bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advantages of visualisations to evaluate and communicate adverse event information in randomised controlled trials
Authors: Cornelius Victoria , Cro Suzie , Phillips Rachel 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide valuable information and inform the development of harm profiles of new treatments. Harms are typically assessed through the collection of adverse events (AEs). Despite AEs being routine outcomes collected in trials, analysis and reporting of AEs in journal articles are continually shown to be suboptimal. One key challenge is the large volume of AEs, which can make evaluation and communication problematic. Prominent practice is to report frequency tables of AEs by arm. Visual displays offer an effective solution to assess and communicate complex information; however, they are rarely used and there is a lack of practical guidance on what and how to visually display complex AE data.

Methods
In this article, we demonstrate the use of two plots identified to be beneficial for wide use in RCTs, since both can display multiple AEs and are suitable to display point estimates for binary, count, or time-to-event AE data: the volcano and dot plots. We compare and contrast the use of data visualisations against traditional frequency table reporting, using published AE information in two placebo-controlled trials, of remdesivir for COVID-19 and GDNF for Parkinson disease. We introduce statistical programmes for implementation in Stata.

Results/case study
Visualisations of AEs in the COVID-19 trial communicated a risk profile for remdesivir which differed from the main message in the published authors’ conclusion. In the Parkinson’s disease trial of GDNF, the visualisation provided immediate communication of harm signals, which had otherwise been contained within lengthy descriptive text and tables. Asymmetry in the volcano plot helped flag extreme events that were less obvious from review of the frequency table and dot plot. The dot plot allowed a more comprehensive representation by means of a more detailed summary.

Conclusions
Visualisations can better support investigators to assimilate large volumes of data and enable improved informal between-arm comparisons compared to tables. We endorse increased uptake for use in trial publications. Care in construction of visual displays needs to be taken as there can be potential to overemphasise treatment effects in some circumstances.
Tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of three multipurpose contact lens solutions without increasing their cytotoxicity
Authors: Hendiger Edyta B. , Padzik Marcin , Żochowska Agnieszka , Baltaza Wanda , Olędzka Gabriela , Zyskowska Diana , Bluszcz Julita , Jarzynka Sylwia , Chomicz Lidia , Grodzik Marta , Hendiger Jacek , Piñero José E. , Grobelny Jarosław , Ranoszek-Soliwoda Katarzyna , Lorenzo-Morales Jacob 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are cosmopolitan, widely distributed protozoans that cause a severe, vision-threatening corneal infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). The majority of the increasing number of AK cases are associated with contact lens use. Appropriate eye hygiene and effective contact lens disinfection are crucial in the prevention of AK because of the lack of effective therapies against it. Currently available multipurpose contact lens disinfection systems are not fully effective against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. There is an urgent need to increase the disinfecting activity of these systems to prevent AK infections. Synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have been recently studied and proposed as a new generation of anti-microbial agents. It is also known that some plant metabolites, including tannins, have anti-parasitic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-amoebic activity and cytotoxicity of tannic acid-modified silver NPs (AgTANPs) conjugated with selected multipurpose contact lens solutions.

Methods
The anti-amoebic activities of pure contact lens care solutions, and NPs conjugated with contact lens care solutions, were examined in vitro by a colorimetric assay based on the oxido-reduction of alamarBlue. The cytotoxicity assays were performed using a fibroblast HS-5 (ATCC CRL-11882) cell line. The results were statistically analysed by ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test using P < 0.05 as the level of statistical significance.

Results
We show that the NPs enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activities of the tested contact lens solutions without increasing their cytotoxicity profiles. The activities are enhanced within the minimal disinfection time recommended by the manufacturers.

Conclusions
The conjugation of the selected contact lens solutions with AgTANPs might be a novel and promising approach for the prevention of AK infections among contact lens users.

Graphical Abstract
Is guanxi unfair? Market reform and the public attitude toward guanxi in urban China
Authors: Tian Felicia F. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGuanxi is a fundamental, but controversial, feature of Chinese society. This article examines public attitudes about the fairness of guanxi and how Chinese market reform is affecting these attitudes. The reciprocity-laden and tie-sensitive nature of guanxi conflicts with the efficiency-oriented goal of a market economy. Disapproval of guanxi is thus increasing as marketization progresses. Results from the 2008 Chinese General Social Survey show that guanxi is more likely to be viewed as unfair in places with higher levels of marketization. The educational gradient decreases with marketization, and change is more pronounced among people working in the market sector than it is among people working in the state sector. My findings suggest that Chinese market reform increases public disapproval of guanxi.
The sociocultural and behavioural characteristics that patients want in psychiatrists: cross-sectional survey of patients’ views
Authors: Laugharne Richard , Priebe Stefan , Chevalier Agnes , Paton Catherine , Sharma Rajaei K. , O'Kelly Allison , Richards Giles 
Published: December 2020

Aims and methodThere appears to be no research to date investigating patients’ preferences for sociocultural characteristics or behavioural qualities of psychiatrists. We aimed to assess which are most important to patients. Patients (132) in community mental health teams across two sites (East Cornwall, East London) completed a questionnaire ranking the importance of different sociocultural characteristics and behaviours of psychiatrists.ResultsPatients cared more about age and gender than other characteristics. Four preferences (from a choice of ten) regarding behavioural qualities were clearly identified as important: explaining things clearly, dedication to personal treatment, being friendly and polite, and being up to date with medical knowledge.Clinical implicationsPatients are fairly unconcerned about the age, gender, religion and social background of psychiatrists. Characteristics they care about most include communication skills, competence, dedication to personal treatment and friendliness. Explaining things clearly is particularly important. This indicates specific areas of improvement for training and further research.
Electronic Medical Record–Assisted Telephone Follow-Up of Breast Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Merz Valeria , Ferro Antonella , Piras Enrico Maria , Zanutto Alberto , Caffo Orazio , Messina Carlo 
Published: December 2020

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 outbreak rapidly became a public health emergency and led to radical changes in patient management. From the start of the pandemic, we used electronic medical record–assisted telephone follow-up (E-TFU) of cancer survivors (CS) to minimize hospital exposure. The aim of this prospective study was to assess how breast cancer survivors (bCSs) perceived E-TFU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 15-item survey was e-mailed to bCSs who had been managed with E-TFU. The responses were measured using Likert-like scales and were correlated with the main characteristics of the bCS using Pearson's test. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven of 343 bCSs (40%) completed the survey between March 9 and June 2, 2020. Their median age was 59 years. Although 80.3% of bCSs were satisfied with E-TFU, only 43.8% would like to have E-TFU in the future. A low educational level was correlated with higher COVID-19–related anxiety ( P = .025). An older age ( P = .002) and a low educational level ( P < .0001) were correlated with the need to be accompanied to reach the hospital. A personal history of second cancer was inversely correlated with understanding medical advice ( P = .015) and the expectation of feeling relief after a follow-up visit ( P = .0027). Furthermore, pandemic phase II was correlated with satisfaction with E-TFU ( P = .010). CONCLUSION: E-TFU was an important means of avoiding hospital contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the majority of bCSs in the survey were satisfied with this procedure. Further studies are needed to investigate the implementation of telemedicine even outside an emergency situation.
No feedback is possible in a small-scale turbulent magnetic field
Authors: Zybin K. P. , Il'yn A. S. , Kopyev A. V. , Sirota V. A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Evolution of a stochastically homogeneous magnetic field advected by an incompressible turbulent flow with large magnetic Prandtl numbers is considered at scales smaller than the Kolmogorov viscous scale. It is shown that, despite the unlimited growth of the magnetic field, its feedback on the fluid's dynamics remains negligibly small.
Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells: physiology, tissue homeostasis and disease
Authors: Noguchi Masafumi , Furukawa Kana T. , Morimoto Mitsuru 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACT
Mammalian lungs have the ability to recognize external environments by sensing different compounds in inhaled air. Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) are rare, multi-functional epithelial cells currently garnering attention as intrapulmonary sensors; PNECs can detect hypoxic conditions through chemoreception. Because PNEC overactivation has been reported in patients suffering from respiratory diseases – such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other congenital diseases – an improved understanding of the fundamental characteristics of PNECs is becoming crucial in pulmonary biology and pathology. During the past decade, murine genetics and disease models revealed the involvement of PNECs in lung ventilation dynamics, mechanosensing and the type 2 immune responses. Single-cell RNA sequencing further unveiled heterogeneous gene expression profiles in the PNEC population and revealed that a small number of PNECs undergo reprogramming during regeneration. Aberrant large clusters of PNECs have been observed in neuroendocrine tumors, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Modern innovation of imaging analyses has enabled the discovery of dynamic migratory behaviors of PNECs during airway development, perhaps relating to SCLC malignancy. This Review summarizes the findings from research on PNECs, along with novel knowledge about their function. In addition, it thoroughly addresses the relevant questions concerning the molecular pathology of pulmonary diseases and related therapeutic approaches.
Predicting the chances of live birth for couples undergoing IVF-ICSI: a novel instrument to advise patients and physicians before treatment
Authors: Estácio da Veiga Bruna , Brás de Guimarães Beatriz , Tavares Duarte Pedro , Metello José Luis , Ferreira Fernando , Ferreira Pedro , Fonseca José Manuel 
Published: December 2020

Background: The prevalence of infertility ranges from 3.5% to 16.7% in more developed countries. For this reason, the number of In Vitro Fertilization(IVF) technique and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatments has been significantly increasing. Several factors affect the success rate of in vitro treatments, which can be used to calculate the probability of success for each couple. As these treatments are complicated, expensive and with a variable probability of success, the most common question asked by IVF patients is “What are my chances of conceiving before starting an IVF/ICSI treatment?”. The main aim of this study is to develop a validated model that estimates the chance of a live birth before the start of an IVF/ICSI non-donor cycle. Methods: A logistic regression model was developed based on the retrospective study of 737 IVF/ICSI cycles. Overall 14 pre-treatment variables were evaluated (woman’s and man’s age, duration of infertility, cause of infertility, woman’s and man’s Body Mass Index (BMI), Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), Antral Follicle Count (AFC), woman’s and man’s ethnicity, woman’s and man’s smoking status and woman’s and man’s previous live children) and the outcome of the treatment was discriminated as "live birth" or "no live birth". Results: From the 14 variables acquired before starting the IVF/ICSI procedures, only male factor, man’s BMI, man's mixed ethnicity and level of AMH were statistically significant. The interactions between infertility duration and woman’s age, infertility duration and man’s BMI, AFC and AMH, AFC and woman’s age, AFC and woman’s BMI, and AFC and disovulation were also statistically significant. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve test for the discriminatory ability of the final prediction model was 0.700 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.660–0.741). Conclusions: This model might result in a new validated decision support system to help physicians to manage couples’ pre-treatment expectations.
Cancer T-cell therapy: building the foundation for a cure
Authors: Kamb Alexander , Go William Y. 
Published: December 2020

T-cell cancer therapy is a clinical field flush with opportunity. It is part of the revolution in immuno-oncology, most apparent in the dramatic clinical success of PD-1/CTLA-4 antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-Ts) to cure certain melanomas and lymphomas, respectively. Therapeutics based on T cells ultimately hold more promise because of their capacity to carry out complex behaviors and their ease of modification via genetic engineering. But to overcome the substantial obstacles of effective solid-tumor treatment, T-cell therapy must access novel molecular targets or exploit existing ones in new ways. As always, tumor selectivity is the key. T-cell therapy has the potential to address target opportunities afforded by its own unique capacity for signal integration and high sensitivity. With a history of breathtaking innovation, the scientific foundation for the cellular modality has often been bypassed in favor of rapid advance in the clinic. This situation is changing, as the mechanistic basis for activity of CAR-Ts and TCR-Ts is backfilled by painstaking, systematic experiments—harking back to last century’s evolution and maturation of the small-molecule drug discovery field. We believe this trend must continue for T-cell therapy to reach its enormous potential. We support an approach that integrates sound reductionist scientific principles with well-informed, thorough preclinical and translational clinical experiments.
Self-reported disability in rural Malawi: prevalence, incidence, and relationship to chronic conditions
Authors: Prynn Josephine E. , Dube Albert , Mwaiyeghele Elenaus , Mwiba Oddie , Geis Steffen , Koole Olivier , Nyirenda Moffat , Kuper Hannah , Crampin Amelia C. 
Published: December 2020

Background: Disability is a complex concept involving physical impairment, activity limitation, and participation restriction. The Washington Group developed a set of questions on six functional domains (seeing, hearing, walking, remembering, self-care, and communicating) to allow collection of comparable data on disability. We aimed to improve understanding of prevalence and correlates of disability in this low-income setting in Malawi. Methods: This study is nested in the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Malawi; the Washington Group questions were added to the annual survey in 2014. We used cross-sectional data from the 2014 survey to estimate the current prevalence of disability and examine associations of disability with certain chronic conditions. We then reviewed the incidence and resolution of disability over time using panel data from the 2015 survey. Results: Of 10,863 participants, 9.6% (95% CI 9.0-10.1%) reported disability in at least one domain. Prevalence was higher among women and increased with age. Diabetes and obesity were associated with disability among women, and diabetes was also associated with disability among men. Neither hypertension nor HIV were associated with disability. Participants reporting “no difficulty” or “can’t do at all” for any domain were likely to report the same status one year later, whereas there was considerable movement between people describing “some difficulty” and “a lot of difficulty”. Conclusions: Disability prevalence is high and likely to increase over time. Further research into the situation of this population is crucial to ensure inclusive policies are created and sustainable development goals are met.
Early myocardial damage and microvascular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with systemic sclerosis: A cardiovascular magnetic resonance study with cold pressor test
Authors: Galea Nicola , Rosato Edoardo , Gigante Antonietta , Borrazzo Cristian , Fiorelli Andrea , Barchetti Giovanni , Trombetta Amelia Chiara , Digiulio Maria Anna , Francone Marco , Catalano Carlo , Carbone Iacopo 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
Cardiac involvement in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is increasingly recognized as a mayor cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of present study is to investigate the early stages of cardiac involvement in SSc by Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), combining the non-invasive detection of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis using T2 and T1 mapping techniques and the assessment of microcirculatory impairment through perfusion response to cold pressor test (CPT).

Methods
40 SSc patients (30 females, mean age: 42.1 years) without cardiac symptoms and 10 controls underwent CMR at 1.5 T unit. CMR protocol included: native and contrast-enhanced T1 mapping, T2 mapping, T2-weighted, cineMR and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. Microvascular function was evaluated by comparing myocardial blood flow (MBF) on perfusion imaging acquired at rest and after CPT. Native myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), T2 signal intensity ratio, biventricular volumes and LGE were assessed in each patient.

Results
SSc patients had significantly higher mean myocardial T1 (1029±32ms vs. 985±18ms, p<0.01), ECV (30.1±4.3% vs. 26.7±2.4%, p<0.05) and T2 (50.1±2.8ms vs. 47±1.5ms, p<0.01) values compared with controls. No significant differences were found between absolute MBF values at rest and after CPT; whereas lower MBF variation after CPT was observed in SSc patients (+33 ± 14% vs. +44 ± 12%, p<0.01). MBF variation had inverse correlation with native T1 values (r: -0.32, p<0.05), but not with ECV.

Conclusions
Myocardial involvement in SSc at preclinical stage increases native T1, T2 and ECV values, reflecting inflammation and fibrosis, and reduces vasodilatory response to CPT, as expression of microvascular dysfunction.
Effect of the polishing procedure and surface sealant application on fluoride release
Authors: Ugurlu Muhittin 
Published: December 2020

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of the polishing procedure and surface sealant application on the fluoride release of restorative materials. Material and Methods: The groups were consisted of using five different restorative materials were employed: Beautifil II, GCP Glass Fill, Amalgomer CR, Zirconomer and Fuji IX GP. 30 disk-shaped specimens (8x2 mm) were prepared from each material. Each group was subdivided into three groups considering finishing procedures: Mylar strip, polishing with Super-Snap discs, G-Coat Plus application after polishing with Super-Snap discs. The amount of fluoride released into distilled water was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode and ion analyzer after 24 hours, followed by measurement on days 3, 7, 15, 21, and 28. Surface analysis of the materials was performed with SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy). The data were statistically analyzed using two-way repeated measure ANOVA and LSD test (p=0.05). Results: The highest amount of fluoride released was measured after the first 24 h for all materials. Beautifil II released less fluoride than other materials in all measurement periods (p<0.05). After polishing, the amount of fluoride released from all materials except Beautifil II increased (p<0.05). The application of G-Coat Plus did not impact the amount of fluoride release of any materials (p>0.05). EDS analysis showed the most percentage of oxygen in all materials. Conclusion: The polishing procedure might induce an increase in fluoride release of glass ionomer-based materials, and the application of G-Coat Plus cannot affect the amount of fluoride release.

Keywords
Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy; Fluoride; Glass ionomer cement.
Effect antioxidants application on microshear bond strength of universal adhesive to bleached enamel
Authors: Machado Ana Luiza , Nascimento Dayana , Coelho Junior Paulo , França Fabiana , Turssi Cecilia , Basting Roberta , Amaral Flávia Lucisano Botelho 
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To evaluate, in vitro, the influence of antioxidants (green tea extract - GT and sodium ascorbate - SA) on microshear bond strength (?SBS) of a universal adhesive system – self-etching mode (UAS) to bleached enamel. Material and Methods: After obtaining 50 fragments of human dental enamel (4 mm x 4 mm), forty fragments were submitted to at-home bleaching technique using 10% carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF, Ultradent) for two hours/day, for four weeks. They were randomly divided in four groups (n=10): GT - 10% aqueous GT solution (60 minutes); SA - 10% SA solution (10 minutes); Negative control - no antioxidant agent, immediately restored; PC1 (positive control 1) - no antioxidant agent, restored 14 days the bleaching procedure. Ten enamel fragments were assigned to PC2 group (positive control 2), in which the adhesive procedures were realized in non-bleached enamel. The UAS (Adper Single Bond Universal, 3M ESPE) was applied on enamel surface according to manufacturer’s instructions and two cylinders (0,8 mm diameter) of nanoparticulate composite resin (Z350, 3M ESPE) were made on each sample. After 24 hours, the cylinders were submitted to ?SBS in a universal test machine (0.5 mm/min). Fracture mode was evaluated in stereomicroscope (40x magnification). SBS data, in MPa, was submitted to one-way ANOVA (?=0,05). Results: There was no statistical difference between the experimental groups (p=0,545). The fracture mode demonstrated that there was predominance of adhesive fracture in all groups. Conclusion: Neither the bleaching procedure nor the application of antioxidants to bleached enamel interfered in the bond strength of the tested universal adhesive system.
KEYWORDS
Antioxidants; Dental bleaching; Shear strength.