bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of platelet function after discontinuation of ticagrelor
Authors: Söderberg Martin , Holm Manne , Gupta Anil 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundPatients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are often treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with insertion of coronary artery stents and a majority receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), usually a combination of a COX‐1 inhibitor (aspirin) and a P2Y12 inhibitor (eg ticagrelor). Not seldom the question arises as to when DAPT should be discontinued prior to interventional surgery. This study was done with the primary aim of investigating thrombocyte function immediately prior to and after discontinuation of ticagrelor.Materials and methodsIn this prospective, longitudinal, observational study including 24 patients, venous blood was obtained from patients on day 0, before stopping maintenance dose of 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily, and then on days 1, 3, 5, and 8, after discontinuation. Samples were analyzed using Multiplate® and VerifyNow®.ResultsPrior to urgent surgery platelet aggregation >30 aggregation units (Multiplate®) and >208 P2Y12 reaction units (VerifyNow®) have been shown to correlate with reduced risk of peri‐ and postoperative bleeding risk. On day 3 after ticagrelor discontinuation, 100% (P = .016) and 67% (P=<.001) of patients had reached these levels on Multiplate® and VerifyNow®, respectively. On day 5, the corresponding figures were 100% (P = .016) and 78% (P=<.001).ConclusionDiscontinuation of ticagrelor for 3 days resulted in return of adequate platelet function in all patients on Multiplate® and in a majority of patients on VerifyNow®, indicating a lower bleeding risk. A bedside test for platelet function may be considered if time to anticipated surgery is less than 5 days after ticagrelor discontinuation.
Ceramides affect alcohol consumption and depressive‐like and anxiety‐like behavior in a brain region‐ and ceramide species‐specific way in male mice
Authors: Zoicas Iulia , Huber Sabine E. , Kalinichenko Liubov S. , Gulbins Erich , Müller Christian P. , Kornhuber Johannes 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDepression and alcohol dependence are associated with increased plasma ceramide concentrations in humans. Pharmacological increase in C16 ceramide concentrations in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) induced a depressive‐like phenotype in naïve mice. However, the effects of C16 ceramide on alcohol consumption and anxiety‐like behavior as well as the behavioral effects of other ceramide species are yet unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether repeated infusion of ceramides with different fatty acid chain lengths (C8, C16, and C20) into the DH and the basolateral amygdala (BLA) alter alcohol consumption, emotional behavior, and tissue monoamine levels. Our results revealed that C16, but not C8 and C20, ceramide altered alcohol drinking and emotional behavior in a brain region–specific way without altering tissue noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and dorsal mesencephalon. In more detail, C16 ceramide increased alcohol consumption when infused into the BLA, but not when infused into the DH. Furthermore, C16 ceramide induced a depressive‐like phenotype when infused into the DH, but a predominantly anxiogenic‐like phenotype (in a non‐social, but not a social context) when infused into the BLA. In turn, alcohol drinking normalized C16 ceramide‐induced depressive‐like and anxiogenic‐like phenotypes. This study demonstrates a complex ceramide species‐specific and brain region‐specific modulation of alcohol consumption and emotional behavior in mice and provides the framework for future studies investigating the involvement of distinct ceramide species in the regulation of emotional behavior.
Predictive value of oxidative stress testing in semen for sperm DNA fragmentation assessed by sperm chromatin dispersion test
Authors: Elbardisi Haitham , Finelli Renata , Agarwal Ashok , Majzoub Ahmad , Henkel Ralf , Arafa Mohamed 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlthough standard semen analysis is a cornerstone of male infertility investiation, it has significant limitations. Seminal oxidative stress and DNA damage have shown potential to better predict male fertility potential and provide improved diagnostic and management strategies.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether seminal oxidation‐reduction potential (ORP), a new parameter to measure oxidative stress directly, can accurately predict the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and thereby serve as a surrogate marker in the evaluation of male infertility.Materials and methodsORP was evaluated in 3968 patients using the MiOXSYS system and SDF in 1147 patients using the Halosperm G2 test kit. Both parameters were analyzed in 1068 patients, along with seminal analysis, according to WHO guidelines 2010 (5th edition).ResultsSDF correlated positively with seminal ORP normalized for sperm concentration (n = 1068; r = .218; P < .0001) as well as with ORP normalized for the motile sperm concentration (motORP; n = 1068; r = .387; P < .0001). MotORP can significantly (P < .0001) better predict SDF than ORP normalized for the sperm concentration (area under the curve (AUC): 0.719 vs 0.623) (specificity: 71.5%; sensitivity: 61.9%; PPV: 47.1%; NPV: 82.1%). Moreover, motORP can significantly (P < .0001) better predict (AUC: 0.826 vs 0.771) normozoospermia with high sensitivity (82.75%) and specificity (68.5%).DiscussionUnlike other oxidative stress (OS) markers, ORP provides a global vision of the redox balance in semen. Moreover, SDF can also be induced by mechanisms different from OS, which could explain why its predictive power was low. The higher predictive power of motORP reflects the impact of seminal ROS on motility rather than inherent DNA breaks present in immature and aborted apoptotic spermatozoa.ConclusionThe evaluation of motORP seems a more promising parameter than ORP normalized for sperm concentration for the prediction of SDF and normozoospermia. However, even if ORP and SDF are inter‐related, they measure independent sperm functions and one test cannot replace the other in the evaluation of sperm function defects.
Gunshot wounds to the colon: predictive risk factors for the development of postoperative complications, an experience of 172 cases in 4 years
Authors: Elfaedy Osama , Elgazwi Khaled , Alsharif Jamal , Mansor Salah 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn our study, we have defined and evaluated risk factors for the development of post‐operative complications in patients with gunshot wounds to the colon. The purpose of the study is to identify the most influential risk factors.MethodsA retrospective study of 172 patients admitted with gunshot wounds to the colon from 17 February 2011 to 31 December 2014. Age, gender, shock upon admission defined by vital signs and haemoglobin level, blood transfusion, injured site of the colon, the colon injury score, faecal contamination, surgical procedure, colon diversion, multiple organ injuries, delay time pre‐operation and duration of the operation were considered as risk factors. All patients were observed for any postoperative complications.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐six patients (96.5%) were males, and six (3.5%) were female. The mean age was 28.5 years. On admission 104 (60.5%) patients were in shock, 89 (51.7%) required blood transfusion. Forty‐four (25.5%) patients had an injury to the ascending colon, while 53 (30.8%), 13 (7.6%), 23 (13.4%), 21 (12.2%) and 18 (10.5%) patients had an injury in transverse, descending, sigmoid, rectum and multiple colon injuries respectively. A colon diversion was used in 64 patients (37.2%). Post‐operative complications documented in 67 (38.9%) patients, 35 (20.3%) required re‐exploratory laparotomy, while the disability occurred in 18 (10.4%)) cases, and post‐operative mortality was 12 (6.9%).ConclusionSurgeons should be aware that shock state upon admission and blood transfusion are risk factors for postoperative complications in a patient with a gunshot penetrating injury to the colon.
Simulation‐based surgical education in cardiothoracic training
Authors: Villanueva Claudia , Xiong Jess , Rajput Siddharth 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSimulation has emerged as a feasible adjunct to surgical education and training for most specialties. It provides trainees with an immersive, realistic way to learn a variety of skills in a safe environment with the end goal of improving patient safety. There are three broad types of simulators: full mannequin simulators, part‐task trainers or bench models and virtual reality systems. This review aims to describe the current use of simulation in cardiothoracic surgical education and training. We identified multiple procedures that can be simulated in cardiothoracic surgery using a combination of the above simulators, three‐dimensional printing and computer‐based simulation. All studies that assessed the efficacy of simulators showed that simulation enhances learning and trainee performance allowing for repetitive training until the acquisition of competence but further research into how it translates into the operating theatre is required. In Australia, cardiac surgery simulation is not yet part of the training curricula, but simulators are available for certain tasks and procedures.
Long‐term survival following successful abdominal aortic aneurysm repair evaluated using Australian administrative data
Authors: Purkiss Shaun , Keegel Tessa , Vally Hassan , Wollersheim Dennis 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term survival (LTS) following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery is an outcome that can compare open surgical repair (OSR) and endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) methods. We examined the LTS of persons following successful AAA repair using administrative health data covering the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits and Medicare Benefits Schemes from 1993 to 2014.MethodsParticipants undergoing AAA surgery were identified using procedure codes and the last service provision date used as a proxy mortality marker. LTS and relative survival with control populations in those who survived the initial post‐operative period were used to compare OSR and EVAR and estimates between the first and second halves of the study.ResultsA total of 2060 persons who had undergone AAA repair were identified. Overall median LTS (95% CI) following elective, ruptured OSR and EVAR were 10.4 (9.1–11.0), 8.5 (6.7–10.3) and 9.7 (8.1–11.3) years, respectively. Relative survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 0.89 and 0.7 for OSR and 0.87 and 0.66 for EVAR. LTS rates were similar for OSR and EVAR in age groups 65–84 years (EVAR/OSR range 0.96–1.16); however, EVAR was superior to OSR in persons aged >85 years at 5 years (EVAR/OSR 1.32, log‐rank P < 0.05). Relative survival following all techniques of AAA repair showed no significant change over the duration of the study.ConclusionLTS following AAA repair was heterogeneous in comparison with control populations and varied with age and procedure. The 5‐year LTS following EVAR in persons aged >85 years is superior to OSR. Administrative data can define long‐term outcomes following aortic aneurysm surgery and may complement data already collected by surgeons.
The face of remission induction
Authors: Paul Shilpa , Rausch Caitlin R. , Jabbour Elias J. 
Published: December 2019

SummaryAcute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease in which prognosis is determined by cytogenetic and molecular aberrations as well as patient‐related factors, including age, prior haematologic disorders, and comorbidities. Despite the diverse disease biology, the standard of care for remission induction therapy has changed very little since its inception in 1973. Next generation sequencing has helped to increase our knowledge of the disease pathogenesis, allowing us to develop targeted and possibly more effective treatment options. Seven new agents have been approved for the treatment of AML since 2017, all of which are directed toward a specific molecular subtype or patient population. With the advent of these therapies, a more optimal, patient‐specific approach rather than the historical ‘one‐size fits all’ model can be utilised. This review will discuss the role of these novel therapies in the remission induction setting.
CD155 contributes to the mesenchymal phenotype of triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Zheng Qianqian , Gao Jian , Yin Ping , Wang Wei , Wang Biao , Li Yan , Zhao Chenghai 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPatients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) lack molecular targets and have an unfavorable outcome. CD155 is overexpressed in human cancers, but whether it plays a role in TNBC is unexplored. Here we found that CD155 was enriched in both TNBC cell lines and tumor tissues. High CD155 expression was related to poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. CD155 was associated with a mesenchymal phenotype. CD155 knockdown induced a mesenchymal‐epithelial transition in TNBC cells, and suppressed TNBC cell migration, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CD155 cross‐talked with oncogenic IL‐6/Stat3 and TGF‐β/Smad3 pathways. Moreover, CD155 knockdown inhibited TNBC cell growth and survival. Taken together, these data indicate that CD155 contributes to the aggressive behavior of TNBC; targeting CD155 may be beneficial to these patients.
From communication to co‐operation: Reconceptualizing social workers' engagement with children
Authors: Ruch Gillian , Winter Karen , Morrison Fiona , Hadfield Mark , Hallett Sophie , Cree Viv 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCommunicating and engaging with children is a foundational component of child care social work practice, but all too frequently, in the wake of serious incidents, it is the focus of criticism. Drawing on findings from a large‐scale ESRC‐funded research project conducted in the four U.K. nations, this paper explores, through a psychosocial analytic lens, how social workers anticipate, enact and reflect on their encounters with both children and their families. Close analysis of what social workers said about their practice alongside what they were observed to do in practice revealed perceptions, patterns and processes of communication that, first, minimize emotions and the complexity of the professional task and second, overly privilege verbal interaction. Drawing on Sennett's (2012) ideas this paper offers a reconceptualisation of this professional task, from a communicative to a co‐operative one. It affords and creates a space in which social workers can develop more attuned communicative practices that include rituals, gestures and the minimal use of force. The theoretical insights and evidence‐informed practice recommendations arising from this research have conceptual significance for the social work discipline and practical significance for the child care social work profession, across national and international contexts.
Hepatitis C donor viremic cardiac transplantation: A practical approach
Authors: Morris Kathleen L. , Adlam James P. , Padanilam Mathew , Patel Amit , Garcia‐Cortes Rafael , Chaudhry Sunit‐Preet , Seasor Erica , Tompkins Shannon , Hoefer Caitlin , Zanotti Giorgio , Walsh Mary Norine , Salerno Christopher , Bochan Markian , Ravichandran Ashwin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntroductionPatients with end‐stage heart failure eligible for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) exceed the number of available donor organs. With highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral therapy now available, HCV+ organs are increasingly utilized. We seek to describe our experience with patients receiving HCV viremic organs as compared to non‐HCV transplant recipients.MethodsOur center began utilizing HCV hearts in February 2018. We retrospectively reviewed baseline demographics, laboratory data and outcomes for those undergoing OHT with majority being from a viremic HCV donor.ResultsTwenty‐three of 25 HCV recipients received hearts from NAT+ donors with 22 of 23 seroconverting within 7 days. Fifteen recipients have completed HCV treatment, with the longest duration of follow‐up being 13 months. No differences in rates of rejection, hospitalizations or death were seen between non‐HCV and HCV transplant patients.DiscussionWith the advent of available direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs), viremic HCV hearts provide an opportunity to increase organ availability. Moreover, treatment for HCV in the setting of immunosuppression is well‐tolerated and results in sustained viremic response.ConclusionViremic, discordant HCV OHT can be performed in a safe and effective manner utilizing a systematic, multidisciplinary approach without an effect on short‐term outcomes.
A face‐to‐face comparison of the intra‐amygdala and intrahippocampal kainate mouse models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and their utility for testing novel therapies
Authors: Welzel Lisa , Schidlitzki Alina , Twele Friederike , Anjum Muneeb , Löscher Wolfgang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveIntracranial (intrahippocampal or intra‐amygdala) administration of kainate in rodents leads to spatially restricted brain injury and development of focal epilepsy with characteristics that resemble mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Such rodent models are used both in the search for more effective antiseizure drugs (ASDs) and in the development of antiepileptogenic strategies. However, it is not clear which of the models is best suited for testing different types of epilepsy therapies.MethodsIn the present study, we performed a face‐to‐face comparison of the intra‐amygdala kainate (IAK) and intrahippocampal kainate (IHK) mouse models using the same mouse inbred strain (C57BL/6). For comparison, some experiments were performed in mouse outbred strains.ResultsIntra‐amygdala kainate injection led to more severe status epilepticus and higher mortality than intrahippocampal injection. In male C57BL/6 mice, the latent period to spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) was short or absent in both models, whereas a significantly longer latent period was determined in NMRI and CD‐1 outbred mice. When SRSs were recorded from the ipsilateral hippocampus, relatively frequent electroclinical seizures were determined in the IAK model, whereas only infrequent electroclinical seizures but extremely frequent focal electrographic seizures were determined in the IHK model. As a consequence of the differences in SRS frequency, prolonged video‐electroencephalographic monitoring and drug administration were needed for testing efficacy of the benchmark ASD carbamazepine in the IAK model, whereas acute drug testing was possible in the IHK model. In both models, carbamazepine was only effective at high doses, indicating ASD resistance to this benchmark drug.SignificanceWe found a variety of significant differences between the IAK and IHK models, which are important when deciding which of these models is best suited for studies on novel epilepsy therapies. The IAK model appears particularly interesting for studies on disease‐modifying treatments, whereas the IHK model is well suited for studying the antiseizure activity of novel ASDs against difficult‐to‐treated focal seizures.
Forest genomics: Advancing climate adaptation, forest health, productivity, and conservation
Authors: Isabel Nathalie , Holliday Jason A. , Aitken Sally N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractForest ecosystems provide important ecological services and resources, from habitat for biodiversity to the production of environmentally friendly products, and play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Humanity is counting on forests to sequester and store a substantial portion of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide produced globally. However, the unprecedented rate of climate change, deforestation, and accidental importation of invasive insects and diseases are threatening the health and productivity of forests, and their capacity to provide these services. Knowledge of genetic diversity, local adaptation, and genetic control of key traits is required to predict the adaptive capacity of tree populations, inform forest management and conservation decisions, and improve breeding for productive trees that will withstand the challenges of the 21st century. Genomic approaches have well accelerated the generation of knowledge of the genetic and evolutionary underpinnings of nonmodel tree species, and advanced their applications to address these challenges. This special issue of Evolutionary Applications features 14 papers that demonstrate the value of a wide range of genomic approaches that can be used to better understand the biology of forest trees, including species that are widespread and managed for timber production, and others that are threatened or endangered, or serve important ecological roles. We highlight some of the major advances, ranging from understanding the evolution of genomes since the period when gymnosperms separated from angiosperms 300 million years ago to using genomic selection to accelerate breeding for tree health and productivity. We also discuss some of the challenges and future directions for applying genomic tools to address long‐standing questions about forest trees.
Pattern of local adaptation to quantitative host resistance in a major pathogen of a perennial crop
Authors: Dumartinet Thomas , Abadie Catherine , Bonnot François , Carreel Françoise , Roussel Véronique , Habas Rémy , Martinez Reina Teresa , Perez‐Vicente Luis , Carlier Jean 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms involved in pathogen adaptation to quantitative resistance in plants has a key role to play in establishing durable strategies for resistance deployment, especially in perennial crops. The erosion of quantitative resistance has been recently suspected in Cuba and the Dominican Republic for a major fungal pathogen of such a crop: Pseudocercospora fijiensis, causing black leaf streak disease on banana. This study set out to test whether such erosion has resulted from an adaptation of P. fijiensis populations, and to determine whether or not the adaptation is local. Almost 600 P. fijiensis isolates from Cuba and the Dominican Republic were sampled using a paired‐population sampling design on resistant and susceptible banana varieties. A low genetic structure of the P. fijiensis populations was detected in each country using 16 microsatellite markers. Cross‐inoculation experiments using isolates from susceptible and resistant cultivars were carried out, measuring a quantitative trait (the diseased leaf area) related to pathogen fitness on three varieties. A further analysis based on those data suggested the existence of a local pattern of adaptation to resistant cultivars in both of the study countries, due to the existence of specific (or genotype by genotype) host–pathogen interactions. However, neither cost nor benefit effects for adapted populations were found on the widely used “Cavendish” banana group. These results highlight the need to study specific host–pathogen interactions and pathogen adaptation on a wide range of quantitative resistance phenotypes in banana, in order to develop durable strategies for resistance deployment.