn from five waves (carried out in 1993, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007) of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine the changes in health heterogeneity in a nationally representative oldest‐old cohort of Taiwanese. Overall, data from a total of 11 145 observations of 3155 older adults were considered. The influential factors predicting health changes were analyzed by using a generalized estimating equation.ResultsThe results showed that four health profiles were identified among the aging population observed in the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. With increasing age, the combined effects of the physical functioning, cognitive and emotional health, and comorbidities of older adults significantly impact their health changes. Apart from health deteriorating with age and sex disparities, educational and economic status, health behaviors, and social participation at the individual level were found to be the robust factors in predicting healthy aging.ConclusionsIn considering what factors impact healthy aging, we suggest that a person‐centered approach would be useful and critical for policy makers to understand the compositions of health profiles and the influencing factors in view of a life‐course perspective. Based on the factors identified as influencing healthy aging at the individual level, it is imperative from a policy‐making perspective to maximize opportunities for healthy aging.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 697–707.
Childhood Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence and Risk of Migraine Among Pregnant Women: An Epidemiologic Study
Authors: Gelaye Bizu , Do Ngan , Avila Samantha , Carlos Velez Juan , Zhong Qiu‐Yue , Sanchez Sixto E. , Lee Peterlin B. , Williams Michelle A. 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveTo examine the independent and joint associations of childhood abuse and intimate partner violence with migraine among pregnant women.BackgroundChildhood abuse and intimate partner violence have each been associated with migraine headaches in previous studies, but these associations have not been explored among pregnant women.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among a cohort of 2970 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in Lima, Peru. History of childhood abuse (ie, physical or sexual abuse) was assessed using the Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse Questionnaire. Intimate partner violence (IPV) was assessed using the World Health Organization questionnaire. Migraine classification (including migraine and probable migraine) was based on International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)‐III beta criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsThe prevalence of any migraine was 33.5% while approximately 70% of participants reported a history of childhood abuse and 36.7% a history of IPV. Women with a history of any childhood abuse had a 38% increased odds of any migraine compared to women with no history of childhood abuse (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.15‐1.64). The odds of migraine increased with increasing numbers of experienced childhood abuse events (Ptrend < .001). Additionally, after adjusting for confounders women with a history of IPV had a 43% increased odds of any migraine as compared to women without intimate partner violence (OR = 1.43; 95%CI 1.02‐2.02). Women with a joint positive history of childhood abuse and IPV, as compared with the reference group, had a 88% increased odds of migraine (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.51‐2.35).ConclusionChildhood abuse and IPV are associated with increased odds of migraine in pregnant women. Our findings highlight the importance of screening for abuse among pregnant migraineurs to help guide treatment strategies.
Determination of residual 1,4‐dioxane in surfactants and cleaning agents using headspace single‐drop microextraction followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection
Authors: Saraji M. , Shirvani N. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectivePolyethoxylated surfactants are widely used in the formulation of different cleaning agents such as shampoo, dish washing and hand washing products and lotion formulation. During the production of polyethoxylated surfactants, 1,4‐dioxane as a toxic and carcinogenic by‐product is formed. A simple low‐cost method based on headspace single‐drop microextraction combined with gas chromatography–flame ionization detection was developed for the determination of 1,4‐dioxane in surfactants and cleaning agents.MethodsIn this method, 1,4‐dioxane was extracted from 8.0 mL sample solution into a microdrop of an organic solvent, and then, it was injected to gas chromatography. The effects of such parameters as the solvent type, salt addition, microdrop volume, stirring rate, equilibrium time, extraction time and the temperature of sample solution on the extraction performance were studied and optimized. An ethoxylated surfactant containing 1,4‐dioxane was used as the sample for the optimization of the extraction parameters.ResultsThe linear range, determination coefficient, limit of detection and relative standard deviation of the method were 0.5–100 μg g−1, 0.9977, 0.4 μg g−1 and 7.2% (n = 5), respectively. Different real samples including sodium lauryl ether sulphate, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), four brands of shampoo, and hand washing and dish washing liquids were analysed by the method. 1,4‐Dioxane was detected at the concentration range of 2.4–201 μg g−1 in the samples, except dish washing liquid and SLS.ConclusionA new method with the merits of simplicity, low cost, low organic solvent consumption, short analysis time, good repeatability and suitable detection limit was developed for the analysis of 1,4‐dioxane in surfactants and cleaning agents.
Immunohistochemical study of hepatic fibropoiesis associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Madeira Igor M. V. M. , Pereira Debora. M. O. , Sousa Aline. A. , Vilela Cesar A. , Amorim Izabela F. G. , Caliari Marcelo V. , Souza Carolina C. , Tafuri Wagner L. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryHepatic fibropoiesis has been confirmed in canine visceral leishmaniasis. In fibrotic disease, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play an important role in fibropoiesis, undergoing activation by TGF‐β to acquire characteristics of myofibroblasts. These cells show extensive capacity for proliferation, motility, contractility, collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix component synthesis. The aim of this work was to identify markers of HSC activation in 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Eight uninfected dogs were used as controls. Alpha‐actin (α‐SMA), vimentin and cytokeratin were investigated by immunohistochemistry as HSC markers. The cytokine TGF‐β in tissue was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All infected dogs showed higher numbers of reticular fibres than controls. Fibropoiesis found in infected dogs was always associated with the presence of parasites and chronic granulomatous hepatitis. Positive correlation was found among fibropoiesis, parasite tissue load and expression of α‐SMA. There was no correlation between fibropoiesis, vimentin and cytokeratin markers. The expression of cytokine TGF‐β was higher in infected dogs than in controls, but not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. These results confirm previous work describing the intense hepatic fibropoiesis in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum, but now associated them with overexpression of TGF‐β, where α‐SMA may be a superior marker for activated HSC cells in CVL.
Romantic, sexual, and sexual risk behaviours of adolescent females with severe obesity
Authors: Becnel J. N. , Zeller M. H. , Noll J. G. , Sarwer D. B. , Reiter‐Purtill J. , Michalsky M. , Peugh J. , Biro F. M. ,   for the TeenView Study Group in cooperation with Teen‐LABS Consortium
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundThere is an increasing adolescent population with severe obesity with impairments in social and romantic relationships that are seeking clinical weight management, including weight loss surgery (WLS).ObjectiveTo document romantic, sexual and sexual risk behaviours in a clinical sample of adolescent females with severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) compared to those of healthy weight (HW).MethodsThis multi‐site study—an ancillary to a prospective longitudinal observational study documenting health in adolescents having WLS—presents pre‐operative/baseline data from 108 females undergoing WLS, 68 severely obese seeking lifestyle intervention and 118 of HW. Romantic and sexual risk behaviour and birth control information sources were assessed using the Sexual Activities and Attitudes Questionnaire (SAAQ).ResultsSeverely obese females reported engaging in fewer romantic and sexual behaviours compared to HW. Similar to HW, a subgroup (25%) of severely females were engaging in higher rates of sexual risk behaviours and reported pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A considerable number (28–44%) reported receiving no birth control information from physicians.ConclusionsDiscussion topics with the adolescent patient should extend beyond reproductive health needs (e.g. contraception, unintended pregnancies) to include guidance around navigating romantic and sexual health behaviours that are precursors to these outcomes.
The redistribution of medicines: could it become a reality?
Authors: McRae David , Allman Mark , James Delyth 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAims and objectivesPrescription medicines that are returned unused to pharmacies in the United Kingdom (UK) cannot be supplied (or redistributed) to other patients. The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not consensus could be achieved between pharmacists on the barriers and potential solutions they perceive towards the redistribution of returned medicines.MethodsA two-round electronic modified Delphi study was employed. Statements were generated following qualitative interviews (n = 29) with doctors, nurses and pharmacists from primary and secondary care from one Health Board (HB) in South East Wales. The Delphi panel were asked to rate the degree to which they agreed (or disagreed) with each statement. The panel was recruited via an email invitation forwarded to all hospital (n = 70), primary care (n = 11) and community pharmacists (n = 77) from one HB in South East Wales.Key findingsTwo rounds of Delphi were completed by 17 pharmacists. Consensus was achieved for seven (n = 26) ‘barrier’ and seven (n = 16) ‘solution’ statements. From the statements which achieved consensus, it was identified that the following criteria would need to be met for pharmacists to potentially accept the redistribution of medicines in solid dosage forms (tablets and capsules): protection for pharmacists; guidance from the professional regulator; tamper evident seals; ‘as new’ packaging; technologies to indicate inappropriate storage and public engagement.ConclusionsThis study suggests that pharmacists would potentially be willing to redistribute medicines in solid dosage forms if certain criteria are met.
A New Chilean Migration Act: an Approach to International Standards
Authors: Díaz Tolosa Regina Ingrid 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe current Chilean Migration Act is the oldest in South America. It was created under the paradigm of national security, not human rights, and today does not adequately serve a participating democratic state, active within the international community. The Chilean government will soon be moving to discuss in congress a new migration act. We want to emphasize that the government should not forget the importance of incorporating international standards of migration policy into the national sphere. Chile is part of the United Nations system and, as a participating member, ratifies all core human rights treaties. Given that the United Nations Human Rights Bodies have made recommendations about migration policy, it is essential that this discussion be brought to the attention of our governing officials. This article reviews the UN recommendations as a concrete approach to the implementation of international standards in Chilean migrant policy.
Predicting the prolonged length of stay of general surgery patients: a supervised learning approach
Authors: Chuang Mao‐Te , Hu Ya‐han , Lo Chia‐Lun 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDetermining the likelihood of a prolonged length of stay (LOS) for surgery patients can improve medical resource management. This study was aimed at developing predictive models for determining whether patient LOS is within the standard LOS after surgery. This study analyzed the complete historical medical records and lab data of 896 clinical cases involving surgeries performed by general surgery physicians. The cases were divided into urgent operation (UO) and non‐UO groups to develop a prolonged LOS prediction model using several supervised learning techniques. Several critical factors for the two groups were identified using the gain ratio technique. The results indicated that the random forest method yielded the most accurate and stable prediction model. Additionally, comorbidity, body temperature, blood sugar, and creatinine were the most influential variables for prolonged LOS in the UO group, whereas blood transfusion, blood pressure, comorbidity, and the number of ICU admissions were the most influential variables in the non‐UO group. This study shows that supervised learning techniques are suitable for analyzing patient medical records in accurately predicting a prolonged LOS; thus, the clinical decision support system developed based on the prediction models may serve as reference tools for communicating with patients before surgery. The system may also assist physicians when making decisions regarding whether patients require more clinical care, thereby improving patient safety.
Embracing Impossible Justice
Authors: Jay Christopher 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIt is often thought that considerations of practicality speak in favour of accepting the principle that if there is no practical alternative to something then that thing is not unjust. I present an argument which suggests that there are in fact practical costs to accepting such a principle, so that on grounds of practicality we perhaps ought to reject it. That argument does not assume that there are any demands of justice which it is impossible to meet, but only that we are very fallible when it comes to knowing what the possibilities are. I then argue that rejecting that principle and embracing a notion of ‘impossible justice’ has positive practical benefits in respect of putting us in a position to respond appropriately to really necessary injustices if there are any.
LIGHT/IFN‐γ triggers β cells apoptosis via NF‐κB/Bcl2‐dependent mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Zheng Quan‐You , Cao Zhao‐Hui , Hu Xiao‐Bo , Li Gui‐Qing , Dong Shi‐Fang , Xu Gui‐Lian , Zhang Ke‐Qin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLIGHT recruits and activates naive T cells in the islets at the onset of diabetes. IFN‐γ secreted by activated T lymphocytes is involved in beta cell apoptosis. However, whether LIGHT sensitizes IFNγ‐induced beta cells destruction remains unclear. In this study, we used the murine beta cell line MIN6 and primary islet cells as models for investigating the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in LIGHT/IFNγ – induced pancreatic beta cell destruction. LIGHT and IFN‐γ synergistically reduced MIN6 and primary islet cells viability; decreased cell viability was due to apoptosis, as demonstrated by a significant increase in Annexin V+ cell percentage, detected by flow cytometry. In addition to marked increases in cytochrome c release and NF‐κB activation, the combination of LIGHT and IFN‐γ caused an obvious decrease in expression of the anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL, but an increase in expression of the pro‐apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax in MIN6 cells. Accordingly, LIGHT deficiency led to a decrease in NF‐κB activation and Bak expression, and peri‐insulitis in non‐obese diabetes mice. Inhibition of NF‐κB activation with the specific NF‐κB inhibitor, PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate), reversed Bcl‐xL down‐regulation and Bax up‐regulation, and led to a significant increase in LIGHT‐ and IFN‐γ‐treated cell viability. Moreover, cleaved caspase‐9, ‐3, and PARP (poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase) were observed after LIGHT and IFN‐γ treatment. Pretreatment with caspase inhibitors remarkably attenuated LIGHT‐ and IFNγ‐induced cell apoptosis. Taken together, our results indicate that LIGHT signalling pathway combined with IFN‐γ induces beta cells apoptosis via an NF‐κB/Bcl2‐dependent mitochondrial pathway.
Heat shock protein 70 and AMP‐activated protein kinase contribute to 17‐DMAG‐dependent protection against heat stroke
Authors: Tsai Yung‐Chieh , Lam Kwok‐Keung , Peng Yi‐Jen , Lee Yen‐Mei , Yang Chung‐Yu , Tsai Yi‐Ju , Yen Mao‐Hsiung , Cheng Pao‐Yun 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHeat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) preconditioning induces thermotolerance, and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a role in the process of autophagy. Here, we investigated whether 17‐dimethylaminoethylamino‐17‐demethoxy‐geldanamycin (17‐DMAG) protected against heat stroke (HS) in rats by up‐regulation of Hsp70 and phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK). To produce HS, male Sprague–Dawley rats were placed in a chamber with an ambient temperature of 42°C. Physiological function (mean arterial pressure, heart rate and core temperature), hepatic and intestinal injury, inflammatory mediators and levels of Hsp70, pAMPK and light chain 3 (LC3B) in hepatic tissue were measured in HS rats or/and rats pre‐treated with 17‐DMAG. 17‐DMAG pre‐treatment significantly attenuated hypotension and organ dysfunction induced by HS in rats. The survival time during HS was also prolonged by 17‐DMAG treatment. Hsp70 expression was increased, whereas pAMPK levels in the liver were significantly decreased in HS rats. Following pre‐treatment with 17‐DMAG, Hsp70 protein levels increased further, and pAMPK levels were enhanced. Treatment with an AMPK activator significantly increased the LC3BII/LC3BI ratio as a marker of autophagy in HS rats. Treatment with quercetin significantly suppressed Hsp70 and pAMPK levels and reduced the protective effects of 17‐DMAG in HS rats. Both of Hsp70 and AMPK are involved in the 17‐DMAG‐mediated protection against HS. 17‐DMAG may be a promising candidate drug in the clinical setting.
Does evidence‐based health care have room for the self?
Authors: Thomas S. Joshua 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEvidence‐based health care (EBHC) has consistently been attacked by opponents for being perniciously reductive. Although these attacks are overwhelmingly framed as critiques of evidence‐based medicine, they standardly target the research wing of EBHC upon which evidence‐based medicine is dependent, and increasingly extend to adjacent health care disciplines, such as nursing. One of the most persistent forms this line of attack has taken is the allegation that EBHC, with its emphasis on the hierarchy of evidence, grounded in the use of randomized controlled trials, and the clinical guidelines developed on their basis, fails to recognize the patient as the complex self she is, treating her instead as merely a quantifiable, medical‐scientific object. By reducing the patient to certain quantifiable dimensions, the patient as self is allegedly ‘erased’. In short, the complaint is that an evidence‐based approach to health care has no room for the self. Contrary to this persistently held view, it is argued here that EBHC does have room for the self. Review of these critiques suggests they can be categorized into two groups: soft critiques and strong critiques. Soft critiques tend to take a more measured tone grounded in empirical concerns about the dangers of an evidence‐based approach to health care, whereas strong critiques tend to make sweeping claims grounded in theoretical commitments to anti‐foundationalist philosophical frameworks. While both soft and strong critiques ultimately fail to make the case that EBHC has no room for the self, the empirical concerns of soft critiques nevertheless present a challenge EBHC advocates would do well to take seriously and address.
Titanium diffusion in shinbone of rats with osseointegrated implants
Authors: GRENÓN MIRIAM S. , ROBLEDO JOSÉ , IBÁÑEZ JUAN CARLOS , SÁNCHEZ HÉCTOR J. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryDental implants are composed of commercially pure Ti (which is actually an alloy of titanium, and minor or trace components such as aluminium and vanadium). When the implant is inserted, its surface undergoes a number of chemical and mechanical processes, releasing particles of titanium to the medium. The metabolism of free ions of titanium is uncertain; the uptaking processes in the body are not well known, nor their toxic dose. In addition, physical properties of newly formed bone, such as diffusivity and activation energy, are scarce and rarely studied. In this study, we analysed the diffusion of titanium in the titanium‐implanted shinbones of six adult male Wistar rats by spatially resolved micro x‐ray fluorescence. The measurements were carried out at the microfluorescence station of the x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) beamline of the Brazilian synchrotron facility LNLS (from Portuguese ‘Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron’). For each sample, XRF spectra were taken by linear scanning in area near the new bone formed around the Ti implant. The scanning line shows a clear effect of titanium diffusion whereas calcium intensity presents a different behaviour. Moreover, a clear correlation among the different structures of bones is observed in the Ti and Ca intensities. The results obtained in these measurements may allow determining quantitatively the parameters of diffusion rates and other physical properties of new bone like diffusion coefficients.