bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of resections that spare vs remove an MRI‐normal hippocampus
Authors: Morita‐Sherman Marcia , Louis Shreya , Vegh Deborah , Busch Robyn M. , Ferguson Lisa , Bingaman Justin , Bulacio Juan , Najm Imad , Jones Stephen , Zajichek Alexander , Hogue Olivia , Kattan Michael W. , Blumcke Ingmar , Cendes Fernando , Jehi Lara 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize seizure and cognitive outcomes of sparing vs removing an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–normal hippocampus in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed clinical, imaging, surgical, and histopathological data on 152 individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy and nonlesional hippocampi categorized into hippocampus‐spared (n = 74) or hippocampus‐resected (n = 78). Extra‐hippocampal lesions were allowed. Pre‐ and postoperative cognitive data were available on 86 patients. Predictors of seizure and cognitive outcomes were identified using Cox‐proportional hazard modeling followed by treatment‐specific model reduction according to Akaike information criterion, and built into an online risk calculator.ResultsSeizures recurred in 40% within one postoperative year, and in 63% within six postoperative years. Male gender (P = .03), longer epilepsy duration (P < .01), normal MRI (P = .04), invasive evaluation (P = .02), and acute postoperative seizures (P < .01) were associated with a higher risk of recurrence. We found no significant difference in postoperative seizure freedom rates at 5 years between those whose hippocampus was spared and those whose hippocampus was resected (P = .17). Seizure outcome models built with pre‐ and postoperative data had bootstrap validated concordance indices of 0.65 and 0.72. The dominant hippocampus‐spared group had lower rates of decline in verbal memory (39% vs 70%; P = .03) and naming (41% vs 79%; P = .01) compared to the hippocampus‐resected group. Partial hippocampus sparing had the same risk of verbal memory decline as for complete removal.SignificanceSparing or removing an MRI‐normal hippocampus yielded similar long‐term seizure outcome. A more conservative approach, sparing the hippocampus, only partially shields patients from postoperative cognitive deficits. Risk calculators are provided to facilitate clinical counseling.
Recent collapse of crop belts and declining diversity of US agriculture since 1840
Authors: Crossley Michael S. , Burke Kevin D. , Schoville Sean D. , Radeloff Volker C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOver the last century, US agriculture greatly intensified and became industrialized, increasing in inputs and yields while decreasing in total cropland area. In the industrial sector, spatial agglomeration effects are typical, but such changes in the patterns of crop types and diversity would have major implications for the resilience of food systems to global change. Here, we investigate the extent to which agricultural industrialization in the United States was accompanied by agglomeration of crop types, not just overall cropland area, as well as declines in crop diversity. Based on county‐level analyses of individual crop land cover area in the conterminous United States from 1840 to 2017, we found a strong and abrupt spatial concentration of most crop types in very recent years. For 13 of the 18 major crops, the widespread belts that characterized early 20th century US agriculture have collapsed, with spatial concentration increasing 15‐fold after 2002. The number of counties producing each crop declined from 1940 to 2017 by up to 97%, and their total area declined by up to 98%, despite increasing total production. Concomitantly, the diversity of crop types within counties plummeted: in 1940, 88% of counties grew >10 crops, but only 2% did so in 2017, and combinations of crop types that once characterized entire agricultural regions are lost. Importantly, declining crop diversity with increasing cropland area is a recent phenomenon, suggesting that corresponding environmental effects in agriculturally dominated counties have fundamentally changed. For example, the spatial concentration of agriculture has important consequences for the spread of crop pests, agrochemical use, and climate change. Ultimately, the recent collapse of most agricultural belts and the loss of crop diversity suggest greater vulnerability of US food systems to environmental and economic change, but the spatial concentration of agriculture may also offer environmental benefits in areas that are no longer farmed.
The shadow pandemic: Inequitable gendered impacts of COVID‐19 in South Africa
Authors: Parry Bianca Rochelle , Gordon Errolyn 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOn March 11, 2020, the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) Disease, or COVID‐19, was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). As its effects roll through societies and economies across the globe, women are expected to bear the heaviest impact. Unfortunately, despite gender‐focused reporting on the consequences of the COVID‐19 crisis, few government policies and public health efforts have explicitly addressed the gendered impacts of the pandemic. This academic review paper presents literature, from both academic and media sources, on the early effects of the COVID‐19 crisis on women, specifically within the South African context. Preliminary research and reporting of the effects of COVID‐19 on the South African population indicate that inequitable gendered practices negatively impact women in the general economy, the workplace, and the home. These settings are discussed in this article, along with recommendations to ameliorate the lived experiences of South African women.
Effect of multiple loading sequence on time‐dependent stress rupture of fiber‐reinforced ceramic‐matrix composites
Authors: Li Longbiao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this paper, the effect of multiple loading sequence on time‐dependent stress rupture of fiber‐reinforced ceramic‐matrix composites (CMCs) at intermediate temperatures in oxidative environment is investigated. Considering multiple damage mechanisms, a micromechanical constitutive model for time‐dependent stress rupture is developed to determine damage evolution of matrix crack spacing, interface debonding and oxidation length, and fiber failure probability under single and multiple loading sequences. The relationships between multiple loading sequence, composite strain evolution, time, matrix cracking, interface debonding and oxidation, and fiber fracture are established. The effects of fiber volume, matrix crack spacing, interface shear stress in the slip and oxidation region, and environment temperature on the stress/time‐dependent strain, interface debonding and oxidation fraction, and fiber broken fraction of SiC/SiC composite are analyzed. The experimental stress rupture of SiC/SiC composite under single and multiple loading sequences at 950°C in air atmosphere is predicted. Compared with single loading stress, multiple loading sequence affects the interface debonding and oxidation fraction in the debonding region, leading to the higher fiber broken fraction and shorter stress‐rupture lifetime.
Comparison of HLA ligand elution data and binding predictions reveals varying prediction performance for the multiple motifs recognized by HLA‐DQ2.5
Authors: Koşaloğlu‐Yalçın Zeynep , Sidney John , Chronister William , Peters Bjoern , Sette Alessandro 
Published: October 2020

SummaryBinding prediction tools are commonly used to identify peptides presented on MHC class II molecules. Recently, a wealth of data in the form of naturally eluted ligands has become available and discrepancies between ligand elution data and binding predictions have been reported. Quantitative metrics for such comparisons are currently lacking. In this study, we assessed how efficiently MHC class II binding predictions can identify naturally eluted peptides, and investigated instances with discrepancies between the two methods in detail. We found that, in general, MHC class II eluted ligands are predicted to bind to their reported restriction element with high affinity. But, for several studies reporting an increased number of ligands that were not predicted to bind, we found that the reported MHC restriction was ambiguous. Additional analyses determined that most of the ligands predicted to not bind, are predicted to bind other co‐expressed MHC class II molecules. For selected alleles, we addressed discrepancies between elution data and binding predictions by experimental measurements and found that predicted and measured affinities correlate well. For DQA1*05:01/DQB1*02:01 (DQ2.5) however, binding predictions did miss several peptides that were determined experimentally to be binders. For these peptides and several known DQ2.5 binders, we determined key residues for conferring DQ2.5 binding capacity, which revealed that DQ2.5 utilizes two different binding motifs, of which only one is predicted effectively. These findings have important implications for the interpretation of ligand elution data and for the improvement of MHC class II binding predictions.
Astilbin prevents osteoarthritis development through the TLR4/MD‐2 pathway
Authors: Sun Shuaibo , Yan Zijian , Shui Xiaolong , Qi Weihui , Chen Yanlin , Xu Xinxian , Hu Yuezheng , Guo Weijun , Shang Ping 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOsteoarthritis has become one of the main diseases affecting the life of many elderly people with high incidence of disability, and local chronic inflammation in the joint cavity is the most crucial pathological feature of osteoarthritis. Astilbin is the main active component in a variety of natural plants such as Hypericum perforatum and Sarcandra glabra, which possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. At present, there is no study about the protective effect of Astilbin for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Astilbin in human OA chondrocytes and mouse OA model, which was established by surgery‐mediated destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). In vitro, we found that Astilbin pre‐treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced overproduction of inflammation‐correlated cytokines such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and suppressed overexpression of inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2). Astilbin, on the other hand, prevented the LPS‐induced degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by down‐regulating MMP13 (matrix metalloproteinases 13) and ADAMTS5 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5). Moreover, by inhibiting the formation of the TLR4/MD‐2/LPS complex, Astilbin blocked LPS‐induced activation of TLR4/NF‐κB signalling cascade. In vivo, Astilbin showed the chondro‐protective effect in the surgical‐induced OA mouse models. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence that develops Astilbin as a potential therapeutic drug for OA patients.
Effects of mindfulness‐based intervention on glycemic control and psychological outcomes in people with diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ni Yun‐xia , Ma Lin , Li Ji‐ping 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionPsychological therapies have showed benefits for both glycemic control and psychological outcomes in people with diabetes. However, the effects of mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) on glycemic control and psychological outcomes are inconsistent across studies, and the evidence for MBI has not been summarized. We aimed to identify the effects of MBI on glycemic control and psychological outcomes in people with diabetes by carrying out a systematic review and meta‐analysis.Materials and MethodsSix databases (Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of science and PsycINFO) were searched from inception to October 2019. Randomized controlled trials of MBI for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were included. Two authors independently extracted relevant data and assessed the risk of bias, with a third reviewer as arbitrator. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also carried out.ResultsEight studies with 841 participants met the eligibility criteria. Meta‐analysis showed that MBI can slightly improve glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c; −0.25%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.43 to −0.07) and diabetes‐related distress (−5.81, 95% CI −10.10 to −1.52) contribute to a moderate effect size in reducing depression (standardized mean difference −0.56, 95% CI −0.82 to −0.30) and stress (standardized mean difference −0.53, CI −0.75 to −0.31). Subgroup analyses showed greater HbA1c reductions in subgroups with baseline HbA1c levels <8% and follow‐up duration >6 months. Mixed effects were observed for anxiety.ConclusionsMBI appears to have benefits on HbA1c, depression, stress and diabetes‐related distress in people with diabetes. More rigorous studies with longer follow‐up duration are warranted to establish the full potential of MBI.
Differences among the forelimb arteries in groups of primates and a mathematical model explanation
Authors: Aversi‐Ferreira Tales Alexandre , Freitas‐Ferreira Emmanuel , Aversi‐Ferreira Roqueline A. G. M. F. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecently, some studies about primates have claimed the importance of the vessels to maintain the muscles working; in fact, the arterial supply could suggest how strenuous the muscular performance is associated to locomotor behavior. The aim of this work was to study the anatomy of the arteries of the forelimbs of different groups of primates to evidence a general arterial model in comparative terms.MethodsWe propose a biophysical explanation for the arterial pattern of the forelimbs of primates’ groups.ResultsThree pattern of the forelimb arteries in Primates were descript and the differences were explained using mathematical formulas.ConclusionsThe anatomical study about the comparative anatomy of the arteries of the forelimbs of primates provided hypothesis about the three observed models, mainly in relation to brachial artery division and the number of the palmar arches, in mathematical models’ terms.
Ghrelin signalling is dysregulated in male but not female offspring in a rat model of maternal vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Spann Redin A. , Welch Bradley A. , Grayson Bernadette E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBariatric surgery is the most effective and durable means of treating obesity and its comorbidities. Women make up 80% of those receiving weight loss surgery and they experience improvements in fertility. Unfortunately, bariatric surgery in the context of pregnancy is associated with complications, including growth restriction and small‐for‐gestational age offspring (SGA). SGA offspring have a greater risk for obesity in adulthood, although the mechanism for this SGA‐induced obesity is unknown. In a rat model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), we previously identified reductions during pregnancy in ghrelin, a stomach‐derived hormone that increases appetite and induces growth hormone secretion. Here, we hypothesise that VSG offspring will have altered ghrelin signalling compared to offspring of Sham dams as a result of reduced in utero ghrelin. At postnatal day (PND)21, male and female offspring of dams that have previously received VSG have an increase in mRNA expression for the ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus compared to Sham offspring, and the expression of GOAT is lower in females compared to males. Liver expression of endogenous ghrelin antagonist, LEAP2, is elevated at PND60 in VSG offspring. Expression of other genes in the growth hormone system (growth hormone‐releasing hormone and growth hormone) were not altered. Plasma levels of total ghrelin at PND21 are also not different between VSG and Sham pups. In adult pups, 1‐hour chow intake of male but not female VSG offspring given is less than Sham offspring when given 50 µg kg‐1 of exogenous ghrelin by i.p. injection. These results indicate that maternal VSG surgery has an impact on ghrelin signalling in offspring and that, as adults, male VSG offspring may be functionally less responsive to ghrelin than controls.
Nationwide survey of Japanese breast oncology and reproductive endocrinology departments about the impact of breast cancer treatment on fertility
Authors: Yamazaki Rena , Ono Masanori , Sugie Tomoharu , Inokuchi Masafumi , Ishikawa Satoko , Iizuka Takashi , Masumoto Sakiko , Myojo Subaru , Uchida Soko , Horie Akihito , Matsuzaki Toshiya 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to assess the impact of breast cancer treatment on the reproductive potential. We conducted a nationwide survey of breast oncology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) departments using a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of breast cancer treatment on fertility. We received responses from 312 breast oncology departments (response rate, 31.9%) and 541 REI departments (response rate, 50.9%). The most common method of achieving pregnancy reported by breast oncology departments was natural insemination (69.6%), followed by assisted reproductive technology ( 15.6%) and intrauterine insemination (IUI; 14.8%). The most common method of achieving pregnancy reported by REI departments was conventional in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (51.0%), followed by natural insemination with or without ovulation induction (40.0%) and IUI (8.0%). The overall pregnancy rate for patients who underwent treatment for infertility at REI departments after breast cancer treatment was 39.0%. Vast patients who experienced breast cancer treatments conceived mainly by natural insemination based on the data from breast oncology departments. On the other hand, 61.0% of the patients who visited REI departments presumably due to infertility by natural insemination did not conceive even by infertility treatments with exclusive knowledge in REI departments.
Outdoor infrared imaging for spatial and temporal thermography: A case study of necrotic versus healthy leaf areas on woody plants
Authors: Park Junhyung , Kim Ki Woo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe temperature of plants can be measured using infrared (IR) thermography. Despite the extensive use of IR imaging indoors, outdoor IR imaging is uncommon. We used IR imaging to compare leaf temperatures between necrotic spots and healthy areas of oriental cherry (Prunus serrulata var. spontanea), Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) and sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) in the field. There was a significant difference in the mean leaf temperatures between the necrotic spots (26.4°C) and healthy areas (25.6°C) of oriental cherry (p = .01). The mean temperatures in the necrotic spots of Japanese cornel and sawtooth oak leaves were 22.3°C and 29.6°C, respectively, which were not significantly different from the mean temperatures of the healthy areas. A consecutive, 2‐day temporal leaf analysis in October 2018 revealed that the temperatures in the necrotic spots were generally higher than those in the healthy areas of the three species. The temperature difference between the spots and healthy areas (up to 1.4°C) was more pronounced at 13:00 hr in all three species on both days. These results reveal differences in the spatial and temporal thermal state across the necrotic spotted leaves. There is potential for use of outdoor IR imaging to visualize the response of trees to pathogen infection and abiotic stress.
A critical realist perspective on humanness as a meaningful re‐entry of relational distinctions
Authors: Donati Pierpaolo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAll forms of humanism that consider the human as a yardstick of society are marginalized by a Digital Technological Matrix that dominates the human, minimizes its role, and transforms it, to the point of dissolving its boundaries with the non‐human. Speaking of essence and human dignity still make sense? The thesis of this contribution is that the human is redefined and re‐evaluated precisely due to the process that makes the human ‘eccentric’ and places it in the system environment. The human re‐emerges as anintransitive essenceendowed with anoriginal, humble, relational dignity. The human can and must be regenerated through the relational reflexivity operated by relational subjects contextually capable of re‐entering within themselves the constitutive distinctions of their humanness, both individual and collective. The specific ‘intransitive’ essence of the human lies in the impossibility for it to renounce the meaning of its own existence. Precisely because of the confrontation with robotic technologies, the value of the human being and his dignity change.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir in chronic hepatitis C patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Chan Jocelyn , Kim John J. , Barrett Brett K. , Hamadeh Abdullah , Feld Jordan J. , Wong William W.L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundCurrent literature indicates that direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are cost‐effective to treat compensated cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C. Although already funded by public payers, it is unknown whether it is economical to reimburse DAAs within the more advanced decompensated cirrhosis population.MethodsA state‐transition model was developed to conduct a cost‐utility analysis of sofosbuvir‐velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) plus ribavirin regimen for 12 weeks. The evaluated cohort had a mean age of 58 years and Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) class B cirrhosis with decompensated symptoms. A scenario analysis was performed on CTP C patients. We used a payer perspective, a lifetime time horizon and a 1.5% annual discount rate.ResultsWhile SOF/VEL plus ribavirin treatment for 12 weeks increased costs by $156 676, it provided an extra 4.00 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to best supportive care (no DAA therapy). With an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $39 169 per QALY, SOF/VEL plus ribavirin was determined to be cost‐effective at a willingness to pay of $50 000 per QALY. SOF/VEL reduced liver‐related deaths and reduced progression to CTP C cirrhosis by 20.4% and 21.9%, respectively. On the contrary, SOF/VEL regimen resulted in increases in liver transplants and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by 54.0% and 42.5%, respectively. Similar results were found for CTP C patients.ConclusionThis analysis informs payers that SOF/VEL should continue to be reimbursed in decompensated hepatitis C patients. It also supports the recommendations by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases to continue screening for HCC in decompensated cirrhotic patients who have achieved sustained virologic response.
The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of an amoxicillin–clavulanic acid granular combination after intravenous and oral administration in swine
Authors: Sun Pan , Zhao Tingting , Xiao Hongzhi , Wang Jie , Zhang Suxia , Cao Xingyuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe pharmacokinetic behaviours of amoxicillin (AMX) and clavulanic acid (CA) in swine were studied after either an intravenous or oral administration of AMX (10 mg/kg) and CA (2.5 mg/kg). The concentrations of these two medicines in swine plasma were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatographic‐tandem mass spectrometry, and the data were analysed using a noncompartmental model with the WinNonlin software. After intravenous administration, both substances were absorbed rapidly and reached their effective therapeutic concentration quickly. CA was eliminated more slowly compared with AMX. Moreover, the distribution volume of AMX was larger than that of CA, suggesting that AMX could penetrate tissues better. After oral administration of the granular formulation, no significant difference was observed in the mean elimination half‐life value between AMX and CA. The mean maximal plasma concentrations of AMX and CA, reached after 1.14 and 1.32 hr, were 2.58 and 1.91 μg/m, respectively. The mean oral bioavailability of AMX and CA was 23.6% and 26.4%, respectively. After oral administration, the T>MIC50 for three common respiratory pathogens was over 6.12 hr. Therefore, oral administration could be more effective in the clinical therapy of pigs, especially when administered twice daily.