bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain Fluid Content Related to Body Position and Postmortem Interval – An Animal Model
Authors: Leonard Anna , Vink Robert , Byard Roger W. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAdult male Sprague Dawley rats were euthanized and placed in a horizontal or vertical (head‐down) position at room temperature, after which brain fluid content was measured by a moisture analysis technique at variable time points. No significant difference in brain fluid content was observed between horizontal and vertical postmortem positions. A significant increase in brain fluid content was demonstrated 3, 6, and 24 h after death, with maximal fluid content observed at 24 h. Specifically, the brain fluid content of control animals was 77.79 ± 0.36%, increasing to 80.05 ± 0.22% at 24 h (p < 0.0001). This study has demonstrated no significant differences in brain fluid content related to postmortem position, suggesting that a head‐down position is not associated with increased brain fluid content or swelling. However, significant temporal increases in brain fluid content after death, most likely related to cerebral liquefaction, occur.
A Comparison of Various Fixatives for Casting Footwear Impressions in Sand at Crime Scenes
Authors: Battiest Travis , Clutter Susan W. , McGill David 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFootwear examination can provide an important link between the crime scene and the suspect. Casts have been taken from snow, soil, and sand substrates to assist with the examination and to accurately depict the impression. However, there has been some discrepancy on what kind of fixative, if any, should be used with impressions present in sand. This study tested four different fixatives on three sandy substrates. Eight gross characteristics were added to a boot sole, and thirty sand impressions were created in each substrate. Except for one control set that remained untreated, the impressions were treated with a fixative agent before casting. The ninety shoe casts were examined by a qualified footwear examiner and scored based on his ability to see the eight characteristics. The results indicated that pump‐action hairspray was the most successful on play and construction sand, while beach sand impressions without any fixative scored highest.
Controlling Listeria monocytogenes and Leuconostoc mesenteroides in Uncured Deli‐style Turkey Breast Using a Clean Label Antimicrobial
Authors: Weyker Robert E. , Glass Kathleen A. , Milkowski Andrew L. , Seman Dennis L. , Sindelar Jeffrey J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractInterest in natural/organic meat products has resulted in the need to validate the effectiveness of clean label antimicrobials to increase safety and shelf life of these products. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effects of varying levels of moisture, pH, and a commercial “clean‐label” antimicrobial (cultured sugar‐vinegar blend; CSVB) on the growth rate of Listeria monocytogenes and Leuconostoc mesenteroides in uncured turkey stored at 4 °C for 16 wk. Twenty treatment combinations of moisture (60% to 80%), pH (5.8 to 6.4), and CSVB (2.5% to 5.0%) were evaluated during phase I to develop growth curves for both microbe types, whereas the interactive effects of pH (5.8 to 6.4) and CSVB (0.0 to 4.75) were tested in 16 treatment combinations during Phase II at a single moisture level using L. monocytogenes only. CSVB inhibited L. monocytogenes growth in 14 of the 20 treatments tested in Phase I and in 12 of the 16 treatments in Phase II through 16 and 8 wk, respectively. In contrast, CSVB had little effect on L. mesenteroides, with growth inhibited in only 4 of 20 treatments in Phase I and was therefore not tested further in Phase II. Significant interactions of the RSM design coefficients yielded a predictive model for L. mesenteroides growth rate, but due to lack of growth, no growth rate model was developed for L. monocytogenes. CSVB was found to be an effective antilisteral antimicrobial, while having little effect on a spoilage microorganism.
Self‐administered methoxyflurane for procedural analgesia: experience in a tertiary Australasian centre
Authors: Gaskell A. L. , Jephcott C. G. , Smithells J. R. , Sleigh J. W. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryMethoxyflurane, an agent formerly used as a volatile anaesthetic but that has strong analgesic properties, will soon become available again in the UK and Europe in the form of a small hand‐held inhaler. We describe our experience in the use of inhaled methoxyflurane for procedural analgesia within a large tertiary hospital. In a small pilot crossover study of patients undergoing burns‐dressing procedures, self‐administered methoxyflurane inhalation was preferred to ketamine‐midazolam patient‐controlled analgesia by five of eight patients. Patient and proceduralist outcomes and satisfaction were recorded from a subsequent case series of 173 minor surgical and radiological procedures in 123 patients performed using inhaled methoxyflurane. The procedures included change of dressing, minor debridement, colonoscopy and incision‐and‐drainage of abscess. There was a 97% success rate of methoxyflurane analgesia to facilitate these procedures. Limitations of methoxyflurane include maximal daily and weekly doses, and uncertainty regarding its safety in patients with pre‐existing renal disease.
Review article: recent advances in pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics for safe and effective thiopurine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Moon W. , Loftus E. V. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundAzathioprine and mercaptopurine have a pivotal role in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, because of their complex metabolism and potential toxicities, optimal use of biomarkers to predict adverse effects and therapeutic response is paramount.AimTo provide a comprehensive review focused on pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics for safe and effective thiopurine therapy in IBD.MethodsA literature search up to July 2015 was performed in PubMed using a combination of relevant MeSH terms.ResultsPre‐treatment thiopurine S‐methyltransferase typing plus measurement of 6‐tioguanine nucleotides and 6‐methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotides levels during treatment have emerged with key roles in facilitating safe and effective thiopurine therapy. Optimal use of these tools has been shown to reduce the risk of adverse effects by 3‐7%, and to improve efficacy by 15–30%. For the introduction of aldehyde oxidase (AOX) into clinical practice, the association between AOX activity and AZA dose requirements should be positively confirmed. Inosine triphosphatase assessment associated with adverse effects also shows promise. Nucleoside diphosphate‐linked moiety X‐type motif 15 variants have been shown to predict myelotoxicity on thiopurines in East Asian patients. However, the impact of assessments of xanthine oxidase, glutathione S‐transferase, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase appears too low to favour incorporation into clinical practice.ConclusionsMeasurement of thiopurine‐related enzymes and metabolites reduces the risk of adverse effects and improves efficacy, and should be considered part of standard management. However, this approach will not predict or avoid all adverse effects, and careful clinical and laboratory monitoring of patients receiving thiopurines remains essential.
Variational bayesian method of estimating variance components
Authors: Arakawa Aisaku , Taniguchi Masaaki , Hayashi Takeshi , Mikawa Satoshi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe developed a Bayesian analysis approach by using a variational inference method, a so‐called variational Bayesian method, to determine the posterior distributions of variance components. This variational Bayesian method and an alternative Bayesian method using Gibbs sampling were compared in estimating genetic and residual variance components from both simulated data and publically available real pig data. In the simulated data set, we observed strong bias toward overestimation of genetic variance for the variational Bayesian method in the case of low heritability and low population size, and less bias was detected with larger population sizes in both methods examined. The differences in the estimates of variance components between the variational Bayesian and the Gibbs sampling were not found in the real pig data. However, the posterior distributions of the variance components obtained with the variational Bayesian method had shorter tails than those obtained with the Gibbs sampling. Consequently, the posterior standard deviations of the genetic and residual variances of the variational Bayesian method were lower than those of the method using Gibbs sampling. The computing time required was much shorter with the variational Bayesian method than with the method using Gibbs sampling.
Cognitive impairment in late‐life bipolar disorder is not associated with Alzheimer's disease pathological signature in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Forlenza Orestes V , Aprahamian Ivan , Radanovic Márcia , Talib Leda L , Camargo Marina ZA , Stella Florindo , Machado‐Vieira Rodrigo , Gattaz Wagner F 
Published: February 2016

ObjectivesCognitive impairment is a common feature of late‐life bipolar disorder (BD). Yet, there is limited information on the biological mechanisms associated with this process. It is uncertain whether cognitively impaired patients with BD may present the Alzheimer's disease (AD) bio‐signature in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), defined as a combination of low concentrations of the amyloid‐beta peptide (Aβ1‐42) and high concentrations of total tau (T‐tau) and tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (P‐tau). In this study, we sought to determine whether cognitive impairment in elderly patients with BD is associated with the AD CSF bio‐signature.MethodsSeventy‐two participants were enrolled in the study. The test group comprised older adults with BD and mild cognitive impairment (BD‐MCI; n = 16) and the comparison groups comprised patients with dementia due to AD (n = 17), patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI; n = 14), and cognitively healthy older adults (control group; n = 25). CSF samples were obtained by lumbar puncture and concentrations of Aβ1‐42, T‐tau and P‐tau were determined.ResultsCSF concentrations of all biomarkers were significantly different in the AD group compared to all other groups, but did not differentiate BD‐MCI subjects from aMCI subjects and controls. BD‐MCI patients had a non‐significant reduction in CSF Aβ1‐42 compared to controls, but this was still higher than in the AD group. Concentrations of T‐tau and P‐tau in BD‐MCI patients were similar to those in controls, and significantly lower than those in AD.ConclusionsCognitively impaired patients with BD do not display the so‐called AD bio‐signature in the CSF. We therefore hypothesize that cognitive deterioration in BD is not associated with the classical pathophysiological mechanisms observed in AD, i.e., amyloid deposition and hyperphosphorylation of microtubule‐associated tau protein.
Working out across Canada: Is there a gender gap?
Authors: Coen Stephanie E. , Subedi Rajendra P. , Rosenberg Mark W. 
Published: February 2016

Key Messages

We consider how scale and activity type matter for the gender gap in physical activity in Canada.
Results show the nature and direction of physical activity gender gaps vary.
Interventions need to be gender‐sensitive in ways that are place‐specific.
Transit‐oriented development and gentrification along Metro Vancouver's low‐income SkyTrain corridor
Authors: Jones Craig E. , Ley David 
Published: February 2016

Key Messages

A low‐income corridor follows the SkyTrain rapid transit line through Vancouver and its suburbs, containing subsidized rental housing from long‐terminated federal programs.
The housing is aging and is occupied by poorer groups, notably recently landed refugees and immigrants.
This housing is endangered by gentrification from a regional policy of transit‐oriented development (TOD), a policy where environmental objectives and profitability trump social justice objectives.
Detection of an embolized central venous catheter fragment with endobronchial ultrasound
Authors: Dhillon Samjot Singh , Harris Kassem , Alraiyes Abdul H. , Picone Anthony L. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAn 84‐year‐old woman underwent Convex‐probe Endobronchial Ultrasound (CP‐EBUS) for 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose avid subcarinal lymphadenopathy on Positron Emission Tomogram (PET) scan. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration of the subcarinal lymph node revealed squamous cell lung carcinoma. A small hyperechoic rounded density was noted inside the lumen of the azygous vein. Based on chest computed tomography findings and her clinical history, this was felt to be a broken fragment of a peripherally inserted central catheter, which was placed for intravenous antibiotics, a few months prior to this presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever CP‐EBUS description of a broken fragment of central venous catheter.
Transcendental Philosophy and Intersubjectivity: Mutual Recognition as a Condition for the Possibility of Self‐Consciousness in Sections 1–3 of Fichte's Foundations of Natural Right
Authors: McNulty Jacob 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn the opening sections of his Foundations of Natural Right, Fichte argues that mutual recognition is a condition for the possibility of self‐consciousness. However, the argument turns on the apparently unconvincing claim that, in the context of transcendental philosophy, conceptions of the subject as an isolated individual give rise to a vicious circle the resolution of which requires the introduction of a second rational being to ‘summon’ the first. In this essay, my aim is to present a revised account of the opening arguments on which they are more convincing. In particular, I argue that the problem of a circle is genuine and may be seen to result from a relation of mutual dependence between agency and cognition which ensures that for an exercise of either capacity to take place, an exercise of the other would have already had to have taken place with the result that neither can occur. Moreover, the solution is successful. The summons (the claim of the other) prevents us from being driven around the circle once more because it is a ‘synthesis’ that reconciles the constraint to which I am subject as a cognizer of independently given objects and my freedom as a self‐determining subject.
Prevalence, risk factors and genetic parameters of cresty neck in Pura Raza Español horses
Authors: Sánchez M. J. , Azor P. J. , Molina A. , Parkin T. , Rivero J. L. L. , Valera M. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryReasons for performing studyCresty neck is a relatively common morphological defect in Pura Raza Español horses and other Baroque type horse breeds, which adversely affects the breeding industry.ObjectivesTo establish the within‐breed prevalence, possible associated factors and heritability of cresty neck in Pura Raza Español horses.Study designCross‐sectional analysis of a large worldwide database of Pura Raza Español horses.MethodsThe database included evaluations of 10,929 Pura Raza Español horses from 24 countries. Cresty neck score, on a 9 point scale, girth‐to‐height ratio, height at the withers, length of neck, head–neck junction and neck–body junction were recorded. A Bayesian genetic animal model included the following systematic effects: girth‐to‐height ratio, age, sex, coat colour and geographical area of the stud. Animal and residual effects were included as random effects.ResultsWithin this Pura Raza Español population,8.91% had a cresty neck score ≥5, which is the threshold for penalty or disqualification in the studbook of the breed. The age, sex, coat colour and stud geographical area were significantly associated with cresty neck score. The estimated heritability coefficient for cresty neck score was 0.37 (s.d.=0.034) and genetic correlation between cresty neck score and other conformational traits ranged from −0.06 (height‐at‐withers) to −0.21 (neck–body junction).ConclusionsCresty neck is a prevalent defect in Pura Raza Español horses, associated with age, sex, coat colour and other conformational traits, with a moderate level of heritability. Breeding to select against this condition may therefore be beneficial in this breed.
Slab fractures of the third tarsal bone: Minimally invasive repair using a single 3.5 mm cortex screw placed in lag fashion in 17 Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Barker W. H. J. , Wright I. M. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryReasons for performing the studyA technique for minimally invasive repair of slab fractures of the third tarsal bone has not previously been reported. Results of third tarsal bone slab fracture repair in Thoroughbred racehorses are lacking.ObjectivesTo report the outcomes of repair of uniplanar frontal slab factures of the third tarsal bone using a single 3.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsCase records of horses that had undergone this procedure were reviewed.ResultsSeventeen horses underwent surgery. Eighteen percent of cases had wedge shaped third tarsal bones. A point midway between the long and lateral digital extensor tendons and centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints created a suitable entry site for implants. The fracture location, configuration and curvature of the third tarsal bone and associated joints requires a dorsolateral proximal‐plantaromedial distal trajectory for the screw, which was determined by preplaced needles. There were no complications and fractures healed in all cases at 4–6 months post surgery. Seventy‐nine percent of horses returned to racing and, at the time of reporting, 3 are in post operative rehabilitation programmes.ConclusionThe technique reported provides a safe, appropriate and repeatable means of repairing slab fractures of the third tarsal bone. Surgical repair is a viable alternative to conservative management.
Crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol‐acid reductoisomerase at 1.0 Å resolution – a potential target for anti‐tuberculosis drug discovery
Authors: Lv You , Kandale Ajit , Wun Shun Jie , McGeary Ross P. , Williams Simon J. , Kobe Bostjan , Sieber Volker , Schembri Mark A. , Schenk Gerhard , Guddat Luke W. 
Published: February 2016

The biosynthetic pathway for the branched‐chain amino acids is present in plants, fungi and bacteria, but not in animals, making it an attractive target for herbicidal and antimicrobial drug discovery. Ketol‐acid reductoisomerase (KARI; EC 1.1.1.86) is the second enzyme in this pathway, converting in a Mg2+‐ and NADPH‐dependent reaction either 2‐acetolactate or 2‐aceto‐2‐hydroxybutyrate to their corresponding 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐alkylbutyrate products. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) KARI, a class I KARI, with two magnesium ions bound in the active site. X‐ray data were obtained to 1.0 Å resolution and the final model has an Rfree of 0.163. The structure shows that the active site is solvent‐accessible with the two metal ions separated by 4.7 Å. A comparison of this structure with that of Mg2+‐free Pseudomonas aeruginosa KARI suggests that upon magnesium binding no movement of the N domain relative to the C domain occurs. However, upon formation of the Michaelis complex, as illustrated in the structure of Slackia exigua KARI in complex with NADH.Mg2+. N‐hydroxy‐N‐isopropyloxamate (IpOHA, a transition state analog), domain movements and reduction of the metal–metal distance to 3.5 Å are observed. This inherent flexibility therefore appears to be critical for initiation of the KARI‐catalyzed reaction. This study provides new insights into the complex structural rearrangements required for activity of KARIs, particularly those belonging to class I, and provides the framework for the rational design of Mt KARI inhibitors that can be tested as novel antituberculosis agents.DatabaseCoordinates and structure factors for the Mt KARI.Mg2+ complex are available in the Protein Data Bank under accession number 4YPO
Effect of bisphenol A on morphology, apoptosis and proliferation in the resting mammary gland of the adult albino rat
Authors: Ibrahim Marwa A. A. , Elbakry Reda H. , Bayomy Naglaa A. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic oestrogen that is extensively used in a wide range of daily used plastic products. This makes it one of the environmental chemicals that may have impact on human health. Due to its oestrogenic effect, BPA might affect the mammary gland. This study aimed to investigate the influence of BPA on the histological structure of the mammary gland of the adult female albino rat and its effect on epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis status, in addition to its possible modulating effect on estrogen receptor expression. Thirty female adult albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The rats in the experimental group were gavaged with 5 mg/kg BPA daily for 8 weeks. The mammary glands were dissected and processed for histological and immunohistochemical stains for Ki‐67, activated caspase‐3 and estrogen receptor alpha (ER‐α). BPA induced an increase in the number and size of the acini and ducts in the mammary gland of treated rats with hyperplasia of their lining epithelial cells. The collagen fibre content was significantly increased in the connective tissue stroma separating the ducts. Immunohistochemical results showed a significant increase in Ki‐67 and caspase‐3, but a non‐significant increase in ER‐α expression. Bisphenol A induced structural changes and affected the proliferation rate of mammary glands, so it might be one of the predisposing factors for breast cancer.
Improvement of Chinese noodle quality by supplementation with arabinoxylans from wheat bran
Authors: Fan Ling , Ma Sen , Wang Xiaoxi , Zheng Xueling 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThis study was performed to investigate the effects of arabinoxylans on Chinese noodles quality. Unmodified arabinoxylans (UAX) and modified arabinoxylans (MAX) were added to wheat flour at 0.25–2.0% (w/w), and noodle samples were evaluated in terms of colour, free sulfhydryl groups, disulphide bond, water, texture properties and cooking characteristics. As the amounts of arabinoxylans increased, dough sheet became darker, and the texture of the cooked noodles increased and then deteriorated after 1% of arabinoxylans addition. The content of free sulfhydryl groups fluctuated and decreased by 15.4% and by 19.3% after the addition of 0.5% of UAX and MAX, respectively. The relaxation time T2 decreased with increased amounts of arabinoxylans. Generally, the water absorption increased and cooking loss rate decreased up to 1.0% of arabinoxylan addition. Our results confirm that using 0.25–1.0% arabinoxylans in wheat flour, it was possible to increase both the nutrition and quality of Chinese noodles.