bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different cryopreservation methods for horse and donkey embryos
Authors: Pérez‐Marín C. C. , Vizuete G. , Vazquez‐Martinez R. , Galisteo J. J. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBackgroundFew studies have been published about cryopreservation and embryo assessment in horses and donkeys.ObjectivesTo evaluate the viability of embryos collected from mares and jennies that were cryopreserved by slow freezing or by vitrification.Study designRandomised controlled experiment.MethodsHorse (n=19) and donkey (n=16) embryos (≤300 μm) were recovered on days 6.5–7.5 post‐ovulation and assigned to control or cryopreservation protocols of slow freezing or vitrification. For slow freezing, 1.5 mol/L ethylene glycol (EG) was used. For vitrification, horse embryos were exposed to 1.4 mol/L glycerol, 1.4 mol/L glycerol + 3.6 mol/L EG and 3.4 mol/L glycerol + 4.6 mol/L EG, using Fibreplug or a 0.25 mL straw; donkey embryos were vitrified using Fibreplug with similar EG–glycerol solutions to above or 7.0 mol/L EG. Dead cells, apoptotic and fragmented nuclei, and cytoskeleton quality were assessed on thawed/warmed embryos.ResultsA significant decrease in embryo quality was observed after cryopreservation (P<0.05). Although the percentage of dead cells was lower (P<0.05) in control than in cryopreserved embryos, no differences were observed between freezing protocols used for horse or donkey embryos. While no differences were detected in the number of apoptotic cells in warmed horse embryos, in donkey embryos a higher incidence of apoptosis was measured after vitrification with EG–glycerol in Fibreplug (P<0.05). Vitrified horse embryos had a significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage of nonviable cells than donkey embryo. Actin cytoskeleton quality did not differ between treatments.Main limitationsDifficulties in obtaining a large number of embryos meant that the number of embryos per group was low.ConclusionsVitrified horse and donkey embryos did not show higher susceptibility to cell damage than those preserved by slow freezing, whether using straws or Fibreplug. However, Fibreplug with EG 7 mol/L resulted in fewer nonviable and apoptotic cells in donkey embryos. Donkey embryos showed lower susceptibility to vitrification than horse embryos.The Summary is available in Spanish ‐ See Supporting Information
The late‐stage “ferruginization” of the Ediacara Member (Rawnsley Quartzite, South Australia): Insights from uranium isotopes
Authors: Tarhan L. G. , Planavsky N. J. , Wang X. , Bellefroid E. J. , Droser M. L. , Gehling J. G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe paleoenvironmental setting in which the Ediacara Biota lived, died, and was preserved in the eponymous Ediacara Member of the Rawnsley Quartzite of South Australia is an issue of long‐standing interest and recent debate. Over the past few decades, interpretations have ranged from deep marine to shallow marine to terrestrial. One of the key features invoked by adherents of the terrestrial paleoenvironment hypothesis is the presence of iron oxide coatings, inferred to represent the upper horizons of paleosols, along fossiliferous sandstone beds of the Ediacara Member. We find that these surficial oxides are characterized by (234U/238U) values which are not in secular equilibrium, indicating extensive fluid‐rich alteration of these surfaces within the past approximately 2 million years. Specifically, the oxide coatings are characterized by (234U/238U) values >1, indicating interaction with high‐(234U/238U) fluids derived from alpha‐recoil discharge. These oxides are also characterized by light “stable” δ238/235U values, consistent with a groundwater U source. These U isotope data thus corroborate sedimentological observations that ferric oxides along fossiliferous surfaces of the Ediacara Member consist of surficial, non‐bedform‐parallel staining, and sharply irregular patches, strongly reflecting post‐depositional, late‐stage processes. Therefore, both sedimentological and geochemical evidence indicate that Ediacara iron oxides do not reflect synsedimentary ferruginization and that the presence of iron oxides cannot be used to either invoke a terrestrial paleoenvironmental setting for or reconstruct the taphonomic pathways responsible for preservation of the Ediacara Biota. These findings demonstrate that careful assessment of paleoenvironmental parameters is essential to the reconstruction of the habitat of the Ediacara Biota and the factors that led to the fossilization of these early complex ecosystems.
The economic geography of immigrant diversity: Disparate impacts and new directions
Authors: Cooke Abigail , Kemeny Thomas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIncreasing immigrant diversity, both in the number of immigrants and the diversity of sending countries, is helping reshape the economic landscape in many countries, most notably in their urban regions. This paper provides a succinct introduction to the existing research on the economic effects, particularly productivity, of immigrant diversity, focusing on a recent wave of empirical work. It identifies outstanding questions in the research, offering several ways to push current lines of inquiry ahead and suggesting areas as yet underexplored. To motivate these new directions for geographers to pursue, it presents empirical results that raise more questions than they answer. In doing so, it sets the stage for future work that can generate a deeper understanding of the role of immigrant diversity in shaping economic welfare in cities.
Solitary fibrous tumour of the female genital tract: a clinicopathological analysis of 25 cases
Authors: Yang Eric J , Howitt Brooke E , Fletcher Christopher D M , Nucci Marisa R 
Published: November 2017

AimsSolitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is an uncommon spindle cell neoplasm of fibroblastic origin, first described as a tumour of the pleura and now well established at extrapleural sites. However, SFT in the female genital tract is rare and therefore not fully characterised. Here, we describe a series of 25 SFTs arising throughout the gynaecological tract, including the vulva (14 cases), vagina (one), cervix (one), uterus (six), ovary (two), and fallopian tube (one).Methods and resultsThe tumours showed classic histology as well as known variant morphological features, including a fatty component, diffuse stromal hyalinisation, myxoid stroma, and giant‐cell angiofibroma‐like features. Eleven (11/25, 44%) were considered to be histologically malignant on the basis of mitotic counts of ≥4 per 10 high‐power fields. Follow‐up data were available for nine (3–56 months; mean 25 months). Six patients are alive with no evidence of disease, and three are alive with disease. Both SFT and other spindle cell lesions of the gynaecological tract were stained for STAT6. Ninety per cent of SFTs showed nuclear expression of STAT6. The majority of other tumour types were negative for STAT6, except for a subset of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (1/3; 33%), fibroma/thecoma (3/56; 5%), and sclerosing stromal tumour (1/3; 33%), which showed weak/focal staining.ConclusionGynaecological SFT can be diagnosed reliably with careful morphological evaluation and judicious use of immunohistochemical stains, and should be considered in the diagnostic workup of spindle cell tumours of unclear lineage in the female genital tract.
Determination of optimum Al content in HA‐Al2O3 nanocomposites coatings prepared by electrophoretic deposition on titanium substrate
Authors: Askari Nayereh , Yousefpour Mardali , Rajabi Masoud 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this research work, Hydroxyapatite (HA)‐Al2O3 bio nanocomposite coatings were coated on titanium substrate by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and reaction bonding process. The reaction bonding process densifies the coating and creates small uniform porosities. HA‐Al2O3 bio nanocomposite coatings were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). For the coatings sintered for 2 hours at 850°C, XRD results demonstrated no significant HA decomposition. The adhesion strength increased from 10.2 MPa to 25 MPa. It was determined that 50 wt.% of Al is the optimum content for producing free‐of‐crack composite coatings on the titanium surface as shown by SEM examination.
Resource allocation with partial responsibilities for initial endowments
Authors: Chambers Christopher P. , Hayashi Takashi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper studies a resource allocation problem in which each individual is responsible but in general only partially for his initial endowment. We consider pure‐exchange economies with initial endowments but we do not assume the individual rationality axiom, taking the society to consist of citizens who cannot opt out of it. We characterize a class of allocation rules which are parametrized by income redistribution codes. In particular, we characterize a one‐parameter family of income redistribution codes, in which one extreme corresponds to the case where everybody is 100% responsible for his initial endowment and the other extreme corresponds to the case where nobody is responsible for his endowment at all.
Competitive equilibrium in the random assignment problem
Authors: Le Phuong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper studies the problem of random assignment with fractional endowments. Fractional endowments complicate matters because the assignment has to make an agent weakly better off than his endowment. I first formulate an exchange economy that resembles the random assignment problem and prove the existence of competitive equilibrium in this economy. I then propose a pseudo‐market mechanism for the random assignment problem that is based on the competitive equilibrium. This mechanism is individually rational, Pareto optimal and justified envy‐free but not incentive compatible.
Competition versus collusion: The impact of consumer inertia
Authors: Bos Iwan , Peeters Ronald , Pot Erik 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA model of dynamic price competition is analyzed to assess how consumer inertia may impact the ability of firms to sustain high prices. Three main consequences are identified: maintaining high prices does not require punishment strategies when firms are sufficiently myopic; for sufficiently high levels of inertia, high prices can be sustained at all discount factors; and the ability to maintain high prices may depend non‐monotonically on the level of the discount factor. Our findings offer implications for strategic firm behavior and public policy. For example, measures aiming to reduce the degree of consumer inertia are unambiguously effective in traditional markets, but may facilitate collusion in network industries.
Health insurance, market power, and social welfare
Authors: Liang Run , Wang Hao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper considers the welfare effects of health insurance. With a rather general model, we show that the presence of traditional health insurance makes consumers worse off when the marginal cost of health care is low enough, while always making the health care provider better off. The presence of traditional health insurance increases social welfare, but cannot achieve the socially optimal outcome. Furthermore, we consider a market structure called “integrated health insurance” and show that in a health care market where a firm provides not only health care but also health insurance, the socially optimal outcome can be achieved.
Multiple centre evaluation study of ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor assays
Authors: Langley K. , Fretwell R. , Kitchen S. , MacDonald S. , Dutt T. , Baker P. , Singh D. , McDonald V. , Hughes C. , Murphy P. , Scully M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionAccurate evaluation of ADAMTS13 activity is required for the diagnosis and clinical management of thrombotic microangiopathies, and commercial kits are available for routine laboratory use.MethodsOur study compares the results from Technoclone (Technoclone GmbH, Austria) activity and Inhibitor kits with specialist laboratory reference methods (FRETS and ELISA IgG) and the impact of transporting frozen samples and comparison of results.ResultsThis multicentre study identified differences in Technoclone activity results compared to specialist testing, which could potentially impact diagnosis. A change in the commercial kit during the study period appears to have rectified the detection levels. Frozen samples provided comparable results between sites.ConclusionWith close attention to normal ranges, commercial kits are suitable for use in the clinical diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathies and frozen transportation of samples between sites is a suitable approach. However, a robust external quality control system is essential to provide an independent evaluation of changes in kit production.
Evaluation of NovoRapid infusion as a treatment option in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Kwok Raylene , Sztal‐Mazer Shoshana , Hopkins Ria E. , Poole Susan G. , Grannell Louise , Coutsouvelis John , Topliss Duncan J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of NovoRapid (insulin aspart) compared to Actrapid™ (human neutral insulin) for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In this retrospective study involving 40 patients, no statistically significant differences were observed between biochemical variables, infusion duration or complications in patients treated with insulin aspart or human neutral insulin. These results support the use of insulin aspart as an effective and safe alternative to human neutral insulin in DKA.
Inappropriate inhaled corticosteroid prescribing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Harrison Amelia , Borg Brigitte , Thompson Bruce , Hew Mark , Dabscheck Eli 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Australian National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) guidelines recommend that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) be reserved for patients with a post‐bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) less than 50% predicted and those who experience ≥2 exacerbations in 12 months. In total, 707 COPD patients were identified from the lung function test database at our tertiary hospital; 52.4% of patients with a post‐bronchodilator FEV1 ≥50% were prescribed an ICS. Significant discordance exists between guideline recommendations and inhaler prescription.
Optimizing multiship routing and scheduling with constraints on inventory levels in a Brazilian oil company
Authors: Stanzani Amélia de Lorena , Pureza Vitória , Morabito Reinaldo , Silva Bruno Jensen Virginio da , Yamashita Denise , Ribas Paulo César 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study addresses a real‐life multiship routing and scheduling application with inventory constraints that arises in pickup and delivery operations of different types of crude oil from various offshore oil rigs (platforms) to coastal terminals. Oil transportation largely results from the need to maintain inventories at each supply point (platform) between minimum and maximum levels, considering production rates in these operational points, and to meet demands of different oils in the terminals within the planning time horizon. Routing and scheduling of the available fleet aims to obtain solutions of minimum total costs, subject to various constraints such as the maximum volume of cargo carried on each ship, simultaneous cargo unloading in some terminals, conditions that rule ship docking in offshore platforms and terminal berths, among others. In this research, we modify and extend inventory constrained maritime routing and scheduling models to appropriately represent the problem of a case study at a Brazilian company and to solve small‐to‐moderate instances based on real data. We also present a matheuristic to deal with larger problem instances. Solution evaluation by company experts indicates that the model and this hybrid heuristic properly represent the problem and highlights the potential of their application in practice.
Effect of interfacial energy on microstructure of a directionally solidified Al2O3/YAG eutectic ceramic
Authors: Wang Xu , Zhong Yujie , Wang Dong , Sun Luchao , Jiang Bailing , Wang Jingyang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAn Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 eutectic ceramic was prepared with a c‐axis sapphire seed by an optical floating zone furnace. The crystallographic relationships in the initial and the steady growth sections of the as‐grown eutectic ceramic were investigated by electron backscattering diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The corresponding results were: <111 > {101}Y3Al5O12 || <0001 > {}Al2O3 and <110 > {}Y3Al5O12 || < > {0001}Al2O3, respectively. The steady orientation of the latter one shows smaller planar disregistry. Interfacial strain played the decisive role in affecting the solidification behavior of the Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 eutectic ceramic. The stability of interfaces with minimum interfacial strain and better ionic charge balance in irregular microstructure prevail upon the constraint of the seed. These results might cast light for the interfacial design of the Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 binary eutectic ceramic.
Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I improves glucose metabolism independently of AMPK activation
Authors: Hou Wo‐Lin , Yin Jun , Alimujiang Miriayi , Yu Xue‐Ying , Ai Li‐Gen , Bao Yu‐qian , Liu Fang , Jia Wei‐Ping 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAccumulating evidences showed metformin and berberine, well‐known glucose‐lowering agents, were able to inhibit mitochondrial electron transport chain at complex I. In this study, we aimed to explore the antihyperglycaemic effect of complex I inhibition. Rotenone, amobarbital and gene silence of NDUFA13 were used to inhibit complex I. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were performed in db/db mice. Lactate release and glucose consumption were measured to investigate glucose metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes and C2C12 myotubes. Glucose output was measured in primary hepatocytes. Compound C and adenoviruses expressing dominant negative AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1/2 were exploited to inactivate AMPK pathway. Cellular NAD+/NADH ratio was assayed to evaluate energy transforming and redox state. Rotenone ameliorated hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance in db/db mice. It induced glucose consumption and glycolysis and reduced hepatic glucose output. Rotenone also activated AMPK. Furthermore, it remained effective with AMPK inactivation. The enhanced glycolysis and repressed gluconeogenesis correlated with a reduction in cellular NAD+/NADH ratio, which resulted from complex I suppression. Amobarbital, another representative complex I inhibitor, stimulated glucose consumption and decreased hepatic glucose output in vitro, too. Similar changes were observed while expression of NDUFA13, a subunit of complex I, was knocked down with gene silencing. These findings reveal mitochondrial complex I emerges as a key drug target for diabetes treatment. Inhibition of complex I improves glucose homoeostasis via non‐AMPK pathway, which may relate to the suppression of the cellular NAD+/NADH ratio.
Renal function after intravitreal administration of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kameda Yusuke , Babazono Tetsuya , Uchigata Yasuko , Kitano Shigehiko 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe present study aimed to determine whether intravitreal administration of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors is associated with deterioration of renal function, as seen with systemic administration, in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Estimated glomerular filtration rates before and after 160 intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (aflibercept, bevacizumab or ranibizumab) were compared in 69 patients with diabetes and with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. We also determined the incidence of acute kidney injury. The data showed no significant difference in the estimated glomerular filtration rate before and after vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor administration in all patients and in patient subgroups based on each inhibitor. Furthermore, no episodes of acute kidney injury occurred. In conclusion, intravitreal administration of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors is unlikely to be associated with a deterioration of renal function in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Retrospective analysis of liraglutide and basal insulin combination therapy in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients: The association between remaining β‐cell function and the achievement of the glycated hemoglobin target 1 year after initiation
Authors: Usui Ryota , Sakuramachi Yui , Seino Yusuke , Murotani Kenta , Kuwata Hitoshi , Tatsuoka Hisato , Hamamoto Yoshiyuki , Kurose Takeshi , Seino Yutaka , Yabe Daisuke 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe glucose‐lowering effects of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, have been shown to rely on remaining β‐cell function. However, the possible associations of remaining β‐cell function with the glucose‐lowering effects of liraglutide in combination with basal insulin remain unknown and warrant investigation.Materials and MethodsThis was a single‐center, retrospective, observational study carried out in a private hospital in Osaka, Japan. Type 2 diabetes patients who received a prescription change from insulin therapy, both multiple‐dose insulin and basal insulin‐supported oral therapy, to liraglutide and basal insulin combination and continued the therapy for 54 weeks without additional oral antidiabetic drugs or bolus insulin were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAmong the 72 participants who received a prescription change from multiple‐dose insulin and basal insulin‐supported oral therapy to liraglutide and basal insulin combination, 57 continued the therapy for 54 weeks. Of those who continued the therapy without receiving additional oral antidiabetic drugs or bolus insulin, seven participants achieved glycated hemoglobin < 7.0% at 54 weeks, but 30 participants did not. The participants who achieved glycated hemoglobin < 7.0% at 54 weeks had a significantly higher C‐peptide immunoreactivity index, a β‐cell function‐related index frequently used in Japanese clinical settings. The receiver operating curve analysis showed that the C‐peptide immunoreactivity index cut‐off value for the achievement of glycated hemoglobin <7.0% at 54 weeks is 1.103.ConclusionsThe current findings show that the glucose‐lowering effects of liraglutide rely on remaining β‐cell function, even when used with basal insulin; and suggest that liraglutide and basal insulin combination might require additional bolus insulin to fully compensate insulin insufficiency in individuals with reduced β‐cell function.
Resting Cysts of the Pigmented Ciliate Blepharisma sinuosum Sawaya, 1940 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea)
Authors: Cavaleiro Jéssica , Fernandes Noemi Mendes , da Silva‐Neto Inácio D. , Soares Carlos Augusto Gomes 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe morphology of Blepharisma sinuosum resting cysts and the dynamics of pigmentation at different stages of encystment are presented for the first time. Cyst morphometrics are similar to other Blepharisma species, with three‐wall layers, bacteria surrounding the ectocyst, a conical plug, and wrinkly surface toward the plug in mature stages. The vegetative moniliform macronucleus changes to a horseshoe shape, and at early stages, the cystic cytoplasm is homogeneously pigmented, comprising a contractile vacuole; later, pigments polarize toward the plug, decorate the cortical layer, and become brownish. This work reinforces the potential role of pigment dynamics on cyst biology.