bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timely surgical intervention for ureteric complications ensures adequate graft function in renal transplantation: a 10‐year review
Authors: Salter Sherry , Lee Alice , Jaya Joseph , Suh Nancy , Yii Ming Kon , Saunder Alan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundUreteric complications can cause significant morbidity in renal and simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplantation. This 10‐year review identified transplant patients with ureteric complications necessitating surgical intervention in an Australian tertiary centre.MethodsThe hospital records were scrutinized in detail to identify all patients who underwent renal or SPK transplantation from 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2019 with subsequent surgical management of ureteric complications. A case series of patients with ureteric complications was generated and findings were analysed.ResultsA total of 893 renal and SPK transplants were performed over the 10‐year period. Ten of these (1.12%; seven renal and three SPK) had ureteric complications. All were managed surgically. Five of the 10 had ureteric leaks (0.56%); three had ureteric strictures (0.34%), one had ureteric obstruction from extraluminal compression (0.11%) and one had both leak and stricture (0.11%). All 10 patients underwent ureteric reimplantation. Two patients required more than one operation for their ureteric complication. No graft loss or surgical mortality occurred. All 10 patients currently have functioning kidney transplants and none require maintenance dialysis.ConclusionWe report a low rate (1.12%) of ureteric complications in our renal and SPK transplants. Our standard practice of definitive correction by ureteric reimplantation is proving successful. The authors confirm that appropriate surgery is a viable and durable option in renal transplant patients with excellent graft outcomes.
Review article: the emerging role of genetics in precision medicine for patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Carlsson Björn , Lindén Daniel , Brolén Gabriella , Liljeblad Mathias , Bjursell Mikael , Romeo Stefano , Loomba Rohit 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundNon‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterised by liver fat accumulation, inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Emerging data indicate that genetic susceptibility increases risks of NAFLD, NASH and NASH‐related cirrhosis.AimsTo review NASH genetics and discuss the potential for precision medicine approaches to treatment.MethodPubMed search and inclusion of relevant literature.ResultsSingle‐nucleotide polymorphisms in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, GCKR, MBOAT7 and HSD17B13 are clearly associated with NASH development or progression. These genetic variants are common and have moderate‐to‐large effect sizes for development of NAFLD, NASH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The genes play roles in lipid remodelling in lipid droplets, hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion and de novo lipogenesis. The PNPLA3 I148M variant (rs738409) has large effects, with approximately twofold increased odds of NAFLD and threefold increased odds of NASH and HCC per allele. Obesity interacts with PNPLA3 I148M to elevate liver fat content and increase rates of NASH. Although the isoleucine‐to‐methionine substitution at amino acid position 148 of the PNPLA3 enzyme inactivates its lipid remodelling activity, the effect of PNPLA3 I148M results from trans‐repression of another lipase (ATGL/PNPLA2) by sequestration of a shared cofactor (CGI‐58/ABHD5), leading to decreased hepatic lipolysis and VLDL secretion. In homozygous Pnpla3 I148M knock‐in rodent models of NAFLD, targeted PNPLA3 mRNA knockdown reduces hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis.ConclusionThe emerging genetic and molecular understanding of NASH paves the way for novel interventions, including precision medicines that can modulate the activity of specific genes associated with NASH.
A novel rat model of ocular hypertension by a single intracameral injection of cross‐linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (Healaflow®)
Authors: Liu Ying , Wang Jichen , Jin Xin , Xin Zhiyuan , Wu Xing , Tong Xu , Tao Ye , Wang Dajiang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTo create a novel animal model of ocular hypertension via the intracameral injection of Healaflow. Unilateral chronic ocular hypertension model of rats was created by the intracameral injection of 3 μL Healaflow. The IOP of subjects was monitored. Dynamic morphological changes were evaluated by fundus imaging, OCT and histological examination. Visual function changes were measured by electroretinography and flash visual‐evoked potentials. 24 and 72 hours after injection, the retinal tissue was collected for transcriptome analysis. The expression levels of related genes and proteins were further evaluated by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. The IOP peaked within 1 day after a single intracameral injection of Healaflow and then decreased gradually within 4 weeks. Furthermore, the persistently degenerating retinal ganglion cells occurred within 4 weeks. The visual function of these rats was also impaired. The results of transcriptome analyses, qRT‐PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression levels of B2m, Ikzf1 and Stat3 were up‐regulated, while the expression levels of Six3 and Prss56 were down‐regulated in the retinal tissues. Intracameral injection of Healaflow is an effective approach to induce glaucomatous neurodegeneration in rats. Six3 and Prss56 may be involved in the pathogenesis of progressive glaucomatous damage.
Challenges, applications and future directions of precision medicine in prostate cancer – the role of organoids and patient‐derived xenografts
Authors: Joshi Andre , Roberts Matthew J. , Alinezhad Saeid , Williams Elizabeth D. , Vela Ian 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo provide a clinically relevant outline of various current precision medicine principles and available evidence on the application and potential for a precision medicine approach in prostate cancer.MethodsNarrative review of the current literature in the field.ConclusionPrecision medicine is the concept of individualising patient management based on specific tumour characteristics and biology, rather than traditional histological subtypes. The overall aim is to personalise management to individual patients, to provide the right cancer treatment, to the right patient, at the right time. While the approach aims to improve clinical outcomes, decrease morbidity and improve survival in men with advanced prostate cancer, its clinical application is in its infancy. It does however show great promise in this and other cancers, and will continue to be an area of active research and clinical investigation.
Utilization rate of uncontrolled donors after circulatory death‐a 3‐year single‐center investigation
Authors: Lazzeri Chiara , Bonizzoli Manuela , Fulceri Giorgio Enzo , Guetti Cristiana , Ghinolfi Davide , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Migliaccio Maria Luisa , Peris Adriano 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundEffectiveness of uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (uDCD) has been recently reported to be 75% according to data coming from some European countries in 2016, but few data are to date available on this topic.MethodsWe assessed the utilization rate (as the percentage of donors who were converted into actual donors) in 37 uDCDs consecutively enrolled at our Center (Careggi Teaching Hospital) from June 2016 to June 2019.ResultsIn three cases, the family did not give consent for donation (3/37, 8.1%). Among the 37 potential uDCDs, 22 became actual donors (22/37, 59%), with 10 livers and 38 kidneys being transplanted, respectively. Fifteen livers were recovered (15/37, 68%), and 10 livers were transplanted (10/15, 67%). Forty‐two kidneys were procured and 38 organs transplanted. The overall effectiveness was 78%.ConclusionsAccording to our 3‐year experience, uncontrolled DCDs do represent an additional means of increasing the number of transplanted organs (kidneys and livers) with an acceptable utilization rate. Research on organ viability assessment (for both livers and kidneys from uDCDs) is still in its infancy, and there is probably space for a further wider use of organs from uDCDs.
Implementation of a mobile team to provide normothermic regional perfusion in controlled donation after circulatory death: Pilot study and first results
Authors: Pérez Redondo Marina , Alcántara Carmona Sara , Fernández Simón Inmaculada , Villanueva Fernández Héctor , Ortega López Alfonso , Pardo Rey Cándido , Duerto Álvarez Jorge , Lipperheide Vallhonrat Inés , González Romero Manuel , Ballesteros Ortega Daniel , del Río Gallegos Francisco , Rubio Muñoz Juan José 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNormothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in controlled donation after circulatory death is becoming a popular method due to the favorable results of the grafts procured under this technique. This procedure requires experience, and, sometimes, the availability of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines to implement NRP is limited to tertiary hospitals. In order to provide support with NRP in controlled donation after circulatory death across the different hospitals of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, a mobile NRP team was created. In the first 18 months since its creation, the mobile NRP team participated in 33 procurements across nine different hospitals, representing 72% of all controlled donations after circulatory death in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. NRP was successfully performed in 29 (88%) cases, with a mean duration of 69 ± 27 minutes. A total of 39 kidneys, 12 livers, and 5 bilateral lungs were recovered and transplanted. None of the livers were discarded due to an elevation in transaminases during NRP. A mobile NRP team is a feasible option and, in our series, aided in the optimization and recovery of organs from donors after controlled circulatory death in centers where ECMO technology was not available.
Digital conversations about suicide among teenagers and adults with epilepsy: A big‐data, machine learning analysis
Authors: Falcone Tatiana , Dagar Anjali , Castilla-Puentes Ruby C. , Anand Amit , Brethenoux Caroline , Valleta Liliana G. , Furey Patrick , Timmons-Mitchell Jane , Pestana-Knight Elia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveDigital media conversations can provide important insight into the concerns and struggles of people with epilepsy (PWE) outside of formal clinical settings and help generate useful information for treatment planning. Our study aimed to explore the big data from open‐source digital conversations among PWE with regard to suicidality, specifically comparing teenagers and adults, using machine learning technology.MethodsAdvanced machine‐learning empowered methodology was used to mine and structure open‐source digital conversations of self‐identifying teenagers and adults who endorsed suffering from epilepsy and engaged in conversation about suicide. The search was limited to 12 months and included only conversations originating from US internet protocol (IP) addresses. Natural language processing and text analytics were employed to develop a thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 222 000 unique conversations about epilepsy, including 9000 (4%) related to suicide, were posted during the study period. The suicide‐related conversations were posted by 7.8% of teenagers and 3.2% of adults in the study. Several critical differences were noted between teenagers and adults. A higher percentage of teenagers are: fearful of “the unknown” due to seizures (63% vs 12% adults), concerned about social consequences of seizures (30% vs 21%), and seek emotional support (29% vs 19%). In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of adults show a defeatist (“given up”) attitude compared to teenagers (42% vs 4%). There were important differences in the author's determined sentiments behind the conversations among teenagers and adults.SignificanceIn this first of its kind big data analysis of nearly a quarter‐million digital conversations about epilepsy using machine learning, we found that teenagers engage in an online conversation about suicide more often than adults. There are some key differences in the attitudes and concerns, which may have implications for the treatment of younger patients with epilepsy.
From evaluation to auditing and from programs to institutions: Causes and consequences of the decline of the program approach
Authors: Peters B. Guy , Pierre Jon 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the wake of the “audit revolution” during the 1980s and 1990s, administrative systems across the western world have tended to gradually downplay evaluation as a component of the policy process. At the same time, auditing has dramatically increased in scope and depth, and has also, to some extent, come to fill the role in policymaking previously played by evaluation studies. This article reviews this development from the perspective of policymaking and institutional change or “drift.” Specifically, we look at the types of information and knowledge that are lost and gained as a result of these developments. We apply a cross‐national approach, drawing on the examples from the European and North American contexts.
Can economic policy uncertainty reduce a firm's trade credit?
Authors: Su Kun , Kong Dongmin , Wu Ji 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe examine how economic policy uncertainty (EPU) impacts on Chinese firm's trade credit. We find a significant negative relationship between EPU and both firm's account payable (receiving) and account receivable (offering). These results were more pronounced for non‐state‐owned enterprises, firms located in high marketization and high trust regions, and survived after the endogeneity tests.
The efficacy and safety of a 577‐nm high‐power optically pumped semiconductor laser in the treatment of postacne erythema
Authors: Wanitphakdeedecha Rungsima , Cembrano Kathryn Anne G. , Ungaksornpairote Chanida , Kobwanthanakun Waritch , Phothong Weeranut , Eimpunth Sasima , Manuskiatti Woraphong , Fritz Klaus , Salavastru Carmen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPostacne erythema (PAE) is a common sequela of inflammatory acne vulgaris, treatment of which has been challenging due to limited options available and the variability of results for each modality. Recently, a 577‐nm high‐power optically pumped semiconductor laser (HOPSL) initially developed for vascular lesions has shown promising results for the treatment of PAE.AimsTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of 577‐nm HOPSL in the treatment of postacne erythema.MethodsThis was a split‐face, randomized controlled trial pilot study. Twenty‐one patients with PAE on both sides of their face were enrolled. Each subject's face sides were randomly assigned to either receive 577‐nm HOPSL treatment (QuadroStar PRO™, Asclepion Laser Technologies) using the scanner handpiece, 1mm spot size, 80% coverage, 12‐15 J/cm2, 30 ms, 2 passes for 3 sessions at 1‐month intervals, or no treatment at all. Outcome measures such as overall improvement, the Erythema Index (EI), and Melanin Index (MI) from 3 different areas on both treatment and control sides were assessed at baseline, and 1‐month follow‐up after each treatment session. Side effects including pain, erythema, swelling, and crusting were also recorded.ResultsUpon completion of the treatment period, the mean EI was significantly decreased in both treated and nontreated sides of the face (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). The laser‐treated sides already demonstrated significant reduction in the mean EI compared with nontreated sides at 1 month after the 2nd treatment (P = .007). The mean MI of both sides, however, did not show any statistically significant differences from baseline, and likewise when comparing between sides. Patients reported more improvement on laser‐treated sides compared with nontreated sides. Reported side effects were limited to mild discomfort during treatment and transient facial erythema lasting approximately 30 minutes.ConclusionPatients who received treatment with the 577‐nm HOPSL had better outcomes with minimal side effects at 1 month after 2 treatments as compared to those who did not receive any treatment. Therefore, the 577‐nm HOPSL may be considered as an effective adjuvant treatment for PAE and early erythematous atrophic scars.
IMPACT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN LOW‐ AND MIDDLE‐INCOME COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF REVIEWS
Authors: Duvendack Maren , Mader Philip 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFinancial inclusion programmes seek to increase access to financial services such as credit, savings, insurance and money transfers. Despite a wealth of systematic review evidence, the impacts of financial inclusion are inconclusive. Hence, the first systematic review of systematic reviews was undertaken to synthesize the impacts of financial inclusion interventions on economic, social, gender and behavioural outcomes. Thirty‐two systematic reviews were identified. The headline finding is that impacts are more likely to be positive than negative, but the effects vary, and appear not to be transformative in scope or scale, as they largely occur in the early stages of the causal chain. The effects of financial services on core economic and social poverty indicators are small and inconsistent. There is no evidence for meaningful behaviour‐change outcomes. The effects on women's empowerment appear generally positive, but they depend upon programme features that are often peripheral to the financial service, and cultural and geographical context. Accessing savings opportunities has small but more consistently positive effects for poor people, and bears fewer downside risks for clients than credit. The inconsistent quality of the primary evidence base that formed the basis of their syntheses raises concerns about the reliability of the overall findings.
In the Hands of Women: Conditional Cash Transfers and Household Dynamics
Authors: Urbina Daniela R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines the effect of welfare payments provided to women on intra‐household decision‐making, female autonomy, and perceptions of responsibility for housework, by exploiting the case of Mexico's Progresa conditional cash transfer program.BackgroundAlthough past scholarship has extensively studied the relationship between wives' labor market earnings and household dynamics, fewer studies have analyzed the causal impact of women's welfare payments on these outcomes. These resources have become increasingly important as policy initiatives, especially in developing countries, have focused on implementing targeted programs promoting women's economic empowerment.MethodA sample of married and cohabiting couples participating in Progresa was constructed using the National Survey of Household Characteristics (N = 9,751 unions). Random assignment to the program allowed to estimate the causal effects of Progresa payments after 1.5 years, controlling for unobserved factors.ResultsProgresa cash transfers had a positive effect on attitudinal measures of housework and female autonomy, while they did not change household decision‐making. Progresa payments did not generate a gender backlash response among treated families—such as pushing women further into unpaid labor, as some critics expected.ConclusionIn the short‐run, Progresa cash transfers improved women's position in the household. These findings are consistent with both resource‐based and time constraints perspectives.ImplicationsThis study illustrates how can we exploit field experiments to answer sociological questions concerning the family.
Effects of reducing crude protein concentration in starter feed containing constant rumen undegradable protein on dairy calves performance
Authors: Boorboor Mohammad , Alamouti Ali A. , Karimi Nasser , Sahraei Belverdy Mohsen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study aimed at investigating the effects of decreasing crude protein (CP) in diets with constant rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content on dry matter (DM) intake, growth, feed efficiency (FE) and blood parameters in calves in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included: (a) a calf starter containing 200 g/kg CP (62 g/kg RUP, based on DM), (b) a starter containing 180 g/kg CP (65 g/kg RUP, based on DM) and (c) a starter containing 160 g/kg CP (65 g/kg RUP, based on DM). A total 42 newborn male and female Holstein calves were fed 8 L milk/day until day 45, after which they were weaned and continued the experiment until day 75. Solid feed intake and total DM intake were measured daily, and body weight and skeletal growth parameters including withers height and heart girth were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected on days 45 and 75. Solid feed intake, total DM intake, weaning weight, average daily gain from birth to weaning and from birth to 75 days, final weight and FE were not affected by the experimental treatments. In addition, skeletal growth parameters were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was similar among treatments; however, calves fed the starter containing 160 g/kg CP had significantly lower plasma concentrations of albumin and urea nitrogen compared with those fed starters containing 180 and 200 g/kg CP. These results indicate that CP level in the calf starter could be decreased to 160 g/kg DM if RUP levels stay at 65 g/kg DM, without negatively affecting feed intake and calf performance.
Genomic data reveal two distinct species from the widespread alpine ginger Roscoea tibetica Batalin (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Jie , Lu Zhi‐Qiang , Zhao Jian‐Li , Li Qing‐Jun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSpecies delimitation is a key foundation for exploring biodiversity. However, the existence of continuous phenotypic variation in widespread species challenges accurate species delimitation based on classical taxonomy. In this study, we investigated the cryptic diversity of a widespread herb (Roscoea tibetica Batalin) in a biodiversity hotspot (the Hengduan Mountains, China) using genotyping by sequencing, examining morphological traits, developing species distribution models, and simulating demographic history. Phylogenomic reconstruction, principal component analysis, and genetic structure inferences indicated that previously reported R. tibetica comprised two monophyletic lineages with a deep divergence. Several morphological diagnostic characteristics were discovered from field and common garden that corresponded to these independent evolutionary lineages. Species distribution models illustrated significant ecological divergence between both lineages. All evidence strongly supported that R. tibetica, as described in previous taxonomy, actually comprises two distinct species. Model test of gene flow and effective population size changes in fastsimcoal2, and a negative Tajima's D‐value suggested that recent contact likely occurred between the two lineages. Our results proposed that cryptic diversity in previously reported R. tibetica was possibly associated with phenotypic plasticity in heterogeneous environments and morphological convergence in similar habitats. This study suggests that caution should be exercised when attempting to gain biological insight into species with large‐scale morphological variation, and species delimitation should be done in advance.