bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing sacral neuromodulation for low anterior resection syndrome: learning from our experience
Authors: Rubio‐Perez I. , Saavedra J. , Marijuan J. L. , Pascual‐Miguelañez I. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of this work was to review our institutional series of patients treated with sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and evaluate possible factors associated with therapeutic success.MethodTwenty‐five patients were treated with SNM for LARS between 2008 and 2019. SNM was performed as per our institutional protocol. Patients were evaluated with Wexner and LARS scores before and after SNM treatment. A visual analogue scale (1–10) was used to evaluate overall patient satisfaction with SNM.ResultsThere were significant differences between the mean LARS score values before (37.82) and after (29) SNM therapy (P < 0.004). The mean Wexner score was higher (16.24) before SNM treatment than afterwards (11.13) (P < 0.004). There was a direct relationship between the height of anastomosis and LARS score (P = 0.035): there were big changes in LARS scoring (pre‐/post‐SNM therapy) in patients with higher anastomoses, and vice versa. Patients who received radiotherapy scored lower in mean satisfaction (6.38) than patients without previous radiotherapy (8.22) (P = 0.008). There was an important positive association between Wexner score and patient satisfaction (P = 0.001): relevant changes in Wexner scoring after SNM therapy were associated with high patient satisfaction, and vice versa.ConclusionOur study showed a relationship between changes in Wexner and LARS scores before and after SNM and overall patient satisfaction with SNM therapy. These findings also suggest patients with previous radiotherapy may have worse results with SNM (based on lower overall satisfaction), and that higher anastomoses have a greater impact on the post‐SNM LARS score.
Pairing MCL‐1 inhibition with venetoclax improves therapeutic efficiency of BH3‐mimetics in AML
Authors: Hormi Myriam , Birsen Rudy , Belhadj Maya , Huynh Tony , Cantero Aguilar Lilia , Grignano Eric , Haddaoui Lamya , Guillonneau Francois , Mayeux Patrick , Hunault Mathilde , Tamburini Jérôme , Kosmider Olivier , Fontenay Michaela , Bouscary Didier , Chapuis Nicolas 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesVenetoclax combined with hypomethylating agents is a new therapeutic strategy frequently used for treating AML patients who are not eligible for conventional chemotherapy. However, high response rates are heterogeneous due to different mechanisms mediating resistance to venetoclax such as up‐regulation of MCL‐1 expression. We thus tested the anti‐leukemic activity of S63845, a specific MCL‐1 inhibitor.MethodsApoptosis induces by S63845 with or without venetoclax was evaluated in primary AML samples and in AML cell lines co‐cultured or not with bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stromal cells. Sensitivity of leukemic cells to S63845 was correlated to the expression level of BCL‐2, MCL‐1, and BCL‐XL determined by Western Blot and mass spectrometry‐based proteomics.ResultsWe observed that even if MCL‐1 expression is weak compared to BCL‐2, S63845 induces apoptosis of AML cells and strongly synergizes with venetoclax. Furthermore, AML cells resistant to venetoclax are highly sensitive to S63845. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of S63845 toward venetoclax‐mediated apoptosis of AML cells is still observed in a context of interaction with the BM microenvironment that intrinsically mediates resistance to BCL2 inhibition.ConclusionThese results are therefore of great relevance for clinicians as they provide the rational for combining BCL‐2 and MCL‐1 inhibition in AML.
Quantifying the burden of generalized tonic‐clonic seizures in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Authors: Sheikh Shehryar R , Thompson Nicholas , Frech Feride , Malhotra Manoj , Jehi Lara 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveCompared to other seizure types, generalized tonic‐clonic (GTC) seizures may be disproportionately related to increased morbidity, and reducing seizure frequency could translate into improvements across measures of morbidity in medically treated patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The primary objective of this analysis was to quantify the burden of patients with DRE who experience GTC seizures (GTC+) compared to patients with DRE who do not experience GTC seizures (GTC−).MethodsAdult patients from the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center‐Neurological Institute from 2012‐2016 with DRE with epilepsy for at least 1 year were eligible for inclusion and were divided into GTC ± groups based on whether the patient had experienced a GTC seizure in the year preceding the first visit. Epilepsy duration, comorbidities, antiepileptic drug use, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and seizure type, frequency, and etiology were captured. Generalized linear models, negative binomial regression, logistic regression, and linear regression were used as appropriate for multivariate analyses.ResultsA total of 379 patients met inclusion criteria and had data at 1‐year follow‐up after their baseline visit (192 GTC+ and 187 GTC−). Although DRE patients experiencing GTC seizures had fewer seizures per day over the preceding 6 months than those not experiencing GTC seizures, seizure severity and levels of depression and anxiety were greater. GTC+ patients who reported five or more seizures in the preceding 4 weeks had 82% lower odds (1−0.18 = 0.82) of working than patients with no seizures.SignificancePatients with DRE experience a significant burden and decreased quality of life. Multivariate analysis is necessary to understand the complex relationship between seizure type, frequency, and impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and changes over time. Effective treatments to reduce the burden for DRE patients who experience GTC seizures continue to be needed.
How can nanoparticle‐based technologies revolutionize the topical therapy in psoriasis?
Authors: Sindrilaru Anca , Filip Adriana , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin , Crisan Diana 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPsoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses with a heterogeneous pathogenesis which can be successfully exploited therapeutically as it is increasingly well understood. Topical therapy is the gold standard for psoriasis patients with mild disease courses and for complementary and maintenance treatment in moderate and severe forms. However, while new systemic therapies are rapidly implemented in the daily routine as our pathomechanistic understanding of psoriasis evolves, the development of topical psoriasis therapies stagnates. Modern topical treatments though would require not only new active substances but also improved galenics. Due to their unique ability to directly exert biological functions, but also to deliver drugs in optimal concentrations, enabling increased therapeutic efficacy, reduced adverse effects and improved patient compliance, nanoparticles may represent ideal drug carriers for local therapeutics in psoriasis. In recent years, a series of reports added important insights into the biology of skin‐nanoparticles interactions and on how they impact the epidermal and dermal inflammatory compartments in vitro and in psoriasis plaques. Furthermore, by targeting anti‐inflammatory substances to specific skin compartments, nanotechnological advances offer the exciting opportunity to fine‐tune skin inflammation at molecular and cellular levels, paving the road to a high‐precision, skin‐directed topical therapy in psoriasis. However, nanoparticle‐based therapies have not yet found their way into clinical routine in dermatology. We here resume the current advances in the research of nanoparticles and skin inflammation in general and psoriasis in particular and discuss how this promising technology should develop in order to fulfil the requirements of an optimal skin therapy.
Predicting egg size across temperatures in marine teleost fishes
Authors: Anderson David M. , Gillooly James F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMarine teleost fish species in colder environments generally produce larger eggs than those in warmer environments. This pattern is thought to reflect changes in the optimal strategy of allocation to offspring size and number across temperatures, yet quantitative assessments of this hypothesis are lacking. Here, we model optimal offspring size across temperatures in marine teleost fishes based on the trade‐off between offspring survivorship and number. In doing so, we derive quantitative predictions for the relationship of optimal egg size to temperature based on the size and temperature dependences of the growth and mortality, and hence survivorship, of eggs and larvae. Our model shows that smaller eggs are favoured at warmer temperatures largely because egg survivorship declines with both egg size and temperature. The predictions of our model (egg mass in grams = 0.013*e−0.11*T ºC) were comparable to the observed interspecific relationship (0.0029*e−0.09*T ºC; N = 221 spp.). Thus, our results provide insights into how temperature shapes the evolution of egg size in marine teleost fishes.
Linking life history strategies and historical baseline information shows effects of altered flow regimes and impoundments on freshwater mussel assemblages
Authors: Khan Jennifer M. , Dudding Jack , Hart Michael , Tsakiris Eric , Randklev Charles R. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Human impacts on aquatic ecosystems are causing shifts in the composition and distribution of species, leading to subsequent changes in community structure. However, these changes may not be fully realised because of inadequate baseline information. In Texas, such baseline information is generally lacking for cryptic aquatic species such as unionid mussels, which will be likely to impede identification of impacted populations, potential causal factors, and the setting or achieving of management goals.

The Navasota River, located in central Texas, is an exception, having been comprehensively surveyed more than 40 years ago, prior to large‐scale impoundment of this system. Hierarchical cluster analysis, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and fuzzy set ordination were performed to compare assemblage structure from the 1975 survey to that of a recent survey in 2016 at similar sampling locations.

Comparing sites based on the presence–absence of mussel species, we found no significant differences between the number of taxa and species present; however, we did find significant filtering of mussel life history strategies. Specifically, prior to impoundment, we found that mussel assemblages were filtered based on longitudinal patterns in life history strategy from taxa that are adapted to disturbed habitats to those favoured in more stable habitats with low environmental variation.

However, following large‐scale impoundment after 1975, we saw a shift in the hydrologic regime towards consistent, homogenised flows and a shift in assemblage structure towards equilibrium species. This shift appears to represent a discontinuity, wherein river impoundment alters physical parameters of the hydrologic regime and these changes in turn modify biotic patterns and processes.

Our results provide another example of how large dams can restructure mussel assemblages, highlight the importance of incorporating reference or baseline conditions wherever possible when evaluating the conservation status of aquatic biota, and provide further evidence for the use of life history theory and the serial discontinuity concept in predicting the consequences of flow alteration and river impoundment.
Geographic structuring of Antarctic penguin populations
Authors: Santora Jarrod A. , LaRue Michelle A. , Ainley David G. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimWe hypothesized that regional spatial organization of Antarctic penguin breeding populations was affected by social factors, that is, proximity and size of adjacent colonies, and by physical factors, that is, availability of breeding habitat and proximity of polynyas and submarine canyons where prey is abundant. The hypothesis of Furness and Birkhead (1984), that forage competition and density‐dependence affect geographic structure of seabird populations, was tested previously for Antarctic penguins when biologging to quantify colony foraging areas was less common and when assessments of colony size reflected a compendium of historical counts. These data on foraging areas and colony size are now available following 20 years of frequent biologging and real‐time satellite data on colony locations and sizes.LocationAntarctica.Major taxa studiedPenguin species.Time periodPresent day.MethodsWe prepared a literature summary on the basis of biologging studies to improve assessment of foraging ranges. We collated colony sizes from recent sources and integrated them with data on submarine canyon systems and polynyas. We used geospatial models to assess the relationships of the latter features to colony size, clustering, and distribution around Antarctica.ResultsThe equal spacing of emperor penguin colonies was constant, with spacing a function of foraging range. In contrast, colonies of other penguin species were clustered, with small colonies adjacent to one another and within the outer edge of the foraging area of large colonies. Colonies and especially clusters occurred near polynyas and canyons around Antarctica.Main conclusionsDensity‐dependent processes and geography explained penguin colony distribution. We conclude that inter‐ and intraspecific trophic competition affects the geographic structuring of colony distribution and size, although not necessarily in the same way among species. Results are relevant to assessing effects of climate, ecosystem dynamics, fisheries and other factors on penguin population trends at regional scales. We suggest that considering penguin colony distribution and abundance at the regional or cluster level is necessary to understand changes in these attributes.
Nutritive value and herbage mass in hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum × Paspalum guenoarum fertilized with nitrogen or in mixture with temperate legumes
Authors: Minski da Motta Eder Alexandre , Dall’agnol Miguel , Rios Esteban , Lopes de Souza Cleber , Weiler Roberto , Simioni Carine , Brunes André , Krycki Karine , Graminho Larissa , da Silveira Garcia Lisiane , Faraco Correa Augusto 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecent efforts placed on breeding Paspalum species made available novel genetic resources for livestock production systems. Nitrogen (N) is an important factor to increase warm‐season grass nutritive value and production, either as anthropogenic supply or in mixture with legumes. Dry matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value in Paspalum plicatulum Michx. × Paspalum guenoarum Arechav. hybrids in response to different rates of N or in mixture with temperate legumes were evaluated for two years. The experiment was a randomized complete block design in split‐plot arrangement with three replications. Treatments were six N supply systems: 0, 60, 120, 240, 480 kg N/ha and grass–legume mixture [white clover (Trifolium repens L.) + birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)] as whole plots, and six genotypes (hybrids: 1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061, P. guenoarum ecotype ‘Azulão’ and Megathyrsus maximus cv. ‘Aruana’ used as controls) as subplots. Higher N rates increased DMY and provided variability among genotypes. In general, grass–legume mixture showed greater crude protein and digestibility, and lower neutral and acid detergent fiber than N fertilized grass (p < .05). Hybrid 1020133 had DMY similar to Aruana and Azulão in years 1 and 2. Hybrids 103084 and 103061 exhibited higher nutritive value than Aruana and Azulão in year 1 (p < .05), and similarly in year 2. These three hybrids were identified as potential releases. Supplying N by fertilization or mixture with legumes increased DMY and improved nutritive value in Paspalum pastures.
An exploration of how fake news is taking over social media and putting public health at risk
Authors: Naeem Salman Bin , Bhatti Rubina , Khan Aqsa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecent statistics show that almost 1/4 of a million people have died and four million people are affected either with mild or serious health problems caused by coronavirus (COVID‐19). These numbers are rapidly increasing (World Health Organization, May 3, 2020c). There is much concern during this pandemic about the spread of misleading or inaccurate information. This article reports on a small study which attempted to identify the types and sources of COVID‐19 misinformation. The authors identified and analysed 1225 pieces of COVID‐19 fake news stories taken from fact‐checkers, myth‐busters and COVID‐19 dashboards. The study is significant given the concern raised by the WHO Director‐General that ‘we are not just fighting the pandemic, we are also fighting infodemic’. The study concludes that the COVID‐19 infodemic is full of false claims, half backed conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific therapies, regarding the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, origin and spread of the virus. Fake news is pervasive in social media, putting public health at risk. The scale of the crisis and ubiquity of the misleading information require that scientists, health information professionals and journalists exercise their professional responsibility to help the general public identify fake news stories. They should ensure that accurate information is published and disseminated.J.M.
Dispersibility of pretreated polyacrylic acid‐modified SiC powder
Authors: Sun Yexian , Niu Yifan , Liu Ting , Liu Jiaxiang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA slurry with high dispersibility is crucial for slip casting technology. The weakly acidic SiC powder with high dispersibility was prepared with polyacrylic acid pretreated by the sodium hydroxide (adjusted pH = 5). The pretreated polyacrylic acid can be effectively adsorbed on the surface of SiC powder, and its utilization efficiency (37%) was better than the unpretreated one (21%). The modified SiC powder with pH = 6 was obtained by polyacrylic acid modification, and the maximum solid content was 61.2 Vol%. The optimum of the pretreated polyacrylic acid addition amount was 1 wt% based on Zeta potential, solid content, and viscosity analysis data. Compared with the unmodified SiC, the Zeta potential absolute value of the modified (−63 mV) was higher due to a large amount of anionic modifier adsorbed on particle surfaces. The modified SiC slurry was more stable because the modification increases the electrostatic repulsion among the SiC molecules.
Inter‐individual differences in body mass index were not observed as a result of aerobic exercise in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. , Pate Russell R. 
Published: July 2020

SummaryBackgroundExercise has been recommended as an important intervention for reducing adiposity in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.ObjectiveDetermine whether inter‐individual differences exist in relation to exercise‐induced changes in adiposity among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.MethodsMeta‐analysis of randomized controlled aerobic exercise trials and body mass index (BMI) in kg · m−2. Change outcome standard deviations were pooled using the inverse‐variance heterogeneity model.ResultsTwenty‐eight studies (1185 participants) were included. Inter‐individual differences in BMI were −0.1 (95% compatibility interval, −0.7 to 0.7). The 95% prediction interval for inter‐individual responses in a future study was −2.9 to 2.9. The probability of a clinically meaningful difference in variability was 29% (possibly clinically important) in favour of controls vs exercisers.ConclusionsInter‐individual differences for BMI in kg · m−2 were not observed as a result of aerobic exercise in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.
An observational study of high‐ and low‐abundance anti‐retroviral resistance mutations among treatment‐naïve people living with HIV in New Zealand between 2012 and 2017
Authors: Young Nicholas , Hobbs Mark , Rahnama Fahimeh , Shi Jinyang , Briggs Simon 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHIV resistance genotyping detects drug resistance mutations (DRM) in ≥20% of circulating virus within an infected individual (high‐abundance DRM). Deep sequencing also detects DRM in smaller viral subpopulations (low‐abundance DRM), although these are of uncertain importance. In this retrospective analysis of 292 treatment‐naïve patients, high‐abundance DRM were present in 30/292 (10%) patients, but only one (0.3%) had resistance to first‐line anti‐retrovirals. Low‐abundance DRM were present in 36/247 (15%) patients, but none who received anti‐retrovirals for which these were present had virologic failure. These findings demonstrate that starting first‐line therapy in treatment‐naïve patients need not be delayed while awaiting resistance testing.
Resurrecting New Zealand's public healthcare system or a charity hospital in every town?
Authors: Nicholls Michael G. , Frampton Christopher M. , Bagshaw Philip F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRadical market‐oriented health reforms in New Zealand in the early 1990s failed to deliver key financial targets, resulted in unnecessary patient deaths, adversely affected public healthcare services, induced serious tensions between clinicians and managers and encouraged a predisposition to private healthcare. A more co‐operative health system was implemented in the late 1990s but remaining problems of inadequate patient access led to establishment of a charity hospital in Christchurch which, by November 2018, had registered over 18 000 patient visits. This is one indication of the need to resurrect our public healthcare system. In this paper, we discuss briefly the health reforms of the 1990s then, for discussion and debate, provide seven suggestions for how this resurrection might be achieved thereby avoiding the need for charity hospitals throughout the country.
Ellagic acid protects dopamine neurons from rotenone‐induced neurotoxicity via activation of Nrf2 signalling
Authors: Wei Yi‐zheng , Zhu Guo‐fu , Zheng Chang‐qing , Li Jing‐jie , Sheng Shuo , Li Dai‐di , Wang Guo‐qing , Zhang Feng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease. Oxidative stress is one of key contributors to PD. Nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered to be a master regulator of many genes involved in anti‐oxidant stress to attenuate cell death. Therefore, activation of Nrf2 signalling provides an effective avenue to treat PD. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic contained in fruits and nuts, possesses amounts of pharmacological activities, such as anti‐oxidant stress and anti‐inflammation. Recent studies have confirmed EA could be used as a neuroprotective agent in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, mice subcutaneous injection of rotenone (ROT)‐induced DA neuronal damage was performed to investigate EA‐mediated neuroprotection. In addition, adult Nrf2 knockout mice and different cell cultures including MN9D‐enciched, MN9D‐BV‐2 and MN9D‐C6 cell co‐cultures were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results demonstrated EA conferred neuroprotection against ROT‐induced DA neurotoxicity. Activation of Nrf2 signalling was involved in EA‐mediated DA neuroprotection, as evidenced by the following observations. First, EA activated Nrf2 signalling in ROT‐induced DA neuronal damage. Second, EA generated neuroprotection with the presence of astroglia and silence of Nrf2 in astroglia abolished EA‐mediated neuroprotection. Third, EA failed to produce DA neuroprotection in Nrf2 knockout mice. In conclusion, this study identified EA protected against DA neuronal loss via an Nrf2‐dependent manner.