bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NaCl-Related Weathering of Stone: The Importance of Kinetics and Salt Mixtures in Environmental Risk Assessment
Authors: Godts Sebastiaan , Orr Scott Allan , Desarnaud Julie , Steiger Michael , Wilhelm Katrin , De Clercq Hilde , Cnudde Veerle , De Kock Tim 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Salt weathering is one of the most important causes of deterioration in the built environment. Two crucial aspects need further investigation to understand the processes and find suitable measures: the impact of different climatic environments and the properties of salt mixture crystallization. We demonstrate the importance of kinetics in quantifying crystallization and dissolution cycles by combining droplet and capillary laboratory experiments with climate data analysis. The results proved that dissolution times for pure NaCl were much slower than crystallization, while thermodynamic modelling showed a lower RHeq of NaCl (65.5%) in a salt mixture (commonly found in the built heritage) compared to its RHeq as a single salt (75.5%). Following the results, a minimum time of 0.5 hour is considered for dissolution and the two main RHeq thresholds could be applied to climate data analysis. The predicted number of dissolution/crystallization cycles was significantly dependent on the measurement frequency (or equivalent averaging period) of the climatic data. An analysis of corresponding rural and urban climate demonstrated the impact of spatial phenomena (such as the urban heat island) on the predicted frequency cycles. The findings are fundamental to improve appropriate timescale windows and to illustrate a methodology with specific points of interest to quantify salt crystallization cycles in realistic environments as a risk assessment procedure that can be applied to climate data. The results are the basis for future work to improve the accuracy of salt risk assessment by including the kinetics of salt mixtures. This will improve the understanding of past and future salt weathering mechanisms and enable scientifically informed conservation strategies.
IPDfromKM: Reconstruct Individual Patient Data from Published Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves
Authors: Liu Na , Zhou Yanhong , Lee J. Jack 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWhen applying secondary analysis on published survival data, it is critical to obtain each patient’s raw data, because the individual patient data (IPD) approach has been considered as the gold standard of data analysis. However, researchers often lack access to the IPD. We aim to propose a straightforward and robust approach to help researchers to obtain IPD from published survival curves with a friendly software platform. ResultsImproving upon the existing methods, we proposed an easy-to-use, two-stage approach to reconstruct IPD from published Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves. Stage 1 extracts raw data coordinates and Stage 2 reconstructs IPD using the proposed method. To facilitate the use of the proposed method, we develop the R package IPDfromKM and an accompanied web-based Shiny application. Both the R package and Shiny application can be used to extract raw data coordinates from published K-M curves, reconstruct IPD from data coordinates extracted, visualize the reconstructed IPD, assess the accuracy of the reconstruction, and perform secondary analysis on the IPD. We illustrate the use of the R package and the Shiny application with K-M curves from published studies. Extensive simulations and real world data applications demonstrate that the proposed method has high accuracy and great reliability in estimating the number of events, number of patients at risk, survival probabilities, median survival times, as well as hazard ratios. ConclusionsIPDfromKM has great flexibility and accuracy to reconstruct IPD from published K-M curves with different shapes. We believe that the R package and the Shiny application will greatly facilitate the potential use of quality IPD data and advance the use of secondary data to make informed decision in medical research.
Malaria Vector Survivorship Linked to Irrigated Sugarcane Plantation Scheme in Ethiopia
Authors: Hawaria Dawit , Kibret Solomon , Demissew Assalif , Tsegaye Arega , Bitew Denekew , Yan Guiyun , Yewhalaw Delenasaw 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: To ensure food security, the sub-Saharan Africa has initiated massive water resource development projects in recent years. However, such environmental modifications affect the survivorship and development of mosquitoes that are vectors of different diseases. This study aimed at determining the effects of irrigation practices on development and survivorship of Anopheles gambiae s.l in Ethiopia. Methods: Life-table experiment was conducted to examine the effect of environmental modification on survivorship of both immature and adults An. gambiae s.l. in irrigated and non-irrigated areas. The pupation rate and development time of the immatures and adult longevity and fecundity were compared between the two settings.Results: The estimated mean survival time of female An. gambiae s.l. in irrigated and non-irrigated area was 37.9 and 31.3 days, respectively. A survival analysis showed that adult females of An. gambiae s.l. placed in irrigated area lived significantly longer than those at the non-irrigated area (χ2 = 18.3, df = 1, p <0.001) and An. gambiae s.l. females lived significantly longer than males in both areas (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Adult An. gambiae s.l. survivorship was found to be enhanced in irrigated area compared to non-irrigated area. Longer survival of adult mosquito in irrigated area could have important implications in vectorial capacity and hence malaria transmission.
Decomposition of High-Frequency Electrical Conductivity into Extracellular and Intracellular Compartments based on Two-Compartment Model using Low-to-High Multi-b Diffusion MRI
Authors: Lee Mun Bae , Kim Hyung Joong , Kwon Oh-In 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: As an object's electrical passive property, the electrical conductivity is proportional to the mobility and concentration of charged carriers that reflect the brain micro-structures. The measured Mb-DWI data by controlling the degree of applied diffusion weights can quantify the apparent mobility of water molecules within biological tissues. Without any external electrical stimulation, magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) techniques have successfully recovered the conductivity distribution at a Larmor-frequency. Methods: This work provides a non-invasive method to decompose the high-frequency conductivity into the extracellular medium conductivity based on a two-compartment model using multi-b diffusion-weighted imaging (Mb-DWI). To separate the intra- and extracellular micro-structures from the recovered high-frequency conductivity, we include higher b-values DWI and apply the random decision forests to stably determine the micro-structural diffusion parameters. Results: To demonstrate the proposed method, we conducted human experiments by comparing the results of reconstructed conductivity of extracellular medium and the conductivity in the intra-neurite and intra-cell body. Human experiments verify that the proposed method can recover the extracellular electrical properties from the high-frequency conductivity using a routine protocol sequence of MRI scan. Conclusion: We have proposed a method to decompose the electrical properties in the extracellular, intra-neurite, and soma compartments from the high-frequency conductivity map, reconstructed by solving the electro-magnetic equation with measured B1 phase signals.
Genome Editing With CRISPR/Cas9&nbsp;in Pinus Radiata (D. Don)
Authors: Poovaiah Charleson , Phillips Lorelle , Geddes Barbara , Reeves Cathie , Sorieul Mathias , Thorlby Glenn 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundTo meet increasing demand for forest-based products and protect natural forests from further deforestation requires increased productivity from planted forests. Genetic improvement of conifers by traditional breeding is time consuming due to the long juvenile phase and genome complexity. Genetic modification (GM) offers the opportunity to make transformational changes in shorter time frames but is challenged by current genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations. Genome editing, which can be used to generate site-specific mutations, offers the opportunity to rapidly implement targeted improvements and is globally regulated in a less restrictive way than GM technologies.ResultsWe evaluated U6 snRNA promoters from three different species that were able to drive expression of guide RNA (gRNA) for CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in P. radiata. Using a single-copy cell wall gene GUX1 as a target, we have demonstrated genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 in somatic embryogenic tissue and plantlets derived from the edited tissue. We generated biallelic INDELs with an efficiency of 15% using a single gRNA. Twelve percent of the transgenic embryogenic tissue was edited when two gRNAs were used and deletions of up to 1.3 kb were identified. However, the regenerated plants did not contain large deletions but had single nucleotide insertions at one of the target sites. We also assessed the use of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) for their ability to accomplish DNA-free genome editing in P. radiata. We chose a hybrid approach, with RNPs co-delivered with a plasmid-based selectable marker. A two-gRNA strategy was used which produced an editing efficiency of 33%, and generated INDELs, including large deletions. Using the RNP approach, deletions found in embryogenic tissue were also present in the plantlets. But, all plants produced using the RNP strategy were monoallelic.Conclusion We have demonstrated the generation of biallelic and monoallelic INDELs in the coniferous tree P. radiata with the CRISPR/Cas9 system using DNA and RNPs respectively. This opens the opportunity to apply genome editing in conifers to rapidly modify key traits of interest.
Treatment of Compulsive Exercise in Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Martenstyn Jordan Andre , Touyz Stephen , Maguire Sarah 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Compulsive exercise is a core feature of both eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Earlier models of treatment recommended complete abstinence from exercise in eating disorder populations, but recent guidelines advocate for the gradual inclusion of healthier forms of exercise into an overall treatment plan where appropriate. Given the association between problematic exercise behaviour and poorer prognosis, there has been a recent upsurge in the number of treatment interventions for compulsive exercise in eating disorders. However, no systematic review has been published summarising this existing treatment literature. The aim of this review is to determine the efficacy of existing treatments for compulsive exercise in eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. Methods: A systematic review will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five electronic databases (PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) will be searched from database inception until November 2020. We will include studies that: (a) sampled adolescents and/or adults with either an eating disorder or muscle dysmorphia; (b) assessed changes in compulsive exercise from pre- to post-intervention; and (c) used a standardised instrument to measure compulsive exercise or related constructs. We chose to include studies with a comparison group (e.g., randomised controlled trials) and without a comparison group (e.g., pilot studies and case studies) to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature. One reviewer will screen all titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria, with 20% of excluded articles cross-referenced by another reviewer. Full texts will be obtained for articles deemed relevant or where inclusion was uncertain, and will be screened by both reviewers. We will also evaluate the quality of the included studies using a modified Downs and Black (1998) assessment checklist. Discussion: Results from this review will help to determine the most efficacious treatment components for compulsive exercise in eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia. We hope that our results will help inform clinical practice guidelines in recommending targeted interventions for the treatment of compulsive exercise.
Complex Samples Logistic Regression Analysis of Predictors of the Use of Modern Contraceptives Among Married or In-Union Women in Ethiopia.
Authors: Adegeh Senait Cherie , Zike Dereje Tesfaye 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Modern contraceptive use by currently married Ethiopian women has steadily increased over the last 15 years. The main objective of this study was to identify the magnitude and predictors of current use of modern contraceptives among married or in-union women aged (15-49) in Ethiopia using complex sampling. Methods: The study used data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS, 2016) dataset. In the study a total number of 7,346 married or in-union women age 15-49 in Ethiopia were included. The current use of modern contraceptives among reproductive-age married or in-union women in Ethiopia, measured as ‘Yes’ (currently using a modern method) and ‘No’(using a folkloric method, traditional method, and no method) is considered as a dependent variable. Complex samples binary logistic regression was performed to examine the importance of each explanatory variables using SPSS version 23, and statistical significance was attached at p=0.05. Results: The study found that age 40–44 years (AOR = 2.064), wealth index Middle (AOR = 1.553); Rich (AOR =1.71), working status yes (AOR = 1.279), and sexual activity in the last 4 weeks active in the last 4 weeks (AOR=3.614) were highly significantly associated with current use of modern contraceptive. Conclusion: The variables age, religion, residence, region, wealth status, husband desire for children, women's working status, sexual activity in the last 4 weeks, and total number of children ever born were statistically significant predictors for the current use of modern contraceptives among married or in union women in Ethiopia.
Dihydromyricetin Ameliorates Inflammation-induced Insulin Resistance via Phospholipase C-CaMKK-AMPK&nbsp;Signal Pathway
Authors: Hou Lianjie , Jiang Fangyi , Huang Bo , Zheng Weijie , Jiang Yufei , Cai Gengyuan , Liu Dewu , Hu Ching Yuan , Wang Chong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Patients with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of turning into type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome has become an urgent public health problem. Insulin resistance in obesity is the common pathophysiological basis of metabolic syndrome. The insulin resistance is induced by the increasing levels of inflammatory factors during obesity. Therefore, developing a therapeutic strategy for preventing inflammation-induced insulin resistance has great significance for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Dihydromyricetin, as a bioactive polyphenol, has been used for anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and improving insulin sensitivity. However, the target of DHM and the molecular mechanism of DHM in preventing inflammation-induced insulin resistance are still unclear.Methods: In this study, we first confirmed the role of dihydromyricetin in inflammation-induced insulin resistance through ELISA, oral glucose tolerance test and glucose uptake test. Then, we demonstrated the pathway of dihydromyricetin ameliorated inflammation-induced insulin resistance by using signal pathway blockers, Ca2+ probes, and immunofluorescence. Finally, we clarified the target protein of dihydromyricetin by using drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, qPCR, and western blotting.Results: In this study, we first confirmed that dihydromyricetin ameliorated inflammation-induced insulin resistance in vivo and in vitro. Then, we demonstrated that dihydromyricetin ameliorated inflammation-induced insulin resistance by activating Ca2+-CaMKK-AMPK signal pathway. Finally, we clarified that dihydromyricetin activated Ca2+-CaMKK-AMPK signaling pathway by interacting with phospholipase C (PLC), its target protein.Conclusions: Our results not only demonstrated that dihydromyricetin ameliorated inflammation-induced insulin resistance via the PLC-CaMKK-AMPK signal pathway but also discovered that the target protein of dihydromyricetin is PLC. Our results provided experimental data for the development of dihydromyricetin as a functional food additive and a new therapeutic strategy for treating or preventing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
The Evolution of IBD Perceived Engagement and Care Needs Across the Life-Cycle: A Scoping Review
Authors: Volpato Eleonora , Bosio Caterina , Previtali Enrica , Leone Salvatore , Armuzzi Alessandro , Pagnini F. , Graffigna Guendalina 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The chronic and progressive evolution of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), with its prototypical fluctuating trend, creates a condition of psycho-social discomfort, impacting the quality of life in terms of personal, working and interpersonal.Aims: In this article, we want to identify the nature and extent of the research evidence on the life experiences, the perceived engagement and the psychosocial and medical needs of people affected by IBD across the lifecycle. Methods: Following the approach set out by Arksey and O’Malley and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, we conducted a scoping review in March 2019 and closed the review with an update in October 2019. It was performed using electronic databases covering Health and Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Medical Sciences, such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycInfo.Results: We identified 95 peer-reviewed articles published from 2009 to 2019, that allowed to detect the main needs in children (psychological, need to be accepted, physical activity, feeding, parent style and support, social needs), adolescents (to understand, physical and psychological needs, protection, relational, gratitude, respect and engagement) and adults (information, medical, psychological, social, work-related, practical, future-related, engagement). ﻿Although the literature confirms that the majority of the IBD units have planned provision for the different types of transitions, the quality and appropriateness of these services have not been assessed or audited for all the kind of challenges across the life cycle. Conclusions: The literature shows the relevance of organising a flexible, personalised health care process across all the critical phases of the life cycle, providing adequate benchmarks for comparison in a multidisciplinary perspective and ensuring continuity between hospital and territory.
Anaphylaxis Induced by Exercise or Cold Stimulation with Hyperleukotrieneuria During a Challenge Testing Not Containing Food Ingestion
Authors: Motomura Chikako , Ide Koji , Shimoda Terufumi , Odajima Hiroshi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA) is rare and a potentially life-threatening disorder that can develop independently without food ingestion. Cold drinks can also trigger symptoms in some patients with cold-induced anaphylaxis. We present the case of a patient with exercise and cold-induced anaphylaxis that was diagnosed based on hyperleukotrieneuria in exercise loading and cold-drink challenge testing.Case presentation: A 12-year-old girl presented with acute flushing, cyanosis, swollen eyelids, and dyspnea after an endurance run in winter or swimming in a cold-water pool. She also developed dyspnea after having a cold drink. She had no history of food allergies or atopy. No association was noted between anaphylaxis and food intake in her history. On the 1st day, she ingested 200 mL cold water at a temperature of 5°C in 30 s, which did not trigger any symptomatic responses, but urinary LTE4 level increased (pre-challenge test 295 pg/mg.cr, post-challenge test 400 pg/mg.cr). On the 2nd day, she underwent the exercise loading test according to the Bruce protocol by increasing the power of exercise every 2 min using an ergometer. She had been fasting for >15 h and did not have breakfast. Just after the exercise loading test, the plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline increased. At 15min. after the exercise loading test, the plasma adrenaline and histamine (pre-challenge test 0.7 ng/mL, 15min.post-challenge test 81 ng/mL) rised sharply with anaphylaxis symptom accompaneid by increasing of urinary LTE4 (pre-challenge test 579 pg/mg.cr, post-challenge test 846 pg/mg.cr). After she was discharged, she was restricted from strenuous exercise especially in cold environments and prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector.Conclusion: To our knowledge, cold stimulation becomes a co-effector for EIA. Measurements of urinary LTE4 levels during challenge testing are useful to diagnose anaphylaxis induced by exercise or cold stimulation.
Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Detects Alzheimer Pathology and Predicts Future Conversion to Alzheimer Dementia in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Cicognola Claudia , Janelidze Shorena , Hertze Joakim , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Mattsson-Carlgren Niklas , Hansson Oskar 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
IntroductionPlasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a marker of astroglial activation and astrocytosis. We assessed the ability of plasma GFAP to detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in the form of AD-related amyloid-b (Aβ) pathology and conversion to AD dementia in a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cohort.Method160 MCI patients were followed for 4.7 years (average). AD pathology was defined using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ42/40 and Aβ42/total tau. Plasma GFAP was measured at baseline and follow-up using Simoa technology.ResultsBaseline plasma GFAP could detect abnormal CSF Aβ42/40 and CSF Aβ42/total tau (T-tau) with an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.72-0.86) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.72-0.86), respectively. Combination with APOE ε4 status improved the diagnostic accuracy for abnormal CSF Aβ42/40 status (AUC=0.86, p=0.02). Plasma GFAP predicted subsequent conversion to AD dementia with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.77-0.91), which was not significantly improved when combined with APOE ε4 or age. Longitudinal GFAP slopes for Aβ-positive and MCI who progressed to AD dementia were significantly steeper than for Aβ-negative (p=0.007) and stable MCI (p<0.0001).ConclusionPlasma GFAP can detect AD pathology in patients with MCI and predict conversion to AD dementia.