bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with pancreatic cancer: Results from a pre‐specified subgroup analysis of the randomized CASSINI study
Authors: Vadhan‐Raj Saroj , McNamara Mairéad G. , Venerito Marino , Riess Hanno , O'Reilly Eileen M. , Overman Michael J. , Zhou Xiao , Vijapurkar Ujjwala , Kaul Simrati , Wildgoose Peter , Khorana Alok A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic cancer patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE); the value of thromboprophylaxis has not been definitively established.MethodsThis trial randomized cancer patients initiating a new regimen and at high risk for VTE (Khorana score ≥2) to rivaroxaban 10 mg or placebo up to day 180. This analysis examined the subset of pancreatic cancer patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of symptomatic deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT), asymptomatic proximal DVT, any pulmonary embolism, and VTE‐related death. The primary safety endpoint was International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis–defined major bleeding.ResultsIn total, 49/1080 (4.5%) patients enrolled had baseline VTE on screening, with higher rates (24/362 [6.6%]) in pancreatic cancer and they were not randomized. Of 841 randomized patients, 273 (32.5%) had pancreatic cancer; 155/273 (57% in each arm) completed the double‐blind period. The primary endpoint occurred in 13/135 (9.6%) patients in the rivaroxaban group and in 18/138 (13.0%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.34‐1.43; P = .328) in up‐to‐day‐180 period and 5/135 (3.7%) patients receiving rivaroxaban and 14/138 (10.1%) receiving placebo in the intervention period (HR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13‐0.97; P = .034). Major bleeding was similar (2 [1.5%] receiving rivaroxaban and 3 [2.3%] receiving placebo). Correlative biomarker studies demonstrated significant decline in D‐dimer (weeks 8 and 16) in patients randomized to rivaroxaban compared to placebo (P < .01).ConclusionsIn ambulatory pancreatic cancer patients, rivaroxaban did not result in significantly lower incidence of VTE or VTE‐related death in the 180‐day period. During the intervention period, however, rivaroxaban substantially reduced VTE without increasing major bleeding, suggesting benefit of rivaroxaban prophylaxis in this setting.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02555878.
Inhibin, beta A regulates the transforming growth factor‐beta pathway to promote malignant biological behaviour in colorectal cancer
Authors: He Zhijun , Liang Jun , Wang Biao 
Published: July 2020

Inhibin, beta A (INHBA) is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF‐β) family. The carcinogenic mechanisms of INHBA during the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In the present study, we further elucidated the role of INHBA in CRC. We analysed the expression of INHBA in CRC and its relationship with patient prognosis using data from public databases. INHBA expression was evaluated in CRC tissues and cell lines using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. After inhibiting the expression of INHBA, the effect of INHBA on the function of CRC cells was evaluated in vitro. We found that INHBA was upregulated in CRC. High INHBA expression is closely related to poor prognosis in patients with CRC. Knockdown of INHBA in vitro can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. In terms of mechanism, we found that high INHBA expression activates the TGF‐β pathway.Significance of the study:INHBA acts as an oncogene in the progression of CRC and may, therefore, be a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Platelet‐rich plasma inhibits osteoblast apoptosis and actin cytoskeleton disruption induced by gingipains through upregulating integrin β1
Authors: Mo Weiyan , Wu Juan , Qiu Qihong , Zhang Fuping , Luo Haoyuan , Xu Na , Zhu Wenjun , Liang Min 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the effects of platelet‐rich plasma on gingipain‐caused changes in cell morphology and apoptosis of osteoblasts. Mouse osteoblasts MC3T3‐E1 cells were treated with gingipain extracts from Porphyromonas gingivalis in the presence or absence of platelet‐rich plasma. Apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling staining. F‐actin was determined by phalloidin‐fluorescent staining and observed under confocal microscopy. Western blot analysis was used to detect integrin β1, F‐actin, and G‐actin protein expressions. A knocking down approach was used to determine the role of integrin β1. The platelet‐rich plasma protected osteoblasts from gingipain‐induced apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner, accompanied by upregulation of integrin β1. Platelet‐rich plasma reversed the loss of F‐actin integrity and decrease of F‐actin/G‐actin ratio in osteoblasts in the presence of gingipains. By contrast, the effects of platelet‐rich plasma were abrogated by knockdown of integrin β1. The platelet‐rich plasma failed to reduce cell apoptosis and reorganize the cytoskeleton after knockdown of integrin β1. In conclusion, platelet‐rich plasma inhibits gingipain‐induced osteoblast apoptosis and actin cytoskeleton disruption by upregulating integrin β1 expression.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement and percutaneous coronary intervention versus surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kotronias Rafail A. , Bray Jonathan H. , Scarsini Roberto , Rajasundaram Skanda , Terentes‐Printzios Dimitrios , De Maria Giovanni L. , Kharbanda Rajesh K. , Mamas Mamas A , Bagur Rodrigo , Banning Adrian P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) against patients who had transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundContemporary guidelines suggest that surgical or percutaneous revascularization of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a reasonable strategy.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of Medline and Embase to identify studies comparing a percutaneous transcatheter versus a surgical approach. Random effects meta‐analyses using the Mantel–Haenszel method were performed to estimate the effect of percutaneous compared surgical strategies using aggregate data.ResultsSix studies reporting on 1770 participants were included in the meta‐analysis. There were no significant differences in effect estimates for early and midterm mortality (OR: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.50–1.20 and OR: 1.09; 95% CI, 0.80–1.49, respectively) or myocardial infarction (OR: 0.52; 95% CI, 0.20–1.33 and OR: 1.34; 95% CI, 0.67–2.65, respectively). No significant difference was shown for peri‐procedural stroke (OR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.35–1.87). A transcatheter approach had a higher rate of major vascular complications (OR: 14.44; 95% CI, 4.42–47.16), but a lower rate of acute kidney injury (OR: 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.91).ConclusionOur analysis suggests that a percutaneous transcatheter approach confers similar outcomes compared to a surgical approach in patients with severe AS and CAD. However, our findings are based on low quality studies and should serve as hypothesis generating. In the absence of adequately powered studies yielding high level evidence, individualized decision making should be based on surgical risk assessment.
Conversion of Methane Facilitated by Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Liu Kefeng , Meng Fei , Zhu Di , Wang Zi , Lou Shujie , Zhao Jing , Xiao Haicheng , Tang Yongchun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA novel Fe‐Al/SiO2 catalyst for direct non‐oxidative conversion of methane to ethylene, benzene, and naphthalene was synthesized. An Fe‐Al/SiO2 catalyst integrated solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) membrane reactor design is further developed. It could be successfully demonstrated that the SOEC enabled the in situ removal of H2, which helps to shift the chemical equilibrium of the methane conversion reaction to enhance the conversion efficiency.
Therapeutic dilemma in the repression of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 proteome
Authors: Sadia Aatika , Basra Muhammad Asim Raza 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCurrently, the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has unprecedentedly captivated its human hosts by causing respiratory illnesses because of evolution of the genetic makeup of novel coronavirus (CoV) known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS CoV‐2). As much as the researchers are inundated for the quest of effective treatments from available drugs, the discovery and trials of new experimental drugs are also at a threshold for clinical trials. There has been much concern regarding the new and targeted drugs considering the comprehensive ambiguity regarding the mechanism and pathway of the drug action with respect to the new and unpredictable structural and nonstructural proteins (NSPs) of SARS CoV‐2. This study was aimed to discuss functional pathways related to NSPs in CoVs with updated knowledge regarding SARS CoV‐2, mechanisms of action of certain approved and investigational drugs for correct orientation regarding the treatment strategies, including nucleotide analog mechanism, receptor analog mechanism, and peptide–peptide interactions, along with the impact of COVID‐19 on a global scale. Although there is a dire need for targeted drugs against SARS CoV‐2, the practical achievement of its cure is possible by only using effective drugs with appropriate mechanisms to eliminate the disease.
Linking preschoolers’ parasympathetic activity to maternal early adversity and child behavior: An intergenerational perspective
Authors: Glackin Erin B. , Hatch Virginia , Drury Stacy S. , Gray Sarah A. O. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests intergenerational effects of maternal early adversity on offspring self‐regulation. Prior work has demonstrated associations between maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a parasympathetic biomarker associated with emotional and behavioral self‐regulation. The present study examined these associations and additional potential pathways including children's violence exposure and maternal psychopathology among 123 biological mother‐child dyads. Families were low‐income and oversampled for violence exposure; children were 3–5 years old. RSA was examined during dyadic interaction using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM). On average, females exhibited greater RSA reactivity. Greater RSA withdrawal across the interaction was associated with greater child negative affect during the interaction, linking RSA reactivity to concurrent child behavior. Consistent with previous findings among infants, high maternal ACEs were associated with lower child RSA at task initiation but not with RSA reactivity across the interaction. Findings suggest that the association between high maternal ACEs and a lower set point for offspring RSA persists into the early childhood period, beyond the influence of maternal psychopathology and children's own violence exposure. These data provide further evidence for the biological embedding of maternal early adversity across generations as well as for the relevance of RSA to child behavioral regulation.
Disposable Bienzymatic Choline Biosensor Based on MnO2 Nanoparticles Decorated Carbon Nanofibers and Poly(methylene green) Modified Screen Printed Carbon Electrode
Authors: Kaçar Ceren 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, utilization of MnO2 nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofibers (CNF‐MnO2) and poly(methylene green) (PMG) to create a bienzymatic biosensor for choline determination is described. Choline oxidase (ChOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co‐immobilized onto the CNF‐MnO2/PMG/SPCE by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to investigate the morphology and electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes. Upon optimized conditions, ChOx‐HRP/CNF‐MnO2/PMG/SPCE had a wide working range of 4.0×10−6–9.0×10−3 M with a sensitivity of 2.44 μA mM−1 and detection limit of 8.1×10−7 M. The proposed biosensor exhibits high repeatability (RSD 2.7 %) and retained 97 % of its initial activity after stored 15 days at +4 °C. The applicability of the biosensor in infant formula was demonstrated.
The security of vulnerable senior citizens through dynamically sensed signal acquisition
Authors: Wang Xuanming , Srivastava Gautam 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTraditional signal recognition methods generally use biosensors for signal acquisition. With senior citizens, sensor signal acquisition will be affected by their movements. These signal fluctuations are large, and if the signal area cannot be fixed, it may result in problems such as data loss. The most important issue caused by data loss is the safety for vulnerable seniors. Therefore, here we study abnormal behavior recognition based on dynamic sensing. In this paper, we look to improve the problems that exist in traditional methods. Using the SW‐520D sensor, activity signals of the elderly are first collected. By comparing the received signal strength sets, dynamic sensor data flow of the abnormal behavior for senior citizens can be determined. A multiple linear regression estimation method is used to solve the problem of data loss in dynamic sensor data flow environments. We obtain system parameter thresholds in both area isolation and segmentation using the stochastic resonance method. From this, a direct notch is constructed that enters the dynamic sensor data stream, and the interference component filtering of abnormal behavior signals is processed. The amplitude‐frequency response feature extraction method is used for high‐precision isolation and segmentation of abnormal behavior signal areas such as falls, improving the accuracy of senior behavior signal recognition, and realizing safety monitoring for the elderly. The improved method was used to identify the signals of abnormal behaviors of young people. The minimum recognition error rate was only 2%, the recognition accuracy rate was as high as 98%, and the calculation time was only 19 ms.
Loss of ecologically important genetic variation in late generation hybrids reveals links between adaptation and speciation
Authors: Walter Greg M. , Richards Thomas J. , Wilkinson Melanie J , Blows Mark W. , Aguirre J. David , Ortiz-Barrientos Daniel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdaptation to contrasting environments occurs when advantageous alleles accumulate in each population, but it remains largely unknown whether these same advantageous alleles create genetic incompatibilities that can cause intrinsic reproductive isolation leading to speciation. Identifying alleles that underlie both adaptation and reproductive isolation is further complicated by factors such as dominance and genetic interactions among loci, which can affect both processes differently and obscure potential links between adaptation and speciation. Here, we use a combination of field and glasshouse experiments to explore the connection between adaptation and speciation while accounting for dominance and genetic interactions. We created a hybrid population with equal contributions from four contrasting ecotypes of Senecio lautus (Asteraceae), which produced hybrid genomes both before (F1 hybrid generation) and after (F4 hybrid generation) recombination among the parental ecotypes. In the glasshouse, plants in the second generation (F2 hybrid generation) showed reduced fitness as a loss of fertility. However, fertility was recovered in subsequent generations, suggesting that genetic variation underlying the fitness reduction was lost in subsequent generations. To quantify the effects of losing genetic variation at the F2 generation on the fitness of later generation hybrids, we used a reciprocal transplant to test for fitness differences between parental ecotypes, and F1 and F4 hybrids in all four parental habitats. Compared to the parental ecotypes and F1 hybrids, variance in F4 hybrid fitness was lower, and lowest in habitats that showed stronger native-ecotype advantage, suggesting that stronger natural selection for the native ecotype reduced fitness variation in the F4 hybrids. Fitness trade-offs that were present in the parental ecotypes and F1 hybrids were absent in the F4 hybrid. Together, these results suggest that the genetic variation lost after the F2 generation was likely associated with both adaptation and intrinsic reproductive isolation among ecotypes from contrasting habitats.
Qigong for the treatment of depressive symptoms: Preliminary evidence of neurobiological mechanisms
Authors: Lu Erin Yiqing , Lee Posen , Cai Shuhe , So Wendy Wing Yan , Ng Bacon Fung Leung , Jensen Mark P. , Cheung Wai Ming , Tsang Hector W. H. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesQigong has been shown to effectively reduce depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic physical illness. Here, we sought to evaluate the effects of qigong on serotonin, cortisol, and Brain‐derived Neurotropic Factors (BDNF) levels and test their roles as potential mediators of the effects of qigong on depressive symptoms.MethodsThirty older adults with chronic physical illness participated in a randomized clinical trial. They were randomly assigned to a qigong group (n = 14) or a control group for cognitive training of executive function and memory (n = 16). The participants provided blood and saliva samples at baseline and post‐intervention. Levels of cortisol were measured from the salvia samples, and serotonin and BDNF were measured from the blood samples.ResultsConsistent with the study findings presented in the primary outcome paper, a significant Group × Time interaction effect emerged on depressive symptoms, explained by greater reductions in the qigong group than the control group. Qigong participants had significantly larger increases in serotonin and BDNF, and decreases in cortisol levels, compared with control group participants. Moreover, treatment‐related changes in cortisol levels (but not serotonin or BDNF) fully mediated the beneficial effects of qigong on depressive symptoms.ConclusionThe findings provide preliminary evidence that treatment‐related changes in cortisol may mediate the benefits of qigong on depressive symptoms. Given the limitation of small sample size of the present study, future studies with larger sample sizes and more extended follow‐up assessment are warranted to determine the reliability of these findings.
Transsexuality: Legal and ethical challenges
Authors: Dickens Bernard M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSex‐change procedures, better described as gender‐change procedures, involve preparing patients psychologically and surgically for gender transition to treat their gender dysphoria. Physical treatment might include hysterectomy for female to male transition, and post‐castration fashioning of an artificial vagina for male to female transition. Conservative opposition to accommodating and recognizing such procedures remains in some countries, and where treated, transgender individuals might face social hostility and oppression. However, human rights laws increasingly provide for transgender non‐discrimination and government re‐issue of official documents such as birth certificates and social insurance cards in the changed gender. A UK legal decision required a transgendered male who retained his ovaries and uterus to be registered as mother on the birth certificate of the child he bore. Most challenging are decisions on adolescents’ requests for gender transition, especially over parents’ objections. Laws increasingly recognize that legal minors with sufficiently evolved intellectual and emotional capacity can make decisions for themselves.
Double‐sided surface functionalization: An effective approach to stabilize and modulate the electronic structure of graphene‐like borophene
Authors: Tang Xiao , Gu Jinxing , Shang Jing , Chen Zhongfang , Kou Liangzhi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGraphene‐like borophene was theoretically proposed and recently synthesized on Al (111) surface, however, how to conquer its structural instability is still an open question. By means of density functional theory computations, we theoretically predicted that honeycomb borophene can be well stabilized by double‐sided surface passivation with monovalent functional groups (X = F, Cl, Br, I, OH, and NH2) due to the electron redistributions. The system undergoes the transition from metallic to semiconducting upon functionalization, while the energy gap depends on the choice of functional groups. Under external strain, the gap values can be manipulated over a broad range. Our further calculations indicated that the functionalized borophene possesses moderate and anisotropic carrier mobility, which is comparable to or even higher than some 2D materials such as MoS2 and phosphorene. Our work provides a feasible strategy to effectively stabilize the graphene‐like borophene and tune the electronic properties with great potentials for electronic applications.Double‐sized functionalization by monovalent functional groups (F, Cl, Br, I, OH, and NH2) is predicted to be an effective and feasible way to stabilize the graphene‐like borophene and modulate the electronic properties. The functionalized borophenes are semiconductors with a wide range of gaps, which can be further tuned by external strains, thus are promising for various nanoelectronics applications.image
A neural‐network‐based decision‐making model in the peer‐to‐peer lending market
Authors: Babaei Golnoosh , Bamdad Shahrooz 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThis study proposes an investment recommendation model for peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending. P2P lenders usually are inexpert, so helping them to make the best decision for their investments is vital. In this study, while we aim to compare the performance of different artificial neural network (ANN) models, we evaluate loans from two perspectives: risk and return. The net present value (NPV) is considered as the return variable. To the best of our knowledge, NPV has been used in few studies in the P2P lending context. Considering the advantages of using NPV, we aim to improve decision‐making models in this market by the use of NPV and the integration of supervised learning and optimization algorithms that can be considered as one of our contributions. In order to predict NPV, three ANN models are compared concerning mean square error, mean absolute error, and root‐mean‐square error to find the optimal ANN model. Furthermore, for the risk evaluation, the probability of default of loans is computed using logistic regression. Investors in the P2P lending market can share their assets between different loans, so the procedure of P2P investment is similar to portfolio optimization. In this context, we minimize the risk of a portfolio for a minimum acceptable level of return. To analyse the effectiveness of our proposed model, we compare our decision‐making algorithm with the output of a traditional model. The experimental results on a real‐world data set show that our model leads to a better investment concerning both risk and return.