bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identity Preservation in International Feed Supply Chains
Authors: Varacca Alessandro , Soregaroli Claudio 
Published: April 2016

SummaryWith the progressive internationalisation of food and feed supply chains, Identity Preservation (IP) has become an important feature for traded agricultural products to ensure that the right product reaches the right customer. In this article, we focus on IP based on voluntary technical schemes for non‐Genetically Modified (non‐GM) crops. Three critical steps are identified along the supply chain: product management at the origination/destination port, product transportation and product processing in dedicated plants. Best management practices and coordination mechanisms are implemented by actors along the supply chain to ensure that the product maintains its IP. This translates into a higher degree of dependency among actors. Although ‘formal’ vertical integration through mergers and/or acquisition is rare, voluntary schemes require very tight coordination which is enforced through downstream‐driven technical requirements and process certification standards. Market uncertainty is also observed, as the future availability of non‐GM crops could become scarce, raising input prices for downstream firms. Food processors and retailers that invested in the non‐GM attribute as part of their brand equity are those at higher risk. For these players it is crucial to assure product availability in the long run and to make sure consumers are willing to pay the extra costs of IP goods.
A Profile of non‐GM Crop Growers in the United States
Authors: Kalaitzandonakes Nicholas , Magnier Alexandre 
Published: April 2016

SummaryIn the US, the management of coexistence between GM and non‐GM production systems has been left to market forces. Non‐GM growers in the US assume the responsibility and costs of coexistence and, in turn, are compensated in the form of price premiums paid for non‐GM crops. Using a producer survey we find that non‐GM corn and soybean growers in the US are commercial farmers not much different in size, asset ownership and demographic characteristics to farmers that only grow GM crops. Non‐GM growers seem to self‐select and participate in non‐GM production because they have fields that are sufficiently isolated and enough storage and labour to facilitate segregation. They grow non‐GM crops primarily to improve farm profitability, diversify and manage financial risk. Importantly, coexistence issues are not perceived to be major constraints by most non‐GM growers and even by a significant share of farmers who do not produce non‐GM crops. This is an important insight as farmers' perceptions are shaped within the context of the widespread adoption of GM crops in most US corn and soybean production regions. Furthermore, these views do not seem to suggest the presence of market failure in ensuring the coexistence of GM and non‐GM corn and soybean production in the US.
Quantification of population sizes of large herbivores and their long‐term functional role in ecosystems using dung fungal spores
Authors: Baker Ambroise G. , Cornelissen Perry , Bhagwat Shonil A. , Vera Fransciscus W. M. , Willis Katherine J. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

The relationship between large herbivore numbers and landscape cover over time is poorly understood. There are two schools of thought: one views large herbivores as relatively passive elements upon the landscape and the other as ecosystem engineers driving vegetation succession. The latter relationship has been used as an argument to support reintroductions of large herbivores onto many landscapes in order to increase vegetation heterogeneity and biodiversity through local‐scale disturbance regimes. Most of the research examining the relationship between large herbivores and their impact on landscapes has used extant studies. An alternative approach is to estimate the impact of variations in herbivore populations through time using fossil dung fungal spores and pollen in sedimentary sequences. However, to date, there has been little quantification of fossil dung fungal spore records and their relationship to herbivore numbers, leaving this method open to varied interpretations.

In this study, we developed further the dung fungal spore method and determined the relationship between spore abundance in sediments (number cm−2 year−1) and herbivore biomass densities (kg ha−1). To establish this relationship, we used the following: (i) the abundance of Sporormiella spp., Sordaria spp. and Podospora spp. spores in modern sediments from ponds and (ii) weekly counts of contemporary wildlife over a period of 5 years from the rewilded site, Oostvaardersplassen, in the Netherlands.

Results from this study demonstrate that there is a highly significant relationship between spore abundance and local biomass densities of herbivores that can be used in the calibration of fossil records. Mammal biomass density (comprising Konik horses, Heck cattle and red deer) predicts in a highly significant way the abundance of all dung fungal spores amalgamated together. This relationship is apparent at a very local scale (<10 m), when the characteristics of the sampled ponds are taken into account (surface area of pond, length of shoreline). In addition, we identify that dung fungal spores are principally transported into ponds by surface run‐off from the shores.

These results indicate that this method provides a robust quantitative measure of herbivore population size over time.
A Pilot Study of the Safety and Initial Efficacy of Ivermectin for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Roche Daniel J. O. , Yardley Megan M. , Lunny Katy F. , Louie Stan G. , Davies Daryl L. , Miotto Karen , Ray Lara A. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundIvermectin (IVM) is an antiparasitic agent that has been shown to reduce alcohol intake in mice, suggesting IVM as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, the safety profile of IVM administered in combination with an intoxicating dose of alcohol has not been characterized in humans.MethodsThis pilot project sought to provide the first clinical evidence that IVM could be repositioned as an AUD pharmacotherapy by examining (i) the safety of combining IVM (30 mg oral , once a day [QD]) with an intoxicating dose of intravenous alcohol (0.08 g/dl) and (ii) the effects of IVM on alcohol cue‐induced craving and subjective response to alcohol. Eleven individuals with AUD participated in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study in which they received the study medication, participated in a cue exposure paradigm followed by intravenous alcohol administration, and remained in an inpatient unit overnight for observation.ResultsIVM treatment, versus placebo, did not increase the number or severity of adverse effects during alcohol administration or throughout the visit. However, IVM did not reduce cue‐induced craving nor did it significantly affect subjective response to alcohol.ConclusionsThese results suggest that IVM (30 mg oral, QD) is safe in combination with an intoxicating dose of alcohol, but do not provide evidence that this dose of IVM is effective in reducing alcohol craving or its reinforcing effects. Given the preclinical data suggesting IVM is effective in reducing alcohol consumption in mice, additional studies testing larger samples and alternate dosing regimens are warranted to further characterize the potential efficacy of IVM as an AUD treatment.
Effects of ADH1B and ALDH2 Genetic Polymorphisms on Alcohol Elimination Rates and Salivary Acetaldehyde Levels in Intoxicated Japanese Alcoholic Men
Authors: Yokoyama Akira , Kamada Yoko , Imazeki Hiromi , Hayashi Emiko , Murata Shigenori , Kinoshita Kenji , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Kitagawa Yoshinori 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundThe genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase‐1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2) are associated with the risk of alcoholism and upper aerodigestive tract cancer in alcoholics. Salivary ethanol (sEtOH) levels are well correlated with blood EtOH levels.MethodsTo study the effects of ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes on the alcohol elimination rate (AER) and salivary acetaldehyde (sAcH) levels, we measured the sEtOH and sAcH levels twice at a 1‐hour intervals in 99 intoxicated Japanese alcoholic men who had stopped drinking for 4 or more hours.ResultsThe initial sEtOH levels did not differ between the ADH1B*2 group (n = 50) and the ADH1B*1/*1 group (n = 49) (median: 0.617 vs. 0.762 mg/ml). The salivary AER (sAER) increased as the sEtOH levels increased (p < 0.0001). After stratification according to the sEtOH levels (<0.4, 0.4 to 0.99, and ≥1.00 mg/ml), the median sAER of the ADH1B*2 group was 0.075, 0.188, and 0.228 mg/ml/h, respectively, and that of the ADH1B*1/*1 group was 0.037, 0.115, and 0.233 mg/ml/h, respectively. The sAER of the ADH1B*2 group was faster than that of the ADH1B*1/*1 group overall (p = 0.001) and when the sEtOH category was 0.4 to 0.99 mg/ml (p < 0.0001). The ADH1B genotype and the sEtOH levels had an interaction effect on the sAER (p = 0.036). A multiple linear regression analysis with a stepwise procedure selected the ADH1B*2 allele (p = 0.004) and the sEtOH levels (p < 0.0001) as positive predictors of sAER. The sAER did not differ according to the ALDH2 genotype. The sAcH levels were higher than the blood AcH levels reported in alcoholics, probably because of AcH production by oral microorganisms. The sAcH of the ALDH2*1/*2 group (n = 18) was higher than that of the ALDH2*1/*1 group (n = 81) overall (p = 0.0008) and when the corresponding sEtOH category was ≥1.00 mg/ml (median: 3.195 vs. 1.776 μg/ml, p = 0.009). A multiple linear regression analysis selected the ALDH2*1/*2 and the sEtOH levels as positive predictors of the sAcH levels (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe enhanced AER in ADH1B*2 carriers and the increased sAcH levels in ALDH2*1/*2 carriers among intoxicated alcoholics provide possible mechanisms explaining how each genetic polymorphism affects the risk of alcoholism and upper aerodigestive tract cancer.
Patterns of type 2 diabetes monitoring in rural towns: How does frequency of HbA1c and lipid testing compare with existing guidelines?
Authors: Paul Christine L. , Piterman Leon , Shaw Jonathan E. , Kirby Catherine , Barker Daniel , Robinson Jennifer , Forshaw Kristy L. , Sikaris Kenneth A. , Bisquera Alessandra , Sanson‐Fisher Robert W. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo indicate levels of monitoring of type 2 diabetes in rural and regional Australia by examining patterns of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood lipid testing.Design and SettingRetrospective analysis of pathology services data from twenty regional and rural towns in eastern Australia over 24 months.ParticipantsOf 13 105 individuals who had either a single HbA1c result ≥7.0% (53 mmol mol−1); or two or more HbA1c tests within the study period.Main outcome measuresFrequency of testing of HbA1c and blood lipids (cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides) were compared with guideline recommendations.ResultsAbout 58.3% of patients did not have the recommended 6‐monthly HbA1c tests and 30.6% did not have annual lipid testing. For those who did not receive tests at the recommended interval, the mean between‐test interval was 10.5 months (95% CI = 7.5–13.5) rather than 6 months for HbA1c testing; and 15.7 (95% CI = 13.3–18.1) months rather than annually for blood lipids. For those with at least one out‐of‐range test result, 77% of patients failed to receive a follow‐up HbA1c test and 86.5% failed to receive a follow‐up blood lipid test within the recommended 3 months. Patients less than 50 years of age, living in a more remote area and with poor diabetes control were less likely to have testing at the recommended intervals (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsAlthough poor diabetes testing is not limited to rural areas, more intensive diabetes monitoring is likely to be needed for patients living in non‐metropolitan areas, particularly for some subgroups.
Secondary fracture prevention needs to happen in the country too: The first two and a half years of the Coffs Fracture Prevention Clinic
Authors: Fraser Sandy , Wong Peter K. K. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo report the initial two and a half years' experience of one of the first Fracture Liaison Services in regional Australia.DesignCase study.SettingHospital Clinic, mid‐north coast NSW.ParticipantsPatients aged ≥50 years with a fragility fracture identified at Coffs Harbour Health Campus July 2012 to December 2014.InterventionPatients were identified by a Fracture Liaison Coordinator (FLC) and seen in Fracture Prevention Clinic (FPC) by a rheumatologist. Patients discharged from FPC were contacted via telephone on one occasion 12 months later.Main outcome measuresNumber/characteristics of patients seen in or declining an appointment in FPC, type of bone protective therapy commenced and patient adherence with this.ResultsAn appointment in FPC was offered to 222 patients but declined by 56 patients. One hundred and sixty‐six patients were seen in FPC, of whom 40% (n = 66/166) had a prevalent fragility fracture but only 12% (n = 8/66) were on bone protective therapy. Eighty‐two percent (n = 136/166) commenced bone protective therapy. Of the 55 patients discharged from FPC with long enough follow‐up to allow contact at 12 months, 60% (n = 33/55) required bone health advice during the follow‐up telephone call at 12 months. Of the 31 patients who commenced bone protective therapy, 65% (n = 20/31) said they were adherent with medication.ConclusionsA FLC, committed clinician and supportive hospital environment were all that was required for an effective Fracture Liaison Service in a regional hospital. The number of patients who declined an appointment suggested the implications of a fragility fracture were often not appreciated.
Impact of Temperature on Porcine Liver Machine Perfusion From Donors After Cardiac Death
Authors: Nassar Ahmed , Liu Qiang , Farias Kevin , Buccini Laura , Baldwin William , Bennett Ana , Mangino Martin , Irefin Samuel , Cywinski Jacek , Okamoto Toshihiro , Diago Uso Teresa , Iuppa Giuseppe , Soliman Basem , Miller Charles , Quintini Cristiano 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNormothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has been introduced as a promising technology to preserve and possibly repair marginal liver grafts. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of temperature on the preservation of donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver grafts in an ex vivo perfusion model after NMP (38.5°C) and subnormothermic machine perfusion (SNMP, 21°C) with a control group preserved by cold storage (CS, 4°C). Fifteen porcine livers with 60 min of warm ischemia were preserved for 10 h by NMP, SNMP or CS (n = 5/group). After the preservation phase all livers were reperfused for 24 h in an isolated perfusion system with whole blood at 38.5°C to simulate transplantation. At the end of transplant simulation, the NMP group showed significantly lower hepatocellular enzyme level (AST: 277 ± 69 U/L; ALT: 22 ± 2 U/L; P < 0.03) compared to both SNMP (AST: 3243 ± 1048 U/L; ALT: 127 ± 70 U/L) and CS (AST: 3150 ± 1546 U/L; ALT: 185 ± 97 U/L). There was no significant difference between SNMP and CS. Bile production was significantly higher in the NMP group (219 ± 43 mL; P < 0.01) compared to both SNMP (49 ± 84 mL) and CS (12 ± 16 mL) with no significant difference between the latter two groups. Histologically, the NMP livers showed preserved cellular architecture compared to the SNMP and CS groups. NMP was able to recover DCD livers showing superior hepatocellular integrity, biliary function, and microcirculation compared to SNMP and CS. SNMP showed some significant benefit over CS, yet has not shown any advantage over NMP.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of an Axial Rotary Blood Pump
Authors: Schüle Chan Yong , Thamsen Bente , Blümel Bastian , Lommel Michael , Karakaya Tamer , Paschereit Christian Oliver , Affeld Klaus , Kertzscher Ulrich 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become a standard therapy for patients with severe heart failure. As low blood trauma in LVADs is important for a good clinical outcome, the assessment of the fluid loads inside the pump is critical. More specifically, the flow features on the surfaces where the interaction between blood and artificial material happens is of great importance. Therefore, experimental data for the near‐wall flows in an axial rotary blood pump were collected and directly compared to computational fluid dynamic results. For this, the flow fields based on unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes simulations‐computational fluid dynamics (URANS‐CFD) of an axial rotary blood pump were calculated and compared with experimental flow data at one typical state of operation in an enlarged model of the pump. The focus was set on the assessment of wall shear stresses (WSS) at the housing wall and rotor gap region by means of the wall‐particle image velocimetry technique, and the visualization of near‐wall flow structures on the inner pump surfaces by a paint erosion method. Additionally, maximum WSS and tip leakage volume flows were measured for 13 different states of operation. Good agreement between CFD and experimental data was found, which includes the location, magnitude, and direction of the maximum and minimum WSS and the presence of recirculation zones on the pump stators. The maximum WSS increased linearly with pressure head. They occurred at the upstream third of the impeller blades and exceeded the critical values with respect to hemolysis. Regions of very high shear stresses and recirculation zones could be identified and were in good agreement with simulations. URANS‐CFD, which is often used for pump performance and blood damage prediction, seems to be, therefore, a valid tool for the assessment of flow fields in axial rotary blood pumps. The magnitude of maximum WSS could be confirmed and were in the order of several hundred Pascal.
Inulin significantly improves serum magnesium levels in proton pump inhibitor‐induced hypomagnesaemia
Authors: Hess M. W. , de Baaij J. H. F. , Broekman M. , Bisseling T. M. , Haarhuis B. , Tan A. , te Morsche R. , Hoenderop J. G. J. , Bindels R. J. M. , Drenth J. P. H. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryBackgroundProton pump inhibitors (PPI) are among the most widely prescribed drugs to treat gastric acid‐related disorders. PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia, a defect in intestinal absorption of Mg2+, can be a severe side effect of chronic PPI use.AimTo restore serum Mg2+ concentrations in PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia patients by dietary supplementation with inulin fibres.MethodsEleven patients with PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia and 10 controls were treated with inulin (20 g/day). Each trial consisted of two cycles of 14‐day inulin treatment followed by a washout period of 14 days. Patients continued to use their PPI. Serum Mg2+ levels served as the primary endpoint.ResultsInulin significantly enhanced serum Mg2+ levels from 0.60 to 0.68 mmol/L in PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia patients, and from 0.84 to 0.93 mmol/L in controls. As a consequence 24 h urinary Mg2+ excretion was significantly increased in patients with PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia (0.3–2.2 mmol/day). Symptoms related to hypomagnesaemia, including muscle cramps and paraesthesia, were reduced during intervention with inulin.ConclusionInulin increases serum Mg2+ concentrations under PPI maintenance in patients with PPI‐induced hypomagnesaemia.
Systematic review: current concepts and challenges for the direct‐acting antiviral era in hepatitis C cirrhosis
Authors: Majumdar A. , Kitson M. T. , Roberts S. K. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe burden of HCV cirrhosis is high and projected to increase significantly over the next decade. While interferon therapy is problematic in HCV cirrhosis, the era of direct‐acting anti‐viral (DAA) therapy provides effective treatment for patients with cirrhosis.AimTo systematically review the results of DAA therapy to date in patients with HCV cirrhosis, and highlight the ongoing challenges for DAA therapy in this population.MethodsA structured Medline search was conducted to obtain phase II and III HCV trials in patients with cirrhosis. Citations from review articles were cross‐referenced and conference abstracts from EASL and AASLD liver meetings for the preceding 3 years were reviewed manually. Keywords used included hepatitis C, cirrhosis and the DAA's: sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, velpatasvir, grazoprevir, elbasvir, daclatasvir, beclabuvir, asunaprevir, simeprevir, paritaprevir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir.ResultsSuccessful direct‐acting anti‐viral treatment is now possible in patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis including those with liver decompensation with several regimens now offering sustained virological response (SVR) of 90–95%. Overall success rates in GT1 cirrhosis are excellent while GT3‐infected patients with cirrhosis remain hard to cure. The pangenotypic combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir holds promise for GT3 cirrhosis achieving SVR of ~90%.ConclusionsPotent DAA therapies provide much needed, safe and highly effective treatment options for persons with HCV cirrhosis including those previously deemed unsuitable for treatment. Combination therapy with two or more classes of drug is essential to achieve high efficacy and minimise viral resistance, with the role of ribavirin still under evaluation. However, several challenges remain including the hard‐to‐cure groups of GT3 cirrhosis and direct‐acting anti‐viral failures, and managing drug–drug interactions.
Effects of gender, age and menopausal status on serum apolipoprotein concentrations
Authors: Anagnostis Panagiotis , Stevenson John C. , Crook David , Johnston Desmond G. , Godsland Ian F. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryObjectiveTo undertake a comprehensive evaluation of apolipoprotein risk markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to gender, age and menopausal status.DesignCross‐sectional analysis of independent associations of gender, age and menopause with serum apolipoproteins.ParticipantsApparently healthy Caucasian premenopausal (n = 109) and postmenopausal (n = 252) women not taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement, and Caucasian men (n = 307).MeasurementsSerum apolipoprotein (apo) B, A‐I and A‐II concentrations were measured, plus serum total cholesterol, low‐density and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C and HDL‐C, respectively), triglycerides, cholesterol in HDL subfractions and the apoB/apoA‐I, LDL‐C/apoB, HDL‐C/apoA‐I and HDL‐C/apoA‐II ratios. Analyses were undertaken with and without standardization for confounding characteristics and in 5‐year age ranges.ResultsOverall, apoB concentrations were highest in men but in women rose with age and menopause to converge, in the age range of 50–55 years, with concentrations in men. The LDL‐C/apoB ratio was generally higher in women than in men. ApoA‐I concentrations were highest in postmenopausal women and lowest in men (standardized median (IQR) 144 (130, 158) vs 119 (108, 132) g/l, respectively, P < 0·001). ApoA‐II concentrations were also highest in postmenopausal women but were lowest in premenopausal women (40·3 (37·5, 44·5) vs 32·9 (30·5, 35·7) g/l, respectively, P < 0·001). Nevertheless, postmenopausal women had HDL‐C/apoA‐I and HDL‐C/apoA‐II ratios approaching the lowest ratios, which were seen in men.ConclusionsConsistent with adverse effects on CVD risk, male gender, ageing in women and menopause were associated with increased apoB concentrations, and menopause and male gender were associated with a decreased cholesterol content of HDL particles.