bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A discussion on disease severity index values. Part II: using the disease severity index for null hypothesis testing
Authors: Chiang K.S. , Liu H.I. , Tsai J.W. , Tsai J.R. , Bock C.H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA disease severity index (DSI) is a single number for summarising a large amount of information on disease severity. The DSI has most often been used with data based on a special type of ordinal scale comprising a series of consecutive ranges of defined numeric intervals, generally based on the percent area of symptoms presenting on the specimen(s). Plant pathologists and other professionals use such ordinal scale data in conjunction with a DSI (%) for treatment comparisons. The objective of this work is to explore the effects on both of different scales (i.e. those having equal or unequal classes, or different widths of intervals) and of the selection of values for scale intervals (i.e. the ordinal grade for the category or the midpoint value of the interval) on the null hypothesis test for the treatment comparison. A two‐stage simulation approach was employed to approximate the real mechanisms governing the disease‐severity sampling design. Subsequently, a meta‐analysis was performed to compare the effects of two treatments, which demonstrated that using quantitative ordinal rating grades or the midpoint conversion for the ranges of disease severity yielded very comparable results with respect to the power of hypothesis testing. However, the principal factor determining the power of the hypothesis test is the nature of the intervals, not the selection of values for ordinal scale intervals (i.e. not the mid‐point or ordinal grade). Although using the percent scale is always preferable, the results of this study provide a framework for developing improved research methods where the use of ordinal scales in conjunction with a DSI is either preferred or a necessity for comparing disease severities.
Mode of action and efficacy of iprodione against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: d'Errico G. , Giacometti R. , Roversi P. F. , d'Errico F. P. , Woo S. L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe ban and restriction on the use of several synthetic chemicals for controlling plant parasitic nematodes, and concern about their side effects necessitate the availability of effective methods of control with low toxicity to humans and non‐target organisms. Therefore, efficacy and mode of action of iprodione, a dicarboximide fungicide, was evaluated against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, in vitro and in vivo conditions, in comparison with the nematicides fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl at 7.00, 1.66 and 1.66 mL/5 L water, respectively. In vitro, iprodione showed nematostatic rather than nematicidal activity against second‐stage juveniles of M. incognita in contrast to fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl which were nematicidal. In the in vivo experiment with tomato, iprodione controlled M. incognita less than fenamiphos, fosthiazate and oxamyl. No visual symptoms of phytotoxicity were observed. Therefore, iprodione can be a useful chemical for controlling nematode populations if included in an Integrated Pest Management program.
Influence of cell distribution and diabetes status on the association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and aging phenotypes in the InCHIANTI study
Authors: Moore Ann Zenobia , Ding Jun , Tuke Marcus A. , Wood Andrew R. , Bandinelli Stefania , Frayling Timothy M. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: October 2017

SummaryMitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA‐CN) estimated in whole blood is a novel marker of mitochondrial mass and function that can be used in large population‐based studies. Analyses that attempt to relate mtDNA‐CN to specific aging phenotypes may be confounded by differences in the distribution of blood cell types across samples. Also, low or high mtDNA‐CN may have a different meaning given the presence of diseases associated with mitochondrial damage. We evaluated the impact of blood cell type distribution and diabetes status on the association between mtDNA‐CN and aging phenotypes, namely chronologic age, interleukin‐6, hemoglobin, and all‐cause mortality, among 672 participants of the InCHIANTI study. After accounting for white blood cell count, platelet count, and white blood cell proportions in multivariate models, associations of mtDNA‐CN with age and interleukin‐6 were no longer statistically significant. Evaluation of a statistical interaction by diabetes status suggested heterogeneity of effects in the analysis of mortality (P < 0.01). The magnitude and direction of associations between mtDNA‐CN estimated from blood samples and aging phenotypes are influenced by the sample cell type distribution and disease status. Therefore, accounting for these factors may aid understanding of the relevance of mitochondrial DNA copy number to health and aging.
Nifedipine Prevents Apoptosis of Alcohol‐Exposed First‐Trimester Trophoblast Cells
Authors: Bolnick Alan D. , Bolnick Jay M. , Kohan‐Ghadr Hamid‐Reza , Kilburn Brian A. , Hertz Michael , Dai Jing , Drewlo Sascha , Armant D. Randall 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundMaternal alcohol abuse leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) includes fetal growth restriction (FGR). Ethanol (EtOH) induces apoptosis of human placental trophoblast cells, possibly disrupting placentation and contributing to FGR in FASD. EtOH facilitates apoptosis in several embryonic tissues, including human trophoblasts, by raising intracellular Ca2+. We previously found that acute EtOH exposure increases trophoblast apoptosis due to signaling from both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+. Therefore, nifedipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker that is commonly administered to treat preeclampsia and preterm labor, was evaluated for cytoprotective properties in trophoblast cells exposed to alcohol.MethodsHuman first‐trimester chorionic villous explants and the human trophoblast cell line HTR‐8/SVneo (HTR) were pretreated with 12.5 to 50 nM of the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine for 1 hour before exposure to 50 mM EtOH for an additional hour. Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were monitored in real time by epifluorescence microscopy, using fluo‐4‐AM. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), accumulation of cytoplasmic cytochrome c, and cleavage rates of caspase 3 and caspase 9.ResultsThe increase in intracellular Ca2+ upon exposure to EtOH in both villous explants and HTR cells was completely blocked (p < 0.05) when pretreated with nifedipine, accompanied by inhibition of EtOH‐induced release of cytochrome c, caspase activities, and TUNEL.ConclusionsThis study indicates that nifedipine can interrupt the apoptotic pathway downstream of EtOH exposure and could provide a novel strategy for future interventions in women with fetuses at risk for FASD.
Continuation of lithium after a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kessing L. V. , Feldt‐Rasmussen B. , Andersen P. K. , Gerds T. A. , Licht R. W. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate whether continued lithium or anticonvulsant treatment after a first diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was associated with progression to irreversible end‐stage kidney disease.MethodsNationwide cohort study including all individuals in Denmark in a period from 1995 to 2012 with a diagnosis of CKD and (i) a history of lithium treatment (N = 754, among whom 238 patients had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder) or (ii) a history of anticonvulsant treatment (N = 5.004, among whom 199 patients had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder). End‐stage CKD was defined as chronic dialysis or renal transplantation.ResultsContinuing lithium (HR = 0.58 (95% CI: 0.37–0.90) and continuing anticonvulsants (HR = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.44–0.64) were associated with decreased rates of end‐stage CKD. In the subcohorts of patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, continuing lithium was associated with decreased end‐stage CKD (HR = 0.40 (95% CI: 0.17–0.98), whereas continuing anticonvulsants was not (HR = 0.70 (95% CI: 0.21–2.37). There were no interactions of continuing lithium and anticonvulsants.ConclusionAfter an initial diagnosis of CKD, patients who are selected by their physicians to continue lithium treatment may not necessarily have an increased risk of developing end‐stage CKD. Shifting to an anticonvulsant per se may not be associated with an advantage; however, this requires further investigation.
The immune profile induced is crucial to determine the effects of immunocastration over gonadal function, fertility, and GnRH‐I expression
Authors: Siel Daniela , Loaiza Alexandra , Vidal Sonia , Caruffo Mario , Paredes Rodolfo , Ramirez Galia , Lapierre Lisette , Briceño Cristóbal , Pérez Oliver , Sáenz Leonardo 
Published: October 2017

ProblemImmunocastration or vaccination against the GnRH‐I hormone is a promising alternative to reproductive control in different animal species. Given the low immunogenicity of this hormone, the use of adjuvants becomes necessary.Method of StudyThis study evaluated the effects of three adjuvants that induce different immune response profiles over gonadal function, fertility, and expression of GnRH‐I. Female mice (n = 6) were vaccinated at days 1 and 30 with a recombinant antigen for immunocastration and different adjuvants that induced preferentially Th1/Th2, Th2, and Th1 immune profiles.ResultsTh1/Th2 response is the most efficient to block reproductive activity in vaccinated animals, reducing the number of luteal bodies and pre‐ovulatory follicles. Th2 and Th1/Th2 responses induced an increase in GnRH‐I at the hypothalamus.ConclusionThe immune profile induced by different adjuvants is essential on the effects over fertility, gonadal function, and hypothalamic GnRH‐I expression in immunocastrated animals.
Uteroplacental insufficiency in rats induces renal apoptosis and delays nephrogenesis completion
Authors: Cuffe J. S. M. , Briffa J. F. , Rosser S. , Siebel A. L. , Romano T. , Hryciw D. H. , Wlodek M. E. , Moritz K. M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimUteroplacental insufficiency in rats reduces nephron endowment, leptin concentrations and programmes cardiorenal disease in offspring. Cross‐fostering growth‐restricted (Restricted) offspring onto a mother with normal lactation restores leptin concentrations and nephron endowment. This study aimed to determine whether the reduced nephron endowment in Restricted offspring is due to delayed glomerular formation and dysregulation of renal genes regulating branching morphogenesis, apoptosis or leptin signalling. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate whether cross‐fostering Restricted offspring onto Control mothers could improve glomerular maturation and restore renal gene abundance.MethodsUteroplacental insufficiency was induced by bilateral uterine vessel ligation (Restricted) or sham (Control) surgery on gestation day 18 (E18). Kidneys were collected at E20, postnatal day 1 (PN1) and PN7. An additional cohort was cross‐fostered onto separate mothers at birth and kidneys collected at PN7.ResultsKidneys were lighter in the Restricted group, but weight was restored with cross‐fostering. At E20, abundance of Bax, Flt1 and Vegfa was increased in Restricted offspring, while Ret and Bcl2 transcripts were increased only in Restricted females. At PN7, abundance of Gdnf and Ret was higher in Restricted offspring, as was Casp3. Restricted offspring had a wider nephrogenic zone with more immature glomeruli suggesting a delayed or extended nephrogenic period. Cross‐fostering had subtle effects on gene abundance and glomerular maturity.ConclusionUteroplacental insufficiency induced apoptosis in the developing kidney and delayed and extended nephrogenesis. Cross‐fostering Restricted offspring onto Control mothers had beneficial effects on kidney growth and renal maturity, which may contribute to the restoration of nephron endowment.
Ditches as species‐rich secondary habitats and refuge for meadow species in agricultural marsh grasslands
Authors: Rasran Leonid , Vogt Kati 
Published: October 2017

AbstractQuestionsCan drainage ditches in agricultural marsh grassland provide a suitable habitat for the persistence of fen meadow species? How does the ditch margin vegetation develop as a function of regular dredging? Is ornithologically oriented management also beneficial for plant biodiversity?LocationRiparian marshes, Eider‐Treene‐Sorge lowland, Schleswig‐Holstein, Germany.MethodsWe performed vegetation surveys of drainage ditches along with their water body, slope and margin structures annually for 3 years. The data were analysed with respect to date and means of ditch dredging. In addition, we recorded vegetation of the surrounding agricultural grassland, measured nutrient status of the soil and the water body and sampled seed bank of the ditch slopes. We used ANOVA and multivariate methods to describe the development of the ditch vegetation and the persistence of target meadow species.ResultsVegetation re‐development of ditch margins proceeds quite rapidly after disturbance from dredging. Dominance of mudbank species was observed only in the first year, followed by an increase of reed species and reduction of phytodiversity. Target species of wet meadow communities reach highest abundance in the second and third year and build a significant seed bank before being suppressed by reeds.ConclusionsIn heavily eutrophicated, intensively used marsh grassland, regularly disturbed ditch margins are important secondary habitats for pioneer and subdominant wetland species, which have nearly disappeared in a larger area. Current management cycles of ditch dredging every 3–4 years comply with the successional development, allowing the mudbank and wet meadow species to persist in the vegetation and seed bank. In contrast to the frequency, the form of dredging (ditch profile), which is crucial for bird protection, plays a minor role for plants. We recommend moderate disturbance (mowing of ditch margins) to suppress strong competitors in the years between dredging for additional support to target plant species.
High interpatient variability of treosulfan exposure is associated with early toxicity in paediatric HSCT: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: van der Stoep M. Y. Eileen C. , Bertaina Alice , ten Brink Marloes H. , Bredius Robbert G. , Smiers Frans J. , Wanders Dominique C. M. , Moes Dirk Jan A.R. , Locatelli Franco , Guchelaar Henk‐Jan , Zwaveling Juliëtte , Lankester Arjan C. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryTreosulfan‐based conditioning is increasingly employed in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Data on treosulfan pharmacokinetics in children are scarce, and the relationship between treosulfan exposure, toxicity and clinical outcome is unresolved. In this multicentre prospective observational study, we studied treosulfan pharmacokinetics and the drug's relationship with regimen‐related toxicity and early clinical outcome in 77 paediatric patients. Treosulfan dose was 30 g/m2, administered over 3 consecutive days in infants <1 year old (n = 12) and 42 g/m2 in children ≥1 year old (n = 65). Mean day 1 treosulfan exposure was 1744 ± 795 mg*h/l (10 g/m2) and 1561 ± 511 mg*h/l (14 g/m2), with an inter‐individual variability of 56 and 33% in the respective groups. High treosulfan exposure (>1650 mg*h/l) was associated with an increased risk of mucosal [Odds ratio (OR) 4·40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·19–16·28, P = 0·026] and skin toxicity (OR 4·51; 95% CI 1·07–18·93, P = 0·040). No correlation was found between treosulfan exposure and the early clinical outcome parameters: engraftment, acute graft‐versus‐host disease and donor chimerism. Our study provides the first evidence in a large cohort of paediatric patients of high variability in treosulfan pharmacokinetics and an association between treosulfan exposure and early toxicity. Ongoing studies will reveal whether treosulfan exposure is related to long‐term disease‐specific outcome and late treatment‐related toxicity.
Evaluation of a disease risk index for adult patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation for haematological malignancies
Authors: Paviglianiti Annalisa , Ruggeri Annalisa , Volt Fernanda , Sanz Guillermo , Milpied Noel , Furst Sabine , Esquirol Albert , Arcese William , Picardi Alessandra , Ferra Christelle , Ifrah Norbert , Bourhis Jean H. , Raj Kavita , von dem Borne Peter A. , Sica Simona , Menard Anne‐lise , Bloor Adrian , Kenzey Chantal , Gluckman Eliane , Rocha Vanderson 
Published: October 2017

SummaryA disease risk index (DRI) has been defined for stratifying heterogeneous cohorts of patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This index defines 4 distinct groups with different outcomes, dividing patients by disease type and status and considering cytogenetics for acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Recently, the DRI has been refined to include rare diseases and improve MDS stratification by blast percentage and response to prior therapy. Previous reports on DRI include only a small number of UCBT recipients. The current study aims to determine the applicability of the DRI for patients undergoing unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT). We retrospectively analysed 2530 adults receiving UCBT between 2004 and 2014. Diagnosis was acute leukaemia (AL) in 66% of the cases. Overall survival (OS) at 2 years was 56 ± 3% for patients with low DRI (n = 352), 46 ± 1% for intermediate DRI (n = 1403), 28 ± 2% for high (n = 489) and 20 ± 4% for very high DRI (n = 109) (P < 0·001). In the multivariate model, DRI remained an independent risk factor for OS. Similar findings were observed for PFS and DRI. Our results show the applicability of DRI for stratifying UCBT recipients and confirm the prognostic value of this simple and robust tool in this setting.
Cognitive and physical development in HIV‐positive children in South Africa and Malawi: A community‐based follow‐up comparison study
Authors: Sherr L. , Hensels I. S. , Tomlinson M. , Skeen S. , Macedo A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundChild development is negatively impacted by HIV with children that are infected and affected by HIV performing worse than their peers in cognitive assessments.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive follow‐up comparison study (n=989) in South Africa and Malawi. We tracked child development in 135 HIV‐positive children compared to 854 uninfected children aged 4–13 years attending community‐based organizations at baseline and again 12–15 months later.ResultsChildren with HIV were more often stunted (58.8% vs. 27.4%) and underweight (18.7% vs. 7.1%). They also had significantly poorer general physical functioning (M=93.37 vs. M=97.00). HIV‐positive children scored significantly lower on digit span and the draw‐a‐person task.ConclusionsThese data clearly show that HIV infection poses a serious risk for child development and that there is a need for scaled up interventions. Community‐based services may be ideally placed to accommodate such provision and deliver urgently needed support to these children.
Expression of aromatase in the rostral ventromedial medulla and its role in the regulation of visceral pain
Authors: Gao Po , Ding Xiao‐Wei , Dong Li , Luo Ping , Zhang Guo‐Hua , Rong Wei‐Fang 
Published: October 2017

SummaryAimsEstrogens are known to exert a wide spectrum of actions on brain functions including modulation of pain. Besides the circulating estrogens produced mainly by the ovaries, many brain regions are also capable of de novo synthesizing estrogens, which may exert important modulatory effects on neuronal functions. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that aromatase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to estradiols, may be distributed in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), where it may impact on visceral pain.Methods and resultsAdult female rats were treated with cyclophosphamide (CPM, 50 mg/kg, ip, once every 3 days) or saline. At approximately day 10 following the 3rd injection, CPM‐treated rats exhibited colorectal hyperalgesia as they showed significantly greater abdominal withdrawal responses (AWR) to graded colorectal distension (CRD, 0‐100 mm Hg) than the saline group. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot assay revealed that CPM‐induced colorectal hyperalgesia was associated with significantly increased expression of aromatase and phosphorylated μ‐type opioid receptor (pMOR) and decreased expression of total MOR in the RVM. Intracisternal application of aromatase inhibitors, fadrozole, and letrozole reversed CPM‐induced colorectal hyperalgesia and restored pMOR and MOR expression in the RVM.ConclusionsOur observations confirmed the expression of aromatase in the RVM, a pivotal brain region in descending modulation of pain and opioid analgesia. The results support the hypothesis that locally produced estrogens in the RVM may be involved in the maintenance of chronic visceral hyperalgesia and the downstream signaling may involve phosphorylation of MOR.
Are cash transfers the answer for child nutrition in sub‐Saharan Africa? A literature review
Authors: Manley James , Slavchevska Vanya 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEarly evidence is ambiguous on the effects of cash transfer programmes on children, but until the last few years there has been little focus on Africa. We review the literature on 20 cash transfer schemes, including 12 from sub‐Saharan Africa. Such interventions have shown improvements in household diet and, in some cases, to agriculture, but have not always improved child health. However, a larger perspective focusing on two key time periods for nutrition—adolescence and the first 1,000 days of life reveals more opportunities for impact. In particular, the opportunity to empower young women to access secondary education and the reduction of adolescent pregnancy rates can improve the health of African children. Cash transfer programmes show promise, though there is room for improvement.
Central Bank or Monetary Authority? Three Views on Money and Monetary Reform
Authors: Decker Frank 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe global financial crisis triggered profound changes in the conduct of monetary policy, with ultra‐low interest rates and asset purchases becoming the main policy tools. This represents a major shift towards interventionism that even ten years after the global financial crisis has not been reversed. In this article, I assess three views on money and monetary reform. I argue that a central bank regime with a narrow focus on refinancing property at market interest rates remains an attractive alternative to the current regime and provides an essential benchmark to assess the progress of monetary normalisation.
How Functional is the Eurozone? An Index of European Economic Integration Through the Single Currency
Authors: Castañeda Juan E. , Schwartz Pedro 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article is a step towards empirically assessing how close the Eurozone is to becoming an ‘optimal currency area’, as originally defined by Mundell (). For this purpose we have compiled ten indicators, organised them in four partial indices, and summarised them in an overall indicator of ‘optimality’. The resulting picture is mixed, with zone optimality not increasing when circumstances were favourable but the trend towards integration returning after the 2008–14 crisis. The suggestion is that disintegration during the crisis, rather than being evidence of failure of the Eurozone when the going was tough, showed a self‐healing mechanism at work. However, our measurements and indices show that optimality is much further away than it was in 1999, when the euro was launched.