bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small intestinal segmental volvulus in horses after gastroscopy: Four cases (2011–2012)
Authors: Bonilla A. G. , Hurcombe S. D. , Sweeney R. W. , Hewetson M. , Mudge M. C. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryGastroscopy is the most common technique used in veterinary medicine to evaluate the stomach in horses and to date, no complications have been described associated with the procedure. This paper reports 4 cases developing a nonstrangulating segmental volvulus of the small intestine after gastroscopy at 3 referral institutions over a 2 year period. After performing diagnostic gastroscopy, all horses developed acute and severe clinical signs of colic unresponsive to medical management. Time range between gastroscopy and onset of colic signs varied from 10 min to 3 h. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a nonstrangulating segmental volvulus of the small intestine that was manually corrected without need for resection in all horses. In all cases, affected small intestine was severely gas distended. Three of those horses survived to discharge and were alive at follow‐up. One horse was subjected to euthanasia 2 days after surgery due to diffuse intestinal lymphoma.
Are cities different? Patterns of species richness and beta diversity of urban bird communities and regional species assemblages in Europe
Authors: Ferenc Michal , Sedláček Ondřej , Fuchs Roman , Dinetti Marco , Fraissinet Maurizio , Storch David 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimTo compare macroecological patterns between bird communities of European cities and regional species assemblages in the surrounding landscape, and to reveal geographical trends in the urbanization of native avifauna.LocationForty‐one towns and cities in continental Europe.MethodsWe compiled data on the species richness and community composition of urban avifauna from 41 European city breeding bird atlases, and of species assemblages comprising nine grid cells (each about 50 km × 50 km) from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds (hereafter regional assemblages). Species–area relationships (SARs), latitudinal trends in diversity and the distance decay of community similarity were compared using regression models (generalized linear models). Observed urban communities were compared with randomly assembled ones to reveal systematic effects of the urban environment on native bird communities across Europe. We employed variance partitioning to quantify the relative effect of environmental parameters and the spatial position of cities on species richness.ResultsThe species–area relationships did not differ significantly between cities and regional assemblages. Species richness of both types of communities increased towards higher latitudes, although the relationship was unimodal for regional assemblages, in contrast to cities. The increase in beta diversity with distance was on average less pronounced in cities than in regional assemblages, and was lower between individual cities than between communities of the same size randomly drawn from regional species assemblages. Moreover, average beta diversity was lower in northern cities, which are characterized by a relatively higher proportion of species from regional species pools.Main conclusionsThe species–area relationship and latitudinal trends are largely congruent between cities and the regional assemblages. However, city avifaunas tend to be relatively more uniform across space, revealing biotic homogenization. Urban communities in northern cities are more uniform as a higher proportion of bird species breeds in cities.
Screening orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) germplasm for high rust resistance and high summer survival rate in a subtropical climate
Authors: Yan Haidong , Zeng Bing , Zhang Xinquan , Cheng Liang , Miller Stephen , Huang Linkai 
Published: November 2013

AbstractOrchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is one of the most important cool‐season forage grasses around the world, and is among the fourth top selling grass seed behind Lolium, Festuca and Phleum. However, the available orchardgrass varieties have low summer survival rates and are susceptible to rust caused by Puccinia graminis Pers., resulting in lower yields and poor quality growth in subtropical regions of China. The summer survival rate, degree of rust resistant, and the correlation of rust resistance with summer survival rate of 242 germplasm resources of D. glomerata, from five continents of the world, were investigated in a field screening for 2 years (2011 and 2012) at the southern part of China. Results showed that 13 accessions were scored high disease resistance for the 2 years, and 36 were scored a summer survival rate of 100%. Thirteen accessions of orchardgrass were screened for disease resistance and high summer survival rate (≥80%), including two accessions named PI325293 and PI308794 with a high disease resistance and summer survival rate of 100% in the 2‐year studies. The correlation between rust resistance and summer survival rate was low (r = 0.111 P = 0.295 in 2011, r = 0.112 P = 0.674 in 2012). These two accessions may serve as potential genetic materials to plant breeders for developing orchardgrass varieties that contain high rust resistance and summer survival rate. These results will also contribute to the conservation and utilization of orchardgrass germplasm.
What prescribing means to pharmacists: a qualitative exploration of practising pharmacists in Alberta
Authors: Hughes Christine A , Makowsky Mark , Sadowski Cheryl A , Schindel Theresa J , Yuksel Nese , Guirguis Lisa M 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Objective
In 2007 Alberta, Canada, became the first North American jurisdiction to adopt prescribing legislation for pharmacists. In light of these legislative changes and expanded scope of pharmacy practice, we evaluated what ‘prescribing’ means to pharmacists in Alberta and the application of prescribing in pharmacy practice.

Methods
We invited pharmacists to participate in semi-structured telephone interviews using closed and open-ended questions. Pharmacists working in community, hospital or other settings were selected using a mix of random and purposive sampling. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed, and data were entered into nVIVO 9 software. Transcriptions were analysed by two investigators using an interpretive description approach to identify themes.

Key findings
Thirty-eight pharmacists were interviewed, of whom 13 had additional (independent) prescribing authorization. Prescribing had a wide breadth of meaning to the pharmacists in our study, which included writing a new prescription and extending an existing prescription, as well as advising on non-prescription medications. Pharmacists described prescribing in terms of the physical act of writing the prescription and as part of the patient care process as well as the legislated definition of pharmacist prescribing. The sense of increased responsibility associated with prescribing was noted by many pharmacists.

Conclusion
Prescribing had diverse meanings to pharmacists in our study, and appeared to be context-specific. Understanding the meaning prescribing holds for individual pharmacists is important to explore whether pharmacist’s definition of this expanded scope has shaped pharmacists’ enactment of prescribing practice.
Aphasia and Dysarthria in Acute Stroke: Recovery and Functional Outcome
Authors: Ali Myzoon , Lyden Patrick , Brady Marian 
Published: November 2013

Background Aphasia and dysarthria have major implications for activities of daily living and social participation following stroke. Few studies describe recovery in the acute stroke setting. We described the evolution of aphasia and dysarthria by three-months poststroke. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of pooled clinical trial data from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive. We defined aphasia and dysarthria at baseline as a score of ≥1 on the Best Language (Item 9) and Dysarthria (Item 10) domains of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, respectively. We described recovery from these impairments by three-months. Covariate adjusted analyses described the associations between aphasia, dysarthria, and functional outcome using the modified Rankin Scale at three-months following stroke. Results At baseline, 4039/8904 (45·4%) people presented with aphasia and 6192 (69·5%) with dysarthria; 2639 (29·6%) had both impairments. By three-months, aphasia and dysarthria had resolved in 1292/7219 (17·9%) and 2892/7219 (40·1%) survivors, respectively, but persisted in 1713/7219 (23·7%) and 1940/7219 (27%), respectively. Age and severity of initial stroke were associated with poor recovery, whereas thrombolysis was associated with improved recovery. Aphasia at baseline [ P = 0·049, odds ratio = 0·89, 95% confidence interval (0·79,1·00)] and persistent aphasia at three-months [ P < 0·0001, odds ratio = 0·31, 95% confidence interval (0·27, 0·35)] were each associated with poorer modified Rankin Scale scores at three-months. Conclusion Aphasia or dysarthria persisted in at least a quarter of people in our dataset at three-months following stroke. The association between persistent aphasia at three-months and poor modified Rankin Scale renders this impairment a major therapeutic target for recovery and restitution.
Genetic variability of human metapneumo‐ and bocaviruses in children with respiratory tract infections
Authors: Pogka Vasiliki , Moutousi Afroditi , Kossyvakis Athanasios , Kalliaropoulos Antonios , Sgouras Dionyssios N. , Giannaki Maria , Mentis Andreas F. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesThe genotypic analysis of human metapneumo‐(HMPV) and boca‐(HBoV) viruses circulating in Greece and their comparison to reference and other clinical strains.DesignGenetic analysis of representative strains over three consecutive winter seasons of the years 2005–2008.SettingRepresentative positive specimens for HMPV and HBoV from paediatric patients of healthcare units and hospitals in Southern Greece with influenza‐like illness or other respiratory tract infections.SampleSeven to ten positive specimens for either HMPV or HBoV from each winter period. In total, 24 specimens positive for HMPV and 26 for HBoV, respectively.Main outcome measuresSequence diversity of HMPV and HBoV strains by sequencing the complete G and VP1/VP2 genes, respectively.ResultsIn total, 24 HMPV strains were found to have a 92–100% nucleotide and a 85.9–100% amino acid identity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the number of amino acid differences, revealed circulation of 4 different subclusters belonging to genetic lineage B2. Similarly, analysis of 26 HBoV strains indicated that 22 clustered within genotype St2, 2 into genotype St1 and the remaining 2 formed a third cluster derived from potential recombination between different St1 genotype strains. St2 HBoV genotype was observed throughout the whole observation period whereas St1 only during the second and the third winter period. Higher levels of heterogeneity were observed between HMPV compared to HBoV strains.ConclusionsPhylogenetic analysis revealed circulation of one single lineage (B2) for HMPV viruses and predominance of St2 genotype for HBoV viruses. A possible recombination between St1 genotype strains of HBoV was observed.
Analysis of the acute‐phase protein response in pigs to clinical and subclinical infection with H3N2 swine influenza virus
Authors: Pomorska‐Mól Małgorzata , Krzysztof Kwit , Pejsak Zygmunt , Markowska‐Daniel Iwona 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundSwine influenza (SI) is a contagious, important respiratory disease. Diagnosis of SI is based on the clinical signs, confirmed by the detection of viral RNA or specific antibodies. However, the infection is much more frequent than the disease.ObjectivesThe aim of study was to investigate the kinetics of acute‐phase protein (APP) response during subclinical and clinical influenza in pigs. The utility of APP measurements in identification of infected animals was also evaluated.MethodsTwenty‐eight piglets were used. C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA) and pig major acute‐phase protein (Pig‐MAP) concentrations in serum were measured using commercial ELISAs.Results and ConclusionsNo relevant clinical signs were observed in intranasally infected pigs. In contrast, coughing, nasal discharge, and fever were observed in pigs infected intratracheally. All infected pigs exhibited specific antibodies in the serum at 10 dpi, and viral shedding was confirmed. The concentrations of CRP, Hp and SAA were significantly increased after infection. The level of Pig‐MAP remained constant during subclinical and clinical infection. The concentrations of CRP, Hp and SAA were higher in pigs with clinical disease. Although not specific, strategic APP measurements may reveal ongoing clinical and subclinical infection. A close relationship between the magnitude of serum APP response with the severity of disease, providing an objective tool for validation the severity of infection. The maximum concentration of SAA in serum was closely correlated with lung score and makes this APP potential indicator for disease progress or estimation of treatment strategy.
Excess mortality impact of two epidemics of pandemic influenza A(H1N1pdm09) virus in Hong Kong
Authors: Wu Peng , Goldstein Edward , Ho Lai‐Ming , Wu Joseph T. , Tsang Thomas , Leung Gabriel M. , Cowling Benjamin J. 
Published: November 2013

Hong Kong experienced two large epidemics of pandemic influenza A(H1N1pdm09). We used regression methods to estimate the excess mortality associated with each epidemic. The first epidemic of H1N1pdm09 peaked in September 2009 and was associated with 2·13 [95% confidence interval (CI): −8·08, 11·82] excess all‐cause deaths per 100 000 population. The second epidemic of H1N1pdm09 in early 2011 was associated with 4·72 [95% CI: −0·70, 10·50] excess deaths per 100 000 population. More than half of the estimated excess all‐cause deaths were attributable to respiratory causes in each epidemic. The reasons for substantial impact in the second wave remain to be clarified.
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition attenuates right ventricular dysfunction and improves responses to dobutamine during acute pulmonary thromboembolism
Authors: Neto‐Neves Evandro M. , Sousa‐Santos Ozelia , Ferraz Karina C. , Rizzi Elen , Ceron Carla S. , Romano Minna M. D. , Gali Luis G. , Maciel Benedito C. , Schulz Richard , Gerlach Raquel F. , Tanus‐Santos Jose E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractActivated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cause cardiomyocyte injury during acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APT). However, the functional consequences of this alteration are not known. We examined whether doxycycline (a MMP inhibitor) improves right ventricle function and the cardiac responses to dobutamine during APT. APT was induced with autologous blood clots (350 mg/kg) in anaesthetized male lambs pre‐treated with doxycycline (Doxy, 10 mg/kg/day, intravenously) or saline. Non‐embolized control lambs received doxycycline pre‐treatment or saline. The responses to intravenous dobutamine (Dob, 1, 5, 10 μg/kg/min.) or saline infusions at 30 and 120 min. after APT induction were evaluated by echocardiography. APT increased mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index by ~185%. Doxycycline partially prevented APT‐induced pulmonary hypertension (P < 0.05). RV diameter increased in the APT group (from 10.7 ± 0.8 to 18.3 ± 1.6 mm, P < 0.05), but not in the Doxy+APT group (from 13.3 ± 0.9 to 14.4 ± 1.0 mm, P > 0.05). RV dysfunction on stress echocardiography was observed in embolized lambs (APT+Dob group) but not in embolized animals pre‐treated with doxycycline (Doxy+APT+Dob). APT increased MMP‐9 activity, oxidative stress and gelatinolytic activity in the RV. Although doxycycline had no effects on RV MMP‐9 activity, it prevented the increases in RV oxidative stress and gelatinolytic activity (P < 0.05). APT increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations (P < 0.05), doxycycline partially prevented this alteration (P < 0.05). We found evidence to support that doxycycline prevents RV dysfunction and improves the cardiac responses to dobutamine during APT.
ATF4 deficiency protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress via inhibiting CYP2E1 expression
Authors: Wang Chunxia , Li Houkai , Meng Qingshu , Du Ying , Xiao Fei , Zhang Qian , Yu Junjie , Li Kai , Chen Shanghai , Huang Zhiying , Liu Bin , Guo Feifan 
Published: November 2013

AbstractActivating transcription factor (ATF) 4 is involved in the regulation of oxidative stress in fibroblasts and neurons. The role of ATF4 in hepatocytes, however, is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ATF4 in hepatocytes in oxidative stress under a high‐fat diet (HFD). Here, we showed that palmitate‐stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and triglyceride (TG) accumulation is blocked by ATF4 deficiency in primary hepatocytes. Consistently, HFD‐induced oxidative stress, TG accumulation and expression of cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily, polypeptide 1 (CYP2E1) are also blocked by knocking down ATF4 expression in the mouse liver. This suggests that ATF4 might regulate oxidative stress via CYP2E1 under an HFD. In addition, we observed that expression of CYP2E1 is indirectly regulated by ATF4 in a cAMP‐responsive element binding protein (CREB)‐dependent manner, which can directly activate the CYP2E1 promoter activity. Notably, ATF4‐stimulated ROS production is inhibited in vivo by treatment with diallyl sulphide, a selective CYP2E1 inhibitor. Finally, we showed that ATF4 expression in the liver is responsible for the protective effects against HFD‐induced CYP2E1 expression, oxidative stress, and TG accumulation. Taken together, these observations suggest that ATF4 is a novel regulator of oxidative stress as well as accumulation of TG in response to HFD.
Attitudinal Ambivalence towards Turkey's EU Membership
Authors: Erisen Cengiz , Erisen Elif 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis article takes a comparative political behaviour approach to examine the multifaceted nature of Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid from the perspective of the EU citizens. We propose a multidimensional explanation for EU citizens' attitude towards Turkey's membership by referring to the political psychology literature on attitudinal ambivalence. We examine whether EU citizens simultaneously hold multiple and conflicting considerations on Turkey's EU accession bid, and whether this ambivalence has attitudinal consequences. To that end, we use the Eurobarometer 66.1 data set to analyze the EU public attitudes on various aspects of possible Turkish EU membership. The findings show that the EU citizens maintain ambivalent views about Turkish membership across three domain pairs: economy–security, immigration–security and population–culture. The significant impact of these ambivalence domains on increasing support for Turkey's membership to the EU is further discussed in the article.
Combination of a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma agonist and an angiotensin II receptor blocker attenuates myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Shim Chi Young , Song Byeong‐Wook , Cha Min‐Ji , Hwang Ki‐Chul , Park Sungha , Hong Geu‐Ru , Kang Seok‐Min , Lee Jong Eun , Ha Jong‐Won , Chung Namsik 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionWe aimed to examine the effect of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐gamma agonist, and their combination on myocardial fibrosis and function in type 2 diabetic rats.Materials and MethodsFive male Long‐Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats and 20 male Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were used. OLETF rats were assigned to four groups (n = 5 per group) at 28 weeks‐of‐age: untreated, losartan‐treated, rosiglitazone‐treated and combination‐treated. The ARB, losartan, was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day, and the PPAR‐gamma agonist, rosiglitazone, was administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day by oral gavage for 12 weeks. Urine and blood samples were collected, and two‐dimensional echocardiograms and strain rate imaging were obtained at 28 and 40 weeks. Cytokines were evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and histological analysis was carried out at 40 weeks.ResultsAt 40 weeks, the global radial strains of the losartan‐treated (55.7 ± 4.5%, P = 0.021) and combination‐treated groups (59.3 ± 6.7%, P = 0.001) were significantly higher compared with the untreated OLETFs (44.3 ± 10.5%). No difference was observed when compared with LETO rats. Although the rosiglitazone‐treated group showed a better metabolic profile than the untreated OLETF group, there was no difference in the global radial strain (49.8 ± 6.0 vs 44.3 ± 10.5, P = 0.402). The expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and collagen type I and III were consistently attenuated in the losartan‐treated and combination‐treated OLETF groups, but not in the rosiglitazone‐treated group.ConclusionsA combination of rosiglitazone and losartan attenuates myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rats.
Diagnostic accuracy and cost‐effectiveness of dermoscopy in primary care: a cluster randomized clinical trial
Authors: Koelink C.J.L. , Vermeulen K.M. , Kollen B.J. , de Bock G.H. , Dekker J.H. , Jonkman M.F. , van der Heide W.K. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe dermoscope improves general practitioners' (GP) sensitivity for melanoma. However, diagnostic accuracy (DA) and cost‐effectiveness of the dermoscope in primary care for the evaluation of all skin lesions suspected of malignancy remains unknown.ObjectivesTo determine the DA and cost‐effectiveness of the dermoscope in primary care for skin lesions suspected of malignancy.MethodsIn a cluster randomized clinical trial, 48 Dutch general practices were randomized to either intervention group using a dermoscope or control group using only naked‐eye examination. A total of 194 lesions from 170 patients in the intervention group and 222 lesions from 211 patients in the control group were analysed for DA and cost‐effectiveness.ResultsThe percentage of correctly diagnosed lesions in intervention group and control group was 50.5% and 40.5% respectively. This was 61.5% and 22.2% for melanomas. In the intervention group, three malignancies were treated with the expectative treatment option compared to none in the control group. The odds ratio (OR) of a correct diagnosis in the intervention group, compared to control group, was 1.51 (95% CI: 0.96–2.37) P = 0.07. Consequently, the relative risk was 1.25. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was €89 (95% CI −€60 to €598), indicating that using a dermoscope costs an additional €89 for one additional correctly diagnosed patient. Additional analyses showed better effects of dermoscopy compared to the control group for 98% of the bootstrap resamples.ConclusionsThe probability of a correct diagnosis was 1.25 times higher using a dermoscope than without a dermoscope. Although this difference is marginally not statistically significant, dermoscopy in general practice appears to be cost effective. We therefore think that GPs should be trained to use a dermoscope, although they should realize that even with the use of a dermoscope not all lesions will be diagnosed correctly.