bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory features of systemic sclerosis complicated with localized scleroderma
Authors: Toki Sayaka , Motegi Sei‐ichiro , Yamada Kazuya , Uchiyama Akihiko , Kanai Sahori , Yamanaka Masayoshi , Ishikawa Osamu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractLocalized scleroderma (LSc) primarily affects skin, whereas systemic sclerosis (SSc) affects skin and various internal organs. LSc and SSc are considered to be basically different diseases, and there is no transition between them. However, LSc and SSc have several common characteristics, including endothelial cell dysfunction, immune activation, and excess fibrosis of the skin, and there exist several SSc cases complicated with LSc during the course of SSc. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of SSc patients with LSc remain unclear. We investigated the clinical and laboratory features of 8 SSc patients with LSc among 220 SSc patients (3.6%). The types of LSc included plaque (5/8), guttate (2/8), and linear type (1/8). All cases were diagnosed as having SSc within 5 years before or after the appearance of LSc. In three cases of SSc with LSc (37.5%), LSc skin lesions preceded clinical symptoms of SSc. Young age, negative antinuclear antibody, and positive anti‐RNA polymerase III antibody were significantly prevalent in SSc patients with LSc. The positivity of anticentromere antibody tended to be prevalent in SSc patients without LSc. No significant difference in the frequency of complications, such as interstitial lung disease, reflux esophagitis, and pulmonary artery hypertension, was observed. The awareness of these characteristic of SSc with LSc are essential to establish an early diagnosis and treatment.
Determination of trans‐ and cis‐Urocanic Acid in Relation to Histamine, Putrescine, and Cadaverine Contents in Tuna (Auxis Thazard) at Different Storage Temperatures
Authors: Zare Davood , Muhammad Kharidah , Bejo Mohd Hair , Ghazali H.M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractScombroid fish poisoning is usually associated with consumption of fish containing high levels of histamine. However, reports indicate that some cases have responded to antihistamine therapy while ingested histamine levels in these cases were low. Potentiation of histamine toxicity by some biogenic amines, and release of endogenous histamine by other compounds such as cis‐urocanic acid (UCA) are some hypotheses that have been put forth to explain this anomaly. Very little is known about the effects of storage conditions on the production of both UCA isomers and biogenic amines in tuna. Thus, the production of trans‐ and cis‐UCA, histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine in tuna during 15 d of storage at 0, 3, and 10 °C and 2 d storage at ambient temperature were monitored. The initial trans‐ and cis‐UCA contents in fresh tuna were 2.90 and 1.47 mg/kg, respectively, whereas the levels of putrescine and cadaverine were less than 2 mg/kg, and histamine was not detected. The highest levels of trans‐ and cis‐UCA were obtained during 15 d storage at 3 °C (23.74 and 21.79 mg/kg, respectively) while the highest concentrations of histamine (2796 mg/kg), putrescine (220.32 mg/kg) and cadaverine (1045.20 mg/kg) were obtained during storage at room temperature, 10 and 10 °C, respectively. Histamine content increased considerably during storage at 10 °C whereas trans‐ and cis‐UCA contents changed slightly. The initial trans‐UCA content decreased during storage at ambient temperature. Thus, unlike histamine, concentrations of trans‐ and cis‐UCA did not result in elevated levels during storage of tuna.
Viral Infections During Pregnancy
Authors: Silasi Michelle , Cardenas Ingrid , Kwon Ja‐Young , Racicot Karen , Aldo Paula , Mor Gil 
Published: January 2015

Viral infections during pregnancy have long been considered benign conditions with a few notable exceptions, such as herpes virus. The recent Ebola outbreak and other viral epidemics and pandemics show how pregnant women suffer worse outcomes (such as preterm labor and adverse fetal outcomes) than the general population and non‐pregnant women. New knowledge about the ways the maternal–fetal interface and placenta interact with the maternal immune system may explain these findings. Once thought to be ‘immunosuppressed’, the pregnant woman actually undergoes an immunological transformation, where the immune system is necessary to promote and support the pregnancy and growing fetus. When this protection is breached, as in a viral infection, this security is weakened and infection with other microorganisms can then propagate and lead to outcomes, such as preterm labor. In this manuscript, we review the major viral infections relevant to pregnancy and offer potential mechanisms for the associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Pro‐Social or Pro‐Management? A Critique of the Conception of Employee Voice as a Pro‐Social Behaviour within Organizational Behaviour
Authors: Barry Michael , Wilkinson Adrian 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFor many years, the employment relations (ER) literature took the perspective that employee voice via trade unions could channel discontent and reduce exit, thereby improving productivity. In organizational behaviour (OB) research voice has also emerged as an important concept, and a focus of this research has been to understand the antecedents of the decision of employees to engage or not engage in voice. In OB research, however, voice is not viewed as it is in ER as a mechanism to provide collective representation of employee interests. Rather, it is seen as an expression of the desire and choice of individual workers to communicate information and ideas to management for the benefit of the organization. This article offers a critique of the OB conception of voice, and in particular highlights the limitations of its view of voice as a pro‐social behaviour. We argue that the OB conception of voice is at best partial because its definition of voice as an activity that benefits the organization leaves no room for considering voice as a means of challenging management, or indeed simply as being a vehicle for employee self‐determination.
The Bankruptcy System's Chapter 22 Recidivism Problem: How Serious is It?
Authors: Altman Edward I. , Branch Ben 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper is adapted from the keynote address from the Eastern Finance Association's 2014 meeting in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We highlight a recidivism problem: about 15% of debtors who emerge as continuing entities under Chapter 11, or are acquired as part of the bankruptcy process, ultimately file for bankruptcy protection again (18.25% when considering only those firms which emerge as a continuing, independent entity). We argue that the “Chapter 22” issue should not be dismissed by the bankruptcy community just because no interested party objects during the confirmation hearing. Applying the Z”‐Score model to a large sample of Chapter 11 cases reveals highly different and significant expected survival profiles at emergence. Credible distress prediction techniques can effectively predict the future success of firms emerging from bankruptcy and be used by the bankruptcy court to assess the feasibility of the reorganization plan, a requirement mandated by the Bankruptcy Code. Branch reviews, discusses, and critiques in this follow‐up article to Altman's original thesis.
Estimating Early Exercise Premiums on Gold and Copper Options Using a Multifactor Model and Density Matched Lattices
Authors: Hilliard Jimmy E. , Hilliard Jitka 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe use the standard geometric Brownian motion augmented by jumps to describe the spot underlying and mean regressive models of interest rates and convenience yields as state variables for gold and copper prices. Estimates of parameters of the diffusion processes are obtained by the Kalman filter. Using these estimates, jump parameters are estimated in the second stage by least squares. Early exercise premia on puts and calls are computed using a lattice with probabilities assigned by the density matching technique. We find that while deep in the money options have greater absolute early exercise premiums, the early exercise premium is roughly constant as a percent of option price. Our findings also confirm that gold behaves like an investment asset and copper behaves like a commodity.
A MODEL EUROPEAN? HERMANN HESSE'S INFLUENCE ON THE SUHRKAMP VERLAG
Authors: Cornils Ingo 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTHermann Hesse's pivotal role in helping to set up one of Germany's most renowned publishing houses, the Suhrkamp Verlag, has long been recognised. However, little attention has been given to the programmatic and philosophical influence he had on Peter Suhrkamp and his successor Siegfried Unseld. This article analyses Hesse's lasting impact on his publishers’ views, especially their commitment to European and World literature. It charts the development of Hesse's thinking on Europe, explores Hesse's relationship with Peter Suhrkamp and Siegfried Unseld, and demonstrates how Hermann Hesse's books, political writings, correspondence and more than three thousand book reviews contributed to the ‘Suhrkamp Culture’.
Necrotizing fasciitis and infective endocarditis caused by Escherichia coli in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Hsien , Leu Jyh‐Gang , Fang Yu‐Wei , Hsieh Shih‐Chung 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPatients with uremia are often immunocompromised and uremia patients undergoing maintenance dialysis are often vulnerable to uncommon infections. We report a 40‐year‐old man who was undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and was initially diagnosed with monomicrobal necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limbs, based on blood and pus cultures that yielded Escherichia coli. His condition improved after surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. However, he eventually died of intracranial hemorrhage related to septic emboli. Concurrent infective endocarditis was diagnosed based on an echocardiogram that indicated vegetation in the left ventricular region. Escherichia coli‐related necrotizing fasciitis and infective endocarditis is rarely seen in clinical practice. There should be a high index of suspicion for multiple infections when a hemodialysis patient presents with an uncommon infection.
Colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Leggett B. A. , Hewett D. G. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractColorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Australia, and screening to detect it an earlier stage is cost‐effective. Furthermore, detection and removal of precursor polyps can reduce incidence. Currently, there are limited data to determine the screening rate in Australia, but it is certainly lower than the 80% screening rate considered desirable. Whether colonoscopy is used as the screening test or to follow up positive results of an initial non‐invasive test, it plays a fundamental role. Despite high sensitivity and specificity, it is expensive and invasive with measurable risk and is not acceptable as an initial test to many participants. It does not provide complete protection, and interval cancers between planned colonoscopies are associated with proximal location, origin in sessile serrated adenomas and operator‐dependent factors. An essential component of colorectal screening is the measurement of colonoscopy quality indicators, such as caecal intubation and adenoma detection rates, which are known to be associated with the rate of interval cancer. The non‐invasive screening test currently recommended in Australia is biennial testing for faecal occult blood between the ages of 50 and 75 using a faecal immunochemical test, with positives evaluated by colonoscopy. This is provided through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, currently for those at the ages of 50, 55, 60 and 65 years, with full implementation of biennial screening by 2020. To improve screening in Australia, the most fruitful approach may be to acknowledge that there is a choice of screening tests and to focus on the goal of improving overall participation rate and being able to measure this.
Environmental osmolality influences sperm motility activation in an anuran amphibian
Authors: Byrne P. G. , Dunne C. , Munn A. J. , Silla A. J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractEvolutionary theory predicts that selection will favour sperm traits that maximize fertilization success in local fertilization environments. In externally fertilizing species, osmolality of the fertilization medium is known to play a critical role in activating sperm motility, but there remains limited evidence for adaptive responses to local osmotic environments. In this study, we used a split‐sample experimental design and computer‐assisted sperm analysis to (i) determine the optimal medium osmolality for sperm activation (% sperm motility and sperm velocity) in male common eastern froglets (Crinia signifera), (ii) test for among‐population variation in percentage sperm motility and sperm velocity at various activation‐medium osmolalities and (iii) test for among‐population covariation between sperm performance and environmental osmolality. Frogs were obtained from nine populations that differed in environmental osmolality, and sperm samples of males from different populations were subjected to a range of activation‐medium osmolalities. Percentage sperm motility was optimal between 10 and 50 mOsm kg−1, and sperm velocity was optimal between 10 and 100 mOsm kg−1, indicating that C. signifera has evolved sperm that can function across a broad range of osmolalities. As predicted, there was significant among‐population variation in sperm performance. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between activation‐medium osmolality and environmental osmolality, indicating that frogs from populations with higher environmental osmolality produced sperm that performed better at higher osmolalities in vitro. This finding may reflect phenotypic plasticity in sperm functioning, or genetic divergence resulting from spatial variation in the strength of directional selection. Both of these explanations are consistent with evolutionary theory, providing some of the first empirical evidence that local osmotic environments can favour adaptive sperm motility responses in species that use an external mode of fertilization.
The AvrE superfamily: ancestral type III effectors involved in suppression of pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered immunity
Authors: Degrave Alexandre , Siamer Sabrina , Boureau Tristan , Barny Marie‐Anne 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe AvrE superfamily of type III effectors (T3Es) is widespread among type III‐dependent phytobacteria and plays a crucial role during bacterial pathogenesis. Members of the AvrE superfamily are vertically inherited core effectors, indicating an ancestral acquisition of these effectors in bacterial plant pathogens. AvrE‐T3Es contribute significantly to virulence by suppressing pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity. They inhibit salicylic acid‐mediated plant defences, interfere with vesicular trafficking and promote bacterial growth in planta. AvrE‐T3Es elicit cell death in both host and non‐host plants independent of any known plant resistance protein, suggesting an original interaction with the plant immune system. Recent studies in yeast have indicated that they activate protein phosphatase 2A and inhibit serine palmitoyl transferase, the first enzyme of the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway. In this review, we describe the current picture that has emerged from studies of the different members of this fascinating large family.
The enzymatic activities of brain catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) and methionine sulphoxide reductase are correlated in a COMT Val/Met allele‐dependent fashion
Authors: Moskovitz Jackob , Walss‐Bass Consuelo , Cruz Dianne A. , Thompson Peter M. , Hairston Jenaqua , Bortolato Marco 
Published: January 2015

AimsThe enzyme catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) plays a primary role in the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters and is implicated in the modulation of cognitive and emotional responses. The best characterized single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the COMT gene consists of a valine (Val)‐to‐methionine (Met) substitution at codon 108/158. The Met‐containing variant confers a marked reduction in COMT catalytic activity. We recently showed that the activity of recombinant COMT is positively regulated by the enzyme Met sulphoxide reductase (MSR), which counters the oxidation of Met residues of proteins. The current study was designed to assess whether brain COMT activity may be correlated to MSR in an allele‐dependent fashion.MethodsCOMT and MSR activities were measured from post‐mortem samples of prefrontal cortices, striata and cerebella of 32 subjects by using catechol and dabsyl‐Met sulphoxide as substrates, respectively. Allelic discrimination of COMT Val108/185Met SNP was performed using the Taqman 5'nuclease assay.ResultsOur studies revealed that, in homozygous carriers of Met, but not Val alleles, the activity of COMT and MSR was significantly correlated throughout all tested brain regions.ConclusionThese results suggest that the reduced enzymatic activity of Met‐containing COMT may be secondary to Met sulphoxidation and point to MSR as a key molecular determinant for the modulation of COMT activity.
HIV presenting with a maxillary alveolus tumour
Authors: Dunphy L. , Halsnad M. , Praveen P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSince the advent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1981, the availability of highly active anti‐retroviral therapy has transformed this condition from a death sentence to a highly manageable condition. Unfortunately, a large proportion present late, resulting in increased mortality and morbidity and ultimately an increased risk of forward transmission. Oral manifestations are among the earliest and most important indicators of infection, suggesting a decreased CD4 T‐cell count and an increased viral load. In the UK, a large proportion of patients are diagnosed with a CD4 count <350 cells/mm3, which is below the recommended threshold for commencing HIV treatment. This case reinforces the importance of considering HIV in the differential diagnosis of an oral lesion, consolidates our knowledge of oral lesions associated with immune suppression and discusses the implications of late diagnosis.
Role of microRNAs in plant drought tolerance
Authors: Ferdous Jannatul , Hussain Syed S. , Shi Bu‐Jun 
Published: January 2015

SummaryDrought is a normal and recurring climate feature in most parts of the world and plays a major role in limiting crop productivity. However, plants have their own defence systems to cope with adverse climatic conditions. One of these defence mechanisms is the reprogramming of gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides length, which have emerged as important regulators of genes at post‐transcriptional levels in a range of organisms. Some miRNAs are functionally conserved across plant species and are regulated by drought stress. These properties suggest that miRNA‐based genetic modifications have the potential to enhance drought tolerance in cereal crops. This review summarizes the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of plant miRNAs, involvement of plant miRNAs in drought stress responses in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum spp.) and other plant species, and the involvement of miRNAs in plant‐adaptive mechanisms under drought stress. Potential strategies and directions for future miRNA research and the utilization of miRNAs in the improvement of cereal crops for drought tolerance are also discussed.
Vicious Regresses, Conceptual Analysis, and Strong Awareness Internalism
Authors: Stoutenburg Gregory 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThat a philosophical thesis entails a vicious regress is commonly taken to be decisive evidence that the thesis is false. In this paper, I argue that the existence of a vicious regress is insufficient to reject a proposed analysis provided that certain constraints on the analysis are met. When a vicious regress is present, some further consequence of the thesis must be established that, together with the presence of the vicious regress, shows the thesis to be false. The argument is provided largely through the examination of Michael Bergmann's (2006) vicious regress argument against strong awareness internalism and a partial defense of that thesis against Bergmann.
Survival in rheumatoid arthritis‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension compared with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Sadeghi Saghar , Granton John T. , Akhavan Pooneh , Pasarikovski Christopher R. , Roos Adrienne M. , Thenganatt John , Moric Jakov , Johnson Sindhu R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveIn this study, we evaluated survival in rheumatoid arthritis‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (RA‐PAH) compared with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients, and evaluate differences in disease severity and treatment.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of RA‐PAH and IPAH at the University Health Network Pulmonary Hypertension Programme, Toronto, Canada. The primary outcome was time to all‐cause mortality. We evaluated survival using Kaplan–Meier curves. Using a propensity score‐matched cohort, we used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate survival.ResultsScreening 1385 patients identified 18 RA‐PAH and 155 IPAH patients. RA‐PAH patients had an older median age of onset (64.0 vs 53.7 years) and lower baseline mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) (41 vs 50 mm Hg, P = 0.02). RA‐PAH patients tended to have a higher proportion of females (83% vs 70%, relative risk 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19–1.57), lower proportion with baseline World Health Organization functional class III/IV (39% vs 52%), lower median baseline brain natriuretic peptide (58.4 vs 95.0 pg/mL) and longer baseline 6‐min walk distance (440 vs 397 m). There were 35 deaths, 2/18 (11%) RA‐PAH patients and 33/155 (21%) IPAH patients. The unadjusted 1‐year survival was 93% for RA‐PAH and 94% for IPAH. In the matched cohort, there were seven deaths: 2/18 (11%) RA‐PAH and 5/18 (28%) IPAH patients, hazard ratio 1.53 (95% CI: 0.15–2.84). Separation of survival curves did not achieve statistical significance, log–rank 0.56.ConclusionsCompared with IPAH patients, RA‐PAH patients have an older age of onset and lower baseline mPAP. RA‐PAH patients have comparable survival to IPAH patients.
Trends in Arteriovenous Fistula Use at Dialysis Initiation After Automated eGFR Reporting
Authors: Sood Manish M. , Akbari Ayub , Hiebert Brett , Hiremath Swapnil , Komenda Paul , Rigatto Claudio , Zimmerman Deborah , Tangri Navdeep 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine trends in the presence of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) at dialysis initiation before and after eGFR reporting. All incident dialysis patients from four Canadian provinces that implemented province‐wide, automated laboratory reporting of eGFR with known vascular access at dialysis initiation were included in the study (N = 25,201) from 2001 to 2010. The primary outcome was the change in proportion of patients with an AVF at dialysis initiation using an interrupted time series and adjusted multilevel logistic regression models. AVF usage at dialysis initiation decreased gradually over the study period from 19.0% to 14.6%. After implementation of automated eGFR reporting, there was attenuation in the decline in AVF usage in models adjusted for case‐mix, facility, and the downward trajectory in AVF use over time. The adjusted odds ratio for initiating dialysis with an AVF 1 year post‐eGFR reporting compared to pre‐eGFR reporting was more pronounced in older patients (age tertile >73; OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.04–1.90). Laboratory‐based eGFR reporting was associated with a possible attenuation in the decline of AVF at dialysis initiation and this was more pronounced in older patients.