bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Race Influence Health-related Quality of Life and Toxicity Following Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer?
Authors: Bryant Curtis , Mendenhall Nancy P. , Henderson Randal H. , Nichols Romaine C. , Mendenhall William M. , Morris Christopher G. , Williams Christopher , Su Zhong , Li Zuofeng , Hoppe Bradford S. 
Published: April 2014

Objective:
This matched-paired analysis explores disparities in health-related quality of life (QOL) and common toxicities between African American (AA) and white patients following proton therapy for prostate cancer at our institution.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 1536 men with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated from 2006 to 2009 with definitive proton therapy to a median dose of 78 Gy +/− androgen deprivation therapy. A cohort of 92 consecutively treated AA men was matched to a cohort of 92 white men on the basis of National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk category and age. The 2 groups were compared with regard to comorbidities, demographics, and treatment regimen. Differences in genitourinary and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale and QOL data from the Expanded Prostate Index Composite 26-question questionnaire were reported.

Results:
Median follow-up was 2.1 years. Baseline patient and treatment characteristics were similar between the 2 groups with the exception of prostate-specific antigen ≥10 (32% for AAs vs. 20% for whites; P=0.068) and use of androgen deprivation therapy (26% for AAs vs. 21% for whites; P=0.38). No difference in Expanded Prostate Index Composite 26-question sexual summary, urinary incontinence, urinary obstruction, or bowel summary scores was detected between the 2 groups, nor was there a difference in grade 2 or higher GI toxicity (P=0.45). AAs had a statistically nonsignificant higher absolute incidence of late grade 3 genitourinary toxicity (4.4% vs. 0%; P=0.12).

Conclusions:
After 2 years, there were no disparities in health-related QOL, physician-reported Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events GI toxicity, or biochemical relapse. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.
Stress responses go three dimensional – the spatial order of physiological differentiation in bacterial macrocolony biofilms
Authors: Serra Diego O. , Hengge Regine 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIn natural habitats, bacteria often occur in multicellular communities characterized by a robust extracellular matrix of proteins, amyloid fibres, exopolysaccharides and extracellular DNA. These biofilms show pronounced stress resistance including a resilience against antibiotics that causes serious medical and technical problems. This review summarizes recent studies that have revealed clear spatial physiological differentiation, complex supracellular architecture and striking morphology in macrocolony biofilms. By responding to gradients of nutrients, oxygen, waste products and signalling compounds that build up in growing biofilms, various stress responses determine whether bacteria grow and proliferate or whether they enter into stationary phase and use their remaining resources for maintenance and survival. As a consequence, biofilms differentiate into at least two distinct layers of vegetatively growing and stationary phase cells that exhibit very different cellular physiology. This includes a stratification of matrix production with a major impact on microscopic architecture, biophysical properties and directly visible morphology of macrocolony biofilms. Using Escherichia coli as a model system, this review also describes our detailed current knowledge about the underlying molecular control networks – prominently featuring sigma factors, transcriptional cascades and second messengers – that drive this spatial differentiation and points out directions for future research.
Bee bread increases honeybee haemolymph protein and promote better survival despite of causing higher Nosema ceranae abundance in honeybees
Authors: Basualdo Marina , Barragán Sergio , Antúnez Karina 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAdequate protein nutrition supports healthy honeybees and reduces the susceptibility to disease. However little is known concerning the effect of the diet on Nosema ceranae development, an obligate intracellular parasite that disturbs the protein metabolism of honeybees (Apis mellifera). Here we tested the effect of natural (bee bread) and non‐natural protein diets (substitute) on haemolymph proteins titers of honeybee and N. ceranae spore production. The natural diet induced higher levels of protein and parasite development, but the survival of bees was also higher than with non‐natural diets. The data showed that the administration of an artificially high nutritious diet in terms of crude protein content is not sufficient to promote healthy bees; rather the protein ingested should be efficiently assimilated. The overall results support the idea that the physiological condition of the bees is linked to protein levels in the haemolymph, which affects the tolerance to parasite; consequently the negative impact of the parasite on host fitness is not associated only with the level of infection.
A simple ex vivo model for teaching Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Droutsas Konstantinos , Petrak Michael , Melles Gerrit R.J. , Koutsandrea Chryssanthi , Georgalas Ilias , Sekundo Walter 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeTo describe a simple ex vivo porcine model for teaching Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK).MethodsTwenty freshly enucleated porcine eyes were used to create a pseudo‐graft from the porcine lens capsule and implant it into an intact porcine globe using the standardized ‘no‐touch’ technique of the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS).ResultsThe DMEK pseudo‐graft could be inserted, centred, unfolded and appositioned in all cases.ConclusionsPracticing DMEK surgery under wetlab conditions was feasible by the described simple and low‐cost model. This new tool may facilitate the adaptation of DMEK by cornea surgeons.
Perspectives of germ cell development in vitro in mammals
Authors: Hayashi Katsuhiko , Saitou Mitinori 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are able to differentiate into all cell lineages of the embryo proper, including germ cells. This pluripotent property has a huge impact on the fields of regenerative medicine, developmental biology and reproductive engineering. Establishing the germ cell lineage from ESCs/iPSCs is the key biological subject, since it would contribute not only to dissection of the biological processes of germ cell development but also to production of unlimited numbers of functional gametes in vitro. Toward this goal, we recently established a culture system that induces functional mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs), precursors of all germ cells, from mouse ESCs/iPSCs. The successful in vitro production of PGCs arose from the study of pluripotent cell state, the signals inducing PGCs and the technology of transplantation. However, there are many obstacles to be overcome for the robust generation of mature gametes or for application of the culture system to other species, including humans and livestock. In this review, we discuss the requirements for a culture system to generate the germ cell lineage from ESCs/iPSCs.
ARDS associated with pneumonia caused by avian influenza A H7N9 virus treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Tang Xiao , He Hangyong , Sun Bing , Wan Jun , Ban Chengjun , Zhang Chunyan , Wang Shuqin , Xia Jingen , Li Jie , Liu Yingmei , Cao Bin , Tong Zhaohui 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis is a sporadic H7N9 avian influenza case that was the first severe imported case in Beijing and the first case of Hebei province in China. A 61‐year‐old female who had rapidly progressive pneumonia with respiratory distress and bilateral exduation and consolidation changes on chest X‐ray and computerized tomography (CT) scan that did not respond to ordinary antibiotics was diagnosed with influenza A (H7N9) infection in our hospital on July 19, 2013. Intravenous peramivir, veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO) and continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration were given on the same day of lab diagnosis because of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure. With antimicrobial therapy and other supportive treatment, clinical symptoms and oxygenation of the patient improved gradually. VV‐ECMO was successfully removed on the 13th day. The testing for influenza A (H7N9) turned negative on day 16 since the antivirus therapy. Twenty‐three days after hospitalization, blood stream infection with multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii occurred, which lead to septic shock and death. Whether or not the influenza season in north China, the influenza screening should be carried out as a conventional test for the patients who are suspected of viral pneumonia. For the patients who need mechanical ventilation and ECMO support, the lung protective strategy under the guidance of transpulmonary pressure may be helpful for recovering the lung.
Fatigue and serum testosterone in obstructive sleep apnea patients
Authors: Bercea Raluca Mihaela , Mihaescu Traian , Cojocaru Cristian , Bjorvatn Bjørn 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA)‐related fatigue is a common understudied symptom. Fatigue is associated with low serum testosterone level in non‐OSA patients. No data are available about this association in OSA patients.ObjectivesTo investigate in adult obese males affected by OSA, the relationship between fatigue and serum testosterone in order to identify predictors for OSA‐related fatigue.MethodsFifteen OSA patients and 15 control subjects participated. The parameters analyzed were serum testosterone morning concentration, polysomnography parameters, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory). Regression test was applied in order to show predictors of fatigue. Kruskal–Wallis test followed by post‐hoc analysis was performed to test for differences between controls and OSA subgroups for testosterone, fatigue components and sleepiness.ResultsMean testosterone level was 3.55 ± 0.7 ng/mL in the OSA group, significantly lower than in controls (4.26 ± 1.1 ng/mL, P = 0.049). An inverse correlation was found between testosterone and fatigue scores (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found between the control group and the severe OSA subgroup for general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity and mental fatigue. However, no significant differences were found between controls and mild OSA. Among all variables, testosterone was the only independent significant predictor of physical fatigue (t = −2.56, P = 0.033, R = 0.978, R2 = 0.958) and reduced activity (t = −4.41, P = 0.002, R = 0.966, R2 = 0.934) in the OSA patients.ConclusionsOSA‐related fatigue was strongly associated with serum testosterone, together with OSA severity.
Hemodialysis for infants, children, and adolescents
Authors: Kaur Amrit , Davenport Andrew 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChildren with chronic kidney disease stage 5 requiring dialysis can be treated by peritoneal or hemodialysis. In the United Kingdom nearly twice as many children receive peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis. Technical aspects of pediatric hemodialysis are challenging and include the relative size of extracorporeal circuit and child's blood volume, assessment of adequacy,technical and complications of vascular access. Alternatives to standard hospital‐based hemodialysis are also increasingly available. Optimizing nutritional status with the support of specialist pediatric dietitians is key to the management of children receiving hemodialysis. The effects of chronic illness on growth and school achievement, as well as the psychological, emotional, and social development of the child should not be underestimated. This review focuses on the above elements and highlights common pediatric practice in the United Kingdom.
Non‐bladder conditions in female Taiwanese patients with interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome
Authors: Fan Yu‐Hua , Lin Alex TL , Lu Shing‐Hwa , Chuang Yao‐Chi , Chen Kuang‐Kuo 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo detect non‐bladder conditions in patients with interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome.MethodsA total of 122 female interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome patients and a control group of 122 age‐matched female patients with stress urinary incontinence completed screening questionnaires for irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, multiple chemical sensitivities, tension and migraine headache, localized myofascial pain disorder, and fibromyalgia. Interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome patients also completed questionnaires on interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome symptom severity, including the O'Leary–Sant symptom index, and the visual analog scale for pain and urgency.ResultsInterstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome patients were more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome than controls (37.5% vs 11.5%), and tension/migraine headache (38.7% vs 15.7%; all P < 0.001). The prevalence of temporomandibular disorder, multiple chemical sensitivities, localized myofascial pain disorders and fibromyalgia did not reach a statistical significant difference between the two groups. In the multivariate model, associations were also observed for irritable bowel syndrome (odds ratio 2.546; 95% confidence interval 1.136–5.704) and tension/migraine headache (odds ratio 2.684; 95% confidence interval 1.233–5.842). Patients with more comorbid conditions had more severe and bothersome interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome symptoms as measured by the visual analog scale of pain (P = 0.008) and O'Leary–Sant bother index (P = 0.035).ConclusionsInterstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome patients are more likely to have multiple non‐bladder conditions. These conditions correlate with the severity of interstitial cystitis/hypersensitive bladder syndrome symptoms.
Transurethral resection of the prostate after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Impact on quality of life
Authors: Pinkawa Michael , Klotz Jens , Djukic Victoria , Petz Dalma , Holy Richard , Eble Michael J 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of transurethral resection of the prostate on quality of life after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.MethodsA group of 49 consecutive patients with and 487 without prior transurethral resection of the prostate responded to the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire before, on the last day, and a median time of 2 months and 16 months after external beam radiotherapy (70–78 Gy). A matched‐pair analysis was used to avoid the influence of treatment‐associated confounding factors, including dose, treatment volume and hormonal therapy.ResultsSignificantly smaller acute urinary score changes relative to baseline levels resulted with versus without prior transurethral resection of the prostate (mean function/bother score decrease of 3/6 vs 18/21 points at the end of radiotherapy; P < 0.01), affecting urinary incontinence (pads to control urinary leakage in 4% vs 24%; P = 0.03) and irritative/obstructive symptoms (big/moderate problem with weak urinary stream in 11% vs 37%; P = 0.02). As opposed to acute changes, transurethral resection of the prostate was a significant predisposing factor for a long‐term urinary function score decrease >10 points (20% vs 6% of patients with vs without prior resection; P = 0.04). Urinary incontinence risk was higher for patients with a longer time from resection to radiotherapy.ConclusionsTransurethral resection of the prostate significantly affects acute (considerably fewer symptoms) and long‐term (relevant toxicity in some cases) urinary quality of life after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
Measurement site influences abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in obese adolescents before and after exercise
Authors: Brown R. E. , Kuk J. L. , Lee S. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackground/ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine if abdominal adipose tissue (AT) measurement site influences the association between baseline and change in abdominal subcutaneous (ASAT) and visceral AT (VAT), and metabolic risk factors in obese adolescents.MethodsFifty‐five obese adolescents (14.9 ± 1.7 years; 51% male; 42% white) participated in an aerobic or resistance exercise intervention three times/week for 3 months. We compared the association between changes in abdominal AT area (spanning 5 cm below to 15 cm above L4–L5) and volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging with concomitant changes in metabolic risk.ResultsAll AT areas were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the respective volume at baseline and follow‐up. Baseline VAT areas at 5 and 10 cm above L4–L5 were more strongly associated with VAT volume than VAT area at L4–L5 (p < 0.05). After the intervention, changes in the area at 5 and 10 cm above L4–L5 were more strongly associated with changes in AT volumes than changes in L4–L5 (p < 0.05). Changes in abdominal AT volumes were more strongly associated with insulin area under the curve than any single‐slice abdominal AT area.ConclusionsThe measurement site for abdominal AT has significant influence on the relationships with total VAT or ASAT and metabolic risk factors in obese adolescents before and after an exercise intervention.
Three Versions of Perfect Pay for Performance (Or The Rebirth of Partnership Concepts in Executive Pay)
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F. 
Published: April 2014

During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, the compensation of non‐founder managers of U.S. public companies was guided by partnership concepts. Andrew Carnegie made his senior staff coowners by selling them stock at book value. And Alfred Sloan gave the senior staff of General Motors a fixed percentage of the company's “economic profit.”But in the years since World War II, such partnership concepts have largely disappeared from executive pay. The current view of executive pay is guided by the concepts of “competitive pay” and pay components. But unlike the partnership models of the past, today's “human resources model” of executive pay fails to provide useful guidance to companies on how to achieve a consistent relationship between pay and corporate performance, as reflected in returns to shareholders. As the author argues, the model's insistence on providing “competitive pay” packages that are (1) based on size (that is, on revenue not profitability) and (2) “recalibrated” every year regardless of past performance has the effect of undermining management's incentives by rewarding poor past value performance with increases (instead of reductions) in sharing percentage, and penalizing superior value performance with reductions (instead of increases) in sharing percentage.In recent years, however, three different model pay plans have been proposed that provide both competitive pay and fixed pay leverage in relation to shareholder value. The author is the source of one of the three “perfect” pay plans. The other two are (1) the Dynamic Incentive Account proposed by Alex Edmans of London Business School and Xavier Gabaix of NYU and (2) the investment manager fee structure developed and used by Don Raymond, the chief investment strategist of the Canada Pension Plan.The author shows that cumulative pay under all three plans can be expressed as a function of cumulative market compensation (that is, the pay earned by one's peers over the life of the plan, thus reflecting pay levels for average performance) and cumulative value added (as reflected, say, in the company's TSR relative to the average of its peers' over the life of the plan)—and in the case of plans with equity‐like leverage, cumulative pay is the simple sum of cumulative market compensation and a fixed share of the cumulative value added. The plans reconcile retention and performance objectives more effectively than current practice because they provide competitive pay only for average performance, while using the partnership concept of fixed sharing of the value added to provide strong incentives.
Preferential host switching and codivergence shaped radiation of bark beetle symbionts, nematodes of Micoletzkya (Nematoda: Diplogastridae)
Authors: Susoy V. , Herrmann M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractHost‐symbiont systems are of particular interest to evolutionary biology because they allow testable inferences of diversification processes while also providing both a historical basis and an ecological context for studies of adaptation. Our investigations of bark beetle symbionts, predatory nematodes of the genus Micoletzkya, have revealed remarkable diversity of the group along with a high level of host specificity. Cophylogenetic analyses suggest that evolution of the nematodes was largely influenced by the evolutionary history of beetles. The diversification of the symbionts, however, could not be attributed to parallel divergence alone; our results indicate that adaptive radiation of the nematodes was shaped by preferential host shifts among closely related beetles along with codivergence. Whereas ecological and geographic isolation have played a major role in the diversification of Micoletzkya at shallow phylogenetic depths, adaptations towards related hosts have played a role in shaping cophylogenetic structure at a larger evolutionary scale.
Efficacy and safety of splenectomy in telaprevir‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia and advanced fibrosis
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Furusyo Norihiro , Nakamuta Makoto , Kajiwara Eiji , Nomura Hideyuki , Dohmen Kazufumi , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Satoh Takeaki , Azuma Koichi , Kawano Akira , Tanabe Yuichi , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Shimoda Shinji , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Maehara Yoshihiko , Hayashi Jun ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThrombocytopenia (TCP) of chronic hepatitis C patients with cirrhosis has a negative impact on the management of interferon‐based treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telaprevir‐based triple therapy for patients who have undergone splenectomy (Spx).MethodsThis prospective, multicenter study consisted of 80 patients, including 32 Spx and 48 non‐Spx/TCP (platelet count: 60–99 × 109/L) patients with advanced fibrosis infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b. All received 12 weeks of telaprevir in combination with 24 weeks of pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) α2b and ribavirin.ResultsThe sustained virological response (SVR) rate of the Spx group (75.0%) was significantly higher than that of the non‐Spx/TCP group (52.1%) (P < 0.05). Under favorable conditions such as treatment‐naïve/prior relapse and interleukin‐28B (IL28B) TT allele (rs8099917), the SVR rates of the Spx group were significantly higher than those of the non‐Spx/moderate TCP (60–79 × 109/L) groups (91.3% vs 50.0% and 93.8% vs 37.5%, respectively; both P < 0.05). Adequate PEG‐IFNα2b adherence was associated with SVR. However, the percentage of patients who achieved 80% adherence to PEG‐IFNα2b in the non‐Spx/moderate TCP (42.9%) group was significantly lower than that of the Spx (79.3%) and non‐Spx/mild TCP (80–99 × 109/L) (80.0%) groups. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects and the development of bacterial infection did not differ between the Spx and non‐Spx/TCP groups.ConclusionThe increase of platelet count after Spx contributed to treatment success, especially for moderate to severe TCP patients who are treatment‐naïve/prior relapse or IL28B TT allele.