bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive fibrosis score for hepatitis delta
Authors: Lutterkort Gunnar L. , Wranke Anika , Yurdaydin Cihan , Budde Eva , Westphal Max , Lichtinghagen Ralf , Stift Judith , Bremer Birgit , Hardtke Svenja , Keskin Onur , Idilman Ramazan , Koch Armin , Manns Michael P. , Dienes Hans P. , Wedemeyer Heiner , Heidrich Benjamin 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsIdentifying advanced fibrosis in chronic hepatitis delta patients and thus in need of urgent treatment is crucial. To avoid liver biopsy, non‐invasive fibrosis scores may be helpful but have not been evaluated for chronic hepatitis delta yet.MethodsWe evaluated eight non‐invasive fibrosis scores in 100 HDV RNA‐positive patients with available central histological reading. New cut‐off values were calculated by using Receiver Operating Characteristics and Youden indexes. Predictors for the presence of ISHAK F3‐6 were revealed by t‐tests or Mann–Whitney tests.ResultsNone of the tested scores had an area under the curve (AUROC) > 0.8 and performed according to our predefined requirements of a sensitivity of >80% and a positive predictive value (PPV) >90% – even after adaption. However, the ELF score was able to identify advanced fibrosis with a high sensitivity (93%) and PPV (81%), but relies on expensive extracellular matrix markers with bad availability in many endemic regions of HDV. Thus, we developed a novel non‐invasive approach and identified low cholinesterase (P=.002), low albumin (P=.041), higher gamma glutamyl transferase, as well as older age (P<.001) as predictors of fibrosis resulting in the Delta Fibrosis Score (DFS). The DFS performed with a sensitivity of 85% and PPV of 93% with an AUROC of 0.87.ConclusionsExisting non‐invasive fibrosis scores are either impracticable or do not perform well in chronic hepatitis delta patients. However, the new Delta Fibrosis Score is the first non‐invasive fibrosis score specifically developed for chronic hepatitis delta and requires only standard parameters.
Review of the natural conditions and anthropogenic threats to the Ethiopian Rift Valley rivers and lakes
Authors: Lemma Brook , Desta Hayal 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis review article considers the lakes found within the Ethiopian Rift Valley system and the rivers draining from the highlands towards them. The Ethiopian Rift Valley system extends in a north‐east–south‐west direction, bisecting the Ethiopian highlands. They differ in sizes and hydrological and hydrogeological settings. The lakes support a variety of flora and fauna, mainly fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. The lakes and their feeder rivers, however, are currently being subjected to more human use pressure than previously experienced, attributable mainly to water abstractions for irrigation, household water supply and industrial activities in the catchments. Soil erosion, primarily attributable to the lack of soil conservation practices on farm lands, overgrazing and deforestation, along with unregulated irrigation practices, are generating large quantities of silt reaching the lakes. Improper utilization of water and land resources in the catchments, along with population growth and climate change impacts, is escalating the threats to the health of the lake and river ecosystems. As a result, some of the lakes exhibited reduced water levels and increased salinity. This article reviews the major environmental changes happening to these lakes and their feeder rivers. Visits were made to the area to update previous information while also consolidating the trends of change in the aquatic systems and the watersheds attributed to intense development practices.
Niche modelling of the Chilean recluse spider Loxosceles laeta and araneophagic spitting spider Scytodes globula and risk for loxoscelism in Chile
Authors: CANALS M. , TAUCARE‐RIOS A. , BRESCOVIT A. D. , PEÑA‐GOMEZ F. , BIZAMA G. , CANALS A. , MORENO L. , BUSTAMANTE R. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn Chile, all necrotic arachnidism is attributed to the Chilean recluse spider Loxosceles laeta (Nicolet) (Araneae: Sicariidae). It is predated by the spitting spider Scytodes globula (Nicolet) (Araneae: Scytodidae). The biology of each of these species is not well known and it is important to clarify their distributions. The aims of this study are to elucidate the variables involved in the niches of both species based on environmental and human footprint variables, and to construct geographic maps that will be useful in estimating potential distributions and in defining a map of estimated risk for loxoscelism in Chile. Loxosceles laeta was found to be associated with high temperatures and low rates of precipitation, whereas although S. globula was also associated with high temperatures, its distribution was associated with a higher level of precipitation. The main variable associated with the distribution of L. laeta was the human footprint (48.6%), which suggests that this is a highly invasive species. Similarly to other species, the distribution of L. laeta reaches its southern limit at the Los Lagos region in Chile, which coincides with high levels of precipitation and low temperatures. The potential distribution of L. laeta in Chile corresponds to the distribution of cases of loxoscelism.
Human adult neurogenesis across the ages: An immunohistochemical study
Authors: Dennis C. V. , Suh L. S. , Rodriguez M. L. , Kril J. J. , Sutherland G. T. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimsNeurogenesis in the postnatal human brain occurs in two neurogenic niches; the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the wall of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus. The extent to which this physiological process continues into adulthood is an area of ongoing research. This study aimed to characterize markers of cell proliferation and assess the efficacy of antibodies used to identify neurogenesis in both neurogenic niches of the human brain.MethodsCell proliferation and neurogenesis were simultaneously examined in the SVZ and SGZ of 23 individuals aged 0.2–59 years, using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in combination with unbiased stereology.ResultsThere was a marked decline in proliferating cells in both neurogenic niches in early infancy with levels reaching those seen in the adjacent parenchyma by 4 and 1 year of age, in the SVZ and SGZ, respectively. Furthermore, the phenotype of these proliferating cells in both niches changed with age. In infants, proliferating cells co‐expressed neural progenitor (epidermal growth factor receptor), immature neuronal (doublecortin and beta III tubulin) and oligodendrocytic (Olig2) markers. However, after 3 years of age, microglia were the only proliferating cells found in either niche or in the adjacent parenchyma.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a marked decline in neurogenesis in both neurogenic niches in early childhood, and that the sparse proliferating cells in the adult brain are largely microglia.
Do Government Purchases Affect Unemployment?
Authors: Holden Steinar , Sparrman Victoria 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe estimate the effect of government purchases on unemployment in 20 OECD countries, for the period 1980–2007. An increase in government purchases, equal to 1 percent of GDP, is found to reduce unemployment by about 0.3 percentage points in the same year. The effect is greater and more persistent under less “employment‐friendly” labour‐market institutions, and it is greater and more persistent under a fixed exchange rate regime than under a floating regime. The effect is also greater in downturns than in booms. The effect on unemployment reflects a corresponding positive effect of increased government purchases on the employment‐to‐population rate.
Age‐related differences in morphological characteristics of residual skin surface components collected from the surface of facial skin of healthy male volunteers
Authors: Chalyk N. E. , Bandaletova T. Y. , Kyle N. H. , Petyaev I. M. 
Published: July 2016

Background/PurposeGlobal increase of human longevity results in the emergence of previously ignored ageing‐related problems. Skin ageing is a well‐known phenomenon, but active search for scientific approaches to its prevention and even skin rejuvenation is a relatively new area. Although the structure and composition of the stratum corneum (SC), the superficial layer of epidermis, is well studied, relatively little is known about the residual skin surface components (RSSC) that overlay the surface of the SC. The aim of this study was to examine morphological features of RSSC samples non‐invasively collected from the surface of human facial skin for the presence of age‐related changes.MethodsResidual skin surface component samples were collected by swabbing from the surface of facial skin of 60 adult male volunteers allocated in two age groups: 34 subjects aged in the range 18–32 years and 26 subjects aged in the range 58–72 years. The collected samples were analysed microscopically: the size of the lipid droplets was measured; desquamated corneocytes and lipid crystals were counted; and microbial presence was assessed semi‐quantitatively.ResultsAge‐related changes were revealed for all studied components of the RSSC. There was a significant (P = 0.0126) decrease in the size of lipid droplets among older men. Likewise, significantly (P = 0.0252) lower numbers of lipid crystals were present in this group. In contrast, microbial presence in the RSSC was significantly (P = 0.0019) increased in the older group. There was also a trend towards more abundant corneocyte desquamation among older men, but the difference has not reached statistical significance (P = 0.0636).ConclusionNon‐invasively collected RSSC samples present an informative material for studying age‐related changes on the surface of the SC of human facial skin. The results of this study confirm earlier observations regarding age‐associated decline of the efficiency of the epidermal barrier and can be used for testing new approaches to skin ageing prevention.
How to probe expletives
Authors: Abe Jun 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis article argues for a Move‐approach to expletive constructions, according to which expletives satisfy theEPPby moving to a designated position rather than by being simply externally merged into it. In particular, I argue that the expletive and its associate form a constituent underlyingly and that the associate carries partitive Case that needs to be checked in accordance with Chomsky's (2008) probe‐goal system. Further, I propose that expletives carry only unvalued ϕ‐features, unlike ordinaryDPs. This makes it possible to accommodate those cases in which expletives appear to be involved in default agreement.
Paraganglioma, pituitary adenoma, and osteosarcoma in a dog
Authors: Robat Cecilia , Houseright Ruth , Murphey Joanne , Sample Saundra , Pinkerton Marie 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAn 11‐year‐old neutered male Alaskan Malamute mixed‐breed dog was presented with a complaint of polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD), weight loss, tachypnea, regurgitation, and a previous history of nontreated osteosarcoma of the right distal radius, diagnosed 21 months prior. On physical examination, an abdominal mass was palpated. The abdominal mass was aspirated and cytologically diagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumor, suspected to be a pheochromocytoma. Laboratory examination revealed a mild anemia and thrombocytopenia, markedly elevatedATPandALPactivities, and moderate hypercalcemia. A low‐dose dexamethasone suppression test and endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration were compatible with pituitary hyperadrenocorticism. On urinalysis, proteinuria was noted as well as a high urine metanephrine/creatinine ratio, consistent with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The dog was treated with supportive care and euthanized 6 months later due to decreasing quality of life. On necropsy, an extra‐adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma) was diagnosed in the caudal abdomen, and a pituitary adenoma and an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius were confirmed.
Quality requirements for veterinary hematology analyzers in small animals—a survey about veterinary experts′ requirements and objective evaluation of analyzer performance based on a meta‐analysis of method validation studies: bench top hematology analyzer
Authors: Cook Andrea M. , Moritz Andreas , Freeman Kathleen P. , Bauer Natali 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundScarce information exists about quality requirements and objective evaluation of performance of large veterinary bench top hematology analyzers.ObjectiveThe study was aimed at comparing the observed total error (TEobs) derived from meta‐analysis of published method validation data to the total allowable error (TEa) for veterinary hematology variables in small animals based on experts′ opinions. Ideally, TEobs should be < TEa.MethodsAn online survey was sent to veterinary experts in clinical pathology and small animal internal medicine for providing the maximal allowable deviation from a given result for each variable. Percent of TEa = (allowable median deviation/clinical threshold) * 100%. Second, TEobs for 3 laser‐based bench top hematology analyzers (ADVIA 2120; Sysmex XT2000iV, and CellDyn 3500) was calculated based on method validation studies published between 2005 and 2013 (n = 4). The percent TEobs = 2 * CV (%) + bias (%). The CV was derived from published studies except for the ADVIA 2120 (internal data), and bias was estimated from the regression equation.ResultsA total of 41 veterinary experts (19 diplomates, 8 residents, 10 postgraduate students, 4 anonymous specialists) responded. The proposed range of TEa was wide, but generally ≤ 20%. The TEobs was < TEa for all variables and analyzers except for canine and feline HGB (high bias, low CV) and platelet counts (high bias, high CV).ConclusionsOverall, veterinary bench top analyzers fulfilled experts′ requirements except for HGB due to method‐related bias, and platelet counts due to known preanalytic/analytic issues.
Genetic testing in veterinary dermatology
Authors: Leeb Tosso , Müller Eliane J. , Roosje Petra , Welle Monika 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundMolecular genetics has made significant advances in the analysis of hereditary dermatoses during the last several years.ObjectivesTo provide an update on currently available genetic tests for skin diseases of dogs, cats and horses, and to aid the veterinary clinician in the appropriate selection and applications of genetic tests.MethodsThe scientific literature on the topic was critically reviewed. The list of known causative variants for genodermatoses and hair morphology traits was compiled by searching the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) database.ResultsGenetic testing has become an important diagnostic method in veterinary medicine. Genetic tests can help to establish the correct diagnosis in some diseases with relatively nonspecific signs. Genetic tests are also essential for sustainable breeding programmes and to help minimize the frequency of animals with hereditary diseases. Advances in genetic methodology and bioinformatics already allow genome‐wide screening for potential disease causing mutations for research purposes. It is anticipated that this will become a routine process in clinical practice in the future.Conclusion and clinical importanceAs specific DNA tests and broad genome‐wide analyses come into more common use, it is critical that clinicians understand the proper application and interpretation of these test results.
The selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist mapracorat displays a favourable safety–efficacy ratio for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin diseases in dogs
Authors: Bäumer Wolfgang , Rossbach Kristine , Schmidt Bernard H. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundMapracorat is a nonsteroidal Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonist (SEGRA) that is presumed to have a better therapeutic index compared to classical glucocorticoids.ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and safety of mapracorat with classical glucocorticoids used for the treatment of allergic skin diseases in dogs.AnimalsSix laboratory beagles.MethodsThe effect of mapracorat on lipopolysaccharide‐induced TNFα secretion from canine peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) was tested. In vivo, mapracorat was compared to triamcinolone acetonide using a skin inflammation model. Skin fold thickness was determined after daily administration of mapracorat and triamcinolone acetonide over 14 days.ResultsMapracorat concentration dependently inhibited TNFα secretion from activated canine PBMC with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of approximately 0.2 nmol/L. Intradermal injection of compound 48/80 (50 μg in 50 μL saline) resulted in a clear wheal and flare reaction over the 60 min observation period. Topical pre‐treatment with mapracorat (0.1%) and triamcinolone acetonide (0.015%) led to significant reduction in the wheal and flare responses compared to vehicle (acetone) treated areas. However, once daily topical administration of triamcinolone acetonide significantly reduced skin fold thickness from day 8 to 14, whereas no such reduction was observed for mapracorat.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that mapracorat has comparable anti‐inflammatory efficacy to classical steroidal glucocorticoids under these experimental settings and maintenance of skin fold thickness indicates a better safety profile compared to triamcinolone acetonide at equipotent concentrations. This profile further suggests that SEGRAs show promise in the management of inflammatory and pruritic skin diseases in dogs.
Angiotensin II control of regional haemodynamics in rats with aortocaval fistula
Authors: Duggan Daniel J. , Tabrizchi Reza 
Published: July 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Hyperdynamic circulation because of arteriovenous fistula results in reduction of blood flow to organs but is a model of low circulatory resistance with activated renin–angiotensin system. The aim was to determine contributions of different subtypes of angiotensin II receptors to regional blood flow and vascular conductance in a hyperdynamic circulatory state.

What is the main finding and its importance?
The renin–angiotensin system plays a pivotal role in control of regional blood flow in animals with arteriovenous fistula and makes a major contribution to the maintenance of normal arterial blood pressure. In this hyperdynamic circulatory state model, angiotensin II type 1 receptors predominated in regulating regional haemodynamics.

Regional perfusion is reduced and the renin–angiotensin system activated in rats with aortocaval fistula. The effects of captopril (angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor), losartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist) and PD 123319 (angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist) on regional blood flow and vascular conductance were assessed in rats with aortocaval fistula and sham‐operated rats. Control of blood flow and vascular conductance by angiotensin II was evaluated by serial bolus injections of captopril, losartan and PD 123319 in anaesthetized rats. In rats with fistula, PD 123319 significantly decreased, whereas captopril and losartan increased, mesenteric blood flow. The decrease in mesenteric blood flow induced by PD 123319 was significantly greater in rats with fistula compared with sham operation. Captopril and PD 123319 significantly decreased renal blood flow compared with losartan, which increased it. In sham‐operated rats, captopril and losartan significantly increased, whereas PD 123319 decreased, mesenteric and renal conductance. In rats with fistula, captopril and losartan significantly increased, whereas PD 123319 decreased, mesenteric conductance. The significant increase produced by losartan on mesenteric conductance was greater in rats with fistula compared with sham operation. PD 123319 produced a significantly greater decrease in renal conductance of rats with aortocaval fistula compared with sham‐operated rats. Captopril, losartan and PD 123319 did not significantly affect perfusion in the hindquarter in rats with fistula or sham‐operated. The renin–angiotensin system is more active in the control of regional haemodynamics in rats with aortocaval fistula and acts as a mechanism of maintaining normal arterial blood pressure in these animals. In rats with fistula, angiotensin II type 1 receptors predominate in regulating regional haemodynamics.
From focal sepsis to periodontal medicine: a century of exploring the role of the oral microbiome in systemic disease
Authors: Kumar Purnima S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe oral microbiome is established within a few minutes after birth and consists of stable multi‐species communities that engage in a dynamic equilibrium with the host immune system. Dental caries, endodontic infections and periodontal diseases are bacterially driven diseases that are caused by dysbiotic microbiomes. Over a century ago, the focal infection theory implicated these infections in the aetiology of several systemic diseases, ranging from arthritis to neurodegenerative diseases. However, a lack of concrete evidence, combined with the urgency with which clinicians embraced this approach without regard for appropriate case selection, led to its demise within 30 years. In the last decade of the 20th century, the concept of periodontal medicine was introduced to explain the correlations that were being observed between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, pulmonary disease, pre‐term delivery of low birth weight infants and metabolic disease. It was proposed that periodontal pathobionts played a causal role in the initiating or exacerbating certain diseases either by direct invasion or by stimulating a florid immune‐inflammatory response that extended into the systemic circulation. This review will examine the strength of current evidence in establishing a causal link between oral pathobionts and systemic disease.
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