bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying Children with Intellectual Disabilities in the Tribal Population of Barwani District in State of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Lakhan Ram , Mawson Anthony R. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundLow‐and middle‐income countries (LAMI) lack an integrated and systematic approach to identify people with intellectual disabilities. Screening surveys are considered resource‐intensive; therefore, alternative approaches are needed. This study attempted to identify children up to age 18 years with intellectual disabilities through a mixed‐method approach involving focus group interviews (FGIs) and door‐to‐door surveys.Materials and MethodsFocus groups were conducted with the assistance and involvement of local leaders in four villages of Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh with a 99% tribal population in all four villages. A formal survey of the community was then conducted to determine the prevalence of intellectual disabilities based on a standardized screening instrument (NIMH‐DDS).ResultsThirty focus group interviews were conducted involving 387 participants (males 284, females 103) over a period of 13 days. The entire adult population (N = 8797) was then surveyed for intellectual disabilities using a standardized screening instrument. The data revealed a close similarity in the prevalence rates of intellectual disabilities, as determined by the two approaches (Focus Group Interviews, 5.22/1000 versus Survey, 5.57/1000).ConclusionA qualitative method using FGIs successfully identified people with intellectual disabilities in an economically deprived tribal area, showing that a community‐based approach provides a close estimate of intellectual disabilities based on a formal survey using standard diagnostic criteria. These data suggest that FGI, along with other qualitative data, could be helpful in designing and in serving as an entree for community‐based interventions.
CEO's Operating Ability and the Association between Accruals and Future Cash Flows
Authors: Choi Wooseok , Han Sam , Jung Sung Hwan , Kang Tony 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study investigates whether an individual CEO's operating ability, operationalized as the extent to which an individual CEO utilizes the company's assets efficiently to generate profits, explains the association between accruals and future cash flows. While this mapping can be driven by both the quality of accounting measurement and CEO operating ability, there is little empirical evidence on the latter link. After controlling for the CEO's accounting estimation ability, we find that the association between current period accruals and future cash flows is stronger when the CEO demonstrates superior operating ability. This suggests that a CEO's operating ability is an important determinant of the informativeness of current accruals for future cash flows.
The biodiversity and genetic structure of Balearic sheep breeds
Authors: Pons A.L. , Landi V. , Martinez A. , Delgado J.V. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe Balearic sheep breeds, Mallorquina, Menorquina, Roja Mallorquina, Ibicenca and one possible new genetic group, Formentera, constitute a unique genetic resource in the Mediterranean farming landscape, displaying high genetic diversity levels and being well differentiated among themselves and with respect to the continental sheep breeds. We used a microsatellite panel of markers to study genetic diversity and relationships with other Spanish breeds. The results reported in this study have important implications for the use, conservation and breeding of Balearic sheep stocks. A mean number of 7.59 alleles was found among the Balearic sheep breeds for the microsatellites scored. The whole mean value of observed heterozygosity amounted to 0.62, whereas the expected heterozygosity value was 0.69, suggesting the presence of a great degree of genetic variability, although a significant deficit of heterozygotes was detected for some markers. Genetic distance estimates showed that Balearic sheep are differentiated from the other Spanish breeds and in particular, from the Merino type. The Ibicenca breed showed the highest distance value from other breeds. The neighbour‐net method of analysis clustered the Roja Mallorquina, Menorquina and Mallorquina breeds. The Structure results clearly demonstrated the genetic differentiation among the four Balearic sheep breeds, with the Ibicenca and Formentera races joined, with slight migration among them. Few external genetic influences from the Spanish mainland breeds were detected.
Development of theory‐based knowledge translation interventions to facilitate the implementation of evidence‐based guidelines on the early management of adults with traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Bérubé Mélanie , Albert Martin , Chauny Jean‐Marc , Contandriopoulos Damien , DuSablon Anne , Lacroix Sébastien , Gagné Annick , Laflamme Élise , Boutin Nathalie , Delisle Stéphane , Pauzé Anne‐Marie , MacThiong Jean‐Marc 
Published: April 2015

AbstractRationaleOptimal, early management following a spinal cord injury (SCI) can limit individuals' disabilities and costs related to their care. Several knowledge syntheses were recently published to guide health care professionals with regard to early interventions in SCI patients. However, no knowledge translation (KT) intervention, selected according to a behaviour change theory, has been proposed to facilitate the use of SCI guidelines in an acute care setting.ObjectivesTo develop theory‐informed KT interventions to promote the application of evidence‐based recommendations on the acute care management of SCI patients.MethodsThe first four phases of the knowledge‐to‐action model were used to establish the study design. Knowledge selection was based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Knowledge adaptation to the local context was sourced from the ADAPTE process. The theoretical domains framework oriented the selection and development of the interventions based on an assessment of barriers and enablers to knowledge application.ResultsTwenty‐nine recommendations were chosen and operationalized in measurable clinical indicators. Barriers related to knowledge, skills, perceived capacities, beliefs about consequences, social influences, and the environmental context and resources theoretical domains were identified. The mapping of behaviour change techniques associated with those barriers led to the development of an online educational curriculum, interdisciplinary clinical pathways as well as policies and procedures.ConclusionsThis research project allowed us developing KT interventions according to a thorough behavioural change methodology. Exposure to the generated interventions will support health care professionals in providing the best care to SCI patients.
Epistemic injustice in assessment of delusions
Authors: Sanati Abdi , Kyratsous Michalis 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDelusions are one of the most elusive concepts in psychiatry. There have been several theories on the nature and definition of delusions. Jaspers described them as entailing a total transformation of reality and considered primary delusions as un‐understandable. When it comes to clinical practice, psychiatrists resort to criteria of falsity, incorrigibility, conviction and being out of keeping with the person's culture. All these criteria have been subject to various criticisms, some of which will be discussed in the paper. We will use the concept of epistemic injustice to explore the role of stereotypes and prejudice in the identification of delusions. We will discuss cases where patients are suffering from testimonial injustice by virtue of having a mental disorder that is so often associated with attributions of irrationality, bizarreness and incomprehensibility. Two vignettes will be presented to show that this is often the case in clinical practice. We will discuss relevant issues around the epistemology of the delusions. We think that in order to challenge the testimonial injustice, there needs to be an awareness of its possibility and thus recognition of the role of certain stereotypes in assessing these mental states. Challenging the stigma against mentally ill and adopting a holistic view of delusions can help tackle the prejudice that pre‐empt the testimonial injustice.
Ethical persuasion: the rhetoric of communication in critical care
Authors: Dubov Alex 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article reviews the ethics of rhetoric in critical care. Rational appeals in critical care fail to move patients or surrogates to a better course of action. Appeals to their emotions are considered illegitimate because they may preclude autonomous choice. This article discusses whether it is always unethical to change someone's beliefs, whether persuasive communication is inherently harmful and whether it leaves no space for voluntariness. To answer these questions, the article engages with Aristotle's work, Rhetoric. In considering whether there is a place for emotionally charged messages in a patient–provider relationship, the article intends to delineate the nature of this relationship and describe the duties this relationship implies. The article presents examples of persuasive communication used in critical care and discusses whether providers may have a duty to persuade patients. This duty is supported by the fact that doctors often influence patients' and families' choices by framing presented options. Doctors should assume responsibility in recognizing these personal and contextual influences that may influence the medical choices of their patients. They should attempt to modify these contextual factors and biases in a way that would assist patients and families in reaching the desired outcomes. The opening sections surveyed a number of definitions found in relevant literature and outlined some of the concepts included in the proposed definition. This definition helps to distinguish instances of persuasion from cases of manipulation, coercion and deception. Considering the fact that patients and families often make irrational decisions and the fact that doctors inadvertently influence their choices, the article suggested that persuasion can be a positive tool in medical communication. When patients or families clearly do not understand the risks or make decisions that contradict their long‐term goals, persuasion can be used as a positive influence.
Development of an improved RT‐PCR for specific detection of spring viraemia of carp virus
Authors: Shimahara Y , Kurita J , Nishioka T , Kiryu I , Yuasa K , Sakai T , Oseko N , Sano M , Dixon P 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSpring viraemia of carp (SVC) is a rhabdovirus infection, which has a significant economic impact in pond cultures of carp in Europe and western Independent States of the former Soviet Union. The causative agent of SVC, spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), has been divided into four subgroups, Ia, Ib, Ic and Id, on the basis of glycoprotein (G) protein gene sequences. In this study, a new primer set was designed from a G gene sequence of SVCV to identify the four subtypes of SVCV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The specific PCR products of 369 bp were amplified from 15 SVCV isolates of all four subtypes. However, pike fry rhabdovirus (PFRV), which is antigenically related to SVCV, and other viruses antigenically related to SVCV and PFRV were not amplified. The four subtypes of SVCV were specifically amplified by the RT‐PCR. Furthermore, the detection limit of the RT‐PCR was 7.1 × 102 copies/reaction, and it was not influenced by the addition of RNA extracted from fish tissues. The RT‐PCR will be applied not only to RNA extracted from viral suspensions, but also from fish tissue. It will contribute to rapid identification of SVCV in fish with clinical signs of SVC.
Identification of P‐glycoprotein co‐fractionating proteins and specific binding partners in rat brain microvessels
Authors: Tome Margaret E. , Schaefer Charles P. , Jacobs Leigh M. , Zhang Yifeng , Herndon Joseph M. , Matty Fabian O. , Davis Thomas P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDrug delivery to the brain for the treatment of pathologies with a CNS component is a significant clinical challenge. P‐glycoprotein (PgP), a drug efflux pump in the endothelial cell membrane, is a major factor in preventing therapeutics from crossing the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). Identifying PgP regulatory mechanisms is key to developing agents to modulate PgP activity. Previously, we found that PgP trafficking was altered concomitant with increased PgP activity and disassembly of high molecular weight PgP‐containing complexes during acute peripheral inflammatory pain. These data suggest that PgP activity is post‐translationally regulated at the BBB. The goal of the current study was to identify proteins that co‐localize with PgP in rat brain microvessel endothelial cell membrane microdomains and use the data to suggest potential regulatory mechanisms. Using new density gradients of microvessel homogenates, we identified two unique pools (1,2) of PgP in membrane fractions. Caveolar constituents, caveolin1, cavin1, and cavin2, co‐localized with PgP in these fractions indicating the two pools contained caveolae. A chaperone (Hsc71), protein disulfide isomerase and endosomal/lysosomal sorting proteins (Rab5, Rab11a) also co‐fractionated with PgP in the gradients. These data suggest signaling pathways with a potential role in post‐translational regulation of PgP activity at the BBB.
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This model depicts two types of P‐glycoprotein (PgP)‐containing caveolae. Rat brain microvessels contain two unique pools of PgP that are of different densities. Each pool co‐fractionates with three caveolar proteins suggesting there are two populations of caveolae that contain PgP. The two caveolar populations differ in density indicating they have a different structure, lipoprotein content or intracellular location. Our model includes two newly identified PgP‐binding partners, Hsc71 and protein disulfide isomerase, in rat brain microvessels.
Effects of ketone bodies in Alzheimer's disease in relation to neural hypometabolism, β‐amyloid toxicity, and astrocyte function
Authors: Hertz Leif , Chen Ye , Waagepetersen Helle S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDiet supplementation with ketone bodies (acetoacetate and β‐hydroxybuturate) or medium‐length fatty acids generating ketone bodies has consistently been found to cause modest improvement of mental function in Alzheimer's patients. It was suggested that the therapeutic effect might be more pronounced if treatment was begun at a pre‐clinical stage of the disease instead of well after its manifestation. The pre‐clinical stage is characterized by decade‐long glucose hypometabolism in brain, but ketone body metabolism is intact even initially after disease manifestation. One reason for the impaired glucose metabolism may be early destruction of the noradrenergic brain stem nucleus, locus coeruleus, which stimulates glucose metabolism, at least in astrocytes. These glial cells are essential in Alzheimer pathogenesis. The β‐amyloid peptide Aβ interferes with their cholinergic innervation, which impairs synaptic function because of diminished astrocytic glutamate release. Aβ also reduces glucose metabolism and causes hyperexcitability. Ketone bodies are similarly used against seizures, but the effectively used concentrations are so high that they must interfere with glucose metabolism and de novo synthesis of neurotransmitter glutamate, reducing neuronal glutamatergic signaling. The lower ketone body concentrations used in Alzheimer's disease may owe their effect to support of energy metabolism, but might also inhibit release of gliotransmitter glutamate.
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Alzheimer's disease is a panglial‐neuronal disorder with long‐standing brain hypometabolism, aberrations in both neuronal and astrocytic glucose metabolism, inflammation, hyperexcitability, and dementia. Relatively low doses of β‐hydroxybutyrate can have an ameliorating effect on cognitive function. This could be because of metabolic supplementation or inhibition of Aβ‐induced release of glutamate as gliotransmitter, which is likely to reduce hyperexcitability and inflammation. The therapeutic β‐hydroxybutyrate doses are too low to reduce neuronally released glutamate.
Vinexin‐β deficiency protects against cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Li Mingchang , Guo Sen , Zhang Peng , Gong Jun , Zheng Ankang , Zhang Yan , Li Hongliang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVinexin‐β is an adaptor protein that regulates cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization and signal transduction. Our previous work showed that Vinexin‐β protects against cardiac hypertrophy. However, its function in stroke is largely unknown. In the present study, we observed a significant increase in Vinexin‐β expression in both human intracerebral haemorrhage and mouse cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model, indicating that Vinexin‐β is involved in stroke. Next, using Vinexin‐β knockout mice, we further demonstrated that Vinexin‐β deficiency significantly protected against cerebral I/R injury, as demonstrated by a dramatic decrease in the infarct volume and an improvement in neurological function. Additionally, immunofluorescence and western blotting showed that the deletion of Vinexin‐β attenuated neuronal apoptosis. Mechanically, we found that Akt signalling was up‐regulated in the brains of the Vinexin‐β knockout mice compared with those of the WT control mice after ischaemic injury. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the deletion of Vinexin‐β potently protects against ischaemic injury by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, and this effect may occur via the up‐regulation of Akt signalling. Our findings revealed that Vinexin‐β acts as a novel modulator of ischaemic injury, suggesting that Vinexin‐β may represent an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention of stroke.
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Vinexin‐β is an adaptor protein that regulates cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization. We revealed that Vinexin‐β‐deficient mice are potently protected against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The protective effect is mediated through inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, which may occur via the up‐regulation of Akt signalling. These findings suggest Vinexin‐β as a novel regulator of I/R injury and attractive therapeutic target for the prevention of stroke.
Morphology of the tympanic‐basicranial region in Mirounga leonina (Phocidae, Carnivora), postnatal ontogeny and sexual dimorphism
Authors: Loza C. M. , Scarano A. C. , Soibelzon L. H. , Negrete J. , Carlini A. A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe auditory region of pinnipeds has seldom been described. Here we describe and analyze the ontogenetic trajectory of the tympanic bulla of the southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina (Phocidae, Mammalia). This species is extremely sexually dimorphic and highly polygynous (organized in harems). We examined 118 specimens, arranged in three age classes (CI, CII, and CIII), ranging from newborn to adults (males and females). To analyze the overall size and shape of the tympanic bulla we performed a geometric morphometric analysis including 87 skulls. Females reach definitive shape and size of the bulla at earlier ontogenetic stages than males, in agreement with their earlier involvement in reproductive activities. The internal anatomy of the tympanic region (e.g. form and extension of the paries) does not show remarkable differences between sexes or age classes. The greatest differences between age classes are related to bone thickness, resulting from the apposition of new annual layers. An examination of possible sex‐related external differences among age classes shows significant shape differences between males and females in CIII. The morphology observed in neonates is conserved across all individuals from CI, which included specimens up to 1 year old. Clear morphological differences were observed between CI individuals, on one hand, and CII individuals plus CIII females on the other. During cranial development of both male and females, the glenoid cavity expands and compresses the bulla; this condition reaches its maximum expression in CIII males. CIII males showed the greatest morphological differences, with respect to both CI and CII individuals, and CIII females.
Placental melatonin system is present throughout pregnancy and regulates villous trophoblast differentiation
Authors: Soliman Ahmed , Lacasse Andrée‐Anne , Lanoix Dave , Sagrillo‐Fagundes Lucas , Boulard Véronique , Vaillancourt Cathy 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMelatonin is highly produced in the placenta where it protects against molecular damage and cellular dysfunction arising from hypoxia/re‐oxygenation‐induced oxidative stress as observed in primary cultures of syncytiotrophoblast. However, little is known about melatonin and its receptors in the human placenta throughout pregnancy and their role in villous trophoblast development. The purpose of this study was to determine melatonin‐synthesizing enzymes, arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (AANAT) and hydroxyindole O‐methyltransferase (HIOMT), and melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) expression throughout pregnancy as well as the role of melatonin and its receptors in villous trophoblast syncytialization. Our data show that the melatonin generating system is expressed throughout pregnancy (from week 7 to term) in placental tissues. AANAT and HIOMT show maximal expression at the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. MT1 receptor expression is maximal at the 1st trimester compared to the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, while MT2 receptor expression does not change significantly during pregnancy. Moreover, during primary villous cytotrophoblast syncytialization, MT1 receptor expression increases, while MT2 receptor expression decreases. Treatment of primary villous cytotrophoblast with an increasing concentration of melatonin (10 pm–1 mm) increases the fusion index (syncytium formation; 21% augmentation at 1 mm melatonin vs. vehicle) and β‐hCG secretion (121% augmentation at 1 mm melatonin vs. vehicle). This effect of melatonin appears to be mediated via its MT1 and MT2 receptors. In sum, melatonin machinery (synthetizing enzymes and receptors) is expressed in human placenta throughout pregnancy and promotes syncytium formation, suggesting an essential role of this indolamine in placental function and pregnancy well‐being.