bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health benefits of carotenoids and potential application in poultry industry: A review
Authors: Nabi Fazul , Arain Muhammad A. , Rajput Nasir , Alagawany Mahmoud , Soomro Jamila , Umer Muhammad , Soomro Feroza , Wang Zhongqing , Ye Ruiling , Liu Juan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCarotenoids are one of the widespread and ubiquitous lipid‐soluble pigments that produce a wide range of colours which are universally found in various plants, microalgae, bacteria and fungi. Recently, interest in using carotenoids as feed ingredients has increased markedly owing to their bioactive and health‐promoting properties. In terms of applications, carotenoid‐rich products are widely available in the form of food and feed additive, supplements and natural colourants. Carotenoids play a versatile biological role that contributes to therapeutic effects, including anticancer, immunomodulators, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and neuroprotective. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids not only improves the production performance and health of poultry birds, but also enhances the quality of egg and meat. Several studies have suggested that the supplementation of plant derived carotenoids revealed numerous health‐promoting activities in poultry birds. Carotenoids reduce the oxidative stress in pre‐hatched and post‐hatched birds through different mechanisms, including quench free radicals, activating antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the signalling pathways. Use of carotenoids in poultry feed as a part of nutrient that confers bird health and improve product quality. Carotenoids play a critical role for the pigmentation of egg yolk, skin, legs, beak, comb, feather and fat. Birds consumed carotenoid deficient diet resulting hues of their egg yolk or pale coloured skin. Therefore, uniform pigmentation generally indicates the health status and quality of the poultry products. This review aims to gather recent information regarding bioactive properties of carotenoids and highlight pharmaceutical and health beneficial effects of carotenoids for the poultry industry. Additionally, it explores the importance of carotenoids as alternative feed ingredients for poultry to boost the production performance and replace synthetic medicine and nutrients.
Effectiveness and safety of atrial fibrillation ablation in females
Authors: Li Jingye , Sang Caihua , Du Xin , He Liu , Lu Shangxin , Jiang Chao , Xia Shijun , Chang Sanshuai , Zuo Song , Guo Xueyuan , Li Songnan , Tang Ribo , Liu Nian , Bai Rong , Jiang Chenxi , Yu Ronghui , Long Deyong , Macle Laurent , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundExisting data on the effectiveness and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in females are limited to studies of small sample size, lacking longer term follow‐up or adjustment for potential confounders.MethodsA total of 6421 patients (2072 females) undergoing a first AF ablation procedure after enrollment in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (China‐AF) study between August 2011 and December 2017 were analyzed. We evaluated the effectiveness (recurrence of documented [symptomatic or not] atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT)) and the safety (incidence of procedure‐related complications) of AF ablation in female patients compared to male patients. Sensitivity analyses based on routine data were also utilized to avoid potential sex differences in reporting of AF symptoms.ResultsFemales were about 5 years older than males at the time of ablation (mean age 63.4 ± 9.5 vs 58.3 ± 10.8, P < .0001). A higher proportion of female patients had paroxysmal AF (74.3% vs 56.7%, P < .0001), hypertension (69.7% vs 61.3%, P < .0001), and hyperlipidemia (57.2% vs 52.9%, P = .001). Female sex was found to be an independent risk factor of AT recurrence in multivariate analyses (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.15‐1.38, P < .0001). These findings were confirmed in sensitivity analyses using only Holter data. Female sex was also associated with a higher risk of periprocedural complications after adjustment for baseline variables (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.03‐1.94, P = .03).ConclusionsFemale sex is an independent risk factor of AT recurrence and periprocedural complications after AF ablation.
General anesthesia during atrial fibrillation ablation: Standardized protocol and experience
Authors: Osorio Jose , Rajendra Anil , Varley Allyson , Henry Robert , Cunningham Julie , Spear William , Morales Gustavo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost atrial fibrillation (AF) ablations are performed with general anesthesia (GA). The ideal GA protocol is unknown, but it affects ablation outcomes and laboratory utilization. We sought to report a GA protocol used at a high‐volume center, with special consideration on efficiency and optimization of mapping and ablation conditions.MethodsOur protocol consists of propofol as sole anesthetic agent and analgesia with Fentanyl. IV fluids are minimized. After transseptal access, the right phrenic nerve is tagged, rocuronium is given, and redosing avoided. Ventilation is modulated to optimize mapping and ablation. After ablation, isoproterenol is infused for 20 min. After 10 min, propofol is gradually decreased and ventilation set to SIMV 8 breaths/min to promote spontaneous breathing, and then switched to pressure support and propofol stopped. Paralysis is reversed and furosemide given. Patient is extubated once meeting standard criteria.ResultsA total of 1286 patients underwent AF ablation from January 2017 to December 2018 using the protocol. Mean age was 66 years (41% paroxysmal AF, CHADS2Vasc 2.6). Total procedure time was 86 min. Median time to extubation was 9 min (first and third quartile 6‐16) after procedure completed, with total anesthesia time of 116 min. On average 370 mL of fluids were given by anesthesia. Only one patient who had heart failure required reintubation with no other anesthesia‐related complications seen.ConclusionOur GA protocol was specifically designed for AF ablation. It was safe and led to efficient recovery and extubation times. It maximizes laboratory utilization time without compromising safety.
A Muselet and USB dermatoscope: A precise way to mark a site for biopsy
Authors: Jakhar Deepak , Kaur Ishmeet 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPrecise marking of the biopsy site is essential for histoapthological evaluation. Naked eye examination, sometimes, does not help in identifying an appropriate lesion for biospy. Dermoscopy enhance surface and subsurface features in a lesion and can thus be helpful in selecting the most appropriate lesion for biopsy. This manuscript describes the use of a muselet to mark a biopsy site under the vision of a dermatoscope.
Late T cell–mediated rejection may contribute to poor outcomes in adolescents and young adults with liver transplantation
Authors: Takeda Masahiro , Sakamoto Seisuke , Irie Rie , Uchida Hajime , Shimizu Seiichi , Yanagi Yusuke , Abdelwahed Mohamed Sami , Fukuda Akinari , Kasahara Mureo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAlthough poor long‐term graft survival in LT in AYA is recognized, detailed epidemiological data are still lacking. L‐TCMR may have poor outcomes. This study aimed to provide a detailed, epidemiological assessment of the association between AYA age and rejection. L‐TCMR was defined in this study as TCMR with central vein or perivenular inflammation occurring later than 3 months after LT. A total of 342 patients who survived for at least 3 months after LT between 2005 and 2015 were enrolled. The AYA group (10‐24 years) was compared with the C group (less than 10 years), and the incidence and outcomes of L‐TCMR were analyzed. In total, 342 patients had LT; 38 of these were AYA with the mean follow‐up period of 6.7 years. A total of 304 patients in C group had a mean follow‐up period of 6.3 years (P = .28). The incidence of L‐TCMR in AYA group was significantly higher than in C group (15.8% vs 4.6%, P = .006). The time to L‐TCMR after LT was significantly shorter in AYA group (P = .01). Neither patient survival nor the incidence of non‐adherence differed significantly between the groups (P = .18 and P = .89). The number of additional immunosuppressants after L‐TCMR was significantly higher in the AYA group (P = .04). A high incidence of L‐TCMR was observed in AYA group irrespective of non‐adherence. AYA patients with L‐TCMR should be followed carefully due to the poor results of post‐treatment biopsy and the need for intensive immunosuppressive therapy.
Environmental stressors affect sex ratios in sexually dimorphic plant sexual systems
Authors: Varga S. , Soulsbury C. D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRevealing the environmental pressures determining the frequency of females amongst populations of sexually dimorphic plants is a key research question. Analyses of sex ratio variation have been mainly done in dioecious plants, which misses key plant sexual systems that might represent intermediate stages in the evolution of dioecy from hermaphroditism.We investigated female frequency across populations of sexually dimorphic plant species in relation to environmental stressors (temperature, precipitation), totaling 342 species, 2011 populations, representing 40 orders and three different sexual systems (dioecy, gynodioecy and subdioecy). We also included the biome where the population was located to test how female frequency may vary more broadly with climate conditions.After correcting for phylogeny, our results for gynodioecious systems showed a positive relationship between female frequency and increased environmental stress, with the main effects being temperature‐related. Subdioecious systems also showed strong positive relationships with temperature, and positive and negative relationships related to precipitation, while no significant effects on sex ratio in dioecious plants were detected.Combined, we show that female frequencies in an intermediate sexual system on the pathway from hermaphroditism to dioecy respond strongly to environmental stressors and have different selective agents driving female frequency.
The new aspects of using some safe feed additives on alleviated imidacloprid toxicity in farmed fish: a review
Authors: Naiel Mohammed A. E. , Shehata Abdelrazeq M. , Negm Samar S. , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Amer Mahmoud S. , Khafaga Asmaa F. , Bin‐Jumah May , Allam Ahmed A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntensive fish culturing systems depend on provides optimal water quality conditions. Hence, the most important aquaculture practices are the removal of contamination elements related not only to the water quality parameters unacceptable for aquatic species but also to the undesirable effect on the health of fish and consumers. During the last three decades, common applications and production of pesticides have amplified progressively. Due to the excessive use of imidacloprid as a highly effective insecticide, elevated accumulation is expected in an aquatic environment. A large part of applied pesticides emitted into the environment and only a small portion of them reach the final biological target, where it caused several hazards, such as accumulation and toxicity to non‐target creatures. Plant‐derived secondary metabolites are getting great attention due to their safety and therapeutic functions. Also, several feed additives in animal diets can act as chemopreventive agents, which have the potential to decrease the toxicity risk of many pollutants and detoxification of activated metabolites. Understanding the internal action mechanisms of various safe feed additives could lead to the novel therapeutic approaches for acute and chronic pesticide toxicity. This review intends to summarize how safe feed additives alter or mitigate the toxic effects of imidacloprid in farmed fish.
A Causal Inference Framework for Cancer Cluster Investigations using Publicly Available Data
Authors: Nethery Rachel C. , Yang Yue , Brown Anna J. , Dominici Francesca 
Published: April 2020

SummaryOften, a community becomes alarmed when high rates of cancer are noticed, and residents suspect that the cancer cases could be caused by a known source of hazard. In response, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that departments of health perform a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) analysis to determine whether the observed cancer incidence is higher than expected. This approach has several limitations that are well documented in the existing literature. We propose a novel causal inference framework for cancer cluster investigations, rooted in the potential outcomes framework. Assuming that a source of hazard representing a potential cause of increased cancer rates in the community is identified a priori, we focus our approach on a causal inference estimand which we call the causal SIR. The causal SIR is a ratio defined as the expected cancer incidence in the exposed population divided by the expected cancer incidence for the same population under the (counterfactual) scenario of no exposure. To estimate the causal SIR we need to overcome two main challenges: first, we must identify unexposed populations that are as similar as possible to the exposed population to inform estimation of the expected cancer incidence under the counterfactual scenario of no exposure, and, second, publicly available data on cancer incidence for these unexposed populations are often available at a much higher level of spatial aggregation (e.g. county) than what is desired (e.g. census block group). We overcome the first challenge by relying on matching. We overcome the second challenge by building a Bayesian hierarchical model that borrows information from other sources to impute cancer incidence at the desired level of spatial aggregation. In simulations, our statistical approach was shown to provide dramatically improved results, i.e. less bias and better coverage, than the current approach to SIR analyses. We apply our proposed approach to investigate whether trichloroethylene vapour exposure has caused increased cancer incidence in Endicott, New York.
Segmentation methods for acne vulgaris images: Proposal of a new methodology applied to fluorescence images
Authors: Peris Fajarnés Guillermo , Moncho Santonja María , Defez García Beatriz , Lengua Lengua Ismael 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAcne vulgaris is one of the most common human pathologies worldwide. Its prevalence causes a high healthcare expenditure. Acne healthcare costs and effects on individuals' quality of life lead to the need of analysing current acne evaluation, treatment and monitoring methods. One of the most common ones is manual lesion counting by a dermatologist. However, this technique has several limitations, such as time spent. That is the reason why the development of new computer‐assisted techniques is needed in order to automatically count the acne lesions.Materials and MethodsUsing the fluorescence images, a segmentation algorithm is implemented in MATLAB.ResultsA new counting tool has been obtained that provides a form of objective evaluation of acne vulgaris disease. The effectiveness of the application of the segmentation method is more than 90%, being valid for the follow‐up and diagnosis of injuries.ConclusionAutomated counting of acne lesions has been proposed to solve current limitations of evaluation and monitoring methods for acne vulgaris. It is clear that the use of machine learning algorithms such as k‐means enables clinicians to objectively and quickly evaluate the severity of acne.
Heat stress response in the closest algal relatives of land plants reveals conserved stress signaling circuits
Authors: de Vries Jan , de Vries Sophie , Curtis Bruce A. , Zhou Hong , Penny Susanne , Feussner Kirstin , Pinto Devanand M. , Steinert Michael , Cohen Alejandro M. , von Schwartzenberg Klaus , Archibald John M. 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARYAll land plants (embryophytes) share a common ancestor that likely evolved from a filamentous freshwater alga. Elucidating the transition from algae to embryophytes – and the eventual conquering of Earth’s surface – is one of the most fundamental questions in plant evolutionary biology. Here, we investigated one of the organismal properties that might have enabled this transition: resistance to drastic temperature shifts. We explored the effect of heat stress in Mougeotia and Spirogyra, two representatives of Zygnematophyceae – the closest known algal sister lineage to land plants. Heat stress induced pronounced phenotypic alterations in their plastids, and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectroscopy‐based profiling of 565 transitions for the analysis of main central metabolites revealed significant shifts in 43 compounds. We also analyzed the global differential gene expression responses triggered by heat, generating 92.8 Gbp of sequence data and assembling a combined set of 8905 well‐expressed genes. Each organism had its own distinct gene expression profile; less than one‐half of their shared genes showed concordant gene expression trends. We nevertheless detected common signature responses to heat such as elevated transcript levels for molecular chaperones, thylakoid components, and – corroborating our metabolomic data – amino acid metabolism. We also uncovered the heat‐stress responsiveness of genes for phosphorelay‐based signal transduction that links environmental cues, calcium signatures and plastid biology. Our data allow us to infer the molecular heat stress response that the earliest land plants might have used when facing the rapidly shifting temperature conditions of the terrestrial habitat.
Inactivation of a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites by photochemical treatment of plasma and platelets using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light
Authors: Lanteri Marion C. , Santa‐Maria Felicia , Laughhunn Andrew , Girard Yvette A. , Picard‐Maureau Marcus , Payrat Jean‐Marc , Irsch Johannes , Stassinopoulos Adonis , Bringmann Peter 
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUNDThe INTERCEPT Blood System pathogen reduction technology (PRT), which uses amotosalen and ultraviolet A light treatment (amotosalen/UV‐PRT), inactivates pathogens in plasma and platelet components (PCs). This review summarizes data describing the inactivation efficacy of amotosalen/UVA‐PRT for a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites.METHODSTwenty‐five enveloped viruses, six nonenveloped viruses (NEVs), and four parasites species were evaluated for sensitivity to amotosalen/UVA‐PRT. Pathogens were spiked into plasma and PC at high titers. Samples were collected before and after PRT and assessed for infectivity with cell cultures or animal models. Log reduction factors (LRFs) were defined as the difference in infectious titers before and after amotosalen/UV‐PRT.RESULTSLRFs of ≥4.0 log were reported for 19 pathogens in plasma (range, ≥4.0 to ≥7.6), 28 pathogens in PC in platelet additive solution (PC‐PAS; ≥4.1‐≥7.8), and 14 pathogens in PC in 100% plasma (PC‐100%; (≥4.3‐>8.4). Twenty‐five enveloped viruses and two NEVs were sensitive to amotosalen/UV‐PRT; LRF ranged from >2.9 to ≥7.6 in plasma, 2.4 or greater to greater than 6.9 in PC‐PAS and >3.5 to >6.5 in PC‐100%. Infectious titers for four parasites were reduced by >4.0 log in all PC and plasma (≥4.9 to >8.4).CONCLUSIONAmotosalen/UVA‐PRT demonstrated effective infectious titer reduction for a broad spectrum of viruses and parasites. This confirms the capacity of this system to reduce the risk of viral and parasitic transfusion‐transmitted infections by plasma and PCs in various geographies.
A systematic review of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs
Authors: Maurin Marie‐Pauline , Mullins Ronan A. , Singh Ameet , Mayhew Philipp D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate and report the quality of the scientific literature reporting complications associated with laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in client‐owned or healthy research dogs and to report and illustrate laparoscopic complications related to individual organ systems.Study designSystematic review.AnimalsClient‐owned or healthy research dogs.MethodsA literature review was performed by using PubMed and CAB abstracts for English‐language studies providing descriptions of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs. Study selection used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Quality assessment was performed by using a MINORS (Methodological Items for Non‐Randomized Studies) scoring system and a grading scale of level of evidence. Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsIn total, 741 manuscripts were identified, with 64 manuscripts eligible for data extraction and quality assessment. The most represented organ system was the female genital tract, represented by 22 (34.4%) studies. The most commonly reported intraoperative and postoperative complications were related to abdominal entry and portal incisions, respectively. In 53 of 54 non‐randomized studies, high risk of bias was found. Forty‐eight (75%) studies provided level III or IV evidence.ConclusionThis report provides an updated review of complications related to laparoscopic and laparoscopic‐assisted procedures in dogs, classified by organ system. The overall quality of evidence was low, limiting direct comparison of complication rates between studies.Clinical significanceThere is a need for implementation of standardized criteria for defining complications, study time frames and greater numbers of high quality prospective randomized trials in veterinary laparoscopy to permit comparison of complication and conversion rates between published studies and across organ systems.
The influence of age and sex on cerebrovascular reactivity and ventilatory response to hypercapnia in children and adults
Authors: Tallon Christine M. , Barker Alan R. , Nowak‐Flück Daniela , Ainslie Philip N. , McManus Ali M. 
Published: April 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
In this study, we investigated intracranial cerebrovascular and ventilatory reactivity to 6% CO2 in children and adults and explored dynamic ventilatory and cerebrovascular onset responses.
What is the main finding and its importance?
We showed that cerebrovascular reactivity was similar in children and adults, but the intracranial blood velocity onset response was markedly attenuated in children. Sex differences were apparent, with greater increases in intracranial blood velocity in females and lower ventilatory reactivity in adult females. Our study confirms the importance of investigating dynamic onset responses when assessing the influence of development on cerebrovascular regulation.
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the integrated intracranial cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and hypercapnic ventilatory response between children and adults and to explore the dynamic response of the middle cerebral artery mean velocity (MCAV). Children (n = 20; 9.9 ± 0.7 years of age) and adults (n = 21; 24.4 ± 2.0 years of age) completed assessment of CVR over 240 s using a fixed fraction of inspired CO2 (0.06). Baseline MCAV was higher in the adult females compared with the males (P ≤ 0.05). The MCAV was greater in female children compared with male children (P ≤ 0.05) and in female adults compared with male adults (P ≤ 0.05) with hypercapnia. Relative CVR was similar in children and adults (3.71 ± 1.06 versus 4.12 ± 1.32% mmHg−1; P = 0.098), with absolute CVR being higher in adult females than males (3.27 ± 0.86 versus 2.53 ± 0.70 cm s−1 mmHg−1; P ≤ 0.001). Likewise, the hypercapnic ventilatory response did not differ between the children and adults (1.89 ± 1.00 versus 1.77 ± 1.34 l min−1 mmHg−1; P = 0.597), but was lower in adult females than males (1.815 ± 0.37 versus 2.33 ± 1.66 l min−1 mmHg−1; P ≤ 0.05). The heart rate response to hypercapnia was greater in children than in adults (P = 0.001). A monoexponential regression model was used to characterize the dynamic onset, consisting of a delay term, amplitude and time constant (τ). The results revealed that MCAV τ was faster in adults than in children (34 ± 18 versus 74 ± 28 s; P = 0.001). Our study provides new insight into the impact of age and sex on CVR and the dynamic response of the MCAV to hypercapnia.