bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peripheral venous lactate at admission is associated with in‐hospital mortality, a prospective cohort study
Authors: BARFOD C. , LUNDSTRØM L. H. , LAURITZEN M. M. P. , DANKER J. K. , SÖLÉTORMOS G. , FORBERG J. L. , BERLAC P. A. , LIPPERT F. K. , ANTONSEN K. , LANGE K. H. W. 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundThe prognostic value of blood lactate as a predictor of adverse outcome in the acutely ill patient is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate if a peripheral venous lactate measurement, taken at admission, is associated with in‐hospital mortality in acutely ill patients with all diagnosis. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate if the test improves a triage model in terms of predicting in‐hospital mortality.MethodsWe retrieved a cohort of 2272 adult patients from a prospectively gathered acute admission database. We performed regression analysis to evaluate the association between the relevant covariates and the outcome measure: in‐hospital mortality.ResultsLactate as a continuous variable was a risk for in‐hospital mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.57, P < 0.0001]. OR for in‐hospital mortality increased with increasing lactate levels from 2.97 (95% CI 1.55–5.72, P < 0.001) for lactate between 2 mmol/l and 4 mmol/l, to 7.77 (95% CI 3.23–18.66, P < 0.0001) for lactate > 4 mmol/l. If the condition was non‐compensated (i.e. pH < 7.35), OR for in‐hospital mortality increased to 19.99 (7.26–55.06, P < 0.0001). Patient with a blood lactate at 4 mmol/l or more had a risk of in‐hospital mortality equivalent to the patients in the most urgent triage category.ConclusionWe found elevated admission peripheral venous lactate to be independently associated with in‐hospital mortality in the acutely ill patient admitted to the emergency department. Patients with a lactate > 4 mmol/l at hospital admission should be considered triaged to the most urgent triage category.
Carious affected dentine: its behaviour in adhesive bonding
Authors: Pinna R , Maioli M , Eramo S , Mura I , Milia E 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundCarious affected dentine (CAD) represents a very common substrate in adhesive dentistry. Despite its ability to interact with adhesive systems, the intrinsic character ofCADleads to lower bonding compared with sound dentine, regardless of the adhesive systems used. This low bonding may be more susceptible to leakage and hydrolysis of the interface by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This systematic review aimed to determine current knowledge ofCADbonding, together with bond strength andMMPinhibitors’ ability to prevent hybrid layer instability.MethodsMEDLINE/Pubmed, Scopus and The Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched for articles published from 1 January 1960 to 31 August 2014. Two reviewers independently screened and included papers according to predefined selection criteria.ResultsThe electronic searches identified 320 studies. After title, abstract and full‐text examinations, 139 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data highlighted that a poor resin saturation of the already demineralized collagen matrix inCADis strictly related to nanoleakage in interdiffusion and is the basis of the progressive decrease in strength with hydrolysis byMMPs. The use of mild self‐etching systems seems to be the more accredited method to establish bonding inCAD. Inhibitors ofMMPs may ensure better performance ofCADbonding, allowing undisturbed remineralization of the affected matrix.ConclusionsCADbonding needs further understanding and improvement, particularly to enhance the strength and durability of the hybrid layer.
A Neo‐Polanyian Theory of Economic Crises
Authors: Block Fred 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article seeks to use Karl Polanyi's book, The Great Transformation, first published in 1944, to understand the global financial crisis that began in 2008. Polanyi's basic premise was that a great crisis must result from powerful causes. He argued that the crisis of the 1930s was a consequence of three distinct processes: deep imbalances in the global trading system, a crisis within the global financial mechanism that was supposed to manage those imbalances, and a failure of adaptation in the world's leading economy, the United States. The same processes can be seen at work in the last decade.
Quality‐of‐life issues in survivors to anaphylactic reactions to drugs
Authors: Baiardini I. , Gaeta F. , Molinengo G. , Braido F. , Canonica G.W. , Romano A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe aim of this cross‐sectional observational study was to explore quality of life and well‐being in patients with drug‐induced anaphylaxis. Two validated tools were used: the Drug Hypersensitivity Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire (DrHy‐Q) and the Psychological General Well‐Being Index (PGWBI). Sixty‐five patients (13 males) underwent data analysis. The mean DrHy‐Q score was 62.82 ± 12.1. Mean PGWBI score was 64.03 ± 17.66. DrHy‐Q score was significantly correlated with PGWBI total score (r = −0.314; P = 0.011) and with the following domains: Anxiety (r = −0.260; P = 0.036), Depressed mood (r = −0.406; P = 0.001), Positive well‐being (r = −0.251; P = 0.004), and General Health (r = −0.352; P = 0.004). Compared with the Italian reference population, patients had a significantly reduced PGWBI total and domain score. Our results highlight for the first time how impaired HRQoL and distress commonly feature in survivors to anaphylactic reactions to drug.
Self‐Determination in the Constitutional Future of the EU
Authors: Dawson Mark , De Witte Floris 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article analyses three prominent proposals for the functional and political transformation of the EU from a constitutional perspective. It argues that existing EU reform proposals, to varying degrees, entrench rather than reverse the challenges to individual and political self‐determination brought about by the EU's response to its Euro crisis. As the article will conclude, challenging ‘authoritarian liberalism' in an EU context may require the development of a constitutional structure for the Union able to contest, rather than set in stone, the EU's existing economic and political goals.
Length of the Mitral Isthmus But Not Anatomical Location of Ablation Line Predicts Bidirectional Mitral Isthmus Block in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: SCHERR DANIEL , DERVAL NICOLAS , SOHAL MANAV , PASCALE PATRIZIO , WRIGHT MATTHEW , JADIDI AMIR , KOMATSU YUKI , ROTEN LAURENT , WILTON STEPHEN B. , PEDERSEN MICHALA , RAMOUL KHALED , MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , SHAH ASHOK , LINTON NICK , MANNINGER MARTIN , DENIS ARNAUD , HOCINI MELEZE , SACHER FREDERIC , HAISSAGUERRE MICHEL , JAIS PIERRE , KNECHT SEBASTIEN 
Published: March 2015

Importance of Line and Length for Mitral IsthmusIntroductionMitral isthmus (MI) ablation is an effective option in patients undergoing ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Achieving bidirectional conduction block across the MI is challenging, and predictors of MI ablation success remain incompletely understood. We sought to determine the impact of anatomical location of the ablation line on the efficacy of MI ablation.Methods and ResultsA total of 40 consecutive patients (87% male; 54 ± 10 years) undergoing stepwise AF ablation were included. MI ablation was performed in sinus rhythm. MI ablation was performed from the left inferior PV to either the posterior (group 1) or the anterolateral (group 2) mitral annulus depending on randomization. The length of the MI line (measured with the 3D mapping system) and the amplitude of the EGMs at 3 positions on the MI were measured in each patient. MI block was achieved in 14/19 (74%) patients in group 1 and 15/21 (71%) patients in group 2 (P = NS). Total MI radiofrequency time (18 ± 7 min vs. 17 ± 8 min; P = NS) was similar between groups. Patients with incomplete MI block had a longer MI length (34 ± 6 mm vs. 24 ± 5 mm; P < 0.001), a higher bipolar voltage along the MI (1.75 ± 0.74 mV vs. 1.05 ± 0.69 mV; P < 0.01), and a longer history of continuous AF (19 ± 17 months vs. 10 ± 10 months; P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, decreased length of the MI was an independent predictor of successful MI block (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1–2.1; P < 0.05).ConclusionsIncreased length but not anatomical location of the MI predicts failure to achieve bidirectional MI block during ablation of persistent AF.
Batesian mimics influence the evolution of conspicuousness in an aposematic salamander
Authors: Kraemer A. C. , Serb J. M. , Adams D. C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractConspicuousness, or having high contrast relative to the surrounding background, is a common feature of unpalatable species. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the occurrence of conspicuousness, and while most involve the role of conspicuousness as a direct signal of unpalatability to potential predators, one hypothesis suggests that exaggerated conspicuousness may evolve in unpalatable species to reduce predator confusion with palatable species (potential Batesian mimics). This hypothesis of antagonistic coevolution between palatable and unpalatable species hinges on the ‘cost of conspicuousness’, in which conspicuousness increases the likelihood of predation more in palatable species than in unpalatable species. Under this mimicry scenario, four patterns are expected: (i) mimics will more closely resemble local models than models from other localities, (ii) there will be a positive relationship between mimic and model conspicuousness, (iii) models will be more conspicuous in the presence of mimics, and (iv) when models and mimics differ in conspicuousness, mimics will be less conspicuous than models. We tested these predictions in the salamander mimicry system involving Notophthalmus viridescens (model) and one colour morph of Plethodon cinereus (mimic). All predictions were supported, indicating that selection for Batesian mimicry not only influences the evolution of mimics, but also the evolution of the models they resemble. These findings indicate that mimicry plays a large role in the evolution of model warning signals, particularly influencing the evolution of conspicuousness.
Recovery of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin in Multiple Phase Foods
Authors: Bennett Reginald , Hait Jennifer 
Published: March 2015

AbstractLipids are soluble in organic solvents and staphylococcal enterotoxins are water‐soluble. This recognized feature can assist in the recovery of these toxins. Partitioning studies were conducted using a toxin‐insoluble organic solvent (CHCl3) treatment for the extraction of toxins from the lipid portion of the tested food products. Enterotoxin serotypes A, B and D were added at toxin concentrations of 2 ng/mL to five brands each of whole milk, 1% low fat milk, half and half, eggs, and two kinds of salad dressings. Pre‐partition and post‐partition extracts from the foods were assayed for toxin recovery using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay‐based serological method. While the toxin was detected by traditional extraction procedures, toxin levels were retained in the precipitate of the food products. This study demonstrates that CHCl3 treatment in conjunction with concentrating the extract is beneficial when low levels of enterotoxin need to be identified.Practical ApplicationsTraditional extraction methods work well in most low‐fat containing foods; however, multiple CHCl3 extractions are advantageous when testing high‐lipid containing foods or foods that may contain small traces of enterotoxin. This method proved valuable when extracting small quantities of staphylococcal enterotoxin from the lipid fraction of foods.
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS: HAS THE GFC INFLUENCED PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR UTILITY FOR BANKS?
Authors: Dias Roshanthi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractCredit Default Swaps (CDSs) are considered as one of the most versatile financial innovations of the 21st century. Since its inception, the credit derivatives market has grown to a peak of $64 trillion in 2008 in terms of gross notional values (Cont, ). However, after the onset of the GFC, this market has decreased to a large extent. While there is evidence that promotes the risk reduction properties of CDSs, there is a growing body of research post GFC that identifies destabilising effects of these instruments. In this paper, I review the relevant scholarly literature and provide evidence of how the views on CDSs have changed post GFC due a deeper investigation of issues such as systemic risk, regulatory arbitrage, information asymmetry and risk‐taking, among others, in the banking industry. This paper provides a survey of the literature of views ‘for’ and ‘against’ the use of CDSs during pre and post GFC periods and finally concludes that in comparison to the pre GFC period, post GFC there is a significant increase in the literature that highlights the detrimental nature of CDSs.
REFEREE BIAS
Authors: Dohmen Thomas , Sauermann Jan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper surveys the empirical literature on the behavior of referees in professional football and other sports. Referees are typically appointed by a principal to be impartial, especially when unbiased referee judgment is vital for the accomplishment of the principal's objective. Answering whether referees make biased decisions and understanding the causes that lead referees to digress from their principal duty of impartiality is therefore fundamental from a theoretical point of view. At the same time, assessing the prevalence and origin of referee bias is germane to various domains of life. Referee bias is particularly relevant in sports, where partial decision‐making can determine competition outcomes, which can have strong repercussions on athletes' careers and supporters' well‐being.
MRI‐Defined Corpus Callosal Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison of Volumetric Measurements, Corpus Callosum Area and Index
Authors: Granberg Tobias , Bergendal Gösta , Shams Sara , Aspelin Peter , Kristoffersen‐Wiberg Maria , Fredrikson Sten , Martola Juha 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare corpus callosum area (CCA) and corpus callosum index (CCI) in terms of feasibility and their performance as biomarkers for cognitive and physical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). A secondary aim was to compare these two methods with volumetric measurements.MethodsThis study was based on a cohort of 37 MS patients and a group of age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. Physical disability was assessed with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and cognitive disability with the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT). CCA and CCI were assessed on midsagittal brain MRI by 3 raters with varying radiological experience. Volumes of the brain, gray and white matter, corpus callosum, and MS lesions were acquired with Freesurfer and Lesion Segmentation Toolbox for Statistical Parametric Mapping.ResultsCCA and CCI were obtained within seconds with excellent intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement, and outperformed volumetric measurements. CCA had the strongest correlations with both SDMT (r = .82, P < .001) and EDSS (r = −.56, P < .001), and the highest accuracy in differentiating patients from controls (95%) and relapse‐remitting MS from progressive forms of MS (77%). CCI performed less well (r = .73, P < .001; r = −.45, P < .001; 94%; 71%). CCA also outperformed the volumetric measurements in these regards.ConclusionsCCA is a time‐effective and robust biomarker that has stronger correlations with both EDSS and information processing speed than CCI and volumetric measurements that are commonly used as outcome measures in MS research and clinical trials.
Effect of visual biofeedback of posterior tongue movement on articulation rehabilitation in dysarthria patients
Authors: Yano J. , Shirahige C. , Oki K. , Oisaka N. , Kumakura I. , Tsubahara A. , Minagi S. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryArticulation is driven by various combinations of movements of the lip, tongue, soft palate, pharynx and larynx, where the tongue plays an especially important role. In patients with cerebrovascular disorder, lingual motor function is often affected, causing dysarthria. We aimed to evaluate the effect of visual biofeedback of posterior tongue movement on articulation rehabilitation in dysarthria patients with cerebrovascular disorder. Fifteen dysarthria patients (10 men and 5 women; mean age, 70·7 ± 10·3 years) agreed to participate in this study. A device for measuring the movement of the posterior part of the tongue was used for the visual biofeedback. Subjects were instructed to produce repetitive articulation of [ka] as fast and steadily as possible between a lungful with/without visual biofeedback. For both the unaffected and affected sides, the range of ascending and descending movement of the posterior tongue with visual biofeedback was significantly larger than that without visual biofeedback. The coefficient of variation for these movements with visual biofeedback was significantly smaller than that without visual biofeedback. With visual biofeedback, the range of ascent exhibited a significant and strong correlation with that of descent for both the unaffected and affected sides. The results of this study revealed that the use of visual biofeedback leads to prompt and preferable change in the movement of the posterior part of the tongue. From the standpoint of pursuing necessary rehabilitation for patients with attention and memory disorders, visualization of tongue movement would be of marked clinical benefit.
Cerebral and Brainstem Electrophysiologic Activity During Euthanasia with Pentobarbital Sodium in Horses
Authors: Aleman M. , Williams D.C. , Guedes A. , Madigan J.E. 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundAn overdose of pentobarbital sodium administeredIVis the most commonly used method of euthanasia in veterinary medicine. Determining death after the infusion relies on the observation of physical variables. However, it is unknown when cortical electrical activity and brainstem function are lost in a sequence of events before death.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo examine changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex and brainstem during an overdose of pentobarbital sodium solution for euthanasia. Our testing hypothesis is that isoelectric pattern of the brain in support of brain death occurs before absence of electrocardiogram (ECG) activity.AnimalsFifteen horses requiring euthanasia.MethodsProspective observational study. Horses with neurologic, orthopedic, and cardiac illnesses were selected and instrumented for recording of electroencephalogram, electrooculogram, brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), and ECG. Physical and neurologic (brainstem reflexes) variables were monitored.ResultsLoss of cortical electrical activity occurred during or within 52 seconds after the infusion of euthanasia solution. Cessation of brainstem function as evidenced by a lack of brainstem reflexes and disappearance of theBAERhappened subsequently. Despite undetectable heart sounds, palpable arterial pulse, and mean arterial pressure, recordable ECG was the last variable to be lost after the infusion (5.5–16 minutes after end of the infusion).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOverdose of pentobarbital sodium solution administeredIVis an effective, fast, and humane method of euthanasia. Brain death occurs within 73–261 seconds of the infusion. Although absence of ECG activity takes longer to occur, brain death has already occurred.
Differential growth of naturally and sexually selected traits in an Anolis lizard
Authors: Vanhooydonck B. , Huyghe K. , Holáňová V. , van Dongen S. , Herrel A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSexual dimorphism may be indicative of differential natural and/or sexual selection pressures acting on males and females. Although similar degrees of adult sexual dimorphism may be observed among populations and species, underlying physiological, developmental and ecological processes driving growth during the juvenile stages may vary. Unraveling how and when differences arise during ontogeny is important to our understanding of the evolutionary patterns observed among adults. In addition, growth patterns may differ among traits within a single individual. Anolis lizards vary greatly in the degree of adult sexual size and shape dimorphism. Ultimate hypotheses (e.g. sexual selection, habitat partitioning) have been put forward to explain this variation, but proximate mechanisms operating during the juvenile stages remain largely unknown. Herein, we aim at elucidating the proximate mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in head and limb shape, performance and dewlap size in Anolis baracoae, a crown‐giant anole. We used a longitudinal approach and raised 23 captive‐bred juvenile A. baracoae lizards through adulthood. By quantifying body size, head and limb dimensions, dewlap size and bite performance, we obtained growth trajectories that were compared between the sexes and among traits. Our results show that the growth of head and limb shape is similar in males and females, whereas dewlap size and bite performance diverge at a specific age. Based on these results, we hypothesize that, whereas selection favors a similar head and limb shape in males and females, selection pressures on dewlap size and bite performance likely differ between the sexes. In addition, dewlap size starts diverging around the time the animals reach sexual maturity, whereas bite performance diverges much earlier in (sexually) immature males.
Parasitism overrides herbivore identity allowing hyperparasitoids to locate their parasitoid host using herbivore‐induced plant volatiles
Authors: Zhu Feng , Broekgaarden Colette , Weldegergis Berhane T. , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Vosman Ben , Dicke Marcel , Poelman Erik H. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractForaging success of predators profoundly depends on reliable and detectable cues indicating the presence of their often inconspicuous prey. Carnivorous insects rely on chemical cues to optimize foraging efficiency. Hyperparasitoids that lay their eggs in the larvae or pupae of parasitic wasps may find their parasitoid hosts developing in different herbivores. They can use herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) to locate parasitized caterpillars. Because different herbivore species induce different HIPV emission from plants, hyperparasitoids may have to deal with large variation in volatile information that indicates host presence. In this study, we used an ecogenomics approach to first address whether parasitized caterpillars of two herbivore species (Pieris rapae and P. brassicae) induce similar transcriptional and metabolomic responses in wild Brassica oleracea plants and, second, whether hyperparasitoids Lysibia nana are able to discriminate between these induced plant responses to locate their parasitoid host in different herbivores under both laboratory and field conditions. Our study revealed that both herbivore identity and parasitism affect plant transcriptional and metabolic responses to herbivory. We also found that hyperparasitoids are able to respond to HIPVs released by wild B. oleracea under both laboratory and field conditions. In addition, we observed stronger attraction of hyperparasitoids to HIPVs when plants were infested with parasitized caterpillars. However, hyperparasitoids were equally attracted to plants infested by either herbivore species. Our results indicate that parasitism plays a major role in HIPV‐mediated plant–hyperparasitoid interactions. Furthermore, these findings also indicate that plant trait‐mediated indirect interaction networks play important roles in community‐wide species interactions.