bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecotoxicological Assessment of the Doce River Surface Water After the Fundão Dam Collapse
Authors: Mendes Lucas Bueno , de Mello Fernando Aquinoga , Chagas Kátia Regina , Campelo Rodolfo Pessotti Messner , Medeiros Laila Carine Campos , Smith Ross Edward William , Furley Tatiana Heid 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
On 5 November 2015, the Samarco Fe ore mining operations released approximately 50 million cubic meters of mining waste into the environment, due to a dam collapse. Aiming at understanding the potential effects on the Doce River, different regions of the course of tailings were monitored using acute and chronic ecotoxicological tests with 4 species: Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia similis, Danio rerio, and Vibrio fischeri. The results showed no acute toxicity for water column organisms. However, chronic toxicity was observed with the tests with the microcrustacean C. dubia, mainly related to the physical effects of the passage of flood wave and increased suspended solids, given that toxicity was reduced after filtering the samples. The results showed different magnitudes of impact among the upper, middle, and lower Doce River, with greater impact close to the dam failure area. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:608–614. © 2020 SETAC
Stillbirth at term: Does size really matter?
Authors: Coutinho Conrado Milani , Melchiorre Karen , Thilaganathan Basky 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPlacental dysfunction has a deleterious influence on fetal size and is associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality. This association underpins the strategy of fetal size evaluation as a mechanism to identify placental dysfunction and prevent stillbirth. The optimal method of routine detection of small for gestational age (SGA) remains to be clarified with choices between estimation of symphyseal‐fundal height versus routine third‐trimester ultrasound, various formulae for fetal weight estimation by ultrasound, and the variable use of national, customized, or international fetal growth references. In addition to these controversies, the strategy for detecting SGA is further undermined by data demonstrating that the relationship between fetal size and adverse outcome weakens significantly with advancing gestation such that near term, the majority of stillbirths and adverse perinatal outcomes occur in normally sized fetuses. The use of maternal serum biochemical and Doppler parameters near term appears to be superior to fetal size in the identification of fetuses compromised by placental dysfunction and at increased risk of damage or demise. Multiparameter models and predictive algorithms using maternal risk factors, and biochemical and Doppler parameters have been developed, but need to be prospectively validated to demonstrate their effectiveness.
A fast and high frame rate adaptive beamforming using DCT‐based RF‐line recovery in line‐by‐line ultrasound imaging
Authors: Afrakhteh Sajjad , Behnam Hamid 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUltrasound imaging is an important modality used in medical imaging. One of the significant stages in the ultrasound imaging is the beamforming process. This article proposes a new technique for reducing the overall computational time of adaptive linear ultrasound imaging. The method uses the discrete cosine transform‐based reconstruction for missing data imputation. The novelty of the paper is that we do not need to beam‐form the total scan lines, so the time of image construction can be saved significantly. In other words, a fraction of the total scan lines is selected for beamforming and the others are assumed to have values as Not‐a‐Number (NaN). The proposed reconstruction technique tries to assign appropriate values to the NaN ones. We applied the proposed method to the simulated and experimental radio frequency (RF) datasets for resolution and contrast evaluation. Results showed that the proposed technique is near to the minimum variance (MV) method in terms of resolution and contrast, and has less computational time for image formation compared to the MV. As some quantitative examples in some experiments we have formed only 50% and 33% of the total lines and reconstructed the rest, then we have been able to increase the frame rate twice and three times, respectively, which can be very useful in many applications, especially in echocardiography imaging. In addition, since the execution time of the reconstruction algorithm is not very significant, we were also able to increase the speed by two and three times while achieving an error of less than 10% compared to the case of using all image lines.
Desferoxamine protects against glucocorticoid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head via activating HIF‐1α expression
Authors: Jing Xingzhi , Du Ting , Yang Xiaoxia , Zhang Weimin , Wang Guodong , Liu Xiaoyang , Li Tao , Jiang Zhensong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGlucocorticoid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GIOFH) is one of the most common complications of glucocorticoid administration. By chelating Fe2+, desferoxamine (DFO) was reported to be able to activate the HIF‐1α/VEGF pathway and promote angiogenesis. In the present study, we examined whether DFO administration could promote angiogenesis and bone repair in GIOFH. GIOFH was induced in rats by methylprednisolone in combination with lipopolysaccharide. Bone repair was assessed by histologic analysis and microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT). Vascularization was assessed by Microfil perfusion and micro‐CT analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze the expression of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and CD31. Our in vivo study revealed that DFO increased HIF‐1α/VEGF expression and promoted angiogenesis and osteogenesis in GIOFH. Moreover, our in vitro study revealed that DFO restored dexamethone‐induced HIF‐1α downregulation and angiogenesis inhibition. Besides, our in vitro study also demonstrated that DFO could protect bone marrow‐derived stem cells from dexamethone‐induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction by promoting mitophagy and mitochondrial fission. In summary, our data provided useful information for the development of novel therapeutics for management of GIOFH.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Ranirestat in Patients With Hepatic Impairment
Authors: Itou Minoru , Fujita Tomoe , Inoue Kazuaki , Uchida Naoki , Takagaki Takeshi , Ishii Daisuke , Kakuyama Hiroyoshi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRanirestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor hypothesized to improve diabetic neuropathy. An open‐label, single‐dose, parallel‐group study was conducted to compare pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of an oral dose of ranirestat across subjects with normal hepatic function and patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment because ranirestat is expected to be used by patients with diabetes mellitus, possibly including those with hepatic impairment. To evaluate the necessity for dose adjustment, PK profiles and tolerability were studied at the dose of 40 mg, the expected optimal clinical dose in patients with diabetic neuropathy and normal hepatic function. In total, 20 subjects, including 5, 10, and 5 subjects with normal hepatic function, mild hepatic impairment, and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively, completed the study. Serial PK sampling was conducted up to 504 hours, and PK parameters were calculated and compared between healthy subjects and patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. The geometric mean ratios of peak concentration and area under the concentration‐time curve in patients with mild hepatic impairment (90%CI) were 86.7% (55.3% to 135.9%) and 84.7% (68.5% to 104.8%), respectively. The values in patients with moderate hepatic impairment were 81.3% (48.8% to 135.5%) and 91.7% (72.1% to 116.7%), respectively. These results demonstrated that plasma ranirestat exposure and the plasma protein binding of the drug were not substantially altered by normal, mild, or moderate hepatic impairment (protein binding 99.22%, 99.29%, and 99.00%, respectively). All adverse events were mild in severity. Based on these findings, no dose adjustment will be required for ranirestat in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
Long‐term human IgG treatment improves heart and muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Zschüntzsch Jana , Jouvenal Pia Vanessa , Zhang Yaxin , Klinker Florian , Tiburcy Malte , Liebetanz David , Malzahn Dörthe , Brinkmeier Heinrich , Schmidt Jens 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle‐wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which leads to structural instability of the dystrophin–glycoprotein‐complex with subsequent muscle degeneration. In addition, muscle inflammation has been implicated in disease progression and therapeutically addressed with glucocorticosteroids. These have numerous adverse effects. Treatment with human immunoglobulin G (IgG) improved clinical and para‐clinical parameters in the early disease phase in the well‐established mdx mouse model. The aim of the present study was to confirm the efficacy of IgG in a long‐term pre‐clinical study in mdx mice.MethodsIgG (2 g/kg body weight) or NaCl solution as control was administered monthly over 18 months by intraperitoneal injection in mdx mice beginning at 3 weeks of age. Several clinical outcome measures including endurance, muscle strength, and echocardiography were assessed. After 18 months, the animals were sacrificed, blood was collected for analysis, and muscle samples were obtained for ex vivo muscle contraction tests, quantitative PCR, and histology.ResultsIgG significantly improved the daily voluntary running performance (1.9 m more total daily running distance, P < 0.0001) and slowed the decrease in grip strength by 0.1 mN, (P = 0.018). IgG reduced fatigability of the diaphragm (improved ratio to maximum force by 0.09 ± 0.04, P = 0.044), but specific tetanic force remained unchanged in the ex vivo muscle contraction test. Cardiac function was significantly better after IgG, especially fractional area shortening (P = 0.012). These results were accompanied by a reduction in cardiac fibrosis and the infiltration of T cells (P = 0.0002) and macrophages (P = 0.0027). In addition, treatment with IgG resulted in a significant reduction of the infiltration of T cells (P ≤ 0.036) in the diaphragm, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and a similar trend in tibialis anterior and macrophages (P ≤ 0.045) in gastrocnemius, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and a similar trend in the diaphragm, as well as a decrease in myopathic changes as reflected by a reduced central nuclear index in the diaphragm, tibialis anterior, and quadriceps (P ≤ 0.002 in all).ConclusionsThe present study underscores the importance of an inflammatory contribution to the disease progression of DMD. The data demonstrate the long‐term efficacy of IgG in the mdx mouse. IgG is well tolerated by humans and could preferentially complement gene therapy in DMD. The data call for a clinical trial with IgG in DMD.
Multiple forms of discrimination and internalized stigma compromise retention in HIV care among adolescents: findings from a South African cohort
Authors: Pantelic Marija , Casale Marisa , Cluver Lucie , Toska Elona , Moshabela Mosa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionEfficacious antiretroviral treatment (ART) enables people to live long and healthy lives with HIV but young people are dying from AIDS‐related causes more than ever before. Qualitative evidence suggest that various forms of HIV‐related discrimination and resulting shame act as profound barriers to young people’s engagement with HIV services. However, the impact of these risks on adolescent retention in HIV care has not been quantified. This study has two aims: (1) to examine whether and how different types of discrimination compromise retention in care among adolescents living with HIV in South Africa; and (2) to test whether internalized stigma mediates these relationships.MethodsBetween 2014 and 2017, adolescents living with HIV (aged 10 to 19) from 53 health facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, were interviewed at baseline (n = 1059) and 18‐month follow‐up (n = 979, 92.4%), with responses linked to medical records. Data were analysed through multiple regression and mediation models.ResultsAbout 37.9% of adolescents reported full retention in care over the 2‐year period, which was associated with reduced odds of viral failure (OR: 0.371; 95% CI: .224, .614). At baseline, 6.9% of adolescents reported discrimination due to their HIV status; 14.9% reported discrimination due to HIV in their families and 19.1% reported discrimination in healthcare settings. Healthcare discrimination was associated with reduced retention in care both directly (effect: −0.120; CI: −0.190, −0.049) and indirectly through heightened internalized stigma (effect: 0.329; 95% CI: 0.129, 0.531). Discrimination due to family HIV was associated with reduced retention in care both directly (effect: −0.074, CI: −0.146, −0.002) and indirectly through heightened internalized stigma (effect: 0.816, CI: 0.494, 1.140). Discrimination due to adolescent HIV was associated with reduced retention in care only indirectly, through increased internalized stigma (effect: 0.408; CI: 0.102, 0.715).ConclusionsLess than half of adolescents reported 2‐year retention in HIV care. Multiple forms of discrimination and the resultant internalized stigma contributed to this problem. More intervention research is urgently needed to design and test adolescent‐centred interventions so that young people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives in the era of efficacious anti‐retroviral treatment.
The value of clinical parameters in predicting the severity of COVID‐19
Authors: Shang Weifeng , Dong Junwu , Ren Yali , Tian Ming , Li Wei , Hu Jianwu , Li Yuanyuan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTo study the relationship between clinical indexes and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), and to explore its role in predicting the severity of COVID‐19. Clinical data of 443 patients with COVID‐19 admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, which were divided into nonsevere group (n = 304) and severe group (n = 139) according to their condition. Clinical indicators were compared between different groups. The differences in sex, age, the proportion of patients with combined heart disease, leukocyte, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D‐dimer, C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, and albumin on admission between the two groups were statistically significant (P  <  .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed NLR and CRP were independent risk factors for severe COVID‐19. Platelets were independent protective factors for severe COVID‐19. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated area under the curve of NLR, platelet, CRP, and combination was 0.737, 0.634, 0.734, and 0.774, respectively. NLR, CRP, and platelets can effectively assess the severity of COVID‐19, among which NLR is the best predictor of severe COVID‐19, and the combination of three clinical indicators can further predict severe COVID‐19.
Increase in COVID‐19 cases and case‐fatality and case‐recovery rates in Europe: A cross‐temporal meta‐analysis
Authors: Karadag Engin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe new coronavirus (COVID‐19) infection reported in China in December 2019 has become a pandemic in a few weeks, affecting the entire world. In this respect, it is crucial to determine the case‐increase, case‐fatality, and case‐recovery rates to control COVID‐19. In this study, the case‐increase, case‐fatality, and case‐recovery rates of COVID‐19 in 36 European countries were analyzed with the meta‐analysis method using data released by the health organizations and WHO. The data were obtained from the website of health organizations of 36 European countries and the website of WHO until 11 May 2020. The analyses were carried out on 1 744 704 COVID‐19‐diagnosed cases in 36 European countries. The case‐increase, case‐fatality and case‐recovery rates of COVID‐19 were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), single‐arm meta‐analysis, cross‐temporal meta‐analysis, and meta‐regression random‐effects model. The standardized case‐increase rate of COVID‐19 is 5% (95% CI [0.040, 0.063]) and the average case‐increase rate in European countries has started to decline by around 3% (95% CI [0.047, 0.083]) weekly. The countries with the highest rate of case increase are Belgium, Sweden, Russia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Although the case‐fatality rate of COVID‐19 patients was 4.5% as of May 11 (95% CI [0.037‐0.055]), this rate is 6.3% (95% CI [0.047, 0.083]) in standardized time (6th week). The case‐recovery rates of patients are 46% (95% CI [0.376‐0.547]). This study presents important results regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic in Europe. Although the rate of increase in new COVID‐19 cases has dropped, there is not much decline in the case‐fatality rates and no increase in case‐recovery rates. The case‐fatality rate of COVID‐19 in Europe was estimated to be in the range of 4% to 4.5% and a minimum of 4 weeks (as of 11 May) is expected to have the figure below 1% in a country with an average case‐increase rate. Monitoring case fatalities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden, and treatment successes in Germany and Austria play a role of utmost importance.
Hepatic complications of COVID‐19 and its treatment
Authors: Tian Dandan , Ye Qing 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is highly contagious and has a variety of clinical manifestations, it can affect a number of other organs in addition to the lungs, and liver injury may occur. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause liver injury through systemic inflammatory response syndrome, cytokine storms, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, side effects of treatment drugs, and underlying liver disease and can attack liver cells directly via angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2. Clinical studies have found that liver injury in COVID‐19 patients mainly manifests as abnormal liver biochemical indicators, but there have been no reports of liver failure caused by this disease. The number of COVID‐19 patients with liver injury is increasing, and the incidence of liver injury in COVID‐19 patients with severe disease are higher than in patients with mild disease. Liver injury may be a risk factor, which worsens in patients with COVID‐19, and hence it is necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of liver injury in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID‐19.
Obesity predisposes to the risk of higher mortality in young COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Zhang Fengqin , Xiong Ying , Wei Yanqiu , Hu Yi , Wang Feng , Li Gang , Liu Kui , Du Ronghui , Wang Cong‐Yi , Zhu Wenzhen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlthough emerging data demonstrated mortality of young COVID‐19 patients, no data have reported the risk factors of mortality for these young patients, and whether obesity is a risk for young COVID‐19 patients remains unknown. We conducted a retrospective study including 13 young patients who died of COVID‐19 and 40 matched survivors. Logistic regression was employed to characterize the risk factors of mortality in young obese COVID‐19 patients. Most of the young deceased COVID‐19 patients were mild cases at the time of admission, but the disease progressed rapidly featured by a higher severity of patchy shadows (100.00% vs 48.70%; P = .006), pleural thickening (61.50% vs 12.80%; P = .012), and mild pericardial effusion (76.90% vs 0.00%; P < .001). Most importantly, the deceased patients manifested higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 1.354; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.075‐1.704; P = .010), inflammation‐related index C‐reactive protein (OR = 1.014; 95% CI = 1.003‐1.025; P = .014), cardiac injury biomarker hs‐cTnI (OR = 1.420; 95% CI = 1.112‐1.814; P = .005), and increased coagulation activity biomarker D‐dimer (OR = 418.7; P = .047), as compared with that of survivors. Our data support that obesity could be a risk factor associated with high mortality in young COVID‐19 patients, whereas aggravated inflammatory response, enhanced cardiac injury, and increased coagulation activity are likely to be the mechanisms contributing to the high mortality.
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Technical considerations and the learning curve
Authors: Vining Charles C. , Izquierdo Francisco , Eng Oliver S. , Turaga Kiran K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOver the past decade, there has been a considerable increase in the utilization of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the management of patients with peritoneal metastases. This is due to improved safety and favorable oncologic outcomes, including curative potential. CRS/HIPEC has a steep learning curve and requires familiarity with peritonectomy procedures. This review will outline the technical aspects and learning curve of CRS/HIPEC.
A retrospective pilot study to examine the feasibility of real‐time navigation for laparoscopic liver resections in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging
Authors: Zhai Shu‐Ting , Liang Xiao , Mao Qi‐Jiang , Liang Yue‐Long , Xu Jun‐Jie , Chen Jiang , Shi Liang , Xie Yang‐Yang , Cai Xiu‐Jun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesRecently, PINPOINT, a novel laparoscopic fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (IGFI) system has become available for laparoscopic liver resection. This study aims to characterize fluorescence patterns of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) using the negative counterstaining method in laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomies of ICC.MethodsEleven consecutive patients, diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and underwent laparoscopic liver resection between April 2017 and December 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. A laparoscopic IGFI navigation system was used to characterize fluorescence patterns of ICC with intraoperative liver segment demarcation by means of negative counterstaining.ResultsFusion IGFI of ICC was successfully obtained from all 11 patients from the surgical specimens. The fluorescence patterns of ICC can be categorized into rim‐type fluorescence and segmental fluorescence, depending on tumor growth. In eight patients, indocyanine green fluorescence imaging was used to identify the hepatic lobes or segments by negative counterstaining. In six cases, a valid and persistent demarcation was achieved intraoperatively.ConclusionLaparoscopic IGFI system could identify different types of ICC lesions and may facilitate real‐time navigation for laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of ICC.