bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of International Volunteers in the Growth of Surgical Capacity in Post‐earthquake Haiti
Authors: Derenoncourt Max Herby , Carré Roselaine , Condé‐Green Alexandra , Rodnez Alain , Sifri Ziad C. , Baltazar Gerard A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe 2010 Haiti earthquake severely strained local healthcare infrastructure. In the wake of this healthcare crisis, international organizations provided volunteer support. Studies demonstrate that this support improved short‐term recovery; however, it is unclear how long‐term surgical capacity has changed and what role volunteer surgical relief efforts have played. Our goal was to investigate the role of international surgical volunteers in the increase of surgical capacity following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the operative reports of 3208 patients at a general, trauma and critical care hospital in Port‐au‐Prince from June 2010 through December 2013. We collected data on patient demographics and operation subspecialty. Surgeons and anesthesiologists were categorized by subspecialty training and as local healthcare providers or international volunteers. We performed analysis of variance to detect changes in surgical capacity over time and to estimate the role volunteers play in these changes.ResultsOverall number of monthly operations increased over the 2.5 years post‐earthquake. The percentage of orthopedic operations declined while the percentage of other subspecialty operations increased (p = 0.0003). The percentage of operations performed by international volunteer surgeons did not change (p = 0.51); however, the percentage of operations staffed by volunteer anesthesiologists declined (p = 0.058). The percentage of operations performed by matching specialty‐ and subspecialty‐trained international volunteers has not changed (p = 0.54).ConclusionsHaitian post‐earthquake local and overall surgical capacity has steadily increased, particularly for provision of subspecialty operations. Surgical volunteers have played a consistent role in the recovery of surgical capacity. An increased focus on access to surgical services and resource‐allocation for long‐term surgical efforts particularly in the realm of subspecialty surgery may lead to full recovery of surgical capacity after a large and devastating natural disaster.
A randomized controlled trial of clomifene citrate, metformin, and pioglitazone versus letrozole, metformin, and pioglitazone for clomifene‐citrate‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: El‐khayat Waleed , Abdel Moety Ghada , Al Mohammady Maged , Hamed Dalia 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the efficacy of clomifene citrate, metformin, and pioglitazone versus letrozole, metformin, and pioglitazone among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resistant to clomifene citrate.MethodsA prospective double‐blind randomized controlled trial of women younger than 40 years who had primary/secondary infertility associated with PCOS and had not ovulated in response to clomifene citrate regimens previously was conducted at a center in Cairo, Egypt, between August 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Computer‐generated random number tables and opaque envelopes were used to assign participants to group A or group B. Participants allocated to group A received 100 mg clomifene citrate daily for 5 days from the third day of the menstrual cycle, whereas those in group B received 5 mg letrozole daily in the same regimen. All patients received 850 mg metformin and 15 mg pioglitazone for 10 days from the first day of the menstrual cycle. The primary outcome was cumulative ovulation rate. Analyses were by intention to treat.ResultsFifty women were assigned to each group. Ovulation occurred in 108 (92.3%) of 117 cycles in group A and 93 (86.9%) of 107 cycles in Group B (P = 0.184).ConclusionCombined treatment with letrozole, metformin, and pioglitazone was efficacious among women with PCOS resistant to clomifene citrate.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01909141
Comparison of two contraceptive pills containing drospirenone and 20 μg or 30 μg ethinyl estradiol for polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Bhattacharya Sudhindra M. , Jha Ayan , DasMukhopadhyay Lipika 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effects of 30 μg and 20 μg ethinyl estradiol (EE) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsIn a randomized study, patients with PCOS, a history of six or fewer menstrual cycles in the previous 12 months, and abnormal body hair growth were enrolled at a center in Kolkata, India, between May 1, 2012, and January 31, 2014. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer‐generated randomization table to receive an oral contraceptive pill containing 3 mg drospirenone and either 30 μg EE or 20 μg EE. Patients were followed up after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the absolute change in the free androgen index. Participants were masked to group assignment but investigators were not. Analyses were by intention to treat.ResultsOverall, 112 patients were enrolled. At 6 months, the free androgen index had decreased by 4.96 ± 6.01 among patients receiving 30 μg (n = 55) and by 4.81 ± 6.03 among those receiving 20 μg (n = 57; P = 0.89). At 12 months, the decrease from baseline was 5.23 ± 5.79 with 30 μg and 4.99 ± 5.86 with 20 μg (P = 0.82).ConclusionAmong patients with PCOS, an oral contraceptive pill containing 20 μg EE has similar effects on androgen levels to those of a pill containing 30 μg.Clinical Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2012/04/002571
Anxiety is associated with increased risk of dementia in older Swedish twins
Authors: Petkus Andrew J. , Reynolds Chandra A. , Wetherell Julie Loebach , Kremen William S. , Pedersen Nancy L. , Gatz Margaret 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionWe asked whether anxiety is associated with prospective risk of dementia, and the extent to which genetic influences mediate this association.MethodsNondemented twins (n = 1082) from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging completed an assessment of anxiety symptoms in 1984 and were followed for 28 years.ResultsBaseline anxiety score, independent of depressive symptoms, was significantly associated with incident dementia over follow‐up (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.06). There was 48% increased risk of becoming demented for those who had experienced high anxiety at any time compared with those who had not. In co‐twin analyses, the association between anxiety symptoms and dementia was greater for dizygotic (HR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.02–1.20) compared with monozygotic twins (HR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.95–1.20), indicating genetic mediation.DiscussionAnxiety symptoms were associated with increased risk of dementia. Genetic factors common to dementia and anxiety partially mediated this association.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation analyses in lung adenocarcinomas: Association with EGFR, KRAS and TP53 mutation status, gene expression and prognosis
Authors: Bjaanæs Maria Moksnes , Fleischer Thomas , Halvorsen Ann Rita , Daunay Antoine , Busato Florence , Solberg Steinar , Jørgensen Lars , Kure Elin , Edvardsen Hege , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Brustugun Odd Terje , Tost Jörg , Kristensen Vessela , Helland Åslaug 
Published: November 2015

Background:DNA methylation alterations are early events in tumorigenesis and important in the regulation of gene expression in cancer cells. Lung cancer patients have in general a poor prognosis, and a deeper insight into the epigenetic landscape in lung adenocarcinoma tumors and its prognostic implications is needed.Results:We determined whole‐genome DNA methylation profiles of 164 fresh frozen lung adenocarcinoma samples and 19 samples of matched normal lung tissue using the Illumina Infinium 450K array. A large number of differentially methylated CpGs in lung adenocarcinoma tissue were identified, and specific methylation profiles were observed in tumors with mutations in the EGFR‐, KRAS‐ or TP53 genes and according to the patients' smoking status. The methylation levels were correlated with gene expression and both positive and negative correlations were seen. Methylation profiles of the tumor samples identified subtypes of tumors with distinct prognosis, including one subtype enriched for TP53 mutant tumors. A prognostic index based on the methylation levels of 33 CpGs was established, and was significantly associated with prognosis in the univariate analysis using an independent cohort of lung adenocarcinoma patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. CpGs in the HOX B and HOX C gene clusters were represented in the prognostic signature.Conclusions:Methylation differences mirror biologically important features in the etiology of lung adenocarcinomas and influence prognosis.
Identifying Indirect Benefits of Federal Health Care Emergency Preparedness Grant Funding to Coalitions: A Content Analysis
Authors: Priest Chad , Stryckman Benoit 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the indirect benefits of health care preparedness funding as perceived by current and former recipients of the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s Hospital Preparedness Program.MethodsThis was a qualitative inductive content analysis of telephone interviews conducted with regional stakeholders from several health care coalitions to identify their perceptions of the indirect benefits of preparedness funding.ResultsContent analysis of interviewee responses resulted in 2 main categories of indirect benefits of federal health care preparedness funding: (1) dual-use technology and programs and (2) impact of relationships on day-to-day operations. Within the dual-use technology and programs category, 3 subcategories were identified: (1) information systems, (2) clinical technology, and (3) health care operations. Similarly, 3 subcategories relating to the indirect benefits in the impact of relationships on day-to-day operations category were identified: (1) cooperation, (2) information sharing, and (3) sense of community.ConclusionThis study identified indirect benefits of federal investment in hospital and health care preparedness in day-to-day operations. Major categories of these benefits included dual-use technology and programs and impact of relationships on day-to-day operations. Coalition members placed a high value on these benefits, even though they were not direct outcomes of grant programs. Further research is needed to quantify the economic value of these indirect benefits to more accurately measure the total return on investment from federal grant funding. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness.2015;9:704–711)
Disruption of states by a stable stratification
Authors: Eaves T. S. , Caulfield C. P. 
Published: November 2015

We identify ‘minimal seeds’ for turbulence, i.e. initial conditions of the smallest possible total perturbation energy density $E_{c}$ that trigger turbulence from the laminar state, in stratified plane Couette flow, the flow between two horizontal plates of separation $2H$, moving with relative velocity $2{\rm\Delta}U$, across which a constant density difference $2{\rm\Delta}{\it\rho}$ from a reference density ${\it\rho}_{r}$ is maintained. To find minimal seeds, we use the ‘direct-adjoint-looping’ (DAL) method for finding nonlinear optimal perturbations that optimise the time-averaged total dissipation of energy in the flow. These minimal seeds are located adjacent to the edge manifold, the manifold in state space that separates trajectories which transition to turbulence from those which eventually decay to the laminar state. The edge manifold is also the stable manifold of the system’s ‘edge state’. Therefore, the trajectories from the minimal seed initial conditions spend a large amount of time in the vicinity of some states: the edge state; another state contained within the edge manifold; or even in dynamically slowly varying regions of the edge manifold, allowing us to investigate the effects of a stable stratification on any coherent structures associated with such states. In unstratified plane Couette flow, these coherent structures are manifestations of the self-sustaining process (SSP) deduced on physical grounds by Waleffe (Phys. Fluids, vol. 9, 1997, pp. 883–900), or equivalently finite Reynolds number solutions of the vortex–wave interaction (VWI) asymptotic equations initially derived mathematically by Hall & Smith (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 227, 1991, pp. 641–666). The stratified coherent states we identify at moderate Reynolds number display an altered form from their unstratified counterparts for bulk Richardson numbers $\mathit{Ri}_{B}=g{\rm\Delta}{\it\rho}H/({\it\rho}_{r}{\rm\Delta}U^{2})=O(\mathit{Re}^{-1})$, and exhibit chaotic motion for larger $\mathit{Ri}_{B}$. We demonstrate that at hith Reynolds number the suppression of vertical motions by stratification strongly disrupts input from the waves to the roll velocity structures, thus preventing the waves from reinforcing the viscously decaying roll structures adequately, when $\mathit{Ri}_{B}=O(\mathit{Re}^{-2})$.
Evolutionarily Conserved Sequence Features Regulate the Formation of the FG Network at the Center of the Nuclear Pore Complex
Authors: Peyro M. , Soheilypour M. , Lee B.L. , Mofrad M.R.K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the portal for bidirectional transportation of cargos between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. While most of the structural elements of the NPC, i.e. nucleoporins (Nups), are well characterized, the exact transport mechanism is still under much debate. Many of the functional Nups are rich in phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats and are believed to play the key role in nucleocytoplasmic transport. We present a bioinformatics study conducted on more than a thousand FG Nups across 252 species. Our results reveal the regulatory role of polar residues and specific sequences of charged residues, named ‘like charge regions’ (LCRs), in the formation of the FG network at the center of the NPC. Positively charged LCRs prepare the environment for negatively charged cargo complexes and regulate the size of the FG network. The low number density of charged residues in these regions prevents FG domains from forming a relaxed coil structure. Our results highlight the significant role of polar interactions in FG network formation at the center of the NPC and demonstrate that the specific localization of LCRs, FG motifs, charged and polar residues regulate the formation of the FG network at the center of the NPC.
Increased costs reduce reciprocal helping behaviour of humans in a virtual evacuation experiment
Authors: Bode Nikolai W. F. , Miller Jordan , O’Gorman Rick , Codling Edward A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAltruistic behaviour is widespread and highly developed in humans and can also be found in some animal species. It has been suggested that altruistic tendencies can depend on costs, benefits and context. Here, we investigate the changes in the occurrence of helping behaviour in a computer-based experiment that simulates an evacuation from a building exploring the effect of varying the cost to help. Our findings illuminate a number of key mechanistic aspects of human decision-making about whether to help or not. In a novel situation where it is difficult to assess the risks associated with higher costs, we reproduce the finding that increasing costs reduce helping and find that the reduction in the frequency of helping behaviour is gradual rather than a sudden transition for a threshold cost level. Interestingly, younger and male participants were more likely to help. We provide potential explanations for this result relating to the nature of our experiment. Finally, we find no evidence that participants in our experiment plan ahead over two consecutive, inter-dependent helping opportunities when conducting cost-benefit trade-offs in spontaneous decisions. We discuss potential applications of our findings to research into decision-making during evacuations.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin and glucose metabolism in overweight and obese individuals: systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Jamka Małgorzata , Woźniewicz Małgorzata , Jeszka Jan , Mardas Marcin , Bogdański Paweł , Stelmach-Mardas Marta 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose and insulin metabolism in overweight and obese subjects. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Embase and the Cochrane library that met the inclusion criteria. Twelve randomized controlled trials were included. The analysed population consisted of 1181 individuals with BMIs >23 kg/m2. Changes in the concentration of 25(OH)D, fasting glucose, insulin and the HOMA-IR index were assessed. In the meta-regression analysis, a restricted maximum likelihood method was applied. To combine individual study results, a meta-analysis was performed. Vitamin D supplementation did not have an effect on glucose concentrations, insulin level and HOMA-IR values when the supplemented dose, time of supplementation and baseline of 25(OH)D concentration were taken under consideration in subgroup-analysis. This meta-analysis provides evidence that vitamin D supplementation has no significant effect on glucose and insulin metabolism in overweight and obese individuals.
Brain size regulations by cbp haploinsufficiency evaluated by in-vivo MRI based volumetry
Authors: Ateca-Cabarga Juan C. , Cosa Alejandro , Pallarés Vicente , López-Atalaya José P. , Barco Ángel , Canals Santiago , Moratal David 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RSTS) is a congenital disease that affects brain development causing severe cognitive deficits. In most cases the disease is associated with dominant mutations in the gene encoding the CREB binding protein (CBP). In this work, we present the first quantitative analysis of brain abnormalities in a mouse model of RSTS using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and two novel self-developed automated algorithms for image volumetric analysis. Our results quantitatively confirm key syndromic features observed in RSTS patients, such as reductions in brain size (−16.31%, p < 0.05), white matter volume (−16.00%, p < 0.05) and corpus callosum (−12.40%, p < 0.05). Furthermore, they provide new insight into the developmental origin of the disease. By comparing brain tissues in a region by region basis between cbp+/− and cbp+/+ littermates, we found that cbp haploinsufficiency is specifically associated with significant reductions in prosencephalic tissue, such us in the olfactory bulb and neocortex, whereas regions evolved from the embryonic rhombencephalon were spared. Despite the large volume reductions, the proportion between gray-, white-matter and cerebrospinal fluid were conserved, suggesting a role of CBP in brain size regulation. The commonalities with holoprosencephaly and arhinencephaly conditions suggest the inclusion of RSTS in the family of neuronal migration disorders.
Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden mimics the neuritogenic activity of nerve growth factor via MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in PC-12 cells
Authors: Seow Syntyche Ling-Sing , Eik Lee-Fang , Naidu Murali , David Pamela , Wong Kah-Hui , Sabaratnam Vikineswary 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe traditional application of the sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (tiger’s milk mushroom) by the indigenous folks as tonic and remedy to treat a variety of ailments has been documented in Malaysia. Indigenous communities claimed to have consumed the decoction to boost their alertness during hunting. Mental alertness is believed to be related to neuronal health and neuroactivity. In the present study, the cell viability and neuritogenic effects of L. rhinocerotis sclerotium hot aqueous and ethanolic extracts and crude polysaccharides on rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells were studied. Interestingly, the hot aqueous extract exhibited neuritogenic activity comparable to NGF in PC-12 cells. However, the extracts and crude polysaccharides stimulated neuritogenesis without stimulating the production of NGF in PC-12 cells. The involvements of the TrkA receptor and MEK/ERK1/2 pathway in hot aqueous extract-stimulated neuritogenesis were examined by Trk (K252a) and MEK/ERK1/2 (U0126 and PD98059) inhibitors. There was no significant difference in protein expression in NGF- and hot aqueous extract-treated cells for both total and phosphorylated p44/42 MAPK. The neuritogenic activity in PC-12 cells stimulated by hot aqueous and ethanolic extracts and crude polysaccharides of L. rhinocerotis sclerotium mimicking NGF activity via the MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway is reported for the first time.
Economic and ecological aspects of aromatic-plant-based cropping systems.
Authors: Rao E. V. S. P. 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Diversification of agriculture to support livelihoods and protect the environment has attracted the attention of scientists and policy makers. Aromatic plants have been considered as diversification crops in agricultural systems in many parts of the world. Aromatic plants synthesize secondary metabolites in the form of essential oils as a response to environmental and biotic stresses. These essential oils can be used in a variety of economic applications such as perfumes, flavours and fragrances as well as in pharmaceuticals, and provide additional economic returns to farmers. There is growing scientific evidence from different parts of the world suggesting that integration of aromatic crops in agricultural systems improves land use efficiencies as well as economic returns. The roles that aromatic plants play in ecological applications - such as soil erosion control, improvement of soil properties, carbon sequestration, phyto-remediation, utilization of low-quality irrigation waters and pest and disease management - have gained significance in agriculture. The present review discusses the role of aromatic plants in economic agriculture and in ecological services.
Plant pathogen evolution and climate change.
Authors: Santini A. , Ghelardini L. 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
The earth's system is currently experiencing dramatic climate change, with predicted rates of global-mean temperature increase unprecedented in the past 1000 years. Also temperature patterns at the local scale and precipitation regimes are rapidly changing. Extreme climatic events are becoming more intense and frequent, especially on the regional scale. Such sudden environmental changes reduce the time for adaptation and increase the vulnerability of natural ecosystems. Plant pathogens have three major adaptive responses to climate change: to exploit the existing phenotypic plasticity, to migrate to areas with more suitable climate and/or to evolve new attributes. Plastic genotypes may quickly adapt to a broad range of environmental conditions, but if phenotypic plasticity is insufficient, migration and/or evolution (which are facilitated by large population size, mixed mating system and parasexuality) are the only options. Global trade in live plants, which is nowadays the main pathway of introduction of alien plant pathogens to new areas, further complicates the picture. Once introduced into a new environment, pathogens may adapt their lifestyle to new local hosts (host jump), or evolve by introgressing useful genes for adaptation through hybridization with resident species or horizontal gene transfer. The implications of climate change for plant pathogens are difficult to predict, but since pathogens have an array of adaptive mechanisms much wider than their hosts and shorter generation times, their opportunities to adapt/evolve will probably increase. New strategies for predicting and monitoring plant pathogen evolution need to be developed to prevent the spread of new plant pathogens on naive or vulnerable hosts likely weakened by climate change pressure.