bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucose‐lowering medications and the risk of cancer: A methodological review of studies based on real‐world data
Authors: Bykov Katsiaryna , He Mengdong , Franklin Jessica M. , Garry Elizabeth M. , Seeger John D. , Patorno Elisabetta 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo review the methodology of observational studies examining the association between glucose‐lowering medications and cancer to identify the most common methodological challenges and sources of bias.MethodsWe searched PubMed systematically to identify observational studies on glucose‐lowering medications and cancer published between January 2000 and January 2016. We assessed the design and analytical methods used in each study, with a focus on their ability to achieve study validity, and further evaluated the prevalence of major methodological choices over time.ResultsOf 155 studies evaluated, only 26% implemented a new‐user design, 41% used an active comparator, 33% implemented a lag or latency period, and 51% adjusted for diabetes duration. Potential for immortal person–time bias was identified in 63% of the studies; 55% of the studies adjusted for variables measured during the follow‐up without appropriate statistical methods. Aside from a decreasing trend in adjusting for variables measured during the follow‐up, we observed no trends in methodological choices over time.ConclusionsThe prevalence of well‐known design and analysis flaws that may lead to biased results remains high among observational studies on glucose‐lowering medications and cancer, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn from these studies. Avoiding known pitfalls could substantially improve the quality and validity of real‐world evidence in this field.
The power and efficiency of brood incubation in queenless microcolonies of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.)
Authors: Livesey Jennifer S. , Constable Caius , Rawlinson William G. , Robotham Alice M. , Wright Christopher , Hampshire Amy E. , Klark Emily G. , Borrows William A. , Horsell David , Cresswell James E. 
Published: May 2019

1. Ground‐nesting colonies of bumble bees incubate their brood at > 30 °C if floral forage provides sufficient energy and the thermogenic power of the colony can counteract cool soil conditions. To explore the basis of incubation, the thermogenic power and sugar consumption of orphaned nests of bumble bee workers (microcolonies) were investigated under laboratory conditions.2. This study tested experimentally the effect of variation in worker number (ranging from four to 12 adults) on a microcolony's capacity to regulate brood temperature and recover from acute cold exposure. Microcolonies were provided with ad libitum sugar syrup and minimal insulation and maintained at an ambient temperature of c. 25 °C. Energy conversion efficiency was estimated by comparing sugar consumption with the power required for artificial incubation. The joint energetics of foraging and incubation were modelled in wild colonies to explore the effect of colony size and landscape quality on thermoregulation.3. The results showed that all sizes of microcolonies regulated brood temperature at c. 31 °C under laboratory conditions, which required 96 mW of thermogenic power. It was estimated that individual workers of B. terrestris generated an incubatory power of 35 mW. The smallest microcolonies had the highest conversion efficiency (57%), apparently because few workers were required for incubation.4. Modelling indicated that small microcolonies of three to seven adult workers have the capacity for normal brood incubation in the wild, but that the minimum viable colony size increases as floral forage becomes poorer or more distant.5. These preliminary findings suggest the feasibility of identifying the minimum conditions (forage quality, soil temperature, and colony size) necessary for brood incubation by queenright colonies in the wild.
Chemerin partly mediates tumor‐inhibitory effect of all‐trans retinoic acid via CMKLR1‐dependent natural killer cell recruitment
Authors: Song Yan , Yin Wei , Dan Yanjun , Sheng Jiangxin , Zeng Yixuan , He Rui 
Published: May 2019

SummaryDown‐regulated chemerin expression has been reported to correlate with poor prognosis of several types of cancer including melanoma. All‐trans retinoic acid (atRA) is a potent inducer of chemerin, and we previously reported that atRA inhibited murine melanoma growth through enhancement of anti‐tumor T‐cell immunity. Here, we aimed to investigate whether loss of endogenous chemerin accelerated melanoma growth and whether chemerin was involved in the melanoma‐inhibitory effect of atRA. We demonstrated that chemerin was constitutively expressed in the skin, which was down‐regulated during murine melanoma growth. Rarres2−/− mice, which are deficient in chemerin, exhibited aggravated tumor growth and impaired tumor‐infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells that express CMKLR1, the functional receptor of chemerin. Topical treatment with atRA up‐regulated skin chemerin expression, which was primarily derived from dermal cells. Moreover, atRA treatment significantly enhanced tumor‐infiltrating NK cells, which was completely abrogated in Rarres2−/− mice and Cmklr1−/− mice, suggesting a dependency of NK cell recruitment on the chemerin–CMKLR1 axis in melanoma. Despite comparable melanoma growth detected in wild‐type mice and Cmklr1−/− mice, lack of CMKLR1 partially abrogated the melanoma‐inhibitory effect of atRA. This may be due to the inability to enhance tumor‐infiltrating NK cells in Cmklr1−/− mice following atRA treatment. Collectively, our study suggests that down‐regulation of chemerin could be a strategy used by cancers such as melanoma to impair anti‐tumor NK cell immunity and identifies a new anti‐tumor mechanism of atRA by up‐regulating chemerin to enhance CMKLR1‐dependent NK cell recruitment.
Quantification of echinoderms (Echinodermata) on Georges Bank, and the potential influence of marine protected areas on these populations
Authors: Rosellon‐Druker Judith , Stokesbury Kevin D. E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe spatiotemporal variation of the distribution of echinoderms in the Georges Bank ecosystem was examined from 2005 to 2012. Density and abundance of representatives from echinoderm classes (brittle stars, sand dollars, sea stars, and sea urchins) were estimated using a drop camera video survey of the benthos in areas open and closed to fish trawling. The influence of closed areas on these echinoderm populations relative to a suite of key environmental and biotic factors was evaluated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). While marine protected areas appeared to influence the distribution of sand dollars and sea stars, the distribution of brittle stars and sea urchins seemed to be defined mainly by preferred habitat conditions. According to the CCA, depth, sediment stability, temperature, predator abundance, and management area were the most important factors explaining this echinoderm assemblage. On Georges Bank, echinoderms dominate the benthic biota and are present in a variety of habitats. They can alter marine communities and are preferred prey and main predators for several commercially targeted species. The detailed information presented here (on the scale of kilometers) on abundance and spatial distribution of these populations is thus valuable towards the implementation of ecosystem‐based fisheries management.
Release of sodium pyruvate from sacral prophylactic dressings: A computational model
Authors: Levy Ayelet , Kottner Jan , Gefen Amit 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe use of sacral dressings for pressure ulcer prevention is growing rapidly. In addition to their passive biomechanical role in pressure and shear reduction, in the near future, prophylactic dressings may also provide active tissue protection by releasing preventive agents or drugs into skin and deeper tissues. We investigated delivery of sodium pyruvate (NaPy) from an active dressing to potentially protect the sacral skin and underlying tissues in addition. We used four finite element model variants describing different skin roughness levels to determine time profiles of NaPy diffusion from the dressing into the skin layers. The NaPy concentrations for the different modelled cases stabilised after 1 to 6.5 hours from the time of application of the dressings, at 1% to 3% of the NaPy concentration in the dressing reservoir, which is considered potent. We conclude that prophylactic sacral dressings have the potential to deliver NaPy into skin and subdermally, to potentially increase soft tissue tolerance to sustained bodyweight‐caused cell and tissue deformations. The time durations to achieve the steady‐state potent NaPy dermal concentrations are clinically feasible, for example, for preparation of patients for surgery or for use in intensive care units.
Sustained virologic response with 6 weeks or less of direct‐acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Experience at a veterans affairs healthcare system
Authors: Joshi Prajwol , Atherton Amanda 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and AimDuration of treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection has been shortened since the introduction of highly effective direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). Presented is our experience in successful treatment of veterans with chronic hepatitis C infection, with a shorter than currently recommended duration of therapy.MethodsRetrospective chart review of veterans with chronic hepatitis C infection who received more than 1 week and up to 6 weeks (8–42 days) of DAA therapy with the initiation day between January 1, 2015, and October 15, 2018, at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Successful treatment was defined by a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR‐12) since the end of treatment.ResultsOf the 1841 veterans treated, 27 met the criteria for this review. Overall, SVR‐12 was achieved in 92.6% of veterans treated for a duration of more than 1 week and up to 6 weeks. Amongst those who completed only 4 weeks of therapy, 93.3% achieved SVR‐12. All four veterans (100%) treated for a duration of more than 4 weeks and up to 6 weeks achieved SVR‐12.ConclusionsAmongst the chronically infected hepatitis C population, a subpopulation who could achieve SVR with a shorter course of treatment than currently recommended does exist. A prospective study of a larger scale will likely provide helpful data in this regard. Our findings could be an impetus for further work.
Clinical characterization and mutation spectrum in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis in China
Authors: Li Na , Kang Qian , Yang Lang , Zhao Xiao‐Jun , Xue Li‐Jun , Wang Xin , Li Ai‐Qin , Li Chen‐Guang , Sheng Jian‐Qiu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and AimFamilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is the most common adenomatous polyposis syndrome. Patients with FAP are screened for germline mutations of two genes, APC and MUTYH. However, limited data exist on the clinical characterization and genotypic spectrum of FAP in China. This study was aimed to determine APC and MUTYH mutational status in a small cohort of FAP probands in China and to characterize the genotype–phenotype correlation in mutated patients.MethodsMutation screening of 46 unrelated probands was performed using multigene panels by next‐generation sequencing. Clinical data of the index were used to assess genotype–phenotype correlations.ResultsOverall, 42 out of 46 (91.30%) unrelated probands found mutations, including 35 (76.09%) with APC mutations, 3 (6.52%) with MUTYH mutations, and 4 (8.70%) with both APC and MUTYH mutations. Ten APC genetic alterations variants were novel. The hereditary pattern of the family with both APC and MUTYH mutations was autosomal dominant inheritance. Upper gastrointestinal polyp was the most common extracolonic manifestations. The onset time for patients with both APC and MUTYH mutations was earlier than MUTYH mutation carriers and similar to APC mutation carriers. But the age of carcinogenesis for patients with both APC and MUTYH mutations was later than APC mutation carriers and similar to MUTYH mutation carriers.ConclusionIn this study, we show the importance of using multigene panels that allow for a parallel comprehensive screening. We suggest that genetic testing of patients with suspected adenomatous polyposis syndromes should include APC and MUTYH gene mutation analyses simultaneously.
Stability and change of values during the formative years: Latent state–trait analyses of adolescents in a seven‐wave panel study
Authors: Pöge Andreas 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveMany researchers agree that a person's values are formed during the first two decades of one's life span. But little is known about the exact formation process and the typical development of values during youth. In this article, we investigate the question of intra‐individual stability and changes in values during the so‐called formative years.MethodWe used the dataset of a German panel study that took place in seven waves, from 2002 to 2008 (t1–t7), which contained responses obtained from 2,957 boys and girls ages 13–19. The interviews were repeated yearly and were held mainly in classrooms. An analysis of stability and change over the observed time period was done using the framework of latent state–trait theory.ResultsThe results showed a stable three‐dimensional value structure, with strong growth in value stability that decreased slightly at the end of the adolescent period. The development of stability among youth seems to be dependent on the values themselves.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the aging‐stability hypothesis—that is, values become more and more stable parts of an individual's personality during the formative years. Moreover, our results would seem to substantiate hypotheses that assume value‐specific courses of development and recurring periods of stability and change later in the life cycle.
Biochemical insights into basal and induced resistance in cabbage to black rot
Authors: Amaral Lívio S. , Debona Daniel , Costa Lilian C. , R. Silva Ana Luiza , Oliveira José R. , Rodrigues Fabrício A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBlack rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is the most devastating disease of brassica, but the mechanisms of basal or induced resistance in cabbage remain largely unknown. Here, we performed three experiments to investigate biochemical features associated with cabbage resistance to black rot. In the first experiment, biochemical changes were assessed in plants that were inoculated with a highly (UFPR 5) or a moderately (Xcc 10) aggressive Xcc isolate. In the second experiment, we examined the biochemical responses in two cultivars (Chato de Quintal [CQ] and Louco de Verão [LV], susceptible and moderately resistant to Xcc, respectively). Finally, we examined whether acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) could induce cabbage resistance to Xcc. Plants inoculated with the Xcc 10 isolate displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), whereas activities of chitinase (CHI), β‐1,3‐glucanase (GLU) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as well as the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were lower compared to plants inoculated with the UFPR 5 isolate. The resistance of the cultivar LV to Xcc was linked to increases in the activities of CHI, GLU, and PPO and decreases in the activities of SOD, POX and APX as well as in the concentrations of H2O2 and MDA relative to the cultivar CQ. In general, ASM‐sprayed plants displayed higher activities for the enzymes studied, which was associated with decreased disease symptoms and oxidative stress. Taken together, our results demonstrated that high activities of both defence and antioxidant enzymes played a major role in both basal and induced resistance of cabbage to black rot.
Effects of dietary calcium to available phosphorus ratios on bone metabolism and osteoclast activity of the OPG /RANK/RANKL signalling pathway in piglets
Authors: Zhao Lei , Li Muyang , Sun Hui 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHydroxyapatite, a mineral form of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) that gives bones their rigidity, is the major and essential component of bones and teeth in the human and animal body. A suitable ratio of Ca and P is vital for bone growth. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of dietary calcium to available phosphorus ratios (Ca/AP) on bone metabolism and osteoclast activity of the osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) signalling pathway in piglets. At days 15 and 29, the piglets were assessed for growth performance, blood indicators, cytokines and the OPG/RANK/RANKL signalling pathway. Our results showed that piglets fed a dietary Ca/AP ratio of 2:1 increases growth performance and regulates blood indicators and cytokines (parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), vitamin D3 (VD3), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) content). We also demonstrated that this ratio affects hormone secretion and further bone metabolism through the OPG/RANK/RANKL signalling pathway of osteoclasts. These results indicate that a suitable dietary Ca/AP ratio is vital for bone growth and reduce the incidence of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, providing a practical basis for the raising of piglets.
Comparison of gelling properties and flow behaviors of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and pectin modified fish gelatin
Authors: Huang Tao , Zhao Huizhu , Fang Yaoyan , Lu Jinpei , Yang Wenge , Qiao Zhaohui , Lou Qiaoming , Xu Dalun , Zhang Jinjie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe gelling and structural properties of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and pectin modified fish gelatin were compared to investigate their performances on altering fish gelatin properties. Our results showed that within a certain concentration, both MTGase and pectin had positive effects on the gelation point, melting point, gel strength, textural, and swelling properties of fish gelatin. Particularly, low pectin content (0.5%, w/v) could give fish gelatin gels the highest values of gel strength, melting temperature, and hardness. Meantime, flow behavior results showed that both MTGase and pectin could increase fish gelatin viscosity without changing its fluid characteristic, but the latter gave fish gelatin higher viscosity. Both MTGase and pectin could increase the lightness of fish gelatin gels but decreases its transparency. More importantly, fluorescence and UV absorbance spectra, particle size distribution, and confocal microscopy results indicated that MTGase and pectin could change the structure of fish gelatin with the formation of large aggregates. Compared with MTGae modified fish gelatin, pectin could endow fish gelatin had similar gel strength, thermal and textural properties to pig skin gelatin.
The morphology and activity of the extrafloral nectaries in Reynoutria × bohemica (Polygonaceae)
Authors: Giuliani C. , Lastrucci L. , Cresti L. , Santini G. , Foggi B. , Lippi M. Mariotti 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Reynoutria × bohemica is an invasive species causing significant damage to native ecosystems in North America and Europe.

In this work, we performed an in‐depth micromorphological characterisation of the extrafloral nectaries (EFN), during their secretory and post‐secretory phases, in combination with field monitoring of nectary activity over time and the qualitative pool of insect visitors.

EFN consist of secretory trichomes and vascularised parenchyma. Polysaccharides, lipids and proteins were histochemically detected in all trichome cells; phenolic substances were detected in parenchyma cells. Our data indicate that all nectary regions are involved in nectar production and release, constituting a functional unit. Moreover, the main compound classes of nectar and their transfer change over time: first, granulocrine secretion for sugars prevails, then eccrine secretion of the lipophilic fraction takes place. Active nectaries are mainly located in the apical portion of the stem during the growth phase (April–May), when we detected the highest number of individuals visited by ants; from mid‐August onwards, during flowering, the number of active nectaries declined then ceased production (September), with a concomitant decrease in visits by the ants. The spectrum of nectar‐foraging ants mainly included representatives of the genera Formica, Lasius and Camponotus.

Reynoutria × bohemica produces an attractive secretion able to recruit local ants that may potentially act as ‘bodyguards’ for protecting young shoots, reducing secretions during the blooming stage. This defence mechanism against herbivores is the same as that displayed by the parental species in its native areas.
Psychometric evaluation of the German version of a social support scale of FAFHES (Family Functioning, Family Health and Social Support)
Authors: Ris Irène , Schnepp Wilfried , Mahrer Imhof Romy 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundFamily members often need to be supported in informal care of the elderly and desire to be involved into care planning and decision‐making. Valid and reliable instruments are needed to measure how family members perceive the care and support they receive from nurses for older family members living at home.AimThe purpose of this study was to translate the 20‐item social support scale of the Family Functioning, Family Health and Social Support (FAFHES) questionnaire from English to German and test the validity and reliability of the scale among Swiss‐German‐speaking family caregivers of home‐dwelling elderly people who receive home healthcare services.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted to test the empirical and psychometric properties of the translated and culturally adapted version of the social support questionnaire. A factor analysis with the principal component analysis PCA was used to test construct validity. The internal consistency of items was measured with the Cronbach`s alpha coefficient.ResultsAfter a rigorous translation process the original 20‐item questionnaire was adapted into a 19‐item version and tested with family caregivers (n = 207) of home‐dwelling elderly. Psychometric testing of the German version of the social support questionnaire revealed that the three factors – affirmation, affect and concrete aid – were congruent with the original questionnaire. The accounted variance was 79.5% and the internal consistency determined by the Cronbach's alpha was 0.973.ConclusionThe German version of the social support scale of the FAFHES questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to assess family perceived support on three dimensions – affirmation, affect and concrete aid – received from nursing professionals. The questionnaire should be tested further in other German‐speaking populations.