bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ventilation strategy has a major influence on remote ischaemic preconditioning in mice
Authors: Davidson Sean M. , He Zhenhe , Dyson Alex , Bromage Daniel I. , Yellon Derek M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWhether oxygen should be administered acutely during ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction is debated. Despite this controversy, the possible influence of supplementary oxygen on animal models of ischaemia–reperfusion injury or cardioprotection is rarely considered. We used an in vivo mouse model of ischaemia and reperfusion to investigate the effect of ventilation with room air versus 100% oxygen. The coronary artery of anaesthetized mice was occluded for 40 min. followed by 2‐hrs reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by tetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of area at risk, determined using Evan's blue. Unexpectedly, infarct size in mice ventilated with 100% oxygen was significantly smaller than in those ventilated with room air (33 ± 5% versus 46 ± 3%; n = 6; P < 0.01). We tested a standard protocol of 3 × 5 min. cycles of remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) and found this was unable to protect mice ventilated with 100% oxygen. RIPC protocols using 2.5‐ or 10‐min. occlusion were similarly ineffective in mice ventilated with oxygen. Similar disparate results were obtained with direct cardiac ischaemic preconditioning. In contrast, pharmacological protection using bradykinin administered at reperfusion was effective even in mice ventilated with 100% oxygen, reducing infarct size from 33 ± 5% to 21 ± 3% (n = 4–6; P < 0.01). Laser speckle contrast imaging of blood flow and direct pO2 measurements were made in the hindlimb, but these measurements did not correlate with protection. In conclusion, ventilation protocol can have a major influence on infarct size and ischaemic preconditioning protocols in mice.
Hypoxic preconditioning‐induced autophagy enhances survival of engrafted endothelial progenitor cells in ischaemic limb
Authors: Zhou Pei , Tan Yu‐zhen , Wang Hai‐jie , Wang Guo‐dong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRecent clinical studies have suggested that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transplantation provides a modest benefit for treatment of the ischaemic diseases such as limb ischaemia. However, cell‐based therapies have been limited by poor survival of the engrafted cells. This investigation was designed to establish optimal hypoxia preconditioning and evaluate effects of hypoxic preconditioning‐induced autophagy on survival of the engrafted EPCs. Autophagy of CD34+VEGFR‐2+ EPCs isolated from rat bone marrow increased after treatment with 1% O2. The number of the apoptotic cells in the hypoxic cells increased significantly after autophagy was inhibited with 3‐methyladenine. According to balance of autophagy and apoptosis, treatment with 1% O2 for 2 hrs was determined as optimal preconditioning for EPC transplantation. To examine survival of the hypoxic cells, the cells were implanted into the ischaemic pouch of the abdominal wall in rats. The number of the survived cells was greater in the hypoxic group. After the cells loaded with fibrin were transplanted with intramuscular injection, blood perfusion, arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in the ischaemic hindlimb were analysed with laser Doppler‐based perfusion measurement, angiogram and the density of the microvessels in histological sections, respectively. Repair of the ischaemic tissue was improved significantly in the hypoxic preconditioning group. Loading the cells with fibrin has cytoprotective effect on survival of the engrafted cells. These results suggest that activation of autophagy with hypoxic preconditioning is an optimizing strategy for EPC therapy of limb ischaemia.
Evolution of virulence under intensive farming: salmon lice increase skin lesions and reduce host growth in salmon farms
Authors: Ugelvik M. S. , Skorping A. , Moberg O. , Mennerat A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractParasites rely on resources from a host and are selected to achieve an optimal combination of transmission and virulence. Human‐induced changes in parasite ecology, such as intensive farming of hosts, might not only favour increased parasite abundances, but also alter the selection acting on parasites and lead to life‐history evolution. The trade‐off between transmission and virulence could be affected by intensive farming practices such as high host density and the use of antiparasitic drugs, which might lead to increased virulence in some host–parasite systems. To test this, we therefore infected Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts with salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) sampled either from wild or farmed hosts in a laboratory experiment. We compared growth and skin damage (i.e. proxies for virulence) of hosts infected with either wild or farmed lice and found that, compared to lice sampled from wild hosts in unfarmed areas, those originating from farmed fish were more harmful; they inflicted more skin damage to their hosts and reduced relative host weight gain to a greater extent. We advocate that more evolutionary studies should be carried out using farmed animals as study species, given the current increase in intensive food production practices that might be compared to a global experiment in parasite evolution.
Extent of diagnostic agreement among medical referrals
Authors: Van Such Monica , Lohr Robert , Beckman Thomas , Naessens James M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesDiagnostic uncertainty is often encountered in a medical practice. Patients with ambiguous, uncertain, and undiagnosed problems are frequently referred for second opinions. Comparing referral diagnoses to final diagnoses provides an opportunity to determine how frequently final diagnoses vary and changes the direction of medical care.MethodsA retrospective study was done at a single academic medical center using a sample of 286 patients referred by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians from primary care practices from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. Patients' referral and final diagnoses were compared and classified into 1 of 3 categories: referral diagnosis and final diagnosis the same, referral diagnosis better defined/refined, and referral diagnosis distinctly different from final diagnosis. Episode costs for the respective categories were calculated for the referral visit and services that occurred at our facility within the first 30 days.ResultsIn 12% (36/286) of cases, referral diagnoses were the same as final diagnoses. Final diagnoses were better defined/refined in 66% (188/286) of cases; but in 21% of cases (62/286), final diagnoses were distinctly different than referral diagnoses. Total costs for cases in category 3 (different final diagnoses) were significantly higher than costs for cases in category 1 (P = .0001) and category 2 (P = <.0001).ConclusionReferrals to advanced specialty care for undifferentiated problems are an essential component of patient care. Without adequate resources to handle undifferentiated diagnoses, a potential unintended consequence is misdiagnoses resulting in treatment delays and complications leading to more costly treatments.
A nationwide, cross‐sectional survey on unusual sleep postures and sleep‐disordered breathing‐related symptoms in people with Down syndrome
Authors: Kuroda H. , Sawatari H. , Ando S. , Ohkusa T. , Rahmawati A. , Ono J. , Nishizaka M. , Hashiguchi N. , Matsuoka F. , Chishaki A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundPeople with Down syndrome (DS) often have sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB). Unusual sleep postures, such as leaning forward and sitting, are observed in people with DS. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of unusual sleep postures and their relationships with SDB‐related symptoms (SDB‐RSs), such as snoring, witnessed apnoea, nocturnal awakening and excessive daytime sleepiness.MethodsA questionnaire, including demographic characteristics and the presence of unusual sleep postures, as well as SDB‐RSs, was completed by 1149 parents of people with DS from Japan.ResultsUnusual sleep postures were recorded in 483 (42.0%) people with DS. These participants were significantly younger and had a history of low muscle tone more frequently than people without unusual sleep postures. In all ages, the leaning forward posture was more frequent than sitting. People with DS with unusual sleep postures suffered from SDB‐RSs. Those who slept in the sitting posture had more frequent SDB‐RSs than did those who slept with the leaning forward posture. Snoring, witnessed apnoea and nocturnal awakening were observed in 73.6, 27.2 and 58.2% of participants, respectively. Snoring increased with aging. Witnessed apnoea was more common in males and in those with hypothyroidism than in females and in those without hypothyroidism.ConclusionsOur study shows that there is a close relationship between unusual sleep postures and SDB‐RSs. We recommend that all people with DS with unusual sleep postures should be checked for the presence of SDB.
Hepatocellular carcinoma with intracranial metastasis in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Authors: Miyabe‐Nishiwaki Takako , Hirata Akihiro , Kaneko Akihisa , Ishigami Akiyo , Miyamoto Yoko , Yamanaka Atsushi , Owaki Keishi , Sakai Hiroki , Yanai Tokuma , Suzuki Juri 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundA 23‐year‐old male Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) showed left ptosis, which progressed to exophthalmos.MethodsThe macaque underwent a clinical examination, CT and MRI, and was euthanized. Necropsy and histopathological examination were performed after euthanasia.ResultsThe CT revealed and MRI confirmed an intracranial mass at the skull base with orbital extension. At necropsy, there were a large hepatic mass and an intracranial mass compressing the left temporal lobe of the brain. Histopathological and immunohistological examinations revealed that the masses were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a metastatic lesion. In both the primary and metastatic lesions, neoplastic hepatocytes were arranged mainly in a trabecular pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2) and hepatocyte paraffin 1 and negative for cytokeratin 7 and 20 and vimentin.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first case report of HCC with intracranial metastasis in a macaque.
ECONOMIC TRANSITION AND LABOUR MARKET DYNAMICS IN CHINA: AN INTERPRETATIVE SURVEY OF THE ‘TURNING POINT’ DEBATE
Authors: Athukorala Prema‐chandra , Wei Zheng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHas the Chinese economy approached the ‘Lewisian turning point’ that marks the ending of the initial phase of industrial transformation fuelled by surplus labour? In this paper we undertake an interpretative survey of the literature on this issue, in the context of China's labour market conditions prior to the reforms and structural change of the past three decades. The available evidence is mixed, and our assessment makes a strong case for probing institutional constraints to labour mobility from an economy‐wide perspective, going beyond the confines of the rural economy.
Understanding cell cycle and cell death regulation provides novel weapons against human diseases
Authors: Wiman K. G. , Zhivotovsky B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCell division, cell differentiation and cell death are the three principal physiological processes that regulate tissue homoeostasis in multicellular organisms. The growth and survival of cells as well as the integrity of the genome are regulated by a complex network of pathways, in which cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair and programmed cell death have critical roles. Disruption of genomic integrity and impaired regulation of cell death may both lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Compromised cell death can also favour genomic instability. It is becoming increasingly clear that dysregulation of cell cycle and cell death processes plays an important role in the development of major disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, infection, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Research achievements in these fields have led to the development of novel approaches for treatment of various conditions associated with abnormalities in the regulation of cell cycle progression or cell death. A better understanding of how cellular life‐and‐death processes are regulated is essential for this development. To highlight these important advances, the Third Nobel Conference entitled ‘The Cell Cycle and Cell Death in Disease’ was organized at Karolinska Institutet in 2016. In this review we will summarize current understanding of cell cycle progression and cell death and discuss some of the recent advances in therapeutic applications in pathological conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders and inflammation.
Cardiac Troponin I and Amino‐Terminal Pro B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide in Dogs With Stable Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Pelander L. , Häggström J. , Ley C.J. , Ljungvall I. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundIncreased concentrations of N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in dogs with azotemia have been documented. Knowledge of mechanisms behind increased concentrations of cardiac biomarkers in dogs with azotemia is warranted for correct interpretation of test results.ObjectivesThe aim of the article was to investigate possible associations between plasma concentrations of cTnI and NT‐proBNP, respectively, and patient characteristics, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a plasma volume factor (PVF) derived from scintigraphic examination (PVf), systolic blood pressure (SBP), selected hematologic and biochemical variables, and echocardiographic measurements in dogs with stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in healthy dogs.AnimalsFifty student‐, staff‐, and client‐owned dogs were included. Twenty‐three of the dogs were healthy and 27 were diagnosed with CKD.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional observational study, dogs with a previous diagnosis of CKD and healthy control dogs were included. At inclusion, all dogs were characterized by physical examination, repeated blood pressure measurements, complete urinalysis, hematology and biochemistry panel, echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound examination of the entire urinary tract, and scintigraphic examination for measurement of GFR.ResultsPlasma volume factor and PCV were independently associated with NT‐proBNP ( = 0.42; P < .0001). Age, body weight (BW), and SBP were independently associated with cTnI ( = 0.50; P < .0001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceNeither NT‐proBNP nor cTnI concentrations were independently associated with measured GFR. Thus, findings were not suggestive of passive accumulation of either marker, suggesting that increased circulating concentrations of cTnI and NT‐proBNP can be interpreted similarly in dogs with stable CKD as in dogs without CKD.
Economics of Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture: Evidence from Shrimp Farms in Vietnam and Thailand
Authors: Engle Carole R. , McNevin Aaron , Racine Phoebe , Boyd Claude E. , Paungkaew Duangchai , Viriyatum Rawee , Tinh Huynh Quoc , Minh Hang Ngo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThere is growing interest in sustainable intensification of aquaculture production. Yet little economic analysis has been done on farm‐level effects of the economic sustainability of production intensification. Data from 83 shrimp farms (43 in Vietnam and 40 in Thailand) were used to identify (through principal component and cluster analyses) 13 clusters of management practices that reflected various scales of production intensity that ranged from 0–1999 kg/ha/crop to 10,000 kg/ha/crop and above, for both Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei in Vietnam and Thailand. The clusters identified reflected sets of management practices that resulted in differing yields despite similarities in stocking densities among some clusters. The enterprise budget analysis developed showed that the more intensively managed clusters outperformed the less intensively managed clusters in economic terms. More intensively managed farm clusters had lower costs per metric ton of shrimp produced and were more profitable. The greater yields of shrimp produced per hectare of land and water resources in more intensively managed shrimp farms spread annual fixed costs across a greater volume of shrimp produced and reduced the cost per metric ton of shrimp. Costs per metric ton of shrimp produced decreased from the lowest to the highest intensity level (from US$10,245 at lowest intensity to US$3484 at highest for P. monodon and from US$24,301 to US$5387 for L. vannamei in Vietnam and from US$8184 at the lowest intensity level to US$3817 at the highest intensity level per metric ton for L. vannamei in Thailand). Costs of pond amendments used in shrimp production were particularly high in Vietnam and largely unwarranted, whereas fixed costs associated with the value of land, production facilities, equipment, and labor were sufficiently high in Thailand so that net returns were negative in the long run. Nevertheless, economic losses in Thailand were less at greater levels of intensification. The study demonstrated a clear value proposition for shrimp farmers to use natural resources (such as land) and other inputs in an efficient manner and supports findings from corresponding research on farm‐level natural resource use efficiency. Additional research that incorporates economic analysis into on‐farm studies of sustainable intensification of aquaculture is needed to provide ongoing guidance related to sustainable management practices for aquaculture.
Unmelted cosmic metal particles in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Shyam Prasad Mokkapati , Rudraswami N. G. , De Araujo Agnelo A. , Khedekar Vijay D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFe‐Ni metal is a common constituent of most meteorites and is an indicator of the thermal history of the respective meteorites, it is a diagnostic tool to distinguish between groups/subgroups of meteorites. In spite of over a million micrometeorites collected from various domains, reports of pure metallic particles among micrometeorites have been extremely rare. We report here the finding of a variety of cosmic metal particles such as kamacite, plessite, taenite, and Fe‐Ni beads from deep‐sea sediments of the Indian Ocean, a majority of which have entered the Earth unaffected by frictional heating during atmospheric entry. Such particles are known as components of meteorites but have never been found as individual entities. Their compositions suggest precursors from a variety of meteorite groups, thus providing an insight into the metal fluxes on the Earth. Some particles have undergone heating and oxidation to different levels during entry developing features similar to I‐type cosmic spherules, suggesting atmospheric processing of individual kamacites/taenite grains as another hitherto unknown source for the I‐type spherules. The particles have undergone postdepositional aqueous alteration transforming finally into the serpentine mineral cronstedtite. Aqueous alteration products of kamacite reflect the local microenvironment, therefore they have the potential to provide information on the composition of water in the solar nebula, on the parent bodies or on surfaces of planetary bodies. Our observations suggest it would take sustained burial in water for tens of thousands of years under cold conditions for kamacites to alter to cronstedtite.
Microfluidics for investigating vaso‐occlusions in sickle cell disease
Authors: Horton Renita E. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSCD stems from amutation in the beta globin gene. Upon deoxygenation, hemoglobin polymerizes and triggers RBC remodeling. This phenomenon is central to SCD pathogenesis as individuals suffering from the disease are plagued by painful vaso‐occlusive crises episodes. These episodes are the result of a combination of processes including inflammation, thrombosis, and blood cell adhesion to the vascular wall which leads to blockages within the vasculature termed vaso‐occlusions. Vaso‐occlusive episodes deprive tissues of oxygen and are a major contributor to SCD‐related complications; unfortunately, the complex mechanisms that contribute to vaso‐occlusions are not well understood. Vaso‐occlusions can occur in post‐capillary venules; hence, the microvasculature is a prime target for SCD therapies. Traditional in vitro systems poorly recapitulate architectural and dynamic flow properties of in vivo systems. However, microfluidic devices can capture features of the native vasculature such as cellular composition, flow, geometry, and ECM presentation. This review, although not comprehensive, highlights microfluidic approaches that aim to improve our current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms surrounding SCD. Microfluidic platforms can aid in identifying factors that may contribute to disease severity and can serve as suitable test beds for novel treatment strategies which may improve patient outcomes.
Grades of Multisensory Awareness
Authors: O'Callaghan Casey 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPsychophysics and neuroscience demonstrate that different sensory systems interact and influence each other. Perceiving involves extensive cooperation and coordination among systems associated with sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Nonetheless, it remains unclear in what respects conscious perceptual awareness is multisensory. This article distinguishes six differing varieties of multisensory awareness, explicates their consequences, and thereby elucidates the multisensory nature of perception. It argues on these grounds that perceptual awareness need not be exhausted by that which is associated with each of the respective sensory modalities along with whatever accrues thanks to simple co‐consciousness.
Aridity drove the evolution of extreme embolism resistance and the radiation of conifer genus Callitris
Authors: Larter Maximilian , Pfautsch Sebastian , Domec Jean‐Christophe , Trueba Santiago , Nagalingum Nathalie , Delzon Sylvain 
Published: April 2017

Summary

Xylem vulnerability to embolism is emerging as a major factor in drought‐induced tree mortality events across the globe. However, we lack understanding of how and to what extent climate has shaped vascular properties or functions. We investigated the evolution of xylem hydraulic function and diversification patterns in Australia's most successful gymnosperm clade, Callitris, the world's most drought‐resistant conifers.

For all 23 species in this group, we measured embolism resistance (P50), xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), wood density, and tracheary element size from natural populations. We investigated whether hydraulic traits variation linked with climate and the diversification of this clade using a time‐calibrated phylogeny.

Embolism resistance varied widely across the Callitris clade (P50: −3.8 to −18.8 MPa), and was significantly related to water scarcity, as was tracheid diameter. We found no evidence of a safety‐efficiency tradeoff; Ks and wood density were not related to rainfall. Callitris diversification coincides with the onset of aridity in Australia since the early Oligocene.

Our results highlight the evolutionary lability of xylem traits with climate, and the leading role of aridity in the diversification of conifers. The uncoupling of safety from other xylem functions allowed Callitris to evolve extreme embolism resistance and diversify into xeric environments.
Squeezing the Last Drop Out of Your Suppliers: An Empirical Study of Market‐Based Purchasing Policies for Generic Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Bergman Mats A. , Granlund David , Rudholm Niklas 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe study the effect of the degree of exclusivity for the lowest bidder on the average price of generic pharmaceuticals in the short and long terms. Our results indicate that a 1‐percentage‐point gain in market share of the lowest bidder reduces average costs by 0.2% in the short term and 0.8% in the long term, but also reduces the number of firms by 1%. We find that reducing the number of firms has a strong positive (and hence counteracting) effect on average prices, a 1% reduction raising prices by approximately 1%.