bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcitonin Response to Naturally Occurring Ionized Hypercalcemia in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: van den Broek D.H.N. , Geddes R.F. , Williams T.L. , Chang Y.‐M. , Elliott J. , Jepson R.E. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundHypercalcemia is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats.ObjectivesTo explore the calcitonin response to naturally occurring ionized hypercalcemia in cats with azotemic CKD, and to assess the relationship of plasma calcitonin with ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urinary calcium excretion.AnimalsThirty‐three client‐owned cats with azotemic CKD and ionized hypercalcemia from first opinion practice.MethodsCohort study. Calcitonin was measured with an immunoradiometric assay in heparinized plasma. Simple correlations were assessed with Kendall's rank correlation, and the within‐subject correlations of calcitonin with ionized calcium and other clinicopathological variables were calculated with a bivariate linear mixed effects model.ResultsCalcitonin concentrations above the lower limit of detection (>1.2 pg/mL; range, 1.7–87.2 pg/mL) were observed in 11 of 33 hypercalcemic cats (responders). Blood ionized calcium concentration did not differ significantly between responders (median, 1.59 [1.46, 1.66] mmol/L) and nonresponders (median, 1.48 [1.43, 1.65] mmol/L; P = 0.22). No evidence was found for calcitonin and ionized calcium to correlate between cats (τb = 0.14; P = 0.31; n = 33), but significant positive correlation was evident within individual responders over time (within‐subject correlation coefficient [rwithin], 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.92). Calcitonin correlated negatively over time with plasma ALP (rwithin, −0.55; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.16).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCalcitonin does not appear to have an important role in calcium metabolism in cats with CKD.
Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Dogs
Authors: Cartwright J.A. , Gow A.G. , Milne E. , Drummond D. , Smith S. , Handel I. , Mellanby R.J. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundThere is growing evidence linking low blood vitamin D concentration to numerous diseases in people and in dogs. Vitamin D influences cellular function by signaling through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Little is known about which non‐skeletal tissues express the VDR or how inflammation influences its expression in the dog.ObjectivesTo define which non‐skeletal canine tissues express the VDR and to investigate expression in inflamed small intestine.AnimalsThirteen non‐skeletal tissues were collected prospectively from 6 control dogs. Thirty‐five dogs diagnosed with a chronic enteropathy (CE) and 24 control dogs were prospectively enrolled and duodenal biopsies were evaluated for VDR expression.MethodsProspective; blinded assessment of canine intestinal VDR. Dogs with CE were included once other identifiable causes of intestinal disease were excluded. Age matched controls were included with no intestinal clinical signs. VDR expression was assessed immunohistochemically in all samples, using a Rat IgG VDR monoclonal antibody. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was also used for duodenal biopsies.ResultsVDR expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) was highest in the kidney, duodenum, skin, ileum and spleen, and weak in the colon, heart, lymph node, liver, lung, and ovary. Gastric and testicular tissue did not express the VDR. There was no statistical difference in duodenal VDR expression between the 24 healthy dogs and 34 dogs with CE when quantified by either qPCR (P = 0.87) or IHC (P = 0.099).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe lack of down regulation of VDR expression in inflamed intestine contrasts with previous studies in humans. Our findings support future studies to investigate whether vitamin D and its analogues can be used to modulate intestinal inflammation in the dog.
Re‐evaluation of the regulation of omeprazole in racehorses: An evidence‐based approach
Authors: Viljanto M. , Hillyer L. , Hincks P. , Pearce C. , Paine S. W. 
Published: February 2018

Medication control and doping control have been established in horse racing to ensure the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the horses. This ensures that horses do not compete under the influence of any drugs, including omeprazole, a therapeutic medication used to treat equine gastric ulcer syndrome. In this study, pharmacokinetic data were produced in equine plasma and urine following an oral administration of 4 mg/kg of generic buffered formulation of omeprazole to six Thoroughbred horses in five daily doses to determine an appropriate screening limit and detection time in equine plasma and to assess whether the current detection time of 72 hr in equine urine would be applicable when an alternative omeprazole product is administered. Cmax of 436–2,432 ng/ml and AUC0–tau of 1,476–4,371 ng hr ml−1 were obtained for plasma and indicated, in conjunction with other published oral omeprazole studies, that an appropriate plasma screening limit would be 500 pg/ml with a detection time of 48 hr. Urine analysis showed that omeprazole could be detected for up to 25 hr above the previously established urine screening limit of 500 pg/ml and thus indicated that the detection time advice could be potentially reduced from 72 to 48 hr to allow more comprehensive treatment of gastric lesions.
Film‐as‐Concert Music and the Formal Implications of ‘Cinematic Listening’
Authors: LEHMAN FRANK 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTWhat does it mean for film music – subordinated, contingent, ‘unheard’ – to be plucked from its intended context and placed at the forefront of the listener's attention? The tradition of excerpting and arranging movie scores for the concert hall poses this question sharply. While scholarship on ‘cinematic listening’ has picked up in recent years, the specifically music‐theoretical issues raised by this repertoire have been largely unaddressed. In this article, I argue that film‐as‐concert music presents hearing ‘cinematically’ as a valid alternative to structural modes of listening, a form of hearing that subverts both naive formalism and reflexive anti‐formalism. Following a discussion of theoretical and interpretative priorities for analysing film‐as‐concert music, I begin investigation of a subset of the film‐as‐concert corpus: stand‐alone scherzi originating from action set pieces. More than any other type of underscore, action cues answer to dramatic, editorial and visual imperatives rather than to ‘absolute’ logic. My core data emerges from a detailed study of John Williams's film and concert scherzi, with short analyses of cues/pieces from E.T., the Indiana Jones movies and Star Wars. My approach emphasises the way in which formal alterations bring about drastically different ways of hearing the work tonally and expressively across multiple versions. A larger‐scale case study of ‘The Asteroid Field’ from The Empire Strikes Back serves to demonstrate the tonal, sectional and narratival transformations that occur between movie theatre and concert hall. To conclude, I propose that the film‐as‐concert mindset can be transferred to filmgoing itself, as a new mode of cinematic listening.
Surveillance for azoles resistance in Aspergillus spp. highlights a high number of amphotericin B‐resistant isolates
Authors: Reichert‐Lima Franqueline , Lyra Luzia , Pontes Lais , Moretti Maria Luiza , Pham Cau D. , Lockhart Shawn R. , Schreiber Angélica Zaninelli 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAspergillus spp. are the most common invasive mould infection and are responsible for high mortality. Aspergillus fumigatus is currently of interest because resistance to azole antifungals has emerged. The Campinas University Hospital (HC‐UNICAMP) receives high‐risk patients susceptible to opportunistic infections but there have been no reports of resistant A. fumigatus. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility profile of Aspergillus isolates, specifically looking for azole resistance. ITS and β‐tubulin DNA sequencing was performed on 228 sequential clinical isolates. Broth microdilution susceptibility testing was performed for all isolates. A. fumigatus represented 74% of the isolates followed by Aspergillus flavus (12%). Nine A. fumigatus isolates from 9 different patients showed high MIC values to at least 1 azole, but cyp51A polymorphisms were detected in only 6 isolates and none correlated with known resistance mutations. The most troubling observation was that the minimum inhibitory concentration for amphotericin B was elevated (≥2 mg L−1) in 87% of patients with A. flavus isolates and 43% with Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. Given that amphotericin B is used to treat azole‐resistant infections, these data highlight the need for continuous surveillance in Aspergillus for all antifungal resistance to implement correct treatment strategies for the management of these pathogens.
Does Racial Discrimination Exist Within the NBA? An Analysis Based on Salary‐per‐Contribution*
Authors: Wen Riguang 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo explore whether racial discrimination exists in athlete pay within the National Basketball Association (NBA).MethodsI use the ratio between annual salary and standardized contribution to establish a salary‐per‐contribution index as a basis for comparison of salary differences between black and white NBA players. According to theory of social equity (Adams, 1965. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology 2(4):267–99), when considering salary equality, it is necessary to consider differences in both inputs (here, contributions) and outputs (salaries) (Scully. 1974. American Economic Review 64(6):915–30).ResultsFor the period 1999–2016, salary‐per‐contribution is significantly higher for black players overall than for white players overall, being higher before 2006 (but not after). It is also higher for American (but not international) and nonrookie (but not rookie) black players than for white American and nonrookie players (respectively). A higher games started rate increases between black and white players.ConclusionGiven poor fit of measuring salary discrimination, existing literature exploring racism in the NBA from the perspective of salary may have inaccurate conclusions.
Plasma ammonia concentration after L‐asparaginase therapy in 27 dogs with high‐grade lymphoma or leukemia
Authors: Speas Abbie L. , Lyles Sarah E. , Wirth Kimberly A. , Fahey Christine E. , Kow Kelvin , Lejeune Amandine T. , Milner Rowan J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo establish the occurrence of increased plasma ammonia concentration after L‐asparaginase (L‐asp) administration in dogs with high‐grade lymphoma or leukemia; to identify risk factors for the development of hyperammonemia after L‐asp administration; and to determine occurrence of adverse events related to hyperammonemia.DesignProspective case controlled study of sequentially enrolled dogs between May 2011 and March 2012.SettingA university veterinary teaching hospital.AnimalsTwenty‐seven dogs with high‐grade lymphoma or leukemia.InterventionsAll dogs received L‐asp intramuscularly at a median dose of 400 IU/kg.Measurements and Main ResultsPlasma ammonia concentrations were measured at baseline, 16 hours, and 48 hours after L‐asp therapy. Clinicopathological abnormalities were assessed to determine risk factors for the development of hyperammonemia. Adverse events following L‐asp were recorded. Median plasma ammonia concentrations at baseline, 16 hours, and 48 hours were 26 μmol/L (44 μg/dL), 98 μmol/L (166.9 μg/dL), and 67 μmol/L (114 μg/dL), respectively. Median plasma ammonia concentrations at 16 and 48 hours after administration were significantly increased compared to baseline. Six dogs had adverse events following L‐asp administration. No significant clinical signs were noted that could clearly be attributed to hyperammonemia. No risk factors for developing hyperammonemia were identified; however, there was a positive correlation between the development of hyperammonemia at 16‐ and 48‐hour time points.ConclusionsSubclinical hyperammonemia in dogs with lymphoma or leukemia after L‐asp administration appears to be common. No risk factors were identified for the development of hyperammonemia after L‐asp treatment, and severe adverse events were rare.
Canadian Orthopaedic Residents Perception of Their Needs in Elbow Surgery Teaching
Authors: Canadian Shoulder and Elbow Societ CSES 
Published: February 2018

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to guide training program and review course curriculum planning in elbow disorders. To this end, a nationwide email survey was administered to residents’ in orthopaedic surgery training programs.Material and Methods: The survey had 12 items that examined learning needs in several domains: assessment of acute and chronic elbow disorders, treatment of elbow disorders and the perceived effectiveness of various practical skills simulation sessions. A rank order list of learning needs was created. Results: Eighty-eight of 351 residents completed the survey (25%). Ninety percent of respondents thought that a one-day course would be helpful. The majority of residents felt comfortable evaluating acute traumatic elbow disorders. Their level of comfort was lower in treatment of elective disorders, with only 4% of residents comfortable managing posterior interosseous nerve and 5% comfortable managing chronic elbow instability. Only 24% of residents were comfortable treating terrible triad injuries.Conclusions: Residents reported a need for additional education in elbow surgery; especially for elective disorders. Educational needs were clustered in several areas including surgical approaches, ligament repair, and surgical management of fracture dislocations.
Mitochondrial Alterations (Inhibition of Mitochondrial Protein Expression, Oxidative Metabolism, and Ultrastructure) Induced by Linezolid and Tedizolid at Clinically Relevant Concentrations in Cultured Human HL-60 Promyelocytes and THP-1 Monocytes
Authors: Milosevic Tamara V. , Payen Valéry L. , Sonveaux Pierre , Muccioli Giulio G. , Tulkens Paul M. , Van Bambeke Françoise 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Linezolid, the first clinically available oxazolidinone antibiotic, causes potentially severe toxicities (myelosuppression, lactic acidosis, and neuropathies) ascribed to impairment of mitochondrial protein synthesis and consecutive mitochondrial dysfunction. Tedizolid, a newly approved oxazolidinone, shows an enhanced activity compared to linezolid but is also a more potent inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis. We compared linezolid and tedizolid for (i) inhibition of the expression of subunit I of cytochrome
c
-oxidase (CYTox I; Western blot analysis), (ii) cytochrome
c
-oxidase activity (biochemical assay), (iii) mitochondrial oxidative metabolism (Seahorse technology), and (iv) alteration of mitochondrial ultrastructure (electron microscopy) using HL-60 promyelocytes and THP-1 monocytes exposed to microbiologically (multiples of modal MIC against
Staphylococcus aureus
) and therapeutically (
C
min
−
C
max
) pertinent concentrations. Both drugs caused a rapid and complete (48 to 72 h) inhibition of CYTox I expression, cytochrome
c
-oxidase activity, and spare respiratory capacity, with conspicuous swelling of the mitochondrial matrix and loss of their cristae. Globally, tedizolid was a more potent inhibitor than linezolid. For both drugs, all effects were quickly (48 to 72 h) and fully reversible upon drug withdrawal. Using an alternation of exposure to and withdrawal from drug mimicking their approved schedule of administration (twice daily and once daily [qD] for linezolid and tedizolid, respectively), only partial inhibition of CYTox I expression was noted for up to 96 h. Thus, rapid reversal of toxic effects upon discontinuous administration may mitigate oxazolidinone toxicity. Since tedizolid is given qD, this may help to explain its reported lower preclinical and clinical toxicity.
A prospective cohort study to investigate parental stress and child health in low-income Chinese families: protocol paper
Authors: Wong Rosa Sze Man , Yu Esther Yee Tak , Guo Vivian Yawei , Wan Eric Yuk-Fai , Chin Weng-Yee , Wong Carlos King Ho , Fung Colman Siu Cheung , Tung Keith Tsz Suen , Wong Wilfred Hing-Sang , Ip Patrick , Tiwari Agnes Fung Yee , Lam Cindy Lo Kuen 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionChronic stress has adverse effects on health. Adults and children from low-income families are subject to multiple sources of stress. Existing literature about economic hardship mostly focuses on either adults or children but not both. Moreover, there is limited knowledge on the relationship between parental generalised stress and child health problems. This study aims to explore the bidirectional relationship between parental stress and child health in Chinese low-income families and to identify other modifiable factors influencing this relationship.Methods and analysisThis prospective cohort study will sample 254 low-income parent–child pairs and follow them up for 24 months with assessments at three time points (baseline, 12 and 24 months) on parental stress, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and child health and behaviour using both subjective measures and objective physiological parameters. This study will collect data using standardised measures on HRQOL and behaviours of children as well as on HRQOL, mental health and stress levels of parents along with physiological tests of allostatic load and telomere length. The mediating or moderating effect of family harmony, parenting style and neighbourhood conditions will also be assessed. Data will be analysed using latent growth modelling and cross-lagged path analysis modelling to examine the bidirectional effect of parental stress and child health over time. Mediation and moderation analysis will also be conducted to examine the mechanism by which the variables relate.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Hong Kong—the Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster, reference no: UW 16-415. The study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03185273; Pre-results.
Comprehensive analysis of the MLH1 promoter region in 480 patients with colorectal cancer and 1150 controls reveals new variants including one with a heritable constitutional MLH1 epimutation
Authors: Morak Monika , Ibisler Ayseguel , Keller Gisela , Jessen Ellen , Laner Andreas , Gonzales-Fassrainer Daniela , Locher Melanie , Massdorf Trisari , Nissen Anke M , Benet-Pagès Anna , Holinski-Feder Elke 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundGermline defects in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 predisposing for Lynch syndrome (LS) are mainly based on sequence changes, whereas a constitutional epimutation of MLH1(CEM) is exceptionally rare. This abnormal MLH1 promoter methylation is not hereditary when arising de novo, whereas a stably heritable and variant-induced CEM was described for one single allele. We searched for MLH1 promoter variants causing a germline or somatic methylation induction or transcriptional repression.MethodsWe analysed the MLH1 promoter sequence in five different patient groups with colorectal cancer (CRC) (n=480) composed of patients with i) CEM (n=16), ii) unsolved loss of MLH1 expression in CRC (n=37), iii) CpG-island methylator-phenotype CRC (n=102), iv) patients with LS (n=83) and v) MLH1-proficient CRC (n=242) as controls. 1150 patients with non-LS tumours also served as controls to correctly judge the results.ResultsWe detected 10 rare MLH1 promoter variants. One novel, complex MLH1 variant c.-63_-58delins18 is present in a patient with CRC with CEM and his sister, both showing a complete allele-specific promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing. The other nine promoter variants detected in 17 individuals were not associated with methylation. For four of these, a normal, biallelic MLH1 expression was found in the patients' cDNA.ConclusionWe report the second promoter variant stably inducing a hereditary CEM. Concerning the classification of promoter variants, we discuss contradictory results from the literature for two variants, describe classification discrepancies between existing rules for five variants, suggest the (re-)classification of five promoter variants to (likely) benign and regard four variants as functionally unclear.
Special multiply Einstein warped products with an affine connection
Authors: Dumitru Dan 
Published: February 2018

The aim of this paper is to study special multiply Einstein warped products having an affine connection. Let [Formula: see text] be a multiply warped product such that [Formula: see text] is an open interval, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] an affine connection on [Formula: see text] We compute the warping functions that make [Formula: see text] an Einstein space in the following cases: (a) [Formula: see text] is a semi-symmetric metric/non-metric connection and all the fibers are Ricci flat. (b) [Formula: see text] is a quarter-symmetric metric/non-metric connection and all the fibers are Ricci flat.
Effect of mono- and diglycerides on the digestion and absorption of lutein in lymph fistula rats
Authors: Tso Patrick , Vurma Mustafa , Ko Chih-Wei , Lee Dana , DeMichele Stephen 
Published: February 2018

Breast milk lutein is better absorbed by infants than lutein delivered in infant formula. Therefore, we wanted to better understand the possible absorption differences of lutein in breast milk vs. that in infant formula by determining its bioavailability after gastric administration and whether the intestinal absorption of lutein can be improved by using new delivery vehicles. Study 1 compared the intestinal uptake,and the lymphatic and portal transport of lutein in conscious lymph fistula rats. Four groups of lymph- and portal vein-cannulated rats ( n = 8–10/group) were randomized to receive via gastric tube increasing doses (10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) of 20% lutein in safflower oil (SO) suspension to assess whether there was a saturable level of lutein that could be absorbed and transported in lymph. Aliquots of hourly portal blood and lymph were taken for lutein and zeaxanthin analyses. The dose-response study showed that 20 mg/kg lutein was the saturable level of lymphatic lutein absorption with no lutein detected in portal circulation at any dosage level tested. Study 2 randomized five groups of lymph fistula rats ( n = 4–9/group) to receive 20 mg/kg lutein from either lutein in SO or lutein in four different mono- and diglyceride oils (MDGs). Gastric infusion of lutein suspended in MDG (20 mg/kg) significantly improved (71–211%, P < 0.05) lymphatic lutein output 2–6 h after lipid feeding vs. lutein in SO. Lymphatic zeaxanthin (10% of the lutein fed mixture) transport in both Study 1 and Study 2 followed that of lutein. We conclude that a mixture of MDGs helps solubilize lutein and facilitate gastrointestinal micelle formation, thus improving lymphatic lutein absorption compared with triglyceride oils.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper describes how lutein is digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract by using the conscious lymph fistula rat model. Our dose-response study showed that absorption and lymphatic transport of lutein is a saturable process with no lutein detected in portal circulation at any dosage level tested. Our paper also provides insight into how this process can be improved by modifying the typical lipid mixtures carrying the lutein.