bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early administration of norepinephrine increases cardiac preload and cardiac output in septic patients with life-threatening hypotension
Authors: Hamzaoui Olfa , Georger Jean-François , Monnet Xavier , Ksouri Hatem , Maizel Julien , Richard Christian , Teboul Jean-Louis 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIntroductionWe sought to examine the cardiac consequences of early administration of norepinephrine in severely hypotensive sepsis patients hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit of a university hospital.MethodsWe included 105 septic-shock patients who already had received volume resuscitation. All received norepinephrine early because of life-threatening hypotension and the need to achieve a sufficient perfusion pressure rapidly and to maintain adequate flow. We analyzed the changes in transpulmonary thermodilution variables associated with the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) induced by norepinephrine when the achieved MAP was ≥65 mm Hg.ResultsNorepinephrine significantly increased MAP from 54 ± 8 to 76 ± 9 mm Hg, cardiac index (CI) from 3.2 ± 1.0 to 3.6 ± 1.1 L/min/m2, stroke volume index (SVI) from 34 ± 12 to 39 ± 13 ml/m2, global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) from 694 ± 148 to 742 ± 168 ml/m2, and cardiac function index (CFI) from 4.7 ± 1.5 to 5.0 ± 1.6 per min. Beneficial hemodynamic effects on CI, SVI, GEDVI, and CFI were observed in the group of 71 patients with a baseline echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >45%, as well as in the group of 34 patients with a baseline LVEF ≤45%. No change in CI, SVI, GEDVI, or CFI was observed in the 17 patients with baseline LVEF ≤45% for whom values of MAP ≥75 mm Hg were achieved with norepinephrine.ConclusionsEarly administration of norepinephrine aimed at rapidly achieving a sufficient perfusion pressure in severely hypotensive septic-shock patients is able to increase cardiac output through an increase in cardiac preload and cardiac contractility. This effect remained in patients with poor cardiac contractility except when values of MAP ≥75 mm Hg were achieved.
Improved Survival in Patients with Stage II Adrenocortical Carcinoma Followed Up Prospectively by Specialized Centers
Authors: Fassnacht Martin , Johanssen Sarah , Fenske Wiebke , Weismann Dirk , Agha Ayman , Beuschlein Felix , Führer Dagmar , Jurowich Christian , Quinkler Marcus , Petersenn Stephan , Spahn Martin , Hahner Stefanie , Allolio Bruno ,   on behalf of the German ACC Registry Group, Führer-Sakel Dagmar 
Published: July 2010

Context: Median survival in stage II adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) differs widely in published series ranging between 23 and more than 60 months. We hypothesized that these results may have been affected by a referral bias because many patients may contact specialized centers only after recurrence.
Objective: The objective of the study was a comparison of outcome in patients with stage II ACC who were followed up prospectively early after surgery and were counseled by a specialized center (prospective group) with patients who registered with the German ACC registry later than 4 months after diagnosis (retrospective group).
Patients/Methods: The study was a cohort analysis in 149 adult patients with stage II ACC.
Results: Patients who were followed up prospectively (n = 30) had a lower recurrence rate and a superior 5-yr survival compared with the 119 patients in the retrospective group (30 vs. 74%, P &lt; 0.01 and 96 vs. 55%, P &lt; 0.05, respectively). In the retrospective group, 67% of the patients had registered only after disease recurrence. In the remaining patients, the recurrence rate was low (21%), and the 5-yr survival was greater than 95%. More patients in the prospective group received adjuvant mitotane (53 vs. 16%, P &lt; 0.001), and adjuvant mitotane was associated with improved survival [hazard risk 0.35 (95% confidence interval 0.13–0.97); P = 0.04]. However, the survival advantage was maintained when only patients without mitotane therapy were analyzed.
Conclusions: Patients who are followed up prospectively after surgery for stage II ACC and receive early specialized care have a much better prognosis than previously reported due to a major referral bias in previous series and use of adjuvant mitotane. These findings will impact on the perception of prognosis in newly diagnosed stage II ACC.
Spurious increase in serum chromogranin A: the role of heterophilic antibodies
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Ceriani Luca 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground:The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of heterophilic antibody (HAb) interference on serum chromogranin A (CgA) measurements.Methods:Serum CgA was measured in 672 serum samples before and following incubation in heterophilic antibody blocking tubes (HBTs). Results showing more than 3 and 5 SD percentage difference from the original result were considered to be affected by possible or definite HAb interference, respectively. All possible interferences were confirmed or excluded by non-linear or linear dilution tests.Results:Following HBT treatment, CgA concentrations fell >3 SD percent compared with the original result in seven specimens, six of which also showed non-linear dilution (0.9%). A clinically relevant increase in serum CgA occurred in five patients (0.7%). No samples showed a significant increase of >3 SD percent following HBT treatment.Conclusions:Interference from HAb occurred in up to 0.9% of sera tested for serum CgA. If an increased CgA result does not fit the clinical picture, pretreatment of serum in HBT tubes may prevent unwarranted investigations or therapies.Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1497–9.
Investigation on wax-impregnated wood. Part 2: Study of void spaces filled with air by He pycnometry, Hg intrusion porosimetry, and 3D X-ray imaging
Authors: Scholz Gunthard , Zauer Mario , Van den Bulcke Jan , Van Loo Denis , Pfriem Alexander , Van Acker Joris , Militz Holger 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The quantification of wax and remaining voids filled with air in wax-treated wood has not been described in detail in the literature, although such products are commercially available. In this paper, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) samples were impregnated with a hot melting amide wax and characterized. The apparent densities were measured with helium pycnometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The pore size distribution was determined by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry and samples were visualized with 3D X-ray tomography. The remaining void spaces were calculated based on the data of all three methods. The apparent densities range from 1.18 to 1.19 g cm-3 for treated pine and from 1.21 to 1.23 g cm-3 for treated beech. As a result of the wax impregnation, the pore volume decreases from 65–68% to 12–13% for pine and from 53–58% to 7–9% for beech. The pore size distribution shifts to smaller pores. The amount of the micropores measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry is overestimated. On the one hand, blocked large pores are compressed by the movement of wax deposits under high pressure during the mercury intrusion porosimetry (“movement-effect”). On the other hand, large pores remain inaccessible or are only accessible via smaller openings (“bottle-neck-effect”). Non-invasive 3D X-ray imaging detects such macropores but the size of the detected pores is limited by the given resolution of the method. Therefore, mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray tomography are complementary techniques.
Analysis of water vapour sorption of oleo-thermal modified wood of Acacia mangium and Endospermum malaccense by a parallel exponential kinetics model and according to the Hailwood-Horrobin model
Authors: Jalaludin Zaihan , Hill Callum A.S. , Samsi Hashim W. , Husain Hamdan , Xie Yanjun 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Two Malaysian hardwoods, acacia (Acacia mangium Wild.) and sesendok (Endospermum malaccense Bent. ex Müll. Arg.) that had been previously subjected to oleo-thermal modification, were studied to determine their dynamic sorption kinetic behaviour. All specimens were thermally modified in palm oil at 180°C, 200°C, and 220°C and 3 h treatment time. Data were analysed using the parallel exponential kinetics (PEK) model, and excellent fits to the experimental data were obtained. The relation between the monolayer water and polylayer water was also examined by the Hailwood-Horrobin (H-H) model at a range of relative humidity (RH) values. The PEK model divides the sorption kinetics curve into a fast and slow sorption processes. Characteristic times of the two processes at various RH showed sorption hysteresis with all of the specimens only in the slow process. However, with mass change data, sorption hysteresis occurred with both the slow and fast processes. By comparing H-H and PEK models, it was found that the fast and slow sorption process of untreated and treated E.
malaccense could possibly be linked, respectively, to monolayer and polylayer formation from 5 to 40% RH. No such correlation was found for A. mangium, however.
Spray Drift Reduction Evaluations of Spray Nozzles Using a Standardized Testing Protocol
Authors: Hoffmann W. Clint , Fritz Bradley K. , Thornburg Jonathan W. , Bagley W. E. , Birchfield Norman B. , Ellenberger Jay 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe development and testing of drift reduction technologies (DRTs) have come to the forefront of application research in the past few years in the United States. DRTs can be spray nozzles, sprayer modifications, spray delivery assistance, spray property modifiers (adjuvants), and/or landscape modifications. A protocol for testing DRTs in high speed wind tunnels has been previously reported and was expanded to test spray nozzles. This manuscript reports on the initial implementation of the DRT program for conducting DRT evaluations of three spray nozzles under high speed conditions (i.e.,45–65 m/s (100–140 mph)), which are relevant to the aerial application of crop production and protection materials. The spray nozzles were evaluated in the USDA-Agriculture Research Service High Speed Wind Tunnel facility. The droplet size of each of the nozzles with different airspeeds, spray pressures, and orientation was measured with a Sympatec Helos laser diffraction instrument. The droplet size spectra for each test were input in a spray dispersion model (AGDISP), which calculates the downwind drift expected from a typical aerial application scenario. As compared to the reference nozzle, the three spray nozzles reduced spray drift by 70–84 % as compared to the reference nozzle. The nozzles generated spray droplets with volume median diameters 60–80 μm larger than the reference nozzle. One of the aerial application industry’s best management practices (BMPs) is to not spray directly on the downwind edge of a field. The spray swath near this edge is moved upwind (i.e., offset) by 1/2 to 1 swath width. When this BMP was combined with the drift reductions from the spray nozzles, the amount of drift reduction was slightly increased; however, application efficiencies increased to 93–96 %. These results demonstrate the possibility of combining multiple drift reduction techniques and technologies to greatly reduce spray drift.
Longitudinal Changes in Pulmonary Function of Asbestos Workers
Authors: Wang Xiaorong , Wang Mianzhen , Qiu Hong , Yu Ignatius , Yano Eiji 
Published: July 2010

Longitudinal Changes in Pulmonary Function of Asbestos Workers: Xiaorong Wang, et al. School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, ChinaObjectiveTo observe the longitudinal changes in pulmonary function associated with exposure to asbestos in a group of highly exposed workers.MethodsPulmonary diffusing capacity (DLco) and spirometry of 243 Chinese asbestos workers were measured and remeasured after 5 and 10 yr. Their annual changes in relation to cumulative asbestos exposure and asbestosis were determined using multivariate analysis.ResultsThe greatest annual decline was observed in DLco, particularly in workers with asbestosis, followed by FVC and FEV1. A greater decline in DLco accorded with a higher level of cumulative asbestos exposure. A similar trend was also seen in FVC, in which the highest exposure level was associated with 223 ml loss over each 5 yr period or 45 ml/yr.ConclusionsThere were substantial declines in DLco and FVC over time in the asbestos workers, and a dose‐response trend between asbestos exposure and accelerating functional loss.
A Safety and Survival Analysis of Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab with Standard Chemoradiation in a Phase I/II Study Compared with Standard Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Willett Christopher G. , Duda Dan G. , Ancukiewicz Marek , Shah Mira , Czito Brian G. , Bentley Rex , Poleski Martin , Fujita Hiroshi , Lauwers Gregory Y. , Carroll Madeline , Tyler Douglas , Mantyh Christopher , Shellito Paul , Chung Daniel C. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Jain Rakesh K. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Introduction.
Bevacizumab is increasingly being tested with neoadjuvant regimens in patients with localized cancer, but its effects on metastasis and survival remain unknown. This study examines the long-term outcome of clinical stage II/III rectal cancer patients treated in a prospective phase II study of bevacizumab with chemoradiation and surgery. As a benchmark, we used data from an analysis of 42 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with a contemporary approach of preoperative fluoropyrimidine-based radiation therapy.

Materials and Methods.
Outcome analyses were performed on 32 patients treated prospectively with neoadjuvant bevacizumab, 5-fluorouracil, radiation therapy, and surgery as well as 42 patients treated with standard fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiation.

Results.
Overall survival, disease-free survival, and local control showed favorable trends in patients treated with bevacizumab with chemoradiation followed by surgery. Acute and postoperative toxicity appeared acceptable.

Conclusions.
Neoadjuvant bevacizumab with standard chemoradiation and surgery shows promising long-term efficacy and safety profiles in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.
The Use of Small Silos to Determine Dry Matter Losses during Ensiling1
Authors: Allred K. R. , Kennedy W. K. 
Published: July 2010

SynopsisSmall experimental silos provided a means of comparing 8 preservatives for succulent forage on the basis of reduced losses of juice and total dry matter. It appeared that wilting immature forage before ensiling is more economical than any preservatives now available to farmers.
Genetic Studies of Resistance to Helminthosporium turcicum in Maize by Means of Chromosomal Translocations
Authors: Jenkins Merle T. , Robert Alice L. , Findley William R. 
Published: July 2010

SynopsisReciprocal translocations were utilized to identify the chromosome arms associated with resistance to the leaf blight caused by Helminthosporium turcicum. Tests involving resistant Mo21A indicated 8 arms of this inbred line were associated with resistance and 2 associated with susceptibility. The short arm of chromosome 1 was associated with resistance in some tests and susceptibility in others. Resistance was associated with 6 chromosome arms in tests with the resistant line NC34.
Effect of Weather Factors on the Kernel Moisture of a Standing Crop of Wheat1
Authors: Dodds M. E. , Pelton W. L. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe rate of reduction of kernel moisture in a standing crop of wheat between the physiologic and harvest stages of maturity was influenced by the vapor pressure deficit of the air, hours of sunshine, evaporation, and wind. The date when the crop reached the physiologic stage of maturity varied from year to year and was related to the available soil moisture at the time of seeding and rainfall during the growing season.
Interrelation of Carbohydrate Metabolism, Seedling Development, and Seedling Growth Rate of Several Species of Phalaris1
Authors: Derwyn R. , Whalley B. , McKell Cyrus M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPhalaris tuberosa var. stenoptera, P. tuberosa var. hirtiglumis, and P. coerulescens are reported to differ significantly in their degree of seedling vigor during plant establishment. To determine the relationship of carbohydrate metabolism to seedling growth and development, seeds of each species and variety were analyzed for starch, total sugars, reducing sugars, and nonreducing sugars during the first 15 days after initiation of germination in the dark. Seedling growth during the same period was also observed.Seedling growth in P. coerulescens was greater and more rapid than in the other two species. Radicle emergence in all species was closely associated with a rapid rise in sugar content. Seedling growth in the dark continued after starch exhaustion, but declined as the sugar levels in the seedlings decreased.Seedling growth rate is an important part of seedling vigor. Evidence is presented which suggests that the growth rate of hardinggrass seedlings is limited by the ability of the seedlings to use the sugars supplied by the endosperm. With perlagrass and Phalaris coerulescens, the limit appears to be in the ability of the endosperm to supply sugars.
Growth and Yield of Maize as Affected by Early‐Season Defoliation1
Authors: Johnson R. R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractComplete defoliation of maize (Zea mays L.) at the five‐leaf stage has been reported to increase the grain yield of early‐season hybrids in the northern U.S. corn belt while similar treatments have generally reduced yields of full‐season hybrids. The objective of this study was to extend this research to the central corn belt by measuring the effect of defoliation at the five‐leaf stage on grain yield of maize hybrids differing in maturity. Yield responses were related to growth characteristics. Field experiments conducted at two Illinois locations during a 2‐year period indicated that defoliation reduced average grain yields 10 to 13% regardless of maturity class. Defoliation also reduced plant height, leaf number, leaf area, and percentage grain protein. Defoliation delayed pollen shed and silking but did not change the pollen shed to silking interval. In some experiments lower grain yields from defoliation were associated with a slight decrease in plant population, but reduced ear size was the primary factor causing the decreases in yields. Reduced leaf area probably decreased the supply of photosynthate resulting in smaller ear weight.
Response of Sugarcane to Silicate Source and Rate. II. Leaf Freckling and Nutrient Content1
Authors: Elawad S. H. , Street J. J. , Gascho G. J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSugarcane (a complex trispecies hybrid of Saccharum is one of the few agronomic crops known to be responsive to silicon. Field experiments were conducted on a Pahokee muck soil (euic, hyperthermic Lithic Medisaprist) to evaluate the effects of silicate sources and rates on the incidence of leaf freckling and chemical composition of sugarcane. Data were collected from the initial planting and the subsequent ratoon crop of variety ‘C.P. 63‐588.’ Application of silicate materials increased leaf chlorophyll and decreased leaf freckling in both crops. Application of 15 metric tons/ha of silicates increased leaf chlorophyll by 78 and 65%, and decreased leaf freckling by 46 and 41% in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. Although there was no significant difference among the silicate materials in the plant crop, Florida slag increased leaf chlorophyll and decreased leaf freckling more than TVA slag and cement in the ratoon crop. Application of silicate materials increased the levels of Si, P, Ca, and Cu, and reduced the levels of N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the leaf. Florida slag increased Si and P in the leaf more than the other two materials. Silicate materials also increased soil pH, soil Si, soil P, soil Ca, and soil Mg. Florida slag and TVA slag increased soil P more than cement, whereas cement increased soil pH more than either slag. The increase in leaf P is attributed to the amount and solubility of P applied and not to any solubilization of soil P by silicates.
Effects of Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulfur on Alfalfa Nitrogen‐Fixation under Field Conditions2
Authors: Collins Michael , Lang D. J. , Kelling K. A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe influence of P, K, and S on symbiotic fixation of N2 in alfalfa nodules under field conditions is not well documented, even though through this mechanism shoot yield may be limited. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of P, K, and S fertilization on alfalfa shoot yield, nodule numbers, and N2‐fixation as estimated by acetylene reduction by taking core samples (80 mm diam) at two sampling times at two locations (a silt loam and a loamy sand soil). Potassium fertilization increased shoot weight per plant, nodule number per core, and N2‐fixation rate at both locations more than the other nutrients studied. Shoot weight per plant increased 166% on the silt loam soil and 178% on the sandy soil with the addition of 448 kg K ha−1. Phosphorus fertilization also increased shoot weight at both sites but less than did K fertilization. Addition of P and S increased nodule numbers on the sandy soil but not on the silt loam soil. Nitrogen‐fixation rate was increased by 2.8 fold with the addition of 224 kg K ha−1 on the sandy soil and 1.7 fold on the silt loam soil. Increased N2‐fixation resulted from K fertilization only when P was added to the silt loam soil. Phosphorus addition increased nodule numbers and N2‐fixation only on the sandy soil. The presence of a K ✕ S interaction for N2‐fixation but not for shoot weight or nodule number per core indicates that some differences in fertility response exist between N2‐fixation and other variables, even though all tend to be positively correlated. Sulfur fertilization had no effect on shoot weight but increased nodule numbers in alfalfa grown on sandy soil.
Yield and Persistence of Tall Fescue in the Southeastern Coastal Plain after Removal of Its Endophyte
Authors: Bouton J. H. , Gates R. N. , Belesky D. P. , Owsley M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe coastal plain of the southeastern USA lacks a dependable perennial cool season forage crop, but tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) germplasms have been developed which show greater persistence and yield than currently marketed cultivars in this region. Since these germplasms were found to be infected with the tall fescue endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum Morgan‐Jones and Gams), the contribution of the endophyte to their performance was unknown. The objective of this study was to compare yield and stand survival of endophyte‐infected (El) and endophyte‐free (EF) (achieved by removal of its endophyte) versions of four persistent germplasms (GA‐5, GA‐Jesup, GA‐Jesup Improved, and GA‐Ecotype KY31) in clipped small plots at three locations in Georgia (Americus and Tifton in the coastal plain and Watkinsville located in the fescue growing area of the southern piedmont region) for a 3‐yr period. The El version of each germplasm showed greater stand survival and yield than its EF version at Americus and Tifton, but no differences were recorded for infection status for the same parameters at Watkinsville. These findings indicate that endophyte removal greatly reduces the ecological fitness of tall fescue by possibly allowing less tolerance to summer drought. Presently, only El tall fescue can be dependably recommended for perennial pasture in the southeastern coastal plain.