bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metformin may offer no protective effect in men undergoing external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Ranasinghe Weranja K.B. , Williams Scott , Ischia Joseph , Wetherell David , Baldwin Graham , Shulkes Arthur , Sengupta Shomik , Bolton Damien , Patel Oneel 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesTo assess whether metformin reduces radio‐resistance and increases survival in men undergoing external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer (PCa), and to determine its effect on hypoxia inducible factor 1‐α (HIF1α).Patients and MethodsAll patients treated with curative intent with EBRT for PCa at a major cancer centre between 2000 and 2007 were included in this study. The outcome measures of time to biochemical failure (BF), metastasis, PCa‐specific mortality and overall survival (OS) were analysed in those taking metformin vs those not, using competing risk and Cox regression models. To determine metformin's effect on HIF1α expression and survival in vitro, PC3 cells with high basal HIF1α levels were subjected to increasing doses of metformin after H2O2‐induced oxidative stress.ResultsA total of 2055 eligible cases, including 113 who were on metformin, were identified, with a median follow‐up of 95.7 months. There were no differences in age, initial prostate‐specific antigen level, Gleason score, T‐stage, D'Amico risk class or duration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) between patients who were or were not on metformin. Treatment with metformin did not result in any apparent improvement in time to BF, time to metastasis detection or OS, but there was a 1.5‐fold increase in PCa‐specific deaths (P = 0.045) in patients on metformin and ADT when adjusted for cancer risk and comorbidities. When comparing patients on high‐dose metformin (>1 g/d) with those on low‐dose metformin (≤1 g), there was no difference in either time to metastases or time to BF. In vitro metformin at a high concentration of 100 μM did not reduce HIF1α expression, nor did metformin affect the PC3 cell survival when exposed to oxidative stress (H2O2).ConclusionsNo association was found between the use of metformin and time to metastasis detection, time to BF or OS in patients undergoing radiation therapy with or without ADT for PCa. In vitro, low therapeutic concentrations of metformin had no effect on HIF1α, and this observation could explain the conflicting evidence for the effectiveness of metformin in men undergoing EBRT for PCa. Higher, more toxic doses of metformin may be required to inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin‐HIF1α pathway in this patient group.
Improved lower urinary tract symptoms after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: implications for survivorship, treatment selection and patient counselling
Authors: Ahn Thomas , Roberts Matthew J. , Strahan Andrew , Malone Greg , Paterdis Jason , Wood Glen , Heathcote Peter 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo assess changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QoL) after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Patients and MethodsA prospectively curated database of 1917 consecutive RARPs undertaken over an 8‐year period from January 2009 to January 2017 was assessed. Preoperative information including age, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, body mass index (BMI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and QoL score was collected, with IPSS and QoL score compared between baseline (preoperatively) and 12 months post‐surgery.ResultsOf the 1917 patients who underwent RARP, 1470 with complete data were included in the analysis. Their mean ± sd age, prostate weight and BMI were 62 (±6.7) years, 51 (±17.6) g, and 28 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 57% of patients reported an improved IPSS score, whilst 76% reported an IPSS of ≤7 postoperatively. A total of 41% of patients reported an improved QoL and 90.3% of patients with severe preoperative LUTS (IPSS 20–35) demonstrated clinically improved LUTS at 1 year post RARP. The post‐RARP mean IPSS in the present study was lower than those reported in the existing post‐radiotherapy literature, especially in patients with moderate to severe baseline LUTS (IPSSs ≥ 8).ConclusionsAt 12 months post RARP, most patients reported improved overall LUTS and QoL, with the greatest benefit seen in those patients with a high pre‐RARP IPSS. This has implications for treatment selection and preoperative counselling in men being offered active treatment for their prostate cancer. Further analyses of specific IPSS domains and longer follow‐up are needed.
The United States requires effective federal policy to reduce marine plastic pollution
Authors: Iverson Autumn R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe amount of plastic entering the ocean is expected to increase by an order of magnitude by 2025. Marine plastic pollution threatens biodiversity through entanglement, ingestion, and chemical exposure. The United States is in the top 20 of 192 coastal countries with mismanaged waste entering the ocean. This paper addresses U.S. policies regarding single‐use plastics and fishing nets, two major sources of plastic pollution. Currently, the United States does not have a federal ban on most single‐use plastics or on synthetic gillnets. This paper recommends a federal ban on single‐use plastics, alternative material for fishing nets and/or increased regulations, more research into the ecological and policy considerations of plastic pollution, continuing cleanup efforts and learning from policy challenges faced by other countries. The United States can look to the recent European Plastics Strategy as a leading example of large‐scale policy initiatives to reduce marine plastic pollution.
The Future of Design Education
Authors: Justice Lorraine 
Published: April 2019

Back in the 1980s, the design education community found itself scrambling to find designers who were trained on the latest software and could teach it to others. Technologies continue to change. What other new content are we faced with as educators?More specialization; larger teams; more need for “cultural experts”; more scrutiny of the design process; and, of course, new technologies. Design educators ponder what's on the horizon.
Client‐based project work as experiential education
Authors: Jacobs Jessica 
Published: April 2019

The student practicum is a time‐honored part of design education. That's why it's so surprising that very little research has been done into the pedagogy, design, operations, and assessment of this type of “experiential education.”Most design schools include some kind of studio practicum course in which educators seek to create “real world” projects with external clients. Do these experiences lead to an increase in student understanding of design management practices? How do educators assess these projects?
A rare case of anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the pulmonary artery
Authors: Zhang Yanting , Wang Bin , Li Yuman , Xie Mingxing 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAnomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart disease, with an incidence of <1 in 300 000 live births. We describe a rare case of a 23‐month‐old infant admitted for cough and fever. Echocardiography showed a branch of the left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery. The coronary computed tomographic angiography revealed anomalous origin of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery from the pulmonary artery with the left circumflex artery and right coronary artery arising normally from the aorta. The infant successfully underwent surgical reimplantation of the LAD to the ascending aorta. Our case emphasizes that echocardiography and computed tomographic angiography are valuable imaging modalities for making an accurate diagnosis and determining the precise surgical plan.
Migration, remittances and human capital investment in Kenya
Authors: Hines Annie L. , Simpson Nicole B. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between international migration, remittances, and human capital investment in Kenya. We use household‐level data from the 2009 Kenya Migration Household Survey (which was part of the Africa Migration Project) to test our hypothesis and uncover a positive and significant relationship between the amount of international remittances a household receives and the amount of expenditures allocated to education (for all levels of education). We consider various robustness checks and find that our results hold up to various specifications, including an instrumental variable approach.
Letting Diasporic Voices Be Heard
Authors: Díez Bosch Míriam , Micó Sanz Josep Lluís , Sabaté Gauxachs Alba 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMore than 68.5 million people were forced to move from their countries, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, in 2018. Forced displacements are caused by poverty, war, and lack of safety. Since 2015, Europe has been experiencing a so‐called refugee crisis that calls European values and policies into question. Beyond data, there are the experiences of those who are on the move. The number of people arriving on the continent has made integration a decisive topic. This research aims to discover the portrayal of refugees and migrants in media. This goal includes the challenge of making European media evaluate their work to improve the treatment given to complex subjects such as migration. This article is the result of research derived from the project Refugees Reporting in 2017, coordinated by the Europe Region of the World Association for Christian Communistories ancation and the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe.
Diakonia TrinitatisDei as/and Transformational Development
Authors: Knoetze Hannes 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe paper acknowledges that different agencies acting against poverty and participating in poverty alleviation use different languages, for example, diakonia versus development and transformational development, while dealing with the same issues. Against the background of poverty in South Africa as well as development policies from South Africa, this paper discusses the importance of diakonia as founded in the trinitarian God, Father, Son, and Spirit. Using a missional paradigm, the paper discusses the missio Dei as it unites with the covenant, forgiveness, empowerment, and to make God known. The paper concludes that although diakonia has a more holistic and comprehensive approach, it is important to use language which is generally understood and accepted. It therefore suggests using the term “transformational development” to educate society about the concept of diakonia.
Koinonia as Ecumenical Opening for Baptists
Authors: Hatch Derek C. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis article discusses a new opening for Baptists’ role in multilateral ecumenical dialogue since the release of Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. A shift of emphasis toward koinonia has embraced relationship as a model for ecumenical endeavours while maintaining a robust sense of the goal of visible unity. The article will discuss several ecumenical insights and further potential for Baptist ecumenical work as a result of the centrality of koinonia.
Human Rights and the Citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven
Authors: Lau Sean 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis article argues for a new Christian theological rationale for human rights that takes into account serious contemporary critiques of rights language. Human rights derive from our being made in the image of God. But rather than being static metaphysical properties which humanity possesses, they form a moral language about the image of God, which must be constantly refashioned to suit the times. Furthermore, the human community to which these rights belong is not mere created humanity, but instead the humanity of the eschatological kingdom of heaven, of which the ecumenical church is the messenger. The ecumenical task, then, is to articulate a more holistic conception of what the image of God means to ensure that human rights language does not become narrowly sectarian.
Ecumenism and Global Governance
Authors: Spadaro Antonio 
Published: April 2019

AbstractOn 21 June 2018, on his 23rd international journey, Pope Francis travelled to Geneva to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the World Council of Churches. The Swiss city also hosts a large number of representative international institutions dealing with global governance and the issues of peace, human rights, and migration. After reviewing the main highlights of the journey, this article discusses its significance: to appeal to the common commitment of Christians to proclaim the gospel and its power of salvation in a divided and wounded world. In this way, Pope Francis underlined that in the pluralistic society of today, harmony is not possible if we just ignore faith and focus on what it means to be human while excluding the transcendent. Indeed, it is the gospel that promotes harmony and commitment to a better world.
“Equal Discipleship”
Authors: Lu Yifan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFeminist theology is known for its various critical principles and methods of biblical interpretation. In the process of doing feminist biblical interpretation, feminist theologians have started to build their theological frameworks. This article takes the feminist biblical scholar Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and her construction of the New Testament as an example. In her book Discipleship of Equals, Schüssler Fiorenza put forward the important viewpoint of “equal discipleship.” This viewpoint provides a dialogue between Schüssler Fiorenza and the theological concerns of women in China. Like Schüssler Fiorenza, Chinese theologians have also noted the testimonies of Chinese women Christians in the development of the church. These can help female Christians realize who they are and the significance of being a member of the church. Christian Chinese traditional culture still influences the understanding of women's identity. This will be a significant challenge and task in practising Chinese feminist theology.
A Romanian Contribution to Contemporary Ecumenism
Authors: Morariu Iuliu‐Marius 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis article examines the contribution to ecumenical dialogue of Ion Bria, an important Romanian theological and ecumenical personality. The value of his approaches is demonstrated by the fact that many contemporary authors start their research from his ideas, such as the concept of the “liturgy after the liturgy,” of which he was a significant proponent, and which are still relevant to ecumenical dialogue. At the time they were first proposed, they shifted ecumenical dialogue. Bria was also a good and careful observer of ecumenical and pan‐Orthodox reality. He presented with objectivity the reality from his home space and made valuable comparisons between his spirituality and other confessional approaches, offering new topics of dialogue and creating bridges between churches.
A Compassionate Space‐making
Authors: Adiprasetya Joas , Sasongko Nindyo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUsing the lens of trinitarian theology of friendship, this article discusses the idea of compassionate space‐making. By showing the primacy of friendly love (philia) over agapeic love, it argues that the idea of trinitarian friendship can offer a creative and imaginative way for constructing a theology of friendship in the communal and broader social contexts. The article then presents five marks of theology of friendship that enable Christians to participate in this trinitarian friendship by making space for and befriending others: vulnerability, unpredictability, reimagination, propheticity, and compassion. The article concludes with a practical spiritual exercise which exemplifies this trinitarian theology of friendship.
Tranexamic acid through intravenous, intramuscular and oral routes: an individual participant data meta‐analysis of pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers
Authors: Grassin‐Delyle Stanislas , Semeraro Michaela , Foissac Frantz , Bouazza Naim , Shakur‐Still Haleema , Roberts Ian , Treluyer Jean‐Marc , Urien Saïk 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug that reduces surgical blood loss and death due to bleeding after trauma and post‐partum haemorrhage. One key issue for treatment success is early administration. While usually given intravenously, oral and intramuscular use would be useful in specific circumstances. Therefore, an understanding of TXA pharmacokinetics when given via different routes is valuable. The aim of this study was to perform an individual participant data meta‐analysis of pharmacokinetic studies with TXA given to healthy volunteers via different routes. We searched the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Elsevier Science Direct and J‐STAGE. Individual subject data were extracted when available, otherwise arithmetic means were used. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed effect modelling. Seven studies were included in the analysis with data from 10 patients for the IV route, six patients for the IM route and 114 patients for the oral route. The pharmacokinetics was ascribed to a two‐compartment model, and the main covariate was allometrically scaled bodyweight. Oral and IM bioavailabilities were 46 and 105%, respectively. For a 70 kg bodyweight, the population estimates were 7.6 L/h for clearance, 17.9 L for the volume of the central compartment, 2.5 L/h for the diffusional clearance and 16.6 L for the peripheral volume of distribution. Larger well‐designed studies are needed to describe the pharmacokinetics of TXA when given IM or as an oral solution before these can be recommended as alternatives to IV.
National Institute on Drug Abuse genomics consortium white paper: Coordinating efforts between human and animal addiction studies
Authors: Cates Hannah M. , Benca‐Bachman Chelsie E. , de Guglielmo Giordano , Schoenrock Sarah A. , Shu Chang , Kallupi Marsida 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe National Institute on Drug Abuse Genetics and Epigenetics Cross‐Cutting Research Team convened a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, and healthcare providers on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, in June 2018. The goal was to develop strategies to integrate genetics and phenotypes across species to achieve a better understanding of substance use disorders through associations between genotypes and addictive behaviors. This conference (a) discussed progress in harmonizing large opioid genetics cohorts, (b) discussed phenotypes that are used for genetics studies in humans, (c) examined phenotypes that are used for genetics studies in animal models, (d) identified synergies and gaps in phenotypic analyses of human and animal models and (e) identified strategies to integrate genetics and genomics data with phenotypes across species. The meeting consisted of panels that focused on phenotype harmonization (Dr. Laura Bierut, Dr. Olivier George, Dr. Dan Larach and Dr. Sesh Mudumbai), translating genetic findings between species (Dr. Elissa Chesler, Dr. Gary Peltz and Dr. Abraham Palmer), interpreting and understanding allelic variations (Dr. Vanessa Troiani and Dr. Tamara Richards) and pathway conservation in animal models and human studies (Dr. Robert Hitzemann, Dr. Huda Akil and Dr. Laura Saba). There were also updates that were provided by large consortia (Dr. Susan Tapert, Dr. Danielle Dick, Dr. Howard Edenberg and Dr. Eric Johnson). Collectively, the conference was convened to discuss progress and changes in genome‐wide association studies.
Regime shifts of Mediterranean forest carbon uptake and reduced resilience driven by multidecadal ocean surface temperatures
Authors: Carnicer Jofre , Domingo‐Marimon Cristina , Ninyerola Miquel , Camarero Jesus Julio , Bastos Ana , López‐Parages Jorge , Blanquer Laura , Rodríguez‐Fonseca Belén , Lenton Timothy M. , Dakos Vasilis , Ribas Montserrat , Gutiérrez Emilia , Peñuelas Josep , Pons Xavier 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe mechanisms translating global circulation changes into rapid abrupt shifts in forest carbon capture in semi‐arid biomes remain poorly understood. Here, we report unprecedented multidecadal shifts in forest carbon uptake in semi‐arid Mediterranean pine forests in Spain over 1950–2012. The averaged carbon sink reduction varies between 31% and 37%, and reaches values in the range of 50% in the most affected forest stands. Regime shifts in forest carbon uptake are associated with climatic early warning signals, decreased forest regional synchrony and reduced long‐term carbon sink resilience. We identify the mechanisms linked to ocean multidecadal variability that shape regime shifts in carbon capture. First, we show that low‐frequency variations of the surface temperature of the Atlantic Ocean induce shifts in the non‐stationary effects of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on regional forest carbon capture. Modelling evidence supports that the non‐stationary effects of ENSO can be propagated from tropical areas to semi‐arid Mediterranean biomes through atmospheric wave trains. Second, decadal changes in the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) significantly alter sea–air heat exchanges, modifying in turn ocean vapour transport over land and land surface temperatures, and promoting sustained drought conditions in spring and summer that reduce forest carbon uptake. Third, we show that lagged effects of AMO on the winter North Atlantic Oscillation also contribute to the maintenance of long‐term droughts. Finally, we show that the reported strong, negative effects of ocean surface temperature (AMO) on forest carbon uptake in the last decades are unprecedented over the last 150 years. Our results provide new, unreported explanations for carbon uptake shifts in these drought‐prone forests and review the expected impacts of global warming on the profiled mechanisms.
Diagnostic upgrade of atypical ductal hyperplasia of the breast based on evaluation of histopathological features and calcification on core needle biopsy
Authors: Chen Lin‐Ying , Hu Jintao , Tsang Julia Y S , Lee Michelle A , Ni Yun‐Bi , Chan Siu‐Ki , Tse Gary M K 
Published: April 2019

AimsAtypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) of breast is increasingly diagnosed in core needle biopsy (CNB). As higher‐grade lesions were found in the excision in a substantial proportion of ADH on CNB, factors predicting risk of subsequent upgrade are clinically significant. This study aims to investigate relevant histopathological factors in CNB that could predict diagnostic upgrade at excision.Methods and resultsOne hundred and forty‐three cases of CNB with paired subsequent excision were evaluated for multiple clinicopathological parameters related to CNB sampling, ADH morphology, calcification and other co‐existing histological features, and which of these parameters were associated with diagnostic upgrade at subsequent excisions were determined. Forty‐eight cases (34.3%) were upgraded to malignancy, including 15 invasive cancers and 33 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS). An increased tissue area occupied by ADH (P = 0.026), a higher number of ADH foci (P = 0.004), the presence of solid pattern (P = 0.037) and older age (P = 0.012) were positively associated with upgrade, while negative associations were found with the presence of micropapillary pattern (P = 0.025), co‐existing columnar cell lesions (CCL) (P = 0.001) and the presence of calcifications (P = 0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the number of ADH foci (HR = 2.810, P = 0.013) was an independent positive predictor, while co‐existing CCL (HR = 0.391, P = 0.013) was an independent negative predictor for upgrade.ConclusionsPatients with ADH in CNB showing the presence of co‐existing CCL and a lower number of ADH foci have a lower risk of disease upgrade at excision, and are potential candidates for observation‐only management.