bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine differentiation markers guide treatment sequence selection in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Fan Liancheng , Yang Yan , Chi Chenfei , Ma Xiaowei , Wang Rui , Gong Yiming , Zheng Hongying , Pan Jiahua , Zhu Yinjie , Dong Baijun , Xue Wei 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundTo evaluate the value of the serum neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) markers in helping to select the best treatment sequence of abiraterone acetate (AA) and docetaxel‐prednisone (DP) in mCRPC.MethodsEighty‐eight mCRPC patients were identified (42 in the DP‐to‐AA group and 46 in the AA‐to‐DP group). The serum levels of NED markers were measured before the first‐line treatment in 88 patients and also before and after DP therapy in 38 patients. We determined their impact on OS, radiographic progression‐free survival (rPFS), and PSA‐PFS.ResultsIn men with an elevation of at least one NED marker (n = 46) before the first‐line treatment, those who received AA and then DP had significantly better worse OS (21.7 months [95% CI 21.0‐22.4] vs 19.9 months (95% CI 15.3‐24.5); P = 0.023. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, treatment sequencing selection (selecting DP‐AA rather than AA‐DP) independently predicted OS (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2‐0.9, P = 0.035) in patients with an elevation of at least one NED marker. However, in the subgroup without NED marker elevation, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between AA‐DP and DP‐AA groups (all P > 0.05). In the group with continued NED marker evaluation during DP treatment, patients with higher baseline NED markers and obtaining PSA response to DP were more inclined to experience NED markers decline.ConclusionsElevated pretreatment serum NED markers might indicate mCRPC patients would get better clinical outcomes from DP‐AA than AA‐DP. In contrast, those without NED marker elevation had similar outcomes regardless of which agent was chosen first. mCRPC patients with elevated NED markers and chemotherapy response were more inclined to obtain NED markers decline during DP therapy, which could account for this phenomenon.
The interplay between vitamin D and viral infections
Authors: Teymoori‐Rad Majid , Shokri Fazel , Salimi Vahid , Marashi Sayed Mahdi 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThe pleiotropic role of vitamin D has been explored over the past decades and there is compelling evidence for an epidemiological association between poor vitamin D status and a variety of diseases. While the potential anti‐viral effect of vitamin D has recently been described, the underlying mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency could contribute to viral disease development remain poorly understood. The possible interactions between viral infections and vitamin D appear to be more complex than previously thought. Recent findings indicate a complex interplay between viral infections and vitamin D, including the induction of anti‐viral state, functional immunoregulatory features, interaction with cellular and viral factors, induction of autophagy and apoptosis, and genetic and epigenetic alterations. While crosstalk between vitamin D and intracellular signalling pathways may provide an essential modulatory effect on viral gene transcription, the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D on viral infections appears to be transient. The interplay between viral infections and vitamin D remains an intriguing concept, and the global imprint that vitamin D can have on the immune signature in the context of viral infections is an area of growing interest.
Cadmium induces actin cytoskeleton alterations and dysfunction in Neuro‐2a cells
Authors: Ge Yaming , Song Xiaochao , Chen Lingli , Hu Dongfang , Hua Liushuai , Cui Yunli , Liu Junwei , An Zhixing , Yin Zhihong , Ning Hongmei 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCadmium (Cd) is considered a possible etiological factor in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact mechanism by which Cd induces neurotoxicity is not well elucidated. In this study, Neuro‐2a cells were treated with 0, 10, 20, and 40 μM cadmium chloride for 24 hours to investigate the effects of Cd on the cytoskeleton of nerve cells. MTT assay and ELISA assay were used to examine cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from cells, respectively. Results showed that Cd reduced cell viability and increased the release of LDH in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). The morphology of treated cell was damaged as indicated by cell collapse and dimensionality reduction. Moreover, the axonal spines and normal features of Cd‐treated neurons disappeared. We checked the ultrastructure of Neuro‐2a cells and found that Cd‐induced swelling, membrane damage, overflow of cytoplasm contents, and cell fragmentation. Damaged mitochondria, expanded endoplasmic reticulum, and abnormal microfilaments were found in Cd‐treated cells rather than in untreated cells. Compared with the control group, the relative release of glutamate in the supernatant after Cd treatment was reduced, indicating that Cd exposure could reduce the release of glutamate by inhibiting the function of nerve‐2a cells. Cd decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of cytoskeletal proteins including DBN, SYP, and TAU, which might promote cytoskeleton alterations in Cd‐treated cells. In conclusion, Cd‐induced actin cytoskeleton alterations and dysfunction of cultured neurons. The results of the present study provide new insights for the investigation of Cd‐induced neurotoxicity.
Updated Evidence of Association Between Periodontal Disease and Incident Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Zhou X. , Cao F. , Lin Z. , Wu D. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Introduction
The relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) is still conflicting.

Aim
To investigate whether a link between PD and ED exists, and if so, the degree to which it is significant.

Methods
The search strategy included using electronic databases and hand searching works published up to June 2018. MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Proceedings Web of Science, and Current Contents Connect were searched by 2 independent reviewers. Case-control, cohort, or cross-sectional studies including patients with measures of periodontitis and ED were included in the analysis. Quality assessments and sensitivity analysis of selected studies were performed.

Main Outcome Measure
The strength of the association between PD and the prevalence of ED was evaluated.

Results
5 case-control studies with 213,076 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Patients with PD were 2.85-fold more likely to be diagnosed with ED (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = [1.83, 4.46]). Asian men were reported to be 3.07 times more likely to be at greater risk for the prevalence of ED. Moreover, studies with high quality and case-control design showed 2 times higher risk for ED in PD (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = [1.44, 4.14]). However, the present evidence was not robust enough owing to the high heterogeneity and instability in sensitivity analysis.

Clinical Implications
Patients with PD may have increased risk of ED, suggesting that dental hygiene should be of concern to clinicians when managing patients with ED.

Strength & Limitations
This article includes a large literature search to confirm the evidence that PD increases the occurrence of ED. However, there are several confounders, such as age and the type of ED, that failed to be adjusted and that generate bias and affect the correlation between the incidence of ED and PD.

Conclusion
This system review and meta-analysis strengthens the evidence that PD might have important clinical implications for risk stratification of ED.
Older Adults’ Coping Strategies With Changes in Sexual Functioning: Results From Qualitative Research
Authors: Ayalon L. , Gewirtz-Meydan A. , Levkovich I. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Research has consistently documented changes in sexual functioning as people age.

Aim
To examine the ways older men and women cope with changes in sexual functioning.

Methods
In-depth interviews with 47 Israelis over the age of 60 were conducted and analyzed thematically.

Main Outcome Measure
The main outcomes of interest in this study were the coping strategies employed by older men and women to address changes in their sexuality.

Results
7 coping strategies that were differentially employed by men and women were identified. These strategies were classified along a continuum of internal (involving only the person being affected by the change) vs external (involving others) strategies. External strategies involved other people and services, such as a primary care provider or a counselor, whereas internal strategies were confined to intrapsychic experiences, such as an acceptance of the fact that sex was no longer part of life. Other strategies, such as sexual fantasies about having an affair or the use of pornography to stimulate desire, were classified along the 2 poles. Most individuals used &gt;1 strategy. Differences by gender are noted.

Clinical Implications
The techniques identified reflect to some degree the medicalization and marketization of sexuality among older adults, but potentially also allude to somewhat more liberal views of sexuality in contemporary society.

Strength & Limitations
The subjective nature of this study and the open-ended perspective employed in the analysis allow for better appreciation of the coping strategies used by older adults. There is potentially a selection bias with those individuals who feel more comfortable discussing sexuality, participating in the study, and others refraining from such a discussion.

Conclusion
The older adults interviewed in this study tended to equate sexual functioning with sexual intercourse.
Direct construction of optimized stellarator shapes. Part 2. Numerical quasisymmetric solutions
Authors: Landreman Matt , Sengupta Wrick , Plunk Gabriel G. 
Published: January 2019

Quasisymmetric stellarators are appealing intellectually and as fusion reactor candidates since the guiding-centre particle trajectories and neoclassical transport are isomorphic to those in a tokamak, implying good confinement. Previously, quasisymmetric magnetic fields have been identified by applying black-box optimization algorithms to minimize symmetry-breaking Fourier modes of the field strength $B$. Here, instead, we directly construct magnetic fields in cylindrical coordinates that are quasisymmetric to leading order in the distance from the magnetic axis, without using optimization. The method involves solution of a one-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equation, originally derived by Garren & Boozer (Phys. Fluids B, vol. 3, 1991, p. 2805). We demonstrate the usefulness and accuracy of this optimization-free approach by providing the results of this construction as input to the codes VMEC and BOOZ_XFORM, confirming the purity and scaling of the magnetic spectrum. The space of magnetic fields that are quasisymmetric to this order is parameterized by the magnetic axis shape along with three other real numbers, one of which reflects the on-axis toroidal current density, and another one of which is zero for stellarator symmetry. The method here could be used to generate good initial conditions for conventional optimization, and its speed enables exhaustive searches of parameter space.
Why Do Students Enroll in Political Science Courses?
Authors: Bunte Jonas B. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTWhy do students enroll in political science courses? I conducted an experiment designed to test the appeal of three possible motivations: students might hope to develop valuable skills, look for a better grasp of current events, or expect a deeper understanding of how the world works and their place within it. The experiment involved visiting several sections of Introduction to American Government courses. In each section, I advertised a political science course offered in the following semester. However, I varied the way in which the course was described and subsequently tracked whether students enrolled in it. I find that highlighting opportunities to develop skills does not have a significant effect on enrollment. In contrast, emphasizing “how the world works” is most effective at increasing enrollment. Qualitative evidence suggests that students are attracted to this type of course because it offers the opportunity for personal development and growth.
Contribution of fat, sugar and salt to diets in the Pacific Islands: a systematic review
Authors: Santos Joseph Alvin , McKenzie Briar , Trieu Kathy , Farnbach Sara , Johnson Claire , Schultz Jimaima , Thow Anne Marie , Snowdon Wendy , Bell Colin , Webster Jacqui 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectivePacific Island countries are experiencing a high burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases; and consumption of fat, sugar and salt are important modifiable risk factors contributing to this. The present study systematically reviewed and summarized available literature on dietary intakes of fat, sugar and salt in the Pacific Islands.DesignElectronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and GlobalHealth) were searched from 2005 to January 2018. Grey literature was also searched and key stakeholders were consulted for additional information. Study eligibility was assessed by two authors and quality was evaluated using a modified tool for assessing dietary intake studies.ResultsThirty-one studies were included, twenty-two contained information on fat, seventeen on sugar and fourteen on salt. Dietary assessment methods varied widely and six different outcome measures for fat, sugar and salt intake – absolute intake, household expenditure, percentage contribution to energy intake, sources, availability and dietary behaviours – were used. Absolute intake of fat ranged from 25·4 g/d in Solomon Islands to 98·9 g/d in Guam, while salt intake ranged from 5·6 g/d in Kiribati to 10·3 g/d in Fiji. Only Guam reported on absolute sugar intake (47·3 g/d). Peer-reviewed research studies used higher-quality dietary assessment methods, while reports from national surveys had better participation rates but mostly utilized indirect methods to quantify intake.ConclusionsDespite the established and growing crisis of diet-related diseases in the Pacific, there is inadequate evidence about what Pacific Islanders are eating. Pacific Island countries need nutrition monitoring systems to fully understand the changing diets of Pacific Islanders and inform effective policy interventions.
MarsLux: HI‐Resolution Illumination Maps Generator for Mars
Authors: Spagnuolo M. G. , Carballo F. D. , Marco Figuera R. , Rossi A. P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIllumination simulation codes for the Moon's surface have been thoroughly developed during the last years. Despite works done for the Moon, no studies have investigated the relation between sunlight illumination and the Martian surface applying those codes done for the Moon to Mars. The objective of this work is to describe the development of a surface illumination simulation code, called MarsLux, which allows users to make a detailed investigation of the illumination conditions on Mars, based on its topography and the relative position of the Sun. Our code can derive accurate illumination maps, form topographic data, showing areas that are fully illuminated, areas in total shadow, and areas with partial shade, in short computational times. Although the code does not take into account any atmospheric effect, the results proved to be of high accuracy. The maps generated are useful for geomorphological studies, to study gullies, thermal weathering, or mass wasting processes as well as for producing energy budget maps for future exploration missions.
Evaluation of Four Sky View Factor Algorithms Using Digital Surface and Elevation Model Data
Authors: Jiao Zhong‐Hu , Ren Huazhong , Mu Xihan , Zhao Jing , Wang Tianxing , Dong Jiaji 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe sky view factor (SVF) is a crucial variable widely used to quantify the characteristics of surface structures and estimate surface radiation budget. Many SVF models based on raster data have been developed but not yet evaluated in a more quantitative and uniform manner. In this paper, four typical SVF models (Dozier‐Frew (D‐F), Manners, Lindberg‐Grimmond (L‐G), and Helbig_h) are evaluated using the SVF derived from simulated fisheye images based on the digital surface model (DSM) and digital elevation model data. The SVF calculated by D‐F method using DSM data has the best accuracy, with a mean bias error of −0.007, root‐mean‐square error of 0.069, and coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.914. For the SVF value derived from digital elevation model data, L‐G method shows good performance, with an mean bias error of 0.013, root‐mean‐square error of 0.032, and R2 of 0.897. The pixels near the edges of buildings, within the valley or along ridgelines, have higher SVF deviations. In addition, the slope angle calculated using DSM data has some artificial defects that make the significant impact on the SVF biases due to their calculation method and the discontinuous surface in urban areas. Thus, L‐G and Helbig_h methods are more applicable for the DSM data due to the difficulty in defining slope and aspect angles. Moreover, the high accordance of SVFs between Helbig_h and L‐G methods implies that the Helbig_h method is an alternative in virtue of its simpler form and lower computation cost than L‐G method.
Quantifying Degradative Loss of Terrigenous Organic Carbon in Surface Sediments Across the Laptev and East Siberian Sea
Authors: Bröder Lisa , Andersson August , Tesi Tommaso , Semiletov Igor , Gustafsson Örjan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOngoing permafrost thaw in the Arctic may remobilize large amounts of old organic matter. Upon transport to the Siberian shelf seas, this material may be degraded and released to the atmosphere, exported off‐shelf, or buried in the sediments. While our understanding of the fate of permafrost‐derived organic matter in shelf waters is improving, poor constraints remain regarding degradation in sediments. Here we use an extensive data set of organic carbon concentrations and isotopes (n = 109) to inventory terrigenous organic carbon (terrOC) in surficial sediments of the Laptev and East Siberian Seas (LS + ESS). Of these ~2.7 Tg terrOC about 55% appear resistant to degradation on a millennial timescale. A first‐order degradation rate constant of 1.5 kyr−1 is derived by combining a previously established relationship between water depth and cross‐shelf sediment‐terrOC transport time with mineral‐associated terrOC loadings. This yields a terrOC degradation flux of ~1.7 Gg/year from surficial sediments during cross‐shelf transport, which is orders of magnitude lower than earlier estimates for degradation fluxes of dissolved and particulate terrOC in the water column of the LS + ESS. The difference is mainly due to the low degradation rate constant of sedimentary terrOC, likely caused by a combination of factors: (i) the lower availability of oxygen in the sediments compared to fully oxygenated waters, (ii) the stabilizing role of terrOC‐mineral associations, and (iii) the higher proportion of material that is intrinsically recalcitrant due to its chemical/molecular structure in sediments. Sequestration of permafrost‐released terrOC in shelf sediments may thereby attenuate the otherwise expected permafrost carbon‐climate feedback.
Large‐Scale Landscape Drivers of CO2, CH4, DOC, and DIC in Boreal River Networks
Authors: Hutchins Ryan H. S. , Prairie Yves T. , del Giorgio Paul A. 
Published: January 2019

The boreal biome is characterized by extremely dense and complex fluvial networks that are closely coupled to land. Reconstructing the role that these fluvial networks play in regional carbon (C) budgets requires identifying landscape and environmental drivers of riverine C that operate at the whole network scale and that can be applied across landscapes. Here we explore drivers of CO2, CH4, and dissolved organic (DOC) and inorganic C (DIC) across 190 streams and rivers spanning 8 Strahler orders over an area of 500,000 km2 of heterogeneous boreal landscape in Québec, focusing on those drivers that can be readily obtained from remote sensing data. Each C species (except DIC) could be modeled as a function of a proximal network‐scale property, such as flow distance or elevation, but adding regional structure to these models greatly improved predictions. These modeled regional effects were similar for DOC, CO2, and CH4 and were strongly related to average regional soil organic content and especially to NPP, the latter integrating regional differences in climate and other environmental factors. These results suggest that there may be regional C baselines determined by a combination of landscape and climate features, which simultaneously influence the average CO2, DOC, and CH4 within fluvial networks, albeit through different underlying mechanisms and with varying degrees of influence on each C species. The latter two C species appear to be more sensitive to regional differences in soil, NPP, and climate than CO2 or DIC, and therefore more likely to shift under future scenarios of change in northern landscapes.
Modeling Slab Temperature: A Reevaluation of the Thermal Parameter
Authors: Maunder B. , van Hunen J. , Bouilhol P. , Magni V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe reevaluate the effects of slab age, speed, and dip on slab temperature with numerical models. The thermal parameter Φ = t v sin θ, where t is age, v is speed, and θ is angle, is traditionally used as an indicator of slab temperature. However, we find that an empirically derived quantity, in which slab temperature T ∝ log (t−av−b) , is more accurate at depths <120 km, with the constants a and b depending on position within the slab. Shallower than the decoupling depth (~70–80 km), a~1 and b~0, that is, temperature is dependent on slab age alone. This has important implications for the early devolatilization of slabs in the hottest (youngest) cases and for shallow slab seismicity. At subarc depths (~100 km), within the slab mantle, a~1 and b~0 again. However, for the slab crust, now a~0.5 and b~1, that is, speed has the dominant effect. This is important when considering the generation of arc magmatism, and in particular, slab melting and the generation of slab‐derived melange diapirs. Moving deeper into the Earth, the original thermal parameter performs well as a temperature indicator, initially in the core of the slab (the region of interest for deep water cycling). Finally, varying the decoupling depth between 40 and 100 km has a dominant effect on slab temperatures down to 140‐km depth, but only within the slab crust. Slab mantle temperature remains primarily dependent on age.