bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between HIV Infection and Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Luo Lianmin , Deng Tuo , Zhao Shankun , Li Ermao , Liu Luhao , Li Futian , Wang Jiamin , Zhao Zhigang 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men positive for HIV has been reported to exceed the baseline of the general population. However, no meta-analysis or conclusive review has investigated whether individuals with HIV infection have a significantly higher prevalence of ED.

Aim
To explore the exact association between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED.

Methods
The PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies concerning the association between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED that were published up to December 2016. Manual searches also were performed. Relative risks and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate the strength of association between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED. The methodologic quality of the included cohort studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The cross-sectional study quality methodology checklist was used to assess the quality of cross-sectional studies. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess potential bias. This study was conducted according to the guidelines for Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies (MOOSE).

Outcomes
The strength of association between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED was evaluated using summarized unadjusted pooled relative risks and 95% confidence intervals.

Results
Two cohort studies and three cross-sectional studies involving 4,252 participants were included. Mean age of patients ranged from 35.2 to 52 years in the included studies. Based on the random-effects model, analyses of all studies showed that HIV infection was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of ED (relative risk = 2.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.52–3.55, P &lt; .001). There was significant heterogeneity among included studies (I2 = 84%, P &lt; .001). Estimates of total effects were generally consistent with the sensitivity.

Clinical Implications
Individuals with HIV infection had a significantly increased prevalence of ED, which suggests that ED should be of concern to clinicians when managing men with HIV infection.

Strengths and Limitations
A strength of this study is that it is the first meta-analysis to explore the relation between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED. A limitation is that all included studies were observational studies, which can induce recall bias or selection bias.

Conclusion
Evidence from the observational studies suggested that individuals with HIV infection had a significantly increased prevalence of ED despite significant heterogeneity. More research is warranted to clarify the relation between HIV infection and the prevalence of ED.
The value of long-term, community-based monitoring of marine turtle nesting: a study in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya
Authors: Olendo Mike I. , Okemwa Gladys M. , Munga Cosmas N. , Mulupi Lilian K. , Mwasi Lily D. , Mohamed Hassan B. , Sibanda Mxolisi , Ong'anda Harrison O. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMonitoring of nesting beaches is often the only feasible and low-cost approach for assessing sea turtle populations. We investigated spatio-temporal patterns of sea turtle nesting activity monitored over 17 successive years in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya. Community-based patrols were conducted on 26 stretches of beach clustered in five major locations. A total of 2,021 nests were recorded: 1,971 (97.5%) green turtleChelonia mydasnests, 31 (1.5%) hawksbillEretmochelys imbricatanests, 8 (0.4%) olive ridleyLepidochelys olivaceanests and 11 (0.5%) unidentified nests. Nesting occurred year-round, increasing during March–July, when 74% of nests were recorded. A stable trend in mean annual nesting densities was observed in all locations. Mean clutch sizes were 117.7 ± SE 1 eggs (range 20–189) for green turtles, 103±SE 6 eggs (range 37–150) for hawksbill turtles, and 103±SE 6 eggs (range 80–133) for olive ridley turtles. Curved carapace length for green turtles was 65–125 cm, and mean annual incubation duration was 55.5±SE 0.05 days. The mean incubation duration for green turtle nests differed significantly between months and seasons but not locations. The hatching success (pooled data) was 81.3% (n = 1,841) and was higher for in situ nests (81.0±SE 1.5%) compared to relocated nests (77.8±SE 1.4%). The results highlight the important contribution of community-based monitoring in Kenya to sustaining the sea turtle populations of the Western Indian Ocean region.
Kompromat Goes Global?: Assessing a Russian Media Tool in the United States
Authors: Oates Sarah 
Published: August 2017

The Russian and American media spheres converged to an unprecedented degree during the 2016 US presidential elections when reports of a possible dossier on Donald Trump emerged. This article considers the degree to which the media tactic of kompromat, which is the Russian abbreviation for “compromising material,” can infiltrate the US media ecology.
Height, selected genetic markers and prostate cancer risk: results from the PRACTICAL consortium
Authors:   APCB BioResource, Lophatananon Artitaya ,   The PRACTICAL consortium, Stewart-Brown Sarah , Kote-Jarai Zsofia , Olama Ali Amin Al , Garcia Sara Benlloch , Neal David E , Hamdy Freddie C , Donovan Jenny L , Giles Graham G , Fitzgerald Liesel M , Southey Melissa C , Pharoah Paul , Pashayan Nora , Gronberg Henrik , Wiklund Fredrik , Aly Markus , Stanford Janet L , Brenner Hermann , Dieffenbach Aida K , Arndt Volker , Park Jong Y , Lin Hui-Yi , Sellers Thomas , Slavov Chavdar , Kaneva Radka , Mitev Vanio , Batra Jyotsna , Spurdle Amanda , Clements Judith A , Easton Douglas , Eeles Rosalind A , Muir Kenneth 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Background:
Evidence on height and prostate cancer risk is mixed, however, recent studies with large data sets support a possible role for its association with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Methods:
We analysed data from the PRACTICAL consortium consisting of 6207 prostate cancer cases and 6016 controls and a subset of high grade cases (2480 cases). We explored height, polymorphisms in genes related to growth processes as main effects and their possible interactions.

Results:
The results suggest that height is associated with high-grade prostate cancer risk. Men with height >180 cm are at a 22% increased risk as compared to men with height <173 cm (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01–1.48). Genetic variants in the growth pathway gene showed an association with prostate cancer risk. The aggregate scores of the selected variants identified a significantly increased risk of overall prostate cancer and high-grade prostate cancer by 13% and 15%, respectively, in the highest score group as compared to lowest score group.

Conclusions:
There was no evidence of gene-environment interaction between height and the selected candidate SNPs.
Our findings suggest a role of height in high-grade prostate cancer. The effect of genetic variants in the genes related to growth is seen in all cases and high-grade prostate cancer. There is no interaction between these two exposures.
Corrosion resistance of MCrAlX coatings in a molten chloride for thermal storage in concentrating solar power applications
Authors: Gomez-Vidal Judith C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCorrosion evaluations of Incoloy 800 H (In800H) and stainless steel AISI 310 (310SS), in bare and coated conditions, were performed in 34.42 wt% NaCl – 55.47 wt% KCl at 700 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. This NaCl–KCl composition has a melting point of 657 °C, which makes it suitable for latent-heat thermal energy storage in concentrating solar power applications. Several nickel-based MCrAlX coatings were tested, where M = Ni and/or Co and X = Y, Ta, Hf, and/or Si. Electrochemical testing was carried out to determine corrosion rates. The bare In800H and 310SS alloys corroded rapidly (~2500 and 4500 µm/yr, respectively, assuming uniform corrosion). Concentrating solar power plants need containment materials with a lifetime of at least 30 years; thus, these corrosion rates are excessive. Corrosion mitigation approaches are being investigated to obtain degradation on the order of 20 µm/yr or lower. The lowest corrosion rate of 190 µm/yr was obtained for atmospheric plasma spray NiCoCrAlY coatings pre-oxidized in air at 900 °C for 24 h with a heating/cooling rate of 0.5 °C/min. Metallographic characterization of the corroded surfaces showed that the formation of a uniform thin alumina scale before exposure to the molten chloride system considerably reduced the corrosion of the alloy. However, the rates of corrosion determined herein are considerable, highlighting the relevance of testing materials durability in solar power applications.
MicroCT reveals domesticated rice (Oryza sativa) within pottery sherds from early Neolithic sites (4150–3265 cal BP) in Southeast Asia
Authors: Barron Aleese , Turner Michael , Beeching Levi , Bellwood Peter , Piper Philip , Grono Elle , Jones Rebecca , Oxenham Marc , Kien Nguyen Khanh Trung , Senden Tim , Denham Tim 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa) was domesticated in the Yangtze Valley region at least 6000–8000 years ago, yet the timing of dispersal of domesticated rice to Southeast Asia is contentious. Often rice is not well-preserved in archaeobotanical assemblages at early Neolithic sites in the wet tropics of Southeast Asia and consequently rice impressions in pottery have been used as a proxy for rice cultivation despite their uncertain taxonomic and domestication status. In this research, we use microCT technology to determine the 3D microscale morphology of rice husk and spikelet base inclusions within pottery sherds from early Neolithic sites in Vietnam. In contrast to surface impressions, microCT provides images of the entire husk and spikelet base preserved within the pottery, including the abscission scar characteristic of domesticated rice. This research demonstrates the potential of microCT to be a new, non-destructive method for the identification of domesticated plant remains within pottery sherds, especially in contexts where archaeobotanical preservation is poor and chaff-tempered sherds are rare and unavailable for destructive analysis. The method has the potential to greatly advance the understanding of crop domestication and agricultural dispersal for ceramic cultures in different parts of the world.
Lactation during cholestasis: Role of ABC proteins in bile acid traffic across the mammary gland
Authors: Blazquez Alba M. G. , Macias Rocio I. R. , Cives-Losada Candela , de la Iglesia Alberto , Marin Jose J. G. , Monte Maria J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTransporters involved in bile acid (BA) handling by the mammary gland are poorly understood. Here we have investigated the role of ABC proteins in blood-milk BA traffic and its sensitivity to maternal cholestasis. BA concentrations in rat and mouse serum were higher than in milk. BA profiles in both fluids were also different. In mammary gland, mRNA levels of ABC pumps transporting BAs were high for Bcrp, less abundant for Mrp1, Mrp3 and Mrp4 and negligible for Bsep and Mrp2. Milk BA concentrations were lower in Abcg2−/− than in wild-type mice. Taurocholate administration (5 µmol, i.p.) increased 20-fold BA concentrations in serum, but only moderately in milk, even in Abcg2−/− mice. Bile duct ligation (BDL) in pregnant rats markedly increased serum BA concentrations, which was not proportionally reflected in milk. In rat mammary tissue, Mrp4 was up-regulated by BDL. Serum BA levels were 2-fold higher in 10-day-old neonates of the BDL group, whereas their body weight was lower. The exchange of breastfeeding mothers immediately after birth reverted the situation without changes in endogenous BA synthesis. In conclusion, Bcrp is involved in BA secretion into milk, whereas Mrp4 participates in a blood-milk barrier that protects neonates from maternal hypercholanemia during breastfeeding.
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of 21-Hydroxylase deficiency using target capture sequencing of maternal plasma DNA
Authors: Ma Dingyuan , Yuan Yuan , Luo Chunyu , Wang Yaoshen , Jiang Tao , Guo Fengyu , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Chao , Sun Yun , Cheng Jian , Hu Ping , Wang Jian , Yang Huanming , Yi Xin , Wang Wei , Asan  , Xu Zhengfeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHere, we aimed to validate a noninvasive method using capture sequencing for prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) of 21-OHD was based on 14 plasma samples collected from 12 families, including four plasma sample collected during the first trimester. Targeted capture sequencing was performed using genomic DNA from the parents and child trios to determine the pathogenic and wild-type alleles associated with the haplotypes. Maternal plasma DNA was also sequenced to determine the fetal inheritance of the allele using hidden Markov model-based haplotype linkage analysis. The effect of fetal DNA fraction and sequencing depth on the accuracy of NIPD was investigated. The lower limit of fetal DNA fraction was 2% and the threshold mean sequence depth was 38, suggesting potential advantage if used in early gestation. The CYP21A2 genotype of the fetus was accurately determined in all the 14 plasma samples as early as day 1 and 8 weeks of gestation. Results suggest the accuracy and feasibility of NIPD of 21-OHD using a small target capture region with a low threshold for fetal DNA fraction and sequence depth. Our method is cost-effective and suggests diagnostic applications in clinical practice.
Effects of influent COD/N ratios on nitrous oxide emission in a sequencing biofilm batch reactor for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal
Authors: Ge Guanghuan , Zhao Jianqiang , Li Xiaoling , Ding Xiaoqian , Chen Aixia , Chen Ying , Hu Bo , Wang Sha 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe characteristics of N2O emissions from an anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (A/O/A) sequencing biofilm batch reactor (SBBR) were investigated under different influent COD/nitrogen (C/N) ratios (from 1–4). Results indicated that the C/N ratios affected the quantity of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and residual organic substances after the anaerobic period, resulting in the largest N2O emission during aerobic period occurred at a C/N of 2. Moreover, during the anoxic PHB-driven denitrification period, the rapid decline in the dissolved N2O concentration indicated that the nitrite inhibition threshold for N2O reduction increased with the increased C/N ratios, which means the higher influent C/N ratios could lower the inhibition of nitrite on N2O reduction. Finally, more PHB and residual organic substances were provided to denitrification at a high C/N ratio, resulting in less total N2O emission was achieved at a high C/N ratio in the A/O/A SBBR.
Optimization of Magneto-thermally Controlled Release Kinetics by Tuning of Magnetoliposome Composition and Structure
Authors: Shirmardi Shaghasemi Behzad , Virk Mudassar Mumtaz , Reimhult Erik 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStealth (PEGylated) liposomes have taken a central role in drug formulation and delivery combining efficient transport with low nonspecific interactions. Controlling rapid release at a certain location and time remains a challenge dependent on environmental factors. We demonstrate a highly efficient and scalable way to produce liposomes of any lipid composition containing homogeneously dispersed monodisperse superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the membrane interior. We investigate the effect of lipid composition, particle concentration and magnetic field actuation on colloidal stability, magneto-thermally actuated release and passive release rates. We show that the rate and amount of encapsulated hydrophilic compound released by actuation using alternating magnetic fields can be precisely controlled from stealth liposomes with high membrane melting temperature. Extraordinarily low passive release and temperature sensitivity at body temperature makes this a promising encapsulation and external-trigger-on-demand release system. The introduced feature can be used as an add-on to existing stealth liposome drug delivery technology.
A non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging approach for assessment of real-time microcirculation dynamics
Authors: Ganesh Tameshwar , Estrada Marvin , Yeger Herman , Duffin James , Cheng Hai-Ling Margaret 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present a novel, non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to assess real-time dynamic vasomodulation of the microvascular bed. Unlike existing perfusion imaging techniques, our method is sensitive only to blood volume and not flow velocity. Using graded gas challenges and a long-life, blood-pool T1-reducing agent gadofosveset, we can sensitively assess microvascular volume response in the liver, kidney cortex, and paraspinal muscle to vasoactive stimuli (i.e. hypercapnia, hypoxia, and hypercapnic hypoxia). Healthy adult rats were imaged on a 3 Tesla scanner and cycled through 10-minute gas intervals to elicit vasoconstriction followed by vasodilatation. Quantitative T1 relaxation time mapping was performed dynamically; heart rate and blood oxygen saturation were continuously monitored. Laser Doppler perfusion measurements confirmed MRI findings: dynamic changes in T1 corresponded with perfusion changes to graded gas challenges. Our new technique uncovered differential microvascular response to gas stimuli in different organs: for example, mild hypercapnia vasodilates the kidney cortex but constricts muscle vasculature. Finally, we present a gas challenge protocol that produces a consistent vasoactive response and can be used to assess vasomodulatory capacity. Our imaging approach to monitor real-time vasomodulation may be extended to other imaging modalities and is valuable for investigating diseases where microvascular health is compromised.
Seismic evidence for a possible deep crustal hot zone beneath Southwest Washington
Authors: Flinders Ashton F. , Shen Yang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCrustal pathways connecting deep sources of melt and the active volcanoes they supply are poorly understood. Beneath Mounts St. Helens, Adams, and Rainier these pathways connect subduction-induced ascending melts to shallow magma reservoirs. Petrogenetic modeling predicts that when these melts are emplaced as a succession of sills into the lower crust they generate deep crustal hot zones. While these zones are increasingly recognized as a primary site for silicic differentiation at a range of volcanic settings globally, imaging them remains challenging. Near Mount Rainier, ascending melt has previously been imaged ~28 km northwest of the volcano, while to the south, the volcano lies on the margin of a broad conductive region in the deep crust. Using 3D full-waveform tomography, we reveal an expansive low-velocity zone, which we interpret as a possible hot zone, linking ascending melts and shallow reservoirs. This hot zone may supply evolved magmas to Mounts St. Helens and Adams, and possibly Rainier, and could contain approximately twice the melt volume as the total eruptive products of all three volcanoes combined. Hot zones like this may be the primary reservoirs for arc volcanism, influencing compositional variations and spatial-segmentation along the entire 1100 km-long Cascades Arc.
Driven translocation of a semi-flexible polymer through a nanopore
Authors: Sarabadani Jalal , Ikonen Timo , Mökkönen Harri , Ala-Nissila Tapio , Carson Spencer , Wanunu Meni 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe study the driven translocation of a semi-flexible polymer through a nanopore by means of a modified version of the iso-flux tension propagation theory, and extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We show that in contrast to fully flexible chains, for semi-flexible polymers with a finite persistence length $${\tilde{{\boldsymbol{\ell }}}}_{{\boldsymbol{p}}}$$

ℓ
˜

p

the trans side friction must be explicitly taken into account to properly describe the translocation process. In addition, the scaling of the end-to-end distance RN as a function of the chain length N must be known. To this end, we first derive a semi-analytic scaling form for RN, which reproduces the limits of a rod, an ideal chain, and an excluded volume chain in the appropriate limits. We then quantitatively characterize the nature of the trans side friction based on MD simulations. Augmented with these two factors, the theory shows that there are three main regimes for the scaling of the average translocation time τ ∝ N
α
. In the rod $${\boldsymbol{N}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{\tilde{{\boldsymbol{\ell }}}}_{{\boldsymbol{p}}}{\boldsymbol{\ll }}1$$
N
/

ℓ
˜

p

≪
1
, Gaussian $${\boldsymbol{N}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{\tilde{{\boldsymbol{\ell }}}}_{{\boldsymbol{p}}}\sim {\bf{1}}{{\bf{0}}}^{{\bf{2}}}$$
N
/

ℓ
˜

p

∼
1

0

2

and excluded volume chain $${\boldsymbol{N}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{\tilde{{\boldsymbol{\kappa }}}}_{{\boldsymbol{p}}}$$
N
/

κ

˜

p

≫ 10
6
limits, α = 2, 3/2 and 1 + ν, respectively, where ν is the Flory exponent. Our results are in good agreement with available simulations and experimental data.
Correction of CFTR function in nasal epithelial cells from cystic fibrosis patients predicts improvement of respiratory function by CFTR modulators
Authors: Pranke Iwona M. , Hatton Aurélie , Simonin Juliette , Jais Jean Philippe , Le Pimpec-Barthes Françoise , Carsin Ania , Bonnette Pierre , Fayon Michael , Stremler-Le Bel Nathalie , Grenet Dominique , Thumerel Matthieu , Mazenq Julie , Urbach Valerie , Mesbahi Myriam , Girodon-Boulandet Emanuelle , Hinzpeter Alexandre , Edelman Aleksander , Sermet-Gaudelus Isabelle 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClinical studies with modulators of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein have demonstrated that functional restoration of the mutated CFTR can lead to substantial clinical benefit. However, studies have shown highly variable patient responses. The objective of this study was to determine a biomarker predictive of the clinical response. CFTR function was assessed in vivo via nasal potential difference (NPD) and in human nasal epithelial (HNE) cultures by the response to Forskolin/IBMX and the CFTR potentiator VX-770 in short-circuit-current (∆IscF/I+V) experiments. CFTR expression was evaluated by apical membrane fluorescence semi-quantification. Isc measurements discriminated CFTR function between controls, healthy heterozygotes, patients homozygous for the severe F508del mutation and patients with genotypes leading to absent or residual function. ∆IscF/I+V correlated with CFTR cellular apical expression and NPD measurements. The CFTR correctors lumacaftor and tezacaftor significantly increased the ∆IscF/I+V response to about 25% (SEM = 4.4) of the WT-CFTR level and the CFTR apical expression to about 22% (SEM = 4.6) of the WT-CFTR level in F508del/F508del HNE cells. The level of CFTR correction in HNE cultures significantly correlated with the FEV1 change at 6 months in 8 patients treated with CFTR modulators. We provide the first evidence that correction of CFTR function in HNE cell cultures can predict respiratory improvement by CFTR modulators.