bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral administration of cernitin pollen extract (Cernilton®) for 30 days might be useful to avoid unnecessary biopsy in prostate biopsy candidates: A preliminary study
Authors: Togo Yoshikazu , Ichioka Daishi , Miyazaki Jun , Maeda Yoshiko , Kameyama Koji , Yasuda Mitsuru , Hiyama Yoshiki , Takahashi Satoshi , Nagae Hiroshi , Hirota Seiichi , Yamamoto Shingo ,   on behalf of the Japanese Research Group for Urinary Tract Infection (JRGU)
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of cernitin pollen extract on serum prostate‐specific antigen level prostate biopsy candidates, and to develop an ideal protocol to avoid an unnecessary biopsy procedure.MethodsA total of 61 patients were administrated cernitin pollen extract tablets (two tablets t.i.d.) for 30 days, and then underwent a prostate biopsy with ≥12 systematic and targeted biopsy cores obtained. Serum prostate‐specific antigen levels were examined before and after administration of the pollen extract, and the change in serum prostate‐specific antigen and the rate of change were analyzed in relation to negative and positive biopsy results for cancer.ResultsThe mean change in serum prostate‐specific antigen and rate of change after administration of cernitin pollen extract in all patients were −0.6 ± 1.4 ng/mL and −7.6 ± 16.1%, respectively, which were significantly different from the baseline values (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.0005, respectively). When prostate‐specific antigen change values and rates were compared between patients negative and positive for cancer, a significant difference between those groups was observed (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionsThe present study is the first to show that an ideal protocol using cernitin pollen extract has the potential to avoid an unnecessary prostate biopsy procedure in patients with elevated prostate‐specific antigen, possibly caused by inflammation. Additional studies with greater numbers of participants are required to confirm our findings and develop an ideal protocol.
Intensity ratio curve analysis of small renal masses on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging: Differentiation of fat‐poor angiomyolipoma from renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Moriyama Shingo , Yoshida Soichiro , Tanaka Hajime , Tanaka Hiroshi , Yokoyama Minato , Ishioka Junichiro , Matsuoka Yoh , Saito Kazutaka , Kihara Kazunori , Fujii Yasuhisa 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic ability of a pixel intensity‐based analysis in evaluating the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of small renal masses, especially in differentiating fat‐poor angiomyolipoma from renal cell carcinoma.MethodsT2‐weighted images from 121 solid small renal masses (<4 cm) without visible fat (14 fat‐poor angiomyolipomas, 92 clear cell renal cell carcinomas, six chromophobe renal cell carcinomas and nine papillary renal cell carcinomas) were retrospectively evaluated. An intensity ratio curve was plotted using intensity ratios, which were ratios of signal intensities of tumor pixels (each pixel along a linear region of interest drawn across the renal tumor on T2‐weighted image) to the signal intensity of a normal renal cortex. The diagnostic ability of the intensity ratio curve analysis was evaluated.ResultsThe tumors were classified into three types: intensity ratio fat‐poor angiomyolipoma (n = 19) with no pseudocapsule, iso‐low intensity and no heterogeneity; intensity ratio clear cell renal cell carcinoma (n = 76) with a pseudocapsule, iso‐high intensity and heterogeneity; and other type of intensity ratio (n = 26), including tumors that did not fall into the above two categories. The sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of the intensity ratio curve analysis in diagnosing fat‐poor angiomyolipoma was 93%/94%/94%, respectively. When the intensity ratio curve analysis was applied only to the tumor with undetermined radiological diagnosis, the sensitivity for diagnosing fat‐poor angiomyolipoma compared with subjective reading alone significantly improved (93% vs 50%; P = 0.014).ConclusionsOur novel semiquantitative model for combined assessment of key features of fat‐poor angiomyolipoma, including low intensity, homogeneity and absence of a pseudocapsule on T2‐weighted image, might make diagnosis of fat‐poor angiomyolipoma more accurate.
Glutamatergic cells in the periaqueductal gray matter mediate sensory inputs after bladder stimulation in freely moving rats
Authors: Zare Aryo , Jahanshahi Ali , Meriaux Celine , Steinbusch Harry WM , van Koeveringe Gommert A 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo determine the phenotype of the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal gray matter neurons after bladder stimulation.MethodsIn the experimental group, electrical stimulation of the bladder was carried out under freely moving condition by a bipolar stimulation electrode implanted in the bladder wall. Thereafter, the brain sections were processed for immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against c‐Fos (neuronal activation marker) together with one of the following: tyrosine hydroxylase (dopaminergic cell marker), vesicular glutamate transporter (glutamatergic cell marker), serotonin, glutamate decarboxylase (glutamate decarboxylase 67, gamma‐aminobutyric acid cell marker) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. We used design‐based confocal stereological analysis to quantify the immunohistochemically stained sections.ResultsA significant increase in the number of c‐Fos‐positive cells in the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal gray matter after stimulation was found. Furthermore, the ratio of c‐Fos cells double labeled with vesicular glutamate transporter was significantly higher in the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal gray matter region in the stimulated compared with the sham group. Quantitative analysis of the other four cell types did not show any significant difference.ConclusionThese findings suggest that glutamatergic neurotransmission in the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal gray matter is seemingly the main pathway to be activated after receiving sensory signals from the bladder.
Extracellular vesicles as mediators of immunopathology in infectious diseases
Authors: Hosseini‐Beheshti Elham , Grau Georges Emile Raymond 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the last decades, extracellular vesicles have emerged as important elements in cell–cell communication and as key players in disease pathogenesis via transmission of their cargo between different cells. Various works have described different subpopulations of these membrane structures, based on their cell of origin, biogenesis, size, biophysical properties and cargo. In addition to their pathophysiological role in the development and progression of different diseases including infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, extracellular vesicles are now recognized for their potential as novel therapeutic targets and intelligent drug delivery system. Here, we have reviewed the most recent data on different subtypes of extracellular vesicles, focusing on microvesicles and exosomes and their subpopulations, their involvement in immune‐mediated pathogenesis of various infectious diseases and their role as potential therapeutic targets.
Peer work in Open Dialogue: A discussion paper
Authors: Bellingham Brett , Buus Niels , McCloughen Andrea , Dawson Lisa , Schweizer Richard , Mikes‐Liu Kristof , Peetz Amy , Boydell Katherine , River Jo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOpen Dialogue is a resource‐oriented approach to mental health care that originated in Finland. As Open Dialogue has been adopted across diverse international healthcare settings, it has been adapted according to contextual factors. One important development in Open Dialogue has been the incorporation of paid, formal peer work. Peer work draws on the knowledge and wisdom gained through lived experience of distress and hardship to establish mutual, reciprocal, and supportive relationships with service users. As Open Dialogue is now being implemented across mental health services in Australia, stakeholders are beginning to consider the role that peer workers might have in this model of care. Open Dialogue was not, initially, conceived to include a specific role for peers, and there is little available literature, and even less empirical research, in this area. This discussion paper aims to surface some of the current debates and ideas about peer work in Open Dialogue. Examples and models of peer work in Open Dialogue are examined, and the potential benefits and challenges of adopting this approach in health services are discussed. Peer work in Open Dialogue could potentially foster democracy and disrupt clinical hierarchies, but could also move peer work from reciprocal to a less symmetrical relationship of ‘giver’ and ‘receiver’ of care. Other models of care, such as lived experience practitioners in Open Dialogue, can be conceived. However, it remains uncertain whether the hierarchical structures in healthcare and current models of funding would support any such models.
Mid‐IR transparent TeO2‐TiO2‐La2O3 glass and its crystallization behavior for photonic applications
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Balaji Sathravada , Biswas Kaushik , Kalyandurg Annapurna 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this report, effect of enhanced rare earth (La2O3) concentration on substitution of TeO2 within ternary TeO2‐TiO2‐La2O3 (TTL) glass system has been studied with respect to its thermal, structural, mechanical, optical, and crystallization properties with an aim to achieve glass and glass‐ceramics having rare‐earth‐rich crystalline phase for nonlinear optical and infrared photonic applications. DSC analysis (10°C/min) demonstrates a progressive increase in glass‐transition temperature (Tg) from 359 to 452°C with the increase in La2O3 content. Continuous glass network modification with transformation of [TeO4] to [TeO3/TeO3+1] units is evidenced from Raman spectra which is corroborated with XPS studies. While mechanical properties demonstrate enhancement of cross‐linking density in the network. These glasses exhibit optical transmission window extended from 0.4 to 6 μm with calculated zero dispersion wavelength (λZDW) varying from 2.41 to 2.28 μm depending upon La2O3 content. Crystallization kinetics of TTL10 (80TeO2‐10TiO2‐10La2O3 in mol%) glass has been studied via established models. Activation energy (Ea) has been evaluated and dimensionality of crystal growth (m) suggests formation of surface crystals. Glass‐ceramic with crystalline phase of La2Te6O15 has been realized in heat‐treated TTL10 glass samples (at 450°C). As predicted from DSC analysis, FESEM study unveils the formation of surface crystallized glass‐ceramics.
Formation of metastable wurtzite phase boron nitride by emulsion detonation synthesis
Authors: Örnek Metin , Hwang Chawon , Xie Kelvin Y. , Pratas Silvio , Calado João , Burgess Alan , Domnich Vladislav , Hemker Kevin J. , Haber Richard A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEmulsion detonation synthesis (EDS) is a newly developed process to synthesize nano‐sized ceramic powders based on the detonation of 2 water‐in‐oil emulsions. The process provides high pressure and temperature along with rapid quenching. In this work, we report the formation of wurtzite phase BN (w‐BN) for the first time by EDS process, using hexagonal BN (h‐BN) as the precursor. Characterization studies demonstrated the formation of w‐BN with sizes varying from nanometer to micrometer scale either embedded in or grown from h‐BN matrix. These findings provide a new avenue to synthesize metastable and superhard BN phases.
Synthesis of GAGG:Ce3+ powder for ceramics using mechanochemical and solution combustion methods
Authors: McDonald Kaitlyn A. , Schweitzer George K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGadolinium aluminum gallium garnet doped with cerium (Gd2.99Al2.00Ga3.00O12.00:Ce0.01, or GAGG:Ce) powders has been synthesized with high‐energy ball milling (HEBM) and solution combustion synthesis (SCS) techniques. The structures and morphologies of the powders were characterized through use of powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), photoluminescence (PL) measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV‐decay time measurements. Changes in the mechanochemically produced powders were monitored over time, while the solution combustion synthesis of GAGG:Ce was conducted using various ratios and types of fuels. In both production methods, particle sizes on the order of microns gave evidence of agglomeration.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of vitamin D in food allergy
Authors: Poole Ashlyn , Song Yong , Brown Helen , Hart Prue H. , Zhang Guicheng (Brad) 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFood allergies are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in young children. Epidemiological evidence from the past decade suggests a role of vitamin D in food allergy pathogenesis. Links have been made between variations in sunlight exposure, latitude, birth season and vitamin D status with food allergy risk. Despite the heightened interest in vitamin D in food allergies, it remains unclear by which exact mechanism(s) it acts. An understanding of the roles vitamin D plays within the immune system at the cellular and genetic levels, as well as the interplay between the microbiome and vitamin D, will provide insight into the importance of the vitamin in food allergies. Here, we discuss the effect of vitamin D on immune cell maturation, differentiation and function; microbiome; genetic and epigenetic regulation (eg DNA methylation); and how these processes are implicated in food allergies.
Both children and adult patients with difficult‐to‐treat atopic dermatitis have high prevalences of concomitant allergic contact dermatitis and are frequently polysensitized
Authors: Boonstra M. , Rustemeyer T. , Middelkamp‐Hup M.A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundConcomitant allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has been described as a possible cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) becoming difficult‐to‐treat. However, contact sensitization in this patient group has barely been studied.ObjectiveTo study the occurrence of ACD in a population of difficult‐to‐treat AD children and adults.MethodsClinical and patch test information of 48 patients with difficult‐to‐treat AD unresponsive to conventional outpatient treatments was gathered retrospectively. We studied prevalence and relevance of common allergens, performed dynamic patch test analysis and assessed occurrence of polysensitization.ResultsIn 48 patients with difficult‐to‐treat AD, 75% (n = 36/48) had a concomitant contact allergy, and 39% (n = 14/36) of these patients were polysensitized. ACD and polysensitization prevalences were equal amongst children and adults. The most frequent and relevant reactions were seen against wool alcohols, surfactants cocamidopropyl betaine and dimethylaminopropylamine, bichromate and fragrance mix I. Dynamic pattern analysis showed these reactions to be mostly allergic and not irritative of nature.ConclusionDifficult‐to‐treat AD patients frequently suffer from concomitant (multiple) contact allergies, and this may be a reason why the AD turns into a difficult‐to‐treat disease. Awareness of this phenomenon is necessary, as pragmatic implementation of allergen avoidance strategies may be helpful in getting disease control in this population.
Hybridization could be a common phenomenon within the highly diverse lizard genus Liolaemus
Authors: Olave Melisa , Avila Luciano J. , Sites Jack W. , Morando Mariana 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHybridization is likely to occur more often between closely related taxa that have had insufficient time to diverge to the point of reproductive incompatibility; hybridization between deeply divergent lineages is rare. In squamate reptiles, hybridization has been proposed as a possible explanation for the extensive paraphyly observed in mitochondrial gene trees in several species complexes of the South American lizard genus Liolaemus. One of the best‐documented cases is within the L. boulengeri and L. rothi complexes, which diverged ~5.5 million years ago. Here, we describe a comprehensive study for approaching the hybridization hypothesis between these lizard species complexes. We explored the level of gene tree discordance using the novel ‘extra lineage contribution’ statistics (XLC, presented in this study) that quantifies the level of gene tree discordance contribution per individual within a species. We included molecular data (12 nuclear and two mitochondrial genes) from 127 individuals, and results of a coalescent model‐based analysis show that the most likely explanation for the gene tree‐species tree discordance is interspecific hybridization. Our best‐supported hypothesis suggests current and past hybridization between L. rothi (rothi complex) and L. tehuelche (boulengeri complex), and independently between L. rothi and L. boulengeri and L. telsen (boulengeri complex). The hybrid descendants are characterized by intermediate phenotypes between the parental species, but are more similar to L. rothi in body size. We discuss the possible role of hybridization in Liolaemus evolution.
Do parasites and antioxidant availability affect begging behaviour, growth rate and resistance to oxidative stress?
Authors: Maronde Lea , Losdat Sylvain , Richner Heinz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEarly‐life trade‐offs faced by developing offspring can have long‐term consequences for their future fitness. Young offspring use begging displays to solicit resources from their parents and have been selected to grow fast to maximize survival. However, growth and begging behaviour are generally traded off against self‐maintenance. Oxidative stress, a physiological mediator of life‐history trade‐offs, may play a major role in this trade‐off by constraining, or being costly to, growth and begging behaviour. Yet, despite implications for the evolution of life‐history strategies and parent–offspring conflicts, the interplay between growth, begging behaviour and resistance to oxidative stress remains to be investigated. We experimentally challenged wild great tit (Parus major) offspring by infesting nests with a common ectoparasite, the hen flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae), and simultaneously tested for compensating effects of increased vitamin E availability, a common dietary antioxidant. We further quantified the experimental treatment effects on offspring growth, begging intensity and oxidative stress. Flea‐infested nestlings of both sexes showed reduced body mass during the first half of the nestling phase, but this effect vanished short before fledging. Begging intensity and oxidative stress of both sexes were unaffected by both experimental treatments. Feeding rates were not affected by the experimental treatments, but parents of flea‐infested nests fed nestlings with a higher proportion of caterpillars, the main source of antioxidants. Additionally, female nestlings begged significantly less than males in control nests, whereas both sexes begged at similar rates in vitamin E‐supplemented nests. Our study shows that a parasite exposure does not necessarily affect oxidative stress levels or begging intensity, but suggests that parents can compensate for negative effects of parasitism by modifying food composition. Furthermore, our results indicate that the begging capacity of the less competitive sex is constrained by antioxidant availability.
Detecting the effect of bisphosphonates during osteoporosis treatment on jawbones using multidetector computed tomography: The OSTEOSYR project
Authors: Barngkgei Imad , Khattab Razan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to investigate the effects of bisphosphonates (BP), prescribed for osteoporosis, on jawbones using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).MethodsFifty‐three women who had dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry examination were scanned by MDCT. Both the cortical and the trabecular parts of the alveolar and the cortical bones were compared between BP users and non‐BP users using a number of radiological measurements. Linear regression was used for the statistical analysis.ResultsThe cortical part of the basal bone of the mandible revealed a significant increase in the BP group (.001 > P‐value ≤ .026) after using BP for 5 years. No alternations were observed in the trabecular part of the basal bone or in the cortical or trabecular parts of the alveolar bone over the same duration.ConclusionsThe use of BP as a treatment for osteoporosis for 5 years increased the thickness of the cortex of the basal bone of the mandible, as detected by MDCT. The other parts of the jawbones showed no influence by BP for such a purpose, as detected on MDCT images. Accordingly, models (equations) for predicting the alternations in the inferior cortex of the mandible induced by BP therapy during osteoporosis have been suggested.
Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Marine Fuels: A Case Study of Saudi Crude Oil versus Natural Gas in Different Global Regions
Authors: El‐Houjeiri Hassan , Monfort Jean‐Christophe , Bouchard Jessey , Przesmitzki Steven 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe understanding of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dimension in discussing the future of marine fuels makes it important to advance the current life cycle assessment (LCA) practice in this context. Previous LCA studies of marine fuels rely on general LCA models such as GREET and JEC well‐to‐wheels study. These models do not fully capture the various methane losses in the fuel supply chain. The primary goal of this LCA study is to compare the GHG emissions of heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil produced from Saudi crude oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG) in different global regions. A sensitivity analysis was performed to show how results may vary with non‐Saudi crudes. A secondary goal was to advance LCA of marine fuels by utilizing, for the first time, a set of bottom‐up engineering models that enable detailed analysis of specific oil and gas projects worldwide. The results show particular cases where LNG use in marine applications has a significant countereffect in terms of climate change compared to conventional marine fuels produced from a low‐carbon‐intensity crude oil. When the results are calculated based on a 20‐ versus 100‐year methane global warming potential, LNG appears noncompetitive for climate impact in marine applications.
Arabidopsis thaliana NOP10 is required for gametophyte formation
Authors: Li Lin‐Xiao , Liao Hong‐Ze , Jiang Li‐Xi , Tan Qing , Ye De , Zhang Xue‐Qin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe female gametophyte is crucial for sexual reproduction of higher plants, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its development. Here, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana NOP10 (AtNOP10) is required for female gametophyte formation. AtNOP10 was expressed predominantly in the seedling and reproductive tissues, including anthers, pollen grains, and ovules. Mutations in AtNOP10 interrupted mitosis of the functional megaspore during early development and prevented polar nuclear fusion in the embryo sacs. AtNOP10 shares a high level of amino acid sequence similarity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) NOP10 (ScNOP10), an important component of the H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles (H/ACA snoRNPs) implicated in 18S rRNA synthesis and rRNA pseudouridylation. Heterologous expression of ScNOP10 complemented the mutant phenotype of Atnop10. Thus, AtNOP10 influences functional megaspore mitosis and polar nuclear fusion during gametophyte formation in Arabidopsis.
ESTIMATING INFLATION RISK PREMIA USING INFLATION‐LINKED BONDS: A REVIEW
Authors: Kupfer Alexander 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of studies that estimate the inflation risk premium using inflation‐linked bond (ILB) yields. I categorize existing studies, outline their research designs and compare their estimates for the inflation risk premium. Furthermore, the importance of accounting for ILB illiquidity and an overview of existing ILB liquidity proxies are demonstrated. A discussion of current literature developments, such as the zero lower bound, and an outline for future research directions conclude the paper.