bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased use of heated humidified high flow nasal cannula is associated with longer oxygen requirements
Authors: Heath Jeffery Rachael C , Broom Margaret , Shadbolt Bruce , Todd David A 
Published: June 2017

AimThere has been an increased use of heated humidified high flow nasal canula (HFNC) in premature babies (PBs) admitted to our neonatal unit. The aim of this study is to identify clinical characteristics in PBs < 29 weeks gestational age (GA) that distinguish between those who did not or did receive HFNC.MethodsThis study compared prospectively collected data from 2010 to 2012. Comparisons were undertaken between PBs<29 weeks GA who received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP: 44/72 (61.1%)) to those who received both CPAP and HFNC (28/72 (38.9%)). Data were analysed using general linear models.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups (GA: 27.6 ± 1.1 vs. 27.5 ± 1.1 (weeks), birth weight: 1066 ± 209 vs. 1057 ± 304 (grams) respectively). When analysing outcome measures with multivariate analysis, we found the corrected GA to cease CPAP and oxygen were significantly longer in the HFNC group (31.2 ± 2.1 vs. 32.7 ± 2.0 weeks, P = 0.01 and 32.8 ± 3.5 vs. 36.5 ± 2.8 weeks, P < 0.0001 respectively).ConclusionsIncreased use of HFNC has been associated with increased oxygen requirements. These findings highlight the need to review the use of HFNC in small PBs.
Long‐term serum bile acid concentrations in 51 dogs after complete extrahepatic congenital portosystemic shunt ligation
Authors: Bristow P. , Tivers M. , Packer R. , Brockman D. , Ortiz V. , Newson K. , Lipscomb V. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo report the long‐term bile acid stimulation test results for dogs that have undergone complete suture ligation of a single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt.Materials and MethodsData were collected from the hospital records of all dogs that had undergone a complete suture ligation of a single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Owners were invited to return to the referral centre or their local veterinarian for repeat serum bile acid measurement. Dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy and undergoing bile acid stimulation tests were used as a comparison population.ResultsFifty‐one study dogs were included, with a mean follow‐up time of 62 months. 48 dogs had no evidence of multiple acquired shunts and a significant reduction in the pre‐ and post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations at long‐term follow‐up compared with pre‐operative measurements. Pre‐ and post‐prandial serum bile acids were statistically significantly greater for dogs that had undergone a full ligation (with no evidence of multiple acquired shunts) at all time points compared to the control dogs (P<0·001 for all comparisons).Clinical SignificanceThe results suggest that in dogs treated with complete suture ligation mild increases in serum bile acids are not clinically relevant if there are no physical examination abnormalities, a normal body condition score and no relapse in clinical signs.
Mountain Railway Alignment Optimization with Bidirectional Distance Transform and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Wei , Pu Hao , Schonfeld Paul , Yang Junsheng , Zhang Hong , Wang Lei , Xiong Jiaxing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractVarious challenging constraints must be satisfied in railway alignment design for topographically complex mountainous regions. The alignment design for such environments is so challenging that existing methodologies have great difficulties in automatically generating viable railway alignment alternatives. We solve this problem with a hybrid method in which a bidirectional distance transform (DT) algorithm automatically selects control points before a genetic algorithm (GA) refines the alignment. This approach solves the problems of (1) determining the appropriate distribution of control points in the GA and (2) producing alignments that deviate significantly from the DT‐optimized paths. Automatic design of backtracking curves and dynamic generation of vertical points of intersection handling multiple constraints are developed to improve the GA performance. This method has been applied to a real case on the Sichuan–Tibet Railway where excessively severe natural gradients must be overcome. It automatically finds an alignment optimized for the given objectives and complex constraints, as well as various promising alternatives.
Resveratrol and pterostilbene as a microRNA‐mediated chemopreventive and therapeutic strategy in prostate cancer
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Rimando Agnes M. , Levenson Anait S. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGrowing evidence indicates that deregulation of the epigenetic machinery comprising the microRNA (miRNA) network is a critical factor in the progression of various diseases, including cancer. Concurrently, dietary phytochemicals are being intensively studied for their miRNA‐mediated health‐beneficial properties, such as anti‐inflammatory, cardioprotective, antioxidative, and anticancer properties. Available experimental data have suggested that dietary polyphenols may be effective miRNA‐modulating chemopreventive and therapeutic agents. Moreover, noninvasive detection of changes in miRNA expression in liquid biopsies opens enormous possibilities for their clinical utilization as novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers. In our published studies, we identified resveratrol‐regulated miRNA profiles in prostate cancer. Resveratrol downregulated the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)–targeting members of the oncogenic miR‐17 family of miRNAs, which are overexpressed in prostate cancer. We have functionally validated the miRNA‐mediated ability of resveratrol and its potent analog pterostilbene to rescue the tumor suppressor activity of PTEN in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings implicate the use of resveratrol and its analogs as an attractive miRNA‐mediated chemopreventive and therapeutic strategy in prostate cancer and the use of circulating miRNAs as potential predictive biomarkers for clinical development.
Campylobacter fetus impairs barrier function in HT‐29/B6 cells through focal tight junction alterations and leaks
Authors: Bücker Roland , Krug Susanne M. , Fromm Anja , Nielsen Hans Linde , Fromm Michael , Nielsen Henrik , Schulzke Jörg‐Dieter 
Published: June 2017

AbstractInfections by Campylobacter species are the most common foodborne zoonotic disease worldwide. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are isolated most frequently from human stool samples, but severe infections by C. fetus (Cf), which can cause gastroenteritis, septicemia, and abortion, are also found. This study aims at the characterization of pathological changes in Cf infection using an intestinal epithelial cell model. The Cf‐induced epithelial barrier defects appeared earlier than those of avian Campylobacter species like C. jejuni/C. coli. Two‐path impedance spectroscopy (2PI) distinguished transcellular and paracellular resistance contributions to the overall epithelial barrier impairment. Both transcellular and paracellular resistance of Cf‐infected HT‐29/B6 monolayers were reduced. The latter was attributed to activation of active anion secretion. Western blot analysis showed no decrease in tight junction (TJ) protein expression (claudin‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and ‐4) but showed redistribution of claudin‐1 off the TJ domain. In addition, Cf induced epithelial cell death, cell detachment, and lesions (focal leaks), as the result of which macromolecule flux (10‐kDa dextran) was increased in Cf‐invaded cell monolayers. In conclusion, barrier dysfunction from Cf infection was due to TJ protein redistribution, cell death induction, and leak formation, resulting in bacterial translocation, ion leak flux, and antigen uptake (leaky gut).
A vicious circle in chronic lymphoedema pathophysiology? An adipocentric view
Authors: Cucchi F. , Rossmeislova L. , Simonsen L. , Jensen M. R. , Bülow J. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryChronic lymphoedema is a disease caused by a congenital or acquired damage to the lymphatic system and characterized by complex chains of pathophysiologic events such as lymphatic fluid stasis, chronic inflammation, lymphatic vessels impairment, adipose tissue deposition and fibrosis. These events seem to maintain and reinforce themselves through a positive feedback loop: regardless of the initial cause of lymphatic stasis, the dysfunctional adipose tissue and its secretion products can worsen lymphatic vessels' function, aggravating lymph leakage and stagnation, which can promote further adipose tissue deposition and fibrosis, similar to what may happen in obesity. In addition to the current knowledge about the tight and ancestral interrelation between immunity system and metabolism, there is evidence for similarities between obesity‐related and lymphatic damage‐induced lymphoedema. Together, these observations indicate strong reciprocal relationship between lymphatics and adipose tissue and suggest a possible key role of the adipocyte in the pathophysiology of chronic lymphoedema's vicious circle.
Centre‐level variation in treatment and outcomes and predictors of outcomes in 5‐year‐old children with non‐syndromic unilateral cleft lip treated within a centralized service: the Cleft Care UK study. Part 6: summary and implications
Authors: Ness A. R. , Wills A. K. , Mahmoud O. , Hall A. , Sell D. , Smallridge J. , Southby L. , Stokes D. , Toms S. , Waylen A. , Wren Y. , Sandy J. R. 
Published: June 2017

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo summarize and discuss centre‐level variation across a range of treatment and outcome measures and examine individual and ecological determinants of outcome in children in Cleft Care UK (CCUK).Setting and sample populationTwo hundred and sixty‐eight 5‐year‐old British children with non‐syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) recruited to CCUK and treated within a centralized service.Materials and MethodsChildren had a range of treatment and outcome measures collected at a 5‐year audit clinic. These outcomes included dento‐alveolar arch relationships from study models, measures of facial appearance from cropped photographs, hearing loss from audiological assessment, speech from speech recordings, self‐confidence and strengths and difficulties from parental self‐report. Data were collected on educational attainment at age 7 using record linkage. Centre variation was examined using hierarchical regression and associations between variables were examined using logistic or poisson regression.ResultsThere was centre‐level variation for some treatments (early grommet placement, fitting of hearing aids, fluoride treatment, secondary speech surgery and treatment for cleft speech characteristics) and for some outcomes (intelligibility of speech). Hearing loss was associated with a higher risk of poor speech while speech therapy was associated with a lower risk of poor speech. Children had high levels of caries but levels of preventative treatment (fluoride varnish and tablets) were low.ConclusionsFurther improvements to and monitoring of the current centralized model of care are required to ensure the best outcomes for all children with cleft lip and palate.
Improving adaptation to drought stress in white pea bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): Genotypic effects on grain yield, yield components and pod harvest index
Authors: Assefa Teshale , Rao Idupulapati M. , Cannon Steven B. , Wu Jixiang , Gutema Zenbaba , Blair Matthew , Otyama Paul , Alemayehu Fitsume , Dagne Belete 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important food legume crop in Africa and Latin America where rainfall pattern is unpredictable. The objectives were to identify better yielding common bean lines with good canning quality under drought, and to identify traits that could be used as selection criteria for evaluating drought‐tolerant genotypes. In all, 35 advanced lines were developed through single seed descent and evaluated with a standard check under drought and irrigated conditions at two locations over 2 years in Ethiopia. Grain yield (GY), pod number per m2, seed number per m2 and seed weight decreased by 56%, 47%, 49% and 14%, respectively, under drought stress. Eight genotypes had better yield with good canning quality under drought compared to the check. Moderate to high proportion of genetic effects were observed under drought conditions for GY and yield components compared to genotype × environment effects. Significant positive correlations between GY and pod harvest index (PHI) in drought suggest that PHI could be used as an indirect selection criterion for common bean improvement.
A molecular‐genetic understanding of diapause in spider mites: current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Bryon Astrid , Kurlovs Andre H. , Van Leeuwen Thomas , Clark Richard M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDuring unfavourable conditions, many arthropods have the ability to enter into diapause and synchronize their development and reproduction to seasonal patterns. Diapause or winter hibernation in insects and mites is set off by a number of cues, with photoperiod being the most well‐defined and strongest signal. This review focuses on the current knowledge of ‘‐omics’ data and the genetics of diapause in the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, a member of the family Tetranychidae (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Arachnida: Acari). This species is a serious polyphagous pest and females undergo a reproductive facultative diapause when immature stages are exposed to long nights. Winter hibernation induces different physiological processes characterized by a metabolic suppression, different energy use, increased stress tolerance and the production of cryoprotectants, all initiated by a complex signal transduction pathway. Keto‐carotenoids are known to cause the deeply orange colour typical for diapausing females. Furthermore, research with colour mutants of T. urticae has shown the need for carotenoids with respect to the induction of diapause, even though the molecular‐genetic mechanisms underlying these colour phenotypes are still unknown. In addition, marked latitudinal variation in diapause incidence among populations has been observed in nature, with modes of inheritance ranging from recessive to dominant, as well as monogenic to polygenic. We end by highlighting the emerging opportunities for functional studies that aim to unravel the complex factors underlying diapause in spider mites.
Frances Harriet Williams: Unsung Social Equity Pioneer
Authors: Gooden Susan T. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFrances Harriet Williams was an unsung social equity pioneer in the field of public administration. Long before the Minnowbrook I Conference convened in the 1960s to discuss the importance of fairness in the provision of public services, Williams successfully promoted values of social equity and racial fairness within public administration scholarly and practitioner communities. Raised by progressive parents in the South, Williams was the only high‐ranking African‐American woman in the federal government during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. She was directly involved in leading the Office of Price Administration to a staff that was at least 13 percent black when the rest of government was no more than 1 percent black. This work was the focus of her 1947 article in Public Administration Review, the first publication on racial equity to appear in the field's flagship journal. Her efforts and accomplishments undergird many of the ideals and practices that constitute the concept of social equity in public administration today.
Regional Governance and Institutional Collective Action for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Yi Hongtao , Suo Liming , Shen Ruowen , Zhang Jiasheng , Ramaswami Anu , Feiock Richard C. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
This research investigates why various mechanisms of cooperation among local authorities are chosen using the theoretical lens of institutional collective action (ICA). The article analyzes 564 local collaboration agreements drawn from four urban regions of China to explain the choices of environmental collaboration agreements among cities. Examples of three forms of interlocal agreements—informal, formal, and imposed agreements—are analyzed. Ordinal logistic regressions are estimated to test which factors predicted by the ICA framework influence the form of collaboration selected. The results indicate that the involvement of national or provincial government, the number of policy actors involved, heterogeneity of economic conditions, and differences in administrative level among the actors involved influence how collaboration agreements are structured. Examining the choice of agreement type contributes to the understanding of interlocal collaboration and provides practical insights for public managers to structure interlocal collaboration.
Stream energy distribution below Eleyele Dam in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Olusola Adeyemi Oludapo , Fashae Olutoyin 
Published: June 2017

Expressing the rate of energy dissipation either within a basin or in a downstream manner is important in understanding occurrence and association between various morphological variables. This study focuses on the downstream variation in stream power and its relationship with morphological variates along the main channel of River Ona, Ibadan, Nigeria. River Ona stretches for 20.5 km downstream of Eleyele Dam. Twenty‐seven (27) points were sampled along this stretch. The 27 points were averaged into nine (9) reaches. At each cross‐section, channel characteristics were observed and measured. These include: width (W), depth (D), velocity (V), slope (S), Cross‐sectional area (A), discharge (Q), total stream power (TSP), specific stream power (SSP), width‐depth ratio (W/D), hydraulic radius (R) and wetted perimeter (P). This study confirmed that the influence of a dam present upstream of a river channel significantly alters the behaviour of slope and this in essence affects the distribution of energy along the river channel. Slope produces a logarithmic relationship with increasing distance downstream (Y = ‐32.79‐0.70InS, r = 0.70, r2 = 0.49, p < 0.05) while there was no significant relationship between Q and distance downstream.
On the identifiability of Hill‐1948 plasticity model with a single biaxial test on very thin sheet
Authors: Bertin Morgan , Hild François , Roux Stéphane 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOne biaxial experiment is performed on an ultrathin specimen made of 17‐7 precipitation hardened stainless steel. An antiwrinkling setup allows for the characterization of the mechanical behavior with integrated digital image correlation. A sensitivity analysis assesses the amount of data available but reveals a discrepancy between observation and model that is interpreted as the occurrence of wrinkling in a confined boundary layer. From this observation, the identification is performed on a refined region of interest where reliable data are accessible. The calibration of parameters of various constitutive equations is performed. In particular, the identifiability of the so‐called Hill‐1948 model is analyzed.
Red blood cell storage duration and long‐term mortality in patients undergoing cardiac intervention: a Danish register study
Authors: Dencker D. , Pedersen F. , Engstrøm T. , Schroeder T. V. , Lönn L. , Johansson P. I. , De Backer O. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo study the effect of red blood cell (RBC) storage duration on long‐term mortality in patients undergoing cardiac intervention.BackgroundRBCs undergo numerous structural and functional changes during storage. Observational studies have assessed the association between RBC storage duration and patient outcomes with conflicting results.MethodsBetween January 2006 and December 2014, 82 408 patients underwent coronary angiography. Of these, 1856 patients received one to four RBC units within 30 days after this procedure. Patients were allocated according to length of RBC storage duration: short‐term (≤11 days), intermediate (IM)‐term (12–23 days) and long‐term (≥24 days). The study endpoints were 30‐day and long‐term all‐cause mortality.ResultsA total of 4168 RBC units were given to 1856 patients. The mean RBC storage duration was 8.5 ± 2.1, 17.7 ± 3.4 and 29.9 ± 3.4 days in the short‐term, IM‐term and long‐term storage groups, respectively. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. The long‐term storage group received significantly more units (2.4 ± 1.0 units) as compared to the short‐term (2.0 ± 1.0 units; P < 0.001) and IM‐term storage group (2.2 ± 1.0 units; P < 0.01). In the survival analysis, there was no significant difference in all‐cause mortality between the groups (log‐rank: 0.509 for 30‐days mortality; 0.493 for 5‐year mortality). Additional stratified analysis demonstrated no association between RBC storage duration and long‐term mortality.ConclusionThis study did not find an association between RBC storage duration and 30‐days or long‐term mortality in patients undergoing cardiac intervention.
Performance of a Quantitative PCR-Based Assay and Beta-
d
-Glucan Detection for Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Neonatal Patients (CANDINEO Study)
Authors: Ramos Jose Tomas , Villar Sonia , Bouza Emilio , Bergon-Sendin Elena , Perez Rivilla Alfredo , Collados Caridad Tapia , Andreu Mariano , Reyes Candelaria Santana , Campos-Herrero María Isolina , de Heredia Jon López , Herrera María Cruz López , Alonso Paloma Anguita , Pallás-Alonso Carmen Rosa , Cuenca-Estrella Manuel ,   the CANDINEO Study Group
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

An epidemiological, multicenter, noninterventional, observational case-control study was conducted to describe the performance of serum beta-
d
-glucan (BDG) and
Candida
PCR in blood, serum, and sterile samples for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis (IC) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm neonates and to compare these techniques with culture of samples from blood and other sterile sites. Seventeen centers participated in the study, and the number of episodes analyzed was 159. A total of 9 episodes of IC from 9 patients (7 confirmed and 2 probable) and 150 episodes of suspected sepsis from 117 controls were identified. The prevalence of IC was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1 to 9.3). The mortality was significantly higher in episodes of IC (44.4%) than in the non-IC episodes (11.1%,
P
< 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR performed on blood/serum samples were 87.5% and 81.6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the BDG results were lower (75.0% and 64.6%). For cases with negative culture results, the PCR and the BDG results were positive in 27 (17.4%) and 52 (33.5%) episodes, respectively. The presence of multiorgan failure, improvement with empirical antifungal therapy, thrombocytopenia, and
Candida
colonization were significantly associated (
P
< 0.01) with PCR or BDG positivity regardless of the results of the cultures. Serum BDG analysis and
Candida
PCR could be used as complementary diagnostic techniques to detect IC in VLBW neonates.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Liesman Rachael M. , Pritt Bobbi S. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Patel Robin 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Infective endocarditis is life-threatening; identification of the underlying etiology informs optimized individual patient management. Changing epidemiology, advances in blood culture techniques, and new diagnostics guide the application of laboratory testing for diagnosis of endocarditis. Blood cultures remain the standard test for microbial diagnosis, with directed serological testing (i.e., Q fever serology,
Bartonella
serology) in culture-negative cases. Histopathology and molecular diagnostics (e.g., 16S rRNA gene PCR/sequencing,
Tropheryma whipplei
PCR) may be applied to resected valves to aid in diagnosis. Herein, we summarize recent knowledge in this area and propose a microbiologic and pathological algorithm for endocarditis diagnosis.