bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tobacco‐Control Policies in Tobacco‐Growing States: Where Tobacco Was King
Authors: FALLIN AMANDA , GLANTZ STANTON A. 
Published: June 2015

Policy Points:The tobacco companies prioritized blocking tobacco‐control policies in tobacco‐growing states and partnered with tobacco farmers to oppose tobacco‐control policies.The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, which settled state litigation against the cigarette companies, the 2004 tobacco‐quota buyout, and the companies’ increasing use of foreign tobacco led to a rift between the companies and tobacco farmers.In 2003, the first comprehensive smoke‐free local law was passed in a major tobacco‐growing state, and there has been steady progress in the region since then.Health advocates should educate the public and policymakers on the changing reality in tobacco‐growing states, notably the major reduction in the volume of tobacco produced.ContextThe 5 major tobacco‐growing states (Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) are disproportionately affected by the tobacco epidemic, with higher rates of smoking and smoking‐induced disease. These states also have fewer smoke‐free laws and lower tobacco taxes, 2 evidence‐based policies that reduce tobacco use. Historically, the tobacco farmers and hospitality associations allied with the tobacco companies to oppose these policies.MethodsThis research is based on 5 detailed case studies of these states, which included key informant interviews, previously secret tobacco industry documents (available athttp://legacy.library.ucsf.edu), and media articles. This was supplemented with additional tobacco document and media searches specifically for this article.FindingsThe tobacco companies were particularly concerned about blocking tobacco‐control policies in the tobacco‐growing states by promoting a pro‐tobacco culture, beginning in the late 1960s. Nevertheless, since 2003, there has been rapid progress in the tobacco‐growing states’ passage of smoke‐free laws. This progress came after the alliance between the tobacco companies and the tobacco farmers fractured and hospitality organizations stopped opposing smoke‐free laws. In addition, infrastructure built by National Cancer Institute research projects (COMMIT and ASSIST) led to long‐standing tobacco‐control coalitions that capitalized on these changes. Although tobacco production has dramatically fallen in these states, pro‐tobacco sentiment still hinders tobacco‐control policies in the major tobacco‐growing states.ConclusionsThe environment has changed in the tobacco‐growing states, following a fracture of the alliance between the tobacco companies and their former allies (tobacco growers and hospitality organizations). To continue this progress, health advocates should educate the public and policymakers on the changing reality in the tobacco‐growing states, notably the great reduction in the number of tobacco farmers as well as in the volume of tobacco produced.
Effect of sludge age on methanogenic and glycogen accumulating organisms in an aerobic granular sludge process fed with methanol and acetate
Authors: Pronk M. , Abbas B. , Kleerebezem R. , van Loosdrecht M. C. M. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe influence of sludge age on granular sludge formation and microbial population dynamics in a methanol‐ and acetate‐fed aerobic granular sludge system operated at 35°C was investigated. During anaerobic feeding of the reactor, methanol was initially converted to methane by methylotrophic methanogens. These methanogens were able to withstand the relatively long aeration periods. Lowering the anaerobic solid retention time (SRT) from 17 to 8 days enabled selective removal of the methanogens and prevented unwanted methane formation. In absence of methanogens, methanol was converted aerobically, while granule formation remained stable. At high SRT values (51 days), γ‐Proteobacteria were responsible for acetate removal through anaerobic uptake and subsequent aerobic growth on storage polymers formed [so called metabolism of glycogen‐accumulating organisms (GAO)]. When lowering the SRT (24 days), Defluviicoccus‐related organisms (cluster II) belonging to the α‐Proteobacteria outcompeted acetate consuming γ‐Proteobacteria at 35°C. DNA from the Defluviicoccus‐related organisms in cluster II was not extracted by the standard DNA extraction method but with liquid nitrogen, which showed to be more effective. Remarkably, the two GAO types of organisms grew separately in two clearly different types of granules. This work further highlights the potential of aerobic granular sludge systems to effectively influence the microbial communities through sludge age control in order to optimize the wastewater treatment processes.
Evolutionary rates across gradients
Authors: Weir Jason T. , Lawson Adam 
Published: June 2015

Summary

A key question in the fields of macroecology and evolution is how rates of evolution vary across gradients, be they ecological (e.g. temperature, rainfall, net primary productivity), geographic (e.g. latitude, elevation), morphological (e.g. body mass), etc. Evolutionary rates across gradients (evorag 2.0) is a new software package provided as open source in the r language (and available from CRAN) that tests whether rates of trait evolution vary continuously across such continuous gradients.

The approach uses quantitative trait data for a series of sister‐pair contrasts (i.e. sister species or other types of sister taxa) and applies Brownian Motion and Ornstein Uhlenbeck models in which parameter (evolutionary rate and constraint) values vary as a function of discrete variables (e.g. male vs. female) and/or continuous variables (e.g. latitude, temperature, body size).

We used simulation to test performance of the models in EvoRAG. Our gradient models accurately estimate parameter values, have very low levels of bias, and low rates of model misspecification.

The modelling framework developed here provides great flexibility in designing models that test how rates of evolution vary across gradients. We provide an example where both discrete (songbird vs. suboscine) and continuous (latitude) effects on evolutionary rate in avian song were simultaneously estimated.
Group sessions with Paro in a nursing home: Structure, observations and interviews
Authors: Robinson Hayley , Broadbent Elizabeth , MacDonald Bruce 
Published: June 2015

AimWe recently reported that a companion robot reduced residents' loneliness in a randomised controlled trial at an aged‐care facility. This report aims to provide additional, previously unpublished data about how the sessions were run, residents' interactions with the robot and staff perspectives.MethodsObservations were conducted focusing on engagement, how residents treated the robot and if the robot acted as a social catalyst. In addition, 16 residents and 21 staff were asked open‐ended questions at the end of the study about the sessions and the robot.ResultsObservations indicated that some residents engaged on an emotional level with Paro, and Paro was treated as both an agent and an artificial object. Interviews revealed that residents enjoyed sharing, interacting with and talking about Paro.ConclusionThis study supports other research showing Paro has psychosocial benefits and provides a guide for those wishing to use Paro in a group setting in aged care.
Chemerin Expression in the Peritoneal Fluid, Serum, and Ovarian Endometrioma of Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Jin Chan Hee , Yi Kyong Wook , Ha Young Ran , Shin Jung‐Ho , Park Hyun Tae , Kim Tak , Hur Jun‐Young 
Published: June 2015

ProblemInflammation is an essential process in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Method of studySerum and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were collected from women with endometriosis (n = 31) and women without endometriosis (n = 48). Chemerin, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels in serum and PF samples were determined with a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Eutopic endometrial tissue from controls and ovarian endometriotic cysts were obtained during surgery. Expression of chemerin and chemerin receptors in ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues was measured on real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression was examined with Western blot and densitometric analysis.ResultsChemerin concentrations were higher in PF from women with endometriosis than that in that from controls. PF chemerin concentrations were significantly correlated with both TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels in PF. The mRNA and protein of chemerin and its receptor were significantly increased in the ovarian endometrioma tissue compared with eutopic endometrium of controls.ConclusionThese findings suggest that chemerin plays a role in endometriosis‐related pelvic inflammation.
The effect of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism on IQ in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children: A case–control review
Authors: Murphy Niamh C. , Diviney Mairead M. , Donnelly Jennifer C. , Cooley Sharon M. , Kirkham Colin H. , Foran Adrienne M. , Breathnach Fionnuala M. , Malone Fergal D. , Geary Michael P. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundIn Ireland, pregnant women are not routinely screened for subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).AimOur objective was to compare the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children whose mothers had been diagnosed with SCH prenatally with matched controls using a case–control retrospective study.Materials and MethodsIn a previous study from our group, 1000 healthy nulliparous women were screened anonymously for SCH. This was a laboratory diagnosis involving elevated TSH with normal fT4 or normal TSH with hypothyroxinaemia. We identified 23 cases who agreed to participate. These were matched with 47 controls. All children underwent neurodevelopmental assessment at age 7–8. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV assessment scores were used to compare the groups. Our main outcome measure was to identify whether there was a difference in IQ between the groups.ResultsFrom the cohort of cases, 23 mothers agreed to the assessment of their children as well as 47 controls. The children in the control group had higher mean scores than those in the case group across Verbal Comprehension Intelligence, Perceptual Reasoning Intelligence, Working Memory Intelligence, Processing Speed Intelligence and Full Scale IQ. Mann–Whitney U‐test confirmed a significant difference in IQ between the cases (composite score 103.87) and the controls (composite score 109.11) with a 95% confidence interval (0.144, 10.330).ConclusionsOur results highlight significant differences in IQ of children of mothers who had unrecognised SCH during pregnancy. While our study size and design prevents us from making statements on causation, our data suggest significant potential public health implications for routine prenatal screening.
Sustainability as Empty Signifier: Its Rise, Fall, and Radical Potential
Authors: Brown Trent 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUntil recently, the concept of “sustainability” appeared to occupy a central position in the politics of many Western democracies. Following the 2008 financial crisis, however, sustainability has been relegated to a position of secondary or tertiary significance. This article considers the rise and fall of sustainability through the theoretical lens of Ernesto Laclau, considering whether it may be seen as an example of an “empty signifier”. Through detailed engagement with Laclau's work, as well as both theoretical and empirical studies of the concept of sustainability, I argue that sustainability signifies the multiple failures of dominant discourses to recognise “the future” as a meaningful category. After examining the historical conditions under which sustainability was able to operate in this way, I go on to argue that the global financial crisis and neoliberalism more broadly have interrupted our capacity to think about the future, undermining the significance of sustainability, at least temporarily.
The patient's journey with chronic hepatitis C from interferon plus ribavirin to interferon‐ and ribavirin‐free regimens: a study of health‐related quality of life
Authors: Younossi Z. M. , Stepanova M. , Nader F. , Lam B. , Hunt S. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryBackgroundInterferon and ribavirin negatively impact health‐related quality of life (HRQL) during treatment.AimTo compare the impact of interferon and/or ribavirin‐containing regimens on HRQL to interferon‐ and ribavirin‐free regimens.MethodsHRQL data from nine multinational phase 3 clinical trials of sofosbuvir (SOF)‐based regimens with and without ledipasvir (LDV), pegylated interferon (IFN) or ribavirin (RBV) were used. The Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) HRQL questionnaire was administered to subjects prospectively at baseline, during treatment, and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment cessation.ResultsA total of 3460 CH‐C with SF‐36 data were included (52.2 ± 10.3 years, 62.6% male, 73.6% treatment‐naïve, 15.0% cirrhotic, 68.2% HCV genotype 1 and 20.1% genotype 3). Compared to baseline HRQL, at the end of treatment, severe HRQL decrements were noted in IFN + RBV ± SOF regimens (on average, −3.8 to −24.3 on a 0–100 scale for different HRQL domains), while moderate decrements were noted in SOF + RBV ± LDV (−2.8 to −8.6). In contrast, in SOF/LDV without RBV, HRQL improvements were noted during treatment (+2.3 to +5.2). By 12 weeks post‐treatment, HRQL returned to baseline in IFN + RBV ± SOF (P > 0.05) and improved in all IFN‐free arms (+2.6 to +7.8). In multivariate analysis, a lower end of treatment HRQL was associated with IFN + RBV + SOF and a higher end of treatment HRQL was associated with SOF/LDV. By post‐treatment‐12, SOF/LDV was additionally associated with higher mental health scores. These improvements in HRQL scores were maintained 24 weeks post‐treatment.ConclusionsRemoving interferon and ribavirin has led to substantial improvement of health‐related quality of life during treatment. This may result in better patient experience and higher adherence to treatment regimen.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐quantified small bowel motility is a sensitive marker of response to medical therapy in Crohn's disease
Authors: Plumb A. A. , Menys A. , Russo E. , Prezzi D. , Bhatnagar G. , Vega R. , Halligan S. , Orchard T. R. , Taylor S. A. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryBackgroundMagnetic resonance enterography (MRE) can measure small bowel motility, reduction in which reflects inflammatory burden in Crohn's Disease (CD). However, it is unknown if motility improves with successful treatment.AimTo determine if changes in segmental small bowel motility reflect response to anti‐TNFα therapy after induction and longer term.MethodsA total of 46 patients (median 29 years, 19 females) underwent MRE before anti‐TNFα treatment; 35 identified retrospectively underwent repeat MRE after median 55 weeks of treatment and 11 recruited prospectively after median 12 weeks. Therapeutic response was defined by physician global assessment (retrospective group) or a ≥3 point drop in the Harvey–Bradshaw Index (prospective group), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and the MaRIA score. Two independent radiologists measured motility using an MRE image‐registration algorithm. We compared motility changes in responders and nonresponders using the Mann–Whitney test.ResultsAnti‐TNFα responders had significantly greater improvements in motility (median = 73.4% increase from baseline) than nonresponders (median = 25% reduction, P < 0.001). Improved MRI‐measured motility was 93.1% sensitive (95%CI: 78.0–98.1%) and 76.5% specific (95% CI: 52.7–90.4%) for anti‐TNFα response. Patients with CRP normalisation (<5 mg/L) had significantly greater improvements in motility (median = 73.4% increase) than those with persistently elevated CRP (median = 5.1%, P = 0.035). Individuals with post‐treatment MaRIA scores of <11 had greater motility improvements (median = 94.7% increase) than those with post‐treatment MaRIA score >11 (median 15.2% increase, P = 0.017).ConclusionsImproved MRI‐measured small bowel motility accurately detects response to anti‐TNFα therapy for Crohn's disease, even as early as 12 weeks. Motility MRI may permit early identification of nonresponse to anti‐TNFα agents, allowing personalised treatment.
Resveratrol Enhances Etoposide‐Induced Cytotoxicity through Down‐Regulating ERK1/2 and AKT‐Mediated X‐ray Repair Cross‐Complement Group 1 (XRCC1) Protein Expression in Human Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Ko Jen‐Chung , Syu Jhan‐Jhang , Chen Jyh‐Cheng , Wang Tai‐Jing , Chang Po‐Yuan , Chen Chien‐Yu , Jian Yun‐Ting , Jian Yi‐Jun , Lin Yun‐Wei 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEtoposide (VP‐16), a topoisomerase II inhibitor, is an effective anti‐cancer drug used for the treatment of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that has been proved to have anti‐cancer activity. XRCC1 is an important scaffold protein involved in base excision repair that is regulated by ERK1/2 and AKT signals and plays an important role in the development of lung cancer. However, the role of ERK1/2 and AKT‐mediated XRCC1 expression in etoposide treatment alone or combined with resveratrol‐induced cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells has not been identified. In this study, etoposide treatment increased XRCC1 mRNA and protein expression through AKT and ERK1/2 activation in two NSCLC cells, H1703 and H1975. Knockdown of XRCC1 in NSCLC cells by transfection of XRCC1 siRNA or inactivation of ERK1/2 and AKT resulted in enhancing cytotoxicity and cell growth inhibition induced by etoposide. Resveratrol inhibited the expression of XRCC1 and enhanced the etoposide‐induced cell death and anti‐proliferation effect in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, transfection with constitutive active MKK1 or AKT vectors could rescue the XRCC1 protein level and also the cell survival suppressed by co‐treatment with etoposide and resveratrol. These findings suggested that down‐regulation of XRCC1 expression by resveratrol can enhance the chemosensitivity of etoposide in NSCLC cells.
Analytical rubrics in higher education: A repository of empirical data
Authors: Hack Catherine 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe use of rubrics for grading and feedback in higher education has increased in response to requirements for consistency and transparency across a diverse range of assessment tasks. There is a growing evidence base demonstrating the reliability of rubrics across different markers and instances. The number of studies describing the impact of rubrics on student learning has also grown; however, these studies are predominantly qualitative and/or use a quasi‐experimental design. Confounding factors in these studies include the validity and quality of the rubric, markers' expertise and students' previous experience of using rubrics and learning preferences. This paper describes a data set comprising student marks from large cohorts of postgraduate students, pre and post the introduction of rubrics on three different modules, and the associated rubrics. In making these data available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, it is hoped to establish a repository of rubrics validated for specific assessment tasks and their associated data sets, to develop robust methods for their evaluation and explore methods of rubric deployment for effective learning through assessment.
15‐Lipoxygenases regulate the production of chemokines in human lung macrophages
Authors: Abrial C , Grassin‐Delyle S , Salvator H , Brollo M , Naline E , Devillier P 
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose15‐Lipoxygenase (15‐LOX) activity is associated with inflammation and immune regulation. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the expression of 15‐LOX‐1 and 15‐LOX‐2 and evaluate the enzymes' roles in the polarization of human lung macrophages (LMs) in response to LPS and Th2 cytokines (IL‐4/‐13).Experimental ApproachLMs were isolated from patients undergoing surgery for carcinoma. The cells were cultured with a 15‐LOX inhibitor (PD146176 or ML351), a COX inhibitor (indomethacin), a 5‐LOX inhibitor (MK886) or vehicle and then stimulated with LPS (10 ng·mL−1), IL‐4 (10 ng·mL−1) or IL‐13 (50 ng·mL−1) for 24 h. Levels of ALOX15 (15‐LOX‐1) and ALOX15B (15‐LOX‐2) transcripts were determined by real‐time quantitative PCR. Immunoassays were used to measure levels of LPS‐induced cytokines (TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL1, CXCL8 and CXCL10) and Th2 cytokine‐induced chemokines (CCL13, CCL18 and CCL22) in the culture supernatant.Key ResultsStimulation of LMs with LPS was associated with increased expression of ALOX15B, whereas stimulation with IL‐4/IL‐13 induced the expression of ALOX15. PD146176 and ML351 (10 μM) reduced the release of the chemokines induced by LPS and Th2 cytokines. The effects of these 15‐LOX inhibitors were maintained in the presence of indomethacin and MK886. Furthermore, indomethacin revealed the inhibitory effect of PD146176 on TNF‐α release.Conclusions and ImplicationsInhibition of the 15‐LOX pathways is involved in the down‐regulation of the in vitro production of chemokines in LMs. Our results suggest that the 15‐LOX pathways have a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung disorders and may thus constitute a potential drug target.
T‐cell plasticity in inflammatory skin diseases – the good, the bad, and the chameleons
Authors: Gatzka Martina , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin 
Published: June 2015

SummaryAccording to the concept of T‐cell plasticity, peripheral T cells – once differentiated into a specific T cell subset – may, in response to new environmental cues or signaling alterations, adopt the phenotype of a different helper cell subset with regard to cytokine production and regulatory functions. In a variety of T cell‐mediated inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis, T‐cell plasticity – in particular the conversion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to IL‐17‐producing inflammatory cells – has recently been described as key pathomechanism contributing to the aggravation of inflammatory symptoms and disease chronification. Apart from psoriasis, the phenomenon of immune cell plasticity may also have a role in other inflammatory conditions of the skin showing a T cell component and/or an IL‐17‐mediated pathology, such as lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, blistering diseases, allergic disorders, and others. This review summarizes the basic molecular mechanisms regulating T‐cell fate decisions and plasticity in inflamed skin and in other lymphoid organs. Moreover, it explores the effect of established targeted therapies as well as alternative concepts with a focus on how to prevent the unwanted conversion of “helpful” T cells and other beneficial immune cells to pathological inflammatory vermin.