bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life Cycle Based CO2 Emission Credits: Options for Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Current Tailpipe Emissions Regulation in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Lehmann Annekatrin , Berger Markus , Finkbeiner Matthias 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe current focus on the use phase in automotive carbon dioxide (CO2) legislation bares a risk of unintended consequences as often reductions in the use phase come along with increasing CO2 emissions in other life cycle (LC) phases. This study presents voluntary policy options in form of LC‐based CO2 emission credits. They were developed by desk research considering existing applications of LCA in practice (e.g., environmental reports) and feedback obtained in a structured stakeholder dialogue. A variety of credit options were identified, including rather simple ones based on life cycle thinking (LCT) and more advanced options which rely on quantitative LCA: LCT options that reward innovations leading to CO2 reductions, for example, in the production phase. LCA‐based options reward CO2 reductions along the LC (credits for an International Organization for Standardization [ISO] 14044 conforming externally reviewed LCA showing a continuous improvement) or reductions of other environmental impacts. It was shown that the credit options can be implemented throughout a simplified and robust methodology, for example, with defined rules for conducting the LCA based on international standards and established industry practice, and for calculating the credits (e.g., a credit of 1 gram [g] of CO2/km [kilometer] for savings of 10 g of CO2/km). Voluntary credit options as a complementary modality to the current automotive tailpipe‐based CO2 regulations would help to improve its efficiency and effectiveness and support and reward efforts on achieving real net CO2 emission reductions. The credit options were developed with a first focus on CO2 and automotive industry, but can generally be transferred to other environmental impacts and sectors as well.
Okun's Law: Fit at 50?
Authors: BALL LAURENCE , LEIGH DANIEL , LOUNGANI PRAKASH 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper asks how well Okun's Law fits short‐run unemployment movements in the United States since 1948 and in 20 advanced economies since 1980. We find that Okun's Law is a strong relationship in most countries, and one that is fairly stable over time. Accounts of breakdowns in the Law, such as the emergence of “jobless recoveries,” are flawed or exaggerated. We also find that the coefficient in the relationship—the effect of a 1% change in output on the unemployment rate—varies substantially across countries. This variation is partly explained by idiosyncratic features of national labor markets, but it is not related to differences in employment protection legislation.
Serine racemase deficiency attenuates choroidal neovascularization and reduces nitric oxide and VEGF levels by retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Wu Mengjuan , Liu Yimei , Song Liping , Li Shifeng , Wang Xianwei , Zhang Yun‐feng , Fang Junxu , Wu Shengzhou 
Published: September 2017

AbstractChoroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a leading cause of blindness in age‐related macular degeneration. Production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and macrophage recruitment by retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) significantly contributes to the process of CNV in an experimental CNV model. Serine racemase (SR) is expressed in retinal neurons and glial cells, and its product, d‐serine, is an endogenous co‐agonist of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor. Activation of the receptor results in production of nitric oxide (.NO), a molecule that promotes retinal and choroidal neovascularization. These observations suggest possible roles of SR in CNV. With laser‐injured CNV mice, we found that inactivation of SR‐coding gene (Srrnull) significantly reduced CNV volume, neovascular density, and invading macrophages. We exploited the underlying mechanism in vivo and ex vivo. RPE from wild‐type (WT) mice expressed SR. To explore the possible downstream target of SR inactivation, we showed that choroid/RPE homogenates extracted from laser‐injured Srrnull mice contained less inducible nitric oxide synthase and decreased phospho‐VEGFR2 compared to amounts in WT mice. In vitro, inflammation‐primed WT RPEs expressed more inducible NOS, produced more.NO and VEGF than did inflammation‐primed Srrnull RPEs. When co‐cultured with inflammation‐primed Srrnull RPE, significantly fewer RF/6A‐a cell line of choroidal endothelial cell, migrated to the opposite side of the insert membrane than did cells co‐cultured with pre‐treated WT RPE. Altogether, SR deficiency reduces RPE response to laser‐induced inflammatory stimuli, resulting in decreased production of a cascade of pro‐angiogenic cytokines, including.NO and VEGF, and reduced macrophage recruitment, which contribute synergistically to attenuated angiogenesis.
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Squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a novel candidate marker for amniotic fluid embolism
Authors: Koike Natsuki , Oi Hidekazu , Naruse Katsuhiko , Kanayama Naohiro , Kobayashi Hiroshi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen for the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE).MethodsSera and information of 20 patients with AFE (autopsy‐proven AFE, four cases; clinical AFE, 16 cases) were obtained from the Japan Amniotic Fluid Embolism Registration Center at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine. As controls, we included 74 gestational‐age‐matched healthy women who gave birth to healthy newborns during the period from December 2012 to January 2014. Receiver–operator curves (ROC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SCC levels for prediction of AFE.ResultsSerum SCC antigen levels in women with autopsy‐proven AFE (112.0 ± 169.4 ng/mL, P = 0.001) and clinical AFE (9.5 ± 10.3 ng/mL, P = 0.004) were significantly higher than those in healthy controls with normal delivery (4.4 ± 2.2 ng/mL). On ROC analysis, the optimal cut‐off value for SCC antigen levels was 7.15 ng/mL, for which the sensitivity and specificity for AFE prediction was 60.0% and 89.2%, respectively (area under the ROC, 0.785; 95% confidence interval, 0.663–0.908; P < 0.001).ConclusionSerum SCC antigen may be a promising predictor of the entry of amniotic fluid into the maternal circulation, potentially serving as a candidate marker for noninvasive diagnosis of AFE.
Impact of hysteroscopic surgery for isthmocele associated with cesarean scar syndrome
Authors: Tsuji Shunichiro , Kimura Fuminori , Yamanaka Akiyoshi , Hanada Tetsuro , Hirata Kimiko , Takebayashi Akie , Takashima Akiko , Seko‐Nitta Ayumi , Murakami Takashi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimCesarean scar syndrome (CSS) is characterized by increased risk of postmenstrual abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and infertility, due to a post‐cesarean scar defect known as an isthmocele. This study aimed to assess the impact of hysteroscopic surgery on isthmocele associated with CSS.MethodsEighteen patients with CSS were enrolled. Surgical methods included resection of the inferior edge and superficial cauterization of the isthmocele via hysteroscopic surgery. We evaluated the residual myometrial thickness and isthmocele volume using magnetic resonance imaging, before and after hysteroscopic surgery.ResultsAll patients underwent surgery without any complications. The residual myometrium was thicker after hysteroscopic surgery (median: 2.1 mm and 4.2 mm, before and after surgery, respectively; P = 0.0001). Isthmocele volume was significantly reduced after hysteroscopic surgery (median: 494.9 mm3 and 282.8 mm3, before and after surgery, respectively; P = 0.0016).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that hysteroscopic surgery is effective in increasing the residual myometrial thickness and reducing the size of isthmocele.
Treatment resistance in potentially malignant disorders—‘Nature’ or ‘Nurture’…?
Authors: Thomson P. J. , Goodson M. L. , Smith D. R. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundContemporary potentially malignant disorder management is based upon provisional histological diagnosis followed by interventional surgery to excise or ablate ‘high‐risk’ mucosal lesions. Although the majority of patients achieve disease‐free status post‐treatment, others develop further or persistent disease unresponsive to intervention.MethodsA detailed, retrospective clinico‐pathological review of treatment resistant potentially malignant lesions, from a 590 patient cohort treated by CO2 laser surgery and followed for a mean of 7.3 years, was undertaken. Clinical outcome was determined at study census date (31 December 2014).ResultsA total of 87 patients (15%) exhibited PMD disease resistant to treatment: 34 (6%) became disease free following further treatment, whilst 53 (9%) had persistent disease despite intervention. Disease‐free patients were younger, changed lesion appearance from erythroleukoplakia to leukoplakia (P = .004), developed further lesions at new sites, demonstrated reduction in dysplasia severity with time and required multiple treatments to achieve disease‐free status (P = .0005). In contrast, persistent disease patients were older, male, often presented with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) on gingival and alveolar sites, displayed less severe dysplasia initially and underwent laser ablation rather than excision (P = .027).ConclusionDespite clinico‐pathological profiling of treatment resistant patients, the precise inter‐relationship between the inherent nature of potentially malignant disease and the external influence of treatment intervention remains obscure.
Detection of Cochliobolus heterostrophus races in South China
Authors: Wang Meng , Wang Shaoqing , Ma Jia , Yu Chuanjin , Gao Jinxin , Chen Jie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCochliobolus heterostrophus is the causal pathogen of the southern corn leaf blight (SCLB). There are three known races: race O, race C and race T. To determine which C. heterostrophus races comprise the field population in southern China and to assess diversity of these strains in terms of virulence, 200 isolates from diseased plants were collected in nine provinces/municipalities. All were race O, that is, no race T or race C isolates were found. Sixty race O isolates that sporulated well were chosen for further analysis. Virulence was measured using the integral optical density (IOD) of leaf lesions on four maize inbred lines. UPGMA cluster analysis of AFLP markers was applied to the 60 race O isolates plus control race O, T and C strains. Phylogenetic distribution, geographic location and virulence were not correlated. These results can provide valuable information for guidance in early warning and disease control.
Potential drug–drug interactions and polypharmacy in institutionalized elderly patients in a public hospital in Brazil
Authors: Castilho E. C. D. , Reis A. M. M. , Borges T. L. , Siqueira L. D. C. , Miasso A. I. 
Published: September 2017

Accessible SummaryWhat is known on the subject?

Older individuals constitute an increasing proportion of the population, and therefore, are the major consumers of drugs. The elderly, especially those with mental disabilities, frequently develop chronic diseases and start using numerous drugs.

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are a major clinical problem in the elderly population, and previous studies have focused only on antidepressants and others types of drugs used to treat mental health conditions.

What this article adds to existing knowledge?

This study shows that in hospitalized elderly patients with mental disorders (aged 60–69 years), polypharmacy (≥5 drugs) and the use of drugs that act on the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems can lead to potential drug–drug interactions. Moreover, it was reported that the prevalence of drug–drug interactions in elderly patients with mental disorders was high during their hospitalization in a public hospital in Brazil.

What are the implications for practice?

Nurses should know the factors associated with drug–drug interactions in hospitalized elderly patients with mental disorders to choose appropriate strategies for avoiding treatment failure and adverse events in patients.

AbstractIntroductionDespite the impact on patient safety and the fact that prevalence is higher in older patients, previous research did not analyse drug–drug interactions (DDIs) in view of nursing care of elderly psychiatric patients.AimTo identify potential drug–drug interactions and polypharmacy in prescriptions of aged inpatients with psychiatric disorders and analyse associated factors.MethodsIn this retrospective cross‐sectional study, we analysed the medical records of institutionalized patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders (n = 94), aged >60 years, and prescribed multiple medications. Drug prescriptions were checked at admission, midway through and the last prescription. Factors associated with DDI occurrence were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsA DDI prevalence potential of 67.0%, 74.5% and 80.8% occurred in patients at admission, midway through hospitalization and the last prescription, respectively. Most of the prescribed drugs were nervous system agents. A high percentage of serious and contraindicated potential DDIs occurred. Age between 60 and 69 years, use of cardiovascular and respiratory system drugs, and the number of medications contributed significantly to DDI.Implications for mental health nursingKnowledge on the factors associated with DDIs in patients with mental disorders can contribute to the improvement of effectiveness and safety of nursing care.
Prevalence of Elevated Serum Creatinine Concentration in Dogs Presenting to a Veterinary Academic Medical Center (2010–2014)
Authors: Babyak J.M. , Weiner D.E. , Noubary F. , Sharp C.R. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundThe epidemiology of kidney disease is not extensively described in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo better understand the prevalence of elevated serum creatinine concentration in dogs.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs.MethodsA retrospective, observational cross‐sectional study design was used. We made a dataset of 115,631 hospital visits of all dogs presenting from October 2010 to October 2014. We estimated the prevalence and risk of elevated serum creatinine, defined as >1.6 mg/dL, in evaluated dogs.ResultsOf 115,631 visits, 98,693 were outpatient visits and 16,938 were hospital admissions. Among outpatient visits, 9,983 (10.1%) had serum creatinine assessment (4,423 [44.3%] visits were first visits), whereas, among hospital admissions, 12,228 (60.0%) had at least 1 serum creatinine (7,731 [75.6%] admissions were first admissions). The prevalence of elevated serum creatinine concentration in all evaluated dogs was 11.5% (95% CI: 11.0%, 11.9%); 10.2% (95% CI: 9.6%, 10.8%) of inpatients and 12.9% (95% CI: 12.1%, 13.8%) of outpatients had elevated serum creatinine concentration. The relative risk (RR) of elevated serum creatinine concentration was significantly higher in geriatric dogs (outpatient RR 1.45 [95% CI: 1.23, 1.70], inpatient RR 1.43 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.76]) and lower in young dogs (outpatient RR 0.39 [95% CI: 0.26, 0.59], inpatient RR 0.44 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.62]) when compared to the measured population risk.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWhen selected for laboratory evaluation, the proportion of dogs presenting to an academic medical center with evidence of kidney injury is high compared to previous reports and might reflect a population of sicker dogs.
Syringomyelia and Craniocervical Junction Abnormalities in Chihuahuas
Authors: Kiviranta A.‐M. , Rusbridge C. , Laitinen‐Vapaavuori O. , Hielm‐Björkman A. , Lappalainen A.K. , Knowler S.P. , Jokinen T.S. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundChiari‐like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) are widely reported in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Griffon Bruxellois dogs. Increasing evidence indicates that CM and SM also occur in other small and toy breed dogs, such as Chihuahuas.ObjectivesTo describe the presence of SM and craniocervical junction (CCJ) abnormalities in Chihuahuas and to evaluate the possible association of CCJ abnormalities with SM. To describe CM/SM‐related clinical signs and neurologic deficits and to investigate the association of CM/SM‐related clinical signs with signalment, SM, or CCJ abnormalities.AnimalsFifty‐three client‐owned Chihuahuas.MethodsProspective study. Questionnaire analyses and physical and neurologic examinations were obtained before magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging. Images were evaluated for the presence of SM, CM, and atlantooccipital overlapping. Additionally, medullary kinking, dorsal spinal cord compression, and their sum indices were calculated.ResultsScratching was the most common CM/SM‐related clinical sign and decreased postural reaction the most common neurologic deficit in 73 and 87% of dogs, respectively. Chiari‐like malformation and SM were present in 100 and 38% of dogs, respectively. Syringomyelia was associated with the presence of CM/SM‐related clinical signs (P = 0.034), and medullary kinking and sum indices were higher in dogs with clinical signs (P = 0.016 and P = 0.007, respectively).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSyringomyelia and CCJ abnormalities are prevalent in Chihuahuas. Syringomyelia was an important factor for the presence of CM/SM‐related clinical signs, but many dogs suffered from similar clinical signs without being affected by SM, highlighting the clinical importance of CCJ abnormalities in Chihuahuas.
Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in beagle dogs
Authors: Wang J. , Zhao T. , Sun X. , Liu Y. , Zhu J. , Zhang S. , Cao X. 
Published: September 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of tildipirosin (TD) in 24 beagle dogs following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration, respectively, at 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg. Plasma samples at certain time points (0–14 days) were collected, and the concentrations of drug were quantified by UPLC‐MS/MS. Plasma concentration–time data and relevant parameters were described by noncompartmental through WinNonlin 6.4 software. After single i.m. injection at 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg body weight, mean maximum concentration (Cmax) was 412.73 ± 76.01, 1,051 ± 323, and 1,061 ± 352 ng/ml, respectively. Mean time to reach Cmax was 0.36 ± 0.2, 0.08 ± 0.00, and 0.13 ± 0.07 hr after i.m. injection at 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg, respectively. The mean value of T1/2λz for i.m. administration at doses of 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg was 71.39 ± 28.42, 91 .33 ± 50.02, and 96.43 ± 45.02 hr, respectively. The mean residence times were 63.81 ± 10.96, 35.83 ± 15.13, and 38.18 ± 16.77 hr for doses of 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg, respectively. These pharmacokinetic characteristics after i.m. administration indicated that TD could be rapidly distributed into tissues on account of the high lipid solubility and then released into plasma. In addition, the absolute bioavailability of 2 mg/kg after i.m. injection was 112%. No adverse effects were observed after i.v. and i.m. administration.
Pharmacokinetics of chlortetracycline in maternal plasma and in fetal tissues following oral administration to pregnant ewes
Authors: Washburn K. , Fajt V. R. , Plummer P. , Papastavros E. , Coetzee J. F. , Wulf L. W. , Washburn S. 
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine if concentrations of chlortetracycline could be detected in fetal plasma or tissues after administering an oral dose of chlortetracycline (CTC; 500 mg/head/day) reported to be effective in controlling Campylobacter spp. abortions. Five pregnant ewes were administered 250 mg/head twice a day (total dose 500 mg/hd/d) for 7 days. On the beginning of day 7, intravenous catheters were surgically implanted or inserted into the fetus and dam. Plasma samples were collected from the ewe and fetus at various time points before and up to 36 hr after the last dose of CTC. All ewes were then sacrificed, and tissues were harvested from the fetus for drug analysis. Concentrations of CTC in maternal plasma were consistent with our previous study and below the minimum inhibitory concentration of Campylobacter abortion isolates. Concentrations of CTC were below the limit of detection in three of five fetal plasma samples and all of the placenta, amniotic fluid, and fetal stomach contents. Low concentrations were detectable in fetal kidney and liver, suggesting that CTC reaches the fetus, although at a variable and low ratio when compared to maternal concentrations.
Feeding ecology of cheetahs in the Maasai Mara, Kenya and the potential for intra‐ and interspecific competition
Authors: Broekhuis F. , Thuo D. , Hayward M. W. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCompetition is an important ecological factor influencing the population dynamics of carnivores especially as shifts in prey selection could have negative consequences for other members of the carnivore guild. It is therefore important to determine a species' resource requirements to help understand the potential degree and consequences of competition. Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus compete over resources with larger carnivores, such as lions Panthera leo. While cheetahs generally favour smaller prey than lions, male cheetahs frequently occur in coalitions and are larger than solitary females. This could result in male cheetahs killing larger prey and potentially competing more directly with lions than female cheetahs. To determine the potential for both intra‐ and interspecific competition, we analysed data on 194 cheetah and 214 lion kills, and compared the feeding ecology of four cheetah social groups: single females, females with cubs, single males and male coalitions to that of lions in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. The results show that the greatest potential for interspecific competition is between male cheetahs, especially those in coalitions, and lions. Intraspecific competition is most likely to occur between singleton females and females with cubs. Understanding these ecological relationships is key, especially when prey become scarce.
Drivers of diurnal rest site selection by spotted hyaenas
Authors: Kushata J. N. T. , Périquet S. , Tarakini T. , Muzamba M. , Mafuwa B. , Loveridge A. J. , Macdonald D. W. , Fritz H. , Valeix M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRest sites are key locations to many animals but their selection has been poorly studied in large carnivores. We investigated seasonal diurnal rest site selection by spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. We assessed the effects on hyaena diurnal rest site selection of (1) distance to the nearest waterhole, as waterholes can be considered prey hotspots in the study ecosystem, (2) habitat type and vegetation characteristics, in particular visibility as it influences detection risk and shade for thermoregulation, (3) location within the core territory of their main competitor/predator, the African lion (Panthera leo), where encounter risk would be higher, (4) distance to the closest lion and (5) distance to the nearest road as they can facilitate travelling by carnivores. We defined rest sites as midday locations of hyaenas equipped with GPS collars. Hyaenas preferred to rest in woodland areas with low visibility, close to roads and far from a lion. Distance to the nearest waterhole and location within lion core territory did not affect hyaena rest site selection. Overall, our study points to the combined importance of the structure of the vegetation (providing safety and shade), the availability of roads (to move through and exploit this bushed environment) and the avoidance of proximity to lions.