bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Search of an Optimal Bedside Screening Program for Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis
Authors: Tessitore Nicola , Bedogna Valeria , Melilli Edoardo , Millardi Deborah , Mansueto Giancarlo , Lipari Giovanni , Mantovani William , Baggio Elda , Poli Albino , Lupo Antonio 
Published: April 2011

Summary

Background and objectives:
Guidelines recommend systematically screening for stenosis using various methods, but no studies so far have compared all of the options. A prospective blinded study was performed to compare the performance of several bedside tests performed during dialysis in diagnosing angiographically proven >50% fistula stenosis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
In an unselected population of 119 hemodialysis patients with mature fistulas, physical examination (PE) was conducted; dynamic and derived static venous pressure (VAPR), blood pump flow/arterial pressure (Qb/AP) ratio, recirculation (R), and access blood flow (Qa) were measured; and angiography was performed.

Results
Angiography identified 59 stenotic fistulas: 43 stenoses were located upstream from the venous needle (inflow stenosis), 12 were located downstream (outflow stenosis), and 4 were located at both sites. The optimal tests for identifying an inflow stenosis were Qa < 650 ml/min and the combination of a positive PE “or” Qa < 650 ml/min (accuracy 80% and 81%, respectively), the latter being preferable because it was more sensitive (85% versus 65%, respectively) for a comparable specificity (79% versus 89%, respectively). The best tests for identifying outflow stenosis were PE and VAPR, with no difference between the two (accuracy 91% and 85%, sensitivity 75% and 81%, specificity 93% and 86%, respectively), the former being preferable because it was more reproducible, easier to perform, and applicable to all fistulas.

Conclusions
This study showed that fistula stenosis can be detected and located during dialysis with a moderate-to-excellent accuracy using PE and Qa measurement as screening procedures.
Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity and Rate of Renal Function Decline and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chen Szu-Chia , Chang Jer-Ming , Liu Wan-Chun , Tsai Yi-Chun , Tsai Jer-Chia , Hsu Po-Chao , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Lin Ming-Yen , Su Ho-Ming , Hwang Shang-Jyh , Chen Hung-Chun 
Published: April 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
Increased arterial stiffness was reported to be associated with decreased estimated GFR (eGFR). Previous studies suggested that arterial stiffness might play a role in renal function progression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an independent association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, and renal function progression in CKD patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This longitudinal study enrolled 145 patients with CKD stages 3 to 5. The baPWV was measured by using an ABI-form device. The change in renal function was estimated by eGFR slope. The study endpoints were defined as commencement of dialysis or death.

Results
After a stepwise multivariate analysis, the eGFR slope was positively associated with baseline eGFR and negatively associated with hypertension and baPWV (β = −0.165, P = 0.033). Seventeen patients entering dialysis, and eight deaths were recorded. Multivariate forward Cox regression analysis identified that higher baPWV (hazard ratio, 1.001; P = 0.001), lower baseline eGFR, and higher serum phosphate level were independently associated with progression to commencement of dialysis or death.

Conclusions
Our results show an independent association between baPWV and renal function decline and progression to commencement of dialysis or death in patients with CKD. Screening CKD patients by means of baPWV may help identify a high-risk group of rapid renal function decline and progression to commencing dialysis or death.
Capital Structure, Cost of Capital, and Voluntary Disclosures
Authors: Bertomeu Jeremy , Beyer Anne , Dye Ronald A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT: This paper develops a model of financing that jointly determines a firm’s capital structure, its voluntary disclosure policy, and its cost of capital. Investors who receive securities in return for supplying capital sometimes incur losses when they trade their securities with an informed trader. The firm’s disclosure policy and the structure of its securities determine the information advantage of the informed trader and, hence, the size of investors’ trading losses and the firm’s cost of capital.
We establish a hierarchy of optimal securities and disclosure policies that varies with the volatility of the firm’s cash flows. Debt securities are often optimal, with the form of debt—risk-free, investment grade, or “junk”—varying with the firm’s cash flow volatility. Though the model predicts a negative association between firms’ cost of capital and the extent of information firms disclose, more expansive voluntary disclosure does not cause firms’ cost of capital to decline. Mandatory disclosures alter firms’ voluntary disclosures, their capital structure choices, and their cost of capital.
Assessment of microcirculatory changes by use of sidestream dark field microscopy during hemorrhagic shock in dogs
Authors: Peruski Ann M. , Cooper Edward S. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To directly assess microcirculatory changes associated with induced hemorrhagic shock by use of sidestream dark field microscopy (SDM) and correlate those values with concurrently measured macrovascular and blood gas variables in healthy anesthetized dogs.
Animals—12 adult dogs.
Procedures—Dogs were anesthetized and splenectomized. Instrumentation and catheterization were performed for determination of macrohemodynamic and blood gas variables. Hemorrhagic shock was induced via controlled hemorrhage to a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 40 mm Hg. Dogs were maintained in the shock state (MAP, 35 to 45 mm Hg) for 60 minutes. An SDM device was used to image microcirculation of buccal mucosa, and vascular analysis software was used to determine microcirculatory variables. These values were compared with other cardiovascular and blood gas variables to determine correlations.
Results—Following hemorrhage, there was a significant decrease in microvascular variables (mean ± SD), including proportion of perfused vessels (82.77 ± 8.32% vs 57.21 ± 28.83%), perfused vessel density (14.86 ± 2.64 mm/m2 vs 6.66 ± 4.75 mm/m2), and microvascular flow index (2.54 ± 0.52 vs 1.59 ± 0.85). Perfused vessel density individually correlated well with macrovascular variables, with heart rate (zero order, partial correlation, and part correlation coefficients = −0.762, −0.884, and −0.793, respectively) and oxygen extraction ratio (−0.734, −0.832, and −0.746, respectively) being the most important predictors.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—SDM allowed real-time imaging of the microvasculature and has potential as an effective tool in experimental and clinical applications for monitoring microcirculatory changes associated with hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in dogs.
Determination of lying behavior patterns in healthy beef cattle by use of wireless accelerometers
Authors: Robért Bradley D. , White Brad J. , Renter David G. , Larson Robert L. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To describe daily, hourly, and animal-to-animal effects on lying behavior in steers.
Animals—25 crossbred beef steers.
Procedures—Wireless accelerometers were used to record behavioral data for cattle housed in a drylot cattle research facility during two 20-day periods (winter 2007 [n = 10 steers] and spring 2008 [15]). Behavioral data were categorized into lying, standing, and walking behaviors for each time point recorded. Logistic regression models were used to determine potential associations between the percentage of time spent lying and several factors, including time (hour) of day, day of trial, and steer.
Results—Lying behavior was significantly associated with hour of day, and a distinct circadian rhythm was identified. Steers spent > 55% of the time between 8:00 pm and 4:00 am lying and were most active (<30% lying behavior) during feeding periods (6:00 am to 7:00 am and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm). Model-adjusted mean percentage of time spent lying was significantly associated with study day and was between 45% and 55% on most (27/40 [67.5%]) days. Lying behavior varied significantly among steers, and mean ± SD percentage of time spent lying ranged from 28.9 ± 6.1 % to 66.1 ± 6.6%.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cattle had distinct circadian rhythm patterns for lying behavior, and percentage of time spent lying varied by day and among steers. Researchers need to account for factors that affect lying patterns of cattle (ie, time of day, day of trial, and individual animal) when performing research with behavioral outcomes.
Computed tomographic anatomy of the equine stifle joint
Authors: Van der Vekens Elke , Bergman Erik H. J. , Vanderperren Katrien , Raes Els V. , Puchalski Sarah M. , Bree Henri J. J. van , Saunders Jimmy H. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To provide a detailed computed tomography (CT) reference of the anatomically normal equine stifle joint.
Sample—16 hind limbs from 8 equine cadavers; no horses had evidence of orthopedic disease of the stifle joints.
Procedures—CT of the stifle joint was performed on 8 hind limbs. In all limbs, CT was also performed after intra-articular injection of 60 mL of contrast material (150 mg of iodine/mL) in the lateral and medial compartments of the femorotibial joint and 80 mL of contrast material in the femoropatellar joint (CT arthrography). Reformatted CT images in the transverse, parasagittal, and dorsal plane were matched with corresponding anatomic slices of the 8 remaining limbs.
Results—The femur, tibia, and patella were clearly visible. The patellar ligaments, common origin of the tendinous portions of the long digital extensor muscle and peroneus tertius muscle, collateral ligaments, tendinous portion of the popliteus muscle, and cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments could also be consistently evaluated. The cruciate ligaments and the meniscotibial ligaments could be completely assessed in the arthrogram sequences. Margins of the meniscofemoral ligament and the lateral and medial femoropatellar ligaments were difficult to visualize on the precontrast and postcontrast images.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—CT and CT arthrography were used to accurately identify and characterize osseous and soft tissue structures of the equine stifle joint. This technique may be of value when results from other diagnostic imaging techniques are inconclusive. The images provided will serve as a CT reference for the equine stifle joint.
Evaluation of a fibrillin 2 gene haplotype associated with hip dysplasia and incipient osteoarthritis in dogs
Authors: Friedenberg Steven G. , Zhu Lan , Zhang Zhiwu , Foels Wendy van den Berg , Schweitzer Peter A. , Wang Wei , Fisher Patricia J. , Dykes Nathan L. , Corey Elizabeth , Vernier-Singer Margaret , Jung Seung-Woo , Sheng Xihui , Hunter Linda S. , McDonough Sean P. , Lust George , Bliss Stuart P. , Krotscheck Ursula , Gunn Teresa M. , Todhunter Rory J. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether a mutation in the fibrillin 2 gene (FBN2) is associated with canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and osteoarthritis in dogs.
Animals—-1,551 dogs.
Procedures—Hip conformation was measured radiographically. The FBN2 was sequenced from genomic DNA of 21 Labrador Retrievers and 2 Greyhounds, and a haplotype in intron 30 of FBN2 was sequenced in 90 additional Labrador Retrievers and 143 dogs of 6 other breeds. Steady-state values of FBN2 mRNA and control genes were measured in hip joint tissues of fourteen 8-month-old Labrador Retriever–Greyhound crossbreeds.
Results—The Labrador Retrievers homozygous for a 10-bp deletion haplotype in intron 30 of FBN2 had significantly worse CHD as measured via higher distraction index and extended-hip joint radiograph score and a lower Norberg angle and dorsolateral subluxation score. Among 143 dogs of 6 other breeds, those homozygous for the same deletion haplotype also had significantly worse radiographic CHD. Among the 14 crossbred dogs, as the dorsolateral subluxation score decreased, the capsular FBN2 mRNA increased significantly. Those dogs with incipient hip joint osteoarthritis had significantly increased capsular FBN2 mRNA, compared with those dogs without osteoarthritis. Dogs homozygous for the FBN2 deletion haplotype had significantly less FBN2 mRNA in their femoral head articular cartilage.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The FBN2 deletion haplotype was associated with CHD. Capsular gene expression of FBN2 was confounded by incipient secondary osteoarthritis in dysplastic hip joints. Genes influencing complex traits in dogs can be identified by genome-wide screening, fine mapping, and candidate gene screening.
Fluorophotometric and tonometric evaluation of ocular effects following aqueocentesis performed with needles of various sizes in dogs
Authors: Allbaugh Rachel A. , Roush James K. , Rankin Amy J. , Davidson Harriet J. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To measure ocular effects (blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and intraocular pressure [IOP]) following aqueocentesis performed with needles of various sizes in dogs.
Animals—28 healthy adult dogs.
Procedures—24 dogs underwent unilateral aqueocentesis (24 treated eyes and 24 contra-lateral untreated eyes); 25-, 27-, or 30-gauge needles were used in 3 treatment groups (n = 8/group). Four dogs were untreated controls. Aqueocentesis was performed during sedation and topical anesthesia. Anterior chamber fluorophotometry was performed before and after aqueocentesis on day 1. On days 2 through 5, sedation and fluorophotometry were repeated. Intraocular pressure was measured with a rebound tonometer at multiple time points.
Results—Aqueocentesis resulted in blood-aqueous barrier breakdown detected via fluorophotometry in all treated eyes, with barrier reestablishment by day 5. On day 2, the contralateral untreated eyes of all 3 groups also had significantly increased fluorescence. Use of a 25-gauge needle resulted in a significant increase in treated eyes' anterior chamber fluorescence on days 3 and 5 as well as a significant increase in IOP 20 minutes following aqueocentesis, compared with the other treatment groups.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Aqueocentesis performed with a 25-gauge needle resulted in the greatest degree of blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and a brief state of intraocular hypertension. Use of a 27- or 30-gauge needle is recommended for aqueous paracentesis. A consensual ocular reaction appeared to occur in dogs following unilateral traumatic blood-aqueous barrier breakdown and may be of clinical importance.
Effect of intravenous administration of dextrose on coagulation in healthy dogs
Authors: Gonzales Jennifer L. , Hanel Rita M. , Hansen Bernie D. , Marks Steve L. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To investigate effects of IV administration of dextrose on coagulation in healthy dogs.
Animals—7 dogs.
Procedures—Thromboelastography and coagulation panel analysis were used to assess coagulation. Samples (S1 through S9) were collected during the study phases: phase 0 (S1 [baseline]); phase 1 (S2 and S3), infusion of crystalloid fluid without dextrose; phase 2 (S4 and S5), high-rate dextrose infusion; phase 3 (S6, S7, and S8), moderate-rate dextrose infusion; and phase 4 (S9), discontinuation of fluids for 24 hours. In phase 3, dogs were allocated to 2 groups; 1 was administered dextrose at a rate comparable to total parental nutrition (40% of resting energy requirement; group A), and 1 was administered dextrose at rates equaling 70% to 90% of resting energy requirement (group B). Blood glucose concentration was measured every 2 hours.
Results—No dogs had clinically relevant sustained hyperglycemia. Maximum amplitude and elastic shear modulus were significantly lower at S6 than at S1 through S4. Concentration of D-dimer was significantly higher at S6 than at S1, S3, and S4 and significantly higher at S5 than at S3. Prothrombin time was significantly prolonged at S3, S5, S7, S8, and S9, compared with the value at S1. Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged at S5 and S6, compared with values at S1, S2, S3, S4, and S9.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—IV administration of dextrose to healthy dogs at rates comparable to or higher than those for conventional parenteral nutrition resulted in mild but clinically unimportant interference with coagulation.
Evaluation of the effects of bovine hemoglobin glutamer-200 on systolic arterial blood pressure in hypotensive cats: 44 cases (1997–2008)
Authors: Wehausen Conni E. , Kirby Rebecca , Rudloff Elke 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Objective—To determine effects of bovine hemoglobin glutamer-200 (Hb-200) solution on systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) in hypotensive cats and describe potential adverse effects associated with this treatment.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—44 cats.
Procedures—Medical records of hypotensive (Doppler SAP ≤ 80 mm Hg) cats that received Hb-200 treatment were reviewed. Volume and rate of Hb-200 administration, treatments for hypotension given prior to Hb-200 administration, changes in SAP, potential adverse effects, and short-term outcome were evaluated.
Results—44 cats were included in the study. Mean ± SD SAP prior to Hb-200 administration was 52 ± 11 mm Hg, despite other treatments. Forty-three cats received Hb-200 via IV bolus administration (mean ± SD volume, 3.1 ± 2.2 mL/kg [1.41 ± 1.0 mL/lb] over 25.17 ± 17.51 minutes); 1 cat received a continuous rate infusion (CRI) only. The SAP increased to > 80 mm Hg in 33 of 44 (75%) cats. The SAP increased > 20 mm Hg above baseline value in 29 of these 33 cats and in 4 cats in which SAP did not exceed 80 mm Hg. A CRI (mean ± SD rate, 0.8 ± 0.5 mL/kg/h [0.36 ± 0.23 mL/lb/h]) of Hb-200 was administered to 37 cats (after bolus infusion in 36). Mean SAP during the CRI was 92 ± 18 mm Hg. Adverse effects included respiratory changes (n = 8 cats), vomiting (2), and pigmented serum (30). Seventeen (39%) cats survived to discharge from the hospital, 6 died, and 21 were euthanized.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hb-200 effectively increased SAP in hypotensive cats with few adverse effects.
Describing Motion Events in Sign Languages
Authors: Arik Engin 
Published: April 2011

Describing Motion Events in Sign Languages
Research has shown that sign languages represent space by using the body and the signing space in front of the signers. To date, it is largely unknown to what extent sign languages differ from one another in their linguistic use of space. The present study addressed this question by conducting an experimental study on basic motion event descriptions in historically unrelated sign languages: American, Croatian, Austrian, and Turkish Sign Languages. It was found that these sign languages are similar to one another in the use of classifiers to encode location, orientation, and movement of objects, and that they are similar in using path-only and path+manner descriptions, while leaving out manner-only descriptions. However, these sign languages differ from one another in their lexical signs, in choosing a particular set of classifiers, in responding to the manipulations of objects in space, and in the ratio of path-only constructions with respect to path+manner constructions for the same events. Overall, this study contributes to our knowledge of how motion events are encoded in natural human language. Future research will compare the current findings with those from spoken languages to further explore the properties of the language of motion events.
Polish Place-Names and Word-Final Consonant Groups: More Affricates and Diphthongs in Polish?
Authors: Jaskuła Krzysztof 
Published: April 2011

Polish Place-Names and Word-Final Consonant Groups: More Affricates and Diphthongs in Polish?
In this paper, an attempt is made at classifying word-final clusters occurring in Polish place-names from the viewpoint of syllabic structure within a strict CVCV model of Government Phonology. It is proposed here that the phonemic analysis of sounds should be truly abandoned. As a result, we can discover that segments behave according to the unchangeable syllabic structure: more than one segment can be attached to one skeletal position, the string of sounds in a word being preserved and the governing relations being contracted in line with the theoretical assumptions. Consequently, what we have in Polish is occasional diphthongs, affricates and complex segments which need not be recognized as distinctive phonemically.
Intrusive Consonants: The Internal Structure of English Liquids
Authors: Kijak Artur 
Published: April 2011

Intrusive Consonants: The Internal Structure of English Liquids
The aim of the paper is to explore the internal structure of English liquids. This is done by analysing some processes, both diachronic and synchronic, in which liquids are the leading actors. Thus we discuss historical liquid vocalization together with the vocalic developments in the preliquid position. Moreover, we look at two sandhi phenomena of liquid-zero alternations, i.e. linking and intrusion in two varieties of English recorded in southern England and north-eastern United States. We address the questions concerning the distribution, representation and interaction of liquids with the preceding vowel and explain the mechanics behind the liquid-zero alternations.
Towards a Gradual Scale of Vowel Reduction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kul Małgorzata 
Published: April 2011

Towards a Gradual Scale of Vowel Reduction: A Pilot Study
The study reports the results of an acoustic analysis of vowel reduction of the /i:/ vowel, considering all three traditionally explored aspects of vowel reduction, i.e. duration, F1 and F2 in read speech produced by 12 native speakers of English. Starting from the observation that the standard literature considers only duration as a proxy for overall reduction, the aim of the study is to verify whether duration, F1 and F2 exhibit reduction (construed as shortening of duration and centralization of formants, respectively) to the same degree. The r test reveals the lack of a robust linear correlation between duration, F1 and F2, the highest value being 0.51 (the correlation between duration and F1) and 0.24 (the correlation between duration and F2), neither of which is a strong correlation. In light of the results, the study seeks to establish a gradual scale of vowel reduction, combining the spatial and the temporal aspects by means of averaging the distances between the least and the most reduced tokens across duration, F1/F2 on an equal basis. The resulting degree is expressed on a scale of reduction, ranging from 0 (no reduction whatsoever) to 100 per cent (reduction to schwa).