bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal mortality in Italy: Results and perspectives of record‐linkage analysis
Authors: Donati Serena , Maraschini Alice , Lega Ilaria , D'Aloja Paola , Buoncristiano Marta , Manno Valerio ,   The Regional Maternal Mortality Working Group
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionAccurate estimates and reliable classification of maternal deaths are imperative steps in the chain of actions targeted at reducing avoidable maternal mortality. The aims of this study were to estimate the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in 10 Italian regions covering 77% of total national births and to identify the most suitable approach to classify the causes of death.Material and methodsDeaths during and within 1 year after pregnancy have been identified through linkage between death registry and hospital discharge database. Regional and national data sources from 2006 to 2012 were used. The MMR has been estimated and deaths were classified as direct or indirect and according to their primary causes.ResultsA total of 277 maternal deaths within 42 days after pregnancy were identified: 149 direct, 102 indirect causes and 26 unclassified‐resulting in a MMR of 9.18 per 100 000 live births. The under‐reporting rate of official MMR figures in the participating regions is 60.3%. Hemorrhage (MMR 1.92), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiac diseases (MMR 1.06) were the leading causes of deaths occurring within 42 days after pregnancy, whereas malignancy (39%) and violent deaths (17%) were the most frequent of the 543 late maternal deaths.ConclusionsRecord‐linkage is an efficient and reliable method to estimate maternal mortality and to identify causes of maternal deaths. Both the indirect/direct and the classification by primary cause have a role in countries where direct deaths exceed indirect maternal mortality. Building upon linkage data, confidential enquiries further increase the likelihood of reducing maternal mortality.
Acid suppression medications reduce risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus: a nested case‐control study in US male veterans
Authors: Tan M. C. , El‐Serag H. B. , Yu X. , Thrift A. P. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundProton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine‐2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) may reduce the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) in Barrett's oesophagus; however, current epidemiologic studies are inconclusive.AimTo evaluate the independent effects of PPIs and H2RAs on risk of OAC in patients with Barrett's oesophagus.MethodsWe conducted a nested case‐control study of male veterans diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus. Cases with incident OAC were matched by incidence density sampling on birth year and Barrett's diagnosis date to controls with Barrett's oesophagus who did not develop OAC. We identified prescription medication usage 1 year prior to Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis to 3 months prior to the OAC diagnosis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were estimated using conditional logistic regression.ResultsCompared with 798 controls, the 300 cases were less likely to use PPIs (90.0% vs 94.5%, P = 0.01) and H2RAs (19.7% vs 25.7%, P = 0.04). In the multivariable model including the use of statins, H2RAs, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, PPI use was associated with 41% lower risk of OAC (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35‐0.99). While risk reduction of OAC was stronger for high‐dose PPIs (omeprazole daily dose >40 mg, adjusted OR 0.11, 95% 0.04‐0.36), we did not find a dose‐response relationship with PPI duration (P trend = 0.45). Likewise, H2RA use was independently associated with 30% lower risk of OAC (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50‐0.99).ConclusionUse of PPIs and H2RAs among patients with Barrett's oesophagus are associated with lower risk of OAC. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm this possible chemopreventive effect.
Optimization of goose breast meat tenderness by rapid ultrasound treatment using response surface methodology and artificial neural network
Authors: Zou Ye , Zhang Kun , Zhang Xin Xiao , Li Pengpeng , Zhang Muhan , Liu Fang , Sun Chong , Xu Weimin , Wang Daoying 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop a prediction model on tenderization of goose breast meat by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The experiments were operated on the basis of a three‐level, three‐variable (ultrasound power, ultrasound time, and storage time) Box‐Behnken experimental design. Under RSM and ANN optimum conditions, experimental Meullenet‐Owens razor shear (MORS) of meat (1862.6 g and 1869.9 g) was in reasonable agreement with predicted one. Nevertheless, better prediction capability of ANN was proved by higher R2 (0.996) and lower absolute average deviation = 4.257) compared to those for RSM (0.852 and 16.534), respectively. These results revealed that ANN was more accurate and much better than RSM model for the optimization of tenderness of meat. The optimum conditions of ultrasound power, ultrasound time, and storage time given by ANN were 812 W, 24.5 min and 25.7 hr, respectively. Under the optimized condition, the cooking loss of meat significantly decreased by ultrasound treatment compared with untreated meat. Lower cooking loss and MORS at the optimal condition were beneficial to meet the satisfaction of consumer and producers for meat factory.
Osteology of Ronquilus jordani (Zoarcoidei: Bathymasteridae), with a discussion of the developmental osteology and systematics of bathymasterid fishes
Authors: Hilton Eric J. , Stevenson Duane E. , Matarese Ann C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe zoarcoid family Bathymasteridae contains seven species in three genera (Bathymaster, Rathbunella, Ronquilus) found in the North Pacific Ocean. Although several synapomorphies have been identified for the family, molecular analyses recover the family as a paraphyletic grade. The goals of this study are to provide a description of the skeleton of R. jordani as a baseline contribution for future systematic comparisons among all bathymasterid taxa and zoarcoids. We used our osteological study to discuss ontogenetically variable characters that appear to carry phylogenetic signal within Zoarcoidei. Finally, we discuss the systematic relationships of Bathymasteridae, including its monophyly and their systematic relationships. The vertebrae of Bathymasteridae develop in two distinct patterns. In Ronquilus and Bathymaster, the vertebrae initially form in the mid‐caudal region and development proceeds both anteriorly and posteriorly until the entire vertebral column is complete. In contrast, in Rathbunella the vertebrae initially form immediately posterior to the skull and development proceeds posteriorly; this is interpreted to be plesiomorphic. Other characters that were clarified (e.g., presence of well‐developed teeth on the gill rakers of Ronquilus) or described (e.g., variation in fusion caudal skeleton elements across Zoarcoidei) now must be evaluated in a taxonomically comprehensive systematic analysis of Zoarcoidei.
Sevoflurane Impairs Insulin Secretion and Tissue‐Specific Glucose Uptake In Vivo
Authors: Høyer Kasper F. , Nielsen Thomas S. , Risis Steve , Treebak Jonas T. , Jessen Niels 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe use of anaesthetics severely influences substrate metabolism. This poses challenges for patients in clinical settings and for the use of animals in diabetes research. Sevoflurane can affect regulation of glucose homoeostasis at several steps, but the tissue‐specific response remains to be determined. The aim of the study was to investigate the pharmacological effect of sevoflurane anaesthesia on glucose homoeostasis during hyperinsulinaemic clamp conditions, the gold standard method for assessment of whole‐body insulin sensitivity. Conscious mice (n = 6) and mice under sevoflurane anaesthesia (n = 8) underwent a hyperinsulinaemic clamp where constant infusion of insulin and donor blood was administered during variable glucose infusion to maintain isoglycaemia. 2‐[1‐14C]‐deoxy‐D‐glucose was infused to determine tissue‐specific uptake of glucose in adipose tissue, heart, brain and skeletal muscle. Sevoflurane anaesthesia severely impaired insulin‐stimulated whole‐body glucose uptake demonstrated by a 50% lower glucose infusion rate (GIR). This was associated with decreased glucose uptake in brain, soleus, triceps and gastrocnemius muscles in sevoflurane‐anaesthetized mice compared to conscious mice. Plasma‐free fatty acids (FFA), a potent inducer of insulin resistance, increased by 42% in mice during sevoflurane anaesthesia. In addition, insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cell was lower in fasted, anaesthetized mice. Sevoflurane anaesthesia impairs insulin secretion, induces insulin resistance in mice and reduces glucose uptake in non‐insulin‐sensitive tissue like the brain. The underlying mechanisms may involve sevoflurane‐induced mobilization of FFA.
In Vitro Screening of Six Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Time‐Dependent Inhibition of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4: Possible Implications with regard to Drug–Drug Interactions
Authors: Filppula Anne M. , Mustonen Tiffany M. , Backman Janne T. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSeveral protein kinase inhibitors have been reported to affect cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A by time‐dependent inhibition. Herein, we tested a set of six kinase inhibitors for time‐dependent inhibition of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. Dovitinib, midostaurin and nintedanib exhibited an increased inhibition of CYP3A4 after a 30‐min. pre‐incubation with NADPH, as compared to no pre‐incubation (IC50 shift >1.5). Masitinib, trametinib and vatalanib did not affect CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 by time‐dependent inhibition (IC50 shift <1.5). The inhibitory mechanism of CYP3A4 by midostaurin and nintedanib, but not by dovitinib, was consistent with irreversible mechanism‐based inhibition. The maximal inactivation rate (kinact) and inhibitor concentration that supports half‐maximal rate of inactivation (KI) values of midostaurin and nintedanib were 0.052 1/min. and 2.72 μM, and 0.025 1/min. and 17.3 μM, respectively. According to static predictions, inactivation of CYP3A4 by nintedanib was unlikely to cause drug–drug interactions with clinically used doses of nintedanib, whereas midostaurin was predicted to increase the plasma exposure to CYP3A4‐dependent substrates several fold. Furthermore, based on reversible inhibition, masitinib and vatalanib were predicted to increase the plasma exposure to sensitive CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 substrates by ≥2‐fold. In summary, our data identify midostaurin and nintedanib as time‐dependent inhibitors of CYP3A4 and detect a risk of drug–drug interactions between vatalanib and CYP2C8 substrates, and between masitinib, midostaurin and vatalanib and CYP3A4 substrates. The liability of kinase inhibitors to affect CYP enzymes by time‐dependent inhibition may have long‐term consequences, in terms of drug–drug interactions and toxicities.
Great Barrier Reef recovery through multiple interventions
Authors: Condie Scott A. , Plagányi Éva E. , Morello Elisabetta B. , Hock Karlo , Beeden Roger 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe decline of coral cover on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has largely been attributed to the cumulative pressures of tropical cyclones, temperature‐induced coral bleaching, and predation by crown‐of‐thorns starfish (CoTS). In such a complex system, the effectiveness of any management intervention will become apparent only over decadal time scales. Systems modeling approaches are therefore essential to formulating and testing alternative management strategies. For a network of reefs, we developed a metacommunity model that incorporated the cumulative pressures of tropical cyclones, coral bleaching, predation, and competition between corals. We then tested the response of coral cover to management interventions including catchment restoration to reduce discharge onto the reef during cyclone‐induced flood events and enhanced protection of trophic networks supporting predation of CoTS. Model results showed good agreement with long‐term monitoring of the GBR, including cyclical outbreaks of CoTS driven by predator‐prey dynamics on the network of reefs. Testing of intervention strategies showed that catchment restoration would likely improve coral cover. However, strategies that combined catchment restoration with enhanced CoTS predation were far more effective than catchment restoration alone.
Public perception of river fish biodiversity in four European countries
Authors: Kochalski Sophia , Riepe Carsten , Fujitani Marie , Aas Øystein , Arlinghaus Robert 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPublic support for biodiversity conservation is shaped by people's values and their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward the environment. We conducted the first multinational representative survey of the general public's perceptions of river fish biodiversity in France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. For the online survey, 1000 respondents per country were randomly selected from large panels following country‐specific quotas set on age, gender, and educational level. Questions covered people's level of knowledge, beliefs, values, and attitudes toward river fish, environmental threats, and conservation measures. We found that the public had limited knowledge of freshwater fishes. Two non‐native species, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), were widely perceived as native, whereas native Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was mostly classified as native in Scandinavia and largely as non‐native in central Europe. These results suggest an extinction of experience paralleling the extirpation or decline of salmon stocks in countries such as Germany and France. Respondents thought pollution was the dominant threat to riverine fish biodiversity. In reality, habitat loss, dams, and the spread of non‐native fishes are equally important. Despite limited biological knowledge, respondents from all countries held an overwhelmingly proecological worldview, supported conservation stocking, and appreciated native fishes, although only a minority interacted with them directly. Differences among the 4 countries related to several conservation issues. For example, threats to biodiversity stemming from aquaculture were perceived as more prevalent in Norway compared with the other 3 countries. Promoting fish conservation based on charismatic species and use values of fishes may work well in countries with a strong economic and cultural link to the freshwater environment, such as Norway. In countries where people rather abstractly care for nature, focusing conservation messaging on broader ecosystem traits and non‐use values of fishes is likely to win more support.
Consideration of appropriate clinical applications for cardiac xenotransplantation
Authors: Chan Joshua L. , Miller Justin G. , Singh Avneesh K. , Horvath Keith A. , Corcoran Philip C. , Mohiuddin Muhammad M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe field of cardiac xenotransplantation has entered an exciting era due to recent advances in the field. Although several hurdles remain, the use of rapidly evolving transgenic technology has the potential to address current allogeneic donor pool constraints and mechanical circulatory system device limitations. The success of xenotransplantation will undoubtedly be dependent on specific patient selection criteria. Defining these particular indications for xenotransplantation is important as we approach the possibility of clinical applications.
SMYD1 is the underlying gene for the AnWj‐negative blood group phenotype
Authors: Yahalom Vered , Pillar Nir , Zhao Yingying , Modan Shirley , Fang Mingyan , Yosephi Lydia , Asher Orna , Shinar Eilat , Celniker Gershon , Resnik‐Wolf Haike , Brantz Yael , Hauschner Hagit , Rosenberg Nurit , Cheng Le , Shomron Noam , Pras Elon 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundAnWj is a high‐incidence blood group antigen associated with three clinical disorders: lymphoid malignancies, immunologic disorders, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic basis of an inherited AnWj‐negative phenotype.MethodsWe identified a consanguineous family with two AnWj‐negative siblings and 4 additional AnWj‐negative individuals without known familial relationship to the index family. We performed exome sequencing in search for rare homozygous variants shared by the two AnWj‐negative siblings of the index family and searched for these variants in the four non‐related AnWj‐negative individuals.ResultsExome sequencing revealed seven candidate genes that showed complete segregation in the index family and for which the two AnWj‐negative siblings were homozygous. However, the four additional non‐related AnWj‐negative subjects were homozygous for only one of these variants, rs114851602 (R320Q) in the SMYD1 gene. Considering the frequency of the minor allele, the chance of randomly finding 4 consecutive such individuals is 2.56 × 10−18.ConclusionWe present genetic and statistical evidence that the R320Q substitution in SMYD1 underlies an inherited form of the AnWj‐negative blood group phenotype. The mechanism by which the mutation leads to this phenotype remains to be determined.
Can bone marrow cellularity help in predicting prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes?
Authors: Greenbaum Uri , Joffe Erel , Filanovsky Kalman , Oster Howard S. , Kirgner Ilya , Levi Itai , Raanani Pia , Avivi Irit , Manor Esther , Man‐El Gili , Mittelman Moshe 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo ascertain the relevance of bone marrow cellularity (BMC) to the interpretation of blast percentage (blast%) in MDS prognostication.MethodsWe compared survival prediction based on blast% adjusted to different levels of cellularity, compared to the survival based on the original IPSS‐R blast% grouping.ResultsWe analyzed 355 consecutive MDS patients. Cellularity, in and of itself or its interaction with blast%, was not associated with overall survival (OS). In a small subset of patients with a hypercellular marrow (15%; n = 26), dismal prognosis was observed at lower levels of blast%. For these cases OS was similar to higher IPSS‐R blast groups. For example, within the Intermediate group (blast% 5%‐10%), those with a hypercellular marrow and >6% blasts had an OS of 10 m similar to 16 m in the High (blast% 10%‐19%) blast group. These changes did not translate into a significant improvement in overall prognostic power of a cellularity‐adjusted IPSS‐R (C index 0.71 vs. 0.70).ConclusionAdjusting blast% to cellularity did not improve prognostication. However, within IPSS‐R‐defined blast groups, a small subset of patients with relatively higher blast% and hypercellularity may have a worse prognosis than expected.
Construction of low contracted 3D skin equivalents by genipin cross‐linking
Authors: Meng Qin , Shen Chong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractContinuous contraction of 3D skin equivalents in construction and use restricts their applications in clinical and pharmaceutical practices. So far, no effective method has been developed to inhibit such contraction. Hence, low cytotoxic cross‐linkers, 1‐ethyl‐3‐3‐dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and genipin, are investigated to reduce the contraction in this study. As found, both genipin and EDC at 0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L are nontoxic to collagen‐entrapped fibroblasts and upregulate the extracellular matrix expression of fibroblasts in cross‐linked collagen. Particularly, collagen cross‐linking by intermediate concentrations of genipin, specifically 0.4 mmol/L, greatly reduces the contraction of 3D skin equivalents from 87% to 28% (n = 9, P < 0.05), while the collagen after EDC cross‐linking at 0.4 mmol/L still presented severe contraction of 64% over a 21‐day follow‐up period. The inhibited contraction might relate to the increased gel stiffness and slowed collagen degradation. Moreover, the genipin cross‐linking does not impair the formation of epidermal layers and improves the epidermal‐dermal junction of skin equivalents as well. In this regard, genipin cross‐linking might facilitate the applications of 3D skin equivalents in clinical practices and pharmacology testing.
Evaluating and implementing social–ecological systems: A comprehensive approach to sustainable fisheries
Authors: Stephenson Robert L. , Paul Stacey , Wiber Melanie , Angel Eric , Benson Ashleen J. , Charles Anthony , Chouinard Omer , Clemens Marc , Edwards Dan , Foley Paul , Jennings Lindsay , Jones Owen , Lane Dan , McIsaac Jim , Mussells Claire , Neis Barbara , Nordstrom Bethany , Parlee Courtenay , Pinkerton Evelyn , Saunders Mark , Squires Kevin , Sumaila U. Rashid 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFisheries sustainability is recognized to have four pillars: ecological, economic, social (including cultural) and institutional (or governance). Although international agreements, and legislation in many jurisdictions, call for implementation of all four pillars of sustainability, the social, economic and institutional aspects (i.e., the “human dimensions”) have not been comprehensively and collectively addressed to date. This study describes a framework for comprehensive fisheries evaluation developed by the Canadian Fisheries Research Network (CFRN) that articulates the full spectrum of ecological, economic, social and institutional objectives required under international agreements, together with candidate performance indicators for sustainable fisheries. The CFRN framework is aimed at practical fisheries evaluation and management and has a relatively balanced distribution of elements across the four pillars of sustainability relative to 10 alternative management decision support tools and indicator scorecards, which are heavily focused on ecological and economic aspects. The CFRN framework has five immediate uses: (a) It can serve as a logic frame for defining management objectives; (b) it can be used to define alternate management options to achieve given objectives; (c) it can serve as a tool for comparing management scenarios/options in decision support frameworks; (d) it can be employed to create a report card for comprehensive fisheries management evaluation; and (e) it is a tool for practical implementation of an integrated social–ecological system approach.