bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body mass index and noninfectious comorbidity in HIV‐positive patients commencing antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe
Authors: Bleasel JM , Heron JE , Shamu T , Chimbetete C , Dahwa R , Gracey DM 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of elevated body mass index (BMI) in a cohort of treatment‐naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) and to investigate the association of BMI with CD4 count and noninfectious comorbidities including hypertension and renal impairment.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 1598 PLWH at the Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe was carried out. Data were extracted from the medical records at baseline and 6 months after initiation of treatment. The univariate association between BMI and CD4 count was assessed and multiple regression models were used to predict factors associated with loss of renal function and change in CD4 count at 6 months.ResultsOverweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were prevalent in this cohort (34%), as was the presence of hypertension (18%). Higher BMI was associated with a higher CD4 count at baseline and 6 months (B = 0.28 and 0.24, respectively; P < 0.001 for both), adjusted for age and sex. The presence of hypertension independently predicted loss of renal function at 6 months (B = −15.31; P < 0.001), adjusted for BMI, CD4 count and sex. High BMI itself was also independently associated with a decline in renal function (B = −0.41; P = 0.003), adjusted for other significant variables.ConclusionsWe demonstrate a high prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypertension in an urban cohort of PLWH in Zimbabwe. Higher BMI was associated with a higher CD4 count, both before and 6 months after commencing antiretroviral therapy; it was also associated with loss of renal function in this cohort.
Students’ motivating influences for selecting dental hygiene and a 4‐year degree: A retrospective study
Authors: Katyal Shivalika , Kanji Zul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeA growing body of research is exploring why applicants select to enrol into a 4‐year dental hygiene degree in Canada when the entry‐to‐practice credential remains a diploma. The aims of this study were to investigate first‐year entry‐to‐practice students’ motivating influences for choosing the dental hygiene profession and enrolling in a baccalaureate program.MethodsBetween 2013 and 2018, first‐year students in the University of British Columbia's Bachelor of Dental Science program completed orientation surveys. A secondary data analysis was conducted on a total of 127 orientation surveys from a cumulative first‐year population over a 5‐year period. 159 students participated in the surveys for an 80% response rate. Survey questions were open‐ended. Saldaña's approach to coding was used to analyse the descriptive data for emerging themes.ResultsThe primary reasons for choosing dental hygiene as a profession included personal desire (65%) which involved students’ desire to help others, as well as past experience (32%) relating to personal, goal or external experiences. Two prominent themes for choosing a dental hygiene degree emerged and included expanding career opportunities outside of clinical practice (82%) and broadening and deepening one's knowledge base (34%).ConclusionsThe results provide insight about the factors that influence prospective dental hygiene students to pursue a baccalaureate credential that is presently beyond the entry‐to‐practice requirements for the dental hygiene profession in Canada.
An aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist suppresses the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro: Potent effect with polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Hankinson Oliver 
Published: September 2020

SummaryHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are a pivotal component of the hematopoietic microenvironment linked to the modulation of the immune response, inflammation and carcinogenesis. HUVEC expresses the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which regulates gene expression by binding to the xenobiotic‐responsive element. 2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) is a potent agonist for AHR signalling. Treatment with TCDD (0.1‐100 nmol/L) was found to suppress the proliferation and to stimulate the death of HUVEC. TCDD’s effects were abolished by culturing with CH223191, an inhibitor of AHR signalling. Mechanistically, TCDD treatment increased the protein levels of cell growth suppressors, including p53, Rb, p21 and regucalcin, and caspase‐3 implicated in apoptotic cell death, and decreased the levels of Stat3, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK/Erk1/2) and phospho‐MAPK/Erk1/2. Treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, suppressed the proliferation and stimulated the death of HUVEC in vitro, and decreased the levels of Stat3, MAPK/Erk1/2 and phospho‐MAPK/Erk1/2 and increased caspase‐3. Notably, the effects of TCDD in suppressing proliferation and stimulating death of HUVEC were modulated by coculturing with PUFAs. These effects were reversed by treatment with CH223191, an inhibitor of AHR. Treatment with both TCDD and PUFAs collaboratively enhanced the levels of AHR, CYP1A1, p53, p21, Rb and regucalcin. Moreover, TCDD suppressed migration with wound healing of HUVEC. Notably, the combination of TCDD and PUFAs revealed potent suppressive effects on angiogenesis of HUVEC, potentially related to disorders of the stromal microenvironment.
Diabetes in ischaemic stroke in a regional Australian hospital: uncharted territory
Authors: Hu Chih‐Chiang , Low Ashlea , O'Connor Ellie , Siriratnam Pakeeran , Hair Casey , Kraemer Thomas , Sahathevan Ramesh 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundStroke and diabetes mellitus (DM) are significant interrelated healthcare issues but there is a dearth of data on the prevalence of DM among Australia's regional stroke population.AimsWe aimed to determine the prevalence of DM in stroke patients at a large regional centre, including subanalyses on stroke subtypes, glycaemic control and renal function in ischaemic stroke (IS).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients (n = 323) with IS or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) admitted to Ballarat Base Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, aetiology/territory of IS, pre‐morbid DM status, indicators of glycaemic control and renal impairment were recorded.ResultsDM was present in 28.5% of IS and TIA patients, including 4% being newly diagnosed. Among diabetic IS patients, 45.3% had poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥7.0%) while 16% had moderate to severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30). The majority of IS were partial anterior circulation stroke (53.4%) and cardioembolism was the commonest mechanism (43.5%). We found no significant association between DM and a specific stroke location or mechanism.ConclusionsAlmost one‐third of IS/TIA patients had DM, with a significant proportion showing poor glycaemic control. The DM prevalence in our cohort was comparable with reported rates from other developed countries. Although we found no association between DM and a particular stroke type or mechanism, it is likely a reflection of our cohort size. Our study demonstrated that DM, as a significant risk factor in IS, warrants early detection and better management strategies.
Elucidating host–microbe interactions in vivo by studying population dynamics using neutral genetic tags
Authors: Hausmann Annika , Hardt Wolf‐Dietrich 
Published: September 2020

SummaryHost–microbe interactions are highly dynamic in space and time, in particular in the case of infections. Pathogen population sizes, microbial phenotypes and the nature of the host responses often change dramatically over time. These features pose particular challenges when deciphering the underlying mechanisms of these interactions experimentally, as traditional microbiological and immunological methods mostly provide snapshots of population sizes or sparse time series. Recent approaches – combining experiments using neutral genetic tags with stochastic population dynamic models – allow more precise quantification of biologically relevant parameters that govern the interaction between microbe and host cell populations. This is accomplished by exploiting the patterns of change of tag composition in the microbe or host cell population under study. These models can be used to predict the effects of immunodeficiencies or therapies (e.g. antibiotic treatment) on populations and thereby generate hypotheses and refine experimental designs. In this review, we present tools to study population dynamics in vivo using genetic tags, explain examples for their implementation and briefly discuss future applications.
Technical and managerial efficiency assessment of European banks using a conditional nonparametric approach
Authors: Minviel Jean Joseph , Ben Bouheni Faten 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the conditional technical and managerial efficiency of European banks through the lending channel using a robust nonparametric frontier approach. We select the largest commercial banks in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Greece over the period 2005–2013 for our study. The estimates show significant technical inefficiency in the use of available resources for banks in our sample. The overall measure of managerial efficiency suggests sound managerial performance. However, at a detailed level, we find that, for each country examined, banks exhibit large proportions of poor managerial performance. This may explain why some banks could not resist the 2008 financial crisis. Regarding institutional factors, we find capital requirements and bank size are associated with bank efficiency in a nonlinear manner. These findings provide support for contextual factors in determining bank efficiency and rethinking financial reforms.
Nursing interventions in autologous stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases
Authors: Nilsen Loren , Santos Bruna N. dos , Leopoldo Vanessa C. , Reis Paula E. D. dos , Oliveira Maria C. de , Clark Alexander M. , Silveira Renata C. de C. P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsTo identify clinical symptoms and nursing interventions for stem cell therapy in autoimmune diseases.DesignThis is a retrospective, cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis study was undertaken with patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis, undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation from January 2004 ‐ December 2018. Data were registered in a questionnaire, taken during the conditioning regimen comprising cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis.ResultsThere were 68 and 23 patients in the multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes groups respectively. Skin rash, nausea, vomiting and fever were more frequent and diverse in the type 1 diabetes group. Steroids were used as prophylaxis for anti‐thymocyte globulin‐associated allergic reactions in 97% of multiple sclerosis patients. Most of the identified symptoms and nursing interventions were more associated with one or other disease group (p < .05) and were more frequent in the type 1 diabetes group.ConclusionPatients with autoimmune diseases who underwent stem cell therapy present differences in their repertoire of adverse events and require disease‐specific nursing actions.ImpactOur results may enable nurses to establish transplant and disease‐specific guidelines to improve prevention and management of adverse events and therefore optimize patient care and therapeutic success.
A circulating exosomal microRNA panel as a novel biomarker for monitoring post‐transplant renal graft function
Authors: Chen Yimeng , Han Xu , Sun Yangyang , He Xiaozhou , Xue Dong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAccurate and effective biomarkers for continuous monitoring of graft function are needed after kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to establish a circulating exosomal miRNA panel as non‐invasive biomarker for kidney transplant recipients. Plasma exosomes of 58 kidney transplant recipients and 27 healthy controls were extracted by gel exclusion chromatography and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blotting. Post‐transplant renal graft function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomal miR‐21, miR‐210 and miR‐4639 showed negative correlations with eGFR in the training set and were selected for further analysis. In the validation set, miR‐21, miR‐210 and miR‐4639 showed the capability to discriminate between subjects with chronic allograft dysfunction (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and those with normal graft function (eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2). Three‐miRNA panel exhibited higher accuracy compared with individual miRNAs or double indicators. One‐year follow‐up revealed a stable recovery of allograft function in subjects with low calculated score from three‐miRNA panel (below the optimal cut‐off value). In conclusion, a unique circulating exosomal miRNA panel was identified as an effective biomarker for monitoring post‐transplant renal graft function in this study.
Endosymbionts facilitate rapid evolution in a polyphagous herbivore
Authors: Lenhart Paul A. , White Jennifer A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMaternally transmitted bacterial symbionts can be important mediators of the interactions between insect herbivores and their foodplants. These symbionts are often facultative (present in some host individuals but not others) and can have large effects on their host's phenotype, thus giving rise to heritable variation upon which selection can act. In the cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), it has been established that the facultative endosymbiont Arsenophonus improves aphid performance on black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia) but not on fava (Vicia faba). Here, we tested whether this fitness differential translated into contemporaneous evolution of aphid populations associated with the different plants. In a laboratory study lasting 16 weeks, we found that the frequency of Arsenophonus‐infected individuals significantly increased over time for aphid populations on black locust but declined for aphid populations on fava. By the end of the experiment, Arsenophonus infection was >3× more common on black locust than fava, which is comparable to previously described infection frequencies in natural field populations. Our results clearly demonstrate that aphid populations with mixed facultative symbiont infection status can rapidly evolve in response to the selective environments imposed by different host plants. This selection differential may be a sufficient explanation for the global association between Arsenophonus‐infected cowpea aphids and black locust trees, without invoking additional assortative mechanisms. Because the aphid and plant originate from different parts of the world, we further hypothesize that Arsenophonus infection may have acted as a preadaptation that has promoted functional specialization of infected aphids on a novel host plant.
Pesticide residues identification by impedance time‐sequence spectrum of enzyme inhibition on multilayer paper‐based microfluidic chip
Authors: Yang Ning , Zhou Xu , Yu Defei , Jiao Siying , Han Xue , Zhang Suliang , Yin Hang , Mao Hanping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDifferent organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) normally vary in the level of toxicity to human health, but common electrochemical identification methods usually require complex electrode fabrication processes and high detection cost. To overcome these problems, a pesticide residues identification method based on multilayer paper‐based microfluidic chip was proposed. The microfluidic chip integrates the enzyme inhibition and a label‐free screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Three different pesticides were selected as study objects, respectively, avermectin, phoxim, dimethoate. This chip realizes on‐chip identification via analyzing impedance time‐sequence spectrum data aroused by the enzyme inhibition during the 15 min period. A classification model based on principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machines (SVMs) was established to evaluate these data. Furthermore, the real‐world sample (lettuce) was tested to verify the feasibility of the proposed detection method. The results showed that the classification accuracy was achieved around 93% in multiple experiments. Therefore, the method has good stability and specificity in rapid identification of different pesticides.Practical ApplicationsIdentification of pesticide types is essential to human health, for this, impedance time‐sequence spectrum data aroused by the enzyme inhibition during the 15 min period was used to establish a classification model to identity different types of pesticides. In this article, multilayer paper‐based microfluidic chip and a label‐free screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was proposed without complicated operation steps and expensive cost, which provide a basis for establishment of the rapid pesticide discriminator.
Revisiting the proteolytic processing of cell adhesion molecule L1
Authors: Kleene Ralf , Lutz David , Loers Gabriele , Bork Ute , Borgmeyer Uwe , Hermans‐Borgmeyer Irm , Schachner Melitta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe important functions of cell adhesion molecule L1 in the nervous system depend on diverse proteolytic enzymes which generate different L1 fragments. It has been reported that cleavage in the third fibronectin type III (FNIII) homologous domain generates the fragments L1‐80 and L1‐140, while cleavage in the first FNIII domain yields the fragments L1‐70 and L1‐135. These results raised questions concerning the L1 cleavage sites. We thus generated gene‐edited mice expressing L1 with mutations of the cleavage sites either in the first or third FNIII domain. By immunoprecipitations and immunoblot analyses using brain homogenates and different L1 antibodies, we show that L1‐70 and L1‐135 are generated in wild‐type mice, but not or only to a low extent in L1 mutant mice. L1‐80 and L1‐140 were not detected in wild‐type or mutant mice. Mass spectrometry confirmed the results from immunoprecipitations and immunoblot analyses. Based on these observations, we propose that L1‐70 and L1‐135 are the predominant fragments in the mouse nervous system and that the third FNIII domain is decisive for generating these fragments. Treatment of cultured cerebellar neurons with trypsin or plasmin, which were both proposed to generate L1‐80 and L1‐140 by cleaving in the third FNIII domain, showed by immunoprecipitations and immunoblot analyses that both proteases lead to the generation of L1‐70 and L1‐135, but not L1‐80 and L1‐140. We discuss previous observations on the basis of our new results and propose a novel view on the molecular features that render previous and present observations compatible.
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The influence of psychological response and security sense on pregnancy stress during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019: A mediating model
Authors: Zheng Qing‐Xiang , Jiang Xiu‐Min , Lin Yan , Liu Gui‐Hua , Lin Yu‐Ping , Kang Yu‐Lan , Liu Xiu‐Wu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAims and objectivesTo observe the psychological status of pregnant women during COVID‐19 pandemic, and to test a hypothetical model that estimates the influence of psychological response to COVID‐19 and security sense on pregnancy stress.BackgroundCOVID‐19 advanced rapidly and then spread worldwide. Pregnant women were more susceptible to the COVID‐19 infection. Furthermore, it is not clear whether this infection will increase the risk of congenital monstrosity, foetal growth restriction, premature delivery or cause other long‐term adverse effects.DesignA descriptive, cross‐sectional survey.MethodsA total of 331 pregnant women participated in this study. And this research adhered to the STROBE guideline. The psychological questionnaire for emergent events of public health, pregnancy stress scale and security questionnaire were used to collect data. The hypothetical path model was tested using the SPSS version 25.0 software and AMOS version 26.0 software.ResultsFear and depression were the most common psychological responses among pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The hypothesis model of this study fitted the data well, and the results showed that psychological response positively affected pregnancy stress, while security sense negatively affected pregnancy stress; security sense mediated between psychological response and pregnancy stress.ConclusionNurses and midwives can help reduce the stress in pregnant women by alleviating their psychological response to the COVID‐19 pandemic and by improving their security sense.Relevance to clinical practiceIt is essential for the health staff to build trust with pregnant women and their families, and communicate accurate information to them. Nurses should promptly conduct a psychological response evaluation and psychological guidance for pregnant women to alleviate their fears and hypochondria related to COVID‐19.
An examination of life insurance policy surrender and loan activity
Authors: Cole Cassandra R. , Fier Stephen G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExtant literature has explored policyowner decision‐making as it relates to both life insurance policy surrender and borrowing activity. However, researchers have not yet examined why individuals may select one option over the other. In this study, we investigate common hypotheses related to policy surrender and loan activity using approaches which allow us to examine the two options jointly while also accounting for the multidimensional nature of the decision‐making process. We offer evidence consistent with the emergency fund, alternative funds, and policy replacement hypotheses as they relate to the decision to either surrender a policy or take out a policy loan and find that differential effects exist between the two options. In particular, our findings suggest that households tend to surrender their cash value policies when longer‐term financial needs arise while temporary needs are more likely addressed with loans which keep the policy in force, each consistent with rational household decision‐making.
Family Physician Burnout Does Not Differ With Rurality
Authors: Ward Zachary D. , Morgan Zachary J. , Peterson Lars E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeBurnout affects about half of family physicians (FPs). Minimal research exists which examines the impact of urban and rural practice settings on FP burnout. In this study, we examined whether rural practice is associated with FP burnout.MethodsData from the 2017 and 2018 American Board of Family Medicine Family Medicine Certification examination registration questionnaire were used. We limited our sample to FPs in continuity care in the United States. The questionnaire is a mandatory component of registration, resulting in a 100% response rate. Burnout was measured via 2 questions validated against the Maslach Burnout Inventory. We used logistic regression to determine associations between burnout and rural location, controlling for practice and personal characteristics.FindingsOf the FPs surveyed, 2,740 met our inclusion criteria. Rural FPs were older, more likely to be male, and had a broader scope of practice than urban FPs. Rural FPs had a nonsignificantly higher burnout rate than urban FPs (45.1% vs 43.0%). Burnout was more common in younger and female FPs. We found no rural/urban differences between job satisfaction, practice environment, workload, and job stress; however, all of these characteristics were associated with burnout. In adjusted analyses, rural location was not associated with burnout (odds ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.87‐1.52).ConclusionIn a large national sample, we found no difference in burnout between rural and urban FPs. This suggests there is nothing unique about rural practice that predisposes to burnout and that a common pathway to reduce burnout may exist.