bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Objective assessment of clinical, oncological and cosmetic outcomes following volume replacement in patients undergoing oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Hu Jesse , Rainsbury Richard M , Segaran Ashvina , Predescu Oana , Roy Pankaj G 
Published: July 2018

IntroductionOncoplastic breast surgery allows the excision of larger tumours without compromising cosmetic outcome and can be broadly divided into volume displacement and volume replacement techniques. Although oncoplastic surgery has rapidly gained acceptance and is now widely practised, evidence is still lacking especially in patients who underwent volume replacement techniques. As it is a relatively new technique that has been described in the literature in the recent years, a summary of evidence from this literature can help clinicians to understand the clinical, oncologicalandcosmetic outcomes of such procedures.Methods and analysisAll original studies including randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, case–control studies and case series involving more than 10 women undergoing partial breast reconstruction using a volume replacement technique will be included. The primary objective is to evaluate the clinical, oncological and cosmetic outcomes following volume replacement in patients undergoing oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery. The secondary objective is to review the patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) associated with oncoplastic breast surgery to help identify any unmet needs and to consider refining the existing PROMs to suit women undergoing volume replacement surgery.A comprehensive literature search, eligibility assessment and extraction of data will be conducted by two trained teams acting independently. Data will be extracted and stored in a database with standardised extraction fields to facilitate easy and consistent data entry. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the Cochrane tests.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review requires no ethical approval. It will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it will also be presented at nationalandinternational conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017075700; Pre-results.
Efficacy of oral administration of cystine and theanine in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery: study protocol for a multi-institutional, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase II trial
Authors: Hamaguchi Reo , Tsuchiya Takashi , Miyata Go , Sato Toshihiko , Takahashi Kenichi , Ariyoshi Keisuke , Oyamada Shunsuke , Iwase Satoru 
Published: July 2018

IntroductionAlthough adjuvant capecitabine therapy for patients with colorectal cancer after surgery often causes adverse events (AEs), such as diarrhoea, stomatitis, anorexia and hand-foot syndrome (HFS), there are no standard prevention therapies. Cystine and theanine were reported to attenuate some chemotherapy-associated AEs, and are also expected to attenuate the AEs caused by capecitabine treatment. Therefore, our present study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of cystine/theanine therapy in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.Methods and analysisA multi-institutional, prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase II trial is being planned. Patients with colorectal cancer treated with capecitabine as an adjuvant chemotherapy will be randomised into either the cystine/theanine group (n=50) or placebo group (n=50). Data will be collected during four courses of capecitabine therapy. The primary endpoint will be incidence rate of diarrhoea of grade 1 or higher in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs (CTCAE) v.4.0, Japanese Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) version. The secondary endpoints are incidence rates of other AEs (CTCAE v.4.0-JCOG), scores of the Japanese version of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire module for all patients with cancer (QLQ-C30) and for patients with colorectal cancer (QLQ-CR29), incidence rate of HFS according to the HFS grading scale, protocol adherence, completion rate of four courses of capecitabine therapy and the proportion of completion without delay or dose reduction, time to completion of four courses of capecitabine and total dose of capecitabine. A sample size of 100 patients will be analysed between November 2016 and April 2018.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained at all participating institutions. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberUMIN000024784; Pre-results.
Interventions for subjective cognitive decline: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bhome Rohan , Berry Alex J , Huntley Jonathan D , Howard Robert J 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesThis review provides a broad overview of the effectiveness of interventions for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in improving psychological well-being, metacognition and objective cognitive performance.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Systematic Reviews were searched up to August 2017 to identify randomised controlled trials evaluating interventions for SCD. Interventions were categorised as psychological, cognitive, lifestyle or pharmacological. Outcomes of interest included psychological well-being, metacognitive ability and objective cognitive performance. To assess the risk of bias, three authors independently rated study validity using criteria based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Random-effects meta-analyses were undertaken where three or more studies investigated similar interventions and reported comparable outcomes.ResultsTwenty studies met inclusion criteria and 16 had sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analyses. Of these, only seven were rated as being high quality. Group psychological interventions significantly improved psychological well-being (g=0.40, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.76; p=0.03) but the improvement they conferred on metacognitive ability was not statistically significant (g=0.26, 95% CI −0.22 to 0.73; p=0.28). Overall, cognitive training interventions led to a small, statistically significant improvement in objective cognitive performance (g=0.13, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.25; p=0.03). However, the pooled effect sizes of studies using active control groups (g=0.02, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.22; p=0.85) or reporting global cognitive measures (g=0.06, 95% CI –0.19 to 0.31; p=0.66) were non-significant.ConclusionsThere is a lack of high-quality research in this field. Group psychological interventions improve psychological well-being and may also improve metacognition. A large, high-quality study is indicated to investigate this further. There is no evidence to suggest that cognitive interventions improve global cognitive performance and the clinical utility of small improvements in specific cognitive domains is questionable. There is a lack of research considering lifestyle interventions and poor quality evidence for pharmacological interventions.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017079391.
Lung volume indices predict morbidity in smokers with preserved spirometry
Authors: Zeng Siyang , Tham Andrea , Bos Bruce , Jin Joan , Giang Brian , Arjomandi Mehrdad 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundAbnormal lung volumes that reflect air trapping are common in COPD. However, their significance in smokers with preserved spirometry (normal FEV1 to FVC ratio) is unclear.MethodsUsing the Veterans Administration Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database, we identified 7479 patients at risk for COPD (ever smokers >40 years of age without restrictive lung disease) who had preserved spirometry and concomitant lung volume measurements, and examined their subsequent health records for clinical diagnoses of COPD, healthcare utilisation, follow-up spirometry and mortality.ResultsAir trapping was prevalent, with 31% of patients having residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV:TLC) greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN). RV:TLC varied widely from 14% to 77% (51% to 204% of predicted) across the normal ranges of FEV1:FVC and FEV1. Patients with RV:TLC greater than the ULN were more likely to receive subsequent clinical diagnoses of COPD (HR (95% CI)=1.55 (1.42 to 1.70), p<0.001) and had higher all-cause mortality (HR (95% CI)=1.41 (1.29 to 1.54), p<0.001). They had higher rates of respiratory medication prescriptions and hospital and intensive care unit admissions. Other air trapping and static hyperinflation indices showed similar associations with health outcomes. Additionally, high-normal RV:TLC was associated with intermediate adverse health outcomes compared with low-normal and abnormal RV:TLC. Abnormal RV:TLC predicted higher likelihood of progression to spirometric COPD (OR (95% CI)=1.30 (1.03 to 1.65), p=0.027).ConclusionIn this study of the Veterans Affairs electronic health records, air trapping was common in smokers with preserved spirometry and predicted adverse respiratory outcomes and progression to overt COPD.
Impact of removing point-of-sale tobacco displays on smoking behaviour among adolescents in Europe: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Van Hurck Maureen M , Nuyts Paulien A W , Monshouwer Karin , Kunst Anton E , Kuipers Mirte A G 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundAn increasing number of European countries implemented a point-of-sale (PoS) display ban on tobacco products. This study assessed the association between PoS display bans in Europe and adolescent smoking and perceived accessibility of tobacco, 2–6 years after PoS display ban implementation.MethodsIn a quasi-experimental design, we compared individuals in countries that did and countries that did not implement a PoS display ban, before and after implementation. We used repeated cross-sectional data of 174 878 15-year-old and 16-year-old adolescents from 25 countries from the 2007, 2011 and 2015 European Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs surveys. Multilevel logistic regression models examined smoking behaviour (regular smoking vs other) and perceived access (easy vs difficult) as a function of display ban implementation and controlled for survey year, gender, parental education and implementation of other tobacco control policies. Interaction with gender was tested.ResultsThe implementation of a PoS display ban was associated with a 15% larger drop in the odds of regular smoking (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.91), but was not significantly associated with perceived accessibility of tobacco (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.892 to 1.03). Associations were similar in males and females (cross-level interactions of gender with display ban were not statistically significant for either outcome).ConclusionThe implementation of PoS display bans in Europe was associated with a stronger decrease in regular smoking among adolescents. This decrease does not appear to be driven by a decreasing accessibility of tobacco, but might be caused by further de-normalisation of tobacco as a result of PoS display bans.
miR-34a Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification by Downregulating SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1) and Axl (AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase)
Authors: Badi Ileana , Mancinelli Luigi , Polizzotto Andrea , Ferri Debora , Zeni Filippo , Burba Ilaria , Milano Giuseppina , Brambilla Francesca , Saccu Claudio , Bianchi Marco E. , Pompilio Giulio , Capogrossi Maurizio C. , Raucci Angela 
Published: July 2018

Objective—
Vascular calcification (VC) is age dependent and a risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. VC involves the senescence-induced transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) toward an osteochondrogenic lineage resulting in arterial wall mineralization. miR-34a increases with age in aortas and induces vascular SMC senescence through the modulation of its target SIRT1 (sirtuin 1). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miR-34a regulates VC.

Approach and Results—

We found that miR-34a and Runx2 (Runt-related transcription factor 2) expression correlates in young and old mice.
Mir34a
+/+
and
Mir34a
−/−
mice were treated with vitamin D, and calcium quantification revealed that
Mir34a
deficiency reduces soft tissue and aorta medial calcification and the upregulation of the VC Sox9 (SRY [sex-determining region Y]-box 9) and Runx2 and the senescence p16 and p21 markers. In this model, miR-34a upregulation was transient and preceded aorta mineralization.
Mir34a
−/−
SMCs were less prone to undergo senescence and under osteogenic conditions deposited less calcium compared with
Mir34a
+/+
cells. Furthermore, unlike in
Mir34a
+/+
SMC, the known VC inhibitors SIRT1 and Axl (AXL receptor tyrosine kinase) were only partially downregulated in calcifying
Mir34a
−/−
SMC. Strikingly, constitutive miR-34a overexpression to senescence-like levels in human aortic SMCs increased calcium deposition and enhanced Axl and SIRT1 decrease during calcification. Notably, we also showed that miR-34a directly decreased Axl expression in human aortic SMC, and restoration of its levels partially rescued miR-34a-dependent growth arrest.

Conclusions—
miR-34a promotes VC via vascular SMC mineralization by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing senescence through direct Axl and SIRT1 downregulation, respectively. This miRNA could be a good therapeutic target for the treatment of VC.
Description of Crassolabium costaricense sp. n. (Nematoda: Dorylaimida: Dorylaimidae) from Costa Rica
Authors: Varela-Benavides Ingrid , Peña-Santiago Reyes 
Published: July 2018

Summary
A new species of Crassolabium, C. costaricense sp. n., collected from natural habitats in Costa Rica, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by its body length of 1.26 (1.22-1.30) mm in the female and 1.28 (1.16-1.37) mm in the male, lip region nearly continuous and 13.5 (12.5-14.5) μm broad in the female and 13.1 (12.5-14.0) μm broad in the male, odontostyle 17.3 (15.5-19.0) μm long in the female and 18.1 (17.0-19.0) μm long in the male with the aperture occupying 33-42% its length, neck 302-334 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 120-142 μm long or occupying 40-45% of total neck length, uterus tripartite and 163 (134-176) μm long or 2.6-3.1 times the corresponding body diam., pars refringens vaginae well developed, vulva transverse (V = 57.1 (56.0-58.0)), tail short and rounded in female (17.9 (17.0-19.0 μm) long; c = 70.3 (67.0-72.0); c′ = 0.56 (0.50-0.60)) and more conoid in males (21.6 (17.0-23.0) μm long; c = 60.4 (56.0-77.0); c′ = 0.65 (0.50-0.70)), spicules 47 (44-49) μm long, and presence of 8-10 closely spaced ventromedian supplements with an hiatus. Its molecular (LSU D2-D3) characterisation supports an evolutionary relationship with members of the Dorylaimidae.
The “Bag Breakup” Spume Droplet Generation Mechanism at High Winds. Part II: Contribution to Momentum and Enthalpy Transfer
Authors: Troitskaya Yu. , Druzhinin O. , Kozlov D. , Zilitinkevich S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn Part I of this study, we used high-speed video to identify “bag breakup” fragmentation as the dominant mechanism by which spume droplets are generated at gale-force and hurricane wind speeds. We also constructed a spray generation function (SGF) for the bag-breakup mechanism. The distinctive feature of this new SGF is the presence of giant (~1000 μm) droplets, which may significantly intensify the exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean. In this paper, Part II, we estimate the contribution of the bag-breakup mechanism to the momentum and enthalpy fluxes, which are known to strongly affect the development and maintenance of hurricanes. We consider three contributions to the spray-mediated aerodynamic drag: 1) “bags” as obstacles before fragmentation, 2) acceleration of droplets by the wind in the course of their production, and 3) stable stratification of the marine atmospheric boundary layer due to levitating droplets. Taking into account all of these contributions indicates a peaking dependence of the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the wind speed, which confirms the results of field and laboratory measurements. The contribution of the spray-mediated flux to the ocean-to-atmosphere moist enthalpy is also estimated using the concept of “reentrant spray,” and the equation for the enthalpy flux from a single droplet to the atmosphere is derived from microphysical equations. Our estimates show that a noticeable increase in the enthalpy exchange coefficient at winds exceeding 30–35 m s−1 is due to the enhancement of the exchange processes caused by the presence of giant droplets originating from bag-breakup fragmentation.
Impacts of Modifications to a Local Planetary Boundary Layer Scheme on Forecasts of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet Environment
Authors: Jahn David E. , Gallus William A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Great Plains low-level jet (LLJ) is influential in the initiation and evolution of nocturnal convection through the northward advection of heat and moisture, as well as convergence in the region of the LLJ nose. However, accurate numerical model forecasts of LLJs remain a challenge, related to the performance of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme in the stable boundary layer. Evaluated here using a series of LLJ cases from the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) program are modifications to a commonly used local PBL scheme, Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino (MYNN), available in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. WRF forecast mean absolute error (MAE) and bias are calculated relative to PECAN rawinsonde observations. The first MYNN modification invokes a new set of constants for the scheme closure equations that, in the vicinity of the LLJ, decreases forecast MAEs of wind speed, potential temperature, and specific humidity more than 19%. For comparison, the Yonsei University (YSU) scheme results in wind speed MAEs 22% lower but specific humidity MAEs 17% greater than in the original MYNN scheme. The second MYNN modification, which incorporates the effects of potential kinetic energy and uses a nonzero mixing length in stable conditions as dependent on bulk shear, reduces wind speed MAEs 66% for levels below the LLJ, but increases MAEs at higher levels. Finally, Rapid Refresh analyses, which are often used for forecast verification, are evaluated here and found to exhibit a relatively large average wind speed bias of 3 m s−1 in the region below the LLJ, but with relatively small potential temperature and specific humidity biases.
The Ethics of Interstitial and Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancies
Authors: Buskmiller Cara 
Published: July 2018

Catholic bioethicists have extensively addressed extrauterine tubal pregnancies, which represent the great majority of ectopic pregnancies. However, additional management options have been developed for the other 7–10 percent of ectopic pregnancies. Using two cases of interstitial pregnancy and two cases of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) seen at a Catholic tertiary care center, this article discusses options including expectant management, systemic methotrexate, intragestational methotrexate, intragestational potassium chloride, uterine artery embolization, dilation and curettage (D&C), vasopressin use, cornuostomy, cornual wedge resection, CSP evacuation, CSP scar excision, CSP salvage, and hysterectomy. Cornual wedge resection, vasopressin use, and CSP scar excision are morally acceptable; less clearly licit are aspiration of gestational sac contents, cornuostomy, gestational excision for CSPs, and methotrexate. Certainly illicit are any techniques leading to direct abortion such as D&Cs on live embryos or fetuses, double-balloon catheter placement, and use of potassium chloride. Summary: An ectopic pregnancy is any pregnancy outside the uterus. These are dangerous because the pregnancy can burst out of its abnormal location and cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Most are in the part of the fallopian tube outside the uterus, but there are other types, including interstitial pregnancies (located in the part of the tube tunneling through the uterine wall) and cesarean scar pregnancies (buried in the uterine scar where the cut for a C-section was made). This article lists the ways that physicians prevent women from dying from interstitial and cesarean scar pregnancies and proposes which treatments are morally acceptable.
Possible future impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 on human cognitive performance and on the design and operation of ventilation systems in buildings
Authors: Lowe Robert J , Huebner Gesche M , Oreszczyn Tadj 
Published: July 2018

This paper brings together a rapid evidence assessment of impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on human cognition with IPCC projections of atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the present century, and an analysis of potential consequences of increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations for ventilation systems in buildings and other enclosed spaces. Whilst only limited research has been done on the effect of CO2 on cognition (as opposed to air quality in general), half of the studies reviewed indicate that human cognitive performance declines with increasing CO2 concentrations. Hence, given the likelihood of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the 21st century, direct impacts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on human cognitive performance may be unavoidable. Attempts to minimise these direct impacts are likely to result in significant indirect impacts on the engineering of ventilation systems and associated energy use in all enclosed spaces including buildings and transport systems. Practical application: This paper concerns what may well be one of the most important long-term drivers of the design, management, operation and regulation of ventilation systems over the remainder of the 21st century. It will be relevant to professionals, particularly at senior levels in the building industry.
Reduced peripheral blood regulatory B cell levels are not associated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Guo Shujun , Chen Qingqing , Liang Xiaoli , Mu Mimi , He Jing , Fang Qiang , Song Chuanwang , Sang Daoqian 
Published: July 2018

Objective To investigate levels of regulatory B (Breg) cells, plasma cells, and memory B cells in the peripheral blood, and interleukin (IL)-10 in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and to determine the correlation between Breg cell levels and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Methods Levels of Breg cells, plasma cells, and memory B cells in the peripheral blood of 12 MS patients were measured using flow cytometry. IL-10 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between Breg cell levels and MS EDSS score was measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results Compared with healthy controls, MS patients had decreased levels of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cells in their peripheral blood and reduced serum levels of IL-10; however, the ratios of CD19+CD27hiCD38hi plasma cells and CD19+CD27+CD24hi memory B cells to total B cells did not differ significantly between healthy controls and MS patients. CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cell levels in the peripheral blood of MS patients were not significantly correlated with MS EDSS score. Conclusion Peripheral blood CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cell levels and serum IL-10 levels were reduced in MS patients compared with controls, but Breg cell levels were not correlated with MS EDSS score.