bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How could we suspect life‐threatening perinatal group A streptococcal infection?
Authors: Arai Tomohiro , Takai Yasushi , Samejima Kouki , Matsunaga Shigetaka , Ono Yoshihisa , Seki Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimPerinatal group A streptococcal infection is a rare but life‐threatening condition. Few reports have focused on its clinical characteristics and how to prevent deterioration. We report our experience with two antenatal fatal cases and reviewed 96 cases in the literature to assess the clinical characteristics of group A streptococcal infection.MethodsEnglish‐language clinical reports of antenatal and postnatal group A streptococcal infection in 1974–2019 were retrieved and examined. Relationships between clinical characteristics and maternal outcomes were assessed.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that antenatal group A streptococcal infection was significantly associated with an age of ≤19 or ≥ 35 years, cesarean section, sore throat as an initial symptom, positive throat culture, maternal death and fetal death. Multivariate analysis revealed that antenatal onset (odds ratio = 7.922, 95% confidence interval = 1.297–48.374; P = 0.025) and a quick sepsis‐related organ‐failure assessment score (qSOFA; low blood pressure, high respiratory rate or altered mental status) of ≥2 (odds ratio = 6.166, 95% confidence interval = 1.066–35.670; P = 0.042) were significantly related to maternal death.ConclusionPer our findings, antenatal group A streptococcal infection was significantly associated with maternal and fetal death. Further, the antenatal infection was revealed as a more critical risk factor. We suggest that the presence of any sign related to the qSOFA is a potential clue suspecting perinatal group A streptococcal infection in primary obstetric facilities.
Maternal homocysteine and folate levels and risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion: A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Diao Jingyi , Luo Liu , Li Jinqi , Zhang Senmao , Li Yihuan , Qin Jiabi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to review and summarize the epidemiologic evidence on the associations of homocysteine (HCY) and folate with the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).MethodsThis review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Libraries and Chinese databases were searched through May 2019 to identify studies that met prestated inclusion criteria. Either a fixed‐ or a random‐effects model was used to calculate the combined standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsTwenty‐three studies involving 2052 RSA cases and 1476 healthy controls were included. Overall, women with RSA compared with those without RSA were at a significantly higher level of HCY both in plasma (SMD = 1.34; 95% CI: 0.76–1.93) and in serum (SMD = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.02–1.91), but lower level of folate both in serum (SMD = −1.63; 95% CI: −2.51 to −0.75) and in red blood cells (SMD = −1.30; 95% CI: −1.76 to −0.85). However, a statistically significant association between plasma folate and risk of RSA was not been observed (SMD = −0.82; 95% CI: −1.73 to 0.09). These findings have to be viewed with caution for the significant heterogeneity (I2: from 88 to 98%).ConclusionHigh HCY levels in both plasma and serum as well as low folate levels in serum and red blood cells are significantly associated with risk of RSA, which indicates that measures to reduce HCY levels or folate supplementation may help to reduce the risk of RSA. However, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Grandparents' Support to Young Families: Variations by Adult Children's Union Status†
Authors: Cooney Teresa M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigates whether grandparents' support to their children's families varies by the child's union status—single, cohabiting, or married.BackgroundMore young families today are headed by unmarried parents due to increases in nonmarital childbearing, cohabitation, and divorce, and these families have fewer resources than married‐couple families. Grandparents can provide an important safety net to families in need. Although grandparents today possess a greater capacity to assist their children's families due to increased longevity, good health and financial well‐being, little is known about whether their support varies based on their adult children's union status.MethodData are drawn from the 2015–2017 Add Health Parent Study (AHPS) (
https://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/design/parents‐phase‐2), a follow‐up study of 2013 parents who participated in the 1995 Add Health Study with their adolescents. Respondents' reports of instrumental and financial support to children, ages 18–40, and their children are analyzed. Mixed effects logistic regressions estimate the likelihood of support to 399 cohabiting, 518 single, and 1959 married children. Follow‐up regressions estimate amounts of support to those receiving any assistance.ResultsGrandparents are more likely to provide instrumental and financial assistance to cohabiting and single children than married children. Cohabiting females receive more hours of instrumental help from grandparents than married females. Single and cohabiting children receive higher levels of financial assistance than married children.ConclusionGrandparental support appears responsive to the needs of their adult children. Nontraditional families no longer receive less extended‐family support. Grandparents today appear to play an important support role for their children's families.
A Meta‐Analytic Integration of Acquisition Performance Prediction
Authors: King David R. , Wang Gang , Samimi Mehdi , Cortes Andres Felipe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDifferent areas of focus in merger and acquisition (M&A) research have led to research fragmentation in theories and variables used to predict different measures of acquisition performance. We address fragmentation through broad meta‐analyses to identify relevant theories and predictor variables. Specifically, we find 16 constructs (method of payment (cash); method of payment (stock); acquirer debt; acquisition premium; relatedness; acquisition experience; alliance experience; acquirer firm size; target firm size; acquirer prior performance; target prior performance; acquirer R&D; national cultural distance; geographic distance; relative size; integration depth) that are significant predictors of different measures of acquisition performance. Our results support signalling theory that identifies the importance of deal characteristics, as well as contingency theory and the importance of context. With the exception of method of payment (stock), the impact of a predictor variable often varies across different measures of acquisition performance driving the need to assess theoretical explanations for underlying relationships. Overall, our results show there is value in integrating different theories to inform our understanding of acquisition performance.
Acquirers’ Reception of Signals in M&A Markets: Effects of Acquirer Experiences on Target Selection
Authors: Wu Cheng‐Wei , Reuer Jeffrey J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA key challenge facing acquirers is how to judge the technological and other resources of high‐tech ventures. While it is well known that acquirers can benefit from signals about targets to reduce acquirers’ uncertainty in the selection of acquisition targets, this leaves open the question of the degree to which certain acquirers would rely on a target’s signals. We argue that different levels and types of experience can shape an acquirer’s attention to high‐tech ventures’ signals. On the one hand, general acquisition experience can lead an acquirer to pay more attention to and act on signals. On the other hand, target‐specific experience developed from prior collaborations can reduce the value of signals by directly mitigating an acquirer’s risk of adverse selection. Based on a sample of over a thousand technology ventures in the US biotechnology industry, our empirical evidence demonstrates that the combination of acquirers’ experiences and targets’ signals explains who buys whom in a high‐tech industry.
Factors Influencing Changes in Masticatory Performance as a Result of Wearing Removable Partial Dentures in Patients with Partially Edentulous Arches
Authors: Kikuchi Satsuki , Hasegawa Yoko , Salazar Simonne E. , Kaneda Koh , Yoneda Hiroyuki , Hori Kazuhiro , Ono Takahiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeTo measure masticatory performance (MP) in partially edentulous patients when wearing removable partial dentures (RPDs) versus when not wearing RPDs, and to identify factors that could enable clinical evaluations related to differences in MP.Materials and methodsThis study consisted of 87 partially edentulous patients (57 females, 30 males; mean age, 69.41 ± 8.85 years) categorized as Eichner classification B who habitually wore RPDs. MP was evaluated while wearing versus while not wearing RPDs using test gummy jellies. The participants were categorized into four groups by the presence of occlusal contacts in one to three of the molar and premolar regions (occlusal support), or in the anterior region only, according to the Eichner index (B1‐B4). The participants were also categorized according to the jaw on which the RPDs were worn and the Kennedy classification, and evaluated in regard to changes in MP resulting from wearing RPDs. Additionally, the rate of change in MP (MP‐rv) was calculated for each participant using MP when not wearing RPDs as a reference, and factors affecting MP‐rv were evaluated using single or multiple regression analysis and the Kruskal‐Wallis test with multiple comparisons.ResultsSignificant increases in MP‐rv were observed for all participants and for those with occlusal support in two (p = 0.006) and three regions (p = 0.019); however, no significant differences were observed when wearing and not wearing RPDs in participants with (p = 0.090) and those without occlusal support in one region (p = 0.474). With respect to the jaw on which the RPDs were worn, only maxillary or both maxillary/mandibular RPDs tended to have higher MP‐rvs than did only mandibular jaws. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that Kennedy Class I edentulous arches were a factor in increasing MP‐rv (standard partial regression coefficient = 0.46, p < 0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, among various factors on the degree of improvement in masticatory performance by wearing RPDs, bilateral missing posterior teeth might be a predictor for achieving clinical improvement.
Role of serological tests in the diagnosis of coeliac disease in children in New Zealand
Authors: Ho Shaun SC , Keenan Jacqueline I , Day Andrew S 
Published: September 2020

AimTo circumvent the need for an endoscopic biopsy to establish the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD), the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) introduced a non‐biopsy pathway for selected children in 2012. This pathway was recently updated to utilise anti‐tissue transglutaminase IgA (anti‐TTG IgA), 10× upper limit of normal (ULN) and positive endomysial antibodies (EMA). This study focused on the retrospective application of these guidelines in children from two regions of New Zealand.MethodsChildren aged <18 years who had anti‐TTG IgA measured and underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy over a 30‐month period were identified retrospectively. Medical records were reviewed to determine whether patients subsequently had biopsy‐proven CD (Marsh ≥2).ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐six children, with a mean age (±standard deviation) of 9.9 ± 4.2 years, fulfilled the study criteria and 101 (74%) of these children had positive anti‐TTG IgA. Eighty‐two of 136 (60%) children had biopsy‐proven CD. Positive anti‐TTG IgA and EMA were highly sensitive in diagnosing CD, 96.3 and 98.6%, respectively. Anti‐TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN alone, and combined anti‐TTG IgA ≥10× ULN with positive EMA, both provided positive predictive values of 100% in diagnosing CD. Nineteen of 103 (18%) children could have been diagnosed with CD based on the ESPGHAN non‐biopsy criteria.ConclusionA proportion of New Zealand children with CD can potentially be diagnosed using the latest ESPGHAN non‐biopsy criteria. However, prospective studies are required to validate this conclusion.
Where are they now? An autism follow‐up study
Authors: McDonald Jenny , Milne Susan , Masi Anne , Zieba Jerzy , Eapen Valsamma 
Published: September 2020

AimTo explore the stability of diagnosis and the relationship between behavioural, adaptive and developmental skills in early to middle childhood in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).MethodsFifty‐four children recruited to the study were diagnosed with ASD before 42 months. Outcomes at follow‐up after a mean interval of 64 months were measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Vineland‐II adaptive scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and parental survey data. Scores before school were compared with follow‐up data through descriptive, correlational and multiple regression analyses.ResultsASD was confirmed in all children at follow‐up (mean age 10 years). Fifty‐eight percent of children were enrolled in a supported educational class or school and 42% were taking a psychotropic medication. Adaptive function improved significantly in 19% of children. Developmental and adaptive behavioural scores before school correlated with cognitive, behaviour and adaptive assessments at follow‐up.ConclusionAt follow‐up, the diagnosis was confirmed in all children. The children showed gains in their adaptive skills but and many required ongoing educational and behavioural support. Early developmental and adaptive assessments reliably predicted later educational support needs, cognitive and adaptive function and are a useful component of a diagnostic assessment.
Therapeutic play to teach children with type 1 diabetes insulin self‐injection: A pilot trial in a developing country
Authors: La Banca Rebecca O. , Laffel Lori M. B. , Volkening Lisa K. , C. Sparapani Valéria , de Carvalho Emilia C. , Nascimento Lucila C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeChild participation in type 1 diabetes (T1D) self‐care is needed in developing countries due to a lack of resources, especially during the school day. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a therapeutic play intervention (ITP) versus standard education (SE) on the ability of children with T1D to correctly perform insulin injection technique.Design and MethodsChildren with T1D (7–12 years) were recruited at two diabetes clinics in Brazil and randomized to ITP or SE. Registered nurses received protocol training to deliver the intervention and perform data collection. ITP group received an education that included a story about a child with T1D who self‐injects insulin at school; SE group received routine clinic‐based education. Preintervention, children were video‐recorded giving insulin injections to a doll; postintervention, children were rerecorded giving the doll an injection. The research team reviewed the videos and assessed the injection technique using validated checklists. Parents reported children's self‐injection practices at baseline and 30 days.ResultsChildren (N = 20, 40% male) were 9.6 ± 1.3 years old and had T1D for 3.6 ± 2.3 years; HbA1c was 9.1 ± 2.0%; 20% of ITP and 50% of SE children used syringes (vs. pens) for injections. At baseline, 80% of both groups knew how to self‐inject; most were taught by a parent/relative. Injection technique scores were low in both groups; ITP group increased their scores significantly postintervention. Practices of self‐injection did not change in either group after 30 days.Practice ImplicationsThe play‐based intervention appeared to improve the injection technique in the short‐term. Pilot findings support the development of a larger trial to evaluate the effectiveness of ITP on educating children on insulin injections.
Preparation and characterization of kafirin‐quercetin film for packaging cod during cold storage
Authors: Lou Danlu , Tong Lu , Kang Xinzi , Yu Yimin , Zhang Jinjie , Lou Qiaoming , Huang Tao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study mainly evaluated the physical properties of kafirin‐quercetin (KQ) edible films and their application on the quality of cod fillets during cold storage. The results showed that the addition of quercetin significantly increased mechanical properties of KQ films, while decreased water vapor permeability, water solubility, and transparency. As quercetin was 0.4% (wt/vol), the film had the highest tensile strength (4.96 ± 1.23 MPa), the lowest water vapor permeability (1.08 ± 0.09 g·mm·m−2·h·KPa−1) and water solubility (22.02 ± 0.45%). Moreover, compared with the pure kafirin and polythylene films, KQ films could effectively inhibit the cod meat deterioration by restraining the growth of microorganisms and decreasing TVB‐N and TBARs. The KQ0.4% film was the best to prolong the shelf life of cod fillets during cold storage. Therefore, KQ edible films could be used as a potential food packaging material to protect and retain the quality of aquatic products.
Efficacy of adding ramipril (VAsotop) to the combination of furosemide (Lasix) and pimobendan (VEtmedin) in dogs with mitral valve degeneration: TheVALVEtrial
Authors: Wess Gerhard , Kresken Jan‐Gerd , Wendt Ralph , Gaugele Juliane , Killich Markus , Keller Lisa , Simak Julia , Holler Peter , Bauer Alexander , Küchenhof Helmut , Glaus Tony 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundTriple therapy (TT) consisting of furosemide, pimobendan, and an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) frequently is recommended for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) attributable to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). However, the effect of adding an ACEI to the combination of pimobendan and furosemide (dual therapy [DT]) so far has not been evaluated prospectively.HypothesisTriple therapy will extend survival time compared to DT in dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs presented with the first episode of CHF caused by MMVD.MethodsProspective, single‐blinded, randomized multicenter study. One‐hundred and fifty‐eight dogs were recruited and prospectively randomized to receive either DT (furosemide and pimobendan) or TT (furosemide, pimobendan, and ramipril). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, euthanasia for heart failure, or treatment failure.ResultsSeventy‐seven dogs were randomized to receive DT and 79 to receive TT. Two dogs were excluded from analysis. The primary endpoint was reached by 136 dogs (87%; 66 dogs, DT; 70 dogs, TT). Median time to reach the primary endpoint for all dogs in the study was 214 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 168‐259 days). Median time to reach the primary endpoint was not significantly different between the DT group (227 days; interquartile range [IQR], 103‐636 days) compared with TT group (186 days; IQR, 72‐453 days;P= .42).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAddition of the ACEI ramipril to pimobendan and furosemide did not have any beneficial effect on survival time in dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD.
Recolonization patterns of benthic assemblages after relict sand dredging in the central Tyrrhenian sea
Authors: Loia Marco , La Valle Paola , Lattanzi Loretta , La Porta Barbara , Targusi Monica , Nicoletti Luisa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecolonization patterns of benthic assemblages after relict sand dredging were investigated in an area offshore of Capo d’Anzio (central Tyrrhenian Sea). Surveys were performed before, during, and after dredging in 2007. Sampling stations were located within and outside the dredging site in water depths between 40 and 56 m. Defaunation due to sand extraction was the main impact observed in the inner stations and in stations located in proximity of the dredging site. At the inner stations, 9 months after dredging, a significant increase in species richness and diversity was observed: the sediment removal led to an increase of the sandy sediment fraction, favouring the settlement of sabulicolous species. A decrease in number of individuals and species was also observed in most of the outer stations, probably due to fine sediment redeposition. Recolonization of macrobenthic assemblages was essentially achieved at inner stations both in terms of abundance and species richness, while at outer stations it was still in progress. Results of this study, providing a picture of recovery times and processes in the Tyrrhenian Sea, could be used to develop predictions of the effects of future offshore sand dredging projects in comparable areas. Monitoring programs and research have a key role to provide a more detailed overview of biological recovery processes and times in different regions and with different dredging intensity.
Cardiac and lung endothelial cells in response to fluid shear stress on physiological matrix stiffness and composition
Authors: Bacci Cydnee , Wong Vanessa , Barahona Victor , Merna Nick 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivePreconditioning of endothelial cells from different vascular beds has potential value for re‐endothelialization and implantation of engineered tissues. Understanding how substrate stiffness and composition affects tissue‐specific cell response to shear stress will aid in successful endothelialization of engineered tissues. We developed a platform to test biomechanical and biochemical stimuli.MethodsA novel polydimethylsiloxane‐based parallel plate flow chamber enabled application of laminar fluid shear stress of 2 dynes/cm2 for 12 hours to microvascular cardiac and lung endothelial cells cultured on cardiac and lung‐derived extracellular matrix. Optical imaging of cells was used to quantify cell changes in cell alignment. Analysis of integrin expression was performed using flow cytometry.ResultsApplication of fluid shear stress caused the greatest cell alignment in cardiac endothelial cells seeded on polystyrene and lung endothelial cells on polydimethylsiloxane. This resulted in elongation of the lung endothelial cells. αv and β3 integrin expression decreased after application of shear stress in both cell types.ConclusionSubstrate stiffness plays an important role in regulating tissue‐specific endothelial response to shear stress, which may be due to differences in their native microenvironments. Furthermore, cardiac and lung endothelial cell response to shear stress was significantly regulated by the type of coating used.
Unique regulator SrpR mediates crosstalk between efflux pumps TtgABC and SrpABC in Pseudomonas putida B6‐2 (DSM 28064)
Authors: Yao Xuemei , Tao Fei , Tang Hongzhi , Hu Haiyang , Wang Weiwei , Xu Ping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe coexistence of multiple homologous resistance‐nodulation‐division (RND) efflux pumps in bacteria is frequently described with overlapping substrate profiles. However, it is unclear how bacteria balance their transcription in response to the changing environment. Here, we characterized a repressor, SrpR, in Pseudomonas putida B6‐2 (DSM 28064), whose coding gene is adjacent to srpS that encodes the local repressor of the RND‐type efflux pump SrpABC gene cluster. SrpR was demonstrated as a specific repressor of another RND efflux pump gene cluster ttgABC that is locally repressed by TtgR. SrpR was found to be capable of binding to the ttgABC operator with a higher affinity (KD, 138.0 nM) compared to TtgR (KD, 15.4 μM). EMSA and β‐galactosidase assays were performed to survey possible effectors of SrpR with 35 available chemicals being tested. Only 2,3,4‐trichlorophenol was identified as an effector of SrpR. A regulation model was then proposed, representing a novel strategy for balancing the efflux systems with partially overlapping substrate profiles. This study highlights sophisticated interactions among the RND efflux pumps in a Pseudomonas strain, which may endow bacteria with certain advantages in a fluctuant environment.