bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A pilot study to assess tobacco use among sexual minorities in Houston, Texas
Authors: Tamí‐Maury Irene , Lin Mi‐Ting , Lapham Hillary L. , Hong Judy H. , Cage Catherine , Shete Sanjay , Gritz Ellen R. 
Published: May 2015

Background and ObjectivesTo assess tobacco use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals from the 2014 Houston Pride Parade and Festival in Houston, Texas (TX).MethodsCross‐sectional study using convenience sample of LGBT individuals (n = 99) examining tobacco use, sexual orientation, and other socio‐demographic factors through survey participation.ResultsFindings showed a high prevalence of tobacco and electronic cigarettes use. White LGBT individuals had greater odds of using any type of tobacco product.Discussion and ConclusionsDespite a high smoking prevalence among the surveyed LGBT individuals, this study sample did not identify tobacco use as a health issue.Scientific SignificanceSupports the need for further investigation on tobacco‐related disparities among LGBT individuals in Houston, TX. (Am J Addict 2015;24:391 –395)
Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract
Authors: Wessagowit Vesarat , Tangjaturonrusamee Chinmanat , Kootiratrakarn Tanawatt , Bunnag Thareena , Pimonrat Tanatya , Muangdang Nattaporn , Pichai Pitchayasak 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesMale androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair problem. Serenoa repens extract has been shown to inhibit both types of 5‐α reductase and, when taken orally, has been shown to increase hair growth in AGA patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of topical products containing S. repens extract for the treatment of male AGA.MethodsThis was a pilot, prospective, open, within‐subject comparison limited to 24 weeks using no placebo controls. In all, 50 male volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years received topical S. repens products for 24 weeks. The primary end‐point was a hair count in an area of 2.54 cm2 at week 24. Secondary end‐points included hair restoration, investigators' photographic assessment, patients' evaluation and discovering adverse events.ResultsThe average hair count and terminal hair count increased at weeks 12 and 24 compared to baseline. Some of these positive results levelled off at week 24, presumably because the concentrated topical product containing S. repens extract was stopped after 4 weeks. The patients were satisfied with the products and the side‐effects were limited.ConclusionsThe topical application of S. repens extract could be an alternative treatment in male pattern baldness in male patients who do not want or cannot tolerate the side‐effects of standard medications, but the use of a concentrated S. repens product beyond 4 weeks may be necessary for sustained efficacy.
Exposure to grass pollen – but not birch pollen – affects lung function in Swedish children
Authors: Gruzieva O. , Pershagen G. , Wickman M. , Melén E. , Hallberg J. , Bellander T. , Lõhmus M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAllergic response to pollen is increasing worldwide, leading to high medical and social costs. However, the effect of pollen exposure on lung function has rarely been investigated. Over 1800 children in the Swedish birth cohort BAMSE were lung‐function‐ and IgE‐tested at the age of 8 and 16 years old. Daily concentrations for 9 pollen types together with measurements for ozone, NO2, PM10, PM2.5 were estimated for the index day as well as up to 6 days before the testing. Exposure to grass pollen during the preceding day was associated with a reduced forced expiratory volume in 8‐yr‐olds; −32.4 ml; 95% CI: −50.6 to −14.2, for an increase in three pollen counts/m³. Associations appeared stronger in children sensitized to pollen allergens. As the grass species flower late in the pollen season, the allergy care routines might be weakened during this period. Therefore, allergy information may need to be updated to increase awareness among grass pollen‐sensitized individuals.
Differential activation of airway eosinophils induces IL‐13‐mediated allergic Th2 pulmonary responses in mice
Authors: Jacobsen E. A. , Doyle A. D. , Colbert D. C. , Zellner K. R. , Protheroe C. A. , LeSuer W. E. , Lee N. A. , Lee J. J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundEosinophils are hallmark cells of allergic Th2 respiratory inflammation. However, the relative importance of eosinophil activation and the induction of effector functions such as the expression of IL‐13 to allergic Th2 pulmonary disease remain to be defined.MethodsWild‐type or cytokine‐deficient (IL‐13−/− or IL‐4−/−) eosinophils treated with cytokines (GM‐CSF, IL‐4, IL‐33) were adoptively transferred into eosinophil‐deficient recipient mice subjected to allergen provocation using established models of respiratory inflammation. Allergen‐induced pulmonary changes were assessed.ResultsIn contrast to the transfer of untreated blood eosinophils to the lungs of recipient eosinophil deficient mice, which induced no immune/inflammatory changes either in the lung or in the lung draining lymph nodes (LDLN), pretreatment of blood eosinophils with GM‐CSF prior to transfer elicited trafficking of these eosinophils to LDLN. In turn, these LDLN eosinophils elicited the accumulation of dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells to these same LDLNs without inducing pulmonary inflammation. However, exposure of eosinophils to GM‐CSF, IL‐4, and IL‐33 prior to transfer induced not only immune events in the LDLN, but also allergen‐mediated increases in airway Th2 cytokine/chemokine levels, the subsequent accumulation of CD4+ T cells as well as alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, and the induction of pulmonary histopathologies. Significantly, this allergic respiratory inflammation was dependent on eosinophil‐derived IL‐13, whereas IL‐4 expression by eosinophils had no significant role.ConclusionThe data demonstrate the differential activation of eosinophils as a function of cytokine exposure and suggest that eosinophil‐specific IL‐13 expression by activated cells is a necessary component of the subsequent allergic Th2 pulmonary pathologies.
Genetic approach identifies distinct asthma pathways in overweight vs normal weight children
Authors: Butsch Kovacic M. , Martin L. J. , Biagini Myers J. M. , He H. , Lindsey M. , Mersha T. B. , Khurana Hershey G. K. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe pathogenesis of asthma in the context of excess body weight may be distinct from asthma that develops in normal weight children. The study's objective was to explore the biology of asthma in the context of obesity and normal weight status using genetic methodologies. Associations between asthma and SNPs in 49 genes were assessed, as well as, interactions between SNPs and overweight status in child participants of the Greater Cincinnati Pediatric Clinic Repository. Asthma was significantly associated with weight (OR = 1.38; P = 0.037). The number of genes and the magnitude of their associations with asthma were notably greater when considering overweight children alone vs normal weight and overweight children together. When considering weight, distinct sets of asthma‐associated genes were observed, many times with opposing effects. We demonstrated that the underlying heterogeneity of asthma is likely due in part to distinct pathogenetic pathways that depend on preceding/comorbid overweight and/or allergy. It is therefore important to consider both obesity and asthma when conducting studies of asthma.
Estimating leaf area index in tree species using the PocketLAI smart app
Authors: Orlando Francesca , Movedi Ermes , Paleari Livia , Gilardelli Carlo , Foi Marco , Dell'Oro Michele , Confalonieri Roberto 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimTo evaluate the PocketLAI® smart app for estimating leaf area index (LAI) in woody canopies.LocationNorthern Italy.MethodsPocketLAI – a smartphone application for LAI estimates based on gap fraction derived from the real‐time processing of images acquired at 57° below the canopy – was tested on continuous forest stands, plantations, spotted shrub‐lands and spotted tree‐lands. LAI data from hemispherical photography (images post‐processed with Can‐eye software) were taken as reference values. Plants were clustered on the basis of leaf type and canopy structure.ResultsIn general, PocketLAI showed satisfactory performances in the case of broad‐leaf plants (R2 = 0.78, P < 0.001) for all shrub and tree clusters. On the other hand, poor results were obtained for conifers (R2 = 0.16), likely because of the unfavourable leaf area to perimeter ratio. Best performances were observed for dense broad‐leaf canopies characterized by a regular arrangement of crowns (R2 = 0.95 for row‐planted trees, R2 = 0.87 for tall forest trees), although satisfying results were achieved also in the case of canopies made irregular and non‐homogeneous by pruning (R2 = 0.73 for small fruit trees). Concerning shrubs, the agreement between PocketLAI and hemispherical photography was higher for species with big leaves (R2 = 0.72).ConclusionsThese results suggest that PocketLAI can be an alternative to other methods in case of broad‐leaf woody species, especially in contexts where resources and portability are key issues, whereas further improvements are required for conifers.
Moxifloxacin‐induced QTc interval prolongations in healthy male Japanese and Caucasian volunteers: a direct comparison in a thorough QT study
Authors: Morganroth Joel , Wang Yaning , Thorn Michael , Kumagai Yuji , Harris Stuart , Stockbridge Norman , Kleiman Robert , Shah Rashmi 
Published: May 2015

AimWe investigated whether moxifloxacin‐induced QTc prolongations in Japanese and Caucasian healthy male volunteers were significantly different.MethodsA two period, randomized, crossover, ICH‐E14‐compliant thorough QT (TQT) study compared placebo‐corrected changes in QTc interval from baseline (ΔΔQTcF) and concentration–effect relationships following administration of placebo and 400 mg moxifloxacin to 40 healthy male volunteers from each ethnic population. The point estimates of ΔΔQTcF for each population, and the difference between the two, were calculated at a geometric mean Cmax of moxifloxacin using a linear mixed effects model. The concentration–effect slopes of the two populations were also compared. Equivalence was concluded if the two‐sided 90% confidence interval of the difference in ΔΔQTcF was contained within −5 ms to +5 ms limits and the ratio of the slopes was between 0.5 and 2.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between the two populations studied, Japanese vs. Caucasians, respectively, for moxifloxacin Cmax (3.27 ± 0.6 vs. 2.98 ± 0.7 µg ml–1), ΔΔQTcF (9.63 ± 1.15 vs. 11.46 ± 1.19 ms at Cmax of 3.07 µg ml–1) and concentration–response slopes (2.58 ± 0.62 vs. 2.34 ± 0.64 ms per µg ml–1). The difference in the two ΔΔQTcF of −1.8 (90% CI −4.6, 0.9) and the ratio of the two slopes (1.1; 90% CI 0.63, 1.82) were within pre‐specified equivalence limits.ConclusionsMoxifloxacin‐induced QTc prolongations did not differ significantly between the Japanese and Caucasian subjects. However, before our findings are more widely generalized, further studies in other populations and with other QT‐prolonging drugs are needed to clarify whether inter‐ethnic differences in QT sensitivity exist and whether ethnicity of the study population may affect the outcome of a TQT study.
Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling of renally excreted antiretroviral drugs in pregnant women
Authors: De Sousa Mendes Maïlys , Hirt Deborah , Urien Saik , Valade Elodie , Bouazza Naïm , Foissac Frantz , Blanche Stephane , Treluyer Jean‐Marc , Benaboud Sihem 
Published: May 2015

AimPhysiological changes during pregnancy can affect drug disposition. Anticipating these changes will help to maximize drug efficacy and safety in pregnant women. Our objective was to determine if physiologically‐based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) can accurately predict changes in the disposition of renally excreted antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy.MethodsWhole body PBPK models were developed for three renally excreted antiretroviral drugs, tenofovir (TFV), emtricitabine (FTC) and lamivudine (3TC). To assess the impact of pregnancy on PK, time‐varying pregnancy‐related physiological parameters available within the p‐PBPK Simcyp® software package were used. Renal clearance during pregnancy followed glomerular filtration changes with or without alterations in secretion. PK profiles were simulated and compared with observed data, i.e. area under the curves (AUC), peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and oral clearances (CL/F).ResultsPBPK models successfully predicted TFV, FTC and 3TC disposition for non‐pregnant and pregnant populations. Both renal secretion and filtration changed during pregnancy. Changes in renal clearance secretion were related to changes in renal plasma flow. The maximum clearance increases were approximately 30% (TFV 33%, FTC 31%, 3TC 29%).ConclusionsPregnancy PBPK models are useful tools to quantify a priori the drug exposure changes during pregnancy for renally excreted drugs. These models can be applied to evaluate alternative dosing regimens to optimize drug therapy during pregnancy.
Cultural universality and specificity of student engagement in school: The results of an international study from 12 countries
Authors: Lam Shui‐fong , Jimerson Shane , Shin Hyeonsook , Cefai Carmel , Veiga Feliciano H. , Hatzichristou Chryse , Polychroni Fotini , Kikas Eve , Wong Bernard P. H. , Stanculescu Elena , Basnett Julie , Duck Robert , Farrell Peter , Liu Yi , Negovan Valeria , Nelson Brett , Yang Hongfei , Zollneritsch Josef 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundA comprehensive understanding of the contextual factors that are linked to student engagement requires research that includes cross‐cultural perspectives.AimsThis study investigated how student engagement in school is associated with grade, gender, and contextual factors across 12 countries. It also investigated whether these associations vary across countries with different levels of individualism and socio‐economic development.SamplesThe participants were 3,420 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students from Austria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.MethodsThe participants completed a questionnaire to report their engagement in school, the instructional practices they experienced, and the support they received from teachers, peers, and parents. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to examine the effects at both student and country levels.ResultsThe results across countries revealed a decline in student engagement from Grade 7 to Grade 9, with girls reporting higher engagement than boys. These trends did not vary across the 12 countries according to the Human Development Index and Hofstede's Individualism Index. Most of the contextual factors (instructional practices, teacher support, and parent support) were positively associated with student engagement. With the exception that parent support had a stronger association with student engagement in countries with higher collectivism, most of the associations between the contextual factors and student engagement did not vary across countries.ConclusionsThe results indicate both cultural universality and specificity regarding contextual factors associated with student engagement in school. They illustrate the advantages of integrating etic and emic approaches in cross‐cultural investigations.
Does mood influence text processing and comprehension? Evidence from an eye‐movement study
Authors: Scrimin Sara , Mason Lucia 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundPrevious research has indicated that mood influences cognitive processes. However, there is scarce data regarding the link between everyday emotional states and readers' text processing and comprehension.AimWe aim to extend current research on the effects of mood induction on science text processing and comprehension, using eye‐tracking methodology. We investigated whether a positive‐, negative‐, and neutral‐induced mood influences online processing, as revealed by indices of visual behaviour during reading, and offline text comprehension, as revealed by post‐test questions. We were also interested in the link between text processing and comprehension.SampleSeventy‐eight undergraduate students randomly assigned to three mood‐induction conditions.MethodsStudents were mood‐induced by watching a video clip. They were then asked to read a scientific text while eye movements were registered. Pre‐ and post‐reading knowledge was assessed through open‐ended questions.ResultsExperimentally induced moods lead readers to process an expository text differently. Overall, students in a positive mood spent significantly longer on the text processing than students in the negative and neutral moods. Eye‐movement patterns indicated more effective processing related to longer proportion of look‐back fixation times in positive‐induced compared with negative‐induced readers. Students in a positive mood also comprehended the text better, learning more factual knowledge, compared with students in the negative group. Only for the positive‐induced readers did the more purposeful second‐pass reading positively predict text comprehension.ConclusionsNew insights are given on the effects of normal mood variations and students' text processing and comprehension by the use of eye‐tracking methodology. Important implications for the role of emotional states in educational settings are highlighted.
Synthesis and Anticholinergic Activity of 4‐hydroxycoumarin Derivatives Containing Substituted Benzyl‐1,2,3‐triazole Moiety
Authors: Bagheri Sahar Mohammad , Khoobi Mehdi , Nadri Hamid , Moradi Alireza , Emami Saeed , Jalili‐Baleh Leili , Jafarpour Farnaz , Homayouni Moghadam Farshad , Foroumadi Alireza , Shafiee Abbas 
Published: May 2015

A series of 4‐hydroxycoumarin‐derived compounds 8a‐p containing N‐benzyl‐1,2,3‐triazole motif were designed as AChE inhibitors. The title compounds were obtained conveniently using multicomponent click reaction. The in vitro anticholinesterase evaluation of synthesized compounds against AChE and BuChE showed that some of them are potent and selective inhibitors of AChE. Among them, 2‐chlorobenzyl derivative 8k showed the most potent activity against AChE (IC50 = 0.18 μm). Its activity was also superior to that of standard drug tacrine. The kinetic study and molecular docking simulation of the most potent compound 8k were also described.
A qualitative exploration of the experiences of children with spina bifida and their parents around incontinence and social participation
Authors: Fischer N. , Church P. , Lyons J. , McPherson A. C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundUrinary incontinence is frequently experienced by children with spina bifida, putting them at increased risk for low self‐esteem and impacting upon participation in home, school and leisure activities. However, little is known about children's experiences of these continence issues.ObjectiveThis study explored the experiences of children and young people with spina bifida around continence issues, social participation and peer relationships, in order to identify potential areas of support healthcare professionals can provide.MethodsChildren and youth aged 6–18 years with diagnoses of spina bifida and neurogenic bladder and their parents were invited to participate in semi‐structured interviews. Descriptive thematic analysis was employed.ResultsEleven children (with a range of mobility levels, types of spina bifida and degrees of bladder control) and their parents participated in the study. Three broad themes were identified, which encompassed the following: (1) normal versus different; (2) independence, ownership and the road to continence; and (3) peer relationships and acceptance.DiscussionThe experiences discussed by the children and parents in this study ranged from minimal impact of incontinence on their day‐to‐day living to significant social isolation and rejection. The stigma of incontinence was apparent in all interviews. Children and youth who were able to control their bladder with minimal accidents had greater independence and more opportunities for social participation. Healthcare professionals need to take into account that parents and their children may differ in attitudes and desires about the management of incontinence.
TRAF3IP3, a novel autophagy up-regulated gene, is involved in marginal zone B lymphocyte development and survival
Authors: Peng S , Wang K , Gu Y , Chen Y , Nan X , Xing J , Cui Q , Chen Y , Ge Q , Zhao H 
Published: May 2015

Summary
Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) interacting protein 3 (TRAF3IP3; also known as T3JAM) is expressed specifically in immune organs and tissues. To investigate the impact of TRAF3IP3 on immunity, we generated Traf3ip3 knock-out (KO) mice. Interestingly, these mice exhibited a significant reduction in the number of common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and inhibition of B cell development in the bone marrow. Furthermore, Traf3ip3 KO mice lacked marginal zone (MZ) B cells in the spleen. Traf3ip3 KO mice also exhibited a reduced amount of serum natural antibodies and impaired T cell-independent type II (TI–II) responses to trinitrophenol (TNP)-Ficoll antigen. Additionally, our results showed that Traf3ip3 promotes autophagy via an ATG16L1-binding motif, and MZ B cells isolated from mutant mice showed a diminished level of autophagy and a high rate of apoptosis. These results suggest that TRAF3IP3 contributes to MZ B cell survival by up-regulating autophagy, thereby promoting the TI–II immune response.
Expression profiles of RNA‐Seq‐based grey matter‐specific genes versus white matter‐specific genes in grey matter lesions of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Satoh Jun‐ichi , Kino Yoshihiro 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectivesAccumulating evidence shows that formation of cortical grey matter lesions, characterized by accumulation of activated microglia, axonal transection, synaptic loss and neuronal apoptosis, is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) beginning at the early stage. Grey matter lesions are closely associated with disease progression and permanent disability in MS. At present, the precise molecular signature characteristic of grey matter damage in MS brains remains to be intensively characterized.MethodsTo elucidate this, we identified grey matter‐specific genes (GMSG) and white matter‐specific genes (WMSG) abundantly expressed in the normal human brain by analyzing a RNA‐Seq dataset numbered SRP033291, composed of the comprehensive transcriptome of separated grey matter and white matter samples. Then, we studied expression profiles of GMSG and WMSG in MS lesions by analyzing microarray datasets derived from representative cases of grey matter lesions and white matter lesions.ResultsWe identified 714 RNA‐Seq‐based GMSG closely related to neuronal functions and 378 WMSG with relevance to glial functions. Numerous WMSG, such as KLK6, GJB1 and MYRF, were downregulated in both grey matter and white matter lesions, whereas the expression of various GMSG, such as PVALB, NEUROD6 and LINGO1, was reduced exclusively in grey matter lesions.ConclusionsGrey matter lesions of MS are characterized by underexpression of grey matter components, and the panel of RNA‐Seq‐based GMSG and WMSG serves as molecular markers for discrimination between grey matter and white matter lesions of MS.