bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency-dependent Maternal Effects across Species and Environments
Authors: Germain Rachel M. , Grainger Tess N. , Jones Natalie T. , Gilbert Benjamin 
Published: November 2017

SummaryMaternal provisioning of offspring in response to environmental conditions (“maternal environmental effects”) has been argued as ‘the missing link’ in plant life histories. Although empirical evidence suggests that maternal responses to abiotic conditions are common, there is little understanding of the prevalence of maternal provisioning in competitive environments.We tested how competition in two soil moisture environments affects maternal provisioning of offspring seed mass. Specifically, we varied conspecific frequency from 90% (intraspecific competition) to 10% (interspecific competition) for 15 pairs of annual plant species that occur in California.We found that conspecific frequency affected maternal provisioning (seed mass) in 48% of species, and that these responses included both increased (20%) and decreased (24%) seed mass. In contrast, 68% of species responded to competition through changes in per capita fecundity (seed number), which generally decreased as conspecific frequency increased. The direction and magnitude of frequency-dependent seed mass depended on the identity of the competitor, even among species in which fecundity was not affected by competitor identity.Synthesis. Our research demonstrates how species responses to different competitive environments manifest through maternal provisioning, and that these responses alter previous estimates of environmental maternal effects and reproductive output; future study is needed to understand their combined effects on population and community dynamics.
Histological evaluations and inflammatory responses of different dental implant abutment materials: A human histology pilot study
Authors: Sampatanukul Teeratida , Serichetaphongse Pravej , Pimkhaokham Atiphan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundImprovements of soft tissue to the abutment surface results in more stable peri‐implant conditions, however, few human histological studies have compared soft tissue responses around different abutment materials.PurposeTo describe the peri‐implant tissue around 3 abutment materials; titanium, zirconia, and gold alloy, over an 8‐week healing period.Materials and MethodsFifteen edentulous sites were treated with implants. Eight weeks later, peri‐implant tissue was harvested and processed using a nonseparation resin embedded technique. The tissue attachment characteristics were assessed at clinical stages using the gingival index (GI) score, surgical stage (surgical score), and histological stage (histological attachment percentage). Additionally, the inflammatory responses were evaluated using inflammatory extent and inflammatory cellularity grades. Nonparametrical statistics were used to describe the GI and surgical scores, and analytical statistics were used to analyze the histological attachment percentages as well as the inflammatory extent and cellularity grades amongst the 3 groups.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences among the groups for GI score (P = .071) and surgical score (P = .262). Titanium and zirconia exhibited nearly similar mean histological attachment percentages while gold alloy had a significantly lower percentage (P = .004). For the inflammatory extent and cellularity grades, the odds of being one grade higher for gold alloy abutment was 5.18 and 17.8 times that of titanium abutment, respectively. However, for the zirconia abutment, the odds were 0.87 and 7.5 times higher than the titanium group.ConclusionsThe tissue around the gold alloy abutments resulted in worse attachment conditions compared with the titanium and zirconia abutments. Inflammation tended to be higher in the tissue around the gold alloy abutments than the titanium and zirconia abutments.
The Kodaira dimension of complex hyperbolic manifolds with cusps
Authors: Bakker Benjamin , Tsimerman Jacob 
Published: November 2017

We prove a bound relating the volume of a curve near a cusp in a complex ball quotient$X=\mathbb{B}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$to its multiplicity at the cusp. There are a number of consequences: we show that for an$n$-dimensional toroidal compactification$\overline{X}$with boundary$D$,$K_{\overline{X}}+(1-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706})D$is ample for$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}\in (0,(n+1)/2\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B})$, and in particular that$K_{\overline{X}}$is ample for$n\geqslant 6$. By an independent algebraic argument, we prove that every ball quotient of dimension$n\geqslant 4$is of general type, and conclude that the phenomenon famously exhibited by Hirzebruch in dimension 2 does not occur in higher dimensions. Finally, we investigate the applications to the problem of bounding the number of cusps and to the Green–Griffiths conjecture.
Rapid Weight Loss Is Not Associated With Competitive Success in Elite Youth Olympic-Style Boxers in Europe
Authors: Zubac Damir , Karnincic Hrvoje , Sekulic Damir 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:To examine the influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on competitive success in elite youth Olympic-style boxers. In addition, this study examined the practice and prevalence of weight reduction, weight-management protocols, and related symptoms in youth boxers from 12 European countries (N = 83, all males, mean [SD] age 17.1 [0.9] y).Methods:The data were collected using an extensive questionnaire on weight cutting and its associated protocols and symptoms prior to highest-level continental championships. Competition results were obtained at follow-up using a dichotomous variable: medal winning vs nonwinning at the European Championships.Results:Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that “boxing experience” was significantly related to the criterion competitive outcome (odds ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.66; NagelkerkeR2 = .11), with a higher likelihood of competitive success for more-experienced boxers. Of all the youth boxers, only 25% were included in the RWL group, irrespective of their weight-class stratification. More than 45% of all the youth boxers self-reported the simultaneous combination of different weight-cutting methods that are known to be serious health hazards. Finally, 33% of the boxers experienced muscle weakness as a consequence of RWL.Conclusions:Our study provided evidence of pathogenic weight-management protocols that are widely adopted by youth boxers, and yet the present outcomes showed that RWL did not translate into competitive success in these elite Olympic-style boxers in Europe. Therefore, the authors suggest a mandatory educational program that should simultaneously target all the mentioned issues including both health- and performance-threatening consequences.
Is there sufficient evidence regarding signage-based stair use interventions? A sequential meta-analysis
Authors: Bauman Adrian , Milton Karen , Kariuki Maina , Fedel Karla , Lewicka Mary 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThe proliferation of studies using motivational signs to promote stair use continues unabated, with their oft-cited potential for increasing population-level physical activity participation. This study examined all stair use promotional signage studies since 1980, calculating pre-estimates and post-estimates of stair use. The aim of this project was to conduct a sequential meta-analysis to pool intervention effects, in order to determine when the evidence base was sufficient for population-wide dissemination.DesignUsing comparable data from 50 stair-promoting studies (57 unique estimates) we pooled data to assess the effect sizes of such interventions.ResultsAt baseline, median stair usage across interventions was 8.1%, with an absolute median increase of 2.2% in stair use following signage-based interventions. The overall pooled OR indicated that participants were 52% more likely to use stairs after exposure to promotional signs (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70). Incremental (sequential) meta-analyses using z-score methods identified that sufficient evidence for stair use interventions has existed since 2006, with recent studies providing no further evidence on the effect sizes of such interventions.ConclusionsThis analysis has important policy and practice implications. Researchers continue to publish stair use interventions without connection to policymakers' needs, and few stair use interventions are implemented at a population level. Researchers should move away from repeating short-term, small-scale, stair sign interventions, to investigating their scalability, adoption and fidelity. Only such research translation efforts will provide sufficient evidence of external validity to inform their scaling up to influence population physical activity.
Early low-energy versus high-energy enteral nutrition support in patients with traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Shen Yanfei , Cheng Xuping , Ying Manzhen , Zhang Weimin , Jiang Xuandong , Du Kailei 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundEarly enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with shorter hospital stay and lower infection and mortality rates in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage. However, high-energy support always causes clinical complications, such as diarrhoea and aspiration pneumonia, and the true benefit of high-energy support in these patients has not been investigated. The appropriate amount of energy support still needs further investigation. Therefore, we are performing a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether early low-energy EN can decrease mortality and feeding-related complications and improve neurological outcomes as compared with high-energy EN in traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage (TICH) patients.Methods/analysisThis is a randomised, single-blind clinical trial performed in one teaching hospital. 220 TICH patients will be randomly allocated to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio: an intervention group, and a control group. The intervention group will receive early low-energy EN (10 kcal/kg/day) and the control group will receive high-energy EN (25 kcal/kg/day) for 7 days. All these patients will be followed up for 90 days. The primary outcome is all-cause 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes include the modified Rankin score, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Outcomes will be assessed at admission, 7, 30 and 90 days after onset of this trial. The safety of EN strategies will be assessed every day during hospitalisation.Ethics and disseminationThe trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the ethics committee of Dongyang People’s Hospital. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals.Trial registration numberChiCTR-INR-17011384; Pre-results.
Marriage and risk of dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Sommerlad Andrew , Ruegger Joshua , Singh-Manoux Archana , Lewis Glyn , Livingston Gill 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundBeing married is associated with healthier lifestyle behaviours and lower mortality and may reduce risk for dementia due to life-course factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the association between marital status and the risk of developing dementia.MethodsWe searched medical databases and contacted experts in the field for relevant studies reporting the relationship, adjusted for age and sex, between marital status and dementia. We rated methodological quality and conducted random-effects meta-analyses to summarise relative risks of being widowed, divorced or lifelong single, compared with being married. Secondary stratified analyses with meta-regression examined the impact of clinical and social context and study methodology on findings.ResultsWe included 15 studies with 812 047 participants. Compared with those who are married, lifelong single (relative risk=1.42 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.90)) and widowed (1.20 (1.02 to 1.41)) people have elevated risk of dementia. We did not find an association in divorced people.Further analyses showed that less education partially confounds the risk in widowhood and worse physical health the elevated risk in lifelong single people. Compared with studies that used clinical registers for ascertaining dementia diagnoses, those which clinically examined all participants found higher risk for being unmarried.ConclusionsBeing married is associated with reduced risk of dementia than widowed and lifelong single people, who are also underdiagnosed in routine clinical practice. Dementia prevention in unmarried people should focus on education and physical health and should consider the possible effect of social engagement as a modifiable risk factor.
Building tools to help students learn to program
Authors: Guo Philip 
Published: November 2017

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Philip Guo summarizes his first three years of research into building tools to support those learning computer programming.
Mobile Technology-Based Real-Time Teleotolaryngology Care Facilitated by a Nonotolaryngologist Physician in an Adult Population
Authors: Yulzari Raphael , Bretler Shlomi , Avraham Yaniv , Sharabi-Nov Adi , Even-Tov Ella , Gilbey Peter 
Published: November 2017

Objectives: Telehealth can improve access to specialist care. Very few reports of the use of smartphones for teleotolaryngology exist. The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of mobile teleotolaryngology facilitated by a nonotolaryngologist physician. Methods: A prospective study in adult patients attending a general otolaryngology outpatient clinic. The telehealth encounter with a remote otolaryngologist was facilitated by a final-year medical student simulating a general physician prior to the scheduled visit. The patient and the remote otolaryngologist rated their satisfaction with the encounter. The remote otolaryngologist formulated a diagnosis and rated the level of certainty of this diagnosis. Diagnoses from the telehealth encounter and the face-to-face encounter were compared. Results: Forty-eight patients with an average age of 42.5 years participated in this study. In 79.2% of the consultations, there was concordance between the diagnoses. The average patient and remote otolaryngologist satisfaction with the encounter was 9.5 ± 0.9 and 8.7 ± 1.3, respectively. Twenty-four of the 48 visits (50%) were defined as unnecessary. In the otology group, concordance rates and rates of preventable visits were highest. Conclusions: Synchronous telehealth consultations, facilitated by a general physician, can be an alternative to visiting a general otolaryngology clinic, especially for otologic patients.
Psychoactive substance use in specialized psychiatric care patients
Authors: Karpov Boris , Joffe Grigori , Aaltonen Kari , Suvisaari Jaana , Baryshnikov Ilya , Koivisto Maaria , Melartin Tarja , Suominen Kirsi , Näätänen Petri , Heikkinen Martti , Oksanen Jorma , Isometsä Erkki 
Published: November 2017

Objective Life expectancy of psychiatric patients is markedly shorter compared to the general population, likely partly due to smoking or misuse of other substances. We investigated prevalence and correlates of substance use among psychiatric patients. Methods Within the Helsinki University Psychiatric Consortium Study, data were collected on substance use (alcohol, smoking, and illicit drugs) among patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 113), bipolar (n = 99), or depressive disorder (n = 188). Clinical diagnoses of substance use were recorded, and information on smoking, hazardous alcohol use, or misuse of other substances was obtained using questionnaires. Results One-fourth (27.7%) of the patients had clinical diagnoses of substance use disorders. In addition, in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, 43.1% had hazardous alcohol use and 38.4% were daily smokers. All substance use was more common in men than in women. Bipolar patients had the highest prevalence of alcohol use disorders and hazardous use, whereas those with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were more often daily smokers. In regression analyses, self-reported alcohol consumption was associated with symptoms of anxiety and borderline personality disorder and low conscientiousness. No associations emerged for smoking. Conclusions The vast majority of psychiatric care patients have a diagnosed substance use disorder, hazardous alcohol use, or smoke daily, males more often than females. Bipolar patients have the highest rates of alcohol misuse, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder patients of smoking. Alcohol use may associate with symptoms of anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and low conscientiousness. Preventive and treatment efforts specifically targeted at harmful substance use among psychiatric patients are necessary.
Received Wisdom: Stavenhagen’s “Erroneous Theses” and the Mexican Maquiladora Industry
Authors: Robles Robles María del Rosario Fátima 
Published: November 2017

Rodolfo Stavenhagen’s “Seven Erroneous Theses about Latin America” has contributed to a social science–based understanding of the processes of development and underdevelopment in Latin America. Fifty years after its publication, its analysis applies to a form of industrialization that has emerged along the northern Mexican border. The received wisdom about the maquiladora export industry and the implementation of an export-oriented development model—that they should foster regional industrialization and dynamism and increase employment—has not been realized. Examination of this industry highlights the relations between national economic structures and transnational corporations that deepen and transform current modes of internal colonialism. El “Siete tesis equivocadas sobre América Latina” de Rodolfo Stavenhagen contribuye a la comprensión desde las ciencias sociales de los procesos de desarrollo y subdesarrollo en América Latina. Cincuenta años después de su aparición, su análisis aplica a una forma de industrialización que surge en la frontera norte del país. El planteamiento que como “verdad adquirida” se expresa acerca de la industria maquiladora de exportación y del modelo de desarrollo orientado a la exportación—en el que supuestamente tendríamos como ventaja subyacente la industrialización de las regiones, incremento del empleo y un mayor dinamismo regional—no ha sucedido. El estudio de esta industria revela las relaciones entre estructuras económicas nacionales y empresas trasnacionales que agudizan y dan nuevas formas al colonialismo interno.
The Value of Rehabilitation Medicine for Patients Receiving Palliative Care
Authors: Wittry Sarah A. , Lam Ny-Ying , McNalley Thomas 
Published: November 2017

Background: Rehabilitation medicine is a multidisciplinary field aimed at improving patients’ quality of life by improving function. Patients receiving palliative care frequently share common symptoms including fatigue, decreased functional independence, mood disorders, pain, and breathlessness. Many rehabilitation interventions can improve these symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the scope and effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions and exercise programs in improving quality of life and distressing symptoms in patients receiving palliative care. Methods: We conducted a literature review of cancer rehabilitation topics and techniques specifically applied to patients with life-limiting conditions. Exercise and other rehabilitation interventions were analyzed for their effects on common symptoms and disabilities experienced by this patient population. Conclusion: Current available literature supports the use of exercise programs and rehabilitation interventions to improve fatigue, mood, functional independence, breathlessness, and pain. Rehabilitation and palliative care practitioners share many goals in their approach to patient care and augment one another well. Palliative care providers should consider referral to physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation) to help optimize patients’ quality of life.
Endovascular Therapy of the Superficial Femoral Artery Via a Stand-Alone Transradial Access: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Hanna Elias B. , Ababneh Bashar A. , Amin Amit N. 
Published: November 2017

Objective: We describe our experience in transradial recanalization of the superficial femoral artery (SFA), and we provide a stepwise approach accounting for the patient’s height and optimizing the yield of currently available devices. Methods and Results: Fifteen patients with simple SFA disease, including 4 patients with total SFA occlusions <15 cm, were selected for stand-alone transradial recanalization. A 6F, 125-cm multipurpose guiding catheter was used to cannulate the limb of interest and support device delivery. The procedure was successful in all patients and consisted of balloon angioplasty (using 0.014″, 200-cm shaft monorail balloons) in all patients, and orbital atherectomy in 6 patients. We illustrate the steps and challenges of the transradial approach, namely the limited support in complex disease and the limited reach of current equipment. Conclusion: In patients with simple SFA disease, transradial recanalization appears feasible and safe but currently limited to balloon angioplasty ± orbital atherectomy. Proximal SFA stenting may be feasible in patients <160 cm in height.
Of mice and men: a novel dietary supplement for the treatment of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Shapira Shiran , Leshno Ari , Katz Daniel , Maharshak Nitsan , Hevroni Gil , Jean-David Maayan , Kraus Sarah , Galazan Lior , Aroch Ilan , Kazanov Dina , Hallack Aharon , Becker Stewart , Umanski Mark , Moshkowitz Menachem , Dotan Iris , Arber Nadir 
Published: November 2017

Background: Curcumin, green tea polyphenols and selenium possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Individually they have demonstrated some efficacy in animal models and human subjects with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Coltect [Curcumin (500 mg), green tea (250 mg) and selenium (100 µg)] in vivo and in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Each component was compared to placebo in a DSS mice colitis model. The efficacy was validated in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) rat colitis model. Twenty patients with mild-to-moderate UC received two Coltect tablets twice daily for 8 weeks. Enrollees underwent sigmoidoscopy at study entrance and closure, and physical and laboratory evaluation at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: Coltect showed a synergistic therapeutic effect in the DSS and TNBS models. Disease activity was significantly higher in the placebo versus the treated group ( p < 0.05). Selenium was the more active component. The contribution of green tea was minor. In the TNBS model, the Wallace scores for macroscopic lesions were 4.8 ± 1.5 (treatment) and 8.2 ± 0.5 (placebo) ( p = 0.01). In humans, Coltect was well tolerated and effective. Fourteen subjects (70%) improved: nine (45%) went into complete remission, four (20%) experienced marked improvement and one (5%) experienced moderate improvement at the end of the trial. Clinical activity index decreased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks ( p < 0.001). Two patients had no change in their symptoms, and one withdrew after 4 weeks. Flare-up in four subjects caused three to withdraw from the study after less than 4 weeks. Endoscopic improvement was observed in 11 (69%) patients, and four patients (25%) achieved complete remission. Conclusions: Coltect may serve as a first-line or add-on therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate UC.