bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The method to soften the concretions of ceramics in the “Nanhai I” Shipwreck of China Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279AD)
Authors: Wang Yanrong , Zhu Tiequan , Yang Guicheng , Tan Xian , Ye Daoyang , Chen Haotian 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The “Nanhai I” shipwreck of the Southern Song dynasty is the existent oldest and the most integrally preserved shipwreck in the world. Inside the shipwreck most of the ancient ceramics were covered with different types of concretions. In our work, different types of concretions were analyzed using stereomicroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Based on those analyses, we applied a new physical method of heating and boiling to soften the concretions and remove them from the ceramics. It turned out that this method was efficient to remove the white shellfish concretions, gray concretions and red iron concretions, which not only provided a good basis for the preservation of ancient ceramics of the shipwreck, but also benefited the archaeological research on ancient ceramics.
Addressing alcohol-related dementia should involve better detection, not watchful waiting
Authors: Rao Rahul (Tony) , Draper Brian 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAlcohol-related dementia represents an underrecognised mental disorder with both clinical and public mental health aspects. There is considerable scope for improving its assessment within both mainstream and specialist mental health services, but ongoing challenges remain in ensuring its timely detection so that appropriate preventative and rehabilitative interventions can be applied.Declaration of interestNone.
Impact of adherence to antidepressants on long-term prescription opioid use cessation
Authors: Scherrer Jeffrey F. , Salas Joanne , Sullivan Mark D. , Ahmedani Brian K. , Copeland Laurel A. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Burroughs Thomas , Schneider F. David , Lustman Patrick J. 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundDepression contributes to persistent opioid analgesic use (OAU). Treating depression may increase opioid cessation.AimsTo determine if adherence to antidepressant medications (ADMs) v. non-adherence was associated with opioid cessation in patients with a new depression episode after >90 days of OAU.MethodPatients with non-cancer, non-HIV pain (n = 2821), with a new episode of depression following >90 days of OAU, were eligible if they received ≥1 ADM prescription from 2002 to 2012. ADM adherence was defined as >80% of days covered. Opioid cessation was defined as ≥182 days without a prescription refill. Confounding was controlled by inverse probability of treatment weighting.ResultsIn weighted data, the incidence rate of opioid cessation was significantly (P = 0.007) greater in patients who adhered v. did not adhered to taking antidepressants (57.2/1000 v. 45.0/1000 person-years). ADM adherence was significantly associated with opioid cessation (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% CI 1.05–1.46).ConclusionsADM adherence, compared with non-adherence, is associated with opioid cessation in non-cancer pain. Opioid taper and cessation may be more successful when depression is treated to remission.Declaration of interestNone.
Duration of Anti–Programmed Death-1 Therapy in Advanced Melanoma: How Much of a Good Thing Is Enough?
Authors: Khushalani Nikhil I. 
Published: February 2018

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors’ suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice. A 53-year-old healthy man presented with recurrent in-transit melanoma of the right lower extremity. Eight years prior he had undergone wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy for invasive melanoma of the anteromedial aspect of the distal right thigh. Pathology revealed an ulcerated melanoma, Breslow depth 3.5 mm, and with one involved micrometastatic inguinal lymph node. Staging studies did not demonstrate distant metastases. Superficial inguinal node dissection was performed and did not identify any additional metastatic nodes of 14 retrieved for a final pathologic staging of T3bN1aM0 (stage IIIB) cutaneous melanoma. He received 12 months of adjuvant high-dose interferon alfa-2b. Two years later, he developed a 1.2-cm subcutaneous focus of in-transit recurrence approximately 4 cm proximal to the original melanoma site in the right thigh, which was treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Over the next 4 years, he underwent six additional surgeries for isolated in-transit recurrences affecting the same limb. He was referred for therapeutic options at the time of his latest in-transit recurrence. Examination revealed three palpable subcutaneous nodules in the right thigh in the setting of lymphedema. A core biopsy confirmed recurrent melanoma (Fig 1). Whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging revealed at least 17 hypermetabolic cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules in the right thigh, four fluorodeoxyglucose-avid nodules below the right knee, but no distant metastases (Fig 2A). Brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. His serum chemistry profile, including lactate dehydrogenase, was normal. Molecular analysis demonstrated presence of BRAF V600E mutation in the tumor. After multidisciplinary evaluation, an isolated limb infusion procedure of the right lower extremity was not believed to be feasible, secondary to the proximal extent of the recurrence. Therapy was initiated with pembrolizumab at 2 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity Correlates With Uterine Myoma Volume Reduction After Ulipristal Acetate Treatment
Authors: Courtoy Guillaume E , Henriet Patrick , Marbaix Etienne , de Codt Matthieu , Luyckx Mathieu , Donnez Jacques , Dolmans Marie-Madeleine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractContextUlipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, clinically reduces uterine myoma size in 80% of cases. However, the molecular mechanism of action is still poorly understood, as is the reason why 20% of myomas do not respond to treatment.ObjectiveTo elucidate whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are associated with myoma volume shrinkage after UPA therapy.DesignProspective study.SettingAcademic research unit of a university hospital.PatientsUterine biopsies were obtained from 59 patients with symptomatic myomas undergoing myomectomy, 45 of whom were treated preoperatively with either one or greater than or equal to two, 3-month courses of UPA and 14 not given any hormone therapy to serve as controls. Myoma volume was individually monitored during UPA therapy to determine any substantial clinical response (defined as a reduction in volume of &gt;25%). Three groups were established based on the response to treatment: responsive (R) after one course (n = 12); R after two to four courses (n = 15); and nonresponsive (NR; n = 18).InterventionsUPA treatment given as preoperative management for symptomatic myomas.Main Outcome MeasuresMMP and TIMP expression assessed by zymography and immunohistochemistry.ResultsCompared with controls and NR myomas, responders showed significantly higher expression levels for MMP-1 (P &lt; 0.0001) and MMP-2 (P = 0.009) and significantly lower expression levels for TIMP-1 (P = 0.040).ConclusionsThe correlation found between MMP expression and volume fold change supports the notion that MMPs play a key role in UPA-induced myoma shrinkage.
Skeptical Ignorance: Hume, Shelley, and the Mystery of “Mont Blanc”
Authors: Schey Taylor 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLiterary history commonly holds that the Enlightenment inaugurated an epistemological crisis to which the British Romantic poets sought to respond. The skeptical separation of subject and object is considered a central problem for Romanticism, which is thought to rest on a desire to regain access to things in themselves—or, in a more recent idiom, to what Quentin Meillassoux calls “the great outdoors” and Jane Bennett calls “the out-side.” This story does not stand up to scrutiny. A reexamination of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poetry and philosophy reveals that he was positively invested in a poetic praxis of skeptical ignorance derived from David Hume and that this praxis allowed him to vacate the question of the way things really are. Eschewing the masculinist quest to penetrate the secrets of the natural world, this skeptical praxis offers a quiet solution to the mind-nature problem by dissolving its existence as a problem. It also overhauls our understanding of “Mont Blanc” and illuminates a Romantic tradition founded on a poetics of epistemic sufficiency.
Evaluation of Precision Xceed® for on-site monitoring of blood ß-hydroxybutyric acid and glucose in dairy cows
Authors: PANOUSIS (Ν. ΠΑΝΟΥΣΗΣ) N. , KRITSEPI (Μ. ΚΡΙΤΣΕΠΗ) M. , KARAGIANNIS (Ι. ΚΑΡΑΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ) I. , KALAITZAKIS (ΕΜ. ΚΑΛΑΪΤΖΑΚΗΣ) E. , LAFI E. , BROZOS (Χ. ΜΠΡΟΖΟΣ) Ch. 
Published: February 2018

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Precision Xceed® hand-held meter as an on-site method for determining blood ß-hydroxyboutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose concentrations, for the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis in dry and lactating dairy cows. A total of 163 clinically healthy Holstein cows (113 lactating, 8-50 days-in-milk; and 50 dry, 10-40 days pre-partum) from 5 farms located around Thessaloniki region, were blood-sampled once, from the jugular vein of each animal, 5 to 8 hours after the start of morning feeding. BHBA was determined in all 163 cows, whereas glucose only in 114 cows (50 dry and 64 lactating cows). These analyses were performed, for each cow, by both laboratory method (in serum) and Precision Xceed® meter (in whole blood, cowside). Using laboratory serum BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L as the cut-off point, 11/163 (6.7%) of the tested cows were considered as subclinically ketotic, whereas raising the cut-off to > 1.4 mmol/L, 9/163 (5.5%) cows had subclinical ketosis. All these cows (11 and 9, respectively) were lactating. None of the dry cows had subclinical ketosis at BHBA cut-off of > 1.4 mmol/L. One out of the 50 dry cows (2%) and 15/113 (13.3%) lactating cows sampled were classified as subclinically ketotic when the Precision Xceed® meter was set at BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L. Overall, mean BHBA and glucose concentrations were not statistically different (P>0.05) between the two methods. Significant positive correlations were found for BHBA (strong correlation: r=0.99; n=163; P<0.01) and glucose (moderate correlation: r=0.63; n=114; P<0.01) concentrations between Precision Xceed® and laboratory results. Precision Xceed® is less accurate for measuring glucose (glucometer) compared to BHBA (ketometer). The low percentage of false positive (<0.6%) and false negative (<4%) indicating that the Precision Xceed® meter is an accurate screening test and its results are highly reliable under field conditions. Precision Xceed® meter was highly sensitive (90.9%) and specific (96.05%) at cut off point of BHBA concentrations > 1.2 mmol/L and it had excellent test agreement for detection of subclinical ketosis when using a threshold of blood BHBA > 1.4 mmol/L.
Ethics of experimentation. Ethical review of experimental research protocols
Authors: MARINOU (Κ. ΜΑΡΙΝΟΥ) K. , DONTA (Ι. ΔΟΝΤΑ) I. 
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a set of principles for the conduct of ethical review regarding experiments carried out on laboratory animals, which is important to be maintained from researchers throughout the whole process, from the initial design of the experimental protocol up to the publication of results in a peer-reviewed journal. Animal use should be justified after thorough examination of the existing validated alternative methods. The ethical review of experimental protocols will very soon become obligatory as the revision of the European Directive 86/609/EEC, regarding the protection and welfare of experimental animals, and the process will be clearly defined. In Greece several ethical committees have already been established in academic and research institutions that review applications submitted by researchers who have to prove that they are aware of all ethical aspects of animal experimentation, including a harm/benefit analysis where special attention to the severity of the procedure is given. Ethical committees are responsible for the initial ethical evaluation of research protocols that plan to use laboratory animals and for ensuring that animal welfare considerations are applied. Ethical committees may comprise experts from various scientific fields, among which the participation of a veterinarian specialized in Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine is considered to be essential. The ethical evaluation process needs to become a vital necessity for all researchers wishing to deal with Laboratory Animal Science and biomedical research.
Fever of unknown origin in the dog
Authors: PARDALI (Δ. ΠΑΡΔΑΛΗ) D. , ADAMAMA-MORAITOU (Κ. ΑΔΑΜΑΜΑ-ΜΩΡΑΪΤΟY) K. , RALLIS (Τ. ΡΑΛΛΗΣ) T. 
Published: February 2018

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to a febrile syndrome that does not resolve spontaneously in an adequate period of time for the remission of self-limited infections and definitive diagnosis cannot be established despite considerable diagnostic effort. This definition is an extrapolation from human medicine, since FUO has not been still defined accurately in animals. The spectrum of diseases involved in FUO includes infectious, neoplastic, immune-mediated, miscellaneous and not defined diseases. Clients and clinicians must be aware that FUO may be a diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic plan should always begin with costless and simple tests followed by more invasive and expensive procedures. The initial diagnostic approach of FUO includes a detailed history, a thorough physical examination, a routine laboratory evaluation and radiographical examination of the thorax and abdomen. If diagnosis cannot be achieved, specific non-invasive tests should then be applied. No therapeutic trial should be initiated during evaluation, since it may alleviate clinical symptoms and alter the laboratory results potentially misleading the diagnostic approach. Nevertheless, fever is rarely harmful. In body temperature above 41,0 °C, diagnostic evaluation is postponed and the initiation of an emergency therapy is strongly recommended. If definitive diagnosis is confirmed, the dog is treated accordingly. Therapeutic trial is indicated, if despite the thorough evaluation no diagnosis is established or the owners are unwilling to support the cost of the diagnostic work-up of their dog. Therapy is focused on the administration of antibiotics followed by steroids and finally non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.
Ochratoxin A in foods of animal origin
Authors: GOVARIS (Α. ΓΚΟΒΑΡΗΣ) A. , SOLOMAKOS (Ν. ΣΟΛΩΜΑΚΟΣ) N. , PAXARA (Α. ΠΕΞΑΡΑ) A. 
Published: February 2018

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungi Aspergillus ochraceus καιPénicillium verrucosum. OTA shows a nephrotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic and carcinogenic action against animals and humans. In humans, OTA is implicated in the aetiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy. OTA can be mainly found in foods of animal origin as a result of indirect transmission from animals exposed to naturally contaminated feed. Results from research works in various countries showed that the pork meat was the most important source of human contamination with OTA, as compared to other products of animal origin. Sausages containing blood or pork kidney presented the highest amounts of OTA among other food products of animal origin. The presence of OTA in cow's milk was rather low, since the bacteria in the rumen of ruminants are capable of splitting OTA to ochratoxin a, which is generally accepted as no toxic metabolite. The European Union has not yet set limits of ochratoxin in foods of animal origin, in contrast to these of limits in foods of plant origin.
An endeavor to improve longevity of cryopreserved equine sperm
Authors: KCHALIFA TAA , WAHEED M. M. , LYMBEROPOULOS (Α.Γ. ΛΥΜΠΕΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) A. G. 
Published: February 2018

Exposure of sperm cells to the oxidative stress pending hypothermic storage of semen has been suggested to be responsible, in part, for the decline of their motility and fertility. This study was conducted to evaluate the in-vitro effects of antioxidants (AOs) and / or caffeine on longevity of cryopreserved stallion spermatozoa. Aliquots from the gel-free fraction of semen ejaculates (n=12), collected from 5 Arabian stallions (9-18 years old) of unknown sperm freezability, were mixed 1:1 with a Tris-egg yolk extender (TEYE), centrifuged at 500 χ g for 5 min and sperm cells were frozen in the form of 0.25-ml concentrated pellets after 2-step addition of TEYE supplemented with or without AOs (0.50 mg /ml Na pyruvate, 1 mg / ml Na thiosulfate, 5 mg / ml bovine serum albumin, 0.15 mg / ml zinc chloride and 0.50 mg / ml ferulic acid). The final pre-freeze concentrations of glycerol and sperm cells were 5% and 562-924 χ IO6 / ml, respectively. Frozen pellets from non-AOs and AOs-treated sperm were thawed in a Tris-citric acidglucose solution (40°C) containing 0, 0.49, 0.97 or 1.94 mg / ml caffeine and incubated (140-230 χ IO6 sperm / ml) at 30°C for 3 h. Sperm progressive motility (%) was assessed after centrifugation, before freezing and after 0, 1, 2 and 3 h of thawing. The results revealed significant (P<0.05) effects of sperm treatments only on post-thaw motility. Neither AOs alone nor caffeine alone could significantly ameliorate the maintenance of sperm motility. AOs plus 0.97 or 1.94 mg / ml caffeine were the superior supplements in improving the longevity of stallion spermatozoa.
Mycotoxicosis of swine. Metabolism and toxicokinetics of their causative mycotoxins
Authors: TASSIS (Π. Δ. ΤΑΣΣΗΣ) P. D. , ALEXOPOULOS (Κ. ΑΛΕΞΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) C. , KRITAS (Σ. Κ. ΚΡΗΤΑΣ) S. K. , TZIKA (Ε. Δ. ΤΖΗΚΑ) E. D. , SAOULIDIS (Κ. ΣΑΟΥΛΙΔΗΣ) K. , KYRIAKIS (ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗΣ Σ.Κ.) S. C. 
Published: February 2018

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi of various genera, when they grow on agricultural products, especially grains which are mainly used as pig ratios' raw materials, before or after harvest or during transportation or storage. Mycotoxins affect up to 25% of the world's crop production causing extensive economical losses globally. The mycotoxins, which are of high significance for swine populations and are usually found in higher concentrations in swine feed raw materials (cereals, such as corn, barley etc.), are: aflatoxins and especially aflatoxin Bl 5 trichothecenes and principally deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxins and particularly ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins and mainly fumonisin Bj. The fate of a toxin after consumption via feed by pigs depends upon the extent and rate of its absorption, its distribution, its binding or localization in tissues, its biotransformation and its excretion processes, including transmission in swine-derived food products. The rate of each of these events, which contributed to both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the toxin, is determined by the chemical and physical properties of the compounds and by interaction with tissue responsible of metabolism or elimination. The aim of this review is to emphasize on the basic stages of the metabolism and the pathways of the toxicokinetics of certain mycotoxins. Moreover, the most frequent clinical signs seen in pigs, due to the most important mycotoxins occurring in swine farms, are pointed out.
Oregano, thyme and sage, as natural additives to foods
Authors: SOLOMAKOS (Ν. ΣΟΛΩΜΑΚΟΣ) N. , GOVARIS (Α. ΓΚΟΒΑΡΗΣ) A. 
Published: February 2018

Herbs have been used as natural additives against chemical additives during the last few years, since the latter have been accused that can endanger consumers life. Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp hirtum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and sage (Salvia officinalis) are three herbs that are found in Greece and their use as natural additives to foods have been investigated in recent years all over the world. Herbs are rich in phenols, which are principally characterized by a notable antimicrobial and antioxidative activity. The two main phenols of Oregano and thyme are carvacrol and thymol, which are in higher amounts than other compounds. The main phenolic compounds of sage are thusone and rosmanol. Other compounds found in lower amounts, like n-cymene (in Oregano and thyme) or a-terpineol (in sage) contribute in the antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of these herbs. Oregano, thyme and sage present an important antimicrobial activity against several pathogens of foods, such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter jejuni or Listeria monocytogenes. The present herbs present also an important antifungal activity against fungi that can grow in foods like Aspergillus spp. or Candida spp., which can endanger consumers life. The antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of these herbs was verified either in vitro experiments or in foods. The dietary supplementation of Oregano and thyme essential oil to chicken and turkeys resulted in the oxidative stability of their meat during refrigerated and frozen storage.