bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a new laparoscopic Foramen Epiploicum Mesh Closure (FEMC) technique in 6 horses
Authors: van Bergen T. , Wiemer P. , Bosseler L. , Ugahary F. , Martens A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyEpiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is, based on the number of reports in the literature, a relatively important life‐threatening cause of colic in horses that could be prevented by closing the epiploic foramen (EF) in horses at risk of developingEFE.ObjectivesTo describe the laparoscopic foramen epiploicum mesh closure (FEMC) technique and its outcome.Study designDescriptive experimental study.MethodsTheEFof 6 horses was closed with theFEMCtechnique. A diabolo‐shaped constructed mesh was introduced into the omental vestibule through theEFunder laparoscopic visualisation in the standing sedated horse. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded during the post operative period. Four weeks after the intervention, repeat laparoscopy was performed in all horses. Three horses were subjected to euthanasia one, 2 and 3 months after the intervention, and were examined on necropsy and histopathology. The remaining 3 horses were followed clinically for 6 months.ResultsThe 6FEMCprocedures were performed successfully in a median surgery time of 22 min (range 18–27 min). One horse was treated for large colon impaction in the immediate post operative period. On repeat laparoscopy at 4 weeks all 6EFswere closed and no undesired adhesions were identified. This was confirmed on gross and histopathological examination of the 3 horses that were subjected to euthanasia. The 3 remaining horses were clinically normal in the 6‐month post operative observation period.ConclusionsThisFEMCtechnique provides a fast, simple, reliable and safe procedure to obliterate theEFand may be useful in horses at risk forEFE.
If Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinusis ‘the most diverse vertebrate’, what is the lake charrSalvelinus namaycush?
Authors: Muir Andrew Michael , Hansen Michael Jay , Bronte Charles Richard , Krueger Charles Conrad 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTeleost fishes are prominent vertebrate models of evolution, illustrated among old‐world radiations by the Cichlidae of East African Great Lakes and new‐world radiations by the circumpolar Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinus. Herein, we describe variation in lake charrS. namaycushmorphology, life history, physiology and ecology, as another example of radiation. The lake charr is restricted to northern North America, where it originated from glacial refugia and diversified in large lakes. Shallow and deepwater morphs arose in multiple lakes, with a large‐bodied shallow‐water‘lean’morph in shallow inshore depths, a small‐bodied mid‐water ‘humper’ morph on offshore shoals or banks, a robust, large‐bodied moderate to deep‐water ‘redfin’; morph and a large‐bodied deep‐water ‘siscowet’ morph at depths > 100 m. Eye position, gape size, and gillraker length and spacing adapted for feeding on different‐sized prey, with piscivorous morphs (leans, siscowets and presumably redfins) reaching larger asymptotic size than invertivorous morphs (humpers). Lean morphs are light in colour, whereas deepwater morphs are drab and dark, although the pattern is reversed in dark tannic lakes. Morphs shift from benthic to pelagic feeding at a length of 400–490 mm. Phenotypic differences in locomotion, buoyancy and lipid metabolism evolved into different mechanisms for buoyancy regulation, with lean morphs relying on hydrodynamic lift and siscowet morphs relying on hydrostatic lift. We suggest that theSalvelinusgenus, rather than the speciesS. alpinus, is a diverse genus that should be the subject of comparative studies of processes causing divergence and adaptation among member species that may lead to a more complete evolutionary conceptual model.
Raphe serotonin neuron‐specific oxytocin receptor knockout reduces aggression without affecting anxiety‐like behavior in male mice only
Authors: Pagani J. H. , Williams Avram S. K. , Cui Z. , Song J. , Mezey É. , Senerth J. M. , Baumann M. H. , Young W. S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSerotonin and oxytocin influence aggressive and anxiety‐like behaviors, though it is unclear how the two may interact. That the oxytocin receptor is expressed in the serotonergic raphe nuclei suggests a mechanism by which the two neurotransmitters may cooperatively influence behavior. We hypothesized that oxytocin acts on raphe neurons to influence serotonergically mediated anxiety‐like, aggressive and parental care behaviors. We eliminated expression of the oxytocin receptor in raphe neurons by crossing mice expressing Cre recombinase under control of the serotonin transporter promoter (Slc6a4) with our conditional oxytocin receptor knockout line. The knockout mice generated by this cross are normal across a range of behavioral measures: there are no effects for either sex on locomotion in an open‐field, olfactory habituation/dishabituation or, surprisingly, anxiety‐like behaviors in the elevated O and plus mazes. There was a profound deficit in male aggression: only one of 11 raphe oxytocin receptor knockouts showed any aggressive behavior, compared to 8 of 11 wildtypes. In contrast, female knockouts displayed no deficits in maternal behavior or aggression. Our results show that oxytocin, via its effects on raphe neurons, is a key regulator of resident‐intruder aggression in males but not maternal aggression. Furthermore, this reduction in male aggression is quite different from the effects reported previously after forebrain or total elimination of oxytocin receptors. Finally, we conclude that when constitutively eliminated, oxytocin receptors expressed by serotonin cells do not contribute to baseline anxiety‐like behaviors or maternal care.
Writing, the Feminine and Organization
Authors: Pullen Alison , Rhodes Carl 
Published: February 2015

SummaryWe consider how genre and gender are implicated in academic writing about work organizations, noting that masterful, rational and penetrating masculine forms have long been dominant. The result is the privileging of a masculine style of writing that has come to be seen both as gender neutral and mandatory. This has served both to marginalize women's writing and to disable men's femininity. To subvert and undermine this, we consider the possibilities of a feminine writing of organization that defies rational categorization so as to enable a multitude of affectual voices and texts to cross over from exclusion. This creates a space where feminine writing can be encouraged and published and where issues surrounding the feminine can flourish.
Three‐day versus five‐day somatostatin infusion combination with endoscopic variceal ligation in the prevention of early rebleeding following acute variceal hemorrhage: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chitapanarux Taned , Ritdamrongthum Phuripong , Leerapun Apinya , Pisespongsa Pises , Thongsawat Satawat 
Published: February 2015

AimCombined pharmacological and endoscopic therapy is recommended for initial treatment of acute variceal bleeding (AVB). The optimal duration of therapy with a vasoactive agent is not well established. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 3‐day and 5‐day somatostatin treatment in the prevention of early rebleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL).MethodsIn a double‐blind, prospective trial, cirrhotic patients with AVB who underwent EVL were randomly assigned to receive a continuous infusion of somatostatin for either 3 days or 5 days.ResultsA total of 95 patients were enrolled; 50 patients in the 3‐day group and 45 patients in the 5‐day group after initial hemostasis by combination therapy with somatostatin and EVL. Both groups were comparable in terms of baseline data. Very early and early rebleeding within 5 days and 42 days occurred in one and three patient (2%, 6%) in the 3‐day group and three and two patients (6.67%, 4.45%) in the 5‐day group (P = 0.342, 0.735), respectively. Overall, eight patients died (three from variceal rebleeding and five from causes other than variceal bleed); four (8%) in the 3‐day group and four (8.89%) in the 5‐day group (P = 0.876). Multivariate analysis revealed that none of the factors was a predictor of rebleeding. No serious side‐effects and complications were observed.ConclusionA 3‐day course of somatostatin is as effective as a 5‐day course for the control of variceal bleeding and prevention of early rebleeding when used as combination therapy with EVL.
Phase 1 and pharmacological trial of OPB‐31121, a signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 inhibitor, in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Okusaka Takuji , Ueno Hideki , Ikeda Masafumi , Mitsunaga Shuichi , Ozaka Masato , Ishii Hiroshi , Yokosuka Osamu , Ooka Yoshihiko , Yoshimoto Ryo , Yanagihara Yasuo , Okita Kiwamu 
Published: February 2015

AimTo evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of OPB‐31121, a signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 inhibitor, in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsHCC patients of Child–Pugh A or B who progressed on, or were intolerant to, sorafenib were eligible for this phase 1 trial. We used a standard 3 + 3 dose‐escalation design with a 28‐day cycle at dose levels of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/day. Tumor responses were assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.ResultsTwenty‐four patients were enrolled, of whom 23 received OPB‐31121 (20 males; median age, 65 years). The most common adverse drug reactions were nausea (87.0%), vomiting (82.6%), diarrhea (69.6%), fatigue/malaise (52.2%), anorexia (47.8%) and peripheral sensory neuropathy (26.1%). The recommended dose for OPB‐31121 was determined to be 200 mg. Six patients had stable disease for 8 weeks or more, resulting in disease control rates of 25.0–42.9%. In the 200‐mg dose cohort, three of seven patients had stable disease and a median time to progression of 61.0 days. The maximum concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve of OPB‐31121 were dose proportional.ConclusionOPB‐31121 demonstrated insufficient antitumor activity for HCC. Furthermore, peripheral nervous system‐related toxicities may negatively affect long‐term administration of OPB‐31121. Therefore, it was deemed difficult to continue the clinical development of OPB‐31121 for treating advanced HCC and further investigation is expected in the agent with favorable profile in this category.
Getting involved in international development activities: UK initiatives and hidden benefits
Authors: Cheeseborough Jackie , Godbolt Shane , Grant Maria J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractJackie Cheeseborough and Shane Godbolt describe the role that UK health information professionals have in global health and in supporting colleagues from developing countries to continue to develop as a provision. They give an overview of a range of organisations working to improve access to health information in developing countries and in particular Sub‐Saharan Africa including Book Aid International, HIFA, INASP, ITOCA, Phi, TALC, THET and Research4Life. Even in a recession, many UK health librarians are choosing to get involved in international development activities in low‐resource countries by volunteering, and discovering hidden benefits for their own organisations, and their own continuing professional development.
The effect of alcohol consumption on periodontitis in older Danes
Authors: Hach M , Holm‐Pedersen P , Adegboye ARA , Avlund K 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the association of alcohol consumption measured at different points in time and periodontitis at 20 years follow‐up and to investigate whether long‐term alcohol consumption is related to periodontitis in old age.DesignParticipants aged 65 years or older in 2003, from the longitudinal study Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS), were invited to participate in the Copenhagen Oral Health Senior Study.MethodsClinical periodontal attachment loss was calculated to determine the progress of periodontitis. Alcohol consumption was measured at CCHS follow‐ups in 1981–1983, 1991–1994 and 2001–2003, using a standard questionnaire. Alcohol consumption was defined as light, moderate and heavy drinking and used individually for each follow‐up. The three follow‐ups were summarized into long‐term alcohol consumption. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relation between alcohol consumption measured at different points in time and periodontitis and to assess the effect of long‐term alcohol consumption on periodontitis.ResultsThe results show that heavy drinkers in 1981–1983 had a higher odds ratio for having periodontitis compared to light drinkers (OR = 4.64 95% CI = [1.1; 19.42]).ConclusionEarly consumption of alcohol may increase the odds of having periodontitis 20 years later. There is a need for further studies including larger populations to investigate both alcohol consumption measured at different points in time, and long‐term alcohol consumption and periodontitis progression over time.
Shopping and virtual communities for consumers with physical disabilities
Authors: Annett‐Hitchcock Kate , Xu Yingjiao 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the use of virtual communities for clothing shopping by consumers with physical disabilities, and to explore the role that these communities play in their clothing shopping experiences. An international virtual community created for consumers with disabilities was identified using keywords through search engine directories. The content of discussion forums was identified and analysed with the assistance of the qualitative research software tool, QSR NVivo 9.0. The content was coded to allow categories and themes to emerge. Thirty‐one categories, which were dispersed between three major themes (self, product, market), emerged from data analysis. In the discussions, various communication channels and social media sites were mentioned, and users enhanced their discussion topics with a photograph of a product or an Internet link, providing further assistance to peers. Consumers also shared personal information, such as life experiences. The results of this study may provide significant implications to retailers in their efforts to target these consumers, in various areas including product development, branding, marketing, customer relationship and managerial strategies. There may also be relevance for development of other consumer goods and sales to other target markets. Using online discussion forums to probe for product development and brand ideas has not been widely addressed, nor has the information search process for people with disabilities. The use of QSR NVivo software is new for a study such as this and should be explored in greater depth for future research with this type of data.
Vendor Hygienic Practices and Consumer Perception of Food Safety during the Carnival festival on the island of Tobago, West Indies
Authors: Franklyn Sherrae , Badrie Neela 
Published: February 2015

AbstractLocal festivals are usually the highlights on the small island, Tobago, West Indies. The street vendors capitalized on the Carnival season where they provide a variety of foods and beverages on‐demand for masqueraders and spectators. Therefore, this study examined food safety and hygienic practices by vendors and consumer perception of such practices at the Carnival festivals in Tobago. Standard structured questionnaires and observational checklists were compiled and administered to 50 vendors and 150 consumers at five Carnival events. Each vendor was observed for frequency of practices for 15–20 min. Consumers were sampled systematically (every fifth person encountered) at each event. The vendors examined were generally female (70.0%), 41–50 years old (34.0%), possessed less than primary education (36.0%), acquired more than 5 years of experience (44.0%) and were stationary (78.0%). The most common food prepared and sold was hot dog (36.0% of all sold foods). Educated vendors practised good personal hygiene and on‐site food handling, whereas the others performed improper practices such as absence of aprons and hair covering, wearing of jewellery and handling money while serving. Also, vendors displaying valid food badges generally practised more proper personal hygiene and food handling than those without badges. The majority of the consumers examined were residents of Tobago (80.0%), female (74.7%), 21–30 years old (39.3%) and possessed secondary education (53.3%). More than half of the consumers purchased foods at Carnival events (57.3%). Most (82.7%) who did not purchase stored foods in coolers. More than half (58.0%) had seen or read Carnival food safety articles in the local newspapers and most (96.0%) were aware that illnesses can be transmitted via consumption of food. Additionally, 42 out of 74 respondents (56.8%), who indicated that they were affected by foodborne illness, sought medical help when foodborne illness was suspected. However, a mere 13 out of 74 consumers (17.6%), who indicated that they were affected by foodborne illness, lodged reports of suspected foodborne illness with the local health authority. Younger consumers (21–30 years old) mostly read food safety articles and were conscious of illness being transmitted via consumption of food. In addition, the more educated consumers (tertiary education) indicated awareness as well as formal reporting of foodborne illness. Some gaps in vendor practices included handling of money while serving (78.0%), failure to clean utensils (68.0%) and access to water (48.0%). Noteworthy, only visual observation and interviews were utilized in the study.
Enhancing youth's attitudes towards microcredit in the bottom of the pyramid markets
Authors: Jebarajakirthy Charles , Lobo Antonio , Hewege Chandana 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe bottom of the pyramid (BOP) market comprises a huge customer size of approximately 4 billion globally; hence, segmentation is necessary within this market. The BOP market refers to an aggregate of customers who survive on relatively low‐income levels. In this respect, youth in war‐affected regions can be considered to be a segment of the BOP market. However, there is scant research on customers' attitudes and purchase behaviours in the BOP markets or segments therein. Hence, the purpose of this research is to investigate war‐affected youth's attitudes towards microcredit and the related drivers of these attitudes. The literature revealed four types of attitudes towards microcredit: positive affect, perceived benefits, perceived deterrents and default risk perceptions. Also, knowledge of microcredit and entrepreneurial desire were considered to be the drivers of these attitudes. A total of 795 valid completed surveys were collected from youth aged 18 and above who live in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The findings revealed that positive affect enhanced intentions to obtain microcredit, whereas perceived deterrents reduced them. Knowledge of microcredit enhanced attitudes towards microcredit. Also, entrepreneurial desire enhanced the association between positive affect and intentions to obtain microcredit and it decreased the negative association between perceived deterrents and intentions to obtain microcredit. The implications to theory and practice have been discussed which will go a long way in enhancing the attitudes towards microcredit among war‐affected youth and possibly those in the other segments of the BOP market.
Multiple interior steady states in the Ramsey model with elastic labor supply
Authors: Kamihigashi Takashi 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn this paper we show that multiple interior steady states are possible in the Ramsey model with elastic labor supply. In particular, we establish the following three results: (i) for any discount factor and production function, there is a utility function such that a continuum of interior steady states exist; (ii) the number of interior steady states can also be any finite number; and (iii) for any discount factor and production function, there is a utility function such that there is no interior steady state. Some numerical examples are provided.
Social awareness and price competition
Authors: Ben Elhadj Nada , Gabszewicz Jean J. , Tarola Ornella 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHuman actions are often guided both by individual rationality and by social norms. In this paper we explore how market competition values the variants of a product, when these variants embody at different levels the requirements derived from some social norm. In a model where preferences of consumers depend partially on the levels of compliance of the variants with the social norm, we characterize the equilibrium path along which firms choose sequentially their level of compliance and their price.
Screening grape seeds recovered from winemaking by‐products as sources of reducing agents and mammalian α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitors
Authors: Lavelli Vera , Sri Harsha Pedapati S. C. , Fiori Luca 
Published: February 2015

SummaryGrape seeds collected from vinification of various grape varieties were extracted by supercritical CO2 for oil recovery. The defatted residues thus obtained were considered as a re‐utilisable co‐product and assessed for phenolic content, reducing capacity and inhibitory activities against mammalian α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase enzymes. Supercritical CO2 treatment led to higher recovery of anthocyanins. Reducing capacity of phenolic extracts reached up to ~2200 mmolFe(II) kg−1, much higher than that of various natural phenolic sources. The anthocyanin‐rich extracts showed the highest inhibitory effectiveness towards α‐glucosidase (I50 value equal to ~40 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL ~ half than acarbose). Inhibitory effectiveness towards α‐amylase activity was similar among grape varieties, with I50 values comparable to that of acarbose and correlated with proanthocyanidin contents. These results could pave the way for an efficient processing of grapes, including cascade processes, namely: winemaking, oil extraction from recovered grape seeds and phenolic extraction from defatted grape seeds as potential cost‐effective nutraceuticals.
Role of the functional MNS16A VNTR‐243 variant of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in progression and response to therapy of patients with non‐Hodgkin's B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Wysoczanska B. , Wrobel T. , Dobrzynska O. , Mazur G. , Bogunia‐Kubik K. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryMNS16A is a functional polymorphic tandem repeat within the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. To investigate whether any of the MNS16A repeats represents a genetic risk factor for NHL susceptibility, progression of or response to therapy in 75 patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and 126 healthy individuals were genotyped using the PCR‐VNTR technique. A slightly higher frequency of the MNS16A VNTR‐243 variant was detected among patients who did not respond to treatment (NR) as compared to patients with complete or partial remission (0.83 vs. 0.51, P = 0.055). NR patients more frequently developed aggressive than indolent type of the disease (0.92 vs. 0.41, P = 0.001). The VNTR‐243 allele was more frequently detected among patients with an intermediate–high/high International Prognostic Index (IPI 3–4) score (P = 0.063), especially in patients with advanced age and IPI 3–4 (P = 0.040). In multivariate analysis, higher IPI 3–4 score (OR = 11.364, P = 0.051) and aggressive type of the disease (OR = 18.182, P = 0.012) were found to be independent genetic markers associated with nonresponse to treatment. Presence of the MNS16A VNTR‐243 variant also strongly tended to affect the risk of a less favourable response to therapy and was more frequently present among nonresponders (OR = 5.848, P = 0.059). Genetic variation within the hTERT gene may affect the progression and treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders.