bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Desialylation of platelet surface glycans enhances platelet adhesion to adsorbent polymers for lipoprotein apheresis
Authors: Lauková Lucia , Weiss René , Semak Vladislav , Weber Viktoria 
Published: November 2020

Background: Lipoprotein apheresis is an important therapeutic option in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, progressive atherosclerosis, or when depletion of lipoprotein(a) is indicated. It is generally regarded as safe, but drops in platelet counts as well as sporadic episodes of thrombocytopenia have been reported. We assessed the influence of platelet desialylation, which may be induced by endogenous or pathogen-derived neuraminidases, on platelet adhesion to polyacrylate-based adsorbents for whole blood lipoprotein apheresis. Methods: Medical grade platelet concentrates were incubated with neuraminidase in vitro and were circulated over adsorbent columns downscaled from clinical application. Results: Cleavage of terminal sialic residues resulted in platelet activation with significantly elevated expression of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and in enhanced platelet adhesion to the adsorbent, accompanied by a pronounced drop in platelet counts in the column flow-through. Conclusion: Alterations in endogenous neuraminidase activity or exogenous (pathogen-derived) neuraminidase may trigger enhanced platelet adhesion in whole blood lipoprotein apheresis.
Debunking the High Cost of Healthy Diets: Consumer Behavior Predicts Dietary Energy Density in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults
Authors: Vernarelli Jacqueline A. , DiSarro Rebecca 
Published: November 2020

Purpose: Dietary energy density (ED; kcal/g) is an established marker for diet quality and a risk factor for obesity. Previous studies have suggested that low-ED diets cost more than high-ED diets, adding an economic contribution to the obesity epidemic. This study evaluated the relationship between consumer behavior (money spent on food) and dietary energy density in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Design, Setting and Subjects: Data from 10,622 adult participants in the 2013-2016 NHANES were used for this study. The NHANES is a large cross-sectional survey conducted by the CDC and NCHS. Measures: Consumer behavior was evaluated by examining total dollars spent on food, as well as dollars spent at various categories of food stores & restaurants. Dietary ED was calculated using multiple methods. Analysis: Multivariate regression models were then used to evaluate the relationship between consumer behavior, defined as money spent in four categories (groceries, take-out, dining out, other food purchases) and dietary energy density. Results: Low-ED diets did not cost more than high-ED diets overall, though low-ED diets contained more servings of fruits (1.6 vs 0.4), vegetables (2.2 vs 0.9) and fiber (21 vs 13g), and fewer added sugars (15 vs. 18 tsp), solid fats (28 vs 39g), all p’s < 0.01. Differences in spending patterns were identified. A positive linear trend between money spent on fast food/takeout and dietary energy density (p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, individuals in the lowest quartile of ED spent more at grocery stores per person than individuals in the highest quartile of ED ($182 vs. $150 p = 0.04). Conclusion: Spending pattern and consumer choices are associated with dietary ED in this cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative population sample. Identifying eating behaviors associated with diets high in energy density may inform future investigations that intervene on dietary habit for promotion of healthy eating and prevention of weight gain.
Effectiveness of training and educational programs for hospital managers: A systematic review
Authors: Ravaghi Hamid , Beyranvand Tina , Mannion Russell , Alijanzadeh Mehran , Aryankhesal Aidin , Belorgeot Victoria D 
Published: November 2020

Background Developing and strengthening the competencies and skills of health care managers is a key objective in many health systems. Selecting adequate training methods, content, and using appropriate criteria for assessing their impact is fundamental for improving their usefulness and effectiveness. Filling an important gap in knowledge, this review assesses the evidence on the effectiveness of different types of training and educational programmes delivered to hospital managers. Methods In this narrative systematic review, the following electronic databases were searched for literature published between January 1st, 1990 and January 31st, 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Results In total, 9 articles were included. Results showed that the main topics covered by training programs for hospital managers were: planning, organization and coordination, control and supervision of hospital staff, teamwork, communication, motivation and leadership, monitoring and evaluation, and quality improvement skills. Training in these skills was found to improve managers’ strategic and operational planning abilities, change management and behavioural management methods, and leadership. Conclusions The examined training programs had a relatively positive effect on the managerial skills, knowledge and competencies of hospital managers. In general, these capacity-building programs focused on developing three types of skills: technical, interpersonal and conceptual. Training programs focused on developing technical skills among managers were more effective than those focused on developing other types of skills. Increased investment and large-scale planning are needed to develop better the knowledge and competencies of hospital managers.
Enforcing workers’ compensation rights for Chinese seafarers in human resource supply chains
Authors: Shan Desai , Zhang Pengfei 
Published: November 2020

Non-compliance with labour standards impedes enforcement of workers’ rights in human resource supply chains. Despite governments’ efforts to improve labour standards and encourage employer-centred voluntary compliance programmes, infringements of workers’ rights are widely reported. Using a qualitative socio-legal study of Chinese seafarers’ workers’ compensation rights, we investigate whether shipping companies and their crewing agencies comply with their legal obligations following workplace injuries and fatalities. Through 74 semi-structured interviews and analysis of crew management policies from 7 shipping companies, we identify a failure of most shipowners’ internal policies to comply with legal obligations. Furthermore, multinational shipping companies use crewing agencies to evade their liabilities to injured seafarers. We propose the establishment of a joint liability mechanism between employers and labour intermediaries to fill this compliance gap that exists in global human resource supply chains. JEL Codes: J81, J83, L91, M54, N75
A Multicenter Qualitative Analysis of Medical Student Narratives After a Palliative Care Elective
Authors: Sagin Alana , Ellman Matthew S. , Shariff Ruhi R. , Jones Christopher A. , Tindall Kate , Siropaides Caitlin H. 
Published: November 2020

Background: The medical student experience of a clinical elective in palliative care (PC) remains understudied. Reflective narrative interventions can help students hone narrative competency skills, make sense of their clinical experiences and shed light on their perception of the rotation. Objectives: To evaluate medical student written reflections after a PC clinical elective. Design: Students were asked to write a short reflective essay after PC clinical electives using open-ended writing prompts. Setting: Essays were collected from third and fourth-year medical students after completion of a PC elective at three geographically diverse academic medical centers in the United States. Measurements: Essays were coded for themes using a conventional content qualitative method of analysis. Results: Thirty-four essays were analyzed and four major themes emerged: reflection on the mission of medicine or motivation for being in medicine, reflection on professional skills or lessons learned, reflection on patient’s experience and personal responses to PC rotation. Sub-themes were also identified. Conclusions: Themes underscore the utility of the PC clinical elective as a meaningful experience that imparts useful skills, builds empathy, reminds students of their own motivations for being in medicine and serves as a catalyst for reflection on their own lives and relationships with their patients. Awareness of medical students’ personal and emotional responses to a PC elective can help inform educators as they support their students and provide opportunities for reflection and education.
Plasma and urinary F2-isoprostane markers of oxidative stress are increased in cats with early (stage 1) chronic kidney disease
Authors: Granick Martin , Leuin Allison S , Trepanier Lauren A 
Published: November 2020

Objectives Oxidative stress contributes to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in humans and rodent models; F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) are established biomarkers of oxidative stress. Our primary aim was to evaluate plasma F2-IsoPs in cats with International Renal Interest Society stage 1 and 2 CKD, compared with healthy cats, and to determine whether plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs are equivalent biomarkers. The secondary aim was to assess whether consumption of a renal diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids led to improvements in plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs. Methods Plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs were measured in 24 cats with stage 1 or 2 CKD, and 12 unaffected controls aged ⩾6 years. Twelve CKD cats were re-evaluated after feeding a commercial renal diet for at least 4 weeks. Results Median plasma F2-IsoPs were significantly higher in stage 1 CKD (96.2 pg/ml), early stage 2 CKD (83.2 pg/ml) and late stage 2 CKD (80.8 pg/ml) compared with healthy cats (22.8 pg/ml; P = 0.03−0.002). Median urinary F2-IsoPs were significantly higher in cats with stage 1 CKD (231.2 pg/mg) compared with healthy cats (152.5 pg/mg) or cats with late stage 2 CKD (124.8 pg/mg; P = 0.01). Plasma F2-IsoPs remained increased, while urinary F2-IsoPs fell with transition from stage 1 to stage 2 CKD. Feeding a commercial renal diet led to significant decreases in plasma F2-IsoPs in the small group of cats with stage 1 CKD (25−75% decrease) compared with cats with stage 2 CKD (20% decrease to 53% increase; P = 0.01). Conclusions and relevance Oxidative stress is prominent in cats with stage 1 CKD. Plasma and urinary F2-IsoPs are not interchangeable biomarkers in cats with stage 2 CKD. Placebo-controlled studies are indicated to evaluate dietary or pharmacologic doses of omega-3 fatty acids on redox stress and progression of renal dysfunction in cats with stage 1 CKD.
Vitrectomy with fovea-sparing ILM peeling versus total ILM peeling for myopic traction maculopathy: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Jingye , Xu Qian , Luan Jie 
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To evaluate the effect and safety of fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (FSIP) for myopic traction maculopathy comparing with that of total ILM peeling (TP). Methods: PubMed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane, EBSCO and CNKI, published until January 2020, were searched. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative central foveal thickness (CFT), the rate of visual improvement and anatomic success were the main outcome parameters, and the secondary outcome parameters were postoperative complications. Random-effects models were chosen in regard with multi-studies. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and odds ratio (OR) were applied as effect sizes of continuous and binomial data, respectively. Results: Six comparative studies involving 193 eyes were included. Better postoperative BCVA was detected in the FSIP group (SMD = −0.39, 95%CI: −0.69 to −0.09, p = 0.01). The FSIP group had a higher rate of vision improvement with statistical significance (OR = 3.86, 95%CI: 1.36 to 10.97, p = 0.01). Both surgical methods had similar outcomes for postoperative CFT (SMD = 0.07, 95%CI: −0.27 to 0.40, p = 0.70). The FSIP group had a higher rate of anatomic success, though there was no obvious significance (OR = 2.54, 95%CI: 0.96 to 6.74, p = 0.06). For the development of postoperative full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), the rate was lower in the FSIP group (OR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.64, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Vitrectomy with fovea-sparing ILM peeling for myopic traction maculopathy could gain better visual outcomes and decrease incidence of FTMH development, though there was no obvious difference in postoperative CFT and the rate of anatomic success between two groups.
Accuracy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography for pre-operative localization of insertions of extraocular recti muscles
Authors: Jayaraj Sreeram , Singh Anupam , Agrawal Ajai , Panyala Rakesh , Samanta Ramanuj , Mittal SK , Kumar Barun 
Published: November 2020

Introduction: To study the accuracy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) in calculating the insertion of rectus muscles from the limbus in patients undergoing primary squint surgery. Methodology: A prospective, double-masked, observational study was conducted on 128 muscles of 46 patients with strabismus who were planned for strabismus surgery between January 2019 and December 2019. Insertion distance from limbus was measured using AS-OCT function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 preoperatively. Intraoperative measurements were taken using Castroviejo caliper. A Bland-Altman analysis was performed to determine the agreement between the readings. Results: A total of 128 muscles were successfully imaged and evaluated, including 13 superior recti (10.15%), 23 inferior recti (17.96%), 35 medial recti (27.34%) and 57 lateral recti (44.53%). 124 muscles (96.9%) were within 1mm difference, which was considered clinically acceptable. Bland-Altman plots showed the level of agreement between the two methods was good. Conclusion: Anterior segment scan function of Cirrus HD-OCT 500 is an accurate method to detect the insertion of extraocular recti muscles in patients of primary strabismus surgery.
Clinical Outcomes Among Bullous Pemphigoid Patients—A Comparison of Urban and Rural Populations
Authors: MacGillivray Megan E. , Gill Navjeet , Salopek Thomas G. , Gniadecki Robert 
Published: November 2020

Background Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease. It can be challenging to manage and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Access to dermatologic care is essential for patients with BP. However, the influence of geographic residence and distance to specialty care on patient outcomes or treatment regimens is unknown. Objective Assess whether the rural-dwelling or urban-dwelling geographic status of our patients impacts the treatment duration of systemic corticosteroids (CS) in the management of BP. Numerous secondary outcomes were evaluated including the cumulative systemic corticosteroid dose received, steroid-sparing agent utilized, and duration and number of follow-up appointments. Methods Retrospective analysis of patient records from January 2013 to May 2019 seen at the university-associated clinic in Edmonton, Alberta. Patients were stratified based on their rural-dwelling or urban-dwelling status via their Forward Sortation Area. Results There were 59 patients with BP. Of these, 37 completed their systemic corticosteroid course. The time required for 51.0% of the urban group to complete their steroid course was 543 days, and for 51.5% of the rural group it was 507 days. Methotrexate and azathioprine were the most common steroid-sparing agents utilized in both groups. Rural patients were seen in follow-up significantly less often than urban patients. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that the location of a patient’s geographic residence does not influence the systemic corticosteroid or steroid-sparing agent use at our center. Interestingly, rural patients are able to receive similar treatment to urban patients despite having significantly fewer follow-up appointments.
Autism and Williams syndrome: Dissimilar socio-cognitive profiles with similar patterns of abnormal gene expression in the blood
Authors: Niego Amy , Benítez-Burraco Antonio 
Published: November 2020

Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome exhibit quite opposite features in the social domain, but also share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of subjects with these two conditions. We found a significant overlap between differentially expressed genes compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them exhibiting a similar trend in both conditions, but with genes being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. These genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis. Lay abstract Autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome are complex cognitive conditions exhibiting quite opposite features in the social domain: whereas people with autism spectrum disorders are mostly hyposocial, subjects with Williams syndrome are usually reported as hypersocial. At the same time, autism spectrum disorders and Williams syndrome share some common underlying behavioral and cognitive deficits. It is not clear, however, which genes account for the attested differences (and similarities) in the socio-cognitive domain. In this article, we adopted a comparative molecular approach and looked for genes that might be differentially (or similarly) regulated in the blood of people with these conditions. We found a significant overlap between genes dysregulated in the blood of patients compared to neurotypical controls, with most of them being upregulated or, in some cases, downregulated. Still, genes with similar expression trends can exhibit quantitative differences between conditions, with most of them being more dysregulated in Williams syndrome than in autism spectrum disorders. Differentially expressed genes are involved in aspects of brain development and function (particularly dendritogenesis) and are expressed in brain areas (particularly the cerebellum, the thalamus, and the striatum) of relevance for the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome etiopathogenesis. Overall, these genes emerge as promising candidates for the similarities and differences between the autism spectrum disorder and the Williams syndrome socio-cognitive profiles.
Long Non-Coding RNA NKILA Reduces Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development Through the NF-KappaB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Daoyong , Zhong Tian , Dai Qun 
Published: November 2020

Objective: Emerging studies have identified that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in cancer development. This study aims to explore the mechanism of NF-KappaB (NF-κB) interacting lncRNA (NKILA) in the pathological process of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: NKILA expression in OSCC tissues, paracancerous tissues, and normal human oral keratinocytes and OSCC cell lines was detected using RT-qPCR. KB cells were selected for the follow-up experiments. The role of NKILA in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and NF-κB signaling pathway was identified using the gain- and loss-of function of NKILA in OSCC cells. Additionally, the role of NKILA in vitro was determined by inducing xenograft tumors in nude mice. Results: NKILA was poorly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration, tumor volume and weight were significantly suppressed in cells with overexpressed NKILA, while silencing NKILA led to opposite trends. Moreover, the protein levels of p-IκBα and nuclear-p65 were markedly decreased, while the levels of IκBα and cytoplasm-p65 were enhanced in cells with overexpressed NKILA. Conclusion: This study provided evidence that NKILA could reduce proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. The findings may offer new insights for OSCC prevention and treatment.
A multiresolution simulation system and simulation development processes
Authors: Jee Young-Jun , Lee Tae-Gyung , Park Sang-Ho , Cho Jun-Ho , Kim Hee-Soo , Lee Tae-Eog 
Published: November 2020

Defense modeling and simulation often should run multiple simulation models together to share information on their combat entity states and battlefields and to interact with each other. However, most simulation models were developed by various parties with different purposes, modeling views, and model resolutions. Therefore, it has been challenging to identify differences between the models, transform one’s information for the other models, and manage interoperation between the models. There have been numerous works on multiresolution modeling (MRM) and simulation. However, we yet should have more systematic and integrated methods for designing, managing, and executing the interoperation processes of different simulation models. In this paper, we propose an integrated multiresolution simulation system for designing, developing, simulating, and managing multiple simulation models with different modeling views and resolutions. We propose an architecture, component functions, and processes, including model resolution conversion and management processes, and their Unified Modeling Language models. We also extend the Distributed Simulation Engineering and Execution Processes standard to incorporate MRM design and development processes. Finally, we present a case of MRM design and development of war game models by using the proposed system.