bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergency Care and Health Systems: Consensus‐based Recommendations and Future Research Priorities
Authors: Calvello Emilie J. B. , Broccoli Morgan , Risko Nicholas , Theodosis Christian , Totten Vicken Y. , Radeos Michael S. , Seidenberg Phil , Wallis Lee 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe theme of the 14th annualAcademic Emergency Medicineconsensus conference was “Global Health and Emergency Care: A Research Agenda.” The goal of the conference was to create a robust and measurable research agenda for evaluating emergency health care delivery systems. The concept of health systems includes the organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, and/or maintain health. This article further conceptualizes the vertical and horizontal delivery of acute and emergency care in low‐resource settings by defining specific terminology for emergency care platforms and discussing how they fit into broader health systems models. This was accomplished through discussion surrounding four principal questions touching upon the interplay between health systems and acute and emergency care. This research agenda is intended to assist countries that are in the early stages of integrating emergency services into their health systems and are looking for guidance to maximize their development and health systems planning efforts.
Does news play an important role in the correction process of the accrual anomaly?
Authors: Kang Pyung K. , Palmon Dan , Yezegel Ari 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe examine whether the financial press plays an important role in the correction of the accruals anomaly. Using 83,016 Wall Street Journal news articles published during 1993–2006, we find that a significant fraction of abnormal returns associated with the accruals trading strategy is concentrated on news days. The clustering of returns on news announcements is consistent with the financial press revealing information valuable for the correction of accruals mispricing. Further, we find that earnings‐related news is more influential in the correction process than non‐earnings‐related news. Collectively, the results suggest that the financial press provides useful information to capital market participants.
Identification and genetic effect of a variable duplication in the promoter region of the cattle ADIPOQ gene
Authors: Zhang L. , Yang M. , Li C. , Xu Y. , Sun J. , Lei C. , Lan X. , Zhang C. , Chen H. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIn cattle, the ADIPOQ gene is located in the vicinity of the quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting marbling, the ribeye muscle area and fat thickness on BTA1. In our study, a novel variable duplication (NW_003103812.1:g.9232067_9232133dup) in the bovine ADIPOQ promoter region was identified and genotyped in seven Chinese cattle breeds. Using a reporter assay, we demonstrated that g.9232067_9232133dup decreased the basal transcriptional activity of the ADIPOQ gene in the 3T3‐L1 and C2C12 cells. Furthermore, g.9232067_9232133dup suppressed the mRNA expression of the gene in adipose and muscle tissues. An association analysis indicated that the incremental variable duplication was associated with body measurements.
Establishment of hemiparasitic Rhinanthus spp. in grassland restoration: lessons learned from sowing experiments
Authors: Mudrák Ondřej , Mládek Jan , Blažek Petr , Lepš Jan , Doležal Jiří , Nekvapilová Eliška , Těšitel Jakub 
Published: December 2013

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the factors limiting the establishment of hemiparasitic Rhinanthus spp., ecosystem engineers promoting diversity and stability of communities, in restoration of species‐rich meadows? How can these constraints be overcome?LocationCzech Republic, Central Europe.MethodsSowing of Rhinanthus seeds in grasslands of different history, biotic and abiotic properties accompanied by a variety of management practices. Followed by consequent monitoring of establishment and population dynamics and synthesis of relevant literature resources.ResultsAppropriate timing of seed sowing is needed for successful Rhinanthus introduction. Rhinanthus seeds must be sown at latest in November to break their dormancy (valid for Central European populations; might be different e.g. in oceanic regions). Rhinanthus is able to establish a viable population mainly in low‐ to moderately‐productive grasslands with biomass production below 500 g·DW·m−2. Its establishment is difficult in grasslands of higher productivity due to the effect of competition for light on the seedlings. Rhinanthus requires grasslands with appropriate management including mowing and removal of litter, if it accumulates. Otherwise, the litter layer strongly suppresses seedling establishment. Litter removal can allow establishment even in some productive communities such as stands of Calamagrostis epigejos. However, early mowing (i.e. mowing conducted before ripening of seeds) can lead to a strong decline or even local eradication of the hemiparasitic annuals. Soil conditions on the site of seed origin and the target site can play an important role, as indicated by failures of establishment of Rhinanthus originating from slightly acidic soils on sites with soil pH values around 8. Suitability of a given site for Rhinanthus introduction can be estimated on the basis of its species composition using the Beals index or less formal expert knowledge of local floristic associations of Rhinanthus spp. In the case of suitable conditions, sowing density of 200–500 seeds·m−2 should be sufficient for Rhinanthus establishment.ConclusionMowing or grazing, litter removal, proper timing of sowing, and use of the seeds from local seed sources should considerably increase probability of Rhinanthus successful introduction. However, stochastic events like adverse weather conditions or damage through herbivory make the prediction of introduction success difficult.
Functional diversity of ground‐layer plant communities in old‐growth and managed northern hardwood forests
Authors: Sabatini Francesco M. , Burton Julia I. , Scheller Robert M. , Amatangelo Kathryn L. , Mladenoff David J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractQuestionsDo ecological sorting processes and functional diversity of forest ground‐layer plant communities vary among mature (65–85‐yr‐old) even‐aged, managed uneven‐aged and old‐growth forest stands? How does functional diversity relate to environmental variables within stands?LocationNorthern temperate deciduous forests of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA.MethodsGround‐layer species cover and light availability were measured at each of four old‐growth, even‐aged second‐growth, and managed uneven‐aged stands (n = 12 stands total). We used mixed‐effect models and fourth‐corner analysis to assess relationships among forest structure, species traits and the three components of functional diversity (functional richness, evenness, divergence) based on 32 leaf, reproductive and whole plant traits from 111 species.ResultsWe identified differences in leaf phenology and morphology, life form and dispersal among stand types at the community level. Ground‐layer plant communities of even‐aged and uneven‐aged stands were at opposite ends of a spectrum of strategies aimed at tolerating stressful vs competitive environments, respectively. In even‐aged stands, communities were characterized by species adapted to relatively dark and closed conditions (heavy‐seeded tree saplings, spring ephemerals). In contrast, managed uneven‐aged stands were characterized by species with potential for quick returns on investment of nutrients and dry mass in leaves (i.e. early summer species with high specific leaf area, low leaf dry matter content and high phosphorus concentration). Old‐growth stands had fewer trait associations than managed stands, and were characterized by ferns and species with either ballistic or wind‐assisted seed dispersal. Functional diversity metrics were related in complex ways to light, management and soil texture. Managed stands had higher functional richness and divergence than old‐growth stands, which, instead, showed higher functional evenness.ConclusionsEven‐aged and managed stands support ground‐layer species with a distinct set of traits relative to those found in old‐growth forests. Although there is broad interest in uneven‐aged management as a means to restore the structures and functions of old‐growth forests, uneven‐aged management does not, at least initially, produce ground‐layer plant communities more similar to old‐growth forests than even‐aged management.
Female vulnerability for thyroid function abnormality in bipolar disorder: role of lithium treatment
Authors: Özerdem Ayşegül , Tunca Zeliha , Çımrın Dilek , Hıdıroğlu Ceren , Ergör Gül 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPrevious studies have provided evidence of subtle thyroid hormone metabolism abnormalities in patients with mood disorders. Although these studies are informative, the precise role of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis in bipolar disorder, especially in women, remains unclear. We sought to further corroborate thyroid function in patients with bipolar disorder in comparison to patients with other psychiatric, as well as non‐psychiatric, diagnoses.MethodsIn this retrospective, cross‐sectional, naturalistic study, serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in a total sample of 3,204 patients were compared. The study sample included patients with bipolar disorder (n = 469), unipolar depression (n = 615), and other psychiatric diagnoses (n = 999), patients from endocrinology clinics (n = 645), and patients from dermatology clinics (n = 476). Analyses were completed using two different normal ranges for TDH: a high normal range (0.4–5.0 μIU/mL) and a low normal range (0.3–3.0 μIU/mL).ResultsPatients with bipolar disorder showed significantly higher serum TSH levels compared to all other groups. In women, the rate of above normal range TSH was highest in patients with bipolar disorder for both high (5.0 μIU/mL; 12.1%) and low (3.0 μIU/mL; 30.4%) upper normal limits. In patients with bipolar disorder, serum TSH levels did not differ significantly between different mood states. In the lithium‐treated patients (n = 240), a significantly lower percentage of women (55.9%) compared to men (71.2%) fell within the 0.3–3.0 μIU/mL normal TSH window (p = 0.016). For the high normal range (0.4–5.0 μIU/mL), serum lithium levels above 0.8 mmol/L were associated with a significantly lower proportion of female patients (59.2%) falling within the normal range than male patients (88.9%). Non‐lithium treatment was not associated with a gender difference.ConclusionsOur findings show a higher rate of TSH abnormality in patients with bipolar disorder, particularly those taking lithium, compared to those with other psychiatric and medical conditions. Lithium‐associated thyroid dysregulation occurs more frequently in female patients. Using the low normal range TSH values at follow‐up can increase sensitivity in recognizing hyperthyroidism in lithium‐treated female patients, and help in preventing the development of subclinical hypothyroidism and an adverse course of illness.
Inhibition of inflammasome activation improves the impaired pattern of healing in genetically diabetic mice
Authors: Bitto Alessandra , Altavilla Domenica , Pizzino Gabriele , Irrera Natasha , Pallio Giovanni , Colonna Michele R , Squadrito Francesco 
Published: December 2013

Background and PurposeType 2 diabetes impairs the healing process because of an exaggerated and persistent inflammatory response, and an altered expression pattern of angiogenic molecules. We investigated the effects of inflammasome blockade in diabetes‐related wound‐healings defects, in genetically diabetic mice.Experimental ApproachAn incisional skin wound model was produced on the back of female diabetic C57BL/KsJ‐m +/+ Leptdb mice (db+/db+) and their normal littermates (db+/m+). Animals were treated daily with two inflammasome blocking agents, BAY 11‐7082 (20 mg·kg−1 i.p.), or Brilliant Blue G (BBG, 45.5 mg·kg−1 i.p.), or vehicle. Mice were killed on 3, 6 and 12 days after skin injury to measure expression of the NOD‐like receptor NLRP3, caspase‐1, VEGF, the inflammasome adapter protein apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and the chemokine CXCL12. Wound levels of IL‐1β and IL‐18 were also measured, along with histological assessments of wound tissue and the time to complete wound closure.Key ResultsDuring healing, the diabetic mice exhibited increased activation of NLRP3, caspase‐1, ASC, IL‐1β and IL‐18. They also showed a reduced expression of VEGF and CXCL12.Treatment with BAY 11‐7082 or BBG, to block activation of the inflammasome, decreased the levels of pro‐inflammatory molecules. Histological evaluation indicated that inflammasome blockade improved the impaired healing pattern, at day 12 in diabetic mice, along with a decreased time to complete skin healing.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese data strongly suggest that activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is one of the key contributors to the delayed healing of wounds in diabetic mice.
Clinical significance of small airway obstruction markers in patients with asthma
Authors: Gonem S. , Natarajan S. , Desai D. , Corkill S. , Singapuri A. , Bradding P. , Gustafsson P. , Costanza R. , Kajekar R. , Parmar H. , Brightling C. E. , Siddiqui S. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundThe role of small airway obstruction in the clinical expression of asthma is incompletely understood.ObjectiveWe tested the hypotheses that markers of small airway obstruction are associated with (i) increased asthma severity, (ii) impaired asthma control and quality of life and (iii) frequent exacerbations.MethodsSeventy‐four adults with asthma and 18 healthy control subjects underwent impulse oscillometry (IOS), multiple breath inert gas washout (MBW), body plethysmography, single‐breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake and spirometry. Patients completed the six‐point Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ‐6) and standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire [AQLQ(S)]. Asthma severity was classified according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment steps.ResultsThe putative small airway obstruction markers Sacin, resistance at 5 Hz minus resistance at 20 Hz (R5‐R20) and reactance area (AX) were not independently associated with asthma severity, control, quality of life or exacerbations. In contrast, markers of total (R5) and mean airway resistance of large and small airways (R20) were significantly higher in the severe asthma group compared with the mild–moderate group (0.47 vs. 0.37, P < 0.05 for R5; 0.39 vs. 0.31, P < 0.01 for R20). The strongest independent contributors to ACQ‐6 score were R20 and forced expiratory volume in one second (% pred.), and the strongest independent contributors to AQLQ(S) score were R20 and forced vital capacity (% pred.). A history of one or more exacerbations within the previous year was independently associated with R20.Conclusions and Clinical RelevancePreviously reported markers of small airway obstruction do not appear to be independently associated with asthma disease expression. In contrast, the IOS parameter R20, a marker of mean airway resistance of both large and small airways, appears to have independent clinical significance. These observations require confirmation in prospective longitudinal studies.
DFNB16 is a frequent cause of congenital hearing impairment: implementation of STRC mutation analysis in routine diagnostics
Authors: Vona B. , Hofrichter M.A.H. , Neuner C. , Schröder J. , Gehrig A. , Hennermann J.B. , Kraus F. , Shehata‐Dieler W. , Klopocki E. , Nanda I. , Haaf T. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIncreasing attention has been directed toward assessing mutational fallout of stereocilin (STRC), the gene underlying DFNB16. A major challenge is due to a closely linked pseudogene with 99.6% coding sequence identity. In 94 GJB2/GJB6‐mutation negative individuals with non‐syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL), we identified two homozygous and six heterozygous deletions, encompassing the STRC region by microarray and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. To detect smaller mutations, we developed a Sanger sequencing method for pseudogene exclusion. Three heterozygous deletion carriers exhibited hemizygous mutations predicted as negatively impacting the protein. In 30 NSHL individuals without deletion, we detected one with compound heterozygous and two with heterozygous pathogenic mutations. Of 36 total patients undergoing STRC sequencing, two showed the c.3893A>G variant in conjunction with a heterozygous deletion or mutation and three exhibited the variant in a heterozygous state. Although this variant affects a highly conserved amino acid and is predicted as deleterious, comparable minor allele frequencies (MAFs) (around 10%) in NSHL individuals and controls and homozygous variant carriers without NSHL argue against its pathogenicity. Collectively, six (6%) of 94 NSHL individuals were diagnosed with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations causing DFNB16 and five (5%) as heterozygous mutation carriers. Besides GJB2/GJB6 (DFNB1), STRC is a major contributor to congenital hearing impairment.
Comparison of three in vitro implant leakage testing methods
Authors: Al‐Jadaa Anas , Attin Thomas , Peltomäki Timo , Schmidlin Patrick R. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimsTo assess the accuracy and sensitivity in detecting implants leakage with a gas‐enhanced permeation test (GEPT) and to compare with a molecular‐ and a bacterial‐based leakage tests.Materials and methodsThree implants systems were tested (n = 20 per group): Nobel Biocare (NB), Astra Tech (AT) and Biomet 3i (B3i). Implants were mounted in PVC disks and were first tested for gas pressure change and infiltrated saline volume over 40 min. The same implants were then subjected to a molecular leakage evaluation using fluorescent Dextran for 28 days. After cleaning and sterilization, bacterial permeation (E. faecalis) was evaluated by selective media turbidity for another 28 days. Slopes in the pressure change and the perfused saline rate were used as a measure of leakage in the GEPT model and the times of positive events, that is, color change, after molecular and bacterial tests were recorded. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov/Shapiro–Wilk, Kruskal–Wallis H and Spearman's Rho tests (P < 0.05).ResultsThe gas and saline (ml) leakage values accounted for 0.85 ± 0.71 and 0.56 ± 0.50 ml (AT), 0.23 ± 0.030 and 0.12 ± 0.20 ml (NB) and 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0 ± 0 ml (B3i), respectively, and were significantly different from each other (P < 0.001). Slope in the pressure change over time showed a significant positive correlation with the collected saline solution (r = 0.91; P < 0.001). Molecular and bacterial leakage was positive at the same implants, which also showed increased leakage values in the GEPT setup. The development of positive events in the timeline of the bacterial leakage evaluation corresponded well to the GEPT leakage model.ConclusionThe GEPT proved to be a reliable method to quantify leakage. The B3i showed the best sealing among the tested systems.
First report: robotic pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Shin J. W. , Kim J. , Kwak J. M. , Hara M. , Cheon J. , Kang S. H. , Kang S. G. , Stevenson A. R. L. , Coughlin G. , Kim S. H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to present the feasibility and surgical outcome of robotic en bloc resection of the rectum and with prostate and seminal vesicle invaded by rectal cancer.MethodThe details of three consecutive cases involving male patients in their forties, with locally invasive low rectal cancers are presented. The da Vinci robotic system was used by experienced colorectal and urological surgeons to perform en bloc resection of the rectum, prostate and seminal vesicles.ResultsIn the first case, coloanal and vesico‐urethral anastomoses were performed, and the second included an end colostomy and vesico‐urethral anastomosis. The bladder and bulbar urethra were also removed en bloc in the third case, with robotic intracorporeal ileal conduit formation and end colostomy. There was no major complication postoperatively. In the second patient there was a minor leakage at the vesico‐urethral anastomosis. The third was readmitted the following week with a urinary infection which settled with intravenous antibiotics. In the first case, the circumferential resection margin was microscopically positive but the patient is currently free of recurrence after 14 months. In the second and third cases, all margins were clear.ConclusionThis the first report of the use of the da Vinci robotic system for pelvic exenteration in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer invading the prostate and seminal vesicles. The robot may have a potential role in selected patients requiring exenterative pelvic surgery particularly in men.
White Knights from the Gulf: Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment and the Evolution of German Industrial Finance
Authors: Haberly Daniel 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe period leading up to and following the global financial crisis has been characterized by rising global financial diversity and multipolarity, a process underscored by the growth of so‐called sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). To date there has not been any systematic examination of the interactions between this rising global financial diversity and national economic institutional diversity. Here I apply an institutional “comparative capitalisms” perspective to the analysis of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) SWF investment in German industry since the onset of the global financial crisis. The evidence demonstrates that a growing number of German industrial firms—particularly the major automotive firms at the heart of German industry—have recruited long‐term GCC SWF investment as an adaptive response to the stresses of financial restructuring, most importantly the appearance of hostile takeovers as a feature of the German corporate governance landscape. These patterns lend partial support to “varieties of capitalism” (VOC) arguments that institutional complementarity and comparative institutional advantage are likely to produce path dependent trajectories of national institutional evolution. They also lend partial support to critiques of VOC, emphasizing, on the one hand, the importance of the Polanyian “double movement” of market expansion and containment and, on the other, the transnational foundations of national institutional diversity. I conclude that to fully explain these patterns, both VOC theories of institutional complementarity and comparative advantage, and Polanyian theories of the double movement, must be grounded in a “generalized Darwinian” analysis of population‐level selection dynamics.