bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver cancer in Malaysia: Epidemiology and clinical presentation in a multiracial Asian population
Authors: Goh Khean‐Lee , Razlan Hamizah , Hartono Juanda Leo , Qua Choon‐Seng , Yoong Boon‐Koon , Koh Peng‐Soon , Abdullah Basri Johan Jeet 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cancer in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and clinical presentations of patients in a multiracial population consisting of three major Asian races: Malays, Chinese and Indians.MethodsConsecutive patients with HCC were prospectively studied from 2006 to 2009. HCC was diagnosed principally on multiphasic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the liver. The tumor was staged according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification.ResultsAltogether, 348 patients were diagnosed with HCC. There were 239 (68.7%) Chinese patients, 71 (20.4%) Malays and 38 (10.9%) Indians, with the median age of 62.5 years and the male to female ratio of 3.4:1. The predominant etiology in Malay and Chinese patients was hepatitis B virus infection (>60%) and in Indian patients was alcohol intake (26.3%) and cryptogenic cause (29.0%). Hepatitis C was seen in 18.3% of Malays, but less than 10% in Chinese and Indians. BCLC staging was: Stage A, 120 (34.5%); Stage B, 75 (21.6%); Stage C, 84 (24.1%); and Stage D, 69 (19.8%). A larger proportion of Indian than Chinese and Malays patients (44.7%) presented with stage D disease. Portal vein invasion was noted in 124 patients (35.6%) and extrahepatic metastases in 68 (19.5%). Surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation with curative intent was carried out in >90% of stage A patients and transarterial chemoembolization in 49.3% and 21.4% of stages B and C patients, respectively.ConclusionsHCC is most common among Chinese, followed by Malays and Indians in Malaysia. The etiology of HCC shows a peculiar racial pattern.
Alcohol‐Induced Changes in Opioid Peptide Levels in Adolescent Rats Are Dependent on Housing Conditions
Authors: Palm Sara , Nylander Ingrid 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundEndogenous opioids are implicated in the mechanism of action of alcohol and alcohol affects opioids in a number of brain areas, although little is known about alcohol's effects on opioids in the adolescent brain. One concern, in particular when studying young animals, is that alcohol intake models often are based on single housing that may result in alcohol effects confounded by the lack of social interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate short‐ and long‐term alcohol effects on opioids and the influence of housing conditions on these effects.MethodsIn the first part, opioid peptide levels were measured after one 24‐hour session of single housing and 2‐hour voluntary alcohol intake in adolescent and adult rats. In the second part, a model with a cage divider inserted during 2‐hour drinking sessions was tested and the effects on opioids were examined after 6 weeks of adolescent voluntary intake in single‐and pair‐housed rats, respectively.ResultsThe effects of single housing were age specific and affected Met‐enkephalin‐Arg6Phe7 (MEAP) in particular. In adolescent rats, it was difficult to distinguish between effects induced by alcohol and single housing, whereas alcohol‐specific effects were seen in dynorphin B (DYNB), beta‐endorphin (BEND), and MEAP levels in adults. Voluntary drinking affected several brain areas and the majority of alcohol‐induced effects were not dependent on housing. However, alcohol effects on DYNB and BEND in the amygdala were dependent on housing. Housing alone affected MEAP in the cingulate cortex.ConclusionsAge‐specific housing‐ and alcohol‐induced effects on opioids were found. In addition, prolonged voluntary alcohol intake under different housing conditions produced several alcohol‐induced effects independent of housing. However, housing‐dependent effects were found in areas implicated in stress, emotionality, and alcohol use disorder. Housing condition and age may therefore affect the reasons and underlying mechanisms for drinking and could potentially affect the outcome of a number of end points in research on alcohol intake.
Comparison of whole‐genome (13X) and capture (87X) resequencing methods for SNP and genotype callings
Authors: Roux P. F. , Marthey S. , Djari A. , Moroldo M. , Esquerré D. , Estellé J. , Klopp C. , Lagarrigue S. , Demeure O. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe number of polymorphisms identified with next‐generation sequencing approaches depends directly on the sequencing depth and therefore on the experimental cost. Although higher levels of depth ensure more sensitive and more specific SNP calls, economic constraints limit the increase of depth for whole‐genome resequencing (WGS). For this reason, capture resequencing is used for studies focusing on only some specific regions of the genome. However, several biases in capture resequencing are known to have a negative impact on the sensitivity of SNP detection. Within this framework, the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of WGS and capture resequencing on SNP detection and genotype calling, which differ in terms of both sequencing depth and biases. Indeed, we have evaluated the SNP calling and genotyping accuracy in a WGS dataset (13X) and in a capture resequencing dataset (87X) performed on 11 individuals. The percentage of SNPs not identified due to a sevenfold sequencing depth decrease was estimated at 7.8% using a down‐sampling procedure on the capture sequencing dataset. A comparison of the 87X capture sequencing dataset with the WGS dataset revealed that capture‐related biases were leading with the loss of 5.2% of SNPs detected with WGS. Nevertheless, when considering the SNPs detected by both approaches, capture sequencing appears to achieve far better SNP genotyping, with about 4.4% of the WGS genotypes that can be considered as erroneous and even 10% focusing on heterozygous genotypes. In conclusion, WGS and capture deep sequencing can be considered equivalent strategies for SNP detection, as the rate of SNPs not identified because of a low sequencing depth in the former is quite similar to SNPs missed because of method biases of the latter. On the other hand, capture deep sequencing clearly appears more adapted for studies requiring great accuracy in genotyping.
Pepsin and bile acids in saliva in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux – a prospective comparative study
Authors: Sereg‐Bahar M. , Jerin A. , Jansa R. , Stabuc B. , Hocevar‐Boltezar I. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectivesLaryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and biliary duodenogastric reflux can cause damage to the laryngeal mucosa and voice disorders. The aim of this study was to find out whether levels of pepsin and bile acids in the saliva can serve as diagnostic markers of LPR.SettingA prospective comparative study.ParticipantsTwenty‐eight patients with LPR proven via high‐resolution manometry and combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and 24‐h pH monitoring and 48 healthy controls without symptoms of LPR were included in the study.Main outcome measuresIn the patients with LPR symptoms, oesophagogastroscopy with oesophageal biopsy was performed. The levels of total pepsin, active pepsin, bile acids and the pH of the saliva were determined in all participants and compared between the groups. Reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) were also obtained and compared. The groups differed significantly in RSI (P = 0.00), RFS (P = 0.00), the levels of bile acids (P = 0.005) and total pepsin in saliva (P = 0.023). The levels of total pepsin and bile acids were about three times higher in the patients with LPR than in the healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between the RSI and RFS score and the level of total pepsin and bile acids in the saliva. Histopathological examination of the oesophageal biopsy taken 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter confirmed reflux in almost 93% of patients with symptoms.ConclusionsThe study results show that the levels of total pepsin and bile acids in saliva are significantly higher in patients with LPR than in the controls, thus suggesting this as a useful tool in the diagnosis of LPR and particularly biliary LPR.
Two Concepts of Causation: Implications for Poverty
Authors: Shaffer Paul 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis article seeks to bring to the attention of a readership in development studies a distinction in the literature on causation, and to show how it matters for poverty. The distinction is between ‘difference‐making’ and ‘production’ as a depiction of the causal relationship. It is argued that the ‘difference‐making/production’ distinction lies at the root of applied debates about how to assess the impact of development programmes, how to understand the causation of poverty and how to conceive of duties to eliminate or reduce poverty. Understanding such foundational differences is important in order to expose error in applied debates, to clarify the reasons for actual methodological choice, to explain conflicting research results and to shed light on the reasons for differing policy prescriptions.
Interrogating the Limits of Welfare Reforms in Singapore
Authors: Teo Youyenn 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTAs population demographics change and economic crises spread and deepen, welfare reform has become an urgent problem in many developed countries. As elsewhere in East Asia, the state in Singapore has in recent years stepped up its efforts to deal with issues of healthcare, education, support for care, retirement and even unemployment. Much of this has been in response to demographic shifts, economic trends and, importantly, political pressures. This article evaluates the possibilities and limits of recent reforms. It looks at some promising aspects of reform, such as increases in spending in certain areas, before examining the limitations of the reforms. These include the fact that most resources have been directed toward supporting businesses, while increases in direct spending on citizens have been limited and conditional rather than universal; furthermore, little or no attention has been paid to the issue of women's underemployment. These features suggest constraints within the logic and principles of welfare, which continue to define citizens as having limited rights and entitlements, and citizenship as entailing regular employment and heavy obligations toward the family. The analysis of reforms sheds light on how the appearance of expansion can mask continuing limitations. The case of Singapore illustrates the importance of looking not just at expenditure but also at the principles and logics in which welfare reforms are embedded, in a variety of national contexts.
Bringing Workers’ Rights Back In? Propositions towards a Labour–Trade Linkage for the Global South
Authors: Pahle Simon 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe idea of forging a linkage between global trade and labour standards has a long history and has been the subject of fierce debate. In a global political economy that incites ‘competition for jobs’, the idea cannot escape controversy. Crucially, it has failed to win significant support from trade unionists in the global South. Drawing on viewpoints voiced by workers’ rights activists in South Africa and Brazil, this article presents four propositions on the features and functions that a labour–trade linkage would have to possess if it is to serve workers’ interests, and explores whether and how these may be accommodated by the ILO and WTO regimes. It is argued that a linkage requiring a new single WTO undertaking is out of the question; a linkage would only make sense if it superimposes ILO rule onto the WTO, not the opposite; a linkage should be premised on positive trade measures; and, finally, it should serve the interests of presently unprotected and unorganized workers. Overall, the main challenge of such a linkage would be to achieve the necessary reform within the ILO.
A predictive model for alternative admission to dental education
Authors: Christersson C. , Bengmark D. , Bengtsson H. , Lindh C. , Rohlin M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTo compare academic progress and performance of students admitted through two admission systems and to analyse the predictive power of different components in an alternative admission.Sample and MethodsThe subjects were students admitted to the dental programme at Malmö University, Sweden. The grade admission group was admitted on grades from secondary school (n = 126) and the alternative admission group via an alternative admission procedure (n = 157). The alternative admission procedure consisted of the following components: problem‐solving matrices, spatial capacity tested with folding and tin models, manual dexterity, capacity for empathy and interview. Comparisons were made for academic progress (dropouts from the programme and study rate) and academic performance (examinations failed and outcomes of a comprehensive clinical examination). Spearman correlation was calculated for each component of the alternative admission procedure and academic progress as well as academic performance. Multivariate analyses were also carried out.ResultsCompared to the grade admission group, the alternative admission group presented lower rate of dropsouts (3% vs. 20%, P < 0.001) and a larger proportion graduated within the expected time (88% vs. 60%, P < 0.01). There was no difference between the groups concerning academic performance. Capacity of empathy was correlated with study rate and outcomes of the clinical examination. The matrices predicted low proportion failed examinations and high students' self‐assessments in the clinical examination. Predictive power of folding was limited and so was that of the interview. Manual dexterity was not correlated with academic progress or performance.ConclusionsResults support further development of admission selection criteria, particularly emphatic capacity that predicts important student academic achievements.
The Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Naegeli April N. , Flood Emuella , Tucker Jennifer , Devlen Jennifer , Edson‐Heredia Emily 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPlaque psoriasis (PP) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are autoinflammatory chronic conditions associated with skin involvement. Pruritus, or itching, is a prevalent and bothersome symptom in patients with PP and is associated with reduced health‐related quality of life. The Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI‐NRS) has been developed as a simple, single item with which to assess the patient‐reported severity of this symptom at its most intense during the previous 24‐hour period. Qualitative research was undertaken to assess the content validity of the WI‐NRS. Patients with moderate to severe PP and patients with PsA were recruited from clinical sites in the USA. The qualitative research entailed two‐part interviews, which began with concept elicitation to gain understanding of patients’ experiences of itching, followed by cognitive debriefing of the WI‐NRS to assess the instrument's understandability, clarity, and degree of appropriateness from the patient's perspective. Twelve patients with PP and 22 with PsA participated in the study. Patients reported that itching was an important and relevant symptom of their psoriatic disease. The WI‐NRS was reported to be complete and easy to understand; the recall period was considered appropriate, the response scale was familiar, and, overall, the instrument was found to be appropriate for assessing itching severity. Patient responses support the content validity of the WI‐NRS. The psychometric properties of the tool will be evaluated in future studies.
Using Public Participation Geographic Information Systems to Identify Places of Watershed Service Provisioning
Authors: Cox Cody , Morse Wayde , Anderson Christopher , Marzen Luke 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this study, we used public participation geographic information systems methods to collect spatial data identifying places that stakeholders in Mobile Bay, Alabama think are important providers of watershed services. These methods allowed us to spatially analyze participatory data from general public respondents and directly compare them with other scientific data in a geographic information systems database. This study identified which places in the region participants believe are important providers of specific watershed services, including fish nurseries, storm protection, flood protection, and water quality protection, which would likely have public support for conservation. Additionally, we assessed the accuracy of participant watershed service identification using land cover data to identify inconsistencies and participant knowledge gaps. This information can be used to target outreach education efforts. We found that the accuracy with which participants correctly identified places with the necessary land cover to provide each service varied considerably. We believe this to be a useful tool for managers to elicit stakeholder input and to identify knowledge gaps regarding the provisioning of watershed services.
Finger and toenail onycholysis
Authors: Zaias N. , Escovar S.X. , Zaiac M.N. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOnycholysis – the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed occurs in fingers and toenails. It is diagnosed by the whitish appearance of the separated nail plate from the nail bed. In fingers, the majority is caused by trauma, manicuring, occupational or self‐induced behavior. The most common disease producing fingernail onycholysis is psoriasis and pustular psoriasis. Phototoxic dermatitis, due to drugs can also produce finger onycholysis. Once the separation occurs, the environmental flora sets up temporary colonization in the available space. Finger onycholysis is most common in women. Candida albicans is often recovered from the onycholytic space. Many reports, want to associate the yeast as cause and effect, but the data are lacking and the treatment of the candida does not improve finger onycholysis. A reasonable explanation for the frequent isolation of Candida and Pseudomonas in fingernail onycholysis in women, is the close proximity the fingers have to the vaginal and gastrointestinal tract. Fifty per cent of humans harbour C. albicans in the GI tract and it is frequently carried to the vagina during hygienic practices. Finger onycholysis is best treated by drying the nail ‘lytic’ area with a hair blower, since all colonizing biota are moisture loving and perish in a dry environment. Toenail onycholysis has a very different etiology. It is mechanical, the result of pressure on the toes from the closed shoes, while walking, because of the ubiquitous uneven flat feet producing an asymmetric gait with more pressure on the foot with the flatter sole.
Inducible Mixotrophy in the Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractProrocentrum minimum is a neritic dinoflagellate that forms seasonal blooms and red tides in estuarine ecosystems. While known to be mixotrophic, previous attempts to document feeding on algal prey have yielded low grazing rates. In this study, growth and ingestion rates of P. minimum were measured as a function of nitrogen (‐N) and phosphorous (‐P) starvation. A P. minimum isolate from Chesapeake Bay was found to ingest cryptophyte prey when in stationary phase and when starved of N or P. Prorocentrum minimum ingested two strains of Teleaulax amphioxeia at higher rates than six other cryptophyte species. In all cases ‐P treatments resulted in the highest grazing. Ingestion rates of ‐P cells on T. amphioxeia saturated at ~5 prey per predator per day, while ingestion by ‐N cells saturated at 1 prey per predator per day. In the presence of prey, ‐P treated cells reached a maximum mixotrophic growth rate (μmax) of 0.5 d−1, while ‐N cells had a μmax of 0.18 d−1. Calculations of ingested C, N, and P due to feeding on T. amphioxeia revealed that phagotrophy can be an important source of all three elements. While P. minimum is a proficient phototroph, inducible phagotrophy is an important nutritional source for this dinoflagellate.
Low birthrates and high levels of female reproductive inactivity may characterize the reproductive biology of wild Peruvian red uakaris (Cacajao calvus ucayalii)
Authors: Mayor Pedro , Bowler Mark 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundBirthrates are key parameters for population models and hunting sustainability analyses frequently used in conservation, but for many rare species, these data do not exist. We examine the reproductive organs of endangered red uakari monkeys to calculate birthrates in the wild.MethodsWe collected reproductive organs from wild uakari monkeys hunted for subsistence by indigenous hunters and examined them for embryos or fetuses. We extrapolated birth dates to test for breeding seasonality and calculated birthrates.ResultsBreeding was seasonal, and birthrates were low relative to other neotropical primates. We recorded unexpectedly high numbers of reproductively inactive females compared to other neotropical monkeys.ConclusionsReproductive inactivity could be due to delayed reproduction or long periods of lactation. Resource availability may also play a role. Slow reproduction and low birthrates in uakaris, relative other primates, could explain why uakaris have a patchy distribution and appear vulnerable to disturbance.
Association study between CYP17 gene polymorphism and endometriosis risk: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Hong‐Yan , Pang Li‐Hong , Yang Dong‐Mei , Li Ming‐Qing , Shi Ling 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe cytochrome P450 subfamily 17 (CYP17) gene T > C polymorphism is associated with endometriosis risk. However, studies on the association between the genotyping of MspA1 polymorphism in the 5′‐untranslated region of the CYP17 gene and endometriosis risk have reported controversial results. The aim of the present study was to obtain a more precise estimate of the relationship of CYP17 gene polymorphism with endometriosis risk. Relevant articles published up to April 2014 were obtained from Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Central electronic databases. Case–control studies about the association between CYP17 gene polymorphisms and endometriosis were selected. Eligible data were extracted by two independent reviewers. The strength of the association between CYP17 and endometriosis was assessed by pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eligible case–control studies involving 1000 cases and 1167 controls were analyzed from 280 studies. The pooled results showed no association between the CYP17 gene T > C polymorphism and endometriosis risk in the overall population (CC vs TT: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.52–1.61, P = 0.762; TC vs TT: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.72–1.42, P = 0.949; dominant model: OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.64–1.39, P = 0.763; recessive model: OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.64–1.35, P = 0.712). In the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, no significant association was found in Asians, Caucasians and mixed population under a recessive model (Asians: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.53–1.07, P = 0.118; Caucasians: OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 0.45–13.66, P = 0.300; mixed population: OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.65–3.02, P = 0.712). In conclusion, the meta‐analysis suggested that the CYP17 gene polymorphism was not associated with endometriosis risk. Considering the limited sample size and ethnicity included in our meta‐analysis, an updated meta‐analysis needs to be conducted when larger and more well‐designed studies are published.