bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased hope following successful treatment for hepatitis C infection
Authors: Bjøro Benedikte , Dalgard Olav , Midgard Håvard , Verbaan Hans , Småstuen Milada Cvancarova , Rustøen Tone 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimsTo evaluate hope in hepatitis C patients 9 years after curative treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.BackgroundSuccessful treatment of hepatitis C leads to improved quality of life in responders compared with non‐responders. The long‐term effect of successful treatment on hope in these patients is not known.DesignCross‐sectional follow‐up study of patients who displayed a sustained virological response to previous hepatitis C treatment.MethodsPatients infected with hepatitis C genotype 2 or 3 from a randomized controlled study during 2004–2006 were included. A representative subgroup of those who achieved a sustained virological response was re‐evaluated in 2012–2014. The patients were examined, had a blood test and completed a questionnaire (Herth Hope Index and demographic and clinical characteristics). The hope level was compared between patients and an age‐matched sample from the general population (N = 1,481). The data were analysed using multiple regression.ResultsA total of 104 Norwegian and Swedish hepatitis C patients were included in this follow‐up study; their mean age was 48 years, and 61% were men. Patients treated for hepatitis C scored higher than the general population on the total Herth Hope Index and for 11 of the 12 individual items. Age, gender, educational level, employment status and civil status were associated with a higher Herth Hope Index in those who had received hepatitis C treatment.ConclusionPatients achieving a sustained viral response had a higher hope level than the general population 9 years after successful treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
Patient perspectives on barriers and enablers to the use and effectiveness of de‐escalation techniques for the management of violence and aggression in mental health settings
Authors: Price Owen , Baker John , Bee Penny , Grundy Andrew , Scott Anne , Butler Debbie , Cree Lindsey , Lovell Karina 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimInvestigate patient perspectives on barriers and enablers to the use and effectiveness of de‐escalation techniques for aggression in mental health settings.BackgroundDe‐escalation techniques are the recommended first‐line intervention for the management of aggression in mental health settings internationally, yet use of higher risk restrictive practices persists. This indicates de‐escalation techniques are not used at optimum frequency and/or there are important factors limiting their use and effect.DesignDescriptive qualitative research using semi‐structured interviews and Framework Analysis.MethodsInpatient interviews (N = 26) exploring staff, patient and environmental factors influencing the use and effectiveness of staff de‐escalation were conducted mid‐2014. Three service user researchers led analysis.ResultsData were synthesized in three deductive themes relating to staff, patient and environmental influences on the use and effectiveness of de‐escalation techniques. The dominant view was that restrictive practices, rather than de‐escalation techniques, are used in response to escalating patient behaviour. Under‐use of de‐escalation techniques was attributed to: lack of staff reflection on culture and practice and a need to retain control/dominance over patients. Ward rules, patient factors and a lack of staff respect for patients diluted their effectiveness. Participants identified a systematic process of de‐escalation, rule subversion, reduced social distance and staff authenticity as enablers of effective de‐escalation.ConclusionThis study investigated patient perspectives on staff, patient and environmental influences on the use and effectiveness of de‐escalation techniques. Our framework of barriers and enablers provides indicators of organizational/behaviour change targets for interventions seeking to reduce violence and restrictive practices through enhanced de‐escalation techniques.
HMGB1‐induced angiogenesis in perforated disc cells of human temporomandibular joint
Authors: Feng Yaping , Ke Jin , Cao Pinyin , Deng Mohong , Li Jian , Cai Hengxing , Meng Qinggong , Li Yingjie , Long Xing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHigh mobility group 1 protein (HMGB1), a highly conserved nuclear DNA‐binding protein and inflammatory mediator, has been recently found to be involved in angiogenesis. Our previous study has demonstrated the elevation of HMGB1 in the tissue of perforated disc of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Here, we investigated a novel mediator of HMGB1 in regulating hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to mediate angiogenesis in perforated disc cells of TMJ. HMGB1 increased the expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in these cells. Moreover, immunofluorescence assay exhibits that the HIF‐1α were activated by HMGB1. In addition, HMGB1 activated extracellular signal‐related kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), but not P38 in these cells. Furthermore, both U0126 (ErK inhibitor) and SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) significantly suppressed the enhanced production of HIF‐1α and VEGF induced by HMGB1. Tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was significantly increased by exposure to conditioned medium derived from HMGB1‐stimulated perforated disc cells, while attenuated with pre‐treatment of inhibitors for VEGF, HIF‐1α, Erk and JNK, individually. Therefore, abundance of HMGB1 mediates activation of HIF‐1α in disc cells via Erk and JNK pathway and then, initiates VEGF secretion, thereby leading to disc angiogenesis and accelerating degenerative change of the perforated disc.
Are offshore firms less conservative in financial reporting? International evidence
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Bon , Li Tie Mei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUsing a large sample of multinational firms operating in offshore financial centers (offshore firms) from 1998 to 2014, this study investigates the financial reporting implications of economic activities involving offshore financial centers (OFCs). We find that offshore firms have a greater tendency to report less conservatively than non‐offshore firms. Moreover, we find that financial reporting is less conservative for firms operating in OFCs with more pronounced OFC attributes than for those with less pronounced OFC attributes. Finally, we also find that firms with their headquarters registered in OFCs (type I offshore firms) tend to adopt less conservative accounting practices than those with subsidiaries operating in OFCs (type II offshore firms). Our findings provide useful insights into how a multinational firm's operation in OFCs is associated with financial reporting practices.
Peginterferon is preferable to entecavir for prevention of unfavourable events in patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B: A five‐year observational cohort study
Authors: Li S.‐Y. , Li H. , Xiong Y.‐L. , Liu F. , Peng M.‐L. , Zhang D.‐Z. , Ren H. , Hu P. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryAt present, the long‐term effects of pegylated interferon‐α (PEG‐IFN‐α) and entecavir (ETV) are controversial. Studies directly compared the long‐term outcomes of these two drugs have not been completed. This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of PEG‐IFN‐α vs ETV therapy in Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection. From September 2008 to December 2016, a large, observational, open‐label, prospective cohort study of HBeAg‐positive patients with CHB who received PEG‐IFN‐α or ETV therapy was carried out at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Cumulative incidences of unfavourable events were calculated with respect to treatment type. Based on the REACH‐B model, we compared the observed incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the expected incidence in each group. PEG‐IFN‐α‐treated patients showed a lower cumulative incidences of unfavourable events and cirrhosis than those treated with ETV (P = .031; P = .044, respectively). Impact factor exploration indicated that treatment type and platelet count are significantly associated with the occurrence of unfavourable events. Based on the REACH‐B model, a lower observed cumulative incidence of HCC was observed in PEG‐IFN‐α‐treated patients than predicted (P = .038). However, there was no significant difference of the cumulative HCC incidence between the observed and the predicted cases for ETV‐experienced patients (P = .36). Treatment with PEG‐INF‐α leads to a lower incidence of unfavourable events including cirrhosis and HCC than ETV in patients with HBV. Treatment type and baseline platelet count may be two important factors associated with the long‐term clinical outcomes of patients with CHB.
Lower levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are associated with more advanced liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: de Araujo Neto J. M. , Coelho H. S. M. , Chindamo M. C. , Rezende G. F. M. , Nunes Pannain V. L. , Bottino A. M. C. F. , Bruzzi Porto L. F. , Luiz R. R. , Villela‐Nogueira C. A. , Perez R. M. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryChronic infection with the hepatitis C virus induces liver fibrosis, but it is unknown why some patients progress to advanced fibrosis while others remain with mild disease. Recently, an inverse association between serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S) and liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was described, and it was postulated that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has antifibrotic effects. Our aim was to compare serum DHEA‐S levels with liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients. We collected serum samples from hepatitis C patients at the same day they underwent a liver biopsy. S‐DHEA was compared to different stages of fibrosis. Binary logistic regression models were applied to evaluate independent variables associated to fibrosis. We included 287 patients (43.9% male). According to fibrosis stages 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, median serum DHEA‐S levels were 103 (26‐462), 73 (5‐391), 46 (4‐425), 35 (6‐292) and 28 (2‐115) μg/dL, respectively (P < .001). Median serum DHEA‐S levels were 74 (5‐462) vs 36 (2‐425) μg/dL for mild (F0‐1) vs significant (F2‐4) fibrosis, respectively (P < .001). Median serum DHEA‐S levels were 64 (4‐462) vs 31 (2‐292) μg/dL for non advanced (F0‐2) vs advanced fibrosis (F3‐4), respectively (P < .001). The same association was found when the subgroup of HCV patients with and without steatosis or steatohepatitis was analysed. The association between lower DHEA‐S levels and advanced fibrosis was independent of age, gender, diabetes mellitus, obesity and steatosis. Lower circulating DHEA‐S levels are associated with more advanced stages of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients.
Vector competence of field populations of the mosquito species Aedes japonicus japonicus and Culex pipiens from Switzerland for two West Nile virus strains
Authors: WAGNER S. , MATHIS A. , SCHÖNENBERGER A. C. , BECKER S. , SCHMIDT‐CHANASIT J. , SILAGHI C. , VERONESI E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) (Theobald) is an invasive mosquito species in Central Europe, where it has colonized several areas. In this study, field‐collected specimens of Ae. japonicus and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) (Linnaeus) from Zürich (Switzerland) were orally exposed to two strains (NY99 and FIN) of the avian zoonotic pathogen West Nile virus (WNV) (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus). Dissemination and transmission of the viruses after incubation for 12–15 days under a fluctuating Central European midsummer temperature regime (24 ± 7 °C) was investigated by detection of viral RNA in homogenates of pools of both head/thorax and saliva by reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Culex pipiens was susceptible to WNV NY99 only, whereas both virus strains could be detected in Ae. japonicus, with the additional isolation of WNV NY99 in Vero cell culture from one saliva pool. Given the high abundances of Ae. japonicus in many newly colonized areas, its recently demonstrated broad host range, including mammalian and avian blood hosts, and its vector competence, this species is a potential key bridge vector of WNV in Central Europe.
Could the determination of Aspergillus fumigatus mating type have prognostic value in invasive aspergillosis?
Authors: Monteiro Maria Candida , Garcia‐Rubio Rocio , Alcazar‐Fuoli Laura , Peláez Teresa , Mellado Emilia 
Published: October 2017

SummaryA clear link between mating type and virulence has been demonstrated for some fungal pathogens, but not for Aspergillus fumigatus as of yet. An association between mating type and invasiveness has recently been established. The mating type proportion (MAT1‐1:MAT1‐2) of 213 A. fumigatus strains was determined (48.5%:51.5%) and results were in agreement with previous studies. However, these percentages changed when the strain collection was divided into azole‐susceptible and ‐resistant strains. The 163 susceptible strains kept these proportions, but among the 50 azole‐resistant strains 60.0% MAT1‐1 and 40% MAT1‐2 were found. Moreover, looking at the clinical outcome associated to 27 azole‐resistant strains, we found that MAT1‐1 was linked to a high mortality rate (64%), whereas the rate associated to MAT1‐2 genotype was markedly lower (15%). The pathogenicity linked to the Mat type was tested in a Galleria mellonella model of infection, showing that MAT1‐1 strains were consistently more pathogenic than MAT1‐2, independently of their susceptibility phenotype. This data would suggest that A. fumigatus mating type determination at the time of diagnosis could have a prognostic value in invasive aspergillosis.
Changes in the allocation of endogenous strigolactone improve plant biomass production on phosphate‐poor soils
Authors: Liu Guowei , Pfeifer Johannes , de Brito Francisco Rita , Emonet Aurelia , Stirnemann Marina , Gübeli Christian , Hutter Olivier , Sasse Joëlle , Mattheyer Christian , Stelzer Ernst , Walter Achim , Martinoia Enrico , Borghi Lorenzo 
Published: October 2017

Summary

Strigolactones (SLs) are carotenoid‐derived phytohormones shaping plant architecture and inducing the symbiosis with endomycorrhizal fungi. In Petunia hybrida, SL transport within the plant and towards the rhizosphere is driven by the ABCG‐class protein PDR1. PDR1 expression is regulated by phytohormones and by the soil phosphate abundance, and thus SL transport integrates plant development with nutrient conditions.

We overexpressed PDR1 (PDR1 OE) to investigate whether increased endogenous SL transport is sufficient to improve plant nutrition and productivity. Phosphorus quantification and nondestructive X‐ray computed tomography were applied. Morphological and gene expression changes were quantified at cellular and whole tissue levels via time‐lapse microscopy and quantitative PCR.

PDR1 OE significantly enhanced phosphate uptake and plant biomass production on phosphate‐poor soils. PDR1 OE plants showed increased lateral root formation, extended root hair elongation, faster mycorrhization and reduced leaf senescence. PDR1 overexpression allowed considerable SL biosynthesis by releasing SL biosynthetic genes from an SL‐dependent negative feedback.

The increased endogenous SL transport/biosynthesis in PDR1 OE plants is a powerful tool to improve plant growth on phosphate‐poor soils. We propose PDR1 as an as yet unexplored trait to be investigated for crop production. The overexpression of PDR1 is a valuable strategy to investigate SL functions and transport routes.
Identification of chalcone isomerase in the basal land plants reveals an ancient evolution of enzymatic cyclization activity for synthesis of flavonoids
Authors: Cheng Ai‐Xia , Zhang Xuebin , Han Xiao‐Juan , Zhang Yu‐Ying , Gao Shuai , Liu Chang‐Jun , Lou Hong‐Xiang 
Published: October 2017

Summary

Flavonoids ubiquitously distribute to the terrestrial plants and chalcone isomerase (CHI)‐catalyzed intramolecular and stereospecific cyclization of chalcones is a committed step in the production of flavonoids. However, so far the bona fide CHIs are found only in vascular plants, and their origin and evolution remains elusive.

We conducted transcriptomic and/or genomic sequence search, subsequent phylogenetic analysis, and detailed biochemical and genetic characterization to explore the potential existence of CHI proteins in the basal bryophyte liverwort species and the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii.

We found that both liverwort and Selaginella species possess canonical CHI‐fold proteins that cluster with their corresponding higher plant counterparts. Among them, some members exhibited bona fide CHI activity, which catalyze stereospecific cyclization of both 6′‐hydroxychalcone and 6′‐deoxychalcone, yielding corresponding 5‐hydroxy and 5‐deoxyflavanones, resembling the typical type II CHIs currently known to be ‘specific’ for legume plants. Expressing those primitive bona fide CHIs in the Arabidopsis chi mutant restores the seed coat transparent testa phenotype and the accumulation of flavonoids.

These findings, in contrast to our current understanding of the evolution of enzymatic CHIs, suggest that emergence of the bona fide type II CHIs is an ancient evolution event that occurred before the divergence of liverwort lineages.
Manganese distribution and speciation help to explain the effects of silicate and phosphate on manganese toxicity in four crop species
Authors: Blamey F. Pax C. , McKenna Brigid A. , Li Cui , Cheng Miaomiao , Tang Caixian , Jiang Haibo , Howard Daryl L. , Paterson David J. , Kappen Peter , Wang Peng , Menzies Neal W. , Kopittke Peter M. 
Published: November 2017

Summary

Soil acidity and waterlogging increase manganese (Mn) in leaf tissues to potentially toxic concentrations, an effect reportedly alleviated by increased silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) supply.

Effects of Si and P on Mn toxicity were studied in four plant species using synchrotron‐based micro X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐XRF) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to determine Mn distribution in leaf tissues and using synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to measure Mn speciation in leaves, stems and roots.

A concentration of 30 μM Mn in solution was toxic to cowpea and soybean, with 400 μM Mn toxic to sunflower but not white lupin. Unexpectedly, μ‐XRF analysis revealed that 1.4 mM Si in solution decreased Mn toxicity symptoms through increased Mn localization in leaf tissues. NanoSIMS showed Mn and Si co‐localized in the apoplast of soybean epidermal cells and basal cells of sunflower trichomes. Concomitantly, added Si decreased oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III) and Mn(IV). An increase from 5 to 50 μM P in solution changed some Mn toxicity symptoms but had little effect on Mn distribution or speciation.

We conclude that Si increases localized apoplastic sorption of Mn in cowpea, soybean and sunflower leaves thereby decreasing free Mn2+ accumulation in the apoplast or cytoplasm.
People's Risk Recognition Preceding Evacuation and Its Role in Demand Modeling and Planning
Authors: Urata Junji , Pel Adam J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEvacuation planning and management involves estimating the travel demand in the event that such action is required. This is usually done as a function of people's decision to evacuate, which we show is strongly linked to their risk awareness. We use an empirical data set, which shows tsunami evacuation behavior, to demonstrate that risk recognition is not synonymous with objective risk, but is instead determined by a combination of factors including risk education, information, and sociodemographics, and that it changes dynamically over time. Based on these findings, we formulate an ordered logit model to describe risk recognition combined with a latent class model to describe evacuation choices. Our proposed evacuation choice model along with a risk recognition class can evaluate quantitatively the influence of disaster mitigation measures, risk education, and risk information. The results obtained from the risk recognition model show that risk information has a greater impact in the sense that people recognize their high risk. The results of the evacuation choice model show that people who are unaware of their risk take a longer time to evacuate.
Conservative central banks: how conservative should a central bank be?
Authors: Hughes Hallett Andrew , Proske Lorian D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUsing Rogoff's, 1985 model, we determine how inflation averse a central banker should be, given the level of volatility and projected output gap in the economy. We confirm a strong degree of conservatism, almost twice what society would have chosen. But, for a range of developing countries and the OECD, economies that systematically experience higher levels of output volatility would do best to hire a central banker who is more inflation averse than society, but less so than in stable developed economies. Thus, while a conservative central banker remains desirable, the trade‐off is with output volatility rather than with the output gap itself.
Conducting Comparative Research into Defence Capability Formation
Authors: Markowski Stefan , Chand Satish , Wylie Robert 
Published: November 2017

The world appears to be searching for a new, multipolar model of global security. In this context, the provision of impartial data on military capability formation to be used in disarmament proposals and balance of power negotiations will be critical to effective security management in the prevailing uncertain international environment. In their recent research paper on the relationship between military expenditure (milex), government spending and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific Asia region the authors argued that milex’ high level of aggregation often masked important changes in national military capabilities and proposed limited disaggregation of military expenditure data to highlight national spending on military force structure and preparedness so as to facilitate better understanding of military capability formation. In this paper the authors develop this perspective a step further by reviewing alternative approaches to the production of data on military capability formation. It is suggested that the milex data are disaggregated one level down to differentiate between investments in the future force and expenditure on the readiness and sustainment of the force in being.
Vehicle Aerodynamic Drag Reduction Using Air Jet System
Authors: Lee SangWook 
Published: October 2017

Study on the air jet wheel deflector system using state-of-the-art of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique based on an open domain CFD software (OpenFOAM) is performed to reduce vehicle aerodynamic drag. Fabijanic’s simple vehicle model [1] is used for both the mesh sensitivity study and validation of current CFD technique. It was found that CFD method used in this study is reliable tool for the forecasting of the aerodynamic drag coefficient.
Parametric studies were conducted to investigate aerodynamic effects of the conventional wheel deflector and air jet wheel deflector system. For the conventional wheel deflector, 3.6% of drag reduction was achieved with a non-dimensional deflector height of 1/6, but the drag force tends to increase as the non-dimensional height increased. On the other hand, it was shown that air jet wheel deflector system can reduce vehicle aerodynamic drag up to 7.5% at the non-dimensional air jet velocity of 1.0.
Therefore it would be concluded that air jet wheel deflector is a useful device to reduce aerodynamic drag of automobile.