bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toward a Selection of Broadly Adapted Germplasm for Yield Stability of Hybrid Rye under Normal and Managed Drought Stress Conditions
Authors: Haffke Stefan , Wilde Peer , Schmiedchen Brigitta , Hackauf Bernd , Roux Steffen , Gottwald Marlen , Miedaner Thomas 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTClimate change will have an influence on crop production and lead to a focus on stable and high‐yielding varieties in breeding programs. Winter rye (Secale cereale L.) is an important crop in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in marginal environments where varying weather conditions have a strong impact on grain yield. Because these environments are the first to suffer from abiotic stress, yield stability is an important breeding goal for rye. The objectives were to evaluate phenotypic diversity for genotype by irrigation interaction (GII) and the potential of hybrid rye to combine high yield potential with superior yield stability. Two intrapool and one interpool population with each of 218 to 220 testcross progenies were grown in a total of 16 to 18 environments (location by year combinations). In six of these environments, managed drought stress trials (rainfed vs. irrigated) were conducted. We observed a wide range of grain yield, from 4.9 to 11.5 Mg ha−1. In the managed drought stress experiments yield reduction in the rainfed regime ranged from 2 to 41% with an average of 18%. Only in a few environments did significant GII occur, although in most environments yield reduction was significant. Genotypic correlations of grain yield between irrigated and rainfed regimes were generally high (0.8–1.0). The coefficient of linear regression (bi) was not significantly different from 1 among progenies. Mean square deviation from linear regression (S2di), however, varied significantly (P < 0.01). To ensure broad adaptability of germplasm, managed drought stress environments should be included in test environments, but they need no special selection procedures. In conclusion, modern rye breeding material already combines high yield potential and stability.
Comments of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on IESBA Consultation Paper: Improving the Structure of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants
Authors: Gaynor Gregory B. , Janvrin Diane J. , Pittman Marshall K. , Pevzner Mikhail B. , White Lourdes Ferreira 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARY
Recently, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) solicited public comments on its Consultation Paper, Improving the Structure of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. This commentary summarizes the contributors' views on the various questions asked in the IESBA Consultation Paper. Our comments submitted to IESBA appear below.
Data Availability: The invitation to comment (which invited comments through February 4, 2015), with links to the consultation paper, is available at: http://www.ifac.org/publications-resources/improving-structure-code-ethics-professional-accountants/.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Incident Diabetes: The FIT (Henry Ford ExercIse Testing) Project
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , Blaha Michael J. , Blumenthal Roger S. , Brawner Clinton , Qureshi Waqas , Keteyian Steven J. , Schairer John , Ehrman Jonathan K. , Al-Mallah Mouaz H. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE
Prior evidence has linked higher cardiorespiratory fitness with a lower risk of diabetes in ambulatory populations. Using a demographically diverse study sample, we examined the association of fitness with incident diabetes in 46,979 patients from The Henry Ford ExercIse Testing (FIT) Project without diabetes at baseline.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Fitness was measured during a clinician-referred treadmill stress test performed between 1991 and 2009. Incident diabetes was defined as a new diagnosis of diabetes on three separate consecutive encounters derived from electronic medical records or administrative claims files. Analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards models and were adjusted for diabetes risk factors.

RESULTS
The mean age was 53 years with 48% women and 27% black patients. Mean metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved was 9.5 (SD 3.0). During a median follow-up period of 5.2 years (interquartile range 2.6–8.3 years), there were 6,851 new diabetes cases (14.6%). After adjustment, patients achieving ≥12 METs had a 54% lower risk of incident diabetes compared with patients achieving &lt;6 METs (hazard ratio 0.46 [95% CI 0.41, 0.51]; P-trend &lt; 0.001). This relationship was preserved across strata of age, sex, race, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that higher fitness is associated with a lower risk of incident diabetes regardless of demographic characteristics and baseline risk factors. Future studies should examine the association between change in fitness over time and incident diabetes.
Comparative Analysis of Quality-of-Life Metrics after Endoscopic Surgery for Sinonasal Neoplasms
Authors: Deckard Nathan A. , Harrow Brian R. , Barnett Samuel L. , Batra Pete S. 
Published: March 2015

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative quality of life (QOL) after endoscopic resection of sinus and skull base neoplasms using validated outcomes measures and to perform correlation of the various metrics to better discern their efficacy. Prospective QOL data collection and retrospective chart review were performed. Methods QOL data were collected using the 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ), European Quality-of-Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic (LKE) score in 71 patients with sinonasal and skull base tumors. Results The mean age was 53 years and mean follow-up was 14.5 months at the time QOL data were collected. Benign and malignant tumors represented 39 (54.9%) and 32 (45.1%) cases, respectively. Twenty malignancies (62.5%) were stage T3 or T4, and 23 required postoperative chemotherapy and radiation (CRT). Factors indicating worsened postoperative QOL included malignant histopathology, T3 or T4 tumors, and the use of postoperative CRT (p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation of ASBQ with EQ-5D and SNOT-20 scores (r < -0.5) and a moderate correlation between the SNOT-20 and EQ-5D (r > 0.3), and the LKE had moderate correlation with SNOT-20 (r > 0.3) and weak correlation to the ASBQ (r > -0.3) and EQ-5D (r < 0.3). Conclusion Patients who have undergone endoscopic resection of sinonasal tumors have quantifiable QOL changes as measured by various validated metrics. This study shows that concurrent use of these instruments may better discern QOL outcomes after endoscopic tumor surgery.
Clinical Considerations in the use of Sublingual Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Lee Stella , Nolte Hendrik , Benninger Michael S. 
Published: March 2015

Background Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been in practice for more than 100 years. However, research in novel routes and delivery methods of immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) and conjunctivitis has only recently occurred in the United States, where the predominant form of AIT provided is largely via a subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) route. AIT may prevent new sensitizations, improve symptoms, decrease medication usage, and prevent allergic asthma. Although AIT is the only potentially curative treatment for AR, access and adherence continue to be problematic. Only a fraction of eligible patients actually undergo treatment, and attrition rates are high. An obvious limitation of SCIT includes the requirement of regular injections to be provided in the physician's office due to the potential for anaphylaxis. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for home administration has been investigated as a potential alternative to address this limitation of SCIT. Methods A literature review was performed including the current findings from randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses with a discussion of the most recent evidence for the efficacy, safety, and dosing of allergen SLIT. Results The current data suggest that SLIT is effective for treatment of seasonal allergies, can potentially prevent asthma, and has a favorable safety profile. Head-to-head studies, however, are few, and comparative effectiveness still remains to be answered. Optimal treatment algorithms for SLIT have not yet been established, with wide variation in dosage selection and schedules. Similarly to SCIT, only a few allergens such as ragweed and grass pollen have been found to be effective in large clinical trials. Conclusion Recent data indicate that SLIT is an effective treatment modality for seasonal AR, improve quality of life, and can potentially prevent asthma but head-to head studies comparing SLIT to SCIT are needed.
The Blood-Brain Barrier and Nasal Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Miyake Marcel Menon , Bleier Benjamin S. 
Published: March 2015

Background The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly efficient system that separates the central nervous system (CNS) from general circulation and promotes selective transport of molecules that are essential for brain function. However, it also limits the distribution of systemically administered therapeutics to the brain; therefore, there is a restricted number of drugs available for the treatment of brain disorders. Several drug-targeting strategies have been developed to attempt to bypass the BBB, but none has proved sufficiently effective in reaching the brain. Methods The objective of this study is to generally review these strategies of drug administration to the CNS. Results Noninvasive methods of drug delivery, such as chemical and biologic transport systems, do not represent a feasible platform, whereas for most drugs, it is still not possible to achieve therapeutic levels within the brain tissue after intravenous or oral administration, and the use of higher potency or more concentrated doses may cause serious toxic side effects. Direct intrathecal drug delivery through a catheter into the CNS also presents several problems. Intranasal drug delivery is a potential alternative method due to the direct transport into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment along the olfactory pathway, but the study's conclusions are controversial. An endoscopic intranasal surgical procedure using established skull base surgery reconstruction techniques based on the use of a nasal mucosa surgical flap as the only obstacle between the nose and the subarachnoid space has appeared as a potential solution to increase the absorption of intranasal drugs to the CNS. Conclusion Despite extensive efforts to develop new techniques to cross the BBB, none has proved sufficiently effective in reaching the brain, whereas minimizing adverse effects and the endoscopic mucosal grafting technique offers new potential promise.
Nasal Air-Conditioning after Partial Turbinectomy: Myths versus Facts
Authors: Tsakiropoulou Evangelia , Vital Victor , Constantinidis Jannis , Kekes George 
Published: March 2015

Background Turbinectomy, although a common procedure, is often accused of having a negative impact in all nasal functions. This study is the first in vivo study that evaluates objectively the effect of partial turbinectomy on nasal air-conditioning capacity. Methods In total, 57 patients with prior partial inferior turbinectomy and 28 healthy controls were examined. Intranasal temperature and humidity values were measured at the level of the head of inferior and middle turbinate. Nasal patency was evaluated by means of acoustic rhinometry. The clinical assessment was completed with nasal endoscopy and the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire for subjective evaluation of nasal patency. Results Significant changes of temperature were found in both detection sites with 13% reduced heating capacity of the air at the level of the inferior and 19% at the level of the middle turbinate, respectively. No similar results were found for humidity measurements. No correlations were found between air-conditioning values and acoustic rhinometry results for both study groups. Nasal endoscopy revealed normal healing in all patients. No major complications were reported by the patients. Their subjective ratings of nasal obstruction were similar to healthy controls. Conclusion Partial turbinectomy seems to have a negative impact on intranasal air heating but not to humidification. This effect has no impact on clinical condition and subjective perception of surgical outcome.
Nasal Cytological Changes as Late Effects of Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Riva Giuseppe , Boita Monica , Ravera Mattia , Moretto Francesco , Badellino Serena , Rampino Monica , Ricardi Umberto , Pecorari Giancarlo , Garzaro Massimiliano 
Published: March 2015

Background Radiation therapy is a cornerstone in nasopharyngeal cancer treatment. However, it can induce acute and long-term adverse effects, such as acute mucositis and late submucosal fibrosis. Late toxicities could not only affect submucosa but also mucosal cells, determining long-term cytological changes. Objective Evaluation of delayed nasal cytological alterations in patients who underwent radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods In this case-control study, we analyzed 30 healthy subjects and 30 patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for NPC between 2003 and 2011, with a median follow-up of 59 months. All subjects underwent symptoms anamnestic evaluation (rhinorrea, nasal obstruction), endoscopic fiber optic nasal examination, skin-prick tests, and nasal scraping for cytological exam. Results A higher percentage of rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, mucosal hyperemia, and presence of nasopharyngeal secretions at fiber optic endoscopic exam was found in radiated subjects (p < 0.05). Nasal cytology analysis demonstrated a higher percentage of neutrophilic inflammation and squamous cell metaplasia and mucous cell metaplasia in treated patients (p < 0.05). No cytological atypia was seen. No statistically significant correlation between nasal cytological changes and objective findings, patients' age, tobacco smoking, and gastroesophageal reflux has been found in the radiotherapy group (p > 0.05). Conclusion Radiation therapy induces late nasal mucosal changes, which may be related to clinical consequences, such as abundant mucus production and its consequent endonasal stagnation. In the future, detailed knowledge of cytological changes in patients' nasal mucosa could represent a key prerequisite for the choice of effective interventions for late radiation-induced rhinitis.
The influence of lesion volume, perilesion resection volume, and completeness of resection on seizure outcome after resective epilepsy surgery for cortical dysplasia in children
Authors: Oluigbo Chima O. , Wang Jichuan , Whitehead Matthew T. , Magge Suresh , Myseros John S. , Yaun Amanda , Depositario-Cabacar Dewi , Gaillard William D. , Keating Robert 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the most common causes of intractable epilepsy leading to surgery in children. The predictors of seizure freedom after surgical management for FCD are still unclear. The objective of this study was to perform a volumetric analysis of factors shown on the preresection and postresection brain MRI scans of patients who had undergone resective epilepsy surgery for cortical dysplasia and to determine the influence of these factors on seizure outcome.

METHODS
The authors reviewed the medical records and brain images of 43 consecutive patients with focal MRI-documented abnormalities and a pathological diagnosis of FCD who had undergone surgical treatment for refractory epilepsy. Preoperative lesion volume and postoperative resection volume were calculated by manual segmentation using OsiriX PRO software.

RESULTS
Forty-three patients underwent first-time surgery for resection of an FCD. The age range of these patients at the time of surgery ranged from 2 months to 21.8 years (mean age 7.3 years). The median duration of follow-up was 20 months. The mean age at onset was 31.6 months (range 1 day to 168 months). Complete resection of the area of an FCD, as adjudged from the postoperative brain MR images, was significantly associated with seizure control (p = 0.0005). The odds of having good seizure control among those who underwent complete resection were about 6 times higher than those among the patients who did not undergo complete resection. Seizure control was not significantly associated with lesion volume (p = 0.46) or perilesion resection volume (p = 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS
The completeness of FCD resection in children is a significant predictor of seizure freedom. Neither lesion volume nor the further resection of perilesional tissue is predictive of seizure freedom.
Traumatic spondyloptosis: a series of 20 patients
Authors: Mishra Akash , Agrawal Deepak , Gupta Deepak , Sinha Sumit , Satyarthee Guru D. , Singh Pankaj K. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Spondyloptosis represents the most severe form of spondylolisthesis, which usually follows high-energy trauma. Few reports exist on this specific condition, and the largest series published to date consists of only 5 patients. In the present study the authors report the clinical observations and outcomes in a cohort of 20 patients admitted to a regional trauma center for severe injuries including spondyloptosis.

METHODS
The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with spondyloptosis at their department over a 5-year period (March 2008–March 2013). Clinical, radiological, and operative details were reviewed for all patients.

RESULTS
In total, 20 patients with spondyloptosis were treated during the period reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 27 years (range 12–45 years), and 17 patients were male (2 boys and 15 men) and 3 were women. Fall from height (45%) and road traffic accidents (35%) were the most common causes of the spinal injuries. The grading of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) was used to assess the severity of spinal cord injury, which for all patients was ASIA Grade A at the time of admission. In 11 patients (55%), the thoracolumbar junction (T10–L2) was involved in the injury, followed by the dorsal region (T1–9) in 7 patients (35%); 1 patient (5%) had lumbar and 1 patient (5%) sacral spondyloptosis. In 19 patients (95%), spondyloptosis was treated surgically, involving the posterior route in all cases. In 7 patients (37%), corpectomy was performed. None of the patients showed improvement in neurological deficits. The mean follow-up length was 37.5 months (range 3–60 months), and 5 patients died in the follow-up period from complications due to formation of bedsores (decubitus ulcers).

CONCLUSIONS
To the authors' best knowledge, this study was the largest of its kind on traumatic spondyloptosis. Its results illustrate the challenges of treating patients with this condition. Despite deformity correction of the spine and early mobilization of patients, traumatic spondyloptosis led to high morbidity and mortality rates because the patients lacked access to rehabilitation facilities postoperatively.
Local control after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases in patients with melanoma with and without BRAF mutation and treatment
Authors: Ly David , Bagshaw Hilary P. , Anker Christopher J. , Tward Jonathan D. , Grossmann Kenneth F. , Jensen Randy L. , Shrieve Dennis C. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
BRAF inhibitors improve progression-free and overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. Brain metastases are common, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been used, resulting in excellent local control. Because BRAF inhibitors are associated with intracranial responses, the authors hypothesized that BRAF inhibitors would improve local control in patients with melanoma who are receiving SRS for brain metastases.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively identified patients with metastatic melanoma who had been tested for BRAF mutation and treated with SRS for brain metastases. Patients with previous resection, multiple brain metastases, or multiple courses of SRS were eligible. SRS was delivered in a single fraction to a median dose of 2000 cGy. Patients with a BRAF mutation were treated with a BRAF inhibitor on the basis of physician preference.

RESULTS
The authors identified 52 patients who were treated in 82 treatment sessions for 185 brain metastases and 13 tumor beds. At a median follow-up of 10.5 months, the 1-year local control rate was 69.2%. At 1 year, the local control rate for brain metastases in patients with BRAF mutation with BRAF treatment was 85.0%, and the local control rate for brain metastases in those without BRAF treatment was 51.5% (p = 0.0077). The rates of distant brain failure, freedom from whole-brain radiation, and overall survival were not different on the basis of BRAF mutation status or inhibitor therapy. The number of new intratumoral hemorrhages after SRS was increased significantly in patients with BRAF treatment.

CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with BRAF inhibitors was associated with improved local control after SRS in patients with melanoma and brain metastases. An increased number of intratumoral hemorrhages was associated with BRAF inhibitor therapy.
Survival impact of time to initiation of chemoradiotherapy after resection of newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Sun Matthew Z. , Oh Taemin , Ivan Michael E. , Clark Aaron J. , Safaee Michael , Sayegh Eli T. , Kaur Gurvinder , Parsa Andrew T. , Bloch Orin 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
There are few and conflicting reports on the effects of delayed initiation of chemoradiotherapy on the survival of patients with glioblastoma. The standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma is concurrent radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy after maximal safe resection; however, the optimal timing of such therapy is poorly defined. Given the lack of consensus in the literature, the authors performed a retrospective analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate the effect of time from surgery to initiation of therapy on survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

METHODS
Patients with primary glioblastoma diagnosed since 2005 and treated according to the standard of care were identified from TCGA database. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between groups stratified by postoperative delay to initiation of radiation treatment.

RESULTS
There were 218 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma with known time to initiation of radiotherapy identified in the database. The median duration until therapy was 27 days. Delay to radiotherapy longer than the median was not associated with worse PFS (HR = 0.918, p = 0.680) or OS (HR = 1.135, p = 0.595) in multivariate analysis when controlling for age, sex, KPS score, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients in the highest and lowest quartiles for delay to therapy (≤ 20 days vs ≥ 36 days) did not statistically differ in PFS (p = 0.667) or OS (p = 0.124). The small subset of patients with particularly long delays (> 42 days) demonstrated worse OS (HR = 1.835, p = 0.019), but not PFS (p = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS
Modest delay in initiation of postoperative chemotherapy and radiation does not appear to be associated with worse PFS or OS in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, while significant delay longer than 6 weeks may be associated with worse OS.