bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of naloxegol
Authors: Bui Khanh , She Fahua , Sostek Mark 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe impact of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of a 25‐mg oral dose of naloxegol was examined in patients with renal impairment classified as moderate, severe, or end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and compared with healthy subjects (n = 8/group). Geometric mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) was increased in patients with moderate (1.7‐fold) or severe (2.2‐fold) impairment, and maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were elevated in patients with moderate (1.1‐fold) or severe (1.8‐fold) impairment. These findings were driven by higher exposures in two patients in each of the moderate and severe impairment groups; exposures in all other patients were similar to the control group. Overall exposures in ESRD patients were similar and Cmax was 29% lower versus normal subjects. Renal impairment minimally affected other plasma pharmacokinetic parameters. As renal clearance was a minor component of total clearance, exposure to naloxegol was unaffected by the degree of renal impairment, with no correlation between either AUC or Cmax and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Hemodialysis was an ineffective means to remove naloxegol. Naloxegol was generally well tolerated in all groups. Renal impairment could adversely affect clearance by hepatic and gut metabolism, resulting in the increased exposures observed in outliers of the moderate and severe renal impairment groups.
Mitral annulus displacement measured by two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging to assess the left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in coronary heart disease
Authors: Thapa Pooja , Xing Yuan Yuan , Li Yu Hong 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTAimTo assess the clinical utility of measuring mitral annulus displacement (MAD) by two‐dimensional speckle tracking for the rapid evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).MethodsLeft ventricular longitudinal systolic function was evaluated by MAD using speckle tracking echocardiography in 30 healthy volunteers (controls) as well as in 30 patients with mild, 30 patients with moderate, and 30 patients with severe CHD. All participants had their apical four‐chamber and two‐chamber view echocardiographic images recorded. Left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, left ventricular end‐systolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction were calculated by the biplane Simpson method. MAD of interventricular septum (MADsep), left ventricular lateral wall (MADlat), and the middle point of the mitral annulus (MADmid) were measured offline with speckle‐tracking echocardiography. MADmid% was defined as MADmid divided by left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter.ResultsMADmid% was 16.9 ± 1.9, 11.8 ± 3.2, 11.8 ± 2.9, and 10.3 ± 3.6, respectively, in controls and in patients with mild, moderate, and severe CHD. All MAD indexes were lower in patients with moderate or severe CHD than in controls or patients with mild CHD.ConclusionsMAD is an early and rapid index for the assessment of left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in patients with different degrees of coronary artery disease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:544–549, 2014
Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy to bilateral lower limb extremities concurrently: a planning case study
Authors: Fitzgerald Emma , Miles Wesley , Fenton Paul , Frantzis Jim 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNon‐melanomatous skin cancers represent 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most common. A previously healthy 71‐year‐old woman presented with widespread and tender superficial skin cancers on the lower bilateral limbs. External beam radiation therapy through the use of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was employed as the treatment modality of choice as this technique provides conformal dose distribution to a three‐dimensional treatment volume while reducing toxicity to surrounding tissues. The patient was prescribed a dose of 60 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) with 1.0 cm bolus over the ventral surface of each limb. The beam arrangement consisted of six treatment fields that avoided entry and exit through the contralateral limb. The treatment plans met the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) guidelines and produced highly conformal dosimetric results. Skin toxicity was measured against the National Cancer Institute: Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI: CTCAE) version 3. A well‐tolerated treatment was delivered with excellent results given the initial extent of the disease. This case study has demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of IMRT for skin cancers as an alternative to surgery and traditional superficial radiation therapy, utilising a complex PTV of the extremities for patients with similar presentations.
Assessing the Association Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Experiences in Women with Sexual Difficulties
Authors: Stephenson Kyle R. , Pulverman Carey S. , Meston Cindy M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSelf‐report instruments for assessing sexual well‐being in women with sexual difficulties have not to date been explicitly validated among women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Given an extensive literature suggesting psychological differences between women with and without a history of CSA, it is possible that sexual well‐being has a different meaning for these groups. Without validated scales, it is difficult to evaluate the impact of early sexual trauma on adult sexuality. The present study assessed whether the factor structure of widely used measures of sexual well‐being were consistent across women experiencing sexual difficulties, with and without an abuse history, and to estimate effect sizes for the statistical effect of CSA on sexual well‐being in this population. A sample of women with and without a history of CSA (N = 238) completed the Female Sexual Function Index and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women. Structural equation models indicated generally consistent factor structures across groups, suggesting good construct validity. Effect size estimates indicated medium to large (0.53–0.72) effects of CSA on sexual well‐being for women with sexual difficulties. These findings support and extend research regarding the potential effects of CSA that may inform treatment for this population.
Characteristics of U.S. Veterans Who Begin and Complete Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
Authors: Mott Juliette M. , Mondragon Sasha , Hundt Natalie E. , Beason‐Smith Melissa , Grady Rebecca H. , Teng Ellen J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis retrospective chart‐review study examined patient‐level correlates of initiation and completion of evidence‐based psychotherapy (EBP) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among treatment‐seeking U.S. veterans. We identified all patients (N = 796) in a large Veterans Affairs PTSD and anxiety clinic who attended at least 1 individual psychotherapy appointment with 1 of 8 providers trained in EBP. Within this group, 91 patients (11.4%) began EBP (either Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure) and 59 patients (7.9%) completed EBP. The medical records of all EBP patients (n = 91) and a provider‐matched sample of patients who received another form of individual psychotherapy (n = 66) were reviewed by 4 independent raters. Logistic regression analyses revealed that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were less likely to begin EBP than veterans from other service eras, OR = 0.48, 95% CI = [0.24, 0.94], and veterans who were service connected for PTSD were more likely than veterans without service connection to begin EBP, OR = 2.33, 95% CI = [1.09, 5.03]. Among those who began EBP, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran status, OR = 0.09, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.30], and a history of psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, OR = 0.13, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.54], were associated with decreased likelihood of EBP completion.
Influence of Acacia Trees on Near‐Surface Soil Hydraulic Properties in Arid Tunisia
Authors: De Boever Maarten , Gabriels Donald , Ouessar Mohamed , Cornelis Wim 
Published: June 2014

AbstractStudies in arid regions have shown that scattered trees strongly influence the environmental conditions under their canopies providing favourable conditions for the recruitment of other plants. The most critical factor controlling plant productivity in arid regions is soil–water availability. Hence, understanding the soil–water relationships below canopy is needed to better comprehend the rehabilitation of degraded land by vegetation. In this study, scattered Acacia raddiana trees of three canopy size classes were selected to examine their effect on soil physical properties, soil–water retention curve and saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities of the upper soil layer (0–10 cm). Compared with outside the canopy, below‐canopy soils have a higher organic matter content causing a lower bulk density and a higher total porosity. Higher hydraulic conductivities were found below as compared with outside the canopy and the rates increased with increasing canopy size. This could be related to the ratio of water content at field capacity to saturation, suggesting that hydraulic conductivities were mainly driven by macropores and large matrix pores. By improving the near‐surface soil hydraulic properties, A. raddiana trees can positively affect the water availability for the below‐canopy herbaceous cover, which is of crucial importance in water‐limited environments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Impact of Underground Longwall Mining on Prime Agricultural Land: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Lechner Alex Mark , Baumgartl Thomas , Matthew Phil , Glenn Vanessa 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCoal mining and agriculture have repeatedly come into conflict when they co‐occur. Although seemingly benign when compared with surface mining, underground coal extraction techniques (including longwall mining) cause subsidence of agricultural land and loss of productivity. Despite growing concerns for global food security and increasing demand for coal resources, there is little peer‐reviewed literature on the impacts of longwall mining in prime agricultural areas. In this paper, we examined the present knowledge of subsidence impacts of longwall mining on agriculture and how this may be interpreted for specific locations such as Australia. The review found that subsidence affects soil properties, hydrology and topography. The main impacts on agriculture are altered soil and groundwater hydrology, modified topography associated with increased erosion or waterlogging risk, and zones of compaction or cracking that cause soil physical and chemical changes. Agricultural productivity is also reduced through altering the types of farming practices that are suited to subsided non‐uniform landscapes, decreasing farming efficiency through increasing paddock heterogeneity and decreasing ease of workability. There is a need to consider these multiple impacts under local conditions, with particular regard to the interaction of mine subsidence‐associated disturbances with farming practices. We conclude by describing future research directions required for Australia and other countries outside of the USA—where most of the research has been conducted. Australia has unique soil and climatic conditions making extrapolation of studies from the USA on subsidence impacts and mitigation problematic. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Different Soil Tillage Systems to Long‐Term Swine Slurry Application
Authors: Balota Elcio L. , Machineski Oswaldo , Honda Carolina , Yada Ines F. U. , Barbosa Graziela M. C. , Nakatani Andre S. , Coyne Mark S. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSwine slurry is a common agricultural fertilizer in many countries. However, its long‐term use in large amounts can cause excess nutrient accumulation, alter soil compounds, and potentially influence critical microbial populations such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which have important roles in plant nutrition and soil sustainability. This work determined if arbuscular mycorrhizal status, external mycelium, and glomalin‐related soil protein content were affected by long‐term swine slurry application to different soil tillage systems. The experiment was conducted on a clayey oxisol, in southern Brazil. Swine slurry (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 m3 ha−1 y−1) was applied for 15 years to conventional tillage and no tillage soil prior to the summer (soybean or maize) and winter (wheat or oats) crop seasons. Swine slurry decreased mycorrhizal root colonization, spore number, and total external mycelium. Swine slurry increased active external mycelium and both easily extractable and total glomalin‐related soil protein. No‐tillage soil had more glomalin‐related soil protein than conventional tillage soil. The most significant response variables were root colonization, easily extractable glomalin‐related soil protein, and total external arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelia. Long‐term application of swine slurry in this environment, even at high rates, did not adversely affect crop yield but did influence arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi and their products in the soil environment. Benefits of swine slurry application for crop nutrition must be weighed against potential adverse consequences for the size, activity, and benefits of the mycorrhizal community to subsequent annual crops. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Viable and morphologically normal boar spermatozoa alter the expression of heat‐shock protein genes in oviductal epithelial cells during co‐culture in vitro
Authors: Yeste Marc , Holt William V. , Bonet Sergi , Rodríguez‐Gil Joan E. , Lloyd Rhiannon E. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYThe principal aim of this study was to determine if boar spermatozoa influence the expression of four selected chaperone and heat‐shock protein (HSP) genes—namely clusterin (CLU),HSP90AA1,HSPA5, andHSPA8—in oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) during in vitro co‐culture. All corresponding proteins of these genes were previously identified in a sperm‐interacting, 70‐kDa soluble fraction derived from apical plasma membranes of OECs. The present study also sought to determine whether or not: (i) spermatozoa must directly bind to OEC for an effect on gene expression to be elicited and (ii) reproductive and nonreproductive epithelial cell types (LLC‐PK1, pig kidney) respond equivalently, in terms of alterations in chaperone and HSP gene expression, during co‐culture with sperm. Spermatozoa induced a significant upregulation (P < 0.05) inHSP90AA1andHSPA5in OECs after 3 hr, and inHSPA8after 6 hr of co‐culture when they were in direct contact with epithelial cells. Conversely, no upregulation of HSP transcription was observed when spermatozoa did not directly bind to OECs. Spermatozoa also induced a significant upregulation (P < 0.05) of the same three genes when in direct contact with LLC‐PK1 cells, but the timing occurred later than with OECs. Interestingly, the extent of HSP gene upregulation induced by direct contact of spermatozoa with epithelial cells was dependent on sperm‐binding index and on the viability and morphological quality of the bound sperm population. In conclusion, the upregulation of HSP genes caused by direct contact between spermatozoa and OECs, rather than nonreproductive epithelial cells, suggests HSPs could play an integral role in the modulation of sperm function in the oviductal reservoir.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 805–819, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exogenous expression of OCT4 facilitates oocyte‐mediated reprogramming in cloned porcine embryos
Authors: Ji Qianqian , Cong Peiqing , Zhao Haijing , Song Zhenwei , Zhao Guangyin , Gao Jintao , Nie Yu , Chen Yaosheng 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYOCT4 is a well‐established regulator of pluripotency and nuclear reprogramming. To determine if improving OCT4 abundance can facilitate oocyte‐mediated reprogramming in cloned porcine embryos, we artificially increased OCT4 levels by co‐incubating donor cells with 50 ng/µl OCT4 plasmid. We observed higher rates of blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and lower levels of blastocyst apoptosis in nuclear‐transfer‐derived embryos carrying OCT4‐incubated donor nuclei (OCT4‐SCNT). The beneficial effect caused by exogenous expression of OCT4 involves epigenetic changes, wherein increased histone acetylation (AcH3K9) appeared in OCT4‐SCNT embryos at the one‐cell and blastocyst stages and reduced histone methylation (H3K9me2) was observed at the one‐cell stage (P < 0.05). There was a transient increase in exogenous OCT4 and an up‐regulation of endogenous OCT4 level in OCT4‐SCNT embryos (P < 0.05), while the expression pattern of epigenetic enzymes was changed. These modifications were accompanied by an up‐regulation of CDX2, whose interaction with OCT4 is instrumental for implantation, and a down‐regulation of XIST, a negative indicator of reprogramming (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results support a role for exogenous expression of OCT4 in improving the efficiency of nuclear reprogramming while establishing a convenient and timesaving method to improve nuclear‐transfer outcomes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 820–832, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinetics and Growth of Polyethylene Nanofibrils over Metallocene Catalyst Supported on Flat Silica and Spherical Nano‐Silica Particles
Authors: Lee Sang Yool , Choi Kyu Yong 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe kinetics of ethylene polymerization and the growth of polymer nanofibrils for the rac‐Et(indenyl)2 ZrCl2/MAO catalyst supported on flat‐surface silica and nonporous silica nanoparticles are presented. The polymerization rate per mol of Zr is highest for the flat‐silica supported catalyst due to maximum exposure of catalyst sites to cocatalyst and monomer. The SEM and AFM analysis show that large clusters of oxidized form of MAO are present at the surface, while nano‐silica supported catalyst show less of such effects. The polyethylene grows as nanofibrils of 30–50 nm in diameter from the silica surface. No particle fragmentation is observed with nano‐silica supported catalyst where polymer nanofibrils grow only from the external surface. Polymer properties are little affected by the support type.
Lipid suppression for brain MRI and MRSI by means of a dedicated crusher coil
Authors: Boer Vincent O. , van de Lindt Tessa , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W.J. 
Published: June 2014

PurposeLipid suppression in MR brain imaging and spectroscopy has been a long‐standing problem for which various techniques have been developed. Most methods are based on inversion recovery or spatially or spectrally selective excitation of the lipid signal followed by dephasing. All techniques require additional RF pulses, gradient crushers and delays, which increase the duration and complexity of sequences. In addition, the lipid signal is poorly shimmed, and is composed of different resonance frequencies that have different relaxation properties.MethodsIn this work, a novel approach for suppression of extra cranial lipids is presented, by means of an outer volume crusher coil. It is based on the principle of surface spoiling gradients, which generate a very local and inhomogeneous magnetic field in the outer layer of the head, and thereby destroys the phase coherence of the extra cranial signals.ResultsDephasing of the signal can be incorporated in almost any sequence because it requires only a short pulse of the coil, and does not require additional RF pulses or delays. Examples of lipid suppression are shown in both gradient echo imaging and spectroscopic imaging.ConclusionOuter volume crushing allows for simple fat suppression and boosts scanning efficiency, which is particularly beneficial at ultra‐high field strengths. Magn Reson Med 73:2062–2068, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A time‐marching collocation method based on quintic Hermite polynomials and adjustable acceleration and jerk constraints
Authors: Kolsti Kyle F. , Kunz Donald L. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYThis paper introduces a time‐marching algorithm for linear systems based on quintic Hermite polynomial displacement interpolation. This fully implicit, single‐step collocation method enforces acceleration and jerk constraints at a point in time that is selected by the user. The collocation point, then, is the parameter that determines accuracy, stability, and high‐frequency damping behavior. Numerical experiments indicate that the method converges at a rate of four, even for problems involving harmonic external forcing and viscous damping. Significantly, the convergence rate also does not deteriorate when algorithmic damping is employed. Period error is extremely small, on the order of a few percent at moderate frequencies even with algorithmic damping. The undamped algorithm is shown to have the highest accuracy and to be symplectic, but it is also conditionally stable and nondissipative—the exact stability limits are calculated. A wide range of parameter settings provide an unconditionally stable algorithm, which preserves low modes while rapidly dissipating high modes. Three finite element analysis numerical examples demonstrate the capabilities of the algorithm on one‐dimensional linear dynamic problems. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Signal detection based on time‐to‐onset: extending a new method from spontaneous reports to observational studies
Authors: Van Holle Lionel , Tavares Da Silva Fernanda , Bauchau Vincent 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTPurposeA proof‐of‐concept study has previously highlighted the added value of a method using time‐to‐onset (TTO) for quantitative and non‐parametric signal detection on spontaneous report data. The aim of this study was to assess the added value of this new TTO signal detection method adapted to observational studies.MethodsFor each adverse event collected during the conduct of an observational study of H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine, the TTO distribution was tested against the ‘follow‐up distribution’ from vaccination to ‘lost to follow‐up’ by a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Events rejecting the null hypothesis of similar distribution were flagged as signals, and a safety physician evaluated their relevance for further medical assessment. We simulated ongoing surveillance by performing retrospective weekly signal detection based on TTO.ResultsThe TTO method detected 21, 15 and 4 signals within a 30‐day period post‐dose 1 with confidence levels set at 90%, 95% and 99%, respectively. Of these signals, 14 (67%), 10 (67%) and 2 (50%) were considered as relevant. Among the 14, six had not been identified by previous signal detection activities. When performed weekly, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test detected 26 events as signals (alpha = 0.05). Three weeks after first participant first dose, one of the six new signals could theoretically have been detected.ConclusionsThis study provided evidence that the Kolmogorov–Smirnov method can screen all TTO distributions and objectively flag the unexpected, leading to earlier detection of signals, and thus potential safety issues. © 2014 The Authors. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.