bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disparities in activity levels and learning ability between Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and Roborovskii hamster (Phodopus roborovskii)
Authors: Ikeda Hiromi , Nagasawa Mao , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Minaminaka Kimie , Goda Ryosei , Chowdhury Vishwajit S. , Yasuo Shinobu , Furuse Mitsuhiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe Djungarian hamster and the Roborovskii hamster belong to the same genus of Phodopus. However, the Djungarian hamster is tame and shows sedative behavior, while Roborovskii hamster is not tame and shows high levels of locomotor activity. Hyperactivity occurs in animals with tameless behavior. Tameness or tamelessness behavior is very important because tameness helps for breeding and controlling as well as it enables a strong human‐animal bond. In the present study, we examined the relationships between activity levels and cognitive function in Djungarian and Roborovskii hamsters. Three types of behavioral tests were performed to analyze their activity levels, memory and leaning ability. The levels of L‐ and D‐amino acids and monoamines in the brain were then determined. Roborovskii hamsters showed significantly higher locomotor activity than Djungarian hamsters. Memory ability was not significantly different between the two hamsters, but Roborovskii hamsters showed lower learning ability. Brain levels of D‐serine which is related to enhancement in memory and learning ability, were significantly higher in Djungarian hamsters, but the reverse was true for brain dopamine and serotonin levels. These results suggest that these differences in brain metabolism may be related to the behavioral differences between the two hamsters.
Influence of the duration of calving and obstetric assistance on the placental retention index in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Vannucchi Camila I. , Silva Liege G. , Lúcio Cristina F. , Veiga Gisele A. L. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of duration of calving and obstetric assistance on retained placenta incidence of high milk production Holstein cows. Experimental groups were determined according to the duration of the expulsive phase of calving: 2 h (n = 16), 2‐4 h (n = 16) and >4 h (n = 12), and additionally allocated in two sub‐groups: spontaneous calving (n = 22) and intervention calving (n = 22). Diagnosis of retained placenta was considered with a threshold of 8 h after the expulsive phase. Cows without obstetric intervention, with labor duration of 2 h, presented reduced time needed for placental release, in comparison to those with obstetric assistance. In the 2–4 h group and >4 h, there was no statistical difference. The 2 h and 2–4 h groups with intervention and the spontaneous >4 h group were considered retained placenta groups. On the other hand, performing obstetric intervention when calving period was superior to 4 h nulled the occurrence of retention of fetal membranes. As a conclusion, obstetric assistance predisposes placental retention to calving with <2 h of duration in dairy cows. Conversely, when calving is more than 4 h, performing fetal extraction has a beneficial influence on preventing retained placenta.
Changes in metabolic hormones after bariatric surgery and their predictive impact on weight loss
Authors: Kruljac Ivan , Mirošević Gorana , Kirigin Lora S. , Nikolić Marko , Ljubičić Neven , Budimir Ivan , Bekavac Bešlin Miroslav , Vrkljan Milan 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundAlthough various metabolic hormones have been implicated in bariatric‐related weight loss, their use as predictors of weight loss is unknown. Our study evaluates changes in metabolic hormones after bariatric surgery, and their role as predictors of weight loss.MethodsThis nonrandomized study included 51 patients, 21 underwent laporascopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), 15 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 15 Roux‐en Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Serum ghrelin, leptin, insulin, growth hormone, HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐β was recorded at baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and correlated with weight loss. Successful weight loss was defined as excess weight loss >50% at 12 months for all groups.ResultsWeight loss pattern was similar in all groups. Ghrelin increased only in the LAGB group (P = 0·016). However, baseline ghrelin concentrations >664·6 pg/mL in the LSG group predicted successful weight loss with 81·8% sensitivity and 100·0% specificity, and ghrelin >969·8 pg/mL in the 1st postoperative month predicted success with 83·3% sensitivity and 83·3% specificity in the LAGB group. Insulin and HOMA‐IR decreased significantly in the LSG and RYGB group, HOMA‐β increased in the LAGB and LSG group. Serum leptin decreased and GH increased in all groups (P < 0·001 for all changes). Changes in insulin, leptin and growth hormone were not predictors, but a consequence of weight loss.ConclusionsLSG is the most effective procedure for improvement of beta‐cell function. High baseline ghrelin in the LSG group and an adequate 1st month increase in the LAGB group are associated with greater weight loss. Validation studies are required to confirm the role of ghrelin in predicting weight loss after bariatric surgery, but also in selecting candidates for specific bariatric procedures.
Occupational skin disease among Australian healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis from an occupational dermatology clinic, 1993–2014
Authors: Higgins Claire L. , Palmer Amanda M. , Cahill Jennifer L. , Nixon Rosemary L. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of developing occupational skin disease (OSD).ObjectivesTo ascertain the causes of OSD in Australian HCWs in a tertiary referral clinic.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of patients assessed at the Occupational Dermatology Clinic in Melbourne from 1993 to 2014.ResultsOf 685 HCWs assessed in the clinic over a period of 22 years, 555 (81.0%) were diagnosed with OSD. The most common diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) (79.1%), followed by allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) (49.7%). Natural rubber latex allergy was also relatively frequent (13.0%). The major substances causing ACD were rubber glove chemicals (thiuram mix and tetraethylthiuram disulfide), preservatives (formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, and isothiazolinones), excipients in hand cleansers, which are hard‐to‐avoid weak allergens, and antiseptics. ACD caused by commercial hand cleansers occurred more frequently than ACD caused by alcohol‐based hand rubs (ABHRs). Occupational ICD was mostly caused by water/wet work and hand cleansers, and environmental irritants such as heat and sweating.ConclusionsUnderstanding the causes of OSD in HCWs is important in order to develop strategies for prevention. We suggest that skin care advice should be incorporated into hand hygiene education. The use of ABHRs should be encouraged, weak allergens in skin cleansers should be substituted, and accelerator‐free gloves should be recommended for HCWs with OSD.
Deconvoluting the complexity of microRNAs in autophagy to improve potential cancer therapy
Authors: Yao Dahong , Jiang Yingnan , Gao Suyu , Shang Lei , Zhao Yuqian , Huang Jian , Wang Jinhui , Yang Shilin , Chen Lixia 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) (small, non‐coding RNAs ∼22 nucleotides [nt] in length), have been estimated to regulate in the region of 30% of human gene expression at the post‐transcriptional and translational levels. They are also involved in a series of important cellular processes, such as autophagy. Autophagy is well‐known to be an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation process in which a cell degrades long‐lived proteins and damaged organelles. Recent evidence has shown that miRNAs can function as either oncogenes or tumour‐suppressive genes in human cancers. Also, they are well‐characterized to be crucial in tumourigenesis, as either oncogenes or tumour suppressors, by regulating autophagy. However, discovering the intricate mechanism of miRNA‐modulated autophagy remains in its infancy. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing the dual function of oncogenic or tumour‐suppressive miRNAs in regulation of autophagy and their roles in carcinogenesis, thereby revealing the regulatory mechanism of miRNA‐modulated autophagy in cancer, to shed light on more novel RNA therapeutic strategies in the future.
Informing evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines for children with cerebral palsy at risk of osteoporosis: an update
Authors: Ozel Sezgi , Switzer Lauren , Macintosh Alex , Fehlings Darcy 
Published: July 2016

AimTo investigate the impact of new evidence for weight‐bearing, bisphosphonates, and vitamin D and calcium interventions, towards updating the systematic review and clinical practice guidelines for osteoporosis in children with cerebral palsy (CP) published in 2011.MethodComputer‐assisted literature searches were conducted for articles published from 2010 to 2016. Searches focused on children with CP functioning at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to V and limited to weight‐bearing activities, bisphosphonates, and vitamin D and/or calcium supplementation. Articles were classified according to the American Academy of Neurology guidelines to update the grading of the evidence for improving bone mineral density (BMD) and decreasing fragility fractures.ResultsSix new articles underwent full‐text review and data abstraction. These included one weight‐bearing, three bisphosphonate, and two mixed intervention studies (bisphosphonate and vitamin D/calcium supplementation). Overall, there continues to be ‘probable’ evidence for bisphosphonates, ‘possible’ evidence for vitamin D/calcium, and ‘insufficient’ evidence for weight‐bearing activities as effective interventions to improve low BMD in children with CP. There is ‘possible’ evidence for bisphosphonates in reducing fragility fractures.InterpretationThe grading of evidence to support the use of weight‐bearing activities, bisphosphonates, and vitamin D and calcium supplementation in pediatric CP osteoporosis clinical practice guidelines remained the same.
PCSK9 in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Elewa Usama , Fernández‐Fernández Beatriz , Mahillo‐Fernández Ignacio , Martin‐Cleary Catalina , Sanz Ana Belen , Sanchez‐Niño Maria D , Ortiz Alberto 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and, specifically, diabetic kidney disease (DKD)+, is among the fastest increasing causes of death worldwide. A better understanding of the factors contributing to the high mortality may help design novel monitoring and therapeutic approaches, since protection offered by statins in CKD patients is not satisfactory. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) promotes hypercholesterolemia and may be targeted therapeutically. Adding anti‐PCSK9 agents to standard lipid lowering therapy further reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events.DesignWe studied plasma PCSK9 in a cross‐sectional study of 134 diabetic kidney disease patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) categories G1‐G4 and albuminuria categories A1‐A3, in order to identify factors influencing plasma PCSK9 in this population.ResultsMean±SD plasma PCSK9 levels were 309.8±113.9 ng/ml. Plasma PCSK9 was not influenced by eGFR or albuminuria, but was higher in patients on lipid lowering therapy. In univariate analysis, plasma PCSK9 showed a significant positive correlation with serum total iron binding capacity, vitamin E, plasma renin and phosphaturia, and there was a trend towards a positive correlation with total serum cholesterol. In multivariate models, only therapy with fibrate and statin, and renin remained independently correlated with plasma PCSK9. However, multivariate models explained very little of the PCSK9 variability.ConclusionsIn DKD, therapy with lipid lowering drugs and specially the fibrate/statin combination were independently associated with higher PCSK9 levels. The biomarker potential of PCSK9 levels to identify DKD patients that may benefit from anti‐PCSK9 strategies should be studied.
Description of a new genus and species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) infesting Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae) in Karnataka, India
Authors: Dubey Anil Kumar , Singh Sudhir 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA new whitefly genus and species, Aleurocryptus rhynchosiae Dubey, are described from Donimalai mining area of Karnataka, India. Habitus, line art and scanning electron microscopic images of the puparium and other immature stages are provided. The puparia of the new genus and species are found to be pit‐forming on their host leaf, Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae). The cone‐shaped, apically pointed dorsal setae with a smooth surface and fixed in prominent setal alveoli are newly reported from whitefly puparia.
Effects of a rock‐ramp fishway on summer fish assemblage in a Lake Huron tributary
Authors: Stoller J. , Hayes D. , Murry B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe use of nature‐like fishways to increase ecosystem connectivity has increased in recent years, but their effectiveness has rarely been evaluated. A rock ramp was constructed in the Shiawassee River in 2009, and post‐construction effects (2011–2012) were evaluated on the summer fish assemblage by comparing fish assemblage composition to a nearby free‐flowing river and a nearby river with a dam. Patterns of fish species richness, mean catch‐per‐unit‐effort and proportional abundance in reaches upstream and downstream of the rock ramp, dam and comparable sites in the free‐flowing river were evaluated. Overall, species richness by site and proportional abundance in the rock‐ramp river were more similar to the free‐flowing river, while species richness by reach was more similar to the dammed river. These findings suggest that the rock ramp has improved connectivity for the summer fish assemblage, but has not fully restored conditions to the level observed in a free‐flowing river.
Global‐change drivers of ecosystem functioning modulated by natural variability and saturating responses
Authors: Flombaum Pedro , Yahdjian Laura , Sala Osvaldo E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHumans are altering global environment at an unprecedented rate through changes in biodiversity, climate, nitrogen cycle, and land use. To address their effects on ecosystem functioning, experiments most frequently explore one driver at a time and control as many confounding factors as possible. Yet, which driver exerts the largest influence on ecosystem functioning and whether their relative importance changes among systems remain unclear. We analyzed experiments in the Patagonian steppe that evaluated the aboveground net primary production (ANPP) response to manipulated gradients of species richness, precipitation, temperature, nitrogen fertilization (N), and grazing intensity. We compared the effect on ANPP relative to ambient conditions considering intensity and direction of manipulations for each driver. The ranking of responses to drivers with comparable manipulation intensity was as follows: biodiversity>grazing>precipitation>N. For a similar intensity of manipulation, the effect of biodiversity loss was 4.0, 3.6, and 1.5, times larger than N deposition, decreased precipitation, and increased grazing intensity. We interpreted our results considering two hypotheses. First, the response of ANPP to changes in precipitation and biodiversity is saturating, so we expected larger effects when the driver was reduced, relative to ambient conditions, than when it was increased. Experimental manipulations that reduced ambient levels had larger effects than those that increased them. Second, the sensitivity of ANPP to each driver is inversely related to the natural variability of the driver. In Patagonia, the ranking of natural variability of drivers is as follows: precipitation>grazing>temperature>biodiversity>N. So, in general, the ecosystem was most sensitive to drivers that varied the least. Comparable results from Cedar Creek (MN) support both hypotheses and suggest that sensitivity to drivers varies among ecosystem types. Given the importance of understanding ecosystem sensitivity to predict global‐change impacts, it is necessary to design new experiments located in regions with contrasting natural variability and that include the full range of drivers.
Estimating product and energy substitution benefits in national‐scale mitigation analyses for Canada
Authors: Smyth Carolyn , Rampley Greg , Lemprière Tony C. , Schwab Olaf , Kurz Werner A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe potential of forests and the forest sector to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is widely recognized, but challenging to quantify at a national scale. Mitigation benefits through the use of forest products are affected by product life cycles, which determine the duration of carbon storage in wood products and substitution benefits where emissions are avoided using wood products instead of other emissions‐intensive building products and energy fuels. Here we determined displacement factors for wood substitution in the built environment and bioenergy at the national level in Canada. For solid wood products, we compiled a basket of end‐use products and determined the reduction in emissions for two functionally equivalent products: a more wood‐intensive product vs. a less wood‐intensive one. Avoided emissions for end‐use products basket were weighted by Canadian consumption statistics to reflect national wood uses, and avoided emissions were further partitioned into displacement factors for sawnwood and panels. We also examined two bioenergy feedstock scenarios (constant supplyandconstrained supply) to estimate displacement factors for bioenergy using an optimized selection of bioenergy facilities which maximized avoided emissions from fossil fuels. Results demonstrated that the average displacement factors were found to be similar: product displacement factors were 0.54 tCdisplaced pertCof used for sawnwood and 0.45 tC tC−1for panels; energy displacement factors for the two feedstock scenarios were 0.47 tC tC−1for theconstant supplyand 0.89 tC tC−1for theconstrained supply. However, there was a wide range of substitution impacts. The greatest avoided emissions occurred when wood was substituted for steel and concrete in buildings, and when bioenergy from heat facilities and/or combined heat and power facilities was substituted for energy from high‐emissions fossil fuels. We conclude that (1) national‐level substitution benefits need to be considered within a systems perspective on climate change mitigation to avoid the development of policies that deliver no net benefits to the atmosphere, (2) the use of long‐lived wood products in buildings to displace steel and concrete reducesGHGemissions, (3) the greatest bioenergy substitution benefits are achieved using a mix of facility types and capacities to displace emissions‐intensive fossil fuels.
Prognostic value of acute delirium recovery in older adults
Authors: Jorge‐Ripper Carlos , Alemán María‐Remedios , Ros Rosa , Aguilera Selena , González‐Reimers Emilio , Espelosín Elisa , Santolaria Francisco 
Published: July 2016

AimTo analyze the prognostic impact of short‐term changes in the intensity of delirium in association or not with sepsis. We also aimed to analyze if s100B, a serum protein derived from astrocytes related to cerebral damage, could be a marker of delirium or sepsis.MethodsWe included 47 patients with acute delirium and sepsis, 36 with delirium and no evidence of infection, and 36 patients with sepsis without delirium. The diagnosis of delirium was established by the Confusion Assessment Method. To evaluate delirium, we recorded the following characteristics on the first and third day after admission: level of consciousness, orientation, attention, hallucinations, psychomotor activity, language and disorganized thinking.ResultsIn 53 patients, delirium improved during hospitalization with 3.8% of mortality, whereas in the 30 patients in which delirium did not improve or worsened, 50% died during hospitalization. The improvement on the third day of consciousness, orientation, attention and disorganized thinking was related to a better long‐term survival. s100B and inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, interleukin‐10 and interferon‐γ were increased in patients with sepsis and confusion when compared with control participants; furthermore, s100B, interleukin‐6 and interferon‐γ were increased in septic patients without confusion, but also in delirious patients without sepsis.ConclusionsThe main factor related to mortality was the recovery from delirium during hospitalization. We found increased s100B serum levels in patients with delirium, but also in septic patients without delirium. This increase was not related to mortality. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1161–1167.
Validation of a panel of ADAMTS13 assays for diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: activity, functional inhibitor, and autoantibody test
Authors: Nakashima M. O. , Zhang X. , Rogers H. J. , Vengal L. , Gibson B. , Daly T. M. , Kottke‐Marchant K. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryIntroductionQuantitation of ADAMTS13 activity, functional inhibitors, and autoantibodies is crucial in diagnosis and management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. We compared and optimized commercial assay kits and validated a testing panel.MethodsCitrated plasma specimens from healthy volunteers and residual samples submitted for clinical testing were used in the study. Commercially available ADAMTS13 activity assays including ACTIFLUOR™ ADAMTS13 (Sekisui Diagnostics, Stamford, CT, USA), LIFECODES ATS‐13 (Gen‐Probe Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), and TECHNOZYM® ADAMTS‐13 (Technoclone, Vienna, Austria) were evaluated. Functional inhibitor assays were performed using internally developed mixing protocols. Two autoantibody assays were also evaluated: IMUBIND® (Sekisui Diagnostics) and TECHNOZYM® ADAMTS‐13 INH ELISA kits (Technoclone).ResultsA laboratory‐developed assay using ACTIFLUOR™ reagents showed best agreement with the reference method, and full validation showed a reportable range of 5% (LLOQ) to 114% with a reference interval of ≥68%. Both intra‐ and interassay coefficients of variation were <10%. Inhibitor assays performed with the kits showed 95% overall agreement with the reference method. A modification of the TECHNOZYM® autoantibody assay showed 85% overall agreement with the reference method with imprecision approximately 20%.ConclusionADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor tests using ACTIFLUOR™ reagents and modified TECHNOZYM® autoantibody ELISA showed superior performance compared to the other kits for clinical use in this study.