bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interlaboratory variability in the grading of dysplasia in a nationwide cohort of colorectal adenomas
Authors: Kuijpers Chantal C H J , Sluijter Caro E , von der Thüsen Jan H , Grünberg Katrien , van Oijen Martijn G H , van Diest Paul J , Jiwa Mehdi , Nagtegaal Iris D , Overbeek Lucy I H , Willems Stefan M 
Published: December 2015

AimsAlthough high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) is a risk factor for malignant transformation and the future development of adenomas/carcinomas, grade is not incorporated in the Dutch guidelines for colonoscopy surveillance, partly because of presumed interobserver variability. The aim of this study was to analyse, in a nationwide cohort of colorectal adenomas, the interlaboratory variability in the grading of dysplasia in daily practice.Methods and resultsFrom the Dutch Pathology Registry, all synoptically reported classic adenomas in The Netherlands in 2013 were identified. The proportion of adenomas with HGD was determined for biopsies and polypectomies, and compared between 37 laboratories by the use of multivariable logistic regression analyses. In total, 21 030 colonoscopies of 20 270 patients were included. HGD was reported in 530 (3.6%) of 14 866 adenomas diagnosed on biopsies (range between laboratories: 0–13.6%) and in 983 (11.8%) of 8346 adenomas diagnosed on polypectomies (range: 3.1–42.9%). After adjustment for case mix, 13 (35%) laboratories reported a significantly lower or higher frequency of HGD than average.ConclusionsWe observed considerable interlaboratory variation in the grading of dysplasia in colorectal adenomas, which could be only partly explained by differences in case mix. Therefore, better standardization of grading criteria is needed before grade of dysplasia can usefully be incorporated in colonoscopy surveillance guidelines.
CK19 expression in breast tumours and lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Vieites Begoña , López‐García María Á , Castilla Carolina , Hernández María J , Biscuola Michele , Alfaro Lina , Atienza María R , Castilla María Á , Palacios José 
Published: December 2015

AimsNeoadjuvant therapy is used in many patients with breast cancer before surgery, with the aim of reducing the tumour size, allowing conservative resections. Sentinel node biopsy is a conservative procedure for handling the axilla in breast cancer; however, the use of this technique after neoadjuvant treatment is under discussion. For sentinel node assay, methods based on the detection of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA, such as one‐step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA), are available. However, if systemic therapy could alter protein expression, then CK19 would not be a good target for analysing these nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CK19 within different cancer types, and to compare its expression in breast tumours and axillary nodes before and after treatment.Methods and resultsCK19 immunostaining was studied in 162 tumour and node samples before and after treatment. Statistical studies using the McNemar test and chi‐square test were performed. CK19 expression was found in 155 cases. We compared CK19 expression in tumour and node biopsies before and after treatment, and we found a lack of significant CK19 expression changes.ConclusionsOur study has confirmed the preservation of CK19 protein expression in breast cancer cells after neoadjuvant therapy. On the basis of these results, quantification‐based methods such as the OSNA CK19 assay, could be an accurate tool with which to analyse the sentinel nodes, regardless of whether they had been obtained before or after treatment.
Efficacy of protease inhibitor monotherapy vs. triple therapy: meta‐analysis of data from 2303 patients in 13 randomized trials
Authors: Arribas JR , Girard P‐M , Paton N , Winston A , Marcelin A‐G , Elbirt D , Hill A , Hadacek MB 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesThe aim of this analysis was to review the evidence and update a meta‐analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety results from randomized controlled trials of ritonavir‐boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) monotherapy.MethodsA PubMed/EMBASE search was conducted to find randomized trials of PI/r monotherapy vs. triple therapy in patients with HIV‐1 RNA suppression at baseline (<50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL). Rates of virological suppression were analysed using switch‐equals‐failure and intensification‐included endpoints [intent‐to‐treat (ITT)]. The rate of treatment‐emergent resistance mutations, neurocognitive function endpoints, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV‐1 RNA were also analysed by treatment arm.ResultsThere were 2303 patients from 13 different randomized clinical trials of darunavir/r monotherapy (n = 784: MONET, MONOI, Monarch and PROTEA), lopinavir/r monotherapy (n = 829: OK pilot, OK‐04, KalMo, KALESOLO, KRETA, MOST and DREAM), atazanavir/r monotherapy (n = 103: MODAT), or all three (n = 587: PIVOT). HIV‐1 RNA plasma suppression was lower in the PI/r monotherapy arm compared with the triple therapy arm in the switch‐equals‐failure analysis [difference −8.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −11.9 to −4.8%], but not when intensification was included (difference 0.5%; 95% CI −2.5 to 3.6%). Rates of resistance mutations were similar between arms, as was overall neurocognitive function.ConclusionsPI/r monotherapy showed a higher risk of plasma HIV‐1 RNA elevations. However, there was no increased risk of treatment‐emergent drug resistance, neurocognitive endpoints did not differ, and HIV‐1 RNA suppression rates after intensification were similar between PI/r monotherapy and triple therapy.
Evolutionary distinctiveness and historical decline in genetic diversity in the Seychelles Black Parrot Coracopsis nigra barklyi
Authors: Jackson Hazel A. , Bunbury Nancy , Przelomska Natalia , Groombridge Jim J. 
Published: December 2015

Island endemic species are acutely vulnerable to extinction as a result of stochastic and human impacts. Conservation of unique island biodiversity is high priority, and an understanding of the evolutionary history of vulnerable island species is important to inform conservation management. The Seychelles Black Parrot Coracopsis nigra barklyi is an island endemic threatened with extinction. The total population of 520–900 individuals is restricted to the 38‐km2 island of Praslin, and it is one of the last few remaining endemic island parrots that survive in the Indian Ocean. We combined mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers with morphological data to examine the evolutionary distinctiveness of C. n. barklyi within Coracopsis, and to compare levels of genetic diversity between historical and contemporary specimens. Phylogenetic analyses revealed C. n. barklyi as sister to the remaining three C. nigra subspecies, and discriminant function analysis suggested the Seychelles Black Parrot is the smallest of the four subspecies. Higher levels of genetic diversity were observed in historical specimens, whereas only one mtDNA haplotype was observed in the contemporary specimens, suggesting that C. n. barklyi has lost genetic diversity as a consequence of substantial recent population decline. This study provides a first insight into the evolutionary, genetic and morphological processes that have shaped C. n. barklyi and provides an important perspective on this parrot's current genetic status to guide its future conservation management. Further ecological studies are essential but we suggest that C. n. barklyi should be managed as an evolutionary significant unit to conserve its unique evolutionary pathway.
The effects of narrowbands of visible light upon some skin disorders: a review
Authors: Greaves A. J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis review article focuses on clinical studies published in the fields of (i) photorejuvenation and anti‐ageing, (ii) oily or acne‐prone skin and related imperfections, (iii) skin pigmentation and lightening, (iv) dandruff and other Malassezia‐related skin disorders and (v) prevention and reversal of hair loss using non‐thermal, non‐ablative devices (principally light‐emitting diodes). It mainly focuses on clinical proof of performance and also onin vitrostudies that support the clinical findings. The mode of action of narrowbands of visible light upon the skin is only briefly discussed since their biological effects have been previously reviewed.
Investigating psychosocial determinants in influencing sustainable food consumption in Italy
Authors: Vassallo Marco , Scalvedi Maria Luisa , Saba Anna 
Published: December 2015

AbstractItaly, one of the most involved countries in organic farming, represents a European case in the Mediterranean area concerning the sustainable food market, mainly based on organic food. The aim of this study is to investigate the theory of planned behaviour extended to past behaviour with particular attention to social pressure, in the context of sustainable food products across Italy. Data were collected on a regional basis and across different age classes and analyzed using structural equation modelling for a representative sample of approximately 3000 self‐reporting respondents who account for a remarkable percentage (69%) of sustainable food products purchasing. The strongest intention to buy these products was found in Northern and Central Italy while the South and the Insular macro‐regions exhibited the highest perceived purchasing barriers. The complexity of social pressure in predicting the intention to buy highlighted a clear and significant role of the Italian family in making sustainable food choices. However, the other social referent others, such as important people, friends, society, differentiated their contribution to these choices at territorial level. An exception to this latter trend was found for the society concept that completely failed its support as subjective norm predictor of intention. This may possibly be due to the fact that no sustainable food market policy is univocally identified in Italy, not even with legal certification unless it regards the organic sector. Nevertheless, past rewarding purchasing experience seemed to be the most effective motivation for buying sustainable food products in Italy. In conclusion, efforts both from the supply chain and political side should be made mainly in terms of rewarding purchasing experience and legal certification on sustainable food products.
Consuming apart, together: the role of multiple identities in sustainable behaviour
Authors: Bartels Jos , Reinders Machiel J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAlthough consumers’ awareness of the environmental and ethical consequences of their behaviour has grown, research on the role of multiple consumer identities in sustainability behaviours is scarce. The aim of the current study was to explain sustainable behaviour from a social identity perspective. We conducted a longitudinal cross‐national within‐subjects design consumer study in six countries (T1, N=3083; T2, N=1440). The results indicate that environmental sustainability can comprise several distinct yet overlapping sustainable behaviours. Multiple social identities seem to play different roles in these different behaviours. Therefore, efforts to enhance different sustainability behaviours are challenging yet promising. Once consumers incorporate a sustainable behaviour, it becomes part of their own identity and could lead to spill over effects on other closely related sustainable behaviours.
The determinants of households’ repayment difficulties on mortgage loans: evidence from Italian microdata
Authors: Aristei David , Gallo Manuela 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article investigates the main determinants of households’ repayment difficulties on mortgage loans in Italy. We contribute to the empirical literature on household financial vulnerability by assessing the joint impact of socio‐demographic factors, loan characteristics and institutional variables on the likelihood of mortgage insolvency and on the intensity of arrears. Using data from the Italian component of the 2008 European Union‐Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU‐SILC) survey, we firstly identify which types of households are more vulnerable to unexpected adverse events that may trigger repayment difficulties. Specifically, households whose head is young, unemployed or immigrant show a higher probability of arrears and emerge as those suffering more from the adverse economic conditions connected to the crisis. Moreover, household repayment behaviour is affected by mortgage characteristics and, in particular, having modified contract terms significantly increases current arrears probability. Finally, regional institutional and credit market factors mainly impact on the conditional intensity of arrears. This evidence suggests that, although repayment difficulties mainly arise from a genuine inability to repay, households are less likely to pay on time when institutions are less effective at punishing default, confirming the existence of some strategic behaviour.
Evaluating the Nature of the Still‐Face Effect in the Double Face‐to‐Face Still‐Face Paradigm Using Different Comparison Groups
Authors: DiCorcia Jennifer A. , Snidman Nancy , Sravish Akhila V. , Tronick Ed 
Published: December 2015

The current study explored two possible comparison groups for the double Face‐to‐Face Still‐Face (FFSF) paradigm to evaluate their effects on infant behavior and different hypotheses about the nature of the Still‐Face (SF) effect, an effect not fully understood. Mothers and their 4‐month‐old infants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, a double FFSF group (GroupFFSF, n = 44), a control, semi‐structured play group (GroupStory, n = 46), or a control, unstructured play group (GroupPlay, n = 28). As hypothesized, GroupFFSF infants exhibited the classic SF response (decreased positive affect and gaze to mother; increased negative affect) and GroupPlay infants showed an increase in negative affect over episodes. Contrary to expectations, GroupStory infants displayed a similar, but less intense, pattern of behavior as GroupFFSF. Taken together, the findings indicate that multiple episodes of face‐to‐face play exceeded 4‐month‐olds' regulatory capacities and that infants are sensitive to shared communicative intentions and violations of social expectations, whether these violations are negative or positive in nature.
Low‐dose aspirin as an adjuvant treatment for venous leg ulceration: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Aspirin4VLU)
Authors: Jull Andrew , Wadham Angela , Bullen Chris , Parag Varsha , Kerse Ngaire , Waters Jill 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of low‐dose aspirin on venous leg ulcer healing when used in addition to compression.BackgroundThe mainstay of treatment for venous leg ulcers is compression therapy and there are few adjuvant treatments to accelerate healing.DesignPragmatic, community‐based, double‐blind, randomized trial.MethodsParticipants with venous leg ulcers will receive either 150 mg aspirin or placebo daily for up to 24 weeks. Participants will receive background treatment with compression therapy (system of choice guided by participant and/or clinical preference) delivered through district nursing services. The primary outcome will be time‐to‐healing. Secondary outcomes will include proportion healed at 24 weeks, change in ulcer area, change in health‐related quality of life, adherence, efficacy of blinding and adverse events. The trial was funded in June 2014.DiscussionThe trial commenced in March 2015 and is successfully recruiting. The trial is one of three trials that will contribute to an individual participant data meta‐analysis to be undertaken at the York Trials Centre.Trial registrationRegistered 5 June 2014 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02158806. Protocol version 1·1, 14 April 2015.
Do Women and Ethnic Minority Directors Influence Firm Value? Evidence from Post‐Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Gyapong Ernest , Monem Reza M. , Hu Fang 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPrevious studies on the value relevance of board gender and ethnic diversity have produced mixed results. This paper re‐examines this relationship using hand‐collected data of 245 South African listed firms over the period 2008–2013. We document a positive and significant effect of both board gender and ethnic diversity on firm value. We also find that the increase in firm value is greater when boards have three or more women directors. In contrast, ethnic minority directors contribute less to firm value when there are three or more on the board. Furthermore, we document that ethnicity has a concave relationship with firm value, but gender does not. We demonstrate that in better‐governed firms, ethnic diversity is more value relevant than gender diversity. Our results also suggest that financial crisis is associated with the propensity to restructure boards along gender and ethnicity. This paper sheds new light on the effect of board diversity in South African firms as the government increasingly pursues policies aimed at eradicating the effects of apartheid. Our results are robust after controlling for self‐selection and various forms of endogeneity.
The Impact of Known Heart Disease on Long‐Term Outcomes of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: A Multicenter International Study
Authors: PRABHU SANDEEP , LING LIANG‐HAN , ULLAH WAQAS , HUNTER ROSS J. , SCHILLING RICHARD J. , McLELLAN ALEX J.A. , EARLEY MARK J. , SPORTON SIMON C. , VOSKOBOINIK ALEX , BLUSZTEIN DAVID , MARIANI JUSTIN A. , LEE GEOFFREY , TAYLOR ANDREW J. , KALMAN JONATHAN M. , KISTLER PETER M. 
Published: December 2015

The Impact of Known Heart Disease on AF Ablation OutcomesBackgroundCatheter ablation for AF is an effective treatment for patients with AF and systolic LV dysfunction; however, the clinical outcome is variable. We evaluated the impact of cardiomyopathy etiology on long‐term outcomes post‐catheter ablation.MethodsPatients undergoing AF ablation across 3 centers (2 Australian, 1 UK) from 2002 to 2014, with LVEF<45% were evaluated. Patients were stratified into those with known heart disease as a cause of cardiomyopathy (KHD), and those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).ResultsOne hundred and one patients (IDCM = 77, KHD = 24) with AF and LVEF <45% underwent AF ablation. The KHD group (ischemic HD in 67%) were older (61 ± 7 vs. 55 ± 11 years, P = 0.005), with a higher CHADS2 score (2.0 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7, P = 0.016), but otherwise well matched. After mean follow‐up of 36 ± 23 months, AF control was greater in the IDCM group (82% vs. 50% in KHD, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis IDCM was associated with long‐term AF control (P = 0.033). The IDCM group had less functional impairment at follow‐up (NYHA class 1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.8, P = 0.005) and improved LVEF (50 ± 11% vs. 38 ± 10%, P < 0.001). Super responders (EF improvement >15%) were overwhelmingly in the IDCM group (94% vs. 6%, P < 0.001) with greater AF control (89% vs. 61%, P < 0.001). All‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the KHD group (17% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.002).ConclusionIDCM was associated with greater AF control, and improvement in symptoms and LVEF compared to patients with KHD post‐AF ablation. AF is an important reversible cause of HF in patients with an unexplained CM and catheter ablation an effective treatment option.
Heritability of autism spectrum disorders: a meta‐analysis of twin studies
Authors: Tick Beata , Bolton Patrick , Happé Francesca , Rutter Michael , Rijsdijk Frühling 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundThe etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been recently debated due to emerging findings on the importance of shared environmental influences. However, two recent twin studies do not support this and instead re‐affirm strong genetic effects on the liability to ASD, a finding consistent with previous reports. This study conducts a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all twin studies of ASD published to date and explores the etiology along the continuum of a quantitative measure of ASD.MethodsA PubMed Central, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Knowledge structured search conducted online, to identify all twin studies on ASD published to date. Thirteen primary twin studies were identified, seven were included in the meta‐analysis by meeting Systematic Recruitment criterion; correction for selection and ascertainment strategies, and applied prevalences were assessed for these studies. In addition, a quantile DF extremes analysis was carried out on Childhood Autism Spectrum Test scores measured in a population sample of 6,413 twin pairs including affected twins.ResultsThe meta‐analysis correlations for monozygotic twins (MZ) were almost perfect at .98 (95% Confidence Interval, .96–.99). The dizygotic (DZ) correlation, however, was .53 (95% CI .44–.60) when ASD prevalence rate was set at 5% (in line with the Broad Phenotype of ASD) and increased to .67 (95% CI .61–.72) when applying a prevalence rate of 1%. The meta‐analytic heritability estimates were substantial: 64–91%. Shared environmental effects became significant as the prevalence rate decreased from 5–1%: 07–35%. The DF analyses show that for the most part, there is no departure from linearity in heritability.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that: (a) ASD is due to strong genetic effects; (b) shared environmental effects become significant as a function of lower prevalence rate; (c) previously reported significant shared environmental influences are likely a statistical artefact of overinclusion of concordant DZ twins.
Fitness differences between parapatric lake and stream stickleback revealed by a field transplant
Authors: Moser D. , Frey A. , Berner D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMolecular comparisons of populations diverging into ecologically different environments often reveal strong differentiation in localized genomic regions, with the remainder of the genome being weakly differentiated. This pattern of heterogeneous genomic divergence, however, is rarely connected to direct measurements of fitness differences among populations. We here do so by performing a field enclosure experiment in threespine stickleback fish residing in a lake and in three replicate adjoining streams, and displaying weak yet heterogeneous genomic divergence between these habitats. Tracking survival over 29 weeks, we consistently find that lake genotypes transplanted into the streams suffer greatly reduced viability relative to local stream genotypes and that the performance of F1 hybrid genotypes is intermediate. This observed selection against migrants and hybrids combines to a total reduction in gene flow from the lake into streams of around 80%. Overall, our study identifies a strong reproductive barrier between parapatric stickleback populations, and cautions against inferring weak fitness differences between populations exhibiting weak overall genomic differentiation.