bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequential therapy with cyclophosphamide and mycophenolic acid in patients with progressive immunoglobulin A nephropathy: a long-term follow-up
Authors: Rasche F M , Keller F , Rasche W G , Schiekofer S , Kahn T , Fahnert J 
Published: October 2015

Summary
In progressive immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN), cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (CyP), high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) have been used to stop progressive loss of renal function, but disease progression may occur after the end of the initial treatment. Here, we report the long-term follow-up of patients with progressive IgAN with MPA as maintenance therapy after CyP (CyP-MPA). In a median observation time of 6·2 years, we analysed the slopes of the loss of renal function of 47 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and treated with CyP. Thirty-one patients with further progression were treated with MPA maintenance for a median time of 5·2 years. Follow-up was compared with symptomatic therapy and IVIg as historically matched control groups. Median loss of renal function was reduced significantly from 0·9 ml/min to 0·1 ml/min per month with CyP (P &lt; 0·05), and with MPA in patients with a relapse from −0·4 ml/min to −0·1 ml/min per month (P &lt; 0·05) until the end of the study. Proteinuria decreased significantly from 1·6 g/l to 1·0 g/l after CyP, and during MPA treatment to 0·6 g/l (P = 0·001 Friedman test). Median renal survival time was in patients with CyP 10·5 years (range = 3·2–17·8), with CyP-MPA 10·7 years (range = 8·3–13·1), with IVIg 4·7 years (range = 2·6–6·6), and in untreated patients 1·2 years (range = 0·8–1·6; log-rank test P &lt; 0·01). In patients with progressive IgAN, our long-term follow-up observation indicates that sequential CyP-MPA therapy maintains renal survival significantly.
Insulin‐like growth factor I and risk of incident cancer in elderly men – results from MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) in Sweden
Authors: Carlzon Daniel , Svensson Johan , Petzold Max , Karlsson Magnus K. , Ljunggren Östen , Haghsheno Mohammad‐Ali , Damber Jan‐Erik , Mellström Dan , Ohlsson Claes 
Published: October 2015

SummaryObjectiveStudies of the association between circulating IGF‐I and cancer risk have shown conflicting results. We have previously observed a U‐shaped association between IGF‐I and cancer mortality. This study test the hypotheses of a U‐shaped association between IGF‐I and incident cancer.DesignElderly men (2368), randomly recruited from the general community.MethodsIGF‐I was measured in a cohort of elderly men. Complete data for incident cancer were obtained from the Swedish Cancer Registry. Statistical analyses included Cox proportional hazards regressions with or without a spline approach.ResultsThree hundred and sixty‐nine participants had incident cancer after baseline. Prostate cancer was most frequent (n = 140). There was no association between serum IGF‐I and all cancer or prostate cancer incidence. However, there was a nonlinear association between IGF‐I and nonprostate cancer incidence (P = <0·05). Exploratory analyses were performed for low and high serum IGF‐I (quintiles 1 and 5) vs intermediate (quintiles 2–4, referent). There was a tendency of increased nonprostate cancer risk in men with high IGF‐I (HR = 1·26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0·92–1·71, P = 0·15). After excluding participants with follow‐up of less than 2·6 years (half median follow‐up time), to control for potential diagnostic delay, the association was statistically significant (HR = 1·55, CI: 1·03–2·35).ConclusionThere was a significant nonlinear association between IGF‐I and nonprostate cancer. No association between IGF‐I and prostate cancer was observed. Future studies are warranted to further investigate this nonlinear association, including whether IGF‐I concentration is a reproducible, and useful, risk marker of nonprostate cancer.
Prospective case‐controlled sound localisation study after cochlear implantation in adults with single‐sided deafness and ipsilateral tinnitus
Authors: Mertens G. , Desmet J. , De Bodt M. , Van de Heyning P. 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo analyse the sound localisation skills of subjects with profound single‐sided deafness (SSD) and accompanied ipsilateral tinnitus who are using a cochlear implant (CI) for between 4 and 11 years.DesignSound localisation skills were tested using nine loudspeakers in a frontal semicircle ranging from −90° to +90°. Subjects were tested in the CION and the CIOFF conditions via 3 localisation stimuli: broadband noise (BB), low‐pass noise (LP) and high‐pass noise (HP).ParticipantsThe test group consisted of 10 adult subjects with profound sensorineural SSD, ipsilateral tinnitus and a CI. Normative data of a control group of 30 normal hearing subjects were used for comparison.Main outcome measuresSound location accuracy was analysed via the root‐mean‐square error (RMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), the localisation bias (‘b’) and the bias‐adjusted deviation (‘db’). Subjective dynamic aspects of hearing were assessed via a reduced version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ5).ResultsFor all 3 stimuli, the RMSE improved significantly in SSD subjects in the CION condition compared to the CIOFF condition. The localisation accuracy of subjects with SSD improved significantly for BB and HP stimuli. A significant bias‐adjusted deviation ‘db’ was found for the BB and HP stimuli. Subjects’ mean SSQ5 scores were significantly higher in the CION condition at test date than in the CIOFF condition preoperatively.ConclusionsSubjects can better locate sound in the CION condition than in the CIOFF condition.
Palliative surgical intervention in metastatic colorectal carcinoma: a prospective analysis of quality of life
Authors: Tan W. J. , Chew M. H. , Tan I. B. H. , Law J. H. , Zhao R. , Acharyya S. , Mao Y. L. , Fernandez L. G. , Loi C. T. , Tang C. L. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimQuality of life (QOL) was assessed after palliative surgery for incurable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodNewly diagnosed patients with incurable metastatic CRC who were offered elective palliative surgical intervention were included. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐CR29 questionnaire was used for the assessment of QOL at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the mean change in the QOL score from baseline.ResultsTwenty‐four patients formed the study group. Sixteen underwent resection of the primary tumour and eight had a proximal diversion or bypass. The Global Health (GH) score and Social Functioning (SF) score improved at 3 and 6 months after intervention respectively (GH +11, P = 0.021; SF +15, P = 0.005). Mean anxiety scores were markedly improved from the baseline of 51 to 71 (P = 0.004, 3 months) and 76 (P = 0.002, 6 months). Weight concerns also improved significantly when compared with baseline (3 months, +20, P < 0.001; 6 months, +14, P = 0.012). Symptoms of diarrhoea (3 months, −‒17, P = 0.007; 6 months,‒−16, P = 0.008) and nausea (−‒8, P = 0.032) improved.ConclusionIn patients with incurable metastatic CRC, surgery improved QOL.
A three‐dimensional skin equivalent reflecting some aspects of in vivo aged skin
Authors: Diekmann Johanna , Alili Lirija , Scholz Okka , Giesen Melanie , Holtkötter Olaf , Brenneisen Peter 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHuman skin undergoes morphological, biochemical and functional modifications during the ageing process. This study was designed to produce a 3‐dimensional (3D) skin equivalent in vitro reflecting some aspects of in vivo aged skin. Reconstructed skin was generated by co‐culturing skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes on a collagen–glycosaminoglycan–chitosan scaffold, and ageing was induced by the exposition of fibroblasts to Mitomycin‐C (MMC). Recently published data showed that MMC treatment resulted in a drug‐induced accelerated senescence (DIAS) in human dermal fibroblast cultures. Next to established ageing markers, histological changes were analysed in comparison with in vivo aged skin. In aged epidermis, the filaggrin expression is reduced in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, in dermal tissue, the amount of elastin and collagen is lowered in aged skin in vivo as well as after the treatment of 3D skin equivalents with MMC in vitro. Our results show histological signs and some aspects of ageing in a 3D skin equivalent in vitro, which mimics aged skin in vivo.
Histology‐guided protein digestion/extraction from formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded pressure ulcer biopsies
Authors: Taverna Domenico , Pollins Alonda C. , Nanney Lillian B. , Sindona Giovanni , Caprioli Richard M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHerein we present a simple, reproducible and versatile approach for in situ protein digestion and identification on formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues. This adaptation is based on the use of an enzyme delivery platform (hydrogel discs) that can be positioned on the surface of a tissue section. By simultaneous deposition of multiple hydrogels over select regions of interest within the same tissue section, multiple peptide extracts can be obtained from discrete histological areas. After enzymatic digestion, the hydrogel extracts are submitted for LC‐MS/MS analysis followed by database inquiry for protein identification. Further, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is used to reveal the spatial distribution of the identified peptides within a serial tissue section. Optimization was achieved using cutaneous tissue from surgically excised pressure ulcers that were subdivided into two prime regions of interest: the wound bed and the adjacent dermal area. The robust display of tryptic peptides within these spectral analyses of histologically defined tissue regions suggests that LC‐MS/MS in combination with IMS can serve as useful exploratory tools.
Phenotypic and functional changes in dermal primary fibroblasts isolated from intrinsically aged human skin
Authors: Brun Cécilia , Jean‐Louis Francette , Oddos Thierry , Bagot Martine , Bensussan Armand , Michel Laurence 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDermal fibroblasts play a key role in maintaining skin homoeostasis by synthesizing and degrading extracellular matrix components. During ageing, they are subjected to changes, such as the loss of type I collagen expression and an increased synthesis of metalloproteinase I, leading to fragmentation of collagen fibrils with consequent reduction of the mechanical tension and defects of skin wound healing. Most information about fibroblast ageing was obtained from experiments performed on replicative‐senescent dermal fibroblasts in vitro. However, the senescence status of fibroblasts isolated from intrinsically aged skins and its consequences on functionality need to be deeper investigated. Herein, we studied age‐related phenotypic and functional alteration of fibroblasts from ‘young’ (<35 years) and ‘old’ (>50 years) donors. Our results brought evidence of the senescent status of ‘old’ fibroblasts by senescence associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐βgal) positive staining and p16 expression. A PCR array focusing on senescence highlighted a subset of downregulated genes including cell cycle progression and ECM genes in ‘old’ fibroblasts as well as a subset of upregulated genes involved in senescence features. In ‘old’ fibroblasts, we measured a downregulation of proliferative and contractile capacities of migratory potential under PDGF stimulation and activation into myofibroblasts under TGFβ. Old fibroblasts were also more sensitive to oxidative stress than ‘young’ ones. Of interest, downregulation of p16 expression partially reversed the senescent phenotype of ‘old’ fibroblasts but failed to restore their functional properties. In conclusion, our data brought evidence of phenotypic and functional differences between fibroblasts from young and intrinsically aged skin that may contribute to the alterations observed with ageing.
Three patients treated with daclatasvir and asunaprevir for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation: Case report
Authors: Kawaoka Tomokazu , Imamura Michio , Morio Kei , Nakamura Yuki , Tsuge Masataka , Nelson Hayes C. , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Aikata Hiroshi , Ochi Hidenori , Ishiyama Kouhei , Ide Kentaro , Tashiro Hirotaka , Ohdan Hideki , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: October 2015

We previously reported our data on telaprevir or simeprevir used in combination with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) for the treatment of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection after liver transplantation (LT). Here, we report three patients who achieved viral responses with no effect on the blood concentrations of immunosuppressive agents following daclatasvir and asunaprevir treatment. The first patient was a 57‐year‐old man with HCV‐related liver cirrhosis who failed to respond to PEG IFN/RBV after living donor LT. He had been treated with 1 mg/day of tacrolimus. The second was a 63‐year‐old man with HCV‐related liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma who failed to respond to PEG IFN/RBV after living donor LT. He had been treated with 1 mg/day of tacrolimus. The third was a 61‐year‐old man with HCV‐related liver cirrhosis. He had been treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Serum HCV RNA became undetectable by TaqMan polymerase chain reaction test after 4 weeks of daclatasvir and asunaprevir treatment in all patients, and no remarkable fluctuations in blood concentration were observed either in tacrolimus or in MMF during 24 weeks of therapy. No adverse events were observed, and all patients received the full dose of daclatasvir and asunaprevir over 24 weeks. Serum HCV RNA remained negative at 12 weeks after the end of treatment in all patients. The daclatasvir and asunaprevir treatment showed a remarkable viral response with little effect on blood levels of immunosuppressive agents for recurrent HCV genotype 1 infection after LT.
Female Empowerment in Iran: The Voice of Iranian University Students
Authors: Fereidouni Somayeh , Mehran Golmar , Mansourian Yasdan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn line with global trends, the rate of Iranian female students' enrolment in higher education has increased. However, some policy makers have been concerned about this and without considering the female voice, they have implemented strategies to balance the labour market, which has led to a decrease in female students in certain majors. The results of an empirical study showed that going to university is the primary route to empowerment for girls in Iran. The study into the meaning of empowerment adopted a qualitative approach using unstructured in‐depth interviews with 80 Iranian female university students from seven provinces of Iran. The narrative responses were analysed using content analysis and grounded theory. The results of this study led to develop a new theory called ‘Female Empowerment through Higher Education’, which has several key constituents of female empowerment including: social presence, the power to make decision, autonomy, education and building up a new value framework.
Consumers’ prepurchase satisfaction with the attributes and information of food labels
Authors: van der Colff Nadia , van der Merwe Daleen , Bosman Magdalena , Erasmus Alet , Ellis Susanna 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to describe consumers’ retrospective satisfaction with food labels within the expectancy (dis)confirmation paradigm and to investigate the likelihood of food labels influencing consumers’ product choices. A quantitative, descriptive, cross‐sectional survey approach was followed to explore and describe consumers’ satisfaction with attributes of and information on food labels. Self‐administered questionnaires (n = 279) were distributed in Gauteng, South Africa, through convenience sampling. On average, respondents were dissatisfied with label attributes (believability, readability, comprehensibility and adequacy) and with primary information (expiry date, allergens, nutrition/health, ingredient list, quality guarantees), but satisfied with secondary information (usage instructions, manufacturer name, symbols, serving numbers, country of origin). Respondents had higher expectations of primary information and considered it more influential for their purchasing decisions and, therefore, judged the performance of this information more critically than the secondary information. When amendments to and the presentation of food label information are considered, primary information should be a priority. Consumers, who are satisfied with food labels, might be inclined to choose one product over another. This study was the first of its kind, linking satisfaction and product choice to different dimensions of food labels.
Impact of parental weight status on a school‐based weight management programme designed for Mexican–American children
Authors: Moreno J. P. , Johnston C. A. , Hernandez D. C. , LeNoble J. , Papaioannou M. A. , Foreyt J. P. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundWhile overweight and obese children are more likely to have overweight or obese parents, less is known about the effect of parental weight status on children's success in weight management programmes.ObjectivesThis study was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial and investigated the impact of having zero, one or two obese parents on children's success in a school‐based weight management programme.MethodsSixty‐one Mexican–American children participated in a 24‐week school‐based weight management intervention which took place in 2005–2006. Children's heights and weights were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Parental weight status was assessed at baseline. Repeated measures anova and ancova were conducted to compare changes in children's weight within and between groups, respectively.ResultsWithin‐group comparisons revealed that the intervention led to significant decreases in standardized body mass index (zBMI) for children with zero (F = 23.16, P < .001) or one obese (F = 4.99, P < .05) parent. Between‐group comparisons indicated that children with zero and one obese parents demonstrated greater decreases in zBMI compared to children with two obese parents at every time point.ConclusionsThe school‐based weight management programme appears to be most efficacious for children with one or no obese parents compared to children with two obese parents. These results demonstrate the need to consider parental weight status when engaging in childhood weight management efforts.
Impact of the emergency department streaming decision on patients' outcomes
Authors: Kim S. W. , Horwood C. , Li J. Y. , Hakendorf P. H. , Teubner D. J. O. , Thompson C. H. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundStreaming occurs in emergency department (ED) to reduce crowding, but misallocation of patients may impact patients' outcome.AimThe study aims to determine the outcomes of patients misallocated by the ED process of streaming into likely admission or dischargeMethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study, at an Australian, urban, tertiary referral hospital's ED between January 2010 and March 2012, using propensity score matching for comparison. Total and partitioned ED lengths of stay, inpatient length of stay, in‐hospital mortality and 7‐ and 28‐day unplanned readmission rate were compared between patients who were streamed to be admitted against those streamed to be discharged.ResultsTotal ED length of stay did not differ significantly for admitted patients if allocated to the wrong stream (median 7.6 h, interquartile range 5.7–10.6, cf. 7.5 h, 5.3–11.2; P = 0.34). The median inpatient length of stay was shorter for those initially misallocated to the discharge stream (1.8 days, 1.1–3.0, cf. 2.4 days, 1.4–3.9; P < 0.001). In‐hospital mortality and 7‐ and 28‐day readmission rates were not adversely affected by misallocation. When considering patients eventually discharged from the ED, those allocated to the wrong stream stayed in the ED longer than those appropriately allocated (5.2 h, 3.7–7.3, cf. 4.6 h, 3.3–6.4; P < 0.001).ConclusionThere were no significant adverse consequences for an admitted patient initially misallocated by an ED admission/discharge streaming process. Patients' discharge from the ED was slower if they had been allocated to the admission stream. Streaming carries few risks for patients misallocated by such a process.
Stability of unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva flow rates in children
Authors: Sánchez‐Pérez Leonor , Irigoyen‐Camacho Esther , Sáenz‐Martínez Laura , Zepeda Zepeda Marco , Acosta‐Gío Enrique , Méndez‐Ramírez Ignacio 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTo analyze the stability of the unstimulated saliva flow rate (USFR) and the stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR) in children followed from age 7 to 12 years old.MethodsLongitudinal study. Whole saliva samples were collected from school children (50 girls and 50 boys). Forty‐four girls and 32 boys remained in this cohort for 6 years (dropout rate 24%). Variables that could influence USFR or SSFR patterns were analyzed in a repeated‐measures manova.ResultsOver a 6‐year follow‐up, the children's USFR ranged from 0.41 to 0.46 mL/min in the initial and final observation, respectively, and showed no significant differences (P = 0.4455) during the follow‐up. The children consistently belonged to one of three distinct SSFR groups (P < 0.0001). A repeated‐measures manova model showed that USFR and SSFR were not associated with sex, body mass index, or indoor temperature during sampling.ConclusionThese results indicate that USFR and SSFR patterns were stable from 7 to 12 years old. This finding may be useful in oral health prevention or treatment and in the search for biomarkers in saliva for screening or diagnostic purposes.
Influence of Hydrocolloids on Batter Properties and Textural Kinetics of Sponge Cake during Storage
Authors: Poonnakasem Naratip , Laohasongkram Kalaya , Chaiwanichsiri Saiwarun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe influence of hydrocolloids, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), xanthan gum (XG) and sodium alginate (AG) at 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w, based on the wheat flour), on batter properties and textural kinetics of sponge cake during storage was studied. It was found that the addition of XG and AG dose‐dependently increased the batter density and the viscosity of all the samples and also decreased the cake specific volume but increased the crumb moisture. The firmness change of sponge cake at different storage temperatures followed a first‐order kinetic reaction, where the activation energy (Ea) decreased in the following order: HPMC > AG > XG, which is in contrast to the firmness change rate constant (k). Addition of 0.5% (w/w) HPMC gave the lowest k (0.1156 day−1) and highest Ea (11.23 kJ/mol) values, reflecting its better firmness retarding property. However, the use of HPMC at 1.0% (w/w) gave an adverse effect.Practical ApplicationsConvenient baked snack foods, such as sponge cakes, are in increasing demand as a result of the changing lifestyles and economics of the global populations. However, the quality of sponge cakes changes (deteriorate) during storage. This study evaluated the use of three different hydrocolloids as potential firmness retarding agents during cake storage. Kinetics measurements were the key parameter used to describe the rate of reaction. Hydrocolloids that help to improve the texture of sponge cake are of a significant interest in the baked goods industry, and such archived research will benefit the industrial cake production for better distribution and marketing of these products.