bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on fetal growth and neonatal birth measures in an African cohort
Authors: Macaulay S. , Munthali R. J. , Dunger D. B. , Norris S. A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimFetal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is said to alter fetal growth and increase the risk of macrosomia. However, little research on GDM exists in African populations. This study aimed to assess longitudinal fetal growth and neonatal birth measures among Black African babies exposed to GDM.MethodsPregnant women (Soweto, South Africa) enrolled into a cohort study were followed up with repeated fetal ultrasounds. At 24–28 weeks’ gestation a 2‐h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed and GDM was diagnosed using the World Health Organization's 2013 criteria. Neonatal birth measures were assessed.ResultsThe study involved 741 women; 83 (11.2%) with GDM and 658 (88.8%) without. A total of 4040 fetal ultrasounds were performed. GDM exposure was associated with an increase in fetal growth measures, especially abdominal circumference, which was already seen at 16–18 weeks’ gestation. Male fetuses in particular, showed a significant association between GDM exposure and increased abdominal circumference (P = 0.009). Most women with GDM (66.3%) received management; all received diet therapy and 32.7% were prescribed medication. There was no difference in birth measures between the GDM‐exposed and unexposed neonates.ConclusionRepeated ultrasound measures identified the effects of GDM as early as 16–18 weeks’ gestation, well before a diagnosis of GDM would usually be made. Sex differences in fetal growth were observed, with GDM‐exposed male fetuses being more affected with larger abdominal circumferences than females. A low rate of macrosomia was observed compared with historical GDM populations.
Empagliflozin as add‐on to linagliptin in a fixed‐dose combination in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: Glycaemic efficacy and safety profile in a 52‐week, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Kawamori Ryuzo , Haneda Masakazu , Suzaki Keiko , Cheng Gang , Shiki Kosuke , Miyamoto Yuki , Solimando Fernando , Lee Christopher , Lee Jisoo , George Jyothis 
Published: May 2018

AimsThis double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02453555) evaluated the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin (Empa) 10 or 25 mg as add‐on to linagliptin (Lina) 5 mg (fixed‐dose combination, Empa/Lina 10/5 or 25/5) in insufficiently controlled Japanese type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsThe trial (40 sites; May 2015‐March 2017) involved screening 433 adults (≥20 years) who were treatment‐naive or were using one oral antidiabetic drug for ≥12 weeks, which was discontinued at enrolment. Patients with HbA1c 7.5%‐10.0% after ≥16 weeks of using Lina (pre‐enrolment or during a 16‐week, open‐label period) and 2 weeks of using placebo (Plc) for Empa/Lina 10/5, plus Lina, were randomized (2:1) to once‐daily Empa/Lina 10/5 (n = 182) or Plc/Lina 10/5 (n = 93) for 24 weeks. Patients with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% at Week 24 received Empa/Lina up‐titrated to 25/5 (n = 126) or the corresponding placebo (n = 80), per randomization, from Week 28; 172 Empa/Lina and 84 Plc/Lina patients completed 52 weeks.ResultsChange from baseline in HbA1c was greater (P < .0001) with Empa/Lina than with Plc/Lina at Week 24 (primary outcome, −0.93% vs 0.21%; adjusted mean difference, −1.14%) and Week 52 (−1.16% vs 0.06%; adjusted mean difference, −1.22%). More patients with HbA1c < 7.0% and greater decreases in fasting plasma glucose, body weight and systolic blood pressure were seen in the Empa/Lina group than in the Plc/Lina group. Empa/Lina was well tolerated. The adverse events that were more frequent with Empa/Lina were known empagliflozin‐associated events (eg, increased urination, increased blood ketones). There were no adjudication‐confirmed diabetic ketoacidosis events or lower limb amputations.ConclusionsThese results support the notion that empagliflozin‐linagliptin in fixed‐dose combination is a therapeutic option for Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide induces weight loss in subjects with type 2 diabetes regardless of baseline BMI or gastrointestinal adverse events in the SUSTAIN 1 to 5 trials
Authors: Ahrén Bo , Atkin Stephen L. , Charpentier Guillaume , Warren Mark L. , Wilding John P. H. , Birch Sune , Holst Anders Gaarsdal , Leiter Lawrence A. 
Published: May 2018

AimsTo assess the effect of baseline body mass index (BMI) and the occurrence of nausea and/or vomiting on weight loss induced by semalgutide, a once‐weekly glucagon‐like peptide 1 analogue for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide demonstrated superior reductions in HbA1c and superior weight loss (by 2.3‐6.3 kg) versus different comparators across the SUSTAIN 1 to 5 trials; the contributing factors to weight loss are not established.Materials and MethodsSubjects with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (drug‐naïve or on background treatment) were randomized to subcutaneous semaglutide 0.5 mg (excluding SUSTAIN 3), 1.0 mg (all trials), or comparator (placebo, sitagliptin, exenatide extended release or insulin glargine). Subjects were subdivided by baseline BMI and reporting (yes/no) of any nausea and/or vomiting. Change from baseline in body weight was assessed within each trial and subgroup. A mediation analysis separated weight loss into direct or indirect (mediated by nausea or vomiting) effects.ResultsClinically relevant weight‐loss differences were observed across all BMI subgroups, with a trend towards higher absolute weight loss with higher baseline BMI. Overall, 15.2% to 24.0% and 21.5% to 27.2% of subjects experienced nausea or vomiting with semaglutide 0.5 and 1.0 mg, respectively, versus 6.0% to 14.1% with comparators. Only 0.07 to 0.5 kg of the treatment difference between semaglutide and comparators was mediated by nausea or vomiting (indirect effects).ConclusionsIn SUSTAIN 1 to 5, semaglutide‐induced weight loss was consistently greater versus comparators, regardless of baseline BMI. The contribution of nausea or vomiting to this weight loss was minor.
The “isohydric trap”: A proposed feedback between water shortage, stomatal regulation, and nutrient acquisition drives differential growth and survival of European pines under climatic dryness
Authors: Salazar‐Tortosa Diego , Castro Jorge , Villar‐Salvador Pedro , Viñegla Benjamín , Matías Luis , Michelsen Anders , Rubio de Casas Rafael , Querejeta José I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractClimatic dryness imposes limitations on vascular plant growth by reducing stomatal conductance, thereby decreasing CO2 uptake and transpiration. Given that transpiration‐driven water flow is required for nutrient uptake, climatic stress‐induced nutrient deficit could be a key mechanism for decreased plant performance under prolonged drought. We propose the existence of an “isohydric trap,” a dryness‐induced detrimental feedback leading to nutrient deficit and stoichiometry imbalance in strict isohydric species. We tested this framework in a common garden experiment with 840 individuals of four ecologically contrasting European pines (Pinus halepensis, P. nigra, P. sylvestris, and P. uncinata) at a site with high temperature and low soil water availability. We measured growth, survival, photochemical efficiency, stem water potentials, leaf isotopic composition (δ13C, δ18O), and nutrient concentrations (C, N, P, K, Zn, Cu). After 2 years, the Mediterranean species Pinus halepensis showed lower δ18O and higher δ13C values than the other species, indicating higher time‐integrated transpiration and water‐use efficiency (WUE), along with lower predawn and midday water potentials, higher photochemical efficiency, higher leaf P, and K concentrations, more balanced N:P and N:K ratios, and much greater dry‐biomass (up to 63‐fold) and survival (100%). Conversely, the more mesic mountain pine species showed higher leaf δ18O and lower δ13C, indicating lower transpiration and WUE, higher water potentials, severe P and K deficiencies and N:P and N:K imbalances, and poorer photochemical efficiency, growth, and survival. These results support our hypothesis that vascular plant species with tight stomatal regulation of transpiration can become trapped in a feedback cycle of nutrient deficit and imbalance that exacerbates the detrimental impacts of climatic dryness on performance. This overlooked feedback mechanism may hamper the ability of isohydric species to respond to ongoing global change, by aggravating the interactive impacts of stoichiometric imbalance and water stress caused by anthropogenic N deposition and hotter droughts, respectively.
Conceptions of kingship in high‐medieval Germany in historiographical perspective
Authors: Dale Johanna 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHistorians of medieval kingship have been influenced by a teleology that sees the development of the secular modern state as inevitable. Therefore, the desacralisation of kingship is considered a key moment on the path to modern state formation. In Germany, the moment of desacralisation has traditionally been identified in 1077, when king Henry IV submitted to Pope Gregory VII at Canossa. Thereafter, the spell of Ottonian sacral kingship was punctured, and Henry's twelfth‐century successors were forced to look to Roman law and the support of the princes for legitimation. In this essay, we first examine the historiography of this traditional three‐phase paradigm, before introducing some recent scholarship that challenges the paradigm and criticises the universal explanatory power of the demise of sacral kingship as a catch‐all reason for change, at the expense of complex political, social, and economic factors.
Flying insect abundance declines with increasing road traffic
Authors: Martin Amanda E. , Graham Shannon L. , Henry Melissa , Pervin Erik , Fahrig Lenore 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

One potentially important but underappreciated threat to insects is road mortality. Road kill studies clearly show that insects are killed on roads, leading to the hypothesis that road mortality causes declines in local insect population sizes.

In this study we used custom‐made sticky traps attached to a vehicle to target diurnal flying insects that interact with roads, sampling along 10 high‐traffic and 10 low‐traffic rural roads in southeastern Ontario, Canada. We used a paired sampling design to control for potentially confounding differences in the road characteristics (e.g. road width) and surrounding land covers (e.g. housing density) between high‐traffic and low‐traffic roads. We then used these data to test the prediction that fewer flying insects collide with vehicles, per vehicle (i.e. insect abundance is lower), on high‐traffic than low‐traffic roads.

We found significantly fewer insects at the high‐traffic roads than at the low‐traffic roads as predicted. There was a 23.5% decline in the number of insects/km/vehicle on high‐traffic relative to low‐traffic roads.

Given the high rates of insect mortality observed in previous studies, it is likely that road mortality contributes to these observed negative effects of traffic intensity. Thus the growing global road network is a concern for conservationists and land managers, not only because insect population declines contribute to the ongoing global losses of biodiversity but also because insects play a vital role in food webs and provide important ecosystem services.
Detection of an avian lineage influenza A(H7N2) virus in air and surface samples at a New York City feline quarantine facility
Authors: Blachere Francoise M. , Lindsley William G. , Weber Angela M. , Beezhold Donald H. , Thewlis Robert E. , Mead Kenneth R. , Noti John D. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundIn December 2016, an outbreak of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A(H7N2) occurred in cats at a New York City animal shelter and quickly spread to other shelters in New York and Pennsylvania. The A(H7N2) virus also spread to an attending veterinarian. In response, 500 cats were transferred from these shelters to a temporary quarantine facility for continued monitoring and treatment.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the occupational risk of A(H7N2) exposure among emergency response workers at the feline quarantine facility.MethodsAerosol and surface samples were collected from inside and outside the isolation zones of the quarantine facility. Samples were screened for A(H7N2) by quantitative RT‐PCR and analyzed in embryonated chicken eggs for infectious virus.ResultsH7N2 virus was detected by RT‐PCR in 28 of 29 aerosol samples collected in the high‐risk isolation (hot) zone with 70.9% on particles with aerodynamic diameters >4 μm, 27.7% in 1‐4 μm, and 1.4% in <1 μm. Seventeen of 22 surface samples from the high‐risk isolation zone were also H7N2 positive with an average M1 copy number of 1.3 × 103. Passage of aerosol and surface samples in eggs confirmed that infectious virus was present throughout the high‐risk zones in the quarantine facility.ConclusionsBy measuring particle size, distribution, and infectivity, our study suggests that the A(H7N2) virus had the potential to spread by airborne transmission and/or direct contact with viral‐laden fomites. These results warranted continued A(H7N2) surveillance and transmission‐based precautions during the treatment and care of infected cats.
Standing on shaky ground and living in the now: How resource amount and stability influence time perspectives
Authors: Gore Jonathan S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTime perspective predicts multiple health, antisocial, and prosocial outcomes, but the factors that explain it are rarely examined. Two studies examined the unique influences of resource amount and stability on time perspective. In both studies, participants (n = 300 college students for Study 1, 167 working adults for Study 2) reported the amount and stability of their income, and their time perspectives. The instability of financial and social resources was associated with present‐fatalistic perspective. The stability of personal resources was associated with future‐planful perspective. Implications for developmental and cognitive theories of risky behavior are discussed.
Blood pressure measurement techniques: Assessing performance in outpatient settings of a tertiary‐level hospital in Rwanda
Authors: Kabakambira Jean Damascene , Niyonsenga Zachee , Hategeka Marthe , Igiraneza Grace , Benurugo Genevieve , Lucero‐Prisno III Don Eliseo , Hategeka Celestin 
Published: May 2018

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality globally. Hypertension is a known modifiable risk factor for CVD. Diagnosis and management of hypertension hinges upon accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement. In this study, we assessed performance to recommended guidelines for BP measurement in Rwanda. In 2017, a cross‐sectional study investigating performance on 11 techniques recommended for BP measurement was undertaken across outpatient settings of 3 departments at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda. Performance was checked by an inside observer. The study enrolled 164 patients. The overall mean performance on the 11 BP measurement techniques was 5.69 (±1.02) out of the 11 possible points. There was no significant difference in performance across departments (P = .28). The findings suggest that performance on currently recommended guidelines for BP measurement is not optimal. Going forward, it is important to implement interventions that will enhance performance given that diagnosis and management of hypertension depend upon accurate BP measurement.
Evaluation of the influence of implant placement timing on the esthetic outcomes of single tooth implant treatment in the anterior maxilla: A retrospective study
Authors: Arora Himanshu , Ivanovski Saso 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the influence of implant placement timing on the esthetic outcomes for single implants in the anterior maxilla.Materials and methodsOne hundred and ten patients (48 males; 62 females) who received a single‐tooth implant after extraction either immediately (Type 1); after 4–8 weeks (Type 2); after 8–16 weeks (Type 3); or more than 16 weeks (Type 4) were evaluated in terms of esthetic outcomes after a mean post‐placement interval of 26.3 months (range 12–116). Esthetic outcomes were measured using the Pink and White Esthetic Score (PES; WES). Stepwise regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of timing of placement, as well as patient demographics and other clinical parameters on the esthetic outcomes.ResultsNo statistically significantly differences in PES were found between the various treatment modalities with Type 1 implants (n = 33) scoring 10.58 ± 1.65 (median: 11), followed by 10.36 ± 2.09 (median: 10.5), 9.68 ± 2.43 (median: 10), and 9.63 ± 2.21 (median: 10) for Type 2 (n = 14), Type 3 (n = 19), and Type 4 (n = 44), respectively. For immediate implants, a trend towards better esthetic outcomes was observed when implant placement was done flaplessly in cases with intact buccal bone (Type 1A, median PES 11) as compared to cases with partial/complete missing buccal plates where a flap was raised (Type 1B, median PES 10). Overall, the only parameter that influenced esthetic outcomes (as measured by PES) was gender, with females having significantly superior results. The median WES was 8 and 96% of the crowns were deemed esthetically acceptable, with crowns placed by specialist prosthodontists yielding higher scores than those placed by general practitioners.ConclusionsSingle tooth implants in the anterior maxilla showed satisfactory outcomes when measured with objective esthetic criteria. Timing of implant placement did not significantly influence the esthetic outcomes, although a trend towards better outcomes was seen with immediate implant placement as observed by higher median PES values.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCESingle tooth implant placement in the anterior maxilla is a predictable treatment modality for achieving acceptable esthetic outcomes regardless of the timing of placement.
Adhesive/silane application effects on bond strength durability to a lithium disilicate ceramic
Authors: Romanini‐Junior Jose C. , Kumagai Rose Y. , Ortega Luiz F. , Rodrigues Jose A. , Cassoni Alessandra , Hirata Ronaldo , Reis Andre F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo test the effects of different adhesive protocols and silane application on the adhesive durability to a Lithium Disilicate reinforced glass ceramic.MethodsForty disks of 13 mm diameter (E.max Press) were used. After etching with 9.5% HF for 20 seconds, disks were randomly assigned into 4 groups according to the adhesive/silane protocol: silane application only (SIL); silane application followed by adhesive (SILXP—XP Bond); silane‐containing adhesive (SBU—ScotchBond Universal); silane application followed by silane‐containing adhesive (SILSBU). Four resin composite cylinders of 1‐mm diameter and 3‐mm height were made on each ceramic disk and tested in shear. Specimens were stored in water for 24 hours or 12 months prior to testing. Results were statistically analyzed by two‐way ANOVA and Tukey test.ResultsAfter 24 hours, the highest SBS values were observed for SILXP and SILSBU. However, after 12 months, SILXP and SILSBU presented a significant reduction in SBS, while the highest SBS were observed for SIL. For SBU, no significant reduction in SBS was observed, however, it showed the lowest SBS after 12 months.ConclusionsRegardless of the presence of silane in the composition of SBU, previous silane application is still recommended prior to cementation of Lithium Disilicate.Clinical SignificanceThe application of silane as a separate step is recommended prior to cementation of Lithium Disilicate reinforced glass‐ceramic, independent of the presence of silane within the universal adhesive solution.
Platinum‐resistant recurrent ovarian cancer with long survival on bevacizumab and gemcitabine
Authors: Komiyama Shinichi , Kugimiya Tsuyoki , Takeya Chiaki , Takahashi Rena , Kubushiro Kaneyuki 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPlatinum‐resistant recurrent ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, but combined therapy with bevacizumab and anticancer agents may be useful. We report a patient with long‐term disease control by the combination of bevacizumab and gemcitabine (BEV + GEM). The patient was a 77‐year‐old woman with high‐grade Stage IIIC serous ovarian carcinoma. In 2012, a complete response (CR) was obtained by neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy using paclitaxel plus carboplatin and tumor debulking surgery. After recurrence in 2013, CR was achieved again with gemcitabine plus carboplatin. In 2014, recurrence was detected again, but CR was achieved by third‐line combination therapy with gemcitabine, carboplatin and bevacizumab. In 2015, the third recurrence was found during bevacizumab maintenance therapy. Fourth‐line treatment was initiated with BEV + GEM, which has maintained stable disease for 29 months. This is the first report about marked prolongation of survival by BEV + GEM in a patient with platinum‐resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.
Cortical Thickness Estimations of FreeSurfer and the CAT12 Toolbox in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Controls
Authors: Seiger Rene , Ganger Sebastian , Kranz Georg S. , Hahn Andreas , Lanzenberger Rupert 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEAutomated cortical thickness (CT) measurements are often used to assess gray matter changes in the healthy and diseased human brain. The FreeSurfer software is frequently applied for this type of analysis. The computational anatomy toolbox (CAT12) for SPM, which offers a fast and easy‐to‐use alternative approach, was recently made available.METHODSIn this study, we compared region of interest (ROI)‐wise CT estimations of the surface‐based FreeSurfer 6 (FS6) software and the volume‐based CAT12 toolbox for SPM using 44 elderly healthy female control subjects (HC). In addition, these 44 HCs from the cross‐sectional analysis and 34 age‐ and sex‐matched patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were used to assess the potential of detecting group differences for each method. Finally, a test‐retest analysis was conducted using 19 HC subjects. All data were taken from the OASIS database and MRI scans were recorded at 1.5 Tesla.RESULTSA strong correlation was observed between both methods in terms of ROI mean CT estimates (R2 = .83). However, CAT12 delivered significantly higher CT estimations in 32 of the 34 ROIs, indicating a systematic difference between both approaches. Furthermore, both methods were able to reliably detect atrophic brain areas in AD subjects, with the highest decreases in temporal areas. Finally, FS6 as well as CAT12 showed excellent test‐retest variability scores.CONCLUSIONAlthough CT estimations were systematically higher for CAT12, this study provides evidence that this new toolbox delivers accurate and robust CT estimates and can be considered a fast and reliable alternative to FreeSurfer.