bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endothelial function in cardiovascular medicine: a consensus paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Groups on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology, Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation, and Thrombosis
Authors: Alexander Yvonne , Osto Elena , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Shechter Michael , Trifunovic Danijela , Duncker Dirk J , Aboyans Victor , Bäck Magnus , Badimon Lina , Cosentino Francesco , De Carlo Marco , Dorobantu Maria , Harrison David G , Guzik Tomasz J , Hoefer Imo , Morris Paul D , Norata Giuseppe D , Suades Rosa , Taddei Stefano , Vilahur Gemma , Waltenberger Johannes , Weber Christian , Wilkinson Fiona , Bochaton-Piallat Marie-Luce , Evans Paul C 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEndothelial cells (ECs) are sentinels of cardiovascular health. Their function is reduced by the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and is regained once pathological stimuli are removed. In this European Society for Cardiology Position Paper, we describe endothelial dysfunction as a spectrum of phenotypic states and advocate further studies to determine the role of EC subtypes in cardiovascular disease. We conclude that there is no single ideal method for measurement of endothelial function. Techniques to measure coronary epicardial and micro-vascular function are well established but they are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial arteries provides a non-invasive alternative but is technically challenging and requires extensive training and standardization. We, therefore, propose that a consensus methodology for FMD is universally adopted to minimize technical variation between studies, and that reference FMD values are established for different populations of healthy individuals and patient groups. Newer techniques to measure endothelial function that are relatively easy to perform, such as finger plethysmography and the retinal flicker test, have the potential for increased clinical use provided a consensus is achieved on the measurement protocol used. We recommend further clinical studies to establish reference values for these techniques and to assess their ability to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. We advocate future studies to determine whether integration of endothelial function measurements with patient-specific epigenetic data and other biomarkers can enhance the stratification of patients for differential diagnosis, disease progression, and responses to therapy.
India’s Civil Registration System: a potentially viable data source for reliable subnational mortality measurement
Authors: Rao Chalapati , Kansal Mamta 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe Indian national Civil Registration System (CRS) is the optimal data source for mortality measurement, but is yet under development. As an alternative, data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) which covers less than 1% of the national population is used. This article presents a comparative analysis of mortality measures from the SRS and CRS in 2017, and explores the potential of the CRS to meet these subnational data needs.MethodsData on population and deaths by age and sex for 2017 from each source were used to compute national and state level life tables. Sex specific ratios of death probabilities in five age categories (0-4, 5-14, 15-29, 30-69, 70 -84, 85+) were used to evaluate CRS data completeness, using SRS probabilities as reference values. The quality of medically certified causes of death was assessed through hospital reporting coverage and proportions of deaths registered with ill-defined causes from each state.ResultsThe CRS operates through an extensive infrastructure with high reporting coverage, but child deaths are uniformly under reported, as well as female deaths in some states. However, at ages 30 to 69 years, CRS death probabilities are higher than the SRS values in 15 states in males and 10 states in females. SRS death probabilities are of limited precision for measuring mortality trends and differentials. Medical certification of cause of death is affected by low hospital reporting coverage.ConclusionsThe Indian CRS is more reliable than the SRS for measuring adult mortality in several states. Targeted initiatives to improve the recording of child and female deaths, to strengthen the quality of medical certification of cause of death, and to promote use of verbal autopsy methods are necessary to establish the CRS as a reliable source of sub national mortality statistics in the near future.KEY MESSAGESThe Sample Registration System (SRS) is currently the main source of mortality statistics in India, since the Civil Registration System (CRS) is yet under developmentLimitations in sample size as well as problems with quality of causes of death result in considerable uncertainty in population level mortality estimates from the SRSThis research evaluated the quality of the sex and age specific mortality risks from the CRS, using the SRS values in each state as reference valuesThe CRS has high levels of reporting coverage for death registration, and also measures higher levels of mortality at ages 30 to 69 years in several states, with high precisionInterventions are required to improve child death registration, strengthen medical certification of cause of death in hospitals, and introduce verbal autopsy for home deathsThese interventions will establish the CRS as a routine and reliable source for national and subnational mortality measurement in India in the near future
Hormone replacement therapy and elevated breast cancer risk: An artifact of growth acceleration?
Authors: Engel Jutta , Schubert-Fritschle Gabriele , Hölzel Dieter 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAvailable data on accelerated proliferation and increased breast cancer risk due to hormone replacement therapy (HT) are inconsistent. Data on long-term effects of HT are limited. The interaction between several key factors was examined using a model-based approach.MethodsCohorts of 50 year old women, BCs were randomly generated for 30 years based on the age-specific incidence. A control group received a HT that increased the growth of occult BCs. In a 3rd cohort BCs were additionally induced by HT. This model illustrates the interrelationship of important parameters and allows the simulation and comparison of previously published clinical studies.ResultsUsing plausible parameters for BC growth factor (GF) and HT-related effects it was demonstrated that HT caused accelerated growth of occult BCs with an apparent increase in incidence and shortened time to diagnosis. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study was reconstructed assuming a GF of 1.43 induced by HT. The decision of millions of women to discontinue or forego HT based on the published risks of the WHI-study in 2002 could explain the marked jump of 6.7% in incidence within a few months. If additional BCs were induced by HT, then these BCs may become apparent after 10 or more years together with those appearing according to the normal incidence. At this time conclusive data on type, timing, and molecular characteristics of HT induced BCs are not yet available.ConclusionThe acceleration in growth of occult BC has been underestimated. Initially HTs can cause an apparent increase in BC incidence thereby explaining the WHI-dependent decrease in 2003. A HT associated BC risk should only be detectable with a delay of ten and more years.
Improving the quality of venous blood sampling procedure (phlebotomy): avoiding tourniquet use
Authors: Freitas Francisco , Alves Mónica 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundGuidelines for venous blood sampling procedure (phlebotomy) discourage tourniquet use whenever possible. Here, we aimed to assess the Biomedical Scientists capability of not using the tourniquet in phlebotomy, which we hypothesized to be equal to 50% of the patients attended, and identifying the most frequent venipuncture site.Materials and MethodsWe selected and assigned two (BMS) with the same age (41 years) and experience (20 years) to record ten phlebotomy days, the first with prioritized and the latter with non-prioritized patients. In a simple record form, each acquired daily data for the number of attended patients, age and gender, the frequency of non-tourniquet usage and the punctured vein. To test our work hypothesis we used the two-tailed single sample t-test (p < 0.05). Differences between age-group means and non-tourniquet use means by each BMS were tested by two-tailed t-test for independent means (p < 0.05).ResultsIn 10 phlebotomy days 683 patients were attended, with males representing 43,2% of the population. We found no statistically difference between age-group means. The combined capability of non-tourniquet use was 50,5%, which did not differ from our null hypothesis, but the individual group-means were statistically different, being 33% and 66.9% in the prioritized vs non-prioritized group. The medial cubital vein was the most prone to be punctured (77,7%).ConclusionsWe have shown that performing phlebotomies without tourniquet use is possible and desirable in at least half of the attended patients, though being more limited in specific group populations. Our results provide room for quality improvement in the laboratory pre-analytical phase.Key points summaryWe assessed the capability of Biomedical Scientists not using the tourniquet in real life blood sampling procedures for diagnostic purposes.Blood was collected from at least half of the attended patients without tourniquet use.Biomedical Scientists were able to prioritize the antecubital veins without tourniquet application (medial cubital vein the most prone to be punctured - 78% of attempts).
Microscopic Review of Nasopharyngeal Swabs as a Means of Benchside Quality Assurance
Authors: Matelski AT. , Siddique N. , Mead P. , Raimondi T. , Jorgenson L. , Calderon O. , Harman K. , Farrell JJ. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNasopharygneal swabs (NPS) are the collection modality recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV2. NPS gather both extracellular material and human respiratory epithelial cells and, when used with RT-PCR, have reliable sensitivity for detection of viral infection. However, at our institution, we identified a 1.7% re-order rate within 7-days for NPS for respiratory pathogen RT-PCR, which we hypothesize may be due to low confidence in adequate sample collection. We sought to identify an inexpensive and accessible strategy for benchside quality assurance of NPS adequacy by observing microscopic content of viral transport media. For 801 NPS samples collected in November 2019, we air-dried and safranin-stained aliquots of viral transport media on glass slides. We then counted morphologically distinct ciliated columnar epithelial cells (CCEs). 19% of samples negative by RT-PCR for respiratory pathogens had no CCEs, while just 6% of positive samples exhibited the same. Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to compare presence of CCEs between samples that were positive and negative for respiratory pathogens by RT-PCR (p=3.3×10-38). The negative predictive value (NPV) of finding no identifiable CCEs on microscopy was 85%. We posit that samples without identifiable CCEs may have been inadequately collected. The basic, benchside protocol using inexpensive laboratory reagents that we describe here could help improve accuracy and accessibility of NPS and RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV2 and other respiratory pathogens while conserving limited resources in the face of a pandemic.
Alcohol and Parasomnias: The Statistical Evaluation of the Parasomnia Defense in Sexual Assault, Where Alcohol is Involved
Authors: Munro Neil A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSleep sex may be a defense for alleged sexual assault. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD3) states: “Disorders of arousal should not be diagnosed in the presence of alcohol intoxication… The former [alcohol blackouts] are exponentially more prevalent.” A panel member of ICSD3, quoting ICSD3 asserts: “alcohol intoxication should rule out a sleep‐walking defense”. This implies extremely strong support for a prosecution hypothesis (Hp) over a defense hypothesis (Hd). I use Bayesian methodology to evaluate the evidential probity of alcohol intoxication. The likelihood ratio, LR, measures the amplification of prior odds of guilt,

. By Bayes' theorem,

. I use data from cross‐sectional studies of sexual assault and prevalence of alcohol use, in college students, with data from longitudinal studies, and data from the epidemiology of parasomnias to evaluate LR (alcohol). LR ~1.5 or 5, depending whether alcohol does, or does not, increase the risk of parasomnias. The proposition of extremely strong support for Hp implies a LR ~1,000,000, so the proposition in ICSD3 is not supported by formal analysis. The statistical reasoning in ICSD3 is unclear. There appears to be inversion of the Bayesian conditional (confusing intoxication given assault, and assault given intoxication) and failure to evaluate alcohol intoxication in Hd. Similar statistical errors in R. v Sally Clark are discussed. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine should review the statistical methodology in ICSD3.
The use of short‐acting beta‐2 adrenergic receptor agonists for asthma increased among Finnish and Swedish children from 2006 to 2017
Authors: Kivistö Juho E. , Karjalainen Jussi , Huhtala Heini , Protudjer Jennifer L. P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimPaediatric asthma hospitalisation has decreased in Finland, but has remained stable in Sweden. The reasons for these intercountry differences are unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the trend of dispensed asthma medication, including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), among paediatric populations in the two countries.MethodsWe explored trends in dispensed asthma medication among paediatric populations aged 0‐19 in Finland and Sweden from 2006 to 2017. The Finnish Statistics on Reimbursements for Prescription Medicines and The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register provided data on all dispensed asthma prescriptions.ResultsDuring the study period, the prevalence of dispensed ICS in paediatric populations was fairly stable in Finland and Sweden. Among children aged 0‐4, ICS were 1.5 times more commonly dispensed in Sweden than in Finland. The prevalence of children dispensed short‐acting beta‐2 adrenergic receptor agonists (SABA) increased in both countries, but rose more in Finland (51%) than in Sweden (27%).ConclusionInhaled corticosteroids were more commonly dispensed for children aged 0‐4 in Sweden than in Finland during the study period. This study showed an increasing prevalence of children dispensed SABA in Finland and Sweden, particularly in Finland. Differences and trends in asthma medication may effect asthma hospitalisation and asthma deaths.
Mindin deficiency alleviates renal fibrosis through inhibiting NF‐κB and TGF‐β/Smad pathways
Authors: Yang Kang , Li Wei , Bai Tao , Xiao Yusha , Yu Weimin , Luo Pengcheng , Cheng Fan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRenal fibrosis acts as a clinical predictor in patients with chronic kidney disease and is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Our previous study suggested that mindin can function as a mediator for liver steatosis pathogenesis. However, the role of mindin in renal fibrosis remains obscure. Here, tumour necrosis factor (TGF)‐β‐treated HK‐2 cells and global mindin knockout mouse were induced with renal ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) to test the relationship between mindin and renal fibrosis. In vitro, mindin overexpression promoted p65—the hub subunit of the NF‐κB signalling pathway—translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, resulting in NF‐κB pathway activation in TGF‐β‐treated HK‐2 cells. Meanwhile, mindin activated the TGF‐β/Smad pathway, thereby causing fibrotic‐related protein expression in vitro. Mindin−/− mice exhibited less kidney lesions than controls, with small renal tubular expansion, inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as collagen accumulation, following renal IRI. Mechanistically, mindin−/− mice suppressed p65 translocation and deactivated NF‐κB pathway. Simultaneously, mindin disruption inhibited the TGF‐β/Smad pathway, alleviating the expression of ECM‐related proteins. Hence, mindin may be a novel target of renal IRI in the treatment of renal fibrogenesis.
Using shear force, sarcomere length, particle size, collagen content, and protein solubility metrics to predict consumer acceptance of aged beef tenderness
Authors: Holman Benjamin W. B. , Collins Damian , Kilgannon Ashleigh K. , Hopkins David L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this study, the relationship between sensory evaluation and several objective metrics of beef tenderness was tested. Objective metrics included shear force, sarcomere length, collagen content, myofibrillar, and sarcoplasmic protein solubility and particle size analysis. These results were compared to consumer panel scores of tenderness for the same aged beef striploin (longissimus lumborum muscle) samples. There was found to be a significant relationship between sarcomere length, shear force, and particle size with tenderness scores. Collagen content and protein solubilities were not associated to tenderness scores (p > 0.05). Sarcomere length contributions for explaining tenderness variation were overlapped by the contributions of shear force (collinearity). Independent models demonstrated that the lower 95% confidence interval of the fitted regression line exceeded 50% acceptance of tenderness when shear force values <42.6 N and when particle size values <198 μm. We can recommend these as thresholds for consumer acceptance of beef tenderness, although considerations of sample type, analytical methodology, and consumer demographics should be made prior to their adoption. This provision was based on the variation in tenderness scores evident between individual panelists and experimental striploins.
No evidence for the need of a routine renal transplant ultrasound after elective transplant ureteric stent removal—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hussein Aliyah , Sran Kiran , Ali Imran , Woellner Janine , Wilcox Helen , Marks Stephen D. , Jones Helen , Callaghan Chris 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTransplant ureteric stent insertion reduces the incidence of MUCs, but it is not known whether routine PSRGU is needed to detect unmasked MUCs. This study evaluated whether routine PSRGU in the pRTR is a useful tool to identify MUCs before they become clinically apparent. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of the clinical outcomes following elective stent removal from pediatric kidney‐only transplant recipients at two London centers between 2012 and 2016. Our policy was to perform PSRGU either routinely or urgently if there were concerning symptoms or biochemical evidence of renal allograft dysfunction. Elective stent removal was performed in 86% (97 of 113 pRTR), and 75 (77%) of whom had routine PSRGU at a median (IQR) of 6 (2‐8) days after stent removal. There were changes to management in 3 (4%) of pRTR with PSRGU identifying no MUC. Nineteen patients (25%) had urgent PSRGU, most commonly due to renal allograft dysfunction, at a median (IQR) of 5.5 (2.7‐12.3) days after stent removal. Of these, two pRTR required ureteric intervention. For our current practice of removing transplant stents at 4‐6 weeks post‐transplantation, our study has found no evidence to support routine PSRGU after elective stent removal.
Effects of Self-Selected Step Length and Trunk Position on Joint Kinetics in Highly Physically Fit Older Adults
Authors: Krupenevich Rebecca L. , Miller Ross H. 
Published: April 2020

The causes of age-related differences in lower-extremity joint moments and powers are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of highly physically active older adults walking with (1) a step length similar to young adults and (2) an upright trunk posture, on hip and ankle joint kinetics. The authors hypothesized that, compared with their self-selected walking mechanics, older adults would exhibit decreased hip kinetics and increased ankle kinetics when prescribed a young adult step length, and would exhibit decreased hip extension moments when maintaining an upright trunk posture during walking. A total of 12 active older adults (67 [5] y) and 13 active young adults (21 [3] y) walked at 1.3 m/s. The older adults also walked at 1.3 m/s with step lengths prescribed from height-matched young adults and, in a separate condition, walked with an upright trunk. The older adults did not display larger ankle kinetics or smaller hip kinetics in either condition compared to walking with a self-selected step length. These findings indicate that step length and trunk position do not primarily contribute to age-related differences in kinetics in highly active older adults and should serve as a starting point for investigating alternative explanations.
Magnetic response from constant backgrounds to Coulomb sources
Authors: Adorno T. C. , Gitman D. M. , Shabad A. E. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWithin general nonlinear electrodynamics given by a local action, very special magnetic field configuration carrying no magnetic charge is found as a linear response of the vacuum, filled with constant electric and magnetic fields, to an embedded static electric charge. When the electric charge is point-like and external fields are parallel, the response found may be interpreted as a field of two point-like magnetic charges of opposite polarities in one point. Coefficients characterizing the magnetic response and induced current are specialized to quantum electrodynamics (QED), where the nonlinearity is taken as that determined by the local Heisenberg–Euler effective action. It is demonstrated how the same response is reproduced in the (nonisotropic) region remote from the charge by considering the polarization operator of QED.
ЗНАННЯ ІСТОРІЇ ТУБЕРКУЛЬОЗУ – ЗАПОРУКА УСПІХУ І ЗАСТЕРЕЖЕННЯ ВІД ПОМИЛОК
Authors: Piatnochka I. T. , Kornaha S. I. 
Published: April 2020

Мета: привернути увагу лікарів до проблеми туберкульозу через знання історичного минулого і застерегти від помилок на майбутнє.
Матеріали і методи. В основу покладено літературні повідомлення, дані офіційної статистичної звітності, а також власні багаторічні спостереження та дослідження.
Результати. У статті наведено найважливіші дані щодо туберкульозу в історичному аспекті як у світовому масш­табі, так і в Україні. Проаналізовано статистичні дані про захворюваність, смертність від туберкульозу, ефективність його лікування в розрізі десятиліть. Звернено увагу на необґрунтовано хибні думки, що всі питання про туберкульоз вже вирішені та є утопічні прогнози про його ліквідацію як розповсюдженого захворювання у багатьох країнах світу. Україну спіткала така ж ситуація, що призвело до епідемії туберкульозу (1995 р.). Завдяки міжнародній допомозі, цілеспрямованим діям українського уряду вдалося зупинити спалах епідемії. Попри успіхи у подоланні туберкульозу в Україні за останні роки виникли деякі стратегічні помилки в боротьбі з цим захворюванням. Обговорено сприйняття передового світового досвіду, його втілення щодо реорганізації протитуберкульозної служби в Україні.
Висновки. Досвід світової та вітчизняної фтизіатрії дозволяє фахівцям повніше зрозуміти проблему туберкульозу як захворювання з його поліморфним патоморфозом і невдачами в боротьбі з ним. Проте проявляються стратегічні прорахунки, поспішно закриваються протитуберкульозні заклади, скорочується ліжковий фонд і кількість фтизіатрів.