bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer: The first nationwide multi‐institutional study by the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Authors: Shiraishi Takumi , Nakamura Terukazu , Ukimura Osamu ,   the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo assess clinicopathological data and oncological outcomes focused on metastatic testicular cancer patients, who received chemotherapy as the initial treatment, in the nationwide multi‐institutional study by the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association.MethodsA testicular cancer survey was carried out by the Japanese Urological Association in 2011 to register newly diagnosed testicular cancers in 2005 and 2008. Among 1121 registered patients, 278 patients with metastases who received chemotherapy as the initial treatment and could be categorized by the Japanese Urological Association classification were eligible for the analysis.ResultsAs first‐line chemotherapy, bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, and etoposide and cisplatin therapies were chosen for 260 patients (93.5%). As second‐line therapy, vinblastine, ifosfamide and cisplatin/etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin; and paclitaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin/paclitaxel, ifosfamide and nedaplatin therapies were carried out in 23 out of 63 (36.5%) and 29 out of 63 (46.0%) patients, respectively. The response rate and serum tumor marker normalization rate were 93.4% and 81.3% at first line, 75.4% and 60.7% at second line, and 41.7% and 16.7% at third line, respectively. The Japanese Urological Association classification (≥IIIB2 vs ≤IIIB1) and choriocarcinoma component in primary histology were independent prognostic factors of overall survival before starting chemotherapy. Furthermore, in patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors, serum tumor marker normalization was an independent factor that was associated with better outcome of overall survival after completion of the initial series of chemotherapies.ConclusionsThe initial accurate diagnosis and risk stratification is an important prognostic factor to achieve better oncological outcomes. In patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors, aiming for serum tumor marker normalization with continuous sequential chemotherapy could improve overall survival.
Establishing the new playbook for interactions among microbiota, bacterial metabolites, adaptive immunity, autoimmune disease and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Altmann Daniel M. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThere is an increasingly rich, functionally annotated data set for the microbiota heterogeneity of humans and mice, especially with respect to the gut. This has engaged the attention of immunologists, motivated to comprehend the rules for immune recognition of this vast array of microbial species, once largely ignored as commensals. For some prototypic examples, T‐cell immunology has been well characterized. This includes effects on preferential expansion of T‐cell subsets, and the immune‐modulatory effects of bacterial metabolites such as short‐chain fatty acids. However, much of this territory remains uncharted. Understanding these interactions has profound implications for therapeutic modulation of disease susceptibility, spanning autoimmune/inflammatory disease processes and development of obesity‐related metabolic syndrome.
Key considerations for selecting instruments when evaluating healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice competencies: A discussion paper
Authors: Saunders Hannele , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimA discussion of key considerations related to selecting instruments and tools for evaluating healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice (EBP) competencies.DesignA discussion paper.Data SourcesArticles published in international peer‐reviewed journals from January 2000 ‐ November 2017 on validated instruments for assessing healthcare professionals’ performance‐based EBP competencies.Implications for NursingValidated EBP competency instruments based on actual performance to evaluate the EBP competencies of healthcare professionals are currently available in the field of medicine. Although some of these instruments have already been adapted for use in physical and occupational therapy, their modification for use in nursing has begun only in the last few months.ConclusionA concerted effort on modifying and validating objective measures of actual performance for use in nursing should be commenced to evaluate directly measurable EBP competencies, instead of continuing to rely on nurses’ self‐assessments. Future studies focusing on development and validation of objective instruments to evaluate EBP competencies based on actual performance and exploring the modification of currently available objective instruments from medicine are urgently needed in nursing.ImpactInstead of measuring actual EBP competencies, the majority of competency evaluations in nursing are still being conducted via self‐assessments, despite growing evidence of their poor accuracy in evaluating directly measurable constructs such as evidence‐based practice knowledge and skills. Accurate measurement of nurses’ EBP competencies is essential to increasing systematic implementation of EBP in healthcare organizations, thus promoting the attainment of improved care quality and patient outcomes in healthcare delivery.
Nurses’ experiences of undertaking fertility‐related discussions with teenagers and young adults with cancer: An interpretive phenomenological analysis
Authors: Wright Elaine , Norton Wendy , Geary Martyn 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to explore and interpret nurses’ experiences, feelings and associated meanings attached to undertaking fertility‐related discussions with teenagers and young adults with cancer. The study also aims to advance an understanding of factors which facilitate or hinder such discussions, to progress clinical practice.BackgroundImproved cancer treatments have increased survival rates for many teenagers and young adults. However, as a side‐effect of treatment, infertility may result. International and UK studies suggest this patient population may not be provided with adequate opportunities to discuss this important issue. Little is known about nurses’ experiences of undertaking fertility‐related discussions.DesignQualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.MethodsEleven semistructured interviews were conducted between February and May 2016 with purposively selected nurses working in a Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in a UK hospital. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.FindingsNurses experienced a perceived lack of knowledge resulting in avoidance of raising fertility issues. Nurses expressed a specific need for more knowledge and education which was viewed as an essential prerequisite to their participation in discussions. The limited time frame for female patients to preserve fertility prior to commencement of treatment was felt to inhibit both fertility‐related discussion and fertility preservation.ConclusionOngoing education and support for nurses may ensure teenage and young adult cancer patients’ reproductive needs are met. Nurses need to consider ways to ensure female patients benefit from improved information regarding infertility risks and preservation options to support their reproductive needs.
Relationships between leadership, structural empowerment, and engagement in nurses
Authors: García‐Sierra Rosa , Fernández‐Castro Jordi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to analyse the relationships among structural empowerment, the leadership style of managers, and the engagement of nurses in a health organization of Spain.BackgroundTransformational leadership has an impact on patient security and satisfaction as well as the well‐being and engagement of healthcare workers. Empowerment is a management practice that is fundamental for professional growth and positively affects the quality of patient care.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsRandomized sample of 131 nurses recruited from 11 health centres with different levels of care was surveyed to assess managers’ leadership style, nurse empowerment, and work engagement.The data were analysed by descriptive and correlational statistics and hierarchical mediated regression.ResultsThe transformational leadership of the nurse manager directly and positively influences the structural empowerment of nurses. The structural empowerment of nurses directly and positively influences engagement.The transformational leadership of managers positively influences nurse engagement through the mediating effect of structural empowerment.ConclusionThe structural empowerment of nurses acts as a mediator between the transformational leadership of nurse managers and nurse engagement.Practical implicationThe transformational leadership of nurse managers at the unit level has a double impact on staff nurses: first, increasing empowerment and second, increasing the engagement of the nurse staff.
High beta diversity among small islands is due to environmental heterogeneity rather than ecological drift
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Vellend Mark , Wang Zuhua , Yu Mingjian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimsBoth ecological drift and environmental heterogeneity can produce high beta diversity among communities, but only the effect of drift is expected to be enhanced in communities of small size. Few studies have explicitly tested the influence of community size on patterns of beta diversity. Here we applied a series of analyses aimed at testing the influence of drift versus environmental heterogeneity on beta diversity among tree communities on islands of variable size.LocationThousand Island Lake, Zhejiang Province, China.MethodsWe used data on mapped tree communities and environmental conditions for 20 small islands (<1 ha) and nine large islands (>1 ha) created via the construction of a hydroelectric dam in 1959. Beta diversity was calculated using abundance‐based multiple‐site dissimilarity based on the Bray–Curtis index. On the basis of the hypothesis of ecological drift among small islands, we tested for higher beta diversity among small than large islands using: (a) raw data (b) controlling for the number of individual sampled on a given island, and (c) controlling for the contiguous sampling area and thus for intra‐island environmental heterogeneity. We also tested the prediction that the relationship between species composition and environmental variables should be weaker on small islands using canonical correspondence analyses.ResultsUsing raw data and controlling for the number of individuals, community dissimilarity was significantly greater among small islands than among large islands. However, when controlling for contiguous sampling area this difference disappeared. Contrary to the prediction based on ecological drift, the strength of overall composition–environment relationships was not significantly weaker for small islands in any of the analyses, and environmental heterogeneity increased faster with area among small islands than among large islands.Main ConclusionsDespite a result using raw data that was consistent with the hypothesis of ecological drift, our full set of results clearly indicated the high beta diversity among small islands was more likely due to environmental heterogeneity rather than ecological drift. This result points to a clear need to control for sampling area among habitats of different size when testing for statistical signatures of drift.
Temporomandibular disorder symptoms and their association with quality of life, emotional states and sleep quality in South‐East Asian youths
Authors: Natu Vaishali P. , Yap Adrian U‐J. , Su Marilyn Huiting , Irfan Ali Noohu Mohamed , Ansari Anshad 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPopulation studies on the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and their associations with quality of life (QoL), emotional states and sleep quality in South‐East Asian youths are not available. This cross‐sectional study assessed the presence of TMD and their relationships to QoL, depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality in a cohort of South‐East Asian adolescents/young adults. Three hundred and sixty‐two students from a polytechnic were enrolled in the study and completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Fonesca's Anamnestic Index (FAI), Oral Health Impact Profile for TMD (OHIP‐TMD), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales‐21 (DASS‐21) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The FAI appraises TMD severity while OHIP‐TMD determines the effect of TMD on oral health‐related QoL. Statistical analysis was performed using chi‐square test for categorical data whilst one‐way ANOVA/post hoc Bonferroni's tests were employed for numerical scores (P < 0.05). Of the 244 participants who completed the questionnaires in their entirety (37 males; 207 females, mean age 20.1 ± 3.2 years), 32.4% had mild TMD, 9.4% had moderate TMD and 58.2% were TMD free. The total prevalence of TMD was 41.8% (n = 102) and most OHIP‐TMD domains including functional limitation (P = 0.000), physical pain (P = 0.000), handicapped (P = 0.000) and psychological discomfort (P = 0.001) showed significant differences in mean scores depending on TMD severity. A similar trend was observed for DASS‐21. The majority of participants with TMD (69.6%; n = 71) had poor sleep quality (P = 0.004). TMD appear to be prevalent in South‐East Asian youths with varying severity. Severity of TMD had some bearing on QoL, emotional states as well as sleep quality.
I am the chosen one: Narcissism in the backdrop of self‐determination theory
Authors: Sedikides Constantine , Ntoumanis Nikos , Sheldon Kennon M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis theoretical article discusses the relevance of self‐determination theory (SDT) for narcissism, a classic topic in self‐theory.Method and ResultsThe trait of narcissism reflects a self‐aggrandizing, dominant, and manipulative interpersonal orientation that feeds on exaggerated perceptions of agency, but not communion. The article embeds narcissism in the five mini‐theories of SDT (organismic integration, causality orientations, basic needs, cognitive evaluation, and goal contents) and considers research directions that can explore synergies between key constructs from SDT and narcissism.ConclusionsSDT can serve as a foundation for a deeper understanding of narcissism. From the other end, narcissism can enrich SDT by explaining variations in motivational processes.
The imbroglio of the physiological Cra effector clarified at last
Authors: Chavarría Max , de Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: July 2018

SummaryOwing to its role in controlling carbon and energy metabolism, the catabolite repressor/activator protein Cra has been one of the most studied prokaryotic regulators of the last 30 years. Yet, a key mechanistic detail of its biological function – i.e. the nature of the metabolic effector that rules its DNA‐binding ability – has remained controversial. Despite the high affinity of Cra for fructose‐1‐phosphate (F1P), the prevailing view claimed that fructose‐1,6‐biphosphate (FBP) was the key physiological effector. Building on such responsiveness to FBP, Cra was proposed to act as a glycolytic flux sensor and central regulator of critical metabolic transactions. At the same time, data raised on the Cra protein of Pseudomonas putida ruled out that FBP could be an effector – but instead suggested that it was the unintentional carrier of a small contamination by F1P, the actual signal molecule. While these data on the P. putida Cra were received with skepticism – if not dismissal – by the community of the time, the paper by (Bley‐Folly et al, 2018) now demonstrates beyond any reasonable doubt that the one and only effector of E. coli Cra is F1P and that every action of FBP on this regulator can be traced to its systematic mix with the authentic binder.
Malaria in pregnancy shapes the development of foetal and infant immunity
Authors: Harrington Whitney E. , Kakuru Abel , Jagannathan Prasanna 
Published: July 2018

SummaryMalaria, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, continues to disproportionately affect pregnant women. In addition to the profoundly deleterious impact of maternal malaria on the health of the mother and foetus, malaria infection in pregnancy has been shown to affect the development of the foetal and infant immune system and may alter the risk of malaria and nonmalarial outcomes during infancy. This review summarizes our current understanding of how malaria infection in pregnancy shapes the protective components of the maternal immune system transferred to the foetus and how foetal exposure to parasite antigens impacts the development of foetal and infant immunity. It also reviews existing evidence linking malaria infection in pregnancy to malaria and nonmalarial outcomes in infancy and how preventing malaria in pregnancy may alter these outcomes. A better understanding of the consequences of malaria infection in pregnancy on the development of foetal and infant immunity will inform control strategies, including intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and vaccine development.
Male morphotypes and alternative mating tactics in freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium: a review
Authors: Karplus Ilan , Barki Assaf 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe discontinuous variation in male mating behaviour is termed alternative mating tactics. A distinction is commonly made between alternative mating tactics that are fixed for life or flexible with simultaneous or sequential switches between tactics over the sexually mature life. Freshwater species of the genus Macrobrachium demonstrate flexible tactics with sequential (i.e. developmental) switch between tactics. Sexually mature populations of the commercially important giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii consist of three morphologically and behaviourally distinct male morphotypes: small males, orange claw and blue claw males, representing (respectively) successive stages in the developmental pathway of sexually mature males. The dominant blue claw males secure mating by guarding receptive soft‐shelled females with their long chelipeds while the subordinate SM use an alternative tactic of sneak mating to fertilize females. Current knowledge of the mating behaviour and reproductive success of these male morphotypes, including male competition over females, female mate choice and the involvement of pheromones, is reviewed. So far, the occurrence of distinct sexually mature male morphotypes has been described in 24 species within the genus Macrobrachium. The prevalence of distinct male morphotypes and alternative mating tactics among Macrobrachium species is discussed in view of the phylogeny of the genus, based on molecular markers. The environmental and genetic determination of the male morphotypes is discussed, as well as the evolution of the developmental alternative mating tactics in the genus Macrobrachium. Possible implications for prawns’ aquaculture and future research are suggested.
Parental socialization of positive affect, adolescent positive affect regulation, and adolescent girls’ depression in India
Authors: Raval Vaishali V. , Luebbe Aaron M. , Sathiyaseelan Anuradha 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn emerging body of research shows that parental socialization of positive affect (PA) is implicated in youth functioning, although most evidence comes from Western countries. In this study, focusing on adolescent girls in India, we examined associations among reports of parents’ responses to adolescent PA, adolescent PA regulation, and adolescent depression. A total of 238 adolescent girls (13–18 years) and one of their parents (54% mothers) were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires at the beginning of the school year (time 1) and five months later (time 2). At the bivariate level, parents’ dampening and adolescent girls’ dampening responses were each associated concurrently with adolescent depression at time 1. However, there were no significant direct associations between time 1 parents’ dampening or enhancing responses and time 2 adolescent girls’ depression (after controlling for time 1 depression). Using half‐longitudinal models, a significant indirect effect was found from parental dampening of PA to increased adolescent depression via adolescent girls’ own increased dampening. No indirect effect was found from parental enhancing to adolescent depression via adolescent girls’ increased positive rumination. These findings are the first to demonstrate the relevance of PA socialization for girls in a non‐Western culture.
High field magnetic resonance imaging anatomy of feline carpal ligaments is comparable to plastinated specimen anatomy
Authors: Basa Rachel M. , Podadera Juan M. , Burland Gavin , Johnson Kenneth A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFeline carpal ligament injuries are often diagnosed indirectly using palpation and stress radiography to detect whether there is instability and widening of joint spaces. There are currently no reports describing normal feline carpal ligament anatomy and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the carpal ligaments. The objective of this prospective, anatomic study was to describe normal feline carpal ligament anatomy using gross plastinated specimens and MRI. We hypothesized that MRI could be used to identify the carpal ligaments as previously described in the dog, and to identify species specific variations in the cat. The study was conducted using feline cadaver antebrachii that were radiographed prior to study inclusion. Three limbs were selected for MRI to confirm repeatability of anatomy between cats. The proton density weighted pulse sequence was used and images were acquired in transverse, dorsal, and sagittal planes. Following MRI, the limbs were plastinated and a collagen stain was used to aid in identification of carpal ligament anatomy. These limbs were sliced in sagittal section, and a further six paired limbs were included in the study and sliced in transverse and dorsal planes. Anatomic structures were initially described using MRI and then subjectively compared with gross plastinated specimens. Readers considered the transverse MRI plane to be most useful for visualizing the majority of the carpal ligaments. Findings indicated that MRI anatomy of the carpal ligaments was comparable to plastinated anatomy; therefore MRI appears to be a beneficial imaging modality for exploration of feline carpal pathology.