bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Partial Oral Antibiotic Treatment for Persons Who Inject Drugs and Are Hospitalized With Invasive Infections
Authors: Marks Laura R , Liang Stephen Y , Muthulingam Dharushana , Schwarz Evan S , Liss David B , Munigala Satish , Warren David K , Durkin Michael J 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundPersons who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk of invasive infections; however, hospitalizations to treat these infections are frequently complicated by against medical advice (AMA) discharges. This study compared outcomes among PWID who (1) completed a full course of inpatient intravenous (IV) antibiotics, (2) received a partial course of IV antibiotics but were not prescribed any antibiotics on AMA discharge, and (3) received a partial course of IV antibiotics and were prescribed oral antibiotics on AMA discharge.MethodsA retrospective, cohort study of PWID aged ≥18 years admitted to a tertiary referral center between 01/2016 and 07/2019, who received an infectious diseases consultation for an invasive bacterial or fungal infection.Results293 PWID were included in the study. 90-day all-cause readmission rates were highest among PWID who did not receive oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (n = 46, 68.7%), compared with inpatient IV (n = 43, 31.5%) and partial oral (n = 27, 32.5%) antibiotics. In a multivariate analysis, 90-day readmission risk was higher among PWID who did not receive oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–3.82) and not different among PWID prescribed oral antibiotic therapy on AMA discharge (aHR, .99; 95% CI, .62–1.62). Surgical source control (aHR, .57; 95% CI, .37–.87) and addiction medicine consultation (aHR, .57; 95% CI, .38–.86) were both associated with reduced readmissions.ConclusionsOur single-center study suggests access to oral antibiotic therapy for PWID who cannot complete prolonged inpatient IV antibiotic courses is beneficial.
Low-dose photodynamic therapy promotes a cytotoxic immunological response in a murine model of pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Cavin Sabrina , Gkasti Aspasia , Faget Julien , Hao Yameng , Letovanec Igor , Reichenbach Maxime , Gonzalez Michel , Krueger Thorsten , Dyson Paul J , Meylan Etienne , Perentes Jean Y 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly disease with limited treatment options. Approaches to enhance patient immunity against MPM have been tested but shown variable results. Previously, we have demonstrated interesting vascular modulating properties of low-dose photodynamic therapy (L-PDT) on MPM. Here, we hypothesized that L-PDT vascular modulation could favour immune cell extravasation in MPM and improve tumour control in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

METHODS
First, we assessed the impact of L-PDT on vascular endothelial E-selectin expression, a key molecule for immune cell extravasation, in vitro and in a syngeneic murine model of MPM. Second, we characterized the tumour immune cell infiltrate by 15-colour flow cytometry analysis 2 and 7 days after L-PDT treatment of the murine MPM model. Third, we determined how L-PDT combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA4 affected tumour growth in a murine MPM model.

RESULTS
L-PDT significantly enhanced E-selectin expression by endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. This correlated with increased CD8+ T cells and activated antigen-presenting cells (CD11b+ dendritic cells and macrophages) infiltration in MPM. Also, compared to anti-CTLA4 that only affects tumour growth, the combination of L-PDT with anti-CTLA4 caused complete MPM regression in 37.5% of animals.

CONCLUSIONS
L-PDT enhances E-selectin expression in the MPM endothelium, which favours immune infiltration of tumours. The combination of L-PDT with immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA4 allows best tumour control and regression.
Bare stent removal in open thoraco-abdominal aortic repair after endovascular treatment with the PETTICOAT technique
Authors: Uchida Tetsuro , Kobayashi Kimihiro , Nakai Shingo , Sadahiro Mitsuaki 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The Provisional Extension to Induce Complete Attachment (PETTICOAT) technique using distal bare stents can enhance the effect of proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Here, we present the case of a patient who underwent open surgical conversion and bare stent removal due to progressive thoraco-abdominal aortic enlargement. Previously placed bare-metal stents were embedded deeply in the aortic wall. After explantation of the bare stents, reno-visceral arterial orifices became fragile due to considerable intimal defects, and special care was necessary to make buttons and subsequent separate branch graft anastomoses. As bare stent removal makes open surgical conversion technically difficult, the indication for the PETTICOAT technique should be considered.
Protecting Solitary Beliefs Against Indirect Discrimination
Authors: Adenitire John 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This article argues that the requirement of group disadvantage in indirect belief discrimination is incompatible with the human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The latter protects sincerely held beliefs even if they are not shared by others or part of group orthodoxy. Consequently, the group disadvantage requirement in indirect belief discrimination ought to be interpreted away under section 3 HRA. Doing so, it is argued, does not give an unfair advantage to beliefs over other aspects of personal identity and complies with the legal injunction against judicial involvement in theological or philosophical disputes. The article concludes by arguing that, in light of the UK case law, imposing a requirement of group disadvantage is likely to pose a more significant barrier to secular philosophical beliefs than to religious ones. In light of an understanding of secularism that requires equal treatment of religious and deeply held secular beliefs, it is imperative that such a barrier be dispensed with.
Precision and accuracy of commercial assays for vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring: evaluation based on external quality assessment scheme
Authors: Chen Chao-Yang , Li Meng-Ya , Ma Ling-Yun , Zhai Xing-Yu , Luo Dao-Huang , Zhou Ying , Liu Zhen-Ming , Cui Yi-Min 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Vancomycin remains a mainstay of the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections. It is crucial to accurately determine vancomycin serum concentration for adequate dose adjustment.

Objectives
To evaluate the precision and accuracy of commercial assay techniques for vancomycin concentration and to assess the comparability of vancomycin detection methods in Chinese laboratories.

Methods
Human serum samples spiked with known concentrations of vancomycin were provided to laboratories participating in the external quality assessment scheme (EQAS). Assay methods included chemiluminescence, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and so on. The dispersion of the measurements was analysed and the robust coefficient of variation (rCV), relative percentage difference (RPD) and satisfactory rate for method groups were calculated. Moreover, performance of the Chinese laboratories was assessed.

Results
A total of 657 results from 75 laboratories were collected, including 84 samples from 10 Chinese laboratories. The median rCV, median RPD and satisfactory rates classified by methods ranged from 1.85% to 15.87%, −14.75% to 13.34% and 94.59% to 100.00%, respectively. Significant differences were seen in precision, between kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) and other methods, and in accuracy, between enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and other techniques. Vancomycin detection in China mainly depended on the chemiluminescence and EMIT methods, which tended to result in lower measurements.

Conclusions
Although almost all assays in this study achieved an acceptable performance for vancomycin serum concentration monitoring, obvious inconsistencies between methods were still observed. Chinese laboratories were more likely to underestimate vancomycin concentrations. Thus, recognizing inconsistencies between methods and regular participation in vancomycin EQAS are essential.
Varying rates of patient identity verification when using computerized provider order entry
Authors: Fortman Emilie , Hettinger A Zachary , Howe Jessica L , Fong Allan , Pruitt Zoe , Miller Kristen , Ratwani Raj M 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective
We sought to determine rates of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) patient identity verification and when and where in the ordering process verification occurred.

Materials and Methods
Fifty-five physicians from 4 healthcare systems completed simulated patient scenarios using their respective CPOE system (Epic or Cerner). Eye movements were recorded and analyzed.

Results
Across all participants patient id was verified significantly more often than not (62.4% vs 37.6%). Vendor A had significantly higher verification rates than not; vendor B had no difference. Participants using vendor A verified information significantly more often before signing the order than after (88.4% vs 11.6%); there was no difference in vendor B. The banner bar was the most frequent verification location.

Discussion
Factors such as CPOE design, physician training, and the use of a simulated methodology may be impacting verification rates.

Conclusions
Verification rates vary by CPOE product, and this can have patient safety consequences.
A Risk Score Based on 5 Clinico-Pathological Variables Predicts Recurrence of Atypical Meningiomas
Authors: Fioravanzo Adele , Caffo Maria , Di Bonaventura Rina , Gardiman Marina Paola , Ghimenton Claudio , Ius Tamara , Maffeis Valeria , Martini Maurizio , Nicolato Antonio , Pallini Roberto , Pegolo Enrico , Pinna Giampietro , Sala Francesco , Skrap Miran , Volpin Valerio , Barresi Valeria 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The use of adjuvant radiotherapy is controversial in patients with atypical meningiomas treated with gross total resection (GTR). This study aimed to determine whether clinico-pathological features could be helpful to predict the recurrence risk in this group of patients and to identify high-risk ones who could benefit from adjuvant treatment. We collected 200 patients with primary atypical meningiomas treated with GTR but with no adjuvant radiotherapy from 5 different centers. A risk score, formulated by assigning 1 point for the presence and 0 points for the absence of 5 high-risk parameters (male sex, parasagittal site, Simpson grade 3, mitotic index ≥ 6/10 HPF, and sheeting), was the most significant predictor of recurrence. A score ≥2 was associated with 4.7 risk of shorter disease-free survival (p &lt; 0.0001). Our findings indicate that the presence of at least 2 clinico-pathological high-risk factors predicts recurrence of totally resected primary atypical meningiomas and could be helpful for identifying patients who could benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy.
Physical, chemical, and toxicological characterization of fibrillated forms of cellulose using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and co-culture model
Authors: Pradhan Sahar H , Mulenos Marina R , Steele London R , Gibb Matthew , Ede James D , Ong Kimberly J , Shatkin Jo Anne , Sayes Christie M 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFibrillated cellulose is a next-generation material in development for a variety of applications, including use in food and food-contact materials. An alternative testing strategy including simulated digestion was developed to compare the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of seven different types of fibrillated cellulose, following European Food Safety Authority guidance. Fibrillated forms were compared to a conventional form of cellulose which has been used in food for over 85 years and has Generally Recognized as safe regulatory status in the USA. The physical and chemical characterization of fibrillated celluloses demonstrate that these materials are similar physically and chemically, which composed of the same fundamental molecular structure and exhibit similar morphology, size, size distribution, surface charge, and low levels of impurities. Simulated gastrointestinal and lysosomal digestions demonstrate that these physical and chemical similarities remain following exposure to conditions that mimic the gastrointestinal tract or intracellular lysosomes. A toxicological investigation with an advanced intestinal co-culture model found that exposure to each of the fibrillated and conventional forms of cellulose, in either the pristine or digested form at 0.4% by weight, showed no adverse toxicological effects including cytotoxicity, barrier integrity, oxidative stress, or inflammation. The results demonstrate the physical, chemical, and biological similarities of these materials and provide substantive evidence to support their grouping and ability to read-across data as part of a food safety demonstration.
Increasing Financial Inclusion in the Muslim World: Evidence from an Islamic Finance Marketing Experiment
Authors: Karlan Dean , Osman Adam , Shammout Nour 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLow utilization of household credit in developing countries may be partially due to religious considerations. In a randomized marketing experiment in Jordan, this paper estimates the effect of sharia-compliant loan features on demand for credit. To comply with Islamic law, the sharia-compliant product uses a bank fee rather than an interest payment structure, while keeping the rest of the product features very similar. Sharia-compliance increased the application rate for loans from 18 percent to 22 percent, an increase in demand that is equivalent to a 10 percent decrease in interest rates. This study also randomly varied the price of the sharia-compliant loan and finds that less religious individuals are twice as elastic with respect to price as the more religious. By comparing reasons for refusal across treatment groups, this paper estimates that survey measures that try to assess the importance of religious objections to conventional credit overestimate the importance of this type of objection by a third.
Efficacy and safety of propranolol for treatment of temporomandibular disorder pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tchivileva Inna E. , Hadgraft Holly , Lim Pei Feng , Di Giosia Massimiliano , Ribeiro-Dasilva Margarete , Campbell John H. , Willis Janet , James Robert , Herman-Giddens Marcus , Fillingim Roger B. , Ohrbach Richard , Arbes Samuel J. , Slade Gary D. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Propranolol is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2b trial enrolled participants aged 18 to 65 years with temporomandibular disorder myalgia to evaluate efficacy and safety of propranolol compared with placebo in reducing facial pain. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either extended-release propranolol hydrochloride (60 mg, BID) or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in facial pain index (FPI = facial pain intensity multiplied by facial pain duration, divided by 100). Efficacy was analyzed as a mean change in FPI from randomization to week 9 and as the proportion of participants with ≥30% or ≥50% reductions in FPI at week 9. Regression models tested for treatment-group differences adjusting for study site, sex, race, and FPI at randomization. Of 299 participants screened, 200 were randomized; 199 had at least one postrandomization FPI measurement and were included in intention-to-treat analysis. At week 9, model-adjusted reductions in mean FPI did not differ significantly between treatment groups (−1.8, 95% CL: −6.2, 2.6; P = 0.41). However, the proportion with a ≥30% reduction in FPI was significantly greater for propranolol (69.0%) than placebo (52.6%), and the associated number-needed-to-treat was 6.1 (P = 0.03). Propranolol was likewise efficacious for a ≥50% reduction in FPI (number-needed-to-treat = 6.1, P = 0.03). Adverse event rates were similar between treatment groups, except for more frequent fatigue, dizziness, and sleep disorder in the propranolol group. Propranolol was not different from placebo in reducing mean FPI but was efficacious in achieving ≥30% and ≥50% FPI reductions after 9 weeks of treatment among temporomandibular disorder participants.
Evaluation of the Pattern of Use of a Pediatric Emergency Department in Italy
Authors: Vitello Alfonso Stefano , Clavenna Antonio , Cartabia Massimo , Sala Debora , Biondi Andrea , Bonati Maurizio 
Published: March 2020

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate access to a pediatric emergency department (PED) in a large hospital, in particular to estimate the prevalence of potentially avoidable accesses and the characteristics of return visits.

Methods
Clinical health records from the PED of San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy, were retrospectively reviewed. The study population was composed of subjects younger than 18 years who attended the PED during the period from October 1, 2017, to November 30, 2017.
Accesses were defined nonurgent if characterized by white or green triage codes and patient's discharge as the outcome and were defined potentially avoidable if nonurgent and with no diagnostic/therapeutic procedures performed except a visit by the ED pediatrician.
Return visits were defined as accesses that occurred within 72 hours of the first index visit.

Results
A total of 2064 children and adolescents younger than 18 years had at least 1 ED attendance between October and November 2017, for a total of 2364 accesses.
The most frequent diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infections (29.5% of accesses), followed by gastroenteritis (7.0%) and abdominal pain (7.0%). In all, 1810 accesses (88%) were classified as “nonurgent,” and 1228 (60%) potentially avoidable, 373 of which were probably avoidable because they occurred when the primary care physician was available.
The number of return visits was 98 (5% of the accesses): 74 were nonurgent, 31 of which potentially avoidable. On 17 occasions, both index and return visits were potentially avoidable.

Conclusions
We confirm that most of the accesses to a PED are nonurgent and potentially avoidable. Interventions are needed to improve the appropriateness of use of emergency services.
AfRip3, a RIP3-like kinase, is identified as a key modulator of necroptotic death inAspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Dai Jianbo , Gao Linlu , Ghimire Prakriti Sharma , Zhou Hui , Lü Yang , Yang Jinghua , Ouyang Haomiao , Jin Cheng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAspergillus fumigatusexhibits autophagic and necroptotic process when its GPI anchor synthesis is suppressed. A putative kinase (AFUA_6G02590) is found to be overexpressed in response to GPI anchor suppression and identified as a RIP3-like protein, namelyAfRip3. To elucidate its function, in this study a Afrip3-overexpressing strain OE-Afrip3was constructed. Although OE-Afrip3strain exhibited an increased cell death, neither apoptotic nor autophagic process was activated. Our evidences demonstrated that overexpression of Afrip3gene inA. fumigatusonly led to necroptosis, while the Afrip3-knockout mutant was unable to activate necroptotic process. Further analysis revealed that both JNK and SMase pathways were activated in OE-Afrip3strain, by which an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was induced. We also showed that expression of Afrip3gene was induced by Ca2+. In addition, eEF1Bγ and adenylylsulfate kinase (ASK) were identified as potential candidates to interact withAfRip3. These results indicate thatAfRip3 is a key modulator that activates necroptotic process inA. fumigatus, which can be induced by Ca2+and in turn activate JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase) and SMase (sphingomyelinase) pathway. Our findings suggest that necroptotic pathway inA. fumigatusis distinct from that in mammalian cell and may provide a new strategy for development of anti-fungal drug.Author summaryAspergillus fumigatusis a human fungal pathogen and causes invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients with high mortality (30-95%). Development of novel therapies is urgently needed. In this study, we confirmAfRip3 (AFUA_6G02590), a RIP3-like protein, is a key modulator that activates necroptotic process inA. fumigatus. We also find that cytosolic Ca2+can induce the expression of Afrip3and activatedAfRip3 in turn activate JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase) and SMase (sphingomyelinase) pathway. Our findings suggest that necroptotic pathway inA. fumigatusis distinct from that in mammalian cell and may provide a new strategy for development of anti-fungal drug.
A Complex-valued Oscillatory Neural Network for Storage and Retrieval of Multichannel Electroencephalogram Signals
Authors: Biswas Dipayan , Sooryakiran P. , Chakravarthy V. Srinivasa 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRecurrent neural networks with associative memory properties are typically based on fixed-point dynamics, which is fundamentally distinct from the oscillatory dynamics of the brain. There have been proposals for oscillatory associative memories, but here too, in the majority of cases, only binary patterns are stored as oscillatory states in the network. Oscillatory neural network models typically operate at a single/common frequency. At multiple frequencies, even a pair of oscillators with real coupling exhibits rich dynamics of Arnold tongues, not easily harnessed to achieve reliable memory storage and retrieval. Since real brain dynamics comprises of a wide range of spectral components, there is a need for oscillatory neural network models that operate at multiple frequencies. We propose an oscillatory neural network that can model multiple time series simultaneously by performing a Fourier-like decomposition of the signals. We show that these enhanced properties of a network of Hopf oscillators become possible by operating in the complex-variable domain. In this model, the single neural oscillator is modeled as a Hopf oscillator, with adaptive frequency and dynamics described over the complex domain. We propose a novel form of coupling, dubbed “power coupling,” between complex Hopf oscillators. With power coupling, expressed naturally only in the complex-variable domain, it is possible to achieve stable (normalized) phase relationships in a network of multifrequency oscillators. Network connections are trained either by Hebb-like learning or by delta rule, adapted to the complex domain. The network is capable of modeling N-channel Electroencephalogram time series with high accuracy and shows the potential as an effective model of large-scale brain dynamics.