bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Value and Role of Seafood Traceability from an Entire Value‐Chain Perspective
Authors: Sterling Brian , Gooch Martin , Dent Benjamin , Marenick Nicole , Miller Alexander , Sylvia Gilbert
Published: March 2015

The traceability practices and systems of 48 separate seafood businesses were assessed as part of an evaluation of 9 global seafood value chains (from catch to point of sale to the consumer). The purpose was to gain insights and provide knowledge about the impact of traceability on improving seafood industry business performance, including reducing waste, and enhancing consumer trust. In addition, the project developed and delivered a tool that can be used by stakeholders that are seeking to better understand the return on investment of implementation of traceability practices and solutions. Using structured and semistructured interviews of over 80 individuals, the research revealed that traceability is more highly valued by businesses, regardless of their size, if they engage more often in highly collaborative activities with their suppliers and customers. A survey in 5 nations about consumer perceptions with regards to seafood and the key factors influencing their purchasing decisions delivered insights into the discrete choices that consumers make when buying seafood products. The consumer survey data were incorporated into a “Discrete Choice Simulator” that others can use to compare and contrast the preferences of consumers in these countries and better understand what factors regarding traceability impact on their buying decisions. The research concluded with several recommendations for businesses, governments, and nongovernment organizations.
Comparative Analysis of the Public Health Role of Two Types of Death Investigation Systems in Texas: Application of Essential Services
Authors: Drake Stacy A. , Cron Stanley G. , Giardino Angelo , Trevino Vanessa , Nolte Kurt B.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this research was to assess the practices of death investigation agencies in Texas and to investigate the differences between justices of the peace (JPs) and medical examiner perceptions of their role and responsibilities. A survey was conducted in which justices of the peace and medical examiners (MEs) were questioned on their agency's policies and practices in regard to essential services provided using a recently published 50‐item instrument subdivided into 10 essential services areas. The study used a quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional design in which nonparametric analysis was used to ascertain differences between groups. The sample size for analysis was composed of 10 (83%) ME offices and 112 (15.5%) JPs. This statewide study found significant differences between MEs and JPs. These differences reflect the variation in educational background, understanding and implementation of essential services, and the appreciation of the needs of a system to be both collaborative and independent.
An Accelerated Analytical Process for the Development of STR Profiles for Casework Samples
Authors: Laurin Nancy , Frégeau Chantal J.
Published: March 2015

Significant efforts are being devoted to the development of methods enabling rapid generation of short tandem repeat (STR) profiles in order to reduce turnaround times for the delivery of human identification results from biological evidence. Some of the proposed solutions are still costly and low throughput. This study describes the optimization of an analytical process enabling the generation of complete STR profiles (single‐source or mixed profiles) for human identification in approximately 5 h. This accelerated process uses currently available reagents and standard laboratory equipment. It includes a 30‐min lysis step, a 27‐min DNA extraction using the Promega Maxwell®16 System, DNA quantification in <1 h using the Qiagen Investigator® Quantiplex HYres kit, fast amplification (<26 min) of the loci included in AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler®, and analysis of the profiles on the 3500‐series Genetic Analyzer. This combination of fast individual steps produces high‐quality profiling results and offers a cost‐effective alternative approach to rapid DNA analysis.
A New Axymyiid Genus with Two New Species from the Middle Jurassic of China (Diptera: Nematocera: Axymyiidae)
Authors: Guifeng SHI , Yan ZHU , Chungkun SHIH , Dong REN
Published: March 2015

The Axymyiidae is one of the small families of the suborder Nematocera within the Diptera. Up to date, three genera and seven species of extant axymyiids have been described from the Holarctic Region, including Canada, China, Hungary, Japan, Russia, and USA, with three genera and three species of fossil taxa described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, northeastern China. A new genus Raraxymyia gen. nov. and two new species, R. parallela and R. proxima gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China, are herein described based on their well‐preserved wings and body characters. A revised key to the genera of axymyiids is provided.
Titanium, Ti, A New Mineral Species from Luobusha, Tibet, China
Authors: Qingsong FANG , Wenji BAI , Jingsu YANG , He RONG , Nicheng SHI , Guowu LI , Ming XIONG , Zhesheng MA
Published: March 2015

We describe the new mineral species titanium, ideally Ti, found in the podiform chromitites of the Luobusha ophiolite in Tibet, People's Republic of China. The irregular crystals range from 0.1 to 0.6 mm in diameter and form an intergrowth with coesite and kyanite. Titanium is silver grey in colour, the luster is metallic, it is opaque, the streak is grayish black, and it is non‐fluorescent. The mineral is malleable, has a rough to hackly fracture and has no apparent cleavage. The estimated Mohs hardness is 4, and the calculated density is 4.503 g/cm3. The composition is Ti 99.23–100.00 wt%. The mineral is hexagonal, space group P63/mmc. Unit‐cell parameters are a 2.950 (2) Å, c 4.686 (1) Å, V 35.32 (5) Å3, Z= 2. The five strongest powder diffraction lines [d in Å (hkl) (I/I0)] are: 2.569 (010) (32), 2.254(011) (100), 1.730 (012) (16), 1.478 (110) (21), and 0.9464 (121) (8). The species and name were approved by the CNMNC (IMA 2010‐044).
Fingered Intrusion of Shallow Saucer‐shaped Igneous Sills: Insights from the Jiaojiang Sag, East China Sea
Authors: Rui GUO , Gongcheng ZHANG , Jinwei ZHANG , Xingbin ZHAO , Junbang LIU , Dawei YUAN , Shuang SONG
Published: March 2015

An extensive suite of igneous sills was intruded into the Tertiary sedimentary section of the Jiaojiang sag, East China Sea. This suite has been well imaged offshore through 2D and 3D seismic surveys, showing a close relationship with CO2 content in nearby gas discoveries. A new observational model, which incorporates simple upward propagation, simple horizontal propagation, and transgressive propagation, was proposed to interpret these sill intrusions. In this model, the source magma of the saucer‐shaped sills was injected from their lowest points near the center. The transgressive propagation can be interpreted as a combination of the vertical and horizontal propagation. Most shallow sub‐volcanic intrusions in the Jiaojiang sag exhibit fingered characteristics, both vertically and horizontally. The vertical fingered propagation produced saucer‐shaped sills arranged in the flower style. Along the brims of lower sills could usually be found the upper sills, which are interpreted to have formed simultaneously with or later than the lower feeder sills. In the second type, the chilled paths of the older sills were reutilized by subsequent intrusions. The horizontal fingered propagation formed sheet intrusions that exhibit groove, lobate, tubular, and crevasse splay‐like geometry in plan view. In 3D view, the sheet intrusions have still preserved the lower center and higher rim that similar with the sub‐rounded saucer‐shaped sills. Although fracture propagation may be important, flow inflation was the key mechanism of magma intrusion. Further consideration of the mechanisms underlying sill formation may help explain the fingered characteristics of sill propagation.
Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Compositions: How Lacustrine Environmental Factors Respond in Northwestern and Northeastern China
Authors: Chengjun ZHANG , Rong FAN , Jun LI , MISCHKE Steffen , DEMBELE Blaise , Xiaolan HU
Published: March 2015

Surface lake sediments, 28 from Hoh Xil, 24 from northeastern China, 99 from Lake Bosten, 31 from Ulungur and 26 from Heihai were collected to determine δ13C and δ18O values. Considering the impact factors, conductivity, alkalinity, pH, TOC, C/N and carbonate‐content in the sediments, Cl, P, S, and metal element ratios of Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Fe/Mn of bulk sediments as environmental variables enable evaluation of their influences on δ13C and δ18O using principal component analysis (PCA) method. The closure and residence time of lakes can influence the correlation between δ13C and δ18O. Lake water will change from fresh to brackish with increasing reduction and eutrophication effects. Mg/Ca in the bulk sediment indicates the characteristic of residence time, Sr/Ca and Fe/Mn infer the salinity of lakes. Carbonate formation processes and types can influence the δ13C‐δ18O correlation. δ18O will be heavier from Mg‐calcite and aragonite formed in a high‐salinity water body than calcite formed in freshwater conditions. When carbonate content is less than 30%, there is no relationship with either δ13C or δ18O, and also none between δ13C and δ18O. More than 30%, carbonate content, however, co‐varies highly to δ13C and δ18O, and there is also a high correlation between δ13C and δ18O. Vegetation conditions and primary productivity of lakes can influence the characteristics of δ13C and δ18O, and their co‐variance. Total organic matter content (TOC) in the sediments is higher with more terrestrial and submerged plants infilling. In northeastern and northwestern China, when organic matter in the lake sediments comes from endogenous floating organisms and algae, the δ13C value is high. δ13C is in the range of −4%o to 0‰ when organic matter comes mainly from floating organisms (C/N<6); in the range of −4‰ to 8‰ when organic matter comes from diatoms (C/N=6 to 8); and −8‰ to −4‰ when organic matter comes from aquatic and terrestrial plants (C/N>8).
Isotopic Compositions of Sulfur in the Jinshachang Lead–Zinc Deposit, Yunnan, China, and its Implication on the Formation of Sulfur‐Bearing Minerals
Authors: Junhao BAI , Zhilong HUANG , Dan ZHU , Zaifei YAN , Jiaxi ZHOU
Published: March 2015

The Jinshachang lead–zinc deposit is mainly hosted in the Upper Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks of the Dengying Group and located in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) Pb–Zn–Ag multi‐metal mineralization area in China. Sulfides minerals including sphalerite, galena and pyrite postdate or coprecipitate with gangue mainly consisting of fluorite, quartz, and barite, making this deposit distinct from most lead‐zinc deposits in the SYG. This deposit is controlled by tectonic structures, and most mineralization is located along or near faults zones. Emeishan basalts near the ore district might have contributed to the formation of orebodies. The δ34S values of sphalerite, galena, pyrite and barite were estimated to be 3.6‰–13.4‰, 3.7‰–9.0‰, −6.4‰ to 29.2‰ and 32.1‰–34.7‰, respectively. In view of the similar δ34S values of barite and sulfates being from the Cambrian strata, the sulfur of barite was likely derived from the Cambrian strata. The homogenization temperatures (T≈ 134–383°C) of fluid inclusions were not suitable for reducing bacteria, therefore, the bacterial sulfate reduction could not have been an efficient path to generate reduced sulfur in this district. Although thermochemical sulfate reduction process had contributed to the production of reduced sulfur, it was not the main mechanism. Considering other aspects, it can be suggested that sulfur of sulfides should have been derived from magmatic activities. The δ34S values of sphalerite were found to be higher than those of coexisting galena. The equilibrium temperatures calculated by using the sulfur isotopic composition of mineral pairs matched well with the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, suggesting that the sulfur isotopic composition in ore‐forming fluids had reached a partial equilibrium.
Biostratigraphy and Paleoecology of Maastrichtian Sediments in the Zagros Basin, Iran
Authors: SHIRAZI Mahnaz Parvaneh Nejad , SHAMS Pegah , BAHRAMI Mohammad
Published: March 2015

To enable the lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic study of the Gurpi Formation, within the ‘Dezak’ or Globigerina Marl, a stratigraphic section at Booraki, located to the NNW of Shiraz, SW Iran, through the late Cretaceous was examined. The formation consists of shale and greenish‐gray marls interbedded with cream limestone, brown sandstones and siltstones with an exposed thickness of 160 m in the studied section. Samples were taken at regular intervals in all yielding 14 genera and 16 different species of benthic and planktic foraminifera that allowed determination of the age of the beds as Maastrichtian. To examine the paleoecology of the formation, some important ecological factors including water level, salinity, and oxygen regime change during the depositional courses of the formation were analyzed. The density of foraminiferans decreases from the base to top of the Gurpi Formation whereas the ratio of planktic to benthic Foraminifera (i.e., P/B) and proportion of shallow‐water fauna increase. These foraminiferal changes indicate an increase and decrease in depth, temperature, salinity and oxygen, respectively, at the base and top of the Formation.
Assessment of Metals Concentration and Ecotoxicology of the Sediment Core of Rehri Creek, Karachi Coast, Pakistan
Authors: CHAUDHARY Muhammad Z. , AHMAD Nasir , MASHIATULLAH Azhar , MUNIR Sajjad , JAVED Tariq
Published: March 2015

Trace metal concentrations were investigated in a recent sediment core collected from the Rehri Creek area of the Karachi coast, Sindh ‐ Pakistan. The core was sliced horizontally at 2.5‐cm intervals to determine grain size, sediment composition, pH, organic matter, and acid‐leach able trace metals: cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc. The trace metals were analyzed by ICP. To separate anthropogenic from geogenic input, several approaches were made, including comparison with sediment quality guidelines—ecotoxicological sense of heavy metal contamination and classification by quantitative indexes. Grain‐size analysis and sediment composition of core sample show a sandy nature with neutral pH. Elemental sequence (ES) of the trace metals is in the order of Zn (19.2–109.56 ppm) > Si (66.46–101.71 ppm) > Ba (12.05–26.86 ppm) > As (8.18–17.36 ppm) > Ni (4.2–14.69 ppm) > Cr (3.02–9.62 ppm) > Pb (2.79–6.83 ppm) > Cu (2.2–5.29 ppm) > Co (0.9–2.05 ppm). Thus it is likely that the area may face a serious threat of metal pollution with the present deposition rates unless stringent pollution control norms are adopted. The Sediment Geo‐accumulation Index shows that there is no Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, or Fe pollution; however, the former index and the Pollution Load Index indicate arsenic pollution in the sediments.
Climate Reconstruction based on Pollen Analysis in Inner Mongolia, North China from 51.9 to 30.6 kaBP
Authors: Suping LI , FERGUSON David K. , Yong WANG , Jinfeng LI , Jianxin YAO
Published: March 2015

The palynomorph assemblage of lake sediments younger than 51.9 kaBP from Wulagai Gobi in Inner Mongolia was analyzed to reconstruct the vegetation and climate. From 51.9 to 30.6 kaBP, the vegetation was arid to semi‐arid grassland with only slight changes. According to the palynomorphs, trees and shrubs were very rare. The large number and diversity of algae indicate the presence of a lake. Quantitative climatic conditions were reconstructed using the Best Analogues Method. The results indicate that the annual mean temperature was higher than that at present. The combination of temperature and annual precipitation suggests a change in the climate from cool dry to warm dry and then cool humid. Our results show that the annual precipitation values were mostly higher than that at present but were lower than 400 mm. It infers that the study area was already within the arid to semi‐arid regions but with a stronger influence of the summer monsoon during 51.9 to 30.6 kaBP than at present. With slight differences mainly in time scale, the changing trend of the annual temperature curve is consistent with the other climatic records from Antarctica, Greenland, Hulu Cave (East China), and the Tibetan Plateau during the last glacial period. From 30.6 kaBP to present, very few palynomorphs were detected in the samples. Hence, no information about the vegetation and climate could be extracted. Combined with other studies during Late Pleistocene, we presume that the reason for the lack of pollen during this period was caused by an abrupt temperature fall after 30.6 kaBP or that the lacustrine conditions were unsuitable for pollen deposition. It was probably incurred by the oxidation on land prior to deposition. But for those samples only with algae, it might be caused by the fact that algae could finish their life history in a very short time in a seasonal lake.
The Last Pterosaurs: First Record from the Uppermost Maastrichtian of the Tremp Syncline (Northern Spain)
Authors: DALLA VECCHIA Fabio M. , RIERA Violeta , OMS Josep Oriol , DINARÈS‐TURELL Jaume , GAETE Rodrigo , GALOBART Angel
Published: March 2015

Pterosaur bones are for the first time reported from the Tremp Syncline (Spain) and the southern Pyrenees. They come from the Torrebilles‐2 site (Isona, Lleida Province) in the upper Maastrichtian part of the Tremp Formation, which falls within the C29r magnetochron. Fragmentary long bones are referred to the Pterosauria based on their cortical thinness, micro‐architecture, and histological features. They belong to very large to possibly giant individuals. The most complete specimen is possibly a partial right femur. The review of the Maastrichtian pterosaur record shows that only a few specimens can be referred to the C29r (which contains the K/Pg boundary). The identification of fragmentary remains could improve our knowledge about the abundance and distribution of these flying sauropsids just before the end‐Cretaceous mass extinction.
Interobserver Agreement in Retrospective Chart Reviews for Factors Associated With Cervical Spine Injuries in Children
Authors: Olsen Cody S. , Kuppermann Nathan , Jaffe David M. , Brown Kathleen , Babcock Lynn , Mahajan Prashant V. , Leonard Julie C. ,   The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Cervical Spine Injury Study Group
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The objective was to describe the interobserver agreement between trained chart reviewers and physician reviewers in a multicenter retrospective chart review study of children with cervical spine injuries (CSIs).

Methods

Medical records of children younger than 16 years old with cervical spine radiography from 17 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) hospitals from years 2000 through 2004 were abstracted by trained reviewers for a study aimed to identify predictors of CSIs in children. Independent physician‐reviewers abstracted patient history and clinical findings from a random sample of study patient medical records at each hospital. Interobserver agreement was assessed using percent agreement and the weighted kappa (κ) statistic, with lower 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Moderate or better agreement (κ > 0.4) was achieved for most candidate CSI predictors, including altered mental status (κ = 0.87); focal neurologic findings (κ = 0.74); posterior midline neck tenderness (κ = 0.74); any neck tenderness (κ = 0.89); torticollis (κ = 0.79); complaint of neck pain (κ = 0.83); history of loss of consciousness (κ = 0.89); nonambulatory status (κ = 0.74); and substantial injuries to the head (κ = 0.50), torso/trunk (κ = 0.48), and extremities (κ = 0.59). High‐risk mechanisms showed near‐perfect agreement (diving, κ = 1.0; struck by car, κ = 0.93; other motorized vehicle crash, κ = 0.93; fall, κ = 0.92; high‐risk motor vehicle collision, κ = 0.89; hanging, κ = 0.80). Fair agreement was found for clotheslining mechanisms (κ = 0.36) and substantial face injuries (κ = 0.40).

Conclusions

Most retrospectively assessed variables thought to be predictive of CSIs in blunt trauma–injured children had at least moderate interobserver agreement, suggesting that these data are sufficiently valid for use in identifying potential predictors of CSI.
Age‐related Differences in Factors Associated With Cervical Spine Injuries in Children
Authors: Leonard Julie C. , Jaffe David M. , Olsen Cody S. , Kuppermann Nathan
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) investigators previously identified risk factors associated with cervical spine injuries (CSIs) in children. Anatomic maturation and age‐related variation in mechanisms of injury suggested the need to explore factors separately for younger versus older children. The purpose of this substudy was to investigate CSI risk factors in age subgroups within the PECARN study cohort.

Methods

This was an age‐stratified case‐control analysis of children younger than 16 years presenting to 17 PECARN hospitals following blunt trauma between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004. Data were abstracted for children with CSIs and randomly selected CSI‐free children. Age‐stratified multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with CSI within three age groups: younger than 2, 2 to 7, and 8 to 15 years. Sensitivity and specificity for CSI were estimated for both the age‐specific and original (altered mental status, focal neurologic findings, neck pain, torticollis, substantial torso injury, predisposing conditions, diving, and high‐risk motor vehicle crash [MVC]) models.

Results

Among 540 children with CSIs, 27 were younger than 2 years, 140 were 2 to 7 years, and 373 were 8 to 15 years. Focal neurologic deficits and high‐risk MVC were associated with CSIs in all age‐specific models. Other age‐specific factors included the following: younger than 2 years, none; 2 to 7 years, altered mental status, neck pain, torticollis; and 8 to 15 years, altered mental status, neck pain, diving. Age‐specific models had comparable sensitivity to the original model among the older groups, but had lower sensitivity and higher specificity among the youngest children.

Conclusions

While this analysis supports the original PECARN model for CSI, there were subtle age variations in factors associated with CSIs in children that warrant future investigation.
Innovation systems and technical efficiency in developing‐country agriculture
Authors: Mekonnen Dawit K. , Spielman David J. , Fonsah Esendugue Greg , Dorfman Jeffrey H.
Published: March 2015

This article examines how different components of an agricultural innovation system interact to determine levels of technical inefficiency in developing‐country agriculture. The analysis draws on data from 85 low‐ and middle‐income countries for the period 2004–2011 to estimate latent class stochastic frontiers in which the technological class to which the country belongs is determined within the model. To enable efficiency comparisons between countries across these technological classes, we estimate a meta‐frontier that encompasses all the class frontiers. We embed components of an agricultural innovation systems framework in this estimation to explain countries’ technical inefficiency with respect to their respective class frontiers. Mobile phone subscriptions as a measure of institutions that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and information as well as the number of scientific and technical journal articles as a measure of research productivity and knowledge production are found to improve technical efficiency of agricultural production in these countries. The mean technical efficiency score of agricultural production between 2004 and 2011 for countries in class one is 44.1% whereas it is 62.7% for countries in class two, indicating sizeable potential to improve agricultural production from the same level of agricultural inputs through efficiency‐enhancing investments.
The association of androgenetic alopecia and insulin resistance is independent of hyperandrogenemia: A case‐control study
Authors: Kartal Demet , Borlu Murat , Çınar Salih L , Ferahbaş Ayten , Ulaş Yılmaz , Ünlühızarcı Kürşad , Ukşal Ümit , Keleştimur Fahrettin
Published: March 2015

Background/Objectives

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) occurs due to the effect of androgens and genetic predisposition. The association between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (IR) has been clearly documented. In recent years there have been reports supporting the presence of IR in AGA. The study aimed to investigate the presence of IR in women with AGA and discern whether or not it is associated with hyperandrogenism.

Methods

Overall, 77 women with AGA were included in the study. Patients with Ludwig grades I–III AGA were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were drawn for measurements of hormone profile, basal insulin and fasting blood glucose (FBG). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on another day. IR was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment score.

Results

All IR parameters were significantly higher in the 75 study subjects without DM than in the control group (P < 0.05). After excluding five patients with IGT, the level of all IR parameters were still higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Hyperandrogenemia was found in 30 (40%) patients. When this second group (n = 45) (excluding patients with hyperandrogenemia) was compared with the control group on IR, all parameters except for basal insulin were significantly higher in the second group than in the controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest a relation between IR and AGA in female patients. We showed for the first time that the association of AGA and IR is independent of hyperandrogenemia.
Division of surgeon workload in pancreaticoduodenectomy: striving to decrease post‐operative pancreatic fistula
Authors: Kim Dong Hun , Choi Seong Ho , Choi Dong Wook , Heo Jin Seok
Published: March 2015

Background

Many studies have reported factors affecting pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but there have been few reports on surgeon workload and post‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). This study was conducted to explore whether a surgeon's workload during PD impacts the occurrence of POPF.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 270 consecutive patients who underwent PD between January 2008 and June 2013 by a single experienced surgeon. These patients were divided into those who underwent PD entirely by a single operator (group 1) and those who received reconstructions by other operators (group 2). Duct‐to‐mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy was performed on all patients. The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria were used to define POPF.

Results

There were 157 patients (58.1%) in group 1 and 113 patients (41.9%) in group 2. The post‐operative morbidity rate was comparable between the two groups (55.4% versus 52.2%; P = 0.603), but the clinical pancreatic fistula (grade B/C) rate was significantly different (10.8% versus 2.7%; P = 0.011). The overall post‐operative mortality was one patient (0.4%). Significant associations were found between clinical pancreatic fistulas and soft pancreas texture (P = 0.021), preoperative serum albumin level ≤3.5 g/dL (P = 0.012), other pathology besides pancreatic cancer (P = 0.027) and a single‐operator procedure (P = 0.019). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a single operator (odds ratio: 4.2, P = 0.029) was a significant predictive risk factor for clinically relevant POPF.

Conclusion

Dividing the surgeon's workload in PD is associated with lower rates of POPF.
Children in rural China enjoyed a significant increase in quality of life from 2009 to 2011
Authors: Wu Yi‐Le , Ding Xiu‐Xiu , Li Yi‐Feng , Wang Wen‐Jing , Yang Hui‐Yun , Sun Ye‐Huan
Published: March 2015

Aim

Little is known about the long‐term change in quality of life (QoL) among children in rural China. This study longitudinally examined changes and predictors of QoL among children in one rural county between 2009 and 2011.

Methods

We interviewed 816 children from seven to 16 years of age in 2009 and 2011 using a range of QoL tools. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between follow‐up QoL and socio‐demographic, family environment and psychosocial factors.

Results

Overall QoL scores improved significantly from 71.1 ± 14.6 to 72.8 ± 16.3 (p = 0.005). QoL was positively related to annual family income (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) and baseline QoL (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and negatively related to older age (β = −0.19, p < 0.001), being female (β = −0.08, p = 0.011), being left in the care of family members by working parents (β = −0.09, p = 0.004), negative coping styles (β = −0.10, p = 0.005) and depression (β = −0.11, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Quality of life significantly improved among children in rural China over a two‐year period from 2009 to 2011. It was positively related to annual family income and baseline QoL and negatively related to older age, being female, being left in the care of family members by working parents, negative coping styles and depression.
Using axillary temperature to approximate rectal temperature in newborns
Authors: Lantz Björn , Ottosson Cornelia
Published: March 2015

Aim

Various factors have been shown to potentially affect the difference between axillary and rectal temperature measurements in newborns. We aimed to explore their roles and, if possible, to construct a formula that explained the difference.

Methods

The study was based on a consecutive sample of 175 infants, with a gestational age of 24–42 weeks, whose rectal and axillary temperatures were measured simultaneously at the neonatal unit at Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden. Data were analysed using multiple regressions.

Results

Premature infants had a significantly smaller mean difference (0.33°C) between rectal and axillary temperatures than full‐term infants (0.43°C). Significant associated factors for premature infants were chronological age (p = 0.025), time of day (p = 0.004) and axillary temperature (p < 0.001). For full‐term infants, the only significant associated factor was axillary temperature (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Although it is possible to construct a formula that estimates neonate rectal temperature based on axillary temperature with a slightly higher reliability than simply adding a fixed value like 0.4°C, such a formula would be too complex to apply in practice. Adding 0.3°C or 0.4°C to the measured axillary temperature for premature infants or full‐term infants, respectively, yields acceptable approximations in most cases.
Effect of electrical vs. chemical deep brain stimulation at midbrain sites on micturition in anaesthetized rats
Authors: Stone E. , Coote J. H. , Lovick T. A.
Published: March 2015

Aim

To understand how deep brain stimulation of the midbrain influences control of the urinary bladder.

Methods

In urethane‐anaesthetized male rats, saline was infused continuously into the bladder to evoke cycles of filling and voiding. The effect of electrical (0.1–2.0 ms pulses, 5–180 Hz, 0.5–2.5 V) compared to chemical stimulation (microinjection of D,L‐homocysteic acid, 50 nL 0.1 m solution) at the same midbrain sites was tested.

Results

Electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal grey matter and surrounding midbrain disrupted normal coordinated voiding activity in detrusor and sphincters muscles and suppressed urine output. The effect occurred within seconds was reversible and not secondary to cardiorespiratory changes. Bladder compliance remained unchanged. Chemical stimulation over the same area using microinjection of D,L‐homocysteic acid (DLH) to preferentially activate somatodendritic receptors decreased the frequency of micturition but did not disrupt the coordinated pattern of voiding. In contrast, chemical stimulation within the caudal ventrolateral periaqueductal grey, in the area where critical synapses in the micturition reflex pathway are located, increased the frequency of micturition.

Conclusion

Electrical deep brain stimulation within the midbrain can inhibit reflex micturition. We suggest that the applied stimulus entrained activity in the neural circuitry locally, thereby imposing an unphysiological pattern of activity. In a way similar to the use of electrical signals to ‘jam’ radio transmission, this may prevent a synchronized pattern of efferent activity being transmitted to the spinal outflows to orchestrate a coordinated voiding response. Further experiments to record neuronal firing in the midbrain during the deep brain stimulation will be necessary to test this hypothesis.
Microbial population, chemical composition and silage fermentation of cassava residues
Authors: Napasirth Viengsakoun , Napasirth Pattaya , Sulinthone Tue , Phommachanh Kham , Cai Yimin
Published: March 2015

In order to effectively use the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) residues, including cassava leaves, peel and pulp for livestock diets, the chemical and microbiological composition, silage preparation and the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on silage fermentation of cassava residues were studied. These residues contained 104 to 105 LAB and yeasts, 103 to 104 coliform bacteria and 104 aerobic bacteria in colony forming units (cfu) on a fresh matter (FM) basis. The molds were consistently at or below the detectable level (102 cfu of FM) in three kinds of cassava residues. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of cassava residues were 17.50‐30.95%, 1.30‐16.41% and 25.40–52.90% on a DM basis, respectively. The silage treatments were designed as control silage without additive (CO) or with LAB inoculants Chikuso‐1 (CH, Lactobacillus plantarum) and Snow Lacto (SN, Lactobacillus rhamnosus) at a rate of 5 mg/kg of FM basis. All silages were well preserved with a low pH (below 4.0) value and when cassava residues silage treated with inoculants CH and SN improved fermentation quality with a lower pH, butyric acid and higher lactic acid than control silage.
Effect of monensin withdrawal on rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and microbial populations in cattle
Authors: Abrar Arfan , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Kondo Makoto , Ban‐Tokuda Tomomi , Chao Wang , Matsui Hiroki
Published: March 2015

This study was designed to obtain information on the residual influence of dietary monensin on ruminant fermentation, methanogenesis and bacterial population. Three ruminally cannulated crossbreed heifers (14 months old, 363 ± 11 kg) were fed Italian ryegrass straw and concentrate supplemented with monensin for 21 days before sampling. Rumen fluid samples were collected for analysis of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, monensin concentration, methanogens and rumen bacterial density. Post‐feeding rumen fluid was also collected to determine in vitro gas production. Monensin was eliminated from the rumen fluid within 3 days. The composition of SCFA varied after elimination of monensin, while total production of SCFA was 1.78 times higher than on the first day. Methane production increased 7 days after monensin administration ceased, whereas hydrogen production decreased. The methanogens and rumen bacterial copy numbers were unaffected by the withdrawal of monensin.
Allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction typing and sequencing of mitochondrial D‐loop region in broiler chickens in Japan
Authors: Harumi Takashi , Kobayashi Eiji , Naito Mitsuru
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to comprehend a feature of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mainly of general broiler chickens in Japan. We typed two SNP sites (199C/T and 792A/G) of the D‐loop region in mtDNA by allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) in 359 broiler (182 chunky and 177 cobb) and 506 layer (233 White Leghorn, 140 Barred Plymouth Rock and 133 Rhode Island Red) chickens. The SNP of 199C or 792A by AS‐PCR was observed in the chunky and cobb chickens, and not in the layers. The haplotype 199T/792G was observed in a part of cobb and all layers. By the result of AS‐PCR haplotyping and the broiler brands, the D‐loop region was sequenced in 44 broiler chickens (20 chunky and 24 cobb) and compared with the layers’ sequence data. Among the broiler and layer chickens, 21 SNP sites (including one insertion) and 11 sequence haplotypes were observed. Haplotype variation or correspondence was observed in and between the broiler brands. This study provides important information to establish a chicken meat traceability system by SNP haplotyping of mtDNA in Japan.
Evaluation of total mixed ration silage with brewers grains for dairy buffalo in Tarai, Nepal
Authors: Sakai Takashi , Devkota Naba R. , Oishi Kazato , Hirooka Hiroyuki , Kumagai Hajime
Published: March 2015

To investigate the effects of total mixed ration (TMR) silage, which contained brewers grain and rice straw as a substitute for conventional concentrate on feed intake and milk production in middle‐to‐late lactation buffaloes, four multiparous Murrah buffaloes were assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment. The TMR silage, which had higher neutral and acid detergent fiber contents and digestibility than concentrate (P < 0.05) and similar crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents with concentrate were used for the lactation experiment. The treatments were control (CTL) fed concentrate at 0.6% of body weight (BW), and T1 and T2 fed the TMR silage at 0.6 and 1.2% of BW on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively, with rice straw ad libitum. Daily intakes of DM, CP and TDN, and BW change were higher in T2 than in CTL and T1 (P < 0.05). Although milk composition did not differ among the treatments, milk yield (MY) was higher in T2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in MY/DM intake and MY/TDN intake among the treatments. The increase of BW and MY in middle‐to‐late lactation buffaloes might have been due to high TDN intake from supplementary TMR silage.
Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx in clinical settings: searching for the sheddases
Authors: Becker Bernhard F. , Jacob Matthias , Leipert Stephanie , Salmon Andrew H. J. , Chappell Daniel
Published: March 2015

The endothelial glycocalyx has a profound influence at the vascular wall on the transmission of shear stress, on the maintenance of a selective permeability barrier and a low hydraulic conductivity, and on attenuating firm adhesion of blood leukocytes and platelets. Major constituents of the glycocalyx, including syndecans, heparan sulphates and hyaluronan, are shed from the endothelial surface under various acute and chronic clinical conditions, the best characterized being ischaemia and hypoxia, sepsis and inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, renal disease and haemorrhagic viral infections. Damage has also been detected by in vivo microscopic techniques. Matrix metalloproteases may shed syndecans and heparanase, released from activated mast cells, cleaves heparan sulphates from core proteins. According to new data, not only hyaluronidase but also the serine proteases thrombin, elastase, proteinase 3 and plasminogen, as well as cathepsin B lead to loss of hyaluronan from the endothelial surface layer, suggesting a wide array of potentially destructive conditions. Appropriately, pharmacological agents such as inhibitors of inflammation, antithrombin and inhibitors of metalloproteases display potential to attenuate shedding of the glycocalyx in various experimental models. Also, plasma components, especially albumin, stabilize the glycocalyx and contribute to the endothelial surface layer. Though symptoms of the above listed diseases and conditions correlate with sequelae expected from disturbance of the endothelial glycocalyx (oedema, inflammation, leukocyte and platelet adhesion, low reflow), therapeutic studies to prove a causal connection have yet to be designed. With respect to studies on humans, some clinical evidence exists for benefits from application of sulodexide, a preparation delivering precursors of the glycocalyx constituent heparan sulphate. At present, the simplest option for protecting the glycocalyx seems to be to ensure an adequate level of albumin. However, also in this case, definite proof of causality needs to be delivered.
DPD and UGT1A1 deficiency in colorectal cancer patients receiving triplet chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin and irinotecan
Authors: Falvella Felicia Stefania , Cheli Stefania , Martinetti Antonia , Mazzali Cristina , Iacovelli Roberto , Maggi Claudia , Gariboldi Manuela , Pierotti Marco Alessandro , Di Bartolomeo Maria , Sottotetti Elisa , Mennitto Roberta , Bossi Ilaria , de Braud Filippo , Clementi Emilio , Pietrantonio Filippo
Published: March 2015

Aims

Triplet chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin and irinotecan is a standard therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DPYD and UGT1A1 influence fluoropyrimdines and irinotecan adverse events (AEs). Low frequency DPYD variants (c.1905 + 1G > A, c.1679 T > G, c.2846A > T) are validated but more frequent ones (c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G and c.1896 T > C) are not. rs895819 T > C polymorphism in hsa‐mir‐27a is associated with reduced DPD activity. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of a pharmacogenetic panel for patients receiving triplet combinations.

Methods

Germline DNA was available from 64 CRC patients enrolled between 2008 and 2013 in two phase II trials of capecitabine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan plus bevacizumab or cetuximab. SNPs were determined by Real‐Time PCR. We evaluated the functional variants in DPYD (rare: c.1905 + 1G > A, c.1679 T > G, c.2846A > T; most common: c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G, c.1896 T > C), hsa‐mir‐27a (rs895819) and UGT1A1 (*28) genes to assess their association with grade 3–4 AEs.

Results

None of the patients carried rare DPYD variants. We found DPYD c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G, c.1896 T > C in heterozygosity in 19%, 5% and 8%, respectively, homozygous rs895819 in hsa‐mir‐27a in 9% and homozygous UGT1A1*28 in 8%. Grade 3–4 AEs were observed in 36% patients and were associated with DPYD c.496A > G (odds ratio (OR) 4.93, 95% CI 1.29, 18.87; P = 0.021) and homozygous rs895819 in hsa‐mir‐27a (OR 11.11, 95% CI 1.21, 102.09; P = 0.020). Carriers of DPYD c.1896 T > C and homozygous UGT1A1*28 showed an OR of 8.42 (95% CI 0.88, 80.56; P = 0.052). Multivariate analysis confirmed an independent value for DPYD c.496A > G and c.1896 T > C.

Conclusions

Concomitant assessment of DPYD variants and the UGT1A1*28 allele is a promising strategy needing further validation for dose personalization.
Impact of a male‐only weight loss maintenance programme on social–cognitive determinants of physical activity and healthy eating: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Young Myles D. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Collins Clare E. , Callister Robin , Morgan Philip J.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To examine the effect of a gender‐tailored, Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)‐based weight loss maintenance (WLM) intervention on men's physical activity and healthy eating cognitions and behaviours in the 12 months after completing a weight loss programme.

Design

A two‐phase, assessor‐blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Ninety‐two overweight/obese men (mean [SD] age: 49.2 years [10.1], BMI: 30.7 [3.3] kg/m2) who lost at least 4 kg after completing the 3‐month SCT‐based SHED‐IT Weight Loss Program were randomly allocated to receive (1) the SCT‐based SHED‐IT WLM Program; or (2) no additional resources (self‐help control group). The 6‐month gender‐tailored SHED‐IT WLM Program was completely self‐administered and operationalized SCT behaviour change principles to assist men to increase moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and decrease energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor (discretionary) food consumption after initial weight loss. After randomization (WLM baseline), men were reassessed at 6 months (WLM post‐test) and 12 months (6‐month WLM follow‐up). SCT cognitions (e.g., self‐efficacy, goal setting), MVPA, and discretionary food consumption were assessed with validated measures.

Results

Following significant improvements in cognitions, MVPA and discretionary food consumption during the weight loss phase, intention‐to‐treat, linear mixed models revealed no significant group‐by‐time differences in cognitions or behaviours during the WLM phase. Initial improvements in MVPA and some cognitions (e.g., goal setting, planning, and social support) were largely maintained by both groups at the end of the study. Dietary effects were not as strongly maintained, with the intervention and control groups maintaining 57% and 75% of the Phase I improvements in discretionary food intake, respectively.

Conclusions

An additional SCT‐based WLM programme did not elicit further improvements over a self‐help control in the cognitions or behaviours for MVPA or discretionary food intake of men who had lost weight with a SCT‐based weight loss programme.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?Weight regain after weight loss (WL) is common. As successful weight loss maintenance (WLM) requires sustained improvements in cognitions and behaviours, health psychology can contribute to intervention development. However, little research has examined the utility of psychological theory in the context of a WLM randomised controlled trial.

What does this study add?

A theory‐based WL program improved men's physical activity and dietary behaviours and cognitions.

Men who also received a theory‐based WLM program did not show further improvements in physical activity or dietary cognitions and behaviours compared to those that did not.
Phase II trial of chemoradiotherapy with S‐1 plus cisplatin for unresectable locally advanced head and neck cancer (JCOG0706)
Authors: Tahara Makoto , Kiyota Naomi , Mizusawa Junki , Nakamura Kenichi , Hayashi Ryuichi , Akimoto Tetsuo , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Iwae Shigemichi , Monden Nobuya , Matsuura Kazuto , Fujii Hirofumi , Onozawa Yusuke , Homma Akira , Kubota Akira , Fukuda Haruhiko , Fujii Masato
Published: March 2015

We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemoradiotherapy concurrent with S‐1 plus cisplatin in patients with unresectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Chemotherapy consisted of S‐1 twice daily on days 1–14 at 60 mg/m2/day and cisplatin at 20 mg/m2/day on days 8–11, repeated twice at a 5‐week interval. Single daily radiation of 70 Gy in 35 fractions was given concurrently starting on day 1. For patients achieving an objective response after chemoradiotherapy, two additional cycles of chemotherapy were administered. Of the 45 enrolled patients, the percentage of clinical complete remission, the primary endpoint, was 64.4% (8 complete response, 21 good partial response) on central review. After a median follow‐up of 3.52 years, 3‐year local progression‐free survival was 62.2%, with 3‐year progression‐free survival of 60.0%, 3‐year overall survival of 64.4%, and 3‐year time to treatment failure of 48.9%. Grade 3 or 4 toxicity included pharyngeal mucositis (46.7%), oral mucositis (44.4%), dysphagia (46.7%), anorexia (42.2%), radiation dermatitis (26.7%), neutropenia (26.7%), and febrile neutropenia (4.4%). No treatment‐related deaths were observed. This combination showed promising efficacy with acceptable toxicities.