bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of LIF in the Absence or Presence of FSH on the In Vitro Development of Isolated Caprine Preantral Follicles
Authors: Luz VB , Santos RR , Araújo VR , Celestino JJH , Magalhães‐Padilha DM , Chaves RN , Brito IR , Silva TFP , Almeida AP , Campello CC , Figueiredo JR 
Published: September 2011

ContentsWe investigated the effect of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) alone or in association with FSH on the in vitro culture (IVC) of caprine preantral follicles. Preantral follicles >200 μm in size were isolated and cultured for 18 days in basic medium either alone (control) or supplemented with LIF (10 or 50 ng/ml) in the absence or presence of FSH. Every 6 days, follicular survival, growth and antrum formation were evaluated. At the end of the culture period, the oocytes underwent in vitro maturation (IVM), and their viability and chromatin configuration were assessed. Follicles of the control group and those cultured in 10 ng/ml LIF maintained the structural integrity (particularly the preservation of the basement membrane) when compared to the oocytes cultured in 50 ng/ml LIF, regardless the presence of FSH. In the absence of FSH, the percentage of antrum formation after 18 days of culture in the 50 ng/ml LIF group was significantly lower than in either the control group or the 10 ng/ml LIF group. However, this effect was not observed in the presence of FSH. The rate of resumption of meiosis was significantly higher in the 50 ng/ml LIF group in the absence of FSH in comparison with the control and 10 ng/ml LIF groups. Metaphase II was observed only when follicles were cultured in a combination of FSH and 50 ng/ml LIF. In conclusion, LIF alone does not interfere with antral formation and oocyte growth, but at concentration of 50 ng/ml and combined with FSH, it promotes oocyte maturation.
The role of non‐invasive home mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring prolonged weaning
Authors: HEINEMANN FRANK , BUDWEISER STEPHAN , JÖRRES RUDOLF A. , ARZT MICHAEL , RÖSCH FLORIAN , KOLLERT FLORIAN , PFEIFER MICHAEL 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Patients with COPD who require prolonged weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation show poor long‐term survival. Whether non‐invasive home mechanical ventilation (HMV) has a beneficial effect after prolonged weaning has not yet been clearly determined.Methods:  Patients with COPD who required prolonged weaning and were admitted to a specialized weaning centre between January 2002 and February 2008 were enrolled in the study. Long‐term survival and prognostic factors, including the role of non‐invasive HMV, were evaluated.Results:  Of 117 patients (87 men, 30 women; mean age 69.5 ± 9.5 years) included in the study, weaning from invasive ventilation was achieved in 82 patients (70.1%). Successful weaning was associated with better survival 1 year after discharge from hospital (hazard ratio (HR) 2.24, 95% CI: 1.16–4.31; P = 0.016). Among the 82 patients who were successfully weaned, non‐invasive HMV was initiated in 39 (47.6%) due to persistent chronic ventilatory failure. Initiation of HMV was associated with a higher rate of survival to 1 year as compared with patients who did not receive ventilatory support (84.2% vs 54.3%; HR 3.68, 95% CI: 1.43–9.43; P = 0.007). In addition, younger age and higher PaO2, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit at discharge were associated with better survival. In an adjusted multivariate analysis, initiation of non‐invasive HMV after successful weaning remained an independent prognostic factor for survival to 1 year (HR 3.63, 95% CI: 1.23–10.75; P = 0.019).Conclusions:  These findings suggest that based on the potential for improvement in long‐term survival, non‐invasive HMV should be considered in patients with severe COPD and persistent chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure after prolonged weaning.
Comparison of biosurfactant detection methods reveals hydrophobic surfactants and contact‐regulated production
Authors: Burch Adrien Y. , Browne Patrick J. , Dunlap Christopher A. , Price Neil P. , Lindow Steven E. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryBiosurfactants are diverse molecules with numerous biological functions and industrial applications. A variety of environments were examined for biosurfactant‐producing bacteria including soil, water and leaf surfaces. Biosurfactant production was assessed with an atomized oil assay for a large number of bacterial isolates and compared with a commonly used drop collapse assay from broth and plate cultures. The atomized oil assay detected every strain that produced a biosurfactant detectable by the drop collapse test, and also identified additional strains that were not detected with the drop collapse assay because they produced low levels of surfactant or hydrophobic (low water solubility) surfactants such as pumilacidins. Not all strains that produced a biosurfactant detectable by the drop collapse when cultured on agar surfaces produced surfactants detectable by drop collapse when cultured in broth, and vice versa. Many bacterial strains exhibited preferential production of surfactants when grown on an agar surface compared with broth cultures, and such surface enhancement of production could also be stimulated by increasing the viscosity of liquid culture media. Surface induction of surfactant production in the epiphyte Pseudomonas syringae was regulated at the transcriptional level.
Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: location is not correlated with prognosis
Authors: Milojevic Bogomir , Djokic Milan , Sipetic‐Grujicic Sandra , Milenkovic‐Petronic Dragica , Vuksanovic Aleksandar , Bumbasirevic Uros , Vukovic Ivan , Dragicevic Dejan , Tulic Cane 
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Tumour location has been shown to be of prognostic importance in UUT‐TCC, with tumours of renal pelvis having a better prognosis than ureteral tumours.Patients from Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) areas had a higher frequency of pelvis tumours. Also, we found that belonging to a BEN area is an independent predictor of disease recurrence.OBJECTIVE
To identify the impact of tumour location on the disease recurrence and survival of patients who were treated surgically for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A single‐centre series of 189 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for UUT‐TCC between January 1999 and December 2009 was evaluated.
Patients who had previously undergone radical cystectomy, preoperative chemotherapy or contralateral UUT‐TCC were excluded.
In all, 133 patients were available for evaluation. Tumour location was categorized as renal pelvis or ureter based on the location of the dominant tumour.
Recurrence‐free probabilities and cancer‐specific survival were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analyses.
RESULTS
The 5‐year recurrence‐free and cancer‐specific survival estimates for the cohort in the present study were 66% and 62%, respectively.
The 5‐year bladder‐only recurrence‐free probability was 76%. Using multivariate analysis, only pT classification (hazard ratio, HR, 2.46; P= 0.04) and demographic characteristics (HR, 2.86 for areas of Balkan endemic nephropathy, vs non‐Balkan endemic nephropathy areas; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–5.98; P= 0.005) were associated with disease recurrence
Tumour location was not associated with disease recurrence in any of the analyses.
There was no difference in cancer‐specific survival between renal pelvis and ureteral tumours (P= 0.476).
Using multivariate analysis, pT classification (HR, 8.04; P= 0.001) and lymph node status (HR, 4.73; P= 0.01) were the only independent predictors associated with a worse cancer‐specific survival.
CONCLUSION
Tumour location is unable to predict outcomes in a single‐centre series of consecutive patients who were treated with radical nephroureterectomy for UUT‐TCC.
Stage‐specific impact of pelvic lymph node dissection on survival in patients with non‐metastatic bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy
Authors: Abdollah Firas , Sun Maxine , Schmitges Jan , Djahangirian Orchidee , Tian Zhe , Jeldres Claudio , Perrotte Paul , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Montorsi Francesco , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?In patients treated with radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection may have a beneficial effect on cancer control outcomes.We examined the effect of pelvic lymph node dissection on stage‐specific cancer control outcomes.OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of stage‐specific pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on cancer‐specific (CSM) and overall mortality (OM) rates at radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer.
METHODS
Overall, 11 183 patients were treated with RC within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.
Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses tested the effect of PLND on CSM and OM rates, after stratifying according to pathological tumour stage.
RESULTS
Overall, PLND was omitted in 25% of patients, and in 50, 35, 27, 16 and 23% of patients with respectively pTa/is, pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 disease (P < 0.001).
For the same stages, the 10‐year CSM‐free rates for patients undergoing PLND compared with those with no PLND were, respectively, 80 vs 71.9% (P = 0.02), 81.7 vs 70.0% (P < 0.001), 71.5 vs 56.1% (P = 0.001), 43.7 vs 38.8% (P = 0.006), and 35.1 vs 32.0% (P = 0.1).
In multivariable analyses, PLND omission was associated with a higher CSM in patients with pTa/is, pT1 and pT2 disease (all P ≤ 0.01), but failed to achieve independent predictor status in patients with pT3 and pT4 disease (both P ≥ 0.05).
Omitting PLND predisposed to a higher OM across all tumour stages (all P ≤ 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that PLND was more frequently omitted in patients with organ‐confined disease.
The beneficial effect of PLND on cancer control outcomes was more evident in these patients than in those with pT3 or pT4 disease.
PLND at RC should always be considered, regardless of tumour stage.
Validation of a single‐sample urinary C‐peptide creatinine ratio as a reproducible alternative to serum C‐peptide in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bowman P. , McDonald T. J. , Shields B. M. , Knight B. A. , Hattersley A. T. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 90–93 (2012)AbstractAims  Serum C‐peptide can be used in Type 2 diabetes as a measure of endogenous insulin secretion, but practicalities of collection limit its routine clinical use. Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio is a non‐invasive alternative that is stable for at least 3 days at room temperature in boric acid preservative. We aimed to assess the utility of urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio in individuals with Type 2 diabetes as an alternative to serum C‐peptide.Methods  We assessed, in 77 individuals with Type 2 diabetes, the reproducibility of, and correlations between, fasting and postprandial urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio and serum C‐peptide, and the impact of renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2) on these correlations.Results  Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio was at least as reproducible as serum C‐peptide [fasting coefficient of variation mean (95% CI): 28 (21–35)% vs. 38 (26–59)% and 2‐h post‐meal 26 (18–33)% vs. 27 (20–34)%. Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio 2 h post‐meal was correlated with stimulated serum C‐peptide, both the 2‐h value (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) and the 2‐h area under the C‐peptide curve (r = 0.63, P < 0.001). The association seen was similar in patients with and without moderate renal impairment (P = 0.6).Conclusions  In patients with Type 2 diabetes, a single urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio is a stable, reproducible measure that is well correlated with serum C‐peptide following meal stimulation, even if there is moderate renal impairment. Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio therefore has potential for use in clinical practice in the assessment of Type 2 diabetes.
Stem cell‐based treatments for Type 1 diabetes mellitus: bone marrow, embryonic, hepatic, pancreatic and induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Godfrey K. J. , Mathew B. , Bulman J. C. , Shah O. , Clement S. , Gallicano G. I. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 14–23 (2012)AbstractType 1 diabetes mellitus—characterized by the permanent destruction of insulin‐secreting β‐cells—is responsive to cell‐based treatments that replace lost β‐cell populations. The current gold standard of pancreas transplantation provides only temporary independence from exogenous insulin and is fraught with complications, including increased mortality. Stem cells offer a number of theoretical advantages over current therapies. Our review will focus on the development of treatments involving tissue stem cells from bone marrow, liver and pancreatic cells, as well as the potential use of embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells for Type 1 diabetes therapy. While the body of research involving stem cells is at once promising and inconsistent, bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation seems to offer the most compelling evidence of efficacy. These cells have been demonstrated to increase endogenous insulin production, while partially mitigating the autoimmune destruction of newly formed β‐cells. However, recently successful experiments involving induced pluripotent stem cells could quickly move them into the foreground of therapeutic research. We address the limitations encountered by present research and look toward the future of stem cell treatments for Type 1 diabetes.
The goal to be accepted by friends as underlying function of overt aggressive behaviour in immigrant adolescents
Authors: STROHMEIER DAGMAR , FANDREM HILDEGUNN , STEFANEK ELISABETH , SPIEL CHRISTIANE 
Published: September 2011

Strohmeier, D., Fandrem, H., Stefanek, E. & Spiel, C. (2012). The goal to be accepted by friends as underlying function of overt aggressive behaviour in immigrant adolescents. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 80–88.This study investigated (1) to what extent the goal to be accepted by friends is an underlying function of overt aggressive behavior in adolescents, and (2) whether this function is more predictive than reactive aggression for overt aggressive behavior in first and second generation immigrants compared with natives. The sample comprised 339 native Austrians (51.6% girls), 126 first generation immigrants (48.4% girls), and 175 second generation immigrants (54.3% girls) aged 14 to 19 (M = 15.61). Data were collected via self‐assessments. Multiple group latent means and covariance structures (MACS) models revealed that the goal to be accepted by friends was a stronger predictor than reactive aggression for overt aggressive behavior in first generation immigrants compared with second generation immigrants and natives. Furthermore, gender moderated these associations. The goal to be accepted by friends was a very strong predictor of overt aggressive behavior in first generation immigrant boys, but not in first generation immigrant girls. Results are discussed regarding the process of acculturation in first generation immigrant youth.
MODELING MONETARY MACROECONOMICS: KALECKI RECONSIDERED
Authors: Duménil Gérard , Lévy Dominique 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThis study is devoted to the financing of demand out of income and borrowing, a crucial aspect of Kalecki's analysis of investment. If the demand for loans moves procyclically, short‐term equilibrium is unstable. The borrowing of non‐financial agents must be checked by the action of central banks. Models in which both procyclical and countercyclical mechanisms are considered provide the basis of monetary macroeconomics. Money is neither endogenous nor exogenous but co‐determined by the behaviors of financial and non‐financial agents. The succession of phases in which the stability of the short‐term equilibrium is ensured or not defines an important aspect of the business cycle.
Postural adaptations to a suprapostural memory task among children with and without developmental coordination disorder
Authors: CHEN FU‐CHEN , TSAI CHIA‐LIANG , STOFFREGEN THOMAS A , CHANG CHIHU‐HUI , WADE MICHAEL G 
Published: September 2011

Aim  The present study investigated the effects of varying the cognitive demands of a memory task (a suprapostural task) while recording postural motion on two groups of children, one diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and an age‐matched group of typically developing children.Method  Two groups, each comprising 38 child volunteers (21 males, 17 females) aged 9 to 10 years, participated in the study. Each child performed a digital memory task at two levels of difficulty, low and high. Positional variability (standard deviation of position) of the head and torso were recorded as the biomechanical responses to the variation in task difficulty.Results  Both groups significantly reduced postural motion when engaged in the high‐difficulty condition (p<0.05) compared with the low‐difficulty condition. Children with DCD exhibited significantly higher levels of postural motion (p<0.05) than the typically developing children. The typically developing children significantly reduced their postural motion in the high‐difficulty condition (p<0.05) compared with the low‐difficulty condition, whereas children with DCD did not.Interpretation  Our results suggest that the postural responses of children with DCD differ from those of typically developing children while engaging in a memory task with various levels of difficulty.
Modelling changes in species’ abundance in response to projected climate change
Authors: Renwick Anna R. , Massimino Dario , Newson Stuart E. , Chamberlain Dan E. , Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Johnston Alison 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim Existing climate envelope models give an indication of broad scale shifts in distribution, but do not specifically provide information on likely future population changes useful for conservation prioritization and planning. We demonstrate how these techniques can be developed to model likely future changes in absolute density and population size as a result of climate change.Location Great Britain.Methods Generalized linear models were used to model breeding densities of two northerly‐ and two southerly‐distributed bird species as a function of climate and land use. Models were built using count data from extensive national bird monitoring data and incorporated detectability to estimate absolute abundance. Projections of likely future changes in the distribution and abundance of these species were made by applying these models to projections of future climate change under two emissions scenarios.Results Models described current spatial variation in abundance for three of the four species and produced modelled current estimates of national populations that were similar to previously published estimates for all species. Climate change was projected to result in national population declines in the two northerly‐distributed species, with declines for Eurasian curlewNumenius arquataprojected to be particularly severe. Conversely, the abundances of the two southerly distributed species were projected to increase nationally. Projected maps of future abundance may be used to identify priority areas for the future conservation of each species.Main conclusions The analytical methods provide a framework to make projections of impacts of climate change on species abundance, rather than simply projected range changes. Outputs may be summarized at any spatial scale, providing information to inform future conservation planning at national, regional and local scales. Results suggest that as a consequence of climate change, northerly distributed bird species in Great Britain are likely to become an increasingly high conservation priority within the UK.
Characterization of herpes simplex virus 1 strains as platforms for the development of oncolytic viruses against liver cancer
Authors: Argnani Rafaela , Marconi Peggy , Volpi Ilaria , Bolanos Elixabet , Carro Elvira , Ried Christine , Santamaria Enrique , Pourchet Aldo , Epstein Alberto L. , Brocker Thomas , Corrales Fernando Jose , Manservigi Roberto , Goicoechea Ibai , Foschini Mariagiovanna , Hernandez‐Alcoceba Ruben 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundDiverse oncolytic viruses (OV) are being designed for the treatment of cancer. The characteristics of the parental virus strains may influence the properties of these agents.AimsTo characterize two herpes simplex virus 1 strains (HSV‐1 17syn+ and HFEM) as platforms for virotherapy against liver cancer.MethodsThe luciferase reporter gene was introduced in the intergenic region 20 locus of both HSV‐1 strains, giving rise to the Cgal‐Luc and H6‐Luc viruses. Their properties were studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro. Biodistribution was monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in athymic mice and immune‐competent Bab/c mice. Immunogenicity was studied by MHC‐tetramer staining, in vivo killing assays and determination of specific antibody production. Intratumoural transgene expression and oncolytic effect were studied in HuH‐7 xenografts.ResultsThe H6‐Luc virus displayed a syncytial phenotype and showed higher cytolytic effect on some HCC cells. Upon intravenous or intrahepatic injection in mice, both viruses showed a transient transduction of the liver with rapid relocalization of bioluminescence in adrenal glands, spinal cord, uterus and ovaries. No significant differences were observed in the immunogenicity of these viruses. Local intratumoural administration caused progressive increase in transgene expression during the first 5 days and persisted for at least 2 weeks. H6‐Luc achieved faster amplification of transgene expression and stronger inhibition of tumour growth than Cgal‐Luc, although toxicity of these non‐attenuated viruses should be reduced to obtain a therapeutic effect.ConclusionsThe syncytial H6‐Luc virus has a strong oncolytic potential on human HCC xenografts and could be the basis for potent OV.
Association Between Insomnia Symptoms and Weight Change in Older Women: Caregiver—Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Study
Authors: Ross Craig , Ancoli‐Israel Sonia , Redline Susan , Stone Katie , Fredman Lisa 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether self‐reported insomnia symptoms were associated with weight change in older women and whether caregiving, comorbidities, sleep medication, or stress modified this association.
DESIGN: One‐year prospective study conducted in four communities from 1999 to 2003 nested within a larger cohort study.
SETTING: Home‐based interviews.
PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred eighty‐eight participants (354 caregivers and 634 noncaregivers) from the Caregiver—Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.
MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported insomnia symptoms in the previous month: trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and waking early and having trouble getting back to sleep. Weight was measured at baseline and 12 months.
RESULTS: The average weight change was −1.9±7.8 pounds. Trouble staying asleep was significantly associated with an average weight loss of 1.3 pounds (P=.03) in multivariable analyses. Neither of the other insomnia symptoms was associated with weight change. Use of sleep medications modified the association between trouble falling asleep (interaction term P=.03) and weight change. Insomnia symptoms were associated with weight loss only in women not taking sleep medications. Neither caregiving status, presence of multiple comorbidities, nor stress modified the association.
CONCLUSION: Trouble staying asleep was associated with weight loss over 12 months in older women. Practitioners should inquire about sleep habits of patients presenting with weight loss, because this may identify a marker of declining health and may be a factor that can be modified.