bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar influence simazine decomposition and leaching
Authors: Cheng Hongguang , Wang Jinyang , Tu Chenglong , Lin Shan , Xing Dan , Hill Paul , Chadwick Dave , Jones Davey L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe application of biochar to land has been promoted as a strategy for sequestering carbon in soils, for improving soil fertility and remediating soil pollution. However, the implications of biochar amendments on mycorrhizal associations and pesticide decomposition in agricultural soils are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the effects of four treatments; control (no biochar and no arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), biochar (biochar without AMF), AMF (AMF without biochar) and biochar + AMF (AMF and biochar) on the fate of simazine. We specifically focused on the sorption, leaching and biodegradation behaviour of simazine. Our results showed that when symbiosis existed between plants and AMF, biochar inhibited simazine decomposition and AMF inoculation alleviated this inhibition. In contrast, this alleviation was not observed when the plant was removed. In addition, AMF inoculated into the biochar amended soil significantly decreased simazine concentration in the leachate; however, in the AMF‐only treatment, no effect on simazine leaching was observed. These phenomena were attributed to variation in the soil's sorption capacity due to biochar application or AMF inoculation. Overall, biochar application combined with AMF inoculation has the potential to mitigate simazine accumulation in the topsoil and reduce its availability.
Usability of a self‐administered geriatric assessment mHealth: Cross‐sectional study in a geriatric clinic
Authors: Rasheedy Doha , Mohamed Hebattullah Elshazly , Saber Heba Gamal , Hassanin Hany Ibrahim 
Published: December 2020

AimmHealth can facilitate comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in countries with limited geriatric healthcare facilities. It can compensate for the lack of trained geriatricians and integrate CGA in different healthcare disciplines leading to better clinical outcomes. This study assessed the usability of a self‐administered geriatric assessment smartphone application.MethodsA cross‐sectional study included participants from the geriatric clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. This study was performed in three phases: development and validation of an abbreviated geriatric assessment tool, and validation of the application prototype. Twenty subjects were recruited for pretesting the abbreviated assessment tool, then another 50 patients to validate this tool in a face‐to‐face interview. Afterwards, another 12 patients completed the prototype followed by a standardized office visit interview. Each assessment domain was evaluated in agreement with a valid reference test during the clinical interview.ResultsThe application was simple and user friendly. The scores of each domain correlated to the reference test scores (rho = 0.59–0.93). Most of the domains exhibited good agreement with the reference tests (kappa = 0.68–1.00) (except for frailty and nutritional assessment).ConclusionsThe mHealth geriatric assessment is possible and highly desirable during physical distancing and beyond. Obviously, this approach cannot substitute for clinical examination and multidisciplinary standard CGA. However, it may overcome some barriers facing the geriatrization of medicine. It would help general practitioners to provide pre‐CGA evaluation, particularly in areas with limited access to formal geriatric healthcare services. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 222–228.
Feasibility of using “SMARTER” methodology for monitoring precipitating conditions of pediatric migraine episodes
Authors: Connelly Mark A. , Boorigie Madeline E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility in children of an intensive prospective data monitoring methodology for identifying precipitating conditions for migraine occurrence.BackgroundMigraine headaches are a common pain condition in childhood and can become increasingly chronic and disabling with repeated episodes. Identifying conditions that forecast when a child's migraine is likely to occur may facilitate next‐generation adaptive treatments to prevent future migraine attacks.MethodsIn this cohort study of a sample of 30 youth (ages 10–17) with migraine recruited through a pediatric headache clinic, smartphones supplemented with wearable biosensors were used over a period of 28 days to collect contextual data thought to be potentially relevant to headache occurrence. Self‐reported data on headache occurrence, lifestyle, and perceptions of the environment were collected in 4 epochs per day using custom real‐time reporting software. Data derived from the wearable biosensor included information on autonomic arousal and physical activity. Built‐in sensors on participants’ own phones also were used to indicate location and to quantify the sensory environment (e.g., ambient noise and light levels). Data fidelity was monitored to evaluate feasibility of the methods, and participant acceptability was assessed via an end‐of‐study survey.ResultsSelf‐report data were obtained on a mean of 88.9% (24.9/28) of assigned days (SD = 22.4%) and at a mean of 68.9% (77.2/112) of assigned moments (SD = 24.5%). Data from the wearable biosensor were obtained for a mean of 18.7 hours per day worn (SD = 2.3 hours), with participants on average wearing the sensor on 20.3 days (SD = 9.9). Fidelity of obtaining objective data from phone sensors on the sensory environment and other environmental conditions was highly variable, with these data obtainable from 5 to 22/30 (16.7%–73.3%) of participants’ own phones. Most participants (63.3%–100%) responded with at least “somewhat agree” to questions about acceptability of the study methods. However, 5 to 7/30 (16.7%–23.3%) patients indicated difficulties with burden and remembering to wear the sensor. Almost all participants (29/30, 96.7%) agreed that they would want information about when a migraine might occur.ConclusionsA contemporary data sampling approach comprising ambulatory sensors and real‐time reporting appears to be acceptable to most youth with migraine in this study. Reliability of acquiring some data sources from participants’ own phones, however, was suboptimal. Further refining these data sampling methods may enable a novel means of predicting and preventing recurrences of migraine episodes in youth.
Hepatocellular adenoma, approximately half and predominantly inflammatory subtype, in 38 Japanese patients with several differences in age, gender, and clinical background factors from Western populations
Authors: Izu Asami , Sugitani Masahiko , Kinukawa Noriko , Matsumura Hiroshi , Ogawa Masahiro , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Yamazaki Shintaro , Takayama Tadatoshi , Hano Hiroshi , Yao Takashi , Kanda Hiroaki , Suzuki Koyu , Hayashi Seisyu , Ariizumi Syunichi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Morishita Yukio , Matsumoto Koshi , Nakamura Naoya , Nakano Masayuki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimHepatocellular adenoma (HCA) has a lower prevalence in Japan than in Western countries and HCA subtypes have been reported for only a few Japanese patients. We analyzed HCA subtype data 38 patients from 23 hospitals in Japan in order to examine character and difference between Western countries.MethodsTo confirm HCA and to analyze subtypes, we performed immunohistochemical examinations.ResultsThirty‐eight cases were found to have HCA without cirrhosis. The male/female ratio was 18/20. Ages ranged from 15 to 79 (average, 43.2) years. Male and elder patients are not rare, furthermore, most of elder patients are male. Glycogen storage disease, past history of medicament use, hepatitis B virus surface antigen‐positivity, antihepatitis C virus ‐positivity, diabetes mellitus, obesity, lipid metabolism disorder and alcoholism were present in of 6, 8, 1, 1, 6, 6, 4, and 6 cases, respectively. As to HCA subtypes, HNF1alpha‐inactivated HCA, beta‐catenin activated HCA (b‐HCA), inflammatory HCA (IHCA) and unclassified HCA (U‐HCA) accounted for nine (23.7%), four (10.5%), 17 (44.7%) and eight (21.1%) cases, respectively. Two cases showed coexistence of HCA and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at surgery, and another had HCC which had been detected 23 years after HCA diagnosis. The HCA subtype of one of the former cases was U‐HCA, while the remaining two had b‐HCA and U‐HCA.ConclusionsIn Japanese HCA cases, the proportions of U‐HCA, male and elder cases were slightly higher than in Western countries, and most of elder patients were male. IHCA was however common regardless of race, and was assumed to be the predominant subtype of HCA.
The modern management of Barrett’s oesophagus and related neoplasia: role of pathology
Authors: Kumarasinghe M Priyanthi , Armstrong Michael , Foo Jonathan , Raftopoulos Spiro C 
Published: December 2020

Modern management of Barrett’s oesophagus and related neoplasia essentially focuses upon surveillance to detect early low‐risk neoplastic lesions and offering organ‐preserving advanced endoscopic therapies, while traditional surgical treatments of oesophagectomy and lymph node clearance with or without chemoradiation are preserved only for high‐risk and advanced carcinomas. With this evolution towards figless invasive therapy, the choice of therapy hinges upon the pathological assessment for risk stratifying patients into those with low risk for nodal metastasis who can continue with less invasive endoscopic therapies and others with high risk for nodal metastasis for which surgery or other forms of treatment are indicated. Detection and confirmation of neoplasia in the first instance depends upon endoscopic and pathological assessment. Endoscopic examination and biopsy sampling should be performed according to the recommended protocols, and endoscopic biopsy interpretation should be performed applying standard criteria using appropriate ancillary studies by histopathologists experienced in the pathology of Barrett’s disease. Endoscopic resections (ERs) are both diagnostic and curative and should be performed by clinicians who are skilled with advanced endoscopic techniques. Proper preparation and handling of ERs are essential to assess histological parameters that dictate the curative nature of the procedure. Those parameters are adequacy of resection and risk of lymph node metastasis. The risk of lymph node metastasis is determined by depth invasion and presence of poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion. Those adenocarcinomas with invasion up to muscularis mucosae (pT1a) and those with superficial submucosal invasion (pT1b) up to 500 µ with no poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion and negative margins may be considered cured by endoscopic resections.
Is pre‐referral management of anterior urethral strictures prior to urethroplasty appropriate?
Authors: Ojima Kenichiro , Horiguchi Akio , Shinchi Masayuki , Hirano Yusuke , Hamamoto Koetsu , Kimura Fumihiro , Takahashi Eiji , Asano Tomohiko , Ito Keiichi , Azuma Ryuichi 
Published: December 2020

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether the management of anterior urethral strictures prior to definitive urethroplasty is appropriate.MethodsOf a total of 419 men diagnosed with anterior urethral strictures at hospitals across Japan and thereafter referred to our institution for definitive urethroplasty between 2004 and 2019, the medical records of 371, for whom data on stricture characteristics at the initial diagnosis and pre‐referral management were available, were retrospectively reviewed. A pre‐referral single transurethral procedure, such as direct vision internal urethrotomy or urethral dilation, was considered appropriate only for favorable stricture, defined as a single nontraumatic untreated bulbar urethral stricture ≤2 cm in size, and repeat transurethral procedures were considered inappropriate in any circumstances. The association between the appropriateness of the pre‐referral management strategy and patient and clinical characteristics was analyzed.ResultsA total of 242 patients (65.2%) had a pre‐referral history of at least one transurethral procedure, and performing the procedure was considered inappropriate for 221 patients (59.6%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, location of the patient's residence far from our institution (outside of the Kanto area; odds ratio 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.86–6.04; P < 0.0001), voiding with intermittent dilation (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.38–4.12; P = 0.002), iatrogenic stricture (odds ratio 11.18, 95% confidence interval 5.30–23.61; P < 0.0001), and stricture longer than 20 mm (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.47–6.38; P = 0.003) were the independent predictors of inappropriate use of transurethral procedures.ConclusionsTransurethral procedures are often inappropriately used. There is a clear need to promote appropriate management strategies for urethral strictures among general urologists.
Laser‐pulse melting of calcium oxide and some peculiarities of its high‐temperature behavior
Authors: Bgasheva Tatiana , Falyakhov Timerkhan , Petukhov Sergei , Sheindlin Michael , Vasin Andrey , Vervikishko Pavel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe study aims to address and overcome the existing hurdles and challenges in measuring the melting temperature of calcium oxide (CaO). Despite numerous experiments of this kind in the past, the exact melting point (MP) of CaO still remains quite uncertain due to three factors associated with it: a high melting temperature, an optical semitransparency, and a high vapor pressure in the vicinity of the melting point. The method used in the present study is based on the laser‐pulse heating with CO2‐ and Nd:YAG‐lasers. It was designed specifically to eliminate the possible ambiguity due to variance in absorbance in the specimen bulk. Temperature measurements were performed with advanced multichannel pyrometry combined with probe laser reflectometry. Subsequently, this technique allowed to determine both the melting and the solidification points of CaO. The final measurement of the melting point amounted to 3160 ± 10 K.
A porcine study of the area of heated tissue during hot‐balloon ablation: Implications for the clinical efficacy and safety
Authors: Nakahara Shiro , Wakamatsu Yuji , Sato Hirotsugu , Otsuka Naoto , Fukuda Reiko , Watanabe Ryuta , Kurokawa Sayaka , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Takaoka Motoki , Nagashima Koichi , Kobayashi Sayuki , Taguchi Isao , Okumura Yasuo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionHot‐balloon ablation depends solely on thermal conduction, and myocardial tissue is ablated by only conductive heating from the balloon surface. Despite growing clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of hot‐balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), the actual tissue temperature and the mechanism of heating during such ablation has not been clarified. To determine, by means of a porcine study, the temperatures of tissues targeted during hot‐balloon ablation of AF performed with hot‐balloon set temperatures of 73°C or 70°C, in accordance with the temperatures now used clinically.MethodsAfter a right thoracotomy, thermocouples with markers were implanted epicardially on the superior vena cava (SVC) and pulmonary veins (PVs) in six pigs. The tissue temperatures during hot‐balloon ablation (balloon set temperatures of 73°C and 70°C, 180 s/PV) were recorded, and the maximum tissue temperatures and fluoroscopically measured distance from the balloon surface to the target tissues were assessed.ResultsSixteen SVC‐ and 18 PV‐targeted energy deliveries were performed. Full‐thickness circumferential PV lesions were created with all hot‐balloon applications. A significant inverse relation was found between the recorded tissue temperatures and distance (r = −.67; p < .001) from the balloon surface. No tissue temperature exceeded either of the balloon set temperatures. The best distance cutoff value for achieving lethal tissue temperatures more than 50°C was 3.6 mm.ConclusionThe hot‐balloon set temperature, energy delivery time, and tissue temperature data obtained in this porcine study supported the clinical efficacy and safety of the hot‐balloon ablation as currently practiced in patients with AF.
Institutional monitoring and litigation risk: Evidence from employee disputes
Authors: Rayfield Blake , Unsal Omer 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this article, we investigate how institutional investors help mitigate business‐related risks in a corporate environment. Using a large sample of employment disputes, litigations, and court cases, we find that institutional investors play a significant role in reducing employment litigation. We observe that firms with larger shares of institutional ownership have a lower incidence of employment lawsuits and that long‐term institutional investors are more effective at decreasing employee mistreatment. Our results suggest that institutional investors can improve the employee work environment and help mitigate future employee litigation. The improvement in employee work conditions has been shown to increase a firm's value through increased employee output, reduced litigation, and direct and indirect costs. Our results shed light on the effectiveness of institutional monitoring on a firm's litigation risk.
Real‐world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease: the Scottish ustekinumab cohort
Authors: Plevris Nikolas , Fulforth James , Siakavellas Spyros , Robertson Andrew , Hall Rebecca , Tyler Amy , Jenkinson Philip W , Campbell Iona , Chuah Cher Shiong , Kane Claire , Veryan Jennifer , Lam Wai Liam , Saunders Jayne , Kelly Christopher , Gaya Daniel , Jafferbhoy Hasnain , Macdonald Jonathan C , Seenan John Paul , Mowat Craig , Naismith Graham , Potts Lindsay F , Sutherland Diarmid Ian , Watts David , Arnott Ian , Bain Gillian , Jones Gareth , Lees Charlie W 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and AimUstekinumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin‐12/23. In Scotland, it was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease in 2017. The objective of this study was to establish the real‐world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in the treatment of Crohn's disease.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of patients receiving ustekinumab across eight Scottish National Health Service health boards between 2017 and 2019. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of Crohn's disease with symptoms attributed to active disease plus objective signs of inflammation at baseline (C‐reactive protein ≥ 5 mg/L or fecal calprotectin ≥ 250 μg/g or inflammation on endoscopy/magnetic resonance imaging) and completion of induction plus at least one clinical follow‐up at 8 weeks. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to establish 12‐month cumulative rates of clinical remission, mucosal healing, deep remission, and perianal fistula response. Rates of serious adverse events were described quantitatively.ResultsOur cohort consisted of 216 patients (female sex, 37.9%; median age, 39.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] 28.8–51.8 years; disease duration, 9.9 years, IQR 6.0–16.5 years; prior biologic, 98.6%) with a median follow‐up of 35.0 weeks (IQR 17.4–52.0 weeks). Twelve‐month cumulative rates of clinical remission, mucosal healing, and deep remission (clinical remission plus mucosal healing) were 32.0%, 32.7%, and 19.3%, respectively. In patients with active perianal disease (n = 37), the 12‐month cumulative perianal response rate was 53.1%. The serious adverse event rate was 13.6 per 100 patient‐years of follow‐up.ConclusionUstekinumab is a safe and effective treatment for the treatment of complex Crohn's disease.
Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits
Authors: Salisu Ibrahim Bala , Shahid Ahmad Ali , Yaqoob Amina , Gul Ambreen , Rao Abdul Qayyum 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host‐microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty‐eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log10 copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long‐term study.
Response to ‘Cesarean section or non‐breastfeeding for prevention of MTCT – Beware of sending the wrong message’
Authors: Pan Yu‐Chen , Jia Zhi‐Fang , Wang Yue‐Qi , Wang Chong , Li Jie , Jiang Jing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe are glad to respond to the concerns of Drs. Levy and Terrault about our articles on the mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HBeAg‐positive mothers. We agree with Drs. Levy and Terrault that antiviral therapy of HBV during pregnancy could effectively decrease the MTCT, and this strategy has been recommended by WHO for pregnant women with a high viral load. However, the long‐term influences of the abrupt cessation of antiretroviral drugs in mothers and prenatal exposure to antiviral drugs in newborns are not completely understood and are still under investigation. And not all pregnant mothers would accept this regiment due to the medication availability and individual willingness. It makes sense to study the influential factors on MTCT among mothers with high‐risk transmission but not taking antiviral drugs. Despite the relatively large number of subjects included in our cohort (N = 857), post hoc power computation shows that the test efficacy is far from adequate to detect the association between delivery mode or feeding type and HBV MTCT. Therefore, we summarized the relevant studies to reach a relatively reasonable conclusion in HBsAg‐ and HBeAg‐positive pregnant mothers not taking antiviral drugs. We provide an alternative option for HBsAg‐ and HBeAg‐positive pregnant mothers who cannot access or defer to antiviral therapy during pregnancy to reduce the risk of HBV transmission to their offspring.