bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The North American Consortium for the Study of End‐Stage Liver Disease–Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure Score Accurately Predicts Survival: An External Validation Using a National Cohort
Authors: Rosenblatt Russell , Shen Nicole , Tafesh Zaid , Cohen‐Mekelburg Shirley , Crawford Carl V. , Kumar Sonal , Lucero Catherine , Brown Robert S. , Jesudian Arun , Fortune Brett E. 
Published: December 2019

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) carries high short‐term mortality. The North American Consortium for the Study of End‐Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD)–ACLF score, positive if ≥2 organ failures are present, is a bedside tool that predicts short‐term mortality in patients with cirrhosis. However, it was created using major liver referral centers, where a minority of patients with cirrhosis are hospitalized. Therefore, this study used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative database, from 2005 to 2014 to externally validate the NACSELD‐ACLF score in a cohort of patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were identified by a validated algorithm. Organ failures were identified using diagnosis codes. The primary objective was to evaluate the association between the NACSELD‐ACLF score and inpatient mortality, whereas secondary objectives compared outcomes depending on presence of infection or hospitalization at a transplant center. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare outcomes, and area under the curve was calculated. There were 1,523,478 discharges that were included with 106,634 (7.0%) having a positive NACSELD‐ACLF score. Patients were a mean 58 years old, and a majority were white men. Infection was present in 33.7% of the sample. Inpatient survival decreased with each organ failure and if infection was present. Patients with the NACSELD‐ACLF score had significantly lower inpatient survival on crude (94% versus 48%; P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07‐0.08) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.77 (95% CI, 0.77‐0.78). Liver transplant centers had clinically similar but significantly better survival at each organ failure, in patients with the NACSELD‐ACLF score, and on multivariate analysis (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13‐1.22). Using a national cohort, our study validated the NACSELD‐ACLF score as an excellent, simple bedside tool to predict short‐term survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Body Mass Index, Diabetes, and the Risk of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Jeong Su‐Min , Han Kyungdo , Kim Dahye , Rhee Sang Youl , Jang Wooyoung , Shin Dong Wook 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere are conflicting findings in the literature regarding the association of body mass index and incidence of PD.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the association of body mass index with the risk of PD incidence while considering diabetes mellitus as a major confounding factor.MethodsWe examined 6,800,601 individuals (aged ≥40 years) who were free of PD using the database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess adjusted hazard ratios for PD with adjustment for potential confounders. Stratified analyses by diabetes status were also performed.ResultsA total of 33,443 individuals were diagnosed with PD during the follow‐up period (7.3 years). An increased risk of PD incidence was observed in the underweight group versus the normal group (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.21–1.36), whereas a decreased risk of PD incidence was observed (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.88–0.93) in the obese group and (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.82) in the severely obese group. This association consistently persisted after stratification by diabetes mellitus status, with the steepest downward slope for PD risk present with increasing body mass index in patients with severe diabetes mellitus (i.e., long duration or complication).ConclusionsBeing underweight and diabetes mellitus were associated with an increased risk of PD incidence, and effect of being underweight was more prominent in those with diabetes mellitus, with a dose‐response relationship existing according to diabetes mellitus status. Further research is warranted to understand the clinical implications of the significant interaction between being underweight and diabetes mellitus status in the development of PD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Development of a nonhuman primate computational phantom for radiation dosimetry
Authors: Xie Tianwu , Park Jin Seo , Zhuo Weihai , Zaidi Habib 
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe nonhuman primate (NHP) is an important animal model for evaluating the response of the human body to radiation exposure owing to similarities between its organ structure, genome, life span, and metabolism. However, there is a lack of radiation dosimetry estimations for NHPs. The aim of this work is to construct a computational phantom of NHPs and estimate absorbed fractions and specific absorbed fractions for internal radiation dosimetry.Materials and methodsA female rhesus monkey was frozen and sectioned using a cryomacrotome. The transaxial sectioned images were imported into Adobe Photoshop for segmentation of internal organs. A total of 31 organs/tissues were identified and labeled. The segmented voxel phantom was then converted to a boundary representation (BREP) phantom to enable easy alteration of the phantom to mimic monkeys of different stature. The BREP model was then voxelized and imported into the MCNPX Monte Carlo radiation transport code for electron and photon dosimetry calculations. To estimate the appropriateness of using human phantoms as surrogate models for NHPs, absorbed fractions (AFs) and specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) of monoenergetic electrons and photons were calculated and compared with the ICRP reference newborn female phantom and a 1‐yr‐old female phantom.ResultsConsiderable differences were observed for both self‐absorbed and cross‐absorbed doses for some organs between the NHP phantom and newborn phantom. For example, the ratios of the self‐absorbed SAF(stomach wall) Monkey to SAF(stomach wall) Newborn ranged from 0.06 at 10 keV to 0.29 at 3 MeV for photons while the corresponding ratios to cross‐absorbed SAF(liver→kidney) Monkey to SAF(liver→kidney) Newborn ranged from 0.78 at 50 keV to 5.78 at 10 keV for photons. Conversely, values of self‐absorbed SAF were much higher (ratios of 2.39–4.19) for the brain and much lower for the uterus (0.51–0.61) in the monkey model compared to the newborn phantom. These dose differences can be attributed to the disparities between organ masses, shapes, and positions between the two phantoms.ConclusionsThe developed NHP model can be exploited for the assessment of radiation dose to NHPs in preclinical radiation dosimetry studies and radiation therapy research.
Blonanserin vs risperidone in Japanese patients with schizophrenia: A post hoc analysis of a phase 3, 8‐week, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized controlled study
Authors: Harvey Philip D. , Nakamura Hiroshi , Miura Sadanori 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo report the efficacy and safety of blonanserin in patients with schizophrenia compared with risperidone in a Japanese multicenter, randomized, double‐blind study based on post hoc sensitivity analysis in addition to the previous results reported by Miura and discuss the current approaches for schizophrenia treatment.MethodsOf 302 patients randomized, 156 received blonanserin (8‐24 mg/d) and 145 received risperidone (2‐6 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Efficacy variables included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score for the primary outcome, PANSS subscale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Clinical Global Impression‐Improvement (CGI‐I) for secondary outcomes. Safety variables included treatment‐emergent adverse events, Drug Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale scores, laboratory data, vital signs, electrocardiogram, etcResultsBlonanserin was not inferior to risperidone in the change in PANSS total score at a non‐inferior margin of −7 (intergroup difference, −0.46; 95% CI, −4.40 to 3.48). Post hoc analyses wholly supported the primary result. No major difference was found in the changes in BPRS scores and the improvement rate on CGI‐I between the drugs. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two drugs. Blonanserin was associated with a lower risk of prolactin increase, weight gain, and orthostatic hypotension compared with risperidone. However, blonanserin was associated with a higher incidence of akathisia and excitability compared with risperidone. Most of the adverse events were mild to moderate in severity with no specific events of predominant high severity in the both drugs.ConclusionsBlonanserin exerted the similar efficacy to risperidone in both positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia with a lower risk of prolactin increase, weight gain, and orthostatic hypotension compared with risperidone. Blonanserin will serve as a favorable treatment option for schizophrenia in daily clinical practice.
In defence of the osteoma: The relevance of benign tumours in bioarchaeology and palaeo‐oncology
Authors: Siek Thomas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCurrently, research focus in palaeo‐oncology is dominated by malignant neoplasms, and this focus has led to an academic apathy towards benign tumours. The lack of interest in benign tumours is mainly due to the notion that they are commonplace occurrences with little clinical value. As a result, knowledge and understanding of benign tumours are lacking, and this has become a hindrance to the overall understanding of neoplastic disease in bioarchaeological contexts. It is the goal of this commentary to highlight the relevance of benign tumours and to encourage future research in this neglected area of palaeo‐oncology.
Association of Hepatic Global DNA Methylation and Serum One‐Carbon Metabolites with Histological Severity in Patients with NAFLD
Authors: Lai Zhiwei , Chen Junliang , Ding Chenghe , Wong Kwanshu , Chen Xingyi , Pu Liuzhen , Huang Qiangwei , Chen Xiaolin , Cheng Zijian , Liu Yan , Tan Xuying , Zhu Huilian , Wang Lijun 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveClinical relevance of global DNA methylation and one‐carbon metabolite levels with histological severity remains uncertain in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate hepatic global DNA methylation and serum one‐carbon metabolite concentrations in patients with NAFLD and the possible associations of these parameters with liver histology.MethodsLiver biopsies from 18 control participants and 47 patients with NAFLD were evaluated.ResultsThe hepatic global DNA methylation level was significantly lower in the NAFLD group than in the control group among participants with overweight. Participants with moderate inflammation and mild fibrosis had significantly lower levels of global DNA methylation than those without these characteristics. Participants with borderline nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had significantly lower global DNA methylation levels than controls. The hepatic global DNA methylation level tended to decrease with the increasing hepatic inflammation grade and disease progression. The NAFLD group had a significantly higher serum homocysteine concentration than the control group among participants with overweight. This level tended to increase with increasing hepatic steatosis grade and disease progression.ConclusionsPatients with NAFLD exhibited lower hepatic levels of global DNA methylation and elevated serum homocysteine concentrations, which are associated with the histological severity of NAFLD.
Constructing sustained‐release herbicide formulations based on poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate and natural materials as a degradable matrix
Authors: Kiselev Evgeniy G , Boyandin Anatoly N , Zhila Natalia O , Prudnikova Svetlana V , Shumilova Anna A , Baranovskiy Sergey V , Shishatskaya Ekaterina I , Thomas Sabu , Volova Tatiana G 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe purpose of the present study was to develop ecofriendly herbicide formulations. Its main aim was to develop and investigate slow‐release formulations of herbicides (metribuzin, tribenuron‐methyl, and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl) of different structure, solubility, and specificity, which were loaded into a degradable matrix of poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) blended with available natural materials (peat, clay, and wood flour).RESULTSDifferences in the structure and physicochemical properties of the formulations were studied depending on the type of the matrix. Herbicide release and accumulation in soil were associated with the solubility of the herbicide. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy showed that no chemical bonds were formed between the components in the experimental formulations. Degradation of the formulations in agro‐transformed soil in laboratory conditions was chiefly influenced by the shape of the specimens (granules or pellets) while the effect of the type of filler (peat, clay, or wood flour) was insignificant. The use of granules enabled more rapid accumulation of the herbicides in soil: their peak concentrations were reached after 3 weeks of incubation while the concentrations of the herbicides released from the pellets were the highest after 5–7 weeks. Loading of the herbicides into the polymer matrix composed of the slowly degraded P(3HB) and natural materials enabled both sustained function of the formulations in soil (lasting between 1.5 and ≥3 months) and stable activity of the otherwise rapidly inactivated herbicides such as tribenuron‐methyl and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl.CONCLUSIONThe experimental herbicide formulations enabled slow release of the active ingredients to soil. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
An ideal solution? Optimising pretreatment methods for artificially mummified ancient Egyptian tissues
Authors: Cockitt Jenefer , Lamb Angela , Metcalfe Ryan 
Published: December 2019

RationaleAlthough the analysis of skeletal remains dominates the study of ancient dietary stable isotopes, mummified bodies also allow short‐term diet to be studied through the analysis of soft tissues. The application of resins, waxes and oils during mummification can affect the results obtained. This study assesses a range of methods for removing such substances from mummified tissue.MethodsAn experimental mummification model following ancient Egyptian methods was created using a modern pig leg. Sub‐samples of skin, muscle and bone were removed and coated with a range of substances used in Egyptian mummification. Four methods were used to clean these samples before the measurement of the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of their gelatinised collagen content using a ThermoFinnigan Flash Elemental analyser coupled to a DeltaPlus XL isotope ratio mass spectrometer via a ConFlo III interface.ResultsThe results showed that embalming materials can significantly affect dietary stable isotope ratios, and that these substances are most effectively removed using a mixture of polar and non‐polar solvents. Results indicate that bone samples demineralised with HCl and skin samples produce more accurate results than bone samples demineralised with EDTA or muscle samples.ConclusionsThe choice of tissue and the preparation methods used can have a significant effect on the accuracy of stable isotope data obtained from mummified tissue, particularly when embalming materials are also present. A mixture of solvents appears to be a more effective cleaning agent than a single solvent. Demineralisation with HCl is preferable for well‐preserved bone, as used in this study, but whether this is the case for more fragile, less well‐preserved bone requires further study. Skin samples produce more consistent data than muscle, but visually distinguishing between these tissues is not simple on ancient mummies.
The coupling characteristics of population and residential land in rural areas of China and its implications for sustainable land use
Authors: Cai Enxiang , Chen Weiqiang , Wei Hejie , Li Jiwei , Wang Hua , Guo Yulong , Feng Xinwei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the changes and coupling characteristics between rural population (RP) and rural residential land (RRL) provides a theoretical basis for sustainable rural land use. Based on the index of human–land coupling development, this study analyzed the spatial–temporal characteristics and coupling types of RRL and RP on the levels of China's national and prefectural cities by using the data of official land use survey and demographic statistics from 2009 to 2016. Results showed that (a) China's RP is declining at an average annual rate of 2.07%, and the RP in most cities decrease from −3.33% to −1.20%. (b) The area of RRL in China constantly increased at an average annual rate of 0.56% and that of most cities has also maintained growth, with only 11.76% of cities that declined. (c) The per capita RRL in China increased from 267.96 m2 in 2009 to 325.58 m2 in 2016. The relationship between the RRL and RP in China was uncoordinated with a coupling type of G (rapid decline in RP and increase in RRL). The coupling types of most cities were also the uncoordinated type of G, and only less than 10% of cities had a coordinated type (Types B, C, D, and E). The results indicated that the coupling relationship between RP and RRL in China is decoupled and has obvious spatial heterogeneity, which could provide scientific support for optimizing land resources and coordinating human–land relationship in China's rural areas.
Diagnosis of fetal defects in twin pregnancies at routine 11–13‐week ultrasound examination
Authors: Syngelaki A. , Cimpoca B. , Litwinska E. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo examine the performance of the routine 11–13‐week scan in detecting fetal defects in twin pregnancies and to examine if, in pregnancies with a fetal defect, compared to those with normal fetuses, there is increased incidence of nuchal translucency thickness (NT) ≥ 95th and ≥ 99th percentiles or intertwin discordance in crown–rump length (CRL) ≥ 10% and ≥ 15%.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in twin pregnancies undergoing routine ultrasound examination for fetal anatomy, according to standardized protocols, at 11–13 weeks' gestation between 2002 and 2019. Pregnancies with known chromosomal abnormality were excluded. The final diagnosis of fetal defect was based on the results of postnatal examination in cases of live birth and on the findings of the last ultrasound examination in cases of pregnancy termination, miscarriage or stillbirth. The performance of the 11–13‐week scan in the detection of fetal defects was determined.ResultsThe study population of 6366 twin pregnancies with two live fetuses at 11–13 weeks' gestation included 4979 (78.2%) dichorionic (DC) and 1387 (21.8%) monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies. The main findings were: first, the overall incidence of fetal defects was higher in MC than in DC twins (2.8% vs 1.3%); second, the proportion of defects diagnosed in the first trimester was higher in MC than in DC twins (52.6% vs 27.1%); third, the pattern of defects in relation to detectability at the 11–13‐week scan (always detectable, sometimes detectable and never detectable) was similar to that reported previously in singleton pregnancies; fourth, always‐detectable defects included acrania, alobar holoprosencephaly, encephalocele, pentalogy of Cantrell, exomphalos, body‐stalk anomaly, twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence and conjoined twins; fifth, the incidence of fetal NT ≥ 95th percentile was higher in those with than in those without a defect (16.5% vs 4.5% in DC twins and 19.2% vs 5.9% in MC twins) and this was also true for NT ≥ 99th percentile (8.3% vs 1.0% in DC twins and 15.4% vs 2.0% in MC twins); and sixth, the incidence of CRL discordance ≥ 10% was higher in those with than in those without a defect (20.2% vs 7.9% in DC twins and 33.8% vs 9.3% in MC twins) and this was also true for CRL discordance ≥ 15% (10.1% vs 1.9% in DC twins and 28.2% vs 2.8% in MC twins).ConclusionsFirst, fetal defects are more common in MC than in DC twin pregnancies. Second, first‐trimester detection of fetal defects in DC twin pregnancies is similar to that in singleton pregnancies. Third, first‐trimester detectability of defects in MC twins is higher than in DC twins. Fourth, in twin pregnancies with a fetal defect, there is higher intertwin discordance in CRL and incidence of increased NT, but the predictive performance of screening by these markers is poor. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Insight into the siRNA transmembrane delivery—From cholesterol conjugating to tagging
Authors: Zheng Yan , Tai Wanyi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSmall interfering RNA (siRNA), combining the features of unprecedented potency, target‐specificity, and the unique sequence‐based disease‐intervention model, has received immense considerations over the past decades in the academia and pharmaceutical industry. siRNA fits the criteria of being drug‐likely enough to meet with the therapeutic purpose, but its clinical translation has been impeded for a long time by the poor efficiency of in vivo delivery. To reach the cytosol where the RNA interference (RNAi) takes place, siRNA delivery faces a serial of systemic and cellular barriers, especially the endosomal sequestration that would prevent the majority of siRNA from cytosol entry. Transmembrane delivery of siRNA represents a new avenue for efficient delivery by bypassing the endosomal pathway. This rationale is bolstered by the high efficiency of viral entry by membrane fusion, but rarely pursued by artificial siRNA delivery systems. Here, this article provides an opinion of transmembrane delivery by hydrophobic modulation of siRNA. We give a brief introduction of the current siRNA delivery modes, including the hydrophobic cholesterol siRNA conjugates. The cholesterol tagging technology is design on the rationale of hydrophobic siRNAs approach, but hydrophobic modulation throughout the whole siRNA backbone for efficient membrane fusion and transmembrane delivery. The challenge and potential of this technology for preclinical development are also discussed.This article is categorized under:
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid‐Based Structures
Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid‐Based Structures
Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: The Use of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
Authors: Visioli Francesco , Poli Andrea 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNutritional interventions are effective and – in theory – easy to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies that reduce several risk factors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, because of (a) the severe impact of CVD in terms of mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and economy, (b) the proved role of LDL plasma concentrations as the most critical risk factor, and (c) the obstacles found both in terms of biological effects and compliance of the patient by an exclusively dietary intervention, food supplements or nutraceuticals are now valuable resources for physicians. As regards cholesterol control, several preparations are available in the market, and we will critically review them in this chapter.