bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depression comorbidity in epileptic rats is related to brain glucose hypometabolism and hypersynchronicity in the metabolic network architecture
Authors: Zanirati Gabriele , Azevedo Pamella Nunes , Venturin Gianina Teribele , Greggio Samuel , Alcará Allan Marinho , Zimmer Eduardo R. , Feltes Paula Kopschina , DaCosta Jaderson Costa 
Published: March 2018

SummaryObjectiveTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of epilepsy syndromes in the world. Depression is an important comorbidity of epilepsy, which has been reported in patients with TLE and in different experimental models of epilepsy. However, there is no established consensus on which brain regions are associated with the manifestation of depression in epilepsy. Here, we investigated the alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism and the metabolic network in the pilocarpine‐induced rat model of epilepsy and correlated it with depressive behavior during the chronic phase of epilepsy.MethodsFluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) was used to investigate the cerebral metabolism, and a cross‐correlation matrix was used to examine the metabolic network in chronically epileptic rats using micro–positron emission tomography (microPET) imaging. An experimental model of epilepsy was induced by pilocarpine injection (320 mg/kg, ip). Forced swim test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), and eating‐related depression test (ERDT) were used to evaluate depression‐like behavior.ResultsOur results show an association between epilepsy and depression comorbidity based on changes in both cerebral glucose metabolism and the functional metabolic network. In addition, we have identified a significant correlation between brain glucose hypometabolism and depressive‐like behavior in chronically epileptic rats. Furthermore, we found that the epileptic depressed group presents a hypersynchronous brain metabolic network in relation to the epileptic nondepressed group.SignificanceThis study revealed relevant alterations in glucose metabolism and the metabolic network among the brain regions of interest for both epilepsy and depression pathologies. Thus it seems that depression in epileptic animals is associated with a more diffuse hypometabolism and altered metabolic network architecture and plays an important role in chronic epilepsy.
Comparison of visual lameness scores to gait asymmetry in racing Thoroughbreds during trot in‐hand
Authors: Pfau T. , Sepulveda Caviedes M. F. , McCarthy R. , Cheetham L. , Forbes B. , Rhodin M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryRegular monitoring of movement asymmetry with inertial measurement units (IMUs) to aid in the diagnosis of the underlying cause of a lameness is feasible. Normal ranges for specific groups of horses may be required, with consideration of expert veterinary opinions for both asymmetry screening and lameness assessment. The aim of this study was to determine movement asymmetry values compared with expert lameness scores to enable screening for lameness in Thoroughbreds in race training.IMUgait assessment during in‐hand trot‐up was performed in 25 racehorses undergoing routine gait analysis or lameness examination at the Singapore Turf Club. Video recordings were graded numerically (0–5) for lameness by six experienced racehorse veterinarians. Inter‐observer agreement and consistency were determined. Median lameness scores were used to calculate sensitivity and specificity for head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry. Guideline values for aligning movement asymmetry values with expert opinions about forelimb and hindlimb lameness were determined from receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Inter‐observer agreement was poor to fair, inter‐observer consistency was good (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.667 for forelimbs and 0.617 for hindlimbs).ROCs indicated higher discriminative power for hindlimb lameness using pelvic asymmetry (90% sensitivity, 93% specificity) compared with forelimb lameness using head asymmetry (69% sensitivity, 89% specificity) or withers asymmetry (44% sensitivity, 89% specificity). When compared to expert lameness scores from videos of a limited number of Thoroughbred racehorses, preliminary guideline values for movement asymmetry screening for forelimb lameness (>|14.5 mm|) and hindlimb lameness (>|7.5 mm|) are higher than previously reported clinical thresholds of >|7 mm| for head movement and >|4 mm| for pelvic movement asymmetry.
Behavioural assessment of pain in 66 horses, with and without a bit
Authors: Cook W. R. , Kibler M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryHorses can be ridden with or without a bit. Comparing the behaviour of the same horse in different modes constituted a ‘natural experiment’. Sixty‐nine behaviours in 66 bitted horses were identified as induced by bit‐related pain and recognised as forms of stereotypic behaviour. A prototype questionnaire for the ridden horse was based on 6 years of feedback from riders who had switched from a bitted to a bit‐free bridle. From a template of 69 behavioural signs of pain derived from answers to the questionnaire, the number of pain signals shown by each horse, first when bitted and then bit‐free, was counted and compared. After mostly multiple years of bit usage, the time horses had been bit‐free ranged from 1 to 1095 days (median 35). The number of pain signals exhibited by each horse when bitted ranged from 5 to 51 (median 23); when bit‐free from 0 to 16 (median 2). The number of pain signals for the total population when bitted was 1575 and bit‐free 208; an 87% reduction. Percentage reduction of each of 69 pain signals when bit‐free, ranged from 43 to 100 (median 87). The term ‘bit lameness’ was proposed to describe a syndrome of lameness caused by the bit. Bit pain had a negative effect on proprioception, i.e. balance, posture, coordination and movement. Only one horse showed no reduction in pain signals when bit‐free. The welfare of 65 of 66 horses was enhanced by removing the bit; reducing negative emotions (pain) and increasing the potential to experience positive emotions (pleasure). Grading welfare on the Five Domains Model, it was judged that – when bitted – the population exhibited ‘marked to severe welfare compromise and no enhancement’ and – when bit‐free – ‘low welfare compromise and mid‐level enhancement.’ The bit‐free data were consistent with the ‘one‐welfare’ criteria of minimising risk and preventing avoidable suffering.
Clinical findings and prognosis of interference injuries to the palmar aspect of the forelimbs in Standardbred racehorses: A study on 74 cases
Authors: Dabbene I. , Bullone M. , Pagliara E. , Gasparini M. , Riccio B. , Bertuglia A. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundInformation on interference injuries in racehorses is lacking.ObjectiveTo describe clinical findings and prognosis of palmar forelimb interference injuries in Standardbreds.Study designRetrospective cohort study.MethodsRecords of 74 racehorses sustaining palmar forelimb interference injuries were studied; 7 occurred during training and 67 during racing. The number of starts before injury, hind shoeing status, gait penalties and racing speeds in cases occurring during racing were compared with negative controls (67 age, sex and speed category matched horses) from the same races. The number of starts and racing speed in 30 racing days preceding recruitment were compared with those following recruitment (negative controls) or return to racing (cases). Clinical aspects and outcome in interference‐induced superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis were compared with 77 horses with overstrain‐induced SDF tendonitis.ResultsIn 89% of cases, there was SDF tendonitis and this was associated with a longer time to return to racing (6 months vs. 1 months; P<0.001). The presence of gait penalties (odds ratio (OR) 11.13; 95% CI 3.74, 41.64; P<0.001) and unshod hind feet (OR = 6.26, 95% CI 2.26, 19.62; P<0.001) increased risk of interference injuries. After recruitment/return to racing, horses with interference injuries participated in a lower number of races (24 startsperracing day, interquartile range [IQR] 20–32) compared with controls (49, IQR 43–55, P<0.0001). Interference‐induced tendonitis cases (n = 58) had a shorter time to return to racing (245 ± 137 days) than overstrain‐induced tendonitis cases (331 ± 118 days, P<0.001).Main limitationsData were collected retrospectively; time of ultrasonographic assessment varied and health status of the racing controls is unknown.ConclusionsSDF tendonitis is common with palmar forelimb interference injuries in Standardbreds and increases time to return to racing. Interference‐induced SDF tendonitis has a better prognosis than overstrain‐induced tendonitis.
A review of the mechanisms of action of dimethylfumarate in the treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Brück Jürgen , Dringen Ralf , Amasuno Adriana , Pau‐Charles Ignasi , Ghoreschi Kamran 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFumaric acid esters (FAEs) such as dimethylfumarate (DMF) are used for the treatment of adults with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. The mode of action of FAEs is complex. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature to describe the molecular mechanisms by which DMF and its active metabolite monomethylfumarate (MMF) exert their anti‐inflammatory and immune modulatory effects. MMF can bind to the hydroxy‐carboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2) on the cell surface and both DMF and MMF react with intracellular glutathione following cell penetration. DMF and to some extent also MMF modulate the activity of certain cellular signalling proteins such as the nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (Nf‐κB) and the cellular concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Some studies show that DMF can also affect the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α). These actions seem to be responsible for i) the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines and ii) an overall shift from a proinflammatory Th1/Th17 response to an anti‐inflammatory/regulatory Th2 response. Both steps are necessary for the amelioration of psoriatic inflammation, although additional mechanisms have been proposed. There is a growing body of evidence to support the notion that DMF/MMF may also exert effects on granulocytes and non‐immune cell lineages including keratinocytes and endothelial cells. A better understanding of the multiple molecular mechanisms involved in the cellular action of FAEs will help to adapt and further improve the use of such small molecules for the treatment of psoriasis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Social participation and the onset of hypertension among the middle‐aged and older population: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tu Raoping , Inoue Yosuke , Yazawa Aki , Hao Xiaoning , Cai Guoxi , Li Yueping , Lin Xiuquan , He Fei , Yamamoto Taro 
Published: March 2018

AimWhile previous studies have examined the association between health‐related behaviors and hypertension, comparatively little attention has been paid to the role of social participation (i.e. participating in community organizations). The aim of the present study was to investigate the longitudinal association between social participation and hypertension among the middle‐aged and older population (aged ≥45 years) in China where the prevalence of hypertension has been increasing rapidly in the past few decades.MethodsData came from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study waves 2011 and 2013. Information was obtained from 5483 participants on blood pressure, social participation and covariates. A sex‐stratified Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator was used to examine the associations.ResultsDuring the period between 2011 and 2013, 20.6% of men and 17.2% of women developed hypertension. A Poisson regression model showed that participating in community organizations once a week or more frequently was inversely associated with the onset of hypertension in women (incidence rate ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.95, P = 0.012). Among men, no such association was found.ConclusionThe present study suggests that promoting social participation might help mitigate the disease burden associated with hypertension in China, particularly among women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1093–1099.
Awareness of atrial fibrillation in Japan: A large‐scale, nationwide Internet survey of 50 000 Japanese adults
Authors: Akiyama Hisanao , Hasegawa Yasuhiro 
Published: March 2018

AimAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common underlying cause of cardiogenic cerebral embolism. To prevent cardiogenic cerebral embolism, it is important to determine the level of awareness of AF in Japan.MethodsWe used survey monitor attribute data to sample 172 824 Japanese adults aged ≥50 years from all 47 Japanese prefectures. Next, we carried out an Internet survey to determine these individuals’ level of awareness of AF.ResultsWe obtained valid responses from 53 128 respondents. There were 13 119 respondents (27.5%) spanning all age groups who had never heard the term AF (no prior knowledge), just 1791 respondents (3.8%) who knew AF well and 27 351 respondents (57.3%) who knew the name of the condition, but did not understand the disease or its treatment. No prior knowledge was highest in Kochi Prefecture (36.0%) and lowest in Yamanashi Prefecture. Knowing AF well was highest in Kyoto Prefecture (5.1%) and lowest in Tottori Prefecture, and knowing only the name was highest in Aomori Prefecture (63.0%). Factors contributing significantly to having “no prior knowledge” of AF included younger age, male sex and smaller population size (rural region), but not the numbers of arrhythmia or stroke specialists.ConclusionsCurrently, 3.8% of Japanese adults had high awareness of AF, and we find this value very low. We also noted age‐, sex‐ and region‐related differences in awareness level. We believe that awareness initiatives that take into account age‐ and sex‐related differences and prioritize prefectures with lower awareness of AF will be important for preventing cardiogenic cerebral embolism in the future. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1100–1107.
A Rapid Acid Digestion Technique for the Simultaneous Determination of Bromine and Iodine in Fifty‐Three Chinese Soils and Sediments by ICP‐MS
Authors: He Tao , Xie Junyi , Hu Zhaochu , Liu Ting , Zhang Wen , Chen Haihong , Liu Yongsheng , Zong Keqing , Li Ming 
Published: March 2018

Bromine and iodine are important tracers for geochemical and environmental studies. In this study, a rapid acid digestion (HNO3 + HF) with ammonia dilution for the simultaneous determination of bromine and iodine in soils and sediments using ICP‐MS was developed. The recoveries of Br and I were controlled by the synergic effect of temperature and time. It took only 15 min at 140 °C for the complete recovery of Br and I in sediment (GSD‐2) and soil (GSS‐24) reference materials, which is a process that needs 2–6 h at 90 °C. A serious loss of Br and I was found at a higher digestion temperature of 190 °C. A 5% v/v NH4OH dilution effectively eliminated the memory effects and stabilised the signals of Br and I. Moreover, ammonia dilution also avoided the corrosiveness of HF on the sample introduction system and torch of ICP‐MS. Tellurium is a more suitable internal standard element than In in the ammonia medium. To avoid the adsorption of residues of dissolution on Te, addition of Te should be carried out after centrifuging the solution. The developed method was successfully applied to determine Br and I in fifty‐three Chinese soil and sediment reference materials. This simple method shows great potential for the rapid determination of Br and I in large batches of geological and environmental samples commonly analysed for mineral exploration and environmental geochemistry studies.
Contribution of basal and aerial tillers to sward growth in intermittently stocked elephant grass
Authors: Pereira Lilian Elgalise Techio , Paiva Adenilson José , Geremia Eliana Vera , Da Silva Sila Carneiro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractElephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. cv. Napier) is characterized by high dry matter production and a high contribution of aerial tillers to the tiller population. However, grazing management strategies that favor an increase in aerial tillers, such as long regrowth periods, particularly when associated with severe grazing, can result in a decrease in sward growth, as they are subject to a high level of intraclonal competition. We evaluated the contribution of basal and aerial tillers to sward growth in Napier elephant grass to comprehend how strategies of intermittent stocking management interfere with the relative contribution of each tiller class. Treatments corresponded to combinations of two post‐grazing heights (35 and 45 cm) and two pre‐grazing conditions (95% and maximum canopy light interception during regrowth—LI95% and LIMax, respectively) and were allocated to experimental units (850 m2 paddocks) according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with four replicates from January 2011 to April 2012. Basal tillers were the main contributors to sward growth in elephant grass. In this way, although the production of aerial tillers is an important adaptive response of this forage grass species, grazing management strategies that maximize aerial tillering do not result in greater leaf growth or minimize stem growth rates. The frequency of defoliation was the main modulator of plant responses related to light competition, and the higher leaf growth associated with lower stem growth rates were obtained with the LI95% pre‐grazing target. Severe grazing (35 cm) associated with LI95% is the grazing management strategy recommended to maximize leaf and sward growth rates in Napier elephant grass subjected to rotational stocking.
Demystifying Fisher Information: What Observation Data Reveal about Our Models
Authors: Schenk Judith , Poeter Eileen , Navidi William 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInformation theory is the basis for understanding how information is transmitted as observations. Observation data can be used to compare uncertainty on parameter estimates and predictions between models. Jacobian Information (JI) is quantified as the determinant of the weighted Jacobian (sensitivity) matrix. Fisher Information (FI) is quantified as the determinant of the weighted FI matrix. FI measures the relative disorder of a model (entropy) in a set of models. One‐dimensional models are used to demonstrate the relationship between JI and FI, and the resulting uncertainty on estimated parameter values and model predictions for increasing model complexity, different model structures, different boundary conditions, and over‐fitted models. Greater model complexity results in increased JI accompanied by an increase in parameter and prediction uncertainty. FI generally increases with increasing model complexity unless model error is large. Models with lower FI have a higher level of disorder (increase in entropy) which results in greater uncertainty of parameter estimates and model predictions. A constant‐head boundary constrains the heads in the area near the boundary, reducing sensitivity of simulated equivalents to estimated parameters. JI and FI are lower for this boundary condition as compared to a constant‐outflow boundary in which the heads in the area of the boundary can adjust freely. Complex, over‐fitted models, in which the structure of the model is not supported by the observation dataset, result in lower JI and FI because there is insufficient information to estimate all parameters in the model.
Proposed information outreach programme in primary and secondary health care of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Naeem Salman B. , Bhatti Rubina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe study reported is part of Dr. Naeem's doctoral research, supervised by Professor Bhatti, with the objective to propose an information outreach programme for health care professionals working in rural areas of the Punjab province, Pakistan. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted involving 517 practitioners from across different health care facilities in the area. The goals of the outreach programme are identified on the basis of the findings regarding practitioners’ current usage and awareness of, as well as attitude and self‐efficacy towards using health information resources. The identification of these goals and their related activities, including logistical, promotional and educational, results in a model of the required inputs and investments to achieve both the short term, intermediate and long term results of the programme.F.J.
Hepatic granulomas: a 17‐year single tertiary centre experience
Authors: Gaspar Rui , Andrade Patricia , Silva Marco , Peixoto Armando , Lopes Joanne , Carneiro Fatima , Liberal Rodrigo , Macedo Guilherme 
Published: March 2018

AimsHepatic granulomas have an estimated prevalence of 5% in liver biopsies, with a wide range of aetiologies globally. Our aim was to assess the clinical relevance, presenting features and underlying aetiology in a non‐transplant, tertiary referral centre from a western country.Methods and resultsThis was a retrospective, single‐centre review of clinical, laboratory and histological data including all adult patients for whom a liver biopsy was performed from January 1998 to December 2014. A total of 297 cases with hepatic granulomas were found in 9374 biopsies, but 57 were excluded from analysis either because they were lipogranulomas or the biopsy/aetiological work‐up had not been performed at our institution. Overall, the most common aetiology was tuberculosis (35.8%), followed by primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) – 15.0%. In 30 patients (12.5%) granulomas were classified as idiopathic. From 1998 to June 2006 there were 147 granulomas in 5304 biopsies (2.8%), a frequency that did not change significantly compared to the period from July 2006 to December 2014 (93 granulomas in 4070 biopsies, 2.3%, P > 0.05). However, for the majority of cases (61.9%) there was a shift in granuloma aetiology during the former time‐period that infectious diseases were responsible, whereas in the latter, autoimmune liver diseases (43%) were the main aetiology. In addition, while three cases of drug‐induced granulomas were found from 1998 to June 2006, we report two cases in the second time‐period.ConclusionsHepatic granulomas can result from various infectious and non‐infectious diseases. During recent years, an epidemiological shift regarding granuloma aetiology was observed, from systemic infectious diseases to non‐infectious, mainly immune‐mediated primary liver disorders. With an appropriate work‐up the aetiology can be identified in the vast majority of cases (~90%), rendering its histological identification and characterisation essential, as disease‐specific therapies are becoming available.