bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of paternal lymphocyte immunotherapy and potential biomarker mixed lymphocyte reaction‐blocking factor in an Argentinian cohort of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion and unexplained infertility
Authors: Fainboim Leonardo , Belén Santiago , González Verónica , Fernández Pablo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProblemAnalyze the effect of paternal immunotherapy treatment (PIT) in primary and secondary unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and unexplained infertility (UI).Methods of StudyA retrospective study analyzed a two‐year follow‐up between the generation of MLR‐Bfs after PIT treatment (or controls first consultation) and a live birth. Recruited patients included primary URSA with two or more miscarriages at <12 weeks gestation, secondary URSA with previous live birth before two or more miscarriages, and UI with inability to conceive after 2 years of regular unprotected intercourse or in vitro fertilizations (IVF). PIT treated were compared with untreated controls.ResultsPrimary URSA: live birth was 241/416 (58%) versus 64/282 (23%) controls (p < .0001). Up to age 35, success was 158/217 (73%) and 37/144 (26%) controls (p < .0001). With 3 or more previous URSA, success was 90/135 (67%) versus 17/79 (22%) controls (p < .0001). Between ages 36 and 40, success was 69/147(47%) versus 22/98 (22%) controls (p < .0003), with 3 or more previous URSA live birth was 45/95 (47%) versus 6/46 (13%) controls (p < .0001). In UI, live birth was 99/298 (33%) versus 54/263 (21%) in controls (p < .0009) that increased under age 35 to 53/116 (46%) in treated versus 26/101 (26%) controls (p < .0056). In PIT treated, IVF success required a median of 1 (1.37 ± 0.67) versus a median of 3 IVF procedures (2.75 ± 0.84) in controls.ConclusionPIT is a successful treatment for primary and secondary URSA, and UI. PIT reduced the number of IVF required for achieving pregnancy.
Influence of immunosuppression in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome on veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy
Authors: Rilinger Jonathan , Zotzmann Viviane , Bemtgen Xavier , Rieg Siegbert , Biever Paul M. , Duerschmied Daniel , Pottgiesser Torben , Kaier Klaus , Bode Christoph , Staudacher Dawid L. , Wengenmayer Tobias 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPrognosis of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is poor. This is especially true for immunosuppressed patients. It is controverisal whether these patients should receive veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) while evidence on this topic is sparse. We report retrospective data of a single‐center registry of patients with severe ARDS requiring ECMO support between October 2010 and June 2019. Patients were analyzed by their status of immunosuppression. ECMO weaning success and hospital survival were analyzed before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Moreover, ventilator free days (VFD) were compared. A total of 288 patients were analyzed (age 55 years, 67% male), 88 (31%) presented with immunosuppression. Survival rates were lower in immunosuppressed patients (27% vs. 53%, P < .001 and 27% vs. 48% after PSM, P = .006). VFD (60 days) were lower for patients with immunosuppression (11.9 vs. 22.4, P < .001), and immunosuppression was an independent predictor for mortality in multivariate analysis. Hospital survival was 20%, 14%, 35%, and 46% for patients with oncological malignancies, solid organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and HIV, respectively. In this analysis immunosuppression was an independent predictor for mortality. However, there were major differences in the weaning and survival rates between the etiologies of immunosuppression which should be considered in decision making.
Toll‐like receptor signaling is changed in ovine lymph node during early pregnancy
Authors: Wu Jiaxuan , Zhang Qiongao , Zhang Leying , Feng Pengfei , Gao Meihong , Zhao Zhenyang , Yang Ling 
Published: March 2021

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) participate in regulation of adaptive immune responses, and lymph nodes play key roles in the initiation of immune responses. There is a tolerance to the allogenic fetus during pregnancy, but it is unclear that expression of TLR signaling is in ovine lymph node during early pregnancy. In this study, lymph nodes were sampled from day 16 of nonpregnant ewes and days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnant ewes, and the expressions of TLR family (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9), adaptor proteins, including myeloid differentiation primary‐response protein 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and interleukin‐1‐receptor‐associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), were analyzed through real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results showed that mRNA and protein levels of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TRAF6, and MyD88 were upregulated in the maternal lymph node, but TLR5, TLR9, and IRAK1 were downregulated during early pregnancy. In addition, MyD88 protein was located in the subcapsular sinus and lymph sinuses. Therefore, it is suggested that early pregnancy induces changes in TLR signaling in maternal lymph node, which may be involved in regulation of maternal immune responses in sheep.
Transfer of triptans into human breast milk and estimation of infant drug exposure through breastfeeding
Authors: Amundsen Siri , Nordeng Hedvig , Fuskevåg Ole‐Martin , Nordmo Elisabet , Sager Georg , Spigset Olav 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClinical data on the transfer of triptans into human breast milk remain scarce. In a lactation study including 19 breastfeeding women with migraine, we examined the excretion of six different triptans into milk. Following intake of a single dose, each participant collected seven breast milk samples at predefined intervals up to 24 hours after dose. Triptan concentrations in milk were measured using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Infant drug exposure was estimated by calculating the relative infant dose (RID). Twenty‐two breast milk sample sets were obtained for sumatriptan (n = 8), rizatriptan (n = 5), zolmitriptan (n = 4), eletriptan (n = 3), almotriptan (n = 1) and naratriptan (n = 1). Based on the average concentration in milk throughout the day, estimated mean RIDs (with range in parenthesis) were as follows: eletriptan 0.6% (0.3%‐0.8%), sumatriptan 0.7% (0.2%‐1.8%), rizatriptan 0.9% (0.3%‐1.4%), almotriptan 1.8% (‐), zolmitriptan 2.1% (0.7%‐5.3%) and naratriptan 5.0% (‐). Infant drug exposure through breastfeeding appears to be low and indicates that use of the triptans in this study is compatible with breastfeeding. Naratriptan may not be first choice in breastfeeding mothers initiating triptans during the neonatal period.
Loop‐tail stents fail in reducing stent‐related symptoms: results of a prospective randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bosio Andrea , Alessandria Eugenio , Agosti Simone Carlo , Vitiello Federico , Vercelli Eugenia , Bisconti Alessandro , Fop Fabrizio , Gontero Paolo 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveTo compare stent‐related symptoms (SRS) of loop‐tail (LT) and conventional double J (DJ) stents after uncomplicated flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS), in a prospective randomised controlled single‐blind parallel‐group study.Patients and MethodsPatients undergoing fURS were randomised into two groups: the LT Group received LT stents (Polaris™ Loop) and the DJ Group received conventional DJ stents (Vortek®). The stent was removed after 4 weeks. The Ureteric Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was administered at 2 days, 4 and 8 weeks (baseline evaluation) after stent insertion. The primary endpoint was to compare the Urinary Symptom Index Score of the LT vs DJ groups at 4 weeks after stent insertion. The secondary endpoints were to compare the USSQ domains’ subscores at 2 days and 4 weeks after stent insertion, USSQ single answers at 4 weeks, and the 4‐week USSQ domains’ subscores adjusted for baseline.ResultsA total of 68 patients were randomised (34 LT and 34 DJ). The answers given at 4 weeks were not significantly different between the two groups for the Urinary Symptom Index Score (P = 0.982), Pain Index Score (P = 0.169), visual analogue scale (P = 0.276), and all the other domains of the USSQ. At 4 weeks, the single‐answer analysis did not find any differences between the groups; the urinary symptoms were all comparable, as was the requirement for pain painkillers (P = 0.684) and pain during sex (P = 0.496). There were also no significant differences for every single domain score for the responses given at 2 days. The same applied to USSQ subscores at 4 weeks adjusted for the 8‐week baseline results, which were also comparable.ConclusionsThe study found no differences in terms of SRS between the LT and DJ groups, either at 2 days or 4 weeks after stent insertion, with or without baseline correction.
miRNAs derived from circulating small extracellular vesicles as diagnostic biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Li , Zhang Yong , Li Bo , Kang Min , Yang Zhendong , Lin Chunyu , Hu Kai , Wei Zhuxin , Xu Meng , Mi Jinglin , Wang Rensheng , Wu Fang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe microRNAs (miRNAs) in circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been suggested as potential biomarkers in cancer diagnosis. This study was designed to evaluate the circulating sEV‐derived miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We compared the miRNA profiles in plasma‐derived sEVs between 16 patients with NPC and 5 healthy controls (HCs). A distinct set of miRNAs that were differentially expressed between patients with NPC and HCs was determined by means of integrative bioinformatics approaches. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway analysis revealed that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were mainly involved in cancer‐associated signaling pathways. Seven representative DEMs were selected and further validated in an additional 60 patients with NPC and 40 HCs using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR analysis (qRT‐PCR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the accuracy of the sEV‐miRNA‐based model for diagnosis. The 3 miRNA‐based model, comprising miR‐134‐5p, miR‐205‐5p, and miR‐409‐3p, showed good discriminating power with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.88 in the training set and 0.91 in the validation set. Furthermore, the diagnostic model had an excellent classification ability to distinguish patients with NPC at different clinical stages or Epstein‐Barr virus infection status from HCs. In conclusion, our findings indicated that sEV‐derived miRNA levels were altered in the plasma of patients with NPC in comparison with those in HCs. The model based on the 3 sEV‐derived miRNAs could potentially act as an alternative or complementary approach for diagnosing NPC.
Safety and antitumor activity of acalabrutinib for relapsed/refractory B‐cell malignancies: A Japanese phase I study
Authors: Izutsu Koji , Ando Kiyoshi , Ennishi Daisuke , Shibayama Hirohiko , Suzumiya Junji , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Ichikawa Satoshi , Kato Koji , Kumagai Kyoya , Patel Priti , Iizumi Sakura , Hayashi Nobuya , Kawasumi Hisashi , Murayama Kosho , Nagai Hirokazu 
Published: March 2021

This multicenter, open‐label, phase I study assessed the safety and antitumor activity of acalabrutinib in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B‐cell malignancies. Parts 1 (dose confirmation) and 2 (dose expansion) of this three‐part study are reported. Treatment was a single dose of 100 mg acalabrutinib (day 1), followed by a washout period and then twice daily 100 mg acalabrutinib in part 1, or twice daily 100 mg acalabrutinib in part 2. Patients from parts 1 and 2 with r/r chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and r/r mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were assessed as r/r CLL/SLL and r/r MCL cohorts, respectively. Twenty‐five patients received treatment (part 1, n = 6). Median age was 71.0 years. Nine (one patient from part 1) and 13 (two patients from part 1) patients were included in the r/r CLL/SLL and r/r MCL cohorts, respectively. Treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 88% of patients (grade ≥3, 36%); the most common were headache (28%) and purpura (24%), both grade 1/2. No AEs resulted in treatment discontinuation or death. Median duration of treatment was 31, 20, and 7 months for part 1, r/r CLL/SLL cohort, and r/r MCL cohort, respectively. Overall response rate (ORR) was 89% and 62% for the r/r CLL/SLL and r/r MCL cohorts, respectively. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was not reached for the r/r CLL/SLL cohort and was 7 months for the r/r MCL cohort. Acalabrutinib (100 mg twice daily) was generally safe and well‐tolerated in adult Japanese patients with B‐cell malignancies.
Development of a novel three‐dimensional printing technology for the application of “raised” surface features
Authors: Lewis David M. , Broadbent Peter J. , Rigout Muriel L. , Carr Chris M. , Johnson Fearne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA simple procedure to ink‐jet print raised images using two water‐soluble inorganic inks is reported and it has the potential to be utilised in domestic and commercial environments. The advantages of such a procedure lies in the ability to print moulded objects, Braille type and to engineer special gonio‐specific effects that may have value in the security printing area. The study focuses on printing gypsum through the ready precipitation of calcium sulphate dihydrate by co‐jetting calcium chloride and ammonium sulphate solutions. The results in this preliminary study are encouraging and offer a potential method for durable surface structuring of material surfaces with haptic and visual effects for both the blind and the sighted.
Optimal portfolio choices to split orders during supply disruptions: An application of sport's principle for routine sourcing
Authors: Padhi Sidhartha S. , Mukherjee Soumyatanu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSourcing in the face of supply chain disruptions has been one of the most challenging tasks in supply chain management, particularly when such disruptions occur due to natural calamities, such as flood, fire, and earthquake, affecting both the primary and the backup suppliers. Invariably, such disruptions lead to reduced supply from the primary supplier, encouraging the supplier to place fresh orders with the backup suppliers. In order to mitigate the adverse effect of supply disruption, in this article we use the concepts underlying the well‐known Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method, used in cricket, to revise the supply target of the primary supplier and to decide a target for the backup supplier. We simulated the supply disruption scenarios in an experimental setting by conducting a two‐round questionnaire survey among 300 purchase managers. The means and variances of the participants’ estimates of probabilities of meeting the revised targets within the scheduled time for various model‐generated supply scenarios were used to find the participants’ risk preferences. In the second‐round survey, the participants, clustered in groups of 10, ranked their own risk preferences. These ranks were used to find the optimal portfolio choices. Finally, we validated the theoretical predictions for the risk options using two approaches—one, at the group level by estimating the within‐ and the between‐group risk preferences of buyers, and, two, at the aggregate level, by considering all the participants, fitting quantile regression model to the experimental results, and estimating the risk preference structures for different quantiles of the relative risk–return trade‐off distributions.
Dapagliflozin reduces systolic blood pressure and modulates vasoactive factors
Authors: Ghanim Husam , Batra Manav , Green Kelly , Hejna Jeanne , Abuaysheh Sanaa , Makdissi Antione , Chaudhuri Ajay , Dandona Paresh 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo investigate the mechanisms underlying improvements in blood pressure (BP) and congestive heart failure outcomes following treatment with dapagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor.Research Design and MethodsA total of 52 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with an HbA1c of less than 8% participated in this prospective, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study. Patients were randomized (1:1) to either dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Half the patients were also monitored for 6 h following their first dose for acute effects on BP. Blood and urine samples were collected and levels of angiotensinogen, angiotensin II, renin, aldosterone, endothelin‐1, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and neprilysin were measured. The expression of angiotensin‐converting enzyme, guanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) was measured in circulating mononuclear cells (MNC).ResultsA total of 24 and 23 patients receiving dapagliflozin and placebo, respectively, completed the 12‐week study. Systolic BP decreased significantly, compared with placebo, both after single‐dose (by 7 ± 3 mmHg) and 12‐week (by 7 ± 2 mmHg) treatment with dapagliflozin. Dapagliflozin suppressed angiotensin II and angiotensinogen (by 10.5 ± 2.1 and 1.45 ± 0.42 μg/mL, respectively) and increased ANP and cGMP (by 34 ± 11 and 29 ± 11 pmol/mL, respectively) compared with the placebo group. cGMP levels also increased acutely following a single dose of dapagliflozin. Dapagliflozin also suppressed PDE5 expression by 26% ± 11% in MNC. There were no changes observed in the other vasoactive mediators investigated.ConclusionsDapagliflozin administration in T2D resulted in both acute and chronic reduction in systolic BP, a reduction in vasoconstrictors and an increase in vasodilators. These changes may potentially contribute to its antihypertensive effects and its benefits in congestive cardiac failure.
Intracardiac flow visualization using high‐frame rate blood speckle tracking echocardiography: Illustrations from infants with congenital heart disease
Authors: Cantinotti Massimiliano , Marchese Pietro , Koestenberger Martin , Giordano Raffaele , Santoro Giuseppe , Assanta Nadia , Kutty Shelby 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe report applications of novel high‐frame rate blood speckle tracking (BST) echocardiography in a series of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). BST echocardiography was highly feasible, reproducible, and fast. High‐frame rate BST provided complimentary information to conventional color‐Doppler data enhancing the visualization and understanding of anomalous blood trajectories (eg, shunt direction, regurgitant volumes, and stenotic jets) and vortex formation. High‐frame rate BST echocardiography is a new, promising imaging tool that may be helpful for deeper understanding of complex CHD physiology.
Improving adherence to echocardiogram reporting guidelines in patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot: A quality improvement initiative
Authors: Srnka Charlotte M. , Strohacker Courtney M. , Balasubramanian Sowmya , Yu Sunkyung , Lowery Ray , Lu Jimmy C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), key echocardiogram report elements have been identified, but poor adherence has been demonstrated, particularly for quantitative assessment. We report a quality improvement effort to improve adherence at our institution, with a focus on increasing quantitative assessment of right ventricular (RV) function.MethodsBaseline compliance was established by a 3‐month retrospective review of outpatient echocardiogram reports. Intervention 1 included presenting baseline data and reviewing the guidelines with echocardiogram laboratory staff (physicians and sonographers). Intervention 2, chosen to focus on quantitative assessment of RV function, involved recommending measurement of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) for all echocardiograms. Reporting rates were prospectively analyzed for 1 month after each intervention. To evaluate sonographer versus physician compliance, both study images (acquisition of TAPSE images) and reports were reviewed.ResultsAt baseline, adherence was poor (median 65% of elements reported), with lower rates for measurements versus descriptive elements (median 40% vs 78%, p<.0001). Following intervention 1, total reported elements improved (median 71% vs 65%, p=0.02) due to increase in measurements (median 50% vs 40%, p=0.02). Reports of quantitative RV function did not significantly change after either intervention, but sonographer compliance improved after intervention 1 (33% vs 14%, p=0.03), with further improvement after intervention 2 (53% vs 14%, p=0.001).ConclusionWhile education on lesion‐specific guidelines may modestly improve adherence, standardization has a greater effect. However, interventions may have differential impact on sonographers versus attendings, and iterative interventions may be required to change practice patterns.
Temporal changes in volatile profiles of Varroa destructor‐infested brood may trigger hygienic behavior in Apis mellifera
Authors: Liendo María Clara , Muntaabski Irina , Russo Romina María , Lanzavecchia Silvia Beatriz , Segura Diego Fernando , Palacio María Alejandra , Cladera Jorge Luis , Fernández Patricia Carina , Scannapieco Alejandra Carla 
Published: March 2021

AbstractVarroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) is one of the major contributors to the significant losses of western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colonies worldwide. Hygienic behavior, in which individual workers detect, uncap, and remove unhealthy brood, is a type of social immunity that reduces pathogen and parasite loads in the colony. Previous evidence suggests that hygienic worker bees identify diseased brood through olfactory cues. The aims of the present work were (1) to study the hygienic behavior of worker bees toward V. destructor‐infested cells at different stages of brood development, (2) to explore changes in brood volatile profiles associated with the progression of mite infestation, and (3) to analyze the role of specific volatile compounds in triggering the hygienic behavior. Results showed that the removal rate of infested brood changed along its development and the progression of mite reproduction. Two compounds, ethyl hexanoate and α‐pinene, were present in volatile collections from mite‐infested pupae but absent from uninfested pupae. Field bioassays showed that these volatiles are relevant to elicit the hygienic behavior. A third compound, β‐ocimene, was present in infested and uninfested brood but its abundance pattern varied according to the infestation status throughout brood development. Specifically, for uninfested brood, the abundance of β‐ocimene showed a reduction in black‐eyed pupae, whereas for infested brood, its abundance decreased drastically in light‐pink‐eyed pupae and remained constant in black‐eyed pupae. Our results revealed that olfactory signals associated with V. destructor infestation change as the reproductive cycle of V. destructor progresses inside the cell. These changes can be mimicked to some extent by adding specific volatile compounds to the cell to induce hygienic removal. These findings shed light on the chemical basis of hygienic behavior against V. destructor and could facilitate the development of improved hygienic selection tools to breed mite‐resistant honey bee colonies.