bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles for acute kidney injury in preclinical rodent models: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Jin , Hu Jie , Fu Bo , Mao Zhi , Zhang Hengda , Cai Guangyan , Chen Xiangmei , Sun Xuefeng 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially stem cell-derived EVs, have emerged as a potential novel therapy for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, their effects remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to systematically review the efficacy of EVs on AKI in preclinical rodent models.

Methods
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science up to March 2019 to identify studies that reported the treatment effects of EVs in a rodent AKI model. The primary outcome was serum creatinine (Scr) levels. The secondary outcomes were the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, renal injury score, percentage of apoptotic cells, and interleukin (IL)-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. Two authors independently screened articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 and R software.

Results
Thirty-one studies (n = 552) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses demonstrated that the levels of Scr (SMD = − 3.71; 95% CI = − 4.32, − 3.10; P < 0.01), BUN (SMD = − 3.68; 95% CI = − 4.42, − 2.94; P < 0.01), and TNF-α (SMD = − 2.65; 95% CI = − 4.98, − 0.32; P < 0.01); the percentage of apoptotic cells (SMD = − 6.25; 95% CI = − 8.10, − 4.39; P < 0.01); and the injury score (SMD = − 3.90; 95% CI = − 5.26, − 2.53; P < 0.01) were significantly decreased in the EV group, and the level of IL-10 (SMD = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.18, 3.02; P < 0.01) was significantly increased. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between stem cell-derived EVs and stem cells.

Conclusion
The present meta-analysis confirmed that EV therapy could improve renal function and the inflammatory response status and reduce cell apoptosis in a preclinical rodent AKI model. This provides important clues for human clinical trials on EVs.
Cellular therapy of corneal epithelial defect by adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived epithelial progenitors
Authors: Bandeira Francisco , Goh Tze-Wei , Setiawan Melina , Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Mehta Jodhbir S. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Persistent epithelial defects (PED), associated with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), require ocular surface reconstruction with a stable corneal epithelium (CE). This study investigated CE reformation using human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC), which derived epithelial progenitors via mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET).

Methods
STEMPRO human ADSC were cultured with specific inhibitors antagonizing glycogen synthase kinase-3 and transforming growth factor-β signaling, followed by culture under a defined progenitor cell targeted-epithelial differentiation condition to generate epithelial-like cells (MET-Epi), which were characterized for cell viability, mesenchymal, and epithelial phenotypes using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Tissue-engineered (TE) MET-Epi cells on fibrin gel were transplanted to corneal surface of the rat LSCD model caused by alkali injury. Epithelial healing, corneal edema, and haze grading, CE formation were assessed by fluorescein staining, slit lamp bio-microscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and immunohistochemistry.

Results
CD73high/CD90high/CD105high/CD166high/CD14negative/CD31negative human ADSC underwent MET, giving viable epithelial-like progenitors expressing δNp63, CDH1 (E-cadherin), epidermal growth factor receptor, integrin-β4, and cytokeratin (CK)-5, 9. Under defined epithelial differentiation culture, these progenitors generated MET-Epi cells expressing cell junction proteins ZO1 and occludin. When transplanted onto rat corneal surface with LSCD-induced PED, TE-MET-Epi achieved more efficient epithelial healing, suppressed corneal edema, and opacities, when compared to corneas without treatment or transplanted with TE-ADSC. CE markers (CK3, 12, and CDH1) were expressed on TE-MET-Epi-transplanted corneas but not in other control groups.

Conclusion
Human ADSC-derived epithelial-like cells, via MET, recovered the CE from PED associated with LSCD. ADSC can be a viable adult stem cell source for potential autologous epithelial cell-based therapy for corneal surface disorders.
Entropy clustering-based granular classifiers for network intrusion detection
Authors: Liu Hui , Hao Gang , Xing Bin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSupport vector machine (SVM) is one of the effective classifiers in the field of network intrusion detection; however, some important information related to classification might be lost in the reprocessing. In this paper, we propose a granular classifier based on entropy clustering method and support vector machine to overcome this limitation. The overall design of classifier is realized with the aid of if-then rules that consists of a premise part and conclusion part. The premise part realized by the entropy clustering method is used here to address the problem of a possible curse of dimensionality, while the conclusion part realized by support vector machines is utilized to build local models. In contrast to the conventional SVM, the proposed entropy clustering-based granular classifiers (ECGC) can be regarded as an entropy-based support function machine. Moreover, an opposition-based genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize the design parameters of the granular classifiers. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the ECGC when compared with some classical models reported in the literatures.
Fourth-order finite difference scheme and efficient algorithm for nonlinear fractional Schrödinger equations
Authors: Chang Yan , Chen Huanzhen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTo improve the computing efficiency, a fourth-order difference scheme is proposed and a fast algorithm is designed to simulate the nonlinear fractional Schrödinger (FNLS) equation oriented from the fractional quantum mechanics. The numerical analysis and experiments conducted in this article show that the proposed difference scheme has the optimal second-order and fourth-order convergence rates in time and space respectively, reduces its computation cost to$\mathcal{O}(M\log M)$O(MlogM), and recognizes accurately its physical feature of FNLS such as the mass balance.
A hybrid predator–prey model with general functional responses under seasonal succession alternating between Gompertz and logistic growth
Authors: Hang Lei , Zhang Long , Wang Xiaowen , Li Hongli , Teng Zhidong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a hybrid predator–prey model with two general functional responses under seasonal succession is proposed. The model is composed of two subsystems: in the first one, the prey follows the Gompertz growth, and it turns to the logistic growth in the second subsystem since seasonal succession. The two processes are connected by impulsive perturbations. Some very general, weak criteria on the ultimate boundedness, permanence, existence, uniqueness and global attractivity of predator-free periodic solution are established. We find that the hybrid population model with seasonal succession has more survival possibilities of natural species than the usual population models. The theoretical results are illustrated by special examples and numerical simulations.
Magnetic micropump embedded in contact lens for on-demand drug delivery
Authors: Wang Cong , Park Jungyul 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we report a thin magnetic micropump embedded in contact lens, which is capable of on-demand one-directional drug delivery. The proposed micropump can be actuated by the external magnetic field whenever needed without the need of battery. A micro check valve was integrated with the micropump for one-directional drug delivery from the micropump to the post-lens tear film. With actuation of the external magnetic field, the micro check valve is opened, and on-demand drug release can be realized. On the contrary, without an external magnetic field, the micro check valve is closed, and the undesired drug diffusion can be prevented. Through the control of the strength and the frequency of the magnetic field pulse, on-demand drug release and controlled dose can be realized.
High validity of measuring the width and volume of medial meniscal extrusion three-dimensionally using an MRI-derived tibial model
Authors: Watanabe Goro , Hoshi Kenji , Kurose Yasuo , Gamada Kazuyoshi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Medial meniscal extrusion (MME) is an important marker of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression. The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine whether there are morphological differences between CT- and MRI-derived tibial plateau models; and 2) to determine whether measurement of MME volume and width using an MRI-derived tibial model is as accurate as measurements on a CT-derived tibial model.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled ten participants with medial KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1 to 3). Primary outcome was surface difference of the medial tibial plateau between CT- and MRI-derived models. Furthermore, volume and cross-sectional area of the medial tibial plateau were compared between CT- and MRI-derived models. Measurements of MME volume and width were compared between CT- and MRI-derived tibial models.

Results
Minimal and maximal surface differences of the medial tibial plateau between the CT- and MRI-derived models were − 0.15 [− 0.44, 0.14] mm (mean [95% confidence interval]) and 0.24 [− 0.09, 0.57] mm, respectively. There were no significant differences in volume and cross-sectional area of the medial tibial plateau between CT- and MRI-derived tibial models. The MME volumes measured on CT- and MRI-derived models were 942.6 [597.7, 1287.6] mm3 and 916.2 [557.9, 1274.6] mm3, respectively (p = 0.938). The MME widths measured on CT- and MRI-derived models were 4.2 [1.9, 6.5] mm and 4.5 [2.2, 6.9] mm, respectively (p = 0.967).

Conclusions
CT- and MRI-derived models of the medial tibial plateau did not show significant morphological differences. Both CT- and MRI-derived tibia can be used as a reference to measure MME in early-to-moderate medial KOA.
Suction pad unit using a bellows pneumatic actuator as a support mechanism for an end effector of depalletizing robots
Authors: Tanaka Junya , Ogawa Akihito , Nakamoto Hideichi , Sonoura Takafumi , Eto Haruna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper describes a vacuum suction-type end effector for depalletizing robots in distribution centers. The developed end effector has multiple suction pad units to which a bellows pneumatic actuator is applied as the support mechanism. Load-bearing capacity is improved due to a high-strength wire provided inside the bellows, and the contraction force is improved due to ring members placed inside of the ridges of the rubber bellows. The developed end effector is attached to the arm of a linear motion-type depalletizing robot, and its real-world performance is verified. Verification results confirm that the suction pad units tolerate cardboard box inclination and differences in box height by a simple lowering motion of the arm, and multiple cardboard boxes can be simultaneously unloaded. Moreover, as compared with conventional end effectors, the developed end effector achieves large expansion and contraction in a thin structure. The developed end effector is expected to broaden applications for depalletizing robots.
Development of a vibratory cueing system using an implicit method to increase walking speed in patients with stroke: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Yasuda Kazuhiro , Hayashi Yuki , Tawara Anna , Iwata Hiroyasu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractOne of the main sequelae of stroke is dificulty walking, which is characterized by a decreased gait velocity and asymmetrical walking patterns. The purpose of this research was initially focused on developing a vibro-tactile cueing device that recognizes an implicit increase in cadence frequency. Subsequently, a proof-of-concept study with patients who had experienced stroke was conducted to examine the applicability of the system that had been developed. We applied Weber’s law to provide an implicit method for increasing cueing frequency. This law involves the calculation of just-noticeable difference (JND) relative to a previous state. Throughout training with the proposed cueing device, patients marginally increased cadence, and their cadence and gait speeds were significantly increased post-test. Hip circumduction gait (i.e., abnormal gait patterns) did not change significantly throughout training. Notably, patients reported that they were unaware of any changes associated with the vibration stimulus. Our result demonstrates the immediate changes to cadence and gait speed that occurred through training with the proposed implicit cueing device. However, the result of this study is confined to immediate gait changes after training and utilized only a small sample of stroke patients. Thus, the limited volume of data obtained prevents rigorous analysis regarding the applicability of this training method. Nonetheless, these results are promising and provide a starting point from which to base larger studies.
Impact of US industry payment disclosure laws on payments to surgeons: a natural experiment
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Stanic Tijana , Ross Joseph S. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objectives
To compare changes in the number and amount of payments received by orthopedic and non-orthopedic surgeons from industry between 2014 and 2017.

Methods
Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payment database from 2014 to 2017, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of industry payments to surgeons, including general payments and research payments.

Results
Among orthopedic surgeons, the total number of general payments decreased from 248,698 in 2014 to 241,966 in 2017, but their total value increased from $97.1 million in 2014 to $110.2 million in 2017. Among non-orthopedic surgeons, the total number decreased from 604,884 in 2014 to 582,490 in 2017, while the total value remained stable at approximately $159 million. Between 2014 and 2017, there was a differential increase in the median number of general payments received by non-orthopedic when compared to orthopedic surgeons (incidence rate ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.08–1.09; p < 0.001), but a differential decline in the median value of general payments (− 8.9%; 95% CI, − 9.5%, − 8.4%; p < 0.001). Findings were consistent when stratified by nature of payment. In contrast, between 2014 and 2017, there was neither a differential change in the median number nor median value of research payments received by non-orthopedics.

Conclusion
Examination of a natural experiment of prior public disclosure of payments to orthopedic surgeons suggests that the Physician Payment Sunshine Act was associated with an increase in the number, but a decline in the value, of general payments received by non-orthopedic surgeons, but not on research payments received.
Assessing the effects of trade openness on sustainable development: evidence from India
Authors: Sheikh Mehraj Ahmad , Malik Mushtaq Ahmad , Masood Rana Zehra 
Published: January 2020

AbstractOver the years, world market is integrating at much faster pace through increasing trade openness. Not being an unmixed blessing, consistent efforts have been made to examine impact of trade openness on economic, environmental and social welfare. This study is an attempt to empirically examine the implications of trade openness on sustainable development in India since liberalization policy 1991. We used the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to test the relationship between sustainable development and trade openness along with other control variables that are supposed to affect sustainable development. The results established supports the opinion of environmentalists. The empirical results are contrary to the conventionally held belief, indicating that trade shares a negative correlation with green GDP growth and positive correlation with gap between conventional GDP and green GDP. These findings support the arguments that trade openness tend to be both distorting and detrimental to the future generations.
Offloading items from memory: individual differences in cognitive offloading in a short-term memory task
Authors: Morrison Alexandra B. , Richmond Lauren L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCognitive offloading refers to the act of reducing the mental processing requirements of a task through physical actions like writing down information or storing information on a cell phone or computer. Offloading can lead to improved performance on ongoing tasks with high cognitive demand, such as tasks where multiple pieces of information must be simultaneously maintained. However, less is known about why some individuals choose to engage in offloading and under what conditions they might choose to do so. In the present study, offloading behavior is investigated in a short-term memory task requiring memory for letters. The present study is a replication and extension of a previous study conducted by Risko and Dunn, and tests the new prediction that individuals with lower working memory capacity will be more likely to offload. Here, we find that offloading information confers a performance advantage over relying on internal memory stores, particularly at higher memory loads. However, we fail to observe that those with poorer memory abilities have a greater propensity for offloading or benefit more from it. Instead, our findings suggest that cognitive offloading may be a valid compensatory strategy to improve performance of memory-based tasks for individuals with a wide range of memory ability.
Imaging of tumour response to immunotherapy
Authors: Dromain Clarisse , Beigelman Catherine , Pozzessere Chiara , Duran Rafael , Digklia Antonia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA wide range of cancer immunotherapy approaches has been developed including non-specific immune-stimulants such as cytokines, cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and adoptive T cell therapy. Among them, ICIs are the most commonly used and intensively studied. Since 2011, these drugs have received marketing authorisation for melanoma, lung, bladder, renal, and head and neck cancers, with remarkable and long-lasting treatment response in some patients. The novel mechanism of action of ICIs, with immune and T cell activation, leads to unusual patterns of response on imaging, with the advent of so-called pseudoprogression being more pronounced and frequently observed when compared to other anticancer therapies. Pseudoprogression, described in about 2–10% of patients treated with ICIs, corresponds to an increase of tumour burden and/or the appearance of new lesions due to infiltration by activated T cells before the disease responds to therapy. To overcome the limitation of response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) to assess these specific changes, new imaging criteria—so-called immune-related response criteria and then immune-related RECIST (irRECIST)—were proposed. The major modification involved the inclusion of the measurements of new target lesions into disease assessments and the need for a 4-week re-assessment to confirm or not confirm progression. The RECIST working group introduced the new concept of “unconfirmed progression”, into the irRECIST. This paper reviews current immunotherapeutic approaches and summarises radiologic criteria to evaluate new patterns of response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, imaging features of immunotherapy-related adverse events and available predictive biomarkers of response are presented.
Real-financial connectedness in the Swiss economy
Authors: Uluceviz Erhan , Yilmaz Kamil 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe study macro-financial linkages and their importance within the Swiss economy from a network perspective. First, we investigate the real-financial connectedness in the Swiss economy, using the KOF economic barometer, obtained from real and financial variables, and, the real activity index (RAI), we distilled from a small set of real variables, as two alternative proxies for the real side. Whereas the KOF-barometer-based analysis shows that both sides transmit sizeable shocks to each other without one dominating the other, the RAI-based analysis shows that in the aggregate, the financial side turns out to be the net shock transmitter to the real sector. In the second part, we focus on the relative importance of financial markets as shock propagators using a network centrality measure. We find that 2008–2009 recession in Switzerland and the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) exchange rate policy changes in 2011 and 2015 have significantly altered the way the shocks are transmitted across the two sides of the economy. During 2009–2011, stock, bond, and foreign exchange (FX) markets, in descending order, played important roles as shock propagators. Following the SNB’s 2015 policy decision to discontinue the lower bound for the EUR/CHF exchange rate, FX market has become equally important as the stock market but more important than the bond market as a shock propagator.
Efficacy and Prognostic Factors of Sunitinib as First-Line Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in an Arab Population
Authors: Badran Ahmed , Elshenawy Mahmoud A. , Shahin Amgad , Aljubran Ali , Alzahrani Ahmed , Eldali Abdelmoneim , Bazarbashi Shouki 
Published: January 2020

PURPOSEAntiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been the mainstay first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We reviewed the efficacy of first-line therapy with sunitinib in patients with mRCC in an Arab population.METHODSMedical records of patients with mRCC treated at a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia, during the period from 2007 to 2016, were reviewed. Demographic data, treatment received, response, and prognostic factors were analyzed.RESULTSFifty-five patients who received sunitinib were identified. The median age was 60 years (range, 18 to 78 years), and 42 of the 55 patients were men (76.3%). International Metastatic RCC Diagnostic Consortium prognostic scores for favorable/intermediate/poor were 14.5%/43.6%/38.2%, respectively. The median performance status was 1, and the median Charlson comorbidity index score was 9. Thirty-seven patients (67.2%) had cytoreductive nephrectomy. Thirty-seven patients (67.2%) had clear cell histology. Twenty-two patients (40%) underwent dose reduction. Twenty-seven patients (49%) received second-line therapy, and seven patients (12.7%) received third-line therapy. Response rates were complete response in one patient (1.8%), partial response in 17 (30.9%), stable disease in 10 (18.1), and disease progression in 20 (36.3%). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 6.0 and 24.7 months, respectively. Univariate analysis showed statistically improved PFS for dose reduction ( P = .015) and the development of hypothyroidism ( P = .03). It also showed statistically improved OS for dose reduction ( P = .035), hypothyroidism ( P = .0002), and cytoreductive nephrectomy ( P = .0052). Multivariate analysis showed statistically improved PFS for dose reduction ( P = .01) and OS for development of hypothyroidism ( P = .007).CONCLUSIONOur data for sunitinib in mRCC show significantly lower PFS than expected. The absence of prognostic value of the International Metastatic RCC Diagnostic Consortium scoring system and pathologic subtype warrant further investigation and possible inclusion of genetic scoring in this ethnic group of patients.