bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological features of coronary arteries and lesions in hearts from five species of sharks collected from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Borucinska J D , Obasa O A , Haffey N M , Scott J P , Williams L N , Baker S M , Min S J , Kaplan A , Mudimala R 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMorphological features of coronary arteries and incidental lesions are reported from hearts in five species of sharks, the shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrhinchus Rafinesque, thresher shark Alopias vulpinus (Bonaterre), blue shark, Prionace glauca L., the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill), and spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias L. Sharks were collected from the northwestern Atlantic between June and August from 1996 to 2010. They were necropsied dockside and the hearts were preserved in buffered formalin. Routine sections including ventricle/conus arteriosus and the atrio‐ventricular junctions were embedded in paraffin, stained with common histological and immunohistochemical methods and examined by brightfield microscopy. Myointimal hyperplasia, medial myo‐myxomatous hyperplasia and bifurcation pads were observed commonly, and medial muscle reorientation and epicardial myeloid tissues were rare. All the above features differed in severity, prevalence and distribution depending on anatomical site and shark species/size. Morphometric analysis indicated that myomyxomatous hyperplasia is associated with luminal narrowing of blood vessels. As suggested previously, the described morphological features are most likely physiological responses to blood flow characteristics. Vascular and cardiac lesions were uncommon and included, granulomatous proliferative epicarditis with fibroepitheliomas, myxomatous epicardial expansions, medial arterial vacuolation, myocardial fibrosis, acute ventricular emboli and parasitic granulomas. The lesions of embolism, proliferative and granulomatous epicarditis and myocardial fibrosis were in all sharks associated with capture events including retained fishing hooks. The significance and aetiopathogenesis of medial vacuolation and epicardial myxomatous expansions remains unclear.
A cross‐sectional study: non‐carious cervical lesions, cervical dentine hypersensitivity and related risk factors
Authors: Que K. , Guo B. , Jia Z. , Chen Z. , Yang J. , Gao P. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe present survey aims to study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of non‐carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and cervical dentine hypersensitivity (CDH), as well as their possible risk factors in a general population in China. A total of 1023 subjects were included in the present study. Each subject completed a structured interview, and all teeth of each subject were examined by a practitioner to determine NCCLs and CDH. Teeth with NCCLs and CDH were diagnosed according to the tooth wear index and by a blast of air from a triple syringe, respectively. Binary logistic regression was completed by analysing the association of risk factors with the occurrence of NCCLs and CDH. Loss of attachment (LOA) and gingival recession (GR) of teeth with NCCLs and/or CDH were measured using Williams periodontal probe. The diagnoses of NCCLs and CDH established following a clinical assessment yielded an overall prevalence of 61·7% and 27·1%, respectively. The 60–69 age group had the greatest proportion of subjects with NCCLs or CDH. The pre‐molars were the most commonly affected teeth type with NCCLs or CDH. The proportion of teeth with CDH associated with NCCLs increased significantly with age, but the proportion of teeth with CDH only associated with LOA or GR decreased slowly with age. The single variables and interactive effects of variables associated with the occurrence of NCCLs include the following: age group, occupation type, method of toothbrushing, frequency and method of toothbrushing, and method of toothbrushing and duration of a toothbrush used. Gender, age group, occupation type and frequency of toothbrushing were associated with the occurrence of CDH. The current study presented higher prevalence of NCCLs and CDH in a general Chinese population. Both diseases were closely associated with age and periodontal status. The portion of the population with NCCLs or CDH had different risk factors.
Fully automatic measuring system for assessing masticatory performance using β‐carotene‐containing gummy jelly
Authors: Nokubi T. , Yasui S. , Yoshimuta Y. , Kida M. , Kusunoki C. , Ono T. , Maeda Y. , Nokubi F. , Yokota K. , Yamamoto T. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryDespite the importance of masticatory performance in health promotion, assessment of masticatory performance has not been widely conducted to date because the methods are labour intensive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of a novel system for automatically measuring masticatory performance that uses β‐carotene‐containing gummy jelly. To investigate the influence of rinsing time on comminuted jelly pieces expectorated from the oral cavity, divided jelly pieces were treated with two types of dye solution and then rinsed for various durations. Changes in photodiode (light receiver) voltages from light emitted through a solution of dissolved β‐carotene from jelly pieces under each condition were compared with those of unstained jelly. To investigate the influence of dissolving time, changes in light receiver voltage resulting from an increase in division number were compared between three dissolving times. For all forms of divided test jelly and rinsing times, no significant differences in light receiver voltage were observed between any of the stain groups and the control group. Voltages decreased in a similar manner for all forms of divided jelly as dissolving time increased. The highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0·979) between the obtained voltage and the increased surface area of each divided jelly was seen at the 10 s dissolving time. These results suggested that our fully automatic system can estimate the increased surface area of comminuted gummy jelly as a parameter of masticatory performance with high accuracy after rinsing and dissolving operations of 10 s each.
Cryptic species, native populations and biological invasions by a eucalypt forest pathogen
Authors: PÉREZ GUILLERMO , SLIPPERS BERNARD , WINGFIELD MICHAEL J. , WINGFIELD BRENDA D. , CARNEGIE ANGUS J. , BURGESS TREENA I. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractHuman‐associated introduction of pathogens and consequent invasions is very evident in areas where no related organisms existed before. In areas where related but distinct populations or closely related cryptic species already exist, the invasion process is much harder to unravel. In this study, the population structure of theEucalyptusleaf pathogenTeratosphaeria nubilosawas studied within its native range in Australia, including both commercial plantations and native forests. A collection of 521 isolates from across its distribution was characterized using eight microsatellite loci, resulting in 112 multilocus haplotypes (MLHs). Multivariate and Bayesian analyses of the population conducted instructurerevealed three genetically isolated groups (A, B and C), with no evidence for recombination or hybridization among groups, even when they co‐occur in the same plantation. DNA sequence data of the ITS (n = 32), β‐tubulin (n = 32) and 27 anonymous loci (n = 16) were consistent with microsatellite data in suggesting thatT. nubilosashould be considered as a species complex. Patterns of genetic diversity provided evidence of biological invasions by the pathogen within Australia in the states of Western Australia and New South Wales and helped unravel the pattern of invasion beyond Australia into New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. No significant genetic differences in pathogen populations collected in native forests and commercial plantations were observed. This emphasizes the importance of sanitation in the acquisition of nursery stock for the establishment of commercial plantations.
Population genetic structure and its implications for adaptive variation in memory and the hippocampus on a continental scale in food‐caching black‐capped chickadees
Authors: Pravosudov V. V. , Roth T. C. , Forister M. L. , LaDage L. D. , Burg T. M. , Braun M. J. , Davidson B. S. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFood‐caching birds rely on stored food to survive the winter, and spatial memory has been shown to be critical in successful cache recovery. Both spatial memory and the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in spatial memory, exhibit significant geographic variation linked to climate‐based environmental harshness and the potential reliance on food caches for survival. Such geographic variation has been suggested to have a heritable basis associated with differential selection. Here, we ask whether population genetic differentiation and potential isolation among multiple populations of food‐caching black‐capped chickadees is associated with differences in memory and hippocampal morphology by exploring population genetic structure within and among groups of populations that are divergent to different degrees in hippocampal morphology. Using mitochondrial DNA and 583 AFLP loci, we found that population divergence in hippocampal morphology is not significantly associated with neutral genetic divergence or geographic distance, but instead is significantly associated with differences in winter climate. These results are consistent with variation in a history of natural selection on memory and hippocampal morphology that creates and maintains differences in these traits regardless of population genetic structure and likely associated gene flow.
The energy value of biodiesel glycerine products fed to broilers at different ages
Authors: Lima E. M. C. , Rodrigues P. B. , Alvarenga R. R. , Bernardino V. M. P. , Makiyama L. , Lima R. R. , Cantarelli V. S. , Zangeronimo M. G. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) of some products containing glycerine from soybean oil (GOIL), a mixture of frying oil and lard (GMIX) and a semi‐purified process (GSP) in broilers of different ages (10, 20, 30 and 40 days post‐hatching), using two methodologies. In trial 1, the basal diets were replaced with 100 g/kg of each studied glycerine product and the diets were supplied ad libitum. Three hundred broilers were used in five replicates, with five, four, three and three animals per cage in each age group, respectively. The AMEn was calculated for each experimental unit. In trial 2, dietary treatments included the addition of glycerine at 0, 40, 80 or 120 g/kg for each crude glycerine product, with 900 broilers in six replicates, using the same number of animals per cage as described in trial 1. Depending on the experimental unit, the feeding was restricted in 88%, 92%, 96% and 100% of estimated intake according to the Cobb guide. The AMEn was determined using linear regression between the feed intake and the AMEn of each diet. In both trials, the total excreta collection method was used. Because of the chemical composition, GMIX was not considered crude glycerine. The mean AMEn values of the products were 20.55 MJ/kg, 15.80 MJ/kg and 15.05 MJ/kg for GMIX, GSP and GOIL, respectively. There was a linear decrease (p < 0.01) in the AMEn values with the increasing age of the broilers. Numerically, it was observed that the AMEn values decreased until 28–30 day post‐hatching and then remained constant until the finishing phase. It is concluded that products containing glycerine can be used as an energy source for broilers, but that AMEn values can vary according to age. Younger broilers have a higher capacity of energy utilisation from these feedstuffs.
Occurrence of infection among children with nephrotic syndrome during hospitalizations
Authors: WEI CHANG‐CHING , YU I‐WEN , LIN HSIANG‐WEN , TSAI ALAN C 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  The present study was conducted to investigate the trends of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) admissions and factors associated with childhood NS admissions with major infections in Taiwan.Methods:  A retrospective analysis was performed using Taiwan National Health Research Insurance Database (NHIRD) to explore the associated factors and health care burden for childhood NS admissions with major infections in 1997 to 2007.Results:  Of 133 927 children, a total of 176 children had NS, which incurred 508 hospital admissions. Nineteen percent of admissions were associated with major infections. Pneumonia was the most common infection (49%), followed by urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteraemia/sepsis, peritonitis and cellulitis. Pneumonia was the most common infection among children age younger than 10 years, whereas UTI was more common among children aged greater than 10 years. NS admission with infections had longer periods of hospital length of stay and higher hospital total costs compared to those without infections. Regression analysis reveals that younger age, regional hospitals, admission hospital located in middle and south areas and admission made in spring were associated with increased risk for developing major infections.Conclusions:  While 19% of childhood NS admissions were associated with major infections, young age, admissions made in spring, located in middle and south Taiwan and in regional hospitals were the major associated factors for infection. Age plays an important role in risk and types of infection.
Spine surgery outcomes in a workers' compensation cohort
Authors: Harris Ian A. , Dantanarayana Nandu , Naylor Justine M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIntroductionLumbar spine surgery (fusion, disc replacement or decompression) is common, yet indications are unclear and outcomes, particularly in a workers' compensation setting, are not consistently favourable. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of spine surgery in an Australian workers' compensation cohort.MethodsA retrospective review of prospectively collected data from WorkCover NSW and insurer agents was performed. Subjects were included if they had lumbar spine decompression, fusion or disc replacement procedures performed between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2006 (inclusive). Main outcome measures were as follows: need for further lumbar spine surgery, return to work (RTW), return to pre‐injury duties (PID) and need for ongoing physical treatment or prescription opioids. All outcomes were measured at 24 months post‐surgery.ResultsA total of 476 patients had undergone lumbar spine surgery within the workers' compensation system. The revision surgery rate was 9.2%. The RTW rate and return to PID rate were 50.3% and 14.2%, respectively. The proportion of patients still undergoing treatment was 77.7%. The rates of RTW (or PID) and need for ongoing treatment were significantly worse in patients undergoing fusion and disc replacement, compared with patients undergoing decompressive procedures (laminectomy, discectomy).DiscussionThe findings do not support the use of lumbar spine fusion or disc replacement surgery as a method of achieving RTW and relief of pain in patients treated under workers' compensation.
Effect of the elderly and increasing injury severity on acute hospital resource utilization in a cohort of inner city trauma patients
Authors: Dinh Michael M. , McNamara Kylie , Bein Kendall J. , Roncal Susan , Barnes Elizabeth H. , McBride Kate , Byrne Christopher M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the relative effect of elderly patients and increasing injury severity on acute hospital costs and inpatient length of stay.MethodsA prospective study of all trauma team activations at a single inner city trauma centre was conducted over a 1‐year period. Costs were imputed using Australian Refined Diagnosis‐Related Groups. Costs and inpatient length of stays were compared between elderly (age ≥65 years) and non‐elderly patients. Relative effects of increasing injury severity score (ISS) and age categories were modelled using generalized linear regression.ResultsOver the study period, 1096 consecutive patients were studied. Falls were the most common mechanism and contributed the highest proportion of aggregate costs. There was a moderately high correlation between cost and ISS (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient 0.65, P < 0.001). Median costs for elderly patients were around three times higher than that for non‐elderly patients and median length of stay was over twice that of non‐elderly patients (7 days versus 3 days, P < 0.001). After adjusting for injury severity, the predicted costs of elderly trauma patients were around 30% higher compared with non‐elderly patients. An increasing effect of injury severity on cost was observed across minor and major trauma.ConclusionBoth injury severity and elderly patients have a significant impact on acute hospital costs across the spectrum of major and minor trauma.
Single purse string with four‐point traction for better haemorrhoid retraction
Authors: Chen Shao‐Quan , Cai Ai‐Zhen , Wang Ning , Chen Lin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundTraction method is important to stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) for its impact on haemorrhoidal prolapse reduction. Single purse string with one‐point traction is most commonly used in SH. This traction method often results in an irregular mucosal doughnut with inadequate height, which leads to insignificant and uneven haemorrhoidal prolapse reduction. Single purse string with two‐point traction is a modified traction method. According to some authors, it has significantly improved the height and regularity of the mucosal doughnut in SH. However, the reduction of haemorrhoidal prolapse is not always satisfactory, especially in patients with large prolapse. Our assumption is that single purse string with four‐point traction, a more balanced traction method, will provide better control to increase the doughnut height using the same amount of traction. This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of single purse string with four‐point traction as compared with two‐point traction in SH.MethodsConsecutive patients with symptomatic grade III haemorrhoids were randomized to two groups: Group 1, G1; Group 2, G2. Each group underwent SH by colorectal surgeons. The patients in G1 underwent single purse string with two‐point traction. The patients in G2 underwent SH using single purse string with four‐point traction. Preoperative, intraoperative and post‐operative patient characteristics were evaluated.ResultsSixty patients with a median age of 44 (range, 21–78) years were identified. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the two groups. The height of the mucosectomy specimens significantly increased in patients of G2 (P < 0.01, t‐test). The variation in mucosal doughnut height significantly decreased in patients of G2 (P < 0.01, t‐test). The anatomy score after SH also significantly decreased in patients of G
2 (P = 0.029, Mann–Whitney U‐test). No significant difference in complications was observed between the two groups. Median follow‐up was 14 (range, 6–22) months. No haemorrhoidal symptoms were found in these patients.ConclusionSingle purse string with four‐point traction ensures a taller and more regular mucosal doughnut during SH, thus it brings a more satisfactory haemorrhoid retraction.
Enhancing motivation to change in eating disorders with an online self‐help program
Authors: Leung Sau Fong , Ma Joyce , Russell Janice 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAmbivalence to change is a major obstacle to treating people with eating disorders. Enhancing motivation to change can contribute to recovery from the disorders. This study used an Internet‐based self‐help program developed in the Asia–Pacific region to identify the motivational stages of change in people with eating disorders. It explored their perceptions of the benefits and costs of taking action against their eating disorders, and assessed their involvement in motivational enhancement exercises and their improvement in eating disorder psychopathology. A total of 185 participants, aged 16–50 years (mean age, 26.5) were involved in the open‐trial program with a motivational enhancement component and completed the Motivational Stages of Change Questionnaire (MSCARED), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire version 5 (EDE‐Q5) and the Eating Disorder Inventory version 3 (EDI‐3). The results show that more participants perceived the benefits of taking action against their eating disorders than the costs. Completer analysis shows that they experienced significant improvement in motivational stages of change and eating disorder psychopathology, from a baseline assessment to 1‐month and 3‐month follow ups. The self‐help program has potential benefit for people with eating disorders and its use could be encouraged by health‐care professionals to enhance the motivation to change and facilitate recovery.
How Useful Are the Strategic Tools We Teach in Business Schools?
Authors: Wright Robert P. , Paroutis Sotirios E. , Blettner Daniela P. 
Published: August 2012

abstractStrategic tools are indispensible for business and competitive analysis. Yet we know very little about managers' internal logic as they put these tools into practical use. We situate our study in a business school context using action learning prior to the manifestation of practice to complement our understanding of practice. UsingPersonalConstructTheory andRepertoryGrids, our mid‐range theorizing showed that, contrary to current thinking about strategic tools, managers think in dualities (often paradoxically) and have a preference for multiple‐tools‐in‐use, tools that provide different perspectives, peripheral vision, connected thinking, simultaneously help differentiate and integrate complex issues, and guide the thinking process. These findings are important for designing better tools and the nurturing of critical managerial competencies needed for a complicated world. Our study's focus also has wider implications for scholars as we see our own material evaluated by those who will put these lessons into practice.
Teachers' source evaluation self‐efficacy predicts their use of relevant source features when evaluating the trustworthiness of web sources on special education
Authors: Andreassen Rune , Bråten Ivar 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBuilding on prior research and theory concerning source evaluation and the role of self‐efficacy in the context of online learning, this study investigated the relationship between teachers' beliefs about their capability to evaluate the trustworthiness of sources and their reliance on relevant source features when judging the trustworthiness of websites concerning special education. We constructed the Source Evaluation Self‐Efficacy Scale (SESES) and used the scores of 263 teachers on this measure to predict their reliance on source features related to the product and the producer of websites when evaluating their trustworthiness. Results showed that even after variance related to gender, age, domain knowledge and frequency of searching the Internet for special education information had been accounted for, teachers' source evaluation self‐efficacy beliefs uniquely predicted their self‐reported use of information about websites' products and producers when judging their trustworthiness. Thus, this research applies self‐efficacy theory and research to a new area and contributes to the burgeoning literature on source evaluation within both reading and information literacy.