bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of the decrease of β‐catenin expression on human vaginal fibroblasts of women with pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Gong Runqi , Xi Yong , Jin Xin , Xu Hainan , Feng Jiuxiang , Hu Qing , Xia Zhijun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundPelvic organ prolapse (POP) lowers the quality of life in elderly women, and there have been no studies on its role in the pathogenesis of POP. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of β‐catenin on proliferation and collagen anabolism in human vaginal fibroblasts (HVFs).Materials and MethodsThe adherence and differential adherence methods were used to culture and purify HVFs. RNA interference was applied to knockdown β‐catenin and lithium chloride was used to activate Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. β‐catenin nuclear translocation was tested by immunofluorescence, and HVF proliferation was detected by performing MTT assays.ResultsThe expression of β‐catenin, phosphorylated‐β‐catenin, phosphorylated‐glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p‐GSK3β), collagen I, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and tissue‐derived inhibitors of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) was assessed by western blot analysis. The expression of β‐catenin and collagen I was lower in HVFs of POP group than that of control group. The proliferation rate of HVFs in POP group was lower than that in control group. Knockdown of β‐catenin decreased the cell proliferation rate and the expression of collagen I. Lithium chloride can activate the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.Conclusionβ‐catenin participates in the proliferation and collagen I synthesis of HVFs. The decrease of β‐catenin expression may be closely related to the occurrence, and development of POP. LiCl can activate the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in HVFs and thus increase HVFs proliferation and collagen synthesis.
Regional disparities, transmission channels and country's economic growth
Authors: Piętak Łukasz 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRegional disparities reflect the development pattern in many countries. Rich regions or prosperous cities confirm the unbalanced nature of economic growth. However, there is the lack of studies undertaking the role of regional stratification in the national economy. This study explores the transmissions channels through which regional disparities may affect the country's growth. A system or recursive equation by means of the control function approach (CFA) was applied to empirically assess the weight of these mechanisms. The level of regional disparities within the EU countries at nomenclature of territotial units for statistics‐2 level was calculated applying economic polarization measures. Empirical results, based on panel data analysis, showed that overall regional disparities affect negatively growth. However, after exploring transmission channels of this relationship, it was shown that regional differences in human capital or investments may enhance growth at the national level. The results were robust to various estimation methods.
Mean HBsAg decline at week 24 of PEG‐IFN‐based treatment predicts subsequent rate of HBsAg clearance — suggesting a valuable endpoint for early development HBV trials
Authors: De Ridder Filip , Sonneveld Milan J. , Lenz Oliver , Janssen Harry L.A. , Talloen Willem , Hansen Bettina E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEarlier identification of potentially efficacious treatments in early development trials requires on‐treatment response markers. We hypothesized that mean week 12 or 24 HBsAg decline could be a useful marker for subsequent off‐treatment sustained HBsAg clearance at the treatment arm level in HBV trials. We used individual patient data from the studies HBV 9901 (peginterferon [PEG‐IFN] versus PEG‐IFN+lamivudine for HBeAg‐positive CHB), PARC (PEG‐IFN±ribavirin for HBeAg‐negative CHB) and published data from 0149 (PEG‐IFN±tenofovir for HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative CHB) and LIRA‐B (PEG‐IFN for HBeAg‐positive CHB) to define the relationship between mean week HBsAg decline and HBsAg loss at 6 months post‐treatment. A within‐study comparison of HBsAg decline at weeks 12 and 24 between patients with or without HBsAg clearance was used to make projections beyond the observed HBsAg data. Across trials, a more pronounced mean HBsAg decline at week 24 was associated with higher rates of subsequent HBsAg loss. Mean HBsAg decline data at week 24 for patients with or without HBsAg clearance from HBV 9901 (4.3 vs 0.5), PARC (4.8 vs 0.3) and 0149 (PEG‐IFN+TDF arm; 4.6 vs 0.6) were used to extrapolate this relationship beyond observed rates of HBsAg. An additional mean 1 log10 decline at week 24 versus a comparator arm is expected to translate into a 20%–30% increase in subsequent HBsAg loss during off‐treatment follow‐up. Observations were similar for week 12 data, but the relationship was less strong. Mean week 24 HBsAg decline predicts subsequent HBsAg loss and could be a valuable and useful early endpoint in HBV‐treatment trials.
Effect of tenofovir alafenamide vs. tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lee Hye Won , Cho Young Youn , Lee Hyein , Lee Jae Seung , Kim Seung Up , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Soo Young 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIt is unclear whether tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is more effective for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this study, we compared the effectiveness of these two antiviral agents for preventing HCC. We included treatment‐naïve CHB patients undergoing antiviral therapy with TDF only (TDF group) or a TAF‐based regimen (TAF group) at three academic teaching hospitals from 2012 to 2019. The TAF group included patients receiving TAF as first‐line treatment and patients switching from TDF to TAF. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis or HCC at enrollment were excluded. Cumulative probabilities of HCC were assessed using Kaplan‐Meier methodology. In total, 2,117 patients were included: 1,832 in the TDF group and 285 in the TAF group. The annual HCC incidence was not significantly different between TDF and TAF groups: 1.66 vs. 1.19 per 100 person‐years [PY], respectively (multivariate analysis: adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.774 [reference: TDF group]; p = .438). Male, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B e antigen negativity, Fibrosis‐4 index>3.25 and low albumin were independently associated with a higher risk of HCC. Propensity score‐matched and inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses yielded similar results: 1.56 vs. 1.19 per 100 PY, respectively (HR 1.175; p = .708) and 1.66 vs. 1.29 per 100 PY, respectively (HR 0.888; p = .446). The risk of HCC development was not significantly different between TDF and TAF groups of CHB patients. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer follow‐up are required to validate our results.
Redistribution and efficiency: An empirical analysis of the relevant trade‐offs of welfare state fiscal policies
Authors: Muinelo‐Gallo Leonel , Miranda Lescano Ronald 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper analyses the empirical trade‐offs between equity and efficiency of various instruments of welfare state fiscal policies. To this end, we present and estimate different systems of structural equations and their error components through which these fiscal policies affect redistribution and economic growth. The empirical results, obtained by using a panel data of 35 high‐ and upper‐middle‐income countries over the period 1980–2014, suggest that not all policies depress economic growth rates. In relation to cash transfer variables, we can observe a significant empirical trade‐off of old‐age‐related transfers. However, we do not find a significant equity–efficiency trade‐off for working‐age transfers. This variable has only a significant and positive effect in the redistribution equation, but does not affect the economic growth rate. If we consider measures of direct taxes, we find a significant and important trade‐off for social contributions, and to a lesser extent for income taxes. We do not find a significant trade‐off for capital taxes. These taxes only have a significant and negative unexpected effect on redistribution.
Comparison of mortality and complications between urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis and urgent‐start hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ding Xinyu , Gao Wenfeng , Guo Yingbo , Cai Qian , Bai Yu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe advantages of urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis (PD) vis‐à‐vis urgent‐start hemodialysis (HD) are not clear. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies comparing the two modalities. Databases of PubMed, Embase, Ovoid, and Google Scholar were searched up to November 1, 2020. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were dialysis‐related infectious complications and mechanical complications. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for all outcomes. Seven studies were included. The pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant reduced risk of all‐cause mortality in patients undergoing urgent‐start PD as compared to urgent‐start HD (RR: 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.40, 0.94], I2 = 56.34%). A meta‐analysis of dialysis‐related infectious complications indicated no statistically significant difference between the two modalities (RR: 0.66, 95% CI [0.29, 1.50], I2 = 69.62%). Our analysis revealed a statistically significant reduced risk of mechanical complications in patients undergoing urgent‐start PD (RR: 0.54, 95% CI [0.40, 0.73], I2 = 0%). To conclude, unadjusted data from observational studies are indicative of lower mortality and lower risk of mechanical complications with urgent‐start PD versus urgent‐start HD. The risk of infectious complications was not different between the two groups. Further studies with a larger sample size using propensity‐matched cohorts are needed to strengthen current evidence.
Strategies to tackle racial inequalities in medical school
Authors: Gill Mitveer , Abu Qaoud Qaiys , Rashed Hend M. E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has catalysed long overdue discussions around racial and ethnic discrimination, and systemic racism in institutions globally. One area where these discussions are crucial is within the medical field: staff and students from all backgrounds have been lobbying for change. Based on the approach of various faculties, this paper makes recommendations for establishing a race equality working group within a medical school. An evidence‐based approach outlines the existing problems, potential solutions and practical advice on how to implement them.
Retrospective evaluation of hyperproteinorrachia without pleocytosis (albuminocytologic dissociation) and survival in dogs
Authors: Draper Alexandra C. E. , Marshall Laura J. C. , Williams Timothy L. , Archer Joy , Alves Lisa 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundHyperproteinorrachia (raised cerebrospinal fluid total protein [CSF‐TP]) without pleocytosis (HP) (also known as albuminocytologic dissociation) is identified in dogs with different neurologic diseases. However, the association between survival and increased CSF‐TP is unknown.Objectives(a) Identify conditions commonly associated with HP in dogs and (b) investigate whether higher CSF‐TP concentrations or other relevant factors are associated with 1‐year survival.MethodsThis is a retrospective study that identified dogs with HP (Cisternal CSF‐TP >0.30 g/L, Lumbar CSF‐TP >0.45 g/L with total nucleated cell concentrations [TNCCs] and RBC counts within RIs) from 2008 to 2019: recording signalment, weight, vital parameters, inflammation, neuroanatomic localization, CSF‐TP, sampling site, final diagnosis, etiologic classification, and 1‐year survival. Corrected CSF‐TP was calculated as CSF‐TP minus 0.3 (cisternal) or 0.45 (lumbar or unknown). Descriptive statistics were produced, CSF‐TP differences between groups (eg, neuroanatomic localizations) were evaluated using the Mann‐WhitneyUtest or Kruskal‐Wallis test (post‐hoc testing). The Cox proportional hazards model was used for survival data. Statistical significance was set at aP < 0.05.ResultsIn all, 39 dogs had HP, associated with 17 conditions, including neoplasia (n = 6), meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (n = 4) (MUO), and intervertebral disc disease (n = 4) (IVDD) as the most common conditions. There was no significant difference between the CSF‐TP/corrected CSF‐TP between 1‐year survivors and non‐survivors, nor was there a difference between different neuroanatomic localizations or etiologic classifications (P > 0.05). Neoplasia, after adjustment for age, was the only variable associated with a worse survival (P = 0.01 HR: 2.08 (95% CI: 1.65‐39.2). CSF‐TP was not associated with age (P > 0.05).ConclusionsHP in dogs is associated with a wide range of conditions; the most common conditions are neoplasia, MUO, and IVDD. Higher CSF‐TP levels do not correlate with a worse 1‐year survival; however, they do correlate with neoplastic lesions.
Red cell distribution width is a predictor of all‐cause mortality in hospitalized dogs
Authors: Ludwik Tasia M. , Heinrich Daniel A. , Rendahl Aaron , Friedenberg Steven G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether RBC distribution width (RDW) is associated with an increased odds of mortality in hospitalized dogs and cats.DesignRetrospective, single‐center study; data collected from 2007 to 2017.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsSix thousand six hundred and sixty‐one animals (5183 dogs and 1478 cats).InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsMedical records were identified from animals presented to the emergency service and admitted to the ICU with a CBC and serum biochemistry performed on admission. Patients were stratified into quintiles based upon presenting RDW, and logistic regression modeling was performed to evaluate the relationship between RDW and in‐hospital mortality. Canine patients with a presenting RDW in the upper fourth and fifth quintiles had an increased odds of all‐cause in‐hospital mortality (p < 0.0001). Specifically, dogs in the upper fifth quintile had a 2.1‐fold greater odds of death compared to dogs in the first quintile, and dogs in the upper fourth quintile had a 1.9‐fold greater odds of death compared to dogs in the first quintile. This relationship remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, key laboratory values excluding HCT, medical versus surgical disease, and diagnosis category. This relationship was no longer significant with the inclusion of HCT. No significant association was identified between presenting RDW and in‐hospital mortality in cats.ConclusionsHospitalized dogs with higher RDW on presentation to the emergency service have greater odds of all‐cause in‐hospital mortality compared to dogs with a lower RDW. A similar association between RDW and mortality was not found in cats. Further studies are warranted to assess the usefulness of this biomarker for specific diseases in dogs and to better understand the mechanisms driving the association between increased RDW and mortality in canine patients.
Numerical Modeling of Hydrogen-Rich Gas Production From Gasoline Autothermal Reforming in a Plug Flow Reactor for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kosa Ergin , Ezgi Cüneyt 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Due to the increase in the greenhouse effect, lowering emissions is becoming a certain issue all over the world. It is a concern to develop alternative options to minimize the spread of exhaust gases. For this purpose, in this study, the plug flow reactor in the system consisting of solid oxide fuel cell, reactor, electric motor, battery, burner, and the heat exchanger is considered. Numerical modeling of hydrogen gas generation in a plug flow reactor is studied. The reactor indicated on-board hydrogen gas generation for an electric motor automobile has not been modeled in the literature yet. Autothermal reforming of isooctane is simulated in the comsol multiphysics software program in the reactor particularly. Conversion of isooctane and H2O is examined at different overall heat transfer coefficients, input temperatures, and steam/carbon ratios. Also, there are certain differences between adiabatic and non-adiabatic conditions. The produced synthesis gas of hydrogen drastically increases in the non-adiabatic case. The obtained results from the model are compared with experimental data obtained from the literature. H2 production at the end of the autothermal reforming process indicates that the power provided from the reactor can operate a motor of an automobile. In this study, the achieved power is 65.8 kW (88 HP) and is sufficient for an automobile. Simulation results show that the reactor volume of 75 L supplies 0.18 mol−1 of H2 and 0.08 mol−1 of CO in the non-adiabatic case.
Advances and challenges in time-resolved macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Brändén Gisela , Neutze Richard 
Published: August 2021

Bright future ahead for crystallography
Macromolecular x-ray crystallography typically provides static snapshots of systems at equilibrium. Advances in time-resolved crystallography have made it possible to capture dynamics in biomolecules: large and small, fast and slow. Brändén and Neutze review techniques and concepts that have emerged from recent work at x-ray free electron laser sources and are now being applied in other settings and to a growing number of biological systems. Despite challenges in analyzing and relating these data to a biological context, experiments in this field have opened new frontiers in temporal and spatial resolution and yielded many new insights into nonequilibrium chemistry and conformational changes in biology. —MAF
Atmospheric Loss of Atomic Oxygen during Proton Aurorae on Mars
Authors: Shematovich V. I. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract—
For the first time, the calculations of the penetration of protons of the undisturbed solar wind into the daytime atmosphere of Mars due to charge exchange in the extended hydrogen corona (Shematovich et al., 2021) are used allowing us to determine self-consistently the sources of suprathermal oxygen atoms, as well as their kinetics and transport. An additional source of hot oxygen atoms—collisions accompanied by the momentum and energy transfer from the flux of precipitating high-energy hydrogen atoms to atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere of Mars—was included in the Boltzmann kinetic equation, which was solved with the Monte-Carlo kinetic model. As a result, the population of the hot oxygen corona of Mars has been estimated; and it has been shown that the proton aurorae are accompanied by the atmospheric loss of atomic oxygen, which is evaluated within a range of (3.5–5.8) × 107 cm–2 s–1. It has been shown that the exosphere becomes populated with a substantial amount of suprathermal oxygen atoms with kinetic energies up to the escape energy, 2 eV. The atomic oxygen loss rate caused by a sporadic source in the Martian atmosphere—the precipitation of energetic neutral atoms of hydrogen (H‑ENAs) during proton aurorae at Mars—was estimated by the self-consistent calculations according to a set of the Monte-Carlo kinetic models. These values turned out be comparable to the atomic oxygen loss supported by a regular source—the exothermic photochemical reactions (Groeller et al., 2014; Jakosky et al., 2018). It is currently supposed that the atmospheric loss of Mars due to the impact of the solar wind plasma and, in particular, the fluxes of precipitating high-energy protons and hydrogen atoms during solar flares and coronal mass ejections may play an important role in the loss of the neutral atmosphere on astronomic time scales (Jakosky et al., 2018).
Impaired fasting glucose, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease among women and men: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Ahmadizar Fariba , Wang Kan , Aribas Elif , Fani Lana , Heshmatollah Alis , Ikram M Kamran , Kavousi Maryam 
Published: August 2021

IntroductionData on sex-specific lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) across the glycemic spectrum, in particular in impaired fasting glucose (IFG) state, are scarce. Whether overweight/obesity modifies the CVD burden also remains unclear.Research design and methodsUsing a prospective population-based Rotterdam Study, normoglycemia, IFG, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) were defined. First incident cases of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke during a follow-up time until January 1, 2015 were identified and formed the composite CVD end point. The remaining lifetime risks of CVD were estimated in each glucose category at 55, 65, 75, and 85 years of age, using a modified version of survival analysis adjusted for the competing risk of death.ResultsAmong 5698 women and 3803 men free of CVD at baseline, the mean age was 64.5 years (SD 9.6) and 60.0% of participants were women. At age 55 years, the remaining lifetime risk of any CVD event among women was 55.1% (95% CI 48.3 to 61.9) for IFG, compared with 52.7% (95% CI 49.5 to 55.9) for normoglycemia and 61.5% (95% CI 54.7 to 68.3) for T2D. For men, the remaining lifetime risk of any CVD event was 62.1% (95% CI 55.2 to 69.1) for IFG, compared with 59.1% (95% CI 55.5 to 62.7) for normoglycemia and 60.3% (95% CI 53.1 to 67.5) for T2D. At age 55 years, the lifetime risk for incident CVD was higher, although not statistically significant, among women and men with IFG who were overweight or had obesity compared with normal-weight women and men.ConclusionIFG carried a large lifetime risk for incident CVD among both women and men compared with normoglycemia. In particular among men, the risk was comparable to that of T2D. Overweight/Obesity modifies the risk and conferred a larger burden of lifetime CVD risk among women and men with IFG.