bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and preliminary validation of an instrument to enable laypersons to assess suspected side effects from medicines
Authors: O'Donovan Bernadine , Rodgers Ruth M. , Cox Anthony R. , Krska Janet 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPurposeResearch into causality assessment tools enabling patients to assess suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is limited. Supporting patients with tools could improve their confidence in discussions with health professionals and encourage reporting of suspected ADRs to regulators. This study describes development and preliminary validation of an instrument: Side Effect Patient ASsessment Tool (SE‐PAST).MethodsSE‐PAST was developed from survey and interview data involving patients experiencing suspected ADRs. It included 10 statements enabling causality assessment, covering timing, additional information sources, and experiences, with four options: yes/no/don't know/not applicable. Scoring and weighting resulted in four categories of causal association: highly probable, probable, possible, unlikely.Validation involved obtaining feedback from 31 individuals experiencing an ADR. Further validation involved online distribution through patient support groups and comparison of reported symptoms to known ADRs.ResultsValidators found SE‐PAST easy to read (31), to understand (27), and to complete (29). A total of 294 respondents completed SE‐PAST online, with 98% completing eight or more causality assessment statements. Symptoms were categorised as highly probable (46; 16%), probable (80; 62%), possible (44; 15%), and unlikely (21; 7%). A total of 221 respondents identified one suspected medicine, with 95% of these reporting at least one symptom known to be an ADR.Of 227 providing feedback, 139 (61%) found SE‐PAST useful, 160 (71%) felt motivated to discuss their experience with a health professional, and 136 (60%) were encouraged to report to the regulator.ConclusionSE‐PAST was easily completed and understood by people experiencing suspected ADRs and could be useful in encouraging patient reporting to health professionals and agencies.
Pure and complex nanostructures using poly[bis(triiso‐propylsilylethynyl) benzodithiophene‐bis(decyltetradecyl‐thien) naphthobisthiadiazole], carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide for high‐performance polymer solar cells
Authors: Agbolaghi Samira 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCrystallization of poly[bis(triiso‐propylsilylethynyl) benzodithiophene‐bis(decyltetradecyl‐thien) naphthobisthiadiazole] (PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT) was investigated in supramolecules based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and their grafted derivatives. The principal peaks of PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT crystals were in the range 3.50°–3.75°. By grafting the surface of the carbonic materials, the assembling of polymer chains decreased because of hindrance of poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) (PDDT) grafts against π‐stacking. The diameters of CNT/polymer and CNT‐g‐PDDT/polymer supramolecules were 160 and 100 nm. The rGO/polymer supramolecules had the highest melting point (Tm = 282 °C) and fusion enthalpy (ΔHm = 25.98 J g−1), reflecting the largest crystallites and the most ordered constituents. Nano‐hybrids based on grafted rGO (276 °C and 28.26 J g−1), CNT (275 °C and 27.32 J g−1) and grafted CNT (268 °C and 22.17 J g−1) were also analyzed. Tm and ΔHm values were significantly less in corresponding melt‐grown systems. The nanostructures were incorporated in active layers of PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT:phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) solar cells to improve the photovoltaic features. The best results were detected for PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT:PC71BM:rGO/polymer systems having Jsc = 13.11 mA cm−2, fill factor 60% and Voc = 0.71 V with an efficacy of 5.58%. On grafting the rGO and CNT, efficiency reductions were 12.01% (5.58%–4.91%) and 9.34% (4.07%–3.69%), respectively. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Bringing Heparan Sulfate Glycomics Together with Proteomics for the Design of Novel Therapeutics: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Nurcombe Victor , Ling Ling , Hondermarck Hubert , Cool Simon M. , Smith Raymond A. A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIncreasing knowledge of how peptides bind saccharides, and of how saccharides bind peptides, is starting to revolutionize understanding of cell‐extracellular matrix relationships. Here, a historical perspective is taken of the relationship between heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans and how they interact with peptide growth factors in order to both drive and modulate signaling through the appropriate cognate receptors. Such knowledge is guiding the preparation of targeted sugar mimetics that will impact the treatment of many different kinds of diseases, including cancer.
Quantization of Magnetic Poisson Structures
Authors: Szabo Richard J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe describe three perspectives on higher quantization, using the example of magnetic Poisson structures which embody recent discussions of nonassociativity in quantum mechanics with magnetic monopoles and string theory with non‐geometric fluxes. We survey approaches based on deformation quantization of twisted Poisson structures, symplectic realization of almost symplectic structures, and geometric quantization using 2‐Hilbert spaces of sections of suitable bundle gerbes. We compare and contrast these perspectives, describing their advantages and shortcomings in each case, and mention many open avenues for investigation.
Exploring the systematic effect of N‐substituted PxxP motifs on peptoid affinity to ARHGEF5/TIM SH3 domain and its relationship with ARHGEF5/TIM activation
Authors: Fu Yong , He Ping , Zhou Yu , Huang Shengyuan , Liang Lin , Liu Shengchun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe TIM protein is a short isoform of full‐length Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 5 (ARHGEF5), which acts as a functional regulator of Rho‐dependent signaling pathways by activating the Rho family of GTPases. The activation is auto‐inhibited by a putative helix N‐terminal to the DH domain of TIM, which is stabilized by the intramolecular interaction of C‐terminal SH3 domain with a proline‐rich region 47SSPRQPRKAL56 (termed as SSP peptide) between the putative helix and the DH domain. Previously, we demonstrate that the auto‐inhibitory state of TIM protein can be relieved by targeting its SH3 domain with rationally designed peptide ligands. However, the designed natural peptides have only a moderately increased affinity (~2‐fold) as compared to the cognate SH3‐SSP interaction and are susceptible to protease degradation. Here, considering that proline is the only endogenous N‐substituted amino acid that plays a critical role in SH3‐peptide recognition, the two key proline residues Pro49 and Pro52 in the core 49PxxP52 motif of SSP peptide are systematically replaced by 19 N‐substituted amino acid types to derive a variety of nonnatural peptoid ligands for TIM SH3 domain. Dynamics and energetics analyses reveal that the replacement would impair the active polyproline II (PPII) helical conformation of SSP peptide due to lack of structural constraint introduced by the five‐membered ring of native proline side‐chains, thus increasing the peptide flexibility that could incur a large entropy penalty upon binding to the domain. However, the impairment is not very significant and the peptide affinity may also be restored and improved if the N‐substituted motif of derived peptiod ligands can effectively interact with the PxxP‐binding site of TIM SH3 domain. Consequently, a number of potent peptoids are successfully designed by fluorescence spectroscopy confirmation, in which three (ie, SSP[N‐Ile49, N‐Asn52], SSP[N‐Phe49, N‐Gln52], and SSP[N‐Tyr49, N‐Asn52]) exhibit considerably increased affinity (Kd = 0.09, 0.07, and 0.04 μM, respectively) relative to the native SSP peptide (Kd = 0.87 μM). In addition, guanine nucleotide exchange assays also substantiate that the designed SH3‐targeted peptiods can effectively enhance TIM‐catalyzed RhoA exchange activity (EA), which is observed to present an exponential relationship with the measured SH3‐peptoid binding affinity (pKd).
Correlation Between the Increased Hospital Volume and Decreased Overall Perioperative Mortality in One Universal Health Care System
Authors: Wu Jin‐Ming , Ho Te‐Wei , Tien Yu‐Wen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundVolume–outcome relationship has been demonstrated extensively for short‐term outcomes for oncological surgery. However, its effect on long‐term surgical outcomes or in one universal health care (UHC) system is unknown. This retrospective population‐based study aims to validate the correlation between the increased hospital volume and better short‐ and long‐term outcomes in patients who underwent total gastrectomy (TG) for gastric cancer.MethodsFrom the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we examined 7905 patients who underwent TG between 2000 and 2010. The surgical outcomes of this study were defined as death within 30, 60, and 180 days after TG.ResultsA total of 7905 subjects were included for analysis. The mean age was 65.8 years, and 68.8% were males. The 30‐, 60‐, and 180‐day mortality rates after TG for gastric cancer were 2.7%, 6.2%, and 18.2%, respectively. On the multivariate analysis, TG at high‐volume hospitals significantly contributed to lower 30‐day (odds ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.48–0.85; P < 0.001), 60‐day (odds ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.82; P < 0.001), and 180‐day mortality rates (odds ratio 0.80; 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.90; P < 0.001).ConclusionsAlthough TG is a complex operation with high mortality rates (~180‐day), high hospital volume correlates with better perioperative outcomes even in UHC system. Hence, the strategy to advocate the centralization of TG is reasonable, especially for the elderly.
Redox self-sufficient biocatalyst system for conversion of 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine into (R)- or (S)-3,4-Dihydroxyphenyllactic acid
Authors: Xiong Tianzhen , Jiang Jing , Bai Yajun , Fan Tai-Ping , Zhao Ye , Zheng Xiaohui , Cai Yujie 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
We developed an efficient multi-enzyme cascade reaction to produce (R)- or (S)-3,4-Dihydroxyphenyllactic acid [(R)- or (S)-Danshensu, (R)- or (S)-DSS] from 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (l-DOPA) in Escherichia coli by introducing tyrosine aminotransferase (tyrB), glutamate dehydrogenase (cdgdh) and d-aromatic lactate dehydrogenase (csldhD) or l-aromatic lactate dehydrogenase (tcldhL). First, the genes in the pathway were overexpressed and fine-tuned for (R)- or (S)-DSS production. The resulting strain, E. coli TGL 2.1 and E. coli TGL 2.2, which overexpressed tyrB with the stronger T7 promoter and cdgdh, cs ldhD or tcldhL with the weaker Trc promoter, E. coli TGL 2.1 yielded 57% increase in (R)-DSS production: 59.8 ± 2.9 mM. Meanwhile, E. coli TGL 2.2 yielded 54% increase in (S)-DSS production: 52.2 ± 2.4 mM. The optimal concentration of L-glutamate was found to be 20 mM for production of (R)- or (S)-DSS. Finally, l-DOPA were transformed into (R)- or (S)-DSS with an excellent enantiopure form (enantiomeric excess &gt; 99.99%) and productivity of 6.61 mM/h and 4.48 mM/h, respectively.
Bilinear regression with random effects and reduced rank restrictions
Authors: von Rosen Tatjana , von Rosen Dietrich 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBilinear models with three types of effects are considered: fixed effects, random effects and latent variable effects. In the literature, bilinear models with random effects and bilinear models with latent variables have been discussed but there are no results available when combining random effects and latent variables. It is shown, via appropriate vector space decompositions, how to remove the random effects so that a well-known model comprising only fixed effects and latent variables is obtained. The spaces are chosen so that the likelihood function can be factored in a convenient and interpretable way. To obtain explicit estimators, an important standardization constraint on the random effects is assumed to hold. A theorem is presented where a complete solution to the estimation problem is given.
Vulvodynia, “A Really Great Torturer”: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study Examining Pain Experiences and Drug/Non-drug Pain Relief Strategies
Authors: Schlaeger Judith M. , Pauls Heather A. , Powell-Roach Keesha L. , Thornton Patrick D. , Hartmann Dee , Suarez Marie L. , Kobak William H. , Hughes Tonda L. , Steffen Alana D. , Patil Crystal L. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background
Women with vulvodynia, a chronic pain condition, experience vulvar pain and dyspareunia. Few studies examine the range and combination of treatment strategies that women are actually using to reduce vulvodynia.

Aim
To describe pain experiences and pain relief strategies of women with vulvodynia.

Methods
Convenience sample, 60 women with vulvodynia (median age 32.5 [interquartile range {IQR} 8.5] years; 50 white, 10 racial/ethnic minorities) completed PAINReportIt and reported use of drugs and alcohol and responded to open-ended questions. Univariate descriptive statistics and bivariate inferential tests were used to describe average pain intensity scores, alcohol use, smoking, number of pain relief strategies, and their associations. Women’s open-ended responses about their pain experiences and drug and non-drug pain relief strategies (NDPRS) were analyzed for patterns.

Outcomes
Our mixed methods analysis connected data from pain measures, prescribed treatments and self-reported behaviors with women’s free responses. This enabled nuanced insights into women’s vulvodynia pain experiences.

Results
Women’s descriptions of their pain and suffering aligned with their reported severe pain and attempts to control their pain, with a median pain intensity of 6.7 (IQR 2.0) despite use of adjuvant drugs (median 2.0 [IQR 2.0]), and opioids (median 1.0 [IQR 2.0]). 36 women (60%) used alcohol to lessen their pain. 26 women (43%) listed combining analgesics and alcohol to relieve their pain. 30 women (50%) smoked cigarettes. 54 women (90%) used ≥1 NDPRS. The mean number of NDPRS used was 2.1 ± 1.3 (range 0–6). The 5 most common NDPRS from women’s comments were herbal medicine (40%), acupuncture (27%), massage (22%), hypnosis (15%), and mental healthcare (13%).

Clinical Implications
Severe pain in women with vulvodynia may be a clinical indicator of those at higher risk of combining prescription pain medications with alcohol, which are all central nervous system depressants and may potentiate overdose.

Strengths and Limitations
This pilot study demonstrated that the mixed methods approach to help understand the complexity of vulvodynia was feasible. We identified data showing a reliance on a high-risk mix of prescriptions and alcohol to reduce vulvodynia pain and a high prevalence of cigarette smoking. However, as a pilot study, these results are considered preliminary; the sample may not be representative. Perhaps only women at the extreme end of the pain continuum participated, or women took the survey twice because identifiers were not collected.

Conclusion
Despite attempts to reduce pain using multiple therapies, including alcohol, women’s vulvodynia pain is severe and not controlled.
Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LiST) for Erectile Dysfunction: Is it Safe for Patients on Anticoagulant Medication?
Authors: Kalyvianakis Dimitrios , Memmos Dimirios , Mykoniatis Ioannis , Kapoteli Paraskevi , Hatzichristou Dimitrios 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A significant percentage of men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) use antiplatelet therapy because they have a history of cardiovascular disease. However, the safety of this novel treatment modality in patients under antiplatelet treatment has been based on anecdotal cases, and published data are lacking. The aim of this study is to examine the safety of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiST) on a group of patients under antiplatelet therapy who were treated with LiST.

Methods
A pulled data analysis, conducted from November–December 2018, including 2 randomized clinical trials conducted at an Andrology outpatient clinic is presented. The 2 trials used the same design, the same shockwaves generator, as well as the same method of delivering the energy. The LiST protocol differed between the patients regarding LiST sessions number (6, 12, or 18), sessions frequency (1, 2, or 3 sessions/wk) and energy flux density used, which was either 0.05 or 0.1 mJ/mm2. The number of 5,000 pulses/session remained unchanged. For the purpose of the current study, patients receiving anticoagulant medication at the time of treatment and follow-up period were included in this analysis. All patients had a diagnosis of vasculogenic ED. According to the study protocol, after every treatment visit, as well as at 1 and 3 months after treatment, all patients reported any side effects or complications of the treatment; physical examination of the penis was performed before and after each treatment session, as well as at follow-up visits at 1 and 3 months. Penile ultrasonography was performed at baseline, as well as at 3 months’ follow-up, at the same time with triplex ultrasonography by the same investigator.

Results
138 patients were included in the 2 trials, whereas 135 (98%) of them finished the 3 months follow-up. 35 (25.3%) of them were under anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication during LiST. No bleeding events or any other side effects were reported.

Strengths & Limitations
The main strength of this article is that it is the first report on the safety of LiST on the specific group of cardiovascular patients with ED under anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. However, it is a pulled data analysis, based on 2 randomized studies, which did not have safety of LiST as a primary outcome.

Conclusion
LiST seems to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment option for vasculogenic ED in patients on antiplatelet medication.
IncobotulinumtoxinA and Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Soh Derrick , Fasano Alfonso 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACT:Guidelines recommend Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) after deep brain stimulation (DBS), although the effectiveness of their combined use is uncertain. A chart review of Parkinson’s disease (17) and dystonia (7) patients undergoing 302 injections with IncobotulinumtoxinA before or after DBS was performed. Patients with cervical dystonia received less IncobotulinumtoxinA after DBS (290.7 ± 124.0 vs. 192.4 ± 131.4, p = 0.005) and experienced an increased benefit (4.0 ± 3.4 vs. 8.4 ± 3.6 weeks, p = 0.003). No significant differences were found when comparing the treatment outcomes of 14 patients who received both IncobotulinumtoxinA and OnabotulinumtoxinA after DBS. The use of BoNT-A after DBS is a useful strategy although prospective studies are needed.
Oral antibiotics prior to colorectal surgery: Do they have to be combined with mechanical bowel preparation?
Authors: Mulder Tessa , Kluytmans Jan A.J.W. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTo reduce the of risk infection after colorectal surgery, oral antibiotic preparation (OAP) and mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) can be applied. Whether OAP can be used without MBP is unclear. A meta-analysis of observational studies demonstrated comparable effectiveness of OAP with and without MBP regarding SSI risk.
Practical mathematicians and mathematical practice in later seventeenth-century London
Authors: BEELEY PHILIP 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMathematical practitioners in seventeenth-century London formed a cohesive knowledge community that intersected closely with instrument-makers, printers and booksellers. Many wrote books for an increasingly numerate metropolitan market on topics covering a wide range of mathematical disciplines, ranging from algebra to arithmetic, from merchants’ accounts to the art of surveying. They were also teachers of mathematics like John Kersey or Euclid Speidell who would use their own rooms or the premises of instrument-makers for instruction. There was a high degree of interdependency even beyond their immediate milieu. Authors would cite not only each other, but also practitioners of other professions, especially those artisans with whom they collaborated closely. Practical mathematical books effectively served as an advertising medium for the increasingly self-conscious members of a new emerging professional class. Contemporaries would talk explicitly of ‘the London mathematicians’ in distinction to their academic counterparts at Oxford or Cambridge. The article takes a closer look at this metropolitan knowledge culture during the second half of the century, considering its locations, its meeting places and the mathematical clubs which helped forge the identity of its practitioners. It discusses their backgrounds, teaching practices and relations to the London book trade, which supplied inexpensive practical mathematical books to a seemingly insatiable public.
Trade, knowledge and networks: the activities of the Society of Apothecaries and its members in London,c.1670–c.1800
Authors: SIMMONS ANNA 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis article explores the activities of the Society of Apothecaries and its members following the foundation of a laboratory for manufacturing chemical medicines in 1672. In response to political pressures, the guild created an institutional framework for production which in time served its members both functionally and financially and established a physical site within which the endorsement of practical knowledge could take place. Demand from state and institutional customers for drugs produced under corporate oversight affirmed and supported the society's trading role, with chemical and pharmaceutical knowledge utilized to fulfil collective and individual goals. The society benefited from the mercantile interests, political connections and practical expertise of its members, with contributions to its trading activities part of a much wider participation in London's medical, scientific and commercial milieu. Yet, as apothecaries became increasingly engaged in the practice of medicine rather than the preparation and sale of drugs, the society struggled to reconcile the changing priorities of those it represented, and tensions emerged between its corporate and commercial activities.
Ancient parasitic DNA reveals Toxascaris leonina presence in Final Pleistocene of South America
Authors: Petrigh Romina S. , Martínez Jorge G. , Mondini Mariana , Fugassa Martín H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractParasitological analysis of coprolites has allowed exploring ecological relationships in ancient times. Ancient DNA analysis contributes to the identification of coprolites and their parasites. Pleistocene mammalian carnivore coprolites were recovered from paleontological and archaeological site Peñas de las Trampas 1.1 in the southern Puna of Argentina. With the aim of exploring ancient ecological relationships, parasitological analysis was performed to one of them, dated to 16 573–17 002 calibrated years BP, with 95.4% probability. Parasite eggs attributed to Toxascaris sp. by morphological characters were isolated. DNA of coprolite and eggs was extracted to molecular identification. Ancient mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed the zoological origin of the coprolite as Puma concolor and that of parasite eggs as Toxascaris leonina. This is the oldest molecular parasite record worldwide, and it supports the presence of this parasite since the Pleistocene in America. These findings have implications for the biogeographic history of parasites and for the natural history of the region.