bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emulsion electrospun polylactic acid/Apocynum venetum nanocellulose nanofiber membranes with controlled sea buckthorn extract release as a drug delivery system
Authors: Wang Lu , Wang Chenmeizi , Wang Ling , Zhang Qingle , Wang Ying , Xia Xin 
Published: November 2020

Prolonging the duration of drug action and reducing toxicity play a vital role in wound administration as they reduce the chance of infection and decrease complications and cost. This study reports the natural antioxidant procyanidins extracted from sea buckthorn (SBT) and laboratory-manufactured Apocynum venetum cellulose nanofiber as core drugs. The sustained-release nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning on polylactic acid/polyvinyl pyrrolidone nanofibers. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the phenolic compounds in SBT extracts and confirmed the presence of procyanidins with a content of 0.0345 mg/g. The nanofiber membrane was characterized through transmission electron microscopy, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug-release study and antioxidant assay. The results indicated that the extracted procyanidins were successfully encapsulated in the core–sheath structure nanofibers, and the encapsulation efficiency of nanofiber membranes reached 83.84%. In vitro measurements of the delivery showed this core–sheath structure could significantly alleviate the drug burst release, which is followed by a linear and smooth release within 30 hours. Further tests showed that the removal efficiency of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reached 88.62%, indicating that the membranes had high antioxidant activity. This work implies that the combination of Apocynum venetum nanocellulose and emulsion electrospun fibers has promising potential applications in tissue engineering or drug delivery.
The acquisition of causatives in Q’anjob’al Maya
Authors: Mateo Pedro Pedro 
Published: November 2020

Causatives have received considerable attention in first language acquisition. Of Mayan languages, acquisition of the causative has only been investigated for K’iche’ and Tzotzil, based on longitudinal and spontaneous data. K’iche’-speaking children do not acquire morphological causatives until the age of 3 years, while children acquiring Tzotzil start producing morphological causatives around the age of 2 years. The marked difference in the age of acquisition of causatives in K’iche’ and in Tzotzil has been explained through a morphological difference between causatives in the two languages. This paper, based on longitudinal and spontaneous data, examines acquisition of the causative in Q’anjob’al, a third Mayan language. The question is whether the findings in K’iche’ and Tzotzil are reproduced, or whether the acquisition of Q’anjob’al causatives follows a third, yet-unattested, trajectory. The results show that three Q’anjob’al children, of the age range 1;9-3;0, 2;3-4;0, and 2;7-3;6, acquire the morphological and periphrastic causatives during the third year of life, although these children produce more periphrastic causatives than morphological causatives. Longitudinal and spontaneous studies in K’iche’ and Tzotzil have reported the acquisition of the morphological causative, but not the acquisition of periphrastic causatives. The Q’anjob’al children’s production of more periphrastic causatives might be due to their exposure to a special V1V2 construction, which is a general feature of Q’anjob’al. The Q’anjob’al child data show that even related languages in which causatives are expressed through similar morphemes can show strikingly different acquisition trajectories.
Addition of aerobic training to conventional rehabilitation after hip fracture: a randomized, controlled, pilot feasibility study
Authors: Corna Stefano , Arcolin Ilaria , Giardini Marica , Bellotti Lucia , Godi Marco 
Published: November 2020

Objectives: To determine the feasibility and safety of aerobic training with an arm crank ergometer and its effectiveness in improving functional capacity and gait in patients with recent hip fracture. Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded pilot study, with intention-to-treat analysis. Setting: Inpatients, rehabilitation department. Subjects: 40 patients with hip fracture surgically treated. Interventions: Training group performed aerobic exercise with an arm crank ergometer (15 sessions, 30 minutes/day) at an intensity of 64% to 76% of maximum heart rate, in addition to conventional inpatient rehabilitation. Main measures: Primary outcome was the feasibility (including eligibility rate, recruitment rate, number of drop-outs and adverse events, adherence). Secondary measures were the Timed Up and Go test, ability to walk independently, muscle torque of knee extensors of fractured and non-fractured leg, Functional Independence Measure. Results: Mostly due to pre-existing disability and fracture type, only 40/301 (13%) patients were eligible (age 84.6 ± 7.6 years, 75% female); all agreed to participate and 90% completed the trial, without adverse events. Adherence to aerobic exercise was good, with high attendance at sessions (93%), a strong compliance to exercise duration (95%) but lower compliance to the prescribed intensity (73%). After the program, more patients were able to walk independently in the training group ( n = 18) compared to control ( n = 13) ( P < 0.05). Also the muscle torque of fractured leg knee extensors was higher in the training group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic training in addition to conventional rehabilitation after a hip fracture is feasible and safe and it was effective in improving gait performance and strength of fractured leg. Trial registration: NCT04025866.
An underrepresented majority: A systematic review utilizing allodynic criteria to examine the present scarcity of discrete animal models for episodic migraine
Authors: Levine Aidan , Vanderah Todd W , Largent-Milnes Tally M 
Published: November 2020

Background Despite increasing evidence differentiating episodic and chronic migraine, little work has determined how currently utilized animal models of migraine best represent each distinct disease state. Aim In this review, we seek to characterize accepted preclinical models of migraine-like headache by their ability to recapitulate the clinical allodynic features of either episodic or chronic migraine. Methods From a search of the Pu bMed database for “animal models of migraine”, “headache models” and “preclinical migraine”, we identified approximately 80 recent (within the past 20 years) publications that utilized one of 10 different models for migraine research. Models reviewed fit into one of the following categories: Dural KCl application, direct electrical stimulation, nitroglycerin administration, inflammatory soup injection, CGRP injection, medication overuse, monogenic animals, post-traumatic headache, specific channel activation, and hormone manipulation. Recapitulation of clinical features including cephalic and extracephalic hypersensitivity were evaluated for each and compared. Discussion Episodic migraineurs comprise over half of the migraine population, yet the vast majority of current animal models of migraine appear to best represent chronic migraine states. While some of these models can be modified to reflect episodic migraine, there remains a need for non-invasive, validated models of episodic migraine to enhance the clinical translation of migraine research.
Linoleic acid-modified liposomes for the removal of protein-bound toxins: An in vitro study
Authors: Shen Yue , Shen Yuqi , Bi Xiao , Li Jiaolun , Chen Yingjie , Zhu Qiuyu , Wang Yifeng , Ding Feng 
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) and liver failure-related cholestatic solutes are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and liver failure, respectively, and are not easily removed by traditional dialysis therapies. We constructed linoleic acid-modified liposomes (LA-liposomes) as indirect adsorbent in the dialysate, and evaluated their effects on the clearance of the representative PBUTs and cholestatic solutes. Methods: The LA-liposomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method. The binding rates of liposomes and protein-bound solutes were detected by the ultrafiltration column. The in vitro dialysis experiments were performed using both non-current and current devices to assay the clearing efficiency of the dialysate supported by LA-liposomes. Results: The LA-liposomes exhibited good binding properties to the PBUTs, bilirubin and bile acids. The LA-liposome dialysate showed higher solute reduction rates of the representative PBUTs and cholestatic solutes than the traditional dialysate or dialysate supported by the unmodified plain liposomes. Also, albumin binding of the PBUTs was significantly inhibited by the addition of linoleic acid (LA), and the removal efficiency of PBUTs was greatly enhanced by the combination of indirect adsorbent LA-liposomes and LA as the competitive displacer. Conclusion: LA-liposomes were efficient in the clearance of the representative PBUTs and liver failure-related solutes. Moreover, the combination of indirect adsorbent LA-liposomes and competitive displacer suggested a potential application for the extremely highly-bound solutes.
Fabricating a pre-vascularized large-sized metabolically-supportive scaffold using Brassica oleracea leaf
Authors: Walawalkar Sonal , Almelkar Shahdab 
Published: November 2020

Background There is a significant pitfall in clinical translation of large-sized tissue-engineered grafts – a lack of vascularization. This study was carried out to find the answer in a plant leaf, as plants and animals share structural similarities. Methods and results We fabricated a scaffold using Brassica oleracea leaves (10%SDS) and expanded the endothelial cells onto them. The vascularity was demarcated by angiography. The thermal decomposition confirmed that the oxidation resistance of the scaffold is parallel to the natural leaf. The acellularity of the scaffold as well as the presence of cellular establishment after culture on the scaffold was confirmed by histology, scanning electron microscopy, periodic acid-Schiff, and DNA quantification. Further, we estimated various biochemical markers like MDA, catalase, total proteins, and total nitric oxide for confirming their metabolic activities. Cell-specific markers like vWF, lectin established their phenotype. Cytotoxicity and live-dead assay showed the viability of cells. Conclusion Our findings proved that the decellularized leaf scaffold preserves vascularity, exhibits non-toxicity, maintains the cell identity, and supports mammalian cells for their metabolic activities. The study gives a futuristic hope in combating the ever-growing issues of clinical applicability of large-sized grafts.
An Investigation into the Intertemporal Spending Path of Local Government in Mauritius
Authors: Naraidoo Sanju , Sobhee Sanjeev K. 
Published: November 2020

This article examines whether local government expenditure in Mauritius is characterised by an intertemporal decision-making path. In other words, to what extent does local government expenditure respond to contemporaneous changes in revenues. In this respect, the article contributes to the existing body of literature by exploring the context of an upper-middle-income country like Mauritius while factoring intertemporal choice in the supply of local public goods. Moreover, the article determines the short-run and long-run responsiveness of local public expenditure to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through an error correction model based on time series data for Mauritius over the period 1987–2017. Our findings indicate that local government spending becomes less sensitive to its previous values when GDP and its past values are introduced as control variables in the model. Local government expenditure and real output are also found to be co-integrated or to share a long-term relationship. JEL Classification: B22, C1, D9, H4, H11
Does Financial Development Moderate the Effects on Growth Volatility? The Experience of Malaysia
Authors: Tang Chor Foon , Abosedra Salah 
Published: November 2020

This article examines whether financial development can moderate the effects of growth volatility in the Malaysian economy. Using annual data from 1972 to 2018, we noted the existence of a strong link between growth volatility and financial development over the long-run. The findings also indicate that financial development alleviates the incidence of growth volatility over the long-run. Our basic estimated model shows further that trade openness has a significant positive impact on growth volatility, while inflation volatility, inward FDI and financial development have a significant negative impact on growth volatility in Malaysia. This model is extended to count the moderating effects of financial development on the impact of inflation volatility, trade openness and FDI on growth volatility in Malaysia. The results show that financial development not only has a direct impact on growth volatility but it also moderates the impacts of inflation volatility, trade openness and FDI on growth volatility. Therefore, our results extend established findings on the finance-growth volatility nexus for the Malaysian economy. More importantly, it shows additional possible benefits from financial development for growth stability. Furthermore, we note that ignoring such benefits may have contributed to the conflicting empirical results reported in the finance-growth volatility literature. We offer some specific policy implications based on such empirical results that are beneficial to the Malaysian economy and other countries in the region. JEL Classification: C32, E32, O16
Evaluation of Tumor Budding in Predicting Survival for Gastric Carcinoma Patients in Vietnam
Authors: Dao Tu Van , Nguyen Chu Van , Nguyen Quang Tien , Vu Ha Thi Ngoc , Phung Huyen Thi , Bui Oanh Thi , Nguyen Dung Khac , Luong Bang Viet , Tran Thuan Van 
Published: November 2020

Background: Tumor budding (Bd) has been demonstrated to be a promising prognostic factor in many carcinomas and in gastric cancer. It may represent an optimal additional parameter that is helpful for risk stratification in gastric adenocarcinoma. Hence, the present research was designed to predict the survival outcomes of gastric cancer in Vietnam, applying the tumor budding criteria of the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016. Methods: The present study was conducted on 109 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery but did not receive neo-adjuvant chemotherapy from 2012 to 2015. The patients’ clinicopathological features were recorded. Bd was evaluated according to the 2016 ITBCC criteria and classified as Bd1 (0–4 buds), Bd2 (5–9 buds), and Bd3 (≥10 buds) grades, in addition to being categorized into 2 main Bd groups: low (<10 buds) and high (≥10 buds) Bd. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank models were applied to analyze survival proportions. Results: Of all the patients, 22.9% were classified as Bd1, 31.2% as Bd2, and 45.9% as Bd3 grades. Furthermore, 54.1% patients were categorized into the low and 45.9% into the high Bd groups. Patients with Bd1 and Bd2 grades (the low Bd group) exhibited the best prognosis, with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 85.7%, 90.8%, and90.3%, respectively. Patients with Bd3 grade (the high Bd group exhibited the worst prognosis, and none of them lived for 5 years (p < 0.001). Similar to OS rates, disease-free survival (DFS) rates markedly reduced from the Bd1 to Bd3 grade: Bd1, 95.0%; Bd2, 84.7%; and Bd3, 0% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with different gastric cancer Bd grades exhibited significantly different OS and DFS rates. The present study findings suggest that the ITBCC criteria can be used to stratify Bd for the treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer patients in Vietnam.
Risks of hepatitis C virus reactivation in a real-life population of oncology patients treated in an academic center
Authors: Boutin Catherine-Audrey , Adam Jean-Philippe , Martel Dominic , Doucet Stéphane , Martel-Laferrière Valérie 
Published: November 2020

Background Chemotherapy has been associated with a theoretical risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation. However, little is known about the amplitude of viral replication and the incidence of subsequent hepatic exacerbation. Method We aimed to describe the occurrence of hepatitis flare and HCV reactivation at our center. We included, over a period of 5 years, adult patients with chronic HCV receiving intravenous chemotherapy. We excluded patients with undetectable HCV RNA, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver metastases or other etiologies of hepatic disease. The primary objective was to identify hepatic flares (elevation of alanine aminotransferase 3 times above the upper limit of normal). Secondary objectives were to assess viral reactivation (HCVr, HCV-RNA ≥1 log10 IU/mL when compared to baseline value), hepatic decompensation, mortality and the impact on the chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics were used. Results A total of 11 patients with chronic HCV were identified among the 5761 oncology patients. Five patients experienced a hepatic flare with median maximal ALT value of 139 U/L (IQR 133-237). Only 2 patients met criteria for HCVr with a median RNA increase of 1.16 log IU/mL (IQR 1.1-1.2). One patient presented with both HCVr and a hepatic flare. Only one patient required chemotherapy discontinuation following hepatic flare. No hepatic decompensation or related mortality were observed. Conclusion We identified a very small number of HCV cases among our population. We observed HCVr and hepatic flares, but only one consequence on cancer treatment. Nonetheless, HCV screening is encouraged among patients undergoing chemotherapy to allow close follow-up of hepatic function.
Wide-field choroidal vascular analysis in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Invernizzi Alessandro , Rasheed Mohammed Abdul , Cagini Carlo , Goud Abhilash , Gujar Ramkailash , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Ankireddy Samatha , Cozzi Mariano , Lupidi Marco , Chablani Jay 
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To report the wide-field choroidal vessel analysis in central serous chrorioretinopathy (CSCR) and their fellow eyes. Methods: Wide-field optical coherence tomography (WF-OCT) images (55°) were obtained using Spectralis HRA + OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) in extremes of gazes in all quadrants and manual montages were created to obtain wide field images up to equator. Choroidal thickness (CT), large choroidal vessel layer thickness (LCVT), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated in macular segment (twice the disc to fovea distance) and all four quadrants. Regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing CVI. Results: Thirty-one patients of CSCR including 39 eyes of CSCR (32 chronic, 7 acute) and 23 fellow eyes were analyzed. CT and LCVT were significantly higher in submacular choroid than all extramacular segments in both CSCR and fellow eyes (all p values <0.01). CVI varied significantly in different segments in horizontal ( p < 0.01 in both) and vertical meridian ( p < 0.01 and p = 0.01 respectively) in CSCR and fellow eyes. Both CSCR and fellow eyes had highest CVI in nasal segment with minimum CVI in macular segment. Age ( p = 0.85), gender ( p = 0.39), chronicity of the disease (acute vs chronic, p = 0.57), axial length ( p = 0.67), SBP ( p = 0.81), and DBP ( p = 0.94) were not significantly correlated to CVI. Conclusion: CVI shows significant regional variation with macular segment showing the lowest CVI whereas nasal segments have highest CVI in both CSCR and their fellow eyes. On the contrary, submacular segment has highest CT and LCVT with taper towards periphery in both CSCR and fellow eyes.
Suprachoroidal haemhorrage and vortex vein varix: A potential association
Authors: Milani Paolo , Mazzola Marco , Bergamini Fulvio 
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To report on the association between a vortex vein varix and suprachoroidal hemorrhage. Case description: A healthy 60 years-old man with high myopia (–10 diopters) was seen because of sudden paracentral metamorphopsias after emesis. Multimodal imaging included Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), ultrasonography and retinal angiography with fluorescein and indocyanine green. His vision was 20/20 but clinical assessment and imaging procedures evaluations showed a suprachoroidal hemorrhage in the temporal part of the para-macular area. The lesion corresponded to a mild hypo-fluorescence area on fluorescein angiography and to a massive detachment of the inner part of the choroid from the suprachoroidal space on SD-OCT. Indocyanine green angiography disclosed engorgement of a big choroidal vessel in the area of the lesion. An adjacent vortex vein varix was found on SD-OCT. A few weeks later the suprachoroidal hemorrhage resolved spontaneously, whereas the vortex vein varix persisted. Conclusion: We speculate that vortex vein varixes might represent a risk factor for the occurrence of suprachoroidal hemorrhage in high myopia and that this association may be worth investigating. Summary statement: In a high myopia suprachoroidal hemorrhage might be secondary to vortex vein varixes.
Multi-modality imaging evaluation of the dorsal arachnoid web
Authors: Nada A , Mahdi E , Mahmoud E , Cousins J , Ahsan H , Leiva-Salinas C 
Published: November 2020

Purpose Dorsal arachnoid web (DAW) is a rare intradural abnormality which is associated with progressive myelopathy. Our objective was to review multi-modality imaging techniques demonstrating the scalpel sign appearance in evaluation of DAW. Methods We retrospectively reviewed various imaging modalities of patients found to have DAW at our institution during January 2015 to February 2020. Five patients underwent surgical decompression with pathological correlation. The remaining patients were presumptively diagnosed based on the characteristic finding of scalpel sign. Clinical data were evaluated and correlated to imaging findings. All imaging modalities demonstrated the characteristic scalpel sign. Results Sixteen patients (10 females, and six males) with multi-imaging modalities were evaluated. Their mean age was 52 year (range 23–74 years). Fifteen patients underwent conventional spine MRI. Further high-resolution MR imaging techniques, e.g. 3D T2 myelographic sequence, were utilized with two patients. MRI spine CSF flow study was performed to evaluate the flow dynamic across the arachnoid web in one patient. Eight patients were evaluated with CT myelogram. Syrinx formation was discovered in seven (44%) patients; five (71%) of them underwent surgical resection and decompression. Two patients underwent successful catheter-directed fenestration of the web with clinical improvement. We found a statically significant positive correlation between the degree of cord displacement and compression with syrinx formation (r = 0.55 and 0.65 with p-value of 0.03 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion DAW has characteristic scalpel sign independent of imaging modality. Multi-modality imaging evaluation of DAW is helpful for evaluation and surgical planning.