bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal adiposity is associated with inflammatory gene expression in leukocytes at term human pregnancy: A pilot study
Authors: MacDonald‐Ramos Karla , Vega‐Sánchez Rodrigo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHuman labor is associated with an inflammatory process that takes place at the maternal–fetal interface, where leukocytes infiltrate and contribute to the local production of effector molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, MMPs, etc. This process may be altered by a low‐grade chronic inflammation, characteristic of obesity, resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this cross‐sectional pilot study, we analyzed the relationship between maternal adiposity and inflammation‐related gene expression in leukocytes from six healthy women with term pregnancies without labor.MethodsWe estimated maternal adiposity and examined the relative expression of 211 inflammation‐related genes in maternal peripheral blood leukocytes (MAT), placental intervillous blood leukocytes (PLA), and choriodecidual leukocytes (CHD) by real‐time qPCR. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between maternal adiposity and gene expression.ResultsParticipants’ adiposity ranged from 27.6% to 61.1% (n = 6). The expression of 23 genes significantly differed (p < 0.05) in MAT, PLA, and CHD leukocytes, most of which code for chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Importantly, increasing maternal adiposity correlated (r > 0.7) mostly positively with the expression of genes related to activation, migration, infiltration, and proinflammation in MAT (36 genes) and PLA (31 genes). In contrast, in CHD leukocytes maternal adiposity correlated only negatively with seven genes, involved in migration and infiltration.ConclusionOur findings suggest that during term pregnancy, increased maternal adiposity may enhance the priming of peripheral leukocytes, while in choriodecidua it may alter leukocyte recruitment and proinflammatory activity. Maternal adiposity must be considered an important variable in further studies that analyze inflammation‐related gene expression in pregnant women.
Progress on the nanoscale spherical TiO2 photocatalysts: Mechanisms, synthesis and degradation applications
Authors: Lian Peng , Qin Aimiao , Liao Lei , Zhang Kaiyou 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTitanium dioxide (TiO2) has the advantages of strong photocatalytic activity, non‐toxicity, and low cost, and so on. It has always occupied a dominant position in many photocatalytic materials, especially nanoscale spherical TiO2 has the characteristics of high specific surface area and pore‐volume, and so on. Therefore, Degussa P25, as a typical representative of the nanoscale spherical structure, is currently the only material produced on a large scale. According to the structure, nanoscale spherical TiO2 can be divided into three types: solid, core‐shell, and hollow spheres. However, there is still a lack of the latest review on the synthetic doping and application of nanoscale spherical TiO2. Therefore, we first describe the degradation mechanism of nanoscale spherical TiO2 and summarize the latest progress of its synthesis strategy in this review, including doping and other modification techniques, and finally introduce the application of nanoscale spherical TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds, dye wastewater, antibiotics, pesticides, and oily wastewater. Through this review, it is helpful for researchers to further understand the synthesis and application of nanoscale spherical TiO2, hoping to continuously improve the disadvantages and photocatalytic activity of nanoscale spherical TiO2, and promote the widespread application of nanoscale spherical TiO2 on an industrial scale.
Suppositories with bioactive calcium phosphate nanoparticles for intestinal transfection and gene silencing
Authors: Hosseini Shabnam , Epple Matthias 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCalcium phosphate nanoparticles (diameter about 60 nm, triple‐shell) were loaded with nucleic acids (DNA or siRNA) for local gene therapy in the colon. To avoid the oral administration where a passage through the stomach is necessary, the nanoparticles were incorporated into custom‐made hard‐fat suppositories after freeze‐drying with trehalose. After melting the suppository at 37°C, the nanoparticles were released and well dispersed in cell culture medium. They retained their bioactivity as shown by in vitro cell culture studies with the model cell line HeLa and the colon cancer cell line Caco‐2. The nanoparticles were easily taken up by both cell types and also efficient for transfection and gene silencing, as shown with the model protein eGFP. This opens a way for local gene therapy in the colon.
A simplified two‐level subgrid stabilized method with backtracking technique for incompressible flows at high Reynolds numbers
Authors: Yang Xiaocheng , Shang Yueqiang , Zheng Bo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBased on finite element discretization, a simplified two‐level subgrid stabilized method with backtracking technique is proposed for the steady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations at high Reynolds numbers. The method combines the best algorithmic characteristics of the standard two‐level method with backtracking technique and subgrid stabilized method. In this method, we first solve a fully nonlinear Navier–Stokes equations with a subgrid stabilized term on a coarse grid, then solve a simplified subgrid stabilized linear problem on a fine grid, and finally solve a linear correction problem on a coarse grid, where the stabilized term is based on an elliptic projection. The theoretical results show that, with suitable scalings of algorithmic parameters, the method can yield an optimal convergence rate of second‐order. Two numerical results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Telehealth and mobile health interventions in adults with inflammatory bowel disease: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Davis Suja P. , Ross Megan Suzanne Hardin , Adatorwovor Reuben , Wei Holly 
Published: December 2020

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic illness that is comprised of two major disorders: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Adults with IBD have adopted telehealth and mobile health (mHealth) interventions to improve their self‐management skills and symptom‐monitoring. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of telehealth and mHealth interventions and explore the benefits and challenges of these interventions in patients with IBD. This review used a convergent segregated approach to synthesize and integrate research findings, a methodology recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute for mixed‐methods systematic reviews. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The search followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses, which yielded sixteen quantitative and two qualitative articles. A narrative synthesis was performed to present the findings of quantitative and qualitative studies. Evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies was then integrated for a combined presentation. The results of quantitative analysis supported the efficacy of telehealth and mHealth interventions to improve patients' quality of life, medication adherence, disease activity, medication monitoring, disease‐related knowledge and cost savings. While some participants in qualitative studies reported certain challenges of telehealth and mHealth interventions, most of the participants conferred the benefits of the interventions, including improved disease‐related knowledge, communication between patients and providers, sense of reassurance, and appointment options. The evidence from quantitative and qualitative synthesis partially supported each other.
Interpreting injury recidivism in a rural post‐medieval male individual from Bucelas, Portugal
Authors: Antunes‐Ferreira Nathalie , Prates Carlos , Curate Francisco 
Published: December 2020

AbstractInjury recidivism studies assess the lived experience of individuals who endure multiple traumatic incidents, conveying a nuanced contextualization of individual suffering within a reticulate of social and cultural processes. During a recent archaeological excavation, a skeleton of a middle‐aged male dating to the 17th–18th centuries AD was excavated in the churchyard of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Bucelas (Portugal). This individual exhibited a mixture of healed and healing fractures that prompted poor functional long‐term outcomes and an increase in the risk of death. Macroscopic and medical imaging (computerized tomography) analyses revealed lesions in the right shoulder, right and left ribs, fifth right proximal phalanx and right distal femur. Fracture complications include myositis ossificans and chronic osteomyelitis. The results are interpreted in the broader sociocultural circumstances of Bucelas during the early modern period, in order to investigate the causes of this individual's accumulated trauma and the possibility of health‐related care associated with it.
Voter's choice of a presidential candidate: An empirical study
Authors: Arkorful Vincent Ekow , Lugu Benjamin Kweku , Basiru Ibrahim , Hammond Anastasia , Arkorful Vincent Emmanuel , Budu Godfred 
Published: December 2020

Since the consolidation of democracy and the inception of reforms thereof in Ghana, one raging subject matter that has over time come under intense scrutiny, and persistently, altogether eminently preoccupied the attention of political scientists, pollsters, marketers and strategists in particular, has been one bordering on voter's behavior. Understanding voter's behavior is crucially indispensable to reshaping the democratic process and devising political strategies. In spite of this, there is however a paucity of research focus targeted at unraveling the distinct behavior patterns and underpinnings relative to voters' choices. Against this backdrop, the main idea of this research is to explore the antecedents of voters' choice. The theory of consumer behavior has been used as the theoretical framework. Using the survey approach, data was elicited from card bearing registered voters and analyzed with the aid of the structural equation modeling technique. Results of data (n = 363) analysis revealed a confluence of voters' choice antecedents anchored on; quality, trust, attractiveness, expertise and image. Based on the results, study implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are subsequently delineated.
The preparation and mechanism of permanently flame retardancy, antistatic, good toughness and high transparent poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Chen Si , Wu Dandan , Xu Changbo , Ma Meng , Shi Yanqin , Yuan Kaiyun , Xu Ruqing , Wang Xu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA novel kind of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) copolymer, P(MMA‐co‐HEMAP), with permanently flame retardancy, antistatic, good toughness and high transparency properties was synthesized through the addition of 2‐hydroxyethyl 2‐methyl‐2‐propenoate phosphated (HEMAP), which was chosen as the flame retardant and the antistatic agent. The included phosphine group is necessary for flame retardancy and acryl phosphate group that could absorb water to realize antistatic property while having good compatibility with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Different from the significantly reduction of transparency happened in traditional modification method, the optical property of the P(MMA‐co‐HEMAP) copolymers keeps almost unchanged comparing to that of neat PMMA in the visible range. And the peak Heat Release Rate (pHRR) and Total Heat Release (THR) of the 30PhrHEMAP were significantly reduced by 40% and 36.2%, respectively, while the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) increased from 17.8 to 24.5%. The HEMAP decomposed during the combustion process to form polyphosphoric acid, which promotes dehydration and carbonization of polymer matrix to form a cross‐linking yield char and it would reduce fire spread. Besides, the surface resistance of the 30PhrHEMAP could be reduced down to 1010Ω which could achieve antistatic effect. The hydrophilic groups, acryl phosphate on the surface of copolymer was able to absorb moisture from the air for antistatic effects. Furthermore, the toughness of the copolymers was also greatly improved compared to that of neat PMMA. This research provided a method for preparing PMMA copolymer and the resultant P(MMA‐co‐HEMAP) copolymers can significantly improve the three properties simultaneously for the first time.
Interleukin‐33 improves local immunity during Gram‐negative pneumonia by a combined effect on neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes
Authors: Ramirez‐Moral Ivan , Blok Dana C , Bernink Jochem H , Garcia‐Laorden M Isabel , Florquin Sandrine , Boon Louis , van't Veer Cornelis , Mack Matthias , Saluzzo Simona , Knapp Sylvia , Spits Hergen , de Vos Alex F , van der Poll Tom 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPneumonia represents a major health care burden and Gram‐negative bacteria provide an increasing therapeutic challenge at least in part through the emergence of multidrug‐resistant strains. IL‐33 is a multifunctional cytokine belonging to the IL‐1 family that can affect many different cell types. We sought here to determine the effect of recombinant IL‐33 on the host response during murine pneumonia caused by the common Gram‐negative pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. IL‐33 pretreatment prolonged survival for more than 1 day during lethal airway infection and decreased bacterial loads at the primary site of infection and distant organs. Postponed treatment with IL‐33 (3 h) also reduced bacterial growth and dissemination. IL‐33‐mediated protection was not observed in mice deficient for the IL‐33 receptor component IL‐1 receptor‐like 1. IL‐33 induced a brisk type 2 response, characterized by recruitment of type 2 innate lymphoid cells to the lungs and enhanced release of IL‐5 and IL‐13. However, neither absence of innate lymphoid cells or IL‐13, nor blocking of IL‐5 impacted on IL‐33 effects in mice infected with Klebsiella. Likewise, IL‐33 remained effective in reducing bacterial loads in mice lacking B, T, and natural killer T cells. Experiments using antibody‐mediated cell depletion indicated that neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes were of importance for antibacterial defense. The capacity of IL‐33 to restrict bacterial growth in the lungs was strongly reduced in mice depleted of both neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes, but not in mice selectively depleted of either one of these cell types. These results suggest that IL‐33 boosts host defense during bacterial pneumonia by a combined effect on neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Synthesis, structure, and function of internally functionalized dendrimers
Authors: Smith Ryan J. , Gorman Christopher , Menegatti Stefano 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe past three decades have witnessed an exponential increase in the structural diversity and applications of dendrimers, spanning across drug delivery and diagnostics, protein, and enzyme mimicry, solubility enhancement, coatings, light harvesting, and catalysis. The dendrimer community has recently focused on internally functionalized dendrimers (IFDs) owing to their advanced design and functionality. The synthesis of IFDs relies on advanced orthogonal chemistries and/or (de)protection schemes, as well as careful purification to minimize polydispersity of composition and molecular weight. The studies published on IFDs, however, lay scattered across the chemical literature, and a comprehensive presentation of structural rationale, synthetic procedures, and technologically relevant applications is missing. To address this need, this review presents a comprehensive collection and discussion of all available studies on IFDs, detailing their methods of synthesis and their structure–function correlations. The wide variety of internal functionalities, including hydroxyl, amine, carboxylic acid, allyl, alkyne, and imidazole groups, enables myriad applications in biochemistry, chemical and biomedical engineering, and material science. Particular focus is given to IFDs that are amenable to modular synthetic strategies, which promote higher synthetic yield and scalability, and therefore possess stronger translational and commercial potential. As such, this review guides research groups pursuing the difficult task of IFD rational design and synthesis providing them a concise roadmap to their mission.
Efficacy of a multimedia intervention in facilitating breast cancer patients' clinical communication about sexual health: Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Reese Jennifer B. , Sorice Kristen A. , Pollard Whitney , Handorf Elizabeth , Beach Mary C. , Daly Mary B. , Porter Laura S. , Tulsky James A. , Lepore Stephen J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveMany women with breast cancer (BC) hesitate to raise sexual concerns clinically. We evaluated a multimedia intervention to facilitate BC patients' communication about sexual/menopausal health, called Starting the Conversation (STC).MethodsFemale BC patients (N = 144) were randomly assigned to either STC (20‐min video, workbook, and resource guide) or control (resource guide only). Audio‐recorded dialogue from patients' next oncology clinic encounter was coded for patients' sexual health communication. Self‐report surveys assessed patients' beliefs about sexual health communication, self‐efficacy for clinical interactions, sexual function/activity, anxiety/depression symptoms, and quality of life at baseline, post‐intervention, and 2‐month follow‐up. T‐tests or mixed‐effects logistic regression compared study arms.ResultsWomen in the STC arm were more likely to raise the topic of sexual health (51%; OR = 2.62 [1.02, 6.69], p = 0.04) and ask a sexual health question (40%; OR = 2.85 [1.27, 6.38], p = 0.01) during their clinic encounter than those in the control arm (30% and 19% for raise and ask, respectively). At follow‐up, women in the STC arm showed greater improvements in sexual health communication self‐efficacy (p = 0.009) and in anxiety symptoms (p = 0.03), and more women were sexually active at follow‐up, compared to the control arm (OR = 1.5, 70% vs. 46%, p = 0.04).ConclusionsThe STC intervention facilitated women's clinical communication about sexual health and reduced women's anxiety, possibly due to increased confidence in expressing their medical needs. Helpful information gained from clinical discussions could have improved women's willingness or ability to engage in sexual activity. Future studies should identify aspects of the clinical encounter most critical to improving women's sexual outcomes.
Total Integration of the Sample Injection, Microdroplet Reaction, Phase Separation, Real‐Time Optical Detection, and Recovery of Diverse Silver–Gold Bimetallic Nanoalloys in a Continuous Process
Authors: Bui Hoang Khang , Kim Ki Yoon , Kim Hyeonjin , Ahn Jae‐Pyoung , Yu Taekyung , Seo Tae Seok 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMicrofluidic droplet generators have garnered great attention due to the uniformity, high‐throughput capability, and facile experimental setup. To maximize the potentials of droplet technology as a chemical/biological nanoliter‐scale reactor, the downstream processes such as separation of the aqueous and oil phase, real‐time monitoring of the products formed in droplets, and the final product recovery from the droplets is necessary. In this study, the droplet is utilized as a chemical reactor to synthesize a variety of Ag and Au bimetallic nanoalloys in a fully integrated microsystem including sample injection, a T‐junction droplet generator, droplet reaction, water–oil phase separation, real‐time UV–vis absorbance detection, and product recovery. The flow rate of the Ag nanoparticle (NP) solution and the HAuCl4 solution was tuned to generate different molar ratios of Ag and Au components. The in‐line UV–vis absorbance spectrometer displays a peak shift of the Ag/Au bimetallic alloys depending on the molar ratio of Ag/Au in the continuous process, enabling to judge the kind of the Ag/Au alloys in situ and collect a variety of Ag/Au nanoalloys. Thus, the desired nanomaterials can be obtained with minimal trial and error, saving time and cost.
Physiotherapy in Haiti: A qualitative study exploring local clinicians' perspectives
Authors: Bessette Jennifer , Lapointe Anne‐Marie , Gendron Marilyne , Camden Chantal 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and PurposeThe physiotherapy profession in Haiti has seen many changes since the earthquake in 2010, due to the increased number of Haitians living with permanent impairments. The earthquake sparked a significant humanitarian response. Research shows that the response focused mainly on providing short‐term rehabilitation services without sustained efforts to develop sustainable rehabilitation services. A decade later, little is known about the state of the Haitian physiotherapy profession. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of Haitian physiotherapy professionals regarding the current state of the profession in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.MethodsWe used a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. This study consisted of two phases: (1) a survey to identify potential interview participants, and identify preliminary themes to be explored in the follow‐up interviews, and (2) a series of semi‐structured qualitative interviews. We performed a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts.ResultsFour physiotherapists and one rehabilitation technician participated in the interviews. Six interrelated themes emerged, each having a systemic impact on the development of physiotherapy and rehabilitation services in Haiti: (1) physiotherapy as an emerging field, (2) government funding and planning of physiotherapy services, (3) accessibility to physiotherapy services, (4) relationship with doctors, (5) international collaboration, and (6) Haitian physiotherapy associations.ConclusionThis study highlights the ongoing efforts of local physiotherapy associations in advocating for the profession in Haiti, which has become one of the profession's main strengths. The lack of government funding and service planning was considered a significant barrier to overcome, as was the aftermath of the earthquake's emergency response. Future international efforts could focus on supporting local physiotherapy associations and organisations in their endeavours to develop sustainable rehabilitation services.
Holographic Theories at Finite θ‐Angle, CP‐Violation, Glueball Spectra and Strong‐Coupling Instabilities
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Kiritsis Elias , Nitti Francesco 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA general class of holographic theories with a nontrivial θ‐angle are analyzed. The instanton density operator is dual to a bulk axion field. We calculate the ground‐state solutions with nontrivial source, , for the axion, for both steep and soft dilaton potentials in the IR, and both in and . We find all cases to be qualitatively similar. We also calculate the spin=2, 0 glueball spectra and show that the glueball masses monotonically decrease as functions of (or θ‐angle). The slopes of glueball masses are different, generically, in different potentials. In the case of steep dilaton potentials, the glueball (masses)2 turn negative before the maximum of is attained. We interpret this as a signal for a favored instanton condensation in the bulk. We also investigate strong CP‐violation in the effective glueball action.