bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Achieving low target intraocular pressures in severe glaucoma
Authors: Warjri Gazella Bruce , Sidhu Talvir , Kishan Azmira , Behera Aswini Kumar , Shakrawal Jyoti , Selvan Harathy , Dada Tanuj , Pandey Veena , Sihota Ramanjit 
Published: December 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to assess details of therapy required to achieve an intraocular pressure (IOP) of ⩽12 mmHg in patients with severe glaucoma of different etiologies. Methods: Patients with a follow-up of at least 1 year, who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected, and data analyzed with respect to baseline IOP, number of medications, and/or surgeries required to achieve an IOP of ⩽12 mmHg and ⩾6 mmHg. Final IOP, visual field status and medications/surgery required were noted. Results: About 127 eyes of 85 patients met all criteria. There were 48 eyes having primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), 16 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), 17 eyes of juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG), and 46 eyes of secondary glaucoma. The mean baseline IOP was 33.14 ± 11.07 mmHg and final IOP 10.25 ± 1.81 mmHg. In the age group >40 years, 29.63% of patients were controlled on medication as compared to 9.09% and 5.71% in the age group of <20 years and 20–40 years ( p = 0.007). With a baseline IOP of <25 mmHg, 48.65% required a trabeculectomy, whereas for 25–30, and >30 mmHg, 62.5% and 97.29% respectively, required surgery ( p < 0.001).66.67% of patients having mean deviation of −12 to −16 dB (decibels) on Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) underwent surgery to achieve target IOP in comparison to 83.52% who had mean deviation greater than −16 dB ( p = 0.036). Conclusion: Only 21.26% of severe glaucoma eyes could be controlled on medications alone. A baseline IOP of >25 mmHg, age <40 years and mean deviation worse than −16 dB, had a higher frequency of trabeculectomies to achieve an IOP of ⩽12 mmHg.
Changes in serum creatine kinase and C-reactive protein after posterior and direct anterior approaches in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Maezawa Katsuhiko , Nozawa Masahiko , Gomi Motoshi , Sugimoto Munehiko , Maruyama Yuichiro 
Published: December 2020

Purpose: Some studies reported that measuring serum creatine kinase (CK) level is an objective method with which to determine the relative invasiveness of surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in postoperative serum CK levels as a measure of whether the direct anterior approach (DAA) is less invasive than the posterior approach (PA) regarding postoperative rehabilitation. Materials and methods: We prospectively recruited 71 women who were undergoing total hip arthroplasty, 47 were treated by the PA and 24 by the DAA. Serum CK and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured preoperatively and 3 hours and 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days after the operation. Results: The serum CK levels were significantly higher in the DAA group than in the PA group on postoperative days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14. On postoperative day 4 and 7, the percentage of patients whose serum CK levels were above the normal range was 46.8% and 8.5% in the PA group and 95.2% and 45.5% in the DAA group. Conclusions: CK levels were significantly higher in the 2 weeks after THA by a DAA than after the same procedure by a PA indicating that DAA causes prolonged muscle damage. Although the DAA is considered to be a muscle-sparing approach this may not be the case and DAA may not actually be a minimally-invasive approach.
Altered Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Production and Its Association to Inflammatory Cytokines in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Culture of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kartika Rona , Wibowo Heri , Purnamasari Dyah , Pradipta Saraswati , Larasati Rahma A 
Published: December 2020

Aim: To analyze indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) production in the cell culture supernatant of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from type 2 DM (T2DM) patients and investigate IDO’s association to pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Subjects and methods: PBMC samples were collected from 21 T2DM patients and 17 normoglycemic participants, then stimulated with PHA for 3 days. Cytokine and IDO concentrations were measured in the PBMC culture supernatants. In vitro production of TNF-α, IL-6, interferon-γ, and IL-10 were measured using multiplex immunoassay. IDO concentration was assessed using ELISA. To assess how PHA stimulation altered IDO production and to minimize the unstimulated baseline effect of T2DM, we subtracted the PHA-stimulated IDO concentration from the unstimulated one. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The IDO concentrations in the PBMC culture supernatants were significantly higher in T2DM patients regardless of whether they were unstimulated ( P < .001) or PHA-stimulated ( P = .012). Reduced IDO production was observed in 52.8% of T2DM patients and was associated with older age and lower interferon-γ levels. Conversely, 42.8% of T2DM patients showed increased IDO concentrations, which were correlated with the IL-6/IL-10 ratio ( r = 0.683, P = .021) and interferon-γ/IL-10 ratio ( r = 0.517, P = .077). Conclusion: The interferon-γ level was reduced in the PBMC culture supernatant of T2DM patients with reduced IDO production. Reduced IDO production in T2DM patients following PHA stimulation was associated with older age and, notably, higher baseline IDO concentrations. Since IDO is primarily produced by dendritic cells, reduced IDO production after PHA stimulation may indicate dendritic cell dysfunction.
Expanding spectrum of opportunistic infections associated with dimethyl fumarate
Authors: Kim Tiffany , Croteau David , Brinker Allen , Jones David E , Lee Paul R , Kortepeter Cindy M 
Published: December 2020

Background: Only progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is currently described in the dimethyl fumarate (DMF) prescribing information. Objectives: To describe opportunistic infections (OIs), other than PML, reported in association with DMF. Methods: The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and medical literature were searched. Results: We retrieved 34 cases of serious OIs with a causal association with DMF, including 11 central nervous system (CNS) infections and 23 extra-CNS infections. Six OIs occurred with normal circulating absolute lymphocyte counts. The median latency from DMF initiation was 13 months and was variable. Conclusion: DMF is associated with the development of OIs that require invasive diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. Patients should be monitored for OIs when treated with DMF regardless of circulating absolute lymphocyte counts.
Rethinking criticism about lossy compression: Sound fidelity, large-scale production and audio capital in pop music
Authors: O’Grady Pat 
Published: December 2020

Although digital music streaming and downloading practices highlight a preference for portability over fidelity among pop music consumers, for some ‘high fidelity’ continues to be a crucial component of their pop music engagement. This article examines the political dimensions of audio preferences. It considers comments by Neil Young and those within The Distortion of Sound who claim that the lossy compression encoding process – used in digital downloading and streaming – significantly degrades the quality of recorded sound and compromises valuable pop music characteristics. In 2015, these claims were followed by the development of the ‘hi-res’ music player device and digital download store ‘Pono’. This article argues that some criticism of lossy compression can be understood as ‘audio capital’. Rather than merely exchanging aesthetic preferences, or a reliable metric of the audibility of high fidelity, audio capital describes the reconversion of celebrity status and economic capital into a class divide structured by an appreciation for large-scale music production.
Amplification of regional discrimination on Chinese news portals: An affective critical discourse analysis
Authors: Peng Altman Yuzhu 
Published: December 2020

Regional discrimination is a significant social issue that leads to divided societies. In China, people from Henan Province, who are verbally abused by non-Henan users on the Internet, are often victims of regional discrimination. This article presents a case study of Chinese Internet users’ discriminatory practice against Henan people in the commentary sections of two major Chinese news portals – Tencent and NetEase. By advancing an affective critical discourse analysis approach with the assistance of content analysis, I analysed user comments on news reports that covered a news event relating to regional discrimination against Henan people. The analysis showed that Internet users’ discriminatory practice was notably amplified by the locative IP-address function in NetEase’s commentary section. The research findings shed light on the interplay between Internet users’ discursive practice and the technological architecture of interactive digital platforms in the context of regional discrimination.
Analysis of experimental results with an active pre-chamber ultra-lean burn SI engine
Authors: Müller Christoph , Pischinger Stefan , Tews Sascha , Müller Andreas , Habermann Knut 
Published: December 2020

To ensure that private cars can continue to be used in the future, they must become significantly more efficient and at the same time emit considerably less pollutants. In addition to pure electric drives, further optimized gasoline engines in hybrid powertrain configurations still offer major potentials in this respect. A major step toward increasing efficiency can be achieved by extremely lean burn combustion. If, in addition to low fuel consumption, this operation should also simultaneously reduce NOx raw emissions, lean-burn operation with relative air/fuel ratios of λ≥ 2 must be enabled in wide ranges of the engine operation map. Within the scope of this publication, results of experimental investigations with a lean burn pre-chamber ignition system applied to a small gasoline engine with 75 mm bore and 90.5 mm stroke are presented. In this context, the effects of the pre-chamber design on emissions and fuel consumption are examined. By comparing different pre-chamber enrichments with natural gas and conventional RON98 gasoline, it can be shown that with the direct liquid injection of gasoline into the pre-chamber similar good thermodynamic results as with natural gas can be achieved with the advantage of easier integration of a single fuel system. Due to its significantly improved lean burn capability with relative air/fuel rations of up to λ = 3, combined with low specific indicated NOx raw emissions of less than 0.1 g/kWh, the presented lean-burn combustion system offers excellent conditions for further efficiency improvements of electrified powertrains. WLTP cycle simulations based on measured engine maps for the developed combustion process resulted in a fuel consumption reduction of up to 10%. At the same time, NOx raw emissions below the Euro 6d limit of 60 mg/km can be achieved.
The Study of Tumor Volume as a Prognostic Factor in T Staging System for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Jia Bei , Zhang Xu , Mo Yunxian , Chen Biao , Long Hao , Rong Tiehua , Su Xiaodong 
Published: December 2020

Background: This study aimed to evaluate T staging system for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using tumor volume (TV) and other prognostic factors. Methods: This study included 1309 cases. The TV and greatest tumor diameter (GTD) were semi-automatically measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of TV and GTD were used to predict survival. The regression analysis was used to describe the correlation between GTD and TV. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox’s proportional hazards regression model was applied for multivariate analysis. Results: Using the OS in pN0M0 patients (997 cases), we obtained 4 optimal cutoff values and divided all cases into 5 TV groups (V1: TV ≤ 2.80 cm3; V2: TV > 2.80–6.40 cm3; V3: TV > 6.40–12.9 cm3; V4: TV > 12.9–55.01 cm3; V5: TV > 55.01 cm3) with significant OS ( P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, visceral pleural invasion (VPI), and all TV cutoff points were independent factors of OS ( P < 0.05). For V3 and V4 groups, the OS in patients without VPI was better than that in patients with VPI. Using the values of TV, VPI, and N stages, we classified all cases into 5 stages from I to V depending on the OS. The OS in I, II, III, IV, and V stages were 71.3%, 65.5%, 59.8%, 47.7%, and 35.1% respectively ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: We proposed a new T staging system using TV as the main prognostic descriptor in NSCLC patients, which may provide a better comprehensive clinical value than GTD in clinical applications.
Correlation of L-asp Activity, Anti-L-asp Antibody, Asn and Gln With Adverse Events Especially Anaphylaxis Risks in PEG-asp-Contained Regime Treated Pediatric ALL Patients
Authors: Wu Juan , Chen Changcheng , Huang Shiying , Shen Shuhong , Chen Jing , Zhang Shunguo 
Published: December 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of L-asparaginase (L-asp) activity, anti-L-asp antibody, asparagine and glutamine levels with the risks of adverse events (AEs), especially anaphylaxis, in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who underwent polyethylene glycol-conjugated L-asp (PEG-asp)-contained treatment. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 91 pediatric ALL patients who underwent PEG-asp-contained treatment on the 7th day after drug administration. Plasma L-asp activity, anti-L-asp antibody level, asparagine level and glutamine level were detected. Meanwhile, AEs related to PEG-asp administration were recorded. Results: AEs occurred in 13 (14.3%) patients, among which 7 (7.7%) patients had anaphylaxis, while another 6 patients had non-anaphylaxis AEs (including 4 (4.4%) patients who had acute pancreatitis, 1 (1.1%) patient who had abdominal pain and diarrhea, as well as 1 (1.1%) patient who had nausea and vomiting). L-asp activity was decreased, while asparagine and glutamine levels were increased in patients with AEs compared to patients without AEs, and ROC curves showed that they were correlated with higher AEs risk. Notably, further analyses revealed that L-asp activity, anti-L-asp antibody, asparagine and glutamine levels were highly correlated with anaphylaxis risk, but they were not associated with the risk of non-anaphylactic AEs. Conclusion: The measurement of L-asp activity, anti-L-asp antibody level, asparagine level and glutamine level might assist the prevention of anaphylaxis-related AEs in pediatric ALL patients who underwent PEG-asp-contained treatment.
Religiosity, Acculturation, and Preterm Birth in Mexican-Origin Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Page Robin L. , Perez-Patron Maria , Han Gang , Burdette Amy M. , Badejo Megan 
Published: December 2020

Introduction Explanations for racial disparities in preterm birth (PTB) are elusive, especially when comparing high rates in some racial groups with low rates in Mexican-immigrant women. The purpose of this study was to examine potential protective factors against PTB such as religiosity and acculturation. Methods This study was a prospective investigation of Mexican- and U.S.-born pregnant women. Women were recruited from a low-income-serving prenatal clinic in Texas. Survey instruments included socioeconomic variables, acculturation, and religiosity/spirituality (R/S). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between acculturation, religiosity, and PTB. Because of the low prevalence of PTB in our sample, we were not able to adjust for confounding characteristics. Results Ninety-one low-income women, mostly Mexican immigrants, participated in the study. PTB in our sample was lower than the national average in the United States (5.5% vs. 9.9%) and was positively but moderately associated with high R/S. R/S scores were high, particularly for frequency of attendance, prayer, and religious coping. Women with lower acculturation had higher scores on the religiosity measures. Conclusion Further research is needed with a larger sample to include other ethnic and racial minorities to more fully understand the relationships between acculturation, religiosity, and PTB.
A presentation of adenovirus with hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis in pregnancy
Authors: Kishkovich Thomas P , Lu Connie F , Hardy Erica J , Russo Melissa L 
Published: December 2020

Background Adenovirus infection is usually mild in presentation. However during pregnancy, the course can be more severe. Case A 21-year-old woman in her second pregnancy presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and fevers at 34 weeks and 4 days of gestation. Her respiratory pathogen panel on nasopharyngeal secretions was positive for adenovirus. Electrolytes were notable for hypomagnesaemia and persistent hypokalemia (nadir of 2.6 mmol/L) despite repletion but otherwise unremarkable. During her course, she developed rhabdomyolysis. During routine fetal monitoring at 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation, prolonged fetal bradycardia was identified, and an emergency caesarean delivery was performed. The infant had no clinical or laboratory evidence of adenovirus infection. The patient had a protracted clinical course but recovered with supportive care. Conclusion Adenovirus can present with severe complications in a pregnant woman including hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis. The mainstay of treatment is supportive care and monitoring of electrolyte abnormalities and renal function.
Cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory biomarkers predicting interferon-beta response in MS patients
Authors: Stampanoni Bassi Mario , Drulovic Jelena , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Iezzi Ennio , Sica Francesco , Gilio Luana , Gentile Antonietta , Musella Alessandra , Mandolesi Georgia , Furlan Roberto , Finardi Annamaria , Marfia Girolama Alessandra , Bellantonio Paolo , Fantozzi Roberta , Centonze Diego , Buttari Fabio 
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims: Interferon beta (IFNb) is a safe first-line drug commonly used for relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS. Nevertheless, a considerable proportion of patients do not respond to IFNb treatment. Therefore, until now, a number of studies have investigated various markers that could predict the patients who would respond to IFNb therapy. The objective of this study was to identify reliable biomarkers to predict the efficacy of IFNb treatment in MS. Methods: In a group of 116 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and RR-MS, we explored the association between CSF detectability of a large set of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules at the time of diagnosis and response to IFNb after the first year of treatment. The absence of clinical relapses, radiological activity and disability progression (NEDA-3) was assessed at the end of 1-year follow up. The results were compared with those obtained in additional groups of CIS and RR-MS patients treated with other first-line drugs (dimethyl fumarate and glatiramer acetate). Results: CSF undetectability of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α was the main predictor of reaching NEDA-3 status after 1 year of IFNb treatment. Moreover, detectable platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was associated with higher probability of reaching NEDA-3. Conversely, no associations with the CSF molecules were found in the two other groups of patients treated either with dimethyl fumarate or with glatiramer acetate. Conclusion: MIP-1α and PDGF could potentially represent suitable CSF biomarkers able to predict response to IFNb in MS.
First-line immune-checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Landre Thierry , Chouahnia Kader , Des Guetz Gaëtan , Duchemann Boris , Assié Jean-Baptiste , Chouaïd Christos 
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Platin-based chemotherapy (CT) has long been the first-line standard-of-care for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES–SCLC). Adding immune-checkpoint inhibitor(s) to CT (ICI+CT) in this setting is an option of interest, although its benefit is apparently modest. Methods: This meta-analysis was conducted on randomized trials comparing first-line ICI+CT versus CT alone for ES–SCLC. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), response at 12 months and adverse events (AEs). Subgroup analyses were computed according to the immunotherapy used, performance status (PS), age, platinum salt, liver metastases and brain metastases at diagnosis. Results: The literature search identified one randomized phase II (ECOG-ACRIN-5161) and four phase III trials (CASPIAN, IMPOWER-133, KEYNOTE-604 and Reck et al. 2016) that included 2775 patients (66% males, 95% smokers, median age: 64 years, PS = 0 or 1). ICI+CT was significantly associated (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) with prolonged OS [0.82 (0.75–0.89); p <  0.00001] and PFS [0.81 (0.75–0.87); p <  0.00001], with OS benefits for anti-PD-L1 [0.73 (0.63–0.85); p < 0.0001] or anti-PD-1 [0.76 (0.63–0.93); p < 0.006] but not for anti-CTLA-4 [0.90 (0.80–1.01), p = 0.07]. ORRs for ICI+CT or CT alone were comparable [odds ratio 1.12 (0.97–1.00); p = 0.12], but responses at 12 months favored ICI+CT [4.16 (2.81–6.17), p < 0.00001]. Serious grade-3/4 AEs were more frequent with ICI+CT [odds ratio 1.18 (1.02–1.37); p = 0.03]. Compared with CT, no ICI+CT benefit was found for ES–SCLC with brain metastases at diagnosis [HR 1.14 (0.87–1.50); p =  0.34]. Conclusions: First-line ICI+CT appears to be superior to CT alone for ES–SCLC except for patients with brain metastases at diagnosis.
The use and diagnostic value of testing myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies by line immuno-assay: a retrospective study
Authors: Lackner Angelika , Tiefenthaler Viktoria , Mirzayeva Jalia , Posch Florian , Rossmann Christopher , Kastrati Kastriot , Radner Helga , Demel Ulrike , Gretler Judith , Stotz Michael , Graninger Winfried B , Stradner Martin H 
Published: December 2020

Aims: Line immune-assays (LIA) for the detection of myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) are used widely for characterization of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Their current use and significance for the diagnosis of IIM remains unclear. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we retrieved clinical diagnoses of patients tested for MSA and myositis-associated antibodies (MAA) Jo-1, Mi-2α, Mi-2β, TIF1γ, SRP, MDA-5, NXP-2, SAE, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, PM-Scl100, PM-Scl75 and Ku. We calculated clinical specificity, clinical sensitivity, negative- and positive predictive values (PPV) as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results: In total, we analyzed 3167 samples. After exclusion of repeated measurements and patients with insufficient clinical information, data of 1118 patients were available for analysis. A total of 242 patients tested positive for at least one antibody, of which 45 patients had a diagnosis of IIM; 25 IIM patients were negative for all MSA/MAA. Clinical specificity of MSA/MAA for the diagnosis of IIM ranged between 94.2% and 99.9%. Clinical sensitivity and PPV across all antibodies tested ranged from 0.0% to 12.9% and 0.0% to 72.7%, respectively. Conclusion: In clinical practice MSA/MAA are used widely for diagnostic work-up of IIM, resulting in a low pre-test probability. Clinicians should be aware that PPVs for most MSA/MAA are low.