bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of age with emergency department visits and hospital admissions: A nationwide study
Authors: Fimognari Filippo Luca , Lelli Diana , Landi Francesco , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele 
Published: September 2022

AimOlder adults are frequently stigmatized for improper emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between age and appropriateness of ED visits, and the mismatching between ED clinical severity and hospitalizations.MethodsWe carried out a nationwide assessment of Italian Informative System for the Emergency and Urgency data from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 including patients admitted to all the Italian EDs for any reason. Appropriateness of ED visits was defined as a yellow/red/black color code (potentially life‐threatening/dead patients), whereas clinical severity/hospitalization mismatching was defined as hospital admission after validated ED green/white codes. Analyses dedicated to people aged ≥75 years were carried out.ResultsThere were 20 400 071 ED visits (3 444 091 aged ≥75 years), which increased with age, up to >650/1000 inhabitants aged ≥90 years. The appropriateness of ED visits increased with age, from 6.3% in the 5–9 years age group to 44.2% in the 95–99 years age group. Clinical severity/hospitalization mismatching decreased with age, from 62.9% in the 30–34 years age group to 27.7% in the 95–99 years age group. At ED presentation, 21.6% of patients aged ≥75 years complained of non‐specific symptoms, and hospital discharge diagnoses frequently differed from the ED admission diagnoses; 11.4% died during hospitalization and 8.8% were discharged to long‐term care facilities.ConclusionsThe request for ED care and the admission to acute care ward are commonly appropriate for older patients. Clinical presentation at ED admission is frequently atypical. Health care systems should aim at improving outpatients' management to reduce the ED care need, but also at optimizing in‐hospital strategies and pathways for older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 917–923.
Alanine aminotransferase levels as therapeutic targets after nucleotide/nucleoside analog therapy in patient with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Kirino Sakura , Tamaki Nobuharu , Kurosaki Masayuki , Kaneko Shun , Inada Kento , Tanaka Yuki , Ishido Shun , Yamashita Koji , Nobusawa Tsubasa , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Hayakawa Yuka , Kakegawa Tatsuya , Higuchi Mayu , Takaura Kenta , Tanaka Shohei , Maeyashiki Chiaki , Yasui Yutaka , Takahashi Yuka , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Okamoto Ryuichi , Izumi Namiki 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimAlanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a criterion for the introduction of nucleotide/nucleoside analog (NA), and ALT levels are decreased by NA treatment. However, the association between post‐treatment ALT levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk remains unclear. To fill this gap, we aimed to establish a target value of ALT level during NA treatment.MethodsIn total, 413 patients with chronic hepatitis B who received entecavir, tenofovir alafenamide, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were enrolled. The subsequent development of HCC was examined and a target value of ALT level during NA treatment as a risk marker for HCC was evaluated.ResultsThe median follow‐up duration was 5.1 years, during which time 27 patients (8.6%) developed HCC. ALT level at the start of treatment was not associated with HCC development (p = 0.08). When stratified by ALT at 1 year after NA initiation, the cumulative 3‐ and 5‐year rates of HCC for patients with ALT ≥21 IU/L were 11.5% and 18.1%, and those with ALT <21 IU/L was 2.3% and 6.5%, respectively. Patients with ALT <21 IU/L had a significantly lower risk of HCC development compared with patients with ALT ≥21 IU/L (p = 0.002). In multivariable analysis adjusting age, sex, and platelet counts, ALT ≥21 IU/L was an independent risk factor of HCC development with hazard ratio of 4.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–20.4).ConclusionsALT <21 IU/L at 1 year after NA initiation has a lower risk of HCC and could be used as a target value for NA treatment.
Factors to control the alignment of surface‐treated titanium dioxide powders to maximize performance of sunscreens
Authors: Takekawa Shoji , Ohara Miwa , Banno Taisuke , Asakura Kouichi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectiveTitanium dioxide powders are contained in a large class of colour cosmetics and sunscreen formulas. When they are used, the formation of a uniform functional powder layer on the skin is an important factor to show their functionality, such as aesthetic and UV protection. Attempts were made to extract the factors that affect the UV shielding ability of the deposited powder layer.MethodsSeven kinds of surface treatments were conducted on nano‐sized titanium dioxide powder to modify the surface characteristics. Dispersion samples were prepared by mixing these powders with liquids, such as mixed solutions of cyclopentasiloxane, isododecane, coconuts alkane and dimethicone using a disperser and a bead mill. The dispersions were applied using an applicator on cellulose triacetate film, polycarbonate film and polymethyl pentene film. Laser microscope observation and micro‐gloss glossmeter analysis were carried out to assess the flatness of the deposited powder layers, and the UV shielding ability was evaluated using SPF analyser.ResultsFactors whose influences on the structure and UV shielding ability of the deposited powder layer being analysed were pseudo‐HLB of the powders, liquids for preparing the dispersions and material of the substrates. Higher UV shielding ability was attained when powders having pseudo‐HLB at around 6 were employed independent from the kinds of liquids and substrates. Flatness of the deposited layer was found to enhance the UV shielding ability of the UV‐B region, while that of the UV‐A region was scarcely influenced by the flatness. Employing lower surface tension liquids for preparing the dispersions and materials exhibiting lower polar components of surface free energy as substrates tended to enhance the UV shielding ability.ConclusionSurface treatments conducted on the powders in this study were found to change UV shielding ability, especially UV‐B shielding ability, and the relation between pseudo‐HLB and UV shielding ability was scarcely influenced by the kinds of liquids. Both surface tension of liquids and the polar component of surface free energy of substrates affected the UV shielding ability. It was suggested that pseudo‐HLB calculated based on chemical structure becomes useful information to choose optimum surface treatment to make uniform powder alignment independent from the surrounding environment.
Expression of BCL11A in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Tosic Natasa , Ugrin Milena , Marjanovic Irena , Kostic Tatjana , Vukovic Vojin , Tomic Kristina , Otasevic Vladimir , Antic Darko , Mihaljevic Biljana , Pavlovic Sonja , Karan‐Djurasevic Teodora 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe B‐cell lymphoma/leukaemia 11A (BCL11A) gene encodes a Krüppel‐like transcription factor involved in lymphocyte development during normal haematopoiesis. Aberrant expression of BCL11A has been observed in several haematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, its functions in the regulatory networks of malignant B lymphocytes are poorly understood, as are the relations to clinical course and outcome of B‐cell malignancies, particularly CLL.MethodsThe expression of BCL11A was analysed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 87 newly‐diagnosed CLL patients by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and association with clinical and molecular variables was assessed.ResultsBCL11A was significantly overexpressed in CLL samples compared to control samples (p < 0.001). BCL11A expression level exhibited no association with age, sex, leukocyte, lymphocyte and platelet counts, haemoglobin level, serum β2‐microglobulin, CD38 status and cytogenetic abnormalities. On the other hand, high BCL11A expression was associated with low serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.031), Binet A stage (p = 0.047) and mutated IGHV (p = 0.028). In addition, a positive correlation with BCL2/BAX mRNA ratio was observed (r = 0.36; p < 0.001). Regarding the association with the time to first treatment (TTFT), a trend towards longer median TTFT in BCL11A high‐ versus BCL11A low‐expressing cases was detected (21 vs. 6 months; p = 0.164).ConclusionThe results of this study show that BCL11A is upregulated in CLL patients, and that high BCL11A expression at diagnosis may be associated with better prognosis. These data are consistent with the role of BCL11A expression in CLL biology, and imply its potential prognostic relevance.
Anaemia can be improved by controlling the disease activity of Takayasu's arteritis without iron administration
Authors: Guo Yanqiu , Du Juan , Li Taotao , Gao Na , Pan Lili 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundAnaemia is a common clinical manifestation observed in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK), but few studies have been conducted. This study investigated whether improvement of inflammatory indicators was associated with improvement of anaemia in TAK. We also investigated whether iron supplement treatment could benefit in addition to immunosuppressant therapy in the anaemia patients with TAK.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of 160 patients diagnosed with TAK. All patients were further assigned into anaemia group (67 cases) or non‐anaemia group (93 cases) according to their haemoglobin levels. Fifty two anaemia patients completed follow‐up (median 5.2 months).ResultsThere were 67 (41.88%) anaemia patients among all 160 TAK patients. Compared to TAK patients without anaemia, the average age [32 (24, 45) vs. 40 (31, 48), p = 0.002], disease duration [36 (7, 120) vs. 72 (14, 162), p = 0.017] and BMI [21.43 (18.96, 23.81) vs. 22.86 (20.09, 25.81), p = 0.008] were significantly lower in TAK patients with anaemia. The levels of ESR [23 (15, 51) vs. 11 (5.5, 22), p = 0.0001] and CRP [9.33 (1.99, 27.8) vs. 1.99 (0.45, 6.68), p = 0.0001] were significantly increased in TAK patients who complicated with anaemia. After follow‐up, decrease of ESR, CRP and disease activity score (NIH and ITAS) were significantly associated with improvement of anaemia. One unit decrease of ESR and CRP, the hazard ratio of the improvement rate of anaemia was 1.02 [95% CI (1.00, 1.03); p = 0.027] and 1.04 [95% CI (1.02, 1.07); p < 0.001] respectively. One point decrease of NIH and ITAS‐A was associated with a higher probability of anaemia improvement [HR 95% CI: 1.25 (1.02, 1.41), p = 0.022, HR 95% CI: 1.62 (1.21, 2.17), p = 0.001]. These relationships were consistent between iron supplement treatment group and without iron supplement treatment group. We found no significant difference in cumulative hazard between the two groups (p = 0.692).ConclusionAnaemia was a common complication in TAK. Decrease of ESR, CRP and disease activity score (NIH and ITAS) were significantly associated with improvement of anaemia, even after adjusting for various covariates. Moreover, these relationships were consistent between iron supplement treatment group and without iron supplement treatment group. There was no significant difference in the improvement of anaemia in patients receiving immunosuppressant therapy with or without iron supplement treatment.
miRNAs in prostate cancer: Intercellular and extracellular communications
Authors: Urabe Fumihiko , Yamamoto Yusuke , Kimura Takahiro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractProstate cancer is the most prevalent male cancer in Western Europe and North America. Although new drugs were recently approved, clinical challenges such as accurately predicting and screening drug‐resistant prostate cancer remain. microRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that participate in gene regulation at the post‐transcriptional level by targeting messenger RNAs. There is accumulating evidence that intracellular microRNAs play important roles as promoters or inhibitors of prostate cancer progression. Additionally, recent studies showed that microRNAs are encapsulated in extracellular vesicles and shuttled into the extracellular space. Transfer of extracellular microRNAs contributes to intercellular communication between prostate cancer cells and components of the tumor microenvironment, which can promote prostate cancer progression. Furthermore, due to their encapsulation in extracellular vesicles, extracellular microRNAs can be stably present in body fluids which contain high levels of RNase. Thus, circulating microRNAs have great potential as noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer. Here, we summarize the roles of intracellular and extracellular microRNAs in prostate cancer progression and discuss the potential of microRNA‐based therapeutics as a novel treatment strategy for prostate cancer.
Impact of mortgage soft information in loan pricing on default prediction using machine learning
Authors: Luong Thi Mai , Scheule Harald , Wanzare Nitya 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe analyze the impact of soft information on US mortgages for default prediction and provide a new measure for lender soft information that is based on the interest rates offered to borrowers and incremental to public hard information. Hard and soft information provide for a variation in annual default probabilities of approximately 3%. Soft information has a lesser impact over time and time since origination. Lenders rely more on soft information for high‐risk borrowers. Our study evidences the importance of soft information collected at loan origination.
Labor unions and post‐acquisition integration capability: Evidence from goodwill impairment
Authors: Kallousa Najlaa , Jang Youngki , Jung Boochun , Warsame Hussein 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe examine whether operating inflexibility posed by labor unions affects goodwill impairment. We predict such inflexibility hinders resource reallocation after acquisition, thereby preventing the acquiring firm from realizing synergies included in goodwill. Consistent with this prediction, we find that the strength of labor unions is positively associated with the likelihood and magnitude of goodwill impairment losses. Our results are robust to a battery of tests that address the potential endogeneity. Furthermore, we find that managers who possess superior ability mitigate the negative consequences of labor unions on goodwill impairment. Overall, our findings suggest that operating inflexibility posed by labor unions is an important determinant of goodwill impairment that indicates a failure to realize the expected synergy from the acquisition.
miR‐486 improves fibrotic activity in myocardial infarction by targeting SRSF3/p21‐Mediated cardiac myofibroblast senescence
Authors: Chen Hongyi , Lv Luocheng , Liang Ruoxu , Guo Weimin , Liao Zhaofu , Chen Yilin , Zhu Kuikui , Huang Ruijin , Zhao Hui , Pu Qin , Yuan Ziqiang , Zeng Zhaohua , Zheng Xin , Feng Shanshan , Qi Xufeng , Cai Dongqing 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe regulation of fibrotic activities is key to improving pathological remodelling post‐myocardial infarction (MI). Currently, in the clinic, safe and curative therapies for cardiac fibrosis and improvement of the pathological fibrotic environment, scar formation and pathological remodelling post‐MI are lacking. Previous studies have shown that miR‐486 is involved in the regulation of fibrosis. However, it is still unclear how miR‐486 functions in post‐MI regeneration. Here, we first demonstrated that miR‐486 targeting SRSF3/p21 mediates the senescence of cardiac myofibroblasts to improve their fibrotic activity, which benefits the regeneration of MI by limiting scar size and post‐MI remodelling. miR‐486‐targeted silencing has high potential as a novel target to improve fibrotic activity, cardiac fibrosis and pathological remodelling.
Novel Shared Decision‐Making Tool Improves Contraceptive Screening and Right Care during Pregnancy in a Military Hospital: A Quality Improvement Report
Authors: Guertin Jamie , Lanuza Kalena 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionUnintended pregnancy rates in the military remain high compared with rates outside of the military in the United States (54%‐60% vs 45%‐50%, respectively). Contraceptive counseling in conjunction with shared decision‐making is recommended to improve military unintended pregnancy rates. Best counseling practices and decision aids for contraceptive counseling are unknown in military and nonmilitary populations. Pregnancy may be an opportune time to complete contraceptive counseling because of regularly scheduled prenatal visits, and counseling during pregnancy is associated with higher postpartum contraception use. A quality initiative was implemented to improve contraceptive screening and counseling during pregnancy for servicewomen and nonservicewomen in a clinic setting.ProcessThe initiative included 4 patient‐centered core interventions: a patient screening, a shared decision‐making tool, a right care checklist, and a team engagement plan, across 4 rapid plan‐do‐study‐act cycles.OutcomesContraceptive screening rates and delivery of right care improved from 37% to 79% in the pregnant patients over 90 days; 81% of patients screened positive for contraception needs; 89% of patients made a same‐day decision about their contraception plan after completing the tool; and 92% of patients had a contraception plan documented in the electronic health record by the health care provider prior to birth.DiscussionResults demonstrated that contraception screening rates and right care improved with initiative interventions for servicewomen and nonservicewomen. A novel shared decision‐making tool presented 18 contraception methods, risks and benefits, and tiered effectiveness that aided the majority of patients in a same‐day decision with high patient satisfaction. Provider counseling was also simplified without delay in clinic time. Contraceptive counseling completed with a shared decision‐making tool may benefit military and civilian populations during pregnancy. Additional research is needed to examine the best time to conduct counseling during pregnancy and the long‐term rates of contraceptive use or unplanned pregnancy following counseling events.
Franz Oppenheimer (1926), Die soziologische Staatsidee. (Die Eroberung) [The Sociological Idea of the State (The Conquest)]
Authors: Keim Wiebke 
Published: September 2022

AbstractF. Oppenheimer's System der Soziologie is a multivolume publication that contains a general sociology as a common basis for all social sciences; a theory of development; as well as specialized sociologies: sociology of the economy, of law, of the state, etc. Oppenheimer conceived sociology as a historically grounded universal science. Ibn Khaldun came into play in relationship with Oppenheimer's state theory. His approach directly built on Gumplowicz's “sociological state theory”. An overview on Oppenheimer's works shows that Ibn Khaldun was by no means the starting point of theorization on the state. We do not find any reference to him in an earlier publication, Der Staat (1912), that already contained the full elaboration of Oppenheimer's theory. Nevertheless, his reception of Ibn Khaldun is important: Ibn Khaldun was mobilized within the framework of a scholarly debate that was ongoing amongst European sociologists at the time, and whose key representative, Ludwig Gumplowicz, contributed significantly to his reception in the concerned period. In this context, Oppenheimer did not merely mention Ibn Khaldun in an encyclopaedic endeavor to present a complete overview on “precursors” of sociology, but as a representative and contributor to a theoretical approach which, Oppenheimer believed, they both shared.
Three‐dimensional vessel wall MRI to characterize thrombus prior to endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke
Authors: Kumagai Kosuke , Hayashi Miyuka , Ueda Tooru , Nishida Sho , Ishihara Hideaki , Hayashi Shinji , Katoh Hiroshi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackground and PurposeEndovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion requires rapid and reliable imaging of the vessel course including the clot to reduce complications and ensure success. However, no method to acquire this information has been established.MethodsSix consecutive patients with AIS caused by large vessel occlusion underwent EVT in our institute. High‐resolution vessel wall MRI was performed using three‐dimensional (3D) variable refocusing flip angle pulse and turbo spin‐echo sequences (VRFA‐TSE) with the volume isotropic turbo spin‐echo acquisition (VISTA) technique. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 3D proton density‐weighted (PDW) VRFA‐TSE (called PDW‐VISTA) compared with T2‐weighted (T2W) VRFA‐TSE (called T2W‐VISTA) to demonstrate the cerebral vessels including the occluded invisible lesion.ResultsPDW‐VISTA and T2W‐VISTA were successfully performed in all cases. PDW‐VISTA was more useful to visualize the anterior circulation than T2W‐VISTA by clearly revealing invisible vessels, whereas PDW‐VISTA and T2W‐VISTA had similar findings in the posterior circulation. The vessel courses shown by 3D PDW‐VISTA imaging before treatment and digital subtraction angiography after treatment showed good agreement in all cases. Furthermore, 3D PDW‐VISTA imaging demonstrated the length and size of the clot.ConclusionsPDW‐VISTA imaging was found to more clearly depict the cerebral vessels including occluded lesion than T2W‐VISTA imaging. Findings of thrombus size and length were important for correctly placing the stent retriever and securing safety during the procedure.
Home nocturnal infrared video to record non‐rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias
Authors: Lopez Régis , Barateau Lucie , Chenini Sofiène , Rassu Anna Laura , Dauvilliers Yves 
Published: September 2022

SummaryTo assess the feasibility, the acceptability and the usefulness of home nocturnal infrared video in recording the frequency and the complexity of non‐rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias in adults, and in monitoring the treatment response. Twenty adult patients (10 males, median age 27.5 years) with a diagnosis of non‐rapid eye movement parasomnia were consecutively enrolled. They had a face‐to‐face interview, completed self‐reported questionnaires to assess clinical characteristics and performed a video‐polysomnography in the Sleep Unit. Patients were then monitored at home during at least five consecutive nights using infrared‐triggered cameras. They completed a sleep diary and questionnaires to evaluate the number of parasomniac episodes at home and the acceptability of the home nocturnal infrared video recording. Behavioural analyses were performed on home nocturnal infrared video and video‐polysomnography recordings. Eight patients treated by clonazepam underwent a second home nocturnal infrared video recording during five consecutive days. All patients had at least one parasomniac episode during the home nocturnal infrared video monitoring, compared with 75% during the video‐polysomnography. A minimum of three consecutive nights with home nocturnal infrared video was required to record at least one parasomniac episode. Most patients underestimated the frequency of episodes on the sleep diary compared with home nocturnal infrared video. Episodes recorded at home were often more complex than those recorded during the video‐polysomnography. The user‐perceived acceptability of the home nocturnal infrared video assessment was excellent. The frequency and the complexity of the parasomniac episodes decreased with clonazepam. Home nocturnal infrared video has good feasibility and acceptability, and may improve the evaluation of the phenotype and severity of the non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias and of the treatment response in an ecological setting.