bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morbidity and mortality of elderly patients following cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
Authors: Wong Evelyn Y.T. , Tan Grace H.C. , Chia Claramae S.L. , Kumar Mrinal , Soo Khee Chee , Teo Melissa C.C. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimCytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is known to improve survival in selected patients with peritoneal metastasis. However, there is limited data supporting the role of CRS and HIPEC in elderly patients (≥65 years old).MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent CRS‐HIPEC between April 2001 and July 2015 from a single institution was performed. Patients were divided into two groups non‐elderly (<65 years old), and elderly (≥65 years old). Clinico‐ pathological parameters, morbidity and overall (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) of the patients were compared.ResultsA total of 177 patients (median age 52, range 9–74) underwent CRS‐HIPEC with curative intent. There were 159 non‐elderly patients and 18 elderly patients. Median PCI scores were 12 (0–39) for the non‐ elderly patients and 11 (1–29) for the elderly patients (p=0.77). High‐grade complications occurred in 39 non‐elderly patients (24.5%) and 8 elderly patients (44.4%) (p=0.79), while 58 non‐elderly patients (38.7%) and 7 elderly patients (41.2%) stayed in ICU for more than 1 day (p=0.69). There was no difference in the 30‐day mortality between the two groups (0% vs. 0%, p=1). After a median follow‐up of 16 months for all patients, there was no difference in 5‐years OS (51.0% vs. 59.6%, p=0.88) and 5‐years DFS (23.3% vs. 53.3%, p=0.60) between non‐elderly and elderly patients.ConclusionsSurgical outcomes after CRS‐HIPEC do not differ significantly between non‐elderly and elderly patients. Hence, age should not be a contraindication in selecting patients for CRS and HIPEC.
Dental patch testing in patients with undifferentiated oral lichen planus
Authors: Tiwari Shevya M , Gebauer Kurt , Frydrych Agnieszka M , Burrows Sally 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesDistinguishing between oral lichen planus (LP) and lichenoid reactions to dental restorations can be impossible on clinical and histopathological grounds. Epicutaneous patch testing is an investigation that may guide patients and physicians in making timely and costly decisions to replace or cover existing dental restorations. This study aimed to assess the role of epicutaneous patch testing with a battery of dental allergens in patients with undifferentiated oral LP.MethodsA retrospective review of the medical records of patients with biopsy‐proven oral LP referred by an oral medicine specialist and who presented for dental epicutaneous patch testing at a dermatology clinic in Perth, Western Australia between 2009 and 2016 was performed.ResultsIn total, 68 patients were included, of whom 54 (79%) had positive patch tests. Gold 26 (48%), mercury 24 (44%), nickel 22 (41%), copper 19 (35%), potassium dichromate 14 (26%) and methylhydroquinone 13 (24%) were the most common allergens for which patients tested positive. Hypothyroidism and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were associated with negative patch tests (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). Smoking history, other medications and comorbidities, the location of the dental restorations and unilateral or bilateral disease were not significantly associated with the patch test results. Restorations were removed in 23 patients: 21 of these (91%) had positive epicutaneous patch tests. Of the 20 patients followed up, 19 (95%) experienced some improvement, among whom 11 (58%) had complete remission.ConclusionEpicutaneous patch testing disclosed a high proportion of relevant positives. This guided the clinical decision to change dental restorations, with high rate of clinical improvement.
A systematic review of reviews: exploring the relationship between obesity, weight loss and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Kolotkin R. L. , Andersen J. R. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThis is the first systematic review of reviews to assess the effect of obesity and weight loss on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). We identified 12 meta‐analyses/systematic reviews published between January 2001 and July 2016. They addressed the following themes: (i) the relationship between weight/body mass index and HRQoL (baseline/pre‐intervention; n = 2). (ii) HRQoL after weight loss (varied interventions and/or study design; n = 2). (iii) HRQoL after weight loss (randomized controlled trials only; n = 2). (iv) HRQoL after bariatric surgery (n = 6). We found that in all populations, obesity was associated with significantly lower generic and obesity‐specific HRQoL. The relationship between weight loss and improved HRQoL was consistently demonstrated after bariatric surgery, perhaps due to a greater than average weight loss compared with other treatments. Improved HRQoL was evident after non‐surgical weight loss, but was not consistently demonstrated, even in randomized controlled trials. This inconsistency may be attributed to variation in quality of reporting, assessment measures, study populations and weight‐loss interventions. We recommend longer‐term studies, using both generic and obesity‐specific measures, which go beyond HRQoL in isolation to exploring mediators of HRQoL changes and interactions with other variables, such as comorbidities, fitness level and body image.
Variation in aluminium patch test reactivity over time
Authors: Siemund Ingrid , Mowitz Martin , Zimerson Erik , Bruze Magnus , Hindsén Monica 
Published: July 2017

SummaryBackgroundContact allergy to aluminium has been reported more frequently in recent years. It has been pointed out that positive patch test reactions to aluminium may not be reproducible on retesting.ObjectivesTo investigate possible variations in patch test reactivity to aluminium over time.MethodsTwenty‐one adults, who had previously reacted positively to aluminium, were patch tested with equimolar dilution series in pet. of aluminium chloride hexahydrate and aluminium lactate, four times over a period of 8 months.ResultsThirty‐six of 84 (43%) serial dilution tests with aluminium chloride hexahydrate and 49 of 84 (58%) serial dilution tests with aluminium lactate gave negative results. The range of reactivity varied between a negative reaction to aluminium chloride hexahydrate at 10% and/or to aluminium lactate at 12%, and a positive reaction to aluminium chloride hexahydrate at 0.1% and/or to aluminium lactate at 0.12%. The highest individual difference in test reactivity noticed was 320‐fold when the two most divergent minimal eliciting concentrations were compared.ConclusionsThe patch test reactivity to aluminium varies over time. Aluminium‐allergic individuals may have false‐negative reactions. Therefore, retesting with aluminium should be considered when there is a strong suspicion of aluminium contact allergy.
Persistency of the momentum effect
Authors: Chen Hong‐Yi , Chou Pin‐Huang , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe intermediate‐term momentum persistency is not universal among all stocks. More than 40% of winners and losers immediately fall out of their respective groups in the month following formation, resulting in a monthly loss of more than 17% for a momentum strategy constructed on such stocks. By contrast, persistent winners and losers, defined as those staying in their groups for at least one more month, exhibit much stronger momentum persistency. Further analysis indicates that, consistent with the delayed reaction hypothesis for price momentum, the persistency is stronger for stocks with greater information asymmetry and more extensively heterogeneous investor beliefs.
Survival impact of lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus‐positive or non‐B non‐C patients who underwent curative resection
Authors: Nakagawa Shigeki , Umezaki Naoki , Yamao Takanobu , Kaida Takayoshi , Okabe Hirohisa , Mima Kosuke , Imai Katsunori , Hashimoto Daisuke , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Ishiko Takatoshi , Chikamoto Akira , Baba Hideo 
Published: July 2017

AimThe prognostic value of lymphocyte infiltration into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial, and it has not been reported in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐positive or non‐B non‐C (NBNC) HCC. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic significance of lymphocyte infiltrate in tumor for HBV‐positive and NBNC HCC patients.MethodsThis study investigated 145 HBV‐positive or NBNC patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between January 2001 and May 2009. Cumulative recurrence rate, overall survival (OS), and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed according to lymphocyte infiltration in tumor.ResultsIn patients with low lymphocyte infiltration, the 5‐year recurrence rate was higher and OS was poor (86.4 and 44.1%, respectively) than that of the patients with high lymphocyte infiltration (55.3 and 83.7%, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that independent risk factors for recurrence were low albumin value (hazard ratio [HR] 2.33, P = 0.009), high American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) T stage (HR 2.31, P < 0.0001), high α‐fetoprotein (AFP) value (HR 2.06, P = 0.005), and low lymphocyte infiltration (HR 2.50, P = 0.0001). The independent risk factors for OS were low albumin value (HR 3.69, P = 0.003), high AJCC T stage (HR 2.10, P = 0.049), high AFP value (HR 3.98, P < 0.001), and low lymphocyte infiltration (HR 3.47, P = 0.001).ConclusionsLymphocyte infiltrate in tumor is significantly associated high recurrence rate and poor overall survival. Evaluation of the infiltrating lymphocyte could improve the prediction of prognosis in HCC patients after curative resection.
Dynamics of genetic and morphological diversification in an incipient intra‐island radiation of Philippine rodents (Muridae: Bullimus)
Authors: Kyriazis Christopher C. , Bates John M. , Heaney Lawrence R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimTo investigate patterns of genetic and morphological differentiation in a ‘New Endemic’ Philippine rodent (Bullimus) and examine the dynamics on intra‐island speciation on oceanic islands.LocationThe Philippine archipelago, focusing on Luzon Island.MethodsWe examined patterns of genetic differentiation by sequencing one mitochondrial and three nuclear loci for an archipelago‐wide sampling of Bullimus, which we analysed using phylogenetic, population genetic, and coalescent‐based methods. We also measured 16 craniodental features for Bullimus luzonicus to examine morphological differentiation on Luzon.ResultsTime‐calibrated species tree analysis indicated that Bullimus colonized the southern Philippines during the late Pliocene or Pleistocene and diversified on Luzon during the last c. 540 kyr. We found substantial phylogeographical structure in B. luzonicus, most completely developed in the southern part of the island, where colonization initially occurred. Coalescent species delimitation analysis indicated strong support for genetic isolation among eight B. luzonicus populations, however, morphometric analyses suggested that only two or three of these populations were morphologically distinctive.Main conclusionsPhylogeographical structure in B. luzonicus largely corresponded to Luzon's numerous isolated mountain ranges, which likely played a major role in driving diversification in central/northern Luzon over the last c. 230 kyr. The majority of B. luzonicus populations appear to be in the process of speciation, with only the furthest south population from Camarines Sur warranting elevation to species status. We found little evidence for diversification in B. bagobus on Mindanao, suggesting that Luzon may be an exceptional setting for murid rodent diversification.
Assessment of a liquid larval diet for rearing Dacus species and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Anato F. M. , Bokonon‐Ganta A. H. , Gnanvossou D. , Hanna R. , Chang C. L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSpecies of the genus Dacus are important insect pests of fruits and vegetables. Two Dacus species, Dacus punctatifrons Karsch and Dacus vertebratus Bezzi, as well as Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), were reared on a liquid artificial diet, a carrot (Daucus carota L.)‐based solid artificial diet, and a natural fruit host to assess the suitability of the liquid diet for small‐scale rearing of these species. Egg hatch, pupal production, adult emergence and F1 productivity were recorded to evaluate performance of the three species on each diet. Egg hatch on the three diets was more than 50% for D. punctatifrons and B. dorsalis, but for D. vertebratus, egg hatch was less than 40% when they were introduced to the liquid artificial diet. Pupal production for both Dacus species was very low or nil on the liquid artificial diet and the carrot‐based artificial diet, respectively. Adult emergence was low for D. punctatifrons and nil for D. vertebratus on the liquid artificial diet. This study showed that the two Dacus species did not develop well on either the liquid or solid carrot‐based artificial diet whereas B. dorsalis performed well on the liquid diet. Cucumber, the natural host of both Dacus species, was better for small‐scale rearing of these species than the liquid and carrot‐based artificial diets. Nutrients found in cucumber need to be identified to formulate alternative rearing media for Dacus species that are economical and easy to use.
The pitfalls of qualified moral veganism. A critique of Jan Deckers′ holistic health approach to animal ethics
Authors: Paez Eze 
Published: July 2017

AbstractI critically examine Jan Deckers′ position in Animal (De)liberation, where he defends two main views. The first is “qualified moral veganism”: Most humans have a duty to abstain from consuming animal products, even if there are circumstances in which doing so is justified. The author argues, on the one hand, from a pan‐sentientist view that attributes sentience to all elementary entities and their compounds. Thus, all living things (such as animals and plants) have a capacity for positive and negative experiences. On the other hand, he develops a consequentialist view that assigns moral agents the unconditional duty to promote their own “holistic health.” This is partly constituted by the agent's “moral health,” that is, her acting in a morally justified way. On Deckers′ view, moral agents must care for the health of all living entities, give greater weight to the interests of organisms to which they are more closely biologically related, and respect the integrity of nature. Diets containing animal products have a very high negative health impact, because of how they affect the environment, human food security, and the well‐being of nonhuman animals. In addition, even though plants are sentient, they are likely less so than animals, and their interests must be given less weight. Therefore, most humans should shift to a vegan diet. Deckers′ second proposal is that a qualified ban on the consumption of animal products should be enacted. After discarding other alternative strategies, Deckers defends its feasibility relying on data obtained via a series of surveys. Though the argument partly succeeds in developing a coherent account accommodating the author's intuitions, I conclude that his ontological and normative frameworks remain too underdeveloped, his appeal to biological relatedness has implausible implications, and the methodology he uses in defence of his political position is problematic.
Seed dispersal by hornets: An unusual insect‐plant mutualism
Authors: Chen Gao , Wang Zheng‐Wei , Qin Yan , Sun Wei‐Bang 
Published: July 2017

SummaryVespicochory, seed dispersal by hornets, is a rare seed dispersal mechanism in angiosperms and, to date, there are few records of this phenomenon. Through field investigations and behavioral assays conducted in four populations of Stemona tuberosa from 2011–2016, we demonstrate that hornets are the primary seed dispersers of S. tuberosa and play an important role in “long‐distance” seed dispersal in this species. Furthermore, some ant species act as secondary dispersers and may transport the seeds to safe sites. Hornets and ants provide complementary seed dispersal at different spatial scales. This unique example of insect‐plant mutualism may be an underestimated but important strategy to ensure “long‐distance” seed dispersal in other myrmecochorous plants.
Müller glia and phagocytosis of cell debris in retinal tissue
Authors: Bejarano‐Escobar Ruth , Sánchez‐Calderón Hortensia , Otero‐Arenas Josué , Martín‐Partido Gervasio , Francisco‐Morcillo Javier 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMüller cells are the predominant glial cell type in the retina of vertebrates. They play a wide variety of roles in both the developing and the mature retina that have been widely reported in the literature. However, less attention has been paid to their role in phagocytosis of cell debris under physiological, pathological or experimental conditions. Müller glia have been shown to phagocytose apoptotic cell bodies originated during development of the visual system. They also engulf foreign molecules that are injected into the eye, cone outer segments and injured photoreceptors. Phagocytosis of photoreceptor cell debris in the light‐damaged teleost retina is primarily carried out by Müller cells. Once the microglial cells become activated and migrate to the photoreceptor cell layer, the phagocytic activity of Müller cells progressively decreases, suggesting a possible mechanism of communication between Müller cells and neighbouring microglia and photoreceptors. Additionally, it has been shown that phagocytic Müller cells acquire proliferating activity in the damaged teleost retina, suggesting that engulfment of apoptotic photoreceptor debris might stimulate the Müller glia to proliferate during the regenerative response. These findings highlight Müller glia phagocytosis as an underlying mechanism contributing to degeneration and regeneration under pathological conditions.
Gamma irradiation‐induced disease resistance of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia “Niitaka”) against Penicillium expansum
Authors: Jeong Rae‐Dong , Jeong Mi‐Ae , Park Mi‐Ri 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this study, the effects of gamma irradiation on the resistance of pear fruit against Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mould disease, were investigated. A low dose of gamma irradiation for 14 days increased the disease resistance and firmness of pear fruits. Remarkably, exposure to 200 Gy of gamma irradiation significantly maintained fruit firmness, markedly reduced disease incidence and enhanced the activity of defence‐related enzymes (e.g., β‐1,3‐glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) and expression of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes (e.g., PR‐1, PR‐3 and PR‐4). Therefore, the gamma irradiation‐induced resistance against P. expansum involves both metabolic changes and the induction of expression of defence‐related genes. In addition, scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that gamma irradiation significantly inhibits the growth of P. expansum. These results suggest that exposure of mature harvested pear fruits to artificial gamma irradiation confers fungal disease resistance; therefore, gamma irradiation represents an important strategy for controlling postharvest diseases in pear fruit.
Pharmaco‐parasitological evaluation of the ricobendazole plus levamisole nematodicidal combination in cattle
Authors: Canton C. , Ceballos L. , Domínguez M. P. , Moreno L. , Fiel C. , Bernat G. , Farías C. , Lanusse C. , Alvarez L. 
Published: July 2017

The goals of the current study were to evaluate the potential pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions and the clinical efficacy occurring after the subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of ricobendazole (RBZ) and levamisole (LEV) given both separately and co‐administered to calves naturally infected with susceptible gastrointestinal nematodes. The clinical efficacy was shown in two seasons, winter and spring, with predominance of different nematode populations. Groups of 15 calves were treated with RBZ alone, LEV alone and RBZ + LEV combination, and an untreated group was kept as a Control. RBZ and LEV plasma concentrations were quantified by HPLC. The clinical efficacy was determined by the faecal egg count reduction test. RBZ and LEV have similar plasma persistence, being detected in plasma over 24 hr post‐treatment. No PK interactions were observed after the combined treatment, with similar PK parameters (p > .05) obtained for the single‐drug and the combination‐based strategy. In winter, the observed clinical efficacies were 96%, 99% and 100% for groups treated with RBZ, LEV and RBZ + LEV, respectively; however, in spring, the efficacies were 95%, 93% and 96% for the same groups. Remarkably, the combination was the only treatment that achieved 100% clinical efficacy against both Haemonchus spp and Ostertagia spp in winter; but the increased presence of Ostertagia spp. in spring (28% in untreated group) determined a tendency to reduced efficacies compared to winter time (only 10% of Ostertagia spp. in untreated group), even for the combined treatment. Overall, in a scenario where the nematode population is susceptible, the RBZ + LEV treatment may be a valid combination in cattle to delay the development of resistance, especially in winter when this combination achieved 100% of efficacy. Thus, selection of anthelmintic resistance will never occur. In fact, this is one of the greatest challenges for the whole cattle production system: to be one step ahead of anthelmintic resistance.
Orally administered Chrysin improves post‐thawed sperm quality and fertility of rooster
Authors: Zhandi M , Ansari M , Roknabadi P , Zare Shahneh A , Sharafi M 
Published: July 2017

ContentsChrysin is a bioflavonoid compound found in passion flower, chamomile, propolis and honey at high levels. Post‐thawed sperm quality and fertility of Chrysin‐fed roosters were assessed in this study. Twenty 40‐week‐old male broiler breeders were randomly divided into four groups and fed basal diet supplemented with different levels of Chrysin including 0 (Ch‐0), 25 (Ch‐25), 50 (Ch‐50) or 75 (Ch‐75) mg/day for 12 consecutive weeks. Semen samples were weekly collected from 6th to 9th week of experiment to evaluate some sperm quality parameters including total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and functionality (in fresh and post‐thawed samples) and mitochondrial activity (only in post‐thawed samples). Also, collected semen samples from 10th, 11th and 12th week of experiment were frozen and then artificially inseminated to test fertility rate. According to the results, an improvement in both fresh and post‐thawed sperm quality including total [fresh: 88.00 ± 0.58 and 87.25 ± 0.67 (p < .01); post‐thawed: 51.07 ± 2.05 and 52.72 ± 1.96 (p < .01)] and progressive motility [fresh: 76.00 ± 0.58 and 78.25 ± 0.65 (p < .01); post‐thawed: 40.61 ± 2.01 and 39.88 ± 2.01 (p < .01)], plasma membrane integrity [fresh: 91.60 ± 0.58 and 89.85 ± 0.59 (p < .01); post‐thawed: 56.99 ± 1.86 and 54.39 ± 1.86 (p < .01)] and functionality [fresh: 75.40 ± 0.42 and 77.90 ± 0.96 (p < .01); post‐thawed: 45.69 ± 1.71 and 46.35 ± 1.71 (p < .01)] was noted for both Ch‐50 and Ch‐75, respectively, groups compared to control group. Despite no significant change in mitochondrial activity, fertility rate of post‐thawed spermatozoa was significantly improved in all Chrysin‐fed groups compared to Ch‐0 group. In conclusion, oral Chrysin administration to roosters could ameliorate cryopreservation‐induced impairment of sperm quality and fertility rate.