bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Illuminating Subsurface Microbial Water Quality Patterns Using Adenosine Triphosphate and Dynamic Time Warping Approaches
Authors: Chik Alex H. S. , Emelko Monica B. , Blaschke Alfred P. , Schijven Jack F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAquifer microbial water quality evaluations are often performed by collecting groundwater samples from monitoring wells. While samples collected from continuously pumped sources are seldom disputed as representative of the aquifer, natural biofilm present in the vicinity of well screens may introduce unwanted microbial artefacts in monitoring wells that are only periodically sampled. The need for well water purging to obtain samples void of these artefacts has been widely recognized. However, purging methods are not standardized; many approaches presume that physico‐chemical water quality stability achieved through the removal of 3 to 5 well volumes is indicative of the stability of target analytes. Using a data set collected from a shallow unconfined aquifer in Southern Ontario, Canada, the need for using dedicated approaches that account for the time‐dependent nature of microbial water quality changes was demonstrated. Specifically, the utility of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a rapid, field‐ready biochemical indicator of microbial water quality stability was investigated. This work shows that ATP concentrations reflect time‐limited (bio)colloid transport processes that are consistent with other microbial water quality parameters monitored, but different from commonly measured physical and chemical water quality indicators of well purging adequacy. ATP concentrations occasionally fluctuated even after 3 or 4 h of purging, indicating that microbial artefacts attributable to biofilms in the vicinity of the well screen can still persist. The recurrence of characteristic ATP patterns in each well was systematically examined through the novel application of dynamic time warping (DTW), a nonparametric time series analysis approach. These patterns are believed to be linked with seasonal hydrogeological conditions, which warrant consideration in the design and interpretation of subsurface microbial water quality investigations.
Effects of branched‐chain amino acids and Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC18217 on volatiles formation and textural properties of dry‐cured fermented sausage
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Liu Rui , Ge Qingfeng , Wu Mangang , Xu Baocai , Xi Jun , Yu Hai 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs, leucine, isoleucine and valine) combined with Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC18217 (L. plantarum) on the flavours and quality of fermented sausages. The parameters included pH, water activity, colour, texture, BCAAs metabolites and flavour compounds of fermented sausages in eight different groups (sausages with L. plantarum and individual BCAAs, that is L + Leu, L + Ile and L + Val groups; sausages with individual BCAAs, that is the Leu, Ile and Val groups; sausages only with L. plantarum assigned as the L group; and sausages with no L. plantarum and BCAAs assigned as the CK group). The results showed that the addition of BCAAs and L. plantarum significantly increased the hardness, cohesiveness and springiness of sausages. A total of sixty‐nine flavour compounds were identified in fermented sausages. The content of methyl‐branched alcohols, aldehydes, acids in the L. plantarum and BCAAs group significantly increased compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, our data suggest the addition of L. plantarum and BCAAs potentially improved the texture of fermented sausages and formation of volatile flavours.
Association of pulse pressure, pulse pressure index, and ambulatory arterial stiffness index with kidney function in a cross‐sectional pediatric chronic kidney disease cohort from the CKiD study
Authors: Raina Rupesh , Polaconda Shyam , Nair Nikhil , Chakraborty Ronith , Sethi Sidharth , Krishnappa Vinod , Kapur Gaurav , Mhanna Maroun , Kusumi Kirsten 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe morbidity and mortality of adult and pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) populations are mainly driven by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Improving CVD outcomes focuses on risk assessment of factors including diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), pulse pressure (PP), and pulse pressure index (PPi), which is calculated as PP/SBP. These markers are also proven predictors of CKD progression; however, their role in children has not been established. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between PP, PPi, ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), and proteinuria with kidney function in pediatric CKD patients; it is a retrospective analysis of 620 patients (1‐16 years) from the NIDDK Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) registry. The authors analyzed data for three separate cohorts: an overall CKD as well as immunological versus non‐immunological cause for CKD groups. An inverse relationship was found between SBP, DBP, and PP with iGFR and LVMI in the overall CKD group. Our immunological CKD subgroup showed significantly higher serum creatinine, SBP, DBP, and PP values with significantly lower serum albumin levels compared to the non‐immunological group. There were no significant differences with iohexol‐based glomerular filtration rate (iGFR), LVMI, PPi, or high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) between the two groups. A subgroup analysis demonstrated that SBP, DBP, and PP all correlated significantly with LVMI in the immunological CKD patients but not the non‐immunological subgroup. Additionally, AASI data in the overall CKD population were significantly correlated with PP, PPi, and DBP. This study is one of the first to correlate noninvasive measurements of vascular compliance including PP, PPi, and AASI with iGFR and LVMI in a pediatric CKD cohort. Improving our understanding of surrogate markers for early CVD is integral to improving the care of pediatric CKD population as these patients have yet to develop the hard end points of ESRD, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke.
COVID‐19 and diabetes: Is there enough evidence?
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Cuspidi Cesare , Sala Carla 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe pandemic of COVID‐19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent data showed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most prevalent comorbidities in COVID‐19 patients. Additionally, data indicate that hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are important risk factors for progression and unfavorable outcome in COVID‐19 patients. There is only limited amount of data regarding follow‐up of these patients, and they provided conflicting results. The main limitation is a small number of participants and particularly those who experienced primary composite outcome (admission in intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death). Additionally, the limited number of patients was essential obstacle for performing analysis that would include many confounding factors such as advanced age, smoking status, and obesity and potentially change conclusion. So far, there is no study that demonstrated independent predictive value of diabetes on mortality in COVID‐19 patients, but there are many speculations about the association between diabetes and susceptibility to novel coronavirus, as well as its impact on progression and prognosis of COVID‐19. The aim of this review article was to summarize the current knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and COVID‐19 and its role in outcome in these patients.
TLR3 ligation affects differentiation and stemness properties of gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Mekhemar Mohamed , Tölle Johannes , Dörfer Christof , Fawzy El‐Sayed Karim 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimToll‐like receptors are key players in mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells’ micro‐environmental crosstalk, endorsing various biological reactions. For the first time, this study investigates the effects of TLR3‐ligation on gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (G‐MSCs) stemness and differentiation properties.Material and MethodsG‐MSCs (n = 5) were isolated, sorted using anti‐STRO‐1 antibodies,and sowed on culture dishes to generate colony‐forming units (CFUs), and their stem/progenitor cells’ features and TLR3 expression were characterized. Subsequently, TLR3 activation of G‐MSCs via Poly (I:C) was done, followed by an analysis of the expression of pluripotency‐related factors, mesenchymal stemness‐associated surface markers, and the ability to form CFUs and multilineage differentiation, using qualitative and quantitative histochemistry and RT‐PCR.ResultsG‐MSCs demonstrated all predefined stem/progenitor cells’ characteristics and TLR3 expression. TLR3‐activated G‐MSCs showed a significantly reduced ability to form CFUs and pluripotency transcriptional factors expression. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell‐associated surface markers and multilinear differentiation potential were significantly higher following TLR3 ligation (p < .05, Wilcoxon signed rank test).ConclusionsTLR3‐mediated activation maintains the mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells phenotype and drives G‐MSCs’ differentiation and commitment, with a shift away from an undifferentiated pluripotent cellular phenotype. This distinctive modulation could influence potential therapeutic applications of G‐MSCs.
Commentary: Embracing innovation is necessary to improve assessment and care for individuals with ASD: a reflection on Kanne and Bishop (2020)
Authors: Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Warren Zachary 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis commentary is offered in response to Kanne and Bishop (2020) who urge caution in adopting new devices and processes for ASD assessment and advocate that that comprehensive, expert‐driven, diagnostic models for ASD remain essential to maintain quality standards. While we agree that there is a critical shortage in current care, we propose that developing suites of tools and innovative approaches for screening, risk‐classification, formal diagnosis, and rich assessment of abilities and challenges may be of great value to families and necessary to improve current systems of care. As well, the evaluation of ‘assessment quality’ should take into consideration both content and process, with a focus on achieving meaningful outcomes and optimizing family experience.
Dunnock social status correlates with sperm speed, but fast sperm does not always equal high fitness
Authors: Lara Carlos E. , Taylor Helen R. , Holtmann Benedikt , Johnson Sheri L. , Santos Eduardo S. A. , Gemmell Neil J. , Nakagawa Shinichi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSperm competition theory predicts that males should modulate sperm investment according to their social status. Sperm speed, one proxy of sperm quality, also influences the outcome of sperm competition because fast sperm cells may fertilize eggs before slow sperm cells. We evaluated whether the social status of males predicted their sperm speed in a wild population of dunnocks (Prunella modularis). In addition to the traditional analysis of the average speed of sperm cells per sample, we also analysed subsamples of the fastest sperm cells per sample. In other words, we systematically evaluated the effects of including different numbers of the fastest sperm in our analyses, ranging from the 5‐fastest sperm cells to the 100‐fastest sperm cells in a sample. We further evaluated whether fitness, defined here as the number of chicks sired per male per breeding season, relates to the sperm speed in the same population. We found that males in monogamous pairings (i.e. low levels of sperm competition), produced the slowest sperm cells, whereas subordinate males in polyandrous male–male coalitions (i.e. high levels of sperm competition) produced the fastest sperm cells. This result was consistent regardless of the number of fastest sperm included in our analyses, but statistical support was conditional on the number of sperm cells included in the analysis. Interestingly, we found no significant relationship between fitness and sperm speed, which suggests that it is possible that the differential mating opportunities across social status levelled out any possible difference. Our study also suggests that it is important to identify biologically meaningful subsets of fastest sperm and cut‐offs for inclusions for assessing sperm competition via sperm speed.
Learning curve of double‐guidewire technique by trainees during hands‐on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training
Authors: Wang Xiangping , Ren Gui , Xi Yibin , Luo Hui , Liang Shuhui , Wang Biaoluo , Tao Qin , Luo Bing , Qin Qian , Farrell James J , Guo Xuegang , Wu Kaichun , Pan Yanglin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsDouble‐guidewire technique (DWT) has been successfully performed by experts in difficult biliary cannulation as an advanced technique. This study aimed to define the learning curve and safety of DWT by trainees during hands‐on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) training.MethodsPatients were eligible for inclusion in the study if the biliary cannulation was difficult and the pancreatic duct was inadvertently cannulated. DWT was performed by two trainees randomly under trainers' guidance. The primary outcome was the success rate of DWT biliary cannulation of trainees. Cumulative sum analysis was used to generate visual learning curves.ResultsA total of 60 patients with difficult cannulation were enrolled. The main indications for ERCP were common bile duct stones (65%) and biliary stricture (31.7%). The learning curve analysis showed that to achieve a 70% rate of successful DWT, 12 procedures were needed for trainee A and 15 for trainee B. Higher targeted success rate of DWT could be achieved if the number of DWT procedures increased. Compared with the early stage of learning DWT (case 1 to 15 for each trainee), trainees had significantly higher DWT success rate in the late stage (36.7% [11/30] vs 80% [24/30], P = 0.001). The final success rate of cannulation was 98.3% (59/60). The overall rate of post‐ERCP pancreatitis and adverse events was 6.7% (4/60) and 8.3% (5/60), respectively.ConclusionsDouble‐guidewire technique was safely performed by two novel trainees during hands‐on ERCP training. Fifteen procedures may be enough for trainees to achieve the competency of performing DWT. (Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT03707613).
Comparison of percutaneous vs endoscopic drainage in the management of pancreatic fluid collections: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wan Jianhua , Wu Dangyan , He Wenhua , Zhu Yin , Zhu Yong , Zeng Hao , Liu Pi , Xia Liang , Lu Nonghua 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimCurrently, endoscopic drainage (ED) and percutaneous drainage (PD) are both widely used effective interventions in the management of patients with symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of ED to those of PD in the treatment of PFCs.MethodsA prospective cohort study of PFC patients who underwent ED or PD was conducted between January 2009 and December 2017. In this study, the initial success rate, adverse events, intervention, requirement of surgical treatment, hospital mortality within 30 days, length of hospital stay, and expenses during hospitalization were monitored, and a follow‐up investigation of treatment outcome was conducted. Long‐term recovery, recurrence, and mortality were determined according to telephone follow up.ResultsIn total, 129 patients were included in the study; 62 patients underwent ED, and 67 patients underwent PD during the 8‐year study period. Initial treatment success was considerably higher in patients whose PFCs were managed by ED than in patients whose PFCs were managed by PD (94.9% vs 65.0%, P = 0.003). The rate of procedural adverse events, reintervention, length of hospitalization, and expense were all higher in the PD group than in the ED group, but the long‐term recovery rate and requirement of surgical intervention were not clearly different between patients who underwent the two treatment measures.ConclusionED of symptomatic PFCs was associated with higher rates of initial treatment success, lower rates of reintervention and adverse events, and a shorter hospital stay than PD of symptomatic PFCs.
Imaging of Paranasal Sinus Infections in Children: A Review
Authors: Orman Gunes , Kralik Stephen F. , Desai Nilesh , Meoded Avner , Vallejo Jesus G. , Huisman Thierry A. G. M. , Tran Brandon H. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTParanasal sinuses (PNS) infections are common in children. They may cause common and well‐known complications, but also, unusual and potentially devastating complications. Diagnosing PNS infections and complications in children requires knowledge of the unique anatomy of the nasal cavity and the PNS. In fetal life, nasal mucosa evaginations into the lateral nasal walls initiate the development of the PNS. The PNS continue to develop after birth and complete their maturation and pneumatization at different ages during childhood which makes the pattern of PNS infections determined by patient age. Complications are caused by direct spread of the infection to the orbit, face, intracranial or osseous structures or hematogenous spread of the infection to the intracranial structures. Emergent imaging studies are often necessary in the evaluation of the complications in pediatric patients when the symptoms persist for 10 days and/or if there is evidence of intracranial or orbital complications. In addition, immunocompromised children are especially vulnerable to developing unusual complications. Computed tomography (CT) is excellent for determining whether there is intraorbital extension of PNS disease. However, when the infection approaches the orbital apex, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study with contrast is necessary to assess spread into the cavernous sinus and the intracranial compartment. The goal of this manuscript is to review and characterize imaging findings of PNS infections using CT and MRI allowing determination of the extent of PNS infections and their common and unusual complications in children. In addition, a summary of the development of the normal PNS is provided.
Reproductive Justice Special Issue Introduction “Reproductive Justice: Moving the Margins to the Center in Social Issues Research”
Authors: Eaton Asia A. , Stephens Dionne P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractReproductive justice recognizes that women and girls’ reproductive health is shaped by intersecting systemic oppressions (e.g., racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism) which affect their ability to make meaningful choices about their reproductive lives. The articles in this issue represent a coordinated effort to apply the reproductive justice framework to the scientific study of social issues. Consistent with reproductive justice principles, all articles acknowledge the foundation of reproductive justice in the experiences and knowledge of women of color, consider the roles of power, privilege, and oppression throughout the inquiry process, and address the utility of findings for improving the lives of marginalized groups through structural and social change. With this special issue, we hope to reframe the relationship between research and practice on marginalized populations’ reproductive health, and contribute to efforts to apply reproductive justice across domains of social science, including psychological science.
Quality of Life and Impact of Cancer: Differences in Rural and Nonrural Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors
Authors: Noonan Devon , LeBlanc Matthew , Conley Cherie , Benecha Habtamu , Leak‐Bryant Ashley , Peter Kellen , Zimmerman Sheryl , Mayer Deborah , Smith Sophia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurposePeople living in rural areas experience greater health disparities than their nonrural counterparts, but little is known about the association between rural status and quality of life (QOL) in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) survivors. We compared self‐reported quality of life and impact of cancer in rural and nonrural NHL survivors.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of 566 NHL cancer survivors recruited from cancer registries at 2 large academic medical centers in 1 state. Standardized measures collected information on demographics and clinical characteristics, quality of life (QOL; SF‐36), and the Impact of Cancer (IOCv2). Rural residence was determined by Rural‐Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes designated as nonmetropolitan. Multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, was used to evaluate the relationship between rural residence and QOL and impact of cancer.FindingsAmong the 566 participants (83% response rate), rural residence was independently associated with lower SF‐36 physical component summary scores and the physical function subscale (all P < .05). Rural residence was also associated with higher IOCv2 positive impact scores and the subscales of altruism/empathy and meaning of cancer scores in the adjusted models (all P < .05).ConclusionsGiven documented rural cancer disparities and the lack of resources in rural communities, study findings support the continued need to provide supportive care to rural cancer survivors to improve their QOL. Consistent with previous research, rural residence status is associated with increased positive impact following cancer diagnosis.
Diversity of simultaneous sleep in the motor cortex and hippocampus in rats
Authors: Petrovic Jelena , Radovanovic Ljiljana , Saponjic Jasna 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe investigated the homogeneity/heterogeneity of spontaneous sleep, simultaneously recorded in the motor cortex and the hippocampus of control rats, and particularly analysed simultaneous and non‐simultaneous motor cortical and hippocampal non‐rapid eye movement (NREM)/rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. We demonstrate that the sleep architectures of the motor cortex and hippocampus are different in control rats. There was an increase of NREM duration and a decrease of REM duration in the hippocampus versus the motor cortex. In terms of duration, NREM state is the most heterogeneous in the hippocampus, whereas the REM state is the most heterogeneous in the motor cortex. Whereas the hippocampal NREM duration was increased due to the prolongation of NREM episodes, the hippocampal REM duration decreased due to the decreased number of REM episodes. The heterogeneity of sleep in the motor cortex and hippocampus in control rats was particularly expressed through the inverse alteration of sigma amplitude during NREM sleep and beta/gamma amplitudes during REM sleep in the hippocampus, along with the delta, sigma, beta and gamma amplitudes only during non‐simultaneous NREM/REM sleep in the hippocampus. We demonstrated the brain structure‐related and NREM/REM state‐related heterogeneity of the motor cortical and hippocampal local sleep in control rats. The distinctly altered local NREM/REM states, alongside their episode dynamics and electroencephalographic (EEG) microstructures, suggest the importance of both the local neuronal network substrate and the NREM/REM neurochemical substrate in the control mechanisms of sleep.