bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White matter maturation in the neonatal brain is predictive of school age cognitive capacities in children born very preterm
Authors: Keunen Kristin , Benders Manon J , Leemans Alexander , Fieret‐Van Stam Petronella C , Scholtens Lianne H , Viergever Max A , Kahn René S , Groenendaal Floris , de Vries Linda S , van den Heuvel Martijn P 
Published: July 2017

AimTo investigate the association between white matter organization in the neonatal brain and cognitive capacities at early school age in children born very preterm.MethodThirty children born very preterm (gestational age median 27.5wks, interquartile range [IQR] 25.5–29.5; 18 males, 12 females) were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) had been performed on a 3T system in the neonatal period (median 41.3 [IQR 40.0–42.6]wks) and cognitive functioning was formally assessed at age 5 years and 7 months (IQR 5.4–5.9y) using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Structural connectivity maps were reconstructed from the DWI data using deterministic streamline tractography. Network metrics of global and local communication and mean fractional anisotropy of white matter pathways were related to IQ and processing speed at age 5 years using linear regression analyses.ResultsMean fractional anisotropy was significantly related to Performance IQ at age 5 years (F=8.48, p=0.007). Findings persisted after adjustment for maternal education level.InterpretationOur findings provide evidence that the blueprint of later cognitive achievement is already present at term‐equivalent age and suggest that white matter connectivity strength may be a valuable predictor for long‐term cognitive functioning.
Armillaria ostoyae in managed coniferous forests in Kastamonu in Turkey
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Doğmuş‐Lehtijärvi H. T. , Aday Kaya A. G. , Ünal S. , Woodward S. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryAlthough several Armillaria species have been reported in Turkey, there is little information about their ecology in Turkish forests. In this study, we investigated five forest stands, approximately 5–74 ha in size, in Kastamonu province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey for the presence of Armillaria species in stumps and logs. The stands were mixed Abies nordmanniana ssp. bornmülleriana and Pinus sylvestris forests managed using a selective cuttings system; the proportion of fir in the total number of stems and stumps ranged from 36 to 98%. Based on sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and intergenic spacer regions of the rDNA, all rhizomorphs sampled from the stumps and logs were of Armillaria ostoyae. The size of the genets was estimated with random amplified microsatellites analysis of the isolates and ranged from single stumps to approximately 450 m2. One to seven genets were found in each stand. These results indicate that the genets had arisen from spores and vegetative spread was limited on most sites.
Feedbacks between plant N demand and rhizosphere priming depend on type of mycorrhizal association
Authors: Sulman Benjamin N. , Brzostek Edward R. , Medici Chiara , Shevliakova Elena , Menge Duncan N. L. , Phillips Richard P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEcosystem carbon (C) balance is hypothesised to be sensitive to the mycorrhizal strategies that plants use to acquire nutrients. To test this idea, we coupled an optimality‐based plant nitrogen (N) acquisition model with a microbe‐focused soil organic matter (SOM) model. The model accurately predicted rhizosphere processes and C–N dynamics across a gradient of stands varying in their relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees. When mycorrhizal dominance was switched – ECM trees dominating plots previously occupied by AM trees, and vice versa – legacy effects were apparent, with consequences for both C and N stocks in soil. Under elevated productivity, ECM trees enhanced decomposition more than AM trees via microbial priming of unprotected SOM. Collectively, our results show that ecosystem responses to global change may hinge on the balance between rhizosphere priming and SOM protection, and highlight the importance of dynamically linking plants and microbes in terrestrial biosphere models.
Prospective clinical trials to investigate clinical and molecular biomarkers
Authors: Auvin Stéphane , Walker Lauren , Gallentine William , Jozwiak Sergiusz , Tombini Mario , Sills Graeme J. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryAmong clinical studies, randomized studies as well as well‐designed observational studies are providing the highest quality data. In addition, these studies represent a good opportunity to examine biomarkers of ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. To date, no validated molecular or cellular biomarker exists for any aspect of epilepsy. We provide an overview of the inflammatory biomarkers under investigation in prospective clinical studies in epilepsy: proinflammatory cytokines in prolonged febrile seizure; High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) as a prognosis biomarker in epilepsy and the interaction between inflammation and metabolism, in particular, iron metabolism, in epilepsy. The designs of the European Union EPISTOP project following prospectively patients with tuberous sclerosis from birth to the start of the epilepsy and of the Standard and New Antiepileptic Drugs‐II study illustrate how such studies can be used to find new inflammatory biomarkers of ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. If we want to bridge the current gap between having numerous biomarker candidates from preclinical studies and their selective use in clinical practice, we need to explore multiple biologic systems, not just including inflammation. In addition, it is crucial that those involved in the design and support of relevant clinical studies recognize this gap and act accordingly, and in the interests of improving the diagnosis and prognosis for epilepsy.
Neuroinflammatory targets and treatments for epilepsy validated in experimental models
Authors: Aronica Eleonora , Bauer Sebastian , Bozzi Yuri , Caleo Matteo , Dingledine Raymond , Gorter Jan A. , Henshall David C. , Kaufer Daniela , Koh Sookyong , Löscher Wolfgang , Louboutin Jean‐Pierre , Mishto Michele , Norwood Braxton A. , Palma Eleonora , Poulter Michael O. , Terrone Gaetano , Vezzani Annamaria , Kaminski Rafal M. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryA large body of evidence that has accumulated over the past decade strongly supports the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of human epilepsy. Specific inflammatory molecules and pathways have been identified that influence various pathologic outcomes in different experimental models of epilepsy. Most importantly, the same inflammatory pathways have also been found in surgically resected brain tissue from patients with treatment‐resistant epilepsy. New antiseizure therapies may be derived from these novel potential targets. An essential and crucial question is whether targeting these molecules and pathways may result in anti‐ictogenesis, antiepileptogenesis, and/or disease‐modification effects. Therefore, preclinical testing in models mimicking relevant aspects of epileptogenesis is needed to guide integrated experimental and clinical trial designs. We discuss the most recent preclinical proof‐of‐concept studies validating a number of therapeutic approaches against inflammatory mechanisms in animal models that could represent novel avenues for drug development in epilepsy. Finally, we suggest future directions to accelerate preclinical to clinical translation of these recent discoveries.
Differences in the frequency of Alzheimer's disease‐associated genomic variations in populations of different races
Authors: Huang Poyin , Hsieh Sun‐Wung , Chang Ya‐Hsuan , Hour Ai‐Ling , Chen Hsuan‐Yu , Liu Ching‐Kuan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe general genetic background is important when studying major common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Determining the underlying genetic factors in populations of different races might allow for the tailored management of such diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify potential single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and genes associated with racial differences.MethodsWe identified AD‐associated SNP with different carrier frequencies among races through the National Human Genome Research Institute and 1000 Genome Project databases. We generated heatmaps and carried out principle component analysis and pathway analysis. A total of 99 AD‐associated SNP from genome‐wide association studies were found to have different frequencies among races. Principle component analysis showed that specific SNP had higher or lower frequencies in specific races, and that similar races were clustered together.ResultsPathway analysis showed that a total of 15 pathways involving intracellular endocytosis, inflammation, immune response and lipid metabolism were significant, and that apolipoprotein E was involved in the most significant pathways. A literature review showed that 16 genes were involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and that the identified SNP could be used to cluster different races, suggesting that these SNP represented different genomic backgrounds of races.ConclusionsAs disease‐associated genes might have several functional variants across different populations, these genes could be candidates for further studies, such as target gene sequencing or functional follow up of putative loci regarding racial differences. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2184–2193.
Missed opportunities for adolescent friendly care in hospital
Authors: Crossen Kendall 
Published: July 2017

AimTo investigate whether adolescent friendly care, as defined by current best practice, was being provided within a hospital setting.MethodsAll patients aged 12–18 presenting to Tauranga Hospital over a 5‐week period were invited to complete a questionnaire on their experience of care. Responses were obtained from 319 adolescents (40% response rate).ResultsAdolescents reported that staff were generally friendly (>80%) and respectful (>90%) and that they trusted staff to care for them (90%). Explanations were considered clear by 87% of adolescents, but 20% felt uncomfortable asking questions. Confidentiality was discussed with some adolescents (52%). Privacy was provided (93%), and most adolescents (86%) were satisfied with the extent of their involvement in consultations. Adolescents reported that staff did not routinely undertake psychosocial assessments. The physical environment and resources did not always meet the needs of adolescents, with 70% complaining about a lack of access to other adolescents.ConclusionWhile adolescents rated the care they received highly, the care did not always align with best practices regarding adolescent friendly care. There is ample opportunity for improvement.
Estimating the cost of school sealant programs with minimal data
Authors: Griffin Susan O. , Jones Kari , Naavaal Shillpa , O'Connell Joan M. , Demopoulos Christina , Arlotta Dawn 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveDevelop methodology to estimate the annual cost of resources used by school sealant programs (SSPs) and demonstrate its use.MethodsWe used existing literature and expert opinion to identify SSP cost components and the most appropriate units for their measurement (e.g., per operator) and collection frequency (e.g., per day). For equipment and reusable instruments, costs were sufficiently homogenous across SSPs that we could provide default per unit cost estimates (2016 US$) that SSPs can use in lieu of collecting their own data. We also provide default costs for supply items such that SSPs can estimate total supply costs with program‐specific information on sealant material used, as well as number of: sealant stations, operators, service delivery days, children screened/sealed, and number of teeth sealed. For the remaining three categories (labor, mileage, and administrative), costs varied substantially by SSP and required us to develop and pilot collection logs for program‐specific data.ResultsThe annual cost per sealant station ranged from $584 to $797 depending on program characteristics. For a hypothetical SSP that staffed each of two stations with two operators (hygienist and assistant) compensated at the national rate, hourly labor costs would equal $77.97. Assuming this SSP used disposable instruments, light‐cured sealants and delivered sealants (3 per child) to 60 percent of the 3,390 children screened over 100 service days, infection control/supply costs per child would equal $5.30.ConclusionThis methodology allows SSPs to estimate costs with minimal data collection and time.
Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence During Pregnancy and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: DİNÇ Ayten 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and associated risk factors.MethodsThe study is a cross‐sectional and descriptive study. A questionnaire was conducted with a total of 750 pregnant women about their urinary incontinence complaints between April and December 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy was 300 in 750 (40%). Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of incontinence during pregnancy. 41.7% of nulliparous women, 38% of primipara women, and 20.3% of multipara women experienced urinary incontinence. Among women reporting UI, 29.3% experienced leakage a few times a day and the amount of leakage was generally (59.7%) moderate. Factors significantly associated with urinary incontinence included age group, gestational age, parity, previous urinary incontinence, constipation, mode of delivery at last childbirth, previous urinary tract infection, body mass index during pregnancy. But on multivariable analysis, the risk factors for urinary incontinence during pregnancy were previous urinary tract infection (OR = 3.8, 95%CI 1.5–9.3), constipation (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.7–5.6) and gestational age (OR 0.5, 95%CI 0.3–0.9).ConclusionAs a result of this study, urinary incontinence is a common condition during pregnancy. Results would help the design of more intensive training programs to prevent incontinence during pregnancy by increasing the awareness about urinary incontinence of healthcare staff engaging in the care of pregnant women.
Magnetite in Comet Wild 2: Evidence for parent body aqueous alteration
Authors: Hicks L. J. , MacArthur J. L. , Bridges J. C. , Price M. C. , Wickham‐Eade J. E. , Burchell M. J. , Hansford G. M. , Butterworth A. L. , Gurman S. J. , Baker S. H. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe mineralogy of comet 81P/Wild 2 particles, collected in aerogel by the Stardust mission, has been determined using synchrotron Fe‐K X‐ray absorption spectroscopy with in situ transmissionXRDand X‐ray fluorescence, plus complementary microRaman analyses. Our investigation focuses on the terminal grains of eight Stardust tracks: C2112,4,170,0,0; C2045,2,176,0,0; C2045,3,177,0,0; C2045,4,178,0,0; C2065,4,187,0,0; C2098,4,188,0,0; C2119,4,189,0,0; and C2119,5,190,0,0. Three terminal grains have been identified as near pure magnetite Fe3O4. The presence of magnetite shows affinities between the Wild 2 mineral assemblage and carbonaceous chondrites, and probably resulted from hydrothermal alteration of the coexisting FeNi and ferromagnesian silicates in the cometary parent body. In order to further explore this hypothesis, powdered material from aCR2 meteorite (NWA10256) was shot into the aerogel at 6.1 km s−1, using a light‐gas gun, and keystones were then prepared in the same way as the Stardust keystones. Using similar analysis techniques to the eight Stardust tracks, aCR2 magnetite terminal grain establishes the likelihood of preserving magnetite during capture in silica aerogel.
Solving Models with Jump Discontinuities in Policy Functions
Authors: Görtz Christoph , Mirza Afrasiab 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe compare global methods for solving models with jump discontinuities in the policy function. We find that differences between value function iteration (VFI) and other methods are economically significant and Euler equation errors fail to be a sufficient measure of accuracy in such models. VFI fails to accurately identify both the location and size of jump discontinuities, while the endogenous grid method (EGM) and the finite element method (FEM) are much better at approximating this class of models. We further show that combining VFI with a local interpolation step (VFI‐INT) is sufficient to obtain accurate approximations. The combination of computational speed, relatively easy implementation and adaptability make VFI‐INT especially suitable for approximating models with jump discontinuities in policy functions: while EGM is the fastest method, it is relatively complex to implement; implementation of VFI‐INT is relatively straightforward and it is much faster than FEM.
Growth response of 98 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes to elevated CO2 and identification of related quantitative trait loci using genome‐wide association studies
Authors: Mitterbauer Esther , Enders Matthias , Bender Jürgen , Erbs Martin , Habekuß Antje , Kilian Benjamin , Ordon Frank , Weigel Hans‐Joachim 
Published: July 2017

AbstractElevated CO2 (eCO2) concentrations can stimulate crop growth, but little is known about intraspecific variability in the response to eCO2 and the underlying genetics in cereals. Field experiments over two years with 98 barley genotypes were conducted in open‐top chambers (OTCs) under ambient CO2 (400 ppm) and eCO2 (700 ppm) concentrations. At crop maturity, different fractions of aboveground biomass (AGB) were measured, and genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL). Averaged across all genotypes, eCO2 significantly enhanced AGB by 15%, while the increase in culm and ear biomass alone was not significant. The AGB response to eCO2 of the individual genotypes ranged from c. −36% to +95% compared with ambient CO2 (aCO2), showing a large variability of growth responses. In GWAS, 51 associations between SNP markers and the relative changes (eCO2/aCO2) in biomass were detected on different chromosomes. Loci potentially involved in biomass alterations under eCO2 were identified. The wide range of variability in responses might be exploited by marker‐based breeding for climate‐resilient barley.
Assessing the distributive effects of minimum wage
Authors: Borraz Fernando , González‐Pampillón Nicolás 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper analyzes the role of Uruguay's sharp minimum wage increases after 2004 amidst the country's slight wage inequality decrease. We found that the minimum wage increase has contributed to the reduction of wage inequality for formal workers mainly. However, we also found a negative impact on employment outside the capital city, Montevideo, and observed a reduction in working hours. These results raise doubts about the effectiveness of minimum wage as a redistribution instrument in developing countries.
Subinhibitory Concentrations of Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole Prevent Biofilm Formation by Acinetobacter baumannii through Inhibition of Csu Pilus Expression
Authors: Moon Ki Hwan , Weber Brent S. , Feldman Mario F. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter baumannii
is emerging as a multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen of increasing threat to human health worldwide. Pili are important bacterial virulence factors, playing a role in attachment to host cells and biofilm formation. The Csu pilus, which is assembled via the chaperone-usher secretion system, has been studied in
A. baumannii
ATCC 19606. Here we show that, in opposition to previous reports, the common laboratory strain ATCC 17978 produces Csu pili. We found that, although ATCC 17978 was resistant to sulfamethoxazole (Smx) and trimethoprim (Tmp), subinhibitory concentrations of these antibiotics abolished the expression of Csu and consequently produced a dramatic reduction in biofilm formation by ATCC 17978. Smx and Tmp acted synergistically to inhibit the enzymatic systems involved in the bacterial synthesis of tetrahydrofolate (THF), which is required for the synthesis of nucleotides. The effects of these antibiotics were partially relieved by exogenous THF addition, indicating that Smx and Tmp turn off Csu assembly by inducing folate stress. We propose that, for
Acinetobacter
, nanomolar concentrations of Smx and Tmp represent a “danger signal.” In response to this signal, Csu expression is repressed, allowing biofilm dispersal and escape from potentially inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. The roles of antibiotics as signaling molecules are being increasingly acknowledged, with clear implications for both the treatment of bacterial diseases and the understanding of complex microbial interactions in the environment.
Activity of LCB01-0371, a Novel Oxazolidinone, against Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Kim Tae Sung , Choe Jin Ho , Kim Young Jae , Yang Chul-Su , Kwon Hyun-Jin , Jeong Jinsun , Kim Guehye , Park Da Eun , Jo Eun-Kyeong , Cho Young-Lag , Jang Jichan 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium abscessus
is a highly pathogenic drug-resistant rapidly growing mycobacterium. In this study, we evaluated the
in vitro
, intracellular, and
in vivo
activities of LCB01-0371, a novel and safe oxazolidinone derivative, for the treatment of
M. abscessus
infection and compared its resistance to that of other oxazolidinone drugs. LCB01-0371 was effective against several
M. abscessus
strains
in vitro
and in a macrophage model of infection. In the murine model, a similar efficacy to linezolid was achieved, especially in the lungs. We induced laboratory-generated resistance to LCB01-0371; sequencing analysis revealed mutations in
rplC
of T424C and G419A and a nucleotide insertion at the 503 position. Furthermore, LCB01-0371 inhibited the growth of amikacin-, cefoxitin-, and clarithromycin-resistant strains. Collectively, our data indicate that LCB01-0371 might represent a promising new class of oxazolidinones with improved safety, which may replace linezolid for the treatment of
M. abscessus
.