bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dose–Response Relationship of Alcohol and Injury Cause: Effects of Country‐Level Drinking Pattern and Alcohol Policy
Authors: Cherpitel Cheryl J. , Witbrodt Jane , Korcha Rachael A. , Ye Yu , Monteiro Maristela G. , Chou Patricia 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe dose–response relationship of alcohol and injury and the effects of country‐level detrimental drinking pattern (DDP) and alcohol control policy on this relationship are examined for specific causes of injury.MethodsThe dose–response risk of injury is analyzed on 18,627 injured patients in 22 countries included in the International Collaborative Alcohol and Injury Study, using case‐crossover analysis by cause of injury (traffic, violence, falls, other), DDP, and the International Alcohol Policy and Injury Index.ResultsRisk of all injury was higher at all volume levels in higher DDP countries compared to lower DDP countries and for each cause of injury. Risk of injury from traffic was significantly greater in higher DDP than lower DDP countries at 3.1 to 6 drinks (odds ratio (OR) = 2.64, confidence interval (CI) = 1.17 to 5.97) and at ≤3 drinks for falls (OR = 2.51, CI = 1.52 to 4.16) and injuries from other causes (OR = 1.72, CI = 1.10 to 2.69). Countries with higher restrictive alcohol policy were at a lower risk of injury at lower levels of consumption (≤3 drinks) for all injuries (OR = 0.72, CI = 0.56 to 0.92) and for injuries from other causes (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.29 to 0.73) and at a lower risk of traffic injuries at higher levels of consumption (≥10 drinks). At higher levels of consumption (≥10 drinks), countries with higher alcohol policy restrictiveness were at greater risk of all injuries (OR = 2.03, CI = 1.29 to 3.20) and those from violence (OR = 9.02, CI = 3.00 to 27.13) and falls (OR = 4.29, CI = 1.86 to 9.91).ConclusionsCountries with high DDP are at higher risk of injury from most causes at a given level of consumption, while countries with low restrictiveness of alcohol policy are at higher risk of injury at lower levels of consumption and at higher risk of traffic injuries at high levels of consumption. These findings underscore the importance of aggregate‐level factors which need to be considered in developing effective intervention and prevention strategies for reducing alcohol‐related injury.
Robotic‐assisted ventral hernia repair with surgical mesh: how I do it and case series of early experience
Authors: Kozman Mathew A. , Tonkin Darren , Eteuati Jimmy , Karatassas Alex , McDonald Christopher R. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundLaparoscopic ventral hernia repair provides several benefits over the open approach. Intraperitoneal surgical mesh placement without fascial defect closure is associated with increased seroma formation and other adverse hernia‐site outcomes. Transfascial sutures and tacs for fascial closure and surgical mesh fixation are associated with greater post‐operative pain. Robotic‐assisted ventral hernia repair (rVHR) may afford benefits of the laparoscopic approach while facilitating a more robust and less painful repair.MethodsConsecutive patients managed by rVHR from May 2015 to August 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained robotic database. Retrospective review of this data was performed.ResultsFifty patients underwent rVHR during the study period. Median body mass index was 31 (interquartile range (IQR) 29–34). Forty‐eight had previous abdominal surgery. Forty‐seven hernias were midline and three were lateral. Regarding hernia width, 15 were <4 cm wide, 32 were 4–10 cm and three were >10 cm. Median total anaesthetic time, docking time and surgical console time were 214 min (IQR 182–252), 5 min (IQR 4–8) and 144 min (IQR 104–174), respectively. No major intra‐operative complications occurred. No documented cases of adhesional complications or chronic post‐operative pain have occurred. To date, two recurrences have occurred in our series. Median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 2–4).ConclusionWe describe our rVHR technique and report on our series and early experience, showing that rVHR can be performed safely with good patient outcomes. We demonstrate a team approach to achieving a safe transition to new technology.
Effect of plasma‐nitrided titanium surfaces on the differentiation of pre‐osteoblastic cells
Authors: Moura Carlos Eduardo B. , Queiroz Neto Moacir F. , Braz Janine Karla F. S. , de Medeiros Aires Michelle , Silva Farias Naisandra B. , Barboza Carlos Augusto G. , Cavalcanti Júnior Geraldo B. , Rocha Hugo Alexandre O. , Alves Junior Clodomiro 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA titanium surface nitrided by plasma contains nitrogen ions that guarantee resistance to corrosion and biocompatibility. Despite this, no descriptions concerning the influence of the expression of cell adhesion proteins and their influence on osteogenic cell differentiation are available. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the response of murine pre‐osteoblastic cells (MC3T3‐E1) cultured on nitrided titanium surfaces. Pre‐osteoblastic cells were grown on polished titanium discs, used as controls, and on previously characterized plasma‐nitrided titanium discs. Cells from both groups were submitted to the MTT cell viability test. The expressions of α5, α2, and β1 integrin were assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, while osteocalcin expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The nitrided surface presented higher α2 and β1 integrin expressions, as well as osteocalcin expression, when compared to the polished surface, with no alterations in cell viability. These findings seem to suggest that the plasma nitriding treatment produces a titanium surface with the potential for effective in vitro osseointegration.
Progressive Transient Photon Beams
Authors: Marco Julio , Guillén Ibón , Jarosz Wojciech , Gutierrez Diego , Jarabo Adrian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this work, we introduce a novel algorithm for transient rendering in participating media. Our method is consistent, robust and is able to generate animations of time‐resolved light transport featuring complex caustic light paths in media. We base our method on the observation that the spatial continuity provides an increased coverage of the temporal domain, and generalize photon beams to transient‐state. We extend stead‐state photon beam radiance estimates to include the temporal domain. Then, we develop a progressive variant of our approach which provably converges to the correct solution using finite memory by averaging independent realizations of the estimates with progressively reduced kernel bandwidths. We derive the optimal convergence rates accounting for space and time kernels, and demonstrate our method against previous consistent transient rendering methods for participating media.
Nasal delivery of Fasudil‐modified immune cells exhibits therapeutic potential in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Guo Shang‐De , Liu Chun‐Yun , Yu Jing‐Wen , Chai Zhi , Wang Qing , Mi Xi‐Ting , Song Guo‐Bin , Li Yan‐Hua , Yang Peng‐Wei , Feng Ling , Xiao Bao‐Guo , Ma Cun‐Gen 
Published: February 2019

SummaryAimMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a relapsing‐remitting inflammatory demyelinating disease that requires long‐term treatment. Although Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil shows good therapeutic effect in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, certain side effects may limit its clinical use. This study aimed at observing the therapeutic potential of Fasudil‐modified encephalitogenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) via nasal delivery in EAE and exploring possible mechanisms of action.MethodsExperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35‐55 in C57BL/6 mice, and encephalitogenic MNCs were treated with Fasudil in vitro. Mice received 3 × 106 cells/10 μL per nasal cavity on day 3 and 11 postimmunization, respectively.ResultsFasudil‐modified MNCs reduced clinical severity of EAE, improved demyelination, and decreased inflammatory cells in spinal cords. Immunohistochemical results indicated that CD4+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages were barely detected in Fasudil‐MNCs group. Fasudil‐modified MNCs decreased CD4+IFN‐γ+ and CD4+IL‐17+ T cells, increased CD4+IL‐10+ T cells, restrained M1 markers CD16/32, CCR7, IL‐12, CD8a, enhanced M2 markers CD206, CD200, CD14 in spleen. Fasudil‐modified MNCs inhibited the activation of inflammatory signaling p‐NF‐kB/P38, accompanied by the decrease of COX‐2 and the increase of Arg‐1 in spinal cord, as well as the reduction of IL‐17, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and the elevation of IL‐10 in cultured supernatant of splenocytes. Fasudil‐modified MNCs enhanced the levels of neurotrophic factors BDNF and NT‐3 in spinal cord.ConclusionOur results indicate that intranasal delivery of Fasudil‐modified MNCs have therapeutic potential in EAE, providing a safe and effective cell therapeutic strategy to MS and/or other related disorders.
Different microbial responses in top‐ and sub‐soils to elevated temperature and substrate addition in a semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Bai Tongshuo , Tao Jinjin , Li Zhen , Shu Meng , Yan Xuebin , Wang Peng , Ye Chenglong , Guo Hui , Wang Yi , Hu Shuijin 
Published: February 2019

The Loess Plateau soil in northwest China originated from wind sediments and is characterized by deep soil profiles and large organic carbon (C) content. Severe soil erosion constantly exposes deep soils to the surface, making the organic C vulnerable to microbial decomposition. Few, however, have so far examined how soil microbial activity and community composition in the deep loess soil respond to perturbations. We examined microbial responses in three layers of a clay‐loam loess (topsoil, 0–20 cm; midsoil, 40–60 cm; subsoil, 80–100 cm) to substrate additions (0.8 g glucose‐C kg−1 soil) under two temperature regimes (25 and 35°C). Soil C:N ratio was significantly larger in the subsoil (20.3) than topsoil (7.4). Glucose addition significantly increased CO2 efflux during a 30‐day incubation period and the relative magnitude of the increase was four times larger in the subsoil than topsoil. The temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil CO2 efflux increased significantly with soil depth in the absence of glucose addition (i.e., ambient soil), but it decreased under glucose addition. Also, glucose addition significantly increased phenol oxidase and peroxidase activities in the subsoil, which might contribute to the stimulation of microbial CO2 efflux. Composition of the microbial community was more affected by temperature increase in the topsoil, but more responsive to labile C addition in the subsoil. Together, these results indicated that the composition of soil communities and microbial activities in the topsoil and deep soil responded differently to warming and labile C input. Our findings suggest that organic C in deep loess soils can be highly sensitive to environmental changes, emphasizing the need for more long‐term monitoring and quantitative assessment of organic C release from this important C pool.Highlights

Microbial responses to labile C and warming were examined along a Loess Plateau soil profile.
Microbial respiration was more responsive to C addition and warming in deep soil than topsoil.
Microbial composition and activity were sensitive to temperature in the topsoil but to labile C in the subsoil.
Climate change may facilitate CO2 efflux from deep Loess Plateau soils.
Biomass yield in a genetically diverse Miscanthus sinensis germplasm panel evaluated at five locations revealed individuals with exceptional potential
Authors: Clark Lindsay V. , Dwiyanti Maria S. , Anzoua Kossonou G. , Brummer Joe E. , Ghimire Bimal Kumar , Głowacka Katarzyna , Hall Megan , Heo Kweon , Jin Xiaoli , Lipka Alexander E. , Peng Junhua , Yamada Toshihiko , Yoo Ji Hye , Yu Chang Yeon , Zhao Hua , Long Stephen P. , Sacks Erik J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTo breed improved biomass cultivars of Miscanthus ×giganteus, it will be necessary to select the highest‐yielding and best‐adapted genotypes of its parental species, Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. We phenotyped a diverse clonally propagated panel of 569 M. sinensis and nine natural diploid M. ×giganteus at one subtropical (Zhuji, China) and five temperate locations (Sapporo, Japan; Leamington, Ontario, Canada; Fort Collins, CO; Urbana, IL; and Chuncheon, Korea) for dry biomass yield and 14 yield‐component traits, in trials grown for 3 years. Notably, dry biomass yield of four Miscanthus accessions exceeded 80 Mg/ha in Zhuji, China, approaching the highest observed for any land plant. Additionally, six M. sinensis in Sapporo, Japan and one in Leamington, Canada also yielded more than the triploid M. ×giganteus ‘1993‐1780’ control, with values exceeding 20 Mg/ha. Diploid M. ×giganteus was the best‐yielding group at the northern sites. Genotype‐by‐environment interactions were modest among the five northern trial sites but large between Zhuji, and the northern sites. M. sinensis accessions typically yielded best at trial sites with latitudes similar to collection sites, although broad adaptation was observed for accessions from southern Japan. Genotypic heritabilities for third year yields ranged from 0.71 to 0.88 within locations. Compressed circumference was the best predictor of yield. These results establish a baseline of data for initiating selection to improve biomass yield of M. sinensis and M. ×giganteus in a diverse set of relevant geographies.
Coming from two different worlds—A qualitative, exploratory study of the collaboration between patient representatives and researchers
Authors: Stuhlfauth Susanne , Knutsen Ingrid Ruud , Foss Christina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundInterest in user involvement in research has increased and user involvement is increasingly seen as a prerequisite. Still, challenges in the collaboration process have been documented from both researchers' and users' perspective.ObjectiveBy bringing together researchers and patient representatives, this study explores and describes both parties' experiences with user involvement in research as they appear through interactions in a focus group.DesignWe apply a qualitative design using positioning theory as a theoretical framework.Setting and participantsResearchers and patient representatives were mixed within 2 focus groups. Positioning theory was used to guide the analysis.FindingsThe discussion evolved around knowledge, equity and partnership, all related to power through constant negotiations of positions. Researchers and users ascribed various positions while discussing these topics. Various positions are seen as the result of different rights and duties in the research process. Power differences in the form of different rights and duties stand out as barriers. Being positioned as a partner was an important aspect for users in our study. Researchers assumed passive positions within the focus group, whereas users assumed active positions by expressing their wishes and needs.Discussion and conclusionOur study indicates that positions relating to status and knowledge in the involvement process are important. The findings suggest that the positions that users and researchers assume and ascribe throughout the process are constantly changing; however, the researchers tend to have more power. More studies are needed to understand how equity is perceived in user involvement in health research.
Impact of access to novel therapies on the initial management of castrate‐resistant prostate cancer: an Australian multicentre study
Authors: Kwan Edmond M. , Semira Marie C. , Bergin Alice R. T. , Muttiah Christine , Beck Sophie , Anton Angelyn , Campbell David , Wong Shirley , Rosenthal Mark , Gibbs Peter , Tran Ben 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe impact of regulatory approvals of new therapies for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in Australia is unclear.AimsTo determine if changes in novel therapy access in Australia affected how clinicians initially managed men with newly diagnosed CRPC.MethodsData from patients diagnosed with CRPC from 2013 to 2016 across three Australian hospitals were retrospectively collected. Baseline clinicopathological factors and initial management decision at the time of CRPC development (early treatment (ET) vs deferred treatment (DT)) were recorded. Categorical variables between cohorts were compared by Chi‐squared analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of CRPC diagnosis year on time to commencing life‐prolonging systemic treatment (TTT).ResultsOur study identified 137 CRPC patients, with 126 (92%) patients receiving life‐prolonging systemic treatment. The median age was 73 years. The initial management decision was DT in 71 (52%) patients and ET in 66 (48%) patients. There was a significant shift from DT to ET during the study period (2013–2014: DT 61% vs ET 33%; 2015–2016: DT 39% vs ET 67%; P = 0.004), with a rise in novel androgen receptor signalling inhibitor use and simultaneous reduction in first‐generation antiandrogen use at CRPC development. Each successive CRPC diagnosis year was associated with shorter TTT on univariate analysis (HR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3–1.7, P < 0.001).ConclusionOver time, clinicians are favouring earlier introduction of life‐prolonging systemic treatment at the development of CRPC. This trend is largely driven by substantial uptake of novel androgen receptor signalling inhibitors as the preferred initial treatment for CRPC patients.
The lived experiences of elderly dementia patients in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Miao‐Chuan , Lin Hung‐Ru 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe lived experiences of elderly dementia patients are affected by their cultural beliefs. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of elderly dementia patients in Taiwan in order to understand how they view their lives given the cognitive impairments that they suffer from. A descriptive phenomenological approach was undertaken in 12 elderly dementia patients who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's analysis method. Five main themes emerged from the narratives: (i) distress caused by inability to remember; (ii) counteracting memory loss; (iii) worry about being a burden to family; (iv) cherishing the current situation and gaining respect; and (v) adopting a dispassionate view about life and death. The traditions of filial piety in Chinese culture were reflected in the experiences of these elderly dementia patients. Elderly dementia patients experienced inconveniences in their daily lives due to marked impairments in memory functions, and they even doubted their own independent capabilities. To counteract their disease, many elderly dementia patients developed self‐contained approaches to handle their loss of memories. While they were worried about being a burden to their families, they also valued their current situation. They were comforted by being taken care of by their children, and they adopted a dispassionate view about life and death issues. For the care of elderly dementia patients, besides reducing the inconveniences brought about by cognitive impairments, there is also a need to pay attention to the deterioration of their physical bodily functions in order to intervene in their lives holistically.
Brownmillerite hydration in the presence of gypsum: The effect of Al/Fe ratio and sulfate ions
Authors: Huang Xiao , Wang Fazhou , Hu Shuguang , Lu Yang , Rao Meijuan , Mu Yuandong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe brownmillerite, also known as tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF), represents a solid solution series of Ca2(AlyFe(2–y))O5 (0 ≥ y ≤ 1.33), which is one of the most important components in ordinary Portland cement. The hydration of brownmillerite in the presence of gypsum attracts massive attentions, but the hydration mechanism remains controversial nowadays. In particular, the influence of Al/Fe ratio on brownmillerite hydration with gypsum is obscure and out of favor. This paper studies the hydration characteristics of a binary system containing brownmillerite and gypsum with variables including two Al/Fe ratios and gypsum contents in an attempt to interpret the retarding mechanism of sulfate ions. When the molar ratio of brownmillerite to gypsum is 1.0, the hydration process of Ca2(Al1.3Fe0.7)O5 shows five distinct stages in the conductivity test, while only two stages are observed in the case of Ca2(Al1.0Fe1.0)O5. A decrease of Al/Fe ratio in brownmillerite leads to severe stagnation of the hydration process. When the molar ratio of Ca2(Al1.0Fe1.0)O5 to gypsum is increased to 2.7, the hydration is able to proceed and also displays five stages similar to Ca2(Al1.3Fe0.7)O5. An adsorption layer of sulfate ions on the surface of brownmillerite contributes to the postponement of brownmillerite hydration. In addition, the concentration of aluminum in the solution is the key to break this adsorption layer and dominate the hydration proceeding of brownmillerite.
3D microstructure and crack pathways of toughened CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass by precipitation of hexagonal CaAl2Si2O8 crystal
Authors: Maeda Kei , Iwasaki Kenichiro , Urata Shingo , Akatsuka Kosho , Yasumori Atsuo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe investigated CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass partially crystallized with molybdenum particles as nucleating agents. Microstructure of the material was characterized as a house‐of‐cards structure composed of plate‐like crystals. Microcracks propagated along the crystal plane parallel to the double layer of SiO4/AlO4 tetrahedrons separated by layers of calcium atoms. To investigate the fracture behavior of the hexagonal CaAl2Si2O8 crystals, molecular dynamics simulations were performed, which demonstrated that a crack can be easily triggered by shear deformation along the calcium layer. Additionally, once a crack was generated in the calcium layer, it propagated rapidly, whereas the crack perpendicular to the calcium layer hardly propagated. This simulated behavior is consistent with the experimentally observed cleavage behavior of the hexagonal CaAl2Si2O8 crystal. The experimental and simulation results effectively explained the non‐elastic fracture behavior of the material.
Parent‐of‐origin effects on carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Okamoto Kan , Oishi Kazato , Nakamura Ryoichi , Abe Atsuko , Inoue Keiichi , Kumagai Hajime , Hirooka Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2019

AbstractVariances caused by the differential expression of paternally and maternally imprinted genes controlling carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle were estimated in this study. Data on marbling score (BMS), carcass weight, rib thickness, rib‐eye area (REA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were collected from a total of 13,115 feedlot steers and heifers in a commercial population. A sire–maternal grandsire model was used to analyse the data, and then, imprinting parameters were derived by replacing the genetic effect of the dam with the effect of the maternal grandsire in the imprinting model to calculate the genetic parameter estimates. The proportions of the total genetic variance attributable to imprinted genes ranged from 8.7% (SFT) to 35.2% (BMS). The remarkably large imprinting variance of BMS was mainly contributed by maternally expressed inheritance because the maternal contribution of the trait was much larger than that of the paternal trait. The parent‐of‐origin effect originating from maternal gene expression was also observed for REA. The results suggested the existence of genomic imprinting effects on the traits of the Japanese Black cattle. Hence, the parent‐of‐origin effect should be considered for the genetic evaluation of Japanese Black cattle in breeding programmes.