bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with time to defecate and outcomes in critically ill patients: a prospective, multicentre, observational study
Authors: Launey Y. , Painvin B. , Roquilly A. , Dahyot‐Fizelier C. , Lasocki S. , Rousseau C. , Frasca D. , Gacouin A. , Seguin P. 
Published: July 2020

SummaryDelayed defecation is common in patients on intensive care. We aimed to determine factors associated with time to defecation after admission to intensive care and in turn its association with length of stay and mortality. We studied 396 adults admitted to one of five intensive care units in whom at least 2 days’ invasive ventilation was anticipated during an expected stay of at least 3 days. The median (IQR [range]) time to defecate by the 336 out of 396 (84%) patients who did so before intensive care discharge was 6 (4‐8 [1–18]) days. Defecation was independently associated with five factors, hazard ratio (95%CI), higher values indicating more rapid defecation: alcoholism, 1.32 (1.05–1.66), p = 0.02; laxatives before admission, 2.35 (1.79–3.07), p < 0.001; non‐invasive ventilation, 0.54 (0.36–0.82), p = 0.004; duration of ventilation, 0.78 (0.74–0.82), p < 0.001; laxatives after admission, 1.67 (1.23–2.26), p < 0.001; and enteral nutrition within 48 h of admission, 1.43 (1.07–1.90), p = 0.01. Delayed defecation was associated with prolonged intensive care stay but not mortality.
The Effects of a Community Animation Program in a Rural Setting on the Participants’ Quality of Life
Authors: Ubillos‐Landa Silvia , Hortigüela‐Arroyo María , González‐Castro José Luis , Puente‐Martinez Alicia 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThis study presents the evaluation of a Community Animation Program (CAP) conducted in a rural town in Spain aimed towards improving the participants’ Quality of Life. The program includes animation, culture, and leisure activities to improve not only the inhabitants’ Subjective Quality of Life but also social cohesion and enhance a sense of community belonging.MethodsA repeated measure pre/post‐test design with an experimental and equivalent control group (55 participants per group) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the Program. Instruments included measures of Quality and Satisfaction of Life, Happiness, Positive and Negative Affect, Mental Health, Self‐esteem, Loneliness and Community Support. The number of participants practically included the whole universe of town members participating in community activities.ResultsThe program improved the participants’ Quality of Life, with a stronger impact on the relational, community and environmental dimensions as well as psychological wellbeing. Community animation prevents isolation and loneliness and creates social cohesion. Social interactions improve life satisfaction of the participants.ConclusionThe CAP enhances integration, leisure and interaction and generates more positive affect, happiness and social wellbeing. Promoting recreation centres and programs in rural settings may improve inhabitants’ health and general wellbeing as well as enhancing social connectedness.
Comparison of the Immunotherapy Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (iRECIST) with RECIST for capturing treatment response of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab
Authors: Fukuokaya Wataru , Kimura Takahiro , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Kimura Shoji , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Koike Yuhei , Iwamoto Yuya , Enei Yuki , Tanaka Masatoshi , Urabe Fumihiko , Onuma Hajime , Honda Mariko , Miki Jun , Oyama Yu , Abe Hirokazu , Egawa Shin 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical usefulness of Immunotherapy Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (iRECIST) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) treated with pembrolizumab. The iRECIST is designed to accurately capture the tumour response treated with immunotherapy.Patients and methodsWe conducted a multicentre retrospective study evaluating the clinical utility of iRECIST in 91 patients with metastatic UC treated with second‐line pembrolizumab. The objective response (OR) and time to progression (TTP) in accordance with both iRECIST and RECIST version 1.1 were compared with overall survival (OS) and risk of all‐cause mortality, and analysed using log‐rank and multivariable Cox regression models, respectively. Predictive performance of the criteria was studied using Harrell’s concordance index (c‐index). The clinical usefulness of each criterion was compared using decision curve analysis.ResultsOf 57 patients with progressive disease per RECIST, a considerable number of patients were reclassified to immune stable disease (six, 10.5%), immune partial response (two, 3.5%), and immune complete response (two, 3.5%) per iRECIST. Multivariable Cox regression models showed that both OR (hazard ratio [HR] 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03–0.35; P = 0.001) and TTP (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46–0.77; P < 0.001) per iRECIST were significantly associated with all‐cause mortality. Furthermore, iRECIST had a significant, increased predictability of OS compared with RECIST (OR, c‐index: 0.70, increase: 0.04, P = 0.046; TTP, c‐index: 0.88, increase: 0.07, P = 0.039). On decision curve analysis, iRECIST presented better net benefit gains than did RECIST.ConclusionsCompared with RECIST, iRECIST could more accurately predict OS of patients with metastatic UC treated with pembrolizumab. The iRECIST has the potential to be a new standard for tumour response evaluation of these patients.
From Farm to Cup: A Coffee Supply Chain Negotiation Role‐Play*
Authors: Inouye Todd M. , Kling James A. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTThis paper introduces a novel supply chain role‐play activity designed to improve ethical awareness and pricing negotiation decisions in business capstone courses. Participants negotiate prices between five levels of an international coffee supply chain: Farmers, Processors, Importers, Roasters, and Retailers/Cafés. Using results from 141 participants, data analysis supports the conclusion that this role‐play significantly increases self‐reported mastery of supply chain management, business ethics, and negotiations. In this manuscript, we also introduce the concept of bounded ethicality and how it is incorporated into the role‐play scenario debrief phase. Self‐reported scores reflecting ethical awareness significantly increase after participation in the role‐play activity. While statistically significant results are discussed, we also generalize about the advantages of this type of experiential education. Methodology and details of the role‐play itself are shared.
Diagnostic value of circulating microRNA‐19b in heart failure
Authors: Zhang Liang , Xu Rong‐Liang , Liu Su‐Xuan , Dong Shao‐Hua , Zhao Xian‐Xian , Zhang Bi‐Li 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveFor differentiating heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), N‐terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is less accurate. Decreased expression of microRNA‐19b (miR‐19b) is associated with increased cardiac‐fibrosis. We aim to evaluate the value of miR‐19b in diagnosing HFrEF patients.MethodWe included 200 HF patients and 100 healthy controls. Intergroup comparisons of miR‐19b were made and correlation between miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP was analysed. Diagnostic values of NT‐proBNP and miR‐19b for HF patients versus controls and HFrEF versus HFpEF were obtained by ROC analysis and described by area under curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity.ResultsHFrEF patients (0.87, 95% CI 0.37‐1.45) had significantly lower miR‐19b level than HFpEF group (1.32, 95% CI 0.63‐2.51) and the controls (1.82, 95% CI 0.37‐1.45) (both P < .001). There was a remarkable negative correlation between miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP (P < .001). The additional use of miR‐19b did not improve the accuracy of NT‐proBNP alone in diagnosing HF patients from the controls (both AUC = 0.98, 95%CI 0.97‐0.99). However, as for distinguishing the HFpEF from HFrEF, miR‐19b and NT‐proBNP yielded a significantly higher AUC than NT‐proBNP alone (0.85, 95% CI 0.80‐0.90 vs. 0.66, 95% CI 0.58‐0.74) (P < .001), and the sensitivity for diagnosing HFrEF was raised from 58% to 77% and the specificity from 75% to 79%.ConclusionsOn top of NT‐proBNP, miR‐19b added the value in diagnosing HFrEF. But in view of satisfactory accuracy of NT‐proBNP in predicting HF from the healthy volunteers, miR‐19b did not provide incremental value.
Spatial modelling of ecological indicator values improves predictions of plant distributions in complex landscapes
Authors: Descombes Patrice , Walthert Lorenz , Baltensweiler Andri , Meuli Reto Giulio , Karger Dirk N. , Ginzler Christian , Zurell Damaris , Zimmermann Niklaus E. 
Published: July 2020

Ecologically meaningful predictors are often neglected in plant distribution studies, resulting in incomplete niche quantification and low predictive power of species distribution models (SDMs). Because environmental data are rare and expensive to collect, and because their relationship with local climatic and topographic conditions are complex, mapping them over large geographic extents and at high spatial resolution remains a major challenge.Here, we propose to derive environmental data layers by mapping ecological indicator values in space. We combined ~6 million plant occurrences with expert‐based plant ecological indicator values (EIVs) of 3600 species in Switzerland. EIVs representing local soil properties (pH, moisture, moisture variability, aeration, humus and nutrients) and climatic conditions (continentality, light) were modelled at 93 m spatial resolution with the Random Forest algorithm and 16 predictors representing meso‐climate, land use, topography and geology. Models were evaluated and predictions of EIVs were compared with soil inventory data. We mapped each EIV separately and evaluated EIV importance in explaining the distribution of 500 plant species using SDMs with a set of 30 environmental predictors. Finally, we tested how they improve an ensemble of SDMs compared to a standard set of predictors for ca 60 plant species.All EIV models showed excellent performance (|r| > 0.9) and predictions were correlated reasonably (|r| > 0.4) to soil properties measured in the field. Resulting EIV maps were among the most important predictors in SDMs. Also, in ensemble SDMs overall predictive performance increased, mainly through improved model specificity reducing species range overestimation.Combining large citizen science databases to expert‐based EIVs is a powerful and cost–effective approach for generalizing local edaphic and climatic conditions over large areas. Producing ecologically meaningful predictors is a first step for generating better predictions of species distribution which is of main importance for decision makers in conservation and environmental management projects.
The ins and outs of inhibitory synaptic plasticity: Neuron types, molecular mechanisms and functional roles
Authors: Capogna Marco , Castillo Pablo E. , Maffei Arianna 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGABAergic interneurons are highly diverse, and their synaptic outputs express various forms of plasticity. Compelling evidence indicates that activity‐dependent changes of inhibitory synaptic transmission play a significant role in regulating neural circuits critically involved in learning and memory and circuit refinement. Here, we provide an updated overview of inhibitory synaptic plasticity with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. To illustrate the diversity of inhibitory interneurons, we discuss the case of two highly divergent interneuron types, parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells and neurogliaform cells, which support unique roles on circuit dynamics. We also present recent progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying long‐term, activity‐dependent plasticity of fast inhibitory transmission. Lastly, we discuss the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits’ function. The emerging picture is that inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS is extremely diverse, undergoes various mechanistically distinct forms of plasticity and contributes to a much more refined computational role than initially thought. Both the remarkable diversity of inhibitory interneurons and the various forms of plasticity expressed by GABAergic synapses provide an amazingly rich inhibitory repertoire that is central to a variety of complex neural circuit functions, including memory.
Sumatriptan reduces severity of status epilepticus induced by lithium–pilocarpine through nitrergic transmission and 5‐HT1B/D receptors in rats: A pharmacological‐based evidence
Authors: Eslami Faezeh , Rahimi Nastaran , Ostovaneh Aysa , Ghasemi Mehdi , Dejban Pegah , Abbasi Ata , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: July 2020

AbstractStatus epilepticus (SE) is a life‐threatening neurologic disorder that can be as both cause and consequence of neuroinflammation. In addition to previous reports on anti‐inflammatory property of the anti‐migraine medication sumatriptan, we have recently shown its anticonvulsive effects on pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure in mice. In the present study, we investigated further (i) the effects of sumatriptan in the lithium–pilocarpine SE model in rats, and (ii) the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO), 5‐hydroxytryptamin 1B/1D (5‐HT1B/1D) receptor, and inflammatory pathways in such effects of sumatriptan. Status epilepticus was induced by lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p) and pilocarpine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) in Wistar rats. While SE induction increased SE scores and mortality rate, sumatriptan (0.001‐1 mg/kg, i.p.) improved it (P < 0.001). Administration of the selective 5‐HT1B/1D antagonist GR‐127935 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the anticonvulsive effects of sumatriptan (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.). Although both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and NO levels were markedly elevated in the rats' brain tissues post‐SE induction, pre‐treatment with sumatriptan significantly reduced both TNF‐α (P < 0.05) and NO (P < 0.001) levels. Combined GR‐127935 and sumatriptan treatment inhibited these anti‐inflammatory effects of sumatriptan, whereas combined non‐specific NOS (L‐NAME) or selective neuronal NOS (7‐nitroindazole) inhibitors and sumatriptan further reduced NO levels. In conclusion, sumatriptan exerted a protective effect against the clinical manifestations and mortality rate of SE in rats which is possibly through targeting 5‐HT1B/1D receptors, neuroinflammation, and nitrergic transmission.
Fatigue life prediction of woven composite laminates with initial delamination
Authors: Wan Aoshuang , Xiong Junjiang , Xu Yigeng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn engineering approach for fatigue life prediction of fibre‐reinforced polymer composite materials is highly desirable for industries due to the complexity in damage mechanisms and their interactions. This paper presents a fatigue‐driven residual strength model considering the effect of initial delamination size and stress ratio. Static and constant amplitude fatigue tests of woven composite specimens with delamination diameters of 0, 4 and 6 mm were carried out to determine the model parameters. Good agreement with experimental results has been achieved when the modified residual strength model has been applied for fatigue life prediction of the woven composite laminate with an initial delamination diameter of 8 mm under constant amplitude load and block fatigue load. It has been demonstrated that the residual strength degradation‐based model can effectively reflect the load sequence effect on fatigue damage and hence provide more accurate fatigue life prediction than the traditional linear damage accumulation models.
Evaluating the relationship between yearling walleye, Sander vitreus, electrofishing catch‐per‐unit‐effort and density in northern Wisconsin lakes
Authors: Shaw Stephanie L. , Sass Gregory G. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecruitment declines of walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), observed in some northern Wisconsin lakes have resulted in management actions to evaluate and rehabilitate populations. An effective index for estimating relative abundance of yearling walleye is required. The objectives herein were : (a) to evaluate the relationship between yearling walleye electrofishing CPUE and density in northern Wisconsin lakes; (b) to test for the influence of lake‐specific factors on electrofishing catchability of yearling walleye; and (c) to develop an index whereby electrofishing CPUE can be used to quantify yearling walleye relative abundance. Yearling density was significantly positively related to electrofishing CPUE on a long‐term dataset from Escanaba Lake as well as a dataset including several lakes combined. Electrofishing catchability of yearling walleye was negatively related to lake‐surface area but was not related to other lake‐specific variables. This index can provide an efficient method to continue monitoring natural recruitment and also to evaluate survival of stocked walleye.
The efficacy and safety of treatments for infantile hemangiomas: a Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Hao , Hu Dong‐Lai , Xuan Xiao‐Xiao , Chen Jun‐Jie , Xu Sheng , Wu Xiang‐Jie , Zhang Hang , Shu Qiang , Guo Xiao‐Dong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhether infantile hemangiomas (IHs) need to be treated and which treatment should be preferred are still controversial. We aimed to compare and rank the treatments and identify the optimal treatment for IHs. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and other sources for randomized controlled trials up to August 2019. We included trials comparingdifferent treatments and reported response or adverse events rate in IH patients. Two reviewers independently evaluated studies by specific criteria and extracted data. We assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Random‐effects were performed for pair‐to‐pair and Bayesian framework network meta‐analyses. The primary outcomes were efficacy and safety. We deemed 20 studies eligible, including 1149 participants and eight interventions. For efficacy, oral propranolol and topical propranolol/timolol were better than observation/placebo (OR, 95% CrI: 17.05, 4.02–94.94; 9.72, 1.91–59.08). For safety, topical propranolol/timolol was significantly better tolerated than oral propranolol (0.05, 0.001–0.66). Cluster analysis demonstrated oral propranolol was the most effective treatment for IHs, while topical propranolol/timolol showed high efficacy and the highest safety. Laser, intralesional propranolol or glucocorticoid, oral glucocorticoid, or captopril had significantly lower priority than oral propranolol or topical propranolol/timolol considering both efficacy and safety. The quality of evidence was rated as moderate or low in most comparisons. This network meta‐analysis found topical beta‐blockers had the potential to be the most preferable and beneficial option for IHs in consideration of both efficacy and safety.
Association of TNF‐a (rs361525 and rs1800629) with susceptibility to cervical intraepithelial lesion and cervical carcinoma in women from Republic of North Macedonia
Authors: Duvlis Sotirija , Dabeski Drage , Cvetkovski Aleksandar , Mladenovska Kristina , Plaseska‐Karanfilska Dijana 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCervical cancer (CCa) is one of the most common malign diseases in women associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is an initiating factor, but not sufficient for the development of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and CCa. The disease might be a result of the influence of host's genetic factors and polymorphisms in inflammatory‐related genes that modify the immune response to HPV and attribute to cancer susceptibility. We carried out a study to determine the association between TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T polymorphisms with HPV‐positive CIN and CCa in women living in the Republic of North Macedonia. Using multiplex SNaPshot analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we analysed the genotype and allele distributions of TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T in 134 cases (HPV‐positive and histologically confirmed CIN and CCa) and in 113 controls (cytological and HPV‐negative women). For further analysis, the case group was stratified in three subgroups (all cases: CINs+ CCa− group; CIN2+ ‐group and CIN1− group). Data analysed using the odds ratio (OR) and chi‐square test showed the frequency of AA genotypes and A alleles are not significantly higher in cases compared to the controls for both SNPs: AA of TNF‐a‐238 (0.7% versus 0%) and TNF‐a‐308 (1.5% versus 0.9%) as well as A allelic frequency (3.0% versus 1.7%) and (13.1% versus 10.6), respectively. The comparison of the case's subgroups with the control group did not show a statistically significant difference. Compared to controls, TNF‐a‐238G/A and TNF‐a‐308 G/T are not associated with the risk of HPV associated CIN or CCa in the studied women.
Physical activity patterns in adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Oreskovic Nicolas M. , Cottrell Clorinda , Torres Amy , Patsiogiannis Vasiliki , Santoro Stephanie , Nichols Dominica , Moore Cynthia , Skotko Brian G. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals with Down syndrome (DS) are less physically active than the general population, but limited data on objective physical activity patterns in adults with DS are available.MethodsFree‐living physical activity was measured by waist‐worn accelerometry in adults with DS from 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and regression analyses.ResultsFifty‐two subjects provided valid accelerometer data, with 46% male and a majority (75%) overweight/obese. Median (± standard deviation) daily sedentary time was 393.5 ± 216.6 min, light activity was 150.7 ± 85.5 min, moderate activity was 6.3 ± 13.5 min, and vigorous activity was 0 ± 9.8 min. Subjects had 10.3 ± 4.8 sedentary bouts per day lasting on average 30.7 ± 62.0 min. Median daily step count was 3,050 ± 1,988. Adults living alone had more steps and light physical activity in adjusted analyses.ConclusionAdults with DS engage in little health‐enhancing physical activity and do not meet current physical activity recommendations in the United States.
Compliance with pension‐related mandatory disclosures and debt financing
Authors: Almaghrabi Khadija S. , Opong Kwaku , Tsalavoutas Ioannis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractUsing hand‐collected data on the level of pension‐related mandatory disclosures required by International Accounting Standard 19Employee Benefits, we test whether compliance levels with these disclosures convey information that affects firms’ access to the public instead of the private debt market, as well as the cost of their new debt issues. We document a higher tendency to access the public debt market for firms with higher levels of pension‐related disclosure. Furthermore, we find that firms with higher levels of pension‐related disclosure enjoy a lower cost in terms of issuance of public debt, but not a lower cost for private debt issues. Thus, the benefits of disclosure in reducing information risk are only realisable when creditors rely heavily on financial statements in their decision making, due to the limited access to private information. Additional tests reveal that high compliance levels effectively mitigate the negative effect of pension deficits on the cost of public debt. These findings provide novel evidence in the extant literature on the role of mandatory (and, in particular, pension‐related) disclosures on firms’ debt financing. They also have important policy implications.