bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
<b>A new distribution report of the Critically Endangered <I>Amomum kingii</I> Baker (Zingiberaceae) outside Sikkim, India</b>
Authors: Bhadra Sreetama , Bandyopadhyay Maumita 
Published: October 2017

In this correspondence, the distribution of a population of Amomum kingii Baker, a Critically Endangered species of Zingiberaceae, is reported from Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India. Previously, this plant was described only from Sikkim, India and no other population of this endemic plant has ever been found outside this distributional range. In the present study, the plant was morphologically described and molecular characterization was done for the first time using three DNA regions- ITS, matK and rbcL. The urgency and necessity of conservation of this plant has also been discussed.
<b>New butterfly records from the Jammu Shiwaliks, Jammu & Kashmir, India</b>
Authors: Sharma Shakha , Sharma Neeraj 
Published: October 2017

The Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir, owing to variety of habitats, different climatic regimes and a wide range of altitude offers conducive habitats to butterflies ranging from low level hills of Shiwaliks to Trans-Himalayan landscapes of Ladakh through mighty Pir-Panjal and Valley of Kashmir. It is noteworthy that these mountainous landscapes though rich in insect diversity are the least known for butterfly fauna. The present note describes the new records based on opportunistic surveys of butterflies on the sidelines of avian surveys conducted in Jammu Shiwaliks during the years 2015 and 2016.
<B>The Odonata (Insecta) of northern and central Oman</B>
Authors: Cowan Elaine M. , Cowan Peter J. 
Published: October 2017

Oman is largely a desert country with a mainly arid climate. We summarise published records of Odonata (Insecta) for northern and central Oman, present our photographic records of the same there for 50 sites and give an apparent-status statement for most species (the more afrotropical Dhofar governorate is excluded). Highlights are photographed Orthetrum ransonnetii, Macrodiplax cora (ovipositing in tandem) and Urothemis thomasi. Of the 44 species for Oman, 36 have been recorded in northern and central Oman (eight zygopteran and 28 anisopteran species). All are Least Concern except Arabineura khalidi and Urothemis thomasi, both Endangered, and Paragomphus sinaiticus, Near Threatened.
<b>New records of the subfamily Stratiomyinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Pakistan</b>
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Asghar , Bodlah Imran , Iqbal Zafar , Jabeen Rubina 
Published: October 2017

Based on collected specimens from the Narowal, Rawalpindi and Jhelum districts of (Punjab Province) Pakistan, three species were recognised in two genera, under the subfamily Stratiomyinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Odontomyia ochropa Thomson, 1869, Oplodontha minuta (Fabricius, 1794) and Oplodontha rubrithorax (Macquart, 1838) are recorded for the first time from Pakistan. Photographs, diagnostic characters, descriptions, geographical distributions and identification keys of the described species are provided.
<b>Feeding habits and behaviour of <I>Bagre bagre</I> and <I>Genidens barbus</I>, two ariid catfishes (Pisces: Siluriformes) from southeastern Brazil</b>
Authors: Tavares Maria Thereza Manhães , Di Beneditto Ana Paula Madeira 
Published: October 2017

The feeding habits and behaviour of adult specimens of Bagre bagre (Linnaeus, 1766) and Genidens barbus (Lacepède, 1803), both targets of commercial fisheries in coastal southeastern Brazil, were evaluated through stomach content analysis. These catfish are generalistic benthophagous feeders and daytime consumers, and the analysis points to fish and crustaceans as their primary prey. The fish Trichiurus lepturus and the shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri were the main prey species, indicating that both catfish species prey upon the most abundant resources available in the study area.
Deletion of AT2 Receptor Prevents SHP-1–Induced VEGF Inhibition and Improves Blood Flow Reperfusion in Diabetic Ischemic Hindlimb
Authors: Paquin-Veillette Judith , Lizotte Farah , Robillard Stéphanie , Béland Raphaël , Breton Marc-André , Guay Andréanne , Despatis Marc-Antoine , Geraldes Pedro 
Published: October 2017

Objective—
Ischemia caused by narrowing of femoral artery is a major cause of peripheral arterial disease and morbidity affecting patients with diabetes mellitus. We have previously reported that the inhibition of the angiogenic response to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in diabetic mice was associated with the increased expression of SHP-1 (SH2 domain–containing phosphatase 1), a protein that can be activated by the AT2 (angiotensin II type 2) receptor. Deletion of AT2 receptor has been shown to promote angiogenesis within the ischemic muscle. However, the relative impact of AT2 receptor in diabetic condition remains unknown.

Approach and Results—

Nondiabetic and diabetic AT2 null (
Atgr2
−
/Y
) mice underwent femoral artery ligation after 2 months of diabetes mellitus. Blood perfusion was measured every week ≤4 weeks post-surgery. Expression of the VEGF, SHP-1, and renin–angiotensin pathways was evaluated. Blood flow in the ischemic muscle of diabetic
Atgr2
−
/Y
mice recovered faster and ≤80% after 4 weeks compared with 51% recovery in diabetic control littermates. Diabetic
Atgr2
−
/Y
had reduced apoptotic endothelial cells and elevated small vessel formation compared with diabetic
Atgr2
+/Y
mice, as well as increased SHP-1 expression and reduced VEGF receptor activity. In endothelial cells, high glucose levels and AT2 agonist treatment did not change SHP-1, VEGF, and VEGF receptor expression. However, the activity of SHP-1 and its association with the VEGF receptors were increased, causing inhibition of the VEGF action in endothelial cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusions—
Our results suggest that the deletion of AT2 receptor reduced SHP-1 activity and restored VEGF actions, leading to an increased blood flow reperfusion after ischemia in diabetes mellitus.
Relationship Between Total Serum Bilirubin Levels and Carotid and Femoral Atherosclerosis in Familial Dyslipidemia
Authors: Amor Antonio J. , Ortega Emilio , Perea Verónica , Cofán Montserrat , Sala-Vila Aleix , Nuñez Isabel , Gilabert Rosa , Ros Emilio 
Published: October 2017

Objective—
Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant that has been inversely related to cardiovascular disease. There is little information on serum total bilirubin (TB) in relation to atherosclerosis in familial dyslipidemia. We assessed the association between TB and carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in this high-risk group.

Approach and Results—

We evaluated 464 individuals with familial dyslipidemia (56% men; median age, 48 years), 322 with familial hypercholesterolemia, and 142 with familial combined hyperlipidemia. Carotid and femoral arteries were imaged bilaterally with a standardized ultrasonographic protocol. Mean and maximum intima-media thickness and plaque presence (≥1.2 mm) and height were recorded. Cross-sectional associations between TB and atherosclerosis variables were investigated in multivariable-adjusted models, including lipid values and hypolipidemic drug use. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, total leukocyte count, and lipoprotein[a]) were also determined. Increasing TB levels were associated with decreasing intima-media thickness of all carotid segments (
P
<0.05, all). TB also related to carotid plaque, present in 78% of individuals, and to plaque burden (≥3 plaques), with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) 0.59 (0.36–0.98) and 0.57 (0.34–0.96) for each increase of 0.5 mg in TB, respectively. Findings were confirmed in a validation cohort of 177 subjects with nonfamilial dyslipidemia. Only the familial combined hyperlipidemia group, with higher inflammation-related markers, showed an inverse association between TB and femoral plaque height (β=−0.183;
P
=0.030).

Conclusions—
TB was inversely and independently associated with carotid plaque burden in familial and nonfamilial dyslipidemia. These findings support the use of TB as a biomarker of atherosclerosis in this high-risk group.
GLP-1 Elicits an Intrinsic Gut–Liver Metabolic Signal to Ameliorate Diet-Induced VLDL Overproduction and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Khound Rituraj , Taher Jennifer , Baker Christopher , Adeli Khosrow , Su Qiaozhu 
Published: October 2017

Objective—
Perturbations in hepatic lipid and very-low–density lipoprotein (VLDL) metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and hepatic insulin resistance. The objective of this study is to delineate the mechanism of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy in preventing obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance.

Approach and Results—
By subjecting the complete subdiaphragmatic vagotomized mice to various nutritional conditions and investigating hepatic de novo lipogenesis pathway, we found that complete disruption of subdiaphragmatic vagal signaling resulted in a significant decrease of circulating VLDL–triglyceride compared with the mice obtained sham procedure. Vagotomy further prevented overproduction of VLDL–triglyceride induced by an acute fat load and a high-fat diet–induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and glucose intolerance. Mechanistic studies revealed that plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 was significantly raised in the vagotomized mice, which was associated with significant reductions in mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c), SCD-1 (stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1), and FASN (fatty acid synthase), as well as enhanced hepatic insulin sensitivity. In vitro, treating mouse primary hepatocytes with a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, for 48 hours inhibited free fatty acid, palmitic acid treatment induced de novo lipid synthesis, and VLDL secretion from hepatocytes.

Conclusions—
Elevation of glucagon-like peptide-1 in vagotomized mice may prevent VLDL overproduction and insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet. These novel findings, for the first time, delineate an intrinsic gut–liver regulatory circuit that is mediated by glucagon-like peptide-1 in regulating hepatic energy metabolism.
PLUMBER Study (Prevalence of Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes in Mecklenburg County Emergency Response)
Authors: Dozois Adeline , Hampton Lorrie , Kingston Carlene W. , Lambert Gwen , Porcelli Thomas J. , Sorenson Denise , Templin Megan , VonCannon Shellie , Asimos Andrew W. 
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—
The recently proposed American Heart Association/American Stroke Association EMS triage algorithm endorses routing patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic strokes directly to endovascular centers based on a stroke severity score. The predictive value of this algorithm for identifying LVO is dependent on the overall prevalence of LVO acute ischemic stroke in the EMS population screened for stroke, which has not been reported.

Methods—
We performed a cross-sectional study of patients transported by our county’s EMS agency who were dispatched as a possible stroke or had a primary impression of stroke by paramedics. We determined the prevalence of LVO by reviewing medical record imaging reports based on a priori specified criteria.

Results—
We enrolled 2402 patients, of whom 777 (32.3%) had an acute stroke–related diagnosis. Among 485 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 24.1% (n=117) had an LVO, which represented only 4.87% (95% confidence interval, 4.05%–5.81%) of the total EMS population screened for stroke.

Conclusions—
Overall, the prevalence of LVO acute ischemic stroke in our EMS population screened for stroke was low. This is an important consideration for any EMS stroke severity-based triage protocol and should be considered in predicting the rates of overtriage to endovascular stroke centers.
Statins and the Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients With Previous Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Gaist David , Goldstein Larry B. , Cea Soriano Lucía , García Rodríguez Luis Alberto 
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—
Although there is no overall association between statin use and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), whether there is an increased risk among those with a history of ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains controversial. We evaluated the relationship of preadmission statin use with the risk of ICH in patients with a history of IS or TIA in a population-based cohort.

Methods—
The Health Improvement Network primary care database in the United Kingdom was used to identify new users of low-dose aspirin and a matched comparison. Both cohorts were followed to identify incident cases of ICH, with validation by manual review of patient records and linkage to hospitalization data. In a nested case–control study, we compared the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ICH based on statin use in the subgroup of individuals with history of IS/TIA.

Results—
Last statin use within 1 year of ICH (OR, 0.92; 95% CI [confidence interval], 0.60–1.4), last use between 8 days and 1 year (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.99–3.28), and statin use at the time of ICH (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.49–1.21) were not associated with the overall ICH risk among 157 patients with ICH and 884 controls with a history of IS/TIA. There was also no difference in 30-day rates of fatal (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.41–1.64) or nonfatal (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.51–1.57) ICH.

Conclusions—
Statin use was not associated with an increased risk of ICH among patients with a previous history of IS/TIA.
Assimilation of Radar Radial Velocity and Reflectivity, Satellite Cloud Water Path, and Total Precipitable Water for Convective-Scale NWP in OSSEs
Authors: Pan Sijie , Gao Jidong , Stensrud David J. , Wang Xuguang , Jones Thomas A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this study, the ensemble of three-dimensional variational data assimilation (En3DVar) method for convective-scale weather is adopted and evaluated using an idealized supercell storm simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Synthetic radar radial velocity, reflectivity, satellite-derived cloud water path (CWP), and total precipitable water (TPW) data are produced from the simulated supercell storm and then these data are assimilated into another WRF Model run that starts with no convection. Two types of experiments are performed. The first assimilates radar and satellite CWP data using a perfect storm environment. The second assimilates additional TPW data using a storm environment with dry bias. The first set of experiments indicates that incorporating CWP and radar data into the assimilation leads to a much faster initiation of supercell storms than found using radar data alone. Assimilating CWP data primarily improves the analyses of nonprecipitating hydrometeor variables. The results from the second set of experiments demonstrate the critical importance of the storm environment. When using the biased storm environment, assimilation of CWP and radar data enhances the analyses, but the forecast skill rapidly decreases over the subsequent 1-h forecast. Further experiments show that assimilating the TPW data has a large impact on storm environment that is essential to the accuracy of the storm forecasts. In general, the combination of radar data and satellite data within the En3DVar results in better analyses and forecasts than when only radar data are used, especially for an imperfect storm environment.
The additional cost of hedging in foreign currency loans
Authors: Do Viet , Vu Tram 
Published: October 2017

Foreign currency denominated loans ( FCDLs) are an important part of corporate funding as well as an operational risk management tool. We show that domestic borrowers use FCDLs to hedge their foreign exchange risk exposure. FCDLs are found to carry an interest rate premium over domestic currency loans after controlling for borrower characteristics, loan characteristics, and macroeconomic conditions. We argue that borrowers are willing to pay this premium since the marginal benefit of FCDLs as a natural hedge outweighs the marginal cost. From a lender’s perspective, this premium reflects a compensation for additional foreign exchange risk exposure and intensified monitoring efforts. These results are robust to endogeneity-corrected estimations. JEL Classification: G21, G32
The effect of brainstorming guidelines on individual auditors’ identification of potential frauds
Authors: Chen Wei , Khalifa Amna Saeed , Morgan Kate L , Trotman Ken T 
Published: October 2017

Revised auditing standards and a focus by regulators on the detection of financial statement fraud have resulted in calls for research to examine alternative forms of fraud brainstorming. We examine the effect of using extended brainstorming guidelines, developed in the psychology literature as part of facilitator training, on auditors’ individual brainstorming performance prior to attending the team brainstorming meeting. We find that these additional brainstorming guidelines help auditors identify a greater quantity and quality of potential frauds. Our findings suggest an easy to implement approach to enhance auditors’ performance in fraud brainstorming. JEL Classification: C91; C92; M42
The pKa Distribution of Drugs: Application to Drug Discovery
Authors: Manallack David T. 
Published: October 2017

The acid-base dissociation constant (p Ka) of a drug is a key physicochemical parameter influencing many biopharmaceutical characteristics. While this has been well established, the overall proportion of non-ionizable and ionizable compounds for drug-like substances is not well known. Even less well known is the overall distribution of acid and base p Ka values. The current study has reviewed the literature with regard to both the proportion of ionizable substances and p Ka distributions. Further to this a set of 582 drugs with associated p Ka data was thoroughly examined to provide a representative set of observations. This was further enhanced by delineating the compounds into CNS and non-CNS drugs to investigate where differences exist. Interestingly, the distribution of p Ka values for single acids differed remarkably between CNS and non-CNS substances with only one CNS compound having an acid p Ka below 6.1. The distribution of basic substances in the CNS set also showed a marked cut off with no compounds having a p Ka above 10.5. The p Ka distributions of drugs are influenced by two main drivers. The first is related to the nature and frequency of occurrence of the functional groups that are commonly observed in pharmaceuticals and the typical range of p Ka values they span. The other factor concerns the biological targets these compounds are designed to hit. For example, many CNS targets are based on seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (7TM GPCR) which have a key aspartic acid residue known to interact with most ligands. As a consequence, amines are mostly present in the ligands that target 7TM GPCR's and this influences the p Ka profile of drugs containing basic groups. For larger screening collections of compounds, synthetic chemistry and the working practices of the chemists themselves can influence the proportion of ionizable compounds and consequent p Ka distributions. The findings from this study expand on current wisdom in p Ka research and have implications for discovery research with regard to the composition of corporate databases and collections of screening compounds. Rough guidelines have been suggested for the profile of compound collections and will evolve as this research area is expanded.
Mining social media data: How are research sponsors and researchers addressing the ethical challenges?
Authors: Taylor Joanna , Pagliari Claudia 
Published: October 2017

Background: Data representing people’s behaviour, attitudes, feelings and relationships are increasingly being harvested from social media platforms and re-used for research purposes. This can be ethically problematic, even where such data exist in the public domain. We set out to explore how the academic community is addressing these challenges by analysing a national corpus of research ethics guidelines and published studies in one interdisciplinary research area. Methods: Ethics guidelines published by Research Councils UK (RCUK), its seven-member councils and guidelines cited within these were reviewed. Guidelines referring to social media were classified according to published typologies of social media research uses and ethical considerations for social media mining. Using health research as an exemplar, PubMed was searched to identify studies using social media data, which were assessed according to their coverage of ethical considerations and guidelines. Results: Of the 13 guidelines published or recommended by RCUK, only those from the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Psychological Society, the International Association of Internet Researchers and the National Institute for Health Research explicitly mentioned the use of social media. Regarding data re-use, all four mentioned privacy issues but varied with respect to other ethical considerations. The PubMed search revealed 156 health-related studies involving social media data, only 50 of which mentioned ethical concepts, in most cases simply stating that they had obtained ethical approval or that no consent was required. Of the nine studies originating from UK institutions, only two referred to RCUK ethics guidelines or guidelines cited within these. Conclusions: Our findings point to a deficit in ethical guidance for research involving data extracted from social media. Given the growth of studies using these new forms of data, there is a pressing need to raise awareness of their ethical challenges and provide actionable recommendations for ethical research practice.
Outcomes in patients with acute kidney injury reviewed by Critical Care Outreach: What is the role of the National Early Warning Score?
Authors: Potter Daniel A , Wroe Nicholas , Redhead Helen , Lewington Andrew JP 
Published: October 2017

Introduction This study investigated outcomes in critically unwell acute kidney injury patients and the role of the National Early Warning Score and other factors in identifying patients who experience negative outcomes. Methods Retrospective cohort study investigating 64 patients seen by Critical Care Outreach between November 2014 and February 2015. Mortality at one year was analysed using multivariate regression; all other statistical tests were non-parametric. Results Forty-four per cent of patients required escalation to higher level care, 56% failed to survive beyond one year and 30% of those who did survive had a deterioration in renal function. Previous acute kidney injury significantly predicted mortality but the National Early Warning Score did not. A subgroup of patients developed Stage 3 acute kidney injury before a rise in National Early Warning Score. Conclusions Acute kidney injury in the Critical Care Outreach patient population is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Previous acute kidney injury and acute kidney injury stage may be superior to the National Early Warning Score at identifying patients in need of Critical Care Outreach review.