bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural MRI Analysis of Chronic Pain Patients Following Interdisciplinary Treatment Shows Changes in Brain Volume and Opiate-Dependent Reorganization of the Amygdala and Hippocampus
Authors: Gagnon Christine M , Scholten Paul , Atchison James , Jabakhanji Rami , Wakaizumi Kenta , Baliki Marwan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective
The present study examined pre- to post-treatment changes in volumes for brain structures known to be associated with pain processing (thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala, and accumbens) following an interdisciplinary pain management program.

Design
Twenty-one patients participating in a four-week interdisciplinary pain management program completed the study. The program consisted of individual and group therapies with the following disciplines: physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain psychology, biofeedback/relaxation training, nursing lectures, and medical management. All patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain before the start and at completion of the program. They also completed standard outcome measures assessing pain, symptoms of central sensitization, disability, mood, coping, pain acceptance, and impressions of change.

Results
Our results showed a significant increase in total brain volume, as well as increased volumes in the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. As expected, we also found significant improvements in our standard outcome measures. The majority of patients rated themselves as much or very much improved. The increase in volume in the hippocampus was significantly associated with patient perceptions of change. However, the correlations were in the unexpected direction, such that greater increases in hippocampal volume were associated with perceptions of less improvement. Further exploratory analyses comparing patients by their opioid use status (use vs no use) showed differential program effects on volume increases in the hippocampus and amygdala.

Conclusions
These findings show that a four-week interdisciplinary pain management program resulted in changes in the brain, which adds objective findings further demonstrating program efficacy.
Foliar water uptake by coastal wetland plants: A novel water acquisition mechanism in arid and humid subtropical mangroves
Authors: Hayes Matthew A. , Chapman Samantha , Jesse Amber , O'Brien Elizabeth , Langley J. Adam , Bardou Remi , Devaney John , Parker John D. , Cavanaugh Kyle C. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Climate change alters freshwater availability in many ecosystems leading to shifts in distributions for many plants. Despite living exclusively in intertidal, saline environments, mangroves rely on non‐saline water to maintain plant productivity. However, several mangrove species persist in arid environments where non‐saline water from rain and groundwater sources are limited. Under these conditions, foliar water uptake from fog and mist may be an important water acquisition strategy.

We conducted a field experiment in arid Baja California Sur, Mexico along with a controlled mist chamber experiment (using seedlings sourced from humid subtropical region, Florida, USA) to show that three co‐occurring, neotropical mangrove species, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle, growing in both arid and humid environments can access water condensed on their leaves.

Foliar water uptake was greatest in A. germinans and lowest in R. mangle, possibly reflecting leaf traits associated with species‐specific water balance strategies. In our field misting experiment, the contribution of foliar water uptake was higher in A. germinans (32 ± 2%) than L. racemosa (26 ± 2%) and R. mangle (16 ± 1%). Foliar water uptake also varied across locations for L. racemosa and R. mangle, with declining uptake towards both species’ northern range limits in Baja California Sur, suggesting the distribution patterns of arid‐zone mangroves may be affected by species‐specific spatial variation in foliar water use. Within species, foliar water use was comparable across field and controlled experiments irrespective of source population (Baja California Sur vs. Florida), suggesting foliar water uptake is not an arid‐zone adaptation, and is instead used as a supplemental water balance strategy in arid and humid neotropical mangroves.

Synthesis. Our findings indicate mangroves have the potential to access atmospheric water, such as rain, dew and sea fog, through their leaves to offset soil water deficits. Variation in foliar water use across these three neotropical mangrove species may influence mangrove species distributions across arid‐zone and pseudo‐drought (highly saline) environments, with implications for mangrove response to climate change.
Particle therapy tumour outcomes: An updated systematic review
Authors: Hwang Eun Ji , Gorayski Peter , Le Hien , Hanna Gerard G , Kenny Liz , Penniment Michael , Buck Jacqueline , Thwaites David , Ahern Verity 
Published: April 2020

SummaryParticle therapy (PT) offers the potential for reduced normal tissue damage as well as escalation of target dose, thereby enhancing the therapeutic ratio in radiation therapy. Reflecting the building momentum of PT use worldwide, construction has recently commenced for The Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research in Adelaide – the first PT centre in Australia. This systematic review aims to update the clinical evidence base for PT, both proton beam and carbon ion therapy. The purpose is to inform clinical decision‐making for referral of patients to PT centres in Australia as they become operational and overseas in the interim. Three major databases were searched by two independent researchers, and evidence quality was classified according to the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence hierarchy. One hundred and thirty‐six studies were included, two‐thirds related to proton beam therapy alone. PT at the very least provides equivalent tumour outcomes compared to photon controls with the possibility of improved control in the case of carbon ion therapy. There is suggestion of reduced morbidities in a range of tumour sites, supporting the predictions from dosimetric modelling and the wide international acceptance of PT for specific indications based on this. Though promising, this needs to be counterbalanced by the overall low quality of evidence found, with 90% of studies of level IV (case series) evidence. Prospective comparative clinical trials, supplemented by database‐derived outcome information, preferably conducted within international and national networks, are strongly recommended as PT is introduced into Australasia.
Coping with COVID‐19: ventilator splitting with differential driving pressures using standard hospital equipment
Authors: Clarke A. L. , Stephens A. F. , Liao S. , Byrne T. J. , Gregory S. D. 
Published: April 2020

SummaryThe global COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of ventilators. This shortage has initiated discussions on how to support multiple patients with a single ventilator (ventilator splitting). Ventilator splitting is incompletely tested, experimental and the effects have not been fully characterised. This study investigated the effect of ventilator splitting on system variables (inspiratory pressure, flow and volume) and the possibility of different ventilation targets for each limb using only standard hospital equipment. Experiments were conducted on two test lungs with different compliances (0.02 l.cmH2O−1 and 0.04 l.cmH2O−1). The ventilator was used in both pressure and volume control modes and was set to ventilate the low compliance lungs at end‐tidal volumes of 500 ± 20 ml. A flow restrictor apparatus consisting of a Hoffman clamp and tracheal tube was connected in series to the inspiratory limb of the high compliance test lungs and the resistance modified to achieve end‐tidal volumes of 500 ± 20 ml. The restriction apparatus successfully modified the inspiratory pressure, minute ventilation and volume delivered to the high compliance test lungs in both pressure control (27.3–17.8 cmH2O, 15.2–8.0 l.min−1 and 980–499 ml, respectively) and volume control (21.0–16.7 cmH2O, 10.7–7.9 l.min−1 and 659–498 ml, respectively) ventilation modes. Ventilator splitting is not condoned by the authors. However, these experiments demonstrate the capacity to simultaneously ventilate two test lungs of different compliances, and using only standard hospital equipment, modify the delivered pressure, flow and volume in each test lung.
Association between changes in Membership and Professional Standards Committee review criteria and use of higher‐risk kidneys for transplant
Authors: Wey Andrew , Salkowski Nicholas , Carrico Robert J. , Shepherd Sharon , Kasiske Bertram L. , Thompson Bryn , Israni Ajay K. , Snyder Jon J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's Membership and Professional Standards Committee implemented an operational rule on March 1, 2017, intended to increase the number of kidneys transplanted from donors with kidney donor profile index (KDPI) ≥ 85% into recipients with poor estimated posttransplant survival (≥ 80%). Using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, ordinal and logistic regressions estimated, respectively, differences in kidney yield (number of transplanted kidneys per recovered donor) and offer acceptance practices before and after implementation. We included donors recovered January 1, 2016‐February 28, 2018. The odds of higher kidney yield for donors with KDPI ≥ 85% were 27% higher after implementation (odds ratio, 1.061.271.53), but odds were also 20% higher for donors with KDPI < 85% (1.041.201.38). Thus, kidney yield was higher for all donors, with a slightly larger difference for donors with KDPI ≥ 85%. Additionally, the difference in offer acceptance before and after implementation was similar regardless of KDPI (KDPI < 85%, 0.971.021.07; KDPI ≥ 85%, 0.951.041.14). In the first year after implementation, kidney yield increased for donors with KDPI < and ≥ 85%. Thus, kidney yield from higher KDPI donors may have increased without the operational rule.
Performance of risk models predicting cardiac complications in pregnant women with congenital heart disease: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Tom Kai Ming , Lowe Boris , Hlohovsky Stephanie , O'Donnell Clare 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAccurate risk stratification is important in pregnant women including the growing population with congenital heart disease (CHD). We meta‐analysed the performance of risk models for CHD women. Six studies with 3426 pregnancies were studied, with cardiac complication rates of 6.7–20.6%. Pooled c‐statistics (95% confidence interval) for scores were mWHO 0.71 (0.65–0.76), CARPREG 0.66 (0.61–0.71) and ZAHARA 0.71 (0.65–0.76). Current risk models had at best moderate discrimination for CHD women with significant room for improvement.
Being a relative on the sideline to the patient with oesophageal cancer: a qualitative study across the treatment course
Authors: Larsen Malene Kaas , Birkelund Regner , Mortensen Michael Bau , Schultz Helen 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundBeing a relative of patients with oesophageal cancer or cancer in the oesophageal junction is stressful, as the healthcare system often overlooks concerns about the future as well as the roles and needs of relatives. There is a lack of research addressing relatives’ experiences, roles and needs for participation in decisions.Aims and objectivesTo explore relatives’ experiences before the start of treatment and their subsequent roles and needs for participation in treatment decisions.DesignA qualitative approach based on a phenomenological – hermeneutical methodology was used.MethodsData consisted of participant observations and semi‐structured interviews with 19 relatives of patients with oesophageal cancer. We analysed data with inspiration from Ricœur’s theory of interpretation.ResultsThe relatives were fellow sufferers, experiencing uncertainties and fear for the future with the patients, but they were simultaneously a challenged anchor during a difficult time, actively involved in handling the diagnosis and the everyday life. The relatives were positioned on the sideline both by the professionals and by themselves; they took a passive and subordinate part in decisions.ConclusionRelatives are central to cancer care and treatment. Adequate and timely information is imperative for relatives as well for patients in order to facilitate shared decision‐making. We advocate for a new approach to relatives in order to prepare the relatives for their roles and support their individual needs but also to acknowledge relatives’ knowledge about everyday life from the relatives’ perspective.
Managing the absent clinical eye in calls to an oncological emergency telephone – a focus group study
Authors: Pedersen Birgith , Jacobsen Heidi Ramlow , Jørgensen Lone 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundTelephone consultations are common in supporting patients and caregivers in managing symptoms from cancer diseases and side effects from cancer treatment. In connection with telephone consultations, it may be a challenge that healthcare professionals have to rely on their auditory sense alone when they assess whether the problem can be solved over the telephone, or whether patients need an examination face to face.ObjectiveTo explore how healthcare professionals identify patients’ essential concerns and assess serious conditions in calls to an oncological emergency telephone without face‐to‐face contact.MethodsFrom a phenomenological‐hermeneutical frame of reference, the analysis of three focus groups with a total of 16 healthcare professionals was guided by content analysis.EthicsThe study follows the ethical guidelines for research.ResultsTwo themes emerged. To identify patients in serious conditions, healthcare professionals kept focus on: (1) ‘Reaching a mutual understanding without the clinical eye’. Before making a decision regarding a face‐to‐face examination, the healthcare providers were as follows: (2) ‘Listening to an inner voice – attention on clues and signs’.LimitationsThe transferability of the findings is limited to healthcare professionals who perform telephone‐mediated care in a team of nurses and physicians.ConclusionStaying open for diverse perspectives and integrating nonanalytical as well as analytical illness scripts, healthcare professionals were able to identify patients that needed further examination face to face.
Evaluation ofKRAS,NRASandBRAFmutational status and microsatellite instability in early colorectal carcinomas invading thesubmucosa(pT1): towards an in-house molecular prognostication for pathologists?
Authors: Bourhis Amélie , De Luca Caterina , Cariou Mélanie , Vigliar Elena , Barel Fanny , Conticelli Floriana , Marcorelles Pascale , Nousbaum Jean-Baptiste , Robaszkiewicz Michel , Samaison Laura , Badic Bogdan , Doucet Laurent , Troncone Giancarlo , Uguen Arnaud 
Published: April 2020

AimWe aimed to study the prognostic value ofKRAS,NRAS,BRAFmutations and microsatellite stable (MSS)/instable (MSI) in the field of colorectal cancer invading thesubmucosa(ie, pT1 colorectal cancer (CRC)).MethodsWe led a case-control study in tumour samples from 60 patients with pT1 CRC with (20 cases) and without (40 cases) metastatic evolution (5 years of follow-up) which were analysed forKRAS,NRAS,BRAFmutations (Idylla testing and next generation sequencing, NGS) and MSS/MSI status (Idylla testing and expression of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins using immunohistochemistry).ResultsKRASmutations were encountered in 11/20 (55%) cases and 21/40 (52.5%) controls (OR=1.11 (0.38 to 3.25), p=0.8548),NRASmutations in 1/20 (5%) cases and 3/40 (7.5%) controls (OR=3.08 (0.62 to 15.39), p=0.1698) andBRAFmutations in 3/20 (15%) cases and 6/40 (15%) controls (OR=1.00 (0.22 to 4.5), p=1.00). A MSI status was diagnosed in 3/20 (15%) cases and 5/40 (12.5%) controls (OR=1.2353 (0.26 to 5.79), p=0.7885). Beyond the absence of significant association between the metastatic evolution and any of the studied molecular parameters, we observed a very good agreement between methods analysingKRAS, NRASandBRAFmutations (Kappa value of 0.849 (0.748 to 0.95) between Idylla and NGS) and MSS/MSI (Idylla)—proficient MMR/deficient MMR (immunohistochemistry) status (Kappa value of 1.00).ConclusionAlthough being feasible using the fully automated Idylla method as well as NGS, the molecular testing ofKRAS, NRAS, BRAFand MSS/MSI status does not seem useful for prognostic purpose in the field of pT1 CRC.
Drug Targeting of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Inhibits Metabolic Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis in a Murine Model of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Khoukaz Hekmat B. , Ji Yan , Braet Drew J. , Vadali Manisha , Abdelhamid Ahmed A. , Emal Cory D. , Lawrence Daniel A. , Fay William P. 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
Enhanced expression of PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) has been implicated in atherosclerosis formation in humans with obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the effects of pharmacological targeting of PAI-1 on atherogenesis. This study examined the effects of pharmacological PAI-1 inhibition on atherosclerosis formation in a murine model of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Approach and Results:

LDL receptor-deficient (
ldlr
−/−
) mice were fed a Western diet high in cholesterol, fat, and sucrose to induce obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Western diet triggered significant upregulation of PAI-1 expression compared with normal diet controls. Addition of a pharmacological PAI-1 inhibitor (either PAI-039 or MDI-2268) to Western diet significantly inhibited obesity and atherosclerosis formation for up to 24 weeks without attenuating food consumption. Pharmacological PAI-1 inhibition significantly decreased macrophage accumulation and cell senescence in atherosclerotic plaques. Recombinant PAI-1 stimulated smooth muscle cell senescence, whereas a PAI-1 mutant defective in LRP1 (LDL receptor-related protein 1) binding did not. The prosenescent effect of PAI-1 was blocked by PAI-039 and R2629, a specific anti-LRP1 antibody. PAI-039 significantly decreased visceral adipose tissue inflammation, hyperglycemia, and hepatic triglyceride content without altering plasma lipid profiles.

Conclusions:
Pharmacological targeting of PAI-1 inhibits atherosclerosis in mice with obesity and metabolic syndrome, while inhibiting macrophage accumulation and cell senescence in atherosclerotic plaques, as well as obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. PAI-1 induces senescence of smooth muscle cells in an LRP1-dependent manner. These results help to define the role of PAI-1 in atherosclerosis formation and suggest a new plasma-lipid-independent strategy for inhibiting atherogenesis.
Pseudo-Athanasian Homily on the Man Born Blind: Slavonic Sermon from an Unknown Greek Original
Authors: Gritsevskaya Irina M. , Lytvynenko Viacheslav V. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The paper offers a textual analysis, Slavonic edition and English translation of the Homily on the Man Born Blind preserved in XIVth-century novoizvodnye triodion panegyrics. The homily is ascribed to Athanasius of Alexandria and is unknown among Greek sources.
The miR-185/PAK6 axis predicts therapy response and regulates survival of drug-resistant leukemic stem cells in CML
Authors: Lin Hanyang , Rothe Katharina , Chen Min , Wu Andrew , Babaian Artem , Yen Ryan , Zeng Jonathan , Ruschmann Jens , Petriv Oleh I. , O'Neill Kieran , Maetzig Tobias , Knapp David J. H. F. , Nakamichi Naoto , Brinkman Ryan , Birol Inanc , Forrest Donna L. , Hansen Carl , Humphries R. Keith , Eaves Connie J. , Jiang Xiaoyan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Overcoming drug resistance and targeting cancer stem cells remain challenges for curative cancer treatment. To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating drug resistance and leukemic stem cell (LSC) fate, we performed global transcriptome profiling in treatment-naive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) stem/progenitor cells and identified that miR-185 levels anticipate their response to ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). miR-185 functions as a tumor suppressor: its restored expression impaired survival of drug-resistant cells, sensitized them to TKIs in vitro, and markedly eliminated long-term repopulating LSCs and infiltrating blast cells, conferring a survival advantage in preclinical xenotransplantation models. Integrative analysis with mRNA profiles uncovered PAK6 as a crucial target of miR-185, and pharmacological inhibition of PAK6 perturbed the RAS/MAPK pathway and mitochondrial activity, sensitizing therapy-resistant cells to TKIs. Thus, miR-185 presents as a potential predictive biomarker, and dual targeting of miR-185-mediated PAK6 activity and BCR-ABL1 may provide a valuable strategy for overcoming drug resistance in patients.
Lung transcriptomic clock predicts premature aging in cigarette smoke-exposed mice
Authors: Choukrallah Mohamed-Amin , Hoeng Julia , Peitsch Manuel C. , Martin Florian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundLung aging is characterized by a number of structural alterations including fibrosis, chronic inflammation and the alteration of inflammatory cell composition. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is known to induce similar alterations and may contribute to premature lung aging. Additionally, aging and CS exposure are associated with transcriptional alterations in the lung. The current work aims to explore the interaction between age- and CS- associated transcriptomic perturbations and develop a transcriptomic clock able to predict the biological age and the impact of external factors on lung aging.ResultsOur investigations revealed a substantial overlap between transcriptomic response to CS exposure and age-related transcriptomic alterations in the murine lung. Of particular interest is the strong upregulation of immunoglobulin genes with increased age and in response to CS exposure, indicating an important implication of B-cells in lung inflammation associated with aging and smoking. Furthermore, we used a machine learning approach based on Lasso regression to build a transcriptomic age model that can accurately predict chronological age in untreated mice and the deviations associated with certain exposures. Interestingly, CS-exposed-mice were predicted to be prematurely aged in contrast to mice exposed to fresh air or to heated tobacco products (HTPs). The accelerated aging rate associated with CS was reversed upon smoking cessation or switching to HTPs. Additionally, our model was able to predict premature aging associated with thoracic irradiation from an independent public dataset.ConclusionsAging and CS exposure share common transcriptional alteration patterns in the murine lung. The massive upregulation of B-cell restricted genes during these processes shed light on the contribution of cell composition and particularly immune cells to the measured transcriptomic signal. Through machine learning approach, we show that gene expression changes can be used to accurately monitor the biological age and the modulations associated with certain exposures. Our findings also suggest that the premature lung aging is reversible upon the reduction of harmful exposures.