bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modes of UK Executive–Legislative Relations Revisited
Authors: Russell Meg , Cowley Philip 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAnthony King's 1976 article ‘Modes of executive–legislative relations: Great Britain, France and West Germany’ is a classic in legislative studies. It argued that it is simplistic to analyse relations between ‘the executive’ and ‘the legislature’ in parliamentary systems, because parliaments are complex organisations comprised of competing actors. Instead, we must consider the various ‘modes’ through which these actors can interact to challenge the executive. As King pointed out, the classic view of the British Parliament was of a dominant ‘opposition mode’ and yet, in fact, the most important relationship was the ‘intraparty mode’: between the government and its own backbenchers. Other options, such as the ‘non‐party mode’ or ‘cross‐party mode’ were considered weak in Britain. This article revisits King's modes in the light of changes at Westminster during the intervening forty years. Developments such as the establishment of the select committee system and a more confident and party‐balanced House of Lords require significant changes to his conclusions. But his central insights, encouraging readers to focus on the multiple relationships inside legislatures, including those within political parties, remain fundamentally important.
Investigating causal associations between use of nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and cannabis: a two‐sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Verweij Karin J. H. , Treur Jorien L. , Vink Jacqueline M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsEpidemiological studies consistently show co‐occurrence of use of different addictive substances. Whether these associations are causal or due to overlapping underlying influences remains an important question in addiction research. Methodological advances have made it possible to use published genetic associations to infer causal relationships between phenotypes. In this exploratory study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the causality of well‐established associations between nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and cannabis use.MethodsTwo‐sample MR was employed to estimate bidirectional causal effects between four addictive substances: nicotine (smoking initiation and cigarettes smoked per day), caffeine (cups of coffee per day), alcohol (units per week) and cannabis (initiation). Based on existing genome‐wide association results we selected genetic variants associated with the exposure measure as an instrument to estimate causal effects. Where possible we applied sensitivity analyses (MR‐Egger and weighted median) more robust to horizontal pleiotropy.ResultsMost MR tests did not reveal causal associations. There was some weak evidence for a causal positive effect of genetically instrumented alcohol use on smoking initiation and of cigarettes per day on caffeine use, but these were not supported by the sensitivity analyses. There was also some suggestive evidence for a positive effect of alcohol use on caffeine use (only with MR‐Egger) and smoking initiation on cannabis initiation (only with weighted median). None of the suggestive causal associations survived corrections for multiple testing.ConclusionsTwo‐sample Mendelian randomization analyses found little evidence for causal relationships between nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and cannabis use.
Education is the strongest socio‐economic predictor of smoking in pregnancy
Authors: Härkönen Juho , Lindberg Matti , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Scheinin Noora M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimsTo investigate socio‐economic disparities in smoking in pregnancy (SIP) by the mother's education, occupational class and current economic conditions.DesignCross‐sectional analysis with linked survey and register data.SettingSouth‐western Finland.ParticipantsA total of 2667 pregnant women [70% of the original sample (n = 3808)] from FinnBrain, a prospective pregnancy cohort study.MeasurementsThe outcome was smoking during the first pregnancy trimester, measured from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Education and occupational class were linked from population registers. Income support recipiency and subjective economic wellbeing were questionnaire‐based measures of current economic conditions. These were adjusted for age, partnership status, residential area type, parental separation, parity, childhood socio‐economic background, childhood adversities (the Trauma and Distressing Events During Childhood scale) and antenatal stress (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Logistic regressions and attributable fractions (AF) were estimated.FindingsMother's education was the strongest socio‐economic predictor of SIP. Compared with university education, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of SIP were: 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2–3.9; P = 0.011] for tertiary vocational education, 4.4 (95% CI = 2.1–9.0; P < 0.001) for combined general and vocational secondary education, 2.9 (95% CI = 1.4–6.1; P = 0.006) for general secondary education, 9.5 (95% CI 5.0–18.2; P < 0.001) for vocational secondary education and 14.4 (95% CI = 6.3–33.0; P < 0.001) for compulsory schooling. The total AF of education was 0.5. Adjusted for the other variables, occupational class and subjective economic wellbeing did not predict SIP. Income support recipiency was associated positively with SIP (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.1–3.1; P = 0.022). Antenatal stress predicted SIP (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4–2.8; P < 0.001), but did not attenuate its socio‐economic disparities.ConclusionsIn Finland, socio‐economic disparities in smoking in pregnancy are attributable primarily to differences in the mother's educational level (low versus high) and orientation (vocational versus general).
Increased non‐fatal overdose risk associated with involuntary drug treatment in a longitudinal study with people who inject drugs
Authors: Rafful Claudia , Orozco Ricardo , Rangel Gudelia , Davidson Peter , Werb Dan , Beletsky Leo , Strathdee Steffanie A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo assess the effect of involuntary drug treatment (IDT) on non‐fatal overdose among people who inject drugs (PWID).DesignLongitudinal study.SettingTijuana, Mexico.ParticipantsBaseline sample of 671 PWID included 258 (38.4%) women and 413 (61.6%) men.MeasurementsPrimary independent variables were reported recent (i.e. past 6 months) non‐fatal overdose event (dependent variable) and IDT. Substance use the day of the non‐fatal overdose was also examined.FindingsFrom 2011 to 2017, 213 participants (31.7%) reported a recent non‐fatal overdose and 103 (15.4%) reported recent IDT. Heroin, in combination with methamphetamine and tranquilizers, were the drugs most reported at the day of the event. IDT significantly increased the odds of reporting a non‐fatal overdose event [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–2.96]. Odds of non‐fatal overdose also increased independently for each additional injection per day (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02–1.08), recent tranquilizer use (aOR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.41–2.61) and using hit doctors (aOR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.29–2.18) and decreased with age (aOR = 0.97 per year, 95% CI = 0.95–0.99).ConclusionsRecent involuntary drug treatment in Mexico is a risk factor for non‐fatal drug overdose.
Asian horses deepen the MSY phylogeny
Authors: Felkel S. , Vogl C. , Rigler D. , Jagannathan V. , Leeb T. , Fries R. , Neuditschko M. , Rieder S. , Velie B. , Lindgren G. , Rubin C.‐J. , Schlötterer C. , Rattei T. , Brem G. , Wallner B. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryHumans have shaped the population history of the horse ever since domestication about 5500 years ago. Comparative analyses of the Y chromosome can illuminate the paternal origin of modern horse breeds. This may also reveal different breeding strategies that led to the formation of extant breeds. Recently, a horse Y‐chromosomal phylogeny of modern horses based on 1.46 Mb of the male‐specific Y (MSY) was generated. We extended this dataset with 52 samples from five European, two American and seven Asian breeds. As in the previous study, almost all modern European horses fall into a crown group, connected via a few autochthonous Northern European lineages to the outgroup, the Przewalski's Horse. In total, we now distinguish 42 MSY haplotypes determined by 158 variants within domestic horses. Asian horses show much higher diversity than previously found in European breeds. The Asian breeds also introduce a deep split to the phylogeny, preliminarily dated to 5527 ± 872 years. We conclude that the deep splitting Asian Y haplotypes are remnants of a far more diverse ancient horse population, whose haplotypes were lost in other lineages.
First case of Stevens–Johnson syndrome after rabies vaccination
Authors: Ma Li , Du Xusheng , Dong Yu , Peng Lirong , Han Xiaonian , Lyu Jianhua , Bai Hehe 
Published: January 2018

We describe the first case of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) occurring 8 days after the first dose of a three‐dose rabies vaccination series. She had no history of vaccine‐related rash or other adverse drug reactions, nor had she received any other drug therapy. The temporal relationship between the development of SJS and the vaccination suggests that the rabies vaccination probably was the causal agent. This case serves as a warning of a distinct cutaneous reaction of rabies vaccination.
Silica Nanoparticle‐induced Cytokine Responses in BEAS‐2B and HBEC3‐KT Cells: Significance of Particle Size and Signalling Pathways in Different Lung Cell Cultures
Authors: Låg Marit , Skuland Tonje , Godymchuk Anna , Nguyen Thu H. T. , Pham Hang L. T. , Refsnes Magne 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe have previously reported that silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) of nominal size 50 nm (Si50) induce the pro‐inflammatory cytokines CXCL8 and IL‐6 in BEAS‐2B cells, via mechanisms involving MAPK p38, TACE‐mediated TGF‐α release and the NF‐κB pathway. In this study, we examined whether these findings are cell specific or might be extended to another epithelial lung cell model, HBEC3‐KT, and also to SiNPs of a smaller size (nominal size of 10 nm; Si10). The TEM average size of Si10 and Si50 was 10.9 and 34.7 nm, respectively. The surface area (BET) of Si10 was three times higher than for Si50 per mass unit. With respect to hydrodynamic size (DLS), Si10 in exposure medium showed a higher z‐average for the main peak than Si50, indicating more excessive agglomeration. Si10 strongly induced CXCL8 and IL‐6, as assessed by ELISA and RT‐PCR, and was markedly more potent than Si50, even when adjusted to equal surface area. Furthermore, Si10 was far more cytotoxic, measured as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, than Si50 in both epithelial cell cultures. With respect to signalling pathways, Western analysis and experiments with and without inhibition of MAPK, TACE and NF‐κB (synthetic inhibitors) revealed that p38‐phosphorylation, TACE‐mediated TGF‐α release and NF‐κB activation seem to be important triggering mechanisms for both Si50 and Si10 in the two different lung epithelial cell cultures. In conclusion, the identified signalling pathways are suggested to be important in inducing cytokine responses in different epithelial cell types and also for various sizes of silica nanoparticles.
Adiponectin inhibits inflammatory cytokines production by Beclin‐1 phosphorylation and B‐cell lymphoma 2 mRNA destabilization: role for autophagy induction
Authors: Tilija Pun Nirmala , Park Pil‐Hoon 
Published: January 2018

Background and PurposeAdiponectin potently suppresses inflammatory mediator production. Autophagy is known to play a critical role in the modulation of inflammatory responses by adiponectin. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Interaction between Beclin‐1 and B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) is a critical event in autophagy induction. We examined the effects of globular adiponectin (gAcrp) on the Beclin‐1/Bcl‐2 association and its underlying mechanisms.Experimental ApproachThe effect of gAcrp on the interaction between Beclin‐1 and Bcl‐2 was examined by immunoprecipitation followed by Western blotting. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we determined the effects of gAcrp on Beclin‐1 phosphorylation and Bcl‐2 mRNA stability, and investigated their role in the suppression of inflammatory mediators using pharmacological inhibitors and transient target gene knockdown.Key ResultsGlobular adiponectin disrupted the association between Beclin‐1 and Bcl‐2 and increased Beclin‐1 phosphorylation at Thr119, critical residue for binding with Bcl‐2, via a death‐associated protein kinase‐1 (DAPK1)‐dependent mechanism. Moreover, gAcrp reduced Bcl‐2 expression via Bcl‐2 mRNA destabilization, without significantly affecting Bcl‐2 promoter activity and protein degradation, which was mediated by tristetraprolin (TTP) induction. Finally, DAPK1 and TTP were shown to play key roles in gAcrp‐induced autophagosome formation and suppression of LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α and IL‐1β expression.Conclusion and ImplicationsBeclin‐1 phosphorylation and Bcl‐2 mRNA destabilization mediated by DAPK1 and TTP are crucial events leading to autophagy and the suppression of inflammatory cytokine production by gAcrp. These results provide novel mechanisms underlying adiponectin's modulation of inflammatory responses. DAPK and TTP are potential therapeutic targets for the management of inflammation.
Increased sensitivity and high specificity of indirect immunofluorescence in detecting IgG subclasses for diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Jankásková J. , Horváth O. N. , Varga R. , Arenberger P. , Schmidt E. , Ruzicka T. , Sárdy M. 
Published: January 2018

Summary

Background
Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy on monkey oesophagus is an important assay for the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP). Its relatively low sensitivity (60–80%) may be partly due to insufficient detection of minor IgG subclasses.

Aim
To determine the operating characteristics of an IgG subclass in IIF.

Methods
We designed a retrospective, dual-centre, controlled cohort study on sera from 64 BP sera that had been rated as false negatives by traditional IIF microscopy, and assessed circulating IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 autoantibodies.

Results
The sensitivities of IIF in detecting IgG1, IgG3, IgG4 and all three in combination were 45.3%, 18.8%, 32.8% and 48.4%, respectively. Specificities were &gt; 97%.

Conclusion
Detection of IgG subclass (especially IgG1 and IgG4) autoantibodies by IIF on monkey oesophagus can significantly improve diagnostic performance of IIF microscopy for diagnosis of BP.
Estimating the footprint of pollution on coral reefs with models of species turnover
Authors: Brown Christopher J. , Hamilton Richard J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEcological communities typically change along gradients of human impact, although it is difficult to estimate the footprint of impacts for diffuse threats such as pollution. We developed a joint model (i.e., one that includes multiple species and their interactions with each other and environmental covariates) of benthic habitats on lagoonal coral reefs and used it to infer change in benthic composition along a gradient of distance from logging operations. The model estimated both changes in abundances of benthic groups and their compositional turnover, a type of beta diversity. We used the model to predict the footprint of turbidity impacts from past and recent logging. Benthic communities far from logging were dominated by branching corals, whereas communities close to logging had higher cover of dead coral, massive corals, and soft sediment. Recent impacts were predicted to be small relative to the extensive impacts of past logging because recent logging has occurred far from lagoonal reefs. Our model can be used more generally to estimate the footprint of human impacts on ecosystems and evaluate the benefits of conservation actions for ecosystems.
Bayesian network meta‐analysis: Efficacy of air insufflation, CO2 insufflation, water exchange, and water immersion in colonoscopy
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Wu Yifeng , Sun Guangge , Zhang Jing , Li Jiaxin , Qiu Chongyang , Zheng Xin , Wang Botao , Yang Lei , Wang Ximo 
Published: January 2018

Background and AimColonoscopy is an excellent screening tool for colorectal cancer. There are four colonoscopy techniques: air insufflation, CO2 insufflation, water exchange, and water immersion. Some studies reported that the latter three methods are better than the criterion standard (air insufflation), whereas some studies did not. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the four colonoscopy techniques, a network meta‐analysis was carried out.MethodsWe searched randomized controlled trials (RCT) published up to September 2017 from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of Science. Studies referencing the comparison between at least two of air insufflation, CO2 insufflation, water exchange, and water immersion were selected. Primary outcomes included pain score during insertion, polyp detection rate, and adenoma detection rate, and secondary outcomes included cecal intubation time and cecal intubation rate. Mean differences or odds ratios and their corresponding 95% credible intervals were pooled with Bayesian modeling.ResultsForty RCT with 13 734 patients were included in this network meta‐analysis. Our analysis showed that air insufflation had the highest pain score (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA]: 98.8%) and the lowest detection rate of adenoma (SUCRA: 21.3%) and polyp (SUCRA: 16.8%). Water exchange had the lowest pain score (SUCRA: 1.1%) and highest detection rate of adenoma (SUCRA: 96.0%) and polyp (SUCRA: 98.9%), although it led to the longest cecal intubation time (SUCRA: 86.9%).ConclusionsAir insufflation might be the most unsatisfactory colonoscopy. Meanwhile, water exchange might be the most efficient colonoscopy.
Calcium phosphate precipitation in experimental gaps between fluoride‐containing fast‐setting calcium silicate cement and dentin
Authors: Ranjkesh Bahram , Ding Ming , Dalstra Michel , Nyengaard Jens R. , Chevallier Jacques , Isidor Flemming , Løvschall Henrik 
Published: January 2018

A novel fast‐setting calcium silicate cement containing fluoride (novel‐CSC) has been developed for applications in tooth crowns. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the novel‐CSC to close the experimental gaps at the dentin–cement interface. The novel‐CSC was tested against Vitrebond and GC Fuji II LC. Experimental gaps of 50 or 300 μm width were created between the materials and dentin. Specimens with the 300‐μm‐wide gap were immersed in phosphate‐buffered saline and the closed gap area was measured during 96 h. All specimens with 50 or 300 μm gap width were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) to assess the morphology and chemical composition of the precipitates after 96 h immersion in phosphate‐buffered saline. High‐resolution micro‐computed tomography (μCT) was used to evaluate the integrity and continuity of the precipitiates after 96 h and 180 d. In all novel‐CSC samples, precipitates closed the gap area completely after 96 h. The SEM/EDX revealed that the globular precipitates closing the gap area were mainly composed of calcium and phosphorus. After 180 d, μCT indicated thicker precipitates compared with initial precipitates only in the novel‐CSC group, whereas no precipitates were observed in resin‐modified glass ionomers. Novel‐CSC promoted continuous precipitation of calcium phosphate, including apatite, and closed the experimental gaps.
Current work environments: What problems are being faced by Japanese urologists?
Authors: Nemoto Kaoru , Suzuki Yasutomo , Kondo Yukihiro 
Published: January 2018

AbstractComputer technology has contributed to innovative progress in industrial infrastructures and has had a major influence on various work environments. Evaluations of work environments are routinely carried out in Western countries, but historically there has been resistance to such evaluations in Japan. In this mini‐review, we discuss the current work environments of urologists in Japan. The number of urologists has increased each year, and the population density of urologists was 5.4 (per 100 000 people) in 2014. The average age of urologists in Japan was 48.9 years, and the percentage of female urologists was just 5.3%. Additionally, the geographic distribution of urologists was uneven in Japan. From projections based on population dynamics, the need for more urologists in the near future will probably increase. Because medical environments vary depending on the country, it is necessary to understand current work environments in greater detail initially. Furthermore, we should determine original measures for the establishment of satisfactory urological work environments in Japan.
Responding to Irregular Migration: High Potential of Local Governments in Turkey
Authors: Genç H. Deniz 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study examines local governments' growing presence in irregular migration management, and discusses how autonomous local responses challenge centralist approaches to the management of this migration. By building on the relevant legal framework, secondary literature and interview notes, the study focuses its attention on irregular migration in Turkey, and uncovers the potential of two local government units – district municipalities and muhtarlıks – in the response to irregular migration. The study discusses the enablers and the main constraints on these local government units in responding to, and therefore involving themselves in, the management of the phenomenon. As discussed in the study, the main impediment appears to be the country's highly centralized state structure, while there also exist several enablers, such as Turkish Townsmen Law (Hemşehri Hukuku), the trust relationship with their inhabitants, and their experience of liminality in handling irregular matters and providing social aid to vulnerable, fragile and low‐income residents.
Loan supply and demand in Germany's three‐pillar banking system during the financial crisis
Authors: Schmidt Torsten , Zwick Lina 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInternationally operating German banks had to depreciate huge amounts of assets during the financial crisis while the loan volume to the private sector declined simultaneously. In this paper, we empirically analyse, for the whole banking sector as well as for selected categories of banks, whether the reduction in loan volume was supply‐side‐driven. The results suggest that a credit crunch did not occur in Germany during the recent economic crisis. Apart from substantial policy interventions, our results offer two explanations: First, excess demand for loans dropped, as firms reverted to other external financing instruments, particularly industrial bonds. Second, those banks operating at the regional level only were not affected by the crisis. In this regard, the three‐pillar structure of the German banking system contributed to stable credit financing, as banks differ in their operating behaviours and in their customers.