bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of same day vs day before pre‐operative lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node biopsy for early breast cancer (local Australian experience)
Authors: Huang Yang Yang , Maurel Amelie , Hamza Saud , Jackson Lee , Al‐Ogaili Zeyad 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionTo assess the impact of delayed vs immediate pre‐operative lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) for sentinel lymph node biopsy in a single Australian tertiary breast cancer centre.MethodsRetrospective cohort study analysing patients with breast cancer or DCIS who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy with pre‐operative LSG and intra‐operative sentinel lymph node biopsy from January 2015 to June 2016.ResultsA total of 182 LSG were performed. Group A patients had day before pre‐operative LSG mapping (n = 79) and Group B had LSG mapping on the day of surgery (n = 103). The overall LSG localisation rate was 97.3% and no statistical difference was detected between the two groups. The overall sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLN) were identified in 99.6% of patients. The number of nodes excised was slightly higher in Group A (1.90 vs 1.72); however, this was not statistically significant. In addition, the number of nodes on histopathology and the incidence of second echelon nodal detection were also similar between the two groups without statistical significance.ConclusionIn conclusion, the 2‐day LSG protocol had no impact on overall SLNB and LSG detection rates although slightly higher second tier nodes but this did not translate to any difference between the number of harvest nodes between the two groups. The 2‐day LSG allows for greater flexibility in theatre planning and more efficient use of theatre time. We recommend a dose of 40 Mbq of Tc99 m pertechnetate‐labelled colloid be given day prior to surgery within a 24‐hour timeframe.
Substantial differences in bias between single‐digest and double‐digest RAD‐seq libraries: A case study
Authors: Flanagan Sarah P. , Jones Adam G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe trade‐offs of using single‐digest vs. double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq) protocols have been widely discussed. However, no direct empirical comparisons of the two methods have been conducted. Here, we sampled a single population of Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) and genotyped 444 individuals using RAD‐seq. Sixty individuals were subjected to single‐digest RAD‐seq (sdRAD‐seq), and the remaining 384 individuals were genotyped using a double‐digest RAD‐seq (ddRAD‐seq) protocol. We analysed the resulting Illumina sequencing data and compared the two genotyping methods when reads were analysed either together or separately. Coverage statistics, observed heterozygosity, and allele frequencies differed significantly between the two protocols, as did the results of selection components analysis. We also performed an in silico digestion of the Gulf pipefish genome and modelled five major sources of bias: PCR duplicates, polymorphic restriction sites, shearing bias, asymmetric sampling (i.e., genotyping fewer individuals with sdRAD‐seq than with ddRAD‐seq) and higher major allele frequencies. This combination of approaches allowed us to determine that polymorphic restriction sites, an asymmetric sampling scheme, mean allele frequencies and to some extent PCR duplicates all contribute to different estimates of allele frequencies between samples genotyped using sdRAD‐seq versus ddRAD‐seq. Our finding that sdRAD‐seq and ddRAD‐seq can result in different allele frequencies has implications for comparisons across studies and techniques that endeavour to identify genomewide signatures of evolutionary processes in natural populations.
Running‐wheel activity delays mitochondrial respiratory flux decline in aging mouse muscle via a post‐transcriptional mechanism
Authors: Stolle Sarah , Ciapaite Jolita , Reijne Aaffien C. , Talarovicova Alzbeta , Wolters Justina C. , Aguirre‐Gamboa Raúl , van der Vlies Pieter , de Lange Kim , Neerincx Pieter B. , van der Vries Gerben , Deelen Patrick , Swertz Morris A. , Li Yang , Bischoff Rainer , Permentier Hjalmar P. , Horvatovitch Peter L. , Groen Albert K. , van Dijk Gertjan , Reijngoud Dirk‐Jan , Bakker Barbara M. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryLoss of mitochondrial respiratory flux is a hallmark of skeletal muscle aging, contributing to a progressive decline of muscle strength. Endurance exercise alleviates the decrease in respiratory flux, both in humans and in rodents. Here, we dissect the underlying mechanism of mitochondrial flux decline by integrated analysis of the molecular network.Mice were given a lifelong ad libitum low‐fat or high‐fat sucrose diet and were further divided into sedentary and running‐wheel groups. At 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, muscle weight, triglyceride content and mitochondrial respiratory flux were analysed. Subsequently, transcriptome was measured by RNA‐Seq and proteome by targeted LC‐MS/MS analysis with 13C‐labelled standards. In the sedentary groups, mitochondrial respiratory flux declined with age. Voluntary running protected the mitochondrial respiratory flux until 18 months of age. Beyond this time point, all groups converged. Regulation Analysis of flux, proteome and transcriptome showed that the decline of flux was equally regulated at the proteomic and at the metabolic level, while regulation at the transcriptional level was marginal. Proteomic regulation was most prominent at the beginning and at the end of the pathway, namely at the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and at the synthesis and transport of ATP. Further proteomic regulation was scattered across the entire pathway, revealing an effective multisite regulation. Finally, reactions regulated at the protein level were highly overlapping between the four experimental groups, suggesting a common, post‐transcriptional mechanism of muscle aging.
Strong and frequent T‐cell responses to the minor allergen Phl p 12 in Spanish patients IgE‐sensitized to Profilins
Authors: Lund G. , Brand S. , Ramos T. , Jimeno L. , Boissy P. , Vega F. , Arina M. , Christensen L. H. , Hoof I. , Meno K. H. , Barber D. , Blanco C. , Würtzen P. A. , Andersen P. S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundProfilins are dominant pan‐allergens known to cause cross‐sensitization, leading to clinical symptoms such as pollen‐food syndrome. This study aimed to determine the T‐cell response to Phl p 12 in profilin‐sensitized patients, by measuring the prevalence, strength and cross‐reactivity to clinically relevant profilins.MethodsThe release of Phl p allergens from pollen was determined by mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. T‐cell responses, epitope mapping and cross‐reactivity to profilins (Phl p 12, Ole e 2, Bet v 2 and Mal d 4) were measured in vitro using PBMCs from 26 Spanish grass‐allergic donors IgE‐sensitized to profilin. Cross‐reactivity was addressed in vivo using 2 different mouse strains (BALB/c and C3H).ResultsPhl p 12 and Phl p 1 are released from pollen simultaneously and in similar amounts. Both T‐cell response frequency (17/26 donors) and strength were comparable between Phl p 12 and Phl p 1. T‐cell cross‐reactivity to other profilins correlated with overall sequence homology, and 2 immunodominant epitope regions of Phl p 12 were identified. Data from mice immunized with Phl p 12 showed that cross‐reactivity to Bet v 2 was mediated by conserved epitopes and further influenced by additional genetic factors, likely to be MHC II.ConclusionThe strength, prevalence and cross‐reactivity of T‐cell responses towards Phl p 12 are comparable to the major allergen Phl p 1, which supports the hypothesis that T cells to Phl p 12 can play an important role in development of allergic symptoms, such as those associated with pollen‐food syndrome.
ORAL IRON PROPHYLAXIS DURING PREGNANCY‐A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON DIFFERENT DOSAGE REGIMENS
Authors: Sjöstedt J. E. , Manner P. , Nummi S. , Ekenved G. 
Published: November 2017

The effect of oral iron prophylaxis on haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) has been studied in 300 pregnant women. From the 3rd to 4th month of pregnancy and until term the women were randomly treated with 100 mg or 200 mg ferrous iron daily respectively as sustained‐release tablets (Duroferon® Duretter®) or 200 mg ferrous iron as rapidly disintegrating tablets.All three treatments gave the same effect on Hb and Hct. This was true irrespective of the initial Hb. It was concluded that even the 100 mg dose was sufficient to cover the increased iron demands during pregnancy and to give an increase in Hb in anemic patients. The frequency of side‐effects was lower in the two groups receiving the sustained‐release tablets.The changes in Hb with time during pregnancy in relation to the initial iron status are discussed and some practical conclusions concerning the interpretation of the effect of iron supplementation during pregnancy are drawn.
Timing of Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Placement Before Off‐Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Liu Feng , Yang Feng , Du Zhongtao , Miao Na , Zhao Yanyan , Xu Bo , Hou Xiaotong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the timing of preoperative intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement and outcomes in patients undergoing off‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Patients with prophylactic IABP placement before OPCAB presenting between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013 were included. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the timing of preoperative IABP placement: less than 2 h (Group A, n = 223) and more than 2 h (Group B, n = 94). According to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), patients were divided into two subgroups: middle‐low EuroSCORE (<6, Groups A1 and B1) and high EuroSCORE (≥6, Groups A2 and B2). Clinical data were compared between groups. Groups contained the following numbers of patients: Group A1, 163; Group A2, 60; Group B1, 60; and Group B2, 34. There was a significant difference in length of ICU and hospital stay between Group A and Group B, respectively (40.5 [22, 64] vs. 26.25 [18, 46.5] hours, P = 0.006; 16 [11, 22] vs. 11 [8, 14] days, P = 0.000). Duration of IABP support, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and cost of hospitalization were significantly higher in Group A1 than in Group B1, respectively (73.69 ± 44.12 vs. 64.03 ± 40.93 h, P = 0.013; 36 [20, 56.5] vs. 25.5 [17, 43.75] hours, P = 0.035; 15(11,21) vs. 9(7.25, 12) days, P = 0.000; 109.53(101.20, 131.1) vs. 102.7(95.94, 115.32) thousands CNY, P = 0.009). The length of hospital stay was also significantly higher in Group A2 than in Group B2 (18(13, 26) vs. 13(11, 15) hours, P = 0.000). Preoperative placement of IABP greater than 2 h prior to OPCAB is of benefit, especially in those with high EuroSCORE. The optimal time for prophylactic IABP placement requires further study.
Values within Reason
Authors: Sayer Andrew 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe paper questions the assumptions that facts and values are always radically different, that objectivity and values do not mix, and that values are subjective and a‐rational and should be excluded from social science. It argues (1) that such assumptions are underpinned by unnoticed slippages between different meanings of objectivity and by misunderstandings of the nature of values and normativity; (2) that evaluative judgments—often in the form of “thick ethical concepts” in which description and evaluation are fused—are necessary for objective description in social science; and (3) that framing the values issue in terms of the relations between is and ought misrepresents the place of normativity in social science and in everyday life.
Ethnicity and Effectively Maintained Inequality in BC Universities
Authors: Sweet Robert , Robson Karen , Adamuti‐Trache Maria 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAs Canadian postsecondary systems have expanded they have become more institutionally differentiated. In British Columbia, distinctions are made between research‐intensive universities (RIUs) and teaching‐intensive universities with respect to resources, programming, and perceived prestige value. We employ an effectively maintained inequality framework to examine the role played by ethnicity in the competition for admission to RIUs. Our findings indicate that, together with socioeconomic status and gender, ethnicity is significantly related to RIU attendance rates. Ethnic group differences were particularly marked—Chinese and Korean speakers being most likely and Tagalog speakers least likely to attend an RIU. High school grade point averages and English language proficiency scores moderated only some of these differences, raising questions about the efficacy of competitive admissions policies based solely on academic merit.
Multispecies assessment of core areas and connectivity of desert carnivores in central Iran
Authors: Khosravi Rasoul , Hemami Mahmoud‐Reza , Cushman Samuel A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimCentral Iran is a priority area for biodiversity conservation, which is threatened by encroachment on core habitats and fragmentation by roads. The goal of this study was to identify core areas and connectivity corridors for a set of desert carnivores by predicting habitat suitability and calculating resistant kernel, factorial least‐cost path modelling and graph network indices.LocationIran.MethodsWe used an ensemble model (EM) of habitat suitability methods to predict the potential habitats of leopard, cheetah, caracal, wild cat, sand cat and grey wolf and used resistant kernel and factorial least‐cost path modelling to identify important core habitats and corridors between patches. We also used a graph network analysis to quantify the importance of each core patch to landscape connectivity.ResultsPotential habitats of the studied carnivores appeared to be strongly influenced by prey density, annual precipitation, topographical roughness, shrubland density and anthropogenic factors. Most of the core patches were covered by protected areas and no‐hunting areas. This may be attributed to the relatively high resistance outside protected areas leading to isolated occupied patches. Patch importance to connectivity was significantly correlated with patch extent, density of dispersing individuals and probability of occurrence in the core patch.Main conclusionsOur findings revealed that prey abundance in core habitat is critically important, and has higher influence than habitat area per se. In addition, our analysis provided the first map of landscape connectivity for multiple species in Iran and revealed that conserving these species requires integrated landscape‐level management to reduce mortality risk and protect core areas and linkages among them. These results will assist the development of multispecies conservation strategies to protect core areas for carnivores.
Impact of delaying treatment intensification with a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin: A longitudinal study of a US administrative claims database
Authors: Tong Liyue , Pan Chunshen , Wang Hongwei , Bertolini Monica , Lew Elisheva , Meneghini Luigi F. 
Published: November 2017

AimTo evaluate the effect of delaying treatment intensification with a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1 RA) on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational claims study using IMPACT (Impact National Managed Care Benchmark Database) in adult patients with T2D who initiated basal insulin between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012, with or without OADs, who remained uncontrolled (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥7.0%). Patients were categorized into 3 groups: early, delayed, and no intensification with a GLP‐1 RA. We evaluated changes from baseline to follow‐up at 12 months for HbA1c level, rate of hypoglycaemic events, and healthcare costs, and we assessed the association between baseline patient characteristics and subsequent treatment intensification.ResultsA total of 139 patients (9.0% of 1552 eligible patients) met criteria for inclusion in the early intensification group, 588 patients (37.9%) met criteria for inclusion in the delayed intensification group, and 825 patients (53.2%) met criteria for inclusion in the no intensification group. Mean baseline HbA1c values were 9.16%, 9.07%, and 9.34%, respectively. At follow‐up, delayed intensification was associated with significantly smaller decreases in HbA1c from baseline (−0.68%) compared with early intensification (−1.01%). Rates of overall hypoglycaemia were numerically greater in the delayed intensification group than in the early intensification group (0.26 vs 0.06 events/patient‐years of exposure, respectively). Change in semi‐annual total healthcare costs was greater in the no intensification group (+5266 USD) compared with the early intensification group (−560 USD) and the delayed intensification group (+1943 USD).ConclusionsTimely addition of a GLP‐1 RA to therapy for patients with T2D who were not adequately controlled with basal insulin is associated with better clinical and economic outcomes.
Student performance in a flipped classroom dental anatomy course
Authors: Chutinan S. , Riedy C. A. , Park S. E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess dental student learning in a dental anatomy module between traditional lecture and flipped classroom cohorts.MethodsTwo cohorts of predoctoral dental students (N = 70 within each cohort) participated in a dental anatomy module within an Introduction to the Dental Patient (IDP) course ([traditional/lecture cohort: academic year (AY) 2012, 2013] and [flipped classroom cohort: AY 2014, 2015]). For the dental anatomy module, both cohorts were evaluated on pre‐clinical tooth waxing exercises immediately after each of five lectures and tooth identification after all lectures were given. Additionally, the cohorts' performance on the overall IDP course examination was compared.ResultsThe flipped classroom cohort had statistically significant higher waxing scores (dental anatomy module) than students in the traditional classroom. There was no statistically significant difference for tooth identification scores and the overall IDP course examination between the traditional vs flipped approach cohorts. This is due to the latter two assessments conducted at the end of the course gave all students enough time to review the lecture content prior to the assessment resulting in similar scores for both cohorts.ConclusionThe flipped classroom cohort promoted students' individual learning and resulted in improved students' performance on immediate evaluation but not on the end of the course evaluation. Redesign of courses to include a new pedagogical approach should be carefully implemented and evaluated for student's educational success.
Heparanase level and procoagulant activity are reduced in severe sepsis
Authors: Matan Moshe , King Daniel , Peled Eli , Ackerman Shanny , Bar‐Lavi Yaron , Brenner Benjamin , Nadir Yona 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundDuring severe sepsis, levels and activity of all coagulation proteins are reduced. Heparanase is implicated in angiogenesis and tumor progression. We previously demonstrated that heparanase also affected the hemostatic system. It forms a complex and increases the activity of the blood coagulation initiator tissue factor.AimTo evaluate heparanase levels and procoagulant activity as predictors of sepsis severity.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐one patients with non‐trauma, non‐surgical sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit and 35 controls were recruited. Plasma samples were drawn from the study participants on days 1 and 7 following admission.ResultsHeparanase levels and procoagulant activity on day 1 were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls (P < .0001, P < .0001, respectively). Day 1 heparanase procoagulant activity ≥350 ng/mL yielded a negative predictive value for severe sepsis of 89%. Additionally, heparanase procoagulant activity on day 7 correlated with the change in the APACHE score between days 1 and 7 (r = .66, P = .007).ConclusionsHeparanase procoagulant activity decreases during sepsis and returns to normal levels as soon as the patient recovers. Hence, it can be potentially used to predict the risk of severe sepsis. These findings need to be further explored in large‐scale studies.
Task‐dependent function of striatal cholinergic interneurons in behavioural flexibility
Authors: Okada Kana , Nishizawa Kayo , Setogawa Susumu , Hashimoto Kouichi , Kobayashi Kazuto 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFlexible switching of behaviours depends on integrative functioning through the neural circuit connecting the prefrontal cortex and the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). Although cholinergic interneurons modulate striatal outputs by diverse synaptic mechanisms, the roles of cholinergic interneurons in the DMS appear to vary among different models used to validate behavioural flexibility. Here, we conducted immunotoxin‐mediated cell targeting of DMS cholinergic interneurons and examined the functions of these interneurons in behavioural flexibility, with the learning conditions differing in trial spacing and discrimination type in a modified T‐maze. Elimination of the DMS cholinergic cell group normally spared reversal learning in place discrimination with an intertrial interval (ITI) of 15 s, but it impaired the reversal performance in response discrimination with the same ITI. In contrast, DMS cholinergic elimination resulted in enhanced reversal performance in both place and response discrimination tasks with a 10‐min ITI and accelerated the reversal of response discrimination with a 20‐min ITI. Our previous study also showed an enhanced influence of cholinergic targeting on place reversal learning with a 20‐min ITI, and the present results demonstrate that DMS cholinergic interneurons act to inhibit both place and response reversal performance with a relatively longer ITI, whereas their functions differ between types of reversal performance in the tasks with a shorter ITI. These findings suggest distinct roles of the DMS cholinergic cell group in behavioural flexibility dependent on the trial spacing and discrimination type constituting the learning tasks.
Use‐dependent directional bias does not transfer to the untrained limb during bimanual contractions
Authors: Marinovic Welber , Homan Melinda , Carroll Timothy J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSkills learned through practice with one limb can often be transferred to the untrained limb. In the present report, we sought to determine whether movement direction biases, acquired through repeated movement with one limb, transfer to the untrained limb. In order to do so, we asked participants to perform synchronized bilateral contractions of muscles in both wrists, followed by the unilateral contraction of muscles in one wrist. In four experiments, we manipulated the position of the unilateral target to create use‐dependent directional biases; changed the direction of the cursor in relation to the wrist movement to control for attentional biases; and sought to induce directional biases with both right and left unilateral movements. The results showed clear movement‐related biases for the wrist that performed unilateral contractions, but no evidence that movement‐related bias transferred to the opposite limb during bilateral action. Thus, motor preparation and execution of unilateral contractions does not affect the direction of movement made by the opposite limb during subsequent bilateral contractions.