bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discharge of a Pistol Out a Car Window with the Breech Within the Interior of the Car: Analysis of Gunshot Residue on a Car's Interior Surfaces
Authors: Burnett Bryan R. , Lebiedzik Jozef 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe defendant, the driver of the questioned car, allegedly extended his right arm over the passenger seat and fired a single shot from a 380 pistol out the passenger window with the pistol's breech within the car. A simulation of this shooting scenario using the same model car, but different year, was conducted to quantitate gunshot residue (GSR) contamination of interior surfaces within the car. The test car's dash and headliner/window frame above the pistol had the heaviest GSR contamination. The dash GSR from airborne deposition documents a firearm discharge within the vehicle. Transfer from GSR‐contaminated hands or clothing to the dash is unlikely. The heavy GSR contamination of the headliner/window frame above the pistol likely documents the window from which the pistol was fired, but additional experiments are needed to verify.
Like or dislike: Response of rodents to the odor of plant secondary metabolites
Authors: HANSEN Sabine C. , STOLTER Caroline , IMHOLT Christian , JACOB Jens 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRodents, including common voles (Microtus arvalis) and house mice (Mus musculus) cause immense pre‐harvest and post‐harvest losses. Therefore, developing methods that mitigate these losses while maintaining their role in ecosystems is a priority. Several plant secondary metabolites (PSM) which significantly reduce food intake of both species under laboratory conditions have been identified. However, before these can be used in rodent pest management, they must be tested under more natural conditions where other food sources are available. In this study, the odors of 4 PSMs were evaluated for their repellent effects in experiments conducted in semi‐natural enclosures. Soil treated with PSMs or untreated soil (experimental control) was placed in an underground box containing food (rolled oats). We quantified the number of visits to each box and could demonstrate that all 4 PSMs reduced the number of visits to treatment boxes in both rodent species. For common voles the combination of methyl nonyl ketone + black pepper oil was the most repellent PSM. House mice made fewer visits to all PSM boxes; boxes with the anthraquinone were visited least. Furthermore, house mice consumed less food from boxes containing soil treated with all 4 PSMs. Our results suggest that PSMs are repellent in murid and microtine rodents under semi‐field conditions. In addition, the future use of PSM odors for repelling both pest species, especially house mice, seems promising. Further investigations with other PSMs, different concentrations as well as alternative application methods are needed to repel common voles from attractive crops.
Effects of acute cold exposure on oxidative balance and total antioxidant capacity in juvenile Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis
Authors: ZHANG Wenyi , NIU Cuijuan , JIA Hui , CHEN Xutong 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAcute cold exposure may disturb the physiological homeostasis of the body in ectotherms. To date, there has been no information on the effects of cold exposure on homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or antioxidant defense response in the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. In this study, P. sinensis juveniles were acclimated at 28 °C, transferred to 8 °C as cold exposure for 12 h, then moved back to 28 °C rewarming for 24 h. We measured the ROS level and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain, liver, kidney and spleen at 2 and 12 h cold exposure, and at the end of the rewarming period. Malonaldehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein were used as markers of oxidative damage. Turtles being maintained simultaneously at 28 °C were used as the control group. Cold exposure did not disturb the ROS balance in all 4 tissues, while rewarming raised the ROS level in the brain and kidney of P. sinensis. Cold exposure and rewarming decreased the TAC in the brain, liver and spleen but did not change the TAC in the kidney. MDA and carbonyl protein levels did not increase during the treatment, indicating no oxidative damage in all 4 tissues of P. sinensis. Our results indicated that extreme cold exposure did not impact the inner oxidative balance of P. sinensis, but more ROS was produced during rewarming. P. sinensis showed good tolerance to the harsh temperature change through effective protection of its antioxidant defense system to oxidative damage. This study provides basic data on the stress biology of P. sinensis.
The stadium effect: rodent damage patterns in rice fields explored using giving‐up densities
Authors: JONES Clare R. , LORICA Renee P. , VILLEGAS James M. , RAMAL Angelee F. , HORGAN Finbarr G. , SINGLETON Grant R. , STUART Alexander M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRodents are globally important pre‐harvest pests of rice. In Southeast Asia, rodent damage to growing rice crops is commonly concentrated towards the center of rice fields, away from the field edge, resulting in a clear pattern known as the “stadium effect.” To further understand this behavior of rodent pests and to develop recommendations for future research and management, we examined the relation between giving‐up densities (GUDs) and damage patterns. In Tanay, Luzon, Philippines, GUD trays containing pieces of coconut in a matrix of sand were placed at 4 different distances from the field edge to quantify the perceived risk of predation in a rice field pest, Rattus tanezumi. GUDs were recorded during a dry and wet season crop at the reproductive and ripening stages of rice. In addition, assessments of active burrows, tracking tile activity and rodent damage to the rice crop, were conducted in the dry season. GUDs were significantly lower in the center of the rice fields than on the field edges, suggesting that rodent damage to rice is greater in the middle of rice fields due to a lower perceived predation risk. Furthermore, this perception of predation risk (or fear) increases towards the field edge and was greatest on the rice bund, where there was no vegetation cover. We discuss the implications for rodent management and rodent damage assessments in rice fields. This is the first documented use of GUDs in a rice agro‐ecosystem in Asia; thus we identify the challenges and lessons learned through this process.
Sex differences, endogenous sex‐hormone hormones, sex‐hormone binding globulin, and exogenous disruptors in diabetes and related metabolic outcomes
Authors: Liu Simin , Sun Qi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn assessing clinical and pathophysiological development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the critical role of the sex steroids axis is underappreciated, particularly concerning the sex‐specific relationships with many relevant cardiometabolic outcomes. In this issue of theJournal ofDiabetes, we provide a comprehensive overview of these significant associations of germline variants in the genes governing the sex steroid pathways, plasma levels of steroid hormones, and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) withT2Drisk that have been observed in many clinical and high‐quality large prospective cohorts of men and women across ethnic populations. Together, this body of evidence indicates that sex steroids andSHBGshould be routinely incorporated into clinical characterization ofT2Dpatients, particularly in screening prediabetic patients, such as those with metabolic syndrome, using plasma levels ofSHBG. Given that several germline mutations in theSHBGgene have also been directly related to both plasma concentrations ofSHBGand clinical manifestation ofT2D, targeting signals in the sex steroid axis, particularlySHBG, may have significant utility in the prediction and treatment ofT2D. Further, many of the environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals may exert their potential adverse effects on cardiometabolic outcomes via either estrogenic or androgenic signaling pathways, highlighting the importance of using the sex steroids andSHBGas important biochemical markers in both clinical and population studies in studying sex‐specific mechanisms in the pathogenesis ofT2Dand its complications, as well as the need to equitably allocate resources in studying both men and women.
Platelet Counts and Genetic Polymorphisms of Alcohol Dehydrogenase‐1B and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase‐2 in Japanese Alcoholic Men
Authors: Yokoyama Akira , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Mizukami Takeshi , Matsui Toshifumi , Kimura Mitsuru , Matsushita Sachio , Higuchi Susumu , Maruyama Katsuya 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThrombocytopenia during intoxication, rebound thrombocytosis during 1 to 3 weeks of abstinence, and subsequent normalization of the platelet count are common in alcoholics.MethodsWe evaluated 989 Japanese alcoholic men to identify the effects of genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase‐1B (ADH1B; rs1229984) and aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2; rs671) on platelet counts during an 8‐week in‐hospital abstinence period.ResultsThrombocytopenia (<15 × 104/μl) was observed in 25.9% of the subjects upon admission. The platelet counts increased from 21.4 ± 0.3 × 104/μl (mean ± SE) to 27.6 ± 0.3 × 104/μl, and a rebound platelet increase of ≥10 × 104/μl was observed in 28.6% of the patients during the first 2 weeks after admission. By 4 weeks, the mean platelet counts had returned to intermediate levels and remained stable thereafter. The reversible suppression and rebound increase in the platelet counts were more prominent in the slow‐metabolizing ADH1B*1/*1 group than in the fast‐metabolizing ADH1B*2 group. Throughout the 8 weeks, the mean platelet counts of the active ALDH2*1/*1 group were consistently lower than those in the inactive ALDH2*1/*2 group. Cirrhosis was a strong determinant of a lower platelet count. After adjustments for nongenetic factors including cirrhosis, multiple linear regression analyses showed that the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype was associated with a lower platelet count (partial regression coefficient = −1.3 × 104/μl) on the admission day, but subsequently had a positive effect on the platelet count at 1 and 2 weeks after admission (+1.5 and +3.8 × 104/μl, respectively). The ALDH2*1/*1 genotype was associated with a lower platelet count (−2.1 to −3.9 × 104/μl) consistently throughout the 8 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.61 [1.14 to 2.27]) and of a rebound platelet increase during the first 2 weeks (3.86 [2.79 to 5.34]). The ALDH2*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission (1.73 [1.06 to 2.82]).ConclusionsIn alcoholics, the ADH1B*1/*1 genotype increased the risk of thrombocytopenia upon admission and of a rebound platelet increase 2 weeks thereafter, while the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype was associated with lower platelet counts throughout the 8‐week hospital stay.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Adipose Tissues in the Head of a Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis): Structure Identification and Influence of a Freezing–Thawing Cycle
Authors: Arribart M. , Ognard J. , Guintard C. , Domergue F. , Hassani S. , Ben Salem D. , Jung J.‐L. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to scan the head of a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in order to visualize the different adipose tissues involved in echolocation functioning and to precisely delineate their anatomical topology. MRI scans were performed on the head taken from a freshly stranded carcass and repeated after a 2‐week freezing time followed by thawing. The main fatty organs of the head, that is the melon, the mandibula bulba, the bursae cantantes, and their different connections with surrounding tissues were identified and labelled. The nasal sacs, other organs of echolocation, were also identified and labelled thanks to different MRI acquisitions. The shape, the location, the type of MRI signal of each organ and of their different connections were successfully analysed on all images, and then, the images of the head fresh or after thawing were compared. No impacts of the freezing/thawing cycle on the fatty tissues of the head were identified. Different parts were distinguished in the melon on the basis of the MRI signal emitted, corresponding most likely to the internal and external melon already identified by other analytical approaches, and linked to differences in lipid composition. MRI is shown here to be a useful tool to study the functional anatomy of the organs responsible for echolocation in odontocetes, with a particularly high level of precision.
In vitro fertilization healthcare professionals generally underestimate patients’ satisfaction with quality of care
Authors: Holter Herborg , Gejervall Ann‐Louise , Borg Kia , Sandin‐Bojö Ann‐Kristin , Wikland Matts , Wilde‐Larsson Bodil , Bergh Christina 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies have mainly compared professionals’ and patients’ ratings of the importance of different care aspects, finding poor agreement between the groups concerning patient‐centered quality of care. There is still little known about professionals’ knowledge of how patients experience the quality of care they receive during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate how IVF healthcare professionals estimate patients’ experience of patient‐centered quality of care and if certain factors influenced the IVF professionals’ perceptions and IVF patients’ experience of quality of care.Material and MethodsAll 16 IVF public and private clinics in Sweden participated in this cross‐sectional study. A total of 268 IVF healthcare professionals and 3298 patients (women and men) undergoing IVF treatment between January and May 2015 participated by answering the validated questionnaire “Quality from the patients’ perspective of in vitro fertilization treatment” (QPP‐IVF).ResultsHealthcare professionals significantly underestimated patients’ satisfaction with the patient‐centered quality of care they received in all aspects measured. Both patients and professionals rated the most deficient factors to be “responsibility/continuity”, “participation” and “availability”. Healthcare professionals and patients belonging to private clinics evaluated patient‐centered care as significantly better than professionals and patients at public clinics in almost all aspects measured.ConclusionThe results of this study will increase the professionals’ understanding of the patients’ experiences during IVF treatment and provide additional knowledge when identifying areas to prioritize to improve quality of care.
Survey shows large differences between the Nordic countries in the use of less invasive surfactant administration
Authors: Heiring Christian , Jonsson Baldvin , Andersson Sture , Björklund Lars J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimLess invasive surfactant administration (LISA), namely surfactant instillation through a thin catheter in the trachea during spontaneous breathing, is increasingly used for premature infants. We surveyed the use of this technique in the Nordic countries in autumn 2015.MethodsA link to a web‐based survey of surfactant administration methods was emailed to the directors of all neonatal units in the Nordic Region, apart from Finland, where only the five university‐based departments were invited.ResultsOf the 73 units (85%) who responded, 23 (32%) said that they used LISA. The country rates were Iceland 100%, Norway 82%, Finland 60%, Denmark, including Faroe Island and Greenland, 11% and Sweden 9%. LISA was used in 62% of level three units, but only 14% of level two units and most commonly in babies with a gestational age of at least 26 weeks. Premedication was always or sometimes used by 78%. The main reasons for not using LISA were lack of familiarity with the technique (61%), no perceived benefit over other methods (22%) and concerns about patient discomfort (26%).ConclusionLess invasive surfactant administration was used in 32% of Nordic neonatal units, most commonly in level three units. Premedication was used more often than previously reported.
Dissection of the Effects of Quercetin on Mouse Myocardium
Authors: Santos Michel Santana , Oliveira Evaleide Diniz , Santos‐Miranda Artur , Cruz Jader Santos , Gondim Antônio Nei Santana , Menezes‐Filho José Evaldo Rodrigues , Souza Diego Santos , Pinho‐da‐Silva Leidiane , Jesus Itamar Couto Guedes , Roman‐Campos Danilo , Guatimosim Silvia , Lara Aline , Conde‐Garcia Eduardo Antônio , Vasconcelos Carla Maria Lins 
Published: December 2016

AbstractQuercetin is a plant flavonoid with several biological activities. This study aimed to describe quercetin effects on contractile and electrophysiological properties of the cardiac muscle as well as on calcium handling. Quercetin elicited positive inotropism that was significantly reduced by propranolol indicating an involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. In cardiomyocytes, 30 μM quercetin increased ICa,L at 0 mV from −0.95 ± 0.01 A/F to −1.21 ± 0.08 A/F. The membrane potential at which 50% of the channels are activated (V0.5) shifted towards more negative potentials from −13.06 ± 1.52 mV to −19.26 ± 1.72 mV and did not alter the slope factor. Furthermore, quercetin increased [Ca2+]i transient by 28% when compared to control. Quercetin accelerated [Ca2+]i transient decay time, which could be attributed to SERCA activation. In resting cardiomyocytes, quercetin did not change amplitude or frequency of Ca2+ sparks. In isolated heart, quercetin increased heart rate and decreased PRi, QTc and duration of the QRS complex. Thus, we showed that quercetin activates β‐adrenoceptors, leading to increased L‐type Ca2+ current and cell‐wide intracellular Ca2+ transient without visible changes in Ca2+ sparks.
Investigating various application areas of three‐dimensional virtual worlds for higher education
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Reza , Ghapanchi Amir Hossein 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThree‐dimensional virtual world (3DVW) have been adopted extensively in the education sector worldwide, and there has been remarkable growth in the application of these environments for distance learning. A wide variety of universities and educational organizations across the world have utilized this technology for their regular learning and teaching programs. The current study conducts a systematic review of the published studies relevant to the application of 3DVWs in higher education. A search of the literature was carried out in eight high‐ranking scientific digital libraries. Following scrutiny according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 165 papers out of 1402 publications were selected for review from a variety of disciplines over a 10‐year time period. The systematic review process were summarised, a number of paper reviews were conducted and results in conjunction with applicability of 3DVWs in higher education were extracted. In this study, various application areas of 3DVWs in higher education were found and classified into 13 main categories. Additionally, implications for research and practice are presented to provide new directions for further research and practice in the field.
Role of Google Glass in improving patient satisfaction for otolaryngology residents: a pilot study
Authors: Son E. , Halbert A. , Abreu S. , Hester R. , Jefferson G. , Jennings K. , Pine H. , Watts T. 
Published: December 2016

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the Google Glass as a tool to improve patient satisfaction and patient–physician communication for otolaryngology residents in the outpatient clinic setting. The primary outcome of the study was to improve patient satisfaction scores based on physician communication‐related questions from Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys.Study designProspective randomised trial.SettingTertiary care hospital.Subject and methodsTo evaluate the effect on patient satisfaction, five residents were recorded using the Google Glass in an outpatient clinic setting by 50 randomised patients. Modified surveys based on the CG‐CAHPS survey were completed by patients at the conclusion of each clinic encounter. The recorded videos were evaluated by two independent faculties. Summarised data and video were distributed to each resident for review as the intervention. The residents were recorded again by 45 additional patients with evaluation by patients and faculties.ResultsAfter intervention, the scores from faculty surveys regarding patient satisfaction including the subject of better explanations (P > 0.001), listening carefully (P > 0.001), addressing patient questions (P > 0.001), displaying respect (P > 0.001) and spending adequate time (P = 0.0005) all significantly improved, as well as overall performance (P = 0.014). The scores from patient surveys did significantly improve.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the improvements in patient satisfaction and patient–physician communication can be achieved with the use of Google Glass as a first‐person recording device in the outpatient otolaryngology clinic setting.
Faecal occult blood testing screening for colorectal cancer and ‘missed’ interval cancers: are we ignoring the elephant in the room? Results of a multicentre study
Authors: George A. T. , Aggarwal S. , Dharmavaram S. , Menon A. , Dube M. , Vogler M. , Field A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimBiennial faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is used to screen for colorectal cancer throughout the UK. Interval cancers are tumours that develop in patients between screening rounds who have had a negative FOBT. Through a multicentre study, we compared the demographics of patients with interval cancers, FOBT screen detected cancers and cancers that developed in patients who chose not to participate in the screening programme.MethodFive hundred and sixteen colorectal cancers were detected in the screening age group (60–74 years) population in three UK National Health Service hospitals over 2 years. One hundred and twenty seven (25%) were interval cancers, 161 (31%) were screen detected and 228 (44%) were cancers that developed in patients who had declined FOBT. The interval cancer group had a higher incidence of right‐sided cancers (38% vs 29% and 24%), a higher proportion of high tumour stages (Dukes C and D) (70% vs 53% and 33%) and a shorter time from diagnosis to death (10 months vs 13 months and 24 months) compared to patients who had declined the FOBT and the FOBT screen detected cancers. Of all the patients studied, those with right‐sided interval cancers had the worst outcome.ConclusionA quarter of the colorectal cancers diagnosed in our study were interval cancers. Patients with right‐sided interval cancers had the highest proportion of Dukes C and D tumours coupled with the shortest survival time after diagnosis compared with the other groups.