bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THERAPY OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Antithyroid drug use in early pregnancy and birth defects: time windows of relative safety and high risk?
Authors: Laurberg Peter , Andersen Stine Linding 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundAntithyroid drugs (ATDs) may have teratogenic effects when used in early pregnancy.ObjectiveTo review the association between the time period of ATD exposure in early pregnancy and the development of birth defects.MethodsWe identified publications on birth defects after early pregnancy exposure to the ATDs methimazole (MMI; and its prodrug carbimazole (CMZ)) and propylthiouracil (PTU). Cases of birth defects after ATD treatment had been initiated or terminated within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy were identified and studied in detail.ResultsA total of 92 publications were read in detail. Two recent large controlled studies showed ATD-associated birth defects in 2–3% of exposed children, and MMI/CMZ-associated defects were often severe. Out of the total number of publications, 17 included cases of birth defects with early pregnancy stop/start of ATD treatment, and these cases suggested that the high risk was confined to gestational weeks 6–10, which is the major period of organogenesis. Thus, the cases reported suggest that the risk of birth defects could be minimized if pregnant women terminate ATD intake before gestational week 6.ConclusionBoth MMI and PTU use in early pregnancy may lead to birth defects in 2–3% of the exposed children. MMI-associated defects are often severe. Proposals are given on how to minimize the risk of birth defects in fertile women treated for hyperthyroidism with ATDs.
Modeling the Zebrafish Segmentation Clock’s Gene Regulatory Network Constrained by Expression Data Suggests Evolutionary Transitions Between Oscillating and Nonoscillating Transcription
Authors: Schwendinger-Schreck Jamie , Kang Yuan , Holley Scott A 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDuring segmentation of vertebrate embryos, somites form in accordance with a periodic pattern established by the segmentation clock. In the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the segmentation clock includes six hairy/enhancer of split-related (her/hes) genes, five of which oscillate due to negative autofeedback. The nonoscillating gene hes6 forms the hub of a network of 10 Her/Hes protein dimers, which includes 7 DNA-binding dimers and 4 weak or non-DNA-binding dimers. The balance of dimer species is critical for segmentation clock function, and loss-of-function studies suggest that the her genes have both unique and redundant functions within the clock. However, the precise regulatory interactions underlying the negative feedback loop are unknown. Here, we combine quantitative experimental data, in silico modeling, and a global optimization algorithm to identify a gene regulatory network (GRN) designed to fit measured transcriptional responses to gene knockdown. Surprisingly, we find that hes6, the clock gene that does not oscillate, responds to negative feedback. Consistent with prior in silico analyses, we find that variation in transcription, translation, and degradation rates can mediate the gain and loss of oscillatory behavior for genes regulated by negative feedback. Extending our study, we found that transcription of the nonoscillating Fgf pathway gene sef responds to her/hes perturbation similarly to oscillating her genes. These observations suggest a more extensive underlying regulatory similarity between the zebrafish segmentation clock and the mouse and chick segmentation clocks, which exhibit oscillations of her/hes genes as well as numerous other Notch, Fgf, and Wnt pathway genes.
Detecting Razorback Suckers Using Passive Integrated Transponder Tag Antennas in the Green River, Utah
Authors: Webber P. Aaron , Beers David 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
In order to increase detections of razorback suckers Xyrauchen texanus tagged with passive integrated transponders in the upper Colorado River basin, we deployed two passive instream flat-plate antennas (33 × 68 cm) at a razorback sucker spawning location in the Green River, Utah, during spring of 2012 and 2013. Over the course of 29 d in 2012 and 90 d in 2013, the antennas detected 569 razorback suckers, 19 Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius, 16 flannelmouth suckers Catostomus latipinnis, and 1 bluehead sucker Catostomus discobolus. Despite extensive sampling via boat electrofishing (rafts and hard-bottom boats) and netting (fyke, trammel, and gill) in wetlands that occurred from the 1990s to present in the upper Colorado River basin, a large number of tagged razorback suckers and Colorado pikeminnow, including a fish released in 1996, were detected for the first time by our antennas. Our data indicate that the detectability of razorback suckers, and precision and accuracy of survival and population estimates might be increased significantly with the addition of data gathered by passive instream flat-plate antennas in the Green River.
Comment on “Validation of a Blood-Based Laboratory Test to Aid in the Confirmation of a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia”
Authors: Kingsmore Stephen F. 
Published: March 2014

Comment On Schwarz et al. Validation of a Blood-Based Laboratory Test to Aid in the Confirmation of a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Biomarker Insights. 2010:5 39–47 doi: 10.4137/BMI.S4877.
A Study of Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Peak Systolic Velocity to Diagnose Fetal Anemia in Rural Obstetric Population
Authors: Kachewar Sushil , Gandage Sidappa G , Pawar Hemant J 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTGlobally, fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) is used for noninvasive diagnosis of fetal anemia. Although, incidence of anemia is common in rural setup, scientific studies describing utilization of this modality are lacking. This study throws light on how the use of fetal MCAPSV to diagnose fetal anemia can help in the decision-making process even in a rural setup.ContextFetal anemia can be adequately tackled only if it is diagnosed on time. Fetal MCA-PSV has the potential to reliably predict fetal anemia. Scientific studies across the globe are testimony to this fact. As such studies from rural setups are lacking, this study was initiated.AimsA study of fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity to diagnose fetal anemia in rural obstetric population.Settings and designThe study was conducted in the ultrasound section of a rural medical college. Clearance from institutional ethical and research committee was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from the pregnant mother. A prospective observational study was conducted over the last 12 months.Materials and methodsFetal MCA-PSV was measured in 26 pregnant women referred for ultrasound due to clinical suspicion of fetomaternal abnormality. Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was measured by a single experienced radiologist on color Doppler ultrasound machine.Statistical analysis usedThe observations were entered in Microsoft Excel sheet, and statistical analysis was done by comparing with internationally accepted values at that gestational age. Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to study the relation between fetal MCA-PSV and gestational age. Standard t-test was used to study the significance of difference.ResultsThere was a steady increase in MCA-PSV with rising gestational age suggestive of positive correlation between them. When compared with internationally accepted values, significantly raised fetal MCA-PSV values were seen in six patients. These patients were followed up and the cause of fetal anemia in each was identified.ConclusionFetal MCA-PSV can be successfully used to evaluate for anemia in fetuses in a rural setup provided correct methods are followed. An attempt to measure fetal MCA-PSV in face of every fetomaternal adversity is recommended so that none of the cases of fetal anemia go undiagnosed.Key messagesProper knowledge and routine measurement of fetal MCA-PSV value can be a life saving noninvasive practice to diagnose fetal anemia in a rural setup.How to cite this articleKachewar S, Gandage SG, Pawar HJ. A Study of Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Peak Systolic Velocity to Diagnose Fetal Anemia in Rural Obstetric Population. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2013;4(3):83-87.
Les conditions de travail au Québec
Authors: Ledoux Élise , Fournier Pierre-Sébastien , Champoux Danièle , Prud’homme Pascale , Laberge Marie , Aurousseau Chantal , Ouellet Sylvie , Chatigny Céline 
Published: March 2014

Cet article présente les travaux d’une communauté de chercheurs du Réseau de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (RRSSTQ), créée en 2006, laquelle s’intéresse aux questions d’âges et de rapports sociaux en milieux de travail, en lien avec les conditions de travail et la santé et la sécurité du travail. De disciplines diverses (ergonomie, sociologie, psychosociologie, communication, droit, éducation), cette communauté réalise des recherches à partir d’enquêtes et d’études de terrain s’appuyant sur une approche compréhensive des phénomènes. Cette problématique se situe dans un contexte social singulier marqué, entre autres, par la mondialisation des marchés, une introduction massive des nouvelles technologies, une transformation des formes d’emploi, ainsi qu’un vieillissement de la main-d’oeuvre dans les pays industrialisés. Ces transformations créent des conditions particulières de rétention et d’intégration de la main-d’oeuvre dans les milieux de travail. À partir des données de l’Enquête québécoise sur des conditions de travail, d’emploi et de santé et de sécurité du travail (EQCOTESST), réalisée en 2008, auprès d’un échantillon représentatif de 5 071 répondants, l’objectif de cette étude est de tracer un portrait des conditions de travail en fonction de l’âge des travailleurs au Québec. L’article propose l’interprétation de ce portrait à partir d’un cadre d’analyse s’appuyant sur une approche diachronique des dynamiques âge-travail-santé dans le but de mieux orienter les interventions en milieu de travail.
Pourquoi le grand nombre est plus intelligent que le petit nombre, et pourquoi il faut en tenir compte
Authors: Landemore Hélène , Bandini Aude 
Published: March 2014

Cet article présente les bases d’un argument épistémique en faveur de la démocratie définie comme procédure de décision collective. Il explore également les implications d’un tel argument épistémique par rapport à d’autres justifications établies de la démocratie, par rapport aux explications scientifiques de ses succès empiriques, et en termes de politiques publiques à mener. En ce qui concerne l’argument épistémique proprement dit, il repose sur le concept de « raison démocratique », autrement dit l’intelligence collective des individus dans le domaine politique, et propose, de manière contre-intuitive, que la raison démocratique est davantage tributaire de la diversitécognitive des individus qui prennent par aux décisions que de leurs aptitudes personnelles. Généralement, l’argument de la raison démocratique complète les arguments procéduraux basés sur l’équité et l’égalité pour offrir une explication fonctionnaliste complète de la démocratie. Pour finir, cet article défend l’idée de réformes institutionnelles favorisant la participation citoyenne dans le processus de prise de décision collective.
Déconstruire la démocratie épistémique ?
Authors: Mestiri Soumaya 
Published: March 2014

Le présent travail se propose de mettre en lumière le caractère relativement problématique du procéduralisme épistémique de David Estlund. Conçu comme un paradigme alternatif, à mi-chemin entre le libéralisme procédural d’un Rawls ou d’un Habermas et une vision plus substantielle du politique où la « qualité » de la décision compterait tout autant que la procédure dont elle est issue, ce type de positionnement théorique hybride se révèle n’être ni tenable ni, en dernière instance, crédible. L’analyse, sur une période de trente ans, des écrits d’Estlund, permettra de comprendre que les enjeux de la question dépassent de loin le caractère restreint d’une simple querelle de clocher.
Methamphetamine exposure during pregnancy at pharmacological doses produces neurodevelopmental and behavioural effects in rat offspring
Authors: McDonnell‐Dowling Kate , Donlon Michelle , Kelly John P. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn recent years methamphetamine (MA) use has become more prevalent, and of particular concern is its growing popularity of MA among women of childbearing age. However, to date, studies examining MA effects on the developing offspring in laboratory animals are limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if in utero MA exposure in rats at pharmacological doses can have a negative impact on neonatal neurodevelopment and behaviour. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley dams (n = 10 dams/group) received MA (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg) once daily via oral gavage from gestational day 7 to 21. Maternal body weight, food and water consumption were recorded daily. A range of standard neurodevelopment parameters was examined in the offspring during the neonatal period. There were no neurodevelopmental deficits observed with offspring exposed to 0.625 mg/kg MA, in fact, there were enhancements of neurodevelopment in some parameters at this low dose. However, exposure to the 1.25 mg/kg MA dose resulted in significant impairments in surface righting reflex and forelimb grip in both sexes. Exposure to the 2.5 mg/kg MA dose resulted in a significant reduction in ano‐genital distance in males, and in both sexes resulted in delayed fur appearance and eye opening, impairments in surface righting reflex and negative geotaxis, and a reduction in body length. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that pharmacologically relevant doses of MA can have profound dose‐related effects on neonatal outcome. If extrapolated to the clinical scenario this will give cause for concern regarding the risks associated with this drug of abuse at relatively low doses.
Cortex glial cells activation, associated with lowered mechanical thresholds and motor dysfunction, persists into adulthood after neonatal pain
Authors: Sanada Luciana Sayuri , Sato Karina Laurenti , Machado Nathalia Leilane Berto , Carmo Elisabete de Cássia do , Sluka Kathleen A. , Fazan Valeria Paula Sassoli 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe investigated if changes in glial activity in cortical areas that process nociceptive stimuli persisted in adult rats after neonatal injury. Neonatal pain was induced by repetitive needle prickling on the right paw, twice per day for 15 days starting at birth. Wistar rats received either neonatal pain or tactile stimulation and were tested behaviorally for mechanical withdrawal thresholds of the paws and gait alterations, after 15 (P15) or 180 (P180) days of life. Brains from rats on P15 and P180 were immunostained for glial markers (GFAP, MCP‐1, OX‐42) and the following cortical areas were analyzed for immunoreactivity density: prefrontal, anterior insular, anterior cingulated, somatosensory and motor cortices. Withdrawal thresholds of the stimulated paw remained decreased on P180 after neonatal pain when compared to controls. Neonatal pain animals showed increased density for both GFAP and MCP‐1 staining, but not for OX‐42, in all investigated cortical areas on both experimental times (P15 and P180). Painful stimuli in the neonatal period produced pain behaviors immediately after injury that persisted in adult life, and was accompanied by increase in the glial markers density in cortical areas that process and interpret pain. Thus, long‐lasting changes in cortical glial activity could be, at least in part, responsible for the persistent hyperalgesia in adult rats that suffered from neonatal pain.
Contraceptive use among HIV‐positive women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria
Authors: Ezugwu Euzebus C. , Nkwo Peter O. , Agu Polycap U. , Ugwu Emmanuel O. , Asogwa Augustine O. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and pattern of, and factors associated with, contraceptive usage among HIV‐positive women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.MethodsIn a questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study, 400 consecutive HIV‐positive, sexually active women receiving care at the adult HIV clinics of 2 tertiary health institutions in Enugu were interviewed using pre‐tested questionnaires between March and August 2012. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out via Epi Info.ResultsThe rate of contraceptive use was 73.1%; 26.9% (n = 91) of women were not using modern contraceptives. Male condoms were the most frequent contraception used (78.1%, n = 193), but 48.2% of women reported inconsistent use. The proportion of women using a dual‐contraceptive method was 25.1%; none used the female condom. Having a regular sexual partner was significantly associated with use of modern contraception (odds ratio, 73.00; 95% confidence interval, 34.13–156.13; P < 0.001). Misconception and fear of adverse effects were the most common reasons for not using contraception.ConclusionA considerable proportion of HIV‐positive women in Enugu who did not desire to achieve pregnancy in the following 2 years (26.9%) had an unmet need for contraception. The use of contraception prevents unintended pregnancy and subsequent mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV and should be promoted in the region.
Theranostic applications of antibodies in oncology
Authors: Fleuren Emmy D.G. , Versleijen-Jonkers Yvonne M.H. , Heskamp Sandra , van Herpen Carla M.L. , Oyen Wim J.G. , van der Graaf Winette T.A. , Boerman Otto C. 
Published: March 2014

Targeted therapies, including antibodies, are becoming increasingly important in cancer therapy. Important limitations, however, are that not every patient benefits from a specific antibody therapy and that responses could be short‐lived due to acquired resistance. In addition, targeted therapies are quite expensive and are not completely devoid of side‐effects. This urges the need for accurate patient selection and response monitoring.An important step towards personalizing antibody treatment could be the implementation of theranostics. Antibody theranostics combine the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of an antibody, thereby selecting those patients who are most likely to benefit from antibody treatment. This review focuses on the clinical application of theranostic antibodies in oncology. It provides detailed information concerning the suitability of antibodies for theranostics, the different types of theranostic tests available and summarizes the efficacy of theranostic antibodies used in current clinical practice. Advanced theranostic applications, including radiolabeled antibodies for non‐invasive functional imagining, are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the importance of theranostics in the emerging field of personalized medicine and critically evaluate recent data to determine the best way to apply antibody theranostics in the future.
Shaping science policy in Europe
Authors: Celis Julio E. , Gago José Mariano 
Published: March 2014

The Lisbon Strategy was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU) in 2000. By moving science into a central position for the development of a European knowledge‐based economy and society, its adoption at political level seems to have been a powerful catalyst for the increased involvement of scientists in science policy in the EU. Recognising the need for scientists to act collectively in order to contribute to shape the future of science policy in Europe, a pioneering group of European science organisations leaders and representatives, as well as other scientists, initiated a European, interdisciplinary, inclusive movement leading to the creation of the European Research Council (ERC) to support basic research of the highest quality. Having scientists' campaign for the funding of bottom‐up research by the EU Framework Programmes exclusively on scientific grounds, and for an ERC, was a unique event in the recent history of European science policy. For the first time, the scientific community acted collectively and across disciplinary or national boundaries as a political actor for the sake of a better science policy for Europe.As is often the case when first‐hand experience is gained through the creation of a new organization, novel forms of collaboration arise. The European biomedical community has recently proposed the creation of a strategic action plan for health research (the European Council of Health Research; EuCHR), provisionally translated at present into a Scientific Panel for Health (SPH) research in Horizon 2020, the EU's research‐funding programme for the period 2014–2020. The creation of such Scientific Panel should be viewed as an important contribution by the biomedical community as a major political agreement has been reached on the need for a comprehensive and long‐term scientific strategy to accelerate research and facilitate innovation at EU level.It is our belief that describing and analyzing the process leading to the creation of the ERC and SPH (2002–2014) should be widely shared with the research community in general, as this may contribute to the understanding of the evolving relations between scientists and science‐policy making.
Consciousness and language
Authors: Sharwood Smith Michael , Truscott John 
Published: March 2014

Our conscious control of language and its acquisition is strictly limited. A processing-oriented perspective to explain this will be outlined called MOGUL according to which some linguistic processes are inherently unconscious while others can be either conscious or not. The former involve representations, found in the dedicated, uniquely human language module, whose sealed-off nature does not permit the activation levels necessary for conscious experience to take place. However, language knowledge created by cognitive processes that are not specifically linguistic, that is, created outside the language module, can indeed be raised to consciousness. This is because they are more directly connected to the perceptual system and are accordingly open to much higher levels of activation.
Constituents, organization and processes of the human brain
Authors: Hannan Anthony J. , Kirkcaldie Matthew T.K. 
Published: March 2014

The human brain is an extraordinarily complex biological system underpinning cognition and experience. This complexity is evident at all levels, from genetics to molecular, cellular, network and systems constituents. This article provides an overview of these constituents, their organization and the processes in which they are engaged. We discuss the shaping influences of development and evolution, and describe the brain’s structure and function at several levels: cellular features, the organization of neurons into functional systems, the gross anatomy of the nervous system and the specific structural and functional properties of the cerebral cortex. There is considerable evidence that cortical activity – though not all cortical activity – is correlated with conscious experiences, but exactly which activities constitute consciousness is unclear.
Binocular rivalry
Authors: Wilson Hugh R. 
Published: March 2014

This chapter will first examine the neural circuitry necessary to generate binocular rivalry. Such neural circuits entail both neural cooperation within and competition between monocular images. Evidence will also be presented that rivalry must occur at multiple hierarchic levels in the visual system in order to explain relevant data. In light of this, the suggestion that rivalry can elucidate the neural correlates of conscious vision will be challenged. Following this, generalizations of rivalry to competition among multiple spatial patterns will be developed. It will be argued that such generalized rivalry can provide significant insights into the nature of high level visual decisions in the presence of ambiguous or incomplete information.