bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carnitine partially improves oxidative stress, acrosome integrity, and reproductive competence in doxorubicin‐treated rats
Authors: Cabral R. E. L. , Mendes T. B. , Vendramini V. , Miraglia S. M. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryDoxorubicin has been largely used in anticancer therapy in adults, adolescents, and children. The efficacy of l‐carnitine as an antioxidant substance has been confirmed both in humans and rats. Carnitine, present in testis and epididymis, is involved in sperm maturation. It is also effective in infertility treatment. As a continuation of a previous study, we evaluated whether some spermatic qualitative parameters, DNA integrity, chromatin structure, and fertility status, could be ameliorated by the carnitine treatment in adult rats, which were subsequently exposed to doxorubicin at pre‐puberty. Pre‐pubertal male rats were distributed into four groups: Sham Control; Doxorubicin; l‐carnitine; l‐carnitine + Doxorubicin (l‐carnitine injected 1 h before doxorubicin). At 100 days of age, all groups were reassigned into two sets: One set was submitted to the evaluation of sperm motility, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA), and evaluation of the oxidative stress. The other set of rats was destined to the evaluation of reproductive competence. The percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosome integrity was higher in the Carnitine+Doxorubicin group when compared with the Doxorubicin group. However, sperm motility and mitochondrial activity were not improved by carnitine pre‐treatment. Both values of malondialdehyde and nitrite (indirect measurement of nitric oxide) concentrations were statistically higher in the only doxorubicin‐treated group when compared to the Carnitine + Doxorubicin group. Fertility index and implantation rate were lower in Doxorubicin group, when compared to Carnitine + Doxorubicin group. Moreover, the percentage of spermatozoa with damaged DNA was higher in the Doxorubicin‐treated group when compared to the Carnitine+Doxorubicin group. l‐carnitine, when administered before doxorubicin, partially preserved the acrosome integrity, an important feature related to sperm fertilization ability that positively correlated with the reproductive competence and sperm DNA integrity at adulthood. In conclusion, l‐carnitine attenuated the long‐term alterations caused by doxorubicin in the germ cells and improved male reproductive capacity in adulthood.
Surgical management of penile carcinoma in situ: results from an international collaborative study and review of the literature
Authors: Chipollini Juan , Yan Sylvia , Ottenhof Sarah R. , Zhu Yao , Draeger Désirée , Baumgarten Adam S. , Tang Dominic H. , Protzel Chris , Ye Ding‐wei , Hakenberg Oliver W. , Horenblas Simon , Watkin Nicholas A. , Spiess Philippe E. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate recurrence after penile‐sparing surgery (PSS) in the management of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the penis in a large multicentre cohort of patients.Patients and MethodsWe identified consecutive patients from five major academic centres, treated between June 1986 and November 2014, who underwent PSS for pathologically proven penile CIS. The primary outcome was local recurrence‐free survival (RFS), which was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsA total of 205 patients were identified. Treatment methods included circumcision, glansectomy, wide local excision, laser therapy and total glans resurfacing. Over a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up of 40 (26–65.6) months, there were 48 local recurrences, with 45.8% occurring in the first year and 81.3% occurring by year 5. The majority of recurrences were observed in the laser group (58.3%). The median (IQR) time to local recurrence was 15.9 (5.66–26.14) months. The 1‐ 2‐ and 5‐year RFS rates were 88.4, 85.6 and 75%, respectively, and the median (IQR) RFS time was 106.5 (80.2–132.2) months.ConclusionsAmong patients with penile CIS selected for surgical management, durable responses at intermediate‐ to long‐term follow‐up were noted. For those with glandular CIS, glans resurfacing offered the best outcomes.
Survival outcomes for patients with localised upper tract urothelial carcinoma managed with non‐definitive treatment
Authors: Syed Jamil S. , Nguyen Kevin A. , Suarez‐Sarmiento Alfredo , Johnson Katelyn , Leapman Michael S. , Raman Jay D. , Shuch Brian 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with non‐definitive therapy, which currently remains unknown.Patients and MethodsWe used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify individuals with a localised, histologically confirmed kidney/renal pelvis and ureteric UC. Survival analysis using the Kaplan–Meier method was performed. A competing risk model evaluated the cumulative incidence and predictors of cancer‐specific mortality (CSM).ResultsWe identified 633 (7.6%) individuals who did not receive surgery. These individuals were significantly older (median age 81 vs 71 years, P < 0.001) than surgically managed patients. The median overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter compared to the surgical cohort (1.9 vs 7.8 years, P < 0.001). The 3‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) for patients without surgery was significantly lower compared to those with surgery, at 73.7% vs 92.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 3‐year DSS for patients with high‐grade tumours was worse when compared to patients with low‐grade tumours, at 65.1% vs 82.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 3‐year cumulative CSM was 26.3%. On multivariable analysis, older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, P < 0.001) and high tumour grade (HR 1.88, P < 0.001) were predictors of worse outcomes.ConclusionsIn this population‐based cohort, 7.6% of patients with UTUC were managed with a non‐definitive approach. The median OS for the untreated cohort was significantly shorter compared to the surgical cohort (1.9 vs 7.8 years, respectively). These data may be helpful in counselling patients who are poor surgical candidates, as non‐definitive therapy may provide reasonable oncological outcomes.
Prognostic indicators of outcomes in patients with lung metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma during long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Sohn Seo Young , Kim Hye In , Kim Young Nam , Kim Tae Hyuk , Kim Sun Wook , Chung Jae Hoon 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundDistant metastases, although uncommon, represent maximum disease‐related mortality in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Lungs are the most frequent sites of metastases. We aimed to evaluate long‐term outcomes and identify prognostic factors in metastatic DTC limited to the lungs.MethodsThis retrospective study included 89 patients with DTC and metastases limited to the lungs, who were treated between 1996 and 2012 at Samsung Medical Center. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates were evaluated according to clinicopathologic factors. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with structural progressive disease (PD) and cancer‐specific death.ResultsWith a median follow‐up of 84 months, the 5‐ and 10‐year CSS rates were 78% and 73%, respectively. Older age at diagnosis (≥55 years), radioactive iodine (RAI) nonavidity, preoperative or late diagnosis of metastasis and macro‐nodular metastasis (≥1 cm) were predictive of decreased PFS and CSS. Multivariate analysis identified older age (P = .002), RAI nonavidity (P = .045) and preoperative (P = .030) or late diagnosis (P = .026) as independent predictors of structural PD. RAI avidity was also independent predictor of cancer‐specific death (P = .025).ConclusionPatients with DTC and metastatic disease limited to the lungs had favourable long‐term outcomes. Age, RAI avidity and timing of metastasis were found to be major factors for predicting prognosis.
Single‐center experience in urgent lung transplantation program in a country with a shortage of donors: Does the end justify the means?
Authors: Schiavon Marco , Faggi Giulio , Di Gregorio Guido , Calabrese Francesca , Lunardi Francesca , Marulli Giuseppe , Feltracco Paolo , Loy Monica , Damin Marco , Cozzi Emanuele , Gregori Dario , Calabrese Fiorella , Rea Federico 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn rapidly deteriorating patients awaiting lung transplantation (LT), supportive strategies are only temporary and urgent lung transplant (ULT) remains the last option. The few publications on this topic report conflicting results. According to the Italian national program, patients on mechanical ventilation and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be included in urgent list. We reviewed our experience from January 2012 to December 2014 with ULT and elective lung transplantation (ELT), focusing on outcomes. In the study period, 16 patients received ULT, while 51 received ELT. Among ULT, 1 patient (5.8%) died in waiting list (WL) while 16 patients underwent LT with a median WL time of 6 days. ELT WL mortality was 13.5%, and median WL time 368 days. In‐hospital mortality was lower in ELT group (5.8% vs 37.5%, P < .01), while the other postoperative outcomes were not significantly different. For ULT patients, the highest impact risk factors for in‐hospital mortality were pretransplant plasma transfusion, recipient Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, and high level of reactive C‐protein and lactic acid. A ULT program with an accurate recipient selection allows earlier transplantation, reducing WL mortality, with acceptable outcomes, although with a higher in‐hospital mortality. Larger studies are needed to validate our results.
A rapid and sustained improvement of calcification propensity score (serum T50) after successful kidney transplantation: Reanalysis of a randomized controlled trial of ibandronate
Authors: Smerud Knut T. , Åsberg Anders , Kile Håkon , Pasch Andreas , Dahle Dag O. , Bollerslev Jens , Godang Kristin , Hartmann Anders 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA serum test called T50 assesses the overall propensity for calcification of the blood and is associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to examine T50 over time in kidney transplant recipients and also address any effects of ibandronate. Serum samples taken from kidney transplant patients included in a prospective, randomized placebo controlled study of ibandronate were analyzed in retrospect. Adequate analyses were performed at baseline (approximately 3 weeks after transplantation) in 129 patients, at 10 weeks in 127 patients and at 1 year in 123 patients. There were no statistical differences between ibandronate and placebo treatment in terms of T50 at 10 weeks (P = .094) or at 1 year (P = .116). Baseline T50 was a significant covariate (P < .0001) for T50 scores at 10 weeks and 1 year. In the total cohort, there was a highly significant (P < .0001) increase in T50 of 26.6% after 10 weeks and T50 remained stable after 1 year. T50 change was inversely correlated to phosphate of −0.515 (P < .0001) and to change in serum albumin (P < .03). We found that T50 increased from baseline to 10 weeks after transplantation with no further change after 1 year. Ibandronate had no effect on T50.
Soil aggregate breakdown in a field experiment with different rainfall intensities and initial soil water contents
Authors: Shi P. , Thorlacius S. , Keller T. , Keller M. , Schulin R. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe breakdown of soil aggregates under the impact of rainfall is an important process in water erosion of agricultural soil. It determines the size characteristics of the disintegrated fragments and thus their availability for size‐selective sediment transport and deposition. However, little is known about the dynamics of aggregate breakdown and its dependence on soil and rainfall properties under field conditions. In this research, we carried out artificial rainfall experiments to quantify the dynamics of aggregate breakdown in an agricultural field at two levels each of rainfall intensity (RI) and initial soil water content (IWC). In all treatments, the temporal dynamics of aggregate breakdown followed the same two‐stage pattern: a steep exponential decrease in fragment mean weight diameter (MWD) during the first few millimetres of rainfall continued as a slow linear decrease at the second stage. The fragment mass size distribution (FSD) at the end of the rainfall events differed significantly among treatments. Slaking appeared to be the dominant breakdown mechanism in initially dry soil and was particularly strong at the higher RI, whereas mechanical breakdown was more prevalent in prewetted soil with no clear dependence on RI. We propose an empirical model that describes the effect of RI, IWC and initial aggregate stability on the decrease in MWD during the two stages of the breakdown process. The calibrated model successfully predicted the final MWDs in additional experiments, showing its potential for incorporation into erosion models to predict the size characteristics of surface soil fragments resulting from rainfall‐induced aggregate breakdown for various initial soil moisture conditions.Highlights

Rainfall‐induced aggregate breakdown was investigated under field conditions.
A two‐stage breakdown pattern was observed in all treatments.
Slaking appeared to be the dominant mechanism at the first stage, and mechanical breakdown at the second.
A simple empirical model gave good predictions of aggregate fragmentation.
The inverse life‐history problem, size‐dependent mortality and two extensions of results of Holt and Beverton
Authors: Mangel Marc 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn 1958, Sidney Holt developed a model to determine the optimal mass at which to harvest a cohort of fish having von Bertalanffy growth and experiencing constant natural mortality. Holt and Ray Beverton then gave a life‐history interpretation to the analysis, from which Beverton developed a theory of Growth, Maturity, and Longevity (GML) that allows one to predict quantities such as age at maturity or relative size at maturity using life‐history parameters. I extend their results in two ways. First, keeping the original formulation, in which the rate of natural mortality is constant, I show how one can invert Beverton's result to determine the rate of natural mortality from life‐history data. I illustrate this inverse method with data on three species of tuna and compare the estimates with those based on tagging. Second, I extend Beverton'sGMLtheory to include size‐dependent mortality. I explore previously published mortality models and introduce a new mortality function that has size‐independent and size‐dependent components. I show that the new size‐dependent mortality function leads to the prediction that age at maturity depends upon asymptotic size (as well as the other life‐history parameters), something that Beverton's original theory lacked. I illustrate this extension with a simple example, discuss directions for future work and conclude that nearly 60 years on these contributions of Holt and Beverton continue to lead us in new and exciting directions.
Aberrant lipid metabolism in cancer cells – the role of oncolipid‐activated signaling
Authors: Ray Upasana , Roy Sib Sankar 
Published: October 2017

Metabolic activity of malignant cells is very different from that of their nontransformed equivalents, which establishes metabolic reprogramming as an important hallmark of every transformed cell. In particular, the current arena of research in this field aims to understand the regulatory effect of oncogenic signaling on metabolic rewiring in transformed cells in order to exploit this for therapeutic benefit. Alterations in lipid metabolism are one of the main aspects of metabolic rewiring of transformed cells. Up‐regulation of several lipogenic enzymes has been reported to be a characteristic of various cancer types. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a simple byproduct of the lipid biosynthesis pathway, has gained immense importance due to its elevated level in several cancers and associated growth‐promoting activity. Importantly, a current study revealed its role in increased de novo lipid synthesis through up‐regulation of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1, a master regulator of lipid metabolism. This review summarizes the recent insights in the field of oncolipid LPA‐mediated signaling in regard to lipid metabolism in cancers. Future work in this domain is required to understand the up‐regulation of the de novo synthesis pathway and the role of its end products in malignant cells. This will open a new arena of research toward the development of specific metabolic inhibitors that can add to the pre‐existing chemotherapeutics in order to increase the efficacy of clinical output in cancer patients.
Corrosion fatigue of coated AISI 4340 high strength steel with dent damage
Authors: Sabelkin V. , Mall S. , Misak H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTension‐compression fatigue behaviour of a high‐strength steel, coated with cadmium and zinc‐nickel, with dent damage was investigated under saltwater environment. Dent damage exposed coated high‐strength steel substrate to saltwater environment to study hydrogen reembrittlement. Three types of specimens were tested: cadmium and zinc‐nickel‐coated specimens with dent damage and uncoated specimens with similar dent damage that were shot‐peened in a similar way as the coated specimens. The environmentally friendly zinc‐nickel‐coated specimens displayed similar fatigue behaviour like hazardous cadmium‐coated specimens. Scanning electron microscopy with an apparatus Quanta 450 confirmed that damage mechanisms were similar in all 3 types of specimens.
On‐line hemodiafiltration at home
Authors: Vega Almudena , Abad Soraya , Macías Nicolás , Aragoncillo Inés 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSurvival with online hemodiafiltration (OL‐HDF) is higher than with hemodialysis; frequent hemodialysis has also improved survival and quality of life. Home hemodialysis facilitates frequent therapy. We report our experience with 2 patients with stage 5 CKD who started home hemodialysis with OL‐HDF in November 2016. After a training period at the hospital, they started home hemodialysis with OL‐HDF after learning how to manage dialysis monitors and how to administer water treatment. We used the “5008‐home” (FMC©) monitor, and the Acqua C© (Fresenius Medical Care) for water treatment. Water conductivity was always checked before and during dialysis sessions and was always 2.5 to 3 mS/cm. Water cultures always fulfilled the criteria for ultrapurity. As far as we know, this is the first report on patients receiving OL‐HDF at home. The technique proved to be safe and valid for renal replacement therapy and transfers the benefits of hospital convective therapy to the home setting. Future data will enable us to determine whether survival has also improved.
Attractiveness of wildflower mixtures for wild bees and hoverflies depends on some key plant species
Authors: Warzecha Daniela , Diekötter Tim , Wolters Volkmar , Jauker Frank 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Agricultural intensification is considered to be a major driver of terrestrial biodiversity decline. Resulting loss, isolation and degradation of flower‐rich habitats are threatening pollinators. Agri‐environmental schemes (AES) aim to counteract these negative effects, including measures to enhance floral resources in agricultural landscapes. The impact of plant species composition on their efficiency to mitigate pollinator loss, however, is largely unexplored.

We tested four recommended seed mixtures for their attractiveness to wild bees and hoverflies in a replicated plot design over two consecutive years against the background of the seedbank. Of the 94 available plant species, 14 key plant species were crucial for the whole flower‐visiting bee and hoverfly community. Approximately one third of each originated from the seedbank. The four top plants already supported 80% of flower visitors. Although seed mixtures differed significantly in attracting flower visitors at the plot level, the presence of key plants was more important than plant species diversity per se.

Seed mixtures showed contrasting attractiveness for wild bees and hoverflies. Identification of plant species exclusively utilised by specific taxonomic groups opens opportunities for assorting plant mixtures for specific ecosystem functions or taxa of conservation concern. Plant species shared by common pollinators are valuable for overall pollinator diversity.

The fact that rare and specialised pollinator species were mostly absent, however, substantiates that within 2 years of establishment, flowering resources are not the sole limiting factor in modern agricultural landscapes. Considering additional resources seems indispensable to maximise the conservation of species‐rich pollinator communities.
The Effects of a Family Systems Intervention on Co‐Occurring Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors of Children with Substance Abusing Mothers: A Latent Transition Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jing , Slesnick Natasha 
Published: October 2017

Children of substance abusing parents are at heightened risk to develop problem behaviors, yet little is known about the co‐occurring patterns of internalizing and externalizing behaviors among this population. With 183 children (Mage = 11.54 years,SD = 2.55, range 8–16) whose mothers were diagnosed with a substance use disorder, the current study identified subgroups/classes of children that were clinically distinct in their co‐occurring patterns of internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and examined how children in different clinical subgroups responded to a family systems intervention. Latent class analyses identified four classes of internalizing and externalizing behaviors: internalizing only, externalizing only, comorbid, and normative. Latent transition analyses showed that participation in family systems therapy resulted in an increased likelihood of transitioning from the externalizing class at baseline to the normative class at 18 months post‐baseline, and from the comorbid class at baseline to the internalizing class at 18 months post‐baseline as well. The findings support the effectiveness of family systems therapy in interrupting the stability of children's problem behaviors and improving children's behavioral outcomes.