bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Online processing of sentences containing noun modification in young children with high‐functioning autism
Authors: Bavin Edith L. , Prendergast Luke A. , Kidd Evan , Baker Emma , Dissanayake Cheryl 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground: There is variability in the language of children with autism, even those who are high functioning. However, little is known about how they process language structures in real time, including how they handle potential ambiguity, and whether they follow referential constraints. Previous research with older autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participants has shown that these individuals can use context to access rapidly the meaning of ambiguous words. The severity of autism has also been shown to influence the speed in which children with ASD access lexical information.Aims: To understand more about how children with ASD process language in real time (i.e., as it unfolds). The focus was the integration of information and use of referential constraints to identify a referent named in a sentence.Methods & Procedures: We used an eye‐tracking task to compare performance between young, high‐functioning children with autism (HFA) and children with typical development (TD). A large sample of 5–9‐year‐old children (mean age = 6;8 years), 48 with HFA and 56 with TD participated; all were attending mainstream schools. For each item participants were shown a display of four images that differed in two dimensions. Each sentence contained an adjective and noun that restricted the choice from four to two (the target and competitor), followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., the blue square with dots); this added modifying information to provide a unique description of the target. We calculated looking time at the target, the competitor and the two distractors for each 200 ms time interval as children processed the sentence and looked at the display. Generalized estimating equations were used to carry out repeated‐measures analyses on the proportion of looking time to target and competitor and time to fixate to target.Outcomes & Results: Children in both groups (HFA and TD) looked at the target and competitor more than at the distractors following the adjective and noun and following the modifying information in the prepositional phrase more at the target. However, the HFA group was significantly slower in both phases and looked proportionally less at the target. Across the sample, IQ and language did not affect the results; however, age and attention had an impact. The older children showed an advantage in processing the information as did the children with higher attention scores.Conclusions & Implications: The HFA group took longer than the TD group to integrate the disambiguating information provided in the course of processing a sentence and integrate it with the visual information, indicating that for the ASD group incremental processing was not as advanced as for children with ASD, and they were less sensitive to referential conventions. Training for young children with ASD on the use of referential conventions and available contextual clues may be of benefit to them in understanding the language they hear.
Disorder and disconnection: parent experiences of liminality when caring for their dying child
Authors: Jordan Joanne , Price Jayne , Prior Lindsay 
Published: July 2015

AbstractParents caring for a child with a life threatening or life limiting illness experience a protracted and largely unknown journey, as they and their child oscillate somewhere between life and death. Using an interpretive qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with parents (n = 25) of children who had died. Findings reveal parents’ experiences to be characterised by personal disorder and transformation as well as social marginalisation and disconnection. As such they confirm the validity of understanding these experiences as, fundamentally, one of liminality, in terms of both individual and collective response. In dissecting two inter‐related dimensions of liminality, an underlying tension between how transition is subjectively experienced and how it is socially regulated is exposed. In particular, a structural failure to recognise the chronic nature of felt liminality can impede parents’ effective transition.
Pathways to Prison in New York State
Authors: Tahamont Sarah , Yan Shi , Bushway Shawn D. , Liu Jing 
Published: July 2015

Research SummaryIn this study, we use a novel application of group‐based trajectory modeling to estimate pathways to prison for a sample of 13,769 first‐time prison inmates in New York State. We found that 12% of the sample was heavily involved in the criminal justice system for 10 years prior to their first imprisonment. We also found that less than one quarter of the sample had little contact with the criminal justice system prior to the arrest that resulted in imprisonment.Policy ImplicationsSlightly less than one quarter of first‐time inmates are not known to the criminal justice system prior to the commitment arrest. For these inmates, crime‐prevention interventions that identify participants through criminal justice processes will not be effective. However, the arrest rates for a substantial portion of the sample over the 10‐year period before imprisonment suggest a staggering number of opportunities for intervention as these individuals churn through the system.
Nutrient versus seed bank depletion approaches to controlling exotic annuals in threatened Box Gum woodlands
Authors: Cole Ian Arthur , Prober Suzanne , Lunt Ian , Koen Terry B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractControl of exotic annuals is often a priority when restoring degraded grasslands or shrublands. This study evaluated combinations of nutrient‐depleting (carbon addition) and seed bank‐depleting approaches for controlling exotic annuals, and compared the seed bank depletion technique of spring burning with the more easily applied technique of pulse grazing. Treatments were applied in two Box Gum woodlands over 4 years. Consistent with earlier studies, carbon addition dramatically reduced exotic annuals and available nutrients in all 3 years at both sites. Exotic annual grass abundance was significantly reduced in burnt plots following the first year and in grazed plots following the second year of application. Spring burning or grazing did not reduce available nutrients or exotic annual broadleaf abundance at either site. The effect of carbon addition on exotic annuals and available nutrients was so powerful that no additional benefit of the combination treatments was found, although at one site burning and grazing slightly reduced the effectiveness of carbon addition in suppressing broadleaf exotic annuals. We conclude that nutrient‐depleting approaches are most effective because they control both exotic annual grasses and broadleaf exotics annuals, but given their expense seed bank‐depleting approaches may be more practical where exotic annual grasses dominate. In particular, pulse grazing is readily applied across large areas, offering a relatively simple tool that if appropriately implemented could enhance outcomes of restoration investments in vegetation communities invaded by exotic annual grasses.
Increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C patients with new onset diabetes: a nation‐wide cohort study
Authors: Huang Y.‐W. , Wang T.‐C. , Yang S.‐S. , Lin S.‐Y. , Fu S.‐C. , Hu J.‐T. , Liu C.‐J. , Kao J.‐H. , Chen D.‐S. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe impact of diabetes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients remains controversial.AimTo investigate the risk of HCC in CHC patients who develop new onset diabetes.MethodsWe conducted a nation‐wide cohort study by using Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, which comprised of data from >99% of entire population. Among randomly sampled one million enrollees, 6251 adult CHC patients were identified from 1997 to 2009. Diabetes was defined as new onset in the patient who was given the diagnosis in the years 1999–2009 but not in 1997–1998. The cohorts of CHC with new onset diabetes (n = 1100) and 1:1 ratio age‐, gender‐, and inception point (onset date of diabetes) matched nondiabetes (n = 1087) were followed up from the inception point until the development of HCC, withdrawal from insurance, or December 2009.ResultsAfter adjustment for competing mortality, patients with new onset diabetes had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of HCC (Relative Risk = 1.544, 95% CI = 1.000–2.387, modified log‐rank test, P = 0.047) as compared to those without. After adjustment for age, gender, cirrhosis, hyperlipidaemia, CHC treatment, diabetes treatment, comorbidity index, obesity and statins therapy by Cox proportional hazard model, diabetes was still an independent predictor for HCC (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.906, 95% CI = 1.102–3.295, P = 0.021). The risk for HCC was increased in those who were 40–59 years old, independent of other variables (HR = 3.086, 95% CI = 1.045–9.112, P = 0.041), and after adjustment for competing mortality (modified log‐rank test, P = 0.009).ConclusionChronic hepatitis C patients who develop diabetes are at an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma over time.
Clinical and pathological features of Burkitt lymphoma showing expression of BCL2 – an analysis including gene expression in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue
Authors: Masqué‐Soler Neus , Szczepanowski Monika , Kohler Christian W. , Aukema Sietse M. , Nagel Inga , Richter Julia , Siebert Reiner , Spang Rainer , Burkhardt Birgit , Klapper Wolfram 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe differential diagnosis between Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be challenging. BL has been reported to express less BCL2 than DLBCL, but this issue has not been analysed systematically. BL expressing BCL2 can be considered to be MYC/BCL2 co‐expressors, a feature that is associated with poorer outcome in DLBCL but that has not been correlated with outcome in BL so far. We analysed the expression of BCL2 in 150 cases of conventionally diagnosed BL using two different BCL2 antibodies. BCL2 expression was detected in 23% of the cases, though the expression varied in intensity and number of positive cells. We did not detect any relevant differences in clinical presentation and outcome between BCL2‐positive and BCL2‐negative BL in a subgroup of 43 cases for which detailed clinical data were available. An independent cohort of 17 BL with expression of BCL2 were analysed molecularly, with 13 of 17 cases classified as molecularly defined BL (Burkitt Lymphoma) using gene expression profiling on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues. The four lymphomas diagnosed molecularly as intermediates did not differ in clinical presentation and outcome from molecularly defined BL.
Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor
Authors: Laprairie R B , Bagher A M , Kelly M E M , Denovan‐Wright E M 
Published: July 2015

Background and PurposeCannabidiol has been reported to act as an antagonist at cannabinoid CB1 receptors. We hypothesized that cannabidiol would inhibit cannabinoid agonist activity through negative allosteric modulation of CB1 receptors.Experimental ApproachInternalization of CB1 receptors, arrestin2 recruitment, and PLCβ3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, were quantified in HEK 293A cells heterologously expressing CB1 receptors and in the STHdhQ7/Q7 cell model of striatal neurons endogenously expressing CB1 receptors. Cells were treated with 2‐arachidonylglycerol or Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol alone and in combination with different concentrations of cannabidiol.Key ResultsCannabidiol reduced the efficacy and potency of 2‐arachidonylglycerol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol on PLCβ3‐ and ERK1/2‐dependent signalling in cells heterologously (HEK 293A) or endogenously (STHdhQ7/Q7) expressing CB1 receptors. By reducing arrestin2 recruitment to CB1 receptors, cannabidiol treatment prevented internalization of these receptors. The allosteric activity of cannabidiol depended upon polar residues being present at positions 98 and 107 in the extracellular amino terminus of the CB1 receptor.Conclusions and ImplicationsCannabidiol behaved as a non‐competitive negative allosteric modulator of CB1 receptors. Allosteric modulation, in conjunction with effects not mediated by CB1 receptors, may explain the in vivo effects of cannabidiol. Allosteric modulators of CB1 receptors have the potential to treat CNS and peripheral disorders while avoiding the adverse effects associated with orthosteric agonism or antagonism of these receptors.
Treatment withdrawal in relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lus G. , Signoriello E. , Maniscalco G. T. , Bonavita S. , Signoriello S. , Gallo C. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundTo investigate the effect of drug withdrawal on the course of relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis (RR‐MS).MethodsAn observational cohort retrospective study was performed to compare the time to relapse of patients who discontinued disease‐modifying therapy (1a or 1b beta‐interferons or glatiramer acetate) with the patients who did not. One hundred and twenty‐eight RR‐MS patients were investigated using a time‐dependent approach.ResultsOver a median follow‐up of 108 months, 60 patients discontinued treatment and 89 relapses were observed. The time to relapse was shorter in patients who discontinued treatment compared with those who did not (P < 0.001), median times being 31.1 months (95% confidence interval 10.4–50.8) and 85.8 months (95% confidence interval 58.6–106.3), respectively, whilst the baseline covariates (gender, Expanded Disability Status Scale at diagnosis) did not significantly affect the prognosis.ConclusionsIt was found that stopping treatment strongly reduces the time to relapse and this information may be useful in patient management.
Hippocampal‐thalamic wiring in medial temporal lobe epilepsy: Enhanced connectivity per hippocampal voxel
Authors: Dinkelacker Vera , Valabregue Romain , Thivard Lionel , Lehéricy Stéphane , Baulac Michel , Samson Séverine , Dupont Sophie 
Published: July 2015

SummaryObjectiveMedial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with hippocampal sclerosis is often accompanied by widespread changes in ipsilateral and contralateral white matter connectivity. Recent studies have proposed that patients may show pathologically enhanced wiring of the limbic circuits. To better address this issue, we specifically probed connection patterns between hippocampus and thalamus and examined their impact on cognitive function.MethodsA group of 44 patients with TLE (22 with right and 22 with left hippocampal sclerosis) and 24 healthy control participants were examined with high‐resolution T1 imaging, memory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and probabilistic diffusion tractography. Thirty‐four patients had further extensive neuropsychological testing. After whole brain segmentation with FreeSurfer, tractography streamline samples were drawn with hippocampus as the seed and thalamus as the target region. Two tractography strategies were applied: The first targeted the anatomic thalamic volume segmented in FreeSurfer and the second a functional region of interest in the mediodorsal thalamus derived from the activation during delayed recognition memory.ResultsWe found a pronounced enhancement of connectivity between the sclerotic hippocampus and the ipsilateral thalamus both in the right and left TLE as compared to healthy control participants. This finding held for both the anatomically and the functionally defined thalamic target. Although differences were apparent in the number of absolute fibers, they were most pronounced when correcting for hippocampal volume. In terms of cognitive function, the number of hippocampal‐thalamic connections was negatively correlated with performance in a variety of executive tasks, notably in the Trail Making Test, thus suggesting that the pathologic wiring did not compensate cognitive curtailing.SignificanceWe suggest that TLE is accompanied by an abnormal and dysfunctional enhancement of connectivity between the hippocampus and the thalamus, which is maximal on the side of the sclerosis. This pathologic pattern of limbic wiring might reflect structural remodeling along common pathways of seizure propagation.
The direct cost of epilepsy in the United States: A systematic review of estimates
Authors: Begley Charles E. , Durgin Tracy L. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo develop estimates of the direct cost of epilepsy in the United States for the general epilepsy population and sub‐populations by systematically comparing similarities and differences in types of estimates and estimation methods from recently published studies.MethodsPapers published since 1995 were identified by systematic literature search. Information on types of estimates, study designs, data sources, types of epilepsy, and estimation methods was extracted from each study. Annual per person cost estimates from methodologically similar studies were identified, converted to 2013 U.S. dollars, and compared.ResultsFrom 4,104 publications discovered in the literature search, 21 were selected for review. Three were added that were published after the search. Eighteen were identified that reported estimates of average annual direct costs for the general epilepsy population in the United States. For general epilepsy populations (comprising all clinically defined subgroups), total direct healthcare costs per person ranged from $10,192 to $47,862 and epilepsy‐specific costs ranged from $1,022 to $19,749. Four recent studies using claims data from large general populations yielded relatively similar epilepsy‐specific annual cost estimates ranging from $8,412 to $11,354. Although more difficult to compare, studies examining direct cost differences for epilepsy sub‐populations indicated a consistent pattern of markedly higher costs for those with uncontrolled or refractory epilepsy, and for those with comorbidities.SignificanceThis systematic review found that various approaches have been used to estimate the direct costs of epilepsy in the United States. However, recent studies using large claims databases and similar methods allow estimation of the direct cost burden of epilepsy for the general disease population, and show that it is greater for some patient subgroups. Additional research is needed to further understand the broader economic burden of epilepsy and how it varies across subpopulations.
Is the first seizure epilepsy—and when?
Authors: Lawn Nicholas , Chan Josephine , Lee Judy , Dunne John 
Published: July 2015

SummaryObjectiveEpilepsy has recently been redefined to include a single unprovoked seizure if the probability of recurrence is ≥60% over the following 10 years. This definition is based on the estimated risk of a third seizure after two unprovoked seizures, using the lower‐limit 95% confidence interval (CI) at 4 years, and does not account for the initially high recurrence rate after first‐ever seizure that rapidly falls with increasing duration of seizure freedom. We analyzed long‐term outcomes after the first‐ever seizure, and the influence of duration of seizure freedom on the likelihood of seizure recurrence, and their relevance to the new definition of epilepsy.MethodsProspective analysis of 798 adults with a first‐ever unprovoked seizure seen at a hospital‐based first seizure clinic between 2000 and 2011. The likelihood of seizure recurrence was analyzed according to the duration of seizure freedom, etiology, electroencephalography (EEG), and neuroimaging findings.ResultsThe likelihood of seizure recurrence at 10 years was ≥60% in patients with epileptiform abnormalities on EEG or neuroimaging abnormalities, therefore, meeting the new definition of epilepsy. However, the risk of recurrence was highly time dependent; after a brief period (≤12 weeks) of seizure freedom, no patient group continued to fulfill the new definition of epilepsy. Of 407 patients who had a second seizure, the likelihood of a third seizure at 4 years was 68% (95% CI 63–73%) and at 10 years was 85% (95% CI 79–91%).SignificanceThe duration of seizure freedom following first‐ever seizure substantially influences the risk of recurrence, with none of our patients fulfilling the new definition of epilepsy after a short period of seizure freedom. When a threshold was applied based on the 10‐year risk of a third seizure from our data, no first‐seizure patient group ever had epilepsy. These data may be utilized in a definition of epilepsy after a first‐ever seizure.
DEPDC5 mutations are not a frequent cause of familial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Striano Pasquale , Serioli Elena , Santulli Lia , Manna Ida , Labate Angelo , Dazzo Emanuela , Pasini Elena , Gambardella Antonio , Michelucci Roberto , Striano Salvatore , Nobile Carlo 
Published: July 2015

SummaryMutations in the DEPDC5 (DEP domain–containing protein 5) gene are a major cause of familial focal epilepsy with variable foci (FFEVF) and are predicted to account for 12–37% of families with inherited focal epilepsies. To assess the clinical impact of DEPDC5 mutations in familial temporal lobe epilepsy, we screened a collection of Italian families with either autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) or familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (FMTLE). The probands of 28 families classified as ADLTE and 17 families as FMTLE were screened for DEPDC5 mutations by whole exome or targeted massive parallel sequencing. Putative mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. We identified a DEPDC5 nonsense mutation (c.918C>G; p.Tyr306*) in a family with two affected members, clinically classified as FMTLE. The proband had temporal lobe seizures with prominent psychic symptoms (déjà vu, derealization, and forced thoughts); her mother had temporal lobe seizures, mainly featuring visceral epigastric auras and anxiety. In total, we found a single DEPDC5 mutation in one of (2.2%) 45 families with genetic temporal lobe epilepsy, a proportion much lower than that reported in other inherited focal epilepsies.
Factors influencing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in South Korea
Authors: Gwon S.H. , Lee C.Y. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundNo data exist regarding the sexually transmitted infection (STI) rate in adolescents aged 12–15 in South Korea. Only a Korean few studies have attempted to investigate the factors influencing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents.AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the self‐reported sexually transmitted infection contraction rate and analyse individual and family factors that influence this rate among middle school students aged 12–15 in South Korea.MethodsUsing statistics from the 8th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web‐based Survey, secondary data analysis was conducted. The study sample consisted of 714 individuals who had reported initiating sexual intercourse.ResultsThe rate of self‐reported sexually transmitted contraction was 13.5%. The following factors predicted STI contraction: second year of middle school, excellent academic achievement, habitual or purposeful drug use, first intercourse before middle school, intercourse after drinking alcohol, weekly allowance, and living without family predicted sexually transmitted infection contraction.LimitationsThe parental data were collected by the self‐reported surveys in a cross‐sectional manner and questions of STI contraction and intercourse after drinking may have confused the subjects.ConclusionWe need to utilize these predictors in providing adolescents with sexual health interventions and establishing adolescent sexual health policies.Implications for Nursing and Health PoliciesIncreased sex education and employment of a school nurse in each middle school are needed. High‐risk students need to be monitored given the predictors of sexually transmitted infection contraction, and the school health personnel need to inform female students and their parents the importance of seeing a gynaecologist for regular check‐ups.