bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Analysis Identified Reduced Levels of Xenobiotics, Oxidative Stress, and Improved Vitamin Metabolism in Smokers Switched to Vuse Electronic Nicotine Delivery System
Authors: Liu Gang , Lin Chi Jen , Yates Charles R , Prasad G L 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionSwitching to noncombustible tobacco products presents an opportunity for cigarette smokers to potentially reduce the health risks associated with smoking. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are one such product because the vapor produced from ENDS contains far fewer toxicants than cigarette smoke. To investigate the biochemical effects of switching from smoking to an ENDS, we assessed global metabolomic profiles of smokers in a 7-day confinement clinical study.MethodsIn the first 2 days of this clinical study, the subjects used their usual brand of cigarettes and then switched to exclusive ENDS ad libitum use for 5 days. Urine and plasma samples were collected at baseline and 5 days after switching. The samples were analyzed using a mass spectrometry-based metabolomic platform.ResultsRandom forest analyses of urine and plasma metabolomic data revealed excellent predictive accuracy (&gt;97%) of a 30-metabolite signature that can differentiate smokers from 5-day ENDS switchers. In these signatures, most biomarkers are nicotine-derived metabolites or xenobiotics. They were significantly reduced in urine and plasma, suggesting a decreased xenobiotic load on subjects. Our results also show significantly decreased levels of plasma glutathione metabolites after switching, which suggests reduced levels of oxidative stress. In addition, increased urinary and plasma levels of vitamins and antioxidants were identified, suggesting enhanced bioavailability due to discontinuation of cigarette smoking and switching to Vuse ENDS use.ConclusionsOur results suggest reduced toxicant exposure, reduced oxidative stress, and potential beneficial changes in vitamin metabolism within 5 days in smokers switching to Vuse ENDS.ImplicationsSwitching from smoking to exclusive ENDS use in clinical confinement settings results in significant reduction of nicotine metabolites and other cigarette-related xenobiotics in urine and plasma of subjects. Significantly decreased oxidative stress-related metabolites and increased urinary and plasma levels of vitamin metabolites and antioxidants in 5-day short-term ENDS switchers suggest less toxic physiological environment for consumers of ENDS products and potential health benefits if such changes persist.
Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnoses and Access to a Sexual Health Service Before and After the National Lockdown for COVID-19 in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Chow Eric P F , Hocking Jane S , Ong Jason J , Phillips Tiffany R , Fairley Christopher K 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
We aimed to examine the impact of lockdown on sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses and access to a public sexual health service during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods
The operating hours of Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) remained the same during the lockdown. We examined the number of consultations and STIs at MSHC between January and June 2020 and stratified the data into prelockdown (February 3 to March 22), lockdown (March 23 to May 10), and postlockdown (May 11 to June 28), with 7 weeks in each period. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models.

Results
The total number of consultations dropped from 7818 in prelockdown to 4652 during lockdown (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.57–0.62) but increased to 5347 in the postlockdown period (IRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11–1.20). There was a 68% reduction in asymptomatic screening during lockdown (IRR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.30–0.35), but it gradually increased during the postlockdown period (IRR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.46–1.74). Conditions with milder symptoms showed a marked reduction, including nongonococcal urethritis (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.51–0.72) and candidiasis (IRR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.49–0.76), during lockdown compared with prelockdown. STIs with more marked symptoms did not change significantly, including pelvic inflammatory disease (IRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.61–1.47) and infectious syphilis (IRR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.73–1.77). There was no significant change in STI diagnoses during postlockdown compared with lockdown.

Conclusions
The public appeared to be prioritizing their attendance for sexual health services based on the urgency of their clinical conditions. This suggests that the effectiveness of clinical services in detecting, treating, and preventing onward transmission of important symptomatic conditions is being mainly preserved despite large falls in absolute numbers of attendees.
Spiritual Well-Being in People Living with Persistent Non-Cancer and Cancer-Related Pain
Authors: Lovell Melanie , Corbett Mandy , Dong Skye , Siddall Philip 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Context
Existential and spiritual factors are known to play an important role in how people cope with disability and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. However, comparatively little is known about the impact of pain on factors such as meaning and purpose in one’s life and their potential roles in coping with pain.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine spiritual well-being scores in people with persistent pain and to compare these with people with cancer and healthy controls.

Methods
We assessed 132 people with chronic pain, 74 people with cancer (49 with pain and 25 without pain) and 68 control participants using standardised measures of pain-related variables including pain intensity, physical function, mood and cognitions. Spiritual well-being was also assessed using a validated and widely used questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spirituality Scale (FACIT-Sp).

Results
Spiritual well-being scores were significantly lower in people with persistent pain when compared with controls and were no different when compared with people with cancer, including those who had cancer and pain. In addition, low levels of meaning and purpose were significant predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress across all groups.

Conclusion
The findings demonstrate that persistent pain is associated with spiritual distress that is equal to those observed in people who have cancer. Furthermore, those who have higher levels of meaning and purpose are less likely to develop mood dysfunction when experiencing pain, indicating they may have a protective role.
Explore comorbidities associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: a total population-based case–control study
Authors: Chen J -H , Lee C T -C 
Published: November 2020

Summary

Background
Because of the increasing incidence and overall burden of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), efforts have been made to identify the factors that contribute to SLE onset and progression.

Aim
We conducted a total population-based case–control study to explore the prior comorbidities associated with SLE.

Design and methods
Data were collected from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Newly diagnosed SLE patients from 1 January 2010, to 31 December 2013 (n = 2847), were exactly matched at a 1:4 ratio for gender, age, residence and insurance premium to form a non-SLE group. Multivariate conditional logistic regression with stepwise selection was used to find the prior-associated comorbidities.

Results
A total of 38 prior comorbidities were associated with SLE incidence (32 positive and 6 negative associations). Positively associated comorbidities could be categorized as autoimmune-related inflammation of multiple organs including skin, blood, liver, tooth, thyroid, musculoskeletal and connective tissue. Among them, diffuse diseases of connective tissue (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 710) exhibited the most robust association (OR = 5.68, 95% CI = 4.02–8.03, P &lt; 0.001) in the 5 years before the index date. Negatively associated comorbidities could be attributed to diabetes mellitus and pregnancy related symptoms.

Conclusions
Our results supported that increased awareness of SLE may be warranted for patients with autoimmune-related comorbidities of multiple organs. However, diabetes mellitus and pregnancy related symptoms were negatively associated with SLE incidence in this study. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the possible underlying mechanism and for better understanding the pathogenesis of SLE.
The Multilocus Multispecies Coalescent: A Flexible New Model of Gene Family Evolution
Authors: Li Qiuyi , Scornavacca Celine , Galtier Nicolas , Chan Yao-Ban 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), the interaction between coalescence and speciation, can generate incongruence between gene trees and species trees, as can gene duplication (D), transfer (T), and loss (L). These processes are usually modeled independently, but in reality, ILS can affect gene copy number polymorphism, that is, interfere with DTL. This has been previously recognized, but not treated in a satisfactory way, mainly because DTL events are naturally modeled forward-in-time, while ILS is naturally modeled backward-in-time with the coalescent. Here, we consider the joint action of ILS and DTL on the gene tree/species tree problem in all its complexity. In particular, we show that the interaction between ILS and duplications/transfers (without losses) can result in patterns usually interpreted as resulting from gene loss, and that the realized rate of D, T, and L becomes nonhomogeneous in time when ILS is taken into account. We introduce algorithmic solutions to these problems. Our new model, the multilocus multispecies coalescent, which also accounts for any level of linkage between loci, generalizes the multispecies coalescent (MSC) model and offers a versatile, powerful framework for proper simulation, and inference of gene family evolution. [Gene duplication; gene loss; horizontal gene transfer; incomplete lineage sorting; multispecies coalescent; hemiplasy; recombination.]
Toxicological evaluation of transgenic silkworms
Authors: Jiang Liang , Wang Yumei , Guo Huizhen , Sun Qiang , Xie Enyu , Liuli Haoyu , Li Qing , Xia Qingyou 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Safety of transgenic silkworms must be evaluated before their commercial application. We assessed subacute toxicity using a 28-day feeding study in rats. Eighty rats were evenly allocated into four groups, with each group containing 10 male and 10 female rats. Rats of three groups were fed dried transgenic silkworm H19.9A pupae with overexpressed endogenous Bmhsp19.9, transgenic silkworm A4SOR pupae with overexpressed exogenous SOR, or normal silkworm pupae at a dose of 3.0 g/kg/day, respectively. The fourth group served as a normal feeding control. The body weight, feed consumption, hematology response variables, serum biochemical parameters, organ weights, gross necropsy, and histopathologic of animals were evaluated. No mortality, adverse effects, or major differences in the evaluated parameters were observed in the groups fed transgenic pupae in comparison with the control, suggesting that transgenic silkworms are toxicologically equivalent to normal silkworms and are safe for consumption in rats.
Comprehensive Outcomes Evaluation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Acute Coronary Syndrome for Short- Versus Standard-Term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Bhattarai Mukul , Ibrahim Abdisamad M. , Salih Mohsin , Tandan Nitin , Al-Akchar Mohammad , Ayan Mohamed , Kulkarni Abhishek , Hafiz Abdul M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract:
Newer generation drug eluting stents (DES) and pharmacotherapy have decreased thrombotic events post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is lack of wide-ranging safety and efficacy evaluation in both stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome in short-term (3–6 months) versus Standard-term (12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We searched electronic databases using specific terms to identify randomized control trials comparing different durations of DAPT after PCI with DES. The outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, major bleeding, target lesion and vessel revascularization, and stroke at follow-up duration ≥12 months post index PCI. Studies that compared DAPT <3 months or DAPT ≥12 months were excluded. Thirteen randomized control trials (n = 31,831) were included; 8401 patients received DAPT for 3 months and 7482 patients received DAPT in the 6 months group. Major bleeding rate was lower in the short-term (3–6 months) versus Standard-term (12 months) group (risk ratio 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.84, P < 0.05). Repeat revascularization rate was higher in the short-term (3–6 months) versus Standard-term (12 months) (risk ratio 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.36, P < 0.05) of DAPT duration after PCI with DES. No difference in other outcomes were observed when comparing short versus standard duration of DAPT in both stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome.
Our round Japanese fan-like flap decreases complications: case reports of distally based sural flap
Authors: Uemura Tetsuji , Watanabe Hidetaka , Yanai Tetsu , Kawano Hiroshige 
Published: November 2020

Introduction:
We report a modified distally based sural flap in the shape of a pedicle, based on deep fascia, which we call a “round Japanese folding fan-like flap,” that decreases the complication rate because our modified flap promotes reverse venous return through existing adipofascial tissue.

Presentation of cases:
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients that underwent distally based sural flap reconstruction between 1994 and 2018 in Saga University Hospital and other related hospitals. We treated 25 patients (17 men and 8 women) who suffered from different etiological causes, for example, malignant tumors, trauma, osteomyelitis of the heel, and/or a diabetic foot. The mean flap size was 12.0 cm×7.0 cm (range: 7–20 cm×3–13 cm). All flaps survived, although 1 flap from among the 5 patients treated with standard distally based sural flap reconstruction before 2000 suffered from partial necrosis due to venous congestion. None of the 20 patients treated with the round Japanese fan-like flap have developed either partial or complete flap necrosis due to venous congestion. No other complications concerning the flap or donor site were observed.

Discussion:
The elevation of distally based sural flap is quick and easy to locate, however, it has been associated with complications, for example, postoperative venous congestion.

Conclusion:
The round Japanese fan-like flap (shaped from the pedicle to the distal area of the flap) promotes reverse venous return through existing adipofascial tissue, thus preventing the development of flap necrosis. This flap is able to cover a large wound defect of the ankle bone and cover the tendon with deep fascia by using a wrapping technique to treat the exposed tendon. Furthermore, our flap can be applied to many patients with large wound defects and/or diabetic foot patients.
Pound-shape Silicone Oil Retention Suture in Aphakic Eyes With Intact Iris
Authors: Jun Sung Yeon , Son Gisung 
Published: November 2020

Purpose:
To introduce a surgical technique, “pound-shape silicone oil retention suture in aphakic eye with intact iris.”

Methods:
A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed. Each patient had an aphakic eye with intact iris and received the pound-shape silicone oil retention suture during vitrectomy combined with silicone oil injection.

Results:
In the four patients who received the pound-shape silicone oil retention suture, the silicone oil was confined behind the suture for 3 months to 7 months without prolapse into the anterior chamber. Increased intraocular pressure was not observed in any patient, although peripheral iridectomy was not performed.

Conclusion:
Pound-shape silicone oil retention suture is a simple and effective surgical technique to prevent silicone oil prolapse into the anterior chamber.
Economic and Clinical Burden Associated With Intensification of Glaucoma Topical Therapy: A US Claims-based Analysis
Authors: Patel Anik R. , Schwartz Gail F. , Campbell Joanna H. , Chen Chi-Chang , McGuiness Catherine B. , Multani Jasjit K. , Shih Vanessa , Smith Oluwatosin U. 
Published: November 2020

Precis:
Incremental addition of intraocular pressure–lowering topical drops is associated with shorter-lasting benefit and higher health-related costs with each additional agent, suggesting a need for new treatment options to improve disease control and reduce treatment burden.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment intensification as a driver of clinical and economic burden in patients receiving topical glaucoma medications for open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension.

Methods:
This retrospective analysis of administrative claims data (January 2011 to July 2017) from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database included diagnosed patients who initiated or intensified treatment with 1 to 4 topical glaucoma medications of a different drug class between January 2012 and July 2015 (index date being the first such event during this period). Patients with prior open-angle glaucoma surgery or an equal or greater number of topical glaucoma medication classes during the preindex period were excluded. Treatment intensification rates and eye-related outpatient costs were assessed over 24 months postindex.

Results:
Of 48,402 patients (mean age: 61.4 y), 22,874 (47.3%), 16,214 (33.5%), 7137 (14.7%), and 2177 (4.5%) received a first, second, third, or fourth medication class, respectively, as their first observed initial or intensified regimen. Among cohorts receiving 1, 2, 3, or 4 medication classes, 7.8%, 12.2%, 17.2%, and 22.6% of patients and 12.6%, 18.5%, 25.9%, and 33.7% of patients had subsequent treatment augmentation (class addition or glaucoma procedure, laser or surgical) within 12 and 24 months postindex, respectively. Eye-related outpatient costs over 24 months increased with each additional topical glaucoma medication class at index [mean (SD): $1610 ($3460), $2418 ($4863), $2872 ($5110), and $3751 ($6608) in the 1, 2, 3, or 4 class cohorts, respectively].

Conclusion:
Multiple-drop therapies yielded shorter-lasting benefits with each additional agent and were associated with the increased clinical and economic burden.
Long-term Results of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma From a Single-center Nonrandomized Study
Authors: Batlle Juan F. , Corona Adalgisa , Albuquerque Rachel 
Published: November 2020

Precis:
The MicroShunt was implanted in 23 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a feasibility study. Reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medications were sustained for up to 5 years with no long-term sight-threatening adverse events (AEs).

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt (8.5 mm long, 70 µm lumen surgical device, formerly known as the InnFocus MicroShunt) in POAG.

Patients and Methods:
In a feasibility study (NCT00772330), patients with POAG inadequately controlled on maximum tolerated therapy with IOP ≥18 to ≤40 mm Hg underwent MicroShunt implantation with adjunctive mitomycin C (0.4 mg/mL), alone or in combination with cataract surgery. Years 1 to 3 findings have previously been reported. Endpoints of this extension study included IOP reduction and success at years 4 and 5 (primary), incidence of AEs, medication use, and reoperations.

Results:
Mean IOP was reduced from 23.8±5.3 mm Hg at baseline to 12.8±5.6 mm Hg (year 4; n=21) and 12.4±6.5 mm Hg (year 5; n=21). Overall success (with/without medication use) was 87.0% (year 4) and 82.6% (year 5). The mean number of medications reduced from 2.4±1.0 at baseline to 0.8±1.3 (year 5). Common (≥5% of patients) AEs included corneal edema (n=4), transient hypotony (n=4), bleb-related complications (n=3), and device touching the iris (n=3). There were 4 reports of serious AEs and 2 reoperations.

Conclusions:
In this extension study, sustained reductions in mean IOP and medications were observed up to 5 years post-MicroShunt implantation. There were no reports of long-term sight-threatening AEs and a low rate of postoperative interventions.
State Scope of Practice Laws: An Analysis of Physician Assistant Programs and Graduates
Authors: Valentin Virginia L. , Najmabadi Shahpar , Jones Jeffery , Everett Christine M. 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to understand the association between physician assistant (PA) state scope of practice (SOP) laws and (1) PA program growth and (2) PA graduate demographics.

Methods
Scope of practice laws were categorized as ideal, average, and restrictive. Descriptive statistics by year and SOP categories were determined for the number of states, population density, PA programs, and PA graduate number, gender, race, and mean age. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze demographic data by SOP categories. Adjusted risk ratios were generated for the number of PA programs and SOP categories.

Results
The number of PA programs is not associated with ideal SOP states. As of 2017, only 10 states have restrictive SOP laws. A minority of PA students now graduate from states with restrictive SOP laws.

Conclusion
There is heterogeneity in PA SOP laws throughout the United States but only a minority of PA graduates now come from restrictive SOP states. This study provides foundational information prior to the implementation of optimal team practice.
Characterizing the relationship between the chemical structures of drugs and their activities on primary cultures of pediatric solid tumors
Authors: Simeon Saw , Ghislat Ghita , Ballester Pedro J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBetter drugs are required to manage pediatric cancers. A high-throughput screen of drugs in primary cultures derived from orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (O-PDX) of pediatric solid tumours has been recently published. Here we analyzed these data sets to find out whether it is possible to leverage them for identifying new drug leads in a phenotypic manner. We found that drugs bearing a higher number of heterocyclic rings, two carbon-hetero bonds and halogens are associated to submicromolar potency in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma O-PDXs. Furthermore, Murcko scaffolds 1-cyclopentyl-octahydro-1H-indene and tetradecahydroanthracene can be utilized as starting scaffolds to selectively optimize potency against osteosarcoma since drugs bearing this scaffold displayed superior O-PDX culture potency. Lastly, we have generated QSAR (Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship) models able to predict the potency of drugs on each O-PDX tumor. To permit their use to guide drug repositioning on these 30 O-PDX cell cultures, we are providing a user-friendly web server implementing these QSAR models athttps://rnewbie.shinyapps.io/Shobek-master