bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of different immunosuppressive regimens on the health‐related quality of life following orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Benzing Christian , Krezdorn Nicco , Förster Julia , Hinz Andreas , Atanasov Georgi , Wiltberger Georg , Morgül Mehmet H. , Lange Undine G. , Schmelzle Moritz , Hau Hans‐Michael , Bartels Michael 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe influence of immunosuppression on the recipients’ quality of life (QoL) is of major importance after OLT and has not yet been evaluated.MethodsThe impact of different immunosuppression regimens after OLT was evaluated in 275 patients using the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) survey. The following immunosuppressive strategies were compared: (a) CNI, (b) mTOR inhibitors, and (c) mTOR combined with CNI. All regimens were prescribed alone (mono) or in combination (+) with prednisolone and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).ResultsHighest scores were evident in patients in the mTOR+ group. There were significantly higher values for general health perceptions (GH, p = 0.049), vitality (VIT, p = 0.020), and physical component summary (PCS, p = 0.041) when compared to CNImono and for GH (p = 0.042) and VIT (p = 0.043), when compared to mTORmono. Early conversion to mTOR inhibitors (<two months after OLT) was associated with higher values for 7 of 10 scales, when compared to a late conversion (>two months after OLT), with a statistically significant improvement for the dimension role‐emotional (RE, p = 0.027).DiscussionmTOR inhibitor‐based regimens appear to have beneficial effects on QoL after OLT, especially after an early conversion.
Coronary Artery Fistula‐Associated Endocarditis: Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Wang Fang , Cranston‐D'Amato Hope , Pearson Anthony 
Published: September 2015

Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are rare congenital anomalies and reported to have an incidence of 0.1–0.2% of all coronary angiograms. An association between fistulae and nonatherosclerotic coronary artery aneurysms is even more rare. In childhood, patients are mostly asymptomatic; however, patients older than 20 years old may present with signs of infective endocarditis, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, and aneurysm rupture. CAF are typically identified by coronary angiography; however, there are some limited studies showing that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can also be useful in identifying CAF. Here we report two cases of endocarditis secondary to congenital coronary artery fistulae draining into either a cardiac cavity or a coronary sinus, which were detected by TEE. Vegetations were found at the site of the fistulae drainage. Management for young patients is either percutaneous or surgical intervention. For elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, conservative treatment is another option. In these two cases, treating endocarditis with proper antibiotics and supportive treatment, the patients' conditions improved significantly.
Aldosterone, mortality, cardiovascular events and reverse epidemiology in end stage renal disease
Authors: Abd ElHafeez Samar , Tripepi Giovanni , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundPlasma aldosterone is markedly increased in end stage renal disease (ESRD). The relationship between aldosterone, all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in observational studies performed so far is controversial.DesignWe investigated the relationship between aldosterone, mortality and CV events in multivariate analyses including nutrition status, inflammation, LV function and fluids volume biomarkers in 278 ESRD patients without heart failure at baseline.ResultsIn univariate analyses aldosterone was an inverse predictor of death (3rd tertile vs. 1st tertile Hazard ratios (HR): 0·58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·38–0·90. P = 0·01) and CV events (HR: 0·63; 95% CI 0·41–0·96; P = 0·03). Data adjustment for inflammation and malnutrition biomarkers substantially reduced the inverse relationship between aldosterone, mortality and CV events to be largely not significant (P = 0·31 and P = 0·36, respectively). The same was true by adjusting for volume expansion and LV dysfunction (left atrial volume and atrial natriuretic peptide) biomarkers (P = 0·30 for both outcomes). In a model adjusting for the full set of biomarkers of protein energy wasting/inflammation and volume expansion/LV dysfunction the inverse relationship between aldosterone and death and CV events was nullified (HR for death 0·98, P = 0·93; HR for CV events 0·96, P = 0·87).ConclusionsAldosterone is an inverse predictor of mortality and CV events in ESRD patients. This seemingly paradoxical relationship is abolished by statistical adjustment for inflammation, protein energy malnutrition, and volume expansion biomarkers indicating that it is the mere expression of the confounding effect of these factors. A clinical trial is needed to establish if aldosterone antagonism may improve clinical outcomes in ESRD.
Coexisting invasive gobies reveal no evidence for temporal and trophic niche differentiation in the sublittoral habitat of Lake Erhai, China
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Liu Jiashou , Lek Sovan , Li Zhongjie , Zhu Fengyue , Tang Jianfeng , Britton Robert , Cucherousset Julien 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNiche differentiation facilitates the coexistence of species within a community through avoidance of competition via mechanisms involving spatial, temporal and/or trophic dimensions. Where invasive species coexist in their non‐native range, niche differentiation could allow their persistence at higher levels of abundance. Here, we tested whether there was temporal and/or trophic niche differentiation between two congeneric invasive goby species (Rhinogobius cliffordpopei and Rhinogobius giurinus) in the sublittoral habitat of Lake Erhai (south‐west China) through quantifying their diel and seasonal rhythm of locomotion activities, feeding activities and diet composition. Both species displayed two similar diel peaks in activity and two main feeding periods (6:00–10:00 and 18:00–22:00), with rhythms of locomotion and feeding activity not differing significantly between the species in each season. Their diets had a high degree of overlap, being primarily composed of macrozooplankton, aquatic insects and shrimp larvae, with no diel changes across the seasons. Thus, in this habitat, there was no clear temporal or trophic niche differentiation between the invasive congeners, indicating their coexistence with high temporal and trophic overlap. In conjunction with data from the littoral and profundal habitats, the gobies revealed different strategies across the habitats (e.g. spatial segregation, trophic niche differentiation) that minimised their competitive interactions and promoted their coexistence. This suggests that the interactions of invasive fishes during the integration into native communities can be context dependent, varying according to factors including habitat and the availability of food resources.
Making Selves and Meeting Others in Neo‐Shamanic Healing
Authors: Itzhak Nofit 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAnthropological accounts of healing tend to draw, either explicitly or implicitly, on the notion of “symbolic” healing initially developed in Lévi‐Strauss's seminal article, “The Effectiveness of Symbols.” Within this framework, therapeutic efficacy is understood as the result of a transformation of meaning or the manipulation of symbols. This article seeks to challenge and refine this approach by suggesting that the transformative potential of the healing ritual may be located prior to the establishment of symbolic meaning and manipulation in the course of the healing ritual. Through an experientially specific analysis of soul retrieval, a neo‐shamanic healing ritual practiced by contemporary Euro‐Americans in the United States, I demonstrate that the healing process begins with, and hinges on, a successful encounter with alterity or otherness, which is established in the course of the ritual but extends beyond it. Serving as a counterweight to accounts of ritual healing that emphasize processes of meaning making as anchored in the creation of coherence, the article argues that a fuller understanding of therapeutic or healing processes must also include an appreciation for the transformative effects that discontinuities or disruptions to one's implicitly coherent sense of self can have.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Blood Sucrose as a Screening Test for Diagnosis of Gastric Ulceration in Adult Horses
Authors: Hewetson M. , Sykes B.W. , Hallowell G. , Tulamo R.M. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyGastric ulceration is an important cause of morbidity in horses. Currently, gastroscopy is the only reliable antemortem method for definitive diagnosis; however, it is unsuitable as a screening test because it is expensive, invasive and time‐consuming. Sucrose permeability testing represents a simple, economical, non‐invasive alternative to gastroscopy for screening purposes, and the feasibility of this approach in the horse has been reported [1].ObjectivesTo determine the diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose as a screening test for gastric ulceration.Study designCross‐sectional design.MethodsOne hundred and one adult horses with and without naturally occurring gastric ulcers were studied. The diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose for detection of gastric ulcers at 45 and 90 min after administration of 1 g/kg bwt of sucrose via nasogastric intubation was assessed with ROC curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Sucrose concentration in blood was compared with gastroscopy as the gold standard; and sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) were calculated across a range of sucrose concentrations. Cut‐off values were selected manually to optimise sensitivity.ResultsThe prevalence of gastric ulcers was 83%. The AUC ± 95% CI for blood sucrose concentration when used to distinguish between horses with and without gastric ulcers at 45 and 90 min was 0.592 (0.441–0.744) and 0.615 (0.469–0.761) respectively. Sucrose concentrations of 4.70 μmol/l at 45 min; and 4.57 μmol/l at 90 min were selected as optimal cut‐offs. Using these cut‐offs, Se ranged from 64.4% to 77%; and Sp ranged from 42.9% to 50%.ConclusionsBlood sucrose is neither a sensitive nor specific test for detecting gastric ulcers in adult horses with naturally occurring ulcers.AcknowledgementsWe thank Sandy Love, Satu Sankari, Anna‐Maija Virtala, Noah Cohen, Allen Rousell, Kaisa Aaltonen, Anne Sjöholm and Jouni Junnila.Ethical animal research: The study protocol was approved by the National Animal Experiment Board of Finland (Eläinkoelautakunta ELLA). For client‐owned animals, the informed consent of the owner was obtained. Source of funding: This study was funded by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. Competing interests: None declared.
Diagnostic Value of Gastric Mucosal Biopsies in Horses with Glandular Disease
Authors: Crumpton S.M. , Baiker K. , Hallowell G.D. , Habershon‐Butcher J.L. , Bowen I.M. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyEquine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) is a common condition, for which the underlying pathophysiology is undetermined. Endoscopic mucosal biopsies have been proposed as a method for adapting therapy.ObjectivesTo evaluate diagnostic information obtained from endoscopic mucosal biopsies.Study designProspective, experimental study.MethodsTwenty‐one horses undergoing elective humane slaughter were subjected to gross examination of the glandular mucosa. Glandular pathology was graded using EGUS Council guidelines from digital camera images. Mucosal biopsies were obtained using a ‘single‐bite’ (1.8 mm; A and 2.4 mm; B) or ‘double bite’ technique (2.4 mm; C) using endoscopic biopsy instruments. Tissue was formalin fixed, processed and stained using standard protocols. Inflammatory infiltrates visualised histologically were graded (mild, moderate or severe) and compared with ulcer grade. Full thickness biopsies were also obtained adjacent to the biopsy site and of other visual lesions and inflammatory cell counts were compared with mucosal biopsies using ICC.ResultsFull thickness samples were artefact free and allowed visualisation of all layers. Mucosal biopsy samples contained mucosa in all samples, submucosa in 55% (C), 61% (A) and 66% (B) of samples and glands in 50% (B), 66% (A) and 100% (C). Samples from A were too small for histological assessment (33%) and tissue damage was commonly seen in A and B (n = 8 and n = 10) when compared with C (n = 3). Horses with normal glandular appearance (grade 0; n = 7) mostly demonstrated mild gastritis (n = 5). Severe gastritis was identified in mild EGGD (grade 1/2), whilst mild and moderate gastritis was identified in all EGGD grades. There was no histological evidence of ulceration or erosion. There was poor agreement between cell numbers and sampling techniques (ICC<0.29).ConclusionsThese data show lack of ulcerative pathology and instead inflammation in EGGD. Lesion appearance is a poor indicator of underlying severity. Mucosal biopsies offer limited value in predicting underlying disease.Ethical animal research: This study was approved by the University of Nottingham Ethics and Welfare Committee. The study was performed on material collected at an abattoir. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Understanding Intestinal Microbiota in Equine Grass Sickness: Next Generation Sequencing of Faecal Bacterial DNA
Authors: Leng J. , Proudman C. , Blow F. , Darby A. , Swann J. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyThe bacteria Clostridium botulinum has been associated with equine grass sickness (EGS); however, the effect on the wider horse's gut microbiome is currently unknown.ObjectivesTo characterise the bacterial dysbiosis that occurs within the gut microbiome of horses with EGS and to identify and quantify Clostridium botulinum within the faecal microbiota of the affected horses.Study designCase–control study.MethodsFaecal samples were collected from horses with a histological diagnosis of EGS and matched controls. Faecal bacterial DNA was extracted and sequenced to characterise the microbial communities in the group. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 33 horses over 2 years. This included 13 EGS cases, 14 matched controls and 6 hospital controls. Faecal bacterial DNA was extracted from samples and the v4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. DNA was sequenced on the MiSeq platform and data was analysed using QIIME. Differences in community profile between the 3 groups of horses were identified using linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) method.ResultsThere was a significant increase in Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Firmicutes bacteria in horses with EGS compared to the 2 control groups. Discriminant analysis identified bacterial genera Desulphovibrio and Veillonella and the bacterial species Veillonella parvula as increased in abundance. There was no noticeable increase in C. botulinum in the faecal microbiome of EGS horses in this study.ConclusionsThe dysbiosis characterised by bacterial sequencing showed a similar shift to that identified previously in colitis horses and human inflammatory bowel disease. It is currently unclear how Verrucomicrobia bacteria are linked to grass sickness.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by The University of Liverpool ethics committee. Owner informed consent was obtained before sampling. Sources of funding: The Equine Grass Sickness Fund and The University of Reading. Competing interests: None declared.
A Retrospective Dental Study on 5334 Horses in General Practice
Authors: Duncanson G. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyRasping of sharp enamel points (SEPs) is the most common procedure performed at routine dental examinations; however, there is little evidence to prove the true clinical significance of SEPs [1]. Maxillary SEPs are thought to cause buccal ulceration and pain on external palpation of the cheeks. Mandibular SEPs are thought to cause lingual ulceration.ObjectivesTo examine associations between the presence of SEPs on the cheek teeth rows and the presence of pain on palpation of the cheeks and buccal and/or lingual ulceration.Study designRetrospective clinical case series.MethodsClinical records of routine dental examination performed by 8 veterinary surgeons in a single first opinion practice were examined. Presence of SEPs, buccal and/or lingual ulceration and pain on palpation of the cheeks (externally) were recorded. Chi squared tests were used to examine whether horses exhibiting pain on palpation or oral ulceration were significantly more likely to have SEPs present.ResultsPrevalence of buccal SEPs was 84.8% and prevalence of lingual SEPs was 84.3%. Five hundred and forty‐eight horses (6.0%) had signs of pain on palpation. Prevalence of buccal ulceration was 5.9%. In contrast, only 0.2% of horses had visible lingual ulceration. Buccal ulceration and pain on palpation were significantly associated with presence of buccal SEPs (P<0.001 for both). Lingual ulceration was not significantly associated with lingual SEPs (P<0.0001).ConclusionsBuccal SEPs are common and often result in pain and buccal ulceration. Routine rasping would appear to be justified. Lingual SEPs are common but rarely cause lingual ulceration. The value of routine rasping of lingual SEPs is therefore questionable.Ethical animal research: Research ethics committee oversight not currently required by this conference: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for inclusion of animals in this study was not stated. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.
Normal Radiographic Anatomy of the Donkey Foot from Birth to 2 Years of Age
Authors: Van Thielen B. , Pestieau P. , Van Der Strieckt A. , Willekens I. , Busoni V. , Verhelle F. , Goossens P. , Delperdange P. , De Mol G. , Jacqmot O. , Buls N. , Kichou M. , de Mey J. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyNormal radiographic anatomy of the juvenile donkey foot has not been reported previously.ObjectivesTo provide a radiographic survey of the anatomical development of the donkey foot from 0 to 2 years of age.Study designRadiographic survey.MethodsThe right front foot of 9 donkey foals born in the spring of 2012, housed and fed in the same conditions, were radiographed every month for the first 6 months of age and every 3 months for the following 18 months. Latero‐medial radiographs with and without barium markers at the coronary band and anterior‐posterior radiographs of both front feet were obtained during weightbearing. Radiographs were obtained at 55 kV and 3 mAs with mobile x‐ray equipment (Gierth RHF 200 ML, Examion DR810).ResultsThe distal physis of the metacarpus (McIII) was closed at the mean age of 17.8 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The proximal physis of the proximal phalanx was closed at the mean age of 15.5 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The distal physis appeared as a clear radiolucent line at 2 weeks of age and was still visible subtly at 24 months. The proximal physis of the middle phalanx was closed at the mean age of 10.7 months (SD: 11.5, 19). The distal physis was visible at birth but closed at 4 days.ConclusionsBased on our results, it seems that physes close at an older age in the donkey foal than in the horse.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. (VUB/14‐272‐2). Owners gave informed consent for their horses' inclusion in the study. Source of funding: The authors acknowledge Vtrade Belgium for the logistic assistance. Competing interests: None declared.
Proximal Suspensory Desmopathy in Hindlimbs: A Correlative Clinical, Ultrasonographic, Gross Post Mortem and Histological Study
Authors: Dyson S. , Pinilla M.J. 
Published: September 2015

Reasons for performing studyIt has been suggested that ultrasonography is unreliable for the detection of hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD) based on comparison between ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images.ObjectivesTo compare ultrasonography with gross and histopathological post mortem examination in horses with PSD diagnosed based on the response to local anaesthesia and ultrasonography.Study designRetrospective study.MethodsNineteen horses with hindlimb PSD were humanely destroyed. The ultrasonographic abnormalities were graded prospectively as mild, moderate or severe based on predefined criteria. Thirty‐seven lame limbs were examined grossly and 36 suspensory ligaments (SLs) were examined histologically. The histological images were graded blindly based on predefined criteria (0–3 for each tissue type; 0 = normal, 3 = severe abnormality). Descriptive statistics were performed.ResultsUltrasonographic lesions were graded moderate in 31/38 (81.6%) and severe in 7/38 (18.4%) limbs; in 4/36 (11.1%) limbs adhesion formation between the proximal aspect of the SL and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon was predicted. Gross post mortem examination revealed substantial adhesions between the proximal aspect of the SL and adjacent soft tissues in 10/37 (27.0%) limbs; in 10/37 (27.0%) limbs there were adhesions between the body of the SL and the mid plantar aspect of the third metatarsal bone, extending distally in 6 (16.2%) limbs. Histology revealed abnormalities (grades 1–3) of the collagenous tissue in 25/36 (69.4%) limbs. Muscle was abnormal (grades 1–3) in 35/36 (97.2%) limbs and adipose tissue (grades 1–3) in 16/36 (44.4%) limbs. Neural abnormalities (grades 1–3) were seen in 23/36 (63.9%) limbs and vascular changes (grade 1 and 2) in 2/36 (5.6%) limbs. In 1/36 limbs no abnormality was detected.ConclusionsUltrasonography was reasonably reliable for the detection of SL pathology based on histology as a gold standard, but the ability to detect gross adhesions was limited.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the Animal Health Trust and had informed consent of the owners. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.