bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

AbstractAimNo 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionNumerous 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

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

AbstractAimRenal 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.MethodsMice 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.ResultsSerum 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.ConclusionThe 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

AbstractStudy ObjectiveThe 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.DesignThe design of the study is a dual centre, prospective, open‐labelled randomized crossover, 7 weeks trial.SettingThe setting of the study is on a patient on long‐term haemodialysis (HD) or haemodiafiltration (HDF) using high‐flux membrane.ParticipantThere were eight patients on HD and eight on HDF.InterventionParticipants 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.OutcomesThe 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionIn 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

AbstractThis 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.
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

AbstractSince 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

AbstractPRES 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

AbstractAKI 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

AbstractThe 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

AbstractDirected 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.
Measurement of organic and inorganic carbon in dolomite‐containing samples
Authors: Vuong X. T. , Prietzel J. , Heitkamp F. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIt 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

AbstractPillow 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

AbstractAlthough 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

AbstractPurposeProstaglandin 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.MethodsIOP 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).ResultsAt 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).ConclusionsTropicamide 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

AbstractObjectiveTo 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 studiedOne 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.ProcedureMedical 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionPine 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.