bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does lithium prevent relapse following successful electroconvulsive therapy for major depression? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lambrichts Simon , Detraux Johan , Vansteelandt Kristof , Nordenskjöld Axel , Obbels Jasmien , Schrijvers Didier , Sienaert Pascal 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe risk of relapse following successful antidepressant treatment, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is substantial. Lithium has been suggested to effectively prevent relapse, yet data remain limited and inconclusive. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the efficacy of continuation treatment with lithium in preventing relapse following a successful acute course of ECT in patients with major depression, in comparison to continuation treatment without lithium. We also assessed the role of several study characteristics, possibly impacting the treatment effect.MethodsA systematic literature search, using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (up to June 2020), was conducted for prospective and retrospective studies, including patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, that assessed the efficacy of lithium for post‐ECT depressive relapse prevention.ResultsOf 2556 records screened, 14 articles reporting on 9748 participants who received continuation treatment either with (N = 1571) or without lithium (N = 8177) were included in the meta‐analysis. Patients receiving lithium were less likely to experience depressive relapse after a successful acute course of ECT, compared to patients receiving post‐ECT prophylaxis without lithium (weighted odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34, 0.82), with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 7 (95% CI = 4, 21). We found some limited evidence that older patients may benefit more from continuation treatment with lithium, compared to younger patients. Using the GRADE criteria, the quality of evidence for our outcome measure (i.e., relapse rate) was rated as very low.ConclusionContinuation treatment with lithium may have superior efficacy in reducing the risk of relapse after a successful acute ECT course for major depression, in comparison to continuation treatment without lithium. High‐quality studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Gestational diabetes – Major problems with post‐partum testing
Authors: Moses Robert Geoffrey , Suthers Ronel , van Gemert Tegan E. , Martin Michele B. , Webb Alison J. 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundPost‐partum follow up testing of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is important. All women, and their family doctors, receive written reminders. There are no recent major Australian reviews of the efficacy and compliance with this advice conducted in an ethnically representative population and using the current diagnostic criteria.AimThe aim was to examine a cohort of women with recently diagnosed GDM and a completed pregnancy to determine what proportion had been tested and what were the difficulties in having testing carried out.MethodsWomen who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes and attended the Diabetes Service in 2017 were followed up in 2019. Attempted contact was made using an unidentified land line, an identifiable mobile phone and a postal survey. Compliance with testing advice was the major parameter considered.ResultsThere were 714 women with GDM, 75 were excluded: 64 after pass one and 11 after pass two. In total, only 339/639 (53.1%) could be contacted. Of these women, 334 agreed to be surveyed; 207 (62.0%) had a post‐partum test. Of the 127 women who had not had a test, 113 agreed to have an HbA1c. Only 13/113 (11.5%) had this done within a month.ConclusionContacting women, even within a short time after the pregnancy, is difficult. The number of post‐partum tests carried out is suboptimal. Written advice to all women and their doctors does not appear to be working. A review of the cost effectiveness of this approach and development of new methods may be worthwhile.
Outcomes of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Yang Phillip F. , Veness Michael J. , Cooper Edward A. , Fox Richard , Smee Robert I. , Lehane Christopher , Crowe Philip J. , Howle Julie R. , Thompson Stephen R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundMetastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla is uncommon, with limited data to guide management. We sought to assess the outcomes of patients with this condition after surgery and radiotherapy.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of patients treated at two Australian hospitals from 1994 through 2016 was performed.ResultsA total of 74 patients were identified, including 48 treated curatively with surgery‐plus‐radiotherapy and 15 with surgery alone. Compared with patients treated with surgery alone, a higher proportion of patients treated with surgery‐plus‐radiotherapy had lymph nodes larger than 6 cm (53% versus 8%, P = 0.012) and multiple adverse histopathological features (75% versus 47%, P = 0.04). The groups had similar 5‐year disease‐free survival (45% versus 46%) and overall survival (51% versus 48%). Presence of multiple positive lymph nodes was associated with reduced disease‐free survival (hazard ratio 4.57, P = 0.01) and overall survival (hazard ratio 3.53, P = 0.02). Regional recurrence was higher in patients treated with surgery alone (38% versus 22%, P = 0.22) and patients with lymph nodes larger than 6 cm (34% versus 10%, P = 0.03). All recurrences occurred within 2 years following treatment.ConclusionCombined‐modality therapy for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the axilla is recommended for high‐risk patients, although outcomes remain modest. The key period for recurrence is within 2 years following treatment.
Cholesterol and glaucoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Posch‐Pertl Laura , Michelitsch Monja , Wagner Gernot , Wildner Brigitte , Silbernagel Günther , Pregartner Gudrun , Wedrich Andreas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPurposeIntraocular pressure is the main risk factor for glaucoma; however, additional risk factors may also matter. This systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to summarize the evidence regarding the association of cholesterol parameters (total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels) and glaucoma.MethodsFour electronic databases were searched for all publications containing ‘glaucoma’ and one of various forms of ‘cholesterol’ or ‘lipoprotein’. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and potentially full texts of identified articles for eligibility. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to investigate the differences in total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels between patients with and without glaucoma.ResultsOverall, 29 observational studies were included in the systematic review and 26 reported quantitative information to investigate differences in cholesterol parameters between patients with glaucoma (N = 7196) and patients without glaucoma (N = 350 441). Patients with glaucoma had significantly higher total cholesterol levels than patients without glaucoma (Mean Difference (MD) 7.9 mg/dl, 95% CI 3.3 to 12.5, p = 0.001) and lower mean HDL levels (MD −2.0 mg/dl, 95% CI: −3.1 to −0.9, p = 0.001). Patients with glaucoma had higher mean LDL levels than patients without glaucoma, albeit not statistically significant (MD 6.1 mg/dl, 95% CI: −4.3 to 16.4, p = 0.251).ConclusionThis systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies found an association of glaucoma and high total cholesterol and low HDL levels, respectively. Although this supports the hypothesis that lipid levels pose an additional risk for glaucoma development, heterogeneity was substantial and causality cannot be presumed from identified observational studies.
Effect of β1/β2‐adrenoceptor blockade on β3‐adrenoceptor activity in the rat cremaster muscle artery
Authors: Saunders Samantha L. , Hutchinson Dana S. , Britton Fiona C. , Liu Lu , Markus Irit , Sandow Shaun L. , Murphy Timothy V. 
Published: January 2021

Background and PurposeThe physiological role of vascular β3‐adrenoceptors is not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests cardiac β3‐adrenoceptors are functionally effective after down‐regulation of β1/β2‐adrenoceptors. The functional interaction between the β3‐adrenoceptor and other β‐adrenoceptor subtypes in rat striated muscle arteries was investigated.Experimental ApproachStudies were performed in cremaster muscle arteries isolated from male Sprague–Dawley rats. β‐adrenoceptor expression was assessed through RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence. Functional effects of β3‐adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists and other β‐adrenoceptor ligands were measured using pressure myography.Key ResultsAll three β‐adrenoceptor subtypes were present in the endothelium of the cremaster muscle artery. The β3‐adrenoceptor agonists mirabegron and CL 316,243 had no effect on the diameter of pressurized (70 mmHg) cremaster muscle arterioles with myogenic tone, while the β3‐adrenoceptor agonist SR 58611A and the nonselective β‐adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline caused concentration‐dependent dilation. In the presence of β1/2‐adrenoceptor antagonists nadolol (10 μM), atenolol (1 μM) and ICI 118,551 (0.1 μM) both mirabegron and CL 316,243 were effective in causing vasodilation and the potency of SR 58611A was enhanced, while responses to isoprenaline were inhibited. The β3‐adrenoceptor antagonist L 748,337 (1 μM) inhibited vasodilation caused by β3‐adrenoceptor agonists (in the presence of β1/2‐adrenoceptor blockade), but L 748,337 had no effect on isoprenaline‐induced vasodilation.Conclusion and ImplicationsAll three β‐adrenoceptor subtypes were present in the endothelium of the rat cremaster muscle artery, but β3‐adrenoceptor mediated vasodilation was only evident after blockade of β1/2‐adrenoceptors. This suggests constitutive β1/2‐adrenoceptor activity inhibits β3‐adrenoceptor function in the endothelium of skeletal muscle resistance arteries.
Testing the environmental prediction hypothesis for community‐wide mass flowering in South‐East Asia
Authors: Satake Akiko , Leong Yao Tze , Kosugi Yoshiko , Chen Yu‐Yun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGeneral flowering, in which hundreds of species synchronize their flowering at multi‐year intervals, is a puzzle to ecologists. It is hypothesized that species taking part in general flowering time their reproduction to meet favorable environmental conditions for seedling establishment. We tested this environmental prediction hypothesis using 14‐year weekly flower records of five Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae) and daily meteorological data in a lowland rain forest in Malaysia. We first investigated causal inference between three potential flowering triggers (cooling, drought, and the synergistic signal of cooling and drought) and flowering. We then explored the causality between flowering triggers and moisture condition during seedling establishment. Our results demonstrated that the synergistic signal of cooling and drought causally influences flowering phenology with the highest predictability for the timing of flowering. Both drought and the synergistic signal of cooling and drought are causally linked to favorable wet conditions during seedling establishment, but the predictability of future rainfall by the synergistic signal was higher than the drought alone. These results support the environmental prediction hypothesis and raise the question as to whether climate change allows the prediction to hold for plant regeneration in the future.
Body mass index and colorectal cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Suzuki Shiori , Goto Atsushi , Nakatochi Masahiro , Narita Akira , Yamaji Taiki , Sawada Norie , Katagiri Ryoko , Iwagami Masao , Hanyuda Akiko , Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Sutoh Yoichi , Oze Isao , Koyanagi Yuriko N. , Kasugai Yumiko , Taniyama Yukari , Ito Hidemi , Ikezaki Hiroaki , Nishida Yuichiro , Tamura Takashi , Mikami Haruo , Takezaki Toshiro , Suzuki Sadao , Ozaki Etsuko , Kuriki Kiyonori , Takashima Naoyuki , Arisawa Kokichi , Takeuchi Kenji , Tanno Kozo , Shimizu Atsushi , Tamiya Gen , Hozawa Atsushi , Kinoshita Kengo , Wakai Kenji , Sasaki Makoto , Yamamoto Masayuki , Matsuo Keitaro , Tsugane Shoichiro , Iwasaki Motoki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTraditional observational studies have reported a positive association between higher body mass index (BMI) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, evidence from other approaches to pursue the causal relationship between BMI and CRC is sparse. A two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was undertaken using 68 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Japanese genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and 654 SNPs from the GWAS catalogue for BMI as sets of instrumental variables. For the analysis of SNP‐BMI associations, we undertook a meta‐analysis with 36 303 participants in the Japanese Consortium of Genetic Epidemiology studies (J‐CGE), comprising normal populations. For the analysis of SNP‐CRC associations, we utilized 7636 CRC cases and 37 141 controls from five studies in Japan, and undertook a meta‐analysis. Mendelian randomization analysis of inverse‐variance weighted method indicated that a one‐unit (kg/m2) increase in genetically predicted BMI was associated with an odds ratio of 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.06‐1.20; P value <.001) for CRC using the set of 68 SNPs, and an odds ratio of 1.07 (1.03‐1.11, 0.001) for CRC using the set of 654 SNPs. Sensitivity analyses robustly showed increased odds ratios for CRC for every one‐unit increase in genetically predicted BMI. Our MR analyses strongly support the evidence that higher BMI influences the risk of CRC. Although Asians are generally leaner than Europeans and North Americans, avoiding higher BMI seems to be important for the prevention of CRC in Asian populations.
Synergistic antifungal effects of curcumin derivatives as fungal biofilm inhibitors with fluconazole
Authors: Dong Huai‐Huai , Wang Yuan‐Hua , Peng Xue‐Mi , Zhou He‐Yang , Zhao Fei , Jiang Yuan‐Ying , Zhang Da‐Zhi , Jin Yong‐Sheng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLack of novel antifungal agents and severe drug resistance has led to high incidence and associated mortality of invasive fungal infections. To tackle the challenges, novel antifungal agents with anti‐resistant potency are highly desirable. Thus, derivatives of curcumin were synthesized to restore the effectiveness of fluconazole (FLC) against FLC‐resistant Candida spp. and structure‐activity relationships were then discussed. Some novel derivatives showed promising features as novel antifungal lead compounds. Of them, compound 4 showed good alone or synergistic antifungal activity against FLC‐resistant Candida spp. Moreover, compound 4 was proven as a potent inhibitor of Candida albicans biofilm formation and yeast‐to‐hypha morphological transition whether used alone or in combination with FLC, which was further confirmed by the inhibitory effect on cellular surface hydrophobicity of C. albicans. Compound 4 also inhibits intracellular ATP production of C. albicans and disrupts membrane permeability of C. albicans when used in combination with FLC. The results highlighted the potential of curcumin derivatives to overcome fluconazole‐related and biofilm‐related drug resistance.
Hematological findings associated with tubulin‐folding cofactors D‐related encephalopathy: Expanding the phenotype
Authors: Al‐Bakheet Albandary , Tohary Mohamed , Khan Sameena , Chedrawi Aziza , Edrees Alaa , Tous Ehab , Al‐Mousa Hamoud , Al‐Otaibi Lefian , AlShahrani Saif , Alsagob Maysoon , Al‐Quait Laila , Almass Rawan , Al‐Joudi Haya , Monies Dorota , Al‐Semari Abdulaziz , Aldosary Mazhor , Daghestani Maha , Colak Dilek , Kaya Namik , Al‐Owain Mohammed 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe dysfunction of microtubules (α/β‐tubulin polymers) underlies a wide range of nervous system genetic abnormalities. Defects in TBCD, a tubulin‐folding cofactor, cause diseases highlighted with early‐onset encephalopathy with or without neurodegeneration, intellectual disability, seizures, microcephaly and tetraparaperesis. Utilizing various molecular methods, we describe nine patients from four unrelated families with two novel exon 18 variants in TBCD exhibiting the typical neurological phenotype of the disease. Interestingly, all the investigated patients had previously unreported hematological findings in the form of neutropenia and mild degree of anemia and thrombocytopenia. In addition to delineating the neurological phenotype in several patients with TBCD variants, our study stresses on the new association of neutropenia, in particular, with the disease.
82Rb tissue kinetics in humans
Authors: Gregg Sima , Keramida Georgia , Peters A. Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimThe study aim was to compare the kinetics of the potassium analogue, 82Rb, between spleen, liver and kidney.MethodsPatients had myocardial stress/rest perfusion imaging using adenosine (n = 45) or regadenoson (n = 33) for stressing. Hepatic arterial (HAP), splenic (SP) and renal (RP) perfusions were measured from first‐pass and blood 82Rb clearances (Ki) from Gjedde–Patlak–Rutland graphical analysis of data between 1 and 2 min postinjection, using regions of interest over left ventricular cavity or abdominal aorta to monitor arterial concentration. Tissue 82Rb extraction efficiency (E) was calculated as [Ki/perfusion]*100. Tissue extracellular fluid volume (ECV) was derived from the GPR plot intercept.ResultsSP (24%) and RP (23%) increased after regadenoson but decreased (−41% and −19%) after adenosine. HAP increased after adenosine (91%) and regadenoson (68%). Resting E was high in kidney (69%) and low in spleen (26%). After adenosine, it increased to 91% in kidney and 49% in spleen. Assuming an arterial contribution of 25% to hepatic blood flow, resting E in liver was estimated as 23%. Relationships between Ki and perfusion in spleen and kidney were consistent with the Crone–Renkin equation (Ki = [1 − A.e‐B/perfusion]*perfusion), with respective values of A of 0.95 and 0.94 and B of 31 and 186 ml/min/100 ml. Splenic ECV decreased following adenosine from 62 to 39 ml/100 ml and showed a logarithmic correlation with SP.ConclusionKidney, spleen and liver display contrasting tissue kinetics. E is high in kidney and low in spleen and liver. Spleen is erectile, collapsing when perfusion decreases.
Programmed cell death in spinal cord injury pathogenesis and therapy
Authors: Shi Zhongju , Yuan Shiyang , Shi Linlin , Li Jiahe , Ning Guangzhi , Kong Xiaohong , Feng Shiqing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) always leads to functional deterioration due to a series of processes including cell death. In recent years, programmed cell death (PCD) is considered to be a critical process after SCI, and various forms of PCD were discovered in recent years, including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis and paraptosis. Unlike necrosis, PCD is known as an active cell death mediated by a cascade of gene expression events, and it is crucial for elimination unnecessary and damaged cells, as well as a defence mechanism. Therefore, it would be meaningful to characterize the roles of PCD to not only enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological processes, but also improve functional recovery after SCI. This review will summarize and explore the most recent advances on how apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis and paraptosis are involved in SCI. This review can help us to understand the various functions of PCD in the pathological processes of SCI, and contribute to our novel understanding of SCI of unknown aetiology in the near future.
First‐day plasma amylase detects patients at risk of complications after simultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplantation
Authors: Bonsdorff Akseli , Sallinen Ville , Räihä Juulia , Ekstrand Agneta , Nordin Arno , Lempinen Marko , Helanterä Ilkka 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundSimultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplantation (SPK) carries a high risk of major postoperative complications, but knowledge on early warning signs and surrogate markers for postoperative complications is scarce.AimsOur aim was to analyze the complication‐predictive value of different laboratory tests in pancreas transplantation.Materials & MethodsAll SPKs in Finland between January 2010 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Levels of first three‐day plasma amylase, drain fluid amylase, C‐reactive protein, C‐peptide, plasma trypsinogen, and white blood cell count were assessed for their performance predicting cumulative postoperative complications (assessed using the Comprehensive Complication Index) within 90 days from transplantation by using ROC analyses.ResultsOf the 164 SPK patients included, 39 suffered at least one complication requiring laparotomy. First‐day plasma amylase had the best value in predicting complications based on its high AUC value and easy clinical applicability, with an optimum cutoff of six times the upper normal limit. Negative predictive values (NPVs) and positive predictive values of this cutoff were 0.81 and 0.71 for any relaparotomy, and 0.91 and 0.71 for the Comprehensive Complication Index >47.7 (which equals the morbidity of two relaparotomies), respectively.ConclusionIn conclusion, first‐day plasma amylase could be able to detect patients at risk of complications after SPK.
The effects of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition and monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition on habit formation in mice
Authors: Gianessi Carol A. , Groman Stephanie M. , Taylor Jane R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEmerging data indicate that endocannabinoid signaling is critical to the formation of habitual behavior. Previous work demonstrated that antagonism of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) with AM251 during operant training impairs habit formation, but it is not known if this behavioral effect is specific to disrupted signaling of the endocannabinoid ligands anandamide or 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG). Here, we used selective pharmacological compounds during operant training to determine the impact of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition to increase anandamide (and other n‐acylethanolamines) or monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition to increase 2‐AG levels on the formation of habitual behaviors in mice using a food‐reinforced contingency degradation procedure. We found, contrary to our hypothesis, that inhibition of FAAH and of MAGL disrupted the formation of habits. Next, AM251 was administered during training to verify that impaired habit formation could be assessed using contingency degradation. AM251‐exposed mice responded at lower rates during training and at higher rates in the test. To understand the inconsistency with published data, we performed a proof‐of‐principle dose–response experiment to compare AM251 in our vehicle‐solution to the published vehicle‐suspension on response rates. We found consistent reductions in response rate with increasing doses of AM251 in solution and an inconsistent dose–response relationship with AM251 in suspension. Together, our data suggest that further characterization of the role of CB1R signaling in the formation of habitual responding is warranted and that augmenting endocannabinoids may have clinical utility for prophylactically preventing aberrant habit formation such as that hypothesized to occur in substance use disorders.