bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum soluble B7-H3 is a prognostic marker for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Azuma Takeshi , Sato Yujiro , Ohno Tatsukuni , Azuma Miyuki , Kume Haruki 
Published: December 2020

Background
B7-H3 is a member of the B7 family of immune-regulatory ligands and is a costimulatory molecule promoting the T cell response in vitro. We herein investigated the clinical utility of serum soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods
We analyzed 555 patients in whom NMIBC was diagnosed at Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center between 2008 and 2013. We measured the serum sB7-H3 (sB7-H3) level using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and evaluated the utility of sB7-H3 as a prognostic biomarker for NMIBC. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with the sB7-H3 level.

Results
We detected high levels of sB7-H3 in the sera of 47% of patients with NMIBC versus only 8% in healthy donors. The increase of sB7-H3 was significantly associated with poor RFS and PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated sB7-H3 was an independent prognostic factor of RFS and PFS. According to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), in intermediate-low and intermediate-high risk groups, the presence of sB7-H3 significantly determined the rate of recurrence and progression.

Conclusions
Our data suggested that evaluating serum sB7-H3 expression is a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with NMIBC.
Food reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and weight change during and after a 3-month weight loss program
Authors: Ross Kathryn M. , Eastman Abraham , Ugwoaba Umelo A. , Demos Kathryn E. , Lillis Jason , Wing Rena R. 
Published: December 2020

Background
Greater sensitivity to food rewards and higher levels of impulsivity (and an interaction between these variables, termed “reinforcement pathology”) have been associated with obesity in cross-sectional studies. Less is known regarding how these constructs may impact attempts at weight loss or longer-term weight loss maintenance.

Methods
We provided 75 adults (69%Female, 84%White, age = 50.8y, BMI = 31.2kg/m2) with a 3-month Internet-based weight loss program and assessed weight, food reward sensitivity (via the Power of Food Scale [PFS]), and impulsivity (via Go No-Go [GNG] and Delay Discounting [DD] computer tasks) at baseline and at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12. No additional intervention was provided Months 3–12. Multi-level mixed-effect models were used to examine changes in PFS, GNG, and DD over time and associations between these measures and weight loss/regain.

Results
Participants lost 6.0±1.1kg Months 0–3 and regained 2.4±1.1kg Months 3–12. Across time points, higher PFS scores were associated with higher weight, p = .007; however, there were no significant associations between GNG or DD and weight nor between the interactions of PFS and GNG or DD and weight, ps>.05. There were significant decreases from Months 0–3 in PFS, GNG, and DD, ps < .05; however, neither baseline values nor changes were significantly associated with weight change and there were no significant associations between the interactions of PFS and GNG or DD and weight change, ps>.05.

Conclusion
Results demonstrated an association between food reward sensitivity and weight. Further, decreases in both food reward sensitivity and impulsivity were observed during an initial weight loss program, but neither baseline levels nor improvements were associated with weight change. Taken together, results suggest that the constructs of food reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and reinforcement pathology may have limited clinical utility within behavioral weight management interventions. Future intervention studies should examine whether food-related impulsivity tasks lead to a similar pattern of results.
Anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antioxidant potential of compounds from Dioscorea bulbifera L. bulbils
Authors: Chaniad Prapaporn , Tewtrakul Supinya , Sudsai Teeratad , Langyanai Supat , Kaewdana Kantarakorn 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundDioscorea bulbiferaL. (Dioscoreaceae) has been traditionally used in Thai folk medicine as a diuretic and anthelmintic, for longevity preparations, and for wound and inflammation treatment. This plant is also commonly used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicines in the treatment of sore throat, gastric cancer, rectal carcinoma and goiters. However, the wound healing effects of the active compounds in this plant have not been investigated.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify compounds responsible for the wound healing activity ofD.bulbiferaand determine their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.MethodsCrude extracts ofD.bulbiferabulbils, their derived fractions and eleven purified compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. The wound healing effects were evaluated via cell proliferation and migration assays using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and the antioxidant effects were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenging activity assays.Results15,16-Epoxy-6α-O-acetyl-8β-hydroxy-19-nor-clero-13(16),14-diene-17,12;18,2-diolide (2), (+)-catechin (5), quercetin (6) and myricetin (11) exhibited significantly potent wound healing effects and promoted marked cell proliferation, resulting in % viabilities of 107.4–137.6, 121.1–151.9, 98.0–131.9, 90.9–115.9, respectively. Among them, (+)-catechin produced the highest % cell migration, resulting in 100.0% wound closure sooner (at day 2) than the other compounds. In addition, 1 μg/ml (+)-catechin significantly increased fibroblast migration by 2.4-fold compared to that in the control after 24 h. Regarding anti-inflammatory properties, kaempferol (7) and quercetin (6) decreased (p< 0.005) NO production, with IC50values of 46.6 and 56.2 μM, respectively. In addition, the crude extracts, solvent fractions and flavonoid compounds were also found to possess marked antioxidant activity in both DPPH and•OH radical scavenging assays.ConclusionsThese findings provide more evidence to support the traditional use ofD.bulbiferafor the treatment of wounds and inflammation.
Development and validation of a clinical instrument to predict risk of an adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients
Authors: Lima Sara Iasmin Vieira Cunha , Martins Rand Randall , Saldanha Valdjane , Silbiger Vivian Nogueira , dos Santos Isabelle Cristina Clemente , Araújo Ivonete Batista de , Oliveira Antonio Gouveia 
Published: December 2020

Objective
Development and internal validation of a clinical tool for assessment of the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADR) in hospitalized patients.

Methodology
Nested case-control study in an open cohort of all patients admitted to a general hospital. Cases of ADR were matched to two controls. Eighty four patient variables collected at the time of the ADR were analyzed by conditional logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression with clustering of cases in a random sample of 2/3 of the cases and respective controls, with baseline odds-ratio corrected with an estimate of ADR incidence, was used to obtain regression coefficients for each risk factor and to develop a risk score. The clinical tool was validated in the remaining 1/3 observations. The study was approved by the institution’s research ethics committee.

Results
In the 8060 hospitalized patients, ADR occurred in 343 (5.31%), who were matched to 686 controls. Fourteen variables were identified as independent risk factors of ADR: female, past history of ADR, heart rate ≥72 bpm, systolic blood pressure≥148 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure <79 mmHg, diabetes mellitus, serum urea ≥ 67 mg/dL, serum sodium ≥141 mmol/L, serum potassium ≥4.9 mmol/L, main diagnosis of neoplasia, prescription of ≥3 ATC class B drugs, prescription of ATC class R drugs, prescription of intravenous drugs and ≥ 6 oral drugs. In the validation sample, the ADR risk tool based on those variables showed sensitivity 61%, specificity 73% and area under the ROC curve 0.73.

Conclusion
We report a clinical tool for ADR risk stratification in patients hospitalized in general wards based on 14 variables.
Biomechanical analysis of a newly developed interspinous process device conjunction with interbody cage based on a finite element model
Authors: Bae In-Suk , Bak Koang-Hum , Chun Hyoung-Joon , Ryu Je Il , Park Sung-Jae , Lee Sung-Jae 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical effects of a newly developed interspinous process device (IPD), called TAU. This device was compared with another IPD (SPIRE) and the pedicle screw fixation (PSF) technique at the surgical and adjacent levels of the lumbar spine.

Materials and methods
A three-dimensional finite element model analysis of the L1-S1 segments was performed to assess the biomechanical effects of the proposed IPD combined with an interbody cage. Three surgical models—two IPD models (TAU and SPIRE) and one PSF model—were developed. The biomechanical effects, such as range of motion (ROM), intradiscal pressure (IDP), disc stress, and facet loads during extension were analyzed at surgical (L3-L4) and adjacent levels (L2-L3 and L4-L5). The study analyzed biomechanical parameters assuming that the implants were perfectly fused with the lumbar spine.

Results
The TAU model resulted in a 45%, 49%, 65%, and 51% decrease in the ROM at the surgical level in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, respectively, when compared to the intact model. Compared to the SPIRE model, TAU demonstrated advantages in stabilizing the surgical level, in all directions. In addition, the TAU model increased IDP at the L2-L3 and L4-L5 levels by 118.0% and 78.5% in flexion, 92.6% and 65.5% in extension, 84.4% and 82.3% in lateral bending, and 125.8% and 218.8% in axial rotation, respectively. Further, the TAU model exhibited less compensation at adjacent levels than the PSF model in terms of ROM, IDP, disc stress, and facet loads, which may lower the incidence of the adjacent segment disease (ASD).

Conclusion
The TAU model demonstrated more stabilization at the surgical level than SPIRE but less stabilization than the PSF model. Further, the TAU model demonstrated less compensation at adjacent levels than the PSF model, which may lower the incidence of ASD in the long term. The TAU device can be used as an alternative system for treating degenerative lumbar disease while maintaining the physiological properties of the lumbar spine and minimizing the degeneration of adjacent segments.
Combined treatment of sorafenib and doxorubicin-loaded microbubble-albumin nanoparticle complex for hepatocellular carcinoma: A feasibility study
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Kim Jung Hoon , Moon Hyungwon , Lee Hak Jong , Han Joon Koo 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
To assess the feasibility of the combined sorafenib (SOR) and doxorubicin-loaded microbubble-albumin nanoparticle complex (DOX-MAC) treatment effect in an orthotopic rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods
Sixty-two rats with N1-S1 hepatoma were divided into four groups according to the treatment methods, i.e. G1 (SOR and DOX-MAC; n = 12), G2 (SOR; n = 15), G3 (DOX-MAC; n = 12), G4 (DOX; n = 11), and G5 (normal saline; n = 12). We performed the theragnostic, contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination and treatment at the baseline, one-week, and two-weeks. Tumor volume and perfusion parameters were compared at each time point and the differences between all of the groups over time were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. We also analyzed the apoptotic index and microvessel density (MVD) per each tumor specimen in all of the groups.

Results
The tumors increased from the beginning in all of the groups to the final follow-up, whereas the tumor growth in the G1 group and the G2 group was inhibited during the treatment period compared to the baseline tumor volume (P = 0.016 and P = 0.031). The G1 group resulted in tumor growth inhibition compared to the control group (P = 0.008). The G1 group showed that the peak enhancement and wash-in area under the curve were lower than that of the G4 group (P = 0.010 and 0.022). However, there was no difference in perfusion parameters in the other treated group compared to control group. The MVD of the G1 group tumor was lower than that of the G4 group (P = .016).

Conclusion
Our results suggest that the combination therapy of SOR and DOX-MAC can cause inhibition of tumor growth after treatment and that this therapy can be adequately monitored using the theragnostic DOX-MAC agent.
Persistence of symptoms and quality of life at 35 days after hospitalization for COVID-19 infection
Authors: Jacobs Laurie G. , Gourna Paleoudis Elli , Lesky-Di Bari Dineen , Nyirenda Themba , Friedman Tamara , Gupta Anjali , Rasouli Lily , Zetkulic Marygrace , Balani Bindu , Ogedegbe Chinwe , Bawa Harinder , Berrol Lauren , Qureshi Nabiha , Aschner Judy L. 
Published: December 2020

Background
Characterizing the prevalence and persistence of symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection following hospitalization and their impact is essential to planning post-acute community-based clinical services. This study seeks to identify persistent COVID-19 symptoms in patients 35 days post-hospitalization and their impact on quality of life, health, physical, mental, and psychosocial function.

Methods and findings
This prospective cohort study used the PROMIS® Instruments to identify symptoms and quality of life parameters in consecutively enrolled patients between March 22 and April 16, 2020, in New Jersey. The 183 patients (median age 57 years; 61.5% male, 54.1% white) reported persistent symptoms at 35 days, including fatigue (55.0%), dyspnea (45.3%), muscular pain (51%), associated with a lower odds rating general health (41.5%, OR 0.093 [95% CI: 0.026, 0.329], p = 0.0002), quality of life (39.8%; OR 0.116 [95% CI: 0.038, 0.364], p = 0.0002), physical health (38.7%, OR 0.055 [95% CI: 0.016, 0.193], p <0.0001), mental health (43.7%, OR 0.093 [95% CI: 0.021, 0.418], p = 0.0019) and social active role (38.7%, OR 0.095 [95% CI: 0.031, 0.291], p<0.0001), as very good/excellent, particularly adults aged 65 to 75 years (OR 8·666 [95% CI: 2·216, 33·884], p = 0·0019).

Conclusions
COVID-19 symptoms commonly persist to 35 days, impacting quality of life, health, physical and mental function. Early post-acute evaluation of symptoms and their impact on function is necessary to plan community-based services.
Healthcare workers’ knowledge, preparedness, counselling practices, and perceived barriers to confront COVID-19: A cross-sectional study from a war-torn country, Yemen
Authors: Al-Ashwal Fahmi Y. , Kubas Mohammed , Zawiah Mohammed , Bitar Ahmad Naoras , Mukred Saeed Ramzi , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Khan Amer Hayat , Ghadzi Siti Maisharah Sheikh 
Published: December 2020

Background
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) represents a difficult challenge and could have devastating consequences for the healthcare system and healthcare workers in war-torn countries with poor healthcare facilities such as Yemen. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, preparedness, counselling practices of healthcare workers regarding COVID-19, and the perceived barriers to adequately prevent and control COVID-19 in Yemen.

Methods
Healthcare workers (HCWs) from major healthcare facilities participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire comprising of five main domains (demographics, knowledge, self-preparedness, counselling practice, perceived barriers) was distributed among HCWs after obtaining informed consent. A convenient sampling technique was used. Descriptive and inferential analyses were applied using SPSS software.

Results
A total of 1000 participants were initially targeted to participate in the study with 514 (51.4%) responding, of which 55.3% were female. Physicians and nurses constituted the largest proportion of participants, with 39.5% and 33.3%, respectively. The median scores for knowledge, self-preparedness, and counselling practice were 8 (out of 9), 9 (out of 15), and 25 (out of 30), respectively. The physician group showed a statistically significant association with better knowledge compared to the nurse group only, P<0.001. Males had higher preparedness scores than females, p<0.001. Also, the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency departments presented a statistically significant difference by which the participants from these departments were more prepared compared to the others (e.g. outpatients, paediatrics and surgery) with P < 0.0001. The lack of awareness among the general population about COVID-19 preventive measures was perceived as the most common barrier for the adequate prevention and control of COVID-19 in Yemen (89.1%).

Conclusion
The major highlight of this study is that HCWs have, overall, good knowledge, suboptimal preparedness, and adequate counselling practices prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Yemen, despite the high number of perceived barriers. However, urgent action and interventions are needed to improve the preparedness of HCWs to manage COVID-19. The perceived barriers also need to be fully addressed by the local healthcare authorities and international organisations working in Yemen for adequate prevention and control measures to be in place in managing COVID-19.
Keratin-18: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Theragnostic for Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
Authors: McClain Craig J. , Vatsalya Vatsalya , Mitchell Mack C. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
It is still sometimes difficult to differentiate alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) from other liver problems. In this edition of AJG, Atkinson et al. showed that keratin-18 (intermediate filament protein) is a promising biomarker for predicting histological severity of AH, defining the type of hepatocyte death (necrosis vs apoptosis), predicting 90-day mortality, and predicting the response to corticosteroid therapy in severe AH. The authors conclude that K18 is diagnostic, prognostic, and may be a theragnostic marker for prednisolone therapy and note that “serum K18 estimation should be adopted into routine clinical practice.” We agree.
Déconfiner la perception scientifique en france
Authors: Gignoux-Ezratty Véronique 
Published: December 2020

La pandémie de la Covid-19 amène à repenser le monde, à prendre conscience de la nécessité d’un nouveau modèle socio-économique. Mais comment faire quand il existe un déni de la rigueur scientifique dans le monde politique et médiatique comme en France ?
Combien de discours sur l’efficacité d’une politique économique sont basés sur une hypothèse fausse, celle que "corrélation veut dire causalité" ? Pourquoi y-a-t-il tant de débats télévisés où des polémistes s’improvisent experts ou expertes ? Pourquoi des gouvernants sont incapables de prendre en compte des questions de logistique basiques pour la mise à disposition de masques de protection ? Pourquoi l’enseignement des mathématiques et des sciences font l’objet depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années d’un dénigrement construit par une répétition d’arguments infondés ?
La capacité collective de repérer ce qui est scientifiquement prouvé et ce qui ne l’est pas, manque à la France et à un grand nombre de pays industrialisés. Il s’agit d’un handicap qui impacte directement la capacité d’évoluer vers une économie acceptée par la majorité des citoyens et basée sur le réel. Cette incapacité alimente le risque de crise économique et d’explosions sociétales. Ce qui est fait défaut n’est pas une connaissance des dernières découvertes scientifiques, mais celle des fondamentaux de la rigueur scientifique, des limites des modèles et de la valeur des sondages.
Pour changer la compréhension des sciences, deux leviers sont possibles. Le premier porte sur la conscience du grand public et des médias, le deuxième sur la gouvernance de l’enseignement des sciences à l’école.
Cette communication fait l’état des lieux en France, propose des hypothèses sur les évolutions socio-culturelles d’ordre systémique qui ont conduit à cette situation. Deux actions nécessaire dans deux champs sont développées : la communication médiatique et l’éducation en sciences.
Social Transmission and Buffering of Hippocampal Metaplasticity after Stress in Mice
Authors: Lee I-Chen , Yu Ting-Hsuan , Liu Wen-Hsin , Hsu Kuei-Sen 
Published: December 2020

In social animals, the behavioral and hormonal responses to stress can be transmitted from one individual to another through a social transmission process, and, conversely, social support ameliorates stress responses, a phenomenon referred to as social buffering. Metaplasticity represents activity-dependent synaptic changes that modulate the ability to elicit subsequent synaptic plasticity. Authentic stress can induce hippocampal metaplasticity, but whether transmitted stress has the same ability remains unknown. Here, using an acute restraint–tailshock stress paradigm, we report that both authentic and transmitted stress in adult male mice trigger metaplastic facilitation of long-term depression (LTD) induction at hippocampal CA1 synapses. Using LTD as a readout of persistent synaptic consequences of stress, our findings demonstrate that, in a male–male dyad, stress transmission happens in nearly half of naive partners and stress buffering occurs in approximately half of male stressed mice that closely interact with naive partners. By using a social-confrontation tube test to assess the dominant–subordinate relationship in a male–male dyad, we found that stressed subordinate mice are not buffered by naive dominant partners and that stress transmission is exhibited in ∼60% of dominant naive partners. Furthermore, the appearance of stress transmission correlates with more time spent in sniffing the anogenital area of stressed mice, and the appearance of stress buffering correlates with more time engaged in allogrooming from naive partners. Chemical ablation of the olfactory epithelium with dichlobenil or physical separation between social contacts diminishes stress transmission. Together, our data demonstrate that transmitted stress can elicit metaplastic facilitation of LTD induction as authentic stress.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSocial animals can acquire information about their environment through interactions with conspecifics. Stress can induce enduring changes in neural activity and synaptic function. Current studies are already unraveling the transmission and buffering of stress responses between individuals, but little is known about the relevant synaptic changes associated with social transmission and buffering of stress. Here, we show that authentic and transmitted stress can prime glutamatergic synapses onto hippocampal CA1 neurons to undergo long-term depression. This hippocampal metaplasticity is bufferable following social interactions with naive partners. Hierarchical status of naive partners strongly affects the social buffering effect on synaptic consequences of stress. This work provides novel insights into the conceptual framework for synaptic changes with social transmission and buffering of stress.