bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant supplementation during illness in dogs: effect on oxidative stress and outcome, an exploratory study
Authors: Hagen D. M. , Ekena J. L. , Geesaman B. M. , Viviano K. R. 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesTo assess whether combination antioxidant supplementation for 30 days in systemically ill dogs alters antioxidant status, degree of lipid peroxidation, clinical score and survival.Materials and MethodsForty client‐owned systemically‐ill hospitalised dogs were eligible for inclusion. Dogs were randomised to no supplementation (NS; n=19) or supplementation with N‐acetylcysteine/S‐adenosylmethionine/silybin and vitamin E (AS; n=20) for 30 days. Clinical score and oxidative biomarkers including glutathione, cysteine, vitamin E, selenium and urine isoprostanes/creatinine (F2‐IsoPs/Cr) were determined on days 0 and 30. Glutathione, cysteine, vitamin E and urine F2‐IsoPs/Cr were quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and selenium concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy.ResultsThirty‐two dogs completed the study (NS, n=16; AS, n=16). Vitamin E concentrations were significantly greater in the supplemented compared to the non‐supplemented group. No other markers of oxidative stress significantly changed with supplementation. There was no difference in Day 30 clinical scores or survival between the two groups.Clinical SignificanceIn this population of systemically‐ill hospitalised dogs, combination antioxidant supplementation did not alter redox state or clinical outcome.
Texture and color characteristics of swell‐dried ready‐to‐eat Zaghloul date snacks: Effect of operative parameters of instant controlled pressure drop process
Authors: Mounir Sabah , Téllez‐Pérez Carmen , Sunooj Kappat V. , Allaf Karim 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTIn this work, development of ready‐to‐eat snacks from Zaghloul date using swell‐drying process was studied. Pre‐dried Zaghloul date samples having 12% water content on dry basis were textured by instant controlled pressure drop technique (DIC) at different operative parameters, saturated steam pressure (p) and processing time (t), ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 MPa and from 9 to 35 s, respectively. The effect of these operative parameters on texture, color, and sensory characteristics of swell‐dried (SD) Zaghloul date snacks were determined and optimized through the response surface methodology. Textural (expansion ratio, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness) and color (L*, a*, b*, C*, and ΔE*) characteristics were significantly affected by the operative parameters of DIC. The optimized textural characteristics was identified for SD Zaghloul date at p = 0.6 MPa and t = 22 s with slight yellowness, while the best color properties were observed for texturing conditions of p = 0.2 MPa and t = 22 s. The expansion ratio εr was then 46% higher and the hardness was 262% lower for SD than airflow‐dried date. Instrumental analysis such as texture profile analysis and Hunter's Lab color analyzer could be used to describe the texture and color changes occurred during food drying. Beside these analyses, the expansion ratio could be used to describe the texture as well. Swell‐drying process, an alternative drying process, is defined as DIC‐assisted hot air drying. The thermo‐mechanical effects of DIC are mainly induced by the abrupt pressure drop toward a vacuum after short‐time treatment (9–35 s) by saturated steam pressure (0.2 up to 0.6 MPa). The abrupt pressure drop rate induces an autovaporization of product's water immediately decreasing the product's temperature allowing it to cross the glass transition Tg border. The impact of DIC operative parameters on Zaghloul date could be observed through the expansion ratio, and the textural characteristics (hardness HA, springiness SP, cohesiveness CO, and chewiness CH).
Prevalence, mortality and healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries with Hepatitis C in Haemodialysis units
Authors: Deshpande Rati , Stepanova Maria , Golabi Pegah , Brown Kimberly , Younossi Zobair M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHepatitis C (HCV) is more common among patients with end‐stage renal disease requiring haemodialysis compared to the general population. Thus, we aimed to assess trends in prevalence, health resource utilization and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries with HCV on haemodialysis. This is a retrospective study of outpatient and inpatient claims for Medicare beneficiaries receiving haemodialysis (2005‐2016). A total of 291 663 subjects on haemodialysis were included (67.3 ± 15.2 years, 55% male, 55% white, 49% age‐based eligibility). The prevalence of HCV in subjects on haemodialysis was stable and was significantly higher (mean 4.2% in 2005‐2016,P = 0.50 for the trend) than in subjects not on haemodialysis (<1%). In multivariate analysis, liver cirrhosis (odds ratio = 3.4 (95% CI = 3.3‐3.6)) was an independent predictor of 1‐year mortality among haemodialysis patients. Mean total inpatient payments in dialysis patients with HCV remained stable during 2005 ($73 803) through 2016 ($72 133) (trendP = 0.54) while mean total outpatient payment decreased from 2005 ($53 497) to 2016 ($35 439; trendP = 0.0013). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age, gender, race and location, both HCV and cirrhosis remained significant contributors to greater spending [HCV: inpatient +22.1% (+19.2%‐25%), HCV: outpatient +18.4% (+14.6%‐22.2%), cirrhosis: inpatient +59.7% (+56.9%‐62.6%), cirrhosis: outpatient +9.4% (+6.2%‐12.6%)]. In conclusion, HCV‐infected Medicare patients receiving haemodialysis incur greater resource utilization; mortality is higher in patients with cirrhosis only. Although HCV prevalence in Medicare haemodialysis recipients is higher than in patients without haemodialysis, these rates are lower than reported, suggesting potential under‐screening for HCV in this high‐risk population.
A re‐evaluation of the framework for the protection of patents, women’s health in Nigeria and the issue of accessing pharmaceutical innovation in Africa: Designing strategies for medicines
Authors: Mike Jennifer H. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study is to make a case for Nigerian women to have access essential medicines in light of patent protection of pharmaceuticals. Consequently, this study argues for an improvement of women's access to medicines within the context of patent law and rights, the available flexibilities in the international IP regime of the Trade Related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and Nigeria's national patent system. Towards this goal, the article makes the point that patent law and its exclusive rights, both the TRIPS Agreement and national law of Nigeria, do not exist in a social welfare vacuum. The legal text of patent law, which confers rights on inventors when enforced, translates to many other things outside the sphere of property rights; indeed, it can be a matter of life and death. It is argued in this regard that patent right could, in effect, interfere with access to medicines and therefore, the right to health and prospects for human development. This study adopts a doctrinal methodology to examine, analyse, and evaluate the issues that have arisen in the context of patent protection of pharmaceuticals and its effect on access medicines. It concludes that while the hindrances to accessibility of essential drugs in Nigeria are multifaceted and demand a multidimensional approach for a lasting solution, the TRIPS flexibilities are significant means for addressing the challenges of affordable access to important health treatments within the context of patent law. However, it is emphasised that utilising the flexibilities will require that Nigeria's patent system is strategically designed to take full advantage of the available exceptions, safeguards, and options.
Age‐dependent heteroblastic development of leaf hairs in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Yunmin , Qian Zhiyuan , Zhou Bingying , Wu Gang 
Published: July 2019

Summary

Higher plants progress through a juvenile and an adult phase of development before they enter the reproductive phase. The transition from the juvenile to the adult phase is referred to as vegetative phase change, and this is signified by the production of trichomes on the abaxial side of leaf blades in Arabidopsis; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this process is poorly understood.

We identified a dominant mutation (gl1‐D) in a forward genetic screen that accelerates abaxial trichome production during shoot development. This phenotype is the result of a G‐to‐A substitution in the 3′ noncoding region in the GLABRA1(GL1) gene.

We show that TOE1, an AP2‐like transcription factor that acts downstream of the miR156‐SPL pathway, represses GL1 expression by directly binding to this site, and that gl1‐D prevents TOE1 binding.

Our work reveals a molecular link between vegetative phase change and abaxial trichome production in Arabidopsis, and answers a long‐standing question of how the vegetative phase change pathway regulates vegetative traits.
Validating the Xerostomia Inventory in a radiation‐induced xerostomia population in German language
Authors: Hohenberger Ralph , Baumann Ingo , Plinkert Peter K. , Brinster Regina , Krisam Johannes , Affolter Annette , Hein Matti , Flechsig Paul , Rathke Hendrik , Oladokun Dare , Lippert Burkard M. , Bulut Olcay Cem 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesThough xerostomia is a frequent oral symptom, there is no validated disease‐specific questionnaire in German. The purpose of this study was to translate and validate versions of the Xerostomia Inventory and the Summated Xerostomia Inventory in a German‐speaking population.Participants and MethodsThirty‐nine patients including 18 patients suffering from radiation‐induced xerostomia enrolled in this study. Both questionnaires were translated into German language according to international accepted guidelines. For validation, we evaluated reliability, validity, and responsiveness using the COSMIN manual for cross‐cultural adaptation.ResultsCronbach's α was 0.92 for XI and 0.91 for SXI, showing both high internal consistency. Patients suffering from xerostomia showed significantly higher average scores demonstrating its discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis showed excellent “goodness‐of‐fit” values for SXI and good to moderate values for XI, confirming the assumed factor structures. The Xerostomia Inventory and its summated version both showed excellent test–retest reliability in the non‐xerostomia group (ICC = 0.85 and 0.84).ConclusionsThe XI and SXI in their cross‐cultural adapted versions are the first validated self‐report assessments for xerostomia in German language. They are characterized by practical design and can be easily interpreted by the treating physician.
Long‐term Outcome and Adverse Events of Intrathecal Opioid Therapy for Nonmalignant Pain Syndrome
Authors: Sommer Björn , Karageorgos Nikolaos , AlSharif Mustafa , Stubbe Henning , Hans Franz‐Josef 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveIntrathecal (IT) opioid pumps are one therapeutic cornerstone of refractory nonmalignant pain syndromes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of and surgical and pharmacological complications of IT pumps beyond a time span of 10 years.MethodsIn this retrospective single‐center cohort study, 27 patients (14 female, 13 male, age 64.0 ± 8.9 [median, 1 SD] years) were identified. Pain intensity using the numeric rating scale (NRS), pain and IT pump characteristics, and complications were analyzed. The German Pain Questionnaire was used to investigate the physical and mental health status.ResultsOverall time of IT therapy from first implantation to last follow‐up was 20.4 ± 6.0 years. Time to implantation of the second pump (n = 18) was 10.0 ± 5.3 years, and between the second and third pump (n = 6) 6.5 ± 2.7 years; 2 patients received their fourth pump 6 years later. The NRS score was 9.0 ± 0.9 before implantation, 7.0 ± 1.8 1 year after implantation, and 4.0 ± 2.3 at the last follow‐up. IT drug dose remained stable after 3 years. Opioid intoxications occurred in 3 patients (10%). One patient (3%) underwent revision surgery due to a catheter infection. Drug side effects occurred in 4 patients (14%). Our patient group had pain‐related restrictions in physical activities with menial impact regarding mental and emotional stress.ConclusionEven after a time span of over 15 years and several exchanges of pump systems, pain intensity was still reduced. After 3 years, IT drug dose remained unchanged with low side‐effect and complication rates.
Trichoscopy of alopecia areata in children. A retrospective comparative analysis of 50 children and 50 adults
Authors: Waśkiel‐Burnat Anna , Rakowska Adriana , Sikora Mariusz , Olszewska Malgorzata , Rudnicka Lidia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesTrichoscopic findings characteristic of alopecia areata have been established in adults. The objective of the study was to assess trichoscopic findings in children with alopecia areata.MethodsRetrospective analysis of trichoscopic findings in 50 children (3‐11 years old) and 50 adults (19‐31 years old) with alopecia areata was performed.ResultsYellow dots were less commonly detected in children compared with adults (26/50, 52% vs 48/50, 96%). Pigtail hairs and empty follicular openings were more commonly observed in children compared with adults (14/50, 28% vs 2/50, 4% and 40/50, 80% vs 16/50, 32%, respectively). No significant difference in the frequency of other trichoscopic features between children and adults was found. Black dots, broken hairs, exclamation mark hairs, and tapered hairs were detected in 20/50 (40%), 27/50 (54%), 22/50 (44%), and 6/50 (12%) children, respectively, and in 26/50 (52%), 27/50 (54%), 20/50 (40%), and 11/50 (22%) adults, respectively. Triangular hairs (short hidden hairs), short vellus hairs, and upright regrowing hairs were observed in 22/50 (44%), 35/50 (70%), and 23/50 (46%) children, respectively, and in 24/50 (48%), 37/50 (74%), and 28/50 (56%) adults, respectively. Pohl‐Pinkus constrictions were present in 2/50 (4%) children and 4/50 (8%) adults.ConclusionsThe most common trichoscopic findings of alopecia areata in children are empty follicular openings and short vellus hairs. Pigtail hairs and empty follicular openings are more commonly presented in children compared with adults. In contrast, yellow dots are less commonly observed in children compared with adults. Triangular hairs (short hidden hairs) are new trichoscopic findings of alopecia areata.
From the Book of Mormon to the Circle Seven Koran: Scriptures of American new religions
Authors: Blythe Christopher James 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article examines the growing scholarship on scripture in American new religious movements, specifically on exemplary studies on African–American Islam, Mormonism, and Satanism. After reviewing the state of the scholarship, I seek to encourage additional work in this inchoate subfield at the intersection of new religious movements, American religious history, and scriptural studies by offering potential trajectories and publication venues.
The interaction effect of gender and ethnicity in loan approval: A Bayesian estimation with data from a laboratory field experiment
Authors: Gonzales Martínez Rolando , Aguilera‐Lizarazu Gabriela , Rojas‐Hosse Andrea , Aranda Blanco Patricia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMicrofinance targets women and uses loan provision as a tool for empowerment, which translates into better household nutrition, improved education, and a scale down of domestic violence. However, ethnic discrimination in microfinance may exist in countries with a segregated indigenous population. We assessed this possibility with a field experiment in Bolivia. The controlled laboratory experiment evaluated whether credit officers rejected microloan applications based on the interaction effect of ethnicity and gender of potential borrowers. Point estimates of a Bayesian mixed‐effects logistic regression, estimated with the experimental data, indicate that nonindigenous women have double the chance of loan approval, but indigenous women have only 1.5 times the chance of loan approval when compared with men. While the findings about gender are limited, the evidence for the interaction of gender and ethnicity is more robust and suggests the existence of positive taste‐based discrimination favorable for nonethnic women in Bolivia. We conclude that the affirmative actions towards women promoted by development agencies and microfinance institutions must not overlook ethnicity as an important factor for financial policies of sustainable development. In practice, these policies should be aimed at identifying and reducing both social desirability bias and the structural barriers to financial inclusion that indigenous women may face when trying to obtain access to a loan.
Public response to welfare policy retrenchment: The importance of trust in implementing agencies. The case of early retirement in Sweden 1999–2010
Authors: Stensöta Helena Olofsdotter , Bendz Anna 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThere is a long‐standing argument that citizensapos; trust in the state needs to be recurrently reproduced for policies to endure and that this also includes trust in its separate policy agencies. Such trust is likely to be more important for costlier policies, as, for example, social insurance schemes. The article explores whether short‐term changes in welfare programme generosity affect peopleapos;s trust in the agency implementing the programme. Using the example of early retirement in the encompassing welfare state of Sweden, we study a decade of significant reform (1999–2010), during which the inflow to early retirement diminished greatly, as did citizensapos; trust in the implementing Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SSIA). We conclude that citizensapos; trust is higher when implementation is more generous. Indeed, a third of the drop in citizensapos; trust in the SSIA over the period can be explained by declining levels of generosity in early retirement, with people politically to the left responding with lower trust. Theoretically, we suggest, first, that trust in implementing institutions can function as feedback to policy and, second, that there is a basic relationship between more generous policy outcome and higher trust in encompassing welfare states such as Sweden.
Partisanship, continuity, and change: Politics in Finnish unemployment benefit reforms 1985–2016
Authors: Varjonen Sampo , Kangas Olli , Niemelä Mikko 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe apparent decline of partisan effects on social policies since the 1980s has encouraged the development of theories that challenge the traditional partisan politics theory. Although the new politics approach pointed to institutional path‐dependence and to the unpopularity of radical retrenchment, recent research has highlighted shifts in electoral landscapes, differences in party systems and institutional contexts, and changing party‐voter linkages. This in‐depth case study contributes to debates on partisan effects by focusing on Finland, whose dualistic unemployment benefit system and institutional and political conditions provide an interesting case to analyse changing partisan effects. The aim is to explain, through qualitative policy analysis, why government partisanship has not had a significant effect on unemployment benefit levels since 1985. The explanations are different for earnings‐related and flat‐rate benefits. For the former, retrenchment efforts have seen a distinct partisan divide, but trade unions have thwarted most cutbacks; thus, although partisanship has not mattered much for policy outcomes, power resources have remained important as inhibitor of cuts. For the latter, parties that in the late 1980s still had differing priorities have since converged on policies emphasizing activation and work incentives. Universal flat‐rate benefits have lacked political support and have been left to stagnate. The study suggests that one single theory is not sufficient to explain developments even in one single welfare policy—there are too many aspects to cover—not to speak of the entire welfare state consisting of an array of different schemes.
A case‐control analysis of hyperhemolysis syndrome in adults and laboratory correlates of complement involvement
Authors: Merrill Samuel A. , Brodsky Robert A. , Lanzkron Sophie M. , Naik Rakhi 
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUNDHyperhemolysis syndrome (HS) is a poorly understood, severe hemolytic anemia provoked by transfusion. Both host and donor RBCs are destroyed in HS; thus, transfusion paradoxically worsens anemia. Risk factors and mechanism of HS are unknown.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA retrospective case‐control analysis was performed on adults with HS. Patients with HS were matched 1:1 with matched, transfused controls, and HS risk factors were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. HS samples were analyzed for complement deposition by flow cytometry, and an in vitro model of bystander hemolysis was developed.RESULTSForty‐one patients with 54 episodes of HS were identified in a 26‐year period from 1992 to 2018. Of the HS episodes, only 18.5% were associated with a new alloantibody, and such patients were more tolerant of additional transfusion in the acute episode (p = 0.005). Thirteen percent of episodes were fatal, and HS recurred in 52.6%. Alloimmunization (odds ratio [OR], 17.3), non‐B blood type (OR, 9.8), D antigen (OR, 9.1), and infection (OR, 5.5) were associated with HS on multivariable analysis. Hyperbilirubinemia was predictive of fatal HS (OR, 33.6). Increased complement was observed on RBCs during HS episodes, and the in vitro model of bystander hemolysis recapitulated complement decoration of sickled RBCs.CONCLUSIONSHS is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. Risk factors such as known alloimmunization, blood group, and infection predispose to HS. Bystander complement activation may drive HS. These factors may help physicians refine risk‐benefit assessments for transfusion and guide further therapeutic development.