bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of monoclonal antibodies for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis: literature review
Authors: Eraso Isabel C. , Sangiovanni Saveria , Morales Eliana I. , Fernández-Trujillo Liliana 
Published: October 2020

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction (HR) mediated by antigens to Aspergillus fumigatus. It is estimated that 2–15% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and between 1% and 5% of asthmatics develop ABPA, affecting approximately 4.8 million people worldwide. The goals of treatment are controlling inflammation, reducing the number of exacerbations and limiting the progression of lung damage. Systemic steroids are therefore used as the mainstay therapy, along with antifungal medications. However, many patients do not respond or develop side effects to treatment. In this scenario, biological drugs such as Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab and Dupilumab have been implemented in clinical practice, even though there is a lack of scientific evidence to support their use. We performed a literature review of the studies carried out which analyzed biologics for the management of ABPA in adult populations with asthma and CF. To our knowledge this is the first literature review that included all biologics. We included a total of 32 studies, all but one were descriptive studies, and the vast majority evaluated the use of Omalizumab. Biologics appeared to have more benefit for patients with ABPA and asthma than CF, specifically at decreasing the frequency of acute exacerbations and by having a steroid-sparing effect. Although a decrease in serum IgE level is considered a measure of therapy success, values may not decline as expected in the context of a significant clinical improvement, highlighting the importance of measuring patient-oriented outcomes. As evidence comes mainly from case series and case reports, randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate further the safety and efficacy of biologics in ABPA. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
High plasma C-terminal FGF-23 levels predict poor outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease superimposed with acute kidney injury
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsing , Wu Che-Hsiung , Chou Nai-Kuan , Tseng Li-Jung , Huang i-Ping , Wang Chih-Hsien , Wu Vin-Cent , Chu Tzong-Shinn 
Published: October 2020

Background: Elevated plasma C-terminal fibroblast growth factor-23 (cFGF-23) levels are associated with higher mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study explored the outcome forecasting accuracy of cFGF-23 in critically ill patients with CKD superimposed with AKI (ACKD). Methods: Urine and plasma biomarkers from 149 CKD patients superimposed with AKI before dialysis were checked in this multicenter prospective observational cohort study. Endpoints were 90-day mortality and 90 days free from dialysis after hospital discharge. Associations with study endpoints were assessed using hierarchical clustering analysis, the generalized additive model, the Cox proportional hazard model, competing risk analysis, and discrimination evaluation. Results: Over a median follow up of 40 days, 67 (45.0%) patients died before the 90th day after hospital discharge and 39 (26.2%) progressed to kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT). Hierarchical clustering analysis demonstrated that cFGF-23 levels had better predictive ability for 90-day mortality than did other biomarkers. Higher serum cFGF-23 levels were independently associated with greater risk for 90-day mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–4.1; p < 0.001]. Moreover, adding plasma cFGF-23 to the Demirjian AKI risk score model substantially improved risk prediction for 90-day mortality than the Demirjian model alone (integrated discrimination improvement: 0.06; p < 0.05; 95% CI 0.02–0.10). The low plasma cFGF-23 group was predicted having more weaning from dialysis in surviving patients (HR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.29–0.95, p = 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with ACKD, plasma cFGF-23 levels are an independent risk factor to forecast 90-day mortality and 90-day progression to KFRT. In combination with the clinical risk score, plasma cFGF-23 levels could substantially improve mortality risk prediction.
Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Ion Daniela I , Setterfield Jane F 
Published: October 2020

Lichen planus (LP) is a relatively common autoimmune T-cell-mediated disease of unknown aetiology affecting the mucous membranes, skin and nails. Its prevalence varies between 0.5 and 2.2% of the population in epidemiological studies with a peak incidence in the 30–60 years range and with a female predominance of 2:1.1 Mucosal lichen planus tends to follow a chronic course with acute exacerbations. Spontaneous remission of oral lichen planus (OLP) is uncommon, and indeed mucosal LP may become worse with time. In contrast, cutaneous lichen planus may follow a milder clinical course though some variants may be severe such as those affecting the palms and soles and the scalp and the genital tract in females (vulvovaginal gingival LP) where scarring leads to significant complications. It is important to identify those cases that may be drug induced or be associated with a contact allergic or irritant reaction (lichenoid reaction) or the rarer oral presentation of discoid lupus erythematosus. There is a very small risk of malignancy (approximately 1:200 patients/year) associated with oral lichen planus; thus patients should be informed that long term monitoring via their general dental practitioner is appropriate. This review will focus on the clinical presentation and management of oral lichen planus.
Dental Management of Patients With Acquired and Congenital Bleeding Disorders
Authors: Moosajee Sukina , Rafique Sobia 
Published: October 2020

In an age when people are living longer and medical interventions are continually becoming more advanced, clinicians will need to be aware of systemic disorders and treatments that may cause complications in the dental setting. The Office for National Statistics’ projections state that 26% of the UK population will be aged over 65 years by 2041.1 Therefore, clinicians may often encounter patients who complain of prolonged bleeding following certain procedures, most commonly dental extractions. In the majority of cases, the cause is often a local one, which can be managed using simple local measures. However, poor management can lead to potentially fatal consequences. The aim of this paper is to update clinicians on the dental management of patients with acquired or congenital bleeding disorders, and on how to decide the most appropriate setting for safe dental care. Patient safety in the NHS is a national priority with ever greater measures being put into place to avoid patient harm. Whilst most patients can be successfully treated in primary care, for the provision of safe dental treatment, the clinician may need to make a decision regarding referral to specialist services for all dental treatment, or share care between primary care and specialist services for selected procedures.
Sedation or General Anaesthetic for Special Care Patients?
Authors: Boyle Carole A , Lane Helen 
Published: October 2020

When faced with an anxious patient with complex needs who requires dental care, it can be difficult to decide on the most appropriate method to manage their pain and anxiety. There are a range of conscious sedation techniques that may be used, and on some occasions, general anaesthesia may be required. This paper describes the methods available and the factors influencing the decision-making process. The general dental practitioner (GDP) may not be able to offer care in their setting, but knowing more about the decision-making process and the information required to make that decision can help them guide patients and their families.
Incorporating intra-lesional injection of mitomycin C in the management algorithm for bladder neck contractures and vesicourethral anastomotic strictures
Authors: Yao Henry H , Sengupta Shomik , Chee Justin 
Published: October 2020

Objective: This study aims to describe the experience of a single-surgeon series with the use of intra-lesional mitomycin C (MMC) in the treatment of bladder neck contracture (BNC) and vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS). Patients and methods: From July 2014 to January 2019, patients who underwent bladder neck incision (BNI) and intra-lesional MMC injection performed by a single surgeon were included in this retrospective study. Clinico-pathological data were extracted from medical records. The primary outcome was recurrence rate following BNI and MMC injection. Results: Ten patients were included in the study. The median age was 68 years. The cause of BNC or VUAS was secondary to radical prostatectomy in eight patients and to endoscopic prostatectomy in two patients. The median follow-up was 16.4 months. The success rate was 70% after first treatment with BNI and MMC injection, and 80% after repeated treatment. There were no serious adverse events or complications related to the MMC injection. Conclusion: BNI and intra-lesional MMC injection is a minimally invasive treatment for refractory bladder neck contractures with a good success rate and minimal risk of side effects when a low dose of MMC is used. Further prospective multicentre study is warranted. Level of evidence: Level 4.
Engagement with Manage My Pain mobile health application among patients at the Transitional Pain Service
Authors: Slepian P Maxwell , Peng Michael , Janmohamed Tahir , Kotteeswaran Yuvaraj , Manoo Varuna , Blades Alexander McLaren , Fiorellino Joseph , Katznelson Rita , Tamir Diana , McRae Karen , Kahn Michael , Huang Alexander , Kona Sharath , Thaker Sonalben , Weinrib Aliza , Katz Joel , Clarke Hance 
Published: October 2020

Objective Mobile health platforms have become an important component of pain self-management programs and hundreds of mobile applications are commercially available for patients to monitor pain. However, few of these applications have been developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals or have been critically evaluated. Manage My Pain is a user-driven mobile health platform developed by ManagingLife in collaboration with clinician researchers. Manage My Pain allows patients to keep a “pain record” and supports communication of this information with clinicians. The current report describes a user engagement study of Manage My Pain among patients at the Transitional Pain Service (TPS) at Toronto General Hospital, a multidisciplinary clinic for patients at high risk of developing postsurgical pain. Methods Patients at the TPS were encouraged to register on Manage My Pain as one component of a larger, non-randomized prospective study of treatment predictors and treatment enhancement. Uptake of the application and rates of registration, use, and retention were tracked for 90 days. Results Of the 196 patients who consented to the larger study, 132 (67%) also provided consent to the Manage My Pain component, indicating that they found this to be an acceptable treatment adjunct, and 119 (61%) completed registration. Of those who used the app, 67.9% and 43.2% continued to use Manage My Pain beyond 30 and 90 days, respectively. On average, users engaged with the app for 93.14 days (SD = 151.9 days) logged an average of 47.39 total records (SD = 136.1). Conclusions Manage My Pain was found acceptable by a majority of patients at an academic pain management program. Rates of user registration and retention were favorable compared to those reported by other applications. Further research is needed to develop strategies to retain users and maximize patient benefit.
Single-Stage Posterior Vertebral Column Resection With Circumferential Reconstruction for Thoracic/Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures With or Without Neurological Deficit: Clinical Neurological and Radiological Outcomes
Authors: Hamzaoglu Azmi , Elsadig Mustafa , Karadereler Selhan , Mutlu Ayhan , Akman Yunus Emre , Ozturk Huseyin , Aslantürk Okan , Sanlı Tunay , Kahraman Sinan , Enercan Meric 
Published: October 2020

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, neurological, and radiological outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) technique for treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods: Fifty-one patients (18 male, 33 female) with thoracic/thoracolumbar burst fractures who had been treated with PVCR technique were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and most recent radiographs were evaluated and local kyphosis angle (LKA), sagittal and coronal spinal parameters were measured. Neurological and functional results were assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, visual analogue scale score, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form 36 version 2. Results: The mean age was 49 years (range 22-83 years). The mean follow-up period was 69 months (range 28-216 months). Fractures were thoracic in 16 and thoracolumbar in 35 of the patients. AO spine thoracolumbar injury morphological types were as follows: 1 type A3, 15 type A4, 4 type B1, 23 type B2, 8 type C injuries. PVCR was performed in a single level in 48 of the patients and in 2 levels in 3 patients. The mean operative time was 434 minutes (range 270-530 minutes) and mean intraoperative blood loss was 520 mL (range 360-1100 mL). The mean LKA improved from 34.7° to 4.9° (85.9%). For 27 patients, the initial neurological deficit (ASIA A in 8, ASIA B in 3, ASIA C in 5, and ASIA D in 11) improved at least 1 ASIA grade (1-3 grades) in 22 patients (81.5%). Solid fusion, assessed with computed tomography at the final follow-up, was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: Single-stage PVCR provides complete spinal canal decompression, ideal kyphosis correction with gradual lengthening of anterior column together with sequential posterior column compression. Anterior column support, avoidance of the morbidity of anterior approach and improvement of neurological deficit are the other advantages of the single stage PVCR technique in patients with thoracic/thoracolumbar burst fractures.
Canadian Postoperative Dependency Protocols Following Lower Limb Microvascular Reconstruction: A National Survey and Literature Review
Authors: Trull Brent , Zhang Zach , Boyd Kirsty , Allen Murray , Zhang Jing 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Microsurgical free tissue transfer for lower limb reconstruction presents unique challenges in the postoperative period where dependency promotes interstitial fluid diffusion and reduced tissue perfusion. Management of flap edema, venous congestion, and ischaemic conditioning is critical for flap survival. Little evidence exists to guide postoperative protocols in the initiation and progression of lower extremity dangle, monitoring, and anticoagulation. We aim to describe current trends for postoperative dependency protocols by surveying Canadian microsurgeons. Methods: Plastic surgeons performing lower limb microvascular reconstruction at Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of Canada approved teaching institutions were administered a 17-question anonymous electronic survey. A literature review was conducted to identify protocols and consensus opinions in other jurisdictions. Results: All respondents (n = 16) monitored flaps clinically, with conventional Doppler used by 13 respondents. Anticoagulation was employed by 15 of 16 respondents, and 9 of 16 used 2 or more agents. The most common agents were aspirin, followed by low-molecular-weight heparin. Significant variability existed in dangling protocols. Dependency was initiated at postoperative day (POD) 3 to 10 (mean POD: 6 ± 1.64 standard deviation), with intervals ranging from 5 to 20 minutes and frequencies ranging from 1 to 6 times per day. Nearly half allowed both increasing duration and frequency of dependency. Flap success rates were above 90%, and the median length of stay was 10 to 12 days. Conclusion: While flap success rates across the country are similar, no consensus exists for postoperative dependency protocols amongst Canadian microsurgeons. Prospective randomised controlled trials are warranted to evaluate early aggressive dependency protocols to reduce length of stay and cost.
Breast Ultrasound Versus MRI in Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sanei Sistani Sharareh , Parooie Fateme 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is widely used to treat breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has replaced axillary lymph node dissection in patients who convert to node-negative status, after NAC. However, few studies have evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining axillary lymph node status after NAC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of breast US and MRI in predicting a response to NAC, for breast cancer. Methods: A systematic search, in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, for original studies was performed. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Patient, study, and imaging characteristics were extracted, and sufficient data were used to reconstruct 2 × 2 tables. Data pooling, heterogeneity testing, forest plot construction, meta-regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis were performed using Meta-DiSc and Stata version 14.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Results: Nine studies met all the eligibility criteria and were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 0.78 and 0.92, while the corresponding values for US were 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. The prevalence of pathologic complete response (pCR), among breast cancer patients, after neoadjuvant therapy was 26%. The prevalence of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-, and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumors were 65%, 22%, and 37%, respectively. Conclusion: These results showed that MRI and US have almost the same accuracy in predicting pCR in patients with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant surgery. There is still a need for further investigations to prove that US is not inferior to MRI for this diagnosis.
The relationship between olfaction and cognitive function in the elderly
Authors: Uchida Sae , Shimada Chiho , Sakuma Naoko , Kagitani Fusako , Kan Akiko , Awata Shuichi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship between olfaction and cognitive function in 12 elderly people (age: 80.9 ± 1.6) living in the community. Olfactory function was assessed by the identification threshold for rose odor. Four cognitive measures consisting general cognitive ability assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), its sub-domains, and attentional ability assessed by drawing a line to connect the numbers consecutively (trail-making test part A; TMT-A), were assessed. Subjects with a higher olfactory threshold (≥ 5) declined more in the performance speed of TMT-A (73% ± 7%, p = 0.05) compared with those subjects with a lower threshold (≤ 4) (averaged value was set at 100%). Other cognitive statuses assessed by MMSE tended to decline in subjects with higher thresholds. Because attentional function relates to the basal forebrain cholinergic system, our results suggest that olfactory impairment links to the decline in cognitive function, particularly of attention-relating cholinergic function.
Globally learning gene regulatory networks based on hidden atomic regulators from transcriptomic big data
Authors: Shi Ming , Tan Sheng , Xie Xin-Ping , Li Ao , Yang Wulin , Zhu Tao , Wang Hong-Qiang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Genes are regulated by various types of regulators and most of them are still unknown or unobserved. Current gene regulatory networks (GRNs) reverse engineering methods often neglect the unknown regulators and infer regulatory relationships in a local and sub-optimal manner.

Results
This paper proposes a global GRNs inference framework based on dictionary learning, named dlGRN. The method intends to learn atomic regulators (ARs) from gene expression data using a modified dictionary learning (DL) algorithm, which reflects the whole gene regulatory system, and predicts the regulation between a known regulator and a target gene in a global regression way. The modified DL algorithm fits the scale-free property of biological network, rendering dlGRN intrinsically discern direct and indirect regulations.

Conclusions
Extensive experimental results on simulation and real-world data demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of dlGRN in reverse engineering GRNs. A novel predicted transcription regulation between a TF TFAP2C and an oncogene EGFR was experimentally verified in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the real application reveals the prevalence of DNA methylation regulation in gene regulatory system. dlGRN can be a standalone tool for GRN inference for its globalization and robustness.
PhoPQ two-component regulatory system plays a global regulatory role in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Lu Hsu-Feng , Wu Bo-Kuan , Huang Yi-Wei , Lee Ming-Zhe , Li Ming-Fang , Ho Hsu-Jung , Yang Hung-Chi , Yang Tsuey-Ching 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, an opportunistic pathogen, is ubiquitously present in various environments, signifying its high capability of environmental adaptation. Two-component regulatory system (TCS) is a powerful implement to help organisms to survive in different environments. In clinic, treatment of S. maltophilia infection is difficult because it is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, highlighting the necessity to develop novel drugs or adjuvants. Given their critical and extensively regulatory role, TCS system has been proposed as a convincing target for novel drugs or adjuvants. PhoPQ TCS, a highly conserved TCS in several pathogens, plays crucial roles in low-magnesium adaption, polymyxin resistance, and virulence. In this study, we aimed to characterize the role of PhoPQ TCS of S. maltophilia in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence.

Results
To characterize PhoPQ system, phoP single mutant as well as phoP and phoQ double mutant were constructed. Distinct from most phoPQ systems of other microorganisms, two features were observed during the construction of phoP and phoQ single deletion mutant. Firstly, the phoQ mutant was not successfully obtained. Secondly, the compromised phenotypes of phoP mutant were not reverted by complementing an intact phoP gene, but were partially restored by complementing a phoPQ operon. Thus, wild-type KJ, phoP mutant (KJΔPhoP), phoPQ mutant (KJΔPhoPQ), and complemented strain (KJΔPhoPQ (pPhoPQ)) were used for functional assays, including antibiotic susceptibility, physiology (swimming motility and secreted protease activity), stress adaptation (oxidative, envelope, and iron-depletion stresses), and virulence to Caenorhabditis elegans. KJΔPhoPQ totally lost swimming motility, had enhanced secreted protease activity, increased susceptibility to antibiotics (β-lactam, quinolone, aminoglycoside, macrolide, chloramphenicol, and sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim), menadione, H2O2, SDS, and 2,2′-dipyridyl, as well as attenuated virulence to C. elegans. Trans-complementation of KJΔPhoPQ with phoPQ reverted these altered phenotypes to the wild-type levels.

Conclusions
Given the critical and global roles of PhoPQ TCS in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence, PhoPQ is a potential target for the design of drugs or adjuvants.