bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robot‐assisted versus other types of radical prostatectomy: Population‐based safety and cost comparison in Japan, 2012–2013
Authors: Sugihara Toru , Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Matsui Hiroki , Fujimura Tetsuya , Nishimatsu Hiroaki , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Kume Haruki , Changhong Yu , Kattan Michael W. , Fushimi Kiyohide , Homma Yukio 
Published: September 2014

In 2012, Japanese national insurance started covering robot‐assisted surgery. We carried out a population‐based comparison between robot‐assisted and three other types of radical prostatectomy to evaluate the safety of robot‐assisted prostatectomy during its initial year. We abstracted data for 7202 open, 2483 laparoscopic, 1181 minimal incision endoscopic, and 2126 robot‐assisted radical prostatectomies for oncological stage T3 or less from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database (April 2012–March 2013). Complication rate, transfusion rate, anesthesia time, postoperative length of stay, and cost were evaluated by pairwise one‐to‐one propensity‐score matching and multivariable analyses with covariants of age, comorbidity, oncological stage, hospital volume, and hospital academic status. The proportion of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomies dramatically increased from 8.6% to 24.1% during the first year. Compared with open, laparoscopic, and minimal incision endoscopic surgery, robot‐assisted surgery was generally associated with a significantly lower complication rate (odds ratios, 0.25, 0.20, 0.33, respectively), autologous transfusion rate (0.04, 0.31, 0.10), homologous transfusion rate (0.16, 0.48, 0.14), lower cost excluding operation (differences, −5.1%, −1.8% [not significant], −10.8%) and shorter postoperative length of stay (–9.1%, +0.9% [not significant], –18.5%, respectively). However, robot‐assisted surgery also resulted in a + 42.6% increase in anesthesia time and +52.4% increase in total cost compared with open surgery (all P < 0.05). Introduction of robotic surgery led to a dynamic change in prostate cancer surgery. Even in its initial year, robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was carried out with several favorable safety aspects compared to the conventional surgeries despite its having the longest anesthesia time and the highest cost.
Dentomaxillofacial characteristics of ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Nakayama Yumiko , Baba Yoshiyuki , Tsuji Michiko , Fukuoka Hiroki , Ogawa Takuya , Ohkuma Mizue , Moriyama Keiji 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe aim of this retrospective hospital‐based study was to elucidate the dentomaxillofacial characteristics of ectodermal dysplasia. Six Japanese individuals (one male and five female; age range, 12.7–27.2 years) underwent comprehensive examinations, including history recording, cephalometric analysis, panoramic radiography, and analysis of dental models. All the subjects had two or more major manifestations for clinical diagnosis of ectodermal dysplasia (e.g., defects of hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands). They presented hypodontia (mean number of missing teeth, 9.5; range, 5–14), especially in the premolar region, and enamel dysplasia. Five subjects had bilateral molar occlusion, whereas one subject had unilateral molar occlusion. The common skeletal features were small facial height, maxillary hypoplasia, counterclockwise rotation of the mandible, and mandibular protrusion. Interestingly, the maxillary first molars were located in higher positions and the upper anterior facial height was smaller than the Japanese norm. The results suggest that vertical and anteroposterior maxillary growth retardation, rather than lack of occlusal support due to hypodontia, leads to reduced anterior facial height in individuals with ectodermal dysplasia.
Relationship between the CT Value and Cortical Bone Thickness at Implant Recipient Sites and Primary Implant Stability with Comparison of Different Implant Types
Authors: Howashi Miori , Tsukiyama Yoshihiro , Ayukawa Yasunori , Isoda‐Akizuki Kei , Kihara Masafumi , Imai Yu , Sogo Motofumi , Koyano Kiyoshi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundStudies have shown that bone quality at the implant recipient site can influence primary stability.PurposeThe aims of this study were to explore the quantitative estimation of the primary stability of implants preoperatively using CT values and to examine the effect of different implant designs with recommended socket preparation on primary stability.Materials and MethodsForty‐four fresh porcine femoral heads were prepared. The bone surrounding implant sockets was preoperatively evaluated by helical CT. Forty‐four implants (φ 4.3 × 10 mm), 22 straight and 22 tapered, were placed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The insertion torque value (ITV), implant stability quotient (ISQ), and removal torque value (RTV) were recorded as indicators of primary implant stability.ResultsSignificant correlations and linear relationships were found between the CT value and ITV, ISQ, and RTV for both straight and tapered implants (Spearman's correlation coefficient, p < .001; linear regression analysis, p < .01). Tapered implants had a significantly higher ITV than straight implants (analysis of covariance, p < .01).ConclusionsObtained results suggest that the primary stability of implants could be quantitatively estimated using the CT value preoperatively, indicating the CT value of bone surrounding an implant can contribute considerably to implant planning and design choice in clinical situations.
Facial bone alterations on maxillary anterior single implants for immediate placement and provisionalization following tooth extraction: a superimposed cone beam computed tomography study
Authors: Morimoto Taichiro , Tsukiyama Yoshihiro , Morimoto Keizo , Koyano Kiyoshi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study was to describe the facial bone changes around single implants for immediate placement and provisionalization following tooth extraction in the maxillary anterior.Material and methodsThe data between 2008 and 2013 were collected retrospectively. Superimposed facio‐palatal cross‐sectional CBCT images for the implants were derived from preoperative and postoperative radiographs via standardized CBCT processes. Horizontal and vertical facial measurements on the implants were identified at preoperative and approximately 1‐year postoperative follow‐ups. Correlation coefficient for those parameters was evaluated.ResultsA total of 12 single implants in 12 patients were included in this study. The mean loading period was 13.3 months (range 12–15 months). The median data of preoperative bone thickness 0.54 mm (A), preoperative vertical bone level 1.46 mm (B), postoperative bone thickness 1.77 mm (C), postoperative vertical bone level 1.08 mm (D), horizontal distance from outer surface of preoperative facial bone to implant surface 2.08 mm (E), horizontal gap distance 1.41 mm (E–A), horizontal bone resorption −0.26 mm (E–C), and vertical bone resorption −0.25 mm (B–D) were obtained. The data at the implant platform level (IPL) were selected for the horizontal measurements. Spearman's analysis demonstrated statistically significant correlations between B and D, C and E, E and E–A, and B and E–C (P < 0.01). Significant correlations between C and B, D, and E–A were also found, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionsImmediate placement and provisionalization of single implants procedure in the maxillary anterior showed excellent outcomes with the small facial bone alterations around the implants. Neither preoperative facial bone thickness nor horizontal gap distance influenced the amount of facial bone resorptions.
Addition of structural complexity – contrasting effect on juvenile brown trout in a natural stream
Authors: Höjesjö Johan , Gunve Elin , Bohlin Torgny , Johnsson Jörgen I. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn a field experiment, we examined the effects of structural complexity in the form of added artificial plastic plants and shredded plastic bags on growth and abundance of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta). Just after emergence, the added complexity had a positive effect on the density, biomass and condition factor of young‐of‐the‐year (0+) brown trout. This difference in density was not present six weeks later. In contrast, both young‐of‐the‐year and older brown trout generally tended to be larger in the simple habitat. Hence, our data suggest that increased complexity initially is beneficial for young‐of‐the‐year individuals probably due to lower risk of predation and increased densities of prey. However, as density increases in the complex environment, it may induce negative density‐dependent effects, here reflected in smaller sized fish in the complex environment. This might force fish to redistribute to habitats with lower densities of conspecifics as they grow larger. We propose that habitat complexity can increase survival of yearlings in early phases and thereby also affect the overall population structure of brown trout in natural streams.
Engineering specificity in a dynamic protein complex with a single conserved mutation
Authors: Bashir Qamar , Meulenbroek Elisabeth M. , Pannu Navraj S. , Ubbink Marcellus 
Published: September 2014

It has been demonstrated that the complex of yeast cytochrome c (Cc) and cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) exists as a delicate equilibrium of a specific, active state and the non‐specific, dynamic encounter state. An ortholog of yeast Cc, horse Cc, binds CcP but forms a much more dynamic complex, as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy. A single conservative mutation of lysine 13 to arginine reduces the dynamics and enhances the specificity. The crystal structure of the stereospecific complex resembles the yeast Cc–CcP complex. In contrast, the K13A mutation increases the dynamic nature of the complex with CcP, showing that specificity in a redox protein complex can depend on the interactions of a single side chain in the binding interface.Structured digital abstract

hCc and yCcP bind by nuclear magnetic resonance (1, 2, 3)

hCc and yCcP bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Epigenetic inactivation of transforming growth factor‐β1 target gene HEYL, a novel tumor suppressor, is involved in the P53‐induced apoptotic pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kuo Kung‐Kai , Jian Shu‐Fang , Li Yi‐Jin , Wan Shi‐Wei , Weng Ching‐Chieh , Fang KuanTe , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Cheng Kuang‐Hung 
Published: September 2014

AimHairy/enhancer‐of‐split related with YRPW motif‐like (HEYL) protein was first identified as a transcriptional repressor. It is a downstream gene of the Notch and transforming growth factor‐β pathways. Little is known about its role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsEighty surgically resected paired HCC and adjacent non‐cancerous tissues were analyzed for HEYL expression by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). HCC cells were transfected with pHEYL‐EGFP vector to overexpress the HEYL gene or infected with specific shHEYL lentiviral vector to silence HEYL gene expression. HEYL expressional analysis and functional characterization were assessed by 3‐(4 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, flow cytometry, RT–qPCR, western blotting and methylation‐specific PCR.ResultsWe determined that HEYL expression was inactivated in more than 75% of HCC. In addition, overexpression of HEYL in SK‐Hep 1 cells caused apoptosis by the cleavage of caspase 3 and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase. We discovered that HEYL apoptosis was preceded by serine 15 phosphorylation and accumulation of P53. Molecular analysis revealed that HEYL overexpression led to increased p16, p19, p21, p27 and Bad protein expression, and reduced c‐Myc, Bcl‐2 and Cyclin B1 expression. Epigenetic silencing of HEYL expression by DNA hypermethylation in HCC directly correlated with loss of HEYL expression in HCC.ConclusionHEYL is frequently downregulated by promoter methylation in HCC. HEYL may be a tumor suppressor of liver carcinogenesis through upregulation of P53 gene expression and activation of P53‐mediated apoptosis.
Valorisation of theanine from decaffeinated tea dust in bakery functional food
Authors: Culetu Alina , Héritier Julien , Andlauer Wilfried 
Published: September 2014

SummaryNowadays, consumers appreciate the positive properties of decaffeinated tea for their well‐being. During decaffeination process, a very fine tea dust powder is obtained as by‐product, which contains the same quantity of bioactives as decaffeinated tea: the antioxidant polyphenols and the amino acid theanine. The aim was to add value to theanine gained from black tea powder dust and to develop theanine‐enriched bread. A theanine containing powder was obtained by column separation of decaffeinated tea dust extract and spray‐drying using carrier supports. This powder contains also the very polar compounds from decaffeinated tea such as amino acids, sugars and minerals. Breads with 110, 220 and 330 ppm of theanine, respectively, were prepared with the theanine powder. Physical properties, theanine and total polyphenolic content in bread were analysed. Bread and other bakery food serve as good products to add value to bioactive tea dust ingredients.
Taxpayers' Behavioural Responses and Measures of Tax Compliance ‘Gaps’: A Critique and a New Measure
Authors: Gemmell Norman , Hasseldine John 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe work of Feldstein (1995 and 1999) has stimulated substantial conceptual and empirical advances in economists' approaches to analysing taxpayers' behavioural responses to changes in tax rates. Meanwhile, a largely independent literature proposing and applying alternative measures of tax compliance has also developed in recent years, which has sought to provide tax agencies with tools to identify the extent of tax non‐compliance as a first step to designing policies to improve compliance. In this context, measures of ‘tax gaps’ – the difference between actual tax collected and the potential tax collection under full compliance with the tax code – have become the primary measures of tax non‐compliance via (legal) avoidance and/or (illegal) evasion. In this paper, we argue that the tax gap as conventionally defined is conceptually flawed because it fails to incorporate behavioural responses by taxpayers. We show that conventional tax gap measures, which ignore the presence of behavioural responses, exaggerate the degree of non‐compliance. This potentially applies both to indirect taxes (such as the ‘VAT gap’) and direct (income) taxes. Further, where these conventional tax gap measures motivate reforms designed to increase the tax compliance rate, they will likely have a tax‐base‐reducing effect and hence generate a smaller increase in realised tax revenues than would be anticipated from the tax gap estimate.
The Housing Market in the United Kingdom: Effects of House Price Volatility on Households
Authors: Chandler Daniel , Disney Richard 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper describes the economics of the housing market and explains why house prices are likely to be more volatile than prices in other markets. It illustrates the volatility of house prices relative to some other key economic variables in the UK. The paper then considers the implications of variability in house prices for household behaviour, surveying a number of studies for the UK and elsewhere on the effects of house price volatility on consumption spending, indebtedness, labour supply, and entry to and exit from the homeownership market.
Testicular cancer and sperm DNA damage: short‐ and long‐term effects of antineoplastic treatment
Authors: Paoli D. , Gallo M. , Rizzo F. , Spanò M. , Leter G. , Lombardo F. , Lenzi A. , Gandini L. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate sperm DNA damage induced by chemo‐ and radiotherapy in patients with testicular cancer to provide data on the extent and persistence of nuclear damage that might affect individual reproductive potential. We evaluated pre‐ and post‐antineoplastic treatment sperm DNA integrity, expressed as DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI), in a large caseload of testicular cancer patients by sperm chromatin structure assay. The mean total DFI for all patients at T0 was 18.0 ± 12.5%. Sperm chromatin profile was markedly impaired at T3 (27.7 ± 17.4%) and T6 (23.2 ± 15.3%), improving considerably at T12 and T24 (14.0 ± 8.9% and 14.4 ± 10.3%). After chemotherapy, we found a marked increase in DFI at T3 and T6 and a significant reduction at T12 and T24 in comparison with the baseline. In contrast, DFI increased at T3 and T6 after radiotherapy but the subsequent reduction was far less marked, reaching baseline values at T12 and T24. Finally, post‐treatment DNA damage was not age or histotype dependent, but was more marked in the advanced stage of cancer. In this study, we showed that the chromatin profile may be affected in the months immediately following the end of the treatment, improving after 12–24 months. Our results thus indicate that post‐treatment DNA damage is influenced both by the type and intensity of the therapy and by the pathological and clinical stage of the disease.
Sodium nitroprusside suppresses male fertility in vitro
Authors: Rahman M. S. , Kwon W.‐S. , Lee J.‐S. , Kim J. , Yoon S.‐J. , Park Y.‐J. , You Y.‐A. , Hwang S. , Pang M.‐G. 
Published: September 2014

SummarySodium nitroprusside is a nitric oxide donor involved in the regulation of the motility, hyperactivation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction (AR) of spermatozoa. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the molecular basis for the effects of sodium nitroprusside on different processes in spermatozoa and its consequences on subsequent oocyte fertilization and embryo development. In this in vitro study, mouse spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (1, 10, and 100 μm) for 90 min. Our results showed that sodium nitroprusside inhibited sperm motility and motion kinematics in a dose‐dependent manner by significantly enhancing intracellular iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreasing Ca2+, and adenosine triphosphate levels in spermatozoa. Moreover, short‐term exposure of spermatozoa to sodium nitroprusside increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins involved in PKA‐dependent regulation of intracellular calcium levels, which induced a robust AR. Finally, sodium nitroprusside significantly decreased the rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation during embryo development. Based on these results, we propose that sodium nitroprusside increases ROS production and precocious AR may alter overall sperm physiology, leading to poor fertilization and compromised embryonic development.
Efficacy of Amiodarone in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation with and without Left Ventricular Dysfunction: A Pooled Analysis of AFFIRM and AF‐CHF Trials
Authors: CADRIN‐TOURIGNY JULIA , WYSE D.G. , ROY DENIS , BLONDEAU LUCIE , LEVESQUE SYLVIE , TALAJIC MARIO , ANDRADE JASON G. , DUBUC MARC , THIBAULT BERNARD , GUERRA PETER G. , MACLE LAURENT , RIVARD LENA , KHAIRY PAUL 
Published: September 2014

Amiodarone for Atrial FibrillationIntroductionDespite amiodarone's established safety profile in the setting of heart failure, it is unknown whether its impact on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation is modulated by left ventricular function.Methods and ResultsA pooled analysis of 3,307 patients (age 68.0 ± 0.2 years; 31.1% female) enrolled in AFFIRM and AF‐CHF trials was conducted to assess the effect of rhythm control with amiodarone on cardiovascular outcomes, according to left ventricular systolic function. In amiodarone‐treated patients (N = 1,107), freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation was 84% and 45% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, with no differences according to left ventricular function (P = 0.8754). Similarly, the adjusted proportion of time spent in atrial fibrillation (15.0 ± 1.8%) did not vary according to ventricular function (P = 0.6094). Over 40.0 ± 0.3 months of follow‐up, 1,963 (59.4%) patients required at least one hospitalization, 1,401 (42.6%) of whom had cardiovascular‐related hospitalizations. Adjusted all‐cause and cardiovascular hospitalization rates were similar with amiodarone versus rate control in all patients and in subgroups with and without severe left ventricular dysfunction. A total of 729 (22.0%) patients died, 498 (15.1%) from cardiovascular causes. Adjusted all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were similar with amiodarone versus rate control overall and in subgroups with and without severe left ventricular dysfunction.ConclusionAmiodarone's efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm and reducing the burden of atrial fibrillation is similar in the presence or absence of severe left ventricular dysfunction. Rhythm control with amiodarone is associated with comparable hospitalization and mortality rates to rate control in patients with and without left ventricular dysfunction.
The Double Entendre of Juvenile Prostitution: Victim versus Delinquent and the Necessity of State Uniformity
Authors: Fichtelman Ellen B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractUnder the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), minors performing commercial sex acts are deemed victims of human trafficking; however, prosecutors and judges continue to charge and adjudicate minors as prostitution offenders rather than as sexually exploited youth. To stop the perpetuation and victimization of sexually exploited children, states must join the movement in reform to match the standards of the TVPA. The federal law presumes that minors charged with prostitution are victims rather than criminals and are in need of specialized social services. To protect victims of sex trafficking, states should pass legislation in line with the TVPA, creating a presumption of immunity for all prostituted minors.
FRICTIONS AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF INVENTORY TO SHAREHOLDER WEALTH
Authors: Beauchamp Charles F. , Hardin William G. , Hill Matthew D. , Lawrey Chris M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractShareholder wealth effects associated with inventory are examined. Initial results indicate a positive and significant relation between shareholder wealth and inventory. Additional findings suggest that operating conditions, financial constraints, and working capital behavior influence the value of inventory. These findings are consistent with tactical and strategic decisions influencing managers to hold inventory. Overall, the results suggest that shareholders price the strategic advantages accompanying inventory.