bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of timing of an immediate instillation of mitomycin C after transurethral resection in 941 patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Bosschieter Judith , van Moorselaar R. Jeroen A. , Vis André N. , van Ginkel Tessa , Lissenberg‐Witte Birgit I. , Beckers Goedele M.A. , Nieuwenhuijzen Jakko A. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the timing of an immediate instillation of mitomycin C (on the day of transurethral resection of bladder tumour [TURBT] or 1 day later) has an impact on time to recurrence of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Patients and MethodsAll patients with NMIBC who were enrolled in a prospective trial between 1998 and 2003, and treated with an early mitomycin C instillation (on the day of TURBT or 1 day later), were selected. Statistical analysis was performed with Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression.ResultsAdministering an instillation of mitomycin C on the day of TURBT or 1 day later did not show a statistically significant difference in time to recurrence in a univariable model (log‐rank P = 0.99). After correcting for the number of scheduled adjuvant instillations, no statistically significant difference could be detected either: hazard ratio 1.05 (95% confidence interval 0.81–1.35, P = 0.74).ConclusionThese data do not support the hypothesis that a very early instillation (on the day of TURBT) of mitomycin C decreases the risk of recurrence as compared with an early instillation (1 day after TURBT).
Oral diseases associated with condition‐specific oral health‐related quality of life and school performance of Thai primary school children: A hierarchical approach
Authors: Kaewkamnerdpong Issarapong , Krisdapong Sudaduang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the hierarchical associations between children's school performance and condition‐specific (CS) oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL), school absence, oral status, sociodemographic and economic status (SDES) and social capital; and to investigate the associations between CS OHRQoL and related oral status, adjusting for SDES and social capital.MethodsData on 925 sixth grade children in Sakaeo province, Thailand, were collected through oral examinations for dental caries and oral hygiene, social capital questionnaires, OHRQoL interviews using the Child‐Oral Impacts on Daily Performances index, parental self‐administered questionnaires and school documents. A hierarchical conceptual framework was developed, and independent variables were hierarchically entered into multiple logistic models for CS OHRQoL and linear regression models for school performance.ResultsAfter adjusting for SDES and social capital, children with high DMFT or DT scores were significantly threefold more likely to have CS impacts attributed to dental caries. However, poor oral hygiene was not significantly associated with CS impacts attributed to gingival disease. High DMFT scores were significantly associated with lower school performance, whereas high Simplified Oral Hygiene Index scores were not. The final model showed that CS impacts attributed to dental caries and school absence accounted for the association between DMFT score and school performance.ConclusionsDental caries was associated with CS impacts on OHRQoL, and exerted its effect on school performance through the CS impacts and school absence. There was no association between oral hygiene and CS impacts on OHRQoL or school performance.
New and emerging drug treatments for severe asthma
Authors: Diver S. , Russell R. J. , Brightling C. E. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAsthma is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the airways affecting over 300 million people world‐wide. In 5%‐10% of cases, it is severe, with disproportionate healthcare resource utilization including costs associated with frequent exacerbations and the long‐term health effects of systemic steroids. Characterization of inflammatory pathways in severe asthma has led to the development of targeted biological and small molecule therapies which aim to achieve disease control while minimizing corticosteroid‐associated morbidity. Herein, we review currently licensed agents and those in development, and speculate how drug therapy for severe asthma might evolve and impact on clinical outcomes in the near future.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of the Perception of Semi‐Transparent Structures in Direct Volume Rendering
Authors: Englund R. , Ropinski T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDirect Volume Rendering (DVR) provides the possibility to visualize volumetric data sets as they occur in many scientific disciplines. With DVR semi‐transparency is facilitated to convey the complexity of the data. Unfortunately, semi‐transparency introduces challenges in spatial comprehension of the data, as the ambiguities inherent to semi‐transparent representations affect spatial comprehension. Accordingly, many techniques have been introduced to enhance the spatial comprehension of DVR images. In this paper, we present our findings obtained from two evaluations investigating the perception of semi‐transparent structures from volume rendered images. We have conducted a user evaluation in which we have compared standard DVR with five techniques previously proposed to enhance the spatial comprehension of DVR images. In this study, we investigated the perceptual performance of these techniques and have compared them against each other in a large‐scale quantitative user study with 300 participants. Each participant completed micro‐tasks designed such that the aggregated feedback gives insight on how well these techniques aid the user to perceive depth and shape of objects. To further clarify the findings, we conducted a qualitative evaluation in which we interviewed three experienced visualization researchers, in order to find out if we can identify the benefits and shortcomings of the individual techniques.
Anastomotic leakage after side‐to‐end anastomosis for rectal cancer: does leakage location matter?
Authors: Hain E. , Maggiori L. , Zappa M. , Prost à la Denise J. , Panis Y. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThe aim was to assess outcome according to the location of anastomotic leakage (AL) after side‐to‐end stapler or manual low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis following laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer.MethodsAll patients presenting with symptomatic or asymptomatic AL after TME and side‐to‐end low anastomosis for rectal cancer performed from 2005 to 2014 were identified from our prospective database. CT scans with contrast enema were reviewed to assess the location of AL origin.ResultsAmong 279 patients who underwent TME with side‐to‐end anastomosis from 2005 to 2014, 70 patients presented with AL and were included: 43 (61%) patients with AL on the circular anastomosis (CAL) were compared to 27 (39%) with AL on the transverse stapling line of the colonic stump (TAL). CAL and TAL were associated with similar rates of symptomatic AL (63% vs 48%, respectively; P = 0.339), severe postoperative morbidity rates (33% vs 18%; P = 0.313) and long‐term outcomes, including definitive stoma rate (10% vs 11%; P = 0.622) and major low anterior resection syndrome rate (56% vs 57%; P = 0.961).ConclusionOur study showed that whatever the location of AL on a side‐to‐end low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after TME for cancer, both short‐ and long‐term outcomes are similar.
Reduced stroke distance of the left ventricular outflow tract is independently associated with long‐term mortality, in patients hospitalized due to heart failure
Authors: Zhong You , Almodares Qays , Yang JieFu , Wang Fang , Fu Michael , Johansson Magnus C. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryPurposeReduced blood circulation is an important feature of heart failure, and Doppler stroke distance of the left ventricular outflow tract is a measure of forward stroke volume. Several echocardiographic parameters have known prognostic implications in heart failure, but the prognostic implications of stroke distance in relation to other parameters are insufficiently known. The aim was therefore to test the hypothesis that stroke distance is associated with five‐year all‐cause mortality, independently of other echocardiography variables, and that stroke distance has added long‐term prognostic value.MethodsA cohort of 350 consecutive elderly patients, over 65 years of age and mean 79·9 ± 7·1 years, hospitalized due to heart failure was studied. Patients with available echocardiography were included and images evaluated. Stroke distance was measured by tracing the systolic velocity time integral (VTI) of the pulsed wave Doppler in the left ventricular outflow tract. Other parameters were also estimated, such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass, left atrial volume, early diastolic mitral velocity (E), deceleration time and mitral annulus tissue Doppler diastolic velocity (e′) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP).ResultsFive‐year all‐cause mortality, assessed without missing data, was 67·7%. Multivariate analysis showed that stroke distance, E/e′ and PASP were independently associated with mortality, but LVEF was not.ConclusionsStroke distance was associated with long‐term mortality, independently of other known echocardiographic prognostic factors in elderly patients hospitalized with heart failure. Only when stroke distance was excluded from analysis, LVEF became associated with mortality. Stroke distance had additive prognostic value.
Oroxylin A inhibits ethanol‐induced hepatocyte senescence via YAP pathway
Authors: Jin Huanhuan , Lian Naqi , Bian Mianli , Zhang Chenxi , Chen Xingran , Shao Jiangjuan , Wu Li , Chen Anping , Guo Qinglong , Zhang Feng , Zheng Shizhong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesOroxylin A, a natural flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to have anti‐hepatic injury effects. However, the effects of oroxylin A on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of oroxylin A on ALD and the potential mechanisms.Materials and methodsMale ICR mice and human hepatocyte cell line LO2 were used. Yes‐associated protein (YAP) overexpression and knockdown were achieved using plasmid and siRNA technique. Cellular senescence was assessed by analyses of the senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal), senescence marker p16, p21, Hmga1, cell cycle and telomerase activity.ResultsOroxylin A alleviated ethanol‐induced hepatocyte damage by suppressing activities of supernatant marker enzymes. We found that oroxylin A inhibited ethanol‐induced hepatocyte senescence by decreasing the number of SA‐β‐gal‐positive LO2 cells and reducing the expression of senescence markers p16, p21 and Hmga1 in vitro. Moreover, oroxylin A affected the cell cycle and telomerase activity. Of importance, we revealed that YAP pharmacological inhibitor verteporfin or YAP siRNA eliminated the effect of oroxylin A on ethanol‐induced hepatocyte senescence in vitro, and this was further supported by the evidence in vivo experiments.ConclusionTherefore, these aggregated data suggested that oroxylin A relieved alcoholic liver injury possibly by inhibiting the senescence of hepatocyte, which was dependent on its activation of YAP in hepatocytes.
Liver transplantation vs liver resection in patients with HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan criterion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Wei , Li Long , Han Jun , Wu Hong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to conduct a meta‐analysis of published reports to compare long‐term outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR), respectively, in patients with HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Milan criterion.MethodsA systematic search of the Embase, Medline, PubMed databases, and the Cochrane Library was performed using both medical subject headings (MeSH) and truncated word searches to identify all comparative studies published on this topic. The primary outcomes were postoperative overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). We calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of OS and DFS.ResultsPooled analysis of six studies, with a total of 1697 patients with HCC beyond Milan criteria, did not reveal a statistically significant improvement in OS in patients undergoing LT vs LR (LT vs LR, HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.68‐1.01, P = .06), without significant heterogeneity (χ2 = 8.38, I2 = 40.3%, P = .137). Five studies with a total of 1511 patients were included in pooled analysis of DFS between LT and LR group. In the fixed‐effects model, patients in the LT group gained significantly better DFS (LT vs LR, HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37‐0.56, P < .001) than patients in the LR group, with no significant heterogeneity (χ2 = 6.80, I2 = 41.6%, P = .144). Four studies provided the data of adjusted HRs (LT vs LR). In the fixed‐effects model, patients in the LT group had significantly better OS (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44‐0.77, P < .001, I2 = 0%) and DFS (HR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.08‐0.23, P < .001, I2 = 0%) than those of patients in the LR group. The sensitivity analyses revealed that the results were robust.ConclusionOur meta‐analysis demonstrated that HBV‐related patients with HCC beyond Milan criterion who underwent LT gained better OS and DFS compared with patients who underwent LR after adjusting confounding factors.
Habitat modelling of tracking data from multiple marine predators identifies important areas in the Southern Indian Ocean
Authors: Reisinger Ryan R. , Raymond Ben , Hindell Mark A. , Bester Marthán N. , Crawford Robert J. M. , Davies Delia , de Bruyn P. J. Nico , Dilley Ben J. , Kirkman Stephen P. , Makhado Azwianewi B. , Ryan Peter G. , Schoombie Stefan , Stevens Kim , Sumner Michael D. , Tosh Cheryl A. , Wege Mia , Whitehead Thomas Otto , Wotherspoon Simon , Pistorius Pierre A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThe distribution of marine predators is driven by the distribution and abundance of their prey; areas preferred by multiple marine predator species should therefore indicate areas of ecological significance. The Southern Ocean supports large populations of seabirds and marine mammals and is undergoing rapid environmental change. The management and conservation of these predators and their environment relies on understanding their distribution and its link with the biophysical environment, as the latter determines the distribution and abundance of prey. We addressed this issue using tracking data from 14 species of marine predators to identify important habitat.LocationIndian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.MethodsWe used tracking data from 538 tag deployments made over a decade at the Subantarctic Prince Edward Islands. For each real track, we simulated a set of pseudo‐tracks that allowed a presence‐availability habitat modelling approach that estimates an animal's habitat preference. Using model ensembles of boosted regression trees and random forests, we modelled these tracks as a response to a set of 17 environmental variables. We combined the resulting species‐specific models to evaluate areas of mean importance.ResultsReal tracking locations covered 39.75 million km2, up to 7,813 km from the Prince Edward Islands. Areas of high mean importance were located broadly from the Subtropical Zone to the Polar Frontal Zone in summer and from the Subantarctic to Antarctic Zones in winter. Areas of high mean importance were best predicted by factors including wind speed, sea surface temperature, depth and current speed.Main conclusionsThe models and predictions developed here identify important habitat of marine predators around the Prince Edward Islands and can support the large‐scale conservation and management of Subantarctic ecosystems and the marine predators they sustain. The results also form the basis of future efforts to predict the consequences of environmental change.
A cross‐sectional study of confidence in minor surgical skills amongst junior dentists
Authors: Keat R. M. , Sheik S. A. , Thomas M. , Albuquerque R. , Hill K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionTo work in the National Health Service (NHS) as a dentist, the practitioner needs to be on the UK dental “performer's list”. To apply for access to this list and work as a General Dental Practitioner (GDP), dentists must be qualified from the European Economic Area (EEA) or, those trained in the UK, must undertake Dental Foundation Training (DFT). Dentists interested in further taught learning or pursuing specialist training must continue working as “Dental Core Trainees” (DCTs). Most of these jobs are available in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Units and require dentists to undertake unsupervised surgical procedures.It is currently estimated that over 400 “junior dentists” undertake DCT a year. It is the aim of this study to ascertain whether confidence in simple surgical procedures improves when compared to GDPs of similar experience.MethodsOne hundred and two junior dentists, 34 DFTs, 20 DCT1s, 21 DCT2s and 27 second and third year post‐DFT GDPs all working across the Midlands, UK, had Likert scale responses about confidence in 14 minor surgical skills assessed. Results were analysed to ascertain whether gender, year group and number of extractions had any effect on confidence.ConclusionsWe conclude that confidence in minor surgical procedures improves significantly when undertaking DCT OMFS posts, with the most significant improvement in confidence occurring within the first 6 months. Dental Core Trainees become significantly more confident in their surgical ability within the first 6 months when compared to GDPs with longer postgraduate experience.
Chimerism and gene therapy — Lessons learned from non‐conditioned murine bone marrow transplantation models
Authors: Jazbec Katerina , Jež Mojca , Smrekar Boštjan , Miceska Simona , Rožman Jasmina‐Živa , Švajger Urban , Završnik Janja , Malovrh Tadej , Rožman Primož 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveHematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) can be used as a vector for gene therapies. In order to predict the number of HSPCs cells necessary to achieve the target level of chimerism in an autologous setting, syngeneic male bone marrow (BM) cells were transplanted into 35 non‐conditioned female BALB/c mice.MethodThe resulting chimerism was determined at 6‐53 weeks using qPCR, cell subpopulation sorting, and colony‐forming units (CFU) analysis.ResultsAfter the transplantation of 125.8 ± 2.5 million nucleated BM cells, the BM of recipients contained 20.0 ± 2.8% donor cells, representing a chimerism of 0.16 ± 0.02% per one million transplanted nucleated BM cells. Chimerism levels in the BM, neutrophils, and B cells were comparable, whereas in T cells it was lower, and in CFU was approximately twice greater than in BM.ConclusionBy extrapolating our murine data, and data from some previous studies to a human non‐conditioned autologous CD34+ HSPC transplantation setting, we conclude that approximately 44 million CD34+ HSPCs would be needed to achieve 20% donor chimerism in a 70‐kg human, which could serve as a starting point for the future use of HSCPs in gene and cell therapy.
Two novel unstable hemoglobin variants due to in‐frame deletions of key amino acids in the β‐globin chain
Authors: Scheps Karen G. , Hasenahuer Marcia Anahí , Parisi Gustavo , Targovnik Héctor M. , García Eliana , Veber Ernesto Samuel , Crisp Renée , Elena Graciela , Varela Viviana , Fornasari María Silvina 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHemoglobinopathies are the most common autosomal recessive disorders and are mostly inherited in a recessive manner. However, certain mutations can affect the globin chain stability, leading to dominant forms of thalassemia. The aim of this work was the molecular and structural characterization of two heterozygous in‐frame deletions, leading to β‐globin variants in pediatric patients in Argentina. The HBB gene of the probands and their parents was sequenced, and other markers of globin chain imbalance were analyzed. Several structural analyses were performed, and the effect of the mutations on the globin chain stability was analyzed. In Hb JC‐Paz, HBB:c.29_37delCTGCCGTTA (p.Ala10_Thr12del), detected in an Argentinean boy, one α‐helix turn is expected to be lost. In Hb Tavapy, HBB:c.182_187delTGAAGG (p.Val60_Lys61del), the deleted residues are close to distal histidine (His63) in the heme pocket. Both mutations are predicted to have a destabilizing effect. The development of computational structural models and bioinformatics algorithms is expected to become a useful tool to understand the impact of the mutations leading to dominant thalassemia.
On the history and future of soil organic phosphorus research: a critique across three generations
Authors: Haygarth P. M. , Harrison A. F. , Turner B. L. 
Published: January 2018

SummarySoil organic phosphorus has broad agronomic and ecological significance, but remains a neglected topic of research. This opinion paper reflects a collaborative discussion between three generations of scientists who have collectively studied soil organic phosphorus for almost 50 years. We discuss personal reflections on our involvement in the field, opinions about progress and promising opportunities for future research. We debate an apparent overemphasis on analytical methodology at the expense of broader questions, and whether this has stifled progress in recent decades. We reiterate the urgent need to understand organic phosphorus cycling in the environment to address fundamental questions about phosphate supply, crop nutrition, water quality and ecosystem ecology. We also contend that we must encourage and integrate the study of organic phosphorus across all scales, from molecular chemistry to global cycling. Our discussion among three generations of researchers shows the value of a long‐term perspective, emphasizes the changing nature of this field of research, and reinforces the importance of continuing to be curious about the dynamics of organic phosphorus in the environment.Highlights
Critical evaluation of the current state of soil organic phosphorus research
Collective views of three researchers whose careers span 50 years
Research is driven by analytical development, but will benefit from broader conceptual approaches
We emphasize the value of long‐term and broad‐scale perspectives on this important research topic