bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by tissue Doppler imaging in horses with aortic regurgitation
Authors: Ven S. , Decloedt A. , De Clercq D. , Vera L. , Rademakers F. , van Loon G. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundAortic regurgitation (AR) can have an important clinical impact and in some cases leads to left ventricular (LV) failure. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is an echocardiographic technique that has been used in horses to detect LV dysfunction.ObjectivesTo examine whether TDI detects changes in radial myocardial wall motion in horses with AR compared with control horses.Study designCase–control study.MethodsEchocardiography was performed in 30 healthy Warmblood horses and 34 Warmblood horses with AR, subdivided in groups with mild, moderate or severe AR. TDI measurements were performed on six segments of the short‐axis images of the LV myocardial wall. Myocardial wall motion was evaluated by measuring velocity and deformation during isovolumetric contraction, systole, early and late diastole. Timing of different events was also measured.ResultsIn most segments, a significantly higher systolic myocardial velocity was found in horses with AR compared with controls. Horses with AR also had higher late diastolic velocity, although the difference was not significant in all segments. TDI measurement of timing intervals demonstrated less difference between groups.Main limitationsThere was a significant difference in age between the control group and horses with AR, which may confound the results. The assessment of AR severity was based on subjective criteria as there is no gold standard.ConclusionsTDI showed significant differences in radial systolic and late diastolic myocardial velocity in horses with AR. This could indicate an altered LV function in these horses, but further research is needed to investigate the prognostic value of these measurements.
Pharmacological effects ofZataria multifloraBoiss L. and its constituents focus on their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects
Authors: Khazdair Mohammad Reza , Ghorani Vahideh , Alavinezhad Azam , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein 
Published: January 2018

AbstractZataria multifloraBoiss (Z. multiflora) belongs to the Lamiaceae family is used traditionally for culinary and medicinal purposes. Different pharmacological effects have been described for the plant including; bronchodilation, vasodilation, and effect on lung inflammation. The plant is also used as a remedy against cough in the traditional medicine. In this article, ‘pharmacological effects ofZ. multifloraand its constituents focusing on their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties were reviewed’ by searching various databases until ‘June’ 2016. The anti‐inflammatory effects of the plant such as decreased total white blood cell, neutrophils, and eosinophils counts were demonstrated. The sprotective effects ofZ. multifloraon serum levels of phospholipase A2 and total protein were showed. In addition, constituents of the plant, such as flavonoids and carvacrol, also showed anti‐inflammatory effects.Z. multifloraalso reduced oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and can be used in the therapy of oxidative damage. Decreased level of malondialdehyde and protective effects ofZ. multifloraon serum levels of nitric oxide were also shown. Improvement of the serum levels of IgE, reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐4,TGF‐β, andIL‐17), and increased anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IFN‐γ andFOXP3) were shown forZ. multifloraand its constituents, carvacrol and thymol. These results indicated that carvacrol and thymol could be used for treatment of inflammatory diseases as new anti‐inflammatory agents. Therefore,Z. multiflorashowed anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects which could be used for treatment of inflammatory and immune dysregulation diseases or disorders associated with increased oxidative stress.
Thermal and hydrologic responses to climate change predict marked alterations in boreal stream invertebrate assemblages
Authors: Mustonen Kaisa‐Riikka , Mykrä Heikki , Marttila Hannu , Sarremejane Romain , Veijalainen Noora , Sippel Kalle , Muotka Timo , Hawkins Charles P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAir temperature at the northernmost latitudes is predicted to increase steeply and precipitation to become more variable by the end of the 21st century, resulting in altered thermal and hydrological regimes. We applied five climate scenarios to predict the future (2070–2100) benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at 239 near‐pristine sites across Finland (ca. 1200 km latitudinal span). We used a multitaxon distribution model with air temperature and modeled daily flow as predictors. As expected, projected air temperature increased the most in northernmost Finland. Predicted taxonomic richness also increased the most in northern Finland, congruent with the predicted northwards shift of many species’ distributions. Compositional changes were predicted to be high even without changes in richness, suggesting that species replacement may be the main mechanism causing climate‐induced changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Northern streams were predicted to lose much of the seasonality of their flow regimes, causing potentially marked changes in stream benthic assemblages. Sites with the highest loss of seasonality were predicted to support future assemblages that deviate most in compositional similarity from the present‐day assemblages. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were also predicted to change more in headwaters than in larger streams, as headwaters were particularly sensitive to changes in flow patterns. Our results emphasize the importance of focusing protection and mitigation on headwater streams with high‐flow seasonality because of their vulnerability to climate change.
Isthmus sites identified by Ripple Mapping are usually anatomically stable: A novel method to guide atrial substrate ablation?
Authors: Luther Vishal , Qureshi Norman , Lim Phang Boon , Koa‐Wing Michael , Jamil‐Copley Shahnaz , Ng Fu Siong , Whinnett Zachary , Davies D. Wyn , Peters Nicholas S. , Kanagaratnam Prapa , Linton Nick 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPostablation reentrant ATs depend upon conducting isthmuses bordered by scar. Bipolar voltage maps highlight scar as sites of low voltage, but the voltage amplitude of an electrogram depends upon the myocardial activation sequence. Furthermore, a voltage threshold that defines atrial scar is unknown. We used Ripple Mapping (RM) to test whether these isthmuses were anatomically fixed between different activation vectors and atrial rates.MethodsWe studied post‐AF ablation ATs where >1 rhythm was mapped. Multipolar catheters were used with CARTO Confidense for high‐density mapping. RM visualized the pattern of activation, and the voltage threshold below which no activation was seen. Isthmuses were characterized at this threshold between maps for each patient.ResultsTen patients were studied (Map 1 was AT1; Map 2: sinus 1/10, LA paced 2/10, AT2 with reverse CS activation 3/10; AT2 CL difference 50 ± 30 ms). Point density was similar between maps (Map 1: 2,589 ± 1,330; Map 2: 2,214 ± 1,384; P = 0.31). RM activation threshold was 0.16 ± 0.08 mV. Thirty‐one isthmuses were identified in Map 1 (median 3 per map; width 27 ± 15 mm; 7 anterior; 6 roof; 8 mitral; 9 septal; 1 posterior). Importantly, 7 of 31 (23%) isthmuses were unexpectedly identified within regions without prior ablation. AT1 was treated following ablation of 11/31 (35%) isthmuses. Of the remaining 20 isthmuses, 14 of 16 isthmuses (88%) were consistent between the two maps (four were inadequately mapped). Wavefront collision caused variation in low voltage distribution in 2 of 16 (12%).ConclusionsThe distribution of isthmuses and nonconducting tissue within the ablated left atrium, as defined by RM, appear concordant between rhythms. This could guide a substrate ablative approach.
Mitochondrial function and autophagy: integrating proteotoxic, redox, and metabolic stress in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Culp Matilda Lillian , Craver Jason G. , Darley‐Usmar Victor 
Published: January 2018

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder with widespread neurodegeneration in the brain. Significant oxidative, reductive, metabolic, and proteotoxic alterations have been observed in PD postmortem brains. The alterations of mitochondrial function resulting in decreased bioenergetic health is important and needs to be further examined to help develop biomarkers for PD severity and prognosis. It is now becoming clear that multiple hits on metabolic and signaling pathways are likely to exacerbate PD pathogenesis. Indeed, data obtained from genetic and genome association studies have implicated interactive contributions of genes controlling protein quality control and metabolism. For example, loss of key proteins that are responsible for clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria through a process called mitophagy has been found to cause PD, and a significant proportion of genes associated with PD encode proteins involved in the autophagy‐lysosomal pathway. In this review, we highlight the evidence for the targeting of mitochondria by proteotoxic, redox and metabolic stress, and the role autophagic surveillance in maintenance of mitochondrial quality. Furthermore, we summarize the role of α‐synuclein, leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2, and tau in modulating mitochondrial function and autophagy. Among the stressors that can overwhelm the mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, we will discuss 4‐hydroxynonenal and nitric oxide. The impact of autophagy is context depend and as such can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of targeting mitochondria and autophagic function as an integrated therapeutic strategy and the emerging contribution of the microbiome to PD susceptibility.
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Phenolic fractions from nine Trifolium species modulate the coagulant properties of blood plasma in vitro without cytotoxicity towards blood cells
Authors: Kolodziejczyk-Czepas Joanna , Sieradzka Malgorzata , Moniuszko-Szajwaj Barbara , Nowak Pawel , Oleszek Wiesław , Stochmal Anna 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objective
The study covers an evaluation of the influence of extracts (1–50 μg/ml), isolated from aerial parts of nine Trifolium L. species (i.e. T. alexandrinum, T. fragiferum, T. hybridum, T. incarnatum, T. pallidum, T. pratense, T. resupinatum var. majus, T. resupinatum var. resupinatum and T. scabrum) on haemostatic properties of blood plasma.

Methods
The clot formation and fibrinolysis assay (CFF), blood clotting times, the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathway-dependent polymerization of plasma fibrin were measured. The effects of plant extracts on amidolytic activity of thrombin were also evaluated and compared with argatroban, an antithrombotic drug. Cytotoxicity was assessed in a model of blood platelets and as the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Key findings
While no changes in blood clotting times or fibrinolytic properties of blood plasma were found, some fractions impaired the blood plasma coagulation induced by the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Reduction in the maximal velocity of fibrin polymerization was also observed in the clot formation and fibrinolysis assay. No cytotoxicity of Trifolium extracts towards the investigated cells was recorded.

Conclusions
The most efficient anticoagulant activity in plasma was found for T. fragiferum and T. incarnatum extracts, while the T. alexandrinum fraction was the most effective inhibitor of thrombin amidolytic activity.
Essential oils improved weight gain, growth and feed efficiency of young dairy calves fed 18 or 20% crude protein starter diets
Authors: Kazemi‐Bonchenari M. , Falahati R. , Poorhamdollah M. , Heidari S. R. , Pezeshki A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe objective was to evaluate interactions between starter protein (180 vs. 200 g/kg, DM basis) and a mixture of essential oils (EOs; containing thymol, eugenol, vanillin, limonene and guaiacol) on growth, metabolic and ruminal functions of Holstein dairy calves. In a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design, 48 calves, 3 days old (averaging BW 42.7 ± 1.9 kg), were allocated into groups fed the following diets: (i) 180 g/kg CP with no EO (180P‐NEO); (ii) 180 g/kg CP with EO (180P‐EO); (iii) 200 g/kg CP with no EO (200P‐NEO); and (iv) 200 g/kg CP with EO (200P‐EO). The EO was supplemented as 1 g/kg of starter DM. Calves were fed ad libitum starter diet and were weaned at day 59 of age, but diets continued until day 80. There were no interactive effects of CP and EO on intake and growth. Pre‐weaning feed efficiency tended to be increased for 200P‐EO (p = .09). Average daily gain and feed efficiency during pre‐weaning period as well as weaning weight were increased (p < .05) by EO, whereas wither height was increased by EO (p = .03) and tended to be increased for 200P vs. 180P (p = .06). Post‐weaning blood urea nitrogen concentration tended to be lower in 180P vs. 200P (p = .08). Ruminal short‐chain fatty acids concentration was greatest in 200P‐EO. The EO increased both butyrate (p = .02) and propionate proportions (p = .01) and reduced acetate proportional ratio (p < .01). Ruminal ammonia‐N was tended to be lower in calves‐fed EO (p = .05) and was lower in those fed 180P vs. 200P (p < .01). In conclusion, supplementation of the starter diet with essential oil improved weight gain, growth and feed efficiency of dairy calves, irrespective of dietary protein content.
The Labour Market Effects of Increases in Social Insurance Premium: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Kodama Naomi , Yokoyama Izumi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractExploiting heterogeneous variations in labour cost increases due to Japan's 2003 social insurance premium reform as a natural experiment, we estimate the impacts of the increased social insurance premiums on employment, working hours and payroll costs. Using the difference‐in‐differences method with establishment fixed effects, we find that firms reduce the number of employees and increase average annual earnings from longer working hours in response to an exogenous increase in labour costs without productivity gains. Firms manage to pay for this increase in the average wage paid to the remaining workers by reducing the number of employees to keep total payroll costs unchanged. In contrast, since social insurance premiums are shared equally between employees and employers, firms pay the remaining half premiums that they are imposed with. Sub‐sample analyses show that firms adhering to a labour hoarding policy did fire many workers taking advantage of the 2003 reform. This may indicate that the reform provided a good excuse to cut employment in firms that had been forced to comply with a labour hoarding policy even in an over‐employment situation, which is more likely in sectors and countries where dismissals are rigorously regulated.
Statin use and the risk of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection: A cohort study in a veteran population
Authors: Alzahrani Talal , Liappis Angelike P. , Baddour Larry M. , Karasik Pamela E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe rate of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection (CIEDI) has increased, despite the use of perioperative antibiotics at the time of device placement or revision. This is due, in part, to the presence of multiple comorbid conditions in an elderly population, in general, who require CIED. Statins may have an antibacterial effect, although there is currently no evidence that the likelihood of CIEDI has been impacted by statin use.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed to assess whether statins are associated with a reduced risk of CIEDI. The VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI) database, which includes all veterans who underwent CIED placement between 2008 and 2015, was used. A logistic regression model was constructed to estimate the adjusted risk of CIEDI among patients who were receiving statins after adjusting for confounding factors.ResultsOverall, 18,970 CIED procedures were included, and 98% of them were performed in men with a mean age of 71 ± 11 years. The rate of diabetes mellitus, heart failure, advanced chronic kidney diseases, CIEDI, positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization, and statin use were 23%, 15.7%, 3.3%, 1.14%, 12.6%, and 56%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that statins were significantly associated with a reduced risk of CIEDI; after controlling for other effects, the reduction was 66% (odds ratio 0.34 [0.2–0.59], P‐value < 0.001). The effect of statins was confirmed by propensity score analysis.ConclusionsOur study showed that among patients receiving statins who had undergone CIED placement, there was a 66% reduction in subsequent CIEDI.
Baltoscandian conodont biofacies fluctuations and their link to Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) global cooling
Authors: Rasmussen Jan A. , Stouge Svend 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe Middle Ordovician conodont genera that are suitable for palaeoenvironmental interpretations from the epicontinental Baltoscandian platform have been identified and evaluated to establish and describe conodont biofacies and their relationship to global cooling. The construction of biofacies was based on multivariate statistical analyses of more than 375 700 conodont specimens from 520 samples and 21 localities across Baltica. Three distinct, recurrent and laterally extensive conodont biofacies existed across the Baltoscandian platform of the Baltica continent during the Dapingian and early to middle Darriwilian stages (Middle Ordovician). A relatively shallow water conodont assemblage named the Baltoniodus–Microzarkodina Biofacies characterized the inner shelf localities in central Sweden, Estonia, Russia and Ukraine. In the distal shelf areas, patterns are more complex. Here, genera of the Periodon Biofacies characterized the shelf margin areas of the Scandinavian Caledonides facing the relatively warm Iapetus Ocean towards the north, whereas the Protopanderodus Biofacies dominated the distal shelf areas facing the cooler Tornquist Sea towards the south‐west. Although these three main biofacies continued to dominate during the succeeding Darriwilian stage, distinct changes in the distribution of biofacies took place during the transition from the Dapingian Stage to the Darriwilian. We argue that the biofacies change was triggered by a regressive event related to early Darriwilian cooling, and that the palaeoclimatological changes influenced the Baltic conodont faunas near the Tornquist Sea margin before those of the Iapetus margin (early vs middle Darriwilian).
Pediatric penile porokeratosis: A case report
Authors: Bari Omar , Calame Antoanella , Marietti‐Shepherd Sarah , Barrio Victoria R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe present what we believe to be the second case of pediatric penile porokeratosis and the youngest case reported. A 6‐year‐old boy presented with a pruritic, verrucous growth at the urethral meatus that recurred after two meatotomies. The diagnosis of porokeratosis was confirmed by biopsy. Porokeratosis should be added to the differential diagnosis of chronic hyperkeratotic penile lesions in children.
Modeling the traffic disruption caused by pluvial flash flood on intra‐urban road network
Authors: Li Mengya , Huang Qingyu , Wang Lei , Yin Jie , Wang Jun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPluvial flash flood (PFF) can cause serious traffic disruption in big cities. We conducted interdisciplinary research by integrating flood modeling and traffic analysis to reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of the interplay between these two processes. A simplified simulation tool, which is capable of building a road network model, assigning trip paths with the effect of road closures, and evaluating travel delay and vehicle volume redistribution in a given PFF scenario, was developed to capture the traffic disruption in the face of PFF events. Modeling outputs from a case study in the city center of Shanghai showed that the delay of vehicles diverted to dry links or trapped in flooded links may reach 0.5 to 8 times the travel time in no‐flood scenarios. Overall, approximately 1–7% of vehicle volumes on flooded links would be redistributed onto dry links (more likely major arterial roads). However, the vehicle volume variation during each time interval demonstrated evident disparity with the spatiotemporal change of flood inundations. Simulating and mapping the congestion can largely facilitate the identification of vulnerable links. Future research will test the method in other intra‐urban areas and try to bridge the gap between modeling outputs and smart city planning and management.
Field Testing Improves Citrus Plant Biological Treatment
Authors: Ashby Jim , Sobkowicz Tony 
Published: January 2018

Wastewater from citrus processing contains high levels of sugars, suspended solids, and caustic cleaning agents. Biological treatment is the only economical process for removing and neutralizing all of these contaminants, and the activated sludge process is the workhorse of the biological treatment stable. The biological treatment system must produce a treated effluent of the highest quality, regardless of the wild variation in flow and composition of the influent. Problems in the treatment process can almost always be traced to either a wastewater loading that is higher than the system can tolerate, or a failure to maintain and operate the treatment system to realize its treatment potential. A thorough review of the operational and loading characteristics of the system will determine whether excessive loading or inadequate treatment system is responsible for the system failure. When the problem has been identified, it can be resolved in one of three ways:
□ A new treatment system of greater capacity can be installed to replace the inadequate system.
□ The wastewater loading, hydraulic and organic, can be reduced through changes in fruit processing practices.
□ Changes in the existing treatment system (equipment or operational) can be identified to increase its capacity.
Paper published with permission.
Brazil: Citrus Benchmarking
Authors: Schuermans Alex 
Published: January 2018

More and more, the Citrus Business is becoming a global operation, narrowing the technological opportunities gap between processors around the world. Most of the largest Brazilian processors already have process units or commercial partners in the United States, which makes any new technology available worldwide virtually instantaneously. However, there are several market and environmental differences that directly impact the best use of the available technology according to the individual market.
Paper published with permission.
Engineering Solutions for Lightning and Surge Protection
Authors: Gates Paul 
Published: January 2018

The main objective of this work is to discuss the significant impacts associated with lightning and electrical surges in large, complex electrical power systems. Electrical systems have evolved significantly in the last 10 years resulting in high penetration of electronics for automation, control, and protection. A representative example of this can be readily observed in the migration from single speed motors to VFD or electro mechanical relays to microprocessor based, multifunction relays. These electronic devices are very sensitive to electrical surges, noise and the presence of harmonics caused by a multitude of sources. These sources, such as variable speed drives, computers, electronic light ballasts, and power supplies, are now embedded in our electrical systems and heighten the need for lightning and surge protection.
Paper published with permission.