bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adherence to statin therapy favours survival of patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease
Authors: Dopheide Jörn F , Veit Jonas , Ramadani Hana , Adam Luise , Papac Lucija , Vonbank Alexander , Kaspar Mathias , Rastan Aljoscha , Baumgartner Iris , Drexel Heinz 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Aims
We hypothesized that adherence to statin therapy determines survival in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods and results
Single-centre longitudinal observational study with 691 symptomatic PAD patients. Mortality was evaluated over a mean follow-up of 50 ± 26 months. We related statin adherence and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target attainment to all-cause mortality. Initially, 73% of our PAD patients were on statins. At follow-up, we observed an increase to 81% (P &lt; 0.0001). Statin dosage, normalized to simvastatin 40 mg, increased from 50 to 58 mg/day (P &lt; 0.0001), and was paralleled by a mean decrease of LDL-C from 97 to 82 mg/dL (P &lt; 0.0001). The proportion of patients receiving a high-intensity statin increased over time from 38% to 62% (P &lt; 0.0001). Patients never receiving statins had a significant higher mortality rate (31%) than patients continuously on statins (13%) or having newly received a statin (8%; P &lt; 0.0001). Moreover, patients on intensified statin medication had a low mortality of 9%. Those who terminated statin medication or reduced statin dosage had a higher mortality (34% and 20%, respectively; P &lt; 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that adherence to or an increase of the statin dosage (both P = 0.001), as well as a newly prescribed statin therapy (P = 0.004) independently predicted reduced mortality.

Conclusion
Our data suggest that adherence to statin therapy is associated with reduced mortality in symptomatic PAD patients. A strategy of intensive and sustained statin therapy is recommended.
Takashi Nakase's last tweet: what is the current direction of microbial taxonomy research?
Authors: Takashima Masako , Suh Sung-Oui , Bai Feng-Yan , Sugita Takashi 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTDuring the last few decades, type strains of most yeast species have been barcoded using the D1/D2 domain of their LSU rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Species identification using DNA sequences regarding conspecificity in yeasts has also been studied. Most yeast species can be identified according to the sequence divergence of their ITS region or a combination of the D1/D2 and ITS regions. Studies that have examined intraspecific diversity have used multilocus sequence analyses, whereas the marker regions used in this analysis vary depending upon taxa. D1/D2 domain and ITS region sequences have been used as barcodes to develop primers suitable for the detection of the biological diversity of environmental DNA and the microbiome. Using these barcode sequences, it is possible to identify relative lineages and infer their gene products and function, and how they adapt to their environment. If barcode sequence was not variable enough to identify a described species, one could investigate the other biological traits of these yeasts, considering geological distance, environmental circumstances and isolation of reproduction. This article is dedicated to late Dr Takashi Nakase (1939–2018).
Effect of gamma radiation and storage at 4°C on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium in Legon-18 pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder
Authors: Odai Bernard Tawiah , Tano-Debrah Kwaku , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Saalia Firibu K , Akyeh Lorenzo Moses 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Spices are low moisture foods which have been known to be contaminated with various pathogens and sun-dried Legon-18 pepper powder is not left out. Due to its contamination with various pathogens, a study was conducted to determine the effects of gamma irradiation on the decontamination of Legon-18 pepper powder and on some quality parameters.

Methods
Samples were obtained from a local farmer from the Eastern Region of Ghana. Sterility tests were carried out. The samples were inoculated with known cfu/ml of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Samples were irradiated at 1, 2, 4, and 5 kilogray (kGy). Zero kilogray served as control (unirradiated). All samples were stored at 4oC for 60 days. Enumeration of the various pathogens was done in appropriate media. Some quality parameters were determined after irradiating unsterile samples at 5 kGy and 0 kGy served as control. Capsaicinoids and carotenoids were quantified using a high performance liquid chromatography. The samples were stored at 4oC for 8 weeks.

Results
A dose-dependent effect on the inactivation of the pathogens was observed (P &lt; 0.05). Storage time affected the inactivation of the pathogens as well (P &lt; 0.05). Complete inactivation of the pathogens was observed at 5 kGy at day 0. Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and total capsaicinoid content of the samples irradiated at 5 kGy increased at 23.64%, 14.7 % and 20.95% respectively as compared with the contents of the unirradiated samples. A gamma irradiation dose of 5 kGy caused losses of 8.11%, 8.67% and 26.54% in capsanthin, beta carotene and beta cryptoxanthin respectively. Quality parameters measured reduced with storage (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Gamma irradiation inactivated pathogens at 5 kGy. Lower doses used during the study could inactivate the pathogens but with time. All quality parameters and carotenoids quantified were affected by gamma irradiation and storage period (P &lt; 0.05).
The Gut Microbiome as a Therapeutic Target for Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Sun Yi , Baptista Liliana C , Roberts Lisa M , Jumbo-Lucioni Patricia , McMahon Lori L , Buford Thomas W , Carter Christy S 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDeclining cognitive functions in older individuals have enormous emotional, clinical, and public health consequences. Thus, therapeutics for preserving function and keeping older adults living independently are imperative. Aging is associated dysbiosis, defined as a loss of number and diversity in gut microbiota, which has been linked with various aspects of cognitive functions. Therefore, the gut microbiome has the potential to be an important therapeutic target for symptoms of cognitive impairment. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding the potential for gut-targeted therapeutic strategies for prevention/treatment of the symptoms of cognitive impairment. Specifically, we discuss four primary therapeutic strategies: wild-type and genetically modified probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, physical exercise, and high-fiber diets and specifically link these therapies to reducing inflammation. These strategies may hold promise as treatment paradigm symptoms related to cognitive impairment.
Safety and reliability of computed tomography-guided lipiodol marking for undetectable pulmonary lesions
Authors: Ito Kazuhiro , Shimada Junichi , Shimomura Masanori , Terauchi Kunihiko , Nishimura Motohiro , Yanada Masashi , Iwasaki Yasushi , Ueshima Yasuo , Kato Daishiro , Suzuki Hirofumi , Inoue Masayoshi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOBJECTIVESThis study aimed to evaluate the safety and reliability of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lipiodol marking for undetectable pulmonary lesions before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).METHODSWe retrospectively analysed the cases of CT-guided lipiodol marking followed by VATS in 9 institutes from May 2006 to March 2018. Lipiodol (0.2–0.5 ml) was percutaneously injected closely adjacent to undetectable pulmonary lesions with computed-tomography guidance. Lipiodol spots were identified using C-arm-shaped fluoroscopy during VATS. We grasped the lipiodol spots, including the target lesions, with ring-shaped forceps and resected them.RESULTSOf 1182 lesions, 1181 (99.9%) were successfully marked. In 1 case, the injected lipiodol diffused, and no spot was created. Of the 1181 lesions, 1179 (99.8%) were successfully resected with intraoperative fluoroscopy. Two lipiodol spots were not detected because of the lipiodol distribution during the division of pleural adhesions. The mean lesion size was 9.1 mm (range 1–48 mm). The mean distance from the pleural surface was 10.2 mm (range 0–43 mm). Lipiodol marking-induced pneumothorax occurred in 495 (57.1%) of 867 cases. Of these, chest drainage was required in 59 patients (6.8%). The other complications were 19 (2.2%) cases of bloody sputum, 3 (0.35%) cases of intravascular air, 1 (0.12%) case of pneumonia and 1 (0.12%) case of cerebral infarction. There were no lipiodol marking-induced deaths or sequelae.CONCLUSIONSPreoperative CT-guided lipiodol marking followed by VATS resection was shown to be a safe and reliable procedure with a high success rate and acceptably low severe complication rate.
“Mirror, Mirror On the Wall:” Self-Legitimation by International Organizations
Authors: von Billerbeck Sarah 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMost analyses of legitimacy and legitimation in international organizations (IOs) focus on the perceptions of external audiences. In so doing, they fail to consider self-legitimation, where an IO undertakes legitimation internally, as a way of developing and reinforcing its identity. Moreover, most studies of IO legitimacy neglect the fact that IO identities are rarely uniform and instead are multiple and conflicting. I address these omissions by examining self-legitimation in three IOs—the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the World Bank. These organizations are both operational and normative actors, and both institutions dependent on member states and autonomous bodies with independent expertise and capacities. These identities sometimes dictate contradictory goals and practices, forcing the organizations to violate the principles and activities considered appropriate to one of their identities, thus complicating legitimation. Based on extensive fieldwork and drawing on a range of disciplines, this article proposes a novel theory of IO self-legitimation: I argue that the need for self-legitimation depends on the degree of identity cohesion and identity hierarchy of the organization. I identify two temporal dimensions of self-legitimation, three categories of self-legitimation practices, and three broader repercussions of self-legitimation, ultimately showing that self-legitimation is a necessary and constitutive activity for IOs.
305 Cortisol response of dairy goat kids administered lidocaine injections, topical EMLA cream or meloxicam prior to cautery disbudding
Authors: Hempstead Melissa N , Lindquist Taylor M , Shearer Jan K , Shearer Leslie C , Sutherland Mhairi , Plummer Paul J 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Cautery disbudding causes pain, but is commonly performed without pain mitigation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cortisol response associated with (1) lidocaine compared with saline injections and (2) lidocaine injections, a topical mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA) cream and meloxicam before cautery disbudding of dairy goat kids. Sixty doe kids were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments: (1) a ring block using 1% lidocaine (DBLA) 20 min before disbudding, (2) saline injected (DBSA) 20 min before disbudding, (3) EMLA cream rubbed into the buds 1 h before disbudding (DBEM), (4) oral meloxicam 1 h before disbudding (DBMEL), (5) disbudding without pain relief (DB) and (6) handled but not disbudded (HAND). Blood was sampled to assess plasma cortisol concentrations at 20 and 5 min prior to disbudding to evaluate the cortisol response associated with handling and injections for DBSA and DBLA kids and at 5 min prior to disbudding for DBEM, DBMEL and DB kids. All kids were blood sampled 15 and 30 min post-treatment. There was no change in cortisol over time for HAND kids (P &gt; 0.05). Cortisol of DBLA and DBSA kids was elevated above baseline 5 min pre-disbudding (after injections) (P ≤ 0.05), which was no different to cortisol 15 min post-disbudding (P &gt; 0.05). DB kids had elevated cortisol above baseline 15 min post-disbudding (P ≤ 0.05). Cortisol was elevated from baseline for 30 min post-disbudding for DBEM and DBMEL kids (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, it appears that injections of lidocaine or saline initially caused as much pain as cautery disbudding, while not reducing the pain associated with disbudding. EMLA cream and meloxicam were not effective at reducing acute pain associated with disbudding. Further research on efficacious pain relief for cautery disbudding of goat kids is required.
322 Challenges for porc value chains - simultaneous implementation of elevated animal welfare standards under field conditions
Authors: Steinhoff-Wagner Julia , Meier Neele , Diel Maria , Dynowski Kamila , Heinemann Celine , Stein Jonas , Bode Christian , Meyer Isabell , Dieckhoff Benedikt G Schulze , Bleeser Ramona , Hayer Jason J , Erdmann Sandra 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Consumers increasingly demand an improvement of animal welfare, in particular a refrainment from surgical interventions such as tail docking and castration. The aim of the study was to investigate effects of simultaneous implementation of elevated welfare standards under field conditions on valid indicators at the abattoir and product quality. Six different pig farms from birth to fattening were reimbursed for implementing elevated welfare standards (no tail docking in all and no castration of male piglets). Farmers were free to try Improvac® treatments and boar fattening. At the abattoir, welfare indicators like swellings and conditions of ears, claws, skin and tails were inspected on carcasses (pigs: n &gt;1866). Meat quality was evaluated (n &gt;185). Fixed effects of sex (females and barrows, Improvac® treated boars, boars) and farm were included in mixed models and Pearson correlations were calculated (SAS 9.4). Results were condensed with a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Two farms managed to deliver around 90% of pigs with intact tails, whereas one completely failed (80% tails shorter than 1/3 of original length). Sex affected almost all welfare indicators, with least impairments in the females and barrows group and most in boars (P &lt; 0.01). FMEA revealed concerns regarding animal welfare and meat quality in boars and immense variation between farms. For example, drip losses showed an interaction between sex and farm, suggesting that some farms provide better conditions for Improvac® treated pigs and boars than others. Besides that, transport duration from fattening location to abattoir correlated with swelling on fore and hind legs (0.15&lt; r&lt; 0.17; P &lt; 0.001), but did not affect tail classification. In conclusion, the implementation of elevated animal welfare standards was highly dependent on the farm-specific management. Because used indicators were successfully assessed on the carcasses, they seem to be valid for future reward systems.
7 ASAS-EAAP Exchange Speaker Talk: Increasing animal welfare and efficiency on-farm with the use of precision technology tools: technology development, application, and use
Authors: Kaler Jasmeet 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Recent advances in bio-telemetry technology have made it possible to generate lot of data through sensors, which could be used to monitor welfare and classify behavioural activities in many different farm animals. However, little has been done with regards to evaluating predictive ability and comparing various machine learning approaches for ‘big data’ and also evaluating how this changes depending on sampling frequencies and position of sensors. In this talk, I will discuss technological development covering range of sensor technologies utilising state-of-the-art computation and transmission protocols we have co- developed as part of our research and on how we used these technologies to build machine learning algorithms for lameness in, and drinking behaviour in cows, with an ultimate aim to improve animal welfare. Algorithms could classify behaviours with overall accuracy above 95%; however, the accuracy varied by number of features used, choice of algorithm and window size used for feature generation. The talk will focus on challenges and approaches to build smart systems that are not only technologically advanced, have good accuracy, algorithms that continue to learn and versatile but also energy efficient and practical. While precision livestock farming has been a growing area for the past decade and has huge potential to improve livestock health and welfare, technology adoption has not occurred at the same pace. We need to understand farmers’ perceptions and understanding around technology, its use on farms and in farming. Results from our research with farmers suggest few key areas are important for embedding and adoption of technology on farms: first, utility of the technology, lack of validation and its ability to fit with existing structures and practices and the beliefs held by farmers that the use of the device may result in a loss of skill in future—that of the farmer knowing his animals.
11 The effect of tissue depth and day of healing on effectiveness of near infrared spectroscopy to predict quantitative differences in histological imagery of superficial burn scars in cattle
Authors: Tolleson Douglas R , Bryan Laura , Whitfield Canaan , Hairgrove Thomas 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Hot-iron branding is a common method of cattle identification. The branding procedure results in a burn scar that once healed, provides a permanent mark. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been applied to monitor healing and determine age in cattle burn scars. The ability of NIRS to quantify histological characteristics of cattle burn scars has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of portable NIRS as a non-invasive chute-side diagnostic tool to detect histological changes in hot-iron brand burn scars during the healing process. Near infrared spectra (1100–1700nm) were obtained from burn scars on 15 Bos taurus cross steers (~ 270 d old; 238 ± 7 kg) at 21, 32, and 51 d post-branding. Spectra were obtained on branded (n = 3) and unbranded (n = 3) skin from each animal, each date. Skin punch biopsies (8 mm, n = 3 per animal) were obtained from a unique subset (n = 5) of animals at each date (n = 44 total). Spectra were analyzed as log 1/reflectance with 1st derivative and scatter correction applied. Skin tissue was preserved in ethanol and subjected to standard histological staining techniques at cutaneous, transitional, and sub-cutaneous layers. Relationships between spectra and histological values were determined by partial least squares regression. NIRS successfully predicted (P &lt; 0.001) Gomori values for the total calibration (RSQ = 0.80; RMSE = 0.20). Success of Gomori calibrations varied by day of healing (d 21, NS; d 32, P &lt; 0.001; d 51 NS). Other staining calibrations were also significant (P &lt; 0.05) but not deemed useful for predicting quantitative histological values (RSQ &lt; 0.5). Predictive ability generally declined with depth. Portable NIRS may prove useful as a chute-side histological diagnostic technique but requires further evaluation.
17 Combining two probiotic strains with oligofructose-enriched inulin abolishes their benefits against Salmonella Typhimurium in piglets
Authors: Sorrento Agustina Rodríguez , Velázquez Lorena Castillejos , Orjuela Glória Cifuentes , Palmero María Rodríguez , Muñoz José Antonio Moreno , Orúe Susana María Martín 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two probiotic strains Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT7210 (Laboratorios Ordesa S.L.) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 combined or not with a prebiotic mixture of oligofructose and inulin against Salmonella typhimurium. A total of 96 piglets (28 days) were distributed into 32 pens assigned to 5 treatments: one non-challenge (control diet, CTR+) and four challenged: control diet (CTR-), or supplemented with probiotic (&gt;3x1010cfu/kg each, PRO), prebiotic (5%, PRE) or their combination (SYN). After one adaptation week, animals were inoculated with Salmonella. Feed intake, weight and clinical signs were recorded. On days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI), one animal per pen was euthanized and samples collected for Salmonella counts, fermentation products, ileal histomorphology and serum inflammatory markers. After the challenge, feed intake was decreased (P = 0.001) more markedly in the SYN group with a lower final weight (P = 0.009). PRE and SYN groups showed more liquid ileal consistency on day 8PI (P = 0.009). A higher percentage of animals receiving PRO became negative to Salmonella in feces at the end of the study (65% PRO vs 0% CTR-, P = 0.028). Animal receiving PRE did not reach countable levels in feces any time during the trial (vs 23.2% for CTR-group, P = 0.013). Histologically, on day 4PI a decrease in the ileal villous/crypts ratio was found in challenged animals (P &lt; 0.001), being PRO able to improve the recovery from this damage at day 8PI (P = 0.008). Animals receiving PRE had higher number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) on day 8PI (P = 0.028). In conclusion, the probiotic strains were able to promote a faster clearance of the pathogen from the gut with a faster recovery of damaged histological architecture. The prebiotic reduced Salmonella colonization and stimulated the local immune response. However, these beneficial effects disappeared when they were administered in a synbiotic form.
23 Differential microRNA expression in jejunal tissue and jejunal lymph nodes following naturally occurring Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in Holstein cows
Authors: Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M , Wang Mengqi , Bissonnette Nathalie , Griebel Philip , Dudemaine Pier-Luc , Do Duy N , Mao Yongjiang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causal agent of Johne’s disease (JD), a chronic intestinal disease affecting ruminants worldwide. This study investigated miRNA expression in jejunal intestine (JE) and jejunal lymph nodes (JELN), and the potential regulatory roles of miRNAs during JD progression. JE and JELN tissues were collected from 5 MAP positive (JD subclinical stage) Holstein cows and 5 MAP negative cows. Following miRNA sequencing, bioinformatic processing with a standard pipeline and functional analysis with ClueGo, 272 and 333 miRNAs were identified in JE and JELN, respectively. Compared with MAP negative cows, 13 and 71 miRNAs were differently expressed (DE) (P &lt; 0.05) in MAP infected JE and JELN, respectively. The most up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs were bta-miR-485 (fold change = 6.18) and bta-miR-451 (fold change = -6.81), and bta-miR-331-5p (fold change = 35.56) and bta-miR-2285bk (fold change = -61.25) in JE and JELN, respectively. In JE, some DE miRNAs (miR-147 and miR-199a-5p) have been associated with glucose metabolism while several DE miRNAs in JELN have associations with immune response to disease (e.g. miR-146a and miR-146b have been associated with bovine mastitis and miR331-5p and miR-184 are important for human cancers). Target genes of JELN DE miRNAs were enriched (P &lt; 0.05) for more gene ontology terms (n = 180) and KEGG pathways (n = 123) as compared with JE (n = 90 and 25, respectively). Furthermore, JELN DE miRNAs were uniquely enriched in several immune related pathways including immune response regulating/activating signal transduction, T-cell/B-cell receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, TNF signaling pathways, etc., suggesting potential regulatory roles for JELN DE miRNAs in the host immune response to JD. In addition, interactions between DE miRNAs and DE mRNAs (expressed in the same samples) demonstrated important functions for miR-2284/2285 family members in JELN response to MAP infection. In conclusion, these results suggest site specific regulatory roles for miRNAs during MAP infection.