bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of supplementation with cellooligosaccharides on growth performance of weaned calves on pasture
Authors: Kido Kyoko , Tejima Shigeki , Nagayama Haruka , Uyeno Yutaka , Ide Yasuyuki , Kushibiki Shiro 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe conducted two feeding experiments to evaluate the effects of cellooligosaccharide (CE) supplementation on growth performance in grazing beef calves. Calf sex and age and duration of the experimental period differed between the experiments. Experiment 1 (10 weeks) used 5.6‐month‐old castrated males; Experiment 2 (13 weeks) used 3.9‐month‐old females. Eight Japanese Black calves were assigned to either a control group (CON) or an experimental group (CE) fed CE at a rate of 10 g/day mixed with concentrate. Calves were stocked in fields in which Kentucky bluegrass was dominant. In both experiments, average daily gain tended to be greater in CE than in CON, especially in late stages of experiments, but no significant differences in body weight changes were observed. In Experiment 2, final heart girth was larger in CE than in CON calves. We monitored rumen microbial community composition in Experiment 2 and found increases in fibrolytic bacteria and methanogenic archaea in CE calves, but the overall microbial composition did not differ between the groups. Our results suggest that supplementation with CE may positively affect growth performance in weaned calves on pasture, but longer‐term CE supplementation may be required to exhibit the effect.
Hormonal contraceptive use inIreland: trends and co‐prescribing practices
Authors: O'Mahony Laura , Liddy Anne‐Marie , Barry Michael , Bennett Kathleen 
Published: August 2015

Hormonal contraceptives are highly prevalent. Currently, little is known about Irish hormonal contraceptive trends to date since the 1995 British media contraceptive controversy. The aim of this study was to examine recent trends in contraceptive use inIrelandand to determine the frequency of co‐prescriptions with important interacting medications. Approximately 40% of the Irish population are prescribed 70% of total medicines under the Irish GMS scheme. Medicines were identified using the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. Regression analysis was used to examine trends over time. Of all contraceptives dispensed in 2013, oral contraceptives were used the most (74%) and long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) the least (7.5%). Fourth generation combined oral contraceptives (COCs) predominated, although a slight significant decline was shown (P < 0.0001). Second and third generation COCs were significantly increasing and decreasing, respectively (P < 0.0001). Progestin‐only pills were significantly increasing (P < 0.0001 across age groups). Low rates of contraceptive co‐prescribing with important interacting drugs are shown. However, 93.6% of those on enzyme‐inducing anti‐epileptic medications were co‐prescribed ineffective contraception containing <50 μg oestrogen.Irish prescribing trends of second and third generation COCs have remained consistent since 1995. The slow decline in fourth generation COC uptake follows new evidence of an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) reported in 2011. The low, but increasing, uptake of LARCs is consistent with other countries. Co‐prescribing practices involving hormonal contraceptives requires continued vigilance. This study emphasizes the need to optimize co‐prescribing practices involving hormonal contraceptives and anti‐epileptic medications and highlights the need to address the barriers to the currently low uptake of LARC methods inIreland.
Glucocorticoids improve erythroid progenitor maintenance and dampen Trp53 response in a mouse model of Diamond–Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Sjögren Sara E. , Siva Kavitha , Soneji Shamit , George Amee J. , Winkler Marcus , Jaako Pekka , Wlodarski Marcin , Karlsson Stefan , Hannan Ross D. , Flygare Johan 
Published: August 2015

SummaryDiamond–Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a rare congenital disease causing severe anaemia and progressive bone marrow failure. The majority of patients carry mutations in ribosomal proteins, which leads to depletion of erythroid progenitors in the bone marrow. As many as 40% of all DBA patients receive glucocorticoids to alleviate their anaemia. However, despite their use in DBA treatment for more than half a century, the therapeutic mechanisms of glucocorticoids remain largely unknown. Therefore we sought to study disease specific effects of glucocorticoid treatment using a ribosomal protein s19 (Rps19) deficient mouse model of DBA. This study determines for the first time that a mouse model of DBA can respond to glucocorticoid treatment, similar to DBA patients. Our results demonstrate that glucocorticoid treatment reduces apoptosis, rescues erythroid progenitor depletion and premature differentiation of erythroid cells. Furthermore, glucocorticoids prevent Trp53 activation in Rps19‐deficient cells‐ in a disease‐specific manner. Dissecting the therapeutic mechanisms behind glucocorticoid treatment of DBA provides indispensible insight into DBA pathogenesis. Identifying mechanisms important for DBA treatment also enables development of more disease‐specific treatments of DBA.
Increased use of partial nephrectomy to treat high‐risk disease
Authors: Maurice Matthew J. , Zhu Hui , Kim Simon P. , Abouassaly Robert 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate partial nephrectomy (PN) use in patients at higher risk for clinical progression, using a large national database of American patients.Patients and MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients with cN0/cM0 renal cell carcinoma from 2003 to 2011 using the National Cancer Data Base. Our primary endpoint was PN use for high‐risk disease, defined as ≥1 adverse pathological features (APF), namely pT3 stage, high grade, or unfavourable histology. Our secondary endpoint was positive surgical margins (PSM) associated with high‐risk disease after PN. Time trends were analysed using the asymptotic Cochran–Armitage trend test. Relationships between patient, provider, and pathological factors and the likelihood of PN were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsOf 183 886 surgically treated patients, 27.4% underwent PN. Over time, PN use increased overall (17.4–39.7%) and in tumours with ≥1 APF (8.5–24.2%) (P < 0.01). In patients with ≥1 APF, multivariate analysis revealed that academic practice setting and high surgical volume were positively associated with PN use, while increasing tumour size and preoperative biopsy were negatively associated with its use (P < 0.01). The PSM rate after PN also increased significantly over time in all patients and in those harbouring adverse pathology (P < 0.01). Aside from time, older age, larger tumour size, community hospital type, and robotic approach were associated with PSM in the setting of APF (P < 0.01).ConclusionPN use for patients with adverse pathology is increasing and is associated with increasing PSM. The long‐term oncological implications of these trends are unclear and warrant further study.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is not associated with erectile dysfunction risk: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial
Authors: Patel Darshan P. , Schenk Jeannette M. , Darke Amy , Myers Jeremy B. , Brant William O. , Hotaling James M. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the associations of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use with risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), considering the indications for NSAID use.Patients and MethodsWe analysed data from 4 726 men in the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) without evidence of ED at baseline. Incident ED was defined as mild/moderate (decrease in normal function) or severe (absence of function). Proportional hazards models were used to estimate the covariate‐adjusted associations of NSAID‐related medical conditions and time‐dependent NSAID use with ED risk.ResultsArthritis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56), chronic musculoskeletal pain (HR 1.35), general musculoskeletal complaints (HR 1.36), headaches (HR 1.44), sciatica (HR 1.50) and atherosclerotic disease (HR 1.60) were all significantly associated with an increased risk of mild/moderate ED, while only general musculoskeletal complaints (HR 1.22), headaches (HR 1.47) and atherosclerotic disease (HR 1.60) were associated with an increased risk of severe ED. Non‐aspirin NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of mild/moderate ED (HR 1.16; P = 0.02) and aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of severe ED (HR 1.16; P = 0.03, respectively). The associations of NSAID use with ED risk were attenuated after controlling for indications for NSAID use.ConclusionsThe modest associations of NSAID use with ED risk in the present cohort were probably attributable to confounding indications for NSAID use. NSAID use was not associated with ED risk.
Evaluation of pT0 prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy
Authors: Moreira Daniel M. , Gershman Boris , Rangel Laureano J. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Thompson Robert Houston , Frank Igor , Tollefson Matthew K. , Gettman Matthew T. , Karnes Robert Jeffrey 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence, predictors and oncological outcomes of pT0 prostate cancer (PCa).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 222 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) for PCa at the Mayo Clinic between 1987 and 2012. Disease recurrence was defined as follow‐up PSA >0.4 ng/mL or biopsy‐proven local recurrence. Systemic progression was defined as development of metastatic disease on imaging. Comparisons of baseline characteristics between pT0 and non‐pT0 groups were carried out using chi‐squared tests. Recurrence‐free survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test.ResultsA total of 62 patients (0.3%) had pT0 disease according to the RP specimen. In univariable analysis, pT0 disease was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.045), lower prostate‐specific antigen (PSA; P = 0.002), lower clinical stage (P < 0.001), lower biopsy Gleason score (P = 0.042), and receipt of preoperative transurethral resection, hormonal and radiation therapies (all P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, lower PSA levels, lower Gleason score, and receipt of preoperative treatment were independently associated with pT0 (all P < 0.05). Seven patients (11%) with pT0 PCa developed disease recurrence over a median follow‐up of 10.9 years. All seven patients had preoperative treatment(s) and three had recurrence with a PSA doubling time of <9 months. Compared with non‐pT0 disease, pT0 disease was associated with longer recurrence‐free survival (P < 0.05). Only one (1.6%) patient with pT0 disease developed systemic progression.ConclusionspT0 stage PCa is a rare phenomenon and is associated with receipt of preoperative treatment and features of low‐risk PCa. Although pT0 has a very favourable prognosis, some men, especially those who received preoperative treatment, experience a small but non‐negligible risk of disease recurrence and systemic progression.
Changes in Macrofungal Communities Following Forest Conversion into Tree Plantations in Southern Brazil
Authors: Paz Claudia P. , Gallon Mônica , Putzke Jair , Ganade Gislene 
Published: August 2015

AbstractConversion of diverse native forests to tree monocultures remains an ongoing, worldwide threat to biodiversity. Although the effects of forest conversion have been studied in a wide range of taxonomic groups, the effects on macrofungal communities remain poorly understood. We sampled macrofungal fruiting bodies in the National Forest of São Francisco de Paula in Southern Brazil over 12 months in four different forest habitats: native Araucaria angustifolia forest, A. angustifolia plantation, Pinus taeda or P. elliottii plantation, and Eucalyptus saligna plantation. The distribution of macrofungal species in different functional groups varied among habitats: the macrofungal species composition of the A. angustifolia plantation was more similar to that of the native forest, while the exotic Pinus or Eucalyptus plantations were less similar to the native forest. The conversion of native forest to exotic tree plantations reduced the number of macrofungal decomposer species, probably due to changes in substrate availability and quality. We conclude that fungal diversity and ecosystem functionality require the preservation of native, mature forests and suggest a shift of Brazilian forestry guidelines to encourage the plantations of native species instead of exotics.
The effect of LH supplementation to the GnRH antagonist protocol in advanced reproductive ageing women: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Younis Johnny S. , Izhaki Ido , Ben‐Ami Moshe 
Published: August 2015

SummaryObjectiveAlthough the fundamental significance of both LH and FSH for adequate ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis has been extensively discussed, the clinical implication of recombinant (r) LH to rFSH for ovarian stimulation employing the GnRH antagonist protocol remains to be elucidated. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to explore whether rLH supplementation to rFSH following GnRH antagonist has an added value to the late follicular ovarian steroidogenesis in the advanced reproductive aged women.Design and SubjectsSixty‐three consecutive infertile women above 35 years of age and/or with a previous low ovarian response admitted for IVF/ICSI treatment were prospectively randomized. Women in the study and control groups were similarly treated employing the rFSH 300 IU/day and the flexible GnRH antagonist 0·25 mg/day protocol. On the day of antagonist initiation, rLH 150 IU/day was added only to the study group and continued till the hCG day.ResultsSerum E2 level on hCG day did not significantly differ between the study and control groups, corresponding to 1268 ± 1006 and 1113 ± 669 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0·9). In the study group, the duration of GnRH antagonist administration was significantly lower than the control group corresponding to 5·0 ± 1·5 to 4·0 ± 1·5 days, respectively (P < 0·05). The total dosage of rFSH administration did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionsrLH supplementation to rFSH following GnRH antagonist administration employing the flexible protocol does not seem to significantly augment serum E2 level on the day of hCG administration in the advanced reproductive ageing women. This suggests that endogenous serum LH levels following GnRH antagonist initiation are sufficient for adequate late follicular ovarian steroidogenesis in this setting.
Missing an opportunity: the embedded nature of weight management in primary care
Authors: Asselin J. , Osunlana A. M. , Ogunleye A. A. , Sharma A. M. , Campbell‐Scherer D. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe 5As Team study was designed to create, implement and evaluate a flexible intervention to improve the quality and quantity of weight management visits in primary care. The objective of this portion of the study was to explore how primary care providers incorporate weight management in their practice. 5AsT is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the implementation of a 6‐month 5 As Team (5AsT) intervention designed to operationalize the 5As of obesity management in primary care. Data for the qualitative portion of the study presented here included semi‐structured interviews with 29 multidisciplinary team providers and field notes of intervention sessions. Thematic analysis was undertaken. A key pattern that emerged from the data was that healthcare providers usually do not address obesity as a primary focus for a visit. Rather, obesity is embedded in a wide range of primary care encounters for other conditions. Implications were it can take extra time to discuss weight, it can be inappropriate to bring up weight as a topic, and treating risk factors and root causes of obesity have indirect benefits to patient weight management. Our findings have implications for obesity treatment approaches and tools that assume a discreet weight management visit. The embedded nature of obesity management in primary care can be harnessed to leverage multiple opportunities for asking and assessing root causes of obesity, and working longitudinally towards individual health goals.
Peristeen® transanal irrigation in paediatric patients with anorectal malformations and spinal cord lesions: a multicentre Italian study
Authors: Midrio P. , Mosiello G. , Ausili E. , Gamba P. , Marte A. , Lombardi L. , Iacobelli B. D. , Caponcelli E. , Marrello S. , Meroni M. , Brisighelli G. , Leva E. , Rendeli C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimIn paediatric and adult patients with neurogenic bowel, transanal irrigation (TAI) of the colon has gained popularity due to the introduction of a specifically designed device. The aim of this pilot study was to present the results of TAI using the Peristeen® TAI system in a group of paediatric patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) and congenital or acquired spinal cord lesions (SCLs).MethodEight Italian paediatric surgery and spina bifida centres participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were age between 6 and 17 years, weight above 20 kg and unsatisfactory bowel management. Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, mental disability and surgery within the previous 3 months were excluded. At the beginning of treatment (T0) and after 3 months (T1) the Bristol scale, a questionnaire assessing bowel function, and two questionnaires on quality of life (QoL) for patients aged 6–11 years (CHQ‐pf50) and 12–17 years (SF36) were administered.ResultsEighty‐three patients were enrolled, and seventy‐eight completed the study (41 ARMs, 37 SCLs). At T1, constipation was reduced in ARMs from 69% to 25.6% and in SCLs from 92.7% to 41.5%, faecal incontinence in ARMs from 50% to 18.6% and in SCLs from 39% to 9.8% and flatus incontinence in ARMs from 20.9% to 9.8% and in SCLs from 31.7% to 10%. At T0, the Bristol Stool Scale types were 1–2 in 45% of ARMs and 77.5% of SCL patients, whereas at T1 types 1–2 were recorded in only 2.5% of SCL patients. QoL improved in both groups. In the younger group, a significant improvement in QoL was recorded in ARM patients for eight of nine variables and in SCL patients for seven of nine variables.ConclusionThis study showed that Peristeen TAI resulted in a significant time reduction in colonic cleansing, increased independence from the carer and improved QoL in paediatric patients with ARMs and SCLs.
Body surface area determined by whole‐body CT scanning: need for new formulae?
Authors: Villa Chiara , Primeau Charlotte , Hesse Ulrik , Hougen Hans Petter , Lynnerup Niels , Hesse Birger 
Published: August 2015

SummaryCalculation of the estimated body surface area (BSA) by body height and weight has been a challenge in the past centuries due to lack of a well‐documented gold standard. More recently, available techniques such as 3D laser surface scanning and CT scanning may be expected to quantify the BSA in an easier and more accurate way. This study provides the first comparison between BSA obtained from post‐mortem whole‐body CT scans and BSA calculated by nine predictive formulae. The sample consisted of 54 male cadavers ranging from 20 to 87 years old. 3D reconstructions were generated from CT scans using Mimics software, and BSA values were automatically extracted from the program. They were compared with nine predictive equations from the literature. Remarkably, close correlations (r > 0·90) were found between BSA values from CT scans and those from the predictive formulae. A mean BSA of the 54 cadavers of 1·84–1·87 m2 was calculated by all formulae except one, SD values varying between 0·171 and 0·223 m2. T‐tests revealed significant differences between mean BSA values calculated with CT and three of the formulae. Regression analyses showed intercepts >(0;0) and slopes <1·0 using all predictive equations, with the CT scan determination as gold standard. It is concluded that DuBois and DuBois’ equation can be safely used in normal‐weight male subjects with high accuracy, but it seems likely that BSA is underestimated in underweight subjects and overestimated in overweight individuals. Creation of new formulae specific for overweight subjects and children may be needed.
Endothelium‐dependent vasodilation is related to the occurrence of cortical brain infarcts at MR imaging
Authors: Lind Lars , Nylander Ruta , Johansson Lars , Kullberg Joel , Ahlström Håkan , Larsson Elna‐Marie 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundInfarcts in the brain can be divided into larger cortical and smaller deep lacunar infarcts. The pathogenesis differs between these two types of infarctions.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the relationship between measures of endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) and occurrence of cortical and lacunar infarcts in a population‐based sample.MethodsIn the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, 1016 subjects aged 70 were evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine (EDV) and brachial artery ultrasound to assess flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD). Six to seven years later MRI of the brain was performed, and the prevalence of cortical and lacunar infarcts was visually assessed in 407 randomly selected subjects.ResultsLacunar infarcts were found in 22% and cortical infarcts in 5·9% of the subjects. EDV and FMD were both significantly related to the occurrence of cortical, but not lacunar infarcts. In a model adjusting for gender, waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL and LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, smoking, antihypertensive treatment and statin use, both EDV and FMD were independent predictors of cortical infarcts (P = 0·035 and P = 0·008, respectively).ConclusionsEndothelium‐dependent vasodilation in both forearm resistance vessels and the brachial artery was related to the occurrence of cortical, but not lacunar, infarcts at MRI in a population‐based sample independently of traditional risk factors.