bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Radiation sterilization Dose on the Molecular Weight and Gelling Properties of Commercial Alginate Samples
Authors: Mollah M. Z. I. , Rahaman M S. , Faruque M R I. , Khandaker M U. , Osman Hamid , Alamri Sultan , Al-Assaf Saphwan 
Published: December 2021

To estimate the molecular weight (Mw) and gelling properties, a total of 26 alginate samples consisting of control (n = 13) and 15 kGy γ-irradiated (n = 13) samples were characterized through viscometric and gel permeation chromatography (GPC-MALLS) methods. Based on the observations, a remarkable decrease in the intrinsic viscosity of all samples of alginates was evident due to the effects of radiation, with a linear relationship between viscosity and concentration in 0.01 M NaCl solution. The correlation among the Mw, percentage mass recovery, radii of gyration (Rz/Rg), and percentage reduction of Mw assessed by GPC was significant. The Mw decreased dramatically (from 3.1 × 105 to 0.49 × 105 mole/g in sample no. 12) by the effect of radiation with momentous relation to the % reduction of the molecular weight. The highest molecular weight reduction (84%), which is the most sensitive to γ-radiation, and the average reduction rate was ≥50%. The mass recovery was 100% obtained from samples no. 1,3,4,5,7,12, and 13, while the rest of the samples’ recovery rate was significantly higher. The reduction rate of mass molecular weight (Mw) is higher than the average molecular weight (Mv), but they showed a sensitivity towards radiation, consequently their performance are different from each other. The stability test was performed as a critical behaviour in the control, recurrently same as in the irradiated samples. Thus, the sterilization dose of 15 kGy for the Mw distribution, and subsequently for the characterization, was significantly effective.
Vanadium and Tannic Acid-Based Composite Conversion Coating for 6063 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zhu Wen , Chen Furui , Luo Youbin , Su Zhijun , Li Wenfang , Yi Aihua , Liao Zhongmiao , Li Kang , Chen Ken , Hu Yiwen , Xu Yashu , Guo Sinan 
Published: December 2021

In this study, a vanadium (V) and tannic acid-based composite conversion coating (VTACC) was prepared on 6063 aluminum alloy (AA6063) to increase its corrosion resistance. The surface morphology and compositions of the VTACCs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion resistance of the coatings was investigated by linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The self-healing ability of the coating was detected by SEM, EDS, and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) measurements. The coating mainly consisted of metal oxides, including Al2O3, VO2, V2O3, and V2O5, and metal organic complexes (Al and V-complexes). The electrochemical measurement results indicated that the best corrosion resistance of VTACC was acquired when the treatment time was 12 min. Furthermore, because a new coating with vanadium rich oxide was developed on the scratch area, artificial scratch VTACC surfaces were repaired after several days of immersion in 3.5-wt% NaCl solution.
CytoSorb Therapy in COVID-19 (CTC) Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Multicenter, Retrospective Registry
Authors: Song Tae , Hayanga Jeremiah , Durham Lucian , Garrison Lawrence , McCarthy Paul , Barksdale Andy , Smith Deane , Bartlett Robert , Jaros Mark , Nelson Peter , Molnar Zsolt , Deliargyris Efthymios , Moazami Nader 
Published: December 2021

Introduction: CytoSorb extracorporeal blood purification therapy received FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to suppress hyperinflammation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The multicenter CTC Registry was established to systematically collect patient-level data, outcomes, and utilization patterns of CytoSorb under the EUA.Methods: Patient-level data was entered retrospectively at participating centers. The primary outcome of the registry was ICU mortality. Patient disposition of death, continuing ICU care, or ICU discharge was analyzed up to Day 90 after start of CytoSorb therapy. Demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 medications, inflammatory biomarkers, and details on CytoSorb use were compared between survivors and non-survivors in the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cohort.Results: Between April 2020 and April 2021, 52 patients received veno-venous ECMO plus CytoSorb therapy at 5 U.S. centers. ICU mortality was 17.3% (9/52) on day 30, 26.9% (14/52) on day 90, and 30.8% (16/52) at final follow-up of 153 days. Survivors had a trend toward lower baseline D-Dimer levels (2.3 ± 2.5 vs. 19.8 ± 32.2 μg/mL, p = 0.056) compared to non-survivors. A logistic regression analysis suggested a borderline association between baseline D-Dimer levels and mortality with a 32% increase in the risk of death per 1 μg/mL increase (p = 0.055). CytoSorb was well-tolerated without any device-related adverse events reported.Conclusions: CytoSorb therapy for critically ill COVID-19 patients on ECMO was associated with high survival rates suggesting potential therapeutic benefit. Elevated baseline D-Dimer levels may suggest increased risk of mortality. Prospective controlled studies are warranted to substantiate these results.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0439192, identifier: NCT04391920.
Ab Interno vs. Ab Externo Microcatheter-Assisted Circumferential Trabeculotomy in Treating Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Zhang Weijia , Wang Yiwei , Xin Chen , Sun Yang , Cao Kai , Wang Huaizhou , Wang Ningli 
Published: December 2021

Background: Circumferential trabeculotomy have evolved from ab externo to ab interno approach. Both procedures may lower IOP, but it is unclear which maybe a superior approach.Purpose: To compare the outcomes of ab interno and ab externo circumferential trabeculotomy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.Design: Retrospective, comparative case series.Participants: Primary open angle glaucoma patients undergoing ab interno (40 patients in Group 1) or ab externo (54 patients in Group 2) circumferential trabeculotomy, with about one half of them having prior incisional glaucoma surgery.Methods: Outcomes including intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medications and surgical complications were analyzed.Main Outcome Measures: IOP, medications and surgical success defined as an IOP of ≤ 21 mmHg and a reduction of IOP ≥20% from baseline (criterion A) or IOP ≤ 18 mmHg and a reduction of IOP 20% from baseline (criterion B) with (qualified success) or without (complete success) medications.Results: At 1 year, IOP decreased by 37.1% (26.0–14.8 mmHg) in Group 1 and 39.5% (28.5–15.1 mmHg) in Group 2. Medications decreased from 3.5 in Group 1 and 3.6 in Group 2 pre-operatively to 0.6 ± 1.0 and 0.3 ± 0.6 post-operatively, respectively. Success rates did not differ significantly between groups based on criterion A (complete and qualified success: 68.7 and 81.9% in Group 1, and 75.3 and 90.4% in Group 2, respectively) or criterion B (complete and qualified success: 58.2 and 79.3%in Group 1, and 69.5 and 88.4% in Group 2, respectively). For eyes with prior filtration surgeries, the mean percent reduction of IOP (41.7 ± 32.7% in Group 1, 39.7 ± 27.8% in Group 2, P = 0.724) and the mean medication reduction (2.9 ± 1.6 in Group 1, 3.4 ± 1.0 in Group 2, P = 0.454) were not significantly different.Conclusions: Ab interno circumferential trabeculotomy achieved comparable outcomes to ab externo trabeculotomy and may be an effective surgical option for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Trajectory Analysis of Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson’s Disease: Results From Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative Cohort
Authors: Chen Kui , Du Kangshuai , Zhao Yichen , Gu Yongzhe , Zhao Yanxin 
Published: December 2021

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) can lead to falls, impair quality of life, and increase mortality. A trajectory analysis of OH could be useful to predict and prevent the hypotension incidence early.Methods: The longitudinal data of 660 patients with PD with disease duration up to 12 years were extracted from an integrated PD database. We used latent class mixed modeling (LCMM) to identify patient subgroups, demonstrating trajectories of changes in orthostatic blood pressure (BP) over time. The optimal number of subgroups was selected by several criteria including the Bayesian Information Criterion. Baseline information comparison between groups and backward stepwise logistic regression were conducted to define the distinguishing characteristics of these subgroups and to investigate the predictors for BP trajectory.Results: We identified three trajectories for each orthostatic change of systolic blood pressure (ΔSBP), namely, Class 1 (i.e., the increasing class) consisted of 18 participants with low ΔSBP that increased continuously during the follow-up; Class 2 (i.e., the low-stable class) consisted of 610 participants with low ΔSBP that remained low throughout the follow-up; and Class 3 (i.e., the high-stable class) consisted of 32 participants with high ΔSBP at baseline that was relatively stable throughout the follow-up. Several parameters differed among subgroups, but only male sex [odds ratio (OR) = 4.687, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.024–21.459], lower supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR = 0.934, 95% CI = 0.876–0.996), and lower level of total protein at baseline (OR = 0.812, 95% CI = 0.700–0.941) were significant predictors of an increasing ΔSBP trajectory.Conclusion: This study provides new information on the longitudinal development of ΔSBP in patients with PD with distinct trajectories of rapidly increasing, low-stable, and high-stable class. The parameters such as male sex, lower supine DBP, and lower total proteins help to identify the rapidly increasing class.
Tranexamic Acid for Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Guo Yu , Guo Xin-Mei , Li Rui-Li , Zhao Kai , Bao Qiang-Ji , Yang Jin-Cai , Zhang Qiang , Yang Ming-Fei 
Published: December 2021

Background: The role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing hematoma expansion (HE) in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in acute spontaneous ICH with a particular focus on subgroups.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, PubMed, and WHO ICTRP. The primary outcome measurement was HE. The secondary outcome measurements included 3-month poor functional outcome (PFO), 3-month mortality, and major thromboembolic events (MTE). We conducted subgroup analysis according to the CT markers of HE (standard-risk population and high-risk population) and the time from onset to randomization (&gt;4.5 and ≤4.5 h).Results: We identified seven studies (representing five RCTs) involving 2,650 participants. Compared with placebo, TXA may reduce HE on subsequent imaging (odd ratio [OR] 0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.692–0.984; p = 0.033; I2 = 0%; GRADE: moderate certainty). TXA and placebo arms did not differ in the rates of 3-month PFO, 3-month mortality, and MTE. Subgroup analysis indicated that TXA reduced the risk of HE in the high-risk population with CT markers of HE (OR 0.646; 95% CI 0.503–0.829; p = 0.001; I2 = 0 %) and in patients who were treated within 4.5 h of symptom onset (OR 0.823; 95% CI 0.690–0.980; p = 0.029; I2 = 0%), but this protective effect was not observed in the standard-risk population and patients who were treated over 4.5 h of symptom onset.Conclusions: Tranexamic acid (TXA) may decrease the risk of HE in patients with acute spontaneous ICH. Importantly, the decreased risk was observed in patients who were treatable within 4.5 h and with a high risk of HE, but not in those who were treatable over 4.5 h and in standard-risk population. However, PFO or mortality at 3 months did not significantly differ between patients who received TXA and those who received placebo. TXA is safe for acute spontaneous ICH without increasing MTE.
One-Year Risk of Stroke After Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke in Hunter New England, Australia (INSIST Study)
Authors: Tomari Shinya , Levi Christopher R. , Holliday Elizabeth , Lasserson Daniel , Valderas Jose M. , Dewey Helen M. , Barber P. Alan , Spratt Neil J. , Cadilhac Dominique A. , Feigin Valery L. , Rothwell Peter M. , Zareie Hossein , Garcia-Esperon Carlos , Davey Andrew , Najib Nashwa , Sales Milton , Magin Parker 
Published: December 2021

Background: One-year risk of stroke in transient ischemic attack and minor stroke (TIAMS) managed in secondary care settings has been reported as 5–8%. However, evidence for the outcomes of TIAMS in community care settings is limited.Methods: The INternational comparison of Systems of care and patient outcomes In minor Stroke and TIA (INSIST) study was a prospective inception cohort community-based study of patients of 16 general practices in the Hunter–Manning region (New South Wales, Australia). Possible-TIAMS patients were recruited from 2012 to 2016 and followed-up for 12 months post-index event. Adjudication as TIAMS or TIAMS-mimics was by an expert panel. We established 7-days, 90-days, and 1-year risk of stroke, TIA, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary or carotid revascularization procedure and death; and medications use at 24 h post-index event.Results: Of 613 participants (mean age; 70 ± 12 years), 298 (49%) were adjudicated as TIAMS. TIAMS-group participants had ischemic strokes at 7-days, 90-days, and 1-year, at Kaplan-Meier (KM) rates of 1% (95% confidence interval; 0.3, 3.1), 2.1% (0.9, 4.6), and 3.2% (1.7, 6.1), respectively, compared to 0.3, 0.3, and 0.6% of TIAMS-mimic-group participants. At one year, TIAMS-group-participants had twenty-five TIA events (KM rate: 8.8%), two MI events (0.6%), four coronary revascularizations (1.5%), eleven carotid revascularizations (3.9%), and three deaths (1.1%), compared to 1.6, 0.6, 1.0, 0.3, and 0.6% of TIAMS-mimic-group participants. Of 167 TIAMS-group participants who commenced or received enhanced therapies, 95 (57%) were treated within 24 h post-index event. For TIAMS-group participants who commenced or received enhanced therapies, time from symptom onset to treatment was median 9.5 h [IQR 1.8–89.9].Conclusion: One-year risk of stroke in TIAMS participants was lower than reported in previous studies. Early implementation of antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapies may have contributed to the low stroke recurrence.
Factors Affecting Volume Reduction Velocity for Arteriovenous Malformations After Treatment With Dose-Stage Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Authors: Meng Xiangyu , Gao Dezhi , Jin Hengwei , Wang Kuanyu , Bao Enmeng , Liu Ali , Li Youxiang , Sun Shibin 
Published: December 2021

Background and PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify morphologic and dosimetric features associated with volume reduction velocity for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) after dose-stage stereotactic radiosurgery (DS-SRS).MethodsThirty patients with intracranial AVM were treated with DS fractionated SRS at Beijing Tiantan Hospital from 2011 to 2019. The AVM nidus was automatically segmented from DICOMRT files using the 3D Slicer software. The change in lesion volume was obtained from the decrease in the planning target volume (PTV) between the two treatment sessions. The volume reduction velocity was measured by the change in volume divided by the time interval between treatments. Fourteen morphologic features of AVM prior to treatment were extracted from the PTV using ‘Pyradiomics’ implemented in Python. Along with other dosimetric features, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore predictors of the volume reduction velocity.ResultsAmong the 15 male (50.0%) and 15 female (50.0%) patients enrolled in this study, 17 patients (56.7%) initially presented with hemorrhage. The mean treatment interval between the initial and second SRS was 35.73 months. In multivariate analysis, the SurfaceVolumeRatio was the only independent factor associated with the volume reduction velocity (p=0.010, odds ratio=0.720, 95% confidence interval: 0.560–0.925). The area under the curve of this feature for predicting the volume reduction velocity after the initial treatment of DS-SRS was 0.83. (p=0.0018).ConclusionsThe morphologic features correlated well with the volume reduction velocity in patients with intracranial AVM who underwent DS-SRS treatment. The SurfaceVolumeRatio could predict the rate of volume reduction of AVMs after DS-SRS.
Emodin Protects Sepsis Associated Damage to the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Through the VDR/ Nrf2 /HO-1 Pathway
Authors: Shang Luorui , Liu Yuhan , Li Jinxiao , Pan Guangtao , Zhou Fangyuan , Yang Shenglan 
Published: December 2021

Aims: Emodin is an anthraquinone extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, which has potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. However, the possible protective mechanism of emodin is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of emodin against cecal ligation and puncture and LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier injury through the VDR/ Nrf2 /HO-1 signaling pathway.Methods: We established a mouse model of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and stimulated normal intestinal epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). VDR in cellswas down-regulated by small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) technology.Mice were perfused with VDR antagonists ZK168281 to reduce VDR expression and mRNA and protein levels of VDR and downstream molecules were detected in cells and tissue. Inflammation markers (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6)) and oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH)) were measured in serum and intestinal tissueby enzym-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of VDR in intestinal tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results: In NCM460 cells and animal models, emodin increased mRNA and protein expression of VDR and its downstream molecules. In addition, emodin could inhibit the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA in serum and tissue, and increase the levels of SOD and GSH. The protective effect of emodin was confirmed in NCM460 cells and mice, where VDR was suppressed. In addition, emodin could alleviate the histopathological damage of intestinal mucosal barrier caused by cecal ligation and puncture.Conclusion: Emodin has a good protective effect against sepsis related intestinal mucosal barrier injury, possibly through the VDR/ Nrf2 /HO-1 pathway.
Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 2B1 in Human Fetal Membranes: A Novel Gatekeeper for Drug Transport During Pregnancy?
Authors: Ganguly Esha , Kammala Ananth Kumar , Benson Meagan , Richardson Lauren S. , Han Arum , Menon Ramkumar 
Published: December 2021

Current intervention strategies have not been successful in reducing the risks of adverse pregnancy complications nor maternal and fetal morbidities associated with pregnancy complications. Improving pregnancy and neonatal outcomes requires a better understanding of drug transport mechanisms at the feto-maternal interfaces, specifically the placenta and fetal membrane (FM). The role of several solute carrier uptake transporter proteins (TPs), such as the organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1) in transporting drug across the placenta, is well-established. However, the mechanistic role of FMs in this drug transport has not yet been elucidated. We hypothesize that human FMs express OATP2B1 and functions as an alternate gatekeeper for drug transport at the feto-maternal interface. We determined the expression of OATP2B1 in term, not-in-labor, FM tissues and human FM cells [amnion epithelial cell (AEC), chorion trophoblast cell (CTC), and mesenchymal cells] using western blot analyses and their localization using immunohistochemistry. Changes in OATP2B1 expression was determined for up to 48 h after stimulation with cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an inducer of oxidative stress. The functional role of OATP2B1 was determined by flow cytometry using a zombie violet dye substrate assay. After OATP2B1 gene silencing, its functional relevance in drug transport through the feto-maternal interface was tested using a recently developed feto-maternal interface organ-on-a-chip (OOC) system that contained both FM and maternal decidual cells. Propagation of a drug (Rosuvastatin, that can be transported by OATP2B1) within the feto-maternal interface OOC system was determined by mass spectrometry. FMs express OATP2B1 in the CTC and AEC layers. In FM explants, OATP2B1 expression was not impacted by oxidative stress. Uptake of the zombie violet dye within AECs and CTCs showed OATP2B1 is functionally active. Silencing OATP2B1 in CTCs reduced Rosuvastatin propagation from the decidua to the fetal AEC layer within the feto-maternal interface-OOC model. Our data suggest that TPs in FMs may function as a drug transport system at the feto-maternal interface, a function that was previously thought to be performed exclusively by the placenta. This new knowledge will help improve drug delivery testing during pregnancy and contribute to designing drug delivery strategies to treat adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Causality Evaluation of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Newborns and Children in the Intensive Care Unit Using the Updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method
Authors: Ye Ling , Feng Zeying , Huang Longjian , Guo Chengjun , Wu Xiong , He Li , Tan Wei , Wang Yi , Wu Xuehong , Hu Biwen , Li Tong , Yang Guoping , Chengxian Guo , He Qingnan 
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common adverse reaction in the clinic; however, there are relatively few reports of DILI in critically ill newborns and children. Making use of the Pediatric Intensive Care database (PIC), this study identifies which drugs are related to DILI in neonates and children in China.Methods: Using the PIC, we screened for patients whose liver was suspected of being injured by drugs during hospitalization. The medicine they used was then assessed by the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM). At the same time, we also collated drug combinations that may affect CYP (Cytochrome P) enzyme metabolism, which may cause DILI.Results: A total of 13,449 patients were assessed, of whom 77 newborns and 261 children were finally included. The main type of liver injury in neonates was mixed (83.1%), while the hepatic injury types of children were mostly distributed between hepatocellular (59.4%) and cholestatic (28.4%). In terms of the RUCAM assessment, the drugs that were most considered to cause or be associated with hepatic injury in newborns were medium and long chain fat emulsions (17%), sodium glycerophosphate (12%), and meropenem (9%); while omeprazole (11%), methylprednisolone sodium succinate (10%), and meropenem (8%) were the primary culprits of DILI in children. Drug combinations frequently seen in neonates that may affect CYP enzyme metabolism are omeprazole + budesonide (16.9%), dexamethasone + midazolam (10.4%), and midazolam + sildenafil (10.4%). In children, the commonly used drug combinations are fentanyl + midazolam (20.7%), ibuprofen + furosemide (18.4%), and diazepam + omeprazole (15.3%).Conclusions: In this study, medium and long chain fat emulsions and sodium glycerophosphate have been strongly associated with DILI in newborns, while omeprazole and methylprednisolone sodium succinate play an important role in the DILI of children. Also, attention should be paid to the effect on CYP enzymes when using multiple drugs at the same time. In future DILI cases, it is advisable to use the latest RUCAM for prospective study design so that complete case data and high RUCAM scores can be collected.