bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating the ‘grey areas’: Australian medical travellers in China's stem cell bionetwork
Authors: Brophy Jane 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe last decade has seen a marked rise in the phenomenon of the so‐called stem cell tourism, whereby people travel from their home countries to access unproven stem cell treatments abroad. Despite increasing attempts on an international level from regulators, policy‐makers and scientists to deter people from undergoing potentially harmful treatments, patient demand persists. Over the last decade, China has emerged as a leading destination for people seeking such treatments, where providers of treatments operate in varying ‘shades of grey’. While Chinese government intervention has had some impact on the availability of treatments within China, top‐down regulatory measures face limitations considering strong patient demand and the geographical flexibility demonstrated by both patients and providers. This article draws on interviews with Australian patients who have travelled to China for stem cell treatments, or considered it and decided against it, as well as representatives of stem cell clinics in China and other stakeholders. It argues that Australian patients and/or carers articulate a culturally situated moral imperative to act in the face of limited conventional biomedical options and that commercial clinics capitalise on this to attract new patients and sustain the demand – either ‘underground’ in China, or by moving to other jurisdictions.
Safely removing cell debris with LC3‐associated phagocytosis
Authors: Fazeli Gholamreza , Wehman Ann Marie 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPhagocytosis and autophagy are two distinct pathways that degrade external and internal unwanted particles. Both pathways lead to lysosomal degradation inside the cell, and over the last decade, the line between them has blurred; autophagy proteins were discovered on phagosomes engulfing foreign bacteria, leading to the proposal of LC3‐associated phagocytosis (LAP). Many proteins involved in macroautophagy are used for phagosome degradation, although Atg8/LC3 family proteins only decorate the outer membrane of LC3‐associated phagosomes, in contrast to both autophagosome membranes. A few proteins distinguish LAP from autophagy, such as components of the autophagy pre‐initiation complex. However, most LAP cargo is wrapped in multiple layers of membranes, making them similar in structure to autophagosomes. Recent evidence suggests that LC3 is important for the degradation of internal membranes, explaining why LC3 would be a vital part of both macroautophagy and LAP. In addition to removing invading pathogens, multicellular organisms also use LAP to degrade cell debris, including cell corpses and photoreceptor outer segments. The post‐mitotic midbody remnant is another cell fragment, which results from each cell division, that was recently added to the growing list of LAP cargoes. Thus, LAP plays an important role during the normal physiology and homoeostasis of animals.
Psychosocial distress and desire for support among inpatients with skin cancer
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Arnold Andreas , Lutze Stine , Jülich Andreas , Winkler Monique , Bahlmann Johannes , Eggert Claudia , Jünger Michael , Hannich Hans‐Joachim 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundRegular assessment of psychosocial distress is an important component of adequate psycho‐oncological and social support in cancer patients. To date, relevant studies on skin cancer patients have primarily included individuals with melanoma.Objectives(1) Does the need for psychosocial support vary with the type of skin cancer? (2) Do mentally distressed patients desire support? (3) From the various individuals in the treatment team, whom do patients choose as potential contact person?Patients und methodsInpatients with skin cancer were asked to self‐assess their psychosocial situation using the Hornheide questionnaire. In addition, they were asked about their desire for psychosocial support and the preferred potential contact person.ResultsThe need for support among the 116 patients surveyed varied significantly depending on the diagnosis (p = 0.007). However, the direct comparison between patients with melanoma (n = 38; 32.8 %) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 9; 7.8 %) (p = 0.724) or other types of skin cancer (n = 20; 17.2 %) (p = 0.366) revealed no such difference. The prevalence of psychosocial distress (n = 49; 42.2 %) and the desire for support (n = 20; 17.4 %) showed considerable differences. Patients primarily chose a physician (n = 14/35) or a psychologist (n = 13/35) as potential “go‐to” person for their mental distress.ConclusionsApart from psychosocial distress, the desire for support should be assessed, and patients should be provided access to additional psychosocial care options. With respect to the need for psychosocial support, it does not seem to be justified to preferentially – or even exclusively – consider melanoma patients in clinical practice and research.
Ceratocystis platani is killing plane trees in Istanbul (Turkey)
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Oskay F. , Doğmuş Lehtijärvi H. T. , Aday Kaya A. G. , Pecori F. , Santini A. , Woodward S. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryCeratocystis platani was detected at several locations in the European side of Istanbul, causing severe dieback and mortality, mainly on Platanus × acerifolia imported from Italy approximately 160 years ago, but also on Platanus orientalis. In the work reported here, the causal agent of the dieback and mortality was identified based on morphological characteristics in culture and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, confirming the presence of C. platani in Turkey. All analysed C. platani isolates from Istanbul shared the same ITS sequence with European C. platani strains available in the NCBI, but differed from other species previously ascribed to the Ceratocystis fimbriata species complex. Pathogenicity of C. platani was proven by inoculation onto 25‐cm‐long and 4–9 mm diam. P. orientalis twigs and the causal agent reisolated from symptomatic tissues. In a survey of 976 Platanus in streets and parks of Istanbul, 26.5% of trees showed symptoms of C. platani infections, whilst 5.6% were dead. The proportion of symptomatic trees was higher where management interventions, such as topping or pruning and felling infected trees had been carried out.
Impairment of GABAergic system contributes to epileptogenesis in glutaric acidemia type I
Authors: Vendramin Pasquetti Mayara , Meier Letícia , Loureiro Samanta , Ganzella Marcelo , Junges Bernardo , Barbieri Caus Letícia , Umpierrez Amaral Alexandre , Koeller David M. , Goodman Stephen , Woontner Michael , Gomes de Souza Diogo Onofre , Wajner Moacir , Calcagnotto Maria Elisa 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectivesGlutaric acidemia type I (GA‐I) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glutaryl‐CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) and characterized by increased levels of glutaric, 3‐OH‐glutaric, and glutaconic acids in the brain parenchyma. The increment of these organic acids inhibits glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and consequently lowers the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis. Untreated patients exhibit severe neurologic deficits during development, including epilepsy, especially following an acute encephalopathy outbreak. In this work, we evaluated the role of the GABAergic system on epileptogenesis in GA‐I using the Gcdh−/− mice exposed to a high lysine diet (Gcdh−/−‐Lys).MethodsSpontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), seizure susceptibility, and changes in brain oscillations were evaluated by video–electroencephalography (EEG). Cortical GABAergic synaptic transmission was evaluated using electrophysiologic and neurochemical approaches.ResultsSRS were observed in 72% of Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, whereas no seizures were detected in age‐matched controls (Gcdh+/+ or Gcdh−/− receiving normal diet). The severity and number of PTZ‐induced seizures were higher in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice. EEG spectral analysis showed a significant decrease in theta and gamma oscillations and predominant delta waves in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, associated with increased EEG left index. Analysis of cortical synaptosomes revealed a significantly increased percentage of glutamate release and decreased GABA release in Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice that were associated with a decrease in cortical GAD immunocontent and activity and confirmed by reduced frequency of inhibitory events in cortical pyramidal cells.SignificanceUsing an experimental model with a phenotype similar to that of GA‐I in humans—the Gcdh−/− mice under high lysine diet (Gcdh−/−‐Lys)—we provide evidence that a reduction in cortical inhibition of Gcdh−/−‐Lys mice, probably induced by GAD dysfunction, leads to hyperexcitability and increased slow oscillations associated with neurologic abnormalities in GA‐I. Our findings offer a new perspective on the pathophysiology of brain damage in GA‐I.
Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system
Authors: Earle E. , McHugh N. , Boland T. M. , Creighton P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born ewe−1 year−1), stocking rate (SR; ewes/ha) and their interaction on herbage dry matter (DM) production, utilization, quality and sward morphology within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system. The study had a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of two ewe PP as dictated by sire breed (180 medium prolificacy potential (MP—Suffolk crossbred) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP—Belclare crossbred)) and three SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes/ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes/ha) and high (HSR: 14 ewes/ha). Each treatment was managed in a rotational grazing system, with LSR, MSR and HSR treatments grazing to target post‐grazing sward heights (PGSH) of 4.55, 4.15 and 3.75 cm respectively. Herbage DM production (above target PGSH) and utilization were highest at the HSR, intermediate at the MSR and lowest at the LSR (p < .001). Ewe PP had no effect on herbage DM production, utilization, quality or sward morphology (p > .05). The proportion of leaf in the sward (above target PGSH) was 4% greater in MSR and HSR compared with LSR (p < .05). In conclusion, findings demonstrate the potential to support increased ewe PP through the selection of ewe genotypes of a genetically higher PP and lower mature live weight and increased SR within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system.
Plasma cell neoplasm as a risk factor for early thrombosis of arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Kinoshita Yoshitaka , Ishikawa Akira , Hara Konan , Sugihara Toru , Ishibashi Yoshitaka , Homma Yukio 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntroduction: We hypothesized that presence of plasma cell neoplasms might be a risk for thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) as well as other well‐known factors including age, sex, race, and presence of diabetes mellitus or certain vascular disorders.Methods: In this single‐center, retrospective study based on medical record data, we investigated the influence of plasma cell neoplasms and the above‐mentioned factors on the occurrence of complete occlusive thrombosis of the AVF within 30 days after surgery for creation of the AVF. Thrombosis was defined as the absence of bruit or thrill on auscultation and palpation, throughout systole and diastole.Findings: We retrospectively assessed the medical records of 91 patients with end‐stage renal failure, including 8 patients with plasma cell neoplasm (5 with multiple myeloma and 3 with amyloid light‐chain amyloidosis), who underwent surgical creation of an AVF at the wrist or anatomical snuff box for the first time between April 2014 and December 2016. Early thrombosis (i.e., within 30 days of surgery) occurred in 50.0% (4/8) and 10.8% (9/83) of patients with and without plasma cell neoplasm, respectively (P = 0.013). Multivariate analysis revealed that, after adjusting for baseline characteristics, plasma cell neoplasm was the only significant risk factor for early AVF thrombosis (odds ratio, 38.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.0–378.9; P = 0.0017).Discussion: Considering the poor prognosis of plasma cell neoplasm and its association with higher risk for AVF thrombosis, another type of vascular access is likely to be more suitable than AVF in such patients.
Pregnancy on short‐daily home hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate: A new hope for the end‐stage renal disease patients
Authors: Leduc Vincent , Ficheux Maxence , Bechade Clémence , Dreyfus Michel , Lobbedez Thierry , Henri Patrick 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntroduction: In France in 2014, there were approximately 1500 patients of reproductive age treated by dialysis. Pregnancy in these patients remains rare, however, the incidence has increased since the 2000s, with a parallel increase in the fetal survival rate. We report 2 cases of pregnancy in short‐daily home hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate.Methods: Short‐daily hemodialysis was continued at the request of the patients. The treatment consisted in an increase of frequency and duration of hemodialysis sessions, an independent blood pressure and dry weight control supervised by nephrological monitoring twice a month and a regular obstetrics follow‐up.Findings: Both patients continued hemodialysis at home until delivery and gave birth to 2 moderately premature babies, without other complication and resumed short‐daily home hemodialysis fastly after delivery.Conclusion: Short‐daily hemodialysis using low dialysate flow rate during pregnancy seems to allow a good control of uremia and blood pressure without requiring a major increase of weekly dialysis duration. Therefore, it could become an alternative to other hemodialysis programs while allowing the patients to continue their treatment at home. However, other studies are necessary in order to define the position of this procedure during pregnancy.
Brentuximab vedotin in CD30+ primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas: a review and analysis of existing data
Authors: Enos Tyler H. , Feigenbaum Lawrence S. , Wickless Heather W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe utility of brentuximab vedotin (BV) in CD30+ systemic lymphomas is established, however evidence for treating primary cutaneous lymphoma remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate BV in treating CD30+ transformed mycosis fungoides (MF) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC‐ALCL).MethodsA literature review was conducted, and we analyzed data from published trials and case reports obtained via search of Ovid‐MEDLINE® and PubMed databases. The search yielded 372 reports, and 10 publications met inclusion criteria. Sixty‐one patients with CD30+ transformed MF and seven with PC‐ALCL were included.ResultsMean age at BV initiation was 60.8 years (67 – PC‐ALCL; 60.1 – MF), and 4.1 therapies were attempted prior to BV (3.1 – PC‐ALCL; 4.2 – MF). The overall response rate was 67.7% (100% – PC‐ALCL; 63.9% – MF), with 16.2% of patients experiencing complete response (100% – PC‐ALCL; 6.6% – MF). Mean time to clinical response was 5.3 and 9.3 weeks for PC‐ALCL and MF, respectively. Mean response duration for patients with PC‐ALCL was 7.6 and 7.8 months for MF. Peripheral neuropathy (57.2%) and fatigue (35.6%) were the most commonly reported adverse effects.ConclusionsThis analysis summates the current evidence regarding the use of BV in treating CD30+ MF and PC‐ALCL. Preliminary results indicate that BV is effective for CD30+ CTCL, however additional studies with larger sample sizes are necessary. The study provides clinicians with the clinical context in which BV may be appropriate as well as information regarding therapeutic expectations and outcomes.
Changing trends in the etiology and management of vesicovaginal fistula
Authors: Malik Muhammad A , Sohail Muhammad , Malik Muhammad TB , Khalid Nauman , Akram Adeen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVesicovaginal fistula has remained a scourge and of public health importance, causing significant morbidity, and psychological and social problems to the patient. Continuous wetness, odor and discomfort cause serious social issues. The diagnosis has been traditionally based on clinical evaluation, dye testing, cystoscopic examination and contrast studies. A successful repair of such fistulas requires an accurate diagnosis and timely surgical intervention using techniques that are based on basic surgical principles with or without the use of interpositional flaps. The method of repair depends on the type and location of the fistula, and the surgeon's training and expertise. The main complications are recurrence and stress/urge incontinence. Prevention must include universal education, improvement in the social and nutritional status of women, discouraging early marriages, and the provision of improved accessible healthcare services.
The effects of stress and sex on selection, genetic covariance, and the evolutionary response
Authors: Holman L. , Jacomb F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe capacity of a population to adapt to selection (evolvability) depends on whether the structure of genetic variation permits the evolution of fitter trait combinations. Selection, genetic variance and genetic covariance can change under environmental stress, and males and females are not genetically independent, yet the combined effects of stress and dioecy on evolvability are not well understood. Here, we estimate selection, genetic (co)variance and evolvability in both sexes of Tribolium castaneum flour beetles under stressful and benign conditions, using a half‐sib breeding design. Although stress uncovered substantial latent heritability, stress also affected genetic covariance, such that evolvability remained low under stress. Sexual selection on males and natural selection on females favoured a similar phenotype, and there was positive intersex genetic covariance. Consequently, sexual selection on males augmented adaptation in females, and intralocus sexual conflict was weak or absent. This study highlights that increased heritability does not necessarily increase evolvability, suggests that selection can deplete genetic variance for multivariate trait combinations with strong effects on fitness, and tests the recent hypothesis that sexual conflict is weaker in stressful or novel environments.
Building Inventory and Refurbishment Scenario Database Development for Switzerland
Authors: Ostermeyer York , Nägeli Claudio , Heeren Niko , Wallbaum Holger 
Published: August 2017

SummaryMaterial usage and the related embodied environmental impact have grown in significance in the built environment. Therefore, cities and governments need to develop strategies to reduce both the consumption of resources during usage phase as well as the embodied impact of the current building stock. This article proposes a new component‐based building inventory database as a basis to develop such strategies using building stock modeling. The developed database clusters the building stock according to building typology (single‐family houses, multifamily houses, and office buildings), age, and the main construction systems of the different building components. Based on the component makeup, it lists the necessary material input and waste output for different refurbishment options for each building component. The advantages of the proposed database structure are shown based on two applications for the developed database for Switzerland. The component‐based database allows optimization of refurbishment strategies not only from an energetic perspective, but also with respect to materials, both on the input (sourcing of materials) and the output (waste streams) level. The database structure makes it possible to continuously extend the data set by adding new refurbishment options or add data such as component‐specific lifetimes, costs, or labor intensities of the refurbishment options. In combination with an aligned economic model, this would give an even more holistic view, impact, and feasibility of different refurbishment scenarios both in environmental and economic terms.
Efficacy and tolerability of a double‐conjugated retinoid cream vs 1.0% retinol cream or 0.025% tretinoin cream in subjects with mild to severe photoaging
Authors: McDaniel David H , Mazur Christopher , Wortzman Mitchell S , Nelson Diane B 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundTopical retinoids are used to treat the visible signs of photoaging. While efficacious, they are irritating.ObjectiveEvaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a double‐conjugate retinoid cream (AlphaRet Overnight Cream; AHA‐Ret) in improving visible signs of photoaging vs 1.0% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin.MethodsA 12‐week, split‐face, randomized trial was conducted in 48 female subjects, aged 30‐65 years with mild to severe photodamage. AHA‐Ret was applied to one side of the face and either retinol (n=24) or tretinoin (n=24) to the other side (PM). Expert blinded evaluation of images and Nova measurements occurred at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Tolerability was assessed throughout the study.ResultsForty‐seven subjects completed the study. AHA‐Ret demonstrated significant reductions in average severity from baseline: Fine Lines/Wrinkles (P<.001; all time points); Erythema (P=.004, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively); Dyschromia (P<.0001; all time points); Skin Tone (P<.0001; all time points), and Pore Size (P=.035, P<.0001; 8 and 12 weeks, respectively). AHA‐Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol at 8 (P=.008) and 12 (P<.02) weeks. AHA‐Ret was noninferior to prescription tretinoin in all categories at 4 and 8 weeks, and for Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Erythema, Dyschromia, and Skin Tone at 12 weeks. Improvements in Hydration occurred at every time point with AHA‐Ret only (P<.04, P<.03, P<.01). Less irritation was reported with AHA‐Ret vs retinol or tretinoin.ConclusionsTreatment with a double‐conjugate retinoid cream demonstrated early reductions in photodamage and improvements in Hydration. AHA‐Ret induced less Erythema vs retinol and was more tolerable vs retinol and tretinoin.
Spiritual Eugenics as Part of the Irish Carceral Archipelago
Authors: Holme Ingrid 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInstitutionalisation has played a key role in Irish social policy, however there is still a lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the governing structures (government departments, medical and education regulators etc.) and those who ran the institutions, such as the Catholic convent institutions for ‘fallen’ women. Specifically a question remains as to the precise logic for transferring girls and women into these settings. This paper expands the debate by exploring the existence of Catholic Convent industries in Ireland through the lenses of spiritual eugenics in the early 20th Century. In contrast to Anglo‐American eugenic practices based on sterilisation and birth control, Latin eugenic practices accepted by the Catholic Church were based on removing women from temptation and may have produced a necessary commitment to long‐term closed institutions. The paper offers a brief description of the differences between eugenics aimed at biological fitness and the practices aimed at spiritual promotion.