bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auditory processing following infantile spasms: An event‐related potential study
Authors: Fosi Tangunu , Werner Klaus , Boyd Stewart G. , De Haan Michelle , Scott Rod C. , Neville Brian G. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryObjectivesTo investigate acoustic auditory processing in patients with recent infantile spasms (IS).MethodsPatients (n = 22; 12 female; median age 8 months; range 5–11 months) had normal preceding development, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurometabolic testing (West syndrome of unknown cause, uWS). Controls were healthy babies (n = 22; 11 female; median age 6 months; range 3–12 months). Event‐related potentials (ERPs) and psychometry (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, BSID‐II) took place at a month following IS remission.ResultsFollowing a repeated pure tone, uWS patients showed less suppression of the N100 at the mid‐temporal electrodes (p = 0.006), and a prolonged response latency (p = 0.019). Their novelty P300 amplitude over the mid‐temporal electrodes was halved (p = 0.001). The peak of the novelty P300 to environmental broadband sounds emerged later over the left temporal lobe in patients (p = 0.015), the lag correlating with duration of spasms (r = 0.547, p = 0.015). BSID‐II scores were lower in patients (p < 0.001), with no correlation to ERP.SignificanceComplex acoustic information is processed poorly following IS. This would impair language. Treatment did not reverse this phenomenon, but may have limited its severity. The data are most consistent with altered connectivity of the cortical acoustic processing areas induced by IS.
The impact of nonadherence to antiseizure drugs on seizure outcomes in an animal model of epilepsy
Authors: Thomson Kyle E. , Modi Avani C. , Glauser Tracy A. , Rausch Joseph R. , Steve White H. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryObjectiveNonadherence to prescribed dosing regimens is a significant problem in the treatment of pediatric and adult chronic epilepsy, and can result in severe consequences to patient outcomes. In this first‐of‐kind preclinical study, the impact of nonadherence on seizure control was studied by simulating human patterns of nonadherence in an animal epilepsy model.MethodsIn study 1, three different patterns of nonadherence were modeled in newly diagnosed epileptic rats treated with carbamazepine: perfect adherence (100% of pellets contained carbamazepine), variable nonadherence (50% of pellets contained carbamazepine with different dosing patterns between animals), and complete nonadherence (0% of pellets contained carbamazepine). In study 2, a cohort of newly diagnosed epileptic rats were subjected to a “drug holiday” nonadherence paradigm, that is, a 2‐week on (100%), 2‐week off (0%), and 2‐week on (100%) carbamazepine paradigm.ResultsIn the first experiment, the 100% (0.3 ± 0.2 SD convulsive seizures per day) adherent cohort demonstrated better seizure control than either the 0% (1.1 ± 0.8 SD) or 50% (0.8 ± 0.6 SD) adherent cohorts, which had similar levels of seizure control. In the second study, poor seizure control was exhibited during the second 2 weeks; that is, the drug holiday epoch; however, this did not negatively affect restoration of seizure control upon reinstatement ofCBZ.SignificanceThe results from this pilot investigation suggest that nonadherence to carbamazepine is associated with significant negative but reversible effects on seizure control in an animal model of epilepsy. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that animal studies of nonadherence can yield potentially important and translatable insights into the consequences of nonadherence on seizure control.
Mutual Fund Managers’ Prior Work Experience and Their Investment Skill
Authors: Chen Rui , Gao Zhennan , Zhang Xueyong , Zhu Min 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between mutual fund managers’ past professional backgrounds and their portfolio performance using Chinese mutual fund data from 2003 to 2016. We focus on managers with prior work experience either as industry analysts or as macroanalysts. We hypothesize that managers who worked as industry analysts exhibit superior stock picking skills, while managers with a background as macroanalysts time the market better. These hypotheses are supported by the data after controlling for observable fund and manager characteristics. Bootstrap analyses suggest that a significant difference in performance between these two types of managers cannot be attributed purely to luck.
Identifying frailty in primary care: A systematic review
Authors: Lee Linda , Patel Tejal , Hillier Loretta M. , Maulkhan Niraj , Slonim Karen , Costa Andrew 
Published: April 2017

AimIdentification of frailty in the primary care setting could be improved with the availability of easily identifiable markers of frailty. The purpose of this article was to systematically review markers for frailty or risk tools that have been validated in the ambulatory care setting.MethodsMedline, PubMed, CIHAHL and Embase databases were searched up to March 2016 for studies on frailty markers in community‐dwelling individuals 65 years or older. Studies were included for review if they were carried out in primary care or outpatient settings, used a validated definition of frailty, compared two or more markers, and used randomized controlled trial, quasi‐experimental or prospective cohort designs.ResultsOf the 3405 titles screened, 12 were retained for review. All of the studies were prospective cohort designs. Studies most frequently assessed biological markers, such as immune, inflammation, endocrine biomarkers and metabolic syndrome markers. Not one specific marker was repeatedly identified as a definitive marker for frailty.ConclusionsThere is a lack of psychometrically sound and clinically useful frailty markers. There is a need for further research to identify highly sensitive, specific and accurate markers that are feasible to use in the context of busy primary care practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1358–1377.
Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal: Influence of age on incidence and outcomes in a Japanese population
Authors: Nakao Yoshio , Tanigawa Tohru , Murotani Kenta , Yamashita Jun‐ichi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAimOtolaryngologists occasionally observe foreign bodies (FB) in the external auditory canal (EAC), although relatively few studies have focused on the role of age in this condition.MethodsWe retrospectively compared the incidences, outcomes and complications of FB in the EAC in different age groups.ResultsThe patients at our center included 24 children (19%), 46 adults (37%) and 56 older adults (44%). Compared with adults, older adults were significantly more likely to have FB (peak age 75–79 years), be women (18/46 vs 34/56, P = 0.0461) and be unaware of their FB (18/46 vs 34/56, P = 0.0461). We observed that all EAC FB were more common during the summer, and biotic FB were not observed during the winter. Complications were more common in cases of biotic FB, compared with abiotic FB (5/27 vs 6/99, P = 0.0421).ConclusionOur findings show that older adults are particularly susceptible to FB, are frequently unaware of their FB and can develop complications. These characteristics should be considered before treating FB in the EAC. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2131–2135.
Prevalence and risk factors of depression in the empty nest elderly from the Sichuan Longmenshan fault earthquake
Authors: Xu Jiuping , Sun Yang , Wang Ziqi 
Published: April 2017

AimThere have been few recent studies that have systematically investigated the risk factors for psychological illnesses caused by earthquakes in the empty nest elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for depression in this special group in the hardest hit areas of the 2008 Sichuan Longmenshan fault Earthquake.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 10 severely damaged counties from Oct 2015 to Jan 2016 on 1,783 empty nesters, all of whom completed the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Social Support Rating Scale. Socio‐demographic information was also collected in a cross‐sectional survey.ResultsIt was found that 83.1 % of empty nesters had depression overall, with 94.5 % in females, 95.8 % in the single elderly (widowed or divorced) and 97.7 % in those who had suffered bereavement because of the earthquake. The logistic regression analysis showed that being female, of single status, having poor subjective support, poor support availability and suffering from bereavement were the main risk factors for depression.ConclusionsOf the earthquake affected empty nest elderly, depression was highest in females and the bereaved. Further poor subjective support was found to be strong indicator of depression in this special group. To minimize depression in the vulnerable elderly, measures should be taken to assist empty nesters in the earthquake‐stricken areas make full use of social support. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2143–2149.
Survival of Helicobacter pylori in gastric acidic territory
Authors: Ansari Shamshul , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori is well adapted to colonize the epithelial surface of the human gastric mucosa and can cause persistent infections. In order to infect the gastric mucosa, it has to survive in the gastric acidic pH. This organism has well developed mechanisms to neutralize the effects of acidic pH.ObjectiveThis review article was designed to summarize the various functional and molecular aspects by which the bacterium can combat and survive the gastric acidic pH in order to establish the persistent infections.MethodsWe used the keywords (acid acclimation, gastric acidic environment, H. pylori and survival) in combination or alone for pubmed search of recent scientific literatures. One hundred and forty one papers published between 1989 and 2016 were sorted out. The articles published with only abstracts, other than in English language, case reports and reviews were excluded.ResultsMany literatures describing the role of several factors in acid survival were found. Recently, the role of several other factors has been claimed to participate in acid survival.ConclusionIn conclusion, this organism has well characterized mechanisms for acid survival.
Targeting low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol with PCSK9 inhibitors
Authors: Scherer Daniel J. , Nelson Adam J. , Psaltis Peter J. , Nicholls Stephen J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOver the past quarter century, clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that lowering levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) with statins reduces the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the findings that many patients continue to experience events or harbour inappropriately high LDL‐C levels despite intensive statin therapy and the clinical reality of statin intolerance suggests that additional therapeutic strategies are required in order to achieve more effective reductions in cardiovascular risk. The emergence of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies targeted against proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) provides a novel approach to reducing LDL‐C levels. The current experience of PCSK9 inhibitors and implications for clinical use and cost effectiveness will be reviewed.
Blunted cardiovascular reactions are a predictor of negative health outcomes: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Yuenyongchaiwat Kornanong , Sheffield David 
Published: April 2017

The study examined whether cardiovascular responses to psychological stress tests predict future anxiety and depression scores 40‐months later. Hemodynamic measures were obtained from 102 healthy adults before, during and after mental arithmetic, a speech task, and a cold pressor task. The 14‐item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered at initial testing and at 40‐months follow‐up. At initial testing analyses revealed that high anxiety symptoms were characterized by blunted cardiovascular reactions to acute mental stress, particularly mental arithmetic. Furthermore, after adjustment for baseline blood pressure (BP), baseline anxiety levels and traditional risk factors, attenuated systolic BP responses to mental arithmetic were associated with future anxiety levels (ΔR2 = .055). These findings suggest that blunted cardiovascular reactions to stress may be an independent risk factor for future anxiety levels.
Summer day camp attendance facilitates some children meeting physical activity recommendations: Differences by gender and weight status
Authors: Baker Birgitta L. , McGregor Andrew , Johnson Lisa G. , Taylor Melissa 
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine if participants in a summer camp met physical activity guidelines and to examine whether physical activity levels differed by gender, race, socio‐economic status, or weight status. Height, weight, demographic information, and accelerometer‐measured physical activity were obtained from 132 participants aged 6–12 years at 6 day camps. Participants engaged in an average of 57.7 min (SD = 26.54) of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity during the 8 hr of camp. Almost 40% (39.8%) of the campers met the physical activity guidelines of at least 60 min of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity during the camp day, but there were gender and weight status differences. Results of an ANOVA analysis indicated that boys were more active than girls and normal weight children were more active than obese children. Summer day camp attendance appears to provide many children with an opportunity to attain recommended levels of physical activity, but differs by gender and weight status.
Prejudice, polyculturalism, and the influence of contact and moral exclusion: A comparison of responses toward LGBI, TI, and refugee groups
Authors: Healy Esther , Thomas Emma , Pedersen Anne 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrejudice toward marginalized groups is recognized as a complex and harmful social issue. The present study investigates the role of polyculturalism in undermining prejudice toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and refugees. A pilot study (N = 76) compared participants' prejudice, contact, and moral exclusion toward lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) and transgender or intersex (TI) people. There were differences for three out of four variables; thus, LGB and TI variables were separated in the study proper (N = 154). In this study, we investigated moral exclusion and contact (quantity and quality) relating to LGB, TI, and refugee groups as simultaneous mediators of the relationship between polyculturalism and prejudice, while taking into account openness as per previous research. Structural equation modeling indicated that moral exclusion and contact quality acted as mediators between polyculturalism and prejudice for LGB people, TI people, and refugees.
Selective blockade of B7‐H3 enhances antitumour immune activity by reducing immature myeloid cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Mao Liang , Fan Teng‐Fei , Wu Lei , Yu Guang‐Tao , Deng Wei‐Wei , Chen Lei , Bu Lin‐Lin , Ma Si‐Rui , Liu Bing , Bian Yansong , Kulkarni Ashok B. , Zhang Wen‐Feng , Sun Zhi‐Jun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractImmature myeloid cells including myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumour growth and metastasis by facilitating tumour transformation and angiogenesis, as well as by suppressing antitumour effector immune responses. Therefore, strategies designed to reduce MDSCs and TAMs accumulation and their activities are potentially valuable therapeutic goals. In this study, we show that negative immune checkpoint molecule B7‐H3 is significantly overexpressed in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimen as compared with normal oral mucosa. Using immunocompetent transgenic HNSCC models, we observed that targeting inhibition of B7‐H3 reduced tumour size. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that targeting inhibition of B7‐H3 increases antitumour immune response by decreasing immunosuppressive cells and promoting cytotoxic T cell activation in both tumour microenvironment and macroenvironment. Our study provides direct in vivo evidence for a rationale for B7‐H3 blockade as a future therapeutic strategy to treat patients with HNSCC.
Stratified Social Rights Limiting EU Citizenship
Authors: Bruzelius Cecilia , Reinprecht Constantin , Seeleib‐Kaiser Martin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDifferences in Member States' economic development and national social protection systems can translate into significant differences in the substantive social rights of EU migrant citizens. The substantive rights of economically inactive EU migrant citizens are dependent on the ‘export’ of social rights from their country of origin to the Member State of destination, in particular during the initial phase of their residence in a new Member State as a jobseeker or a pensioner. This paper demonstrates that EU citizens' social rights are substantively stratified, not only by economic status, but also according to the Member State of origin and destination. Stratified social rights, it is argued, generate unequal opportunities to free movement and eo ipso challenge the very concept of EU citizenship. The paper concludes with a proposal for a European Minimum Income Scheme to at least partially overcome the shortcomings of existing EU citizenship.
Anomalous diffusion based on fractional calculus approach applied to drying analysis of apple slices: The effects of relative humidity and temperature
Authors: Ramírez C. , Astorga V. , Nuñez H. , Jaques A. , Simpson R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe objective of this research was to evaluate the diffusion mechanism based on Fick's second law and anomalous diffusion modifying the drying operating conditions temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) on apple slices (cv. Granny smith). Drying was performed at 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 30%, 50%, 70%RH based on a 32 experimental design. The drying curves were analyzed to determine the effective diffusion (Deff) using two methods: Fick's second law and anomalous diffusion model based on fractional calculus approach. Our results showed that the anomalous diffusion mechanism fit the experimental data better and revealed a super‐diffusive behavior (α > 1). Therefore, Deff values were estimated using the anomalous diffusion model with α = 1.735. With respect to the use of anomalous diffusion model solution based on fractional calculus at different operations conditions allow to get better fitting of drying data than second Fick's law model, even keeping the Arrhenius behavior of Deff with temperature.Practical applicationsDiffusion process is typically analyzed using models based on Fick's second law. However, several assumptions inherent in Fick's second law are not fulfilled in food materials (e.g., structural heterogeneity). In addition, Fick's second law does not consider structural variations during the drying process, and it is well known that fruits such as apples experience significant structural changes during drying. Fractional calculus is a tool for mathematically representing the anomalous diffusion of solutes whose movements can be faster or slower than postulated in Fick's second law due to food structure. In general, with second Fick's law model not good fitting to data are obtained, therefore the prediction capacity of the model is limited. Based on this, anomalous diffusion solution based on fractional calculus was applied. The results showed good fit the data to the model, and also by the time exponent (α) is possible to identify the kind of diffusion process.
Moving Between Dialogic Reflexive Processes In Systemic Family Therapy Training: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of Trainees’ Experience
Authors: Givropoulou Dimitra , Tseliou Eleftheria 
Published: April 2017

In this article, we present a qualitative research study concerning the ways that systemic family therapy trainees experience reflexivity while in training. There is inadequate theorizing and limited research concerning reflexivity in family therapy, particularly from trainees’ perspective. In our study, we used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse transcripts of semistructured interviews with 10 systemic family therapy trainees. Here, we present one of the four superordinate analytic themes, entitled “Moving between reflexive processes”. Our analysis suggests that trainees seem to experience reflexivity as a multifaceted, dialogic process, which occurs both at an inner and at an outer space and both synchronically but also subsequently to the therapeutic/training process. We conclude by raising implications for family therapy training.Video abstract accessible by clicking here.
Fluorine and chlorine behaviour during progressive dehydration melting: Consequences for granite geochemistry and metallogeny
Authors: Finch E.G. , Tomkins A.G. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDehydration melting of biotite is the main control on crustal differentiation in the mid to lower continental crust because this reaction produces the most voluminous and most mobile granitic melts. Biotite breaks down over a broad temperature interval, so the partitioning behaviour of elements between biotite and melt is likely to vary. It has been hypothesized that fluorine may stabilize biotite to higher melting temperatures because biotite is typically F‐rich in ultra‐high temperature (UHT) metamorphic rocks. If true, F would be an important influence on crustal differentiation because not only would it broaden the temperature range of melting but also elevated F concentration decreases melt viscosity. Furthermore, ligand partitioning between biotite and melt may be an important influence on the metallogeny of magmas. This study used electron microprobe analysis of biotite in rocks from the Ballachulish and Rogaland metamorphic aureoles to investigate the concentration of F and Cl in biotite heated to 600–1,000°C. Results show a broad increase in biotite F content (up to 5.04% F) with temperature until 850–920°C, beyond which F content decreases (<2.5% F). Chlorine concentrations in biotite are consistently lower (<1% Cl), and show a progressive decrease after the onset of partial melting. It was found that Mg content, and the processes that control Mg distribution, are most strongly correlated with F and Cl concentration in biotite. Calculations based on these results indicate that F‐enriched biotite could be a significant source of F for continental crust‐derived melts. Generation of a hot, F‐rich melt at UHT conditions could be important for transporting lower crustal metals to the upper crust.