bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TREATMENT OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA BY A SPECIAL DIET
Authors: MINOT GEORGE R. , MURPHY WILLIAM P. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The dietetic treatment of pernicious anemia is of more importance than hitherto generally recognized.
Forty-five patients with pernicious anemia observed essentially in sequence are continuing to take a special diet that they have now been living on for from about six weeks to two years but which was temporarily omitted by three. This diet is composed especially of foods rich in complete proteins and iron—particularly liver —and containing an abundance of fruits and fresh vegetables and relatively low in fat.
Following the diet, all the patients showed a prompt, rapid and distinct remission of their anemia, coincident with at least rather marked symptomatic improvement, except for pronounced disorders due to spinal cord degeneration. Improvement was often striking, so that where the red blood cell count averaged for all before starting the diet 1,470,000 per cubic millimeter, one month afterward it averaged 3,400,000; and for the twenty-seven cases observed from four to six months after the diet was begun, the average count was 4,500,000 per cubic millimeter.
Patients having had two or more relapses showed on the average slightly lower red blood corpuscle counts about one and two months after commencing the diet than did those who had started it in their first or second relapse.
Change in the frequency of bowel movements, temporary increase of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood, and decrease of the icterus index of the blood serum were among the earliest signs that heralded the patient’s better health.
All the patients have remained to date in a good state of health except three, who discontinued the diet; two rapidly improved on resuming it and the other has just commenced it again. As the diet was advised for most of the patients less than eight months ago, enough time has not yet elapsed to determine whether or not the remissions will last any longer than in other cases.
THE DISTRIBUTION CURVE OF ERYTHROCYTE FRAGILITY
Authors: BOLTON J. H. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
1. A simple method of representing erythrocyte fragility as a distribution curve of actual cellular fragility is described.
2. The importance of deciding the form of a distribution before using summarizing statistics is emphasized.
3. The danger of concluding that abnormal fragility is present in the presence of increased marrow activity is pointed out.
4. Possible applications in diagnosis are suggested.
HYPOPLASTIC ANEMIA DUE TO ATABRINE
Authors: FISHMAN ALFRED P. , KINSMAN J. MURRAY 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Seven patients with severe hypoplastic anemia were studied at an army Tropical Disease Center. Four of the 7 patients had concomitant dermatitis. The relationship of the prolonged administration of atabrine to the anemia and dermatitis is presented. A hematologic remission could not be induced by specific therapeutic measures. Four of the 7 cases recovered spontaneously.
Oxidative red blood cell membrane injury in the pathophysiology of severe mouse beta-thalassemia
Authors: Advani R , Rubin E , Mohandas N , Schrier SL 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In severe human beta-thalassemia, the pathophysiology relates to accumulation of excess alpha-globin chains at the membrane. One hypothesis is that membrane-associated alpha-globin by virtue of it's iron or hemichromes produces oxidation of adjacent membrane proteins. The availability of a mouse model of severe beta-thalassemia, as well as a transgenic (thalassemic-sickle) mouse that expresses 12% of human beta s-chain, has allowed us to study the effect of graded accumulation of alpha-chains at the red blood cell (RBC) membrane on the clinical status of the animal and on the material properties of its RBCs. Proteins from control, beta-thalassemic, and transgenic mouse RBC membranes were analyzed for evidence of oxidation, as measured by thiol- disulfide exchange chromatography, which detects intramolecular sulfhydryl oxidation. Ratios of oxidized globin to protein 7 were calculated and increased amounts were seen in thalassemic mice as compared with control mice and transgenic mice. Furthermore, there were increased amounts of thiol-free protein 4.1 in the thalassemic mice, compared with very small amounts in the control mice and intermediate amounts in the transgenic mice. Membrane mechanical stability as assessed by ektacytometry showed that the thalassemic mouse RBCs were markedly unstable. Transgenic mouse RBCs showed intermediate levels of membrane instability compared with the controls. We propose that this oxidized globin, in conjunction with oxidized protein 4.1, accounts (at least in part) for membrane instability. A 12% increase in beta s- globin chain synthesis (by decreasing excess globin available) confers considerable protection against both oxidative damage and the consequent membrane instability.
Adhesive protein expression on thrombin-stimulated platelets: time- dependent modulation of anti-fibrinogen, -fibronectin, and -von Willebrand factor antibody binding
Authors: Peerschke EI 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Platelets contain a pool of endogenous adhesive proteins that can be released and may bind to surface membrane receptors under appropriate conditions. Because the binding of exogenous fibrinogen to platelets was shown previously to be accompanied by a time-dependent decrease in fibrinogen accessibility to antibody and enzymes, studies were performed to evaluate changes in the expression of endogenous fibrinogen released from thrombin-stimulated platelets using monospecific polyclonal and monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragments. Parallel studies were performed to compare the expression of released fibronectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Binding of polyclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragments directed against individual adhesive proteins was inhibited by EDTA or the 10E5 monoclonal antibody, suggesting that fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vWF expression was mediated, in large part, by divalent cation-dependent interactions with the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex. Interestingly, when polyclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragments were added to platelet suspensions at discrete times after thrombin stimulation, antifibrinogen F(ab')2 binding decreased by 72% +/- 15% (mean +/- SD, n = 22) over a 60-minute time course, whereas antifibronectin and anti-vWF antibody F(ab')2 fragment binding changed minimally (6% +/- 23%, n = 22 and 3% +/- 26%, n = 14, respectively). Similar observations were made with monoclonal antibodies. Parallel experiments using 125I-labeled fibrinogen as a marker indicated that the observed decrease in antifibrinogen F(ab')2 binding was not accompanied by fibrinogen dissociation. Moreover, antibody accessibility to platelet-bound fibrinogen could be restored after Triton X-100 platelet lysis. The data suggest that fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vWF are not coordinately expressed on thrombin- stimulated platelets. Rather, fibrinogen expression appears transient compared with the expression of fibronectin and vWF. The ability of platelets to secrete and organize adhesive proteins on their surface is likely to have important implications for hemostasis and thrombosis.
Rapid Telomere Shortening in Children
Authors: Zeichner Steven L. , Palumbo Paul , Feng YanRu , Xiao Xiaodong , Gee Dennis , Sleasman John , Goodenow Maureen , Biggar Robert , Dimitrov Dimiter 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Telomere shortening may reflect the total number of divisions experienced by a somatic cell and is associated with replicative senescence. We found that the average rate of telomere shortening in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained longitudinally from nine different infants during the first 3 years of life (270 bp per year) is more than fourfold higher than in adults and does not correlate with telomerase activity. These results show that the rate of telomere loss changes during ontogeny, suggesting the existence of periods of accelerated cell division. Because human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preferentially infects actively dividing cells, our observation suggesting accelerated cell division in children may provide an explanation for some of the distinctive pathogenic features of the HIV disease in infants, including higher viral loads and more rapid progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
A Restrictive Platelet Transfusion Policy Allowing Long-Term Support of Outpatients With Severe Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Sagmeister Markus , Oec Lic , Gmür Jürg 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The threshold for prophylactic platelet transfusions in patients with hypoplastic thrombopenia generally recommended in the standard literature is 20,000 platelets/μL. A more restrictive transfusion policy may be indicated in patients with chronic severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in need of long-term platelet support. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of a policy with low thresholds for prophylactic transfusions (≤5,000 platelets/μL in stable patients; 6,000 to 10,000 platelets/μL in cases with fever and/or hemorrhagic signs) combined with progressive lengthening of transfusion intervals (up to at least 7 days irrespective of the interim course of platelet counts). The study was based on a retrospective analysis of a total of 18,706 patient days with platelet counts ≤10,000/μL in patients with chronic SAA treated (for more than 3 months) on an outpatient basis. Altogether, 1,135 platelet transfusions were given, 88% at counts ≤10,000/μL and 57% at counts ≤5,000/μL. The mean transfusion interval was 10 days. During the period of observation, three major nonlethal bleeding complications occurred, which could be well controlled. We conclude that the restrictive policy with low transfusion thresholds and prolonged transfusion intervals proved feasible and safe in chronic SAA patients.
Comparative transcriptomics of Gymnosporangium spp. teliospores reveals a conserved genetic program at this specific stage of the rust fungal life cycle
Authors: Tao Si-Qi , Cao Bin , Morin Emmanuelle , Liang Ying-Mei , Duplessis Sébastien 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background
Gymnosporangium spp. are fungal plant pathogens causing rust disease and most of them are known to infect two different host plants (heteroecious) with four spore stages (demicyclic). In the present study, we sequenced the transcriptome of G. japonicum teliospores on its host plant Juniperus chinensis and we performed comparison to the transcriptomes of G. yamadae and G. asiaticum at the same life stage, that happens in the same host but on different organs.

Results
Functional annotation for the three Gymnosporangium species showed the expression of a conserved genetic program with the top abundant cellular categories corresponding to energy, translation and signal transduction processes, indicating that this life stage is particularly active. Moreover, the survey of predicted secretomes in the three Gymnosporangium transcriptomes revealed shared and specific genes encoding carbohydrate active enzymes and secreted proteins of unknown function that could represent candidate pathogenesis effectors. A transcript encoding a hemicellulase of the glycoside hydrolase 26 family, previously identified in other rust fungi, was particularly highly expressed suggesting a general role in rust fungi. The comparison between the transcriptomes of the three Gymnosporangium spp. and selected Pucciniales species in different taxonomical families allowed to identify lineage-specific protein families that may relate to the biology of teliospores in rust fungi. Among clustered gene families, 205, 200 and 152 proteins were specifically identified in G. japonicum, G. yamadae and G. asiaticum, respectively, including candidate effectors expressed in teliospores.

Conclusions
This comprehensive comparative transcriptomics study of three Gymnosporangium spp. identified gene functions and metabolic pathways particularly expressed in teliospores, a stage of the life cycle that is mostly overlooked in rust fungi. Secreted protein encoding transcripts expressed in teliospores may reveal new candidate effectors related to pathogenesis. Although this spore stage is not involved in host plant infection but in the production of basidiospores infecting plants in the Amygdaloideae, we speculate that candidate effectors may be expressed as early as the teliospore stage for preparing further infection by basidiospores.
Attitudes of Chinese health sciences postgraduate students’ to the use of information and communication technology in global health research
Authors: Huang Kaiyong , Abdullah Abu S. , Ma Zhenyu , Urmi Dilshat S. , He Huimin , Quintiliani Lisa , Friedman Robert H. , Yang Jun , Yang Li 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Information and communications technology (ICT) has been suggested as an important tool for improving global health education and building research capacity in developing countries. However, the existing curricula do not have adequate emphasis on global health research and training. This study was carried out to examine health sciences postgraduates’ attitudes and practices regarding curriculum for ICT use in global health research and training in China.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among health sciences postgraduates from six universities in southern China, during December 2016 to March 2017. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data through an online survey platform. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows 13.0.

Results
A total of 1065 participants successfully completed the questionnaires. More than 90% of the students have not had any training about ICT, three quarters have not taken an online course, and 31% of the students do not use ICT in their current research. More than 65% thought that, in an ICT research training curriculum, it was important to learn: ICT utilization related knowledge, ICT research methods/resources, knowledge of databases, ways of data use and acquisition, and informatics search methods (ICT users compared to non-users were more likely to agree to these learning components (all p <  0.05)). Many of the respondents used or planned to use mobile phones (80%), Internet (59%), use computer and WeChat (> 40%), and QQ (a popular chat tool in China) (30%) as ICT tools in research activities. ICT users compared to non-users were more likely to consider using ICT and/or biomedical informatics methods in decision-support or support for information seeking, healthcare delivering, academic research, data gathering, and facilitating collaboration (all p <  0.05).

Conclusions
The findings of this study showed that ICT utilization was very important to health sciences postgraduates for their research activities in China, but they lacked ICT-related training. The results suggested the need for specialized curriculum related to ICT use in global health research for health sciences postgraduates in China.
How to evaluate the clinical outcome of joint-preserving treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head: development of a core outcome set
Authors: Xue Zhipeng , Sun Jigao , Li Taixian , Huang Zeqing , Chen Weiheng 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for clinical trials of joint-preserving treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), that is, to define a minimal set of outcomes that should be reported in such trials.

Methods
A mixed research method was adopted in this study. First, clinical trials of hip preservation therapy were systematically researched and analyzed. Second, a three-round Delphi survey involving both doctors and patients was carried out to obtain the core outcome indicators. Round 1 was a modified Delphi questionnaire for doctors and patients to determine which outcomes are important to these stakeholders, round 2 determined what clinical evaluation core outcomes should be included for the joint-preserving treatment of ONFH, and round 3 determined how core outcomes should be measured. Finally, a consensus meeting was held to discuss and vote on the established COS.

Results
The results of the systematic review showed that 42 outcome indicators were classified according to common signs and symptoms, quality of life, long-term outcomes, radiological evaluation, blood biochemistry, and indexes of safety. The three rounds of Delphi surveys completed the selection of indicators for the COS and the determination of the corresponding measurements.
A total of 73 orthopedic doctors and 103 patients participated in round 1, and the top 10 indicators selected were basically the same. In round 2, 32 experts identified the following indicators: pain, range of motion (ROM) of hip flexion, walking distance, and stable rating of X-ray images. In round 3, 35 experts defined the measurement of each indicator. Finally, the consensus meeting identified the four indicators aforementioned that constituted the COS.
The scores for pain, ROM of hip flexion, and walking distance are from 0 to 10; 0 represents the best scores, while 10 represents the most serious impairment. The stable rating of X-ray images is determined by the morphology of the femoral head and the change in the density of the necrotic area.

Conclusions
We established a COS for hip-preserving treatment of ONFH that includes four indicators: pain, ROM of hip flexion, walking distance, and stable rating of X-ray images.
Identifying significantly impacted pathways: a comprehensive review and assessment
Authors: Nguyen Tuan-Minh , Shafi Adib , Nguyen Tin , Draghici Sorin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background
Many high-throughput experiments compare two phenotypes such as disease vs. healthy, with the goal of understanding the underlying biological phenomena characterizing the given phenotype. Because of the importance of this type of analysis, more than 70 pathway analysis methods have been proposed so far. These can be categorized into two main categories: non-topology-based (non-TB) and topology-based (TB). Although some review papers discuss this topic from different aspects, there is no systematic, large-scale assessment of such methods. Furthermore, the majority of the pathway analysis approaches rely on the assumption of uniformity of p values under the null hypothesis, which is often not true.

Results
This article presents the most comprehensive comparative study on pathway analysis methods available to date. We compare the actual performance of 13 widely used pathway analysis methods in over 1085 analyses. These comparisons were performed using 2601 samples from 75 human disease data sets and 121 samples from 11 knockout mouse data sets. In addition, we investigate the extent to which each method is biased under the null hypothesis. Together, these data and results constitute a reliable benchmark against which future pathway analysis methods could and should be tested.

Conclusion
Overall, the result shows that no method is perfect. In general, TB methods appear to perform better than non-TB methods. This is somewhat expected since the TB methods take into consideration the structure of the pathway which is meant to describe the underlying phenomena. We also discover that most, if not all, listed approaches are biased and can produce skewed results under the null.
Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital
Authors: Rashid Sakina Mehboob , Deliran Shahrzad Seyedeh , Dekker Marieke Cornelia Johanna , Howlett William Patrick 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) initially present as focal neurological deficits with or without signs of increased intracranial pressure, for which admission to the general medical ward may occur if they present with poorly understood neurological deficits and no evident history of trauma. The symptoms may be long standing and mimic stroke upon presentation. Their distribution and specific clinical features in sub-Saharan Africa are largely unknown.

Methods
We describe a series of subdural hematoma (SDH) inpatients from the medical ward of a tertiary referral center in Northern Tanzania, describing clinical and radiological characteristics and providing clinical outcome where possible.

Results
Our study population numbered 30, with a male majority (n = 19, 63.3%) and a mean age of 66.8 ± 14.5 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to admission in the medical ward was 20.0 ± 30.8 days. History of head injury was reported in only 43.3% of patients. Improvement in the neurological examination was noted in 68.1% of the 22 patients who underwent surgery. The mortality rate was 20.0%.

Conclusion
A majority of the patients were elderly males and presented late to the hospital. Delayed presentation and diagnosis due to, amongst other reasons, postponed imaging resulted in a prolonged time to definitive treatment and a high mortality rate compared to other regions of the world.
Demonstrative study of brain anatomical landmarks by intraoperative ultrasound imaging
Authors: Elmesallamy Wael Abd Elrahman Ali 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Intraoperative use of ultrasound in brain surgery needs good understanding of the brain anatomy in ultrasound images. This study aims to compare ultrasound imaging of brain anatomical landmarks during surgery to perioperative computed tomography (CT), and perioperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as demonstration for encouraging usage as low cost, available and hazardless device.

Methods
In total; 350 patients were subjected to brain surgeries under ultrasound guidance using 2.5–8 megahertz (MHZ) transducers, at neurosurgery department Zagazig university hospital from January 2012 to January 2019. Brain anatomical landmarks were compared between ultrasound images, and perioperative images for safe, and confident surgeries.

Results
Various intracranial anatomical landmarks could be well-demonstrated by ultrasound through the open fontanel, or once the skull was opened, and during surgical work in real time fashion, facilitating surgical procedures, and avoiding complications.

Conclusion
Real-time ultrasound is of great help during brain surgeries in delineating brain anatomical landmarks as well as MRI, and CT brain. The growing learning standard of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) use makes brain surgery more simple with avoiding brain shift problems, radiation exposure, and high cost of other intraoperative modalities.