bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Course of 822 Children with Prenatally Detected Nephrouropathies
Authors: Quirino Isabel G. , Diniz Jose Silverio S. , Bouzada Maria Candida F. , Pereira Alamanda K. , Lopes Thais J. , Paixão Gabriela M. , Barros Natalia N. , Figueiredo Luisa C. , Cabral Antonio Carlos V. , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina , Oliveira Eduardo A. 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
With the advent of fetal screening ultrasonography, the detection of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in utero has permitted early management of these conditions. This study aims to describe the clinical course of a large cohort of patients with prenatally detected nephrouropathies.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
In this retrospective cohort study, 822 patients were prenatally diagnosed with CAKUT and systematically followed up at a tertiary Renal Unit for a median time of 43 months. Variables included in the analysis were sex, laterality, fetal ultrasonography (isolated versus associated hydronephrosis), and presence/absence of nephrouropathies. The events of interest were urinary tract infection, surgical interventions, hypertension, CKD, and death. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate time until occurrence of the events of interest.

Results
Urinary tract infection occurred in 245 (29.8%) children, with higher risk in females (hazard ratio=1.30, 95% confidence interval=1.02–1.70, P=0.05); 22 patients (2.7%) had hypertension, and 49 (6%) patients developed CKD. The risk of CKD was greater in patients with associated hydronephrosis (hazard ratio=5.20, 95% confidence interval=2.90–9.30, P<0.001). Twelve patients (1.5%) died during follow-up. Death was significantly associated with being born during the first period of the study (hazard ratio=6.00, 95% confidence interval=1.60–22.50, P<0.001), associated hydronephrosis (hazard ratio=9.30, 95% confidence interval=2.90–29.30, P<0.001), and CKD (hazard ratio=170.00, 95% confidence interval=41.00–228.00, P<0.001).

Conclusions
In our series, the clinical course of prenatally detected CAKUT was heterogeneous, and those infants with associated hydronephrosis at baseline were identified as a high-risk subgroup.
Ergocalciferol Supplementation in Children with CKD Delays the Onset of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Shroff Rukshana , Wan Mandy , Gullett Ambrose , Ledermann Sarah , Shute Rachel , Knott Craig , Wells David , Aitkenhead Helen , Manickavasagar Bahee , van’t Hoff William , Rees Lesley 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Vitamin D deficiency is an important contributor to the development of hyperparathyroidism and is independently associated with cardiovascular and bone disease. The hypothesis was that nutritional vitamin D (ergocalciferol) supplementation in children with CKD stages 2–4 delays the onset of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in children with CKD2–4 who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency was conducted. Ergocalciferol (or a matched placebo) was given daily as per Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. The primary endpoint was the time to development of hyperparathyroidism.

Results
Seventy-two children were screened. Forty-seven children were 25(OH)D-deficient and randomly assigned to receive ergocalciferol or placebo. Twenty children in each arm completed the study; median follow-up was 12 months. Groups were well matched for age, race, estimated GFR, and season when recruited. Nine of 20 children on placebo and 3 of 20 children on ergocalciferol developed hyperparathyroidism (odds ratio, 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–21.00). The time to development of hyperparathyroidism was significantly longer with ergocalciferol treatment compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.93, P=0.05). With ergocalciferol treatment, normal 25(OH)D levels were achieved in all 8 children with CKD2, 8 of 11 children with CKD3, but not in the single patient with CKD4. There were no ergocalciferol-related adverse events. 25(OH)D levels >100 nmol/L were required to achieve normal levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Conclusions
Ergocalciferol is an effective treatment that delays the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with CKD2–3.
Risks of Subsequent Hospitalization and Death in Patients with Kidney Disease
Authors: Daratha Kenn B. , Short Robert A. , Corbett Cynthia F. , Ring Michael E. , Alicic Radica , Choka Randall , Tuttle Katherine R. 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Rates of hospitalization are known to be high in patients with kidney disease. However, ongoing risks of subsequent hospitalization and mortality are uncertain. The primary objective was to evaluate patients with kidney disease for long-term risks of subsequent hospitalization, including admissions resulting in death.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Patients hospitalized in Washington State between April of 2006 and December of 2008 who survived to discharge (n=676,343) were classified by International Classification of Disease codes into CKD (n=27,870), dialysis (n=6131), kidney transplant (n=1100), and reference (n=641,242) cohorts. Cox proportional hazard models controlling for age, sex, payer, comorbidity, previous hospitalization, primary diagnosis category, and length of stay were conducted for time to event analyses.

Results
Compared with the reference cohort, risks for subsequent hospitalization were increased in the CKD (hazard ratio=1.20, 99% confidence interval=1.18–1.23, P<0.001), dialysis (hazard ratio=1.76, 99% confidence interval=1.69–1.83, P<0.001), and kidney transplant (hazard ratio=1.85, 99% confidence interval=1.68–2.03, P<0.001) cohorts, with a mean follow-up time of 29 months. Similarly, risks for fatal hospitalization were increased for patients in the CKD (hazard ratio=1.41, 99% confidence interval=1.34–1.49, P<0.001), dialysis (hazard ratio=3.04, 99% confidence interval=2.78–3.31, P<0.001), and kidney transplant (hazard ratio=2.25, 99% confidence interval=1.67–3.03, P<0.001) cohorts. Risks for hospitalization and fatal hospitalization increased in a graded manner by CKD stage.

Conclusions
Risks of subsequent hospitalization, including admission resulting in death, among patients with kidney disease were substantially increased in a large statewide population. Patients with kidney disease should be a focus of efforts to reduce hospitalizations and mortality.
Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents and Quality of a Patient’s Life
Authors: Kliger Alan S. , Fishbane Steven , Finkelstein Fredric O. 
Published: January 2012

Summary
Erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) such as erythropoietin have been used for decades to treat the anemia of CKD. Clinical practice guidelines suggest target hemoglobin levels >10 g/dl, and average Hb levels have risen from 9.6 to 12.0 g/dl. Several studies have shown trends for higher mortality and myocardial infarction, higher BP, increased vascular access thrombosis, and strokes in patients treated to target Hb ≥13 g/dl. Patients with profound anemia suffer from symptoms of fatigue, poor energy, weakness, and shortness of breath. Such symptoms reported directly by patients, or patient-reported outcomes (PROs), may be a valuable tool to target ESA treatment in anemic CKD patients. Studies show that improvements in anemia correlate with improvements in these PRO domains in some individuals. We propose that instead of Hb targets for all patients, treatment of anemia should be directed toward improving the areas of patient-perceived quality of life most affected by anemia. PROs can be used by individual patients to prioritize the risks and benefits of ESA treatment. Patients, along with their physicians, can examine Hb level in the context of patients’ perception of their quality of life and use ESAs judiciously to improve these perceptions.
Mortality After Incident Cancer in People With and Without Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Currie Craig J. , Poole Chris D. , Jenkins-Jones Sara , Gale Edwin A.M. , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Morgan Christopher Ll. 
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE
Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer and with reduced survival after cancer diagnosis. We examined the hypotheses that survival after a diagnosis of solid-tumor cancer is reduced in those with diabetes when compared with those without diabetes, and that treatment with metformin influences survival after cancer diagnosis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Data were obtained from &gt;350 U.K. primary care practices in a retrospective cohort study. All individuals with or without diabetes who developed a first tumor after January 1990 were identified and records were followed to December 2009. Diabetes was further stratified by treatment regimen. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare all-cause mortality from all cancers and from specific cancers.

RESULTS
Of 112,408 eligible individuals, 8,392 (7.5%) had type 2 diabetes. Cancer mortality was increased in those with diabetes, compared with those without (hazard ratio 1.09 [95% CI 1.06–1.13]). Mortality was increased in those with breast (1.32 [1.17–1.49]) and prostate cancer (1.19 [1.08–1.31]) but decreased in lung cancer (0.84 [0.77–0.92]). When analyzed by diabetes therapy, mortality was increased relative to nondiabetes in those on monotherapy with sulfonylureas (1.13 [1.05–1.21]) or insulin (1.13 [1.01–1.27]) but reduced in those on metformin monotherapy (0.85 [0.78–0.93]).

CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed that type 2 diabetes was associated with poorer prognosis after incident cancer, but that the association varied according to diabetes therapy and cancer site. Metformin was associated with survival benefit both in comparison with other treatments for diabetes and in comparison with a nondiabetic population.
Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Are the Criteria Proposed by the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Cost-Effective?
Authors: Werner Erika F. , Pettker Christian M. , Zuckerwise Lisa , Reel Michael , Funai Edmund F. , Henderson Janice , Thung Stephen F. 
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE
The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) recently recommended new criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study was undertaken to determine whether adopting the IADPSG criteria would be cost-effective, compared with the current standard of care.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We developed a decision analysis model comparing the cost-utility of three strategies to identify GDM: 1) no screening, 2) current screening practice (1-h 50-g glucose challenge test between 24 and 28 weeks followed by 3-h 100-g glucose tolerance test when indicated), or 3) screening practice proposed by the IADPSG. Assumptions included that 1) women diagnosed with GDM received additional prenatal monitoring, mitigating the risks of preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and birth injury; and 2) GDM women had opportunity for intensive postdelivery counseling and behavior modification to reduce future diabetes risks. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

RESULTS
Our model demonstrates that the IADPSG recommendations are cost-effective only when postdelivery care reduces diabetes incidence. For every 100,000 women screened, 6,178 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) are gained, at a cost of $125,633,826. The ICER for the IADPSG strategy compared with the current standard was $20,336 per QALY gained. When postdelivery care was not accomplished, the IADPSG strategy was no longer cost-effective. These results were robust in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS
The IADPSG recommendation for glucose screening in pregnancy is cost-effective. The model is most sensitive to the likelihood of preventing future diabetes in patients identified with GDM using postdelivery counseling and intervention.
Red blood cell shape and deformability in the context of the functional evolution of its membrane structure
Authors: Svetina Saša 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIt is proposed that it is possible to identify some of the problems that had to be solved in the course of evolution for the red blood cell (RBC) to achieve its present day effectiveness, by studying the behavior of systems featuring different, partial characteristics of its membrane. The appropriateness of the RBC volume to membrane area ratio for its circulation in the blood is interpreted on the basis of an analysis of the shape behavior of phospholipid vesicles. The role of the membrane skeleton is associated with preventing an RBC from transforming into a budded shape, which could form in its absence due to curvature-dependent transmembrane protein-membrane interaction. It is shown that, by causing the formation of echinocytes, the skeleton also acts protectively when, in vesicles with a bilayer membrane, the budded shapes would form due to increasing difference between the areas of their outer and inner layers.
Ultrathin functional films of titanium(IV) oxide
Authors: Kluson Petr , Kment Stepan , Morozova Magdalena , Dytrych Pavel , Hejda Stanislav , Slater Morwenna , Hubicka Zdenek , Krysa Josef 
Published: January 2012

AbstractChemistry and physics of thin semiconducting layers of various types are subjects of intense research. Especially when nanotechnology methods such as self-assembly are involved, amazing structural and/or functional properties may appear. Also modern physical methods using variously organized plasma arrangements are able to produce uniform structures with distinctive functionality. In this review, based virtually on our own work, discussions on the preparation, structure, morphology, and function of titanium(IV) oxide nanoscopic thin films are presented. It was shown that structurally and functionally similar titanium(IV) oxide films can be prepared via completely different preparation techniques. Function tests were arranged as “primary”, covering the assessment of the light induced charge separation efficiency, and “secondary”, based on photocatalytic surface oxidations.
Mathematical model of aerobic stabilization of old landfills
Authors: Slezak Radoslaw , Krzystek Liliana , Ledakowicz Stanisław 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA short-term aerobic stabilization of digested waste in the final methane phase was studied. The effect of aeration rate on the reduction of leachate parameters and on the rate of CO2 production and O2 assimilation was investigated. Experimental simulation of aerobic landfill stabilization was carried out using lysimeters. When testing the effect of aeration rate on the reduction of leachate indices (BOD5, COD, N-NH4+), it was reported that the most significant reduction was obtained at the highest rate of aeration and the smallest reduction of leachate indices was attained not at the lowest but at medium aeration rates. Both the rate of CO2 production and the O2 assimilation reached their highest values in the lysimeters aerated at a high rate of aeration. The proposed mathematical model which consists of a system of five differential equations describing CO2 production, O2 assimilation and the changes of organic carbon content in the leachate correspond well with the experimental data.
Investigation of kinetics of anaerobic digestion of Canary grass
Authors: Kacprzak Anna , Krzystek Liliana , Paździor Katarzyna , Ledakowicz Stanisław 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe most promising technology to generate energy is the production of biogas from agricultural feedstock. This technology allows obtaining high biogas yields per hectare. Biogas of high methane content can be produced from various kinds of energy crops, animal manure, and other organic waste. This paper presents results of both biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay of Canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) and its anaerobic co-digestion with cheese whey and glycerin fraction in a large laboratory scale as well as the kinetics of both co-digestion and digestion of Canary grass alone. The suggested mathematical description of the anaerobic co-digestion process gave satisfying conformity with the experimental data.
Controlling the magnetorheological suspension of a vehicle seat including the biomechanics of the driver
Authors: Gągorowski Andrzej 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This paper presents an original approach to the problem of controlling a magnetorheological suspension of a driver’s seat for optimal reduction of whole-body vibration. The concept consists in taking into consideration the individual personal features (biomechanical parameters) of the driver in the control process of a MR damper by using human generated signals. The proposed algorithm enables the adaptation of the suspension for an individual driver and specific road conditions. The actual research has focused on numerical simulations with a complex model of the human-seat-vehicle system. The human model representing a specific driver has been described by several biomechanical parameters such as masses of body structures, moments of inertia, and stiffness and damping of the spine, intervertebral discs, spinal muscles and ligaments.
Heat stress effects on farrowing rate in sows: Genetic parameter estimation using within-line and crossbred models1
Authors: Bloemhof S. , Kause A. , Knol E. F. , Van Arendonk J.A.M. , Misztal I. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe pork supply chain values steady and undisturbed piglet production. Fertilization and maintaining gestation in warm and hot climates is a challenge that can be potentially improved by selection. The objective of this study was to estimate 1) genetic variation for farrowing rate of sows in 2 dam lines and their reciprocal cross; 2) genetic variation for farrowing rate heat tolerance, which can be defined as the random regression slope of farrowing rate against increasing temperature at day of insemination, and the genetic correlation between farrowing rate and heat tolerance; 3) genetic correlation between farrowing rate in purebreds and crossbreds; and 4) genetic correlation between heat tolerance in purebreds and crossbreds. The estimates were based on 93,969 first insemination records per cycle from 24,456 sows inseminated between January 2003 and July 2008. These sows originated from a Dutch purebred Yorkshire dam line (D), an International purebred Large White dam line (ILW), and from their reciprocal crosses (RC) raised in Spain and Portugal. Within-line and crossbred models were used for variance component estimation. Heritability estimates for farrowing rate were 0.06, 0.07, and 0.02 using within-line models for D, ILW, and RC, respectively, and 0.07, 0.07, and 0.10 using the crossbred model, respectively. For farrowing rate, purebred-crossbred genetic correlations were 0.57 between D and RC and 0.50 between ILW and RC. When including heat tolerance in the within-line model, heritability estimates for farrowing rate were 0.05, 0.08, and 0.03 for D, ILW, and RC, respectively. Heritability for heat tolerance at 29.3°C was 0.04, 0.02, and 0.05 for D, ILW, and RC, respectively. Genetic correlations between farrowing rate and heat tolerance tended to be negative in crossbreds and ILW-line sows, implying selection for increased levels of production traits, such as growth and reproductive output, is likely to increase environmental sensitivity. This study shows that genetic selection for farrowing rate and heat tolerance is possible. However, when this selection is based solely on purebred information, the expected genetic progress on farrowing rate and heat tolerance in crossbreds (commercial animals) would be inconsequential.
Development of 15 novel microsatellite markers from cellulose synthase genes in Populus tomentosa (Salicaceae)
Authors: Du Qing‐Zhang , Zhang De‐Qiang , Li Bai‐Lian 
Published: January 2012

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers from cellulose synthase genes were developed for the Chinese white poplar, Populus tomentosa, to investigate the genetic diversity of wild germplasm resources and to further identify favorable alleles significantly associated with wood cellulose content.• Methods and Results: Fifteen microsatellite markers were developed in P. tomentosa by deep sequencing of cellulose synthase genes. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 460 individuals from three climatic regions of P. tomentosa, and all 15 markers revealed polymorphic variation. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.3; the observed and expected heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.029 to 0.962 and from 0.051 to 0.713, respectively.• Conclusions: These polymorphic markers will potentially be useful for genetic mapping and in molecular breeding for improvement of wood fiber traits in Populus.
Next‐generation sequencing applications for wheat crop improvement
Authors: Berkman Paul J. , Lai Kaitao , Lorenc Michał T. , Edwards David 
Published: January 2012

• Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum; Poaceae) is a crop plant of great importance. It provides nearly 20% of the world's daily food supply measured by calorie intake, similar to that provided by rice. The yield of wheat has doubled over the last 40 years due to a combination of advanced agronomic practice and improved germplasm through selective breeding. More recently, yield growth has been less dramatic, and a significant improvement in wheat production will be required if demand from the growing human population is to be met.• Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are revolutionizing biology and can be applied to address critical issues in plant biology. Technologies can produce draft sequences of genomes with a significant reduction to the cost and timeframe of traditional technologies. In addition, NGS technologies can be used to assess gene structure and expression, and importantly, to identify heritable genome variation underlying important agronomic traits.• This review provides an overview of the wheat genome and NGS technologies, details some of the problems in applying NGS technology to wheat, and describes how NGS technologies are starting to impact wheat crop improvement.
Nuclear microsatellite loci for Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicaceae), a model species to study plant adaptation to heavy metals
Authors: Godé Cécile , Decombeix Isabelle , Kostecka Alicja , Wasowicz Pawel , Pauwels Maxime , Courseaux Adeline , Saumitou‐Laprade Pierre 
Published: January 2012

• Premise of the study: Arabidopsis halleri is a model species to study the adaptation of plants to soils contaminated by zinc, cadmium, and lead. To provide a neutral genetic background with which adaptive genetic markers could be compared, we developed highly polymorphic neutral microsatellite markers.• Methods and Results: Using a microsatellite‐enriched library method, we identified 120 microsatellite loci for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping analysis, of which eight primer pairs were developed in a single multiplex for population genetic studies. Analyses were performed on 508 individuals from 26 populations. All loci were polymorphic with six to 23 alleles per locus. Genetic diversity varied between 0.56 and 0.76.• Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the value of these eight microsatellite markers to investigate neutral population genetic structure in A. halleri. To increase the resolution of population genetic analyses, we suggest adding them to the 11 markers previously developed independently.