bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DM‐induced Hypermethylation of IR and IGF1R attenuates mast cell activation and airway responsiveness in rats
Authors: Fu Dan , Zhao Hailu , He Liang , Feng Huafeng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDiabetes has been reported to modulate the airway smooth muscle reactivity and lead to attenuation of allergic inflammatory response in the lungs. In this study, we aimed to study the effect of insulin on cell activation and airway responsiveness in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The airway contraction in rat model groups including a non‐DM group, a non‐DM+INDUCTION group, a DM+INDUCTION group and a DM+INDUCTION+INSULIN group was measured to observe the effect of insulin on airway responsiveness. Radioenzymatic assay was conducted to measure the levels of histamine, and ELISA assay was conducted to measure bronchial levels of interleukin (IL)‐1b, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐a, cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)‐1, P‐selectin and β‐hexosaminidase. The tension in the main and intrapulmonary bronchi of DM+INDUCTION rats was lower than that of the non‐DM+INDUCTION rats, whereas the treatment of insulin partly restored the normal airway responsiveness to OA in DM rats. The release of histamine was remarkably suppressed in DM+INDUCTION rats but was recovered by the insulin treatment. Also, OA significantly increased the levels of IL‐1b, TNF‐a, CINC‐1 and P‐selectin in non‐DM rats, whereas insulin treatment in DM+INDUCTION rats partly restored the normal levels of IL‐1b, TNF‐a, CINC‐1 and P‐selectin in DM rats. Moreover, the expression of IR and IGF1R was evidently suppressed in DM rats, with the methylation of both IR and IGF1R promoters was aggravated in DM rats. Therefore, we demonstrated that DM‐induced hypermethylation inhibited mast cell activation and airway responsiveness, which could be reversed by insulin treatment.
Hydrogen peroxide treatment and its impacts on Lepeophtheirus salmonis originating from the Bay of Fundy, Canada
Authors: VanIderstine Carter R. , Poley Jordan D. , Whyte Shona K. , Purcell Sara L. , Fast Mark D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used to treat sea lice infections of farmed salmonids in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and issues with resistance to this treatment, and others are a major threat to the sustainability of the industry. The objectives of this study were to determine how H2O2 exposure affects survival and antioxidant‐related gene expression in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) collected from the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick. The maximum recommended dose of H2O2 is 1,800 mg/L, while the EC50 values (with 95% CI) for the population tested were 1,486 (457, 2,515) mg/L for males and 2,126 (984, 3,268) mg/L for females. Neither temperature nor pretreatment with emamectin benzoate (EMB) impacted survival after H2O2 exposure. RT‐qPCR was performed on pre‐adult sea lice exposed to H2O2 and showed that four genes classically involved in the response to oxidative stress were unchanged between treated and control groups. Seven genes were found to be significantly upregulated in males and one in females. This is the first report on the efficacy and molecular responses of Atlantic Canada sea lice to H2O2 treatment.
Value of preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and human epididymis protein 4 in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer patients
Authors: Gao Min , Gao Yunong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimTo investigate the value of pretreatment neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with endometrial cancer.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 145 patients with endometrial cancer who were treated at the Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute between October 2010 and November 2013 was performed. Preoperative NLR, PLR, serum CA125 and HE4 were assessed. Clinicopathological parameters were evaluated for LN metastasis using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the optimal cut‐off values of NLR, PLR, CA125 and HE4 were calculated for predicting lymph node metastasis.ResultsThe levels of NLR, PLR, serum CA125 and HE4 were significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis showed that only the higher NLR and HE4 were independent predictors for lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, OR = 3.509, P = 0.016; OR = 1.446, P = 0.016). The optimal cut‐off values of NLR and HE4 for predicting lymph node metastasis were 2.50 (area under the curve, AUC = 0.809) and 80.4 pmol/L (AUC = 0.713). The sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 84.9% for NLR, 86.7% and 73.8% for HE4, respectively. When HE4 was combined with NLR to predict lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity and specificity were significantly improved.ConclusionPreoperative higher NLR and serum HE4 are predictors of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer, and the predictive value was superior to that of serum CA125.
Evaluation of embryonic posture using four‐dimensional ultrasound and virtual reality
Authors: Frudiger Anne , Mulders Annemarie G. M. G. J. , Rousian Melek , Plasschaert Sophie C. N. , Koning Anton H. J. , Willemsen Sten P. , Steegers‐Theunissen Regine P. M. , de Vries Johanna I. P. , Steegers Eric A. P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimTo assess the possibility of embryonic posture evaluation (=feasibility, reproducibility, variation) at rest at 9 weeks' (+0–6 days) gestational age (GA) using four‐dimensional ultrasound and virtual reality (VR) techniques. Moreover, it is hypothesized that embryonic posture shows variation at the same time point in an uneventful pregnancy.MethodsIn this explorative prospective cohort study, 23 pregnant women were recruited from the Rotterdam periconceptional cohort. A transvaginal four‐dimensional ultrasound examination of 30 min per pregnancy was performed between 9 and 10 weeks' GA. The acquired datasets were offline evaluated longitudinally (i.e. per frame) using VR techniques.ResultsThe ultrasound data of 16 (70%) out of 23 pregnancies were eligible for evaluation. At rest the analysis of the embryonic posture was feasible and showed a strong (>80%) intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility for most body parts. The majority of the body parts were in similar anatomic positions at rest. However, variations in anatomic positions (e.g. 6% rotated head, 9% laterally bent spine), within and between embryos, were seen at 9 weeks' GA.ConclusionIn this unique study, we showed for the first time that embryonic posture measurements at rest can be performed in a reliable way using state‐of‐the‐art four‐dimensional ultrasound and VR techniques. Already early in prenatal life there are differences regarding posture within and between embryos.
MRI Automated T1 Signal Intensity Detection of Diffuse Brain Manganese Accumulation in Cirrhosis
Authors: Wei Ke , Tran Thao T. , Chang Patrick W. , Malekie Annie , Chu Karen , Alhilali Lea , Borzage Matthew T. , Mena Edward , Harrington Michael G. , King Kevin S. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSECirrhosis is associated with diffuse brain manganese deposition, which results in increased signal intensity (SI) in the brain on T1‐weighted images, most often visualized in the globus pallidus. The purpose of this study was to determine if automated image intensity measurements can detect SI differences in the basal ganglia and other regions reported to have manganese deposition in patients with cirrhosis compared with controls.METHODST1 FSPGR images were acquired on 28 patients with cirrhosis and 28 age‐sex‐matched controls. FreeSurfer T1 SI values were obtained for the globus pallidus, putamen, cerebral white matter, cerebral cortex, and brainstem. SI ratios were computed for globus pallidus normalized to white matter and brainstem. SI values and SI ratios were compared between groups using t‐tests.RESULTSAmong people with cirrhosis, T1 SI was significantly increased in the globus pallidus, putamen, cerebral white matter, cerebral cortex, and brainstem (P< .001), and the globus pallidus to brainstem ratio was significantly increased (P< .001). No significant difference was seen for globus pallidus to cerebral white matter T1 SI ratio (P = .38).CONCLUSIONSAutomatic assessment of T1 SI allows for rapid, objective identification of widespread T1 shortening associated with manganese deposition in cirrhosis, consistent with the global deposition of neurotoxic manganese seen in pathology studies. This automated T1 assessment may have broader utility for other conditions beyond cirrhosis impacting T1 SI.
Temporomandibular joint injections in dogs with temporomandibular joint pain: 11 cases (2015‐2019)
Authors: Almansa Ruiz J. C. , Kirberger R. M. , Steenkamp G. 
Published: November 2020

ObjectivesTo describe and evaluate the clinical application of temporomandibular joint injections using betamethasone and ropivacaine in German Shepherd dogs suffering from non‐odontogenic orofacial pain due to temporomandibular dysplasia and/or osteoarthritis.Materials and MethodsOutcomes in dogs presented with clinical signs of non‐odontogenic orofacial pain associated to temporomandibular joint dysplasia and/or arthritis and treated with a temporomandibular joint injection were retrospectively‐prospectively evaluated.ResultsThe overall clinical signs free period ranged between 25 to 1579 days, with an average of 461 days. The clinical signs free period for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis scores 1, 2 and 3 were on average 659 days (180‐1579 days), 134 days (42‐355 days) and 723 days (25‐1377 days), respectively. Similarly the temporomandibular dysplasia scores 1, 2 and 3 were on average 306 days (26‐1579 days), 1377 days and 669 days (25‐1429 days) respectively. Those dogs in which only one side was injected the clinical signs free period average was 639 days (25‐1578 days), compared with dogs in which both temporomandibular joints were injected showing a clinical signs free period average of 378 days (42‐1377 days).Clinical SignificanceThe temporomandibular joint injection technique proved to be feasible with a decent outcome in dogs suffering from non‐odontogenic orofacial pain associated with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and/or dysplasia. Further randomised studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of this intervention.
Effect of prednisolone therapy on serum levels of 1,2‐O‐dilauryl‐rac‐glycero glutaric acid‐(6′‐methylresorufin) ester lipase in dogs
Authors: Mendoza Beatriz , Dias Maria Joana , Nunes Telmo , Basso Maria Alexandra , Hernandez Juan , Leal Rodolfo Oliveira 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundActivity of 1,2‐O‐dilauryl‐rac‐glycero glutaric acid‐(6′‐methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase in serum shows good agreement with pancreatic lipase (cPL) in dogs. Although prednisolone therapy does not seem to affect serum cPL concentration, its influence on DGGR lipase is unclear.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of prednisolone therapy on DGGR lipase serum activity in dogs.AnimalsThirty‐four dogs were used, of which 17 dogs received prednisolone (study group) and 17 healthy dogs did not receive treatment.MethodsA prospective cohort study measured DGGR lipase activity in both groups at 3 time points: T0, T1, and T2, corresponding to days 0, 7‐10, and 21‐30, respectively. Dogs from study group presented a medical reason that justified the use of prednisolone for at least 3 weeks. Initial prednisolone dose was .5‐2.0 mg/kg/day PO with a reduction at T1 to a final dose that was maintained until T2. DGGR lipase activity >160 U/L was defined as clinically relevant.ResultsIn the study group, DGGR lipase activity increased significantly from T0 to T1 (P = .02) and decreased significantly from T1 to T2 (P = .02). Median DGGR activity at each time point (T0, T1, and T2) was 24.74 (14.45–31.48), 36.82 (23.8–80.16), and 29.52 (15.91–48.48) U/L, respectively. In the control group, no significant changes were observed over time (P = .93). The DGGR lipase activity and prednisolone doses were not correlated for both T0‐T1 (rs = .371, P = .14) and T1‐T2 (rs = 0.390, P = .12).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceDGGR lipase activity was affected by prednisolone administered orally in dogs. However, this variation was not clinically important as values remained below the relevant upper limit.
Learning Maximum Absolute Meaning Through Reasoning About Speaker Intentions
Authors: Lee Crystal , Kurumada Chigusa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThree experiments investigated adult learners’ acquisition of a novel adjective. In English and other languages, meanings of some gradable adjectives are said to include an absolute standard of comparison (e.g.,fullmeans completely filled with content). However, actual usage is often imprecise, where a maximum absolute standard of comparison, strictly speaking, does not apply (e.g., a 90% full cup can be full depending on how it will be used). This creates problems for learners who acquire the absolute meaning from variable mappings between word forms and observations. We demonstrated that adult learners infer a maximum standard of comparison when they receive information about agents’ intended goals that lie behind imprecise word usage. Results suggested these inferences are conditioned on the amount of visually ambiguous observations made during learning. We conclude that access to agents’ intended goals allows learners to explain contextual sources of imprecision and helps the learning of a maximum absolute meaning from primarily nonabsolute observations.
First‐food systems transformations and the ultra‐processing of infant and young child diets: The determinants, dynamics and consequences of the global rise in commercial milk formula consumption
Authors: Baker Phillip , Santos Thiago , Neves Paulo Augusto , Machado Priscila , Smith Julie , Piwoz Ellen , Barros Aluisio J. D. , Victora Cesar G. , McCoy David 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe inappropriate marketing and aggressive promotion of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) undermines breastfeeding and harms child and maternal health in all country contexts. Although a global milk formula ‘sales boom’ is reportedly underway, few studies have investigated its dynamics and determinants. This study takes two steps. First, it describes trends and patterns in global formula sales volumes (apparent consumption), by country income and region. Data are reported for 77 countries, for the years 2005–19, and for the standard (0–6 months), follow‐up (7‐12 m), toddler (13‐36 m), and special (0‐6 m) categories. Second, it draws from the literature to understand how transformations underway in first‐food systems – those that provision foods for children aged 0–36 months – explain the global transition to higher formula diets. Total world formula sales grew by 115% between 2005 and 2019, from 3.5 to 7.4 kg/child, led by highly‐populated middle‐income countries. Growth was rapid in South East and East Asia, especially in China, which now accounts for one third of world sales. This transition is linked with factors that generate demand for BMS, including rising incomes, urbanisation, the changing nature of woman's work, social norms, media influences and medicalisation. It also reflects the globalization of the baby food industry and its supply chains, including the increasing intensity and sophistication of its marketing practices. Policy and regulatory frameworks designed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding are partially or completely inadequate in the majority of countries, hence supporting industry expansion over child nutrition. The results raise serious concern for global child and maternal health.
Sustained nutrition impact of a multisectoral intervention program two years after completion
Authors: Marshak Anastasia , Young Helen , Radday Anne , Naumova Elena N. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProgress on the nutrition Sustainable Development Goals has been slow. More attention is needed on the ‘sustainable’ part, focused on impact lasting beyond programme implementation. To determine sustained impact of a multisectoral nutrition intervention that provided water, sanitation, hygiene, livelihood, health and nutrition support (2013–2015) in eastern Chad, we utilize longitudinal household data collected 2 years (2017) after the intervention ended. Between 2013 and 2015, children (6–59 months) in the multisectoral intervention were less likely to be severely wasted, underweight and had a higher weight‐for‐height z‐score (WHZ) compared with the control. To measure sustained programme impact, we use data on six nutrition indicators from 517 children between 2015 and 2017. We ran three models: a generalized linear model on cross‐sectional child cohorts; a mixed‐effects model on household panel data; and a mixed‐effects model on child panel data. For children who were born during the programme, we saw significant improvement in underweight, weight for age z‐scores (WAZs) and height‐for‐age z‐scores (HAZs). Boys 6–23 months born after the end of the programme, on the other hand, were significantly more likely to be underweight or wasted and had lower WHZ and WAZ compared with boys born during the programme and girls born during and after the programme. Corresponding to the literature from sub‐Saharan Africa, boys appear to be more vulnerable to malnutrition, which might be why they are more sensitive to programme cessation. Future monitoring, evaluations and research need to consider impact sustainability and that it might not be homogeneous across age and gender.
Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management
Authors: Hohenlohe Paul A. , Funk W. Chris , Rajora Om P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBiodiversity is under threat worldwide. Over the past decade, the field of population genomics has developed across nonmodel organisms, and the results of this research have begun to be applied in conservation and management of wildlife species. Genomics tools can provide precise estimates of basic features of wildlife populations, such as effective population size, inbreeding, demographic history and population structure, that are critical for conservation efforts. Moreover, population genomics studies can identify particular genetic loci and variants responsible for inbreeding depression or adaptation to changing environments, allowing for conservation efforts to estimate the capacity of populations to evolve and adapt in response to environmental change and to manage for adaptive variation. While connections from basic research to applied wildlife conservation have been slow to develop, these connections are increasingly strengthening. Here we review the primary areas in which population genomics approaches can be applied to wildlife conservation and management, highlight examples of how they have been used, and provide recommendations for building on the progress that has been made in this field.
Efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Kohagura Toaki , Kawabe Shinji , Abe Naoki , Nakaseko Haruna , Iwata Naomi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundVaccination to prevent hepatitis B (HB) virus infection is important for children undergoing immunosuppressive treatment. Information on the efficacy of HB vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases undergoing immunosuppressive therapy is scarce.MethodsChildren with rheumatic diseases administered HB vaccine during immunosuppressive treatment between May 2013 and September 2016 were enrolled. Patients were vaccinated three times (primary series). Those who remained seronegative after the primary series received a secondary series of vaccinations. Patient baseline characteristics and treatment details from the medical records were retrospectively investigated. The proportion of patients that was seropositive for HB virus antibody after primary‐and secondary series of vaccinations was calculated. Associations between immunosuppressants and serostatus were evaluated.ResultsFifteen of 26 patients (58%) produced anti‐hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs) after the primary vaccinations. Eight of 10 patients (80%) taking methotrexate and 3 of 11 (27%) taking mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were seropositive. Multivariate analysis adjusted for dosage of prednisolone per body weight. Multivariate analysis showed MMF was a factor impeding seroconversion (odds ratio 0.093, 95% confidence interval 0.014–0.615). In six of seven patients (86%) who received a secondary series of vaccinations, anti‐HBs were produced.ConclusionsMMF may impede seroconversion after a primary series of HB vaccinations, thus requiring secondary series of vaccinations in pediatric patients with a rheumatic disease undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Melatonin can improve viability and functional integrity of cooled and frozen/thawed rabbit spermatozoa
Authors: Fadl Aya M. , Ghallab Abdel Raouf M. , Abou‐Ahmed Mostafa M. , Moawad Adel R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMelatonin is known to protect sperm against freezing‐inflicted damage in different domestic species. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of semen extender with melatonin on the quality and DNA integrity of cooled and frozen/thawed rabbit spermatozoa. We also investigated whether the addition of melatonin to the semen extender could improve the fertility of rabbit does artificially inseminated with frozen/thawed semen. Semen samples collected from eight rabbit bucks were pooled and then diluted in INRA‐82 supplemented either with (0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mM) or without (0.0 mM) melatonin. Diluted semen was cooled at 5°C for 24 hr. For cryopreservation and based on the first experiment's best result, semen samples were diluted in INRA‐82 in the presence or absence of 1.0 mM melatonin and then frozen in 0.25 ml straws. Following cooling or thawing, sperm quality and DNA integrity were evaluated. Furthermore, the fertility of frozen/thawed semen was investigated after artificial insemination. Supplementation of semen extender with 1.0 mM melatonin improved (p < .05) motility, viability, membrane and acrosome integrities in cooled semen compared with other groups. Sperm quality and DNA integrity were higher (p < .05) in frozen/thawed semen diluted in 1.0 mM melatonin‐supplemented extender than in the control group. Conception and birth rates were higher in does inseminated with 1.0 mM melatonin treated semen compared with the controls. In conclusion, supplementation of semen extender with 1.0 mM melatonin improved the quality of cooled and frozen/thawed rabbit spermatozoa. Melatonin can preserve DNA integrity and enhance the fertility of frozen/thawed rabbit spermatozoa.
Interviewer Effects and the Measurement of Financial Literacy
Authors: Crossley Thomas F. , Schmidt Tobias , Tzamourani Panagiota , Winter Joachim K. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we ask whether interviewers influence the answers to a standard set of survey questions on financial literacy. We study data from Germany's wealth survey, the Panel on Household Finances (PHF). We have access to extensive auxiliary data, including interviewer identifiers, background characteristics of interviewers and measures of interviewer activity through the survey. We find that interviewer effects explain a significant fraction of the variance of the financial literacy score, and intra-interviewer correlations are notably larger for the financial literacy score than for other survey variables. We explore how accounting for interviewer effects can improve estimates of the effects of financial literacy on financial behaviours and outcomes.