bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Paediatric Throat Disorders Outcome Test (T‐14)
Authors: Larrosa F. , Samara L. , Esteller E. , Dura M.J. , Escamilla Y. , Alberti A. , Rosell R. , Hopkins C. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesThe Paediatric Throat Disorders Outcome Test (T‐14) is a disease‐specific questionnaire that parents are requested to complete; it aimed to assess the quality of life related to tonsil and adenoid disease or its treatment in children with throat disorders. The aim of this study was to validate the Spanish adaptation of the T‐14, thus allowing comparison across studies and facilitating international multicentre projects.Design, setting and participantsThis was a multicentre prospective instrument validation study. Guidelines for the cross‐cultural adaptation process from the original English‐language scale into a Spanish‐language version were followed. The psychometric properties (reproducibility, reliability, validity, responsiveness) of the Spanish version (“T‐14‐s” for “T‐14‐Spanish”) were assessed in 50 consecutive children undergoing adeno/tonsillectomy (both before and 6 months after surgery) and in a separate cohort of 50 unaffected children in a comparable age range.Main outcome measures and resultsTest‐retest reliability (γ = 0.83) and internal consistency reliability (α = 0.94) were adequate. The T‐14‐s demonstrated satisfactory construct validity (r > 0.40). The instrument showed excellent between‐group discrimination (P < .0001) and a high responsiveness to change (effect size = 2.09).ConclusionsThe Spanish version of the T‐14 (T‐14‐s) is a valid tool for measuring the subjective severity of throat disorders, and its use is recommended.
Combining biological and psychosocial baseline variables did not improve prediction of outcome of a very‐low‐energy diet in a clinic referral population
Authors: Sumithran P. , Purcell K. , Kuyruk S. , Proietto J. , Prendergast L. A. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryConsistent, strong predictors of obesity treatment outcomes have not been identified. It has been suggested that broadening the range of predictor variables examined may be valuable. We explored methods to predict outcomes of a very‐low‐energy diet (VLED)‐based programme in a clinically comparable setting, using a wide array of pre‐intervention biological and psychosocial participant data. A total of 61 women and 39 men (mean ± standard deviation [SD] body mass index: 39.8 ± 7.3 kg/m2) underwent an 8‐week VLED and 12‐month follow‐up. At baseline, participants underwent a blood test and assessment of psychological, social and behavioural factors previously associated with treatment outcomes. Logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, decision trees and random forests were used to model outcomes from baseline variables. Of the 100 participants, 88 completed the VLED and 42 attended the Week 60 visit. Overall prediction rates for weight loss of ≥10% at weeks 8 and 60, and attrition at Week 60, using combined data were between 77.8 and 87.6% for logistic regression, and lower for other methods. When logistic regression analyses included only baseline demographic and anthropometric variables, prediction rates were 76.2–86.1%. In this population, considering a wide range of biological and psychosocial data did not improve outcome prediction compared to simply‐obtained baseline characteristics.
Reduced neural responses to vocal fear: a potential biomarker for callous‐uncaring traits in early childhood
Authors: Hoyniak Caroline P. , Bates John E. , Petersen Isaac T. , Yang Chung‐Lin , Darcy Isabelle , Fontaine Nathalie M.G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveCallous‐unemotional (CU) traits are characterized by a lack of guilt and empathy, and low responsiveness to distress and fear in others. Children with CU traits are at‐risk for engaging in early and persistent conduct problems. Individuals showing CU traits have been shown to have reduced neural responses to others’ distress (e.g., fear). However, the neural components of distress responses in children with CU traits have not been investigated in early childhood. In the current study, we examined neural responses that underlie the processing of emotionally valenced vocal stimuli using the event‐related potential technique in a group of preschoolers. Method: Participants between 2 and 5 years old took part in an auditory oddball task containing English‐based pseudowords spoken with either a fearful, happy, or a neutral prosody while electroencephalography data were collected. The mismatch negativity (MMN) component, an index of the automatic detection of deviant stimuli within a series of stimuli, was examined in association with two dimensions of CU traits (i.e., callousness‐uncaring and unemotional dimensions) reported by primary caregivers. Results: Findings suggest that the callousness‐uncaring dimension of CU traits in early childhood is associated with reduced responses to fearful vocal stimuli. Conclusions: Reduced neural responses to vocal fear could be a biomarker for callous‐uncaring traits in early childhood. These findings are relevant for clinicians and researchers attempting to identify risk factors for early callous‐uncaring traits.
Genetic and environmental links between motor activity level and attention problems in early childhood
Authors: Saudino Kimberly J. , Wang Manjie , Flom Megan , Asherson Philip 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCross‐lagged biometric models were used to examine genetic and environmental links between actigraph‐assessed motor activity level (AL) and parent‐rated attention problems (AP) in 314 same‐sex twin pairs (MZ = 145, DZ = 169) at ages 2 and 3 years. At both ages, genetic correlations between AL and AP were moderate (ra2 = .35; ra3 = .39) indicating both overlap and specificity in genetic effects across the two domains. Within‐ and across‐age phenotypic associations between AL and AP were entirely due to overlapping genetic influences. There was a unidirectional effect of AL at age 2 predicting later AP. For AP, genetic and environmental influences from age 2 were transmitted to age 3 via stability effects and from AL. For AL, across‐age effects were transmitted only via stability. These results suggest that overactivity in late infancy may impact the later development of problems related to inattention, and that genetic factors explain the association between the two domains.
History of mood or anxiety disorders and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in a population‐based cohort
Authors: Beka Q. , Bowker S. L. , Savu A. , Kingston D. , Johnson J. A. , Kaul P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo examine the association between mood and anxiety disorders and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus in a retrospective population‐based cohort study.MethodsClinical data from a provincial perinatal health registry were linked to physician claims, hospitalization records and emergency visits to identify any diagnoses of mood or anxiety disorders in the 2 years prior to pregnancy and a subsequent diagnosis of gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The study population included all singleton pregnancies in the Canadian province of Alberta from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2010. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine the adjusted odds ratio of gestational diabetes, comparing women with and without a history of mood or anxiety disorders.ResultsAmong 373 674 pregnancies from 253 911 women, 25.7% had a history of mood or anxiety disorders, and 3.8% developed gestational diabetes. The multivariate‐adjusted odds of developing gestational diabetes were higher among women with a history of mood or anxiety disorders (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.14).ConclusionsWomen with a history of mood or anxiety disorders had a moderately increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Glucocorticoids suppress brown adipose tissue function in humans: A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Thuzar Moe , Law Weikiat Phillip , Ratnasingam Jeyakantha , Jang Christina , Dimeski Goce , Ho Ken K. Y. 
Published: November 2017

AimTo investigate the effect of glucocorticoids on brown adipose tissue (BAT) function in humans.Materials and methodsIn a randomized double‐blind cross‐over design, 13 healthy adults underwent 1 week of oral prednisolone treatment (15 mg/d) and placebo with an intervening 2‐week wash‐out period. BAT function was assessed in response to cooling (19°C) and to a standardized meal, by measuring fluoro‐deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake using positron emission tomography‐computed tomography and skin temperatures overlying the supraclavicular (SCL) BAT depots using infrared thermography. Postprandial energy and substrate metabolism was assessed by indirect calorimetry.ResultsDuring cooling, prednisolone significantly reduced BAT FDG uptake (standardized uptake value, SUVmax, 6.1 ± 2.2 vs 3.7 ± 1.2; P < .05) and SCL temperature (−0.45 ± 0.1 vs −1.0 ± 0.1°C; P < .01) compared to placebo. Postprandially, prednisolone significantly blunted the rise in SCL temperature (+0.2 ± 0.1 vs −0.3 ± 0.1°C; P < .05), enhanced energy production (+221 ± 17 vs +283 ± 27 kcal/d; P < .01) and lipid synthesis (+16.3 ± 3.2 vs +23.6 ± 4.9 mg/min; P < .05). The prednisolone‐induced reduction in SCL temperature significantly correlated with the reduction in FDG uptake (r = 0.65, P < .05), while the increase in energy production significantly correlated with the increase in lipogenesis (r = 0.6, P < .05).ConclusionProlonged exposure to glucocorticoid suppresses the function of human BAT. The enhancement of energy production and lipogenesis in the face of reduced dissipation of energy as heat suggests that glucocorticoids channel energy towards fat storage after nutrient intake. This is a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid‐induced obesity.
Behavior and temperature modulate a thermoregulation–predation risk trade‐off in juvenile gopher tortoises
Authors: Radzio Thomas A. , O'Connor Michael P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractEctotherms frequently thermoregulate behaviorally to improve physiological processes such as digestion and growth, but basking and other thermoregulatory activities can also increase predation risk. Organismal and environmental characteristics can, in some species, influence predation risk associated with thermoregulation and thereby relax or tighten constraints on thermoregulatory behavior, physiological performance, and, ultimately, life history traits. Providing one of the first such investigations in turtles, we examine whether behavior and thermal environment modulate a thermoregulation–predation risk trade‐off in juvenile gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Young gopher tortoises experience very high predation pressure, and their declining species faces many challenges, including human‐induced increased shading of its environment. We hypothesized that in response to simulated predator approach, basking hatchling and juvenile tortoises would: (i) hide inside burrows; (ii) hide for shorter durations in cooler burrows presumably due to greater constraints on physiological performance; and (iii) spend greater time at the surface following disturbance in cool environments because individuals would need to bask more to maintain preferred body temperatures. Basking tortoises always hid inside burrows when approached and exhibited very long flight initiation distances ( = 45 m) that increased with age/size. Individuals fled into burrows even when it was not possible for them to see the approaching researcher, suggesting the use of vibrations (aerial/ground) to detect potential predators and a possible antipredator function for exceptionally large otoliths characteristic of the species. Tortoises hid for short durations ( = 18.3 min), especially in cool burrows, suggesting that they optimize hiding responses to balance physiological costs and antipredator benefits. Additionally, surface activity following disturbance consisted primarily of basking and correlated negatively with burrow temperature. These findings suggest that thermal environment influences predation risk in ectotherms whose surface activity is driven primarily by thermoregulatory requirements and highlight potential benefits of warm, well‐insolated habitats, such as endangered longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems, for juvenile gopher tortoises.
Enhancement of the oxygen desorption/absorption property of BaFe1−xInxO3−δ by In substitution for Fe site
Authors: Fujishiro Fumito , Izaki Minako , Hashimoto Takuya 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOxygen desorption/absorption behavior of In‐substituted BaFeO3−δ [BaFe1−xInxO3−δ] was evaluated using thermogravimetry, high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, and iodometry. By In substitution of 10% into BaFeO3−δ with ordered distribution of oxide ion vacancy, the structural change to cubic perovskite structure occurred, accompanied by the rearrangement of oxide ion vacancy in random and by the increase in the average valence of Fe ions. The amount of desorbed oxygen per Fe ion was enhanced by only 10% In substitution, which could be attributed to the random distribution of oxide ion vacancies. Among the In‐substituted specimens with almost constant valence of Fe ion, BaFe0.9In0.1O3−δ with the highest value of Fe content exhibited the largest amount of desorbed oxygen from the lattice, indicating that this material could be regarded as a promising candidate for oxygen storage materials.
Effect of topological structure on photoluminescence of PbSe quantum dot‐doped borosilicate glasses
Authors: Xu Zhousu , Liu Xiaofeng , Jiang Chun , Ma Dewei , Ren Jinjun , Cheng Cheng , Qiu Jianrong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBorosilicate glasses doped with PbSe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by a conventional melt‐quenching process followed by heat treatment, which exhibit good thermal, chemical, and mechanical stabilities, and are amenable to fiber‐drawing. A broad near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) emission (1070‐1330 nm) band with large full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM) values (189‐266 nm) and notable Stokes shift (100‐210 nm) was observed, which depended on the B2O3 concentration. The PL lifetime was about 1.42‐2.44 μs, and it showed a clear decrease with increasing the QDs size. The planar [BO3] triangle units forming the two‐dimensional (2D) glass network structure clearly increased with increasing B2O3 concentration, which could accelerate the movement of Pb2+ and Se2− ions and facilitate the growth of PbSe QDs. The tunable broadband NIR PL emission of the PbSe QD‐doped borosilicate glass may find potential application in ultra‐wideband fiber amplifiers.
Nicorandil regulates the macrophage skewing and ameliorates myofibroblasts by inhibition of RhoA/Rho‐kinase signalling in infarcted rats
Authors: Lee Tsung‐Ming , Lin Shinn‐Zong , Chang Nen‐Chung 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe have demonstrated that ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel agonists attenuated fibrosis; however, the mechanism remained unclear. Since RhoA has been identified as a mediator of cardiac fibrosis, we sought to determine whether the anti‐fibrotic effects of KATP channel agonists were mediated via regulating macrophage phenotype and fibroblast differentiation by a RhoA/RhoA‐kinase‐dependent pathway. Wistar male rats after induction of myocardial infarction were randomized to either vehicle, nicorandil, an antagonist of KATP channel glibenclamide, an antagonist of ROCK fasudil, or a combination of nicorandil and glibenclamide or fasudil and glibenclamide starting 24 hrs after infarction. There were similar infarct sizes among the infarcted groups. At day 3 after infarction, post‐infarction was associated with increased RhoA/ROCK activation, which can be inhibited by administering nicorandil. Nicorandil significantly increased myocardial IL‐10 levels and the percentage of regulatory M2 macrophages assessed by immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and RT‐PCR compared with vehicle. An IL‐10 receptor antibody increased myofibroblast infiltration compared with nicorandil alone. At day 28 after infarction, nicorandil was associated with attenuated cardiac fibrosis. These effects of nicorandil were functionally translated in improved echocardiographically derived cardiac performance. Fasudil showed similarly increased expression of M2 macrophages as nicorandil. The beneficial effects of nicorandil on fibroblast differentiation were blocked by adding glibenclamide. However, glibenclamide cannot abolish the attenuated fibrosis of fasudil, implying that RhoA/RhoA‐kinase is a downstream effector of KATP channel activation. Nicorandil polarized macrophages into M2 phenotype by inhibiting RhoA/RhoA‐kinase pathway, which leads to attenuated myofibroblast‐induced cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction.
Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevents alveolar bone loss in a mouse model of experimental periodontitis
Authors: Gatej Simona M. , Marino Victor , Bright Richard , Fitzsimmons Tracy R. , Gully Neville , Zilm Peter , Gibson Rachel J. , Edwards Suzanne , Bartold Peter M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimThis study investigated the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) on bone loss and local and systemic inflammation in an in vivo mouse model of experimental periodontitis (PD).Materials and MethodsExperimental PD was induced in mice by oral inoculation with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum over a period of 44 days. The probiotic LGG was administered via oral inoculation or oral gavage prior to, and during disease induction. The antimicrobial activity of LGG on the inoculum was also tested. Alveolar bone levels and gingival tissue changes were assessed using in vivo microcomputed tomography and histological analysis. Serum levels of mouse homologues for IL‐8 were measured using multiplex assays.ResultsPre‐treatment with probiotics either via oral gavage or via oral inoculation significantly reduced bone loss (p < .0001) and gingival inflammation (p < .0001) when compared with PD group. Oral gavage treatment group had significantly less tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase positive cells (p < .02) then PD group. LGG showed no antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum.ConclusionsLactobacillus rhamnosus GG effectively suppresses bone loss in a mouse model of induced PD irrespective of the mode of administration.
Protocol of a dose response trial of IV immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (DRIP study)
Authors: Kuitwaard Krista , Fokkink Willem‐Jan R. , Brusse Esther , Vrancken Alexander F. J. E. , Eftimov Filip , Notermans Nicolette C. , van der Kooi Anneke J. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. , Jacobs Bart C. , van Doorn Pieter A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHigh peak levels of serum IgG may not be needed for maintenance treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). More frequent dosing of IVIg leads to more stable IgG levels and higher trough levels which may be related with improved clinical efficacy. More frequent lower dosing leads to lower peak levels and may induce less systemic side‐effects. The DRIP study is a double‐blind randomized controlled cross‐over intervention study. CIDP patients ≥18 years old, proven IVIg dependent and receiving an individually established but stable maintenance dose and interval of IVIg (Kiovig) can be included. One group (A) will be treated with their normal dosage and interval of IVIg and receive a placebo (albumin 0.5%) infusion in between their regular IVIg infusions, for a total of four infusions. The other group (B) will be treated with half their normal IVIg dosage (with the same volume of placebo to maintain the total volume) at half their interval (double their frequency) for four infusions. After a wash‐out phase (2 infusions), patients will cross‐over to the other treatment group. During the study the total dose of IVIg administered will remain unchanged as before start of the trial. The main objective is to investigate whether high frequent low dosage IVIg treatment is more effective than low frequent high dosage IVIg treatment as maintenance treatment for CIDP. Hand grip strength, as measured by the Martin Vigorimeter, will be used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary objective is to investigate whether high frequent low dosage of IVIg results in less adverse events compared to low frequent high dosage treatment. The DRIP study is currently ongoing and the protocol is presented.
A social–ecological framework: A model for addressing ethical practice in nursing
Authors: Davidson Patricia , Rushton Cynda Hylton , Kurtz Melissa , Wise Brian , Jackson Debra , Beaman Adam , Broome Marion 
Published: November 2017

Aims and objectivesTo develop a framework to enable discussion, debate and the formulation of interventions to address ethical issues in nursing practice.BackgroundSocial, cultural, political and economic drivers are rapidly changing the landscape of health care in our local environments but also in a global context. Increasingly, nurses are faced with a range of ethical dilemmas in their work. This requires investigation into the culture of healthcare systems and organisations to identify the root causes and address the barriers and enablers of ethical practice. The increased medicalisation of health care; pressures for systemisation; efficiency and cost reduction; and an ageing population contribute to this complexity. Often, ethical issues in nursing are considered within the abstract and philosophical realm until a dilemma is encountered. Such an approach limits the capacity to tangibly embrace ethical values and frameworks as pathways to equitable, accessible, safe and quality health care and as a foundation for strengthening a supportive and enabling workplace for nurses and other healthcare workers.DesignConceptual framework development.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was undertaken using the social–ecological framework as an organising construct.ResultsThis framework views ethical practice as the outcome of interaction among a range of factors at eight levels: individual factors (patients and families); individual factors (nurses); relationships between healthcare professionals; relationships between patients and nurses; organisational healthcare context; professional and education regulation and standards; community; and social, political and economic.ConclusionsConsidering these elements as discrete, yet interactive and intertwined forces can be useful in developing interventions to promote ethical practice. We consider this framework to have utility in policy, practice, education and research.Relevance to clinical practiceNurses face ethical challenges on a daily basis, considering these within a social–ecological framework can assist in developing strategies and resolutions.