bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Provision of acute medicine services for pregnant women in UK hospitals: Data from the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit 2019
Authors: Atkin Catherine , Prinja Paarul , Banerjee Anita , Holland Mark , Lasserson Dan 
Published: June 2020

Background Medical problems during pregnancy are the leading cause of maternal mortality in the UK. Pregnant women often present through acute services to the medical team, requiring timely access to appropriate services, physicians trained to manage medical problems in pregnancy, with locally agreed guidance available. Methods Data were collected through the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit, a national audit of service delivery and patient care in acute medicine over a 24 hour period. Results One hundred and thirty hospitals participated: 5.5% had an acute medicine consultant trained in obstetric medicine, and 38% of hospitals had a named lead for maternal medicine. This was not related to hospital size (p = 0.313). Sixty-four units had local guidelines for medical problems in pregnancy; 43% had a local guideline for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy. Centres with a named lead had more guidelines (p = 0.019). Conclusion Current provision of services within acute medicine for pregnant women does not meet national recommendations.
Injection of Steroid in Nasal Polyps: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hansen Maria B. , Alanin Mikkel C. 
Published: June 2020

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common chronic condition classically divided into two phenotypes according to the presence or absence of nasal polyps. The effects of both medical and surgical treatment are often temporary, encouraging research into new treatment options. Methods We performed a systematic review related to dosages, effects, side effects, and safety of intrapolyp steroid injection in patients with nasal polyps. We identified five studies with a total of 386 patients and 2490 intrapolyp steroid injections. Results Treatment with intrapolyp steroid injection leads to a decrease in the Total Nasal Polyps Score (TNPS), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), and Lund-Mackay Score. The dosage regimens vary from 10 to 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Only two cases of temporary visual complications were reported. Conclusion This review found that intrapolyp steroid injection may be an effective and safe treatment for patients with nasal polyps. However, there exist no large, randomized, clinical trials. We found no association between dose and effect, or dose and the risk of visual complications.
High strain rate and low temperature effects on the compressive behaviour of concrete
Authors: MacLean Thomas J , Lloyd Alan 
Published: June 2020

Temperature and strain rate are important factors when considering the mechanical properties of engineering materials, as they can greatly influence the material behaviour. The research presented here is an experimental investigation to determine the effects of low temperatures and high strain rates on the compressive behaviour of concrete. The primary purpose of the research is the development of experimental stress–strain relationships under these conditions, as this is a largely unexplored research topic. Thirty-five 101.6 mm × 203.2 mm concrete cylinders were tested in uniaxial compression at the University of New Brunswick. The specimens were loaded either under static conditions or dynamically with an average strain rate of approximately 1 s−1, while being exposed to temperatures from 20°C to −70°C to simulate extreme climatic temperature and those attainable within industrial storage facilities. The compression strain of the specimens was obtained using digital image correlation. The mechanical properties studied were the compressive strength, strain associated with the peak stress and general stress–strain behaviour due to the increased strain rate and temperature variations.
Clinical Outcome of Mid-Length Proximal Femoral Nail for Patients With Trochanteric Hip Fractures: Preliminary Investigation in a Japanese Cohort of Patients More Than 70 Years Old
Authors: Matsumura Tomohiro , Takahashi Tsuneari , Nakashima Mitsuharu , Nibe Yoshiya , Takeshita Katsushi 
Published: June 2020

Introduction: The TFN-ADVANCED Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA) 235 mm (DePuySynthes) and Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA)-II 240 mm (DePuySynthes) were developed to obtain better stability for patients with trochanteric hip fractures without increasing surgical time and amount of blood loss. However, there are currently no studies concerning clinical and radiological outcomes of patients treated using these proximal femoral nails (PFNs) that have been performed in the Japanese population. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with 235 to 240 mm PFNs for Japanese patients >70 years old with trochanteric hip fractures who could walk independently before the injury. Materials and Methods: This study involved a retrospective analysis of data on trochanteric hip fracture patients who had undergone internal fixation from March 2016 to June 2018. The inclusion criteria were patients >70 years old with trochanteric hip fractures who could walk independently before the injury and were followed up for ≥3 months after surgery. Initially, 124 patients were identified, but 33 of these were excluded because other implants were used for internal fixation. Of the remaining 91 patients in whom PFNs were used at the time of internal fixation who were included for the perioperative evaluation, 66 patients followed up for ≥3 months were included in the clinical evaluations. Results: The average surgical time was 56.8 ± 19.6 minutes (range, 23-123 minutes). The average blood loss was 89 ± 41 mL (range, 0-245 mL). The union rate was 98%. Discussion: There were no cases of nail jamming, and all nails were successfully inserted below the end of the distal isthmus without additional reaming to dilate the canal. Conclusions: Proximal femoral nails were a useful implant in Japanese elderly patients with trochanteric hip fractures and gave comparable clinical outcomes despite the femoral length being short and occurrence of intensive bowing.
Enhancement of the adsorption properties of two natural bentonites by ion exchange: equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic study
Authors: Boukhemkhem Ali , Pizarro Alejandro H. , Molina Carmen B. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTIn this investigation, Maghnia (Ma) and Mostaganem (Ms) bentonite clays, mined from west Algeria, with no prior affinity for anionic dyes, were modified by simple ion exchange with aqueous Fe3+ solutions, followed by calcination at 500°C. The resulting materials, Fe-Ma and Fe-Ms, respectively, were employed as adsorbents for methyl orange. The starting materials and the two adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area and X-ray fluorescence and by determining the point of zero charge. The effects of various variables, such as initial dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial pH and adsorption temperature, were studied. The kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model and the mechanism was determined from the intraparticle diffusion model, while corresponding isotherms fitted better to the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process was endothermic, spontaneous and physical in nature, accompanied by an increase of entropy.
Explaining the variation in the attained power of a stepped-wedge trial with unequal cluster sizes
Authors: Ouyang Yongdong , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , Gustafson Paul , Field Thalia S. , Wong Hubert 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
In a cross-sectional stepped-wedge trial with unequal cluster sizes, attained power in the trial depends on the realized allocation of the clusters. This attained power may differ from the expected power calculated using standard formulae by averaging the attained powers over all allocations the randomization algorithm can generate. We investigated the effect of design factors and allocation characteristics on attained power and developed models to predict attained power based on allocation characteristics.

Method
Based on data simulated and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, we evaluated the distribution of attained powers under different scenarios with varying intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the responses, coefficient of variation (CV) of the cluster sizes, number of cluster-size groups, distributions of group sizes, and number of clusters. We explored the relationship between attained power and two allocation characteristics: the individual-level correlation between treatment status and time period, and the absolute treatment group imbalance. When computational time was excessive due to a scenario having a large number of possible allocations, we developed regression models to predict attained power using the treatment-vs-time period correlation and absolute treatment group imbalance as predictors.

Results
The risk of attained power falling more than 5% below the expected or nominal power decreased as the ICC or number of clusters increased and as the CV decreased. Attained power was strongly affected by the treatment-vs-time period correlation. The absolute treatment group imbalance had much less impact on attained power. The attained power for any allocation was predicted accurately using a logistic regression model with the treatment-vs-time period correlation and the absolute treatment group imbalance as predictors.

Conclusion
In a stepped-wedge trial with unequal cluster sizes, the risk that randomization yields an allocation with inadequate attained power depends on the ICC, the CV of the cluster sizes, and number of clusters. To reduce the computational burden of simulating attained power for allocations, the attained power can be predicted via regression modeling. Trial designers can reduce the risk of low attained power by restricting the randomization algorithm to avoid allocations with large treatment-vs-time period correlations.
Including non-concurrent control patients in the analysis of platform trials: is it worth it?
Authors: Lee Kim May , Wason James 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Platform trials allow adding new experimental treatments to an on-going trial. This feature is attractive to practitioners due to improved efficiency. Nevertheless, the operating characteristics of a trial that adds arms have not been well-studied. One controversy is whether just the concurrent control data (i.e. of patients who are recruited after a new arm is added) should be used in the analysis of the newly added treatment(s), or all control data (i.e. non-concurrent and concurrent).

Methods
We investigate the benefits and drawbacks of using non-concurrent control data within a two-stage setting. We perform simulation studies to explore the impact of a linear and a step trend on the inference of the trial. We compare several analysis approaches when one includes all the control data or only concurrent control data in the analysis of the newly added treatment.

Results
When there is a positive trend and all the control data are used, the marginal power of rejecting the corresponding hypothesis and the type one error rate can be higher than the nominal value. A model-based approach adjusting for a stage effect is equivalent to using concurrent control data; an adjustment with a linear term may not guarantee valid inference when there is a non-linear trend.

Conclusions
If strict error rate control is required then non-concurrent control data should not be used; otherwise it may be beneficial if the trend is sufficiently small. On the other hand, the root mean squared error of the estimated treatment effect can be improved through using non-concurrent control data.
Permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy for patients with progressive or recurrent high-grade gliomas
Authors: Wang Congxiao , Liu Shifeng , Peng Lijing , Zhang Kaixian , Li Wei , Zhang Hao , Luan Ying , Li Peishun , Hu Xiaokun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The prognosis of patients with progressive or recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGGs) after surgery remains poor. Iodine-125 brachytherapy is emerging as a salvage method for the treatment of gliomas. This study aimed to investigate whether permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy could be used as an effective therapeutic method even without radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection.

Methods
Between March 2004 and August 2016, 58 patients with progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection were included in this study. Twenty-nine patients underwent radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and then permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy (SRCI group). Twenty-nine patients underwent permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy alone (SI group). Follow-up was carried out at 1, 3, and 6 months and then at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after iodine-125 implantation. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), procedure-related complications and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Results
No procedure-related fatal events happened. The temporary morbidity rate was 11.9%. The median OS and PFS for patients in the SI group were 22 and 8 months compared with 21 and 7 months in the SRCI group. No significant differences were found. Age and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Age, KPS and histology were independent prognostic factors for PFS.

Conclusions
Permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy could be used as an effective therapeutic method even without radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for progressive or recurrent HGG after gross total resection.
Development of a precision medicine pipeline to identify personalized treatments for colorectal cancer
Authors: Altunel Erdem , Roghani Roham S. , Chen Kai-Yuan , Kim So Young , McCall Shannon , Ware Kathryn E. , Shen Xiling , Somarelli Jason A. , Hsu David S. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be a major health problem, and current treatments are primarily for disease control and palliation of symptoms. In this study, we developed a precision medicine strategy to discover novel therapeutics for patients with CRC.

Methods
Six matched low-passage cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) were established from CRC patients undergoing resection of their cancer. High-throughput drug screens using a 119 FDA-approved oncology drug library were performed on these cell lines, which were then validated in vivo in matched PDXs. RNA-Seq analysis was then performed to identify predictors of response.

Results
Our study revealed marked differences in response to standard-of-care agents across patients and pinpointed druggable pathways to treat CRC. Among these pathways co-targeting of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), SRC, platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling was found to be an effective strategy. Molecular analyses revealed potential predictors of response to these druggable pathways.

Conclusions
Our data suggests that the use of matched low-passage cell lines and PDXs is a promising strategy to identify new therapies and pathways to treat metastatic CRC.
The effect of dot size in random-dot stereograms on the results of stereoacuity measurements
Authors: Zhao Lingzhi , Wu Huang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the size of the dots in random-dot stereograms on the results of stereoacuity measurements.

Methods
A stereopsis measurement system was created using a phoropter and two 4 K smartphones. Three dot sizes, including 1 × 1 pixel, 6 × 6 pixels, and 10 × 10 pixels (equivalent to 0.17 min arc, 1 min arc, and 1.68 min arc, respectively), were used to form random-dot arrays, and each test pattern had one Lea symbol hidden within it. The resulting stereograms were tested on 30 subjects with normal acuity and stereoacuity.

Results
Stereoacuity measured with the 1-pixel dots was significantly worse than that measured with the 6-pixel dots (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Z = -4.903, P < 0.001) and the 10-pixel dots (Z = -4.941, P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between 6-pixel dot and 10-pixel dot stereograms (Z = -1.000, P = 0.317).

Conclusion
The size of the dots in random-dot stereograms affects the test results significantly when the dots are too small for the eye to resolve.
Prognostic role of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin for 30-day mortality in patients with postoperative acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Liu Chuan , Zhan Hui-lu , Huang Zhang-Heng , Hu Chuan , Tong Yue-Xin , Fan Zhi-Yi , Zheng Meng-Ying , Zhao Cheng-Liang , Ma Gui-Yun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and albumin for 30-day mortality in patients with postoperative acute pulmonary embolism (PAPE).

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 101 patients with PAPE admitted from September 1, 2012, to March 31, 2019. The characteristics, surgical information, admission examination data and mortality within 30 days after PAPE were obtained from our electronic medical recording system and follow-up. The associations between the NLR, PLR, and other predictors and 30-day mortality were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, the nomogram including the independent predictors was established and evaluated.

Results
Twenty-four patients died within 30 days, corresponding to a 30-day mortality rate of 23.8%. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that both the NLR and albumin were independent predictors for 30-day mortality in patients with PAPE. The probability of death increased by approximately 17.1% (OR = 1.171, 95% CI: 1.073–1.277, P = 0.000) with a one-unit increase in the NLR, and the probability of death decreased by approximately 15.4% (OR = 0.846, 95% CI: 0.762c–0.939, P = 0.002) with a one-unit increase in albumin. The area under the curve of the nomogram was 0.888 (95% CI: 0.812–0.964).

Conclusion
Our findings showed that an elevated NLR and decreased albumin were related to poor prognosis in patients with PAPE. The NLR and albumin were independent prognostic factors for PAPE.
LINC01094 triggers radio-resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma via miR-577/CHEK2/FOXM1 axis
Authors: Jiang Yufeng , Li Wei , Yan Yang , Yao Xudong , Gu Wenyu , Zhang Haimin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Radioresistance is an obstacle to limit efficacy of radiotherapy. Meanwhile, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to affect radioresistance. Here, we aimed to investigate lncRNAs involving radioresistance development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most frequent type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods
The mRNA and protein expressions of genes were measured via qRT-PCR and western blot. The relationships among genes were verified by RIP and luciferase reporter assay. The radioresistance of ccRCC cells was evaluated through clonogenic survival assay, MTT assay and TUNEL assay.

Results
LINC01094 was over-expressed in ccRCC cell lines. LINC01094 expression was increased along with the radiation exposure time and the final stable level was 8 times of the initial level. Knockdown of LINC01094 resulted in enhanced radiosensitivity of ccRCC cells. Mechanically, LINC01094 was a ceRNA of CHEK2 by sponging miR-577. Also, the enhancement of LINC01094 on ccRCC radioresistance was mediated by CHEK2-stabilized FOXM1 protein.

Conclusion
LINC01094 facilitates ccRCC radioresistance by targeting miR-577/CHEK2/FOXM1 axis, blazing a new trail for overcoming radioresistance in ccRCC.
LncRNA FTX represses the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating the M1/M2 polarization of Kupffer cells
Authors: Wu Huajun , Zhong Zhiwei , Wang Anji , Yuan Chunhui , Ning Ke , Hu Huanhuan , Wang Chao , Yin Xiangbao 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The effect of lncRNA FTX on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) conversion to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear.

Methods
In our study, C57BL/6 mice was fed with high fat diet for obtaining NAFLD mouse model, and diethylnitrosamine induced the formation of HCC tumor. The expression of iNOS and CD206 in tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry. In addition, qRT-PCR was implemented to detect the expression of FTX and mRNAs. The percentage of M1 and M2 Kupffer cells (KCs) were determined using flow cytometry. The pathological change in liver tissues was displayed by H&E staining. Besides, immunofluorescence assay was performed to ensure the primary KCs through labeling F4/80.

Results
Here, we found that the expression of FTX and the ratio of M1/M2 KCs in liver tissues from NAFLD-transformed HCC (NAFLD-HCC) patients lower than in liver tissues from NAFLD patients. Subsequently, we revealed that the expression of FTX and M1/M2 KCs ratio were downregulated during NAFLD conversion to HCC. Importantly, increasing of FTX inhibited HCC tumor growth, improved liver damage and promoted M1 polarization of KCs during NAFLD conversion to HCC, while these effects of FTX were reversed by inactivating of KCs. Finally, in vitro experiments, our data indicated that FTX facilitated the M1 polarization of KCs.

Conclusion
In conclusion, our results demonstrated that upregulation of FTX suppressed NAFLD conversion to HCC though promoting M1 polarization of KCs. Our findings presented a new regulatory mechanism for NAFLD conversion to HCC, and provided a new biomarker for inhibiting this conversion.