bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profile of cataract surgery in Varamin Iran: a population‐based study
Authors: Katibeh Marzieh , Ziaei Hossein , Rajavi Zhaleh , Hosseini Sara , Javadi Mohammad‐Ali 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundCataract is the most popular cause of blindness. This study addresses some aspects of cataract surgery in an Iranian population.DesignA cross‐sectional study.Participants3000 adults over 50 in Varamin district.MethodsCataract surgical coverage was defined as the proportion of (pseudo) aphakic eyes of all operable and operated eyes with cataract. If there was obvious lens opacity in either or both eyes in combination with best corrected visual acuity less than 6/18, the person was asked why the operation for cataract was not done to find out about barriers of cataract surgery. Outcomes of cataract surgery were categorized as good, intermediate and poor using presenting visual acuity which were defined as visual acuity ≥ 6/18, 6/60 ≤ visual acuity < 6/18 and visual acuity < 6/60, respectively.Main Outcome MeasuresCataract surgical coverage, barriers and outcomes of cataract surgery.ResultsOut of 5638 examined eyes, 526 eyes (9.3%) had history of cataract surgery. 156 subjects (45.7%) had a unilateral and 185 subjects (54.2%) had bilateral operated eyes. Cataract surgical coverage was 66.4% in visually impaired eyes (visual acuity < 6/18), 90.4% in blind eyes (visual acuity < 3/60), 80.5% in visually impaired persons and 97.6% in blind persons. Cataract surgery in the majority of eyes (71.9%) had a good visual outcome. The main barrier of cataract surgery was unawareness of treatment.ConclusionOverall, the cataract services in the studied population were acceptable, although it should be improved, to achieve vision 2020 objectives.
Causal Premise Semantics
Authors: Kaufmann Stefan 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe rise of causality and the attendant graph‐theoretic modeling tools in the study of counterfactual reasoning has had resounding effects in many areas of cognitive science, but it has thus far not permeated the mainstream in linguistic theory to a comparable degree. In this study I show that a version of the predominant framework for the formal semantic analysis of conditionals, Kratzer‐style premise semantics, allows for a straightforward implementation of the crucial ideas and insights of Pearl‐style causal networks. I spell out the details of such an implementation, focusing especially on the notions ofinterventionon a network andbacktrackinginterpretations of counterfactuals.
Incision length for kidney transplantation does not influence short‐ or long‐term outcome: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Malinka Thomas , Banz Vanessa Martine , Wagner Jörg , Candinas Daniel , Inderbitzin Daniel 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundWhile previous studies suggest advantages of minimally invasive surgery in living donor nephrectomy, similar data are lacking for kidney transplant recipients. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate short‐ and long‐term outcome for kidney transplant recipients, comparing a short transverse (ST) to a classical hockey‐stick (HS) incision.MethodsSixty‐six patients were randomized into two groups: ST vs. HS from January 2008 to May 2010. ST was defined as incision length ≤9 cm and HS as >14 cm. Perioperative data were collected, with evaluation of intra‐ and postoperative complications and quality of recovery (QoR) score.ResultsThere were no significant differences in patient demographics, early or long‐term postoperative pain. There were no significant differences in QoR scores between the ST and HS group. Predictive for a worse QoR was persisting incisional pain at the 30‐month follow‐up. Thirty‐days mortality, morbidity, and long‐term kidney function did not differ between the two groups (p = 1.00, p = 0.62 and p = 0.66, respectively).ConclusionsPatient satisfaction as well as graft function and patient mortality was not influenced by incision length. With patient and graft safety being paramount, especially in times of organ shortage, incision length should reflect the requirement for a successful transplantation and not be a measure of feasibility.
Neurological features of epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness, tubulopathy syndrome
Authors: Cross J Helen , Arora Ruchi , Heckemann Rolf A , Gunny Roxana , Chong Kling , Carr Lucinda , Baldeweg Torsten , Differ Ann‐Marie , Lench Nicholas , Varadkar Sophie , Sirimanna Tony , Wassmer Evangeline , Hulton Sally A , Ognjanovic Milos , Ramesh Venkateswaran , Feather Sally , Kleta Robert , Hammers Alexander , Bockenhauer Detlef 
Published: August 2013

AimRecently, we reported a previously unrecognized symptom constellation comprising epilepsy, ataxia, sensorineural deafness, and tubulopathy (EAST syndrome) associated with recessive mutations in the KCNJ10 gene. Here, we provide a detailed characterization of the clinical features of the syndrome to aid patient management with respect to diagnosis, prognostic counselling, and identification of best treatment modalities.MethodWe conducted a retrospective review of the detailed neurological and neuroradiological features of nine children (four females, five males; age range at last examination 6–20y) with genetically proven EAST syndrome.ResultsAll children presented with tonic–clonic seizures in infancy. Later, non‐progressive, cerebellar ataxia and hearing loss were noted. Whilst seizures mostly responded well to treatment, ataxia proved to be the most debilitating feature, with three patients non‐ambulant. All available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed subtle symmetrical signal changes in the cerebellar dentate nuclei. Moreover, four patients had a small corpus callosum and brainstem hypoplasia, and three had a small spinal cord. Regional quantitative volumetric analysis of the images confirmed the corpus callosum and brainstem hypoplasia and showed further patterns of variation from the norm.InterpretationThe neurological features of EAST syndrome appear to be non‐progressive, which is important for prognostic counselling. The spectrum of EAST syndrome includes consistent abnormalities on brain MRI, which may aid diagnosis. Further longitudinal documentation is required to determine the true natural history of the disorder.
Hemiconvulsion–hemiplegia syndrome revisited: longitudinal MRI findings in 10 children
Authors: Barcia Giulia , Desguerre Isabelle , Carmona Orietta , Barnerias Christine , Chemaly Nicole , Gitiaux Cyril , Brunelle Francis , Dulac Olivier , Boddaert Nathalie , Nabbout Rima 
Published: August 2013

AimHemiconvulsion–hemiplegia syndrome (HHS) is a rare severe epilepsy of infancy consisting of unilateral convulsive status epilepticus immediately followed by transient or lasting ipsilateral hemiplegia. HHS may occur either in patients with previous brain pathology or without any identified cause, so‐called ‘idiopathic HHS’.MethodWe retrospectively analysed clinical and MRI longitudinal findings of a series of 10 patients (six females, four males) presenting with HHS. Age at the study inclusion ranged from 2 years 6 months to 15 years (mean of 5y 10mo, median 4y 2mo). After defining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features as ‘typical’, i.e. strictly unilateral involvement, and ‘atypical’, i.e. bilateral, we compared clinical data from both groups. Cognitive level was assessed using Brunet‐Lézine or Wechsler scales.ResultsHHS occurred at a mean age of 20.5 months (range 8–48mo). In all cases, status epilepticus lasted for more than 1 hour and was characterised by unilateral clonic seizures followed by ipsilateral hemiplegia (persistent in five patients). Two patients in this series died: the first from multi‐organ failure 2 weeks after the status epilepticus and the other from a second episode of ipsilateral intractable febrile status epilepticus 3 years after the first episode. Early MRI (days 1–7 from status epilepticus) showed hemispheric cytotoxic oedema in all, extending to the contralateral side for one. T2 hyperintensity in the basal ganglia was disclosed in 70% of patients and in the hippocampus in 60%. After 1 month (in intermediate and chronic phases), all surviving patients but one showed hemispheric cortical atrophy corresponding to the regions involved during the early stage. Comparing clinical features of patients presenting with ‘typical’ features, to those with ‘atypical’ findings, the second group presented psychomotor delay before status epilepticus.InterpretationThis series underlines the major value of early MRI for the prompt diagnosis of HHS, and shows that involvement of subcortical structures has been underestimated. Hippocampal involvement is not constant.
Improved antenatal detection of congenital anomalies in women with pre‐gestational diabetes: population‐based cohort study
Authors: Newham J. J. , Glinianaia S. V. , Tennant P. W. G. , Rankin J. , Bell R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsTo compare antenatal detection of congenital anomaly in women with and without pre‐gestational diabetes and their pregnancy outcomes in a regional cohort study.MethodsData from a total of 7148 singleton pregnancies with a congenital anomaly delivered between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2008 were extracted from the Northern Diabetes in Pregnancy and Northern Congenital Abnormality Surveys. Antenatal ultrasound detection rates of congenital anomaly in pregnancies complicated by major non‐chromosomal congenital anomaly and resulting in live birth, stillbirth, late miscarriage (20–23 weeks of gestation) or termination of pregnancy for a congenital anomaly, were compared between women with and without diabetes (120 and 7028, respectively).ResultsA significantly higher rate of antenatal detection of congenital anomalies was observed in women with diabetes compared with women without diabetes (50.8 vs. 38.6%, respectively; relative risk 1.32; 95% CI 1.10–1.57; P = 0.003). Cardiovascular anomalies were the only group with a significantly higher antenatal detection rate in women with diabetes (31.8 vs. 10.4%; relative risk 3.05; 95% CI 1.95–4.76; P < 0.00001). This difference remained after excluding cases of ventricular septal defect (52.2 vs. 16.3%; relative risk 3.20; 95% CI 2.13–4.80; P < 0.0001). Among women with diabetes, male fetal sex was the only factor associated with a higher antenatal detection rate. There were no differences in the rates of termination of pregnancy, late miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death between groups.ConclusionsAntenatal detection of cardiovascular anomalies was higher in women with diabetes, suggesting that recommendations for enhanced cardiovascular scanning may improve detection. Greater awareness of the increased risk of anomalies in other organ systems is needed.
Concordance of retinopathy and nephropathy over time in Type 1 diabetes: an analysis of data from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
Authors: Kramer C. K. , Retnakaran R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsLittle is known about the dynamic relationship over time between diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. Thus, we sought to evaluate the concordance over time of retinopathy and nephropathy in patients with Type 1 diabetes during the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.MethodsThis analysis was conducted in patients with Type 1 diabetes participating in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Only participants with urinary albumin excretion rate < 40 mg/24 h were included in the analysis (n = 1365). We evaluated the relationship between the progression of retinopathy and the development of nephropathy over a mean 6.5 years of follow‐up. Progression of retinopathy was defined by 3‐step change in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study score on consecutive annual evaluations. Development of nephropathy was defined as incidence of urinary albumin excretion rate ≥ 40 mg/24 h on annual evaluation.ResultsOver a mean 6.5 years of follow‐up, the incidence of progression of retinopathy was higher in those who developed nephropathy than in those who did not (36.2 vs. 13.4%; P < 0.001). The development of nephropathy independently increased the risk for progression of retinopathy (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.23–2.13, P = 0.001), after adjustment for age, gender, diabetes duration, treatment, HbA1c, BMI, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Similarly, the incidence of nephropathy was higher in participants who had progression of retinopathy than in those who did not (40.7 vs. 15.7%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, progression of retinopathy independently increased the risk for development of nephropathy (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% CI 1.30–2.27, P < 0.001).ConclusionsProgression of retinopathy and development of nephropathy each increase the risk for incidence of the other, independent of established risk factors for microvascular complications, supporting the notion of a shared aetiologic basis.
Vitamin D in youth with Type 1 diabetes: prevalence of insufficiency and association with insulin resistance in the SEARCH Nutrition Ancillary Study
Authors: The N. S. , Crandell J. L. , Lawrence J. M. , King I. B. , Dabelea D. , Marcovina S. M. , D'Agostino R. B. , Norris J. M. , Pihoker C. , Mayer‐Davis E. J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsTo determine the prevalence of plasma vitamin D (25‐dihydroxyvitamin D) insufficiency in individuals with Type 1 diabetes and to determine the cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations of plasma vitamin D with insulin resistance.MethodsParticipants from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study [n = 1426; mean age 11.2 years (sd 3.9)] had physician‐diagnosed Type 1 diabetes [diabetes duration mean 10.2 months (sd 6.5)] with data available at baseline and follow‐up (approximately 12 and 24 months after baseline). Insulin resistance was estimated using a validated equation. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the association of plasma vitamin D with insulin resistance, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsForty‐nine per cent of individuals had plasma vitamin D < 50 nmol/l and 26% were insulin resistant. In cross‐sectional multivariate analyses, participants who had higher plasma vitamin D (65 nmol/l) had lower odds of prevalent insulin resistance than participants with lower plasma vitamin D (25 nmol/l) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.57–0.85). This association was attenuated after additional adjustment for BMI z‐score, which could be a confounder or a mediator (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.64–1.03). In longitudinal multivariate analyses, individuals with higher plasma vitamin D at baseline had lower odds of incident insulin resistance, but this was not significant (odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.63–1.14).ConclusionsVitamin D insufficiency is common in individuals with Type 1 diabetes and may increase risk for insulin resistance. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine the association between plasma vitamin D and insulin resistance, and to further examine the role of adiposity on this association.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a risk factor for type 2 diabetes: a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Lee Charles T.‐C. , Mao I‐Chieh , Lin Ching‐Hsiung , Lin Sheng‐Hao , Hsieh Ming‐Chia 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common medical disorder and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We investigated whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the risk factor for type 2 diabetes in an Asian population.Materials and methodsFrom Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we collected data from 16 088 patients, including 8044 COPD patients and 8044 age‐ and gender‐ matched control subjects. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to evaluate independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes in all patients and identify risk factors in patients with COPD.ResultsDuring the 5·5‐year follow‐up, patients with COPD were found to have a significantly higher rate of incident type 2 diabetes than the control group (P < 0·001). COPD was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes hazard ratio (HR : 1·41, 1·23–1·63, P < 0·001) after adjusting sex, age, residential area, insurance premium, steroid use, hypertriglycemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease. Cox regression analysis showed that hypertension (HR : 1·55, 1·33–1·80, P < 0·001) and hypertriglycemia (HR : 1·48, 1·15–1·90, P = 0·002) were important risk factors for type 2 diabetes in patients with COPD.ConclusionsPatients with COPD have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared with control subjects after adjusting for confounding factors such as sex, age, residential area, insurance premium, steroid use, hypertriglycemia, hypertension, CAD and cerebrovascular disease. Continuous surveillance of signals of dysglycemia may be incorporated into care programmes for patients with COPD.
Tissue‐specific expression of the pheromone gland‐specific fatty acyl reductase gene in Ostrinia scapulalis
Authors: Antony Binu , Ishikawa Yukio 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPheromone gland‐specific fatty acyl reductase (pgFAR) is a key enzyme involved in the conversion of fatty acyl precursors to the corresponding alcohols in moth sex pheromone biosynthesis. The gene (pgFAR) encoding for this enzyme is a major contributor to pheromone‐based reproductive isolation in moths. Despite the significance of this gene, the tissue‐specific expression has not yet been reported. In this study, we amplified pgFAR from Ostrinia scapulalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) 1 day before adult eclosion and in adult female moths that were 0–5 days old. We confirmed that the transcripts were upregulated from 1 day before adult eclosion until the 3rd day after adult emergence; however, the expression level appeared to decrease drastically in female moths that were 4–5 days old. To study the tissue‐specific expression of pgFAR, a cDNA encoding pgFAR was cloned, and an RNA probe was designed to localize gene expression in pheromone gland cells using in situ hybridization. The results unambiguously and specifically confirmed the expression of pgFAR in the modified epidermal cells, which are designated as pheromone‐producing cells, located at the dorsal end of the 8th–9th intersegmental membrane. This study is the first report of the tissue‐specific localization of pgFAR expression in moths.
Assessing the performance of the photo‐acoustic infrared gas monitor for measuring CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes in two major cereal rotations
Authors: Tirol‐Padre Agnes , Rai Munmun , Gathala Mahesh , Sharma Sheetal , Kumar Virender , Sharma Parbodh C. , Sharma Dinesh K. , Wassmann Reiner , Ladha Jagdish 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRapid, precise, and globally comparable methods for monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes are required for accurate GHG inventories from different cropping systems and management practices. Manual gas sampling followed by gas chromatography (GC) is widely used for measuring GHG fluxes in agricultural fields, but is laborious and time‐consuming. The photo‐acoustic infrared gas monitoring system (PAS) with on‐line gas sampling is an attractive option, although it has not been evaluated for measuring GHG fluxes in cereals in general and rice in particular. We compared N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes measured by GC and PAS from agricultural fields under the rice–wheat and maize–wheat systems during the wheat (winter), and maize/rice (monsoon) seasons in Haryana, India. All the PAS readings were corrected for baseline drifts over time and PAS‐CH4 (PCH4) readings in flooded rice were corrected for water vapor interferences. The PCH4 readings in ambient air increased by 2.3 ppm for every 1000 mg cm−3 increase in water vapor. The daily CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes measured by GC and PAS from the same chamber were not different in 93–98% of all the measurements made but the PAS exhibited greater precision for estimates of CO2 and N2O fluxes in wheat and maize, and lower precision for CH4 flux in rice, than GC. The seasonal GC‐ and PAS‐N2O (PN2O) fluxes in wheat and maize were not different but the PAS‐CO2 (PCO2) flux in wheat was 14–39% higher than that of GC. In flooded rice, the seasonal PCH4 and PN2O fluxes across N levels were higher than those of GC‐CH4 and GC‐N2O fluxes by about 2‐ and 4fold, respectively. The PAS (i) proved to be a suitable alternative to GC for N2O and CO2 flux measurements in wheat, and (ii) showed potential for obtaining accurate measurements of CH4 fluxes in flooded rice after making correction for changes in humidity.
Annual forage legumes in dryland agricultural systems of the West Asia and North Africa Regions: research achievements and future perspective
Authors: Ates S. , Feindel D. , El Moneim A. , Ryan J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractForage legumes are vitally important to animal production in the dryland farming systems of the Mediterranean region. Of the diverse forage‐legume species adapted to the Mediterranean climate, vetches, (Vicia spp.), chicklings (Lathyrus spp.), annual medics (Medicago spp), clovers (Trifolium spp.) and species of the Lupinus, Lotus, Onobrychis, Hedysarum and Ornithopus genera are considered to be the most agronomically important and economically valuable species for the region. Adoption of perennial self‐regenerating medic (Medicago spp.) has been limited because of technical difficulties, but annual vetch (Vicia spp.) has the greatest potential as a viable animal‐feed source and a rotation crop with cereals. Some forage legumes survive harsh conditions by their unique underground growth habit, for example, V. amphicarpa and Lathyrus ciliolatus. Efforts to improve forage legumes have been based on both management/cultural factors and breeding. Research based on several long‐term barley‐ and wheat‐based rotation trials has demonstrated the viability of forage legumes, especially vetch, in the region's improved farming system. An additional benefit to such legumes is the enhancement of soil quality, that is, soil fertility, soil organic matter and soil physical properties. Thus, the development of forage legumes is essential to agricultural sustainability in the Mediterranean region and in other dryland cereal‐growing areas of the world where grazing livestock is a dominant enterprise. To build upon the considerable research conducted on forages, intensified efforts are needed to develop locally adapted forage cultivars, to provide economic assessment of forages in cropping systems and to promote technology transfer at the farm and community level.
Production and nutritional value of sorghum and black oat forages under nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Restelatto R. , Pavinato P. S. , Sartor L. R. , Paixão S. J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on the dry‐matter (DM) yield and nutritional value of sorghum (Sorghum sp., cv. Jumbo) and black oat (Avena strigosa cv., IPR 61) was investigated in the context of forage and livestock production in southern Brazil. Sorghum was cultivated with 0, 37·5, 75, 150, 225, 300 and 375 kg N ha−1 during the summer crop seasons of 2010/11 and 2011/12. Black oat received 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 kg N ha−1 in the winter of 2011. According to the adjusted polynomial regression, sorghum DM yield increased in response to N up to 288 (12·9 t ha−1) and 264 kg ha−1 (5·6 t ha−1) in 2010/11 and 2011/12 respectively. Crude protein (CP) content of sorghum was highest at 349 and 328 kg N ha−1, but in vitro dry‐matter digestibility (IVDMD) was highest at 212–207 kg N ha−1 in 2010/11 and 2011/12 respectively. Sorghum neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were not affected by N fertilization. In black oat, the maximum DM yield (6·0 t ha−1) was obtained with 187 kg N ha−1; the IVDMD, NDF and ADF were not affected by N fertilization, but the CP content increased up to 220 kg N ha−1. It is concluded that these forage species can improve the year‐to‐year amount and quality of forage produced but high rates of N fertilizer are required to achieve high yields. Fertilizer N rates of 210–280 kg N ha−1 in sorghum and 180 kg N ha−1 in black oat in the crop rotation provide the greatest responses in DM yield consistent with good nutritional quality for livestock production.