bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does LEAP change the screening paradigm for food allergy in infants with eczema?
Authors: Allen K. J. , Koplin J. J. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe LEAP randomized controlled trial provides the first direct evidence that delayed introduction of peanut in an infant's diet significantly increases the risk of peanut allergy. However, as often is the case in ground‐breaking research, the LEAP study raises almost as many questions as it resolves. Although the quality of design and excellence in study execution is unquestioned, the particular difficulty this study raises is how to generalize results from a trial of high‐risk infants, which screened infants for the presence of peanut allergy prior to peanut introduction, to the general population. Although many existing infant feeding guidelines already allow for the introduction of allergenic foods from 4 to 6 months of age irrespective of co‐existent risk factors for peanut allergy, these will now need to be revised to more strongly state that avoidance may be harmful. Interim guidelines have already been published which incorporate these recommendations. However, the question as to how to achieve timely introduction of peanut into an infant's diet in a safe and cost‐effective way, particularly in high‐risk infants, remains unresolved.
Extraction of DNA from human embryos after long‐term preservation in formalin and Bouin's solutions
Authors: Nagai Momoko , Minegishi Katsura , Komada Munekazu , Tsuchiya Maiko , Kameda Tomomi , Yamada Shigehito 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe “Kyoto Collection of Human Embryos” at Kyoto University was begun in 1961. Although morphological analyses of samples in the Kyoto Collection have been performed, these embryos have been considered difficult to genetically analyze because they have been preserved in formalin or Bouin's solution for 20–50 years. Owing to the recent advances in molecular biology, it has become possible to extract DNA from long‐term fixed tissues. The purpose of this study was to extract DNA from wet preparations of human embryo samples after long‐term preservation in fixing solution. We optimized the DNA extraction protocol to be suitable for tissues that have been damaged by long‐term fixation, including DNA‐protein crosslinking damage. Diluting Li2CO3 with 70% ethanol effectively removed picric acid from samples fixed in Bouin's solution. Additionally, 20.0 mg/mL proteinase was valuable to lyse the long‐term fixed samples. The extracted DNA was checked with PCR amplification using several sets of primers and sequence analysis. The PCR products included at least 295‐ and 838‐bp amplicons. These results show that the extracted DNA is applicable for genetic analyses, and indicate that old embryos in the Kyoto Collection should be made available for future studies. The protocol described in this study can successfully extract DNA from old specimens and, with improvements, should be applicable in research aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms of human congenital anomalies.
Family Matters?: A Cross‐National Analysis of the Performance Implications of Family Ownership
Authors: Dow Sandra , McGuire Jean 
Published: December 2015

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study makes use of a large multi‐country sample to examine how the market performance of family firms is affected by national context.Research Findings/InsightsWe find that Tobin's Q among family firms is significantly lower than that of non‐family firms across 33 countries. In examining these effects, results suggest that legal context and national culture influence the performance implications of publicly traded family firms, serving to mitigate some of the generally negative impact.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsWe find that national context is an important contingency in determining the family's ability and willingness to exploit minority shareholder wealth. Building upon our results, future research can focus on how formal and informal institutions may be substitutes for each other. Our results help explain why prior empirical research provides conflicting results regarding the impact of family governance on firm valuation.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsOur findings suggest that the performance implications of family firms are contingent on legal protections, belief in the impartiality of the legal system, and culture. Given wide variations in these measures across countries, the appropriate mechanisms to strengthen investor protection will not follow a one‐size fits all approach.
Clinical applications of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of renal lesions – a systematic review
Authors: Ye Jing , Kumar Bhagat Santosh , Li Xiao‐bo , Li Hong‐mei , Zhou Ying‐wen , Liu Li‐qin 
Published: December 2015

SummaryDiffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) is an established technique to detect the changes of the diffusion of water in biological tissues and reflect the pathophysiological process on the molecular level. It is a promising non‐invasive imaging modality in detection of microstructural and functional changes in pathologies of kidney. To systematically review the research advancement of the DW‐MRI in diagnosis of renal lesions, a systematic literature search was performed up to 8 October 2014 using the MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases for articles reporting on DW‐MRI in diagnosis of renal lesions. Only articles with full data about DW‐MRI application with potential implication in solving usually encountered clinical challenges about renal lesions were finally examined. The clinical application of DW‐MRI allows a better understanding of some pathologic conditions of the kidney including renal insufficiency, renal artery stenosis, ureteral obstruction, foetal kidney disease, hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis. In addition, DW‐MRI can also provide clinicians with the information of function evaluation of renal allograft and curative effect assessment of renal tumour. In summary, performance of renal DW‐MRI, presuming that measurements are high quality, will further boost this modality, particularly for early detection of diffusion renal conditions, as well as more accurate characterization of renal lesions.
Exhaled particles as markers of small airway inflammation in subjects with asthma
Authors: Larsson Per , Lärstad Mona , Bake Björn , Hammar Oscar , Bredberg Anna , Almstrand Ann‐Charlotte , Mirgorodskaya Ekaterina , Olin Anna‐Carin 
Published: December 2015

SummaryExhaled breath contains suspended particles of respiratory tract lining fluid from the small airways. The particles are formed when closed airways open during inhalation. We have developed a method called Particles in Exhaled air (PExA®) to measure and sample these particles in the exhaled aerosol. Here, we use the PExA® method to study the effects of birch pollen exposure on the small airways of individuals with asthma and birch pollen allergy. We hypothesized that birch pollen‐induced inflammation could change the concentrations of surfactant protein A and albumin in the respiratory tract lining fluid of the small airways and influence the amount of exhaled particles. The amount of exhaled particles was reduced after birch pollen exposure in subjects with asthma and birch pollen allergy, but no significant effect on the concentrations of surfactant protein A and albumin in exhaled particles was found. The reduction in the number of exhaled particles may be due to inflammation in the small airways, which would reduce their diameter and potentially reduce the number of small airways that open and close during inhalation and exhalation.
Corpus callosum abnormalities: neuroradiological and clinical correlations
Authors: Al‐Hashim Aqeela H , Blaser Susan , Raybaud Charles , MacGregor Daune 
Published: December 2015

AimTo study neuroradiological features in pediatric patients with corpus callosum abnormalities, using new functional subtyping for the corpus callosum, and to correlate the features with the clinical presentation.MethodWe performed a retrospective review of 125 patients with radiologically identified abnormalities of the corpus callosum seen between 1999 and 2012. The study reviewed clinical features, genetic etiology, and chromosomal microarray (CMA) results. We used a new functional classification for callosal abnormalities based on embryological and anatomical correlations with four classes: complete agenesis, anterior agenesis (rostrum, genu, body), posterior agenesis (isthmus, splenium), and complete hypoplasia (thinning). We also studied the presence of extracallosal abnormalities.ResultsThe new functional callosal subtyping did not reveal significant differences between the various subtypes in association with neurological outcome; however, the presence of cardiac disease was found more frequently in the group with complete agenesis. Thirty‐seven per cent (46/125) had identifiable causes: of these, 48% (22/46) had a monogenic disorder, 30% (14/46) had a pathogenic chromosomal copy‐number variant detected by CMA or karyotype, and 22% (10/46) had a recognizable clinical syndrome for which no confirmatory genetic test was available (namely Aicardi syndrome/septo‐optic dysplasia and Goldenhar syndrome). The diagnostic yield for a significant CMA change was 19%. The presence of Probst bundles was found to be associated with a better neurodevelopmental outcome.InterpretationThe functional classification system alone ‘without clinical data’ cannot predict the functional outcome. The presence of extracallosal brain abnormalities and an underlying genetic diagnosis predicted a worse neurodevelopmental outcome. This study highlights the importance of CMA testing and cardiac evaluation as part of a routine screen.
Influence of bone marrow stromal cell secreted molecules on pulpal and periodontal healing in replanted immature rat molars
Authors: Al‐Sharabi Niyaz , Xue Ying , Udea Minora , Mustafa Kamal , Fristad Inge 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate the effect of paracrine factors secreted from human bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC‐CM) on pulpal and periodontal healing following immediate replantation of maxillary rat first molars.Material and MethodsFifty maxillary rat first molars were elevated and replanted after 2 min. The left teeth were replanted without treatment, whereas BMSC‐CM was injected into the right socket prior to replantation. Twelve un‐operated teeth served as reference teeth. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, alkaline phosphatase, Runt‐related transcription factor 2 and osteoclast stimulating factor 1 was studied by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at day 3 and 14. The dentin thickness together with Laminin‐ and PGP 9.5‐immunoreactivity were studied after 3, 14 and 90 days.ResultsReal‐Time qRT‐PCR data showed up‐regulated expression of ALP mRNA in the socket specimens of conditioned medium treated replanted teeth after 3 days. No morphological differences were found for the expression of Laminin and PGP 9.5 between control and conditioned medium treated replanted teeth. At day 14, external cervical and surface root resorption was found in one BMSC‐CM and one control tooth. At 90 days, all control replanted teeth had external cervical and surface root resorptions, whereas only one sample was seen among the conditioned medium treated teeth. At day 90, more extensive dentine formation with narrowing of the pulpal space was observed in the control compared with conditioned medium treated teeth.ConclusionsThe present findings showed that BMSC‐CM treatment reduced the number of replanted teeth with external root resorption and resulted in a significant reduction in new dentin formation.
Faculty professional development in emergent pedagogies for instructional innovation in dental education
Authors: Zheng M. , Bender D. , Nadershahi N. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractInnovative pedagogies have significantly impacted health professions’ education, dental education included. In this context, faculty, defined in this study as instructor in higher education, has been increasingly required to hone their instructional skills. The purpose of this exploratory study was to share the design, implementation and preliminary outcomes of two programmes to enhance dental faculty's instructional skills, the Teaching and Learning Seminar Series and the Course Director Orientation. Data sources included faculty and student surveys developed and administered by the researchers; data extracted from the learning management system; reports from the learning analytics tool; and classroom observations. Participants’ satisfaction, self‐reported learning, instructional behavioural change, and impact on student learning behaviours and institutional practice were assessed borrowing from Kirkpatrick's 4‐level model of evaluation of professional development effectiveness. Initial findings showed that faculty in both programmes reported positive learning experiences. Participants reported that the programmes motivated them to improve instructional practice and improved their knowledge of instructional innovation. Some faculty reported implementation of new instructional strategies and tools, which helped create an active and interactive learning environment that was welcomed by their students. The study contributes to literature and best practice in health sciences faculty development in pedagogy and may guide other dental schools in designing professional development programmes.
A conceptual framework for understanding thermal constraints on ectotherm activity with implications for predicting responses to global change
Authors: Gunderson Alex R. , Leal Manuel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractActivity budgets influence the expression of life history traits as well as population dynamics. For ectotherms, a major constraint on activity is environmental temperature. Nonetheless, we currently lack a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding thermal constraints on activity, which hinders our ability to rigorously apply activity data to answer ecological and evolutionary questions. Here, we integrate multiple aspects of temperature‐dependent activity into a single unified framework that has general applicability. We also provide examples of the implementation of this framework to address fundamental questions in ecology relating to climate change vulnerability and species’ distributions using empirical data from a tropical lizard.
Should stimulation parameters be individualized to stop seizures: Evidence in support of this approach
Authors: Sobayo Tiwalade , Mogul David J. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryObjectiveDeep‐brain electrical stimulation (DBS) is a treatment modality being explored for many neurologic diseases and is a potentially potent means of disrupting the aberrant rhythms that arise during the epileptic seizures that afflict >1% of the population. However, current DBS protocols typically employed are formulated a priori and do not reflect the electrophysiologic dynamics within the brain as seizures arise, which may underlie their limited efficacy. This study investigates how the efficacy of DBS could be improved using endogenous dynamics to inform stimulation protocols.MethodsMultisite brain dynamics within the circuit of Papez were calculated in a chronic rat limbic epilepsy model induced via lithium chloride/pilocarpine intraperitoneal injections. Stimulation/recording electrodes were placed in the CA3 region of the left and right hippocampi and the anteromedial nucleus of the left thalamus. Deconvolution of local field potentials using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and phase synchrony analysis revealed multisite coherence as seizures approached natural termination that could not be detected with Fourier analysis. Multisite stimulation used charge‐neutral biphasic square waves at frequencies observed during natural termination.ResultsSynchronization of electrical activity across sites occurred as both spontaneous and evoked seizures naturally terminated. Furthermore, the location and frequency of the synchrony varied between subjects but was stable in time within each animal. DBS protocols were significantly more effective at rapidly stopping seizures when the frequency and location of multisite stimulation reflected the endogenous synchrony dynamics observed in each subject as seizures naturally terminated.SignificanceThese results strongly support the approach of tailoring DBS protocols to individual endogenous rhythms that may represent how brains naturally resolve epileptic seizures. This approach may significantly improve the overall efficacy of this potentially important therapy.
Human bedside evaluation versus automatic responsiveness testing in epilepsy (ARTiE)
Authors: Touloumes George , Morse Elliot , Chen William C. , Gober Leah , Dente Jennifer , Lilenbaum Rachel , Katzenstein Emily , Pacelli Ashley , Johnson Emily , Si Yang , Sivaraju Adithya , Grover Eric , Khozein Rebecca , Cunningham Courtney , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Blumenfeld Hal 
Published: December 2015

SummaryEvaluation of behavioral impairment during epileptic seizures is critical for medical decision making, including accurate diagnosis, recommendations for driving, and presurgical evaluation. We investigated the quality of behavioral testing during inpatient video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring at an established epilepsy center, and introduce a technical innovation that may improve clinical care. We retrospectively reviewed video‐EEG data from 152 seizures in 33 adult or pediatric patients admitted for video‐EEG monitoring. Behavioral testing with questions or commands was performed in only 50% of seizures ictally, 73% of seizures postictally, and 80% with either ictal or postictal testing combined. Furthermore, the questions or commands were highly inconsistent and were performed by nonmedical personnel in about one fourth of cases. In an effort to improve this situation we developed and here introduce Automatic Responsiveness Testing in Epilepsy (ARTiE), a series of video‐recorded behavioral tasks automatically triggered to play in the patient's room by computerized seizure detection. In initial technical testing using prerecorded or live video‐EEG data we found that ARTiE is initiated reliably by automatic seizure detection. With additional clinical testing we hope that ARTiE will succeed in providing comprehensive and reliable behavioral evaluation during seizures for people with epilepsy to greatly improve their clinical care.
Surgical management of medically refractory epilepsy in patients with polymicrogyria
Authors: Wang Doris D. , Knox Renatta , Rolston John D. , Englot Dario J. , Barkovich A. James , Tihan Tarik , Auguste Kurtis I. , Knowlton Robert C. , Cornes Susannah B. , Chang Edward F. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryObjectivePolymicrogyria (PMG) is a malformation of cortical development characterized by formation of an excessive number of small gyri. Sixty percent to 85% of patients with PMG have epilepsy that is refractory to medication, but surgical options are usually limited. We characterize a cohort of patient with polymicrogyria who underwent epilepsy surgery and document seizure outcomes.MethodsA retrospective study of all patients with PMG who underwent epilepsy surgery (focal seizure foci resection and/or hemispherectomy) at our center was performed by review of all clinical data related to their treatment.ResultsWe identified 12 patients (7 males and 5 female) with mean age of 18 (ranging from 3 months to 44 years) at time of surgery. Mean age at seizure onset was 8 years, with the majority (83%) having childhood onset. Six patients had focal, five had multifocal, and one patient had diffuse PMG. Perisylvian PMG was the most common pattern seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eight patients had other cortical malformations including hemimegalencephaly and cortical dysplasia. Scalp electroencephalography (EEG) often showed diffuse epileptic discharges that poorly lateralized but were focal on intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG). Eight patients underwent seizure foci resection and four underwent hemispherectomy. Mean follow‐up was 7 years (ranging from one to 19 years). Six patients (50%) were seizure‐free at last follow‐up. One patient had rare seizures (Engel class II). Three patients were Engel class III, having either decreased seizure frequency or severity, and two patients were Engel class IV. Gross total resection of the PMG cortex trended toward good seizure control.SignificanceOur study shows that even in patients with extensive or bilateral PMG malformations, some may still be good candidates for surgery because the epileptogenic zone may involve only a portion of the malformation. Intracranial ECoG can provide additional localizing information compared to scalp EEG in guiding resection of epileptogenic foci.
Equine placenta – A clinician's perspective. Part 2: Abnormalities
Authors: Pozor M. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryAny insufficiency of the equine placenta has dramatic effects on the developing equine fetus. Placental abnormalities, such as the separation of the chorioallantois from the maternal endometrium or torsion of the umbilical cord, lead to fetal demise, premature labour or abortion. These conditions are each associated with characteristic lesions on the equine placenta, which can be found during a detailed examination. These findings can be very helpful for diagnosing problems and implementing appropriate treatments for mares and affected newborn foals. Furthermore, the retention of the entire placenta or any small fragment thereof can cause metritis, laminitis and sepsis. The prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of this condition is necessary to save the mare from becoming seriously ill. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the equine placenta is a crucial element of thepost partumevaluation of every brood mare.
Methane and nitrous oxide emissions under no‐till farming in China: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Xin , Liu Sheng‐Li , Pu Chao , Zhang Xiang‐Qian , Xue Jian‐Fu , Zhang Ran , Wang Yu‐Qiao , Lal Rattan , Zhang Hai‐Lin , Chen Fu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNo‐till (NT) practices are among promising options toward adaptation and mitigation of climate change. However, the mitigation effectiveness of NT depends not only on its carbon sequestration potential but also on soil‐derived CH4 and N2O emissions. A meta‐analysis was conducted, using a dataset involving 136 comparisons from 39 studies in China, to identify site‐specific factors which influence CH4 emission, CH4 uptake, and N2O emission under NT. Comparative treatments involved NT without residue retention (NT0), NT with residue retention (NTR), compared to plow tillage (PT) with residue removed (PT0). Overall, NT0 significantly decreased CH4 emission by ~30% (P < 0.05) compared to PT0 with an average emission 218.8 kg ha−1 for rice paddies. However, the increase in N2O emission could partly offset the benefits of the decrease in CH4 emission under NT compared to PT0. NTR significantly enhanced N2O emission by 82.1%, 25.5%, and 20.8% (P < 0.05) compared to PT0 for rice paddies, acid soils, and the first 5 years of the experiments, respectively. The results from categorical meta‐analysis indicated that the higher N2O emission could be mitigated by adopting NT within alkaline soils, for long‐term duration, and with less N fertilization input when compared to PT0. In addition, the natural log (lnR) of response ratio of CH4 and N2O emissions under NT correlated positively (enhancing emission) with climate factors (temperature and precipitation) and negatively (reducing emission) with experimental duration, suggesting that avoiding excess soil wetness and using NT for a long term could enhance the benefits of NT. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the conditions favoring greenhouse gas(es) reductions is essential to achieving climate change mitigation and advancing food security in China.