bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal trends in global obesity research and collaboration: a review using bibliometric metadata
Authors: Khan A. , Choudhury N. , Uddin S. , Hossain L. , Baur L. A 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThe goal of this study was to understand research trends and collaboration patterns together with scholarly impact within the domain of global obesity research. We developed and analysed bibliographic affiliation data collected from 117,340 research articles indexed in Scopus database on the topic of obesity and published from 1993–2012. We found steady growth and an exponential increase of publication numbers. Research output in global obesity research roughly doubled each 5 years, with almost 80% of the publications and authors from the second decade (2003–2012). The highest publication output was from the USA – 42% of publications had at least one author from the USA. Many US institutions also ranked highly in terms of research output and collaboration. Fifteen of the top‐20 institutions in terms of publication output were from the USA; however, several European and Japanese research institutions ranked more highly in terms of average citations per paper. The majority of obesity research and collaboration has been confined to developed countries although developing countries have showed higher growth in recent times, e.g. the publication ratio between 2003–2012 and 1993–2002 for developing regions was much higher than that of developed regions (9:1 vs. 4:1). We also identified around 42 broad disciplines from authors' affiliation data, and these showed strong collaboration between them. Overall, this study provides one of the most comprehensive longitudinal bibliometric analyses of obesity research. This should help in understanding research trends, spatial density, collaboration patterns and the complex multi‐disciplinary nature of research in the obesity domain.
Migration of a broken dental needle into the posterior cervical space
Authors: Goulart D.R. , Harber R. , Botelho M.R. , de Moraes M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimThe purpose of the present study was to report a rare case in which a broken needle migrated to the posterior cervical space.Case reportA 52‐year‐old male was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Marcílio Dias navy Hospital in order to assess a broken needle in the mandible. The patient was submitted to a dental procedure on the right side of the mandible and the breakage occurred during the inferior alveolar nerve block. The dentist requested a panoramic radiograph and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and referred the case to the hospital immediately. The needle fragment was found in the pterygomandibular space. Conservative management with a systematic follow‐up was applied. The patient returned after 7 days and did not exhibit any signs or symptoms. In consultations after 14, 30 and 60 days, the clinical condition remained the same. CBCT was requested 180 days after the needle breakage and the posterior‐medial migration of the needle fragment to the posterior cervical space was confirmed, close to the first cervical vertebra (1.81 mm). In the follow‐up after 1 year, the patient still did not exhibit any signs or symptoms.ConclusionsThe decision to not retrieve the needle fragment was taken with the patient. The patient is being monitored. Appropriate measures should be taken in order to prevent this mishap from occurring.
Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens
Authors: Shim Yoon Hee , Lee Seung Joo , Lee Jung Won 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe use of lactobacillus probiotics has been proposed as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for preventing urinary tract infection (UTI) in the era of antibiotic resistance. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens, was evaluated and compared with that of antibiotics.MethodsTo evaluate inhibitory activities of lactobacilli against uropathogens, six lactobacillus strains (L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. acidophilus) and four representative uropathogens of infantile UTI (extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase [ESBL](−) Escherichia coli, ESBL(+) E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Enterococcus fecalis) were selected. Lactobacillus strain in vitro inhibition of each uropathogen was evaluated on MRS agar well diffusion assay and compared with that of commercial antibiotic discs.ResultsAverage inhibitory zone for each of the six lactobacillus strains against the four uropathogens showed slightly different but consistent inhibition (inhibitory zone diameter, 10.5–20.0 mm). This was different to that of the antibiotic discs, which had a wider range of inhibition (inhibitory zone diameter, <6.0–27.5 mm) depending on the uropathogen resistance pattern. The inhibitory zone of the six lactobacillus strains was between that of sensitive and resistant antibiotics (P < 0.05).ConclusionsLactobacillus strains had similar moderate antimicrobial activities against uropathogens. Further research is needed to ascertain the strains with the best probiotic potential.
UVB Generates Microvesicle Particle Release in Part Due to Platelet‐activating Factor Signaling
Authors: Bihl Ji C. , Rapp Christine M. , Chen Yanfang , Travers Jeffrey B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe lipid mediator platelet‐activating factor (PAF) and oxidized glycerophosphocholine PAF agonists produced by ultraviolet B (UVB) have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in UVB‐mediated processes, from acute inflammation to delayed systemic immunosuppression. Recent studies have provided evidence that microvesicle particles (MVPs) are released from cells in response to various signals including stressors. Importantly, these small membrane fragments can interact with various cell types by delivering bioactive molecules. The present studies were designed to test if UVB radiation can generate MVP release from epithelial cells, and the potential role of PAF receptor (PAF‐R) signaling in this process. We demonstrate that UVB irradiation of the human keratinocyte‐derived cell line HaCaT resulted in the release of MVPs. Similarly, treatment of HaCaT cells with the PAF‐R agonist carbamoyl PAF also generated equivalent amounts of MVP release. Of note, pretreatment of HaCaT cells with antioxidants blocked MVP release from UVB but not PAF‐R agonist N‐methyl carbamyl PAF (CPAF). Importantly, UVB irradiation of the PAF‐R‐negative human epithelial cell line KB and KB transduced with functional PAF‐Rs resulted in MVP release only in PAF‐R‐positive cells. These studies demonstrate that UVB can generate MVPs in vitro and that PAF‐R signaling appears important in this process.
Estimating the Short Run Effects of South Africa's Employment Tax Incentive on Youth Employment Probabilities using A Difference‐in‐Differences Approach
Authors: Ranchhod Vimal , Finn Arden 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSouth Africa's Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) came into effect on the 1st of January 2014, with the objective of reducing the substantial national youth unemployment rate. Under the ETI, firms are eligible to claim a deduction from their taxes due, for the portion of their wage bill that is paid to certain groups of youth employees. We utilise several waves of nationally representative data and implement a difference‐in‐differences methodology at the individual level, in order to identify the effects of the ETI on youth employment probabilities in the short run. Our primary finding is that the ETI did not have any statistically significant and positive effects on youth employment probabilities. The point estimate from our preferred regression is −0.005 and the 95% confidence interval is from −0.017 to 0.006. We also find no evidence that the ETI has resulted in an increase in the level of churning in the labour market for youth. Thus, any decrease in tax revenues that arise from the ETI are effectively accruing to firms which, collectively, would have employed as many youth even in the absence of the ETI.
Direct Democracy and Local Public Finances under Cooperative Federalism
Authors: Asatryan Zareh , Baskaran Thushyanthan , Grigoriadis Theocharis , Heinemann Friedrich 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we exploit the introduction of the right of local initiatives in the German state of Bavaria in 1995 in order to study the fiscal effects of direct democracy. Our identification strategy combines difference‐in‐differences and regression discontinuity methods: we compare municipal expenditure and revenue between pre‐ and post‐reform periods at population thresholds where the signatures needed to launch initiatives and minimum quorum requirements decrease discontinuously (difference‐in‐discontinuities design). The results suggest that stronger direct democratic institutions lead to an expansion of local government size.
The prevalence of leucocyte alloantibodies in blood donors from South China
Authors: Xia W. , Ye X. , Xu X. , Chen D. , Deng J. , Chen Y. , Ding H. , Shao Y. , Wang J. , Liu J. , Li H. , Huang Y. F. , Fu Y. , Santoso S. 
Published: February 2016

SUMMARYBackgroundSeveral studies had demonstrated that leucocyte antibodies including anti‐human leucocyte antigen (anti‐HLA) antibodies (class I and class II) and anti‐human neutrophil antigen (anti‐HNA) antibodies (HNA‐1, ‐2 and ‐3) present in the blood products are responsible for transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). Therefore, selection of blood products exclusive of anti‐HLA and anti‐HNA antibodies may lower the risk of TRALI reaction. However, the prevalence of leucocyte antibodies among blood donors in China is currently not known.Study design and methodsBlood samples were collected from 454 male and 560 female donors (143 nulliparous and 417 multiparous female). HLA class I and II antibodies were analyzed by bead assays. Anti‐HNA‐1 and ‐2 antibodies were screened by the LABScreen assay (One Lambda Inc.), and HNA‐3 were detected by antigen capture assay, and confirmed by the granulocyte agglutination test (GAT).ResultsScreening of the total cohort showed higher prevalence of HLA antibodies in female compared with male donors (19·64 vs 4·63%). We found antibodies against HLA class I (13·21%) and HLA class II (11·43%) in 560 female donors. The most frequent antibodies against HLA class I and II in parous females (n = 69) reacted with were A*11 (28·81%), B*07 (42·37%), Cw*07 (20·34%) and DRB1*04 (40·43%) molecules. Among 778 donors (randomly selected from 1014 donors), we found three donors with neutrophil reactive antibodies, two against HNA‐2 and one without known specificity. Anti‐HNA‐3 antibodies were not found so far.ConclusionIn this study, we found alloimmunization against HLA class I, II and HNA in 4·63, 24·70 and 0·39%, respectively, in our female blood donors, indicating that the use of plasma containing blood products from parous female blood donors without HLA antibodies pre‐testing may increase the risk of TRALI reaction. Although immunization against HNA seems to be a rare event in China, further observation is necessary to decide the necessity of HNA antibodies screening in our blood donors.
Abscisic acid promotes proteasome‐mediated degradation of the transcription coactivator NPR1 in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ding Yezhang , Dommel Matthew , Mou Zhonglin 
Published: February 2016

SummaryProteasome‐mediated turnover of the transcription coactivator NPR1 is pivotal for efficient activation of the broad‐spectrum plant immune responses known as localized acquired resistance (LAR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in adjacent and systemic tissues, respectively, and requires the CUL3‐based E3 ligase and its adaptor proteins, NPR3 and NPR4, which are receptors for the signaling molecule salicylic acid (SA). It has been shown that SA prevents NPR1 turnover under non‐inducing and LAR/SAR‐inducing conditions, but how cellular NPR1 homeostasis is maintained remains unclear. Here, we show that the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and SA antagonistically influence cellular NPR1 protein levels. ABA promotes NPR1 degradation via the CUL3NPR3/NPR4 complex‐mediated proteasome pathway, whereas SA may protect NPR1 from ABA‐promoted degradation through phosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the timing and strength of SA and ABA signaling are critical in modulating NPR1 accumulation and target gene expression. Perturbing ABA or SA signaling in adjacent tissues alters the temporal dynamic pattern of NPR1 accumulation and target gene transcription. Finally, we show that sequential SA and ABA treatment leads to dynamic changes in NPR1 protein levels and target gene expression. Our results revealed a tight correlation between sequential SA and ABA signaling and dynamic changes in NPR1 protein levels and NPR1‐dependent transcription in plant immune responses.
Severe hyperkalemia presenting with wide‐complex tachycardia in a puppy with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis
Authors: Rubanick Jean V. , Fries Ryan C. , Waugh Carly E. , Pashmakova Medora B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo describe a case of hyperkalemia coinciding with wide‐complex tachycardia (WCT) in a dog with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis infection.Case summaryAn 11‐week‐old Golden Retriever–Standard Poodle cross puppy was referred for acute kidney injury and hepatopathy. WCT coinciding with marked hyperkalemia was identified on presentation. Tachycardia persisted until resolution of hyperkalemia.New or unique information providedTo our knowledge, this is the first report of severe hyperkalemia presenting with WCT in a dog. Hyperkalemia should be considered a differential for WCT in dogs.
Raised arterial blood pressure in neurokinin‐1 receptor‐deficient mice (NK1R−/−): evidence for a neural rather than a vascular mechanism
Authors: Moyes Amie J. , Stanford S. Clare , Hosford Patrick S. , Hobbs Adrian J. , Ramage Andrew G. 
Published: February 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Does genetic ablation of neurokinin‐1 receptors alter arterial blood pressure?

What is the main finding and its importance?
NK1R−/− mice have increased mean arterial blood pressure, but without a concomitant change in vascular reactivity. This finding suggests that neurokinin‐1 receptors play a role in the neural regulation of blood pressure.

Mice with functional ablation of the neurokinin‐1 receptor gene, Tacr1, (NK1R−/−) express behavioural abnormalities equivalent to those seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An established model of ADHD is the spontaneously hypertensive rat, which exhibits high blood pressure owing to increased central sympathetic drive. In light of the evidence that the neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK1R) also influences cardiovascular haemodynamics, we have investigated whether NK1R−/− mice exhibit raised blood pressure. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded for 24 h in conscious mice using radiotelemetry. Vascular function was assessed in mesenteric resistance arteries by wire myography. The NK1R−/− mice exhibited a higher blood pressure than wild‐type animals throughout the 24 h period. Heart rate and locomotor activity in NK1R−/− mice were higher than in wild‐type mice during the night period (active phase), consistent with an ADHD‐like phenotype, but not during the day. Mesenteric and renal arteries from NK1R−/− mice exhibited normal vascular function; the responses to vasoconstrictors (U46619 and phenylephrine) and the endothelium‐dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, were not altered in these animals, suggesting that the NK1R does not regulate vascular tone. Analysis of heart rate variability revealed a higher low‐frequency to high‐frequency ratio in NK1R−/− mice, indicative of increased cardiac sympathetic activity. We propose that the raised blood pressure in NK1R−/− mice could be due to a neural mechanism rather than a change in vascular reactivity. Further studies are required to understand this mechanism and to establish whether a subgroup of ADHD patients with polymorphism of the equivalent (TACR1) gene are affected in a similar way.
Experimental investigation of the biomechanics of urethral tissues and structures
Authors: Natali Arturo Nicola , Carniel Emanuele Luigi , Frigo Alessandro , Pavan Piero Giovanni , Todros Silvia , Pachera Paola , Fontanella Chiara Giulia , Rubini Alessandro , Cavicchioli Laura , Avital Yochai , De Benedictis Giulia Maria 
Published: February 2016

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Prostheses for treatment of urinary incontinence elicit complications associated with an inadequate mechanical action. This investigation aimed to define a procedure addressed to urethral mechanical characterization. Experimental tests are the basis for constitutive formulation, with a view to numerical modelling for investigation of the interaction between the tissues and a prosthesis.
What is the main finding and its importance?
Horse urethra, selected for its histomorphometric similarity to human urethra, was characterized by integrated histological analysis and mechanical tests on the biological tissue and structure, leading to constitutive formulation. A non‐linear, anisotropic and time‐dependent response was found, representing a valid basis for development of a numerical model to interpret the functional behaviour of the urethra.
Urinary dysfunction can lead to incontinence, with an impact on the quality of life. Severe dysfunction can be overcome surgically by the use of an artificial urinary sphincter. Nonetheless, several complications may result from inappropriate functioning of the prosthesis, in many instances resulting from an unsuitable mechanical action of the device on the urethral tissues. Computational models allow investigation of the mechanical interaction between biological tissues and biomedical devices, representing a potential support for surgical practice and prosthesis design. The development of such computational tools requires experimental data on the mechanics of biological tissues and structures, which are rarely reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to provide a procedure for the mechanical characterization of urethral tissues and structures. The experimental protocol included the morphometric and histological analysis of urethral tissues, the mechanical characterization of the response of tissues to tensile and stress‐relaxation tests and evaluation of the behaviour of urethral structures by inflation tests. Results from the preliminary experiments were processed, adopting specific model formulations, and also providing the definition of parameters that characterize the elastic and viscous behaviour of the tissues. Different experimental protocols, leading to a comprehensive set of experimental data, allow for a reciprocal assessment of reliability of the investigation approach.
Regulation of neuronal chloride homeostasis by neuromodulators
Authors: Mahadevan Vivek , Woodin Melanie A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractKCC2 is the central regulator of neuronal Cl− homeostasis, and is critical for enabling strong hyperpolarizing synaptic inhibition in the mature brain. KCC2 hypofunction results in decreased inhibition and increased network hyperexcitability that underlies numerous disease states including epilepsy, neuropathic pain and neuropsychiatric disorders. The current holy grail of KCC2 biology is to identify how we can rescue KCC2 hypofunction in order to restore physiological levels of synaptic inhibition and neuronal network activity. It is becoming increasingly clear that diverse cellular signals regulate KCC2 surface expression and function including neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. In the present review we explore the existing evidence that G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling can regulate KCC2 activity in numerous regions of the nervous system including the hypothalamus, hippocampus and spinal cord. We present key evidence from the literature suggesting that GPCR signalling is a conserved mechanism for regulating chloride homeostasis. This evidence includes: (1) the activation of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors and metabotropic Zn2+ receptors strengthens GABAergic inhibition in CA3 pyramidal neurons through a regulation of KCC2; (2) activation of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine type 2A serotonin receptors upregulates KCC2 cell surface expression and function, restores endogenous inhibition in motoneurons, and reduces spasticity in rats; and (3) activation of A3A‐type adenosine receptors rescues KCC2 dysfunction and reverses allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. We propose that GPCR‐signals are novel endogenous Cl− extrusion enhancers that may regulate KCC2 function.
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Ultimate Load Capacities of Bolted Flanges
Authors: Kotur Raghavan , Kasina Lakshman 
Published: February 2016

In great majority of situations, bolted flanges are designed to work well within elastic limits. The main design considerations concern preload which should be high enough to limit fatigue loading of the bolt and also prevent flange opening in the operating range. Elastic design of bolted joints as well their finite element simulation have been well understood.
The present paper deals with post elastic behavior of bolted joints. Equipment and structures are often exposed to loads much higher than the normal operating loads. Civil engineering structures experiencing earthquakes is one such example. Military ships and submarines are subject to torpedo loads and other types of blast loads. Aircraft engines are subject to ultimate load conditions such as fan blade-off (FBO) and foreign object damage (FOD) like bird-hit. To meet such eventualities it is uneconomical to attempt elastic designs. The approach is to go for plastic designs. The criterion is that the structure or equipment can yield and distort but should not rupture. The philosophy is that the distorted parts are replaced once the event is over. Bolted joints are invariably present in these categories of equipment.
The present paper deals with simulation and structural behavior of components fastened together by way of threaded fasteners. Sector of bolted flange is considered for study and elastic-plastic analyses are carried out. This is an extension of the work carried out earlier by the authors for simple axisymmetric joints. The earlier study was for conceptual understanding. In the present study focus will be on design aspects. Three different simulation models are compared. In addition, parametric studies are conducted to get deeper insight into structural behavior.