bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Commercial Glucose-Based Peritoneal Dialysates on Peripheral Blood Phagocytes Apoptosis
Authors: Jin Hui Min , De Di Van , Xu Qin Jun 
Published: February 2020

Background Variable glucose-lactate-based peritoneal dialysates have negative effects on peritoneal macrophages and peripheral blood leukocytes, reducing the capacity of leukocytes for chemotaxis, bacterial killing. But few reports exist on cell apoptosis. To investigate the effects of glucose-lactate-based peritoneal dialysates on cultured phagocytes (monocytes and neutrophils), we focused on studying phagocyte apoptosis after brief exposure to commercial peritoneal dialysates. Methods Cell apoptosis is measured by flow cytometry (FCM) to detect phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on early apoptotic cells using fluorescein-labeled annexin V. To mimic the composition of dialysate in vivo, where the freshly instilled solution mixes with the residual dialysate from the previous cycle, we performed the experiments using a mixture of fresh and spent dialysate (9:1). In our transient exposure experiments, monocytes and neutrophils were separately incubated in each of the test solutions (1.5% glucose an d 4.25% glucose dialysates) for 10 minutes or 30 minutes and afterward separated and resuspended in RPMI 1640 medium and cultured over the indicated time. Results After exposure to 1.5% glucose dialysates for 10 minutes, monocytes and neutrophils exhibited normally spontaneous apoptosis. After exposure to 4.25% glucose dialysate, monocytes underwent apoptosis increasingly, 21% % 5.0% versus 9.8% % 3.6% (p < 0.05) at 24 hours and 47% % 6.2% versus 16% % 4.0% (p < 0.01) at 72 hours compared with controls. For neutrophils, the results were discouraging: hypertonic dialysate not only increased apoptosis [65.36% % 2.6% versus 34.17% % 8.52% (p < 0.01) at 72 hours], but also induced cell necrosis. When incubation time was prolonged for 30 minutes, 1.5% dialysate acted like 4.25% dialysate, with the rate of apoptosis increasing rapidly [40% % 4.0% versus 16% % 4.0% (p < 0.01) at 72 hours for monocytes, and 66.90% % 5.6% versus 34.17% % 8.52% (p < 0.01) at 72 hours for neutrophils]. Conclusion Glucose-lactate-based peritoneal dialysates can induce peripheral blood phagocyte apoptosis in vitro, which indicates that glucose plays an important role in triggering cell apoptosis. Therefore, looking for new, physiologic peritoneal dialysis fluids to replace conventional fluids is reasonable.
The 1997 Report of the Japanese National Registry Data on Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Hondaa Masataka 
Published: February 2020

Objective We have collected data on pediatric patients less than 16 years of age from the National Registry of Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). We present our experience with this population. Design The database details the patient numbers, age, outcome, cause of death, reason for terminating PD therapy, type of PD therapy, peritonitis, and catheter survival. Patients Of 807 patients, 70 patients (8.7%) were under 1 year of age, and 268 patients (33.2%) were under 6 years of age, clearly indicating that PD was the treatment of choice in young children. The duration on PD was 5 years or more in 200 patients (24.8%), which showed an increase in long-term PD patients from 11% in 1991. Patients on automated PD (APD) increased to 75% in 1997 from 9% in 1991. Results The outcomes for the total patient population of 807 as of the end of 1997 is: 253 patients (31.4%) were being successfully treated with PD, 87 patients (10.8%) died, 238 patients (29.5%) received a kidney transplant, and 121 (15.0%) were transferred to hemodialysis. The patient survival rate was 91% in 3 years and 86% in 5 years. The technique survival rate was 83% in 3 years and 71% in 5 years. The rate of peritonitis was 1 episode per 30 patient -months. The mean catheter duration was 2.25 years. Conclusion The patient and technique survival rates, the peritonitis rate, and the catheter survival improved recently. However, these data were worse in younger children (less than 6 years of age), indicating that extra-careful management is needed for this young age group.
Optimal Peritoneal Dialysis for Patients from Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Kar Neng , Lo Wai Kei 
Published: February 2020

The socioeconomic statuses of Asian countries are diverse and government reimbursement policies for renal replacement programs vary greatly from one country to another. Both factors affect not only the availability of treatment but also the choice of dialysis modality. Despite the economic growth of Hong Kong over the past three decades, the resources spent by our government on health services are less than other developed countries. The National Health Service, which is run on a tight budget, supports almost 95% of the patients on renal replacement programs. Due to the cost-effectiveness and reimbursement from the government, 79% of patients with end-stage renal failure in Hong Kong are treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). All new patients entering the renal replacement program run by the National Health Service are offered CAPD as the first-line dialytic treatment. Due to budgetary constraint, over the past 10 years dialysis centers in Hong Kong have adopted a small-volume regime of 3 x 2-L daily exchanges as the initial dialysis prescription. This dialysis prescription will be considered to be suboptimal by Western standards, but the survival of these patients was comparable to, or even better than, other areas despite a lower Kt/V. These preliminary studies suggest small-volume dialysis may be an acceptable compromise in Asian populations with their smaller body size, given the financial constraints. These issues are especially important in Asia, where financial resources for renal replacement therapy are still limited in most countries and many patients have to continue working to pay for their renal replacement treatment. Using this small-volume dialytic regime, more patients may be treated with the limited financial resources. Furthermore, our experience raises the question of the importance of nutritional status in patient survival.
Utilization of 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Reversal of Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor–Associated Acute Major Bleeding: A Case Series
Authors: Reynolds Tessa R. , Gilbert Brian W. , Hall Katherine M. 
Published: February 2020

Objective: In cases of oral factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor–associated acute major bleeding, several reversal strategies are available. Current guidelines recommend a dose of 50 U/kg if using 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC). A paucity of data exists with the use of 4F-PCC for FXa inhibitor reversal for acute major bleeding, specifically the most efficacious dosing regimens and safety data. The purpose of this case series is to describe the utilization of 4F-PCC for reversal of oral FXa inhibitor–associated acute major bleeding. Methods: This retrospective case series included all admitted patients 18 years and older who received 4F-PCC for oral FXa inhibitor–associated major bleeding. Major bleeding was defined using the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis definition for major bleeding in nonsurgical patients. The primary outcome was achievement of hemostasis. Results: A total of 31 patients met inclusion criteria, with 17 receiving rivaroxaban and 14 receiving apixaban. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common type of bleeding occurring in 15 (55%) patients. The median dose of 4F-PCC was 37 U/kg. Of the patients evaluated in the primary end point analysis, 68% achieved effective hemostasis. Four (12.9%) patients experienced a documented thrombotic event within 7 days of receiving 4F-PCC. Conclusion: The use of 4F-PCC for FXa inhibitor–associated acute major bleeding was effective for the majority of patients. The rate of thrombotic events appears higher compared to previously published studies, although major confounders exist and larger studies are needed to fully evaluate the safety of 4F-PCC for this indication.
von Willebrand Factor as a Predictor for Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Luo Chengwei , Lai Peilong , Ling Wei , Wu Suijing , Huang Xin , Huang Lisi , Zhang Guanrong , Du Xin , Weng Jianyu 
Published: February 2020

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a severe complication associated with underlying endothelial damage. Secreted and released von Willebrand factor (vWF) correlates with endothelial cell injury, but its role in predicting prognosis for TA-TMA is unclear. In this prospective study, we evaluated the relationship between vWF and the incidence of TA-TMA after HSCT. A total of 79 consecutive patients undergoing HSCT from August 2016 to June 2018 were enrolled. Twenty-three (29%) patients met the established diagnostic criteria. Patients with TA-TMA had significantly higher nonrelapse mortality compared with those without TA-TMA (78.3% vs 8.9%; P < .001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that vWF was a predictive biomarker for TA-TMA. The vWF value was higher for the TA-TMA group (mean ± standard deviation, 380.7% ± 78.8% vs 284.9% ± 104.5%; P < .001), and the area under the curve for vWF in the diagnosis of TA-TMA was 0.756. Furthermore, patients with ≥325% vWF had a higher 2-year cumulative hazard of TA-TMA (53.1% ± 8.2% vs 7.5% ± 4.2%; P < .001) and a lower 2-year survival (32.1% ± 9.1% vs 83.7% ± 6.2%; P < .001) compared with those with <325% vWF. Conclusion: von Willebrand factor is a useful predictor and prognostic measure for TA-TMA, which may help clinicians identify and manage this life-threatening disease earlier.
Comparison of single-input single-output and multi-input multi-output control strategies for performing sequential single-axis random vibration control test
Authors: D’Elia Giacomo , Mucchi Emiliano 
Published: February 2020

This study investigates the use of single-input single-output and multi-input multi-output control strategies for performing single-axis vibration control tests. In particular, the work addresses the problem of high-level cross-axis responses during those tests. To compare the two control strategies, the study presents a test campaign carried out on an automotive component by exploiting two different test facilities: a single-axis shaker and a three-degree-of-freedom shaker table. The analysis points out the limitations of the single-input single-output control strategy. The coupling between the excitation system and the test specimen causes cross-axis excitations that compromise the test validity. In some cases, the cross-axis vibration level even exceeds the acceptable threshold of 14 dB. The multi-input multi-output control strategy instead, besides the feedback control of the main axis, allows the simultaneous vibration control along the two cross axes, thus, improving the quality of the single-axis test. Moreover, the work provides a detailed study followed by practical examples on how to better exploit the evident potential of the multi-input multi-output control strategy for definitely avoiding cross-axis vibration control problems.
Liberalizing Bangladesh’s Services Trade: Is Joining Trade in Services Agreement the Way to Go?
Authors: Jansen Van Rensburg Susara J. , Rossouw Riaan , Viviers Wilma 
Published: February 2020

Although currently limited, services trade holds great potential for Bangladesh, as services already make a major contribution to GDP and employment. Services represent an important alternative (in the longer term) or complement (in the shorter term) to ready-made garments (RMGs), which have long dominated Bangladesh’s export mix. The country is poised to see declining RMG export revenues when the country graduates out of least developed country (LDC) status and loses its trade preferences in global markets. To build domestic capacity with a view to developing its services export sector, Bangladesh needs to open its market to services imports. But what approach would be best? Can a plurilateral trade agreement (PTA) like the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), whose members have sought to stimulate their services sectors through more liberalized trade, ever be an option? We use a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to simulate the effects of TiSA membership on Bangladesh’s economy. The results show that, overall, Bangladesh would derive marginal benefit from TiSA, but employment and exports would suffer. The worst-affected sectors would be agriculture and textiles and clothing, the country’s largest employers. To lessen the impact of increased foreign competition, a regional trade approach is recommended, supported by a sound national services strategy which would include a roadmap for tackling the country’s myriad supply-side shortcomings. JEL: F13, F14, F15, F16
Impact of Remittances on Domestic Investment: A Panel Study of Six South Asian Countries
Authors: Dash Ranjan Kumar 
Published: February 2020

Remittances inflow to South Asian countries increased significantly and is now one of the major sources of external finance overtaking traditional capital inflows such as foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign portfolio investment (FPI) and aid. However, the role of remittances in economic development has not been examined extensively, particularly for South Asian countries. This article examines the impact of remittances on domestic investment for South Asia over 1991–2017. Advanced panel estimation methods (unit root, cointegration and causality) are employed to account for potential country-specific heterogeneity and the endogeneity problem. Results of this study suggest that remittances increase domestic investment in the short term as well as in the long run for South Asia. This indicates that remittances are used not only for consumption purposes but also for investment activities such as human and physical capital development. The panel causality results suggest the presence of uni-directional causality running from remittances to domestic investment. Therefore, the result of this study supports the theoretical argument and previous empirical studies for other developing countries JEL: C3, 01, F3, F22
INFOMATAS multi-center systematic review and meta-analysis individual patient data of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in ischemic stroke
Authors: Beishon L , Minhas JS , Nogueira R , Castro P , Budgeon C , Aries M , Payne S , Robinson TG , Panerai RB 
Published: February 2020

Rationale Disturbances in dynamic cerebral autoregulation after ischemic stroke may have important implications for prognosis. Recent meta-analyses have been hampered by heterogeneity and small samples. Aim and/or hypothesis The aim of study is to undertake an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) of dynamic cerebral autoregulation changes post-ischemic stroke and to determine a predictive model for outcome in ischemic stroke using information combined from dynamic cerebral autoregulation, clinical history, and neuroimaging. Sample size estimates To detect a change of 2% between categories in modified Rankin scale requires a sample size of ∼1500 patients with moderate to severe stroke, and a change of 1 in autoregulation index requires a sample size of 45 healthy individuals (powered at 80%, α = 0.05). Pooled estimates of mean and standard deviation derived from this study will be used to inform sample size calculations for adequately powered future dynamic cerebral autoregulation studies in ischemic stroke. Methods and design This is an IPD-MA as part of an international, multi-center collaboration (INFOMATAS) with three phases. Firstly, univariate analyses will be constructed for primary (modified Rankin scale) and secondary outcomes, with key co-variates and dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters. Participants clustering from within studies will be accounted for with random effects. Secondly, dynamic cerebral autoregulation variables will be validated for diagnostic and prognostic accuracy in ischemic stroke using summary receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Finally, the prognostic accuracy will be determined for four different models combining clinical history, neuroimaging, and dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters. Study outcome(s) The outcomes for this study are to determine the relationship between clinical outcome, dynamic cerebral autoregulation changes, and baseline patient demographics, to determine the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters, and to develop a prognostic model using dynamic cerebral autoregulation in ischemic stroke. Discussion This is the first international collaboration to use IPD-MA to determine prognostic models of dynamic cerebral autoregulation for patients with ischemic stroke.
Triglyceride concentrations and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment in the ODYSSEY phase 3 trials with alirocumab
Authors: Vallejo-Vaz Antonio J , Leiter Lawrence A , Del Prato Stefano , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Bujas-Bobanovic Maja , Letierce Alexia , Mandel Jonas , Samuel Rita , Ray Kausik K 
Published: February 2020

Aims Guidelines recommend targeting non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to reduce cardiovascular risk. We assessed the impact of baseline triglycerides on non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment in 10 phase 3 trials with alirocumab versus control ( n = 4983). Methods Trials were grouped into four pools based on alirocumab dose (75–150 mg every 2 weeks), control (placebo/ezetimibe) and statin use. Baseline triglyceride quintiles were built within each pool. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment (very high risk: <100 mg/dl; moderate/high risk: <130 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment (very high risk: <70 mg/dl; moderate/high risk: <100 mg/dl) and changes from baseline in lipid parameters were assessed at Week 24 among baseline triglyceride quintiles. Results Higher baseline triglycerides were associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased with higher triglycerides, but the magnitude in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was three- to four-fold higher compared with the increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol percentage reductions from baseline with alirocumab were similar regardless of baseline triglycerides. A greater proportion of alirocumab-treated patients attained non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals compared with placebo or ezetimibe. Unlike low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment significantly declined with increasing baseline triglycerides ( p < 0.05 for trend tests). A single standard deviation increase in baseline log(triglycerides) was significantly associated with lower odds ratios of attaining non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals in the different pools and treatment (alirocumab/placebo/ezetimibe) groups, unlike low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment. Conclusion Individuals with increased triglycerides have higher non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lower rates of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment (unlike low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment). Alirocumab improves non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment in this population. These results highlight the impact of triglycerides on non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the need for novel therapies targeting triglyceride-related pathways.
A scoring system for predicting individual treatment effects of statins in type 2 diabetes patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Genser Bernd , Wanner Christoph , März Winfried 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Aims
Haemodialysis patients have high cardiovascular disease risk. Although statins reduce this risk in chronic kidney disease, randomised trials in haemodialysis patients show no benefit. Post-hoc analyses of the German Diabetes Dialysis (4D) study identified patient-specific markers associated with heterogeneous treatment effects. We combined these markers to develop a score for predicting individual effects of statins in these patients.

Methods and results
We used data from the 4D study, enrolling 1255 haemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, randomised to atorvastatin or placebo and followed for a composite cardiovascular endpoint. We calculated two scores: score 1 based on all 23 predictive markers and score 2 based on 17 clinically accessible markers. Groups stratified by score 1 showed differential treatment effects: for score &lt;26 (458 patients; 36%), the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.54 (1.16–2.03), suggesting harm; for 26–31 (331 patients; 26%), it was 1.03 (0.72–1.48), suggesting a neutral effect; and for &gt;31 (466 patients; 38%), it was 0.43 (0.30–0.60), suggesting a benefit. Statins also significantly reduced all-cause mortality in the benefit group. Stratification by score 2 yielded similar results but a smaller group gaining benefit (360 patients).

Conclusion
Statin effects in haemodialysis patients can be predicted by markers associated with plausible relevant mechanisms including cholesterol metabolism, atherosclerosis, protein energy wasting, or competing risks. In clinical practice, the score could aid in risk stratification, not only to select patients who benefit from statins but also to identify those whom treatment could harm.
Combination of dasatinib with chemotherapy in previously untreated core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: CALGB 10801
Authors: Marcucci Guido , Geyer Susan , Laumann Kristina , Zhao Weiqiang , Bucci Donna , Uy Geoffrey L. , Blum William , Eisfeld Ann-Kathrin , Pardee Timothy S. , Wang Eunice S. , Stock Wendy , Kolitz Jonathan E. , Kohlschmidt Jessica , Mrózek Krzysztof , Bloomfield Clara D. , Stone Richard M. , Larson Richard A. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with either t(8;21)(q22;q22) or inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22) is referred to as core binding factor (CBF) AML. Although categorized as favorable risk, long-term survival for these patients is only ∼50% to 60%. Mutated (mut) or overexpressed KIT, a gene encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase, has been found almost exclusively in CBF AML and may increase the risk of disease relapse. We tested the safety and clinical activity of dasatinib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, in combination with chemotherapy. Sixty-one adult patients with AML and CBF fusion transcripts (RUNX1/RUNX1T1 or CBFB/MYH11) were enrolled on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 10801. Patients received cytarabine/daunorubicin induction on days 1 to 7 and oral dasatinib 100 mg/d on days 8 to 21. Upon achieving complete remission, patients received consolidation with high-dose cytarabine followed by dasatinib 100 mg/d on days 6 to 26 for 4 courses, followed by dasatinib 100 mg/d for 12 months. Fifteen (25%) patients were older (aged ≥60 years); 67% were CBFB/MYH11–positive, and 19% harbored KITmut. There were no unexpected or dose-limiting toxicities. Fifty-five (90%) patients achieved complete remission. With a median follow-up of 45 months, only 16% have relapsed. The 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 75% and 77% (79% and 85% for younger patients [aged &lt;60 years], and 60% and 51% for older patients). Patients with KITmut had comparable outcome to those with wild-type KIT (3-year rates: disease-free survival, 67% vs 75%; overall survival, 73% vs 76%), thereby raising the question of whether dasatinib may overcome the negative impact of these genetic lesions. CALGB 10801 was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01238211.