bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of ANCA associated vasculitis
Authors: Wallace Zachary S , Miloslavsky Eli M 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTAnti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a small to medium vessel vasculitis associated with excess morbidity and mortality. This review explores how management of AAV has evolved over the past two decades with pivotal randomized controlled trials shaping the management of induction and maintenance of remission. Contemporary AAV care is characterized by approaches that minimize the cumulative exposure to cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids, increasingly use rituximab for remission induction and maintenance, and consider therapies with less toxicity (for example, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil) for manifestations of AAV that do not threaten organ function or survival. Simultaneously, improvements in outcomes, such as renal and overall survival, have been observed. Additional trials and observational studies evaluating the comparative effectiveness of agents for AAV in various patient subgroups are needed. Prospective studies are necessary to assess the effect of psychosocial interventions on patient reported outcomes in AAV. Despite the expanding array of treatments for AAV, little guidance on how to personalize AAV care is available to physicians.
Vasomodulation of peripheral blood flow by focused ultrasound potentiates improvement of diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Tan Joo-Shin , Lin Chou-Ching , Chen Gin-Shin 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveEffective treatment methods for diabetic peripheral neuropathy are still lacking. Here, a focused ultrasound (FUS) technique was developed to improve blood flow in diabetic peripheral vessels and potentially treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Research design and methodsMale adult Sprague-Dawley rats at 4 weeks poststreptozotocin injections were adopted as models for diabetic neuropathic rats. For single FUS treatment, blood perfusion in the skin of the pad of the middle toe was measured before, during, and after the medial and lateral plantar arteries were treated by FUS. For multiple FUS treatments, blood perfusion measurements, von Frey and hot plate testing and nerve conduction velocity measurements were performed before ultrasonic treatment on the first day of each week, and the microvascular and neural fiber densities in the pad of the toe were measured on the first day of the last week.ResultsThe blood perfusion rate significantly increased for 7–10 min in the control and neuropathic rats after a single ultrasound exposure. Multiple ultrasound treatments compared with no treatments significantly increased blood perfusion at the second week and further enhanced perfusion at the third week in the neuropathic rats. Additionally, the paw withdrawal force and latency significantly increased from 34.33±4.55 g and 3.96±0.25 s at the first week to 39.10±5.02 g and 4.77±0.71 s at the second week and to 41.13±2.57 g and 5.24±0.86 s at the third week, respectively. The low nerve conduction velocity in the diabetic rats also improved after the ultrasound treatments. Additionally, ultrasound treatments halted the decrease in microvessel and neural fiber densities in the skin of the diabetic toes. Histologic analysis indicated no damage to the treated arteries or neighboring tissue.ConclusionsFUS treatment can increase upstream arterial blood flow in diabetic feet, ameliorate the decrease in downstream microvessel perfusion and halt neuropathic progression.
Students’ perceptions of an in-house developed pharmacy serious game for professional skills training
Authors: Yap Kevin Yi-Lwern , Tan Shawn Ignatius Boon Heng , Yap Kai Zhen , Yap John Yin Gwee 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundAn in-house three-dimensional (3D) multiplayer online role-playing game was developed for professional skills training of pharmacy students. Students play the game in a post-apocalyptic world to save humankind from zombies. They solve virtual patient encounters through visual and motion-capture technologies. Their gaming perceptions and experiences were investigated.MethodA self-administered questionnaire obtained participants’ demographics, gaming interests, perceptions of game effectiveness, preferences on gaming elements and gameplay experience through the Game Engagement Questionnaire (GEQ). Pre-gameplay and post-gameplay assessments were tracked to assess student learning. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were used for analysis.ResultsFifty-five students were recruited. Two-thirds of the gameplay group (67.9%) liked the post-apocalyptic fantasy settings and heroic storyline (66.0%). Three quarters liked the modern setting (73.1%), authentic plots (73.5%) and plot animations (72.3%). Participants felt the game was effective in training health communication and patient history-taking skills (81.8%). Participants’ test scores for counselling increased from 66.1%±7.6% (pre-gameplay) to 70.3%±8.0% (post-gameplay, p=0.004). The highest scoring GEQ dimension was sensory and imaginative immersion (2.92±0.74).ConclusionStudents found the game useful for pharmacy professional skills training. With proper implementation, this game can become a useful tool to enhance student learning and gear them towards clinical practices.
Transcriptome complexity in intravascular NK/T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Fujikura Kohei , Yoshida Makoto , Uesaka Kazuma 
Published: March 2020

AimsIntravascular NK/T-cell lymphoma (IVNKTCL) is a rare disease, which is characterised by exclusive growth of large cells within the lumen of small vessels, Epstein–Barr virus infection and somatic mutations in epigenetic regulator genes. Here, we elucidate the transcriptomic complexity of IVNKTCL.MethodsIVNKTCL cases were retrieved from a single-centre cohort of 25 intravascular lymphomas. RNA-seq and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed to analyse transcriptomic abnormalities and mutations in splicing factors.ResultsApproximately 88% of the total reads from the RNA-seq were considered exonic, while the remaining reads (12%) were mapped to intronic or intergenic regions. We detected 28,941 alternative splicing events, some of which would produce abnormal proteins rarely found in normal cells. The detected events also included tumour-specific splicing alterations in oncogenes and tumour suppressors (e.g.,HRAS,MDM2andVEGFA). WES identified premature termination mutations or copy number losses in a total of 15 splicing regulator genes, includingSF3B5,SRSF12andTNPO3.ConclusionsThis study raises the possibility that IVNKTCL may be driven by multiple complex regulatory loops, including non-exonic expression and aberrant splicing, in addition to defects in epigenetic regulation.
Simultaneous inhibition of CXCR1/2, TGF-β, and PD-L1 remodels the tumor and its microenvironment to drive antitumor immunity
Authors: Horn Lucas A , Riskin Jeffrey , Hempel Heidi A , Fousek Kristen , Lind Hanne , Hamilton Duane H , McCampbell Kristen K , Maeda Dean Y , Zebala John A , Su Zhen , Schlom Jeffrey , Palena Claudia 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundDespite the success of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in the treatment of certain cancer types, only a small percentage of patients with solid malignancies achieve a durable response. Consequently, there is a need to develop novel approaches that could overcome mechanisms of tumor resistance to checkpoint inhibition. Emerging evidence has implicated the phenomenon of cancer plasticity or acquisition of mesenchymal features by epithelial tumor cells, as an immune resistance mechanism.MethodsTwo soluble factors that mediate tumor cell plasticity in the context of epithelial-mesenchymal transition are interleukin 8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). In an attempt to overcome escape mechanisms mediated by these cytokines, here we investigated the use of a small molecule inhibitor of the IL-8 receptors CXCR1/2, and a bifunctional agent that simultaneously blocks programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and traps soluble TGF-β.ResultsWe demonstrate that simultaneous inhibition of CXCR1/2, TGF-β, and PD-L1 signaling synergizes to reduce mesenchymal tumor features in murine models of breast and lung cancer, and to markedly increase expression of tumor epithelial E-cadherin while reducing infiltration with suppressive granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, significantly enhancing T-cell infiltration and activation in tumors, and leading to improved antitumor activity.ConclusionsThis study highlights the potential benefit of combined blockade of CXCR1/2 and TGF-β signaling for modulation of tumor plasticity and potential enhancement of tumor responses to PD-L1 blockade. The data provide rationale for the evaluation of this novel approach in the clinic.
Association of intracranial arteriovenous malformation embolization with more rapid rate of perfusion in the peri-nidal region on color-coded quantitative digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Shellikeri Sphoorti , Bai Harrison , Setser Randolph M , Hurst Robert W , Cahill Anne Marie 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundHemodynamic alterations post-embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may cause delayed edema/hemorrhage in brain parenchyma adjacent to the lesion.ObjectiveTo quantify and compare cerebral perfusion changes in the peri-AVM territory pre- and post-embolization using color-coded quantitative digital subtraction angiography (q-DSA).MethodsPediatric intracranial AVM embolization procedures performed over a 5 year period were included. DSA images of all patients were retrospectively assessed usingsyngoiFlow. Regions of interest (ROI) were selected on anteroposterior and lateral q-DSA views: three in the peri-AVM region; two in parenchyma distant from the AVM. Time-to-peak (TTP) contrast enhancement of ROIs and ∆TTP (TTP at the selected ROI minus TTP at either the ipsilateral internal carotid/vertebral artery) were measured.Result19 pediatric patients with 19 AVMs (9 males/10 females, mean age 12 years) underwent intracranial AVM embolization: 15/19 AVMs were supplied by the anterior circulation and 4/19 by the posterior circulation. Blood flow was significantly slower post-embolization in the draining vein (19/19) (p<0.01), and the venous sinus outflow (17/19) (p<0.01), by mean difference of 2.01±1.31 s and 1.74±2.04 s. There was significantly increased peri-AVM parenchymal perfusion post-embolization (∆TTP=2.20±0.48 s) compared with pre-embolization (∆TTP=2.52±0.42 s), by an average ∆TTP of 0.33±0.53 s (p=0.014). In contrast, there was no perfusion difference (∆TTP=0.03±0.20 s, p=0.8) between pre- and post-embolization in the distant parenchyma. The size of the AVM was not correlated with change in peri-nidal parenchymal perfusion (r=−0.136, p=0.579).ConclusionThis study demonstrates more rapid perfusion in the peri-nidal brain parenchyma post-embolization of the AVM, which supports the theory that increased perfusion in normal tissue surrounding the AVM after embolization may underlie some post-procedural complications.
Occupational and non-occupational risk factors of sickness absence due to a shoulder lesion
Authors: Sirén Maria , Viikari-Juntura Eira , Arokoski Jari , Solovieva Svetlana 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo determine the associations of lifestyle factors and cumulative physical workload exposures with sickness absence (SA) due to a shoulder lesion and to calculate their population attributable fractions (PAF).MethodsOur nationally representative cohort consisted of 4344 individuals aged 30–62 years who participated in the Finnish Health 2000 Survey. Education, smoking, chronic diseases and work exposures were assessed during interviews and leisure time physical activity with a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured. We followed the individuals for 15 years for the first SA due to a shoulder lesion. We used competing risk regression models. We calculated PAFs to assess the proportion of SA that was attributed to modifiable risk factors.ResultsIn the entire study population, risk factors of SA were age, daily smoking, being exposed for more than 10 years to physically heavy work and being exposed for more than 10 years to at least two specific physical workload factors. The overall PAF for the modifiable risk factors was 49%. In men, number of specific cumulative exposures, obesity and daily smoking predicted SA with PAF values of 34%, 30% and 14%, respectively. Among women, being exposed for more than 10 years to physically heavy work, number of specific cumulative exposures and daily smoking accounted for 23%, 22% and 15% of SA, respectively.ConclusionsReducing significantly prolonged exposure to physical workload factors, avoiding regular smoking in both genders and obesity in men has a high potential to prevent SA due to a shoulder lesion.
2019 Italian Society of Cardiology Census on telemedicine in cardiovascular disease: a report from the working group on telecardiology and informatics
Authors: Brunetti Natale Daniele , Molinari Giuseppe , Acquistapace Flavio , Zimotti Tecla , Parati Gianfranco , Indolfi Ciro , Fedele Francesco , Carugo Stefano 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess by a census supported by the Italian Society of Cardiology (Società Italiana di Cardiologia, SIC) the present implementation of telemedicine in the field of cardiovascular disease in Italy.MethodsA dedicated questionnaire was sent by email to all the members of the SIC: data on telemedicine providers, service provided, reimbursement, funding and organisational solutions were collected and analysed.ResultsReported telemedicine activities were mostly stable and public hospital based, focused on acute cardiovascular disease and prehospital triage of suspected acute myocardial infarction (prehospital ECG, always interpreted by a cardiologist and not automatically reported by computerised algorithms). Private companies delivering telemedicine services in cardiology (ECGs, ambulatory ECG monitoring) were also present. In 16% of cases, ECGs were also delivered through pharmacies or general practitioners. ICD/CRT-D remote control was performed in 42% of cases, heart failure patient remote monitoring in 37% (21% vital parameters monitoring, 32% nurse telephone monitoring). Telemedicine service was public in 74% of cases, paid by the patient in 26%. About half of telemedicine service received no funding, 17% received State and/or European Union funding.ConclusionsSeveral telemedicine activities have been reported for the management of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease in Italy. The whole continuum of cardiovascular disease is covered by telemedicine solutions. A periodic census may be useful to assess the implementation of guidelines recommendations on telemedicine.
Long-term incidence of chronic postsurgical pain after thoracic surgery for lung cancer: a 10-year single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yoon Susie , Hong Won-Pyo , Joo Hyundeok , Kim Hansol , Park Samina , Bahk Jae-Hyon , Lee Ho-Jin 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe long-term incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after thoracic surgery has not yet been reported.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 4218 consecutive patients who underwent thoracic surgery for lung cancer between 2007 and 2016. We evaluated the long-term incidence of CPSP after thoracic surgery at intervals of 3 months for 36 months. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to investigate the predictors of CPSP after thoracic surgery.ResultsA total of 3200 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 459 (14.3%) and 558 (17.4%) patients were diagnosed with CPSP within 3 and 36 months after surgery, respectively. Furthermore, the incidence of CPSP decreased over time. Additionally, 99 (3.1%) patients were newly diagnosed with CPSP at least 6 months after surgery. Female sex (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.43; p=0.04), longer duration of surgery (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.20; p<0.01), higher 11-point Numeric Rating Scale score at first outpatient visit after surgery (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.34; p<0.001), postoperative chemotherapy (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.90; p<0.001), and postoperative radiation therapy (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.74; p=0.02) were significant predictors of CPSP for 36 months after surgery.ConclusionOur study showed a decreasing trend in the incidence of CPSP as well as delayed-onset or recurrent CPSP after thoracic surgery. A better understanding of the progression of CPSP after thoracic surgery may provide important information on its prediction and treatment.
Workplace smoke-free policies that allow heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes use are associated with use of both these products and conventional tobacco smoking: the 2018 JASTIS study
Authors: Siripongvutikorn Yanakawee , Tabuchi Takahiro , Okawa Sumiyo 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesHeated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly gaining popularity, especially in Japan. However, at the time of the survey (2018), there was no national legislation banning HTPs or e-cigarette use in the workplace. The objective is to examine the current situation for workplace smoke-free policies which ban the use of HTPs/e-cigarettes and the associations of such rules with the use of HTP and e-cigarette as well as conventional cigarette smoking.MethodsAn internet-based self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted in 2018 as a part of the Japan Society and New Tobacco Internet Survey study. 5646 eligible employees aged 15–72 years were analysed. Proportions and adjusted rate ratios for HTP and e-cigarette use were calculated according to covariates, using Poisson regression models. Those who reported HTP or e-cigarette use within 30 days were defined as current user of the products.ResultsIn workplaces which prohibited smoking indoors but permitted the use of HTPs/e-cigarettes, the rate ratios of HTP use was 2.19 (95% CI 1.57 to 3.06), e-cigarette use was 3.86 (95% CI 1.97 to 7.57) and combustible cigarette use was 1.67 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.34) when using workplaces which also prohibited HTPs/e-cigarettes as a reference category.ConclusionsWorkplaces that allow HTP/e-cigarette use indoors were associated with higher rate for HTP and e-cigarette users, and for combustible cigarette smokers. National legislation banning tobacco should be enforced and also cover HTPs and e-cigarettes in order to avoid renormalisation of smoking and nicotine addiction.
DYTurbo: fast predictions for Drell–Yan processes
Authors: Camarda Stefano , Boonekamp Maarten , Bozzi Giuseppe , Catani Stefano , Cieri Leandro , Cuth Jakub , Ferrera Giancarlo , de Florian Daniel , Glazov Alexandre , Grazzini Massimiliano , Vincter Manuella G. , Schott Matthias 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDrell–Yan lepton pair production processes are extremely important for standard model (SM) precision tests and for beyond the SM searches at hadron colliders. Fast and accurate predictions are essential to enable the best use of the precision measurements of these processes; they are used for parton density fits, for the extraction of fundamental parameters of the SM, and for the estimation of background processes in searches. This paper describes a new numerical program, , for the calculation of the QCD transverse-momentum resummation of Drell–Yan cross sections up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy combined with the fixed-order results at next-to-next-to-leading order ($$\mathcal {O}(\alpha _{\mathrm {S}}^2)$$O(αS2)), including the full kinematical dependence of the decaying lepton pair with the corresponding spin correlations and the finite-width effects. The program is an improved reimplementation of the , and programs, which provides fast and numerically precise predictions through the factorisation of the cross section into production and decay variables, and the usage of quadrature rules based on interpolating functions for the integration over kinematic variables.
On exact proper time Wilsonian RG flows
Authors: Bonanno Alfio , Lippoldt Stefan , Percacci Roberto , Vacca Gian Paolo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe discuss the possibility to define exact RG equations for a UV regulated Wilsonian action based on a proper time (PT) regulator function. We start from a functional mapping which shows how each particular flow equation (and RG scheme) is associated to infinitely many scale dependent field redefinitions, which are related to specific coarse-graining procedures. On specializing to a sub-family of one parameter PT regulators we briefly analyze few results for the Ising Universality class in three dimensions, obtained within a second order truncation in the derivative expansion of the Wilsonian action.
Dyonic and magnetized black holes based on nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Kruglov S. I. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe propose a new model of nonlinear electrodynamics with two dimensional parameters. The phenomenon of vacuum birefringence, the principles of causality and unitarity were studied. It was shown that there is no a singularity of the electric field in the center of point-like charges. Corrections to the Coulomb law as $$r\rightarrow \infty $$r→∞ were obtained. Dyonic and magnetized black holes are considered. We show that in the self-dual case, when the electric charge equals the magnetic charge, corrections to Coulomb’s law and Reissner–Nordström solutions are absent. The metric function and its asymptotic limit as $$r\rightarrow \infty $$r→∞ for magnetic black holes were evaluated. We calculate the magnetic mass of the black hole, which is finite. The thermodynamic properties and thermal stability of black holes were investigated. We calculated the Hawking temperature, the heat capacity and the Helmholtz free energy of black holes and showed that for some parameter values there are second-order phase transitions. It was demonstrated that at some range of the parameters the black holes are stable.
End-to-end Learned, Optically Coded Super-resolution SPAD Camera
Authors: Sun Qilin , Zhang Jian , Dun Xiong , Ghanem Bernard , Peng Yifan , Heidrich Wolfgang 
Published: March 2020

Single Photon Avalanche Photodiodes (SPADs) have recently received a lot of attention in imaging and vision applications due to their excellent performance in low-light conditions, as well as their ultra-high temporal resolution. Unfortunately, like many evolving sensor technologies, image sensors built around SPAD technology currently suffer from a low pixel count.
In this work, we investigate a simple, low-cost, and compact optical coding camera design that supports high-resolution image reconstructions from raw measurements with low pixel counts. We demonstrate this approach for regular intensity imaging, depth imaging, as well transient imaging.
Our method uses an end-to-end framework to simultaneously optimize the optical design and a reconstruction network for obtaining super-resolved images from raw measurements. The optical design space is that of an engineered point spread function (implemented with diffractive optics), which can be considered an optimized anti-aliasing filter to preserve as much high-resolution information as possible despite imaging with a low pixel count, low fill-factor SPAD array. We further investigate a deep network for reconstruction. The effectiveness of this joint design and reconstruction approach is demonstrated for a range of different applications, including high-speed imaging, and time of flight depth imaging, as well as transient imaging. While our work specifically focuses on low-resolution SPAD sensors, similar approaches should prove effective for other emerging image sensor technologies with low pixel counts and low fill-factors.