bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro aging of boar spermatozoa: role of sperm proximity and seminal plasma
Authors: Luther A.‐M. , Waberski D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge on the effect of seminal plasma on sperm function in extended semen during in vitro storage is lacking.ObjectivesThe aim was to examine the interactive role of sperm concentration and seminal plasma concentration on boar sperm function during in vitro aging.Material and methodsExperiment 1: Twenty‐one boar ejaculates were aliquoted with Beltsville Thawing Solution into five semen doses containing between 32.5 and 8.5 × 106 sperm/mL. Experiment 2: Semen samples (n = 8) containing 18 × 106 or 10 × 106 sperm/mL with their natural amount of seminal plasma and 10 × 106 sperm/mL substituted with autologous seminal plasma to the same concentration as in doses with 18 × 106 sperm/mL were prepared. Experiment 3: Four variants of semen doses containing 18 × 106 or 10 × 106 sperm/mL with either 10% or 0.5% (v/v) seminal plasma were used. Lipid peroxidation was assessed using Bodipy 581/591 in samples (n = 8) with two different sperm concentrations. Semen was examined during 144‐h storage at 17 °C by computer‐assisted semen analysis and flow cytometry.ResultsExperiment 1: 3D kinematic patterns revealed a concentration‐ and time‐dependent loss of sperm kinematics in samples with < 23 × 106 sperm/mL (p < 0.05). Percent viable spermatozoa with high mitochondria membrane potential were lower (p < 0.05) in samples with < 15 × 106 sperm/mL. Experiment 2: Seminal plasma supplementation in samples with 10 × 106 sperm/mL did not restore the loss of sperm kinematics (p > 0.05). Experiment 3: At 144 h, motility was lowest in samples containing 10 × 106 sperm/mL and 10% (v/v) seminal plasma (p < 0.05). Sperm lipid peroxidation did not differ between samples with different sperm concentration.ConclusionLong‐term exposure to seminal plasma has a negative impact on in vitro‐aged boar spermatozoa. Reduced sperm‐to‐sperm proximity but not the reduction of seminal plasma limits sperm function in long‐term stored boar semen.
Romiplostim in adult patients with newly diagnosed or persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for up to 1 year and in those with chronic ITP for more than 1 year: a subgroup analysis of integrated data from completed romiplostim studies
Authors: Kuter David J. , Newland Adrian , Chong Beng H. , Rodeghiero Francesco , Romero Monica T. , Pabinger Ingrid , Chen Yuqi , Wang Kejia , Mehta Bhakti , Eisen Melissa 
Published: February 2019

SummaryThe thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim is approved for second‐line use in chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), but its effects in patients with ITP for ≤1 year are not well characterized. This analysis of pooled data from 9 studies included patients with ITP for ≤1 year (n = 311) or >1 year (n = 726) who failed first‐line treatments and received romiplostim, placebo or standard of care. In subgroup analysis by ITP duration, patient incidences for platelet response at ≥75% of measurements were higher for romiplostim [ITP ≤1 year: 74% (204/277); ITP >1 year: 71% (450/634)] than for placebo/standard of care [ITP ≤1 year: 18% (6/34); ITP >1 year: 9% (8/92)]. Of patients with ≥9 months on study, 16% with ITP ≤1 year and 6% with ITP >1 year discontinued romiplostim and maintained platelet counts ≥50 × 109/l for ≥6 months without ITP treatment (treatment‐free remission). Independent of ITP duration, rates of serious adverse events and bleeding were lower with romiplostim than placebo/standard of care and thrombotic events occurred at similar rates. In this analysis, romiplostim and placebo/standard of care had similar safety profiles and romiplostim increased platelet counts in patients with either ITP ≤1 year or ITP >1 year, with more treatment‐free remission in those with ITP ≤1 year.
An ethical inquiry of support workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Pariseau‐Legault Pierre , Holmes Dave , Ouellet Guillaume , Vallée‐Ouimet Sandrine 
Published: February 2019

Accessible summarySupport workers' attitudes towards the sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities are important. They can influence the support people with intellectual disabilities receive regarding their affective and sexual life.Six support workers talked about their personal experiences. They talked about what they found easy and difficult when helping people with intellectual disabilities express their sexual life and needs.They said that sexuality is a right, a health matter and an important need. They also said it was sometimes difficult to include sexuality in their work.They also said they often feel insecure and uncertain about how to help because sexuality is a difficult subject to talk about. They wanted to help people make their own decisions, but also wanted to protect them if needed.AbstractBackgroundIn the last decade, the evolution of support workers' attitudes towards the affective and sexual lives of people with intellectual disabilities has been described as increasingly positive. However, restrictive attitudes targeting affective and sexual life are still documented.Material and methodsThis study aimed to explore the ethical implications of support workers' experiences concerning sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities in everyday practice. This inquiry was guided by the following research questions: (a) In the context of intellectual disabilities, what meanings do service users' sexuality have for support workers? (b) How are those meanings translated into practice? Inspired by critical phenomenology, in‐depth individual interviews with support workers were conducted and analysed.ResultsOne superordinate theme (Negotiating Interventions) and three themes were identified: “Crossing Organizational Borders,” “A Duty to Act Despite Uncertainty” and “Navigating Competing and Contradictory Discourses.”ConclusionSupport workers' experiences related to sexuality in the context of intellectual disabilities are influenced by how they define their role in a clinical context. This role is influenced by how affective and sexual life is included in practices, local policies and interdisciplinary work. Despite positive attitudinal changes, sexuality is still regarded as a sensitive topic capable of endangering both service users and support workers.
Anatomical analysis of zygomatic bone in ectodermal dysplasia patients with oligodontia
Authors: Wang Haowei , Hung Kuofeng , Zhao Kai , Wang Yueping , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundAbnormalities of some facial bones derived from the ectomesenchyme have been found in ectodermal dysplasia (ED) patients, but the characteristics of the zygoma are unknown.PurposeComparison between ED patients and normal individuals to understand the anatomical features of the zygoma in ED patients.Materials and MethodsThirty patients diagnosed with ED based on clinical features and/or gene sequence tests and 80 normal individuals were recruited from 2016 to 2018. The thickness of the zygomatic body at 12 points on the superior, middle, and inferior areas and the length of four lines were measured on a three‐dimensional cone beam computed tomography image. Differences between ED patients and normal individuals were then compared.ResultsThe zygomatic thicknesses and lengths were smaller in ED patients than in normal individuals. For ED patients, the largest thicknesses on the superior, middle, and inferior areas of the zygoma were 8.47 ± 1.49, 7.03 ± 1.56, and 5.99 ± 1.22 mm.ConclusionThe development of zygomatic thickness on the inferior area and the zygomatic length were insufficient in ED patients with oligodontia. Consequently, zygomatic hypoplasia presented difficulties for the “quad approach” to zygomatic implants in this group of patients.
Profitability or Industrial Relations: What Explains Manufacturing Performance across Indian States?
Authors: Karak Anirban , Basu Deepankar 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThis article begins with a critique of the well‐known claim by Besley and Burgess concerning the negative impact of labour regulation on organized sector manufacturing performance in India. In the second part of the article, the authors use a state‐level panel data set for the period 1969–2005 to analyse the relative importance of profitability (rate of profit as a percentage of the total replacement cost of capital stock) and industrial disputes (man‐days lost to all industrial disputes as a percentage of total workers employed) to explain cross‐state variations of manufacturing performance in India's organized sector. Using three different measures of manufacturing performance — net value added, investment and employment — they find that profitability is more significant than industrial disputes in explaining the variation of manufacturing sector performance across Indian states. The findings presented here therefore question the uncritical acceptance of Besley and Burgess's results in the literature on labour regulation.
Effects of valsartan, benazepril and their combination in overt nephropathy of type 2 diabetes: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Trillini Matias , P. Barlovic Drazenka , Cortinovis Monica , Pisani Antonio , Parvanova Aneliya , Iliev Ilian P. , Ruggiero Barbara , Rota Stefano , Aparicio Maria C. , Perna Annalisa , Peraro Francesco , Diadei Olimpia , Gaspari Flavio , Carrara Fabiola , Stucchi Nadia , Martinetti Davide , Janez Andrej , Gregoric Nadan , Riccio Eleonora , Bossi Antonio C. , Trevisan Roberto , Manunta Paolo , Battaglia Giovanni , David Salvatore , Aucella Filippo , Belviso Antonio , Satta Andrea , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   on behalf of the VALID Study Organization
Published: February 2019

AimsTo evaluate whether angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) combination therapy is more nephroprotective than ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy.Materials and methodsIn this prospective, randomized, open, blind‐endpoint phase III trial sponsored by the Italian Drug Agency, 103 consenting patients with type 2 diabetes, aged >40 years, with serum creatinine levels 159 to 309 μmol/L, spot morning urinary albumin–creatinine ratio > 1000 mg/g (or > 500 mg/g in those on ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy at inclusion) were stratified by centre and randomized to 4.5‐year treatment with valsartan 320 mg/d (n = 36), benazepril 20 mg/d (n = 34) or halved doses of both medications (n = 33). The primary endpoint was end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Modified intention‐to‐treat analyses were performed.ResultsRecruitment took place between June 2007 and February 2013 at 10 centres in Italy and one in Slovenia. A total of 77 participants completed the study and 26 were prematurely withdrawn. During a median (interquartile range) of 41 (18–54) months, 12 participants on benazepril (35.3%) and nine on combination therapy (27.3%) progressed to ESRD, versus five on valsartan (13.9%). Differences between benazepril (hazard ratio [HR] 3.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–10.30; P = 0.018) or combination therapy (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.07–10.0; P = 0.038) and valsartan were significant, even after adjustment for age, gender and baseline serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure and 24‐hour proteinuria (HR 5.16, 95% CI 1.50–17.75, P = 0.009 and HR 4.75, 95% CI 1.01–22.39, P = 0.049, respectively). Adverse events were distributed similarly among the groups.ConclusionsIn people with type 2 diabetes with nephropathy, valsartan (320 mg/d) safely postponed ESRD more effectively than benazepril (20 mg/d) or than halved doses of both medications.
Lower rates of cardiovascular events and mortality associated with liraglutide use in patients treated with basal insulin: A DEVOTE subanalysis (DEVOTE 10)
Authors: Brown‐Frandsen Kirstine , Emerson Scott S. , McGuire Darren K. , Pieber Thomas R. , Poulter Neil R. , Pratley Richard E. , Zinman Bernard , Ranthe Mattis F. , Grøn Randi , Lange Martin , Moses Alan C. , Örsy Petra , Buse John B. ,   on behalf of the DEVOTE Study Group
Published: February 2019

AimTo compare the associations between concomitant liraglutide use versus no liraglutide use and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all‐cause mortality among patients receiving basal insulin (either insulin degludec [degludec] or insulin glargine 100 units/mL [glargine U100]) in the Trial Comparing Cardiovascular Safety of Insulin Degludec versus Insulin Glargine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at High Risk of Cardiovascular Events (DEVOTE).Materials and MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk were randomized 1:1 to degludec or glargine U100. Hazard ratios for MACE/mortality were calculated using a Cox regression model adjusted for treatment and time‐varying liraglutide use at any time during the trial, without interaction. Sensitivity analyses were adjusted for baseline covariates including, but not limited to, age, sex, smoking and prior cardiovascular disease.ResultsAt baseline, 436/7637 (5.7%) patients were treated with liraglutide; after baseline, 187/7637 (2.4%) started and 210/7637 (2.7%) stopped liraglutide. Mean liraglutide exposure from randomization was 530.2 days. Liraglutide use versus no liraglutide use was associated with significantly lower hazard rates for MACE [0.62 (0.41; 0.92)95%CI] and all‐cause mortality [0.50 (0.29; 0.88)95%CI]. There was no significant difference in the rate of severe hypoglycaemia with versus without liraglutide use. Multiple sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.ConclusionsUse of liraglutide was associated with significantly lower risk of MACE and death in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk using basal insulin.
The Maronite Leadership’s Approach toward Syria, 1970–2011: Between Integration, Separation, and Pragmatism
Authors: Naor Dan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Maronite–Syria relationship is troublesome, and one can say that the two sides are diametrical opposites. The Maronites, in general, represent the aspiration for an independent Lebanon, while Syria considers Lebanon a part of “Greater Syria” and aspires to annex the Lebanese territories. The Maronite community has consistently resisted these aspirations. However, the Maronite community is not a coherent one, which is reflected in its approach toward Syria. In fact, the Maronite leadership has adopted three different approaches toward Syria: an integrative one that aspires to full cooperation with Syria; a separatist one that strongly considers Lebanon and Syria to be separate states; and a pragmatist one that adheres to intimate or unfriendly ties according to local Lebanese interests. This article introduces the three Maronite approaches and claims that one cannot disassociate these approaches, especially the pragmatist one, from the Syrian policy toward Lebanon, which includes changing alliances according to Syria’s political interests. Moreover, the article suggests that these approaches will remain in place regardless of which Maronite leader supports each one and regardless of who will rule in Syria.
The influence of the mandibular gonial angle on the occurrence of mandibular angle fracture
Authors: Dhara Vasantha , Kamath Abhay T. , Vineetha Ravindranath 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground/AimsAngle fractures represent the largest percentage of mandibular fractures. They pose as a unique entity because of their codependent morphological dynamic factors, rendering the understanding of the mechanism, and treatment challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the mandibular gonial angle and the risk of mandibular angle fracture while highlighting its clinical relevance.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis of radiographs of patients treated for mandibular fractures was done. The factors studied were as follows: the presence of a high gonial angle and an impacted third molar. The outcome was mandibular angle fracture. The gonial angle was measured using Planmeca Digital Software 3.7.0.R. Status of the third molar was also noted. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 22 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY).ResultsThe sample comprised 70 mandibular fractures (32 angle fractures and 38 non‐angle fractures). The mean gonial angle in the angle fracture group was 128.5 ± 5.4º which was 10.2° larger than in the non‐angle group (mean 118.5 ± 4.4º; P = 0.0001). Patients with a high gonial angle were 8.7 times more likely to sustain an angle fracture than those with normal or low gonial angles. A statistically significant relationship between the presence of impacted third molar and patients sustaining mandibular angle fractures was noted (P = 0.0001).ConclusionSubjects with a high gonial angle and an impacted third molar are at an increased risk for mandibular angle fracture due to direct and indirect morphological factors.
Local range boundaries vs. large‐scale trade‐offs: climatic and competitive constraints on tree growth
Authors: Anderegg Leander D. L. , HilleRisLambers Janneke 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpecies often respond to human‐caused climate change by shifting where they occur on the landscape. To anticipate these shifts, we need to understand the forces that determine where species currently occur. We tested whether a long‐hypothesised trade‐off between climate and competitive constraints explains where tree species grow on mountain slopes. Using tree rings, we reconstructed growth sensitivity to climate and competition in range centre and range margin tree populations in three climatically distinct regions. We found that climate often constrains growth at environmentally harsh elevational range boundaries, and that climatic and competitive constraints trade‐off at large spatial scales. However, there was less evidence that competition consistently constrained growth at benign elevational range boundaries; thus, local‐scale climate‐competition trade‐offs were infrequent. Our work underscores the difficulty of predicting local‐scale range dynamics, but suggests that the constraints on tree performance at a large‐scale (e.g. latitudinal) may be predicted from ecological theory.
Intravenous thrombolysis in stroke mimics: results from the SITS International Stroke Thrombolysis Register
Authors: Keselman B. , Cooray C. , Vanhooren G. , Bassi P. , Consoli D. , Nichelli P. , Peeters A. , Sanak D. , Zini A. , Wahlgren N. , Ahmed N. , Mazya M. V. 
Published: February 2019

Background and purposePatients with stroke mimics (SM), i.e. conditions with stroke‐like symptoms, may risk harm if treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Current guidelines state low risk of intracerebral hemorrhage based on studies comprising a total of <400 SM cases. We aimed to compare safety and outcomes following IVT between patients with acute ischaemic stroke and mimicking conditions.MethodsWe included IVT‐treated ischaemic stroke patients in the SITS International Stroke Thrombolysis Register 2003–2017, examined with magnetic resonance imaging 22–36 h after treatment. Outcomes were parenchymal hematoma (PH) after treatment, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) per Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitoring Study (SITS‐MOST), Second European Co‐operative Stroke Study (ECASS II) and National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Study (NINDS) criteria, death and modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) at 3 months.ResultsOf 10 436 patients, 429 mimics (4.1%) were identified. The most common types were functional (30.8%), migraine (17.5%) and seizure (14.2%). Patients with mimics had fewer cerebrovascular risk factors and lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score [7 (interquartile range, 5–10) vs. 8 (5–14), P < 0.001]. Among mimics versus stroke patients, PH was seen in 1.2% vs. 5.1% (P < 0.001), SICH NINDS in 0.5% vs. 3.9% (P < 0.001), SICH ECASS II in 0.2% vs. 2.1% (P = 0.007) and SICH SITS‐MOST in 0% vs. 0.5% (P = 0.28). Modified Rankin Scale score 0–1 at 3 months was present in 84.1% vs. 57.7% (P < 0.001) and death within 3 months in 2.6% vs. 5.4% (P = 0.028) of mimics and stroke patients, respectively.ConclusionsThis large observational study indicated that PH and SICH following IVT in patients with SM are uncommon.
Mixed evidence for adaptation to environmental pollution
Authors: Loria Alessandra , Cristescu Melania E. , Gonzalez Andrew 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAdaptation to pollution has been studied since the first observations of heavy metal tolerance in plants decades ago. To document micro‐evolutionary responses to pollution, researchers have used phenotypic, molecular genetics, and demographic approaches. We reviewed 258 articles and evaluated the evidence for adaptive responses following exposure to a wide range of pollutants, across multiple taxonomic groups. We also conducted a meta‐analysis to calculate the magnitude of phenotypic change in invertebrates in response to metal pollution. The majority of studies that reported differences in responses to pollution were focused on phenotypic responses at the individual level. Most of the studies that used demographic assays in their investigations found that negative effects induced by pollution often worsened over multiple generations. Our meta‐analysis did not reveal a significant relationship between metal pollution intensity and changes in the traits studied, and this was probably due to differences in coping responses among different species, the broad array of abiotic and biotic factors, and the weak statistical power of the analysis. We found it difficult to make broad statements about how likely or how common adaptation is in the presence of environmental contamination. Ecological and evolutionary responses to contamination are complex, and difficult to interpret in the context of taxonomic, and methodological biases, and the inconsistent set of approaches that have been used to study adaptation to pollution in the laboratory and in the field. This review emphasizes the need for: (a) long‐term monitoring programs on exposed populations that link demography to phenotypic, genetic, and selection assays; (b) the use of standardized protocols across studies especially for similar taxa. Approaches that combine field and laboratory studies offer the greatest opportunity to reveal the complex eco‐evolutionary feedback that can occur under selection imposed by pollution.