bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant supplementation increases retinal responses and decreases refractive error changes in dogs
Authors: Wang Wei , Hernandez Jerome , Moore Cecil , Jackson Janet , Narfström Kristina 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe objective of the study was to examine whether a nutritional antioxidant supplementation could improve visual function in healthy dogs as measured by electroretinography (ERG) and autorefraction. A total of twelve Beagles, 6 to 8 years of age, with normal eyes upon indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy, were age and sex matched and randomly assigned to receive a feeding regimen for 6 months with or without a daily antioxidant supplementation. Portable, mini-Ganzfeld ERG and a Welch Allyn hand-held autorefractor were used to test retinal response and refractive error in the dogs at baseline and at the end of the supplementation period. All ERG a-wave amplitudes obtained were increased in the treatment group compared with those of dogs in the control group, with significant improvements in the scotopic high and photopic single flash cone ERG responses (P< 0·05 for both). For the b-wave amplitudes, all responses were similarly increased, with significant improvements in responses for the scotopic high light intensity stimulation (P< 0·05), and for photopic single flash cone and 30 Hz flicker (P< 0·01 for both) recordings. Change in refractive error was significantly less in the treatment group compared with that of the control group during the 6-month study (P< 0·05). Compared with the control group, the antioxidant-supplemented group showed improvement to varying degrees for retinal function and significantly less decline in refractive error. Dogs, like humans, experience retinal and lens functional decline with age. Antioxidant supplementation as demonstrated may be beneficial and effective in the long-term preservation and improvement of various functions of the canine eye.
Effectiveness ofLactobacillus helveticusandLactobacillus rhamnosusfor the management of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Evans Malkanthi , Salewski Ryan P. , Christman Mary C. , Girard Stephanie-Anne , Tompkins Thomas A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBroad-spectrum antibiotic use can disrupt the gastrointestinal microbiota resulting in diarrhoea. Probiotics may be beneficial in managing this type of diarrhoea. The aim of this 10-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study was to investigate the effect ofLactobacillus helveticusR0052 andLactobacillus rhamnosusR0011 supplementation on antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in healthy adults. Subjects were randomised to receive 1 week of amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (875 mg/125 mg) once per day, plus a daily dose of 8×109colony-forming units of a multi-strain probiotic (n80) or placebo (n80). The probiotic or placebo intervention was maintained for 1 week after completion of the antibiotic. Primary study outcomes of consistency and frequency of bowel movements were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups. The secondary outcomes of diarrhoea-like defecations, Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale scores, safety parameters and adverse events were not significantly different between the probiotic intervention and the placebo. Apost hocanalysis on the duration of diarrhoea-like defecations showed that probiotic intervention reduced the length of these events by 1 full day (probiotic, 2·70(sem0·36) d; placebo, 3·71 (sem0·36) d;P=0·037; effect size=0·52). In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence thatL. helveticusR0052 andL. rhamnosusR0011 supplementation significantly reduced the duration of diarrhoea-like defecations in healthy adults receiving antibiotics.
Calcium intake and breast cancer risk: meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Hidayat Khemayanto , Chen Guo-Chong , Zhang Ru , Du Xuan , Zou Sheng-Yi , Shi Bi-Min , Qin Li-Qiang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFindings from observational studies have suggested a possible relation between Ca and breast cancer risk. However, the results of these studies are inconclusive, and the dose–response relationship between Ca intake and risk of breast cancer remains to be determined. A meta-analysis of prospective studies was conducted to address these issues. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies concerning the association between Ca intake and breast cancer up to March 2016. The summary relative risks (RR) with 95 % CI were calculated with a random-effects model. The final analysis included eleven prospective cohort studies involving 26 606 cases and 872 895 participants. The overall RR of breast cancer for high v. low intake of Ca was 0·92 (95 % CI 0·85, 0·99), with moderate heterogeneity (P=0·026, I2=44·2 %). In the subgroup analysis, the inverse association appeared stronger for premenopausal breast cancer (RR 0·75; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·96) than for postmenopausal breast cancer (RR 0·94; 95 % CI 0·87, 1·01). Dose–response analysis revealed that each 300 mg/d increase in Ca intake was associated with 2 % (RR 0·98; 95 % CI 0·96, 0·99), 8 % (RR 0·92; 95 % CI 0·87, 0·98) and 2 % (RR 0·98; 95 % CI 0·97, 0·99) reduction in the risk of total, premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer, respectively. Our findings suggest an inverse dose–response association between Ca intake and risk of breast cancer.
Isolation and characterization of the first microsatellite markers for the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator
Authors: Muna N. , O'Ryan C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator, is ecologically important due to its nutrient cycling activities and trophic interactions. Additionally, M. viator appears to have very long-lived colonies, which amplifies their effect on the environment. In order to estimate the longevity of a colony it is necessary to understand colony genetic structure. However, intra- and intercolonial genetic structure and levels of relatedness have not yet been examined in this species, likely due to a lack of microsatellite markers that effectively hybridize in this species. Here we describe the identification and characterization of seven microsatellite loci for M. viator, using an enriched approach and a preliminary test of their suitability for studies of fine-scale population genetic structure. Seven polymorphic loci were identified, none of which deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The loci had an average of 5.8 alleles per locus (range: 2–14) and an overall mean heterozygosity of 0.51 ± 0.3. Across all loci, population level pairwise FST values showed significant genetic differentiation. The loci described and preliminary genetic data presented here provide an invaluable tool for future studies of population structure and longevity in M. viator colonies.
On Systems of Complexity One in the Primes
Authors: Henriot Kevin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractConsider a translation-invariant system of linear equationsVx= 0 of complexity one, whereVis an integerr×tmatrix. We show that ifAis a subset of the primes up toNof density at leastC(log logN)–1/25t, there exists a solutionx∈ AttoVx= 0 with distinct coordinates. This extends a quantitative result of Helfgott and de Roton for three-term arithmetic progressions, while the qualitative result is known to hold for all translation-invariant systems of finite complexity by the work of Green and Tao.
DIET QUALITY OF MOROCCAN ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN MOROCCO AND IN SPAIN
Authors: Montero M. Del Pilar , Mora-Urda Ana Isabel , Anzid Karim , Cherkaoui Mohamed , Marrodan M. Dolores 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIntra-population socioeconomic changes and migration are powerful factors in changing eating habits. Changes in eating habits could affect the nutritional status, growth, development and health of adolescents. The aim of this study was to compare the diet of adolescents of Moroccan origin living in Spain with that of adolescents living in Morocco. The sample comprised 428 Moroccan adolescents aged from 12 to 19 recruited in high schools: 327 living in Ouarzazate (Morocco) and 101 living in Madrid (Spain). The variables studied were energy intake (kcal/day), diet quality indicators (adherence to the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI); cholesterol intake (mg/day); fibre intake (g/day) and energy profile)); and indicators of keeping traditional customs (halalmeat consumption, bread made at home). Teenagers from Morocco living in Madrid consumed more calories, proteins, saturated fats and simple sugars (p<0.001) than those living in Morocco. Their diet was of lower quality than that of their peers in Morocco. This difference was more marked in boys than in girls. Changes in eating habits associated with migration from the south to the north Mediterranean basin can benefit young migrants in an immediate way (through greater availability of energy and nutrients), but later in life it could have negative consequences for their health, increasing the risk of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular and metabolic problems.
Imaging in head and neck cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines
Authors: Lewis-Jones H , Colley S , Gibson D 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis guideline is endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. This paper summarises the current imaging modalities in use for head and neck cancer evaluation. It highlights their role in the management with recommendations on modality choice for each cancer subsite.Recommendations• Offer appropriate radiological imaging, based on tumour extent, site and local expertise, to stage tumours and plan treatment for patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer. (G)• Consider positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET–CT) imaging if conventional cross-sectional imaging identifies no primary site. (R)• Offer PET–CT imaging 12 weeks after non-surgical treatment to detect residual disease. (R)
Psychological management for head and neck cancer patients: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines
Authors: Humphris G 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. It provides recommendations on the assessment and interventions for the psychological management in this patient group.Recommendations• Audit of information supplied to patients and carers should be conducted on an annual basis to update and review content and media presentation. (G)• Patients and carers should be invited to discuss treatment options and relate possible outcomes to functional retention or loss to provide a patient-centred approach. (G)• Clinical staff should inspect their systems of assessment to make them sensitive enough to identify patients with psychological difficulties. (G)• Flexibility, rather than rigid formulation is required to assess patients frequently, and to allow for change in circumstances to be noted. (G)• Multidisciplinary teams should determine the supportive care services available and commission extra assistance to provide patients and carers with timely information, education or brief supportive advice. (G)• Multidisciplinary teams need to inspect specialist services for mental health interventions at structured and complex levels for the small proportion of patients with more serious, but rarer, psychological difficulties. (G)• Clinical staff at all levels should receive communication skills training to raise and maintain consultation expertise with difficult patient and/or carer interactions. (G)
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines
Authors: Simo R , Robinson M , Lei M , Sibtain A , Hickey S 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. Although much commoner in the eastern hemisphere, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 0.39 per 100 000 population, cancers of the nasopharynx form one of the rarer subsites in the head and neck.1 This paper provides recommendations on the work up and management of nasopharyngeal cancer based on the existing evidence base for this condition.Recommendations• Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) should be assessed with rigid and fibre-optic nasendoscopy. (R)• Nasopharyngeal biopsies should be preferably carried out endoscopically. (R)• Multislice computed tomographic (CT) scan of head, neck and chest should be carried out in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) where appropriate to optimise staging. (R)• Radiotherapy (RT) is the mainstay for the radical treatment for NPC. (R)• Concurrent chemoradiotherapy offers significant improvement in overall survival in stage III and IV diseases. (R)• Surgery should only be used to obtain tissue for diagnosis and to deal with otitis media with effusion. (R)• Radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for stage I and II disease. (R)• Intensity modulated radiation therapy techniques should be employed. (R)• Concurrent chemotherapy with radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for stage III and IV disease. (R)• Patients with NPC should be followed-up and assessed with rigid and/or fibre-optic nasendoscopy. (G)• Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT), CT or MRI scan should be carried out at three months from completion of treatment to assess response. (R)• Multislice CT scan of head, neck and chest should be carried out in all patients and MRI scan whenever possible and specially in advanced cases with suspected recurrence. (R)• Surgery in form of nasopharyngectomy should be considered as a first line treatment of residual or recurrent disease at the primary site. (R)• Neck dissection remains the treatment of choice for residual or metastatic neck disease whenever possible. (R)• Re-irradiation should be considered as a second line of treatment in recurrent disease. (R)
Management of lateral skull base cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines
Authors: Homer JJ , Lesser T , Moffat D , Slevin N , Price R , Blackburn T 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. It provides recommendations on the work up and management of lateral skull base cancer based on the existing evidence base for this rare condition.Recommendations• All patients with more than one of: chronic otalgia, bloody otorrhoea, bleeding, mass, facial swelling or palsy should be biopsied. (R)• Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging should be performed. (R)• Patients should undergo audiological assessment. (R)• Carotid angiography is recommended in select patients. (G)• The modified Pittsburg T-staging system is recommended. (G)• The minimum operation for cancer involving the temporal bone is a lateral temporal bone resection. (R)• Facial nerve rehabilitation should be initiated at primary surgery. (G)• Anterolateral thigh free flap is the workhorse flap for lateral skull base defect reconstruction. (G)• For patients undergoing surgery for squamous cell carcinoma, at least a superficial parotidectomy and selective neck dissection should be carried out. (R)
Education of trainees, training and fellowships for head and neck oncologic and surgical training in the UK: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines
Authors: Simo R , Robson A , Woodwards B , Niblock P , Matteucci P 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSince the previous edition of these guidelines, significant changes have taken place in the training and assessment of surgeons and oncologists who treat patients with head and neck cancer. For those intending to become head and neck surgeons, a fellowship in head and neck surgery is virtually mandatory. This paper summarises the current career structure to specialise in head and neck oncology and surgery in the UK.Recommendation• Trainees applying for head and neck surgical oncology consultant posts should have completed additional training in the subspecialty.
Integral terminal sliding mode formation control of non-holonomic robots using leader follower approach
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Junaid , Memon Attaullah Y. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYMulti-robot formation control has become an important area of research due to its advantages and applications. This paper presents multi-robot formation control using a leader–follower approach without considering the leader's velocity information or estimation. The leader–follower formation is formulated by incorporating the model uncertainties and disturbances. A novel formation controller is presented using integral terminal sliding mode (ITSM) control, which drives the formation tracking error convergence to zero in finite-time. The stability of the close-loop control scheme is verified by using Lyapunov theory. Furthermore, obstacle detection and avoidance are incorporated to avoid collision while maintaining the formation. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is verified and validated using sine and lamniscate curve trajectories. Moreover, the performance of the proposed ITSM formation controller is compared with the standard linear sliding mode (LSM) control.
CMIP5 Earth System Models with biogeochemistry: a Ross Sea assessment
Authors: Rickard Graham , Behrens Erik 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAn assessment is made of the ability of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models to represent the seasonal cycles of biogeochemistry of the Ross Sea over the late twentieth century. In particular, sea surface temperature, sea ice concentration, surface chlorophyll a, nitrate, phosphate and silicate, and the depth of the seasonal thermocline (measuring vertical mixing) are examined to quantify the physical-biogeochemical capabilities of each model, and to provide for ‘ranked’ model ensembles. This permits critical assessment of modelled Ross Sea biogeochemical cycling, including less well observed variables such as iron and vertically integrated primary production. The assessment enables determination of model output confidence limits; these confidence limits are used to examine future model scenario projections for consideration of potential ecosystem changes. The future scenarios examined are the representative concentration pathways rcp4.5 and rcp8.5. Our study suggests that by the end of the twenty-first century under rcp4.5 and/or rcp8.5 that there will be average increases in sea surface temperature, surface chlorophyll a, integrated primary production and iron, average decreases in surface nitrate, phosphate and silicate, and relatively large decreases in the depth of the seasonal thermocline and percentage coverage by sea ice in the Ross Sea.
Infective endocarditis following Melody valve implantation: comparison with a surgical cohort
Authors: O’Donnell Clare , Holloway Rhonda , Tilton Elizabeth , Stirling John , Finucane Kirsten , Wilson Nigel 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundInfective endocarditis has been reported post Melody percutaneous pulmonary valve implant; the incidence and risk factors, however, remain poorly defined. We identified four cases of endocarditis from our first 25 Melody implants. Our aim was to examine these cases in the context of postulated risk factors and directly compare endocarditis rates with local surgical valves.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of patients post Melody percutaneous pulmonary valve implant in New Zealand (October, 2009–May, 2015) and also reviewed the incidence of endocarditis in New Zealand among patients who have undergone surgical pulmonary valve implants.ResultsIn total, 25 patients underwent Melody implantation at a median age of 18 years. At a median follow-up of 2.9 years, most were well with low valve gradient (median 27 mmHg) and only mild regurgitation. Two patients presented with life-threatening endocarditis and obstructive vegetations at 14 and 26 months post implant, respectively. Two additional patients presented with subacute endocarditis at 5.5 years post implant. From 2009 to May, 2015, 178 surgical pulmonic bioprostheses, largely Hancock valves and homografts, were used at our institution. At a median follow-up of 2.9 years, four patients (2%) had developed endocarditis in this group compared with 4/25 (16%) in the Melody group (p=0.0089). Three surgical valves have been replaced.ConclusionsThe Melody valve offers a good alternative to surgical conduit replacement in selected patients. Many patients have excellent outcomes in the medium term. Endocarditis, however, can occur and if associated with obstruction can be life threatening. The risk for endocarditis in the Melody group was higher in comparison with that in a contemporaneous surgical pulmonary implant cohort.
“THE TERRIBLE MÄELSTROM OF DEBT”: CREDIT, CONSUMPTION, AND MASCULINITY IN OXBRIDGE FICTION, 1841–1911
Authors: Shannon Brent 
Published: May 2016

In 1907, writer and Oxford graduate Lionel Portmanbegan his novelThe Progress of Hugh Rendal: A 'Varsity Storywith an impassioned attack on the university system of fees and credit. “An unrighteous anomaly it seems that on entering Oxford University the first thing you have to do is to pay money,” Portman protests,Once entered, apparently, you may owe it to the limit of your taste. The shops smile “Credit;” the streets sing of it, the breezes whisper “Put it down”; the whole spirit of the place assumes it as a matter of course; and that so sweet a symphony should begin on so harsh a chord appears an outrage unpardonable. But so in the wisdom of most colleges it is ordained. Thirty pounds, “caution money,” must be paid to the Bursar before he will write your name in his book of the Elect. And till this is paid, be your other debts what they may, you cannot owe to College or University. (1)Upon enrolling in Oxford, the novel's earnest freshman hero Hugh is immediately subjected to a “baptism of debt,” and, by the end of his first year, he agonizes over the £58 in bills he owes to his grocer and other merchants (2, 102). Portman suggests that young undergraduates from families of modest means were ill-equipped to negotiate the consumer temptations that characterized the university experience and often met with painful – even disastrous – financial consequences. “What undergraduate,” the novelist asks his readers, “finding himself for the first time in the sublime position of having unlimited credit if very limited cash gives a thought to that distant but inevitable sunset, when he is informed that ‘The accounts of Mr. ––– have been placed in our hands for collection,’ etc., etc.?” (30).
BIFURCATION ANALYSIS OF A LOGISTIC PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM WITH DELAY
Authors: ÇELİK CANAN , ÇEKİÇ GÖKÇEN 
Published: May 2016

We consider a coupled, logistic predator–prey system with delay. Mainly, by choosing the delay time${\it\tau}$as a bifurcation parameter, we show that Hopf bifurcation can occur as the delay time${\it\tau}$passes some critical values. Based on the normal-form theory and the centre manifold theorem, we also derive formulae to obtain the direction, stability and the period of the bifurcating periodic solution at critical values of ${\it\tau}$. Finally, numerical simulations are investigated to support our theoretical results.