bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and determinants of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in obese subjects and the role of left ventricular global longitudinal strain and mass normalized to height
Authors: Dini Frank Lloyd , Fabiani Iacopo , Miccoli Mario , Galeotti Gian Giacomo , Pugliese Nicola Riccardo , D'Agostino Andreina , Scartabelli Alessandra , Conte Lorenzo , Salvetti Guido , Santini Ferruccio , Pedrinelli Roberto 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) is a frequent finding in obesity and may predispose to the development of heart failure (HF). However, no data are available on the prevalence of DD after the introduction of the 2016 Recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.Methods and resultsTo assess the impact of the new Recommendations on the prevalence of DD and on their clinical and echocardiographic correlates in obesity, a prospective study was performed in 588 subjects with an ejection fraction (EF) ≥50% and no history of HF either obese (n = 402; mean age: 47 ± 12 years; women 71%; body mass index [BMI]: 44 ± 8 kg/m2), overweight (n = 86; BMI: 28 ± 1 kg/m2), or with a normal weight (n = 100; BMI: 22 ± 2 kg/m2). All subjects underwent an echocardiographic and Doppler study, including the assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS). DD occurred in 19% of obese patients, 12% of overweight subjects, and 2% of normal weight subjects. We used multivariable logistic analysis to assess the risk of DD. In patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2, LV mass normalized to height (2.7) (OR: 1.04, P = .0028), and GLS (OR: 0.85, P = .0032) were associated with an increased risk of DD followed by EF (OR: 0.91, P = .045), diabetes (OR: 1.91, P = .065), and systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.02, P = .076).ConclusionThese results show that DD is highly prevalent among obese subjects and impairment of longitudinal systolic mechanics, as reflected by GLS reduction, and LV mass normalized to height are major independent predictors of DD in this patients’ population.
Creating virtual 3‐dimensional models for teaching pre‐clinical tooth preparation: Students’ usages and perceptions
Authors: Lin W. S. , Chou J. C. , Charette J. R. , Metz M. J. , Harris B. T. , Choi N. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeThis research aimed to evaluate the students’ usage and perceptions of using smartphones in their general dental education and learning tooth preparation with the individually designed virtual 3D instructional models in the pre‐clinical removable partial denture course.Materials and MethodsSecond‐year dental students were asked to voluntarily participate in a survey to investigate their demographic information, general usages of smartphones, perception of smartphones usage in dental education (construct 1) and perception of individually designed virtual 3D instructional models (construct 2). Students’ responses of general usages of the smartphones were compared with their demographic and educational backgrounds using nonparametric Kruskal‐Wallis test (for age) and Fisher's exact test (for sex, race and educational background). The sums of scores of the construct 1 and construct 2 were tested for associations with student's demographic and educational backgrounds using the Pearson product‐moment correlation (for age), t test (for sex and educational background) or one‐way ANOVA F test (for race) (α = .05).ResultsA 75% response rate (N = 90) was achieved in this study, and all 90 participants owned smartphones. Students’ responses to general usages of the smartphones were not significantly influenced by their demographic background. For the construct 1, more than 73% of participants responded either agree or strongly agree to the usage of smartphones in general dental education and pre‐clinical setting; however, only 49% of participants responded the same way in the clinical setting. For the construct 2, 48 of 90 participants viewed the 3D models, and more than 73% of these 48 participants responded either agree or strongly agree to the usage of the 3D models in the pre‐clinical course. Student's demographic background did not have significant influence on the sums of scores of the construct 1 and construct 2.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this study, high usages and ownerships of smartphones were found amongst the students surveyed. The individually designed virtual 3D instructional models as supplemental teaching materials in the pre‐clinical course were perceived positively by the students.
Does ‘hacking’ surface type affect equine forelimb foot placement, movement symmetry or hoof impact deceleration during ridden walk and trot exercise?
Authors: Barstow A. , Bailey J. , Campbell J. , Harris C. , Weller R. , Pfau T. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundBoth pleasure and competition horses regularly exercise on surfaces such as tarmac, gravel and turf during ‘hacking’. Despite this, there is limited evidence relating to the effect of these surfaces upon foot‐surface interaction.ObjectivesTo investigate forelimb foot placement, hoof vibration and movement symmetry in pleasure horses on three commonly encountered hacking surfaces.Study designQuantitative gait study in a convenience sample.MethodsSix horses regularly partaking in hacking exercise were ridden in walk and trot on all surfaces. Horses were equipped with one hoof‐mounted, accelerometer and four body‐mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure foot impact and movement symmetry. High‐speed (400FPS) video footage of foot‐placement was acquired (dorsal, palmar, lateral views). Foot‐impact and movement symmetry were analysed with a mixed effects model and Bowker symmetry tests for foot‐placement analysis.ResultsVibration power and frequency parameters increase as perceived surface firmness increases from grass, to gravel, to tarmac (P≤0.001). Vibration power parameters were consistently greater at trot compared with walk (P≤0.001), but the same was not true for vibration frequency (P≥0.2). Greatest movement asymmetry was recorded during grass surface trotting. No significant difference in foot‐placement was detected between the three surfaces.Main limitationsThis was a field study using three commonly encountered hacking surfaces. Surface properties change easily with water content and temperature fluctuations so care must be taken when considering other similar surfaces, especially at different times of the year. Six leisure horses were used so the results may not be representative of horses of all types.ConclusionsVibration parameters generally increase as perceived surface firmness increases. Increasing speed alters vibration power but not frequency. Further investigations are required to determine the role that this may play in the development of musculoskeletal disease in horses.
Interactive effects of road salt and sediment disturbance on the productivity of seven common aquatic macrophytes
Authors: Stoler Aaron , Sudol Kelsey , Mruzek Joseph , Relyea Rick 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Around the world, freshwater ecosystems are subjected to numerous stressors that can alter community composition in favour of stress‐tolerant species. Because combinations of stressors often result in non‐additive interactions, elucidating responses to isolated and combined stressors is important to understand the ecological responses to anthropogenic disturbance.

In this study, we explored the responses of common macrophyte species to two stressors of increasing concern: elevated salinity from road salt applications and turbidity from human recreational activities and shoreline development. The independent and interactive effects of environmentally relevant salt concentrations and turbidity on macrophyte productivity have received little attention. We hypothesised that both stressors in isolation would reduce macrophyte productivity and that the two stressors combined will lead to a greater (i.e. synergistic) reduction in productivity.

To test these hypotheses, we conducted dark‐ and light‐bottle experiments on seven species of native and invasive macrophytes under a factorial combination of three salt concentrations (0, 500 and 3,000 added mg Cl− L−1) and two turbidity conditions (clear and turbid via a disturbance to the sediment).

On average, macrophytes exhibited reduced productivity in response to increased salt, but results were highly species‐specific. Several species exhibited a unimodal response to elevated salinity, whereas Elodea canadensis exhibited a positive response to the high‐salt treatment. Similarly, macrophytes exhibited an average reduction in productivity under turbid conditions, but analysis of species‐specific responses revealed both neutral and negative responses. Combining the two stresses yielded non‐additive responses for some species. Specifically, Myriophyllum spicatum appeared to suffer from the combination of salt and turbidity, whereas Elodea canadensis and Ceratophyllum demersum benefited from the combination.

Our results suggest that increased anthropogenic disturbance of freshwater ecosystems can dramatically alter macrophyte species metabolism and might stimulate the growth of some species while deterring the growth of others.
The ecology of a system of natural mesocosms: Rock pools in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Schiesari Luis , Sgambatti Monteiro Artur , Ilha Paulo , Pope Nathaniel , Corrêa Décio Tadeu 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The methodological trade‐off between the realism of natural systems and the tractability of artificial systems has led ecologists to praise the qualities of natural micro‐ and mesocosms as an ideal means for investigating the processes that organise biological communities. Among the different types of naturally occurring micro‐ and mesocosms, clusters of rock pools combine a global distribution with the simplicity, replicability, tractability and structural homogeneity that are desirable in model experimental systems. However, critical geographical data gaps in the study of rock pools must be filled if ecologists are to use these as global model systems in community ecology.

In a year‐long study of a cluster of 181 rock pools in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, we conducted the first study on the ecology of freshwater rock pool communities in the entire Neotropical region, to the best of our knowledge. Building on published descriptions of the factors that drive community assembly within rock pools, we tested the hypotheses (1) that the effects of environmental factors prevail over those of spatial factors and (2) that pool volume and secondarily species interactions between consumers (anuran larvae), resources (leaf litter) and predators (dragonfly larvae) have a dominant role in driving species patterns of occurrence and abundance.

Our hypotheses were generally supported as community structure was clearly influenced by the environmental characteristics of individual pools, and not to the spatial relations among them. Pool volume had a consistent, positive influence on the probability of occurrence of dragonflies and tadpoles of three anuran species, possibly through the influence of volume on hydroperiod. However, the species most strongly associated with larger pools were not those with longer times until metamorphosis, but those with larger egg clutches. In addition, species occurrences were positively associated with resource availability as measured by leaf litter mass (significantly so for Rhinella and dragonflies). These observations suggest that within these severely confined freshwater systems, indicators of environmental stability and reduced intraspecific competition could be important ultimate criteria for oviposition site selection.

The ease of sampling and manipulating the rock pools at our Atlantic Forest site combined with the observation that these pools are governed by some of the same factors influencing community organisation in other rock pool systems around the world reinforces the merit of the system as a means to conduct global comparative studies of the ecology of communities and metacommunities.
Joint structural and physiological control on the interannual variation in productivity in a temperate grassland: A data‐model comparison
Authors: Hu Zhongmin , Shi Hao , Cheng Kaili , Wang Ying‐Ping , Piao Shilong , Li Yue , Zhang Li , Xia Jianyang , Zhou Lei , Yuan Wenping , Running Steve , Li Longhui , Hao Yanbin , He Nianpeng , Yu Qiang , Yu Guirui 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGiven the important contributions of semiarid region to global land carbon cycle, accurate modeling of the interannual variability (IAV) of terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP) is important but remains challenging. By decomposing GPP into leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthesis per leaf area (i.e., GPP_leaf), we investigated the IAV of GPP and the mechanisms responsible in a temperate grassland of northwestern China. We further assessed six ecosystem models for their capabilities in reproducing the observed IAV of GPP in a temperate grassland from 2004 to 2011 in China. We observed that the responses to LAI and GPP_leaf to soil water significantly contributed to IAV of GPP at the grassland ecosystem. Two of six models with prescribed LAI simulated of the observed IAV of GPP quite well, but still underestimated the variance of GPP_leaf, therefore the variance of GPP. In comparison, simulated pattern by the other four models with prognostic LAI differed significantly from the observed IAV of GPP. Only some models with prognostic LAI can capture the observed sharp decline of GPP in drought years. Further analysis indicated that accurately representing the responses of GPP_leaf and leaf stomatal conductance to soil moisture are critical for the models to reproduce the observed IAV of GPP_leaf. Our framework also identified that the contributions of LAI and GPP_leaf to the observed IAV of GPP were relatively independent. We conclude that our framework of decomposing GPP into LAI and GPP_leaf has a significant potential for facilitating future model intercomparison, benchmarking and optimization should be adopted for future data‐model comparisons.
The Ensemble Kalman Filter for Groundwater Plume Characterization: A Case Study
Authors: Ross James L. , Andersen Peter F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe Kalman filter is an efficient data assimilation tool to refine an estimate of a state variable using measured data and the variable's correlations in space and/or time. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) (Evensen 2004, 2009) is a Kalman filter variant that employs Monte Carlo analysis to define the correlations that help to refine the updated state. While use of EnKF in hydrology is somewhat limited, it has been successfully applied in other fields of engineering (e.g., oil reservoir modeling, weather forecasting). Here, EnKF is used to refine a simulated groundwater tetrachloroethylene (TCE) plume that underlies the Tooele Army Depot‐North (TEAD‐N) in Utah, based on observations of TCE in the aquifer. The resulting EnKF‐based assimilated plume is simulated forward in time to predict future plume migration. The correlations that underpin EnKF updating implicitly contain information about how the plume developed over time under the influence of complex site hydrology and variable source history, as they are predicated on multiple realizations of a well‐calibrated numerical groundwater flow and transport model. The EnKF methodology is compared to an ordinary kriging‐based assimilation method with respect to the accurate representation of plume concentrations in order to determine the relative efficacy of EnKF for water quality data assimilation.
Systematic review, meta‐analysis, and meta‐regression: Successful second‐line treatment forHelicobacter pylori
Authors: Muñoz Neus , Sánchez‐Delgado Jordi , Baylina Mireia , Puig Ignasi , López‐Góngora Sheila , Suarez David , Calvet Xavier 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundMultipleHelicobacter pylorisecond‐line schedules have been described as potentially useful. It remains unclear, however, which are the best combinations, and which features of second‐line treatments are related to better cure rates. The aim of this study was to determine that second‐line treatments achieved excellent (>90%) cure rates by performing a systematic review and when possible a meta‐analysis. A meta‐regression was planned to determine the characteristics of treatments achieving excellent cure rates.MethodsA systematic review for studies evaluating second‐lineHelicobacter pyloritreatment was carried out in multiple databases. A formal meta‐analysis was performed when an adequate number of comparative studies was found, using RevMan5.3. A meta‐regression for evaluating factors predicting cure rates >90% was performed using Stata Statistical Software.ResultsThe systematic review identified 115 eligible studies, including 203 evaluable treatment arms. The results were extremely heterogeneous, with 61 treatment arms (30%) achieving optimal (>90%) cure rates. The meta‐analysis favored quadruple therapies over triple (83.2% vs 76.1%,OR: 0.59:0.38‐0.93;P = .02) and 14‐day quadruple treatments over 7‐day treatments (91.2% vs 81.5%,OR; 95%CI: 0.42:0.24‐0.73;P = .002), although the differences were significant only in the per‐protocol analysis. The meta‐regression did not find any particular characteristics of the studies to be associated with excellent cure rates.ConclusionSecond‐lineHelicobacter pyloritreatments achieving>90% cure rates are extremely heterogeneous. Quadruple therapy and 14‐day treatments seem better than triple therapies and 7‐day ones. No single characteristic of the treatments was related to excellent cure rates. Future approaches suitable for infectious diseases—thus considering antibiotic resistances—are needed to design rescue treatments that consistently achieve excellent cure rates.
Human skin‐depigmenting effects of resveratryl triglycolate, a hybrid compound of resveratrol and glycolic acid
Authors: Jo D. J. , Seok J. K. , Kim S. Y. , Park W. , Baek J. H. , Kim Y. M. , Boo Y. C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesResveratryl triglycolate (RTG) is a hybrid compound derived by the esterification of resveratrol with glycolic acid. This compound has been previously shown to inhibit cellular melanin synthesis in vitro. This study aimed to examine the in vivo skin‐depigmenting efficacy of RTG in human participants.MethodsIn total, 22 women aged between 25 and 49 years with Fitzpatrick skin type III or IV were enrolled. Their forearms were exposed to UV to induce artificial pigmentation. The test product containing 0.4% RTG or the control product was applied twice daily for up to 8 weeks after the artificial pigmentation. The participants visited the research centre every 2 weeks and were subjected to skin assessments.ResultsVisual assessment of pigmentation degree and instrumental analysis of melanin index, skin lightness (L* value) and skin colour (individual typology angle, ITAo) indicated enhanced depigmentation of the skin in the test group, compared with the control group, in Weeks 6 and 8 (P < 0.05). No adverse skin reactions were observed in any of the participants during the entire test.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the skin‐depigmenting effects of RTG in human participants.
Tackling scabies: novel agents for a neglected disease
Authors: Gopinath Hima , Aishwarya Manju , Karthikeyan Kaliaperumal 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, is an obligate ectoparasite of humans. It has been a source of distress for humanity since antiquity. The troublesome mite is emerging triumphant over current acaricidal agents with reports of emerging resistance and treatment failures. Scabies in endemic areas and crusted scabies offer additional management challenges. Exploration of indigenous plants and better understanding of mite biology and pathogenesis provide opportunities for the development of novel agents for this common pest. We review the recent diverse approaches to scabies, including the use of novel plant products with a better safety profile, translating the use of moxidectin from veterinary practice to human scabies, vaccination, immunotherapy, and development of drugs that directly target mite molecules.
Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Turkey
Authors: Uzun Soner , Gürel Mehmet S. , Durdu Murat , Akyol Melih , Fettahlıoğlu Karaman Bilge , Aksoy Mustafa , Aytekin Sema , Borlu Murat , İnan Doğan Esra , Doğramacı Çiğdem Asena , Kapıcıoğlu Yelda , Akman‐Karakaş Ayşe , Kaya Tamer İ. , Mülayim Mehmet K. , Özbel Yusuf , Özensoy Töz Seray , Özgöztaşı Orhan , Yeşilova Yavuz , Harman Mehmet 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector‐born parasitic disease characterized by various skin lesions that cause disfiguration if healed spontaneously. Although CL has been endemic for many years in the southern regions of Turkey, an increasing incidence in nonendemic regions is being observed due to returning travelers and, more recently, due to Syrian refugees. Thus far, a limited number of national guidelines have been proposed, but no common Turkish consensus has emerged.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for the management of CL in Turkey.MethodsThis guideline is a consensus text prepared by 18 experienced CL specialists who have been working for many years in areas where the disease is endemic. The Delphi method was used to determine expert group consensus. Initially, a comprehensive list of items about CL was identified, and consensus was built from feedback provided by expert participants from the preceding rounds.ResultsEvidence‐based and expert‐based recommendations through diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms according to local availability and conditions are outlined.ConclusionBecause CL can mimic many other skin diseases, early diagnosis and early treatment are very important to prevent complications and spread of the disease. The fastest and easiest diagnostic method is the leishmanial smear. The most common treatment is the use of local or systemic pentavalent antimony compounds.
Physicochemical, antioxidant properties and in vitro digestibility of wheat–purple rice flour mixtures
Authors: Klunklin Warinporn , Savage Geoffrey 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties and in vitro digestibility of high‐antioxidant content flours made from different combinations of Thai purple rice flour and refined wheat flour from 25%, 50% to 75% (w/w) were investigated and these were compared with whole flour from purple rice and refined wheat flour. The increase in substitution levels of purple rice flour affected all the functional properties of flours, at the same time the levels of dietary fibre, protein digestibility and antioxidant compositions were also changed. The purple rice flour exerted a particularly strong effect on starch digestibility as the purple rice increased to 50% in the mixture. Moreover, purple rice flour showed lower amounts of rapidly digested starch (RDS), whereas slowly digested starch (SDS) of whole flour from purple rice and 75% substitution purple rice flour was found to be the highest for all samples. The in vitro starch digestibility of all samples also showed a positive correlation between dietary fibre and antioxidant compounds. Overall, the addition of purple rice flour improved the final nutritional properties, notably a lower predicted glycaemic index, and a higher antioxidant potential, which are two important nutritional properties for human health.