bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart rate‐corrected QT interval is a novel risk marker for the progression of albuminuria in people with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hashimoto Y. , Tanaka M. , Senmaru T. , Okada H. , Hamaguchi M. , Asano M. , Yamazaki M. , Oda Y. , Hasegawa G. , Nakamura N. , Fukui M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimsA close association between heart rate‐corrected QT interval (QTc) and albuminuria in people with Type 2 diabetes has been reported in cross sectional studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between QTc and change in urine albumin excretion (UAE) or progression of albuminuria in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe measured QTc in 251 consecutive people at baseline. We performed a 5‐year follow‐up cohort study to assess the relationship between QTc and change in UAE, defined as an increase of UAE/follow‐up duration (year), or progression of albuminuria, defined as an increase in the category of diabetic nephropathy.ResultsDuring follow‐up, 23 of 151 people with normoalbuminuria and 13 of 73 people with microalbuminuria at baseline had progression of albuminuria. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that QTc was independently associated with change in UAE (β = 0.176, P = 0.0104). Logistic regression analyses showed that QTc was a risk marker for progression of albuminuria [odds ratio per 0.01‐s increase in QTc 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.66, P = 0.0024] after adjusting for confounders. According to the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut‐off point of QTc for progression of albuminuria was 0.418 s [area under the ROC curve 0.75 (95% CI 0.66–0.82), sensitivity = 0.86, specificity = 0.56, P < 0.0001].ConclusionsHeart rate‐corrected QT interval could be a novel risk marker for progression of albuminuria in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Effect of ATG‐F on B‐cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Roll Petra , Muhammad Khalid , Stuhler Gernot , Grigoleit Ulrich , Einsele Hermann , Tony Hans‐Peter 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAntithymocyte globulin Fresenius (ATG‐F) is used before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to prevent graft rejection and graft‐versus‐host disease in patients with HLA‐matched unrelated donors or mismatched volunteers. However, little is known about the effect of ATG‐F on the reconstitution of B‐cell subsets. Sixty‐seven patients were longitudinally studied at day 15, day 30, and then monthly after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conditioning regimes included ATG‐F, which was infused at days 3, 2 and 1 at a dosage of 10 mg/kg/d. Twenty‐seven patients received conditioning regimes without ATG. ATG‐treated patients showed a significant delay of CD19+ B cells in the early recovery period. The absolute numbers of circulating CD19+ B cells were significantly lower (P < 0.05) up to 5 months post‐transplantation compared to non‐ATG patients. The recovery of the memory compartment was delayed in both groups and did not reach normal values 1‐year post‐transplantation. ATG‐treated patient showed significantly lower absolute numbers of circulating CD27+ memory B cells in the first‐month after transplantation compared to non‐ATG patients. In conclusion, treatment with ATG in the conditioning regime of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation leads to a significant delay of CD19+ B cells. Thus, ATG seems also to negatively influence B‐cell immune reconstitution.
The significance of pretreatment anemia in the era of R‐IPI and NCCN‐IPI prognostic risk assessment tools: a dual‐center study in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients
Authors: Troppan Katharina T. , Melchardt Thomas , Deutsch Alexander , Schlick Konstantin , Stojakovic Tatjana , Bullock Marc D. , Reitz Daniel , Beham‐Schmid Christine , Weiss Lukas , Neureiter Daniel , Wenzl Kerstin , Greil Richard , Neumeister Peter , Egle Alexander , Pichler Martin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundAnemia is frequently identified at the time of diagnosis in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, studies addressing the prognostic significance of this important clinical parameter are lacking.MethodsIn this dual‐center study of patients with DLBCL (n = 556) treated with rituximab‐containing regimens, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of anemia at diagnosis in a training set (n = 211) and validated our findings in a second independent patient cohort (n = 345). Using Kaplan–Meier curves as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models, we analyzed the impact of anemia on 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) alongside established prognostic indicators including age, tumor stage, the revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI), and the recently published NCCN‐IPI. The influence of anemia on the predictive accuracy of IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI prognosis scores was subsequently determined using the Harrell's concordance index.ResultsAnemia was an independent predictor of impaired OS and DFS at 5 years in both DLBCL patient cohorts (P < 0.001, log–rank test). In multivariate analysis, hemoglobin level was also a strong and independent prognostic indicator in patients stratified according to R‐IPI or NCCN‐IPI score. In survival analysis, the estimated concordance index, using IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI stratification measures (0.69, 0.64, and 0.70, respectively), improved to 0.70, 0.68, and 0.73, respectively, when anemia was also considered.ConclusionIn this study, we have demonstrated that anemia at the time of diagnosis is an independent predictor of impaired clinical outcome in DLBCL. Furthermore, consideration of hemoglobin levels may improve the accuracy of recently established prognostic tools in lymphoma. Our data encourage further evaluation of the prognostic utility of this readily accessible biological parameter in prospective clinical trials.
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from a maize‐wheat sequence by decreasing soil nitrate concentration: effects of split application of pig slurry and dicyandiamide
Authors: Aita C. , Schirmann J. , Pujol S. B. , Giacomini S. J. , Rochette P. , Angers D. A. , Chantigny M. H. , Gonzatto R. , Giacomini D. A. , Doneda A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryPig slurry (PS) is a valuable nitrogen (N) source for agricultural crops but the simultaneous supply of readily decomposable carbon and mineralNcan result in large soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Our objective was to determine the individual and combined effects of splitPSapplication and addition of a nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide,DCD) onN2Oemissions and soil mineralNconcentration in southernBrazil. SoilN2Ofluxes were measured fromNovember 2010 toNovember 2011 from a maize (Zea maysL.)‐wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) sequence under various fertilizer treatments: no‐Ncontrol,PSapplied in a single pre‐plant dose with or withoutDCD,PSsplit‐applied with or withoutDCD, and urea split‐applied. CumulativeN2Oemissions increased linearly (R2 = 0.73) with increasing soil nitrate (NO3−) exposure, indicating that management practices aimed at reducing soilNO3−concentrations can decrease soilN2Oemissions. In total for the two crops, splittingPSreducedN2Oemission factors (EF) by 33%, whereas the addition ofDCDreducedEFby 60 and 41% whenPSwas applied in single and split doses, respectively. However, splittingPSor addingDCDfailed to reduceN2Olosses more than a single pre‐plantPSapplication in maize where background soilNO3−concentrations were large. The addition ofDCDtoPSapplied as a single pre‐plant dose resulted in the largest reduction in soilN2Oemissions, whereas splittingPSwith and withoutDCDresulted in significantly smaller abatements. Consequently, we concluded that addingDCDtoPSin a single pre‐plant application is a better option than splittingPSapplications for reducing soilN2Oemissions in no‐till cereal cropping systems in southernBrazil.
Effect of phosphate status and pH on sulphate sorption and desorption
Authors: Barrow N. J. , Debnath Abhijit 
Published: February 2015

SummaryFor soils from tea estates in northern India, sulphate sorption was of a similar magnitude to, and sometimes exceeded, phosphate sorption. Only a small part of this relatively large sulphate sorption was caused by the low pH of these soils. Most was caused by increased negative charge as a result of prior reaction over many decades with phosphate fertilizers. This decreased sorption of both phosphate and sulphate, but the effect on phosphate was larger. This is compatible with a model in which the mean location of the charge on the adsorbed phosphate ions is closer to the surface than for sulphate. On soils of low phosphate status, sulphate desorption curves showed hysteresis; on soils of high phosphate status, they did not. Further, on soils of high phosphate status, displacement of sulphate by phosphate solutions was faster. We interpret these observations as showing that, for low phosphate status soils, sulphate ions penetrated the surface, but for high phosphate status soils it did not because the pathways by which sulphate diffuses into the adsorbing material were blocked. We also show that, with increasing soil phosphate status, phosphate solutions were less effective in displacing sorbed sulphate. We think this also occurred because reaction with phosphate had decreased the affinity for phosphate more than it decreased the affinity for sulphate.
Estimating soil organic carbon through loss on ignition: effects of ignition conditions and structural water loss
Authors: Hoogsteen M. J. J. , Lantinga E. A. , Bakker E. J. , Groot J. C. J. , Tittonell P. A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryLoss on ignition (LOI) is one of the most widely used methods for measuring organic matter content in soils but does not have a universal standard protocol. A large number of factors may influence its accuracy, such as furnace type, sample mass, duration and temperature of ignition and clay content of samples. We conducted a series of experiments to quantify these effects, which enabled us to derive (i) guidelines for ignition conditions (sample mass, duration and temperature), (ii) temperature‐specific soil organic matter (SOM) to soil organic carbon (SOC) conversion factors and (iii) clay content‐dependent correction factors for structural water loss (SWL). Bulk samples of a sandy soil (4% clay) and a silt loam soil (25% clay) were used to evaluate the effects of ignition conditions. Samples with a range of clay contents (0–50%) were used to quantify conversion and correction factors. Two furnaces, one without and one with pre‐heated air, did not show significant differences in terms of within‐batch LOI variability. In both furnaces less combustion occurred close to the door, which necessitated tray turning at half‐time as this reduced the standard deviation per batch significantly. Variation in mass loss declined exponentially with sample mass (range, 0.15–20 g). The LOI increased with duration at lower temperatures (≤ 550°C) for the sandy soil. At greater temperatures (600 and 650°C), no effect of duration was found. For the silt loam soil, LOI values increased with duration for each temperature, which was attributed to SWL. The SOM to SOC conversion factor decreased strongly with temperature at an ignition duration of 3 hours from 0.70 (350°C) to 0.57 (500°C) and stabilized around 0.55 between 550 and 650°C, indicating that at temperatures ≥ 550°C all SOM had been removed. The clay correction factor for SWL increased from 0.01 to 0.09 as the temperature of ignition increased from 350 to 650°C. To minimize within‐batch LOI variation we recommend a standard ignition duration of 3 hours, tray turning at half‐time, a sample mass ≥ 20 g and temperatures equal to or greater than 550 °C. To avoid over‐estimates of SOM through structural water loss, the presented SWL correction procedure should always be applied.
Evaluation of the potential impact of Cu competition on the performance of o,o‐FeEDDHA in soil applications
Authors: Schenkeveld W. D. C. , Weng L. P. , Reichwein A. M. , Temminghoff E. J. M. , van Riemsdijk W. H. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryFerric ethylene diamine‐N,N′‐bis(hydroxy phenyl acetic acid) (FeEDDHA)‐based iron (Fe) fertilizers are commonly applied to plants grown on calcareous soils and comprise a mixture of FeEDDHA components. Upon application to the soil, the pore water concentrations of the active ingredients racemic and meso o,o‐FeEDDHA show a gradual decline unrelated to plant uptake or biodegradation. In the present study, the potential of soil copper (Cu) to reduce the effectiveness of FeEDDHA‐based fertilizers in calcareous soils by displacing Fe from o,o‐FeEDDHA has been evaluated through modelling and experiments. Predictions with mechanistic multi‐surface models show that there is a thermodynamic basis for assuming that under equilibrium conditions a certain fraction of o,o‐EDDHA ligands in soil solution can be chelated to Cu, in particular for meso o,o‐EDDHA. The large affinity of o,o‐CuEDDHA for binding to the soil solid phase, demonstrated in a batch interaction experiment, greatly increases the potential impact of Cu competition on the o,o‐FeEDDHA solution concentration; for a given quantity of o,o‐CuEDDHA in soil solution, a much larger quantity of o,o‐CuEDDHA is adsorbed to the solid phase. Finally, evidence for the actual displacement of Fe from o,o‐FeEDDHA by Cu was found in a soil incubation study. With these results, the boundary conditions are met for explaining the observed gradual decline in o,o‐FeEDDHA concentration with Cu competition.
Cortical excitability changes distinguish the motor neuron disease phenotypes from hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Geevasinga N. , Menon P. , Sue C. M. , Kumar K. R. , Ng K. , Yiannikas C. , Kiernan M. C. , Vucic S. 
Published: February 2015

Background and purposeCortical hyperexcitability has been identified as an important pathogenic mechanism in motor neuron disease (MND). The issue as to whether cortical hyperexcitability is a common process across the MND phenotypes, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), remains unresolved. Separately, the clinical distinction between PLS and ‘mimic disorders’ such as hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) may be difficult, potentially delaying diagnosis. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to determine the nature and spectrum of cortical excitability changes across the MND phenotypes, and to determine whether the presence of cortical dysfunction distinguishes PLS from HSP.MethodsCortical excitability studies were undertaken on a cohort of 14 PLS, 82 ALS and 13 HSP patients with mutations in the spastin gene.ResultsCortical hyperexcitability, as heralded by reduction of short interval intracortical inhibition (PLS 0.26%, −3.8% to 1.4%; ALS −0.15%, −3.6% to 7.0%; P < 0.01) and cortical silent period duration (CSPPLS 172.2 ± 5.4 ms; CSPALS 178.1 ± 5.1 ms; P < 0.001), along with an increase in intracortical facilitation was evident in ALS and PLS phenotypes, although appeared more frequently in ALS. Inexcitability of the motor cortex was more frequent in PLS (PLS 71%, ALS 24%, P < 0.0001). Cortical excitability was preserved in HSP.ConclusionsCortical dysfunction appears to be an intrinsic process across the MND phenotypes, with cortical inexcitability predominating in PLS and cortical hyperexcitability predominating in ALS. Importantly, cortical excitability was preserved in HSP, thereby suggesting that the presence of cortical dysfunction could help differentiate PLS from HSP in a clinical setting.
Dental fear and previous childhood traumatic experiences, life events, and parental bonding
Authors: Hagqvist Outi , Tolvanen Mimmi , Rantavuori Kari , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Lahti Satu 
Published: February 2015

We aimed to determine whether adult dental fear is associated with traumas, life events, and perceived parental bonding. Pilot data for the FinnBrain Cohort study were used. Of the 254 families expecting a baby, 80% agreed to participate. At 32–34 wk of pregnancy, 125 women and 81 men completed a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire and were included in this study. Other instruments used were the Trauma and Distress Scale (TADS), the Life Event Checklist, and the Parental Bonding Index. All scales were analyzed as summated rating scale scores. Associations between dental fear, TADS domains, and life events were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients. The association between dental fear and parental bonding was evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Among women, dental fear did not correlate with trauma measures, but among men dental fear correlated with emotional neglect and abuse. Dental fear correlated positively with the number of life events among women. Life events and dental fear did not correlate among men. Dental fear was not associated with parental bonding among women or men. The association between traumas, life events, and dental fear seems to be different in women and men.
A randomized, double‐blind comparison of antiepileptic drug treatment in the elderly with new‐onset focal epilepsy
Authors: Werhahn Konrad J. , Trinka Eugen , Dobesberger Judith , Unterberger Iris , Baum Petra , Deckert‐Schmitz Maria , Kniess Tobias , Schmitz Bettina , Bernedo Viviane , Ruckes Christian , Ehrlich Anne , Krämer Günter 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of controlled‐released carbamazepine (CR‐CBZ) to levetiracetam (LEV) and to lamotrigine (LTG) in elderly patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy.MethodsRandomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group trial conducted between January 2007 and August 2011, in 47 ambulatory or hospital sites in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Eligible participants were aged ≥60, had new‐onset epilepsy, had no acute illness as the cause of their seizures, and had no contraindication to the drugs in the trial. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to CR‐CBZ, LTG, or LEV. Doses were up‐titrated for 6 weeks and could be maintained or adjusted depending on seizure relapse or tolerability over an additional period of 52 weeks. Primary outcome was the retention to treatment at week 58; secondary measures related to seizure and adverse event frequency.ResultsOf 361 randomized patients, 359 were included (CR‐CBZ n = 121, LTG n = 117, LEV n = 122) in the modified intent‐to‐treat population (mean age [range] 71.4 [60–95] years). At week 58, the retention rate for LEV was significantly higher than for CR‐CBZ (61.5% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.02), and similar to LTG (55.6%). Seizure freedom rates at weeks 30 and 58 were not different across the groups. Twice as many patients receiving CR‐CBZ discontinued due to adverse events or death compared to those in the LEV group (32.2% vs. 17.2%; odds ratio 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–4.19, p = 0.007), whereas discontinuation was intermediate for LTG (26.3%). Median daily doses of completers (n = 195) were CR‐CBZ 380.0 mg/day (333.0–384.0), LTG 95 mg/day (94.0–97.0), and LEV 950 mg/day (940.0–985.0).SignificanceIn the initial monotherapy of focal epilepsy in the elderly, 1‐year retention to LEV was higher compared to CR‐CBZ due to better tolerability. Retention of LTG was intermediate and close to LEV, but did not differ significantly from either comparators. NCT00438451, www.clinicaltrials.gov.
‘Hermann Heller and the European Crisis: Authoritarian Liberalism Redux?’
Authors: Scheuerman William E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis essay tentatively buttresses Alexander Somek's view that Hermann Heller's 1933 essay, ‘Authoritarian Liberalism’, provides a useful starting point for thinking about the ongoing European crisis, in which European authorities are favouring rigid austerity and pro‐business policies while undermining basic liberal and democratic rights. Heller's unfortunate neglect, especially in Anglophone scholarship, is discussed. Nonetheless, Somek and other recent scholars who have turned to Heller to make sense of the European crisis downplay some of the tough questions raised by any attempt to apply Heller's analysis of the Weimar crisis to the contemporary setting. In particular, Heller's theory relied on a robust social democratic statism which has become increasingly unpopular even among theorists on the political left.
Complications associated with the presence of two intrauterine glass balls used for oestrus suppression in a mare
Authors: Turner R. M. , Vanderwall D. K. , Stawicki R. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThis report describes the identification and removal of 2 glass balls, both of which had fragmented, from the uterus of a mare. The glass balls had been placed into the uterine lumen to prolong function of the corpus luteum for suppression of oestrous behaviour. This report adds to a growing body of evidence that severe complications can result from the use of intrauterine glass balls for oestrus suppression in mares, particularly if they are retained for a prolonged time.
Mitigating the risk of airway obstruction during recovery from anaesthesia: The way is far from clear
Authors: Senior J. M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAll equine anaesthetists should take steps to mitigate the risk of anaesthetic‐related morbidities and mortalities where they can, and whilst some interventions against some of these are widely practiced, the number of approaches adopted by equine anaesthetists to mitigate the risk of airway obstruction suggests not only that the causes and severity of airway obstruction vary, but also that evidence for the superiority of any approach over another is limited. The limited evidence available suggests that the prevalence of severe airway obstruction in both the general and upper respiratory tract surgical equine populations is likely to be low, and that when cases do occur, rapid recognition and intervention often results in successful treatment. The above evidence considered with the understanding that pre‐emptively placing endotracheal or nasotracheal tubesin situfor recovery may only delay the recognition of some causes (e.g. laryngeal) of airway obstruction, alongside an awareness that this approach is not a benign risk‐free intervention, may lead some anaesthetists to re‐evaluate the perceived risk of respiratory obstruction and whether their chosen intervention will reduce that risk, potentially exacerbate it or introduce a further risk.
Infraspinatus and intertubercular (bicipital) bursae sepsis
Authors: Barker W. H. J. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe case report by O'Sullivan et al. in this month's issue of EVE describes an unusual case of synovial sepsis raising interesting points on synovial infection in general and more specifically the implication of haematogenous spread of bacteria from a remote site in the mature horse. The identification of synovial sepsis in this location is challenging due to the complex and unfamiliar anatomy in the shoulder region. This clinical commentary reviews the anatomy in this region and discusses the unusual presentation of synovial sepsis secondary to haematogenous spread.
Equine dental and periodontal anatomy: A tutorial review
Authors: Staszyk C. , Suske A. , Pöschke A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryA sound knowledge of dental and periodontal anatomy provides the basis for an accurate diagnosis of dental abnormalities. It must be remembered that dental and periodontal anatomy, especially in the horse, undergoes continuous morphological changes throughout life. From birth to age about 6 years the deciduous and later the permanent teeth emerge in turn through the oral mucosa. Even the permanent dentition is subjected to continuous, dynamic, morphological changes due to massive occlusal wear and the compensatory tooth eruption that is necessary in herbivores. Consequently, it is not surprising that the normal equine oral anatomy of structures shows a wide range of variations. The purpose of this tutorial article is to review and summarise the current knowledge of equine dental and periodontal anatomy, paying special attention to age related morphological changes.