bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concordance of c‐kit Mutational Status in Matched Primary and Metastatic Cutaneous Canine Mast Cell Tumors at Baseline
Authors: Marconato L. , Zorzan E. , Giantin M. , Di Palma S. , Cancedda S. , Dacasto M. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundMutation analysis of proto‐oncogene c‐kit (c‐kit) is advisable before starting treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in dogs with mast cell tumor (MCT), including those with metastatic disease. Testing is usually performed on primary tumors, assuming that c‐kit mutation status does not change in metastasis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo give an insight into the mutational processes and to make a recommendation on the use of c‐kit mutational analysis in the clinical setting.AnimalsTwenty‐one client‐owned dogs with metastatic MCT.MethodsDogs undergoing resection or biopsy for both primary and matched metastatic MCT were prospectively enrolled. Total RNA or DNA was extracted from primary MCT and corresponding metastases. Exons 8, 9, and 11 were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Genetic features between primary MCT and metastases were compared. Their correlation with clinicopathologic features was investigated.ResultsConcordance (mutated or wild‐type) of mutational status, evaluable in 21 primary and matched metastatic (20 nodal and 1 splenic) MCTs, was 100%. Three new c‐kit mutations were identified. No significant correlation was detected between c‐kit mutation and clinicopathologic features.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceProto‐oncogene c‐kit mutational status is conserved between any primary and its matched secondary tumor, suggesting that both can be used for c‐kit mutational testing. Targeted therapies might be also used to treat metastatic disease.
Long‐Term Outcome in Dogs with Patent Ductus Arteriosus: 520 Cases (1994–2009)
Authors: Saunders A.B. , Gordon S.G. , Boggess M.M. , Miller M.W. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPublished information regarding survival and long‐term cardiac remodeling after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in dogs is limited.ObjectivesTo report outcome and identify prognostic variables in dogs withPDA, and to identify risk factors for persistent remodeling in dogs with a minimum of 12 months of follow‐up after closure.AnimalsFive hundred and twenty client‐owned dogs.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records of 520 dogs withPDA. Outcome was determined by contacting owners and veterinarians. Dogs withPDAclosure and ≥ 12 months of follow‐up were asked to return for a re‐evaluation.ResultsIn multivariable analysis of 506 dogs not euthanized at the time of diagnosis, not having aPDAclosure procedure negatively affected survival (HzR = 16.9,P < .001). In 444 dogs undergoing successfulPDAclosure, clinical signs at presentation (HzR = 17,P = .02), concurrent congenital heart disease (HD) (HzR = 4.8,P = .038), and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) documented within 24 hours of closure (HzR = 4.5,P = .028) negatively affected survival. Seventy‐one dogs with ≥ 12 months follow‐up demonstrated a significant reduction in radiographic and echocardiographic measures of heart size (P = 0) and increased incidence of acquiredHD(P = .001) at re‐evaluation. Dogs with increased left ventricular size and low fractional shortening at baseline were more likely to have persistent remodeling at re‐evaluation.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePatent ductus arteriosus closure confers important survival benefits and results in long‐term reverse remodeling in most dogs. Clinical signs at presentation, concurrent congenitalHD, and severeMRnegatively affect survival. Increased left ventricular systolic dimensions and systolic dysfunction at baseline correlated significantly with persistent remodeling.
Signalment Changes in Canine Leptospirosis between 1970 and 2009
Authors: Lee H.S. , Guptill L. , Johnson A.J. , Moore G.E. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified large breed, male, outdoor dogs of herding or working groups to be at increased risk forLeptospirainfection. Exposure risk factors may change over time, altering the signalment of dogs most commonly diagnosed with leptospirosis.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate possible signalment changes by decade in canine leptospirosis cases diagnosed at university veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada using reports to the Veterinary Medical DataBase (VMDB) over a 40‐year period (1970–2009).AnimalsOne thousand and ninety‐one dogs with leptospirosis diagnosed among 1,659,146 hospital visits.MethodsHospital prevalence of leptospirosis by decade was determined by age, sex, weight, and breed groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to evaluate the association between variables and the odds of disease for each decade.ResultsVeterinary Medical DataBase hospital prevalence of leptospirosis in dogs, after a marked decrease in the 1970s and low rates in the 1980s, began increasing in the 1990s. Hospital prevalence significantly increased in dogs between 2 and 9.9 years of age (P < .05) and in male dogs (P < .05) in each decade since the 1980s. Among weight groups in the most recent decade (2000–2009), dogs weighing <15 pounds had the greatest odds of being diagnosed with leptospirosis (P = .003).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHospital prevalence rates by age, weight, sex, and breed groups differed by decade. These changes may reflect changes in exposure risk,Leptospiravaccination practices for dogs, or both.
A Polymorphism in the Melanocortin 4 Receptor Gene (MC4R:c.92C>T) Is Associated with Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight Domestic Shorthaired Cats
Authors: Forcada Y. , Holder A. , Church D.B. , Catchpole B. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundFeline diabetes mellitus (DM) shares many pathophysiologic features with human type 2DM. Human genome‐wide association studies have identified genes associated with obesity andDM, including melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), which plays an important role in energy balance and appetite regulation.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the felineMC4Rgene and to determine whether anySNPs are associated withDMor overweight body condition in cats.AnimalsTwo‐hundred forty domestic shorthaired (DSH) cats were recruited for the study. Of these, 120 diabetics were selected (60 overweight, 60 lean), along with 120 nondiabetic controls (60 overweight and 60 lean). Males and females were equally represented.MethodsA prospective case‐control study was performed. GenomicDNAwas extracted from blood samples and used as template forPCRamplification of the felineMC4Rgene. The coding region of the gene was sequenced in 10 cats to identify polymorphisms. Subsequently, genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis assessedMC4R:c.92C > Tallele and genotype frequencies in each group of cats.ResultsNo significant differences inMC4R:c.92C>Tallele or genotype frequencies were identified between nondiabetic overweight and lean cats. In the overweight diabetic group, 55% were homozygous for theMC4R:c.92C allele, compared to 33% of the lean diabetics and 30% of the nondiabetics. The differences between the overweight diabetic and the nondiabetics were significant (P < .01).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe identified a polymorphism in the coding sequence of felineMC4Rthat is associated withDMin overweightDSHcats, similar to the situation in humans.
Does it matter how you deny it?: The role of demeanour in evaluations of criminal suspects
Authors: Douglass Amy Bradfield , Ray Jennifer L. , Hasel Lisa E. , Donnelly Kathryn 
Published: December 2013

PurposeIn some cases of wrongful convictions, demeanour seen as inappropriate can trigger suspicions of guilt. Two experiments systematically manipulated the demeanour of criminal suspects in interrogations to test its impact on guilt ratings.MethodsIn Experiment 1 (N = 60), participants saw a videotaped interrogation in which the suspect displayed flat demeanour or emotional demeanour. Before viewing the interrogation, participants were told that normal reactions to trauma consisted of either flat or emotional demeanour. In Experiment 2 (N = 147), the presence of the suspect's coerced confession and demeanour evidence were both manipulated.ResultsIn Experiment 1, a suspect who displayed flat demeanour during the interrogation produced higher ratings of guilt than did a suspect who displayed emotional demeanour, especially when participants were told to expect emotional demeanour. In Experiment 2, without a confession, flat demeanour inflated guilt ratings, whereas emotional demeanour slightly (but non‐significantly) decreased guilt ratings compared with a no demeanour information condition. When a confession was introduced, guilt ratings increased for all groups, with the highest ratings in the emotional demeanour condition.ConclusionsFlat demeanour biases judgments against defendants. On its own, emotional demeanour is neutral (or potentially exonerating), but when paired with a confession, it becomes just as incriminating as flat demeanour. Recommendations for educating police professionals on the wide range of appropriate reactions to trauma are described.
Predicting verdicts using pre‐trial attitudes and standard of proof
Authors: Lundrigan Samantha , Dhami Mandeep K. , Mueller‐Johnson Katrin 
Published: December 2013

PurposeSeveral measures have been developed of juror pre‐trial attitudes and interpretations of beyond reasonable doubt (BRD). These have been primarily tested in North American samples. We aimed to integrate the literature on these two issues, and explored whether the effect of jurors' pre‐trial attitudes on verdicts is mediated by their interpretations of BRD. We also aimed to establish the relative predictive utility of the various measures and their relevance to a non–North American sample.MethodsA total of 113 members of the jury‐eligible British public completed three measures of juror pre‐trial attitudes (i.e., Revised Legal Attitudes Questionnaire‐23 [RLAQ‐23], Juror Bias Scale [JBS], and Pre‐trial Juror Attitudes Questionnaire [PJAQ]) and two measures of BRD (i.e., direct rating [DR] and membership function [MF] methods). Participants also rendered a verdict on a hypothetical burglary case.ResultsWith the exception of the RLAQ‐23, the pre‐trial attitude measures and the two measures of BRD were significantly independent predictors of verdicts. The PJAQ outperformed the RLAQ‐23 and JBS, whereas the MF method outperformed the DR method. We found support for a partial mediation model predicting verdicts, whereby interpretations of BRD (measured by the MF method) partially mediated the effect of pre‐trial juror attitudes (measured by the PJAQ) on verdicts.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the importance of examining both juror pre‐trial attitudes and interpretations of BRD when studying juror decision making.
Ecological aspects of fin whale and humpback whale distribution during summer in the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Nøttestad Leif , Sivle Lise D. , Krafft Bjørn A. , Langård Lise , Anthonypillai Valantine , Bernasconi Matteo , Langøy Herdis , Axelsen Bjørn E. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe Norwegian Sea is a migration and feeding ground for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in summer. During the last decade, significant structural changes in the prey community, including northerly expansion and movement in the distribution of pelagic fish species, have been reported from this ecosystem. However, little information on whale feeding ecology exists in the Norwegian Sea and surrounding waters. A total of 59 fin whales and 48 humpback whales were sighted during 864 h of observation over an observation distance of about 8200 nmi (15,200 km) in the Norwegian Sea from 15 July to 6 August 2006 and 2007. The fin whale group size, as mean (±SD), varied between one and five individuals (2.1 ± 1.2 ind.) and humpback whale group size varied between one and six individuals (2.5 ± 1.7 ind.). Fin‐ and humpback whales were observed mainly in the northern part of the study area, and were only found correlated with the presence of macro‐zooplankton in cold Arctic water. Humpback whales were not correlated with the occurrence of adult Norwegian spring‐spawning herring (Clupea harengus) except for the northernmost areas. Despite changes in the whale prey communities in the Norwegian Sea, no apparent changes in fin‐ or humpback whale distribution pattern could be found in our study compared to their observed summer distribution 10–15 years ago.
Life cycle and population dynamics of Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772), Isopoda Valvifera from the Bizerte lagoon (Southern Mediterranean Sea – Tunisia)
Authors: Zaabar Wahiba , Achouri Mohamed S. , Charfi‐Cheikhrouha Faouzia 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe population dynamics and life cycle of Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772) were studied at the Menzel Jemil (lagoon of Bizerte, Tunisia) based on monthly samples taken from October 2009 to September 2011. The presence of juveniles and gravid females throughout the sampling period showed that this species exhibits continuous reproduction. Sexual differentiation occurs in approximately 43–59 days. Females took 88–160 days (3–5.5 months) to reach sexual maturation, and males took 102 days (3.5 months). The fecundity and fertility values exhibited a great variation in the number of eggs and embryos or mancae inside the marsupium which was correlated with the length of the gravid females. The sex ratio underwent fluctuations throughout the sampling period but was always in favour of females. Size frequency distributions were analysed recognizing 24 cohorts during the sampling period. Six cohorts were identified in October 2009 and 18 cohorts in November 2009–September 2011. Among these latter cohorts, nine were tracked till they disappeared. The minimum average size of new cohorts ranged from 1.92 ± 0.31 to 2.97 ± 0.26 mm and the maximum values ranged from 12.83 ± 0.96 to 19.23 ± 0.56 mm. Life span was estimated at 10–14 months. I. balthica basteri, in the lagoon of Bizerte, is a semi‐annual species with iteroparous females, and a bivoltine life cycle that produces two generations per year.
Size‐frequency distributions of Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata (Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Central Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Evangelisti Francesca , Albano Paolo G. , Sabelli Bruno 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSize‐frequency distributions can support reliable inferences concerning population dynamics of brachiopods, but only a few data are available so far. In this study, length and width frequency distributions of dead specimens of the Recent brachiopods Joania cordata and Argyrotheca cuneata from the Marine Protected Area ‘Secche di Tor Paterno’, Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy (41°35′ N, 12°20′ E), are reported in order to add new data about size‐frequency distributions of brachiopods. The studied specimens came from death assemblages in the coralligenous substrate, in the Posidonia oceanica meadows, and in the sand channels. The observed patterns vary from left‐skewed (J. cordata) to right‐skewed (A. cuneata), indicating respectively a low and high mortality of smaller individuals. Significant differences between the coralligenous substrate and the P. oceanica meadow were observed for both species, revealing a variation among different habitats. All length and width distributions are clearly polymodal, but the biological meaning of the peaks is difficult to interpret, as the two species seem to have a 2‐year life span. A biometric analysis of shell sizes revealed that length and width are the most variable parameters during the growth of the animal.
AdcA and AdcAII employ distinct zinc acquisition mechanisms and contribute additively to zinc homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Plumptre Charles D. , Eijkelkamp Bart A. , Morey Jacqueline R. , Behr Felix , Couñago Rafael M. , Ogunniyi Abiodun D. , Kobe Bostjan , O'Mara Megan L. , Paton James C. , McDevitt Christopher A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryStreptococcus pneumoniae is a globally significant human pathogen responsible for nearly 1 million deaths annually. Central to the ability of S. pneumoniae to colonize and mediate disease in humans is the acquisition of zinc from the host environment. Zinc uptake in S. pneumoniae occurs via the ATP‐binding cassette transporter AdcCB, and, unusually, two zinc‐binding proteins, AdcA and AdcAII. Studies have suggested that these two proteins are functionally redundant, although AdcA has remained uncharacterized by biochemical methods. Here we show that AdcA is a zinc‐specific substrate‐binding protein (SBP). By contrast with other zinc‐binding SBPs, AdcA has two zinc‐binding domains: a canonical amino‐terminal cluster A‐I zinc‐binding domain and a carboxy‐terminal zinc‐binding domain, which has homology to the zinc‐chaperone ZinT from Gram‐negative organisms. Intriguingly, this latter feature is absent from AdcAII and suggests that the two zinc‐binding SBPs of S. pneumoniae employ different modalities in zinc recruitment. We further show that AdcAII is reliant upon the polyhistidine triad proteins for zinc in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our studies suggest that, despite the overlapping roles of the two SBPs in zinc acquisition, they may have unique mechanisms in zinc homeostasis and act in a complementary manner during host colonization.
Increased levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) but not transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGFβ1) are associated with the severity of congenital hydrocephalus in the hyh mouse
Authors: Jiménez Antonio‐Jesús , Rodríguez‐Pérez Luis‐Manuel , Domínguez‐Pinos María‐Dolores , Gómez‐Roldán María‐Carmen , García‐Bonilla María , Ho‐Plagaro Ailec , Roales‐Buján Ruth , Jiménez Sebastián , Roquero‐Mañueco María‐Carmen , Martínez‐León María‐Isabel , García‐Martín María‐Luisa , Cifuentes Manuel , Ros Bienvenido , Arráez Miguel‐Ángel , Vitorica Javier , Gutiérrez Antonia , Pérez‐Fígares José‐Manuel 
Published: December 2013

AimsHere, we tested the hypothesis that glial responses via the production of cytokines such as transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGFβ1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases, are correlated with the severity of congenital hydrocephalus in the hyh mouse model. We also searched for evidence of this association in human cases of primary hydrocephalus.MethodsHyh mice, which exhibit either severe or compensated long‐lasting forms of hydrocephalus, were examined and compared with wild‐type mice. TGFβ1, TNFα and TNFαR1 mRNA levels were quantified using real‐time PCR. TNFα and TNFαR1 were immunolocalized in the brain tissues of hyh mice and four hydrocephalic human foetuses relative to astroglial and microglial reactions.ResultsThe TGFβ1 mRNA levels were not significantly different between hyh mice exhibiting severe or compensated hydrocephalus and normal mice. In contrast, severely hydrocephalic mice exhibited four‐ and two‐fold increases in the mean levels of TNFα and TNFαR1, respectively, compared with normal mice. In the hyh mouse, TNFα and TNFαR1 immunoreactivity was preferentially detected in astrocytes that form a particular periventricular reaction characteristic of hydrocephalus. However, these proteins were rarely detected in microglia, which did not appear to be activated. TNFα immunoreactivity was also detected in the glial reaction in the small group of human foetuses exhibiting hydrocephalus that were examined.ConclusionsIn the hyh mouse model of congenital hydrocephalus, TNFα and TNFαR1 appear to be associated with the severity of the disease, probably mediating the astrocyte reaction, neurodegenerative processes and ischaemia.
Sensation of stasis is poorly correlated with impaired esophageal bolus transport
Authors: Bogte A. , Bredenoord A. J. , Oors J. , Siersema P. D. , Smout A. J. P. M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt is common belief that symptoms of patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia are the result of impaired bolus clearance in the esophagus, usually caused by esophageal motility disorders. We therefore investigated the relationship between transit of swallowed boluses and the symptom dysphagia.MethodsTwenty healthy volunteers and 20 patients with dysphagia underwent videofluoroscopy. Success of bolus transport was graded on a 7‐point scale. Each subject swallowed five liquid and five solid barium boluses.Key ResultsFor liquids, patients reported dysphagia during 1 [0–3] of the five swallows, while controls reported no dysphagia (median 0 [0–0]; p = 0.003). For solids, patients reported dysphagia during 3 [2–4] of five swallows, while controls reported dysphagia in 0.5 [0–2] of five swallows (p = 0.001). When correlating dysphagia to ineffective clearance (score ≥3), in 3 [2–4] of five liquids, the subjects perception of clearance was related to the clearance result on fluoroscopy in patients and also 3 [1–5] were correctly perceived in controls (p = 0.6). For solids, in 4 [3–5] of five swallows, the subjects perception of clearance was related to the clearance result on fluoroscopy in patients, but only 2 [1–3] of five swallows were correctly perceived by controls, the difference being statistically significant.Conclusions & InferencesPatients very frequently report dysphagia when bolus clearance is successful. Therefore, the major underlying problem in patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia is disordered perception and increased sensitivity to physiological bolus stasis. Treatment should therefore be directed at reducing increased sensitivity rather than at improving motility.
Enhancing sense of recovery and self‐reflectivity in people with schizophrenia: A pilot study of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy
Authors: Bargenquast Rebecca , Schweitzer Robert D. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesThis study investigated the effectiveness of an innovative, manualized psychotherapy aimed at enhancing recovery and self‐experience in people with schizophrenia, Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy.DesignTreatment effects were assessed using a mixed methodology. Data were quantitatively assessed using a single‐sample, pre‐ and post‐therapy design and qualitatively assessed using a case‐study methodology.MethodsEleven patients diagnosed with schizophrenia received Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy over the course of 11–26 months. Therapists were seven supervised postgraduate psychology students. On average patients attended 49 sessions over the course of therapy. Patients completed interview‐based and self‐report measures for general and treatment‐specific outcomes at pre‐, mid‐, and post‐treatment.ResultsQuantitative analyses showed that patients significantly improved on the general outcome of subjective recovery, as well as the treatment‐specific outcome of self‐reflectivity, with medium to large effect sizes. Case‐study evidence also showed improvements for some patients in symptom severity, and narrative coherence and complexity.ConclusionsThese results are consistent with previous case‐study evidence and suggest that this manualized version of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy produces general and approach‐specific improvements for people with schizophrenia. Replication is needed to ascertain its effectiveness with a larger sample size and within a controlled design.Practitioner points

People with psychotic symptoms experience disruptions in self‐disturbance that are amenable to psychological interventions.

A focus on enhancing metacognitive capacity in people with psychotic symptoms may contribute to enhancing sense of recovery.

The current findings support the use of interventions that target capacity for meaningful storytelling in people with psychotic symptoms.