bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capturing Commitment in Informal, Soft Law Instruments: A Case Study on the Basel Committee
Authors: Milano Enrico , Zugliani Niccolò 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACT
The present article investigates the legal nature of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and seeks to identify the legal effects of the acts produced by the committee under public international law. It reassesses the most influential contemporary theories that have endeavoured to describe and capture the increasing trend towards ‘de-formalization’ of international law, of which the Basel Committee, with its peculiar composition and standard-setting activities, is generally considered as one of the most significant examples. The articles comes to the conclusion that the Basel Committee’s normative outputs cannot be qualified as legal acts or legal facts under international law as they are best described as the results of flexible and informal standard-setting activities developed by domestic regulators at the international level, with a view to inducing compliance by national legislators and stakeholders. The lack of a formal ‘pedigree’ under international law has not undermined their effectiveness; on the contrary, it can be considered a peculiar feature of a successful model of transnational cooperation where soft law standards have been translated into domestic legislation.
Targeted Melanoma Screening: Risk Self-Assessment and Skin Self-Examination Education Delivered During Mammography of Women
Authors: Robinson June K , Perez Megan , Abou-el-Seoud Dalya , Kim Kathryn , Brown Zoe , Liko-Hazizi Elona , Friedewald Sarah M , Kwasny Mary , Spring Bonnie 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background
Melanoma, which is the sixth most common cancer in women, is visible on the surface of the skin; therefore, self-screening (skin self-examination [SSE]) may be beneficial.

Methods
A convenience sample of women undergoing mammography was sequentially assigned by week into this two-arm targeted melanoma screening intervention. Both groups saw an informational poster and received a brochure promoting risk self-identification and SSE education. One group received an additional 1-week SSE reminder. Participants completed baseline and 1- and 3-month follow-up surveys assessing SSE performance, identifying a concerning mole, scheduling a dermatology appointment, and anxiety due to the program. Performance of SSE between groups was compared using χ2 analysis. The electronic medical record was reviewed for diagnosis of concerning moles.

Results
At 1 month, 384 of 420 (91.4% retention) women completed the survey. Of those, 311 (80.9%) performed SSE. Of those who performed SSE, 54 (14%) found a concerning mole at either 1 or 3 months. At 3 months, 346 (82.4% retention) women completed the survey. The number of women who performed SSE did not differ between groups at 1 month (χ2 = 1.64, P = .17) or 3 months (χ2 = 1.58, P = .12). Seven melanomas were found among 34 women who identified a concerning mole; examination of 4.8 women yielded one melanoma. Anxiety was low with a median score of 9.5 (range = 0–42.9).

Conclusions
Introducing melanoma risks and SSE education during mammography was feasible and did not demonstrate harms; thus, there is an opportunity to reach a large, at-risk population with limited burden for the participant and clinics.
Gross total resection of intracisternal accessory nerve schwannomas using a familiar midline suboccipital subtonsilar approach
Authors: Antoniades Elias , Athanasiou Alkinoos , Sarlis Panagiotis , Magras Ioannis , Patsalas Ioannis 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background
Intracisternal Accessory Nerve Schwannomas (ANS) constitute a rare clinical entity with only a few cases reported so far. Their symptoms are usually due to brainstem compression and not manifested until they render of great size. Secondary neuropathy and muscle atrophy are other late signs. The hitherto reported literature advocates a suboccipital craniotomy as a suitable approach. In most of the cases the spinal root was the location tumor arose from. Gross total resection was possible to be carried out in most cases with only sporadic tolerable postoperative deficits reported.

Case description
We hereby present three cases of patients with intracisternal ANS treated in the same fashion. Two patients were male and one female. Two patients complained of mainly chronic headaches and neck pain, whereas in the third patient the lesion was found incidentally. Only one patient suffered post-operatively cerebrospinal fluid leakage and wound healing complication, which was treated with revision surgery and administration of antibiotics. None of the patients had postoperative neurological deficits. Furthermore, we conducted a review of the relevant literature where we noted that there is no consensus yet with regards to the appropriate surgical approach.

Conclusions
Based on relevant anatomical studies, we advocate that suboccipital subtonsilar approach provides a wide corridor to the area of lesion allowing complete and safe resection of intracisternal ANS. We thus support that, in most cases, the neurosurgeon should consider using this familiar approach for treating this rare lesion.
Babesiosis: A Retrospective Review of 38 Cases in the Upper Midwest
Authors: Fida Madiha , Challener Douglas , Hamdi Ahmed , O’horo John , Abu Saleh Omar 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Babesiosis is an emerging health risk, and clinicians need to be aware of its different clinical manifestations. In our cohort of 38 patients, almost half did not recall a tick bite, and diagnosis was delayed due to the nonspecific nature of symptoms. Sixty-eight percent of patients required hospitalization, with 21% requiring intensive care unit stay. Coinfection with Lyme, anaplasma, or both Lyme and anaplasma was seen in 24%, 5%, and 8% of the patients, respectively. None of the patients in our cohort died from their disease.
Type III secretion systems impact Mesorhizobium amorphae CCNWGS0123 compatibility with Robinia pseudoacacia
Authors: Wang Xinye , Huo Haibo , Luo Yantao , Liu Dongying , Zhao Liang , Zong Le , Chou Minxia , Chen Juan , Wei Gehong 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Rhizobia and legume plants are famous mutualistic symbiosis partners who provide nitrogen nutrition to the natural environment. Rhizobial type III secretion systems (T3SSs) deliver effectors that manipulate the metabolism of eukaryotic host cells. Mesorhizobium amorphae CCNWGS0123 (GS0123) contains two T3SS gene clusters, T3SS-I and T3SS-II. T3SS-I contains all the basal components for an integrated T3SS, and the expression of T3SS-I genes is up-regulated in the presence of flavonoids. In contrast, T3SS-II lacks the primary extracellular elements of T3SSs, and the expression of T3SS-II genes is down-regulated in the presence of flavonoids. Inoculation tests on Robinia pseudoacacia displayed considerable differences in gene expression patterns and levels among roots inoculated with GS0123 and T3SS-deficient mutant (GS0123ΔrhcN1 (GS0123ΔT1), GS0123ΔrhcN2 (GS0123ΔT2) and GS0123ΔrhcN1ΔrhcN2 (GS0123ΔS)). Compared with the GS0123-inoculated plants, GS0123ΔT1-inoculated roots formed very few infection threads and effective nodules, while GS0123ΔT2-inoculated roots formed a little fewer infection threads and effective nodules with increased numbers of bacteroids enclosed in one symbiosome. Moreover, almost no infection threads or effective nodules were observed in GS0123ΔS-inoculated roots. In addition to evaluations of plant immunity signals, we observed that the coexistence of T3SS-I and T3SS-II promoted infection by suppressing host defense response in the reactive oxygen species defense response pathway. Future studies should focus on identifying rhizobial T3SS effectors and their host target proteins.
The stability enigma of hydraulic vulnerability curves: addressing the link between hydraulic conductivity and drought-induced embolism
Authors: De Baerdemaeker Niels J F , Arachchige Keerthika Nirmani Ranathunga , Zinkernagel Jana , Van den Bulcke Jan , Van Acker Joris , Schenk H Jochen , Steppe Kathy 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMaintaining xylem water transport under drought is vital for plants, but xylem failure does occur when drought-induced embolisms form and progressively spread through the xylem. The hydraulic method is widely considered the gold standard to quantify drought-induced xylem embolism. The method determines hydraulic conductivity (Kh) in cut branch samples, dehydrated to specific drought levels, by pushing water through them. The technique is widely considered for its reliable Kh measurements, but there is some uncertainty in the literature over how to define stable Kh and how that relates to the degree of xylem embolism formation. Therefore, the most common setup for this method was extended to measure four parameters: (i) inlet Kh, (ii) outlet Kh, (iii) radial flow from xylem to surrounding living tissue and (iv) the pressure difference across the sample. From a strictly theoretical viewpoint, hydraulic steady state, where inflow equals outflow and radial flow is zero, will result in stable Kh. Application of the setup to Malus domestica Borkh. branches showed that achieving hydraulic steady state takes considerable time (up to 300 min) and that time to reach steady state increased with declining xylem water potentials. During each experimental run, Kh and xylem water potentials dynamically increased, which was supported by X-ray computed microtomography visualizations of embolism refilling under both high- (8 kPa) and low-pressure (2 kPa) heads. Supplying pressurized water can hence cause artificial refilling of vessels, which makes it difficult to achieve a truly stable Kh in partially embolized xylem.
Quantification of leaf-scale light energy allocation and photoprotection processes in a Mediterranean pine forest under extensive seasonal drought
Authors: Maseyk Kadmiel , Lin Tongbao , Cochavi Amnon , Schwartz Amnon , Yakir Dan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPhotoprotection strategies in a Pinus halepensis Mill. forest at the dry timberline that shows sustained photosynthetic activity during 6–7 month summer drought were characterized and quantified under field conditions. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf-level gas exchange and pigment concentrations were made in both control and summer-irrigated plots, providing the opportunity to separate the effects of atmospheric from soil water stress on the photoprotection responses. The proportion of light energy incident on the leaf surface ultimately being used for carbon assimilation was 18% under stress-free conditions (irrigated, winter), declining to 4% under maximal stress (control, summer). Allocation of absorbed light energy to photochemistry decreased from 25 to 15% (control) and from 50% to 30% (irrigated) between winter and summer, highlighting the important role of pigment-mediated energy dissipation processes. Photorespiration or other non-assimilatory electron flow accounted for 15–20% and ~10% of incident light energy during periods of high and low carbon fixation, respectively, representing a proportional increase in photochemical energy going to photorespiration in summer but a decrease in the absolute amount of photorespiratory CO2 loss. Resilience of the leaf photochemical apparatus was expressed in the complete recovery of photosystem II (PSII) efficiency (ΦPSII) and relaxation of the xanthophyll de-epoxidation state on the diurnal cycle throughout the year, and no seasonal decrease in pre-dawn maximal PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm). The response of CO2 assimilation and photoprotection strategies to stomatal conductance and leaf water potential appeared independent of whether stress was due to atmospheric or soil water deficits across seasons and treatments. The range of protection characteristics identified provides insights into the relatively high carbon economy under these dry conditions, conditions that are predicted for extended areas in the Mediterranean and other regions due to global climate change.
Impaction Bone Grafting and Valgus Osteotomy: A Technical Trick for the Treatment of Femoral Neck Nonunions
Authors: Jayaramaraju Dheenadhayalan , Valleri Durga Prasad , Agraharam Devendra , Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran 
Published: June 2019

Summary:
Femoral neck nonunions in young adults is among the most challenging problems to treat. This is due to their inherent problems, such as neck resorption, increase in fracture gap, sclerosis of fracture margins, and avascular necrosis. Hip salvage in these cases, although challenging, is recommended in the Asian subcontinent where social and religious activities require squatting and sitting cross-legged. Muscle pedicle grafts and other vascularized bone grafting techniques are preferred treatment options, but they are technically demanding and require advanced microsurgical skills. Valgus osteotomy, although successful in certain cases, has a high failure rate in patients with poor bone stock. We present a simple technique of valgus subtrochanteric osteotomy, impaction bone grafting, and stabilization with a sliding hip screw. Here, we describe in detail about the surgical technique and present the clinical outcomes in 44 patients, with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years and a union rate of 95.5%.
Quantitative Electroencephalogram Trends Predict Recovery in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy*
Authors: Ghassemi Mohammad M. , Amorim Edilberto , Alhanai Tuka , Lee Jong W. , Herman Susan T. , Sivaraju Adithya , Gaspard Nicolas , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Scirica Benjamin M. , Biswal Siddharth , Moura Junior Valdery , Cash Sydney S. , Brown Emery N. , Mark Roger G. , Westover M. Brandon 
Published: June 2019

Objectives:Electroencephalogram features predict neurologic recovery following cardiac arrest. Recent work has shown that prognostic implications of some key electroencephalogram features change over time. We explore whether time dependence exists for an expanded selection of quantitative electroencephalogram features and whether accounting for this time dependence enables better prognostic predictions.Design:Retrospective.Setting:ICUs at four academic medical centers in the United States.Patients:Comatose patients with acute hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Interventions:None.Measurements and Main Results:We analyzed 12,397 hours of electroencephalogram from 438 subjects. From the electroencephalogram, we extracted 52 features that quantify signal complexity, category, and connectivity. We modeled associations between dichotomized neurologic outcome (good vs poor) and quantitative electroencephalogram features in 12-hour intervals using sequential logistic regression with Elastic Net regularization. We compared a predictive model using time-varying features to a model using time-invariant features and to models based on two prior published approaches. Models were evaluated for their ability to predict binary outcomes using area under the receiver operator curve, model calibration (how closely the predicted probability of good outcomes matches the observed proportion of good outcomes), and sensitivity at several common specificity thresholds of interest. A model using time-dependent features outperformed (area under the receiver operator curve, 0.83 ± 0.08) one trained with time-invariant features (0.79 ± 0.07;p< 0.05) and a random forest approach (0.74 ± 0.13;p< 0.05). The time-sensitive model was also the best-calibrated.Conclusions:The statistical association between quantitative electroencephalogram features and neurologic outcome changed over time, and accounting for these changes improved prognostication performance.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Sunitinib in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in Adults—A Review
Authors: Demlová Regina , Turjap Miroslav , Peš Ondřej , Kostolanská Katarína , Juřica Jan 
Published: June 2019

Background:
Sunitinib is an inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases and is a standard-of-care treatment for advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma and a second-line treatment in locally advanced inoperable and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors. A fixed dose of the drug, however, does not produce a uniform therapeutic outcome in all patients, and many face adverse effects and/or toxicity. One of the possible causes of the interindividual variability in the efficacy and toxicity response is the highly variable systemic exposure to sunitinib and its active metabolite. This review aims to summarize all available clinical evidence of the treatment of adult patients using sunitinib in approved indications, addressing the necessity to introduce proper and robust therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of sunitinib and its major metabolite, N-desethylsunitinib.

Methods:
The authors performed a systematic search of the available scientific literature using the PubMed online database. The search terms were “sunitinib” AND “therapeutic drug monitoring” OR “TDM” OR “plasma levels” OR “concentration” OR “exposure.” The search yielded 520 journal articles. In total, 447 publications were excluded because they lacked sufficient relevance to the reviewed topic. The remaining 73 articles were, together with currently valid guidelines, thoroughly reviewed.

Results:
There is sufficient evidence confirming the concentration–efficacy and concentration–toxicity relationship in the indications of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and metastatic renal clear-cell carcinoma. For optimal therapeutic response, total (sunitinib + N-desethylsunitinib) trough levels of 50–100 ng/mL serve as a reasonable target therapeutic range. To avoid toxicity, the total trough levels should not exceed 100 ng/mL.

Conclusions:
According to the current evidence presented in this review, a TDM-guided dose modification of sunitinib in selected groups of patients could provide a better treatment outcome while simultaneously preventing sunitinib toxicity.
Linezolid Dosing in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Standard Dosing Risk Toxicity
Authors: Luque Sonia , Muñoz-Bermudez Rosana , Echeverría-Esnal Daniel , Sorli Luisa , Campillo Nuria , Martínez-Casanova Javier , González-Colominas Elena , Álvarez-Lerma Francisco , Horcajada Juan Pablo , Grau Santiago , Roberts Jason A. 
Published: June 2019

Background:
Limited data regarding altered linezolid pharmacokinetics in patients with liver cirrhosis are available. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of linezolid in cirrhotic patients.

Methods:
A case–control 1:1 study of patients undergoing linezolid therapeutic drug monitoring was conducted between January 2015 and June 2017. Cases with liver cirrhosis were matched with controls by age, body weight, comorbidities, renal function, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Results:
Fifty-two patients were included, 26 in each group. Patients with Child–Pugh Scores A, B, and C were 1 (3.8%), 13 (50.0%), and 12 (46.2%), respectively. Cases had higher median linezolid trough plasma concentrations than controls [20.6 (17.4) versus 2.7 (11.3); P < 0.001)] and more frequently achieved an optimal pharmacodynamic index [26 (100%) versus 16 (61.5%); P = 0.002]. In addition, potentially toxic concentrations and treatment discontinuation due to overexposure and hematological toxicity were also more frequently seen in cirrhotic patients. Overall clinical cure rate was high (67.4%), and in-hospital mortality was 28.8%. No differences in clinical outcomes were observed between both groups.

Conclusions:
Linezolid showed a high clinical cure rate. Nevertheless, plasma concentrations and treatment discontinuation due to hematological toxicity were higher in cirrhotic patients. Liver cirrhosis may influence linezolid pharmacokinetics and question the use of standard doses. Therapeutic drug monitoring of linezolid would be valuable in these patients.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture and postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tong Ping , Dong Li-Ping , Yang Yang , Shi Yuan-Hong , Sun Ting , Bo Ping 
Published: June 2019

Background:Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, is a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body commonly for pain relief. To date, the role of traditional Chinese acupuncture in mood disorders in the postpartum period is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to review the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with postpartum depression (PPD).Methods:We searched databases such as PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register until September 2018. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 software. The mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the results of each comparison.Results:A total of 887 PPD patients from 12 randomised controlled trials were included in the quantitative meta-analysis, with 443 patients in the treatment group and 444 patients in the control group. Patients in the acupuncture group had significantly better performances assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale than those in the control group, and the pooled MD was −1.27 (95% CI: −2.55 to 0.01;p= 0.05, I2= 83%) in the random-effect model. In addition, significantly better performance in the effective rate was observed in the acupuncture group than in the control group, and the pooled RR was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.33;p< 0.0001, I2= 46%). However, in subgroup analysis for the acupuncture therapy alone, only effective rate showed a significantly better performance.Conclusion:Traditional Chinese acupuncture seems to be effective in improving some symptoms of PPD, although the evidence is uncertain. Therefore, further studies following standardized guidelines with a low risk of bias are needed to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of PPD.
The Association Between Olfactory Function and Cognition in Aging African American and Caucasian Men With HIV: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vance David E. , Cody Shameka L. , Nicholson W. Chance , Cheatwood John , Morrison Shannon , Fazeli Pariya L. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Older adults and people living with HIV have been shown to experience disproportionately more olfactory dysfunction. Some neurological studies suggest that olfactory dysfunction may be a precursor to cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of our study was to determine whether olfactory dysfunction was predictive of cognition. In our cross-sectional study, 51 African American and Caucasian men living with HIV (ages ≥ 40 years) were administered a cognitive performance battery and two objective olfactory measures (the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and the Smell Threshold Test). The strongest cognitive associations to the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test performance were found in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, a measure of verbal learning and verbal memory. These findings were consistent with previous research, demonstrating a relationship between decreased olfactory function and poorer cognitive performance. An important clinical implication from these results is the potential use of olfactory dysfunction as a prodromal biomarker for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder.