bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The risk of variceal bleeding during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Lu Hsiao-Sheng , Yang Tsung-Chieh , Chang Chung-Yu , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Hou Ming-Chih 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a widely performed procedure. However, the risk of variceal bleeding during ERCP has rarely been assessed. This study aims to evaluate the risk of variceal bleeding in patients with esophageal varices (EV) undergoing ERCP.

Methods:
From October 2010 to November 2017, the study retrospectively enrolled 75 cirrhotic patients who received elective ERCP. The patient’s risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and variceal bleeding and other procedure-related adverse events within 30 days of ERCP were evaluated.

Results:
Among the 75 patients, 45 patients (60.0%) had EV. Most of the patients were male (65.3%), and there were high rates of viral hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (36.0%), Child-Pugh B (49.3%), and an indication of choledocholithiasis (40.0%). Thirty-three of 45 (73.3%) patients had high-risk EV, and nine (20.0%) patients had concomitant gastric varices. There was no esophageal variceal bleeding; however, one patient had gastric variceal bleeding after ERCP. Non-variceal significant GI bleeding occurred in three patients with EV and one without EV (p = 0.529). Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in three patients with EV and five without EV (p = 0.169). No perforation or procedure-associated mortality was noted.

Conclusion:
The risk of esophageal variceal bleeding within 30 days of ERCP is neglectable, except for a patient who suffered from gastric variceal bleeding. Other complications, such as non-variceal bleeding and pancreatitis, are also no higher in patients with EV. Therefore, ERCP is generally a safe procedure for a patient with high-risk esophageal varices.
Phase I Trial of nab-Paclitaxel Administered Concurrently With Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Inoperable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Roy Amitesh Chandra , Abbas M. Nazim , Price Timothy Jay , Singhal Nimit , Vatandoust Sina , Leung John , Kichenadasse Ganessan , Koczwara Bogda , Sukumaran Shawgi , Kumar Rajiv , Woodman Richard , Scott-Hoy Alex , Karapetis Christos Stelios 
Published: July 2022

Objectives
Nab-paclitaxel has radiosensitizing antitumor efficacy in pancreatic cancer. We aimed to establish maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of nab-paclitaxel with radiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods
In a phase I dose escalation trial patients received weekly nab-paclitaxel for 6 weeks with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). 3 + 3 design was used with nab-paclitaxel doses: 25 mg/m2 (cohort 1), 50 mg/m2 (cohort 2), 75 mg/m2 (cohort 3), and 100 mg/m2 (cohort 4). Primary endpoint was MTD. Secondary objectives were progression-free survival and overall survival.

Results
Fourteen patients were recruited. Median age was 69 years (range, 40–86). Grade 1/2 toxicities were nausea (93%), vomiting (54%), diarrhea (57%), and fatigue (69%). There were no dose limiting toxicities (DLT) in cohorts 1 to 3. In cohort 4, DLTs of febrile neutropenia and enterocolitis were observed in patient 1. Subsequent DLT of febrile neutropenia and enterocolitis occurred in patient 5 in the expanded cohort. Following chemoradiotherapy median progression-free survival was 4.7 months (95% confidence interval, 2.5–27.5) and median overall survival was 10.8 months (95% confidence interval, 6.37–25.2).

Conclusions
Nab-paclitaxel and EBRT was well-tolerated at doses below 100 mg/m2. The MTD and recommended phase II study dose for nab-paclitaxel with EBRT is 75 mg/m2 in this disease.
Case Report: Treatment of Severe Neuroretinitis and other Sequelae Associated with Cat Scratch Disease
Authors: Whorff John 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Significance
Severe vision loss from Bartonella neuroretinitis can best be treated to improve visual outcomes with a combination of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Topical ketorolac 0.5% and difluprednate 0.05% are presented as a new adjunct therapy to potentially improve visual outcomes.

Purpose
This case illustrates severe posterior pole complications that can occur with cat scratch disease disseminated to the eye. Combination therapy with antibiotics and corticosteroids results in better visual outcomes. Topical treatment might further enhance visual outcome by preventing inflammatory damage without significant immunosuppression.

Case Report
A 17-year-old male presented with right eye vision loss. He had been hospitalized two weeks prior for optic neuritis and treated with intravenous methylprednisolone. After 3 days vision had improved from 20/200 to 20/40. After positive serology for Bartonella henselae was obtained, he was released and treated with oral rifampin, doxycycline and prednisone. Sixteen days later he regressed to 20/200 and many more ophthalmic complications were observed. After discontinuation of rifampin, oral prednisone was continued for an additional two weeks and doxycycline was continued for approximately 3 weeks. Topical drops ketorolac 0.5% BID and difluprednate 0.05% QID were used for over 6 weeks before tapering after vision returned to normal.

Conclusions

Bartonella neuroretinitis associated with preretinal hemorrhage, vitritis and subretinal hemorrhage can be successfully treated with a combination of systemic medications and topical drops. Monotherapy with doxycycline is effective and well tolerated. Rifampin can cause rapid metabolization and reduction in plasma levels of both prednisone and doxycycline and should be avoided with combined therapy. Oral prednisone and topical difluprednate are recommended to quell initial inflammation during the first few weeks. The anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline and topical ketorolac used for longer duration may be beneficial in preventing tissue damage without systemic immunosuppression and result in better visual outcomes.
Clinical Report: Midday Removal and Reinsertion of Soft Contact Lens Cannot Prevent Post-lens Tear-film Hyperosmolarity
Authors: Kim Young Hyun , Nguyen Thien , Lin Meng C. , Peng Cheng-Chun , Radke Clayton J. 
Published: July 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
Our analysis shows that post-lens tear-film (PoLTF) hyperosmolarity is not preventable with midday removal and reinsertion of soft contact lenses. However, low lens-salt diffusivity can prevent the PoLTF from becoming hyperosmotic. Lens-salt diffusivity should be lowered to minimize PoLTF osmolarity while also avoiding lens adhesion.

PURPOSE
Soft contact lenses with high lens-salt diffusivity result in hyperosmotic PoLTFs. If the time it takes for PoLTF osmolarity to reach periodic steady state is multiple hours, simple midday lens removal and reinsertion can prevent the PoLTF from becoming hyperosmotic. We investigate whether midday removal and reinsertion of a soft contact lens can prevent the PoLTF from becoming hyperosmotic.

METHODS
Time to periodic steady state for PoLTF osmolarity upon soft-contact-lens wear is determined with a previously developed transient tear-dynamics continuum model. Interblink period, lens-salt diffusivity, and lens thickness was varied to assess their effects on time to periodic steady state for PoLTF osmolarity. Time to periodic steady states were assessed for both normal and dry eyes.

RESULTS
Within the physically realistic ranges of lens-salt diffusivity, lens thickness, and interblink period, PoLTF osmolarity reaches the periodic steady state well within the first hour of lens wear for both normal and dry eyes. Time to periodic steady state for PoLTF osmolarity is predominately dictated by the salt transport across the contact lens between the PoLTF and the pre-lens tear film and water transport from the ocular surface to the PoLTF.

CONCLUSIONS
Since the time to periodic steady state is less than 1 hour for physically realistic ranges of lens-salt diffusivity, interblink period, and lens thickness, midday lens removal and reinsertion cannot prevent PoLTF hyperosmolarity. Instead, focus should be on using soft contact lenses with low salt diffusivity to prevent PoLTF hyperosmolarity.
Topical Review: Pilocarpine-induced Miosis as Help for Early Presbyopes?
Authors: Westheimer Gerald 
Published: July 2022

SIGNIFICANCE
The clinical utility of ophthalmic pilocarpine-induced pupil constriction to help overcome image blur of close-up targets in patients with failing accommodation is examined.
Pilocarpine in low-concentration ophthalmic solution eye drops constricts the pupil to approximately 2 mm and thus reduces defocus blur. To gain regulatory approval of this drug for the treatment of presbyopia, clinical trials were conducted with 1.25% pilocarpine. Near vision was improved in a modest proportion of early presbyopes: between 12 and 22% more patients reached criterion near visual acuity than with a placebo, depending on conditions. The drug is well tolerated, and its effect has onset of only minutes and lasts several hours. Small pupils will cause diminished night vision and may have an impact on distance acuity to which possible minor drug-induced accommodative spasms could contribute. The therapy has a role for patients who want to postpone or briefly pause dioptric supplementation of their failing accommodation. No convincing case has been made for one version of ophthalmic pilocarpine over another.
Assessing concordance of HIV risk behaviors collected by different surveillance systems
Authors: Panneer Nivedha , Balaji Alexandra B. , Crim Stacy M. , Bosh Karin A. , Shouse R. Luke , Fagan Jennifer L. , Beer Linda 
Published: July 2022

Objectives:
Assess concordance of assigned transmission category between National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) and Medical Monitoring Project (MMP); assess persistence of behaviors by comparing transmission category to current behavior.

Design:
Retrospective analysis of HIV surveillance data.

Methods:
For 4034 participants in the 2016 MMP cycle, transmission category was assigned in NHSS and MMP by applying a hierarchy to acquisition risk behaviors and selecting the most likely risk behavior that led to HIV acquisition. We assessed concordance of transmission category between systems, the number of persons with an updated transmission category in NHSS after incorporating MMP data, and concordance of transmission category and current behavior.

Results:
Concordance of transmission category between NHSS and MMP was 87% for men with evidence of male-to-male sexual contact and ranged from 27% to 62% in persons with other transmission categories. Transmission category in NHSS was updated for 9% of persons after incorporating MMP data, mostly affecting those with no identified risk in NHSS. Current behavior aligned with updated NHSS transmission category in 56% of men with a transmission category of male-to-male sexual contact. However, only 8% of men and 5% of women with a transmission category of injection drug use had recently injected drugs.

Conclusion:
HIV surveillance systems can better inform prevention efforts with more complete risk information. Sexual behaviors are more persistent over time than injection drug use. In addition to promoting viral suppression, routinely assessing risk and tailoring prevention activities accordingly can improve health outcomes.
Association of envelope-specific B-cell differentiation and viral selective pressure signatures in HIV-1 CRF01_AE infection
Authors: Hau Trang Thi Thu , Nishizawa Masako , Harada Shigeyoshi , Phan My Ha , Kanno Yoshiaki , Nomura Takushi , Matsuoka Saori , Kawana-Tachikawa Ai , Hall William W. , Matano Tetsuro , Nguyen Lan Anh Thi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2022

Objective:
In HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection, virus-specific B-cell and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses are impaired but exert selective pressure on target viral Envelope (Env) resulting in prominent sequence diversification among geographical areas. The basal induction patterns of HIV Env-specific B cells and their interaction with HIV Env awaits clarification.

Design:
We investigated the relationship of Env polymorphisms and Env-specific B-cell responses in treatment-naive HIV-1 CRF01_AE-infected Vietnamese.

Methods:
Samples of 43 HIV-1 CRF01_AE infection-identified individuals were divided into acute-phase (n = 12) and chronic-phase (n = 31) by combined criteria of serological recent-infection assay and clinical parameters. We quantified subcloning-based polymorphic residue site numbers in plasma-derived Env variable region 1–5 (V1–V5)-coding regions within each individual, designating their summation within each region as variant index. Peripheral blood Env gp 140-specific B-cell responses and plasma neutralizing activity of Env pseudoviruses were examined to analyze their relationship with variant index.

Results:
HIV-1 CRF01_AE Env gp140-specific total B-cell and plasma cell (CD19+IgD−CD27+CD38+CD138+) responses were determined. In chronic-phase samples, significant correlation of variant index in all Env V1–V5 regions with Env-specific plasma cell responses was shown, and V1–V5 total variant index correlated stronger with Env-specific plasma cell as compared with total Env-specific B-cell responses. Env V5 variant index was significantly higher in chronic-phase cross-neutralizers of V5-polymorphic/VRC01-insensitive CRF01_AE Env.

Conclusion:
Results revealed the association between circulating Env-specific plasma cell responses and Env polymorphisms, implicating selective pressure on Env by plasma cell-derived antibodies and conversely suggests that Env-specific B-cell induction alone is insufficient for exerting Env selective pressure in HIV infection.
Potential opportunities and challenges for infection prevention and control for cystic fibrosis in the modern era
Authors: Murray Laurie , Saiman Lisa 
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review
We describe recent changes in care for people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) that could impact infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices.

Recent findings
Current IP&C guidelines primarily aim to prevent acquisition and transmission of pathogens in PwCF utilizing evidence-based recommendations for healthcare settings. Currently, highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) is dramatically improving the clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis and reducing pulmonary exacerbations and hospitalizations. Thus, it is feasible that long-term, sustained improvements in pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis could favorably alter cystic fibrosis microbiology. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of virtual care, enabling PwCF to spend less time in healthcare settings and potentially reduce the risk of acquiring cystic fibrosis pathogens. The increasing use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) shows great promise in elucidating sources of cystic fibrosis pathogens, shared strains, and epidemic strains and ultimately could allow the cystic fibrosis community to monitor the safety of changed IP&C practices, if deemed appropriate. Finally, given the nonhealthcare environmental reservoirs for cystic fibrosis pathogens, practical guidance can inform PwCF and their families about potential risks and mitigation strategies.

Summary
New developments in the treatment of PwCF, a shift toward virtual care delivery of care, and use of WGS could change future IP&C practices.
Decay of waves in strain gradient porous elasticity with Moore–Gibson–Thompson dissipation
Authors: Fernández J. R. , Magaña A. , Quintanilla R. 
Published: July 2022

We study a one-dimensional problem arising in strain gradient porous-elasticity. Three different Moore–Gibson–Thompson dissipation mechanisms are considered: viscosity and hyperviscosity on the displacements, and weak viscoporosity. The existence and uniqueness of solutions are proved. The energy decay is also shown, being polynomial for the two first situations, unless a particular choice of the constitutive parameters is made in the hyperviscosity case. Finally, for the weak viscoporosity, only the slow decay can be expected.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Wave generation and transmission in multi-scale complex media and structured metamaterials (part 1)’.
Multi-scale bullseye antennas
Authors: Chaplain G. J. , Hooper I. R. , Starkey T. A. 
Published: July 2022

We design, simulate and experimentally characterize a multi-scale bullseye antenna for the broadband manipulation of microwaves. The device achieves far-field beam-forming via tailored diffraction at the interface between two concentric bullseye geometries, with near-field energy concentration resulting from the overlap of the diffracted beams.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Wave generation and transmission in multi-scale complex media and structured metamaterials (part 1)’.
Study of the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect of the traditional Mongolian Hohgardi-9 in acute lung injury
Authors: Qimuge Aodeng , Bilige Bilige , Qimuge Wuhan , Siqin Siqin , Hang Hugelile , temuqile Temuqile , Chen Shana , Baigued Huricha , Wang Changshan , Baiyin Tegexi , Yang Dezhi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the main active components of Hohgardi-9 and its mechanism treating in ALI.MethodsThrough searching the TCMSP database, we obtained the main components and action targets of Hohgardi-9, and the targets related to ALI were analyzed as the possible targets of Hohgardi-9. Then, the compound target network was constructed using Cytoscape software and obtained the key compounds of Hohgardi-9 acting on ALI. The blood entering components of Hohgardi-9 were analyzed by metabonomics. Using a string database to investigate the interaction between proteins of possible targets of Hohgardi-9, Gene Ontology (GO) function annotation and Tokyo Encyclopedia of the genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were carried out at the same time to predict its mechanism. Finally, the ALI rat model verified the pharmacodynamic effects and key targets of Huhgridi-9.ResultsThe network pharmacology and blood component analysis results showed that 27 potentially active components such as quercetin, herbacetin, izoteolin, and columbinetin acetate were the major functional components in Hohgardi-9. Those might act on NF kappa B signalling pathway, toll-like receptor signalling pathway, and TNF signalling pathway through key targets such as RELA (p65), TLR4, etc. In vivo experiments showed that Hohgardi-9 significantly improved lung tissue injury and pulmonary edema in ALI rats. At the same time, the Hohgardi-9 intervention could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of TRL4, TNFa, IL-1 β, and ICAM1 in ALI rats.ConclusionHohgardi-9 revealed ALI through the inhibiting inflammatory factor apoptosis-related gene expression.
Early myelination involves the dynamic and repetitive ensheathment of axons which resolves through a low and consistent stabilization rate
Authors: Almeida Adam R. , Macklin Wendy B. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractOligodendrocytes in the central nervous system exhibit significant variability in the number of myelin sheaths that are supported by each cell, ranging from just a few to about 50 (1–4). This begs the question, why does sheath number vary so widely across individual oligodendrocytes? Myelin production during development is dynamic and involves both sheath formation and loss (5–9). However, how these parameters are balanced to determine overall sheath number has not been thoroughly investigated. To explore this question, we combined extensive time-lapse and longitudinal imaging of oligodendrocytes in the developing zebrafish spinal cord to quantify sheath initiation and loss. Oligodendrocytes repetitively ensheathed the same axons multiple times before stable sheaths were formed. Interestingly, while there was a variable number of ensheathments produced by each oligodendrocyte, ~80-90% of these structures were always lost, which was an unexpectedly high, but consistent rate of sheath destabilization. The dynamics of this process indicated rapid membrane turn-over as ensheathments were formed and lost repetitively on each axon. To test whether membrane recycling impacts this sheath stabilization rate the endocytic pathway was disrupted by expressing a dominant-negative mutant form of Rab5. Oligodendrocytes over-expressing this mutant lost an even higher percentage of sheaths. Overall, oligodendrocytes initiate a highly variable number of axonal ensheathments, but these cells all exhibit a similar sheath stabilization rate, which is dependent on the endocytic recycling pathway.
Targeting MAPAKAP2(MK2) to combat inflammation by avoiding the differential regulation of anti-inflammatory genes by p38 MAPK inhibitors
Authors: Singh Rakesh Kumar , Sodhi Reena , Sharma Sameer , Dastidar Sunanda Ghosh , Tandon Ruchi 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTp38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) plays an important role in the key cellular processes related to inflammation. Several small molecule inhibitors of p38 MAPK therefore have been evaluated for their anti-inflammatory potential and progressed from early discovery to late phase clinical trials. Most of these efforts however have failed due to severe toxicity concerns. Since p38 MAPK has several downstream substrates, inhibition of p38 MAPK, therefore, leads to the modulation of all its substrates, resulting into a dis-balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory response and multiple toxicity concerns. Targeting p38MAPK MAPKAPK2 (MK2), one of the downstream substrates of p38 MAPK directly, is expected to be a better anti-inflammatory approach without having any toxicity concerns. In this manuscript, we are reporting biological data of representative MK2 inhibitor to validate its anti-inflammatory potential and a comparison of p38 MAPK and MK2 inhibitors in cell based assays to understand their relative toxicities.
The Impact of Schools on the Transmission of Sars-Cov-2: Evidence from Italy*
Authors: Lattanzio Salvatore 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis paper studies the effect of school re-openings and closures on the spread of Sars-Cov-2 in Italy. Exploiting different re-opening dates across regions after the summer break 2020, I show that early opening regions experience on average 1,900 more cases per day in the 40 days following school re-openings compared with late opening ones. However, the uncertainty around the estimates is large and suggests a wide dispersion in the effects of school re-openings on Sars-Cov-2 transmission. I also study the effect of school closures in Campania, one of the biggest regions in Southern Italy. Using a synthetic control approach, I show that school closures are associated with lower case numbers relative to the counterfactual group, particularly in younger age groups. In contrast, I find no significant effects on older age groups, who are more likely to require hospitalization. Finally, exploiting survey data on incidence rates in schools, I provide descriptive evidence on the increased incidence among teachers and students relative to the general population, following school re-openings.
The Dragon's gift: an empirical analysis of China's foreign aid in the new century
Authors: Ye Min 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThe new century has witnessed rapid growth in China's foreign aid. However, there is still yet any consensus about the nature or the consequences of China's foreign aid. In this study, the author reviews the history of China's foreign aid and finds significant changes in China's foreign aid policy in the past seven decades.Design/methodology/approachThe author analyzes China's foreign aid data between 2000 and 2017 from the AidData program with a Tobit model.FindingsThis study’s results show both the similarities and differences between China and Western donors. These “Chinese characteristics” in its foreign aid, we argue, illustrate China's dual identity in the new century: both the largest developing country that minds its own economic development and an emerging global power that aspires to elevate its global status and enhance its soft power.Originality/valueThis article is, to the author’s knowledge, one of the first comprehensive empirical analysis of China's foreign aid using the data from AidData program. It will enrich our understanding of the nature and consequences of China's foreign aid in the new century.