bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Primary Tumor and Nodal SUVmax Values on 18F-FDG PET/CT Images Predict Prognosis in Patients With Salivary Gland Carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh Cheng-En , Cheng Nai-Ming , Chou Wen-Chi , Venkatesulu Bhanu Prasad , Chou Yung-Chih , Liao Chun-Ta , Yen Tzu-Chen , Lin Chien-Yu 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
To assess whether primary tumor and nodal 18F-FDG uptake may predict prognosis in patients with salivary gland carcinoma.

Methods
We conducted a 2-center, retrospective study on 117 patients with salivary gland carcinoma who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before treatment and were subsequently treated with curative intent between 2004 and 2014. Pretreatment SUVmax of the primary tumor (SUVmax-T) and that of positive nodes (SUVmax-N) were analyzed in relation to clinical outcomes.

Results
Patients were followed up for a median of 61 months. The following 5-year rates were observed: locoregional control (LRC), 78%; distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), 67%; progression-free survival (PFS), 62%; and overall survival (OS), 68%. A cutoff value of 7.0 maximized the prognostic impact of both SUVmax-T and SUVmax-N for PFS. Compared with patients with SUVmax-T and SUVmax-N values below the optimal cutoff, those with SUVmax-T and SUVmax-N of 7 or greater showed less favorable 5-year LRC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), DMFS (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), PFS (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), and OS (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) rates. Both SUVmax-T of 7 or greater and SUVmax-N of 7 or greater were identified as independent predictors of LRC (P = 0.010 and 0.022), DMFS (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001), PFS (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007), and OS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.002) in multivariable analysis. We therefore devised a prognostic scoring system based on these 2 variables, which was found to be strongly associated with 5-year LRC (P < 0.001), DMFS (P < 0.001), PFS (P < 0.001), and OS (P < 0.001) rates.

Conclusions
SUVmax of the primary tumor and SUVmax-N on pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT images may be a useful guide in predicting treatment outcomes, especially when combined in a prognostic scoring system.
Incidental Detection of Skeletal Metastases on 99mTc-DTPA Renography
Authors: Seniaray Nikhil , Verma Ritu , Belho Ethel S. , Mahajan Harsh 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
We present the case of a 53-year-old man with left hydroureteronephrosis who underwent 99mTc-DTPA renography for functional assessment of bilateral kidneys. 99mTc-DTPA renography of the patient showed diffusely increased extrarenal 99mTc-DTPA uptake in the visualized lumbosacral vertebrae and in the pelvic bones, on the blood flow and functional phase of the renography, which was suggestive of disseminated skeletal disease. Subsequent MRI lumbosacral spine and 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed extensive skeletal metastases corresponding to the increased extrarenal 99mTc-DTPA uptake in the lumbosacral vertebrae and the pelvic bones from primary left lung mitotic lesion.
Benign Esophageal Findings on 68Ga–Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT Scan
Authors: Jochumsen Mads Ryø , Klingenberg Søren , Bouchelouche Kirsten 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
In 2 high-risk prostate cancer patients, PET scans revealed focally increased 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake in the distal esophagus. Both patients had hiatus herniation on gastroscopy, and esophageal biopsies revealed acute and chronic inflammation in both patients and a benign hyperplastic polyp in one of the patients. Recently, reports have demonstrated that inflammation can cause false-positive findings on 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT, and these cases present this phenomenon in the esophagus as well.
Early Hypertension and Diabetes After Living Kidney Donation: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Holscher Courtenay M. , Bae Sunjae , Thomas Alvin G. , Henderson Macey L. , Haugen Christine E. , DiBrito Sandra R. , Muzaale Abimereki D. , Garonzik Wang Jacqueline M. , Massie Allan B. , Lentine Krista L. , Segev Dorry L. 
Published: September 2018

Background.
Living kidney donors have an increased risk of end-stage renal disease, with hypertension and diabetes as the predominant causes. In this study, we sought to better understand the timeline when these diseases occur, focusing on the early postdonation period.

Methods.
We studied 41 260 living kidney donors in the United States between 2008 and 2014 from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and modeled incidence rates and risk factors for hypertension and diabetes.

Results.
At 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postdonation, there were 74, 162, and 310 cases, respectively, of hypertension per 10 000 donors. Donors who were older (per 10 y, adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.51), male (aIRR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.50), had higher body mass index (per 5 units, aIRR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17-1.43), and were related to their recipient (first-degree relative: aIRR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08-1.52; spouse: aIRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66) were more likely to develop hypertension, whereas donors who were Hispanic/Latino were less likely (aIRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.93). At 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, there were 2, 6, and 15 cases of diabetes per 10 000 donors. Donors who were older (per 10 y: aIRR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.11-1.82), had higher body mass index (per 5 units: aIRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.04-2.21), and were Hispanic/Latino (aIRR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.14-5.26) were more likely to develop diabetes.

Conclusions.
In this national study, new-onset diabetes was rare, but 3% of donors developed hypertension within 2 years of nephrectomy. These findings reaffirm that disease pathways for kidney failure differ by donor phenotype and estimate the population most at-risk for later kidney failure.
Building Kidney Exchange Programmes in Europe—An Overview of Exchange Practice and Activities
Authors: Biró Péter , Haase-Kromwijk Bernadette , Andersson Tommy , Ásgeirsson Eyjólfur Ingi , Baltesová Tatiana , Boletis Ioannis , Bolotinha Catarina , Bond Gregor , Böhmig Georg , Burnapp Lisa , Cechlárová Katarína , Di Ciaccio Paola , Fronek Jiri , Hadaya Karine , Hemke Aline , Jacquelinet Christian , Johnson Rachel , Kieszek Rafal , Kuypers Dirk R. , Leishman Ruthanne , Macher Marie-Alice , Manlove David , Menoudakou Georgia , Salonen Mikko , Smeulders Bart , Sparacino Vito , Spieksma Frits C.R. , Valentín María Oliva , Wilson Nic , van der Klundert Joris 
Published: September 2018

Background.
Considerable differences exist among the living donor Kidney Exchange Programmes (KEPs) that are in use and being built in Europe, contributing to a variation in the number of living donor transplants (Newsletter Transplant; International figures on donation and transplantation 2016). Efforts of European KEPs to exchange (best) practices and share approaches to address challenges have, however, been limited.

Methods.
Experts from 23 European countries, collaborating on the European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programmes Cooperation on Science and Technology Action, developed a questionnaire to collect detailed information on the functioning of all existing KEPs in Europe, as well as their opportunities and challenges. Following a comparative analysis, results were synthesized and interpreted by the same experts.

Results.
The practices, opportunities and challenges reported by 17 European countries reveal that some of the 10 operating programs are mature, whereas others are in earlier stages of development. Over 1300 transplants were performed through existing KEPs up to the end of 2016, providing approximately 8% of their countries’ living kidney donations in 2015. All countries report challenges to either initiating KEPs or increasing volumes. Some challenges are shared, whereas others differ because of differences in context (eg, country size, effectiveness of deceased donor program) and ethical and legal considerations (eg, regarding living donation as such, nonrelated donors, and altruistic donation). Transnational initiatives have started in Central Europe, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe.

Conclusions.
Exchange of best practices and shared advancement of national programs to address existing challenges, aided by transnational exchanges, may substantially improve access to the most (cost) effective treatment for the increasing number of patients suffering from kidney disease.
The Use of Donation After Circulatory Death Organs for Simultaneous Liver-kidney Transplant: To DCD or Not to DCD?
Authors: Vinson Amanda Jean , Gala-Lopez Boris , Tennankore Karthik , Kiberd Bryce 
Published: September 2018

Background.
Because of the challenges with organ scarcity, many centers performing simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLKT) are opting to accept donation after circulatory death (DCD) organs as a means of facilitating earlier transplant and reducing death rates on the waitlist. It has been suggested, however, that DCD organs may have inferior graft and patient survival posttransplant compared with donation after neurologic death (DND) organs.

Methods.
We created a Markov model to compare the overall outcomes of accepting a DCD SLKT now versus waiting for a DND SLKT in patients waitlisted for SLKT, stratified by base Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (≤20, 21–30, >30).

Results.
Waiting for DND SLKT was the preferred treatment strategy for patients with a MELD score of 30 or less (incremental value of 0.54 and 0.36 quality-adjusted life years for MELD score of 20 or less and MELD score of 21 to 30 with DND versus DCD SLKT, respectively). The option to accept a DCD SLKT became the preferred choice for those with a MELD score greater than 30 (incremental value of 0.31 quality-adjusted life years for DCD versus DND SLKT). This finding was confirmed in a probabilistic sensitivity analysis and persisted when analyzing total life years obtained for accept DCD versus do not accept DCD.

Conclusions.
There is a benefit to accepting DCD SLKT for patients with MELD score greater than 30. Although not accepting DCD SLKT and waiting for DND SLKT is the preferred option for patients with MELD of 30 or less, the incremental value is small.
NKG2C Natural Killer Cells in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Are Associated With Cytomegalovirus Viremia and Poor Outcomes in Lung Allograft Recipients
Authors: Calabrese Daniel R. , Chong Tiffany , Wang Angelia , Singer Jonathan P. , Gottschall Marc , Hays Steven R. , Golden Jeffrey A. , Kukreja Jasleen , Lanier Lewis L. , Tang Qizhi , Greenland John R. 
Published: September 2018

Background.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a risk factor for chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), which limits survival in lung allograft recipients. Natural killer (NK) cells that express the NKG2C receptor mediate CMV-specific immune responses. We hypothesized that NKG2C+ NK cells responding to CMV in the lung allograft would reduce CMV-related inflammation and would improve CLAD-free survival.

Methods.
We prospectively followed 130 subjects who underwent lung transplantation from 2012 to 2016. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) NK cells were immunophenotyped for NKG2C, maturation, and proliferation markers. CMV viral load, serologies, serial spirometry, and mortality were recorded from medical records. Natural killer cell subset association with CMV endpoints were made using generalized estimating equation-adjusted linear models. BAL NKG2C+ NK cell association with CLAD-free survival was assessed by Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Results.
NKG2C+ NK cells were more mature and proliferative than NKG2C− NK cells and represented a median of 7.8% of BAL NK cells. The NKG2C+ NK cell proportion increased prior to the first detection of viremia and was nearly tripled in subjects with high level viremia (>1000 copies/mL) compared with no detected viremia. Subjects with increased BAL NKG2C+ NK cells, relative to the median, had a significantly increased risk for CLAD or death (hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–13.3).

Conclusions.
The BAL NKG2C+ NK cell proportion may be a relevant biomarker for assessing risk of CMV viremia and quantifying potential CMV-related graft injury that can lead to CLAD or death.
IL-17A Is Critical for CD8+ T Effector Response in Airway Epithelial Injury After Transplantation
Authors: Zhang Ruochan , Fang Huihui , Chen Rongjuan , Ochando Jordi C. , Ding Yaozhong , Xu Jiangnan 
Published: September 2018

Background
Airway epithelium is the primary target of trachea and lung transplant rejection, the degree of epithelial injury is closely correlated with obliterative bronchiolitis development. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms of IL-17A-mediated airway epithelial injury after transplantation.

Methods
Murine orthotopic allogeneic trachea or lung transplants were implemented in wild type or RORγt−/− mice. Recipients received anti-IL-17A or anti-IFNγ for cytokine neutralization, anti-CD8 for CD8+ T-cell depletion, or STAT3 inhibitor to suppress type 17 CD4+/CD8+ T cell development. Airway injury and graft inflammatory cell infiltration were examined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of IL-17A, IFNγ, perforin, granzyme B, and chemokines in grafts was quantitated by real-time RT-PCR.

Results
IL-17A and IFNγ were rapidly expressed and associated with epithelial injury and CD8+ T-cell accumulation after allotransplantation. Depletion of CD8+ T cells prevented airway epithelial injury. Neutralization of IL-17A or devoid of IL-17A production by RORγt deficiency improved airway epithelial integrity of the trachea allografts. Anti–IL-17A reduced the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CCL20, and abolished CD8+ T-cell accumulation in the trachea allografts. Inhibition of STAT3 activation significantly reduced IL-17A expression in both trachea and lung allografts; however, it increased IFNγ expression and cytotoxic activities, which resulted in the failure of airway protection.

Conclusions
Our data reveal the critical role of IL-17A in mediating CD8+ T effector response that causes airway epithelial injury and lung allograft rejection, and indicate that inhibition of STAT3 signals could drive CD8+ T cells from Tc17 toward Tc1 development.
The evolution of plate tectonics
Authors: Stern Robert J. 
Published: October 2018

To understand how plate tectonics became Earth's dominant mode of convection, we need to address three related problems. (i) What was Earth's tectonic regime before the present episode of plate tectonics began? (ii) Given the preceding tectonic regime, how did plate tectonics become established? (iii) When did the present episode of plate tectonics begin? The tripartite nature of the problem complicates solving it, but, when we have all three answers, the requisite consilience will provide greater confidence than if we only focus on the long-standing question of when did plate tectonics begin? Earth probably experienced episodes of magma ocean, heat-pipe, and increasingly sluggish single lid magmatotectonism. In this effort we should consider all possible scenarios and lines of evidence. As we address these questions, we should acknowledge there were probably multiple episodes of plate tectonic and non-plate tectonic convective styles on Earth. Non-plate tectonic styles were probably dominated by ‘single lid tectonics’ and this evolved as Earth cooled and its lithosphere thickened. Evidence from the rock record indicates that the modern episode of plate tectonics began in Neoproterozoic time. A Neoproterozoic transition from single lid to plate tectonics also explains kimberlite ages, the Neoproterozoic climate crisis and the Neoproterozoic acceleration of evolution.
This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Earth dynamics and the development of plate tectonics’.
The dependence of planetary tectonics on mantle thermal state: applications to early Earth evolution
Authors: Foley Bradford J. 
Published: October 2018

For plate tectonics to operate on a planet, mantle convective forces must be capable of forming weak, localized shear zones in the lithosphere that act as plate boundaries. Otherwise, a planet's mantle will convect in a stagnant lid regime, where subduction and plate motions are absent. Thus, when and how plate tectonics initiated on the Earth is intrinsically tied to the ability of mantle convection to form plate boundaries; however, the physics behind this process are still uncertain. Most mantle convection models have employed a simple pseudoplastic model of the lithosphere, where the lithosphere ‘fails’ and develops a mobile lid when stresses in the lithosphere reach the prescribed yield stress. With pseudoplasticity high mantle temperatures and high rates of internal heating, conditions relevant for the early Earth, impede plate boundary formation by decreasing lithospheric stresses, and hence favour a stagnant lid for the early Earth. However, when a model for shear zone formation based on grain size reduction is used, early Earth thermal conditions do not favour a stagnant lid. While lithosphere stress drops with increasing mantle temperature or heat production rate, the deformational work, which drives grain size reduction, increases. Thus, the ability of convection to form weak plate boundaries is not impeded by early Earth thermal conditions. However, mantle thermal state does change the style of subduction and lithosphere mobility; high mantle temperatures lead to a more sluggish, drip-like style of subduction. This ‘sluggish lid’ convection may be able to explain many of the key observations of early Earth crust formation processes preserved in the geologic record. Moreover, this work highlights the importance of understanding the microphysics of plate boundary formation for assessing early Earth tectonics, as different plate boundary formation mechanisms are influenced by mantle thermal state in fundamentally different ways.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Earth dynamics and the development of plate tectonics’.
Laboratory investigation of mechanisms for phase mixing in olivine + ferropericlase aggregates
Authors: Wiesman Harison S. , Zimmerman Mark E. , Kohlstedt David L. 
Published: October 2018

To investigate the role of grain boundary pinning and the mechanisms by which phase mixing occurs during deformation of polymineralic rocks, we conducted high-strain torsion experiments on samples consisting of olivine plus 30 vol% ferropericlase. Experiments were performed in a gas-medium deformation apparatus at 1524 K and 300 MPa. Samples were deformed to outer radius shear strains of up toγ(R) = 14.1. The value of the stress exponent and the small grain sizes of our samples indicate that our two-phase material deformed by dislocation-accommodated grain boundary sliding. In samples deformed to 1 < γ < 7, elongated clusters of ferropericlase grains form thin layers in the olivine matrix, and small grains of ferropericlase appear at olivine grain boundaries and three- and four-grain junctions. Byγ ≈ 14, a well-distributed mixture of small ferropericlase grains among the olivine grains developed. Microstructures exhibit similarities to both mechanical and chemical models proposed to describe the processes leading to phase mixing. Our results provide evidence for grain size reduction during phase mixing that results in a grain size significantly smaller than the value predicted by the single-phase recrystallization piezometer for olivine. Thus, phase mixing provides a mechanism for the persistent weakening of rocks that is important for developing and maintaining shear zones necessary for plate tectonics.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Earth dynamics and the development of plate tectonics'.
Early earth geodynamics: cross examining the geological testimony
Authors: Kemp Anthony I. S. 
Published: October 2018

Many studies link the presence of continents on Earth to the operation of plate tectonics. Radiogenic isotope data have, however, long consigned the bulk of crust generation and preservation to the murky realm of the Precambrian Earth, where the prevailing geodynamic systems are highly uncertain due to the sparse and complex nature of the geological record of these early eons. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of this geological record, considering the biases and artefacts that may undermine its fidelity, and to assess what are the most robust lines of evidence from which meaningful geodynamic inferences can be drawn. This is pursued with reference to Hadean detrital zircons, Archean gneiss complexes and Archean granite–greenstone terranes, and by considering isotopic proxies of crust–mantle interaction. The evidence reinforces long held views that the formation of some of the oldest continental nuclei involved a distinctive mode of planetary geodynamics that rests uneasily within definitions of modern style plate tectonics. A detailed interrogation of the oldest rocks, integrating multi-scale information from the best preserved whole-rock and mineral archives, and emphasizing careful selection at the sampling and analytical stages, will lead to the most robust input data for petrological and thermodynamic models of early Earth processes.
This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Earth dynamics and the development of plate tectonics’.
Adaption of artificial microvascular networks
Authors: Fredrich Thierry , Welter Michael , Rieger Heiko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe explored the application of the adaption algorithm introduced by Secomb et. al. to artificial blood vessel networks and find that the resulting networks to not obey Murray’s law. The reported analysis and visual examples document the contrast between two different types of networks. We conjecture that an interrupt of an established signaling cascade could be a hallmark of solid vascular tumors.
Feeding location of aphid prey affects life history traits of a native predator
Authors: Cibils-Stewart Ximena , Nechols James , Giles Kristopher , McCornack Brian P. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe green peach aphid (GPA),Myzus persicae S., and the cabbage aphid (CA),Brevicoryne brassicae L., exhibit a feeding preference when exposed to different canola (Brassica napus L.) plant structures. Preference may be associated with the concentration and/or composition of allelochemicals; specifically, glucosinolates (GLS). Furthermore, each aphid species employs a different strategy for tolerating plant defensive chemistry; GPA excretes glucosinolates while CA sequesters these toxic compounds. Given these different detoxification mechanisms, it is possible that both feeding location and aphid species may affect prey suitability forHippodamia convergenslarvae. We conducted a factorial laboratory experiment to evaluate whether one or both factors impacted predator fitness. We hypothesized that plant structures with higher GLS concentrations will negatively affect the development and survival of immature predators, which will also vary based on prey detoxification strategies. Results confirm that when predators fed on either aphid species reared on canola structures having lower GLS concentrations, development was faster than when they fed on aphids reared on structures having higher GLS. Although predators consumed more GPA than CA, consumption rates did not differ between rearing location for GPA, but fewer CA were consumed when reared on reproductive canola parts. These findings suggest that: 1) plant-mediated differences in prey quality exist for canola aphids; 2) the type of adaptation used by aphids to overcome plant defenses have important consequences for prey suitability; and 3) reduced feeding byH. convergenslarvae on unsuitable prey may offset deleterious effects of plant defenses against aphid pests. By evaluating source-sink dynamics at the plant level, we can further understand trophic interactions involving plant defenses and how these interactions may influence community dynamics and structure.