bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in calpastatin and mu‐calpain genes are associated with beef iron content
Authors: Casas E. , Duan Q. , Schneider M. J. , Shackelford S. D. , Wheeler T. L. , Cundiff L. V. , Reecy J. M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe objective of this study was to assess the association of markers in the calpastatin and mu‐calpain loci with iron in beef cattle muscle. The population consisted of 259 cross‐bred steers from Beefmaster, Brangus, Bonsmara, Romosinuano, Hereford and Angus sires. Total iron and heme iron concentrations were measured. Markers in the calpastatin (referred to as CAST) and mu‐calpain (referred to as CAPN4751) genes were used to assess their association with iron levels. The mean and standard error for iron and heme iron content in the population was 35.6 ± 1.3 μg and 27.1 ± 1.4 μg respectively. Significant associations (P < 0.01) of markers were observed for both iron and heme iron content. For CAST, animals with the CC genotype had higher levels of iron and heme iron in longissimus dorsi muscle. For CAPN4751, individuals with the TT genotype had higher concentrations of iron and heme iron than did animals with the CC and CT genotypes. Genotypes known to be associated with tougher meat were associated with higher levels of iron concentration.
Should general anaesthesia be avoided in the elderly?
Authors: Strøm C. , Rasmussen L. S. , Sieber F. E. 
Published: December 2013

SummarySurgery and anaesthesia exert comparatively greater adverse effects on the elderly than on the younger brain, manifest by the higher prevalence of postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction. Postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction delay rehabilitation, and are associated with increases in morbidity and mortality among elderly surgical patients. We review the aetiology of postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly with a particular focus on anaesthesia and sedation, discuss methods of diagnosing and monitoring postoperative cognitive decline, and describe the treatment strategies by which such decline may be prevented.
The assessment and management of peri‐operative pain in older adults
Authors: Schofield P. A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryA number of recent reports have highlighted the inadequate provision of pain relief for older inpatients. Despite the availability of numerous validated pain measures, pain remains poorly assessed in some cases and, particularly, in the cognitively impaired. Without proper assessment, patients may receive inadequate or inappropriate analgesia, both of which can worsen outcome. Most drugs and techniques that are used for analgesia in younger patients are also suitable for older patients, although dosages may have to be adjusted to avoid the side‐effects that are consequent upon age‐related changes in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, co‐morbidity, frailty, cognitive impairment and polypharmacy. This paper reviews current guidelines and methods of assessing pain in the older adult, and describes the use of, and problems with, mild, moderate, strong, adjuvant and local anaesthetic drugs in the older population for analgesia, advocating multimodal intervention to reduce dose‐related side‐effects, particularly of opioids.
P‐wave Morphology Is Associated with Echocardiographic Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in MADIT‐CRT Patients
Authors: Holmqvist Fredrik , Platonov Pyotr G. , Solomon Scott D. , Petersson Richard , McNitt Scott , Carlson Jonas , Zareba Wojciech , Moss Arthur J. ,   MADIT‐CRT Investigators
Published: December 2013

BackgroundIn this study we hypothesized that signs of atypical atrial activation would be associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response in patients with mildly symptomatic heart failure (CHF), left ventricular dysfunction, and wide QRS complex.MethodsPatients included in the CRT‐D arm in MADIT‐CRT were studied (n = 892). Unfiltered signal‐averaged P waves were analyzed to determine orthogonal P‐wave morphology (typical morphologies were predefined as having positive signals in Leads X and Y and a negative or negative–positive signal in Lead Z. All other patterns were classified as atypical). The association between P‐wave morphology and data on echocardiographic response at 1 year was analyzed.ResultsAtypical P‐wave morphology was found in 21% (n = 186) of the patients at baseline. Patients with atypical P‐wave morphology were more often female (31% vs. 24%, P = 0.025), had lower BMI (28 ± 5 kg/m2 vs. 29 ± 5 kg/m2, P = 0.008), had more ischemic CHF (60% vs. 52%, P = 0.026) and had smaller left atrial volumes (90 ± 20 mL vs. 94 ± 22 mL, P = 0.034).Atypical P‐wave morphology at baseline was associated with superior response to CRT at 1 year with a larger reduction in left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (−23 ± 12% vs. −20 ± 11%, P = 0.009), left ventricular end‐systolic volume (−36 ± 16% vs. −31 ± 16%, P = 0.006), and left atrial volume (−31 ± 12% vs. −27 ± 12%, P = 0.005), with a slightly larger absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (12 ± 5% vs. 11 ± 5%, P = 0.009). These associations were found to be independent of traditional predictors.ConclusionThe presence of atypical P‐wave morphology recorded is independently associated with a favorable echocardiographic cardiac remodeling response to CRT.
PACAP receptor pharmacology and agonist bias: analysis in primary neurons and glia from the trigeminal ganglia and transfected cells
Authors: Walker C S , Sundrum T , Hay D L 
Published: December 2013

Background and PurposeA major challenge in the development of new medicines targeting GPCRs is the ability to quantify drug action in physiologically relevant models. Primary cell models that closely resemble the clinically relevant in vivo site of drug action are important translational tools in drug development. However, pharmacological studies in these models are generally very limited due to the methodology used.Experimental ApproachWe used a neuropeptide system to demonstrate the applicability of using highly sensitive signalling assays in primary cells. We quantified the action of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide (PACAP)‐38, PACAP‐27 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in primary cultures of neurons and glia derived from rat trigeminal ganglia (TG), comparing our observations to transfected cells.Key ResultsPACAP‐responsive receptors in rat trigeminal neurons, glia and transfected PAC1n receptors were pharmacologically distinct. PACAP‐38, but not PACAP‐27, activated ERK in glia, while both forms stimulated cellular cAMP production. PACAP(6–38) also displayed cell‐type‐dependent, agonist‐specific, antagonism.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe complexity of PACAP pharmacology in the TG may help to direct, more effectively, the development of disease treatments targeting the PACAP receptor. We suggest that these methodologies are broadly applicable to other primary cell types of human or animal origin, and that our approach may allow more thorough characterization of ligand properties in physiologically relevant cell types.
Long‐term outcome of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic rectopexy for full‐thickness rectal prolapse in elderly patients
Authors: Germain A. , Perrenot C. , Scherrer M.‐L. , Ayav C. , Brunaud L. , Ayav A. , Bresler L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimFull‐thickness rectal prolapse is common in the elderly, but there are no particular practice guidelines for its surgical management. We evaluated retrospectively the perioperative and long‐term clinical results and function in elderly and younger patients with complete rectal prolapse after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic rectopexy (RALR).MethodSeventy‐seven patients who underwent RALR between 2002 and 2010 were divided into Group A (age < 75 years, n = 59) and Group B (age > 75 years, n = 18). Operative time, intra‐ and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, short‐term and long‐term outcomes, recurrence rate and degree of satisfaction were evaluated.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups regarding operation time, conversion, morbidity or length of hospital stay. At a median follow‐up of 51.8 (5–115) months, there was no difference in the improvement of faecal incontinence, recurrence and the degree of satisfaction.ConclusionRobotic‐assisted laparoscopic rectopexy is safe in patients aged over 75 years and gives similar results to those in patients aged < 75 years.
Sequential Evaluation of Coronary Flow Patterns after Primary Angioplasty in Acute Anterior ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction Predicts Recovery of Left Ventricular Systolic Function
Authors: Sharif Dawod , Sharif‐Rasslan Amal , Makhoul Nabeel , Shefer Arie , Hassan Amin , Rosenschein Uri 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundFunction of the microcirculation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is dynamic and contributes to unpredictability of recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function.AimThis study was conducted to evaluate sequential Doppler velocity parameters of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in predicting recovery of global and regional LV systolic function.MethodsThirty‐five consecutive patients, 24 males, age 59 ± 12 years, with acute anterior ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had primary PCI were studied. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) and myocardial blush grades were evaluated. Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) studies, evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LAD territory wall‐motion score index (WMSI), and sampling of LAD Doppler velocities up to 6 hours post‐PCI, 48 hours postprocedure, and predischarge were performed.ResultsThrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade before PCI averaged 0.86 ± 1.19 and post‐PCI 2.89 ± 0.32, P < 0.05. Myocardial blush grade before PCI was 0.41 ± 0.98 and after PCI 2.22 ± 0.93, P < 0.05. Diastolic velocity deceleration time (DDT) in the LAD early after PCI was less than 600 ms in 16 subjects. Immediately after PCI, in subjects with DDT > 600 ms, LVEF was 38.5 ± 6% and predischarge 49.2 ± 8.7%, P = 9.77 × 10−5 and LAD‐WMSI decreased from 2 ± 0.38 to 1.4 ± 0.48, P = 0.000163. In subjects with DDT < 600 ms LAD‐WMSI did not change significantly. Early and minimal LAD‐DDT correlated with improvement in LV systolic function, r = 0.6, whereas post‐PCI blush grade had lower correlation with LVEF, r = 0.39.ConclusionsGlobal and regional LV systolic function after PCI in acute anterior MI can be predicted by LAD‐DDT better than by post‐PCI myocardial blush.
Incremental Value of Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function to Determine Outcome in Patients with Acute ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The Echocardiographic Substudy of the OASIS‐6 Trial
Authors: Dokainish Hisham , Rajaram Mahadevan , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Afzal Rizwan , Orlandini Andres , Staszewsky Lidia , Franzosi Maria Grazia , Llanos Javier , Martinoli Elena , Roy Ambuj , Yusuf Salim , Mehta Shamir , Lonn Eva 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe echocardiographic substudy of the OASIS‐6 trial evaluated the prognostic implications of left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction early postacute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients treated with fondaparinux versus usual care.MethodsComprehensive echocardiograms were performed a median of 6 days after the index STEMI in 528 patients, 258 randomized to fondaparinux and 270 to usual care (unfractionated heparin or placebo), to assess LV systolic and diastolic function, LV mass, and LV end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volumes. A total of 245 (46.4%) patients were followed up for 3 months and 283 (53.6%) for 6 months. Major cardiac events (MACE) were defined as the composite of death, reinfarction, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock and resuscitated cardiac arrest.ResultsPatients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 45% and restrictive diastolic function (RDF) were at greatly increased risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.85, 95% CI, 4.21–18.60) compared to patients with LVEF ≥ 45% and without RDF. RDF remained a strong predictor for MACE in patients with LVEF ≥ 45% (HR = 4.38, 95% CI, 1.52–12.60) and in multivariate models adjusted for LVEF, LV end‐systolic volume, and clinical variables.ConclusionIn this large international trial, LV systolic and diastolic function, as determined by echocardiography early following STEMI, are incremental predictors of MACE. In addition, RDF is a strong independent predictor of MACE after STEMI across a broad range of LVEF.
Left dorsal displacement of the large colon in the horse
Authors: Albanese V. , Caldwell F. J. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryLeft dorsal displacement of the large colon is a condition unique to the horse that results in an obstruction of the colon and signs of colic. This condition may be successfully treated medically with analgesia, i.v. or oral fluids and feed restriction, exercise with or without administration of phenylephrine, or rolling under general anaesthesia with or without administration of phenylephrine, or a combination of these conservative options. Surgical correction via standing left flank laparotomy or, more commonly, ventral midline laparotomy under general anaesthesia, is required in cases where conservative therapy is unsuccessful. Recurrence rates range from 3.2% to 21%. Surgical attempts to prevent recurrence of this condition include large colon resection, colopexy, and ablation of the nephrosplenic space.
Efficacy of intramuscular meperidine hydrochloride versus placebo in experimental foot lameness in horses
Authors: Foreman J. H. , Ruemmler R. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyThere are no peer reviewed, blinded controlled studies regarding the skeletal analgesic efficacy of intramuscularly administered meperidine in horses.ObjectivesUsing an adjustable heart bar shoe model of equine foot pain, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that meperidine (pethidine) administered intramuscularly would prove more efficacious in alleviating lameness than a saline placebo.Study designCrossover pharmacodynamic experiment.MethodsEight healthy adultThoroughbred horses randomly underwent weekly i.m. treatments 1 h after lameness induction: saline placebo (1 ml/45 kg bwt) or meperidine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg bwt i.m.). Heart rate (HR) and lameness score (LS) responses were assessed by a blinded observer every 20 min for 5 h after lameness induction and then hourly through 12 h after treatment. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained at ‐1, 0, 0:05, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h and were subsequently analysed for drug concentrations (lower limit of detection, 1 ng/ml). Repeated measuresANOVAandpost hoc Tukey's test were used to identify analgesic effects at a significance level of P<0.05.ResultsMean (± s.e.)HRwere lower in meperidine trials at 2.3, 3.3 and 3.7 h post administration (P<0.05). MeanLSwere lower in meperidine trials at 2.0, 2.3 and 3.3 h post administration (P<0.05). Mean plasma (meperidine) peaked at 227 ± 52 ng/ml at 1 h post administration and decreased to 2.7 ± 0.3 ng/ml at 12 h post administration. In 3 of 8 subjects, plasma (meperidine) was below the lower limit of detection at 12 h after administration.ConclusionsIntramuscular meperidine was more effective than the saline placebo but only for 2.0–3.7 h post administration compared with the 8–12 h durations of efficacy reported previously using this same model when horses were treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Meperidine may be a suitable nonNSAIDalternative analgesic for acute foot pain with efficacy lasting from 2–3 h after a single i.m. dose.
Litter decomposition in a temperate and a tropical stream: the effects of species mixing, litter quality and shredders
Authors: Bruder Andreas , Schindler Markus H. , Moretti Marcelo S. , Gessner Mark O. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

The current rapid decline in biodiversity has led to concerns about the consequences for stream ecosystem processes, one of which is the decomposition of leaf litter derived from riparian vegetation.

We conducted field experiments in a tropical and a temperate stream to test for the effects of mixing leaf species differing in resource quality on the decomposition of leaf litter and on the colonisation of the litter by leaf‐shredding invertebrates.

The effects of litter mixing were minor compared with the effects of litter quality and the presence or absence of shredders. Low shredder abundance in the tropical stream and poor quality of the tropical leaf species, particularly in terms of phosphorus content and toughness, were associated with low decomposition rates in the tropical compared with the temperate stream. This is especially true when considering the 20 °C temperature differences between the two streams.

In the presence of shredders, the decomposition rate of a standard litter type, leaves of Alnus glutinosa, was 2.6‐fold faster in the temperate stream, whereas rates were similar when shredders were absent. This indicates that differences in environmental conditions other than temperature had a strong effect. Differences in water chemistry, such as higher concentrations of dissolved nutrients in the temperate stream, might account for this effect.

In conclusion, despite a lack of clear effects of litter mixing on decomposition, our results highlight the importance of litter identity and environmental conditions for both microbial and shredder‐mediated litter decomposition, suggesting that changes in riparian vegetation and other stream characteristics will affect stream ecosystems in the face of widespread environmental change.
Incorporating continuous trait variation into biomonitoring assessments by measuring and assigning trait values to individuals or taxa
Authors: Orlofske Jessica M. , Baird Donald J. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Traits‐based analyses of insect assemblages support biomonitoring programme objectives. To date, however, few traits‐based metrics have demonstrated the degree of sensitivity or discriminatory power required by biomonitoring programmes. Trait information used for analyses is typically based on static descriptions of dynamic communities and is attributed only to taxonomic units. Given that traits can vary even among specimens from the same species, quantifying trait variation and its consequences could be essential for successful traits‐based biomonitoring.

Here, we study the consequences of measuring trait expression among individual specimens versus assigning trait states from published databases at the taxon level (genus or family) for the interpretation of trait patterns within aquatic insect assemblages. Specifically, do database body size trait states accurately reflect measured body size values of aquatic insects collected in biomonitoring samples and should body size data be aggregated at the taxon level or assessed at the specimen level to detect differences among sites?

We assessed body size, a continuous trait linked to fundamental organism properties and ecological function, for four orders of aquatic insects: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata. Invertebrate samples were collected from the Miramichi River basin (New Brunswick, Canada) according to the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network method.

Concordance between measured specimen sizes and published trait states was poor; 55% of taxa expressed body sizes considerably smaller or larger than assigned database states. Recalibration of size classes based on specimen measurements yielded three size classes that facilitated detection of assemblage‐aggregated size differences among reference sites. Measured body size trait values were able to distinguish these differences in community structure, while values derived from databases yielded erroneous patterns in the size structure among sites.

Gaining accurate ecological insights from traits‐based biomonitoring may require assessing trait properties at the scale of individual specimens. The benefits of this approach, however, should be balanced against additional effort required in the context of specific study or programme objectives.
Invertebrate assemblages of pools in arid‐land streams have high functional redundancy and are resistant to severe drying
Authors: Boersma Kate S. , Bogan Michael T. , Henrichs Brian A. , Lytle David A. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Seasonal droughts are predictable components of arid‐land stream hydrology, and many arid‐land aquatic taxa have adapted to their extreme environment. However, climate change is altering this predictable hydrology, producing longer and more severe droughts and creating novel disturbance regimes for resident organisms.

The hydrologic transitions from flowing stream to fragmented pools to dry stream bed are frequently associated with steep decreases in taxonomic and functional diversity, referred to as thresholds of biodiversity loss. Less is known about how taxa respond between these thresholds, as fragmented pools gradually dry and abiotic conditions intensify. While an increasingly extreme environment may be expected to reduce taxonomic and trait richness, species adapted to predictable seasonal fragmentation may be resistant to declining water levels until all surface water is lost. We used aquatic mesocosms to test two competing hypotheses of the relationship between richness and pool drying for arid‐land stream invertebrates: (i) the drought vulnerability hypothesis (richness gradually decreases with drying) and (ii) the drought resistance hypothesis (richness remains constant until complete drying occurs).

We inoculated replicate mesocosms with aquatic invertebrates from arid‐land streams in Arizona, U.S.A., and applied three drying treatments representing a continuum of drying stress commonly observed in local streams during the summer dry season (water depths: 10, 7 and 1 cm). Mesocosms were covered to restrict dispersal and colonisation processes and to isolate resistance (in situ survival of species) from resilience (community recovery following disturbance). After 45 days, we destructively sampled all invertebrates in the mesocosms and calculated various taxonomic and functional trait metrics.

Taxonomic richness and composition did not differ between drying treatments, providing strong support for the drought resistance hypothesis. Severe drying was associated with lower invertebrate abundances and higher densities than the moderate and control treatments. This finding suggests that density‐dependent processes generated by decreased available habitat may be more important determinants of community composition during droughts than abiotic stress in this system.

We observed a near‐complete overlap of trophic traits (body size and functional feeding group) and resistance traits (respiration mode and diapause) among the three treatments. This high functional redundancy may provide a buffer against changes to ecosystem functioning, even in cases of severe‐drying‐induced habitat contraction and fragmentation.