bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Evaluating normative epistemic frameworks in medicine: EBM and casuistic medicine”
Authors: Bingeman Emily 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSince its inception in the early 1990s, evidence‐based medicine (EBM) has become the dominant epistemic framework for Western medical practice. However, in light of powerful criticisms against EBM, alternatives such as casuistic medicine have been gaining support in both the medical and philosophical community. In the absence of empirical evidence in support of the claim that EBM improves patient outcomes, and in light of considerations that it is unlikely that such evidence will be forthcoming, another standard is needed to assess EBM against its alternatives. In this paper, I propose a set of criteria for this purpose based on Helen Longino's criteria for assessing the objectivity of a knowledge productive community. I then apply these criteria to assess EBM against a casuistic framework for medical knowledge. I argue that EBM's strict adherence to a hierarchical organization of knowledge can reasonably be expected to block it from fulfilling a high level of objectivity. A casuistic framework, on the other hand, because it emphasizes critical evaluation in conjunction with the flexibility of a case‐based approach, could be expected to better facilitate a more optimal epistemic community.
Screening for ASD in adults with ID—moving toward a standard using the DiBAS‐R and the ACL
Authors: Mutsaerts C. G. , Heinrich M. , Sterkenburg P. S. , Sappok T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundIdentification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in persons with intellectual disability (ID) is challenging but essential to allow adequate treatment to be given. This study examines whether the combination of two ASD screening instruments specifically developed for persons with ID, namely, the Diagnostic Behavioral Assessment for ASD—Revised (DiBAS‐R) and the Autism Checklist (ACL), improves diagnostic accuracy when used in combination compared to the application of the single instrument.MethodA clinical sample of adults with ID who are suspected of having ASD (N =148) was assessed using two ID specific screening scales (DiBAS‐R and ACL). The diagnostic validity of the single instruments and of their combination was assessed.ResultsWhile both instruments showed acceptable diagnostic validity when applied alone (DiBAS‐R/ACL: sensitivity: 75%/91%; specificity: 75%/75%; overall agreement: 75%/83%), specificity increased when two positive screening results were used (88%), and sensitivity increased (95%) when at least one positive screening result was used.ConclusionsDifferent combinations of the ASD screening instruments DiBAS‐R and ACL lead to improvements in sensitivity and specificity. The complementary use of the ACL in addition to the sole use of the DiBAS‐R improves overall accuracy.
Functional severity and Latino ethnicity in specialty services for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Magaña S. , Parish S. L. , Son E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience a range of severity levels characterised as levels of support they need for everyday functioning. By this definition, greater levels of severity should warrant greater use of services and supports among children with ASD. In previous studies, Latino children with ASD in the USA have been shown to have lower access to diagnosis and treatment services than White children. However, none have examined service use in relation to severity. In this study, we examined whether there are ethnic disparities between Latino and White children with ASD in specialty autism‐related services, and whether functional severity moderates the relationship between ethnicity and receipt of autism services.MethodsWe used data from the Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services, a supplement to the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs and analysed four specialty services commonly used by children with ASD, adjusting for demographic variables.ResultsWe found that Latino children with ASD who had severe limitations received fewer specialty autism‐related services than White children with similarly severe conditions. These disparities were evident despite the fact that the sample of Latino children in these data were more privileged than the general US Latino population.ConclusionAssertive policy initiatives are needed to address these disparities and ensure that these highly vulnerable children with severe functional limitations receive appropriate services and supports.
The enhancing effect of a laser photochemotherapy with cisplatin or zolendronic acid in primary human osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells in vitro
Authors: Heymann Paul Günther Baptist , Ziebart Thomas , Kämmerer Peer Wolfgang , Mandic Robert , Saydali Akram , Braun Andreas , Neff Andreas , Draenert Guy Florian 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundPhotodynamic therapies (PDT) have become increasingly popular in the adjuvant treatment of different tumour entities. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin may be used in combination with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) as laser photochemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LLLT on cell bioviability of normal and malignant bone cells under chemotherapeutic conditions with either cisplatin or zolendronic acid in vitro.MethodsPrimary human osteoblasts (HOB) and an osteosarcoma cell line (Saos‐2) were treated with different concentrations of zolendronic acid or cisplatin and irradiated twice with a diode laser (wavelength 670 nm, 120 s, energy outputs of 100mW/cm2, continuous wave mode). Cell viability was tested by XTT‐assay and via histomorphological analysis.ResultsLLLT alone increased bioviability for both cell lines. LLLT lowered HOB viability at the three highest concentrations of cisplatin and zolendronic acid. For Saos‐2, LLLT reduced cell viability at every concentration of cisplatin. In cases of incubation with zolendronic acid, similar to osteoblasts, LLLT lowered cell viability at the highest concentration only.ConclusionsBased on the conditions of this study, laser photochemotherapy may be able to raise the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and zolendronic acid in benign and malignant bone cells. This could be of interest in the development of new therapeutic treatment modalities against neoplastic bone diseases like osteosarcoma.
Impacts of aquaculture on fish biodiversity in the freshwater lake Laguna de Bay, Philippines
Authors: Cuvin‐Aralar Maria Lourdes A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLaguna de Bay is the largest inland water body in the Philippines, being used predominantly for aquaculture and open water fisheries. Aquaculture in the lake began decades ago, with many changes in the lake ecosystem having occurred since that time. Most dominant species for fish culture are introduced species. Other invasive species were also introduced to the lake as escapees from land‐based aquaculture facilities. This study was conducted to monitor fish diversity in two adjacent, but distinctly different, sites in the lake, namely an open fishery area (OFS), with no adjacent aquaculture structures, and an aquaculture site (AQS), with cages for the culture of various commodities. Fish traps were installed at both sites, with the traps being sampled at least every 2 weeks from April 2013 to February 2015. The results of pairwise t‐tests indicated significantly higher Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), evenness (J′), Simpson's similarity index (D) and species richness (s) in OFS than in AQS. In terms of total catch per day, significantly greater fish biomass were obtained from AQS than from OFS. Introduced aquaculture species had a mean dominance of 83% and 47% in AQS and OFS, respectively. However, invasive species introduced from the ornamental fish trade exhibited a mean relative dominance of 10.3% in AQS and 13.5% in OFS. The relative dominance of native species was also significantly higher in OFS (41%) than in AQS (6.5%). The results of this study demonstrated the adverse impacts of aquaculture in regard to the species diversity of fish in localized areas in Laguna de Bay. The dependency of aquaculture on introduced fish species adversely impacted the natural fish population in the lake. Focusing on the culture of commercially important local species for aquaculture, rather than introduced species, will improve fish production of inland waters without accompanying adverse impacts on biodiversity.
Evolved plasmid‐host interactions reduce plasmid interference cost
Authors: Yano Hirokazu , Wegrzyn Katarznya , Loftie‐Eaton Wesley , Johnson Jenny , Deckert Gail E. , Rogers Linda M. , Konieczny Igor , Top Eva M. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryAntibiotic selection drives adaptation of antibiotic resistance plasmids to new bacterial hosts, but the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. We previously showed that a broad‐host‐range plasmid was poorly maintained in Shewanella oneidensis, but rapidly adapted through mutations in the replication initiation gene trfA1. Here we examined if these mutations reduced the fitness cost of TrfA1, and whether this was due to changes in interaction with the host's DNA helicase DnaB. The strains expressing evolved TrfA1 variants showed a higher growth rate than those expressing ancestral TrfA1. The evolved TrfA1 variants showed a lower affinity to the helicase than ancestral TrfA1 and were no longer able to activate the helicase at the oriV without host DnaA. Moreover, persistence of the ancestral plasmid was increased upon overexpression of DnaB. Finally, the evolved TrfA1 variants generated higher plasmid copy numbers than ancestral TrfA1. The findings suggest that ancestral plasmid instability can at least partly be explained by titration of DnaB by TrfA1. Thus under antibiotic selection resistance plasmids can adapt to a novel bacterial host through partial loss of function mutations that simultaneously increase plasmid copy number and decrease unfavorably high affinity to one of the hosts' essential proteins.
Dasya adela sp. nov. (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales), an enigmatic new Dasya from a landlocked fjord in southwest Norway
Authors: Sjøtun Kjersti , Heggøy Erling , Gabrielsen Tove M. , Rueness Jan 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYWe here report a new Dasya species found in a landlocked fjord or poll in southwestern Norway; Dasya adela sp. nov. The thallus of this species is small (1–3 cm), normally sparsely branched, and its axes are completely covered with cortex cells. The species is set with long (3–4 mm) and flaccid monosiphonous pseudolaterals, and during autumn it showed high growth of adventitious monosiphonous branches. Only a few individuals with tetrasporangia have been recorded, and no sexual reproductive structures have been observed in field collections. In culture stichidia readily developed on the pseudolaterals, with four tetrasporangia per section. The spores showed high mortality. A few sporelings survived in culture, and developed into small and loosely organized filaments with no upright axes. After 2 years in culture a few plants bearing spermatangial branches were observed, but no individuals with carpogonia. The monosiphonous branches are readily shed in culture, attach themselves by rhizoids and rapidly develop into new thalli, some of which have produced tetrasporangial stichidia. Sequences analyses of partial COI and the rbc
L gene showed that the new taxon belongs within Dasyoideae. However, no close relationship was found with other European species of Dasya. The new taxon was compared to other Dasya taxa with which it shared a number of selected characters, but none of these taxa shared all characters of the new Dasya.
Acute and subacute idiopathic interstitial pneumonias
Authors: Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Kondoh Yasuhiro 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIdiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) may have an acute or subacute presentation, or acute exacerbation may occur in a previously subclinical or unrecognized chronic IIP. Acute or subacute IIPs include acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE‐IPF) and AE‐NSIP. Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) including connective tissue disease (CTD) associated ILD, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, drug‐induced lung disease and diffuse alveolar haemorrhage need to be differentiated from acute and subacute IIPs. Despite the severe lack of randomized controlled trials for the treatment of acute and subacute IIPs, the mainstream treatment remains corticosteroid therapy. Other potential therapies reported in the literature include corticosteroids and immunosuppression, antibiotics, anticoagulants, neutrophil elastase inhibitor, autoantibody‐targeted treatment, antifibrotics and hemoperfusion therapy. With regard to mechanical ventilation, patients in recent studies with acute and subacute IIPs have shown better survival than those in previous studies. Therefore, a careful value‐laden decision about the indications for endotracheal intubation should be made for each patient. Noninvasive ventilation may be beneficial to reduce ventilator associated pneumonia.
AGlycine sojamethionine sulfoxide reductase B5a interacts with the Ca2+/CAM‐binding kinase GsCBRLKand activatesROSsignaling under carbonate alkaline stress
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Sun Mingzhe , Jia Bowei , Qin Zhiwei , Yang Kejun , Chen Chao , Yu Qingyue , Zhu Yanming 
Published: April 2016

SummaryAlthough research has extensively illustrated the molecular basis of plant responses to salt and high‐pHstresses, knowledge on carbonate alkaline stress is poor and the specific responsive mechanism remains elusive. We have previously characterized aGlycine sojaCa2+/CAM‐dependent kinase GsCBRLKthat could increase salt tolerance. Here, we characterize a methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) B protein GsMSRB5a as a GsCBRLKinteractor by using Y2H and BiFc assays. Further analyses showed that the N‐terminal variable domain of GsCBRLKcontributed to the GsMSRB5a interaction. Y2H assays also revealed the interaction specificity of GsCBRLKwith the wild soybeanMSRBsubfamily proteins, and determined that the BoxI/BoxII‐containing regions within GsMSRBs were responsible for their interaction. Furthermore, we also illustrated that the N‐terminal basic regions in GsMSRBs functioned as transit peptides, which targeted themselves into chloroplasts and thereby prevented their interaction with GsCBRLK. Nevertheless, deletion of these regions allowed them to localize on the plasma membrane (PM) and interact with GsCBRLK. In addition, we also showed thatGsMSRB5aandGsCBRLKdisplayed overlapping tissue expression specificity and coincident expression patterns under carbonate alkaline stress. Phenotypic experiments demonstrated thatGsMSRB5aandGsCBRLKoverexpression in Arabidopsis enhanced carbonate alkaline stress tolerance. Further investigations elucidated thatGsMSRB5aandGsCBRLKinhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by modifying the expression ofROSsignaling, biosynthesis and scavenging genes. Summarily, our results demonstrated that GsCBRLKand GsMSRB5a interacted with each other, and activatedROSsignaling under carbonate alkaline stress.
HSP90 canonical content organizes a molecular scaffold mechanism to progress flowering
Authors: Margaritopoulou Theoni , Kryovrysanaki Nikoleta , Megkoula Panagiota , Prassinos Constantinos , Samakovli Despoina , Milioni Dimitra , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis 
Published: April 2016

SummaryHighly interactive signaling processes constitute a set of parameters intertwining in a continuum mode to shape body formation and development. A sophisticated gene network is required to integrate environmental and endogenous cues in order to modulate flowering. However, the molecular mechanisms that coordinate the circuitries of flowering genes remain unclear. Here using complemented experimental approaches, we uncover the decisive and essential role of HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90 (HSP90) in restraining developmental noise to an acceptable limit. Localized depletion of HSP90 mRNAs in the shoot apex resulted in low penetrance of vegetative‐to‐reproductive phase transition and completely abolished flower formation. Extreme variation in expression of flowering genes was also observed in HSP90 mRNA‐depleted transformed plants. Transient heat‐shock treatments moderately increased HSP90 mRNA levels and rescued flower arrest. The offspring had a low, nevertheless noticeable failure to promote transition from vegetative into the reproductive phase and showed flower morphological heterogeneity. In floral tissues a moderate variation in HSP90 transcript levels and in the expression of flowering genes was detected. Key flowering proteins comprised clientele of the molecular chaperone demonstrating that the HSP90 is essential during vegetative‐to‐reproductive phase transition and flower development. Our results uncover that HSP90 consolidates a molecular scaffold able to arrange and organize flowering gene network and protein circuitry, and effectively counterbalance the extent to which developmental noise perturbs phenotypic traits.
Hydrological analysis as a technical tool to support strategic and economic development: A case study of Lake Navaisha, Kenya
Authors: Yihdego Yohannes , Reta Gebrehiwet , Becht Robert 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEffective integrated water resources management requires reliable estimation of an overall basin water budget and of hydrologic fluctuations between groundwater and surface‐water resources. Seasonal variability of groundwater‐surface water exchange fluxes impacts on the water balance. The long term lake water balance was calculated by Modflow using the stage‐volume rating curve of Lake Package LAK3. The long term average storage volume change is 8.4 × 108 m3/month. The lake water balances suggests that the lake is not in equilibrium with the inflow and outflow terms. Using field abstraction data analysis and model simulation, the combined volume of lake‐groundwater used for industrial abstraction since the last three decades was estimated. This requires an average abstraction amount of 7.0 × 106 m3/month with a long term trend of abstraction ratio 30% (groundwater) and 70% (lake water) since 1980. The amount resulted in a lake which might have been 4.8 m higher than was observed in the last stress period (2010).A long term regional groundwater budget is calculated reflecting all water flow in to and out of the regional aquifer. The model water balance suggests that lake Navaisha basin is in equilibrium with a net outflow about 1% greater than the inflow over the calibrated period of time (1932–2010). The regional model is best used for broad‐scale predictions and can be used to provide a general sense of groundwater to surface water and groundwater to groundwater impacts in the basin. A basin wide water resource management strategy can be designed by integrating the lake/wetland within the regional groundwater model to increase the level of sustainable production and good stewardship in Lake Navaisha. Such hydrological analysis is crucial in making the model serve as simulator of the response of lake stage to hydraulic stresses applied to the aquifer and variation in climatic condition.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates colonic stem cells and induces mucosal healing in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis: a prospective case series
Authors: Bekheit Mohamed , Baddour Nahed , Katri Khaled , Taher Yousry , El Tobgy Khaled , Mousa Essam 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundHyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is used as part of treatment in a variety of clinical conditions. Its use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis has been reported in few clinical reports.ObjectiveWe report the effect of HBO on refractory ulcerative colitis exploring one potential mechanism of action.DesignA review of records of patients with refractory ulcerative colitis who received HBO was conducted. Clinical and histopathological scoring was utilised to evaluate the response to HBO therapy (HBOT).ResultsAll patients manifested clinical improvement by the 40th cycle of HBOT. The median number of stool frequency dropped from seven motions/day (range=3–20) to 1/day (range=0.5–3), which was significant (z=−4.6, p<0.001). None of the patients manifested persistent blood passage after HBOT (z=−3.2, p=0.002). The severity index significantly improved after HBOT (z=−4.97, p<0.001). Histologically, a significant reduction of the scores of activity was recorded accompanied by a significant increase in the proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index of the CD44 cells of the colonic mucosa (p=0.001).ConclusionsHBOT is effective in the setting of refractory ulcerative colitis. The described protocol is necessary for successful treatment. HBOT stimulates colonic stem cells to promote healing.
Are higher blood mercury levels associated with dry eye symptoms in adult Koreans? A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Chung So-Hyang , Myong Jun-Pyo 
Published: April 2016

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether blood mercury concentrations associated with the presence of dry eye symptoms in a nationally representative Korean population.MethodsPopulation-based prospective cross-sectional study using the heavy metal data set of the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 4761 adult Koreans were the eligible population in this study. Of the 7162 survey participants, 2401 were excluded because they were <19 years of age, there were missing data in the heavy metal data set, or they had diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, asthma, depression and/or under-the-eye surgery. Blood mercury levels were measured on the day the participants completed a questionnaire regarding the presence of dry eye symptoms (persistent dryness or eye irritation). The population was divided into low and high groups by median level (4.26 and 2.89 µg/L for males and females, respectively).ResultsSelf-reported dry eye symptoms were present in 13.0% of the cohort. Participants with dry eye symptoms were significantly more likely to have blood mercury levels exceeding the median than those without dry eye symptoms (45.7% vs 51.7%, p=0.021). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age, gender, education, total household income, smoking status, heavy alcohol use, sleep time, perceived stress status, total cholesterol levels and atopy history, dry eye symptoms were significantly associated with blood mercury levels that exceeded the median (reference: lower mercury group; OR, 1.324; 95% CI 1.059 to 1.655; p<0.05).ConclusionsHigh blood mercury levels were associated with dry eye symptoms in a nationally representative Korean population.