bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aged garlic extract suppresses inflammation in apolipoprotein E‐knockout mice
Authors: Morihara Naoaki , Hino Atsuko , Miki Satomi , Takashima Miyuki , Suzuki Jun‐ichiro 
Published: July 2017

ScopeChronic inflammation plays a major role in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. To clarify the mode of action of aged garlic extract (AGE) to retard atherosclerosis, we investigated whether AGE suppresses the inflammation in apolipoprotein E‐knockout (ApoE‐KO) mice.Methods and resultsApoE‐KO mice were fed standard diet with or without 3% AGE for 12 wk. AGE feeding inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic lesion by 27% and reduced the level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2), a marker of platelet activation, in serum by 39 and 33%, respectively, compared to ApoE‐KO mice without AGE treatment. AGE treatment also decreased the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), a major stimulus inducing CRP production, in the liver by 35%. AGE decreased the level of interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) by 60% and almost doubled the level of phospho‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (p‐AMPK) in the liver.ConclusionThe anti‐atherosclerotic effect of AGE involves the suppression of inflammation by reducing the serum level of CRP and TXB2, and the protein level of TNF‐α and IRAK4, and increasing AMPK activity in liver.
Technical Note: Empirical altitude correction factors for well chamber measurements of permanent prostate and breast seed implant sources
Authors: Watt Elizabeth , Spencer David P. , Meyer Tyler 
Published: July 2017

PurposePrevious studies in the literature have measured an altitude effect for low‐energy brachytherapy seeds; a correction factor applied in addition to PTP to account for the breakdown of Bragg–Gray cavity theory at low energies in well‐type ionization chambers. In clinical practice, many centers use altitude correction factors that are not seed‐model‐specific. The purpose of this work is to present altitude correction factors for several seed models without documented factors in the literature.MethodsAn in‐house constructed pressure vessel was used with a well‐type ionization chamber to measure the air‐kerma strength of the IsoAid Advantage (Pd‐103), Theragenics AgX100 (I‐125), and Nucletron selectSeed (I‐125) at a pressure range representative of those encountered worldwide. The TheraSeed 200 (Pd‐103) was also measured for comparison to the originally published correction factor for validation of the experimental process. When correction factors derived in this work were within experimental uncertainties of those published, no new correction factors were proposed.ResultsThe three seed models measured herein all demonstrated a similar response to change in pressure as previously documented in the literature with the HDR 1000 Plus well‐type ionization chamber. Correction factors of the functional form , consistent with those previously published, were found to be appropriate for these seed models. A new correction factor is proposed for the Theragenics AgX100 and Nucletron selectSeed (k1 = 0.0417, k2 = 0.479). The IsoAid Advantage, however, agreed to within uncertainty with the published altitude correction factor for the TheraSeed 200; thus the application of the same correction factor is appropriate (k1 = 0.0241, k2 = 0.562).ConclusionsThis work presents altitude correction factors for three permanent implant brachytherapy seed models in clinical use. This will allow clinics to utilize model‐specific factors, reducing systematic errors in their air‐kerma strength verifications.
Emission Standards, Public Transit, and Infant Health
Authors: Ngo Nicole S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTransit buses are an integral part of urban life. They reduce externalities generated from private vehicles and increase geographic mobility. However, unlike most private vehicles in the United States, they use diesel fuel and emit higher amounts of toxic pollutants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set emission standards for transit buses starting in 1988 that have been continually updated, but their public health and economic impacts are unclear due to scarce emissions data. I construct a novel panel dataset for the New York City (NYC) Transit bus fleet between 1990 and 2009 and examine the impact of bus pollution on infant health by using bus vintage as a proxy for emissions. I exploit the variation in vintage as older buses are retired and replaced with newer, lower‐emitting buses forced to adhere to stricter emission standards. I then assign maternal exposure to bus vintage at the census block level. Findings suggest that maternal exposure to the oldest, unregulated buses is associated with modest reductions in birth weight and gestational age relative to newer buses that abide by emissions policies. I then conduct a back‐of‐the‐envelope cost‐benefit calculation and find net economic benefits of $53.3 million resulting from improved emission standards for the 2009 birth cohort in NYC. Since the treatment in this study clearly maps to federal emissions policies, these results are the first to provide credible evidence that transit bus emission standards had a positive effect on infant health.
Genomic and transcriptomic heterogeneity of colorectal tumours arising in Lynch syndrome
Authors: Binder Hans , Hopp Lydia , Schweiger Michal R , Hoffmann Steve , Jühling Frank , Kerick Martin , Timmermann Bernd , Siebert Susann , Grimm Christina , Nersisyan Lilit , Arakelyan Arsen , Herberg Maria , Buske Peter , Loeffler‐Wirth Henry , Rosolowski Maciej , Engel Christoph , Przybilla Jens , Peifer Martin , Friedrichs Nicolaus , Moeslein Gabriela , Odenthal Margarete , Hussong Michelle , Peters Sophia , Holzapfel Stefanie , Nattermann Jacob , Hueneburg Robert , Schmiegel Wolff , Royer‐Pokora Brigitte , Aretz Stefan , Kloth Michael , Kloor Matthias , Buettner Reinhard , Galle Jörg , Loeffler Markus 
Published: July 2017

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) arising in Lynch syndrome (LS) comprises tumours with constitutional mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. There is still a lack of whole‐genome and transcriptome studies of LS‐CRC to address questions about similarities and differences in mutation and gene expression characteristics between LS‐CRC and sporadic CRC, about the molecular heterogeneity of LS‐CRC, and about specific mechanisms of LS‐CRC genesis linked to dysfunctional mismatch repair in LS colonic mucosa and the possible role of immune editing. Here, we provide a first molecular characterization of LS tumours and of matched tumour‐distant reference colonic mucosa based on whole‐genome DNA‐sequencing and RNA‐sequencing analyses. Our data support two subgroups of LS‐CRCs, G1 and G2, whereby G1 tumours show a higher number of somatic mutations, a higher amount of microsatellite slippage, and a different mutation spectrum. The gene expression phenotypes support this difference. Reference mucosa of G1 shows a strong immune response associated with the expression of HLA and immune checkpoint genes and the invasion of CD4+ T cells. Such an immune response is not observed in LS tumours, G2 reference and normal (non‐Lynch) mucosa, and sporadic CRC. We hypothesize that G1 tumours are edited for escape from a highly immunogenic microenvironment via loss of HLA presentation and T‐cell exhaustion. In contrast, G2 tumours seem to develop in a less immunogenic microenvironment where tumour‐promoting inflammation parallels tumourigenesis. Larger studies on non‐neoplastic mucosa tissue of mutation carriers are required to better understand the early phases of emerging tumours. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Abrupt Discontinuation of Antidepressants in Critically Ill Hospitalized Adults
Authors: Bainum Taryn B. , Fike David S. , Mechelay Diana , Haase Krystal K. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesTo determine whether discontinuation of chronic antidepressant therapy is associated with a higher risk of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) symptoms in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) when compared with those who were continued on therapy and to identify factors associated with increased risk of ADS in this population.DesignSingle‐center retrospective observational cohort study.SettingICUs in a tertiary care hospital.PatientsA total of 106 adult patients, admitted to the ICU between September 2013 and August 2014, who had a length of stay of 72 hours or longer and who were receiving chronic selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) before admission.Measurements and Main ResultsPatients were classified as continued or discontinued from therapy based on initiation of home SSRI/SNRI therapy within 48 hours of admission. The primary end point was incidence of ADS symptoms. Type of symptoms, receipt of symptom‐related therapies, and length of stay were also assessed. Sequential logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of discontinuation while controlling for other risk factors. Therapy was discontinued in 38.7% of patients. The risk of developing ADS symptoms was higher in discontinued patients (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–6.07, p=0.024). After adjusting for covariates, the odds of ADS increased (adjusted OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3–11.7, p=0.018). Female sex was associated with an increase in risk of ADS (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2–10.0, p=0.026). Affective symptoms were the most prevalent type reported (34.1% vs 10.8%, p=0.005). Use of symptom‐related therapies and length of stay did not differ between groups.ConclusionAbrupt discontinuation of SSRI/SNRI therapy increases the risk of ADS symptoms in critically ill patients, particularly in females. These results underscore the importance of continuation of home antidepressant therapy even in the setting of critical illness.
Altered signaling associated with chronic arsenic exposure in human skin keratinocytes
Authors: Mir Sartaj Ahmad , Renuse Santosh , Sathe Gajanan , Khan Aafaque Ahmad , Patil Arun H. , Nanjappa Vishalakshi , Bhat Firdous Ahmad , Prasad T.S. Keshava , Giri Ashok K. , Chatterjee Aditi , Gowda Harsha 
Published: July 2017

AbstractModulation of signaling pathways upon chronic arsenic exposure remains poorly studied. Here, we carried out SILAC‐based quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis to dissect the signaling induced upon chronic arsenic exposure in human skin keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. We identified 4171 unique phosphosites derived from 2000 proteins. We observed differential phosphorylation of 406 phosphosites (twofold) corresponding to 305 proteins. Several pathways involved in cytoskeleton maintenance and organization were found to be significantly enriched (p<0.05). Our data revealed altered phosphorylation of proteins associated with adherens junction remodeling and actin polymerization. Kinases such as protein kinase C iota type (PRKCI), mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP3K1), tyrosine‐protein kinase BAZ1B (BAZ1B) and STE20 like kinase (SLK) were found to be hyperphosphorylated. Our study provides novel insights into signaling perturbations associated with chronic arsenic exposure in human skin keratinocytes. All MS/MS data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD004868.
Spheres, Generalised Parallelisability and Consistent Truncations
Authors: Lee Kanghoon , Strickland‐Constable Charles , Waldram Daniel 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe show that generalised geometry gives a unified description of maximally supersymmetric consistent truncations of ten‐ and eleven‐dimensional supergravity. In all cases the reduction manifold admits a “generalised parallelisation” with a frame algebra with constant coefficients. The consistent truncation then arises as a generalised version of a conventional Scherk–Schwarz reduction with the frame algebra encoding the embedding tensor of the reduced theory. The key new result is that all round‐sphere geometries admit such generalised parallelisations with an frame algebra. Thus we show that the remarkable consistent truncations on S3, S4, S5 and S7 are in fact simply generalised Scherk–Schwarz reductions. This description leads directly to the standard non‐linear scalar‐field ansatze and as an application we give the full scalar‐field ansatz for the type IIB truncation on S5.
Foundations of Complementary Therapies and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Adams Robert 
Published: July 2017

Looking for a comprehensive introduction to the field of complementary therapies and alternative medicine? This authoritative textbook will meet all your needs.
Featuring perceptive case studies, study support material and resources for further reference, Foundations of Complementary Therapies and Alternative Medicine provides fascinating information about a broad range of approaches. Core content includes:
– Introductions written by practising experts in the field
– Basics of anatomy and physiology
– Practical advice on working with clients and patients
– Information on setting up your own practice
– Discussion of ethics and codes of conduct
– Study skill aids and professional development advice
With coverage of theory matched by a firm grounding in practice issues, Foundations of Complementary Therapies and Alternative Medicine is a complete learning resource. It is a must-have book for all undergraduate and foundation degree students taking courses on complementary therapies, alternative medicine, holistic therapies, nursing, health and related subjects.
Real Estate Market Research and Analysis
Authors: Leishman Chris 
Published: July 2017

Real estate market research and analysis often draws on theory and techniques borrowed from other disciplines; in particular economics, finance and geography. Few textbooks recognise this, which makes Real Estate Market Research and Analysis a unique and innovative read. This accessible text provides a general overview of research philosophy and research practise in the real estate economics discipline. A range of applied quantitative empirical methods, commonly used in both academic and applied real estate market research and analysis, are examined as well as selected research-based studies which demonstrate how these methods are applied. Recent trends and developments in the evolving real estate economics research agenda are also explored.
This book is aimed at both undergraduate students and practitioners in the commercial property and real estate sector. It is essential reading for modules on general practice surveying. It sets out the means and methods by which a commercial property rent model should be constructed and estimated, and provides a helpful guide to good property market research practise. Key features include; a Foreword by Dr Craig Watkins at the University of Aberdeen, and a Glossary of property and economic research terms.
Reevaluation and taxonomic clarification ofGigantopteridiumandCathaysiopterisof western equatorial Pangea and their biogeographical significance
Authors: Koll Rebecca A. , DiMichele William A. , Manchester Steven R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA reassessment of the taxonomic relationships of North American gigantopterids is presented in light of an examination of large populations of specimens housed in the US National Museum of Natural History. Variations in venation and subtle aspects of leaf shape facilitate refined understanding of the relationships and diversity of the North American gigantopterid species leading to an improved understanding of the taxonomic and biogeographic relationships of this group, which are found most abundantly in western equatorial Pangea and Cathaysia. Current literature suggests that there are eight North American genera, however, this study has revealed a morphological overlap of several previously defined genera, leading to the conclusion thatGigantopteridiumencompasses the species previously treated asCathaysiopteris yochelsoniias well as a new species,Gigantopteridium utebaturianum. The transfer ofC.yochelsoniitoGigantopteridium yochelsoniisuggests thatCathaysiopterismay represent a genus endemic to Cathaysia, limiting the biogeographical connection between the regions toZeilleropteris,Gigantopteridium,Euparyphoselis, andGigantonoclea.
Event ethics and their elasticity: weddings in Botswana and the exploration of the tacit extraordinary
Authors: van Dijk Rijk 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWhereas Michael Lambek situates the exploration of the significance of ‘ordinary ethics’ in the everyday as the study of ‘the ethical in the conjunction or movement between explicit local pronouncements and implicit local practices and circumstances’, this article takes the opposite view by drawing attention to special events that appear to engage – or provide space for – extraordinary ethics. Special events and their extraordinary ethics bring into relief the implicitness of the ordinary in everyday ethics. Weddings in Botswana are moments in the social life of the individual, the family and the community that produce such event ethics. On one level, the event ethics relate to the execution of these highly stylized weddings in terms of concerns about their performance and marital arrangements. On another level, the event ethics can have tacit dimensions that belong to the special nature of the occasion. This article argues not only that ‘ordinary ethics’ may be privileged through the study of what is tacit in social interactions, but that ‘event ethics’ also demonstrate the importance of the tacit.
Caring through crime: ethical ambivalence and the cocaine trade in Bissau
Authors: Vigh Henrik 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis article examines the way young men in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, make sense of and engage in the transnational cocaine trade, which has established itself on the Upper Guinea coast. It describes Guinea-Bissau's emergence as a regional centre for the trafficking of cocaine from Latin America to Europe, and shows how the illegality and volatility of the commerce are socially assessed and valued. The drug connection impacts on the lives of the young men in the city in a variety of ways. While it is seen to have brought with it a range of political and societal insecurities and uncertainties, it is also perceived to offer potential livelihoods and prospects. On the one hand, cocaine is positioned as an ethically dubious commodity; on the other, its revenue and concomitant social effects are seen as morally reasonable and required. The article therefore centres on the ethical dimensions of the trade, as seen from the perspective of the youth in question, and argues that it needs to be understood in terms of situational obligations rather than abstract ideals. It approaches ethics from a relational point of view and shows how the moral evaluation and ascription of the cocaine trade are defined inter-subjectively and understood in relation to social responsibility, care and accountability.
Performing the common good: volunteering and ethics in non-state crime prevention in South Africa
Authors: Kirsch Thomas G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUsing fieldwork data from South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, this article highlights ambiguities of volunteering as idea and practice by exploring discursive strategies used by volunteers in the field of civic crime prevention when the ethical honesty and selflessness of their commitment to volunteering is questioned by others. These ambiguities relate to asymmetries in the relationship between donors and recipients of volunteering, as well as, most importantly, the challenge to determine what constitutes the ‘common good’. This article demonstrates that these strategies entail the accommodation of contentions about: (1) the social identity of the volunteer by stressing the volunteer's commitment to abstract causes and objectives; (2) powerful asymmetries between donors and recipients of volunteering by invoking an encompassing sociality; and/or (3) the (alleged) self-interest of volunteers by defining the personal benefits achieved by volunteering not as an end in themselves but as ‘private means’ to ‘public ends’. All three strategies have in common that volunteers as ‘ethical subjects’ can here be shown to be co-produced with South African ‘communities of ethics’ on different social scales.
Cattle, raiding and disorder in Southern African history
Authors: King Rachel 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCattle raiding is iconic of the colonial frontier in Southern African history and historiography. Incorporating settlers and Africans as aggressors and victims alike, archives and ethnohistories depict raiding as thieving, subverting authority, and inciting conflict. Despite the in-depth anthropological attention given to ‘Bushman raiding’ and frontier commandos, comparatively little work has focused on the social and cultural function of cattle raiding within chiefdoms: that is, examining cattle raiding as socially embedded rather than simply transgressing authority and property ownership. This article explores how these narratives of ‘disorder’ have been constructed, and some alternative perspectives on nineteenth-century cattle raiding as a social institution. Through vignettes drawing on archival, archaeological, ethnographic and folkloric evidence, this article offers glimpses of what narratives of the recent past could look like if views of raiding-as-disorder were revisited and revised. I draw attention to where raids were illegal versus illicit, the role of cattle as social agents, and the logic underpinning designations of raiding as resistance. Developing a view of raiding as social practice permits us to interrogate archival perceptions of raiders as outlaws and raids as analogues for warfare, thus enabling more nuanced investigations of conflict in Southern Africa's past.
Improving patient experiences of mental health inpatient care: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wykes T. , Csipke E. , Williams P. , Koeser L. , Nash S. , Rose D. , Craig T. , McCrone P. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundPoorer patient views of mental health inpatient treatment predict both further admissions and, for those admitted involuntarily, longer admissions. As advocated in the UK Francis report, we investigated the hypothesis that improving staff training improves patients’ views of ward care.MethodCluster randomised trial with stepped wedge design in 16 acute mental health wards randomised (using the ralloc procedure in Stata) by an independent statistician in three waves to staff training. A psychologist trained ward staff on evidence-based group interventions and then supported their introduction to each ward. The main outcome was blind self-report of perceptions of care (VOICE) before or up to 2 years after staff training between November 2008 and January 2013.ResultsIn total, 1108 inpatients took part (616 admitted involuntarily under the English Mental Health Act). On average 51.6 staff training sessions were provided per ward. Involuntary patient's perceptions of, and satisfaction with, mental health wards improved after staff training (N582, standardised effect −0·35, 95% CI −0·57 to −0·12, p = 0·002; interaction p value 0·006) but no benefit to those admitted voluntarily (N469, −0.01, 95% CI −0.23 to 0.22, p = 0.955) and no strong evidence of an overall effect (N1058, standardised effect −0.18 s.d., 95% CI −0.38 to 0.01, p = 0.062). The training costs around £10 per patient per week. Resource allocation changed towards patient perceived meaningful contacts by an average of £12 (95% CI −£76 to £98, p = 0.774).ConclusionStaff training improved the perceptions of the therapeutic environment in those least likely to want an inpatient admission, those formally detained. This change might enhance future engagement with all mental health services and prevent the more costly admissions.