bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zinc dyshomeostasis in azoxymethane induced colonic precancerous and cancerous lesions in Fisher rats
Authors: Velagapudi Kavitha , Latha J Naveena Lavanya , Bodiga Vijaya Lakshmi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Zinc is an essential micronutrient involved in various biological processes, including growth, maintenance, proliferation and immune functions. It is also argued that tumors need zinc for maintenance and proliferation, although excess zinc may induce tumor cell apoptosis. Thus, the role of zinc merits attention in the carcinogenic process. Scanty literature is available on the mechanisms underlying the alterations in tissue zinc in colon cancer and how the altered zinc levels contribute to the preneoplastic lesions and progression to cancer. Zinc homeostasis is regulated by the gastrointestinal tract and involves interplay of host, dietary, environmental and social factors such as alcohol consumption. The DNA alkylation agent azoxymethane (AOM), which is primarily activated in the liver, induces a high incidence of initiation and promotion steps of precancerous lesions in the colon of rats. The altered expression of hepatic zinc transporters by AOM may lead to zinc dyshomeostasis in liver. Earlier reports showed that ZIP14 was located on the inner lane of plasma membrane of hepatocytes, and increased level of ZIP14 could sequester zinc from plasma into liver under infection or in response to cancer. Decreased serum zinc concentration, despite increased liver zinc also indicates altered liver zinc mobilization and failure to regulate zinc homeostasis. During the transformation from normal colonic mucosa to colonic epithelial hyperplasia and aberrant crypt formation, a reduction in zinc concentration is observed. It will be interesting to study further if the same trend continues throughout tumor progression towards adenocarcinomas. Lowered local zinc concentrations in the colon epithelium may not just reflect a bystander effect, but may induce cell proliferation and compromise DNA integrity due to impairment of zinc-containing proteins. In congruence with the tissue zinc concentrations, metallothionein levels were found to be less induced in AOM—administered colon compared to normal healthy colon, indicating less accumulation and sequestration of zinc. Lowered tissue zinc levels in small and large intestine were also associated with increased expression of mRNA and protein ZnT1, known to transport cytosolic zinc to extracellular space. In this regard, the mode of zinc responsiveness to ZnT1 mimics that of metallothionein, albeit at a lower level for ZnT1.
Discordance Among Antibiotic Prescription Guidelines Reflects a Lack of Clear Best Practices
Authors: Rost Lauren M , Nguyen M Hong , Clancy Cornelius J , Shields Ryan K , Wright Erik S 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundAntibiotics are among the most frequently administered drugs globally, yet they are often prescribed inappropriately. Guidelines for prescribing are developed by expert committees at international and national levels to form regional standards and by local experts to form hospital guidance documents. Our aim was to assess variability in antibiotic prescription guidelines for both regional standards and individual hospitals.MethodsA search through 3 publicly accessible databases from February to June 2018 led to a corpus of English language guidance documents from 70 hospitals in 12 countries and regional standards from 7 academic societies.ResultsGuidelines varied markedly in content and structure, reflecting a paucity of rules governing their format. We compared recommendations for 3 common bacterial infections: community-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and cellulitis. Hospital guidance documents and regional standards frequently disagreed on preferable antibiotic classes for common infections. Where agreement was observed, guidance documents appeared to inherit recommendations from their respective regional standards. Several regional prescribing patterns were identified, including a greater reliance on penicillins over cephalosporins in the United Kingdom and fluoroquinolones in the United States. Regional prescribing patterns could not be explained by antibiotic resistance or costs. Additionally, literature that cited underlying recommendations did not support the magnitude of recommendation differences observed.ConclusionsThe observed discordance among prescription recommendations highlights a lack of evidence for superior treatments, likely resulting from a preponderance of noninferiority trials comparing antibiotics. In response, we make several suggestions for developing guidelines that support best practices of antibiotic stewardship.
Studies of emission regions of the X-ray pulsar Hercules X-1 with pulse-phase-resolved spectra observed with Suzaku
Authors: Kondo Keisuke , Dotani Tadayasu , Inoue Hajime 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Pulse-phase-resolved X-ray spectra of the X-ray pulsar Her X-1 observed with Suzaku are analyzed. The analysis is based on a hypothesis that the observed variations of the continuum spectra associated with the neutron star spin originate in the changes of the projection areas of the emission regions viewed from the observer, and that the spectral shape observed from each of the emission regions does not change with the viewing angle variation. We calculate the ratios of the fluxes in each energy bin between arbitrary pairs of the pulse-phase-resolved spectra over the entire energy range. We identify flat portions in these ratio spectra, which are likely to indicate the intrinsic emission components that have invariant spectral shapes, in the three energy bands of below ∼1 keV, 2–6 keV, and above ∼18 keV. Then, we approximately solve the simultaneous equations for the intrinsic spectral components from a pair of the phase-resolved spectra that show flat portions in the ratio spectrum. As a result, spectra of the three components are obtained as the low-, medium-, and high-energy bands corresponding to those for the flat portions. They are found to be well fitted with a soft blackbody, a cut-off power law, and a hard blackbody model, respectively. Finally, we fit all the phase-resolved spectra simultaneously with a composite model of three continuum components together with a cyclotron absorption feature and an iron line, and obtain an acceptable result. The origins of the cut-off power-law and hard blackbody components are discussed in relation to recently developed theoretical models.
Prizes versus Contracts as Incentives for Innovation
Authors: Che Yeon-Koo , Iossa Elisabetta , Rey Patrick 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Procuring an innovation involves motivating a research effort to generate a new idea and then implementing that idea efficiently. If research efforts are unverifiable and implementation costs are private information, a trade-off arises between the two objectives. The optimal mechanism resolves the trade-off via two instruments: a cash prize and a follow-on contract. It primarily uses the latter, by favouring the innovator at the implementation stage when the value of the innovation is above a certain threshold and handicapping the innovator when the value of the innovation is below that threshold. A cash prize is employed as a supplementary incentive only when the value of innovation is sufficiently high. These features are consistent with current practices in the procurement of innovation and the management of unsolicited proposals.
The potential vulnerability of reserved powers trusts
Authors: Duncan Chris , Brandts-Giesen Henry 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Trusts are commonly used for asset protection, however the popularity of revocable trusts and reserved powers trusts has led to a tendency to draft trust deeds with extensive powers reserved to the settlor or some other person to ensure that an element of control over the trust is retained. That approach is not without risk and the extent and scope of any reserved powers can have unintended consequences and can lead to a trust's asset protection characteristics being eroded. In this article we look at some of the key decisions where the use of reserved powers resulted in a loss of the asset protection their trusts sought to achieve, highlighting the risks to trust structures in utilising reserved powers, and offer some practical guidance on how those risks might be mitigated when forming a new structure or dealing with existing structures where extensive powers have been reserved.
Alternative forms of deposit insurance and the quest for European harmonized deposit guarantee scheme-centred special administrative regimes to handle troubled banks
Authors: Bodellini Marco 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Since normal corporate insolvency proceedings run by law courts and purely aimed at liquidating troubled entities are generally considered inappropriate for peculiar institutions like banks, having a special administrative regime, which provides the authorities with resolution-like tools, is of paramount importance to maintaining the stability of the system and reducing the destruction of value. Still, in order for these special administrative regimes to properly work and, thereby, for the winding up to be orderly, as provided by the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, an active and leading role should be played by deposit guarantee schemes. Accordingly, this article advocates the adoption of special administrative regimes dedicated to troubled banks, harmonized at the European Union level and based on the interventionist role of deposit guarantee schemes, which I define as harmonized deposit guarantee scheme-centred special administrative regimes. But, from this perspective, a review of the European Union legislation, with regard to State aid provision and depositor preference, is needed to enable such schemes to properly perform their function through the so-called optional measures. And, in this regard, the article advances some reform proposals.
Acute Pancreatitis in a Pregnant Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Narang Kavita , Szymanski Linda M. , Kane Sunanda V. , Rose Carl H. 
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:
Pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are at risk for a variety of COVID-19 complications.

CASE:
We report a case of acute pancreatitis in a pregnant patient hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. Comprehensive evaluation ruled out other etiologies of acute pancreatitis. Preterm labor developed at 33 5/7 weeks of gestation, and the patient delivered a liveborn male neonate; neonatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) screening was negative. The patient improved significantly postpartum and was discharged home on postpartum day 3.

CONCLUSION:
Coronavirus disease 2019 may present in pregnancy with a myriad of clinical symptoms other than respiratory. Acute pancreatitis represents an infrequent complication of primary COVID-19 infection.
Inhibition of miR-322-5p Protects Cardiac Myoblast Cells Against Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis and Injury Through Regulating CIAPIN1
Authors: Cai Xinyong , Wang Shu , Hong Lang , Yu Songping , Li Bin , Zeng Hong , Yang Xu , Zhang Ping , Shao Liang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract:
Hypoxia leads to insufficient supply of blood and nutrients, which is major incentive for cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis. Previous studies reported the regulation effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) in myocardial infarction, whereas function and molecular mechanisms of miR-322-5p were still unclear. Therefore, our study focused on the biological role of miR-322-5p in hypoxia-induced cardiac myoblast cells apoptosis and injury. The expression levels of miR-322-5p and cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cardiac myoblast cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol-3-ium bromide (MTT), lactic dehydrogenase, and flow cytometry assays were performed to examine proliferation, injury, and apoptosis of cardiac myoblast cells, respectively. The protein expression levels were evaluated with western blot assay. The relationship between miR-322-5p and CIAPIN1 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter analysis. We found that miR-322-5p level was increased in cardiac myoblast cells exposed to hypoxia. In addition, miR-322-5p silencing could weaken injury and apoptosis in cardiac myoblast cells induced by hypoxia; meanwhile, inhibition of miR-322-5p activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signal pathway. Besides, CIAPIN1 was a target mRNA of miR-322-5p based on bioinformatics prediction. CIAPIN1 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-322-5p silencing on hypoxic cardiac myoblast cells. Suppression of miR-322-5p protected cardiac myoblast cells against hypoxia-induced injury and apoptosis through regulation of CIAPIN1 expression and PI3K/AKT signal pathway.
Technical Details of the Sigma Factor Alarm Method within Alpha CAMs
Authors: Justus Alan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Some test must be applied to the low-level count data from alpha continuous air monitors (CAMs) to determine if the count is statistically significant (i.e., significantly above background). The method should be as sensitive as possible, automatically desensitizing when required due to radon progeny, yet in such a manner as to not exceed an acceptable false-alarm rate. The test that has been historically used within many alpha CAMs to accomplish these goals is the so-called sigma factor approach. In this paper, this approach is discussed with respect to four common CAM algorithms. These algorithms are referred to as the theoretical best possible algorithm, the 4-ROI algorithm, the tail-fitting algorithm, and the peak-fitting algorithm. Relative sensitivities are estimated for each algorithm.
Prevention of eyelid malposition by three-step supporting technique in the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty
Authors: Hu Xiao-Gen , Zhou Yang , Ji Kai 
Published: December 2020

Background:
To investigate the effectiveness of the three-step supporting technique for prevention of eyelid malposition in the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty.

Methods:
It was a chart review of more than 10-year experiences of our method. From 2006 to 2017, a total of 697 patients underwent the three-step supporting technique in the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty. The three steps included septum tightening, orbicularis canthopexy, and muscle plication. The assessment of outcome was made at 6 months. The results were assessed by evaluating pre- and postoperative appearance with Garcia-McCollough scale for lower eyelid overall appearance evaluation. The complication of eyelid malposition was evaluated in accordance with the grading system for post blepharoplasty eyelid malposition.

Results:
Among the 697 patients, 285 patients underwent fat excision and 412 received fat repositioning for correction of the trough deformity. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 36 months: 94.2% of the patients had improvement, 4.4% no improvement, and 1.4% poor results; 95.1% (n = 663) had almost normal position, 3.2% (n = 22) scleral show, only 1.7% (n = 12) mild eversion, no patient frank eversion. All the 12 patients with slight malposition recovered through conservative treatment.

Conclusion:
Three-step supporting technique is safe and effective for lower blepharoplasty with minimal chance of eyelid malposition.
Efficacy of Chinese herbal injections combined with fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Shuo , Wang Xueqian , Zhang Ying , Zhou Tong , Hu Shuaihang , Tian Peiyu , Li Zheng , Li Yuxiao , Gui Yuerong , Dong Jun , Hou Wei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background:
Fluoropyrimidine combined with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy have become the first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Chinese herbal injections (CHIs), as an important part of TCM, have been widely applied as adjunctive treatments to chemotherapy in patients with advanced CRC. However, the efficacy of this combination therapy has not been evaluated comprehensively.

Methods:
We will conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. 7 databases will be searched for related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception to August 31, 2020: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), SinoMED and Wanfang Database. Two researchers will perform study selection, data extraction, and assessment of risk of bias independently. The primary outcomes are the disease control rate (DCR) and the objective response rate (ORR), the secondary outcomes are progression-free survival (PFS), survival rate, quality of life (QoL) and adverse effects. Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software will be used to analyze the outcomes.

Results and Conclusion:
This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy of CHIs and fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced CRC so as to provide valuable evidence to the application of CHIs in advanced CRC.

Systematic review registration:
INPLASY registration number: INPLASY2020100050.
Risk factors of readmission to acute care hospital among individuals with heart failure and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at inpatient rehabilitation setting (STROBE compliant article)
Authors: Kim Yong Kyun , Balcetis Nomeda , Novitch Richard , Oh-park Mooyeon 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In post-acute care hospital setting, the heart failure (HF) individuals with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) have about 30% of transfer to acute care hospitals which requires readmission. There is relative increase in cost and mortality due to the readmission.
The goal of this study is to identify possible risk factors at Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) to decrease the rate of readmission to acute care hospitals.
This study is retrospective study at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU)
Twenty one individuals with HF and LVAD were admitted to IRU. We determined 2 subgroups. One is the readmission group (Readmission) and the other is the control group (Control). Readmission (n = 6) is the individuals who were transferred to acute care hospital, and Control (n = 15) is the individuals who were discharged.
To compare Readmission group with Control group and evaluate demographic, laboratory, and functional outcome parameters. Main Outcome Measures are Body Mass Index (BMI), International Normalized Ratio (INR), and Functional independence measure (FIM).
At admission, INR in Readmission group was 3.4 ± 1.2 and in Control group was 2.2 ± 0.5 with a statistically significant p value (P = .004) and FIM score in Readmission group was 81.2 ± 15.9 and in Control group was 96.3 ± 11.5 with a statistically significant p value (P = .023).
The study showed the individuals with HF and LVAD at IRU had high INR and low FIM which may be the cause for readmission and need more attentive care. This data can help identify the factors causing readmission and help reduce the rate of readmission. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the cause for readmission.
Efficacy and safety of milk thistle preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Shi Zhipeng , Wu Jing , Yang Qiang , Xia Hong , Deng Min , Yang Yuxia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background:
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It may occur in multiple parts and organs of the patients body, and the lung is the most common. It is a major health threat worldwide. Hepatotoxicity is a common adverse reaction of commonly used clinical anti-tuberculosis drugs, as well as one of the important factors leading to poor prognosis of tuberculosis. Milk thistle is a traditional Chinese medicine extract derived from the mature fruit of Silybum marianum. Clinical practice shows that milk thistle has a good anti-liver injury effect and can be used to prevent anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury. However, there is a lack of evidence-based medicine. The research carried out in this protocol is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of milk thistle preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury, and to improve the evidence-based basis for clinical application of milk thistle in the preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury.

Method:
Computer search of English databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science) and Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc)) was performed. From the establishment of database to October 2020, 2 researchers independently extracted and evaluated the data included in the randomized controlled clinical research of milk thistle preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury, and used RevMan5.3 software to conduct a meta-analysis of the included literature.

Result:
In this research, the efficacy and safety of milk thistle preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury were evaluated by indicators such as the incidence of liver injury, bilirubin levels, and liver enzyme levels.

Conclusion:
In this research, reliable evidence-based evidence for the clinical application of milk thistle in the preventive treatment of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury was provided.

OSF Registration number:
DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/VC3RM.
Peripheral follicular cytotoxic T -like cells in Kawasaki disease with coronary artery aneurysms
Authors: Xu Meng , Liu Jinxiang , Pan Lu , Yang Sirui 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart abnormalities during childhood. The infiltration of CD8+ T cells plays an essential role in the formation of coronary aneurysms. Follicular cytotoxic T (Tfc) cells are a newly defined subset of CD8+ T cells that express CXC-chemokine receptor 5. The role of Tfc cells in KD is unclear. However, in this report, we present 2 KD children with sustained coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), and we found that their peripheral C-X-C Chemokine Receptor 5+ T cells contained quite amounts of CD4 negative cells. Importantly, these cells have never been reported in KD.

Patients concerns:
Case 1 was a 3-year-old boy with a complaint of continuous fever for 6 days and conjunctival injection for 3 days. Case 2 was a 6-month-old boy who was hospitalized because of persistent fever for 5 days, rashes and conjunctival injection for 1 day.

Diagnosis:
Case 1 was diagnosed with KD according to typical symptoms and signs including fever over 5 days, conjunctival injection, rashes, swelling cervical lymph nodes and a strawberry tongue. Case 2 had atypical symptoms including persistent fever for 5 days, rashes and conjunctival injection, and he was diagnosed with KD based on the echocardiographic findings.

Intervention:
Both the 2 patients received intravenous immunoglobulin and oral aspirin. Besides, case 1 was given the second infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous prednisolone and low-molecular-weight heparin.

Outcomes:
The CAA of case 1 did not regress until the 12th month after disease onset. The CAA of patient 2 began to regress at the third month after disease onset. During the months from disease onset to the recent follow-up, no cardiovascular events had occurred.

Conclusions:
We speculate that Tfc cells may be associated with the formation of CAA. Further studies with larger sample size and functional analysis of these cells are needed.