bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
2D/3D Echocardiographic features of patients with reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Cimino Sara , Maestrini Viviana , Cantisani Donatella , Petronilli Valentina , Filomena Domenico , Gatto Maria C. , Birtolo Lucia I. , Piro Agostino , Lavalle Carlo , Agati Luciano 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPurposeTo describe clinical and echocardiographic characteristics associated with reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after 6 months of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.MethodsTwenty‐four consecutive patients underwent 2D and 3D echocardiography before and after 6 months of CRT implant. Several echocardiographic parameters including global longitudinal strain (GLS) and 3D mechanical dyssynchrony (MD) index were calculated. CRT response was defined as a decrease in LV end‐systolic volume (LVESV) of at least 10% at follow‐up. Patients were divided in two groups according to CRT response.ResultsCardiac resynchronization therapy responder (CRTR+) rate was 50%. Nonresponder (CRTR−) patients showed a less significant improvement in NYHA class at follow‐up. At baseline, CRTR− presented with higher LV end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV) (P = 0.031), LVESV (P = 0.024), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P = 0.002) and less negative GLS (P = 0.03), and with higher diastolic dysfunction, more impaired right ventricle (RV), and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (P = 0.002). No significant differences in echocardiographic parameters of MD were found. Univariate determinants of CRTR+ were LVEF (OR = 1.59, CI 95% = 1.13–2.22, P = 0.007) and TAPSE (OR 1.21, CI 95% = 1.024–1.429, P = 0.025). A ROC curve analysis showed a cutoff value of LVEF of 22.15% significantly related to CRTR+ (SE 80%, SP 50%).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that end‐stage HF patients, presenting before CRT with LVEF <22.15%, may not benefit from the procedure after 6 months. Mechanical dyssyncronicity did not provide additional information to improve candidate selection.
Successful treatment of a splenic abscess secondary to migrant metallic wires in a horse
Authors: Thomson C. , Archer D. , Ahern B. , Medina‐Torres C. E. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThis case report discusses a successful partial splenectomy for treatment of a splenic abscess in a horse. A 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred colt was hospitalised 5 weeks after an episode of severe colic that was followed by gradual weight loss and anorexia, pyrexia for 5 days and dehydration on the day of referral. A large splenic abscess was identified ultrasonographically. Following initial medical treatment, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Multiple adhesions were released and a partial splenectomy conducted to remove the abscess. Migrant metallic wires penetrating from the small intestine into the splenic parenchyma were found to be the cause for the adhesions and the abscess. This paper summarises the potential advantages of utilising a partial vs. a total splenectomy and highlights the potential complications of these surgical procedure in equines.
Spatio‐temporal trends of the Krill fisheries in the Western Antarctic Peninsula and Southern Scotia Arc
Authors: Krüger Lucas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractKrill fisheries in Antarctica have concentrated their effort on the Western Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Arc (WAP) in the last decades, following a steady increase in annual catch. Short‐term shifts in habitat exploration may have occurred and may be the cause for the increasing catch. Habitat use and effort in krill fisheries in the WAP during summer between 2012/2013 and 2016/2017, inclusive, were tested to determine how habitat use and effort reflected in the catch. Increasing trends in fishing tow duration and depth of fishing in deeper and colder waters were found. No association of the catch with the habitat explored was found, but catch was higher in years when the variability of explored habitat was lower. The relevance of these findings for fisheries management and conservation of Antarctic marine ecosystems is discussed.
Movement dynamics of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in a large river‐tributary system
Authors: Schall Megan K. , Wertz Timothy , Smith Geoffrey D. , Blazer Vicki S. , Wagner Tyler 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSmallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, movement dynamics were investigated in a connected mainstem river‐tributary system. Smallmouth bass moved large distances annually (n = 84 fish, average = 24.6 ± 25.9 km, range = 0.03 to 118 km) and had three peak movement periods (pre‐spawn, post‐spawn and overwintering). Movement into and out of tributaries was common, but the movement between mainstem river and tributary habitats varied among tagging locations and season. In general, a large proportion of fish that were tagged in tributaries moved out of the tributaries after spawning (22/30 fish). Because of the importance of fish movement patterns on population dynamics, the observed individual variability in movement, quantified using a hierarchical model, and the potential for long‐distance movements are important considerations for smallmouth bass conservation and management. In addition, mainstem river‐tributary connectivity appears to play an important role for smallmouth bass during key life history events.
Species and phylogenetic endemism in angiosperm trees across the Northern Hemisphere are jointly shaped by modern climate and glacial–interglacial climate change
Authors: Feng Gang , Ma Ziyu , Sandel Brody , Mao Lingfeng , Normand Signe , Ordonez Alejandro , Svenning Jens‐Christian 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimsPhylogenetic endemism describes the extent to which unique phylogenetic lineages are constrained to restricted geographic areas. Previous studies indicate that species endemism is related to both past and modern climate, but studies of phylogenetic endemism are relatively rare and mainly focused on smaller regions. Here, we provide the first assessment of the patterns of species and phylogenetic endemism in angiosperm trees across the Northern Hemisphere as well as the relative importance of modern climate and glacial–interglacial climate change as drivers of these patterns.LocationNorthern Hemisphere.Major taxaAngiosperm trees.MethodsUsing tree assemblages at the scale of 100 km × 100 km grid cells and simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models, we assessed the relationships between species endemism, phylogenetic endemism and modern climate variables, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to present temperature velocity.ResultsSpecies and phylogenetic endemism were associated with both modern climate and glacial–interglacial climate change, with higher values in areas with stable historical climate and warmer and wetter modern conditions. Notably, the multivariate SAR analyses showed that the combinations of variables with highest Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) weight always included both LGM–present climate instability and modern climate, that is, modern precipitation and temperature.Main conclusionsOur results show that high phylogenetic endemism is partially dependent on long‐term climate stability, highlighting the threat posed by future climate changes to the preservation of rare, phylogenetically distinct lineages of trees.
State-Dependent Forward Guidance and the Problem of Inconsistent Announcements
Authors: Parra-Polania Julian A. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Forward guidance can be provided as an unconditional promise, i.e. commitment to a specific low policy rate. Alternatively, the promise may include an escape clause, i.e. a condition defining the state of the economy under which the central bank would not keep such a low rate and, instead, it would revert to setting policy under discretion. The escape clause can be expressed as a threshold in terms of a specific variable. The present paper shows that, when such a threshold is expressed in terms of an endogenous variable (e.g. output, inflation), there are cases where it becomes impossible for the central bank to act in a way that is consistent with its promise. Consistency imposes limits on the policy rate that can be set since reverting immediately to the optimal discretionary rate can be incompatible with exceeding the threshold.
Numerical Study of Tide‐Induced Airflow and Salt–Fresh Water Dynamics in Unconfined Aquifers
Authors: Zang Yong G. , Sun Dong M. , Feng Ping 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study employed a coupled water‐air two‐phase flow and salt water transport model to analyze the behaviors of generated airflow in unsaturated zones and the fluctuations of salinity at the salt–fresh water interface in a two‐layered unconfined aquifer with a sloping beach surface subjected to tidal oscillations. The simulation results show that as the new dynamic steady state including effects of tidal fluctuations is reached through multiple tidal cycles, the dispersion zone in the lower salt water wedge is broadened because fresh water/salt water therein flows continuously landward or seaward during tidal cycles. The upper salt–fresh water interface exhibits more vulnerable to the tidal fluctuations, and the variation of salinity therein is periodic, which is irrelevant to the hydraulic head but is influenced by the direction and velocity of surrounding water‐flow. With the tidal level fluctuating, airflow is mainly concentrated in the lower permeable layer due to the restraint of the upper semi‐permeable layer, and the time‐lag between the pore‐air pressure and the tidal level increases with distance from the coastline. The effect of airflow in unsaturated zones can be transmitted downward, causing both the magnitude of salinity and its amplitude in the upper salt–fresh water interface to be smaller for the case with airflow than without airflow due to the resistance of airflow to water‐flow. Sensitivity analysis reveal that distributions of airflow in unsaturated zones are affected by the permeability of the upper/lower layer and the van Genuchten parameter of the lower layer, not by the van Genuchten parameter of the upper layer, whereas the salinity fluctuations in the salt–fresh water interface are affected only by soil parameters of the lower layer.
Effects of resistance‐associated variants in genotype 2 hepatitis C virus on viral replication and susceptibility to antihepatitis C virus drugs
Authors: Suda Goki , Kimura Megumi , Shigesawa Taku , Suzuki Kazuharu , Nakamura Akihisa , Ohara Masatsugu , Kawagishi Naoki , Nakai Masato , Sho Takuya , Maehara Osamu , Shimazaki Tomoe , Morikawa Kenichi , Natsuizaka Mitsuteru , Ogawa Koji , Sakamoto Naoya 
Published: July 2019

AimsDevelopment of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) has made antihepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment highly safe and effective. However, the emergence of resistant‐associated variants (RAVs) after failure of DAA therapy affects retreatment outcomes. In particular, genotype 1 HCV with P32 deletion has been reported to be highly resistant to all approved non‐structural protein (NS)5A inhibitors. However, analysis of RAVs in genotype 2 HCV has been limited. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the roles of genotype 2 HCV variants in antiviral drug efficacy.MethodsWe utilized HCV‐2b/2a (JFH‐1) chimeric virus (genotype 2a), which replicates more robustly than JFH‐1. We constructed various genotype 2a JFH‐1‐based HCV cell culture systems with NS3 (D168E), NS5A (F28S, F28S/M31I, P32 deletion, and Y93H), and NS5B (S282 T) RAVs and analyzed the replication ability and sensitivity to various anti‐HCV reagents.ResultsGenotype 2a‐based HCV with NS5A–P32 deletion could not replicate even in long‐term cultures. Genotype 2a‐based HCV with NS5A‐F28S/M31I showed significantly higher replication ability than the wild‐type strain, and replication could not be suppressed, even with high concentrations of NS5A inhibitors, including pibrentasvir and velpatasvir (<1000–10 000 fold‐resistance compared with the wild‐type strain). However, genotype 2a‐based HCV with NA5A‐F28S/M31I was sensitive to HCV protease inhibitor, NS5B inhibitor, interferon‐α, and ribavirin. Genotype 2a‐based HCV with NS5B‐S282 T was resistant to sofosbuvir, but was highly sensitive to ribavirin compared with the control.ConclusionsWhen undertaking retreatment for genotype 2a HCV‐infected patients who fail to respond to DAAs, the optimized retreatment should be chosen according to the sensitivity of the emerging RAVs to anti‐HCV drugs.
Effects of message‐framed informational videos on diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy
Authors: Paragas Emmanuel Dayao , Barcelo Teresita I. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimNurses play an essential role in improving health‐related knowledge and self‐efficacy of patients through health education. This study aimed to investigate the effects of message‐framed informational videos on diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsA quasi‐experimental pretest and posttest design with two experimental and one standard care comparison groups was carried out to examine the effects of the message‐framed videos. The two message‐framed informational videos were developed to provide health teachings about diabetes self‐care. The knowledge and self‐efficacy of the two video groups and lecture comparison group were measured before and after the intervention using valid and reliable instruments established by the authors.ResultsAfter the intervention, the knowledge and self‐efficacy of the two experimental groups were significantly higher than the comparison group. No significant difference was found in the knowledge scores between the two experimental groups, but a significant difference was noted in the average increase in their self‐efficacy.ConclusionMessage‐framed informational videos can be effective in increasing the diabetes management knowledge and self‐efficacy, and a gain‐framed rather than loss‐framed approach can be superior in increasing self‐efficacy.
miR‐2703 regulates the chitin biosynthesis pathway by targeting chitin synthase 1a in Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Chen J. , Li T. , Pang R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe chitin biosynthesis pathway is an important physiology process in arthropods. However, few microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the regulation of the chitin biosynthesis pathway in insects have been reported until now. In this study, four groups of samples that either upregulated or downregulated the chitin biosynthesis pathway were collected for deep sequencing, and a total of 15 unique mature miRNAs with significantly different expression levels were found, including 11 known miRNAs and four novel miRNAs. Subsequently, we showed that miR‐2703 and its new target gene chitin synthase 1a are important for ecdysone‐induced chitin biosynthesis in Nilaparvata lugens, a serious insect pest of rice. The nymphs showed an obvious moulting defect phenotype, lower survival rate and significantly reduced chitin content after miR‐2703 feeding or injection. Furthermore, we found that the transcription level of miR‐2703 was not repressed by 20‐hydroxyecdysone signalling after Broad‐Complex (BR‐C) double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection compared with the repressed levels after green fluorescent protein dsRNA injection, suggesting that the involvement of miR‐2703 in the 20‐hydroxyecdysone pathway contributes to BR‐C activity. miR‐2703 regulates the chitin biosynthesis pathway by targeting chitin synthase 1a in response to 20‐hydroxyecdysone signalling.
Hospital psychosocial interventions for patients with brain functional impairment: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Qin Danling , Du Wei , Sha Sha , Parkinson Anne , Glasgow Nicholas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPsychosocial interventions could improve health and care outcomes, however, little is known about their use for patients with complex needs in the acute hospital care setting. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with psychosocial intervention use when treating patients with brain functional impairment during their hospital care. The all‐inclusive New South Wales (NSW) Admitted Patient Data were employed to identify patients with neurodevelopment disorders, brain degenerative disorders, or traumatic brain injuries admitted to NSW public hospitals for acute care from July 2001 to June 2014. We considered receipt of psychosocial interventions as the primary outcome, and used mixed effect logistic models to quantify factors in relation to outcome. Of important note, psychosocial intervention use was more common in principal hospitals, and amongst those receiving intensive care or having comorbid mental disorders in the study populations. Approximate 70.8% of patients with traumatic brain injuries did not receive psychosocial interventions, despite attempts to target those in need and an overall increasing trend in adoption. Continuing efforts are warranted to improve service delivery and uptake.
Female directors and firm performance: Evidence from the Great Recession
Authors: Papangkorn Suwongrat , Chatjuthamard Pattanaporn , Jiraporn Pornsit , Chueykamhang Sirisak 
Published: July 2019

AbstractEmpirical evidence suggests that the effect of board gender diversity on firm performance remains inconclusive. We argue that, during the times of crisis, firms likely need more monitoring and different advice than they normally do, thereby highlighting the role of female directors, who bring new ideas and different perspectives to the table. Consistent with this argument, the results show that the presence of female directors on the board significantly improved firm performance during the Great Recession of 2008, but such benefits from board gender diversity are not found outside the crisis period. In particular, during the Great Recession, an increase in the percentage of female directors by one standard deviation is associated with a rise in the return on assets of 8.41%. Several robustness checks confirm the results, including an instrumental‐variable analysis and a dynamic panel generalized method of moments. There is also evidence that the beneficial role of female directors during the crisis is not sufficiently reflected in the stock markets.
What is and isn’t working: Factors involved in sustaining community‐based health and participation initiatives for people ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Spassiani Natasha A. , Meisner Brad A. , Abou Chacra Megan S. , Heller Tamar , Hammel Joy 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) age, it is important that I/DD agencies are prepared to support healthy ageing in homes and in communities. This study explored supports and barriers to sustaining community‐based health and participation initiatives (CBHPI) for people ageing with I/DD living in group homes managed by agencies. The study utilized interviews and photovoice with 70 participants—35 individuals with I/DD and 35 management/direct support agency staff. Data were analysed through content analysis and triangulation of data where five themes emerged: Agency values and policies related to healthy ageing; resources and staff competencies; communication between management and staff; community/university partnerships; and peer relations. Findings show that I/DD agencies and people with I/DD value CBHPI, but they find them difficult to sustain due to limited resources and lack of training specific to ageing with I/DD. Conducting system‐level research within I/DD agencies to include first‐person accounts of people with I/DD, staff and management provides insight on how to effectively support the needs of people with I/DD to improve their health and community participation as they age.
Skin cancer in outdoor workers exposed to solar radiation: a largely underreported occupational disease in Italy
Authors: Gobba F. , Modenese A. , John S.M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundSolar UV radiation (sUVR) is one of the main carcinogen exposures in occupational settings, and UV‐induced skin cancers are the most frequent tumours in fair‐skinned individuals worldwide.ObjectivesAccording to this premise, we should expect a high number of occupational skin cancers reported to the national workers’ compensation authorities each year, also considering that the incidence of skin cancers has been constantly increased in recent yearsMethodsWe examined the data on reported non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and actinic keratoses (AK) to the Italian National Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) from 2012 to 2017, and we compared the number of reported skin cancers for outdoor workers with the expected numbers, obtained from currently available NMSC incidence rates for the Italian population applied to the occupational sUVR‐exposed workers estimated with the CAREX methodology in Italy in 2005.ResultsThe cases of NMSC reported each year to INAIL in Italy are 34 per year on average, while for AK the mean number of reported cases is of only 15/year. We estimated a number of expected NMSC cases in Italy for solar UV‐exposed workers ranging between 432 and 983, representing a proportion between reported vs. expected skin cancers of only 3.5–6.2%.ConclusionsOur study clearly shows that occupational skin cancers in Italy are largely underreported, and, accordingly, urgent initiatives should be taken to raise appropriate awareness to the problem of occupational sUVR‐induced skin cancers, so that adequate preventive measures can be implemented rapidly.
Genetic and lifestyle risk factors for advanced liver disease among men and women
Authors: Sahlman Perttu , Nissinen Markku , Puukka Pauli , Jula Antti , Salomaa Veikko , Männistö Satu , Lundqvist Annamari , Valsta Liisa , Perola Markus , Färkkilä Martti , Åberg Fredrik 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground and AimLiver disease is traditionally categorized as alcoholic and non‐alcoholic. We studied various risk factors predictive of advanced non‐viral liver disease in general population and analyzed the interaction between these factors and alcohol consumption.MethodsPersons without underlying liver disease who participated in the Health2000 or FINRISK studies 1992–2012 comprised a cohort of 41 260 individuals. Pattern of alcohol consumption and metabolic, lifestyle‐related, and anthropometric parameters were analyzed with Cox regression analysis using severe liver disease hospitalization, cancer, or death as end‐point. Viral liver diseases were excluded.ResultsA total of 355 liver events occurred during the mean 12.4‐year follow‐up (511 789 person‐years). In the multivariate model, age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03, P = 0.0083 for men; HR 1.04, P = 0.0198 for women), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) (HR 1.52, P = 0.0006 for men; HR 1.58, P = 0.0167 for women), patatin‐like phospholipase‐containing domain 3 mutations (HR 1.9, P = 0.024 for men; HR 2.7, P = 0.0109 for women), and weekly binge drinking (HR 2.4, P = 0.0024 for men; HR 7.4, P < 0.0001 for women) predicted development of severe liver disease. Among men, diabetes (HR 2.7, P = 0.0002), average alcohol consumption (HR for 10 g/day 1.1, P = 0.0022), non‐married status (HR 1.9, P = 0.0397 for single; HR 2.4, P = 0.0002 for widowed/separated), and serum high‐density lipoprotein (HR 2.2, P = 0.0022) and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HR 1.2, P = 0.0237) were additional risk factors. Alcohol intake increased the risk especially among persons with high WHR (P for interaction 0.009).ConclusionsAge, patatin‐like phospholipase‐containing domain 3 haplotype, and WHR increase the risk for development of severe liver disease. We found strong synergism between alcohol and central obesity. Binge drinking is an additional risk factor.