bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the association between paternity and reoperation for urethral obstruction in adult hypospadias patients who underwent two-stage repair in childhood
Authors: Kanematsu Akihiro , Tanaka Shiro , Hashimoto Takahiko , Nojima Michio , Yamamoto Shingo 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The association between surgical outcome of hypospadias repair and long-term male reproductive function has not been documented. The purpose of this study was to clarify association between paternity in adult hypospadias patients and reoperation for urethral obstruction after two-stage repair during childhood.

Methods
Ninety hypospadias patients who underwent the same kind of two-stage repair in our institute by a single surgeon, were initially treated at < 18 years old, and who were ≥ 18 years old during the survey were included in the study. Present physical, social, and life status were evaluated by a mailed self-entry questionnaire, and clinical background and surgical outcome data were evaluated by medical records. National survey data of the general population were used as external control. The paternity rate of the patient groups was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and log-rank tests.

Results
Twenty-six patients (28.9%) underwent 43 reoperations after completion of the initial repair. Twelve patients were reoperated for obstructive complication (Study group) and were compared with 14 patients who were reoperated only for non-obstructive causes and 64 patients who were not reoperated as Study control group (N = 78). The Study group patients showed sexual intercourse rate and marriage rate not statistically different in comparison with the Study control, although marriage rate at 32.5 years old were lower than the general population (p = 0.048, z-test). None of the Study group achieved paternity, which showed a significant difference to the Study control (p = 0.032, log-rank test). The difference was also statistically significant in the analysis among the 31 married patients (p = 0.012, log-rank test). Patients reoperated for obstructive complication documented worsened Quality of Life score in the International Prostate Symptom Score (2.3 ± 2.0 vs. 1.4 ± 1.2, p = 0.031, t-test) and ejaculation problems (66.7% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.003, chi-square test).

Conclusions
History of reoperation for obstructive complication was associated with lower paternity rate in patients with hypospadias, presumably for multifactorial causes associated with marriage age and ejaculation problems. The present results may implicate importance of uncomplicated urethroplasty during childhood for achieving paternity, although it should be further tested in the future for larger groups of hypospadias patients.
Shared decision making when patients consider surgery for lumbar herniated disc: development and test of a patient decision aid
Authors: Andersen Stina Brogård , Andersen Mikkel Ø. , Carreon Leah Y. , Coulter Angela , Steffensen Karina Dahl 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Shared decision making (SDM) is a systematic approach aimed at improving patient involvement in preference-sensitive health care decisions. Choosing between surgical or non-surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation, can be difficult as the evidence of a superior treatment is unclear, which makes it a preference-sensitive decision. The objectives of this study was therefore to assess the degree of SDM and afterwards to develop and test a patient decision aid (PtDA) to support SDM during the clinical encounter between surgeon and patient, when patients choose between surgical and non-surgical treatment for Lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods
The study was conducted in four steps.

Assessment of the extent to which SDM was practiced in the spine clinic.

Development of a PtDA to support SDM.

Testing its usability and acceptability amongst potential users (patients).

Pilot-test of its usability in the clinical setting.

Results
Results from our small baseline study (n = 40) showed that between a third and two-thirds of the patients reported not being fully engaged in a shared decision. A pre-designed template (BESLUTNINGSHJÆLPER™) was adapted to support the decision about whether or not to have surgery for LDH. Testing the prototype with patients led to minor refinements. A subsequent pilot test of its usability in a clinical setting achieved positive responses from both patients and clinicians.

Conclusion
Our baseline study demonstrated that SDM was not universally practiced in the clinic. The PtDA we have developed was rated as acceptable and usable by both patients and clinicians for helping those with LDH choose between surgical or non- surgical treatment. This tool now requires further testing to assess its effectiveness.
CCNB1 affects cavernous sinus invasion in pituitary adenomas through the epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Li Bin , Cheng Jianhua , Wang Hongyun , Zhao Sida , Zhu Haibo , Li Chuzhong , Zhang Yazhuo , Zhao Peng 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
To investigate the relationship between cyclin B1 (CCNB1) gene expression and cavernous sinus invasion in pituitary adenomas.

Methods
Twenty-four pituitary adenoma tissue samples were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot to assess the mRNA expression levels and protein levels of CCNB1, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Correlation analyses between the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and CCNB1 were performed. After lentivirus-mediated knockdown of CCNB1 in rat pituitary adenoma cell lines (GH3 and GT1-1), cell function changes were studied. The relationship between CCNB1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was further verified by animal experiments.

Results
CCNB1 and N-cadherin gene expression were significantly higher in the invasive pituitary adenomas than in the non-invasive pituitary adenomas. Conversely, E-cadherin expression in the invasive pituitary adenomas was significantly lower. CCNB1 gene expression was downregulated in the GH3 and GT1-1 pituitary adenoma cell lines; N-cadherin expression was also decreased, but E-cadherin expression was increased. These results were confirmed in vivo. After downregulation of CCNB1, cell invasion and migration was significantly reduced in Transwell experiments.

Conclusion
High CCNB1 expression in pituitary adenoma affects cavernous sinus invasion through EMT.
Same but different? A thematic analysis on adalimumab biosimilar switching among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Renton William D. , Leveret Helen , Guly Catherine , Smee Heather , Leveret Jamie , Ramanan Athimalaipet V. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Biologic medications have dramatically enhanced the treatment of many chronic paediatric inflammatory conditions. Their high cost is a factor that prohibits their broader use. Cheaper generic versions, or biosimilars, are increasingly being used. Healthcare services are switching some patients over to biosimilars for economic reasons, known as ‘non-medical switching’. Some patients unsuccessfully switch due to perceived decreases in efficacy or non-specific drug effects. The implications of failed switching include exhaustion of therapeutic options, unnecessary exposure to other medications, increased healthcare utilisation, worse patient outcomes and higher overall healthcare costs. Patient perceptions almost certainly play a role in these ‘failed switches’.

Methods
A thematic analysis was performed to better understand patient and parent perceptions on non-medical biosimilar switching. The study was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research recommendations. Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis currently taking adalimumab were included.

Results
Nine families were interviewed just prior to a hospital trust-wide non-medical switch to an adalimumab biosimilar. Several common themes were identified. The most frequent concerns were regarding practical aspects of the switch including the medication administration device type; the colour of the medication and administration device; and whether the injections would sting more. The relative safety and efficacy of the biosimilar was raised although most families felt that there would be no significant difference. Anxieties about the switch were largely placated by reassurances from the medical team.

Conclusions
We derived recommendations based on existing adult literature and the observations from our study to optimise the benefits from non-medical biosimilar switching.
Nrf-2 signaling inhibits intracranial aneurysm formation and progression by modulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype and function
Authors: Shi Yuan , Li Sichen , Song Yaying , Liu Peixi , Yang Zixiao , Liu Yingjun , Quan Kai , Yu Guo , Fan Zhiyuan , Zhu Wei 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Oxidative stress and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation influence intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation and progression. Oxidative stress plays an important role in phenotype switching, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) is one of the main antioxidant systems. Unfortunately, little is known about how Nrf-2 signaling influences VSMC phenotype switches during IA pathogenesis.

Methods
We examined the effect of Nrf-2 activation IA on formation and progression in an elastase-induced rat IA model. We also developed a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced VSMC oxidative damage model. Then, we analyzed VSMC phenotype changes in the setting of Nrf-2 activation or inhibition in vitro. The proliferation, migration ability, and apoptosis rate of VSMCs were tested. Lastly, we measured the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines downstream of Nrf-2.

Results
Nrf-2 activation suppressed IA formation and progression in vivo. We confirmed Nrf-2 nuclear translocation and a VSMC switch from the contractile to synthetic phenotype. Nrf-2 activation inhibited the proliferation, migratory ability, and apoptosis rate enhanced by H2O2. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis revealed that Nrf-2 activation promoted antioxidant enzymes and VSMC-specific marker gene expressions but decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Conclusion
These results suggest that Nrf-2 exerts protective effects against IA development by preventing VSMCs from changing to a synthetic phenotype.
Silencing of the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene affects the expression of fruit-ripening genes in tomatoes
Authors: Naing Aung Htay , Kyu Swum Yi , Pe Phyo Phyo Win , Park Kyeung Il , Lee Je Min , Lim Ki Byung , Kim Chang Kil 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundPast research has shown that virus-induced phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene silencing via agroinjection in the attached and detached fruit of tomato plants results in a pale-yellow fruit phenotype. Although thePDSgene is often used as a marker for gene silencing in tomatoes, little is known about the role ofPDSin fruit ripening. In this study, we investigated whether the pepperPDSgene silenced endogenousPDSgenes in the fruit of two tomato cultivars, Dotaerang Plus and Legend Summer.ResultsWe found that the pepperPDSgene successfully silenced endogenousPDSin tomato fruit at a silencing frequency of 100% for both cultivars. A pale-yellow silenced area was observed over virtually the entire surface of individual fruit due to the transcriptional reduction in phytoene desaturase (PDS), zeta-carotene (ZDS), prolycopene isomerase (CrtlSO), and beta-carotene hydroxylase (CrtR-b2), which are the carotenoid biosynthesis genes responsible for the red coloration in tomatoes.PDSsilencing also affected the expression levels of the fruit-ripening genes Tomato AGAMOUS-LIKE1 (TAGL1), RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN), pectin esterase gene (PE), lipoxygenase (LOX), FRUITFULL1/FRUITFUL2 (FUL1/FUL2), and the ethylene biosynthesis and response genes 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 1 and 3 (ACO1andACO3) and ethylene-responsive genes (E4andE8).ConclusionThese results suggest thatPDSis a positive regulator of ripening in tomato fruit, which must be considered when using it as a marker for virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments in order to avoid fruit-ripening side effects.
Prevalence and associated factors of soil transmitted helminthes among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Maytsebri primary hospital, North Ethiopia
Authors: Gebrehiwet Menasbo Gebru , Medhaniye Araya Abrha , Alema Haileselasie Berhane 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Soil-transmitted helminthes are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. A health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending at Maytsebri primary hospital. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 20 software. Multivariate analyses were used to identify determinant factors associated with soil transmitted helminthiasis. A total of 448 pregnant women were examined microscopically with a Katokatz technique for parasitological study to each women.

Results
Out of the total 448 pregnant women examined in the primary hospital, 229 (51.5%) women were infected by at least one of the soil transmitted helminthiasis. Hookworm was the most prevalent 179 (78.16%) soil transmitted helminthes infection. Women who had a habit of eating soil were 2.6 times more likely to be infected by soil transmitted helminthes compared to who do not eat soil. Participants who wear shoe always were 95% less likely to be infected by soil transmitted helminthes. Efforts should be done to advance the awareness of women how to prevent soil transmitted helminthes.
Oil price, energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: insight into sustainability challenges in Venezuela
Authors: Agbanike Tobechi F. , Nwani Chinazaekpere , Uwazie Uwazie I. , Anochiwa Lasbrey I. , Onoja Thank-God C. , Ogbonnaya Ikwor O. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study provides insight into sustainability challenges in Venezuela by exploring the causal interactions between oil price, energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Venezuela. Economic growth, government consumption expenditure and trade openness are included as additional determinants in the analysis. The auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds approach to cointegration provides evidence of long-run relationship between the variables with the incorporation of structural breaks observed in the series. The estimates suggest that an increase in crude oil price significantly increases energy consumption, government consumption expenditure and energy consumption generate CO2emissions, and CO2emissions exert negative effects on economic growth in the oil-rich economy. This study further examined the direction of causality between the variables using the innovative accounting approach (IAA). The results suggest that crude oil price causes energy consumption in the economy. No significant causal relationship is found between energy consumption and economic growth. Energy consumption causes CO2emissions in the economy. In addition, a unidirectional causality runs from CO2emissions to economic growth. The response of economic growth to CO2emissions indicates that more CO2emissions in the economy would exert negative effects on economic growth. It is, therefore, expected that policy makers would consider energy diversification as a major component of economic diversification policies in Venezuela.
Comparison of responsiveness to cancer development and anti-cancer drug in three different C57BL/6N stocks
Authors: Kang Mi Ju , Kim Ji Eun , Park Ji Won , Choi Hyeon Jun , Bae Su Ji , Kim Kil Soo , Jung Young-Suk , Cho Joon-Yong , Hwang Dae Youn , Song Hyun Keun 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In our efforts to understand the systemic features of tumors, the importance of animal models is increasing due to the recent growth in the development of immunotherapy and targeted therapies. This has resulted in increased attention towards tumor animal models using C57BL/6N, which are mainly used in immunological studies. In this study, the C57BL/6NKorl stock and two other commercial stocks (C57BL/6NA and C57BL/N6B) are evaluated by comparing the occurrence of tumors using the syngeneic model; furthermore, we compare the response to anti-cancer drugs in the syngeneic model by evaluating survival, growth of tumors, proliferation and molecular biology analysis. In the syngeneic model using LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma) cells, the survival of mice and growth of the tumor showed a better response in the C57BL/6NKorl stock, and was dependent on the cell concentration of the dosing tumor, as compared to the other C57BL/6N stocks. However, the Ki-67 staining showed only little difference in cell proliferation within the tumor tissue each mouse stocks. Comparing the sensitivity to anti-cancer drug by examining changes in growth, volume and weight revealed that cisplatin treatment for tumor-bearing C57BL/6NKorl was more dependent on concentration. The Ki-67 staining, however, showed no difference among the C57BL/6N stocks after cisplatin treatment. The expressions of p27 and p53 tumor suppressor proteins, caspase-3 and Bax showed dose-dependent increase after exposure to cisplatin, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF involved in metastasis, as well as inflammatory genes IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, showed dose-dependent decrease in tumor tissue after cisplatin exposure. Differences observed among the C57BL/6N stocks were not significant. Taken together, our studies reveal that C57BL/6NKorl has the potential of being a useful biological resource established in Korea, as it does not differ from the two commercially available C57BL/6N stocks when considering response to tumor generation and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs using the syngeneic tumor model.
Assessing Knowledge Sharing in Cancer Screening Among High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries: Insights From the International Cancer Screening Network
Authors: Puricelli Perin Douglas M. , Vogel Amanda L. , Taplin Stephen H. 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE As the global burden of cancer rises, global knowledge sharing of effective cancer control practices will be critical. The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) of the US National Cancer Institute facilitates knowledge sharing to advance cancer screening research and practice. Our analysis assessed perceptions of ICSN’s value and knowledge sharing in cancer screening among participants working in high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS In 2018, the National Cancer Institute fielded a self-administered, online survey to 665 ICSN participants from both HICs and LMICs. RESULTS Two hundred forty-three individuals (36.5%) completed the full survey. LMIC participants engaged in more diverse screening activities and had fewer years of experience (13.5% with more than 20 years of experience v 31%; P = .048) in screening and were more interested in cervical cancer (76.9% v 52.6%; P = .002) than HIC participants. However, both groups spent most of their time on research (30.8% LMIC v 36.6% HIC; P = .518) and agreed that the ICSN biennial meeting enabled them to learn from the experiences of both higher-resource (88.2% v 75.7%; P = .122) and lower-resource (61.8% v 68.0%; P = .507) settings. ICSN helped them form new collaborations for research and implementation (55.1% v 58.2%; P = .063); informed advances in research/evaluation (71.4% v 68.0%; P = .695), implementation (59.2% v 47.9%; P = .259), and policies in their settings (55.1% v 48.0%; P = .425); and provided the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and expertise to assist others (67.3% v 71.1%; P = .695). CONCLUSION Findings suggest that HIC and LMIC participants benefit from knowledge sharing at ICSN meetings although their interests, backgrounds, and needs differ. This points to the importance of international research networks that are inclusive of HIC and LMIC participants in cancer control to advance knowledge and effective practices globally.
Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk Assessment in Patients With Breast and Ovarian Cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Kochheiser Makayla L. , Aniagwu Toyin I.G. , Adejumo Prisca O. , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and ovarian cancer has the highest case fatality rate of all gynecologic cancers. In Nigeria, approximately 80% of breast and ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Genetic testing has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with late cancer diagnosis. The introduction of genetic testing for cancer risk assessment at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan will serve as a model for the rest of Nigeria. The objective of this study was to introduce genetic testing for cancer risk assessment in patients with breast and ovarian cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria and to determine the demographics of women undergoing testing and their perceptions concerning the benefits of and barriers to genetic testing. METHODS Patients with breast or ovarian cancer were recruited at UCH. All patients received genetic counseling and had the opportunity to consent to the Color Genomics Hereditary Cancer Panel Test, free of charge, after due ethical approval. Patients were tested for 30 gene mutations with known associations to eight hereditary cancers. After testing, patients completed a semistandardized questionnaire assessing their sociodemographic information, family cancer history, and perceived benefits and barriers to genetic testing. RESULTS Seven patients with ovarian cancer and 40 patients with breast cancer received genetic counseling, and all chose to undergo subsequent genetic testing. The average age at testing was 49 years, and the average age at cancer diagnosis was 47 years. Eight women reported a known family cancer history, and there were more perceived benefits than barriers to genetic testing. The genetic test results revealed 27 negative mutations, 16 variants of unknown significance, and four pathogenic mutations. CONCLUSION Patients with breast and ovarian cancer at UCH associate genetic testing with benefits for their care. These results suggest potential for growth and sustainability of genetic testing for cancer risk management in Nigeria.