bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rights of People with Intellectual Disability in Cyprus: Policies and Practices Related to Greater Social and Educational Inclusion
Authors: Symeonidou Simoni 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is the framework for national policies and practices that respect the rights of people with disabilities. UN and European human rights entities produce reports that could be used by advocacy groups, such as organizations for people with disabilities, to hold governments accountable for their commitment to international law. This paper focuses on the extent to which policies and practices concerning the education and independent living of people with intellectual disability in Cyprus allow for the full enjoyment of rights under Articles 19 and 24 of the UNCRPD. Data were gathered through a systematic web search for documents of local, international, and European bodies, covering the period April 2007 to July 2014. Documents reviewed included annual reports, country reports, legislative documents, conference papers, and newspaper articles. Findings show that the Republic of Cyprus has not taken significant measures to implement Articles 19 and 24 of the UNCRPD. Existing policies and practices greatly restrict people with intellectual disability from exercising their human rights and fail to promote social and educational inclusion. The study raises questions about the essential nature of policies and practices for people with intellectual disability that may inform the debate in other national contexts.
Skin‐injured Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are more Susceptible to Vibrio anguillarum Infection
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Wu Haizhen , Liu Qin , Wang Qiyao , Xiao Jingfan , Zhang Yuanxing 
Published: June 2015

AbstractVibrio anguillarum, which is part of normal microflora on fish, is the causative agent of vibriosis in aquaculture. It is speculated that V. anguillarum does not affect the host in most situations, but can cause a severe disease once the host is compromised. In the study reported herein, skin‐injured and intestine‐injured zebrafish, Danio rerio, were established as a model to mimic the natural infection caused by V. anguillarum when fish suffered an injury to a mucosal surface. Our results showed the lethal dose to 50% of the population (LD50) of skin‐injured zebrafish was 6.8 × 103 colony‐forming unit (CFU)/mL, which was much lower than intestine‐injured zebrafish (1.9 × 106 CFU/mL) or non‐injured zebrafish (5.5 × 106 CFU/mL). With the quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis, we found that V. anguillarum proliferated rapidly in the skin and muscle after the bacteria entered into the host via the skin injury. The bacteria were subsequently transported to the immune organs and then caused a systemic infection in the fish. However, mortality of skin‐injured zebrafish significantly decreased if the fish were allowed to heal. These results indicate that minimizing injury to the mucosal surfaces of fish, especially the skin, will reduce infections caused by V. anguillarum.
DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide) Toxicity to Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Sac Fry
Authors: Mischke Charles C. , Tucker Craig S. , Wise David J. , Brown Travis W. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe combination of open facilities, moisture, and warm weather during channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, spawning season causes mosquito‐infestation problems. A common solution to mosquito problems in hatcheries is to use mosquito repellents applied to exposed skin and clothing. DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide) is the active ingredient in most personal insect repellents. We determined the 24‐h acute toxicity of DEET to channel catfish fry. The toxicity test consisted of 10 sac fry in three replications of six concentrations (range: 157–478 μL/L) and a control. In addition to toxicity testing, a trial was conducted to determine the amount of active ingredient dispensed from two different applicators: a pump sprayer and an aerosol can. The 24‐h lethal concentration (LC10) was 274 ppm, and the 24‐h LC50 was 345 ppm. The concentration required to kill 50% of the organisms was above the 100 ppm threshold to be considered practically non‐toxic. The pump sprayer (98.11% active ingredient) dispensed 113.3 ± 0.57 mg (mean ± SEM) active ingredient per pump. The aerosol can (30% active ingredient) dispensed 526.8 ± 6.71 mg (mean ± standard error mean [SEM]) active ingredient per second. In hatcheries where air movement by fans is not sufficient to control mosquitoes, using insect repellent products containing DEET should be safe.
Dietary Oil Sources on the Innate Immunity and Resistance of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to Streptococcus agalactiae Challenge
Authors: Ferreira Milena W. , Costa Diego V. da , Leal Carlos A. G. , Figueiredo Henrique C. P. , Rosa Priscila V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe effect of different dietary oil sources on the innate immunity and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to Streptococcus agalactiae infection were evaluated. Fish were fed with diets containing different lipid sources (soybean oil [SO], corn oil, linseed oil [LO], fish oil [FO], and olive oil [OO]). Fish fed SO presented the highest (P < 0.05) hematocrit and serum protein. LO and FO diets increased (P < 0.05) the erythrocyte resistance to osmotic lysis in comparison with other treatments. Fish fed OO showed the highest (P < 0.05) iron‐binding capacity and the lowest serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities (P < 0.05). No difference (P > 0.05) was found between diets in alternative complement activity. Fish fed the SO diet had the highest (P < 0.05) survival rate against S. agalactiae challenge. In conclusion, diets with LO oil and FO, rich in ω‐3 fatty acids, and OO, rich in ω‐9 fatty acids, have an immunomodulatory effect in Nile tilapia juveniles. The use of SO in the Nile tilapia diet improved immune function and resistance against S. agalactiae.
The Effects of Biomass Density on Size Variability and Growth Performance of Juvenile Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides, in a Semi‐closed Recirculating System
Authors: Park Jeonghwan , Renukdas Nilima , Luna Trevor , Roy Luke A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of biomass density on size variability and growth performance of feed‐trained largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, fingerlings in a semi‐closed recirculating system for 60 d. Average individual body weight and length of fingerlings were 9.04 g and 9.07 cm, respectively. Experimental biomass densities were set at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 kg/m3. Water temperature was adjusted to approximately 25 C and dissolved oxygen concentration was maintained above saturation. Fish were fed a formulated diet (42% protein) distributed by automatic feeders for 12 h daily. During the experiment, fingerlings actively fed and presented high survival rates (96.8–95.0%) at all densities. Growth performance of fingerlings was not affected by the biomass densities tested in this study (P < 0.05). The ranges of size distributions were similar among treatments, but more fingerlings were near the average size at lower biomass densities. Based on the results of this study, largemouth bass fingerlings were tolerant of high biomass density and a gross yield of 100–125 kg/m3 may be viable for largemouth bass reared in a semi‐closed recirculating system up to 30 g in weight.
Effect of Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth and Body Composition of Spotted Halibut, Verasper variegatus
Authors: Lv Yunyun , Chang Qing , Chen Siqing , Yu Chaolei , Qin Bo , Wang Zhijun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA 83‐d feeding experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of spotted halibut, Verasper variegatus (initial average weight of 93.0 ± 1.0 g). Nine diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (40, 45, and 50%), each with three lipid levels (8, 12% and 16%). Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish per tank in the indoor culture system. Results showed that the survival rate of fish was not significantly affected by protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake (FI) significantly decreased with the increasing dietary lipid levels (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency significantly increased while the feed conversion ration significantly decreased with increasing dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). Weight gain, SGR, FI, and feed efficiency of fish fed 50% protein and 8% lipid were significantly higher than that of the other groups. For each level of dietary lipid, the increase in dietary protein resulted in significant increases in whole‐body crude protein (CP) contents (P < 0.05); the increase in dietary lipid caused significant increases in whole‐body crude lipid content and gross energy at each protein level (P < 0.05). The muscle CP, lipid, and gross energy had the same tendency. The results of this study indicated that increasing dietary lipid levels did not result in a protein‐sparing effect. It could be recommended that the proper dietary protein and lipid levels of spotted halibut were 50 and 8%, respectively.
Nonoptimal codon usage influences protein structure in intrinsically disordered regions
Authors: Zhou Mian , Wang Tao , Fu Jingjing , Xiao Guanghua , Liu Yi 
Published: June 2015

SummarySynonymous codons are not used with equal frequencies in most genomes. Codon usage has been proposed to play a role in regulating translation kinetics and co‐translational protein folding. The relationship between codon usage and protein structures and the in vivo role of codon usage in eukaryotic protein folding is not clear. Here, we show that there is a strong codon usage bias in the filamentous fungus Neurospora. Importantly, we found genome‐wide correlations between codon choices and predicted protein secondary structures: Nonoptimal codons are preferentially used in intrinsically disordered regions, and more optimal codons are used in structured domains. The functional importance of such correlations in vivo was confirmed by structure‐based codon manipulation of codons in the Neurospora circadian clock gene frequency (frq). The codon optimization of the predicted disordered, but not well‐structured regions of FRQ impairs clock function and altered FRQ structures. Furthermore, the correlations between codon usage and protein disorder tendency are conserved in other eukaryotes. Together, these results suggest that codon choices and protein structures co‐evolve to ensure proper protein folding in eukaryotic organisms.
Microvascular inflammation in early protocol biopsies of renal allografts in cases of chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection
Authors: Tsuji Takahiro , Yanai Mitsuru , Itami Hiroe , Ishii Yasushi , Akimoto Mayuko , Fukuzawa Nobuyuki , Harada Hiroshi , Fukasawa Yuichiro 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimChronic active antibody‐mediated rejection (chronic ABMR) is one important cause of late‐stage renal allograft loss. However, few reports have used protocol biopsy to observe changes over time in cases that develop chronic ABMR. The aim of this study was to use protocol biopsy to clarify the histological features of cases that develop chronic ABMR.MethodsWe recruited 379 ABO compatible patients who underwent protocol biopsy at our hospital from 2010 to 2014. Seventeen of these patients were diagnosed with chronic ABMR (chronic ABMR group), and 12 patients were class 2 donor‐specific antibody (DSA) positive and were not diagnosed with chronic ABMR (class 2 DSA‐positive group). With the addition of a control group consisting of 30 DSA negative patients, these three groups were compared for Banff factors in protocol biopsies taken 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after the transplant.ResultsThree months post transplant, the chronic ABMR group had a significantly higher number of patients exhibiting g + ptc > 0 than that in the control group (P = 0.01). At 1, 3, and 5 years post transplant, significantly more subjects in the chronic ABMR and class 2 DSA‐positive groups compared with the control group exhibited g + ptc > 0 (P < 0.03). Five years post transplant, the chronic ABMR group exhibited a significantly higher mean c4d score than that in the control group (P = 0.02). The only significant difference observed between the chronic ABMR group and the class 2 DSA‐positive group was in cg scores at 5 years post transplant, which were significantly higher in the chronic ABMR group (P = 0.03).ConclusionsThese results suggest that cases exhibiting microvascular inflammation in the early post‐transplant period may develop chronic ABMR, and it would be highly beneficial to perform focused electron microscope surveillance of these cases.
Change in glomerular volume and its clinicopathological impact after kidney transplantation
Authors: Kobayashi Akimitsu , Yamamoto Izumi , Katsumata Haruki , Yamakawa Takafumi , Mafune Aki , Nakada Yasuyuki , Koike Kentaro , Mitome Jun , Miki Jun , Yamada Hiroki , Tanno Yudo , Ohkido Ichiro , Tsuboi Nobuo , Yokoyama Keitaro , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Yokoo Takashi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundBoth immunological and non‐immunological etiologies affect graft function after kidney transplantation, including acute rejection, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and a recurrence of glomerulonephritis. Glomerular enlargement or glomerular sclerosis due to glomerular hyperfiltration related to increased renal blood flow is another cause. Although the glomerular volume in baseline biopsies predicts late allograft function, the relationship between allograft function and the annual changes in glomerular volume after kidney transplantation are unclear.AimWe investigated changes in glomerular volume after kidney transplantation and their clinicopathological relationship.MethodsWe enrolled 23 patients with stable kidney function without an episode of rejection or any complication resulting in a functional decrease in the graft. We measured glomerular volume (GV) using the Weibel–Gomez method and glomerular density (GD) using 0,1 h biopsy samples as baseline controls and 1 yr biopsy samples and investigated the association between the changes in them and clinical parameters, including graft function, proteinuria, and renal hemodynamic markers, including effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and filtration fraction (FF). The ERPF was calculated from a 99mTc‐mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renogram.ResultsThe GV and ERPF increased significantly 1 yr after kidney transplantation. In contrast, proteinuria decreased significantly and Δproteinuria (1 yr – 1 month after transplantation) was correlated with ΔGV (P < 0.05, rs = –0.467).ConclusionGlomerular enlargement 1 yr after transplantation may be related to improved proteinuria. It is possible that glomerular enlargement serves as a renal adaptation after kidney transplantation.
Clinical and pathological analyses of chronic vascular rejection after kidney transplantation
Authors: Shimizu Tomokazu , Toma Hiroshi , Shibahara Rumi , Tsunoyama Kuniko , Izuka Junpei , Nozaki Taiji , Ishida Hideki , Tanabe Kazunari , Honda Kazuho , Koike Junki 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimWe discuss the clinicopathological analysis of cases of chronic vascular rejection (CVR) cases after renal transplantation and clarify the mechanisms underlying the development and prognostic significance of CVR.PatientsCVR was diagnosed in 46 renal allograft biopsy specimens (BS) obtained from 34 renal transplant patients being followed up at the Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, between January 2009 and December 2013.ResultsCVR was diagnosed at a median of 47.4 months post‐transplant. Among the 36 patients, 23 had a history of acute rejection. Among the 46 BS showing evidence of CVR, the CVR was mild (cv1 in Banff's classification) in 23, moderate (cv2) in 17, and severe (cv3) in 6. Of the 40 samples obtained at the time of the biopsy and assayed with plastic beads coated with HLA antigen, 31 (78%) showed circulating ant‐HLA alloantibody, and 15 (38%) showed donor‐specific antibodies. We then classified the 46 BS showing evidence of CVR by their overall histopathological features, as follows; cv alone was seen in 16 (35%) BS, cv + antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) in 26 (56%), and cv + T‐cell‐mediated rejection in 9 (19%).Loss of the renal allograft occurred during the observation period in nine of the patients (26%). Of the remaining patients with functioning grafts, deterioration of the renal allograft function after the biopsies occurred in 11 patients (32%).ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that AMR may underlie CVR in many cases, while T cell‐mediated rejection may play an important role in some cases.
Nursing management of aggression in a Singapore emergency department: A qualitative study
Authors: Tan Mei Fen , Lopez Violeta , Cleary Michelle 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn Singapore, anecdotal evidence suggests that nurses are concerned about managing aggressive incidents in the emergency department. In this study, registered nurses' perceptions of managing aggressive patients in an emergency department were explored. Ten registered nurses from the emergency department of an acute public hospital in Singapore were interviewed. Four overarching themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (i) impact of aggressive patients on nurses; (ii) nursing assessment of aggressive behaviors; (iii) nursing management of aggressive behaviors; and (iv) organizational support and responsiveness. Further research is required to better support nurses to deliver optimal care for aggressive patients and achieve positive and effective outcomes.
Disease‐modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for the Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Malik Khalid M. , Nelson Ariana , Benzon Honorio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLow back pain (LBP) is a common source of pain and disability, which has an enormous adverse impact on affected individuals and the community as a whole. The etiologies of LBP are protean and local inflammation contributes to the majority of these processes. Although an array of potent disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are typically anti‐inflammatory in character, have become clinically available only corticosteroids are routinely used for the treatment of LBP. To further investigate this potentially underutilized therapy, we reviewed the available literature to determine the role of DMARDs in the treatment of LBP. Our results show that the current DMARD use for LBP is indeed limited in scope and is characterized by isolated use and empiric selection of drugs from a range of available DMARDs. Moreover, the dose, frequency, and route of drug administration are selected arbitrarily and deviated from treatment protocols proposed for the management of other inflammatory conditions. The literature published on this topic is of low quality, and the results of the reviewed trials were inconclusive or demonstrated only short‐term efficacy of these medications. Based on the findings of this review, we recommend that the future DMARD use for LBP is initially limited to patients with debilitating disease who are unresponsive to conventional treatments, and the criteria for drug selection and routes of drug administration are clearly defined and may be modeled after treatment protocols for other inflammatory conditions.
Mathematical Explanation and Epistemology: Please Mind the Gap
Authors: Baron Sam 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper draws together two strands in the debate over the existence of mathematical objects. The first strand concerns the notion of extra‐mathematical explanation: the explanation of physical facts, in part, by facts about mathematical objects. The second strand concerns the access problem for platonism: the problem of how to account for knowledge of mathematical objects. I argue for the following conditional: if there are extra‐mathematical explanations, then the core thesis of the access problem is false. This has implications for nominalists and platonists alike. Platonists can make a case for epistemic access to mathematical objects by providing evidence in favour of the existence of extra‐mathematical explanations. Nominalists, by contrast, can use the access problem to cast doubt on the idea that mathematical objects play a substantive role in scientific explanation.
Involvement of PAPP‐A and IGFR1 in Cystic Ovarian Disease in Cattle
Authors: Rodríguez FM , Colombero M , Amweg AN , Huber E , Gareis NC , Salvetti NR , Ortega HH , Rey F 
Published: June 2015

ContentsCystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of infertility in dairy cattle. It has been shown that intra‐ovarian factors, such as members of the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system, may contribute to follicular persistence. The bioavailability of IGF to initiate its response by binding to specific receptors (IGFRs) depends on interactions with related compounds, such as pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A). The aim of this study was to determine IGFR1 and PAPP‐A expression both in follicles at different stages of development and in cysts, to evaluate the roles in the etiopathogenesis of COD in cattle. The mRNA expression of PAPP‐A was higher in granulosa cells of large tertiary follicles than in cysts, whereas the protein PAPP‐A present in the follicular fluid from these follicles showed no differences. Although no PAPP‐A mRNA expression was detected in smaller tertiary follicles, in their follicular fluid, this protease was detected in lesser concentration than in cysts. The mRNA expression of IGFR1 was lower in granulosa cells from cystic follicles than in those from tertiary ones. However, the protein expression of this receptor presented the highest levels in cystic structures, probably to increase the possibility of IGF response. The data obtained would indicate that animals with COD have an altered regulation of the IGF system in the ovary, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease in cattle.
Optimizing respiratory function assessments to elucidate the impact of obesity on respiratory health
Authors: Brazzale Danny J. , Pretto Jeffrey J. , Schachter Linda M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThere is an increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide and its impact on respiratory health is of significant concern. Obesity affects the respiratory system by several mechanisms, including by direct mechanical changes due to fat deposition in the chest wall, abdomen and upper airway, as well as via systemic inflammation. The increased mechanical load in obese individuals leads to reduced chest wall and lung compliance and increased work of breathing. While there is generally minimal effect on spirometric values, as body mass index increases, the expiratory reserve volume, and hence functional residual capacity, reduces, often approaching residual volume in more severe obesity. The majority of evidence however suggests that obese individuals free from lung disease have relatively normal gas exchange. The link between asthma and obesity, while initially unclear, is now recognized as being a distinct asthma phenotype. While studies investigating objective markers of asthma have shown that there is no association between obesity and airway hyper‐responsiveness, a recent working group identified obesity as a major risk factor for the development of asthma in all demographic groups.Although the temptation may be to attribute obesity as the cause of dyspnoea in symptomatic obese patients, accurate respiratory assessment of these individuals is necessary. Lung function tests can confirm that any altered physiology are the known respiratory consequences of obesity. However, given that obesity causes minimal changes in lung function, significant abnormalities warrant further investigation. An important consideration is the knowledge that many of the respiratory physiology consequences of obesity are reversible by weight loss.