bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic kidney disease in cats attending primary care practice in the UK: a VetCompassTM study
Authors: Conroy Megan , Brodbelt David C , O'Neill Dan , Chang Yu‐Mei , Elliott Jonathan 
Published: April 2019

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a frequent diagnosis in cats attending primary care practice and the most frequent cause of death in cats aged over five years, yet there is limited published research for CKD in cats attending primary care practice. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CKD and investigate risk factors for diagnosis and survival of cats diagnosed with CKD in UK primary care practices. The study included cats attending VetCompassTM practices from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. A nested case‐control and cohort study were undertaken. From 353,448 cats attending 244 clinics, the prevalence of CKD was estimated as 1.2 per cent (95 per cent CI 1.1 per cent to 1.3 per cent). Most cats with CKD had clinical signs at diagnosis (66.6 per cent). Few cats underwent investigations or monitoring of serum creatinine (32.6 per cent), urine protein:creatinine ratio (14.9 per cent) or blood pressure measurement (25.6 per cent). A proprietary renal diet was the most frequently prescribed management (63.8 per cent). Median survival time following diagnosis was 388 days (IQR 88–1042 days). This study provides generalisable evidence from the wider cat population to aid veterinarians in improved diagnosis and management of CKD that can benefit the health and welfare of cats with CKD in the UK.
Bimodal Approach of a Frequency-Up-Conversion Piezoelectric Energy Harvester
Authors: Wang Fengxia , Abedini Amin , Alghamdi Turki , Onsorynezhad Saeed 
Published: April 2019

This paper developed an analytical model for a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) composed of a piezoelectric bimorph and a stopper as shown in Fig. 1, which was subjected to a harmonic excitation. Frequency-up-conversion, which has proved to improve the energy harvesting efficiency, was achieved due to the mechanical impact between the piezoelectric bimorph and the stopper. The piezoelectric bimorph was modeled as Euler–Bernoulli beam. A bi-modal approach was adopted to animate the beam stopper reaction. When the tip of the bimorph is free for motion, a cantilever beam function is adopted, while the tip encounters a stop, a clamped-pinned beam function is used to model the bimorph. The periodic solutions and their corresponding output voltage and power were obtained. With the same initial conditions and base excitations, the output energies of transient vibrations are compared for two cases: (1) without impact between the piezoelectric beam and the stopper; (2) with impact by reducing the gap distance between the piezoelectric beam and the stopper. With the purpose of maximizing the output power, from the steady-state analytical solutions, we studied the optimum gap between the piezoelectric beam and the stopper when the base excitations are fixed and initial conditions are set to zero.
Targeted metabolomics analysis of maternal-placental-fetal metabolism in pregnant swine reveals links in fetal bile acid homeostasis and sulfation capacity
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhong Heju , Song Yumo , Yuan Peiqiang , Li Yunxia , Lin Sen , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Jian , Che Lianqiang , Feng Bin , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Zhuo Yong , Tian Gang , Chen Daiwen , Wu De , Burrin Douglas G. , Fang Zhengfeng 
Published: April 2019

Cholestasis of pregnancy endangers fetal and neonatal survival, yet systematic knowledge of the cause and effect of disrupted bile acid (BA) homeostasis in pregnancy is limited. Here we show that gestation stage-associated BA dysregulation in swine correlated with fetal death resulting from compromised capacity for BA secretion and increased alternative systemic efflux. The balance of BA input and output in the developing uterus suggested little uptake and metabolism of maternal BA by the placenta-fetus unit, implying a protection role of placenta in preventing maternal BA transported into the fetus. We showed that the maternal origin of BA accounted for the increase in placental total BA, leading to dysregulated expression of genes involved in BA transport and potentially impaired transplacental export of fetus-derived BA. Correspondingly, the secondary BA, mainly derived from the mother, gradually decreased in the fetus. Finally, we identified that sulfation rather than glucuronidation played pivotal roles in maintaining BA homeostasis of the developing fetus. These novel and systemic findings contribute to a whole picture of BA metabolism in pregnancy and provide new insights into mechanisms responsible for maternal and fetal BA homeostasis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used a swine model to demonstrate the potentially impaired transplacental bile acid (BA) export, immaturity of fetal hepatic excretory function, and elevated BA synthesis in the developing fetus. Under these conditions, we have further identified that BA sulfation plays a pivotal role in regulation of fetal BA homeostasis, which appears to depend on the balance of BA synthesis and sulfation capacity. These novel findings have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism of BA homeostasis regulation in the developing fetus.
Preterm birth disrupts the development of feeding and breathing coordination
Authors: Mayerl Christopher J. , Gould Francois D. H. , Bond Laura E. , Stricklen Bethany M. , Buddington Randal K. , German Rebecca Z. 
Published: April 2019

All mammals must breathe and breathe continuously from birth. Similarly, all mammals, including infants, have high functional demands for feeding. However, the pathway that food takes through the pharynx interrupts respiration. The coordination between swallowing and breathing is therefore critical for all infant mammals. Clinically, this coordination differs between term and preterm infants. However, the neurological mechanisms underlying this coordination and how it matures as infants grow are poorly understood. Here, we integrate high-resolution data from multiple physiologic processes across a longitudinal time frame to study suck-swallow-breathe dynamics in a preterm animal model, the infant pig. In doing so, we test the hypothesis that preterm birth will have an impact on some, but not all, behaviors associated with suck-swallow-breath performance. We hypothesize that coordination will be disrupted, reflecting incomplete connections in the brainstem. We found that preterm pigs became rhythmic and mature in sucking and swallowing behaviors, suggesting substantial postnatal maturation in the coordination of these behaviors. However, their ability to coordinate swallowing and breathing never developed. These results have implications for the nature of clinical care of human infants, as well as for how feeding processes develop in mammals. Clinically, they provide a foundation for developing interventions for preterm infants. Additionally, these results suggest that the lack of coordination between swallowing and breathing may be a significant factor in determining the minimum gestation time across mammals. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Preterm infants face a variety of challenges associated with safe feeding, but obtaining high-resolution longitudinal data to understand these challenges in humans is challenging. We used a pig model to acquire high-speed videofluoroscopic and respiratory inductance plethysmograph data throughout the nursing period to show that preterm birth does not have substantial impacts on the ability of infants to perform isolated behaviors. However, it does decrease the ability of preterm infants to coordinate among behaviors during feeding.
Apolipoprotein A-I Protects Against Pregnancy-Induced Insulin Resistance in Rats
Authors: Wu Ben J. , Sun Yidan , Ong Kwok-Leung , Li Yue , Tang Shudi , Barter Philip J. , Rye Kerry-Anne 
Published: April 2019

Objective—
Insulin resistance and inflammation in pregnancy are risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. Increased plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and apo (apolipoprotein) A-I levels have been reported to improve glucose metabolism and inhibit inflammation in animals and humans. This study asks whether increasing plasma apoA-I levels improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation in insulin-resistant pregnant rats.

Approach and Results—

Insulin-resistant pregnant rats received intravenous infusions of lipid-free apoA-I (8 mg/kg) or saline on days 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 of pregnancy. The rats were then subjected to a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Glucose uptake was increased in white and brown adipose tissue by 57±13% and 32±10%, respectively (
P
<0.05 for both), and in quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle by 35±9.7% and 47±14%, respectively (
P
<0.05 for both), in the apoA-I–treated pregnant rats relative to saline-infused pregnant rats. The pregnant rats that were treated with apoA-I also had reduced plasma TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) levels by 57±8.4%, plasma IL (interleukin)-6 levels by 67±9.5%, and adipose tissue macrophage content by 54±8.2% (
P
<0.05 for all) relative to the saline-treated pregnant rats.

Conclusions—
These studies establish that apoA-I protects against pregnancy-induced insulin resistance in rats by increasing insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and inhibiting inflammation. This identifies apoA-I as a potential target for preventing pregnancy-induced insulin resistance and reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Screening and Treatment for Osteoporosis After Stroke
Authors: Kapoor Eshita , Austin Peter C. , Alibhai Shabbir M.H. , Cheung Angela M. , Cram Peter , Casaubon Leanne K. , Fang Jiming , Porter Joan , Smith Eric E. , Prager Marla , Kapral Moira K. 
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose—
Stroke is a risk factor for subsequent osteoporosis and fractures. We sought to understand current rates and predictors of screening and treatment for bone loss after stroke.

Methods—
Using the Ontario Stroke Registry from July 1, 2003 to March 31, 2013, we identified patients ≥65 years who were seen in the emergency department or hospitalized with stroke at 11 regional stroke centers in Ontario, Canada and discharged alive. We calculated the cumulative incidence of (1) screening with bone mineral density testing and (2) treatment with medications for fracture prevention, within 1 year after the index stroke, accounting for the competing risk of death. We then used cause-specific hazard models to estimate the effect of various covariates on the cause-specific hazard of bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.

Results—
In the sample of 16 581 patients, 5.1% overall and 2.9% of those without prior testing underwent screening bone mineral density testing, and 15.5% overall and 3.2% of those not previously on treatment were prescribed medications for fracture prevention within 1 year after stroke. Results were similar in all subgroups of patients. Female sex, prestroke osteoporosis, and poststroke falls and fractures were associated with increased rates of osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions—
Patients with recent stroke are infrequently screened and treated for osteoporosis, which may increase the risk of fractures. Future work should focus on identifying and treating patients who are at increased risk of fractures after stroke.
The Protective Buddha: On the Cosmological Logic of Paritta
Authors: Shulman Eviatar 
Published: April 2019

AbstractParitta — ritual chanting — is a central institution in Theravāda Buddhism, with deep roots in all historical forms of Buddhism in Asia. Nevertheless, no study provides a convincing framework for how the protective potency of the Buddha and his words is understood. Earlier strands of scholarship highlighted the psychological aspects of ritual chanting that were thought to have a positive effect on participants. Later scholars emphasized the role of paritta in the training of monks. These studies do not explain “how paritta works,” that is, for example, why, according to the views encapsulated in the texts themselves, bringing the Buddha to mind can act against demons or change reality. This article offers a close reading of the central texts of the genre in order to conceptualize the metaphysical understanding they employ. It thus provides insights regarding the unique ontological position and cosmological function of the Buddha according to the texts.
Public Diplomacy and Hostile Nations
Authors: Wiseman Geoffrey 
Published: April 2019

Summary
This article considers public diplomacy’s future through the prism of public diplomacy between hostile nations. It first sketches democracies’ past and present use of public diplomacy in hostile relations with non-democracies. It then discusses five particular challenges for democracies in their future thinking about the public diplomacy–hostile nations’ nexus. These challenges are: accounting for public diplomacy’s theoretical significance in hostile relations; deciding between isolating or engaging adversaries; avoiding the stigma of propaganda; managing democratic expectations; and settling on an appropriate role for governments. Democratic countries’ responses to these challenges will impact public diplomacy’s future, notably regarding its effectiveness in relation to hostile nations. The article concludes that public diplomacy is not a panacea for easing hostile bilateral relations. However, it is one of many elements that a judicious government can use — drawing on four ideal-type variants of public diplomacy — in order to improve relations with an adversarial state.
Adapting Public Diplomacy to the Populist Challenge
Authors: Cooper Andrew F. 
Published: April 2019

Summary
Public diplomacy has been externally directed via a strategy of assertive reputation-building. In an era of insurgent populism, this model faces strong backlash, driven by the image of public diplomacy being disconnected from domestic publics. Under these conditions, an opportunistic set of ascendant political leaders — even those located at the international system’s core — have considerable incentive to diminish ‘their’ own diplomats as part of a wider campaign to stigmatize the traditional establishment. While more attention needs to be directed to the causes of this disconnection between diplomats and public, this article highlights a number of key ingredients in a menu of adaptation to the populist challenge. Above all, the focus of engagement in public diplomacy should be broadened to include domestic as well as foreign audiences. Disruption, it must be emphasized, does not mean the end of public diplomacy. Rather, public diplomacy must take a domestic turn.
Dommel
Authors: Pijnenburg W. J. J. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The etymology of the name of the river Dommel in the Netherlands causes some serious difficulties. In fact it has up to now been seen as an unsolved problem. A new close examination of the oldest attestations, like Dudmala (AD 704), has resulted in a new analysis, viz. *dūd-mal-a in which dūd- means ‘folk’, mal- means ‘dingplaats’ and -a is the appellative for ‘water’ < *aχwa-: ‘running water near to a dingplaats’. The two first elements find their parallel in the German place name Detmold, traditionally considered as going back to Germanic *Þeud-maχla – 1263 detmalle, 783 theodmalli.
Contralateral Precaruncular Approach to the Lateral Sphenoid Sinus—A Case Report Detailing a New, Multiportal Approach to Lesions, and Defects in the Lateral Aspect of Well-Pneumatized Sphenoid Sinuses
Authors: Lubbe Darlene E. , Douglas-Jones Paul , Wasl Hisham , Mustak Hamzah , Semple Patrick L. 
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Conventional surgical approaches to the lateral aspect of a well-pneumatized sphenoid sinus are associated with significant surgical morbidity. Transorbital endoscopic approaches have recently gained favor as an alternative approach to the skull base. We describe the use of a contralateral precaruncular endoscopic approach to provide a surgical pathway to the lateral aspect of the sphenoid sinus, allowing for improved and direct visualization of the surgical field, with limited morbidity. Case Report: A 60-year-old female patient, with a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak from a Sternberg canal defect in the sphenoid sinus, underwent repair of the defect at Groote Schuur Hospital (Cape Town, South Africa). A contralateral precaruncular approach, using the left medial orbital portal, was utilized to access the defect in the lateral aspect of a well-pneumatized right sphenoid sinus. Computer modeling software was used to predetermine the surgical pathway, and the case was performed under navigation guidance. Adequate surgical access was obtained to the lateral sphenoid sinus and sinus defect, with superior visualization compared to a pure transnasal or transpterygoid approach to the lateral sphenoid sinus. Conclusions: This case validates the use of computer simulation to plan and decide on the best operative approaches in skull base surgery and describes the contralateral precaruncular approach as a surgical pathway to the lateral sphenoid sinus. Advantages of the contralateral precaruncular approach include a direct trajectory toward the sinus defect, easy access with a standard 18-cm, 4-mm, 0-degree rigid endoscope, and straight instruments, with sparing of the pterygoid base and contents of the pterygopalatine fossa.
Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points to Consider*: Review of Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points to Consider: Review of Current Practices for Ultrastructural Pathology Evaluations in Support of Nonclinical Toxicology Studies
Authors: Keirstead Natalie D. , Janovitz Evan B. , Meehan James T. , LeRoy Bruce E. , Megill John R. , Peterson Richard A. , Masson Regis G. , Marxfeld Heike A. 
Published: April 2019

Anatomic pathology and clinical pathology end points are standard components of almost every nonclinical general toxicity study conducted during the risk assessment of novel pharmaceuticals and chemicals. On occasion, an ultrastructural pathology evaluation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) may be included in nonclinical toxicity studies. Transmission electron microscopy is most commonly used when a light microscopic finding may require further characterization that could inform on the pathogenesis and/or mechanism of action. Regulatory guidance do not address the use of TEM in general study designs nor whether these assessments should be performed in laboratories conducted in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices. The Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) formed a Working Group to assess the current practices on the use of TEM in nonclinical toxicity studies. The Working Group constructed a survey sent to members of societies of toxicologic pathology in the United States, Europe, Britain, and Japan, and responses were collected through the STP for evaluation by the Working Group. The survey results and regulatory context are discussed, as are “points to consider” from the collective experience of the Working Group. This survey indicates that TEM remains an essential diagnostic option for complementing toxicologic pathology evaluations. [Box: see text]
Imbalance in matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases from splenic veins and great saphenous veins under high hemodynamics
Authors: Yan Li , Tang Jinyuan , Hu Xiaoxuan , Xu Yongbo , Li Kun , Liu Hongyan , Nie Zhengui , Chu Haibo , Zhong Yuxu 
Published: April 2019

Objectives Varicose vein is a common disorder involving extensive venous dilation and remodeling, yet the underlying mechanism is unclear. Studies have shown increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases in human varicose veins and animal models of venous hypertension. We investigated the differences in matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases from human splenic veins and great saphenous veins under high hemodynamics. Methods Seventy-two human diseased splenic vein, splenic vein, varicose great saphenous vein, and great saphenous vein specimens were collected. The mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 were determined. Results The mRNA expression and protein positive expression ratio of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 as well as the content of relative-protein expression were significantly increased in the diseased splenic veins and varicose great saphenous veins compared with the splenic veins and great saphenous veins ( P < 0.05). The varicose great saphenous vein-to-great saphenous vein ratio in the protein positive expression ratio and mRNA expression were significantly increased compared with the diseased splenic vein-to-saphenous vein ratio ( P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the content of relative-protein expression of the varicose great saphenous vein-to-great saphenous vein and diseased splenic vein-to-splenic vein ratios analyzed by Western blot ( P>0.05). Conclusion Under high hemodynamics, dysequilibrium of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases from human splenic veins and great saphenous veins may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular remodeling.
Feasibility and effects of an exercise-based intervention in prison inmates with psychiatric disorders: the PsychiActive project randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bueno-Antequera Javier , Oviedo-Caro Miguel Ángel , Munguía-Izquierdo Diego 
Published: April 2019

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effects of a 12-week intervention combining aerobic and strength exercises in prison inmates with psychiatric disorders. Design: Two parallel-group, randomized controlled trials. Setting: A psychiatric prison hospital. Subjects: Forty-one men prison inmates (mean age ± SD = 38.2 ± 9.2 years, mean prison duration ± SD = 2.6 ± 2.5 years) with psychiatric disorders (primarily personality disorder, n = 27; mean illness duration ± SD = 12.0 ± 10.5 years). Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to intervention group consisted of exercise plus usual care ( n = 21) or control group which received usual care ( n = 20) for 12 weeks. The exercise programme included three weekly sessions of group-based moderate-to-high intensity combined exercises designed and supervised by exercise professionals. Main measures: Fitness and anthropometric measures were assessed using field-based tests (6-minute walk, Incremental Shuttle Walk, Arm-Curl, and Chair-Stand), handgrip dynamometry, bioelectrical impedance, and waist and hip circumferences. Results: There were no adverse events, and 10 intervention participants withdrew. The remaining 11 participants attended a mean of 28 sessions, of which nine met the compliance criteria. Between-group change differences substantially favoured the compliance intervention group for the 6-minute walk (+21.2%), Incremental Shuttle Walk (+33.9%), Arm-Curl (+13.8%), waist (−3.5%), waist/height0.5 (−1.7%) (−2.7%), waist/hip (−3.4%), and Body Shape Index (−3.3%) (−3.5%). Additional analysis showed beneficial effects of exercise participation on handgrip strength. Conclusion: The intervention was safe, had a high dropout rate, and seemed to be effective for improving fitness and anthropometric measures in men prison inmates with psychiatric disorders who attended and participated in the exercise sessions.