bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of cffDNA to avoid administration of anti‐D to pregnant women when the fetus is RhD‐negative: implementation in the NHS
Authors: Soothill PW , Finning K , Latham T , Wreford‐Bush T , Ford J , Daniels G 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo determine whether a policy of offering cffDNA testing to all RhD‐negative women at about 16 weeks’ gestation to avoid anti‐D administration when the fetus is RhD‐negative could be implemented successfully in the NHS without additional funding.DesignProspectively planned observational service implementation pilot and notes audit.SettingThree maternity services in the South West of England.PopulationAll RhD‐negative women in a 6‐month period.MethodsProspective, intervention, cross‐sectional observational study, using pre‐intervention data as controls.Main outcome measuresProportion of suitable women who offered and accepted the test. Accuracy of the cffDNA result as assessed by cord blood group result. Fall in anti‐D doses administered.Results529 samples were received; three were unsuitable. The results were reported as RhD‐positive (n = 278), RhD‐negative (n = 185) or inconclusive, treat as positive (n = 63). Cord blood results were available in 502 (95%) and the only incorrect result was one case of a false positive (cffDNA reported as positive, cord blood negative – and so given anti‐D unnecessarily). The notes audit showed that women who declined this service were correctly managed and that anti‐D was not given when the fetus was predicted to be RhD‐negative. The total use of anti‐D doses fell by about 29% which equated to about 35% of RhD‐negative women not receiving anti‐D in their pregnancy unnecessarily.ConclusionsWe recommend this service is extended to all UK NHS services.
Reduced CD200 and CD200R1 expression in human chorionic villi contributes to early spontaneous abortion
Authors: Wang Li‐Qin , Yan Chun‐Fang , Zhao Yue , Chu Jing , Yu Xue‐Wen 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the expression of CD200 and its receptor (CD200R) in human chorionic villi during the first trimester of normal pregnancy and early spontaneous abortion (ESA).DesignProspective study.MethodsExpression of CD200 and CD200R in the chorionic villi was determined using streptavidin‐peroxidase immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscopy and real‐time polymerase chain reaction.PopulationThirty‐five women diagnosed with ESA and 30 women experiencing a healthy pregnancy in a medical university hospital in China were enrolled in this study between 2011 and 2013.Main outcome measuresCD200 and CD200R expression.ResultsThe expression of CD200 in syncytiotrophoblast cells was significantly higher during normal pregnancy than in ESA (0.51 ± 0.05 vs. 0.35 ± 0.05). In contrast, expression of CD200 in cytotrophoblast cells and CD200R in stromal cells was significantly lower during normal pregnancy when compared with ESA (CD200: 0.16 ± 0.02 vs. 0.32 ± 0.03; CD200R: 0.19 ± 0.03 vs. 0.22 ± 0.02). In villi, the expression of both CD200 protein and CD200R transcripts were significantly higher in healthy first‐trimester pregnancy than in ESA (CD200: 156.89 ± 105.65 vs. 37.51 ± 17.62).ConclusionsThere is an increase in inhibitory properties of human chorionic villi during normal pregnancy. The mechanism underlying ESA might be associated with enhanced expression of CD200 and CD200R in the trophoblast, leading to an upregulation of the immune response during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Usefulness of the insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 bedside test for ruptured fetal membranes
Authors: Kallioniemi Hanna , Rahkonen Leena , Heikinheimo Oskari , Stefanovic Vedran , Paavonen Jorma 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated whether phosphorylated insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐1 (phIGFBP‐1) in blood or from other sources interferes with the vaginal IGFBP‐1 dipstick test in rupture of fetal membranes (ROM).DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingAntenatal Clinic, University Hospital.PopulationA total of 247 pregnant women consulting the emergency obstetric unit with self‐reported amniotic fluid leakage.MethodsVaginal samples were tested with the IGFBP‐1 dipstick test and the concentrations of different IGFBP‐1 isoforms were measured by two immunoenzymometric assays.Main outcome measureIGFBP‐1 dipstick test result in the presence or absence of blood and different phosphoisoforms of IGFBP‐1.ResultsThe dipstick test was positive in 37.2% of women and negative in 62.8% of women. Vaginal bleeding was present in 19.4%. In women with a positive test and clinical evidence of ROM, both IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 concentrations in vaginal fluid were lower in women with than in women without bleeding (p = 0.025 and p = 0.031, respectively). No difference was found in concentrations of IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 in women with a positive dipstick test without ROM, with or without vaginal bleeding. In women with a negative test the concentrations of IGFBP‐1 and phIGFBP‐1 remained below the cut‐off for the test, regardless of bleeding. IGFBP‐1 concentration did not differ by cervical status, but phIGFBP‐1 concentration was higher in women with a ripe cervix (p = 0.001).ConclusionsRapid vaginal dipstick test can be used in the detection of ROM irrespective of the presence or absence of blood. Positive tests near term indicate either ROM or leakage of less phIGFBP‐1 associated with onset of delivery.
Stimulation of invariant natural killer T cells by α‐Galactosylceramide activates the JAK‐STAT pathway in endothelial cells and reduces angiogenesis in the 5T33 multiple myeloma model
Authors: Nur Haneen , Rao Luigia , Frassanito Maria Antonia , De Raeve Hendrik , Ribatti Domenico , Mfopou Josué Kunjom , Van Valckenborgh Els , De Bruyne Elke , Vacca Angelo , Vanderkerken Karin , Menu Eline 
Published: August 2014

SummaryTumour pathogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM) correlates with a high vascular index. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis is an important therapeutic tool to reduce MM progression. This study aimed to investigate the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in angiogenesis and the mechanisms behind the stimulation by α‐Galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer). We have previously found that α‐GalCer could increase the survival of 5T33MM mice and here we demonstrate that α‐GalCer reduces the microvessel density. We performed both in vivo and in vitro angiogenic assays to confirm this observation. We found that conditioned medium of α‐GalCer stimulated iNKT cells reduced neovascularization in the chick chorioallantoic membrane and in matrigel plug assays. Moreover, we observed a reduction in proliferation, migration and network formation and an induction of apoptosis upon exposure of murine endothelial cell lines to this conditioned medium. We furthermore observed that the JAK‐STAT signaling pathway was highly activated in endothelial cells in response to stimulated iNKT cells, indicating the possible role of IFN‐γ in the anti‐angiogenic process. In conclusion, these results highlight the possibility of recruiting iNKT cells to target MM and angiogenesis. This gives a rationale for combining immunotherapy with conventional anti‐tumour treatments in view of increasing their therapeutic potential.
‘I am not poor. Poor children live in Africa’: Social identity and children's perspectives on growing up in contexts of poverty and deprivation in the Netherlands
Authors: Sarti Asia , Schalkers Inge , Dedding Christine 
Published: August 2014

This study focuses on problems children living in contexts of poverty face in daily life and how they perceive poverty. Findings are based on research with children (8–12 years) from impoverished areas in the Netherlands. Besides the problems as identified by the children, such as the poor quality of playgrounds and the lack of money for activities, we identified a striking paradox, namely the taboo on or denial of poverty versus the pervasiveness of poverty. To understand and handle this contradiction, we reflect on representation of children growing up in contexts of poverty through a social identity framework.
Correlation of Hippocampal Volume and Cognitive Performances in Patients with Either Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Peng Guo‐Ping , Feng Zhan , He Fang‐Ping , Chen Zhong‐Qin , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Liu Ping , Luo Ben‐Yan 
Published: August 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate hippocampal volume changes and neuropsychological performances in patients with either amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsThirty‐eight AD dementia, 22 aMCI patients, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Bilateral hippocampal volume was measured concurrently with mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), Boston naming test (BNT), and activities of daily living (ADL) test. Baseline and two additional follow‐up examinations were conducted.ResultsBaseline hippocampal volumes were significantly smaller in AD group than that in aMCI and control groups. MMSE, AVLT, ADL, and BNT scores for the AD group were significantly different from that of both aMCI and control groups. Baseline hippocampal volumes were positively correlated with MMSE and AVLT scores in AD and aMCI patients. At follow‐up, left hippocampal volume loss was positively correlated with decreased MMSE and AVLT scores both in AD and aMCI groups, while right hippocampal volume loss was positively associated with decreased AVLT performance only in AD group. Increased ADL and decreased BNT scores were positively associated with left hippocampal volume reduction only in the AD group.ConclusionsCurrent findings provide evidence of a close relationship between hippocampal volume and cognitive performances in patients with AD and aMCI, both at baseline and over follow‐up.
Service‐learning's impact on dental students' attitude towards community service
Authors: Coe J. M. , Best A. M. , Warren J. J. , McQuistan M. R. , Kolker J. L. , Isringhausen K. T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluated service‐learning programme's impact on senior dental students' attitude towards community service at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry. Experience gained through service‐learning in dental school may positively impact dental students' attitude towards community service that will eventually lead into providing care to the underserved.Materials and methodsTwo surveys (pre‐ and post‐test) were administered to 105 senior dental students. For the first survey (post‐test), seventy‐six students of 105 responded and reported their attitude towards community service immediately after the service‐learning programme completion. Three weeks later, 56 students of the 76 responded to the second survey (retrospective pre‐test) and reported their recalled attitude prior to the programme retrospectively.ResultsA repeated‐measure mixed‐model analysis indicated that overall there was improvement between pre‐test and post‐test. Scales of connectedness, normative helping behaviour, benefits, career benefits and intention showed a significant pre‐test and post‐test difference. An association between attitude towards community service and student characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity and volunteer activity was also examined. Only ethnicity showed an overall significant difference. White dental students appear to have a differing perception of the costs of community service.ConclusionsThe service‐learning programme at VCU School of Dentistry has positively impacted senior dental students' attitude towards community service.
Frequency matters: beta‐band subthalamic nucleus deep‐brain stimulation induces Parkinsonian‐like blink abnormalities in normal rats
Authors: Kaminer Jaime , Thakur Pratibha , Evinger Craig 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe synchronized beta‐band oscillations in the basal ganglia‐cortical networks in Parkinson's disease (PD) may be responsible for PD motor symptoms or an epiphenomenon of dopamine loss. We investigated the causal role of beta‐band activity in PD motor symptoms by testing the effects of beta‐frequency subthalamic nucleus deep‐brain stimulation (STN DBS) on the blink reflex excitability, amplitude, and plasticity in normal rats. Delivering 16 Hz STN DBS produced the same increase in blink reflex excitability and impairment in blink reflex plasticity in normal rats as occurs in rats with 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions and patients with PD. These deficits were not an artifact of STN DBS because, when these normal rats received 130 Hz STN DBS, their blink characteristics were the same as without STN DBS. To demonstrate that the blink reflex disturbances with 16 Hz STN DBS were frequency specific, we tested the same rats with 7 Hz STN DBS, a theta‐band frequency typical of dystonia. In contrast to beta stimulation, 7 Hz STN DBS exaggerated the blink reflex plasticity as occurs in focal dystonia. Thus, without destroying dopamine neurons or blocking dopamine receptors, frequency‐specific STN DBS can be used to create PD‐like or dystonic‐like symptoms in a normal rat.
Neurons in the pigeon nidopallium caudolaterale signal the selection and execution of perceptual decisions
Authors: Lengersdorf Daniel , Pusch Roland , Güntürkün Onur , Stüttgen Maik C. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSensory systems provide organisms with information on the current status of the environment, thus enabling adaptive behavior. The neural mechanisms by which sensory information is exploited for action selection are typically studied with mammalian subjects performing perceptual decision‐making tasks, and most of what is known about these mechanisms at the single‐neuron level is derived from cortical recordings in behaving monkeys. To explore the generality of neural mechanisms underlying perceptual decision making across species, we recorded single‐neuron activity in the pigeon nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), a non‐laminated associative forebrain structure thought to be functionally equivalent to mammalian prefrontal cortex, while subjects performed a visual categorisation task. We found that, whereas the majority of NCL neurons unspecifically upregulated or downregulated activity during stimulus presentation, ~20% of neurons exhibited differential activity for the sample stimuli and predicted upcoming choices. Moreover, neural activity in these neurons was ramping up during stimulus presentation and remained elevated until a choice was initiated, a response pattern similar to that found in monkey prefrontal and parietal cortices in saccadic choice tasks. In addition, many NCL neurons coded for movement direction during choice execution and differentiated between choice outcomes (reward and punishment). Taken together, our results implicate the NCL in the selection and execution of operant responses, an interpretation resonating well with the results of previous lesion studies. The resemblance of the response patterns of NCL neurons to those observed in mammalian cortex suggests that, despite differing neural architectures, mechanisms for perceptual decision making are similar across classes of vertebrates.
Restless legs syndrome is associated with cardio/cerebrovascular events and mortality in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Lin C.‐H. , Sy H.‐N. , Chang H.‐W. , Liou H.‐H. , Lin C.‐Y. , Wu V.‐C. , Wu S.‐L. , Chang C.‐C. , Chiu P.‐F. , Li W.‐Y. , Lin S.‐Y. , Wu K.‐D. , Chen Y.‐M. , Wu R.‐M. 
Published: August 2014

Background and purposeEarlier studies suggested an association between idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) and cardiovascular diseases. However, the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with secondary RLS due to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is unclear. Our aim was to examine whether ESRD patients with RLS had an increased risk of cardio/cerebrovascular events and mortality.MethodsIn all, 1093 ESRD patients were recruited between 2009 and 2010. The diagnosis and severity of RLS were assessed in a face‐to‐face interview. The occurrence of cardio/cerebrovascular events and death were confirmed by medical record review. The association between RLS and the outcomes of interest was examined using an adjusted multivariate Cox regression model.ResultsAfter a mean follow‐up period of 3.7 ± 0.8 years, ESRD patients with RLS had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular events and strokes [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02–4.11, and aHR 2.41, 95% CI 1.55–3.75, respectively] compared with patients without RLS. Increasing RLS severity was associated with an increasing likelihood of cardiovascular events [mild RLS severity, aHR 1.71 (95% CI 1.02–2.87); moderate, 2.79 (1.64–4.66); severe, 2.85 (1.99–4.46)] and strokes [mild, 1.89 (0.87–4.16); moderate, 2.42 (1.50–3.90); severe, 2.64 (1.49–4.91)] in a dose‐dependent manner. RLS also increased the risk of total mortality in patients with ESRD [aHR 1.53 (95% CI 1.07–2.18), P = 0.02]; this association attenuated slightly after stratification by individual RLS severity category [mild RLS severity, aHR 1.44 (95% CI 0.78–2.67); moderate, 1.49 (0.98–2.55); severe, 2.03 (0.93–4.45)].ConclusionsESRD patients with RLS demonstrated an increased likelihood of cardio/cerebrovascular events and mortality.
The rise of endogeneity in multilevel models: A theoretical assessment of the role of stratification
Authors: Mostafa Tarek 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper studies the role of stratification in the rise of endogeneity bias in multilevel models. The theory is illustrated using educational stratification and its implications on the estimation of multilevel education production functions. Educational stratification results from the functioning of the education market; it transforms a continuum of student characteristics into a continuum of tuition fees. These fees enter students' utility functions and determine the school they attend and its quality. In other words, student characteristics are the major determinants of school quality and the two are correlated. In this paper, I analyze how these correlations arise and what their implications are for multilevel estimation of education production functions. The major problem posed by such correlations is cross‐level endogeneity bias. The theory developed in this paper can be extended to any economic phenomenon that exhibits stratification or nesting of smaller units within larger units (employees within firms, residents within neighborhoods, etc.).
A field test of a model for the stability of androdioecy in the freshwater shrimp, Eulimnadia texana
Authors: Weeks S. C. , Benvenuto C. , Reed S. K. , Duff R. J. , Duan Z.‐H. , David P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe evolution of hermaphroditism from dioecy is a poorly studied transition. Androdioecy (the coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) has been suggested as an intermediate step in this evolutionary transition or could be a stable reproductive mode. Freshwater crustaceans in the genus Eulimnadia have reproduced via androdioecy for 24+ million years and thus are excellent organisms to test models of the stability of androdioecy. Two related models that allow for the stable maintenance of males and hermaphrodites rely on the counterbalancing of three life history parameters. We tested these models in the field over three field seasons and compared the results to previous laboratory estimates of these three parameters. Male and hermaphroditic ratios within years were not well predicted using either the simpler original model or a version of this model updated to account for differences between hermaphroditic types (‘monogenic’ and ‘amphigenic’ hermaphrodites). Using parameter estimates of the previous year to predict the next year's sex ratios revealed a much better fit to the original relative to the updated version of the model. Therefore, counter to expectations, accounting for differences between the two hermaphroditic types did not improve the fit of these models. At the moment, we lack strong evidence that the long‐term maintenance of androdioecy in these crustaceans is the result of a balancing of life history parameters; other factors, such as metapopulation dynamics or evolutionary constraints, may better explain the 24+ million year maintenance of androdioecy in clam shrimp.
Adaptive cyanogenesis clines evolve recurrently through geographical sorting of existing gene deletions
Authors: Kooyers N. J. , Olsen K. M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIdentifying the genetic basis of parallel phenotypic evolution provides insight into the process of adaptation and evolutionary constraint. White clover (Trifolium repens) has evolved climate‐associated adaptive clines in cyanogenesis (the ability to produce hydrogen cyanide upon tissue damage) in several world regions where it has been introduced. Gene‐deletion polymorphisms at the CYP79D15 and Li loci underlie the presence/absence of the cyanogenic phenotype. Both loci have undergone multiple independent gene‐deletion events, which are identifiable through molecular signatures in flanking regions. To investigate whether cyanogenesis clines in introduced populations have evolved through the sorting of standing genetic variation or de novo gene deletions, we examined cyanogenesis gene‐flanking regions in three world regions. In comparison with native Eurasian populations, we find no evidence for novel gene deletion events in any introduced region, which suggests that these adaptive clines have evolved through the geographical sorting of pre‐existing genetic variation.
Automated thresholding and analysis of microCT scanned bread dough
Authors: JENSEN S. , SAMANTA S. , CHAKRABARTI‐BELL S. , REGENAUER‐LIEB K. , SIDDIQUE K.H.M. , WANG S. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryComputer aided x‐ray microtomography is an increasingly popular method to investigate the structure of materials. Continuing improvements in the technique are resulting in increasingly larger data sets. The analysis of these data sets generally involves executing a static workflow for multiple samples and is generally performed manually by researchers. Executing these processes requires a significant time investment. A workflow which is able to automate the activities of the user would be useful. In this work, we have developed an automated workflow for the analysis of microtomography scanned bread dough data sets averaging 5 GB in size. Comparing the automated workflow with the manual workflow indicates a significant amount of the time spent (33% in the case of bread dough) on user interactions in manual method. Both workflows return similar results for porosity and pore frequency distribution. Finally, by implementing an automated workflow, users save the time which would be required to manually execute the workflow. This time can be spent on more productive tasks.