bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of breathing exercises in subjects with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Ya‐Qing , Liu Xin , Jia Yong , Xie Jiao 
Published: October 2018

Aims and objectivesTo assess the effects of breathing exercises on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), pulmonary function, 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) and the length of hospital stay (LOS) in lung cancer patients undergoing lung surgery.BackgroundLung cancer patients undergoing lung resection have poor pulmonary function and multiple PPCs. Breathing exercises may improve these symptoms.DesignSystematic literature review and meta‐analysis were conducted.MethodsAll entries to the following databases were searched up until 20 December 2017: PubMed, EMBASE Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Wanfang, Weipu and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the analysis.ResultsA total of sixteen articles including nine articles in Chinese language and seven articles in English met the inclusion criteria. Breathing exercises decreased PPCs, and in addition, the incidence of pneumonia and atelectasis in the postoperative subgroup was reduced. Predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (predicted FEV1%), predicted forced vital capacity (predicted FVC%), FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio had improved after breathing exercises, but the changes in FEV1 were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the LOS was significantly decreased, but no improvements were found in 6MWD.ConclusionsThe results showed that breathing exercises could improve lung function, decrease the incidence of PPCs and LOS in a sample of lung cancer patients undergoing pulmonary surgery.Relevance to clinical practiceThe analysis suggests that breathing exercises should be considered as a respiratory rehabilitation programme for lung cancer patients undergoing lung surgery in clinical practice.
Influence of phytogenics on recovery of the barrier function of intestinal porcine epithelial cells after a calcium switch
Authors: Bachinger Diana , Mayer Elisabeth , Kaschubek Theresa , Schieder Carina , König Jürgen , Teichmann Klaus 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe gut barrier is essential for animal health as it prevents the passage of potentially harmful foreign substances. The epithelial tight junctions support the intestinal barrier and can be disrupted by stress caused, for example, by pathogens or dietary or environmental factors, predisposing the host to disease. In animal husbandry, phytogenics (plant‐derived feed additives) are used to support and maintain growth, feed efficiency and health. Therefore, several phytogenics were tested in vitro for their influence on the barrier function recovery of intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC‐J2) after disruption, particularly on the abundance of tight junction proteins.ResultsIPEC‐J2 treated with 1,000 µg/ml liquorice root extract, 80 µg/ml plant powder mix, or 80 µg/ml angelica root powder showed significantly higher trans‐epithelial electric resistance (TEER) 24 hr after tight junction disruption via a calcium switch assay than the control. In contrast, cells treated with 1,000 µg/ml oak bark extract showed a significantly lower TEER after 6 hr but not at later time points. The increased TEER caused by the liquorice root extract correlated with an increase in the abundance of the tight junction protein claudin‐4.ConclusionsThis study suggests potential beneficial effects of liquorice and angelica root extracts on the gut barrier function when used as feed additives for livestock. Further studies, especially in vivo, are necessary to confirm these findings.
“Chromosomes and genes, spawned these fateful scenes”: Rapid adaptation in an introduced fish
Authors: Seeb Lisa W. , McKinney Garrett J. , Seeb James E. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHumans by their very nature alter the distribution of species. Be it introduction of exotic species, habitat alterations or construction of barriers, anthropogenic changes provide novel experimental systems for the molecular ecologist to study evolutionary change. These events often provide a contradiction. Effective population sizes are generally low, and introduced populations are typically characterized by reduced diversity consistent with theoretical predictions of population bottlenecks and founder effects. However, despite reduced diversity, rapid change sometimes occurs. Identification of genomic regions associated with these rapid adaptive responses to novel selection pressures provides a window into genomic regions important in adaptive diversity, both in the novel and native ranges. These studies also provide an important means to estimate the pace of evolutionary change. In this issue, Willoughby et al. () compared the heterozygosity of steelhead (the anadromous form of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) introduced into Lake Michigan in the late 1880s to the putative source population from the ancestral California range. After 25 generations of isolation in Lake Michigan, Willoughby et al. () found consistent genomewide reductions in genetic diversity as estimated by a measure of pooled heterozygosity. Despite this overall reduction in heterozygosity, three chromosomal regions showed signals of rapid adaptation and contained genes associated with osmoregulatory and wound‐healing functions.
Established and emerging strategies to crack the genetic code of obesity
Authors: Tam V. , Turcotte M. , Meyre D. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryTremendous progress has been made in the genetic elucidation of obesity over the past two decades, driven largely by technological, methodological and organizational innovations. Current strategies for identifying obesity‐predisposing loci/genes, including cytogenetics, linkage analysis, homozygosity mapping, admixture mapping, candidate gene studies, genome‐wide association studies, custom genotyping arrays, whole‐exome sequencing and targeted exome sequencing, have achieved differing levels of success, and the identified loci in aggregate explain only a modest fraction of the estimated heritability of obesity. This review outlines the successes and limitations of these approaches and proposes novel strategies, including the use of exceptionally large sample sizes, the study of diverse ethnic groups and deep phenotypes and the application of innovative methods and study designs, to identify the remaining obesity‐predisposing genes. The use of both established and emerging strategies has the potential to crack the genetic code of obesity in the not‐too‐distant future. The resulting knowledge is likely to yield improvements in obesity prediction, prevention and care.
Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis on Neuropsychological Effects of Long‐Term Use of Opioids in Patients With Chronic Noncancer Pain
Authors: Allegri Nicola , Mennuni Simona , Rulli Eliana , Vanacore Nicola , Corli Oscar , Floriani Irene , De Simone Irene , Allegri Massimo , Govoni Stefano , Vecchi Tomaso , Sandrini Giorgio , Liccione Davide , Biagioli Elena 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveOpioid treatments are often prolonged because of the pathology causing pain. We focused on the cognitive functions in patients with chronic pain treated with opioids. This topic is currently controversial, but in practice, the consequences are important in patients’ daily lives, social interactions, working ability, and driving.Database and Data TreatmentMedline and Embase databases were searched for eligible articles. We included studies that enrolled patients with chronic noncancer pain, studies with patients receiving opioid treatment, studies with a control group not using opioids, and studies in which cognitive functions were evaluated with specific tests. The cognitive areas examined were as follows: attention, reaction time, executive functions, psychomotor speed, memory, and working memory. From 356 abstracts screened, 9 articles satisfied eligibility criteria and were included in our review: 7 observational and 7 experimental studies. We classified the pain treatments as follows: opioids, other drugs active on the central nervous system (CNS) (antidepressants/anticonvulsants), and treatments not specifically targeted to the CNS.ResultsStatistically significant differences were seen only with regard to attention between opioids alone and no centrally acting treatment (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] : −0.91, −0.15; P = 0.007; I2 = 23%) and between opioids combined with antidepressants and/or anticonvulsants and no centrally acting treatment (SMD: −0.62, 95% CI: −1.04, −0.20; P = 0.004; I2 = 0%). No other significant differences were observed.ConclusionsOpioids reduce attention when compared with treatments not targeted on the CNS. If opioids are used together with antidepressants and/or anticonvulsants, this effect increases.SignificanceThese findings on the neuropsychological effects of opioids could be used to generate strategies to refine pain treatments.
An alternative for extracorporeal photopheresis: 8‐methoxypsoralen and UVA‐treated leucocytes from allogeneic donors improve graft‐versus‐host disease in mice
Authors: Budde Holger , Papert Susanne , Reichardt Holger M. , Jarry Hubertus , Riggert Joachim , Legler Tobias J. 
Published: October 2018

Background and ObjectiveExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an important immune tolerance inducing therapy for graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). However, a sufficient number of ECP cycles cannot be performed in patients with severe GvHD and contraindications for apheresis. Allogeneic sources of leucocytes for use as ECP treatment would be of great benefit. Therefore, this study aimed to test the therapeutic potential of novel sources of leucocytes for ECP.Materials and MethodsGraft‐versus‐host disease mice were treated with ECP using therapeutic cells from different allogeneic sources. Splenocytes were incubated with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP), irradiated with UVA light and injected into GvHD mice as a model for ECP.ResultsThe therapy with 8‐MOP/UVA‐treated cells from healthy mice of the bone marrow transplantation (BMT) donor strain reduced the GvHD symptoms, at least in a model of chronic GvHD. In the acute GvHD model, 8‐MOP/UVA‐treated cells from the BMT donor or recipient strain did not show significant improvements in GvHD symptoms or survival time. Pre‐activation of cells by mixed lymphocyte reactions before 8‐MOP/UVA treatment also failed to result in significant differences in survival time or GvHD score. In contrast, ECP with third‐party 8‐MOP/UVA‐treated cells from a HLA‐mismatched donor resulted in a mean survival time of 37 days compared to 21 days in the control group.ConclusionIn our analysis of novel allogeneic leucocyte sources for ECP, we could demonstrate that the source of the 8‐MOP/UVA‐treated cells is crucial. The underlying immunologic effect of allogeneic 8‐MOP/UVA‐treated cells needs to be investigated in future studies.
Cerebrovascular autoregulation in preterm fetal growth restricted neonates
Authors: Cohen Emily , Baerts Willem , Caicedo Dorado Alexander , Naulaers Gunnar , van Bel Frank , Lemmers Petra M A 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on cerebrovascular autoregulation in preterm neonates during the first 3 days of life.DesignCase–control study.SettingNeonatal intensive care unit of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, The Netherlands.Patients57 FGR (birth weight <10th percentile) and 57 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (birth weight 20th–80th percentiles) preterm neonates, matched for gender, gestational age, respiratory and blood pressure support.MethodsThe correlation between continuously measured mean arterial blood pressure and regional cerebral oxygen saturation was calculated to generate the cerebral oximetry index (COx). Mean COx was calculated for each patient for each postnatal day. The percentage of time with impaired autoregulation (COx>0.5) was also calculated.ResultsFGR neonates had higher mean COx values than their AGA peers on day 2 (0.15 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.18) vs 0.09 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.13), p=0.029) and day 3 (0.17 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.20) vs 0.09 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.12), p=0.003) of life. FGR neonates spent more time with impaired autoregulation (COx value >0.5) than controls on postnatal day 2 (19% (95% CI 16% to 22%) vs 14% (95% CI 12% to 17%), p=0.035) and day 3 (20% (95% CI 17% to 24%) vs 15% (95% CI 12% to 18%), p=0.016).ConclusionFGR preterm neonates more frequently display impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation compared with AGA peers on days 2 and 3 of life which may predispose them to brain injury. Further studies are required to investigate whether this impairment persists beyond the first few days of life and whether this impairment is linked to poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
Comparison of paclitaxel in combination with cisplatin (TP), carboplatin (TC) or fluorouracil (TF) concurrent with radiotherapy for patients with local advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a three-arm phase III randomized trial (ESO-Shanghai 2)
Authors: Ai Dashan , Chen Yun , Liu Qi , Zhang Junhua , Deng Jiaying , Zhu Hanting , Ren Wenjia , Zheng Xiangpeng , Li Yunhai , Wei Shihong , Ye Jinjun , Zhou Jialiang , Lin Qin , Luo Hui , Cao Jianzhong , Li Jiancheng , Huang Guang , Wu Kailiang , Fan Min , Yang Huanjun , Zhu Zhengfei , Zhao Weixin , Li Ling , Fan Jianhong , Badakhshi Harun , Zhao Kuaile 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionConcurrent chemoradiation is the standard therapy for patients with local advanced oesophageal carcinoma unsuitable for surgery. Paclitaxel is an active agent against oesophageal cancer and it has been proved as a potent radiation sensitiser. There have been multiple studies evaluating paclitaxel-based chemoradiation in oesophageal cancer, of which the results are inspiring. However, which regimen, among cisplatin (TP), carboplatin (TC) or fluorouracil (TF) in combination with paclitaxel concurrent with radiotherapy, provides best prognosis with minimum adverse events is still unknown and very few studies focus on this field. The purpose of this study is to confirm the priority of TF to TP or TF to TC concurrent with radiotherapy in terms of overall survival and propose a feasible and effective plan for patients with local advanced oesophageal cancer.Methods and analysisESO-Shanghai 2 is a three-arm, multicenter, open-labelled, randomised phase III clinical trial. The study was initiated in July 2015 and the duration of inclusion is expected to be 4 years. The study compares two pairs of regimen: TF versus TP and TF versus TC concurrent with definitive radiotherapy for patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Patients with histologically confirmed OSCC (clinical stage II, III or IVa based on the sixth Union for International Cancer Control-tumour, node, metastasis classification) and without any prior treatment of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery against oesophageal cancer will be eligible. A total of 321 patients will be randomised and allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to the three treatment groups. Patients are stratified by lymph node status (N0, N1, M1a). The primary endpoint is overall survival and the secondary endpoint is progression-free survival and adverse events.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been approved by the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre Institutional Review Board. Trial results will be disseminated via peer reviewed scientific journals and conference presentations.Trial statusThe trial was initiated in July 2015 and is currently recruiting patients in all of the participating institutions above.Trial registration numberNCT02459457.
Influence of social determinants of health on patients with advanced lung cancer: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Takemura Tomoyasu , Kataoka Yuki , Okazaki Koya , Sakurai Azusa , Imakita Takuma , Ikegaki Shunkiti , Matsumoto Hirotaka , Saito Emiko , Takata Hirohito , Kaku Sawako , Wada Nobuko , Shinomiya Mariko , Otoshi Takehiro , Shimada Masatoshi , Nikaido Junichi , Iki Reika , Hirano Katsuya , Hirai Tomoyuki , Endo Kazuo , Naganuma Toru 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionSocioeconomic factors with an influence on human health are known as social determinants of health (SDH). There are some SDH studies in patients with lung cancer, but important exposures such as social isolation and loneliness have not been adequately investigated. This study will assess the influence of SDH, particularly social isolation and loneliness, on patients with advanced lung cancer in Japan.Methods and analysisThe inclusion criteria for this prospective cohort study will be as follows: a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer; unsuitability for curative surgery; and willingness to participate. The primary outcome will be the initial choice of treatment and the secondary outcomes will be overall survival, changes in disease staging or performance status, route to diagnosis and place of death. The exposures will be social isolation, loneliness, employment, insurance type, education and dementia. The study enrolment period will be 1 year and the follow-up duration will be 2 years. The log-rank test will be used to compare overall survival between patients when grouped according to the study exposures and multivariate analysis will be performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. The Χ2test will be used to compare the initial treatment, changes in disease stage and place of death, and logistic regression will be used for multivariate analysis of these factors. A p value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center (No 29-164). A manuscript summarising the outcome of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and the data will be presented at conferences.Trial registration numberUMIN000031810.
Protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort study of practice patterns and clinical outcomes associated with emergency department sedation for mechanically ventilated patients: the ED-SED Study
Authors: Fuller Brian M , Mohr Nicholas M , Roberts Brian W , Carpenter Christopher R , Kollef Marin H , Avidan Michael S 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionIn mechanically ventilated patients, sedation strategies are a major determinant of outcome. The emergency department (ED) is the earliest exposure to mechanical ventilation for hundreds of thousands of patients annually in the USA. The one retrospective study that exists regarding ED sedation for mechanically ventilated patients showed a strong association between deep sedation in the ED and worse clinical outcomes. This finding suggests that the ED may be an optimal location to study the impact of early sedation on outcome, yet a lack of prospective studies represents a knowledge gap in this arena. This protocol describes a prospective observational study aimed at further characterising ED sedation practices and assessing the relationship between ED sedation and clinical outcomes. An association between ED sedation and clinical outcomes across multiple sites would suggest the need for changes in the current sedation strategies used in the ED, and provide evidence for future interventional studies in this field.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre, prospective cohort study testing the hypothesis that deep sedation in the ED is associated with worse clinical outcomes. A cohort of over 300 mechanically ventilated ED patients will be included. The primary outcome is ventilator-free days, and secondary outcomes include hospital mortality, incidence of acute brain dysfunction and lengths of stay. Multivariable linear regression will test the hypothesis that deep sedation in the ED is associated with a decrease in ventilator-free days.Ethics and disseminationApproval of the study by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at each participating site has been obtained prior to data collection on the first patient. This work will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentation in abstract form at scientific meetings and data sharing with other investigators through academically established means.
Diagnostic predictive value of Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor in the follow-up of patients affected by non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: D´Elia Carolina , Pycha Alexander , Folchini Decio M , Mian Christine , Hanspeter Esther , Schwienbacher Christine , Vjaters Egils , Pycha Armin , Trenti Emanuela 
Published: October 2018

AimsCystoscopy and urine cytology represent the gold standard for monitoring superficial bladder cancer (BC). Xpert BC Monitor is a new urinary marker based on the evaluation of five target mRNAs overexpressed in patients with bladder cancer. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert BC Monitor in follow-up of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Methods230 patients were included in this prospective study. Xpert BC Monitor cut-off was set to 0.5. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of cytology, Xpert BC Monitor and their combination were calculated and compared with cystoscopy/histology.Results52/230 patients showed a NMIBC recurrence, 45 low grade (LG) and 7 high grade (HG). Overall sensitivity was 11.5% for cytology, 46.2% for Xpert BC Monitor and 48.1% for the two tests combined. Sensitivity of cytology increased from 4.4% in LG to 57.1% in HG tumours whereas for the Xpert BC Monitor it was 40% in LG and 85.7% in HG tumours. Combined cytology and Xpert BC Monitor yielded an overall sensitivity of 42% for LG and 85.7% for HG. Overall specificity was 97.2% for cytology, 77% for Xpert BC Monitor and 75.8% for the two tests.ConclusionsSensitivity for the Xpert BC Monitor Test was significantly higher than for cytology. The test performed very well in terms of specificity but could not reach the value of cytology, while PPV and NPV performed approximately the same for both tests.
Effect of population density on relationship between pre- and postcopulatory sexual traits
Authors: Cai Yun Lin , Mai Chun Lan , Yu Xin , Liao Wen Bo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSexual selection theory states that the premating (ornaments and armaments) sexual traits should trade off with the postmating (testes and ejaculates) sexual traits, assuming that growing and maintaining these traits is expensive and that total reproductive investments are limited. Male-male competition and sperm competition are predicted to affect how males allocate their finite resources to these traits. Here, we studied relative expenditure on pre- and postmating sexual traits among 82 species for three mammalian orders with varying population density using comparative phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that population density affected sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in both Artiodactyla and Carnivora, but not in Primates. However, relative testis mass and sperm size were not affected by population density. Moreover, we did not find associations between the SSD and testis mass or sperm size in three taxonomic groups. The interspecific relationships between pre- and postcopulatory sexual traits did not change with increased population density. Our findings suggest that population density did not affect variation in the relationship between pre- and postcopulatory sexual traits for these three mammalian orders.