bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choto‐san versus placebo for patients with dementia: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Imai Hissei , Takeshima Nozomi , Oda Haruhiko , Chen Peiyao , Sawada Etsuko , Furukawa Toshiaki A. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundChoto‐san is a traditional medicine used for hypertension and headaches in Japan and China. Some studies have shown its effectiveness in the treatment of dementia. The present review aimed to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of Choto‐san in the treatment of adults with cognitive impairment.MethodsWe included randomized controlled trials comparing Choto‐san with placebo for patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.ResultsThree randomized controlled trials evaluating 219 participants were included. Two were studies on vascular dementia, and the other was on Alzheimer's dementia. There was no difference between Choto‐san and placebo in terms of short‐term dichotomous judgement of improvement, but Choto‐san was more effective than placebo in terms of short‐term improvement of cognitive function as measured by continuous outcomes. Also, dropouts judged it to be acceptable. However, the results were imprecise and/or heterogeneous. The number of participants included in the analysis was small (n = 199 in the primary analysis) and sometimes inconsistent, as indicated by the large I
2 (72% in the primary analysis).ConclusionLow‐quality evidence was suggestive of Choto‐san's efficacy for vascular dementia, but the present results may be overestimated. Studies with a larger sample size and conducted over longer periods should be performed. Regardless, Choto‐san can be one of the choices for the treatment of vascular dementia as it is well tolerated.
Regulation under uncertainty: The coevolution of industry and regulation
Authors: Sabel Charles , Herrigel Gary , Kristensen Peer Hull 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAs production and design disintegrate and become more collaborative, involving dynamic relations between customers and firms supplying complex subsystems and service, products and production methods become more innovative but also more hazardous. The inadvertent co‐production of latent hazards by independent firms is forcing firms and regulators to address the problem of uncertainty – the inability to anticipate, much less assign a probability to future states of the world – more directly than before. Under uncertainty, neither the regulator nor the regulated firms know what needs to be done. The regulator must induce firms to systematically canvas their practices and identify potential hazards. But recognizing the fallibility of all such efforts, the regulator must further foster the institutionalization of incident or event reporting procedures: systems to register failures in products or production processes that could be precursors to catastrophe; to trace out and correct their root causes; to alert others in similar situations to the potential hazard; and to make certain that countermeasures to ensure the safety of current operations are taken and the design requirements for the next generation of the implicated components or installations are updated accordingly. In this essay we develop these arguments and look closely at changes in the Norwegian offshore oil and gas industry and its regulator, the Petroleum Safety Authority to better understand the coevolution of vertically disintegrated industry and new forms of regulation.
Informality: Causes, consequences and policy responses
Authors: Kanbur Ravi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA stylized prediction of the development economics discourse is that informality will disappear with development, and yet in the last 20 years conventional measures of informality, far from declining, have either remained stagnant or have actually increased. This includes countries such as India where economic growth has been at historically high levels. What exactly is informality and what are its magnitudes and trends? What are the causes of informality and why is it not decreasing as predicted by standard theories of development? What are the consequences for inclusive economic growth of a large and increasing informal sector? What are feasible and desirable policy responses to informality? These are the questions that motivate this broad based overview of informality. The questions will be addressed based on recent and ongoing research on India and globally.
European Populist Parties in Government: How Well are Voters Represented? Evidence from Greece
Authors: Andreadis Ioannis , Stavrakakis Yannis 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this paper we focus on the two populist parties, one radical left and one radical right, that have formed a coalition government after the January 2015 elections in Greece: SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL). Using data from the Greek Candidate Study 2015 and the Greek Voter Study 2015 we study the congruence between party voters and party elites for these two parties, also comparing them with mainstream, non‐populist parties. Employing a slightly modified ?many to many’ approach, we measure congruence on a variety of issues (economic policy, austerity, Euroscepticism, immigration, law and order) and ideological divides (left/right, populism/anti‐populism) in order to assess the factors explaining the paradoxical resilience of Greek populism in power. The evidence generated can help us account for the trajectory of political antagonism in the Greek context throughout 2015 and in drawing some broader conclusions and challenges for future populism research.
Antiquity of cleptoparasitism among bees revealed by morphometric and phylogenetic analysis of a Paleocene fossil nomadine (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: DEHON MANUEL , PERRARD ADRIEN , ENGEL MICHAEL S. , NEL ANDRÉ , MICHEZ DENIS 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCleptoparasitism is a way of life involving the theft of resources by one animal from another. This behaviour occurs in many bee tribes but its origin and evolution remain obscure, particularly owing to the relative scarcity of bees in the fossil record. Hitherto, no fossil evidence has been recorded to trace the origin of cleptoparasitim among bees. In the current study, we present the first cleptoparasitic bee fossil, providing analyses of its taxonomic affinities and a complete description. The specimen also happens to be one of the earliest bee fossils, having been discovered in the spongo‐diatomitic volcanic paleolake of Menat (Paleocene) in France. We employed geometric morphometrics of the forewing shape to assess the taxonomic affinities of the fossil with modern apoid tribes. Our dataset included 979 specimens representing 50 tribes and 225 extant species. Based on linear and geometric morphometrics, we demonstrate that the fossil's forewing shape is similar to that of Apidae, and particularly to that of the tribe Epeolini (Nomadinae). The fossil is described as Paleoepeolus micheneri gen.n., sp.n. and provides the first direct evidence on the antiquity of cleptoparasitism among bees.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BBBE22176CAE48F9851F716B813DFEBF.
Free trade agreement and transport service trade
Authors: Lee Jaimin , Cho Seong‐Hoon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of free trade agreements (FTAs) on trade in transport services using OECD data from 2003 to 2006. Our analysis found that FTAs had a positive overall impact on transport services for multiple countries (i.e., 26 home and 56 partner countries). The resulting positive overall impact assures that, even with the challenges associated with different layers of services and the obstacles formed by generally low trade openness in the sector, the provisions in FTAs (e.g., national treatment and market access for goods and services) promote transport service trades. Our findings suggest that the provisions in FTAs encourage economic agents to increase engagement in transport services because of expanded openness of the physical movement of goods across international borders.
Novel Nonreplicating Vaccinia Virus Vector Enhances Expression of Heterologous Genes and Suppresses Synthesis of Endogenous Viral Proteins
Authors: Wyatt Linda S. , Xiao Wei , Americo Jeffrey L. , Earl Patricia L. , Moss Bernard 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Viruses are used as expression vectors for protein synthesis, immunology research, vaccines, and therapeutics. Advantages of poxvirus vectors include the accommodation of large amounts of heterologous DNA, the presence of a cytoplasmic site of transcription, and high expression levels. On the other hand, competition of approximately 200 viral genes with the target gene for expression and immune recognition may be disadvantageous. We describe a vaccinia virus (VACV) vector that uses an early promoter to express the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase; has the A23R intermediate transcription factor gene deleted, thereby restricting virus replication to complementing cells; and has a heterologous gene regulated by a T7 promoter. In noncomplementing cells, viral early gene expression and DNA replication occurred normally but synthesis of intermediate and late proteins was prevented. Nevertheless, the progeny viral DNA provided templates for abundant expression of heterologous genes regulated by a T7 promoter. Selective expression of the
Escherichia coli lac
repressor gene from an intermediate promoter reduced transcription of the heterologous gene specifically in complementing cells, where large amounts might adversely impact VACV replication. Expression of heterologous proteins mediated by the A23R deletion vector equaled that of a replicating VACV, was higher than that of a nonreplicating modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector used for candidate vaccines
in vitro
and
in vivo
, and was similarly immunogenic in mice. Unlike the MVA vector, the A23R deletion vector still expresses numerous early genes that can restrict immunogenicity as demonstrated here by the failure of the prototype vector to induce interferon alpha. By deleting immunomodulatory genes, we anticipate further improvements in the system.

IMPORTANCE
Vaccines provide an efficient and effective way of preventing infectious diseases. Nevertheless, new and better vaccines are needed. Vaccinia virus, which was used successfully as a live vaccine to eradicate smallpox, has been further attenuated and adapted as a recombinant vector for immunization against other pathogens. However, since the initial description of this vector system, only incremental improvements largely related to safety have been implemented. Here we described novel modifications of the platform that increased expression of the heterologous target gene and decreased expression of endogenous vaccinia virus genes while providing safety by preventing replication of the candidate vaccine except in complementing cells used for vector propagation.
Neonatal ethanol exposure from ethanol-based hand sanitisers in isolettes
Authors: Hsieh Shizuka , Sapkota Amir , Wood Rebecca , Bearer Cynthia , Kapoor Shiv 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveThe aims of this study is to measure the ethanol vapours in the isolette after use of hands cleaned with ethanol-based hand sanitiser (EBHS).MethodsTwo squirts (1.5 mL) of hand sanitiser were rubbed on hands for 10 or 20 s before inserting the hands in the isolette for 5 min. Ethanol vapours were measured in the isolette with photoionisation detector and alcohol breathalyser for 30 min.ResultsPeak ethanol concentration in the isolette was considerably higher with a 10 s hand rub (381±192 ppm) compared with a 20 s hand rub (99±50 ppm), and dissipated to ≤5 ppm within 30 min. Under routine care, EBHS use by care providers exposes neonates in isolettes to 3.7–7.3 or 1.4–2.8 mg/kg ethanol per day with 10 or 20 s hand rubs, respectively. The expected blood level from average single exposure is 0.036 mg/dL with 10 s hand rub and may increase further with multiple exposures in a short period.ConclusionPreterm neonates in the isolette are at risk of inadvertent exposure to ethanol. The expected blood alcohol level from this exposure is small and below 1 mg/dL level recommended by European Medicines Agency to limit the ethanol exposure in children. The unintended ethanol exposure can be avoided by rubbing hands for at least 20 s after applying EBHS.
Antenatal consultations for preterm labour: how are future mothers reassured?
Authors: Gaucher Nathalie , Nadeau Sophie , Barbier Alexandre , Payot Antoine 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the antenatal consultation for preterm labour worries or reassures women, and to identify factors contributing to these feelings.DesignThis is a prospective survey study from April 2012 to September 2013. This mixed-methodology tool was co-constructed with patients and first tested in a single-centre pilot study.SettingThree university-affiliated, tertiary care, high-risk obstetrics inpatient units in Quebec, Canada.ParticipantsWomen hospitalised with threatened preterm labour between 26 and 32 weeks’ gestational age completed the survey within 72 hours of an antenatal consultation by neonatology. 341 women were invited to participate and 226 mothers completed the survey (72% response rate), at a median gestational age of 30 weeks.Main outcome measuresParticipant worry, reassurance and change in perception after the antenatal consultation were the main outcome measures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with these outcomes.Results23% of participants were worried by the consultation, and 87% were reassured by it. Lower gestational age and higher maternal education were associated with feeling worried (adjusted OR=0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99; and adjusted OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.44, respectively). Longer consultations were associated with reassurance (adjusted OR=8.21, 95% CI 2.67 to 25.26). Women were reassured by (1) feeling well informed about prematurity with optimistic outlooks, and (2) a trusting and reassuring expert neonatology team. High-quality interactions with neonatologists were associated with reassurance, while poorer communications were associated with feelings of worry.ConclusionsTo be reassuring, neonatologists should strive to establish a trusting relationship with mothers, in which realistic and clear, but optimistic, information is offered.
Evidence for the effectiveness of minimum pricing of alcohol: a systematic review and assessment using the Bradford Hill criteria for causality
Authors: Boniface Sadie , Scannell Jack W , Marlow Sally 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo assess the evidence for price-based alcohol policy interventions to determine whether minimum unit pricing (MUP) is likely to be effective.DesignSystematic review and assessment of studies according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, against the Bradford Hill criteria for causality. Three electronic databases were searched from inception to February 2017. Additional articles were found through hand searching and grey literature searches.Criteria for selecting studiesWe included any study design that reported on the effect of price-based interventions on alcohol consumption or alcohol-related morbidity, mortality and wider harms. Studies reporting on the effects of taxation or affordability and studies that only investigated price elasticity of demand were beyond the scope of this review. Studies with any conflict of interest were excluded. All studies were appraised for methodological quality.ResultsOf 517 studies assessed, 33 studies were included: 26 peer-reviewed research studies and seven from the grey literature. All nine of the Bradford Hill criteria were met, although different types of study satisfied different criteria. For example, modelling studies complied with the consistency and specificity criteria, time series analyses demonstrated the temporality and experiment criteria, and the analogy criterion was fulfilled by comparing the findings with the wider literature on taxation and affordability.ConclusionsOverall, the Bradford Hill criteria for causality were satisfied. There was very little evidence that minimum alcohol prices are not associated with consumption or subsequent harms. However the overall quality of the evidence was variable, a large proportion of the evidence base has been produced by a small number of research teams, and the quantitative uncertainty in many estimates or forecasts is often poorly communicated outside the academic literature. Nonetheless, price-based alcohol policy interventions such as MUP are likely to reduce alcohol consumption, alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.
Polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stents in a large-scale all-comers population
Authors: Krackhardt Florian , Kočka Viktor , Waliszewski Matthias W. , Utech Andreas , Lustermann Meik , Hudec Martin , Studenčan Martin , Schwefer Markus , Yu Jiangtao , Jeong Myung Ho , Ahn Taehoon , Wan Ahmad Wan Azman , Boxberger Michael , Schneider André , Leschke Matthias 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a polymer-free sirolimus coated, ultrathin strut drug-eluting stent (PF-SES) in an unselected patient population with a focus on acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) with short (≤6 months) versus long (>6 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were also studied.MethodsPatients who received PF-SES were investigated in an unselected large-scale international, single-armed, multicenter, ‘all comers’ observational study. The primary endpoint was the 9-month target lesion revascularisation (TLR) rate, whereas secondary endpoints included the 9-month major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and procedural success rates. A priori defined subgroups such as patients with ACS, diabetes, lesion subsets and procedural characteristics relative to DAPT were investigated.ResultsA total of 2877 patients of whom 1084 had ACS were treated with PF-SES (1.31±0.75 stents per patient). At 9 months, the accumulated overall TLR rate was 2.3% (58/2513). There was no significant difference between ACS and stable CAD (2.6% vs 2.1%, p=0.389). However, the overall MACE rate was 4.3% (108/2513) with a higher rate in patients with ACS when compared with the stable CAD subgroup (6.1%, 58/947 vs 3.2%, 50/1566, p<0.001).ConclusionsPF-SES angioplasty is safe and effective in the daily clinical routine with low rates of TLR and MACE in an unselected patient population. Our data are in agreement with prior clinical findings that extended DAPT duration beyond 6 months do not improve clinical outcomes in patients with stable CAD (ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT02629575).Trial registration numberNCT02629575.
Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy Targeting Prostate Cancer with Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Antibody
Authors: Nagaya Tadanobu , Nakamura Yuko , Okuyama Shuhei , Ogata Fusa , Maruoka Yasuhiro , Choyke Peter L. , Kobayashi Hisataka 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a membrane protein that is overexpressed manifold in prostate cancer and provides an attractive target for molecular therapy. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that employs an antibody-photoabsorber conjugate (APC). Here, we describe the efficacy of NIR-PIT, using a fully human IgG1 anti-PSMA monoclonal antibody (mAb), conjugated to the photoabsorber, IR700DX, in a PSMA-expressing PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Anti-PSMA-IR700 showed specific binding and cell-specific killing was observed after exposure of the cells to NIR light in vitro. In the in vivo study, anti-PSMA-IR700 showed high tumor accumulation and high tumor–background ratio. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups: (i) no treatment; (ii) 100 μg of anti-PSMA-IR700 i.v.; (iii) NIR light exposure; (iv) 100 μg of anti-PSMA-IR700 i.v., NIR light exposure was administered. These were performed every week for up to 3 weeks. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by NIR-PIT treatment compared with the other control groups (P &lt; 0.001), and significantly prolonged survival was achieved (P &lt; 0.0001 vs. other control groups). More than two thirds of tumors were cured with NIR-PIT. In conclusion, the anti-PSMA antibody is suitable as an APC for NIR-PIT. Furthermore, NIR-PIT with the anti-PSMA-IR700 antibody is a promising candidate of the treatment of PSMA-expressing tumors and could be readily translated to humans.
Implications: NIR-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) using a fully human anti-PSMA-IR700 conjugate showed potential therapeutic effects against a PSMA-expressing prostate cancer that is readily translated to humans. Mol Cancer Res; 15(9); 1153–62. ©2017 AACR.
Intravesical BCG Induces CD4+ T-Cell Expansion in an Immune Competent Model of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kates Max , Nirschl Thomas , Sopko Nikolai A. , Matsui Hotaka , Kochel Christina M. , Reis Leonardo O. , Netto George J. , Hoque Mohammad O. , Hahn Noah M. , McConkey David J. , Baras Alex S. , Drake Charles G. , Bivalacqua Trinity J. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is the standard of care in treating non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer, yet its mechanism of action remains elusive. Both innate and adaptive immune responses have been implicated in BCG activity. Although prior research has indirectly demonstrated the importance of T cells and shown a rise in CD4+ T cells in bladder tissue after BCG, T-cell subpopulations have not been fully characterized. We investigated the relationship between effector and regulatory T cells in an immune competent, clinically relevant rodent model of bladder cancer. Our data demonstrate that cancer progression in the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) rat model of bladder cancer was characterized by a decline in the CD8/FoxP3 ratio, consistent with decreased adaptive immunity. In contrast, treatment with intravesical BCG led to a large, transient rise in the CD4+ T-cell population in the urothelium and was both more effective and immunogenic compared with intravesical chemotherapy. Whole-transcriptome expression profiling of posttreatment intravesical CD4+ and CD8+ T cells revealed minimal differences in gene expression after BCG treatment. Together, our results suggest that although BCG induces T-cell recruitment to the bladder, the T-cell phenotype does not markedly change, implying that combining T-cell–activating agents with BCG might improve clinical activity. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(7); 594–603. ©2017 AACR.