bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional Controls on Physical Habitat Structure of Amazon Streams
Authors: Benone N. L. , Esposito M. C. , Juen L. , Pompeu P. S. , Montag L. F. A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDrainage basins are inherently hierarchical and are composed of a series of nested subsystems, in which the functions and structure of lower levels depend on the features of higher levels. For a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of river systems, it is necessary to identify which factors are important at different scales and how they interact. Considering the importance of assessing lotic systems in the Amazon, our aim was to answer the following question: how do regional features at catchment scale constrain local physical habitat of streams? We sampled 55 streams distributed among six protected river basins of the Amazon, examining the associations of 11 catchment metrics with 146 local variables describing physical habitat structure derived from field measurements. Multivariate analyses showed that basins were structured according to different factors at both scales; variables related to substrate, cover for aquatic organisms and fast channel habitats were explained by altitude, catchment slope and proportion of coarse fragments in soils. Altitude was the most important catchment variable, strongly affecting flow velocity and regulating channel morphology and sediment transport. Spatial differences in environmental heterogeneity indicate that different processes act at each scale; this emphasizes how difficult it is to choose the most relevant spatial scale in ecological studies. Our results highlight the importance of regional variables, especially altitude and slope, as drivers of local‐scale environmental heterogeneity. We hope these results will help in developing more efficient monitoring projects and restoration practices to better understand and conserve aquatic resources in the Amazon Basin. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microfluidic Screening Reveals Heparan Sulfate Enhances Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth by Modulating Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Transport
Authors: Titmarsh Drew M. , Tan Clarissa L.L. , Glass Nick R. , Nurcombe Victor , Cooper-White Justin J. , Cool Simon M. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Cost-effective expansion of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) remains a key challenge for their widespread clinical deployment. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a key hMSC mitogen often supplemented to increase hMSC growth rates. However, hMSCs also produce endogenous FGF-2, which critically interacts with cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). We assessed the interplay of FGF-2 with a heparan sulfate variant (HS8) engineered to bind FGF-2 and potentiate its activity. Bone marrow-derived hMSCs were screened in perfused microbioreactor arrays (MBAs), showing that HS8 (50 μg/ml) increased hMSC proliferation and cell number after 3 days, with an effect equivalent to FGF-2 (50 ng/ml). In combination, the effects of HS8 and FGF-2 were additive. Differential cell responses, from upstream to downstream culture chambers under constant flow of media in the MBA, provided insights into modulation of FGF-2 transport by HS8. HS8 treatment induced proliferation mainly in the downstream chambers, suggesting a requirement for endogenous FGF-2 accumulation, whereas responses to FGF-2 occurred primarily in the upstream chambers. Adding HS8 along with FGF-2, however, maximized the range of FGF-2 effectiveness. Measurements of FGF-2 in static cultures then revealed that this was because HS8 caused increased endogenous FGF-2 production and liberated FGF-2 from the cell surface into the supernatant. HS8 also sustained levels of supplemented FGF-2 available over 3 days. These results suggest HS8 enhances hMSC proliferation and expansion by leveraging endogenous FGF-2 production and maximizing the effect of supplemented FGF-2. This is an exciting strategy for cost-effective expansion of hMSCs.
Integrated precision medicine: the role of electronic health records in delivering personalized treatment
Authors: Sitapati Amy , Kim Hyeoneui , Berkovich Barbara , Marmor Rebecca , Singh Siddharth , El‐Kareh Robert , Clay Brian , Ohno‐Machado Lucila 
Published: February 2017

Precision Medicine involves the delivery of a targeted, personalized treatment for a given patient. By harnessing the power of electronic health records (EHRs), we are increasingly able to practice precision medicine to improve patient outcomes. In this article, we introduce the scientific community at large to important building blocks for personalized treatment, such as terminology standards that are the foundation of the EHR and allow for exchange of health information across systems. We briefly review different types of clinical decision support (CDS) and present the current state of CDS, which is already improving the care patients receive with genetic profile‐based tailored recommendations regarding diagnostic and treatment plans. We also report on limitations of current systems, which are slowly beginning to integrate new genomic data into patient records but still present many challenges. Finally, we discuss future directions and how the EHR can evolve to increase the capacity of the healthcare system in delivering Precision Medicine at the point of care. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1378. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1378This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
Phase 1b trial of proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib with irinotecan in lung cancer and other irinotecan-sensitive malignancies that have progressed on prior therapy (Onyx IST reference number: CAR-IST-553)
Authors: Arnold Susanne M. , Chansky Kari , Leggas Markos , Thompson Michael A. , Villano John L. , Hamm John , Sanborn Rachel E. , Weiss Glen J. , Chatta Gurkamal , Baggstrom Maria Q. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryIntroduction Proteasome inhibition is an established therapy for many malignancies. Carfilzomib, a novel proteasome inhibitor, was combined with irinotecan to provide a synergistic approach in relapsed, irinotecan-sensitive cancers. Materials and Methods Patients with relapsed irinotecan-sensitive cancers received carfilzomib (Day 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16) at three dose levels (20/27 mg/m2, 20/36 mg/m2 and 20/45 mg/m2/day) in combination with irinotecan (Days 1, 8 and 15) at 125 mg/m2/day. Key eligibility criteria included measurable disease, a Zubrod PS of 0 or 1, and acceptable organ function. Patients with stable asymptomatic brain metastases were eligible. Dose escalation utilized a standard 3 + 3 design. Results Overall, 16 patients were enrolled to three dose levels, with four patients replaced. Three patients experienced dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was exceeded in Cohort 3. The RP2 dose was carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 (given on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16) and irinotecan 125 mg/m2 (Days 1, 8 and 15). Common Grade (Gr) 3 and 4 toxicities included fatigue (19%), thrombocytopenia (19%), and diarrhea (13%). Conclusions Irinotecan and carfilzomib were well tolerated, with common toxicities of fatigue, thrombocytopenia and neutropenic fever. Objective clinical response was 19% (one confirmed partial response (PR) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and two unconfirmed); stable disease (SD) was 6% for a disease control rate (DCR) of 25%. The recommended phase II dose was carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 and irinotecan125 mg/m2. The phase II evaluation is ongoing in relapsed small cell lung cancer.
Deep Neck Flexor Endurance in the Adolescent and Young Adult: Normative Data and Associated Attributes
Authors: Jarman Nathan F. , Brooks Toby , James C. Roger , Hooper Troy , Wilhelm Mark , Brismée Jean‐Michel , Domenech Manuel A. , Kotara Stanley J. , Sizer Phillip S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundDeep neck flexor (DNF) muscles stabilize the neck and contribute to head acceleration control. The function of DNF in cervical spine dynamic stabilization has not been examined in athletes of any age group, including adolescents. This investigation was necessary prior to studying the DNF muscles' role in cervical spine injury patterns.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were (1) to determine average Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test (DNFET) time scores in high school−aged and university‐aged subjects (aged 14‐22 years); and (2) to establish the relationship between gender and age for adolescent DNFET time scores.DesignCross‐sectional design.SettingPublic high school and private university.ParticipantsA total of 81 (40 male, 41 female) healthy high school and collegiate athletes.InterventionDNFET time scores (in seconds) were collected and means values were calculated. Interrater reliability was established using the first 15 university‐aged subjects enrolled in the study.Main OutcomesMean DNFET time (seconds) scores.ResultsThe DNF muscle endurance interrater reliability coefficient of reproducibility for 4 allied health clinicians was intraclass correlation coefficient (2,4) 0.712 (confidence interval, 0.24‐0.85). The mean (± standard deviation) DNFET time score for females was 31.86 (±8.53) seconds versus 35.57 (±10.43) seconds for males. The DNFET performance demonstrated a significant but fair correlation with age (r = 0.401, P = .0001). No significant performance differences were found between male and female subjects in the 14‐ to 17‐year‐old group (U = 187.0, P = .285), the 18‐ to 22‐year‐old group (U = 145.0, P = .215), or the total male versus female subject groups (U = 653.0, P = .083).ConclusionOur study establishes a normative data set available for the DNFET in the adolescent population. The fair correlation between DNFET time scores and age is consistent with other studies. These findings serve as a basis for clinician testing, objectifying, and monitoring DNF dysfunction in an adolescent athletic population.Level of EvidenceII
Demonstrating Construct Validity of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Part I Examination: An Analysis of Dimensionality
Authors: Raddatz Mikaela M. , Robinson Lawrence R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundIdeally, high‐stakes examinations assess 1 dimension of medical knowledge to produce precise estimates of a candidate's performance. It has not been reported whether the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Part 1 Certification Examination (ABPMR‐CE‐1) is unidimensional or not.ObjectiveTo examine the ABPMR‐CE‐1 to measure how many dimensions it assesses.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingWe assessed examination results from the 2015 ABPMR‐CE‐1.ParticipantsA total of 489 deidentified candidates taking the 2015 ABPMR‐CE‐1.MethodsA 1‐parameter Item Response Theory (IRT) measurement model was utilized. A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of standardized residual correlations was used to detect multidimensionality.Main Outcome MeasureNumber of primary dimensions reflected in the 325 test questions.ResultsThe results of the dimensionality analysis indicated that the ABPMR‐CE‐1 examination is highly unidimensional from a psychometric perspective. Expert content review of the substantive content of small contrasting clusters of questions provided additional assurance of the unidimensional nature of the examination.ConclusionsThe ABPMR‐CE‐1 appears indeed to measure a single construct, which suggests a sound structure of the examination. It closely approximates the assumption of statistical unidimensionality.Level of EvidenceNot applicable.
Grounds for Learning: Schoolyard Activities as Provocations, Scaffolds and Mediators for Childhood Learning
Authors: Johnson Paul 
Published: February 2017

Compelling evidence links childhood experiences in quasi-natural settings with learning and wellbeing, but, as cities grow, children's activities have been increasingly restricted to de-natured spaces that are designed or controlled by adults. In recent years, academics and education practitioners have campaigned to reverse this trend, and one result is that Australian early childhood centres and schools increasingly provide environments that enhance opportunities for children to engage with nature. These moves are also underpinned by higher-level policy initiatives. For example, the National Quality Standard, Element 3.2.1, requires that early childhood outdoor spaces are designed so that children experience natural environments (ACECQA, 2013). Similarly, the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development (2016, p. 5) Outdoor Learning Environments Standard mandates ‘balanced environments which instil a sense of wonder, generate curiosity and spark the imagination of children and young people’. However, despite recent interest and policy initiatives, the processes by which environments influence learning remain ‘under-researched’ (Engelen et al., 2013, p. 324) and constitute a ‘significant blind spot’ (Rickinson et al., 2004, p. 8) in the literature.
Kalyani cohort – the first platform in Eastern India for longitudinal studies on health and disease parameters in peri-urban setting
Authors: Chatterjee S. , Majumder P. P. 
Published: February 2017

The Kalyani cohort created in 2010 by the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, West Bengal, India, is designed to serve as a platform for conducting prospective basic and translational studies on epidemiology and genomics of health and disease-related parameters, particularly of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The overall goal is to assess behavioural, biological, genetic, social and environmental factors and obtain necessary evidence for effective health improvement. Collected baseline data comprise 15727 individuals, >14 years of age from seven municipal wards in the Kalyani and Gayeshpur regions. Data are being collected on demographics, current health status, medical history and health-related behaviours. Blood samples were also collected from a subset of individuals (n = 5132) and analysed for estimation of known markers of NCDs. DNA has been extracted from blood samples and stored for future use. Important baseline findings include a high prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemias and hypothyroidism. Prevalence estimates for these disorders obtained from self-reported data are significantly lower, indicating that participants are unaware of their health problems. The identification of ‘at risk’ individuals will allow formation of sub-cohorts for further investigations of epidemiological and genetic risk factors for NCDs. Access to the resource, including data and blood samples, created by this study will be provided to other researchers.
Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) of Central-Line Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) in a University Hospital in a Developing Country, Brazil
Authors: da Rocha Jaqueline Abel , do Valle Fernanda Moreth , da Silva Natalia Chilinque Zambão , Nunes Silva Ana Sheila Duarte , Vaz Suzana dos Santos , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes , Martins Ianick Souto 
Published: February 2017

Central-line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) increases hospital mortality. A cohort study was conducted in a Brazilian hospital to estimate the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) of CLABSI using modified World Health Organization (WHO) methodology. CLABSI DALY was 20.44 per 1,000 inpatients, most were the result of premature death (20.42 per 1,000 inpatients). DALY can be useful to guide and measure the impact of healthcare infection prevention.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:606–609
Immigration Policies and Group Identity: How Immigrant Laws Affect Linked Fate among U.S. Latino Populations
Authors: Vargas Edward D. , Sanchez Gabriel R. , Valdez Juan A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractImmigrant sentiment, measured by the number of state laws enacted to curb the flow of undocumented immigration or expand rights to immigrants, have been on a steady incline since September 11, 2001. Despite the increased attention to unauthorized immigration, little research has examined how immigrant policies are affecting group identity (i.e., linked fate). Linked fate is a form of collective group identity that develops when a group of people experience discrimination and marginalization. Using a unique database that merges the 2012 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (n= 934 Latinos) with the sum of state-level immigration policies enacted from 2005 to 2012, this study is the first to examine the direct relationship between immigrant climate and linked fate. Results from our multinomial logistic regressions indicate that the linked fate among Latinos increases as the number of punitive immigration laws in a state increases, controlling for a vector of control variables. Consistent with our theory regarding differential impact, our findings also suggest that immigration laws have a more pronounced influence on the linked fate of foreign-born Latinos.
Impact of routine Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) treatment on the availability of flying insects as prey for aerial feeding predators
Authors: Timmermann Ute , Becker Norbert 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSince 1980, mosquito breeding habitats in the Upper Rhine Valley were routinely treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). Bti is considered to significantly reduce the number of mosquitoes, and – especially when used in higher dosages – to be toxic to other Nematocera species, e.g. Chironomidae, which could be food sources for aerial feeding predators. To investigate direct and indirect effects of routine Bti treatment on food sources for aerial feeding predators, the availability of flying insects in treated and untreated areas was compared. A car trap was used for insect collection, which allowed their exact spatiotemporal assignment. The statistical analysis revealed that insect taxa abundance was influenced differently by the factors season, temperature and time of day. Nematocera (Diptera) were the most frequently collected insects in all areas. Chironomidae were the predominant aquatic Nematocera. The comparison of treated and untreated sites did not show significant differences that would indicate any direct or indirect effect of routine Bti treatment on the availability of flying insects. Additional to food availability, food selection must be considered when investigating food resources for aerial feeding predators. In this study, food selection of Delichon urbicum (House Martin) as an example was investigated with the help of neck ring samples. The preferred prey of the investigated D. urbicum colony consisted of diurnal insects with terrestrial larvae (Aphidina, Brachycera, Coleoptera). Chironomidae were consumed, but not preferred.
Gene–environment interplay in depressive symptoms: moderation by age, sex, and physical illness
Authors: Petkus A. J. , Beam C. R. , Johnson W. , Kaprio J. , Korhonen T. , McGue M. , Neiderhiser J. M. , Pedersen N. L. , Reynolds C. A. , Gatz M. ,   for the IGEMS Consortium
Published: February 2017

BackgroundNumerous factors influence late-life depressive symptoms in adults, many not thoroughly characterized. We addressed whether genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms differed by age, sex, and physical illness.MethodThe analysis sample included 24 436 twins aged 40–90 years drawn from the Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies (IGEMS) Consortium. Biometric analyses tested age, sex, and physical illness moderation of genetic and environmental variance in depressive symptoms.ResultsWomen reported greater depressive symptoms than men. After age 60, there was an accelerating increase in depressive symptom scores with age, but this did not appreciably affect genetic and environmental variances. Overlap in genetic influences between physical illness and depressive symptoms was greater in men than in women. Additionally, in men extent of overlap was greater with worse physical illness (the genetic correlation ranged from near 0.00 for the least physical illness to nearly 0.60 with physical illness 2s.d.above the mean). For men and women, the same environmental factors that influenced depressive symptoms also influenced physical illness.ConclusionsFindings suggested that genetic factors play a larger part in the association between depressive symptoms and physical illness for men than for women. For both sexes, across all ages, physical illness may similarly trigger social and health limitations that contribute to depressive symptoms.
What influences the home range size of free-roaming domestic dogs?
Authors: DÜRR S. , DHAND N. K. , BOMBARA C. , MOLLOY S. , WARD M. P. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYIn many regions of the world domestic dogs are free roaming and live in close relationship with humans. These free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) can cause public health problems such as dog bites and transmission of infectious diseases. To effectively control diseases transmitted by FRDD, knowledge on the dogs’ behaviour is required. To identify predictors of home range (HR) size, we collected global positioning system data from 135 FRDD living in eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Northern Australia. The core HR size ranged from 0·17 to 2·33 ha and the extended HR size from 0·86 to 40·46 ha. Using a linear mixed effect model with a Restricted Maximum Likelihood approach, the dog's sex and reproductive status were identified as predictors of roaming. Non-castrated males had the largest HRs, followed by neutered females. Also, FRDDs were found to roam further during the pre- than the post-wet season. These findings have implications for infectious disease spread. Identification of risk groups for disease spread within a population allows for more targeted disease response and surveillance. Further investigation of predictors of roaming in other FRDD populations worldwide would increase the external validity of such studies.
Isolation unit for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in a low endemic country, a step towards the World Health Organization End TB Strategy
Authors: PAYEN M. C. , VAN VOOREN J. P. , VANDENBERG O. , CLUMECK N. , DE WIT S. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYTuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to public health and is the second cause of death due to a single infectious agent after HIV/AIDS. The worldwide distribution of TB is heterogeneous. The incidence is decreasing in most high-income regions, but the situation remains worrying in many parts of the world. The emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to key agents used in treatment (rifampin and isoniazid) contributes to TB transmission around the world. To achieve TB elimination, both high and low endemic countries must upscale their efforts to decrease disease transmission and improve cure rates. Management of drug-resistant TB is of particular importance. In this paper, we discuss the different models of care of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), the ethical considerations and the specific constraints present in high income countries. The management model chosen by the Belgian TB specialists in accordance with public health authorities as well as building of a specific MDR/XDR-TB isolation unit are also discussed.