bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel transcutaneous, non‐focused ultrasound energy delivering device is able to induce subcutaneous adipose tissue destruction in an animal model
Authors: Levi Assi , Amitai Dan Ben , Lapidoth Moshe 
Published: October 2016

Background and ObjectivesThe understanding that adipocytes are greatly influenced by thermal changes combined with the advancement of non‐invasive ultrasound technologies have led to the application of ultrasound as an energy source to induce thermal fat destruction. While application of high intensity focused, ultrasound energy have been widely explored, there is far less information regarding the effects of non‐focused ultrasound on adipose tissue.The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of a novel transcutaneous, multi‐elements, non‐focused ultrasound energy regimen in an animal model, as a proof‐of‐concept of its potential to treat non‐invasive subcutaneous benign tumors.Materials and MethodsThe non‐invasive transcutaneous ultrasound system prototype (LUMENIS, Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel) was applied to thermally induce adipocytes’ death. During treatment, the ultrasound energy was transmitted into the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 12 domestic adult female pigs. Two modes of operation (long and short), which differ in both the acoustic energy applied to the tissue and in their time durations (i.e., differ in their power settings), were used in this study. Efficacy and safety assessments included: Temperature measurement of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) visual inspection and ultrasound imaging of the thermally affected areas, histopathological assessment of tissue samples using hematoxylin & eosin, and Masson's trichrome stains and in situ cell death detection kit for apoptosis assessment.ResultsThe long and short treatment modes led to a 13.2°C and 17.8°C rise from baseline, respectively, in the SAT, whereas skin surface temperature was practically unaffected. Visual, ultrasonographic, and histopathological evaluation of the treated area showed SAT ablation. No treatment‐related changes were observed in the epidermis, dermis subcutaneous muscle and nerves, or in livers and kidneys of treated animals. Additionally, no significant changes from baseline in blood‐ and urine‐borne analytes were detected post‐treatment.ConclusionsThe novel transcutaneous, multi‐elements, non‐focused ultrasound energy regimen used in this study, proved effective in non‐invasively ablating SAT in an animal model. The usage of low energy settings such as in the current study might reduce unwanted side effects related to high energy application. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:110–121, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amphiphilic Imbalance and Stabilization of Block Copolymer Micelles on‐Demand through Combinational Photo‐Cleavage and Photo‐Crosslinking
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Wang Youpeng , Li Guo , Liu Zhaotie , Liu Zhongwen , Jiang Jinqiang 
Published: November 2016

An amphiphilic block copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly((N‐methacryloxy phthalimide)‐co‐(7‐(4‐vinyl‐benzyloxyl)‐4‐methylcoumarin)) (PEO45‐b‐P(MAPI36‐co‐VBC4)) is designed to improve the micellar stability during the photo‐triggered release of hydrophobic cargoes. Analysis of absorption and emission spectra, solution transmittance, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy supports that polymer micelles of PEO45‐b‐P(MAPI36‐co‐VBC4) upon the combinational irradiation of 365 and 254 nm light can be solubilized through the photolysis of phthalimide esters and simultaneously crosslinked via the partially reversible photo‐dimerization of coumarins. The photo‐triggered release experiment shows that the leakage of doxorubicin molecules from crosslinked micelles can be predictably regulated by controlling the irradiation time of 365 and 254 nm light.
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Association between the dietary inflammatory index and breast cancer in a large Italian case–control study
Authors: Shivappa Nitin , Hébert James R. , Rosato Valentina , Montella Maurizio , Serraino Diego , La Vecchia Carlo 
Published: October 2016

IntroductionThe putative relationship between diet, including its inflammatory potential, and breast cancer has been studied extensively, but results remain inconsistent. Using data from a large Italian case–control study conducted between 1991 and 1994, we examined the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and odds of breast cancer.MethodsDII scores were computed using a validated 78‐item food frequency questionnaire. Subjects were 2569 women with incident, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 2588 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non‐hormone‐related diseases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on continuous and quintiles of DII were estimated by multiple logistic regression adjusting for age, study center, education, BMI, parity, menopausal status, family history of hormone‐related cancers, and total energy intake.ResultsWomen in quintiles 2, 3, 4 and 5 had ORs of breast cancer of 1.33 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.59), 1.37 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.66), 1.41 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.73), and 1.75 (95% CI: 1.39, 2.21), respectively, compared to women in quintile 1. One‐unit increase in DII increased the odds of having breast cancer by 9% (95% CI: 1.05, 1.14).ConclusionsA pro‐inflammatory diet is associated to increased risk of breast cancer.
Offspring predisposition to obesity due to maternal‐diet‐induced obesity in rats is preventable by dietary normalization before mating
Authors: Castro Heriberto , Pomar Catalina Amadora , Palou Andreu , Picó Catalina , Sánchez Juana 
Published: October 2016

ScopeWe studied in rats whether the expected detrimental effects in offspring associated to maternal dietary obesity may be reverted by obesogenic diet removal 1 month before mating.Methods and resultsFemale rats were fed a cafeteria diet (CD) from days 10 to 100 and then a standard diet (SD) (postcafeteria rats). One month after CD removal, postcafeteria rats and a group of SD‐fed female rats (controls) were mated with males. At weaning, offspring were fed SD and followed until 4 months old. CD was effective at inducing obesity in dams. Its removal led to a reduction in body weight, although, after 30 days, rats retained excess body weight and fat than controls. During lactation, postcafeteria dams showed greater body fat, and higher leptin and adiponectin levels in milk than controls. From 2 months of life, offspring of postcafeteria dams displayed lower body weight than controls, with no differences in the percentage of fat, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, or circulating parameters.ConclusionRemoval of CD in obese rats before gestation, although without complete reversion of body weight excess, may prevent the expected detrimental effects in offspring associated to an excess fat accumulation in adulthood and the related metabolic disturbances.
Simultaneous delivery of antibiotics neomycin and ampicillin in drinking water inhibits fermentation of resistant starch in rats
Authors: Carvajal‐Aldaz Diana G. , Guice Justin L. , Page Ryan C. , Raggio Anne M. , Martin Roy J. , Husseneder Claudia , Durham Holiday A. , Geaghan James , Janes Marlene , Gauthier Ted , Coulon Diana , Keenan Michael J. 
Published: October 2016

ScopeAntibiotics ampicillin 1 g/L and neomycin 0.5 g/L were added to drinking water before or during feeding of resistant starch (RS) to rats to inhibit fermentation.Methods and resultsIn a preliminary study, antibiotics and no RS were given prior to rats receiving a transplant of cecal contents via gavage from donor rats fed RS (without antibiotics) or a water gavage before feeding resistant starch to both groups. Antibiotics given prior to feeding RS did not prevent later fermentation of RS regardless of either type of gavage. In the second study, antibiotics were given simultaneously with feeding of RS. This resulted in inhibition of fermentation of RS with cecal contents pH >8 and low amounts of acetate and butyrate. Rats treated with antibiotics had reduced Bifidobacteria spp., but similar Bacteroides spp. to control groups to reduce acetate and butyrate and preserve the production of propionate. Despite reduced fermentation, rats given antibiotics had increased glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) and cecum size, measures that are usually associated with fermentation.ConclusionsA simultaneous delivery of antibiotics inhibited fermentation of RS. However, increased GLP‐1 and cecum size would be confounding effects in assessing the mechanism for beneficial effects of dietary RS by knocking out fermentation.
Short‐term biomarkers of apple consumption
Authors: Saenger Theresa , Hübner Florian , Humpf Hans‐Ulrich 
Published: October 2016

ScopeUrinary biomarkers are used to estimate the nutritional intake of humans. The aim of this study was to distinguish between low, medium, and high apple consumption by quantifying possible intake biomarkers in urine samples after apple consumption by HPLC‐MS/MS. Apples were chosen as they are the most consumed fruits in Germany.Methods and ResultsThirty subjects took part in 7‐day study. They abstained from apples and apple products except for one weighed apple portion resembling one, two, or four apples. Before apple consumption and during the following days spot urine samples were collected. These urine samples were incubated with β‐glucuronidase, diluted, and directly measured by HPLC‐MS/MS. Phloretin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2, and quercetin were detected in urine using Scheduled MRMTM mode. Phloretin was confirmed as a urinary biomarker of apple intake and had the ability to discriminate between low or medium (one or two apples) and high apple consumption (four apples). The groups also differ in the excretion of epicatechin and procyanidin B2.ConclusionApple consumption can be monitored by urinary biomarkers for a period of at least 12 h after consumption. Furthermore the amount of apples consumed can be estimated by the concentration of certain biomarkers.
Modulation of iron transport, metabolism and reactive oxygen status by quercetin–iron complexes in vitro
Authors: Horniblow Richard D. , Henesy Daisy , Iqbal Tariq H. , Tselepis Chris 
Published: October 2016

ScopeExcess free‐iron is detrimental to health through its ability to participate in free radical generation and amplification of oncogenic pathways. The study aims were to identify polyphenols with iron‐chelating potential.Methods and resultsOf four polyphenols tested quercetin demonstrated potent iron binding with the physiological outcome dictated by the location of interaction. In the presence of extracellular iron and quercetin, ferritin expression and cellular iron concentrations decreased suggesting the resulting quercetin–iron complex is not internalised. However, in the relative absence of extracellular iron, quercetin becomes internalised and complexes with both intracellular iron, and iron which subsequently becomes absorbed as indicated by increased cellular 59Fe post pre‐culture with quercetin. This increased intracellular iron complexed to quercetin does not associate with the labile iron pool and cells behave as though they are iron deficient (increased transferrin receptor‐1 and iron regulatory protein‐2 expression and low ferritin expression). Additionally, a suppression in reactive oxygen species was observed.ConclusionQuercetin, an exogenous iron chelator, is able to render the cell functionally iron‐deficient which not only provides a therapeutic platform for chelating excess free luminal iron but also may be of use in limiting processes such as cancer‐cell growth, inflammation and bacterial infections, which all require iron.
Saccharin increases perception of bladder filling in a forced diuresis experiment
Authors: Bakali Evangelia , Hong Jennifer , Gillespie James , Tincello Douglas 
Published: October 2016

AimsTo study bladder sensation during a forced diuresis protocol and to assess differences in sensation perceived by different ethnic groups and after drinking artificially sweetened water.MethodsFemale Caucasian and south Indian Asian volunteers performed the diuresis protocol drinking water, or water sweetened with saccharin (5 mg/kg body weight). Participants recorded filling sensation every 5 min while drinking 250‐350 mL/15 min. They were asked to record the strongest sensation before voiding as maximum sensation, before voiding. The void was measured and sensation immediately recorded as minimum. The process was repeated. Voided volume and time required to achieve maximum sensation during cycle 2 were compared by water and sweetener, ethnic group, and age.ResultsTwenty Asian and 20 Caucasian volunteers participated. No differences in maximum voided volume or diuresis rate was seen by ethnicity. Median diuresis with sweetener was 16.7 mL/min (8.6‐35) compared to 13.2 (7.1‐25) with water (P = 0.008), a difference accounted for by 16 women with >5 mL/min difference in diuresis rate. These were excluded to leave 24 women with similar diuresis rates with both sweetener and water (14.8 mL/min (8.6‐28.0) and 13.2 mL/min (7.1‐25.0). In these women, time to achieve maximum sensation was lower with sweetener than water: 37.5 min (20‐85) versus 50.0 min (20‐80), P = 0.002, with no difference in voided volume.ConclusionsWater sweetened with saccharin produced an increased diuresis rate in some women. After controlling for this, time to recording maximum sensation was decreased with sweetened water, suggesting saccharin has an effect upon perceived sensation.
The relevance of immune responses to partial bladder outlet obstruction and reversal
Authors: Lin Wei‐Yu , Lin Yi‐Pai , Levin Robert M. , Chen Miaw‐Ling 
Published: October 2016

AimsPartial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) causes tissue inflammation, a significant increase in markers of systemic oxidative stress, and proliferation of circulating myeloid‐derived suppressor cells. Here, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms underlying inflammation and helper T cell involvement in PBOO.MethodsSurgical PBOO was performed in four groups of rats: control (C), obstruction at 2 (O2) and 4 (O4) weeks, and 4 weeks after the relief of PBOO (R4) (n = 6 each). The urinary levels of prostaglandin E metabolite (PGEM), expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and IL‐17) in the bladder, numbers of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and levels of TGF‐β1 were assessed via immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, or ELISA.ResultsThe levels of urinary PGEM, bladder IL‐17, and TGF‐β1 and the numbers of peripheral Treg cells (Foxp3) were all significantly increased at 2 and 4 weeks after PBOO. PGEM, IL‐17, and Treg cells (Foxp3) were decreased after the relief of PBOO, while the levels of TGF‐β1 continued to increase.ConclusionsTransient PBOO triggers an acute, reversible increase in inflammatory cytokines and Treg cells. The distinct dynamics of individual inflammatory markers support their potential use as markers for monitoring bladder inflammation.
The effect of doxazosin and sildenafil citrate combination on bladder tissue contractility, alpha adrenergic receptor, and iNOS subtype expression in a male rat model of partially bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Gumrah Abdulkadir , Tanidir Yiloren , Tinay Ilker , Ozyurek Mustafa , Tarcan Tufan 
Published: October 2016

AimsOur aim was to investigate the effects of doxazosin, sildenafil, and their combination on bladder tissue contractility and adrenergic receptor (AR) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression utilizing a male rat model of partial urethral obstruction (PUO).MethodsThirty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Except the SHAM group, all animals in remaining four groups underwent surgery for PUO. No further treatment was given to the first group (NT group). Remaining three groups received 6 weeks of treatment with 20 mg/kg doxazosin (D group), 20 mg/kg sildenafil (S group), 20 mg/kg doxazosin, and 20 mg/kg sildenafil combination (DS group), respectively via oral gavage. Then, bladder strips were harvested from each animal for isometric tension studies and for real time polymerase chain reaction studies of both AR subtypes and iNOS mRNA.ResultsContractile responses to carbachol and electrical field stimulation at various concentrations/frequencies showed a significant increase after PUO. Any treatment helped to normalize these increased responses. Alpha 1a and 1d AR subtype expressions were found to be down‐ and up‐regulated, respectively, in every group with PUO, compared to SHAM group. iNOS expression was similar in D and NT groups and significantly increased in S and DS groups.ConclusionsContractile changes of rat bladder tissue due to PUO were prevented by sildenafil or doxazosin alone or in combination where combination treatment did not provide any additional advantage. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and combination treatment in the treatment of LUTS.
The association between the ICIQ‐LUTS and the ICIQ‐bladder diary in assessing LUTS
Authors: Abdelmoteleb Haitham , Kamel Mohamed I. , Hashim Hashim 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesThe bladder diary (BD) provides a non‐invasive method of investigating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) while the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires (ICIQ) symptom questionnaires, such as the ICIQ‐MLUTS and ICIQ‐FLUTS for males and females, respectively, provide a subjective assessment. The association between objective and subjective assessments has not been well established for the ICIQ.Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of data collected from a urodynamics database was conducted. Only patients who completed both the ICIQ‐MLUTS/FLUTS and the ICIQ‐BD were included. Assessment of the relationship between the ICIQ‐BD and the ICIQ‐MLUTS/FLUTS with regards to daytime frequency and nocturia episodes was conducted using descriptive statistics to determine how well they correlate.ResultsA total of 3054 patients were on the database with only 529 patients fully completing both the ICIQ‐BD and ICIQ‐MLUTS/FLUTS from February 2012 until November 2014. Criterion testing showed fair agreement between the nocturia question on the ICIQ‐MLUTS/FLUTS and the ICIQ‐BD (Kappa = 0.339; P < 0.001; 48.5%). Whereas diary recordings of daytime voiding frequency showed low agreement with questionnaire responses (Kappa = 0.254; P < 0.001; 42.7%). The degree of agreement was higher at lower frequencies. Females had a slightly higher agreement than males during the daytime (43.2% vs 41.6%) and nighttime (49.3% vs 47%).ConclusionThe ICIQ‐BD is a simple, cheap, valid, and reliable method to assess LUTS in everyday clinical practice. However, an agreement between the ICIQ‐BD and the ICIQ‐MLUTS/FLUTS with regards to daytime frequency and nocturia episode is weak and therefore both are needed in the assessment of patients with LUTS.
Impaired contractility of the circular striated urethral sphincter muscle may contribute to stress urinary incontinence in female zucker fatty rats
Authors: Lee Yung‐Chin , Lin Guiting , Wang Guifang , Reed‐Maldonado Amanda , Lu Zhihua , Wang Lin , Banie Lia , Lue Tom F. 
Published: October 2016

AimObesity has been an independent risk factor for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the mechanism of this association remains unknown. The aim of this study is to validate the hypothesis that urethral dysfunction is a possible contributor to SUI in obese women.MethodsTen Zucker Fatty (ZF) (ZUC‐Leprfa 185) and 10 Zucker Lean (ZL) (ZUC‐Leprfa 186) female rats at 12‐week‐old were used in this experiment. The urethral sphincter rings were harvested from the bladder neck through to the most proximal 2/3 regions. In the organ bath study, single pulses of electrical field stimulation (EFS) were applied. For the fatiguing stimulation, repeated multi‐pulse EFS with 70 mA were applied at frequency of 5 Hz for 5 min. Caffeine‐containing Krebs’ solution was administrated to contract the urethra until the contraction began to reach a plateau for 10 min. We performed immunofluorescence staining of the urethra after the experiment was finished.ResultsCompared to ZL controls, ZF rats had significantly impaired muscle contractile activity (MCA) (P < 0.05). Also, ZF rats presented early fatiguing of MCA and had a significantly greater percentage of MCA decline from baseline in the fatiguing test (37.7% vs 25.6%, P < 0.05). The plateau of maximal MCA induced by caffeine in ZF rats was significantly lower than ZL controls (0.22 vs 0.36, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis novel study showed that obese female rats had significantly impaired contractile properties of striated urethral sphincter, suggesting urethral dysfunction could be an important contributor to SUI in obesity.
Vesicovaginal fistulas in the developed world: An analysis of disease characteristics, treatments, and complications of surgical repair using the ACS‐NSQIP database
Authors: Theofanides Marissa C. , Sui Wilson , Sebesta Elisabeth M. , Onyeji Ifeanyi , Matulay Justin T. , Chung Doreen E. 
Published: October 2016

AimsTo analyze patient characteristics, complications, and surgical trends in vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) from a national database.MethodsCurrent Procedural Terminology was used to identify patients undergoing VVF repair from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database. Characteristics and treatments were identified. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with complications.ResultsFrom 2006 to 2013, 200 patients underwent VVF repair. Mean age was 50.3 ± 12.3 years. A large proportion of patients were overweight (72%) and recent smokers (30%). Predominant comorbidities were heart disease (29%) and type 2 diabetes (9.5%). Of all VVF repairs, 65% were repaired vaginally. Concomitant procedures included hysterectomy (n = 6), reconstructive flaps (n = 13), and slings (n = 2). Post‐operative complications occurred in 15% of patients. The most common complication was urinary tract infection (8%) followed by blood transfusion (3%). Compared to the vaginal approach, abdominal VVF repairs had higher overall morbidity (22% vs 7% P = 0.003), longer length of stay (3.5 ± 2.3 vs 1.6 ± 2 days P = 0.00) and were more likely to be associated with sepsis (4.3% vs 0% P = 0.02), blood transfusion (7.1% vs 0.8% P = 0.017), and readmission (10.1% vs 0.8% P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, abdominal approach was a significant predictor of complications within 30 days (P = 0.03, P = 0.02).ConclusionsIn the US VVF remains a rare entity. Over half of VVFs were repaired vaginally. The occurrence of serious complications is low. A vaginal approach appears to be associated with fewer complications.