bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reviewing the risk of feed as a vehicle for swine pathogen transmission
Authors: Jones Cassandra K. , Woodworth Jason , Dritz Steve S. , Paulk Chad B. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundWhile porcine biological hazards have had the potential to be transmitted through feed and feed mills for decades, the emerging threat of foreign animal disease has elevated the concern that these may enter or be transmitted throughout the domestic swine herd via a feed vehicle.ObjectiveThe goal of this review was to describe the current classification for emerging porcine biological pathogen transmission through the feed supply chain so resources can be best directed towards those of highest risk.MethodsBy assessing the pathogen severity to pigs and the probability of pathogen transmission through feed, an overall risk can be established using a hazard analysis matrix.ResultsThere is negligible risk for feed‐based transmission of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, Trichinella spiralis, Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella Choleraesuis, Salmonella spp. except Choleraesuis and I 4,[5],12:i:‐, porcine deltacoronavirus, Senecavirus A, mammalian orthoreovirus 3, foot and mouth disease virus, classical swine fever virus or Chinese pseudorabies virus. However, the combined severity and probability of Salmonella enterica serotype I 4,[5],12:i:‐, porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus and African swine fever virus warrant a moderate risk characterization for transmission through the US feed supply chain.ConclusionsThis risk can be maintained below critical status by minimizing the likelihood that a pathogen can enter the feed supply chain, such as by excluding high‐risk ingredients from facilities, extending biosecurity to mills, and considering proactive mitigation strategies. In reality, all these actions may be necessary to prevent the detrimental transmission of porcine biological hazards into the US swine herd through the feed supply chain.
Nitrate removal from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto hydrogel‐rice husk biochar composite
Authors: Sadeghi Afjeh Mahsa , Bagheri Marandi Gholam , Zohuriaan‐Mehr Mohammad Jalal 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated the performance of hydrogel‐rice husk biochar composites, as low‐cost, alternative, and biocompatible adsorbents for separating nitrate ions from aqueous solutions. Hydrogel‐biochar composite was synthesized at dosages of 2.5%, 3.6%, 4.8%, and 9.6% weight ratios of biochar. The composite was characterized by several common methods including FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, and DSC. In addition, the effect of contact time, initial concentration of nitrate ions, and solution pH were considered. The maximum removal of nitrate was about 34.3% at acidic pH (pH = 3) using 0.02 g of adsorbent in 25 ml of nitrate solution with the initial concentration (20 mg/L) and temperature of 25°C for 60 min. Based on the findings, 5% biochar in the composite was the optimal dosage. Adsorption kinetic study revealed that this process followed the first‐order kinetic model. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data were tested by the Temkin isotherm model with R2 > 0.97. Based on the thermodynamic studies, the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Overall, the results suggested that the obtained composite can be specifically employed for removal of contaminations from aqueous solutions.Practitioner points

Hydrogel‐biochar composite provides a biocompatible and cost‐effective adsorbent.

Hydrogel‐biochar composite was applied to eliminate nitrate from aqueous solutions.

Nitrate removal increased in the synthesized composite upon elevation of the weight ratio of biochar to 0.2 g.
An exploratory, randomised, placebo-controlled, 14 day trial of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator praliciguat in participants with type 2 diabetes and hypertension
Authors: Hanrahan John P. , Seferovic Jelena P. , Wakefield James D. , Wilson Phebe J. , Chickering Jennifer G. , Jung Joon , Carlson Kenneth E. , Zimmer Daniel P. , Frelinger Andrew L. , Michelson Alan D. , Morrow Linda , Hall Michael , Currie Mark G. , Milne G. Todd , Profy Albert T. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Praliciguat (IW-1973), a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, amplifies nitric oxide signalling. This exploratory trial investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacodynamic effects of praliciguat in individuals with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Methods
This Phase IIA, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated praliciguat in 26 participants with type 2 diabetes and hypertension on stable glucose- and BP-lowering therapies. Participants were randomly allocated in a 3:5:5 ratio to three groups: placebo (n = 6), praliciguat 40 mg once daily for days 1–14 (n = 10), or praliciguat 20 mg twice daily for days 1–7 then 40 mg once daily for days 8–14 (n = 10). Assessments were made in clinic and included treatment-emergent adverse events, pharmacokinetics, metabolic variables, 24 h BP and heart rate, platelet function, reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and plasma biomarkers. Participants, the sponsor, the investigator and clinic study staff (except designated pharmacy personnel) were blinded to group assignment.

Results
Participants treated for 14 days with praliciguat had least-square mean change-from-baseline differences vs placebo (95% CI) of −0.7 (−1.8, 0.4) mmol/l for fasting plasma glucose, −0.7 (−1.1, −0.2) mmol/l for total cholesterol, −0.5 (−1.0, −0.1) mmol/l for LDL-cholesterol, −23 (−56, 9) for HOMA-IR in those not being treated with insulin, and −5 (−10, 1) mmHg and 3 (−1, 6) beats/min for average 24 h mean arterial pressure and heart rate, respectively. Apart from one serious adverse event (SAE; upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage), praliciguat was well tolerated. Praliciguat did not affect platelet function or RHI. Among exploratory biomarkers, plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine decreased in praliciguat vs placebo recipients.

Conclusions/interpretation
In participants with type 2 diabetes and hypertension on standard therapies, over 14 days praliciguat was well tolerated, except for a single SAE, and showed positive trends in metabolic and BP variables. These results support further clinical investigation of praliciguat.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03091920.

Funding
This trial was funded by Cyclerion Therapeutics.
A Model to Predict Significant Macrosteatosis in Hepatic Grafts
Authors: Swelam Ahmed , Adam René , Lauka Lelde , Basilio Rodrigues Luiza , Elgarf Sherif , Sebagh Mylène , Golse Nicolas , Sa Cunha Antonio , Cherqui Daniel , Castaing Denis , Allard Marc‐Antoine 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackground and aimsAssessing the risk of significant macrosteatosis in donors is crucial before considering hepatic graft procurement. We aimed to build a model to predict significant macrosteatosis based on noninvasive methods.MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2018, liver attenuation indices and liver‐to‐spleen (L/S) ratio were measured in 639 brain‐dead donors by local radiologists. Quantity and quality of steatosis were evaluated by an expert pathologist, blinded for attenuation indices measurement.ResultsMacrosteatosis ≥ 30% was found in 33 donors (5.2%). Body weight, body mass index (BMI), abdominal perimeters, history of alcohol abuse, L/S ratio, and liver parenchyma attenuation were associated with macrosteatosis ≥ 30%. The L/S ratio, BMI, and a history of alcohol abuse remained independent predictors in multivariate analysis and were used to build a predictive model (C‐index: 0.77). The optimal cutoff to predict macrosteatosis ≥ 60% was 0.85.ConclusionOur model, including L/S ratio, BMI, and history of alcohol, might be helpful to refine indication for liver biopsy before donation after brain death. External validation is required.
A prospective, longitudinal monocentric study on laser Doppler imaging of microcirculation: comparison with macrovascular pathophysiology and effect of adalimumab treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dávida László , Pongrácz Vanda , Mohamed Emir Awad , Szamosi Szilvia , Szücs Gabriella , Váncsa Andrea , Tímár Orsolya , Csiki Zoltán , Végh Edit , Soltész Pál , Szekanecz Zoltán , Kerekes György 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIncreased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors may improve vascular function. In the first part of this study, we determined microcirculation during postoocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) representing endothelial function. In a nonselected population (n = 46) we measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and laser Doppler flow (LDF) by ultrasound. Among LDF parameters, we determined TH1 (time to half before hyperemia), TH2 (time to half after hyperemia), Tmax (time to maximum) and total hyperemic area (AH). We measured von Willebrand antigen (vWF:Ag) by ELISA. In the second part of the study, we assessed the effects of adalimumab treatment on microcirculatory parameters in 8 early RA patients at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. We found significant positive correlations between FMD and LDF Tmax (R = 0.456, p = 0.002), FMD and TH2 (R = 0.435, p = 0.004), and negative correlation between vWF:Ag and Tmax (R = − 0.4, p = 0.009) and between vWF:Ag and TH2 (R = − 0.446, p = 0.003). Upon adalimumab therapy in early RA, TH2 times improved in comparison to baseline (TH2baseline = 26.9 s vs. TH24weeks = 34.7 s, p = 0,032), and this effect prolonged until the end of treatment (TH28weeks = 40.5, p = 0.026; TH212weeks = 32.1, p = 0.013). After 8 weeks of treatment, significant improvement was found in AHa (AHbaseline = 1599 Perfusion Units [PU] vs. AH8weeks = 2724 PU, p = 0.045). The PORH test carried out with LDF is a sensitive option to measure endothelial dysfunction. TH1 and TH2 may be acceptable and reproducible markers. In our pilot study, treatment with adalimumab exerted favorable effects on disease activity, endothelial dysfunction and microcirculation in early RA patients.
Electrophysiological adaptations of insect photoreceptors and their elementary responses to diurnal and nocturnal lifestyles
Authors: Frolov Roman V. , Ignatova Irina I. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNocturnal vision in insects depends on the ability to reliably detect scarce photons. Nocturnal insects tend to have intrinsically more sensitive and larger rhabdomeres than diurnal species. However, large rhabdomeres have relatively high membrane capacitance (Cm), which can strongly low-pass filter the voltage bumps, widening and attenuating them. To investigate the evolution of photoreceptor signaling under near dark, we recorded elementary current and voltage responses from a number of species in six insect orders. We found that the gain of phototransduction increased withCm, so that nocturnal species had relatively large and prolonged current bumps. Consequently, although the voltage bump amplitude correlated negatively withCm, the strength of the total voltage signal increased. Importantly, the background voltage noise decreased strongly with increasingCm, yielding a notable increase in signal-to-noise ratio for voltage bumps. A similar decrease in the background noise with increasingCmwas found in intracellular recordings in vivo. Morphological measurements of rhabdomeres were consistent with ourCmestimates. Our results indicate that the increased photoreceptorCmin nocturnal insects is a major sensitivity-boosting and noise-suppressing adaptation. However, by requiring a compensatory increase in the gain of phototransduction, this adaptation comes at the expense of the signaling bandwidth.
Distribution and classification of the extracellular matrix in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Hunyadi Andrea , Gaál Botond , Matesz Clara , Meszar Zoltan , Morawski Markus , Reimann Katja , Lendvai David , Alpar Alan , Wéber Ildikó , Rácz Éva 
Published: December 2019

AbstractExtracellular matrix (ECM) became an important player over the last few decades when studying the plasticity and regeneration of the central nervous system. In spite of the established role of ECM in these processes throughout the central nervous system (CNS), only few papers were published on the ECM of the olfactory system, which shows a lifelong plasticity, synaptic remodeling and postnatal neurogenesis. In the present study, we have described the localization and organization of major ECM molecules, the hyaluronan, the lecticans, tenascin-R and HAPLN1 link protein in the olfactory bulb (OB) of the rat. We detected all of these molecules in the OB showing differences in the molecular composition, staining intensity, and organization of ECM between the layers and in some cases within a single layer. One of the striking features of ECM staining pattern in the OB was that the reactions are shown dominantly in the neuropil, the PNNs were found rarely and they exhibited thin or diffuse appearance Similar organization was shown in human and mice samples. As the PNN limits the neural plasticity, its rare appearance may be related to the high degree of plasticity in the OB.
Die traumatische Aortenruptur
Authors: Schachner Thomas , Oji-Zurmeyer Julia , Rylski Bartosz , Kapral Stephan , Stanger Olaf , Widmann Gerlig , Schönhoff Florian , Czerny Martin , Jochberger Stefan 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungVerkehrsunfälle sind für den größten Teil der traumatischen Aortenrupturen verantwortlich, meist zusammen mit weiteren schweren Begleitverletzungen. Die prähospitale Sterblichkeit ist hoch. Bei Verdacht auf eine beteiligte Aortenverletzung, aufgrund eines hohen traumatic aortic injury scores, ist eine Computertomographie durchzuführen. Es erfolgt eine Triage der Verletzungen, und die Versorgungspriorität der Aorta richtet sich nach dem Schweregrad der Aorten- und Begleitverletzungen sowie dem Zustand des Patienten. Bis zur definitiven Versorgung der aortalen Läsion muss der Blutdruck konsequent gesenkt werden. Grad I und II können in Einzelfällen unter enger Kontrolle inital konservativ gemanagt werden. Grad III (gedeckte Ruptur) und Grad IV (freie Ruptur) benötigen eine raschestmögliche Versorgung (interventionell, chirurgisch). In ausgesuchten Fällen kann auch eine verzögerte Versorgung günstig sein.Als bevorzugte Versorgungsform hat sich die interventionelle Stentgrafttherapie etabliert.
Contingent Behavior and Asymmetric Preferences for Baltic Sea Coastal Recreation
Authors: Bertram Christine , Ahtiainen Heini , Meyerhoff Jürgen , Pakalniete Kristine , Pouta Eija , Rehdanz Katrin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this study, we augment the traditional travel cost approach with contingent behavior data for coastal recreation. The objective is to analyze the welfare implications of future changes in the conditions of the Baltic Sea due to climate change and eutrophication. Adding to the literature, we assess the symmetricity of welfare effects caused by improvements and deteriorations in environmental conditions for a set of quality attributes. Responses are derived from identical online surveys in Finland, Germany and Latvia. We estimate recreational benefits using linear and non-linear negative binomial random-effects models. The calculated annual consumer surpluses are considerably influenced by the magnitude of the environmental changes in the three countries. We also observe asymmetries in the effects of environmental improvements and deteriorations on the expected number of visits. In particular, the results indicate that deteriorations lead to larger or more significant impacts than improvements in the case of blue-green algal blooms and algae onshore for Finland, water clarity for Germany, and water clarity and blue-green algal blooms for Latvia. For the remaining attributes, the effects are ambiguous.
A Cap-and-Trade Commitment Policy with Allowance Banking
Authors: Kuusela Olli-Pekka , Lintunen Jussi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe examine the planner’s dynamic regulation problem in an emission trading system (ETS) with allowance banking. The planner sets the emissions cap for the next period after the current period allowance market has cleared, but before knowing the next period’s abatement cost realization. This creates a time consistency problem when banking is possible. We examine two policies to overcome the consistency problem: a commitment solution and the Markov perfect solution. We show that the endogenous price floor generated by the banking demand becomes an integral feature of the two policies. Hence, they can be best described as hybrid policies that combine elements from emissions taxes and tradable allowances. This reveals new welfare implications that have an influence on instrument choice in the traditional prices versus quantities setup. We compare the expected welfare outcomes of four different policy instruments: the commitment policy, the Markov policy, a Pigouvian tax, and a no-banking ETS. We show that allowing banking can yield welfare gains compared to tax and quantity regulation, with or without commitment.
Treatment-Seeking Problem Gamblers: Characteristics of Individuals Who Offend to Finance Gambling
Authors: Roberts Amanda , Sharman Stephen , King Matthew , Bayston Andy , Bowden-Jones Henrietta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe relationship between crime and gambling is well established; however, few studies have examined offending specifically to finance gambling within a UK gambling treatment-seeking population. A total of 1226 treatment-seeking gamblers completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item scale, and were asked whether they had committed any illegal behaviours to finance gambling. A total of 42.5% reported offending behaviour. A greater proportion of the offending group was single or married/cohabiting, had a lower level qualifications, lower income, had experienced childhood abuse, family mental health problems and gambling-related harms compared with the non-offending group. Offenders reported higher anxiety, depression and disordered gambling scores. Disordered gamblers who offend make up a discrete and complex subgroup with distinct vulnerabilities. Findings will be useful to clinicians involved in the assessment and management of problematic gambling. Gamblers who offend to finance gambling may have different treatment needs and treatment providers should administer appropriate clinical interventions to address vulnerabilities.
Selective Estrogen Receptor β Agonists: a Therapeutic Approach for HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: McLaurin Kristen A. , Moran Landhing M. , Booze Rosemarie M. , Mactutus Charles F. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe persistence of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the post-cART era, afflicting between 40 and 70% of HIV-1 seropositive individuals, supports a critical need for the development of adjunctive therapeutic treatments. Selective estrogen receptor β agonists, including S-Equol (SE), have been implicated as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of 0.2 mg SE for the treatment of HAND was assessed to address two key questions in the HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rat. First, does SE exhibit robust therapeutic efficacy when treatment is initiated relatively early (i.e., between 2 and 3 months of age) in the course of viral protein exposure? Second, does the therapeutic utility of SE generalize across multiple neurocognitive domains? Treatment with SE enhanced preattentive processes and stimulus-response learning to the level of controls in all (i.e., 100%) HIV-1 Tg animals. For sustained and selective attention, statistically significant effects were not observed in the overall analyses (Control: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10; HIV-1 Tg: Placebo, n = 10, SE, n = 10). However, given our a priori hypothesis, subsequent analyses were conducted, revealing enhanced sustained and selective attention, approximating controls, in a subset (i.e., 50%, n = 5 and 80%, n = 8, respectively) of HIV-1 Tg animals treated with SE. Thus, the therapeutic efficacy of SE is greater when treatment is initiated relatively early in the course of viral protein exposure and generalizes across neurocognitive domains, supporting an adjunctive therapeutic for HAND in the post-cART era.
Control of Platinum Loss in WEEE Smelting
Authors: Klemettinen Lassi , Avarmaa Katri , O’Brien Hugh , Jokilaakso Ari , Taskinen Pekka 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn spite of significant economic value, the solubilities of the platinum group and precious metals in metallurgical copper smelting slags are not well known. Recent experimental information on iron-free and low-iron silicate melts indicates that the chemical solubility of platinum is very low, < 1 ppmw (part per million weight). In this study, the concentration of platinum in alumina spinel-saturated iron silicate slags in equilibrium with a solid iron-platinum alloy was measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure at 1300°C. The results were converted to unit activity of platinum by the thermodynamic properties of the iron-platinum alloy formed. This allowed the mechanism of dissolution of platinum in the slag and the forms of platinum species in alumina-rich iron silicate slags in copper scrap smelting and refining conditions to be obtained. Our findings explain some inconsistent results in the geochemical literature by proposing an anionic dissolution mechanism at low oxygen partial pressures in iron-containing silicate slags.
Impact of molecular testing on reported Clostridoides difficile infection rates
Authors: Ilieş Iulian , Benneyan James C. , Jabur Tiago Barbieri Couto , Baker Arthur W. , Anderson Deverick J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackground:The reported incidence of Clostridoides difficile infection (CDI) has increased in recent years, partly due to broadening adoption of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) replacing enzyme immunoassay (EIA) methods. Our aim was to quantify the impact of this switch on reported CDI rates using a large, multihospital, empirical dataset.Methods:We analyzed 9 years of retrospective CDI data (2009–2017) from 47 hospitals in the southeastern United States; 37 hospitals switched to NAAT during this period, including 24 with sufficient pre- and post-switch data for statistical analyses. Poisson regression was used to quantify the NAAT-over-EIA incidence rate ratio (IRR) at hospital and network levels while controlling for longitudinal trends, the proportion of intensive care unit patient days, changes in surveillance methodology, and previously detected infection cluster periods. We additionally used change-point detection methods to identify shifts in the mean and/or slope of hospital-level CDI rates, and we compared results to recorded switch dates.Results:For hospitals that transitioned to NAAT, average unadjusted CDI rates increased substantially after the test switch from 10.9 to 23.9 per 10,000 patient days. Individual hospital IRRs ranged from 0.75 to 5.47, with a network-wide IRR of 1.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.62–1.89). Reported CDI rates significantly changed 1.6 months on average after switching to NAAT testing (standard deviation, 1.9 months).Conclusion:Hospitals that switched from EIA to NAAT testing experienced an average postswitch increase of 75% in reported CDI rates after adjusting for other factors, and this increase was often gradual or delayed.