bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Residual Renal Function in Carotid Modeling as a Marker of Early Atherosclerosis in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Rroji Merita , Spahia Nereida , Seferi Saimir , Barbullushi Myftar , Spasovski Goce 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAtherosclerosis is frequently present in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with dialysis. We evaluated the association between residual renal function (RRF), phosphate level, inflammation and other risk factors in carotid modeling as a marker of early atherosclerosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) compared with hemodialysis (HD) patients. We studied 39 stable PD and 53 HD patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for 3 to 36 months duration. B‐mode ultrasonography was used to determine carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT). We classified patients with atherosclerosis if they have CIMT >10 mm and or presence of plaque. Out of our total dialysis population studied of 92 patients, 16.3% were diabetics and 57.6% were on hemodialysis. Expectedly, PD patients had a higher RRF (P < 0.001), 24 h urine volume (P < 0.001); C‐reactive protein (P = 0.047), and a lower serum phosphate (P = 0.01), PTH (P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05), and albumin levels (P < 0.001) compared to hemodialysis patients. Atherosclerosis was found in 66.3% of patients and in 100% of a diabetic population. There was no significant difference in the presence of atherosclerosis between PD and HD patients [56.4 vs 73.6% HD, respectively]. Multiple regression analysis showed age, diabetes, HD modality, RRF, phosphate, PTH and pulse pressure as independent parameters associated with atherosclerosis. Apart from the traditional risk factors like age and diabetes, our study showed a link of atherosclerosis with metabolic abnormalities secondary to renal failure. We demonstrated a novel, independent association between RRF and atherosclerosis, underlining the importance of preservation of the RRF in dialysis patients.
‘In the Greatest Wildness of my Youth’: Sir Charles Hanbury Williams and Mid‐Eighteenth‐Century Libertinism
Authors: Butterwick‐Pawlikowski Richard 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMuch has been written about discourses concerning male sexual behaviour in the eighteenth century; given the nature of the surviving sources, it is harder to research actual sexual behaviour. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams (1708–1759) was a celebrated poet, wit and diplomat in his own lifetime but is now largely forgotten. The copious surviving manuscripts of his correspondence and verses provide rich and explicit material for an examination of mid‐eighteenth‐century libertinism from two perspectives – that of its ribald practitioners and that of an ex‐libertine father and mentor – within the context of scholarly debates on eighteenth‐century politeness and masculinities.
Non‐epistemic Values and Concerns about Evolutionary Mindsets in Conservation Policy
Authors: Holthuijzen Wieteke A. , Baumgaertner Bert 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis short article offers reflections on an approach to environmental policy and land management forwarded by Peter Kareiva and Emma Fuller. Their approach both mimics evolution in its structure and seeks to manage for evolution in application. They argue this approach is a novel perspective on policy that is more adaptive and flexible in setting realistic conservation goals and objectives. While we agree that their approach is a novel starting point for discussion of ecosystem resilience and adaptive management, we argue that they do not offer the required framework of guiding principles, or—more importantly—a set of values on which to base this particular environmental policy and management approach. We analyze the main driver behind Kareiva and Fuller's article (an evolutionary perspective in regards to policy) with respect to non‐epistemic values and outline key questions that will be important to inform environmental and conservation research, efforts, and policy.
Effect of gemfibrozil and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite in healthy subjects
Authors: Bruderer Shirin , Petersen‐Sylla Marc , Boehler Margaux , Remeňová Tatiana , Halabi Atef , Dingemanse Jasper 
Published: July 2017

AimsBased on in vitro data, there is evidence to suggest that cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is involved in the metabolism of selexipag and its active metabolite, ACT‐333679. The present study evaluated the possible pharmacokinetic interactions of selexipag with gemfibrozil, a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, and rifampicin, an inducer of CYP2C8.MethodsThe study consisted of two independent parts, each conducted according to an open‐label, randomized, crossover design. The pharmacokinetics and safety of selexipag and ACT‐333679 were studied following single‐dose administration either alone or in the presence of multiple‐dose gemfibrozil (part I) or rifampicin (part II) in healthy male subjects.ResultsGemfibrozil had comparatively small effects on selexipag (less than 2‐fold difference in any pharmacokinetic variable) but, with respect to ACT‐333679, increased the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) 3.6‐fold [90% confidence interval (CI) 3.1, 4.3] and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) 11.1‐fold (90% CI 9.2, 13.4). The marked increased exposure to ACT‐333679, which mediates the majority of the pharmacological activity of selexipag, was accompanied by significantly more adverse events such as headache, nausea and vomiting. Coadministration of rifampicin increased the Cmax of selexipag 1.8‐fold (90% CI 1.4, 2.2) and its AUC0–∞ 1.3‐fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.4); its effects on ACT‐333679 were to increase its Cmax 1.3‐fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.6), shorten its half‐life by 63% and reduce its AUC0–∞ by half (90% CI 0.45, 0.59).ConclusionConcomitant administration of selexipag and strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 must be avoided, whereas when coadministered with inducers of CYP2C8, dose adjustments of selexipag should be envisaged.
The ethics and politics of patient‐physician mistrust in contemporary China
Authors: Yan Yunxiang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFocusing on the shared sense of victimization and disadvantage‐ness by both patients and doctors/medical workers in cases of medical conflicts, this paper aims to examine the current patient‐doctor tensions in the larger context of moral transformation in Chinese society since the 1980s. Although the decline of public trust in certain aspects is closely associated with the impact of commodification and commercialization of medical sector during the past two decades, other factors play important role as well. In the case of patient‐doctor tension, mutual disrespect and mistrust also result from the ongoing process of individualization and the remaking of moral self, in which the individual demand for respect, dignity, and trust seem to have unexpectedly and ironically contributed to the rise of tensions and conflicts between patients and doctors as well as other medical workers.
The effect of soil on human health: an overview
Authors: Steffan J. J. , Brevik E. C. , Burgess L. C. , Cerdà A. 
Published: July 2017

SummarySoil has a considerable effect on human health, whether those effects are positive or negative, direct or indirect. Soil is an important source of nutrients in our food supply and medicines such as antibiotics. However, nutrient imbalances and the presence of human pathogens in the soil biological community can cause negative effects on health. There are also many locations where various elements or chemical compounds are found in soil at toxic levels because of either natural conditions or anthropogenic activities. The soils of urban environments have received increased attention in the last few years, and they too pose a number of human health questions and challenges. Concepts such as soil security may provide a framework within which issues on soil and human health can be investigated using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. It will take the contributions of experts in several different scientific, medical and social science fields to address fully soil and human health issues. Although much progress was made in understanding links between soil and human health over the last century, there is still much that we do not know about the complex interactions between them. Therefore, there is still a considerable need for research in this important area.Highlights
Soil is important to human health.
Effects can be positive or negative, direct or indirect.
Advances have been made in recent years.
Inter‐ and trans‐disciplinary research is needed.
Feel good, do good? Disentangling reciprocity from unconditional prosociality
Authors: Schmid Res , Schneeberger Karin , Taborsky Michael 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDirect and generalised reciprocity can establish evolutionarily stable levels of cooperation among unrelated individuals, with animals reciprocating help based on whether they have been helped by a social partner before. It has been argued that the actual cooperative act by a social partner may be of minor importance for seemingly reciprocal cooperation and that a mere positive experience might suffice to enhance helpful behaviour towards a conspecific (‘feel good, do good’). However, this effect could easily be exploited by defectors free‐riding on an individual's enhanced propensity to cooperate after an unspecific positive experience, without investing in reciprocity themselves. Here, we use female Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) to test if a positive experience that was not provided by a helping partner increases the propensity to subsequently help a social partner. We manipulated the experience of test subjects by providing them with treats, either in the presence or absence of a conspecific. Thereafter, we assessed whether they produce treats and if so, how many, for an unfamiliar social partner compared to a situation in which they had not received treats before. As the treats the test subject received had not been provided by a social partner even if the partner was present, we predicted that the rats should not be more cooperative after they had received treats than if they had not. Indeed, the helping behaviour of rats was apparently not influenced by prior experience made either in a social or non‐social context. Rats have been shown previously to perform both direct and generalised reciprocity in the same variant of the iterated prisoner's dilemma game. Our results suggest that this behaviour cannot be explained by an unspecific positive experience. The decision to help a social partner seems to be contingent on previously receiving help from a social partner (reciprocity), not on any positive experience (unconditional prosociality).
Review of the application and efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in equine tendon and ligament injuries
Authors: Yocom A. F. , Bass L. D. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryExtracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been implemented as a treatment for musculoskeletal injuries in horses. ESWT uses acoustic waves applied to a region of injury, and has been shown to improve lameness, decrease time of healing and improve ultrasonographic appearance of tendon and ligament injuries. However, much of the current literature surrounding the use of ESWT in veterinary medicine is positively biased and most studies have lower levels of evidence‐based experimental design. Randomised clinical trials are needed to determine specific energy settings, dose, frequency and case selection for different anatomical regions, and to investigate long‐term effects of ESWT as well as interactions between ESWT and regenerative biological therapies.
Identification of hypoglycin A binding adsorbents as potential preventive measures in co‐grazers of atypical myopathy affected horses
Authors: Krägeloh T. , Cavalleri J. M. V. , Ziegler J. , Sander J. , Terhardt M. , Breves G. , Cehak A. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryBackgroundIntestinal absorption of hypoglycin A (HGA) and its metabolism are considered major prerequisites for atypical myopathy (AM). The increasing incidence and the high mortality rate of AM urgently necessitate new therapeutic and/or preventative approaches.ObjectivesTo identify a substance for oral administration capable of binding HGA in the intestinal lumen and effectively reducing the intestinal absorption of the toxin.Study designExperimental in vitro study.MethodsSubstances commonly used in equine practice (activated charcoal composition, di‐tri‐octahedral smectite, mineral oil and activated charcoal) were tested for their binding capacity for HGA using an in vitro incubation method. The substance most effective in binding HGA was subsequently tested for its potential to reduce intestinal HGA absorption. Jejunal tissues of 6 horses were incubated in Ussing chambers to determine mucosal uptake, tissue accumulation, and serosal release of HGA in the presence and absence of the target substance. Potential intestinal metabolism in methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA)‐conjugates was investigated by analysing their concentrations in samples from the Ussing chambers.ResultsActivated charcoal composition and activated charcoal were identified as potent HGA binding substances with dose and pH dependent binding capacity. There was no evidence of intestinal HGA metabolism.Main limitationsBinding capacity of adsorbents was tested in vitro using aqueous solutions, and in vivo factors such as transit time and composition of intestinal content, may affect adsorption capacity after oral administration.ConclusionsFor the first time, this study identifies substances capable of reducing HGA intestinal absorption. This might have major implications as a preventive measure in cograzers of AM affected horses but also in horses at an early stage of intoxication.
Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) on nitrogen assimilation and growth of winter wheat under nitrate and ammonium fertilization
Authors: Dier Markus , Meinen Rieke , Erbs Martin , Kollhorst Lena , Baillie Christin‐Kirsty , Kaufholdt David , Kücke Martin , Weigel Hans‐Joachim , Zörb Christian , Hänsch Robert , Manderscheid Remy 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA 2‐year Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted with winter wheat. It was investigated whether elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) inhibit nitrate assimilation and whether better growth and nitrogen acquisition under e[CO2] can be achieved with an ammonium‐based fertilization as it was observed in hydroponic culture with wheat. Under e[CO2] a decrease in nitrate assimilation has been discussed as the cause for observed declines in protein concentration in C3 cereals. Wheat was grown under ambient [CO2] and e[CO2] (600 ppm) with three levels (deficiency, optimal, and excessive) of nitrate‐based fertilization (calcium ammonium nitrate; CAN) or with optimal ammonium‐based fertilization. Ammonium fertilization was applied via injection of an ammonium solution into the soil in the 1st year and by surface application of urea combined with nitrification inhibitors (UNI) in the 2nd year. Results showed that ammonium‐based fertilization was successfully achieved in the 2nd year with respect to nitrification control, as soil ammonium concentration was considerably higher over the growing season for UNI fertilized plots compared to optimal CAN plots. Also, stem nitrate concentration, flag leaf nitrate reductase activity, and transcript levels were lower in UNI fertilized plants compared to optimal CAN. Regarding the e[CO2] effect on nitrate reductase activity and transcript levels, no alteration could be observed for any nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Flag leaf growth was stimulated under e[CO2] leading to an enhanced nitrate reductase activity referred to m2 ground area at late flowering being in line with a higher nitrogen acquisition under e[CO2]. Moreover, nitrogen acquisition was considerably higher in nitrate fertilized plants compared to ammonium fertilized plants under e[CO2]. Our results obtained under field conditions show that a change from nitrate‐ to ammonium‐based fertilization will not lead to a better growth and nitrogen acquisition of winter wheat under future e[CO2].
Effects of kiwifruit and mixed dietary fibre on faecal properties and microbiota in rats: a dose–response analysis
Authors: Monro John A. , Paturi Gunaranjan , Mishra Suman 
Published: July 2017

SummaryIn this study, a rat model was used to explore the interaction of kiwifruit with co‐consumed mixed dietary fibre. Rats were used in three consecutive trials in which faecal properties and composition, and bacterial populations were examined. In trial 1 diets, content of a dietary fibre mixture (DFM; Raftiline–citrus fibre–wheat fibre) was increased from 0% to 20%. In trial 2, dried kiwifruit pulp (KFP) content was increased from 0% to 20%. In trial 3, KFP was increased from 0% to 20% in a diet containing a 20% basal content of the DFM. The KFP caused a small dose‐dependent increase in faecal bulk and water‐holding capacity and had much less effect than the DFM. Faecal bacterial populations examined were stable across all diets and intakes of DFM and KFP. The disappearance of fermentable fibre during hind gut passage was not reduced with increasing KFP. Therefore, kiwifruit may not only have the beneficial effect of extending fermentation distally in the colon through gut activation, but may do so without disrupting the bacterial ecosystem and its functions.
Biochemical and antioxidant properties of peptidic fraction generated from crab (Portunus trituberculatus) shells by enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Jiang Wei , Hu Shiwei , Li Shijie , Liu Yu 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe biochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of the crab (Portunus trituberculatus) shell hydrolysates (CSHs) generated by pepsin and protamex hydrolysis were evaluated. The amino acids profile of CSHs showed a high percentage of essential amino acids (>36%). The hydrolysates were mainly composed of low molecular weight peptides (<3 kDa). CSHs showed excellent solubility and possessed interfacial properties, which were governed by their concentrations. The antioxidant activities of CSHs were evaluated using various in vitro antioxidant assays, including the total antioxidant activity, DPPH, hydroxyl and ABTS radical scavenging method and reducing power assay. CSHs exhibited a good antioxidant activity compared to that of ascorbic acid. Results from this study suggested that the peptidic fractions of crab shells were good source of natural antioxidants and peptides with interesting functionalities.
The effect of gender on transformational leadership and job satisfaction among Saudi nurses
Authors: Alghamdi Mohammed G. , Topp Robert , AlYami Mansour S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimTo compare nurses’ job satisfaction and perceptions of transformational leadership style of their manager among four different nurse/manager gender dyads in Saudi Arabia.BackgroundWomen and men differ on many behavioural characteristics and are influenced by the cultural environment. Understanding these differences may have an impact on leadership behaviours and job satisfaction.DesignA descriptive analysis of one‐time survey data collected in 2011 from Saudi nurses employed in six general public hospitals located in three cities.MethodThree hundred and eight (51.3%) of 600 Saudi nurses solicited to participate completed anonymous questionnaires that measured their job satisfaction and perceptions of transformational leadership style of their manager.FindingsFactorial ANOVA tested the main effects of gender of the nurse, gender of the manager and the interaction term on the nurse's job satisfaction, and perceived transformational leadership style of their manager. These analyses indicated a main effect of gender of the manager on both job satisfaction and perceived transformational leadership style of the manager (p < .05) with no significant effect of the gender of the nurse or the interaction term on these variables. Post hoc analysis indicated that nurses regardless of their gender reported higher job satisfaction and perceived transformational leadership style of their manager when their manager was male.ConclusionThese findings contrast with what other researchers have reported that nurse job satisfaction and perceived leadership characteristics of their manager are independent of the gender of the manager. These perceptions of Saudi nurses may be a result of “sex‐role spillover” in a male‐dominated, gender‐segregated society.
Annual Research Review: Early adversity, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis, and child psychopathology
Authors: Koss Kalsea J. , Gunnar Megan R. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundResearch on early adversity, stress biology, and child development has grown exponentially in recent years.FindingsWe review the current evidence for the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis as a stress‐mediating mechanism between various forms of childhood adversity and psychopathology. We begin with a review of the neurobiology of the axis and evidence for relations between early adversity–HPA axis activity and HPA axis activity–psychopathology, as well as discuss the role of regulatory mechanisms and sensitive periods in development.ConclusionsWe call attention to critical gaps in the literature to highlight next steps in this research including focus on developmental timing, sex differences, stress buffering, and epigenetic regulation. A better understanding of individual differences in the adversity–HPA axis–psychopathology associations will require continued work addressing how multiple biological and behavioral systems work in concert to shape development.
Bilingual Baby: Foreign Language Intervention in Madrid's Infant Education Centers
Authors: Ferjan Ramirez Naja , Kuhl Patricia 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe first years of life represent a unique window of opportunity for foreign language learning. However, key questions are: How much and what kind of foreign language exposure is needed to ignite learning? We conducted a foreign language (English) intervention in four public Infant Education Centers in Madrid, Spain. Intervention children (N = 126, ages 7–33.5 months) experienced 18 weeks of daily, hour‐long, group English sessions with native‐speaking tutors, using a brain‐based method of infant language development. Intervention infants were compared to a matched Current Practice Comparison (CPC) group of peers in the same schools. Intervention children outperformed the CPC group, showing rapid gains on measures of English word comprehension and English speech production. Schools' neighborhood wealth was not a significant factor in learning. Follow‐up analyses show that the language gains were fully retained 18 weeks post‐intervention. Children's foreign language skills advance quickly in school using this research‐to‐practice curriculum.