bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asthma and Academic Performance Among Children and Youth in North America: A Systematic Review
Authors: Schneider Tali 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe increasing prevalence of asthma among adolescents and the limited studies exploring the educational outcomes for youth coping with asthma makes the inquiry in this field of special interest. This paper reviews the literature on empirical studies exploring the relationship between asthma and academic performance among adolescents.METHODSFive databases (CINAHL, PubMed, ERIC EBSCO, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) were searched for peer‐reviewed empirical studies exploring the link between asthma and academic performance utilized. Studies were reviewed, logged, and assessed studies for their research design, methods, and findings. Data synthesis incorporated strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research and practice.RESULTSTwenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 13 employed a survey design and 7 evaluated school‐based interventions implementing an experimental design. Whereas researchers applied quantitative methods in all the studies, qualitative and mixed‐method designs were infrequently used. Studies showed a link between school absenteeism and asthma; other academic indicators (eg, graduation and test‐scores) showed inconsistent correlation.CONCLUSIONSFuture research should deploy more variable research designs and methods to improve understanding of the factors contributing to the relationship between adolescent asthma and academic performance. Additional topic‐specific inquiry is needed to inform school practices and policies.
Temporal profile of HEV RNA concentration in blood and stool from patients with acute uncomplicated hepatitis E in a region with genotype 1 predominance
Authors: Goel Amit , V. Padmaprakash Kodavoor , Benjamin Mercilena , Katiyar Harshita , Aggarwal Rakesh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAcute hepatitis E virus (HEV) is associated with viremia and faecal excretion of the virus. The information on duration and temporal pattern of viremia and faecal shedding in HEV infection is important, but is not available. Serial serum and stool specimens were collected from patients with acute hepatitis E (typical clinical picture, serum alanine aminotransferase levels > 5‐folds the upper limit of normal and presence of IgM anti‐HEV), beginning from within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. HEV RNA concentrations were measured in sera and 10% stool suspensions, using a real‐time Taqman‐based nucleic acid amplification assay. Seventeen patients (median age 25 [range 19‐61] years; all men) were enrolled within a median of 5 (range 3‐8) days of the onset of the first symptom and provided 113 serum specimens and 71 stool specimens. The median (range) highest levels of serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the patients were 10.3 (5.9‐43.4) mg/dL, 1817 (442‐4642) IU/L and 1016 (88‐4561) IU/L, respectively. All the 17 patients had demonstrable viremia, and 12 of the 13 patients who were tested had faecal excretion at one or more time points. The HEV RNA titres were the highest in the early phase of disease and declined rapidly with time, becoming nondetectable in the serum by day 20 and in the stool by day 21. In most of the patients with acute uncomplicated acute hepatitis E, the degree of viremia and faecal shedding decline quickly after the onset of clinical illness and rapidly disappear in parallel with each other.
Find the Missing Millions: Malaysia’s experience with nationwide hepatitis C screening campaign in the general population
Authors: Md Said Rosaida , Mohd Zain Rozainanee , Chan Huan‐Keat , Soelar Shahrul Aiman , Rusli Norhayati , Nasir Nazrila Hairizan , Zakaria Rozita , Hassan Muhammad Radzi Abu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractApproximately 2.5% of the Malaysian population is currently living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Yet, the public awareness of the disease is limited and under‐screening remains a major challenge. With the support of international non‐for‐profit organizations, the Ministry of Health in Malaysia recently launched a one‐week nationwide hepatitis C screening campaign in conjunction with the World Hepatitis Day. For the first time, the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HCV screening was introduced in public health institutions. This campaign involved 49 hospitals and 38 health clinics across the country, targeting the adult general population with unknown HCV infection status. Of the 11 382 participants undergoing the RDT, 1.9% were found to be positive for hepatitis C antibody (anti‐HCV) and were referred to on‐site medical departments or nearby hospitals for confirmatory testing and treatment. Men, the Malay ethnic group, intranasal and injection drug users and ex‐prisoners were shown to have higher odds of being positive for anti‐HCV. In addition to serving as a model to educate the general population about the disease, this campaign demonstrates the feasibility of decentralizing HCV screening, particularly by promoting the use of RDT, and linking the HCV‐infected patients to care in Malaysia.
Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, impact on engagement and behaviour of people who inject drugs, a service evaluation, the hooked C project
Authors: Caven Madeleine , Robinson Emma M. , Eriksen Ann J. , Fletcher Emma H. , Dillon John F. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThere is emerging evidence that Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment engagement is associated with change in drug behaviours and reduced drug‐related death rates among people who inject drugs (PWID). The project aims to investigate whether HCV diagnosis and treatment engagement reduces all‐cause mortality and drug‐related death, and whether any effect is dependent on treatment regimen and intensity of engagement with staff. Case‐control studies comparing: PWID with active HCV infection (PCR positive) to PWID HCV infected but spontaneously resolved (PCR negative); PCR‐positive patients who engaged with treatment services to nonengagers; and patients who received interferon vs direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) based treatment. No differences in risk of all‐cause mortality or drug‐related death between PCR‐negative controls and PCR‐positive cases were detected. The odds of all‐cause mortality was 12.2 times higher in nonengaging persons compared to treatment engaging cases (aOR 12.15, 95% CI 7.03‐20.99, P < .001). The odds of a drug‐related death were 5.5 times higher in nonengaging persons compared with treatment engaging cases (aOR 5.52, 95% CI 2.67‐ 11.44, P < .001). No differences in risk of all‐cause mortality or drug‐related death between interferon‐treated cases and DAA‐treated controls were detected. HCV treatment engagement is significantly protective against all‐cause mortality and drug‐related death. This engagement effect is independent of treatment regimen, with the introduction of DAA therapies not increasing risk of drug‐related death, suggesting intensity of HCV therapy provider interaction is not an important factor.
Modeling acute blood flow responses to a major arterial occlusion
Authors: Zhao Erin , Barber Jared , Burch Myson , Unthank Joseph , Arciero Julia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe development of earlier and less invasive treatments for peripheral arterial disease requires a more complete understanding of vascular responses following a major arterial occlusion. A mechanistic model of the vasculature of the rat hindlimb is developed to predict acute (immediate) changes in vessel diameters and smooth muscle tone following femoral arterial occlusion.MethodsVascular responses of collateral arteries and distal arterioles to changes in pressure, shear stress, and metabolism are assessed before and after occlusion. The effects of exercise are also simulated and compared with venous flow measurements from WKY rats.ResultsThe model identifies collateral arteries as the primary contributors to flow compensation following occlusion. Increasing the number of capillaries has minimal effect on blood flow while increasing the number of collateral arteries significantly increases flow, since the primary site of resistance shifts upstream to the collateral arteries following occlusion. Despite significant collateral dilation, calf flow remains below pre‐occlusion levels and the deficit becomes more severe with increased activity.ConclusionsAlthough unable to compensate fully for an occlusion, the model demonstrates the importance of the shear response in collateral arteries and the metabolic response in the distal microcirculation in acute adaptations to a major arterial occlusion.
Higher levels of daily physical activity are associated with better skin microvascular function in type 2 diabetes—The Maastricht Study
Authors: Sörensen Ben M. , van der Heide Frank C.T. , Houben Alfons J.H.M. , Koster Annemarie , T.J.M. Berendschot Tos , S.A.G. Schouten Jan , Kroon Abraham A. , van der Kallen Carla J.H. , Henry Ronald M.A. , van Dongen Martien C.J.M , J.P.M. Eussen Simone , H.C.M. Savelberg Hans. , van der Berg Julianne D. , Schaper Nicolaas C. , Schram Miranda T. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivePhysical activity may provide a means for the prevention of cardiovascular disease via improving microvascular function. Therefore, this study investigated whether physical activity is associated with skin and retinal microvascular function.MethodsIn The Maastricht Study, a population‐based cohort study enriched with type 2 diabetes (n = 1298, 47.3% women, aged 60.2 ± 8.1 years, 29.5% type 2 diabetes), we studied whether accelerometer‐assessed physical activity and sedentary time associate with skin and retinal microvascular function. Associations were studied by linear regression and adjusted for major cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, we investigated whether associations were stronger in type 2 diabetes.ResultsIn individuals with type 2 diabetes, total physical activity and higher‐intensity physical activity were independently associated with greater heat‐induced skin hyperemia (regression coefficients per hour), respectively, 10 (95% CI: 1; 18) and 36 perfusion units (14; 58). In individuals without type 2 diabetes, total physical activity and higher‐intensity physical activity were not associated with heat‐induced skin hyperemia. No associations with retinal arteriolar %‐dilation were identified.ConclusionHigher levels of total and higher‐intensity physical activity were associated with greater skin microvascular vasodilation in individuals with, but not in those without, type 2 diabetes.
Identification of the main glutamine and glutamate transporters in Staphylococcus aureus and their impact on c‐di‐AMP production
Authors: Zeden Merve S. , Kviatkovski Igor , Schuster Christopher F. , Thomas Vinai C. , Fey Paul D. , Gründling Angelika 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA Staphylococcus aureus strain deleted for the c‐di‐AMP cyclase gene dacA is unable to survive in rich medium unless it acquires compensatory mutations. Previously identified mutations were in opuD, encoding the main glycine‐betaine transporter, and alsT, encoding a predicted amino acid transporter. Here, we show that inactivation of OpuD restores the cell size of a dacA mutant to near wild‐type (WT) size, while inactivation of AlsT does not. AlsT was identified as an efficient glutamine transporter, indicating that preventing glutamine uptake in rich medium rescues the growth of the S. aureus dacA mutant. In addition, GltS was identified as a glutamate transporter. By performing growth curves with WT, alsT and gltS mutant strains in defined medium supplemented with ammonium, glutamine or glutamate, we revealed that ammonium and glutamine, but not glutamate promote the growth of S. aureus. This suggests that besides ammonium also glutamine can serve as a nitrogen source under these conditions. Ammonium and uptake of glutamine via AlsT and hence likely a higher intracellular glutamine concentration inhibited c‐di‐AMP production, while glutamate uptake had no effect. These findings provide, besides the previously reported link between potassium and osmolyte uptake, a connection between nitrogen metabolism and c‐di‐AMP signalling in S. aureus.
Me and my veggies: The use of interactive, personalised picture books in healthy eating interventions
Authors: Dulay K. M. , Masento N. A. , Harvey K. , Messer D. J. , Houston‐Price C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIncreased fruit and vegetable consumption is important for children’s healthy eating. Although repeated taste exposures are effective in supporting children’s acceptance of healthy foods, more enjoyable interventions that increase children’s familiarity with foods through other sensory modalities can also be helpful. Picture book interventions, which draw on the principles of visual familiarity and social reinforcement, are effective in increasing pre‐schoolers’ acceptance of vegetables. With the rise of digital technologies, e‐books present a new tool for offering picture book interventions on a large scale and offer additional features that might potentially boost their effects. In this paper, we propose two specific mechanisms, interactive learning and personalisation, that could make e‐book eating interventions especially effective with young children and we outline new directions for research to elucidate their effects. We then briefly describe an ongoing study that explores the effectiveness of a vegetable e‐book intervention that incorporates the mechanisms described in this paper.
Insulin signaling as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease: Efficacy of apomorphine
Authors: Ohyagi Yasumasa , Takei Satoko I. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAlzheimer's disease has recently been characterized as “diabetes of the brain” or “type 3 diabetes.” Although recent clinical trials targeting amyloid β‐protein have been unsuccessful, glucose‐insulin metabolism in the brain may provide an alternative therapeutic target. In this review, we focus on three related topics: (a) how peripheral and brain insulin resistance interact with each other; (b) brain insulin resistance as a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease and anti‐diabetic drugs as potentially effective drugs; and (c) apomorphine as a novel drug that improves neuronal insulin signaling. Although apomorphine is a dopamine receptor agonist, studies in our laboratory revealed a novel effect, promoting intracellular amyloid β degradation and improving memory function in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Recently, we demonstrated that apomorphine treatment improved neuronal insulin resistance and activated insulin‐degrading enzyme, a major amyloid β‐degrading enzyme. In addition, we confirmed the efficacy of apomorphine for some Alzheimer's disease patients. In this context, combined treatment involving anti‐diabetic drugs and apomorphine may provide an effective therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.
Role of inflammation and inflammasome activation in human bile cast nephropathy
Authors: Giuliani Kurt T. K. , Kassianos Andrew J. , Kildey Katrina , Grivei Anca , Wang Xiangju , Ungerer Jacobus , Francis Leo , Healy Helen , Gois Pedro F. H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBile cast nephropathy (BCN) is an underdiagnosed cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). The precise pathogenesis of bilirubin tubular toxicity remains unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of human BCN. Paraffin‐embedded sections of renal biopsy tissue from a BCN patient were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for oxidative stress (4‐hydroxynonenal), immune cell subpopulations, including dendritic cells (CD1c), macrophages (CD68) and T cells (CD3), and inflammasome activation by staining for active‐caspase‐1 and the inflammasome adaptor protein, ASC (apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain). Quantitative analyses of IHC staining were compared to healthy renal cortical tissue. We identified yellow to brown granular casts within the BCN case, consistent with the presence of bile pigment. The presence of bile pigment was associated with strong tubular 4‐hydroxynonenal staining intensity, a marker of oxidative stress. Diffuse tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltrate was detected, with elevated CD1c, CD68 and CD3 staining. Foci of inflammasome activity were co‐localized with this intense immune cell infiltration, with increased active‐caspase‐1 and ASC staining. Our findings are the first to suggest that bile casts may lead to oxidative stress and trigger the inflammasome signalling cascade, leading to interstitial inflammation and driving AKI pathobiology.SUMMARY AT A GLANCEThe report suggests that bile casts may lead to oxidative stress and trigger the inflammasome signalling cascade, leading to interstitial inflammation and driving bile cast nephropathy pathobiology.
Evaluation of the anticoagulant effect of low‐molecular‐weight heparins based on the anti‐Xa level during haemodialysis
Authors: Tao Mei , Zheng Danna , Liang Xudong , Ye Meiyu , Liu Yueming , Li Yiwen , Shen Huajuan , He Qiang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimEvaluate the relationship between anti‐Xa activity and anticoagulant effect, and ascertain whether accumulation of low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWH) occurs during haemodialysis.MethodsThere was an observational, single‐centre study among participants who received the LMWH dalteparin, enoxaparin or nadroparin. A standard haemodialysis session lasted 4 hours. All included participants had anti‐Xa activity measures at 0.5 and 4 hours. Extracorporeal circuit (ECC) clotting was evaluated by visual inspection of the haemodialyser and bubble trap after each haemodialysis session. The same person was tested at three consecutive haemodialysis sessions.ResultsOverall, 90 participants were enrolled and 259 haemodialysis sessions assessed. There was no significant difference in the mean anti‐Xa activity at 0.5 and 4 hours for three consecutive sessions, so LMWH accumulation did not occur. There were 69 (26.6%) sessions in which, ECC clotting was visible. Compared with the group where circuit clotting did not occur, the LMWH dose and anti‐Xa activity in the group where circuit clotting occurred were significantly lower. At 0.5 hour, anti‐Xa <0.88 IU/mL had significantly higher odds of ECC clotting than that at ≥0.88 IU/mL. At 4 hours, anti‐Xa <0.35 IU/mL had significantly higher odds of ECC clotting than that at ≥0.35 IU/mL.ConclusionWe found that over three haemodialysis sessions, no significant accumulation of LMWH was evident in subjects receiving a LMWH dose of between 2000 and 5000 IU for regular. Anti‐Xa activity measurement can be used to adjust the dosage of LMWH and predict the anticoagulant effect during haemodialysis.
Genome‐wide association of volatiles reveals candidate loci for blueberry flavor
Authors: Ferrão Luís Felipe V. , Johnson Timothy S. , Benevenuto Juliana , Edger Patrick P. , Colquhoun Thomas A. , Munoz Patricio R. 
Published: January 2020

Summary

Plants produce a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are perceived by the human olfactory system, contributing to a myriad flavors. Despite the importance of flavor for consumer preference, most plant breeding programs have neglected it, mainly because of the costs of phenotyping and the complexity of disentangling the role of VOCs in human perception.
To develop molecular breeding tools aimed at improving fruit flavor, we carried out target genotyping of and VOC extraction from a blueberry population. Metabolite genome‐wide association analysis was used to elucidate the genetic architecture, while predictive models were tested to prove that VOCs can be accurately predicted using genomic information. A historical sensory panel was considered to assess how the volatiles influenced consumers.
By gathering genomics, metabolomics, and the sensory panel, we demonstrated that VOCs are controlled by a few major genomic regions, some of which harbor biosynthetic enzyme‐coding genes; can be accurately predicted using molecular markers; and can enhance or decrease consumers' overall liking.
Here we emphasized how the understanding of the genetic basis and the role of VOCs in consumer preference can assist breeders in developing more flavorful cultivars at a more inexpensive and accelerated pace.
Calcifying odontogenic cyst: A case report
Authors: Mulvihill C. , Ni Mhaolcatha S. , Brady P. , McKenna J. , Sleeman D. , Fitzgibbon J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) is a rare odontogenic lesion with a vast variety of clinical, radiological, histopathological features and biological behaviours. In this article, we illustrate a case of an 18‐year‐old male patient with a complaint of an 18‐month history of swelling in his right maxilla. The lesion was diagnosed as a COC associated with an impacted 18 using radiological, cytological and histopathological investigations. The present study examines and considers the case.
Feasibility of awake craniotomy in the pediatric population
Authors: Alcaraz García‐Tejedor Gabriela , Echániz Gastón , Strantzas Samuel , Jalloh Ibrahim , Rutka James , Drake James , Der Tara 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAwake craniotomy with direct cortical stimulation and mapping is the gold standard for resection of lesions near eloquent brain areas, as it can maximize the extent of resection while minimizing the risk of neurological damage. In contrast to the adult population, only small series of awake craniotomies have been reported in children.AimsThe aim of our study is to establish the feasibility of awake craniotomy in the pediatric population.MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study of children undergoing a supratentorial awake craniotomy between January 2009 and April 2019 in a pediatric tertiary care center. Our primary outcome was feasibility of awake craniotomy, defined as the ability to complete the procedure without conversion to general anesthesia. Our secondary outcomes were the incidence of serious intraoperative complications and the mapping completion rate.ResultsThirty procedures were performed in 28 children: 12 females and 16 males. The median age was 14 years (range 7‐17). The primary diagnosis was tumor (83.3%), epilepsy (13.3%), and arterio‐venous malformation (3.3%). The anesthetic techniques were asleep‐awake‐asleep (96.7%) and conscious sedation (3.3%), all cases supplemented with scalp block and pin‐site infiltration. Awake craniotomy was feasible in 29 cases (96.7%), one patient converted to general anesthesia due to agitation. Serious complications occurred in six patients: agitation (6.7%), seizures (3.3%), increased intracranial pressure (3.3%), respiratory depression (3.3%), and bradycardia (3.3%). All complications were quickly resolved and without major consequences. Cortical mapping was completed in 96.6% cases. New neurological deficits occurred in six patients (20%)—moderate in one case and mild in 5—being all absent at 6 months of follow‐up.ConclusionAwake craniotomy with intraoperative mapping can be successfully performed in children. Adequate patient selection and close cooperation between neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, neuropsychologists, and neurophysiologists is paramount. Further studies are needed to determine the best anesthetic technique in this population group.