bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive factors of chemotherapy use in stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Pan Xin-Bin , Huang Shi-Ting , Chen Kai-Hua , Jiang Yan-Ming , Zhu Xiao-Dong 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Identification of predictive factors of chemotherapy use and assessment of the roles of these factors in prognosis will aid therapeutic decision-making in stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Using logistic regression, we retrospectively assessed factors predicting chemotherapy use in 251 stage II (2010  UICC/AJCC staging system) NPC patients. Five-year overall survival (OS), locoregional-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were analyzed based on the predictive factors.
Logistic regression found that N1 stage was an independent factor predicting chemotherapy use in stage II NPC patients. However, 5-year OS (96.5% vs 94.9%, P = .564), LRFS (98.2% vs 96.9%, P = .652), and DMFS (95.9% vs 97.6%, P = .560) did not differ between N0 and N1 stage patients. Moreover, addition of chemotherapy use did not improve treatment outcomes in N1 stage compared with radiotherapy alone.
N1 stage predicted chemotherapy use in stage II NPC patients. But, the addition of chemotherapy did not provide a survival benefit.
Biochip detection of BP180 autoantibodies in blister fluid for the serodiagnosis of bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Sernicola Alvise , Russo Irene , Saponeri Andrea , Alaibac Mauro 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disease immunologically defined by autoantibodies directed against basement membrane zone antigens, the main of which is BP180. Laboratory tests are essential for diagnosis and include direct immunofluorescence and serologic assessments with indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA. Serology may be performed on blister fluid, in alternative to blood serum. This study investigated the use of a Biochip-based indirect immunofluorescence approach for the serum diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid on blister fluid. We compared the results using the Biochip-method with the ELISA detection of bullous pemphigoid-180 autoantibodies in blister fluid and observed a perfect correlation between these 2 methods in our group of 13 patients with clinical and direct immunofluorescence diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. The Biochip is a simple, standardized and inexpensive diagnostic tool and its use on blister fluid may facilitate the diagnosis of this and other autoimmune bullous disorders. Our results suggest that the Biochip assay on serum of bullae is a non-invasive screening technique for the early diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid that is practical for fragile elderly patients and achievable even in small laboratory settings.
Amiodarone and acupuncture for cardiac arrhythmia
Authors: Meng Xiang-Dong , Gao Wei-Qin , Sun Ze 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Amiodarone and acupuncture (AA) are commonly used to treat cardiac arrhythmia (CA). The objective of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of AA for patients with CA.

Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of AA for CC will be searched from 9 databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Information, and Wanfang Data from inception to February 1, 2019 without any limitations. Two reviewers will independently screen the relevant papers, extract data, and evaluate the risk of bias for each included study. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis. The primary outcome includes arrhythmic episodes (including time and frequency domain parameters). The secondary outcomes consist of health-related quality of life, oxygen saturation, and safety.

Results:
The protocol of this proposed study will provide evidence to judge whether AA is an effective treatment for patients with CA.

Conclusion:
The findings of this proposed study will summarize the up-to-date evidence of AA for CA.

PROSPERO registration number:
PROSPERO CRD42019120962.
The effectiveness and safety of cervus and cucumis polypeptide injection in promoting fracture healing after bone fracture surgeries
Authors: Yang Xia , Niu Kecheng , Zhang Xiaoyan , Gao Baiqing , Feng Bo , Si Ha 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Bone fractures are a common occurrence, and, according to clinical investigations, approximately 5% to 10% of patients with fractures will suffer from delayed healing or even non-healing. The high efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in promoting fracture healing has been fully verified over a long history of diagnosis and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of applying Chinese herbs to treat fractures. Cervus and cucumis polypeptide injection has been widely used to promote fracture healing after fracture surgery in clinic, but its efficacy and safety are controversial. For the above reasons, the purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of cervus and cucumis polypeptide injection in promoting fracture healing after bone fracture surgeries and to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of appropriate treatment measures for delayed healing of patients with fractures.

Methods:
A total of 8 databases were searched, including the non-Chinese-language databases PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase and the Chinese databases Chongqing VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang Data), SinoMed and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The databases were queried for publicly released randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness and safety of Cervus and Cucumis polypeptide injection for fracture healing after surgical treatment, and no language restrictions were imposed. The software Review Manager 5.3 was used to evaluate the quality of the selected documents, and Stata 12.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results:
This review will be to assess the efficacy and safety of cervus and cucumis polypeptide injection in promoting fracture healing after bone fracture surgeries.

Conclusion:
Our study will use systematic evaluation to objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of cervus and cucumis polypeptide injection in promoting fracture healing after fracture surgery. It will provide theoretical basis for guiding clinical practice and benefit more patients.

Ethics and dissemination:
This study is a systematic review that does not require ethical approval and meets the requirements of protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. At the same time, this study does not involve the recruitment of patients. All data are from published academic papers.

Protocol and registration:
A protocol had been registered for this systematic review and meta-analysis in PROSPERO. (registration number: CRD42019120965).
The telomere length of peripheral blood cells is associated with the risk of ischemic stroke in Han population of northern China
Authors: Xiao Jianhao , Yuan Qian , Zhang Simiao , Li Xiaodong , Bai Hongying , Wang Yunliang , Duan Shiwei 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Telomere length is closely related to the onset and prognosis of ischemic stroke. This study was to investigate the relationship between telomere length and the incidence of ischemic stroke in Han population of northern China.

Methods:
In the present study, 152 patients with ischemic stroke were selected as the case group, and 152 healthy persons were used as the control group. Detection of telomere length was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction after extraction of genomic DNA from peripheral venous blood.

Results:
Our results showed that the telomere length of the patients in the case group was significantly lower than that of the control group (Z = −11.843, P < .0001). Further analysis found that the telomere length of the control group was inversely correlated with age (r = −0.234, P = .004), and the telomere length and homocysteine (HCY) were inversely correlated in the case group (r = −0.176, P = .03), especially in women (r = −0.357, P = .024). Multivariate regression analysis showed that telomere length was a protective factor for ischemic stroke (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.748 [0.681–0.823], β = −0.29, P < .0001). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that telomere length was a good diagnostic biomarker of ischemic stroke (area under the curve: 0.894, sensitivity: 84.7%, specificity: 93.4%).

Conclusion:
Our results indicate that shorter telomere length has some connection with the risk of ischemic stroke in the northern Chinese Han population. Telomere length might serve as a potential candidate biomarker for ischemic stroke. This requires a large sample to be further verified.
Electrical stimulation on adverse events caused by chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Dou Peng-Hui , Zhang Dan-Feng , Su Cui-Hong , Zhang Xiao-Li , Wu Ying-Jie 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
This protocol of systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES) on adverse events (AEs) caused by chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer (CC).

Methods:
This systematic review of randomized controlled trials will be identified through searchers of PUBMED, PsycINFO, Scopus, Opengrey, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. All the sources will be searched from the inception to the date of study search ran. Additionally, websites of clinical trials registry and reference lists provided in relevant studies and reviews will also be searched. Two independent reviewers will evaluate the eligibility criteria of all potential literature, extract the data, and determine the risk of bias for each included study. RevMan 5.3 software will be used to pool the data and to conduct a meta-analysis.

Results:
This systematic review will assess the effectiveness of ES on AEs caused by chemotherapy in patients with CC.

Conclusion:
The findings of this study may summarize the latest evidence for the ES on AEs following chemotherapy for CC.

PROSPERO registration number:
PROSPERO CRD42019120191.
Veterans’ Reliance on VA Care by Type of Service and Distance to VA for Nonelderly VA-Medicaid Dual Enrollees
Authors: Yoon Jean , Vanneman Megan E. , Dally Sharon K. , Trivedi Amal N. , Phibbs Ciaran S. 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Not much is known about nonelderly veterans and their reliance on care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system when they have access to non-VA care.

Objectives:
To estimate VA reliance for nonelderly veterans enrolled in VA and Medicaid.

Research Design:
Retrospective, longitudinal analysis of Medicaid claims data and VA administrative data to compare patients’ utilization of VA and Medicaid services 12 months before and for up to 12 months after Medicaid enrollment began.

Subjects:
Nonelderly veterans (below 65 y) receiving VA care and newly enrolled in Medicaid, calendar years 2006–2010 (N=19,890).

Measures:
VA reliance (proportion of care received in VA) for major categories of outpatient and inpatient care.

Results:
Patients used VA outpatient care at similar levels after enrolling in Medicaid with the exceptions of emergency department (ED) and obstetrics/gynecology care, which decreased. VA inpatient utilization was similar after Medicaid enrollment for most types of care. VA-adjusted outpatient reliance was highest for mental health care (0.99) and lowest for ED care (0.02). VA-adjusted inpatient reliance was highest for respiratory (0.80) and cancer stays (0.80) and lowest for musculoskeletal stays (0.20). Associations between VA reliance and distance to VA providers varied by type of care.

Conclusions:
Veterans dually enrolled in Medicaid received most of their outpatient care from the VA except ED, obstetrics/gynecology, and dental care. Patients received most of their inpatient care from Medicaid except mental health, respiratory, and cancer care. Sensitivity to travel distance to VA providers explained some of these differences.
Physiologic diagnosis of congenital heart disease in cyanotic neonates
Authors: Desai Kinjal , Rabinowitz Edon J. , Epstein Shilpi 
Published: February 2019

Purpose of review
We aim to improve diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) with cyanosis by physiology for general practitioners to reduce time to appropriate treatment.

Recent findings
New implementation of the critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) pulse oximetry screen has improved rate of diagnosis of CHD in recent years. However, many infants with cyanotic heart lesions often decompensate before screening in the newborn nursery, or have lesions that are not amenable to pulse oximetry screening and that present later in the emergency room. Recent literature has shown preoperative acidosis because of delayed diagnosis of cyanotic CHD worsens outcomes postoperatively. Wide availability of prostaglandin therapy and catheter procedures help to preoperatively stabilize critical cardiac patients. With a firm grasp of the underlying physiology of neonatal cyanotic CHD, practitioners can appropriately implement these therapies more judiciously. This early recognition will subsequently improve overall outcomes.

Summary
Physiologic diagnosis of CHD with cyanosis by general practitioners will allow initiation of appropriate management more quickly and effectively. This may avoid progressive clinical decompensation and acidosis until cardiology consultation and potential intervention are available.
Hepatosplenic Fungal Infections in Children With Leukemia—Risk Factors and Outcome: A Multicentric Study
Authors: Celkan Tiraje , Kizilocak Hande , Evim Melike , Meral Güneş Adalet , Özbek Namik Y. , Yarali Neşe , Ünal Ekrem , Patiroğlu Türkan , Yilmaz Karapinar Deniz , Sarper Nazan , Zengin Emine , Karaman Serap , Koçak Ülker , Kürekçi Emin , Özdemir Canan , Tuğcu Deniz , Uysalol Ezgi , Dikme Gürcan , Adaletli İbrahim , Kuruoğlu Sebuh , Kebudi Rejin 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Invasive fungal infections, including hepatosplenic fungal infections (HSFI), cause significant morbidity and mortality in children with leukemia. There are not enough data to support for the best approach to diagnosis of HSFI in children, nor for the best treatment.

Procedure:
In this multicentric study, we assessed the demographic data, clinical and radiologic features, treatment, and outcome of 40 children with leukemia and HSFI from 12 centers.

Results:
All cases were radiologically diagnosed with abdominal ultrasound, which was performed at a median of 7 days, of the febrile neutropenic episode. Mucor was identified by histopathology in 1, and Candida was identified in blood cultures in 8 patients. Twenty-two had fungal infection in additional sites, mostly lungs. Nine patients died. Four received a single agent, and 36 a combination of antifungals.

Conclusions:
Early diagnosis of HSFI is challenging because signs and symptoms are usually nonspecific. In neutropenic children, persistent fever, back pain extending to the shoulder, widespread muscle pain, and increased serum galactomannan levels should alert clinicians. Abdominal imaging, particularly an abdominal ultrasound, which is easy to perform and available even in most resource-limited countries, should be recommended in children with prolonged neutropenic fever, even in the absence of localizing signs and symptoms.
Headaches in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Friedman Deborah I. 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Headache is the most common symptom of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and may not resolve with intracranial pressure–lowering treatments. Many patients with IIH have a pre-existing history of migraine. Approximately two-thirds of patients with IIH continue to experience headaches after the other manifestations of the disorder resolve. There are no evidence-based guidelines for treating IIH-related headaches.

Evidence Acquisition:
This review proposes mechanisms by which IIH produces both acute and ongoing headache. The article analyzes the literature regarding medical and procedural therapies for IIH, apropos to their effectiveness for treating headaches. It then proposes strategies to use in clinical practice, incorporating treatments used for the primary headache disorders of migraine and tension-type headache, the most common phenotypes of IIH-associated headache.

Conclusions:
Treatments used to manage primary headache disorders may be effective in the management of IIH-associated headache, although none have been specifically studied in this condition.

Results:
Recommendations provided consider a holistic approach to the problem based on existing guidelines and clinical experience.
Sweet revenge -Streptococcus pyogenesshowcases first example of immune evasion through specific IgG glycan hydrolysis
Authors: Naegeli Andreas , Bratanis Eleni , Karlsson Christofer , Shannon Oonagh , Kalluru Raja , Linder Adam , Malmström Johan , Collin Mattias 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStreptococcus pyogenes(Group A streptococcus, GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for a wide variety of diseases from uncomplicated tonsillitis to life-threatening invasive infections. GAS secretes EndoS, an endoglycosidase able to specifically cleave the conservedN-glycan on human IgG antibodies.In vitro, removal of this glycan impairs IgG effector functions but its relevance to GAS infectionin vivois unclear. Using targeted mass spectrometry, we were able to characterize the effects of EndoS on host IgG glycosylation during the course of natural infections in human patients. We found substantial IgG glycan hydrolysis locally at site of infection as well as systemically in the most severe cases. Using these findings we were able to set up appropriate model systems to demonstrate decreased resistance to phagocytic killing of GAS lacking EndoSin vitro, as well as decreased virulence in a mouse model of invasive infection. This study represents the first described example of specific bacterial IgG glycan hydrolysis during infection and highlights the importance of IgG glycan hydrolysis for streptococcal pathogenesis. We thereby offer new insights into the mechanism of immune evasion employed by this pathogen with clear implications for treatment of severe GAS infections and future efforts at vaccine development.
The Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) and p53 Regulate Mammalian PNS and CNS Axon Regeneration downstream of c-Myc
Authors: Ma Jin-Jin , Xu Ren-Jie , Ju Xin , Wang Wei-Hua , Luo Zong-Ping , Liu Chang-Mei , Yang Lei , Li Bin , Chen Jian-Quan , Meng Bin , Yang Hui-Lin , Zhou Feng-Quan , Saijilafu  
Published: February 2019

SummaryAlthough several genes have been identified to promote axon regeneration in the central nervous system, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which mammalian axon regeneration is regulated is still limited and fragmented. Here by using sensory axon and optic nerve regeneration as model systems, we revealed an unexpected role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in regulation of axon regeneration. We also provided strong evidence that TERT and p53 acted downstream of c-Myc to control sensory axon regeneration. More importantly, overexpression of p53 in sensory neurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was sufficient to promote sensory axon and optic never regeneration, respectively. The study revealed a novel c-Myc-TERT-p53 signaling pathway, expanding horizons for novel approaches promoting CNS axon regeneration.
Dynamic interactions of lymphatic vessels at the hair follicle stem cell niche during hair regeneration
Authors: Peña-Jimenez Daniel , Fontenete Silvia , Megias Diego , Fustero-Torre Coral , Graña-Castro Osvaldo , Castellana Donatello , Loewe Robert , Perez-Moreno Mirna 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLymphatic vessels (LV) are essential for skin fluid homeostasis and immune cell trafficking, but whether LV are associated with hair follicle (HF) regeneration is not known. Here, by using steady and live imaging approaches in mouse skin, we show that lymphatic capillaries distribute to the anterior permanent region of individual HF and interconnect neighboring HF at the level of the HF bulge, in a hair follicle stem cell (HFSC)-dependent manner. LV further connect individual HF in triads and dynamically flow across the skin. Interestingly, at the onset of the physiological HFSC activation, or upon pharmacological or genetic induction of HF growth, LV transiently expand their caliber suggesting an increased tissue drainage capacity. Interestingly, the physiological LV caliber increase is associated with a distinct gene expression correlated to ECM and cytoskeletal reorganization. Using mouse genetics, we show that the depletion of LV blocks the pharmacological induction of HF growth. Our findings define LV as components of the HFSC niche, coordinating HF connections at tissue-level, and provide insight into their functional contribution to HF regeneration.
Blood and Brain Gene Expression Trajectories Underlying Neuropathology and Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegeneration
Authors: Iturria-Medina Yasser , Khan Ahmed F. , Adewale Quadri ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2019

SUMMARYNeurodegenerative disorders take decades to develop and their early detection is challenged by confounding non-pathological aging processes. For all neurodegenerative conditions, we lack longitudinal gene expression (GE) data covering their large temporal evolution, which hinders the fully understanding of the underlying dynamic molecular mechanisms. Here, we aimed to overcome this limitation by introducing a novel GE contrastive trajectory inference (GE-cTI) method that reveals enriched temporal patterns in a diseased population. Evaluated on 1969 subjects in the spectrum of late-onset Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases (from ROSMAP, HBTRC and ADNI studies), this unsupervised machine learning algorithm strongly predicts neuropathological severity (e.g. Braak, Amyloid and Vonsattel stages). Furthermore, when applied to in-vivo blood samples (ADNI), it predicts 97% of the variance in memory deterioration and its future declining rate, supporting the identification of a powerful and minimally invasive (blood-based) tool for early clinical screening and disease prevention. This technique also allows the discovery of genes and molecular pathways, in both peripheral and brain tissues, that are highly predictive of disease evolution. Eighty percent of the most predictive molecular pathways identified in the brain were also top predictors in the blood. The GE-cTI is a promising tool for revealing complex neuropathological mechanisms, with direct implications for implementing personalized dynamic treatments in neurology.HIGHLIGHTS- Unsupervised learning detects enriched gene expression (GE) trajectories in disease- These plasma and brain GE trajectories predict neuropathology and future cognitive impairment- Most predictive molecular functions/pathways in the brain are also top predictors in the plasma- By identifying plasma GE trajectories, patients can be easily screened and follow dynamic treatments