bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety in adolescence and the moderating effect of the serotonin transporter gene
Authors: Otten Roy , Huizink Anja C. , Monshouwer Karin , Creemers Hanneke E. , Onrust Simone 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThere is substantial evidence for the assumption that particularly heavy cannabis usett is associated with a variety of psychopathologic conditions. Little is known about the relationship between cannabis and anxiety. Prior studies have concluded that cannabis use alone is not sufficient for the development of long‐term anxiety, and it has been suggested that cannabis is simply a risk factor that operates in conjunction with other risk factors. One such risk factor may be an individuals' genetic vulnerability. The present study examines the relationship between cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety by taking a developmental molecular‐genetic perspective with a focus on a polymorphism involved in the regulation of serotonin. Specifically, we concentrated on changes in cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety over time and differences herein for individuals with and without the short allele of the 5‐HTTLPR genotype. Data were from 1424 adolescents over a period of 5 years. We used different statistical analyses to test co‐development of cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety throughout adolescence and the possible role of the 5‐HTTLPR genotype in this process. Results from different analyses showed that cannabis use is associated with an increase in symptoms of anxiety, but only in carriers of the short allele of the 5‐HTTLPR genotype, not in non‐carriers. The findings of the present study show first evidence that the links between cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety are conditional on the individuals' genetic make‐up.
Re‐evaluating fall cankerworm management thresholds for urban and suburban forests
Authors: Walter Jonathan A. , Finch Frank T. , Johnson Derek M. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
In recent decades, outbreaks of fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria, Lepidoptera: Geometridae) have increased in urban and suburban areas of the mid‐Atlantic and southeastern U.S.A., including in Richmond, Virginia, as well as in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Managers in these regions commonly monitor fall cankerworm population trends using sticky band traps and use established thresholds relating the number of individuals captured to defoliation as a decision‐making tool. For this pest, defoliation thresholds were established based on large forest tracts, although these may yield inaccurate predictions in urban and suburban landscapes.
Analyses of defoliation and fall cankerworm sticky band traps in Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.A., indicate that trees with >200 female moths have >50% probability of being defoliated at moderate or greater intensity. This threshold is much larger than the threshold of 45 females previously established for large forest tracts, and a statistical model based on this established threshold proved an extremely poor fit to the data. In addition, we found little spatial correlation in fall cankerworm abundance among trap locations, in contrast to an established rule of thumb proposing that one trap per 40 ha can estimate fall cankerworm abundance for areas over 400 ha.
These findings highlight the importance of the ecological context in which management recommendations are made.
Cape ground squirrels as ecosystem engineers: modifying habitat for plants, small mammals and beetles in Namib Desert grasslands
Authors: Ewacha Michelle V. A. , Kaapehi Corris , Waterman Jane M. , Roth James D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBurrowing and foraging of semi‐fossorial rodents can affect species distribution and composition. Ground squirrels dig large burrow systems for refuge from predators and temperature extremes. Burrowing and foraging around burrows by squirrels may affect habitat and resource distributions for other organisms. We examined the impact of Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) on vegetation, small mammals and beetles during winter and summer in grasslands on the edge of the Namib Desert. At each burrow system and paired control site without burrows, we estimated plant cover and height using quadrats (N = 8 paired sites), small mammal abundance and species richness using mark‐recapture techniques (N = 8 paired sites) and beetle abundance and species richness using pitfall traps (N = 6 paired sites, winter only). Squirrel burrowing and foraging activities resulted in lower plant cover and height, higher small mammal abundance and lower beetle abundance and species richness. Squirrels also reduced more plant cover in winter compared to summer, but had no effect on small mammal species richness. Furthermore, plant cover and height were higher in summer, whereas small mammal abundance and species richness were higher in winter. Our results suggest that Cape ground squirrels are important ecosystem engineers that influence plant and animal communities in the Namib Desert grasslands.
Pragmatic pharmacology: population pharmacokinetic analysis of fentanyl using remnant samples from children after cardiac surgery
Authors: Van Driest Sara L. , Marshall Matthew D. , Hachey Brian , Beck Cole , Crum Kim , Owen Jill , Smith Andrew H. , Kannankeril Prince J. , Woodworth Alison , Caprioli Richard M. , Choi Leena 
Published: February 2016

AimsOne barrier contributing to the lack of pharmacokinetic (PK) data in paediatric populations is the need for serial sampling. Analysis of clinically obtained specimens and data may overcome this barrier. To add evidence for the feasibility of this approach, we sought to determine PK parameters for fentanyl in children after cardiac surgery using specimens and data generated in the course of clinical care, without collecting additional blood samples.MethodsWe measured fentanyl concentrations in plasma from leftover clinically‐obtained specimens in 130 paediatric cardiac surgery patients and successfully generated a PK dataset using drug dosing data extracted from electronic medical records. Using a population PK approach, we estimated PK parameters for this population, assessed model goodness‐of‐fit and internal model validation, and performed subset data analyses. Through simulation studies, we compared predicted fentanyl concentrations using model‐driven weight‐adjusted per kg vs. fixed per kg fentanyl dosing.ResultsFentanyl clearance for a 6.4 kg child, the median weight in our cohort, is 5.7 l h–1 (2.2–9.2 l h–1), similar to values found in prior formal PK studies. Model assessment and subset analyses indicated the model adequately fit the data. Of the covariates studied, only weight significantly impacted fentanyl kinetics, but substantial inter‐individual variability remained. In simulation studies, model‐driven weight‐adjusted per kg fentanyl dosing led to more consistent therapeutic fentanyl concentrations than fixed per kg dosing.ConclusionsWe show here that population PK modelling using sparse remnant samples and electronic medical records data provides a powerful tool for assessment of drug kinetics and generation of individualized dosing regimens.
Long‐term cognitive and school outcomes of late‐preterm and early‐term births: a systematic review
Authors: Chan E. , Leong P. , Malouf R. , Quigley M. A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundChildren born before full term (39–41 weeks' gestation) are at increased risk of adverse cognitive outcomes. Risk quantification is important as late‐preterm (LPT; 34–36 weeks) and early‐term (ET; 37–38 weeks) births are common.MethodThis review analyses the effect of LPT and ET births on long‐term cognitive and educational outcomes. The primary outcome was general cognitive ability. Secondary outcomes included verbal/non‐verbal intelligence quotient, subject‐specific school performance and special educational needs. The search strategy included Medline and Embase from January 1975 to June 2013. Eligible studies investigated specified outcomes and included suitable gestational age participants assessed at 2 years and older. Outcome measures and socio‐demographic descriptors were extracted, and data meta‐analysed where possible.ResultsEight studies compared ET birth with full‐term birth. Fourteen studies compared LPT birth with either term birth (>37 weeks, n = 12 studies) or full‐term birth (39–41 weeks, n = 2 studies). Substantial between‐study heterogeneity existed. LPT and ET children underperformed in most outcomes compared with their term/full‐term counterparts, respectively. For example, LPT children had an increased risk of lower general cognitive ability (adjusted risk ratio 1.38 [95% confidence interval 1.06–1.79]), and full‐term children performed 5% of a standard deviation higher (z‐score 0.05 [0.02, 0.08]) than ET children. Poorer outcomes persist into adulthood; term cohorts performed 5% of a standard deviation higher than LPT cohorts (z‐score 0.05 [0.04, 0.07]), and full‐term cohorts performed 3% of a standard deviation higher than ET cohorts (z‐score 0.03 [0.02, 0.04]).ConclusionThis review critically examines the knowledge around long‐term cognitive outcomes of LPT and ET births, demonstrating multiple, small, adverse differences between LPT/ET and term/full‐term births.
About my Child: measuring ‘Complexity’ in neurodisability. Evidence of reliability and validity
Authors: Ritzema A. M. , Lach L. M. , Rosenbaum P. , Nicholas D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundAbout my Child, 26‐item version (AMC‐26) was developed as a measure of child health ‘complexity’ and has been proposed as a tool for understanding the functional needs of children and the priorities of families.MethodsThe current study investigated the reliability and validity of AMC‐26 with a sample of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD; n = 258) who completed AMC‐26 as part of a larger study on parenting children with NDD. A subsample of children from the larger study (n = 49) were assessed using standardized measures of cognitive and adaptive functioning.ResultsFactor analysis revealed that a four‐component model explained 51.12% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for each of the four factors and for the scale as a whole, and ranged from 0.75 to 0.85, suggesting a high level of internal consistency. Construct validity was tested through comparisons with the results of standardized measures of child functioning. Predicted relationships for factors one, two and three were statistically significant and in the expected directions. Predictions for factor four were partially supported. AMC‐26 was also expected to serve as an indicator of caregiver distress. Drawing on a sample of caregivers from the larger study (n = 251) the model was found to be significant and explained 23% of the variance in caregiver depressive symptoms (R2 = .053, F (1, 249) = 14.06, P < .001).ConclusionsBased on these observations, the authors contend that AMC‐26 may be used by clinicians and researchers as a tool to capture child function and child health complexity. Such a measure may help elucidate the relationships between child complexity and family well‐being. This is an important avenue for further investigation.
Morphological Changes of Cortical and Hippocampal Neurons after Treatment with VEGF and Bevacizumab
Authors: Latzer Pauline , Schlegel Uwe , Theiss Carsten 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimsVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a hallmark of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and plays an important role in brain development and function. Recently, it has been reported that treatment of GBM patients with bevacizumab, an anti‐VEGF antibody, may cause a decline in neurocognitive function and compromise quality of life. Therefore, we investigated the effects of VEGF and bevacizumab on the morphology and on survival of neurons and glial cells.MethodsDissociated cortical and hippocampal cell cultures of juvenile rats were treated with VEGF, bevacizumab, and VEGF + bevacizumab. Neuronal and glial cell viability was analyzed, and the morphology of neurons was objectified by morphometric analysis.ResultsIn cortical cultures, bevacizumab significantly decreased the number of neurons after 20 days and the number of glial cells subsequent 30 days. Additionally, an increase in the dendritic length of cortical neurons was obvious after 10 days of incubation with bevacizumab, but returned to control level after 30 days. In hippocampal cultures, cell viability was not affected by bevacizumab; however, dendritic length increased at day 10, but decreased after long‐term treatment.ConclusionTherefore, bevacizumab obviously has a cytotoxic effect in cortical cultures and decreases the dendritic length in hippocampal neurons after long‐term treatment.
Fatal pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV seronegative AIDS patient
Authors: Zhang Hong , Wang Huan‐ling , Zhong Ding‐rong , Liu Yan , Li Ning‐ning , Zhang Wei , Xiao Yi , Li Tai‐sheng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroductionAlthough HIV antibody tests have been widely accepted in clinical diagnosis of HIV infection, they may not be sufficient to diagnose all subjects with HIV infection. Except negative result of antibody test in the well‐known” acute window phase”, in rare cases, patients do not develop HIV antibodies despite demonstrable infection. Primary pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma (KS) without mucocutaneous involvement accounts for only 0‐15% of all AIDS‐related KS. KS is rare among Chinese subjects, especially in persons of Han descent.MethodsA case of seronegative AIDS with primary pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was reported. It's a 46‐year‐old Chinese man presented with sore throat, hemoptysis, fever, dyspnea and multiple lung nodules. The lung lesions grew over a 5‐month period so as the symptoms worsened. The possibility of AIDS was discounted by his physicians because of the repeatedly negative HIV antibodies tests despite the ELISA tests or Western blot tests. Histopathologic diagnosis of fine needle lung biopsy in local hospital was undetermined. After admission, HIV infection was eventually confirmed by plasma HIV RNA testing. Histopathologic diagnosis of Lung Kaposi sarcoma was made through repeated fine needle aspiration biopsy as well as the review of former one. Multiple antibiotics and chemotherapy were administrated with no clinical effect due to advanced stage and the patient passed away soon after diagnosis.ResultsThis is the first case of seronegative HIV‐1 infection with presentation of primary pulmonary KS.ConclusionThis case underscores the importance of plasma RNA test in conjunction with HIV antibody test for some rare patients with HIV infection who present with severe immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections or malignancy.
Projected impacts of climate change on three freshwater fishes and potential novel competitive interactions
Authors: Van Zuiden Thomas M. , Chen Miranda M. , Stefanoff Samantha , Lopez Lianna , Sharma Sapna 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimAs global air temperatures continue to rise in response to climate change, environmental conditions for many freshwater fish species will change. Warming air temperatures may lead to warming lake temperatures, and subsequently, the availability of suitable thermal habitat space. Our objectives are to identify the responses of three fish species from three thermal guilds to climate change in Ontario and consequently, the potential for novel competitive interactions between two top predators. We focus on lakes in Ontario because it is a dynamic region that encapsulates the northern and southern range extents of warm and cold‐water fish species.LocationOntario, Canada.MethodsUsing lake morphology, water chemistry, climate and fish occurrence data for smallmouth bass (warmwater predator), walleye (coolwater predator) and cisco (cold‐water forage fish), we modelled the occurrence rates of three fish in 2050 and 2070 under 126 scenarios of climate change. We also calculated the percentage change in co‐occurrence of walleye and smallmouth bass in 2050 and 2070.ResultsSmallmouth bass occurrence rates were predicted to increase by ~306% (ranging between 55 and 422%) by 2070 relative to their current distributions. Walleye were projected to decline by 22% (−42 to a +6% change) and cisco by 26% (−7 to −47%) by 2070. By 2070, walleye–smallmouth bass co‐occurrence was predicted to increase by 11%, with walleye in central and northern Ontario at greatest vulnerability due to increased competition with smallmouth bass.Main conclusionsThese results highlight three unique responses to climate change: range expansion, northward range shift, and range contraction for warmwater, coolwater and cold‐water fish species, respectively. Alterations in distributions of these three ecologically important fish species may lead to shifts in fish community structure and novel species interactions in Ontario lakes, exacerbating the vulnerability of native coolwater predators to climate change.
Before‐school and after‐school childcare and children's risk of obesity
Authors: Shah P.M. , Sudharsanan N. , Cunningham S.A. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundIn the USA, half of children are regularly cared for before or after school by someone other than a parent.ObjectiveDescribe the relationship between childcare arrangements and obesity among school‐aged children.MethodsData are from the fifth‐grade wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Cohort 1998–1999, a nationally representative study of US children who were in kindergarten in 1998–1999 or first grade in 1999, collected in spring 2004 (analytic sample = 9617). We estimated survey‐adjusted logistic regression models to examine the association between childcare arrangements before and after school and obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was highest among fifth graders who received care from multiple sources and lowest among children who received care from adults not related to them in either the child's or the caregiver's home [29.9%, 95% confidence interval {CI}: 18.7%, 44.3%; and 17.3%, 95% CI: 12.1%, 24.0%]. Childcare arrangement was not an independent risk factor for obesity for most children. However, Hispanic children who were cared for by a person who was not a relative had significantly higher odds of obesity compared with non‐Hispanics in similar care arrangements (odds ratio: 5.11, 95% CI: 2.00, 13.06).ConclusionType of childcare before or after school was not an independent risk factor for obesity in most fifth graders, but implications of childcare for Hispanic children should be explored further.
The maximum‐impact coloring polytope
Authors: Braga Mónica , Delle Donne Diego , Linfati Rodrigo , Marenco Javier 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGiven two graphs and over the same set of vertices and given a set of colors C, the “impact on H” of a coloring of G, denoted , is the number of edges such that . In this setting, the “maximum‐impact coloring” problem asks for a proper coloring of G maximizing the impact on H. This problem naturally arises in the assignment of classrooms to courses, where it is desirable—but not mandatory—to assign lectures from the same course to the same classroom. Since the maximum‐impact coloring problem is NP‐hard, we propose in this work an integer programming based approach for tackling this problem. To this end, we present an integer programming formulation and study the associated polytope. We provide several families of valid inequalities, and we study under which conditions these inequalities define facets of the associated polytope. Finally, we show computational evidence over real‐life instances suggesting that some of these families may be useful in a cutting‐plane environment.
Bypassing Primary Care Facilities for Childbirth: Findings from a Multilevel Analysis of Skilled Birth Attendance Determinants in Afghanistan
Authors: Tappis Hannah , Koblinsky Marge , Doocy Shannon , Warren Nicole , Peters David H. 
Published: February 2016

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess the association between health facility characteristics and other individual/household factors with a woman's likelihood of skilled birth attendance in north‐central Afghanistan.MethodsData from a 2010 household survey of 6879 households in 9 provinces of Afghanistan were linked to routine facility data. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to assess determinants of skilled birth attendance.ResultsWomen who reported having at least one antenatal visit with a skilled provider were 5.6 times more likely to give birth with a skilled attendant than those who did not. The odds of skilled birth attendance were 84% higher for literate women than those without literacy skills and 79% higher among women in the upper 2 wealth quintiles than women in the poorest quintile. This study did not show any direct linkages between facility characteristics and skilled birth attendance but provided insights into why studies assuming that women seek care at the nearest primary care facility may lead to misinterpretation of care‐seeking patterns. Findings reveal a 36 percentage point gap between women who receive skilled antenatal care and those who received skilled birth care. Nearly 60% of women with a skilled attendant at their most recent birth bypassed the nearest primary care facility to give birth at a more distant primary care facility, hospital, or private clinic. Distance and transport barriers were reported as the most common reasons for home birth.DiscussionAssumptions that women who give birth with a skilled attendant do so at the closest health facility may mask the importance of supply‐side determinants of skilled birth attendance. More research based on actual utilization patterns, not assumed catchment areas, is needed to truly understand the factors influencing care‐seeking decisions in both emergency and nonemergency situations and to adapt strategies to reduce preventable mortality and morbidity in Afghanistan.
Expansion of Safe Abortion Services in Nepal Through Auxiliary Nurse‐Midwife Provision of Medical Abortion, 2011‐2013
Authors: Andersen Kathryn L. , Basnett Indira , Shrestha Dirgha Raj , Shrestha Meena Kumari , Shah Mukta , Aryal Shilu 
Published: February 2016

IntroductionThe termination of unwanted pregnancies up to 12 weeks’ gestation became legal in Nepal in 2002. Many interventions have taken place to expand access to comprehensive abortion care services. However, comprehensive abortion care services remain out of reach for women in rural and remote areas. This article describes a training and support strategy to train auxiliary nurse‐midwives (ANMs), already certified as skilled birth attendants, as medical abortion providers and expand geographic access to safe abortion care to the community level in Nepal.MethodsThis was a descriptive program evaluation. Sites and trainees were selected using standardized assessment tools to determine minimum facility requirements and willingness to provide medical abortion after training. Training was evaluated via posttests and observational checklists. Service statistics were collected through the government's facility logbook for safe abortion services (HMIS‐11).ResultsBy the end of June 2014, medical abortion service had been expanded to 25 districts through 463 listed ANMs at 290 listed primary‐level facilities and served 25,187 women. Providers report a high level of confidence in their medical abortion skills and considerable clinical knowledge and capacity in medical abortion.DiscussionThe Nepali experience demonstrates that safe induced abortion care can be provided by ANMs, even in remote primary‐level health facilities. Post‐training support for providers is critical in helping ANMs handle potential barriers to medical abortion service provision and build lasting capacity in medical abortion.