bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of methods for measuring shear force and sarcomere length and their relationship with sensorial tenderness of longissimus muscle in beef
Authors: Battaglia Christian , Vilella Gustavo F. , Bernardo Ana P. S. , Gomes Carolina L. , Biase Adriele G. , Albertini Tiago Z. , Pflanzer Sergio B. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSlice shear force (SSF) and laser diffraction, considered faster methodologies, for measuring beef instrumental tenderness and sarcomere length, were compared with reference methodologies Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and phase contrast microscopy. Striploin samples (n = 74) were analyzed for pH, sarcomere length, instrumental tenderness, myofibrillar fragmentation index, and sensorial tenderness. Pearson's correlation measured the association of meat evaluation methods with residual analysis of the multivariate analysis of variance model. The n‐dimensional profile to evaluated methods was presented by biplot to identify the behavior of the correlation between the methods (variables). There was moderate correlation between SSF and WBSF (r = .63; p < .01) and both presented moderate correlation with sensorial tenderness (r = − .62 and −.55, to SSF and WBSF, respectively; p < .01). However, WBSF was more efficient to classify samples as tender (68%) than SSF (47%), comparing with sensorial tenderness (80%). There was a moderate correlation for laser and microscopy for sarcomere length (r = .57; p < .01). Sarcomeres were shorter when measured by laser than microscopy. Either with low correlation coefficients, sarcomere measured by laser (r = .29; p < .05) presented higher correlation with sensorial tenderness than with microscopy (r = .22; p < .10). Results highlighted that SSF was faster and easier to run, while WBSF was more appropriate to classify samples by sensorial tenderness grades. Laser diffraction is more suitable to explain effects on tenderness; however, microscopy revealed results of sarcomere length that were more realistic, once laser can underestimate sarcomeres.
Minimal increases of serum alpha‐foetoprotein herald HCC detection in Caucasian HBV cirrhotic patients under long‐term oral therapy
Authors: Loglio Alessandro , Iavarone Massimo , Viganò Mauro , Orenti Annalisa , Facchetti Floriana , Cortinovis Ivan , Lunghi Giovanna , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Occhipinti Vincenzo , Rumi Mariagrazia , Sangiovanni Angelo , Colombo Massimo , Lampertico Pietro 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsIn Caucasian patients with compensated cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developing persist despite long‐term nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUC) treatment. In the surveillance of this population with persistently normal transaminases because of NUCs, the added value of serum alpha‐foetoprotein (AFP) monitoring is poorly defined.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty‐eight Caucasian HCC‐free patients with HBV‐compensated cirrhosis who started tenofovir or entecavir while having normal serum AFP levels (≤7 ng/mL) at baseline or within the first year of treatment underwent HCC surveillance by semiannual ultrasound evaluation and serum AFP determination.ResultsDuring 96 (18‐120) months of antiviral therapy, 3947 AFP values were collected, median AFP level was 2 ng/mL. Thirty‐five patients developed an HCC at an overall 8‐year crude cumulative incidence of 14% (annual incidence of 2%). HCC incidence increased in parallel with increasing AFP thresholds: 24%, 36%, 64% and 92% for AFP levels after exceeding 2, 4, 6 and 7 ng/mL for the first‐time. Of the 12 patients who experienced an AFP rise > 7 ng/mL, 11 developed an HCC and one had liver metastases of lung cancer. Overall, an AFP > 7 ng/mL had 99.6% specificity, 31.4% sensitivity, 91.7% PPV, 90.2% NPV, LR+ 70.1 and LR− 0.69 for HCC; this excellent specificity was maintained up to 18 months before HCC detection.ConclusionsIn Caucasian patients with HBV‐compensated cirrhosis on long‐term NUC, an increase in AFP over 7 ng/mL shows excellent specificity, heralding HCC development within 1 year.
Validating the environmental Kuznets curve in India:ARDLbounds testing framework
Authors: Alam Riyaz , Adil Masudul Hasan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study empirically examines the cointegrating relationship among variables,viz. carbon emission, economic growth, square of economic growth, primary energy supply, financial development and trade openness in India, with a view to validate the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The results based onARDLbounds testing approach to cointegration find no credence toEKChypothesis, for the period 1971–2016. This indicates that the relationships between carbon emission and economic growth are not significant, and therefore, theEKChypothesis does not hold in the case of India. Furthermore, the study establishes a significant positive relationship between energy supply and carbon emission. A proportionate increase in energy supply causes more than proportionate increase in carbon emission. In order to cope up with the positive impact of energy on carbon emission, the study suggests that the country needs to expedite the process of enhancing the capacity of renewable and clean energy generation.
Immune system defects in DiGeorge syndrome and association with clinical course
Authors: Nain Ercan , Kiykim Ayca , Ogulur Ismail , Kasap Nurhan , Karakoc‐Aydiner Elif , Ozen Ahmet , Baris Safa 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe evaluated 18 DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) patients and aimed to investigate the immunological changes in this population. DGS patients with low naive CD4+T and CD8+T cells were defined as high‐risk (HR) patients, whereas patients with normal numbers of naive CD4+ and CD8+T cells were defined as standard risk (SR) patients. Level of serum IgM, CD3+ T cell counts and percentages of class‐switched memory B cells were significantly low in HR group compared to SR ones. Severe infections and persistent hypoparathyroidism were detected significantly higher in HR group. Patients with reduced percentages of class‐switched B cells had earlier onset of infection, lower blood IgM, lower CD4+ and CD8+T counts than patients with normal class‐switched memory B cells. Decreased levels of IgM were associated with low numbers of naive CD4+ and recent thymic emigrants T cells. Monitoring the immune changes of patients with DGS would be useful to predict the severe phenotype of disease.
Introgression lines of Solanum sitiens, a wild nightshade of the Atacama Desert, in the genome of cultivated tomato
Authors: Chetelat Roger T. , Qin Xiaoqiong , Tan Meilian , Burkart‐Waco Diana , Moritama Yosuke , Huo Xiuwen , Wills Tim , Pertuzé Ricardo 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThe wild tomato relative Solanum sitiens is a xerophyte endemic to the Atacama Desert of Chile and a potential source of genes for tolerance to drought, salinity and low‐temperature stresses. However, until recently, strong breeding barriers prevented its hybridization and introgression with cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. We overcame these barriers using embryo rescue, bridging lines and allopolyploid hybrids, and synthesized a library of introgression lines (ILs) that captures the genome of S. sitiens in the background of cultivated tomato. The IL library consists of 56 overlapping introgressions that together represent about 93% of the S. sitiens genome: 65% in homozygous and 28% in heterozygous (segregating) ILs. The breakpoints of each segment and the gaps in genome coverage were mapped by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using the SolCAP SNP array. Marker‐assisted selection was used to backcross selected introgressions into tomato, to recover a uniform genetic background, to isolate recombinant sub‐lines with shorter introgressions and to select homozygous genotypes. Each IL contains a single S. sitiens chromosome segment, defined by markers, in the genetic background of cv. NC 84173, a fresh market inbred line. Large differences were observed between the lines for both qualitative and quantitative morphological traits, suggesting that the ILs contain highly divergent allelic variation. Several loci contributing to unilateral incompatibility or hybrid necrosis were mapped with the lines. This IL population will facilitate studies of the S. sitiens genome and expands the range of genetic variation available for tomato breeding and research.
Association study of a functional variant of TNF-α gene and serum TNF-α level with the susceptibility of congenital heart disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Pan Jun , Hu Jiang , Qi Xusheng , Xu Liqin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCongenital heart disease (CHD) is among the leading causes of infant death worldwide. Although shortage of folate has been found potentially to contribute to CHD in the embryo, the aetiology of CHD was not completely understood. Inflammation and altered immune processes are involved in all forms of cardiac malformation, including CHD. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), was involved in the pathogenesis of multiple kinds of heart diseases. However, no studies have systematically evaluated the associations of genetic variants of TNF-α with susceptibility of CHD.MethodsA case-control study was conducted to evaluate the associations between tagSNPs of TNF-α and CHD susceptibility. Serum level of TNF-α was assessed using ELISA. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the functional significance of variant rs1800629 on TNF-α transcriptional activity.ResultsWe found rs1800629 was significantly correlated with increased CHD susceptibility (OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.36, p=0.001). Serum levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in CHD group (9.09±1.90 pg/mL) than that in control group (6.12±1.56 pg/mL, p&lt;0.001). The AA genotype and AG genotype of rs1800629 was associated with higher serum TNF-α level, compared with GG genotype. The dual luciferase reporter assay showed that promoter activity was significantly increased by 57% and 76% for plasmids containing the minor A allele compared with the major G allele in H9c2 and HEK 293T, respectively.ConclusionThese results indicate that higher level of serum TNF-α increases risk of CHD, while TNF-α rs1800629 A allele might contribute to higher risk for CHD due to the increase in TNF-α expression.
Comparison of e-cigarette marketing and availability in tobacco retail outlets among diverse low-income communities in California
Authors: Escobedo Patricia , Garcia Robert , Soto Claradina , Rodriguez Yaneth , Barahona Rosa , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveResearch examining marketing and availability of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) within tobacco retail stores is limited, especially among vulnerable communities. However, tobacco retailers tend to be the first point of access to e-cigarette exposure, especially among youth. In response, store observations were conducted among tobacco retailers across five ethnically diverse, low-income communities.DesignTrained community health workers recorded the presence of e-cigarette products, marketing, self-service displays, product pricing and product placement in the tobacco retail environment across American–Indian Tribal lands in California (n=96) and low-income African–American, Hispanic/Latino (HL), Korean–American (KA) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) communities in Southern California (n=679) from January 2016 to January 2017. Store characteristics and pricing were analysed by ethnic community.ResultsCompared with retailers in NHW communities, retailers across all other communities were less likely to sell e-cigarette and flavoured e-cigarette products and were less likely to have self-service displays. Compared with retailers in NHW communities, retailers across all other communities were less likely to have e-cigarettes placed near youth-friendly items, while retailers in KA and HL communities were less likely to have exterior advertising compared with retailers in NHW communities.ConclusionsFindings indicate differences in e-cigarette availability and marketing by ethnic community. In addition, placement of products and marketing that expose youth to e-cigarette and other tobacco products within the retail environment should be restricted and regulated by policymakers and tobacco regulatory agencies to reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases among vulnerable populations.
Is It Safe for Patients With Cardiac Channelopathies to Undergo Routine Dental Care? Experience From a Single‐Center Study
Authors: Oliveira Ana Carolina Guimarães , Neves Itamara Lucia Itagiba , Sacilotto Luciana , Olivetti Natália Quintella Sangiorgi , Santos‐Paul Marcela Alves dos , Montano Tânia Cristina Pedroso , Carvalho Cíntia Maria Alencar , Wu Tan Chen , Grupi Cesar José , Barbosa Sílvio Alves , Pastore Carlos Alberto , Samesima Nelson , Hachul Denise Tessariol , Scanavacca Maurício Ibrahim , Neves Ricardo Simões , Darrieux Francisco Carlos Costa 
Published: July 2019

Background
Brugada syndrome and long‐QT syndrome may account for at least one third of unexplained sudden cardiac deaths. Dental care in patients with cardiac channelopathies is challenging because of the potential risk of life‐threatening events. We hypothesized that the use of local dental anesthesia with lidocaine with and without epinephrine is safe and does not result in life‐threatening arrhythmias in patients with channelopathies.

Methods and Results

We performed a randomized, double‐blind pilot trial comparing the use of 2% lidocaine without a vasoconstrictor and with 1:100 000 epinephrine in 2 sessions of restorative dental treatment with a washout period of 7 days (crossover trial). Twenty‐eight–hour Holter monitoring was performed, and 12‐lead electrocardiography, digital sphygmomanometry, and anxiety scale assessments were also conducted at 3 time points. Fifty‐six dental procedures were performed in 28 patients (18 women, 10 men) with cardiac channelopathies: 16 (57.1%) had long‐QT syndrome, and 12 (42.9%) had Brugada syndrome; 11 (39.3%) of patients had an implantable defibrillator. The mean age was 45.9±15.9 years. The maximum heart rate increased after the use of epinephrine during the anesthesia period from 82.1 to 85.8 beats per minute (
P
=0.008). In patients with long‐QT syndrome, the median corrected QT was higher, from 450.1 to 465.4 ms (
P
=0.009) at the end of anesthesia in patients in whom epinephrine was used. The other measurements showed no statistically significant differences. No life‐threatening arrhythmias occurred during dental treatment.

Conclusions
The use of local dental anesthesia with lidocaine, regardless of the use of a vasoconstrictor, did not result in life‐threatening arrhythmias and appears to be safe in stable patients with cardiac channelopathies.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03182777.
Turtles in Temple Ponds in Thailand: Species, Abundance, and Health Issues
Authors: Khudamrongsawat Jenjit , Meetan Dhanyaporn , Chansue Nantarika 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The traditional practice of releasing turtles into temple ponds in Thailand, believed to benefit releasers, likely affects turtles’ welfare and impacts wild populations. We examined the species, abundance, and health of turtles in six temple ponds. Seven native turtle species and two exotic species were recorded. Most common were the yellow-headed temple turtle (Heosemys annandalii), a legally protected species, and the exotic red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Almost all examined turtles showed signs of illness, the most common being shell lesions and excessive algal growth on shells. Poor sanitation and food quality, and limited space to bask, observed in all ponds, contributed to turtles’ poor health. We recommend using better-managed temple ponds as temporary rehabilitation centers and returning healthy native turtles to natural areas, while encouraging people to provide funds to support the turtles and discouraging the release of new turtles.
Altitudinal implications in organ size in the Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi)
Authors: Zhao Li , Mai Chun Lan , Liu Guo Hou , Liao Wen Bo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Phenotypic flexibility of morphological and physiological traits within species is a common phenomenon across animal taxa. Hesse’s rule predicts that the size of an organ should exhibit an increase with increasing altitude along environmental gradients due to changes in oxygen supply and energy demands. Here, we test the prediction of Hesse’s rule by investigating geographical variation in the relative size of organs (i.e., heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys) across ten populations of Bufo andrewsi along an environmental gradient. We found that the relative size of these four specific organs did not increase with altitude or latitude across all populations. We also did not find that the relative size of the organs increased with increasing altitude among six populations located at a similar latitude and longitude, which is inconsistent with Hesse’s rule. Our findings suggest that oxygen supply and energy demands do not necessarily affect variation in organ size among populations.
Long-Lead Statistical Forecasts of the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall Based on Causal Precursors
Authors: Di Capua G. , Kretschmer M. , Runge J. , Alessandri A. , Donner R. V. , van den Hurk B. , Vellore R. , Krishnan R. , Coumou D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSkillful forecasts of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) at long lead times (4–5 months in advance) pose great challenges due to strong internal variability of the monsoon system and nonstationarity of climatic drivers. Here, we use an advanced causal discovery algorithm coupled with a response-guided detection step to detect low-frequency, remote processes that provide sources of predictability for the ISMR. The algorithm identifies causal precursors without any a priori assumptions, apart from the selected variables and lead times. Using these causal precursors, a statistical hindcast model is formulated to predict seasonal ISMR that yields valuable skill with correlation coefficient (CC) ~0.8 at a 4-month lead time. The causal precursors identified are generally in agreement with statistical predictors conventionally used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD); however, our methodology provides precursors that are automatically updated, providing emerging new patterns. Analyzing ENSO-positive and ENSO-negative years separately helps to identify the different mechanisms at play during different years and may help to understand the strong nonstationarity of ISMR precursors over time. We construct operational forecasts for both shorter (2-month) and longer (4-month) lead times and show significant skill over the 1981–2004 period (CC ~0.4) for both lead times, comparable with that of IMD predictions (CC ~0.3). Our method is objective and automatized and can be trained for specific regions and time scales that are of interest to stakeholders, providing the potential to improve seasonal ISMR forecasts.
Problems in Public Health Encountered in a New Area
Authors: Thomas E. W. Caryl 
Published: July 2019

Development of Becontree Estate.— Population.—Determination of population. Age distribution of population. Some effects of unusual age distribution. General problems in connection with development. (I) Those arising through rapid growth without preliminary preparation. Resulting difficulties in regard to: ( a) Transport; ( b) General sanitation, house refuse disposal, sewagedisposal, water supply; ( c) Educational facilities; ( d) General health services:—(1) Isolation hospital; comparison of home and hospital treatment in relation to spread of infection; (2) General hospitals; (3) Nursing in the home; ( e) Itinerant vendors, etc. (II) Those peculiar to this estate; but either avoidable in general or not necessarily occurring in the case of estates attached to stable communities. Shopping centre not provided. Doctors, clergymen, charged economic rent. No provision for growing families. Behaviour of infectious diseases on the estate.—Measles: Absence of evidence of immunizing effect, on susceptibles, of exposure to infection. Tuberculosis: Consideration of benefits to be derived from satisfactory housing. Limitation of use of known statistics for comparative purposes. Presumptive evidence of incidence of tuberculosis in locality being higher than the rate holding for the country as a whole. Scarlet fever and diphtheria: Course of curve of relative incidence of infection in under-15 population over a number of years; demonstration of relatively high incidence of infection over a period. Consideration of possible explanation of high incidence: ( a) effect of schools; ( b) absence of isolation hospital accommodation resulting in secondary infection; ( c) coincidence of occurrence of large population at susceptible ages with epidemic prevalence of infection; ( d) immunity index of population rising to limiting figure; ( e) alteration in immunity of members of population, due to loss of previously acquired immunity, this loss being due to relative deficiency of immune carriers in the population. Use of Schick reactions to show: (1) slight effect of occurrence of case of diphtheria in house on Schick reaction of remaining occupants; (2) relation between number of immunes in house and Schick reaction of remaining members. General conclusions on effect on health of residence on estate.
The Ventilation, Heating and Lighting of Hospital Wards
Authors: Watt James 
Published: July 2019

History of ventilation in last 100 years, showing reversal of ideas and influence of sanatorium idea. Physiology of cool moving air. How it affects metabolism, heat-loss and heat-production. Relation to sunlight. Reactive capacity of the individual. Practice of these teachings, as illustrated by sanatorium treatment of tuberculosis and by open-air schools. Exposure to cooling air a powerful therapeutic agent. Infrequent occurrence in sanatoria of diseases or complications often ascribed to cold. Dilution of infection. Applicability to diseases other than tuberculosis. Shock and old age. Perflation and diffusion, their relative values. Uniformity or variability of effect desirable? Incompatibility of good ventilation and ordinary standards of heating. Former the more important. Conclusion that ward temperatures may be lowered without harm. Measures necessary to compensate, clothing, classification of patients, small wards. Changing standards of comfort. Psychological effects. Systems of ventilation in hospital wards. Mechanical by propulsion or extraction being displaced by natural system, usually by cross-window ventilation. Supplementary ventilators. Objection to heating of incoming air. Fallibility of human factor in management. Sash versus casement windows. Hoppers. Austral window. Orientation and exposure of wards. Ventilation of small wards. Proportion of window space to solid wall. Balconies. Floor space. Heating of wards. Heating of air or floor or walls. Open fires. Value of radiant heat. Steam or water under low or high pressure. Radiators or pipes. Lighting. Avoidance of glare from windows. Arrangement of beds in wards. Colour of walls. Blinds and curtains. Artificial lighting.
Ovarian and Uterine Grafts
Authors: Cheval Max 
Published: July 2019

Recent experience has convinced the author of the value of ovarian grafting. He gives the histories of a number of women upon whom he made implants of their own ovarian tissue in the course of operations for double oöphorectomy. The subsequent state of these patients is contrasted with that of women after castration without grafting. When the uterus was left in position menstruation was re-established in over 80% of the grafted cases. The author and his co-workers maintain that the vitality of autogenous grafts of ovarian substance is enhanced by hormones produced by the uterine mucosa. He therefore advocates that grafts of uterus be made in conjunction with ovarian implants whenever possible. Experiments carried out on animals have proved the correctness of this opinion. The results of a series of cases of combined ovarian and uterine graftings are recorded, and the technique of uterine mucosa implants is described.