bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi in cork oak forests in Italy
Authors: Scanu B. , Linaldeddu B. T. , Franceschini A. , Anselmi N. , Vannini A. , Vettraino A. M. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryAn increasing decline and mortality of cork oak trees have been recently observed in central Italy and Sardinia Island. Following surveys conducted in three declining cork oak forests, a Phytophthora species was consistently isolated from soil samples collected from trees displaying different level of decline. Based on morphological features, growth rates at different temperatures and analysis of DNA sequences of the ITS region, all isolates were identified as Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. This pathogen caused large brownish lesions on inoculated freshly cut branches of cork oak. It was re‐isolated from all infected tissues. These findings represent the first report of P. cinnamomi on cork oak trees in Italy.
A comparison between pre‐ and post exercise administration of omeprazole in the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome: A blinded, randomised, clinical trial
Authors: Sykes B. W. , Sykes K. M. , Hallowell G. D. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryReasons for performing the studyA recent study suggested that the duration of acid suppression achieved with once‐daily administration of omeprazole is as short as 12 h and that administration of omeprazole prior to exercise may be superior compared with administration at other times of the day in the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).ObjectivesThe primary objective of the study was to investigate whether the administration of omeprazole prior to exercise resulted in better healing ofEGUScompared with administration post exercise. A secondary objective was to investigate the differences between the response of squamous and glandularEGUSto omeprazole therapy.Study designA randomised, blinded, clinical trial.MethodsTwenty‐five horses withgrade ≥2/4squamousEGUSwere identified by gastroscopy. The glandular mucosa was also scored. Horses were randomly assigned to receive 4.0 mg/kg bwt of omeprazoleper osonce daily either 1–4 h prior to high‐intensity exercise (PREgroup; 13 horses) or 1–4 h after exercise (POSTgroup; 12 horses). Gastroscopy was repeated at approximately 25 days.ResultsNo differences were observed between the pre‐ and post exercise treatment groups. Overall, healing was observed in 80% of squamous ulcers vs. 21% of glandular ulcers (P = 0.0002), and improvement was seen in 96% of squamous ulcers vs. 53% of glandular ulcers (P = 0.001). Worsening was observed in the glandular mucosa of 13% of horses.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the timing of administration does not affect ulcer healing. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the response of glandular ulceration to omeprazole therapy is inferior to that of the squamous mucosa.
Bond behaviour of high‐strength concrete flexural member under low cyclic fatigue loading
Authors: Abbass W. , Siddiqi Z. A. , Aslam F. , Hussain R. R. , Ahmed S. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTUse of high‐strength concrete can lead to more economical design reducing the material requirements, weight of structure and extended service life of structure. The effect of fatigue loading is more prominent on the structures using high‐strength concrete. Bond between concrete and reinforcing bars is a major factor affecting the performance and sustainability of reinforced concrete structures. Less research is available on the effect of low cyclic fatigue loading on the bond strength of high‐strength concrete. In this research, reinforced concrete beams (1165 × 150 × 225 mm) were tested under low cyclic loading with different stress range levels. It can be concluded that the bond strength of high‐strength concrete is more than for normal‐strength concrete. Low‐cyclic fatigue loading decreased the bond strength under monotonic loading by about 43–45%. Energy dissipation during cycling is found to be good. At higher cycles, energy dissipation decreased because of local damages in front of bar ribs. With the increase in number of cycles, change in slip behaviour was found.
Prescribing patterns of proton pump inhibitors in older hospitalized patients in a Scottish health board
Authors: Jarchow‐MacDonald Anna Amrit , Mangoni Arduino A 
Published: March 2013

AimProton‐pump inhibitors (PPI) are extensively prescribed worldwide. However, little information is available on PPI prescribing patterns, associated clinical and demographic factors, and potential drug–drug interactions in frail older patients.MethodsData on clinical and demographic characteristics, and full medication exposure were collected in a consecutive series of 361 older patients (age 84 ± 7 years) admitted to two acute geriatric admission units (Aberdeen, National Health Service Grampian) between 1 February 2010 and 30 June 2010. A set of predetermined criteria was used to assess appropriateness of PPI prescribing.ResultsPPI were prescribed in 148 patients (41.0%). Inappropriate overprescribing was observed in 127 patients (35.2% of the study population, 85.8% of patients prescribed PPI). PPI were inappropriately not prescribed in 20 patients (48.8% of patients with an indication for PPI treatment). Regression analysis showed that the total number of non‐PPI prescribed drugs (OR 1.08; 95%CI 1.01–1.15) and a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.08; 95%CI 1.001–1.16) were independently associated with inappropriate PPI overprescribing. Potential drug–drug interactions were found in 75 patients (22.8% of the study population), mainly in patients with PPI overprescribing.ConclusionsInappropriate PPI prescribing is common in frail older hospitalized patients, and might increase the risk of drug–drug interactions. Polypharmacy and comorbidity were independently associated with inappropriate PPI prescribing in this group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1002–1009.
Potentially inappropriate medicines in a cohort of community‐dwelling older people in New Zealand
Authors: Nishtala Prasad S , Bagge Michael L , Campbell A John , Tordoff June M 
Published: March 2013

AimTo examine independent factors associated with potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM) among 316 community‐dwelling people aged ≥75 years living in Dunedin.MethodsPeople aged ≥75 years living in the community in Dunedin, New Zealand, taking ≥1 prescription medicines, randomly sampled from the electoral roll, were interviewed about their medicine‐taking practices. A medication inventory comprising prescription and non‐prescription medicines was taken from each participant at the time of the interview. Participants used a median of seven prescription medicines (range 1–19) and one non‐prescription medicine (0–14). PIM were identified using the updated 2012 Beers criteria.ResultsPIM were identified in 42.7% (n = 135) older people. A total of 23 (7.2%) took two PIM, five (1.5%) took three PIM, four (1.2%) took four PIM and one (0.3%) took five PIM. Of the 184 total PIM identified, the top three drug classes were non‐COX‐selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (24.0%), tricyclic antidepressants (16.8%) and benzodiazepines (14.6%). Polypharmacy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–4.12) and the use of any psychotropic drug use (OR 22.05, 95% CI 5.80–83.84) were associated with PIM exposure. In the Poisson regression model, the risk of taking a PIM significantly decreased with age (OR 0.95, CI 0.91–0.99) and increased as the number of drugs prescribed increased (OR 1.11, CI 1.08–1.15).ConclusionThe prevalence of PIM is relatively high in community‐dwelling older people aged ≥75 years living in New Zealand. PIM defined by the Beers criteria might be a useful initial screening tool, before efforts to stop unsafe medication use or replace with safer alternatives are initiated. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 89–93.
HuR cytoplasmic expression is associated with increased cyclin A expression and inferior disease‐free survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)
Authors: Wei Yu‐Ching , Chou Fong‐Fu , Li Chien‐Feng , Li Wei‐Ming , Chen Yen‐Yang , Lan Jui , Li Shau‐Hsuan , Fang Fu‐Min , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Yu Shih‐Chen , Eng Hock‐Liew , Uen Yih‐Huei , Tian Yu‐Fang , Wang Jui‐Chu , Huang Hsuan‐Ying 
Published: March 2013

AimsHuR is an RNA‐binding protein that post‐transcriptionally modulates the expression of various target genes involved in carcinogenesis, such as CCNA2, which encodes cyclin A. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of HuR expression and subcellular localization in a large cohort of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs).Methods and resultsHuR immunostaining was assessable for nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in 341 cases on tissue microarrays of primary GISTs, of which 318, 296 and 193 cases were also characterized for Ki67 labelling, cyclin A immunoexpression, and KIT and PDGFRA receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genotypes, respectively. The results of HuR nuclear and cytoplasmic expression were correlated with disease‐free survival (DFS) and clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and RTK genotypic variables. HuR cytoplasmic expression was present in 42% of primary GISTs, and was significantly related to epithelioid histology, larger tumour size, NIH risk category, and nuclear expression of Ki67 and cyclin A. Importantly, HuR cytoplasmic expression (P < 0.001) and cyclin A overexpression (P < 0.001) were strongly associated with worse DFS. Both variables remained independently predictive of adverse outcome [P = 0.020 and risk ratio (RR) 2.605 for cytoplasmic HuR; P = 0.026 and RR 2.763 for cyclin A].ConclusionsHuR cytoplasmic expression not only correlates with adverse prognosticators and cyclin A overexpression, but also independently predicts worse DFS, indicating a causative role in conferring tumour aggressiveness.
Statutory leave entitlements across developed countries: Why US workers lose out on work–family balance
Authors: Block Richard N. , Park Joo‐Young , Kang Young‐Hee 
Published: March 2013

Abstract.Using a composite index of legal provisions for annual and family leave in western Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the authors rank legislative support for this aspect of work–family balance. The United States ranks last: its employers are not required to grant annual leave and employees can take no more than 12 weeks' family leave per year. The United States' comparatively low labour standards, the authors argue, may be due to the dominance of a market‐based conception of employment and the assumption of equal employer–employee bargaining power, neither of which is fully shared by the other industrialized democracies.
Visual Scorings of Drought Stress Intensity as Covariates for Improved Variety Trial Analysis
Authors: Mühleisen J. , Reif J. C. , Maurer H. P. , Möhring J. , Piepho H.‐P. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAbiotic stress can enhance the heterogeneity of fields, which leads to imprecise estimates of genotypic effects in variety trials. Our study is based on multilocation field trials of triticale (×TriticosecaleWittm.). Two of the six locations were affected by drought stress and showed increased field heterogeneity. AtWillstätt, drought stress intensity was visually scored twice, and atIssoudun, overall impression of a plot was scored once. We investigated if the visual scorings can be used as covariates in an analysis of covariance (ancova) to eliminate the influence of different drought stress intensity on plot yields. For evaluation of theancovamodels, we examined if the covariates were independent from the genotypic effects and linearly associated with grain yield. In addition,ancovamodels were compared with baseline and spatial models based on AIC and phenotypic correlation between genotype means estimated with the model under investigation in a drought stress location with genotype means calculated across the remaining locations. We found that both scorings inWillstätt fulfilled the requirements of anancovaand led to an increase in broad‐sense heritability (h2) and efficiency.ancovawith the second scoring increasedh2from 0.03 for the baseline model to 0.60, whereas the best spatial model increasedh2only up to 0.50. The scoring atIssoudun was not independent from the genotypic effects and reduced phenotypic correlations. We concluded that environmental factors causing spatially differing yield potential can be scored or measured and used as covariates to obtain more precise genotypic estimates.
Effects of smoking cessation on the outcomes of non‐surgical periodontal therapy: a systematic review and individual patient data meta‐analysis
Authors: Chambrone Leandro , Preshaw Philip M. , Rosa Ecinele Francisca , Heasman Peter A. , Romito Giuseppe A. , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Tu Yu‐Kang 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimTo conduct an individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis to assess the effect of smoking cessation (SC) on clinical outcomes following the non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched up to, and including, August 2012. Prospective cohort studies of at least 6 months' duration were included if the participants met the following criteria: (1) smokers who had expressed an interest in quitting the habit; and (2) a diagnosis of periodontitis. Search was conducted by two independent reviewers. IPD meta‐analyses were undertaken using multiple linear or Poisson regression to evaluate the impact of SC on five different dependent variables.ResultsOf 2455 potentially eligible articles, two studies were included. The two studies found that SC seems to promote additional beneficial effects in reducing probing depths (PD) and improving attachment level following non‐surgical periodontal treatment. The IPD approach allowed data combination but it might not have usefully added strength to the data in this review.ConclusionSC seems to be an important component of periodontal therapy, and smokers should be encouraged to quit as part of their overall periodontal management; however, only a limited base of evidence was available for analysis.
Effects of patient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy on ameliorating the levels of atherogenic lipids and inflammation beyond lowering low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Son Jang Won , Kim Dong Jun , Lee Chang Beom , Oh Seungjoon , Song Kee‐Ho , Jung Chan Hee , Mok Ji Oh , Kim Jong Hwa , Moon Min Kyong , Choi Kyung Mook , Cho Jae Hyoung , Choi Sung Hee , Kim Soo Kyung , Park Kang Seo , Kim Hye Soon , Kim In Joo , Kim Young Il , Kim Hae Jin , Kim Sang Yong , Kim Sungrae 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionRecently, patient‐tailored statin therapy was proven effective for achieving target low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. It is unclear, however, whether this therapeutic modality would be effective for atherogenic lipid profiles and inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsThe present study was an 8‐week, multicenter, single‐step titration trial of patient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy (10, 20 and 40 mg) according to baseline LDL cholesterol levels in 440 patients with type 2 diabetes. We measured the LDL particle size by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and used high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and adiponectin as surrogate markers of inflammation.ResultsIn the intention‐to‐treat analysis, 91% of the patients achieved their LDL cholesterol targets (<2.6 mmol/L) at week 8. There were significant reductions at week 8 in total cholesterol, triglycerides, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol, and the total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio compared with the baseline values for all of the doses. The mean LDL particle size was significantly increased, and the small, dense LDL cholesterol levels were decreased in a dose‐dependent manner over the study period. In addition, the hsCRP levels were decreased in those high‐risk patients with baseline hsCRP levels over 3 mg/L (P < 0.001), and the adiponectin levels tended to increase with all of the doses (P = 0.004) at 8 weeks.ConclusionsPatient‐tailored atorvastatin therapy based on LDL cholesterol at baseline was effective in ameliorating atherogenic LDL particle size and inflammation, in addition to achieving the target LDL cholesterol level without an undesirable effect on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT01239849).
Treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris: a systematic review
Authors: Rácz E. , Gho C. , Moorman P.W. , Noordhoek Hegt V. , Neumann H.A.M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractFrontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia with characteristic clinical pattern of progressive frontotemporal hairline recession, perifollicular erythema and hyperkeratosis and symptoms of itch and burning, occurring mainly in post‐menopausal women. FFA is considered a subtype of lichen planopilaris (LPP), based on their identical histopathology. Currently, no evidence‐based treatment is available for FFA. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of available treatment options for FFA, and to identify promising treatment options for future studies. For this, literature search was conducted to find all primary studies on the treatment of FFA and LPP. From the primary studies, data were subtracted and analysed. No randomized controlled trials were found, and one controlled trial. Treatment of 114 patients is described in the literature. They received 10 different regimes, of which oral 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors were provided most often, resulting in good clinical response in 45% of them. Hydroxychloroquine resulted in good clinical response in 30% of the 29 treated patients. Topical corticosteroid preparations are ineffective in FFA. The remaining treatments were all reported in less than 10 patients. For the treatment of LPP, topical corticosteroid preparations are the first line of treatment, followed by oral cyclosporine and systemic corticosteroids, although they are characterized by a high relapse rate. Summarizing, there is currently no effective treatment of FFA, the most effective being oral 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors that possibly affect the accompanying androgenetic alopecia. We argue that oral cyclosporine A might be a good candidate for future studies on the treatment of FFA.
Guidelines‐based indicators to measure quality of antenatal care
Authors: Bollini Paola , Quack‐Lötscher Katharina 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesNo comprehensive measurement of quality of antenatal care is available. Late booking or low number of checks are often used as surrogate for poor quality, leaving uncertainty on the actual content of the care received. In order to fill this gap, we have reviewed two sets of clinical guidelines and developed corresponding indicators of quality.MethodA group of clinicians and methodologists reviewed the National Institute for Clinical Excellency Clinical Guidelines on antenatal care, and the list of prenatal care interventions recommended by the Research and Development Group, both based on evidence of effectiveness of specific interventions. We identified single aspects in three domains: (1) services utilization; (2) screening; and (3) interventions. For each indicator, we defined: (1) eligibility, that is the characteristics of the women to whom the indicator applies; (2) standard, that is the situation when the target is met; and (3) moderators, that is all conditions which legitimately hamper the fulfilment of the standard.ResultsWe developed four indicators of service utilization, 25 of screening and 17 of intervention. The respective eligibility, standard and moderators criteria were described for each indicator. While many indicators could be retrospectively evaluated from medical charts, quality of communication with provider, screening for sensible issues and counselling on behaviours to be avoided could only be obtained with a prospective data collection.ConclusionsThe indicators of quality of antenatal care, complemented by measures of social position, social support and immigrant/ethnic status, allow for a careful description of the gaps in quality of care for specific groups of women.
ORGANIC FACIES VARIATIONS AND HYDROCARBON GENERATION POTENTIAL OF PERMIAN GONDWANA GROUP COALS AND ASSOCIATED SEDIMENTS, BARAPUKURIA AND DIGHIPARA BASINS, NW BANGLADESH
Authors: Farhaduzzaman Md. , Abdullah Wan Hasiah , Islam Md. Aminul , Pearson M. J. 
Published: March 2013

In the Barapukuria and Dighipara coal basins, NW Bangladesh, the Basement Complex is overlain by the coal‐bearing Permian Gondwana Group. In the present study, 36 core samples collected from five boreholes in these two basins were analysed using organic geochemical and organic petrological methods. Based on the results of biomarker analyses (TIC, m/z 191 and m/z 217 fragmentograms) and maceral composition (proportions of vitrinite, liptinite, inertinite), three organic facies were identified: coals, carbargillites and mudstones. Together with other evidence, cross‐plots of HI versus Tmax and Pr/nC17 versus Ph/nC18 indicate that the coals, as expected, were dominated by terrestrial organic matter (OM). The carbargillites contained a mixture of terrestrial and probable Type II aquatic OM, and the mudstones contained mostly terrestrial OM. Accordingly the coals, carbargillites and mudstones are interpreted to have been deposited in swamp‐dominated environments in a delta‐plain setting which was subject, in the case of carbargillites, to periodic flooding. Suboxic conditions were indicated by very high Pr/Ph ratios and a high content of inertinite macerals.All the samples analysed were immature or early mature for hydrocarbon generation, as indicated by mean vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) of 0.60–0.81%, Rock‐Eval Tmax of 430–439°C, and biomarker ratios (hopane C32 22S/(22S+22R)) of 0.57–0.60. Carbargillites showed potential for both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon generation; coals were mainly gas‐prone with minor liquid hydrocarbon potential; and mudstones were dominantly gas‐prone. The oil‐prone nature of the samples was attributed to the presence of resinite, cutinite, bituminite and fluorescent vitrinite. The presence of exsudatinite within crack networks, solid bitumen and oil droplets as well as bituminite at early oil‐window maturities suggests that the organic matter may have expelled some hydrocarbons.