bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Education, school type and screen time were associated with overweight and obesity in 2930 adolescents
Authors: Furthner Dieter , Ehrenmueller Margit , Lanzersdorfer Roland , Halmerbauer Gerhard , Schmitt Klaus , Biebl Ariane 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimThis cross‐sectional study analysed the influence of socio‐economic factors on screen time, overweight and obesity.MethodsWe asked adolescents aged 10, 14 and 17 from 10 school types in urban and rural regions in Upper Austria to complete questionnaires from December 2012 to February 2013. Their parents were also asked to complete questionnaires.ResultsThe questionnaires were completed by 2930 adolescents and 2209 parents. Total weekend screen time was significantly associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) in 10‐year‐old boys (p < 0.005) and 10‐year‐old girls (p = 0.002), and there were significant associations between higher BMI and television time and longer weekend video game use in subjects aged 10 and 14. Higher education levels were associated with shorter daily video game use and longer computer use. Males (p < 0.0001) and adolescents from immigrant families (p < 0.0001) reported longer screen times at all ages. Lower parental education and higher parental BMI correlated significantly with longer screen time and BMI in the youngest age group.ConclusionThe greatest weight problems were in younger adolescents, despite shorter screen times, and boys and adolescents from immigrant families reported the longest screen times. Prevention strategies need to start early.
Performance and hemtochemical parameters of buck‐kids fed concentrate partially replaced with tropical Piliostigma thonningii foliage
Authors: Olafadehan Olurotimi A. , Njidda Ahmed A. , Okunade Sunday A. , Salihu Sarah O. , Balogun David O. , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFifteen 5‐month‐old Red Sokoto buck‐kids, (6.6 ± 0.71 kg body weight (BW)) randomly distributed into three groups of five animals per group, were used to study the effects of supplementary concentrate partially replaced with Piliostigma thonningii (PT) foliage on the growth performance, economic benefit and blood profile in a completely randomized design using analysis of variance. The goats in group 1 received 100% supplementary concentrates (PT0), groups 2 and 3 received 25% (PT25) and 50% (PT50), respectively, of concentrate replaced with an equal amount (dry matter basis) of Piliostigma foliage. The goats were fed a basal diet of threshed sorghum top (TST). Intake of concentrate, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total feeding cost and cost/kg BW were greater (P < 0.05) for PT0 than for PT25 and PT50. Consumption of P. thonningii foliage was greater (P < 0.05) for PT50 relative to PT25. Tannin consumption of the treatment diets were greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control concentrate diet. Serum urea N reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing level of concentrate replacement, while serum glucose was higher (P < 0.05) in PT0 than in PT50. However, means of all blood measurements were within normal ranges for goats. Net benefit showed this rank order: PT0 < PT50 < PT25 (all P < 0.05). Both differential and relative benefits were higher (P < 0.05) for PT25 than for PT50. P. thonningii foliage can replace 50% of supplemental concentrate without impairing feed intake, growth performance and health of buck‐kids.
TXNDC5 contributes to rheumatoid arthritis by down-regulating IGFBP1 expression
Authors: Li J , Xu B , Wu C , Yan X , Zhang L , Chang X 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe thioredoxin domain-containing 5 (TXNDC5) gene is associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and exhibits increased expression in the synovial tissues. TXNDC5 is also associated strongly with diabetes, a metabolic disease characterized by interrupted insulin signalling. This study investigated whether TXNDC5 contributes to RA via the insulin signalling pathway. In this study, RA synovial fibroblast-like cells (RASFs) transfected with an anti-TXNDC5 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were analysed with an insulin signaling pathway RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and an insulin resistance RT2 profiler PCR array. The PCR arrays detected significantly increased expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in RASFs with suppressed TXNDC5 expression. The result was verified using real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. Significantly elevated IGFBP1 expression and decreased interleukin (IL)-6 secretion were also detected in culture medium of transfected RASFs. Furthermore, decreased IGFBP1 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected in RA synovial tissues. Additionally, significantly increased apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation and cell migration were observed in RASFs transfected with the anti-TXNDC5 siRNA, whereas transfection with the anti-IGFBP1 siRNA or a mixture of the anti-IGFBP1 and anti-TXNDC5 siRNAs restored normal cell proliferation, migration and IL-6 level in RASFs. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) has potent prosurvival and anti-apoptotic functions, and IGFBP1 can suppress IGF activity. Based on the results of the present study, we suggest that TXNDC5 contributes to abnormal RASF proliferation, migration and IL-6 production by inhibiting IGFBP1 expression.
Zika, contraception and the non‐identity problem
Authors: Doolabh Keyur , Caviola Lucius , Savulescu Julian , Selgelid Michael , Wilkinson Dominic JC 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe 2016 outbreak of the Zika arbovirus was associated with large numbers of cases of the newly‐recognised Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). This novel teratogenic epidemic raises significant ethical and practical issues. Many of these arise from strategies used to avoid cases of CZS, with contraception in particular being one proposed strategy that is atypical in epidemic control.Using contraception to reduce the burden of CZS has an ethical complication: interventions that impact the timing of conception alter which people will exist in the future. This so‐called ‘non‐identity problem’ potentially has significant social justice implications for evaluating contraception, that may affect our prioritisation of interventions to tackle Zika.This paper combines ethical analysis of the non‐identity problem with empirical data from a novel survey about the general public's moral intuitions. The ethical analysis examines different perspectives on the non‐identity problem, and their implications for using contraception in response to Zika. The empirical section reports the results of an online survey of 93 members of the US general public exploring their intuitions about the non‐identity problem in the context of the Zika epidemic. Respondents indicated a general preference for a person‐affecting intervention (mosquito control) over an impersonal intervention (contraception). However, their responses did not appear to be strongly influenced by the non‐identity problem.Despite its potential philosophical significance, we conclude from both theoretical considerations and analysis of the attitudes of the community that the non‐identity problem should not affect how we prioritise contraception relative to other interventions to avoid CZS.
Racial identity, aesthetic surgery and Yorùbá African Values
Authors: Fayemi Ademola K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe question of racial identity in the process and outcome of aesthetic surgery is gaining increasing attention in bioethical discourse. This paper attempts an ethical examination of the racial identity issues involved in aesthetic surgery. Dominant moral values in Western culture are explored in the evaluation of aesthetic surgery. The paper argues that African values are yet to receive the universal attention they arguably deserve especially in the rethinking of values underlying aesthetic surgery as racial transformation. Through a consideration of some moral‐aesthetic values in the Yorùbá‐African culture, this paper further re‐evaluates the ethics of aesthetic surgery. The paper contends against the propagation of aesthetic surgery as a new form of bolstering racial divides and identity in the evolving cosmopolitan age. The position defended in the paper is that some values from Yorùbá‐African culture are useful in the consideration of the ethics of aesthetic surgery and more importantly, in avoiding the racial identity bias embedded in aesthetic surgery. The paper concludes that if due consideration is perhaps given to some African moral‐aesthetic values in the global aesthetic surgery industry, some of the evolving moral and racial complexities would be better mediated.
Pilot study on the effectiveness and students’ attitude towards undergraduate training provided by industry
Authors: Karl M. , Franz M. , Grobecker‐Karl T. , Scheib M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionRapid developments in CAD/CAM technology necessitate the adaptation of curriculum content. Limited resources hinder institutions in holding state of the art equipment available for student training.Materials and MethodsA workshop given by an industry partner was organised as part of the final pre‐clinical course in prosthodontics for the academic years 2015 and 2016. The workshop on dental ceramics and CAD/CAM technology comprised of lectures and practical demonstrations. Multiple‐choice examinations prior to and after the workshop as well as questionnaires were used for assessing effectiveness and students’ perception. The test scores and evaluation results were compared using Fisher's exact test of homogeneity (α = 0.05).ResultsThe workshop improved students’ performance in the written examination. With the exception of 1 question, students having attended the workshop performed significantly better (P < .05). The majority of students felt that the workshop fostered their knowledge in the field of dental ceramics and CAD/CAM. Whilst only a small portion (<10%) disapproved industry‐supported education, up to 45% of the participants considered the workshop as sales promotion. The students were undecided on whether or not competitor companies should be invited to present on the same topic and whether or not more industry‐supported courses would be beneficial.DiscussionIndustry‐supported education appears to be a necessity in the field of CAD/CAM dentistry, but care has to be taken to select adequate partners, and the content of courses has to be controlled.
Suppressive effects of morphine injected into the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis on the affective, but not sensory, component of pain in rats
Authors: Maruyama Chikashi , Deyama Satoshi , Nagano Yusuke , Ide Soichiro , Kaneda Katsuyuki , Yoshioka Mitsuhiro , Minami Masabumi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPain is a complex experience with both sensory and affective components. Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that the affective component of pain can be reduced by doses of morphine lower than those necessary to reduce the sensory component. Although the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of morphine on the sensory component of pain have been investigated extensively, those influencing the affective component remain to be elucidated. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in the regulation of various negative emotional states, including aversion, anxiety and fear. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the role of the ventral part of the BNST (vBNST) in the actions of morphine on the affective and sensory components of pain. First, the effects of intra‐vBNST injections of morphine on intraplantar formalin‐induced conditioned place aversion (CPA) and nociceptive behaviors were investigated. Intra‐vBNST injections of morphine reduced CPA without affecting nociceptive behaviors, which suggests that intra‐vBNST morphine alters the affective, but not sensory, component of pain. Next, to examine the effects of morphine on neuronal excitability in type II vBNST neurons, whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were performed in brain slices. Bath application of morphine hyperpolarized type II vBNST neurons. Thus, the suppressive effects of intra‐vBNST morphine on pain‐induced aversion may be due to its inhibitory effects on neuronal excitability in type II vBNST neurons. These results suggest that the vBNST is a key brain region involved in the suppressive effects of morphine on the affective component of pain.
Somatosensory profile of patients with haemophilia
Authors: Krüger S. , Boettger M. K. , Hilberg T. 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionPatients with haemophilia (PwH) suffer from an enhanced pain sensitivity due to repetitive joint bleedings. A comprehensive, quantitative examination of the somatosensory system has not been performed in this population to date.Material and methodsThirty patients with moderate or severe haemophilia A or B and 30 healthy controls were examined by means of Quantitative Sensory Testing to assess the function of the somatosensory system. Detection (DT) and pain thresholds (PT) were determined, amounting to a total of 13 parameters. Both knee joints and the hand as reference were examined in order to assess both joint‐specific as well as general changes in the somatosensory profile.ResultsAnalysing DT and PT, a significant main effect was found for group × stimulus interaction (P ≤ .001). Post hoc tests revealed significant differences in DT between PwH and controls for thermal stimuli across both knees (cold DT: P < .001; warm DT: P < .01) and the hand (cold DT: P < .01; warm DT: P < .05). Mechanical DT was increased in PwH at both knee joints (left knee: P ≤ .05; right knee: P ≤ .01). Furthermore, pressure PT was decreased in PwH at both knees (P ≤ .001).ConclusionHaemophilic arthropathy leads to alterations of the somatosensory profile in PwH. Our results reveal initial evidence of a combination of peripheral sensitization, indicated by decreased pressure PT and mechanical DT at the knee joints, as well as general changes of the somatosensory system, shown by reduced thermal DT at affected sites and remote from these. Therefore, both mechanisms have to be considered regarding the pain management in PwH.
Polysaccharides from Chinese Liupao dark tea and their protective effect against hyperlipidemia
Authors: Mao Yan , Wei Baoyao , Teng Jianwen , Xia Ning , Zhao Mouming , Huang Li , Ye Ying 
Published: November 2017

SummaryPolysaccharides‐rich dark tea is believed to be beneficial to health in Southeast Asian. However, the hypolipidemic effect of Chinese Liupao tea polysaccharides (CLTPS) has not been investigated. Here, the potential mechanism by which the oral administration of CLTPS affects lipid metabolism was evaluated using high‐fat diet‐induced hyperlipidemia rats. In rats supplemented with CLTPS, a suppressive effect on body weight was observed after 4 weeks of intervention. CLTPS significantly improved the levels of lipid profiles, the oxidation of lipids and antioxidant enzyme activity in a dose‐dependent manner. The cholesterol‐lowering action was paralleled by the stimulation of cholesterol converted to bile acids along with a 1.5‐fold increase in faecal excretion. Besides, the prolongation of coagulation factors and the reduction in fibrinogen content showed that CLTPS regulated the coagulation initiated through the intrinsic pathway. With current findings, CLTPS may be valuable as a natural hypolipidemic nutraceutical for human consumption.
Asthma prevalence trends by weight status among US children aged 2–19 years, 1988–2014
Authors: Akinbami L. J. , Rossen L. M. , Fakhouri T. H. I. , Fryar C. D. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBackgroundObesity is a risk factor for asthma. However, it is unclear if increased obesity prevalence contributed to rising childhood asthma prevalence.ObjectiveTo assess if population‐level changes in weight status impacted asthma prevalence over time.MethodsUsing nationally representative 1988–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 40 644 children aged 2–19 years, we analyzed asthma trends by weight status (body mass index age‐specific percentiles determined using measured weight and height). Logistic regression and population attributable fraction were used to assess the association between obesity and asthma prevalence.ResultsAlthough obesity was a risk factor for asthma throughout the period, asthma prevalence increased only among children with normal weight; there was no interaction between weight status and time. The population attributable fraction for overweight/obesity rose from 8.5% in 1988–1994 to 11.9% in 2011–2014, but this increase was not significant (P = 0.44).ConclusionsTogether, these data do not support a contribution of obesity trends to asthma prevalence trends.
Slag corrosion mechanism of lightweight Al2O3–MgO castable in different atmospheric conditions
Authors: Zou Yang , Gu Huazhi , Huang Ao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe slag resistance of ladle lining refractory in different atmospheric conditions is of utmost importance due to the strong variation of atmospheric environment in ladle during the process cycle. In this study, by adopting dynamic induction furnace corrosion test, the corrosion mechanism of lightweight Al2O3–MgO castable with different environmental oxygen partial pressure was investigated through macro and microanalysis, XRD, and thermodynamic simulation. The atmospheric condition was set to P (O2) = 0.21 atm or P(Ar) = 1.0 atm. The attained results showed that a reduced slag corrosion but intensified slag penetration happened at low environmental oxygen partial pressure condition. With P(O2) = 0.21 atm, Mn and Fe in slag were present in the form of divalent and/or trivalent cations and were incorporated into spinel to form MnFe2O4 solutions and MgAl2O4 solutions during the corrosion process. Since Fe, Mn ions were largely consumed, liquid with high viscosity formed and the continuing infiltration was suppressed. Under P(Ar) = 1.0 atm, Fe ions in the slag were totally reduced into elemental iron while Mn existed mainly in the state of MnO, and the amount of liquid slag was therefore reduced, leading to significantly weakened corrosion on castable aggregates. Corrosion reaction products under this condition were mainly MgAl2O4 and CA6.
Origins and patterns of endemic diversity in two specialized lizard lineages from the Australian Monsoonal Tropics (Oedura spp.)
Authors: Laver Rebecca J. , Doughty Paul , Oliver Paul M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimSavanna biomes cover around 20% of land surfaces, yet the origins and processes that have shaped their biodiversity remain understudied. Here, we assess the timing of diversification and how patterns of genetic diversity vary along an aridity gradient in specialized saxicoline gecko clades (Oedura spp.) from the tropical savannas of northern Australia.LocationAustralian Monsoonal Tropics (AMT), Kimberley region (Western Australia).MethodsWe compiled mitochondrial and nuclear data for two Kimberley endemic lizard clades (Oedura filicipoda/murrumanu and O. gracilis), and allied non‐Kimberley taxa (O. marmorata complex). Species delimitation methods were used to identify evolutionary lineages, Maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods were employed to assess relationships and diversification timeframes, and rainfall data and range sizes were tested for correlations.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses of cryptic or recently discovered lineage diversity revealed late‐Miocene to early‐Pliocene crown ages. Microendemism and diversity were highest in high‐rainfall regions, while the most widespread lineages occurred in the central and south‐east Kimberley, and showed evidence of introgression with parapatric lineages.Main conclusionsThe initial diversification in both clades was broadly concordant with global climatic events linked to the expansion of savanna biomes in the lateMiocene. Higher endemism in mesic and refugial areas suggests long histories of localized persistence, while wider distributions and evidence of introgression suggest a dynamic history at the arid‐monsoonal interface.
Immune Function in Critically Ill Dogs
Authors: Hoffman D. , Amorim J. , DeClue A. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundPeople with critical illness (CI) commonly develop various forms of immune dysfunction, however, there is limited information concerning immune dysfunction in dogs with CI.HypothesisThe immune response in CI dogs differs from that of healthy dogs.AnimalsImmunologic variables were compared between 14 dogs with CI, defined as APPLEfast score of >20 points, admitted to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Small Animal Clinic Intensive Care Unit and healthy controls (n = 15).MethodsCohort study evaluating constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 production, phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli and respiratory burst capacity after opsonized E. coli or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype, and monocyte expressions of HLA‐DR and TLR‐4.ResultsLipopolysaccharide‐stimulated leukocyte TNF‐α (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 120; control, 655, 446, 1174 pg/mL; P = < 0.001), IL‐6 (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 64; control, 100, 49, 166 pg/mL; P = 0.029), and IL‐10 (CI, 49, 49, 56; control, 96, 49, 203 pg/mL; P = 0.014) production and both E. coli (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 60.5, 43, 88.5; control, 86.6, 81, 89.2%; P = 0.047) and PMA (CI, 40, 11.7, 70; control, 93, 83, 97.6%; P = < 0.001)‐stimulated respiratory burst capacity significantly decreased in CI dogs. Percentage of monocytes expressing TLR‐4 greater in the CI dogs (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 46.9, 24.3, 64.2; control, 16.4, 9.4, 26.2%; P = 0.005).ConclusionThese findings suggest dogs with CI develop immune system alterations that result in reduced respiratory burst function and cytokine production despite upregulation of TLR‐4.
Cholangitis and Cholangiohepatitis in Dogs: A Descriptive Study of 54 Cases Based on Histopathologic Diagnosis (2004–2014)
Authors: Harrison J.L. , Turek B.J. , Brown D.C. , Bradley C. , Callahan Clark J. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundCholangitis in dogs appears to be more common than previously thought, but understanding of the disease remains incomplete.ObjectiveTo describe a population of dogs with cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis.AnimalsFifty‐four client‐owned dogs with cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis.MethodsMedical records of dogs with cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis confirmed by histopathology between January 2004 and December 2014 were identified using a computer‐based search and retrospectively reviewed.ResultsClinical signs included vomiting (72.2%), lethargy (70.4%), and inappetence (64.8%). Most dogs (49/50) had increased liver enzyme activities, hyperbilirubinemia (32/50), and hypercholesterolemia (24/43). Ultrasonographic abnormalities of the hepatobiliary system were seen in 84% of cases. On histopathology, 53 of 54 affected dogs had neutrophilic cholangitis (NC) or cholangiohepatitis, whereas 1 dog had lymphocytic cholangitis. Most cases (42/54) were chronic. Evidence of concurrent biliary disease (46.2%) and biliary tract obstruction (42.6%) was common. Seventeen of 36 biliary and 11 of 25 liver cultures were positive for bacterial growth;Escherichia coliandEnterococcus spp. were most common. Median patient survival was 671 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 114–1,426). On Cox regression, dogs that did not have a cholecystectomy performed had a 2.1 greater hazard for death (P= 0.037; 95% CI: 1.0–4.3) compared to cholecystectomized dogs. Dogs >13 years old had a 5.0 greater hazard for death (P= 0.001; 95% CI: 1.9–13.2) compared to younger dogs.Conclusions and Clinical SignificanceChronic NC or cholangiohepatitis was most common. Cholecystitis and biliary tract obstruction often occurred in conjunction with cholangitis. Cholecystectomized dogs had decreased risk of death; thus, cholecystectomy may improve patient outcome.