bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency, severity, and risk factors related to sexual dysfunction in Chinese women with T2D
Authors: Li Fan , Wang Yaqun , Xiao Lingfeng , Lou Qingqing , Fish Anne Folta 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to assess the frequency and severity of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in those with T2D (T2D) compared with non‐diabetic controls. In addition, risk factors for FSD were analyzed.MethodsSexual dysfunction, measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), was evaluated using a questionnaire in 184 women with T2D and 146 non‐diabetic controls at three study sites in China. In the T2D group, FSD was examined by education level, correlations between FSD and other variables were analyzed, and risk factors were studied.ResultsThe frequency of FSD in the T2D group was 75.0%, much higher than in the control group (56.2%; P = 0.001). The severity of FSD in the T2D group was 17.84 ± 8.47 (mean ± SD), significantly lower than in the control group (21.14 ± 8.08; P = 0.001). In patients with T2D, being older (P = 0.001), taking oral antidiabetic medications (P = 0.013), and having diabetic neuropathy (P = 0.036) were risk factors for FSD.ConclusionsThe rate of FSD is high in China and, as seen in the literature, more severe in diabetics than non‐diabetics. Being older, taking oral antidiabetic medications, and diabetic neuropathy are risk factors for FSD.
Azathioprine‐induced Sweet's syndrome: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: McNally Ashling , Ibbetson Jan , Sidhu Shireen 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe present three patients with azathioprine‐induced Sweet's syndrome (AISS) who attended our tertiary institution within a 12‐month period. Established associations exist between Sweet's syndrome and some medications; however, to date links to azathioprine are tentative. While there are case reports of AISS, most have occurred in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an underlying predisposition for Sweet's syndrome. Our case series adds to the evidence that the entity of AISS truly exists independent of confounding factors such as concurrent IBD.
Ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath to assess intracranial pressure changes after ventriculo‐peritoneal shunt surgery in children with hydrocephalus: a prospective observational study
Authors: Choi S.‐H. , Min K.‐T. , Park E.‐K. , Kim M.‐S. , Jung J.‐H. , Kim H. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe optic nerve sheath diameter has been verified by various clinical studies as a non‐invasive indicator of intracranial hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare the optic nerve sheath diameter before and immediately after ventriculo‐peritoneal shunt surgery in children with hydrocephalus. We analysed transorbital ultrasonographic images recorded after induction of anaesthesia and 30 min after shunt insertion in 34 children, measuring the optic nerve sheath diameters using a linear ultrasound probe. The mean (SD) optic nerve sheath diameters were 5.4 (0.6) mm (right) and 5.3 (0.7) mm (left) before surgery and 4.4 (0.5) mm (right) and 4.5 (0.7) mm (left) after surgery (p < 0.0001 for before and after comparisons for both eyes). The technique allows rapid and non‐invasive assessment of intracranial pressure to guide appropriate postoperative management.
Salsalate attenuates diet induced non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by decreasing lipogenic and inflammatory processes
Authors: Liang Wen , Verschuren Lars , Mulder Petra , van der Hoorn José W.A. , Verheij Joanne , van Dam Andrea D. , Boon Mariette R. , Princen Hans M.G. , Havekes Louis M. , Kleemann Robert , van den Hoek Anita M. 
Published: August 2015

Background and PurposeSalsalate (salicylsalicylic acid) is an anti‐inflammatory drug that was recently found to exert beneficial metabolic effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Although its utility in the prevention and management of a wide range of vascular disorders, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome has been suggested before, the potential of salsalate to protect against non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was therefore to ascertain the effects of salsalate on the development of NASH.Experimental ApproachTransgenic APOE*3Leiden.CETP mice were fed a high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet with or without salsalate for 12 and 20 weeks. The effects on body weight, plasma biochemical variables, liver histology and hepatic gene expression were assessed.Key ResultsSalsalate prevented weight gain, improved dyslipidemia and insulin resistance and ameliorated diet‐induced NASH, as shown by decreased hepatic microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis, reduced hepatic inflammation and reduced development of fibrosis. Salsalate affected lipid metabolism by increasing β‐oxidation and decreasing lipogenesis, as shown by the activation of PPAR‐α, PPAR‐γ co‐activator 1β, RXR‐α and inhibition of genes controlled by the transcription factor MLXIPL/ChREBP. Inflammation was reduced by down‐regulation of the NF‐κB pathway, and fibrosis development was prevented by down‐regulation of TGF‐β signalling.Conclusions and ImplicationsSalsalate exerted a preventive effect on the development of NASH and progression to fibrosis. These data suggest a clinical application of salsalate in preventing NASH.
The interplay between deformation, erosion and sedimentation in the deep‐water Mexican Ridges foldbelt, western Gulf of Mexico basin
Authors: Yarbuh Ismael , Contreras Juan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe analyse a regional 2D seismic section of the Mexican Ridges foldbelt (MRFB), western Gulf of Mexico, and construct excess‐area diagrams for each of the structures comprising the foldbelt to estimate shortening, the onset of folding and the degradation of the folded seafloor. From the chronostratigraphy, we derive rates of tectonic and superficial mass transport and illustrate how they change across the MRFB. The resulting tectonic transport in the MRFB is 11.8 km forming a train of twelve buckle folds above a detachment at a depth of ca. 6 s of two‐way travel time, with an average strain of ca. 10%. The fold train grew at a mean uplift rate of ca. 0.21 mm year−1. Cross‐sectional balancing demonstrates that shortening balances the down‐slip motion of the Quetzalcoatl extensional system (QES), suggesting that horizontal compaction, volume loss and other penetrative deformation mechanisms are negligible. By assuming steady‐state denudation, we are able to distinguish sediments derived locally from sediments transported from distant sources. The constant of mass diffusivity, a parameter controlling the degradation rate, is ca. 0.42 m2 year −1, which is characteristic of rapid, episodic, superficial mass movements. The combined sedimentation rate from both, local and distal sources is ca. 0.23 mm year −1. Those values are not constant; structures proximal to the continental shelf are rising rapidly and are being degraded more intensely than those in the distal part of the MRFB, where sedimentation outweighs tectonic uplift. Our results indicate deformation initiated up to 3 Myr earlier than estimated from stacking patterns. Moreover, we find deformation started synchronously during the Late Miocene throughout the MRFB and not in two episodes as the stacking relations suggest. The discrepancy can be explained by a delay in the sedimentary response to folding. During early fold growth, nearly constant thickness strata are deposited before a progressive unconformity and other converging geometries develop. The development of growth strata is fast in the folds near the QES, which are being uplifted rapidly and degraded vigorously. Under these conditions, the stratigraphic relations give only a broad estimate of the pretectonic/syntectonic limit when compared to the excess‐area method. On the other hand, the development of growth strata took twice as much time for folds near the abyssal plain, which are being uplifted at a slower rate and where degradation is less intense. Consequently, the delay takes more time, and the use of stratigraphic relations introduces an even more pronounced bias towards younger ages in the identification of the onset of folding.
Nickel and cobalt release from metal alloys of tools – a current analysis in Germany
Authors: Kickinger‐Lörsch Anja , Bruckner Thomas , Mahler Vera 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundThe former ‘EU Nickel Directive’ and, since 2009, the REACH Regulation (item 27 of Annex XVII) do not include all metallic objects. The nickel content of tools is not regulated by the REACH Regulation, even if they may come into in prolonged contact with the skin. Tools might be possible sources of nickel and cobalt sensitization, and may contribute to elicitation and maintenance of hand eczema.ObjectivesTo perform a current analysis of the frequency of nickel or cobalt release from new handheld tools purchased in Germany.MethodsSix hundred unused handheld tools from the German market were investigated with the dimethylglyoxime test for nickel release and with disodium‐1‐nitroso‐2‐naphthol‐3,6‐disulfonate solution for cobalt release.ResultsNickel release was detected in 195 of 600 (32.5%) items, and cobalt in only six (1%) of them. Positive nickel results were nearly twice as frequent in tools ‘made in Germany’ than in tools without a mark of origin. Tools made in other European countries did not release nickel. Cobalt release was only found in pliers and a saw. A correlation was found between price level and nickel release. Among toolkits, 34.2% were inhomogeneous concerning nickel release.ConclusionThe German market currently provides a large number of handheld tools that release nickel, especially tools ‘made in Germany’. For consumer protection, it seems appropriate to include handheld tools in the REACH Regulation on nickel.
The role of lymph node revealing solution on the improvement of lymph node harvest in colorectal cancer specimens
Authors: Profeta da Luz M. M. , Lacerda‐Filho A. , Demas Alvares Cabral M. M. , Maciel da Fonseca L. , de Almeida Araújo S. , de Almeida Sanches S. R. , Gomes da Silva R. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimThe correct analysis of lymph node status is one of the most important parameters for the accurate pathological diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the number of lymph nodes among the specimens obtained from colorectal resections due to colorectal cancer, before and after the routine use of a lymph node revealing solution (LNRS).MethodData from 780 surgical specimens from patients of both genders with colorectal cancer were studied. The cases were divided chronologically into two groups: the conventional group included 497 specimens treated with conventional methods, i.e. without the use of the LNRS (January 2000 to July 2007), and the LNRS group included 283 specimens examined through the routine use of this solution (August 2007 to July 2012).ResultsMost patients were female (57.4%) with a median age of 62 years. The median lymph node number was 18, and 75.9% of the cases (592) had 12 or more nodes dissected. Lymph node metastases were noted in 334 cases (42.8%). A median of 24 lymph nodes was dissected in the LNRS group compared to 15 in the conventional group (P < 0.001). The LNRS group had 9.2% of cases with fewer than 12 lymph nodes dissected compared with 32.6% in the conventional group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe use of the LNRS increases the number of lymph nodes obtained from colorectal cancer surgical specimens and can help to reduce the number of cases with < 12 lymph nodes.
Entry Points for Considering Ecosystem Services within Infrastructure Planning: How to Integrate Conservation with Development in Order to Aid Them Both
Authors: Mandle Lisa , Bryant Benjamin P. , Ruckelshaus Mary , Geneletti Davide , Kiesecker Joseph M. , Pfaff Alexander 
Published: August 2015

AbstractNew infrastructure is needed globally to support economic development and improve human well‐being. Investments that do not consider ecosystem services (ES) can eliminate these important societal benefits from nature, undermining the development benefits infrastructure is intended to provide. Such tradeoffs are acknowledged conceptually but in practice have rarely been considered in infrastructure planning. Taking road investments as one important case, here we examine where and what forms of ES information have the potential to meaningfully influence decisions by multilateral development banks (MDBs). Across the stages of a typical road development process, we identify where and how ES information could be integrated, likely barriers to the use of available ES information, and key opportunities to shift incentives and thereby practice. We believe inclusion of ES information is likely to provide the greatest development benefit in early stages of infrastructure decisions. Those strategic planning stages are typically guided by in‐country processes, with MDBs playing a supporting role, making it critical to express the ES consequences of infrastructure development using metrics relevant to government decision makers. This approach requires additional evidence of the in‐country benefits of cross‐sector strategic planning and more tools to lower barriers to quantifying these benefits and facilitating ES inclusion.
Network analysis of host–virus communities in bats and rodents reveals determinants of cross‐species transmission
Authors: Luis Angela D. , O'Shea Thomas J. , Hayman David T. S. , Wood James L. N. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Gilbert Amy T. , Mills James N. , Webb Colleen T. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBats are natural reservoirs of several important emerging viruses. Cross‐species transmission appears to be quite common among bats, which may contribute to their unique reservoir potential. Therefore, understanding the importance of bats as reservoirs requires examining them in a community context rather than concentrating on individual species. Here, we use a network approach to identify ecological and biological correlates of cross‐species virus transmission in bats and rodents, another important host group. We show that given our current knowledge the bat viral sharing network is more connected than the rodent network, suggesting viruses may pass more easily between bat species. We identify host traits associated with important reservoir species: gregarious bats are more likely to share more viruses and bats which migrate regionally are important for spreading viruses through the network. We identify multiple communities of viral sharing within bats and rodents and highlight potential species traits that can help guide studies of novel pathogen emergence.
The role of life history traits in mammalian invasion success
Authors: Capellini Isabella , Baker Joanna , Allen William L. , Street Sally E. , Venditti Chris 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWhy some organisms become invasive when introduced into novel regions while others fail to even establish is a fundamental question in ecology. Barriers to success are expected to filter species at each stage along the invasion pathway. No study to date, however, has investigated how species traits associate with success from introduction to spread at a large spatial scale in any group. Using the largest data set of mammalian introductions at the global scale and recently developed phylogenetic comparative methods, we show that human‐mediated introductions considerably bias which species have the opportunity to become invasive, as highly productive mammals with longer reproductive lifespans are far more likely to be introduced. Subsequently, greater reproductive output and higher introduction effort are associated with success at both the establishment and spread stages. High productivity thus supports population growth and invasion success, with barriers at each invasion stage filtering species with progressively greater fecundity.
Permafrost collapse alters soil carbon stocks, respiration,CH4, and N2O in upland tundra
Authors: Abbott Benjamin W. , Jones Jeremy B. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRelease of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost is potentially the largest terrestrial feedback to climate change and one of the most likely to occur; however, estimates of its strength vary by a factor of thirty. Some of this uncertainty stems from abrupt thaw processes known as thermokarst (permafrost collapse due to ground ice melt), which alter controls on carbon and nitrogen cycling and expose organic matter from meters below the surface. Thermokarst may affect 20–50% of tundra uplands by the end of the century; however, little is known about the effect of different thermokarst morphologies on carbon and nitrogen release. We measured soil organic matter displacement, ecosystem respiration, and soil gas concentrations at 26 upland thermokarst features on the North Slope of Alaska. Features included the three most common upland thermokarst morphologies: active‐layer detachment slides, thermo‐erosion gullies, and retrogressive thaw slumps. We found that thermokarst morphology interacted with landscape parameters to determine both the initial displacement of organic matter and subsequent carbon and nitrogen cycling. The large proportion of ecosystem carbon exported off‐site by slumps and slides resulted in decreased ecosystem respiration postfailure, while gullies removed a smaller portion of ecosystem carbon but strongly increased respiration and N2O concentration. Elevated N2O in gully soils persisted through most of the growing season, indicating sustained nitrification and denitrification in disturbed soils, representing a potential noncarbon permafrost climate feedback. While upland thermokarst formation did not substantially alter redox conditions within features, it redistributed organic matter into both oxic and anoxic environments. Across morphologies, residual organic matter cover, and predisturbance respiration explained 83% of the variation in respiration response. Consistent differences between upland thermokarst types may contribute to the incorporation of this nonlinear process into projections of carbon and nitrogen release from degrading permafrost.
Searching PubMed for a broad subject area: how effective are palliative care clinicians in finding the evidence in their field?
Authors: Damarell Raechel A. , Tieman Jennifer J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectivesHealth professionals must be able to search competently for evidence to support practice. We sought to understand how palliative care clinicians construct searches for palliative care literature in PubMed, to quantify search efficacy in retrieving a set of relevant articles and to compare performance against a Palliative CareSearch Filter (PCSF).MethodsIncluded studies from palliative care systematic reviews formed a test set. Palliative care clinicians (n = 37) completed a search task using PubMed. Individual clinician searches were reconstructed in PubMed and combined with the test set to calculate retrieval sensitivity. PCSF performance in the test set was also determined.ResultsMany clinicians struggled to create useful searches. Twelve used a single search term, 17 narrowed the search inappropriately and 8 confused Boolean operators. The mean number of test set citations (n = 663) retrieved was 166 (SD = 188), or 25% although 76% of clinicians believed they would find more than 50% of the articles. Only 8 participants (22%) achieved this. Correlations between retrieval and PubMed confidence (r = 0.13) or frequency of use (r = −0.18) were weak.ConclusionsMany palliative care clinicians search PubMed ineffectively. Targeted skills training and PCSF promotion may improve evidence retrieval.
Laparoscopic upper‐pole heminephrectomy for duplicated renal collecting system with superselective artery clamping using virtual partial nephrectomy analysis of Synapse Vincent: A case report
Authors: Yoshida Kenji , Kinoshita Hidefumi , Hayami Yutaro , Nakamoto Takahiro , Takayasu Kenta , Sugi Motohiko , Matsuda Tadashi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA 22‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with a duplicated renal collecting system with hydronephrosis and parenchymal loss in the upper pole of the left kidney. She underwent laparoscopic left upper‐pole nephrectomy. Although a complex hilar vascular anatomy was identified during the operation, preoperative three‐dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction using a three‐dimensional image analysis device (Synapse Vincent; Fuji Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) greatly helped to accurately identify the anatomical renal hilum. For further detail, virtual partial nephrectomy analysis using a Voronoi decomposition was used to visualize the area supplied by a selected arterial branch including the atrophic cleavage line. We controlled the bleeding with selective clamping and safely carried out upper‐pole heminephrectomy according to the preoperative plan.
Distributive Politics in Developing Federal Democracies: Compensating Governors for Their Territorial Support
Authors: González Lucas I. , Mamone Ignacio 
Published: August 2015

AbstractUsing original data from the period 1999–2011 on federal infrastructure investment for all subnational units in two federations, Argentina and Brazil, and a unitary nation, Colombia, this study shows that in developing federal countries with strong governors, presidents use nonearmarked transfers as a tool to compensate governors for sizable and secure territorial political support. The study argues that in these cases, resources do not make electoral power but chase it. In the unitary case, conversely, governors do not influence distributive politics. Variation also was found in the relevance of Congress, legislative overrepresentation, and programmatic criteria across cases. The article discusses possible reasons for these results and their implications for the comparative debate on distributive politics.
Influence of Nisin and Lauryl Arginine Ester Against Some Foodborne Pathogens in Recombined Feta and Processed Spread Cheese
Authors: Al‐Nemr Tareq M. , Mohamed Sameh E. , Barbabosa Alberto , Salem Abdelfattah Z.M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of nisin with lauryl arginine ester (LAE) or their combination by 1: 3 (w/w) on cheese preservation. The study was carried out against the most common foodborne pathogens in recombined feta cheese (RFC) and processed cheese spread (PCS). Combination of nisin with LAE has higher synergistic preservative effect on different widespread foodborne pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes and Escherichia coli compared with individual one. The most sensitive strain was E. coli with an effective minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 400 ppm, whereas the former spore‐forming bacterial strains were totally inhibited using 700 ppm from the combination, respectively. Synergistic combination blend was added by its recommended MIC (700 ppm) in the manufacture of both RFC and PCS. The results indicated that it is efficient enough to inhibit the growth of the most common foodborne pathogens in cheese after their storage for 7 days (RFC) and 30 days (PCS).Practical ApplicationsInhibiting the foodborne pathogens by the addition of lauryl arginine ester (LAE) and nisin together by 1: 3 (w/w) increased the cheese quality. However, the possibility of contamination of traditional cheese during the preservation in terms of food safety can be controlled by the addition of the two mentioned additives (i.e., LAE and nisin) and can be manufacture and distribute in the dairy industries.