bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real time cerebral perfusion monitoring in acute trauma patients: a preliminary study
Authors: Kessel Boris , Alfici Ricardo , Korin Alexander , Olsha Oded , Dudkiewicz Mickey , Oren Meir 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundManagement of traumatic brain injury is focused on preventing secondary damage. Early recognition of brain ischaemia may improve the final outcome of the trauma victim. The primary aim of this study was to examine the correlation between peripheral oxygen pulse oximetry and brain oxygen saturation measured by a near infrared oximetry device. A second aim was to evaluate the influence of different factors such as fluid and blood administration on brain tissue oxygenation.MethodsThis was a prospective pilot study. Mechanically ventilated trauma patients admitted to the trauma unit had cerebral‐somatic oxygen saturation monitoring. Oximeter readings (rSO2) were prospectively collected and compared with concurrent values for peripheral pulse oximetry (SO2). Data were recorded every 15 min and during interventions such as administration of a fluid bolus and blood administration. All interventions were based on accepted clinical parameters.ResultsThirty‐three patients were enrolled. A total of 210 simultaneous measurements of rSO2 and pulse oximetry values were performed. There was correlation between these two parameters in only one third of patients. Twenty‐seven events of possible brain ischemia, defined as rSO2 values less than 50 or a decrease of more than 20% from the baseline, were observed. In 68 (77.2%) of these measurements there was no decrease of peripheral SO2. Significant increases in rSO2 were observed only during administration of fluid boluses.ConclusionsA cerebral oxygenation monitoring device may recognize the possible events of brain ischaemia which are not reflected by pulse oximetry. Fluid administration was the only factor found to improve brain saturation.
Improving visual prognosis of the diabetic patients during the past 30 years based on the data of the Finnish Register of Visual Impairment
Authors: Laatikainen Leila , Ojamo Matti , Rudanko Sirkka‐Liisa , Summanen Paula , Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Herrala Sauli , Uusitalo Hannu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate changes in visual impairment (VI) due to diabetic retinopathy (DR) recorded in the Finnish Register of Visual Impairment (RVI) during the past 30 years.MethodsData from the visually impaired diabetic persons included in the RVI were analysed using three 10‐year cohorts (1982–90, 1991–2000, 2001–10). Information on the age at the time of the first VI registration, severity of VI determined according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition, and the age at death was collected. VI due to proliferative (PDR) and non‐proliferative (NPDR) DR were analysed separately.ResultsData of 4080 patients whose primary cause for VI was DR were analysed. The median age at the time of notification of VI for the three cohorts was 39, 62 and 59 years in the PDR group and 71, 73 and 73 in the NPDR group, respectively. The proportion of blind persons was 42%, 22% and 15% in the PDR group and 10%, 9% and 4% in the NPDR group, respectively. The median age at death in the three cohorts was 54, 73 and 72 years in PDR group and 76, 79 and 80 years in the NPDR group, respectively. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) compared with the general population was 8.3, 2.9 and 1.4 in persons with PDR and 3.4, 2.0 and 1.2 in those with NPDR, respectively.ConclusionsA significant change in the profile of the VI in the PDR group has taken place in Finland. It was characterized by increased age at the time of VI notification, decreased severity of VI and higher age at death. Most evidently these improvements took place in the 1990s. The profile of VI in the NPDR group has changed only modestly. Compared with the general population, SMRs improved both in NPDR and PDR groups continuously.
Continuity and Change in the Field of Cognitive Development and in the Perspectives of One Cognitive Developmentalist
Authors: Siegler Robert S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this article, I examine changes in the field of cognitive development and in my own thinking over the past 40 years. The review focuses on three periods. In the first, Piaget's theory was dominant, and my research and that of many others was aimed at understanding the many fascinating changes in children's thinking that Piaget documented, and correcting inaccuracies in his theory. In the second period, which involved efforts to formulate alternatives to Piaget's approach, I generated overlapping waves theory, and attempted to specify through microgenetic methods and computer simulations how development can be produced by variability of strategy use, adaptive choices among strategies, and discovery of new strategies. In the third period, my thinking and research, and that of many others, has focused increasingly on the interface between cognitive development and education. I close by suggest that generating domain‐specific integrated theories of cognitive development may provide a way forward for the field.
Effects of testosterone replacement on metabolic and inflammatory markers in men with opioid‐induced androgen deficiency
Authors: Huang Grace , Travison Thomas , Maggio Marcello , Edwards Robert R. , Basaria Shehzad 
Published: February 2016

SummaryObjectiveSymptomatic androgen deficiency is common in patients taking opioid analgesics, and testosterone replacement in these men improves libido, quality of life and body composition. However, the effects of testosterone replacement on metabolic and inflammatory markers in this setting have not been evaluated. This is important as opiate use itself has been associated with metabolic abnormalities. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of testosterone administration on metabolic and inflammatory markers in adult men with opioid‐induced androgen deficiency.MethodsSixty‐four nondiabetic men aged 18 to 64 years using opioid analgesics for chronic noncancer pain with total testosterone levels <12 nmol/l were randomized to 14 weeks of transdermal testosterone gel or placebo gel daily. Total testosterone levels were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and free testosterone was calculated using the law‐of‐mass‐action equation. Metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were evaluated at baseline and 14 weeks.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Testosterone concentrations increased from 7·7 ± 3·0 to 27 ± 19 nmol/l in the testosterone group, but did not meaningfully change in placebo group. Mean changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers during intervention did not differ significantly between groups and were not related to changes in on‐treatment serum testosterone concentrations. Glucose and insulin response to the 75 g OGTT also did not differ between groups.ConclusionIn this 14‐week trial, testosterone administration in men with opioid‐induced androgen deficiency was not associated with worsening of metabolic and inflammatory markers.
Going Beyond Input Quantity: Wh‐Questions Matter for Toddlers' Language and Cognitive Development
Authors: Rowe Meredith L. , Leech Kathryn A. , Cabrera Natasha 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThere are clear associations between the overall quantity of input children are exposed to and their vocabulary acquisition. However, by uncovering specific features of the input that matter, we can better understand the mechanisms involved in vocabulary learning. We examine whether exposure to wh‐questions, a challenging quality of the communicative input, is associated with toddlers' vocabulary and later verbal reasoning skills in a sample of low‐income, African‐American fathers and their 24‐month‐old children (n = 41). Dyads were videotaped in free play sessions at home. Videotapes were transcribed and reliably coded for sheer quantity of fathers' input (number of utterances) as well as the number of wh‐questions fathers produce. Children's productive vocabulary was measured at 24 months using the McArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventory MCDI (completed by the mothers), and children's verbal reasoning skills were measured 1 year later using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results indicate that the overall quantity of father talk did not relate to children's vocabulary or reasoning skills. However, fathers' use of wh‐questions (but not other questions) related to both vocabulary and reasoning outcomes. Children's responses to wh‐questions were more frequent and more syntactically complex, measured using the mean length of utterance (MLU), than their responses to other questions. Thus, posing wh‐questions to 2‐year‐olds is a challenging type of input, which elicits a verbal response from the child that likely helps build vocabulary and foster verbal reasoning abilities.
Feature Biases in Early Word Learning: Network Distinctiveness Predicts Age of Acquisition
Authors: Engelthaler Tomas , Hills Thomas T. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDo properties of a word's features influence the order of its acquisition in early word learning? Combining the principles of mutual exclusivity and shape bias, the present work takes a network analysis approach to understanding how feature distinctiveness predicts the order of early word learning. Distance networks were built from nouns with edge lengths computed using various distance measures. Feature distinctiveness was computed as a distance measure, showing how far an object in a network is from other objects based on shared and non‐shared features. Feature distinctiveness predicted order of acquisition across all measures: Words that were further away from other words in the network space were learned earlier. The best distance measures were based only on non‐shared features (object dissimilarity) and did not include shared features (object similarity). This indicates that shared features may play less of a role in early word learning than non‐shared features. In addition, the strongest effects were found for visual form and surface features. Cluster analysis further revealed that this effect is a localized effect in the object feature space, where objects' distances from their cluster centroid were inversely correlated with their age of acquisition. Together, these results suggest a role for feature distinctiveness in early word learning.
Density fluctuations represent a key process maintaining personality variation in a wild passerine bird
Authors: Nicolaus Marion , Tinbergen Joost M. , Ubels Richard , Both Christiaan , Dingemanse Niels J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHeritable personality variation is subject to fluctuating selection in many animal taxa; a major unresolved question is why this is the case. A parsimonious explanation must involve a general ecological process: a likely candidate is the omnipresent spatiotemporal variation in conspecific density. We tested whether spatiotemporal variation in density within and among nest box plots of great tits (Parus major) predicted variation in selection acting on exploratory behaviour (n = 48 episodes of selection). We found viability selection favouring faster explorers under lower densities but slower explorers under higher densities. Temporal variation in local density represented the primary factor explaining personality‐related variation in viability selection. Importantly, birds did not anticipate changes in selection by means of adaptive density‐dependent plasticity. This study thereby provides an unprecedented example of the key importance of the interplay between fluctuating selection and lack of adaptive behavioural plasticity in maintaining animal personality variation in the wild.
NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) enzyme activation in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Marrali G. , Salamone P. , Casale F. , Fuda G. , Cugnasco P. , Caorsi C. , Amoroso A. , Calvo A. , Lopiano L. , Cocito D. , Chiò A. 
Published: February 2016

Background and purposeChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immunomediated condition affecting the peripheral nervous system where probably macrophages are the primary effector cells for demyelination. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalyzed by the NOX family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzymes, can induce peroxidation and are potentially injurious to myelin. Our aim was to assess the activity of NOX2, an isoform of NOX, in a series of CIDP patients and to analyze the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) on NOX2.MethodsThirty CIDP patients treated with IVIg and 30 control subjects were enrolled. To evaluate NOX2 activity, neutrophil and monocyte oxidative burst was measured directly in fresh whole blood using the Phagoburst™ assay, a fluorescence‐activated cell sorting method. The mean fluorescence intensity, emitted in response to different stimuli, leads to the production of ROS and corresponds to the percentage of oxidizing cells and their enzymatic activity.ResultsMean fluorescence intensity values for granulocyte and monocyte burst in patients (mean 633.3, SD 191; mean 111.8, SD 28.5) were different from those measured in healthy controls (granulocytes, mean 436.6, SD 137.0, P = 0.0003; monocytes, mean 78.2, SD 17.3, P = 0.000001). Moreover, IVIg administration increased both granulocyte (P = 0.005) and monocyte (P = 0.0009) burst.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that oxidative burst is significantly increased in CIDP patients and that treatment with IVIg enhances oxidative values, thus representing a possible IVIg therapeutic effect linked to a regulatory effect of ROS. Based on this, the development of treatments targeting the specific activation of NOX may be beneficial in autoimmune disorders.
Causes of pleural effusions in horses resident in the UK
Authors: Johns I. , Marr C. , Durham A. , Mair T. , McParland T. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryPleural effusions (PE) reportedly occur most commonly secondary to bacterial pneumonia with neoplastic effusions contributing a minority of cases. The majority of reports originate from the USA and Australia, where long distance transport of horses, a recognised risk factor, may occur more frequently than in the UK. Anecdotally, a greater proportion of horses with PE are diagnosed with neoplasia in the UK than has been reported. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the causes of PE in horses in the UK, and to identify markers that can help differentiate between septic and neoplastic causes of PE. Medical records from 4 equine hospitals in the UK were searched for horses diagnosed with PE. Information recorded included case background, admission physical examination and biochemical findings, and characteristics of the effusion (volume, cell count, total protein [TP] concentration). A total of 69 horses were identified, with 26 (38%) diagnosed with a neoplastic effusion. The remainder were categorised as septic, including 14/43 (32.5%) that had a history of international transport. Horses with septic effusions were significantly younger (8 vs. 13 years; P = 0.001) and had significantly smaller volumes of pleural fluid drained at admission (9.8 l vs. 32.2 l; P<0.001). Horses with septic PE had a significantly higher rectal temperature (38.6°C vs. 38.2°C; P = 0.03), fibrinogen concentration (7.8 g/l vs. 5.3 g/l; P = 0.01) and serum amyloid A concentration (230 mg/l vs. 59 mg/l; P = 0.02) than those with neoplastic effusions. Significantly higher pleural fluid cell count and TP concentration were identified in horses with septic PE (63.9 × 109/l vs. 8.6 × 109/l; P<0.001; 57.5 g/l vs. 35.9 g/l; P = 0.04). These results suggest that in the UK, neoplastic effusions account for a greater proportion of PE than previously reported. A large volume of PE in an older horse with a low cell count and relatively low TP concentration should increase the index of suspicion of neoplasia.
Estimation of the nutritional parameters of various types of wheat flours using fluorescence spectroscopy and chemometrics
Authors: Ahmad M. Haseeb , Nache Marius , Hinrichs Jörg , Hitzmann Bernd 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy to predict the nutritional parameters of twenty‐six commercially available wheat flours from different vendors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to clearly identify the correlations among different types of flours. A partial least square regression (PLSR) model gives a good prediction for moisture, fat and carbohydrates using cross‐validation, with a R2 of 0.86, 0.88 and 0.89 respectively. However, the protein, sucrose and salt contents showed little correlation in PLSR. Locally weighted regression (LWR) provides a significant improvement in the prediction of all of the nutritional parameters. The error decreases with an increasing R2 to 0.96, 0.93, 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, 0.88, 0.95 and 0.99 for the energetic value, protein, fat, moisture, carbohydrate, sucrose, salt and saturated fatty acid contents respectively, for different wheat flours. Hence, fluorescence, which is a non‐invasive and rapid method, can be used to evaluate the nutritional parameters of different types of wheat flours.
Using a polynomial model for fungi from table olives
Authors: Fuccio Francesca , Bevilacqua Antonio , Sinigaglia Milena , Corbo Maria Rosaria 
Published: February 2016

SummaryTable olives are one of the most important fermented vegetables in the food industry because of their worldwide economic importance. Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts are among the most relevant microorganisms involved in olive fermentation determining safety, quality and flavour of the final product. Fungi can play a double role during table olive processing acting as spoilage or desirable microorganisms. This article addresses the effects of some factors (pH, NaCl, temperature, phenols) on the growth/survival of yeasts and moulds, both some wild isolates from olive brine and some yeasts from a public collection (Pichia guilliermondii, P. holstii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus). The research was divided into two steps: a 1st step was aimed at assessing fungal growth by evaluating separately each factor; in a 2nd step, NaCl, pH and temperature were combined through a simple DoE (design of experiment). For this last step, W. anomalus and P. guilliermondii were used as test fungi. Generally, fungi were not inhibited either by temperature, salt or acidic/alkaline pHs. Moreover, the approach of DoE pinpointed that the effect of some factors could experience a shift and change over the time.
Colchicine modulates calcium homeostasis and electrical property of HL‐1 cells
Authors: Lu Yen‐Yu , Chen Yao‐Chang , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Lin Yung‐Kuo , Yeh Yung‐Hsin , Chen Shih‐Ann , Chen Yi‐Jen 
Published: February 2016

AbstractColchicine is a microtubule disruptor that reduces the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after an operation or ablation. However, knowledge of the effects of colchicine on atrial myocytes is limited. The aim of this study was to determine if colchicine can regulate calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and attenuate the electrical effects of the extracellular matrix on atrial myocytes. Whole‐cell clamp, confocal microscopy with fluorescence, and western blotting were used to evaluate the action potential and ionic currents of HL‐1 cells treated with and without (control) colchicine (3 nM) for 24 hrs. Compared with control cells, colchicine‐treated HL‐1 cells had a longer action potential duration with smaller intracellular Ca2+ transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content by 10% and 47%, respectively. Colchicine‐treated HL‐1 cells showed a smaller L‐type Ca2+ current, reverse mode sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX) current and transient outward potassium current than control cells, but had a similar ultra‐rapid activating outward potassium current and apamin‐sensitive small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated potassium current compared with control cells. Colchicine‐treated HL‐1 cells expressed less SERCA2a, total, Thr17‐phosphorylated phospholamban, Cav1.2, CaMKII, NCX, Kv1.4 and Kv1.5, but they expressed similar levels of the ryanodine receptor, Ser16‐phosphorylated phospholamban and Kv4.2. Colchicine attenuated the shortening of the collagen‐induced action potential duration in HL‐1 cells. These findings suggest that colchicine modulates the atrial electrical activity and Ca2+ regulation and attenuates the electrical effects of collagen, which may contribute to its anti‐AF activity.
Involuntary Public Policy‐making by For‐Profit Professionals: European Lawyers on Anti‐Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
Authors: Helgesson Karin Svedberg , Mörth Ulrika 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEU directives on AML (anti‐money laundering)/CTF (counter‐terrorism financing) entail involuntary public policy‐making by for‐profit professionals on politically sensitive issues. This raises fundamental questions on the role of private actors in public policy‐making apart from their roles as lobbyists and contractors. From a democratic perspective, the involuntary public policy‐making by European lawyers is particularly problematic as it involves guardians of the rule of law who, we argue, are simultaneously forced to act as agents of the state. In the case of AML/CTF, lawyers are within the political system rather than outside it. We show that expectations concerning how lawyers are to work closely with the state in the United Kingdom and Sweden differ, and that the policy‐making styles lawyers apply in practice were either ‘pragmatic’ (UK) or ‘evasive’ (Sweden). Our findings provide a first step in understanding the new role of for‐profit professionals as involuntary public policy‐makers, and its possible effects.
Oviposition and feeding avoidance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) against transgenic Bt cotton
Authors: Zhao D. , Zalucki M. P. , Guo R. , Fang Z. , Shen W. , Zhang L. , Liu B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner), the major target pest of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, remains susceptible to Bt cotton in China at present. Behavioural avoidance by ovipositing females might lead to reduced exposure to Bt cotton and minimize selection for physiological resistance. We examined the behavioural responses of H. armigera to Bt and non‐Bt cottons to determine whether behavioural avoidance to Bt cotton may be present. In oviposition choice tests, the number of eggs on non‐Bt cotton plants was significantly higher than on Bt cotton plants. Similarly, in no‐choice tests, Bt cotton plants attracted significantly fewer eggs compared with non‐Bt cotton plants. H. armigera neonates showed higher dispersal and lower establishment on Bt cotton than on non‐Bt cotton. First instars were found to feed consistently on non‐Bt cotton leaves, creating large feeding holes, but only produced tiny feeding holes on Bt cotton leaves. The H. armigera population used in this study showed avoidance of oviposition and feeding on Bt cotton. Our results provide important insights into one possible mechanism underlying the durability of Bt cotton resistance and may be useful for improving strategies to sustain the effectiveness of Bt crops.