bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of safety, efficacy and cost between oral pulse cyclophosphamide versus intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in severe systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Padiyar Shivraj , Arya Suvrat , Surin Ajit , Viswanath Vishad , Danda Debashish 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study is to compare efficacy, toxicity and cost between oral and intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) pulse therapy in inducing remission (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI] <3) in severe SLE.MethodsWe retrospectively checked the hospital records of patients between the years 2000 and 2018, who had been administered oral cyclophosphamide pulse and intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide pulse. SLEDAI at baseline and after 6 months of therapy were noted. The statistical analysis was done using Mann‐Whitney U test. The cost was also calculated.ResultsWe included 45 patients in this study, 21 in the oral pulse group and 24 in the IV group. The median age of patients in the oral and IV groups were 29 (interquartile range [IQR] 22‐37) and 26 (IQR 19.25‐0.75) years respectively. Median SLEDAI at baseline was comparable between the 2 groups (oral 18.0 [IQR 15.0‐26.0]; IV 14.5 [IQR 11.0‐20.0] P = .151). At the end of 6 months of treatment, it was 0.0 (IQR 0.0‐4.0) in the oral group, as against 2.0 (IQR 0.0‐5.5) in IV group (P = .676). There was no major adverse event in either group. Oral cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was more economical as compared to IV cyclophosphamide [630 Indian National rupees( INR)/ 8.85 US dollars(USD) in the IV arm and 50 INR/0.7 USD in the oral arm] (P < .001).ConclusionThis study concludes that oral cyclophosphamide pulse therapy is an economical option and there was no difference in efficacy and safety between oral cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and IV pulse cyclophosphamide therapy.
Histological characterization of the maturation stages of the ovarian follicles of the goldfish Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Ferrão Maria Leonor , Rocha Maria João , Rocha Eduardo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe goldfish is a model organism showing great potential for research, particularly in comparative endocrinology concerning the neuroendocrine signalling and regulation of vertebrate reproduction. Furthermore, this teleost is increasingly stressed as a relevant alternative to more common fish model organisms, namely zebrafish. However, quality descriptions and illustrations of the complete goldfish gonadal histology are surprisingly scarce, but needed, to support research using this fish. Therefore, the main aim of this work is to describe in detail and adequately illustrate the goldfish oogenesis, from oogonia to late maturation, by applying routine stains (haematoxylin–eosin) and special procedures (periodic acid–Schiff and Goldner's trichrome). We hypothesized that the combined strategies would enable not only to observe the most general features but also to perceive some poorly described details of oocytes better. We describe the details of the following maturation stages: oogonia proliferation, chromatin–nucleolus, primary growth (one nucleolus step, multiple nucleoli step, perinucleolar step, cortical alveoli step) and secondary growth (early secondary growth step, late secondary growth step). Additionally, we report aspects of early and late follicular atresia. The study allowed comparisons with other species and showed that the Goldner's trichrome has the best discriminative power and should be the preferred stain, despite more time‐consuming.
Ethnographic Theater Making: Multimodal Alchemy, Knowledge, and Invention
Authors: Vidali Debra 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTEthnographic theater making is not just a modality for staged representation or reenactment. It is a modality of radical anthropological knowledge coproduction, one that disrupts authorship, self, linearity, and proposition‐based knowledge through multimodal, multisensorial, collaborative, and embodied processes. In both incubation and performance, multimodal and multisensorial elements such as voice, body, memory, sound, movement, text, rhythm, velocities, and dialogic relations to other media combine, collide, and fuse to invent ways of knowing, expressing, and documenting. I argue that this multimodal alchemy works not just through the fusion of novel elements but through well‐known theater‐creation processes designed to rewire relations to self, other, language, body, and creativity. Through a discussion of the alchemy of ensemble‐building processes and physical theater tableau creation, and drawing from ten years of work in this arena with twenty different projects, I offer a window into the potential of collective theater making as a mode of anthropological practice that strikes to the core of what we do and what we hold at stake. [theater, ethnography, embodiment, ways of knowing, multimodality]
SARS‐CoV‐2 presence in seminal fluid: Myth or reality
Authors: Paoli Donatella , Pallotti Francesco , Turriziani Ombretta , Mazzuti Laura , Antonelli Guido , Lenzi Andrea , Lombardo Francesco 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGreat concerns have been raised on SARS‐CoV‐2 impact on men's andrological well‐being, and one of the critically unanswered questions is whether it is present or not in the seminal fluid of infected subjects. The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the testis and in the male genital tract allows speculations about a possible testicular involvement during the infection, possibly mediated by local and/or systemic inflammation that might allow a high viral load to overcome the hemato‐testicular barrier. To date, few investigations have been carried out to ascertain the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the seminal fluid with contrasting results. Furthermore, the cumulative number of subjects is far too low to answer the question unambiguously. Therefore, great caution is still needed when evaluating this data; otherwise, we risk unleashing unmotivated concerns in the scientific world with troublesome consequences in reproductive medicine.
National Referral Prioritization tool for first specialist assessment: results of a pilot study in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Gwynne‐Jones David P. , Wilson Ross , McEwan Chris 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost public hospitals are receiving more referrals for first specialist assessment than they have capacity to see. Traditional priority categories are too broad for effective discrimination. In New Zealand (NZ) explicit prioritization is required by legislation and supported by the Medical Council of NZ. A new generic National Referral Prioritization tool (NRPT) has been developed which includes a patient impact on life score. This study reports its trial implementation in orthopaedic surgery in a single centre.MethodsFour months of referrals to the orthopaedic department were prioritized using the new NRPT and traditional clinical priority categories. Scores and acceptances were compared across conditions, surgeons and against the traditional categories.ResultsThe mean NRPT was 60.1 (range 23–99). The correlation with impact on life was 0.59. There was good consistency of scores between surgeons. The NRPT score was significantly different across clinical priority categories (urgent, semi‐urgent, routine). A total of 305 referrals (49%) were accepted using the NRPT compared with 493 (79%) if the traditional tool had been used. Patients with foot and ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome and upper limb conditions had the lowest scores and were more likely to be declined.ConclusionsThe NRPT is the first tool designed to prioritize referral letters. It is more discriminating than the clinical priority categories used previously. It allows fine‐tuning of a threshold score to balance acceptances and capacity.
Optical coherence tomography neurodegenerative findings in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Gokcinar Nesrin Buyuktortop , Buturak Sadiye Visal , Ozkal Fatma , Ozcicek Gamze , Yumusak Mehmet Erhan , Turgal Ebru 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionNeuroimaging studies of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have recently revealed neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the retina, as an extension of brain, may be a biomarker in understanding the neurobiology of the disease. To assess OCT as a tool to detect neurodegeneration in BD we compared the retinal changes between patients with BD and healthy individuals.MethodsWe performed complete ophthalmological examinations and took OCT images for 70 eyes of 70 patients with BD, and for age and sex‐matched individual controls. We compared retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFLs) and total retinal (TR) thickness in the peripapillary areas; and ganglion cell complexes (GCCs) and TR thickness in the maculas between the groups.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 40.41 ± 13.22 years and that of the controls 40.20 ± 13.03 years. The men/women ratios were 37/33 in both groups. BD was significantly associated with a decrease in the average peripapillary RNFL, with the average peripapillary TR, and with the average GCC thickness (P = .033, P = .008, and P = .009, respectively). The peripapillary RNFL and TR thinnings were prominent in the superior (P = .039, P = .033, respectively) and inferior quadrants (P = .031, P = .018, respectively). The BD effects on GCC thinning was prominent in the superior half (P = .001) and in the nasal sectors (except in the inner superonasal sector; all P < .05). BD was associated with a decrease in macular TR thickness only at the inner superior sector (P = .014). Disease duration was inversely correlated with the peripapillary RNFL, TR, and macular GCC thicknesses (P < .05).DiscussionOur findings support the neurodegeneration hypothesis in the etiopathogenesis of BD. OCT, a non‐invasive neuro‐imaging method, may be useful for BD diagnosis and follow‐ups.
‘Barbed wire wrapped around my feet’: Metaphor use in chronic pain
Authors: Munday Imogene , Newton‐John Toby , Kneebone Ian 
Published: May 2020

ObjectivesAs there is no objective test for pain, sufferers rely on language to communicate their pain experience. Pain description frequently takes the form of metaphor; however, there has been limited research in this area. This study thus sought to extend previous findings on metaphor use in specific pain subgroups to a larger, heterogeneous chronic pain sample, utilizing a systematic method of metaphor analysis.DesignConceptual metaphor theory was utilized to explore the metaphors used by those with chronic pain via qualitative methodology.MethodsAn anonymous online survey was conducted which asked for the descriptions and metaphors people use to describe their pain. Systematic metaphor analysis was used to classify and analyse the metaphors used into specific metaphor source domains.ResultsParticipants who reported chronic pain completed the survey (N = 247, age 19–78, M = 43.69). Seven overarching metaphor source domains were found. These were coded as Causes of Physical Damage, Common Pain Experiences, Electricity, Insects, Rigidity, Bodily Misperception, and Death and Mortality.ConclusionsParticipants utilized a wide variety of metaphors to describe their pain. The most common descriptions couched chronic pain in terms of physical damage. A better understanding of pain metaphors may have implications for improved health care communication and provide targets for clinical interventions.
Febuxostat, But Not Allopurinol, Markedly Raises the Plasma Concentrations of the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Substrate Rosuvastatin
Authors: Lehtisalo Minna , Keskitalo Jenni E. , Tornio Aleksi , Lapatto‐Reiniluoto Outi , Deng Feng , Jaatinen Taina , Viinamäki Jenni , Neuvonen Mikko , Backman Janne T. , Niemi Mikko 
Published: May 2020

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors febuxostat and allopurinol are commonly used in the treatment of gout. Febuxostat inhibits the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in vitro. Rosuvastatin is a BCRP substrate and genetic variability in BCRP markedly affects rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. In this study, we investigated possible effects of febuxostat and allopurinol on rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. In a randomized crossover study with 3 phases, 10 healthy volunteers ingested once daily placebo for 7 days, 300 mg allopurinol for 7 days, or placebo for 3 days, followed by 120 mg febuxostat for 4 days, and a single 10 mg dose of rosuvastatin on day 6. Febuxostat increased the peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve of rosuvastatin 2.1‐fold (90% confidence interval 1.8–2.6; P = 5 × 10−5) and 1.9‐fold (1.5–2.5; P = 0.001), but had no effect on rosuvastatin half‐life or renal clearance. Allopurinol, on the other hand, did not affect rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. In vitro, febuxostat inhibited the ATP‐dependent uptake of rosuvastatin into BCRP‐overexpressing membrane vesicles with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.35 µM, whereas allopurinol showed no inhibition with concentrations up to 200 µM. Taken together, the results suggest that febuxostat increases rosuvastatin exposure by inhibiting its BCRP‐mediated efflux in the small intestine. Febuxostat may, therefore, serve as a useful index inhibitor of BCRP in drug‐drug interaction studies in humans. Moreover, concomitant use of febuxostat may increase the exposure to BCRP substrate drugs and, thus, the risk of dose‐dependent adverse effects.
Donor insulin use predicts beta‐cell function after islet transplantation
Authors: Shapey Iestyn M. , Summers Angela , Yiannoullou Petros , Khambalia Hussein , Fullwood Catherine , Hanley Neil A. , Casey John , Forbes Shareen , Rosenthal Miranda , Johnson Paul RV , Choudhary Pratik , Bushnell James , Shaw James A. M. , Augustine Titus , Rutter Martin K. , van Dellen David 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInsulin is routinely used to manage hyperglycaemia in organ donors and during the peri‐transplant period in islet transplant recipients. However, it is unknown whether donor insulin use (DIU) predicts beta‐cell dysfunction after islet transplantation. We reviewed data from the UK Transplant Registry and the UK Islet Transplant Consortium; all first‐time transplants during 2008‐2016 were included. Linear regression models determined associations between DIU, median and coefficient of variation (CV) peri‐transplant glucose levels and 3‐month islet graft function. In 91 islet cell transplant recipients, DIU was associated with lower islet function assessed by BETA‐2 scores (β [SE] ‐3.5 [1.5], P = .02), higher 3‐month post‐transplant HbA1c levels (5.4 [2.6] mmol/mol, P = .04) and lower fasting C‐peptide levels (−107.9 [46.1] pmol/l, P = .02). Glucose at 10 512 time points was recorded during the first 5 days peri‐transplant: the median (IQR) daily glucose level was 7.9 (7.0‐8.9) mmol/L and glucose CV was 28% (21%‐35%). Neither median glucose levels nor glucose CV predicted outcomes post‐transplantation. Data on DIU predicts beta‐cell dysfunction 3 months after islet transplantation and could help improve donor selection and transplant outcomes.
Drought stress and pathogen infection alter feeding behavior of a phytopathogen vector
Authors: Nalam Vamsi J. , Han Jinlong , Nachappa Punya , Szczepaniec Adrianna 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe impact of drought stress on tripartite plant‐pathogen‐vector interactions constitutes a complex and largely understudied field of plant‐insect interaction. A number of studies explored these topics using aphid vectors of plant pathogens, but few have considered the interactions between drought‐stressed plants and pathogen‐transmitting psyllids. The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is one of the key pests of solanaceous crops in the USA that causes direct injury as well as indirect injury through transmission of a bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), the causal agent of zebra chip. Previous studies explored the impact of Lso infection and drought stress on B. cockerelli development and reproductive rate separately, but no research to date has evaluated whether drought stress and Lso infection alter feeding behavior of the insects. We explored this using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique and monitored feeding behavior of Lso‐infected and uninfected potato psyllids on well‐watered and drought‐stressed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). We found that drought stress had a significant effect on feeding behavior associated with salivation into the phloem and phloem ingestion, both linked to Lso transmission. Furthermore, infected potato psyllids in particular produced a higher number of events associated with these feeding behaviors and remained in these phases longer in well‐watered plants than in plants that were under drought stress. We also reported a new and previously undescribed waveform H of unknown biological function that was produced by the psyllids. This is the first study that considered the impact of bacterial infection and concomitant drought stress on feeding behavior of an insect quantified using EPG.
Bacterial shoot blight of sweet crab apple caused by Pseudomonas viridiflava
Authors: Choi Okhee , Lee Yeyeong , Kang Byeongsam , Kim Seunghoe , Bae Juyoung , Kim Jinwoo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSweet crab apple (Malus coronaria) is a popular ornamental tree planted in gardens and urban forests in South Korea. In 2018, severe symptoms were observed on street plantings of sweet crab apple in Jinju, South Korea including shoot blight: shoot tips, twigs and foliage of infected trees turned brown, and dried completely. The causal agent isolated from the disease lesions was identified as Pseudomonas viridiflava based on biochemical tests, pathogenicity, and 16S rRNA and rpoD gene sequencing. On artificial inoculation, this pathogen not only caused shoot blight on sweet crab apple, but also bulb rot and leaf blight on onion. Here, we report the occurrence of bacterial shoot blight caused by P. viridiflava in sweet crab apple for the first time in the world.
Metabolomic/lipidomic‐based analysis of plasma to diagnose hepatocellular ballooning in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A multicenter study
Authors: Ogawa Yuji , Kobayashi Takashi , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Tomeno Wataru , Imajo Kento , Nakahara Takashi , Oeda Satoshi , Nagaoki Yuko , Amano Yuichiro , Ando Tatsuya , Hirayama Megumi , Isono Osamu , Kamiguchi Hidenori , Nagabukuro Hiroshi , Ogawa Shinji , Satomi Yoshinori , Saigusa Yusuke , Takahashi Hirokazu , Hyogo Hideyuki , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Yamanaka Takeharu , Aishima Shinichi , Eguchi Yuichiro , Kage Masayoshi , Chayama Kazuaki , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: May 2020

AimLiver biopsy is still required for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning and inflammation, which are important histological features of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. We undertook this multicenter, cross‐sectional study to identify novel blood markers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning.MethodsWe enrolled 176 patients, of whom 132 were proven by liver biopsy as having non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and classified as non‐ballooning (ballooning grade 0) (n = 83) or ballooning (ballooning grade 1 and 2) (n = 49) by a central pathology review. We carried out gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and lipidomics with plasma.ResultsAs correlates of hepatocellular ballooning, among the clinical parameters, serum type IV collagen 7S correlated most significantly with the ballooning grade (correlation coefficient [CC] = 0.463; P < 0.001). Among the metabolic/lipidomic markers, phosphatidylcholine (PC) (aa‐44:8) correlated most significantly with the ballooning grade (CC = 0.394; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of type IV collagen 7S, choline, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (e‐18:2), was 0.846 (95% confidence interval, 0.772–0.919).ConclusionsPlasma levels of PC were positively correlated, and those of lysophosphatidylcholine and LPE were negatively correlated with hepatocellular ballooning in NAFLD patients. These non‐invasive metabolic/lipidomic‐based plasma tests might be useful to distinguish between cases of NAFLD with and without hepatocellular ballooning.
Hepatoprotective peptides purified from Corbicula fluminea and its effect against ethanol‐induced LO2 cells injury
Authors: Ren Jiaoyan , Sha Wanqian , Shang Shuaiming , Yuan Erdong 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis study was focused on the purification, identification and mechanism of hepatoprotective peptides from Corbicula fluminea by using Sephadex G‐15 chromatography, UPLC–MS/MS, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, cell experiment and molecular docking. Six identified peptides were synthesised chemically and subjected to evaluate hepatoprotective effect. ORAC value and hepaprotective effect against ethanol‐induced LO2 cell injury in vitro were determined. The results showed that Tyr‐Phe‐Leu‐Pro (YP‐4) and Leu‐Val‐Tyr‐Pro (LP‐4) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and significantly increased the viability of ethanol‐injured LO2 cells. These two peptides significantly reduced ROS levels and efficiently inhibited the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in ethanol‐injured LO2 cells. Molecular docking revealed that YP‐4 and LP‐4 possess potential inhibitory activity on CYP2E1 and thus reduce ethanol‐induced oxidative stress. It is suggested that YP‐4 and LP‐4 have good hepatoprotective effect against alcoholic liver injury.
Complete wound closure following a single topical application of a novel autologous homologous skin construct: first evaluation in an open‐label, single‐arm feasibility study in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Armstrong David G. , Orgill Dennis P. , Galiano Robert , Glat Paul M. , Carter Marissa , Zelen Charles M. , Li William W. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a growing burden on patients and health care systems that often require multiple treatments of both conventional and advanced modalities to achieve complete wound closure. A novel autologous homologous skin construct (AHSC) has been developed to treat cutaneous defects with a single topical application, by leveraging the endogenous repair capabilities of the patient's healthy skin. The AHSC's ability to close DFUs with a single treatment was evaluated in an open‐label, single‐arm feasibility study. Eleven patients with DFUs extending up to tendon, bone, or capsule received a single topical application of AHSC. Closure was documented weekly with high‐resolution digital photography and wound planimetry. All 11 DFUs demonstrated successful graft take. Ten DFUs closed within 8 weeks. The median time‐to‐complete closure was 25 days. The mean percent area reduction for all 11 wounds at 4 weeks was 83%. There were no adverse events related to the AHSC treatment site. This pilot study demonstrated AHSC may be a viable single application topical intervention for DFUs and warrants investigation in larger, controlled studies.