bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal exposure to betamethasone causes intergenerational impairment of epididymal development in the rat
Authors: Kempinas W. G. , Borges C. S. , Leite G. A. A. , Figueiredo T. M. , Gregory M. , Cyr D. G. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundStudies on epididymal toxicology are scarce. Betamethasone (BM) is a glucocorticoid used in clinical practice for antenatal therapy. We previously reported changes to testicular morphology, altered sperm quality, and fertility in adult rats following intrauterine administration of BM.ObjectivesGiven that high levels of corticosteroids during gestation lead to fetal androgen depletion, and the essential role of testosterone during epididymal development, here we investigated epididymal morphology and physiology in the F1 and F2 male offspring of female rats treated with BM during gestation.Materials and methodsPregnant rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (saline vehicle, n = 11) and BM‐treated group (0.1 mg/kg betamethasone 21‐phosphate disodium, n = 13). Rats received an intramuscular injection of vehicle or BM on gestational days 12, 13, 18, and 19. This encompasses the beginning of the critical window of male rat reproductive tract development. A subset of three males from each litter (n = 5 litters/group) was used: One rat per litter was euthanized at puberty, one was euthanized at adulthood, while the others were mated with a non‐treated female to obtain the F2 generation. The same protocol described for the F1 was applied for F2, except for the mating protocol.ResultsIn both F1 and F2 generations, prenatal BM exposure resulted in delayed differentiation of the cauda epididymal epithelium, characterized by increased cribriform appearance on PND 45, and displayed weaker or non‐detectable Cx43 immunostaining. Furthermore, in the F1 generation only, immunostaining of TP63, a transcription factor expressed in basal cells, appeared more intense with a greater number of TP63‐positive cells observed in the cauda epididymis. In adults, the epithelial area was reduced in the F1 BM rats. The contractile activity of isolated epididymal ducts was comparable between groups.Discussion and ConclusionPrenatal BM exposure leads to intergenerational impairment in the development and structure of the rat epididymis.
Relationship between leukocytospermia, reproductive potential after assisted reproductive technology, and sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Castellini C. , D'Andrea S. , Martorella A. , Minaldi E. , Necozione S. , Francavilla F. , Francavilla S. , Barbonetti A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe association of leukocytospermia with male fertility is still under debate.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of leukocytospermia (≥1 × 106 white blood cells/mL of semen, according to the World Health Organization) in men attending a fertility clinic for couple subfertility, on fertility outcomes after assisted reproductive technology (ART) and on semen quality.Materials and MethodsA systematic review with meta‐analysis of case–control studies reporting mean ± standard deviation for values of different seminal parameters (sperm concentration, progressive motility, sperm morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation, semen volume, and Ph) and fertilization rate (FR), or the odds ratio (OR) for clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle after ART in leukocytospermic and non‐leukocytospermic patients was performed. A literature search was carried out in MEDLINE and SCOPUS for English‐language studies published till June 2018.ResultsTwenty‐eight case‐controlled retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria, comparing fertility outcomes after ART or semen parameters in men with or without leukocytospermia. FR and PR after ART were not significantly different in the two groups. Leukocytospermic samples showed a lower sperm concentration (pooled SMD = −0.14; 95% CI: −0.28, −0.01, I2 = 71%, pfor heterogeneity < 0.00001) and a lower progressive motility (pooled SMD = −0.18; 95% CI: −0.29, −0.06; I2 = 59%, pfor heterogeneity < 0.0001). However, the significant differences disappeared, along with the large inter‐study heterogeneity, when analyses were restricted to studies clearly reporting the inclusion of men without clinical evidence of seminal tract infection.Discussion and ConclusionLeukocytospermia in men seeking consultation for couple subfertility is not associated with a reduced fertility after ART and with altered semen quality in populations asymptomatic for genital tract infection. Therefore, the current clinical criteria for definition of leukocytospermia should be re‐assessed in subfertile couples attending a fertility clinic.
Impact of preoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular assist device: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tantrachoti Pakpoom , Klomjit Saranapoom , Vutthikraivit Wasawat , Prieto Sofia , Gongora Enrique , Nair Nandini 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common finding in patients evaluated for left ventricular assist device (LVAD). There is conflicting data regarding the mortality risk as well as the thromboembolic risk in patients with preoperative AF who undergo LVAD implantation. We examined these risks by performing a meta‐analysis. We performed a literature search of Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane from inception to February 2018. The eligible studies were used to compare mortality rate and thromboembolic risk between AF and Non‐AF (NAF) groups after LVAD implantation. We obtained 391 articles from our search strategy. Seven retrospective studies were included and accounted for 5823 LVAD patients (AF 1589; NAF 4234). The median follow‐up duration ranged from 7–24 months. The pooled analysis revealed a significantly increased risk of mortality in preoperative AF patients who underwent LVAD operation compared to those with NAF (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.16, 95% CI 1.05‐1.28, I2 = 0%). Five studies reported thromboembolism events involving 1359 preoperative AF and 3893 NAF patients. The pooled analysis did not show a statistically significant association between risk of thromboembolic event and preoperative AF (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.08, 95% CI 0.86‐1.36, I2 = 76.2%). Our study shows that preoperative AF may be associated with a higher mortality rate. This study is limited by the fact that the data are pooled from retrospective studies. Further prospective studies are warranted in order to validate these results.
Single‐port laparoscopic colectomy in elderly patients with colon cancer: A propensity score‐matched comparison with younger patients
Authors: Hirano Yasumitsu , Hiranuma Chikashi , Hattori Masakazu , Douden Kenji , Yamaguchi Shigeki 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionThis study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single‐port laparoscopic colectomy (SPLC) in elderly patients with colon cancer.MethodsDuring the study period, 344 patients underwent SPLC in our hospital. Among them, 87 patients were aged 80 years and older, and 257 patients were younger than 80 years. After 1:1 propensity‐score matching, 87 elderly patients were compared with 87 young patients.ResultsShort‐term clinical outcomes after SPLC were equivalent between the two groups, although the elderly group had a higher ASA score and more postoperative complications. The 5‐year overall survival rates were 64.6% in the elderly group and 66.8% in control group. The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were 78.0% in the elderly group and 70.9% in control group. There were no significant differences between the groups.ConclusionOur results indicated that SPLC is technically feasible for operative teams that have adequately standardized the procedure, and it is oncologically safe in elderly patients with colon cancer.
Effects of dietary leucine on antioxidant activity and expression of antioxidant and mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets
Authors: Chen Xiaoling , Xiang Lu , Jia Gang , Liu Guangmang , Zhao Hua , Huang Zhiqing 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary leucine on antioxidant activity and expression of antioxidant‐ and mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets. Three diets were formulated with different levels of supplemented leucine (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%). Results showed that supplementation of 0.25% leucine significantly increased antisuperoxide anion (ASA) and antihydroxyl radical (AHR) levels and activities of total superoxide dismutade (T‐SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S‐transferase (GST), and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in serum, longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets as compared with the control group. The SOD2, catalase (CAT), GPx, GST, glutathione reductase (GR), and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA levels in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver were significantly increased by 0.25% leucine supplementation. However, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the mRNA level of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) exhibited an opposite tendency. Additionally, supplementation of 0.25% leucine significantly increased the mRNA levels of mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets. Results suggested that supplementation of 0.25% leucine improved antioxidant activity and mitochondrial biogenesis and function of piglets, which was related to the increase in antioxidant enzymes activities and upregulation of expression of antioxidant‐ and mitochondrial‐related genes.
Ethnic differences in diurnal cortisol profiles in healthy adults: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Boileau Kayla , Barbeau Kheana , Sharma Rupali , Bielajew Catherine 
Published: June 2019

PurposeCortisol is a well‐known biomarker of the physiological stress system; atypical cortisol patterns have been linked to many psychological and physiological illnesses. Previous studies have found vast health disparities among ethnic groups; however, studies examining the relationship between cortisol and ethnicity have found mixed results. This meta‐analysis investigated whether there are differences in diurnal cortisol outcomes among ethnic groups, while considering the moderating roles of various individual factors and methodological approaches.MethodsSearch phrases were entered into MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. Effect sizes were extracted for ten diurnal cortisol outcomes, including waking, 30 min after waking, cortisol awakening response, slope, area under the curve, urinary twenty‐four‐hour secretion, total cortisol output, and midday, evening, and bedtime concentrations, for eight ethnic group comparisons, including Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Indigenous people, Whites, Minority and Majority groups, and Multiethnic groups. Moderator analyses, including variables such as gender, age, and number of cortisol collection time points, were conducted.ResultsThere were significant ethnic differences in diurnal cortisol profiles, including cortisol awakening responses, with more robust differences in ethnic comparisons that included White participants. Differences in diurnal cortisol profiles were also moderated by gender, mean age, and sample size.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis supports the notion that ethnic groups exhibit distinct diurnal cortisol profiles, which, according to the biopsychosocial model of health, may be a result of unique sociocultural experiences. The limitations of this meta‐analysis and future directions for stress research with various ethnic groups are discussed.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Studies have found vast health disparities among ethnic groups.

Psychological and physiological illnesses and atypical diurnal cortisol profiles are strongly correlated.

Studies have examined the relationship between diurnal cortisol rhythms and ethnicity, but findings are mixed.

What does this study add?

This study is a systematic examination of the relationship between diurnal cortisol rhythm and ethnicity.

Psychosocial and methodological factors moderate the relationship between diurnal cortisol output and ethnicity.

This study provides insight on factors that contribute to health disparities among ethnic groups.
Greater growth stability of trees in marginal habitats suggests a patchy pattern of population loss and retention in response to increased drought at the rear edge
Authors: Vilà‐Cabrera Albert , Jump Alistair S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSpecies rear range edges are predicted to retract as climate warms, yet evidence of population persistence is accumulating. Accounting for this disparity is essential to enable prediction and planning for species’ range retractions. At the Mediterranean edge of European beech‐dominated temperate forest, we tested the hypothesis that individual performance should decline at the limit of the species’ ecological tolerance in response to increased drought. We sampled 40 populations in a crossed factor design of geographical and ecological marginality and assessed tree growth resilience and decline in response to recent drought. Drought impacts occurred across the rear edge, but tree growth stability was unexpectedly high in geographically isolated marginal habitat and lower than anticipated in the species’ continuous range and better‐quality habitat. Our findings demonstrate that, at the rear edge, range shifts will be highly uneven and characterised by reduction in population density with local population retention rather than abrupt range retractions.
Malignant glucagonoma associated with hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, Candidiasis and bacterial pneumonia in a 12‐year‐old Arabian gelding
Authors: Ruby R. E. , Fales‐Williams A. , Wong D. M. , Sponseller B. A. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryA 12‐year‐old Arabian gelding was presented for severe, rapid weight loss and polyuria. Physical examination revealed a body condition score of 1/9 with severe muscle wasting, moderate tachycardia, profound hyperglycaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. The horse's clinical condition deteriorated rapidly resulting in euthanasia 16 h following admission. Post‐mortem examination revealed multifocal nests of neoplastic endocrine cells within the liver which had immuno‐positive glucagon reactivity. Based on the combination of cachexia, marked hyperglycaemia and glucagon‐positive neoplastic cells, a diagnosis of malignant glucagonoma, which was presumed to be functional, was made. This is the first case of malignant glucagonoma to be reported in horses.
Passive acoustic monitoring as a potential tool to survey animal and ecosystem processes in freshwater environments
Authors: Desjonquères Camille , Gifford Toby , Linke Simon 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Biodiversity in freshwater habitats is decreasing faster than in any other type of environment, mostly as a result of human activities. Monitoring these losses can help guide mitigation efforts. In most studies, sampling strategies predominantly rely on collecting animal and vegetal specimens. Although these techniques produce valuable data, they are invasive, time‐consuming and typically permit only limited spatial and temporal replication. There is need for the development of complementary methods.

As observed in other ecosystems, freshwater environments host animals that emit sounds, either to communicate or as a by‐product of their activity. The main freshwater soniferous groups are amphibians, fish, and macroinvertebrates (mainly Coleoptera and Hemiptera, but also some Decapoda, Odonata, and Trichoptera). Biophysical processes such as flow or sediment transport also produce sounds, as well as human activities within aquatic ecosystems.

Such animals and processes can be recorded, remotely and autonomously, and provide information on local diversity and ecosystem health. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is an emerging method already deployed in terrestrial environments that uses sounds to survey environments. Key advantages of PAM are its non‐invasive nature, as well as its ability to record autonomously and over long timescales. All these research topics are the main aims of ecoacoustics, a new scientific discipline investigating the ecological role of sounds.

In this paper, we review the sources of sounds present in freshwater environments. We then underline areas of research in which PAM may be helpful emphasising the role of PAM for the development of ecoacoustics. Finally, we present methods used to record and analyse sounds in those environments.

Passive acoustics represents a potentially revolutionary development in freshwater ecology, enabling continuous monitoring of dynamic bio‐physical processes to inform conservation practitioners and managers.
How can miscanthus fields be reintegrated into a crop rotation?
Authors: Mangold Anja , Lewandowski Iris , Kiesel Andreas 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe bioeconomy, with its aim of replacing fossil by biobased resources, is increasingly focusing on biomass production from perennial crops, such as miscanthus. To date, research on miscanthus has explored a number of cultivation aspects; however, one major issue has not yet been addressed: How can former miscanthus fields be reintegrated into a crop rotation? This encompasses the questions of which following crop most efficiently suppresses resprouting miscanthus and what happens to the soil nitrogen content after a miscanthus removal. This study aimed to answer both questions. For this purpose, four spring crops (ryegrass, rapeseed, barley, maize) and fallow as control were cultivated after a Miscanthus sinensis removal. To test the effect of the removal on soil nitrogen content, each spring crop (excluding fallow) was divided into fertilized and unfertilized plots. After the spring crop harvest, winter wheat was cultivated to clarify which spring crop had most efficiently suppressed the resprouting miscanthus. The results indicate that fertilized crops had 35% less miscanthus biomass per hectare than unfertilized crops, probably due to the higher plant density and/or better development of the fertilized crops during the growing season. The soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) content was found to increase during the vegetation period following the miscanthus removal (average +14.85 kg/ha), but was generally on a low level. We conclude that nitrogen from miscanthus residues is partly fixed in organic matter and is thus not plant‐available in the first cropping season. As some nitrogen is supplied by the decomposition of miscanthus residues, our results suggest that the crop cultivated after a miscanthus removal requires less fertilization. Of all the follow‐on spring crops tested, maize coped with the prevailing soil conditions and resprouting miscanthus most efficiently, resulting in satisfactory yields, and thus seems to be a suitable crop for cultivation after miscanthus.
Unfavorable prognosis of patients with acute liver injury due to drug‐induced liver injury and acute exacerbation of hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Kakisaka Keisuke , Suzuki Yuji , Jinnouchi Yukina , Kanazawa Jo , Sasaki Tokio , Yonezawa Takehiro , Yoshida Yuichi , Kuroda Hidekatsu , Takikawa Yasuhiro 
Published: June 2019

AimAcute liver injury (ALI) has a favorable prognosis, whereas acute liver failure (ALF) leads to organ failure and thus has an unfavorable prognosis. The effect of each etiology on the clinical course of ALI remains unclear. This study aimed to determine how each etiology and glucocorticoid on the unfavorable etiology affects the clinical course of ALI.MethodsThis prospective observational study enrolled 522 patients with ALI/ALF from 2004 and 2017. To evaluate the influence of etiology on prognosis, decision tree analysis was carried out using age, disease type, etiology, and the presence of hepatic encephalopathy.ResultsOf 522 patients, 398 patients satisfied the ALI criteria at registration in this study. The ALI etiologies were as follows: viral hepatitis through oral infection (n = 54), acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n = 24), acute exacerbation of HBV infection (n = 30), de novo hepatitis due to HBV (n = 5), autoimmune hepatitis (n = 59), drug‐induced liver injury (DILI; n = 85), other viruses (n = 12), and undetermined (n = 129). ALI in 46 patients progressed to ALF after registration. Of 11 patients (age >52 years) with ALF due to acute exacerbation of HBV infection or DILI, seven patients (63.6%) died. Whether glucocorticoid affected the clinical course of ALI due to acute exacerbation of HBV infection or DILI was evaluated using propensity score matching (age, sex, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and prothrombin time‐international normalized ratio). Glucocorticoid did not improve the prognosis of ALI patients due to the two etiologies.ConclusionsProgression of ALI due to DILI or acute exacerbation of HBV infection to ALF showed a poor prognosis.
Changes in the texture, microstructures, colour and volatile compounds of pork meat loins during superheated steam cooking
Authors: Wang Ruirui , Huang Feng , Zhang Liang , Liu Qiannan , Zhang Chunjiang , Zhang Hong 
Published: June 2019

SummaryWe evaluated changes in the texture, colour, microstructure and volatile compounds of pork loins after superheated steam (SHS) cooking at 120, 140, 160 or 180 °C for 5, 10, 15 and 20 min. Results showed that the texture changed significantly with heating temperature and time. Hardness increased significantly with increasing temperature above 140 °C. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that cooked pork with SHS had more complete muscle fibre bundle structure than that of pork in HA. The L* value indicating colour was significantly increased during the early period and then decreased, whereas the a* and b* values showed a continuous increase. Ninety‐five volatile compounds were identified in cooked pork from SHS by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with solid‐phase microextraction. The amount of volatile compounds increased during cooking and decreased as cooking time increased and was well retained at 140 °C. Considering those variations, samples cooked at 140 °C showed better quality attributes.