bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life expectancy, maximum longevity and lifetime reproductive success in female Thornicroft's giraffe in Zambia
Authors: Bercovitch Fred B. , Berry Philip S. M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGestation and longevity scale with body mass across taxa, yet within size dimorphic taxa, males tend to have reduced lifespans compared with females. Testing life history models, and accounting for sex differences in longevity, requires obtaining accurate longitudinal data from wild populations. We provide the first report describing key life history parameters from a long‐term study of giraffes in Africa. We followed a population of Thornicroft's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) in Zambia for over 40 years. Maximum longevity among females was approximately 28 years, with lifespan accounting for 81% of the variance in lifetime reproductive success. Average adult female life expectancy was no different than average adult male life expectancy. However, the breeding lifespan of males was about half that of females, while maximum lifespan of males was 75% that of females. Our findings support the suggestion that sex differences in maximum lifespan arise from stronger selection for lengthy lives in females than in males. Among females, longer lives are associated with greater reproductive output.
Characterization of phytoplankton assemblages in a tropical coastal environment using Kohonen self‐organizing map
Authors: Osemwegie Isimemen , Niamien‐Ebrottié Julie E. , Koné Mathieu Y. J. , Ouattara Allassane , Biemi Jean , Reichert Barbara 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis study was aimed at understanding the main abiotic environmental factors controlling the distribution patterns of abundance and composition of phytoplankton (size less than 10 μm) assemblages in the coastal waters of south‐eastern Côte d'Ivoire. Data were collected during two cruises, in January (low‐water period) and October (high‐water period) of 2014. A total of 67 species were identified and assigned to Bacillariophyceae (49%), Cyanophyceae (21%), Chlorophyceae (13%), Euglenophyceae (10%), Dinophyceae (4%) and Chrysophyceae (3%). Three biotic zones (I, IIA and IIB) were distinguishable on a Kohonen self‐organizing map after an unsupervised learning process. The diatom genera Eunotia sp., Navicula sp. and Actinoptychus senarius are significantly associated with I, IIA and IIB biotic zones, respectively. A clear seasonal cum salinity trend was apparent in phytoplankton distribution patterns. Turbidity and nitrate levels were the main abiotic factors controlling phytoplankton distribution in I, the upland tidal regions of the lagoon. In regions along the lagoon–sea continuum, phosphate and turbidity exert the most control during the low‐water season (IIA), while total dissolved solids control phytoplankton distribution during the high‐water season (IIB). These are climate‐sensitive parameters whose concentrations depend on prevailing hydroclimatic processes. Therefore, seasonality can have important consequences on phytoplankton community and inadvertently the productivity of these systems.
A randomised controlled trial comparing transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) pre‐oxygenation with facemask pre‐oxygenation in patients undergoing rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia
Authors: Mir F. , Patel A. , Iqbal R. , Cecconi M. , Nouraei S. A. R. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryPre‐oxygenation is an essential part of rapid sequence induction of general anaesthesia for emergency surgery, in order to increase the oxygen reservoir in the lungs. We performed a randomised controlled trial of transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) pre‐oxygenation or facemask pre‐oxygenation in patients undergoing emergency surgery. Twenty patients were allocated to each group. No patient developed arterial oxygen saturation < 90% during attempted tracheal intubation. Arterial blood gases were sampled from an arterial catheter immediately after intubation. The mean (SD) PaO2 was 43.7 (15.2) kPa in the THRIVE group vs. 41.9 (16.2) kPa in the facemask group (p = 0.722); PaCO2 was 5.8 (1.1) kPa in the THRIVE group vs. 5.6 (1.0) kPa in the facemask group (p = 0.631); arterial pH was 7.36 (0.05) in the THRIVE group vs. 7.34 (0.06) in the facemask group (p = 0.447). No airway rescue manoeuvres were needed, and there were no differences in the number of laryngoscopy attempts between the groups. In spite of this, patients in the THRIVE group had a significantly longer apnoea time of 248 (71) s compared with 123 (55) s in the facemask group (p < 0.001). Transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange is a practicable method for pre‐oxygenating patients during rapid sequence induction of general anaesthesia for emergency surgery; we found that it maintained an equivalent blood gas profile to facemask pre‐oxygenation, in spite of a significantly longer apnoea time.
Revisiting Type 2‐high and Type 2‐low airway inflammation in asthma: current knowledge and therapeutic implications
Authors: Robinson D. , Humbert M. , Buhl R. , Cruz A. A. , Inoue H. , Korom S. , Hanania N. A. , Nair P. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryAsthma is a complex respiratory disorder characterized by marked heterogeneity in individual patient disease triggers and response to therapy. Several asthma phenotypes have now been identified, each defined by a unique interaction between genetic and environmental factors, including inflammatory, clinical and trigger‐related phenotypes. Endotypes further describe the functional or pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the patient's disease. type 2‐driven asthma is an emerging nomenclature for a common subtype of asthma and is characterized by the release of signature cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 from cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. A number of well‐recognized biomarkers have been linked to mechanisms involved in type 2 airway inflammation, including fractional exhaled nitric oxide, serum IgE, periostin, and blood and sputum eosinophils. These type 2 cytokines are targets for pharmaceutical intervention, and a number of therapeutic options are under clinical investigation for the management of patients with uncontrolled severe asthma. Anticipating and understanding the heterogeneity of asthma and subsequent improved characterization of different phenotypes and endotypes must guide the selection of treatment to meet individual patients’ needs.
Homeostatic migration and distribution of innate immune cells in primary and secondary lymphoid organs with ageing
Authors: Nikolich-Žugich J , Davies J S 
Published: December 2016

Summary
Ageing of the innate and adaptive immune system, collectively termed immune senescence, is a complex process. One method to understand the components of ageing involves dissociating the effects of ageing on the cells of the immune system, on the microenvironment in lymphoid organs and tissues where immune cells reside and on the circulating factors that interact with both immune cells and their microenvironment. Heterochronic parabiosis, a surgical union of two organisms of disparate ages, is ideal for this type of study, as it has the power to dissociate the age of the cell and the age of the microenvironment into which the cell resides or is migrating. So far, however, it has been used sparingly to study immune ageing. Here we review the limited literature on homeostatic innate immune cell trafficking in ageing in the absence of chronic inflammation. We also review our own recent data on trafficking of innate immune subsets between primary and secondary lymphoid organs in heterochronic parabiosis. We found no systemic bias in retention or acceptance of neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells or natural killer cells with ageing in primary and secondary lymphoid organs. We conclude that these four innate immune cell types migrate to and populate lymphoid organs (peripheral lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow), regardless of their own age and of the age of lymphoid organs.
Does statins promote vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease?
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Qureshi Abdul Rashid , Parini Paolo , Hurt‐Camejo Eva , Ripsweden Jonaz , Brismar Torkel B. , Barany Peter , Jaminon Armand M. , Schurgers Leon J. , Heimbürger Olof , Lindholm Bengt , Stenvinkel Peter 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), coronary artery calcification (CAC) and inflammation contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins do not improve survival in patients with ESRD, and their effect on vascular calcification is unclear. We explored associations between CAC, inflammatory biomarkers, statins and mortality in ESRD.Materials and methodsIn 240 patients with ESRD (63% males; median age 56 years) from cohorts including 86 recipients of living donor kidney transplant (LD‐Rtx), 96 incident dialysis patients and 58 prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients, associations of CAC score (Agatston Units, AUs), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), use of statins and all‐cause mortality were analysed. Cardiac CT was repeated in 35 patients after 1·5 years of renal replacement therapy. In vitro, human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs) were used to measure vitamin K metabolism.ResultsAmong 240 patients, 129 (53%) had a CAC score > 100 AUs. Multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of 1‐SD higher CAC score were age, male gender, diabetes and use of statins. The association between CAC score and mortality remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, diabetes, CVD, use of statins, protein‐energy wasting and inflammation. Repeated CAC imaging in 35 patients showed that statin therapy was associated with greater progression of CAC. In vitro synthesis of menaquinone‐4 by hVSMCs was significantly impaired by statins.ConclusionElevated CAC score is a mortality risk factor in ESRD independent of inflammation. Future studies should resolve if statins promote vascular calcification and inhibition of vitamin K synthesis in the uremic milieu.
Study of the anti‐JCV antibody levels in a Spanish multiple sclerosis cohort
Authors: Dominguez‐Mozo María I. , Rus Macarena , Santiago Jose L. , Izquierdo Guillermo , Casanova Ignacio , Galan Victoria , Garcia‐Martinez M. Angel , Arias‐Leal Ana M. , García‐Montojo Marta , Pérez‐Pérez Silvia , Arroyo Rafael , Alvarez‐Lafuente Roberto 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundOne of the risk factor to develop progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) among natalizumab‐treated patients is the presence and high levels of anti‐JCV antibodies. Our purpose was to test the association of different clinical and demographic variables with the presence and levels of anti‐JCV antibodies in a Spanish cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during natalizumab treatment.Materials and methodsAll patients with MS from two hospitals with at least one measure of the anti‐JCV antibodies levels (2011–2014) were recruited, among them were two PML cases. Anti‐JCV antibody levels were assessed using two‐step ELISA.ResultsA total of 1061 patients (16·3% natalizumab‐treated) participated in this study. The seropositivity rate of anti‐JCV antibodies was 58·2%. It increased with age (Pcorrected = 0·00005) and was lower among HLA‐DRB1*15:01 carriers (Pcorrected = 0·049). The two patients with PML were HLA‐DRB1*15:01 carriers. We had at least three quarterly anti‐JCV antibody measurements (index value) from 137 patients, whose levels did not increase during natalizumab treatment. However, 5·8% of these patients had an increase of the index value higher of one point in a maximum of 6 months, something that was more frequently observed (P = 0·054) among patients treated with immunosuppressant prior to natalizumab onset.ConclusionsOld age and HLA‐DRB1*15:01 were the factors that influence positively and negatively, respectively, our anti‐JCV antibody prevalence, although our both PML cases were HLA‐DRB1*15:01carriers. Most of our patients showed a stable anti‐JCV antibody index values during natalizumab treatment.
Can drugs induce or aggravate sleep apneas? A case–noncase study in VigiBase®, the WHO pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Linselle Mélanie , Sommet Agnès , Bondon‐Guitton Emmanuelle , Moulis Florence , Durrieu Geneviève , Benevent Justine , Rousseau Vanessa , Chebane Leila , Bagheri Haleh , Montastruc François , Montastruc Jean‐Louis 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe potential favorizing role of drugs in sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is unknown. This study investigates drugs associated with SAS in a pharmacovigilance database. SAS recorded as adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in VigiBase®, the WHO pharmacovigilance database (more than 11 million reports), from 1978 to 2015 was selected. The risk of SAS reports was estimated using the case–noncase method, with cases being SAS and noncases all other recorded ADRs. During this 37‐year period, 3325 ADRs including the word SAS were registered (0.05% of the database). Mean age was 51.2 ± 16.9 years with 52% men. ADRs were ‘serious’ in around 82% of cases. The case–noncase study found an association between SAS and exposition with sodium oxybate, rofecoxib, quetiapine, and clozapine for individual drugs and coxibs, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and opium alkaloids for drug classes. The potential role of other drugs is discussed. This study suggests that SAS can be associated with some drugs (mainly psychotropics) that are able to reveal or aggravate such a disease. Physicians should take into account the role of drugs in the etiological appraisal and management of SAS.
Human papillomavirus‐related carcinoma with adenoid cystic‐like features of the sinonasal tract: clinical and morphological characterization of six new cases
Authors: Andreasen Simon , Bishop Justin A , Hansen Thomas van Overeem , Westra William H , Bilde Anders , von Buchwald Christian , Kiss Katalin 
Published: December 2016

AimsHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is known as causative for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx, but is also found not infrequently in carcinomas of the sinonasal tract. Recently, a subset of these carcinomas was recognized to harbour HPV33 and have a significant morphological overlap with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare and aggressive carcinoma originating in the minor salivary glands. Termed ‘HPV‐related carcinoma with ACC‐like features’, only nine cases have been reported. To clarify the occurrence of these tumours we screened a large material for the presence of HPV‐related ACC‐like carcinoma. The identified tumours were characterized immunohistochemically and with fluorescence in‐situ hybridization, and clinicopathological information for all cases is presented.Methods and resultsForty‐seven candidate cases were screened for presence of HPV. Six cases were identified and genotyped as HPV types 33, 35, and 56. All six cases had areas of dysplastic mucosal lining and showed remarkable heterogeneous morphologies. MYB, MYBL1, and NFIB genes were intact and, interestingly, staining for MYB protein was largely negative in contrast to what was found in ACC. One patient experienced a local recurrence 11 years after initial treatment and the remaining five patients were alive without evidence of disease.ConclusionWe report six new cases of HPV‐related ACC‐like carcinoma and found that, although in a small material, the prognosis for these patients seems more favourable than for ACC. For the distinction between ACC and HPV‐related ACC‐like carcinoma, p16, MYB immunohistochemistry or investigation of MYB, MYBL1 and NFIB gene status are valuable.
Spectroscopic investigation of samarium‐doped lead oxyflouroborate glasses using photo and cathode luminescence
Authors: Othman Hosam A. , Elkholy Hagar S. , Hager Ibrahim Z. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSamarium‐doped lead oxyflouroborate glasses of 60 B2O3‐ xPbO‐ (40‐x)LiF where (x=0‐30 mol%) with 3×1020 ions/cm3 of Sm2O3, were prepared by melt quenching. UVVis absorption, photo luminescence (PL) and cathode luminescence (CL) spectroscopies were used to study the effect of varying PbO content on the spectroscopic properties of these samarium‐doped glasses. The absorption of the UV‐edge shifts toward higher wavelengths, not only because of higher polarizability of lead ions, but also because of the strong allowed s‐p transition of Pb2+. Judd‐Ofelts parameters were determined and indicate that the asymmetry around Sm3+ ions increases with increasing PbO content. Ω2 probes the asymmetry by the ratio of intensity of the hypersensitive transition (6H9/2) to that of purely magnetic (6H5/2) transition. Furthermore, an increase in the spectroscopic quality factor (Ω4/Ω6) was observed with increasing PbO content which indicates that these glasses have the potential to be used as efficient active laser glasses. The calculated energy transfer parameter increases with increasing PbO content. Also, stark splitting increases with increasing PbO concentrations. FWHM of the CL emission peaks and stark splitting, are found to be much larger than that in PL. This was explained by the high electric field generated from the exciting electron pulses.
Waste from peach (Prunus persica) processing used for optimisation of carotenoids ethanolic extraction
Authors: Vargas Emanuela Flor de , Jablonski André , Flôres Simone Hickmann , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira 
Published: December 2016

SummaryThe processing of peaches to produce fruit pulp generates solid and liquid wastes rich in phytochemicals, such as carotenoids; thus, the objective of this work was to study the use of this waste for carotenoid extraction based on a complete experimental design and using response surface methodology. The parameters studied were the amount of solvent (20–50 mL), the number of extractions (1–5) and the extraction time (10–30 min). The extracts were analysed by spectrophotometry and the optimised conditions by HPLC. The optimised results were four extractions of 10 min using 38.5 mL of ethanol, which presented a yield of 168.59 μg g−1 DW of total carotenoids of which 67.55 μg g−1 corresponds to β‐carotene, 86.75 μg g−1 to cryptoxanthin, 12.08 μg g−1 to zeaxanthin and 2.2 μg g−1 to lutein, which representing 66% of extraction pigments relative to the total content of carotenoids present in the peach waste.
Stop for tea? Enzyme inhibitors from tea – what good are they?
Authors: Zhao Min , Li Da , Ye Jian‐Hui , Zheng Xin‐Qiang , Liang Yue‐Rong , Lu Jian‐Liang 
Published: December 2016

SummaryTea possesses many bioactive components including polyphenols, theanine and caffeine. Inhibitory effect of these components on the various enzymes involved in some chronic diseases was reviewed in this study. Many studies revealed that anti‐obesity of tea was mainly ascribed to the polyphenols which could inhibit the activity of the enzymes related to diet metabolism such as α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and lipase. Inhibitory effect of catechins and caffeine against β‐ and γ‐secretase, acetylcholinesterase, protein kinase C and histone deacetylase might be responsible for the prevention from nervous system diseases. Cytochrome P450 enzymes, cytosolic sulfotransferases, cyclooxygenase‐2 and phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase could be efficiently suppressed by catechins, which would decrease the risk of cancer initiation and proliferation; theanine could lower the activity of some anticarcinogen‐activated enzymes and alleviate the adverse effect of cancer cure. Catechins and caffeine exhibited significant inhibition against the matrix metalloproteinases, histidine decarboxylase and many kinases related to inflammation. Thus, catechins, theanine and caffeine might be employed as inhibitors of the enzymes associated with these chronic diseases.
Diaspora Philanthropy in the Context of Policy Coherence for Development: Implications for the post‐2015 Sustainable Development Agenda
Authors: Koff Harlan 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThus far, there has been a dearth of studies that systemically examine the relationship between diaspora philanthropy, the development community and securitised migration regimes. This article addresses this by responding to the research question, “How coherent are securitised migration policies with diaspora philanthropy and the transformative development objectives that characterise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda?” The analysis is based on the concept of policy coherence for development (PCD). The article compares the simultaneous regionalization and securitization of European Union and United States migration policies and contends that these policy strategies undermine diaspora philanthropy, development partnerships and transformative development. Normative change must be introduced in order to establish coherence between globalized migration policies and diaspora philanthropy objectives. Normative coherence for development can be achieved by introducing principles from the SDG's and the Busan Development Partnership Agreement amongst other international development agendas, into migration policy‐making at the national and regional levels.
STEM Education and STEM Work: Nativity Inequalities in Occupations and Earnings
Authors: Boyd Monica , Tian Siyue 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe recruitment of skilled workers with expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a core component of North American immigration policies. However, few studies examine the labour market integration of immigrant STEM educated workers. Multivariate analysis of the 2011 National Household Survey show that STEM educated immigrants who arrive as adults are less likely than the Canadian born to have STEM jobs and they earn less than their Canadian born counterparts. These patterns partly reflect their socio‐demographic characteristics, particularly their lower language proficiencies (measured as a combination of mother tongue and languages spoken at home) and the receipt of their degrees in institutions outside of Canada. These immigrant workers arrived primarily in the skilled worker programme that did not require pre‐arranged employment. Policy changes in recruitment and their implications for future STEM immigrant workers are discussed in the conclusion.
Silica reactivity during reaction‐sintering of Nd:YAG transparent ceramics
Authors: Boulesteix Rémy , Bonnet Loïck , Maître Alexandre , Chrétien Lucie , Sallé Christian 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSilica (SiO2) is widely used as sintering aid during vacuum sintering of YAG (Y3Al5O12)‐based transparent ceramics. These ceramics are mainly used for laser applications when they are doped with rare‐earth luminescent elements such as Yb3+ or Nd3+. By means of microstructural, chemical, dilatometry, and thermogravimetry analyses, this study has evidenced that sufficiently high amount of silica (ie above the solubility limit in YAG) forms intergranular transient liquid phase of mixed composition Y‐Al‐Si‐O that vaporizes rapidly for temperatures higher than 1350°C. As a result, silica content after sintering remains always lower than the solubility limit in YAG ceramics (ie lower than 900 ppm). Finally, vacuum sintering with an external source of gaseous Si was proven to be suitable to manufacture highly transparent Nd:YAG ceramics.