bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of zinc bacitracin and phytase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass and meat traits of broilers
Authors: Attia Y. A. , Bovera F. , Abd El‐Hamid A. E. , Tag El‐Din A. E. , Al‐Harthi M. A. , El‐Shafy A. S.
Published: November 2015

A total of 336 one‐day‐old Hubbard broiler chickens were randomly distributed among 8 groups, each containing six replicates (7 chickens/replicate). From 1 to 40 days of age, the groups fed the same starter, grower and finisher diets. The control group was unsupplemented; zinc bacitracin (ZnB) group received the antibiotic at 0.5 g/kg; fungal phytase (FP) groups received 250, 500 and 1000 U/kg diet of Aspergillus niger phytase (FP_250, FP_500 and FP_1000 groups), respectively; bacterial phyatse (BP) groups received 250, 500 and 1000 U/kg diet of Escherichia coli phytase (BP_250EP, BP_500EP and BP_1000EP groups) respectively. Considering the whole experimental period, body weight gain was unaffected by ZnB and different concentrations of bacterial and fungal phytase; however, the feed conversion ratio of the group fed a diet supplemented with 500 U of BP was better (p < 0.01) than those fed with a diet supplemented with 500 U of FP. BP_250 group had a higher (p < 0.05) apparent digestibility of ether extract compared to FP_250 group. In conclusion, bacterial phytase at 500 U may enhance performance of broiler chickens fed during days 1–40 of age and yield similar growth performance and economic efficiency to those of eB‐supplemented groups.
The effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood parameters of growing calves
Authors: Gholipour A. , Foroozandeh Shahraki A. D. , Tabeidian S. A. , Nasrollahi S. M. , Yang W. Z.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood metabolites of growing calves. Forty Holstein calves (BW = 100 ± 11 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 10) in a complete randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted of the following: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet supplemented with 0.0003% of dietary dry matter (DM) sodium monensin, (iii) low level of garlic powder (Low‐GAR; 0.5% of dietary DM) and (iv) high level of garlic powder (High‐GAR; 1% of dietary DM). DM intake (DMI) and DM digestibility were (p < 0.05) decreased by High‐GAR. However, calves supplemented with Low‐GAR had a similar DMI to the control calves and similar DM digestibility to the control and monensin groups. The digestibility of other nutrients were not affected by the treatments. Although supplementing monensin relative to Low‐GAR increased the DMI (p < 0.05), average daily gain was similar between Low‐GAR and monensin supplemented calves, which were higher than the control and High‐GAR groups (p < 0.05). As a result, feed conversion ratio was improved in the Low‐GAR group versus other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Administrating garlic powder decreased the blood low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and non‐esterified fatty acids (p < 0.05) without affecting the blood triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein and beta‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations. In conclusion, the calves fed the Low‐GAR showed an improved FCR and blood metabolites without changing the DMI and nutrient digestibility. It suggests that garlic powder could be used as an alternative to monensin for growing calves under the current feeding conditions.
Human milk sharing practices in the U.S.
Authors: Palmquist Aunchalee E. L. , Doehler Kirsten
Published: November 2015

The primary objective of this study is to describe human milk sharing practices in the U.S. Specifically, we examine milk sharing social networks, donor compensation, the prevalence of anonymous milk sharing interactions, recipients' concerns about specific milk sharing risks, and lay screening behaviors. Data on human milk sharing practices were collected via an online survey September 2013–March 2014. Chi‐square analyses were used to test the association between risk perception and screening practices. A total of 867 (661 donors, 206 recipients) respondents were included in the analyses. Most (96.1%) reported sharing milk face‐to‐face. Only 10% of respondents reported giving or receiving milk through a non‐profit human milk bank, respectively. There were no reports of anonymous purchases of human milk. A small proportion of recipients (4.0%) reported that their infant had a serious medical condition. Screening of prospective donors was common (90.7%) but varied with social relationship and familiarity. Likewise, concern about specific milk sharing risks was varied, and risk perception was significantly associated (P‐values = 0.01 or less) with donor screening for all risk variables except diet. Understanding lay perceptions of milk sharing risk and risk reduction strategies that parents are using is an essential first step in developing public health interventions and clinical practices that promote infant safety.
A meta‐analysis of nutrition interventions on mental development of children under‐two in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Larson Leila Margaret , Yousafzai Aisha K.
Published: November 2015

Interventions to improve nutritional status of young children in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) may have the added benefit of improving their mental and motor development. This meta‐analysis updates and goes beyond previous ones by answering two important questions: (1) do prenatal and postnatal nutritional inputs improve mental development, and (2) are effects on mental development associated with two theoretically interesting mediators namely physical growth and motor development? The meta‐analysis of articles on Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health and Embase was limited to randomized trials in LMICs, with mental development of children from birth to age two years as an outcome. The initial yield of 2689 studies was reduced to 33; 12 received a global quality rating of strong. Of the 10 prenatal and 23 postnatal nutrition interventions, the majority used zinc, iron/folic acid, vitamin A or multiple micronutrients, with a few evaluating macronutrients. The weighted mean effect size, Cohen'sd(95% CI) for prenatal and postnatal nutrition interventions on mental development was 0.042 (−0.0084, 0.092) and 0.076 (0.019, 0.13), respectively. Postnatal supplements consisting of macronutrients yielded an effect sized(95% CI) of 0.14 (0.0067, 0.27), multiple micronutrients 0.082 (−0.012, 0.18) and single micronutrients 0.058 (−0.0015, 0.12). Motor development, but not growth status, effect sizes were significantly associated with mental development in postnatal interventions. In summary, nutrition interventions had small effects on mental development. Future studies might have greater effect if they addressed macronutrient deficiencies combined with child stimulation and hygiene and sanitation interventions.
New insights into relationships between active and dormant organisms, phylogenetic diversity and ecosystem productivity
Authors: Cram Jacob A.
Published: November 2015

Marine microbes make up a key part of ocean food webs and drive ocean chemistry through a range of metabolic processes. A fundamental question in ecology is whether the diversity of organisms in a community shapes the ecological functions of that community. While there is substantial evidence to support a positive link between diversity and ecological productivity for macro‐organisms in terrestrial environments, this relationship has not previously been verified for marine microbial communities. One factor complicating the understanding of this relationship is that many marine microbes are dormant and are easily dispersed by ocean currents, making it difficult to ensure that the organisms found in a given environmental sample accurately reflect processes occurring in that environment. Another complication is that, due to microbes great range of genotypic and phenotypic variability, communities with distantly related species may have greater range of metabolic functions than communities have the same richness and evenness, but in which the species present are more closely related to each other. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Galand et al. (2015) provide compelling evidence that the most metabolically active communities are those in which the nondormant portion of the microbial community has the highest phylogenetic diversity. They also illustrate that focusing on the active portion of the community allows for detection of temporal patterns in community structure that would not be otherwise evident. The authors’ point out that the presence of many dormant organisms that do not contribute to ecosystem functioning is a feature that makes microbial ecosystems fundamentally different from macro‐ecosystems and that this difference needs to be accounted for in microbial ecology theory.
Current Methods to Assess Human Cutaneous Blood Flow: An Updated Focus on Laser‐Based‐Techniques
Authors: Cracowski Jean‐Luc , Roustit Matthieu
Published: November 2015

Several noninvasive techniques have been developed using laser light interaction in the skin to explore the skin's microcirculation. Combined with laser Doppler or LSCI, reactivity tests are used to explore skin endothelial and neurovascular function in humans, including PORH, LTH, PIV, and iontophoresis of vasodilators. Recent advances in our comprehension of the physiological pathways underlying these reactivity tests have been possible through topical or intradermal delivery of drugs that produce elevated local concentrations. Skin microvascular function has also been proposed as a prognostic biomarker or for evaluating the effect of drugs. Comprehension of the physiological pathways, together with recent technological improvements in microcirculation imaging, has provided reliable and reproducible tools to study skin microcirculation.
Comparative transcriptomic analyses of Zymoseptoria tritici strains show complex lifestyle transitions and intraspecific variability in transcription profiles
Authors: Palma‐Guerrero Javier , Torriani Stefano F. F. , Zala Marcello , Carter Dee , Courbot Mikaël , Rudd Jason J. , McDonald Bruce A. , Croll Daniel
Published: November 2015

Zymoseptoria tritici causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB) on wheat. The disease interaction is characterized by clearly defined temporal phases of infection, ultimately resulting in the death of host tissue. Zymoseptoria tritici is a highly polymorphic species with significant intraspecific variation in virulence profiles. We generated a deep transcriptomic sequencing dataset spanning the entire time course of an infection using a previously uncharacterized, highly virulent Z. tritici strain isolated from a Swiss wheat field. We found that seven clusters of gene transcription profiles explained the progression of the infection. The earliest highly up‐regulated genes included chloroperoxidases, which may help the fungus cope with plant defences. The onset of necrotrophy was characterized by a concerted up‐regulation of proteases, plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes and lipases. Functions related to nutrition and growth characterized late necrotrophy and the transition to saprotrophic growth on dead plant tissue. We found that the peak up‐regulation of genes essential for mating coincided with the necrotrophic phase. We performed an intraspecies comparative transcriptomics analysis using a comparable time course infection experiment of the genome reference isolate IPO323. Major components of the fungal infection transcriptome were conserved between the two strains. However, individual small, secreted proteins, proteases and cell wall‐degrading enzymes showed strongly differentiated transcriptional profiles between isolates. Our analyses illustrate that successful STB infections involve complex transcriptomic remodelling to up‐regulate distinct gene functions. Heterogeneity in transcriptomes among isolates may explain some of the considerable variation in virulence and host specialization found within the species.
Pseudozyma aphidis fungaemia with invasive fungal pneumonia in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: case report and literature review
Authors: Joo Hyonsoo , Choi Yeon‐Geun , Cho Sung‐Yeon , Choi Jae‐Ki , Lee Dong‐Gun , Kim Hee‐Je , Jo Irene , Park Yeon‐Joon , Lee Kyo‐Young
Published: November 2015

Pseudozyma species rarely cause invasive diseases in humans, which are usually isolated from plants. There have been anecdotal reports regarding Pseudozyma species infections in patients with underlying diseases or in neonates. However, clinical data and the pathogenicity in humans are still insufficient. We experienced a case of Pseudozyma aphidis fungaemia with invasive fungal pneumonia that developed during reinduction chemotherapy in a 51‐year‐old male with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). P. aphidis was suspected based on the morphology of the yeast isolated from the blood and was confirmed via rDNA gene sequencing analysis. The patient successfully underwent stem cell transplantation with continuing antifungal treatment and finally completely recovered from both the AML and infectious complications. Here, we report a case of P. aphidis infection that developed during neutropenia in an AML patient and review the global literature.
Clinical predictors of diagnostic testing utility in the initial evaluation of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Mendu Mallika L , Lundquist Andrew , Aizer Ayal A , Leaf David E , Robinson Emily , Steele David J R , Waikar Sushrut S
Published: November 2015

Aim

No evidence‐based approach to the evaluation of CKD has been established. We sought to identify clinical criteria to guide a rational diagnostic approach for the initial evaluation of CKD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1487 patients presenting for initial evaluation of CKD over 3 years (1/2010–1/2013) to academic nephrology clinics. We utilized the electronic medical record to determine tests ordered, abnormal results and testing that affected diagnosis and/or management. Diagnostic and management yield of testing was defined as the percentage of tests that affected diagnosis and/or management. High yield for a given test was defined as an increased likelihood of the test affecting diagnosis and/or management.

Results

We identified clinical criteria predictive of high yield for paraprotein‐related testing (one of the following: history of monoclonal disease, high risk of CKD progression, hypercalcemia or haemoglobin < 10.6), and clinical criteria predictive of high yield for glomerulonephritis testing (one of the following: abnormal urine sediment, 3+ or greater hematuria or proteinuria > 500 mg/gm). A prior history of hydronephrosis and renal artery stenosis was predictive of high yield of abnormal renal ultrasound. Higher yield of testing was associated with higher risk progression categories for ANA, SPEP, urine sediment, calcium, PTH, haemoglobin, iron and ferritin. We estimate that initial CKD evaluation costs range from $28 to $109 million/year in US‐Medicare expenditure.

Conclusion

Numerous tests without significant clinical utility are obtained in initial CKD evaluation. Identifying criteria that can guide diagnostic testing may lead to a more informed and cost‐effective approach to evaluation.
The role of uric acid in chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Hsieh Yao‐Peng , Chang Chia‐Chu , Yang Yu , Wen Yao‐Ko , Chiu Ping‐Fang , Lin Chi‐Chen
Published: November 2015

Aim

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is always associated with hyperuricaemia. However, the studies evaluating the clinical implications of hyperuricaemia have shown conflicting results in these patients.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted in 2408 stage 3–5 CKD patients. Instead of one baseline uric acid (UA) level, the averaged level of the two consecutive measurements for each participant was used as the predictor for the outcomes of the study, which included mortality, renal outcomes, and hospitalization risk. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and logistic regression model were performed to determine the independent risk factor.

Results

The mean UA level was 0.46 ± 0.106 mmol/L. Of the 2408 patients, there were 563 (23.3%) deaths, 143 (5.9%) cardiovascular deaths, 652 (27%) subjects commencing renal replacement therapy (RRT), 664 (27.5%) subjects with rapid renal progression, 1937 (58%) patients requiring hospitalization and 404 (16.7%) patients with CVD hospitalization during a mean follow‐up of approximately 3.03 years. After multivariate adjustments, a 1‐mg/dL increase in uric acid level was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.26 for RRT (P = 0.002), an odds ratio (OR) of 1.27 for rapid renal progression (P = 0.001), an HR of 1.19 for all‐cause hospitalization (P < 0.001), and an HR of 1.12 for cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalization (P = 0.02), but not significantly with all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular death at the end of follow‐up.

Conclusions

In stage 3–5 CKD patients, hyperuricaemia was associated with a higher risk of renal replacement therapy, rapid renal progression and hospitalization for all causes or CVD, but not with all‐cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality.
Delayed ischaemic preconditioning in the presence of galectin‐9 protects against renal ischaemic injury through a regulatory T‐cell dependent mechanism
Authors: Zhang Bing‐Ying , Fang Yi , Jiao Xiao‐Yan , Wu Sheng , Cai Jie‐Ru , Zou Jian‐Zhou , Ding Xiao‐Qiang
Published: November 2015

Aim

Renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a complication of major surgeries. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can suppress immunologic damage in the renal IR. Previous studies indicated that delayed ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) partially attenuates IR by inducing Treg expansion. Galectin‐9 also attenuates inflammation‐related organ injury by expanding Tregs, but it was not used in renal IR yet. Our aim was to test whether IPC combined with galectin‐9 has an increased renoprotective effect.

Methods

Mice were divided into five treatment groups (n = 6 per group): (i) IR group: renal ischaemia/reperfusion group; (ii) IPC‐IR group: IPC followed by renal IR; (iii) IPC‐Gal9‐IR group: Gal‐9 injections during the time between IPC and IR; (iv) IPC‐Gal9‐PC61‐IR group: anti‐CD25 antibody administration apart from IPC, Gal‐9 and IR; (v) sham‐sham group. We assessed the renal function, histopathological scores, and percentages of Tregs and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) cells in peripheral bood, spleen, and kidney and compared these values among the different groups.

Results

Serum creatinine measured was significantly lower after IPC and even lower in combination with Gal‐9 injection. The histopathological scores for tubulo‐interstitial injury were decreased following IPC and markedly lower after the addition of Gal‐9. The number of kidney infiltrating neutrophils and IFN‐γ secreting CD4+ T cells was diminished in the IPC/Gal9 combination group, while the percentage of Treg cells in the peripheral blood, spleen, and kidney of animals from the IPC‐Gal9‐IR group was also markedly increased.

Conclusion

The renoprotective effect of delayed IPC combined with galectin‐9 was superior to IPC alone, through a mechanism related to expansion of regulatory T cells.
Arterial line versus venous line administration of low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin for prevention of thrombosis in the extracorporeal blood circuit of patients on haemodialysis or haemodiafiltration: A randomized cross‐over trial
Authors: Kurtkoti Jagadeesh , Bose Bhadran , Hiremagalur Balaji , Sun Jing , Cochrane Tara
Published: November 2015

Study Objective

The objective of the study is to compare the anti‐factor Xa (AXa) level in the blood, after arterial and venous line administration of equivalent doses of enoxaparin for prevention of thrombosis in the extracorporeal blood circuit.

Design

The design of the study is a dual centre, prospective, open‐labelled randomized crossover, 7 weeks trial.

Setting

The setting of the study is on a patient on long‐term haemodialysis (HD) or haemodiafiltration (HDF) using high‐flux membrane.

Participant

There were eight patients on HD and eight on HDF.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned to receive enoxaparin either through the arterial line or venous line of extracorporeal blood circuit for an initial study interval of 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of alternate route administration. During the run‐in period of 1 week and the follow‐up period of 2 weeks, enoxaparin was administered through the arterial line.

Outcomes

The primary outcome measure was to compare AXa blood level 4 h after enoxaparin administration. The secondary outcome measures were manual compression time to stop bleeding from arteriovenous fistula, extracorporeal circuit clotting and systemic bleeding episodes.

Results

The mean AXa blood level, 4 h after venous circuit administration (0.58 ± 0.21 (HD), 0.82 ± 0.29 (HDF)) of enoxaparin, was significantly greater than that after arterial administration of enoxaparin (0.39 ± 0.25 (HD), 0.39 ± 0.14 (HDF) U/mL), (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In patients on HD or HDF, venous line administration of enoxaparin achieves greater 4 h blood AXa level compared with arterial line administration of equivalent dose. Based on this, we suggest a 25% or 50% reduction in the dose of venous line enoxaparin, compared with the dose administered through arterial line in patients receiving either HD or HDF, respectively.
Being human in a global age of technology
Authors: Whelton Beverly J. B.
Published: November 2015

This philosophical enquiry considers the impact of a global world view and technology on the meaning of being human. The global vision increases our awareness of the common bond between all humans, while technology tends to separate us from an understanding of ourselves as human persons. We review some advances in connecting as community within our world, and many examples of technological changes. This review is not exhaustive. The focus is to understand enough changes to think through the possibility of healthcare professionals becoming cyborgs, human–machine units that are subsequently neither human and nor machine. It is seen that human technology interfaces are a different way of interacting but do not change what it is to be human in our rational capacities of providing meaningful speech and freely chosen actions. In the highly technical environment of the ICU, expert nurses work in harmony with both the technical equipment and the patient. We used Heidegger to consider the nature of equipment, and Descartes to explore unique human capacities. Aristotle, Wallace, Sokolowski, and Clarke provide a summary of humanity as substantial and relational.
The role of fecundity and sexual selection in the evolution of size and sexual size dimorphism in New World and Old World voles (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)
Authors: García‐Navas Vicente , Bonnet Timothée , Bonal Raúl , Postma Erik
Published: November 2015

Evolutionary ecologists dating back to Darwin (1871) have sought to understand why males are larger than females in some species, and why females are the larger sex in others. Although the former is widespread in mammals, rodents and other small mammals usually exhibit low levels of sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Here, we investigate patterns of sexual dimorphism in 34 vole species belonging to the subfamily Arvicolinae in a phylogenetic comparative framework. We address the potential role of sexual selection and fecundity selection in creating sex differences in body size. No support was found for hyperallometric scaling of male body size to female body size. We observed a marginally significant relationship between SSD and the ratio of male to female home range size, with the latter being positively related to the level of intrasexual competition for mates. This suggests that sexual selection favours larger males. Interestingly, we also found that habitat type, but not mating system, constitutes a strong predictor of SSD. Species inhabiting open habitats – where males have extensive home ranges in order to gain access to as many females as possible – exhibit a higher mean dimorphism than species inhabiting closed habitats, where females show strong territoriality and an uniform distribution preventing males to adopt a territorial strategy for gaining copulations. Nonetheless, variation in the strength of sexual selection is not the only selective force shaping SSD in voles; we also found a positive association between female size and litter size across lineages. Assuming this relationship also exists within lineages (i.e. fecundity selection on female size), this suggests an additional role for variation in the strength of fecundity selection shaping interspecific differences in female size, and indirectly in SSD. Therefore our results suggest that different selective processes act on the sizes of males and females, but because larger size is favoured in both sexes, SSD is on average relatively small.
Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum with Imiquimod in the United States: A Retrospective Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Farhangian Michael E. , Huang Karen E. , Feldman Steven R. , Fleischer Alan B.
Published: November 2015

Since there are concerns that imiquimod is being overprescribed for children with molluscum despite its limited efficacy, we used data from two nationally representative surveys to determine the rate at which imiquimod was being prescribed for molluscum contagiosum in the United States. From 1999‐2010, there were an estimated 6.4 million visits for molluscum (95% CI: 5.5, 7.3 million), and imiquimod was prescribed at 7.0% of these visits (95% CI: 3.4, 11). Given the low frequency of patients being treated with imiquimod for molluscum, the concerns of its overuse may be unfounded.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome after kidney transplantation in pediatric recipients: Two cases
Authors: Giussani Antenore , Ardissino Gianluigi , Belingheri Mirco , Dilena Robertino , Raiteri Mauro , Pasciucco Antonio , Colico Caterina , Beretta Claudio
Published: November 2015

PRES is a neuro‐clinical and radiological syndrome that can result as a consequence of several different conditions including hypertension, fluid overload, and immunosuppressive treatment. Herein, we report two children who received kidney and combined liver–kidney transplantation as treatment for renal hypodysplasia associated with bilateral vesico‐ureteral reflux and methylmalonic acidemia, respectively. Early after surgery (seven and 10 days), both patients presented with hypertension and seizures. The patients' immunosuppressive regimen included steroid and calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine, respectively) and basiliximab and one with anti‐IL2 receptor. In both cases, the imaging strongly supported the diagnosis of PRES. In details, the CT scan showed hypodensities in the posterior areas of the brain, and brain MRI demonstrated parieto‐occipital alterations indicative of vasogenic edema. Treatment with calcineurin inhibitors was temporally discontinued and restarted at lower dosage; arterial hypertension was treated with Ca‐channel blockers. Both children fully recovered without any neurological sequels. In conclusion, in children undergoing solid organ transplantation, who develop neurological symptoms PRES, should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis and once the diagnosis is ruled in, we recommend strict arterial blood pressure control and adjustment or withholding of calcineurin inhibitor therapy should be considered based upon blood levels.
Evaluation of renal functions in pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Selimoğlu Mukadder Ayşe , Varol İlknur , Karabiber Hamza , Tabel Yılmaz , Keçeli Meryem , Yılmaz Sezai
Published: November 2015

AKI is an important complication after LT. As our LT series contains a quite high number of children with ALF unlike published studies, we aimed to determine pre‐LT and long‐term renal functions in children both with ALF and with CLD. Demographic and disease‐related data of 134 transplanted children were evaluated retrospectively. Pre‐LT and follow‐up GFR and pediatric RIFLE scores were determined. Mean pre‐LT GFR was not dependent on the disease presentation or severity of chronic disease. While there was an initial decline until first week of post‐LT in CLD children, an increase was observed in ALF. Neither mean GFR nor the pRIFLE on follow‐up was different with respect to the type of LT or disease presentation. Mean GFR at first and sixth months were lower in children on cyclosporine compared to tacrolimus (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, GFR–time curve was different in children with or without ALF. Type of LT, and severity of the CLD were not risk factors for CKD in any time, but younger age at LT, CLD, and cyclosporine usage were at sixth months of follow‐up.
An Additive–Multiplicative Restricted Mean Residual Life Model
Authors: Mansourvar Zahra , Martinussen Torben , Scheike Thomas H.
Published: November 2015

The mean residual life measures the expected remaining life of a subject who has survived up to a particular time. When survival time distribution is highly skewed or heavy tailed, the restricted mean residual life must be considered. In this paper, we propose an additive–multiplicative restricted mean residual life model to study the association between the restricted mean residual life function and potential regression covariates in the presence of right censoring. This model extends the proportional mean residual life model using an additive model as its covariate dependent baseline. For the suggested model, some covariate effects are allowed to be time‐varying. To estimate the model parameters, martingale estimating equations are developed, and the large sample properties of the resulting estimators are established. In addition, to assess the adequacy of the model, we investigate a goodness of fit test that is asymptotically justified. The proposed methodology is evaluated via simulation studies and further applied to a kidney cancer data set collected from a clinical trial.
Graphs for Margins of Bayesian Networks
Authors: Evans Robin J.
Published: November 2015

Directed acyclic graph (DAG) models—also called Bayesian networks—are widely used in probabilistic reasoning, machine learning and causal inference. If latent variables are present, then the set of possible marginal distributions over the remaining (observed) variables is generally not represented by any DAG. Larger classes of mixed graphical models have been introduced to overcome this; however, as we show, these classes are not sufficiently rich to capture all the marginal models that can arise. We introduce a new class of hyper‐graphs, called mDAGs, and a latent projection operation to obtain an mDAG from the margin of a DAG. We show that each distinct marginal of a DAG model is represented by at least one mDAG and provide graphical results towards characterizing equivalence of these models. Finally, we show that mDAGs correctly capture the marginal structure of causally interpreted DAGs under interventions on the observed variables.
Pre‐binding prior to full engagement improves loading conditions for front‐row players in contested Rugby Union scrums
Authors: Preatoni E. , Cazzola D. , Stokes K. A. , England M. , Trewartha G.
Published: November 2015

We investigated the effect of a “PreBind” engagement protocol on the biomechanics of contested Rugby Union scrummaging at different playing levels. “PreBind” requires front‐row props to take a bind on opposing players prior to the engagement, and to maintain the bind throughout the scrum duration. Twenty‐seven teams from five different playing levels performed live scrums under realistic conditions. Video analysis, pressures sensors, and inertial measurement units measured biomechanical outcomes as teams scrummaged following different engagement protocols: the CTPE (referee calls “crouch‐touch‐pause‐engage”), the CTS (“crouch‐touch‐set”), and the PreBind (“crouch‐bind‐set”) variants. PreBind reduced the set‐up distance between the packs (−27%) and the speed at which they came into contact by more than 20%. The peak biomechanical stresses acting on front rows during the engagement phase were decreased in PreBind by 14–25% with respect to CTPE and CTS, without reducing the capability to generate force in the subsequent sustained push. No relevant main effects were recorded for playing level due to within‐group variability and there were no interaction effects between playing level and engagement protocol. Pre‐binding reduced many mechanical quantities that have been indicated as possible factors for chronic and acute injury, and may lead to safer engagement conditions without affecting subsequent performance.
Measurement of organic and inorganic carbon in dolomite‐containing samples
Authors: Vuong X. T. , Prietzel J. , Heitkamp F.
Published: November 2015

It is still open to question which method is the best for quantifying organic carbon (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) in soils containing dolomite. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the accuracy of a novel thermal gradient (ThG), the classical calcimeter (CALC) and the loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) methods on a reference sample set with known proportions of OC present as soil organic matter (SOM) and IC present as dolomite and (2) to compare the results of the different methods on a set of soil samples with different dolomite and SOM contents. The CALC and LOI methods rely on separate quantification or removal of IC by acid or heat, whereas IC and OC can be quantified in a single run by the ThG analysis. The ThG method was the most accurate method for the reference sample set, especially when dolomite contents were high. On the soil sample set, the ThG and CALC methods performed equally well, but only when two outliers were eliminated. The LOI method was not satisfactory for either sample set. Overall, ThG was the most reliable method for measuring IC and OC in dolomite‐containing samples over a wide range of concentrations, but the more widely used CALC method was also acceptable.
Micro‐scale silicon isotope heterogeneity observed in hydrothermal quartz precipitates from the >3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, SW Greenland
Authors: Brengman Latisha A. , Fedo Christopher M. , Whitehouse Martin J.
Published: November 2015

Pillow basalt and chert form integral lithologies comprising many Archean greenstone belt packages. To investigate details of these lithologies in the >3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, SW Greenland, we measured silicon isotope compositions of quartz crystals, by secondary ion mass spectrometry, from a quartz‐cemented, quartz‐amygdaloidal basaltic pillow breccia, recrystallized chert and chert clasts thought to represent silica precipitation under hydrothermal conditions. The recrystallized chert, chert clasts and quartz cement have overlapping δ30Si values, while the δ30Si values of the quartz amygdules span nearly the entire range of previously published values for quartz precipitates of any age, despite amphibolite facies metamorphism. We suggest that the heterogeneity is derived from kinetic isotope fractionation during quartz precipitation under disequilibrium conditions in a hydrothermal setting, consistent with the pillow breccia origin. On the basis of the present data, we conclude that the geological context of each sample must be carefully evaluated when interpreting δ30Si values of quartz.
Explanatory Rivals and the Ultimate Argument
Authors: Dellsén Finnur
Published: November 2015

Although many aspects of Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE) have been extensively discussed, very little has so far been said about what it takes for a hypothesis to count as arivalexplanatory hypothesis in the context ofIBE. The primary aim of this article is to rectify this situation by arguing for a specific account of explanatory rivalry. On this account, explanatory rivals are (roughly speaking) complete explanations of a given explanandum. When explanatory rivals are conceived of in this way, I argue thatIBEis a more plausible and defensible rule of inference than it would otherwise be. The secondary aim of the article is to demonstrate the importance of accounts of explanatory rivalry by examining a prominent philosophical argument in whichIBEis employed, viz. the so‐calledUltimate Argumentfor scientific realism. In short,Iargue that a well‐known objection to the Ultimate Argument due to Arthur Fine fails in virtue of tacitly assuming an account of explanatory rivalry that we have independent reasons to reject.
The effects of topical parasympatholytic drugs on pupil diameter and intraocular pressure in healthy dogs treated with 0.005% latanoprost
Authors: Kahane Nili , Raskansky Hilli , Bdolah‐Abram Tali , Ofri Ron
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Prostaglandin analogs induce miosis and lower intraocular pressure (IOP). As pupils of latanoprost‐treated eyes may have to be dilated for ophthalmoscopy or intraocular surgery, we studied whether 0.5% tropicamide or 1% atropine alter the effects of 0.005% latanoprost on pupil diameter (PD) and IOP in healthy dogs.

Methods

IOP and PD were measured hourly, 8 AM–4 PM, with the right and left eyes serving as control (CE) and treated (TE) eyes, respectively. Measurements were conducted in ten Labrador retrievers with one‐week washout: (i) baseline values, (ii) latanoprost at 8 AM, (iii) tropicamide at 8 AM, (iv) latanoprost at 8 AM and tropicamide at 11 AM, and (v) latanoprost at 8 AM and atropine at 11 AM (n = 4).

Results

At 4 PM, TE PD was 5.88 ± 0.59, 3.62 ± 0.66, 6.33 ± 1.00, 5.42 ± 0.57, and 8.12 ± 1.24 mm in sessions 1–5, respectively. TE PD was significantly different between treatment sessions 2, 4, and 5 (P = 0.018, Friedman), being most mydriatic in session 5. At 4 PM, TE IOP was 11.27 ± 2.07, 7.10 ± 1.07, 11.1 ± 2.21, 7.70 ± 1.85, and 8.87 ± 1.42 mm Hg in sessions 1–5, respectively, with no differences between treatment sessions 2, 4, and 5 (P = 0.105, Friedman).

Conclusions

Tropicamide and atropine counteracted latanoprost's miotic effect, with atropine causing significantly larger mydriasis, sufficient for indirect ophthalmoscopy. Neither drug counteracted the hypotensive effect of latanoprost during this study period. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential risks in glaucomatous dogs.
Ocular lesions produced by pine processionary caterpillar setae (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) in dogs: a descriptive study
Authors: Costa Daniel , Esteban Javier , Sanz Fernando , Vergara Jorge , Huguet Eduardo
Published: November 2015

Objective

To describe, for the first time in dogs, the ocular lesions induced by the pine processionary caterpillar (PPC) setae, and the associated corneal histopathology, medical treatment, and outcome.

Animal studied

One hundred and forty client‐owned dogs from Spain were studied. One hundred and twenty dogs came from the central area of Spain, 13 from the southern area, six from the northern area, and one dog came from the Mediterranean area.

Procedure

Medical records from four veterinary ophthalmology practices were reviewed. Dogs that were presented from endemic areas and that had PPC setae identified during their ophthalmic examination were included in the study.

Results

The following ocular lesions were identified: keratitis with crescent‐ or circular‐shaped white stromal cellular infiltrates (98.57% [n = 138]), anterior uveitis (78.57% [n = 110]), conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis (33.57% [n = 47]), blepharitis (8.57% [n = 12]), and corneal ulcers (2.86% [n = 4]). Removal of the hairs by saline hydropulsion and medical treatment was successful in 99.29% (n = 139) of the cases. A single case healed following additional corneal reconstructive surgery to remove the deep corneal lesion and subsequent histopathology revealed an acute lesion with necrotic neutrophilic infiltrate and corneal edema. All ocular lesions resolved completely within 15 and 30 days after presentation, with the exception of one case that developed endophthalmitis.

Conclusion

Pine processionary caterpillar should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute ocular lesions, especially if keratitis with corneal cellular infiltrate and anterior uveitis are present, in dogs from endemic areas during the months of spring and summer. In the majority of cases, irrigation and removal of the hairs together with medical treatment leads to a good outcome.
Importance of timing and repetition of stubble cultivation for post‐harvest control of Elymus repens
Authors: Ringselle B , Bergkvist G , Aronsson H , Andersson L
Published: November 2015

Without herbicides, the control of Elymus repens relies on intensive tillage, often in the form of repeated post‐harvest stubble cultivations followed by ploughing. This is costly and time‐consuming and also increases the risk of nitrogen leaching. Our aim was to quantify the controlling effect on E. repens of single and repeated cultivation and differing time of cultivation in relation to spring cereal harvest. A 2‐year experiment was conducted at two sites in the south and east of Sweden in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. We compared no, single and repeated tine cultivation followed by mouldboard ploughing; the single cultivation was performed directly after harvest or 20 days after harvest; when repeated, the first cultivation was performed immediately or 5 days after harvest, followed by a second cultivation 20 days after harvest. Tine cultivation in combination with mouldboard ploughing resulted in 50–70% lower rhizome biomass, and increased average subsequent cereal yields by 0–130% compared with ploughing alone. Large E. repens populations appeared to be more efficiently reduced by tine cultivation than smaller populations. A single tine cultivation 20 days after harvest tended to result in a higher E. repens shoot density and more rhizome biomass in the subsequent year than tine cultivation directly after harvest. Additional cultivation 20 days after harvest did not improve control of E. repens or the subsequent cereal grain yield, compared with a single cultivation conducted directly after harvest. In conclusion, preventing the growth of E. repens during the early part of the post‐harvest autumn period was more important than starving rhizomes with repeated cultivations.
Multicenter prospective randomized study comparing the technique of using a bovine pericardium biological prosthesis reinforcement in parietal herniorrhaphy (Tutomesh TUTOGEN) with simple parietal herniorrhaphy, in a potentially contaminated setting
Authors: Nedelcu Marius , Verhaeghe Pierre , Skalli Mehdi , Champault Gerard , Barrat Christophe , Sebbag Hugues , Reche Fabian , Passebois Laurent , Beyrne Daniel , Gugenheim Jean , Berdah Stephane , Bouayed Amine , Michel Fabre Jean , Nocca David
Published: November 2015

The use of parietal synthetic prosthetic reinforcement material in potentially contaminated settings is not recommended, as there is a risk that the prosthesis may become infected. Thus, simple parietal herniorrhaphy, is the conventional treatment, even though there is a significant risk that the hernia may recur. Using new biomaterials of animal origin presently appears to offer a new therapeutic solution, but their effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated. The purpose of this multicenter prospective randomized single‐blind study was to compare the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia or abdominal incisional hernia by simple parietal herniorrhaphy without prosthetic reinforcement (Group A), with Tutomesh TUTOGEN biological prosthesis reinforcement parietal herniorrhaphy (Group B), in a potentially contaminated setting. We examined early postoperative complications in the first month after the operation, performed an assessment after one year of survival without recurrence and analyzed the quality of life and pain of the patients (using SF‐12 health status questionnaire and Visual Analog Pain Scale) at 1, 6, and 12 months, together with an economic impact study. Hundred and thirty four patients were enrolled between January 2009 and October 2010 in 20 French hospitals. The groups were comparable with respect to their enrollment characteristics, their history, types of operative indications and procedures carried out. At one month post‐op, the rate of infectious complications (n(A) = 11(18.33%) vs. n(B) = 12(19.05%), p = 0.919) was not significantly different between the two groups. The assessment after one year of survival without recurrence revealed that survival was significantly greater in Group B (Group A recurrence: 10, Group B: 3; p = 0.0475). No difference in the patients' quality of life was demonstrated at 1, 6, or 12 months. However, at the 1 month follow‐up, the “perceived health” rating seemed better in the group with Tutomesh (p = 0.022). No significant difference between the two parietal repair groups was observed during the follow‐ups with respect to the criterion of pain (using a visual analog scale). There was a significant difference between the two parietal repair groups with regard to the number of days spent in intensive care unit, in favor of the Tutomesh technique (p = 0.010). The use of a Tutomesh bioprosthesis for hernia repair or postincisional hernia in a potentially contaminated workplace reduces the risk of short‐term recurrence without increasing overall comorbidity.
Epidemiology of chronic wounds in Germany: Analysis of statutory health insurance data
Authors: Heyer Kristina , Herberger Katharina , Protz Kerstin , Glaeske Gerd , Augustin Matthias
Published: November 2015

Epidemiologic analyses in routine care of chronic wounds are scarce, and published studies show wide variations. This study analyzes the population‐based prevalence and incidence of chronic wounds in Germany. Secondary analyses of data from a German statutory health insurance with about 9 million insured persons were examined (2010 to 2012). Internal diagnostic validations were used to control for different inclusion criteria. In 2012, 1.04% (95% CI 1.03–1.05) of insured patients had a wound diagnosis, including 0.70% with leg ulcers and 0.27% with diabetic ulcers. Wound treatment was received by 0.43% (0.43–0.44) of patients. Prevalence and incidence increased over 3 years. Extrapolated to the German population, there were 786,407 prevalent and 196,602 incident chronic wounds, including 326,334/172,026 patients who underwent wound‐relevant treatment in 2012. There is an annually increasing frequency of chronic wounds in Germany. Chronic wound epidemiology is sensitive to wound treatment as a filter criterion.
Mechanistically based mapping of human cardiac fibrillation
Authors: Narayan Sanjiv M. , Zaman Junaid A. B.
Published: November 2015

The mechanisms underpinning human cardiac fibrillation remain elusive. In his 1913 paper ‘On dynamic equilibrium in the heart’, Mines proposed that an activation wave front could propagate repeatedly in a circle, initiated by a stimulus in the vulnerable period. While the dynamics of activation and recovery are central to cardiac fibrillation, these physiological data are rarely used in clinical mapping. Fibrillation is a rapid irregular rhythm with spatiotemporal disorder resulting from two fundamental mechanisms – sources in preferred cardiac regions or spatially diffuse self‐sustaining activity, i.e. with no preferred source. On close inspection, however, this debate may also reflect mapping technique. Fibrillation is initiated from triggers by regional dispersion in repolarization, slow conduction and wavebreak, then sustained by non‐uniform interactions of these mechanisms. Notably, optical mapping of action potentials in atrial fibrillation (AF) show spiral wave sources (rotors) in nearly all studies including humans, while most traditional electrogram analyses of AF do not. Techniques may diverge in fibrillation because electrograms summate non‐coherent waves within an undefined field whereas optical maps define waves with a visually defined field. Also fibrillation operates at the limits of activation and recovery, which are well represented by action potentials while fibrillatory electrograms poorly represent repolarization. We conclude by suggesting areas for study that may be used, until such time as optical mapping is clinically feasible, to improve mechanistic understanding and therapy of human cardiac fibrillation.

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