bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary Casein and Soy Protein Isolate Modulate the Effects of Raffinose and Fructooligosaccharides on the Composition and Fermentation of Gut Microbiota in Rats
Authors: Bai Gaowa , Ni Kuikui , Tsuruta Takeshi , Nishino Naoki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAlthough diet has an important influence on the composition of gut microbiota, the impact of dietary protein sources has only been studied to a minor extent. In this study, we examined the influence of different dietary protein sources regarding the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota. Thirty female rats were fed casein and soy protein isolate with cellulose, raffinose (RAF), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Microbiota composition was examined by real‐time qPCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Dietary protein source affected cecum microbiota; acetic acid concentration and Lactobacillus spp. populations were greater with soy protein than with casein. Prebiotic oligosaccharides had distinctive effects on gut microbiota; RAF increased the acetic acid concentration and Bifidobacterium spp. populations, and FOS increased the butyric acid concentration regardless of the dietary protein. Likewise, Bifidobacterium sp., Collinsella sp., and Lactobacillus sp. were detected in microbiota of the rats fed RAF, and Bacteroides sp., Roseburia sp., and Blautia sp. were seen in microbiota of the rats fed FOS. Interactions between dietary proteins and prebiotic oligosaccharides were observed with Clostridium perfringens group populations and cecum IgA concentration. RAF and FOS decreased C. perfringens group populations in casein‐fed rats, and the combination of soy protein and RAF substantially increased cecum IgA concentration. These results indicate that dietary proteins can differentially modulate the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on gut fermentation and microbiota, depending on the type of carbohydrate polymers involved.
Absorption of Bupivacaine after Administration of a Lozenge as Topical Treatment for Pain from Oral Mucositis
Authors: Mogensen Stine , Sverrisdóttir Eva , Sveinsdóttir Kolbrún , Treldal Charlotte , Jensen Kenneth , Jensen Anders Bonde , Kristensen Claus Andrup , Jacobsen Jette , Kreilgaard Mads , Petersen Janne , Andersen Ove 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe aim was to investigate systemic exposure after administration of a novel bupivacaine lozenge in healthy individuals with normal mucosa and in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with oral mucositis. A lozenge containing 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg bupivacaine, respectively, was administered as single dose to 10 healthy individuals, and a lozenge containing 25 mg bupivacaine was administered as single dose to 10 HNC patients with oral mucositis and as multiple doses to five patients with HNC. Blood samples were collected for 6 hr from the healthy individuals and 3 hr from the patients with HNC, respectively, after administration. The plasma concentration–time profiles of bupivacaine were fitted to pharmacokinetic models using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling, evaluating demographics and health status as covariates. The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of bupivacaine lozenge was best described by a two‐compartment distribution model with absorption transit compartments. All the observed plasma concentrations were well below the bupivacaine concentrations (2000–2250 ng/ml) which have caused toxic symptoms. The PK model suggested that relative bioavailability was two times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 1–2 and three times higher in HNC patients with oral mucositis grade 3–4 than in the healthy individuals. Simulations showed that the plasma concentrations would be below the toxic limit after repeated dosing every second hour with 25 mg bupivacaine for five days. The 25‐mg bupivacaine lozenges were safe without systemic toxic levels of bupivacaine or risk of side effects. Based on PK simulations of repeated doses of 25 mg every two hours for 16 hr a day, the lozenges can be administered with minimum risk of exceeding the toxic limit.
Epigenetic landscape of the TERT promoter: a potential biomarker for high risk AML/MDS
Authors: Zhao Xin , Tian Xin , Kajigaya Sachiko , Cantilena Caroline R. , Strickland Stephen , Savani Bipin N. , Mohan Sanjay , Feng Xingmin , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Dunavin Neil , Townsley Danielle M. , Dumitriu Bogdan , Battiwalla Minoo , Rezvani Katayoun , Young Neal S. , Barrett A. John , Ito Sawa 
Published: July 2016

SummaryAlthough recent observations implicate the importance of telomerase activity in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the roles of epigenetic regulations of the TERT gene in leukaemogenesis, drug resistance and clinical prognosis in AML are not fully understood. We developed a quantitative pyrosequencing‐based methylation assay covering the TERT proximal promoter and a partial exon 1 (TERTpro/Ex1) region and tested both cell lines and primary leukaemia cells derived from AML and AML with preceding myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) patients (n = 43). Prognostic impact of methylation status of the upstream TERT promoter region was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The activity of the telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat, was measured using leukaemia cell lines. The TERTpro/Ex1 region was highly methylated in all cell lines and primary leukaemia cells showed diverse methylation profiles. Most cases showed hypermethylated regions at the upstream TERTpro/Ex1 region, which were associated with inferior patient survival. TERTpro/Ex1 methylation status was correlated with the cytotoxicity to imetelstat and its combination with hypomethylating agent enhanced the cytotoxicity of imetelstat. AML cell lines and primary blasts harbour distinct TERTpro/Ex1 methylation profiles that could serve as a prognostic biomarker of AML. However, validation in a large cohort of patients is necessary to confirm our findings.
Raised preoperative international normalised ratio (INR) identifies patients at high risk of perioperative death after simultaneous renal and cardiac surgery for tumours involving the peri‐diaphragmatic inferior vena cava and right atrium
Authors: O'Brien Tim , Fernando Archie , Thomas Kay , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Bailey Craig , Austin Conal 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveTo identify preoperative factors that predict 30‐day mortality in patients undergoing simultaneous cardiac and renal surgery for urological tumours involving the peri‐diaphragmatic vena cava and right atrium‐ The ability to predict mortality and therefore avoid surgery in those patients likely to die would be valuable.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed perioperative outcomes in patients managed between December 2007 and January 2016 by a single team. The relationships of outcome measurements were analysed using Fisher's exact and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.ResultsOf the 46 patients identified, 41 (89%) underwent surgery (20 males and 21 females). The median (range) age was 65 (17–95) years. Histology confirmed 37 renal cell cancers, one adrenal cancer, two primitive neuroectodermal tumours, and one leiomyosarcoma. The overall 30‐day mortality rate was 7% (three of 41 patients). The international normalised ratio (INR), age, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) correlated significantly with 30‐day mortality. The mortality rate was high in patients with an INR ≥1.5 and <1.5 (with three of the five patients dying) compared to those with an INR <1.5 (0/36 patients died; 30 day mortality 0%). The INR correlated with serious complications (≥Clavien‐Dindo Grade III), which occurred in all five patients with an INR ≥1.5 and <1.5 vs 12/36 (33%) with an INR <1.5 (P < 0.002). The median (range) eGFR in those that died was 36 (26–37) mL/min/1.73 m2 compared to 52 (24–154) mL/min/1.73 m2 in those that survived (P = 0.018).ConclusionsIn patients undergoing combined cardiac and renal tumour surgery raised preoperative INR is associated with a high risk of 30‐day mortality when the patient is elderly (>70 years) and of significant post‐operative complications in younger patients (<70 years). Surgery in patients with a normal INR is challenging but much safer.
Comparison of spinal cord contusion and transection: functional and histological changes in the rat urinary bladder
Authors: Breyer Benjamin N. , Fandel Thomas M. , Alwaal Amjad , Osterberg E. Charles , Shindel Alan W. , Lin Guiting , Tanagho Emil A. , Lue Tom F. 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of complete transection (tSCI) and contusion spinal cord injury (cSCI) on bladder function and bladder wall structure in rats.Materials and MethodsA total of 30 female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: an uninjured control, a cSCI and a tSCI group. The cSCI group underwent spinal cord contusion, while the tSCI group underwent complete spinal cord transection. At 6 weeks post‐injury, 24‐h metabolic cage measurement and conscious cystometry were performed.ResultsConscious cystometry analysis showed that the cSCI and tSCI groups had significantly larger bladder capacities than the control group. The cSCI group had significantly more non‐voiding detrusor contractions than the tSCI group. Both injury groups had more non‐voiding contractions compared with the control group. The mean threshold pressure was significantly higher in the tSCI group than in the control and cSCI groups. The number of voids in the tSCI group was lower compared with the control group. Metabolic cage analysis showed that the tSCI group had larger maximum voiding volume as compared with the control and cSCI groups. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter/smooth muscle immunoreactivity was higher in the control than in the cSCI or tSCI rats. The area of calcitonin gene‐related peptide staining was smaller in the tSCI group than in the control or cSCI groups.ConclusionsSpinal cord transection and contusion produce different bladder phenotypes in rat models of SCI. Functional data suggest that the tSCI group has an obstructive high‐pressure voiding pattern, while the cSCI group has more uninhibited detrusor contractions.
Psychological, behavioral, and clinical effects of intra‐oral camera: a randomized control trial on adults with gingivitis
Authors: Araújo Mário‐Rui , Alvarez Maria‐João , Godinho Cristina A. , Pereira Cícero 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of using an intra‐oral camera (IOC) during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT), on the psychological, behavioral, and clinical parameters of patients with gingivitis, outlined by evidence and a theory‐based framework.MethodsA group of 78 adult patients with gingivitis receiving an SPT was randomized into two groups: IOC and control. Bleeding on Marginal Probing (BOMP), self‐reported dental hygiene behaviors, and psychological determinants of behavior change (outcome expectancies, self‐efficacy, and planning) and IOC opinion were evaluated 1 week before or during the appointment and 4 months later. Repeated‐measures anova was used to compare groups over time.ResultsAlmost all the patients brushed their teeth daily, while 78% either never or hardly ever used dental floss. The IOC group showed significant improvements in BOMP index (P < 0.001), self‐reported flossing (P < 0.05), and self‐efficacy (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe use of IOC significantly improves clinical, behavioral, and psychological determinants of periodontal health 4 months after treatment.
Pathogenesis of rhinitis
Authors: Eifan A. O. , Durham S. R. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryRhinitis is a heterogeneous condition that has been associated with inflammatory responses as in allergic rhinitis but can also occur in the absence of inflammation such as in so‐called idiopathic (previously ‘vasomotor’) rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects approximately one in four of the population of westernized countries and is characterized by typical symptoms of nasal itching, sneezing, watery discharge and congestion. The intention of this review is to illustrate key concepts of the pathogenesis of rhinitis. Imbalance in innate and adaptive immunity together with environmental factors is likely to play major roles. In allergic rhinitis, initial allergen exposure and sensitization involves antigen‐presenting cells, T and B lymphocytes and results in the generation of allergen‐specific T cells and allergen‐specific IgE antibodies. On re‐exposure to relevant allergens, cross‐linking of IgE on mast cells results in the release of mediators of hypersensitivity such as histamine and immediate nasal symptoms. Within hours, there is an infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly Th2 T lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils into nasal mucosal tissue that results in the late‐phase allergic response. Evidence for nasal priming and whether or not remodelling may be a feature of allergic rhinitis will be reviewed. The occurrence of so‐called local allergic rhinitis in the absence of systemic IgE will be discussed. Non‐allergic (non‐IgE‐mediated) rhinitis will be considered in the context of inflammatory and non‐inflammatory disorders.
Metal versus plastic stents for unresectable gallbladder cancer with hilar duct obstruction
Authors: Gao Dao‐jian , Hu Bing , Ye Xin , Wang Tian‐tian , Wu Jun 
Published: July 2016

Background and AimMetal stents usually have a longer stent patency than plastic stents for malignant biliary obstruction. However, stent patency and patient survival may differ depending on the causative disease and stent type. There are no data regarding the selection of stents for unresectable gallbladder cancer (GC) with hilar duct obstruction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of metal versus plastic stents for unresectable GC with hilar duct obstruction.MethodsFifty‐nine unresectable GC patients with jaundice were divided into metal stent group (MSG) and plastic stent group (PSG) depending on stent deployment. Clinical outcomes and approximate costs were assessed retrospectively.ResultsNo significant difference was found between MSG (n = 28) and PSG (n = 31) for clinical success, early adverse events and later cholangitis. Median patency and survival were 119 and 112 days in MSG versus 93 and 118 days in PSG, respectively (P > 0.05). However, the overall cost was higher in MSG than in PSG (P = 0.00). Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that the lower Bismuth type was associated with a longer stent patency (P = 0.046), whereas older age (P = 0.041) and lower TNM stage (P = 0.002) were associated with longer survival.ConclusionAlthough metal and plastic stents have similar clinical efficacy, it seems reasonable to choose plastic stents as the treatment of choice for unresectable GC when cost‐effectiveness is taken into account.
Comparative functional responses of native and high‐impacting invasive fishes: impact predictions for native prey populations
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Sheath Danny , Amat Trigo Fatima , Britton J. Robert 
Published: July 2016

AbstractComparative functional responses (FRs) can predict impacts of invasive species, including piscivorous fishes, via quantifying their depletion of native food resources as a function of prey density. The utility of FRs for predicting impacts on prey populations by invasive fishes of different trophic guilds was tested here by comparing the FRs of the invaders Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus, with three native, trophically analogous fishes, Barbus barbus, Squalius cephalus and Tinca tinca. Chironomid larvae and Gammarus pulex were used as prey items. Predictions, developed from studies on the foraging of C. carpio and C. auratus in the literature, were that the invaders would have significantly higher consumption rates for chironomids than the native fishes, but not for G. pulex. Mean consumption rates for chironomids were significantly lower for both invaders than B. barbus and S. cephalus, but were similar to T. tinca. Barbus barbus had a significantly lower consumption rate of G. pulex than both invaders, but there were no significant differences between S. cephalus, T. tinca and the invaders. All FRs were type II, with FR curves for the invaders preying upon chironomids never being significantly higher than the native fishes, contrary to predictions. For G. pulex, some significant differences were apparent between the invaders and native fishes, but again were contrary to predictions. These results indicated that when predation impacts of invasive fishes could also be a function of their population density and body sizes, these parameters should be incorporated into FR models to improve impact predictions.
Downstream effects of hydroelectric dam operation on thermal habitat use by Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
Authors: Kelly Brianne , Smokorowski Karen E. , Power Michael 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHydroelectric dams can alter downstream water temperatures, impacting thermal habitat available for fishes. Decreases in river water temperatures resulting from hydroelectric dam operations may be beneficial to coldwater species and could potentially offset warming resulting from climatic trends. We used two coldwater fish species, Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) to assess the impact of a cool water draw below a 15 MW hydroelectric dam on fish thermal habitat use relative to a nearby naturally flowing river. Cooler water temperatures below the dam corresponded with significantly cooler mean growth season temperature use for Slimy Sculpin, but not Brook Trout, relative to the natural river. As well, mean growing season temperature use by Slimy Sculpin was significantly cooler relative to Brook Trout in both rivers, and significantly different amongst studied sites in the regulated river. Fish condition was significantly correlated with temperature use for Slimy Sculpin in the naturally flowing river only. Our results indicate that manipulating river water temperatures through hydroelectric dam operations to benefit multiple fish species will be difficult given the complexity of riverine thermal habitat and species‐specific differences in thermal preferences and behaviour.
Survey of indigenous parasitoids affecting the invasive chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North‐East Italy)
Authors: Bernardinelli I. , Bessega D. , Zanolli P. , Governatori G. , Zandigiacomo P. 
Published: July 2016

The Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae), is one of the most damaging insect pests on Castanea sativa Miller trees (Fagales, Fagaceae) worldwide. Dryocosmus kuriphilus galls were collected between late May and August 2014 from 11 sites in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of North‐East Italy, differing in elevation and forest cover composition. The number of parasitoids that emerged was higher than the number of D. kuriphilus specimens that emerged for 5 out of 11 sites considered. The mean number of larval chambers per gall dissected was between 1.5 and 2.8 (for the 11 different sites). There were no fewer than 2–3 specimens of parasitoids emerging per 100 galls, in all sites. The parasitoids identified belonged to five different Chalcidoidea families (Torymidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Pteromalidae and Eulophidae). Among them, Torymidae and Eupelmidae represented approximately 90% of the total hymenopteran parasitoids. The most represented species were Torymus flavipes (Walker), Megastigmus dorsalis (Fabricius) and Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, all indigenous parasitoids of species causing oak galls. All identified parasitoids were already known to be associated with D. kuriphilus in Italy. These data support the hypothesis of a high species richness of this parasitoid community.
First record of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Greece
Authors: Michaelakis A. , Papachristos D. , Chytas D. A. , Antonopoulou P. D. , Milonas P. G. , Avtzis D. N. 
Published: July 2016

After the first introduction of chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, in Italy, it has spread rapidly in several other European countries, probably largely due to trade in chestnut plants. Despite the measures taken to prevent further spread of this pest to other countries, D. kuriphilus was detected in Greece for the first time in 2014. However, surveys have shown that the pest is still of very limited distribution in Greece. Having faced the damage caused by chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) over the last 50 years, the production of chestnuts in Greece is now seriously threatened by chestnut gall wasp, which has already caused extensive losses in chestnut production of other countries. In order to minimize the impact of chestnut gall wasp, control measures are being designed involving the release of the parasitoid Torymus sinensis.
Children’s Opportunities in Germany – An Application Using Multidimensional Measures
Authors: Bartels Charlotte , Stockhausen Maximilian 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSingle parents and unmarried couples are increasingly replacing the traditional nuclear family. This paper investigates if the greater variety in living arrangements contributes to increased resource disparities among children in Germany. Children in single parent families are disadvantaged in at least three dimensions decisive for their later achievements: material standard of living, parental education, and parental childcare time. We compute multidimensional inequality and poverty indices using SOEP data from 1991 to 2012. We distinguish between parental and publicly provided childcare, which is an increasingly important in-kind benefit in Germany. We find that both multidimensional inequality and poverty declined as expanded public childcare strongly reduces resource disparities among children.
Growth rate and nutritive value of sown tropical perennial grasses in a variable summer‐dominant rainfall environment, Australia
Authors: Boschma S. P. , Murphy S. R. , Harden S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractGrowth rate, proportion of leaf and stem and nutritive value of sown tropical perennial grasses have not previously been documented for the dryland, frost‐prone summer‐dominant rainfall region of eastern Australia. An experiment was conducted in northern inland New South Wales with Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora and Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier, and compared to Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor x S. bicolor ssp. drummondii (forage sorghum). The grasses were harvested every 2 or 6 weeks and fertilized at five rates of nitrogen (N; 0–300 kg N ha−1) over two growing seasons (September–May), 2006–2007 and 2007–2008. Growing season rainfall was below median for both years of the experiment and growth rate was highly variable, reflecting variable rainfall. Sorghum generally had the highest growth rate. Digit grass generally had higher growth rates than Rhodes grass, was more responsive to growing season rainfall, commenced growth earlier and had a longer growing season. Nitrogen application extended the growing season of both perennial grasses. Growth response to N application was minimal when rainfall was low and response following significant rainfall was higher for fertilized than unfertilized grasses. In general, the proportion of green leaf was greater than green stem, although the proportion of stem increased when defoliation interval increased. Nutritive value of the perennial grasses was higher in leaf than stem and declined during the growing season. Differences between the grasses were slight, but indicated that fertilized digit grass defoliated at 2‐week intervals had higher growth rate and nutritive value than Rhodes grass.