bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Four‐factor prothrombin complex concentrates in paediatric patients – a retrospective case series
Authors: Noga T. , Bruce A.A.K. , Blain H. , Nahirniak S. 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundFour‐factor prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are human plasma‐derived products containing coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X as well as proteins C and S. They are licensed in many countries for treatment of bleeding or urgent periprocedural prophylaxis in patients with acquired deficiency of prothrombin complex coagulation factors, typically in the setting of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) usage. Efficacy and safety have been established in the adult population, but there is little information in the literature regarding their use for these indications in the paediatric population. We report on our institution's experience with these products in paediatric patients over a five‐year period.MethodA retrospective case series study was performed, whereby any patient aged 0‐16 years who had received PCCs between 2009 and 2013 was identified. Details regarding patient demographics, indications, dose, relevant bloodwork, additional blood products used, adverse effects and general outcomes were obtained through chart and blood bank reviews.ResultsA total of sixteen patients were included in our study, fourteen of whom received PCCs in a perioperative setting. Eleven received product for VKA reversal. Significant improvements in PT INRs were observed in those patients who had timely bloodwork drawn. Five others received product for reasons not related to VKA use. One thrombotic event was detected a day following PCC infusion, but causation is uncertain.ConclusionWithin study limitations, when used for rapid reversal of VKAs, efficacy and safety of these products in a paediatric population appear to be similar to those reported in adults.
Evaluation of Pharyngeal Function in Dogs with Laryngeal Paralysis Before and After Unilateral Arytenoid Lateralization
Authors: Andrade Natalia , Kent Marc , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Radlinsky MaryAnn G. 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate pharyngeal and laryngeal function using esophagography, topical pharyngeal/laryngeal sensitivity testing, and electromyography (EMG) in normal and dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) before and after unilateral arytenoid lateralization.StudyProspective controlled cohort study.AnimalsDogs with laryngeal paralysis (ILP; n = 8) and age/breed‐matched (AB, n = 8) and young breed‐matched dogs (B, n = 8) were recruited.MethodsEvaluation consisted of esophagography, topical pharyngeal/laryngeal sensitivity testing, and electrodiagnostic testing. Esophagography was performed with liquid and canned phases. Pharyngeal and laryngeal sensitivity was tested by applying a cotton‐tipped applicator to the mucosa of pharynx/larynx at anesthetic induction. In all dogs, electrophysiological testing included EMG, direct evoked muscle potentials, motor nerve conduction velocities, and F wave testing. These were performed in the thoracic/pelvic limbs, extrinsic laryngeal muscles, epaxial, and masticatory muscles.ResultsTopical pharyngeal and laryngeal sensitivity testing was decreased in LP dogs compared with age‐matched healthy control dogs. Esophagram showed dysmotility in the cranial and caudal esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux was significantly higher in ILP dogs compared with the other 2 groups (P < .03). In all affected dogs, EMG abnormalities were limited to the interosseous muscles of both pelvic and thoracic limbs bilaterally.ConclusionDogs with ILP not only have recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and pararecurrent laryngeal nerve (pRLN) dysfunction, but may also have concurrent cranial laryngeal nerve dysfunction.
PERFORMANCE OF UMAR-SRIMAT ON SOIL WATER CONSERVATION AND WEED CONTROL IN SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION
Authors: Mohammed Umar , Wayayok Aimrun , Mohd Soom Mohd Amin , Abdan Khalina 
Published: October 2015

Weed emergence is among the most important problems in system of rice intensification (SRI) due to extensive planting geometry of at least 25 × 25 cm and moist environment, thereby leading to water loss by means of evaporation from the broad space as a result of the extensive planting geometry, and transpiration by the weeds. This reduces the additional water saving which affect the potential of SRI water productivity. It also reduces rice crop yields up to 70% if there is no weed control attempted. Nowadays, weed is being controlled by manual weeder which is labour demanding, while motorized weeders overcome the problem but still, it able to remove the weeds before rice canopy closure or 30 days after transplanting (DAT). This research was designed to evaluate the performance of UMAR-SRImat on soil moisture conservation and weed control. UMAR-SRImat was made using flaked rice straw and biodegradable adhesive. The design was laid out using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments [without soil cover (T1), SRImat (T2), UMAR-SRImat (T3)] and three replications. The analysis was conducted using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Volumetric moisture content (VMC) was determined at 18 and 25 DAT. Weeds were observed and recorded to determine the weed dry weight and weed control efficiency at 20, 40 and 60 DAT. Plant height per hill was measured at 30 and 50 DAT, likewise, the number of tillers were counted at 30 and 50 DAT. The result of VMC showed that UMAR-SRImat significantly conserved water higher than the control treatment at 18 and 25 DAT of 3100.0a and 2680.0a m3/ha, respectively. The effectiveness of UMAR-SRImat mulched was 100% at 20 DAT 99.64% at 40 DAT and 97.99% at 60 DAT. This research revealed that UMAR-SRImat mulch could retain soil moisture and suppressed weeds up to 60 DAT.
ACOUSTIC ABSORPTION, RHEOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTE EGG BOXES FIBERS FILLED SBR
Authors: Algaily Bashir , Puttajukr Sombat , Navarat Thoranit 
Published: October 2015

There are a few interesting to develop a procedure for design material with high acoustic absorption with broad acoustic frequencies range and assess the potential of using waste living materials as the primary component in the production of sound absorbing materials for use in walls and ceilings. This research provides experimental investigations for design and optimization of composite sound absorbers with styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and waste egg boxes (EB) fibers. The SBR/EB composites have been investigated for their acoustic absorption at different frequencies, their mechanical and rheological properties. Results indicated that an increasing EB composition enhanced the acoustic absorption coefficient. The density of SBR/EB composites were directly related to the presence of the EB fibers. The principal experimental evidences of nonlinear behavior of viscoelastic materials were discussed by investigating the stress-strain curve. In view of the rheological properties, the SBR/EB composites showed shear thinning behavior at various different conditions, that the apparent viscosity reduced with increasing shear rates and it was greater temperature sensitivity. Eventually, the data obtained clearly indicated that the heterogeneity and the viscosity of the materials play very important factors to provide suitable absorbers, these new materials were beneficial for using as a sound absorber and could be used as an alternative replacement for conventional product because for instance, they are cheaper, nonabrasive and may serve to reduce the noise pollution.
DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECT TO INDIRECT COST RATIO OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Authors: Mohd. Rohani Jafri , Johari Mohamed Fitri , Wan Hamid Wan Harun , Atan Hood 
Published: October 2015

Occupational injury would certainly give an impact not just to the victim but also to the organization and society at large. The impact would be in term of victim suffering, bad company reputation, low working moral among fellow workers and economic costs to the company. However, most of the aspects are difficult to quantify except for economics costs. The objective of this paper is to validate relationship accident direct cost model towards its observable cost components. Besides, this paper also proposes direct to indirect cost ratio based on accident cost range, accident scenario and impact of accident. Basically, accident cost can be categorized into two distinct categories which are direct and indirect cost. A total of 342 cases have been acquired for this study and recorded cases only cover temporary disability with more than one day of MC. Data is gathered from six types of sectors from manufacturing industry in Malaysia by using local specific method. The validity of direct cost model is tested by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) while indirect to indirect cost ratio is developed based on following aspects: (1) Accident cost range; (2) Accident scenario; and (3) Impact of accident. Proven direct cost model and direct to indirect cost ratio proposed would give a better insight to the relevant stakeholder in quantifying the occupational accident cost which may assist them in making necessary changes in order to avoid occurrence of similar accident in the future.
FLOOD RISK PATTERN RECOGNITION BY USING ENVIRONMETRIC TECHNIQUE: A CASE STUDY IN LANGAT RIVER BASIN
Authors: Mohd Saudi Ahmad Shakir , Juahir Hafizan , Azid Azman , Toriman Mohd Ekhwan , Kamarudin Mohd Khairul Amri , Mohd Saudi Madihah , Mustafa Ahmad Dasuki , Amran Mohammad Azizi 
Published: October 2015

This study looks into the downscaling of statistical model to produce and predict hydrological modelling in the study area based on secondary data derived from the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) since 1982-2012. The combination of chemometric method and time series analysis in this study showed that the monsoon season and rainfall did not affect the water level, but the suspended solid, stream flow and water level that revealed high correlation in correlation test with p-value < 0.0001, which affected the water level. The Factor analysis for the variables of the stream flow, suspended solid and water level showed strong factor pattern with coefficient more than 0.7, and 0.987, 1.000 and 1.000, respectively. Based on the Statistical Process Control (SPC), the Upper Control Limit for water level, suspended solid and stream flow were 21.110 m3/s, 4624.553 tonnes/day, and 8.224 m/s, while the Lower Control Limit were 20.711 m, 2538.92 tonnes/day and 2.040 m/s. This shows that human development in the area gives high impact towards climate change and flood risk, and not the monsoon season. Prediction was carried out using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to classify risks into their own classes, and the rate of accuracy for the prediction was 97.1%. This meant that the points in the time series analysis which were located beyond Upper Control Limit were considered as High Risk class, and the probability for flood occurrence is very high. The other classes classified in this prediction are Caution Zone, Low Risk and No risk. This is important to set a trigger for warning system in the case of emergency response plan during flood.
Pressure‐dependent regulation of Ca2+ signalling in the vascular endothelium
Authors: Wilson Calum , Saunter Christopher D. , Girkin John M. , McCarron John G. 
Published: October 2015

Key points
Increased pressure suppresses endothelial control of vascular tone but it remains uncertain (1) how pressure is sensed by the endothelium and (2) how the vascular response is inhibited.
This study used a novel imaging method to study large numbers of endothelial cells in arteries that were in a physiological configuration and held at normal blood pressures.
Increased pressure suppressed endothelial IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signals.
Pressure modulated endothelial cell shape.
The changes in cell shape may alter endothelial Ca2+ signals by modulating the diffusive environment for Ca2+ near IP3 receptors.
Endothelial pressure‐dependent mechanosensing may occur without a requirement for a conventional molecular mechanoreceptor.
AbstractThe endothelium is an interconnected network upon which haemodynamic mechanical forces act to control vascular tone and remodelling in disease. Ca2+ signalling is central to the endothelium's mechanotransduction and networked activity. However, challenges in imaging Ca2+ in large numbers of endothelial cells under conditions that preserve the intact physical configuration of pressurized arteries have limited progress in understanding how pressure‐dependent mechanical forces alter networked Ca2+ signalling. We developed a miniature wide‐field, gradient‐index (GRIN) optical probe designed to fit inside an intact pressurized artery that permitted Ca2+ signals to be imaged with subcellular resolution in a large number (∼200) of naturally connected endothelial cells at various pressures. Chemical (acetylcholine) activation triggered spatiotemporally complex, propagating inositol trisphosphate (IP3)‐mediated Ca2+ waves that originated in clusters of cells and progressed from there across the endothelium. Mechanical stimulation of the artery, by increased intraluminal pressure, flattened the endothelial cells and suppressed IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signals in all activated cells. By computationally modelling Ca2+ release, endothelial shape changes were shown to alter the geometry of the Ca2+ diffusive environment near IP3 receptor microdomains to limit IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signals as pressure increased. Changes in cell shape produce a geometric microdomain regulation of IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signalling to explain macroscopic pressure‐dependent, endothelial mechanosensing without the need for a conventional mechanoreceptor. The suppression of IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signalling may explain the decrease in endothelial activity as pressure increases. GRIN imaging provides a convenient method that gives access to hundreds of endothelial cells in intact arteries in physiological configuration.
A New Type of YumC-Like Ferredoxin (Flavodoxin) Reductase Is Involved in Ribonucleotide Reduction
Authors: Chen Jun , Shen Jing , Solem Christian , Jensen Peter Ruhdal 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

The
trxB2
gene, which is annotated as a thioredoxin reductase, was found to be essential for growth of
Lactococcus lactis
in the presence of oxygen. The corresponding protein (TrxB2) showed a high similarity with
Bacillus subtilis
YumC (
E
value = 4.0E−88), and YumC was able to fully complement the
ΔtrxB2
mutant phenotype. YumC represents a novel type of ferredoxin (flavodoxin) reductase (FdR) with hitherto-unknown biological function. We adaptively evolved the Δ
trxB2
mutant under aerobic conditions to find suppressor mutations that could help elucidate the involvement of TrxB2 in aerobic growth. Genome sequencing of two independent isolates, which were able to grow as well as the wild-type strain under aerated conditions, revealed the importance of mutations in
nrdI
, encoding a flavodoxin involved in aerobic ribonucleotide reduction. We suggest a role for TrxB2 in nucleotide metabolism, where the flavodoxin (NrdI) serves as its redox partner, and we support this hypothesis by showing the beneficial effect of deoxynucleosides on aerobic growth of the Δ
trxB2
mutant. Finally, we demonstrate, by heterologous expression, that the TrxB2 protein functionally can substitute for YumC in
B. subtilis
but that the addition of deoxynucleosides cannot compensate for the lethal phenotype displayed by the
B. subtilis
yumC
knockout mutant.

IMPORTANCE
Ferredoxin (flavodoxin) reductase (FdR) is involved in many important reactions in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, such as photosynthesis, nitrate reduction, etc. The recently identified bacterial YumC-type FdR belongs to a novel type, the biological function of which still remains elusive. We found that the YumC-like FdR (TrxB2) is essential for aerobic growth of
Lactococcus lactis
. We suggest that the YumC-type FdR is involved in the ribonucleotide reduction by the class Ib ribonucleotide reductase, which represents the workhorse for the bioconversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides in many prokaryotes and eukaryotic pathogens under aerobic conditions. As the partner of the flavodoxin (NrdI), the key FdR is missing in the current model describing the class Ib system in
Escherichia coli
. With this study, we have established a role for this novel type of FdR and in addition found the missing link needed to explain how ribonucleotide reduction is carried out under aerobic conditions.
Identification of Population Bottlenecks and Colonization Factors during Assembly of Bacterial Communities within the Zebrafish Intestine
Authors: Stephens W. Zac , Wiles Travis J. , Martinez Emily S. , Jemielita Matthew , Burns Adam R. , Parthasarathy Raghuveer , Bohannan Brendan J. M. , Guillemin Karen 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe zebrafish,Danio rerio, is a powerful model for studying bacterial colonization of the vertebrate intestine, but the genes required by commensal bacteria to colonize the zebrafish gut have not yet been interrogated on a genome-wide level. Here we apply a high-throughput transposon mutagenesis screen toAeromonas veroniiHm21 andVibriosp. strain ZWU0020 during their colonization of the zebrafish intestine alone and in competition with each other, as well as in different colonization orders. We use these transposon-tagged libraries to track bacterial population sizes in different colonization regimes and to identify gene functions required during these processes. We show that intraspecific, but not interspecific, competition with a previously established bacterial population greatly reduces the ability of these two bacterial species to colonize. Further, using a simple binomial sampling model, we show that under conditions of interspecific competition, genes required for colonization cannot be identified because of the population bottleneck experienced by the second colonizer. When bacteria colonize the intestine alone or at the same time as the other species, we find shared suites of functional requirements for colonization by the two species, including a prominent role for chemotaxis and motility, regardless of the presence of another species.IMPORTANCEZebrafish larvae, which are amenable to large-scale gnotobiotic studies, comprehensive sampling of their intestinal microbiota, and live imaging, are an excellent model for investigations of vertebrate intestinal colonization dynamics. We sought to develop a mutagenesis and tagging system in order to understand bacterial population dynamics and functional requirements during colonization of the larval zebrafish intestine. We explored changes in bacterial colonization dynamics and functional requirements when bacteria colonize a bacterium-free intestine, one previously colonized by their own species, or one colonized previously or simultaneously with a different species. This work provides a framework for rapid identification of colonization factors important under different colonization conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that when colonizing bacterial populations are very small, this approach is not accurate because random sampling of the input pool is sufficient to explain the distribution of inserts recovered from bacteria that colonized the intestines.
Growth structures, piggy-back basins and growth strata of the Georgian part of the Kura foreland fold–thrust belt: implications for Late Alpine kinematic evolution
Authors: Alania V. M. , Chabukiani A. O. , Chagelishvili R. L. , Enukidze O. V. , Gogrichiani K. O. , Razmadze A. N. , Tsereteli N. S. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

The Kura foreland fold–thrust belt is located in the northern part of the active collisional Lesser Caucasus orogenic belt associated with Arabia–Eurasia convergence. This belt is the best example of mountain-building processes in late Alpine time. Seismic reflection profiles show that the Kura foreland fold–thrust belt of the eastern Caucasus is an active thin-skinned fold–thrust belt and is represented by fault-bend folds, fault-propagation folds and duplexes. Analysis of growth strata in seismic profiles and oil well data from the Kura foreland fold–thrust belt documents that the evolution of deformation has been continuing during the last
c.
14–15 myr (since the Middle Miocene), together with the thrust system kinematics. The geometry of the growth strata is associated with footwall synclines and piggy-back basins. Compressional deformation on the Kura foreland began in the Middle Miocene (Chokrakian) and reached its maximum rate at the end of the Miocene (
c.
5 Ma).
Distinct Aspects of Left Ventricular Mechanical Function Are Differentially Associated With Cardiovascular Outcomes and All‐Cause Mortality in the Community
Authors: Cheng Susan , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Larson Martin G. , Merz Allison A. , Osypiuk Ewa , Lehman Birgitta T. , Stantchev Plamen , Aragam Jayashri , Solomon Scott D. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Vasan Ramachandran S. 
Published: October 2015

Background

There are few data relating novel measures of left ventricular (
LV
) mechanical function to cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) outcomes in the community. Whether distinct components of
LV
mechanical function provide information regarding risk for different
CVD
outcomes is unclear.

Methods and Results

We used speckle tracking echocardiography to quantify distinct components of
LV
mechanical function (measured as
LV
strain in multiple planes) in 2831 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age, 66 years; 57% women, 97% with
LV
fractional shortening >0.29). Participants were followed for 6.0±1.2 years for onset of 69 coronary heart disease (
CHD
), 71 heart failure (
HF
), and 199 mortality events. Adjusting for
CVD
risk factors, longitudinal
LV
strain appeared associated with incident
CHD
(hazards ratio [
HR
] per
SD
increment, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [
CI
], 1.00–1.67;
P
=0.05), whereas circumferential and radial strain were not (
P
>0.37 for both); however, the association of longitudinal strain with
CHD
was nonsignificant after Bonferroni correction. By contrast, circumferential strain was a significant predictor of incident
HF
(
HR
per
SD
increment, 1.79; 95%
CI
, 1.35–2.37;
P
<0.0001). Decrements in circumferential, radial, and longitudinal strain measures were related to all‐cause mortality (
P
<0.008 for all). Results remained similar in multivariable models adjusting additionally for the conventional echocardiographic measures of
LV
mass and fractional shortening.

Conclusions

In our large, community‐based sample, distinct components of
LV
mechanical function were associated with specific
CVD
outcomes. Additional studies are needed to replicate these findings and investigate the prognostic and therapeutic utility of these novel measures of
LV
mechanical function.