bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulatory effects of intravesical P2X2/3 purinergic receptor inhibition on lower urinary tract electromyographic properties and voiding function of female rats with moderate or severe spinal cord injury
Authors: Salazar Betsy H. , Hoffman Kristopher A. , Zhang Chuan , Zhang Yingchun , Cruz Yolanda , Boone Timothy B. , Munoz Alvaro 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the role that intravesical P2X2/3 purinergic receptors (P2X2/3Rs) play in early and advanced neurogenic lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction after contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) in female rats.Materials and MethodsFemale Sprague‐Dawley rats received a thoracic Th8/Th9 spinal cord contusion with either force of 100 kDy (cN); moderate) or 150 kDy (cN; severe); Sham rats had no injury. Evaluations on urethane‐anesthetised rats were conducted at either 2 or 4 weeks after SCI. LUT electrical signals and changes in bladder pressure were simultaneously recorded using cystometry and a set of custom‐made flexible microelectrodes, before and after intravesical application of the P2X2/3R antagonist AF‐353 (10 μM), to determine the contribution of P2X2/3R‐mediated LUT modulation.ResultsSevere SCI significantly increased bladder contraction frequency, and reduced both bladder pressure amplitude and intraluminal‐pressure high‐frequency oscillations (IPHFO). Intravesical P2X2/3R inhibition did not modify bladder pressure or IPHFO in the Sham and moderate‐SCI rats, although did increase the intercontractile interval (ICI). At 2 weeks after SCI, the Sham and moderate‐SCI rats had significant LUT electromyographic activity during voiding, with a noticeable reduction in LUT electrical signals seen at 4 weeks after SCI. Intravesical inhibition of P2X2/3R increased the ICI in the Sham and moderate‐SCI rats at both time‐points, but had no effect on rats with severe SCI. The external urethral sphincter (EUS) showed strong and P2X2/3R‐independent electrical signals in the Sham and moderate‐SCI rats in the early SCI stage. At 4 weeks after SCI, the responsiveness of the EUS was significantly attenuated, independently of SCI intensity.ConclusionsThis study shows that electrophysiological properties of the LUT are progressively impaired depending on SCI intensity and that intravesical P2X2/3R inhibition can attenuate electrical activity in the neurogenic LUT at early, but not at semi‐chronic SCI. This translational study should be useful for planning clinical evaluations.
Serum testosterone, sex hormone‐binding globulin and sex‐specific risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a retrospective primary care cohort
Authors: O’Reilly Michael W. , Glisic Marija , Kumarendran Balachandran , Subramanian Anuradhaa , Manolopoulos Konstantinos N. , Tahrani Abd A. , Keerthy Deepi , Muka Taulant , Toulis Konstantinos A. , Hanif Wasim , Thomas G. Neil , Franco Oscar H. , Arlt Wiebke , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObjectivePrevious studies suggest that androgens have a sexually dimorphic impact on metabolic dysfunction. However, the sex‐specific link between circulating androgens and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been examined in a large scale, longitudinal cohort, a task we undertook in this study.DesignA retrospective cohort study in a UK primary care database.PatientsWe included men and women with available serum testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) results.MeasurementsWe categorized serum concentrations according to clinically relevant cut‐off points and calculated crude and adjusted T2DM Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs and aIRRs).ResultsSerum testosterone concentrations were available in 70 541 men and 81 889 women; serum SHBG was available in 15 907 men and 42 034 women. In comparison to a reference cohort with serum testosterone ≥20 nmol/L, men with lower serum testosterone had a significantly increased risk of T2DM, with the highest risk in those with serum testosterone <7 nmol/L (aIRR 2.71, 95% CI 2.34‐3.14, P < 0.001). In women, the risk of T2DM started to increase significantly when serum testosterone concentrations exceeded 1.5 nmol/L, with the highest risk in women with serum testosterone ≥3.5 nmol/L (aIRR 1.98, 95% CI 1.55‐2.52, P < 0.001). These observations were verified in a continuous rather than categorized analysis. The risk of T2DM increased in men and women with serum SHBG <40 and <50 nmol/L, respectively.Conclusions/InterpretationIn this longitudinal study, we found sexually dimorphic associations between serum testosterone and risk of incident T2DM. Androgen deficiency and excess should be considered important risk factors for diabetes in men and women, respectively.
Titanium as a modifier of the peri‐implant microbiome structure
Authors: Daubert Diane , Pozhitkov Alexander , McLean Jeffrey , Kotsakis Georgios 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent data support the implication of accelerated titanium dissolution products in peri‐implantitis. It is unknown whether these dissolution products have an effect on the peri‐implant microbiome, the target of existing peri‐implantitis therapies.PurposeThis study assessed the relationship between the peri‐implant microbiome, dissolved titanium levels, and peri‐implantitis.Materials and MethodsClinical, microbiome, and titanium data were collected from a periodontal population having implants in function for 10 years. Clinical examinations were performed, and submucosal plaque samples were collected from the deepest site per implant. An aliquot of the sample was used for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with the remainder analyzed for titanium quantity using mass spectrometry. Sequences were clustered into taxonomic units at 97% minimum sequence similarity using the QIIME pipeline approach.ResultsFifteen implants were assessed. According to established case definitions, six had a diagnosis of peri‐implantitis; nine were healthy. The genera Streptococcus, Prevotella and Haemophilus characterized peri‐implant health. Peri‐implantitis was associated with a marked increase in Veillonella. Quantities of dissolved titanium were identified in 40% of sites. Titanium presence was associated with peri‐implant disease status (P = .02) and correlated to the first principal component of the microbiome (rho = 0.552) and its alpha‐diversity (rho = −0.496). Canonical correlation analyses found that titanium levels, but not health or disease status of the implant, were significantly associated with the microbiota composition (P = .045).ConclusionsThese findings suggest an association between titanium dissolution products and peri‐implantitis and support a role for these products in modifying the peri‐implant microbiome structure and diversity.
Association of mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics and anastomotic leak following left sided colorectal resection: an international, multi‐centre, prospective audit
Authors:   The 2017 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) collaborating group
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe optimal bowel preparation strategy to minimise the risk of anastomotic leak is yet to be determined. This study aimed to determine whether oral antibiotics combined with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP+Abx) was associated with a reduced risk of anastomotic leak when compared to mechanical bowel preparation alone (MBP) or no bowel preparation (NBP).MethodsA pre‐planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2017 Left Sided Colorectal Resection audit was performed. Patients undergoing elective left sided colonic or rectal resection with primary anastomosis between 1 January 2017 and 15 March 2017 by any operative approach were included. The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leak.ResultsOf 3676 patients across 343 centres in 47 countries, 618 (16.8%) received MBP+ABx, 1945 MBP (52.9%) and 1099 patients NBP (29.9%). Patients undergoing MBP+ABx had the lowest overall rate of anastomotic leak (6.1%, 9.2%, 8.7% respectively) in unadjusted analysis. After case‐mix adjustment using a mixed‐effects multivariable regression model, MBP+Abx was associated with a lower risk of anastomotic leak (OR 0.52, 0.30–0.92, P = 0.02) but MBP was not (OR 0.92, 0.63–1.36, P = 0.69) compared to NBP.ConclusionThis non‐randomised study adds ‘real‐world’, contemporaneous, and prospective evidence of the beneficial effects of combined mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotics in the prevention of anastomotic leak following left sided colorectal resection across diverse settings. We have also demonstrated limited uptake of this strategy in current international colorectal practice.
The impact of conversion on the risk of major complication following laparoscopic colonic surgery: an international, multicentre prospective audit
Authors:   The 2017 and 2015 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) collaborating groups
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopy has now been implemented as a standard of care for elective colonic resection around the world. During the adoption period, studies showed that conversion may be detrimental to patients, with poorer outcomes than both laparoscopic completed or planned open surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic conversion was associated with a higher major complication rate than planned open surgery in contemporary, international practice.MethodsCombined analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 and 2015 audits. Patients were included if they underwent elective resection of a colonic segment from the caecum to the rectosigmoid junction with primary anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was the 30‐day major complication rate, defined as Clavien‐Dindo grade III‐V.ResultsOf 3980 patients, 64% (2561/3980) underwent laparoscopic surgery and a laparoscopic conversion rate of 14% (359/2561). The major complication rate was highest after open surgery (laparoscopic 7.4%, converted 9.7%, open 11.6%, P < 0.001). After case mix adjustment in a multilevel model, only planned open (and not laparoscopic converted) surgery was associated with increased major complications in comparison to laparoscopic surgery (OR 1.64, 1.27–2.11, P < 0.001).ConclusionsAppropriate laparoscopic conversion should not be considered a treatment failure in modern practice. Conversion does not appear to place patients at increased risk of complications vs planned open surgery, supporting broadening of selection criteria for attempted laparoscopy in elective colonic resection.
The 2017 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) international snapshot audit of left colon, sigmoid and rectal resections – study protocol
Authors:   ESCP Cohort Studies and Audits Committee
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundLeft hemicolectomy, sigmoid, and rectal resections are commonly performed colorectal operations. There is significant variability in the techniques utilised to undertake these operationsat patient, surgeon and unit level.AimTo explore differences in patients, techniques and outcomes across an international cohort to identify areas of practice variability resulting in apparent differences in outcome warranting further study.EndpointsA three‐stage data collection strategy collecting patient demographics, operative details and outcome markers. Several outcomes measures will be used including mortality, surgical morbidity (including anastomotic leak) and length of hospital stay.MethodsA two‐month prospective audit to be performed across Europe in early 2017, co‐ordinated by the European Society of Coloproctology. The main audit will be preceded by a one‐week, five centre pilot. Sites will be asked to pre‐register for the audit and obtain appropriate regional or national approvals. During the study period all eligible operations will be recorded contemporaneously and followed‐up through to 30 days. The audit will be performed using a standardised pre‐determined protocol and a secure online database. In the first ESCP conducted audit in 2015, 38 countries registered 3208 patients undergoing right hemi‐colectomy, while in the second audit 2441 patients undergoing stoma closure were recruited from 48 countries. It is expected that equivalent numbers will be obtained in this audit. The report of this audit will be prepared in accordance with guidelines set by the STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) statement for observational studies.DiscussionThis multicentre, pan‐European audit will be delivered by colorectal surgeons and trainees in an organised and homogenous manner. The data obtained about areas of variability in provision or practice, and how this may impact upon outcomes, will serve to improve overall patient care as well as being hypothesis generating and inform areas needing future prospective study.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality, a competing risk analysis
Authors: Abukhalaf Jawad , Davidson Ross , Villalobos Nicolas , Meek Paula , Petersen Hans , Sood Akshay , Tesfaigzi Yohannes , Vazquez Guillamet Rodrigo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundCurrent risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease mortality focus only on overall and respiratory death. We investigated whether risk factors for each specific cause of mortality are different depending on the outcome under consideration.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD, older than 40, greater than 20 pack‐years smoking history, and obstructive pattern on spirometry. Collected data included baseline spirometry, comorbidities, medication use, tobacco exposure, severe exacerbations, and cause‐specific mortality.ResultsThis 512 patient cohort of heavy smokers included 277 (54.1%) males, was on average 66.4 ± 9.4 years of age and primarily non‐Hispanic white, 395 (83.2%). The average FEV1% was 52.1% (SD = 16.9%) and the median COTE score was 2 (IQR: 0‐6). A total of 67 deaths were of respiratory causes in 26 patients (38.8%), malignancies in 21 (31.1%), cardiovascular causes in 6 (9%), and from other etiologies in 14 patients (20.1%). COTE index,low predicted FEV1%, and lower body mass index were significant predictors of overall mortality. Predictors of respiratory deaths were significantly impacted by lower FEV1%, history of COPD exacerbations, lower BMI, and higher number of pack‐years smoked. Risk factors for all other cause‐specific mortality combined included history of malignancy or cardiovascular disease and smoking status.ConclusionCause‐specific mortality risk factors differ in patients with COPD.
A simple test to assess the emotional status of smokers
Authors: Monteschi Mariane , Ignacio de Padua Adriana , Riva Perez Carla , Vera Castellano Maria , Cedano Simone , Luiz Rodrigues‐Júnior Antonio , Baddini‐Martinez José 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsSmokers exhibit a high prevalence of psychological abnormalities, and these factors may contribute to smoking initiation, its maintenance, and quitting difficulties. This study reports the development of a scale aiming at evaluating the emotional status of smokers in face of tobacco.MethodsLevels of Anxiety, Depression, Perceived Stress, Self‐esteem, and Loneliness of 120 smokers (age: 54.6 years; 74 women) were compared with those of 76 nonsmokers (age: 45.5 years; 47 women). Correlations between psychological scores, plus the feature Attachment to Cigarettes, and Fagerström test of nicotine dependence (FTND) counts were explored. Features showing the best correlations with FTND were selected to be part of a 6‐item scale called Smoker’s Emotional Test (SET). SET scores of this group and of an additional sample of smokers (n = 102; age = 52.6; women = 63) were submitted to psychometric analyses and validation tests.ResultsSET showed a structure of two factors, Anxiety/Depression and Attachment to Cigarettes. SET showed significant correlations with FTND (r = 0.418), number of smoked cigarettes (r = 0.299), time to urge for a new cigarette (r = −0.441), and pleasure of smoking (r = 0.346). The internal consistency of SET was higher than that of FTND scores (Cronbach’s alpha: respectively .712 and .542). The test‐retest reliability of SET was excellent (ICC = 0.944). SET scores higher than four distinguished smokers from nonsmokers with sensitivity of 87.3% and specificity of 92.7%.ConclusionsSET is a simple instrument that gives an estimative of smoking‐related emotional status and may define a new valuable construct of tobacco addiction.
Can we generate robust species distribution models at the scale of the Southern Ocean?
Authors: Fabri‐Ruiz Salomé , Danis Bruno , David Bruno , Saucède Thomas 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimSpecies distribution modelling (SDM) represents a valuable alternative to predict species distribution over vast and remote areas of the ocean. We tested whether reliableSDMs can be generated for benthic marine organisms at the scale of the Southern Ocean. We aimed at identifying the main large‐scale factors that determine the distribution of the selected species. The robustness ofSDMs was tested with regards to sampling effort, species niche width and biogeography.LocationSouthern Ocean.MethodsThe impact of sampling effort was tested using two sets of data: one set with all presence‐only data available until 2005, and a second set using all data available until 2015 including recent records from campaigns carried out during the Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) and the International Polar Year (IPY) period (2005–2010). The accuracy ofSDMs was tested using a ground‐truthing approach by comparing recent presence/absence data collected during theCAMLandIPYperiod to pre‐CAMLmodel predictions.ResultsOur results show the significance of theSDMapproach and the role of abiotic factors as important drivers of species distribution at broad spatial scale. The addition of recent data to the models significantly improved the prediction ofSDMand changed the respective contributions of environmental predictors. However, the intensity of change varied between models depending on sampling tools, species ecological niche width and biogeographic barriers to dispersal.Main conclusionsWe highlight the need for new data and the significance of the ground‐truthing approach to test the accuracy ofSDMs. We show the importance of data collected through international initiatives, su ch as theCAMLandIPYto the improvement of species distribution modelling at broad spatial scales. Finally, we discussed the relevance ofSDMas a relevant marine conservation tool particularly in the context of climate change and the definition of Marine Protected Areas.
A global assessment of the direct and indirect benefits of marine protected areas for coral reef conservation
Authors: Strain Elisabeth M. A. , Edgar Graham J. , Ceccarelli Daniela , Stuart‐Smith Rick D. , Hosack Geoffrey R. , Thomson Russell J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimMarine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly implemented to conserve or restore coral reef biodiversity, yet evidence of their benefits for enhancing coral cover is limited and variable.Location30 MPAs worldwide and nearby sites (within 10 km).TaxaCover of key functional groups for coral (total, branching, massive and tabular), and algae (total, filamentous, foliose) and total biomass of reef fish trophic groups (excavator, scraper, browser, higher carnivore).MethodsWe used a global dataset obtained using standardized survey methods at 465 sites associated with 30 MPAs in 28 ecoregions to test the effects of five key MPA attributes (>10 years old, well‐enforced, no‐take, large and isolated) on coral cover, algal cover and reef fish biomass. We also tested the direct (reducing disturbance by human activities) versus indirect pathways (increasing grazing potential through recovering populations of herbivorous fishes) by which MPAs can influence coral and algal cover.ResultsOnly well‐enforced, no‐take and old (>10 years) MPAs had higher total coral cover (response ratio 1.08–1.19×) than fished sites, mostly due to the increased cover of massive coral growth forms (1.34–2.06×). This effect arose through both the direct influence of protection and indirect benefits of depressed algal cover by recovering herbivorous fish biomass. Neither the direct (standardized coefficient = 0.06) nor indirect effects (standardized coefficient = 0.04) of no‐take protection on coral cover were particularly strong, likely reflecting regional differences in fishing gear, targeted species and trophic webs.ConclusionsMPAs promote the persistence of some functional groups of corals, and thus represent an important management tool, globally.
Assessing niche overlap between domestic and threatened wild sheep to identify conservation priority areas
Authors: Bleyhl Benjamin , Arakelyan Marine , Askerov Elshad , Bluhm Hendrik , Gavashelishvili Alexander , Ghasabian Mamikon , Ghoddousi Arash , Heidelberg Aurel , Khorozyan Igor , Malkhasyan Alexander , Manvelyan Karen , Masoud Mohammadreza , Moqanaki Ehsan M. , Radeloff Volker C. , Soofi Mahmood , Weinberg Paul , Zazanashvili Nugzar , Kuemmerle Tobias 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimPopulations of large ungulates are dwindling worldwide. This is especially so for wild sheep, which compete with livestock for forage, are disturbed by shepherds and their dogs, and are exposed to disease transmissions from livestock. Our aim was to assess spatial patterns in realized niche overlap between wild and domestic sheep to better understand where potential competition might arise, and thus to identify priority areas for wild sheep recovery.LocationSouthern Caucasus (220,000 km2).MethodsWe studied Gmelin's mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelinii), an ancestor of domestic sheep, to investigate seasonal habitat use and niche overlap with domestic sheep. To map habitat, we analysed mouflon occurrences collected during 2006–2016, and domestic sheep occurrences from shepherd camp locations digitized on high‐resolution satellite imagery. We mapped areas of potential competition between mouflon and domestic sheep and assessed potential habitat displacement.ResultsMouflon and domestic sheep niches overlapped substantially (overlap index I = 0.89, where 1 means perfect overlap) but were not identical. Mouflon habitat was less widespread than domestic sheep habitat (14,000 vs. 40,270 km2) and tended to be located in more rugged areas with less vegetation cover. We identified 51 priority patches as reintroduction candidates if grazing pressure and poaching were reduced.Main conclusionsOur results suggest that competition with domestic sheep might have pushed mouflon into marginal habitat. Thus, conservation efforts focusing on current mouflon habitat might miss suitable reintroduction sites. We demonstrate that a combined habitat model for wild and domestic sheep can identify general sheep habitat, which might be more useful for conservation planning than understanding current mouflon habitat selection. Our results highlight that considering competition with livestock is important for large ungulate conservation, both in terms of reactive (e.g., lessening livestock pressure in prime habitat) and proactive strategies (e.g., reintroduction in areas with low contemporary overlap).