bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of ultrasonography in the management of twin gestation
Authors: Smith Jessica , Treadwell Marjorie C. , Berman Deborah R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwins represent 1%–2% of all pregnancies, yet continue to account for a disproportionate share of neonatal adverse events including neonatal intensive care admission, morbidity, and mortality. Ultrasonography is central to the proper diagnosis of the type of twinning. Ideally, ultrasonography is performed before 14 weeks of gestation to determine chorionicity and amnionicity. Correct identification of the chorionicity in a twin pregnancy facilitates proper counseling and management of the gestation, including ultrasonography follow‐up. Herein, the different types of twinning are reviewed, together with the implications for ultrasonography monitoring of each specific type of twin gestation.
Exact computation of GMM estimators for instrumental variable quantile regression models
Authors: Chen Le‐Yu , Lee Sokbae 
Published: March 2018

SummaryWe show that the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation problem in instrumental variable quantile regression (IVQR) models can be equivalently formulated as a mixed‐integer quadratic programming problem. This enables exact computation of the GMM estimators for the IVQR models. We illustrate the usefulness of our algorithm via Monte Carlo experiments and an application to demand for fish.
Patients’ perspectives on political self‐disclosure, the therapeutic alliance, and the infiltration of politics into the therapy room in the Trump era
Authors: Solomonov Nili , Barber Jacques P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the 2016 United States presidential election and ensuing political climate on patients’ experiences in psychotherapy. A sample of 604 self‐described Democrat and Republican patients from 50 states participated in the study. Results showed that most therapists disclosed their political stance (explicitly or implicitly) and most patients discussed politics with their therapists. 64% of Clinton supporters and 38% of Trump supporters assumed political similarity with their therapist. Stronger patient‐reported alliance levels were found for patients who (a) perceived political similarity; (b) reported implicit therapist political disclosure; and (c) found in‐session political discussions helpful. Additionally, Clinton (but not Trump) supporters reported significant pre‐post‐election decreases in expression of positive emotions and increases in both expression of negative emotions and engagement in discussions about socio‐political topics. Our findings suggest that the current political climate infiltrates the therapeutic space and affects therapeutic process and content.
Effects of Renal Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Udenafil
Authors: Cho Yong‐Soon , Noh Yook‐Hwan , Lim Hyeong‐Seok , Cho Sang‐Heon , Ghim Jong‐Lyul , Choe Sangmin , Kim Soon‐Bae , Park Jung‐Sik , Lee Sang‐Koo , Yang Won‐Seok , Chang Jai‐Won , Bahng Mi‐Young , Bae Kyun‐Seop 
Published: March 2018

AbstractUdenafil is a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. Although udenafil is not predominantly eliminated by the kidney, renal impairment can alter its secretion/transport pathways. Drug pharmacokinetics and safety must therefore be assessed in subjects with a renal impairment. We investigated the effects of impaired renal function on the pharmacokinetics and safety of a single 100‐mg oral dose of udenafil in a single‐dose, open‐label, parallel‐group study of 31 subjects. Cockcroft‐Gault creatinine clearance was used to stratify these subjects into healthy controls (>80 mL·min−1) and individuals with mild (50 to ≤80 mL·min−1), moderate (30 to ≤50 mL·min−1), and severe (<30 mL·min−1) renal impairment. Pharmacokinetic measurements and safety assessments indicated that the geometric mean of the area under the concentration‐time curve to the last measurement in mildly, moderately, and severely renally impaired subjects was 1.30‐ (90% CI 1.05‐1.60), 1.62‐ (90% CI 1.28‐2.06), and 1.60‐ (90% CI 1.28‐2.01) fold higher, respectively, than the healthy controls. The geometric mean of the maximum observed concentration was 1.41‐ (90% CI 1.05‐1.88), 2.02‐ (90% CI 1.47‐2.79), and 1.65‐ (90% CI: 1.21‐2.24) fold higher, respectively. Significant correlations were observed among the creatinine clearance, oral clearance, and maximum concentration of udenafil (P < .01). All adverse events were mild, and no subject discontinued the study. Udenafil administration was well tolerated in all groups. In view of the clinical relevance of drug exposure, our findings indicate that a dose adjustment of udenafil is warranted in subjects with moderate or severe renal impairment.
Megestrol acetate for cachexia–anorexia syndrome. A systematic review
Authors: Ruiz‐García Vicente , López‐Briz Eduardo , Carbonell‐Sanchis Rafael , Bort‐Martí Sylvia , Gonzálvez‐Perales José Luis 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn 1993, megestrol acetate (MA) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or unexplained weight loss in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The mechanism by which MA increases appetite is unknown, and its effectiveness for anorexia and cachexia in neoplastic, elderly, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients is under investigation. This is an updated version of a Cochrane systematic review first published in 2005 and later updated in 2013 entitled ‘Megestrol acetate for the treatment of anorexia–cachexia syndrome’. MA vs. placebo: in studies where MA was compared with placebo, the overall results showed that MA patients gained weight (mean difference, MD 2.25 kg, 95% CI [1.19, 3.3]) but did not gain quality of life (QOL) (standarized mean difference, SMD 0.5, 95% CI [−0.13, 1.13]), with more adverse events (relative risk, RR 1.46, 95% CI [1.05, 2.04]), but no difference in deaths (RR 1.26, 95% CI [0.70, 2.27]). MA vs. no treatment: MA patients gained weight (MD 1.45 kg, 95% CI [0.15, 2.75]) but did not gain QOL (standardized mean difference 3.89 95% CI [−14, 6.28]). There was no increase in adverse events (RR 0.90, 95% CI [0.39, 2.08]) or deaths (RR 1.01, 95% CI [0.42, 2.45]). MA vs. active drugs: MA patients gained weight (MD 2.5 kg, 95% CI [0.37, 4.64]) but did not gain QOL (MD 0.20 95% CI [−0.02, 0.43]) and did not report an increase in adverse events (RR 1.05 95% CI [0.95, 1.16]) or in deaths (RR 1.53, 95% CI [1.02, 2.29]) Different doses of MA: in studies where lower doses of MA were compared with higher doses of MA, we did not find differences either in weight gain (MD −0.94 kg, 95% CI [−3.33, 1.45]), QOL (MD 0.31 95% CI [−0.19, 0.81]), or adverse events (RR 1.34, 95% CI [0.65, 2.76]). Thus, we cannot reach a conclusion for an optimal dose of MA.
In situ base release for pH maintenance can allow shake flasks to better mimic bioreactor performance for CHO cell culture
Authors: Maralingannavar Vishwanathgouda , Shenoy Bharath R , Hazarika Jahnabi , Unnikrishnan Divya , Prabhu Anuja , Maity Sunit , Gadgil Mugdha 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDShake flasks are widely used for evaluating mammalian cells in suspension. Lack of pH control can contribute to differences in culture performance between them and bioreactors. This study evaluates whether a previously reported in situ base releasing hydrogel (pHmH) to counter pH decrease can enable shake flask cultures to better mimic bioreactor cultures.RESULTSCompared with bioreactor culture, fed‐batch cultures of a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell‐line in shake flasks without pHmH showed a decrease in pH to 6.6, accompanied by 40, 60 and 22% lower peak cell density, lactate accumulation, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer, respectively. Use of pHmH allowed shake flasks to maintain pH above 6.8 and reduced this difference to 20, 30, and 15%, respectively, thus enabling culture performance in shake flasks to better mimic the bioreactor. IgG glycosylation profiles were similar in identically fed cultures across all three platforms. Application of pHmH hydrogel during clone screening was evaluated by comparing correlation between titers for five recombinant CHO clones in bioreactors and shake flasks with and without pHmH; a higher correlation was found in shake flasks with pHmH than without.CONCLUSIONIn situ base release through hydrogel can allow identically fed fed‐batch cultures in shake flasks to better mimic cell growth, lactate accumulation and IgG titers in bioreactors, without additional infrastructure. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of warm temperature acclimation‐associated 65‐kDa protein‐2 in Kumgang fat minnow Rhynchocypris kumgangensis
Authors: Kwon Gibeom , Ghil Sungho 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWarm temperature acclimation‐associated 65‐kDa protein (Wap65) is known to respond to elevated water temperatures and the corresponding gene from several fish species has been cloned. Expression of Wap65 gene is induced by various physiological stresses, such as increase in water temperature, immune response and heavy metal exposure. Two isolated Wap65 genes, Wap65‐1 and Wap65‐2, display distinct tissue distribution and physiological functions despite high sequence homology. In a previous study, we identified the Wap65‐1 gene (kmWap65‐1) from Kumgang fat minnow, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis, a small freshwater fish endemic to Korea. The kmWap65‐1 gene showed sequence homology with teleost Wap65‐1 and mammalian hemopexin, and was highly expressed in response to increased water temperature and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. Here, we isolated kmWap65‐2 from liver tissue of Kumgang fat minnow and compared the expression profiles of both kmWap65 genes following exposure to various physiological stresses, including thermal changes, bacterial challenge, and environmental toxins. Notably, while kmWap65‐1 expression was significantly increased in response to high water temperature, LPS, cadmium, and iron, kmWap65‐2 displayed no alterations in expression at high water temperature. However, kmWap65‐2 expression was upregulated slightly in response to LPS and highly in presence of copper, bisphenol A, and estradiol. Based on the collective findings, we propose that kmWap65‐1 and kmWap65‐2 are multifunctional proteins with distinct functions that could serve as useful biomarkers for assessing physiological stress and associated responses in Kumgang fat minnow.
Ontogeny of the morphology‐performance axis in an amphibious fish (Kryptolebias marmoratus)
Authors: Styga Joseph M. , Houslay Thomas M. , Wilson Alastair J. , Earley Ryan L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEstablishing links between morphology and performance is important for understanding the functional, ecological, and evolutionary implications of morphological diversity. Relationships between morphology and performance are expected to be age dependent if, at different points during ontogeny, animals must perform in different capacities to achieve high fitness returns. Few studies have examined how the relationship between form and function changes across ontogeny. Here, we assess this relationship in the amphibious mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) fish, a species that is both capable of and reliant on “tail‐flip jumping” for terrestrial locomotion. Tail‐flip jumping entails an individual transferring its weight to the caudal region of the body, launching itself from the substrate to navigate to new aquatic or semi‐aquatic habitats. By combining repeated trials of jumping performance in 237 individuals from distinct age classes with a clearing and staining procedure to visualize bones in the caudal region, we test the hypotheses that as age increases (i) average jumping performance (body lengths jumped) will increase, (ii) the amount of variation for each trait will change, and (iii) the patterns of covariation/correlation among traits, which tell us about the integration of form with function, will also change. We find a significant increase in size‐adjusted jumping performance with age, and modification to the correlation structure among traits across ontogeny. However, we also find that significant links between form and function evident in young animals disappear at later ontogenetic stages. Our study suggests that different functional mechanisms may be associated with high performance at different stages of development.
Female orgasm and the emergence of prosocial empathy: An evo‐devo perspective
Authors: Kennedy James , Pavličev Mihaela 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn human females, direct or indirect stimulation of the clitoris plays a central role in reaching orgasm. A majority of women report that penetrative coitus alone is insufficient for triggering orgasm, puzzling researchers who expect orgasm to be an outcome of procreative intercourse. In the present paper, we turn our attention to the evolutionary role that such unreliability of orgasm at coitus might have played in human evolution. We emphasize that we do not thereby attempt an explanation of its origin, but its potential evolutionary effect. The present proposal suggests that the variable female orgasm, the position of the clitoris remote from the vagina, and the mismatch of the male refractory period with the female capacity for multiple orgasms, may have contributed to the evolution of human prosocial qualities.
Identification of regulatory needs for nanomedicines
Authors: Bremer‐Hoffmann Susanne , Halamoda‐Kenzaoui Blanka , Borgos Sven Even 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe application of nanotechnology in health care is widely accepted as a potential driver of biomedical innovation. By exploiting their unique physicochemical properties, nanomedicines can monitor, repair, and control biological systems in order to address diseases for which currently no or only insufficient diagnostic and therapeutic tools are available. Nevertheless, the opportunities of nanotechnologies in the health sector are accompanied by challenges in the regulation of these products. Sufficient knowledge on their quality, safety, and efficacy must be gained and standardised methods must be made available to support the regulatory decision making and allow a smooth translation towards clinical applications. We have conducted a survey among regulatory authorities with the aim to obtain a general overview on the status and regulatory needs of nanomedicines and to indicate some trends on future requirements. The outcome has demonstrated strong regional differences in the regulation of nanomedicines and confirmed the need for the harmonisation of information requirements on nano‐specific properties. In addition, a number of critical physicochemical properties that have already been proposed in the scientific literature were verified in the survey as relevant for regulatory decision making. Finally, the survey has demonstrated an interest of regulatory agencies in an independent nanomedicine characterisation facility that can support regulators in the evaluation of these systems and at the same time assess the performance of existing and new test methods for their application to the field of nanomedicine.
Animal abuse: Offender and offence characteristics. A descriptive study
Authors: van Wijk Anton , Hardeman Manon , Endenburg Nienke 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis descriptive study was done to gain insight into the characteristics of animal abusers and animal abuse. On the basis of registrations by police, animal protection services, and the national reporting centre for animal welfare, 90 cases of animal abuse involving 97 offenders were analysed. Information about the offence and the offenders could be retrieved; the group of offenders was heterogeneous as to background and characteristics. Many were in debt, and 25% had 1 or more psychological disorders (e.g., antisocial personality disorders and autism spectrum disorders). Animal abuse often occurred because of frustration, and dogs were the main victims. Most cases of abuse took place in the home of the abuser. By taking the offence of animal abuse as starting point for studying the offenders' characteristics, we gained insight into a broad spectrum of characteristics and backgrounds than would have been found if we had started from a domestic violence perspective or the graduation hypothesis. A larger study is needed to verify findings.
Frontline Science: Microbiota reconstitution restores intestinal integrity after cisplatin therapy
Authors: Perales-Puchalt Alfredo , Perez-Sanz Jairo , Payne Kyle K , Svoronos Nikolaos , Allegrezza Michael J , Chaurio Ricardo A , Anadon Carmen , Calmette Joseph , Biswas Subir , Mine Jessica A , Costich Tara Lee , Nickels Logan , Wickramasinghe Jayamanna , Rutkowski Melanie R , Conejo-Garcia Jose R 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDue to their cytotoxic activities, many anticancer drugs cause extensive damage to the intestinal mucosa and have antibiotic activities. Here, we show that cisplatin induces significant changes in the repertoire of intestinal commensal bacteria that exacerbate mucosal damage. Restoration of the microbiota through fecal-pellet gavage drives healing of cisplatin-induced intestinal damage. Bacterial translocation to the blood stream is correspondingly abrogated, resulting in a significant reduction in systemic inflammation, as evidenced by decreased serum IL-6 and reduced mobilization of granulocytes. Mechanistically, reversal of dysbiosis in response to fecal gavage results in the production of protective mucins and mobilization of CD11b+ myeloid cells to the intestinal mucosa, which promotes angiogenesis. Administration of Ruminococcus gnavus, a bacterial strain selectively depleted by cisplatin treatment, could only partially restore the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and reduce systemic inflammation, without measurable increases in the accumulation of mucin proteins. Together, our results indicate that reconstitution of the full repertoire of intestinal bacteria altered by cisplatin treatment accelerates healing of the intestinal epithelium and ameliorates systemic inflammation. Therefore, fecal microbiota transplant could paradoxically prevent life-threatening bacteremia in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
Cost‐containment in hypofractionated radiation therapy: a literature review
Authors: Hunter Darren , Mauldon Emily , Anderson Nigel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRecent technological advances in radiation therapy have allowed for greater accuracy in planning and treatment delivery. The development of hypofractionated radiation treatment regimens is an example, and has the potential to decrease the cost per episode of care, relative to conventional treatments. Our aim was to analyse published literature on the cost‐effectiveness and budgetary implications of hypofractionated radiation therapy. As such, this article will quantify the projected health care cost savings and address the optimal means of treatment delivery, associated patient outcomes, and implications arising from an increased use of hypofractionated regimens.
Prevalence, Evolution, and Risk Factors for Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Adults Undergoing Intestinal Transplantation
Authors: Huard Geneviève , Fiel M. Isabel , Moon Jang , Iyer Kishore , Schiano Thomas D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionIntestinal failure–associated liver disease (IFALD) occurs commonly in intestinal transplant (ITx) candidates receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence and risk factors for advanced liver fibrosis in adults at the time of ITx.MethodsRetrospective chart review of all ITx was performed in adults between January 2000 and May 2014. Advanced liver fibrosis was defined as stage 3 or stage 4 fibrosis.ResultsFifty‐three patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 50.6 ± 10.9 years, and the majority were female (60.4%) and Caucasian (67.9%). The mean body mass index was 21.7 ± 3.8 kg/m2 and the median duration of PN was 402 (interquartile range: 529) days. Advanced liver fibrosis at the time of ITx was found in 13 patients (24.5%). The multivariate analysis revealed that female gender and white race were significant predictors of advanced liver fibrosis. A total bilirubin >3.0 mg/dL for > a month prior to ITx was associated with an odds ratio of 8.9 for advanced fibrosis at the time of ITx but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.055).ConclusionClose to one‐quarter of the ITx recipients had advanced liver fibrosis. In the current era of improved PN management, our data suggests that previously reported risk factors for IFALD, such as extreme short gut syndrome and PN duration, may have a lesser impact on development of liver fibrosis. A prolonged duration of bilirubin elevation may be associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with IFALD, but this requires validation in a larger cohort.
Accompanying ions of ammonium sources and nitrate : ammonium ratios in tomato plants
Authors: Ferreira Barreto Rafael , Rodrigues Cruz Flávio José , Aparecido Gaion Lucas , de Mello Prado Renato , Falleiros Carvalho Rogério 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar Micro‐Tom (MT) is widely used in physiological studies, but the effects of nitrate (
) and ammonium (
) ratios (
:
ratios) and, in particular, the effects of the accompanying ions in
sources are unknown. To determine whether the accompanying ions in
sources influence
toxicity, the effects of
:
ratios on the physiology, electrolyte leakage index, nutrition, and dry weight were studied using hydroponics. The
sources were ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4], and five
:
ratios were used: 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75, and 0 : 100. The
source was calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2], and the nitrogen (N) concentration was 15 mmol L−1. The results indicate that NH4Cl or (NH4)2SO4 can be used in studies on
toxicity because the accompanying ions did not influence the tomato plants. In addition,
:
ratios of 100 : 0 and 75 : 25 resulted in the highest dry weight of tomato plants, whereas ratios of 25 : 75 or 0 : 100 were toxic.
Effect of disparity and viewing ambient illumination on stereoscopic viewing: An eye movement approach
Authors: Li Kena , Liu Yue 
Published: March 2018

AbstractResearchers have found that factors related to viewing content and viewing environment could influence viewers' stereoscopic viewing experiences. In this paper, the effect of both disparity and viewing ambient illumination condition on stereoscopic viewing was investigated by using an eye movement approach. The eye movement responses to random dot stereograms (RDS) stimuli in stereoscopic viewing were studied by performing a fusion range measurement experiment involving a judgment task. The fusion ranges under two ambient illumination conditions, eye movement responses to RDS stimuli and effects of disparity on eye movement parameters, were analyzed, respectively. The experimental results showed that fusion range under two ambient illumination conditions were different, and changes of eye movement parameters were different among various disparities when ambient illumination conditions varied. As a result, in order to improve viewers' viewing experiences when viewing different 3D contents, the arrangement of viewing ambient illumination conditions and the selection of disparity should be appropriately considered. The findings in this paper provide guidelines to reasonably arrange the viewing ambient illumination condition and efficiently produce healthy disparity in stereoscopic viewing.