bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential effect of the ultra‐low dose and standard estrogen plus dydrogesterone therapy on thrombin generation and fibrinolysis in postmenopausal women
Authors: Piróg Magdalena , Jach Robert , Kacalska‐Janssen Olga 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe objective of this study was to estimate the effects of different doses of oral hormone therapy (HT) on thrombin generation and fibrinolytic activity in postmenopausal women after 12 months of treatment.Material and methodsThrombin generation, fibrinolysis activators and inhibitors were determined before and after 12 months of treatment. Participants (180) were assigned (1:1:1) as follows: (1) standard HT group, 17β‐estradiol (1 mg/day) with dydrogesterone (5 mg/day); (2) ultra‐low dose HT group, 17β‐estradiol (0.5 mg/day) with dydrogesterone (2.5 mg/day); (3) control group, no treatment.ResultsThe standard HT led to a higher concentration of prothrombin 1 + 2 fragment (by 5.8%) with lower antithrombin activity (by 6.1%). Compared with baseline, we observed a reduction in mean antithrombin activity in the standard HT group and increases in mean levels of prothrombin 1 + 2 fragment in two HT groups. We found decreases after treatment in both standard and ultra‐low dose HT groups in plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) activity (−32.4% and −19.6%, respectively) and PAI‐1 antigen (−9.9% and −7.8%, respectively). Intergroup analysis revealed reduction in both mean PAI‐1 activities and PAI‐1 antigen levels in the two treatment groups when compared with the control.ConclusionContrary to the standard estrogen plus dydrogesterone treatment, ultra‐low dose HT revealed positive effects on hemostasis by intensifying fibrinolysis through a decrease in both PAI‐1 activity and antigen levels, and with no impact on thrombin generation.
Obstetrical complications in dichorionic twin pregnancies in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Jonsdottir Fjola , Nilas Lisbeth , Andreasen Kirsten R. , Grinsted Jørgen , Christiansen Michael , Hedley Paula L. , Naver Klara V. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionBoth women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and women with twin pregnancies have increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of PCOS and maternal androgen levels on the outcome of dichorionic twin pregnancy.Material and methodsA retrospective study of 360 women with dichorionic twin pregnancies: 72 women with PCOS from a fertility clinic (years 1997–2010) and 288 women without PCOS from a hospital cohort (years 2005–2007). The obstetrical outcome was extracted from Danish National registers and supplemented by patient file data. In all, 65% of the PCOS group had a registered prepregnancy androgen level and these were stratified into normoandrogenic and hyperandrogenic women. The groups were compared by multiple regression analysis adjusting for mode of conception and prepregnancy body mass index.ResultsWe found no overall impact of PCOS on the pregnancy outcome; the risks of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm delivery were comparable within the groups. However, five deliveries in the PCOS group compared with two in the control group occurred before gestational week 28. No difference in the obstetrical outcome between hyperandrogenic and normoandrogenic women was found. The body mass index in the PCOS population was lower than in the non‐PCOS, possibly reflecting a higher socioeconomic status and a healthier lifestyle, which may underestimate the impact of a PCOS diagnosis.ConclusionNeither PCOS nor maternal androgen levels confer additional risks to the outcome of dichorionic twin pregnancies of normal weight women.
Distance, environmental and substrate factors impacting recovery of bryophyte communities after harvesting
Authors: Baker Thomas P. , Jordan Gregory J. , Fountain‐Jones Nicholas M. , Balmer Jayne , Dalton Patrick J. , Baker Susan C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimsBryophyte re‐colonization after disturbance is largely governed by environmental conditions within disturbed forests. In particular, distance to a forest edge is an important predictor of bryophyte community re‐colonization, through either direct constraints, such as dispersal limitation, or indirectly by altering environmental conditions. This study examines a range of factors – environmental, distance to an edge, substrate specific environment or local‐level environment – to determine which are important in the re‐colonization of bryophyte communities after forest harvesting. As bryophyte communities vary with the particular substrate inhabited, responses were examined across four substrates (rock, exposed roots, ground and CWD).LocationTasmanian southern forests, Australia.MethodsBryophyte composition was examined on four substrates (ground, coarse wood debris, exposed roots, rocks) within three ages (~7, ~27 and ~45 years post‐disturbance) of harvested wet eucalypt forest. Re‐colonization success of bryophyte communities was determined by comparing communities in regeneration forest to mature forest communities using axis scores from one‐dimensional constrained ordination. The importance of various environmental conditions for re‐colonization success was then modelled. Finally, path analysis was used to determine whether the impact of distance to a forest edge was meditated through its effects on key environmental variables.ResultsMultiple environmental factors impacted re‐colonization of mature bryophyte communities. Local‐level conditions such as microclimate (temperature, humidity and VPD) and LAI were the most important in determining re‐colonization across substrates. Path analysis showed that distance to a forest edge had a significant impact on re‐colonization success, but only a relatively small part of this was mediated through its impact on environmental factors.ConclusionsBryophyte re‐colonization is driven by a combination of microclimate conditions and factors related to distance from a forest edge (most likely dispersal distance). While some substrate‐specific factors impact bryophyte re‐colonization success, the consistent impact of local environmental factors across substrates suggests that harvesting management strategies that develop more ‘mature’ microclimate conditions and increase proximity to nearby mature forest patches will be beneficial for all bryophytes communities. As bryophyte re‐colonization was correlated with temporally dynamic environmental conditions, we suggest that forest age needs to be considered in future work.
Adulteration of proprietary Chinese medicines and health products with undeclared drugs: experience of a tertiary toxicology laboratory in Hong Kong
Authors: Ching Chor Kwan , Chen Sammy Pak Lam , Lee Hencher Han Chih , Lam Ying Hoo , Ng Sau Wah , Chen Mo Lung , Tang Magdalene Huen Yin , Chan Suzanne Suk San , Ng Candy Wai Yan , Cheung Jana Wing Lan , Chan Tina Yee Ching , Lau Nike Kwai Cheung , Chong Yeow Kuan , Mak Tony Wing Lai 
Published: October 2017

AimsProprietary Chinese medicines (pCMs) and health products, generally believed to be natural and safe, are gaining popularity worldwide. However, the safety of pCMs and health products has been severely compromised by the practice of adulteration. The current study aimed to examine the problem of adulteration of pCMs and health products in Hong Kong.MethodsThe present study was conducted in a tertiary referral clinical toxicology laboratory in Hong Kong. All cases involving the use of pCMs or health products, which were subsequently confirmed to contain undeclared adulterants, from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 404 cases involving the use of 487 adulterated pCMs or health products with a total of 1234 adulterants were identified. The adulterants consisted of approved drugs, banned drugs, drug analogues and animal thyroid tissue. The six most common categories of adulterants detected were nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (17.7%), anorectics (15.3%), corticosteroids (13.8%), diuretics and laxatives (11.4%), oral antidiabetic agents (10.0%) and erectile dysfunction drugs (6.0%). Sibutramine was the most common adulterant (n = 155). The reported sources of these illicit products included over‐the‐counter drug stores, the internet and Chinese medicine practitioners. A significant proportion of patients (65.1%) had adverse effects attributable to these illicit products, including 14 severe and two fatal cases. Psychosis, iatrogenic Cushing syndrome and hypoglycaemia were the three most frequently encountered adverse effects.ConclusionsAdulteration of pCMs and health products with undeclared drugs poses severe health hazards. Public education and effective regulatory measures are essential to address the problem.
Clinical Case Seminar: Postmenopausal androgen excess–challenges in diagnostic work‐up and management of ovarian thecosis
Authors: Mamoojee Yaasir , Ganguri Murali , Taylor Norman , Quinton Richard 
Published: October 2017

SummaryPostmenopausal hyperandrogenism can be tumour‐ or non‐tumour‐related, with pathology residing either in the ovary or adrenal gland(s). The tempo of investigation is determined by the clinical severity of hyperandrogenism (presence/absence of actual virilisation) and degree of serum testosterone elevation. When clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism is severe, rapidly developing, or associated with hypercortisolism, screening for adrenocortical or ovarian carcinoma with cross‐sectional imaging should be prioritised over detailed biochemical evaluation. Adrenal hyperandrogenism is readily characterised, both biochemically and radiologically. By contrast, even a combination of high‐resolution imaging with laboratory evaluation, including dynamic endocrine testing, often cannot distinguish between ovarian hyperthecosis (OH) and virilising ovarian tumour (VOT); a definitive diagnosis usually emerging only after histological examination of excised ovaries. VOTs are typically below the resolution‐limit of current imaging modalities and exhibit suppression of gonadotropin‐dependent androgen secretion with GnRH‐analogue therapy. Thus, for well‐characterised ovarian hyperandrogenism, laparoscopic bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy may serve both as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Nevertheless, women unable or unwilling to undergo ovarian surgery can be reassured that malignant VOTs are exceedingly rare and that long‐term medical therapy with oral antiandrogens or GnRH‐analogues is safe and well‐tolerated. OH is strongly associated with insulin‐resistance, with hyperinsulinaemia acting synergistically with raised gonadotropin levels to stimulate thecal cell hyperplasia and androgen secretion by the postmenopausal ovary, which lacks granulosa cell aromatase activity and thus cannot convert testosterone to 17 beta estradiol. Thus, features of metabolic syndrome may indicate OH, and significant reductions in androgens can thereby potentially be achieved with lifestyle measures and/or insulin‐sensitising drugs.
Noninvasive diagnosis in dermatology
Authors: Welzel Julia , Schuh Sandra 
Published: October 2017

SummaryIn addition to dermoscopy, there are other imaging and biophysical methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of skin lesions. Confocal laser microscopy allows for high‐resolution imaging of the epidermis and upper dermis. It is particularly suitable in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a lower resolution compared to confocal laser microscopy but a greater depth of penetration. It is primarily used for imaging epithelial skin cancer, especially in the context of monitoring the effectiveness of nonsurgical therapies. Electrical impedance spectroscopy does not yield cutaneous images but rather provides a score based on the cellular irregularity of the skin. Multispectral analysis involves illumination of the skin with different wavelengths and likewise results in the computation of a score. Both methods are used in the differentiation of dysplastic nevi from melanoma. Other diagnostic imaging and biophysical methods are currently still in the developmental stages.By increasing the sensitivity and specificity of clinical and dermoscopic findings, the aforementioned methods bring about an improvement in noninvasive diagnosis. They allow for skin lesions to be monitored over time and therapeutic effects to be quantified. Finally, they facilitate early diagnosis of skin cancer, and help avoid unnecessary surgery of benign lesions.
The association of profilin‐1 levels with survival in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Eroglu Eray , Unal Hilmi U. , Guclu Aydin , Kocyigit Ismail , Karaman Murat , Saglam Mutlu , Gezer Mustafa , Tas Ahmet , Zararsiz Gokmen , Eyileten Tayfun , Aydin İbrahim , Oguz Yusuf , Gungor Ozkan , Yilmaz Mahmut I. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundProfilin‐1 is a ubiquitous, actin‐binding protein that plays an important role in the regulation of actin polymerization and cytoskeleton remodelling and contributes to vascular dysfunction. We conducted this study to investigate the association of serum profilin‐1 levels with fatal and nonfatal CVE in a cohort of patients with stage 1‐5 CKD.Materials and methodsSerum concentrations of profilin‐1 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (flow‐mediated dilatation [FMD]) and endothelium‐independent vasodilatation (nitroglycerine‐mediated dilatation [NMD]) of the brachial artery were assessed noninvasively, using high‐resolution ultrasound.ResultsBoth fatal and nonfatal CVE were significantly higher in patients with high profilin‐1 levels. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves showed that patients with profilin‐1 below the median value (114 pg/mL) had higher cumulative survival compared with patients who had profilin‐1 levels above the median value (log‐rank test, P < .001).ConclusionsThis is the first study that demonstrates the serum profilin‐1 is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular events and survival in patients with CKD.
Mouthguards and their use in sports: Report of the 1st International Sports Dentistry Workshop, 2016
Authors: Lloyd Jeffrey D. , Nakamura Wayne S. , Maeda Yoshinobu , Takeda Tomotaka , Leesungbok Richard , Lazarchik David , Dorney Brett , Gonda Tomoya , Nakajima Kazunori , Yasui Toshikazu , Iwata Yoshihiro , Suzuki Hiroshi , Tsukimura Naoki , Churei Hiroshi , Kwon Kung‐Rock , Choy Melvin M.H. , Rock James B. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThere appears to be much confusion or misinformation worldwide regarding mouthguards and their use in sports. In an effort to clarify where the international dental community stands on mouthguards and mouthguard research, the workshop looked at some important questions. The goal was to one day formulate consensus statements related to these questions, which will be based on current scientific evidence‐based research, to motivate the international community of the importance of dentally fitted laminated mouthguards and the wearing of them by athletes of all sports. There are only five sports in the United States that require the use of mouthguards. If, through workshops such as this, the importance of wearing dentally fitted laminated mouthguards can be demonstrated, then more sports may require their athletes to wear them.
Relationship between overweight/obesity in the first year of age and traumatic dental injuries in early childhood: Findings from a birth cohort study
Authors: Borges Tássia Silvana , Chaffee Benjamin W. , Kramer Paulo Floriani , Feldens Eliane Gerson , Vítolo Márcia Regina , Feldens Carlos Alberto 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground/AimThe impact of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in the primary dentition on oral health‐related quality of life indicates the need for the planning of prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to assess whether anthropometric characteristics in early life are associated with TDI by preschool age.Materials and MethodsA birth cohort was recruited from the public healthcare system in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Socio‐demographic variables, type of birth, head circumference, weight, and length were collected at birth (WHO standards). Head circumference, body mass index for age, and height for age were collected at 12 months. TDI (Andreasen criteria) at three years of age (n = 458) were recorded by two examiners who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Multivariable analysis was carried out with Poisson regression with robust variance.ResultsA total of 31.0% of the children (142/458) exhibited TDI at three years of age. In the final model, the risk of TDI was 47% higher among children with a smaller head circumference upon birth and nearly 60% higher among those who were overweight/obese at 12 months of age (RR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.15‐2.17). The risk of TDI was also significantly higher among boys (RR 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13‐2.00), but the outcome was not significantly associated with socioeconomic variables or other anthropometric variables.ConclusionOverweight/obesity in early life is a risk factor for TDI in preschool children.
Increasing motor cortex plasticity with spaced paired associative stimulation at different intervals in older adults
Authors: Sidhu Simranjit K. , Pourmajidian Maryam , Opie George M. , Semmler John G. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe ability of priming non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to modulate neuroplasticity induction (i.e. metaplasticity) within primary motor cortex (M1) may be altered in older adults. Previous studies in young subjects suggest that consecutive NIBS protocols interact in a time‐dependent manner and involve homoeostatic metaplasticity mechanisms. This was investigated in older adults by assessing the response to consecutive blocks of paired‐associative stimulation (PAS) separated by different inter‐PAS intervals (IPIs). Fifteen older (62–82 years) subjects participated in four sessions, with each session involving two PAS blocks separated by IPIs of 10 (IPI10) or 30 (IPI30) mins. For each IPI, the first (priming) PAS block was either PASLTP (N20 latency + 2 ms) or PASLTD (N20 latency − 10 ms), while the second (test) PAS block was always PASLTP. Changes in M1 excitability were assessed by recording motor evoked potentials from a muscle of the right hand. For both IPIs, the response produced by PASLTD‐primed PASLTP was significantly greater than the response produced by PASLTP‐primed PASLTP. Furthermore, the effects of PASLTD priming on PASLTP were significantly greater for IPI30. These findings suggest that priming PAS can increase plasticity induction in older adults, and this occurs through mechanisms involving homoeostatic metaplasticity. They also demonstrate that the timing between priming and test NIBS is a crucial determinant of this effect, with a 30‐min interval being most effective. Providing a 30‐min delay between priming NIBS and motor training may improve the efficacy of NIBS in augmenting motor performance and learning in the elderly.
Corticosterone regulates both naturally occurring and cocaine‐induced dopamine signaling by selectively decreasing dopamine uptake
Authors: Wheeler Daniel S. , Ebben Amanda L. , Kurtoglu Beliz , Lovell Marissa E. , Bohn Austin T. , Jasek Isabella A. , Baker David A. , Mantsch John R. , Gasser Paul J. , Wheeler Robert A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractStressful and aversive events promote maladaptive reward‐seeking behaviors such as drug addiction by acting, in part, on the mesolimbic dopamine system. Using animal models, data from our laboratory and others show that stress and cocaine can interact to produce a synergistic effect on reward circuitry. This effect is also observed when the stress hormone corticosterone is administered directly into the nucleus accumbens (NAc), indicating that glucocorticoids act locally in dopamine terminal regions to enhance cocaine's effects on dopamine signaling. However, prior studies in behaving animals have not provided mechanistic insight. Using fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry, we examined the effect of systemic corticosterone on spontaneous dopamine release events (transients) in the NAc core and shell in behaving rats. A physiologically relevant systemic injection of corticosterone (2 mg/kg i.p.) induced an increase in dopamine transient amplitude and duration (both voltammetric measures sensitive to decreases in dopamine clearance), but had no effect on the frequency of transient release events. This effect was compounded by cocaine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.). However, a second experiment indicated that the same injection of corticosterone had no detectable effect on the dopaminergic encoding of a palatable natural reward (saccharin). Taken together, these results suggest that corticosterone interferes with naturally occurring dopamine uptake locally, and this effect is a critical determinant of dopamine concentration specifically in situations in which the dopamine transporter is pharmacologically blocked by cocaine.
Benefits and limitations of animal models in partial bladder outlet obstruction for translational research
Authors: Kitta Takeya , Kanno Yukiko , Chiba Hiroki , Higuchi Madoka , Ouchi Mifuka , Togo Mio , Moriya Kimihiko , Shinohara Nobuo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe functions of the lower urinary tract have been investigated for more than a century. Lower urinary tract symptoms, such as incomplete bladder emptying, weak urine stream, daytime urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence and nocturia after partial bladder outlet obstruction, is a frequent cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia in aging men. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The use of animal models is absolutely imperative for understanding the pathophysiological processes involved in bladder dysfunction. Surgical induction has been used to study lower urinary tract functions of numerous animal species, such as pig, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse, of both sexes. Several morphological and functional modifications under partial bladder outlet obstruction have not only been observed in the bladder, but also in the central nervous system. Understanding the changes of the lower urinary tract functions induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction would also contribute to appropriate drug development for treating these pathophysiological conditions. In the present review, we discuss techniques for creating partial bladder outlet obstruction, the characteristics of several species, as well as issues of each model, and their translational value.
High‐speed heteroepitaxial growth of 3C‐SiC (111) thick films on Si (110) by laser chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Sun Qingyun , Zhu Peipei , Xu Qingfang , Tu Rong , Zhang Song , Shi Ji , Li Haiwen , Zhang Lianmeng , Goto Takashi , Yan Jiasheng , Li Shusen 
Published: October 2017

Abstract3C‐SiC (111) thick films were grown on Si (110) substrate via laser chemical vapor deposition (laser CVD) using hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) as precursor and argon (Ar) as dilution gas. The 3C‐SiC (111) polycrystalline films were prepared at deposition temperature (Tdep) of 1423‐1523 K, whereas the 3C‐SiC (111) epitaxial films were obtained at 1573‐1648 K with the thickness of 5.40 to 9.32 μm. The in‐plane relationship was 3C‐SiC [‐1‐12]//Si [001] and 3C‐SiC [‐110]//Si [‐110]. The deposition rates (Rdep) were 16.2‐28.0 μm/h, which are 2 to 100 times higher than that of 3C‐SiC (111) epi‐grown on Si (111) by conventional CVD. The growth mechanism of 3C‐SiC (111) epitaxial films has also been proposed.