bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation to treat no-option critical limb ischaemia: effectiveness and safety
Authors: Sermsathanasawadi Nuttawut , Pruekprasert Kanin , Chruewkamlow Nuttapol , Kittisares Kulvara , Warinpong Thanatphak , Chinsakchai Khamin , Wongwanit Chumpol , Ruangsetakit Chanean , Mutirangura Pramook 
Published: July 2021

Objective: Local intramuscular transplantation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilised peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) has been shown to be effective for treating patients with no-option critical limb ischaemia (CLI) who are not considered suitable to undergo surgical bypass or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of PB-MNCs as a treatment for no-option CLI patients. Method: This prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2013 and December 2017. Patients with no-option CLI were treated with G-CSF 5–10 µg/kg/day for 3 days. PB-MNCs (7.1±2.2×10 10 ) with CD34+ cells (2.1±1.2×10 8 ) were collected by blood cell separator and then injected into the calf or thigh of ischaemic limbs. Ankle–brachial index, toe–brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen tension were recorded at 1 and 3 months after injection. The amputation rate and the wound healing rate were also recorded. Results: Eight patients took part in the study. Two patients experienced rest pain relief 1 month after PB-MNC therapy. Five patients had healed ulcer at 6 months after PB-MNC therapy. Limb ischaemia did not improve after PB-MNC therapy in one patient. Below-knee amputation was performed in that patient due to extension of gangrene. Two patients required reinjection of PB-MNCs because of recurrence of ischaemic ulcer. The limb salvage rate after 1 year was 87.5%. Conclusion: Local intramuscular transplantation of G-CSF-mobilised PB-MNCs might be a safe and effective treatment for no-option CLI patients.
Electrical stimulation for pain reduction in hard-to-heal wound healing
Authors: Milne Jeanette , Swift Amelia , Smith Jennifer , Martin Robin 
Published: July 2021

Objective: Despite treatment advances over the past 30 years, the societal impact of hard-to-heal wounds is increasingly burdensome. An unresolved issue is wound pain, which can make many treatments, such as compression in venous leg ulcers, intolerable. The aim of this review is to present the evidence and stimulate thinking on the use of electrical stimulation devices as a treatment technology with the potential to reduce pain, improve adherence and thus hard-to-heal wound outcomes. Method: A literature search was conducted for clinical studies up to August 2020 reporting the effects of electrical stimulation devices on wound pain. Devices evoking neuromuscular contraction or direct spinal cord stimulation were excluded. Results: A total of seven publications (three non-comparative and four randomised trials) were identified with four studies reporting a rapid (within 14 days) reduction in hard-to-heal wound pain. Electrical stimulation is more widely known for accelerated healing and is one of the most evidence-based technologies in wound management, supported by numerous in vitro molecular studies, five meta-analyses, six systematic reviews and 30 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Despite this wealth of supportive evidence, electrical stimulation has not yet been adopted into everyday practice. Some features of electrical stimulation devices may have hampered adoption in the past. Conclusion: As new, pocket-sized, portable devices allowing convenient patient treatment and better patient adherence become more widely available and studied in larger RCTs, the evidence to date suggests that electrical stimulation should be considered part of the treatment options to address the challenges of managing and treating painful hard-to-heal wounds.
Preventing microalbuminuria with benazepril, valsartan, and benazepril–valsartan combination therapy in diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Cortinovis Monica , Parvanova Aneliya , Trillini Matias , Iliev Ilian P. , Bossi Antonio C. , Belviso Antonio , Aparicio Maria C. , Trevisan Roberto , Rota Stefano , Perna Annalisa , Peracchi Tobia , Rubis Nadia , Martinetti Davide , Prandini Silvia , Gaspari Flavio , Carrara Fabiola , De Cosmo Salvatore , Tonolo Giancarlo , Mangili Ruggero , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   on behalf of the VARIETY Study Organization
Published: July 2021

Background
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prevent microalbuminuria in normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed whether combined therapy with the 2 medications may prevent microalbuminuria better than ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy.

Methods and findings
VARIETY was a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial evaluating whether, at similar blood pressure (BP) control, combined therapy with benazepril (10 mg/day) and valsartan (160 mg/day) would prevent microalbuminuria more effectively than benazepril (20 mg/day) or valsartan (320 mg/day) monotherapy in 612 type 2 diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria included between July 2007 and April 2013 by the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS and 8 diabetology or nephrology units in Italy. Time to progression to microalbuminuria was the primary outcome. Analyses were intention to treat. Baseline characteristics were similar among groups. During a median [interquartile range, IQR] follow-up of 66 [42 to 83] months, 53 patients (27.0%) on combination therapy, 57 (28.1%) on benazepril, and 64 (31.8%) on valsartan reached microalbuminuria. Using an accelerated failure time model, the estimated acceleration factors were 1.410 (95% CI: 0.806 to 2.467, P = 0.229) for benazepril compared to combination therapy, 0.799 (95% CI: 0.422 to 1.514, P = 0.492) for benazepril compared to valsartan, and 1.665 (95% CI: 1.007 to 2.746, P = 0.047) for valsartan compared to combination therapy. Between-group differences in estimated acceleration factors were nonsignificant after adjustment for predefined confounders. BP control was similar across groups. All treatments were safe and tolerated well, with a slight excess of hyperkalemia and hypotension in the combination therapy group. The main study limitation was the lower than expected albuminuria at inclusion.

Conclusions
Risk/benefit profile of study treatments was similar. Dual renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade is not recommended as compared to benazepril or valsartan monotherapy for prevention of microalbuminuria in normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients.

Trial registration
EudraCT 2006-005954-62; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00503152.
Feasibility and safety of targeted focal microwave ablation of the index tumor in patients with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer: Results of the FOSTINE trial
Authors: Barry Delongchamps Nicolas , Schull Alexandre , Anract Julien , Abecassis Jean-Paul , Zerbib Marc , Sibony Mathilde , Jilet Léa , Abdoul Hendy , Goffin Vincent , Peyromaure Michaël 
Published: July 2021

Objective
To assess the feasibility, safety and precision of organ-based tracking (OBT)-fusion targeted focal microwave ablation (FMA), in patients with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Patients and method
Ten patients with a visible index tumor of Gleason score ≤3+4, largest diameter <20mm were included. Transrectal OBT-fusion targeted FMA was performed using an 18G needle. Primary endpoint was the evidence of complete overlap of the index tumor by ablation zone necrosis on MRI 7 days after ablation. Urinary and sexual function were assessed with IPSS, IIEF5 and MSHQ-EjD-SF. Oncological outcomes were assessed with PSA at 2 and 6 months, and re-biopsy at 6 months.

Results
Median [IQR] age was 64.5 [61–72] years and baseline PSA was 5 [4.3–8.1] ng/mL. Seven (70%) and 3 (30%) patients had a low and intermediate risk cancer, respectively. Median largest tumor axis was of 11 [9.0–15.0] mm. Median duration of procedure was of 82 [44–170] min. No patient reported any pain or rectal bleeding, and all 10 patients were discharged the next day. Seven days after ablation, total necrosis of the index tumor on MRI was obtained in eight (80% [95%CI 55%-100%]) patients. One patient was treated with radical prostatectomy. Re-biopsy at 6 months in the other 9 did not show evidence of cancer in 4 patients. IPSS, IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD-SF were not statistically different between baseline and 6 months follow up.

Conclusions
OBT-fusion targeted FMA was feasible, precise, and safe in patients with low to intermediate risk localized prostate cancer.
Is a higher altitude associated with shorter survival among at-risk neonates?
Authors: Dueñas-Espín Iván , Armijos-Acurio Luciana , Espín Estefanía , Espinosa-Herrera Fernando , Jimbo Ruth , León-Cáceres Ángela , Nasre-Nasser Raif , Rivadeneira María F. , Rojas-Rueda David , Ruiz-Cedeño Laura , Tello Betzabé , Vásconez-Romero Daniela 
Published: July 2021

Introduction
We hypothesize that high altitudes could have an adverse effect on neonatal health outcomes, especially among at-risk neonates. The current study aims to assess the association between higher altitudes on survival time among at-risk neonates.

Methods
Retrospective survival analysis. Setting: Ecuadorian neonates who died at ≤28 days of life. Patients: We analyzed the nationwide dataset of neonatal deaths from the Surveillance System of Neonatal Mortality of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, registered from 126 public and private health care facilities, between January 2014 to September 2017. Main outcome measures: We retrospectively reviewed 3016 patients. We performed a survival analysis by setting the survival time in days as the primary outcome and fixed and mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for each altitude stratum of each one of the health care facilities in which those neonates were attended, adjusting by individual variables (i.e., birth weight, gestational age at birth, Apgar scale at 5 minutes, and comorbidities); and contextual variables (i.e., administrative planning areas, type of health care facility, and level of care).

Results
Altitudes of health care facilities ranging from 80 to <2500 m, 2500 to <2750m, and ≥2750 m were associated respectively with 20% (95% CI: 1% to 44%), 32% (95% CI:<1% to 79%) and 37% (95% CI: 8% to 75%) increased HR; compared with altitudes at <80 m.

Conclusion
Higher altitudes are independently associated with shorter survival time, as measured by days among at-risk neonates. Altitude should be considered when assessing the risk of having negative health outcomes during neonatal period.
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A promoter polymorphisms, circulating VEGF-A and survival in acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Palmer Barry R. , Paterson Melinda A. , Frampton Chris. M. , Pilbrow Anna P. , Skelton Lorraine , Pemberton Chris J. , Doughty Robert N. , Ellis Chris J. , Troughton Richard W. , Richards A. Mark , Cameron Vicky A. 
Published: July 2021

Background
Development of a competent collateral circulation in established coronary artery disease is cardio-protective. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system plays a key role in this process. We investigated the prognostic performance of circulating VEGF-A and three genetic variants in the VEGFA gene in a clinical coronary cohort.

Methods and results
The Coronary Disease Cohort Study (CDCS) recruited 2,140 patients, with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), after admission to Christchurch or Auckland City Hospitals between July 2002 and January 2009. We present data for 1927 patients from the cohort genotyped for three SNPs in the VEGF-A gene, rs699947 (C-2578A), rs2010963 (C405G) and rs3025039 (C936T). Plasma VEGF-A concentrations were assayed in a subgroup (n = 550) of CDCS patients (geometric mean 36.6 [34.7–38.5] pg/ml). VEGF-A levels correlated with patient heart rate at baseline (p = 0.034). None of rs699947, rs3025039, nor rs2010963 genotypes were significantly associated with VEGF-A levels, but rs3025039 genotype was positively associated with collateral vessels perfusion according to the Rentrop classification (p = 0.01) and baseline natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.05). Survival in the CDCS cohort was independently associated with baseline VEGF-A levels and (in males) with rs699947 genotype.

Conclusions
This study is strongly suggestive that VEGF-A levels have value as a prognostic biomarker in coronary heart disease patients and SNPs in VEGF-A deserve further investigation as prognostic markers and indicators of angiogenic potential influencing the formation of collateral circulation.
Pre-hospital causes for delayed arrival in acute ischemic stroke before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study at two stroke centers in Egypt
Authors: Aref Hany M. , Shokri Hossam , Roushdy Tamer M. , Fathalla Fatma , El Nahas Nevine M. 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundIn the current study we investigated the causes of pre-hospital delay as this can compromise the patient’s chance to receive thrombolytic therapy and thus impact stroke outcome.MethodsWe surveyed 254 patients regarding reasons for delayed and early arrival to hospital after acute ischemic stroke. The survey was performed over five months, spanning a period pre- and during COVID-19 (between December 7, 2019 and May 10, 2020).ResultsA total of 71.2% of patients arrived beyond four hours of onset of ischemic stroke. The commonest cause for delay pre-Covid-19 was receiving treatment in a non-stroke hospital, while that during COVID-19 was fear of infection and lock down issues. Not realizing the urgency of the condition and stroke during sleep were common in both periods. Early arrival because of the patient’s previous experience with stroke accounted for approximately 25% of cases in both periods. The effect of media was more evident during COVID-19, accounting for 47.7% of cases.ConclusionPre-hospital delay secondary to misperception of the urgency of stroke and management in a non-stroke hospital reflect the lack of awareness among the public and medical staff. This concept is emphasized by early arrival secondary to previous experience with stroke and the pronounced effect of media in the time of COVID-19.
‘The Lost Highway of Greek Cinema’, cinema screenings and events (2016–2020)
Authors: Papanikolaou Dimitris 
Published: July 2021

Review of: I Chameni Leoforos tou Ellinikou Cinema (‘The lost highway of Greek cinema’), Afroditi Nikolaidou and Anna Poupou (2019)
Athens: Nefeli, 232 pp.,
ISBN 978-9-60504-238-7, p/bk, €13
Perubahan Lahan Mangrove di Pesisir Muara Gembong, Bekasi, Jawa Barat
Authors: Maulani Alin , Taufiq-SPJ Nur , Pratikto Ibnu 
Published: July 2021

Kecamatan Muara Gembong adalah wilayah dengan ekosistem mangrove yang cukup luas dan tersebar. Mangrove adalah kelompok jenis tumbuhan yang tumbuh di sepanjang garis pantai tropis sampai subtropis di suatu lingkungan yang mengandung garam dan bentuk lahan berupa pantai dengan reaksi tanah anaerob. Kondisi ekosistem mangrove sangat peka terhadap gangguan dari luar terutama dari kegiatan pencemaran, konversi hutan mangrove menjadi kawasan non-hutan, ekploitasi hasil mangrove yang berlebihan sehingga terjadi dinamika pada luasan lahannya. Perubahan yang terjadi pada ekosistem mangrove ini dapat berupa penambahan, pengurangan, dan lahan yang tetap. Metode yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini berupa pengolahan data satelit citra Sentinel 2A, Landsat 8, dan Landsat 5 untuk menganalisa sebaran mangrove pada tahun 2009, 2014, dan 2019, serta perubahan yang terjadi. Validasi data dilakukan dengan pengamatan kawasan langsung di lokasi penelitian berdasarkan pengolahan data yang telah dilakukan. Hasil pengolahan data menunjukan di Kecamatan Muara Gembong pada tahun 2009-2019 diketahui terjadi penambahan luasan lahan mangrove sebesar 1017,746 ha dan pengurangan luasan mangrove sebesar 275,37 ha. Selain itu, terdapat pula lahan mangrove yang tetap bertahan pada kurun waktu 2009-2019 seluas 255,057 ha. Sehingga perubahan lahan mangrove yang terjadi di Kecamatan Muara Gembong cenderung mengalami pertambahan luasan lahan mangrove, yaitu sebesar 66% lahan mangrove yang bertambah. Muara Gembong Subdistrict is an area with a wide and scattered mangrove ecosystem. Mangroves are a group of plant species that grow along tropical to subtropical coastlines in an environment that contains salt and landforms in the form of beaches with anaerobic soil reactions. The condition of mangrove ecosystems is very sensitive to outside disturbances, especially from pollution activities, conversion of mangrove forests to non-forest areas, excessive exploitation of mangrove products resulting in dynamics in the area of land. Changes that occur in this mangrove ecosystem can be in the form of addition, subtraction, and permanent land. The method used in this research is the processing of Sentinel 2A, Landsat 8, and Landsat 5 satellite image data to analyze the distribution of mangroves in 2009, 2014 and 2019, and the changes that occur. Data validation is done by direct observation of the area at the research location based on data processing that has been done. The results of data processing showed that in Muara Gembong Subdistrict in 2009-2019 it was known that there was an increase in the area of mangrove land by 1017, 746 ha and reduction in mangrove area by 275.37 ha. In addition, there are also mangrove lands that have survived in the period 2009-2019 covering 255,057 ha. So that changes in mangrove land that occur in Muara Gembong District tend to experience an increase in the area of mangrove land, which is equal to 66% of the mangrove land that is increasing.
Perbedaan NaOH Terhadap Kualitas Gracilaria verrucosa, Greville, 1830 (Florideophyceae : Gracilariaceae)
Authors: Nasrulloh Akmal , Pramesti Rini , Santosa Gunawan Widi 
Published: July 2021

Gracilaria verrucosa merupakan salah satu jenis rumput laut yang berpotensi sebagai penghasil agar bernilai tinggi. Senyawa ini banyak digunakan sebagai pengental atau penstabil makanan dalam industri makanan. Jenis ini umumnya ditemukan di alam maupun dibudidayakan di tambak. Faktor fisik lingkungan dan parameter perairan dapat mempengaruhi kualitas agar yang dihasilkan. Informasi tentang kualitas agar dari rumput laut yang tumbuh di laut masih sedikit ditemukan, sehingga diperlukan penelitian. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh variasi konsentrasi NaOH terhadap kualitas agar G. verrucosa. Metode ekstraksi dilakukan dengan merendam sampel dalam larutan alkali (NaOH) hingga didapatkan agar, kemudian dikeringkan dan ditepung. Semua data dianalisis secara statistik yaitu normalitas, homogenitas dan two way ANOVA. Hasil ekstraksi agar didapatkan rendemen sebesar 18,44-20,35%, kadar air 13,22-15,06%, kadar abu 2,65-6,78% serta kekuatan gel 55,18-210,26 g/cm2. Hasil FTIR menunjukkan gugus galaktosa yaitu 3,6-anhidro-L-galaktosa yang menandakan sampel mengandung komposisi agar. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi NaOH berpengaruh nyata terhadap rendemen, kadar abu dan kekuatan gel (p<0,05) kecuali kadar air. Semakin tinggi konsentrasi NaOH maka rendemen, kadar air, kadar abu dan kekuatan gel akan semakin tinggi. Gracilaria verrucosa is one type of seaweed that has the potential to produce of high-value agar. This compound is much used as a food thickener or stabilizer in the food industry. This species is generally found in nature and cultivated in ponds. Factor of physical environmental and water parameter can affect the quality of produced agar. Information about quality of agar from seaweed that grows in the sea still rarely found, so research is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different NaOH concentrations on the quality of agar G. verrucosa. The extraction method is done by soaking seaweed in an alkaline solution (NaOH) to obtain agar, then dried and turned into flour. All data were analyzed statistically with normality, homogenity and two way ANOVA. The results extraction of agar obtained yields 18,44-20,35%, water content 13,22-15,06%, ash content 2,65-6,78% and gel strength 55,18-210,26 g/cm2. FTIR results showed a galactose group of 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose which indicated the sample contained agar composition. The results showed that NaOH concentration significantly affected yield, ash content and gel strength (p<0,05) except water content. The higher concentration of NaOH therefore the yield, water content, ash content and gel strength would be higher.
Analisis Distribusi dan Margin Pemasaran Hasil Tangkapan Ikan Tenggiri (Scomberomorus commerson) di PPN Pekalongan
Authors: Wibowo Bambang Argo , Setyawan Hendrik Anggi , Ardian Aufa Linda 
Published: July 2021

Jumlah pelaku pemasaran yang banyak terlibat menyebabkan tidak efisennya pemasaran ikan Tenggiri di PPN Pekalongan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis bentuk saluran pemasaran, nilai marjin pemasaran, dan efisiensi pemasaran ikan Tenggiri di PPN Pekalongan. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis saluran pemasaran, margin pemasaran, farmer’s share dan efisiensi pemasaran. Dalam penelitian ini, wawancara dilakukan terhadap 66 responden yang terdiri dari nelayan, pedagang besar, pedang sedang, dan pedagang kecil. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 4 bentuk saluran pemasaran ikan Tenggiri. Total nilai margin ikan Tenggiri dari saluran pemasaran 1 sampai saluran pemasaran 4 adalah sebesar Rp. 28.079,00- Rp. 38.754,00 dan margin pemasaran tertinggi pada saluran IV. Persentase farmer’s share adalah sebesar 12-34%. Nilai farmer’s share berbanding terbalik dengan nilai margin pemasaran. Nilai efisiensi pemasaran dari saluran pemasaran 1-4 adalah sebesar 1–7 %. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut dapat diketahui bahwa hanya saluran pemasaran II yang tergolong efisien, karena nilai efisiensi pemasaran <5%. The number of marketing chains leads to inefficient marketing of Mackerel in PPN Pekalongan. The purpose of this research were to analyze the distribution of marketing, marketing margins, and marketing efficiency of Mackerel in PPN Pekalongan. The research method was descriptive. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. Data analysis used in this research were marketing channel analysis, marketing margin, farmer's share and marketing efficiency. In this research interviews were conducted with 66 respondents consisting of fishermen, large traders, medium traders, and small traders. The analysis used is the analysis of marketing channels, marketing margins, fisherman’s share and marketing efficiency. The result of this research were found 4 forms Mackerel marketing channels. The total value of Tenggiri margins from marketing channel 1 to 4 is Rp. 28.079,00 - Rp. 38.754,00 and the highest marketing margin on channel IV. Fisherman’s share percentage is 12-34%. The marketing efficiency value of marketing channels 1-4 is 1–7 %. Based on these results, it can be known that only marketing channels II are classified as efficient, because the value of marketing efficiency <5%.