bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia with initial seronegativity and low‐titer anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Arai Noritoshi , Bannai Taro , Kodama Satoshi , Omori‐Mitsue Aki , Hida Ayumi , Takeuchi Sousuke 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn cases with anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody‐positive cerebellar ataxia, the titer of the antibody is usually very high. However, a few cases of low‐titer GAD antibody‐positive cerebellar ataxia patients have been described recently. In such patients, the antibody has been detected predominantly in serum, rather than in cerebrospinal fluid.Case presentationA 34‐year‐old man presented with subacute‐onset cerebellar ataxia, and examinations revealed no abnormal findings except low‐titer anti‐GAD antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid at initial evaluation: the serum antibody became slightly positive in a delayed manner. Treatment with steroid and/or immunoglobulin was effective in improving symptoms, and the effect of these treatments continued for approximately 1 year.ConclusionsThe present case suggested a potential diagnostic pitfall, in which the examination of serum anti‐GAD antibody at initial evaluation alone might be insufficient to rule out this disease. It may be indicated that the routine screening should include examination for the GAD antibody in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, plus additional follow‐up checks for the antibody in the subsequent clinical course. Care must be taken to avoid non‐detection of this disease with possibly reversible symptoms in patients with cerebellar ataxia of unknown origin.
Singapore Indian Eye Study‐2: methodology and impact of migration on systemic and eye outcomes
Authors: Sabanayagam Charumathi , Yip Wanfen , Gupta Preeti , Mohd Abdul Riswana BB , Lamoureux Ecosse , Kumari Neelam , Cheung Gemmy CM , Cheung Carol Y , Wang Jie Jin , Cheng Ching‐Yu , Wong Tien Yin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractImportanceAsian Indians are the fastest growing migration groups in the world. Studies evaluating the impact of migration on disease outcomes in this population are rare.BackgroundWe describe the methodology of the Singapore Indian Eye Study‐2 (SINDI‐2) aimed to evaluate the impact of migration status on diabetic retinopathy and other major age‐related eye diseases in Asian Indians living in an urban environment.DesignPopulation‐based cohort study.ParticipantsA total of 2200 adults had participated in baseline SINDI (2007–2009, mean age [range] = 57.8 [42.7–84.1] years) and SINDI‐2 (2013–2015, 56.5 [48.4–90.2] years).MethodsParticipants were classified as ‘first generation’ if they were Indian residents born outside of Singapore and as ‘second‐generation’ immigrants (59.7% in SINDI vs. 63.6% in SINDI‐2) if they were born in Singapore.Main Outcome MeasuresResponse rate, participant characteristics and prevalence of systemic diseases were stratified by migration status.ResultsOf the 2914 eligible SINDI participants invited to participate, 2200 participated in SINDI‐2 (response rate of 75.2%). In both SINDI and SINDI‐2, compared with first‐generation immigrants, second‐generation immigrants were younger, less likely to have income <1000 SGD, had lower levels of pulse pressure, higher levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, had lower prevalence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease and had higher prevalence of current smoking and obesity (all P < 0.05).Conclusions and RelevanceIn both SINDI and SINDI‐2, second‐generation immigrants had lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors except smoking and obesity compared with first‐generation immigrants. The final report will confirm if these differences between generations are evident with regard to eye diseases.
Deformation Grammars: Hierarchical Constraint Preservation Under Deformation
Authors: Vimont Ulysse , Rohmer Damien , Begault Antoine , Cani Marie‐Paule 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDeformation grammars are a novel procedural framework enabling to sculpt hierarchical 3D models in an object‐dependent manner. They process object deformations as symbols thanks to user‐defined interpretation rules. We use them to define hierarchical deformation behaviours tailored for each model, and enabling any sculpting gesture to be interpreted as some adapted constraint‐preserving deformation. A variety of object‐specific constraints can be enforced using this framework, such as maintaining distributions of subparts, avoiding self‐penetrations or meeting semantic‐based user‐defined rules. The operations used to maintain constraints are kept transparent to the user, enabling them to focus on their design. We demonstrate the feasibility and the versatility of this approach on a variety of examples, implemented within an interactive sculpting system.
Managing Invasive Mammals to Conserve Globally Threatened Seabirds in a Changing Climate
Authors: Spatz Dena R. , Holmes Nick D. , Reguero Borja G. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Tershy Bernie R. , Croll Donald A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractInvasive mammals are an ongoing threat at many seabird breeding locations, while impacts from climate change can occur over broad time scales. Combining management strategies for invasive mammal and climate change impacts is important for mitigating current threats and maximizing seabird survival into the future. We assessed all 713 islands with threatened seabirds for conservation importance, immediate benefits of three invasive mammal management actions, and risk of climate‐change related flooding. Preventing invasions on the 397 islands without invasive mammals could benefit 72 seabird species. Invasive mammal eradication or localized action on 249 and 67 islands could benefit 71 and 46 seabird species, respectively. The long‐term risk of flooding on the 713 islands was low (69%). Low‐risk islands were concentrated where eradications or localized action were highlighted (75% and 100% of islands, respectively). These results inform management feasibility assessments and highlight rare opportunities to make significant contributions to seabird conservation.
Prolonged corrected QT interval in the donor heart: Is there a risk?
Authors: Leong Derek , Aintablian Tamar , Kittleson Michelle , Olymbios Michael , Patel Jignesh , Chang David H. , Kobashigawa Jon 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundAssessing the QT interval in donors is important to exclude long QT syndrome as the cause of death. A donor heart with a corrected QT (QTc) >500 milliseconds is often concerning. We sought to evaluate first year outcomes for donors with a QTc interval >500 milliseconds.MethodsBetween 2010 and 2014, we assessed 257 donor hearts for QTc interval >500 milliseconds. Post‐transplant outcomes included 1‐year survival, 1‐year freedom from any‐treated rejection, 1‐year freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) defined as stenosis ≥30% by angiography, and 1‐year freedom from nonfatal major adverse cardiac events.ResultsPatients with QTc interval >500 milliseconds had a significantly lower 1‐year freedom from CAV development. There were no significant differences for other outcomes. A significantly higher percentage of donors with QTc >500 milliseconds had a stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Multivariate analysis found that donor QTc >500 milliseconds was associated with a 6.7‐fold increased risk of developing CAV (P=.029, 95% CI 1.21‐36.6) after adjusting for other known risk factors.ConclusionQTc >500 milliseconds in the donor heart appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of early CAV after heart transplantation possibly due to a higher immunological risk.
Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on α and β diversity of fish assemblages and their longitudinal patterns in subtropical streams, China
Authors: Li Yuru , Tao Juan , Chu Ling , Yan Yunzhi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIdentifying the spatial patterns of α and β diversity of biotics is an important yet little‐understood area of basic and applied ecological research. Although the upstream–downstream patterns of α diversity of stream fishes are numerously reported, β diversity has received less attention. In this study, we surveyed fishes along the upstream–downstream gradients in three headwater streams of the Qingyi River, China, which were affected by different extents of human activities. We aimed to assess how anthropogenic disturbances affect α and β diversity of stream fishes and their upstream–downstream patterns. We found that, compared with that in the Shuxi Stream disturbed less, endemic species decreased and cosmopolitan species increased in the Maxi and Puxi Stream disturbed heavily. The streams disturbed heavily showed lower α diversity and higher β diversity than that in the stream disturbed less. This among‐stream variations in fish diversity only occurred at the mid‐downstream, not upstream segments. α diversity increased downstream and β diversity decreased downstream from headwaters to mouth in the stream disturbed less, whereas this upstream–downstream pattern in fish diversity shifted in the streams disturbed heavily, in which both α and β diversity showed the quadratic distributions with the hump‐shape for α diversity and the U‐shape for β diversity respectively. Our results suggest that anthropogenic disturbances cause some cosmopolitan fishes replacing many endemic fishes in upland streams. This replacement processes result in α diversity decreasing and β diversity increasing, and shift the spatial patterns in fish diversity along the upstream–downstream gradient.
Multiple antibody detection in ‘seronegative’ myasthenia gravis patients
Authors: Hong Y. , Zisimopoulou P. , Trakas N. , Karagiorgou K. , Stergiou C. , Skeie G. O. , Hao H.‐J. , Gao X. , Owe J. F. , Zhang X. , Yue Y.‐X. , Romi F. , Wang Q. , Li H.‐F. , Gilhus N. E. , Tzartos S. J. 
Published: May 2017

Background and purposeMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibody mediated impairment in the neuromuscular junction. Seronegative MG (SNMG) without antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK) by routine assays accounts for about 20% of all MG patients.MethodsPlasma from 81 Chinese MG patients previously found to be seronegative was tested by routine assays for AChR and MuSK antibodies. These samples were screened by (i) a novel, highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for AChR antibodies; (ii) cell‐based assays for clustered AChR, MuSK and lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 4 (LRP4) antibodies; (iii) a radioimmunoassay for titin antibodies.ResultsAntibodies to AChR, MuSK, LRP4 and titin were found in 25% (20/81), 4% (3/81), 7% (6/81) and 6% (5/78) of SNMG patients, respectively. In total, 37% of SNMG patients were found to be positive for at least one of the tested antibodies. AChR antibody positive patients had more severe disease (P = 0.008) and a trend towards fewer remissions/minimal manifestations than AChR antibody negative patients. The four patients with coexistence of antibodies had more severe disease, whilst the seronegative patients had milder MG (P = 0.015).ConclusionsDetection of multiple muscle antibodies by more sensitive assays provides additional information in diagnosing and subgrouping of MG and may guide MG treatment.
Phenotypic characterisation of cell populations in the brains of horses experimentally infected with West Nile virus
Authors: Delcambre G. H. , Liu J. , Streit W. J. , Shaw G. P. J. , Vallario K. , Herrington J. , Wenzlow N. , Barr K. L. , Long M. T. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryBackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito borne member of the Flaviviridae, is one of the most commonly diagnosed agents of viral encephalitis in horses and people worldwide.ObjectivesA cassette of markers for formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue and an archive of tissues from experimental infections in the horse were used to investigate the equine neuroimmune response to WNV meningoencephalomyelitis to phenotype the early response to WNV infection in the horse.Study designQuantitative analysis using archived tissue from experimentally infected horses.MethodsThe thalamus and hindbrain from 2 groups of 6 horses were compared and consisted of a culture positive tissues from WNV experimentally horses, in the other, normal horses. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue from the thalamus and hindbrain were immunolabeled for microglia, astrocytes, B cells, macrophages/neutrophils, CD3+ T cells. Fresh frozen tissues were immunolabeled for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte cell markers. Cell counts were obtained using a computer software program. Differences, after meeting assumptions of abnormality, were computed using a general linear model with a Tukey test (P<0.05) for pairwise comparisons.ResultsIn WNV‐challenged horses, Iba‐1+ microglia, CD3+ T lymphocyte and MAC387+ macrophage staining were significantly increased. The T cell response for the WNV‐challenged horses was mixed, composed of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. A limited astrocyte response was also observed in WNV‐challenged horses, and MAC387+ and B cells were the least abundant cell populations.Main limitationsThe results of this study were limited by a single collection time post‐infection. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of cellular phenotypes is needed for naturally infected horses. Unfortunately, in clinical horses, there is high variability of sampling in terms of days post‐infection and tissue handling.ConclusionsThe data show that WNV‐challenged horses recruit a mixed T cell population at the onset of neurologic disease.
Higher climate warming sensitivity of Siberian larch in small than large forest islands in the fragmented Mongolian forest steppe
Authors: Khansaritoreh Elmira , Dulamsuren Choimaa , Klinge Michael , Ariunbaatar Tumurbaatar , Bat‐Enerel Banzragch , Batsaikhan Ganbaatar , Ganbaatar Kherlenchimeg , Saindovdon Davaadorj , Yeruult Yolk , Tsogtbaatar Jamsran , Tuya Daramragchaa , Leuschner Christoph , Hauck Markus 
Published: May 2017

AbstractForest fragmentation has been found to affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in multiple ways. We asked whether forest size and isolation in fragmented woodlands influences the climate warming sensitivity of tree growth in the southern boreal forest of the Mongolian Larix sibirica forest steppe, a naturally fragmented woodland embedded in grassland, which is highly affected by warming, drought, and increasing anthropogenic forest destruction in recent time. We examined the influence of stand size and stand isolation on the growth performance of larch in forests of four different size classes located in a woodland‐dominated forest‐steppe area and small forest patches in a grassland‐dominated area. We found increasing climate sensitivity and decreasing first‐order autocorrelation of annual stemwood increment with decreasing stand size. Stemwood increment increased with previous year's June and August precipitation in the three smallest forest size classes, but not in the largest forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the tree growth dependence on summer rainfall was highest. Missing ring frequency has strongly increased since the 1970s in small, but not in large forests. In the grassland‐dominated area, the increase was much greater than in the forest‐dominated landscape. Forest regeneration decreased with decreasing stand size and was scarce or absent in the smallest forests. Our results suggest that the larch trees in small and isolated forest patches are far more susceptible to climate warming than in large continuous forests pointing to a grim future for the forests in this strongly warming region of the boreal forest that is also under high land use pressure.
Processing of alumina‐coated glass‐bonded silicon carbide membranes for oily wastewater treatment
Authors: Kim Su Chang , Yeom Hee‐Jong , Kim Young‐Wook , Song In‐Hyuck , Ha Jang‐Hoon 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCrack‐free γ‐Al2O3‐coated glass‐bonded SiC membranes were successfully prepared using a simple heat‐treatment and dip‐coating process at a temperature as low as 850°C in air. The changes in the porosity, flexural strength, flux, and oil rejection rate of the membranes were investigated while changing the initial SiC particle size. Larger SiC particles led to bigger pores, resulting in higher flux in the oily water and a lower oil rejection rate. The SiC membranes with a support prepared from 10 μm SiC powder showed an exceptionally high oil rejection rate (99.9%) with a feed oil concentration of 600 mg/L at an applied pressure of 101 kPa. The typical porosity, flexural strength, steady state flux, and oil rejection rate of the alumina‐coated SiC membrane were ~45%, ~81 MPa, 1.78×10−5 m3 m−2s−1, and 99.9%, respectively.
Parasite beta diversity, host beta diversity and environment: application of two approaches to reveal patterns of flea species turnover in Mongolia
Authors: Maestri Renan , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Krasnov Boris R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAimWe investigated the beta‐diversity patterns of fleas parasitic on rodents along environmental and host turnover gradients using linear and nonlinear approaches. We asked (1) which factors explain a larger proportion of the variation in flea beta diversity and (2) whether the results of the linear versus the nonlinear approach are similar in indicating the relative roles of environment versus host turnover.LocationMongolia.MethodsThe linear approach was represented by a partial linear regression of flea turnover against rodent turnover, environmental variables and a spatial term. The nonlinear approach was represented by generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) with the response variable being the dissimilarity of flea composition and the predictors being dissimilarity in rodent composition, dissimilarity in environmental variables and geographic distances between localities. To test for the response of rodent beta diversity to environmental gradients, this factor was used as a response variable/matrix.ResultsPartial regression analyses explained only 24% of observed variance. Environmental variables (mainly air temperature) and rodent turnover independently explained similarly small portions of flea turnover. Gradients of air temperature and rodent turnover were the most important factors in explaining flea turnover across space, whereas the altitudinal gradient and the gradient of annual variation in precipitation were the most important in explaining rodent turnover. The GDM resulted in 68.4% of explained deviance. The best predictor of flea species turnover was the air temperature gradient followed by rodent host beta diversity and, to a lesser degree, the precipitation gradient. The responses of rodent and flea turnover to environmental gradients differed.Main conclusionsAir temperature and rodent host turnover were the main factors affecting flea beta diversity with the latter responding to climate directly and not being mediated by host responses. Accommodation of the nonlinearity of species turnover responses to gradients allows patterns obscured by linear approaches to be revealed.
Clozapine and concomitant medications: Assessing the completeness and accuracy of medication records for people prescribed clozapine under shared care arrangements
Authors: Murphy Kate , Coombes Ian , Moudgil Vikas , Patterson Susan , Wheeler Amanda 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRationale, aim, and objectiveThe objective of the study is to assess the completeness and accuracy of medication records held by stakeholders (secondary care, general practice, and community pharmacy) for clozapine consumers managed in a shared care programme.MethodsThis was an exploratory, descriptive study examining secondary and primary care medication records in a large, urban, public mental health service setting in Queensland, Australia. Consumers (18‐65 years old) prescribed clozapine under shared care management with capacity to consent were eligible (n = 55) to participate. Information from medication and dispensing records was used by a pharmacist to compile a best possible medication history for each consumer. Discrepancies were identified through reconciliation of stakeholder records with the history. Discrepancies were defined as an omission, addition, or administration discrepancy (difference in dose, frequency, or clozapine brand).ResultsThirty‐five (63.6%) consumers consented for records to be reviewed. Overall, 32 (91.4%) consumers had at least 1 discrepancy in their records with a mean of 4.9 discrepancies per consumer. Of 172 discrepancies, 127 (73.8%) were omissions. Primarily, concomitant medicines were omitted in 19/35 (54%) of secondary care records while clozapine was omitted in 13/32 (40.6%) of community pharmacies records.ConclusionsDiscrepancies were highly prevalent in the shared care medication records of clozapine consumers of this service. Where there is incomplete and inaccurate medication information, there is a risk of suboptimal clinical decision making, increasing the likelihood of adverse drug events. This study demonstrates a need for improved documentation and timely access to accurate and complete medication records for shared care stakeholders. Expanding the pharmacist's role in this setting could improve medication accuracy in documentation and related communication.
Economic and Social Impact Assessment of China's Multi‐Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Production
Authors: Huang Beijia , Zhao Juan , Chai Jingyang , Zhao Feng , Wang Xiangyu 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIt is important to have insights into the potential sustainability impacts as early as possible in the development of technology. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies provide significant environmental, economic, and social benefits in comparison to the conventional energy sources. Because most previous studies of multi‐crystalline silicon (Multi‐Si) PV modules discuss the environmental impacts, this study quantitatively assesses the economic and social impacts of China's multi‐crystalline silicon (mc‐Si) PV modules production stages. The economic analysis is uses life cycle cost analysis, and the social impact analysis is carried out by applying the social index evaluation method. The economic analysis results demonstrate that the main cost of mc‐Si PV modules production in China lies in raw materials and labor and the production of Multi‐Si PV cells have the highest cost among the five manufacturing processes involved in Multi‐Si PV. The result of the social impact analysis reveal that the employment contribution index, S11, is 0.72, indicating that Multi‐Si PV modules production in China has a prominent contribution to employment in comparison with other industries; the labor civilization degree, S12 (i.e., the proportion of mental labor involved in a given job), and labor income contribution index, S13, are both approximately 0.6, indicating that Multi‐Si PV modules production has a less‐significant labor level and income contribution in comparison with other industries; the production capacity contribution index, S14, is merely 0.183, indicating that production of Multi‐Si PV modules does not contribute significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP). Based on the results of these evaluations, some recommendations to improve the economic and social impact of Multi‐Si PV modules production in China are presented, including support for research on polycrystalline silicon production for the purpose of reducing the raw material cost, as well as upgrading manufacturing facilities and implementing the corresponding production training in order to promote the labor civilization degree.