bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Harm perceptions of e‐cigarettes and other nicotine products in a UK sample
Authors: Wilson Samara , Partos Timea , McNeill Ann , Brose Leonie S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackground and aimsE‐cigarettes (EC) and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are less harmful than smoking, but misperceptions of relative harm are common. Aims were to (1) assess nicotine knowledge and perceptions of: harm of EC and NRT relative to smoking, addictiveness of EC relative to smoking, and change in harm to user if smoking replaced with EC; (2) define associations of these perceptions with respondent characteristics including nicotine knowledge; and (3) explore perceived main harms of EC and whether these differ by vaping status.DesignAnalyses were: (1) frequencies; (2) logistic regressions of perceptions of relative harm, addictiveness and change in harm onto demographics, smoking and vaping status and nicotine knowledge (attributing cancer or health risks of smoking to nicotine); and (3) frequencies and χ2 statistics.Setting and participantsParticipants were smokers and recent ex‐smokers from one wave (September 2017) of a longitudinal online survey in the United Kingdom (n = 1720).MeasurementsDemographics included gender, age, smoking status, vaping status and income. Survey questions collected data on nicotine knowledge and harm perceptions of different products; the relative harm perceptions of NRT, EC and tobacco cigarettes; and perceived main harms of EC.FindingsRelative to smoking, 57.3% perceived EC and 63.4% NRT to be less harmful; 25.4% perceived EC to be less addictive; and 32.2% thought replacing smoking with EC reduced health harms a great deal. Participants were less likely to endorse these beliefs if they had never vaped, and participants who had inaccurate nicotine knowledge were less likely to endorse all these beliefs apart from the addictiveness of EC. The main concerns about EC were a lack of research (48.3%), regulation or quality control (37.8%) and harmfulness of chemicals (41.6%).ConclusionsLarge proportions of UK smokers and ex‐smokers overestimate the relative harmfulness of e‐cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy compared with smoking; misattributing smoking harms to nicotine is associated with increased misperceptions.
Morphology of the inferior pharyngeal bones of white bream (Blicca bjoerkna) in River Warta
Authors: Uzar Tomasz , Andrzejewski Wojciech , Kozak Jerzy 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe inferior pharyngeal bones are a characteristic feature of the Cyprinidae. Morphology of inferior pharyngeal bones is important in the diagnosis of carnivorous food, or determining the diet of fishes. Due to the lack of literature data, the aim of the study was to examine the morphology of the inferior pharyngeal bone in detail. 102 Blicca bjoerkna specimens caught in the River Warta (Poland) were analysed. 204 inferior pharyngeal bones were collected. The parameters of the inferior pharyngeal bones correlated with the measured head features and the total fish length. The arches of inferior pharyngeal bones did not have directional asymmetry for the two main parameters (height and width of inferior pharyngeal bone). However, there was a left‐sided directional asymmetry of the ventral part of inferior pharyngeal bone. In the case of the B. bjoerkna from River Warta, large differences in terms of individual parameters of inferior pharyngeal bones were observed. Fluctuation asymmetry was low. Shape of inferior pharyngeal bones was very round. In total, 12 teeth formulas were described. The 35.29% of the fish had formula different than described in the literature 2.5–5.2 and more teeth in the right arches. Following identification, measurements of the structures enable estimation of the lengths and weights of prey to be determined from biometric relationships. Analysis of body morphological features in combination with pharyngeal bone morphology could show a hybrid in the Warta river's population.
Seasonal variation in the nutritional value of woody plants along a natural gradient in Eastern Africa
Authors: Gowda Juan Haridas , Palo R. Thomas , Udén Peter 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSeveral hypotheses relate a negative relationship between foliar concentration of phenolic compounds and nitrogen to physiological processes such as leaf development, seasonal variation in allocation priorities, nutrient, light and water related growth limitation, as well as herbivore attack. We sampled four common deciduous woody species of central Tanzania monthly during the growing season to assess changes in this relation and their nutritional value to ruminants. We found a negative relationship between leaf N and phenolic compounds within and among species and sites that weakens during the course of the growing season that was consistent for total phenolics, but not for condensed tannins. Leaf N concentration decreased throughout the season, its withdrawal being positively related with leaf N at first sampling date. Secondary compounds concentration showed no consistent seasonal trend. Concentrations of leaf N and phenolics were correlated with 13C discrimination in the two shrub species and with soil P in the two tree species. Digestibility was positively correlated with foliar N and negatively correlated with secondary compounds. We conclude that phenolic compounds may serve as reliable clues for selecting foliage rich in N at site and species level only during the first months of the growing season.
Assessing modern arboreal phytolith sensitivity to vegetation variations in temperate forest regions
Authors: Gao Gui‐Zai , Jie Dong‐Mei , Li De‐Hui , Li Nan‐Nan , Liu Li‐Dan , Liu Hong‐Yan , Leng Cheng‐Cheng , Wang Jiang‐Yong , Liu Bao‐Jian , Li Ping 
Published: January 2019

To assess the reliability of arboreal phytoliths for differentiating vegetation types in temperate forest regions, we systematically analysed arboreal leaf phytoliths from 72 arboreal plants and 49 modern soils from three forest types in northeast China. The arboreal leaf phytolith production and morphotypes were highly variable between species. The arboreal leaf phytolith assemblages could clearly distinguish between broadleaf and coniferous species, but they were much less successful in differentiating broadleaved trees into subtaxa. Coniferous leaf morphotypes were successfully used to differentiate coniferous trees into families and subtaxa, especially in the Pinaceae. Two diagnostic broadleaved and six coniferous phytolith morphotypes were recognized within the modern soil beneath forest ecosystems. These arboreal phytoliths comprised up to 10–15% of the total soil phytoliths, and were dominated by coniferous types. Arboreal phytolith concentrations and phytolith assemblages in the soils fluctuated substantially amongst the three forest types. Soil arboreal phytolith assemblages were successfully used to differentiate samples from Larix mixed forest, broadleaf forest and Pinus koraiensis mixed forest. In addition, the arboreal index quantitatively distinguished the three forest types, with B/BE values <0.4 for Larix mixed forest samples, values from 0.4 to 0.6 for broadleaf forest samples, and values from 0.6 to 0.9 for P. koraiensis mixed forest. Thus, our surface soil arboreal phytolith assemblages and arboreal index are a useful reference for differentiating forest ecotypes, and they also provide reliable analogues for arboreal phytoliths from palaeoecological contexts in temperate forest regions.
The viral safety of intravenous immune globulin
Authors: Yap P L 
Published: January 2019

Summary
The viral safety of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) preparations has been investigated since 1983 when it was discovered that non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) could be transmitted by an experimental IVIG preparation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the virus causing NANBH is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). A number of subsequent episodes of HCV transmission by IVIG have been reported, but not all the factors that have led to this transmission arc clearly understood. However, based on two episodes of HCV transmission by anti-D immune globulin (formulated for intravenous administration), it appears that cold ethanol fractionation is important in ensuring viral safety because both of the implicated anti-D immune globulin preparations were manufactured without cold ethanol fractionation. Other HCV transmission episodes have been associated with chromatography (particularly DEAE-Sephadcx chromatography) as a separation step carried out to further purify IgG, after cold ethanol fractionation, and it is possible that such a procedure has only a marginal partitioning capacity for infective HCV virions. The role of anti-HCV screening in improving the viral safety of IVIG preparations remains unclear, but a recent transmission episode by a previously safe IVIG preparation suggests that the absence of anti-HCV antibodies during plasma fractionation may affect the partitioning characteristics of HCV and may also cause a loss of neutralizing antibody against HCV. All of the IVIG preparations associated with HCV transmission have been formulated as freeze-dried preparations and this may have been important in stabilizing HCV during the period prior to administration to patients. No other viruses appear to have been transmitted by IVIG preparations, but prior to seroconversion, HCV-infected plasma donors may continue to contaminate plasma pools used for the manufacture of blood products, despite anti-HCV screening, and additional viral inactivation steps such as incubation at pH4 or solvent-detergent treatment should be incorporated into the production process of all IVIG preparations.
Immunomodulation in allogeneic marrow transplantation: use of intravenous immune globulin to suppress acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Sullivan K M 
Published: January 2019

SummaryIntravenous immune globulin (IVIG) has been used with success to prevent and treat infection in patients with immunodeficiencies of humoral immune function. More recently, IVIG has been shown to modulate immune responses and to treat successfully several autoimmune diseases. Initial trials in bone marrow transplant recipients were aimed at the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. Although most studies showed such a benefit, CMV prophylaxis is now commonly provided by use of CMV-negative blood products or ganciclovir prophylaxis in, respectively, CMV-seronegative and CMV-seropositive patients. Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and associated infections remain critical barriers to the wider application of allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation, especially among patients given HLA-disparate grafts. To date, four controlled clinical trials have shown a significant reduction in acute GVHD in patients given IVIG (500–1000 mg/kg) weekly until 90–120 days post-transplant. In addition, bacterial infection in the early transplant period appears reduced. Meta-analysis of controlled trials reporting acute GVHD endpoints in 379 patients found a relative risk of acute GVHD of 0·68 (95% CI, 0·45–1·02) in IVIG recipients compared to untreated controls. Overall mortality reported in 809 patients in these trials showed an odds ratio of mortality of 0·74 (0·55–0·99) in IVIG recipients compared to controls (values &lt; 1·0 suggest that IVIG was effective in preventing the event). More recently it has been shown that in the absence of hypogammaglobulinaemia, IVIG (500 mg/kg) given monthly from day 90 to 360 did not reduce the incidence of chronic GVHD or late complications. Future research is aimed at characterizing the mechanism of action of suppression of acute GVHD with weekly IVIG prophylaxis and the role of IVIG prophylaxis in patients receiving unrelated marrow grafts.
Intravenous immune globulin: an alternative therapy in steroid-dependent allergic diseases
Authors: Gelfand E W , Landwehr L P , Esterl B , Mazer B 
Published: January 2019

SummaryA fundamental feature of asthma is abnormal airway function, now recognized to result from both acute and chronic inflammatory changes. Central to the development of these inflammatory changes may be the activation of T cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the skin, a similar cascade of events may underlie the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Asthma and atopic dermatitis often share several features that may be important in their pathogenesis: T-cell infiltration of the tissues, elevated IgE levels, and a history of known triggers associated with positive immediate skin-test reactions. In both diseases administration of intravenou immune globulin (IVIG) on a regular basis appears to reduce the need for systemic corticosteroids, reduce symptoms and for asthmatics, reduce hospitalization costs. Although the mechanism of action of IVIG in these disorders remams to be defined, it may be exhibiting significant anti-inflammatory activity. IVIG may be a potent alternative in the treatment of severe, steroid-dependent allergic disorders, reducing steroid dependency.
Early experience with the use of hepatitis C antibody‐positive, nucleic acid testing‐negative donors in lung transplantation
Authors: Watson Joshua , Mulvihill Michael S. , Cox Morgan L. , Rich Lauren , Wolfe Cameron R. , Gray Alice , Hartwig Matthew G. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHistorically, potential lung donors who have detectable antibodies to hepatitis C virus have been declined by most centers due to concern for possible disease transmission. We sought to evaluate hepatitis C viral transmission rates from donors who were known to be HCV Ab positive but HCV NAT negative. We performed a single‐center retrospective review of a prospectively collected database for lung transplant recipients at our center including HCV Ab+NAT‐ donors (approved January 2017). Donor and recipient demographic data were compiled, and records were queried to ascertain rate of seroconversion. During the study period (1/1/17 to 8/9/17), a total of 64 recipients underwent lung transplantation. Thirteen (20%) donors were HCV Ab+NAT‐. All recipients of HCV Ab+NAT‐ grafts were HCV Ab‐ at the time of transplant. Recipients of grafts from HCV Ab+NAT‐ donors underwent protocol NAT at 2 and 12 months and all are NAT‐ to date. One recipient developed reactive HCV Ab at 6 months post‐transplant. Follow‐up NAT showed HCV RNA to be undetectable. To date, use of HCV Ab+NAT‐ donors in lung transplantation has yielded favorable outcomes, with evidence of one transient seroconversion suggesting this practice may increase access to life‐saving transplantation to those in need.
Development of in vitro three‐dimensional co‐culture system for metabolic syndrome therapeutic agents
Authors: Park Sung B. , Lee Sun Y. , Jung Won H. , Lee Junhee , Jeong Hye G. , Hong Jongki , Kang Dukjin , Kim Ki Y. 
Published: January 2019

AimsThere are many obstacles to overcome in the development of new drugs for metabolic diseases, including efficacy and toxicity problems in later stages of drug development. To overcome these problems and predict efficacy and toxicity in early stages, we constructed a new model of insulin resistance in terms of communication between 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages by three‐dimensional (3D) culture.ResultsIn this study, results focused on the functional resemblance between 3D co–culture of adipocytes and macrophages and adipose tissue in diabetic mice. The 3D mono–culture preadipocytes showed good cell viability and induced cell differentiation to adipocytes, without cell confluence or cell–cell contact and interaction. The 3D co‐cultured preadipocytes with RAW264.7 macrophages induced greater insulin resistance than two‐dimensional and 3D mono‐cultured adipocytes. Additionally, we demonstrated that 3D co‐culture model had functional metabolic similarity to adipose tissue in diabetic mice. We utilized this 3D co‐culture system to screen PPARγ antagonists that might have potential as therapeutic agents for diabetes as demonstrated by an in vivo assay.ConclusionThis in vitro 3D co‐culture system could serve as a next‐generation platform to accelerate the development of therapeutics for metabolic diseases.
Temporal changes in left ventricular longitudinal strain in general population: Clinical correlates and impact on cardiac remodeling
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatiana , Nijs Ellen , Cauwenberghs Nicholas , Knez Judita , Thijs Lutgarde , Haddad Francois , Yang Wen‐Yi , Kerkhof Peter L. , Voigt Jens‐Uwe , Staessen Jan A. 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundRecent studies in patients and general population have reported the role of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS) as an independent predictor of outcome. However, there are few data on changes in LS over time. We therefore investigated in a general population clinical correlates of temporal changes in LS. We also explored the potential correlation between temporal changes in LV volumes and LS.Methods and ResultsWe measured LV end‐systolic (ESV) and end‐diastolic (EDV) volumes by conventional echocardiography and LS by 2D speckle tracking in 627 participants (mean age 50.6 years, 51.4% women; 41.3% hypertensives) at baseline and after 4.7 years. For statistical analysis, we used the absolute values of LS. In stepwise regression, the magnitude of the decrease in all LV LS indexes over time was greater in men than in women (P < 0.0001). Higher baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP), a larger longitudinal increase in MAP, and stopping diuretic treatment during follow‐up were related to larger decreases in LS indexes. In multivariable‐adjusted analysis, we observed an inverse correlation between baseline ESV and LV LS (P ≤ 0.0017). Similarly, lower baseline LS and a larger decrease in LS over time were correlated with a lesser longitudinal decrease in ESV (P ≤ 0.0004).ConclusionsA significant decrease in LS over time was associated with male sex, higher baseline MAP, ∆MAP, and alteration in antihypertensive treatment. We suggested an interaction between a longitudinal decrease in LV deformation and adverse cardiac remodeling, while underscoring the importance of deformation analysis based on LS assessment in patients at risk.
Orotracheal intubation in the horse – Is bigger better?
Authors: Burns P. M. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryAccess to the respiratory tract of an anaesthetised animal is a vital line of life. An endotracheal tube ensures a secure airway that will allow the delivery of anaesthesia and facilitates mechanical ventilation. The case report by Miller and Auckburally (2020) described in this issue highlights the potential complications associated with endotracheal intubation. Intubation using a 30 mm ID endotracheal tube in the average sized horse (500 kg) has been documented to have a high rate of tracheal injury. The manufacturing specifications of endotracheal tubes may contribute to the incidence of tracheal injury. Further research is needed to help minimise the morbidity and potential mortality associated with this anaesthetic procedure.
Single cell analyses reveal specific distribution of anti‐bacterial molecule Perforin‐2 in human skin and its modulation by wounding and Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Strbo Natasa , Pastar Irena , Romero Laura , Chen Vivien , Vujanac Milos , Sawaya Andrew P. , Jozic Ivan , Ferreira Andrea D. F. , Wong Lulu L. , Head Cheyanne , Stojadinovic Olivera , Garcia Denisse , O'Neill Katelyn , Drakulich Stefan , Taller Seth , Kirsner Robert S. , Tomic‐Canic Marjana 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPerforin‐2 (P‐2) is a recently described antimicrobial protein with unique properties to kill intracellular bacteria. We investigated P‐2 expression pattern and cellular distribution in human skin and its importance in restoration of barrier function during wound healing process and infection with the common wound pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. We describe a novel approach for the measurement of P‐2 mRNA within individual skin cells using an amplified fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. The unique aspect of this approach is simultaneous detection of P‐2 mRNA in combination with immune‐phenotyping for cell surface proteins using fluorochrome‐conjugated antibodies. We detected P‐2 transcript in both hematopoietic (CD45+) and non‐hematopoietic (CD45−) cutaneous cell populations, confirming the P‐2 expression in both professional and non‐professional phagocytes. Furthermore, we found an induction of P‐2 during wound healing. P‐2 overexpression resulted in a reduction of intracellular S. aureus, while infection of human wounds by this pathogen resulted in P‐2 suppression, revealing a novel mechanism by which S. aureus may escape cutaneous immunity to cause persistent wound infections.
Global relative species loss due to first‐generation biofuel production for the transport sector
Authors: Elshout Pieter M. F. , van Zelm Rosalie , van der Velde Marijn , Steinmann Zoran , Huijbregts Mark A. J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe global demand for biofuels in the transport sector may lead to significant biodiversity impacts via multiple human pressures. Biodiversity assessments of biofuels, however, seldom simultaneously address several impact pathways, which can lead to biased comparisons with fossil fuels. The goal of the present study was to quantify the direct influence of habitat loss, water consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on potential global species richness loss due to the current production of first‐generation biodiesel from soybean and rapeseed and bioethanol from sugarcane and corn. We found that the global relative species loss due to biofuel production exceeded that of fossil petrol and diesel production in more than 90% of the locations considered. Habitat loss was the dominating stressor with Chinese corn, Brazilian soybean and Brazilian sugarcane having a particularly large biodiversity impact. Spatial variation within countries was high, with 90th percentiles differing by a factor of 9 to 22 between locations. We conclude that displacing fossil fuels with first‐generation biofuels will likely negatively affect global biodiversity, no matter which feedstock is used or where it is produced. Environmental policy may therefore focus on the introduction of other renewable options in the transport sector.
A community‐wide quality improvement initiative to improve hypertension control and reduce disparities
Authors: Fortuna Robert J. , Rocco Thomas A. , Freeman Jeffrey , Devine Mathew , Bisognano John , Williams Geoffrey C. , Nagel Angela , Beckman Howard 
Published: January 2019

Initiatives to improve hypertension control within academic medical centers and closed health systems have been extensively studied, but large community‐wide quality improvement (QI) initiatives have been both less common and less successful in the United States. The authors examined a community‐wide QI initiative across 226 843 patients from 198 practices in nine counties across upstate New York to improve hypertension control and reduce disparities. The QI initiative focused on (a) providing population and practice‐level comparative data, (b) community engagement, especially in underserved communities, and (c) practice‐level quality improvement assistance, but was not designed to examine causality of specific components. Across the nine counties, hypertension control rates improved from 61.9% in 2011 to 69.5% in 2016. Improvements were greatest among whites (73.7%‐81.5%) and more modest among black patients (58.8%‐64.7%). The authors noted a considerable improvement in BP within the group of patients with the highest risk (defined as a BP ≥ 160/100) and a decrease in disparities within this group. The quality collaborative identified five key lessons to help guide future community initiatives: (a) anticipate a plateauing of response; (b) distinguish the needs of disparate populations and create subpopulation‐specific strategies to address and reduce disparities; (c) recognize the variation across low SES practices; (d) remain open to the refinement of outcome measures; and (e) continually seek best practices and barriers to success. Overall, a large community‐wide QI initiative, involving multiple different stakeholders, was associated with improvements in BP control and modest reductions in some targeted disparities.