bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of cardiac implantable electronic device follow‐up in COVID‐19 pandemic: Lessons learned during Italian lockdown
Authors: Piro Agostino , Magnocavallo Michele , Della Rocca Domenico Giovanni , Neccia Matteo , Manzi Giovanna , Mariani Marco Valerio , Straito Martina , Bernardini Alessia , Severino Paolo , Iannucci Gino , Giunta Giuseppe , Chimenti Cristina , Natale Andrea , Fedele Francesco , Lavalle Carlo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionRemote monitoring (RM) has significantly transformed the standard of care for patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices. It provides easy access to valuable information, such as arrhythmic events, acute decompensation manifestations and device‐related issues, without the need of in‐person visits.MethodsStarting March 1st, 332 patients were introduced to an RM program during the Italian lockdown to limit the risk of in‐hospital exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the modality of RM delivery (home [n = 229] vs. office [n = 103] delivered). The study aimed at assessing the efficacy of the new follow‐up protocol, assessed as mean RM activation time (AT), and the need for technical support. In addition, patients' acceptance and anxiety status were quantified via the Home Monitoring Acceptance and Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale.ResultsAT time was less than 48 h in 93% of patients and 7% of them required further technical support. Despite a higher number of trans‐telephonic technical support in the home‐delivered RM group, mean AT was similar between groups (1.33 ± 0.83 days in home‐delivered vs 1.28 ± 0.81 days in office‐delivered patients; p = .60). A total of 28 (2.5%) urgent/emergent in‐person examinations were required. A high degree of patient satisfaction was reached in both groups whereas anxiety status was higher in the office‐delivered group.ConclusionsThe adoption of RM resulted in high patient satisfaction, regardless of the modality of modem delivery; nonetheless, in‐office modem delivery was associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms.
C‐Cbl regulates c‐MPL receptor trafficking and its internalization
Authors: Märklin Melanie , Tandler Claudia , Kopp Hans‐Georg , Hoehn Kyle L. , Quintanilla‐Martinez Leticia , Borst Oliver , Müller Martin R. , Saur Sebastian J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThrombocyte formation from megakaryocyte and their progenitor cells is tightly regulated by thrombopoietin (TPO) and its receptor c‐MPL, thereby maintaining physiological functionality and numbers of circulating platelets. In patients, dysfunction of this regulation could cause thrombocytopenia or myeloproliferative syndromes. Since regulation of this pathway is still not completely understood, we investigated the role of the ubiquitin ligase c‐Cbl which was previously shown to negatively regulated c‐MPL signalling. We developed a new conditional mouse model using c‐Cblfl/flPf4Cremice and demonstrated that platelet‐specific knockout of c‐Cbl led to severe microthrombocytosis and impaired uptake of TPO and c‐MPL receptor internalization. Furthermore, we characterized a constitutive STAT5 activation c‐Cbl KO platelets. This study identified c‐Cbl as a potential player in causing megakaryocytic and thrombocytic disorders.
A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition to promote the invasion of colon cancer cells via TGF‐β/Smad2/3 signalling pathway
Authors: Jin Qianna , Jin Xin , Liu Tao , Lu Xiaoming , Wang Guobin , He Nan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 (ADAM8) protein is a multi‐domain transmembrane glycoprotein which involves in extracellular matrix remodelling, cell adhesion, invasion and migration. ADAM8 and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) play an important role in tumour invasion has been well established. However, the interaction between ADAM8 and EMT has remained unclear. The data of colon cancer patients obtained from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GTEx (Genotype‐Tissue Expression Project) were analysed by the bioinformatics research method. The expression of ADAM8 in colon cancer cells was up‐regulated and down‐regulated by transfecting with the expression plasmid and small interfering RNA, respectively. Transwell invasion assay, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and qRT‐PCR were utilized to study the effect of ADAM8 on colon cancer cell's EMT and its related mechanisms. Analysis of TCGA and GTEx data revealed that ADAM8 was linked to poor overall survival in colon cancer patients. Besides, ADAM8 was correlated with multiple EMT biomarkers (E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, Vimentin, Snail2 and ZEB2). In vitro, we also proved that the up‐regulation of ADAM8 could promote EMT effect and enhance the invasive ability of colon cancer cells. On the contrary, the down‐regulation of ADAM8 in colon cancer cells attenuated these effects above. Further studies suggested that ADAM8 modulated EMT on colon cancer cells through TGF‐β/Smad2/3 signalling pathway. Our research suggested that ADAM8 could be a potential biomarker for the prognosis of colon cancer and induced EMT to promote the invasion of colon cancer cells via activating TGF‐β/Smad2/3 signalling pathway.
An electronic nose system for the monitoring of water cane shoots quality with swarm clustering algorithm
Authors: Xu Meng , Zhou Junzheng , Zhu Peiyi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA fast, portable, nondestructive, and simple‐to‐operate method for determination of water cane shoot quality via an electronic nose (E‐nose) system is presented. The responses of E‐nose sensors to cane shoot samples during storage time are measured. Considering that one of the most common problems with fresh aquatic vegetables is the nearly negligible change in volatile organic compounds, a novel swarm clustering based on particle swarm optimization (SWC) algorithm is proposed to extract the effective features of the sensors responses. In SWC, the number of clusters is automatically estimated based on the neighborhood radius of the particles, which reduces the difficulty in determining the number of cluster. Traditional clustering algorithms, such as K‐means clustering (KMC) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), are used for the purposes of comparison, and the changes in quality of cane shoot samples are quantitatively determined according to the hardness and pH. The results suggest that the E‐nose‐based SWC methodology is capable of accurately classifying the cane shoots freshness during the 20‐day storage time, which is much better than that of the comparative KMC and HCA methods. Additionally，quantitative analysis of the sensory evaluation, hardness, and pH is shown to have good agreement with the E‐nose system analysis results. Validation experiments show that unknown samples are successfully grouped into several different categories with a high correlation (R2 = .982) between unknown and known samples, demonstrating the potential use of E‐nose system to predict the freshness of the cane shoots.
Habitual dietary fibre and prebiotic intake is inadequate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: findings from a multicentre cross‐sectional study
Authors: Davis R. , Day A. , Barrett J. , Vanlint A. , Andrews J. M , Costello S. P. , Bryant R. V. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecommendations for dietary fibre intake in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are highly variable. Despite the potential benefits of prebiotic fibres on the gut microbiome, many patients with inflammatory bowel disease follow a low fibre diet. The present study comprehensively evaluated intakes of total and prebiotic fibres in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, aiming to determine the adequacy of fibre intake and factors that may influence intake.MethodsOutpatients with a formal diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease were recruited to this multicentre cross‐sectional study. Habitual dietary fibre intake including prebiotic fibre types was measured using a validated comprehensive nutrition assessment questionnaire. Adequacy of total fibre intake was compared with Australian Nutrient Reference Values. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine factors influencing fibre intake.ResultsOf 92 participants, 52% had Crohn's disease, 51% were male and the mean age was 40 years. Overall, only 38% of the cohort consumed adequate total fibre (median 24 g day−1, interquartile range 18.5–32.9 g day−1). Adequate fibre consumption was significantly less common in males than females (21.3% versus 55.6%, P = 0.002). Resistant starch intake (median 2.9 g day−1, interquartile range 2.1–4.8 g day−1) was significantly less than the proposed recommendations (20 g day−1). Disease‐related factors such as phenotype and disease activity were not found to influence fibre intake.ConclusionsPatients with inflammatory bowel disease habitually consume inadequate fibre, particularly prebiotic fibre resistant starch. The potential deleterious effects of low prebiotic intake on the gut microbiome and disease‐related outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease are unknown and warrant further research.
Tau phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3β modulates enzyme acetylcholinesterase expression
Authors: Cortés‐Gómez María‐Ángeles , Llorens‐Álvarez Esther , Alom Jordi , del Ser Teodoro , Avila Jesús , Sáez‐Valero Javier , García‐Ayllón María‐Salud 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn Alzheimer's disease (AD), the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) co‐localizes with hyperphosphorylated tau (P‐tau) within neurofibrillary tangles. Having demonstrated that AChE expression is increased in the transgenic mouse model of tau Tg‐VLW, here we examined whether modulating phosphorylated tau levels by over‐expressing wild‐type human tau and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK3β) influences AChE expression. In SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells expressing higher levels of P‐tau, AChE activity and protein increased by (20% ± 2%) and (440% ± 150%), respectively. Western blots and qPCR assays showed that this increment mostly corresponded to the cholinergicACHE‐Tvariant, for which the protein and transcript levels increased ~60% and ~23%, respectively. Moreover, in SH‐SY5Y cells differentiated into neurons by exposure to retinoic acid (10 µM), over‐expression of GSK3β and tau provokes an imbalance in cholinergic activity with a decrease in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cell (45 ± 10%). Finally, we obtained cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients enrolled on a clinical trial of tideglusib, an irreversible GSK3β inhibitor. In CSF of patients that received a placebo, there was an increase in AChE activity (35 ± 16%) respect to basal levels, probably because of their treatment with AChE inhibitors. However, this increase was not observed in tideglusib‐treated patients. Moreover, CSF levels of P‐tau at the beginning measured by commercially ELISA kits correlated with AChE activity. In conclusion, this study shows that P‐tau can modulate AChE expression and it suggests that AChE may possibly increase in the initial phases of AD.image
Nano, micro particulate and cosmetic delivery systems of polylactic acid: A mini review
Authors: Abu Hajleh Maha N. , AL‐Samydai Ali , Al‐Dujaili Emad A. S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundPoly lactic acid and its copolymers are considered to be the preferred substrates for drug delivery devices. Poly lactic acid is a biocompatible, biodegradable and nontoxic polymer. It was approved by Food and Drug Administration and thought to be among the most attractive polymeric candidates intended for controlling drug delivery. It was utilized for the development of devices for the delivery of small molecules, proteins, genes, vaccines, anticancer drugs, and macromolecules.Objectives and methodsThis manuscript lists the different techniques for synthesizing poly lactic acid‐based nano and microparticles such as emulsion‐based methods, precipitation‐based methods, direct compositing methods, in situ forming micro‐particles, and microfluidic technique.ConclusionsIn addition, it describes the application and use of poly lactic acid in biomedical and cosmetic delivery systems.
The perspective of dermatology residents on cosmetology training: A survey
Authors: Beksaç Burcu , Erbil Hakan , Dundar Ozlem , Caliskan Ercan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundCosmetology training is an under‐fulfilled component of dermatology residency training.AimsTo determine the availability of cosmetic training for dermatology residents in Turkey, their satisfaction by their cosmetic training and their self‐confidence in cosmetic procedures.Patients/MethodsAn online survey of 33 questions was performed between February and March 2019.ResultsOut of 329 known dermatology residents, 113 (34.3%) responded. 94.7% of the participants thought cosmetic training should be part of residency training. 50.4% received cosmetology training. Of the participants, 50.4% took this training in their department, 43.4% in conferences and courses and 24.8% in private practice. Skills learned in conferences and cosmetology courses made the biggest contribution to the cosmetic knowledge of the participants. Theoretical lectures on cosmetology were present in 22.1% of the training programs, whereas practical lessons were included in 16.8% of the programs. Theoretical lectures were found to fulfill expectancies of 8% of participants, while this percentage was 31.5% for practical lectures. 54% of residents felt confident in performing at least one type of cosmetic procedure unassisted.ConclusionsCosmetic training in clinics providing residency training in Turkey does not meet the expectations of residents. It is of utmost importance for future specialists in dermatology to get proficient on this field and to be able to make cosmetic procedures independently for patient safety and to protect our field of profession. In this context, including cosmetology training into residency training in accordance with a preconceived program, providing practical cosmetic training in training clinics and organization of cosmetic courses for residents by professional associations may help reduce the deficits in this issue.
Predictive factors of a prolonged length of stay in a community Nursing‐Led unit: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zeffiro Valentina , Sanson Gianfranco , Welton John , Maurici Massimo , Malatesta Anna , Carboni Luigia , Vellone Ercole , Alvaro Rosaria , D’Agostino Fabio 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAims and objectivesTo describe the care provided to patients admitted into a community Nursing‐Led inpatient unit and to identify factors predicting a length of stay exceeding an established threshold.BackgroundFew studies have been conducted to describe the care provided in a Nursing‐Led unit. No studies have investigated factors affecting length of stay in these services.DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsConsecutive patients admitted to a community Nursing‐Led unit between 2009–2015 were enrolled. Sociodemographic, medical and nursing care (diagnoses and activities) variables were collected from electronic health records. Descriptive analysis and a backward stepwise logistic regression model were applied. The study followed the STROBE guidelines.ResultsThe study enrolled 904 patients (mean age: 77.7 years). The most frequent nursing diagnoses were bathing self‐care deficit and impaired physical mobility. The nursing activities most provided were enteral medication administration and vital signs measurement. Approximately 37% of the patients had a length of stay longer than the established threshold. Nine covariates, including being discharged to home, having an impaired memory nursing diagnosis or being treated for advanced wound care, were found to be independent predictors of prolonged length of stay. Variables related to medical conditions did not affect the length‐of‐stay threshold.ConclusionsThe length of stay in the community Nursing‐Led unit was mainly predicted by conditions related to sociodemographic factors, nursing complexity and functional status. This result confirms that the medical and nursing needs of a community Nursing‐Led unit population substantively differ from those of hospitalised acute patients.Relevance to clinical practiceThe nursing complexity and related nursing care to be provided may be adopted as a criterion to establish the appropriate length of stay in the community Nursing‐Led unit for each individual patient.
Caught in an Authoritarian Trap of Its Own Making? Brazil's ‘Lava Jato’ Anti‐Corruption Investigation and the Politics of Prosecutorial Overreach
Authors: MÉSZÁROS GEORGE 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe negative and corrosive impacts of corruption in the fields of economics, politics, and law are widely discussed. Less understood are the potentially negative impacts of anti‐corruption struggles and strategies themselves. This article presents a case study of Brazil's ‘Car Wash’ (‘Lava Jato’) scandal from a legal and political perspective. Although the subsequent Operation Car Wash investigation was widely regarded as remarkably successful, supposedly buttressing the rule of law through high‐profile prosecutions of leading politicians and businesspersons, the article argues that legal due process, wider constitutional law, and the political process were undermined. While the use of media leaks to strengthen the investigation proved tactically successful, when coupled with new legal instruments it undermined the presumption of innocence and contributed to a climate in which political and legal debates themselves became increasingly subordinated to simplistic polarizing anti‐corruption discourses, thereby undermining an already fragile political and institutional environment.
Sexual parameters, digestive enzyme activities, and growth performance of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fed garlic (Allium sativum) extract supplemented diets
Authors: Ahmadniaye Motlagh Hamidreza , Paolucci Marina , Lashkarizadeh Bami Mahkameh , Safari Omid 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough many studies have assessed the various effects of garlic on fish, the impact of garlic on steroid hormones has not been studied. In the present study, the effect of aqueous garlic extract on sex steroid hormones, fry production, digestive enzyme activities, growth performance, and survival of Poecilia reticulata were evaluated. A total of 360 P. reticulata fries (0.013 ± 0.001 g) were randomly stocked in 12 experimental glass tanks (50 L) at a density of 30 fish per tank. The fries were fed diets supplemented with aqueous garlic extract at 0 (Control), 1.00 (G1), 1.50 (G2), and 2.00 (G3) ml/kg diet three times a day at a ratio of 2.5% of their body weight for a period of 120 days. Results demonstrated that the inclusion of garlic extract in the diet did not have any significant effect on growth performance and fry production. The survival of G2 treatment was significantly higher than the control, G1 and G3 (p < .05). The concentrations of sex steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone and progesterone) and the activity of digestive enzymes (protease, lipase, and amylase) were significantly higher in G2, than the control and other treatments (p < .05). Based on polynomial regression models, the recommended dietary concentration of garlic extract for P. reticulata should be 1.64 ± 0.03 and 1.63 ± 1.01 ml/kg to obtain higher activities of digestive enzymes and sex steroids, respectively.
Stability of cartels in Multimarket Cournot oligopolies
Authors: Chakrabarti Subhadip , Gilles Robert P. , Lazarova Emiliya 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe investigate the stability of cooperation agreements, such as those agreed by cartels, among firms in a Cournot model of oligopolistic competition embedded in a multimarket contact setting. Our analysis considers a broad array of 64 potential market structural configurations under linear demand and quadratic production costs. We establish that for an appropriate range of parameter values there exists a unique core stable market configuration in which an identical two‐firm cartel is sustained in both markets. Our result highlights the significance of multimarket presence for cartel formation in light of the well‐known result from the single‐market setting where cartels are non‐profitable.
Causes of perception of insufficient milk supply in Western Australian mothers
Authors: Kent Jacqueline Coral , Ashton Elizabeth , Hardwick Catherine Meria , Rea Alethea , Murray Kevin , Geddes Donna Tracy 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA perception of insufficient milk supply (PIMS) is associated with early discontinuation of breastfeeding. Ideally, an objective measure of milk supply would either dispel or confirm this perception and provide reassurance or guide professional advice. Clinical signs of sufficient milk intake (steady growth, sufficient elimination, infant alertness and breasts feeling full before breastfeeds and soft after breastfeeds) should provide confidence in milk supply. We surveyed 423 mothers in early lactation who had breastfeeding problems to determine the proportion that had PIMS and to determine if the mothers with PIMS relied on these clinical signs or other perceptions of their infants' behaviour as indications of insufficient milk supply. By 3 weeks after birth, we found that the rate of PIMS among mothers with breastfeeding problems was 44%. Supplementary infant formula was being given to 66% of the infants, so the clinical indications were that milk intake was sufficient, but 74% of the mothers with PIMS cited concerns that their infants did not appear satisfied after breastfeeds. After targeted advice from lactation consultants, mothers with PIMS showed positive changes in their perceptions of their milk supply, underlining the value of professional guidance soon after birth. We conclude that an appearance of infant dissatisfaction is the major cause of PIMS in Western Australia.
Aflatoxin contamination of human breast milk and complementary foods in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Eshete Mesfin , Gebremedhin Samson , Alemayehu Fikadu R. , Taye Mestawet , Boshe Bergene , Stoecker Barbara J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExposure to unsafe level of aflatoxin in early life may lead to growth faltering. However, the extent of contamination of breast milk and complementary foods is poorly examined. We determined aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and B1 (AFB1) contamination of human breast milk and cereal‐based cooked complementary foods, respectively, among households having children 6–23 months of age in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through two cross‐sectional surveys implemented in the wet (n = 180) and dry (n = 180) seasons. Eligible households (n = 360) were recruited from three agroecological zones (lowland, midland and highland, each with sample size of 120) using a multistage sampling technique. AFB1 and AFM1 levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed to compare aflatoxin levels between seasons and across the agroecological zones. Among 360 breast milk samples tested, 64.4% had detectable AFM1 and 5.3% exceeded the 0.025 parts per billion (ppb) limit set by the European Union for infant milk. The median AFM1 in the lowlands was significantly higher than in the other agroecological settings (P < 0.001). By season, AFM1 was higher in breast milk samples collected in the dry season (P = 0.041). AFB1 was detected in 96.4% of the food samples tested, and 95.0% had concentration exceeding the permissible European Union limit of 0.1 ppb. The median AFB1 was significantly higher in the lowland (P = 0.002), but there was no difference between the seasons (P = 0.386). The study indicated that, in southern Ethiopia, foods intended for infants are heavily contaminated with AFB1. Contamination of breast milk is also a significant health concern.