bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of renin angiotensin antagonists with adverse perioperative events in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery: a case–control study
Authors: Zainudheen Amith , Scott Ian A. , Caney Xenia 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundRenin angiotensin antagonists (RAA) may block protective vasopressor responses during surgery. Evidence linking RAA with intraoperative hypotension and perioperative adverse events is conflicting.AimTo compare the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and adverse events between patients receiving or not receiving RAA.MethodsThis is a retrospective case–control study of 258 consecutive patients who underwent elective total knee or hip replacement between 1 January 2013 and 31 August 2016 and who were chronically prescribed a single blood pressure‐lowering agent up to the time of surgery. Primary outcome measures were differences between patients receiving RAA (cases; n = 129) and patients receiving non‐RAA medications (controls; n = 129) in incidence of intraoperative hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg), perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI, >30% increase in serum creatinine from baseline on Day 1 post‐operatively) and new onset major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) or in‐hospital death over 72 h post‐operatively.ResultsPatients receiving RAA had significantly higher preoperative systolic blood pressure, greater prevalence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease, lower prevalence of ischaemic heart disease and lower cardiac risk compared to controls. Age, gender, type of operation, operative fitness, mode and duration of anaesthesia and prevalence of other types of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidaemia and diabetes were similar between groups. Compared to controls, patients receiving RAA had higher incidence of intraoperative hypotension (76.0 vs 45.9%, P < 0.001), AKI (11.6 vs 1.6%, P = 0.002) and MACCE (6.2 vs 0%, P = 0.007), with all adverse events associated with intraoperative hypotension.ConclusionThis study provides further observational evidence of RAA‐induced harm in patients undergoing elective surgery, although determining benefits and harms of preoperative withdrawal of RRA requires prospective randomised trials.
A combined hands‐on teaching programme and clinical pathway focused on pleural ultrasound and procedure supervision transforms pleural procedure outcomes
Authors: Edwards Timothy , Cook Alistair , Salamonsen Matthew , Bashirzadeh Farzad , Fielding David 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundManagement of pleural effusions is a common diagnostic and management problem.AimsWe reviewed the outcomes from pleural procedures after the instigation of pleural effusion management guidelines, focusing on pleural ultrasound and a hands‐on teaching programme followed by procedure supervision that enabled many operators to perform such procedures.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of all procedures performed for pleural effusions on medical patients. Outcomes were assessed prior to the instigation of pleural effusion management guidelines (pleural pathway) and hands‐on teaching (January 2010 to June 2011) and following these interventions (January 2012 to June 2013).ResultsA total of 171 procedures involving 129 patients (pre‐pathway group) and 146 procedures involving 115 patients (post‐pathway group) was analysed. The rate of complications prior to the pleural pathway was 22.2% (38 of 171 procedures). Following the pathway, the rate of complications declined to 7.5% (11 of 146 procedures, P < 0.003). The use of pleural ultrasound increased dramatically (72.5 vs 90.2%). The number of patients who underwent repeated procedures (defined as ≥3) reduced dramatically (21 vs 7, P < 0.01). This improvement occurred using many supervised operators who completed the hands‐on teaching programme (n = 32) and followed the pleural pathway (127 of 146 procedures).ConclusionThe instigation of a clinical pathway focused on the use of bedside pleural ultrasound, and teaching of drainage techniques with procedure supervision vastly improved patient outcomes. This not only allowed better quality of care for patients, it also provided the acquisition of new skills to medical staff, not limiting these skills to specialised staff.
Humanized NOG mice as a model for tuberculosis vaccine‐induced immunity: a comparative analysis with the mouse and guinea pig models of tuberculosis
Authors: Grover Ajay , Troy Amber , Rowe Jenny , Troudt JoLynn M. , Creissen Elizabeth , McLean Jennifer , Banerjee Prabal , Feuer Gerold , Izzo Angelo A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThe humanized mouse model has been developed as a model to identify and characterize human immune responses to human pathogens and has been used to better identify vaccine candidates. In the current studies, the humanized mouse was used to determine the ability of a vaccine to affect the immune response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responded to infection in humanized mice as a result of infection. In humanized mice vaccinated with either BCG or with CpG‐C, a liposome‐based formulation containing the M. tuberculosis antigen ESAT‐6, both CD4 and CD8 T cells secreted cytokines that are known to be required for induction of protective immunity. In comparison to the C57BL/6 mouse model and Hartley guinea pig model of tuberculosis, data obtained from humanized mice complemented the data observed in the former models and provided further evidence that a vaccine can induce a human T‐cell response. Humanized mice provide a crucial pre‐clinical platform for evaluating human T‐cell immune responses in vaccine development against M. tuberculosis.
Solving efficiently large single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction models
Authors: Strandén I. , Matilainen K. , Aamand G.P. , Mäntysaari E.A. 
Published: May 2017

SummarySingle‐step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) requires a dense matrix of the size equal to the number of genotyped animals in the coefficient matrix of mixed model equations (MME). When the number of genotyped animals is high, solving time of MME will be dominated by this matrix. The matrix is the difference of two inverse relationship matrices: genomic (G) and pedigree (A22). Different approaches were used to ease computations, reduce computing time and improve numerical stability. Inverse of A22 can be computed as where Aij, i, j = 1,2, are sparse sub‐matrices of A−1, and numbers 1 and 2 refer to non‐genotyped and genotyped animals, respectively. Inversion of A11 was avoided by three alternative approaches: iteration on pedigree (IOP), matrix iteration in memory (IM), and Cholesky decomposition by CHOLMOD library (CM). For the inverse of G, the APY (algorithm for proven and young) approach using Cholesky decomposition was formulated. Different approaches to choose the APY core were compared. These approaches were tested on a joint genetic evaluation of the Nordic Holstein cattle for fertility traits and had 81,031 genotyped animals. Computing time per iteration was 1.19 min by regular ssGBLUP, 1.49 min by IOP, 1.32 min by IM, and 1.21 min by CM. In comparison with the regular ssGBLUP, the total computing time decreased due to omitting the inversion of the relationship matrix A22. When APY used 10,000 (20,000) animals in the core, the computing time per iteration was at most 0.44 (0.63) min by all the APY alternatives. A core of 10,000 animals in APY gave GEBVs sufficiently close to those by regular ssGBLUP but needed only 25% of the total computing time. The developed approaches to invert the two relationship matrices are expected to allow much higher number of genotyped animals than was used in this study.
Prediction of whole‐genome risk for selection and management of hyperketonemia in Holstein dairy cattle
Authors: Weigel K.A. , Pralle R. S. , Adams H. , Cho K. , Do C. , White H.M. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryHyperketonemia (HYK), a common early postpartum health disorder characterized by elevated blood concentrations of β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), affects millions of dairy cows worldwide and leads to significant economic losses and animal welfare concerns. In this study, blood concentrations of BHB were assessed for 1,453 Holstein cows using electronic handheld meters at four time points between 5 and 18 days postpartum. Incidence rates of subclinical (1.2 ≤ maximum BHB ≤ 2.9 mmol/L) and clinical ketosis (maximum BHB ≥ 3.0 mmol/L) were 24.0 and 2.4%, respectively. Variance components, estimated breeding values, and predicted HYK phenotypes were computed on the original, square‐root, and binary scales. Heritability estimates for HYK ranged from 0.058 to 0.072 in pedigree‐based analyses, as compared to estimates that ranged from 0.071 to 0.093 when pedigrees were augmented with 60,671 single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes of 959 cows and 801 male ancestors. On average, predicted HYK phenotypes from the genome‐enhanced analysis ranged from 0.55 mmol/L for first‐parity cows in the best contemporary group to 1.40 mmol/L for fourth‐parity cows in the worst contemporary group. Genome‐enhanced predictions of HYK phenotypes were more closely associated with actual phenotypes than pedigree‐based predictions in five‐fold cross‐validation, and transforming phenotypes to reduce skewness and kurtosis also improved predictive ability. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using repeated cowside measurement of blood BHB concentration in early lactation to construct a reference population that can be used to estimate HYK breeding values for genomic selection programmes and predict HYK phenotypes for genome‐guided management decisions.
“Conversion” of epistatic into additive genetic variance in finite populations and possible impact on long‐term selection response
Authors: Hill W.G. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThe role of epistasis in understanding the genetic architecture and variation of quantitative traits and its role, if any, in artificial selection and livestock improvement more generally has a long and sometimes controversial history. Its presence has been clearly demonstrated in, for example, laboratory experiments, but the amount of variation it contributes is likely to be small in outbred populations. In a finite population, although additive x additive epistatic variance is lost by genetic drift, it also contributes by conversion to additive variance through drift sampling and therefore has a potential indirect role in medium and long‐term selection response, with superficial similarity to and hard to distinguish from mutation. Whilst predictions of response require knowledge of genetic parameters, an infinitesimal model provides some analytic results. Otherwise there is little quantitative information relevant to animal populations on which to judge this potential role of epistasis and reach firm conclusions.
Beyond genomic selection: The animal model strikes back (one generation)!
Authors: Cantet R.J.C. , García‐Baccino C.A. , Rogberg‐Muñoz A. , Forneris N.S. , Munilla S. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryGenome inheritance is by segments of DNA rather than by independent loci. We introduce the ancestral regression (AR) as a recursive system of simultaneous equations, with grandparental path coefficients as novel parameters. The information given by the pedigree in the AR is complementary with that provided by a dense set of genomic markers, such that the resulting linear function of grandparental BV is uncorrelated to the average of parental BV in the absence of inbreeding. AR is then connected to segmental inheritance by a causal multivariate Gaussian density for BV. The resulting covariance structure (Σ) is Markovian, meaning that conditional on the BV of parents and grandparents, the BV of the animal is independent of everything else. Thus, an algorithm is presented to invert the resulting covariance structure, with a computing effort that is linear in the number of animals as in the case of the inverse additive relationship matrix.
Accuracy of genomic within‐family selection in aquaculture breeding programmes
Authors: Toro M.A. , Saura M. , Fernandez J. , Villanueva B. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIn aquaculture breeding programmes, selection within families cannot be applied for traits that cannot be recorded on the candidates (e.g., disease resistance or fillet quality). However, this problem can be overcome if genomic evaluation is used. Within‐family genomic evaluation has been proposed for these programmes as large family sizes are available and substantial levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) within families can be attained with a limited number of markers even in populations in global linkage equilibrium. Here, we compare by computer simulation: (i) within‐family and population‐wide LD; and (ii) the accuracy of within‐family genomic selection when genomic evaluations are carried out either at the population level or within families. The population simulated was composed by a varying number of families of full‐sibs (half for training and half for testing). The results indicate that, to practice within‐family selection, performing the genomic evaluation separately for each family using only molecular information from the family could be recommended for populations either in linkage equilibrium or with a low level of disequilibrium.
Variations in status of preparation of personal protective equipment for preventing norovirus gastroenteritis in long‐term care facilities for the elderly
Authors: Fujiki Saori , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Nakayama Takeo 
Published: May 2017

SummaryRationale, aim, and objectivesResidents of long‐term care facilities are highly susceptible to norovirus gastroenteritis, and each facility is concerned about the need to implement norovirus infection control. Among control measures, personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable gloves and masks, plays a major role in reducing infectious spread. However, the preparation status of PPE in facilities before infection outbreaks has not been reported. The aim was to clarify the implementation status of preventive measures for norovirus gastroenteritis and the cost of preparing the necessary PPE in long‐term care facilities.MethodA questionnaire survey of facilities affiliated with the Kyoto Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture branches of the Japan Association of Geriatric Health Services Facilities was conducted. The survey items were the characteristics of the facility, whether preventive measures had been implemented for norovirus gastroenteritis from October through the following March in both 2009 and 2010, and the quantities and unit prices of PPE prepared for preventive measures.ResultsTwenty‐six (11.2%) of 232 surveyed facilities (as of August 2011) answered the survey. Among them, 24 (92.3%) in 2009 and 25 (96.2%) in 2010 reported having implemented preventive measures for norovirus gastroenteritis, while 21 facilities (80.8%) in 2009 and 22 facilities (84.6%) in 2010 had prepared PPE. The median total cost for preparing the PPE needed for the preventive measures was US $2601 (range US $221‐9192) in 2009 and US $3904 (range US $305‐6427) in 2010.ConclusionAlthough the results need careful interpretation because of the low response rate, most of the surveyed long‐term care facilities had implemented preventive measures for norovirus gastroenteritis. However, the cost of preparing the PPE needed for the preventive measures varied among the facilities.
Impact of co‐morbidities on resource use and adherence to guidelines among commercially insured adults with new visits for back pain
Authors: Rundell Sean D. , Gold Laura S. , Hansen Ryan N. , Bresnahan Brian W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesTo assess if co‐morbidity is associated with higher use of back‐related care and adherence to back pain guidelines.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data from 2007‐2011. We included individuals ≥18 years with an index visit for back pain. Co‐morbidities were measured 12 months prior to index. Co‐morbidity burden was measured using Quan's Co‐morbidity Index. Co‐morbidities categories were measured using chronic condition indicators from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Total lumbar spine‐related resource use for three years was ascertained using procedure codes. A clustering algorithm identified higher long‐term utilizer. We identified initial use from day 0‐42 for several categories of spine‐related care. We used logistic regression to test the association between co‐morbidities and resource use.ResultsGreater co‐morbidity burden was associated with higher long‐term spine‐related resource use. Those with ≥2 on Quan's Co‐morbidity Index had 29% higher odds of being a high back‐specific resource user compared to those with no co‐morbidities [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.29, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.23‐1.35]. Greater co‐morbidity burden was associated with more frequent initial use of imaging, emergency visits, injections, and opioid fills; and less frequent initial use of medical and physical therapy visits. Co‐morbid musculoskeletal conditions had the strongest association with being a high utilizer of long‐term back‐specific resources (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.50‐1.57).ConclusionsCo‐morbidity burden and the presence of specific chronic conditions, such as musculoskeletal conditions, were associated with high long‐term use of back‐related care and care inconsistent with guidelines.
Microbial Eukaryotes that Lack Sterols
Authors: Takishita Kiyotaka , Chikaraishi Yoshito , Tanifuji Goro , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Hashimoto Tetsuo , Fujikura Katsunori , Roger Andrew J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIt is widely held that sterols are key cyclic triterpenoid lipids in eukaryotic cell membranes and are synthesized through oxygen‐dependent multienzyme pathways. However, there are known exceptions―ciliated protozoans, such as Tetrahymena, along with diverse low‐oxygen‐adapted eukaryotes produce, instead of sterols, the cyclic triterpenoid lipid tetrahymanol that does not require molecular oxygen for its biosynthesis. Here, we report that a number of anaerobic microbial eukaryotes (protists) utilize neither sterols nor tetrahymanol in their membranes. The lack of detectable sterol‐like compounds in their membranes may provide an opportunity to reconsider the physiological function of sterols and sterol‐like lipids in eukaryotes.
A Revised Sociogenomic Model of Personality Traits
Authors: Roberts Brent W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this article, I seek to update the sociogenomic model of personality traits (Roberts & Jackson, 2008). Specifically, I seek to outline a broader and more comprehensive theoretical perspective on personality traits than offered in the original version of the sociogenomic model of personality traits. First, I review the major points of our 2008 article. Second, I update our earlier model mostly with insights derived from a deeper reading of evolutionary theoretical systems, such as those found in life‐history theory and ecological‐evolutionary‐developmental biology. In particular, this revision incorporates two evolutionary‐informed systems, labeled pliable and elastic systems, that provide new insights into how personality traits develop. Third, I describe some of the implications of this new understanding of the biological and evolutionary architecture that underlies human phenotypes such as personality traits.
Occurrence of fenhexamid resistance in Botrytis cinerea from greenhouse strawberries in China
Authors: Zhou Feng , Lu Fan , Zhang Can , Qi He‐Xing , Wang Xiao‐Dong , Zhang Guo‐Zhen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study assessed the fenhexamid sensitivity of 143 Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from greenhouse strawberries in five regions of China between 2012 and 2013, and identified four isolates with moderate levels of resistance: two from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and two from Hebei Province. The baseline fenhexamid sensitivity of B. cinerea exhibited a unimodal distribution with a mean EC50 value of 0.20 ± 0.10 μg/ml (SD). The EC50 values of the fenhexamid‐resistant isolates ranged from 0.05 to 0.40 μg/ml. Molecular analysis of the fenhexamid target gene erg27 revealed that the resistant isolates collected from Xinjiang (163‐6 and 163‐22) contained three mutations that led to amino acid changes (V365A, E368D and A378T) known to be associated with fenhexamid resistance, but that the isolates from Hebei lacked any mutations, indicating that an alternative mechanism could be responsible for their resistance. Most of the biological characteristics of the fenhexamid‐resistant isolates, such as mycelial growth, sclerotia production and pathogenicity, did not significantly differ from those of the sensitive ones (p ≤ .05), but it was noted that some of the resistant isolates exhibited reduced rates of sporulation and spore germination. In addition, the resistant isolates exhibited lower osmotic sensitivity than the sensitive ones. The study found no evidence of cross‐resistance with other fungicides, but that there was negative cross‐resistance with procymidone, iprodione, carbendazim and pyraclostrobin, which indicates that the inclusion of these fungicides within an integrated pest management (IPM) programme could help to minimize the risk of fenhexamid resistance developing in B. cinerea.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Bysmatrum subsalsum (Dinophyceae) from the western Mediterranean Sea reveals the existence of cryptic species
Authors: Anglès Sílvia , Reñé Albert , Garcés Esther , Lugliè Antonella , Sechi Nicola , Camp Jordi , Satta Cecilia Teodora 
Published: May 2017

Bysmatrum subsalsum is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate species that inhabits marine and transitional habitats. Despite its wide distribution, information on the morphological variability, phylogeny and ecology of B. subsalsum is scarce. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular data on B. subsalsum strains and wild cells from different locations in the Mediterranean Basin. The dynamics of cell abundances and the associated environmental conditions during a field bloom are also described. Genetic sequences of B. subsalsum obtained in this study showed large intraspecific differences, clustering in two well‐differentiated clades. Despite a certain degree of variation with respect to cell size, apical pore complex (APC) morphology and size, and cingulum displacement, cells from the two clades showed similar morphological traits. These findings indicated the occurrence of cryptic species. Comparisons of the morphology of our B. subsalsum specimens with the few descriptions available in the literature revealed larger than previously known intraspecific morphological variability. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the concatenated SSU, 5.8S‐ITS, and LSU rRNA and the individual 5.8S‐ITS regions suggested the inclusion of Bysmatrum in the Peridiniales and a close phylogenetic relationship with Peridinium sensu stricto. However, the low statistical support prevented the assignment of Bysmatrum to a particular family of Peridiniales. Ecological data obtained from a bloom in La Pletera salt marshes (Catalan Coast, Spain) suggested the species reaches high cell abundances at water temperatures >20°C and salinity levels >30. Our results add new information regarding the morphology, phylogeny, and ecology of B. subsalsum.