bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method to Consider Whether Dams Mitigate Climate Change Effects on Stream Temperatures
Authors: Null Sarah E. , Ligare Scott T. , Viers Joshua H.
Published: July 2013

This article provides a method for examining mesoscale water quality objectives downstream of dams with anticipated climate change using a multimodel approach. Coldwater habitat for species such as trout and salmon has been reduced by water regulation, dam building, and land use change that alter stream temperatures. Climate change is an additional threat. Changing hydroclimatic conditions will likely impact water temperatures below dams and affect downstream ecology. We model reservoir thermal dynamics and release operations (assuming that operations remain unchanged through time) of hypothetical reservoirs of different sizes, elevations, and latitudes with climate‐forced inflow hydrologies to examine the potential to manage water temperatures for coldwater habitat. All models are one dimensional and operate on a weekly timestep. Results are presented as water temperature change from the historical time period and indicate that reservoirs release water that is cooler than upstream conditions, although the absolute temperatures of reaches below dams warm with climate change. Stream temperatures are sensitive to changes in reservoir volume, elevation, and latitude. Our approach is presented as a proof of concept study to evaluate reservoir regulation effects on stream temperatures and coldwater habitat with climate change.
Time‐Dependent Health Risk from Contaminated Groundwater Including Use of Reliability, Resilience, and Vulnerability as Measures
Authors: Rodak Carolyn , Silliman Stephen E. , Bolster Diogo
Published: July 2013

Traditionally, assessment of human health risk caused by contamination of a water supply focuses on the maximum risk to an individual. Here, we introduce a time‐dependent risk assessment method and adapt and explore the reliability, resilience, and vulnerability (RRV) criteria from the surface‐water literature as possible tools for assessing this risk. Time‐dependent risk assessment, including RRV, is applied to two synthetic examples where water quality at a well varies over time. We calculate time‐dependent health risks for discrete periods of exposure to the contaminated water for a variable population. The RRV criteria provide information about time‐dependent risk: probability of an acceptable risk, probability of system recovery, maximum risk, and average exceedance of a prescribed risk threshold. The results demonstrate that episodic contamination events produce fundamentally different time‐dependent risks than long‐term events: these differences, such as generally lower risks for the episodic contamination, can be captured via plots of the risk and the RRV criteria. Furthermore, the evaluation of time‐dependent health risk and the RRV criteria demonstrates significant sensitivity to the shape of the contaminant breakthrough curve, length of exposure, and variability within the population. Overall, analysis of time‐dependent health risks provides substantial insight into the structure of risk, with RRV providing a reasonable framework for the evaluation of these risks.
Influence of monsoon‐related riparian phenology on yellow‐billed cuckoo habitat selection in Arizona
Authors: Wallace Cynthia S. A. , Villarreal Miguel L. , van Riper III Charles
Published: July 2013

Aim

The western yellow‐billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), a Neotropical migrant bird, is facing steep population declines in its western breeding grounds owing primarily to loss of native habitat. The favoured nesting habitat for the cuckoo in the south‐western United States is low‐elevation riparian forests and woodlands. Our aim was to explore relationships between vegetation phenology patterns captured by satellite phenometrics and the distribution of the yellow‐billed cuckoo, and to use this information to map cuckoo habitat.

Location

Arizona, USA.

Methods

Land surface phenometrics were derived from satellite Advanced Very High‐Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), bi‐weekly time‐composite, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data for 1998 and 1999 at a resolution of 1 km. Fourier harmonics were used to analyse the waveform of the annual NDVI profile in each pixel. To create the models, we coupled 1998 satellite phenometrics with 1998 field survey data of cuckoo presence or absence and with point data that sampled riparian and cottonwood–willow vegetation types. Our models were verified and refined using field and satellite data collected in 1999.

Results

The models reveal that cuckoos prefer areas that experience peak greenness 29 days later, are 36% more dynamic and slightly (< 1%) more productive than their average cottonwood–willow habitat. The results support a scenario in which cuckoos migrate northwards, following the greening of riparian corridors and surrounding landscapes in response to monsoon precipitation, but then select a nesting site based on optimizing the near‐term foraging potential of the neighbourhood.

Main conclusions

The identification of preferred phenotypes within recognized habitat can be used to refine future habitat models, inform habitat response to climate change, and suggest adaptation strategies. For example, models of phenotype preferences can guide management actions by identifying and prioritizing for conservation those landscapes that reliably exhibit highly preferred phenometrics on a consistent basis.
Extensive hybridization and associated geographic trends between two rockfishesSebastes vulpesandS. zonatus(Teleostei:Scorpaeniformes:Sebastidae)
Authors: Muto N. , Kai Y. , Noda T. , Nakabo T.
Published: July 2013

Interspecific hybridization is an important evolutionary process, which has significant influence on the diversity within and between participating taxa. Although interspecific hybridization in terrestrial and freshwater organisms has been subjected to many detailed studies, studies in marine realm have been limited in terms of both numbers and detail. In this study, the potential for interspecific hybridization between two rockfishes,Sebastes vulpesandS. zonatus, occurring in the westernNorthPacific, was assessed on the basis of 177 specimens collected from three sampling localities within the main geographic distribution of both species, and analysed using a combination of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), mitochondrialDNA(mtDNA) markers and morphometric characters. Bayesian‐based individual genetic assignment based on 364AFLPloci detected a total of 63 (35.6%) hybrid specimens in the data set, the presence of interspecific hybrids also being rigorously supported by mtDNAanalysis using partial sequences from the control region and morphological analysis based on 31 morphometric characters. Hybrids from all three localities were found, showing a common pattern of biased introgression across the localities whereby hybrids were more closely related toS. zonatusthan toS. vulpes. Apart from this common pattern, rates of hybridization varied considerably among the localities, being greater in the northern localities. Variations in the local rates of hybridization were associated with variations in habitat segregation and thermal regime, implying that vertical water temperature regimes determined the extent of habitat segregation of the two species and, accordingly, the opportunity for hybridization.
Association between host's genetic diversity and parasite burden in damselflies
Authors: Kaunisto K. M. , Viitaniemi H. M. , Leder E. H. , Suhonen J.
Published: July 2013

Recent research indicates that low genetic variation in individuals can increase susceptibility to parasite infection, yet evidence from natural invertebrate populations remains scarce. Here, we studied the relationship between genetic heterozygosity, measured as AFLP‐based inbreeding coefficientfAFLP, and gregarine parasite burden from eleven damselfly,Calopteryx splendens,populations. We found that in the studied populations, 5–92% of males were parasitized by endoparasitic gregarines (Apicomplexa:Actinocephalidae). Number of parasites ranged from none to 47 parasites per male, and parasites were highly aggregated in a few hosts. Mean individualfAFLPdid not differ between populations. Moreover, we found a positive association between individual's inbreeding coefficient and parasite burden. In other words, the more homozygous the individual, the more parasites it harbours. Thus, parasites are likely to pose strong selection pressure against inbreeding and homozygosity. Our results support the heterozygosity‐fitness correlation hypothesis, which suggests the importance of heterozygosity for an individual's pathogen resistance.
Does female feeding motivation affect the response to a food‐mimicking male ornament in the swordtail characin Corynopoma riisei?
Authors: Amcoff M. , Kolm N.
Published: July 2013

Female response to various aspects of male trait morphology and the effect of female feeding motivation were investigated in the swordtail characin Corynopoma riisei, a species where males are equipped with a flag‐like food‐mimicking ornament that grows from the operculum. Unfed females responded more strongly to the male ornament and showed a stronger preference for larger ornaments than did fed females. Females were shown not to discriminate between artificial male ornaments of either undamaged or damaged shape.
Isolation and partial characterization of a novel virus from different carp species suffering gill necrosis – ultrastructure and morphogenesis
Authors: Granzow H , Fichtner D , Schütze H , Lenk M , Dresenkamp B , Nieper H , Mettenleiter T C
Published: July 2013

Two isolates of a novel enveloped RNA virus were obtained from carp and koi carp with gill necrosis. Both isolates behaved identically and could be propagated in different cyprinid cell lines forming large syncytia. The virus was sensitive to lipid solvents and neither exhibited haemadsorption/haemagglutination nor reverse transcriptase activity. Mature virus particles displayed a spherical shape with diameter of 100–350 nm after negative staining and 100–300 nm in ultrathin sections, covered by short projections of 8–10 nm in length. Maturation of virus progeny was shown to occur by budding and envelopment of the filamentous helical nucleocapsids at the cell surface. A detailed comparison of ultrastructure and morphogenesis of the novel virus isolates with selected arena‐, ortho‐ and paramyxoviruses as possible candidates for evaluation of taxonomic classification yielded no consistency in all phenotypic features. Thus, on the basis of ultrastructure the novel virus isolates could not be assigned unequivocally to any established virus family.
Caregiver Perspectives on Cancer Screening for Persons with Dementia: “Why Put Them Through It?”
Authors: Torke Alexia M. , Schwartz Peter H. , Holtz Laura R. , Montz Kianna , Sachs Greg A.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To describe the perspectives of family caregivers toward stopping cancer screening tests for their relatives with dementia and identify opportunities to reduce harmful or unnecessary screening.

Design

Focus group study.

Setting

Alzheimer's Association support groups for family members of individuals with dementia.

Participants

Four focus groups including 32 caregivers (25 female; 24 white, 7 African American, one American/Indian; mean age 65.5, range 49–85).

Measurements

Focus group transcripts were transcribed and analyzed using methods of grounded theory.

Results

Caregivers considered decisions to stop cancer screening in terms of quality of life and burden on the patient and caregiver. Many described having to intervene in the patient's care to stop unnecessary or harmful screening, and others met resistance when they advocated for stopping. Physicians varied widely in their knowledge of dementia care and willingness to consider cessation of screening.

Conclusion

Many family caregivers wish to stop cancer screening tests as dementia progresses and are relieved when physicians bring it up. Caregivers are open to discussions of screening cessation that focus on quality of life, burdens, and benefits. Interventions are needed to increase caregiver and clinician discussion of screening cessation and to increase clinician awareness of the need to reconsider cancer screening in individuals with dementia.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Elderly Adults: Is It Justified in Terms of Mortality, Long‐Term Morbidity, and Quality of Life?
Authors: Gerstenhaber Fabian , Grossman Julie , Lubezky Nir , Itzkowitz Eran , Nachmany Ido , Sever Ronen , Ben‐Haim Menahem , Nakache Richard , Klausner Joseph M. , Lahat Guy
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To evaluate long‐term morbidity, mortality, and quality of life (QoL) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in elderly adults.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel‐Aviv, Israel.

Participants

One hundred and sixty‐eight individuals aged 70 and older who underwent PD between 1995 and 2010.

Measurements

A prospective pancreatic surgery database was analyzed for postoperative morbidity; mortality; intensive care unit (ICU), hospital, and rehabilitation facility stay; and readmissions after surgery. QoL was assessed using a validated questionnaire completed 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Results

Seventy‐two percent of the participants had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater. There was no intraoperative death. Thirty‐ and 60‐day postoperative mortality rates were 5.9% and 6.5%, respectively. Median ICU stay was 2 days, and median hospital stay was 22 days. Sixty‐four participants (37.5%) were discharged to a rehabilitation facility. The first‐year readmission rate was 31%. One‐ and 2‐year overall survival rates were 58% and 36%, respectively. Global QoL scores 3 and 12 months after surgery were 68% and 73%, respectively. Scores were lower yet comparable with those of matched individuals undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

Most elderly adults with pancreatic cancer survive longer than 1 year after PD; 36% survive longer than 2 years. These individuals are likely to have acceptable long‐term morbidity and overall good QoL, corresponding with their age.
Changes in Alcohol Intake and Their Relationship with Health Status over a 24‐Year Follow‐Up Period in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: McEvoy Linda K. , Kritz‐Silverstein Donna , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth , Bergstrom Jaclyn , Laughlin Gail A.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To determine whether alcohol use changes over time in older adults and whether alcohol intake is associated with common chronic diseases.

Design

Twenty‐four‐year longitudinal study.

Setting

Southern California community.

Participants

One thousand seventy‐six members of the Rancho Bernardo cohort aged 50 to 89 at baseline.

Measurements

Participants completed two to six research visits at approximately 4‐year intervals between 1984 and 2009. At each visit, participants completed standard questionnaires on alcohol use, chronic diseases, and behaviors. Mixed‐effects linear models were used to examine changes in average weekly alcohol intake over time and in relationship to health status.

Results

Prevalence and frequency of alcohol use was high throughout the study, with more than 60% of participants reporting weekly alcohol intake. The average amount consumed declined with advancing age, regardless of the presence of any of the eight most common chronic diseases. Prevalence of drinking in excess of age‐ and sex‐specific low‐risk guidelines was high across all visits and did not vary according to disease burden. At the final visit, 29% of participants drank in excess of low‐risk drinking guidelines, including 28% of those with hypertension and 31% with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

Prevalence and frequency of alcohol intake remained stable over a 24 year follow‐up in this cohort of educated, white, middle‐class, older adults, although average amount consumed decreased with advancing age. Despite this decrease, a high proportion of older adults, including those with common chronic health conditions, drank in excess of current guidelines. Clinicians should provide more education on the importance of older adults moderating alcohol intake.
Site‐Specific Gene Targeting Using Transcription Activator‐Like Effector (TALE)‐Based Nuclease in Brassica oleracea
Authors: Sun Zijian , Li Nianzu , Huang Guodong , Xu Junqiang , Pan Yu , Wang Zhimin , Tang Qinglin , Song Ming , Wang Xiaojia
Published: July 2013

Site‐specific recognition modules with DNA nuclease have tremendous potential as molecular tools for genome targeting. The type III transcription activator‐like effectors (TALEs) contain a DNA binding domain consisting of tandem repeats that can be engineered to bind user‐defined specific DNA sequences. We demonstrated that customized TALE‐based nucleases (TALENs), constructed using a method called “unit assembly”, specifically target the endogenous FRIGIDA gene in Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. The results indicate that the TALENs bound to the target site and cleaved double‐strand DNA in vitro and in vivo, whereas the effector binding elements have a 23 bp spacer. The T7 endonuclease I assay and sequencing data show that TALENs made double‐strand breaks, which were repaired by a non‐homologous end‐joining pathway within the target sequence. These data show the feasibility of applying customized TALENs to target and modify the genome with deletions in those organisms that are still in lacking gene target methods to provide germplasms in breeding improvement.
Mammary Hypoplasia: Not Every Breast Can Produce Sufficient Milk
Authors: Arbour Megan W. , Kessler Julia Lange
Published: July 2013

Breast milk is considered the optimal form of nutrition for newborn infants. Current recommendations are to breastfeed for 6 months. Not all women are able to breastfeed. Mammary hypoplasia is a primary cause of failed lactogenesis II, whereby the mother is unable to produce an adequate milk volume. Women with mammary hypoplasia often have normal hormone levels and innervation but lack sufficient glandular tissue to produce an adequate milk supply to sustain their infant. The etiology of this rare condition is unclear, although there are theories that refer to genetic predisposition and estrogenic environmental exposures in select agricultural environments. Women with mammary hypoplasia may not exhibit the typical breast changes associated with pregnancy and may fail to lactate postpartum. Breasts of women with mammary hypoplasia may be widely spaced (1.5 inches or greater), asymmetric, or tuberous in nature. Awareness of the history and clinical signs of mammary hypoplasia during the prenatal period and immediate postpartum increases the likelihood that women will receive the needed education and physical and emotional support and encouragement. Several medications and herbs demonstrate some efficacy in increasing breast milk production in women with mammary hypoplasia.
Specific changes of sulfatide levels in individuals with pre‐clinical Alzheimer's disease: an early event in disease pathogenesis
Authors: Cheng Hua , Wang Miao , Li Jian‐Liang , Cairns Nigel J. , Han Xianlin
Published: July 2013

To explore the hypothesis that alterations in cellular membrane lipids are present at the stage of pre‐clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) (i.e., cognitively normal at death, but with AD neuropathology), we performed targeted shotgun lipidomics of lipid extracts from post‐mortem brains of subjects with pre‐clinical AD. We found sulfatide levels were significantly lower in subjects with pre‐clinical AD compared to those without AD neuropathology. We also found that the level of ethanolamine glycerophospholipid was marginally lower at this stage of AD, whereas changes of the ceramide levels were undetectable with the available samples. These results indicate that cellular membrane defects are present at the earliest stages of AD pathogenesis and also suggest that sulfatide loss is among the earliest events of AD development, while alterations in the levels of ethanolamine glycerophospholipid and ceramide occur relatively later in disease.
From Hot Cakes to Cold Feet: A Contingent Perspective on the Relationship between Market Uncertainty and Status Homophily in the Formation of Alliances
Authors: Collet Francois , Philippe Déborah
Published: July 2013

In this study, we reconsider the classical positive association between the level of market uncertainty and an organization's propensity to form ties with organizations of similar status. Although prior research argues that the greater the uncertainty, the higher the level of status homophily, we suggest that this relationship is contingent upon framing that affects positive or negative valence towards uncertainty. In an up market, organizations tend to frame uncertainty as upside risk, and thus will subsequently favour explorative uncertainty‐mitigation devices; whereas, in a down market, organizations primarily frame uncertainty as downward risk, and thus will rely on more conservative uncertainty‐mitigation mechanisms. We therefore predict that a greater number of status‐heterophilous ties will be formed in an up market than in a down market. We discuss the implications of our results for status theory and more broadly for research on strategic decision making under uncertainty.
Promising Futures:CMS, Post‐Disciplinarity, and the New Public Social Science
Authors: Delbridge Rick
Published: July 2013

This paper considers the future prospects forCriticalManagementStudies and by extension management studies more generally. To explore these, two frameworks from the wider social sciences are deployed. The anchorpoint for the discussion isMichaelBurawoy's work distinguishing types of scholarship on the bases of (a) conceptions of knowledge produced by social scientists, and (b) different audiences for that knowledge.CriticalManagementStudies is founded on critique but its future will be determined by how it makes its way acrossBurawoy's other domains of professional, policy and public scholarship. To examine this,Idraw onJohnBrewer's recent articulation of the ‘new public social science’.Brewer's problem‐driven, post‐disciplinary approach conceives the public value of social science as its conservation of moral sentiments and sympathetic imagination towards each other as social beings, and its ethical concern about the humanitarian future of humankind. The new public social science is normative and partisan, transgressive, scientific, and impactful. I argue that this provides a potentially fruitful template to guide future management studies. This is a future in whichCriticalManagementStudies – as management studies' critical and emancipatory conscience – has a central role to play.
Mineral and trace element analysis of saliva from patients with BMS: a cross‐sectional prospective controlled clinical study
Authors: López‐Jornet Pía , Juan Hermogenes , Alvaro Pons‐Fuster
Published: July 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate salivary markers related to burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Study Design

A cross‐sectional prospective controlled clinical study of 58 patients (28 BMS and 30 control). The presence of mineral and trace metals in unstimulated whole saliva was analyzed in BMS patients and in control subjects by means of ICP–OES. The parameters analyzed were as follows: oral health‐related quality of life (OHIP‐14) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure the intensity of burning sensation (pain).

Results

The mean pain value for patients with BMS was 7.8 ± 2.4. OHIP‐14 oral health‐related quality of life among BMS patients was found to be affected: total BMS OHIP‐14 (16.98 ± 12.29) vs. control (8.53 ± 10.5) with significant difference (P = 0.015). Concentrations of the different elements were slightly higher among BMS patients but without statistically significant differences for any of the elements analyzed (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, P, S, Al, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As, Be, Bi, Co, Li, Mo, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, V).

Conclusions

This study failed to identify abnormal levels of minerals or trace elements in saliva of patients with BMS.
Dendrimers for gene delivery – a potential approach for ocular therapy?
Authors: Chaplot Sahil P , Rupenthal Ilva D
Published: July 2013

Objectives

A vast number of blinding diseases have genetic aetiologies and may be treated by molecular based therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides or short interfering RNA. However, treatment success of ocular gene therapy is highly dependent on efficient delivery of such molecules.

Key findings

The majority of clinical studies for ocular gene therapy utilize viral vectors. While these have proven highly efficient, they show limited loading capacity and pose significant safety risks owing to their oncogenic and immunogenic effects. Non-viral gene carriers have emerged as a promising alternative with dendrimers providing great potential for gene therapy because of their size, shape and high density of modifiable surface groups. However, while dendrimers have been used extensively for drug and gene delivery to other organs, only a few studies have been reported on the eye.

This review focuses on the development of dendrimers for gene delivery with special emphasis on ocular gene therapy. Different synthesis approaches and types of dendrimers are discussed. Ocular gene therapy targets are highlighted with an overview of current clinical studies. The use of dendrimers in ocular gene delivery in comparison to liposomes and nanoparticles is also discussed. Finally, future prospects of tailored multifunctional dendrimers for ocular gene therapy are highlighted.
Improving Care for Rural Veterans: Are High Dual Users Different?
Authors: Nayar Preethy , Yu Fang , Apenteng Bettye
Published: July 2013

Background

Rural veterans face considerable barriers to access to care and are likely to seek health care services outside the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), or dual care.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of high users of dual care versus occasional and nonusers of dual care, and the determinants of satisfaction with care received by rural veterans.

Design

The design was a cross‐sectional observational study.

Participants

Structured telephone interviews of a random sample of veterans residing in rural Nebraska were conducted in 2011.

Main Measures

Veterans’ frequency of use of dual care and satisfaction with care received were assessed using multinomial and ordinal regression models.

Key Results

Veterans who have an established relationship with a VHA provider or a personal doctor or nurse at the VHA and those who were more satisfied with VHA quality of care were less likely to be high users of dual care. Veterans who were Medicare beneficiaries, or had private insurance or chronic illnesses, or were confused about where to seek care were more likely to be users of dual care. Veterans who report being confused about where to seek care, and those who perceive lack of coordination between the VHA and non‐VHA systems are less satisfied with care received.

Conclusions

Understanding what motivates veterans to use dual care and influences their satisfaction with care received will enable the VHA to implement policy that improves the quality of care provided to rural veterans.
Effects of Gestational Age on Physical Findings of Immaturity, Body Weight, and Survival in Neonatal Alpacas (2002–2010)
Authors: Hardefeldt L.Y. , Semrad S.D. , Crump P.M. , Caragual C. , Peek S.F.
Published: July 2013

Background

Gestational duration is highly variable in camelids (reference range 330–360 days), and a definition for prematurity has not been established. Anecdotally, it is suggested that crias born outside of this have increased incidence of physical findings of immaturity (tendon laxity, floppy ears, and unerupted teeth) and need increased intensive support in the neonatal period.

Objectives

Low gestational age (<330 days) is associated with physical findings of immaturity, low birth weight, more intensive and expensive care, but not decreased short‐term survival.

Animals

A total of 130 alpacas presented to the University of Wisconsin.

Methods

Retrospective study of all neonatal crias <1 month of age.

Results

Of 130 neonatal alpacas presented, 86 (66%) had gestational age recorded (range 312–393 days). There were 16 (18.6%) crias with gestational age below 330 days. Crias born before 330 days were lighter at birth (mean 6.4 kg, SD 1.3 kg) than those born after 330 days (mean 7.4 kg, SD 1.7 kg, P = .002). Clinically immature crias had lower birth weights (mean 6.5 kg, SD 1.5 kg) than physically mature crias (mean 8.8 kg, SD 3.2 kg, P = .05). Survival rates were similar in all groups (premature 77%, mature 88%, P = .12). However, treatment costs were higher in crias born prior to 330 days with physical findings at birth consistent with immaturity compared with gestationally mature crias and those born prior to 330 days but with a physically mature appearance.

Conclusions

Crias born before 330 days and those with physical findings of immaturity have a good prognosis, but require more intensive care, resulting in higher treatment costs.
Esophageal Stenting for Treatment of Refractory Benign Esophageal Strictures in Dogs
Authors: Lam N. , Weisse C. , Berent A. , Kaae J. , Murphy S. , Radlinsky M. , Richter K. , Dunn M. , Gingerich K.
Published: July 2013

Background

Benign esophageal strictures can recur despite multiple dilatation procedures and palliative management can be challenging.

Objective

To describe the technique and determine the outcome of esophageal stenting for treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBES) in dogs.

Animals

Nine dogs with RBES.

Methods

Retrospective review of records for dogs with RBES. Indwelling intraluminal esophageal stents were placed transorally with endoscopy, fluoroscopic guidance, or both. Follow‐up information was obtained via medical record or telephone interview.

Results

Nine dogs had 10 stents placed including biodegradable stents (BDS) (6/10), self‐expanding metallic stents (SEMS) (3/10), and a self‐expanding plastic stent (SEPS) (1/10). All dogs had short‐term improved dysphagia. Complications included ptyalism, apparent nausea, gagging, vomiting, or regurgitation (8/9), confirmed recurrence of stricture (6/9), stent migration (3/9), stent shortening (1/9), megaesophagus (1/9), incisional infection (1/9), and tracheal–esophageal fistula (1/9). Eight of 9 dogs required intervention because of the complications of which 4 of 8 dogs were eventually euthanized because of stent‐related issues. One dog was lost to follow‐up examination.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Findings suggest that esophageal stent placement was safe and technically effective, but unpredictably tolerated in dogs with RBES. If a stent is placed, dogs should be monitored carefully for stent migration, dissolution of absorbable stents, and recurrence of strictures.
Comparison of Presumptive Echocardiographic and Definitive Diagnoses of Cardiac Tumors in Dogs
Authors: Rajagopalan V. , Jesty S.A. , Craig L.E. , Gompf R.
Published: July 2013

Background

Echocardiography is used for identification of cardiac tumors and presumptive diagnoses often are made based on the location of identified masses.

Objectives

To determine the accuracy of echocardiographically based presumptive diagnoses of cardiac tumors when compared with clinicopathologic or histopathologic definitive diagnoses.

Animals

A total of 24 client‐owned dogs having a cardiac mass on echocardiogram that was subsequently definitively diagnosed by cytology or histopathology.

Methods

Retrospective study. A Cardiac Veterinary Database search of animals seen at the University of Tennessee John and Ann Tickle Small Animal Hospital from 2006 to 2012 identified 24 dogs that fit the inclusion criteria.

Results

The presumptive diagnosis of chemodectoma, ectopic thyroid carcinoma, or lymphoma in cases with heart base masses was correct in 7/9 cases. The presumptive diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma in cases with right atrial masses was correct in 4/8 cases. Seven cases had an open diagnosis because of the unusual presentation on echocardiogram (ECG); various neoplasms were diagnosed in these animals, but hemangiosarcoma, chemodectoma, ectopic thyroid carcinoma, and lymphoma accounted for 6 of them. Pericardial effusion was seen in 10/24 cases.ECGabnormalities were seen in 8/24 cases. Survival ranged from <1 to >150 days.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In this retrospective study, the presumptive diagnosis based on echocardiographic tumor location was only moderately accurate. Cardiac tumors that were considered unusual on echocardiogram were nonetheless frequently found to be the common cardiac tumor types seen in dogs.
Serum Serotonin Concentration Is Associated with Severity of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
Authors: Ljungvall I. , Höglund K. , Lilliehöök I. , Oyama M.A. , Tidholm A. , Tvedten H. , Häggström J.
Published: July 2013

Background

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) has recently been suggested to play a role in the development of naturally acquired myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs.

Aim

To investigate the association between serum 5‐HTconcentration andMMVDseverity in dogs, and to assess potential associations between serum 5‐HTconcentrations and dog characteristics, echocardiographic variables, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, presence of macrothrombocytosis, and plateletcrit.

Animals

A total of 120 client‐owned dogs.

Material and Methods

Dogs were prospectively recruited and were classified by standard echocardiography into healthy (dogs of breeds predisposed toMMVD, but without echocardiographic evidence of the disease), mild, moderate, or severeMMVDgroups. Serum 5‐HTconcentrations were analyzed using anELISA.

Results

Dogs with severeMMVDhad lower serum 5‐HTconcentrations than healthy dogs (P = .0025) and dogs with mildMMVD(P = .0011). Unilinear and multiple regression analyses showed that serum 5‐HTconcentrations decreased with increasing left atrial to aortic root ratio (LA/Ao), were higher in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dogs compared to dogs of other breeds, and were higher in female dogs than in male dogs. TheLA/Ao was the variable most strongly associated with serum 5‐HTconcentration.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The finding of higher serum 5‐HTconcentrations in dogs of breeds predisposed to the early onset ofMMVD(CKCS) and dogs with mildMMVDsuggests that alterations in 5‐HTsignaling might play a role in progression of early stages ofMMVD.
Safety of Spironolactone in Dogs with Chronic Heart Failure because of Degenerative Valvular Disease: A Population‐Based, Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lefebvre H.P. , Ollivier E. , Atkins C.E. , Combes B. , Concordet D. , Kaltsatos V. , Baduel L.
Published: July 2013

Background

Spironolactone treatment in humans is associated with an increased risk of hyperkalemia and renal dysfunction.

Hypothesis

Dogs with cardiac disease treated with spironolactone, in addition to conventional therapy, are not at higher risk for adverse events (AEs) than those receiving solely conventional therapy.

Animals

One hundred and ninety‐six client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Methods

Prospective, double‐blinded field study with dogs randomized to receive either spironolactone (2 mg/kg once a day) or placebo in addition to conventional therapy (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, plus furosemide and digoxin if needed). Safety was compared between treatment groups, using the frequency ofAEs, death caused by cardiac disease, renal disease, or both, and variations in serum sodium, potassium, urea, and creatinine concentrations. For the latter, population‐specific reference intervals were established and out of range values (ORV) analyzed.

Results

The number ofAEs was similar in the spironolactone and reference groups (188 and 208, respectively), when followed for median duration of 217 days (range [2–1,333]). At each study time point, the percentage of dogs showingORVwas similar between groups. There were a higher number of deaths because of cardiac disease, renal disease or both in the reference group (30.7% versus 13.7%) (P = .0043).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with heart failure receiving spironolactone in addition to conventional treatment are not at a higher risk forAEs, death caused by cardiac disease, renal disease, or both, hyperkalemia, or azotemia.
Pharmacokinetics of an injectable long‐acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate in pigs
Authors: Gutiérrez L. , Ocampo L. , Espinosa F. , Sumano H.
Published: July 2013

Based on its ideal PK/PD ratios, doxycycline hyclate (DOX‐h), a time‐dependant antibacterial, is ideally expected to achieve sustained plasma drug concentrations at or slightly above the MIC level for as long as possible between dosing intervals. Pursuing this end, a poloxamer‐based matrix was used to produce a 10% long‐acting injectable preparation (DOX‐h‐LA) and its serum concentrations vs. time profile investigated after its injection to pigs in the pericaudal s.c. by parallel design. Results were compared with the forced oral bolus dose and i.v. pharmacokinetics of DOX‐h. For this study, 12 recently weaned pigs per group were included in this trial, and a dose of 20 mg/kg was injected in all cases. DOX‐h‐LA showed the greatest values for bioavailability (115.38%); maximum serum concentration (Cmax) value was 1.5 ± 0.2 with a time to reach Cmax of 3.41 ± 0.04 h and an elimination rate constant of 70.93 ± 0.87 h. Considering minimum effective serum concentration of 0.5 μg/mL, a dose interval of at least 5 days can be achieved for DOX‐h‐LA, whereas p.o. and i.v. dosing of DOX‐h may only last 11 and 15 h, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered on day 30 after this trial, and no visible remnants of the preparation were detected neither fibrosis was observed after a thorough macroscopic and histopathological analysis.
Variation in tidal wetland plant diversity and composition within and among coastal estuaries: assessing the relative importance of environmental gradients
Authors: Janousek Christopher N. , Folger Christina L.
Published: July 2013

Questions

What is the relative importance of topographic (elevation), edaphic (soil salinity, nitrogen and particle size) and hydrologic (estuarine river flow) gradients for variation in tidal wetland plant composition and diversity?

Location

Four Oregon estuaries: a marine‐dominated lagoon, two tidal‐driven bays, and a river‐dominated site.

Methods

We surveyed species presence, cover and richness; and environmental factors (soil salinity, grain size, soil nitrogen and elevation) in plots in marsh and swamp. We assessed patterns of community structure and the relative importance of environmental gradients with hierarchical partitioning, ordination, species accumulation curves and path analysis.

Results

The relative importance of measured environmental gradients on plant occurrence differed by species. Soil salinity or elevation explained the most variation in the majority of common species. Estuarine hydrology, soil nitrogen and soil clay content were usually of secondary or minor importance. Assemblage composition and species richness varied most strongly with tidal elevation. Local soil salinity also affected composition, but differences in estuarine hydrology had comparatively less effect on composition and richness. Higher‐elevation wetlands supported larger species pools and higher plot‐level richness; fresher wetlands had larger species pools than salt marsh but plot‐level richness was relatively invariant to differences in soil salinity.

Conclusions

Elevation and salinity tended to exert more influence on the vegetation structure of tidal wetlands than estuarine hydrology or other edaphic variables. With relative sea‐level rise expected to increase both flooding intensity and salinity exposure in future wetlands, global climate change may lead to changes in species distributions, altered floristic composition and reduced plant species richness.
Occupancy reliably reflects territory quality in a long‐lived migratory bird, the white stork
Authors: Janiszewski T. , Minias P. , Wojciechowski Z.
Published: July 2013

Patterns of territory occupancy were studied in the population of ca. 200 pairs of white stork Ciconia ciconia breeding in central Poland from 1994 to 2011. We tested whether occupation rate in this species correlated with different indices of territory quality and reproductive performance of nesting birds. Territory occupancy deviated significantly from random pattern, as nearly half of the territories were occupied for over 75% of all breeding seasons. It was found that white storks returning to breeding grounds in spring settled earlier in the territories of higher occupancy. There was a positive association between territory occupancy and productivity of storks, which could be explained by the lower prevalence of brood reduction in the longer occupied territories. Finally, we demonstrated that occupancy positively correlated with the share of high‐quality habitats (wetlands) in the foraging territories of storks. All these relationships indicate that territory occupancy may be used to reliably assess attractiveness of particular nesting territories and to identify key areas for white storks. We also suggest that the application of this simple measure of territory quality could well enhance conservation efforts directed at long‐lived migratory birds.
Raman spectroscopic properties and Raman identification of CaS‐MgS‐MnS‐FeS‐Cr2FeS4 sulfides in meteorites and reduced sulfur‐rich systems
Authors: Avril Caroline , Malavergne Valérie , Caracas Razvan , Zanda Brigitte , Reynard Bruno , Charon Emeline , Bobocioiu Ema , Brunet Fabrice , Borensztajn Stephan , Pont Sylvain , Tarrida Martine , Guyot François
Published: July 2013

Raman spectra were acquired on a series of natural and synthetic sulfide minerals, commonly found in enstatite meteorites: oldhamite (CaS), niningerite or keilite ((Mg,Fe)S), alabandite (MnS), troilite (FeS), and daubreelite (Cr2FeS4). Natural samples come from three enstatite chondrites, three aubrites, and one anomalous ungrouped enstatite meteorite. Synthetic samples range from pure endmembers (CaS, FeS, MgS) to complex solid solutions (Fe, Mg, Ca)S. The main Raman peaks are localized at 225, 285, 360, and 470 cm−1 for the Mg‐rich sulfides; at 185, 205, and 285 cm−1 for the Ca‐rich sulfides; at 250, 370, and 580 cm−1 for the Mn‐rich sulfides; at 255, 290, and 365 cm−1 for the Cr‐rich sulfides; and at 290 and 335 cm−1 for troilite with, occasionally, an extra peak at 240 cm−1. A peak at 160 cm−1 is present in all Raman spectra and cannot be used to discriminate between the different sulfide compositions. According to group theory, none of the cubic monosulfides oldhamite, niningerite, or alabandite should present first‐order Raman spectra because of their ideal rocksalt structure. The occurrence of broad Raman peaks is tentatively explained by local breaking of symmetry rules. Measurements compare well with the infrared frequencies calculated from first‐principles calculations. Raman spectra arise from activation of certain vibrational modes due to clustering in the solid solutions or to coupling with electronic transitions in semiconductor sulfides.
Ecological Inferences from a deep screening of the Complex Bacterial Consortia associated with the coral, Porites astreoides
Authors: Rodriguez‐Lanetty Mauricio , Granados‐Cifuentes Camila , Barberan Albert , Bellantuono Anthony J. , Bastidas Carolina
Published: July 2013

The functional role of the bacterial organisms in the reef ecosystem and their contribution to the coral well‐being remain largely unclear. The first step in addressing this gap of knowledge relies on in‐depth characterization of the coral microbial community and its changes in diversity across coral species, space and time. In this study, we focused on the exploration of microbial community assemblages associated with an ecologically important Caribbean scleractinian coral, Porites astreoides, using Illumina high‐throughput sequencing of the V5 fragment of 16S rRNA gene. We collected data from a large set of biological replicates, allowing us to detect patterns of geographical structure and resolve co‐occurrence patterns using network analyses. The taxonomic analysis of the resolved diversity showed consistent and dominant presence of two OTUs affiliated with the order Oceanospirillales, which corroborates a specific pattern of bacterial association emerging for this coral species and for many other corals within the genus Porites. We argue that this specific association might indicate a symbiotic association with the adult coral partner. Furthermore, we identified a highly diverse rare bacterial ‘biosphere’ (725 OTUs) also living along with the dominant bacterial symbionts, but the assemblage of this biosphere is significantly structured along the geographical scale. We further discuss that some of these rare bacterial members show significant association with other members of the community reflecting the complexity of the networked consortia within the coral holobiont.
An Integrated Airline Scheduling, Fleeting, and Pricing Model for a Monopolized Market
Authors: Atasoy Bilge , Salani Matteo , Bierlaire Michel
Published: July 2013

In airline schedule planning models, the demand and price information are usually taken as inputs to the model. Therefore, schedule and capacity decisions are taken separately from pricing decisions. In this article, we present an integrated scheduling, fleeting, and pricing model for a single airline where these decisions are taken simultaneously. This integration enables to explicitly model supply and demand interactions and make superior decisions. The model refers to a monopolized market. However, competing airlines are included in the model as a reference for the pricing decisions. The pricing decision is formulated through an itinerary choice model which determines the demand of the alternative itineraries in the same market according to their price, travel time, number of stops, and the departure time of the day. The demand model is estimated based on real data and is developed separately for economy and business classes. The seat allocation for these classes is optimized according to the behavior of the demand. The choice model is also used to appropriately model the spill and recapture effects. The resulting model is evaluated with different illustrations and the added value of the integrated approach is analyzed compared to a sequential approach. Results over a set of representative instances show that the integrated model is able to make superior decisions by jointly adjusting capacity and pricing.
Enalapril versus losartan for adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: He Yuan‐Mei , Feng Li , Huo Dong‐Mei , Yang Zhen‐Hua , Liao Yun‐Hua
Published: July 2013

Aim

Both enalapril and losartan are effective and widely used in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aimed to evaluate the benefits of enalapril and losartan in adults with CKD.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched, without language limitations, for randomized controlled trials (RCT), in which enalapril and losartan were compared in adults with CKD. Standard methods, consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, were used. Reviewer Manager software, ver. 5.2, was used for meta‐analysis.

Results

Of 318 citations retrieved, 17 RCT (14 parallel‐group and three cross‐over) met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis for parallel RCT showed that the effects of enalapril and losartan on blood pressure, renal function and serum uric acid (UA) were similar. Meta‐analysis indicated that patients taking enalapril had a higher risk of dry cough (risk ratio, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.11–7.48; P = 0.03). Sensitivity analysis showed good robustness of these findings.

Conclusion

Enalapril has similar effects to losartan on systemic blood pressure, renal function and serum UA in patients with CKD, but carries a higher risk of dry cough. Larger trials are required to evaluate the effects of these medications on clinical outcomes.