bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial Experience of Minimally Invasive Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer in Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos and National Cancer Institute: Clinical Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Lukšta Martynas , Sasnauskas Gustas , Baušys Augustinas , Rybakovas Andrius , Kuliavas Justas , Baušys Rimantas , Strupas Kęstutis 
Published: May 2021

Background. Gastric cancer remains one of the most common cancers in Lithuania and Worldwide. Surgical treatment is the only potentially curative treatment option for it. Historically open gastrectomy was considered as the gold standard approach. Although, the development of minimally invasive surgery and accumulation of the clinical data has led to the adoption of minimally invasive gastrectomy. Clinical cases. We present a series of 8 clinical cases who underwent minimally invasive surgery for early or locally advanced gastric cancer in Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos and the National Cancer Institute. Discussion. Large scale randomized controlled trials in Asia have proved that laparoscopic surgery is safe and oncologically effective for clinical stage I distal gastric cancer. The increa­sing amount of data supports the safety of minimally invasive gastrectomy for advanced or proximal gastric cancer. Most of the trials performed in Asia confirmed, that laparoscopic gastrectomy has some advantages, including: decreased blood loss, decreased post­operative pain, and morbidity. Recent randomized controlled trials of Western countries proved the safety of laparoscopic gastrectomy and the comparable 1-year long-term outcomes. Although, they failed to show improved recovery after minimally invasive surgery. Currently, there is sufficient evidence to adopt minimally invasive gastrectomy for gastric cancer into routine clinical practice in Lithuania. Conclusions. The first experience of minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery in Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos and the National Cancer Institute was successful. All gastrectomies were radical, and without major postoperative complications.
Ureteroplasty Using Buccal Mucosa Graft in Complicated Long Segment Ureteral Stricture: Clinical Case Report
Authors: Sasnauskas Gustas , Grybas Aivaras 
Published: May 2021

Background. Recurrent proximal ureteral stricture is a complex rare disease that is difficult to treat. Post-operative scarring, impaired blood supply to the ureter, stricture-related stones, and chronic infection – all factors make the treatment even more complicated. Methods. There are various surgical procedures for ureteral reconstruction, however, most of them are very traumatic and quite often ineffective. Our case reports the first experience of treating a complicated recurrent proximal ureteral stricture with ureteroplasty using a buccal mucosa graft. Results. The patient had a 12-month post-operative follow-up. No stricture recurrence was observed and hydronephrosis decreased. Although the excretory function of the left kidney remained lower, serum creatinine became normal. The most important clinical outcome was the withdrawal of left flank pain. Conclusions. We are lacking high volume clinical trials for appropriate ureteral stricture treatment modality. All available publications in this field compare single cases or low volume studies. While buccal mucosa graft procedures are well established in urethral reconstruction, our case proves that buccal mucosa graft method can be successfully used for ureteroplasty as well, providing good post-operative functional outcomes.
Serum angiopoietin-2 levels in dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma, haemangioma, and splenitis
Authors: Wongsuttawas Supissara , Brikshavana Pasakorn , Durongphongtorn Sumit , Techangamsuwan Somporn 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHaemangioma (HA) and haemangiosarcoma (HSA) are among the most common splenic neoplasms in dogs. The survival time in splenic HSA is short, probably due to the lack of proper biological markers allowing early detection. We investigated the serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) concentrations in 9 healthy dogs and 40 dogs with abnormal splenic masses. The Ang-2 concentration differences were further compared in healthy dogs, dogs with splenitis, splenic HA and HSA. The results showed that the Ang-2 level in healthy dogs was significantly lower than in the splenitis and splenic HA cases. Moreover, the Ang-2 level was significantly higher in splenic HA than in splenic HSA. Conversely, no significant differences in Ang-2 level were recorded between healthy and splenic HSA dogs, and between splenitis and splenic neoplasms (HA and HSA). No significant correlations were observed between the Ang-2 level and (i) the clinical stage, (ii) histological growth pattern, and (iii) median survival time of splenic HSA dogs. In conclusion, serum Ang-2 concentration is a potentially useful biological marker for the discrimination of dogs with splenitis and splenic HA, as well as for the differentiation of splenic HA from its malignant form, HSA.
Tensile response of Ultra High Performance PE Fiber Reinforced Concretes (PE-UHPFRC) under imposed shrinkage deformations
Authors: Hajiesmaeili A. , Hafiz M. A. , Denarié E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPE-UHPFRC is a new Ultra High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC), which is developed to reduce the environmental impact of conventional UHPFRC by replacing the steel fibers with synthetic ones and reducing the clinker content in the mix. The development of the dynamic elastic modulus, the evolution of free autogenous deformations and the eigenstresses development with age, under full and partial restraint conditions, were investigated for PE-UHPFRC and the results were put into perspective with that for conventional UHPFRC with steel fibers. Furthermore, the tensile responses of different mixes under imposed shrinkage were compared and discussed. The results showed a shorter setting time and consequently an earlier initiation of elastic modulus development for PE-UHPFRC compared with that of conventional UHPFRC. Furthermore, the developed eigenstresses under full restraint conditions in a PE-UHPFRC layer compared with that for conventional UHPFRC were reduced by more than 70%, which is highly beneficial especially for cast-in-place rehabilitation applications.
National Estimates of CKD Prevalence and Potential Impact of Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate Without Race
Authors: Duggal Vishal , Thomas I-chun , Montez-Rath Maria E. , Chertow Glenn M. , Kurella Tamura Manjula 
Published: May 2021

Significance Statement
The adjustment for Black race in equations to estimate GFR is controversial. We found that the prevalence of CKD among US Black adults would double if race adjustment were removed. The change could affect up to 40% of Black adults using common medications for which dose adjustments are recommended on the basis of kidney function. Accuracy of a prognostic model for kidney failure remained high without race adjustment, and was improved at higher levels of predicted risk. This study suggests that estimating GFR without race adjustment could lead to sizable changes in clinical care and population health strategies for Black adults.

Background
The implications of removing the adjustment for Black race in equations to eGFR on the prevalence of CKD and management strategies are incompletely understood.

Methods
We estimated changes in CKD prevalence and the potential effect on therapeutic drug prescriptions and prediction of kidney failure if race adjustment were removed from the CKD-EPI GFR estimating equation. We used cross-sectional and longitudinal data from adults aged ≥18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2016, and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System in 2015. In the VA cohort, we assessed use of common medications that require dose adjustment on the basis of kidney function, and compared the prognostic accuracy of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation with versus without race adjustment of eGFR.

Results
The prevalence of CKD among Black adults increased from 5.2% to 10.6% in NHANES, and from 12.4% to 21.6% in the VA cohort after eliminating race adjustment. Among Black veterans, 41.0% of gabapentin users, 33.5% of ciprofloxacin users, 24.0% of metformin users, 6.9% of atenolol users, 6.6% of rosuvastatin users, and 5.8% of tramadol users were reclassified to a lower eGFR for which dose adjustment or discontinuation is recommended. Without race adjustment of eGFR, discrimination of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation among Black adults remained high and calibration was marginally improved overall, with better calibration at higher levels of predicted risk.

Conclusions
Removal of race adjustment from CKD-EPI eGFR would double the estimated prevalence of CKD among Black adults in the United States. Such a change is likely to affect a sizeable number of drug-dosing decisions. It may also improve the accuracy of kidney failure risk prediction among higher-risk Black adults.
Trends in Mortality on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: SCHAUBEL DOUGLAS E. , FENTON STANLEY S. A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Several technical and nontechnical improvements in peritoneal dialysis (PD) have occurred during recent years. Since few previous studies have examined trends in PD mortality over time, and to determine whether enhancements in PD have translated into improved patient outcomes, mortality rates among the 17,900 patients receiving PD in Canada during the period 1981-1997 were analyzed. Mortality rate ratios (RR) were estimated using Poisson regression, adjusting for age, race, gender, primary renal diagnosis, follow-up time, and type of PD (continuous ambulatory/cyclic versus intermittent). Adjusted mortality rates decreased significantly by calender period, the reduction being monotonic: RR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.87 for 1986-1989; RR = 0.73, 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.78 for 1990-1993; RR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.67 for 1994-1997, with 1981-1985 serving as the reference period (RR = 1, fixed). The improvement in mortality was fairly consistent across patient subpopulations. When analyzed separately by follow-up time window, the mortality decrease was strongest in the first 12 mo after renal replacement therapy initiation. Supplementary analysis revealed that the trend in mortality rates was not attributable to corresponding trends in transplantation or technique failure rates, or modality switching patterns. Results were quite similar whether based on an “as-treated” or “intent-to-treat” analysis. More extensive data on practice patterns would empower future studies to elucidate the cause/effect relationship between PD practice patterns and patient survival.
Trimetazidine Reduces Renal Dysfunction by Limiting the Cold Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Autotransplanted Pig Kidneys
Authors: HAUET THIERRY , GOUJON JEAN-MICHEL , VANDEWALLE ALAIN , BAUMERT HERVE , LACOSTE LOUIS , TILLEMENT JEAN-PAUL , EUGENE MICHEL , CARRETIER MICHEL 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Ischemia/reperfusion injury leads to delayed graft function, which is a major problem in kidney transplantation. This study investigated the effects of adding trimetazidine (TMZ) to the perfusate of cold-stored kidneys on the function of reperfused autotransplanted pig kidney. The left kidney was removed and cold-flushed with Euro-Collins (EC), or University of Wisconsin (UW) solutions with or without 10-6M TMZ and stored for 48 h at 4°C. The kidneys were then autotransplanted and the contralateral kidneys were removed. Several parameters were analyzed over the 14 d after transplantation. The survival rate was 57% in pigs transplanted with kidneys cold-flushed with UW and 43% for those flushed with EC solution; it was 100% for pigs having kidneys cold-flushed with TMZ-supplemented UW and EC solutions. The functions of the transplanted kidneys were also better preserved after cold flush with TMZ-supplemented solutions than with TMZ-free solutions. Creatinine clearance was higher and the urinary excretion of trimethylamine-N-oxide and dimethylamine, used as markers of renal medulla injury, were lower in animals transplanted with kidneys cold-flushed with TMZ-supplemented solutions than with TMZ-free solutions. The cytoprotective action of TMZ also reduced interstitial and peritubular inflammation and the numbers of infiltrating mononuclear CD45+ and CD3+ T cells. These results indicate that the tissue damage due to ischemia/reperfusion injury may be prevented, at least in part, by adding TMZ to preservation solutions.
Chemokines, Chemokine Receptors, and Renal Disease
Authors: SEGERER STEPHAN , NELSON PETER J. , SCHLO[Combining Diaeresis]NDORFF DETLEF 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Leukocyte trafficking from peripheral blood into affected tissues is an essential component of the inflammatory reaction to virtually all forms of injury and is an important factor in the development of many kidney diseases. Advances in the past few years have highlighted the central role of a family of chemotactic cytokines called chemokines in this process. Chemokines help to control the selective migration and activation of inflammatory cells into injured renal tissue. Chemokines and their receptors are expressed by intrinsic renal cells as well as by infiltrating cells during renal inflammation. This study summarizes the in vitro and in vivo data on chemokines and chemokine receptors in renal diseases with a special focus on potential therapeutic effects on inflammatory processes.
Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Activity in Cultured Rat Mesangial Cells and Its Expression in Experimental Diabetic Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: RISER BRUCE L. , DENICHILO MARK , CORTES PEDRO , BAKER CATHRYN , GRONDIN JANET M. , YEE JERRY , NARINS ROBERT G. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a peptide secreted by cultured endothelial cells and fibroblasts when stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and is overexpressed during fibrotic processes in coronary arteries and in skin. To determine whether CTGF is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, cultured rat mesangial cells (MC) as well as kidney cortex and microdissected glomeruli were examined from obese, diabetic db/db mice and their normal counterparts. Exposure of MC to recombinant human CTGF significantly increased fibronectin and collagen type I production. Furthermore, unstimulated MC expressed low levels of CTGF message and secreted minimal amounts of CTGF protein (36 to 38 kD) into the media. However, sodium heparin treatment resulted in a greater than fourfold increase in media-associated CTGF, suggesting that the majority of CTGF produced was cell- or matrix-bound. Exposure of MC to TGF-β, increased glucose concentrations, or cyclic mechanical strain, all causal factors in diabetic glomerulosclerosis, markedly induced the expression of CTGF transcripts, while recombinant human CTGF was able to autoinduce its own expression. TGF-β and high glucose, but not mechanical strain, stimulated the concomitant secretion of CTGF protein, the former also inducing abundant quantities of a small molecular weight form of CTGF (18 kD) containing the heparin-binding domain. The induction of CTGF protein by a high glucose concentration was mediated by TGF-β, since a TGF-β-neutralizing antibody blocked this stimulation. In vivo studies using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that although CTGF transcripts were low in the glomeruli of control mice, expression was increased 28-fold after approximately 3.5 mo of diabetes. This change occurred early in the course of diabetic nephropathy when mesangial expansion was mild, and interstitial disease and proteinuria were absent. A substantially reduced elevation of CTGF mRNA (twofold) observed in whole kidney cortices indicated that the primary alteration of CTGF expression was in the glomerulus. These results suggest that CTGF upregulation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of mesangial matrix accumulation and progressive glomerulosclerosis, acting downstream of TGF-β.
Chronic Activation of Glomerular Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats
Authors: HAMAGUCHI AKINORI , KIM SHOKEI , IZUMI YASUKATSU , IWAO HIROSHI 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
The in vivo role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the development of glomerular injury is poorly understood. In the present study, glomerular MAPK activities, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK), and transcriptional factor, activator protein-1 (AP-1) were examined in glomerular injury of salt-induced hypertensive rats. Six-week-old Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) and salt-resistant (Dahl-R) rats were maintained on a high-salt (8.0% NaCl) diet for 1, 5, and 10 wk. In Dahl-S rats, as shown by in-gel kinase assay, an increase in BP by a high-salt diet was followed by chronic activation of glomerular ERK and JNK, which continued until 10 wk after a high-salt diet. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the protein expression of glomerular ERK and JNK in Dahl-S rats fed a high-salt diet. As determined by gel-mobility shift assay, ERK and JNK activations were associated with an increase in glomerular AP-1 DNA binding activity. On the other hand, in Dahl-R rats fed a high-salt diet, BP remained normal throughout the experiments. However, glomerular ERK and JNK activities and AP-1 DNA binding activity in Dahl-R rats were not affected by 1 or 5 wk of a high-salt diet, but significantly increased by 10 wk of treatment with a high-salt diet, indicating that chronic sodium overload itself stimulated glomerular ERK and JNK and AP-1 activities. These kinase activations in both Dahl-S and Dahl-R rats were accompanied by an increase in urinary protein excretion and renal growth. These observations provide the first evidence that salt-sensitive hypertension causes chronic activation of glomerular ERK and JNK, probably leading to the activation of AP-1. Thus, glomerular MAPK may be responsible for the development of salt-induced glomerular injury.
A Small N-Terminal 60-kD Fragment of gp600 (Megalin), the Major Autoantigen of Active Heymann Nephritis, Can Induce a Full-Blown Disease
Authors: OLEINIKOV ANDREW V. , FELIZ BRADY J. , MAKKER SUDESH P. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
Active Heymann nephritis of rat, an autoimmune glomerular disease, is an immunohistological, ultrastructural, and clinical model of human membranous glomerulonephritis. Both diseases in their full-blown form are characterized by (1) the formation of large, subepithelial glomerular immune deposits, which stain for IgG, C3, and membrane attack (C5b-9) components of complement and (2) the excretion of large amounts of protein in the urine (proteinuria). The target autoantigen of active Heymann nephritis is a large transmembrane renal glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 600 kD, variously named gp600, gp330, LRP-2, or “megalin.” This study was performed to identify the region in this enormously large glycoprotein that would produce full-blown active Heymann nephritis. A stable, small (60-kD) proteolytic fragment of gp600 was isolated and localized to the N-terminal end of the molecule using Western blot, sequencing, and amino acid analyses. Based on its primary structure, this fragment contains approximately 60 cysteine residues, the cross-linking of which to each other probably explains its stability. Immunization of rats with this fragment induced a full-blown disease that was comparable to the disease induced by a preparation containing the whole protein. These results indicate that this small fragment, retaining the natural disulfide bonds and probably its overall structure, contains those B and T cell epitopes that are sufficient to produce this organ-specific autoimmune disease.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms and Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Early Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: VEELKEN ROLAND , HILGERS KARL F. , HARTNER ANDREA , HAAS ALEXANDER , BO[Combining Diaeresis]HMER KIRSTEN P. , STERZEL R. BERND 
Published: May 2021

Abstract.
This study tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO)-mediated renal vasodilation due to the activity of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributes to glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic rats. Two weeks after induction of diabetes mellitus by streptozotocin, mean arterial BP (MAP), GFR (inulin clearance), and renal plasma flow (RPF) (para-aminohippurate clearance) were measured in conscious instrumented rats. Diabetic rats had elevated GFR (3129 ± 309 μl/min versus 2297 ± 264 μl/min in untreated control rats, P < 0.05) and RPF (10526 ± 679 μl/min versus 8005 ± 534 μl/min), which was prevented by chronic insulin treatment. Intravenous administration of 0.1 and 1 mg of L-imino-ethyl-lysine (L-NIL), an inhibitor of iNOS, did not affect MAP, GFR, or RPF, either in diabetic or control rats. A higher L-NIL dose (10 mg) increased MAP and decreased RPF in diabetic rats significantly (n = 6, P < 0.05), but not in controls (n = 6). In addition, 0.1 mg of N
G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nonselective blocker of NOS isoforms, decreased GFR (2389 ± 478 μl/min) and RPF (7691 ± 402 μl/min) in diabetic animals to control levels, while renal hemodynamics in normoglycemic rats were not altered. Higher L-NAME doses (1 and 10 mg) reduced GFR and RPF in diabetic and control rats to identical levels. In glomeruli isolated from diabetic and control rats, neither iNOS mRNA nor iNOS protein expression was detected. In contrast, increased protein levels of endothelial constitutive NOS (ecNOS) were found in glomeruli of diabetic rats compared with controls. By immunohistochemistry, ecNOS but not iNOS staining was observed in the endothelium of preglomerular vessels and in diabetic glomeruli. These results support the notion that increased NO availability due to greater abundance of ecNOS contributes to the pathogenesis of glomerular hyperfiltration in early experimental diabetic nephropathy. In contrast, we found no functional or molecular evidence for increased glomerular expression and activity of iNOS in diabetic rats.
„Habaner“ Ofenkacheln auf der Burg Čabraď
Authors: Rakonczay Rita 
Published: May 2021

Im Gebiet des ehemaligen Königreichs Ungarn gehören vier, komplett erhaltenen Öfen mit blauen und weißen Glasuren zu den ältesten ungarischen Heizanlagen, die von der Forscher als Habanerprodukt identifiziert wurden. Obwohl ein komplett erhaltener Ofen in der ungarischen Kachelofenforschung eine Seltenheit darstellt, bekamen die Verhältnisse, die Ursprünge oder die Datierung der Öfen keine bedeutende Rolle in Untersuchungen. Die Öfen haben sich in Sammlungen erhalten, deswegen konnten die archäologischen Ergebnisse bei diesen Fragen auch nicht helfen. Auf der Burg Čabraď kamen aber Ofenkacheln vor, die sich zu den Öfen ähneln, aber sie stammen aus der mit Münzen datierten Schichtenreihe. In dieser Art und Weise könnten die archäologischen Methoden bei der Datierung und bei der Untersuchung der erhaltenen Öfen auch helfen.
Excavations in the legionary fortress of Brigetio in 2019
Authors: Bartus Dávid , Borhy László , Joháczi Szilvia , Számadó Emese 
Published: May 2021

In 2019 the excavations in Brigetio focused on the area of the northern gate of the legionary fortress, as the geophysical surveys conducted in the previous year allowed the identification of both the porta praetoria and the via praetoria leading through it. These fieldworks, beside providing new information on the topography of the legionary fortress regarding the porta praetoria and the via praetoria, were also significant from a methodological point of view as they allowed the verification of the results of geophysical surveys conducted in the area earlier, thus contributing greatly to the planning and fine-tuning of future measurements.