bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Puerarin 6″‐O‐xyloside suppresses growth, self‐renewal and invasion of lung cancer stem‐like cells derived from A549 cells via regulating Akt/c‐Myc signalling
Authors: Tao Xiaomei , Yin Yefeng , Lian Dongbo , Gu Hongyan , Chen Wen , Yang Lu , Yin Gang , Liu Pengfei , Li Lili , Wei Yuanyuan , Xie Zhengzheng , Liu Fei , Sui Hangshuo , Yan Dan , Tao Weiwei 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCancer stem cells have been identified as the major cause of cancer initiation and progression. To investigate the effects of puerarin 6″‐O‐xyloside (PXY), derived from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, on lung cancer stem cells, we enriched and identified a subpopulation of lung cancer stem‐like cells (LCSLCs) derived from lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells with traits including high self‐renewal and invasive capability in vitro, elevated tumourigenicity in vivo, and high expression of stem cell markers CD44, CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1). We found that PXY could impair cell viability, suppress self‐renewal and invasive capability, and decrease CD133, CD44 and ALDH1 mRNA expression in LCSLCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed that PXY suppressed the self‐renewal and invasive capability of LCSLCs at least in part through suppressing the activation of Akt/c‐Myc signalling. In conclusion, PXY can block the traits of LCSLCs, indicating that PXY may be a candidate compound for lung adenocarcinoma therapy via eliminating LCSLCs.
A general method for comparative dynamics in continuous‐time models
Authors: Gong Liutang , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper develops a general and applicable method for the computation of comparative dynamics in continuous‐time perfect foresight models. The key technique in our method is the Jordan decomposition of the Jacobian matrix. This enables us to derive analytical solutions when dealing with high‐dimensional systems with repeated eigenvalues. In an application, we compute comparative dynamics of an unanticipated expansionary monetary policy in scenarios with and without repeated eigenvalues. We find that the short‐run effects on the social welfare are opposite in the two scenarios, while the long‐run effects are similar.
The role of a residential aged care pharmacist: Findings from a pilot study
Authors: McDerby Nicole C. , Kosari Sam , Bail Kasia S. , Shield Alison J. , Peterson Gregory , Thorpe Richard , Naunton Mark 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of integrating a residential care pharmacist and describe the activities they subsequently undertake in an established residential aged care facility.MethodsA residential care pharmacist was integrated part‐time (15 hours per week) into a 104‐bed residential aged care facility in the Australian Capital Territory, for 6 months. The pharmacist documented all activities performed during the study period.ResultsThe residential care pharmacist documented 335.3 hours performing 284 activities. The two broad classes of activities were as follows: (1) organisation‐oriented, which were system‐level interventions to improve medication safety, and (2) resident‐oriented, which were clinical interventions conducted at the individual level. The activities most frequently performed were pharmaceutical opinion, quality improvement and comprehensive medication review. The stakeholder and organisational demand for these activities indicated feasibility for the role.ConclusionPharmacists working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary aged care team can perform a range of clinically and operationally beneficial activities.
Socioeconomic inequality in the global burden of refraction disorders: results from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2017
Authors: Tang Xiajing , Lou Lixia , Xu Yufeng , Jin Kai , Cao Jing , Shao Ji , Gao Zhiyuan , Yao Ke 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPurposeTo explore socioeconomic inequality in global burden of refraction disorders using disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs).MethodsWorld Bank categorical and national DALY numbers, crude rates and age‐standardized rates caused by refraction disorders between 1990 and 2017 were obtained. Gini coefficient and concentration index were computed to assess trends in global health inequality in refraction disorders burden.ResultsLower middle‐income countries had the highest burden of refraction disorders and greatest decline in age‐standardized DALY rates of 15.9% (171.0 in 1990; 143.8 in 2017), followed by upper middle‐income countries, with a 9.7% decline (103.7 in 1990; 93.7 in 2017). High‐income countries had the lowest age‐standardized DALY rates (70.4 in 1990; 65.7 in 2017), while low‐income countries had the lowest DALY numbers. Between‐country inequality decreased, with Gini coefficient declining from 0.203 in 1990 to 0.184 in 2017. Socioeconomic‐associated inequality also decreased, with concentration index changing from –0.060 in 1990 to –0.041 in 2017. Small peaks of DALY numbers and crude rates occurred in the age group of 5–9 years in countries with different income levels. An earlier occurrence of high peaks of DALY estimates in older adults had been observed in countries with lower income.ConclusionMiddle‐income countries are more burdened with refraction disorders but have achieved great progress in the last few decades. The global health improvement in refraction disorders has been accompanied by narrowing inequality. Older adults in lower income countries tend to suffer from refraction disorders at an earlier age, compared with older adults in higher income countries.
Using therapeutic drug monitoring to personalize clozapine dosing in Asians
Authors: de Leon Jose , Schoretsanitis Georgios , Kane John M. , Ruan Can‐Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis narrative review on clozapine blood levels or therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) includes sections focused on drug clearance and TDM, personalized dosing with TDM, clinical applications of TDM in Asians, and areas needing further study. Asian patients need half the clozapine dose (D) used in the United States to get the same blood concentrations (C). The concentration‐to‐dose (C/D) ratio measures drug clearance. In the United States, the average clozapine patient usually needs from 300 to 600 mg/day to reach 350 ng/mL. US male smokers reach this therapeutic C with a D of 600 mg/day (C/D ratio of 0.60 = 600/350), whereas US female nonsmokers usually need a D of 300 mg/day (C/D ratio of 1.17 = 300/350). While in the United States, average CLO C/D ratios typically are 0.6‐1.2 ng/mL per mg/day, in Asian populations they range from 1.20 in male smokers to 2.40 in female smokers, requiring Ds of 300 to 150 mg/day to obtain 350 ng/mL. Asian patients can become clozapine poor metabolizers (PMs), needing very low Ds (50‐150 mg/day) to get therapeutic Cs, by taking inhibitors (fluvoxamine, oral contraceptives and valproic acid), due to obesity, or during inflammations with systemic effects. In 573 Asian patients from five samples, around 1% were PMs due to taking inhibitors, 1% due to inflammation, 1% due to obesity, and 7% were potential genetic PMs. The potential genetic PMs ranged between 3% and 13%, but this prevalence will have to be better established in future studies including genetic testing for possible CYP1A2 mutations, which may explain PM status.
Inconsistent efficacy of water‐soluble amphotericin B for the treatment of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) aviary
Authors: Baron HR , Stevenson BC , Phalen DN 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of a commercially available in‐water amphotericin B treatment for Macrorhabdus ornithogaster.DesignClinical treatment trial.MethodsFaecal shedding of 16 naturally infected budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) was monitored while they were being treated using in‐water amphotericin B, as per the manufacturer's instructions, for 10 days. Any birds that remained positive after 10 days received a further 10 day course of treatment. All birds were rechecked 16 days after the end of the second treatment period.ResultsAt the conclusion of treatment, 11 birds had stopped shedding M. ornithogaster, and 5 birds were still shedding. Sixteen days after the conclusion of the second treatment period, four birds that were negative after 10 days of treatment were shedding again, and two of the birds that were treated for 20 days were shedding. In addition, one bird from each treatment group died after treatment and before follow‐up testing.ConclusionThese findings represent a 36% treatment failure, suggesting that treatment with the commercially available, water‐soluble amphotericin B has inconsistent efficacy against M. ornithogaster in some budgerigars in Australia and is not effective for eliminating it from budgerigar aviaries.
Comprehensive moral thinking and the demandingness objection
Authors: Butler Travis 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn his tripartite theory of corporate responsibility, Kenneth Goodpaster argues for the inclusion of “Comprehensive Moral Thinking (CMT)” as the third part alongside shareholder and stakeholder thinking. CMT requires managers sometimes to act for reasons of dignity or a just community, against what shareholder and stakeholder thinking recommend. To address concerns about the demandingness of CMT, Goodpaster argues that the responsibilities it imposes are significant but qualified or conditional: they require only that managersmake effortsto address problems of dignity and justice, especially in cooperation with other willing firms. If extreme efforts are required or if other firms are unwilling to cooperate, managers can be justified in deciding in favor of shareholder or stakeholder values, even when dignity or justice is at stake. I raise two problems for the appeal to qualified responsibility—an extensional problem about the inability of the account to yield the correct judgment in important cases and an internal problem about the coherence of the account when qualified responsibility is included. I conclude by considering the prospects of a theory that includes CMT but rejects qualified responsibility.
Selective clamping during robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy in patients with a solitary kidney: is it safe and does it help?
Authors: Badani Ketan K. , Kothari Pankti D. , Okhawere Kennedy E. , Eun Daniel , Hemal Ashok , Abaza Ronney , Porter James , Lovallo Gregory , Ahmed Mutahar , Munver Ravi , Stifelman Michael D. 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo obtain the most accurate assessment of the risks and benefits of selective clamping in robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) we evaluated outcomes of this technique vs those of full clamping in patients with a solitary kidney undergoing RAPN.Patients and MethodsData from institutional review board‐approved retrospective and prospective databases from 2006 to 2019 at multiple institutions with sharing agreements were evaluated. Patients with a solitary kidney were identified and stratified based on whether selective or full renal artery clamping was performed. Both groups were analysed with regard to demographics, risk factors, intra‐operative complications, and postoperative outcomes using chi‐squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, t‐tests and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.ResultsOur initial cohort consisted of 4112 patients, of whom 72 had undergone RAPN in a solitary kidney (51 with full clamping and 21 with selective clamping). There were no significant differences in demographics, tumour size, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or warm ischaemia time (WIT) between the groups (Table 1). Intra‐operative outcomes, including estimated blood loss, operating time, and intra‐operative complications were similar in the two groups. Short‐ and long‐term postoperative percentage change in eGFR, frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI), and frequency of de novo chronic kidney disease (CKD) were also not significantly different between the two techniques.ConclusionIn a large cohort of patients with solitary kidney undergoing RAPN, selective clamping resulted in similar intra‐operative and postoperative outcomes compared to full clamping and conferred no additional risk of harm. However, selective clamping did not appear to provide any functional advantage over full clamping as there was no difference observed in the frequency of AKI, CKD or change in eGFR. Short WIT in both groups (<15 min) may have prevented identification of benefits in the selective clamping group; a similar study analysing cases with longer WIT may elucidate any beneficial effects of selective clamping.
The share of the global energy mix: Signs of convergence?
Authors: Ghoshray Atanu , Malki Issam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the convergence behaviour regarding the share of global energy mix, as measured by primary energy consumption. Recent studies that employ stationary tests of panel data suggest that such data support the convergence hypothesis; however, some drawbacks exist, as these studies rely on methods that do not necessarily imply a sufficient condition for convergence. This paper adopts the concept of relative convergence as proposed by Phillips and Sul (2007), which employs a time‐varying, idiosyncratic component. We choose to focus on various sources’ global primary energy consumption and investigate the long‐ run dynamic behaviour by source. The key finding of this paper is that two distinct clubs of convergence of energy can be determined: renewable and non‐renewable energy clubs of convergence.
Monophyletic classification and information content
Authors: Hayden James E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe connection between monophyly and efficient taxonomic diagnoses is elaborated. The inefficiency of nonmonophyletic groups is shown by reconstructing data matrices from hierarchical sets of diagnoses that are derived from apomorphies and read in order from highest to lowest rank. The practice of diagnosing nonmonophyletic groups either results in omitting data, resulting in errors in reconstructed datasets, or repeating character information to make up for the implied losses. Step‐by‐step demonstrations with hypothetical and real data are used as guidance. Provisions are made for missing, inapplicable and polymorphic data. Slow optimization (delayed transformation) is useful for choosing a state reconstruction in order to report apomorphies completely. The diagnoses of paraphyletic groups can be expressed in different ways, including regrafting derived clades, reanalyzing data with constraints, and reading the original diagnoses in a different order––the last is the least efficient. A cladistic version of the data compression ratio is proposed to quantify the diagnostic efficiency of a cladogram.
A new hybrid image segmentation approach using clustering and black hole algorithm
Authors: Dhanachandra Nameirakpam , Chanu Y. Jina , Singh Kh. Manglem 
Published: March 2020

AbstractClustering technique is used in image segmentation because of its simple and easy approach. However, the existing clustering techniques required prior information as input and the performance are entirely dependent on this prior information, which is the main drawback of the clustering approaches. Therefore, many researchers are trying to introduce a novel method with user free parameter. We proposed a clustering method, that is, independent of user parameters and later we used a region merging technique to improve the performance of the clustering output. In this article, we proposed a hybrid image segmentation method which is based on a clustering algorithm and black hole algorithm. In the clustering technique, we have used recursive density estimation technique of surrounding pixels. After clustering technique, presence of small segments may be present and it would give lower a performance of segmentation output. Therefore, a segment is merged with another segment by finding best matched segment. Black hole algorithm concept has been used to define the fitness of each segment and to find the best matching segment. We have compared the proposed method with the other clustering‐based segmentation methods and different evaluation indices are used to calculate the performance, and the result proved the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The effect of liposome on dyeing mohair/wool blends
Authors: Kartal Gülşah Ekin , Avci Berrak Buket , Erkan Gokhan , Sariisik Merih 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the use of liposome in the dyeing of wool and mohair fibres with acid dyestuffs. Soybean lecithin and cholesterol were used to form the liposome membrane utilised in the dyebath. Liposome production was performed according to the thin lipid layer method (Bangham Method) using a rotary evaporator. Two different forms of liposome were used for dyeing wool and mohair fibres. In its first form, liposome was utilised as an auxiliary agent, where it was added to a conventional dyebath at the beginning of the process. In its second form, dyes were encapsulated with liposome and then used in dyeing. The effects of these two different forms of liposome were compared with conventional dyeing. Dyeing was carried out at depths of shade of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% using three different concentrations of liposome (0.33%, 0.66% and 1.33%). An analysis of K/S values, fastness to washing, and the alkali solubility of fibres was conducted. The fibre samples dyed in the presence of liposome exhibited very good fastness to light (grade 8). The wash fastness test results of the liposomal‐dyed samples were significantly better (grade 4‐5) than for those samples which were conventionally dyed. In the presence of liposome, the tensile strength of fibres was 20 gf, whereas it was 11 gf without liposomes.
Nasal glucagon as a viable alternative for treating insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: A phase 3 randomized crossover study
Authors: Matsuhisa Munehide , Takita Yasushi , Nasu Risa , Nagai Yukiko , Ohwaki Kenji , Nagashima Hirotaka 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo compare nasal glucagon (NG) with intramuscular glucagon (IMG) for the treatment of insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and methodsThis phase 3, randomized, open‐label, two‐treatment, two‐period crossover non‐inferiority study enrolled Japanese adults with T1DM or T2DM on insulin therapy, with glycated haemoglobin levels ≤86 mmol/mol (≤10%). After ≥8 hours of fasting, hypoglycaemia was induced with human regular insulin (intravenous infusion). Patients received NG 3 mg or IMG 1 mg approximately 5 minutes after insulin termination. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving treatment success [plasma glucose (PG) increase to ≥3.9 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) or ≥1.1 mmol/L (≥20 mg/dL) increase from the PG nadir within 30 minutes of receiving glucagon]. Non‐inferiority was declared if the upper limit of the two‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean difference in the percentage of patients achieving treatment success (IMG minus NG) was <10%.ResultsSeventy‐five patients with T1DM (n = 34) or T2DM (n = 41) were enrolled; 72 patients (50 men, 22 women) received ≥1 study drug dose (T1DM, n = 33; T2DM, n = 39). Sixty‐eight patients completed the study and were evaluable. All NG‐ and IMG‐treated patients achieved treatment success (treatment arm difference: 0%; upper limit of two‐sided 95% CI 1.47%); NG met prespecified conditions defining non‐inferiority versus IMG. Glucagon was rapidly absorbed after both nasal and intramuscular administration; PG profiles were similar between administration routes during the first 60 minutes post dose. Study drug‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events affecting >2 patients were rhinalgia, increased blood pressure, nausea, ear pain and vomiting in the NG group, and nausea and vomiting in the IMG group.ConclusionNasal glucagon was non‐inferior to IMG for successful treatment of insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with T1DM/T2DM, supporting use of NG as a rescue treatment for severe hypoglycaemia.
A river runs through it: The causes, consequences, and management of intraspecific diversity in river networks
Authors: Blanchet Simon , Prunier Jérôme G. , Paz‐Vinas Ivan , Saint‐Pé Keoni , Rey Olivier , Raffard Allan , Mathieu‐Bégné Eglantine , Loot Géraldine , Fourtune Lisa , Dubut Vincent 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRivers are fascinating ecosystems in which the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of organisms are constrained by particular features, and biologists have developed a wealth of knowledge about freshwater biodiversity patterns. Over the last 10 years, our group used a holistic approach to contribute to this knowledge by focusing on the causes and consequences of intraspecific diversity in rivers. We conducted empirical works on temperate permanent rivers from southern France, and we broadened the scope of our findings using experiments, meta‐analyses, and simulations. We demonstrated that intraspecific (genetic) diversity follows a spatial pattern (downstream increase in diversity) that is repeatable across taxa (from plants to vertebrates) and river systems. This pattern can result from interactive processes that we teased apart using appropriate simulation approaches. We further experimentally showed that intraspecific diversity matters for the functioning of river ecosystems. It indeed affects not only community dynamics, but also key ecosystem functions such as litter degradation. This means that losing intraspecific diversity in rivers can yield major ecological effects. Our work on the impact of multiple human stressors on intraspecific diversity revealed that—in the studied river systems—stocking of domestic (fish) strains strongly and consistently alters natural spatial patterns of diversity. It also highlighted the need for specific analytical tools to tease apart spurious from actual relationships in the wild. Finally, we developed original conservation strategies at the basin scale based on the systematic conservation planning framework that appeared pertinent for preserving intraspecific diversity in rivers. We identified several important research avenues that should further facilitate our understanding of patterns of local adaptation in rivers, the identification of processes sustaining intraspecific biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships, and the setting of reliable conservation plans.