bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of time to testosterone rebound and comorbidity on the risk of cause‐specific mortality in men with unfavorable‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: McDuff Susan G.R. , Chen Ming‐Hui , Renshaw Andrew A. , Loffredo Marian J. , Kantoff Philip W. , D'Amico Anthony V. 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUNDHerein, the authors evaluated how the time to testosterone rebound (TTR) after radiotherapy (RT) and 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) impacted the risk of prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) and cardiovascular‐specific mortality (CVM) among men with varying comorbidity extent.METHODSBetween 1995 and 2001, a total of 206 men who were randomized to receive RT either alone or with 6 months of ADT for unfavorable‐risk PC and who had a comorbidity score assigned using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 metric comprised the study cohort. Multivariable competing risk regression was used to evaluate the impact of and possible interaction between comorbidity and TTR on PCSM and CVM.RESULTSAfter a median follow‐up of 18.19 years, 30 men (18.6%), 39 men (24.2%), and 92 men (57.1%), respectively, had died of PC, CV disease, or other causes. As TTR increased, PCSM significantly decreased in men with no or minimal (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.53, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.34‐0.84 [P =.007]) and moderate to severe (AHR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.14‐0.99 [P = .048]) comorbidity. However, increasing TTR significantly increased the risk of CVM among men with moderate to severe comorbidity (AHR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.40‐2.49 [P <.001]), but not those with no or minimal comorbidity (AHR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.57‐1.29 [P =.46]), leading to a significant interaction between TTR and comorbidity (P = .001).CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study indicate that considering an intermittent course of ADT such that the TTR approaches 18 months, instead of continuous long‐term administration of ADT, in men with moderate to severe comorbidity and high‐risk PC may reduce the increased risk of CVM without increasing the risk of PCSM. Cancer 2018;124:1391‐9. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Modulating Gene Expression in Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV)‐Positive B Cell Lines with CRISPRa and CRISPRi
Authors: Wang Liang Wei , Trudeau Stephen J. , Wang Chong , Gerdt Catherine , Jiang Sizun , Zhao Bo , Gewurz Benjamin E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEpstein‐Barr virus (EBV) transforms small resting primary B cells into large lymphoblastoid cells which are able to grow and survive in vitro indefinitely. These cells represent a model for oncogenesis. In this unit, variants of conventional clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), namely the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) methods, are discussed in the context of gene regulation at genomic DNA promoter and enhancer elements. Lymphoblastoid B cell lines (LCLs) stably expressing nuclease‐deficient Cas9 (dCas9)‐VP64 (Cas9 associated with CRISPRa) or dCas9‐KRAB (Cas9 associated with CRISPRi) are transduced with lentivirus that encodes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) that targets a specific gene locus. The ribonucleoprotein complex formed by the dCas9 molecule and its cognate sgRNA enables sequence‐specific binding at a promoter or enhancer of interest to affect the expression of genes regulated by the targeted promoter or enhancer. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sepsis‐induced activation of endogenous GLP‐1 system is enhanced in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Perl Sivan H. , Bloch Olga , Zelnic‐Yuval Dana , Love Itamar , Mendel‐Cohen Lior , Flor Hadar , Rapoport Micha J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundHigh levels of circulating GLP‐1 are associated with severity of sepsis in critically ill nondiabetic patients. Whether patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) display different activation of the endogenous GLP‐1 system during sepsis and whether it is affected by diabetes‐related metabolic parameters are not known.MethodsSerum levels of GLP‐1 (total and active forms) and its inhibitor enzyme sDPP‐4 were determined by ELISA on admission and after 2 to 4 days in 37 sepsis patients with (n = 13) and without T2D (n = 24) and compared to normal healthy controls (n = 25). Correlations between GLP‐1 system activation and clinical, inflammatory, and diabetes‐related metabolic parameters were performed.ResultsA 5‐fold (P < .001) and 2‐fold (P < .05) increase in active and total GLP‐1 levels, respectively, were found on admission as compared to controls. At 2 to 4 days from admission, the level of active GLP‐1 forms in surviving patients were decreased significantly (P < .005), and positively correlated with inflammatory marker CRP (r = 0.33, P = .05). T2D survivors displayed a similar but more enhanced pattern of GLP‐1 response than nondiabetic survivors. Nonsurvivors demonstrate an early extreme increase of both total and active GLP‐1 forms, 9.5‐fold and 5‐fold, respectively (P < .05). The initial and late levels of circulating GLP‐1 inhibitory enzyme sDPP‐4 were twice lower in all studied groups (P < .001), compared with healthy controls.ConclusionsTaken together, these data indicate that endogenous GLP‐1 system is activated during sepsis. Patients with T2D display an enhanced and prolonged activation as compared to nondiabetic patients. Extreme early increased GLP‐1 levels during sepsis indicate poor prognosis.
Useful surrogates of soil texture for plant ecologists from airborne gamma‐ray detection
Authors: Read Cassia F. , Duncan David H. , Ho Chiu Yee Catherine , White Matt , Vesk Peter A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPlant ecologists require spatial information on functional soil properties but are often faced with soil classifications that are not directly interpretable or useful for statistical models. Sand and clay content are important soil properties because they indicate soil water‐holding capacity and nutrient content, yet these data are not available for much of the landscape. Remotely sensed soil radiometric data offer promise for developing statistical models of functional soil properties applicable over large areas. Here, we build models linking radiometric data for an area of 40,000 km2 with soil physicochemical data collected over a period of 30 years and demonstrate a strong relationship between gamma radiometric potassium (40K), thorium (²³²Th), and soil sand and clay content. Our models showed predictive performance of 43% with internal cross‐validation (to held‐out data) and ~30% for external validation to an independent test dataset. This work contributes to broader availability and uptake of remote sensing products for explaining patterns in plant distribution and performance across landscapes.
Swift action increases the success of population reinforcement for a declining prairie grouse
Authors: Hardy Michael A. , Hull Scott D. , Zuckerberg Benjamin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTranslocations have become an increasingly valuable tool for conservation in recent years, but assessing the successfulness of translocations and identifying factors that contribute to their success continue to challenge biologists. As a unique class of translocation, population reinforcements have received relatively little attention despite representing a substantial portion of translocation programs. Here, we conducted population viability analyses to quantify the effects of 216 reinforcement scenarios on the long‐term viability of four populations of Greater Prairie‐Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) in Wisconsin, USA, and used multiple linear regression to identify factors that had the greatest relative influence on population viability. We considered reinforcements from outside of the study area in addition to translocations among Wisconsin populations. We observed the largest decreases in site‐specific extinction probability and the largest increases in the number of sites persisting for 50 years when more vulnerable populations were targeted for reinforcement. Conversely, reinforcing the most stable sites caused the greatest reduction in regional extinction probability. We found that the number of translocated hens was a comparatively poor predictor of changes in long‐term population viability, whereas the earlier onset of reinforcement was consistently associated with the greatest increases in viability. Our results highlight the value of evaluating alternative reinforcement strategies a priori and considering the effects of reinforcement on metrics of long‐term population persistence.
The century experiment: the first twenty years of UC Davis' Mediterranean agroecological experiment
Authors: Wolf Kristina M. , Torbert Emma E. , Bryant Dennis , Burger Martin , Denison R. Ford , Herrera Israel , Hopmans Jan , Horwath Will , Kaffka Stephen , Kong Angela Y. Y. , Norris R. F. , Six Johan , Tomich Thomas P. , Scow Kate M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe Century Experiment at the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility at the University of California, Davis provides long‐term agroecological data from row crop systems in California's Central Valley starting in 1993. The Century Experiment was initially designed to study the effects of a gradient of water and nitrogen availability on soil properties and crop performance in ten different cropping systems to measure tradeoffs and synergies between agricultural productivity and sustainability. Currently systems include 11 different cropping systems–consisting of four different crops and a cover crop mixture–and one native grass system. This paper describes the long‐term core data from the Century Experiment from 1993–2014, including crop yields and biomass, crop elemental contents, aerial‐photo‐based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, soil properties, weather, chemical constituents in irrigation water, winter weed populations, and operational data including fertilizer and pesticide application amounts and dates, planting dates, planting quantity and crop variety, and harvest dates. This data set represents the only known long‐term set of data characterizing food production and sustainability in irrigated and rainfed Mediterranean annual cropping systems. There are no copyright restrictions associated with the use of this dataset.
Litter removal in a tropical rain forest reduces fine root biomass and production but litter addition has few effects
Authors: Rodtassana C. , Tanner E. V. J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMany old‐growth lowland tropical rain forests are potentially nutrient limited, and it has long been thought that many such forests maintain growth by recycling nutrients from decomposing litter. We investigated this by continuously removing (for 10 yr) freshly fallen litter from five (45 m × 45 m) plots, adding it to five other plots, there were five controls. From monthly measures over 1 yr we show that litter removal caused lower: fine root (≤2 mm diameter) standing mass, fine root standing length, fine root length production and fine root length survivorship. Litter addition did not significantly change fine root mass or length or production. Nutrient concentrations in fine roots in litter removal plots were lower than those in controls for nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), concentrations in fine roots in litter addition plots were higher for N and Ca. Chronic litter removal has resulted in reduced forest growth due to lack of nutrients, probably nitrogen. Conversely, long‐term litter addition has had fewer effects.
Machine‐learned analysis of quantitative sensory testing responses to noxious cold stimulation in healthy subjects
Authors: Weyer‐Menkhoff I. , Thrun M.C. , Lötsch J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPain in response to noxious cold has a complex molecular background probably involving several types of sensors. A recent observation has been the multimodal distribution of human cold pain thresholds. This study aimed at analysing reproducibility and stability of this observation and further exploration of data patterns supporting a complex background.MethodPain thresholds to noxious cold stimuli (range 32–0 °C, tonic: temperature decrease −1 °C/s, phasic: temperature decrease −8 °C/s) were acquired in 148 healthy volunteers. The probability density distribution was analysed using machine‐learning derived methods implemented as Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM), emergent self‐organizing maps and self‐organizing swarms of data agents.ResultsThe probability density function of pain responses was trimodal (mean thresholds at 25.9, 18.4 and 8.0 °C for tonic and 24.5, 18.1 and 7.5 °C for phasic stimuli). Subjects' association with Gaussian modes was consistent between both types of stimuli (weighted Cohen's κ = 0.91). Patterns emerging in self‐organizing neuronal maps and swarms could be associated with different trends towards decreasing cold pain sensitivity in different Gaussian modes. On self‐organizing maps, the third Gaussian mode emerged as particularly distinct.ConclusionThresholds at, roughly, 25 and 18 °C agree with known working temperatures ofTRPM8 andTRPA1 ion channels, respectively, and hint at relative local dominance of either channel in respective subjects. Data patterns suggest involvement of further distinct mechanisms in cold pain perception at lower temperatures. Findings support data science approaches to identify biologically plausible hints at complex molecular mechanisms underlying human pain phenotypes.SignificanceSensitivity to pain is heterogeneous. Data‐driven computational research approaches allow the identification of subgroups of subjects with a distinct pattern of sensitivity to cold stimuli. The subgroups are reproducible with different types of noxious cold stimuli. Subgroups show pattern that hints at distinct and inter‐individually different types of the underlying molecular background.
Mn3O4 Nanoparticle‐Decorated Carbon Cloths with Superior Catalytic Activity for the VII/VIII Redox Reaction in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Zeng L. , Zhao T. S. , Wei L. , Zeng Y. K. , Zhou X. L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMn3O4 nanoparticle‐decorated carbon cloths are prepared as the electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles are prepared using a two‐step process, in which MnOOH nanoflakes are electrodeposited on the surface of the carbon cloth and subsequently converted to Mn3O4 nanoparticles by a thermal treatment. The prepared electrode exhibits a superior electrocatalytic activity toward the VII/VIII redox reaction. It is demonstrated that the peak potential separation of the VII/VIII redox reaction on the as‐prepared electrode is reduced from 402.0 mV to 82.4 mV at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1 when the pristine carbon cloth is deposited with Mn3O4 nanoparticles. The flow battery with carbon cloths decorated with 0.31 mg cm−2 of Mn3O4 nanoparticles as the electrode exhibits an energy efficiency of 88 %, which is 17 % higher than that of the battery assembled with the pristine carbon cloth at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. Therefore, the superior electrocatalytic activity of Mn3O4 nanoparticles reported offers a promising approach to improve the performance of carbon‐based electrodes, which can reduce the capital cost of vanadium redox flow batteries.
Acute toxicity of 6 neonicotinoid insecticides to freshwater invertebrates
Authors: Raby Melanie , Nowierski Monica , Perlov Dmitri , Zhao Xiaoming , Hao Chunyan , Poirier David G. , Sibley Paul K. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides commonly used in agriculture. Due to their high water solubility, neonicotinoids can be transported to surface waters and have the potential to be toxic to aquatic life. The present study assessed and compared the acute (48- or 96-h) toxicity of 6 neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) to 21 laboratory-cultured and field-collected aquatic invertebrates spanning 10 aquatic arthropod orders. Test conditions mimicked species’ habitat, with lentic taxa exposed under static conditions, and lotic taxa exposed under recirculating systems. Median lethal concentrations (LC50s) and median effect concentrations (EC50s; immobility) were calculated and used to construct separate lethal- and immobilization-derived species sensitivity distributions for each neonicotinoid, from which 5th percentile hazard concentrations (HC5s) were calculated. The results showed that the most sensitive invertebrates were insects from the orders Ephemeroptera (Neocloeon triangulifer) and Diptera (Chironomus dilutus), whereas cladocerans (Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia) were the least sensitive. The HC5s were compared with neonicotinoid environmental concentrations from Ontario (Canada) monitoring studies. For all neonicotinoids except imidacloprid, the resulting hazard quotients indicated little to no hazard in terms of acute toxicity to aquatic communities in Ontario freshwater streams. For the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, a moderate hazard was found when only invertebrate immobilization, and not lethality, data were considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1430–1445. © 2018 SETAC
Off‐Task Social Breaks and Group Creativity
Authors: Breslin Dermot 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of off‐task breaks, where individuals engage in a collective off‐task activity, on group creativity. Using an experimental method comprising 36 groups of 5 individuals, the relationships between different types of off‐task group break and performance in creative tasks post‐break are explored. When compared to the no‐break case, it is seen that off‐task breaks, in which all individuals participate in the group activity, lead to more original ideas being generated post‐break. On the other hand, individual incubation breaks and self‐organizing group breaks, lead to lower levels of post‐break idea originality when compared with the no‐break case. This research thus highlights the positive benefits of off‐task breaks involving full member participation, on the creative process in groups.
Drift sand fields as a result of past and current deforestation in the Silesian‐Cracow Upland, Poland
Authors: Dulias Renata 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe Silesian‐Cracow Upland, due to the exceptionally large reserves of various natural resources, was under the influence of intense human activity throughout the last millennium. Economic development of the Upland began in the Middle Ages by mining and smelting of iron ore, silver, and lead; from the 18th to the 20th century, the area experienced intense exploitation of coal, zinc and lead ores, stowing sands, as well as dolomites and limestone. Mining and metallurgy have almost always been associated with deforestation. The sandy substrate devoid of vegetation was subjected to aeolian processes, resulting in numerous fields of drift sands. In this paper, based on the analysis of archival and contemporary cartographic materials, as well as historical and archaeological studies and field research, spatial distribution of drift sands was determined, its origin, the time of creation, and durability in the landscape. Research showed that drift sands appeared in the Middle Ages and its ‘desert’ character persisted for 200–300 years, often even for 400–500 years. In the second half of the 20th century, most of the former areas with drift sands were afforested. Currently, bare sands are found only on 2 areas in the Silesian‐Cracow Upland. As unique landscapes, they require special protection because of the biodiversity and geodiversity. Research confirmed that historical interpretations are a valuable source of information about the old landscapes. This knowledge can and should be used by local authorities, institutions, and societies to manage the space, respecting the traces of the settlement and the economic past.
A Tough Composite Hydrogel can Controllably Deliver Hydrophobic Drugs under Ultrasound
Authors: Li Guo , Wang Youpeng , Wang Shuwei , Jiang Jinqiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHydrogels are promising materials for biomedical uses, but they usually lack the ability to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs with proper drug‐releasing stimulating method. Here a composite hydrogel with ultrasound controllable hydrophobic drug release behavior is reported, hydrophobic drug‐loaded silicone oil were dispersed in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel as microdroplets, which not only act as drug reservoirs but also notably enhance the toughness of the hydrogel. Ultrasound is used to trigger the hydrophobic drug release from the hydrogel, high on–off drug release ratios are obtained in the surveyed samples. Mechanism of ultrasound controlled drug release is studied, and the results indicate the mechanical effect is the main reason. The facile and general method of encapsulation and controlled release of hydrophobic drugs from hydrogels proposed in this contribution can be readily extended to other hydrogel system and can potentially broaden the application scope of hydrogel drug delivery.
Testosterone Suppression with Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Agonists in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wilke Derek , Patil Nikhilesh , Hollenhorst Helmut , Bowes David , Rutledge Robert , Ago Casely 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo characterize the probability of testosterone escape during a course of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation (ADT) in patients with prostate cancer, and examine predictors of testosterone escape, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels during testosterone escape, and the impact of testosterone escape on outcome.Patients and MethodsTo participate in the database review, necessary data included: (i) type of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) administered, date of initiation, and date of cessation or duration of therapy, (ii) radiotherapy information (start date and dose) with at least 6 months of follow‐up after radiotherapy, (iii) radiotherapy to the prostate or prostate bed, and (iv) at least one serum testosterone and PSA measurement.ResultsFive hundred sixty patients in the database were identified as being treated with radiotherapy and ADT. Three hundred seventy‐five patients had at least one measurement of testosterone and PSA, and the type of LHRHa used could be determined in 361 patients. Median follow‐up of patients still living was 4.7 years. The median number of testosterone measurements per patient was six. The incidence of testosterone escape per patient course of treatment was buserelin, 9.3%; goserelin, 10.5%; intramuscular leuprolide, 11.5%; leuprolide subcutaneous, 23.9%; and triptorelin, 6.7% (p = 0.02). There was no difference in either biochemical failure‐free survival or overall survival in patients stratified by testosterone escape. The modal PSA level during a testosterone escape was an undetectable PSA.ConclusionsAn undetectable PSA does not rule out the presence of higher than desired levels of testosterone during ADT. In this cohort of patients, there appears to be no impact of testosterone escape on either biochemical relapse‐free survival or overall survival.