bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethics of Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques: A Habermasian Perspective
Authors: Palacios‐González César 
Published: December 2016

AbstractJürgen Habermas is regarded as a central bioconservative commentator in the debate on the ethics of human prenatal genetic manipulations. While his main work on this topic, The Future of Human Nature, has been widely examined in regard to his position on prenatal genetic enhancement, his arguments regarding prenatal genetic therapeutic interventions have for the most part been overlooked. In this work I do two things. First, I present the three necessary conditions that Habermas establishes for a prenatal genetic manipulation to be regarded as morally permissible. Second, I examine if mitochondrial replacement techniques meet these necessary conditions. I investigate, specifically, the moral permissibility of employing pronuclear transfer and maternal spindle transfer. I conclude that, according to a Habermasian perspective on prenatal genetic manipulation, maternal spindle transfer (without using a preselected sperm and egg) and pronuclear transfer are morally impermissible. Maternal spindle transfer is, in principle, morally permissible, but only when we have beforehand preselected a sperm and an egg for our reproductive purpose. These findings are relevant for bioconservatives, both for those who hold a Habermasian stance and for those who hold something akin to a Habermasian stance, because they answer the question: what should bioconservatives do regarding mitochondrial replacement techniques? In fact, the answer to this question does not only normatively prescribe what bioconservatives should do in terms of their personal morality, but it also points towards what kind of legislation regulating mitochondrial replacement techniques they should aim at.
Do Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques Affect Qualitative or Numerical Identity?
Authors: Liao S. Matthew 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs), known in the popular media as 'three‐parent' or 'three‐person' IVFs, have the potential to enable women with mitochondrial diseases to have children who are genetically related to them but without such diseases. In the debate regarding whether MRTs should be made available, an issue that has garnered considerable attention is whether MRTs affect the characteristics of an existing individual or whether they result in the creation of a new individual, given that MRTs involve the genetic manipulation of the germline. In other words, do MRTs affect the qualitative identity or the numerical identity of the resulting child? For instance, a group of panelists on behalf of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has claimed that MRTs affect only the qualitative identity of the resulting child, while the Working Group of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) has argued that MRTs would create a numerically distinct individual. In this article, I shall argue that MRTs do create a new and numerically distinct individual. Since my explanation is different from the NCOB's explanation, I shall also offer reasons why my explanation is preferable to the NCOB's explanation.
Is Mitochondrial Donation Germ‐Line Gene Therapy? Classifications and Ethical Implications
Authors: Newson Ainsley J. , Wrigley Anthony 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe classification of techniques used in mitochondrial donation, including their role as purported germ‐line gene therapies, is far from clear. These techniques exhibit characteristics typical of a variety of classifications that have been used in both scientific and bioethics scholarship. This raises two connected questions, which we address in this paper: (i) how should we classify mitochondrial donation techniques?; and (ii) what ethical implications surround such a classification? First, we outline how methods of genetic intervention, such as germ‐line gene therapy, are typically defined or classified. We then consider whether techniques of mitochondrial donation fit into these, whether they might do so with some refinement of these categories, or whether they require some other approach to classification. To answer the second question, we discuss the relationship between classification and several key ethical issues arising from mitochondrial donation. We conclude that the properties characteristic of mitochondrial inheritance mean that most mitochondrial donation techniques belong to a new sub‐class of genetic modification, which we call ‘conditionally inheritable genomic modification’ (CIGM).
Social support available for substance‐dependent mothers from families with parental substance abuse
Authors: Wiig Eli Marie , Halsa Astrid , Haugland Bente Storm Mowatt 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSubstance‐dependent mothers, who have grown up with parental substance abuse, struggle during and after treatment to abstain from substances while trying to process traumatic experiences and integrate their family into society. The aim of this study was to explore the social support available for these mothers to help them stay abstinent and create safe family environments for themselves and their children. Using purposeful sampling, we approached nine mothers admitted for 1 year to a family ward at a substance abuse clinic and their significant others. Through in‐depth, qualitative interviews, first with the mothers, later with their significant others, we investigated characteristics of the available social support. The findings indicated that the significant others had limited resources and were themselves exposed to adverse and cumulative psychosocial and socioeconomic risk factors. Their relationships with the mothers were, nevertheless, close, consistent and reliable. Supporting the existing social network should be an integrated part of the work of family welfare services aiming to help substance‐dependent mothers from families with parental substance abuse to rehabilitate and to integrate successfully into local communities.
Association between corpus callosum development on magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging, and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates born very preterm
Authors: Malavolti Anna M , Chau Vann , Brown‐Lum Meisan , Poskitt Kenneth J , Brant Rollin , Synnes Anne , Grunau Ruth E , Miller Steven P 
Published: December 2016

AimTo characterize corpus callosum development in neonates born very preterm from early in life to term‐equivalent age and its relationship with neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months corrected age.MethodIn a prospective cohort of 193 neonates born preterm, 24 to 32 weeks' gestation, we used magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging acquired early in life (n=193) and at term‐equivalent age (n=159) to measure corpus callosum development: mid‐sagittal area (including corpus callosum subdivisions) and length, and fractional anisotropy from the genu and splenium. We examined the association of (1) intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and white matter injury (WMI) severity, and (2) neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months corrected age with corpus callosum development.ResultsSevere WMI and severe IVH were strongly associated with reduced corpus callosum area (both p<0.001) and WMI with lower fractional anisotropy (p=0.002). Mild WMI predicted smaller corpus callosum area only posteriorly; mild IVH predicted smaller area throughout. Adverse motor outcome was associated with smaller corpus callosum size in the posterior subdivision (p=0.003). Abnormal cognitive outcomes were associated with lower corpus callosum fractional anisotropy (p=0.008).InterpretationIn newborn infants born very preterm, brain injury is associated with changes in simple metrics of corpus callosum development. In this population, the development of the corpus callosum, as reflected by size and microstructure, is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months corrected age.
Basolateral amygdala supports the maintenance of value and effortful choice of a preferred option
Authors: Hart Evan E. , Izquierdo Alicia 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe basolateral amygdala (BLA) is known to be involved in appetitive behavior, yet its role in cost‐benefit choice of qualitatively different rewards (more/less preferred), beyond magnitude differences (larger/smaller), is poorly understood. We assessed the effects of BLA inactivations on effortful choice behavior. Rats were implanted with cannulae in BLA and trained to stable lever pressing for sucrose pellets on a progressive ratio schedule. Rats were then introduced to a choice: chow was concurrently available while they could work for the preferred sucrose pellets. Rats were infused with either vehicle control (aCSF) or baclofen/muscimol prior to test. BLA inactivations produced a significant decrease in lever presses for sucrose pellets compared to vehicle, and chow consumption was unaffected. Inactivation had no effect on sucrose pellet preference when both options were freely available. Critically, when lab chow was not concurrently available, BLA inactivations had no effect on the number of lever presses for sucrose pellets, indicating that primary motivation in the absence of choice remains intact with BLA offline. After a test under specific satiety for sucrose pellets, BLA inactivation rendered animals less sensitive to devaluation relative to control. The effects of BLA inactivations in our task are not mediated by decreased appetite, an inability to perform the task, a change in food preference, or decrements in primary motivation. Taken together, BLA supports the specific value and effortful choice of a preferred option.
Interventional therapies and in‐hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndromes complicated by von Willebrand disease
Authors: Fogarty P. F. , Blair A. , Vega R. , Matthai W. H. , Gimotty P. A. 
Published: December 2016

Introductionvon Willebrand disease (VWD) is one of the most common inherited bleeding disorders.AimInvestigate the impact of the VWD bleeding tendency on in‐hospital management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).MethodsUsing discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), the features of presentation and in‐hospital treatment among ACS hospital discharges with and without a VWD diagnosis were investigated. A total of 264 case discharges and 705 860 control discharges were identified.Results and ConclusionsThere was a significantly higher percentage of women among the case discharges compared to the control discharges (59.5% and 39.4%, respectively; P < 0.001). The rate of medical therapy alone [i.e. avoidance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)] was significantly higher among unstable angina cases than controls (55.0% vs. 46.4%; P = 0.01), and among cases undergoing PCI, bare‐metal stents (BMS) were utilized in preference to drug‐eluting stents (DES) (adjusted OR = 3.5); P < 0.001). No difference in in‐hospital death was identified, but reported bleeding among discharges that underwent CABG was higher in cases compared to controls (12.9% vs. 5.2%; P = 0.047). Although medical and interventional management of ACS appears to be well tolerated in the majority of hospitalized patients with VWD, the gender ratio is reversed, interventions and DES are utilized less frequently and procedure‐related bleeding may be increased, calling for further study.
Cognitive therapy as an early treatment for post‐traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents: a randomized controlled trial addressing preliminary efficacy and mechanisms of action
Authors: Meiser‐Stedman Richard , Smith Patrick , McKinnon Anna , Dixon Clare , Trickey David , Ehlers Anke , Clark David M. , Boyle Adrian , Watson Peter , Goodyer Ian , Dalgleish Tim 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundFew efficacious early treatments for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents exist. Previous trials have intervened within the first month post‐trauma and focused on secondary prevention of later post‐traumatic stress; however, considerable natural recovery may still occur up to 6‐months post‐trauma. No trials have addressed the early treatment of established PTSD (i.e. 2‐ to 6‐months post‐trauma).MethodsTwenty‐nine youth (8–17 years) with PTSD (according to age‐appropriate DSM‐IV or ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria) after a single‐event trauma in the previous 2–6 months were randomly allocated to Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT‐PTSD; n = 14) or waiting list (WL; n = 15) for 10 weeks.ResultsSignificantly more participants were free of PTSD after CT‐PTSD (71%) than WL (27%) at posttreatment (intent‐to‐treat, 95% CI for difference .04–.71). CT‐PTSD yielded greater improvement on child‐report questionnaire measures of PTSD, depression and anxiety; clinician‐rated functioning; and parent‐reported outcomes. Recovery after CT‐PTSD was maintained at 6‐ and 12‐month posttreatment. Beneficial effects of CT‐PTSD were mediated through changes in appraisals and safety‐seeking behaviours, as predicted by cognitive models of PTSD. CT‐PTSD was considered acceptable on the basis of low dropout and high treatment credibility and therapist alliance ratings.ConclusionsThis trial provides preliminary support for the efficacy and acceptability of CT‐PTSD as an early treatment for PTSD in youth. Moreover, the trial did not support the extension of ‘watchful waiting’ into the 2‐ to 6‐month post‐trauma window, as significant improvements in the WL arm (particularly in terms of functioning and depression) were not observed. Replication in larger samples is needed, but attention to recruitment issues will be required.
Why patients self‐refer to the Emergency Department: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Kraaijvanger Nicole , Rijpsma Douwe , Willink Lisa , Lucassen Peter , van Leeuwen Henk , Edwards Michael 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesThere have been multiple studies investigating reasons for patients to self‐refer to the Emergency Department (ED). The majority made use of questionnaires and excluded patients with urgent conditions. The goal of this qualitative study is to explore what motives patients have to self‐refer to an ED, also including patients in urgent triage categories.MethodsIn a large teaching hospital in the Netherlands, a qualitative interview study focusing on reasons for self‐referring to the ED was performed. Self‐referred patients were included until no new reasons for attending the ED were found. Exclusion criteria were as follows: not mentally able to be interviewed or not speaking Dutch. Patients who were in need of urgent care were treated first, before being asked to participate. Interviews followed a predefined topic guide. Practicing cyclic analysis, the interview topic guide was modified during the inclusion period. Interviews were recorded on an audio recorder, transcribed verbatim, and anonymized. Two investigators independently coded the information and combined the codes into meaningful clusters. Subsequently, these were categorized into themes to build a framework of reasons for self‐referral to the ED. Characteristic quotes were used to illustrate the acquired theoretical framework.ResultsThirty self‐referred patients were interviewed. Most of the participants were male (63%), with a mean age of 46 years. Two main themes emerged from the interviews that are pertinent to the patients' decisions to attend the ED: (1) health concerns and (2) practical issues.ConclusionsThis study found that there are 2 clearly distinctive reasons for self‐referral to the ED: health concerns or practical motives. Self‐referral because of practical motives is probably most suitable for strategies that aim to reduce inappropriate ED visits.
Effects of diet and insulin on dopamine transporter activity and expression in rat caudate‐putamen, nucleus accumbens, and midbrain
Authors: Jones Kymry T. , Woods Catherine , Zhen Juan , Antonio Tamara , Carr Kenneth D. , Reith Maarten E. A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractFood restriction (FR) and obesogenic (OB) diets are known to alter brain dopamine transmission and exert opposite modulatory effects on behavioral responsiveness to psychostimulant drugs of abuse. Mechanisms underlying these diet effects are not fully understood. In this study, we examined diet effects on expression and function of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in caudate‐putamen (CPu), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and midbrain regions. Dopamine (DA) uptake by CPu, NAc or midbrain synapto(neuro)somes was measured in vitro with rotating disk electrode voltammetry or with [3H]DA uptake and was found to correlate with DAT surface expression, assessed by maximal [3H](–)‐2‐β‐carbomethoxy‐3‐β‐(4‐fluorophenyl)tropane binding and surface biotinylation assays. FR and OB diets were both found to decrease DAT activity in CPu with a corresponding decrease in surface expression but had no effects in the NAc and midbrain. Diet treatments also affected sensitivity to insulin‐induced enhancement of DA uptake, with FR producing an increase in CPu and NAc, likely mediated by an observed increase in insulin receptor expression, and OB producing a decrease in NAc. The increased expression of insulin receptor in NAc of FR rats was accompanied by increased DA D2 receptor expression, and the decreased DAT expression and function in CPu of OB rats was accompanied by decreased DA D2 receptor expression. These results are discussed as partial mechanistic underpinnings of diet‐induced adaptations that contribute to altered behavioral sensitivity to psychostimulants that target the DAT.
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Posterior teeth occlusion and dysphagia risk in older nursing home residents: a cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Okabe Y. , Takeuchi K. , Izumi M. , Furuta M. , Takeshita T. , Shibata Y. , Kageyama S. , Ganaha S. , Yamashita Y. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryThe total number of natural teeth was related to swallowing function among older adults; however, limited information is available regarding the impact of occluding pairs of teeth on swallowing function. This study aimed to examine the association between posterior teeth occlusion and dysphagia risk in older nursing home residents. This cross‐sectional study included 238 residents aged ≥60 years from eight nursing homes in Aso City, Japan. Swallowing function was evaluated using the modified water swallowing test (MWST); the primary outcome was dysphagia risk (MWST score ≤3). Posterior teeth occlusion was assessed using number of functional tooth units (FTUs), determined based on number and location of the remaining natural and artificial teeth on implant‐supported, fixed or removable prostheses. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between posterior teeth occlusion and dysphagia risk, adjusted for the covariates of number of natural teeth, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, physical function, body mass index and cognitive function. Of the 238 subjects, 44 (18·5%) were determined to be at risk of dysphagia based on the MWST scores. The odds ratio (OR) of dysphagia risk decreased in subjects with higher total FTUs [OR = 0·92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·87–0·98]. After adjusting for covariates, this association remained significant (OR = 0·90, 95% CI 0·84–0·97). Loss of posterior teeth occlusion was independently associated with dysphagia risk in older nursing home residents. Maintaining and restoring posterior teeth occlusion may be an effective measure to prevent dysphagia.
The Fast Prefix Coding Algorithm (FPCA) for 3D Pavement Surface Data Compression
Authors: Zhang Allen , Wang Kelvin C. P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe enormous data inflow during three‐dimensional (3D) pavement surface data collection requires an efficient compression system for 3D data. However, with respect to the phase of lossless encoding, the commonly used Huffman Coding is inefficient in terms of speed and memory usage for encoding 3D pavement surfaces. The Fast Prefix Coding Algorithm (FPCA) is proposed in the article as an effective substitute of Huffman Coding at the stage of lossless encoding. It is demonstrated in the article that the FPCA is much faster and more memory efficient than Huffman Coding, while outperforming Shannon–Fano Coding in terms of both redundancy and time efficiency. The FPCA‐based coding approach is a modification of the baseline JPEG algorithm to support 3D pavement data whose dynamic range is more than 12 bits. The presented modifications include algorithms for Quantization, Run‐Length Encoding and Entropy Coding without limiting data depth in terms of dynamic range. Compared with the baseline JPEG approach, the proposed coding system is able to restrict the data loss more successfully and can achieve a significantly higher level of time efficiency and compression ratio (over than 30:1 for most of the evaluated 3D images). With parallel computing techniques, encoding full‐lane width pavement in 3D and at 1 mm resolution with an up‐to‐date desktop computer can be conducted at 150 MPH or even higher speed.
Hyposalivation and xerostomia among Parkinson's disease patients and its impact on quality of life
Authors: Barbe AG , Heinzler A , Derman SHM , Hellmich M , Timmermann L , Noack MJ 
Published: December 2016

ObjectiveParkinson's disease (PD) adversely affects oral health (OH). However, the informative value of xerostomia compared to objective parameters and its impact on quality of life (QoL) are still unclear. This study aimed to explore whether xerostomia correlates with hyposalivation and to define its impact on OH‐related QoL.Materials and MethodsWhole stimulated saliva (WSS) was collected from 30 patients with PD and 30 matched healthy controls. Objective parameters (community periodontal index of treatment needs, plaque/gingivitis index, mucosa situation and cheilitis angularis) and questionnaires (German Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIPG]‐14, visual analogue scale [VAS], xerostomia [yes/no] and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale‐II) were assessed.ResultsEighty‐seven per cent of patients with PD showed hyposalivation vs 50% of controls (P = 0.001); 50% of patients with PD reported xerostomia, and none of controls (P < 0.001). The OHIPG‐14 was impaired in patients with PD compared to controls (P < 0.001), PD patients with xerostomia reported mean VAS values of 4.1 (s.d.: 2.2). WSS did not correlate with VAS values.ConclusionsHalf of the patients with PD reported xerostomia and underestimated their xerostomic status, with higher probability than healthy controls. WSS did not reflect the grade of xerostomia. Patients with PD suffered from impaired OH‐related QoL. Dental teams should not overlook these oral health risks.