bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf‐associated fungal diversity in acidified streams: insights from combining traditional and molecular approaches
Authors: Clivot Hugues , Cornut Julien , Chauvet Eric , Elger Arnaud , Poupin Pascal , Guérold François , Pagnout Christophe 
Published: August 2013

SummaryWe combined microscopic and molecular methods to investigate fungal assemblages on alder leaf litter exposed in the benthic and hyporheic zones of five streams across a gradient of increasing acidification for 4 weeks. The results showed that acidification and elevated Al concentrations strongly depressed sporulating aquatic hyphomycetes diversity in both zones of streams, while fungal diversity assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) appeared unaffected. Clone library analyses revealed that fungal communities on leaves were dominated by members of Ascomycetes and to a lesser extent by Basidiomycetes and Chytridiomycetes. An important contribution of terrestrial fungi was observed in both zones of the most acidified stream and in the hyporheic zone of the reference circumneutral stream. The highest leaf breakdown rate was observed in the circumneutral stream and occurred in the presence of both the highest diversity of sporulating aquatic hyphomycetes and the highest contribution to clone libraries of sequences affiliated with aquatic hyphomycetes. Both methods underline the major role played by aquatic hyphomycetes in leaf decomposition process. Our findings also bring out new highlights on the identity of leaf‐associated fungal communities and their responses to anthropogenic alteration of running water ecosystems.
Shareholder Votes and Proxy Advisors: Evidence from Say on Pay
Authors: ERTIMUR YONCA , FERRI FABRIZIO , OESCH DAVID 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe investigate the economic role of proxy advisors (PAs) in the context of mandatory “say on pay” votes, a novel and complex item requiring significant firm‐specific analysis. PAs are more likely to issue an Against recommendation at firms with poor performance and higher levels of CEO pay and do not appear to follow a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach. PAs’ recommendations are the key determinant of voting outcome but the sensitivity of shareholder votes to these recommendations varies with the institutional ownership structure, and the rationale behind the recommendation, suggesting that at least some shareholders do not blindly follow these recommendations. More than half of the firms respond to the adverse shareholder vote triggered by a negative recommendation by engaging with investors and making changes to their compensation plan. However, we find no market reaction to the announcement of such changes, even when material enough to result in a favorable recommendation and vote the following year. Our findings suggest that, rather than identifying and promoting superior compensation practices, PAs' key economic role is processing a substantial amount of executive pay information on behalf of institutional investors, hence reducing their cost of making informed voting decisions. Our findings contribute to the literature on shareholder voting and the related policy debate.
Use of Myoglobin as a Marker and Predictor in Myoglobinuric Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Premru Vladimir , Kovač Janko , Ponikvar Rafael 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSerum creatine kinase (CK) is routinely used as a marker in the assessment of rhabdomyolysis and acute myoglobinuric kidney injury (Mb‐AKI), while the use of myoglobin is much less explored in this respect. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of Mb‐AKI (creatinine [Cr] > 200 μmol/L) and the need for hemodialysis (HD) in 484 patients (70.5% males) with suspected rhabdomyolysis, grouped according to peak serum myoglobin (A: 1–5 mg/L, B: 5–15 mg/L, C: >15 mg/L). The median peak myoglobin was 7163 μg/L. Both peak Cr and peak CK were significantly higher in group C. The incidence of Mb‐AKI was 24.6% in group A, 38.6% in group B (P < 0.01 vs. group A), and significantly higher (64.9%) in group C (P < 0.001 vs. groups A and B). Fifty‐one patients (10.5%) needed HD, the proportion increasing from 6.7% in group A, and 12.3% in group B (NS), to 28.1% in group C (P < 0.001 vs. group A, P 0.01 vs. group B), and reaching 36.8% with myoglobin >20 mg/L. Creatine kinase correlated with the severity of rhabdomyolysis, but less so with Mb‐AKI. The peak Cr levels were not significantly different between patients divided by CK 60 μkat/L, or grouped into CK tertiles or quartiles. A significant proportion of patients with rhabdomyolysis experienced Mb‐AKI, whose frequency increased in parallel with myoglobin levels. Myoglobin levels above 15 mg/L were most significantly related to the development of AKI and the need for HD. Blood myoglobin could serve as a valuable early predictor and marker of rhabdomyolysis and Mb‐AKI.
Some Kinetic Considerations in High Cut‐Off Hemodiafiltration for Acute Myoglobinuric Renal Failure
Authors: Premru Vladimir , Kovač Janko , Buturović‐Ponikvar Jadranka , Ponikvar Rafael 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe kinetics of myoglobin in severe rhabdomyolysis and dialysis‐dependent myoglobinuric acute kidney injury (Mb‐AKI) is still not well elucidated, and more detailed knowledge could improve the now empiric use of rapid extracorporeal myoglobin removal by high cut‐off (HCO) hemodialysis treatments. Eighteen adult patients with severe dialysis‐dependent Mb‐AKI (median serum concentration of myoglobin 57.4 mg/L) participated in the prospective clinical study, assessing myoglobin kinetics during HCO hemodiafiltration (HCO HDF). High initial serum concentrations of myoglobin (median 57.4 mg/L), together with protracted myoglobin appearance in the blood, indicated a large accumulation of myoglobin in body fluids. Extra‐renal endogenous metabolic myoglobin clearance was delayed, with a slow exponential fall in serum myoglobin (t½ 35 h). A mean myoglobin clearance of 90–94 mL/min, a reduction ratio of 80%, and a rapid exponential fall (t½ 1 h) in serum and dialysate myoglobin were achieved by HCO HDF. Half of the cumulative myoglobin removal was accomplished in 3–5 h, with an additional removal of 7% each hour thereafter. A 2.4‐fold rebound in serum myoglobin followed the HCO procedures. Large amounts of myoglobin are released into the circulation, and its endogenous metabolic clearance in dialysis‐dependent Mb‐AKI is slow. Owing to its rapid and highly efficient myoglobin elimination, HCO HDF may represent a valuable tool in the initial management of severe Mb‐AKI, with a potential for earlier application in the future.
Successful Treatment of Severe Hantavirus Nephritis With Corticosteroids: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Martinuč Bergoč Maja , Lindič Jelka , Kovač Damjan , Ferluga Dušan , Pajek Jernej 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHantaviruses can be associated with severe form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome although there are only a few cases reporting chronic kidney disease after hantavirus infection. We report a severe nonresolving chronic renal failure after protracted Dobrava hantavirus infection successfully treated with corticosteroids. Ten days after working in a basement a 33‐year‐old man fell seriously ill, with high fever, chills, diffuse myalgia, headache and abdominal pain. After hospital admission a diagnosis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Dobrava hantavirus was made. Acute oliguric kidney injury developed in the first 3 days after admission, in a few days diuresis restored and he became polyuric. Nevertheless renal failure persisted and he needed hemodialysis. Because of nonresolving kidney failure, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and renoparenchymal arterial hypertension persisting 2 months after onset of symptoms, a kidney biopsy was performed, showing severe necrotizing tubulointerstitial nephritis. High dose methylprednisolone therapy was started and his renal function significantly improved. Two months later a second renal biopsy showed persisting elements of active necrotizing tubulointerstitial nephritis. We decided to stop corticosteroid treatment and introduced aldosterone antagonist eplerenon as anti‐fibrotic agent, and his renal function further improved and remained stable. Nine months later his serum creatinine concentration was 227 μmol/L, proteinuria 0.156 g/day and well controlled nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Left Ventricular Mass Index in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: Standard Versus Long Nocturnal Hemodialysis
Authors: Knap Bojan , Večerić‐Haler Željka , Benedik Miha , Buturović‐Ponikvar Jadranka , Ponikvar Rafael , Bren Andrej F 
Published: August 2013

AbstractElevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and phosphorus (P) have been linked to greater risks of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to test if differences exist in a long nocturnal HD group in comparison with a group treated with standard daily thrice weekly dialysis. The attempt was to evaluate if elevated FGF‐23 levels, intact parathyroid hormone and P might be associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Quantitative echocardiographic analyses were performed at baseline in 50 maintenance HD patients (17 women and 33 men, mean age: 56.4 ± 15.35 years, mean HD vintage: 9.06 ± 8.86 years, all patients are on HD thrice a week‐median duration 15 h/week, 10 of them on long nocturnal HD, median duration 24 h/week). LVMIs were calculated. FGF23 was measured in duplicate using a second generation C‐terminal enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and log of FGF‐23 values were computed. Mean LVMI was 136.44 ± 44.44 g/m2. Serum FGF‐23 levels were elevated when compared to population data with preserved kidney function (median 1388.5 RU/mL, range 252 to 24 336 RU/mL). There were no correlations recorded between log FGF‐23 levels and LVMI (r = 0.2, P = 0.66). LVMI was significantly lower in HD patients on long nocturnal dialysis procedure (r = −0.31, P = 0.05). Patients treated with long nocturnal HD showed lower LV mass, lower P‐values and higher 25‐OH‐D3 supply. Plasma FGF‐23 concentration was comparable between the groups and was not associated with LVMI in our maintenance HD patients.
Fulminant Peritonitis Presumably Caused by Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin‐Positive Staphylococcus aureus in a Girl on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Battelino Nina , Pokorn Marko , Švent‐Kučina Nataša , Križan‐Hergouth Veronika , Novljan Gregor 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPeritonitis is a significant complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the most common cause of technique failure. Panton‐Valentine leukocidin (PVL), a cytotoxin produced by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus (SA), causes destruction of neutrophils, and is associated with severe invasive infections. We present a 2.5‐year‐old girl on PD, who presented suddenly with an unusually fulminant and protracted course of peritonitis. Only a few hours after the onset of clinical signs, septic shock developed. PVL‐positive methicillin‐sensitive SA (MSSA) was grown and initial empiric antibiotic treatment changed to flucloxacillin and rifampicin in order to minimize toxin production. In spite of adequate antibiotic treatment and PD‐catheter removal, recovery was slow. No PD‐related peritonitis in children associated with PVL‐producing strains have been reported so far and no specific recommendation exists for treatment. We speculate that PVL contributed to the severity and outcome of peritonitis in our patient.
Plasmapheresis and Immunoadsorption for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Recurrent Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Adult Recipients of Deceased Donor Renal Grafts
Authors: Kandus Aljoša , Ponikvar Rafael , Buturović‐Ponikvar Jadranka , Bren Andrej F. , Oblak Manca , Mlinšek Gregor , Kmetec Andrej , Arnol Miha 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRecurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis has a great impact on kidney graft survival. This retrospective study presents immunoadsorption‐plasmapheresis treatment and outcome in our renal graft recipients with significant post‐transplant proteinuria (>1 g/day) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in native kidneys. Recurrence was defined as occurrence of nephrotic range proteinuria or biopsy‐confirmed diagnosis. Successful treatment was defined as sustained reduction of proteinuria to <1 g/day. From 2000 through 2011, 548 adult patients received kidney grafts from deceased donors. In 20 of these patients (3.6%) end‐stage renal disease was a consequence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Recurrence was confirmed in five of seven treated patients. Immunoadsorption‐plasmapheresis treatment was successful in five patients (70%). Their age at disease diagnosis in native kidneys was 12 to 44 years. Time to end‐stage renal disease was 3 to 14 years. Recipient age at transplantation was 21 to 61 years. Onset of significant proteinuria was 2 to 87 days after transplantation. Immunoadsorption or plasmapheresis started 1 to 7 days after recurrence of significant proteinuria. Treatment period was 1 to 103 months and 12 to 206 procedures were performed per patient. Follow‐up period after cessation of plasmapheresis was 11 to 58 months. Final urine protein/creatinine ratio was 8.8 to 98.0 mg/mmol and final serum creatinine was 63 to 148 μmol/L. Follow‐up after transplantation was 18 to 135 months. One patient was still on treatment. One graft was lost to recurrence. No serious adverse effects occurred during immunoadsorption and plasmapheresis. Immunoadsorption and plasmapheresis appears to be successful in the majority of patients, probably due to their early start.
Comparison of three algorithms for initiation and titration of insulin glargine in insulin‐naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (既往从未使用过胰岛素的2型糖尿病患者使用三种不同的启用与滴定甘精胰岛素剂量方案的比较)
Authors: Dailey George , Aurand Lisa , Stewart John , Ameer Barbara , Zhou Rong 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundSeveral titration algorithms can be used to adjust insulin dose and attain blood glucose targets. We compared clinical outcomes using three initiation and titration algorithms for insulin glargine in insulin‐naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); focusing on those receiving both metformin and sulfonylurea (SU) at baseline.MethodsThis was a pooled analysis of patient‐level data from prospective, randomized, controlled 24‐week trials. Patients received algorithm 1 (1 IU increase once daily, if fasting plasma glucose [FPG] > target), algorithm 2 (2 IU increase every 3 days, if FPG > target), or algorithm 3 (treat‐to‐target, generally 2–8 IU increase weekly based on 2‐day mean FPG levels). Glycemic control, insulin dose, and hypoglycemic events were compared between algorithms.ResultsOverall, 1380 patients were included. In patients receiving metformin and SU at baseline, there were no significant differences in glycemic control between algorithms. Weight‐adjusted dose was higher for algorithm 2 vs algorithms 1 and 3 (P = 0.0037 and P < 0.0001, respectively), though results were not significantly different when adjusted for reductions in HbA1c (0.36 IU/kg, 0.43 IU/kg, and 0.31 IU/kg for algorithms 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Yearly hypoglycemic event rates (confirmed blood glucose <56 mg/dL) were higher for algorithm 3 than algorithms 1 (P = 0.0003) and 2 (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThree algorithms for initiation and titration of insulin glargine in patients with T2DM resulted in similar levels of glycemic control, with lower rates of hypoglycemia for patients treated using simpler algorithms 1 and 2.
DifferInt: compositional differentiation among populations at three levels of genetic integration
Authors: Gillet Elizabeth M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn many fields of study, it is important to know how different populations are genetically. Commonly used measures such as and its derivatives based on gene identity probabilities do not reliably reflect difference, as they can be maximal when almost all populations are identical and very small when populations are completely distinct. Compositional differentiation, in contrast, is maximal only for completely distinct populations. Moreover, underlying forces of fragmentation that act on single‐ and multilocus genotypes may be missed if only the allelic level is viewed. For these reasons, descriptive measures of compositional differentiation based on untransformed distributions of genetic types at different levels of genetic integration (alleles, single‐ and multilocus genotypes) were derived. Here, two measures of complementary differentiation and two new measures of dispersive differentiation are described. One of each considers genic differences between individuals, ensuring their consistency across integration levels. An increase from one level to the next indicates differences among the populations in their forms of gene association. The computer program DifferInt calculates these measures for one or more codominantly expressed gene loci at the gene‐pool, single‐locus and multilocus levels. Effects of gene pools and gene association on differentiation are compared by permutation analysis. Snail diagrams depict the contribution of each population to differentiation. Results are demonstrated using a numerical example. The applicability of the measures calculated by this program in conservation, phylogeography, mating system analysis and adaptation studies is discussed.
Factors influencing detection of eDNA from a stream‐dwelling amphibian
Authors: Pilliod David S. , Goldberg Caren S. , Arkle Robert S. , Waits Lisette P. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) methods for detecting and estimating abundance of aquatic species are emerging rapidly, but little is known about how processes such as secretion rate, environmental degradation, and time since colonization or extirpation from a given site affect eDNA measurements. Using stream‐dwelling salamanders and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis, we conducted three experiments to assess eDNA: (i) production rate; (ii) persistence time under different temperature and light conditions; and (iii) detectability and concentration through time following experimental introduction and removal of salamanders into previously unoccupied streams. We found that 44–50 g individuals held in aquaria produced 77 ng eDNA/h for 2 h, after which production either slowed considerably or began to equilibrate with degradation. eDNA in both full‐sun and shaded treatments degraded exponentially to <1% of the original concentration after 3 days. eDNA was no longer detectable in full‐sun samples after 8 days, whereas eDNA was detected in 20% of shaded samples after 11 days and 100% of refrigerated control samples after 18 days. When translocated into unoccupied streams, salamanders were detectable after 6 h, but only when densities were relatively high (0.2481 individuals/m2) and when samples were collected within 5 m of the animals. Concentrations of eDNA detected were very low and increased steadily from 6–24 h after introduction, reaching 0.0022 ng/L. Within 1 h of removing salamanders from the stream, eDNA was no longer detectable. These results suggest that eDNA detectability and concentration depend on production rates of individuals, environmental conditions, density of animals, and their residence time.
Impact of Cilostazol on the Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Retinal Vascular Occlusion
Authors: Kim Seong‐Man , Cho Kyoung‐Im 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBackgroundCilostazol, a selective phosphodiesterase three inhibitor, has been proposed to have beneficial effects in the prevention of atherosclerosis.AimsWe aimed to investigate the effects of cilostazol on carotid intima‐media thickening (IMT) and total plaque area (TPA) in patients with retinal vascular occlusion.MethodsA total of 63 consecutive vascular occlusive retinopathy patients with carotid atherosclerosis were enrolled. We examined changes in the carotid IMT/TPA and visual acuity/macular thickness before and after 1‐year treatment with cilostazol (200 mg/day).ResultsThe mean IMT of both common carotid arteries (CCAs) and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were significantly reduced after cilostazol treatment. There was no significant difference in the TPA of both CCAs before and after the treatment (before; 0.61 ± 0.94 vs. after; 0.45 ± 0.79 cm2, P = 0.291); however, significant plaque regression (before; 0.14 ± 0.15 vs. after; 0.25 ± 0.14 cm2, P = 0.004) was observed in selected patients (n = 30) with a TPA <0.5 cm2. The improvement in macular thickness was significantly associated with an improvement in carotid IMT (r = 0.42, P = 0.001) and TPA (r = 0.23, P = 0.04).ConclusionCilostazol potently inhibited the progression of carotid IMT and may play a role in the early carotid plaque regression in patients with retinal vascular occlusion.
Enhanced bone formation during healing process of tooth sockets filled with demineralized human dentine matrix
Authors: de Oliveira GS , Miziara MN , Silva ER da , Ferreira EL , Biulchi APF , Alves JB 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundOrthodontic procedures are often limited by the presence of bone defects caused by trauma, periodontal diseases or surgeries, thus requiring the development of materials capable to compensate such deficiencies. Since bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are indicative of bone reconstitution, this study aimed to evaluate histological and immunohistochemically the temporal location of BMP‐2 and BMP‐4 in osteoblasts of rat alveolar wounds filled with demineralized human dentine matrix (DHDM), used as a graft material.MethodsAfter extraction of the upper second molars, the left side alveoli were filled with DHDM and the right side served as the control. The animals were euthanized after 3, 5, 10 and 14 days of surgery. After fixation, demineralization and paraffin embedding, representative samples of each group were stained with H&E and immunohistochemically evaluated.ResultsThe data showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increased number of osteoblasts positively immunostained for BMP‐2 and BMP‐4 on the experimental side (left) at 10 days. Our results also showed that even when not degraded, dentine matrix was incorporated to new bone formation after 14 days of surgery.ConclusionsThe results suggest that DHDM acts as a scaffold for osteoblast differentiation, actively yielding new bone formation, and it may represent an effective bone implant material.
Model highlights likely long‐term influences of mesobrowsers versus those of elephants on woodland dynamics
Authors: O'Kane Christopher A. J. , Duffy Kevin J. , Page Bruce R. , Macdonald David W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe potential long‐term influences of mesobrowsers versus those of savannah elephants on woodland dynamics have not been explored. This may be a critical omission especially in southern African savannahs, where efforts to preserve existing woodlands are typically directed at elephant management. We describe a simple browse–browser model, parameterized from an extensive review of the literature and our own data, including quantitative assessment of impala impact, from the study site, iMfolozi Park, South Africa. As there is a paucity of species‐specific demographic data on savannah woody species, we modelled, in a novel approach, functional groups of plant species typical of Acacia woodlands. Outputs suggest that over the long term (100 years), low‐to‐moderate densities of impala will have a similar impact on woodland structure, in terms of density of adult trees, as low‐to‐moderate densities of elephant. Further, the outputs highlight the apparently strong synergistic effect impala and elephant impacts combined have on woodland dynamics, suggesting that reduction or removal of either impala or elephant will radically reduce long‐term destruction of savannah woodlands. Recorded changes in adult tree numbers in iMfolozi broadly supported the model's outputs.