bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen efficiency and leaf nitrogen remobilisation of oilseed rape lines and hybrids
Authors: Wang L. , Mühling K.‐H. , Schulte auf'm Erley G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractImproved nitrogen (N) efficiency of oilseed rape is crucial for reducing environmental N surpluses. In this study, a 2‐year field experiment as well as a hydroponic experiment were performed with four hybrids and their corresponding lines. Seed yield and N efficiency parameters of oilseed rape cultivars grown at low N (0 kg N ha−1) and high N (150 kg N ha−1) supply were investigated in the field experiments. Hybrids showed higher seed yield than lines, especially at low N supply, because of a superior N uptake. Moreover, hybrids showed higher N harvest index (NHI) across N rates, which also contributed to higher seed yields. Results from the hydroponic experiment showed significant genotypic variation in leaf N remobilisation efficiency (NRE), but no hybrid‐versus‐line difference was found. Cultivars differed significantly in specific N content in senescent leaves, and leaf NRE was negatively correlated with specific N content in senescent leaves. When linking the hydroponic results with the field results, no relationship was found between leaf NRE and NHI. In conclusion, hybrids were superior to their corresponding lines in N efficiency because of higher N uptake and NHI. The higher NHI was, however, not related to genotypic variation in leaf NRE.
The interrelationship between attentional and executive deficits in major depressive disorder
Authors: Nilsson J. , Thomas A. J. , Stevens L. H. , McAllister‐Williams R. H. , Ferrier I. N. , Gallagher P. 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveCognitive dysfunction is an established feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it remains unclear whether deficits in different cognitive domains are relatively independent or originate from a circumscribed ‘primary deficit’. This study tested the hypothesis that a deficit in attention represents a primary deficit in depression.MethodNeuropsychological function was assessed in 30 depressed patients with MDD and 34 control participants. Cognitive composites were derived from a minimum of three tests and included attention, executive function, visuospatial memory and verbal memory. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess group differences in overall cognitive performance, and multiple regression models were used to evaluate the role of attention in deficits in other domains.ResultsThe cognitive deficit in the depressed sample was found to be characterized by poorer performance in attention and executive function. When evaluating the interrelationship between the two deficits, the attentional deficit was found to persist when variability in executive function was statistically accounted for, whilst the executive deficit was eliminated when attention was accounted for.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that the attentional deficit could not be explained by deficits in executive function, which provides support for a primary attention deficit in depression.
Differences in health‐related quality of life between European and Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chie Wei‐Chu , Blazeby Jane M , Hsiao Chin‐Fu , Chiu Herng‐Chia , Poon Ronnie T , Mikoshiba Naoko , Al‐Kadhim Gillian , Heaton Nigel , Calara Jozer , Collins Peter , Caddick Katharine , Costantini Anna , Vilgrain Valerie ,   Chieh Chiang, on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to explore the possible effects of clinical and cultural characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma on patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsPatients with hepatocellular carcinoma from Asian and European countries completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and the EORTC QLQ‐HCC18. Comparisons were made using Student's t‐test and Wilcoxon rank‐sum test with method of false discovery to correct multiple comparisons. Multiway analysis of variance and model selection were used to assess the effects of clinical characteristics and geographic areas.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty‐seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma completed questionnaires. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, Asian patients still had significantly better HRQoL scores in emotional functioning, insomnia, (QLQ‐C30) and in sexual interest (QLQ‐HCC18). We also found an interaction in physical functioning (QLQ‐C30) and fatigue (QLQ‐HCC18) between geographic region and marital status, married European had worse HRQoL scores than Asian singles.ConclusionsBoth clinical characteristics and geographic areas affected the HRQoL in with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cultural differences and clinical differences in the pattern of disease due to active surveillance of Asian countries may explain the results.
The Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (AE‐QoL) – assessment of sensitivity to change and minimal clinically important difference
Authors: Weller K. , Magerl M. , Peveling‐Oberhag A. , Martus P. , Staubach P. , Maurer M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (AE‐QoL) has recently been developed and validated as the first specific patient‐reported outcome tool to assess quality of life (QoL) impairment in recurrent angioedema patients. As of yet, its sensitivity to change and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) have not been established.MethodsRecurrent angioedema patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria or hereditary angioedema were repeatedly asked to complete the AE‐QoL along with the SF‐12 and other anchors for QoL impairment and disease activity during routine care visits. The sensitivity to change of AE‐QoL was determined by correlating changes in its scores over time with changes in the applied anchors. In addition, the MCID was determined using anchor‐based and distributional criterion‐based approaches.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy‐eight patients contributed data sets for analysis. Baseline AE‐QoL values were found to correlate well with SF‐12 results as well as all other applied anchors for angioedema‐related QoL impairment and disease activity. In addition, AE‐QoL score changes over time correlated significantly with changes in the above anchors, thus demonstrating its sensitivity to change. The MCID of the AE‐QoL total score was found to be six points.ConclusionThe AE‐QoL is a valuable tool to assess changes of QoL impairment in recurrent angioedema patients over time, including changes due to treatment.
Deceleration Capacity of Heart Rate Predicts Arrhythmic and Total Mortality in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Arsenos Petros , Manis George , Gatzoulis Konstantinos A. , Dilaveris Polychronis , Gialernios Theodoros , Angelis Athanasios , Papadopoulos Achileas , Venieri Erifili , Trikas Athanasios , Tousoulis Dimitris 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundDeceleration capacity (DC) of heart rate proved an independent mortality predictor in postmyocardial infarction patients. The original method (DCorig) may produce negative values (9% in our analyzed sample). We aimed to improve the method and to investigate if DC also predicts the arrhythmic mortality.MethodsTime series from 221 heart failure patients was analyzed with DCorig and a new variant, the DCsgn, in which decelerations are characterized based on windows of four consecutive beats and not on anchors. After 41.2 months, 69 patients experienced sudden cardiac death (SCD) surrogate end points, while 61 died.Results(SCD+ vs SCD‐group) DCorig: 3.7 ± 1.6 ms versus 4.6 ± 2.6 ms (P = 0.020) and DCsgn: 4.9 ± 1.7 ms versus 6.1 ± 2.2 ms (P < 0.001). After Cox regression (gender, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, filtered QRS, NSVT≥1/24h, VPBs≥240/24h, mean 24‐h QTc, and each DC index added on the model separately), DCsgn (continuous) was an independent SCD predictor (hazard ratio [H.R.]: 0.742, 95% confidence intervals (C.I.): 0.631–0.871, P < 0.001). DCsgn ≤ 5.373 (dichotomous) presented 1.815 H.R. for SCD (95% C.I.: 1.080–3.049, P = 0.024), areas under curves (AUC)/receiver operator characteristic (ROC): 0.62 (DCorig) and 0.66 (DCsgn), P = 0.190 (chi‐square). Results for deceased versus alive group: DCorig: 3.2 ± 2.0 ms versus 4.8 ± 2.4 ms (P < 0.001) and DCsgn: 4.6 ± 1.4 ms versus 6.2 ± 2.2 ms (P < 0.001). In Cox regression, DCsgn (continuous) presented H.R.: 0.686 (95% C.I. 0.546–0.862, P = 0.001) and DCsgn ≤ 5.373 (dichotomous) presented an H.R.: 2.443 for total mortality (TM) (95% C.I. 1.269–4.703, P = 0.008). AUC/ROC: 0.71 (DCorig) and 0.73 (DCsgn), P = 0.402.ConclusionsDC predicts both SCD and TM. DCsgn avoids the negative values, improving the method in a nonstatistical important level.
Primary trabeculotomy compared to combined trabeculectomy–trabeculotomy in congenital glaucoma: 3‐year study
Authors: Khalil Dalia H. , Abdelhakim Mohamad A. S. E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPurposeTo compare the outcome of primary trabeculotomy with that of combined trabeculectomy–trabeculotomy (CTT) with mitomycin C (MMC) in children with congenital glaucoma.MethodsThis is a prospective comparative study, carried out on a cohort of 28 eyes (28 infants) with congenital glaucoma. Infants with proved congenital glaucoma [based on intra‐ocular pressure (IOP), cup/disc (C/D ratio), corneal diameter and axial length measurements] were randomly allocated to either group A (trabeculotomy) or group B (CTT with MMC). Postoperatively, all patients were followed regularly for 3 years; for IOP and C/D evaluation. Criteria for successful outcome included resolution of corneal oedema, reversal of disc cupping, and IOP 18 mmHg or less.ResultsSuccess rate in each group was 85.7% (p = 1.00). All preoperative parameters, including horizontal corneal diameter, axial length, IOP and C/D ratio, were not statistically significantly different between the two groups. Also, postoperative C/D ratio, IOP, IOP difference and percentage difference (compared to preoperative values), at different follow‐up visits, were not statistically significantly different between both surgical techniques. Comparing preoperative to postoperative IOP and C/D ratio in each group was statistically significant.ConclusionBoth primary trabeculotomy and CTT with MMC had similar outcomes, which could mean that trabeculotomy could be resorted to first.
Maternal drug or alcohol abuse is associated with decreased head size from mid‐pregnancy to childhood
Authors: Lehikoinen Anni , Ordén Maija‐Riitta , Heinonen Seppo , Voutilainen Raimo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimMaternal alcohol abuse is poorly recognised and causes developmental problems. This study explored the foetal central nervous systems (CNS), head circumference and psychomotor development of children exposed to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy up to 2.5 years of age.MethodsWe recruited 23 pregnant women referred to Kuopio University Hospital, Finland, by their family doctor because of drug or alcohol abuse, and 22 control mothers. Foetal CNS parameters were measured by three‐dimensional ultrasonography at the mean gestational age of 20 weeks and the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales (GMDS), and anthropometric measurements were carried out at the mean ages of one and 2.5 years.ResultsThe exposed foetuses had decreased biparietal and occipito‐frontal distances and head circumferences, but unchanged cerebellar volume at 20 weeks, and decreased head circumferences and length and height at birth, one and 2.5 years of age. They scored lower than the controls on the GMDS general quotient and the hearing, language and locomotor subscales at 2.5 years of age.ConclusionMaternal alcohol or drug exposure was associated with decreased head size from mid‐pregnancy to childhood and reduced development at 2.5 years. Foetal head circumference at mid‐pregnancy was a useful indicator of substance abuse affecting the CNS.
Vedolizumab induction therapy for inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice – a nationwide consecutive German cohort study
Authors: Baumgart D. C. , Bokemeyer B. , Drabik A. , Stallmach A. , Schreiber S. ,   the Vedolizumab Germany Consortium
Published: April 2016

SummaryBackgroundVedolizumab (VDZ) is a humanised monoclonal IgG1 antibody targeting α4β7 integrin.AimTo investigate the real‐world efficacy of vedolizumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).MethodsA consecutive cohort of 212 adult IBD patients with active disease (HBI >7/partial Mayo >4) newly receiving VDZ was prospectively recruited from 7 academic and 17 community centres. The primary endpoint was clinical remission (CRM) (CD HBI ≤4, UC pMayo ≤1) in week 14. Secondary endpoints included steroid‐free remission (SFCRM), clinical response (CRS) (HBI/pMayo score drop ≥3), vedolizumab impact on CRP, calprotectin and haemoglobin.ResultsData of 97 CD (71.1% female, HBI 11) and 115 UC (42.6% female, pMayo 6) patients were analysed. Only 5.2% CD and 24.3% UC were anti‐TNFα naïve. Most had extensive mucosal involvement (Montreal L3 69.1%/E3 53.9%). At week 14, 23.7% vs. 23.5% of CD vs. UC patients achieved CRM, 19.6% vs. 19.1% SFCRM and 60.8% vs. 57.4% CRS, respectively (all based on NRI). Week 14 CRM in CD was significantly associated with no history of extraintestinal manifestations (P = 0.019), no prior adalimumab use (P = 0.011), no hospitalisation in the past 12 months (P = 0.015) and low HBI score (P = 0.02) and in UC with active or previous smoking (P = 0.044/0.028) and no anti‐TNFα (P = 0.023) use. Low HBI (P = 0.019) and no hospitalisation in the past 12 months (P = 0.01) predict CD CRM. The three most common AE were joint pain, acne and nasopharyngitis.ConclusionVedolizumab is effective in routine use.
Edible plants for oral delivery of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Merlin Matilde , Pezzotti Mario , Avesani Linda 
Published: April 2016

Molecular farming is the use of plants for the production of high value recombinant proteins. Over the last 25 years, molecular farming has achieved the inexpensive, scalable and safe production of pharmaceutical proteins using a range of strategies. One of the most promising approaches is the use of edible plant organs expressing biopharmaceuticals for direct oral delivery. This approach has proven to be efficacious in several clinical vaccination and tolerance induction trials as well as multiple preclinical studies for disease prevention. The production of oral biopharmaceuticals in edible plant tissues could revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by reducing the cost of production systems based on fermentation, and also eliminating expensive downstream purification, cold storage and transportation costs. This review considers the unique features that make plants ideal as platforms for the oral delivery of protein‐based therapeutics and describes recent developments in the production of plant derived biopharmaceuticals for oral administration.
Impact of perampanel on pharmacokinetics of concomitant antiepileptics in patients with partial‐onset seizures: pooled analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Majid Oneeb , Laurenza Antonio , Ferry Jim , Hussein Ziad 
Published: April 2016

AimsTo evaluate the impact of perampanel and demographics on clearance of concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), in patients with refractory partial‐onset seizures.MethodsPooled data from three Phase III clinical studies with adjunctive perampanel were used. Blood samples for evaluation of 11 concomitant AEDs were taken during baseline (before perampanel initiation), and at weeks 10, 14, and 19 during the maintenance phase of perampanel treatment (2–12 mg/day, once daily at bedtime). Models estimating apparent clearance of each concomitant AED were fitted to the data, and the effects of perampanel and demographic variables on clearance were determined. Final models were assessed with goodness of fit plots including population predictions and individual predictions against observations.ResultsNo significant impact of perampanel on clearance was found for clonazepam (n = 81), levetiracetam (n = 330), phenobarbital (n = 54), phenytoin (n = 90), topiramate (n = 226) or zonisamide (n = 93). Statistically significant, but small and not clinically relevant increases in model‐predicted clearance were detected for carbamazepine (+4.3% with 12 mg perampanel; n = 379), clobazam (+3.4% males, +7.7% females, 12 mg; n = 114), lamotrigine (+9.3%, 12 mg; n = 356), and valproic acid (+5.0%, 12 mg; n = 349). Oxcarbazepine clearance was reduced (26%; n = 200), but the clinical relevance is unclear as levels of the active metabolite (the monohydroxy derivative of oxcarbazepine) were not measured.ConclusionsPopulation PK data show that perampanel (2–12 mg/day, once daily at bedtime) has no relevant impact on the clearance of the most commonly used concomitant AEDs.
Acute p‐synephrine ingestion increases fat oxidation rate during exercise
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Hellín Jorge , Del Coso Juan 
Published: April 2016

Aimsp‐Synephrine is a protoalkaloid widely used in dietary supplements for weight management because of its purported thermogenic effects. However, there is a lack of scientific information about its effectiveness to increase fat metabolism during exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of an acute ingestion of p‐synephrine on fat oxidation at rest and during exercise.MethodsIn a double‐blind, randomized and counterbalanced experimental design, 18 healthy subjects performed two acute experimental trials after the ingestion of p‐synephrine (3 mg kg−1) or after the ingestion of a placebo (cellulose). Energy expenditure and fat oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry at rest and during a cycle ergometer ramp exercise test (increases of 25 W every 3 min) until volitional fatigue.ResultsIn comparison with the placebo, the ingestion of p‐synephrine did not change energy consumption (1.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 kcal min−1; P = 0.69) or fat oxidation rate at rest (0.08 ± 0.02 vs. 0.10 ± 0.04 g min−1; P = 0.15). However, the intake of p‐synephrine moved the fat oxidation–exercise intensity curve upwards during the incremental exercise (P < 0.05) without affecting energy expenditure. Moreover, p‐synephrine increased maximal fat oxidation rate (0.29 ± 0.15 vs. 0.40 ± 0.18 g min−1; P = 0.01) during exercise although it did not affect the intensity at which maximal fat oxidation was achieved (55.8 ± 7.7 vs. 56.7 ± 8.2% VO2peak; P = 0.51).ConclusionsThe acute ingestion of p‐synephrine increased the fat oxidation rate while it reduced the carbohydrate oxidation rate when exercising at low‐to‐moderate exercise intensities.
The determinants of antimicrobial prescribing among hospital doctors in England: a framework to inform tailored stewardship interventions
Authors: Parker Hazel M. , Mattick Karen 
Published: April 2016

AimLittle is known about the determinants of antimicrobial prescribing behaviour (APB), how they vary between hospital prescribers or the mechanism by which interventions are effective. Yet, interventions based on a sound theoretical understanding of APB are more likely to be successful in changing outcomes. This study sought to quantify the potential determinants of APB among hospital doctors in south‐west England.MethodsThis multicentre, quantitative study employed a closed answer questionnaire to garner hospital doctors' views on factors influencing their APB. Underlying constructs within the data were identified using exploratory factor analysis and subsequent pairwise comparisons assessed for variance between groups of prescribers.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 301 doctors across four centres (response rate ≥ 74%) and three key factors were identified: autonomy, guidelines adherence and antibiotic awareness. The internal consistency for the questionnaire scale and for each factor subscale was good (α ≥ 0.7). Subgroup analysis identified significant differences between groups of prescribers: autonomy scores increased with grade until at the specialist trainee level (P ≤ 0.009), foundation doctors scored higher for guidelines adherence than consultants (P = 0.004) and specialist trainees (P = 0.003) and United Kingdom trained doctors scored higher than those trained abroad for antibiotic awareness (P < 0.0005). Scores did not vary significantly between doctors from different centres.ConclusionAutonomy, guidelines adherence and antibiotic awareness were identified as important factors relevant to APB, which vary with experience and training. A theoretical framework is offered to facilitate development of more effective, tailored interventions to change APBs.
Dietary Pyridoxine Protects against Stress and Maintains Immunohaematological Status in Chanos chanos Exposed to Endosulfan
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Ambasankar Kondusamy , Krishnani Kishore Kumar , Bhushan Shashi , Minhas Paramjit Singh 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe amelioration effect of water‐soluble vitamin pyridoxine against stress was evaluated in milkfish, Chanos chanos exposed to endosulfan. Two hundred and twenty‐five fish were distributed randomly into five treatments, each with three replicates. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine feed were as follows: normal water and fed with control diet (En0/PY0); endosulfan‐treated water and fed with control diet (En/PY0); and endosulfan‐treated water and fed with 50 (En/PY 50 mg/kg), 75 (En/PY 75 mg/kg) and 100 mg/kg (En/PY 100 mg/kg) pyridoxine‐supplemented feed. The endosulfan in treated water was maintained at a level of 1/40th of LC50 (0.52 ppb). The effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation was studied in terms of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione‐S‐transferase), stress markers [heat‐shock protein 70, caspase‐3, cortisol, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), blood glucose], immunohaematological parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio, nitroblue tetrazolium, RBC, WBC, Hb), gill histopathology and a subsequent challenge study with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The antioxidative enzymes, stress markers, albumin and A/G ratio were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated, brain AChE and immunohaematological parameters were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased, and chromosome aberration and gill histopathology were also altered due to endosulfan exposure. The relative survival % was reduced due to the combined effect of endosulfan stress and bacterial challenge. Fish fed the diet supplemented with pyridoxine at 75 and 100 mg/kg was found to restore the studied parameter towards normal compared with control and indicated protection against endosulfan‐induced stress significantly (p < 0.01). Results obtained in the present study indicate that the supplementation of 75 and 100 mg/kg of pyridoxine in the diet has a definitive role in the mitigation of the endosulfan‐induced stress in milkfish, C. chanos fingerlings.