bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term efficacy of different procedures for treatment of varicose veins
Authors: Guo Liqin , Huang Rong , Zhao Dunyong , Xu Guilian , Liu Hui , Yang Jian , Guo Tao 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Various procedures for the treatment of varicose veins have been shown to have long-term effectiveness, but research has yet to identify the most effective procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term efficacy of different procedures based on Bayesian network meta-analysis and to rank therapeutic options for clinical decision-making.

Methods:
Globally recognized databases, namely, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Quantitative pooled estimation of successful treatment rate (STR) and recurrence rate (RR) was performed to assess the long-term efficacy of each procedure with more than a 1-year follow-up. The surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities of the P values regarding STR and RR were calculated to rank various procedures. Grades of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were utilized for the recommendation of evidence from pairwise direct comparisons.

Results:
A total of 39 RCTs encompassing a total of 6917 limbs were eligible and provided relative raw data. After quantitative analysis, the CHIVA procedure was determined to have the best long-term efficacy, as it had the highest STR (SUCRA, 0.37). Additionally, the results revealed that CHIVA possessed the highest probability of achieving the lowest long-term RR (SUCRA, 0.61). Moreover, the sensitivity analysis with inconsistency approach clarified the reliability of the main results, and the evidence of most direct comparisons was ranked as high or moderate.

Conclusion:
CHIVA seemed to have superior clinical benefits on long-term efficacy for treating varicose veins. However, the conclusion still needs additional trials for supporting evidence.
Alterations in fecal short-chain fatty acids in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Sun Qinghua , Jia Qiong , Song Lijin , Duan Liping 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Recent studies indicate that gut microbiota disorders potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can be partly reflected by fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generated from gut microbiota. Previous studies on SCFA alterations in patients with IBS have yielded conflicting results. No prior systematic review has been conducted on the alterations in fecal SCFAs in IBS patients.

Aims:
We performed a meta-analysis to explore and clarify alterations in fecal SCFAs in IBS patients.

Methods:
Case-control studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and self-controlled studies were identified through electronic database searches. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) in fecal SCFA levels between different groups was calculated.

Results:
The proportion of fecal propionate in patients with IBS was significantly higher than in healthy controls (HCs) (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.76). A subgroup analysis showed that the concentration of fecal propionate (SMD = −0.91, 95% CI = −1.41, −0.41) and butyrate (SMD = −0.53, 95% CI = −1.01, −0.04) in patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) was significantly lower than that in HCs, and the concentration of fecal butyrate in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) was higher than that in HCs (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.67). Finally, we found that restricted diets correlated with fecal butyrate reduction in IBS (SMD = −0.26, 95% CI = −0.51, −0.01).

Conclusions:
In terms of fecal SCFAs, there were differences between patients with IBS and HCs. In IBS-C patients, propionate and butyrate were reduced, whereas butyrate was increased in IBS-D patients in comparison to HCs. Propionate and butyrate could be used as biomarkers for IBS diagnosis.
Incidence of surgical-site infection following open reduction and internal fixation of a distal femur fracture
Authors: Bai Yanbin , Zhang Xiong , Tian Ye , Tian Dehu , Zhang Bing 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Surgical-site infection (SSI) is a common complication in orthopedic surgery; however, SSI after surgically managed distal femur fractures was not well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of SSI and identify some modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors.
The patients’ electronic medical records (EMRs) were reviewed to identify those who sustained a distal femur fracture and treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between March 2014 and February 2018. SSI was defined based on the Centers for Disease Control criteria and confirmed according to the descriptions in EMR. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the independent risk factors associated with SSI.
Totally, EMRs of 665 patients who underwent ORIF of distal femur fractures were reviewed and 24 SSIs were found, indicating the overall incidence of SSI was 3.6%. The rate of deep SSI was 1.2% and superficial SSI was 2.4%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative pathogen, either alone (7/15, 46.7%) or as a mixed infection (3/15, 20%), followed by mixed bacterial (4/15, 26.7%) and S epidermidis (2/15, 13.3%) and others. Patients with SSI had approximately twice the length of hospital stay as those without SSIs (29.0 vs 16.0 days, P < .001). Open fracture, temporary use of external fixation, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and preoperative reduced albumin level were identified as independent risk factors associated with SSI, and current smoking and preoperative reduced albumin level were the true modifiable factors.
Patients should be encouraged to cease smoking as early as possible and increase the good-quality protein intake to reduce or prevent the occurrence of SSI. An explanation of the nonmodifiable risk factors should be included when patients are counseled about their increased risk of SSI.
Assessment of the diagnostic value of using serum CA125 and GI-RADS system in the evaluation of adnexal masses
Authors: Zheng Heng , Tie Yan , Wang Xi , Yang Yang , Wei Xiawei , Zhao Xia 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) is a valuable tumor marker for ovarian cancer. Gynecology Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) is proved to be effective at identifying the adnexal masses. We investigated whether the combination of these two methods can improve the diagnostic accuracy of ovarian cancer.
We retrospectively analyzed preoperative data of 325 patients diagnosed with suspected adnexal mass, 196 patients with benign ovarian masses and 129 with malignant ovarian cancer (stage I: 34, II: 16, III: 61, IV: 18). CA125 was analyzed using the ARCHITECT system, GI-RADS was evaluated according to the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis consensus nomenclature and definitions. Sensitivities and specificities were also calculated for GI-RADS, CA125 and the combinations.
The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CA125, GI-RADS were 75.97%, 79.59%, 78.15%, and 90.70%, 90.82%,90.77%, the combination data were 94.79%, 96.00%,95.53%. The AUC of combined diagnostic methods was the largest and significantly better compared with each method alone, P < .001). For stage I-II malignancy, GI-RADS as a single method was superior to CA125.
Combined use of serum CA 125 and GI-RADS system improved the identification of adnexal masses at high risk of malignancy and could be used for clinical decision-making.
How Much Does Medication Nonadherence Cost the Medicare Fee-for-Service Program?
Authors: Lloyd Jennifer T. , Maresh Sha , Powers Christopher A. , Shrank William H. , Alley Dawn E. 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Medication adherence is associated with lower health care utilization and savings in specific patient populations; however, few empirical estimates exist at the population level.

Objective:
The main objective of this study was to apply a data-driven approach to obtain population-level estimates of the impact of medication nonadherence among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions.

Research Design:
Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims data were used to calculate the prevalence of medication nonadherence among individuals with diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Per person estimates of avoidable health care utilization and spending associated with medication adherence, adjusted for healthy adherer effects, from prior literature were applied to the number of nonadherent Medicare beneficiaries.

Subjects:
A 20% random sample of community-dwelling, continuously enrolled Medicare FFS beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with Part D (N=14,657,735) in 2013.

Measures:
Avoidable health care costs and hospital use from medication nonadherence.

Results:
Medication nonadherence for diabetes, heart failure, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension resulted in billions of Medicare FFS expenditures, millions in hospital days, and thousands of emergency department visits that could have been avoided. If the 25% of beneficiaries with hypertension who were nonadherent became adherent, Medicare could save $13.7 billion annually, with over 100,000 emergency department visits and 7 million inpatient hospital days that could be averted.

Conclusion:
Medication nonadherence places a large resource burden on the Medicare FFS program. Study results provide actionable information for policymakers considering programs to manage chronic conditions. Caution should be used in summing estimates across disease groups, assuming all nonadherent beneficiaries could become adherent, and applying estimates beyond the Medicare FFS population.
96 Eyes: Parallel Fourier Ptychographic Microscopy for high-throughput screening
Authors: Chan Antony C. S. , Kim Jinho , Pan An , Xu Han , Nojima Dana , Hale Christopher , Wang Songli , Yang Changhuei 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTWe report the implementation of a parallel microscopy system (96 Eyes) that is capable of simultaneous imaging of all wells on a 96-well plate. The optical system consists of 96 microscopy units, where each unit is made out of a four element objective, made through a molded injection process, and a low cost CMOS camera chip. By illuminating the sample with angle varying light and applying Fourier Ptychography, we can improve the effective brightfield imaging numerical apertuure of the objectives from 0.23 to 0.3, and extend the depth of field from ±5 μm to ±15 μm. The use of Fourier Ptychography additionally allows us to computationally correct the objectives’ aberrations out of the rendered images, and provides us with the ability to render phase images. The 96 Eyes acquires raw data at a rate of 0.7 frame per second (all wells) and the data are processed with 4 cores of graphical processing units (GPUs; GK210, Nvidia Tesla K80, USA). The system is also capable of fluorescence imaging (excitation = 465 nm, emission = 510 nm) at the native resolution of the objectives. We demonstrate the capability of this system by imaging S1P1-eGFP-Human bone osteosarcoma epithelial (U2OS) cells.
Potato genotypes differentially alter the expression of Phytophthora infestans effectors during PAMP-mediated resistance induction
Authors: Thomas Cécile , Boulch Pauline Le , Andrivon Didier , Val Florence 
Published: February 2019

SummaryPathogen recognition by plants via pathogen-associated molecular patterns leads to PAMP-triggered immunity. However, pathogens can modulate it via the secretion of effectors. We hypothesize that in potato, induced defense triggered by a Phytophthora infestans concentrated culture filtrate (CCF) could alter both effector expression and disease severity.CCF was sprayed onto three potato genotypes with different resistance levels, before inoculation with P. infestans. Symptoms were scored visually at 1-4 dpi, while the expression of defense and effector genes was assessed by qRT-PCR.CCF induced most defense genes in Désirée (PRs, EIN3) and Bintje (PRs, PAL and POX), but repressed most defense genes in Rosafolia. On the contrary, CCF induced most effector genes in Rosafolia (Pi03192, Avrblb2, Avr3a, EPIC2B and SNE1). INF1 was over-expressed in Bintje, despite its earlier expression in both Désirée and Rosafolia compared to unsprayed controls. Pi03192 was repressed in Désirée, and was expressed earlier in Rosafolia than in controls. However, induced defense responses by CCF significantly reduced lesion areas at 3 dpi only in Désirée.The effectiveness of induced defense thus depends on host genotypes. It results from differential interactions and kinetics of defense and effector genes expressions.
Comprehensive network analysis reveals alternative splicing-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Junqing , Chen Yixin , Xu Keli , Mo Yin-yuan , Zhou Yunyun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA number of recent studies have highlighted the findings that certain lncRNAs are associated with alternative splicing (AS) in tumorigenesis and progression. Although existing work showed the importance of linking certain misregulations of RNA splicing with lncRNAs, a primary concern is the lack of genome-wide comprehensive analysis for their associations.We analyzed an extensive collection of RNA-seq data, quantified 198,619 isoform expressions, and found systematic isoform usage changes between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and normal liver tissue. We identified a total of 1375 splicing switched isoforms and further analyzed their biological functions.To predict which lncRNAs are associated with these AS genes, we integrated the co-expression networks and epigenetic interaction networks collected from text mining and database searching, linking lncRNA modulators such as splicing factors, transcript factors, and miRNAs with their targeted AS genes in HCC. To model the heterogeneous networks in a single framework, we developed a multi-graphic random walk (RWMG) network method to prioritize the lncRNAs associated with AS in HCC. RWMG showed a good performace evaluated by ROC curve based on cross-validation and bootstrapping strategy.As a summary, we identified 31 AS-related lncRNAs including MALAT1 and HOXA11-AS, which have been reported before, as well as some novel lncRNAs such as DNM1P35, HAND2-AS1, and DLX6-AS1. Survival analysis further confirmed the clinical significance of identified lncRNAs.
Of hands, tools, and exploding dots: How different action states and effects separate visuomotor memories
Authors: Schween Raphael , Langsdorf Lisa , Taylor Jordan A , Hegele Mathias 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHumans can operate a variety of modern tools, which are often associated with different visuomotor transformations. Studies investigating this ability have repeatedly found that the simultaneous acquisition of different transformations appears inextricably tied to distinct states associated with movement, such as different postures or action plans, whereas abstract contextual associations can be leveraged by explicit aiming strategies. It still remains unclear how different transformations are remembered implicitly when target postures are similar. We investigated if features of planning to manipulate a visual tool, such as its visual identity or the intended effect enable implicit learning of opposing visuomotor rotations. Both cues only affected implicit aftereffects indirectly through generalization around explicit strategies. In contrast, practicing transformations with different hands resulted in separate aftereffects. It appears that different (intended) body states are necessary to separate aftereffects, supporting the idea that underlying implicit adaptation is limited to the recalibration of a body model.
Metabolic balancing by miR-276 shapes the mosquito reproductive cycle and Plasmodium falciparum development
Authors: Lampe Lena , Jentzsch Marius , Levashina Elena A 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAnopheles mosquitoes are obligate vectors of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The blood-feeding behavior of Anopheles females delivers essential nutrients for egg development and drives transmission from one human host to another. Plasmodium growth is adapted to the vector reproductive cycle, but how changes in the reproductive cycle impact parasite development is poorly understood. Here, we show that the blood meal-induced miR-276-5p fine-tunes the duration of the mosquito reproductive cycle. Silencing of miR-276 prolonged amino acid catabolism and increased female fertility rates, suggesting that timely termination of the reproductive cycle restricts mosquito investment into reproduction. Prolongation of the reproductive period in P. falciparum-infected females compromised the development of the transmissible parasite form called sporozoite. Our results suggest that Plasmodium sporogony exploits surplus resources after mosquito reproductive investment and demonstrate the crucial role of the mosquito amino acid metabolism in parasite within-vector proliferation and malaria transmission.
Protoporphyrin IX is a dual inhibitor of p53/MDM2 and p53/MDM4 interactions and induces apoptosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells
Authors: Jiang Liren , Malik Natasha , Acedo Pilar , Zawacka-Pankau Joanna 
Published: February 2019

Abstractp53 is a tumor suppressor, which belongs to the p53 family of proteins. The family consists of p53, p63 and p73 proteins, which share similar structure and function. Activation of wild-type p53 or TAp73 in tumors leads to tumor regression, and small molecules restoring the p53 pathway are in clinical development.Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a metabolite of aminolevulinic acid, is a clinically approved drug applied in photodynamic diagnosis and therapy. PpIX induces p53- and TAp73-dependent apoptosis and inhibits TAp73/MDM2 and TAp73/MDM4 interactions. Here we demonstrate that PpIX is a dual inhibitor of p53/MDM2 and p53/MDM4 interactions and activates apoptosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells without illumination and without affecting normal cells. PpIX stabilizes p53 and TAp73 proteins, induces p53-downstream apoptotic targets and provokes cancer cell death at doses non-toxic to normal cells.Our findings open up new opportunities for repurposing PpIX for treating lymphoblastic leukaemias withwtTP53.
Activity-dependent regulation of the proapoptotic BH3-only geneegl-1in a living neuron pair inC. elegans
Authors: Cohn Jesse , Dwivedi Vivek , Zarate Nicole , Horvitz H Robert , Pierce Jonathan T 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThe BH3-only family of proteins is key for initiating apoptosis in a variety of contexts, and may also contribute to non-apoptotic cellular processes. Historically, the nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganshas provided a powerful system for studying and identifying conserved regulators of BH3-only proteins. InC. elegans, the BH3-only protein EGL-1 is expressed during development to cell-autonomously trigger most developmental cell deaths. Here we provide evidence thategl-1is also transcribed after development in the sensory neuron pair URX without inducing apoptosis. We used genetic screening and epistasis analysis to determine that its transcription is regulated in URX by neuronal activity and/or in parallel by orthologs of Protein Kinase G and the Salt-Inducible Kinase family. Because several BH3-only family proteins are also expressed in the adult nervous system of mammals, we suggest that studyingegl-1expression in URX may shed light on mechanisms that regulate conserved family members in higher organisms.
Metacognition facilitates the exploitation of unconscious brain states
Authors: Cortese Aurelio , Lau Hakwan , Kawato Mitsuo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCan humans be trained to make strategic use of unconscious representations in their own brains? We investigated how one can derive reward-maximizing choices from latent high-dimensional information represented stochastically in neural activity. In a novel decision-making task, reinforcement learning contingencies were defined in real-time by fMRI multivoxel pattern analysis; optimal action policies thereby depended on multidimensional brain activity that took place below the threshold of consciousness. We found that subjects could solve the task, when their reinforcement learning processes were boosted by implicit metacognition to estimate the relevant brain states. With these results we identified a frontal-striatal mechanism by which the brain can untangle tasks of great dimensionality, and can do so much more flexibly than current artificial intelligence.
Alterations of redox and iron metabolism accompany development of HIV latency
Authors: Shytaj IL , Lucic B , Forcato M , Billingsley JM , Bosinger S , Stanic M , Gregoretti F , Antonelli L , Oliva G , Frese CK , Trifunovic A , Galy B , Eibl C , Silvestri G , Bicciato S , Savarino A , Lusic M 
Published: February 2019

SummaryMetabolic alterations, such as oxidative stress, are hallmarks of HIV-1 infection. However, their influence on the development of viral latency, and thus on HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART), have just begun to be explored. We analyzed omics profiles of in-vitro and in-vivo models of infection by HIV-1 and its simian homolog SIVmac. We found that cells survive retroviral replication by upregulating antioxidant pathways and intertwined iron import pathways. These changes are associated with remodeling of the redox sensitive promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies (PML NBs), an important constituent of nuclear architecture and a marker of HIV-1 latency. We found that PML is depleted in productively infected cells and restored by ART. Moreover, we identified intracellular iron as a key link between oxidative stress and PML depletion, thus supporting iron metabolism modulators as pharmacological tools to impair latency establishment.
A Deficiency in SUMOylation Activity Disrupts Multiple Pathways Leading to Neural Tube and Heart Defects inXenopusEmbryos
Authors: Bertke Michelle M. , Dubiak Kyle M. , Cronin Laura , Zeng Erliang , Huber Paul W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundAdenovirus protein, Gam1, triggers the proteolytic destruction of the E1 SUMO-activating enzyme. Microinjection of an empirically determined amount of Gam1 mRNA into one-cellXenopusembryos can reduce SUMOylation activity to undetectable, but nonlethal, levels, enabling an examination of the role of this post-translational modification during early vertebrate development.ResultsWe find that SUMOylation-deficient embryos consistently exhibit defects in neural tube and heart development. We have measured differences in gene expression between control and embryos injected with Gam1 mRNA at three developmental stages: early gastrula (immediately following the initiation of zygotic transcription), late gastrula (completion of the formation of the three primary germ layers), and early neurula (appearance of the neural plate). Although changes in gene expression are widespread and can be linked to many biological processes, three pathways, non-canonical Wnt/PCP, snail/twist, and Ets-1, are especially sensitive to the loss of SUMOylation activity and can largely account for the predominant phenotypes of Gam1 embryos. SUMOylation appears to generate different pools of a given transcription factor having different specificities with this post-translational modification involved in the regulation of more complex, as opposed to housekeeping, processes.ConclusionsWe have identified changes in gene expression that underlie the neural tube and heart phenotypes resulting from depressed SUMOylation activity. Notably, these developmental defects correspond to the two most frequently occurring congenital birth defects in humans, strongly suggesting that perturbation of SUMOylation, either globally or of a specific protein, may frequently be the origin of these pathologies.