bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of meibomian glands and tear film in post‐refractive surgery patients
Authors: Jung Ji Won , Kim Jung Yong , Chin Hee Seung , Suh Young Ju , Kim Tae‐im , Seo Kyoung Yul 
Published: May 2017

AbstractImportanceCorneal refractive surgery may impact meibomian gland and tear film in post‐refractive surgery patients.BackgroundTo compare ocular surface parameters between post‐refractive surgery patients and normal controls.DesignCross‐sectional single centre study.ParticipantsA total of 120 eyes of 120 subjects were divided into three groups: (i) 60 controls and 60 patients underwent corneal refractive surgery at least 12 months ago; (ii) 30 post‐laser in‐situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients and (iii) 30 post‐laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)/photo‐refractive keratectomy (PRK) patients.MethodsTear meniscus height, non‐invasive keratographic tear film break‐up time and meibography were measured using the Keratograph® 5M. Fluorescein break‐up time, ocular surface staining, examination of lid margins and meibomian glands, Schirmer's test and Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire were performed.Main Outcome MeasuresOrdinary logistic regression was performed to evaluate the impact of clinical variables including refractive surgery on the meiboscores.ResultsIn post‐LASIK patients, ocular surface parameters including Ocular Surface Disease Index scores, fluorescein break‐up time and staining scores, except Schirmer's scores, were significantly worse than those in controls (P < 0.050). Ocular surface staining scores in post‐LASEK/PRK patients was higher than that in the controls (P = 0.001). In post‐refractive surgery patients, grade of meibomian gland parameters and meiboscores were worse than those of controls (all P < 0.050). Histories of refractive surgery were associated with high meiboscore (β = 1.100, P = 0.043 for LASIK and β = 1.039, P = 0.042 for LASEK/PRK).Conclusions and relevanceCorneal refractive surgery may adversely affect the ocular surface, and a reduction of functional meibomian glands can contribute to chronic tear film dysfunction after corneal refractive surgery.
Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products – part 4: Solidago virgaurea–Vitis vinifera
Authors: Minciullo Paola L. , Calapai Gioacchino , Miroddi Marco , Mannucci Carmen , Chinou Ioanna , Gangemi Sebastiano , Schmidt Richard J. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThis review focuses on contact dermatitis as an adverse effect of a selection of topically used herbal medicinal products for which the European Medicines Agency has completed an evaluation up to the end of November 2013 and for which a Community herbal monograph – now (since 2014) called a ‘European Union herbal monograph’ – has been produced. The present part 4 addresses species from Solidago virgaurea L. to Vitis vinifera L.
Dual kidney transplant techniques: A systematic review
Authors: Cocco Annelise , Shahrestani Sara , Cocco Nicholas , Hameed Ahmer , Yuen Lawrence , Ryan Brendan , Hawthorne Wayne , Lam Vincent , Pleass Henry 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundDual kidney transplantation (DKT) was developed to improve outcomes from transplantation of extended criteria donors (ECD). This study examined which surgical techniques have been reported for DKT and whether any technique had superior patient and graft survival.MethodElectronic databases were searched for published studies mapping to MESH terms: “kidney or renal” AND “transplan*” AND “dual or double.” Single case reports, studies of patients less than 18 years old, studies which did not describe the surgical technique, and studies that did not report patient or graft survival were excluded.ResultsFifteen reports of 434 DKT recipients were identified. Three techniques were described: bilateral placement; unilateral placement with separate anastomoses; and unilateral placement with patch anastomoses. Patient survival across all three techniques was over 95% at 1 year, and graft survival was also similar at over 90%. Rates of delayed graft function were between 20% and 30% across all techniques.ConclusionThe three techniques have equivalent delayed graft function as well as patient and graft survival rates. This is an encouraging result as it means that the surgeon can choose to use the technique which is most appropriate for their own skills and for the patient.
Intraepidermal Merkel cell carcinoma: A case series of a rare entity with clinical follow up
Authors: Jour George , Aung Phyu P. , Rozas‐Muñoz Eduardo , Curry Johnathan L. , Prieto Victor , Ivan Doina 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive cutaneous carcinoma. MCC typically involves dermis and although epidermotropism has been reported, MCC strictly intraepidermal or in situ (MCCIS) is exceedingly rare. Most of the cases of MCCIS described so far have other associated lesions, such as squamous or basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis and so on. Herein, we describe 3 patients with MCC strictly in situ, without a dermal component.MethodsOur patients were elderly. 2 of the lesions involved the head and neck area and 1 was on a finger. All tumors were strictly intraepidermal in the diagnostic biopsies, and had histomorphologic features and an immunohistochemical profile supporting the diagnosis of MCC. Excisional biopsies were performed in 2 cases and failed to reveal dermal involvement by MCC or other associated malignancies.Results and ConclusionOur findings raise the awareness that MCC strictly in situ does exist and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of Paget's or extramammary Paget's disease, pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and other neoplasms that typically show histologically pagetoid extension of neoplastic cells. Considering the limited number of cases reported to date, the diagnosis of isolated MCCIS should not warrant a change in management from the typical MCC.
Residual thymic tissue and lymph node involvement by acute myeloid leukaemia presenting as mediastinal, strongly 18FDG‐PET‐positive masses
Authors: Maschmeyer Georg , Brink Ingo , Jähne Doris , Arnold Renate , Schega Olaf 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe report on a multidisciplinary management of a 68‐year‐old AML patient presenting with a PET‐positive mediastinal tumour typical for lymph node metastasis. It was removed via minimally invasive thoracoscopic intervention and was identified as a thymus residual infiltrated by AML. Follow‐up PET‐CT scan after resection and remission induction chemotherapy was completely normal. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case report of AML presenting with PET‐positive infiltrates of thymic and lymph node tissue along the aortic bow mimicking a second intrathoracic malignancy. Our observation indicates the usefulness of this imaging technique and supports clarification of these unusual findings in AML patients, in case of need also by invasive diagnostic procedures, to enable an adequate therapeutic decision.
Increased expression of STIM1/Orai1 in platelets of stroke patients predictive of poor outcomes
Authors: Dong M. , Zheng N. , Ren L. J. , Zhou H. , Liu J. 
Published: May 2017

Background and purposeThe platelet activation that is mediated by store‐operated Ca2+ entry via stromal interaction molecule (STIM1) and Orai1 Ca2+ influx channels has been shown to play a key role in ischaemic stroke (IS). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of platelet STIM1/Orai1 protein expression on outcomes of IS.MethodsA total of 160 patients with acute non‐cardioembolic IS, among whom 45 patients had small‐vessel diseases and 115 patients had large‐vessel diseases, were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to their baseline platelet STIM1/Orai1 protein expression: high‐expression group (HG) (n = 80) and low‐expression group (LG) (n = 80). Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to assess the correlation between STIM1/Orai1 expression and clinical outcomes, which included stroke severity that was measured based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) at baseline and during the 3‐month follow‐up.ResultsThere were no significant differences in age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors between patients in HG and LG. However, HG had very high levels of biomarkers such as glycosylated hemoglobin, C‐reactive protein, homocysteine and high mobility group box‐1 protein (all P < 0.05). Although the baseline stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score) was not obviously higher in HG than in LG, patients showed a better recovery score (SIS score) in LG than in HG (90.75 ± 13.65 vs. 80.68 ± 7.09; P = 0.022). STIM1/Orai1 expression was an independent predictor of the 3‐month stroke recovery (hazard ratio, 4.543; 95% confidence interval, 1.941–29.145; P = 0.029).ConclusionsA high expression level of platelet Orai1/STIMI1 was associated with poor clinical outcome (mortality and recurrence) and functional recovery (SIS scores) during the 3‐month follow‐up. Thus, we propose that these proteins are strongly predictive of life quality in patients with IS.
The contagion versus interdependence controversy between hedge funds and equity markets
Authors: Kim Tae Yoon , Lee Hee Soo 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study considers the ‘contagion versus interdependence’ controversy between hedge funds and equity markets. We find that contagion effects break down the established interdependence between hedge funds and equity markets and conditional return smoothing could play a key role in the contagion process by increasing or decreasing the contagion likelihood during crisis and prosperity. It is noted that the return smoothing tends to produce a biased pattern of returns during crisis and a decreased amount of return during prosperity. These findings are obtained by linking a single equation error correction model to a factor model and carrying out quantile regression, Z‐test and Wald–Wolfowitz runs tests.
Clinical and histopathological features of myofibrillar myopathy in Warmblood horses
Authors: Valberg S. J. , Nicholson A. M. , Lewis S. S. , Reardon R. A. , Finno C. J. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryBackgroundTo report a novel exertional myopathy, myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) in Warmblood (WB) horses.ObjectivesTo 1) describe the distinctive clinical and myopathic features of MFM in Warmblood horses and 2) investigate the potential inheritance of MFM in a Warmblood family.Study designRetrospective selection of MFM cases and prospective evaluation of a Warmblood family.MethodsRetrospectively, muscle biopsies were selected from Warmblood horses diagnosed with MFM and clinical histories obtained (n = 10). Prospectively, muscle biopsies were obtained from controls (n = 8) and a three generation WB family (n = 11). Samples were assessed for histopathology [scored 0–3], fibre types, cytoskeletal and Z disc protein aggregates, electron microscopic alterations (EM) and muscle glycogen concentrations.ResultsMyofibrillar myopathy‐affected cases experienced exercise intolerance, reluctance to go forward, stiffness and poorly localised lameness. Abnormal aggregates of the cytoskeletal protein desmin were found in up to 120 type 2a and a few type 2x myofibres of MFM cases. Desmin positive fibres did not stain for developmental myosin, α actinin or dystrophin. Scores for internalised myonuclei (score MFM 0.83 ± 0.67, controls 0.22 ± 0.45), anguloid atrophy (MFM 0.95 ± 0.55, controls 0.31 ± 0.37) and total myopathic scores (MFM 5.85 ± 2.10, controls 1.41 ± 2.17) were significantly higher in MFM cases vs. controls. Focal Z disc degeneration, myofibrillar disruption and accumulation of irregular granular material was evident in MFM cases. Muscle glycogen concentrations were similar between MFM cases and controls. In the Warmblood family, desmin positive aggregates were found in myofibres of the founding dam and in horses from two subsequent generations.Main limitationsRestricted sample size due to limited availability of well phenotyped cases.ConclusionsA distinctive and potentially heritable form of MFM exists in Warmblood horses that present with exercise intolerance and abnormal hindlimb gait. Muscle tissue is characterised by ectopic accumulation of desmin and Z disc and myofibrillar degeneration.
Determination of the appropriate parameters for K‐means clustering using selection of region clusters based on density DBSCAN (SRCD‐DBSCAN)
Authors: Limwattanapibool Onapa , Arch‐int Somjit 
Published: May 2017

AbstractK‐means clustering can be highly accurate when the number of clusters and the initial cluster centre are appropriate. An inappropriate determination of the number of clusters or the initial cluster centre decreases the accuracy of K‐means clustering. However, determining these values is problematic. To solve these problems, we used density‐based spatial clustering of application with noise (DBSCAN) because it does not require a predetermined number of clusters; however, it has some significant drawbacks. Using DBSCAN with high‐dimensional data and data with potentially different densities decreases the accuracy to some degree. Therefore, the objective of this research is to improve the efficiency of DBSCAN through a selection of region clusters based on density DBSCAN to automatically find the appropriate number of clusters and initial cluster centres for K‐means clustering. In the proposed method, DBSCAN is used to perform clustering and to select the appropriate clusters by considering the density of each cluster. Subsequently, the appropriate region data are chosen from the selected clusters. The experimental results yield the appropriate number of clusters and the appropriate initial cluster centres for K‐means clustering. In addition, the results of the selection of region clusters based on density DBSCAN method are more accurate than those obtained by traditional methods, including DBSCAN and K‐means and related methods such as Partitioning‐based DBSCAN (PDBSCAN) and PDBSCAN by applying the Ant Clustering Algorithm DBSCAN (PACA‐DBSCAN).
Fuzzy logic and differential evolution‐based hybrid system for gesture recognition using Kinect sensor
Authors: Saha Sriparna , Konar Amit , Datta Shreyasi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe paper introduces a novel approach to gesture recognition aimed at physical disorder identification capable of handling variations in disorder expressions. The gestures are captured by Microsoft's Kinect sensor. The work is segmented into four main parts. The first stage describes a “relax” posture through four centroids depicting four portions of the skeletal structure. In the second stage, when the subject is showing symptoms of any one of the 16 physical disorders, then the skeletal structure distorts; the bilateral structure is lost, and concept of “centroid” computation does not seem relevant. Hence, in the second stage, “motion points” depicting shifted centroids for the distorted posture are computed by distance maximization with respect to the four corresponding centroids obtained for the relax posture. This process is carried out by adapting the weights assigned to each joint by differential evolution. In the third stage, eight features are figured out on the basis of Euclidean distances and angles among the motion points of the distorted gesture. In the final stage, gestures are recognized using an interval type‐2 fuzzy set‐based classifier with 91.37% accuracy.
Defining a Safe Operating Space for inland recreational fisheries
Authors: Carpenter Stephen R , Brock William A , Hansen Gretchen J A , Hansen Jonathan F , Hennessy Joseph M , Isermann Daniel A , Pedersen Eric J , Perales K Martin , Rypel Andrew L , Sass Greg G , Tunney Tyler D , Vander Zanden M Jake 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe Safe Operating Space (SOS) of a recreational fishery is the multidimensional region defined by levels of harvest, angler effort, habitat, predation and other factors in which the fishery is sustainable into the future. SOS boundaries exhibit trade‐offs such that decreases in harvest can compensate to some degree for losses of habitat, increases in predation and increasing value of fishing time to anglers. Conversely, high levels of harvest can be sustained if habitat is intact, predation is low, and value of fishing effort is moderate. The SOS approach recognizes limits in several dimensions: at overly high levels of harvest, habitat loss, predation, or value of fishing effort, the stock falls to a low equilibrium biomass. Recreational fisheries managers can influence harvest and perhaps predation, but they must cope with trends that are beyond their control such as changes in climate, loss of aquatic habitat or social factors that affect the value of fishing effort for anglers. The SOS illustrates opportunities to manage harvest or predation to maintain quality fisheries in the presence of trends in climate, social preferences or other factors that are not manageable.
Modulation of heme oxygenase‐1 expression and activity affects streptozotocin‐induced diabetic nephropathy in rats
Authors: Ali Marwa A.M. , Heeba Gehan H. , El‐Sheikh Azza A.K. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractHeme oxygenase (HO)‐1 has exhibited nephro‐protective actions in different animal models; however, its full mechanistic potential in diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not yet been elucidated. Hence, the present study has been undertaken by inducing DN in rats using streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.p.), with or without either HO‐1 inducer; hemin (HM; 40 μmol/kg, s.c.), or HO‐1 blocker; zinc protoporphyrin‐IX (ZnPP; 50 μmol/kg, i.p.), for one month. Compared to control, rats with DN suffered from hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, with signs of renal damage, as assessed by distortion in renal histopathologic architecture and kidney function. Renal oxidative/nitrosative stress was evident by increased malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, with decreased reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. DN group also exhibited high renal expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and the apoptotic marker; caspase 3, assessed by Western blot. Renal HO‐1 protein expression and activity were increased in DN rats compared to control. Administration of HM, but not ZnPP, to DN rats improved kidney function, histopathologic features, lipid profile, TNF‐α, and caspase 3 expressions, with no effect on blood glucose level. HM increased, while ZnPP decreased renal HO‐1 activity in DN rats. It is noteworthy that neither intervention affected HO‐1 activity or renal oxidative capacity in non‐diabetic rats. Interestingly, the expression of HO‐1 was upregulated by both HM and ZnPP in DN rats. In conclusion, activation of HO‐1 via HM ameliorated renal damage in STZ‐induced DN in rats, probably through antioxidant, anti‐nitrosative, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic mechanisms.
Branched chain amino acids supplementation modulates TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway and interleukins in CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis
Authors: Khedr Naglaa F. , Khedr Eman G. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe alterations and low levels of circulating branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are associated with liver diseases. The study was designed to evaluate hepatoprotective effect of BCAAs on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis and to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects in rats. In all, 30 male rats were divided into three groups. Control group (n = 10) and CCl4 group (n = 10), where rats were injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg of 0.5 : 1 v/v injected i.p. twice weekly for 12 weeks). In CCl4 + BCAAs group (n = 10), rats were injected with similar doses of CCl4 and supplemented with a mixture of 600 mg/kg BCAAs (2 : 1 : 1.2 leucine : isoleucine : valine) by oral gavage, three times/week for 12 weeks. Liver fibrosis was assessed by measuring total bilirubin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, hydroxyproline content, and serum IL‐6 and IL‐10. Histopathologic studies and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) were detected immunohistochemically in liver. Serum insulin level, blood glucose, liver malodialdehyde concentration (MDA), glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were quantified. TGF‐β1, Smad3, and Smad7 gene expressions were estimated by qRT‐PCR. BCAAs suppressed liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 treatment. BCAAs modulated liver indices and downregulated TGF‐β1, Smad3, and Smad7 expressions in hepatocytes. BCAAs enhanced liver antioxidant enzyme activities (P < 0.001), reduced serum levels of TGF‐β1, IL‐6, and IL‐10 compared to CCL4 group and ameliorated histopathologic changes in rat liver. BCAAs may have a protective role against liver fibrosis via antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms.
A common thermal niche among geographically diverse populations of the widely distributed tree species Eucalyptus tereticornis: No evidence for adaptation to climate‐of‐origin
Authors: Drake John E. , Vårhammar Angelica , Kumarathunge Dushan , Medlyn Belinda E. , Pfautsch Sebastian , Reich Peter B. , Tissue David T. , Ghannoum Oula , Tjoelker Mark G. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractImpacts of climate warming depend on the degree to which plants are constrained by adaptation to their climate‐of‐origin or exhibit broad climatic suitability. We grew cool‐origin, central and warm‐origin provenances of Eucalyptus tereticornis in an array of common temperature environments from 18 to 35.5°C to determine if this widely distributed tree species consists of geographically contrasting provenances with differentiated and narrow thermal niches, or if provenances share a common thermal niche. The temperature responses of photosynthesis, respiration, and growth were equivalent across the three provenances, reflecting a common thermal niche despite a 2,200 km geographic distance and 13°C difference in mean annual temperature at seed origin. The temperature dependence of growth was primarily mediated by changes in leaf area per unit plant mass, photosynthesis, and whole‐plant respiration. Thermal acclimation of leaf, stem, and root respiration moderated the increase in respiration with temperature, but acclimation was constrained at high temperatures. We conclude that this species consists of provenances that are not differentiated in their thermal responses, thus rejecting our hypothesis of adaptation to climate‐of‐origin and suggesting a shared thermal niche. In addition, growth declines with warming above the temperature optima were driven by reductions in whole‐plant leaf area and increased respiratory carbon losses. The impacts of climate warming will nonetheless vary across the geographic range of this and other such species, depending primarily on each provenance's climate position on the temperature response curves for photosynthesis, respiration, and growth.
From standard takers to standard makers? The role of knowledge‐intensive intermediaries in setting global sustainability standards
Authors: STRAMBACH SIMONE , SURMEIER ANNIKA 
Published: May 2017

AbstractStandards are increasingly being geared towards addressing social and ecological concerns in global production networks, but to facilitate sustainable development locally, global standards need to integrate the context‐specific needs of actors in developing countries. However, most standards are still developed in the Global North, while the inclusion of actors from developing countries remains limited. Nonetheless, there is recent evidence of some countries from the Global South proactively influencing transnational and global standard setting and, in these processes, knowledge is a decisive factor. Accordingly, in this article we argue that a dynamic and knowledge‐based perspective can provide more detailed insights into how actors from developing countries contribute to standard setting processes. In this respect, special types of organizations – namely knowledge‐intensive intermediaries (KIIs) – play an essential, yet unrecognized, role. Here, to illustrate the strategies that KIIs use to influence global standard setting, we investigate the South African organization ‘Fair Trade in Tourism’.