bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generalized estimating equation model to compare drug effects on synovitis of the dominant wrist in severe rheumatoid arthritis between tocilizumab versus adalimumab versus abatacept using high‐resolution ultrasound
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chou , Chiu Wen‐Chan , Su Fu‐Mei , Chen Jia‐Feng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPurposeThe use of biological agents has revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, details of serial synovial changes in imaging evaluation are unclear. Using power Doppler (PD) ultrasound, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of biologicals for patients with refractory RA, with the hope that these findings could aid in clinical decision making.MethodsPatients with RA who received abatacept, adalimumab or tocilizumab therapy were enrolled. All underwent gray scale synovial hypertrophy and PD assessments of the dominant wrist (dorsal aspect) at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after therapy. A generalized estimating equation model was used to compare efficacy among the three drugs.ResultsOf the 103 patients enrolled, 32 received adalimumab, 38 abatacept and 33 tocilizumab. There were no significant differences in age or sex among the three groups. All had a treatment response according to gray scale (P = 0.000) and PD (P = 0.001) synovitis scores. The tocilizumab group had a significantly lower synovial hypertrophy score at 6 months (P = 0.006), and the adalimumab group also had a lower score although without statistical significance (P = 0.043). The adalimumab group had a lower PD score than the other two groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn a 6‐month head‐to‐head comparison of patients with RA, tocilizumab and adalimumab had a greater effect on reducing synovial hypertrophy, while adalimumab had a greater effect in controlling inflammation in PD.
Antioxidant system is essential to increase drought tolerance of sugarcane
Authors: Vilela R.D. , Bezerra B.K.L. , Froehlich A. , Endres L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDrought is one of the main factors affecting the productivity of agricultural crops, and plants respond to such stress by activating various physiological and biochemical mechanisms against dehydration. The present study investigated two varieties of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) with contrasting responses to drought (RB867515, more tolerant; and RB855536, less tolerant) and subjected them to progressive drought conditions (2, 4, 6 and 8 days) followed by rehydration. Drought caused a decrease in water potential (ψw) and osmotic potential (ψos) in the leaves, which recovered to normal levels after rehydration only up to the fourth day of drought. Water stress changed the carbon metabolism of leaves by reducing starch and sucrose contents and increasing glucose and fructose contents in both varieties. Water deficit caused a significant reduction in the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and effective quantum yield (ΦPSII) in both varieties; however, RB867515 recovered faster after rehydration. Under water stress, the more tolerant variety RB867515 exhibited increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase compared with the RB855536 variety. The results suggest that RB867515 is more tolerant to drought conditions because of a more efficient antioxidant system, which results in reduced photosynthesis photoinhibition during water stress, thus revealing itself as a potential physiological marker for drought tolerance studies.
Ghrelin deletion protects against age‐associated hepatic steatosis by downregulating the C/EBPα‐p300/DGAT1 pathway
Authors: Guillory Bobby , Jawanmardi Nicole , Iakova Polina , Anderson Barbara , Zang Pu , Timchenko Nikolai A. , Garcia Jose M. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. NAFLD usually begins as low‐grade hepatic steatosis which further progresses in an age‐dependent manner to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma in some patients. Ghrelin is a hormone known to promote adiposity in rodents and humans, but its potential role in hepatic steatosis is unknown. We hypothesized that genetic ghrelin deletion will protect against the development of age‐related hepatic steatosis. To examine this hypothesis, we utilized ghrelin knockout (KO) mice. Although no different in young animals (3 months old), we found that at 20 months of age, ghrelin KO mice have significantly reduced hepatic steatosis compared to aged‐matched wild‐type (WT) mice. Examination of molecular pathways by which deletion of ghrelin reduces steatosis showed that the increase in expression of diacylglycerol O‐acyltransferase‐1 (DGAT1), one of the key enzymes of triglyceride (TG) synthesis, seen with age in WT mice, is not present in KO mice. This was due to the lack of activation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐alpha (C/EBPα) protein and subsequent reduction of C/EBPα‐p300 complexes. These complexes were abundant in livers of old WT mice and were bound to and activated the DGAT1 promoter. However, the C/EBPα‐p300 complexes were not detected on the DGAT1 promoter in livers of old KO mice resulting in lower levels of the enzyme. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate the mechanism by which ghrelin deletion prevents age‐associated hepatic steatosis and suggest that targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic benefit for NAFLD.
Interplay of pathogenic forms of human tau with different autophagic pathways
Authors: Caballero Benjamin , Wang Yipeng , Diaz Antonio , Tasset Inmaculada , Juste Yves Robert , Stiller Barbara , Mandelkow Eva‐Maria , Mandelkow Eckhard , Cuervo Ana Maria 
Published: October 2017

SummaryLoss of neuronal proteostasis, a common feature of the aging brain, is accelerated in neurodegenerative disorders, including different types of tauopathies. Aberrant turnover of tau, a microtubule‐stabilizing protein, contributes to its accumulation and subsequent toxicity in tauopathy patients’ brains. A direct toxic effect of pathogenic forms of tau on the proteolytic systems that normally contribute to their turnover has been proposed. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of three different types of autophagy, macroautophagy, chaperone‐mediated autophagy, and endosomal microautophagy to the degradation of tau protein variants and tau mutations associated with this age‐related disease. We have found that the pathogenic P301L mutation inhibits degradation of tau by any of the three autophagic pathways, whereas the risk‐associated tau mutation A152T reroutes tau for degradation through a different autophagy pathway. We also found defective autophagic degradation of tau when using mutations that mimic common posttranslational modifications in tau or known to promote its aggregation. Interestingly, although most mutations markedly reduced degradation of tau through autophagy, the step of this process preferentially affected varies depending on the type of tau mutation. Overall, our studies unveil a complex interplay between the multiple modifications of tau and selective forms of autophagy that may determine its physiological degradation and its faulty clearance in the disease context.
Health Behavior Change in Older Adults: Testing the Health Action Process Approach at the Inter‐ and Intraindividual Level
Authors: Bierbauer Walter , Inauen Jennifer , Schaefer Sabine , Kleemeyer Maike Margarethe , Lüscher Janina , König Claudia , Tobias Robert , Kliegel Matthias , Ihle Andreas , Zimmerli Lukas , Holzer Barbara M. , Siebenhuener Klarissa , Battegay Edouard , Schmied Christian , Scholz Urte 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundHealth behavior change theories usually claim to be universally and individually applicable. Most research has tested behavior change theories at the interindividual level and within young‐to‐middle‐aged populations. However, associations at the interindividual level can differ substantially from associations at the intraindividual level. This study examines the applicability of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) at the inter‐ and the intraindividual level among older adults.MethodsTwo intensive longitudinal studies examined the HAPA model covering two different health behaviors and two different time spans: Study 1 (physical activity, N = 52 × 6 monthly observations) and Study 2 (medication adherence, N = 64 × 30 daily observations). The HAPA constructs (risk awareness, outcome expectancy, self‐efficacy, intention, action planning, action control), and self‐reported behaviors were assessed.ResultsOverall, at the interindividual level, results of both studies largely confirmed the associations specified by the HAPA. At the intraindividual level, results were less in line with the HAPA. Only action control emerged as consistent predictor of behavior.ConclusionsThis study emphasises the importance of examining health behavior change theories at both, the inter‐ and the intraindividual level.
Expecting the Unexpected? Expectations for Future Success Among Adolescent First‐Time Offenders
Authors: Mahler Alissa , Fine Adam , Frick Paul J. , Steinberg Laurence , Cauffman Elizabeth 
Published: October 2017

Adolescent first‐time offenders demonstrate greater risk of continued offending, justice system contact, and high school dropout. The current study evaluates if optimistic expectations protect youth by reducing offending and improving school grades for 3 years following a first arrest (N = 1,165, Mage = 15.29). This article also considers whether improved behavior raises expectations about the future and uses autoregressive latent trajectory modeling with structured residuals to examine the within‐person cross‐lagged associations between expectations and behavior. The results indicated that positive expectations reduce offending and improve grades, which are in turn associated with higher expectations. Although raising expectations may improve outcomes following an arrest, ensuring adolescents have the tools to meet their goals may be an effective way to raise expectations.
Late leakage after anterior resection: a defunctioning stoma alters the clinical course of anastomotic leakage
Authors: Jutesten H. , Draus J. , Frey J. , Neovius G. , Lindmark G. , Buchwald P. , Lydrup M. L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimAnastomotic leakage (AL) is common after anterior resection (AR). Long term clinical outcomes of AL including late presenting leakage (LL) are not well studied. This study was undertaken to assess clinical features of LL with respect to incidence, association with predisposing factors and need for re‐intervention.MethodsThe Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) was explored for AL cases after AR for rectal cancer in patients operated in the south of Sweden from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2011. Demographic data, surgical technical details, number of postoperative days (POD) until diagnosis of AL, presenting symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment were retrieved from medical records. LL was defined according to different cut‐offs as leakages occurring after hospital discharge (LLAHD), after 30 POD (LL ≥ POD 30) and after 90 POD(LL ≥ POD 90).ResultsIn total, 1442 patients were operated on with AR of whom 144 cases of AL (10%) were identified. Median time from operation to follow‐up was 87 months (range 21–162). LLAHD, LL ≥ POD 30 and LL ≥ POD 90 were present in 51%, 24% and 9% respectively. All categories of LL were associated with a defunctioning stoma. Relaparotomy was significantly less often employed in LLAHD, but not in other categories of LL.ConclusionLL constitutes a substantial portion of all AL after AR for rectal cancer. The large proportion of LLAHD calls for awareness in the outpatient setting.
What Drives Attendance at Informal Learning Activities? A Study of Two Art Programs
Authors: Akiva Thomas , Schunn Christian D. , Louw Marti 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMultiple reasons shape how young people and families choose to participate in informal learning programs at museums and other settings. Youth interest is likely a factor, but so might be geographic proximity, institutional affiliation, household income, and race/ethnicity. We examined the relative impact of these factors through a comparative study of two art programs; one a small, neighborhood‐based organization focused on art and STEM, and the other a program in a well‐established art museum. The smaller program tended to draw youth from closer geographic proximity. Interest in art drove attendance at both programs, but institutional membership was also important. Demographic factors also were a factor, and race/ethnicity was more strongly associated with program placement than household income. We discuss the importance of better understanding of such factors as museums and other programs continue to grow as important sites for learning.
A review of more than 30 years of cytogenetic studies of Tephritidae in support of sterile insect technique and global trade
Authors: Zacharopoulou A. , Augustinos A.A. , Drosopoulou E. , Tsoumani K.T. , Gariou‐Papalexiou A. , Franz G. , Mathiopoulos K.D. , Bourtzis K. , Mavragani‐Tsipidou P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCytogenetics of Tephritidae has contributed for more than 30 years to the efficient control of pest members of this family and the species delimitation among them. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a species‐specific and environmentally friendly method for the population control of insect pest species, always as a component of integrated pest management approaches. The construction of polytene chromosome maps facilitated the development, characterization, and improvement of genetic sexing strains, which have boosted the effectiveness of SIT and are considered as models for developing genetic sexing methodologies in other target species. In parallel, characterization of mitotic karyotypes and the availability of polytene chromosomes in Diptera have been and are being used as supplementary evidence in taxonomic studies. Lately, under the common understanding that speciation can be achieved via various pathways and under the umbrella of integrative taxonomy, cytogenetic studies have contributed to multidisciplinary taxonomic approaches. Such studies can shed light on the borders between closely related species and/or incipient speciation, and this is crucial both for the implementation of SIT and the revision/improvement of quarantine policies. In this review, we summarize the cytogenetic status of Tephritidae and discuss the contribution of cytogenetics to the development of genetic sexing strains in this family.
Low clinical conversion rate in clinically isolated syndrome patients – diagnostic benefit of McDonald 2010 criteria?
Authors: Rosenkranz S. C. , Kaulen B. , Neuhaus A. , Siemonsen S. , Köpke S. , Daumer M. , Stellmann J.‐P. , Heesen C. 
Published: October 2017

Background and purposeNew diagnostic criteria of multiple sclerosis (MS) increase the number of patients being diagnosed with MS whilst a substantial part might not convert to clinically definite MS (CDMS). The diagnostic accuracy of the McDonald 2005 and 2010 criteria for conversion to CDMS was evaluated in an unselected cohort of patients in whom an MS diagnostic work‐up was decided.MethodsClinical, magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid data were analysed for all patients who presented with symptoms suspicious for MS at the university based MS outpatient clinic between 2006 and 2010 (n = 165).ResultsFollow‐up was available for 131 patients. During the mean follow‐up period of 2 years, 19% of patients developed CDMS whereas 64% of the patients fulfilling McDonald 2010 criteria did not convert to CDMS.ConclusionThe low clinical conversion rate indicates that the new diagnostic criteria may increase the incidence of MS cases with a less active disease course.
Do birds differentiate between white noise and deterministic chaos?
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. , Whitaker Jessica , Kennen Judith , Bryant Gregory A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNoisy, unpredictable sounds are often present in the vocalizations of fearful and stressed animals across many taxa. A variety of structural characteristics, called nonlinear acoustic phenomena, that include subharmonics, rapid frequency modulations, and deterministic chaos are responsible for the harsh sound quality of these vocalizations. Exposure to nonlinear sound can elicit increased arousal in birds and mammals. Past experiments have used white noise to test for effects of deterministic chaos on perceivers. However, deterministic chaos differs structurally from white noise (i.e., random signal with equal energy at all frequencies), and unlike white noise, may differ dramatically depending on how it is produced. In addition, the subtle structural variation of chaos may not be distinguishable in the environment due to the attenuation and degradation of sound over distance and different habitat types. We designed two experiments to clarify whether American robins (Turdus migratorius) and warbling vireos (Vireo gilvus) discriminate between white noise and deterministic chaos. We broadcast and re‐recorded white noise and two exemplars of deterministic chaos—one generated with a Chua oscillator and the other generated using a logistic equation—at 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 80 m across open and forested habitat and used spectrogram correlations to compare stimuli along this degradational gradient. We found that sounds degraded similarly in both habitats when compared to a reference distance of 1 m. Comparing pairs of stimuli across distances suggested that Chua chaos was more easily distinguishable from noise and logistic chaos. In addition, all stimuli became more distinctive over increased distance. The second experiment tested behavioral responses of robins and warbling vireos to control sounds of tropical kingbird (Quiscalus mexicanus), white noise, and two exemplars of deterministic chaos (Chua and logistic). Neither American robins nor warbling vireos responded differently to at least two types of deterministic chaos and white noise, validating previous playback studies that used white noise as a surrogate for deterministic chaos. Uniform responses to a variety of nonlinear features in these birds possibly reflect error management in alarm signal detection.
Optimal defoliation management of brachiaria grass–forage peanut for balanced pasture establishment
Authors: Tamele O. H. , Lopes de Sá O. A. A. , Bernardes T. F. , Lara M. A. S. , Casagrande D. R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA well‐established canopy is crucial for a stable mixed grass–legume forage pasture. The aim of this study was to assess a defoliation intensity that can ensure the establishment of mixed pasture of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha) intercropped with forage peanut (Arachis pintoi). The treatments comprised four canopy heights: 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm, maintained throughout the first 3 years of pasture establishment. Canopy structure, morphogenetic and structural characteristics were measured. A block design was used with four replicates, and seasons of the year were considered using repeated measurements over time. Light interception during the experimental period was 86.3%, 95.9%, 97.6%, and 99.1% for 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm of defoliation respectively (p < .001). Competition for light in taller canopies (at 30 and 40 cm) caused etiolation of forage peanut (greater internode, petiolate and stolon lengths). This response promoted its upward growth, leading to a lower stolon density compared with 10 and 20 cm. The treatment at 10 cm displayed a predominance of forage peanut (up to 0.614), potentially compromising community stability. Overall, the 20 cm canopy height showed a desired botanical composition (from 0.20 to 0.45 of legume in forage mass) and thus was considered an ideal defoliation intensity for establishment of mixed canopies of brachiaria grass and forage peanut.
Critical care pharmacy workforce: UK deployment and characteristics in 2015
Authors: Borthwick Mark , Barton Greg , Bourne Richard S , McKenzie Catherine 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Objective
Clinical pharmacists reduce medication errors and optimize the use of medication in critically ill patients, although actual staffing level and deployment of UK pharmacists is unknown. The primary aim was to investigate the UK deployment of the clinical pharmacy workforce in critical care and compare this with published standards.

Methods
An electronic data entry tool was created and distributed for UK critical care pharmacy services to record their critical care workforce deployment data.

Key findings
Data were received for 279 critical care units in 171 organizations. Clinical pharmacist input was identified for 98.6% of critical care units. The median weekday pharmacist input to critical care was 0.045 whole time equivalents per Level 3 (ICU) bed with significant interregional variation. Weekend services were sparse. Pharmacists spent 24.5% of time on the multidisciplinary team ward round, 58.5% of time on independent patient review and 17% of time on other critical care professional support activities. There is significant variation in staffing levels when services are stratified by highest level of competence of critical care pharmacist within an organization (P = 0.03), with significant differences in time spent on the multi-disciplinary ward round (P = 0.010) and on other critical care activities (P = 0.009), but not on independent patient review.

Conclusions
Investment in pharmacy services is required to improve access to clinical pharmacy expertise at weekends, on MDT ward rounds and for other critical care activities.
Novel automated point collection software facilitates rapid, high‐density electroanatomical mapping with multiple catheter types
Authors: Ptaszek Leon M. , Moon Boyce , Rozen Guy , Mahapatra Srijoy , Mansour Moussa 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionManual, point‐by‐point electroanatomical mapping requires the operator to directly evaluate each point during map construction. Consequently, point collection can be a slow process. An automated 3D mapping system was developed with the goal of improving key mapping metrics, including map completion time and point density.MethodsAutomated 3D mapping software that includes morphology and cycle length discrimination functions for surface and intracardiac electrograms was developed. In five swine, electroanatomical maps (EAMs) of all four cardiac chambers were generated in sinus rhythm. Four catheters were used: two different four‐pole ablation catheters, a 20‐pole circular catheter, and a 64‐pole basket catheter. Automated and manual 3D mapping were compared for 12 different catheter‐chamber combinations (paired sets of 10 maps for most combinations, for a total of 156 maps).ResultsAutomated 3D mapping produced more than twofold increase in the number of points per map, as compared with manual 3D mapping (P ≤0.007 for all catheter‐chamber combinations tested). Automated 3D mapping also reduced map completion time by an average of 29% (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The amount of manual editing of the maps acquired with automated 3D mapping was minimal.ConclusionAutomated 3D mapping with the open‐platform mapping software described in this study is significantly faster than manual, point‐by‐point 3D mapping. This resulted in shorter mapping time and higher point density. The morphology discrimination functions effectively excluded ectopic beats during mapping in sinus rhythm and allowed for rapid mapping of intermittent ventricular ectopic beats.