bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies for asymmetrical triacetate dialyser heparin-free effective haemodialysis: the SAFE study
Authors: Vandenbosch Ines , Dejongh Sander , Claes Kathleen , Bammens Bert , De Vusser Katrien , Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis , Kuypers Dirk , Evenepoel Pieter , Meijers Björn 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
In haemodialysis, maintaining patency of the extracorporeal circuit requires the use of anticoagulants. Although (low molecular weight) heparins are the mainstay, these are not well tolerated in all patients. Alternative approaches include saline infusion, citrate-containing dialysate, regional citrate anticoagulation or the use of heparin-coated membranes. Asymmetric cellulose triacetate (ATA) dialysers have a low degree of platelet contact activation and might be an alternative to heparin-coated dialysers. The aim of this study was to test the clotting propensity of ATA when used without systemic anticoagulation.

Methods
We performed a Phase II pilot study in maintenance dialysis patients. The ‘Strategies for Asymmetrical Triacetate dialyzer heparin-Free Effective hemodialysis’ (SAFE) study was a two-arm open-label crossover study. In Arm A, patients were dialysed using 1.9 m2 ATA membranes in combination with a citrate-containing dialysate (1 mM). In Arm B, the ATA membrane was combined with high-volume predilution haemodiafiltration (HDF) without any other anticoagulation. The primary endpoint was the success rate to complete 4 h of haemodialysis without preterm clotting. Secondary endpoints included time to clotting and measures of dialysis adequacy.

Results
We scheduled 240 dialysis sessions (120/arm) in 20 patients. Patients were randomized 1:1 to start with Arm A or B. All patients crossed to the other arm halfway through the study. A total of 232 (96.7%) study treatments were delivered. Overall, 23 clotting events occurred, 7 in Arm A and 16 in Arm B. The success rate in Arm A (ATA + citrate-containing dialysate) was 90.8/94.0% [intention to treat (ITT)/as treated]. The success rate in Arm B (ATA + predilution HDF) was 83.3/86.2% (ITT/as treated). Time to clotting was borderline significantly better in Arm A (Mantel-Cox log rank P = 0.05).

Conclusion
ATA dialysers have a low clotting propensity and both predilution HDF and a citrate-containing dialysate resulted in high rates of completed dialysis sessions.
Endoscopic Stricturotomy Is an Efficacious Option for Management of Strictures in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Mohy-ud-din Nabeeha , Kochhar Gursimran S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Strictures are a common complication for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Endoscopic stricturotomy (ESt) is a novel procedure for treatment of these strictures.

Methods
A chart review was performed for patients with strictures who underwent ESt.

Results
Eleven patients were included in the study and the total number of strictures treated was 12. The mean length of the strictures was 10.25 ± 4.36 mm. Technical success was achieved in 92% (n = 11) of the procedures. Postprocedural bleeding occurred in 9% (n = 1) of patients, and none of the patients had complications of infection or perforation.

Conclusions
ESt is a safe technique with high technical success rate.
Testosterone Reduces Growth and Hepatic IGF-1 mRNA in a Female-Larger Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus: Evidence of an Evolutionary Reversal in Growth Regulation
Authors: Duncan Christine A , Cohick Wendie S , John-Alder Henry B 
Published: October 2020

Synopsis
Previous research has demonstrated that testosterone (T) can inhibit growth in female-larger species and stimulate growth in male-larger species, but the underlying mechanisms of this regulatory bipotentiality have not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of T on the expression of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA and circulating IGF-1 hormone in Sceloporus undulatus, a species of lizard in which females grow faster to become larger than males and in which T inhibits growth. Experiments were performed in captivity on mature female and male adults in the asymptotic phase of their growth curve and on actively growing, pre-reproductive juveniles. In adult males, the expression of hepatic IGF-1 mRNA increased following surgical castration and returned to control levels with T replacement; in intact adult females, exogenous T had no effect on IGF-1 mRNA expression. In juveniles, T significantly reduced both growth and the expression of hepatic IGF-1 mRNA to similar extents in intact females and in castrated males. The relative inhibitory effects of T on mRNA expression were greater in juveniles than in adults. Plasma IGF-1 hormone was about four times higher in juveniles than in adults, but T had no significant effect on IGF-1 hormone in either sex or in either age group. Our finding of inhibition of the expression of hepatic IGF-1 mRNA stands in contrast to the stimulatory effects of T in the published body of literature. We attribute our novel finding to our use of a species in which T inhibits rather than stimulates growth. Our findings begin to explain how T has the regulatory bipotentiality to be stimulatory in some species and inhibitory in others, requiring only an evolutionary reversal in the molecular regulation of growth-regulatory genes including IGF-1. Further comparative transcriptomic studies will be required to fully resolve the molecular mechanism of growth inhibition.
Impact of antibiotic timing on mortality from Gram-negative bacteraemia in an English district general hospital: the importance of getting it right every time
Authors: Baltas Ioannis , Stockdale Thomas , Tausan Matija , Kashif Areeba , Anwar Javeria , Anvar Junaid , Koutoumanou Eirini , Sidebottom David , Garcia-Arias Veronica , Wright Melanie , Democratis Jane 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Objectives
There is limited evidence that empirical antimicrobials affect patient-oriented outcomes in Gram-negative bacteraemia. We aimed to establish the impact of effective antibiotics at four consecutive timepoints on 30 day all-cause mortality and length of stay in hospital.

Methods
We performed a multivariable survival analysis on 789 patients with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemias. Antibiotic choices at the time of the blood culture (BC), the time of medical clerking and 24 and 48 h post-BC were reviewed.

Results
Patients that received ineffective empirical antibiotics at the time of the BC had higher risk of mortality before 30 days (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.19–2.38, P = 0.004). Mortality was higher if an ineffective antimicrobial was continued by the clerking doctor (HR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.58–4.73, P &lt; 0.001) or at 24 h from the BC (HR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.05–3.20, P = 0.033) when compared with patients who received effective therapy throughout. Hospital-onset infections, ‘high inoculum’ infections and elevated C-reactive protein, lactate and Charlson comorbidity index were independent predictors of mortality. Effective initial antibiotics did not statistically significantly reduce length of stay in hospital (−2.98 days, 95% CI = −6.08–0.11, P = 0.058). The primary reasons for incorrect treatment were in vitro antimicrobial resistance (48.6%), initial misdiagnosis of infection source (22.7%) and non-adherence to hospital guidelines (15.7%).

Conclusions
Consecutive prescribing decisions affect mortality from Gram-negative bacteraemia.
Psychiatric Disorders and Cardiovascular Diseases During the Diagnostic Workup of Suspected Prostate Cancer
Authors: Shen Qing , Ma Yuanjun , Jöud Anna , Schelin Maria E C , Fall Katja , Andrén Ove , Fang Fang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
It is unknown whether the rate of psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease increases during the diagnostic workup of suspected prostate cancer.

Methods
We designed a population-based cohort study including 579 992 men living during 2005-2014 in Skåne, Sweden, according to the Swedish Total Population Register and the Skåne Healthcare Register (SHR). We used the Swedish Cancer Register and the SHR to identify all men with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer (N = 10 996), and all men underwent a prostate biopsy without receiving a cancer diagnosis (biopsy group, N = 20 482) as exposed to a diagnostic workup. Using Poisson regression, we compared the rates of psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease during the period before diagnosis or biopsy of exposed men with the corresponding rates of unexposed men.

Results
We found an increased rate of psychiatric disorders during the period before diagnosis or biopsy among men with prostate cancer (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.67 to 2.10) and men in the biopsy group (IRR = 2.22, 95% CI = 2.08 to 2.37). The rate of cardiovascular disease increased during the period before diagnosis or biopsy among men with prostate cancer (IRR = 2.22, 95% CI = 2.12 to 2.32) and men in the biopsy group (IRR = 2.56, 95% CI = 2.49 to 2.63). Greater rate increases were noted for a diagnostic workup due to symptoms than due to other reasons.

Conclusions
There was an increased risk of psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease during the diagnostic workup of suspected prostate cancer regardless of the final cancer diagnosis.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis masquerading as unilateral heterogeneous emphysema
Authors: Srinivasan Lakshmi , Mohamed Saifullah , Patel Akshay , Mazhar Khurum , Ghosh Shilajit 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, well-described pathology and usually is exclusive to females of a reproductive age. We present a 45 year-old lady who presented to the surgeons 1 year after an admission with acute dyspnoea following influenza infection. Initial computed tomography imaging findings demonstrated severe, heterogenous right-sided bullous emphysematous changes, but histopathological analysis of the post-operative specimen favoured a diagnosis of LAM. This case demonstrates the importance of considering LAM as a differential diagnosis for findings of unilateral emphysema or lobar emphysema, in which alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency has been excluded and in those without a significant smoking history.
Digital methods in cartographic source editing
Authors: Panecki Tomasz 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The following article discusses current trends in digital methods used in historical cartographic source editing. Maps are often used not only by scholars interested in spatial history, but also by the general public. Due to increasing popularity of ‘maps online’, it is crucial to discuss, evaluate and classify current solutions and applications used in cartographic source editing. In the article the ‘edition’ is understood as the ‘critical representation of a historical documents’, and many types of map editions are considered. The level of map transformation: from raw image, through georeferenced map to spatial database constitutes the main axis of the division between various types of editions. On the very basic level (maps as images: digital libraries and collections), we only have a raster representation of a historic map, often supplemented by bibliographic metadata and the possibility to download it. The second level is geoportals with georeferenced maps, i.e. with spatial adjustment to modern geographic coordinates. The third, most complex level, includes elaboration of the spatial database with most important features (e.g. settlements, roads, land cover, etc.), which serves as the geographic index. The higher the map transformation level, the more useful the edition becomes. Nevertheless, more complex methods in map processing also should include more documentation about this process which is not always present within discussed projects. The main result of the article, apart from classifying existing applications and proposing their general types is to identify functionality and components of the so-called model edition of a historic map.
3D NLTE spectral line formation of lithium in late-type stars
Authors: Wang Ella Xi , Nordlander Thomas , Asplund Martin , Amarsi Anish M , Lind Karin , Zhou Yixiao 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
Accurately known stellar lithium abundances may be used to shed light on a variety of astrophysical phenomena such as big bang nucleosynthesis, radial migration, ages of stars and stellar clusters, and planet engulfment events. We present a grid of synthetic lithium spectra that are computed in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) across the stagger grid of three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic stellar atmosphere models. This grid covers three Li lines at 610.4, 670.8, and 812.6 nm for stellar parameters representative of FGK-type dwarfs and giants, spanning Teff = 4000–7000 K, log g = 1.5–5.0, $[\rm {Fe}/\rm {H}]= -4.0$–0.5, and A(Li) = −0.5–4.0. We find that our abundance corrections are up to 0.15 dex more negative than in previous work, due to a previously overlooked NLTE effect of blocking of UV lithium lines by background opacities, which has important implications for a wide range of science cases. We derive a new 3D NLTE solar abundance of A(Li) = 0.96 ± 0.05, which is 0.09 dex lower than the commonly used value. We make our grids of synthetic spectra and abundance corrections publicly available through the breidablik package. This package includes methods for accurately interpolating our grid to arbitrary stellar parameters through methods based on Kriging (Gaussian process regression) for line profiles, and multilayer perceptrons (a class of fully connected feedforward neural networks) for NLTE corrections and 3D NLTE abundances from equivalent widths, achieving interpolation errors of the order of 0.01 dex.
Re-observing the NLS1 galaxy RE J1034+396 – II. New insights on the soft X-ray excess, QPO, and the analogy with GRS 1915+105
Authors: Jin Chichuan , Done Chris , Ward Martin 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
The active galactic nucleus (AGN) RE J1034+396 displays the most significant X-ray quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) detected so far. We perform a detailed spectral-timing analysis of our recent simultaneous XMM–Newton, NuSTAR, and Swift observations. We present the energy dependence of the QPO’s frequency, rms, coherence, and phase lag, and model them together with the time-averaged spectra. Our study shows that four components are required to fit all the spectra. These components include an inner disc component (diskbb), two warm corona components (CompTT-1 and CompTT-2), and a hot corona component (nthComp). We find that diskbb, CompTT-2 (the hotter but less luminous component), and nthComp all contain the QPO signal, while CompTT-1 only exhibits stochastic variability. By fitting the lag spectrum, we find that the QPO in diskbb leads CompTT-2 by 679 s, and CompTT-2 leads nthComp by 180 s. By only varying the normalizations, these components can also produce good fits to the time-averaged and variability spectra obtained from previous observations when QPOs were present and absent. Our multiwavelength study shows that the detectability of the QPO does not depend on the contemporaneous mass accretion rate. We do not detect a significant Iron K α emission line, or any significant reflection hump. Finally, we show that the rms and lag spectra in the latest observation are very similar to the 67-Hz QPO observed in the micro-quasar GRS 1915+105. These new results support the physical analogy between these two sources. We speculate that the QPO in both sources is due to the expansion/contraction of the vertical structure in the inner disc.
Reithrodontomys mexicanus(Rodentia: Cricetidae)
Authors: Martínez-Borrego Daily , Arellano Elizabeth , González-Cózatl Francisco X , Rogers Duke S 
Published: October 2020

AbstractReithrodontomys mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) is a cricetid rodent commonly called the Mexican harvest mouse and is one of 24 recognized species in the genus. It has grooved upper incisors distinctive of Reithrodontomys, and a medium to relatively large size, with tail longer than head and body; dorsal pelage varies from brown to cinnamon orange. It is distributed from Mexico to Nicaragua and in the northwestern region of South America. It occupies different habitats including humid pine-oak forests, cloud forests, and deciduous forests at elevations from about 1,000 to 3,800 m. R. mexicanus is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, although information about population size throughout its distribution range is unknown.
Calculating the net clinical benefit in neuro-oncology clinical trials using two methods: quality-adjusted survival effect sizes and joint modeling
Authors: Coomans Marijke B , Dirven Linda , Aaronson Neil K , Baumert Brigitta G , van den Bent Martin , Bottomley Andrew , Brandes Alba A , Chinot Olivier , Coens Corneel , Gorlia Thierry , Herrlinger Ulrich , Keime-Guibert Florence , Malmström Annika , Martinelli Francesca , Sloan Jeff A , Stupp Roger , Talacchi Andrea , Weller Michael , Wick Wolfgang , Reijneveld Jaap C , Taphoorn Martin J B 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Two methods combining survival and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data in glioma trials to calculate the “net clinical benefit” were evaluated: Quality-adjusted effect sizes (QASES) and joint modeling (JM).

Methods
The net clinical benefit in two trials was calculated as proof of concept for other trials. With the QASES method, effect sizes for differences in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) and HRQoL between the experimental arm and standard treatment arm were calculated, while the relative emphasis placed on survival/HRQoL varied. JM allows simultaneous modeling of HRQoL and OS/PFS.

Results
In the EORTC 26951 trial, combined radiochemotherapy significantly prolonged OS (difference 11.7 months), but also resulted in more patients experiencing clinically relevant worsening (≥10 points) in appetite loss and nausea/vomiting shortly after treatment. Using QASES, the survival benefit of additional procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) decreased from 42.3 months to 29.5 and 28.2 months when accounting for appetite loss and nausea/vomiting, respectively. JM analyses resulted in a loss of the beneficial effect of additional PCV between 13% and 24% when adjusting for different HRQoL parameters. The EORTC 22033 trial showed no significant PFS difference between radiotherapy or temozolomide alone (46 vs 39 months), nor clinically relevant differences in HRQoL. JM analyses also showed no significant association between PFS and HRQoL scales/items, whereas QASES showed that temozolomide alone was more favorable when considering symptom burden (47–49 instead of 39 months).

Conclusions
Both methods resulted in different outcomes, but adjusting for the impact of treatment on HRQoL resulted in theoretically reduced survival benefits.
The glutamine antagonist prodrug JHU-083 slows malignant glioma growth and disrupts mTOR signaling
Authors: Yamashita Alex Shimura , da Costa Rosa Marina , Stumpo Vittorio , Rais Rana , Slusher Barbara S , Riggins Gregory J 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Metabolic reprogramming is a common feature in cancer, and it is critical to facilitate cancer cell growth. Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1 and IDH2) mutations (IDHmut) are the most common genetic alteration in glioma grade II and III and secondary glioblastoma and these mutations increase reliance on glutamine metabolism, suggesting a potential vulnerability. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the brain penetrant glutamine antagonist prodrug JHU-083 reduces glioma cell growth.

Material and Methods
We performed cell growth, cell cycle, and protein expression in glutamine deprived or Glutaminase (GLS) gene silenced glioma cells. We tested the effect of JHU-083 on cell proliferation, metabolism, and mTOR signaling in cancer cell lines. An orthotopic IDH1R132H glioma model was used to test the efficacy of JHU-083 in vivo.

Results
Glutamine deprivation and GLS gene silencing reduced glioma cell proliferation in vitro in glioma cells. JHU-083 reduced glioma cell growth in vitro, modulated cell metabolism, and disrupted mTOR signaling and downregulated Cyclin D1 protein expression, through a mechanism independent of TSC2 modulation and glutaminolysis. IDH1R132H isogenic cells preferentially reduced cell growth and mTOR signaling downregulation. In addition, guanine supplementation partially rescued IDHmut glioma cell growth, mTOR signaling, and Cyclin D1 protein expression in vitro. Finally, JHU-083 extended survival in an intracranial IDH1 mut glioma model and reduced intracranial pS6 protein expression.

Conclusion
Targeting glutamine metabolism with JHU-083 showed efficacy in preclinical models of IDHmut glioma and measurably decreased mTOR signaling.
Efficacy and costs of a workplace wellness programme
Authors: Rezai R , SantaBarbara N , Almirol E , Shedd K , Terry E , Park M , Comulada W S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Research investigating the efficacy of workplace wellness programmes to promote exercise, and by extension, reduce obesity and increase productivity has proliferated in recent years. Although preliminary work is encouraging, more work is needed.

Aims
To evaluate the effects and overall cost of a workplace exercise programme on multiple physical outcomes, including body mass index, aerobic fitness and muscular fitness.

Methods
Data from the Bruin Health Improvement Programme .5 (BHIP) between August 2013 and July 2018 were analysed. BHIP is a 12-week workplace wellness programme that assesses multiple areas of physical and mental health. For this study, changes in weight, waist-to-hip ratio, aerobic fitness and muscular endurance were analysed using paired samples t-tests and chi-squared tests. Using results from a prior analysis of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the estimated medical expenditure savings associated with weight loss were also analysed.

Results
A total of 518 participants (84% female) took part in the BHIP programme (mean age = 41 years, SD = 1.17). There were significant decreases in all anthropometric indices and significant increases in all fitness outcomes (P &lt; 0.01) from baseline to follow-up. Estimated programme cost per participant, per session was $473 US Dollars (USD), and weight loss is estimated to reduce annual medical care costs by ~$2200 USD.

Conclusions
Results showed significant improvements in all physical outcomes of interest. Additionally, there appears to be an inverse relationship between improvements in employee health and employer healthcare costs. Strengths, limitations and future directions are discussed.
Slithering Through the Bone Marrow: Loiasis in a Patient With Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus-1-Associated Adult T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Boodman Carl , Marko Daniel , Keynan Yoav 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Loiasis is a filarial disease endemic to areas of Central and West Africa. We present a case of Loa loa microfilaremia in a patient with HTLV-1-related adult T-cell lymphoma. This case may suggest the possible role of cellular immunity in controlling microfilaria burden.