bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Humoral response of Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein A (OspA) vaccination in equids
Authors: Slaughter K. M. , Halland S. K. , Schur L. A. , Wagner B. , DeMel D. M. , Bertone J. J. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThe objective of this study was to assess the safety and humoral response of outer surface protein A (OspA) Borrelia burgdorferi vaccine in equids via the transdermal or subcutaneous route over 355 days. Prior to vaccination, serological testing confirmed the vaccination and exposure status to B. burgdorferi. Vaccine was administered on Days 0, 22 and 226. Equids were examined for vaccine reactions at 24 h post‐vaccination. Antibodies to outer surface proteins were quantified over 355 days. A total of 42 healthy adult equids of various ages and breeds were used. These equids were selected based on unlikely exposure to B. burgdorferi. The equids were grouped according to full size, miniature, age and sex to create two relatively heterogeneous mirrored groups of 20 equids. Group TD (20 equids) was administered 1 mL (1/2 mL/site) vaccine transdermally over the pectoral region. Group SQ (19 equids) was administered 2 mL in a single injection subcutaneously at the left cervical region. Group C (3 equids) was unvaccinated. Vaccine was administered on Days 0, 22 and 226. Antibodies to outer surface proteins were quantified over 355 days. Both vaccinated groups responded with a significant increase in OspA antibodies as compared with the control group (P<0.0001) and to themselves prevaccination. The mean response was greater in vaccinated equids (Group SQ, P<0.0080; Group TD, P<0.0016) as compared prevaccine and control. Equids responded to the OspA vaccine via either route. This data may aid in strategic vaccination protocols and the development of a USDA approved vaccine for equids in the prevention of Lyme disease using the OspA vaccine.
A near half‐century of temporal change in different facets of avian diversity
Authors: Jarzyna Marta A. , Jetz Walter 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAssessments of spatial patterns of biodiversity change are essential to detect a signature of anthropogenic impacts, inform monitoring and conservation programs, and evaluate implications of biodiversity loss to humans. While taxonomic diversity (TD) is the most commonly assessed attribute of biodiversity, it misses the potential functional or phylogenetic implications of species losses or gains for ecosystems. Functional diversity (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) are able to capture these important trait‐based and phylogenetic attributes of species, but their changes have to date only been evaluated over limited spatial and temporal extents. Employing a novel framework for addressing detectability, we here comprehensively assess a near half‐century of changes in local TD, FD, and PD of breeding birds across much of North America to examine levels of congruency in changes among these biodiversity facets and their variation across spatial and environmental gradients. Time‐series analysis showed significant and continuous increases in all three biodiversity attributes until ca. 2000, followed by a slow decline since. Comparison of avian diversity at the beginning and end of the temporal series revealed net increase in TD, FD, and PD, but changes in TD were larger than those in FD and PD, suggesting increasing biotic homogenization of avian assemblages throughout the United States. Changes were greatest at high elevations and latitudes – consistent with purported effects of ongoing climate change on biodiversity. Our findings highlight the potential of combining new types of data with novel statistical models to enable a more integrative monitoring and assessment of the multiple facets of biodiversity.
Cognitive abilities predict death during the next 15 years in older Japanese adults
Authors: Nishita Yukiko , Tange Chikako , Tomida Makiko , Otsuka Rei , Ando Fujiko , Shimokata Hiroshi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimThe longitudinal relationship between cognitive abilities and subsequent death was investigated among community‐dwelling older Japanese adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 1060; age range 60–79 years) comprised the first‐wave participants of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences‐Longitudinal Study of Aging. Participants’ cognitive abilities were measured at baseline using the Japanese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Revised Short Form, which includes the following tests: Information (general knowledge), Similarities (logical abstract thinking), Picture Completion (visual perception and long‐term visual memory) and Digit Symbol (information processing speed). By each cognitive test score, participants were classified into three groups: the high‐level group (≥ the mean + 1SD), the low–level group (≤ the mean – 1SD) and the middle‐level group. Data on death and moving during the subsequent 15 years were collected and analyzed using the multiple Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for physical and psychosocial covariates.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, 308 participants (29.06%) had died and 93 participants (8.77%) had moved. In the Similarities test, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of the low‐level group to the high‐level group were significant (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.02–2.17, P = 0.038). Furthermore, in the Digit symbol test, the adjusted HR of the low‐level group to the high‐level group was significant (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.03–2.58, P = 0.038). Significant adjusted HR were not observed for the Information or Picture Completion tests.ConclusionsIt is suggested that a lower level of logical abstract thinking and slower information processing speed are associated with shorter survival among older Japanese adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1654–1660.
What price the court of St. James? Political influences on ambassadorial postings of the United States of America
Authors: Fedderke Johannes , Jett Dennis 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper explores the appointment of career diplomats and political appointees to ambassadorial positions. We present models of the strategic interaction of political donors and presidential candidates, which predicts that donations will match the quality of diplomatic posting granted by the candidate. We test this prediction and confirm it for four presidential terms representing two presidents and 764 diplomatic postings over the 2000 to 2013 period. This allows for the generation of a price list associated with a range of desirable diplomatic posts. This paper provides evidence in support of the proposition that ambassadorships, in locations that are deemed desirable such as Western Europe, are awarded as a form of patronage in return for campaign contributions.
Routine Infanticide in the West 1500–1800
Authors: Hanlon Gregory 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHistorians have assumed that early modern Europeans did not practice neo‐naticide similar to the great Asian civilizations, but sex‐ratio studies are only now entering the demographic literature. This article passes in review both published and unpublished research on sex ratios at baptism in Italy, France, England and colonial Acadia, together with juvenile sex ratios drawn from censuses in Germany, France and Italy. Both endemic and conjunctural imbalances appear everywhere, but they could target females or males depending upon the context.
Not only age but also tactile perception influences the preference for cosmetic creams applied to the forearm
Authors: Trautmann M. , Wendel V. , Prinz D. , Primmel B. , Willging G. , Nagorsen E. , Suckert A. , Gehm S. , Brandt M. , Ballay P. , Godde B. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to examine whether and how age as well as tactile sensitivity and perception had an impact on how women liked richer and lighter creams. Furthermore, the question arose if age and tactile perception had an influence on the ability to distinguish between the creams and how the ability to distinguish between creams influenced the liking of these creams.MethodsA total of 299 female participants were invited to rate how much they liked four different cosmetic creams applied to their forearms. The creams were based on the same base formula but differed with respect to the texture. In order to arouse the impression of more lightness (quasi‐light) or more richness (quasi‐rich), polyethylene particles of different sizes were added to the base formula. First of all, the participants were tested for their tactile sensitivity and perception. Tactile sensitivity was tested by Von Frey filaments, tactile spatial perception by the tactile Landolt ring test and the ability to discriminate surface structures by a sandpaper test. Furthermore, the participants rated the creams with respect to the acceptance, the subjective skin feeling after application and performed paired‐comparison tests. Analyses of variance and regression analyses were applied to the data.ResultsIn general, participants liked quasi‐rich creams less than quasi‐light creams. However, older women compared to younger women and women with lower tactile performance in comparison with women with higher tactile performance revealed a weaker influence of cream type‐specific acceptance ratings. Further results revealed that young participants perceived the quasi‐light creams (with particles of ~50 μm diameter) as soft and quasi‐rich creams (with particles of ~100 μm and ~165 μm diameter), as coarse. In contrast, this subjective skin feeling after application in participants at age 50 and older did not differ much.ConclusionAge and tactile perceptual abilities have additive effects on the acceptance of creams with different textures when applied to the forearm.
Preservation of root cementum: a comparative evaluation of power‐driven versus hand instruments
Authors: Bozbay E , Dominici F , Gokbuget AY , Cintan S , Guida L , Aydin MS , Mariotti A , Pilloni A 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three distinct periodontal treatment methods in comparison with hand instrumentation on residual cementum of periodontal diseased teeth. Cementum can influence the activities of periodontal cells and may play an important regulatory role in periodontal treatment. The ideal method for periodontal therapy involves removal of biofilm, calculus and endotoxin while preserving root cementum. Material and methods: Forty‐eight caries free, single‐rooted teeth in patients diagnosed with severe chronic periodontitis were treated using four different methods prior to extraction. The teeth were instrumented subgingivally at one approximal site either by hand curettes (HC), piezoelectric ultrasonic scalers (U), piezoelectric ultrasonic scalers following air polishing (U + AP) or air polishing (AP) alone. Following extraction of teeth, instrumented and non‐instrumented sites were analysed with a dissecting microscope and SEM for measurement of the amount of and surface characteristics of residual cementum. Results: The percentage of coronal cementum remaining following subgingival instrumentation was 84% for U, 80% for U + AP, 94% for AP and 65% for HC. Although subgingival instrumentation of apical portions of the cementum demonstrated 6% less retained cementum in comparison with coronal portions, the amount of retained cementum with AP was still significantly greater than with HC. SEM results found the smoothest root surfaces were produced by the HC followed by the AP, while root surfaces instrumented by U or U + AP presented grooves and scratches. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that AP was superior to U devices in preserving cementum, whereas HC were the most effective instruments in removing cementum.
Description and student self‐evaluation of a pilot integrated small group learning and simulation programme for medical students in the first clinical year
Authors: Levinson Michele , Kelly Diane , Zahariou Krisoula , Johnson Matthew , Jackman Christine , Mackenzie Sara 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundContemporary education for medical students should be student‐centred, integrated and contextualised. Small group learning promotes clinical reasoning and skills for lifelong learning. Simulation can provide experiential learning in a safe and controlled environment. We developed a weekly integrated problem‐based learning and simulation programme (IPS) over two semesters in the first clinical year to augment clinical placement experience and contextualise theory into work‐relevant practice.AimTo evaluate the new programme at Kirkpatrick level 1.MethodsAn anonymous survey of participating students.ResultsThe programme was well liked. Students found the programme relevant and that they had a better understanding of patient safety and the assessment of the deteriorating patient. They felt it contributed to integration of theory and practice, clinical reasoning and the acquisition of non‐technical skills, particularly affective and communication elements.ConclusionThis IPS programme in the first clinical year can deliver a student‐centred curriculum to complement clinical placement that delivers the important requirements of contemporary medical student education.
Which skills boost service provider confidence when managing people presenting with psychiatric emergencies?
Authors: Poremski Daniel , Lim Xin Ya , Kunjithapatham Ganesh , Koh Doris , Alexander Mark , Cheng Lee 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe way service seekers interact with the staff at emergency services has been shown to influence the standard of care, especially in the case of certain psychiatric manifestations. Staff reactions to psychiatric complaints have been linked to their comfort dealing with these types of service users as well as their competencies understanding the illness. It is therefore vital to understand which skills increase confidence in treating psychiatric emergencies. Twenty‐six open‐ended convergent interviews were conducted with staff working in a psychiatric emergency department. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants reported several non‐technical skills which developed from exclusively serving people with psychiatric emergencies: 1) Vigilance allowed staff to be sensitive to minor changes in behavior which precede psychiatric emergencies. 2) The ability to negotiate and find tangible solutions was particularly important when dealing with psychiatric complaints which may not have tangible resolutions. 3) The ability to appraise social support networks allowed staff to plan follow‐up actions and ensure continuity of care when support was available. 4) The ability to self‐reflect allowed participants to learn from their experience and avoid burnout, frustration, and fatigue. Participants also reported several other clinical skills which they gained during training, including teamwork, de‐escalating techniques and risk assessment. Tentatively speaking, these skills improve staff's confidence when treating psychiatric emergencies. Certain skills may be generalized to staff working in medical emergency departments who frequently encounter psychiatric complaints.
Role of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 in inflammation and migration of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen Dongying , Zeng Shan , Huang Mingcheng , Xu Hanshi , Liang Liuqin , Yang Xiuyan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTo probe the role of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) in regulating inflammation, cell proliferation, migration and invasion of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FLSs were separated from synovial tissues (STs) from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). An inhibitor of PRMT5 (EPZ015666) and short interference RNA (siRNA) against PRMT5 were used to inhibit PRMT5 expression. The standard of protein was measured by Western blot or immunofluorescence. The excretion and genetic expression of inflammatory factors were, respectively, estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Migration and invasion in vitro were detected by Boyden chamber assay. FLSs proliferation was detected by BrdU incorporation. Increased PRMT5 was discovered in STs and FLSs from patients with RA. In RA FLSs, the level of PRMT5 was up‐regulated by stimulation with IL‐1β and TNF‐α. Inhibition of PRMT5 by EPZ015666 and siRNA‐mediated knockdown reduced IL‐6 and IL‐8 production, and proliferation of RA FLSs. In addition, inhibition of PRMT5 decreased in vitro migration and invasion of RA FLSs. Furthermore, EPZ015666 restrained the phosphorylation of IκB kinaseβ and IκBα, as well as nucleus transsituation of p65 as well as AKT in FLSs. PRMT5 regulated the production of inflammatory factors, cell proliferation, migration and invasion of RA FLS, which was mediated by the NF‐κB and AKT pathways. Our data suggested that targeting PRMT5 to prevent synovial inflammation and destruction might be a promising therapy for RA.
Urinary sex steroid hormone and placental leucine aminopeptidase concentration differences between live births and stillbirth of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)
Authors: Kinoshita Kodzue , Sano Yusuke , Takai Akira , Shimizu Mika , Kobayashi Toshio , Ouchi Akihiro , Kuze Noko , Inoue‐Murayama Miho , Idani Gen'ichi , Okamoto Munehiro , Ozaki Yasuhiko 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundUnder the environment of pregnancy, the placenta assumes an important steroidogenic role in the maintenance of pregnancy.MethodsUrinary placental leucine aminopeptidase (PLAP), estrone‐3‐glucuronide (E1G), and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide (PdG) concentrations were compared among five pregnancies (four live births and one stillbirth) in four orangutans.ResultsThe gestation period of the stillbirth (223 days) was shorter than that of the live births (239‐254 days). In females who gave a live birth, average PLAP and E1G concentrations increased until the delivery. Conversely, in the female who gave a stillbirth, PLAP concentration failed to increase, and E1G concentration was significantly low in late pregnancy period. Regarding PdG concentrations, there was no significant difference among all pregnancies.ConclusionsThis is the first study reporting a change in urinary PLAP, E1G, and PdG concentrations during orangutan stillbirth and live birth pregnancies. The findings will assist in developing pregnancy screening tests.
Population‐Level Correction of Systematic Motion Artifacts in fMRI in Patients with Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Aranyi Csaba , Opposits Gábor , Nagy Marianna , Berényi Ervin , Vér Csilla , Csiba László , Katona Péter , Spisák Tamás , Emri Miklós 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to reveal potential sources of systematic motion artifacts in stroke functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) focusing on those causing stimulus‐correlated motion on the individual‐level and separate the motion effect on the fMRI signal changing from the activation‐induced alteration at population level.METHODSEleven ischemic stroke patients were examined by fMRI. The fMRI paradigm was based on passive ankle movement on both the healthy and the paretic leg's side. Three individual‐level motion correction strategies were compared and we introduced five measures to characterize each subjects' in‐scanner relative head movement. After analyzing the correlation of motion parameters and the subjects’ physiological scale scores, we selected a parameter to model the motion‐related artifacts in the second‐level analysis.RESULTSAt first (individual) level analysis, the noise‐component correction‐based CompCor method provided the highest −log10(p) value of cluster‐level occurrence probability at 12.4/13.6 for healthy and paretic side stimulus, respectively, with a maximal z‐value of 15/16.3. Including the motion parameter at second (group) level resulted in lower cluster occurrence values at 10.9/5.55 while retaining the maximal z‐value.CONCLUSIONSWe proposed a postprocessing pipeline for ischemic stroke fMRI data that combine the CompCor correction at first level with the modeling of motion effect at second‐level analysis by a parameter obtained from fMRI data. Our solution is applicable for any fMRI‐based stroke rehabilitation study since it does not require any MRI‐compatible motion capture system and is based on commonly used methods.
Efficient Detection of Leptosphaeria maculans from Infected Seed lots of Oilseed Rape
Authors: Song Pei‐ling , Jȩdryczka Małgorzata , Irzykowski Witold , Yan Meng‐jiao , Huangfu Hai‐yan , Hao Li‐fen , Bao Yu‐ying , Li Zi‐qin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAn efficient DNA extraction protocol and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detecting Leptosphaeria maculans from infected seed lots of oilseed rape were developed. L. maculans, the causal agent of blackleg, a damaging disease in oilseeds rape/canola worldwide, was listed as a quarantine disease by China in 2009. China imports several millions of tons of oilseeds every year. So there is a high risk that this pathogen will be introduced to China via contaminated seeds. Seed contamination is one of the most significant factors in the global spread of phytopathogens. Detection of L. maculans in infected seed lots by PCR assay is difficult due to the low level of pathogen mycelium/spores on seeds and PCR inhibitors associated with the seeds of oilseed rape. In our study, these two major obstacles were overcome by the development of a two‐step extraction protocol combined with a nested PCR. This extraction protocol (kit extraction after CTAB method) can efficiently extract high‐quality DNA for PCR. Amplification results showed that the detection threshold for conventional PCR and nested PCR was, respectively, 1 ng and 10 fg of DNA per μl in mycelia samples. On contaminated seed lots of oilseed rape, the detection threshold of conventional and nested PCR was 709 fg/μl and 709 ag/μl of DNA, respectively. The DNA extraction protocol and PCR assay developed in this study can be used for rapid and reliable detection of L. maculans from infected seeds of oilseed rape.
Association between serum soluble CD14 and IL‐8 levels and clinical outcome in primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Umemura Takeji , Sekiguchi Tomohiro , Joshita Satoru , Yamazaki Tomoo , Fujimori Naoyuki , Shibata Soichiro , Ichikawa Yuki , Komatsu Michiharu , Matsumoto Akihiro , Shums Zakera , Norman Gary L. , Tanaka Eiji , Ota Masao 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by portal inflammation and immune‐mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts that often leads to liver decompensation and liver failure. Although the biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can predict disease outcome in PBC, few biomarkers have been identified as prognostic tools applicable prior to UDCA treatment. We therefore sought to identify such indicators of long‐term outcome in PBC in the Japanese population.MethodsThe prebiopsy serum samples and subsequent clinical data of 136 patients with PBC treated with UDCA were analysed over a median follow‐up period of 8.8 years. Serum levels of biomarkers related to microbial translocation (sCD14, EndoCAb and I‐FABP) were measured along with those of 33 cytokines and chemokines and additional auto‐antibodies. Associations between the tested parameters and the clinical outcomes of liver decompensation and liver‐related death/liver transplantation were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model with stepwise methods and Kaplan‐Meier analysis.ResultsElevated levels of serum IL‐8, and sCD14 before UDCA therapy were significantly associated with both liver decompensation and liver‐related death/liver transplantation. In multivariate analyses, IL‐8≥46.5 pg/mL or sCD14≥2.0 μg/mL at enrolment demonstrated the same results. Kaplan‐Meier analysis also revealed IL‐8 and sCD14 to be significantly associated with a poor outcome. sCD14 was significantly correlated with IL‐8. EndoCAb and I‐FABP were not related to disease outcome.ConclusionsSerum IL‐8 and sCD14 levels before UDCA therapy represent noninvasive surrogate markers of prognosis in patients with PBC.