bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for recurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Ebbing Cathrine , Rasmussen Svein , Skjærven Rolv , Irgens Lorentz M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIntroductionHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) tend to recur from one pregnancy to the next. The aims of the study were to assess the recurrence risk according to type of HDP defined by gestational age at birth and to examine whether recurrence is associated with the following additional risk factors for HDP: maternal age, smoking, inter‐delivery interval, diabetes, body mass index, and fetal growth restriction, and to assess temporal trends in these associations.Material and methodsAll women with two singleton births in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway 1967–2012 (n = 742 980) were included in this population‐based cohort study. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for the risk of recurrent HDP according to type of HDP.ResultsThe highest odds ratio of recurrence was observed for the same type of HDP based on gestational age at delivery. After gestational hypertension and term preeclampsia, the risk for the same type to recur increased 10‐fold, whereas after late and early preterm preeclampsia, the risk increased 27‐ and 97‐fold, respectively. The recurrence of early preterm preeclampsia was less influenced by additional risk factors compared with term HDP. Recurrence of early preterm HDP was significantly lower from 1993 onwards.ConclusionsRecurrent HDP tended to be of the same type as the previous HDP. Risk of recurrence associated with additional risk factors was observed particularly after term. The odds ratio of recurrence of early preterm HDP was significantly lower from 1993 onwards.
Placental growth factor and its potential role in diabetic retinopathy and other ocular neovascular diseases
Authors: Nguyen Quan Dong , De Falco Sandro , Behar‐Cohen Francine , Lam Wai‐Ching , Li Xuri , Reichhart Nadine , Ricci Federico , Pluim Jennifer , Li William W. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), including in retinal vascular diseases, has been well studied, and pharmacological blockade of VEGF is the gold standard of treatment for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular oedema. Placental growth factor (PGF, previously known as PlGF), a homologue of VEGF, is a multifunctional peptide associated with angiogenesis‐dependent pathologies in the eye and non‐ocular conditions. Animal studies using genetic modification and pharmacological treatment have demonstrated a mechanistic role for PGF in pathological angiogenesis. Inhibition decreases neovascularization and microvascular abnormalities across different models, including oxygen‐induced retinopathy, laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization and in diabetic mice exhibiting retinopathies. High levels of PGF have been found in the vitreous of patients with diabetic retinopathy. Despite these strong animal data, the exact role of PGF in pathological angiogenesis in retinal vascular diseases remains to be defined, and the benefits of PGF‐specific inhibition in humans with retinal neovascular diseases and macular oedema remain controversial. Comparative effectiveness research studies in patients with diabetic retinal disease have shown that treatment that inhibits both VEGF and PGF may provide superior outcomes in certain patients compared with treatment that inhibits only VEGF. This review summarizes current knowledge of PGF, including its relationship to VEGF and its role in pathological angiogenesis in retinal diseases, and identifies some key unanswered questions about PGF that can serve as a pathway for future basic, translational and clinical research.
TAYLOR RULE REACTION COEFFICIENTS AND REAL EXCHANGE RATE PERSISTENCE
Authors: Kempa Bernd 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTRecent literature has established a link between the persistence of real exchange rates and the degree of inertia in Taylor rule monetary policy reactions functions. This paper provides a different view on this link by investigating how the size of Taylor rule reaction coefficients impacts the adjustment dynamics of the real exchange rate. Within a stylized sticky‐price open‐economy macro model, it is demonstrated that a stronger interest rate reaction to inflation in the Taylor rule raises the convergence speed of the real exchange rate. Conversely, raising the coefficient on the output gap or attending to the exchange rate in an open‐economy version of the Taylor rule slows down real exchange rate adjustment. In all cases, more rapid convergence comes at the cost of stronger initial real exchange rate misalignments in the wake of monetary policy shocks.
Immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: the role of aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs in T cells
Authors: Lai N-S , Koo M , Yu C-L , Lu M-C 
Published: November 2016

SummaryNon-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are RNA molecules that do not translate into protein. Both miRNAs and lncRNAs are known to regulate gene expression and to play an essential role in T cell differentiation and function. Both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a representative disease of inflammatory arthritis, are characterized by a complex dysfunction in the innate and adaptive immunity. T cells play a central role in cell-mediated immune response and multiple defects in T cells from patients with SLE and RA have been observed. Abnormality in T cell signalling, cytokine and chemokine production, T cell activation and apoptosis, T cell differentiation and DNA methylation that are associated closely with the aberrant expression of a number of miRNAs and lncRNAs have been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of SLE and RA. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on the abnormal expression of miRNAs and lncRNAs in T cells and their roles in the immunopathogenesis of SLE and RA. In addition, by comparing the differences in aberrant expression of miRNAs and lncRNAs in T cells between patients with SLE and RA, controversial areas are highlighted that warrant further investigation.
Perceptions of grandparents who provide auxiliary care: value transmission and child‐rearing practices
Authors: Noriega Cristina , López Javier , Domínguez Roberto , Velasco Cristina 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA grounded theory qualitative study was developed to explore how grandparents perceive their role as socializing agents. Forty‐two grandparents with grandchildren aged from 6 to 12 years old participated in this study. Data were collected through focus groups, which were conducted until reaching data saturation and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Four general conclusions emerged from the study: (i) grandparents recognized the importance of getting involved in the socialization of grandchildren as supporters of parents' socializing role, and the need to adapt to social changes; (ii) they emphasized traditional value that were perceived in decline, and combination of warmth and involvement were considered the best way to help grandchildren internalize values; (iii) interaction with grandchildren helped grandparents to feel active and useful, increased their life purpose and gave them a second chance to enjoy what they could not with their own children; and (iv) grandparents also accused burden and role ambiguity. These results show the importance of developing family policies that recognize grandparents' socializing role. Also, interventions that promote strategies that enable grandparents to perform their role more successfully and to cope with possible family conflicts should be developed.
Can the outcomes of mesenchymal stem cell‐based therapy for myocardial infarction be improved? Providing weapons and armour to cells
Authors: Karpov Andrey A. , Udalova Daria V. , Pliss Michael G. , Galagudza Michael M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractUse of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation after myocardial infarction (MI) has been found to have infarct‐limiting effects in numerous experimental and clinical studies. However, recent meta‐analyses of randomized clinical trials on MSC‐based MI therapy have highlighted the need for improving its efficacy. There are two principal approaches for increasing therapeutic effect of MSCs: (i) preventing massive MSC death in ischaemic tissue and (ii) increasing production of cardioreparative growth factors and cytokines with transplanted MSCs. In this review, we aim to integrate our current understanding of genetic approaches that are used for modification of MSCs to enable their improved survival, engraftment, integration, proliferation and differentiation in the ischaemic heart. Genetic modification of MSCs resulting in increased secretion of paracrine factors has also been discussed. In addition, data on MSC preconditioning with physical, chemical and pharmacological factors prior to transplantation are summarized. MSC seeding on three‐dimensional polymeric scaffolds facilitates formation of both intercellular connections and contacts between cells and the extracellular matrix, thereby enhancing cell viability and function. Use of genetic and non‐genetic approaches to modify MSC function holds great promise for regenerative therapy of myocardial ischaemic injury.
Downregulation of B‐myb promotes senescence via the ROS‐mediated p53/p21 pathway, in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Zhou Zhihui , Yin Yanlin , Chang Qun , Sun Guanqun , Lin Jiahui , Dai Yalei 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo reveal whether B‐myb is involved in preventing senescence of vascular endothelial cells, and if so, to identify possible mechanisms for it.Materials and methodsC57/BL6 male mice and primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used. Bleomycin was applied to induce stress‐related premature senescence. B‐myb knockdown was achieved using an siRNA technique and cell senescence was assessed using the senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was analysed using an ROS assay kit and cell proliferation was evaluated using KFluor488 EdU kit. Capillary tube network formation was determined by Matrigel assay. Expressions of mRNA and protein levels were detected by real‐time PCR and western blotting.ResultsB‐myb expression significantly decreased, while p53 and p21 expressions increased in the aortas of aged mice. This expression pattern was also found in replicative senescent HAECs and senescent HAECs induced by bleomycin. B‐myb knockdown resulted in upregulation of p22phox, ROS accumulation and cell senescence of HAECs. Downregulation of B‐myb significantly inhibited cell proliferation and capillary tube network formation and activated the p53/p21 signalling pathway. Blocking ROS production or inhibiting p53 activation remarkably attenuated SA‐β‐gal activity and delayed cell senescence induced by B‐myb‐silencing.ConclusionDownregulation of B‐myb induced senescence by upregulation of p22phox and activation of the ROS/p53/p21 pathway, in our vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that B‐myb may be a novel candidate for regulating cell senescence to protect against endothelial senescence‐related cardiovascular diseases.
Immunostain use in the diagnosis of melanomas referred to a tertiary medical center: a 15‐year retrospective review (2001–2015)
Authors: Kim Randie H. , Meehan Shane A. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundLittle is known regarding the clinical practice of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of melanoma. We aimed to assess the incidence of immunostain usage by referring pathologists and dermatopathologists in melanoma cases sent for consultative review. As a secondary objective, associations between immunostain use and specific melanoma characteristics were also evaluated.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of consultation reports of referred melanomas at a tertiary academic center in New York, NY from 2001 to 2015. Univariate regression analysis was performed on melanomas with accompanying immunostains and on characteristics such as Breslow's depth, location, prognostic factors and morphologic subtypes. Associations between immunostain usage and these characteristics were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.ResultsImmunostain use significantly increased over the study period (p < 0.001) and was more likely to be associated with melanomas that were thicker [odds ratio (OR) = 2.5; 1.7–3.6]; located on the head and neck (OR = 1.6; 1.4–1.9) or acral sites (OR = 1.5; 1.1–2.0); had ulceration (OR = 2.1; 1.6–2.8), dermal mitoses (OR = 1.3; 1.1–1.5), or perineural invasion (OR = 3.6; 2.0–6.5); or were of desmoplastic (OR = 7.4; 4.5–12), amelanotic (OR = 7.1; 3.6–14), or nevoid subtypes (OR = 4.0; 1.7–8.9).ConclusionsImmunostain use in the diagnosis of melanoma has increased significantly in the past 15 years for reasons that remain unclear.
Neonatal critical illness and development: white matter and hippocampus alterations in school‐age neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors
Authors: Schiller Raisa M , van den Bosch Gerbrich E , Muetzel Ryan L , Smits Marion , Dudink Jeroen , Tibboel Dick , Ijsselstijn Hanneke , White Tonya 
Published: November 2016

AimTo examine the neurobiology of long‐term neuropsychological deficits after neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).MethodThis cross‐sectional study assessed white matter integrity and hippocampal volume of ECMO survivors (8–15y) and healthy children (8–17y) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) respectively. Neuropsychological outcome was evaluated in ECMO survivors. Included clinical predictors of white matter integrity: age start ECMO, ECMO duration, highest oxygenation index before ECMO, highest mean airway pressure, and mechanical ventilation duration.ResultsECMO survivors (n=23) had lower global fractional anisotropy than healthy children (n=54) (patients=0.368; comparison group=0.381; p=0.018), but similar global mean diffusivity (p=0.410). ECMO survivors had lower fractional anisotropy in the left cingulum bundle (ECMO survivors=0.345; comparison group=0.399; p<0.001) and higher mean diffusivity in a region of the left parahippocampal cingulum (patients=0.916; comparison group=0.871; p<0.001). Higher global mean diffusivity predicted worse verbal memory in ECMO survivors (n=17) (β=–0.74, p=0.008). ECMO survivors (n=23) had smaller bilateral hippocampal volume than healthy children (n=43) (left, p<0.001; right, p<0.001) and this was related to worse verbal memory (left, β=0.65, p=0.018; right, β=0.71, p=0.006).InterpretationNeonatal ECMO survivors are at risk for long‐term brain alterations, which may partly explain long‐term neuropsychological impairments. Neuroimaging may contribute to better risk stratification of long‐term impairments.
The motion of a living conspecific activates septal and preoptic areas in naive domestic chicks (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Mayer Uwe , Rosa‐Salva Orsola , Morbioli Francesca , Vallortigara Giorgio 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPredispositions to attend to animate objects are ubiquitous in newborn vertebrates, but little is known about their neural bases. In this study, we wanted to know if exposure to the motion of a living, behaving conspecific will selectively activate septal, preoptic and amygdaloid areas in visually naive domestic chicks. For this purpose, newly hatched chicks were exposed to a live conspecific, whose natural motion presents of course several features typical of animate motion to which chicks are known to be sensitive. In the control group, chicks were exposed to a rotating stuffed chick that showed rigid non‐biological motion. The two stimuli were visually matched with regard to their static features. We measured brain activity by visualizing the immediate early gene product c‐Fos with a standard immunohistochemical procedure. Notably, dorsal right septum and left preoptic area showed higher activation in experimental subjects compared to the control animals. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration of septal and preoptic areas involvement in response to the animate motion of a social partner, as opposed to rigid motion of a similarly looking stimulus. Moreover, these results indicate that previous visual experience and specific learning events are not necessary to establish the septal and preoptic areas function, which is present shortly after birth.
Mapping peat in Scotland with remote sensing and site characteristics
Authors: Aitkenhead M. J. 
Published: November 2016

Mapping the spatial distribution of organic soil is important for decision making in land management. Organic soil types have a strong effect on carbon storage, water availability and quality, biodiversity and many other ecosystem services. A large proportion of Scotland's soil is organic, and is classed as peats or organomineral. Existing soil maps for Scotland include a 1:25 000 map of eastern and southern parts of the country that identifies the major soil subgroup at each location, or a 1:250 000 map covering the whole country that gives proportions of the major soil group within mapping units. A detailed map of the organic soils of Scotland that disaggregates these mapping units is therefore required. Existing data were used from several Scottish soil surveys and remote sensing data (Landsat 8) to develop a model for predicting whether a site has mineral, organomineral (mineral with peaty topsoil) or organic (peat) soil. The model was applied across Scotland at a grid resolution of 100 m. Predictive accuracies of 68.1% (mineral), 61.3% (organomineral) and 81.8% (organic) were obtained, with an overall prediction accuracy of 69.8%. Training the model with two classes only, non‐organic (including mineral and organomineral) and organic, gave accuracies of 83.9 and 93.6%, respectively, and an overall accuracy of 86.4%. A map of prediction confidence was also produced. The results show how the approach can be used to disaggregate the existing map units and predict mineral and organic soils at locations within a map unit. The map is being used to prioritize monitoring efforts in catchments across Scotland.Highlights

Use of remote sensing and spatial covariates to map peat in Scotland.
Resulting peat maps will be useful for decision making on land management and carbon storage in soil.
Peat is mapped accurately in most areas, although uncertainty is greater in complex landscapes.
Combination of remote sensing and spatial covariates improves accuracy of mapping.
Identification of multiple sclerosis patients at highest risk of cognitive impairment using an integrated brain magnetic resonance imaging assessment approach
Authors: Uher T. , Vaneckova M. , Sormani M. P. , Krasensky J. , Sobisek L. , Dusankova J. Blahova , Seidl Z. , Havrdova E. , Kalincik T. , Benedict R. H. B. , Horakova D. 
Published: November 2016

Background and purposeWhile impaired cognitive performance is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), it has been largely underdiagnosed. Here a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening algorithm is proposed to identify patients at highest risk of cognitive impairment. The objective was to examine whether assessment of lesion burden together with whole brain atrophy on MRI improves our ability to identify cognitively impaired MS patients.MethodsOf the 1253 patients enrolled in the study, 1052 patients with all cognitive, volumetric MRI and clinical data available were included in the analysis. Brain MRI and neuropsychological assessment with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis were performed. Multivariable logistic regression and individual prediction analysis were used to investigate the associations between MRI markers and cognitive impairment. The results of the primary analysis were validated at two subsequent time points (months 12 and 24).ResultsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment was greater in patients with low brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) (<0.85) and high T2 lesion volume (T2‐LV) (>3.5 ml) than in patients with high BPF (>0.85) and low T2‐LV (<3.5 ml), with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.5 (95% CI 4.4–9.5). Low BPF together with high T2‐LV identified in 270 (25.7%) patients predicted cognitive impairment with 83% specificity, 82% negative predictive value, 51% sensitivity and 75% overall accuracy. The risk of confirmed cognitive decline over the follow‐up was greater in patients with high T2‐LV (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1–3.8) and low BPF (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.4–4.7).ConclusionsThe integrated MRI assessment of lesion burden and brain atrophy may improve the stratification of MS patients who may benefit from cognitive assessment.
Predictors of Engagement in Family Mediation and Outcomes for Families that Fail to Engage
Authors: Morris Megan , Halford W. Kim , Petch Jemima , Hardwick David 
Published: November 2016

An important limitation to the effectiveness of family mediation in assisting separated parents is parents failing to engage in the mediation process. In 524 parents who presented to a telephone‐based mediation service, 113 (22%) initiating parents withdrew from mediation before the other parent was invited to participate, 241 (46%) initiating parents had respondent parents who declined to participate in mediation, and 170 cases (33%) completed mediation. We tested whether socio‐demographic variables, psychological distress, coparental acrimony, parenting problems, or children's behavioral difficulties predicted mediation engagement. High interparental acrimony predicted failure to engage in mediation, but none of the other variables predicted mediation engagement. We followed a sample of 131 families that did not mediate and found they showed elevated psychological distress, acrimony, parenting problems and child adjustment difficulties, which remained unchanged 6 months later. Further research is needed to explore strategies to enhance respondent parent engagement with mediation, and to address the negative outcomes for those separated families not proceeding with mediation.
Experimental and numerical investigations on fracture process zone of rock–concrete interface
Authors: Dong W , Yang D , Zhou X , Kastiukas G , Zhang B 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA crack propagation criterion for a rock–concrete interface is employed to investigate the evolution of the fracture process zone (FPZ) in rock–concrete composite beams under three‐point bending (TPB). According to the criterion, cracking initiates along the interface when the difference between the mode I stress intensity factor at the crack tip caused by external loading and the one caused by the cohesive stress acting on the fictitious crack surfaces reaches the initial fracture toughness of a rock–concrete interface. From the experimental results of the composite beams with various initial crack lengths but equal depths under TPB, the interface fracture parameters are determined. In addition, the FPZ evolution in a TPB specimen is investigated by using a digital image correlation technique. Thus, the fracture processes of the rock–concrete composite beams can be simulated by introducing the initial fracture criterion to determine the crack propagation. By comparing the load versus crack mouth opening displacement curves and FPZ evolution, the numerical and experimental results show a reasonable agreement, which verifies the numerical method developed in this study for analysing the crack propagation along the rock–concrete interface. Finally, based on the numerical results, the effect of ligament length on the FPZ evolution and the variations of the fracture model during crack propagation are discussed for the rock–concrete interface fracture under TPB. The results indicate that ligament length significantly affects the FPZ evolution at the rock–concrete interface under TPB and the stress intensity factor ratio of modes II to I is influenced by the specimen size during the propagation of the interfacial crack.