bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical assessment of heartworm‐infected Beagles treated with a combination of imidacloprid/moxidectin and doxycycline, or untreated
Authors: Savadelis Molly D. , Coleman Amanda E. , Rapoport Gregg S. , Sharma Ajay , Sakamoto Kaori , Keys Deborah A. , Ohmes Cameon M. , Hostetler Joe A. , Dzimianski Michael T. , Moorhead Andrew R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundAdministration of moxidectin topically and doxycycline PO has been utilized experimentally as an alternative treatment for heartworm disease. However, clinical effects of this protocol remain poorly characterized.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and postmortem findings associated with administration of doxycycline and monthly 10% imidacloprid + 2.5% moxidectin (IMD + MOX, Advantage Multi/Advocate) toDirofilaria immitis‐experimentally infected as compared to nontreated control dogs.AnimalsSixteen purpose‐bred, female, Beagle dogs.MethodsProspective, blinded, experimental study. Animals with surgically transplanted adult heartworms were randomized into 2 study groups of equal size: a nontreated control group (n = 8) and an IMD + MOX and doxycycline‐treated group (n = 8). Randomization was performed using a complete block design according to circulating microfilarial concentrations, measured before treatment. Serum biochemical profiles, CBCs, thoracic radiographs and echocardiograms were performed prior to and 3 weeks after transplantation, and monthly for 10 months. Postmortem gross and histopathologic evaluations were performed.ResultsCompared to control animals, mean ± SD serum alanine aminotransferase (181 ± 203 U/L vs 33 ± 7 U/L;P < .0001) and alkaline phosphatase (246 ± 258 U/L vs 58 ± 19 U/L;P < .0001) activities were significantly higher in the treated group on day 28. Radiographic and echocardiographic evidence of heartworm disease was observed in both groups; however, no significant differences in these variables were noted between groups. Mean ± SD pulmonary arterial thrombus score was significantly higher in the treated vs nontreated group (3.9 ± 0.4 and 1.5 ± 2.1, respectively;P= .01).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe treatment protocol was well‐tolerated with no clinically relevant adverse effects for any variable evaluated during the observational period.
Reconstructing marine plankton food web interactions using DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Zamora‐Terol Sara , Novotny Andreas , Winder Monika 
Published: July 2020

AbstractKnowledge of zooplankton in situ diet is critical for accurate assessment of marine ecosystem function and structure, but due to methodological constraints, there is still a limited understanding of ecological networks in marine ecosystems. Here, we used DNA‐metabarcoding to study trophic interactions, with the aim to unveil the natural diet of zooplankton species under temporal variation of food resources. Several target consumers, including copepods and cladocerans, were investigated by sequencing 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes to identify prokaryote and eukaryote potential prey present in their guts. During the spring phytoplankton bloom, we found a dominance of diatom and dinoflagellate trophic links to copepods. During the summer period, zooplankton including cladocerans showed a more diverse diet dominated by cyanobacteria and heterotrophic prey. Our study suggests that copepods present trophic plasticity, changing their natural diet over seasons, and adapting their feeding strategies to the available prey spectrum, with some species being more selective. We did not find a large overlap of prey consumed by copepods and cladocerans, based on prey diversity found in their guts, suggesting that they occupy different roles in the trophic web. This study represents the first molecular approach to investigate several zooplankton–prey associations under seasonal variation, and highlights how, unlike other techniques, the diversity coverage is high when using DNA, allowing the possibility to detect a wide range of trophic interactions in plankton communities.
Get Complicated: The Effects of Complexity on Conversations over Potentially Intractable Moral Conflicts
Authors: Kugler Katharina G. , Coleman Peter T. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractConflicts over important moral differences can divide communities and trap people in destructive spirals of enmity that become intractable. But these conflicts can also be managed constructively. Two laboratory studies investigating the underlying social–psychological dynamics of more tractable versus intractable moral conflicts are presented, which tested a core proposition derived from a dynamical systems theory of intractable conflict. It portrays more intractable conflicts as those, which have lost the complexity inherent to more constructive social relations and have collapsed into overly simplified, closed patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that resist change. Employing our Difficult Conversations Lab paradigm in which participants engage in genuine discussions over moral differences, we found that higher levels of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complexity were associated with more tractable conversations. Whereas in a pilot study we examined conflicts that naturally became more/less intractable, in our main experiment, high versus low levels of cognitive complexity were induced.
Prior percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with low health‐related quality of life after coronary artery bypass graft
Authors: Ejheisheh Moath A. , Correa‐Rodríguez María , Fernández‐Aparicio Ángel , Batran Ahmad , Suleiman‐Martos Nora , Schmidt‐RioValle Jacqueline 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe success of a coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been shown to be related to health‐related quality of life, and being able to predict this is extremely useful. We investigate the associations between health‐related quality of life and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and examine the impact of prior percutaneous coronary interventions on health‐related quality of life in Palestinian patients undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft for the first time. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 119 Palestinian patients. The Short Form‐36 Health Survey was applied 1 year after the coronary artery bypass graft surgery. An analysis of variance shows that as age increases, health‐related quality of life decreases. In contrast, the higher the level of education, job security, and salary, the higher the health‐related quality of life. Patients who had undergone prior percutaneous endovascular interventions had a worse health‐related quality of life than those who had not. In conclusion, a history of prior percutaneous endovascular interventions in addition to sociodemographic factors should be considered by nursing staff so that they can deliver high‐quality patient care.
High‐resolution manometry features of paraesophageal hernia
Authors: Rengarajan Arvind , Argüero Julieta , Yazaki Etsuro , Kadirkamanthan S. Sritharan , Siriwardana H. P. Priyantha , Brunt L. Michael , Sifrim Daniel , Gyawali C. Prakash 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundParaesophageal hernias (PEH) can be associated with obstructive symptoms, but high‐resolution manometry (HRM) characteristics have not been described in detail.MethodsHRM studies of confirmed PEH patients (n = 60, 66.3 ± 1.5 years, 76.7% F), axial hernias (n = 125, 56.1 ± 1.1 years, 58.4% F), and healthy controls (n = 20, 27.9 ± 0.7 years, 45% F) were analyzed. Axial hernias (type 1) were compared to PEH subtyped as isolated PEH (type 2), PEH with axial hernia (type 3), PEH with herniated abdominal organs (type 4), and unknown. Distal contractile integral (DCI), esophageal length, lower esophageal sphincter pressures (LESP), EGJ contractile integral (EGJ‐CI), and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) were extracted. Intra‐luminal pressures were measured proximal (intrabolus pressure, IBP) and distal (intragastric pressure, IGP) to EGJ. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to characterize esophageal and EGJ motor physiology in PEH.Key ResultsPEH patients had LESP and EGJ‐CI similar to controls; axial hernia patients had lower LESP. While IRP was within normal limits, PEH had elevated IBP and IGP, and shorter esophageal length compared to axial hernia and normal controls (P ≤ .0001 across groups). Short esophageal length was consistent across PEH subtypes (P = .06). On multivariate regression analysis, IBP remained an independent predictor of PEH (P < .0001). Within PEH subtypes, gastric pressure was higher when axial HH was also present, in contrast to isolated PEH (P = .03); other metrics did not differ.Conclusions & InferencesLuminal pressure increase both upstream and downstream of the EGJ on HRM likely represents obstructive phenomena in PEH, identification of which may support suspicion of PEH.
Recent insights into the biology of Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Badgery Henry , Chong Lynn , Iich Elhadi , Huang Qin , Georgy Smitha Rose , Wang David H. , Read Matthew 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBarrett's esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Our understanding of the pathogenesis and Barrett's metaplasia is incomplete, and this has limited the development of new therapeutic targets and agents, risk stratification ability, and management strategies. This review outlines current insights into the biology of BE and addresses controversies surrounding cell of origin, cellular reprogramming theories, updates on esophageal epithelial barrier function, and the significance of goblet cell metaplasia and its association with malignant change. Further research into the basic biology of BE is vital as it will underpin novel therapies and improve our ability to predict malignant progression and help identify the minority of patients who will develop EAC.
Treatment of left‐sided extension of AV node: A valuable integration of advance imaging modalities and cryoablation
Authors: Prolic Kalinsek Tine , Pernat Andrej , Sinkovec Matjaz , Jan Matevz 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe present a case of successful cryoablation of the left extension of the atrioventricular (AV) node for treatment of a recurrent atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia without the use of fluoroscopy. Three‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping system and intracardiac echocardiography were used to navigate catheters in the heart and position them according to anatomical landmarks. Due to the nature of cryoablation lesion formation, lesions were able to be applied safely in right atrium, as well as in left atrium, without damaging AV node or bundle of His.
Behind the curtain of the compartmentalization process: Exploring how xylem vessel diameter impacts vascular pathogen resistance
Authors: Pouzoulet Jérôme , Rolshausen Philippe E. , Charbois Rémi , Chen Jinliang , Guillaumie Sabine , Ollat Nathalie , Gambetta Gregory A. , Delmas Chloé E. L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA key determinant of plant resistance to vascular infections lies in the ability of the host to successfully compartmentalize invaders at the xylem level. Growing evidence supports that the structural properties of the vascular system impact host vulnerability towards vascular pathogens. The aim of this study was to provide further insight into the impact of xylem vessel diameter on compartmentalization efficiency and thus vascular pathogen movement, using the interaction between Vitis and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora as a model system. We showed experimentally that an increased number of xylem vessels above 100 μm of diameter resulted in a higher mean infection level of host tissue. This benchmark was validated within and across Vitis genotypes. Although the ability of genotypes to restore vascular cambium integrity upon infection was highly variable, this trait did not correlate with their ability to impede pathogen movement at the xylem level. The distribution of infection severity of cuttings across the range of genotype's susceptibility suggests that a risk‐based mechanism is involved. We used this experimental data to calibrate a mechanistic stochastic model of the pathogen spread and we provide evidence that the efficiency of the compartmentalization process within a given xylem vessel is a function of its diameter.
Comparative Effect of Low‐intensity Laser Radiation in Green and Red Spectral Regions on Functional Characteristics of Sturgeon Sperm
Authors: Plavskii Vitaly , Mikulich Aliaksandr , Barulin Nikolai , Ananich Tatsiana , Plavskaya Ludmila , Tretyakova Antonina , Leusenka Ihar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA comparative study of the effect of low‐intensity laser radiation in green (λ = 532 nm) and red (λ = 632.8 nm) spectral regions at equal average irradiance (3 mW cm−2) on functional characteristics of Siberian sturgeon spermatozoa is carried out. Confirmation of the photobiomodulation effect of the radiation is obtained by analyzing spermatozoa motility, percentage of motile spermatozoa and fertilization rate. It is shown that, depending on the energy dose, the laser radiation in red and green spectral regions can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on spermatozoa motility. Contrary to popular belief that the short‐wavelength radiation has great prospects in reproductive biotechnologies (due to more efficient absorption of radiation by cellular chromophores and increased generation of ROS), convincing evidence of a more pronounced stimulatory effect of radiation in the red spectral region was obtained. For the first time, metal‐free porphyrins capable of acting as endogenous photosensitizers generating ROS were detected and identified in animal sperm. Using luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence, it is shown that the increased production of ROS capable of exerting an inhibitory effect on biological systems at high concentrations is among the possible reasons for reduction in the stimulatory effect of radiation when moving from red to green spectral region.
Identification of a HSP14‐3‐3 in Setaria cervi and its cross‐reactivity with W bancrofti‐infected human sera
Authors: Ahmad Faiyaz , Kumar Ranjeet , Gupta Sarika , Rathaur Sushma 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimIdentification of a 29 kDa heat stress protein in filarial parasite Setaria cervi and evaluation of its diagnostic potential against lymphatic filariasis.Methods and resultsThe Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were induced in filarial parasite S cervi by incubated at 42°C for 2 hours. The 10% SDS‐PAGE of cytosolic extract showed several over‐expressed bands. The MALDI‐LC/MS analysis of 29 kDa band showed 100% similarity with Bm14‐3‐3 like protein 2. Multiple sequence alignment of Bm14‐3‐3 like protein 2 sequence with W bancrofti, Caenorhabditis elegans; Loa loa and Homo sapiens showed 100%, 86%, 83% and 78%, sequence similarity respectively. The antigenic efficacy of Sc14‐3‐3 protein was evaluated with different filarial sera using ELISA which showed cross‐reactivity in order to Endemic Normal (EN) < Microfilaraemic (MF) < Chronic(CH) with IgG1 and EN < CH < MF in IgG4 ELISA. IgG1‐ and IgG4‐specific immunoblotting with CH and MF sera further explicated its specific antigenic cross‐reactivity.ConclusionA 29 kDa heat shock protein of S cervi was identified as 14‐3‐3 protein having 100% homology to human filarial parasite B malayi. It showed strong reactivity with IgG1 and IgG4 subclass antibodies of W bancrofti‐infected human sera suggesting that 14‐3‐3 protein could be used as a vaccine/ diagnostic marker.
Causal Inference, Social Networks and Chain Graphs
Authors: Ogburn Elizabeth L. , Shpitser Ilya , Lee Youjin 
Published: July 2020

SummaryTraditionally, statistical inference and causal inference on human subjects rely on the assumption that individuals are independently affected by treatments or exposures. However, recently there has been increasing interest in settings, such as social networks, where individuals may interact with one another such that treatments may spill over from the treated individual to their social contacts and outcomes may be contagious. Existing models proposed for causal inference using observational data from networks of interacting individuals have two major shortcomings. First, they often require a level of granularity in the data that is infeasible in practice to collect in most settings and, second, the models are high dimensional and often too big to fit to the available data. We illustrate and justify a parsimonious parameterization for network data with interference and contagion. Our parameterization corresponds to a particular family of graphical models known as chain graphs. We argue that, in some settings, chain graph models approximate the marginal distribution of a snapshot of a longitudinal data-generating process on interacting units. We illustrate the use of chain graphs for causal inference about collective decision making in social networks by using data from US Supreme Court decisions between 1994 and 2004 and in simulations.
False Discovery and its Control in Low Rank Estimation
Authors: Taeb Armeen , Shah Parikshit , Chandrasekaran Venkat 
Published: July 2020

SummaryModels specified by low rank matrices are ubiquitous in contemporary applications. In many of these problem domains, the row–column space structure of a low rank matrix carries information about some underlying phenomenon, and it is of interest in inferential settings to evaluate the extent to which the row–column spaces of an estimated low rank matrix signify discoveries about the phenomenon. However, in contrast with variable selection, we lack a formal framework to assess true or false discoveries in low rank estimation; in particular, the key source of difficulty is that the standard notion of a discovery is a discrete notion that is ill suited to the smooth structure underlying low rank matrices. We address this challenge via a geometric reformulation of the concept of a discovery, which then enables a natural definition in the low rank case. We describe and analyse a generalization of the stability selection method of Meinshausen and Bühlmann to control for false discoveries in low rank estimation, and we demonstrate its utility compared with previous approaches via numerical experiments.
Asymptotic solutions of inhomogeneous differential equations having a turning point
Authors: Dunster T. M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAsymptotic solutions are derived for inhomogeneous differential equations having a large real or complex parameter and a simple turning point. They involve Scorer functions and three slowly varying analytic coefficient functions. The asymptotic approximations are uniformly valid for unbounded complex values of the argument, and are applied to inhomogeneous Airy equations having polynomial and exponential forcing terms. Error bounds are available for all approximations, including new simple ones for the well‐known asymptotic expansions of Scorer functions of large complex argument.
Medication‐related fibrovascular hyperplasia lesion in tongue: Case report
Authors: Ballardin Bárbara Soldatelli , Mobile Rafael Zancan , Torres‐Pereira Cassius Carvalho , Schussel Juliana Lucena 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study is to report the case of a patient who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment and developed multiple tongue lesions during recovery.Methods and resultsThis is the case report of a patient who developed ulcerated lesions with areas of depapillation on the border and dorsum of the tongue. The ulcer evolved to a reddish fibrous hyperplastic nodule, similar to adjacent mucosa. The patient was using a series of medications, such as antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, and analgesics in addition to immunosuppression with cyclosporine. Considering the medical history of the patient, a biopsy was performed. Histopathological analyses describe hyperplasia, granulation tissue, vascular proliferation, and intense inflammatory infiltrate, and the diagnosis was of medication‐related fibrovascular hyperplasia (MRFH).ConclusionPatients in use of cyclosporine are at risk to develop oral lesions, such as MRFH. The correct diagnosis is important, so the adequate treatment and follow‐up are instituted even considering the immunosuppression protocol.
Caffeine increases strength and power performance in resistance‐trained females during early follicular phase
Authors: Norum Martin , Risvang Linn Christin , Bjørnsen Thomas , Dimitriou Lygeri , Rønning Per Ola , Bjørgen Morten , Raastad Truls 
Published: July 2020

The effects of 4 mg·kg−1caffeine ingestion on strength and power were investigated for the first time, in resistance‐trained females during the early follicular phase utilizing a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover design. Fifteen females (29.8 ± 4.0 years, 63.8 ± 5.5 kg [mean ± SD]) ingested caffeine or placebo 60 minutes before completing a test battery separated by 72 hours. One‐repetition maximum (1RM), repetitions to failure (RTF) at 60% of 1RM, was assessed in the squat and bench press. Maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured during isometric knee extensions, while utilizing interpolated twitch technique to measure voluntary muscle activation. Maximal power and jump height were assessed during countermovement jumps (CMJ). Caffeine metabolites were measured in plasma. Adverse effects were registered after each trial. Caffeine significantly improved squat (4.5 ± 1.9%, effect size [ES]: 0.25) and bench press 1RM (3.3 ± 1.4%, ES: 0.20), and squat (15.9 ± 17.9%, ES: 0.31) and bench press RTF (9.8 ± 13.6%, ES: 0.31), compared to placebo. MVC torque (4.6 ± 7.3%, ES: 0.26), CMJ height (7.6 ± 4.0%, ES: 0.50), and power (3.8 ± 2.2%, ES: 0.24) were also significantly increased with caffeine. There were no differences in RFD or muscle activation. Plasma [caffeine] was significantly increased throughout the protocol, and mild side effects of caffeine were experienced by only 3 participants. This study demonstrated that 4 mg·kg−1 caffeine ingestion enhanced maximal strength, power, and muscular endurance in resistance‐trained and caffeine‐habituated females during the early follicular phase, with few adverse effects. Female strength and power athletes may consider using this dose pre‐competition and ‐training as an effective ergogenic aid.
Class politics in the sandbox? An analysis of the socio‐economic determinants of preferences towards public spending and parental fees for childcare
Authors: Neimanns Erik , Busemeyer Marius R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article analyses the socio‐economic determinants of public preferences towards public spending and parental fees for childcare and how they are conditioned by institutional contexts. Previous studies of childcare policy preferences have focused on attitudes regarding the provision of care. However, when it comes to questions of financing, we know astonishingly little about how supportive individuals actually are of expanding pre‐school early childhood education and care, and how support varies across different socio‐economic groups in society. This is an important research gap because childcare provision and how it is financed have redistributive implications, which vary depending on the institutional design of childcare policy. Using novel and unique survey data on childcare preferences from eight European countries, we argue and show that preferences towards expanding childcare are more contested than it is often assumed. The institutional structure of childcare shapes how income matters for preferences towards how much should be spent and how provision should be financed. Where access to childcare is socially stratified, the poor and the rich develop different preferences towards either increasing public spending or reducing parental fees in order to improve their access to childcare. The findings in this article suggest that expanding childcare in systems characterised by unequal access can be politically contested due to diverging policy priorities of individuals from different social backgrounds.