bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nematode parasites infecting the starry batfish Halieutaea stellata (Vahl) (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) from the East and South China Sea
Authors: Li L , Zhao W‐T , Guo Y‐N , Zhang L‐P 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe starry batfish Halieutaea stellata (Vahl) is a small, benthic fish found in Indo‐West Pacific Oceans. However, our present knowledge of the helminth parasites of this fish is still fragmentary. In this study, a total of 29 fish collected from the East and South China Sea were examined to determine the prevalence, intensity and species composition of helminth parasites in H. stellata. Using morphological and molecular approaches, four species of nematodes were found parasitic in this fish host, including the adults and fourth‐stage larvae of Raphidascaroides nipponensis Yamaguti 1941; adults and third‐stage larvae of Raphidascaris lophii (Wu 1949), third‐ and fourth‐stage larvae of Hysterothylacium larval type IV‐A of Shamsi, Gasser & Beveridge 2013 and third‐stage larvae of Hysterothylacium amoyense (Hsü 1993). Halieutaea stellata represents a new host record for the three last‐named nematodes. Raphidascaroides nipponensis with the highest prevalence (82.5%) and intensity (mean = 13.5) of infection was considered as the dominant parasite species in H. stellata. The detailed morphology of the different developmental stages of the four nematode species was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. All nematode species were also genetically characterized by sequencing and analysing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA. This study provides further data on the occurrence of nematode parasites in H. stellata and also contributes to facilitate an accurate and rapid diagnosis of the infection by these little‐known nematodes.
Modifiable Midlife Risk Factors, Independent Aging, and Survival in Older Men: Report on Long‐Term Follow‐Up of the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men Cohort
Authors: Franzon Kristin , Zethelius Björn , Cederholm Tommy , Kilander Lena 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo examine relationships between modifiable midlife factors, aging, and physical and cognitive function (independent aging) and survival in very old age.DesignProspective cohort.SettingUppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men, Uppsala, Sweden.ParticipantsSwedish men investigated in 1970–74 (aged 48.6–51.1) and followed up for four decades (N = 2,293).MeasurementsConventional cardiovascular risk factors, body mass index (BMI), and dietary biomarkers were measured, and a questionnaire was used to gather information on lifestyle variables at age 50. Four hundred seventy‐two men were reinvestigated in 2008–09 (aged 84.8–88.9). Independent aging was defined as survival to age 85, Mini‐Mental State Examination score of 25 or greater, not living in an institution, independent in personal care and hygiene, able to walk outdoors without personal help, and no diagnosis of dementia. The National Swedish Death Registry provided survival data.ResultsThirty‐eight percent of the cohort survived to age 85. Seventy‐four percent of the participants in 2008–09 were aging independently. In univariable analyses, high leisure‐time physical activity predicted survival but not independent aging. Low work‐time physical activity was associated more strongly with independent aging (odds ratio (OR) = 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–2.88) than with survival (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05–1.52). In multivariable analyses, midlife BMI was negatively associated (OR = 0.80/SD, 95% CI = 0.65–0.99/SD), and never or former smoking was positively associated (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.07–2.59), with independent aging. As expected, conventional cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors were associated with mortality.ConclusionA normal midlife BMI and not smoking were associated with independent aging close to four decades later, indicating that normal weight at midlife has the potential not only to increase survival, but also to preserve independence with aging.
Risk Factors for Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Horses After Cardioversion to Sinus Rhythm
Authors: Decloedt A. , Schwarzwald C.C. , De Clercq D. , Van Der Vekens N. , Pardon B. , Reef V.B. , van Loon G. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundAlthough atrial fibrillation (AF) can be successfully treated in horses, recurrence occurs frequently. In humans, atrial function after cardioversion can predict recurrence.ObjectivesTo examine the prognostic value of atrial mechanical function at 24 hours after cardioversion and other potential predictor variables for AF recurrence in horses.Animals117 horses treated for AF at 4 referral centers.MethodsRetrospective study. Inclusion criteria were successful cardioversion, echocardiography at 24 hours after cardioversion and ≥4 months follow‐up. To determine factors associated with AF recurrence, a multivariable survival model was built.Results133 AF episodes in 117 horses were included. AF recurred in 36/100 horses with a first AF episode and in 57/133 AF episodes overall. Factors associated with recurrence in horses with a first episode were previous unsuccessful treatment attempt (hazard ratio HR 2.36, 95% confidence interval CI 1.11–4.99, P = .025) and mild or moderate mitral regurgitation (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.23–5.91, P = .013). When the last AF episode of all horses was included, previous AF (HR 2.53, 1.33–4.82, P = .005) and active left atrial fractional area change ≤9.6% (HR 3.43, 1.22–9.67, P = .020) were significant predictors.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe only echocardiographic variable of left atrial function with significant prognostic value for recurrence was low active left atrial fractional area change. Further research is necessary to evaluate whether echocardiography at a later timepoint could provide more prognostic information.
Comparison of air‐Q and Ambu Aura‐i for controlled ventilation in infants: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Darlong Vanlal , Biyani Ghansham , Baidya Dalim K. , Pandey Ravindra , Chandralekha  , Punj Jyotsna , Upadhyay Ashish D. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe air‐Q is a new supraglottic airway device (SAD) and has been increasingly used as a primary airway device and as a conduit for tracheal intubation in children as well as in adults. This device has either performed equally or better than other SADs in children. The Ambu Aura‐i is a commonly used SAD in children undergoing various short surgical procedures. However, limited literature is available evaluating the safety and efficacy of the air‐Q and the Ambu Aura‐i in small children. We, therefore, conducted this study to compare the clinical performance of these two airway devices in infants weighing up to 10 kg. Our hypothesis is that air‐Q, due to its improved and larger cuff design will yield better airway seal pressures as compared with the Ambu Aura‐i.MethodsSixty‐four ASA I–II infants weighing <10 kg undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery were randomly assigned to receive either an air‐Q or the Ambu Aura‐i. After induction of general anesthesia (GA) and muscle relaxation, we measured oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) as the primary outcome. The secondary end points measured were time to insert, first insertion success rate, fiberoptic grade (FO) of laryngeal view and any other airway complications like trauma, laryngospasm, and desaturation.ResultsThe air‐Q ILA provided significantly higher OLP as compared with the Ambu Aura‐i [20.2 ± 4.6 cm H2O, CI 18.55–21.88; vs 16.2 ± 5.6 cmH2O, CI 14.27–18.25, P = 0.003; mean difference 4 ± 1.29 cm H2O, CI 1.41–6.58]. However, the Ambu Aura‐i required significantly less time for its insertion (14.6 ± 2.8 s, CI 13.66–15.70; vs 16.3 ± 1.5 s, CI 15.75–16.86, P = 0.005; mean difference 1.625 ± 0.56 s, CI 0.48–2.76). There were no differences in first insertion success rate, FO view, and postoperative complications.ConclusionWe conclude that air‐Q may be considered superior to Ambu Aura‐i in infants for controlled ventilation as it provides higher airway sealing pressures.
Examining the response of needle carbohydrates from Siberian larch trees to climate using compound‐specific δ13C and concentration analyses
Authors: Rinne K. T. , Saurer M. , Kirdyanov A. V. , Bryukhanova M. V. , Prokushkin A. S. , Churakova (Sidorova) O. V. , Siegwolf R. T. W. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLittle is known about the dynamics of concentrations and carbon isotope ratios of individual carbohydrates in leaves in response to climatic and physiological factors. Improved knowledge of the isotopic ratio in sugars will enhance our understanding of the tree ring isotope ratio and will help to decipher environmental conditions in retrospect more reliably. Carbohydrate samples from larch (Larix gmelinii) needles of two sites in the continuous permafrost zone of Siberia with differing growth conditions were analysed with the Compound‐Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA). We compared concentrations and carbon isotope values (δ13C) of sucrose, fructose, glucose and pinitol combined with phenological data. The results for the variability of the needle carbohydrates show high dynamics with distinct seasonal characteristics between and within the studied years with a clear link to the climatic conditions, particularly vapour pressure deficit. Compound‐specific differences in δ13C values as a response to climate were detected. The δ13C of pinitol, which contributes up to 50% of total soluble carbohydrates, was almost invariant during the whole growing season. Our study provides the first in‐depth characterization of compound‐specific needle carbohydrate isotope variability, identifies involved mechanisms and shows the potential of such results for linking tree physiological responses to different climatic conditions.
Association of cerebrospinal fluid tap‐related oscillatory activity and shunt outcome in idiopathic normal‐pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Ikeda Shunichiro , Kazui Hiroaki , Tanaka Toshihisa , Ishii Ryouhei , Aoki Yasunori , Hata Masahiro , Canuet Leonides , Yoshiyama Kenji , Iwase Masao , Pascual‐Marqui Roberto , Takeda Masatoshi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundIdiopathic normal‐pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by the clinical triad of gait disturbance, urinary dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to find specific EEG patterns associated with shunt response in iNPH.MethodsTwenty five iNPH patients (10 shunt responders and 15 non‐responders) were enrolled in this study. We performed current source density (CSD) analysis in several frequency bands (delta: 2–4Hz, theta: 4–8Hz, alpha: 8–13Hz, beta: 13–30Hz, gamma: 30–60Hz) using exact Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA). CSD distribution was compared between shunt responders and non‐responders for each frequency band before and after CSF tap test.ResultsShunt responders showed increased gamma CSD in the left temporal cortex before CSF tapping relative to non‐responders. However, after CSF tapping, shunt response was associated with significantly higher CSDs in several frequency bands, specifically theta, alpha, beta and gamma, involving mainly the frontal and temporal areas. Using eLORETA analysis, we were able to identify cortical oscillatory activity before and after CSF tap test related to clinical recovery due to shunt operation in iNPH.ConclusionOur findings support and extend the results of previous studies examining the effects of CSF tap test and shunt operation in patients with iNPH, possibly indicating electrophysiological features of shunt response in this disease. These findings warrant future studies to use EEG for prediction of shunt response in iNPH.
A comparative analysis of dementia inpatient characteristics: results from a nationwide survey of different care facilities in Japan
Authors: Yoshimura Atsuko , Lebowitz Adam , Bun Shogyoku , Aiba Miyuki , Ikejima Chiaki , Asada Takashi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn Japan, the number of dementia patients admitted to hospitals and other care facilities has been increasing and their hospital stays prolonged. Until now, there has been no study examining the differences between patients in psychiatric hospitals and other care facilities. Here we attempt a comparative analysis of characteristics of dementia patients in psychiatric hospitals and other types of facilities based on a nationwide survey.MethodA nationwide, cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2009–2011. Questionnaires were sent to randomly selected facilities and asked about each facility's status as of September 2009 and about individuals with dementia residing in each facility during the 2008 fiscal year. The portion about individuals consisted of items to assess eligibility for the Long‐Term Care Insurance programme. Based on data from 6121 patients residing in seven different types of facilities, features of dementia patients in psychiatric hospitals and differences among facilities were analyzed.ResultsThere was a significant difference in average age, activities of daily living level, and dementia severity level among the seven types of facilities. The average age in all types of facilities, except for psychiatric hospitals, was higher than the national average life expectancy of 82.59 years. The results of the study revealed that in psychiatric hospitals the proportion of men, those aged <75 years, demented patients with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and those with frontotemporal dementia was significantly greater than in other types of facilities. In other Long‐Term Care Insurance care facilities, dementia patients >80 years and women accounted for 80% of all patients.ConclusionResult showed that dementia patients in psychiatric hospitals had a higher proportion of men, younger age groups, and severe dementia than other types of facilities. These features contrast markedly with status of dementia patients in other Long‐Term Care Insurance care facilities. In order to facilitate dementia patients' early discharge from psychiatric hospitals to other care facilities or to home, further fulfilment care services corresponding to severe dementia and early‐onset dementia may be needed.
Increased medical cost metrics for patients 50 years of age and older in the collaborate care model of treatment for depression
Authors: Angstman Kurt B. , Doganer Yusuf C. , DeJesus Ramona S. , Rohrer James E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe collaborative care model (CCM) has been consistently shown to achieve effectiveness in depression management compared to usual care. In the present study, we aimed to determine the impact of age on cost metrics in patients who were treated with CCM for 6 months after a diagnosis of depression.MethodsThe upper quartile of age was 50 years and older (n = 56), and the comparison group was composed of patients in the three younger quartiles, aged 18–49 years (n = 163).ResultsPatients in the older age group had an elevated median Current Procedure Terminology cost rank of 255.5 compared to 168.0 for the younger patients (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that being in the upper quartile of age (≥50 years) (odds ratio = 2.272, 95% confidence interval: 1.064–4.851; P = 0.034) and having higher numbers of clinical visits 6 months prior to index (odds ratio = 1.209, 95% confidence interval: 1.118–1.307; P < 0.001) were significant predictor variables of being cost rank outliers (>80th percentile) in patients with CCM.ConclusionMedical cost utilization in the 6 months after diagnosis of depression was significantly higher in patients in the upper age quartile (≥50 years) enrolled in CCM than those in the lower quartiles (age <50).
Looking at the hand modulates the brain responses to nociceptive and non‐nociceptive somatosensory stimuli but does not necessarily modulate their perception
Authors: Torta Diana M. , Legrain Valéry , Mouraux André 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested that looking at the hand can reduce the perception of pain and the magnitude of the ERPs elicited by nociceptive stimuli delivered onto the hand. In contrast, other studies have suggested that looking at the hand can increase tactile sensory discrimination performance, and enhance the magnitude of the ERPs elicited by tactile stimulation. These opposite effects could be related to differences in the crossmodal effects between vision, nociception, and touch. However, these differences could also be related to the use of different experimental designs. Importantly, most studies on the effects of vision on pain have relied on a mirror to create the illusion that the reflected hand is a direct view of the stimulated hand. Here, we compared the effects of direct versus mirror vision of the hand versus an object on the perception and ERPs elicited by non‐nociceptive and nociceptive stimuli. We did not observe any significant effect of vision on the perceived intensity. However, vision of the hand did reduce the magnitude of the nociceptive N240 wave, and enhanced the magnitude of the non‐nociceptive P200. Our results confirm that vision of the body differentially affects nociceptive and non‐nociceptive processing, but question the robustness of visual analgesia.
Unravelling landslide risk: soil susceptibility, agro‐forest systems and the socio‐economic profile of rural communities in Italy
Authors: Ferrara C. , Barone P. Matteo , Salvati L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLandslides are considered a form of physical soil degradation and are concentrated, especially in southern European countries, on inland and marginal rural areas. Low‐density, economically disadvantaged and poorly accessible areas are assumed to share a high landslide occurrence probability. However, an empirical verification of this assumption is still lacking for Mediterranean countries. This study investigates the spatial relation between a composite index of landslide risk and more than 100 indicators at the municipal level in Italy – a country with high landslide risk – exploring multiple territorial dimensions (population dynamics and settlements, job market and human capital, economic specialization and competitiveness, quality of life, agriculture and rural development, territory and environment). We combine nonparametric correlation, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, to profile municipalities according to their levels of landslide risk. The high landslide risk in certain areas of Italy is related to specific socio‐economic attributes (depopulation, ageing, tourism specialization, low density of economic activities, modest participation to the job market and crime intensity) and agro‐environmental features (low‐intensity cropping systems, natural landscapes and water resource availability).
H-NS Silencing of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 6-Encoded Type VI Secretion System Limits Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Interbacterial Killing
Authors: Brunet Yannick R. , Khodr Ahmad , Logger Laureen , Aussel Laurent , Mignot Tâm , Rimsky Sylvie , Cascales Eric 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The secretion of bacterial toxin proteins is achieved by dedicated machineries called secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread versatile machine used for the delivery of protein toxins to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, the expression of the T6SS genes is activated during macrophage or mouse infection. Here, we show that the T6SS gene cluster is silenced by the histone-like nucleoid structuring H-NS protein using a combination of reporter fusions, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, DNase footprinting, and fluorescence microscopy. We further demonstrate that derepression of the
S
. Typhimurium T6SS genes induces T6SS-dependent intoxication of competing bacteria. Our results suggest that relieving T6SS H-NS silencing may be used as a sense-and-kill mechanism that will help
S
. Typhimurium to homogenize and synchronize the microbial population to gain efficiency during infection.
Late onset iatrogenic limb ischaemia after deployment of an Angio-Seal vascular closure device
Authors: Krishna Rama K , Kherada Nisharahmed , Beohar Nirat 
Published: April 2015

It is common practice to deploy a vascular closure device for access site closure after percutaneous angiography or cardiovascular interventions for immediate haemostasis and to facilitate early discharge. We encountered two octogenarian women who underwent and had subsequent vascular access site closure with Angio-Seal (St Jude) and who later presented with limb ischaemia needing surgical revascularisation.Our patients had undergone uneventful deployment of the Angio-Seal vascular closure device (VCD) at the right common femoral artery (CFA) access site with successful haemostasis. About 3 weeks later they presented with features of limb ischaemia needing further diagnostic work-up including repeat angiography, which revealed subtotal occlusion of right common femoral artery at the level of prior access and Angio-Seal deployment site. Both the patients underwent successful surgical repair with restoration of distal flow and resolution of symptoms. These cases illustrate the late presentation of VCD-related complications with limb ischaemia, needing surgical revascularisation.
Extensions of Beurling's prime number theorem
Authors: Zhang Wen-Bin 
Published: April 2015

Kahane provided a proof of a conjecture of Bateman and Diamond on Beurling generalized primes. The conjecture says that the L2-condition [Formula: see text] implies the PNT, i.e. π(x) ~ x/ log x. Recently, Schlage-Puchta and Vindas showed that Beurling's condition in the form of a Cesàro mean [Formula: see text] with γ > 3/2 implies the PNT as well. Both are extensions of the Beurling PNT. We now show that the condition [Formula: see text] implies the PNT and that [Formula: see text] with k ≥ 0 implies the PNT also, where [Formula: see text]These results cover the preceding forms and extend further the Beurling PNT. As part of our argument, we extend first the theorems on Chebyshev bounds with correspondingly weaker conditions. These bounds play an important role in later proofs.
Toward an Improved Multimodel ENSO Prediction
Authors: Barnston Anthony G. , Tippett Michael K. , van den Dool Huug M. , Unger David A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSince 2002, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, later in partnership with the Climate Prediction Center, has issued an ENSO prediction product informally called the ENSO prediction plume. Here, measures to improve the reliability and usability of this product are investigated, including bias and amplitude corrections, the multimodel ensembling method, formulation of a probability distribution, and the format of the issued product. Analyses using a subset of the current set of plume models demonstrate the necessity to correct individual models for mean bias and, less urgent, also for amplitude bias, before combining their predictions. The individual ensemble members of all models are weighted equally in combining them to form a multimodel ensemble mean forecast, because apparent model skill differences, when not extreme, are indistinguishable from sampling error when based on a sample of 30 cases or less. This option results in models with larger ensemble numbers being weighted relatively more heavily. Last, a decision is made to use the historical hindcast skill to determine the forecast uncertainty distribution rather than the models’ ensemble spreads, as the spreads may not always reproduce the skill-based uncertainty closely enough to create a probabilistically reliable uncertainty distribution. Thus, the individual model ensemble members are used only for forming the models’ ensemble means and the multimodel forecast mean. In other situations, the multimodel member spread may be used directly. The study also leads to some new formats in which to more effectively show both the mean ENSO prediction and its probability distribution.