bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aqueous humour concentrations of TGF‐β, PLGF and FGF‐1 and total retinal blood flow in patients with early non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Khuu Lee‐Anne , Tayyari Faryan , Sivak Jeremy M. , Flanagan John G. , Singer Shaun , Brent Michael H. , Huang David , Tan Ou , Hudson Christopher 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposeTo correlate angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humour with total retinal blood flow in subjects with type 2 diabetes with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).MethodsA total of 17 controls and 16 NPDR patients were recruited into the study. Aqueous humour was collected at the start of cataract surgery to assess the concentration of 14 angiogenic cytokines. Aqueous humour was analysed using the suspension array method. Six images were acquired to assess total retinal blood flow (TRBF) using the prototype RTVue™ Doppler Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (Doppler FD‐OCT) (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA) using a double circular scan protocol, 1 month postsurgery. At the same visit, forearm blood was collected to determine glycosylated haemoglobin (A1c).ResultsTransforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2) and PLGF were increased while FGF‐1 was reduced in NPDR compared to controls (Bonferroni corrected, p < 0.003 for all). Total retinal blood flow (TRBF) was significantly reduced in the NPDR group compared to controls (33.1 ± 9.9 versus 43.3 ± 5.3 μl/min, p = 0.002). Aqueous FGF‐1 significantly correlated with TRBF in the NPDR group (r = 0.71, p = 0.01; r2 = 0.51). In a multiple regression analysis, A1c was found to be a significant predictor of aqueous TGF‐β1 and FGF‐1 (p = 0.018 and p = 0.020, respectively).ConclusionAqueous angiogenic cytokines (TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2 and PLGF) were elevated in conjunction with a reduction in TRBF in patients with NPDR compared to controls. Non‐invasive measurement of TRBF may be useful for predicting aqueous FGF‐1 levels and severity of vasculopathy in DR.
Ring‐shaped dysphotopsia associated with posterior chamber phakic implantable collamer lenses with a central hole
Authors: Eom Youngsub , Kim Dae Wook , Ryu Dongok , Kim Jun‐Heon , Yang Seul Ki , Song Jong Suk , Kim Sug‐Whan , Kim Hyo Myung 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the incidence of central hole‐induced ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after posterior chamber phakic implantable collamer lens (ICL) with central hole (hole ICL) implantation and to investigate the causes of central hole‐induced dysphotopsia.MethodsThe clinical study enrolled 29 eyes of 15 consecutive myopic patients implanted with hole ICL. The incidence of ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation was evaluated. In the experimental simulation study, non‐sequential ray tracing was used to construct myopic human eye models with hole ICL and ICL without a central hole (conventional ICL). Simulated retinal images measured in log‐scale irradiance were compared between the two ICLs for an extended Lambertian light‐emitting disc object 20 cm in diameter placed 2 m from the corneal vertex. To investigate the causes of hole‐induced dysphotopsia, a series of retinal images were simulated using point sources at infinity with well‐defined field angles (0 to −20°) and multiple ICL models.ResultsOf 29 eyes, 15 experienced ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation. The simulation study using an extended Lambertian source showed that hole ICL‐evoked ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was formed at a retinal field angle of ±40°. Component‐level analysis using a well‐defined off‐axis point source from infinity revealed that ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was generated by stray light refraction from the inner wall of the hole and the posterior ICL surface.ConclusionHole ICL‐evoked ring‐shaped dysphotopsia was related to light refraction at the central hole structure. Surgeons are advised to explain to patients the possibility of ring‐shaped dysphotopsia after hole ICL implantation.
Anterior lens epithelium in cataract patients with retinitis pigmentosa – scanning and transmission electron microscopy study
Authors: Andjelic Sofija , Drašlar Kazimir , Hvala Anastazija , Hawlina Marko 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposeIn retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, relatively minor lens opacity in central part of posterior pole of the lens may cause disproportionate functional symptoms requiring cataract operation. To investigate the possible structural reasons for this opacity development, we studied the structure of the lens epithelium of patients with RP.MethodsThe anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells, LECs) was obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM).ResultsBoth SEM and TEM show a number of abnormal features in the anterior lens epithelium of cataract patients with RP. The abnormalities appear mainly as holes, thinning and degradation of the epithelium, with the dimensions from <1 μm to more than 50 μm. Other types of holes in size up to 20 μm were seen that may be formed by gradual stretching of the lens epithelium. Another type of abnormalities was cracks that were seen between adjacent LECs, with dimensions 0.1–2 μm × up to 10 μm.ConclusionsAbnormal structural features were observed in the anterior lens epithelium that may cause water influx into the lens. This may lead to clouding along the water clefts leading towards the posterior pole in the RP cataractous lens. We suggest that the lens epithelium has a role in the development of the cataract in patients with RP.
Single‐centre experience of the macrophage activation marker soluble (s)CD163 – associations with disease activity and treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Grønbæk H. , Kreutzfeldt M. , Kazankov K. , Jessen N. , Sandahl T. , Hamilton‐Dutoit S. , Vilstrup H. , J. Møller H. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBackgroundAutoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterised by liver inflammation with reversibility upon anti‐inflammatory treatment. Soluble (s)CD163, a specific macrophage activation marker, is associated with inflammation in other liver diseases, but never investigated in AIH.AimTo investigate sCD163 in patients with acute AIH and in complete and incomplete responders to standard anti‐inflammatory pharmacotherapy, and during follow‐up in treatment naive patients.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional design, we studied 121 AIH patients (female/male 89/32, median age 49 years); of these, we prospectively studied 10 treatment naïve AIH patients during prednisolone treatment and tapering. Twenty patients had variant syndromes of AIH and primary biliary cholangitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. sCD163 was compared with markers of disease activity, severity and treatment response.ResultsIn the patients with acute AIH (n = 21), sCD163 was sixfold increased compared with the normalised levels in patients (n = 32) with complete response to standard treatment [9.5 (3.3–28.8) vs. 1.6 (0.8–3.2) mg/L, P < 0.01)], while the patients (n = 27) with incomplete response had higher sCD163 [2.2 (1.3–7.9), P < 0.05] than the complete responders. sCD163 was positively associated with ALAT, IgG and bilirubin (rho: 0.45–0.59, P < 0.001, all), and negatively to external coagulation factors (rho:−0.34, P < 0.001). In the treatment naïve patients, sCD163 fell during high‐dose prednisolone treatment and tapering. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed increased CD163 expression in liver biopsies from patients with acute AIH.ConclusionssCD163 was markedly elevated in AIH in the acute phase, normalised by successful treatment in complete responders, but remained higher in the incompletely responding cases. Our results demonstrate macrophage activation in AIH paralleling disease activity, severity and treatment response, suggesting a role for macrophage activation in AIH.
Lactose malabsorption in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Marie I. , Leroi A‐M. , Gourcerol G. , Levesque H. , Menard J‐F. , Ducrotte P. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBackgroundThere are no studies on systemic sclerosis (SSc) assessing the relationship between food intake, especially lactose, and gastrointestinal dysfunction.AimTo determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption, using lactose breath test, in patients with SSc. To evaluate the correlation between lactose malabsorption and gastrointestinal involvement. To predict which SSc patients exhibit lactose malabsorption.MethodsSeventy‐seven consecutive Caucasian patients with SSc and 20 control subjects underwent lactose breath test. All patients also completed a questionnaire on digestive symptoms, and a global symptom score (GSS) was calculated.ResultsThe prevalence of lactose malabsorption was higher in SSc patients than in controls (44.3% vs. 10%; P = 0.004). We observed a marked correlation between the presence of lactose malabsorption and: higher values of GSS (P < 0.0001); severe oesophageal (P = 0.018) and small intestinal (P = 0.04) motor disorders; and joint involvement (P = 0.019). Furthermore, in SSc patients with symptomatic lactose malabsorption, the median value of GSS of digestive symptoms was lower after initiation of lactose‐free diet (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsOur study underscores the fact that lactose malabsorption often occurs in patients with systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, our findings highlight the fact that lactose breath test is a helpful, noninvasive method, by identifying the group of patients with systemic sclerosis with symptomatic lactose malabsorption that may benefit from a reduction in lactose intake.
RETRACTED: Meat quality traits as a function of cow maturity
Authors: Cho Soo Hyun , Kang Geunho , Seong Pilnam , Kang Sunmoon , Sun Changwan , Jang Sunsik , Cheong Jin Hyung , Park Beomyoung , Hwang Inho 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTo investigate the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of striploin muscles, 90 Hanwoo carcasses (QG 1+) were randomly selected within six maturity levels (4 to 9 according to age in months). Results demonstrated that the protein contents at maturity levels 4 and 5 were significantly higher than 9. No significant difference in fat, moisture and collagen contents were found at different maturity levels (P > 0.05). The quantity of collagen type I and ratio of type I to III were observed at higher maturity levels; collagen type III showed significantly high levels (P > 0.05) at low maturity and decreased with increase in maturity levels. Warner‐Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was significantly lower in groups 4 to 6, whereas water holding capacity (WHC) was significantly higher than maturity level 8 and 9 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cooking loss among the maturity level groups (P > 0.05). Color properties, L* values of striploin muscle from maturity level 4 were significantly different from level 9 (P < 0.05). Sensory evaluation at level 4‐6 groups had significantly higher tenderness and overall likeness scores than level 9 (P < 0.05). The maturity levels were significantly correlated with age, fat, protein content, WHC, WBSF, cooking loss, CIE L* values and sensory properties like tenderness, juiciness, flavor‐likeness and overall likeness.
Neural Progenitor Cells Rptor Ablation Impairs Development but Benefits to Seizure‐Induced Behavioral Abnormalities
Authors: Chen Ling‐Lin , Wu Mei‐Ling , Zhu Feng , Kai Jie‐Jing , Dong Jing‐Yin , Wu Xi‐Mei , Zeng Ling‐Hui 
Published: September 2016

SummaryAimsPrevious study suggests that mTOR signaling pathway may play an important role in epileptogenesis. The present work was designed to explore the contribution of raptor protein to the development of epilepsy and comorbidities.MethodsMice with conditional knockout of raptor protein were generated by cross‐bred Rptorflox/flox mice with nestin‐CRE mice. The expression of raptor protein was analyzed by Western blotting in brain tissue samples. Neuronal death and mossy fiber sprouting were detected by FJB staining and Timm staining, respectively. Spontaneous seizures were recorded by EEG–video system. Morris water maze, open field test, and excitability test were used to study the behaviors of Rptor CKO mice.ResultsAs the consequence of deleting Rptor, downstream proteins of raptor in mTORC1 signaling were partly blocked. Rptor CKO mice exhibited decrease in body and brain weight under 7 weeks old and accordingly, cortical layer thickness. After kainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus, overactivation of mTORC1 signaling was markedly reversed in Rptor CKO mice. Although low frequency of spontaneous seizure and seldom neuronal cell death were observed in both Rptor CKO and control littermates, KA seizure‐induced mossy fiber spouting were attenuated in Rptor CKO mice. Additionally, cognitive‐deficit and anxiety‐like behavior after KA‐induced seizures were partly reversed in Rptor CKO mice.ConclusionLoss of the Rptor gene in mice neural progenitor cells affects normal development in young age and may contribute to alleviate KA seizure‐induced behavioral abnormalities, suggesting that raptor protein plays an important role in seizure comorbidities.
Why Are There Developmental Stages in Language Learning? A Developmental Robotics Model of Language Development
Authors: Morse Anthony F. , Cangelosi Angelo 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMost theories of learning would predict a gradual acquisition and refinement of skills as learning progresses, and while some highlight exponential growth, this fails to explain why natural cognitive development typically progresses in stages. Models that do span multiple developmental stages typically have parameters to “switch” between stages. We argue that by taking an embodied view, the interaction between learning mechanisms, the resulting behavior of the agent, and the opportunities for learning that the environment provides can account for the stage‐wise development of cognitive abilities. We summarize work relevant to this hypothesis and suggest two simple mechanisms that account for some developmental transitions: neural readiness focuses on changes in the neural substrate resulting from ongoing learning, and perceptual readiness focuses on the perceptual requirements for learning new tasks. Previous work has demonstrated these mechanisms in replications of a wide variety of infant language experiments, spanning multiple developmental stages. Here we piece this work together as a single model of ongoing learning with no parameter changes at all. The model, an instance of the Epigenetic Robotics Architecture (Morse et al 2010) embodied on the iCub humanoid robot, exhibits ongoing multi‐stage development while learning pre‐linguistic and then basic language skills.
Market‐Based Incentives and Private Ownership of Wildlife to Remedy Shortfalls in Government Funding for Conservation
Authors: Wilson George R. , Hayward Matt W. , Wilson Charlie 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn some parts of the world, proprietorship, price incentives, and devolved responsibility for management, accompanied by effective regulation, have increased wildlife and protected habitats, particularly for iconic and valuable species. Elsewhere, market incentives are constrained by policies and laws, and in some places virtually prohibited. In Australia and New Zealand, micro economic reform has enhanced innovation and improved outcomes in many areas of the economy, but economic liberalism and competition are rarely applied to the management of wildlife. This policy perspective examines if commercial value and markets could attract private sector investment to compensate for Government underspend on biodiversity conservation. It proposes trials in which landholders, community groups, and investors would have a form of wildlife ownership by leasing animals on land outside protected areas. They would be able to acquire threatened species from locally overabundant populations, breed them, innovate, and assist further colonization/range expansion while making a profit from the increase. The role of government would be to regulate, as is appropriate in a mixed economy, rather than be the (sole) owner and manager of wildlife. Wide application of the trials would not answer all biodiversity‐loss problems, but it could assist in the restoration of degraded habitat and connectivity.
Designing Products for Adaptability: Insights from Four Industrial Cases
Authors: Engel Avner , Browning Tyson R. , Reich Yoram 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTDeveloping products that are more easily adaptable to future requirements can increase their overall value. Product adaptability is largely determined by choices about product architecture, especially modularity. Because it is possible to be too modular and/or inappropriately modular, decidinghowandwhereto be modular in a cost‐effective way is an important managerial decision. In this article, we gather data from four case studies to model effects of firms’ product architecture decisions at the component level. We optimize an architecture adaptability value (AAV) measure that accounts for both the benefits of more architecture options and the costs of interfaces. The optimal architecture prompted each firm to rearchitect an existing product to increase its expected future profitability. Several insights emerged from the case evidence during this research. (i) Although decomposing an architecture into an increasing number of modules increases product adaptability, the amount of modularity is an insufficient predictor of the adaptability value of a system. AAV, which also accounts for interface costs, provides an improved measure of appropriate modularity. (ii) Managers can influence the path of architectural evolution in the direction of increased value. This influence may diminish but does not disappear as products become more mature. Also, modularity and innovations coevolved, as the new modularizations suggested by AAV optimization prompted and guided searches for further innovations. (iii) When presented with the concepts of options, interface costs, and AAV, the firms’ designers and managers were initially skeptical. However, in each case, the modelers were able to rearchitect an actual product not only with increased AAV by our model (theoretical improvement) but also with actual future benefits for their firm. Postproject reports from each firm confirmed that the AAV modeling and optimization approaches were indeed helpful, equipping them to increase the adaptability, cost‐efficiency, lifespan, and overall value of actual products. The evidence suggests that firms can benefit from designing products for adaptability, but thathowthey do so matters. This study expands our understanding of modularity and adaptability by illuminating managerial decisions and insights about appropriate approaches to each.
Improved detection of myocardial damage in sarcoidosis using longitudinal strain in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Murtagh Gillian , Laffin Luke J. , Patel Kershaw V. , Patel Amit V. , Bonham Catherine A. , Yu Zoe , Addetia Karima , El‐Hangouche Nadia , Maffesanti Francesco , Mor‐Avi Victor , Hogarth D. Kyle , Sweiss Nadera J. , Beshai John F. , Lang Roberto M. , Patel Amit R. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundCardiac infiltration is an important cause of death in sarcoidosis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has limited sensitivity for the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to diagnose CS but has limitations of cost and availability. We sought to determine whether TTE‐derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) may be used to identify individuals with CS, despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and whether abnormal GLS is associated with major cardiovascular events (MCE).MethodsWe studied 31 patients with biopsy‐proven extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis, LVEF>50% and LGE on CMR (CS+ group), and 31 patients without LGE (CS− group), matched by age, sex, and severity of lung disease. GLS was measured using vendor‐independent speckle tracking software. Parameters of left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function were also studied. Receiver‐operating characteristic curves were used to identify GLS cutoff for CS detection, and Kaplan–Meier plots to determine the ability of GLS to predict MCE.ResultsLGE was associated with reduced GLS (−19.6±1.9% in CS− vs −14.7±2.4% in CS+, P<.01) and with reduced E/A ratio (1.1±0.3 vs 0.9±0.3, respectively, P =.01). No differences were noted in other TTE parameters. GLS magnitude inversely correlated with LGE burden (r=−.59). GLS cutoff of −17% showed sensitivity and specificity 94% for detecting CS. Patients who experienced MCE had worse GLS than those who did not (−13.4±0.9% vs −17.7±0.4%, P=.0003).ConclusionsCS is associated with significantly reduced GLS in the presence of preserved LVEF. GLS measurements may become part of the TTE study performed to screen for CS.
When can the cause of a population decline be determined?
Authors: Hefley Trevor J. , Hooten Mevin B. , Drake John M. , Russell Robin E. , Walsh Daniel P. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractInferring the factors responsible for declines in abundance is a prerequisite to preventing the extinction of wild populations. Many of the policies and programmes intended to prevent extinctions operate on the assumption that the factors driving the decline of a population can be determined. Exogenous factors that cause declines in abundance can be statistically confounded with endogenous factors such as density dependence. To demonstrate the potential for confounding, we used an experiment where replicated populations were driven to extinction by gradually manipulating habitat quality. In many of the replicated populations, habitat quality and density dependence were confounded, which obscured causal inference. Our results show that confounding is likely to occur when the exogenous factors that are driving the decline change gradually over time. Our study has direct implications for wild populations, because many factors that could drive a population to extinction change gradually through time.
How to quantify the temporal storage effect using simulations instead of math
Authors: Ellner Stephen P. , Snyder Robin E. , Adler Peter B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe storage effect has become a core concept in community ecology, explaining how environmental fluctuations can promote coexistence and maintain biodiversity. However, limitations of existing theory have hindered empirical applications: the need for detailed mathematical analysis whenever the study system requires a new model, and restricted theory for structured populations. We present a new approach that overcomes both these limitations. We show how temporal storage effect can be quantified by Monte Carlo simulations in a wide range of models for competing species. We use the lottery model and a generic integral projection model (IPM) to introduce ideas, and present two empirical applications: (1) algal species in a chemostat with variable temperature, showing that the storage effect can operate without a long‐lived life stage and (2) a sagebrush steppe community IPM. Our results highlight the need for careful modelling of nonlinearities so that conclusions are not driven by unrecognised model constraints.