bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of VEGFA and IL1β gene polymorphisms with preeclampsia in Sudanese women
Authors: Hamid Hameed M. , Abdalla Sana E. , Sidig Mohamed , Adam Ishag , Hamdan Hamdan Z. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundPreeclampsia can lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. There are few studies on the genetic factors associated with preeclampsia in Africa in general and in Sudan in specific.MethodsA case–control study (60 women in each arm) was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, from March to September 2018. The participants were genotyped for vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs3025039, interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) rs16944, and IL1β rs1143634 by performing polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the age, parity, body mass index, or other characteristics tested between the preeclampsia group and the control group (60 women in each arm). The rs3025039, rs16944, and rs1143634 genotypes were distributed in accordance with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p > .05). For rs3025039, CT, CT+TT, and the T allele were risk factors for preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% CI [1.12–5.32]; p = .02; OR = 2.49 [1.17–25.27]; p = .01; OR = 2.05; 95% CI [1.10–3.83]; p = .02, respectively). Regarding rs16944, only the heterozygous genotype CT was associated with preeclampsia (OR = 2.55; 95% CI [1.15–5.56]; p = .01). Regarding rs1143634, CT, CT+TT, and the T allele were risk factors for preeclampsia (OR = 5.28; 95% CI [2.26–12.33]; p < .001; OR = 4.50; 95% CI [2.06–9.81]; p < .001; OR = 2.75; 95% CI [1.48–5.12]; p = .001, respectively).ConclusionPolymorphisms in IL1β and VEGFA were associated with preeclampsia in this setting. Significant associations were observed between preeclampsia and rs3025039, rs16944, and rs1143634.
Archaeology, chronology, and age‐diet insights of two late fourth millennium cal BC pit graves from central southern Iberia (Córdoba, Spain)
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Rafael M. , Tejedor García Úrsula , López Flores Inmaculada , Delgado Huertas Antonio , Granados Torres Arsenio , Tovar Acedo Luis Rey , Clapés Salmoral Rafael 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study presents the isotopic ratios, radiocarbon datings, and anthropological analyses of five (N = 5) Early Copper Age individuals from two archaeological sites (Arruzafa and Iglesia Antigua de Alcolea) of the Middle Guadalquivir Valley near the city of Córdoba (Spain). Four had been buried in the same grave, possibly in a single event or in a very short time lapse. The collagen residue analyses of the individuals offer δ13C values ranging between −20.08 and −18.4 and δ15N values between 8.57 and 11.15. The findings indicate that the infant and the elderly had, respectively, the richest and poorest animal protein diets, the first likely as a result of nursing. The combined study of these five individuals offers an interesting approach to a small segment of population of the farming communities occupying this territory at the beginning of the Copper Age (3200–3000 cal BC).
Organism migration in soils: Should we be so comfortable with diagnosing ancient infectious diseases?
Authors: Lawler Dennis F. , Tangredi Basil P. , Widga Christopher C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractStudies of the ancient history of infectious diseases have been facilitated greatly by development of a succession of novel analytical methods. In particular, laboratory analytical methods that are based on high‐throughput ancient deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing have received considerable attention in this respect. Even so, significant environmental caveats remain. There are many means by which microbes move through soil, often fairly readily. Thus, the depositional component of the postmortem environment, especially with respect to unshielded animal or human remains, is a fertile arena for many microbes that can contaminate archaeological specimens well after deposition and decay of soft tissues. The huge number of pathogenic and nonpathologic genera and species clearly dictate renewed interest and research into the long‐term biological activities of soil‐covered remains. In a tuberculosis context, we focus on various depositional concerns and limitations, such as contamination prior to archaeological discovery (perhaps many years prior), various means of microorganism movement in soil, the influence of these factors on differential diagnosis, and real hazards for misinterpretation of investigational results.
Concurrence of elevated FeNO and airway hyperresponsiveness in nonasthmatic adolescents
Authors: Kalm‐Stephens Pia , Malinovschi Andrei , Janson Christer , Venge Per , Nordvall Lennart , Alving Kjell 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate airway responsiveness and eosinophil and neutrophil inflammatory markers in clinically confirmed nonasthmatic adolescents with elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a marker of type‐2 inflammation in the airways.MethodologyA total of 959 subjects from a general population, aged 12 to 15 years, answered a standardised questionnaire and underwent FeNO measurements at a screening visit at school. Adolescents without asthma, who had elevated FeNO (FeNO100 > 15 ppb) (n = 19), and control subjects, with low FeNO (FeNO100 < 5 ppb) and without reported symptoms of asthma or allergy (n = 28), participated in a follow‐up study where FeNO50, airway responsiveness to methacholine (PD20), blood eosinophil counts, and serum neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured. Questionnaire follow‐ups were performed 4 and 16 years later.ResultsAirway responsiveness (PD20: 6.94 [1.87, 11.39] vs 11.42 [6.33, 59.4] µmol; P < .05) and blood eosinophil counts (0.31 [0.20, 0.44] vs 0.13 [0.1, 0.22] 109/L; P < .001) (geometric mean [95% CI]) were higher among cases than controls. A significant correlation between blood eosinophils and FeNO was found (rho = 0.41; P = .005). In contrast, serum HNL and MPO were lower in cases than controls (P < .05 both), and there was a negative correlation between HNL and FeNO (r = −0.31; P = .04). At both follow‐ups, a higher proportion of subjects reported allergic symptoms compared with baseline (P = .02, P = .01).ConclusionsElevated FeNO in nonasthmatic adolescents was associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, elevated blood eosinophil counts, and lower systemic activation of neutrophils.
Removal of distal airway foreign body with the help of fluoroscopy in a child
Authors: Goussard Pierre , Mfingwana Lunga , Morrison Julie 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMost foreign bodies are located in the central airways and can be reached and removed with either a flexible or rigid bronchoscope or a combination of the two methods. The removal of more distal foreign bodies can present a significant challenge. We describe a case of an 11‐year‐old child, who aspirated a sewing needle that lodged in a distal subsegment of the medial segment of the right lower lobe. As a result, it was visible only with the 2.8 mm flexible bronchoscope (FOB). Mono‐planar fluoroscopic guidance was useful for confirming the placement of the 2.8 mm bronchoscope and allowing for a biopsy forceps to grasp the needle and move it to a larger airway, where it could then be removed safely using a larger FOB. Removal of radiopaque foreign bodies in the distal airways is possible with the aid of fluoroscopy and a small bronchoscope. This report also highlights the risk of aspirating sharp objects when they are placed into the mouth, especially by children, and the dangers posed by sharp object foreign body aspiration.
Cost minimization of repairable systems subject to availability constraints using efficient cuckoo optimization algorithm
Authors: Mellal Mohamed Arezki , Zio Enrico , Williams Edward J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSystem availability is a key element for any industry. System designers and operators try to do their best to maintain the required availability of the systems to avoid production stoppages. They set up and undertake different maintenances, and these interventions imply cost. Therefore, the goal is to minimize the cost, but considering the constraint of the availability requirement. The problem involves three main aspects: redundancy allocation, component failure rates, and repair rates. In this paper, a novel solution approach is proposed based on an efficient cuckoo optimization algorithm (EF‐COA). Two numerical case studies are solved, and the results confirm the effectiveness of the approach proposed.
Supervisory switching‐based prescribed performance control of unknown nonlinear systems against actuator failures
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Xi , Yang Guang‐Hong 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThis article studies the fault‐tolerant control problem for unknown nonlinear strict‐feedback systems subject to actuator failures yet with dynamic redundancies. The prescribed performance control methodology is newly combined with a modification‐based supervisory switching strategy to solve the problem. To implement failure detection, the performance function is properly modified to synthesize a monitoring function to supervise the behavior of an error variable. Once a failure is detected, the current actuator is shut down and the backup actuator is switched in to execute the reconfigured control command. Compared with the existing results, (1) the postfailure and postswitching tracking performance is improved, other than uniform ultimate boundedness and (2) the dependence on extra robust control schemes (eg, adaptive or approximating structures) to deal with model uncertainties or the need to compute analytic derivatives of virtual control signals in the backstepping design is eliminated.
Zum Riss‐ und Verformungsverhalten von Stahlverbundträgern mit Teilfertigteilen
Authors: Mager Matthias , Geißler Karsten 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDas Tragverhalten statisch unbestimmter Stahlverbundträger – folgend kurz Verbundträger – wird im Gebrauchszustand maßgeblich durch die Rissbildung in den Bereichen negativer Momentenbeanspruchung beeinflusst. Verbundträger mit Teilfertigteilen weisen aufgrund lokaler Umlagerungen einige Besonderheiten auf, die mit den herkömmlichen Berechnungsverfahren nicht ausreichend beschrieben werden können. Dieser Beitrag stellt Berechnungsansätze vor, mit denen das spezifische Tragverhalten erfasst und Rissbildung, Rissbreiten sowie Verformungen wirklichkeitsnah beschrieben werden können.
Experimentelle Untersuchung von Lärmschutzwandstehern und deren Befestigung auf Kunstbauten
Authors: Reiterer Michael , Stranghöner Natalie , Jungbluth Dominik 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIm vorliegenden Aufsatz wird in Ergänzung zum Teil 1 – Ermüdungsverhalten – das Vorspannverhalten von geschraubten Verbindungen, die bei der Befestigung von Lärmschutzwandstehern auf Kunstbauten ausgeführt werden, experimentell untersucht und bewertet. In einem indikativen Vorversuch wurden insgesamt vier Messserien durchgeführt, bei denen die Verbindung mit einem vorab definierten Anziehdrehmoment jeweils dreimal hintereinander mutterseitig angezogen und wieder gelöst wurde. Als Schmiermittel wurde die Feststoffschmierpaste Molykote 1000 angewendet. Die in den Vorversuchen verwendeten Gewindebolzen und Muttern sind aus nichtrostendem Stahl A4‐80 hergestellt und weisen den Durchmesser M20 auf. Die Vorversuche dienen zur Untersuchung des Einflusses von unterschiedlichen Typen von Scheiben auf die sich ergebende Größe der Vorspannkraft im Gewindebolzen. Da geschraubte Verbindungen aus nichtrostendem Stahl derzeit normativ nicht geregelt sind, wurden am Institut für Metall‐ und Leichtbau der Universität Duisburg‐Essen ergänzende experimentelle Untersuchungen im Sinne einer Verfahrensprüfung an einem kalibrierten Anziehprüfstand durchgeführt. Auf Grundlage dieser an Gewindebolzen M16 und M20 aus nichtrostendem austenitischem Stahl A4‐80 in Kombination mit Keilsicherungsscheiben durchgeführten Anziehversuche wurde eine Verfahrensanweisung für das mutterseitige Vorspannen abgeleitet.
Use of organic coagulant/flocculant for treatment of effluents generated in intensive rearing of swine
Authors: Gabriel Márcia , da Rosa Genesio Mario , Wastowski Arci Dirceu , da Costa Jefferson Alves , Volpatto Fernanda 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSeparation of water for reuse is essential in an effluent treatment system, especially in activities with high water consumption, such as a pig production system. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of Tanfloc SG® coagulant tannin/organic flocculant used to treat effluent generated during the intensive rearing of swine. For the evaluation, laboratory and in situ tests (field test) were performed. The laboratory tests were performed to define the concentration (1 and 16%), dosage (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 milliliters of the solution), and time (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours) of coagulation/flocculation treatment of the solid portion of the effluent. The parameters pH, turbidity, oxidation reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, and electroconductivity (in microsiemens per centimeter) were evaluated using a multiparameter probe and the parameters ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3), and nitrite (NO2) in the laboratory, in relation to the coagulation/flocculation time of the solid part of the effluent. The use of tannin as a coagulant/flocculant of plant origin in the treatment of swine effluents was effective in reducing turbidity and concentrations of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and it allowed separation of the solid–liquid phase in approximately 68% as liquid phase.
Horizon constraints on holographic Green’s functions
Authors: Blake Mike , Davison Richard A. , Vegh David 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We explore a new class of general properties of thermal holographic Green’s functions that can be deduced from the near-horizon behaviour of classical perturbations in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes. We show that at negative imaginary Matsubara frequencies and appropriate complex values of the wavenumber the retarded Green’s functions of generic operators are not uniquely defined, due to the lack of a unique ingoing solution for the bulk perturbations. From a boundary perspective these ‘pole-skipping’ points correspond to locations in the complex frequency and momentum planes at which a line of poles of the retarded Green’s function intersects with a line of zeroes. As a consequence the dispersion relations of collective modes in the boundary theory at energy scales ω ∼ T are directly constrained by the bulk dynamics near the black-brane horizon. For the case of conserved U (1) current and energy-momentum tensor operators we give examples where the dispersion relations of hydrodynamic modes pass through a succession of pole- skipping points as real wavenumber is increased. We discuss implications of our results for transport, hydrodynamics and quantum chaos in holographic systems.
Cognitive neuropsychological theory of antidepressant action: a modern-day approach to depression and its treatment
Authors: Godlewska Beata R. , Harmer Catherine J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDepression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and improving its treatment is a core research priority for future programmes. A change in the view of psychological and biological processes, from seeing them as separate to complementing one another, has introduced new perspectives on pathological mechanisms of depression and treatment mode of action. This review presents a theoretical model that incorporated this novel approach, the cognitive neuropsychological hypothesis of antidepressant action. This model proposes that antidepressant treatments decrease the negative bias in the processing of emotionally salient information early in the course of antidepressant treatment, which leads to the clinically significant mood improvement later in treatment. The paper discusses the role of negative affective biases in the development of depression and response to antidepressant treatments. It also discusses whether the model can be applied to other antidepressant interventions and its potential translational value, including treatment choice, prediction of response and drug development.
Surgical nuances and placement of subgaleal drains for supratentorial procedures—a prospective analysis of efficacy and outcome in 150 craniotomies
Authors: Hamou Hussam Aldin , Kotliar Konstantin , Tan Sonny Kian , Weiß Christel , Christian Blume , Clusmann Hans , Schubert Gerrit Alexander , Albanna Walid 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
For supratentorial craniotomy, surgical access, and closure technique, including placement of subgaleal drains, may vary considerably. The influence of surgical nuances on postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or impaired wound healing overall remains largely unclear. With this study, we are reporting our experiences and the impact of our clinical routines on outcome in a prospectively collected data set.

Method
We prospectively observed 150 consecutive patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and recorded technical variables (type/length of incision, size of craniotomy, technique of dural and skin closure, type of dressing, and placement of subgaleal drains). Outcome variables (subgaleal hematoma/CSF collection, periorbital edema, impairment of wound healing, infection, and need for operative revision) were recorded at time of discharge and at late follow-up.

Results
Early subgaleal fluid collection was observed in 36.7% (2.8% at the late follow-up), and impaired wound healing was recorded in 3.3% of all cases, with an overall need for operative revision of 6.7%. Neither usage of dural sealants, lack of watertight dural closure, and presence of subgaleal drains, nor type of skin closure or dressing influenced outcome. Curved incisions, larger craniotomy, and tumor size, however, were associated with an increase in early CSF or hematoma collection (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01 resp.), and larger craniotomy size was associated with longer persistence of subgaleal fluid collections (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Based on our setting, individual surgical nuances such as the type of dural closure and the use of subgaleal drains resulted in a comparable complication rate and outcome. Subgaleal fluid collections were frequently observed after supratentorial procedures, irrespective of the closing technique employed, and resolve spontaneously in the majority of cases without significant sequelae. Our results are limited due to the observational nature in our single-center study and need to be validated by supportive prospective randomized design.
The proposed APHIS regulation modernization could enhance agriculture biotechnology research and development in the USA
Authors: Parrott Wayne A. , Harbell John , Kaeppler Heidi , Jones Todd , Tomes Dwight , Van Eck Joyce , Wang Kan , Wenck Allan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is one of three agencies that govern the importation, interstate movement, or environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. APHIS regulations are in 7 CFR part 340, originally issued in 1987 (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/7_cfr_340.pdf) and based on the premise that a GE crop could pose a plant pest risk. A major revision was proposed June 6, 2019 (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/fedregister/BRS_20190606.pdf), with public comments accepted for 60 d. Members of the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB)—especially within the plant section—are impacted by the current rules and will be impacted by changes. Therefore, the public policy committee studied the changes and prepared a response that was reviewed by the board of directors and submitted to APHIS. APHIS received 6186 comments overall. In general, the SIVB welcomes the proposed revisions, which recognize established scientific guidelines and principles for plant pest risk assessment. In addition, they recognize the safety record accumulated over multiple decades of current GE mechanisms of action (MOA), so the proposed rules include an exemption for new events with established MOA’s in a previously reviewed crop. Further, the proposed rules focus on DNA function and impact rather than its source organism with regulatory review triggered by potential for increased plant pest risk. Most importantly, the proposed revisions codify a light regulatory approach for many applications of genome editing, because these applications result in plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques or found in nature. If implemented appropriately in the final rule, we find these changes remove many current barriers, and thus are likely to stimulate university and business “startup” innovation. The SIVB recognizes the need for exemption for further model species and gene delivery organisms. Such concerns were adequately expressed by the submitted response. Remaining hurdles for innovative plant incorporated protectants are still problematic. Nevertheless, the SIVB applauds the efforts to update APHIS rules in a scientifically defensible manner. The detailed response is shared below.
Linking calving intervals to milk production and household nutrition in Kenya
Authors: DeLay Nathan D. , Thumbi S.M. , Vanderford Julia , Otiang Elkanah , Ochieng Linus , Njenga M. Kariuki , Palmer Guy H. , Marsh Thomas L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMaternal and child under-nutrition resulting in childhood stunting remains prevalent in east Africa, leading to increased disease risk, limiting cognitive development, and impeding human capital accumulation that constrains individuals, communities, and nations from reaching their full potential. In a western Kenyan population with a high prevalence of childhood stunting, frequency of milk consumption has been shown to increase monthly height gain in children, indicating the potential to improve health through livestock productivity. However, calving rates remain low, constraining the availability of milk to the household. Here we model average herd-level calving intervals and its relation to milk yield and nutrition in the context of an agricultural household production model, applying a dynamic panel econometric approach to household level data. We provide evidence that targeted on-farm specialization leads to significantly higher calving rates and shorter calving intervals, which in turn predictably increase milk production. Importantly, we show that the positive link between calving and household milk nutrition is present across households that primarily consume milk produced on-farm (“producer-consumers”) and those that predominantly purchase milk (“milk buyers”), indicating that efforts to improve herd fertility in western Kenya could improve food security on a community scale.
TURP ten tijde van cystolithotripsie? Een urologisch dilemma onder de loep
Authors: Mekke Sander , Roshani Hossain , van Zanten Paul , Grondhuis Palacios Lorena , Egberts Joost , Hendriks Nora , Wijffelman Mischa , Zonneveld Willemijn , Merks Bob , van Loopik Sarah , Buddingh Tim 
Published: January 2020

SamenvattingEen terugkerend urologisch dilemma is of bij mannen een cystolithotripsie gecombineerd moet worden met een transurethrale resectie van de prostaat (TURP), om een blaassteenrecidief te voorkomen en steenlozing te faciliteren. Er zijn aanwijzingen dat ook zonder gelijktijdige TURP het percentage recidieven klein is. In dit retrospectieve multicenteronderzoek is nagegaan wat de waarde is van een TURP in deze context. In totaal werden in vijf centra 127 patiënten geïncludeerd. TURP ten tijde van de cystolithotripsie lijkt een bescheiden beschermend effect te hebben op de middellange termijn (NNT = 7). Van de patiënten die niet gelijktijdig een TURP ondergingen, bleef 81 % op middellange termijn vrij van een recidief. Wat ons betreft geldt gezamenlijke besluitvorming als het nieuwe adagium bij mannen met blaasstenen.