bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homo homini tigris: Thomas Hobbes and the global images of sovereignty
Authors: Chignola Sandro 
Published: July 2021

This article addresses the modern concept of sovereignty as a multivocal and conflictual semantic field, arguing for the necessity to trace its genealogy based on the structural tensions that haunt its logical framework – as well as its representations – rather than on a linear historiographic reconstruction. In particular, the scrutiny I propose aims to examine a series of exchanges that have been characterizing this concept since the beginning: the global and the European, the maritime and the territorial, the colony and the state, the imperial and the proprietary. The problematic balance between ‘imperium’ and ‘dominium’ is indeed assumed here as the turning point of the rise of a sovereign power that appears to be originally rooted in the very production and governance of the global space, thus giving up all possible Eurocentric narratives of modernity. To illustrate my argument, I focus on the frontispieces to three of Thomas Hobbes’s most important books, that is, his translation of Thucydides’ Peloponnesian Wars, De Cive and Leviathan. A thorough analysis of these images enables us to understand how these lines of force traverse the very heart of modern European political concepts, along with the mirroring effects that constantly bounce their normative construction of subjectivity back and forth from the periphery to the centre and, ultimately, from the market to the state.
Effects of shikonin on the development of ovarian follicles and female germline stem cells
Authors: Ma Shu-Xin , Tang Li-Bo , Chen Zhi-Hang , Wei Min-Li , Tang Zi-Juan , Zheng Yue-Hui , Zong Guo , Li Jia 
Published: July 2021

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of action of shikonin (SHK) on the development of ovarian follicles and female germline stem cells (FGSCs). Methods Female Kunming adult mice were administered SHK (0, 20 and 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage. Cultures of FGSCs were treated with SHK 32 μmol/l for 24 h. The ovarian index in mouse ovaries was calculated. Numbers of primordial, primary and atretic follicles were counted. Germline stem cell markers and apoptosis were examined. Levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Results Both doses of SHK significantly decreased the ovarian index, the numbers of primordial follicles, primary follicles and antral follicles in mice. SHK significantly increased the numbers of atretic follicles and atretic corpora lutea. SHK promoted apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. SHK significantly decreased the levels of the germline stem cell markers. SHK significantly lowered GSH levels and the activity of SOD in the peripheral blood from mice, whereas SHK significantly elevated cellular ROS content in FGSCs. Conclusions These current results suggested that follicular development and FGSCs were suppressed by SHK through the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress might be involved in this pathological process.
Is fetuin-A a biomarker of dialysis access dysfunction?
Authors: Roca-Tey Ramon , Ramírez de Arellano Manel , González-Oliva Juan Carlos , Roda Amparo , Samon Rosa , Ibrik Omar , Ugalde-Altamirano Jessica , Viladoms Jordi , Calls Jordi 
Published: July 2021

Background: The arteriovenous (AV) access function of hemodialysis (HD) patients can be impaired by afferent artery stiffness due to preexisting microcalcification and by venous stenosis secondary to neointimal hyperplasia in whose development participates an upregulated local inflammatory process. Fetuin-A is a circulating potent inhibitor of vascular calcification and plays an important anti-inflammatory role. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the relationship between baseline serum fetuin-A levels and: blood flow (QA) values at baseline, AV access failure (thrombosis or intervention for stenosis) during follow-up and primary unassisted AV access patency. Methods: We measured baseline serum fetuin-A levels and QA values of the AV access in 64 HD patients under routine QA surveillance for stenosis. Patients were classified into tertiles according to their baseline fetuin-A levels (g/L): <0.5 (tertile-1), 0.5–1.20 (tertile-2), and >1.20 (tertile-3). Results: Fetuin-A was positively correlated with QA (Spearman coefficient = 0.311, p = 0.012). Fourteen patients (21.9%) underwent AV access failure and they had lower fetuin-A (0.59 ± 0.32 g/L) and lower QA (739.4 ± 438.8 mL/min) values at baseline compared with the remaining patients (1.05 ± 0.65 g/L and 1273.0 ± 596.3 mL/min, respectively) ( p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). The AV access failure rate was highest (34.8%) in tertile-1 (lowest fetuin-A level). Unadjusted Cox regression analysis showed a decrease in the risk of AV access patency loss by increasing fetuin-A concentration (hazard ratio 0.395 (95% confidence interval: 1.42–1.69), p = 0.044) but it was not confirmed in the adjusted model, although the hazard ratio was low (0.523). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients in tertile-3 (highest fetuin-A concentration) had the highest primary unassisted AV access patency (λ2 = 4.68, p = 0.030, log-rank test). Conclusion: If our results are confirmed in further studies, fetuin-A could be used as a circulating biomarker to identify HD patients at greater risk for AV access dysfunction, who would benefit from much closer dialysis access surveillance.
Machines driving machines: Deleuze and Guattari’s asignifying unconscious
Authors: Coffin Jack 
Published: July 2021

The psychoanalytic tradition is split. Most marketing theorists work with a linguistic model, treating the unconscious as an extension of conscious language. This article promotes the machinic model of Deleuze and Guattari, which treats the unconscious as asubjective but also asignifying. This means that the unconscious is comprised of colliding forces and their contingent connections, rather than a chain of signification in a wider symbolic structure. There are a small number of machinic or proto-machinic articles in marketing theory, but this article explores how explicating the Deleuzoguattarian model could reconceptualise: (1) the unconscious, (2) its relation to sociomaterial systems, (3) its relation to marketing practice, and (4) the role of critical marketing theory. This article also argues that there is a strategic benefit in searching for complementarities between Deleuze and Guattari, on the one hand, and other psychoanalytic thinkers, on the other. A united front of unconscious understandings would be advantageous in a discipline that lionises conscious choice. As such, this article presents the machinic model as another perspective in the already pluralistic tradition of psychoanalytic marketing theory.
Efficient Closed Loop Simulation of Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas Systems
Authors: Schmitzer Jana , Strobel Carolin , Blechschmidt Ronald , Tappe Adrian , Peuscher Heiko 
Published: July 2021

Background: Numerical simulations, also referred to as in silico trials, are nowadays the first step toward approval of new artificial pancreas (AP) systems. One suitable tool to run such simulations is the UVA/Padova Type 1 Diabetes Metabolic Simulator (T1DMS). It was used by Toffanin et al. to provide data about safety and efficacy of AndroidAPS, one of the most wide-spread do-it-yourself AP systems. However, the setup suffered from slow simulation speed. The objective of this work is to speed up simulation by implementing the algorithm directly in MATLAB®/Simulink®. Method: Firstly, AndroidAPS is re-implemented in MATLAB® and verified. Then, the function is incorporated into T1DMS. To evaluate the new setup, a scenario covering 2 days in real time is run for 30 virtual patients. The results are compared to those presented in the literature. Results: Unit tests and integration tests proved the equivalence of the new implementation and the original AndroidAPS code. Simulation of the scenario required approximately 15 minutes, corresponding to a speed-up factor of roughly 1000 with respect to real time. The results closely resemble those presented by Toffanin et al. Discrepancies were to be expected because a different virtual population was considered. Also, some parameters could not be extracted from and harmonized with the original setup. Conclusions: The new implementation facilitates extensive in silico trials of AndroidAPS due to the significant reduction of runtime. This provides a cheap and fast means to test new versions of the algorithm before they are shared with the community.
Development of a nomogram for predicting treatment default under facility-based directly observed therapy short-course in a region with a high tuberculosis burden
Authors: Wang Saibin 
Published: July 2021

Background: Poor adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is a substantial barrier to global TB control. The aim of this study was to construct a nomogram for predicting the probability of TB treatment default. Methods: A total of 1185 TB patients who had received treatment between 2010 and 2011 in Peru were analyzed in this study. Patient demographics, social, and medical information were recorded. Predictors were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and a nomogram for predicting TB treatment default was constructed by using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Bootstrapping method was applied for internal validation. Calibration and clinical utility of the nomogram was also evaluated. Results: The incidence of TB treatment default among the study patients was 11.6% (138/1185). Six predictors (secondary education status, alcohol use, illegal drug use, body mass index, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus serostatus) were selected through the LASSO regression analysis. A nomogram was developed based on the six predictors and it yielded an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.797 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.755–0.839]. In the internal validation, the AUC achieved 0.805 (95% CI, 0.759–0.844). Additionally, the nomogram was well-calibrated, and it showed clinical utility in decision curve analysis. Conclusion: A nomogram was constructed that incorporates six characteristics of the TB patients, which provides a good reference for predicting TB treatment default.
A single-dose nitrate-producing dietary supplement affects cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular fitness in healthy men: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Todorovic Nikola , Stajer Valdemar , Ratgeber Laszlo , Betlehem Jozsef , Acs Pongrac , Maksimovic Nebojsa , Ostojic Sergej M 
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The main aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a single-dose intervention with a novel nitrate-producing formulation (MagNOVOx™) on biomarkers of cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular fitness in 12 healthy men. Methods: The study participants (age = 22.7 ± 2.8 years, height = 184.1 ± 5.7 cm, and weight = 82.5 ± 8.4 kg) were randomly allocated to receive either a single dose of MagNOVOx™ or a placebo (inulin) in a cross-over design. The primary outcome for this study was the change in running time to exhaustion evaluated at baseline (before supplementation) and post-intervention. Results: Time to exhaustion was improved after the intervention in 8 out of 11 participants (72.7%) who received MagNOVOx™, and in 1 out of 11 participants (9.1%) who received placebo ( p = 0.004), and MagNOVOx™ outcompeted placebo in terms of improving leg press performance ( p < 0.01). No significant differences between MagNOVOx™ and placebo were found for blood pressure responses ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: These promising findings should be further corroborated in medium- and long-term trials, and different populations, while the exact mechanism of MagNOVOx™ requires additional physiological studies.
Long-term evaluation of pain reduction after vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
Authors: Hackbarth Christoph B , Vogl Thomas J , Naguib Nagy , Albrecht Moritz H , von Knebel-Doeberitz Philipp L 
Published: July 2021

Background Various studies have been made about the most effective and safest type of treatment for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Long-term results are needed for qualitative evaluation. Purpose The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) procedures for VCFs. Materials and Methods Forty-nine patients who received either PVP or PKP between 2002 and 2015 returned a specially developed questionnaire and were included in a cross-sectional outcome analysis. The questionnaire assessed pain development by use of a visual analog scale (VAS). Imaging data (CT scans) were retrospectively analyzed for identification of cement leakage. Results Patients’ VAS scores significantly decreased after treatment (7.0 ± 3.4 => 3.7 ± 3.4), ( p < 0.001). The average pain reduction in patients treated with PVP was −3.3 ± 3.8 ( p < 0.001) (median −3.5) and −4.0 ± 3.9 ( p < 0.001) (median −4.5) in patients treated with PKP. Fifteen Patients (41.7%) receiving PVP and four patients (30.7%) receiving PKP experienced recurrence of pain. Cement leakage occurred in 10 patients (22.73%). Patients with cement leakage showed comparable VAS scores after treatment (6.8 ± 3.5 => 1.4 ± 1.6), ( p = 0.008). Thirty-nine patients reported an increase in mobility (79.6%) and 41 patients an improvement in quality of life (83.7%). Conclusion Pain reduction by means of PVP or PKP in patients with VCFs was discernible over the period of observation. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and PKP contribute to the desired treatment results. However, the level of low pain may not remain constant.
Chondrogenesis with Stem Cells in Massive Chondral Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Saw Khay Yong , Ng Reza , Jee Caroline , Low Soo Fin , Dorvault Christopher , Johnson Kevin , Anz Adam 
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injections of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) with hyaluronic acid (HA) after arthroscopic subchondral drilling into massive chondral defects of the knee joint and to determine whether PBSC therapy can improve functional outcome and reduce pain of the knee joint better than the standard of care. Methods: This is a dual centre, US-FDA phase IIB randomized controlled trial (RCT). Sixty-nine patients age 18-55 years with International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 3 and 4 chondral lesions (size ≥ 3cm2) of the knee joint were randomized equally into (i) control group receiving intra-articular injections of HA plus physiotherapy (standard of care) and (ii) intervention group receiving arthroscopic subchondral drilling into chondral defects and postoperative intra-articular injections of PBSC with HA. The co-primary efficacy endpoints are subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)-pain subdomain measured at month-24. The secondary efficacy endpoints include all other KOOS subdomains, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scores. Results: At 24 months, the mean IKDC scores for the control and intervention groups were 48.1 and 65.6, respectively ( P < 0.0001). The mean for KOOS-pain subdomain scores were 59.0 (control) and 86.0 (intervention) with P < 0.0001. All other KOOS subdomains, NRS and MOCART scores were statistically significant ( P < 0.0001) at month-24. Figure 1 shows the bar graphs of the co-primary endpoints. Figure 2 shows the MRI images of: (A) ‘Bone-on-bone’ chondral defects of the lateral femoral condyle (white arrows) and lateral tibial plateau (yellow arrows) following subchondral drilling, with corresponding arthroscopic images and (B) the same lesions at 2 years after surgery showing full thickness articular cartilage regeneration There were no notable adverse events that are unexpected and related to the study drug or procedures. Conclusions: Arthroscopic subchondral drilling into massive chondral defects of the knee joint followed by postoperative intra-articular injections of autologous PBSC with HA is safe and showed a significant improvement of clinical and radiological scores as compared to the standard of care.
Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Factors Predictive of Cartilage Integrity
Authors: Erickson John , Braithwaite Kiery , Busch Michael , Willimon S. Clifton , Perkins Crystal 
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The integrity of articular cartilage in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) guides treatment. The ability to predict cartilage integrity in OLTs, as previously published for OCD of the knee, would be beneficial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of radiographic and MRI findings and articular cartilage integrity at the time of ankle arthroscopy for OLTs. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review identified patients 19 years of age and younger with operative treatment of OLTs from 2010 – 2017. Demographics and intra-operative findings at the time of ankle arthroscopy were identified by chart review. Radiographs were assessed for physeal status, OLT location, and Berndt and Hardy grade. MRIs were reviewed for OLT size and location, modified Kramer grade, and cartilage status. Results: 53 patients with 54 OLTs and a mean age of 13.6 years (range 7 – 19 years) were included. Radiographic details are listed in Table 1. OLTs were located in the posteromedial talus in 39 patients (72%). Physeal status was closed/closing in 32 patients (59%) and open in 22 patients (41%). On MRI, the cartilage was predicted to be disrupted in 40 patients (74%) and intact in 14 patients (26%). At the time of ankle arthroscopy, the cartilage was found to be disrupted in 38 OLTs (70%) and intact in 16 OLTs (30%). Table 1 lists variables predictive of cartilage integrity. MRI classification of cartilage integrity was 95% sensitive and 75% specific for arthroscopic integrity, with 11% misclassification. In the 16 patients less than 13 years, MRI perfectly predicted arthroscopic cartilage integrity. In patients with open physes, MRI sensitivity was 92% and specificity 100%. In patients with closing/closed physes, MRI sensitivity was 89% and specificity 50%. Receiver operator curve characteristics of a model to predict arthroscopic cartilage integrity combining MRI cartilage integrity, physeal status, and radiographic grade has an AUC of 0.955. Conclusions: Physeal status, radiographic grade, MRI grade, and cartilage integrity on MRI are independent predictors of cartilage integrity at the time of ankle arthroscopy for patients with OLTs. Overall, MRI has 95% sensitivity and 75% specificity for cartilage integrity at the time of arthroscopy, which improves to near 100% sensitivity and specificity in patients with open physes. A model combining MRI cartilage integrity, physeal status, and radiographic grade has the highest predictability of intra-operative cartilage integrity.
Characteristics of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium–Associated Maculopathy and Similarities With Other Maculopathies Commonly Managed in a Retina Practice
Authors: Ohning Collin , Skopis George , Levinson Joshua , Kasi Sundeep 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: This work describes characteristics of pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS)–associated maculopathy and its similarities with common maculopathies in a retina practice cohort. Methods: Thirty-two patients were identified through electronic medical record query who were exposed to PPS. One patient was excluded for lack of retinal imaging. Thirty-one patients (62 eyes) were included. A retrospective review was used to obtain patient characteristics, examination findings, and retinal imaging of the study patients. Classification into “likely,” “unlikely,” or “possible” to have PPS-associated maculopathy groups was based on the fundus photography and retinal imaging. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, age, sex, diagnosis of reason for referral, allocation into designated maculopathy group, and presence of choroidal neovascularization. Results: Of 31 patients (62 eyes), the median age was 70 years (range, 24-104 years) and the majority were women (87%). Mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 ± 0.4 logMAR at presentation. The most common reason for referral was age-related macular degeneration (29%). Maculopathy grades were “likely” (29%, 9 total patients), “possible” (26%, 8 total patients), or “unlikely” (45%, 14 total patients). Choroidal neovascularization was noted in 9.7% of all eyes and 11% of eyes in the “likely” group. The “possible” and “likely” groups had older ages of presentation ( P < .05) compared with the “unlikely” group. Conclusions: A high percentage (55%) of patients with a history of chronic PPS exposure showed features of “likely” or “possible” maculopathy. Similarities with common maculopathies such as age-related macular degeneration and the importance of screening and recognizing at-risk patients are highlighted.
Role of CGRP pathway polymorphisms in migraine: a systematic review and impact on CGRP mAbs migraine therapy
Authors: Scuteri Damiana , Corasaniti Maria Tiziana , Tonin Paolo , Nicotera Pierluigi , Bagetta Giacinto 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
the interest of clinical reaseach in polymorphisms and epigenetics in migraine has been growing over the years. Due to the new era of preventative migraine treatment opened by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the signaling of the calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP), the present systematic review aims at identifying genetic variants occurring along the CGRP pathway and at verifying whether these can affect the clinical features and the course of disease and the responsiveness of patients to therapy.

Methods
the literature search has been conducted consulting the most relevant scientific databases, i.e. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, the Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) Published Literature database (Public Health Genomics Knowledge Base) and Clinicaltrials.gov from database inception until April 1, 2021. The process of identification and selection of the studies included in the analysis has followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the guidance from the Human Genome Epidemiology Network for reporting gene-disease associations.

Results
the search has retrieved 800 results, among which only 7 studies have met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the analysis. The latter are case-control studies of genetic association and an exploratory analysis and two polymorphisms have been detected as the most recurring: the rs3781719 (T > C) of the CALC A gene encoding CGRP and the rs7590387 of the gene encoding the receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) 1 (C > G). Only one study assessing the methylation pattern with regard to CGRP pathway has been found from the search. No genetic association studies investigating the possible effect of genetic variants affecting CGRP signaling on the responsiveness to the most recent pharmacological approaches, i.e. anti-CGRP(R) mAbs, gepants and ditans, have been published. According to the Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) systematic reviews and meta-analyses risk-of-bias score for genetic association studies, the heterogeneity between and across studies and the small sample size do not allow to draw conclusions and prompt future studies.

Conclusions
adequately powered, good quality genetic association studies are needed to understand the impact of genetic variants affecting the pathway of CGRP on migraine susceptibility and clinical manifestation and to predict the response to therapy in terms of efficacy and safety.