bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The feral horse foot. PartB: radiographic, gross visual and histopathological parameters of foot health in 100Australian feral horses
Authors: Hampson BA , de Laat MA , Mills PC , Walsh DM , Pollitt CC 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundIt has been proposed that the feral horse foot is a benchmark model for foot health in horses. However, the foot health of feral horses has not been formally investigated.ObjectivesTo investigate the foot health ofAustralian feral horses and determine if foot health is affected by environmental factors, such as substrate properties and distance travelled.MethodsTwenty adult feral horses from five populations (n= 100) were investigated. Populations were selected on the basis of substrate hardness and the amount of travel typical for the population. Feet were radiographed and photographed, and digital images were surveyed by two experienced assessors blinded to each other's assessment and to the population origin. Lamellar samples from 15 feet from three populations were investigated histologically for evidence of laminitis.ResultsThere was a total of 377 gross foot abnormalities identified in 100 left forefeet. There were no abnormalities detected in three of the feet surveyed. Each population had a comparable prevalence of foot abnormalities, although the type and severity of abnormality varied among populations. Of the three populations surveyed by histopathology, the prevalence of chronic laminitis ranged between 40% and 93%.ConclusionsFoot health appeared to be affected by the environment inhabited by the horses. The observed chronic laminitis may be attributable to either nutritional or traumatic causes. Given the overwhelming evidence of suboptimal foot health, it may not be appropriate for the feral horse foot to be the benchmark model for equine foot health.
High‐resolution remote sensing data improves models of species richness
Authors: Camathias Linda , Bergamini Ariel , Küchler Meinrad , Stofer Silvia , Baltensweiler Andri 
Published: January 2013

AbstractQuestionCan predictors derived from air‐ and space‐borne high‐resolution remote sensing data improve models of species richness commonly built using coarser‐scaled environmental variables?LocationSwitzerland, covering 41 244 km2 of Central Europe.MethodsWe applied linear regressions to model species richness of woody species, herbs, edaphic bryophytes and epiphytic lichens in Swiss forests. We included high‐resolution predictors derived from digital height models and from satellite spectral images. Coarser‐scaled predictors characterizing climatic and topographic conditions were also included, as were soil properties and geology. We applied hierarchical partitioning to regression models to investigate the independent contribution of each predictor set to species richness models.ResultsPredictors derived from high‐resolution remote sensing data substantially improved the species richness models (increase 14–55% of R2). However, coarse‐scaled climatic and topographic predictors still explained a high proportion of the variance in the species richness data in all models, independently of other predictors commonly used. The importance of the remotely sensed variables was strongly dependent on the biogeographic region considered. The species richness models of smaller organisms of the forest floor (herbs and edaphic bryophytes) benefited greatly from adding high‐resolution topographic predictors, indicating the importance of microtopographic heterogeneity for these groups. Both epiphytic lichens and herbs responded strongly to indicators of structural properties of the forest stand.ConclusionsHigh‐resolution remote sensing data is a proxy for micro‐environmental structures and variation in these structures. Our results show that predictors derived from such data can improve species richness models considerably, especially in regions with low climatic and/or topographic variation. High‐resolution remote sensing variables excellently complement coarser‐scaled predictors, as they are available over large areas at low cost.
Evaluation of mobile assessment in a learning management system
Authors: Bogdanović Zorica , Barać Dušan , Jovanić Branislav , Popović Snežana , Radenković Božidar 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article discusses the problem of using and delivering educational content from the Moodle learning management system to mobile devices. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the students' habits, motivations and technical possibilities in order to incorporate mobile‐learning activities in the e‐learning process. A mobile quiz has been chosen as an activity to be delivered on mobile devices. The developed mobile quiz application was integrated into Moodle. The application interface was tailored to various types of mobile devices aiming to foster mainstreaming of mobile technologies in e‐learning. For the purposes of the evaluation, an experiment was conducted within the e‐learning system at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, the University of Belgrade. Data were obtained from the students who attended e‐learning courses in the area of e‐business. Research findings have shown that integration of the mobile quiz application into Moodle improves students' results and increases satisfaction and motivation for using mobile devices in their learning process.
A Critical Examination of Mindblindness as a Metaphor for Autism
Authors: Dinishak Janette , Akhtar Nameera 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMetaphor—describing one thing in terms of another—is a common tool used to grasp what is unknown. Perhaps because we do not understand a lot about autism, many metaphors appear in both scientific and nonscientific descriptions of autism. The metaphor of mindblindness is especially pervasive in the scientific literature. We discuss three limitations of this metaphor: It obscures the fact that both autistic and non autistic individuals contribute to the social and communicative difficulties between them, it carries strong negative connotations, and it may impede the recognition that some autistic behaviors are meaningful and adaptive. Researchers should be mindful of the potential consequences of metaphors.
Concordance ofMRIlesions andEEGfocal slowing in children with nonsyndromic epilepsy
Authors: Noh Byoungho H. , Berg Anne T. , Nordli Douglas R. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeTo investigate the significance of electroencephalography (EEG) focal slowing in children with epilepsy and to determine the correlation between focal slowing and focal lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsWe reviewed 5,149EEGand 22,543MRIreports for children who visited our institution from 2000 to 2010. Patients with nonsyndromic epilepsy (n = 253) were divided into groups with: focal slowing without any interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) (group 1); focalIEDs without focal slowing (group 2); focal slowing and focalIED(group 3); and normal findings (group 4). Focal slowing andMRIlesions were categorized by location, side, and depth.Key FindingsWe foundMRIabnormalities in 59% of subjects in group 1, 56% in group 2, 74% in group 3, and 27% in group 4 (p < 0.0001). Cortical malformation (CM) was the most common pathology in groups with focal slowing. Focal slowing often correlated with the laterality of theMRIlesion (61–70%), but the location was concordant in only 40%. The associated lesions rarely were exclusively confined to the centrum semiovale (18%).SignificanceFocal slowing in children with epilepsy is highly associated with focal structural lesions onMRI, most commonlyCM, and usually involves multiple layers. Focal slowing, as well as focal interictal epileptiform activity, is an important and usefulEEGindicator of a brain structural abnormality in children with nonsyndromic epilepsy.
A conceptual framework for predicting temperate ecosystem sensitivity to human impacts on fire regimes
Authors: McWethy D. B. , Higuera P. E. , Whitlock C. , Veblen T. T. , Bowman D. M. J. S. , Cary G. J. , Haberle S. G. , Keane R. E. , Maxwell B. D. , McGlone M. S. , Perry G. L. W. , Wilmshurst J. M. , Holz A. , Tepley A. J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimThe increased incidence of large fires around much of the world in recent decades raises questions about human and non‐human drivers of fire and the likelihood of increased fire activity in the future. The purpose of this paper is to outline a conceptual framework for examining where human‐set fires and feedbacks are likely to be most pronounced in temperate forests world‐wide and to establish and test a methodology for evaluating this framework using palaeoecological records.LocationTasmania, north‐western USA, southern South America and New Zealand.MethodsWe outline a conceptual framework for predicting the sensitivity of ecosystems to human impacts on fire regimes and then use a circum‐Pacific comparison of existing historical reconstructions of fire, climate, human settlement and vegetation to evaluate this approach.ResultsPrevious research investigating important controls on fire activity shows that the sensitivity of temperate ecosystems to human‐set fires is modulated by the frequency of natural fire occurrence, fuel moisture and fuel type and availability. Palaeoecological data from four temperate regions suggest that the effects of anthropogenic burning are greatest where fire is naturally rare, vegetation is poorly adapted to fire and fuel biomass is abundant and contiguous. Alternatively, where fire activity is naturally high and vegetation is well adapted to fire, evidence of human influence on fire and vegetation is less obvious.Main conclusionsPalaeofire records suggest that the most dynamic and persistent ecosystem transitions occur where human activities increase landscape flammability through fire–vegetation feedbacks. Rapid forest transitions in biomass‐rich ecosystems such as New Zealand and areas of Tasmania and southern South America illustrate how landscapes experiencing few fires can shift past tipping points to become fire‐prone landscapes with new alternative stable state communities. Comparisons of palaeoecological data from different regions with similar biophysical gradients but different human settlement histories can provide new opportunities for understanding ecosystem vulnerability to fire–climate–human interactions.
Recurrences of hepatocellular carcinoma following complete remission by transarterial chemoembolization or radiofrequency therapy: Focused on the recurrence patterns
Authors: Park Wonhyeong , Chung Young‐Hwa , Kim Jeong A. , Jin Young‐Joo , Lee Don , Shim Ju Hyun , Lee Danbi , Kim Kang Mo , Lim Young‐Suk , Lee Han Chu , Lee Yung Sang , Kim Pyo Nyun , Sung Kyu Bo 
Published: January 2013

AimIn this study, we analyzed the rates and patterns of recurrences in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who had achieved complete remission (CR) by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and also examined the differences of recurrence patterns between TACE‐treated and RFA‐treated groups.MethodsWe followed 309 consecutive HCC patients who achieved CR following TACE (n = 220) or RFA (n = 89) for a median of 68 months. Recurrence patterns were classified as local recurrence and secondary tumor according to location of recurrence (≤2 cm and >2 cm from primary tumor).ResultsRecurred HCC had been found in 231 out of 309 patients (75%) with CR by TACE or RFA; 112 local recurrences (48%), 100 secondary tumor (43%) and 19 both (9%). The cumulative recurrence rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 22%, 64% and 79%, respectively. The overall recurrences at 1, 3 and 5 years following CR in the TACE‐treated group was not different from those in the RFA‐treated group (21%, 68% and 81% vs 26%, 56% and 84%, respectively; P = NS) However, the cumulative occurrence rates of local recurrence rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were significantly higher in the TACE‐treated group compared to the RFA‐treated group (15%, 53% and 65% vs 15%, 27% and 34%, respectively; P = 0.001).ConclusionRecurrence of HCC is very common, even following CR by TACE or RFA. Especially, local recurrences are very frequent in cases who achieved CR by TACE, which suggests that additional ablation therapy may be beneficial to prevent recurrences following CR by TACE.
Physicochemical and functional properties of chitosans affected by storage periods of crab leg shell
Authors: No Hong Kyoon , Youn Dal Kyoung , Byun Sung Mi , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon 
Published: January 2013

SummaryEffects of storage period (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months) of crab leg shell at room temperature on selected physicochemical and functional properties of E‐ and G‐chitosans, respectively, prepared from entire (E) and ground (G) shells were evaluated. Increased storage period of crab shell generally increased degree of deacetylation (DD) and viscosity, but decreased DPPH radical scavenging activity of both chitosans. Water‐binding (WBC) and fat‐binding (FBC) capacities of E‐chitosan were not affected by storage period of crab shell; however, those of G‐chitosan significantly increased when crab shell was stored for more than 1 month. Dye‐binding capacity (DBC) of both chitosans decreased when crab shell was stored for 1 month, but further decrease was not observed with increased storage period to 4 months. Prepared with 4‐month stored crab shell, E‐chitosan exhibited comparable viscosity, colour whiteness index, DPPH radical scavenging activity and DBC, but lower DD, WBC and FBC than G‐chitosan.
The effect of hydrogen peroxide bleaching of canola meal on product colour, dry matter and protein extractability and molecular weight profile
Authors: El‐Kadiri Ihsane , Khelifi Mohamed , Aider Mohammed 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to bleach canola meal by hydrogen peroxide to understand the treatment effect on product colour, dry matter and nitrogen extractability. Meal suspensions at 2.5%, 5% and 10% (w/v) were treated in 3, 6 and 10% H2O2 at pH 3, 7 and 10. The bleached meal was extracted under acidic and alkaline conditions. The results showed a high bleaching effectiveness of canola meal by H2O2. The L* parameter was increased from 47.18 ± 0.56 up to 86.80 ± 1.05. Effect of pH was significant and the highly bleached meal was obtained at pH 10. Extractability of dry matter was increased when the meal was treated with H2O2, from 26.87 ± 0.10% for the control meal up to 83.20 ± 0.59% for the meal treated in 10% H2O2 in a 2.5% (w/v) suspension. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a depolymerisation effect of H2O2 on the high molecular weight proteins.
Association of PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 Gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
Authors: Hashemi M. , Atabaki M. , Daneshvar H. , Zakeri Z. , Eskandari‐Nasab E. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryIn this study we aimed to evaluate the possible association of PTPN22 rs2476601 as well as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rs17337023 gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a sample of Iranian population. This case‐control study was performed on 120 patients with RA and 120 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 polymorphisms were determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (T‐ARMS‐PCR). The results showed that PTPN22 rs2476601 CT genotype as well as rs2476601 T allele was a risk factor for susceptibility to RA (OR=5.89 95%CI = 1.78–19.48, P = 0.004 and OR = 4.78, 95%CI = 1.59–14.35, P = 0.003, respectively). We also found that EGFR rs17337023 AT and rs17337023 TT genotypes were risk factor for susceptibility to RA (OR = 9.94 95%CI = 3.65–26.73, P < 0.001 and OR = 3.66, 95%CI = 1.46–9.15, P = 0.005, respectively). In addition the EGFR rs17337023 T allele was a risk for predisposition to RA (OR = 1.56, 95%CI=1.06‐2.30, P = 0.030). In conclusion, we found an association between PTPN22 rs2476601 and EGFR rs17337023 polymorphisms and the risk of RA in a sample of Iranian population.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia: systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kahokehr Arman , Vather Ryash , Nixon Anthony , Hill Andrew G. 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most frequent benign neoplasm in ageing men. Histological studies have shown that intraprostatic inflammatory infiltration is seen in 43–98% of BPH tissues. Preclinical investigations have shown inhibition of growth in the BPH cell line in vitro after treatment with NSAIDs.
This review provides evidence that NSAIDs result in improved symptoms and urinary flow associated with BPH. Further research and larger clinical trials are needed to assess the safety and long‐term impact of NSAID use in men with BPH. From the clinical viewpoint, the development of substances that can inhibit inflammatory changes in the hyperplastic prostate may provide new treatment strategies.
Objective
To assess the effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials.
Subjects
Men treated with NSAIDs in comparison with placebo or other BPH medications.
Methods
All aspects of the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement were followed. Trials were eligible for inclusion provided they (i) randomized men with BPH to receive NSAIDs in comparison with placebo or other BPH medications, and (ii) included clinical outcomes such as urological symptom scales, symptoms or urodynamic measurements. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager Version 5.0 software. Study weight was calculated by the inverse variances of the study effect estimates.
Results
In all, 183 men from three randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (lasting 4–24 weeks) were assessed. NSAIDs improved urinary symptom scores and flow measures. The weighted mean difference for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was −2.89 IPSS points (95% CI −3.84 to −1.95, P < 0.001, n = 3 studies). The weighted mean difference for peak urine flow was 0.89 mL/s (95% CI 0.21–1.58, P = 0.01, n = 3 studies) and for reported adverse effects was 1.51 (95% CI 0.66–3.43, P = 0.32, n = 3 studies,). All patients assigned to NSAIDs continued the treatment. There were no serious adverse effects and there were no withdrawals or losses to follow‐up.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that NSAIDs improve urinary symptoms and flow measures. Their long‐term effectiveness, safety and ability to prevent BPH complications are not known.
Effects of 12 weeks of tadalafil treatment on ejaculatory and orgasmic dysfunction and sexual satisfaction in patients with mild to severe erectile dysfunction: integrated analysis of 17 placebo‐controlled studies
Authors: Paduch Darius A. , Bolyakov Alexander , Polzer Paula K. , Watts Steven D. 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Disorders of ejaculation and orgasm are common, even in men with only mild erectile dysfunction (ED).
Treatment with the phosphodiesterase type‐5 inhibitor tadalafil was associated with improvements in ejaculatory and orgasmic function. Patients with residual ejaculatory or orgasmic dysfunction experience reduced sexual satisfaction. These findings need to be corroborated in further clinical trials involving men without ED.
Objectives
To compare effects of tadalafil on ejaculatory and orgasmic function in patients presenting with erectile dysfunction (ED).
To determine the effects of post‐treatment ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and orgasmic dysfunction (OD) on measures of sexual satisfaction.
Patients and Methods
Data from 17 placebo‐controlled 12‐week trials of tadalafil (5, 10, 20 mg) as needed in patients with ED were integrated.
EjD and OD severities were defined by patient responses to the International Index of Erectile Function, question 9 (IIEF‐Q9; ejaculation) and IIEF‐Q10 (orgasm), respectively.
Satisfaction was evaluated using the intercourse and overall satisfaction domains of the IIEF and Sexual Encounter Profile question 5.
Analyses of covariance were performed to compare mean ejaculatory function and orgasmic function, and chi‐squared tests evaluated differences in endpoint responses to IIEF‐Q9 and IIEF‐Q10.
Results
A total of 3581 randomized subjects were studied.
Treatment with tadalafil 10 or 20 mg was associated with significant increases in ejaculatory and orgasmic function (vs placebo) across all baseline ED, EjD, and OD severity strata.
In the tadalafil group, 66% of subjects with severe EjD reported improved ejaculatory function compared with 36% in the placebo group (P < 0.001).
Similarly, 66% of the tadalafil‐treated subjects (vs 35% for placebo; P < 0.001) with severe OD reported improvement.
Residual severe EjD and OD after treatment had negative impacts on sexual satisfaction.
Limitations of the analysis include its retrospective nature and the use of an instrument (IIEF) with as yet unknown performance in measuring treatment responses for EjD and OD.
Conclusions
Tadalafil treatment was associated with significant improvements in ejaculatory function, orgasmic function and sexual satisfaction.
Proportions of subjects reporting improved ejaculatory or orgasmic function were ≈ twofold higher with tadalafil than with placebo.
These findings warrant corroboration in prospective trials of patients with EjD or OD (without ED).