bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of spermatozoa in fertile alpaca (Vicugna pacos) males: Study of sperm head morphometry using a nonautomated digital method and sperm morphology based on strict criteria
Authors: Evangelista‐Vargas D , Evangelista‐Vargas S , Valdivia M , Santiani A 
Published: December 2016

ContentsAlthough computer‐assisted systems for sperm morphometry and morphological analysis are important tools in the study of male fertility, their use in extensive systems in alpacas is limited by factors such as the expense of equipment and the high altitudes of the Andean region. The objectives of this study were to evaluate alpaca sperm head morphometry using a nonautomated digital method and determine the frequency of sperm abnormalities based on strict criteria for sperm morphology in fertile male alpacas. Ejaculates (n = 15) from seven alpacas were collected, and sperm smears stained with modified Papanicolaou were processed. For morphometric analysis, 3,000 sperm (200 cells/sample) images were captured at 400× magnification and Quick Photo MICRO 3.0 software was used for manual measurement of basic (sperm head length, width, perimeter and area) and derived variables (ellipticity, shape factor, elongation and regularity). For morphology assessment, smears were observed at 1000× magnification according to WHO and strict criteria. Average morphometric parameters were length 5.48 μm, width 2.99 μm, perimeter 13.62 μm, area 12.43 μm2, ellipticity 1.86, shape factor 1.20, elongation 0.29 and regularity 1.05. Significant between‐individual and within‐individual differences were found in morphometric parameters. Based on morphometric study, sperm heads were classified as elliptical or normal (49%), long (18%), short (2%), pyriform (12%), round (9%), large (6%) and small (4%). Morphological analysis found no additional sperm head defects in 49% of normal sperm obtained by morphometry, although a 4% incidence of neck/mid‐piece defects and a 16% incidence of principal‐piece defects were found. We conclude that sperm head morphometry assessment in fertile alpacas using a nonautomated digital method is feasible, and that defects in sperm heads constitute the main morphological alteration (>50% of the sperm population), based on WHO and strict criteria.
Exercise hypoxaemia as a predictor of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients without severe resting hypoxaemia
Authors: Nakahara Yoshio , Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Kimura Tomoki , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Arizono Shinichi , Nishimura Koichi , Sakamoto Koji , Ito Satoru , Ando Masahiko , Hasegawa Yoshinori 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
Background and objectivePulmonary hypertension (PH) in COPD is associated with morbidity and mortality. Previous studies showed a relationship between resting hypoxaemia and PH, but little is known about the relationship between exercise hypoxaemia and PH in COPD without resting hypoxaemia.MethodsA retrospective observational study of COPD patients without resting hypoxaemia was conducted to evaluate the relationships between exercise hypoxaemia and pulmonary haemodynamics. Clinical characteristics, pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) and oxygen saturation of peripheral artery (SpO2
) at the end of the 6‐min walk test (6MWT) were reviewed. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were performed to identify the predictor of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP).ResultsEighty‐four consecutive patients with a mean predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1
) of 47 ± 21% were evaluated. In univariate analysis, mPAP had negative correlations with age (r = −0.27, P < 0.05), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2
, r = −0.24, P < 0.05), % predicted forced vital capacity (FVC, r = −0.28, P < 0.05), % predicted FEV1
(r = −0.40, P < 0.001), FEV1
/FVC ratio (r = −0.33, P < 0.005), % predicted diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO
, r = −0.40, P < 0.001), 6MWD (r = −0.40, P < 0.001) and SpO2
at the end of the 6MWT (r = −0.74, P < 0.001). In stepwise regression analysis, SpO2
at the end of the 6MWT and 6MWD remained as independent predictors of mPAP (R2
= 0.60). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, SpO2
at the end of the 6MWT presented an area under the curve of 0.896 for the prediction of PH, with a sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.84 for the cut‐off point of 81%.ConclusionIn addition to 6MWD, exercise hypoxaemia indicates PH in patients with COPD without resting hypoxaemia.
Has the Clean Air Interstate Rule Fulfilled Its Mission? An Assessment of Federal Rule‐Making in Preventing Regional Spillover Pollution
Authors: Glasgow Derek , Zhao Shuang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe Environmental Protection Agency developed the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to minimize sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants and prevent pollution spillover into downwind states. While observers of CAIR claim success in the reduction of air pollution, our innovative multivariate statistical analysis based on spatial and facility‐level panel data finds mixed results concerning the rule's effectiveness. On the one hand, we find that CAIR facilities are associated with increases in the reduction rate of pollution compared to non‐CAIR facilities. However, the evidence suggests that sulfur dioxide levels decreased in CAIR‐mandated facilities before the actual implementation of the program. Additionally, on the one hand, CAIR facilities in the interior of states are associated with slower pollution reduction rates than those on the border. However, this difference in reduction rate does not change dramatically before or after the adoption or implementation of this rule. This suggests that the CAIR program was ineffective in targeting specific facilities most likely to contribute to interstate pollution. We conclude that while CAIR spurred the electrical utility industry to reduce air pollution, some of these reductions occurred before the actual implementation of the program. More substantially, gains in interstate spillover pollution did not occur by targeting specific facilities most likely to spillover but rather through the overall reduction of air pollution in the eastern states.
Tectonically driven dolomitization of Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates of the Quruqtagh area, north‐eastern flank of Tarim Basin, north‐west China
Authors: Dong Shaofeng , Chen Daizhao , Zhou Xiqiang , Qian Yixiong , Tian Mi , Qing Hairuo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDolomites occur extensively in Cambrian to Lower Ordovician carbonates in the Tienshan orogen of the Quruqtagh area, north‐east Tarim Basin, where thick (up to 1 km), dark grey lenticular limestones of semi‐pelagic to pelagic origin are prominent. The dolomites generally occur as beige, anastomosed geobodies that cross‐cut well‐stratified limestones. Based on detailed field investigations and petrographic examination, three types of matrix dolomite are identified: fine crystalline planar‐e (Md1), fine to medium crystalline planar‐s (e) (Md2) and fine to coarse crystalline non‐planar‐a (Md3) dolomites. One type of cement dolomite, the non‐planar saddle dolomite (Cd), is also common. The preferential occurrence of Md1 along low‐amplitude stylolites points to a causal link to pressure dissolution by which minor Mg ions were probably released for replacive dolomitization during shallow burial compaction. Type Md2, Md3 and Cd dolomites, commonly co‐occurring within the fractured zones, have large overlaps in isotopic composition with that of host limestone, implying that dolomitizing fluids inherited their composition from remnant pore fluids or were buffered by the formation water of host limestones through water–rock interaction. However, the lower δ18O and higher87Sr/86Sr ratios of these dolomites also suggest more intense fluid–rock interaction at elevated temperature and inputs of Mg and radiogenic Sr from the host limestones with more argillaceous matter and possibly underlying Neoproterozoic siliciclastic strata. Secondary tensional faults and fractures within a compressional tectonic regime were probably important conduits through which higher‐temperature Mg‐rich fluids that had been expelled from depth were driven by enhanced tectonic compression and heating during block overthrusting, forming irregular networks of dolomitized bodies enclosed within the host limestones. This scenario probably took place during the Late Hercynian orogeny, as the Tarim block collided with Tienshan island arc system to the north and north‐east. Subsequent downward recharges of meteoric fluids into the dolomitizing aquifer probably terminated dolomitization as a result of final closure of the South Tienshan Ocean (or Palaeo‐Asian Ocean) and significant tectonic uplift of the Tienshan orogen. This study demonstrates the constructive role of notably tensional (or transtensional) faulting/fracturing in channelling fluids upward as a result of intense tectonic compression and heating along overthrust planes on the convergent plate margin; however, a relatively short‐lived, low fluid flux may have limited the dolomitization exclusively within the fractured/faulted limestones in the overthrust sheets.
Social and emotional loneliness and self‐reported difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS) in a sample of Norwegian university students
Authors: Hayley Amie C. , Downey Luke A. , Stough Con , Sivertsen Børge , Knapstad Marit , Øverland Simon 
Published: December 2016

Social and emotional loneliness negatively impact several areas of health, including sleep. However, few comprehensive population‐based studies have evaluated this relationship. Over 12,000 students aged 21–35 years who participated in the student survey for higher education in Norway (the SHoT study) were assessed. Loneliness was assessed using the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale. Difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS) was assessed by a single‐item subjective response on the depression scale of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL‐25). Social loneliness was associated with more serious DIMS (unadjusted proportional odds‐ratio [OR] = 2.69, 95% CI = 2.46–2.95). This association was attenuated following adjustment for anxiety (adjusted OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.75–2.10) and depression (adjusted OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.34–1.63), however was not substantially altered when all demographics and psychological distress were accounted for (fully adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.30–1.63). Emotional loneliness was also associated with more serious DIMS (unadjusted proportional OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 2.12–2.57). Adjustment for anxiety (adjusted OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.78–2.15) and depression (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.48–1.80) attenuated, but did not extinguish this relationship in the fully adjusted model (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.09–1.31). Mediation analyses revealed that the social loneliness‐DIMS association was fully attributed to psychological distress, while the emotional loneliness‐DIMS association was only partially mediated, and a direct association was still observed. Associations between social and emotional loneliness and subjective DIMS were embedded in a larger pattern of psychological distress. Mitigating underlying feelings of loneliness may reduce potentially deleterious effects on sleep health and psychological wellbeing in young adults.
Will Direct Payments Make Adult Residential Care more Personalized? Views and Experiences of Social Care Staff in the Direct Payments in Residential Care Trailblazers
Authors: Williams Lorraine , Ettelt Stefanie , Perkins Margaret , Wittenberg Raphael , Lombard Daniel , Damant Jackie , Mays Nicholas 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDirect payments, i.e. cash payments made directly to the individual in lieu of social care services, have become an established option in council‐funded domiciliary care as a means to better personalize care and support. As part of its agenda to modernize social care, the Government tested their use in long‐term residential care in 18 trailblazing councils in England.This article presents findings from the independent evaluation of this initiative, using interviews with project leads seconded to the programme in all participating councils, and with council and care home staff involved in implementing direct payments in residential care in five sites. Interviews were conducted between September 2014 and November 2015. They explored professionals' views and experiences of personalization in residential care and their thoughts on the potential contribution of direct payments to promoting personalization. Whilst there was agreement that good care takes personal preferences into account and that many care homes could provide a more personalized service, doubts were voiced about whether direct payments were an appropriate mechanism to achieve this aim. This was seen as particularly pertinent in relation to residents with very high care needs and limited capacity to exercise choice and control. Interviewees also identified a number of risks and challenges to implementation, including financial risks to care homes. The findings from these interviews suggest that the contribution of direct payments to personalizing residential care may be more modest than expected.
Treatment outcomes in patients with multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis in north‐west Ethiopia
Authors: Alene Kefyalew Addis , Viney Kerri , McBryde Emma S. , Tsegaye Adino Tesfahun , Clements Archie C. A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveMultidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) is an emerging public health problem in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess MDR‐TB treatment outcomes and determine predictors of poor treatment outcomes in north‐west Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using all MDR‐TB patients who were enrolled at Gondar University Hospital since the establishment of the MDR‐TB programme in 2010. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the predictors of time to poor treatment outcomes, which were defined as death or treatment failure.ResultsOf the 242 patients who had complete records, 131 (54%) were cured, 23 (9%) completed treatment, 31 (13%) died, four (2%) experienced treatment failure, 27 (11%) were lost to follow‐up, six (2%) transferred out, and 20 (8%) were still on treatment at the time of analysis. The overall cumulative probability survival of the patients at the end of treatment (which was 24 months in duration) was 80% (95% CI: 70%, 87%). The proportion of patients with poor treatment outcomes increased over time from 6% per person‐year (PY) during 2010–2012, to 12% per PY during 2013–2015. The independent predictors of time to poor treatment outcome were being anaemic [AHR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 15.9] and being a farmer [AHR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 4.9].ConclusionsOverall, in north‐west Ethiopia, the MDR‐TB treatment success rate was high. However, poor treatment outcomes have gradually increased since 2012. Being a farmer and being anaemic were associated with poor treatment outcomes. It would be beneficial to assess other risk factors that might affect treatment outcomes such as co‐infection with malaria, poverty and other socio‐economic and biological risk factors.
Corneal anesthetic effect and ocular tolerance of 3.5% lidocaine gel in comparison with 0.5% aqueous proparacaine and 0.5% viscous tetracaine in normal canines
Authors: Venturi Francesca , Blocker Tiffany , Dees Darryl Dustin , Madsen Richard , Brinkis Julius 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the degree and duration of corneal anesthesia of a novel viscous ophthalmic lidocaine hydrochloride preparation vs. two commonly used ophthalmic anesthetic preparations.MethodsEach subject was randomly selected to receive 2 of 4 treatments at 2 different time periods separated by a 1 week washout: 3.5% lidocaine hydrochloride gel (Akten®; Akorn Inc., Lake Forest, Illinois, USA), 0.5% aqueous proparacaine hydrochloride (Akorn Inc.), 0.5% viscous tetracaine hydrochloride (TetraVisc™; Ocusoft Inc., Richmond, Texas, USA), or 0.9% saline eyewash as a negative control. Corneal sensitivity was determined using a Cochet‐Bonnet aesthesiometer (LuneauÂ®, Chartres Cedex, France) prior to instillation of each treatment; at 1 and 5 min post treatment; and at 5‐min intervals thereafter for 90 min total. Ocular side effects were recorded on a scale of 0–3.ResultsTwenty‐four normal dogs (48 eyes) were entered into the study. Mean duration of maximal anesthesia was significantly greater at 34.2 min with tetracaine compared to 21.5 min and 19 min with proparacaine and lidocaine respectively. Corneal sensitivity was significantly decreased from baseline for up to 70 min with tetracaine and 55 min with both proparacaine and lidocaine. All lidocaine‐treated eyes had transient blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia. Ten out of 24 tetracaine‐treated eyes had conjunctival hyperemia with 4 of these having concurrent chemosis.ConclusionsTetracaine provided a significantly longer duration of corneal anesthesia than proparacaine or lidocaine. Tetracaine and lidocaine were associated with more ocular side effects than proparacaine, although these were mild and transient. None.
Exercise Interventions for Preventing Falls Among Older People in Care Facilities: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lee Seon Heui , Kim Hee Sun 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundFalls in older people are a common problem, often leading to considerable morbidity. However, the overall effect of exercise interventions on fall prevention in care facilities remains controversial.AimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions on the rate of falls and number of fallers in care facilities.MethodsA meta‐analysis was conducted of randomized controlled trials published up to December 2014. Eight databases were searched including Ovid‐Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, and KisTi. Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed study quality.ResultsTwenty‐one studies were selected, that included 5,540 participants. Fifteen studies included exercise as a single intervention, whereas the remaining six included exercise combined with two or more fall interventions tailored to each resident's fall risk (i.e., medication review, environmental modification or staff education). Meta‐analysis showed that exercise had a preventive effect on the rate of falls (risk ratio [RR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.97). This effect was stronger when exercise combined with other fall interventions on the rate of falls (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.52–0.72) and on the number of fallers (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77–0.95). Exercise interventions including balance training (i.e., gait, balance, and functional training; or balance and strength) resulted in reduced the rate of falls. Sensitivity analyses indicated that exercise interventions resulted in reduced numbers of recurrent fallers (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53–0.97).Linking Evidence to ActionThis review provides an important basis for developing evidence‐based exercise intervention protocols for older people living in care facilities. Exercise programs, which are combined with tailored other fall interventions and challenge balance training to improve balance skills, should be applied to frail older people with functional limitations in institutional settings.
Electrical defects of the transverse‐axial tubular system in cardiac diseases
Authors: Crocini Claudia , Ferrantini Cecilia , Coppini Raffaele , Sacconi Leonardo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractElectrical excitability is an essential feature of cardiomyocytes and the homogenous propagation of the action potential is guaranteed by a complex network of membrane invaginations called the transverse‐axial tubular system (TATS). TATS structural remodelling is a hallmark of cardiac diseases and we demonstrated that this can be accompanied by electrical defects at single T‐tubular level. Using a random‐access multi‐photon (RAMP) microscope, we found that pathological T‐tubules can fail to conduct action potentials, which delays local Ca2+ release. Although the underlying causes for T‐tubular electrical failure are still unknown, our findings suggest that they are likely to be related to local ultrastructural alterations. Here, we first review the experimental approach that allowed us to observe and dissect the consequences of TATS electrical dysfunction and then propose two different strategies to unveil the reasons for T‐tubular electrical failures. The first strategy consists in a correlative approach, in which the failing T‐tubule identified with the RAMP microscope is then imaged with electron microscopy. The second approach exploits the diffusion of molecules within TATS to gain insights into the local TATS structure, even without a thorough reconstruction of the tubular network. Although challenging, the local electrical failure occurring at single T‐tubules is a fundamental question that needs to be addressed and could provide novel insights in cardiac pathophysiology.
image
ECG non-specific ST-T and QTc abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Geraldino-Pardilla Laura , Gartshteyn Yevgeniya , Piña Paloma , Cerrone Marina , Giles Jon T , Zartoshti Afshin , Bathon Joan M , Askanase Anca D 
Published: December 2016

ObjectivesCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although only explored in one study, ECG non-specific ST-T abnormalities, in addition to corrected QT-interval (QTc) prolongation, were recently reported in an SLE inception cohort. Importantly, these ECG abnormalities are known predictors of CVD mortality in the general population, yet their prevalence in patients with established SLE has not been evaluated.MethodsWe cross-sectionally investigated the presence of non-specific ST-T and QTc abnormalities in 50 patients with SLE, predominantly Hispanic and black, without CVD or SLE-related cardiac involvement and compared them with 139 patients with RA without CVD. Demographics, disease-specific characteristics and CVD risk factors were ascertained and adjusted for.ResultsPatients with SLE (mean age 36±13 years, 92% women, 6 years median disease duration, 96% Hispanics and blacks) had a 3.3-fold higher adjusted prevalence of non-specific ST-T abnormalities (56% vs 17%; p <0.0001) compared with RA, despite the older age and higher percentage of men in the RA group. The QTc was 26 ms longer in SLE compared with RA (p=0.002) in the setting of a higher percentage of women, blacks, Hispanics and higher C reactive protein levels in the SLE group.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a high prevalence of ECG abnormalities in predominantly Hispanic and black patients with SLE. Longitudinal evaluation of the progression to potentially life-threatening arrhythmias and/or cardiovascular events is warranted.