bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the association between hindlimb conformation and suspensory desmopathy in sports horses
Authors: Routh J. , Strang C. , Gilligan S. , Dyson S. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryProximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD) is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in sports horses; anecdotally there is an association with straight hock conformation. The objective of this prospective observational study is to describe hindlimb conformation in horses with and without bilateral PSD. Horses examined over one year with a definitive diagnosis for lameness (based on clinical assessment, response to diagnostic anaesthesia, radiography, ultrasonography ± MRI or scintigraphy), were included (n = 193). Markers were placed on predefined landmarks. Lateral photographs were acquired from the left and right sides with the horse standing squarely, using standardised techniques, with each metatarsus perpendicular to the ground, aligned to the tuber ischii marker. Before data acquisition, repeatability studies for marker placement, horse positioning and angle measurements were performed. The tarsal and metatarsophalangeal angles were measured using Image Measurement. Orthopaedic diagnosis, breed, work discipline, weight, height and age were recorded. Z‐tests, Fisher's exact tests, Chi‐squared tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the associations between diagnosis, tarsal angles and possible confounding variables. Mann Whitney U tests were used to evaluate the relationship between metatarsophalangeal joint angle and suspensory ligament injury. Horses with PSD had larger tarsal angles than controls (P = 0.003). The proportions of Warmblood‐type horses and dressage horses with PSD were different to those of other breeds and work disciplines (P = 0.001, 0.02 respectively). A final logistic regression model demonstrated a significant effect of mean tarsal angle on outcome when breed and weight‐height product were accounted for. There was a an 11% increase in the odds of PSD for every degree increase in tarsal angle (CI 1.006–1.223, P = 0.04). There was no association between suspensory ligament injury and metatarsophalangeal joint angle. Assessment of tarsal angles at prepurchase examinations and prior to surgical treatment of PSD may be advisable.
Modification of the polyphenolic and aromatic fractions of red wines aged on lees assisted with ultrasound
Authors: Del Fresno Juan Manuel , Morata Antonio , Ricardo‐da‐Silva Jorge M. , Escott Carlos , Loira Iris , Lepe José Antonio Suárez‐ 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThe ageing on lees is a technique particularly interesting in the production of red wines due to the possibility of enhancing some of their sensory characteristics. Different authors have researched the ultrasound assistance to accelerate this ageing process in wines. The present work evaluated the modification that both fractions, polyphenolic and aromatic, of red wines suffer during the ageing on lees process assisted with ultrasounds and with the addition of oak chips. The results obtained during the experimental design indicate that the ultrasound treatment decreased the concentration of proanthocyanidins (between 20.3% and 32.8% with and without oak chips, respectively) and the total pigment content (with the highest reduction in the control sonicated wine 55.9% without chips and lees and from 47.8% to 48.9% when having oak chips/lees and lees, respectively). In addition, it has been observed that the ultrasound treatment did not affect the amount of fermentative volatile compounds present in the wine but, it increased the concentration of phenolic aldehydes coming from oak wood chips (10.8% in control wine and from 35.92% with oak chips/lees to 55.8% with lees).
Identification of cell and disease specific microRNAs in glomerular pathologies
Authors: Müller‐Deile Janina , Dannenberg Jan , Liu Peidi , Lorenzen Johan , Nyström Jenny , Thum Thomas , Schiffer Mario 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in physiological processes as well as in diseases. Currently miRs are already used to find novel mechanisms involved in diseases and in the future, they might serve as diagnostic markers. To identify miRs that play a role in glomerular diseases urinary miR‐screenings are a frequently used tool. However, miRs that are detected in the urine might simply be filtered from the blood stream and could have been produced anywhere in the body, so they might be completely unrelated to the diseases. We performed a combined miR‐screening in pooled urine samples from patients with different glomerular diseases as well as in cultured human podocytes, human mesangial cells, human glomerular endothelial cells and human tubular cells. The miR‐screening in renal cells was done in untreated conditions and after stimulation with TGF‐β. A merge of the detected regulated miRs led us to identify disease‐specific, cell type‐specific and cell stress‐induced miRs. Most miRs were down‐regulated following the stimulation with TGF‐β in all cell types. Up‐regulation of miRs after TGF‐β was cell type‐specific for most miRs. Furthermore, urinary miRs from patients with different glomerular diseases could be assigned to the different renal cell types. Most miRs were specifically regulated in one disease. Only miR‐155 was up‐regulated in all disease urines compared to control and therefore seems to be rather unspecific. In conclusion, a combined urinary and cell miR‐screening can improve the interpretation of screening results. These data are useful to identify novel miRs potentially involved in glomerular diseases.
DNA methylation‐reprogrammed oxytocin receptor underlies insensitivity to oxytocin in pre‐eclamptic placental vasculature
Authors: Fan Xiaorong , Xu Ting , Ding Hongmei , Li Huan , Yang Yuxian , He Yun , Tang Jiaqi , Liu Yanping , Chen Xueyi , Chen Jie , Tao Jianying , Xu Zhice , Gao Qinqin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPre‐eclampsia is associated with inadequate placental blood flow and placental ischaemia. Placental vascular tone is essential for maintaining adequate placental blood flow. Oxytocin is increased in placental system at late pregnancy and onset of labour, and presented strongly concentration‐dependent contractions in placental vascular, suggesting that oxytocin could be involved in regulating placental vascular tone and circulation. However, information about the reactivity of oxytocin in pre‐eclamptic placental vasculature is limited. This study used a large number of human placentas to reveal the pathophysiological changes and its underlying mechanisms of oxytocin‐induced vasoconstrictions in placental vessels under pre‐eclamptic condition. Present study found that oxytocin‐induced contractions were significantly decreased in human pre‐eclamptic placental vasculature, associated with a deactivated transcription of oxytocin receptor gene. The deactivated oxytocin receptor gene transcription was ascribed to a relatively higher DNA methylation status of CpG islands in oxytocin receptor gene promoter. This study was first to reveal that a hyper‐methylation of CpG islands in oxytocin receptor gene promoter, leading to a relatively low pattern of oxytocin receptor expression, was responsible for the decreased sensitivity of oxytocin in pre‐eclamptic placental vessels.
Overexpression of ZEB2‐AS1 promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis by stabilizing ZEB2 mRNA in head neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Diao Pengfei , Ge Han , Song Yue , Wu Yaping , Li Jin , Li Zhongwu , Yang Jianrong , Wang Yanling , Cheng Jie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly appreciated as key players underlying tumourigenesis and hold great potentials as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, their roles in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have remained incompletely known. Here, we sought to reveal the oncogenic roles and clinical significance of a tumour‐associated lncRNA, zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 2 antisense RNA 1 (ZEB2‐AS1), in HNSCC. ZEB2‐AS1 was aberrantly overexpressed in a fraction of HNSCC samples. Its overexpression significantly associated with large tumour size, cervical node metastasis and reduced overall and disease‐free survival. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO)‐mediated ZEB2‐AS1 depletion markedly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion while triggered apoptosis in HNSCC cells in part via modulating ZEB2 mRNA stability. Enforced overexpression of ZEB2 largely attenuated the phenotypic changes resulted from ZEB2‐AS1 inhibition except the impaired cell proliferation. In addition, ZEB2‐AS1 was required for TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Significantly reduced tumour growth and lung metastasis were observed in ZEB2‐AS1‐depleted cells in HNSCC xenograft animal models. Taken together, our findings reveal that overexpression of ZEB2‐AS1 associates with tumour aggressiveness and unfavourable prognosis by serving as a putative oncogenic lncRNA and a novel prognostic biomarker in HNSCC.
The role of post‐translational modifications in cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Yan Kaowen , Wang Kun , Li Peifeng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPathological cardiac hypertrophy involves excessive protein synthesis, increased cardiac myocyte size and ultimately the development of heart failure. Thus, pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases and death in humans. Extensive research in the last decade has revealed that post‐translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, O‐GlcNAcylation, methylation and acetylation, play important roles in pathological cardiac hypertrophy pathways. These PTMs potently mediate myocardial hypertrophy responses via the interaction, stability, degradation, cellular translocation and activation of receptors, adaptors and signal transduction events. These changes occur in response to pathological hypertrophy stimuli. In this review, we summarize the roles of PTMs in regulating the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, PTMs are discussed as potential targets for treating or preventing cardiac hypertrophy.
Philosophical Methodology and Conceptions of Evil Action
Authors: Latham Andrew J. , Miller Kristie , Norton James 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThere is considerable philosophical dispute about what it takes for an action to be evil. The methodological assumption underlying this dispute is that there is a single, shared folk conception of evil action deployed amongst culturally similar people. Employing empirical research the authors undertook, this article suggests that this assumption is false. There exist, amongst the folk, numerous conceptions of evil action. Hence, the authors argue, philosophical research is most profitably spent in two endeavours. First, in determining which (if any) conception of evil action we have prudential or moral (or both) reason to deploy and, second, in determining whether we could feasibly come to adopt that conception as the single shared conception given our psychological make‐up and the content of the conceptions currently deployed.
Plotinus on Divine Simplicity
Authors: Gavrilyuk Paul L. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractGavrilyuk attends to divine simplicity according to the third‐century AD pagan philosopher Plotinus. He shows that Plotinus draws his doctrine of divine simplicity from the earlier Greco‐Roman philosophical tradition, in which the nature of the “first principle” was highly contested. Aristotle offers a history of the early debate, with Anaxagoras being the first to glimpse the first principle’s simplicity. The Platonist philosophers conceived of the first principle as incorporeal, and on these grounds linked the first principle to simplicity. For his part, Aristotle associated simplicity with the absoluteness of pure actuality. The Stoics, with their essentially material understanding of the divine, ignored or denied divine simplicity. Plotinus draws upon the reception of Aristotle that is found in Alexander of Aphrodisias, Numenius, and Ammonius. According to Gavrilyuk, the signal contribution of Plotinus consists in setting forth the strongest possible doctrine of divine simplicity. Indeed, for Plotinus God’s utter simplicity means that God cannot even be thought, because thinking requires the duality of subject‐object. Plotinus conceives of the divine One as above divine Mind (nous), since the latter contains a unified plurality but not the perfect simplicity that marks the unknowable One. Gavilyuk ends his essay with an account of the qualifications made to divine simplicity by philosophers and theologians who are less radical in their doctrine than is Plotinus. He emphasizes that the Enneads’s key metaphysical insight, utterly ruling out any kind of composition from the One, has the benefit of being supremely intellectually coherent and elegant.
Organizational commitment and quality of life at work among public health nurses in Israel
Authors: Aharon Anat A. , Madjar Batya , Kagan Ilya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo test the relationship between job satisfaction, professional self‐image, work environment, organizational commitment (OC), and quality of life at work (QoLW) among public health nurses in Israel. To determine which variables can predict OC and QoLW among public health nurses.Design and SampleOne hundred and thirty‐two public health nurses participated in this cross‐sectional study with a structured self‐administered questionnaire that examined OC, professional self‐image, job satisfaction, nursing work environment, and QoLW. Pearson correlation tested correlations between variables and multiple regression was conducted to predict OC and QoLW.MeasurementsThe five measurements (job satisfaction, professional self‐image, work environment, OC, and QoLW) based on validity questionnaires with high internal confident.ResultsAll five variables showed a significant positive correlation. Job satisfaction (t = 5.77, p < 0.001) and nursing work environment (t = 4.55, p < 0.001), contributed significantly to the explanation of OC and QoLW variance. Nursing work environment (t = 6.42, p < 0.01) and job satisfaction (t = 2.99, p < 0.01) were the variables that predicted QoLW.ConclusionsNursing managers should be proactive and create a professional environment for nurses to encourage their OC and QoLW as factors that may influence public health nurses.
A geological record of multiple Pleistocene tsunami inundations in an oceanic island: The case of Maio, Cape Verde
Authors: Madeira José , Ramalho Ricardo S. , Hoffmann Dirk L. , Mata João , Moreira Mário 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn the Central Atlantic archipelagos – the Canaries, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores – tsunami hazard is often regarded as low, when compared with other extreme wave events such as hurricanes and storms. The geological record of many of these islands, however, suggests that tsunami hazard may be underestimated, notwithstanding being lower than in areas adjacent to subduction zones, such as the margins of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Moreover, tsunamis in oceanic islands are generally triggered by local large‐scale volcanic flank collapses, for which little is known about their frequency, making it difficult to estimate the probability of a new occurrence. Part of the problem lies in the fact that tsunami deposits are usually difficult to date, and few islands in the world exhibit evidence for repeated tsunami inundation on a protracted timescale. This study reports on the presence of abundant tsunami deposits (conglomerates and sandstones) on Maio Island (Cape Verde) and discusses their stratigraphy, sedimentological characteristics, probable age and tsunamigenic source. Observations indicate that four distinct inundation events of variable magnitude took place during the Pleistocene. One of the tsunami deposits yielded a high‐confidence U/Th age of 78·8 ± 0·9 ka, which overlaps within error with the 73 ± 7 ka age proposed for Fogo volcano's flank collapse, an event known to have had a significant tsunami impact on nearby Santiago Island. This shows that the Fogo tsunami also impacted Maio, resulting in runups in excess of 60 m above coeval sea‐level at ca 120 km from the source. Two older deposits, possibly linked to recurrent flank collapses of the Tope de Coroa volcano in Santo Antão Island, yielded lower‐confidence ages of 479 to 390 ka and 360 to 304 ka. A younger deposit (<78 ka) remains undated. In summary, the geological record of Maio exhibits well‐preserved evidence of repeated tsunami inundation, reinforcing the notion that tsunami hazard is not so low at volcanic archipelagos featuring prominent and highly‐active volcanoes such as in Cape Verde.
The prevalence of human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 & 2 (HTLV‐1/2) in South African blood donors
Authors: Vermeulen Marion , Sykes Wendy , Coleman Charl , Custer Brian , Jacobs Genevieve , Jaza Jabulisile , Kaidarova Zhanna , Hlela Carol , Gessain Antoine , Cassar Olivier , Poole Colwyn , Ingram Charlotte , Murphy Edward L. , Reddy Ravi 
Published: April 2019

Background and objectivesDonated blood is not currently screened for human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) in South Africa. Several small studies have detected HTLV‐1 in South Africa, but prevalence by geographic region or population group is unavailable.Materials and MethodsWe performed a large seroprevalence study of South African blood donors during 3 months in 2013. All geographic regions except the Western Cape were included, and Black and Coloured (local term for mixed race) donors were oversampled. Identity‐unlinked plasma samples were screened with the Abbott Prism HTLV‐1/2 assay, and repeatedly reactive samples were tested by the Inno‐LIA HTLV‐1/2 Score confirmatory assay. Odds ratios were calculated with multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf 46 752 donors tested, 133 (0·28%) were initially reactive, 111 (0·24%) repeatedly reactive and 57 (0·12%) confirmed positive for HTLV‐1; none were HTLV‐2 positive. Prevalence was 0·062% weighted to annual blood donations but highly concentrated in the Black population group (OR = 20·24 CI: 2·77–147·88); higher in females than males (OR = 1·81 CI: 1·06–3·08); and in donors aged >50 years compared to ages 16–19 (OR = 6·4 CI: 2·95‐13·86). After controlling for age, sex and population group, there was no difference in prevalence between new and repeat blood donors or among geographic regions within South Africa.ConclusionsWe conclude that HTLV‐1 infection is widespread among the Black population of South Africa and its epidemiology is similar to other endemic areas. Because South Africa is increasing its recruitment of Black blood donors, the implications for blood screening require further consideration.
Clinical outcomes after common calcanean tendon rupture repair in dogs with a loop‐suture tenorrhaphy technique and autogenous leukoreduced platelet‐rich plasma
Authors: Schulz Kurt S. , Ash Krisitan J. , Cook James L. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo report outcomes of dogs with common calcanean tendon (CCT) ruptures treated with a platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) enhanced nonabsorbable loop‐suture technique.Study designRetrospective case series.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs (n = 12).MethodsMedical records (2015–2017) of dogs with CCT ruptures repaired with a loop‐suture tenorrhaphy and autogenous leukoreduced PRP were reviewed for signalment, history, type of injury, treatment, and clinical follow‐up. Outcomes were assessed by functional anatomic measurements and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) scores transformed to percentages, with 100% representing no problems.ResultsTwelve tendons were treated. Two dogs had major complications that were successfully revised. Follow‐up was available in 11 of 12 dogs, with a median time of 12 months (range, 4–36), including COI for 11 dogs and anatomic measurements for 6 dogs. Anatomic measurements did not differ between treated and normal contralateral limbs (midthigh muscle mass P > .99, cranial tibial muscle mass P = .37, CCT diameter P = .08, tibiotarsal joint angle P > .99). Owners scored function (COI) as 96.4% (range, 93.3%–97.8%) and quality of life as 94.6% (range, 92%–98.2%).ConclusionLoop‐suture tenorrhaphy with application of autogenous leukoreduced PRP at the repair site resulted in restoration of functional anatomic measurements, high COI, and client satisfaction.Clinical significanceLoop‐suture tenorrhaphy with local application of autogenous leukoreduced PRP appears to offer an acceptable option to treat CCT injuries in dogs.
Effect of Nanocomposite Microstructure on Stochastic Elastic
Properties: An Finite Element Analysis Study
Authors: Sanei Seyed Hamid Reza , Doles Randall , Ekaitis Tyler 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
This paper addresses the effect of microstructure uncertainties on elastic properties of nanocomposites using finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. Computer-simulated microstructures were generated to reflect the variability observed in nanocomposite microstructures. The effect of waviness, agglomeration, and orientation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated. Generated microstructures were converted to image-based 2D FEA models. Two hundred different realizations of microstructures were generated for each microstructure type to capture the stochastic response. The results confirm previously reported findings and experimental results. The results show that for a given fiber volume fraction, CNTs orientation, waviness, and agglomeration result in different elastic properties. It was shown that while a given microstructural feature will improve the elastic property, it will increase the variability in the elastic properties.
Stochastic Dynamic Load Identification on an Uncertain Structure With Correlated System Parameters
Authors: Wu Shaoqing , Sun Yanwei , Li Yanbin , Fei Qingguo 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
A stochastic dynamic load identification algorithm is proposed for an uncertain dynamic system with correlated random system parameters. The stochastic Green's function is adopted to establish the relationship between the Gaussian excitation and the response. The Green's function is approximated by the second-order perturbation method, and orthogonal polynomial chaos bases are adopted to replace the corresponding bases in the Tayler series. The stochastic system responses and the stochastic forces are then represented by the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) and the Karhunen–Loève expansion (KLE), respectively. A unified probabilistic framework for the stochastic dynamic problem is formulated based on the PCE. The stochastic load identification problem of an uncertain dynamic system is then transformed into a stochastic load identification problem of an equivalent deterministic system with the orthogonality of the PCE. Numerical simulations and experimental studies with a cantilever beam under a concentrate stochastic force are conducted to estimate the statistical characteristics of the stochastic load from the stochastic structural response samples. Results show that the proposed method has good accuracy in the identification of force's statistics when the level of uncertainty in the system parameters is not small. Large errors in the identified statistics may occur when the correlation in the random system parameters is neglected. Different correlation lengths for the random system parameters are investigated to show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method.