bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective dosage of growth differentiation factor‐9β in folliculogenesis and angiogenesis in the sheep ovarian tissues grafted onto chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane
Authors: Vatanparast Mahboubeh , Moshrefi Mojgan , Yari Nahid , Khalili Mohammad Ali , Macchiarelli Guido , Palmerini Maria Grazia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimScientists have tried to culture and transplant the ovarian tissues (OT), to preserve fertility in cancer patients. However, one of the main limitations to the applicability of this technique is the folliculogenesis disruption after transplantation. Due to the roles exerted by growth differentiation factor‐9β (GDF9β), we decided to determine the most effective dose of GDF9β on promotion of folliculogenesis and angiogenesis in sheep OT grafted onto the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).MethodsFresh sheep OT were grafted onto the CAM for 5 days, and divided into four groups based on the addition of increasing doses of GDF9β (0, 150, 200 and 250 ng/mL). Following culture, histological (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E] staining) and immunohistological studies (Ki‐67) were done. Fibrotic and necrotic regions were measured using MICROVISIBLE software. For comparing the follicle development rates between the groups as well as differences in the Ki‐67‐positive follicles, analysis of variance was applied.ResultsIn both 200 and 250 ng/mL GDF9β groups, significantly higher rates of intermediary and primary follicles were observed, also the numbers of good quality follicles increased in the aforementioned groups and the rates of fibrotic and necrotic areas decreased. Moreover, in the 200 and 250 ng/mL GDF9β groups, the number of capillaries and the proliferative activity increased. The lower dose of GDF9β (150 ng/mL) neither activated the primordial follicles nor lead to an increase in the number of growing follicles.ConclusionAddition of high dosages of GDF9β to the OT, grafted onto the CAM resulted in higher folliculogenesis and better transplantation features due to improvement in angiogenesis.
Prospective study of pregnancy outcome between perceived stress and stress‐related hormones
Authors: Cui Yuqian , Yu Hongling , Meng Fanwei , Liu Jin , Yang Fang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimTo evaluate the relationship between physiological and psychological stress on pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) treatment.MethodsWomen undergoing the first IVF cycle were enrolled to complete the Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Their blood samples were collected on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle to measure 5‐hydroxytryptamine, renin, norepinephrine, angiotensin II and cortisol. Salivary amylase was obtained on the embryo transfer day.ResultsCompared with normal women who came to the hospital for regular physical examination, the incidence of anxiety and depression was higher in women seeking for IVF treatment. After psychological intervention, the condition got improved and the incidence of anxiety and depression was 6.25% and 7.81% separately in these women. There were no significant differences between the anxiety scores in women with and without pregnancy. The depression scores did show some statistically differences, with higher scores in the nonpregnancy group. The level of 5‐hydroxytryptamine, renin, norepinephrine and cortisol were not significantly different between the two groups, while angiotensin II and salivary amylase seemed to be negatively correlated with pregnancy outcome. Simultaneously, a positive correlation was found between angiotensin II and anxiety and depression scores.ConclusionDepression during IVF has a negative impact on pregnancy outcome. The measurement of angiotensin II and salivary amylase might be reference index for the psychological status of patients during IVF‐ET.
Case report of persistent elevation of βhCG in a nonpregnant woman: A diagnostic puzzle
Authors: Nikolić Branka , Rakić Aleksandar , Ardalić Daniela , Cimbaljević Marijana 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDetectable serum levels of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) in nonpregnant, perimenopausal women bring confusion in both clinician and patient and could lead to unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A 45‐year‐old woman with the continuous elevation of βhCG underwent hysteroscopy, two laparoscopic surgeries, two explorative uterine cavity curettages and three cycles of cytostatic therapy. No ultrasonographic, macroscopic or histological signs of pregnancy, both uterine and ectopic or gestational trophoblastic disease were found. Both radiographic and computed tomography reports ruled out the presence of a nongynecological neoplasm. All recommended steps were taken for confirmation or ruling out the possibility of heterophile antibodies interference, but the results were not absolute. Finally, the referent laboratory confirmed the presence of the antibodies, but their exact type remains unknown. This case underlines the importance of the universally accepted protocol in the cases of persistent βhCG elevation in nonpregnant, perimenopausal women.
Faecal calprotectin levels during the first year of life in healthy children
Authors: Günaydın Şahin Burcu Sena , Keskindemirci Gonca , Özden Tülin Ayşe , Durmaz Özlem , Gökçay Gülbin 
Published: June 2020

AimA high faecal calprotectin (FC) level is a non‐invasive marker for inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, healthy infants have elevated levels of FC with large variations. The aim of our study was to determine the levels of FC and associated factors in healthy infants aged 0–12 months.MethodsInfants younger than 1 year of age were in the follow‐up programme of the Well Child Unit. Data on the clinical characteristics, including birth, anthropometric measurements and feeding types of infants in the unit, were obtained from their personal health records. One fresh stool sample was collected from each infant. ELISA was used to measure FC.ResultsWe included 84 infants younger than 1 year of age. The median FC value was 313 μg/g. The FC levels were greater in the youngest (0–30 days) group of infants than in the oldest (181–365 days) group (P < 0.001). The FC levels were higher in infants delivered by caesarean section than in those delivered vaginally (P = 0.016). The levels were also higher in infants who were solely breastfed than in those who received mixed feeding (breast milk and formula) during the first 6 months of life (P = 0.030).ConclusionThe FC levels in this group of infants were high, especially in the first month of life. Several birth and environmental factors influenced the FC values. Further studies with a larger cohort of infants and serial assessment of FC over time are required to better understand the patterns of this biomarker during infancy.
Finding complexity in complexes: Assessing the causes of mitonuclear discordance in a problematic species complex of Mesoamerican toads
Authors: Firneno Thomas J. , O’Neill Justin R. , Portik Daniel M. , Emery Alyson H. , Townsend Josiah H. , Fujita Matthew K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMitonuclear discordance is a frequently encountered pattern in phylogeographic studies and occurs when mitochondrial and nuclear DNA display conflicting signals. Discordance among these genetic markers can be caused by several factors including confounded taxonomies, gene flow, and incomplete lineage sorting. In this study, we present a strong case of mitonuclear discordance in a species complex of toads (Bufonidae: Incilius coccifer complex) found in the Chortís Block of Central America. To determine the cause of mitonuclear discordance in this complex, we used spatially explicit genetic data to test species limits and relationships, characterize demographic history, and quantify gene flow. We found extensive mitonuclear discordance among the three recognized species within this group, especially in populations within the Chortís Highlands of Honduras. Our data reveal nuclear introgression within the Chortís Highlands populations that was most probably driven by cyclical range expansions due to climatic fluctuations. Though we determined introgression occurred within the nuclear genome, our data suggest that it is not the key factor in driving mitonuclear discordance in the entire species complex. Rather, due to a lack of discernible geographic pattern between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, as well as a relatively recent divergence time of this complex, we concluded that mitonuclear discordance has been caused by incomplete lineage sorting. Our study provides a framework to test sources of mitonuclear discordance and highlights the importance of using multiple marker types to test species boundaries in cryptic species.
Impact of peritoneal catheter intramural design on dialysis discontinuation rate
Authors: Musone Dario , Nicosia Valentina , Diana Massimo , Viola Vincenzo , Treglia Antonio 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimCatheter dislocation is an important cause of technique failure for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of intramural trait configuration on this outcome.MethodsWe considered 240 swan neck, double‐cuffed catheters positioned in adult patients in our Centre with mini‐laparotomy technique partitioned, according with the intramural segment design, in a standard technique group (ST) (n. 199): oblique passage of the catheter through the rectus sheath in the craniocaudal direction, and in a modified technique group (MT) (n. 41): anterior fascia lanced 3 cm cranially to the deep cuff to let catheter out. The primary end‐point was dialysis failure due to tip migration. Secondary end‐points were any other causes of catheter removal.ResultsIncidence of catheter removal for non‐responsive tip migration was 14.3% in MT and 6.1% in ST. Neither this difference nor the catheter survival rate for this outcome was statistically significant. PD interruption for refractory exit site/tunnel infection (ESI) was in favour of ST (4% ST, 35.7% MT; P < .01) whereas ESI catheter survival rate was only marginally significant (292.8 days in MT vs 743.6 in ST, P = .045). No other recorded cause of PD discontinuation was significantly different.ConclusionModified technique group is associated with a major ESI risk but, given the average survival, it seems to be due more to exit site management than to the specific surgical procedure. MT is not superior to ST to prevent catheter dislocation nevertheless, considering its simplicity and rapidity it can be deemed as first‐choice option.
Testimonial contractarianism: A knowledge‐first social epistemology
Authors: Simion Mona 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAccording to anti‐reductionism in the epistemology of testimony, testimonial entitlement is easy to come by: all you need to do is listen to what you are being told. Say you like anti‐reductionism; one question that you will need to answer is how come testimonial entitlement comes so cheap; after all, people are free to lie.This paper has two aims: first, it looks at the main anti‐reductionist answers to this question and argues that they remain unsatisfactory. Second, it goes on a rescue mission on behalf of anti‐reductionism. I put forth a novel, knowledge‐first anti‐reductionist account, which I dub ‘Testimonial Contractarianism’. According to the view defended here, in virtue of the social contract in play, compliance with the norms governing speech acts is the default position for speakers. Insofar as norm compliance is the default for speakers, I argue, all else equal, entitlement to believe is the default for hearers.
Ventilation in pediatric anesthesia: A French multicenter prospective observational study (PEDIAVENT)
Authors: Lebossé Marion , Kern Delphine , De Queiroz Mathilde , Bourdaud Nathalie , Veyckemans Francis , Chassard Dominique , Baudin Florent ,   the ADARPEF (Association Des Anesthésistes Réanimateurs Pédiatriques d'Expression Française)
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionProtective ventilation is now a standard of care in adults. However, management of ventilation is heterogeneous in children and little is known regarding the mechanical ventilation parameters actually used during pediatric anesthesia.AimThe aim of the study was to assess current ventilatory practices during pediatric anesthesia in France and to compare them with pediatric experts' statements, with a specific focus on tidal volume.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective multicenter observational study, regarding the ventilatory management and the mechanical ventilation parameters, over two days (21 and 22 June 2017) in 29 pediatric centers in France. All children undergoing general anesthesia during these 2 days were eligible; those who required extracorporeal circulation or one‐lung ventilation were excluded.ResultsA total of 701 children were included; median [IQR] age was 60 [24‐120] months. Among the patients in whom controlled ventilation was used, 254/515 (49.3%) had an expired tidal volume >8 mL/kg and 44 children (8.8%) an expired tidal volume ≥10 mL/kg. Lower weight and use of a supraglottic airway device were significantly associated with provision of a tidal volume ≥10 mL/kg (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval [0.92; 0.97], P < .001 and 2.28 [1.20; 4.31], P = .012, respectively). The positive end‐expiratory pressure was set at a median [IQR] of 4 [3‐5] cmH2O; it was <3 cmH2O in 15.7% of children and not used in 56/499 (9.3%). Among intubated children, 57 (18.3%) received a tidal volume < 10 mL/kg with a positive end‐expiratory pressure ≥3 cmH2O in association with recruitment maneuvers.ConclusionsVentilatory practices in children were heterogenous, and a large proportion of children were not ventilated as it is currently recommended by some experts.
Reproductive isolation between wild and domesticated chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in sympatry
Authors: Munguía‐Rosas M. A. , Jácome‐Flores M. E. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Reproductive isolation is a necessary condition for plant domestication in their domestication centre where crops co‐occur with their wild progenitors. However, the identification of reproductive barriers and their relative contribution to reproductive isolation have been overlooked in plants under domestication.

We assessed pre‐ and post‐pollination reproductive barriers and their relative contribution to reproductive isolation between wild and domesticated chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in its domestication centre.

We found that wild and domesticated chaya both exhibit a high degree of reproductive isolation. However, the reproductive isolation barriers exhibited some asymmetry: while pre‐pollination barriers (differential pollen production and pollinator specificity) were only detected in wild plants, post‐pollination barriers (pollen–pistil incompatibility and/or failure to set fruit) were observed in both wild and domesticated plants.

We conclude that complete reproductive isolation has evolved in sympatry in co‐occurring domesticated and wild chaya.
Case series of six kidney transplanted patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia treated with tocilizumab
Authors: Mella Alberto , Mingozzi Silvia , Gallo Ester , Lavacca Antonio , Rossetti Maura , Clari Roberta , Randone Olga , Maffei Stefano , Salomone Mario , Imperiale Daniele , Biancone Luigi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFew reports described the outcome of kidney transplanted patients (KTs) affected by COVID‐19 treated with interleukin‐6 receptor inhibitor tocilizumab (TCZ). We report our case series of 6 KTs with COVID‐19 pneumonia who received TCZ: All were of male gender, with a mean age of 55.5 ± 8.4 years, a median time from transplantation of 3611 days (1465‐5757); 5/6 had cardiovascular comorbidities, 1/6 had diabetes, and 3/6 have one or more previous KTs. Four out of six patients died, at an average time of 9.75 ± 2.4 days after tocilizumab administration, 3/6 due to a coexistent septic shock. Two patients improved after TCZ and were discharged at 20 and 21 days, respectively; in both patient, a significant increase of total lymphocyte count was observed. In conclusion, KTs, where the role of peculiar factors such as chronic immunosuppression is still undetermined, represent a high‐risk group with significant COVID‐19‐associated mortality. The evaluation of the TCZ effect in COVID‐19 pneumonia requires controlled studies (ideally RCTs) in this specific population.
Intractable hypercalcemia in a patient with multiple myeloma: An infectious etiology
Authors: Lopez James , Raval Mihir , Mohan Meera 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHypercalcemia is a common laboratory finding in patients with malignancy, as well as with granulomatous disease. We report the case of a 75‐year‐old man with multiple myeloma (MM) who presented with generalized weakness, fever, and intractable hypercalcemia. The hypercalcemia proved difficult to treat despite well‐controlled MM, as well as adequate use of bisphosphonates and calcitonin. Biopsy of sub‐centimeter mesenteric adenopathy was significant for Histoplasma capsulatum and negative for malignancy, suggesting disseminated gastrointestinal histoplasmosis as the sole etiology for uncontrolled hypercalcemia. He was successfully treated with voriconazole. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal if left untreated and warrants vigilance of non‐malignant etiologies of hypercalcemia. While hypercalcemia is a common clinical manifestation of MM, our patient is an exemplar of maintaining a broader differential diagnosis in immunocompromised hosts.
How Intractability Spans the Cognitive and Evolutionary Levels of Explanation
Authors: Rich Patricia , Blokpoel Mark , de Haan Ronald , van Rooij Iris 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe challenge of explaining how cognition can be tractably realized is widely recognized. Classical rationality is thought to be intractable due to its assumptions of optimization and/or domain generality, and proposed solutions therefore drop one or both of these assumptions. We consider three such proposals: Resource‐Rationality, the Adaptive Toolbox theory, and Massive Modularity. All three seek to ensure the tractability of cognition by shifting part of the explanation from the cognitive to the evolutionary level: Evolution is responsible for producing the tractable architecture. We consider the three proposals and show that, in each case, the intractability challenge is not thereby resolved, but only relocated from the cognitive level to the evolutionary level. We explain how non‐classical accounts do not currently have the upper hand on the new playing field.
Comparative intraocular pressure measurements using three different rebound tonometers through in an ex vivo analysis and clinical trials in canine eyes
Authors: Shim Jaeho , Kang Seonmi , Park Yoonji , Kim Sunhyo , Go Seokmin , Lee Eunji , Seo Kangmoon 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical relevance of intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with three different rebound tonometers in an ex vivo analysis and clinical trials in dogs.Animals and proceduresEx vivo analysis and clinical trials were performed separately. For the ex vivo analysis, eight enucleated eyes were obtained from four Beagle dogs. IOP values measured with TONOVET®(TV‐IOP), TONOVET‐Plus®(TVP‐IOP), and SW‐500®(SW‐IOP) were compared with manometric IOPs. For clinical trials, each tonometer was evaluated separately, depending on whether TVP‐IOP was higher or lower than 14 mm Hg. One‐way repeatedmeasures analysis of variance, simple linear regression analysis, and Bland‐Altman plots were used for statistical analyses.ResultsIn ex vivo analysis, TV‐IOP and TVP‐IOP were not significantly different from manometric IOP. However, SW‐IOP underestimated IOP compared to manometry. Higher discrepancy was observed in TV‐IOP and SW‐IOP with an increase in manometric IOP. In clinical trials, no significant difference was observed between TV‐IOP (9.73 ± 2.92) and TVP‐IOP (11.36 ± 2.23) when TVP‐IOP was lower than 14 mm Hg, but SW‐IOP (8.70 ± 3.03) was significantly lower than TVP‐IOP. TV‐IOP (15.96 ± 6.47) and SW‐IOP (13.09 ± 3.72) were significantly lower than TVP‐IOP (20.08 ± 6.60) when the IOP was higher than 14 mm Hg of TVP‐IOP.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the TONOVET®and TONOVET‐Plus®provide a useful approach for ex vivo analysis. In clinical trials, results of TV‐IOP and SW‐IOP were significantly lower than of TVP‐IOP when IOP was higher than 14 mm Hg of TVP‐IOP. The characteristics of rebound tonometers should be considered in clinical settings.
Sharing the pain: an observational analysis of Twitter and pain in Ireland
Authors: Mullins Cormac Francis , ffrench-O'Carroll Robert , Lane Justin , O'Connor Therese 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionStudies involving Twitter and chronic pain can provide highly valuable patient-generated information. The aim of this paper was to examine pain-related tweets in Ireland over a 2-week period from 22 June 2017 to 5 July 2017 using pain-related keywords. We wished to identify Twitter user gender profile; most common discussion topics; sentiment analysis; and dissemination of tweets.MethodsA third-party data analytics company conducted a Twitter social media analysis over a randomly chosen 14-day period between the dates 22 June and 5 July 2017. All relevant keywords were included in the search. Author group consensus yielded 24 terms. Geographical location was restricted to Ireland. A computational sentiment dictionary was used to provide a rating of the emotional properties of the text on a 9-point scale from −5 to +4 of negative to positive sentiment. Dissemination was calculated by the number of times the tweet was displayed (‘impressions’).ResultsThere were 941 tweets identified during the study from 715 contributors. These generated 2.88 million impressions. The most frequently occurring keywords were headache (n=321); migraine (n=147); back pain (n=123); cannabis (n=114); and chronic pain (n=85). There were 1.94 times as many tweets from females as males. The highest proportion of tweets from female users was in the fibromyalgia (83%) and migraine (60%) categories; and from males in the sciatica (35%), chronic pain (34%) and back pain (32%) categories. Cannabis-related tweets reflected mostly non-personal content (90%), with a highly positive sentiment, and the highest number of impressions per tweet. The largest amount of advice was offered in the back pain category. Reposting of other users’ content (‘retweets’) was more likely to contain a positive sentiment.ConclusionA substantial discussion of pain-related topics took place on Twitter during our study period. This provided real-time, dynamic information from individuals on discussion topics in pain medicine. This can be used to gain a greater understanding of the pain experience. As patients are increasingly acquiring healthcare information through online sources, high-quality information from approved sources should be promoted on such platforms.
Quasinormal modes of black holes in Weyl gravity: electromagnetic and gravitational perturbations
Authors: Momennia Mehrab , Hendi Seyed Hossein 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe recent reported gravitational wave detection motivates one to investigate the properties of different black hole models, especially their behavior under (axial) gravitational perturbation. Here, we study the quasinormal modes of black holes in Weyl gravity. We derive the master equation describing the quasinormal radiation by using a relation between the Schwarzschild-anti de Sitter black holes and Weyl solutions, and also the conformal invariance property of the Weyl action. It will be observed that the quasinormal mode spectra of the Weyl solutions deviate from those of the Schwarzschild black hole due to the presence of an additional linear r-term in the metric function. We also consider the evolution of the Maxwell field on the background spacetime and obtain the master equation of electromagnetic perturbations. Then, we use the WKB approximation and asymptotic iteration method to calculate the quasinormal frequencies. Finally, the time evolution of modes is studied through the time-domain integration of the master equation.