bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the proximal metacarpus in Quarter Horses used for cutting: Retrospective analysis of 32 horses 2009–2012
Authors: Barrett M. F. , Manchon P. T. , Hersman J. , Kawcak C. E. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundInjury to the proximal suspensory ligament is a common cause of lameness in cutting horses. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging of lesions responsible for lameness can provide ambiguous results. MRI provides the most comprehensive diagnostic imaging evaluation of lesions specifically affecting cutting horses.ObjectivesTo describe the distribution and severity of bone and soft tissue lesions present in the proximal metacarpus of Quarter Horse cutting horses and to assess the impact of these lesions on return to competition.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 32 cutting horses referred for MRI of the proximal metacarpus between 2009 and 2012 with a 2‐year follow‐up period. MRI studies were evaluated by a board‐certified veterinary radiologist; the severity of lesions was graded from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe).ResultsA total of 20 right and 24 left forelimbs (12 bilateral studies) of 32 horses were evaluated. The most common findings were: third metacarpal (McIII) sclerosis at the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) origin (42/44), McIII resorption at the PSL origin (32/44), PSL dorsal margin fibre irregularity (30/44) and McIII bone contusion (22/39). Of the 30 horses, 22 horses successfully returned to competition, irrespective of severity of injury. Strong correlation exists between the degree of resorption in the palmar cortex of proximal McIII, degree of McIII sclerosis and severity of dorsal margin fibre irregularity.Main limitationsStatistical significance was limited by small study population. Further analysis of prognosis was limited by availability of comprehensive medical records.ConclusionsCutting horses with proximal metacarpal pain have significant pathological change within the proximal suspensory ligament and its enthesis on the palmar cortex of McIII. Severity of lesions and degree of lameness at the time of diagnosis does not influence return to performance. Accurate diagnosis of proximal metacarpal lesions based on MRI offers clinicians the capacity to select treatment protocols targeted to each disease process.
Comparative effects of food processing liquid slurry and inorganic fertilizers on tanner grass (Brachiaria arrecta) pasture: grass yield, crude protein and P levels and residual soil N and P
Authors: St. Luce M. , Gouveia G. G. , Eudoxie G. D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis small‐plot field study evaluated food processing liquid slurry (FPLS) as a potential fertilizer for tanner grass (Brachiaria arrecta) production on an acidic loam soil. The treatments, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, consisted of an unfertilized control, inorganic fertilizer applied at 50 and 200 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1 with and without phosphorus (P) at 50 kg P ha−1, and FPLS applied at 50 and 200 kg N ha−1. Compared to the unfertilized control, the FPLS applied at 200 kg N ha−1 significantly increased grass dry‐matter yield (DMY), herbage crude protein (CP) and P content, and N and P uptake in the second of two trials and P uptake in both trials. However, DMY and contents, of CP and P were generally lower for the FPLS treatments compared to the inorganic fertilizers. Apparent N recovery was higher for the inorganic fertilizer treatments than FPLS treatments in trial 1, while apparent P recovery was similar among all treatments in both trials. The FPLS treatments did not significantly increase soil NO3‐N and P concentrations, but increased NH4‐N in the 0–15 cm layer. The results suggest that application of FPLS to tanner grass pastures is an alternative to its disposal in landfill.
Clear cell sarcomas of the kidney are characterised by BCOR gene abnormalities, including exon 15 internal tandem duplications and BCOR–CCNB3 gene fusion
Authors: Wong Meng K , Ng Cedric C Y , Kuick Chik H , Aw Sze J , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Lim Jing Q , Sudhanshi Jain , Loh Eva , Yin Minzhi , Ma Jing , Zhang Zhongde , Iyer Prasad , Loh Amos H P , Lian Derrick W Q , Wang Shi , Goh Shaun G H , Lim Tse H , Lim Alvin S T , Ng Tony , Goytain Angela , Loh Alwin H L , Tan Puay H , Teh Bin T , Chang Kenneth T E 
Published: August 2017

AimsClear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare paediatric renal malignant tumour. The majority of CCSKs have internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of the BCOR gene, whereas a minority have the YWHAE–NUTM2 gene fusion. A third ‘double‐negative’ (DN) category comprises CCSKs with neither BCOR ITDs nor YWHAE–NUTM2 fusion. The aim of this study was to characterise 11 histologically diagnosed CCSKs immunohistochemically (with CCND1, BCOR and CCNB3 stains) and genetically.Methods and resultsBy next‐generation sequencing, 10 cases (90.9%) had BCOR exon 15 ITDs, with positive BCOR immunoreactivity being found in four (36%) or eight (72%) cases, depending on the antibody clone. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, none had the YWHAE–NUTM2 fusion. The DN case had a BCOR–CCNB3 fusion and strong nuclear CCNB3 and BCOR immunoreactivity. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed markedly elevated BCOR expression in this case, whereas BCOR ITD cases had lower levels of elevated BCOR expression.ConclusionsThe majority of the CCSKs in our cohort had BCOR ITDs, and none had the YWHAE–NUTM2 fusion. We verified the strong, diffuse cyclin D1 (CCND1) immunoreactivity in CCSKs described in recent reports. BCOR immunoreactivity was not consistently positive in all CCSKs with BCOR ITDs, and therefore cannot be used as a diagnostic immunohistochemical stain to identify BCOR ITD cases. The DN case was a BCOR–CCNB3 fusion sarcoma. BCOR–CCNB3 sarcoma is typically a primary bone sarcoma affecting male adolescents, and this is the first report of it presenting in a kidney of a young child as a CCSK. The full spectrum of DN CCSKs awaits more comprehensive characterisation.
Nationwide skin cancer screening in Germany: Evaluation of the training program
Authors: Anders Markus P. , Fengler Susanne , Volkmer Beate , Greinert Rüdiger , Breitbart Eckhard W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn July 2008, the German statutory health insurance introduced a nationwide skin cancer screening program. Before the introduction, eligible physicians had to qualify to perform the screening test and counsel their patients on skin cancer screening. To educate physicians, a curriculum and training materials were developed. Since 2015 a revised curriculum and training materials have been used. The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the curriculum and to evaluate the revised training program.MethodsA total of 573 completed pre‐ and posttests were analyzed with regard to changes in the identification of skin cancer, diagnostic accuracy, knowledge, and physicians’ self‐assessed‐confidence. For statistical analysis, Mann‐Whitney U test, Cohen'sd, and chi‐square test were used.ResultsGeneral practitioners (GPs) diagnosed 7.45 of 12 skin lesions correctly before and 9.26 after the training course (P< 0.001). Compared toGPs, dermatologists’ accuracy was higher at pre‐ and posttest (pre: 10.03, post: 10.21,P= 0.160).The mean of correctly answered questions increased significantly in knowledge on screening and early detection (4.46–5.14,P< 0.001) as well as skin cancer and skin cancer screening (5.51–6.39,P< 0.001).ConclusionParticipating physicians got a comprehensive understanding of skin cancer screening and counseling through the training and increased their diagnostic skills. In particular,GPs identified and diagnosed significantly more skin lesions correctly after the training compared to before the training, while dermatologists’ diagnostic skills were high at both times, before and after.
Healing of chronic venous ulcer with topical sevoflurane
Authors: Imbernon‐Moya Adrian , Ortiz‐de Frutos Francisco Javier , Sanjuan‐Alvarez Mónica , Portero‐Sanchez Isabel , Merinero‐Palomares Raúl , Alcazar Victoria 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe present study assesses the efficacy and safety of topical sevoflurane in chronic venous ulcers and its impact on analgesia and healing.This retrospective study included 30 patients older than 65 years with painful refractory chronic venous ulcers. Patients were treated with topical sevoflurane prior to the usual ulcer cleaning every 2 days for a period of 1 month. Treatment was initiated with a saline solution, followed by direct irrigation of 1 ml of liquid sevoflurane over the wound size, which was measured as cm2.Sevoflurane had a fast, intense and long‐lasting analgesic effect. Latency time ranged from 2 to 7 minutes (3·9 ± 1·5 minutes), and duration varied from 8 to 18 hours (12 ± 2·9). The mean ulcer size was 8·4 ± 9·7 cm2. There was a progressive decrease in size in all patients, with a mean size of 4·2 ± 5·4 cm2 at the end of the study. There were no adverse systemic effects. Local adverse effects were mild and transient, including pruritus, erythema and heat.Topical sevoflurane is a new, efficient and safe therapeutic alternative in painful chronic venous ulcers, refractory to usual analgesic treatment. It can improve the ulcer‐healing process that shortens the cicatrisation period.
Simultaneous control of the chemical state and local environment of Cr dopant in glass for extended emission
Authors: Chen Jiejie , Yu Yongze , Luo Hao , Lin Liting , Zhou Shifeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractControl of the chemical state and local environment of Cr dopant in glass through self‐limited nanocrystallization is presented. Interesting wavelength‐tunable and ultra‐broadband near‐infrared luminescence with the full width at half maximum of about 380 nm from obtained Cr‐activated glass‐ceramics are demonstrated. The results indicate that the presented method may be an effective means of fabricating multifunctional optical gain materials and wideband fiber light sources.
Thermal regimes of Li‐ion conductivity in β‐eucryptite
Authors: Chen Yachao , Manna Sukriti , Ciobanu Cristian V. , Reimanis Ivar E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhile it is well‐established that ionic conduction in lithium aluminosilicates proceeds via hopping of Li ions, the nature of the various hoping‐based mechanisms in different temperature regimes has not been fully elucidated. The difficulties associated with investigating the conduction have to do with the presence of grains and grain boundaries of different orientations in these usually polycrystalline materials. Herein, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate the ion conduction mechanisms in β‐eucryptite, which is a prototypical lithium aluminosilicate. In the absence of significant structural transitions in grain boundaries, we find that there are three conduction regimes for the one‐dimensional ionic motion along the c axis channels in the grains, and determine the activation energies for each of these temperature regimes. Activation energies computed from molecular statics calculations of the potential energy landscape encountered by Li ions suggest that at temperatures below 440°C conduction proceeds via cooperative or correlated motion, in agreement with established literature. Between 440°C and 500°C, the activation barriers extracted from EIS measurements are large and consistent with those from atomistic calculations for uncorrelated Li ion hopping. Above 500°C the activation barriers decrease significantly, which indicates that after the transition to the Li‐disordered phase of β‐eucryptite, the Li ion motion largely regains the correlated character.
Board governance and corporate performance
Authors: Shaukat Amama , Trojanowski Grzegorz 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe examine the link between the monitoring capacity of the board and corporate performance of UK listed firms. We also investigate how firms use the flexibility offered by the voluntary governance regime to make governance choices. We find a strong positive association between the board governance index we construct and firm operating performance. Our results imply that adherence to the board‐related recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code strengthens the board's monitoring capacity, potentially helping mitigate agency problems, but that investors do not value it correspondingly. Moreover, in contrast to prior UK findings suggesting efficient adoption of Code recommendations, we find that firms at times use the Code flexibility opportunistically, aiming to decrease the monitoring capacity of the board, which is followed by subsequent underperformance. This finding questions the effectiveness of the voluntary approach to governance regulation followed in the UK and in many countries around the world.
Genomic estimation of additive and dominance effects and impact of accounting for dominance on accuracy of genomic evaluation in sheep populations
Authors: Moghaddar N. , van der Werf J. H. J. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to estimate the additive and dominance variance component of several weight and ultrasound scanned body composition traits in purebred and combined cross‐bred sheep populations based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker genotypes and then to investigate the effect of fitting additive and dominance effects on accuracy of genomic evaluation. Additive and dominance variance components were estimated in a mixed model equation based on “average information restricted maximum likelihood” using additive and dominance (co)variances between animals calculated from 48,599 SNP marker genotypes. Genomic prediction was based on genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP), and the accuracy of prediction was assessed based on a random 10‐fold cross‐validation. Across different weight and scanned body composition traits, dominance variance ranged from 0.0% to 7.3% of the phenotypic variance in the purebred population and from 7.1% to 19.2% in the combined cross‐bred population. In the combined cross‐bred population, the range of dominance variance decreased to 3.1% and 9.9% after accounting for heterosis effects. Accounting for dominance effects significantly improved the likelihood of the fitting model in the combined cross‐bred population. This study showed a substantial dominance genetic variance for weight and ultrasound scanned body composition traits particularly in cross‐bred population; however, improvement in the accuracy of genomic breeding values was small and statistically not significant. Dominance variance estimates in combined cross‐bred population could be overestimated if heterosis is not fitted in the model.
Ganglionated plexi as neuromodulation targets for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Choi Eue‐Keun , Zhao Ye , Everett Thomas H. , Chen Peng‐Sheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the genesis of atrial fibrillation and is one of the candidate targets for atrial fibrillation therapy. This review focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system in atrial fibrillation development and discusses the results of the ganglionated plexi catheter and surgical ablation in preclinical and clinical studies. The heart is innervated by the extrinsic and intrinsic autonomic nervous systems. The intrinsic autonomic nervous system consists of multiple ganglionated plexi and axons, which innervate the neighboring atrial myocardium and control their electrophysiological properties. Abnormal autonomic innervation has been observed in an animal model of atrial fibrillation and in humans. Direct recordings of autonomic nerve activity in canine models showed that atrial tachyarrhythmia episodes were invariably preceded by intrinsic cardiac autonomic nerve activity, thus supporting the importance of intrinsic cardiac autonomic nerve activity as the triggers for atrial tachyarrhythmia. Targeting ganglionated plexi with catheter ablation improves the outcomes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation in addition to pulmonary vein antrum isolation. Ablation of ganglionated plexi alone without pulmonary vein isolation is also useful in controlling paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in some patients. However, surgical ganglionated plexi ablation in patients with a large left atrium, persistent atrial fibrillation, and/or a history of prior catheter ablation does not result in additional benefits. These different outcomes suggest that ganglionated plexi ablation is effective in managing patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but its effects in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and advanced atrial diseases might be limited.
Hypoxia‐induced activin A diminishes endothelial cell vasculogenic activity
Authors: Merfeld‐Clauss Stephanie , Lu Hongyan , Wu Xue , March Keith L. , Traktuev Dmitry O. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAcute ischaemia causes a significant loss of blood vessels leading to deterioration of organ function. Multiple ischaemic conditions are associated with up‐regulation of activin A, but its effect on endothelial cells (EC) in the context of hypoxia is understudied. This study evaluated the role of activin A in vasculogenesis in hypoxia. An in vitro vasculogenesis model, in which EC were cocultured with adipose stromal cells (ASC), was used. Incubation of cocultures at 0.5% oxygen led to decrease in EC survival and vessel density. Hypoxia up‐regulated inhibin BA (monomer of activin A) mRNA by 4.5‐fold and activin A accumulation in EC‐conditioned media by 10‐fold, but down‐regulated activin A inhibitor follistatin by twofold. Inhibin BA expression was also increased in human EC injected into ischaemic mouse muscles. Activin A secretion was positively modulated by hypoxia mimetics dimethyloxalylglycine and desferrioxamine. Silencing HIF1α or HIF2α expression decreased activin A secretion in EC exposed to hypoxia. Introduction of activin A to cocultures decreased EC number and vascular density by 40%; conversely, blockade of activin A expression in EC or its activity improved vasculogenesis in hypoxia. Activin A affected EC survival directly and by modulating ASC paracrine activity leading to diminished ability of the ASC secretome to support EC survival and vasculogenesis. In conclusion, hypoxia up‐regulates EC secretion of activin A, which, by affecting both EC and adjacent mesenchymal cells, creates a micro‐environment unfavourable for vasculogenesis. This finding suggests that blockade of activin A signalling in ischaemic tissue may improve preservation of the affected tissue.
Systematic Review of Sex‐Specific Reporting of Data: Cholinesterase Inhibitor Example
Authors: Mehta Nishila , Rodrigues Craig , Lamba Manpreet , Wu Wei , Bronskill Susan E. , Herrmann Nathan , Gill Sudeep S. , Chan An‐Wen , Mason Robin , Day Suzanne , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Rochon Paula A. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesTo improve the value of research for older adults, we examine sex‐specific reporting of data from drug trials for the management of dementia. These data are important because they may influence considerations ranging from the health of populations to shared decision‐making by individual patient and caregiver about the risk and benefit of a drug therapy.MethodsRandomized controlled trials of cholinesterase inhibitors (i.e., donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine) with clinical outcomes were identified from searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Sex‐specific data were extracted from nine sections (title, abstract, introduction, methods, outcomes, results, discussion, limitations, and conclusion). Among the donepezil trials only, more detailed harms data were obtained.FindingsThirty‐three randomized controlled trials were identified evaluating 15,971 participants (9,103 (57%) female). Trials were highly cited (median citations 158, interquartile range 62–441) and published in high impact journals (median impact factor 7.4, interquartile range 3.4–8.2). Sex was not mentioned in the title, introduction, limitations, or conclusion section of any trial. Only three trials (9%) mentioned sex in the abstract (all as a demographic characteristic), and 8 (24%) in the methods. Almost all (32 (97%)) trials mentioned sex in the results as a demographic variable. One trial reported a sex difference for a secondary outcome. Among the 16 trials studying donepezil, adverse events were frequently reported and often dose‐related. No trial provided sex‐specific reporting of adverse events.ConclusionsThere is an almost complete lack of sex‐specific reporting of data in clinical trials for dementia drug therapies, and no sex‐specific reporting of adverse events. Sex‐specific reporting of data should be required in drug trials to increase research value and ultimately inform more tailored prescribing for older adults.
Effect of New Oral Anticoagulants on Prescribing Practices for Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults
Authors: Fohtung Raymond B. , Novak Eric , Rich Michael W. 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesTo determine the effect of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) on prescribing practices in older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).DesignRetrospective observational cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center in St. Louis, Missouri.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 75 and older with AF admitted to the hospital from October 2010 through September 2015 (N = 6,568, 50% female, 15% non‐white).MeasurementsInformation on NOACs and warfarin prescribed at discharge was obtained from hospital discharge summaries, and linear regression was used to examine quarterly trends in their use. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess independent predictors of anticoagulant use.ResultsNOAC use increased over time (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.87, P < .001), warfarin use did not change (r = −0.16, P = .50), and overall anticoagulant use (NOACs and warfarin) increased (r = 0.68, P = .001). NOAC use increased over time in all age groups (75–79, 80–84, 85–89) except aged 90 and older, but increasing age attenuated the rate of NOAC uptake. There was no consistent relationship between age and warfarin or overall anticoagulant use, except that individuals aged 90 and older had consistently lower use. Overall, fewer than 45% of participants were prescribed an anticoagulant. In multivariable analysis, younger age, white race, female sex, higher hemoglobin, higher creatinine clearance, being on a medical service, hypertension, stroke or transient ischemic attack, no history of intracranial hemorrhage, and a modified HAS‐BLED score of less than 3 increased the likelihood of receiving NOACs.ConclusionPrescription of anticoagulants for AF increased in older adults primarily because of an increase in the use of NOACs. Nonetheless, fewer than 45% of participants were prescribed an anticoagulant. Additional research is needed to optimize prescribing practices for older adults with AF.
The Rise and Fall of Cheap Chinese Goods in Ecuadorian Popular Markets: The Limits of Post‐Neoliberal Development in Correa's Ecuador
Authors: Colloredo‐Mansfeld Rudi 
Published: August 2017

ResumenEn contraste con sus vecinos Colombia y Perú, Ecuador ha utilizado los aranceles para regular el flujo de bienes importados de China. En esta investigación, estoy enfocada en la ropa china y las prácticas de negocio y aspiraciones económicas de dos comunidades de comerciantes paralela–uno quichua, el otro chino. Algunos operadores de fábricas textiles nacional se han beneficiado claramente de los aranceles. Sin embargo, desde la crisis fiscal “dolarización” de Ecuador de la década de 2000, muchos comerciantes indígenas se han desplazado a la comercialización Asia, especialmente los bienes fabricados en China como una táctica para preservar los medios de vida y las comunidades de la diáspora comercial. Con ganancias empujadas a cerca de cero, créditos informales, costumbres durables de la vida comercial y la cortesía profesional han llegado a asumir el papel urgente en la supervivencia de la empresa no sólo individual, sino comunidades enteras comerciales. [diáspora, Ecuador, indígenas, mercados populares, migración]