bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of acute fatty liver of pregnancy from syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts
Authors: Minakami Hisanori , Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takahiro , Yamada Takashi , Akaishi Rina , Nishida Ryutaro 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAs proposed criteria (Swansea criteria) for the diagnosis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) do not include antithrombin (AT) activity, diagnosis of AFLP may be delayed. The aim of this review is to underscore problems in the differential diagnosis of AFLP and the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts (HELLP syndrome) and to facilitate prompt diagnosis of AFLP. Published works dealing with liver dysfunction in pregnancy, HELLP syndrome and AFLP were reviewed. AFLP and HELLP syndrome shared common clinical, laboratory, histological and genetic features, and differential diagnosis between them was often difficult. However, HELLP syndrome was likely to occur in patients with hypertension, but AFLP occurred often in the absence of hypertension. In addition, AFLP was exclusively associated with pregnancy‐induced antithrombin deficiency (PIATD). Approximately 50% of patients with AFLP did not have thrombocytopenia at presentation. As the Swansea criteria for AFLP did not include PIATD, diagnosis of AFLP was delayed until manifestation of life‐threatening complications; 60% of women were admitted to intensive care and 15% to a specialist liver unit. In conclusion, incorporation of AT activity of less than 65% into the diagnostic criteria for AFLP may facilitate suspicion and prompt diagnosis of AFLP, decrease uncertainty regarding the diagnosis of AFLP, and contribute to better investigation and understanding of the process leading to the development of liver dysfunction.
Associations of maternal pre‐pregnancy underweight with small‐for‐gestational‐age and spontaneous preterm birth, and optimal gestational weight gain in Japanese women
Authors: Fujiwara Kana , Aoki Shigeru , Kurasawa Kentaro , Okuda Mika , Takahashi Tsuneo , Hirahara Fumiki 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo determine associations of maternal pre‐pregnancy underweight with poor outcomes and evaluate how gestational weight gain affects risks for such outcomes in pre‐pregnancy underweight Japanese women.MethodsBy analyzing the January 2001–December 2012 hospital database, we retrospectively identified 6954 women with pre‐pregnancy normal weights (body mass index, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and 1057 pre‐pregnancy underweight women (body mass index, <18.5 kg/m2) who delivered at the Perinatal Maternity and Neonatal Center of Yokohama City University. These women were stratified by weekly weight gain during the second/third trimesters to investigate associations of gestational weight gain with spontaneous preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA). Spontaneous preterm birth and SGA incidences were compared with those of women meeting Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines to determine optimal weight gain in Japanese women.ResultsPreterm birth and SGA incidences were significantly higher in pre‐pregnancy underweight than in pre‐pregnancy normal weight women (4.6% vs 2.4% [P = 0.005] and 13.9% vs 9.7% [P = 0.003], respectively). For pre‐pregnancy normal weight women, preterm birth incidence was significantly higher in those with weight gain of less than 0.2 kg/week than in those IOM guidelines. For pre‐pregnancy underweight women, preterm birth and SGA incidences were significantly higher in those with weight gain of less than 0.3 kg/week than in those meeting IOM guidelines.ConclusionPreterm birth and SGA incidences did not differ significantly between pre‐pregnancy normal weight women with weight gain of 0.2 kg/week or more and pre‐pregnancy underweight women with weight gain of 0.3 kg/week or more, as compared to women meeting IOM guidelines. These results suggest that IOM guidelines for gestational weight gain may lack external validity in Japanese women.
Maternal manifestation of Ballantyne's syndrome occurring concomitantly with the development of fetal congenital mesoblastic nephroma
Authors: Takahashi Hironori , Matsubara Shigeki , Kuwata Tomoyuki , Ohkuchi Akihide , Mukoda Yukiko , Saito Koyomi , Usui Rie , Suzuki Mitsuaki 
Published: January 2014

AbstractVarious fetal or placental disorders cause Ballantyne's (mirror) syndrome. For the first time, we report a maternal manifestation of Ballantyne's syndrome occurring concomitantly with the development of fetal congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN). In a pregnant woman with a CMN fetus, lung edema, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and high serum human chorionic gonadotrophin level occurred, all of which characterize maternal manifestation of Ballantyne's syndrome. The fetus and placenta were devoid of ‘edema’, lacking ‘triple edema’, and thus this condition was not diagnosed as Ballantyne's syndrome; however, we considered this condition as the maternal manifestation of Ballantyne's syndrome. We performed emergent cesarean section at 28 weeks. Delivery acutely ameliorated maternal symptoms. Tumor was resected and was confirmed as CMN. Maternal manifestations of Ballantyne's syndrome, such as lung edema and hypertension, can occur in a mother with fetal CMN even without fetal and/or placental edema. The clinical course of this patient may suggest an etiology of Ballantyne's syndrome.
Procedural Results with the Self‐Expanding 31 mm CoreValve Aortic Bioprosthesis in Patients with Large Annuli
Authors: MURRAY MARIE‐ISABEL , GEIS NICOLAS , PLEGER SVEN T. , KATUS HUGO A. , BEKEREDJIAN RAFFI , CHORIANOPOULOS EMMANUEL 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve implantation has become an established treatment for severe aortic stenosis in patients with high surgical risk. Due to its specific design, the self‐expanding 31 mm CoreValve prosthesis can be technically challenging. This is especially true for patients with large annuli above 27.5 mm for which the CoreValve 31 mm device is the only option.ObjectivesTo evaluate procedural results and short‐term outcome with the 31 mm CoreValve device in patients with large annuli.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 54 patients in whom we implanted a 31 mm self‐expanding CoreValve bioprosthesis and compared them to 50 consecutive patients implanted with the smaller 29 mm device within the same period of time.ResultsPatients with the 31 mm prosthesis had significantly higher rates of postinterventional pacemaker implantations (35% vs. 20%; P = 0.036) despite similar implantation depths (6.5 ± 4 vs. 7.5 ± 4; P = 0.34). However, the number of deep implantations (>8 mm) was significantly higher (P = 0.045). No significant difference could be observed with respect to cases with ≥Grade 2 postinterventional aortic regurgitation (8% vs. 12.9%; P = 0.5294). Major vascular complications (4% vs. 3.7%; P = ns), 30‐day mortality (8% vs. 7.7%; P = ns), and major stroke (3.8% vs. 2%; P = ns) were not different between the 2 groups.ConclusionDespite the technical challenges, procedural results with the 31 mm self‐expanding CoreValve prosthesis in large anatomies were similar to those with the smaller sized 29 mm version of the device. However, postinterventional pacemaker rates were significantly higher in the 31 mm cohort despite comparable implantation depths, which might be the result of the specific design of the device. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:191–198)
Insurance Premium Calculation Using Credibility Analysis: An Example From Livestock Mortality Insurance
Authors: Pai Jeffrey , Boyd Milton , Porth Lysa 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTA major problem facing livestock producers is animal mortality risk. Livestock mortality insurance is still at the initial stages, and premium computation approaches are still relatively new and will require more research. This study seeks to provide a first step for developing a better understanding of livestock insurance as a solution to mortality risk, as it explores improved methods for livestock mortality insurance modeling procedures, and premium computation, using credibility analysis. The purpose of this study is to develop improved estimates for livestock mortality insurance premiums for Canada under a credibility framework. We illustrate our approach through one example using livestock data from 1999 to 2007.
Cost as a barrier to accessing dental care: findings from a Canadian population‐based study
Authors: Thompson Brandy , Cooney Peter , Lawrence Herenia , Ravaghi Vahid , Quiñonez Carlos 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Canadians who report cost barriers to dental care.MethodsAn analysis of data collected from the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken from a sample of 5,586 Canadian participants aged 6–79. Cost barriers to dental care were operationalized through two questions: “In the past 12 months, have you avoided going to a dental professional because of the cost of dental care?” and “In the past 12 months, have you avoided having all the dental treatment that was recommended because of the cost?” Logistic regressions were conducted to identify relationships between covariates and positive responses to these questions.ResultsApproximately 17.3 percent of respondents had avoided a dental professional because of cost within the previous year, and 16.5 percent had declined recommended dental treatment because of cost. Adjusted estimates demonstrate that respondents with lower incomes and without dental insurance were over four times more likely to avoid a dental professional because of cost and approximately two and a half times more likely to decline recommended dental treatment because of cost.ConclusionsNearly one out of five Canadians surveyed reported cost barriers to dental care. This study provides valuable baseline information for future studies to assess whether financial barriers to dental care are getting better or worse for Canadians.
Intermanual differences on neuropsychological motor tasks in a Japanese university student sample
Authors: Yamashita Hikari 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe explored the intermanual difference scores of 128 Japanese university students for five typical neuropsychological motor tasks (grip strength, finger tapping, two versions of the grooved pegboard, and the dot‐filling test) and examined the relation between hand preference and intermanual difference in motor proficiency. Using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, 18 and 110 participants were identified as left‐ and right‐handed, respectively. Although the right hand performed better than the left for right‐handed participants, and vice versa, in all five tasks, the degree of intermanual difference varied between tasks. A discriminant function analysis using the laterality quotients of the five motor tasks as independent variables indicated that hand preference was predictable from the task performances with an accuracy of 90% or more. The dot‐filling test and finger tapping had stronger canonical loadings than the other tasks.
Developmental trajectory in the relationship between calculation skill and finger dexterity: A longitudinal study
Authors: Asakawa Atsushi , Sugimura Shinichiro 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA 2‐year longitudinal study of 33 children aged 4–6 years was conducted to clarify the developmental relationship between calculation skill and finger dexterity, as well as the selectivity of the predictive power of finger dexterity on later calculation skill. We examined individual developmental change in the relationship between addition performance and finger dexterity and observed whether children fit a linear developmental pattern. Multiple regression analysis showed that participants' performance on addition tests was strongly predicted by their finger dexterity. However, their performance on vocabulary tests was not strongly influenced by finger dexterity. These findings suggest that calculation skill in children aged 4–6 years is strongly related to finger dexterity.
Examining the factor structure of the Psychological Mindedness Scale in the Japanese population through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses
Authors: Takagishi Yukihiro , Uji Masayo , Adachi Keiichiro 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPsychological mindedness (PM) is a psychological construct that represents the tendency and ability to understand the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This study examined the statistical properties, particularly the factor structure, of the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS) in a non‐clinical Japanese sample through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The relationship between PMS and depression was also examined for predictive validity. The results suggested that the PMS tested on a Japanese sample contains the following four factors: (a) belief in the benefits of discussing one's problems; (b) access to feelings; (c) openness to new ideas and capacity to change; and (d) interest in the meaning and motivation of own and others' behavior. Whereas the total PM score and Factors 2 and 3 had negative correlations with depression, there was a positive correlation between Factor 4 and depression. The 4‐factor structure of the scale is deemed to be applicable to the Japanese population.
Comparison of theEPOCand i‐STATanalysers for canine blood gas and electrolyte analysis
Authors: West E. , Bardell D. , Senior J. M. 
Published: January 2014

OBJECTIVESA prospective study to evaluate agreement and precision of a new point‐of‐care portable analyser, theEPOCanalyser, compared with the i‐STATanalyser in canine blood.METHODSBlood samples (68 venous and 32 arterial) were obtained from 63 client‐owned dogs for clinical reasons and surplus blood was used to analyse agreement between theEPOCand i‐STATanalysers. Precision of theEPOCanalyser was also assessed by repeat analysis of 20 samples. Measured analytes includedpH, partial pressures of carbon dioxide and oxygen and concentrations of sodium, potassium, ionised calcium, glucose and haematocrit. Haemoglobin, base excess, bicarbonate and saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen were calculated.RESULTSEPOCprecision was acceptable, but agreement was poor for sodium, haematocrit, haemoglobin and base excess. Overall, method comparison was poor forpH, partial pressure of oxygen, sodium, haematocrit, haemoglobin and base excess.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCETheEPOCanalyser is useful for dogs, although clinically significant differences between theEPOCand i‐STATanalysers exist for some analytes, and as such these analysers should not be used interchangeably.
Testosterone Improves Antidepressant-Emergent Loss of Libido in Women: Findings from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Fooladi Ensieh , Bell Robin J. , Jane Fiona , Robinson Penelope J. , Kulkarni Jayashri , Davis Susan R. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Female sexual dysfunction is a side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) therapy.

Aims
The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of transdermal testosterone (TT) as a treatment for SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido.

Methods
This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Forty-four women, aged 35–55 years, on a stable dose of SSRI or SNRI with treatment-emergent loss of libido were randomly allocated to treatment with a TT patch delivering 300 mcg of testosterone/day or an identical placebo patch (Pl) for 12 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures
The primary outcome measure was the change in the Sabbatsberg Sexual Self-rating Scale (SSS) total score over 12 weeks. The 4-week frequency of Satisfactory Sexual Events (SSEs) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) were also measured.

Results
At baseline, there were no differences between the treatment groups. At week 12, the change in the SSS score did not differ between the two groups. The increase in the 4-week frequency of SSEs was significantly greater for the TT group than for the Pl group (an increase of 2.3 events vs. 0.1, P = 0.02). The between-group difference in the change in the FSDS-R score approached statistical significance (P = 0.06). The mean total serum testosterone level at 12 weeks in the TT group was 2.1 nmol/L. No women withdrew because of androgenic adverse events.

Conclusions
TT therapy resulted in a significant increase in the number of SSEs compared with Pl therapy in women with SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido. The lack of improvement in the SSS total score may reflect lack of sensitivity of this instrument for the measurement of change in sexual function. This provides the first evidence that TT therapy may be a treatment option for women with SSRI/SNRI-emergent loss of libido who need to remain on their antidepressant therapy.
Clinical Findings, Diagnostic Test Results, and Treatment Outcome in Cats with Spontaneous Hyperadrenocorticism: 30 Cases
Authors: Valentin S.Y. , Cortright C.C. , Nelson R.W. , Pressler B.M. , Rosenberg D. , Moore G.E. , Scott‐Moncrieff J.C. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundSpontaneous hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is rare in cats. Clinical findings, diagnostic test results, and response to various treatment options must be better characterized.ObjectivesTo report the clinical presentation, clinicopathologic findings, diagnostic imaging results, and response to treatment of cats withHAC.AnimalsCats with spontaneousHAC.MethodsRetrospective descriptive case series.ResultsThirty cats (15 neutered males, 15 spayed females; age, 4.0–17.6 years [median, 13.0 years]) were identified from 10 veterinary referral institutions. The most common reason for referral was unregulated diabetes mellitus; dermatologic abnormalities were the most frequent physical examination finding. Low‐dose dexamethasone suppression test results were consistent withHACin 27 of 28 cats (96%), whereasACTHstimulation testing was suggestive ofHACin only 9 of 16 cats (56%). Ultrasonographic appearance of the adrenal glands was consistent with the final clinical diagnosis ofPDHorADHin 28 of 30 cats (93%). Of the 17 cats available for follow‐up at least 1 month beyond initial diagnosis ofHAC, improved quality of life was reported most commonly in cats withPDHtreated with trilostane.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDermatologic abnormalities or unregulated diabetes mellitus are the most likely reasons for initial referral of cats withHAC. The dexamethasone suppression test is recommended overACTHstimulation for initial screening of cats with suspectedHAC. Diagnostic imaging of the adrenal glands may allow rapid and accurate differentiation ofPDHfromADHin cats with confirmed disease, but additional prospective studies are needed.
Intrapopulational variation of ejaculate traits and sperm depletion in red‐sided garter snakes
Authors: Friesen C. R. , Squire M. K. , Mason R. T. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractFemale sexual promiscuity is a prevalent element of mating systems. One consequence of female sexual promiscuity is that male‐male competition often continues post‐copulation within the female's reproductive tract. According to theory, the number of sperm a male inseminates relative to his rivals strongly predicts his fertilization success. However, sperm quality is also important, especially when males are sperm limited and female sperm storage is prevalent. In this study, we examined intrapopulational variation in sperm numbers and ejaculate quality (sperm mobility) in male red‐sided garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, and determined whether these traits varied with male body size and condition over successive matings. We obtained sperm by dissolving copulatory plugs collected from natural matings, which enabled us to also test whether males allocated more sperm to larger, more fecund females. We found significant variation in ejaculate quality among males and that small males transferred as many sperm as large males. Total sperm numbers declined significantly from a male's first to second ejaculate suggesting that males may become significantly sperm depleted across successive matings. The mass of the relatively sperm‐free posterior portion of the copulatory plug that remained after liberation of sperm was correlated with copulation duration. Males copulated longer with larger females; however, longer copulation durations did not correlate with total sperm. Thus, males may allocate more copulatory plug material to larger females to guard against her remating, instead of allocating more sperm.
Being the underdog: an elusive small carnivore uses space with prey and time without enemies
Authors: Bischof R. , Ali H. , Kabir M. , Hameed S. , Nawaz M. A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractRare and elusive species are seldom the first choice of model for the study of ecological questions, yet rarity and elusiveness often emerge from ecological processes. One of these processes is interspecific killing, the most extreme form of interference competition among carnivores. Subdominant species can avoid falling victim to other carnivores through spatial and/or temporal separation. The smallest carnivore species, including members of the Mustelidae, are typically the most threatened by other predators but are also exceedingly challenging to study in the wild. As a consequence, we have only limited knowledge of how the most at‐risk members of carnivore communities deal with being both hunters and hunted. We explored whether activity and space use of a little‐known small carnivore, the Altai mountain weasel Mustela altaica, reflect the activity and distribution of its main prey, pika Ochotona sp., and two sympatric predators, the stone marten Martes foina and the red fox Vulpes vulpes. Spatial and temporal patterns of photographic captures in Pakistan's northern mountains suggest that weasels may cope with being both predator and prey by frequenting areas used by pikas while exhibiting diurnal activity that contrasts with that of the mostly nocturnal/crepuscular stone marten and red fox. Camera trap studies are now common and are staged in many different ecosystems. The data yielded offer an opportunity not only to fill knowledge gaps concerning less‐studied species but also to non‐invasively test ecological hypotheses linked with rarity and elusiveness.
The fossil record of bird behaviour
Authors: Naish D. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBetween the Middle Jurassic and Holocene, birds evolved an enormous diversity of behaviours. The distribution and antiquity of these behaviours is difficult to establish given a relatively poor fossil record. Rare crop, stomach and gut contents typically reveal diets consistent with morphology but stem‐members of some lineages (including Cariamae and Coraciiformes) seem to have been different in ecology from their extant relatives. Most of our ideas about the behaviour of fossil birds are based on analogy (with skull form, limb proportions and claw curvature being used to guide hypotheses). However, this has limitations given that some extinct taxa lack extant analogues and that some extant taxa do not behave as predicted by osteology. Reductionist methods have been used to test predation style and running ability in fossil taxa including moa, Gastornis and phorusrhacids. Virtually nothing is known of nesting and nest‐building behaviour but colonial nesting is known from the Cretaceous onwards. Rare vegetative nests demonstrate modern nest‐building from the Eocene onwards. Ornamental rectrices indicate that sexually driven display drove some aspects of feather evolution and evidence for loud vocal behaviour and intraspecific combat is known for some taxa. Our knowledge of fossil bird behaviour indicates that ‘modern’ behaviours are at least as old as crown birds. Stem‐members of extant lineages, however, may sometimes or often have differed from extant taxa.