bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of vitamin D status with semen quality and reproductive hormones in Iranian subfertile men
Authors: Abbasihormozi Sh. , Kouhkan A. , Alizadeh A.R. , Shahverdi A.H. , Nasr‐Esfahani M.H. , Sadighi Gilani M.A. , Salman Yazdi R. , Matinibehzad A. , Zolfaghari Z. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryAlthough vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common health problems throughout the world, including Iran, conflicting information exists on the potential association between serum vitamin D levels and semen quality. This study intended to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D [25(OH) D3] with semen quality and hormones in Iranian subfertile men. We also compared mean vitamin D and hormone levels in normospermic men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) men. This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 278 men who were referred to Royan Infertility Clinic (Tehran, Iran) from March to September 2014. The participants were categorized into two groups; of 186 normospermic and 92 OAT patients according to World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Each participant provided informed consent prior to launching research. Participants completed two general questionnaires of nutritional status. Blood and semen samples were obtained for assessment, and all data were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and season. Vitamin D levels were classified according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and normal levels were observed in 8.6%, 43.6%, 47.8% of participants, respectively. No association was found between daily dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium with sperm parameters. Serum vitamin D was inversely correlated with PTH (p < 0.045). In normospermic men, serum vitamin D levels categorized were not correlated with semen parameters and reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone(T), and FT), whereas sperm motility showed a positive correlation with vitamin D categorized in OAT men (rs = 0.131, p = 0.028). In conclusion, there was a high incidence of deficiency and insufficiency 25(OH) D Levels (<20ng/ml) observed in Iranian men (52.2%). Moreover, our findings showed a correlation between vitamin D levels and sperm motility in OAT men, which requires further studies.
A data‐driven search for semen‐related phenotypes in conception delay
Authors: Patel C. J. , Sundaram R. , Buck Louis G. M. 
Published: October 2016

SummarySperm count, morphology, and motility have been reported to be predictive of pregnancy, although with equivocal basis prompting some authors to question the prognostic value of semen analysis. To assess the utility of including semen quality data in predicting conception delay or requiring >6 cycles to become pregnant (referred to as conception delay), we utilized novel data‐driven analytic techniques in a pre‐conception cohort of couples prospectively followed up for time‐to‐pregnancy. The study cohort comprised 402 (80%) male partners who provided semen samples and had time‐to‐pregnancy information. Female partners used home pregnancy tests and recorded results in daily journals. Odds ratios (OR), false discovery rates, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for conception delay (time‐to‐pregnancy > 6 cycles) were estimated for 40 semen quality phenotypes comprising 35 semen quality endpoints and 5 closely related fecundity determinants (body mass index, time of contraception, lipids, cotinine and seminal white blood cells). Both traditional and strict sperm phenotype measures were associated with lower odds of conception delay. Specifically, for an increase in percent morphologically normal spermatozoa using traditional methods, we observed a 40% decrease in conception delay (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.50, 0.81; p = 0.0003). Similarly, for an increase in strict criteria, we observed a 30% decrease in odds for conception delay (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.83; p = 0.001). On the other hand, an increase in percent coiled tail spermatozoa was associated with a 40% increase in the odds for conception delay (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.75; p = 0.003). However, our findings suggest that semen phenotypes have little predictive value of conception delay (area under the curve of 73%). In a multivariate model containing significant semen factors and traditional risk factors (i.e. age, body mass index, cotinine and ever having fathered a pregnancy), there was a modest improvement in prediction of conception delay (16% increase in area under the curve, p < 0.0002).
Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients with curative resection or ablation: impact of HCV eradication does not depend on the use of interferon
Authors: Petta S. , Cabibbo G. , Barbara M. , Attardo S. , Bucci L. , Farinati F. , Giannini E. G. , Tovoli F. , Ciccarese F. , Rapaccini G. L. , Di Marco M. , Caturelli E. , Zoli M. , Borzio F. , Sacco R. , Virdone R. , Marra F. , Felder M. , Morisco F. , Benvegnù L. , Gasbarrini A. , Svegliati‐Baroni G. , Foschi F. G. , Olivani A. , Masotto A. , Nardone G. , Colecchia A. , Persico M. , Boccaccio V. , Craxì A. , Bruno S. , Trevisani F. , Cammà C. ,   the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) Group
Published: October 2016

SummaryBackgroundIn HCV‐infected cirrhotic patients with successfully treated early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the time to HCC recurrence and the effects of sustained viral eradication (SVR) by interferon (IFN)‐based or IFN‐free regimens on HCC recurrence remain unclear.AimTo perform an indirect comparison of time to recurrence (TTR) in patients with successfully treated early HCC and active HCV infection with those of patients with SVR by IFN‐based and by IFN‐free regimens.MethodsWe evaluated 443 patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage A/0 HCC who had a complete radiological response after curative resection or ablation. Active HCV infection was present in 328, selected from the Italian Liver Cancer group cohort; 58 patients had SVR achieved by IFN‐free regimens after HCC cure, and 57 patients had SVR achieved by IFN‐based regimens after HCC cure. Individual data of patients in the last two groups were extracted from available publications.ResultsTTR by Kaplan–Meier curve was significantly lower in patients with active HCV infection compared with those with SVR both by IFN‐free (P = 0.02) and by IFN‐based (P < 0.001) treatments. TTR was similar in patients with SVR by IFN‐free or by IFN‐based (P = 0.49) strategies.ConclusionIn HCV‐infected, successfully treated patients with early HCC, SVR obtained by IFN‐based or IFN‐free regimens significantly reduce tumour recurrence without differences related to the anti‐viral strategy used.
All‐oral direct‐acting antiviral therapy in HCV‐advanced liver disease is effective in real‐world practice: observations through HCV‐TARGET database
Authors: Reddy K. R. , Lim J. K. , Kuo A. , Di Bisceglie A. M. , Galati J. S. , Morelli G. , Everson G. T. , Kwo P. Y. , Brown R. S. , Sulkowski M. S. , Akuschevich L. , Lok A. S. , Pockros P. J. , Vainorius M. , Terrault N. A. , Nelson D. R. , Fried M. W. , Manns M. P. ,   the HCV‐TARGET Study Group
Published: October 2016

SummaryBackgroundChronic hepatitis C virus therapy in patients with advanced liver disease remains a clinical challenge. HCV‐TARGET collects data in patients treated at tertiary academic and community centres.AimTo assess efficacy of all‐oral HCV therapy in advanced liver disease.MethodsBetween December 2013 and October 2014, 240 patients with a MELD score of ≥10 initiated HCV treatment with an all‐oral regimen. Data from the 220 patients who completed 12‐week follow‐up were analysed.ResultsGenotype 1 (GT1) patients had higher sustained virological response (SVR) when treated with sofosbuvir plus simeprevir ± ribavirin than with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin (66–74% vs. 54%); GT1b vs GT1a (84% vs. 64%). SVR for GT2 was 72% with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, while GT3 patients had a substantially lower response (35%). A decrease in MELD score was not clearly related to SVR over the short course of follow‐up although some had improvements in MELD score, serum bilirubin and albumin. A predictor of virological response was albumin level while negative predictors were elevated bilirubin level and GT1a. Most patients with GT1 were treated with approximately 12‐week duration of sofosbuvir and simeprevir ± ribavirin therapy while GT2 and GT3 patients were treated with approximately 12 and 24 weeks of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin respectively.ConclusionsAll‐oral therapies are effective among patients with advanced liver disease with high levels of success in GT2 and GT1b, and may serve to reduce the severity of liver disease after SVR. Treatment for GT3 patients remains an unmet need.Clinical trial number: NCT01474811
Body mass index greater than 35 is associated with severe Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Mulki R. , Baumann A. J. , Alnabelsi T. , Sandhu N. , Alhamshari Y. , Wheeler D. S. , Perloff S. , Katz P. O. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryBackgroundObesity has been implicated in the acquisition of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), however, no study has investigated whether there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and CDI severity.AimTo determine whether obesity, as measured by BMI correlates with severe hospital‐onset or community‐onset CDI.MethodsPatients admitted with CDI at a tertiary‐care center from January 2013 to June 2015 were identified. The cohort was stratified by onset of disease using the National Healthcare Safety Network criteria, and by severity using the 2013 American College of Gastroenterology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of severe CDI.ResultsA total of 196 met the inclusion criteria, of which 57.1% (112) met criteria for severe disease. Overall, BMI >35 kg/m2 was 1.7‐fold more likely to be associated with severe CDI compared to a BMI 20–35 kg/m2 (P < 0.005), and was an independent predictor of severe CDI (P = 0.038). In patients with community‐onset‐CDI and hospital‐onset‐CDI, a BMI >35 kg/m2 was associated with a 1.96‐fold and 1.48 greater rate of severe CDI compared to a BMI 20–35 kg/m2 (P = 0.004 and 0.048), and was an independent predictor of severe CDI in these cohorts (P = 0.039 and 0.027) respectively.ConclusionThis study has identified an association between body mass index and Clostridium difficile infection severity. A BMI>35 kg/m2 is an independent risk factor for severe community‐onset and hospital‐onset Clostridium difficile infections.
Chemotherapeutic intensity and survival differences in young patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: a Swedish Lymphoma Registry study
Authors: Melén Christopher M. , Enblad Gunilla , Sonnevi Kristina , Junlén Henna Riikka , Smedby Karin E. , Jerkeman Mats , Wahlin Björn Engelbrekt 
Published: October 2016

SummaryYoung patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are variably treated with rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide‐doxorubicin‐vincristine‐prednisone (R‐CHOP),CHOP‐etoposide (R‐CHOEP), and anthracycline‐based regimens with the addition of high‐dose cytarabine/methotrexate (R‐HDA/M). Using the nationwide, population‐based Swedish Lymphoma Registry, we evaluated outcome, by treatment and Healthcare Region, in all 751DLBCLpatients aged ≤60 years without central nervous involvement, diagnosed in Sweden between 2007 and 2012. Overall survival was estimated using multivariate Cox analysis. In patients with age‐adjusted international prognostic index (aaIPI) ≥ 2, the 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 70%, 76% and 85% after R‐CHOP, R‐CHOEPand R‐HDA/M, respectively (P = 0·002); the corresponding estimates were 40%, 55%, and 92% in aaIPI = 3 (P = 0·014). There were large therapeutic differences between Sweden's six Healthcare Regions for aaIPI ≥ 2: three were “Moderate” (more R‐CHOP) and three “Intensive” (more R‐CHOEPand R‐HDA/M). Patients with aaIPI ≥ 2 who were treated in the Intensive Regions, showed betterOS(P < 0·00005), particularly those with aaIPI = 3 (5‐yearOS, 62% vs. 30%;P < 0·00005). There were no regional differences in therapy or survival in patients with aaIPI < 2. We conclude that in younger high‐risk patients, survival appears superior after more intensive therapy than R‐CHOP.
Volume‐outcome relationship in penile cancer treatment: a population based patterns of care and outcomes study from Australia
Authors: Patel Manish I. , Yuminaga Yuigi , Bang Albert , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Skyring Timothy , Smith David P. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesTo study the patterns of care of penile cancer diagnosed in the state of New South Wales (NSW) over a 10 year period and determine factors that are associated with differences in survival.Patients and MethodsAll invasive penile cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2009 in NSW, Australia, were identified from the Central Cancer Registry. Records of treatment from the Admitted Patient Data Collection and deaths from the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages were electronically linked. Predictors of receiving an inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Survival analyses were performed with Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA total of 220 men were diagnosed with penile cancer over the 10 years from 69 centres. The median number of penile operations performed over 10 years was <4. Radical penile surgery (partial or total penectomy) was performed in 70% of the cases and the proportion of patients receiving radical surgery increased over time (P = 0.015). Only 53/220 men with invasive penile cancer received an ILND. Younger age and higher stage were the only factors that predicted whether ILND was performed. Overall survival (OS) was predicted by age, stage, marital status and co‐morbidity status. Low centre volume decreased OS by 37% (HR 0.63 [95% CI: 0.40–0.97]). For men who received ILND, low centre volume decreased OS by 60% (HR 0.40 [95% CI: 0.19–0.85]).ConclusionsThere is a decreasing trend for the use of conservative penile surgery and median centre volumes for penile cancer surgery in NSW are low. A decrease in overall survival is observed in men treated in lower volume surgery centres.
Ray Accelerator: Efficient and Flexible Ray Tracing on a Heterogeneous Architecture
Authors: Barringer R. , Andersson M. , Akenine‐Möller T. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe present a hybrid ray tracing system, where the work is divided between the CPU cores and the GPU in an integrated chip, and communication occurs via shared memory. Rays are organized in large packets that can be distributed among the two units as needed. Testing visibility between rays and the scene is mostly performed using an optimized kernel on the GPU, but the CPU can help as necessary. The CPU cores typically handle most or all shading, which makes it easy to support complex appearances. For efficiency, the CPU cores shade whole batches of rays by sorting them on material and shading each material using a vectorized kernel. In addition, we introduce a method to support light paths with arbitrary recursion, such as multiple recursive Whitted‐style ray tracing and adaptive sampling where the result of a ray is examined before sending the next, while still batching up rays for the benefit of GPU‐accelerated traversal and vectorized shading. This allows our system to achieve high rendering performance while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different rendering algorithms.
Long non‐coding RNA FOXP4‐AS1 is an unfavourable prognostic factor and regulates proliferation and apoptosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Juan , Lian Yifan , Yan Changsheng , Cai Zeling , Ding Jie , Ma Zhonghua , Peng Peng , Wang Keming 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectivesDespite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common malignancy, and fourth‐leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide, and has a particularly high incidence in Western countries. Recent studies have suggested that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) compose a novel class of regulators of cancer biological processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. Here, we report that lncRNA FOXP4‐AS1 acts as a functional oncogene in CRC pathogenesis. Moreover, we have attempted to investigate the effects of FOXP4‐AS1 on tumour progression, both in vitro and in vivo.Materials and methodsIn this study, bioinformatic analyses and qPCR were performed to investigate FOXP4‐AS1 expression in CRC tissue samples and CRC cell lines. We inhibited FOXP4‐AS1 expression via FOXP4‐AS1‐specific siRNA transfection. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell viability and colony formation assays, as well as by flow cytometry and ethynyl deoxyuridine (Edu) analyses. Apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Animal tumour xenografts were generated, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to evaluate effects of FOXP4‐AS1 on CRC tumour growth in vivo.ResultsWe found that FOXP4‐AS1 was up‐regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines and that its overexpression positively correlated with advanced pathological stages and larger tumour size. Additionally, we found that FOXP4‐AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, FOXP4‐AS1 knockdown induced marked increase in number of cells in G0/G1 phase and reduction in number of cells in S phase, in DLD‐1, HT‐29 and HCT116 cell lines. Consistent with these findings, FOXP4‐AS1 silencing inhibited tumour growth in vivo.ConclusionThese findings suggest that FOXP4‐AS1 plays a crucial role in CRC progression and may be a new biomarker in patients with CRC.
Using geographic profiling to compare the value of sightings vs trap data in a biological invasion
Authors: Faulkner Sally C. , Verity Robert , Roberts David , Roy Sugoto S. , Robertson Peter A. , Stevenson Mark D. , Le Comber Steven C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimThe development of conservation plans, including those dealing with invasive species, is underpinned by the need to obtain reliable and accurate data. However, in many cases responding rapidly is equally critical.LocationThe data were obtained from the Hebridean Mink Project, which was set up with the objective of removing mink from North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist.MethodsHere, we introduce an extension of the Dirichlet process mixture (DPM) model of geographic profiling that can be used to estimate source locations of invasions directly from spatial point pattern data without the need to specify dispersal parameters. We use this model to analyse a biological invasion of American mink (Neovison vison) in the Hebrides.ResultsOur results suggest that sightings data – which are relatively easy and quick to acquire – can be used to capture much of the information about sources of invasive species that is obtained from the harder to acquire and more intensive trap data.Main conclusionThese results have important implications for the development of conservation plans and, in this case, in the early stages of biological invasions, when interventions are most likely to be successful.
Delineating large‐scale migratory connectivity of reed warblers using integrated multistate models
Authors: Procházka Petr , Hahn Steffen , Rolland Simon , van der Jeugd Henk , Csörgő Tibor , Jiguet Frédéric , Mokwa Tomasz , Liechti Felix , Vangeluwe Didier , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimAssessing the extent of large‐scale migratory connectivity is crucial for understanding the evolution of migratory systems and effective species conservation. It has been, however, difficult to elucidate the annual whereabouts of migratory populations of small animals across the annual cycle. Here, we use the reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) as one of the most frequently ringed passerines in Europe to demonstrate how ring re‐encounter and geolocator data can be used to effectively quantify range‐wide distribution of different populations.LocationBirds were ringed across Europe and re‐encountered in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.MethodsWe employed multistate models which quantify range‐wide distribution of different breeding populations while accounting for the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the re‐encounter probabilities and differential age‐specific survival during migratory and non‐migratory periods. In addition, we integrated geolocator and breeding abundance data as well as human population density to provide a realistic picture of the year‐round distribution of the reed warbler, a trans‐Saharan migrant.ResultsOur modelling approach revealed frequent use of the western Mediterranean flyway for the majority of western European populations, but a higher absolute number of reed warblers used the eastern flyway. Further, many populations used different stopover areas during post‐ and pre‐breeding migration, resulting in an anticlockwise loop migration pattern.Main conclusionsThe integrative modelling framework helped us to depict the range‐wide migration pattern more realistically than raw ring re‐encounter data would allow.
Physiological development and dispersal ability of newly emerged Monochamus galloprovincialis
Authors: Sanchez‐Husillos Estela , Etxebeste Iñaki , Pajares Juan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNovel associations between exotic pathogens and native insects may result in major ecological and economical losses. In Europe, Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the only known vector of the exotic pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD). Transportation of goods containing nematode‐infested beetles is the main pathway for the spread of the disease. In this scenario, management actions involving early detection and eradication are critical to stop further spread by the vector. Although dispersal of mature M. galloprovincialis has been successfully tracked using commercial baits and traps, dispersal ability of immature individuals is poorly understood. Sexual maturation and other physiological traits related to dispersal were studied for newly emerged M. galloprovincialis after different shoot‐feeding spans. Sexual maturation was complete after on average 12 (males) or 13 (females) feeding days. Monochamus galloprovincialis adults emerged with an average of 10% lipid and 23.8% (males) or 29.9% (females) pterothorax muscle content, and these percentages did not change significantly during shoot feeding. Microtomography images of wing muscle structures at different maturation stages confirmed these results. Emerged adults that were kept unfed survived an average of 12 days in the lab. The ability of unfed immature insects to fly through hostless terrain was studied by marking and releasing newly emerged insects from a crop area located up to 3 km away from two small pine stands. The longest flown distance recorded was 2 km. Fitted regressions indicated that immature insects could have travelled up to 3 109 m to reach the experimental stands. We found that M. galloprovincialis emerge with well‐developed thoracic muscles and energy reserves that enable them to sustain long flights over non‐forested areas. These findings should aid managers and policy makers in devising sound procedures in areas where the risk of introducing PWD is high.