bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Utility of Coronary CT Angiography-derived Plaque Information on Long-Term Outcome in Patients With and Without Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tesche Christian , Baquet Moritz , Bauer Maximilian , Straube Florian , Hartl Stefan , Leonard Tyler , Jochheim David , Fink David , Brandt Verena , Baumann Stefan , Schoepf U. Joseph , Massberg Steffen , Hoffmann Ellen , Ebersberger Ullrich 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the long-term prognostic value of coronary CT angiography (cCTA)-derived plaque information on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Methods64 patients with diabetes (63.3±10.1 years, 66% male) and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent cCTA were matched with 297 patients without diabetes according to age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, statin and antithrombotic therapy. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded. cCTA-derived risk scores and plaque measures were assessed. The discriminatory power to identify MACE was evaluated using multivariable regression analysis and concordance indices (CIs).ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 5.4 years, MACE occurred in 31 patients (8.6%). In patients with diabetes, cCTA risk scores and plaque measures were significantly higher compared to non-diabetic patients (all p<0.05). The following plaque measures were predictors of MACE using multivariable Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR]) in patients with diabetes: segment stenosis score (HR 1.20, p<0.001), low-attenuation plaque (HR 3.47, p=0.05), and in non-diabetic patients: segment stenosis score (HR 1.92, p<0.001), Agatston score (HR 1.0009, p=0.04), and low-attenuation plaque (HR 4.15, p=0.04). A multivariable model showed significantly improved C-index of 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.0.97) for MACE prediction, when compared to single measures alone.ConclusionDiabetes is associated with a significantly higher extent of CAD and plaque features, which have independent predictive values for MACE. cCTA-derived plaque information portends improved risk stratification of patients with diabetes beyond assessment of obstructive stenosis on cCTA alone.
Attitudes and Perceived Barriers to Firearm Safety Anticipatory Guidance by Pediatricians: A Statewide Perspective
Authors: Ketabchi Bijan , Gittelman Michael A. , Southworth Hayley , Arnold Melissa Wervey , Denny Sarah A. , Pomerantz Wendy J. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Firearms are the second leading cause of injury-related death in American children. Safe storage of firearms is associated with a significantly decreased odds of firearm-related death, however more than half of US firearm owners store at least one firearm unlocked or accessible to a minor. While guidance by primary care providers has been shown to improve storage practices, firearm safety counseling occurs infrequently in the primary care setting. The primary objective of this study was to describe pediatricians’ perceived barriers to providing firearm safety education to families in the pediatric primary care setting. Secondary objectives included identifying pediatric provider attitudes and current practices around firearm counseling. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of pediatric primary care providers in Ohio. Participants were recruited from the Ohio AAP email list over a 3-month period. Only pediatric primary care providers in Ohio were included; subspecialists, residents and non-practicing physicians were excluded. Participants completed an anonymous online survey detailing practice patterns around and barriers to providing firearm safety counseling. Three follow-up emails were sent to pediatricians that failed to initially respond. Response frequencies were calculated using Microsoft Excel. Results: Two hundred eighty-nine pediatricians completed the survey and 149 met inclusion criteria for analysis. One hundred seven (72%) respondents agreed that it is the responsibility of the pediatric primary care provider to discuss safe storage. Counseling, however, occurred infrequently with 119 (80%) of respondents performing firearm safety education at fewer than half of well child visits. The most commonly cited barriers to providing counseling were lack of time during office visits, lack of education and few resources to provide to families. A majority, 82 of pediatric providers (55%), agreed they would counsel more if given additional training, with 110 (74%) conveying they would distribute firearm safety devices to families if these were available in their practice. Conclusion: Ohio pediatricians agree that it is the responsibility of the primary care provider to discuss firearm safety. However, counseling occurs infrequently in the primary care setting due to a lack of time, provider education and available resources. Improving access to resources for primary care pediatricians will be critical in helping educate families in order to protect their children through improved storage practices.
Identification of prognostic values defined by copy number variation, mRNA and protein expression of LANCL2 and EGFR in IDH1/2-wild-type glioblastoma
Authors: Zhao Hua-fu , Zhou Xiu-ming , Wang Jing , Chen Fan-fan , Wu Chang-peng , Diao Pengyu , Cai Lin-rong , Chen Lei , Xu Yan-wen , Liu Jing , Li Zong-yang , Liu Wen-lan , Chen Zhong-ping , Huang Guo-dong , Li Wei-ping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LanCL2) genes locate in the same amplicon, and co-amplification of EGFR and LANCL2 is frequent in glioblastoma. However, the prognostic value of LANCL2 and EGFR co-amplification, and their mRNA and protein expression in glioblastoma remain unclear yet.
Methods

This study analyzed the prognostic values of the copy number variations (CNVs), mRNA and protein expression of LANCL2 and EGFR in glioblastoma specimens from TCGA database or our tumor banks.
Results

The amplification of LANCL2 or EGFR, and their co-amplification were frequent in glioblastoma of TCGA database and our tumor banks. CNVs of LANCL2 or EGFR were significantly correlated with IDH1/2 mutation but not MGMT promoter methylation status. LANCL2 or EGFR amplification, and their co-amplification were significantly associated with reduced overall survival (OS) of glioblastoma patients, rather than IDH1/2-wild-type glioblastoma patients. mRNA and protein overexpression of LANCL2 and EGFR was also frequently found in glioblastoma. LANCL2, rather than EGFR, was overexpressed in relapsing glioblastoma, compared with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. However, mRNA or protein expression of EGFR and LANCL2 was not significantly correlated with OS of glioblastoma patients. In addition, the intracellular localization of LanCL2, not EGFR, was associated with the grade of gliomas.
Conclusions

Taken together, amplification and mRNA overexpression of LANCL2 and EGFR, and their co-amplification and co-expression were frequent in glioblastoma patients. Our findings suggest that CNVs of LANCL2 and EGFR were the independent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for histological glioblastoma patients, but not for IDH1/2-wild-type glioblastoma patients.
Tegaderm transparent dressing (3M) with antibiotic ointment for treatment of infectious corneal ulcer: Antibiotic Wet Therapy
Authors: Yasuda Shingo , Sumioka Takayoshi , Takada Yukihisa , Okada Yuka , Saika Shizuya 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose

To retrospectively review cases of
infectious corneal ulcer treated with Tegaderm transparent dressing
(3M) with an antibiotic ointment.
Subjects and methods:

A series of 29 eyes of 29 patients with possible infectious corneal keratitis were treated in Wakayama Medical University Hospital between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2018. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 92 years (mean 68.0 ± 17.8). At the first visit, the corneal infection lesion was scraped from the epithelium to the substantially superficial layer, and the scraped matter was submitted to Gram staining and culture examination. Cases suspected of fungi and Acanthamoeba were examined directly with potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment. For several days until drug sensitivity results were obtained, initial treatment was Antibiotic Wet Therapy (AWT) with ophthalmic eye ointment and transparent Tegaderm (3M) dressing. We retrospectively reviewed the culture results of corneal scrapings (detected bacteria and drug resistance) and the therapeutic outcome of AWT.
Results

Nineteen eyes in which the causative bacteria were not identified and five eyes in which the causative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus, Corynebacterium.) were identified were successfully treated using AWT with ofloxacin ointment. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 3 of 5 eyes in which AWT with ofloxacin was not successful, and filamentous fungi were detected in one eye. Two of the three eyes MRSA detected were healed by changing to vancomycin hydrochloride eye ointment, one of which was severely affected and was later enucleated. One eye with filamentous fungi was treated after changing to pimaricin eye ointment. A causative pathogen was not identified in the other eye, but because it was suspected to be fungal the ointment was changed to a pimaricin eye ointment, which led to healing.
Conclusion

AWT may be an option for initial treatment of corneal infections when the causative organism is unknown.
Load Balancing in DCN Servers through SDN Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Begam Sulthana , M Sangeetha , R Shanker N 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Software Defined Networking (SDN) manages data traffic in Data Center Network (DCN). SDN improves utilization of large scale network resource and performance of network application. In SDN, load balancing technique optimizes the data flow during transmission through server load deviation after evaluating the network status dynamically. However, load deviation in the network needs optimum server selection and routing path with respect to less time and complexity. In this paper, we propose a M ultiple R egression B ased S earching (MRBS) algorithm for optimum server selection and routing path in DCN. The appropriate server selection during heavy load conditions such as message spikes, different message frequencies and unpredictable traffic patterns are done through regression based analysis and correlation of various server parameters, only after detecting the types of traffic and loads based on bandwidth. The parameters included in the regression modeling are load, response time, bandwidth and server utilization. Moreover, the heuristic algorithm is combined with regression model for efficient path selection. The proposed algorithm reduces the delay and time more than 85% when compared with traditional algorithms due to stochastic gradient decent weights estimation.
A Novel Pre-Screening Kit for Cerebral Amyloid Deposition Using QPLEXTM-Alz Plus Assay Kit: Application to Cognitively Normal Individuals
Authors: Lee Dongjoon , Park Jong-Chan , Jung Keum Sim , Kim Jiyeong , Jang Ji Sung , Kwon Sunghoon , Byun Min Soo , Yi Dahyun , Byeon Gihwan , Jung Gijung , Kim Yu Kyeong , Lee Dong Young , Han Sun-Ho , Mook-Jung Inhee 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe deposition of beta-amyloid (Ab) in the brain precedes the onset of symptoms such as cognitive abnormality in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); therefore, it is best to detect Ab accumulation early as possible.MethodsWe previously reported that QPLEXTM Alz plus assay could be used for pre-screening of Ab accumulation in the brain. In this study, we applied QPLEXTM Alz plus assay kit to the cognitively normal (CN) group for the brain Ab positivity. Total 221 CN participants with or without brain Ab were included. ResultsReceiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the discrimination power reached 0.878 area under curve (AUC) with 69.7% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity in the CN group over 65 years. Conclusions﻿We suggest that QPLEXTM Alz plus assay is a useful method for pre-screening brain Ab in the CN group, especially over 65 years, to prevent disease progression by early detection of disease initiation.
Bacterial Ribonuclease MazF-Mediated Apoptosis as Potential Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zadeh Maryam Saffarian Abbas , MacPherson Rebecca Anne , Huang Guohui , Ding Hui , Powell Rhonda Reigers , Bruce Terri , Tzeng Tzuen-Rong Jeremy 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Programmed cell death is a dynamic and critical mechanism of cell suicide in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. MazF is a ribonuclease protein involved in bacterial intracellular programmed death. This protein cleaves mRNAs at ACA sequences, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and triggering cell death. Given that cancer is heterogenic and has varied susceptibility to treatment, we examined the impact of MazF proteins on the growth and viability of three cancer cell lines: MCF7, HT29, and AGS. These cell lines were transfected with ACA-less mazF mRNAs and evaluated for MazF-mediated cell death. The data illustrated that efficient MazF translation leads to a significant reduction in cell viability and is modulated by structural elements of ACA-less mazF mRNAs. In the presence of MazF, the levels of activated caspase-3 and -7 were significantly elevated in transfected cells, confirming the occurrence of apoptosis. We also quantified mRNA translation on a single-cell basis in MCF7 and AGS cell lines to examine MazF-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. MazF expression significant decreases the levels of protein translation in the examined cell lines. This is the first report of MazF as a potential anti-cancer agent via induction of apoptosis in MCF7, AGS, and HT-29 cell lines.
Regeneration Dynamics in Fragmented Landscapes at the Leading Edge of Distribution: Quercus Suber L. as A Study Case
Authors: Montero-Muñoz Jorge , Ureña Carmen , Navarro Diego , Herrera Valentín , Alonso-Rojo Pilar , Hernández-Alonso Héctor , Cepeda-González María Fernanda , Jovellar Luis Carlos , Fernández-Santos Belén , Silla Fernando 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
AimsWe studied the regeneration dynamics of woodlands and abandoned old fields in a landscape dominated by Quercus suber in its lower limits for rainfall and temperature. Two hypotheses were established: (1) recruitment of Q. suber is restricted more by abiotic variations than other species adapted to more extreme Mediterranean conditions; and (2) decreases in precipitation reduce growth, but temperature positively affects growth in the leading cold edge of this species distribution area.MethodsWe selected nine sites containing forest stands and old fields with and without tree remnants, and analyzed stand structure, soil parameters and tree growth.ResultsSuccession was arrested in plots without tree remnants after cultivation abandonment. By contrast, remnant trees were accelerators of forest recovery. Tree cover played a fundamental role in Quercus recruitment throughout seed dispersal and facilitation effects that ameliorate summer drought. However, soil variables also significantly explained much of the variance observed and are important for understanding differences in regeneration. Winter and spring precipitation exerted a positive effect on tree growth, as well as temperatures during winter/spring and September.ConclusionsRegeneration dynamics are modeled by the density of tree cover in the cold and dry edge of the distribution area of Q. suber where Q. ilex is increasing in abundance. Although temperature has a positive effect on the tree growth of Q. suber, when demographic processes are considered, decreases in water availability likely play a critical role in Q. ilex recruitment. This in turn changes dominance hierarchies, especially in abandoned areas with little or no tree cover.
The Relationship of Soluble TREM2 to Other Biomarkers of Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Park So-Hee , Lee Eun-Hye , Kim Hyung-Ji , Jo Sungyang , Lee Sunju , Seo Sang Won , Park Hyun-Hee , Koh Seong-Ho , Lee Jae-Hong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Microglial activation is a central player in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The soluble fragment of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) can serve as a marker for microglial activation and has been shown to be overexpressed in AD. However, the relationship of sTREM2 with other AD biomarkers has not been extensively studied. We investigated the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sTREM2 and other AD biomarkers and examined the correlation of plasma sTREM2 with CSF sTREM2 in a cohort of individuals with AD and without AD.Participants were consecutively recruited from Asan Medical Center from 2018 to 2020. Subjects were stratified by their amyloid positivity and clinical status. Along with other AD biomarkers, sTREM2 level was measured in the plasma as well as CSF.In 101 patients with either amyloid-positive or negative status, CSF sTREM2 was closely associated with CSF T-tau and P-tau and not with Abeta42. CSF sTREM2 levels were found to be strongly correlated with CSF neurofilament light chain. The comparison of CSF and plasma sTREM2 levels tended to have an inverse correlation. Plasma sTREM2 and P-tau levels were oppositely influenced by age.Our results suggest that neuroinflammation may be closely associated with tau-induced neurodegeneration.
Qualitative Exploration of Medical Student Experiences during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Medical Education
Authors: Nolan Helen , Owen Katherine 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background During the Covid-19 pandemic medical students were offered paid roles as medical student healthcare assistants. Anecdotal reports suggested that students found this experience rich for learning. Previous studies have explored alternative models of student service, however this defined medical student support role is novel.Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were recorded with 20 medical students at a UK medical school exploring their experiences of placement learning and experiences of working as healthcare assistants. Responses were analysed qualitatively using a framework approach. The framework was developed into a model describing key findings and their relationships.Results Interviews yielded data that broadly covered aspects of 1. Medical students’ experiences of clinical placement learning 2. Medical students’ experiences of working as medical student healthcare assistants 3. Learning resulting from working as a healthcare assistant 4. Hierarchies and professional barriers in the clinical environment 5. Influences on professional identity. Participants described barriers and facilitators of clinical learning and how assuming a healthcare assistant role impacted on learning and socialisation within the multidisciplinary team. Students became increasingly socialised within the healthcare team, contributing directly to patient care; the resulting social capital opened new opportunities for learning, team working and enhanced students’ interprofessional identity. Students described the impact of these experiences on their aspirations for their future practice.Conclusion Changes to work patterns in healthcare and delivery models of medical education have eroded opportunities for students to contribute to healthcare delivery and be embedded within a team. This is impacting negatively on student learning and socialisation and we suggest that medical curricula have much to learn from nursing and allied health professional training. Longitudinal embedment with a multidisciplinary team, where students have a defined role and work directly with patients may not only add value to clinical service, but also overcome current barriers to effective placement learning and interprofessional identity formation for medical students.
The Hypoglycaemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of Anacardium Occidentale Methanolic Nut Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats
Authors: AJAO Folasade O. , Olamoyegun Michael A. , Iyedupe Marcus O. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: This research work investigated the antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antioxidative effects of Anacardium occidentale methanolic nut extract in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: Forty (40) Wistar rats weighing 250±30g were randomly divided into five groups of 8 rats each. Group 1 served as the control; Group 2-5 were induced with diabetes with a single dose of 50mg/kg bw of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. After diabetes induction, Group 2 served as the STZ-only group, Groups 3 and 4 were administered 100mg/kg bw and 200mg/kg bw p.o Anacardium occidentale nut extract, respectively, while Group 5 was administered 2mg/kg bw of glimepiride as a reference drug for a period of 4 weeks. Food and water intake were monitored daily, body weight, and blood glucose levels weekly throughout the experiment. On day 29, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical studies. Results: Administration of the nut extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the food intake and body weight of diabetic treated rats, fasting blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) decreased significantly (p<0.05) in treated rats. On lipid profile, administration of nut extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein concentrations while it significantly increases (p<0.05) the high-density lipoprotein. Anacardium occidentale nut extract caused significantly (p<0.05) increases in SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels with a decrease MDA level in diabetic treated rats. Markers of liver and kidney functions were also improved in diabetic treated rats.Conclusion: Treatment with Anacardium occidentale methanolic nut extract has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepato-protective effects in diabetic rats. It also alleviates oxidative stress activity and restoration of markers of kidney function, and may be useful as alternative therapy in the management of diabetes and its related complications.