bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of fluvastatin and aspirin for prevention of hormonally insensitive breast cancer
Authors: Bhardwaj Anjana , Embury Matthew D. , Rojo Raniv D. , Albarracin Constance , Bedrosian Isabelle 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Primary prevention of hormonally insensitive breast cancers remains an important clinical need and repurposing existing low-toxicity drugs represents a low-cost, efficient strategy for meeting this goal. This study targeted the cholesterol pathway using fluvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, and aspirin, an AMPK activator that acts as a brake in the cholesterol pathway, in a transgenic mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods
Using SV40C3 TAg mice, the efficacy and mechanism of fluvastatin, aspirin, or both in combination were compared with vehicle alone.

Results
Sixteen-weeks of fluvastatin treatment resulted in significant delay in onset of tumors (20 weeks vs. 16.8 weeks in vehicle treatment, p = 0.01) and inhibited tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity by 50% relative to the vehicle control. In animals that developed tumors, fluvastatin treatment inhibited tumor weight by 75% relative to vehicle control. Aspirin alone did not significantly affect tumor latency, tumor incidence or tumor burden compared to vehicle control. Fluvastatin and aspirin in combination delayed the onset of tumors but failed to inhibit tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity. The growth-inhibitory effects of fluvastatin were mediated through increased FAS/FASL mediated apoptotic cell death that was characterized by increased cleaved PARP and driven in part by depletion of an isoprenoid, geranyl geranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP).

Conclusions
In line with NCI’s emphasis to repurpose low-toxicity drugs for prevention of cancer, fluvastatin was effective for prevention of TNBC and warrants further clinical testing. Aspirin did not provide chemopreventive benefit.
Effect of synthetic bone replacement material of different size on shear stress resistance within impacted native and thermodisinfected cancellous bone: an in vitro femoral impaction bone grafting model
Authors: Fölsch C. , Sahm P. , Ulloa C. A. Fonseca , Krombach G. A. , Kampschulte M. , Rickert M. , Pruss A. , Jahnke A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAntibiotic carrier particles of variable size might influence mechanic properties within impacted thermodisinfected and native cancellous bone different. Herafill®G containing calciumsulfate and calciumcarbonate provides high local concentrations of gentamicin being important for revision surgery in infected joint replacements. Native and thermodisinfected cancellous bone derived from 6 to 7 months old piglets was used for in vitro impaction bone grafting and supplemented each with Herafill®G granules of two different sizes. Micromovement of implants related to shear force was measured in 29 specimens distributed in 6 groups. Thermodisinfected cancellous bone revealed a significant higher shear force resistance than native bone with a mean difference of 423.8 mdeg/Nm (p < 0.001) ranging within 95% confidence interval from 181.5 to 666.0 mdeg/Nm. Adding small granules to thermodisinfected bone did not reduce shear force resistance significantly since adding large granules to native bone improved it by 344.0 mdeg/Nm (p < 0.003). Shear force resistance was found higher at the distal region of the implant compared to a proximal point of measurement throughout all specimens. Less impaction impulses were necessary for thermodisinfected bone. Thermodisinfected cancellous bone might achieve a higher degree of impaction compared with native bone resulting in increased resistance against shear force since impaction was found increased distally. Supplementation of thermodisinfected bone with small granules of Herafill®G might be considered for application of local antibiotics. Large granules appeared more beneficial for supplementation of native bone. Heterogeneity of bone graft and technical aspects of the impaction procedure have to be considered regarding the reproducibility of femoral impaction bone grafting.
Decrypting distributed ledger design—taxonomy, classification and blockchain community evaluation
Authors: Ballandies Mark C. , Dapp Marcus M. , Pournaras Evangelos 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMore than 1000 distributed ledger technology (DLT) systems raising $600 billion in investment in 2016 feature the unprecedented and disruptive potential of blockchain technology. A systematic and data-driven analysis, comparison and rigorous evaluation of the different design choices of distributed ledgers and their implications is a challenge. The rapidly evolving nature of the blockchain landscape hinders reaching a common understanding of the techno-socio-economic design space of distributed ledgers and the cryptoeconomies they support. To fill this gap, this paper makes the following contributions: (i) A conceptual architecture of DLT systems with which (ii) a taxonomy is designed and (iii) a rigorous classification of DLT systems is made using real-world data and wisdom of the crowd. (iv) A DLT design guideline is the end result of applying machine learning methodologies on the classification data. Compared to related work and as defined in earlier taxonomy theory, the proposed taxonomy is highly comprehensive, robust, explanatory and extensible. The findings of this paper can provide new insights and better understanding of the key design choices evolving the modeling complexity of DLT systems, while identifying opportunities for new research contributions and business innovation.
Donor demographics and factors affecting corneal utilisation in Eye Bank of North India
Authors: Arya S. K. , Raj Amit , Deswal Jyoti , Kohli Piyush , Rai Raghavendra 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Nearly 6.8 million people in India have vision less than 6/60 in at least one eye due to corneal diseases; of these, about a million had bilateral involvement.

Purpose
To identify the challenges faced; the trends in collection, storage and utilisation of corneal tissues in an eye bank in north India.

Materials and methods
The past records of Eye Bank linked to a tertiary hospital in northern India were analysed from November’1999 to October’2015 with respect to number of eye donations per year, donor demographics and utilisation of corneal tissues.

Results
The number of donations during the first 6 years were 100, 279 in the next 5 years and 473 in the last 5 years. The mean donor age was 63.2 ± 19.5 years. The percentage of donors less than 30, 31–60 and more than 60 years was 10%, 28% and 62%. Forty-two percent donations were from the hospital. The average time between the death and enucleation was 4.74 ± 5.31 hours. The percentage of corneas used in the donor age groups less than 30, 31–60 and above 60 years was 61.9%, 61.6% and 53.8%, respectively. The usability rate of the corneas from home and hospital was 63.7% and 55.3%, respectively.

Conclusions
The eye bank had a lukewarm response in the beginning, but gained momentum with time. The myths and beliefs prevalent in our society deter people from donating eyes freely. Each eye bank needs to individualise its problems and find solutions for adequate procurement and utilisation of tissue.
Baicalin and Geniposide Inhibit Polarization and Inflammatory Injury of OGD/R-Treated Microglia by Suppressing the 5-LOX/LTB4 Pathway
Authors: Li HuiMin , Wang Yan , Wang Bin , Li Min , Liu JiPing , Yang HongLian , Shi YongHeng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCerebral ischemia causes severe neurological disorders and neuronal dysfunction. Baicalin (BC), geniposide (GP), and their combination (BC/GP) have been shown to inhibit post-ischemic inflammatory injury by inhibiting the 5-LOX/CysLTs pathway. The aims of this study were to observe the inhibitory effects of BC/GP on the activation of microglial cells induced by oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) and to investigate whether the 5-LOX/LTB4 pathway was involved in these effects. Molecular docking showed that BC and GP exhibited considerable binding activity with LTB4 synthase LTA4H. BV-2 microglia were transfected with a 5-LOX overexpression lentiviral vector, and then OGD/R was performed. The effects of different concentrations of BC, GP, and BC/GP (6.25 μM, 12.5 μM, and 25 μM) on cell viability and apoptosis of microglia were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, and pNF-κB also was measured by ELISA, Western blots and immunofluorescence. Western blots and qRT-PCR analysis were used to determine the levels of CD11b, CD206, and 5-LOX pathway proteins. Results showed that BC, GP, and BC/GP reduced the apoptosis caused by OGD/R in a dose-dependent manner, and cell viability was significantly increased at a concentration of 12.5 μM. OGD/R significantly increased the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, pNF-κB, and CD11b. These effects were suppressed by BC, GP, and BC/GP, and the OGD/R-induced transfer of NF-κB p65 from the ctytoplasm to the nucleus was inhibited in microglia. Interestingly, the LTB4 inhibitor, U75302, exhibited the same effect. Also, BC, GP, and BC/GP significantly reduced the expression of 5-LOX pathway proteins. These results demonstrated that BC/GP inhibited OGD/R-induced polarization in BV2 microglia by regulating the 5-LOX/LTB4 signaling pathways and attenuating the inflammatory response. Our results supported the theoretical basis for additional in-depth study of the function of BC/GP and the value of determining its unique target, which might provide a new therapeutic strategy for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
Optimizing the decoy-state BB84 QKD protocol parameters
Authors: Attema Thomas , Bosman Joost W. , Neumann Niels M. P. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractQuantum key distribution (QKD) protocols allow for information theoretically secure distribution of (classical) cryptographic key material. However, due to practical limitations the performance of QKD implementations is somewhat restricted. For this reason, it is crucial to find optimal protocol parameters, while guaranteeing information theoretic security. The performance of a QKD implementation is determined by the tightness of the underlying security analysis. In particular, the security analyses determines thekey-rate, i.e., the amount of cryptographic key material that can be distributed per time unit. Nowadays, the security analyses of various QKD protocols are well understood. It is known that optimal protocol parameters, such as the number of decoy states and their intensities, can be found by solving a nonlinear optimization problem. The complexity of this optimization problem is typically handled by making a number of heuristic assumptions. For instance, the number of decoy states is restricted to only one or two, with one of the decoy intensities set to a fixed value, and vacuum states are ignored as they are assumed to contribute only marginally to the secure key-rate. These assumptions simplify the optimization problem and reduce the size of search space significantly. However, they also cause the security analysis to be non-tight, and thereby result in sub-optimal performance. In this work, we follow a more rigorous approach using both linear and nonlinear programs describing the optimization problem. Our approach, focusing on the decoy-state BB84 protocol, allows heuristic assumptions to be omitted, and therefore results in a tighter security analysis with better protocol parameters. We show an improved performance for the decoy-state BB84 QKD protocol, demonstrating that the heuristic assumptions typically made are too restrictive. Moreover, our improved optimization frameworks shows that the complexity of the performance optimization problem can also be handled without making heuristic assumptions, even with limited computational resources available.
Mysticism without concepts
Authors: Gäb Sebastian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt has often been claimed, e.g. by William James or Aldous Huxley, that mystical experiences across times and cultures exhibit a striking similarity. Even though the words and images we use to describe them are different, underneath the surface we find a common experiential core. Others have rejected this claim and argued that all experiences are intrinsically shaped by the mystics’ pre-existing religious concepts. Against these constructivist objections, I defend the idea of a common core by arguing that even if all experience is interpreted through concepts,there could still be a common core. Those who reject the common core thesis usually argue that no distinction between experience and interpretation can be made since all experience is per se already interpreted. The notion of an uninterpreted experience is self-defeating. Drawing on current research on nonconceptual mental content, I argue (a) that experiences can have nonconceptual content; (b) that interpretation must be understood as conceptualization and (c) that conceptualization presupposes a raw mental content that is not conceptualized. This raw content is not experienced as nonconceptual. Rather, the nonconceptual, uninterpreted common core is an abstraction which shows itself only through reflection. Thus, the existence of a common core is compatible with the fact that all experiences are interpreted.
Use of an electronic medical record dashboard to identify gaps in osteoporosis care
Authors: Papaioannou A. , McCloskey E. , Bell A. , Ngui D. , Mehan U. , Tan M. , Goldin L. , Langer A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Summary
Using an electronic medical record (EMR)-based dashboard, this study explored osteoporosis care gaps in primary care. Eighty-four physicians shared their practice activities related to bone mineral density testing, 10-year fracture risk calculation and treatment for those at high risk. Significant gaps in fracture risk calculation and osteoporosis management were identified.

Purpose
To identify care gaps in osteoporosis management focusing on Canadian clinical practice guidelines (CPG) related to bone mineral density (BMD) testing, 10-year fracture risk calculation and treatment for those at high risk.

Methods
The ADVANTAGE OP EMR tool consists of an interactive algorithm to facilitate assessment and management of fracture risk using CPG. The FRAX® and Canadian Association of Radiologists and Osteoporosis Canada (CAROC) tools were embedded to facilitate 10-year fracture risk calculation. Physicians managed patients as clinically indicated but with EMR reminders of guideline recommendations; participants shared practice level data on management activities after 18-month use of the tool.

Results
Eighty-four physicians (54%) of 154 who agreed to participate in this study shared their aggregate practice activities. Across all practices, there were 171,310 adult patients, 40 years of age and older, of whom 17,214 (10%) were at elevated risk for fracture. Sixty-two percent of patients potentially at elevated risk for fractures did not have BMD testing completed; most common reasons for this were intention to order BMD later (48%), physician belief that BMD was not required (15%) and patient refusal (20%). For patients with BMD completed, fracture risk was calculated in 29%; 19% were at high risk, of whom 37% were not treated with osteoporosis medications as recommended by CPG.

Conclusion
Despite access to CPG and fracture risk calculators through the ADVANTAGE OP EMR tool, significant gaps remain in fracture risk calculation and osteoporosis management. Additional strategies are needed to address this clinical inertia among family physicians.
A survey of general practitioners’ knowledge and clinical practice in relation to valvular heart disease
Authors: Birrane John P. , Lim Zi Lun , Liew Chee H. , Rosseel Liesbeth , Heerey Adrienne , Coleman Kieran , Gallagher Joseph , Mylotte Darren , McEvoy John W. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
General practice has a key role in diagnosing patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) and referring them to appropriate services.

Methods
An anonymous survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and clinical practice behaviour of Irish general practitioners (GPs) in relation to VHD. In addition to demographic data, the survey captured information in the following domains: knowledge of VHD prevalence, knowledge of contemporary VHD treatments, barriers to diagnosis, and referral patterns. To augment responses, a monetary prize (donated to charity) was offered and the survey was also disseminated using social media and by the Irish College of General Practitioners.

Results
Valid survey responses were received from 197 GPs. The sample was well-balanced by gender, number of years in practice, and practice setting. A small proportion of GPs (16.8%) used a stethoscope to examine for VHD in all patients over 60 years, a figure that rose to 22.3% in patients over 75. Approximately half of participants (48%) felt confident in their ability to detect and diagnose VHD using a stethoscope, and 74% felt lack of access to echocardiography was a major barrier to making a VHD diagnosis. There was a high level of awareness among GPs of minimally invasive nonsurgical interventions now available for VHD treatment.

Discussion
Irish GPs displayed good understanding of contemporary VHD treatment options but reported low confidence and inconsistent practices in evaluating patients for VHD. Improved access to echocardiography might help address these deficiencies, but reorganisation of services will be required in a resource-limited public health service.

Graphical abstract
Metabolomics in Advanced Liver Disease
Authors: Kano Noora , Want Elizabeth J. , McPhail Mark J. W. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose of review
Cirrhosis is one of the most important global public health problems. Patients with cirrhosis risk progression to acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), associated with high mortality rates, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metabolomics could identify urgently required novel biomarkers to improve disease diagnosis, monitor progression, and identify therapies.

Recent findings
In this review, current metabolic studies in decompensated cirrhosis, ACLF, and HCC over the past 3 years are summarised. Over numerous metabolomics studies, in cirrhosis, common alterations in proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, bile acids, and microbial metabolites were identified. In ACLF, changes in metabolites related to energy metabolism, amino acids, lipids, bile acids, and microbial metabolites were reported. Amino acids, bile acids, free fatty acids, and phospholipids were identified as important metabolite classes for discrimination between cirrhosis and HCC.

Summary
Metabolomics can improve our understanding of advanced liver diseases and provide the basis of the future studies and therapeutic advancements.
Disclosing or Hiding Bullying Victimization: A Grounded Theory Study From Former Victims’ Point of View
Authors: Wójcik Małgorzata , Rzeńca Krzysztof 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the process of disclosing bullying victimization from the former victims’ point of view. Twenty-three individuals with prior experience of victimization at school were interviewed. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data, which generated a grounded theory of help-seeking in victimization, comprising factors and conditions that influenced the willingness to ask for help when bullied. We concentrated on disclosure barriers and facilitators in a school context to identify important factors, which comprised type of peer harassment, type and form of initial attack, perception of available support at school, and perception of peer support. In terms of the practical implications of the present study, the identification of disclosure tendencies could provide a basis for developing school policies to facilitate disclosure.
Urteilsbildung und Entscheidungsfindung von ASD-Fachkräften in der COVID-19-Krise
Authors: Freres Katharina , Benoit Megan , Posmek Jana , Benkel Christopher , Grüßert Nina , Bastian Pascal 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungÜber die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Fallarbeit der Jugendämter liegt bislang noch wenig empirisches Wissen vor. Gleichzeitig sind die konkrete Arbeit der Fachkräfte mit Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien sowie die Entscheidungspraktiken, etwa bezogen auf den Kinderschutz, auch für die gewöhnliche nicht pandemiebedingte Praxis wenig erforscht. Die in dieser Forschungsnotiz vorgestellte Studie basiert auf einem ethnografischen Forschungsprogramm und untersucht die Fallarbeit in der Pandemie. Aus einer relationalen Perspektive, die den Blick nicht alleine auf die jeweiligen Akteur*innen sondern vielmehr auf deren Verbindungen und Vernetzungen untereinander richtet, sollen Verschiebungen des Netzwerks, in dem die Fälle üblicherweise bearbeitet werden, sichtbar gemacht und Praktiken, die sich als Bewältigungsstrategien der veränderten Praxis fassen lassen, offengelegt werden.
Recent Progress in Fiber Optofluidic Lasing and Sensing
Authors: Yang Xi , Gong Chaoyang , Liu Yiling , Rao Yunjiang , Smietana Mateusz , Gong Yuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFiber optofluidic laser (FOFL) integrates optical fiber microcavity and microfluidic channel and provides many unique advantages for sensing applications. FOFLs not only inherit the advantages of lasers such as high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio, and narrow linewidth, but also hold the unique features of optical fiber, including ease of integration, high repeatability, and low cost. With the development of new fiber structures and fabrication technologies, FOFLs become an important branch of optical fiber sensors, especially for application in biochemical detection. In this paper, the recent progress on FOFL is reviewed. We focuse mainly on the optical fiber resonators, gain medium, and the emerging sensing applications. The prospects for FOFL are also discussed. We believe that the FOFL sensor provides a promising technology for biomedical analysis and environmental monitoring.
Development of Nonlinear Finite Element Models of Mortar-Free Interlocked Single Block Column Subjected to Lateral Loading
Authors: Qamar Furqan , Qin Shunde 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAround the globe, the need for additional housing, due to the increase in world population, has led to the exploration of more cost effective and environmentally friendly forms of construction. Out of many technologies found, mortar-free interlocked masonry systems were developed to eliminate the deficiency of traditional masonry. For such systems against earthquakes, lateral resistance can be enhanced with plaster. But there is a need to further improve the performance of plaster in mortar-free interlocking walls for better ductility. The objective of this study is to develop nonlinear finite element (NLFE) models to explore the likely failure mechanism (e.g. bond failure) of such systems and to do parametric studies more cheaply than constructing many walls. Lateral failure load, load–displacement curves and crack patterns were compared with the experimental results. Parametric studies involving variation in block and plaster compressive strength and plaster thickness were undertaken using TNO DIANA NLFE models. A 150% increase in thickness of plaster only resulted in 28% increase in failure load, and column thickness can be reduced to theoretical 25 mm of blocks with 8 mm of plaster and yet exceed the lateral strength of a 150-mm-thick unplastered column. A cost analysis was also carried out, based on NLFE models, and showed that fibrous plastered column with 25-mm-thickness blocks gave equivalent performance to the 150-mm-thick unplastered column with 67% cost saving.