bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining the accuracy of pregnancy‐length dating among women presenting for induced abortions in Ghana
Authors: Shellenberg Kristen M. , Antobam Samuel K. , Griffin Risa , Edelman Alison , Voetagbe Gertrude 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the proportion of women presenting for an induced abortion in Ghana who could use a gestational wheel to determine if they had reached at least 13 weeks or fewer than 13 weeks of pregnancy accurately.MethodsThe present cross‐sectional study was conducted at four facilities in Ghana between February 1, and July 31, 2014. Women aged at least 18 years seeking induced abortions who had not previously been informed of the length of their pregnancy by a clinician were enrolled. Women self‐assessed pregnancy duration using a gestational wheel before a clinician assessed the length via clinical assessment and bimanual exam for use as a respective reference point. The proportion of participants who used the wheel successfully was calculated.ResultsThe study enrolled 780 participants, 770 of whom used the gestational wheel. Of these, 221 (28.7%) could use the wheel without verbal instructions, and 465 (60.4%) described it as easy to use. Agreement in pregnancy‐length assessments was recorded for 728 (94.5%) patients. There were 10 (1.3%) and 28 (3.6%) participants who made evaluations with “low‐risk disagreement” and “high‐risk disagreement” with the clinician assessment, respectively.ConclusionAlmost all participants could use the gestational wheel to date their pregnancies correctly. This tool could help women perform medical abortions safely in the community, reducing morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortions.
A cross‐sectional study exploring the incidence of and indications for second‐stage cesarean delivery over three decades
Authors: Pearson Greg A. , MacKenzie Ian Z. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the incidence of, indications for, and complications associated with second‐stage cesarean delivery in 10‐year intervals over 30 years.MethodsThe present analysis of prospectively collected data compared cesarean deliveries during 1976, 1986, 1996, and 2006 at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK (n=3222). Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal details were reviewed.ResultsThe proportion of deliveries by cesarean in the second stage of labor increased from 0.5% (22/4464) in 1976 to 2.1% (124/5998) in 2006 (P<0.001). The proportion of cesarean deliveries during the second stage because of failed instrumental delivery also increased over the study period from 59.1% (13/22) in 1976 to 71.0% (88/124) in 2006. Compared with cesareans at other stages, uterine trauma (P<0.001), blood loss greater than 1000 mL (P=0.002), and blood transfusion (P=0.001) were more frequent in second‐stage cesarean delivery. Neonates delivered by second‐stage cesarean had lower Apgar scores (P<0.001 for 1‐min and 5‐min scores) and cord arterial pH values (P<0.001) than did those delivered by cesarean earlier in labor. A trend towards an increase in neonatal trauma with second‐stage cesarean compared with cesarean delivery before labor or during the first stage did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThe proportion of deliveries by cesarean in the second stage of labor increased; these deliveries were associated with greater maternal and neonatal morbidity, but were not influenced by the indication for cesarean.
Perfect storm: Therapeutic plasma exchange for a patient with thyroid storm
Authors: McGonigle Andrea M. , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Zink Jennifer L. , King Karen E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThyroid storm is a potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism with increased thyroid hormones and exaggerated symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. First‐line therapy includes methimazole (MMI) or propylthiouracil (PTU) to block production of thyroid hormones as a bridge toward definitive surgical treatment. Untreated thyroid storm has a mortality rate of up to 30%; this is particularly alarming when patients cannot tolerate or fail pharmacotherapy, especially if they cannot undergo thyroidectomy. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an ASFA category III indication for thyroid storm, meaning the optimum role of this therapy is not established, and there are a limited number of cases in the literature. Yet TPE can remove T3 and T4 bound to albumin, autoantibodies, catecholamines and cytokines and is likely beneficial for these patients. We report a patient with thyroid storm who could not tolerate PTU, subsequently failed therapy with MMI, and was not appropriate for thyroidectomy. TPE was therefore performed daily for 4 days (1.0 plasma volume with 5% albumin replacement and 2 U of plasma). Over the treatment course, the patient's thyroid hormones normalized and symptoms of thyroid storm largely resolved; his T3 decreased from 2.27 to 0.81 ng/mL (normal 0.8‐2.0), T4 decreased from 4.8 to 1.7 ng/mL (0.8‐1.8), heart rate normalized, altered mental status improved, and he converted to normal sinus rhythm. He was ultimately discharged in euthyroid state. He experienced no side effects from his TPE procedures. TPE is a safe and effective treatment for thyroid storm when conventional treatments are not successful or appropriate.
An Integrated Computational Framework to Assess the Mutational Landscape of α‐L‐Iduronidase IDUA Gene
Authors: Tanwar Himani , George Priya Doss C 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTMucopolysaccharidosis type I is a lysosomal genetic disorder caused due to the deficiency of the α‐L‐iduronidase enzyme (IDUA). Mutations associated with IDUA lead to mild to severe forms of diseases characterized by different clinical features. In the present study, we first performed a comprehensive analysis using various in silico prediction tools to screen and prioritize the missense mutations or nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) associated with IDUA. Subsequently, statistical analysis was empowered to examine the predictive ability and accuracy of the in silico prediction tool results supporting the disease phenotype ranging from mild to severe. Till date, no study has been carried out in IDUA in analyzing the impact of the nsSNPs at the structural level. In this context with the aid of pathogenic and stability prediction in silico tools, we identified nsSNPs R89Q, R89W, and P533R to be most deleterious and disease‐causing having impact on the function of the protein. Extensive molecular dynamics analysis was performed using Gromacs to understand the deleterious nature of the mutants. Variations observed between the trajectory files of native and mutants R89Q, R89W, and P533R using Gromacs utilities enabled us to measure the adverse effects on the protein and could be the underlying reasons for the disease pathogenesis. These findings may be helpful in understanding the genotype‐phenotype relationship and molecular basis of the disease to design drugs for better treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 555–565, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TGF‐β Stimulates Expression of Chondroitin Polymerizing Factor in Nucleus Pulposus Cells Through the Smad3, RhoA/ROCK1, and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hu Bo , Xu Chen , Cao Peng , Tian Ye , Zhang Ying , Shi Changgui , Xu Jun , Yuan Wen , Chen Huajiang 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTThe enzyme chondroitin polymerizing factor (ChPF) is primarily involved in extension of the chondroitin sulfate backbone required for the synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG). Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) upregulates sGAG synthesis in nucleus pulposus cells; however, the mechanisms mediating this induction are incompletely understood. Our study demonstrated that ChPF expression was negatively correlated with the grade of degenerative intervertebral disc disease. Treatment of nucleus pulposus cells with TGF‐β induced ChPF expression and enhanced Smad2/3, RhoA/ROCK activation, and the JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways. Selective inhibitors of Smad2/3, RhoA or ROCK1/2, and knockdown of Smad3 and ROCK1 attenuated ChPF expression and sGAG synthesis induced by TGF‐β. In addition, we showed that RhoA/ROCK1 signaling upregulated ChPF via activation of the JNK pathway but not the p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Moreover, inhibitors of JNK, p38 and ERK1/2 activity also blocked ChPF expression and sGAG synthesis induced by TGF‐β in a Smad3‐independent manner. Collectively, our data suggest that TGF‐β stimulated the expression of ChPF and sGAG synthesis in nucleus pulposus cells through Smad3, RhoA/ROCK1 and the three MAPK signaling pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 566–579, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Infinite Family of Steiner Systems from Cyclic Codes
Authors: Ding Cunsheng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSteiner systems are a fascinating topic of combinatorics. The most studied Steiner systems are (Steiner triple systems), (Steiner quadruple systems), and . There are a few infinite families of Steiner systems in the literature. The objective of this paper is to present an infinite family of Steiner systems for all from cyclic codes. As a by‐product, many infinite families of 2‐designs are also reported in this paper.
Potential therapeutic interventions for chronic kidney disease‐associated sarcopenia via indoxyl sulfate‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Enoki Yuki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Arake Riho , Fujimura Rui , Ishiodori Kana , Imafuku Tadashi , Nishida Kento , Sugimoto Ryusei , Nagao Saori , Miyamura Shigeyuki , Ishima Yu , Tanaka Motoko , Matsushita Kazutaka , Komaba Hirotaka , Fukagawa Masafumi , Otagiri Masaki , Maruyama Toru 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) patients experience skeletal muscle wasting and decreased exercise endurance. Our previous study demonstrated that indoxyl sulfate (IS), a uremic toxin, accelerates skeletal muscle atrophy. The purpose of this study was to examine the issue of whether IS causes mitochondria dysfunction and IS‐targeted intervention using AST‐120, which inhibits IS accumulation, or mitochondria‐targeted intervention using L‐carnitine or teneligliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor which retains mitochondria function and alleviates skeletal muscle atrophy and muscle endurance in chronic kidney disease mice.MethodsThe in vitro effect of IS on mitochondrial status was evaluated using mouse myofibroblast cells (C2C12 cell). The mice were divided into sham or 5/6‐nephrectomized (CKD) mice group. Chronic kidney disease mice were also randomly assigned to non‐treatment group and AST‐120, L‐carnitine, or teneligliptin treatment groups.ResultsIn C2C12 cells, IS induced mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing the expression of PGC‐1α and inducing autophagy in addition to decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential. Co‐incubation with an anti‐oxidant, ascorbic acid, L‐carnitine, or teneligliptine restored the values to their original state. In CKD mice, the body and skeletal muscle weights were decreased compared with sham mice. Compared with sham mice, the expression of interleukin‐6 and atrophy‐related factors such as myostatin and atrogin‐1 was increased in the skeletal muscle of CKD mice, whereas muscular Akt phosphorylation was decreased. In addition, a reduced exercise capacity was observed for the CKD mice, which was accompanied by a decreased expression of muscular PCG‐1α and increased muscular autophagy, as reflected by decreased mitochondria‐rich type I fibres. An AST‐120 treatment significantly restored these changes including skeletal muscle weight observed in CKD mice to the sham levels accompanied by a reduction in IS levels. An L‐carnitine or teneligliptin treatment also restored them to the sham levels without changing IS level.ConclusionsOur results indicate that IS induces mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle cells and provides a potential therapeutic strategy such as IS‐targeted and mitochondria‐targeted interventions for treating CKD‐induced muscle atrophy and decreased exercise endurance.
Cerebrolysin prevents deficits in social behavior, repetitive conduct, and synaptic inhibition in a rat model of autism
Authors: Cuevas‐Olguin Roberto , Roychowdhury Swagata , Banerjee Anwesha , Garcia‐Oscos Francisco , Esquivel‐Rendon Eric , Bringas María Elena , Kilgard Michael P. , Flores Gonzalo , Atzori Marco 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a syndrome of diverse neuropsychiatric diseases of growing incidence characterized by repetitive conduct and impaired social behavior and communication for which effective pharmacological treatment is still unavailable. While the mechanisms and etiology of ASD are still unknown, a consensus is emerging about the synaptic nature of the syndrome, suggesting a possible avenue for pharmacological treatment with synaptogenic compounds. The peptidic mixture cerebrolysin (CBL) has been successfully used during the last three decades in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Animal experiments indicate that at least one possible mechanism of action of CBL is through neuroprotection and/or synaptogenesis. In the present study, we tested the effect of CBL treatment (daily injection of 2.5 mL/Kg i.p. during 15 days) on a rat model of ASD. This was based on the offspring (43 male and 51 female pups) of a pregnant female rat injected with valproic acid (VPA, 600 mg/Kg) at the embryonic day 12.5, which previous work has shown to display extensive behavioral, as well as synaptic impairment. Comparison between saline vs. CBL‐injected VPA animals shows that CBL treatment improves behavioral as well as synaptic impairments, measured by behavioral performance (social interaction, Y‐maze, plus‐maze), maximal response of inhibitory γ‐amino butyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR)‐mediated synaptic currents, as well as their kinetic properties and adrenergic and muscarinic modulation. We speculate that CBL might be a viable and effective candidate for pharmacological treatment or co‐treatment of ASD patients. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Implementation and clinical characteristics of a posttraumatic stress disorder brain collection
Authors: Mighdoll Michelle I. , Deep‐Soboslay Amy , Bharadwaj Rahul A. , Cotoia John A. , Benedek David M. , Hyde Thomas M. , Kleinman Joel E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA postmortem human brain collection to study posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is critical for uncovering the molecular mechanisms that contribute to this psychiatric disorder. We describe here the PTSD brain collection at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of postmortem brain donations acquired between 2012 and 2017. Thus far, 87 brains from individuals meeting DSM‐5 criteria for PTSD were collected after consent was obtained from legal next‐of‐kin, and subsequently clinically characterized for molecular studies. PTSD brain donors had high rates of comorbid diagnoses, including depression (62.1%), substance abuse (74.7%), drug‐related death (69.0%), and suicide completion (17.2%). PTSD cases were subdivided into two categories: combat‐related PTSD (n = 24) and noncombat/domestic PTSD (n = 63). The major differences between the combat‐related and domestic PTSD cohorts were sex, drug‐related death, and the prevalence of bipolar disorder (BPD) comorbidity. The combat‐related group was entirely male, with only one BPD subject (4.2%), and had significantly fewer drug‐related deaths (45.8%) in contrast to the domestic group (31.8% male, 36.5% bipolar, and 77.8% drug‐related deaths). Medical examiners' offices, particularly in areas with higher military populations, are an excellent source for PTSD brain donations of both combat‐related and domestic PTSD.
Spatial gradients in climatic trends across the southeastern Antilles 1980–2014
Authors: Jury Mark R. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTClimatic trends in the southeastern Antilles island chain are analysed via reanalysis datasets in the period 1980–2014. Although a homogeneous marine climate surrounds these small islands embedded in northeast trade winds, the analysis presented here reveals spatial gradients in climatic trends during the satellite era. In the axis of the fresh North Brazil Current, sea surface temperature (SST) trends are steep (+0.04 °C year−1) and correspond with weaker winds and rising ozone concentrations (+0.15 DU year−1). Subsidence and meridional wind trends are related to an acceleration in the Hadley overturning atmospheric circulation which heats the trade wind inversion. Expanded wind shadows induce warmer SST, greater latent heat flux and deeper convection west of the Antilles islands. While rainfall has decreased in Trinidad and eastern Venezuela, the mountainous islands of Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique have increasing rainfall (+0.02 mm day−1 year−1) in the satellite era. Weakening ocean currents near Grenada may reflect a diminishing of the global thermohaline meridional overturning circulation.
Spatial and temporal analysis of extreme bioclimate conditions in Vojvodina, Northern Serbia
Authors: Basarin Biljana , Lukić Tin , Mesaroš Minučer , Pavić Dragoslav , Đorđević Jasmina , Matzarakis Andreas 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTSeveral indices, with focus on extreme climate and bioclimate events have been calculated and their trends (over 1961 to 2014) analyzed in order to identify possible changes in temperature‐related climate extremes over Vojvodina region, Northern Serbia. Physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) has been used for the assessment of bioclimatological extremes in Vojvodina. A number of indices for temperature extremes have been defined by CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability) and they are modified in order to detect extremes in bioclimatological variables (PET). In this study, we used 11 PET indices. The results indicate that the whole area is dominated by significant increase in the frequency of warm conditions and significant decrease in the cold conditions. These results could indicate that the warming in Vojvodina could be due to the more pronounced and higher frequency of warm bioclimatological extreme conditions. The frequency and the duration of heat waves are increasing for the whole area, while the decrease in number and duration of cold waves is not so pronounced.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of pancreatic cancer induces a favorable immunogenic tumor microenvironment associated with increased major histocompatibility complex class I‐related chain A/B expression
Authors: Murakami Takashi , Homma Yuki , Matsuyama Ryusei , Mori Ryutaro , Miyake Kentaro , Tanaka Yusaku , Den Kanechika , Nagashima Yoji , Nakazawa Masatoshi , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Ueda Michio , Tanaka Kuniya , Hoffman Robert M. , Bouvet Michael , Endo Itaru 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundDamage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are related to immune responses in malignant tumors including tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between expression of components of DAMPs and TILs in pancreatic cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) versus those who did not.MethodsNACRT was administered to 51 patients with borderline‐resectable pancreatic cancer and not to 33 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Resected specimens were analyzed for the presence of DAMPs, major histocompatibility complex class I‐related chain A/B (MICA/B), and CD8+ TILs, CD4+ TILs, and forkhead box P3 positive (Foxp3+) TILs. The Treg/TIL ratio was obtained by dividing the number of Foxp3+ TILs, a surrogate for regulatory T cells, by the sum of CD8+ and CD4+ TILs.ResultsOverexpression of calreticulin, Hsp70, and MICA/B were all significantly correlated with NACRT administration. In the NACRT group, high MICA/B expression was associated with a low Treg/TIL ratio, indicating a favorable immunogenic tumor microenvironment. Patients with a lower Treg/TIL ratio had longer survival.ConclusionsOverexpression of MICA/B, a component of DAMPs induced by NACRT, may play an important role in acquiring a favorable immune response for pancreatic cancer which contributes to longer survival, suggesting the potential of immunotherapy of this recalcitrant disease, especially for patients with overexpression of DAMPs.
Interval between cytoreductions as a marker of tumor biology in selecting patients for repeat cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Konstantinidis Ioannis T. , Levine Edward A. , Chouliaras Konstantinos , Russell Gregory , Shen Perry , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I. 
Published: June 2017

Background and ObjectivesRepeat cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for recurrence of peritoneal surface malignancies is safe and effective. Patient selection and factors associated with a favorable outcome are still evolving.MethodsA prospectively maintained institutional database consisting of 1314 CRS/HIPEC procedures performed between February 1993 and December 2015 was reviewed. Clinicopathologic data from 103 patients and 112 (8.5%) repeat CRS/HIPEC procedures were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsPrimary tumors were appendiceal for 60 patients (58.3%), mesothelioma for 14 (13.6%), colorectal for 9 (8.7%), ovarian for 8 (7.8%). R0/R1 resection was achieved in 46 (46.5%) patients. The time interval between the initial and the repeat CRS/HIPEC was <1 year for 21 (20.4%), 1‐2 years for 40 (38.8%), and >2 years for 42 patients (40.8%). Overall median survival was 4.3 years and correlated with the time interval (1.3 years for <1 years, 3.7 years for 1‐2 years, and 7 years for >2 years; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the R status (P = 0.005) and a time interval of more than 2 years (P = 0.0002) were strongly associated with survival with each additional month between the surgeries conferring a 2.6% reduction in the risk of death.ConclusionsThe current series validates time interval between cytoreductions as a major surrogate of tumor biology in selection of patients with recurrent peritoneal surface malignancies for repeat CRS/HIPEC. Complete repeat cytoreduction more than 2 years from the initial surgery is associated with a favorable outcome.
Predictors of surgical quality for retroperitoneal sarcoma: Volume matters
Authors: Maurice Matthew J. , Yih Jessica M. , Ammori John B. , Abouassaly Robert 
Published: June 2017

Background and ObjectivesThe volume‐outcome relationship is well recognized. We sought to investigate this relationship in retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) surgery.MethodsNon‐metastatic RPS cases from 2004 to 2014 in the National Cancer Database were analyzed. Hospitals in the top 10th percentile for volume were defined as high‐volume. Outcomes were selected a priori based on their known prognostic significance, including surgery use, R0/R1 resection, and R0 resection. Volume‐outcome associations were assessed by univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsOf 3141 RPS cases identified, 70.0% were managed surgically. Of these, 93.0% were R0/R1 resections, and 67.6% were R0 resections. Surgical management, R0/R1 resection, and R0 resection were each associated with improved overall survival (P < 0.001). Hospital volume was an independent predictor of surgical management, R0 resection, and R0/R1 resection. Patients treated at high‐volume centers had 1.9‐fold higher odds of undergoing surgical management (P < 0.001), 2.5‐fold higher odds of receiving a R0/R1 resection (P = 0.026), and 1.8‐fold higher odds of an R0 resection (P < 0.001). Academic setting predicted use of surgical management (P < 0.001) and R0/R1 resection (P = 0.015) but not R0 resection (P = 0.882).ConclusionsHigh‐volume hospitals are significantly associated with surgery use and improved surgical outcomes. Consideration should be given to further centralization of RPS care.