bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part III): Discontinuity Index as One Indicator of Degradation
Authors: De Alcaraz‐Fossoul Josep , Barrot Feixat Carme , Carreras‐Marin Clara , Tasker Jack , Zapico Sara C. , Gené Badia Manel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article is the third in a series of reports exploring quantifiable visual parameters of the aging process of latent fingermarks. On this occasion, research is focused on the occurrence of ridge discontinuities (i.e. breakages) as a function of time. Experiment variables included type of secretion (eccrine and sebaceous), substrate (glass and plastic), and exposure to natural light (dark, shade, and direct light) over a 6 months period. Fingermarks were sequentially visualized with titanium dioxide powder, photographed, and the number of naturally occurring ridge discontinuities subsequently evaluated. A semi‐quantitative value, named Discontinuity Index, was used to better characterize this aging parameter. Results indicated that ridges of sebaceous depositions on glass were generally less affected by the environmental conditions compared with those on plastic surface. In addition, aging in darkness was not always the best condition for preservation, and the direct exposure to light seemed not to affect the degradation under certain conditions.
Development of a Patient‐centered Outcome Measure for Emergency Department Asthma Patients
Authors: Samuels‐Kalow Margaret E. , Rhodes Karin V. , Henien Mira , Hardy Emily , Moore Thomas , Wong Felicia , Camargo Carlos A. , Rizzo Caroline T. , Mollen Cynthia 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundMeasuring outcomes of emergency care is of key importance, but current metrics, such as 72‐hour return visit rates, are subject to ascertainment bias, incentivize overtesting and overtreatment at initial visit, and do not reflect the full burden of disease and morbidity experienced at home following ED care. There is increasing emphasis on including patient‐reported outcomes, but the existing patient‐reported measures have limited applicability to emergency care.ObjectiveThe objective was to identify concepts for inclusion in a patient‐reported outcome measure for ED care and assess differences in potential concepts by health literacy.MethodsA three‐phase qualitative study was completed using freelisting and semistructured interviewing for concept identification, member checking for concept ranking, and cognitive interviewing for question development. Participants were drawn from three tertiary care EDs. Parents of patients (pediatric) or patients (adult) with asthma completed a demographic survey and an assessment of health literacy. Phase 1 participants also completed a freelisting exercise and qualitative interview regarding the definition of success following ED discharge. Phase 2 participants completed a member checking survey based on concepts identified in Phase 1. Phase 3 was a pilot of trial questions based on the highest‐ranked concepts from Phase 2.ResultsPhase 1 enrolled 22 adult patients and 37 parents of pediatric patients. Phase 2 enrolled 41 adult patients and 200 parents. Phase 3 involved 15 parents. Across all demographic/literacy groups, Phase 1 participants reported return to usual activity and lack of asthma symptoms as the most important markers of success. In Phase 2, symptom improvement, medication use and access, and asthma knowledge were identified as the most important components of the definition of post‐ED discharge success. Phase 3 resulted in five questions for the proposed measure.ConclusionsA stepwise qualitative process can identify, rank, and formulate questions based on patient‐identified concepts for inclusion in a patient‐reported outcome measure for ED discharge. The four key concepts identified for inclusion: symptom improvement, medication access, correct medication use, and asthma knowledge are not measured by existing quality metrics.
Effect of quality of colostrum on health, growth and immunoglobulin G concentration in Holstein calves in a hot environment
Authors: Mellado Miguel , Torres Edir , Veliz Francisco G. , de Santiago Angeles , Macias‐Cruz Ulises , Garcia Jose E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of ingestion of pasteurized and subsequently frozen–thawed pooled colostrum (≥50 mg Ig/mL) with different bacterial counts and immunoglobulin concentration (IgC) on the occurrence of diarrhea and pneumonia in 306 neonatal Holstein calves in a hot environment. Calves were assigned to be fed colostrum with total bacterial counts (TBC) lower or greater than 100 000 colony‐forming units (cfu)/mL, total coliform counts (TCC) greater or lower than 10 000 cfu/mL, and IgC lower or higher than 85 mg Ig/mL. Calves fed colostrum with TBC ≥100 000 cfu/mL were more likely (risk ratio 1.34, confidence interval 1.05–1.71;P < 0.05) to present pneumonia than calves receiving colostrum with lower TBC (incidence 53.2 vs. 39.8%). Calves fed colostrum with high TCC had increased chances of suffering pneumonia (51.4 vs. 42.1%;P < 0.05) than calves fed colostrum with lower TCC. Calves fed colostrum with ≥85 mg Ig/mL tended to present higher daily weight gain (505 ± 113 vs. 484 ± 126 g;P = 0.09). TBC and TCC in colostrum did not influence the incidence rate of diarrhea. It was concluded that under the conditions of the present study, heavy contamination of on‐farm pasteurized frozen–thawed colostrum is seemingly unavoidable and this contamination poses a threat for pneumonia, but not for diarrhea.
How I manage patients with hairy cell leukaemia
Authors: Thompson Philip A. , Ravandi Farhad 
Published: February 2017

SummaryPatients with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) have highly favourable outcomes after purine analogue therapy. However, most patients subsequently relapse and require re‐treatment. A minority of patients develop purine analogue‐refractory disease. Targeted therapies have improved outcomes for such patients. Recently, the BRAF V600E mutation was identified in most patients with classical HCL, resulting in constitutive mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway activation; impressive responses are achieved in heavily pre‐treated patients with BRAF inhibition. The CD22‐targeted immunoconjugate moxetumomab pasudotox and BTK inhibitor ibrutinib also achieve responses in relapsed and refractory patients. HCL variant and the IGHV4‐34 molecular variant of HCL lack BRAF mutation and have inferior outcomes with standard purine analogue therapy. The addition of rituximab to purine analogues achieves very high rates of minimal residual disease‐negative complete remission and improves outcomes for patients with HCL variant. Given the rarity of HCL, optimal integration of novel therapies into treatment algorithms will require well‐designed, collaborative studies.
Application of multi‐kinetic apatite fission track and (U‐Th)/He thermochronology to source rock thermal history: a case study from the Mackenzie Plain, NWT, Canada
Authors: Powell Jeremy W. , Schneider David A. , Issler Dale R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractShale of the Upper Cretaceous Slater River Formation extends across the Mackenzie Plain of the Canadian Northwest Territories and has potential as a regional source rock because of the high organic content and presence of both oil‐ and gas‐prone kerogen. An understanding of the thermal history experienced by the shale is required to predict any potential petroleum systems. Our study integrates multi‐kinetic apatite fission track (AFT) and apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) thermochronometers from a basal bentonite unit to understand the timing and magnitude of Late Cretaceous burial experienced by the Slater River Formation along the Imperial River. We use LA‐ICP‐MS and EPMA methods to assess the chemistry of apatite, and use these values to derive the AFT kinetic parameter rmr0. Our AFT dates and track lengths, respectively, range from 201.5 ± 36.9 Ma to 47.1 ± 12.3 Ma, and 16.8 to 10.2 μm, and single crystal AHe dates are between 57.9 ± 3.5 and 42.0 ± 2.5 Ma with effective uranium concentrations from 17 ppm to 36 ppm. The fission track data show no relationship with the kinetic parameter Dpar and fail the χ2‐test indicating that the data do not comprise a single statistically significant population. However, when plotted against their rmr0 value, the data are separated into two statistically significant kinetic populations with distinct track length distributions. Inverse thermal history modelling of both the multi‐kinetic AFT and AHe datasets, reveal that the Slater River Formation reached maximum burial temperatures of ~65–90 °C between the Turonian and Paleocene, indicating that the source rock matured to the early stages of hydrocarbon generation, at best. Ultimately, our data highlight the importance of kinetic parameter choice for AFT and AHe thermochronology, as slight variations in apatite chemistry may have significant implications on fission track and radiation damage annealing in apatite with protracted thermal histories through the uppermost crust.
High‐dose oral colecalciferol loading in obesity: impact of body mass index and its utility prior to bariatric surgery to treat vitamin D deficiency
Authors: King R. J. , Chandrajay D. , Abbas A. , Orme S. M. , Barth J. H. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryObesity is associated with lower vitamin D levels compared with normal weight subjects, and if levels are not replaced prior to bariatric surgery, this can increase fracture risk as bone density typically falls post‐operatively. We analysed the effect of body mass index (BMI) on vitamin D levels in response to 300 000 IU of colecalciferol in patients with vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol L−1). Patients were grouped according to their BMI as normal weight (20–24.9 kg m−2), overweight (25–29.9 kg m−2), obese class I (30–34.9 kg m−2) and obese class II and above (>35 kg m−2). The records were retrospectively analysed to investigate the effects of BMI on vitamin D (total 25‐hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D]), serum Ca2+ and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks compared with baseline. Compared with normal weight subjects, overweight and obese patients achieved lower mean peak total 25(OH)D levels (6 weeks post‐loading), which was most significant in the class II and above group (mean total 25(OH)D levels 96.5 ± 24.2 nmol L−1 and 72.42 ± 24.9 nmol L−1, respectively; P = 0.003). By 26 weeks, total 25(OH)D levels fell in all groups; however, there was now a significant difference between the normal weight subjects and all other groups (mean total 25(OH)D levels 84.1 ± 23.7 nmol L−1; 58 ± 20 nmol L−1, P = 0.0002; 62.65 ± 19.2 nmol L−1, P = 0.005; 59.2 ± 21 nmol L−1, P = 0.005, respectively). Far fewer patients in the overweight and obese groups maintained levels above the recommended level of 75 nmol L−1 52 weeks post‐loading (93%; 20%, P = 0.0003; 23%, P = 0.01; and 14%, P = 0.001, respectively). Alternative regimes for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency are needed in overweight and obese patients, especially those in whom bariatric surgery is planned.
Stimulation of N2O emission by manure application to agricultural soils may largely offset carbon benefits: a global meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Minghua , Zhu Bo , Wang Shijie , Zhu Xinyu , Vereecken Harry , Brüggemann Nicolas 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAnimal manure application as organic fertilizer does not only sustain agricultural productivity and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, but also affects soil nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. However, given that the sign and magnitude of manure effects on soil N2O emissions is uncertain, the net climatic impact of manure application in arable land is unknown. Here, we performed a global meta‐analysis using field experimental data published in peer‐reviewed journals prior to December 2015. In this meta‐analysis, we quantified the responses of N2O emissions to manure application relative to synthetic N fertilizer application from individual studies and analyzed manure characteristics, experimental duration, climate, and soil properties as explanatory factors. Manure application significantly increased N2O emissions by an average 32.7% (95% confidence interval: 5.1–58.2%) compared to application of synthetic N fertilizer alone. The significant stimulation of N2O emissions occurred following cattle and poultry manure applications, subsurface manure application, and raw manure application. Furthermore, the significant stimulatory effects on N2O emissions were also observed for warm temperate climate, acid soils (pH < 6.5), and soil texture classes of sandy loam and clay loam. Average direct N2O emission factors (EFs) of 1.87% and 0.24% were estimated for upland soils and rice paddy soils receiving manure application, respectively. Although manure application increased SOC stocks, our study suggested that the benefit of increasing SOC stocks as GHG sinks could be largely offset by stimulation of soil N2O emissions and aggravated by CH4 emissions if, particularly for rice paddy soils, the stimulation of CH4 emissions by manure application was taken into account.
Long‐term adherence to apomorphine infusion in patients with Parkinson disease: a 10‐year observational study
Authors: Kimber Thomas E. , Fang Jing , Huddy Lynda J. , Thompson Philip D. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundPatients with Parkinson disease (PD) commonly experience motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in response to oral dopaminergic medications. Affected patients may benefit from device‐assisted therapy, such as medication infusion or deep brain stimulation surgery. This is the first Australian study of the long‐term adherence to apomorphine infusion (AI) in patients with PD.AimsTo assess the adherence to AI in patients with PD in a single centre over a 10‐year period and to find the reasons for discontinuation in patients who discontinued AI.MethodsThis is an observational study of patients with PD treated with AI between 2004 and 2014. Outcome measures included changes in motor function and quality of life following AI, change in dose of other dopaminergic medications following AI, duration of infusion, adverse effects, reasons for cessation of AI and subsequent treatment after cessation.ResultsMean duration of AI was 21.65 months. No patient achieved apomorphine monotherapy, and the mean reduction in the levodopa‐equivalent dose of other dopaminergic medications after AI was 22.7%. The benefit of AI on motor function and quality of life was rated as ‘much improved’ or ‘better’ in 83% of patients. The most common reasons for discontinuation of AI were adverse effects and inadequate motor benefit. Most patients who discontinued AI were subsequently treated with another device‐assisted therapy.Conclusion
AI is an effective therapy for severe motor response complications in PD, especially in the short and medium term. However, many patients cannot be maintained on AI in the longer term.
Exploratory study into the unmet supportive needs of people diagnosed with cirrhosis in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Valery Patricia C. , Clark Paul J. , McPhail Steven M. , Rahman Tony , Hayward Kelly , Martin Jennifer , Horsfall Leigh , Volk Michael L. , Skoien Richard , Powell Elizabeth 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundMany patients with cirrhosis follow complex medication and dietary regimens, and those with decompensated cirrhosis suffer debilitating complications. These factors impact activities of daily living and quality of life.AimsTo explore the concerns and challenges of people with cirrhosis and their use of support services and to also describe health professionals’ (HP) perspectives of patients’ concerns.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study at a tertiary liver clinic involving 50 patients and 54 HP. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The study includes patients’ report of their challenges/problems now that they have cirrhosis (‘patient‐volunteered concerns’) and HP’ report of patients’ concerns. Both also ranked a list of 10 potential concerns.ResultsPatients were, on average, 58 years old (SD = 10.2), mostly male (78%), Caucasian (86%) and with compensated cirrhosis (60%). The patients’ most common volunteered concerns related to managing symptoms, emotional issues and disease. Most ranked ‘developing liver cancer’ (79%), ‘losing ability to do daily tasks for yourself’ (76%), ‘fear of dying’ (64%) and ‘fear of the unknown’ (64%) as priority concerns. Regarding the use of support services, 24% of patients had accessed a dietician, 20% a pharmacist and 18% a psychologist. From the HP’ perspective, the patients’ most significant challenges related to managing disease (65%) and symptoms (48%), access to healthcare (56%) and information/knowledge (48%).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that cirrhosis (its symptoms, complications and treatment) is associated with significant concerns for patients. The discrepancies between the views of HP and patients suggest that we may not be measuring or addressing patients’ needs appropriately.
Dose adjustment of biologic therapies for psoriasis in dermatological practice: a retrospective study
Authors: Esposito M. , Gisondi P. , Conti A. , Giunta A. , del Giglio M. , Di Mercurio M. , Veneziano L. , Ferrucci G. , Bianchi L. , Chimenti S. , Girolomoni G. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIntroductionDespite the large routine use of biologic drugs in psoriasis treatment, the majority of studies do not take into consideration dose‐adjustment practice in ‘real‐life’ dermatological setting. In routine clinical practice, the disease management may include a large number of conditions requiring non‐standard dosage regimens, including dose escalation, dose reduction and/or off‐label treatment interruption.ObjectiveThe ONDA (Outcome of non‐standard dosing regimen in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) study aim was to retrospectively analyse dose‐adjustment strategies among biologic therapies for psoriasis in dermatological practice during a 3‐year period.ResultsThis retrospective, observational, multicentre study was carried out in 350 patients (68% male, 32% female) affected by plaque‐type psoriasis (Pso) with a coexistence of psoriatic arthritis in 164 patients (46.9%). At baseline mean PASI score was 14.9 (SD 7.2). Dose adjustment was demonstrated to be a common practice with 70/350 patients (20%) who needed a dose variation during the treatment time, in particular a dose increase in 20/70 patients (28.6%) and a dose reduction in 50/70 patients (71.4%). Dose increase was due to inefficacy on Pso parameters in 60% of cases and to inefficacy of PsA parameters in 40% of cases, while dose reduction (or temporary off‐label treatment interruption) was due to prolonged remission in 54% of cases, other reason in 18% of cases, patient choice or request in 14% of cases, occurrence of concomitant event in 12% of cases.ConclusionDose adjustment is a common clinical practice, consisting of frequent dose reduction when a disease prolonged remission is obtained or dose increase to improve efficacy on Pso and PsA disease parameters.
Temporary hindlimb paresis following dystocia due to foetal macrosomia in a Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra)
Authors: Debenham John James , Bettembourg Vanessa , Østevik Liv , Modig Michaela , Jâderlund Karin Hultin , Lervik Andreas 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA multiparous Celebes crested macaque presented with dystocia due to foetal macrosomia, causing foetal mortality and hindlimb paresis. After emergency caesarean section, recovery of motor function took 1 month before hindlimbs were weight bearing and 2 months before re‐integration with the troop.
Left Atrial Strain at Different Stages of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
Authors: Nakamura K. , Kawamoto S. , Osuga T. , Morita T. , Sasaki N. , Morishita K. , Ohta H. , Takiguchi M. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundDecreased function of the left atrium (LA) is a useful prognostic indicator in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). In humans,LAstrain is a novel severity indicator of mitral regurgitation, but its clinical utility in dogs has not been confirmed.ObjectivesTo examine whetherLAstrain as evaluated with speckle‐tracking echocardiography is associated withMMVDstage in dogs.AnimalsFifty‐two client‐owned dogs withMMVD.MethodsCross‐sectional study. Dogs were classified as stage B1, B2, C, or D, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus. Physical examination findings and echocardiographic variables were compared among the groups. To assess the comparative accuracy of echocardiographic variables in identifying dogs with the presence or history congestive heart failure (CHF), receiver operating characteristic curves and multivariate logistic analysis were used.ResultsThere were no significant differences in parameters ofLAstrain between B1 and B2 groups. However,LAlongitudinal strain during atrial contraction (εA) (median, 19.1%; interquartile range, 15.3–24.3% in B1, 19.6%; 14.1–21.4% in B2, 6.2%; 3.18–11.2% in C/D) and during ventricular systole (εS) (32.7%; 28.9–39.2% in B1, 35.6%; 31.7–41.9% in B2, 23.6%; 16.9–26.1% in C/D) were significantly lower in stages C/D than in stages B1 and B2. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, εAand peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity were identified as independent indicators of stage C/D.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceεAwas the best predictor of the presence or history ofCHF. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of these findings for treatment decisions and prognosis determination.
Ameloblastoma: current etiopathological concepts and management
Authors: Effiom OA , Ogundana OM , Akinshipo AO , Akintoye SO 
Published: February 2017

Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. It is locally aggressive with unlimited growth capacity and has a high potential for malignant transformation as well as metastasis. Ameloblastoma has no established preventive measures although majority of patients are between ages 30 and 60 years. Molecular and genetic factors that promote oncogenic transformation of odontogenic epithelium to ameloblastoma are strongly linked to dysregulation of multiple genes associated with mitogen‐activated protein kinase, sonic hedgehog, and WNT/β‐catenin signaling pathways. Treatment of ameloblastoma is focused on surgical resection with a wide margin of normal tissue because of its high propensity for locoregional invasion; but this is often associated with significant patient morbidity. The relatively high recurrence rate of ameloblastoma is influenced by the type of molecular etiological factors, the management approach, and how early the patient presents for treatment. It is expected that further elucidation of molecular factors that orchestrate pathogenesis and recurrence of ameloblastoma will lead to new diagnostic markers and targeted drug therapies for ameloblastoma.