bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Vaginal Physiology of Menopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Baldassarre Maurizio , Alvisi Stefania , Berra Marta , Martelli Valentina , Farina Antonio , Righi Alberto , Meriggiola Maria Cristina 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Introduction
Metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, have been associated with an increased risk of development of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). In experimental studies, vascular, neuronal, and hormonal responsiveness alteration at vaginal level were proposed as contributors to the onset of FSD in women with diabetes; however, conclusive data on humans are still lacking.

Aims
The study aimed to assess changes in vascularization, sex steroid receptors, nitric oxide synthase, and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression occurring at vaginal level in women with diabetes.

Methods
Vaginal biopsies were obtained from 21 postmenopausal women, 10 of whom were diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus. CD31, estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and androgen receptor (AR) expression and localization were analyzed by immunostaining. Expression of endothelial (eNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) nitric oxide synthase isoforms and AQP2 were also assessed in vaginal samples.

Main Outcomes Measures
Changes in vaginal vascularization, sex steroids receptor, eNOS, nNOS and AQP2 expression.

Results
Vaginal samples from women with diabetes showed an increased microvessel density in the lamina propria, which were morphologically disrupted suggesting an angiogenic compensatory mechanism. While no differences were seen in ERα, AR expression was significantly reduced in the vaginal epithelium and lamina propria of women with diabetes. Similarly, the gene and protein expressions of both nNOS and eNOS were significantly reduced in patients with diabetes, while AQP2 mRNAs level did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusion
Diabetes greatly impacts vaginal physiology, being associated with alterations of the vaginal lamina propria vascular network, nitrergic signaling, and AR expression. These alterations may contribute to the increased risk of FSD development in women with diabetes.
Geographic variation in the Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii): concordance of genetic, morphometric and acoustic signal data
Authors: Warwick Alexa R. , Travis Joseph , Lemmon Emily Moriarty 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDelimiting species is important to every subfield in biology. Templeton's cohesion species concept uses genetic and ecological exchangeability to identify sets of populations that ought to be considered as the same species, and the lack of exchangeability helps determine which populations can be grouped as evolutionarily significant units (ESU) in conservation science. However, previous work assessing genetic and ecological interchangeability among populations has been limited in scope. Here, we provide a method for assessing exchangeability that incorporates multiple, independent lines of multivariate evidence in genetic, behavioural and morphological data. We use this approach to assess exchangeability across three disjunct groups of populations of the Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii) from the eastern United States. This species is considered threatened by each state in which it occurs and conservation management of this taxon requires a clearer understanding of how populations in these three regions may differ from one another. We find a strikingly concordant pattern in which the first axis of variation for each of the three types of data distinguishes populations along a latitudinal gradient and the second axis distinguishes the set of populations occurring in the Carolinas from those occurring in the New Jersey and Florida/Alabama regions. We know of no comparable data set that displays such concordance among different types of data across so large a geographic range. The overlap in trait values (i.e. exchangeability) between neighbouring regions, however, is substantial in all three types of data, which supports continued consideration of this taxon as a single species.
Glycated albumin is a more accurate glycaemic indicator than haemoglobin A1c in diabetic patients with pre‐dialysis chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kim Il Young , Kim Min Jung , Lee Dong Won , Lee Soo Bong , Rhee Harin , Song Sang Heon , Seong Eun Young , Kwak Ihm Soo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAimGlycated albumin (GA) has been reported to be a more reliable glycaemic indicator than haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes on dialysis. However, the significance of these assays has been less evaluated in patients with diabetes and pre‐dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsGA, HbA1c and fasting serum glucose were measured simultaneously in 146 patients with diabetes. Based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the subjects were categorized into a pre‐dialysis CKD group (eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n = 97) and a non‐CKD group (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n = 49).ResultsThe glucose/HbA1c and GA/HbA1c ratios were significantly higher in the CKD group than those in the non‐CKD group. The glucose/GA ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the pre‐dialysis CKD group, eGFR was negatively correlated with the glucose/HbA1c ratio (r = −0.343, P = 0.001) and the GA/HbA1c ratio (r = −0.499, P < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was detected between eGFR and the glucose/GA ratio. In the non‐CKD group, eGFR was not correlated with the glucose/HbA1c ratio, the glucose/GA ratio, or the GA/HbA1c ratio. A multivariate regression analysis showed that eGFR had a significant impact on HbA1c but no effect on GA in the pre‐dialysis CKD group (β = 0.210, P = 0.005). In the non‐CKD group, eGFR did not affect HbA1c or GA.ConclusionOur results show that HbA1c significantly underestimated glycaemic control, whereas GA more accurately reflected glycaemic control in diabetic patients with pre‐dialysis CKD.
Effect of Pulmonary Vein Anatomy and Pulmonary Vein Diameters on Outcome of Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: GÜLER EKREM , GÜLER GAMZE BABUR , DEMIR GÜLTEKIN GÜNHAN , KIZILIRMAK FILIZ , GÜNEŞ HACI MURAT , BARUTÇU İRFAN , KILIÇASLAN FETHİ 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to determine pulmonary vein (PV) variation patterns in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and their impacts on procedural success and recurrence and also to identify predictors for recurrence.MethodsWe enrolled 54 patients with AF and having symptoms despite medical therapy. Prior to the procedure, PV variation and left atrium (LA) size were evaluated in all patients by computed tomography scan. Ablation procedure was performed with single balloon and predictors for AF recurrence were determined.ResultsThe study population consisted of 54 patients (male: 50 [27%], mean age: 53 ± 12) with AF. Paroxysmal AF and persistent AF were detected in 55.6% (30) and 44.4% (24) of the patients, respectively. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy times were 73 ± 19 minutes and 16 ± 4 minutes, respectively. The number of the patients with PV variation of right pulmonary vein (RPV) with >2 ostia and accessory PV was 27.8% (15) and 18.5% (10). During the follow‐up, 20.4% (11) of patients had AF recurrence. Patients with recurrence had greater transverse LA size (62 ± 6 mm vs 57 ± 5 mm, P: 0014), longitudinal LA size (65 ± 5 mm vs 61 ± 6 mm, P: 0025), LA volume (78 ± 17 mL vs 65 ± 14 mL, P: 0011), fluoroscopy time (20.4 ± 4.6 minutes vs 15.7 ± 3.5 minutes, P: 0001), RPV with >2 ostia (72.7% vs 27.3%, P: 0001), right upper pulmonary vein (RUPV) diameter (21.6 ± 2.8 cm vs 15.8 ± 2.1 cm; P < 0001), and persistent AF (33.3% vs 66.7%, P: 0046). In multivariate analysis, RUPV diameter (β: 1006; P: 0010; odds ratio [OR]: 2736; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1267–5906]) and fluoroscopy time (β: 0327; P: 0050; OR: 1386; 95% CI: [1000–1921]) were determined as independent predictors for AF recurrence.ConclusionsTransverse and longitudinal LA size, LA volume, fluoroscopy time, presence of persistent AF, RUPV size, and the number of RPV ostia are associated with AF recurrence following cryoballoon‐based ablation. RUPV size and fluoroscopy time are predictors for recurrence.
Perioperative management of 19 infants undergoing glossopexy (tongue‐lip adhesion) procedure: a retrospective study
Authors: Fujii Masashi , Tachibana Kazuya , Takeuchi Muneyuki , Nishio Juntaro , Kinouchi Keiko 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBackgroundGlossopexy (tongue‐lip adhesion) is a procedure in which the tongue is anchored to the lower lip and mandible to relieve the upper airway obstruction mainly in infants with Pierre Robin sequence. Infants suffering from severe upper airway obstruction and feeding difficulties due to glossoptosis are the candidates for this procedure and are predicted to demonstrate difficult airway and difficult intubation.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the perioperative management of 19 infants undergoing glossopexy procedure at our institution from 1992 to 2010.ResultsOut of 19 patients, Pierre Robin sequence was diagnosed in 17, Treacher Collins syndrome in 1, and Stickler syndrome in 1. In all of them, inhalation anesthesia was induced with a nasopharyngeal tube in place. Nine patients underwent fiberoptic intubation. After surgery, 12 patients were extubated in the operating room and 11 of them required a nasopharyngeal tube to keep the airway open. Seven patients left the operating room with the trachea intubated. Two patients received tracheostomy at the age of 2 months. Seventeen patients underwent release of tongue‐lip adhesion coincidentally with the palate repair at 7–14 months of age. For this surgery, no one required fiberoptic intubation.ConclusionsThe airway of these patients should be managed carefully not only before but also after the operation. A nasopharyngeal tube was effective in maintaining the upper airway patency during anesthesia induction and before and after operation.
Identification and functional characterization of soybean root hair microRNAs expressed in response to Bradyrhizobium japonicum infection
Authors: Yan Zhe , Hossain Md Shakhawat , Valdés‐López Oswaldo , Hoang Nhung T. , Zhai Jixian , Wang Jun , Libault Marc , Brechenmacher Laurent , Findley Seth , Joshi Trupti , Qiu Lijuan , Sherrier D. Janine , Ji Tieming , Meyers Blake C. , Xu Dong , Stacey Gary 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThree soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] small RNA libraries were generated and sequenced using the Illumina platform to examine the role of miRNAs during soybean nodulation. The small RNA libraries were derived from root hairs inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum (In_RH) or mock‐inoculated with water (Un_RH), as well as from the comparable inoculated stripped root samples (i.e. inoculated roots with the root hairs removed). Sequencing of these libraries identified a total of 114 miRNAs, including 22 novel miRNAs. A comparison of miRNA abundance among the 114 miRNAs identified 66 miRNAs that were differentially expressed between root hairs and stripped roots, and 48 miRNAs that were differentially regulated in infected root hairs in response to B. japonicum when compared to uninfected root hairs (P ≤ 0.05). A parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE) library was constructed and sequenced to reveal a total of 405 soybean miRNA targets, with most predicted to encode transcription factors or proteins involved in protein modification, protein degradation and hormone pathways. The roles of gma‐miR4416 and gma‐miR2606b during nodulation were further analysed. Ectopic expression of these two miRNAs in soybean roots resulted in significant changes in nodule numbers. miRNA target information suggested that gma‐miR2606b regulates a Mannosyl‐oligosaccharide 1, 2‐alpha‐mannosidase gene, while gma‐miR4416 regulates the expression of a rhizobium‐induced peroxidase 1 (RIP1)‐like peroxidase gene, GmRIP1, during nodulation.
Application of archival aerial photogrammetry to quantify climate forcing of alpine landscapes
Authors: Micheletti Natan , Lane Stuart N. , Chandler Jim H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractRecent and future climate change may lead to landscape changes in geomorphic processes and process rates. Such modifications are likely to be widely distributed, making their direct measurement difficult and there are almost no such measurements at decadal intervals. Aerial imagery has been acquired by many national agencies since the 1950s and significant archives remain. Unlocking the information from these data sources is important because their timescale may inform significant unresolved hypotheses regarding the impact of rapid climate change on Alpine environments. However, such photogrammetric applications are challenging because of topographic complexity (including occlusions and large elevation ranges) and variations in image texture. A complete workflow is described from raw data to the treatment and interpretation of results. This is applied to imagery of Val d'Héréns, Switzerland, a landscape containing an assemblage of glacial, periglacial, hillslope and fluvial landforms across a height range of 1800 to 3600 m from the 1960s to the present. These changes reveal important characteristics of landscape scale erosion and deposition at the decadal scale.
Periconceptional Multivitamin Supplementation Containing Folic Acid and Sex Ratio at Birth in a Chinese Population: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zheng Xiaoying , Pei Lijun , Chen Gong , Song Xinming , Wu Jilei , Ji Ying 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo determine whether periconceptional use of multivitamin supplements containing folic acid increases the occurrence of male births in a Chinese population.MethodsA prospective cohort study was carried out in 18 counties in four provinces of China. Participants were naturally and voluntarily divided into an intervention group (who took a multivitamin pill containing folic acid, n = 25 418) and a control group (who did not take any multivitamin, n = 26 580). Multivitamin supplements containing folic acid was ascertained before pregnancy. Pregnant women were followed through the first trimester of pregnancy and the outcome of pregnancy (i.e. livebirth, stillbirth, or fetal death; sex at birth) was recorded.ResultsA total of 52 043 pregnancies and 51 998 births were recorded between September 2000 and August 2002. The proportion of males born to women who did and did not take the multivitamin were 54.8% (n = 13 935) and 54.0% (n = 11 483), respectively. The male to female sex ratios at birth among women who did and did not take the multivitamin were 117:100 and 121:100, respectively. The risk ratio was 1.03 [95% confidence interval 0.99, 1.06] after adjusting for confounding factors.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that periconceptional multivitamin supplementation containing folic acid is not associated with an increased likelihood of male births in a Chinese population. However, these results may have been affected by induced abortion or selective termination of pregnancy, and the findings must therefore be cautiously interpreted.
Management Strategies Aiming to Improve Horse Welfare Reduce Embryonic Death Rates in Mares
Authors: Malschitzky E , Pimentel AM , Garbade P , Jobim MIM , Gregory RM , Mattos RC 
Published: May 2015

ContentsThe objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of management strategies aiming to improve animal well‐being on pregnancy and embryonic death (ED) rates. Breeding records of a cohort of 1206 Thoroughbred mares brought to a stallion station facility, to be bred with the stallions housed there, were evaluated during ten breeding seasons. Mares were blocked according to management strategies in two groups: Stress and Relax. Strategies used to improve animal well‐being (Relax group) were as follows: stopping the teasing routine, reducing or eliminating stall confinement, reducing the number of mares per group and maintaining herd stability during the breeding season. In barren mares, the pregnancy rate was higher in the Relax group (91.8%) when compared to the observed in Stress group (84.7%). However, no difference in pregnancy rates were observed (Stress = 85.2% vs. Relax = 86.2) in foaling mares. ED rate was higher in barren and foaling mares of the Stress group mares (25.5% and 26.8%, respectively) compared with the Relax group (16.1% and 14.7%, respectively). No significant differences were observed on foal heat pregnancy rate between groups; yet, the embryo loss on foal heat was significant reduced in Relax mares (Relax = 8.7% vs Stress = 24.5%). In conclusion, management strategies aimed to reduce social stress can reduce early pregnancy losses and the average cycles per pregnancy, improving reproductive performance in mares.
Model‐Averaged Confidence Intervals
Authors: Kabaila Paul , Welsh A. H. , Abeysekera Waruni 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe develop an approach to evaluating frequentist model averaging procedures by considering them in a simple situation in which there are two‐nested linear regression models over which we average. We introduce a general class of model averaged confidence intervals, obtain exact expressions for the coverage and the scaled expected length of the intervals, and use these to compute these quantities for the model averaged profile likelihood (MPI) and model‐averaged tail area confidence intervals proposed by D. Fletcher and D. Turek. We show that the MPI confidence intervals can perform more poorly than the standard confidence interval used after model selection but ignoring the model selection process. The model‐averaged tail area confidence intervals perform better than the MPI and postmodel‐selection confidence intervals but, for the examples that we consider, offer little over simply using the standard confidence interval for θ under the full model, with the same nominal coverage.
Plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide concentration in healthy retired racing Greyhounds
Authors: Couto Kristen M. , Iazbik M. Cristina , Marín Liliana M. , Zaldivar‐López Sara , Beal Melissa J. , Gómez Ochoa P. , Couto C. Guillermo 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundN‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is a cardiac biomarker whose plasma concentration is high in some dogs with cardiopulmonary disease. NT‐proBNP is a diagnostic tool that can be used to help determine if a patient has congestive heart failure. Greyhounds have functional heart murmurs, relative cardiomegaly, and high serum cTnI concentration.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the plasma concentration of NT‐proBNP in healthy Greyhounds and compare it to non‐Greyhound dogs.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated healthy client‐owned dogs including retired racing Greyhounds and non‐Greyhounds. Plasma was obtained and transferred into tubes containing a protease inhibitor and submitted for a specific NT‐proBNP ELISA assay.ResultsThe plasma NT‐proBNP concentration in Greyhounds was significantly higher than in non‐Greyhound control dogs (946 vs 632 pmol/L; P < .005); 46% of Greyhounds had NT‐proBNP > 1000 pmol/L.ConclusionsPlasma NT‐proBNP concentration in Greyhounds is high and should be interpreted with caution.
Donor attention to reading materials
Authors: O'Brien S. F. , Osmond L. , Choquet K. , Yi Q.‐L. , Goldman M. 
Published: May 2015

Background and ObjectivesMandatory predonation reading materials inform donors about risk factors for transmissible disease, possible complications of donation and changes to the donation process. We aimed to assess the attention to predonation reading materials and factors which may affect attention.Materials and MethodsA national survey in 2008 of 18 108 blood donors asked about self‐assessed attention to reading the materials. In face‐to‐face interviews, 441 donors completed additional questions about reading the materials and a literacy test. Qualitative interviews of 27 donors assessed their approach to reading.ResultsIn the national survey, most of the first‐time donors said they read all or most of the materials (90·9% first‐time vs. 57·6% repeat donors, P < 0·001) and 66% vs. 23·1% reported reading them carefully (P < 0·001). In face‐to‐face interviews comparing those who read materials carefully, skimmed or did not read, most knew that donors are informed of positive transmissible disease test results (97·1%, 95·5, 98·0 P > 0·05), but fewer recalled seeing the definition of sex (77·2%, 56·9, 24·2 P < 0·001). Literacy was poor (30·5% frustration level, 60·3% instructional, 9·2% independent) but similar when those who read materials carefully, skimmed or did not read were compared (P > 0·05). Qualitative interviews showed that donors are reluctant to read any more than necessary and decide based on perceived importance or relevance.ConclusionAttention to predonation reading materials tends to be better among first‐time donors. The effectiveness is limited by low motivation to read, especially for repeat donors, as well as poor literacy.
Researching English in contemporary China
Authors: BOLTON KINGSLEY , BOTHA WERNER 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThis article provides an introduction to the range of research covered by the contributions to this special issue on English in contemporary China. The role of English in Chinese society today cannot be considered in isolation from the sociolinguistic background, as well as the social and political context of contemporary Chinese society. With reference to the present‐day sociolinguistic dynamics of China, one important issue is the current spread of Putonghua as the national language across the nation, a process linked to the demands and exigencies of the state education system. With reference to the spread of English, a key issue is the relationship between the learning of English and the actual use of the language. In this context, it is relevant to consider that, in recent decades, official policies to the language have drawn their motivation from both economic and political considerations, where various ideologies have also played an important role.
Surveying the English language across China
Authors: WEI RINING , SU JINZHI 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTAlthough the Survey of Language Situation in China (中国语言文字使用情况调查, Zhongguo yuyan wenzi shiyong qingkuang diaocha), involving 475,000 respondents was conducted over a decade ago, it can still provide insights into the sociolinguistic situation of English in the world's most populous country. The present paper analyses data from this survey concerning respondents’ (1) use of English, (2) English reading proficiency, (3) English spoken proficiency, and (4) attitudes towards foreign language‐medium instruction at primary and secondary schools, with special reference to seven major cities; Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Dalian. Future research directions include collecting more comprehensive data concerning English and/or through approaches more objective than self‐reporting. One policy implication is that government departments might consider formulating a more coherent language policy for English‐medium instruction at pre‐tertiary level.
English in China's universities: Past and present
Authors: BOLTON KINGSLEY , BOTHA WERNER 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTBy many, the recent popularity of English in Chinese education, at all levels of learning, has been seen as a very modern phenomenon, which followed the opening of China in the late 1970s. In fact, the learning of English in China has a long and partly forgotten history, not least at the level of higher education. From an historical perspective, it is salutary to remember that English medium universities and colleges were first established in China in the late 19th and early 20th century. Today, all the state‐run key universities in China are officially Putonghua‐medium, but despite that, English has an increasing presence in university education, both in the classroom and in the personal lives of Chinese university students.