bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracerebral endotheliitis and microbleeds are neuropathological features of COVID‐19
Authors: Kirschenbaum Daniel , Imbach Lukas L. , Rushing Elisabeth J. , Frauenknecht Katrin B. M. , Gascho Dominic , Ineichen Benjamin V. , Keller Emanuela , Kohler Sibylle , Lichtblau Mona , Reimann Regina R. , Schreib Katharina , Ulrich Silvia , Steiger Peter , Aguzzi Adriano , Frontzek Karl 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) is a rapidly evolving pandemic caused by the coronavirus Sars‐CoV‐2. Clinically manifest central nervous system symptoms have been described in COVID‐19 patients and could be the consequence of commonly associated vascular pathology, but the detailed neuropathological sequelae remain largely unknown. A total of six cases, all positive for Sars‐CoV‐2, showed evidence of cerebral petechial hemorrhages and microthrombi at autopsy. Two out of six patients showed an elevated risk for disseminated intravascular coagulopathy according to current criteria and were excluded from further analysis. In the remaining four patients, the hemorrhages were most prominent at the grey and white matter junction of the neocortex, but were also found in the brainstem, deep grey matter structures and cerebellum. Two patients showed vascular intramural inflammatory infiltrates, consistent with Sars‐CoV‐2‐associated endotheliitis, which was associated by elevated levels of the Sars‐CoV‐2 receptor ACE2 in the brain vasculature. Distribution and morphology of patchy brain microbleeds was clearly distinct from hypertension‐related hemorrhage, critical illness‐associated microbleeds and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which was ruled out by immunohistochemistry. Cerebral microhemorrhages in COVID‐19 patients could be a consequence of Sars‐ CoV‐2‐induced endotheliitis and more general vasculopathic changes and may correlate with an increased risk of vascular encephalopathy.
The impact of bounded subadditivity on administrative behaviour among public and private workers
Authors: Belardinelli Paolo , Bellé Nicola , Cantarelli Paola 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe use a mixed‐methods sequential explanatory design to explore whether and how bounded subadditivity, and the resulting certainty effect, may lead public and private employees to prioritize their activities in ways that are suboptimal for their organizations. In a randomized controlled trial, private sector workers were more likely to join a project to which they were able to provide a small contribution that would turn the probability of success into certainty rather than an alternative project in which their participation would make success twice as likely but not certain. This behaviour, which is consistent with the principle of bounded subadditivity, was not observed among public workers in our sample, who did not show any preference for either project. A qualitative inquiry suggests that the observed difference in susceptibility to bounded subadditivity between public and private employees resonates with public service motivation, self‐determination theory and identity economics.
Kawasaki disease mimickers
Authors: Saez‐de‐Ocariz Marimar , Gámez‐González Luisa Berenise , Rivas‐Larrauri Francisco , Castaño‐Jaramillo Lina María , Toledo‐Salinas Carla , Garrido‐García Luis Martín , Ulloa‐Gutierrez Rolando , Santamaría‐Piedra Maydeli , Orozco‐Covarrubias María de la Luz , Scheffler‐Mendoza Selma , Yamazaki‐Nakashimada Marco Antonio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that predominantly affects patients younger than 5 years. In the absence of an available, affordable diagnostic test, detailed clinical history and physical examination are still fundamental to make a diagnosis.MethodsWe present five representative cases with KD‐like presentations: systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, mycoplasma‐induced rash and mucositis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, BCGosis, and the recently described multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2) virus.ResultsRash, fever, and laboratory markers of inflammation can be present in several childhood diseases that may mimic KD.ConclusionThe term ‘Kawasaki syndrome’ instead of ‘Kawasaki disease’ may be more appropriate. Physicians should consider an alternative diagnosis that may mimic KD, particularly considering MIS‐C during the present pandemic, as an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach is needed.
Building reproductive justice into the safety net
Authors: Nall Michelle , Walker Isabel Cecilia , Likos Kelly Domina Starr 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) is a free primary care clinic serving vulnerable communities and citizens without health insurance in Gainesville, Florida, and surrounding areas. This paper describes the approach taken by MOC to offer sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to underserved patients within a reproductive justice framework.
New technique of sex preselection for increasing female ratio in boar sperm model
Authors: Park Yoo‐Jin , Kwon Ki‐Jin , Song Won‐Hee , Pang Won‐Ki , Ryu Do‐Yeal , Saidur Rahman Md , Pang Myung‐Geol 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study, we tried to optimize the porcine semen extender conditions to maximize the differences between live X chromosome‐bearing (X) spermatozoa and to Y chromosome‐bearing (Y) spermatozoa without a decline in the fertility rate at different pH conditions during storage. We observed the viability of X and Y boar spermatozoa in acidic (pH 6.2), original (pH 7.2), and alkaline condition (pH 8.2) for 5 days to investigate the effect of storage conditions on the X to Y spermatozoa ratio. The functional parameters of spermatozoa were also examined to evaluate sperm quality. Sperm motility was preserved at pH 7.2 and pH 6.2 for 3 days, while sperm motility at pH 8.2 decreased significantly after 2 days. Non‐capacitated spermatozoa increased while capacitated spermatozoa decreased during storage. Sperm viability decreased significantly duration‐dependent under all pH conditions, but there was no significant difference during storage at pH 6.2 and 7.2. The X: Y ratio of live spermatozoa in acidic condition was maximized (1.2:1) without affecting the sperm function and fertility‐related protein expression after 2 days compared to original conditions. Moreover, insemination of sows using acidic extender increased the number of female pups on days 1 and 2 of preservation. These results indicate that the production of female offspring may increase when acidic BTS is used for 2 days without affecting the success rate of AI. Above all, this method is simple and economical compared to other methods.
Testing for conditional independence: A groupwise dimension reduction‐based adaptive‐to‐model approach
Authors: Zhu Xuehu , Lu Jun , Zhang Jun , Zhu Lixing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this article, we propose an adaptive‐to‐model test for conditional independence through groupwise dimension reduction developed in sufficient dimension reduction field. The test statistic under the null hypothesis is asymptotically normally distributed. Although it is also based on nonparametric estimation like any local smoothing tests for conditional independence, its behavior is similar to existing local smoothing tests with only the number of covariates under the null hypothesis. Furthermore, it can detect local alternatives distinct from the null at the rate that is also only related to the number of covariates under the null hypothesis. Therefore, the curse of dimensionality is largely alleviated. To achieve the above goal, we also suggest a groupwise least squares estimation for the groupwise central subspace in sufficient dimension reduction. It is of its own importance in estimation theory though it is as a by‐product for the model adaptation of test statistic described herewith. Numerical studies and analyses for two real data sets are then conducted to examine the finite sample performance of the proposed test.
Detecting early or late changes in linear models with heteroscedastic errors
Authors: Horváth Lajos , Miller Curtis , Rice Gregory 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe construct and study a test to detect possible change points in the regression parameters of a linear model when the model errors and covariates may exhibit heteroscedasticity. Being based on a new trimming scheme for the CUSUM process introduced in Horváth et al. (2020), this test is particularly well suited to detect changes that might occur near the endpoints of the sample. A complete asymptotic theory for the test is developed under the null hypothesis of no change in the regression parameter, and consistency of the test is also established in the presence of a parameter change. Monte Carlo simulations show that our test is comparable to existing methods when the errors are homoscedastic. In contrast, existing methods developed for homoscedastic data are demonstrated to be ill‐sized and poorly performing in the presence of heteroscedasticity, while the proposed test continues to perform well in heteroscedastic environments. These results are further demonstrated in a study of the linear connection between the price of crude oil and the U.S. dollar, and in detecting changes points in asset pricing models surrounding the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Exploring the African Philosophy of Humor through Igbo Proverbs on Laughter
Authors: Ugwuanyi Lawrence Ogbo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn understudied aspect of African thought is the question of laughter and humor. Little attempt has, as yet, been made to locate whether laughter and humor add any value in the African worldview and whether this has any theoretical potential in the effort to improve the human condition through an African perspective. By “improving the human condition” is meant (re‐)articulating those core values, such as peace, happiness, and contentment, around which life and human existence acquire meaning and is lived in the best possible manner. This article sets out to address this knowledge gap. It provides views that illustrate a philosophy of humor with an African pedigree. To do this, it maps out a variety of axioms and proverbs in Igbo thought to interpret them and illustrate the insight they provide in locating an African philosophy of humor. The method applied is a mixed method of hermeneutics and critical synthesis.
Muscle length influence on rectus femoris damage and protective effect in knee extensor eccentric exercise
Authors: Ema Ryoichi , Nosaka Kazunori , Kawashima Ryosuke , Kanda Akihiro , Ikeda Koya , Akagi Ryota 
Published: November 2020

This study tested the hypothesis that the magnitude of rectus femoris (RF) damage and the repeated bout effect (RBE) would be greater after knee extensor eccentric exercise performed in a supine (long RF lengths) than a sitting (short RF lengths) position, and the muscle length effects would be more prominent at the proximal than distal RF. Young untrained men were placed to one of the two groups (n = 14 per group). S group performed the knee extensor eccentric exercise in the sitting position for the first bout and the supine position for the second bout, and L group performed the exercise in the supine position for two bouts, with 4 weeks between bouts. Dependent variables included evoked and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, electromyography (EMG) during MVC, muscle soreness, and shear modulus, which were measured before and 1‐3 days after each exercise bout. After the first bout, L group in comparison with S group showed greater (P < .05) changes in hip flexor MVC torque (average of 1‐3 days post‐exercise: −11.1 ± 9.4% vs −5.0 ± 7.5%), proximal RF EMG (−22.4 ± 16% vs −9.0 ± 21.9%), and proximal RF shear modulus (33.2 ± 22.8% vs 16.9 ± 13.5%). No significant differences between groups were evident for any of other variables after the first bout including knee extensor MVC torque, and for the changes in all variables after the second bout. These results supported the hypothesis that RF damage would be greater for the spine than sitting position especially at the proximal region, but did not support the hypothesis about the RBE.
Maternal body mass index, change in weight status from childhood to late adulthood and physical activity in older age
Authors: Westberg Anna P. , Wasenius Niko , Salonen Minna K. , von Bonsdorff Mikaela B. , Eriksson Johan G. 
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of maternal body mass index (BMI), weight status in childhood and late adulthood and device‐measured total physical activity (TPA) in older age. The study involves 552 participants from Helsinki Birth Cohort Study who were born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1934‐1944. TPA was measured with a multisensory body monitor at a mean age of 70 years and expressed in metabolic equivalent of task hours/day (METh/d). Childhood overweight (BMI > 85th percentile) was based on school health records at 6‐7 years of age, and late adulthood overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was based on clinical measurements at the mean age of 61 years. Childhood overweight was associated with lower TPA, particularly in older women (mean difference −3.2 METh/d, 95% confidence interval (CI) −4.6 ‐ −1.9), and late adulthood overweight was associated with lower TPA both in older women (mean difference −6.2, 95% CI (−7.2 ‐ −5.1) and in older men (mean difference −2.6 METh/d, 95% CI −3.7 ‐ −1.5). TPA in older age was highest in participants who were normal weight both in childhood and adulthood and lowest in participants who were overweight in childhood and adulthood. In participants with childhood overweight, TPA was lower in participants who were overweight both in childhood and adulthood compared to those who were overweight only in childhood. There was a U‐shaped distribution of TPA according to maternal BMI in older women (P = .002), but not in older men. In conclusion, reaching normal weight after childhood predicted higher physical activity levels in older age.
What is a PROM and why do we need it?
Authors: Krogsgaard Michael R. , Brodersen John , Christensen Karl Bang , Siersma Volkert , Kreiner Svend , Jensen Jonas , Hansen Christian Fugl , Comins Jonathan D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this article was to introduce the reader to the nature of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) and pitfalls in their use. PROMs collect subjective information directly from the patient regarding specific or general conditions and add to clinical and functional outcomes, and turn unmeasurable subjective qualities into quantitative measures. PROMs are questionnaires consisting of items: questions or statements with predefined response options. The items in an adequate PROM have been developed by involvement of patients with the condition in focus, and the PROM has been validated for these patients using suitable statistical methods. An adequate well‐targeted PROM is more responsive than an inadequate PROM. Unfortunately, many studies use inadequate PROMs as outcomes. The methods used to generate PROMs should be described as thoroughly as those used to develop any other types of measurement instruments, and the choice of PROM should always be explained and thereby justified. If the PROM used is not adequate, the consequences for the interpretation of the results should be discussed. In many cases, an adequate PROM does not exist. If the best available PROM is chosen, there are methods to validate the adequacy of the chosen PROM, which make an interpretation of the study results possible.
Hepcidin response to interval running exercise is not affected by oral contraceptive phase in endurance‐trained women
Authors: Alfaro‐Magallanes Víctor M. , Barba‐Moreno Laura , Rael Beatriz , Romero‐Parra Nuria , Rojo‐Tirado Miguel A. , Benito Pedro J. , Swinkels Dorine W. , Laarakkers Coby M. , Díaz Ángel E. , Peinado Ana B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe use of oral contraceptives (OCs) by female athletes may lead to improved iron status, possibly through the regulation of hepcidin by sex hormones. The present work investigates the response of hepcidin and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) to an interval exercise in both phases of the OC cycle. Sixteen endurance‐trained OC users (age 25.3 ± 4.7 years; height 162.4 ± 5.7 cm; body mass 56.0 ± 5.7 kg; body fat percentage 24.8 ± 6.0%; peak oxygen consumption [VO2peak]: 47.4 ± 5.5 mL min−1 kg−1) followed an identical interval running protocol during the withdrawal and active pill phases of the OC cycle. This protocol consisted of 8 × 3 minutes bouts at 85% VO2peak speed with 90 seconds recovery intervals. Blood samples were collected pre‐exercise, and at 0 hour, 3 hours, and 24 hours post‐exercise. Pre‐exercise 17β‐estradiol was lower (P = .001) during the active pill than the withdrawal phase (7.91 ± 1.81 vs 29.36 ± 6.45 pg/mL [mean ± SEM]). No differences were seen between the OC phases with respect to hepcidin or IL‐6 concentrations, whether taking all time points together or separately. However, within the withdrawal phase, hepcidin concentrations were higher at 3 hours post‐exercise (3.33 ± 0.95 nmol/L) than at pre‐exercise (1.04 ± 0.20 nmol/L; P = .005) and 0 hour post‐exercise (1.41 ± 0.38 nmol/L; P = .045). Within both OC phases, IL‐6 was higher at 0 hour post‐exercise than at any other time point (P < .05). Similar trends in hepcidin and IL‐6 concentrations were seen at the different time points during both OC phases. OC use led to low 17β‐estradiol concentrations during the active pill phase but did not affect hepcidin. This does not, however, rule out estradiol affecting hepcidin levels.
Alteration in the amount of Glomalin in transition from forest to field/meadow
Authors: Valerie Vranová , Ladislav Holik 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGlomalin produced by fungal mycelium represents a significant stabilizing element of soil aggregates and a relatively stable carbon reservoir in the soil. The aim of our research was to investigate the changes in the amount of glomalin‐related soil protein (GRSP) associated with the transition from forest to meadow or field conditions at the four transects during the 2016 growing season. The method Near Infrared Spectrometry was applied for measuring the amount of GRSP. The measurements have demonstrated that the amount of GRSP decreased both in the points adjacent to the ecotone in the meadow and the field at the Bukovinka and the Proklest A transects. At the two transects, the changes in the amount of GRSP between the forest, the ecotone and the meadow were statistically insignificant except for the point 4 where more GRSP was found out in the meadow and the ecotone than in the forest.
Pseudotumor presentation of CMV disease: Diagnostic dilemma and association with immunomodulating therapy
Authors: Smibert Olivia C. , Allison Cody C. , Doerflinger Marcel , Pellegrini Marc , Rischin Danny , Thai Alesha , Slavin Monica A. , Kotton Camille N. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host. Atypical presentations which include pseudotumors or “cancer mimics” have been described. The etiology of these lesions remains unclear. The authors describe two previously unpublished cases that have arisen in the context of newer immunomodulating therapy and review the existing non‐HIV‐associated CMV pseudotumors described in the literature.
Epidemiological surveillance of health care‐associated infections in a pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation unit in South Brazil
Authors: Amancio Luana , Ihle Garcia Giamberardino Heloisa , Ferreira Eurípedes , Matucheski Biana , Garcia Giamberardino Ana Luisa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients represent a vulnerable population with regard to health care‐associated infections (HAI) with a differentiated profile of etiologic agents.1,2 There are few reports in the literature regarding HAI in the pediatric population submitted to HSCT.MethodsThis is a retrospective study conducted in a pediatric HSCT unit in Curitiba, Brazil between February 2013 and December 2017 that evaluated 109 pediatric patients. The variables analyzed were: age, gender, baseline disease, type of transplantation, infection topography, etiologic agent, time of HAI occurrence, antimicrobial prophylaxis, period of neutropenia, length of stay, and outcomesResultsOf 113 HSCT procedures, 91 (83.5%) were allogenic and 18 were autologous (16.5%). The mean age of the patients was 7.9 years, with a median of 8.1 years (4.0 months–17.3 years); 71 (65.1%) were male; 55 (50.5%) presented with an oncologic diagnosis, 32 (29.4%) with a hematological diagnosis, 17 (15.6%) with immunodeficiencies, and 5 (4.6%) with other causes. During hospitalization after HSCT, 86 episodes of HAI were detected in 66 patients, with an infection density of 16.5 infections/1000 patient days, 86% of which occurred after allogeneic transplants, appearing, on average, 15.3 days after transplantation. The main topographies were bloodstream infection (BSI), with 24 (27.9%) cases, and central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), with 11 (12.8%). Gram‐positive bacteria predominated in cultures and HAI was more frequent in patients diagnosed with immunodeficiencies and other non‐oncologic and non‐hematologic conditions. Among the Gram‐positive bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the main agent identified (77.7%), possibly because of colonization. However, Gram‐negative bacteria, with a resistance profile, comprised 40% of the cases of bacterial infections, most of them represented by Klebsiella pneumoniae (66.6%). Of the 66 patients who presented HAI, 59 patients (89.4%) were discharged, and 7 (10.6%) died.ConclusionThe main topographies were CLABSI and BSI. Patients with immunodeficiencies presented a higher risk for HAI Staphylococcus epidermidis was the main agent identified. However, Klebsiella pneumoniae posed a higher risk for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit admission and death.
Primary tuberculosis of the graft masquerading pyogenic liver abscess in a pediatric liver recipient
Authors: Menon Jagadeesh , Miraje Bhushan , Patel Kinisha , Vij Mukul , Hakeem Abdul , Devarajan Vidyalakshmi , Shanmugam Naresh , Srinivas Reddy Mettu , Rela Mohamed 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPrimary tuberculosis (TB) of the graft presenting as multiple liver abscesses is previously unreported. A 14‐month‐old male child in the early post liver transplant (LT) period presented with high‐grade fever spikes and on evaluation was found to have multiple pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) in the CT abdomen. His fever was not responding to intravenous antibiotics and liver biopsy was done which showed numerous acid fast bacilli. Genetic analysis confirmed the bacilli as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Timely diagnosis and prompt introduction of antituberculosis therapy were lifesaving.