bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical significance of sunitinib‐associated macrocytosis in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Bourlon Maria T. , Gao Dexiang , Trigero Sara , Clemons Julia E. , Breaker Kathryn , Lam Elaine T. , Flaig Thomas W. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIncreases in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) have been observed in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) on tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment; however, its association with progression‐free‐survival (PFS) is unknown. We aimed to characterize TKI‐associated macrocytosis in mRCC and its relationship with PFS. Retrospective review of data on macrocytosis and thyroid dysfunction on mRCC patients treated with sunitinib and/or sorafenib. These results are evaluated in the context of our previous report on the association of hypothyroidism in this setting. We assessed PFS as clinically defined by the treating physician. Seventy‐four patients, 29 of whom received both drugs, were included. A treatment period was defined as time from initiation to discontinuation of either sunitinib or sorafenib; 103 treatment periods [sorafenib (47), sunitinib (56)] were analyzed. Macrocytosis was found in 55 and 8% of sunitinib‐ and sorafenib‐treated patients, respectively, P < 0.001. The median time to developing macrocytosis was 3 months (m, range 1–7). Median PFS in sunitinib‐treated patients was 11 m (95% CI: 6–19). Median PFS was higher among those with macrocytosis compared to normocytosis (21 m [95% CI: 11–25] vs. 4 m [95% CI: 3–8] P = 0.0001). Macrocytosis and hypothyroidism were two significant predictors of PFS. The greatest difference in PFS among all patients was observed in patients with both macrocytosis and hypothyroidism (25 m), compared to the normocytic and euthyroid patients (5 m) (P < 0.0001). Sunitinib‐related macrocytosis was associated with prolonged PFS, and concurrent development of hypothyroidism and macrocytosis further prolonged PFS. Increased MCV may have a role as a predictive biomarker for sunitinib. Prospective studies accounting for other known prognostic factors are needed to confirm this finding.
Stroke Prevention: Let's Prepare for Generation XTAVR
Authors: Davidson Laura J. , Davidson Charles J. 
Published: October 2016

Key Points

Stroke leads to significant morbidity, disability, and mortality after TAVR. CKD and prior stroke are risk factors for stroke.
Stratification of stroke risk would improve outcomes associated with TAVR.
Ongoing prospective randomized trials on embolic protection and post implant anticoagulation are promising strategies to reduce stroke risk and new brain MRI lesions.
Impact of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors Use on Outcomes After Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions From Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2006–2011)
Authors: Echeverria Angela , Krajcer Zvonimir 
Published: October 2016

Key Points

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications are necessary in peripheral endovascular intervention, but a standardized approach has not yet been established.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use in endovascular lower extremity interventions decreased overall amputation rates.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use in endovascular lower extremity interventions increased postprocedural bleeding and complications requiring intervention.
High‐Performance Carbon Anode Derived from Sugarcane for Packed Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhou Yuhong , Zhou Guowang , Yin Lu , Guo Jinyi , Wan Xiankai , Shi Huixiang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) provide a new opportunity to produce sustainable energy from the treatment of the organic matter in wastewater. However, the power density of MFCs for large‐scale application is limited by the performance of anode, with one of the major factors being low bacterial adhesion capacity. In this work, a novel macroporous sugarcane carbon (SC) is prepared by a direct carbonization process, and is used as anode material in a packed MFC. A maximum power density of 59.94±2.81 W m−3 is achieved in an MFC equipped with the SC anode, which is 2.62 times higher than that of the granular activated carbon (GAC) anode. A microbial analysis shows that the SC anode has a higher amount of biomass and the abundance of Geobacter is 6.6 times higher than that of the GAC anode, which indicates that the SC anode has higher biocompatibility. Further studies show that the macroporous structure, high surface roughness, large surface hydrophobicity and low absolute value of zeta potential favor bacterial adhesion to the SC anode surface. Therefore, this study provides an excellent anode material for high‐performance MFCs, and reveals the impact of physicochemical properties on power generation.
Formation of a Dimeric Precursor Intermediate during the Nonaqueous Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanocrystals
Authors: Zimmermann Mandy , Ibrom Kerstin , Jones Peter G. , Garnweitner Georg 
Published: October 2016

AbstractFor tailoring the size and morphology of nanoparticles, a deep knowledge of the mechanism leading to particle formation is required. We have investigated the reaction mechanisms in the synthesis of anatase nanocrystals by the so‐called benzyl alcohol route as a model for binary metal oxides, and elucidated the chemical structure of cluster species involved in the reaction using NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray structure analysis. In the first reaction step, a novel dimeric coordination complex is formed via ligand exchange, and was identified as the crucial compound initiating particle formation in the synthesis process.
Disturbance in Georgia salt marshes: variation across space and time
Authors: Li Shanze , Pennings Steven C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe documented the frequency and effect on live biomass of five different types of disturbance over 14 years in creekbank and mid‐marsh zones of eight salt marshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora in Georgia, USA. Wrack (floating debris) and creekbank slumping were the most common disturbances at the creekbank, and snails were the most common disturbance agent in the mid‐marsh. Disturbance frequency varied among sites due to differences in plot elevation and landscape position. Wrack disturbance at the creekbank was positively correlated with plot elevation, and both initial slumping and terminal slumping of creekbank plots were negatively correlated with plot elevation. Wrack disturbance at the creekbank and snail disturbance in the mid‐marsh were also most common at barrier island vs. interior marshes. Disturbance varied up to 14‐fold among years. Wrack disturbance at the creekbank was negatively correlated with river discharge and sea level, and initial slumping of creekbank plots was also negatively correlated with sea level. The different disturbance types varied in their effects on end‐of‐year standing plant biomass. At the creekbank, wrack disturbance reduced biomass in affected plots by ~46%, but slumping did not affect biomass until the plot was totally lost. In the mid‐marsh, slumping and wrack were not important disturbances, but snail disturbance reduced biomass in affected plots by ~70%. In addition, abiotic conditions (river discharge, maximum monthly temperature, sea level, and precipitation) strongly affected year‐to‐year variation in biomass. Across the entire landscape, fewer than a quarter of the plots on average were disturbed, and disturbance reduced overall standing biomass by ~18% in the creekbank zone and ~3% in the mid‐marsh zone. Our results indicate that wrack has fairly strong effects on end‐of‐year biomass at the creekbank. Overall, however, variation in abiotic conditions among years had stronger effects on end‐of‐year standing biomass in both marsh zones than did disturbance.
Carcasses of invasive species are predominantly utilized by invasive scavengers in an island ecosystem
Authors: Abernethy Erin F. , Turner Kelsey L. , Beasley James C. , DeVault Travis L. , Pitt William C. , Rhodes Olin E. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractInvasive species have significantly affected ecosystems, particularly islands, and species invasions continue with increasing globalization. Largely unstudied, the influence of invasive species on island ecosystem functions, especially scavenging and decomposition, could be substantive. Quantifying carcass utilization by different scavengers and shifts in community dynamics in the presence of invasive animals is of particular interest for understanding impacts on nutrient recycling. Invasive species could benefit greatly from carcass resources within highly invaded island ecosystems, through increased invasion success and population growth, subsequently exacerbating their impacts on native species. We quantified how experimentally placed invasive amphibian, reptile, small mammal, and bird carcasses were utilized by vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers on the Big Island of Hawai'i in three island habitats: a barren lava field, a vegetated lava field, and a rainforest. We used camera traps to record vertebrate scavengers removing carcasses and elapsed time until removal. We evaluated differences in scavenging between vertebrates and invertebrates and within the vertebrate community across different habitats and carcass types. Despite the small carcass sizes (<1 kg) used in this study, 55% of carcasses were removed by vertebrate scavengers, all invasive: mongoose, rodents, cats, pigs, and a common myna. Our data indicate that invasive vertebrate scavengers in this island ecosystem are highly efficient at assimilating a range of carrion resources across a variety of habitats. Carcasses of invasive animals could contribute substantially to energy budgets of other invasive vertebrate species. This may be a critical component contributing to successful invasions especially on islands and subsequent impacts on ecosystem function.
Efficacy of GPS cluster analysis for predicting carnivory sites of a wide‐ranging omnivore: the American black bear
Authors: Kindschuh Sarah R. , Cain James W. , Daniel David , Peyton Mark A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe capacity to describe and quantify predation by large carnivores expanded considerably with the advent ofGPStechnology. Analyzing clusters ofGPSlocations formed by carnivores facilitates the detection of predation events by identifying characteristics which distinguish predation sites. We present a performance assessment ofGPScluster analysis as applied to the predation and scavenging of an omnivore, the American black bear (Ursus americanus), on ungulate prey and carrion. Through field investigations of 6854GPSlocations from 24 individual bears, we identified 54 sites where black bears formed a cluster of locations while predating or scavenging elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), or cattle (Bosspp.). We developed models for three data sets to predict whether aGPScluster was formed at a carnivory site vs. a non‐carnivory site (e.g., bed sites or non‐ungulate foraging sites). Two full‐season data sets containedGPSlocations logged at either 3‐h or 30‐min intervals from April to November, and a third data set contained 30‐min interval data from April through July corresponding to the calving period for elk. Longer fix intervals resulted in the detection of fewer carnivory sites. Clusters were more likely to be carnivory sites if they occurred in open or edge habitats, if they occurred in the early season, if the mean distance between all pairs ofGPSlocations within the cluster was less, and if the cluster endured for a longer period of time. Clusters were less likely to be carnivory sites if they were initiated in the morning or night compared to the day. The top models for each data set performed well and successfully predicted 71–96% of field‐verified carnivory events, 55–75% of non–carnivory events, and 58–76% of clusters overall. Refinement of this method will benefit from further application across species and ecological systems.
Comparison of two detailed models of Aedes aegypti population dynamics
Authors: Legros Mathieu , Otero Marcelo , Romeo Aznar Victoria , Solari Hernan , Gould Fred , Lloyd Alun L. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe success of control programs for mosquito‐borne diseases can be enhanced by crucial information provided by models of the mosquito populations. Models, however, can differ in their structure, complexity, and biological assumptions, and these differences impact their predictions. Unfortunately, it is typically difficult to determine why two complex models make different predictions because we lack structured side‐by‐side comparisons of models using comparable parameterization. Here, we present a detailed comparison of two complex, spatially explicit, stochastic models of the population dynamics of Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Both models describe the mosquito's biological and ecological characteristics, but differ in complexity and specific assumptions. We compare the predictions of these models in two selected climatic settings: a tropical and weakly seasonal climate in Iquitos, Peru, and a temperate and strongly seasonal climate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both models were calibrated to operate at identical average densities in unperturbed conditions in both settings, by adjusting parameters regulating densities in each model (number of larval development sites and amount of nutritional resources). We show that the models differ in their sensitivity to environmental conditions (temperature and rainfall) and trace differences to specific model assumptions. Temporal dynamics of the Ae. aegypti populations predicted by the two models differ more markedly under strongly seasonal Buenos Aires conditions. We use both models to simulate killing of larvae and/or adults with insecticides in selected areas. We show that predictions of population recovery by the models differ substantially, an effect likely related to model assumptions regarding larval development and (direct or delayed) density dependence. Our methodical comparison provides important guidance for model improvement by identifying key areas of Ae. aegypti ecology that substantially affect model predictions, and revealing the impact of model assumptions on population dynamics predictions in unperturbed and perturbed conditions.
Do wetlands enhance downstream denitrification in agricultural landscapes?
Authors: Hansen Amy T. , Dolph Christine L. , Finlay Jacques C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWetlands are known to be effective sinks for nitrate. Wetland restoration and construction have gained traction as viable conservation measures to improve water quality in intensively managed agricultural landscapes. In addition to reducing nitrate in situ, wetlands may have impacts on water chemistry and temperature dynamics that extend beyond the confines of the wetlands themselves. Nonsaturating nitrate concentrations (NO3−), enhanced organic carbon effluxes, and altered temperature dynamics in streams downstream of wetlands could all affect denitrification rates within a stream network, potentially extending water quality benefits beyond wetland boundaries. We investigated the effect of wetlands on water chemistry, water temperature, and benthic denitrification rates in downstream agricultural ditches through a field measurement campaign over the open water season. We found that although ditches located downstream of wetlands had lower NO3− and higher DOC, ditch denitrification rate was not significantly altered by the presence of upstream wetlands. Rather, wetlands indirectly affected denitrification within ditches by strongly influencing the stoichiometry of the two limiting resources, NO3− and organic carbon. Peak denitrification rates in ditches were observed when DOC and NO3− supplies were approximately balanced, that is, at DOC: NO3− ratios that were near the microbial requirement for denitrification. NO3− limitation occurred primarily at sites with >3% wetland cover, and in the fall season at all sites, and DOC limitation occurred primarily at sites with <1% wetland cover. Temperature was found to be a secondary control that was important only when NO3− and DOC availabilities were balanced. Our results suggest that wetland restoration and construction targeting nitrate reduction within intensively agriculturally managed basins should be implemented in a way that promotes balanced resource availability throughout fluvial networks. Wetlands are an important regulator of resource availability and thus could be used to create conditions that maximize denitrification in NO3−‐enriched watersheds.
Serum ferritin and risk for new‐onset heart failure and cardiovascular events in the community
Authors: Klip IJsbrand T. , Voors Adriaan A. , Swinkels Dorine W. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Kootstra‐Ros Jenny E. , Lam Carolyn S. , van der Harst Pim , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , van der Meer Peter 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimsHeart failure (HF) is a common manifestation of patients with primary and secondary causes of iron overload, whereas in patients with established HF iron deficiency impairs outcome. Whether iron stores, either depleted or in overload, amplify the risk for new‐onset HF among healthy individuals is unknown. The present study aimed to assess whether markers of iron status or the iron‐regulatory hormone hepcidin are associated with new‐onset HF or cardiovascular (CV) events in the general population.Methods and resultsIn 6386 subjects from the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd‐stage Disease (PREVEND) trial, a prospective, community‐based, cohort study, markers of iron status and the iron‐regulatory hormone hepcidin were measured. Mean age was 53.1 ± 12.0 years, and 50.7% of the cohort was female. During a median follow‐up of 8.3 (interquartile range 7.8–8.9) years, 199 subjects (3.1%) were newly diagnosed with HF, 456 (7.1%) experienced a CV event, and 356 (5.6%) died from all causes. A higher annual HF incidence per ferritin quartile was observed in women (P < 0.001), but not in men (P for interaction 0.032). Multivariable analyses demonstrated ferritin levels to remain independently predictive for new‐onset HF in women only (P = 0.024). This association persisted within strata defined by markers of the metabolic syndrome, markers of inflammation, or other markers of iron homeostasis, including hepcidin. No association between ferritin or hepcidin and incident CV events or all‐cause mortality was observed in either sex.ConclusionsIncreased serum ferritin levels independently amplify the risk for new‐onset HF in women in the community.
Antimicrobial activity of immobilized lactoferrin and lactoferricin
Authors: Chen Renxun , Cole Nerida , Dutta Debarun , Kumar Naresh , Willcox Mark D. P. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractLactoferrin and lactoferricin were immobilized on glass surfaces via two linkers, 4‐azidobenzoic acid (ABA) or 4‐fluoro‐3‐nitrophenyl azide (FNA). The resulting surfaces were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. The antimicrobial activity of the surfaces was determined using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains by fluorescence microscopy. Lactoferrin and lactoferricin immobilization was confirmed by XPS showing significant increases (p < 0.05) in nitrogen on the glass surface. The immobilization of both proteins slightly increased the overall hydrophobicity of the glass. Both lactoferrin and lactoferricin immobilized on glass significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the numbers of viable bacterial cells adherent to the glass. For P. aeruginosa, the immobilized proteins consistently increased the percentage of dead cells compared to the total cells adherent to the glass surfaces (p < 0.03). Lactoferrin and lactoferricin were successfully immobilized on glass surfaces and showed promising antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2612–2617, 2017.
DLX3-Dependent Regulation of Ion Transporters and Carbonic Anhydrases is Crucial for Enamel Mineralization
Authors: Duverger Olivier , Ohara Takahiro , Bible Paul W , Zah Angela , Morasso Maria I 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Patients with tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome, an ectodermal dysplasia caused by mutations in the homeodomain transcription factor DLX3, exhibit enamel hypoplasia and hypomineralization. Here we used a conditional knockout mouse model to investigate the developmental and molecular consequences of Dlx3 deletion in the dental epithelium in vivo. Dlx3 deletion in the dental epithelium resulted in the formation of chalky hypomineralized enamel in all teeth. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis revealed that major enamel matrix proteins and proteases known to be involved in enamel secretion and maturation were not affected significantly by Dlx3 deletion in the enamel organ. In contrast, expression of several ion transporters and carbonic anhydrases known to play an important role in enamel pH regulation during maturation was significantly affected in enamel organs lacking DLX3. Most of these affected genes showed binding of DLX3 to their proximal promoter as evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis on rat enamel organ. These molecular findings were consistent with altered pH staining evidenced by disruption of characteristic pH oscillations in the enamel. Taken together, these results show that DLX3 is indispensable for the regulation of ion transporters and carbonic anhydrases during the maturation stage of amelogenesis, exerting a crucial regulatory function on pH oscillations during enamel mineralization. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Medication management in the operating suite
Authors: Singh Helender J. , Waddell Jason J. , Yeoh Chai G. , Porter Sally A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe Logan Hospital Pharmacy Department undertook a review of medication management within the operating suite (OS).AimThis review sought to identify the medication management pathways within the OS and how the department could contribute to the safe, effective and efficient use of medications within this highly specialised environment.MethodA clinical pharmacist project officer (CPPO) visited the suite and observed, documented and reviewed the current medication management processes. Staff interviews were also conducted.ResultsA number of key issues were identified. These included the process of medication storage for general and cold‐chain pharmaceuticals, the dilution and wastage of pre‐drawn medications and open access to restricted antimicrobials. There were also issues with inter‐ and intra‐departmental communication. Following the project, a multi‐disciplinary working group was established to address the issues raised.ConclusionThere is an active role for the pharmacist to play in the medication management cycle within the OS.