bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex pheromone titre in the glands of Spodoptera litura females: circadian rhythm and the effects of age and mating
Authors: Lu Qin , Huang Ling‐Yan , Liu Fang‐Tao , Wang Xia‐Fei , Chen Peng , Xu Jin , Deng Jian‐Yu , Ye Hui 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe present study investigates the effects of age and mating status on the circadian variations of gland sex pheromone titre in female Spodoptera litura Fabricius. Similar to other nocturnal moths, S. litura females exhibit circadian variations of gland sex pheromone contents, with higher levels during scotophase and lower levels during photophase. The sex pheromone titre in the glands peaks during the first scotophase after eclosion and sharply declines afterwards. Higher pheromone contents during scotophase may facilitate female reproductive activities, and the negative relationship between pheromone titre and female calling is likely the result of pheromone release during female calling. Interestingly, the present study demonstrates that mated S. litura females have significantly higher sex pheromone titre in their pheromone glands (PGs) than virgin females. This finding contrasts with all previous studies of other insect species, in which mating generally reduces the sex pheromone titre in female PGs. In S. litura, mating and male accessory gland fluids can suppress female calling behaviours and re‐matings. These results suggest that the suppression of female calling behaviours by mating and male accessory gland fluids may significantly reduce the release of sex pheromones and thus result in higher sex pheromone titre in the PGs of mated females.
Protective effects of Polypodium leucotomos extract against UVB‐induced damage in a model of reconstructed human epidermis
Authors: Torricelli Paola , Fini Milena , Fanti Pier Alessandro , Dika Emi , Milani Massimo 
Published: January 2017

SummaryBackgroundPolypodium leucotomos (PL) exerts potent antioxidant, photo‐protective, and immune‐modulatory activities. A reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) (Episkin) is a suitable model for the evaluation of acute UV‐induced cell damage. No data regarding the photo‐protective action of PL in this model are available.PurposeWe evaluated the effects of PL on the prevention of UVB‐induced cell damage assessing sunburn cells, CPD formation, p53, Ki‐67, p21 expression, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) production.Materials & MethodsRHE was incubated in standard conditions. PL was topically applied at the concentration of 2 mg/cm2, immediately before UVB exposition. UVB exposition (300 mJ/cm2) was performed using a dedicated UVB lamp. Irradiated samples without PL and non‐irradiated samples were used as positive and negative controls. Expression of p53, p21, and Ki‐67 was evaluated with immune‐histochemical methods. CPD were measured using a monoclonal antibody.ResultsPL significantly reduced sunburned cells (−80%) in comparison with positive control. PL significantly prevented the increase in EGF production at tested times. PL significantly reduced the p53 (−80%), p21 (−84%), and Ki‐67 (−48%) positive cells. Finally, PL prevented the formation of CPD (0% vs. 20% positive cells).ConclusionIn this model, PL has shown to prevent UVB cell damage, the upregulation of proliferating proteins, and fully blocking the formation of CPD.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS — RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF A GIANT FECALOMA CAUSING STERCORAL PERFORATION OF THE COLON IN A DOG WITH A PROSTATIC ABSCESS
Authors: Kim Jaehwan , Yoon Hakyoung , Eom Kidong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA mixed‐breed dog presented with tenesmus, hematochezia, and abdominal distension of 2 weeks duration. Radiography showed a large round mass with a “soap‐bubble” appearance and shell‐like mineralization in the caudal abdomen. Computed tomography revealed a lamellate mineralized mass 8 cm in diameter and containing air in the descending colon and prostatic abscess. Heterogeneously contrast‐enhanced, irregularly thickened colonic wall with intramural and peritoneal free gas indicated stercoral colonic perforation. Surgical intervention revealed a tumor‐like giant fecaloma in the descending colon adjoining the prostate with extensive wall rupture and fecal peritonitis. Hypothetically, prostatic inflammation may affect colonic motility with resultant fecaloma formation.
SOLUTION-DIFFUSION MODEL FOR A SMALL SCALE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
Authors: Hasmadi Nur Syazwana , Jullok Nora , Mat Razi Al Nazifah , Harif Fadzilah M. Hanif 
Published: January 2017

Reverse osmosis (RO) often used for desalination, in producing the ultrapure water for electronics, pharmaceuticals and power generation industries and also it was used in small niche process such as food processing and pollution control. Analysis of membrane performance required multiple of experimental run. Experimental work can be time consuming and costly. Hence, this work aims to model a small scale RO system by using a solution-diffusion model to minimize the experimental work. The model was verified by comparing the data obtained from the model and experimental data. Other studies, which include, the influence of solute feed concentration on the RO system was also been investigated. A commercial RO Trisep flat sheet membrane was used. The solute permeate concentrations, solvent permeate flux, final solute feed concentrations and rejection rate of sodium chloride (NaCl) was analyzed to observe the membrane performance. Result shows that some experimental data has almost similar trend with the simulated data. Both solute feed concentration and rejection rate of NaCl over time show almost similar trends with percentage errors are 8.89% and 0.76% respectively. As solute feed concentration increased, the solute permeate concentration increased. In contrast to the solute permeate concentration, when the solute feed increases the solvent permeate flux decreases and rejection rate will also decrease.
Past changes in the North Atlantic storm track driven by insolation and sea-ice forcing
Authors: Orme Lisa C. , Charman Daniel J. , Reinhardt Liam , Jones Richard T. , Mitchell Fraser J. G. , Stefanini Bettina S. , Barkwith Andrew , Ellis Michael A. , Grosvenor Mark 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Changes in the location of Northern Hemisphere storm tracks may cause significant societal and economic impacts under future climate change, but projections of future changes are highly uncertain and drivers of long-term changes are poorly understood. Here we develop a late Holocene storminess reconstruction from northwest Spain and combine this with an equivalent record from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, to measure changes in the dominant latitudinal position of the storm track. The north-south index shows that storm tracks moved from a southern position to higher latitudes over the past 4000 yr, likely driven by a change from meridional to zonal atmospheric circulation, associated with a negative to positive North Atlantic Oscillation shift. We suggest that gradual polar cooling (caused by decreasing solar insolation in summer and amplified by sea-ice feedbacks) and mid-latitude warming (caused by increasing winter insolation) drove a steepening of the winter latitudinal temperature gradient through the late Holocene, resulting in the observed change to a more northern winter storm track. Our findings provide paleoclimate support for observational and modeling studies that link changes in the latitudinal temperature gradient and sea-ice extent to the strength and shape of the circumpolar vortex. Together this evidence now suggests that North Atlantic winter storm tracks may shift southward under future warming as sea-ice extent decreases and the mid- to high-latitude temperature gradient decreases, with storms increasingly affecting southern Europe.
Events, episodes, and phases: Signal from noise in flood-sediment archives
Authors: Toonen Willem H.J. , Foulds Simon A. , Macklin Mark G. , Lewin John 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Major floods have increased in frequency in many parts of the world, and this is often attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Because of the short length of most gauged records (∼50 yr), it is unclear whether these events represent a short-term anomaly or a shift to a prolonged flood-rich period. In this paper, we use event-scale paleoflood records from upland and lowland floodplains to demonstrate the relationship between individual flood events, clusters of events in multiyear episodes, and multidecadal- to centennial-scale flood-rich phases. Catchment- and regional-scale data show that individual events and episodes generally fall within extended flood-rich phases controlled by climate. Furthermore, contrary to recent suggestions that environmental signals may be rendered incomplete in fluvial systems by autogenic processes, from a multidecadal (and longer) perspective it is clear that floodplain environments can register and preserve a useful multiscale hydromorphic signal of climate change.
Vascular flow density in pathological myopia: an optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Mo Jing , Duan Anli , Chan Szyyann , Wang Xuefei , Wei Wenbin 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesTo investigate vascular flow density in pathological myopia with optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.DesignA prospective comparative study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016.SettingParticipants were recruited in Beijing Tongren Hospital.ParticipantsA total of 131 eyes were enrolled, which were divided into three groups: 45 eyes with emmetropia (EM; mean spherical equivalent (MSE) 0.50D to −0.50D), 41 eyes with high myopia (HM; MSE ≤−6.00D, without pathological changes), and 45 eyes with pathological myopia (PM; MSE ≤−6.00D and axial length (AL) ≥26.5 mm, and with pathological changes).Main outcome measuresMacular, choriocapillaris and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) flow densities were measured and compared between groups, and their relationships with AL and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analysed.ResultsSignificant differences were found in macular, choriocapillaris and RPC flow densities among the three groups (p<0.05). Multiple comparisons revealed that, compared with the EM and HM groups, macular and RPC flow densities of the PM group were significantly decreased (p<0.05), but no significant difference in choriocapillaris flow density was found between the PM and HM groups (p=0.731). Compared with the EM group, retinal flow density in the macular and arcuate fibre region was not decreased in the HM group. In addition, there was a negative correlation between AL and superficial macular flow density (β=−0.542, p<0.001), deep macular flow density (β=−0.282, p=0.002) and RPC flow density (β=−0.522, p<0.001); and a positive correlation between BCVA and superficial macular flow density (β=0.194, p=0.021), deep macular flow density (β=0.373, p<0.001), and choriocapillaris flow density (β=0.291, p=0.001).ConclusionsMacular and RPC flow densities decreased in pathological myopia compared with high myopia and emmetropia. No significant decrease of retinal flow density in the macular and arcuate fibre region was found in high myopic eyes compared with emmetropic eyes. Moreover, macular and RPC flow densities were negatively related to AL, and macular flow density was positively related to BCVA.
Can patient involvement improve patient safety? A cluster randomised control trial of the Patient Reporting and Action for a Safe Environment (PRASE) intervention
Authors: Lawton Rebecca , O'Hara Jane Kathryn , Sheard Laura , Armitage Gerry , Cocks Kim , Buckley Hannah , Corbacho Belen , Reynolds Caroline , Marsh Claire , Moore Sally , Watt Ian , Wright John 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of the Patient Reporting and Action for a Safe Environment intervention.DesignA multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial.SettingClusters were 33 hospital wards within five hospitals in the UK.ParticipantsAll patients able to give informed consent were eligible to take part. Wards were allocated to the intervention or control condition.InterventionThe ward-level intervention comprised two tools: (1) a questionnaire that asked patients about factors contributing to safety (patient measure of safety (PMOS)) and (2) a proforma for patients to report both safety concerns and positive experiences (patient incident reporting tool). Feedback was considered in multidisciplinary action planning meetings.MeasurementsPrimary outcomes were routinely collected ward-level harm-free care (HFC) scores and patient-level feedback on safety (PMOS).ResultsIntervention uptake and retention of wards was 100% and patient participation was high (86%). We found no significant effect of the intervention on any outcomes at 6 or 12 months. However, for new harms (ie, those for which the wards were directly accountable) intervention wards did show greater, though non-significant, improvement compared with control wards. Analyses also indicated that improvements were largest for wards that showed the greatest compliance with the intervention.LimitationsAdherence to the intervention, particularly the implementation of action plans, was poor. Patient safety outcomes may represent too blunt a measure.ConclusionsPatients are willing to provide feedback about the safety of their care. However, we were unable to demonstrate any overall effect of this intervention on either measure of patient safety and therefore cannot recommend this intervention for wider uptake. Findings indicate promise for increasing HFC where wards implement ≥75% of the intervention components.Trial registration numberISRCTN07689702; pre-results.
Revised Framingham Stroke Risk Profile to Reflect Temporal Trends
Authors: Dufouil Carole , Beiser Alexa , McLure Leslie A. , Wolf Philip A. , Tzourio Christophe , Howard Virginia J. , Westwood Andrew J. , Himali Jayandra J. , Sullivan Lisa , Aparicio Hugo J. , Kelly-Hayes Margaret , Ritchie Karen , Kase Carlos S. , Pikula Aleksandra , Romero Jose R. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Samieri Cécilia , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Chêne Genevieve , Howard George , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: February 2017

Background:
Age-adjusted stroke incidence has decreased over the past 50 years, likely as a result of changes in the prevalence and impact of various stroke risk factors. An updated version of the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP) might better predict current risks in the FHS (Framingham Heart Study) and other cohorts. We compared the accuracy of the standard (old) and of a revised (new) version of the FSRP in predicting the risk of all-stroke and ischemic stroke and validated this new FSRP in 2 external cohorts, the 3C (3 Cities) and REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) studies.

Methods:
We computed the old FSRP as originally described and a new model that used the most recent epoch-specific risk factor prevalence and hazard ratios for individuals ≥55 years of age and for the subsample ≥65 years of age (to match the age range in REGARDS and 3C studies, respectively) and compared the efficacy of these models in predicting 5- and 10-year stroke risks.

Results:

The new FSRP was a better predictor of current stroke risks in all 3 samples than the old FSRP (calibration χ
2
of new/old FSRP: in men: 64.0/12.1, 59.4/30.6, and 20.7/12.5; in women: 42.5/4.1, 115.4/90.3, and 9.8/6.5 in FHS, REGARDS, and 3C, respectively). In the REGARDS, the new FSRP was a better predictor among whites compared with blacks.

Conclusions:
A more contemporaneous, new FSRP better predicts current risks in 3 large community samples and could serve as the basis for examining geographic and racial differences in stroke risk and the incremental diagnostic utility of novel stroke risk factors.
Serum Acylcarnitines and Risk of Cardiovascular Death and Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris
Authors: Strand Elin , Pedersen Eva R. , Svingen Gard F. T. , Olsen Thomas , Bjørndal Bodil , Karlsson Therese , Dierkes Jutta , Njølstad Pål R. , Mellgren Gunnar , Tell Grethe S. , Berge Rolf K. , Svardal Asbjørn , Nygård Ottar 
Published: February 2017

Background
Excess levels of serum acylcarnitines, which are intermediate products in metabolism, have been observed in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is not known whether acylcarnitines may prospectively predict risk of cardiovascular death or acute myocardial infarction in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Methods and Results

This study included 4164 patients (median age, 62 years; 72% men). Baseline serum acetyl‐, octanoyl‐, palmitoyl‐, propionyl‐, and (iso)valerylcarnitine were measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Hazard ratios (
HR
s) and 95%
CI
s for quartile 4 versus quartile 1 are reported. The multivariable model included age, sex, body mass index, fasting status, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, creatinine, left ventricular ejection fraction, extent of coronary artery disease, study center, and intervention with folic acid or vitamin B6. During median 10.2 years of follow‐up, 10.0% of the patients died of cardiovascular disease and 12.8% suffered a fatal or nonfatal acute myocardial infarction. Higher levels of the even‐chained acetyl‐, octanoyl‐, and palmitoyl‐carnitines were significantly associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular death, also after multivariable adjustments (
HR
[95%
CI
]: 1.52 [1.12, 2.06];
P
=0.007; 1.73 [1.23, 2.44];
P
=0.002; and 1.61 [1.18, 2.21];
P
=0.003, respectively), whereas their associations with acute myocardial infarction were less consistent.

Conclusions
Among patients with suspected stable angina pectoris, elevated serum even‐chained acylcarnitines were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death and, to a lesser degree with acute myocardial infarction, independent of traditional risk factors.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00354081.
Preprocedural Prediction Model for Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy Patients
Authors: Yin Wen‐jun , Yi Yi‐hu , Guan Xiao‐feng , Zhou Ling‐yun , Wang Jiang‐lin , Li Dai‐yang , Zuo Xiao‐cong 
Published: February 2017

Background

Several models have been developed for prediction of contrast‐induced nephropathy (
CIN
); however, they only contain patients receiving intra‐arterial contrast media for coronary angiographic procedures, which represent a small proportion of all contrast procedures. In addition, most of them evaluate radiological interventional procedure‐related variables. So it is necessary for us to develop a model for prediction of
CIN
before radiological procedures among patients administered contrast media.

Methods and Results

A total of 8800 patients undergoing contrast administration were randomly assigned in a 4:1 ratio to development and validation data sets.
CIN
was defined as an increase of 25% and/or 0.5 mg/dL in serum creatinine within 72 hours above the baseline value. Preprocedural clinical variables were used to develop the prediction model from the training data set by the machine learning method of random forest, and 5‐fold cross‐validation was used to evaluate the prediction accuracies of the model. Finally we tested this model in the validation data set. The incidence of
CIN
was 13.38%. We built a prediction model with 13 preprocedural variables selected from 83 variables. The model obtained an area under the receiver‐operating characteristic (
ROC
) curve (
AUC
) of 0.907 and gave prediction accuracy of 80.8%, sensitivity of 82.7%, specificity of 78.8%, and Matthews correlation coefficient of 61.5%. For the first time, 3 new factors are included in the model: the decreased sodium concentration, the
INR
value, and the preprocedural glucose level.

Conclusions

The newly established model shows excellent predictive ability of
CIN
development and thereby provides preventative measures for
CIN
.
A systematic evaluation of immunoassay point-of-care testing to define impact on patients’ outcomes
Authors: Pecoraro Valentina , Banfi Giuseppe , Germagnoli Luca , Trenti Tommaso 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundPoint-of-care testing has been developed to provide rapid test results. Most published studies focus on analytical performance, neglecting its impact on patient outcomes.ObjectiveTo review the analytical performance and accuracy of point-of-care testing specifically planned for immunoassay and to evaluate the impact of faster results on patient management.MethodsA search of electronic databases for studies reporting immunoassay results obtained in both point-of-care testing and central laboratory scenarios was performed. Data were extracted concerning the study details, and the methodological quality was assessed. The analytical characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of six points-of-care testing: troponin, procalcitonin, parathyroid hormone, brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were evaluated.ResultsA total of 116 scientific papers were analysed. Studies measuring procalcitonin, parathyroid hormone and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin reported a limited impact on diagnostic decisions. Seven studies measuring C-reactive protein claimed a significant reduction of antibiotic prescription. Several authors evaluated brain natriuretic peptide or troponin reporting faster decision-making without any improvement in clinical outcome. Forty-four per cent of studies reported analytical data, showing satisfactory correlations between results obtained through point-of-care testing and central laboratory setting. Half of studies defined the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care testing as acceptable for troponin (median sensitivity and specificity: 74% and 94%, respectively), brain natriuretic peptide (median sensitivity and specificity: 82% and 88%, respectively) and C-reactive protein (median sensitivity and specificity 85%).ConclusionsPoint-of-care testing immunoassay results seem to be reliable and accurate for troponin, brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein. The satisfactory analytical performance, together with an excellent practicability, suggests that it could be a consistent tool in clinical practice, but data are lacking regarding the patient outcomes.
Measuring Resilience
Authors: Hoffman Robert R. , Hancock P. A. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: As human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) moves to embrace a greater systems perspective concerning human–machine technologies, new and emergent properties, such as resilience, have arisen. Our objective here is to promote discussion as to how to measure this latter, complex phenomenon. Background: Resilience is now a much-referenced goal for technology and work system design. It subsumes the new movement of resilience engineering. As part of a broader systems approach to HF/E, this concept requires both a definitive specification and an associated measurement methodology. Such an effort epitomizes our present work. Method: Using rational analytic and synthetic methods, we offer an approach to the measurement of resilience capacity. Results: We explicate how our proposed approach can be employed to compare resilience across multiple systems and domains, and emphasize avenues for its future development and validation. Conclusion: Emerging concerns for the promise and potential of resilience and associated concepts, such as adaptability, are highlighted. Arguments skeptical of these emerging dimensions must be met with quantitative answers; we advance one approach here. Application: Robust and validated measures of resilience will enable coherent and rational discussions of complex emergent properties in macrocognitive system science.