bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Mexican dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium vaginatumsubsp.vaginatum) on the growth ofPinus cooperiin Durango, Mexico—A case study
Authors: González‐Elizondo Martha , Flores‐Villegas Mónica Yazmín , Álvarez‐Zagoya Rebeca , González‐Elizondo M. Socorro , Márquez‐Linares Marco A. , Quiñonez‐Barraza Sergio , Howell Brian E. , Mathiasen Robert L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMexican dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium vaginatumsubsp.vaginatum, Viscaceae) is the most widespread and damaging parasitic plant in Mexico. It parasitizes 10 species of pines (Pinusspp., Pinaceae) as principal hosts, includingPinus cooperi, one of the economically most important pines in the state of Durango. As a case study, we used stem analysis to estimate the effects of Mexican dwarf mistletoe on volume and height growth of dwarf mistletoe‐infectedP. cooperiin western Durango (Ejido El Brillante, Municipality Pueblo Nuevo). This case study sampled a total of 48 trees, 12 in each of four infection classes estimated using the 6‐class dwarf mistletoe rating system (DMR): uninfected (DMR0), lightly infected (DMR1–2), moderately infected (DMR3–4) and severely infected (DMR5–6). Significant reductions in both volume and height growth were found for moderately and severely infected trees when compared to uninfected trees. On average, reductions in volume growth and height growth were as high as 50% and 17%, respectively. The largest growth reductions were for moderately infected trees, but large growth reductions also occurred for severely infected trees. Because of the reduced growth associated with moderate to severe infection, Mexican dwarf mistletoe‐infested pine forests in Durango, where timber production is a high priority, should be managed using harvesting practices that reduce dwarf mistletoe infection, and thereby, increase forest productivity.
Global ammonia emissions from synthetic nitrogen fertilizer applications in agricultural systems: Empirical and process‐based estimates and uncertainty
Authors: Xu Rongting , Tian Hanqin , Pan Shufen , Prior Stephen A. , Feng Yucheng , Batchelor William D. , Chen Jian , Yang Jia 
Published: October 2018

AbstractExcessive ammonia (NH3) emitted from nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications in global croplands plays an important role in atmospheric aerosol production, resulting in visibility reduction and regional haze. However, large uncertainty exists in the estimates of NH3 emissions from global and regional croplands, which utilize different data and methods. In this study, we have coupled a process‐based Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM) with the bidirectional NH3 exchange module in the Community Multiscale Air‐Quality (CMAQ) model (DLEM‐Bi‐NH3) to quantify NH3 emissions at the global and regional scale, and crop‐specific NH3 emissions globally at a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° during 1961–2010. Results indicate that global NH3 emissions from N fertilizer use have increased from 1.9 ± 0.03 to 16.7 ± 0.5 Tg N/year between 1961 and 2010. The annual increase of NH3 emissions shows large spatial variations across the global land surface. Southern Asia, including China and India, has accounted for more than 50% of total global NH3 emissions since the 1980s, followed by North America and Europe. Rice cultivation has been the largest contributor to total global NH3 emissions since the 1990s, followed by corn and wheat. In addition, results show that empirical methods without considering environmental factors (constant emission factor in the IPCC Tier 1 guideline) could underestimate NH3 emissions in context of climate change, with the highest difference (i.e., 6.9 Tg N/year) occurring in 2010. This study provides a robust estimate on global and regional NH3 emissions over the past 50 years, which offers a reference for assessing air quality consequences of future nitrogen enrichment as well as nitrogen use efficiency improvement.
Determination of Abundances of Fifty‐Two Elements in Natural Waters by ICP‐MS with Freeze‐Drying Pre‐concentration
Authors: Hoang Que D. , Kunihiro Tak , Sakaguchi Chie , Yamanaka Masahiro , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Nakamura Eizo 
Published: October 2018

To precisely determine the abundances of fifty‐two elements found within natural water samples, with mass fractions down to fg g−1 level, we have developed a method which combines freeze‐drying pre‐concentration (FDC) and isotope dilution internal standardisation (ID‐IS). By sublimation of H2O, the sample solution was reduced to < 1/50 of the original volume. To determine element abundance with accuracy better than 10%, we found that for solutions being analysed by mass spectrometry the HNO3 concentration should be > 0.3 mol l−1 to avoid hydrolysis. Matrix‐affected signal suppression was not significant for the solutions with NaCl concentrations lower than 0.2 and 0.1 cg g−1 for quadrupole ICP‐MS and sector field ICP‐MS, respectively. The recovery yields of elements after FDC were 97–105%. The detection limits for the sample solutions prepared by FDC were ≤ 10 pg g−1, except for Na, K and Ca. Blanks prepared using FDC were at pg‐levels, except for eleven elements (Na, Mg, Al, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn). The abundances of fifty‐two elements in bottled drinking water were determined from five different geological sources with mass fractions ranging from the fg g−1 to μg g−1 level with high accuracy.
Relationship between various hepatic function scores and the formation of esophageal varices in patients with HIV/hepatitis C virus co‐infection due to contaminated blood products for hemophilia
Authors: Yoshimoto Tomoko , Eguchi Susumu , Natsuda Koji , Hidaka Masaaki , Adachi Tomohiko , Ono Shinichiro , Hamada Takashi , Huang Yu , Kanetaka Kengo , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa 
Published: October 2018

AimIt is reportedly difficult to accurately assess the liver reserve capacity of patients with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co‐infection through contaminated blood products by the Child–Pugh (CP) classification. Therefore, we investigated a clinically applicable scoring system in determining the risk of esophageal varices in HIV/HCV co‐infected patients, known as latent portal hypertension leading to esophageal varices.MethodsForty‐three patients with HIV/HCV co‐infection underwent clinical examinations, including endoscopy and assessment of hepatic reserve, in our department between 2009 and 2017. Child–Pugh score, the recently developed albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade, and the albumin–indocyanine green evaluation (ALICE) were compared to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy for the detection of esophageal varices using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).ResultsThe patients were all male hemophiliacs and were positive for both HIV and HCV antibodies, with a median age of 45 years (range, 29–66 years). Thirty‐seven patients (84.1%) were classified as CP A at the examination. The comparison of AUROCs showed a superior diagnostic accuracy for ALICE (AUROC = 0.814) to detect esophageal varices. The positive prediction rate was the highest with ALICE if −2.325 was set, and the negative prediction rate was the highest with ALBI if −2.575 was set. The ALICE showed the highest accuracy compared to other two scores.ConclusionThe ALICE score was found to be the most valuable system for portal hypertension in HIV/HCV co‐infected hemophilia patients. Because of its high specificity, ALICE for secondary surveillance could be used after other markers such as the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index and Fibrosis‐4 index.
Proposed model for the prediction of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA level in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Iwata Yoshinori , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Takata Ryo , Yoh Kazunori , Ishii Noriko , Yuri Yukihisa , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Hatano Etsuro , Fujimoto Jiro , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: October 2018

AimWe sought to create a prediction model for intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (IH‐cccDNA) level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and to validate the model's predictive accuracy.MethodsPatients who did not receive previous nucleoside analogue (NA) therapy were assigned to the training cohort (n = 57), and those who received previous NA therapy were assigned to the validation cohort (n = 69). Factors linked to IH‐cccDNA levels in the training cohort were analyzed and a formula to predict IH‐cccDNA levels was constructed. Next, the reproducibility of that formula was assessed.ResultsIn the multivariate analysis for the prediction of IH‐cccDNA level in the training cohort, fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.0227), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (P = 0.0067) and log10(HB surface antigen [HBsAg]) (P = 0.0497) were significant, whereas HB core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) tended to be significant (P = 0.0562). The formula was constructed and named the FBS‐cres score based on the variables used (FBS, HBcrAg, HBeAg, and HBsAg). The FBS‐cres score was calculated as: 3.1686 − (0.0148 × FBS) + (0.1982 × HBcrAg) + (0.0008168 × HBeAg) + (0.1761 × log10(HBsAg)). In the training cohort, a significant correlation was noted between HBcrAg and IH‐cccDNA levels (P < 0.0001, r = 0.67), whereas the FBS‐cres score was more closely correlated to IH‐cccDNA level (P < 0.0001, r = 0.81). In the validation cohort, significant correlation was found between HBcrAg and IH‐cccDNA levels (P = 0.0012, r = 0.38), whereas the FBS‐cres score was more closely linked to IH‐cccDNA levels (P < 0.0001, r = 0.51). Similar tendencies were observed in all subgroup analyses.ConclusionOur proposed model for the prediction of IH‐cccDNA level could be helpful in CHB patients.
Comparison of light transmission aggregometry and multiple electrode aggregometry for the evaluation of patients with mucocutaneous bleeding
Authors: Sun Ping , McMillan‐Ward Eileen , Mian Rajibul , Israels Sara J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe “gold standard” diagnostic test for assessing in vitro platelet function, light transmission aggregometry (LTA), has limitations to application because of sample requirements. Whole blood or multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) using the Multiplate® analyzer (Roche Diagnostics) requires smaller blood volumes and less sample manipulation than LTA, making it an attractive clinical testing option. Direct comparisons of MEA with LTA for diagnosis of platelet aggregation abnormalities are few.MethodsNinety‐nine patients (66 F/33 M; median age 26 [range 2‐86] years), referred for initial laboratory evaluation of mucocutaneous bleeding, had parallel MEA/LTA testing. Concentrations of ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, and thrombin receptor‐activating peptide (TRAP) that produced threshold responses in normal controls were used for testing patients.ResultsTwenty‐nine of the 99 patients (30%) had at least one abnormal agonist response by LTA; 15 of these patients had >1 abnormal agonist response. Thirty‐six patients (36%) had at least one abnormal agonist response by MEA; 27 had >1 abnormal agonist response. Sensitivity/specificity of MEA relative to LTA: ADP, 0.70/0.72; AA, 0.71/0.85; collagen, 0.85/0.71; TRAP 0.25/0.84. Negative predictive values (NPVs) for MEA relative to LTA: ADP, 0.90; AA, 0.93; collagen, 0.97; TRAP, 0.96.ConclusionsSpecific abnormal results of MEA testing did not adequately predict specific abnormalities in LTA testing using threshold agonist concentrations. However, favorable NPVs suggest that MEA may be useful in screening patients for platelet aggregation abnormalities; those with normal MEA results not requiring further diagnostic testing by LTA.
How do visual‐spatial and psychomotor abilities influence clinical performance in periodontal plastic surgery?
Authors: Burkhardt Rino , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Lang Niklaus P. ,   the Research Group on Oral Soft Tissue Biology & Wound Healing
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimWe want to evaluate the relationship of self‐assessed experience and proficiency, manual dexterity and visual‐spatial ability with surgical performance.Material and methodsA total of 26 professionals were included in the study which consisted of four parts: (a) self‐assessment by a questionnaire regarding proficiency and experience, (b) evaluation of visual‐spatial ability, (c) testing of manual dexterity assessed by validated psychomotor tests and (d) evaluation of surgical performance by Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS).ResultsSelf‐assessed proficiency and experience levels did not correlate with objectively evaluated surgical performances (OSATS). However, low‐level visual‐spatial ability tests strongly correlated with OSATS while intermediate‐ and high‐level tests did not. No correlation was found between psychomotor ability and clinical performance.ConclusionsSelf‐assessed proficiency is not a good predictor for surgical performance as experts tend to be overconfident. To evaluate and predict surgical performance, visual‐spatial ability tests seem to be more appropriate than measuring manual dexterity which failed to correlate with the surgical outcome.
Assessment of antagonistic activity of free and encapsulated Bifidobacterium bifidum against Salmonella
Authors: Yasmin Hafiza Maryam , Zahoor Tahir , Sagheer Ambreen , Nadeem Muhammad , Khaliq Adnan , Iqbal Rabia , Ahsan Samreen , Ahmad Zulfiqar 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of Bifidobacterium bifidum in the yoghurt with and without encapsulation. The B. bifidum was encapsulated with 6% sodium alginate concentration (SAC) and 0.8% Carboxymethyl‐Hexanoyl chitosan (CHC) as a single coating and then double‐coated with whey protein concentrate (WPC). After that, yoghurt was prepared with the addition of free and encapsulated probiotic (B. bifidum) along with the starter cultures and studied weekly up to 28th day of storage. Organoleptic analysis also shows higher score in encapsulated probiotic bacteria rather than free. The viable count of probiotic and yoghurt cultures was affected significantly (p < .01) during refrigerated storage of yoghurt and their survivability remained higher (8.81 ± 0.35 to 5.39 ± 0.58 log cfu/ml) in double‐coated encapsulated yoghurt. Encapsulated cells of probiotic culture have shown minimum zone of inhibition compared with free cells, and antibiotic (gentamicin) has shown maximum resistance against Salmonella.Practical applicationsThe present study concludes that probiotics can be used against foodborne pathogens but antibiotic has shown more resistant as compared to probiotic. The most efficient and significant technology for probiotics preservation is encapsulation against unfavorable environmental conditions. So, to improve the physical stability of alginate gels, chitosan coating material enhanced the survival of encapsulated probiotic in the yoghurt. The results of this study can be used at industrial level to claim health benefits of encapsulated probiotics for consumers.
Correlation of curd‐associated fungi with NPK and Na concentrations in cauliflower
Authors: Siddique Sana , Mahmood Rashid , Khan Salik Nawaz 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUnderstanding relations among nutrients and fungi infestation may help to produce fungi‐free cauliflower curds by managing plant nutrition. Structural equation modeling was used to express correlations among curd‐associated fungi and NPK and Na concentrations in 66 curds collected from 22 fields. Five out total nine isolated fungi were found correlated with the nutrients and Na as suggested by final fitted model. The model expressed 7–30% occurrence of the fungi because of estimated factors. In general, fungi infections were favored with nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium concentrations whereas discouraged with potassium. The model highlighted the synergistic effect of Fusarium avenaceum and Aspergillus fumigatus on the occurrence of Fusarium polyphialidicum and Aspergillus nigar, respectively, and an antagonistic effect of A. nigar on Alternaria brassicicola. The findings indirectly discourage overdose of N and P, whereas encourage application of K and reclamation of sodic soils to reduce fungi infestation of cauliflower.Practical applicationsMicrobial analysis of cauliflower will help in recognizing possible fungal contaminants of apparently healthy curds. Relationship of these curd‐associated fungi with NPK and Na status of curds will highlight the importance of managing macronutrient fertilizers and reclamation of sodic soils in fungi‐free cauliflower production.
Development and evaluation of real‐time loop mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella spp. in chicken meat products
Authors: Arunrut Narong , Kiatpathomchai Wansika , Ananchaipattana Chiraporn 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Salmonella spp., one of the most prevalent bacterial causes of foodborne disease, is a major public health concern due to its common occurrence in chicken meat products. The detection of Salmonella spp. using conventional culturing methods requires an excessive amount of time and effort. Thus, in response to the need for a rapid, sensitive, and convenient method for Salmonella detection, a quantitative assay using real‐time Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (real‐time LAMP) was developed using gene62181533 as the target sequence amplified. The real‐time LAMP assay does not show cross‐reactivity with several other common bacterial pathogens and the detection limit for genomic DNA in pure culture was found to be 1.2 CFU/ml. Testing with spiked samples simultaneously detected 7 CFU/ml of Salmonella pathogen in the artificially inoculated samples after enrichment for 6 hr. In comparison with the standard culture‐based methods in the analysis of 120 raw chicken meat samples, the results of the sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity tests of the real‐time LAMP assay were 94.02, 90.83, and 86.79%, respectively. These results indicate that this method is not only sensitive and specific but can also be used for rapid detection and differentiation of foodborne disease‐causing bacteria.Practical applications
Salmonella is an important bacterial genus which causes most of the common foodborne illnesses worldwide. The disease mainly caused by Salmonella spp. through consumption of contaminated eggs and poultry products is salmonellosis which can manifest as bacterial diarrhea through to septicemia. The result indicates the potential usefulness of real‐time LAMP assay based on the gene62181533 for a rapid, specific, sensitive, and quantitative assay for Salmonella detection in food products. This assay offers a low cost quantitative method in the clinical diagnosis of Salmonella in resource‐limited health‐care facilities and clinical laboratories in developing countries and in field tests.
Risk of colorectal cancer for fecal immunochemistry test‐positive, average‐risk patients after a colonoscopy
Authors: Kawamura Takuji , Nakamura Shiho , Sone Daiki , Sakai Hiroaki , Amamiya Kana , Inoue Naonori , Sakiyama Naokuni , Shirakawa Atsushi , Okada Yusuke , Sanada Kasumi , Nakase Kojiro , Mandai Koichiro , Suzuki Azumi , Morita Atsuhiro , Tanaka Kiyohito , Uno Koji , Yasuda Kenjiro 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and AimBecause the risk of colorectal cancer has not been well examined in fecal immunochemistry test (FIT)‐positive patients who previously underwent colonoscopy, this study aimed to investigate this topic.MethodsThis was a single‐center, observational study of prospectively collected data in Japan. FIT‐positive, average‐risk patients who underwent colonoscopy were divided into groups as follows: those who never underwent colonoscopy in the past (no colonoscopy group), those with a history of colonoscopy between 6 months and 5 years (0.5‐ to 5‐year colonoscopy group), and those with a history of colonoscopy more than 5 years ago (> 5‐year colonoscopy group). We investigated the prevalence of advanced neoplasia and invasive cancer among these groups using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsDetection rates of advanced neoplasia in the no colonoscopy group, 0.5‐ to 5‐year colonoscopy group, and > 5‐year colonoscopy group were 14.8% (240/1626), 3.9% (13/330), and 6.9% (17/248), respectively. Detection rates of invasive cancer in each aforementioned group were 5.7% (92/1,626), 0.3% (1/330), and 1.2% (3/248), respectively. Odds ratios of advanced neoplasia in the 0.5‐ to 5‐year colonoscopy group and > 5‐year colonoscopy were 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.42) and 0.40 (95% CI: 0.24–0.68), respectively, in multivariate analysis. The odds ratios of invasive cancer in each aforementioned group were 0.05 (95% CI: 0.01–0.37) and 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06–0.61), respectively.ConclusionRe‐screening with the FIT should not be recommended for at least 5 years for average‐risk patients after colonoscopy without high‐risk neoplasms, because the risks of colorectal cancer are low in such patients.
Natural history of gastrointestinal manifestations in vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: A 17‐year retrospective review
Authors: Frank Michael , Adham Salma , Zinzindohoué Franck , Jeunemaitre Xavier 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and AimVascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder due to heterozygous mutations in the COL3A1 gene with a dominant negative effect. Spontaneous bowel perforation and intra‐abdominal organ rupture are common complications of vEDS. Other gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations may occur but have not been extensively characterized. We herein describe the natural history of GI events and surgery‐related complications in patients with vEDS.MethodsA retrospective review of GI events in a large cohort of molecularly proven vEDS patients was conducted, after exclusion of mild forms of the disease.ResultsOf 133 patients, 41% had a history of GI manifestations with 112 events, mean 2.0 ± 1.3 events per patient. There was an earlier occurrence of GI events in men (P 0.008). Cumulative incidence was 58% for all patients, higher in men and in patients with splice‐site variants. Recurrence of GI events was reported in more than 50% of patients. Colonic perforation was the first digestive event for 47% of patients. Of 85 GI surgeries, 37 (43%) were complicated with 43 events. Nine deaths were reported in this population.ConclusionsVascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is characterized not only by bowel perforation but also by a wide variety of GI complications that occur in close to half (41%) of patients. The pattern of GI fragility seems more severe in males and splice‐site variants. Complications of GI surgery are common and are related with tissue fragility/friability.