bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal transfusion practices after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a systematic scoping review of evidence from randomized controlled trials
Authors: Christou Grace , Iyengar Ahbinav , Shorr Risa , Tinmouth Alan , Saidenberg Elianna , Maze Dawn , Tay Jason , Bredeson Christopher , Allan David S. 
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUNDIntegrating evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) into patient care is needed to optimize patient outcomes. Transfusion support during allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) is a cornerstone of essential supportive care, yet optimal transfusion practices remain unclear.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA scoping review of RCTs in alloHCT was conducted and 14 full‐length articles on transfusion practice were identified that reported clinical outcomes after alloHCT.RESULTSEight RCTs compared various interventions related to platelet (PLT) transfusion, addressing product storage duration, dosage, and threshold for transfusion. Restrictive prophylactic PLT transfusion strategies were successful at reducing PLT consumption without impacting clinical outcomes. One study, however, reported increased bleeding associated with a strategy whereby patients did not receive prophylactic PLT transfusions. One study of thrombopoietin was associated with reduced PLT transfusion events but no difference in clinical outcomes compared to placebo. Six RCTs examined the utility of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence. Four trials reported an increase in hemoglobin levels while five studies demonstrated a reduction in RBC utilization; however, clinical outcomes were variably reported and no differences were identified. There were no RCTs examining RBC transfusion strategies, plasma transfusion, or plasma‐derived protein administration.CONCLUSIONProphylactic PLT transfusion when PLTs are fewer than 10 × 109/L can prevent bleeding and is consistent with recent guidelines. Thrombopoietin and EPO can reduce transfusion requirements; however, potential safety concerns remain and the lack of improvement in clinical outcomes and high cost may limit use. Additional RCTs are needed, particularly with regard to RBC transfusion thresholds, to refine best practices after alloHCT.
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF HIGH VOLUME BIOMASS WASTE MORTAR
Authors: Muttashar Habeeb Lateef , Hussin M. W. , Mirza Jahanger , Huseien Ghasan Fahim 
Published: July 2016

This paper represents the effects of using waste generated from palm oil industries like ash, shell and fibre on the engineering properties of mortar. Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) was used as cement replacement up to 60% and Oil Palm Kernel Shell (OPKS) as sand replacement in mortar mixture. The Oil Palm Fibre was added to increase the strengthening performance of mortar. The method used to find the water binder ratio was by trial and error method with 1:3 ratio of cement to sand. The cubes size of 70mm x 70mm x 70mm, beams size of 40mm x 40mm x 160mm, and cylinders size of 70mm diameter and 150mm height, were cast and tested for compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting tensile strengths of mortar. Samples were cured in water before testing it at 7, 28, and 60 days. Also, the water absorption of mortar was tested at the age of 28 days. The results showed that oil palm fibre provided more advantages and increase the strength properties especially in the flexural and tensile strength. The addition of Oil Palm Kernel Shell reduced the density of mortar and it can be used for lightweight application. The test results also showed that as the POFA ratio increased, the compressive strength of mortar decreased. However, as OPKS ratio increased, the density was found to be decreased. The mix proportions using 60% POFA and 20% OPKS was considered as the optimum mix design. The mortar showed optimum strength at 9% with the addition of fibre.
ARTIFACT REMOVAL AND BRAIN RHYTHM DECOMPOSITION FOR EEG SIGNAL USING WAVELET APPROACH
Authors: Sayed Daud Syarifah Noor Syakiylla , Sudirman Rubita 
Published: July 2016

This recent study introduces and discusses briefly the use of wavelet approach in removing the artifacts and extraction of features for electroencephalography (EEG) signal. Many of new approaches have been discovered by the researcher for processing the EEG signal. Generally, the EEG signal processing can be divided into pre-processing and post-processing. The aim of processing is to remove the unwanted signal and to extract important features from the signal. However, the selections of non-suitable approach affect the actual result and wasting the time and energy. Wavelet is among the effective approach that can be used for processing the biomedical signal. The wavelet approach can be performed in MATLAB toolbox or by coding, that require a simple and basic command. In this paper, the application of wavelet approach for EEG signal processing is introduced. Moreover, this paper also discusses the effect of using db3 mother wavelet with 5th decomposition level of stationary wavelet transform and db4 mother wavelet with 7th decomposition level of discrete wavelet transform in removing the noise and decomposing of the brain rhythm. Besides, the simulation result are also provided for better configuration.
OPERATING SPEED OF VEHICLES DURING RAINFALL AT NIGHT: CASE STUDY IN PONTIAN, JOHOR
Authors: Hassan Sitti Asmah , Wong Lavine , Mashros Nordiana , Mohammed Alhassan Hashim , Abdul Sukor Nur Sabahiah , Rohani Munzilah , Minhans Anil 
Published: July 2016

Speed is one of the important parameters of traffic flow that can be used to determine the performance of driver’s behaviour under various scenarios. Changes in weather conditions caused changes in drivers’ speed due to various reasons. In Malaysia, there is slightly high number of road accidents at night. Rainfall at night does not only cause poor visibility to drivers, but it also gives a sense of insecurity especially as there is a significant reduction in the visibility of the object in front. Improper road conditions can worsen the situation, for example, rainfall can cause water accumulation on road surfaces which can increase skidding problem, potholes and hydroplaning effect. In relation to these situations, hence it is crucial to understand how the abrupt situation affect response of driver’s in terms of the macroscopic behaviour. These unpredictable environmental changes seem like portraying a very unpleasant journey for drivers especially to travel under rainfall condition at night. Therefore, there is a need to observe how individual vehicles react in terms of speed adjustment and response to the different rainfall intensities downpour at night. Hence this study was conducted to determine the impact of different rainfall intensities at night on vehicles’ speed. Traffic data was obtained using automatic traffic counter at a cross section of a road at Pengkalan Raja, Pontian for about three months during monsoon season. Rainfall data report was obtained from the Department of Drainage and Irrigation, Pontian. From this study, it was found that there is a speed reduction from the dry condition regardless of rainfall intensities at night. As rainfall intensities at night higher, the speed reduction is higher as well except for heavy rainfall condition. The mean speed, 15th percentile and 85th percentile of vehicles decrease with the increase in rainfall intensity at night. It can be concluded that rainfall have impact on vehicle’s speed irrespective of their intensities. Findings from this study can be used to help local authorities and transport planners in planning an efficient traffic management system for a safer travel experience to road users in Malaysia.
HIV Maintains an Evolving and Dispersed Population in Multiple Tissues during Suppressive Combined Antiretroviral Therapy in Individuals with Cancer
Authors: Rose Rebecca , Lamers Susanna L. , Nolan David J. , Maidji Ekaterina , Faria N. R. , Pybus Oliver G. , Dollar James J. , Maruniak Samuel A. , McAvoy Andrew C. , Salemi Marco , Stoddart Cheryl A. , Singer Elyse J. , McGrath Michael S. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

While combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) can result in undetectable plasma viral loads, it does not eradicate HIV infection. Furthermore, HIV-infected individuals while on cART remain at an increased risk of developing serious comorbidities, such as cancer, neurological disease, and atherosclerosis, suggesting that during cART, tissue-based HIV may contribute to such pathologies. We obtained DNA and RNA
env
,
nef
, and
pol
sequences using single-genome sequencing from postmortem tissues of three HIV
+
cART-treated (cART
+
) individuals with undetectable viral load and metastatic cancer at death and performed time-scaled Bayesian evolutionary analyses. We used a sensitive
in situ
hybridization technique to visualize HIV
gag-pol
mRNA transcripts in cerebellum and lymph node tissues from one patient. Tissue-associated virus evolved at similar rates in cART
+
and cART-naive (cART
−
) patients. Phylogenetic trees were characterized by two distinct features: (i) branching patterns consistent with constant viral evolution and dispersal among tissues and (ii) very recently derived clades containing both DNA and RNA sequences from multiple tissues. Rapid expansion of virus near death corresponded to wide-spread metastasis. HIV RNA
+
cells clustered in cerebellum tissue but were dispersed in lymph node tissue, mirroring the evolutionary patterns observed for that patient. Activated, infiltrating macrophages were associated with HIV RNA. Our data provide evidence that tissues serve as a sanctuary for wild-type HIV during cART and suggest the importance of macrophages as an alternative reservoir and mechanism of virus spread.

IMPORTANCE
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces plasma HIV to undetectable levels; however, removal of cART results in plasma HIV rebound, thus highlighting its inability to entirely rid the body of infection. Additionally, HIV-infected individuals on cART remain at high risk of serious diseases, which suggests a contribution from residual HIV. In this study, we isolated and sequenced HIV from postmortem tissues from three HIV
+
cART
+
individuals who died with metastatic cancer and had no detectable plasma viral load. Using high-resolution evolutionary analyses, we found that tissue-based HIV continues to replicate, evolve, and migrate among tissues during cART. Furthermore, cancer onset and metastasis coincided with increased HIV expansion, suggesting a linked mechanism. HIV-expressing cells were associated with tissue macrophages, a target of HIV infection. Our results suggest the importance of tissues, and macrophages in particular, as a target for novel anti-HIV therapies.
Hundred top-cited articles focusing on acute kidney injury: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Liu Yuan-hui , Wang Sheng-qi , Xue Jin-hua , Liu Yong , Chen Ji-yan , Li Guo-feng , He Peng-cheng , Tan Ning 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a major global health issue, associated with poor short-term and long-term outcomes. Research on AKI is increasing with numerous articles published. However, the quantity and quality of research production in the field of AKI is unclear.Methods and analysisTo analyse the characteristics of the most cited articles on AKI and to provide information about achievements and developments in AKI, we searched the Science Citation Index Expanded for citations of AKI articles. For the top 100 most frequently cited articles (T100), we evaluated the number of citations, publication time, province of origin, journal, impact factor, topic or subspecialty of the research, and publication type.ResultsThe T100 articles ranged from a maximum of 1971 citations to a minimum of 215 citations (median 302 citations). T100 articles were published from 1951 to 2011, with most articles published in the 2000s (n=77), especially the 5-year period from 2002 to 2006 (n=51). The publications appeared in 30 journals, predominantly in the general medical journals, led byNew England Journal of Medicine(n=17), followed by expert medical journals, led by theJournal of the American Society of Nephrology(n=16) andKidney International(n=16). The majority (83.7%) of T100 articles were published by teams involving ≥3 authors. T100 articles originated from 15 countries, led by the USA (n=81) followed by Italy (n=9). Among the T100 articles, 69 were clinical research, 25 were basic science, 21 were reviews, 5 were meta-analyses and 3 were clinical guidelines. Most clinical articles (55%) included patients with any cause of AKI, followed by the specific causes of contrast-induced AKI (25%) and cardiac surgery-induced AKI (15%).ConclusionsThis study provides a historical perspective on the scientific progress on AKI, and highlights areas of research requiring further investigations and developments.
Cadherin 5 expression correlates with poor survival in human gastric cancer
Authors: Higuchi Kyoko , Inokuchi Mikito , Takagi Yoko , Ishikawa Toshiaki , Otsuki Sho , Uetake Hiroyuki , Kojima Kazuyuki , Kawano Tatsuyuki 
Published: July 2016

AimsAlthough expressed in tumour cells of various malignancies, cadherin 5 (CDH5), also known as vascular endothelial cadherin, plays an important role in homotypic cell–cell adhesion among epithelial cells. However, the clinical significance of CDH5 expression in gastric cancer has not been sufficiently demonstrated. In this study, CDH5 expression in gastric cancer was evaluated and the correlations between CDH5 expression and the clinicopathological features and outcomes of the disease were examined.MethodsDifferentiated-type gastric adenocarcinomas obtained from 102 patients who underwent gastrectomy were analysed. CDH5 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of the membranes of the cancer cells.ResultsHigh CDH5 expression was significantly associated with the following clinicopathological variables related to tumour progression: depth of invasion (p=0.012), venous invasion (p=0.013), lymphatic invasion (p=0.001), metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.009), pathological stage (p=0.008) and distant metastasis or recurrent disease (p=0.009). Patients with high CDH5 expression had significantly poorer disease-specific survival (p=0.021), although CDH5 was not determined to be an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.ConclusionsCDH5 may play a key role in the progression or metastasis of differentiated-type gastric cancer and serve as a target for its treatment.
Long-term outcomes after ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: an observational study over 6 years
Authors: Wynn Gareth J , El-Kadri Moutaz , Haq Iram , Das Moloy , Modi Simon , Snowdon Richard , Hall Mark , Waktare Johan EP , Todd Derick M , Gupta Dhiraj 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo address the limited long-term outcome data for catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), we analysed consecutive ablations performed at our centre from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 and followed patients prospectively until January 2014.MethodsBoth arrhythmia recurrence and symptom relief were assessed. Follow-up data were collected from hospital records, supplemented by data from general practitioners and referring hospitals. At the end of the follow-up period, all patients were contacted by phone to determine their up-to-date clinical condition.Results188 consecutive patients with PeAF (157 male, mean age 57.3±9.7 years, 20% with long-standing PeAF) underwent a mean of 1.75 procedures (range 1–4). Telephone follow-up was achieved for 77% of surviving patients. Over a mean follow-up of 46±16 months (range 4–72), 139 (75%) patients experienced arrhythmia recurrence after a single procedure and 90 (48%) after their final procedure. Median time to first recurrence was 210 days (range 91–1850). 71% of recurrences were within the first year following ablation and 91% within 2 years. At final follow-up, 82% of patients reported symptomatic improvement. 7 (2.3%) major complications occurred, and there was no procedure-related death or stroke.ConclusionsCA for PeAF is safe with a low rate of complications. Over a follow-up period of up to 6 years, a large majority of patients experience significant symptomatic improvement but recurrence after the initial procedure is the norm rather than the exception. 2 years' follow-up is sufficient to observe 90% of AF recurrences, but recurrence can occur even after 5 years' remission.
‘Bolam’ to ‘Montgomery’ is result of evolutionary change of medical practice towards ‘patient-centred care’
Authors: Lee Albert 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT
The Supreme Court judgement in ‘Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board’ has caused a change in the law concerning the duty of doctors on disclosure of information to patients regarding risks. The law now requires a doctor to take reasonable care to ensure that the patient is aware of any material risks involved in any recommended treatment, and of any reasonable alternative or variant treatments. Are doctors totally removed from the protective shield even if the practice is accepted by a reasonable body of medical opinion previously laid down by ‘Bolam’ with the recent Supreme Court decision in the ‘Montgomery’ case? This paper questions whether the ‘Bolam’ principle needs to be discarded or re-interpreted in the modern context of health care. Adopting ‘patient-centred’ care to unfold the ‘significant risks’ attached to patients would align with the evolving changes in medical law. It should be the changing context of health care driving the evolving change of law.
Glutamate Uptake Controls Expression of a Slow Postsynaptic Current Mediated by mGluRs in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells
Authors: Reichelt W. , Knöpfel T. 
Published: July 2016

At the cerebellar parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse, isolated presynaptic activity induces fast excitatory postsynaptic currents via ionotropic glutamate receptors while repetitive, high-frequency, presynaptic activity can also induce a slow excitatory postsynaptic current that is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1-EPSC). Here we investigated the involvement of glutamate uptake in the expression of the mGluR1-EPSC. Inhibitors of glutamate uptake led to a large increase of the mGluR1-EPSC. d-aspartate (0.4 mM) andl(−)-threo-3-hydroxyaspartate (0.4 mM) increased the mGluR1-EPSC ∼4.5 and ∼9-fold, respectively, while dihydrokainic acid (1 mM), had no significant effect on the mGluR1-EPSC.d-aspartate (0.4 mM) shifted the concentration-response curve of the depression of the mGluR1-EPSC by the low-affinity mGluR1 antagonist ( S)-a-Methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [( S)-MCPG] to higher concentrations and decreased the stimulus intensity and the number of necessary stimuli to evoke an mGluR1-EPSC. Depression of the mGluR1-EPSC by rapid pressure application of ( S)-MCPG at varying time intervals after tetanic stimulation of the parallel fibers indicated that the glutamate concentration in the peri- and extrasynaptic space decayed with time constants of 36 and 316 ms under control conditions and with inhibition of glutamate uptake, respectively. These results show that expression of the slow mGluR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic current is controlled by glutamate transporter activity. Thus in contrast to fast glutamatergic synaptic transmission, metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated transmission is critically dependent on the activity and capacity of glutamate uptake.
Local Tumor Treatment in Combination with Systemic Ipilimumab Immunotherapy Prolongs Overall Survival in Patients with Advanced Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Theurich Sebastian , Rothschild Sacha I. , Hoffmann Michael , Fabri Mario , Sommer Andrea , Garcia-Marquez Maria , Thelen Martin , Schill Catherine , Merki Ramona , Schmid Thomas , Koeberle Dieter , Zippelius Alfred , Baues Christian , Mauch Cornelia , Tigges Christian , Kreuter Alexander , Borggrefe Jan , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Schlaak Max 
Published: July 2016

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibition with ipilimumab has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy and significantly improved outcomes of patients with advanced malignant melanoma. Local peripheral treatments (LPT), such as radiotherapy or electrochemotherapy, have been shown to modulate systemic immune responses, and preliminary data have raised the hypothesis that the combination of LPT with systemic immune checkpoint blockade might be beneficial. Clinical data from 127 consecutively treated melanoma patients at four cancer centers in Germany and Switzerland were analyzed. Patients received either ipilimumab (n = 82) or ipilimumab and additional LPT (n = 45) if indicated for local tumor control. The addition of LPT to ipilimumab significantly prolonged overall survival (OS; median OS 93 vs. 42 weeks, unadjusted HR, 0.46; P = 0.0028). Adverse immune-related events were not increased by the combination treatment, and LPT-induced local toxicities were in most cases mild. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, we show that the effect of added LPT on OS remained statistically significant after adjusting for BRAF status, tumor stage, tumor burden, and central nervous system metastases (adjusted HR, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–1.01, P = 0.05). Our data suggest that the addition of LPT to ipilimumab is safe and effective in patients with metastatic melanoma irrespective of clinical disease characteristics and known risk factors. Induction of antitumor immune responses is most likely the underlying mechanism and warrants prospective validation. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(9); 744–54. ©2016 AACR.
Dabigatran in real-world atrial fibrillation
Authors: Costa Francisco Moscoso , Ferreira Jorge , Mendes Miguel , Carmo João 
Published: July 2016

SummaryIn the RE-LY clinical trial, dabigatran presented a better effectiveness/ safety profile when compared to warfarin. However, clinical trials are not very representative of the real-world setting. We aimed to assess the performance of dabigatran in real-world patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational comparison studies with vitamin K antagonists (VKA). We searched PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases until November 2015 and selected studies according to the following criteria: observational study performed with nonvalvular AF patients; reporting adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of clinical events in a follow-up period; for dabigatran 75 mg, 110 mg or 150 mg versus VKA. Twenty studies were selected which included 711,298 patients, 210,279 of which were treated with dabigatran and the remaining 501,019 with VKA. Ischaemic stroke incidence was of 1.65 /100 patient-years for dabigatran and 2.85/100 patient-years for VKA (HR 0.86, 95 % confidence interval of 0.74–0.99). Major bleeding rate was 3.93/100 patient-years for dabigatran and 5.61/100 patient-years for VKA (0.79, 0.69–0.89). Risk of mortality (0.73, 0.61–0.87) and intracranial bleeding (0.45, 0.38–0.52) were significantly lower in patients treated with dabigatran when compared to patients on VKA. Risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding was significantly higher in patients treated with dabigatran (1.13, 1.00–1.28). No significant difference was observed in risk of myocardial infarction (0.99, 0.89–1.11). In this combined analysis of real-world observational comparison studies with VKA, dabigatran was associated with a lower risk of ischaemic stroke, major bleeding, intracranial bleeding and mortality, higher risk of GI bleeding and a similar risk of myocardial infarction.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.