bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels on culprit plaque rupture in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Su Gong , Gao Ming-Xi , Shi Gen-Ling , Dai Xi-Xi , Yao Wei-Feng , Zhang Tao , Zhuang Shao-Wei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPostprandial hyperglycemia was reported to play a key role in established risk factors of coronary artery diseases (CAD) and cardiovascular events. Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels are known to be a clinical marker of short-term postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions. Low serum 1,5-AG levels have been associated with occurrence of CAD. However, the relationship between 1,5-AG levels and coronary plaque rupture has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate 1,5-AG as a predictor of coronary plaque rupture in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsA total of 144 diabetic patients with ACS were included in this study. All patients underwent intravascular ultrasound examination, which revealed 49 patients with plaque rupture and 95 patients without plaque rupture in the culprit lesion. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) and 1,5-AG levels were measured before coronary angiography. Fasting urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α(8-iso-PGF2α) level was measured and corrected by creatinine clearance.ResultsPatients with ruptured plaque had significantly lower serum 1,5-AG levels, longer duration of diabetes, higher HbA1cand FBG levels than patients without ruptured plaque in our study population. In multivariate analysis, low 1,5-AG levels were an independent predictor of plaque rupture (odds ratio 3.421; P = 0.005) in diabetic patients with ACS. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for 1,5-AG (0.658, P = 0.002) to predict plaque rupture was superior to that for HbA1c(0.587, P = 0.087). Levels of 1,5-AG were significantly correlated with urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2αlevels (r = − 0.234, P = 0.005).ConclusionsSerum 1,5-AG may identify high risk for coronary plaque rupture in diabetic patients with ACS, which suggests PPG excursions are related to the pathogenesis of plaque rupture in diabetes.
Presence of Borrelia miyamotoi infection in a highly endemic area of Lyme disease
Authors: Marcos Luis A. , Smith Kalie , Reardon Kelsey , Weinbaum Fredric , Spitzer Eric D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA series of cases in the Northeast of the US during 2013–2015 described a new Borrelia species, Borrelia miyamotoi, which is transmitted by the same tick species that transmits Lyme disease and causes a relapsing fever-like illness. The geographic expansion of B. miyamotoi in the US also extends to other Lyme endemic areas such as the Midwestern US. Co-infections with other tick borne diseases (TBD) may contribute to the severity of the disease. On Long Island, NY, 3–5% of ticks are infected by B. miyamotoi, but little is known about the frequency of B. miyamotoi infections in humans in this particular region. The aim of this study was to perform a chart review in all patients diagnosed with B. miyamotoi infection in Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) system to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of B. miyamotoi infection in Suffolk County, NY. In a 5 year time period (2013–2017), a total of 28 cases were positive for either IgG EIA (n = 19) or PCR (n = 9). All 9 PCR-positive cases (median age: 67; range: 22–90 years) had clinical findings suggestive of acute or relapsing infection. All these patients were thought to have a TBD, prompting the healthcare provider to order the TBD panel which includes a B. miyamotoi PCR test. In conclusion, B. miyamotoi infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis for flu-like syndromes during the summer after a deer tick bite and to prevent labeling a case with Lyme disease.
Apolipoprotein CIII predicts cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease: a prospective observational study
Authors: Katzmann Julius L. , Werner Christian M. , Stojakovic Tatjana , März Winfried , Scharnagl Hubert , Laufs Ulrich 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) is associated with triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism and has emerged as independent marker for risk of cardiovascular disease. The objective was to test whether apoCIII is regulated postprandially and whether apoCIII concentrations in native and chylomicron-free serum predict future cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods
ApoCIII concentrations were measured in native and chylomicron-free serum in the fasting state and after a standardized oral fat load test in 195 patients with stable CAD. Clinical follow-up was 48 months. Chylomicron-free serum was prepared by ultracentrifugation (18,000 rpm, 3 h). The log-rank test and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association of apoCIII with recurrent cardiovascular events.

Results
Of the 195 patients included, 92 had a cardiovascular event, and 103 did not. 97% were treated with a statin. No significant changes in apoCIII concentration were observed after the oral fat load test. The apoCIII concentration was associated with event-free survival independent of conventional risk factors. This association reached statistical significance only for apoCIII concentration measured in chylomicron-free serum (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for apoCIII above the mean: postprandial: 1.67 (1.06–2.29), P = 0.028, fasting: 2.09 (1.32–3.32), P = 0.002), but not for apoCIII concentration measured in native serum (postprandial: 1.47 [0.89–2.43], P = 0.133, fasting: 1.56 [0.95–2.58], P = 0.081). The effects were independent of other risk factors.

Conclusions
ApoCIII concentrations in chylomicron-free serum are independently associated with event-free survival in patients with CAD both in fasting and postprandial state. This findings support considering apoCIII for risk assessment and attempting to test the hypothesis that lowering apoCIII reduces residual cardiovascular risk.

Take home message
Apolipoprotein CIII concentration measured in chylomicron-free serum predicts recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Trial registration
The trial which included the participants of this study was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00628524) on March 5, 2008.
Risk factors of distant metastasis after surgery among different breast cancer subtypes: a hospital-based study in Indonesia
Authors: Anwar Sumadi Lukman , Avanti Widya Surya , Nugroho Andreas Cahyo , Choridah Lina , Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Harahap Wirsma Arif , Aryandono Teguh , Wulaningsih Wahyu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMore than one third of breast cancer patients including those that are diagnosed in early stages will develop distant metastasis. Patterns of distant metastasis and the associated risks according to the molecular subtypes are not completely revealed particularly in populations of patients with delayed diagnosis and advanced stages.MethodsBreast cancer patients (n= 1304) admitted to our institute (2014–2017) were evaluated to identify the metastatic patterns and the associated risks. Metastatic breast cancers at diagnosis were found in 245 patients (18.7%), and 1059 patients were then grouped into non-metastatic and metastatic groups after a median follow-up of 3.8 years.ResultsInfiltration of the tumor to the skin and chest wall prevailed as the most powerful predictor for distant metastasis (OR 2.115, 95% CI 1.544–2.898) particularly in the luminal A-like subtype (OR 2.685, 95% CI 1.649–4.371). Nodal involvement was also significantly associated with the risk of distant metastasis (OR 1.855, 95% CI 1.319–2.611), and the risk was higher in the Luminal A-like subtype (OR 2.572, 95% CI 1.547–4.278). Luminal A-like subtype had a significant higher risk of bone metastasis (OR 1.601, 95% CI 1.106–2.358). In respect to treatment, a combination of anthracyclines and taxanes-based chemotherapy was significantly associated with lower distant organ spread in comparison with anthracycline-based chemotherapy (OR 0.510, 95% CI 0.355–0.766) and the effect was stronger in Luminal A-like subtype (OR 0.417, 95% CI 0.226–0.769). Classification into Luminal and non-Luminal subtypes revealed significant higher risks of bone metastasis in the Luminal subtype (OR 1.793, 95% CI 1.209–2.660) and pulmonary metastasis in non-Luminal breast cancer (OR 1.445, 95% CI 1.003–2.083).ConclusionIn addition to guiding the treatment plan, a comprehensive analysis of clinicopathological variables including the molecular subtypes could assist in the determination of distant metastasis risks of breast cancer patients. Our study offers new perspectives concerning the risks of distant metastasis in breast cancer subtypes in order to plan intensive surveillance or escalation of treatment particularly in a setting where patients are predominantly diagnosed in late stages.
Prognostic value of neuron-specific enolase for small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Zhoujunyi , Liang Chaoyang , Zhang Zhenrong , Wen Huanshun , Feng Hongxiang , Ma Qianli , Liu Deruo , Qiang Guangliang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) has become a widely used and easily attainable laboratory assay of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the prognostic value of NSE for SCLC patients remains controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between elevated serum NSE before therapy and survival of SCLC patients.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register from the inception dates to December 2019. Eligible articles were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria; then, data extraction and quality assessment were performed. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results
We identified 18 studies comprising 2981 patients. Pooled results revealed that elevated NSE was associated with worse OS (HR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.55–2.06, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.16–1.93, p = 0.002). In subgroup analysis, elevated NSE did not predict worse OS in patients who received only chemotherapy (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.96–1.55, p = 0.10) or part of whom received surgical resection before chemotherapy and radiotherapy (HR = 2.16, 95% CI 0.82–5.69, p = 0.12).

Conclusion
Elevated serum NSE before any therapy of SCLC patients may be a negative prognostic factor for OS and PFS. The prognostic value of NSE for OS was particularly observed in patients treated by standard management.
The CD200/CD200R signaling pathway contributes to spontaneous functional recovery by enhancing synaptic plasticity after stroke
Authors: Sun Hao , He Xinran , Tao Xia , Hou Tingting , Chen Mingming , He Meijun , Liao Hong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSpontaneous functional recovery occurs during the acute phase after stroke onset, but this intrinsic recovery remains limited. Therefore, exploring the mechanism underlying spontaneous recovery and identifying potential strategies to promote functional rehabilitation after stroke are very important. The CD200/CD200R signaling pathway plays an important role in neurological recovery by modulating synaptic plasticity during multiple brain disorders. However, the effect and mechanism of action of the CD200/CD200R pathway in spontaneous functional recovery after stroke are unclear.MethodsIn this study, we used a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats to investigate the function of CD200/CD200R signaling in spontaneous functional recovery after stroke. We performed a battery of behavioral tests (Longa test, adhesive removal test, limb-use asymmetry test, and the modified grip-traction test) to evaluate sensorimotor function after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection with CD200 fusion protein (CD200Fc) or CD200R blocking antibody (CD200R Ab) post-stroke. Density and morphology of dendritic spines were analyzed by Golgi staining. Microglia activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Western blot was used to detect the levels of protein and the levels of mRNA were measured by qPCR.ResultsOur study demonstrated that sensorimotor function, synaptic proteins, and structures were gradually recovered and CD200R was transiently upregulated in ipsilateral cortex after stroke. Synapse-related proteins and dendritic spines were preserved, accompanied by sensorimotor functional recovery, after stereotaxic CD200Fc injection post-stroke. In addition, CD200Fc restrained microglia activation and pro-inflammatory factor release (such asIl-1,Tnf-α, andIl-6) after MCAO. On the contrary, CD200R Ab aggravated sensory function recovery in adhesive removal test and further promoted microglia activation and pro-inflammatory factor release (such asIl-1) after MCAO. The immune-modulatory effect of CD200/CD200R signaling might be exerted partly by its inhibition of the MAPK pathway.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the CD200/CD200R signaling pathway contributes to spontaneous functional recovery by enhancing synaptic plasticity via inhibition of microglia activation and inflammatory factor release.
The impact of long dry periods on the aboveground biomass in a tropical forest: 20 years of monitoring
Authors: de Meira Junior Milton Serpa , Pinto José Roberto Rodrigues , Ramos Natália Oliveira , Miguel Eder Pereira , Gaspar Ricardo de Oliveira , Phillips Oliver L. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Long-term studies of community and population dynamics indicate that abrupt disturbances often catalyse changes in vegetation and carbon stocks. These disturbances include the opening of clearings, rainfall seasonality, and drought, as well as fire and direct human disturbance. Such events may be super-imposed on longer-term trends in disturbance, such as those associated with climate change (heating, drying), as well as resources. Intact neotropical forests have recently experienced increased drought frequency and fire occurrence, on top of pervasive increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, but we lack long-term records of responses to such changes especially in the critical transitional areas at the interface of forest and savanna biomes. Here, we present results from 20 years monitoring a valley forest (moist tropical forest outlier) in central Brazil. The forest has experienced multiple drought events and includes plots which have and which have not experienced fire. We focus on how forest structure (stem density and aboveground biomass carbon) and dynamics (stem and biomass mortality and recruitment) have responded to these disturbance regimes.

Results
Overall, the biomass carbon stock increased due to the growth of the trees already present in the forest, without any increase in the overall number of tree stems. Over time, both recruitment and especially mortality of trees tended to increase, and periods of prolonged drought in particular resulted in increased mortality rates of larger trees. This increased mortality was in turn responsible for a decline in aboveground carbon toward the end of the monitoring period.

Conclusion
Prolonged droughts influence the mortality of large trees, leading to a decline in aboveground carbon stocks. Here, and in other neotropical forests, recent droughts are capable of shutting down and reversing biomass carbon sinks. These new results add to evidence that anthropogenic climate changes are already adversely impacting tropical forests.
NUrse-led COntinuum of care for people with Diabetes and prediabetes (NUCOD) in Nepal: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xu Dong ( Roman) , Dev Rubee , Shrestha Abha , Zhang Lingling , Shrestha Archana , Shakya Pushpanjali , Hughes James P. , Shakya Prabin Raj , Li Jinghua , Liao Jing , Karmacharya Biraj Man 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study will be to improve diabetes prevention, access to care and advocacy through a novel cost-effective nurse-led continuum of care approach that incorporates diabetes prevention, awareness, screening and management for low-income settings, and furthermore utilizes the endeavor to advocate for establishing a standard diabetes program in Nepal.

Methods
We will conduct a two-arm, parallel group, stratified cluster randomized controlled trial of the NUrse-led COntinuum of care for people with Diabetes (N1 = 200) and prediabetes (N2 = 1036) (NUCOD) program, with primary care centers (9 outreach centers and 17 government health posts) as a unit of randomization. The NUCOD program will be delivered through the trained diabetes nurses in the community to the intervention group and the outcomes will be compared with the usual treatment group at 6 and 12 months of the intervention. The primary outcome will be the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level among diabetes individuals and progression to type 2 diabetes among prediabetes individuals, and implementation outcomes measured using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance) framework. Outcomes will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Discussion
The results of this trial will provide information about the effectiveness of the NUCOD program in improving clinical outcomes for diabetes and prediabetes individuals, and implementation outcomes for the organization. The continuum of care model can be used for the prevention and management of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases within and beyond Nepal with similar context.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04131257. Registered on 18 October 2019.
Investigation of the antigenicity and protective efficacy of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens in search of potential diagnostic and vaccine candidates against visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Ejazi Sarfaraz Ahmad , Ghosh Smriti , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Kamran Mohd , Das Sonali , Bhowmick Sudipta , Rahaman Mehebubar , Goswami Rama Prosad , Ali Nahid 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is a parasitic disease that causes serious medical consequences if treatment is delayed. Despite a decline in the number of VL cases in the Indian subcontinent, the commencement of the disease in newer areas continues to be a major concern. Although serological diagnosis mainly by immunochromatographic tests has been found to be effective, a test of cure in different phases of treatment is still desired. Even though a good prophylactic response has been obtained in murine models by a number of vaccine candidates, few have been proposed for human use.

Methods
In this study, nine antigenic components (31, 34, 36, 45, 51, 63, 72, 91 and 97 kDa) of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens (LAg), were electroeluted and evaluated through ELISA to diagnose and distinguish active VL from one month cured and six months post-treatment patients. Further, to investigate the immunogenicity of electroeluted proteins, human PBMCs of cured VL patients were stimulated with 31, 34, 51, 63, 72 and 91 kDa proteins.

Results
We found that 34 and 51 kDa proteins show 100% sensitivity and specificity with healthy controls and other diseases. After six months post-treatment, antibodies to 72 and 91 kDa antigens show a significant decline to almost normal levels. This suggests that 34 and 51 kDa proteins are efficient in diagnosis, whereas 72 and 91 kDa proteins may be used to monitor treatment outcome. In another assay, 51 and 63 kDa proteins demonstrated maximum ability to upregulate IFN-γ and IL-12 with minimum induction of IL-10 and TGF-β. The results indicating that 51 and 63 kDa proteins could be strong candidates for human immunization against VL. In contrast, 34 and 91 kDa proteins demonstrated a reverse profile and may not be a good vaccine candidate.

Conclusions
The preliminary data obtained in this study proposes the potential of some of the antigens in Leishmania diagnosis and for test of cure. Additionally, some antigens demonstrated good immunoprophylactic cytokine production through T cell-mediated immune response, suggesting future vaccine candidates for VL. However, further studies are necessary to explore these antigens in diagnosis and to access the long-term immune response.
Why companies prefer applicants from non-immigrant families: investigating access to vocational training among low-qualified adolescents with an interlinked firm-applicant survey
Authors: Söhn Janina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the German system of dual vocational training, in which companies recruit apprentices, graduates from low-level secondary schools (Hauptschule), and particularly those from immigrant families, are at a significant disadvantage regarding access to such apprenticeships. Previous qualitative studies have already pointed to the role of companies’ recruiting criteria for mechanisms of indirect discrimination, e.g., their desire for smooth social interaction within the firm. This article builds on a standardized survey among companies to which low-skilled adolescents successfully or unsuccessfully applied for dual vocational training. The company data are matched with secondary longitudinal survey data on the same girls and boys. Which recruiting criteria put ethnic minorities at a disadvantage and hence indirectly facilitate ethnic discrimination? The theoretical approach considers (knowledge of) the immigration country’s official language as both a functional requirement and a tool of hierarchical ethnic boundary making. In addition, concepts of social interaction within firms and respective norms as well as of homophily are subjected to an empirical test. Statistical results show that the below-average recruitment chances of applicants with a migration background are somewhat lower if companies stress a social fit criterion in their selection procedures. Furthermore, contrary to the initial hypothesis, ethnic minority youths are only substantially disadvantaged when applying to firms which consider the ability of verbal expression less crucial. Firms which consider this criterion very important may give applicants from immigrant families the chance to present themselves in a job interview and thus dispel ethnic stereotypes like the one that second-generation immigrant youths display serious language deficiencies.