bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In prostate cancer, low adiponectin levels are not associated with insulin resistance
Authors: Michalakis Konstantinos , Venihaki Maria , Mantzoros Christos , Vazaiou Andriani , Ilias Ioannis , Gryparis Alexandros , Margioris Andrew N. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeAdiponectin, an adipose tissue‐derived hormone with insulin‐sensitizing effect, has been inversely associated with several hormonally dependent malignancies. Prostate cancer is associated with low levels of adiponectin, which have been proposed as an independent risk factor for this malignancy. Aim of this study was to examine whether hypoadiponectinaemia in prostate is associated with insulin resistance.Experimental DesignPlasma samples and covariate data in the context of a case–control study of 300 Greek men were evaluated including 75 patients with prostate cancer, 75 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 150 age‐matched healthy controls.ResultsPatients with prostate cancer had significantly lower plasma adiponectin levels compared with the other two groups, that is BPH patients and healthy controls (7·4 ± 5 ng/mL vs. 11·5 ± 6·4 ng/mL and 12·8 ± 8 ng/mL, respectively). On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found between patients with prostate cancer and the other two groups for both HOMA‐IR and QUICKI (P‐value = 0·551). As expected, in all three groups, the levels of adiponectin correlated negatively with HOMA‐IR (rho = −0·214, P‐value = 0·006), QUICKI (rho = 0·214, P‐value = 0·006) and insulin levels (rho = 0·942, P‐value<0·001).ConclusionIn spite of what would have been expected from the relevant literature, our data suggest that the hypoadiponectinaemia in prostatic cancer does not appear to be associated with insulin resistance.
Plasma concentrations, analgesic and physiological assessments in horses with chronic laminitis treated with two doses of oral tramadol
Authors: Guedes A. , Knych H. , Hood D. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyLaminitis is a painful disease for which adequate pain management remains a challenging and largely unmet medical need.ObjectivesTo investigate plasma concentrations, analgesic and physiological effects of 2 doses of tramadol in horses with chronic laminitis.Study designNonrandomised trial.MethodsFour horses with naturally occurring chronic laminitis received 5 mg/kg bwt and then 10 mg/kg bwt tramadol orally every 12 h for one week with a one‐week washout between. Noninvasive arterial blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, intestinal sounds and forelimb off‐loading frequency were evaluated before and during treatments. Plasma tramadol and metabolite (M1 and M2) concentrations were measured on predetermined days and times after the morning dosing.ResultsForelimb off‐loading frequency decreased significantly with 10 mg/kg bwt (40%, P = 0.02) but not with 5 mg/kg bwt (9%, P = 0.4). Physiological variables did not change significantly with either treatment. For 5 and 10 mg/kg bwt treatments, respectively, individual maximum plasma concentrations (μg/l) ranged from 329 to 728 and 628 to 1330 (tramadol), 12–24 and 32–80 (M1), and 90–157 and 239–362 (M2). Respective median area under the concentration vs. time curves (h μg/l) were 727 and 1426, 33 and 88, 303 and 1003.ConclusionsTwice daily oral tramadol at 10 mg/kg bwt may produce analgesic plasma levels in horses with chronic laminitis.
Ex vivo human skin and SZ95 sebocytes exhibit a homoeostatic interaction in a novel coculture contact model
Authors: Nikolakis Georgios , Seltmann Holger , Hossini Amir M. , Makrantonaki Evgenia , Knolle Jürgen , Zouboulis Christos C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe sebaceous gland displays key functions of the human skin, such as hormone synthesis in situ, antimicrobial activity and participation to inflammatory responses. Consequently, there is an emerging need of advanced in vitro models to study complex interactions between the sebaceous gland and the other skin compartments. Despite the evolution of both full‐skin organ culture and reconstructed three‐dimensional skin models, no satisfactory solutions have been provided for the integration of sebaceous glands and/or sebaceous gland cells in those models, probably due to their problematic maintenance both in vitro and ex vivo. We have developed a coculture model of explant skin in direct contact with immortalized SZ95 sebocytes, which resulted in overall improved structural integrity of the epidermis, higher percentage of proliferating basal epidermal cells and reduced apoptosis of differentiating keratinocytes after 6 days, as detected by Ki67 and TUNEL staining, respectively. Furthermore SZ95 sebocytes exhibited morphological and biochemical signs of normal differentiation and lipid accumulation, while interleukin‐6 expression in the supernatant of the cocultures was decreased in comparison with the control. The data provide evidence of a beneficial interaction between sebocytes and skin explants and provide the rationale for their integration in future three‐dimensional skin models.
Molecular mechanism of ER stress‐induced gene expression of tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) in macrophages
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Yarui , Li Xiaofeng , Chen Zhaolin , Li Xiaohui , Wang Huan , Ni Mingming , Li Jun 
Published: April 2015

Tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, whose members are capable of inducing apoptosis and inflammation. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a key role in immune surveillance in macrophages. TRAIL mRNA and protein expression have previously been detected in macrophages; however, whether ERS has any effects on TRAIL expression in macrophages has not yet been determined. Here, we demonstrate that thapsigargin (TG) and tunicamycin (TM), two ERS inducers activated macrophages were able to increase TRAIL mRNA and protein expression in RAW264.7 macrophages, the culture supernatant of THP‐1 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages, indicating that ERS as a potent inducer of TRAIL transcription and expression in macrophages. This effect was blocked by the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 and transcription factor AP‐1 inhibitor SR 1130. Interestingly, at the molecular level, regulation of TRAIL expression by ERS was accompanied by a significant decrease in cytokine signaling suppressor 3 (SOCS3). SOCS3 siRNA clearly increased the expression of TRAIL mRNA and protein under ERS by activating the AP‐1 components phosphorylated c‐Jun and phosphorylated c‐Fos in RAW264.7 cells. In contrast, over‐expression of SOCS3 reversed ERS‐induced TRAIL expression. These findings provide in vitro evidence that SOCS3 plays a critical negative role in the regulation of ERS‐induced TRAIL expression via the Jun N‐terminal kinase/AP‐1 signaling pathway in macrophages.
Realised and predicted changes in the invertebrate benthos after restoration of connectivity to the floodplain of a large river
Authors: Castella Emmanuel , Béguin Olga , Besacier‐Monbertrand Anne‐Laure , Hug Peter Dorothea , Lamouroux Nicolas , Mayor Siméant Hélène , McCrae David , Olivier Jean‐Michel , Paillex Amael 
Published: April 2015

Summary

River–floodplain interactions (i.e. lateral connectivity) are a major driver of the structure and function of the biota in floodplain waterbodies. Therefore, the enhancement of lateral connectivity is a key focus of large river restoration. The Rhône River restoration project in France includes an array of floodplain habitats and restoration measures, offering opportunities to test the predictability of changes in taxon abundance after connectivity restoration.

Quantitative samples of benthic macroinvertebrates taken before restoration were used to derive generalised additive models (GAMs) relating the density of taxa to an index of lateral connectivity. The index combined the diversity of sediment grain size, its organic content, vegetation cover and the water's electrical conductivity. GAMs were used to predict changes in taxon density and between‐site (i.e. beta) diversity 2 and 4 years after restoration at 34 sites (14 unrestored, eight reconnected to the river, six dredged, six restored by increasing river flow).

Observed post‐restoration changes included an increase in the density of rheophilous taxa and an increase of beta‐diversity among restored sites. Fifty‐four GAMs (27% of the taxa) were selected for post‐restoration predictions. Predictions from these models matched observations for a set of Trichoptera and other taxa with large density changes after restoration. The quality of predictions of density changes was poor on average among sites, but higher for sites where large changes in lateral connectivity occurred. Taxon‐level predictions partly explained increased beta‐diversity in restored sites, suggesting that predictions based on a subset of individual taxa can be used to predict community‐level changes.

Our models can guide restoration measures in the Rhône and other rivers. Our results also show the benefit of diversifying restoration actions at the scale of entire floodplains. Post‐restoration trajectories should be monitored over long periods to improve the identification of the key environmental predictors of biotic changes, especially at the less connected floodplain sites.
Interpreting important health‐related quality of life change using the Haem‐A‐QoL
Authors: Wyrwich K. W. , Krishnan S. , Poon J. L. , Auguste P. , von Maltzahn R. , Yu R. , von Mackensen S. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe Haemophilia Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adults (Haem‐A‐QoL) measures health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with haemophilia; however, change score thresholds for identifying individuals experiencing a HRQoL benefit have not been appropriately investigated. The objective of this analysis was to derive appropriate HRQoL responder definitions (RDs) for two Haem‐A‐QoL domains that reflect key impairments, ‘Physical Health’ and ‘Sports & Leisure,’ and the Haem‐A‐QoL ‘Total Score’ using anchor‐ and distribution‐based methods. In this analysis, data from adults in A‐LONG and B‐LONG, two Phase 3 clinical studies of rFVIIIFc in haemophilia A and rFIXFc in haemophilia B, respectively, were used. The anchor‐based approach identified Haem‐A‐QoL changes corresponding to EQ‐5D item improvements between baseline and 6 months; the distribution‐based methods examined the magnitude at baseline of one‐half standard deviation and the standard error of measurement. Through triangulation, the most appropriate RDs were derived. Of the 133 A‐LONG and 73 B‐LONG subjects with baseline Haem‐A‐QoL scores, 67 and 51 subjects, respectively, completed the Haem‐A‐QoL questionnaire at both baseline and 6 months follow‐up. Triangulation of anchor‐ and distribution‐based estimates with the observed Haem‐A‐QoL change scores identified a 10‐point reduction in the ‘Physical Health’ and ‘Sports & Leisure’ domains, and a 7‐point reduction in ‘Total Score’ as the RD thresholds most indicative of HRQoL benefit. These empirically derived RDs for two key Haem‐A‐QoL domains and ‘Total Score’ are reasonable and practical thresholds for identifying subjects with notable improvements in HRQoL, and provides HRQoL RDs that can be used for further analysis and interpretation of data from haemophilia clinical trials.
Clomiphene Citrate as a Preventive Treatment for Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache: A Second Reported Case With Long‐Term Follow‐Up
Authors: Rozen Todd D. 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveTo describe a second case of treatment refractory chronic cluster headache responsive to clomiphene citrate and with long‐term follow‐up.MethodsCase report with 7‐year evaluation.CaseA 63‐year‐old man with a 17‐year history of chronic cluster headache preceded to have significant adverse events or was nonresponsive to multiple cluster headache preventive medications including verapamil, lithium, valproic acid, topiramate, baclofen as well as greater occipital nerve blocks and inpatient hospitalization. The patient experienced 3‐5 headaches per day. On clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day he became 100% pain‐free and remained so for 3.5 years with only mild fatigue as a side effect. He then had cluster headache recurrence and did well on gabapentin for another 3 years with repeat headache recurrence. Clomiphene was restarted, and he became pain‐free once again.DiscussionThis is the second reported case of the effective use of clomiphene citrate for the preventive treatment of medicinal refractory chronic cluster headache. This is the first case to report long‐term follow‐up of this neurohormonal treatment. Clomiphene citrate appears to be safe for extended use in chronic cluster headache even in an elderly sufferer and has a minimal side effect profile. The mechanism of action of how clomiphene prevents cluster headache may involve both its ability to enhance testosterone production and its ability to bind to hypothalamic estrogen receptors. Clomiphene citrate should join the list of alternative cluster headache prophylactic treatments to be considered by headache specialists when conventional cluster headache preventives are ineffective.
Invertebrate prey availability limits reproductive success but not breeding population size in suburban House Sparrows Passer domesticus
Authors: Peach Will J. , Mallord John W. , Ockendon Nancy , Orsman Chris J. , Haines William G. 
Published: April 2015

Factors affecting avian demography and abundance in urban landscapes are poorly understood and this hinders attempts to manage urban bird communities. Several recent studies indicate that lack of invertebrate prey in urban landscapes may constrain avian productivity and fitness relative to that in other habitats. House Sparrow Passer domesticus populations have undergone large declines in many European urban centres and inadequate reproductive success linked to invertebrate availability has been postulated as a potential cause of these declines. We conducted a replicated supplementary feeding experiment to test whether the availability of invertebrate prey limits the breeding success and adult abundance (colony size) of House Sparrows in suburban London, where House Sparrow populations declined by 60% during the decade preceding our study. Daily mealworm provision over two successive breeding seasons, sufficient to provide 82% of chick energy requirements of House Sparrow pairs nesting within 50 m of feeders, had a large positive impact on the abundance of recently fledged birds (+62%), but only a small positive impact, limited mainly to small colonies, on the overall abundance of territorial males. Colony growth was only weakly related to fledgling abundance in the previous year and did not appear to be constrained by nest‐site availability. Conservation interventions that enhance invertebrate availability for suburban House Sparrows may increase reproductive success but are unlikely, on their own, to lead to population growth or recovery.
Evaluation of the filling ability of artificial lateral canals using calcium silicate‐based and epoxy resin‐based endodontic sealers and two gutta‐percha filling techniques
Authors: Fernández R. , Restrepo J. S. , Aristizábal D. C. , Álvarez L. G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimTo evaluate the ability of a calcium silicate‐based sealer (iRoot SP) and an epoxy resin‐based sealer (Topseal) using two gutta‐percha filling techniques to fill artificial lateral canals (ALCs).MethodologySeventy single‐rooted human teeth were selected. Ten of these were used to obtain pilot data. Three ALCs were produced on mesial and distal surfaces of each root, one in each third, using size 10 engine reamers. The roots were randomly assigned to four experimental groups according to the filling technique and sealer used: 1, cold gutta‐percha (single‐point technique) with iRoot SP (SP‐iR); 2, cold gutta‐percha (single‐point technique) with Topseal (SP‐T); 3, continuous wave of condensation technique with iRoot SP (CWC‐iR); and 4, continuous wave of condensation technique with Topseal (CWC‐T). Digital periapical radiographs were taken. After the sealer had set, the roots were demineralized, cleared in methyl‐salicylate and examined under a stereomicroscope. The depth of penetration of sealer and/or gutta‐percha into the ALC was scored using a 5‐point system, conducting an analysis on four surfaces. Filling scores of 0–1 were considered not acceptable, whilst scores of 2–4 were considered acceptable. Pearson′s chi‐square test was used to compare the experimental groups (P < 0.05).ResultsCWC‐T was associated with the highest acceptable filling (57.8%), followed by CWC‐iR (53.3%), SP‐T (48.9%) and SP‐iR (36.7%). Only when SP‐iR was compared to the other groups, was the difference significant (P < 0.05). The apical third was associated with the lowest acceptable filling (37.5%). It was followed, in ascending order, by the middle (51.6%) and coronal thirds (58.3%). These differences were significant only when the apical thirds were compared to the other root thirds (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe calcium silicate‐based sealer with continuous wave of condensation was more effective in artificial filling lateral canals than the single‐point technique. The epoxy resin‐based sealer with both filling techniques was effective in artificial filling lateral canals.
Preparation of environment‐friendly pectin from sugar beet pulp and assessment of its emulsifying capacity
Authors: Chen Hai‐Ming , Fu Xiong , Abbasi Arshad M. , Luo Zhi‐Gang 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study was designed to prepare environment‐friendly pectin from sugar beet pulp (SBP) using subcritical water combined with ultrasonic treatment. Plackett–Burman design based on nineteen different parameters was applied to study the influence of various factors on the characteristics of sugar beet pulp pectin (SBPP). About 29.1% pectin, 62% degree of methylation (DM) and 36% acetylation (DA), and 42.5‐kDa average molecular weight (AMW) were obtained from SBP when using distilled water with solid/liquid ratio of 1:81 for extraction at 110 °C. The yield of SBPP and galacturonic acid (GalA) was mainly affected by solid/liquid (S/L) ratio, water purity and extraction temperature. The ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic power and extraction temperature were the main factors effecting on neutral sugar content, DM, DA and AMW. Compared with gum arabic (GA), the highest yield SBPP fraction had better emulsifying activity, but poorer emulsion‐stabilizing ability.
Downward trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight in two pilot towns taking part in the VIASANO community‐based programme in Belgium: data from a national school health monitoring system
Authors: Vinck J. , Brohet C. , Roillet M. , Dramaix M. , Borys J.‐M. , Beysens J. , Jacobs N. , Jebb S. , De Laet C. , Nève J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundMultilevel approaches involving environmental strategies are considered to be good practice to help reduce the prevalence of childhood overweight.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of VIASANO, a community‐based programme using the EPODE methodology, on the prevalence of overweight in two pilot towns in Belgium.MethodsWe analysed data from a national school health monitoring system to compare changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over a 3‐year period (2007–2010) in children aged 3–4 and 5–6 years in the pilot towns with those of children of the same ages from the whole French‐speaking community of Belgium. Heights and weights of all participants were measured by trained school nurses using a standardized method.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight (−2.1%) and overweight + obesity (−2.4%) decreased in the pilot towns, but remained stable in the comparison population (+0.1% and +0.2%, respectively). After adjustment for lack of homogeneity between the study populations, there was a trend towards a decrease in overweight (P = 0.054) and overweight + obesity (P = 0.058) in the pilot towns compared with the general population.ConclusionsThese results suggest that a community‐based programme, such as VIASANO, may be a promising strategy for reducing the prevalence of childhood overweight even over a short period of time.
Predictive value of serum markers for the development of interstitial lung disease in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: a comparative and prospective study
Authors: Chen F. , Lu X. , Shu X. , Peng Q. , Tian X. , Wang G. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common and devastated complication of polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). Several studies have focused on serum biomarkers for ILD in PM/DM patients; however, there have been no prospective studies.AimTo explore and compare the predictive value of four serum markers for the development of ILD in patients with PM/DM.MethodsOne hundred adult PM/DM patients were included in this prospective clinical study at baseline. Forty‐four PM/DM patients without ILD were followed up for 1 year. Fifty‐six PM/DM patients with ILD were treated and followed up for 2 months. Serum samples were analysed for the levels of Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6), monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), surfactant protein‐A and D (SP‐A, SP‐D).ResultsSerum KL‐6 (1542.8 ± 760.8 U/mL) (P < 0.001), MCP‐1 (1870 ± 1590 pg/mL) (P = 0.014), SP‐A (56 ± 28 ng/mL) (P < 0.001) and SP‐D (230 ± 196 ng/mL) (P < 0.001) were significantly elevated in PM/DM patients with ILD compared with those in the patients without ILD (KL‐6 429 ± 105.8 U/mL; MCP‐1 1349 ± 1303 pg/mL; SP‐A 34 ± 26 ng/mL; SP‐D 96 ± 63 ng/mL). In PM/DM patients without ILD who were followed up for 1 year, KL‐6 presented the highest predictive value among single markers. In patients who were treated and followed up, KL‐6 concentrations increased with the progression of ILD and decreased along with the improvement of ILD.ConclusionConsidering the ability of KL‐6 for predicting the onset of ILD and monitoring the treatment response of ILD in PM/DM patients, it may be of great significance for clinical practice, and the prognosis of patients may be substantially improved if serum KL‐6 was regularly monitored.
Medical education and law: withholding/withdrawing treatment from adults without capacity
Authors: Parker M , Willmott L , White B , Williams G , Cartwright C 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundLaw is increasingly involved in clinical practice, particularly at the end of life, but undergraduate and postgraduate education in this area remains unsystematic. We hypothesised that attitudes to and knowledge of the law governing withholding/withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment from adults without capacity (the WWLST law) would vary and demonstrate deficiencies among medical specialists.AimsWe investigated perspectives, knowledge and training of medical specialists in the three largest (populations and medical workforces) Australian states, concerning the WWLST law.MethodsFollowing expert legal review, specialist focus groups, pre‐testing and piloting in each state, seven specialties involved with end‐of‐life care were surveyed, with a variety of statistical analyses applied to the responses.ResultsRespondents supported the need to know and follow the law. There were mixed views about its helpfulness in medical decision‐making. Over half the respondents conceded poor knowledge of the law; this was mirrored by critical gaps in knowledge that varied by specialty. There were relatively low but increasing rates of education from the undergraduate to continuing professional development (CPD) stages. Mean knowledge score did not vary significantly according to undergraduate or immediate postgraduate training, but CPD training, particularly if recent, resulted in greater knowledge. Case‐based workshops were the preferred CPD instruction method.ConclusionsTeaching of current and evolving law should be strengthened across all stages of medical education. This should improve understanding of the role of law, ameliorate ambivalence towards the law and contribute to more informed deliberation about end‐of‐life issues with patients and families.