bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The usage of currency derivatives in multilateral banks
Authors: KAMAU PHILIP , INANGA ENO L. , RWEGASIRA KAMI 
Published: May 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which multilateral banks (MBs) use currency derivatives (CDs) to hedge and speculate in managing currency risk. It aims to provide an empirical assessment of CDs products used by MBs as a group not studied before.Design/methodology/approach– Quantitative hypothesis regarding the usage of CDs to minimize adverse impact of currency risk was tested usingztest about population proportion.Findings– The results show that MBs are using CDs in the following order of importance: currency swaps, currency forwards, currency options and currency futures primarily to hedge currency risk.Research limitations/implications– The results of the study can be generalized only for MBs, given their peculiar characteristics as wholesale banks, which are owned mainly by governments and are generally not listed in the stock exchanges.Originality/value– The study is of value to those interested in the multilateral banking industry. The authors acknowledge that it is the first study providing empirical evidence on CDs’ usage by MBs as a group. The results are particularly useful to managers of MBs in terms of helping them to make choices in usage of CDs. The paper has also policy implications in terms of justifying the current self-regulatory status, shareholder monitoring and governance of MBs, as they do not speculate with CDs.
Use of procalcitonin, C‐reactive protein and white blood cell count to distinguish between lower limb erysipelas and deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department: A prospective observational study
Authors: Rast Anna C. , Knobel Demian , Faessler Lukas , Kutz Alexander , Felder Susan , Laukemann Svenja , Steiner Deborah , Haubitz Sebastian , Fux Christoph A. , Huber Andreas , Mueller Beat , Schuetz Philipp 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEarly differentiation of erysipelas from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) based solely on clinical signs and symptoms is challenging. There is a lack of data regarding the usefulness of the inflammatory biomarkers procalcitonin (PCT), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count in the diagnosis of localized cutaneous infections. Herein, we investigated the diagnostic value of inflammatory markers in a prospective at‐risk patient population. This is an observational quality control study including consecutive patients presenting with a final diagnosis of either erysipelas or DVT. The association of PCT (μg/L) and CRP (mg/L) levels and WBC counts (g/L) with the primary outcome was assessed using logistic regression models with area under the receiver–operator curve. Forty‐eight patients (erysipelas, n = 31; DVT, n = 17) were included. Compared with patients with DVT, those with erysipelas had significantly higher PCT concentrations. No significant differences in CRP concentrations and WBC counts were found between the two groups. At a PCT threshold of 0.1 μg/L or more, specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) for erysipelas were 82.4% and 85.7%, respectively, and increased to 100% and 100% at a threshold of more than 0.25 μg/L. Levels of PCT also correlated with the severity of erysipelas, with a stepwise increase according to systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. We found a high discriminatory value of PCT for differentiation between erysipelas and DVT, in contrast to other commonly used inflammatory biomarkers. Whether the use of PCT levels for early differentiation of erysipelas from DVT reduces unnecessary antibiotic exposure needs to be assessed in an interventional trial.
Efficacy of additional i.v. immunoglobulin to steroid therapy in Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Aihara Michiko , Kano Yoko , Fujita Hiroyuki , Kambara Takeshi , Matsukura Setsuko , Katayama Ichiro , Azukizawa Hiroaki , Miyachi Yoshiki , Endo Yuichiro , Asada Hideo , Miyagawa Fumi , Morita Eishin , Kaneko Sakae , Abe Riichiro , Ochiai Toyoko , Sueki Hirohiko , Watanabe Hideaki , Nagao Keisuke , Aoyama Yumi , Sayama Koji , Hashimoto Koji , Shiohara Tetsuo ,   the SJS/TEN Study Group
Published: May 2015

AbstractStevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare and life‐threatening cutaneous adverse drug reactions. While there is no established therapy for SJS/TEN, systemic corticosteroids, plasma exchange and i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) have been used as treatment. The efficacy of IVIG is still controversial because total doses of IVIG used vary greatly from one study to another. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of IVIG, administrated for 5 days consecutively, in an open‐label, multicenter, single‐arm study in patients with SJS or TEN. IVIG (400 mg/kg per day) administrated for 5 days consecutively was performed as an additional therapy to systemic steroids in adult patients with SJS or TEN. Efficacy on day 7 of IVIG was evaluated. Parameters to assess clinical outcome were enanthema including ophthalmic and oral lesions, cutaneous lesions and general condition. These parameters were scored and recorded before and after IVIG. We enrolled five patients with SJS and three patients with TEN who did not respond sufficiently to systemic steroids before IVIG administration. All of the patients survived and the efficacy on day 7 of the IVIG was 87.5% (7/8 patients). Prompt amelioration was observed in skin lesions and enanthema in the patients in whom IVIG therapy was effective. Serious side‐effects from the use of IVIG were not observed. IVIG (400 mg/kg per day) administrated for 5 days consecutively seems to be effective in patients with SJS or TEN. IVIG administrated together with steroids should be considered as a treatment modality for patients with refractory SJS/TEN. Further studies are needed to define the therapeutic efficacy of IVIG.
Colony and individual life‐history responses to temperature in a social insect pollinator
Authors: Holland Jacob G. , Bourke Andrew F. G. 
Published: May 2015

Summary

Pollinating insects are of major ecological and commercial importance, yet they may be facing ecological disruption from a changing climate. Despite this threat, few studies have investigated the life‐history responses of pollinators to experimentally controlled changes in temperature, which should be especially informative for species with complex life histories such as eusocial insects.

This study uses the key pollinator Bombus terrestris, a eusocial bumblebee with an annual colony cycle, to determine how temperature affects life‐history traits at both individual and colony levels.

In two laboratory experiments, we reared B. terrestris colonies at either 20 or 25 °C, and measured differences in a set of life‐history traits including colony longevity, queen longevity, worker longevity, production of workers, production of sexuals (queen and male production) and growth schedule, as well as effects on thermoregulatory behaviours.

Higher rearing temperature had a significant positive effect on colony longevity in one of the two experiments but no significant effects on queen or worker longevity. Higher rearing temperature significantly increased colony size but did not affect the timing of peak colony size. It was also associated with significantly higher queen production but had no effect on the production of workers or males or the timing of male production. Higher temperature colonies exhibited significantly more wing fanning by workers and significantly less wax canopy construction. Hence, an increase in rearing temperature of a few degrees increased colony longevity, colony size and queen production. However, individual longevity was not affected and so may have been buffered by changes in costly thermoregulatory behaviours.

We conclude that eusocial insects may show complex phenotypic responses to projected temperature increases under climate change, including effects on productivity and reproduction at the colony level. Such effects should be considered when predicting the impact of climate change on the provision of essential pollination services.
Trophic ecology of groundwater species reveals specialization in a low‐productivity environment
Authors: Francois Clémentine M. , Mermillod‐Blondin Florian , Malard Florian , Fourel Francois , Lécuyer Christophe , Douady Christophe J. , Simon Laurent 
Published: May 2015

Summary

Identifying feeding strategies at lower bounds of habitat productivity is fundamental to understand the relationship between energy availability and trophic specialization. Low productivity is expected to severely constrain trophic specialization because organisms may no longer be able to fulfil their energy requirements by feeding on a reduced set of resources. However, species living in low‐productivity habitats often exhibit particular biological traits such as low metabolic rates and high food‐finding abilities, which may release constraints on trophic specialization.

In the present study, we used carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes to measure the degree of trophic specialization in two species of isopods (Proasellus valdensis and Proasellus cavaticus) living in groundwater, one of the most energy‐limited environments on earth. Fundamental specialization was obtained from a 13C/15N‐labelling experiment in the laboratory: we measured separately the carbon and nitrogen assimilation rates of the two species across the three food sources encountered in their natural cave habitats (fine and coarse particulate organic matter and sedimentary biofilm). Then, for each species, we tested for variation in diet composition among individuals and populations by quantifying the relative contribution of the three food sources to the diet of multiple individuals within 5 cave populations.

The labelling experiment showed that both species assimilated about 10 times more carbon and at least 4 times more nitrogen from sedimentary biofilm than from both forms of particulate organic matter. Field samplings showed that sedimentary biofilm made up, on average, 83% of the diet of isopods. Moreover, we found almost no variation in diet among individuals of a cave population as well as among cave populations within species.

This study provides the first evidence of a high degree of trophic specialization in a low‐productivity cave environment. Both species exhibited a strong fundamental specialization on sedimentary biofilm and most probably fed selectively on this food source in their natural environment. Our findings challenge the prediction that species would adopt generalist feeding strategies at lower bounds of habitat productivity.
Differential effects of bevacizumab, ranibizumab and aflibercept on cell viability, phagocytosis and mitochondrial bioenergetics of retinal pigment epithelial cell
Authors: Sheu Shwu‐Jiuan , Chao Yung‐Mei , Liu Ni‐Chun , Chan Julie Y.H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the short‐ and long‐term effects of most clinically used anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor agents, including bevacizumab, ranibizumab or aflibercept, on cell viability, phagocytosis, mitochondrial bioenergetics and the oxidant acrolein‐induced oxidative stress of human adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE)‐19 cells.MethodsIn cultured ARPE‐19 cells, cell viability was measured by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, phagocytotic activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were determined by flow cytometry, mitochondrial bioenergetics was assessed using a Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer, and protein expression was measured by Western blotting.ResultsLong‐term exposure to all three agents had no effect on cell viability; but rescued the ARPE‐19 cells from acrolein‐induced decrease in cell viability. Bevacizumab, but not ranibizumab or aflibercept, suppressed the phagocytotic activity of ARPE‐19 cells and exerted significantly less protection against acrolein‐induced inhibition of phagocytosis. Both ranibizumab and aflibercept increased basal respiratory rate and maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity after 1‐hr exposure; but returned to baseline following 24‐ or 72‐hr exposure. In contrast, both responses were reduced on short‐term exposure, but augmented after long‐term exposure to bevacizumab. Long‐term pretreatment with all three agents reversed acrolein‐induced impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics, overproduction of ROS and phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases in ARPE‐19 cells.ConclusionBevacizumab might affect mitochondrial bioenergetics differently from that by ranibizumab and aflibercept. Ranibizumab and aflibercept at their therapeutic dose protect against acrolein‐induced oxidative cytotoxicity in human ARPE‐19 cells via an increase in mitochondrial bioenergetics. An early protective action on mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity might be used to predict possible long‐term antioxidative effects of the agents in the eye.
Systematic review: the prevention of oesophageal stricture after endoscopic resection
Authors: Barret M. , Beye B. , Leblanc S. , Beuvon F. , Chaussade S. , Batteux F. , Prat F. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBackgroundExtensive endoscopic resections for the treatment of early oesophageal neoplasia can result in fibro‐inflammatory strictures that require repeated interventions, which significantly alter the patients’ quality of life.AimsTo review current evidence about the prevention of oesophageal strictures following endoscopic resections.MethodsSystematic search of PubMed and Embase from inception to March 2015 using appropriate keywords. All original publications in English were included, and articles on the treatment of oesophageal stricture were excluded.ResultsOf the 461 hits, 62 studies were included in the analysis. Among the wound‐protective strategies, polyglycolic acid sheets showed the most convincing evidence with a 37.5% stricture rate and excellent safety. Regenerative medicine, using cell sheets of autologous keratinocytes, resulted in a 25% stricture rate, although with cost and availability concerns. Among anti‐proliferative treatment modalities, steroid treatment, either endoscopically injected triamcinolone in the resection wound or orally administered prednisolone, proved effective with an overall stricture rate of 13.5%, with safety concerns regarding late oesophageal perforations and infectious morbidity. Among mechanical treatment options, poorly effective and high‐risk preventive balloon dilation tend to be replaced by prophylactic covered stent, with 18–28% stricture rates.ConclusionsAlthough oral or locally injected steroids are promising options, no currently available technique is sufficiently efficient and devoid of significant safety concerns to recommend its routine use for the prevention of strictures after extensive endoscopic resection. Improving our knowledge in the mechanisms of oesophageal wound healing will guide the development of novel methods for stricture prevention.
Increasing the Permeability of the Blood–brain Barrier in Three Different Models in vivo
Authors: Liu Wei‐Ye , Wang Zhi‐Bin , Wang Yue , Tong Ling‐Chang , Li Ya , Wei Xin , Luan Ping , Li Ling 
Published: May 2015

SummaryAimsBlood–brain barrier (BBB) plays significant roles in the circumstance maintains for the central nervous system (CNS). The dysfunction of the BBB could occur in all pathological conditions of CNS diseases, such as ischemic stroke, cerebral edema, or inflammatory disorders. However, the comparisons among different animal models with a broken BBB in vivo are still need to be further studied.MethodsHere we used three different mice models in vivo, including MCAO induce, LPS treatment, and cold injury to mimic the situation in clinic. The permeability of BBB in three models was detected by perfusion of Evan's blue dye. The functional proteins of the BBB including claudin‐5, VE‐cadherin, and caveolin‐1 were compared in three different models in vivo.ResultsWith the hyperpermeability of Evan's blue in the three models, both claudin‐5 and VE‐cadherin were decreased, while the expression of caveolin‐1 was increased. Our study showed that BBB dysfunction induced by MCAO in mice was relatively stable, reliable, and moderate compared with LPS or cold injury‐induced BBB permeability models, although the procedural time was generally long and operation complexity was hard. Moreover, our study also found that the model of the increased BBB permeability by cold injury was severe in the regional cerebral tissue and the model treated with LPS was mild in the global cerebral tissue. The operation of the two models in vivo was easy, quick, and stable.ConclusionThe MCAO model was the most suitable for studying the permeability of BBB among the three models in vivo.
Food and fluid texture consumption in a population‐based cohort of preschool children with cerebral palsy: relationship to dietary intake
Authors: Benfer Katherine A , Weir Kelly A , Bell Kristie L , Ware Robert S , Davies Peter S W , Boyd Roslyn N 
Published: May 2015

AimTo determine the texture constitution of children's diets and its relationship to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD), dietary intake, and gross motor function in young children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodA cross‐sectional, population‐based cohort study comprising 99 young children with CP (65 males, 35 females) aged 18 to 36 months (mean age 27mo; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I, n=45; II, n=13; III, n=14; IV, n=10; V, n=17). CP subtypes were classified as spastic unilateral (n=35), spastic bilateral (n=49), dyskinetic (n=5), and other (n=10), in accordance with the criteria of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe. Habitual dietary intake of food textures, energy, and water were determined from parent‐completed 3‐day weighed food records. Parent‐reported feeding ability of food textures was reported on the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and a feeding questionnaire. OPD was classified based on clinical feeding assessment using the Dysphagia Disorders Survey (rated by a certified assessor, KAB) and a subjective Swallowing Safety Recommendation (classified by a paediatric speech pathologist, KAB).ResultsFood/fluid textures were modified for 39% of children. Children with poorer gross motor function tended to receive a greater proportion of energy from fluids (GMFCS levels IV–V: β=0.9, p=0.002) in their diets and fewer chewable foods (level III: β=−0.7, p=0.03; levels IV–V: β=−1.8, p<0.001) compared to level I to II participants. Fluids represented a texture for which children frequently had OPD and the texture most frequently identified as unsafe (or recommended for instrumental assessment).InterpretationThese findings indicate that swallowing safety, feeding efficiency, and energy/water intake should be considered when providing feeding recommendations for children with CP.
Use of a growth model to assess the suboptimal growth of Atlantic salmon parr in a subarctic river
Authors: Sánchez‐Hernández Javier , Gabler Heidi‐Marie , Elliott J. Malcolm , Amundsen Per‐Arne 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study tested the hypothesis that Atlantic salmon parr grew suboptimally according to the water temperature regime during the ice‐free season (from May to September) in the subarctic River Reisa (northern Norway). A laboratory‐based growth model was used to estimate the optimal growth which was then compared with the observed growth of the parr in the river. Water temperatures were recorded every second hour with a submersible data logger, and observed and predicted growth of several age classes were compared at two nearby nursery habitats. Except for parr aged 2, most age classes showed no significant change, or even a weight loss, from May to July, whereas from July to September, positive growth was found for all age classes coinciding with favourable temperatures above a critical temperature for growth. The parr growth rates were suboptimal, being lower than the predicted values, but values for observed and predicted body mass were not significantly different in five of 12 comparisons. Hence, the fish were sometimes unable to grow according to the optimal baseline set by the temperature regime. Therefore, factors other than temperature, such as limited food resources and resource competition, may also be a major determinant of Atlantic salmon parr growth. Our study demonstrates how growth predictions based on mathematical models may be employed by fish ecologists to identify growth deficiencies in wild fish populations.
Three‐dimensional morphometric analysis of microglial changes in a mouse model of virus encephalitis: age and environmental influences
Authors: de Sousa Aline A. , dos Reis Renata R. , de Lima Camila M. , de Oliveira Marcus A. , Fernandes Taiany N. , Gomes Giovanni F. , Diniz Daniel G. , Magalhães Nara M. , Diniz Cristovam G. , Sosthenes Marcia C. K. , Bento‐Torres João , Diniz José Antonio P. , Vasconcelos Pedro F. da C. , Diniz Cristovam Wanderley P. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMany RNA virus CNS infections cause neurological disease. Because Piry virus has a limited human pathogenicity and exercise reduces activation of microglia in aged mice, possible influences of environment and aging on microglial morphology and behavior in mice sublethal encephalitis were investigated. Female albino Swiss mice were raised either in standard (S) or in enriched (EE) cages from age 2 to 6 months (young – Y), or from 2 to 16 months (aged – A). After behavioral tests, mice nostrils were instilled with Piry‐virus‐infected or with normal brain homogenates. Brain sections were immunolabeled for virus antigens or microglia at 8 days post‐infection (dpi), when behavioral changes became apparent, and at 20 and 40 dpi, after additional behavioral testing. Young infected mice from standard (SYPy) and enriched (EYPy) groups showed similar transient impairment in burrowing activity and olfactory discrimination, whereas aged infected mice from both environments (EAPy, SAPy) showed permanent reduction in both tasks. The beneficial effects of an enriched environment were smaller in aged than in young mice. Six‐hundred and forty microglial cells, 80 from each group were reconstructed. An unbiased, stereological sampling approach and multivariate statistical analysis were used to search for microglial morphological families. This procedure allowed distinguishing between microglial morphology of infected and control subjects. More severe virus‐associated microglial changes were observed in young than in aged mice, and EYPy seem to recover microglial homeostatic morphology earlier than SYPy . Because Piry‐virus encephalitis outcomes were more severe in aged mice, it is suggested that the reduced inflammatory response in those individuals may aggravate encephalitis outcomes.
Social living mitigates the costs of a chronic illness in a cooperative carnivore
Authors: Almberg E. S. , Cross P. C. , Dobson A. P. , Smith D. W. , Metz M. C. , Stahler D. R. , Hudson P. J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInfection risk is assumed to increase with social group size, and thus be a cost of group living. We assess infection risk and costs with respect to group size using data from an epidemic of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) among grey wolves (Canis lupus). We demonstrate that group size does not predict infection risk and that individual costs of infection, in terms of reduced survival, can be entirely offset by having sufficient numbers of pack‐mates. Infected individuals experience increased mortality hazards with increasing proportions of infected pack‐mates, but healthy individuals remain unaffected. The social support of group hunting and territory defence are two possible mechanisms mediating infection costs. This is likely a common phenomenon among other social species and chronic infections, but difficult to detect in systems where infection status cannot be measured continuously over time.