bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Administration of ginger and/or thyme has ameliorative effects on liver and kidney functions of V‐line rabbits: Histological and biochemical studies
Authors: Abdel‐Gabbar Mohammed , Ahmed Rasha R. , Kandeil Mohamed A. , Mohamed Alaa El‐deen H. , Ali Shimaa M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Zingiber officinale and Thymus vulgaris aqueous extracts as a natural antioxidant on liver and kidney functions and antioxidant status of growing rabbits. A total of 24 V‐line male rabbits, 3 months old, 1.465 ± 0.12 kg average body weight (BW) were used in a complete randomized design. The rabbits were weighed individually and assigned randomly to four groups (6 animals/each). The first group (G1) was taken fresh water and served as control, rabbits of the second group (G2) were taken 100 mg/kg BW in drinking water of the Z. officinale aqueous extract daily. The third group (G3) was taken 50 mg/kg BW in drinking water of the T. vulgaris aqueous extract daily and the fourth group (G4) was taken 100 mg/kg BW of the Z. officinale aqueous extract plus 50 mg/kg BW of the T. vulgaris aqueous extract in drinking water daily. The oral administration of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts increased (p < .001) serum protein profile compared with control group. Moreover, results of group 2 showed significant (p < .001) decrease in cholesterol, triglyceride and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with group 3 and 4. Serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were significantly (p < .001) decreased in treated groups compared with control group. Oral administration of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts to growing rabbits increased (p < .001) total antioxidant capacity and glutathione content and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐S‐transferase compared with the control group. In conclusion, the current study showed that oral administration of ginger and thyme aqueous extracts to growing rabbits showed no adverse effects on liver and kidney function parameters, histological structures and improved antioxidant status.
Effects of sodium selenite addition on ruminal fermentation, microflora and urinary excretion of purine derivatives in Holstein dairy bulls
Authors: Liu YongJia , Wang Cong , Liu Qiang , Guo Gang , Huo WenJie , Zhang YanLi , Pei CaiXia , Zhang ShuanLin , Zhang Jing 
Published: August 2019

AbstractResearches on sodium selenite (SS) mainly focus on production performance and rumen fermentation in ruminants, and the influence of dietary Se addition on ruminal microbial population and enzyme activity in dairy bulls is scarce. This study mainly evaluated the effects of SS on ruminal fermentation, microflora and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) in dairy bulls. Eight ruminally cannulated dairy bulls were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were control, low SS (LSS), medium SS (MSS) and high SS (HSS) with 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg of selenium (Se) from SS in dietary dry matter (DM), respectively. The supplement of SS (1.0 g/kg of Se) was mixed into the first third of the daily ration. Bulls were fed a total mixed ration with corn silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 on a DM basis. Dry matter intake was not affected, average daily gain linearly increased, while feed conversion ratio quadratically decreased with increasing Se addition. The linearly increased digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre was observed. Both ruminal pH and ammonia‐N concentration linearly decreased, whereas total volatile fatty acid concentration linearly increased. A lower acetate to propionate ratio was observed due to the unchanged acetate proportion and increased propionate proportion. Activity of cellobiase, xylanase, pectinase, α‐amylase and protease, populations of total bacteria, fungi, protozoa, Ruminococcus (R.) albus, R. flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Ruminobacter amylophilus as well as urinary total PD excretion linearly increased, whereas populations of total methanogens and Prevotella ruminicola linearly decreased. The data indicated that dietary Se addition stimulated ruminal microbial growth and enzyme activity, and resulting in the increased nutrient digestion and growth performance, and the optimum supplementary dose of Se was 0.3 mg/kg dietary DM from SS in dairy bulls.
Automated methods for the investigation of language contact, with a focus on lexical borrowing
Authors: List Johann‐Mattis 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWhile language contact has so far been predominantly studied on the basis of detailed case studies, the emergence of methods for phylogenetic reconstruction and automated word comparison—as a result of the recent quantitative turn in historical linguistics—has also resulted in new proposals to study language contact situations by means of automated approaches. This study provides a concise introduction to the most important approaches, which have been proposed in the past, presenting methods that use (A) phylogenetic networks to detect reticulation events during language history, (B) sequence comparison methods in order to identify borrowings in multilingual datasets, and (C) arguments for the borrowability of shared traits to decide if traits have been borrowed or inherited. While the overview focuses on approaches dealing with lexical borrowing, questions of general contact inference will also be discussed where applicable.
Adult tinea capitis and tinea barbae in a tertiary Portuguese hospital: A 11‐year audit
Authors: Duarte Bruno , Galhardas Célia , Cabete Joana 
Published: August 2019

SummaryAdult tinea capitis and tinea barbae are nowadays considered uncommon in developed countries. Despite their potential for morbidity and healthcare costs, few series have attempted to characterise these infectious disorders. We conducted a cross‐sectional study to analyse the epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of adult tinea capitis and tinea barbae of a large tertiary centre in Southern Europe. All adult patients with a mycological‐confirmed tinea capitis or barbae over a 11‐year period (January 2008 to December 2018) were considered for the analysis. Concerning tinea capitis, 860 culture‐confirmed diagnoses were made during this 11‐year period, of which only 15 (1.5%) occurred in adults (15 patients). A disproportionately high number of patients were female and immunocompromised. Microsporum audouinii (20%) and Trichophyton rubrum (20%) were the most common isolates. Half of the cases were initially misdiagnosed. Regarding tinea barbae, 7 cases were diagnosed over this time period. Overuse of topical steroids was widespread in this population. Trichophyton rubrum was the infectious agent in all cases. Initial misdiagnosis was very common (43%). Adult tinea capitis and tinea barbae can still be observed in contemporary practice and remain a public health concern, with the immunosuppressed patient being particularly affected. Initial misdiagnosis is a common occurrence. Anthropophilic fungi are now the most common aetiologic agents of these infections, and they will probably continue to do so as the large urban centres expand peripherally. Awareness for this diagnosis is necessary to prevent unwarranted morbidity and costs.
Mitochondrial Ca2+‐activated F1FO‐ATPase hydrolyzes ATP and promotes the permeability transition pore
Authors: Algieri Cristina , Trombetti Fabiana , Pagliarani Alessandra , Ventrella Vittoria , Bernardini Chiara , Fabbri Micaela , Forni Monica , Nesci Salvatore 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe properties of the mitochondrial F1FO‐ATPase catalytic site, which can bind Mg2+, Mn2+, or Ca2+ and hydrolyze ATP, were explored by inhibition kinetic analyses to cast light on the Ca2+‐activated F1FO‐ATPase connection with the permeability transition pore (PTP) that initiates cascade events leading to cell death. While the natural cofactor Mg2+ activates the F1FO‐ATPase in competition with Mn2+, Ca2+ is a noncompetitive inhibitor in the presence of Mg2+. Selective F1 inhibitors (Is‐F1), namely NBD‐Cl, piceatannol, resveratrol, and quercetin, exerted different mechanisms (mixed and uncompetitive inhibition) on either Ca2+‐ or Mg2+‐activated F1FO‐ATPase, consistent with the conclusion that the catalytic mechanism changes when Mg2+ is replaced by Ca2+. In a partially purified F1 domain preparation, Ca2+‐activated F1‐ATPase maintained Is‐F1 sensitivity, and enzyme inhibition was accompanied by the maintenance of the mitochondrial calcium retention capacity and membrane potential. The data strengthen the structural relationship between Ca2+‐activated F1FO‐ATPase and the PTP, and, in turn, on consequences, such as physiopathological cellular changes.
Wait times, health care touchpoints, and nonattendance in an academic pediatric dermatology clinic
Authors: Stephens Michael R. , Murthy Aditi S. , McMahon Patrick J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground and objectivesTimely access to pediatric dermatology care remains a challenge. While awaiting appointments, many patients and families utilize so‐called health care touchpoints outside of the dermatology clinic such as primary care or emergency department visits to address dermatologic concerns. Long waiting periods also factor into nonattendance rates at pediatric dermatology appointments. This observational retrospective study investigated wait times, relevant health care touchpoints, and factors related to nonattendance at a pediatric dermatology clinic.MethodsWe reviewed demographic, health care touchpoint, and nonattendance data for patients referred by a primary care affiliate to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) pediatric dermatology clinic from February 2016 to May 2017. Descriptive statistics were used to identify trends among analyzed variables.ResultsWe reviewed 250 patient records. The average number of touchpoints per patient was 0.56, and factors that significantly correlated with increased numbers of touchpoints included younger patient age and longer wait time while payer, primary diagnosis, and time of year were not associated. The nonattendance rate was 26%, and factors significantly associated with increased nonattendance rate included longer wait times and winter and spring appointments.ConclusionLong wait times impact numbers of touchpoints and appointment attendance rate when referring to pediatric dermatology. A platform such as teledermatology may represent an opportunity to improve access to care by allowing for earlier input from the pediatric dermatologist.
Predictors and Limitations of the Penetration Depth of Photodynamic Effects in the Rodent Brain
Authors: Inglut Collin T. , Gaitan Brandon , Najafali Daniel , Lopez Irati Abad , Connolly Nina P. , Orsila Seppo , Perttilä Robert , Woodworth Graeme F. , Chen Yu , Huang Huang‐Chiao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS) is routinely utilized in clinical centers around the world, whereas the combination of FGS and photodynamic therapy (PDT) has yet to reach clinical implementation and remains an active area of translational investigations. Two significant challenges to the clinical translation of PDT for brain cancer are as follows: (1) Limited light penetration depth in brain tissues and (2) Poor selectivity and delivery of the appropriate photosensitizers. To address these shortcomings, we developed nanoliposomal protoporphyrin IX (Nal‐PpIX) and nanoliposomal benzoporphyrin derivative (Nal‐BPD) and then evaluated their photodynamic effects as a function of depth in tissue and light fluence using rat brains. Although red light penetration depth (defined as the depth at which the incident optical energy drops to 1/e, ~37%) is typically a few millimeters in tissues, we demonstrated that the remaining optical energy could induce PDT effects up to 2 cm within brain tissues. Photobleaching and singlet oxygen yield studies between Nal‐BPD and Nal‐PpIX suggest that deep‐tissue PDT (>1 cm) is more effective when using Nal‐BPD. These findings indicate that Nal‐BPD‐PDT is more likely to generate cytotoxic effects deep within the brain and allow for the treatment of brain invading tumor cells centimeters away from the main, resectable tumor mass.
Recognizing Structural Nonidentifiability: When Experiments Do Not Provide Information About Important Parameters and Misleading Models Can Still Have Great Fit
Authors: Schmidt Philip J. , Emelko Monica B. , Thompson Mary E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn the quest to model various phenomena, the foundational importance of parameter identifiability to sound statistical modeling may be less well appreciated than goodness of fit. Identifiability concerns the quality of objective information in data to facilitate estimation of a parameter, while nonidentifiability means there are parameters in a model about which the data provide little or no information. In purely empirical models where parsimonious good fit is the chief concern, nonidentifiability (or parameter redundancy) implies overparameterization of the model. In contrast, nonidentifiability implies underinformativeness of available data in mechanistically derived models where parameters are interpreted as having strong practical meaning. This study explores illustrative examples of structural nonidentifiability and its implications using mechanistically derived models (for repeated presence/absence analyses and dose–response of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and norovirus) drawn from quantitative microbial risk assessment. Following algebraic proof of nonidentifiability in these examples, profile likelihood analysis and Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo with uniform priors are illustrated as tools to help detect model parameters that are not strongly identifiable. It is shown that identifiability should be considered during experimental design and ethics approval to ensure generated data can yield strong objective information about all mechanistic parameters of interest. When Bayesian methods are applied to a nonidentifiable model, the subjective prior effectively fabricates information about any parameters about which the data carry no objective information. Finally, structural nonidentifiability can lead to spurious models that fit data well but can yield severely flawed inferences and predictions when they are interpreted or used inappropriately.
Impact of Water Level Rise on Urban Infrastructures: Washington, DC, and Shanghai as Case Studies
Authors: Zhang Yanjie , Ayyub Bilal M. , Zhang Dongming , Huang Hongwei , Saadat Yalda 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe observed global sea level rise owing to climate change, coupled with the potential increase in extreme storms, requires a reexamination of existing infrastructural planning, construction, and management practices. Storm surge shows the effects of rising sea levels. The recent super storms that hit the United States (e.g., Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Sandy in 2012, Harvey and Maria in 2017) and China (e.g., Typhoon Haiyan in 2010) inflicted serious loss of life and property. Water level rise (WLR) of local coastal areas is a combination of sea level rise, storm surge, precipitation, and local land subsidence. Quantitative assessments of the impact of WLR include scenario identification, consequence assessment, vulnerability and flooding assessment, and risk management using inventory of assets from coastal areas, particularly population centers, to manage flooding risk and to enhance infrastructure resilience of coastal cities. This article discusses the impact of WLR on urban infrastructures with case studies of Washington, DC, and Shanghai. Based on the flooding risk analysis under possible scenarios, the property loss for Washington, DC, was evaluated, and the impact on the metro system of Shanghai was examined.
Estimating the direct impact of bank liquidity shocks on the real economy: Evidence from letter‐of‐credit import transactions in Colombia
Authors: Ahn JaeBin , Sarmiento Miguel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study identifies and provides an estimate of the impact of bank liquidity shocks on real economic activity by exploring letter‐of‐credit import transactions in Colombia during the 2008 to 2009 global financial crisis. The detailed dataset on letter‐of‐credit transactions allows for exploiting within‐importer–exporter variation across issuing banks. The study finds substantial effects of bank liquidity shocks on letter‐of‐credit import transactions: banks that were more vulnerable to adverse liquidity shocks—proxied by the ex ante reliance on wholesale funding or borrowings from foreign banks—reduced letter‐of‐credit issuances more in both intensive and extensive margins. The study also confirms that it had real effects: importer–exporter pairs that relied more on letter‐of‐credit transactions experienced a greater reduction in their total imports in response to adverse bank liquidity shocks.
Does parenting correspond with children's defending behavior? Examining linkages in the context of peer social preference
Authors: Nelson David A. , Bailey Martina E. , Coyne Sarah M. , Cramer Christine M. , Olsen Joseph A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBullying intervention research points to the important role of children standing up for victims (defending behavior). This study provides an initial look at how certain parenting practices may be generally related to the socialization of defending behavior among children. Defenders typically enjoy significant social status, allowing them the social capital to intervene. With this in mind, we also assess how parenting and children's social preference scores might uniquely or interactively predict defending behavior. This cross‐sectional study employs a sample of 219 (101 boys) fourth‐grade children living in the Western United States. Both mothers and fathers self‐reported their authoritative, authoritarian, and psychologically controlling parenting practices. A peer sociometric assessment provided each child's social preference score. Peer nominations provided each child's reputation for defending behaviors. Multiple regression results showed that a few of the parenting dimensions significantly predicted girls’ defending behavior above and beyond peer social preference. In contrast, the defending behavior scores of boys were unrelated to parenting. Finally, we used interaction analyses to probe whether the association between defending and parenting meaningfully varies according to children's levels of social preference. We did not find evidence to support this. We discuss the ramifications of these findings for future research.
Affective Consistency and Sorting
Authors: Davis Nicholas T. , Klar Samara , Weber Christopher R. 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveSorting is often portrayed as a mechanistic response to elite polarization: individuals recognize salient differences between the parties and match their preferences accordingly. Much less is known, however, about the psychological and motivational processes that contribute to it. In particular, how might affective reactions to elites shape convergence among political preferences?MethodTo explore the relationship between the consistency of self‐reported affect and sorting, we analyze cross‐sectional and panel data from the American National Election Studies.ResultsOn balance, we find that negative emotions directed toward the opposing party candidate and positive emotions toward one's own party candidate are associated with an increase in the alignment of ideological and partisan preferences.ConclusionThese findings illustrate how affect contributes to consistency in mass opinion.
Horses with equine recurrent uveitis have an activated CD4+ T‐cell phenotype that can be modulated by mesenchymal stem cells in vitro
Authors: Saldinger Laurel K. , Nelson Seldy G. , Bellone Rebecca R. , Lassaline Mary , Mack Maura , Walker Naomi J. , Borjesson Dori L. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEquine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an immune‐mediated disease causing repeated or persistent inflammatory episodes which can lead to blindness. Currently, there is no cure for horses with this disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective at reducing immune cell activation in vitro in many species, making them a potential therapeutic option for ERU. The objectives of this study were to define the lymphocyte phenotype of horses with ERU and to determine how MSCs alter T‐cell phenotype in vitro. Whole blood was taken from 7 horses with ERU and 10 healthy horses and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. The markers CD21, CD3, CD4, and CD8 were used to identify lymphocyte subsets while CD25, CD62L, Foxp3, IFNγ, and IL10 were used to identify T‐cell phenotype. Adipose‐derived MSCs were expanded, irradiated (to control proliferation), and incubated with CD4+ T‐cells from healthy horses, after which lymphocytes were collected and analyzed via flow cytometry. The percentages of T‐cells and B‐cells in horses with ERU were similar to normal horses. However, CD4+ T‐cells from horses with ERU expressed higher amounts of IFNγ indicating a pro‐inflammatory Th1 phenotype. When co‐incubated with MSCs, activated CD4+ T‐cells reduced expression of CD25, CD62L, Foxp3, and IFNγ. MSCs had a lesser ability to decrease activation when cell‐cell contact or prostaglandin signaling was blocked. MSCs continue to show promise as a treatment for ERU as they decreased the CD4+ T‐cell activation phenotype through a combination of cell‐cell contact and prostaglandin signaling.
Cost-effectiveness of offering an area-level financial incentive on breast feeding: a within-cluster randomised controlled trial analysis
Authors: Anokye Nana , Coyle Kathryn , Relton Clare , Walters Stephen , Strong Mark , Fox-Rushby Julia 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveTo provide the first estimate of the cost-effectiveness of financial incentive for breastfeeding intervention compared with usual care.DesignWithin-cluster (‘ward’-level) randomised controlled trial cost-effectiveness analysis (trial registration number ISRCTN44898617).SettingFive local authority districts in the North of England.Participants5398 mother-infant dyads (intervention arm), 4612 mother-infant dyads (control arm).InterventionsOffering a financial incentive (over a 6-month period) on breast feeding to women living in areas with low breastfeeding prevalence (<40% at 6–8 weeks).Main outcome measuresBabies breast fed (receiving breastmilk) at 6–8 weeks, and cost per additional baby breast fed.MethodsCosts were compared with differences in area-level data on babies’ breast fed in order to estimate a cost per additional baby breast fed and the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains required over the lifetime of babies to justify intervention cost.ResultsIn the trial, the total cost of providing the intervention in 46 wards was £462 600, with an average cost per ward of £9989 and per baby of £91. At follow-up, area-level breastfeeding prevalence at 6–8 weeks was 31.7% (95% CI 29.4 to 34.0) in control areas and 37.9% (95% CI 35.0 to 40.8) in intervention areas. The adjusted difference between intervention and control was 5.7 percentage points (95% CI 2.7 to 8.6; p<0.001), resulting in 10 (95% CI 6 to 14) more additional babies breast fed in the intervention wards (39 vs 29). The cost per additional baby breast fed at 6–8 weeks was £974. At a cost per QALY threshold of £20 000 (recommended in England), an additional breastfed baby would need to show a QALY gain of 0.05 over their lifetime to justify the intervention cost. If decision makers are willing to pay £974 (or more) per additional baby breast fed at a QALY gain of 0.05, then this intervention could be cost-effective. Results were robust to sensitivity analyses.ConclusionThis study provides information to help inform public health guidance on breast feeding. To make the economic case unequivocal, evidence on the varied and long-term health benefits of breast feeding to both the baby and mother and the effectiveness of financial incentives for breastfeeding beyond 6–8 weeks is required.