bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New insulin glargine 300 U/ml compared with glargine 100 U/ml in insulin‐naïve people with type 2 diabetes on oral glucose‐lowering drugs: a randomized controlled trial (EDITION 3)
Authors: Bolli G. B. , Riddle M. C. , Bergenstal R. M. , Ziemen M. , Sestakauskas K. , Goyeau H. , Home P. D. ,   on behalf of the EDITION 3 study investigators
Published: January 2015

AimsTo compare the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla‐300) with that of glargine 100 U/ml (Gla‐100) in insulin‐naïve people with type 2 diabetes using oral glucose‐lowering drugs.MethodsThe EDITION 3 study was a multicentre, open‐label, parallel‐group study. Participants were randomized to Gla‐300 or Gla‐100 once daily for 6 months, discontinuing sulphonylureas and glinides, with a dose titration aimed at achieving pre‐breakfast plasma glucose concentrations of 4.4–5.6 mmol/l (80–100 mg/dl). The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to month 6. The main secondary endpoint was percentage of participants with ≥1 nocturnal confirmed [≤3.9 mmol/l (≤70 mg/dl)] or severe hypoglycaemia from week 9 to month 6. Other measures of glycaemia and hypoglycaemia, weight change and insulin dose were assessed.ResultsRandomized participants (n = 878) had a mean (standard deviation) age of 57.7 (10.1) years, diabetes duration 9.8 (6.4) years, body mass index 33.0 (6.7) kg/m2 and HbA1c 8.54 (1.06) % [69.8 (11.6) mmol/mol]. HbA1c levels decreased by equivalent amounts with the two treatments; the least squares mean difference in change from baseline was 0.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.09 to 0.17] % or 0.4 (−1.0 to 1.9) mmol/mol. Numerically fewer participants reported ≥1 nocturnal confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/l) or severe hypoglycaemia from week 9 to month 6 [relative risk (RR) 0.89 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.20)] with Gla‐300 versus Gla‐100; a significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia with this definition was found over the 6‐month treatment period [RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.99)]. No between‐treatment differences in adverse events were identified.ConclusionsGla‐300 is as effective as Gla‐100 in reducing HbA1c in insulin‐naïve people with type 2 diabetes, with lower hypoglycaemia risk.
Prevalence of Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in Patients with Congenital Atrioventricular Block and Long‐Term Pacing: A Three‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Guerra Vitor Coimbra , de Menezes Martins Luciana , Oliveira Roberto Marcio , da Silva Kátia Regina , Binotto Maria Angelica , Tsutsui Jeane M. , Kallil Roberto , Costa Roberto , Mathias Wilson 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) dysfunction is the major reason for poor outcomes in patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) and pacemaker. Long‐term pacing has been associated with LV mechanical dyssynchrony. However, the relationship of dyssynchrony and LV dysfunction is not clear.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the prevalence of LV dyssynchrony by real time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in patients with CCAVB and its association with LV dysfunction. In addition, we evaluated the agreement between RT3DE and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for detecting LV dyssynchrony.MethodWe studied 50 patients [median age 20 years old (5 months to 62 years), 68% women] with CCAVB and pacemaker who underwent complete two‐dimensional echocardiography and RT3DE. LV dyssynchrony was considered if the systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) was ≥5%. Intraventricular mechanical delay was defined by TDI when differences in electromechanical activation between LV walls were >65 msec.ResultsLV systolic dysfunction was present in 16 patients (32%) by two‐dimensional and in 20 patients (40%) by RT3DE. There was a good correlation between LV ejection fraction by two‐dimensional and RT3DE (r = 0.75; P < 0.001). Fourteen (28%) patients had intraventricular dyssynchrony by TDI, while 12 (24%) had intraventricular dyssynchrony by RT3DE. There was a good agreement between LV dyssynchrony by TDI and RT3DE (Kappa=0.735; P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between LV ejection fraction and SDI obtained by RT3DE (r = −0.58; P < 0.001)ConclusionsIn patients with CCAVB and long‐term pacing, LV dyssynchrony occurred in one‐third of patients and was related to LV dysfunction. There was a good correlation between dyssynchrony obtained by RT3DE and TDI.
Weight loss intervention reduces the risk of kidney stone formation in a rat model of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Sasaki Yumiko , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Iba Akinori , Matsumura Nagahide , Hara Isao 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of weight loss intervention on the urinary stone risk parameters in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.MethodsIn a prevention study, 4‐week‐old male Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima “Fatty” rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, food‐restricted and food‐restricted + exercise‐trained groups. In a treatment study, 24‐week‐old male Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima “Fatty” rats that had already developed type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to the same three groups. Blood and 24‐h urine chemistry were measured after 16 weeks.ResultsIn both studies, food‐restricted and food‐restricted + exercise‐trained rats showed significantly higher urinary pH and higher excretion of urinary citrate than control rats. In the prevention study, ion‐activity products of calcium oxalate in the food‐restricted and food‐restricted + exercise‐trained groups were significantly lower than that of control rats. In the treatment study, ion‐activity products of calcium oxalate index in food‐restricted + exercise‐trained rats was significantly lower than that of control rats.ConclusionsWeight loss intervention seems to reduce the risk of uric acid stone formation by improving low urine pH and calcium oxalate stone formation by increasing urinary citrate excretion. The present study provides the first theoretical evidence to support weight loss intervention programs for nephrolithiasis patients with metabolic syndrome.
Importance of scrotum pulling during diagnostic laparoscopy for impalpable testis
Authors: Im Young Jae , Jung Hyun Jin , Lee Yong Seung , Kim Sang Woon , Han Sang Won 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate the significance of a scrotum pulling maneuver during diagnostic laparoscopy for impalpable testis in order to determine whether an initial scrotal or inguinal incision should be carried out.MethodsA total of 75 patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy were included in the present study. If the vas deferens and spermatic vessels were noted to enter the internal inguinal ring, the affected scrotum was pulled downwards and the movements of the cord structures were observed. If inferior movement of the cord structures at the internal inguinal ring were noted, a scrotal approach was preferred. In the absence of cord structure movement, an inguinal approach was carried out first.ResultsIn 59 (76.6%) out of 77 impalpable testes, the spermatic vessels and vas deferens were noted to enter the internal inguinal ring. In 41 of the 59 cases (69.5%), the cord structures were observed to move inferiorly when the scrotum was pulled downwards. In these cases, a scrotal incision was carried out first. In 97% (40/41), a nubbin testis was found and was then excised. In 23% (18/59), the cord structures did not move on pulling the scrotum, and an inguinal approach was initially carried out on these cases. A viable testis was found on the inguinal canal in four cases, and a nubbin testis was excised in 14 cases.ConclusionsIn patients with impalpable testis undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy, identification of spermatic cord movement along the internal inguinal ring while pulling the scrotum downwards determines the most appropriate surgical approach. This maneuver might also prevent inappropriately placed skin incisions.
Lessons from 50 years of curing childhood leukaemia
Authors: Cole Catherine Helen 
Published: January 2015

AbstractOne of the great success stories of modern medicine is undoubtedly the remarkable improvement in outcome for childhood cancer, achieved through the work of the co‐operative groups enrolling patients in randomised controlled trials. In 1965, survival was almost zero; now 5‐year survival rates exceed 80% in high‐income countries. The lessons learned in the care of patients with the most common malignancy in childhood – acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – have been used in all other cancers of childhood and more recently in the management of adults. These lessons can be broadly applied in medical practice, because elements of laboratory science in all branches of pathology, as well as a deep understanding of biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, genetics and molecular science, run through this story. Far from being a sad area of practice, paediatric haematology and oncology remains the champion of embedded clinical and translational research, diagnosis from bench to bedside and lifelong multidisciplinary management of the child and their family.
Metabolic response of maize plants to multi‐factorial abiotic stresses
Authors: Sun C. X. , Li M. Q. , Gao X. X. , Liu L. N. , Wu X. F. , Zhou J. H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractClarification of the metabolic mechanisms underlying multi‐stress responses in plants will allow further optimisation of crop breeding and cultivation to obtain high yields in an increasingly variable environment. Using NMR metabolomic techniques, we examined the metabolic responses of maize plants grown under different conditions: soil drought, soil salinity, heat and multiple concurrent stresses. A detailed time‐course metabolic profile was also performed on maize plants sampled 1, 3 and 7 days after initiation of soil drought and heat stress. The metabolic profile of maize plants subjected to soil drought was more similar to plants exposed to salt stress than to heat‐stressed plants. Drought‐stressed maize plants subjected to salt or heat stress showed distinct integrated metabolic profiles compared with those exposed to either stressor individually. These differences show the considerable metabolic plasticity of maize in response to different growth conditions. Moreover, glucose, fructose, malate, citrate, proline, alanine, aspartate, asparagine, threonine and one unknown compound fluctuated obviously between maize plants grown in controlled growth cabinet and a natural regime. These changes were associated with the TCA cycle and core nitrogen metabolism, and could be related to their multiple functions during plant growth. The evident stress‐induced trajectory of metabolic changes in maize indicated that the primary metabolic responses to soil drought, heat and combined drought and heat stresses occurred in a time‐dependent manner. Plasticity at the metabolic level may allow maize plants to acclimatise their metabolic ranges in response to changing environmental conditions.
Codes in context: How states, markets, and civil society shape adherence to global labor standards
Authors: Toffel Michael W. , Short Jodi L. , Ouellet Melissa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTransnational business regulation is increasingly implemented through private voluntary programs – such as certification regimes and codes of conduct – that diffuse global standards. However, little is known about the conditions under which companies adhere to these standards. We conduct one of the first large‐scale comparative studies to determine which international, domestic, civil society, and market institutions promote supply chain factories' adherence to the global labor standards embodied in codes of conduct imposed by multinational buyers. We find that suppliers are more likely to adhere when they are embedded in states that participate actively in the International Labour Organization treaty regime and that have stringent domestic labor law and high levels of press freedom. We further demonstrate that suppliers perform better when they serve buyers located in countries where consumers are wealthy and socially conscious. These findings suggest the importance of overlapping state, civil society, and market governance regimes to meaningful transnational regulation.
Amphotericin B deoxycholate nasal spray administered to hematopoietic stem cell recipients with prior fungal colonization of the upper airway passages is associated with low rates of invasive fungal infection
Authors: Trifilio S.M. , Heraty R. , Zomas A. , Zhou Z. , Fong J.L. , Liu D. , Zhao C. , Zhang J. , Mehta J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundInvasive fungal infections cause major problems during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Fungal colonization of the upper airway passages occurs frequently, and may serve as a portal of entry for potentially life‐threatening fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.MethodsA clinical practice was instituted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 2005, to administer amphotericin B deoxycholate nasal spray (ABNS) 0.5% to all HSCT recipients with fungal colonization of their nasal passages, in addition to standard oral antifungal prophylaxis.ResultsAmong 1945 HSCT patients treated during the study period, 109 patients were identified with positive fungal surveillance cultures.ConclusionBreakthrough fungal infections occurred in only 2 patients (2%), thus in this select group of HSCT recipients, ABNS administration is associated with a very low rate of breakthrough infection.
Invasive aquatic plants in the aquarium and ornamental pond industries: a risk assessment for southernOntario (Canada)
Authors: Azan S , Bardecki M , Laursen A E 
Published: January 2015

SummaryAn assessment of the invasive risk associated with the establishment and dispersal of plants available in the aquarium and ornamental pond industries in the Greater Toronto area (Canada) was made. In the risk model, sales volumes of individual taxa were used as a proxy for propagule pressure, to assess pathway risk potential. Organism risk potential, the ability to become established and disperse associated with a release, was assessed using an analysis of the biological traits of the species. Discriminant correspondence analysis was used to predict which biological traits were useful in discriminating native plants from alien invasive plants and alien non‐invasive plants. Importantly, a relatively small number of biological traits appear to be useful in predicting whether an alien aquatic plant had the characteristics that would support establishment and/or dispersal in new environments. Aquatic plants distributed by the industries that are cold tolerant, able to propagate by fragments and use a number of dispersal methods are of particular concern as potential invaders. The model identified 11 alien plants in the trade that have a high risk of becoming invasive, and an additional 52 with moderately high risk.
Monte Carlo simulations of patient dose perturbations in rotational‐type radiotherapy due to a transverse magnetic field: A tomotherapy investigation
Authors: Yang Y. M. , Geurts M. , Smilowitz J. B. , Sterpin E. , Bednarz B. P. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:Several groups are exploring the integration of magnetic resonance (MR) image guidance with radiotherapy to reduce tumor position uncertainty during photon radiotherapy. The therapeutic gain from reducing tumor position uncertainty using intrafraction MR imaging during radiotherapy could be partially offset if the negative effects of magnetic field‐induced dose perturbations are not appreciated or accounted for. The authors hypothesize that a more rotationally symmetric modality such as helical tomotherapy will permit a systematic mediation of these dose perturbations. This investigation offers a unique look at the dose perturbations due to homogeneous transverse magnetic field during the delivery of Tomotherapy® Treatment System plans under varying degrees of rotational beamlet symmetry.Methods:The authors accurately reproduced treatment plan beamlet and patient configurations using the Monte Carlo code geant4. This code has a thoroughly benchmarked electromagnetic particle transport physics package well‐suited for the radiotherapy energy regime. The three approved clinical treatment plans for this study were for a prostate, head and neck, and lung treatment. The dose heterogeneity index metric was used to quantify the effect of the dose perturbations to the target volumes.Results:The authors demonstrate the ability to reproduce the clinical dose–volume histograms (DVH) to within 4% dose agreement at each DVH point for the target volumes and most planning structures, and therefore, are able to confidently examine the effects of transverse magnetic fields on the plans. The authors investigated field strengths of 0.35, 0.7, 1, 1.5, and 3 T. Changes to the dose heterogeneity index of 0.1% were seen in the prostate and head and neck case, reflecting negligible dose perturbations to the target volumes, a change from 5.5% to 20.1% was observed with the lung case.Conclusions:This study demonstrated that the effect of external magnetic fields can be mitigated by exploiting a more rotationally symmetric treatment modality.
Feasibility of a unified approach to intensity‐modulated radiation therapy and volume‐modulated arc therapy optimization and delivery
Authors: Hoover Douglas A. , MacFarlane Michael , Wong Eugene , Battista Jerry J. , Chen Jeff Z. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose:To study the feasibility of unified intensity‐modulated arc therapy (UIMAT) which combines intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) optimization and delivery to produce superior radiation treatment plans, both in terms of dose distribution and efficiency of beam delivery when compared with either VMAT or IMRT alone.Methods:An inverse planning algorithm for UIMAT was prototyped within the pinnacle treatment planning system (Philips Healthcare). The IMRT and VMAT deliveries are unified within the same arc, with IMRT being delivered at specific gantry angles within the arc. Optimized gantry angles for the IMRT and VMAT phases are assigned automatically by the inverse optimization algorithm. Optimization of the IMRT and VMAT phases is done simultaneously using a direct aperture optimization algorithm. Five treatment plans each for prostate, head and neck, and lung were generated using a unified optimization technique and compared with clinical IMRT or VMAT plans. Delivery verification was performed with an ArcCheck phantom (Sun Nuclear) on a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator (Varian Medical Systems).Results:In this prototype implementation, the UIMAT plans offered the same target dose coverage while reducing mean doses to organs at risk by 8.4% for head‐and‐neck cases, 5.7% for lung cases, and 3.5% for prostate cases, compared with the VMAT or IMRT plans. In addition, UIMAT can be delivered with similar efficiency as VMAT.Conclusions:In this proof‐of‐concept work, a novel radiation therapy optimization and delivery technique that interlaces VMAT or IMRT delivery within the same arc has been demonstrated. Initial results show that unified VMAT/IMRT has the potential to be superior to either standard IMRT or VMAT.
Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) questionnaires for young to middle-aged adults with hip and groin disability: a systematic review of the clinimetric evidence
Authors: Thorborg K , Tijssen M , Habets B , Bartels E M , Roos E M , Kemp J , Crossley K M , Hölmich P 
Published: January 2015

Background/aimTo recommend Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) questionnaires to measure hip and groin disability in young-aged to middle-aged adults.MethodsA systematic review was performed in June 2014. The methodological quality of the studies included was determined using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments list (COSMIN) together with standardised evaluations of measurement properties of each PRO.ResultsTwenty studies were included. Nine different questionnaires for patients with hip disability, and one for hip and groin disability, were identified. Hip And Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), Hip Outcome Score (HOS), International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (IHOT-12) and IHOT-33 were the most thoroughly investigated PROs and studies including these PROs reported key aspects of the COSMIN checklist. HAGOS and IHOT-12 were based on studies with the least ratings of poor study methodology (23% and 31%, respectively), whereas IHOT-33 and HOS had a somewhat larger distribution (46%). These PROs all contain adequate measurement qualities for content validity (except HOS), test–retest reliability, construct validity, responsiveness and interpretability. No information or poor quality rating on methodological aspects made it impossible to fully evaluate the remaining PROs at present.ConclusionsHAGOS, HOS, IHOT-12 and IHOT-33 can be recommended for assessment of young-aged to middle-aged adults with pain related to the hip joint, undergoing non-surgical treatment or hip arthroscopy. At present, HAGOS is the only PRO also aimed for young-aged to middle-aged adults presenting with groin pain and is recommended for use in this population.Trial registration numberCRD42014009995.
Access to weight reduction interventions for overweight and obese patients in UK primary care: population-based cohort study
Authors: Booth Helen P , Prevost A Toby , Gulliford Martin C 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate access to weight management interventions for overweight and obese patients in primary care.SettingUK primary care electronic health records.ParticipantsA cohort of 91 413 overweight and obese patients aged 30–100 years was sampled from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Patients with body mass index (BMI) values ≥25 kg/m2recorded between 2005 and 2012 were included. BMI values were categorised using WHO criteria.InterventionsInterventions for body weight management, including advice, referrals and prescription of antiobesity drugs, were evaluated.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe rate of body weight management interventions and time to intervention were the main outcomes.ResultsData were analysed for 91 413 patients, mean age 56 years, including 55 094 (60%) overweight and 36 319 (40%) obese, including 4099 (5%) with morbid obesity. During the study period, 90% of overweight patients had no weight management intervention recorded. Intervention was more frequent among obese patients, but 59% of patients with morbid obesity had no intervention recorded. Rates of intervention increased with BMI category. In morbid obesity, rates of intervention per 1000 patient years were: advice, 60.2 (95% CI 51.8 to 70.4); referral, 75.7 (95% CI 69.5 to 82.6) and antiobesity drugs 89.9 (95% CI 85.0 to 95.2). Weight management interventions were more often accessed by women, older patients, those with comorbidity and those in deprivation. Follow-up of body weight subsequent to interventions was infrequent.ConclusionsLimited evidence of weight management interventions in primary care electronic health records may result from poor recording of advice given, but may indicate a lack of patient access to appropriate body weight management interventions in primary care.