bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Last Pterosaurs: First Record from the Uppermost Maastrichtian of the Tremp Syncline (Northern Spain)
Authors: DALLA VECCHIA Fabio M. , RIERA Violeta , OMS Josep Oriol , DINARÈS‐TURELL Jaume , GAETE Rodrigo , GALOBART Angel 
Published: March 2015

Abstract:Pterosaur bones are for the first time reported from the Tremp Syncline (Spain) and the southern Pyrenees. They come from the Torrebilles‐2 site (Isona, Lleida Province) in the upper Maastrichtian part of the Tremp Formation, which falls within the C29r magnetochron. Fragmentary long bones are referred to the Pterosauria based on their cortical thinness, micro‐architecture, and histological features. They belong to very large to possibly giant individuals. The most complete specimen is possibly a partial right femur. The review of the Maastrichtian pterosaur record shows that only a few specimens can be referred to the C29r (which contains the K/Pg boundary). The identification of fragmentary remains could improve our knowledge about the abundance and distribution of these flying sauropsids just before the end‐Cretaceous mass extinction.
Interobserver Agreement in Retrospective Chart Reviews for Factors Associated With Cervical Spine Injuries in Children
Authors: Olsen Cody S. , Kuppermann Nathan , Jaffe David M. , Brown Kathleen , Babcock Lynn , Mahajan Prashant V. , Leonard Julie C. ,   The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Cervical Spine Injury Study Group
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to describe the interobserver agreement between trained chart reviewers and physician reviewers in a multicenter retrospective chart review study of children with cervical spine injuries (CSIs).MethodsMedical records of children younger than 16 years old with cervical spine radiography from 17 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) hospitals from years 2000 through 2004 were abstracted by trained reviewers for a study aimed to identify predictors of CSIs in children. Independent physician‐reviewers abstracted patient history and clinical findings from a random sample of study patient medical records at each hospital. Interobserver agreement was assessed using percent agreement and the weighted kappa (κ) statistic, with lower 95% confidence intervals.ResultsModerate or better agreement (κ > 0.4) was achieved for most candidate CSI predictors, including altered mental status (κ = 0.87); focal neurologic findings (κ = 0.74); posterior midline neck tenderness (κ = 0.74); any neck tenderness (κ = 0.89); torticollis (κ = 0.79); complaint of neck pain (κ = 0.83); history of loss of consciousness (κ = 0.89); nonambulatory status (κ = 0.74); and substantial injuries to the head (κ = 0.50), torso/trunk (κ = 0.48), and extremities (κ = 0.59). High‐risk mechanisms showed near‐perfect agreement (diving, κ = 1.0; struck by car, κ = 0.93; other motorized vehicle crash, κ = 0.93; fall, κ = 0.92; high‐risk motor vehicle collision, κ = 0.89; hanging, κ = 0.80). Fair agreement was found for clotheslining mechanisms (κ = 0.36) and substantial face injuries (κ = 0.40).ConclusionsMost retrospectively assessed variables thought to be predictive of CSIs in blunt trauma–injured children had at least moderate interobserver agreement, suggesting that these data are sufficiently valid for use in identifying potential predictors of CSI.
Age‐related Differences in Factors Associated With Cervical Spine Injuries in Children
Authors: Leonard Julie C. , Jaffe David M. , Olsen Cody S. , Kuppermann Nathan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) investigators previously identified risk factors associated with cervical spine injuries (CSIs) in children. Anatomic maturation and age‐related variation in mechanisms of injury suggested the need to explore factors separately for younger versus older children. The purpose of this substudy was to investigate CSI risk factors in age subgroups within the PECARN study cohort.MethodsThis was an age‐stratified case‐control analysis of children younger than 16 years presenting to 17 PECARN hospitals following blunt trauma between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004. Data were abstracted for children with CSIs and randomly selected CSI‐free children. Age‐stratified multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with CSI within three age groups: younger than 2, 2 to 7, and 8 to 15 years. Sensitivity and specificity for CSI were estimated for both the age‐specific and original (altered mental status, focal neurologic findings, neck pain, torticollis, substantial torso injury, predisposing conditions, diving, and high‐risk motor vehicle crash [MVC]) models.ResultsAmong 540 children with CSIs, 27 were younger than 2 years, 140 were 2 to 7 years, and 373 were 8 to 15 years. Focal neurologic deficits and high‐risk MVC were associated with CSIs in all age‐specific models. Other age‐specific factors included the following: younger than 2 years, none; 2 to 7 years, altered mental status, neck pain, torticollis; and 8 to 15 years, altered mental status, neck pain, diving. Age‐specific models had comparable sensitivity to the original model among the older groups, but had lower sensitivity and higher specificity among the youngest children.ConclusionsWhile this analysis supports the original PECARN model for CSI, there were subtle age variations in factors associated with CSIs in children that warrant future investigation.
Innovation systems and technical efficiency in developing‐country agriculture
Authors: Mekonnen Dawit K. , Spielman David J. , Fonsah Esendugue Greg , Dorfman Jeffrey H. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article examines how different components of an agricultural innovation system interact to determine levels of technical inefficiency in developing‐country agriculture. The analysis draws on data from 85 low‐ and middle‐income countries for the period 2004–2011 to estimate latent class stochastic frontiers in which the technological class to which the country belongs is determined within the model. To enable efficiency comparisons between countries across these technological classes, we estimate a meta‐frontier that encompasses all the class frontiers. We embed components of an agricultural innovation systems framework in this estimation to explain countries’ technical inefficiency with respect to their respective class frontiers. Mobile phone subscriptions as a measure of institutions that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and information as well as the number of scientific and technical journal articles as a measure of research productivity and knowledge production are found to improve technical efficiency of agricultural production in these countries. The mean technical efficiency score of agricultural production between 2004 and 2011 for countries in class one is 44.1% whereas it is 62.7% for countries in class two, indicating sizeable potential to improve agricultural production from the same level of agricultural inputs through efficiency‐enhancing investments.
The association of androgenetic alopecia and insulin resistance is independent of hyperandrogenemia: A case‐control study
Authors: Kartal Demet , Borlu Murat , Çınar Salih L , Ferahbaş Ayten , Ulaş Yılmaz , Ünlühızarcı Kürşad , Ukşal Ümit , Keleştimur Fahrettin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) occurs due to the effect of androgens and genetic predisposition. The association between hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (IR) has been clearly documented. In recent years there have been reports supporting the presence of IR in AGA. The study aimed to investigate the presence of IR in women with AGA and discern whether or not it is associated with hyperandrogenism.MethodsOverall, 77 women with AGA were included in the study. Patients with Ludwig grades I–III AGA were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were drawn for measurements of hormone profile, basal insulin and fasting blood glucose (FBG). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on another day. IR was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment score.ResultsAll IR parameters were significantly higher in the 75 study subjects without DM than in the control group (P < 0.05). After excluding five patients with IGT, the level of all IR parameters were still higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Hyperandrogenemia was found in 30 (40%) patients. When this second group (n = 45) (excluding patients with hyperandrogenemia) was compared with the control group on IR, all parameters except for basal insulin were significantly higher in the second group than in the controls (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur results suggest a relation between IR and AGA in female patients. We showed for the first time that the association of AGA and IR is independent of hyperandrogenemia.
Division of surgeon workload in pancreaticoduodenectomy: striving to decrease post‐operative pancreatic fistula
Authors: Kim Dong Hun , Choi Seong Ho , Choi Dong Wook , Heo Jin Seok 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundMany studies have reported factors affecting pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but there have been few reports on surgeon workload and post‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). This study was conducted to explore whether a surgeon's workload during PD impacts the occurrence of POPF.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 270 consecutive patients who underwent PD between January 2008 and June 2013 by a single experienced surgeon. These patients were divided into those who underwent PD entirely by a single operator (group 1) and those who received reconstructions by other operators (group 2). Duct‐to‐mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy was performed on all patients. The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria were used to define POPF.ResultsThere were 157 patients (58.1%) in group 1 and 113 patients (41.9%) in group 2. The post‐operative morbidity rate was comparable between the two groups (55.4% versus 52.2%; P = 0.603), but the clinical pancreatic fistula (grade B/C) rate was significantly different (10.8% versus 2.7%; P = 0.011). The overall post‐operative mortality was one patient (0.4%). Significant associations were found between clinical pancreatic fistulas and soft pancreas texture (P = 0.021), preoperative serum albumin level ≤3.5 g/dL (P = 0.012), other pathology besides pancreatic cancer (P = 0.027) and a single‐operator procedure (P = 0.019). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a single operator (odds ratio: 4.2, P = 0.029) was a significant predictive risk factor for clinically relevant POPF.ConclusionDividing the surgeon's workload in PD is associated with lower rates of POPF.
Children in rural China enjoyed a significant increase in quality of life from 2009 to 2011
Authors: Wu Yi‐Le , Ding Xiu‐Xiu , Li Yi‐Feng , Wang Wen‐Jing , Yang Hui‐Yun , Sun Ye‐Huan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimLittle is known about the long‐term change in quality of life (QoL) among children in rural China. This study longitudinally examined changes and predictors of QoL among children in one rural county between 2009 and 2011.MethodsWe interviewed 816 children from seven to 16 years of age in 2009 and 2011 using a range of QoL tools. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between follow‐up QoL and socio‐demographic, family environment and psychosocial factors.ResultsOverall QoL scores improved significantly from 71.1 ± 14.6 to 72.8 ± 16.3 (p = 0.005). QoL was positively related to annual family income (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) and baseline QoL (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and negatively related to older age (β = −0.19, p < 0.001), being female (β = −0.08, p = 0.011), being left in the care of family members by working parents (β = −0.09, p = 0.004), negative coping styles (β = −0.10, p = 0.005) and depression (β = −0.11, p = 0.006).ConclusionQuality of life significantly improved among children in rural China over a two‐year period from 2009 to 2011. It was positively related to annual family income and baseline QoL and negatively related to older age, being female, being left in the care of family members by working parents, negative coping styles and depression.
Using axillary temperature to approximate rectal temperature in newborns
Authors: Lantz Björn , Ottosson Cornelia 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimVarious factors have been shown to potentially affect the difference between axillary and rectal temperature measurements in newborns. We aimed to explore their roles and, if possible, to construct a formula that explained the difference.MethodsThe study was based on a consecutive sample of 175 infants, with a gestational age of 24–42 weeks, whose rectal and axillary temperatures were measured simultaneously at the neonatal unit at Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden. Data were analysed using multiple regressions.ResultsPremature infants had a significantly smaller mean difference (0.33°C) between rectal and axillary temperatures than full‐term infants (0.43°C). Significant associated factors for premature infants were chronological age (p = 0.025), time of day (p = 0.004) and axillary temperature (p < 0.001). For full‐term infants, the only significant associated factor was axillary temperature (p = 0.015).ConclusionAlthough it is possible to construct a formula that estimates neonate rectal temperature based on axillary temperature with a slightly higher reliability than simply adding a fixed value like 0.4°C, such a formula would be too complex to apply in practice. Adding 0.3°C or 0.4°C to the measured axillary temperature for premature infants or full‐term infants, respectively, yields acceptable approximations in most cases.
Effect of electrical vs. chemical deep brain stimulation at midbrain sites on micturition in anaesthetized rats
Authors: Stone E. , Coote J. H. , Lovick T. A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo understand how deep brain stimulation of the midbrain influences control of the urinary bladder.MethodsIn urethane‐anaesthetized male rats, saline was infused continuously into the bladder to evoke cycles of filling and voiding. The effect of electrical (0.1–2.0 ms pulses, 5–180 Hz, 0.5–2.5 V) compared to chemical stimulation (microinjection of D,L‐homocysteic acid, 50 nL 0.1 m solution) at the same midbrain sites was tested.ResultsElectrical stimulation of the periaqueductal grey matter and surrounding midbrain disrupted normal coordinated voiding activity in detrusor and sphincters muscles and suppressed urine output. The effect occurred within seconds was reversible and not secondary to cardiorespiratory changes. Bladder compliance remained unchanged. Chemical stimulation over the same area using microinjection of D,L‐homocysteic acid (DLH) to preferentially activate somatodendritic receptors decreased the frequency of micturition but did not disrupt the coordinated pattern of voiding. In contrast, chemical stimulation within the caudal ventrolateral periaqueductal grey, in the area where critical synapses in the micturition reflex pathway are located, increased the frequency of micturition.ConclusionElectrical deep brain stimulation within the midbrain can inhibit reflex micturition. We suggest that the applied stimulus entrained activity in the neural circuitry locally, thereby imposing an unphysiological pattern of activity. In a way similar to the use of electrical signals to ‘jam’ radio transmission, this may prevent a synchronized pattern of efferent activity being transmitted to the spinal outflows to orchestrate a coordinated voiding response. Further experiments to record neuronal firing in the midbrain during the deep brain stimulation will be necessary to test this hypothesis.
Microbial population, chemical composition and silage fermentation of cassava residues
Authors: Napasirth Viengsakoun , Napasirth Pattaya , Sulinthone Tue , Phommachanh Kham , Cai Yimin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn order to effectively use the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) residues, including cassava leaves, peel and pulp for livestock diets, the chemical and microbiological composition, silage preparation and the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on silage fermentation of cassava residues were studied. These residues contained 104 to 105 LAB and yeasts, 103 to 104 coliform bacteria and 104 aerobic bacteria in colony forming units (cfu) on a fresh matter (FM) basis. The molds were consistently at or below the detectable level (102 cfu of FM) in three kinds of cassava residues. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of cassava residues were 17.50‐30.95%, 1.30‐16.41% and 25.40–52.90% on a DM basis, respectively. The silage treatments were designed as control silage without additive (CO) or with LAB inoculants Chikuso‐1 (CH, Lactobacillus plantarum) and Snow Lacto (SN, Lactobacillus rhamnosus) at a rate of 5 mg/kg of FM basis. All silages were well preserved with a low pH (below 4.0) value and when cassava residues silage treated with inoculants CH and SN improved fermentation quality with a lower pH, butyric acid and higher lactic acid than control silage.
Effect of monensin withdrawal on rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and microbial populations in cattle
Authors: Abrar Arfan , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Kondo Makoto , Ban‐Tokuda Tomomi , Chao Wang , Matsui Hiroki 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study was designed to obtain information on the residual influence of dietary monensin on ruminant fermentation, methanogenesis and bacterial population. Three ruminally cannulated crossbreed heifers (14 months old, 363 ± 11 kg) were fed Italian ryegrass straw and concentrate supplemented with monensin for 21 days before sampling. Rumen fluid samples were collected for analysis of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, monensin concentration, methanogens and rumen bacterial density. Post‐feeding rumen fluid was also collected to determine in vitro gas production. Monensin was eliminated from the rumen fluid within 3 days. The composition of SCFA varied after elimination of monensin, while total production of SCFA was 1.78 times higher than on the first day. Methane production increased 7 days after monensin administration ceased, whereas hydrogen production decreased. The methanogens and rumen bacterial copy numbers were unaffected by the withdrawal of monensin.
Allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction typing and sequencing of mitochondrial D‐loop region in broiler chickens in Japan
Authors: Harumi Takashi , Kobayashi Eiji , Naito Mitsuru 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to comprehend a feature of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mainly of general broiler chickens in Japan. We typed two SNP sites (199C/T and 792A/G) of the D‐loop region in mtDNA by allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) in 359 broiler (182 chunky and 177 cobb) and 506 layer (233 White Leghorn, 140 Barred Plymouth Rock and 133 Rhode Island Red) chickens. The SNP of 199C or 792A by AS‐PCR was observed in the chunky and cobb chickens, and not in the layers. The haplotype 199T/792G was observed in a part of cobb and all layers. By the result of AS‐PCR haplotyping and the broiler brands, the D‐loop region was sequenced in 44 broiler chickens (20 chunky and 24 cobb) and compared with the layers’ sequence data. Among the broiler and layer chickens, 21 SNP sites (including one insertion) and 11 sequence haplotypes were observed. Haplotype variation or correspondence was observed in and between the broiler brands. This study provides important information to establish a chicken meat traceability system by SNP haplotyping of mtDNA in Japan.
Evaluation of total mixed ration silage with brewers grains for dairy buffalo in Tarai, Nepal
Authors: Sakai Takashi , Devkota Naba R. , Oishi Kazato , Hirooka Hiroyuki , Kumagai Hajime 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTo investigate the effects of total mixed ration (TMR) silage, which contained brewers grain and rice straw as a substitute for conventional concentrate on feed intake and milk production in middle‐to‐late lactation buffaloes, four multiparous Murrah buffaloes were assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment. The TMR silage, which had higher neutral and acid detergent fiber contents and digestibility than concentrate (P < 0.05) and similar crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents with concentrate were used for the lactation experiment. The treatments were control (CTL) fed concentrate at 0.6% of body weight (BW), and T1 and T2 fed the TMR silage at 0.6 and 1.2% of BW on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively, with rice straw ad libitum. Daily intakes of DM, CP and TDN, and BW change were higher in T2 than in CTL and T1 (P < 0.05). Although milk composition did not differ among the treatments, milk yield (MY) was higher in T2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in MY/DM intake and MY/TDN intake among the treatments. The increase of BW and MY in middle‐to‐late lactation buffaloes might have been due to high TDN intake from supplementary TMR silage.
DPD and UGT1A1 deficiency in colorectal cancer patients receiving triplet chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin and irinotecan
Authors: Falvella Felicia Stefania , Cheli Stefania , Martinetti Antonia , Mazzali Cristina , Iacovelli Roberto , Maggi Claudia , Gariboldi Manuela , Pierotti Marco Alessandro , Di Bartolomeo Maria , Sottotetti Elisa , Mennitto Roberta , Bossi Ilaria , de Braud Filippo , Clementi Emilio , Pietrantonio Filippo 
Published: March 2015

AimsTriplet chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin and irinotecan is a standard therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DPYD and UGT1A1 influence fluoropyrimdines and irinotecan adverse events (AEs). Low frequency DPYD variants (c.1905 + 1G > A, c.1679 T > G, c.2846A > T) are validated but more frequent ones (c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G and c.1896 T > C) are not. rs895819 T > C polymorphism in hsa‐mir‐27a is associated with reduced DPD activity. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of a pharmacogenetic panel for patients receiving triplet combinations.MethodsGermline DNA was available from 64 CRC patients enrolled between 2008 and 2013 in two phase II trials of capecitabine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan plus bevacizumab or cetuximab. SNPs were determined by Real‐Time PCR. We evaluated the functional variants in DPYD (rare: c.1905 + 1G > A, c.1679 T > G, c.2846A > T; most common: c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G, c.1896 T > C), hsa‐mir‐27a (rs895819) and UGT1A1 (*28) genes to assess their association with grade 3–4 AEs.ResultsNone of the patients carried rare DPYD variants. We found DPYD c.496A > G, c.1129‐5923C > G, c.1896 T > C in heterozygosity in 19%, 5% and 8%, respectively, homozygous rs895819 in hsa‐mir‐27a in 9% and homozygous UGT1A1*28 in 8%. Grade 3–4 AEs were observed in 36% patients and were associated with DPYD c.496A > G (odds ratio (OR) 4.93, 95% CI 1.29, 18.87; P = 0.021) and homozygous rs895819 in hsa‐mir‐27a (OR 11.11, 95% CI 1.21, 102.09; P = 0.020). Carriers of DPYD c.1896 T > C and homozygous UGT1A1*28 showed an OR of 8.42 (95% CI 0.88, 80.56; P = 0.052). Multivariate analysis confirmed an independent value for DPYD c.496A > G and c.1896 T > C.ConclusionsConcomitant assessment of DPYD variants and the UGT1A1*28 allele is a promising strategy needing further validation for dose personalization.