bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human‐centered designs, characteristics of urban streets, and pedestrian perceptions
Authors: Choi Jaisung , Kim Sangyoup , Min Dongchan , Lee Dongmin , Kim Sungkyu 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis paper presents the results of a study conducted to examine the characteristics of human‐centered design and pedestrians' perceptions of street design features. The main emphasis was to determine the existence of empirical evidence that human‐centered design increases pedestrian satisfaction levels and enhances community walkability. The following approach was applied in the study: (i) the existing research concerning walkable community and pedestrian facility designs was reviewed; (ii) survey data from pedestrian interviews regarding urban streets as well as the detailed geometric features of the interview sites were gathered; (iii) statistical analysis to determine whether pedestrians actually feel more satisfied when they walk in areas with human‐centered design was conducted based on actual pedestrian interview scores for various street design features; and (iv) major design features to increase pedestrian satisfaction levels were identified. The study results show that pedestrians perceived planting strips as the most important design element that would increase the satisfaction scores whereas they perceived the presence of driveways and the number of vehicle lanes as design elements that that would diminish the scores. Overall, the valuable findings of this research provide evidence of the various effects of the application of human‐centered design and improve our understanding of walkable communities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Closer Look at the Yardstick: A New Discount Rate Measure with Precision and Range
Authors: Yoon Haewon , Chapman Gretchen B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn intertemporal choice research, choice tasks (i.e., choosing between $80 today and $100 in a year) are often used to elicit a discount rate. The discount rate derived from a choice task, however, is largely restricted by the granularities and ranges of the questions asked. We examined this restriction in three popular discount rate measurements using simulations and experiments, and we propose an alternative procedure (Three‐option Adaptive Discount rate measure (ToAD)), which is capable of measuring a wide range of discount rates (from approximately .035% to 350 000% annual percentage rate) with high precision using 10 questions, in under a minute. ToAD can be easily implemented in online surveys (i.e., Qualtrics). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preventable spina bifida and anencephaly in Europe
Authors: Obeid Rima , Pietrzik Klaus , Oakley Godfrey P. , Kancherla Vijaya , Holzgreve Wolfgang , Wieser Simon 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDPromotion of voluntary folic acid supplement use among women of reproductive age has been proven to be ineffective in lowering the risk of neural tube defects in Europe.METHODSUsing surveillance data from all births covered by the full member countries of the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT), we estimated the total prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly per 10,000 births between 2000 and 2010. We also estimated additional lifetime direct medical costs among individuals with spina bifida, compared with those without, in Germany for the year 2009.RESULTSDuring the study period, there were 7478 documented cases of spina bifida and anencephaly among the 9,161,189 births, with an estimated average combined prevalence of 8.16 per 10,000 births (95% confidence interval, 7.98 – 8.35). For the 241 spina bifida‐affected live births in 2009 in Germany, the estimated additional lifetime direct medical costs compared with non‐spina bifida affected births were €65.5 million. Assuming a 50% reduction in the prevalence if folic acid has been provided to all women before pregnancy, 293 spina bifida cases could have been prevented in Germany in 2009. The estimated lifetime direct medical cost saving for the live births in 2009 was €32.9 million assuming a 50% reduction, or €26.1 million assuming a 40% risk reduction.CONCLUSIONEurope has an epidemic of spina bifida and anencephaly compared with countries with mandatory folic acid fortification policy. Primary prevention through mandatory folic acid fortification would considerably reduce the number of affected pregnancies, and associated additional costs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:763–771, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensory neuron differentiation potential of in utero mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta
Authors: Ma Wei , Wei Xiaowei , Gu Hui , Li Hui , Guan Kaoping , Liu Dan , Chen Lizhu , Cao Songying , An Dong , Zhang Henan , Huang Tianchu , Miao Jianing , Zhao Guifeng , Wu Di , Liu Bo , Wang Weilin , Yuan Zhengwei 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDIn previous studies, we found that the deficiency of sensory and motor neurons was a primary defect associated with the spinal malformation. Upon prenatal treatment of spina bifida through in utero stem cell transplantation in a retinoic acid‐induced spina bifida rat model, we found that the mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) survived, migrated, and differentiated into cells of a neural lineage. In the present study, we investigated whether the transplanted MSCs had the potential to differentiate into sensory neurons or to protect sensory neurons in the defective spinal cord.METHODSPregnant rats treated with retinoic acid on embryonic day (E) 10, underwent fetal surgery for MSC transplantation on E16. The fetuses were harvested on E20. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of Brn3a protein in the transplanted MSCs and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in the defective spinal cords. The expression of the transcription factors Brn3a and Runx1 in spinal cords was analyzed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSSome of the transplanted MSCs expressed sensory neuron cell specific phenotypes. The expression of Brn3a and Runx1 was upregulated in the defective spinal cords when compared to controls. The percentage of Brn3a‐positive neurons in DRG was also increased after transplantation.CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that the transplantation of MSCs into the spinal cord could promote the transplanted MSCs and the surrounding cells to differentiate toward a sensory neuron cell fate and to play an important role in protecting sensory neurons in DRG. This approach might be of value in the treatment of sensory neuron deficiency in spina bifida aperta. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:772–779, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Register based study of anorectal anomalies over 26 years: Associated anomalies, prevalence, and trends
Authors: Godse Alok S. , Best Kate E. , Lawson Anne , Rosby Lucy , Rankin Judith 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDAnorectal anomalies are atresias or stenoses of the anal canal and rectum with or without fistulous connections with the bladder, urethra, perineum, or vestibule. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of anorectal anomalies, including associated anomalies, prevalence, and temporal trends.METHODSAnorectal anomalies occurring in late miscarriages (>20 gestation weeks), terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (any gestation), stillbirths (≥24 gestation weeks) and live births, delivered from 1985 to 2010, notified to the Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey (NorCAS) were included in this population‐based case series.RESULTSThere were 278 cases among 892,194 live births. Twenty (7.2%) cases occurred in twin pregnancies and 24 (8.7%) with chromosomal anomalies/genetic syndromes were excluded. There were 234 cases (total prevalence = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4, 3.1 per 10,000 live and stillbirths). There was no evidence of a trend in prevalence over time (Chi2 test for trend: p = 0.789). There was a male predominance (70.9%). Of the 234 cases, 167 (71.4%) were live born, two (0.9%) were late miscarriages, seven (3.0%) were stillbirths, and 58 (24.8%) were terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. There was no significant association with maternal age at delivery (p = 0.095). 7.2% of isolated cases (cases with no other congenital anomalies) were diagnosed prenatally.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of anorectal anomalies in this study is comparable to other case series. There was no evidence of a temporal increase in prevalence. We confirmed a male predominance of anorectal anomalies and no significant association with maternal age. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:597–602, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer for investigation of the interaction of Para Red with serum albumins
Authors: Zhu Lin , Zeng Xiaodan , Zhang Fusheng 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPara Red (PR) has been isolated from food additives, and shown to be toxic to humans. To facilitate examination of its toxicity, the interaction between PR and serum albumins (SA) was studied using fluorescence quenching and circular dichroism (CD) spectrophotometry. The experiments showed that the fluorescence intensity of serum albumins decreased with increasing concentrations of PR, which resulted from the binding of PR and SA. The binding constant, number of binding sites and thermodynamic parameters were calculated and hydrogen bond and van der Waals interactions were shown to play a key role in the binding process. Competition experiments indicated that PR mainly binds to Trp residues of SA within the site I. As the CD and three‐dimensional spectra revealed, the addition of PR induced a conformational change in SA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleation temperature‐controlled synthesis and in vitro toxicity evaluation of l‐cysteine‐capped Mn:ZnS quantum dots for intracellular imaging
Authors: Pandey Vivek , Pandey Gajanan , Tripathi Vinay Kumar , Yadav Sapna , Mudiam Mohana Krishna Reddy 
Published: July 2015

AbstractQuantum dots (QDs), one of the fastest developing and most exciting fluorescent materials, have attracted increasing interest in bioimaging and biomedical applications. The long‐term stability and emission in the visible region of QDs have proved their applicability as a significant fluorophore in cell labelling. In this study, an attempt has been made to explore the efficacy of l‐cysteine as a capping agent for Mn‐doped ZnS QD for intracellular imaging. A room temperature nucleation strategy was adopted to prepare non‐toxic, water‐dispersible and biocompatible Mn:ZnS QDs. Aqueous and room temperature QDs with l‐cysteine as a capping agent were found to be non‐toxic even at a concentration of 1500 µg/mL and have wide applications in intracellular imaging. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized clinical trial of prevention of seroma formation after mastectomy by local methylprednisolone injection
Authors: Qvamme G , Axelsson C K , Lanng C , Mortensen M , Wegeberg B , Okholm M , Arpi M R , Szecsi P B 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundSeroma formation, the most prevalent postoperative complication after mastectomy, is an inflammatory process that is potentially preventable via local steroid administration. This study investigated the effect of local steroid administration on seroma formation.MethodsThis was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled intervention study of a single dose of 80 mg methylprednisolone versus saline on seroma formation after mastectomy. Patients were further classified according to the surgical axillary procedure: mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (M + SLNB) or mastectomy with level I–II axillary lymph node dissection (M + ALND). Treatments were administered into the wound cavity via the drain orifice following removal of the drain on the first day after surgery. The primary endpoint was seroma formation; secondary endpoints included the frequency of side-effects and complications.ResultsA total of 212 women scheduled for mastectomy for primary breast cancer were included. After M + SLNB, 32 (46 per cent) of 69 women developed a seroma in the methylprednisolone group, compared with 52 (78 per cent) of 67 in the saline group (P &lt; 0·001). The mean cumulative seroma volume in the intention-to-treat population for the first 10 and 30 days was significantly lower in the methylprednisolone group (24 ml versus 127 ml in the saline group, and 177 versus 328 ml respectively) (P &lt; 0·001). After M + ALND, similar proportions of patients developed a seroma in the methylprednisolone (35 of 37, 95 per cent) and saline (34 of 36, 94 per cent) groups, and methylprednisolone administration had no significant effect on seroma formation. No differences in infection rate were observed.ConclusionMethylprednisolone administered into the wound cavity on the first day after M + SLNB exerted a highly significant preventive effect against seroma formation during the next 30 days. This effect was not seen in the M + ALND group. Future studies may clarify whether higher or repeated methylprednisolone doses increase the efficacy.
A national comparison of biochemistry and molecular biology capstone experiences
Authors: Aguanno Ann , Mertz Pamela , Martin Debra , Bell Ellis 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRecognizing the increasingly integrative nature of the molecular life sciences, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recommends that Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) programs develop curricula based on concepts, content, topics, and expected student outcomes, rather than courses. To that end, ASBMB conducted a series of regional workshops to build a BMB Concept Inventory containing validated assessment tools, based on foundational and discipline‐specific knowledge and essential skills, for the community to use. A culminating activity, which integrates the educational experience, is often part of undergraduate molecular life science programs. These “capstone” experiences are commonly defined as an attempt to measure student ability to synthesize and integrate acquired knowledge. However, the format, implementation, and approach to outcome assessment of these experiences are quite varied across the nation. Here we report the results of a nation‐wide survey on BMB capstone experiences and discuss this in the context of published reports about capstones and the findings of the workshops driving the development of the BMB Concept Inventory. Both the survey results and the published reports reveal that, although capstone practices do vary, certain formats for the experience are used more frequently and similarities in learning objectives were identified. The use of rubrics to measure student learning is also regularly reported, but details about these assessment instruments are sparse in the literature and were not a focus of our survey. Finally, we outline commonalities in the current practice of capstones and suggest the next steps needed to elucidate best practices. © 2015 by the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43(4):223–232, 2015.
Metabolites identification of Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan in rat urine by UPLC coupled with electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Fenrong , Wu Yun , Ai Yu , Bian Qiaoxia , Ma Wen , Lee David Y.‐W. , Dai Ronghua 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHuo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD), a Chinese herbal formula, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the in vivo integrated metabolism of its multiple components remains unknown. In this paper, an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) method was developed for detection and identification of HLXLD metabolites in rat urine at high and normal clinical dosages. The prototype constituents and their metabolites in urine were analyzed. The mass measurements were accurate within 8 ppm, and subsequent fragment ions offered higher quality structural information for interpretation of the fragmentation pathways of various compounds. A total of 85 compounds were detected in high dosages urine samples by a highly sensitive extracted ion chromatograms method, including 31 parent compounds and 54 metabolites. Our results indicated that phase 2 reactions (e.g. glucuronidation, glutathionidation and sulfation) were the main metabolic pathways of lactones, alkaloids and flavones, while phase I reactions (e.g. hydrogenation and hydroxylation) were the major metabolic reaction for coumarins, paeoniflorin and iridoids. This investigation provided important structural information on the metabolism of HLXLD and provided scientific evidence to obtain a more comprehensive metabolic profile. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression and anxiety in patients with and without same‐sex attraction: differences in clinical expression, lifestyle factors, and vulnerability indicators
Authors: Bos Henny M. W. , Boschloo Lynn , Schoevers Robert A. , Sandfort Theo G. M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare clinical expressions (severity and loneliness), lifestyle factors (substance use), and vulnerability indicators (stressful childhood experiences) in patients with any same‐sex attraction versus heterosexual patients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorder. Little is known about this, even though it is now well documented that depression and anxiety are more prevalent among persons with same‐sex attraction.MethodData, derived from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), allowed us to compare patients with a same‐sex (n = 122) and an exclusively opposite‐sex (n = 1658) attraction. Persons with same‐sex attraction included persons who were attracted to both sexes. Data were collected by means of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and paper‐and pencil questionnaires.ResultsSeven percent of the patients reported any same‐sex orientation. Clinical expression of depression and anxiety did not differ in relation to sexual attraction. Regarding substance use, same‐sex attracted women reported more drug use than heterosexual women (drug use: 16.2% vs. 6.6%, P = 0.003). Regarding stressful childhood experiences, men with any same‐sex attraction reported more sexual abuse during childhood than men with a heterosexual orientation (20.4% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.005).ConclusionsFor women with same‐sex attraction substance use (especially illicit drug use) might be a coping mechanism to deal with existing symptoms or with the minority stressors they have to deal with; for same‐sex attracted men stressful childhood experiences might reflect an aspect of etiology.
Spasticity in multiple sclerosis and role of glatiramer acetate treatment
Authors: Meca‐Lallana Jose Eustasio , Hernández‐Clares Rocío , Carreón‐Guarnizo Ester 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIntroductionSpasticity is one of the most disabling and difficult‐to‐treat symptoms shown by patients with multiple sclerosis, who often show a suboptimal and unsatisfactory response to classic treatment and new available nonpharmacological alternatives. Due to the progressive nature of this condition, the early management should be essential to improve long‐term outcomes.MethodsWe performed a narrative literature review of the contribution of spasticity to the burden of multiple sclerosis and the potential role of classic disease‐modifying drugs.ResultsAdded to the underlying pathophysiology of spasticity, certain external factors and drugs such as interferon may exacerbate the existing condition, hence their awareness is crucial as part of an effective management of spasticity. Furthermore, the evidence for the effectiveness of glatiramer acetate in preventing spasticity in naïve patients and in those switching from interferon should not be ignored.ConclusionsThis literature review proposes the examination of spasticity and the influence of classic disease‐modifying agents on the level of existing condition among the variables to be considered when deciding on therapy for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.
Global loss of a nuclear lamina component, lamin A/C, and LINC complex components SUN1, SUN2, and nesprin‐2 in breast cancer
Authors: Matsumoto Ayaka , Hieda Miki , Yokoyama Yuhki , Nishioka Yu , Yoshidome Katsuhide , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Matsuura Nariaki 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCancer cells exhibit a variety of features indicative of atypical nuclei. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain to be elucidated. The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, a nuclear envelope protein complex consisting mainly of the SUN and nesprin proteins, connects nuclear lamina and cytoskeletal filaments and helps to regulate the size and shape of the nucleus. Using immunohistology, we found that a nuclear lamina component, lamin A/C and all of the investigated LINC complex components, SUN1, SUN2, and nesprin‐2, were downregulated in human breast cancer tissues. In the majority of cases, we observed lower expression levels of these analytes in samples' cancerous regions as compared to their cancer‐associated noncancerous regions (in cancerous regions, percentage of tissue samples exhibiting low protein expression: lamin A/C, 85% [n = 73]; SUN1, 88% [n = 43]; SUN2, 74% [n = 43]; and nesprin‐2, 79% [n = 53]). Statistical analysis showed that the frequencies of recurrence and HER2 expression were negatively correlated with lamin A/C expression (P < 0.05), and intrinsic subtype and ki‐67 level were associated with nesprin‐2 expression (P < 0.05). In addition, combinatorial analysis using the above four parameters showed that all patients exhibited reduced expression of at least one of four components despite the tumor's pathological classification. Furthermore, several cultured breast cancer cell lines expressed less SUN1, SUN2, nesprin‐2 mRNA, and lamin A/C compared to noncancerous mammary gland cells. Together, these results suggest that the strongly reduced expression of LINC complex and nuclear lamina components may play fundamental pathological functions in breast cancer progression.
The Relationship over Time between International Adoption and Institutional Care in Romania and Lithuania
Authors: Chou Shihning , Browne Kevin D. 
Published: July 2015

International adoption is seen by some as a solution to the large number of children in institutional care. However, our previous findings did not support the notion that international adoption contributes to the deinstitutionalisation of children (Browne and Chou, ; Chou and Browne, ). As our previous study was cross‐sectional, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship over time in a country that has banned international adoptions (Romania) and a country that has continued the practice (Lithuania). The numbers of children in care and the numbers of adoptions were obtained from government websites and by contacting government departments. A positive correlation was found between institutional care and international adoption in Romania between 1997 and 2012. The findings for Romania indicated that stopping international adoption was not accompanied by an increase in the number of children in institutional care. A reduction in institutional care in Romania only occurred after the ban on international adoption. However, no correlation was found for Lithuania as both practices remained constant between 2000 and 2012. The findings for Lithuania showed that continued international adoption was not accompanied by a reduction in institutional care. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘To investigate the relationship over time in a country that has banned international adoptions… and a country that has continued the practice’Key Practitioner Messages

The notion of international adoption being a viable way to reduce the extent of institutional care is not supported by evidence.
The differences in the levels of national income and birth rates cannot always explain the differences in the development of children's services between countries.