bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is milk and dairy intake a preventive factor for elderly cognition (dementia and Alzheimer’s)? A quality review of cohort surveys
Authors: Bermejo-Pareja Félix , Ciudad-Cabañas María José , Llamas-Velasco Sara , Tapias-Merino Ester , Hernández Gallego Jesús , Hernández-Cabria Marta , Collado-Yurrita Luis , López-Arrieta Jesús María 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMilk and dairy (M&D) is a longstanding human food with widespread use. Many studies showed the preventive capacity of M&D in several human health disorders, but its utility in others is under discussion. Aging has been associated to elderly cognitive decline including dementia-Alzheimer syndrome (Dem-AD). The absence of a therapy to impede or postpone Dem-AD determines the need for its prevention, including nutritional factors. To evaluate the preventive capacity of M&D consumption in elderly Dem-AD we performed a systematic review in the main biomedical databases and information resources, but we present this study as a narrative review to discuss better the complexity of this subject. The elderly Dem-AD has a long pre-symptomatic period and the M&D intake has a widespread use. These determinants and the quality flaws of published studies impeach us to answer whether M&D consumption is preventive for Dem-AD. Moreover, two long Japanese cohorts suggest that M&D intake could prevent Dem-AD. Prospective cohorts beginning in midlife (or early life) could answer this question in the future.
Health Care–Seeking Behaviors and Perceptions of Provider-Initiated Discussion of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among PrEP-Naïve HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men in Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Trost Susanna L , Onwubiko Udodirim N , Wilson Derick B , Holland David P , Chamberlain Allison T 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Given high rates of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, there is a need to more effectively leverage the health care system to bolster promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to at-risk MSM.

Methods
Using data collected from a 2018 venue-based cross-sectional survey, we examined factors associated with health care–seeking behaviors, discussing PrEP with a provider, and barriers to PrEP uptake among MSM. Associations between outcomes and respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were assessed using log binomial regression.

Results
Of 478 MSM, 247 (51%) were PrEP-naïve and HIV-negative. Although 85% of PrEP-naïve MSM reported visiting a health care provider in the past year, only 31% recalled having any provider discuss PrEP. The most frequently cited reasons for not taking PrEP were low perception of personal risk of acquiring HIV (37%) and not knowing enough about PrEP (35%). Those who saw a provider in the last year were less likely than those who did not to cite lack of knowledge as a barrier to use (prevalence rate, 0.66, 95% confidence interval, 0.45–0.96).

Conclusions
Despite the majority of PrEP-naïve MSM interfacing with the health care system, recollection of discussing PrEP with providers was limited. Increased efforts to equip providers with the tools to discuss PrEP and address pressing concerns with at-risk individuals may help improve PrEP uptake among priority populations.
Competition between vacuolated and mixotrophic unicellular plankton
Authors: Cadier Mathilde , Hansen Agnethe Nøhr , Andersen Ken H , Visser Andre W 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTrait-based ecology allows much of the complexity of ecosystems to be projected onto a low-dimensional trait space. We conjecture that three key traits capture the main aspects of diversity of unicellular planktonic organisms: cell size, trophic strategies (relative investment in photosynthesis and phagotrophy) and vacuolation. The three selected traits are representative of two groups: mixotrophic protists, which in addition to phototrophy, use phagotrophic grazing as a food source, and diatoms that use fluid-filled vacuoles to increase their physical size relative to carbon biomass. We construct a trait-based model related to the three traits and determine the optimal trait values of cells of a given carbon size in a given environment. We also perform fully dynamic simulations to study the self-assembled trait distribution at steady state and throughout a seasonal cycle. Diatoms’ strategy is shown to be advantageous among small cells and under early spring conditions, in which highly vacuolated diatoms are simulated, while mixotrophy is dominant among larger cells when nutrients are limiting (summer conditions). The novelty of this approach lies in the mechanistic understanding of plankton physiology that is successfully used to capture how community trait structure emerges from trade-offs that constrain the different strategy among unicellular plankton.
First Impression Bias: Evidence from Analyst Forecasts*
Authors: Hirshleifer David , Lourie Ben , Ruchti Thomas G , Truong Phong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
We present evidence of first impression bias among finance professionals in the field. Equity analysts’ forecasts, target prices, and recommendations suffer from first impression bias. If a firm performs particularly well (poorly) in the year before an analyst follows it, that analyst tends to issue optimistic (pessimistic) evaluations. Consistent with negativity bias, we find that negative first impressions have a stronger effect than positive ones. The market adjusts for analyst first impression bias with a lag. Finally, our findings contribute to the literature on experience effects. We show that a set of professionals in the field, equity analysts, apply U-shaped weights to their sequence of past experiences, with greater weight on first experiences and recent experiences than on intermediate ones.
DETERMINATION OF DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVEL IN ROUTINE EXAMINATIONS OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY IN MAZANDARAN PROVINCE
Authors: Hoseini Motlagh Zeinab , Shabestani Monfared Ali , Deevband Mohammad Reza , Abedi-Firouzjah Razzagh , Ghaemian Naser , Abdi Rohollah , Ebrahimnejad Gorji Kourosh 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Introduction
The main purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic reference level (DRL) for routine digital radiography examinations in Mazandaran province.

Materials and methods
Thirteen digital radiographic examinations at 18 high-patient-load radiography centres were investigated. The indirect dosimetry method was performed based on the IAEA report. Average entrance skin dose (ESD) and the third quartile of ESD as the DRL were evaluated from the measurement made by a semiconductor dosemeter.

Results
DRL for the examinations of digital radiography was obtained as: Skull (postero-anterior [PA]): 2.2, skull (lateral [LAT]): 2.4, cervical spine (antero-posterior [AP]): 1.6, cervical spine (LAT): 1.7, thoracic spine (AP): 3.6, thoracic spine (LAT): 9.9, lumbar spine (AP): 5.3, lumbar spine (LAT): 11.8, chest (PA): 1.4, chest (LAT): 2.1, abdomen (AP): 4.3, pelvis (AP): 3.2 and hip (AP): 2.1 mGy.

Conclusion
Although DRL was not higher compared with the international organisations’ levels, it can be reduced by adequate training of radiographers.
INVESTIGATION OF XENON-FILLED TUBE BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE AND DELAY RESPONSE AS POSSIBLE DOSIMETRIC PARAMETERS FOR SMALL GAMMA RAY AIR KERMA RATES
Authors: Pejović Milić , Živanović Emilija , Živanović Miloš 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
This paper presents experimental results of dynamic breakdown voltage and delay response as functions of gamma ray air kerma rate for xenon-filled tube at 2.7 mbar pressure. Gamma ray air kerma rate range was considered from 123 nGy h–1 up to 12.3 mGy h–1 in order to investigate the possibility of the application of this tube in gamma radiation dosimetry. It was shown that the variations of the above-mentioned parameters are considerable up to the dose rate of 1.23 μGy h–1, which points to the possibility for application in small dose rate gamma ray dosimetry. Physical processes that make dominant impact to dynamic breakdown voltage and delay response during xenon-filled tube irradiation are also discussed in the paper.
Consistency of SVDQuartets and Maximum Likelihood for Coalescent-Based Species Tree Estimation
Authors: Wascher Matthew , Kubatko Laura 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNumerous methods for inferring species-level phylogenies under the coalescent model have been proposed within the last 20 years, and debates continue about the relative strengths and weaknesses of these methods. One desirable property of a phylogenetic estimator is that of statistical consistency, which means intuitively that as more data are collected, the probability that the estimated tree has the same topology as the true tree goes to 1. To date, consistency results for species tree inference under the multispecies coalescent (MSC) have been derived only for summary statistics methods, such as ASTRAL and MP-EST. These methods have been found to be consistent given true gene trees but may be inconsistent when gene trees are estimated from data for loci of finite length. Here, we consider the question of statistical consistency for four taxa for SVDQuartets for general data types, as well as for the maximum likelihood (ML) method in the case in which the data are a collection of sites generated under the MSC model such that the sites are conditionally independent given the species tree (we call these data coalescent independent sites [CIS] data). We show that SVDQuartets is statistically consistent for all data types (i.e., for both CIS data and for multilocus data), and we derive its rate of convergence. We additionally show that ML is consistent for CIS data under the JC69 model and discuss why a proof for the more general multilocus case is difficult. Finally, we compare the performance of ML and SDVQuartets using simulation for both data types. [Consistency; gene tree; maximum likelihood; multilocus data; hylogenetic inference; species tree; SVDQuartets.]
The change in beneficial interest within the Liechtenstein Private Purpose Foundation—can the principles of solidification and flexibility coexist?
Authors: Schurr Francesco A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The article deals with the principles of solidification and flexibility within private foundations. Typically, private foundations are used as will substitutes or as essential elements within an overall asset protection strategy. One of the key advantages of foundations, as compared to other instruments, is the high level of stability combined with very limited instruments to change the purpose as well as the beneficial interest. An adjustment of the statutory provisions related to the purpose can be required due to a change of circumstances, but might violate the governance regime. The article deals with the different legal issues involved and tries to give some guidelines for practitioners by discussing a case study to illustrate the legal issues addressed in this article.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer: state of the art and future perspectives
Authors: Glimelius Bengt 
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review
The value of adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer is controversial with opinions varying from ‘not be used’ since randomized trials have not shown significant gains to ‘be used as in colon cancer’ as the need is the same and colon and rectal cancers are quite similar. This review will look upon data critically and with open eyes.

Recent findings
With the exception of one randomized phase II trial (ADORE) revealing a significant gain in disease-free survival using one more effective regimen (mFOLFOX) than bolus 5-fluorouracil leucovorin, no new data have been presented. However, bringing up aspects in previous trials, either considered irrelevant for the present situation or overall negative, of what adjuvant treatment can achieve, a small reduction (hazard ratio about 0.8) in the risk of recurrence is present. This reduction is not fundamentally different from that in colon cancer considering that adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer cannot be initiated as rapidly as it can after a colon cancer diagnosis.

Summary
Adjuvant chemotherapy after rectal cancer surgery reduces recurrence risks but the benefit is limited and for most patients not clinically relevant. Neoadjuvant therapy can be more effective but results from randomized trials are not yet available.
Does the Interval Between Hysterectomy and Start of Adjuvant Radiation Treatment Influence Survival in Women With Endometrial Carcinoma?
Authors: Ghanem Ahmed I. , Modh Ankit , Burmeister Charlotte , Mahmoud Omar , Elshaikh Mohamed A. 
Published: May 2020

Objective:
The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the time interval (TI) between hysterectomy and initiation of adjuvant radiation treatment (ART) on overall survival (OS) among women with early stage endometrial carcinoma (EC) using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Materials and Methods:
The NCDB was queried for women with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to II EC who underwent hysterectomy followed by ART. We examined the prognostic impact of TI on OS using the cutoff ≤8 or >8 weeks to initiate radiation treatment (RT). Two groups of patients were created. Kaplan-Meier curves were created for OS analysis. Predictors of OS were identified.

Results:
A total 16,520 women were identified. The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 59.1 months. Median age was 63 years, and 82% were FIGO stage I. Pelvic external beam RT alone was used in 9569 (58%) and vaginal brachytherapy alone in 4265 women (26%). In total, 10,040 women (61%) received RT ≤8 weeks. Delay in initiating RT >8 weeks was associated with shorter 5-year OS (P=0.048). Independent predictors of shorter OS includes older age, African American race, higher comorbidity burden, higher tumor grade, the presence of lymphovascular invasion and stage II tumors. Although TI in initiating RT was a significant predictor for OS in univariate analysis, its independent significance of OS was lost on multivariate analysis (P=0.28).

Conclusion:
Our study suggests that TI between hysterectomy and initiation of ART was not an independent predictor of OS in women with early stage EC.
Let's talk chronic disease: can differentiated service delivery address the syndemics of HIV, hypertension and diabetes?
Authors: Bygrave Helen , Golob Lina , Wilkinson Lynne , Roberts Teri , Grimsrud Anna 
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review
Differentiated service delivery (DSD) for HIV provides an approach to scaling services that are client-centred and aims to address client challenges whilst reducing the burden on health systems. With access to antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV are living longer and increasingly present with comorbid conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. This review presents the syndemic burden of HIV, hypertension and diabetes and highlights opportunities and challenges to leveraging DSD across diseases.

Recent findings
Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in the eight highest HIV prevalence countries ranges between 20-24% (31.9% in those >50 years old) and 4–10%, respectively. Service delivery models addressing the concurrent syndemics focus primarily on integration of services. Two DSD examples were found where people living with HIV and other comorbidities had their care and treatment supported in healthcare worker-led facility-based adherence clubs.

Summary
Key enablers that have supported DSD for HIV such as simplified algorithms, optimized formulations, secure drug supply, and strengthened monitoring and evaluation systems are lacking for hypertension and diabetes and thus pose a major challenge to leveraging DSD models for people with syndemic conditions. However, the DSD approach may also catalyse opportunities to provide person-centred care for these syndemics and more implementation research in this area is warranted.
Role of Circular RNAs in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kishore Raj , Garikipati Venkata N. S. , Gonzalez Carolina 
Published: May 2020

Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been identified as a new class of long noncoding RNAs with gene regulatory roles. These covalently closed transcripts are generated when the pre-mRNA splicing machinery back splices to join a downstream 5′ splice site to an upstream 3′ splice site. CircRNAs are naturally resistant to degradation by exonucleases and have long half-lives compared with their linear counterpart that potentially could serve as biomarkers for disease. Recent evidence highlights that circRNAs may play an essential role in cardiovascular injury and repair. However, our knowledge of circRNA is still in its infancy with limited direct evidence to suggest that circRNA may play critical roles in the mechanism and treatment of cardiac dysfunction. In this review, we focus on our current understanding of circRNA in the cardiovascular system.
Helix B Surface Peptide Protects Cardiomyocytes From Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-induced Autophagy Through the PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Lin Yongluan , Huang Song , Chen Yequn , Wu Zhuomin , Liang Zhanbo , Zou Muping , Chen Chang 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Helix B surface peptide (HBSP) is a newly discovered tissue-protective erythropoietin derivative that provides benefits after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. This study explores the cardioprotective effects of HBSP in myocardial cells in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and its potential mechanism.

Methods:
In this study, rat ventricular (H9c2) cell cultures were established and pretreated with HBSP. H9c2 cardiomyocytes were randomly assigned to the control, H/R, H/R + LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), HBSP + H/R, and HBSP + H/R + LY294002 groups. The pretreated cardiomyocytes underwent H/R, and the cardiomyocytes were monitored for viability through a CCK-8 assay, whereas flow cytometry was used to test cell apoptosis. Orgotein Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression were monitored by SOD and LDH kits, respectively. The expression of LC3 autophagosomes was determined by immunocytochemistry. The expression of LC3II/LC3I, p-Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) mTOR, mTOR, Beclin 1, p-PI3K, PI3K p-Akt, and Akt was determined by Western blotting.

Results:
HBSP increased cell viability and reduced SOD and LDH production, and it also reduced H/R-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of the autophagy-related proteins (LC3II/LC3I) was inhibited by HBSP, whereas the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR was enhanced. However, the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) notably abolished these effects in H9c2 cells.

Conclusions:
HBSP inhibits excessive autophagy and apoptosis induced by H/R by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. HBSP may potentially be a therapeutic intervention for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Hypertension in cardiac transplant recipients: tackling a new face of an old foe
Authors: Campbell Patrick T. , Krim Selim R. 
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review
Systemic hypertension (HTN) is a common complication arising in the heart transplant recipient. This article aims to review the most current literature and update readers on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of HTN in heart transplant patients.

Recent findings
In contrast to the general nontransplant hypertensive patient population, traditional risk factors, including family history of HTN, obesity and diabetes, play a minor role in the genesis of posttransplant HTN. Dysregulation in sodium and water balance, vascular stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, abnormal cardiorenal neural reflexes resulting from immunosuppression and cardiac denervation seem to be the predominant factors leading to postheart transplant HTN. Calcineurin inhibitors induced nephrotoxicity and steroid use further contributes to posttransplant HTN.

Summary
Owing to the paucity of data, particularly randomized controlled trials to guide the evaluation and management of HTN in the cardiac transplant patients, much of the available data come from the renal transplant population. The choice of antihypertensive should be based on timing related to transplantation and patient's comorbidities. Although calcium channel blockers and loop diuretics are the preferred agents in the early postheart transplant period, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may be beneficial in the late postheart transplant period especially in the setting of diabetes and in the presence of proteinuria.
Cardiovascular effects of preeclampsia
Authors: Neerukonda Smitha , Shariati Farnoosh , Hart Taylor , Stewart Merrill , Elkayam Uri , Qamruddin Salima 
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review
Preeclampsia complicates 3–5% of first and 15% of subsequent pregnancies. This study reviews the evidence of increase cardiovascular risk in these women.

Recent findings
Women with preeclampsia are at two-fold higher risk for development of coronary artery disease, stroke and death, and four-fold increased risk of heart failure. Preeclampsia developed in early part of pregnancy confers greater risk than later in pregnancy. Common factors that predispose women to preeclampsia also confer high risk for developing cardiovascular disease include obesity, metabolic abnormalities, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, heightened inflammatory responses, hypercoagulable states and endothelia dysfunction.

Summary
Patients with preeclampsia should be screened at regular intervals by a preventive cardiologist and treated accordingly.
Reorganizing the treatment of cardiovascular disease in response to coronavirus disease 2019; time for the polypill?
Authors: Floyd Christopher N. , Wierzbicki Anthony S. 
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced a redesign of healthcare services. Resource reallocation will have consequences on the routine management of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). We consider how to mitigate potential adverse effects.

Recent findings
Combination therapy is well established in hypertension. Many guidelines recommend dual antihypertensive therapy as the initial treatment step as this results in faster blood pressure control, albeit with limited evidence of improved outcomes. Control of CVD risk factors through multiclass combination therapy (the polypill) was proposed many years ago. This approach has not been adopted by Western healthcare systems despite improving surrogate outcomes. Recently, the PolyIran trials have demonstrated improved CVD outcomes without increased adverse events, in both primary and secondary prevention.

Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic allows models of chronic healthcare to be rethought. Current practices are resource-intensive and there is a need to simplify titration and monitoring protocols in CVD. Moving toward the use of polypill combinations allied with telehealth consultations may be one solution.