bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of ramipril and telmisartan in human plasma by LC–MS/MS: Application in pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Palakurthi Ashok Kumar , Dongala Thirupathi , Yadlapalli Siva Sankara Rao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of Ramipril and Telmisartan in human plasma using Ramipril d5 and telmisartan d3 as internal standards. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was operated under the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. Simple liquid–liquid extraction process was used to extract Ramipril, Telmisartan, and internal standard from human plasma. The total run time was 2.5 min and the elution of ramipril and telmisartan were 0.97 and 1.17 min, respectively. This was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 2 mM ammonium acetate in 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase A and 100% acetonitrile as mobile phase B in the ratio 20:80 with a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min on a betasil C18 column. The developed method was validated in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.5 and 0.98 ng/mL for ramipril and telmisartan, respectively. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.5–50.0 ng/mL (r > 0.998) and 0.98–800.0 ng/mL (r > 0.998) for ramipril and telmisartan, respectively. The intra‐ and interday precision values for ramipril and telmisartan met the acceptance as per United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Ramipril and telmisartan were stable in a battery of stability studies viz., bench‐top, auto‐sampler, and freeze–thaw cycles, long‐term matrix stability. The developed method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in humans.
Punching shear design of RC flat slabs supported on wall corners
Authors: Setiawan Andri , Vollum Robert L , Macorini Lorenzo , Izzuddin Bassam A 
Published: April 2020

AbstractReinforced concrete buildings are typically braced with shear walls positioned around lift shafts and stairs. Vertical transfer of load from slab to walls leads to a concentration of shear stress in the slab at wall ends and corners, which needs to be considered in punching shear design. This issue is not addressed in EN 1992 (2004) and only partially addressed in fib Model Code 2010 leaving engineers to resort to their own judgment. Consequently, consideration of punching shear at wall corners can be overlooked entirely or not properly addressed through lack of knowledge. The paper addresses this issue by proposing a method for calculating the design shear stress at wall corners for use in conjunction with the Critical Shear Crack Theory. The method is initially validated against test results for slabs supported on elongated columns as well as numerical simulations. Subsequently, the method is extended to the punching design of a slab supported by a wall corner. The proposed analysis of the slab‐wall corner junction is validated against the predictions of nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) employing 3‐D solid elements as well as the joint‐shell punching model (JSPM) previously developed by the authors.
Understanding attitude, practices and knowledge of zoonotic infectious disease risks among poultry farmers in Ghana
Authors: Ayim‐Akonor Matilda , Krumkamp Ralf , May Jürgen , Mertens Eva 
Published: April 2020

AbstractZoonotic infectious diseases (ZIDs) are increasing globally, and livestock farmers in low‐ and middle‐income countries are at particularly high risk. An evaluation of farmer's behaviour on farms can be used to identify the risk factors and to develop tailored control strategies. This study documents the knowledge of zoonotic poultry diseases (ZPD) among 152 poultry farm workers (respondents) from 76 farms in the Ashanti region of Ghana and assessed their on‐farm attitude and practices that increase their risk to exposure of ZPD. The median age of respondents was 29 years, 91.4% (n = 139) had a formal education, and 80.9% (n = 123) had worked on the farm for more than 1 year. The majority of farms (n = 69, 90.8%) had multiple flocks and 27.6% (n = 21) kept other animals, of which 57.1% (n = 12) were pigs. The majority of respondents had good knowledge about poultry diseases but not about ZPD. A higher level of education and longer work experience improved respondents’ knowledge of poultry and ZPD. Although respondents identified the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a major ZPD preventive measure, the majority did not put that knowledge into practice. Most farms (71.1%, n = 54) had no footbath and 55.3% (n = 42) deposited farm‐waste on the farm. While 97.4% (n = 148) of respondents washed their hands after working, only 48.7% (n = 74) wore protective footwear, 2.7% (n = 4) wore overalls, 2% (n = 3) wore nose masks and none (n = 0) wore gloves. The husbandry practices and attitude of farmers expose them to pathogens on the farm and increase their risk of becoming infected with ZPD in the sub‐region. The results from this study could be used to promote human health among farm workers in Ghana.
Detection ofBrucellaantibodies in domestic animals of southern Cameroon: Implications for the control of brucellosis
Authors: Kamga Rolin M. N. , Silatsa Barberine A. , Farikou Oumarou , Kuiate Jules‐Roger , Simo Gustave 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBrucellosis is one of the world's most widespread bacterial zoonoses caused byBrucella.It leads to considerable economic losses as a result of low productivity of infected animals and the long debilitating illness in humans. Despite its impact on human and animal health, little attention has been paid onBrucellainfections in domestic animals. It is in this light that the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies was determined in domestic animals with the overarching goal of improving our knowledge on brucellosis in southern Cameroon. During cross‐sectional studies conducted from December 2016 to August 2018 in five sites of southern Cameroon, blood samples were collected in cattle, sheep, goat, pig and dog. Plasma was obtained from each blood sample andBrucellaantibodies were detected using the Rose Bengal test and the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From 1873 animals that were sampled, the overall prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies using Indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (i‐ELISA) was 6.35% (118/1873): 9.12% (78/855) in cattle; 8.04% (30/373) in sheep; 6.06% (2/33) in dog, 1.87% (3/160) in pig and 1.1% (5/452) in goat. Between animal species (p‐value < .0001,x2 = 33.63) as well as sampling sites (p‐value = .0001,x2 = 18.97), significant differences were observed in the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies. Yoko and Noun localities have shown the highest prevalence of 8.6% (30/348) and 7.2% (78/1070), respectively. This prevalence was significantly higher (p = .03,x2 = 1.25) in female than male cattle. Between adult (16.923%) and young cattle (7.8%), significant difference (p = .04,x2 = 6.42) was observed in the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies. This study shows that the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies varies between animal species and localities. It also shows several domestic animals of southern Cameroon that have been in contact withBrucella. It enabled to identify villages where investigations on the transmission dynamic must be focused for the final goal of developing control measures for this neglected zoonotic disease.
A 2-year longitudinal study of neuropsychological functioning, psychosocial adjustment and rehospitalisation in schizophrenia and major depression
Authors: Annette Schaub , Stephan Goerigk , Mueser Kim T. , Martin Hautzinger , Elisabeth Roth , Ulrich Goldmann , Marketa Charypar , Rolf Engel , Hans-Jürgen Möller , Peter Falkai 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNeuropsychological functioning turns out to be a rate-limiting factor in psychiatry. However, little is known when comparing neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning in inpatients with schizophrenia or severe depression in their treatment pathways including add-on psychoeducation or the latter combined with cognitive behavioral therapy up to 2-year follow-up. To evaluate this question, we investigated these variables in two randomised controlled trials including 196 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia and 177 patients with major depression. Outcome measures were assessed in the hospital at pre- and posttreatment and following discharge until 2-year follow-up. We focused on neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning regarding its differences and changes over time in data of two pooled trials. There were significant time effects indicating gains in knowledge about the illness, short and medium-term memory (VLMT) and psychosocial functioning (GAF), however, the latter was the only variable showing a time x study/diagnosis interaction effect at 2-year follow-up, showing significant better outcome in depression compared to schizophrenia. Moderator analysis showed no changes in psychosocial and neuropsychological functioning in schizophrenia and in affective disorders due to age, duration of illness or sex. Looking at the rehospitalisation rates there were no significant differences between both disorders. Both groups treated with psychoeducation or a combination of psychoeducation and CBT improved in neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning as well as knowledge about the illness at 2-year follow-up, however, patients with major depression showed greater gains in psychosocial functioning compared to patients with schizophrenia. Possible implications of these findings were discussed.
Psychometric properties of the Activities Scale for Kids-performance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adolescents and children
Authors: Lawitschka Anita , Brunmair Matthias , Bauer Dorothea , Zubarovskaya Natalia , Felder-Puig Rosemarie , Strahm Brigitte , Bader Peter , Strauss Gabriele , Albert Michael , von Luettichau Irene , Greinix Hildegard , Wolff Daniel , Peters Christina 
Published: April 2020

Summary
Background
The psychometric properties of an instrument, the Activity Scale for Kids-performance (ASKp), were assessed which was proposed to capture physical functioning after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Additionally, this multicenter observational prospective study investigated the influence of clinical correlates focusing on chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

Methods
Patient-reported ASKp, clinician-reported Karnofsky/Lansky status (KPS/PSS), patient characteristics and cGVHD details were assessed of 55 patients with a median age of 12 years at baseline after day +100 post-HSCT and every 3 months during the next 18 months. The psychometric properties were evaluated and ASKp and KPS/PSS status was compared using ANOVAS and multiple regression models.

Results
The German version of the ASKp showed good psychometric properties except for ceiling effects. Discrimination ability of the ASKp was good regarding the need for devices but failed to predict cGVHD patients. Both the ASKp and the KPS/PSS were associated with patients after adoptive cell therapy being in need for devices, suffering from overlap cGVHD and from steroid side effects but not with patients’ age and gender. In contrast to the KPS/PSS the ASKp only showed significant differences after merging moderate and severe cGHVD patients when comparing them to No-cGVHD (F = 4.050; p = 0.049), being outperformed by the KPS/PSS (F = 20.082; p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The ASKp showed no clear advantages compared to KPS/PSS even though economical and patients’ effort was higher. Further application range may be limited through ceiling effects. Both should be taken into consideration. Therefore, the results may not support the usage of ASKp after HSCT and rather suggest KPS/PSS, both patient and clinician reported.
Feasibility and Efficacy of the Addition of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback to a Remote Digital Health Intervention for Depression
Authors: Economides Marcos , Lehrer Paul , Ranta Kristian , Nazander Albert , Hilgert Outi , Raevuori Anu , Gevirtz Richard , Khazan Inna , Forman-Hoffman Valerie L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA rise in the prevalence of depression underscores the need for accessible and effective interventions. The objectives of this study were to determine if the addition of a treatment component showing promise in treating depression, heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-B), to our original smartphone-based, 8-week digital intervention was feasible and whether patients in the HRV-B (“enhanced”) intervention were more likely to experience clinically significant improvements in depressive symptoms than patients in our original (“standard”) intervention. We used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent (matched) groups design to compare changes in symptoms of depression in the enhanced group (n = 48) to historical outcome data from the standard group (n = 48). Patients in the enhanced group completed a total average of 3.86 h of HRV-B practice across 25.8 sessions, and were more likely to report a clinically significant improvement in depressive symptom score post-intervention than participants in the standard group, even after adjusting for differences in demographics and engagement between groups (adjusted OR 3.44, 95% CI [1.28–9.26], P = .015). Our findings suggest that adding HRV-B to an app-based, smartphone-delivered, remote intervention for depression is feasible and may enhance treatment outcomes.
Surveying perceptions and practices of high-end climate change
Authors: Taylor Richard , Butterfield Ruth , Capela Lourenço Tiago , Dzebo Adis , Carlsen Henrik , Klein Richard J. T. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe surveyed members of the adaptation community about their views on high-end climate change—here defined as global average temperature increase exceeding 2 °C at the end of the century—at consecutive conferences in 2016 and 2018. Most strikingly our surveys show that a majority of the community disagrees that the Paris Agreement has reduced the possibility of the world reaching dangerous levels of climate change. Consistent with this, around two thirds of people consulted are considering high-end climate change or using high-end scenarios in their work all the time, or starting to. However, this is still not done by all. Preparedness for the specific threats posed by high-end impacts is not keeping pace, and more work needs to be done to strengthen the research basis and understand adaptation needs under high-end climate change. Moreover, views on finding information on impacts and tools for decision-making have not changed between 2016 and 2018, showing that there is no improvement. This situation underlines that the adaptation community needs to do better in supporting exchange of information and data between all actors—in addition to finding and filling knowledge gaps. Despite this, there is widespread support for avoiding delaying large-scale adaptation until we have more certainty.
Orientation-dependent toxic effect of human papillomavirus type 33 long control region DNA in Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Gyöngyösi Eszter , Szalmás Anita , Kónya József , Veress György 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe functional analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) sequence variation requires the molecular cloning of different genomic regions of virus variants. In this study, we report an unexpected difficulty experienced when trying to clone HPV33 long control region (LCR) variants in Escherichia coli. Standard cloning strategies proved to be inappropriate to clone HPV33 LCR variants in the forward orientation into a eukaryotic reporter vector (pGL2-Basic). However, by slight modification of culture conditions (incubation at 25 °C instead of 37 °C), constructs containing the HPV33 LCR variants in the forward orientation were obtained. Transformation experiments performed with different HPV33 LCR constructs indicated that there is a sequence element in the 5′ LCR of HPV33 causing temperature-dependent toxic effect in E. coli. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF) in the 5′ part of HPV33 LCR potentially encoding a 116-amino acid polypeptide. Protein structure prediction suggested that this putative protein might have a structural similarity to transmembrane proteins. Even a low-level expression of this protein may cause significant toxicity in the host bacteria. In silico analysis of the LCR of HPV33 and some other HPV types belonging to the species Alphapapillomavirus 9 (HPV31, 35 and 58) seemed to support the assumption that the ORFs found in the 5′ LCR of these HPVs are protein-coding sequences. Further studies should be performed to prove that these putative proteins are really expressed in the infected host cells and to identify their function.
An LC-QToF MS based method for untargeted metabolomics of human fecal samples
Authors: Cheng Ken , Brunius Carl , Fristedt Rikard , Landberg Rikard 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Consensus in sample preparation for untargeted human fecal metabolomics is lacking.

Objectives
To obtain sample preparation with broad metabolite coverage for high-throughput LC–MS.

Methods
Extraction solvent, solvent ratio and fresh frozen-vs-lyophilized samples were evaluated by metabolite feature quality.

Results
Methanol at 5 mL per g wet feces provided a wide metabolite coverage with optimal balance between signal intensity and saturation for both fresh frozen and lyophilized samples. Lyophilization did not affect SCFA and is recommended because of convenience in normalizing to dry matter.

Conclusion
The suggested sample preparation is simple, efficient and suitable for large-scale human fecal metabolomics.
Objektive Informationsquelle, Watchdog und Sprachrohr der Bürger? Die Bewertung der gesellschaftlichen Leistungen von Medien durch die Bevölkerung
Authors: Fawzi Nayla 
Published: April 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Massenmedien sehen sich derzeit einer umfassenden öffentlichen Kritik ausgesetzt, die u. a. die politischen und sozialen Funktionen der Medien ins Visier nimmt: Von „Lügenpresse“-Vorwürfen über das Infragestellen der journalistischen Autonomie bis zu Kritik an der Breite des Meinungsspektrums in der Berichterstattung. Es stellt sich daher die Frage, inwiefern die Medien aus der Perspektive des Publikums in der Lage sind, die von ihnen erwarteten Leistungen tatsächlich zu erfüllen. Vor diesem Hintergrund liefert die Studie auf Basis einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsumfrage deskriptive Befunde zur Zufriedenheit mit den Leistungen der Medien und untersucht, welche Faktoren diese Performanzbewertungen erklären. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Medien aus Sicht der Bürger*innen ihre Kritik- und Kontrollfunktion sowie die Informations- und Meinungsbildungsfunktion relativ gut erfüllen. Deutlich weniger zufrieden ist das Publikum mit den Integrations‑, Artikulations- und Orientierungsleistungen. Politisches Interesse, Demokratiezufriedenheit und Politikvertrauen sowie selektive Mediennutzung, Hostile-Media-Wahrnehmung und Presumed media influence sind ausschlaggebend für diese Bewertungen; das Medienrepertoire spielt dagegen keine Rolle.
Labelling in Mediterranean agroforestry landscapes: a Delphi study on relevant sustainability indicators
Authors: Flinzberger Lukas , Zinngrebe Yves , Plieninger Tobias 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn the face of unsustainable land-use changes including intensified agricultural production and land abandonment, agroforestry systems have the potential to support a diversity of social and ecological functions in agricultural landscapes. Mediterranean agroforestry landscapes have been conserved through traditional practices, and new concepts are necessary to assure the viability of these practices. Labels bear the opportunity to indicate sustainable management along the supply chain and, at the same time, generate higher incomes for sustainably producing farms. We have used an expert-based Delphi survey with three iterative surveys to analyse (1) the relevance of different sustainability aspects in agroforestry systems, (2) the suitability of derived indicators for labelling, and (3) the specific potentials and barriers for labelling agroforestry production or ecological UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)—are considered relevant for agroforestry systems. Translating these goals into suitable indicators is the more challenging step, revealing the lack of appropriate data, the complexity of sustainability challenges, and a low willingness for producers to adapt their practices as key limiting factors. The assessment of the labelling schemes indicated coherent responses despite the diverse backgrounds of participants. Alongside eco-labels and social labels, Geographic Indications were suggested as the most suitable options for the agroforestry context, although these have not been invented for reflecting sustainability in the first place. Although experts are highly aware of social-cultural values of agroforestry systems, they see little potential to use those social-cultural aspects for labelling agroforestry products. Initial costs and missing consumer awareness for agroforestry are major reasons for not joining labelling schemes. We discuss the possibility of an agroforestry label and why elements of Geographic Indication labels may fit well for this purpose.
Decreased Analgesic Requirements in Super Morbidly Versus Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Elgendy Hamed , Youssef Talha , Banjar Ahmad , Elmorsy Soha 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Scarce data exists about analgesic requirements in super morbidly obese (SMO) patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. We attempted to investigate analgesic requirements for SMO, when compared with morbidly obese (MO) individuals who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and its impact on postoperative outcome.

Methods
We studied 279 consecutive patients (183 MO, 96 SMO) who underwent bariatric surgery. Data analysis included perioperative anaesthetic management, analgesic consumptions, opioids side effects, and ICU admission.

Results
The SMO group showed higher patients with asthma, epilepsy, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and ASA III percentages (P = 0.014, P = 0.016, P ˂ 0.001, and P ˂ 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in the total morphine consumption intraoperatively, or after 24 h. However, reduced consumption of intraoperative fentanyl and morphine in SMO when calculated per total body weight (TBW) (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). At PACU, tramadol consumption per TBW and lean body mass (LBM) were significantly reduced in SMO (P = 0.001 and P = 0.025, respectively). Paracetamol consumption was significantly reduced in the SMO group (P = 0.04). They showed higher comorbidities (P ˂ 0.001), longer anaesthesia time (P = 0.033), and greater ICU admissions (P ˂ 0.001). Vomiting was higher in the MO group (P = 0.004). Both groups showed comparable pain scores (P = 0.558) and PACU stay time (P = 0.060).

Conclusions
Super morbidly obese patients required fewer opioids and analgesics perioperatively. They exhibited higher comorbidities with greater anaesthesia time and ICU admissions. PACU stay time and pain scores were comparable.