bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inguinoscrotal hernia containing the urinary bladder successfully repaired using laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair technique: A case report
Authors: Tazaki Tatsuya , Sasaki Masaru , Kohyama Mohei , Sugiyama Yoichi , Uegami Shinnosuke , Shintakuya Ryuta , Imamura Yuji , Nakamitsu Atsushi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe report herein a patient with an inguinoscrotal hernia containing the urinary bladder. The hernia was safely repaired using the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair technique. A 76‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. His scrotum was swollen to fist size. Abdominal CT showed herniation of the sigmoid colon and the bladder into the right inguinal region, and his abdominal pain was attributed to incarceration of the sigmoid colon; this was manually reduced. About 1 month later, we performed transabdominal preperitoneal repair. After the direct hernial orifice was identified, the bladder was noted to be sliding from the medial side of the hernia; this was reduced. Peeling on the medial side was carried out to the middle of the abdominal wall, and the myopectineal orifice was covered with mesh. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1.
Effects of rearing system on meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of Hu lambs
Authors: Chai Jianmin , Diao Qiyu , Zhao Jiangchao , Wang Haichao , Deng Kaidong , Qi Minli , Nie Mingfei , Zhang Naifeng 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTo determine the effects of early rearing system on meat quality traits, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of meat, 48 Hu lambs were selected and randomly divided into four treatments: control lambs were ewe‐reared from birth to 60 days of age (ER), while treatment lambs were segregated from their dams at 10, 20 and 30 days of age, then artificially reared with milk replacer until 60 days of age (EW10, EW20 and EW30, respectively). All lambs had no access to the milk replacer or their dams from 61 to 90 days. Creep feed was supplied ad libitum to all lambs from 15 to 90 days of age. Artificially reared lambs (EW10, EW20 and EW30) had higher (p < .05) creep feed intake, average daily gain, slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, meat ether extract content, bright meat color (lightness and yellowness) than ewe‐reared lambs. The content of unsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in EW10 and EW20 were greater (p < .05) than that in ER, whereas the proportions of saturated fatty acids in EW10 and EW20 were lower than that in ER (p < .05). The percentages of C18:0, C18:2, C18:3 and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids of artificially reared lambs were greater than ewe‐reared lambs (p < .05). The meat proportions of leucine, alanine and proline were higher (p < .05) in artificially reared lambs than ewe‐reared ones. Finally, the artificially reared system increased meat production and changed the fatty acid and amino acid profiles of meat, and it would be appropriate to rear Hu lambs artificially from 10 days with milk replacer.
Determinants of CSR Reporting and Assurance: An Analysis of Top Cooperative and Mutual Organisations
Authors: Bollas‐Araya Helena María , Polo‐Garrido Fernando , Seguí‐Mas Elies 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCorporate social responsibility (CSR) has greatly influenced business communication. CSR reporting has become the main tool through which organisations worldwide communicate their economic, social and environmental performance. Just as this practice is consolidated, the need for credible information in this area is critical. As a result, some companies subject their CSR reports to an assurance process. Several studies have analysed CSR reporting and assurance among stock companies, but few authors have developed a non‐stock firm perspective. Given the shortage of prior research, we analyse these practices, focusing on cooperative and mutual organisations because, as social enterprises, they have a special link with CSR, and they represent another kind of firm with different transaction costs. By combining statistical and content analysis methods, we aim to identify the determinants that influence the adoption of CSR reporting and assurance, the choice of assuror and the quality of assurance statements. The findings reveal that size is positively but non‐linearly related to reporting, while country and sector significantly affect the adoption of reporting and assurance. Assurance statements substantially differ across providers and their quality depends on size, sector and assuror, exhibiting interactions between size and assuror and between sector and assuror.
The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of PUR0200, a novel tiotropium formulation, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Singh Dave , Ravi Arjun , Kane Katie , Schmalbach Tess , Hava David L. 
Published: May 2018

AimsPUR0200 is a tiotropium bromide formulation engineered with the iSPERSE dry powder delivery technology. PUR0200 is being developed as a bioequivalent alternative to tiotropium bromide, delivered using Spiriva® HandiHaler® (HH). We investigated the bronchodilator effects, pharmacokinetics and safety of PUR0200 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsThis was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study using different PUR0200 doses and the comparator tiotropium HH. In vitro aerodynamic particle size distribution (aPSD) characterization of PUR0200 and tiotropium HH are presented. The main endpoints included forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) trough and (0–24 h) and pharmacokinetic parameters.ResultsThe increased fine‐particle fraction of PUR0200 demonstrated by testing using the next‐generation impactor increased the proportion of drug available for lung deposition compared with the tiotropium HH. There was a numerical dose–response effect for PUR0200 on FEV1, with 3 μg demonstrating a lower effect than higher doses. The placebo‐adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) increases from baseline at 24 h postdose were 150 ml (100–200), 210 ml (160–270) and 200 ml (140–250) for 3 μg, 6 μg and 9 μg doses of PUR0200, respectively. Tiotropium HH (18 μg) caused a mean 169 ml (standard deviation 157ml) improvement in trough FEV1, which was not significantly different to the PUR0200 effects at any of the tested doses.ConclusionsPUR0200 treatment caused bronchodilation in COPD patients that was similar in magnitude to that caused by tiotropium HH. This enabled a similar clinical effect on lung function to be achieved with PUR0200 using a lower metered dose of tiotropium compared with tiotropium HH.
Interaction betweenABCG2 421C>Apolymorphism and valproate in their effects on steady‐state disposition of lamotrigine in adults with epilepsy
Authors: Klarica Domjanović Iva , Lovrić Mila , Trkulja Vladimir , Petelin‐Gadže Željka , Ganoci Lana , Čajić Ivana , Božina Nada 
Published: May 2018

AimsTo investigate the impact of glucuronidation enzyme (UGT1A4*3 142T>G, UGT1A4*2 70C>A, UGT2B7 –161C>T) and transporter (MDR1/ABCB1 1236C>T, ABCG2 421C>A) polymorphisms on steady‐state disposition of lamotrigine and on the lamotrigine–valproate interaction.MethodsAdults with epilepsy on lamotrigine monotherapy (n = 131) or lamotrigine + valproate treatment (n = 74) were genotyped and steady‐state lamotrigine and valproate morning troughs were determined as a part of routine therapeutic drug monitoring.ResultsNo effect ofUGTandMDR1/ABCB1polymorphisms was observed. In the entire cohort,ABCG2 421Aallele had no effect however an interaction between the variant allele and valproate was observed: (i) in lamotrigine‐only patients, variant allele (vs. wild type homozygosity) was independently (adjustments: age, sex, body mass index, lamotrigine dose, other polymorphisms) associated with mildly lower lamotrigine troughs [geometric means ratio (GMR) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–0.98], whereas in lamotrigine + valproate patients it was associated with higher troughs (GMR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.14–2.62); (ii) valproate cotreatment was overall associated with markedly higher troughsvs. lamotrigine monotherapy (GMR = 3.49, 95%CI 2.73–4.44), but more so in variant allele carriers (GMR = 5.24, 95%CI 3.38–8.15) than in wild type homozygotes (GMR = 2.32, 95%CI 1.89–2.83); (iii) variant allele effects in two treatment subsets and valproate effects in two genotype subsets differed by 2.36‐fold (95%CI 1.39–3.67); (iv) increase in lamotrigine troughs associated with increasing valproate troughs was greater in variant allele carriers than in wild type homozygotes, i.e. variant allele effect increased with increasing valproate troughs.ConclusionThis study is first to indicate a potentially relevant interaction betweenABCG2 421C>Apolymorphism and valproate in their effects on lamotrigine disposition.
Risk Factors for Valproic Acid‐induced Hyperammonaemia in Chinese Paediatric Patients with Epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Xu , Li Xinlin , Zhang Ti , Zhao Limei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study was aimed at identifying genetic and non‐genetic risk factors for valproic acid (VPA)‐induced hyperammonaemia in Chinese paediatric patients with epilepsy. A total of 210 epileptic patients, treated with VPA as monotherapy, were enrolled and classified into hyperammonaemia and control groups according to their blood ammonia level (cut‐off value 50 μmol/L). Serum concentrations of VPA and its major metabolites were simultaneously determined by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms in the candidate genes, CYP2C9, CYP2A6, CYP2B6 and CPS1, were analysed by a matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry method or nested PCR. Significant differences in age, aspartate transaminase level and the incidence of liver injury were observed between patients of hyperammonaemia and control groups. Genotype distributions of CYP2C9*3, CYP2A6*4 and CPS1 4217C>A allelic variants were also significantly different between the two groups. According to multiple regression analysis, a significant negative correlation was detected between age and the blood ammonia level, while liver injury, the concentration–dose ratio (CDR) of VPA and 2‐propyl‐4‐pentenoic acid (4‐ene VPA), and the presence of CYP2A6*4 or CPS1 4217C>A showed positive correlations with the blood ammonia level. In addition, the risk factors for hyperammonaemia identified by logistic regression analysis were as follows: a younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76–0.96; p = 0.007), occurrence of liver injury (OR = 4.60; 95% CI = 1.27–16.74; p = 0.021), higher CDR of 4‐ene VPA (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03–1.14; p = 0.001), and carrying mutant alleles of CYP2C9*3 (OR = 3.42; 95% CI = 1.15–10.19; p = 0.028), CYP2A6*4 (OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 1.40–7.48; p = 0.006) and CPS1 4217C>A (OR = 3.25; 95% CI = 1.52–6.94; p = 0.002). Our findings indicated that multiple genetic and non‐genetic risk factors that were identified can be used to predict the development of VPA‐induced hyperammonaemia in Chinese paediatric patients with epilepsy.
Why do college students continue to use mobile learning? Learning involvement and self‐determination theory
Authors: Yang Shuiqing , Zhou Shasha , Cheng Xiaoying 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRetaining learners and facilitating their continuance are critical for the mobile learning providers and educators. Drawing on stimulus‐organism‐response framework and self‐determination theory, this study examines factors that affect college students' mobile learning continuance by considering the self‐determination needs and learning involvement. A research model was developed and empirically tested against data collected from 309 college students who are the mobile learning users of an online education platform in China. The results of structural equation modeling analysis showed that perceived learning support, self‐management of learning and peer influence significantly influence affective learning involvement, which in turn positively affect mobile learning continuance intention. In addition, perceived learning support and peer influence also significantly influence cognitive learning involvement, which further determine mobile learning continuance intention. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are also discussed.
A review of predation as a limiting factor for bird populations in mesopredator‐rich landscapes: a case study of the UK
Authors: Roos Staffan , Smart Jennifer , Gibbons David W. , Wilson Jeremy D. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe impact of increasing vertebrate predator numbers on bird populations is widely debated among the general public, game managers and conservationists across Europe. However, there are few systematic reviews of whether predation limits the population sizes of European bird species. Views on the impacts of predation are particularly polarised in the UK, probably because the UK has a globally exceptional culture of intensive, high‐yield gamebird management where predator removal is the norm. In addition, most apex predators have been exterminated or much depleted in numbers, contributing to a widely held perception that the UK has high numbers of mesopredators. This has resulted in many high‐quality studies of mesopredator impacts over several decades. Here we present results from a systematic review of predator trends and abundance, and assess whether predation limits the population sizes of 90 bird species in the UK. Our results confirm that the generalist predators Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Crows (Corvus coroneandC. cornix) occur at high densities in the UK compared with other European countries. In addition, some avian and mammalian predators have increased numerically in the UK during recent decades. Despite these high and increasing densities of predators, we found little evidence that predation limits populations of pigeons, woodpeckers and passerines, whereas evidence suggests that ground‐nesting seabirds, waders and gamebirds can be limited by predation. Using life‐history characteristics of prey species, we found that mainly long‐lived species with high adult survival and late onset of breeding were limited by predation. Single‐brooded species were also more likely to be limited by predation than multi‐brooded species. Predators that depredate prey species during all life stages (i.e. from nest to adult stages) limited prey numbers more than predators that depredated only specific life stages (e.g. solely during the nest phase). The Red Fox and non‐native mammals (e.g. the American MinkNeovison vison) were frequently identified as numerically limiting their prey species. Our review has identified predator–prey interactions that are particularly likely to result in population declines of prey species. In the short term, traditional predator‐management techniques (e.g. lethal control or fencing to reduce predation by a small number of predator species) could be used to protect these vulnerable species. However, as these techniques are costly and time‐consuming, we advocate that future research should identify land‐use practices and landscape configurations that would reduce predator numbers and predation rates.
Peripapillary vessel density changes in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: a new biomarker
Authors: Balducci Nicole , Cascavilla Maria Lucia , Ciardella Antonio , La Morgia Chiara , Triolo Giacinto , Parisi Vincenzo , Bandello Francesco , Sadun Alfredo A , Carelli Valerio , Barboni Piero 
Published: May 2018

AbstractImportanceThe contribution of the microvascular supply to the pathogenesis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is poorly understood.BackgroundWe aimed at measuring the peripapillary capillary vessel density (VD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A) at different stages of LHON.DesignProspective, cross‐sectional, multicenter, observational study.ParticipantsTwenty‐two LHON patients divided in four groups: unaffected mutation carriers (LHON‐u); early sub‐acute stage (LHON‐e); late sub‐acute stage (LHON‐l); chronic stage (LHON‐ch).MethodsOCT‐A scans centred on the optic disc were obtained by spectral domain OCT system.Main Outcome MeasuresVD, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer (GC‐IPL) thickness were compared between groups.ResultsSignificant VD changes were detected in every sector (P < 0.0001). In LHON‐e, the VD was reduced in the temporal sector compared with LHON‐u and in the temporal and inferotemporal sectors compared with controls. In LHON‐l, VD was reduced in whole, temporal, superotemporal and inferotemporal sectors compared with LHON‐u and controls. In LHON‐ch, the VD was reduced in all sectors compared to the other groups. An asynchronous pattern emerged in the temporal sector with VD changes occurring earlier than RNFL thickness changes and together with GC‐IPL thinning.Conclusions and RelevanceSignificant peripapillary miscrovascular changes were detected over the different stages of LHON. Studying the vascular network separately from fibres revealed that microvascular changes in the temporal sector preceded the changes of RNFL and mirrored the GC‐IPL changes. Measurements of the peripapillary vascular network may become a useful biomarker to monitor the disease process, evaluate therapeutic efficacy and elucidate pathophysiology.
Land‐use trade‐offs between tree biodiversity and crop production in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Marcilio‐Silva Vinícius , Marques Márcia C. M. , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTrade‐offs in ecosystem services (ES) have received increasing attention because provisioning services often come at the expense of biodiversity loss. When land‐use patterns are not maximally efficient relative to productivity, provisioning services, such as crop production, can often be increased without losing biodiversity. The Atlantic Forest (AF) encompasses dense, mixed, and seasonal forests and has high levels of endemism and anthropogenic threat. We examined trade‐offs between biodiversity and crop production in the AF to provide insights into land‐use management decisions. We developed a biodiversity metric that combines information on tree species richness, evolutionary distinctiveness, and rarity at the local level. We examined the extent to which the nature of ES trade‐offs differ among the 3 forest types. We assessed how annual deforestation rates and land management practices affect biodiversity and agricultural revenues. Finally, we tested whether it is possible to achieve the same total regional revenue without reducing biodiversity by improving local management practices. The 3 forest types had similar patterns in ES trade‐offs, although within mixed forest patterns differed. Biodiversity appeared to be more sensitive to land‐use change than crop revenues. Certain crops yielded up to 10 times higher values in some sites. Enhanced crop productivity may increase revenues without reducing biodiversity. Our results showed that to enhance human well‐being without further conversion of AF, maximizing crop productivity is needed . Increasing efficiency of management outcomes by maintaining higher biodiversity and increasing provisioning services depends on knowledge of forest type, the comparative advantage of planting crops in the best places, and preserving species in a balanced manner across forests.
Spatial Semantics, Cognition, and Their Interaction: A Comparative Study of Spatial Categorization in English and Korean
Authors: Yun Hongoak , Choi Soonja 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study has two goals. First, we present much‐needed empirical linguistic data and systematic analyses on the spatial semantic systems in English and Korean, two languages that have been extensively compared to date in the debate on spatial language and spatial cognition. We conduct our linguistic investigation comprehensively, encompassing the domains of tight‐ and loose‐fit as well as containment and support relations. The current analysis reveals both cross‐linguistic commonalities and differences: From a common set of spatial features, each language highlights a subset of those features for its principal categorization, and those primary features are importantly different between English and Korean: English speakers categorize events predominantly by containment and support relations (and do so with prepositions), whereas Korean speakers categorize them by tight‐fit and loose‐fit relations (and do so with verbs), with a further distinction of containment and support within the loose‐fit relation. The analysis also shows that the tight‐fit domain is more cross‐linguistically diverse in categorization than is the loose‐fit domain. Second, we test the language data against the nonlinguistic categorization results reported in Choi and Hattrup (2012). The results show a remarkable degree of convergence between the patterns predicted from the current linguistic analysis and those found in C&H's nonlinguistic study and thus provide empirical and strong evidence for an influence of language on nonlinguistic spatial cognition. At the same time, the study reveals areas where the two systems closely interact with each other as well as those where one is independent from the other. Taking both parts of the study together, we identify the specific roles that language and spatial perception/cognition play in spatial categorization.
Clinical characteristics and validation of bronchiectasis severity score systems for post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Wang Hong , Ji Xiao‐Bin , Li Cheng‐Wei , Lu Hai‐Wen , Mao Bei , Liang Shuo , Cheng Ke‐Bin , Bai Jiu‐Wu , Martinez‐Garcia Miguel Angel , Xu Jin‐Fu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionLung damage related to tuberculosis is a major contributor to the etiology of bronchiectasis in China. It is unknown whether bronchiectasis severity score systems are applicable in these cases.ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical characteristics and validation of bronchiectasis severity score systems for post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis.MethodsThe study enrolled 596 bronchiectasis patients in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012. The data for calculating FACED and bronchiectasis severity index (BSI) scores along with mortality, readmission, and exacerbation outcomes were collected and analyzed within a follow‐up period with a median length of 48 months (interquartile range 43‐54 months).ResultsThe study enrolled 101 post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis patients and 495 non‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis patients. Compared with non‐post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis, post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis patients experienced less bilateral bronchiectasis (P = .004), a higher frequency of right upper lobe involvement (P < .001) and showed the cylindrical type more often (P < .001). Follow‐up data indicated that both scoring systems were able to predict 48(43–54) month mortality in post‐tuberculosis patients as assessed by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) (FACED AUC = 0.81, BSI AUC = 0.70), but they did not predict readmission (FACED and BSI = 0.56) or exacerbation (FACED and BSI = 0.52) well.ConclusionsThere are apparent differences on radiologic features between bronchiectasis patients with and without history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Both FACED and BSI can predict mortality in post‐tuberculosis bronchiectasis.