bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stoichiometric and structural uncertainty in soil food web models
Authors: Buchkowski Robert W. , Lindo Zoë 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSoil food web models are a powerful tool for calculating the carbon and nitrogen mineralized by different soil organisms. Two limitations of the current models are that they use (a) fixed parameters for determining the relative efficiency of carbon and nitrogen conversion and (b) a generic set of trophic species (i.e. nodes).We propose a new method for analysing soil food webs that varies production efficiency and diet mechanistically with resource stoichiometry. Then, we calculated how the lumping or splitting of trophic species affects carbon and nitrogen mineralization for both net mineralization rates as well as the distribution of mineralization (i.e. sources of mineralization). Our models with additional stoichiometric details better represent organisms that consume basal resources with high C:N ratios.This is important because we show that lumping together trophic species at low trophic levels, which often differ in C:N ratios (i.e. microbial taxa), causes the largest deviations in estimates of carbon and nitrogen mineralization. One reason for the large effect of C:N ratio is that it impacts diet and production efficiency in our stoichiometric model. Conversely, lumping together species at higher trophic levels causes the largest errors when those species have different production and assimilation efficiencies. Finally, we demonstrate that differences in death rate and biomass are mostly important when lumping species that have different diets.We suggest that C:N ratios are especially important when grouping microbial taxa because microbial C:N ratios vary widely and microbes feed at low trophic levels where differences in C:N ratio mattered the most. Conversely lumping higher consumers will be most problematic when they have differences in the conversion efficiencies. We provide an approach to calculate structural error and report it with parameter uncertainty. Then, we demonstrate, using oribatid mites as an example, that considering the life history of different taxa can help us group organisms more efficiently into trophic species. In doing so, we provide a way to reduce and report the uncertainty in soil food web models and to stimulate future empirical work measuring key life history parameters.A freePlain language summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Sinecatechins ointment as a potential novel treatment for usual type vulval intraepithelial neoplasia: a single‐centre double‐blind randomised control study
Authors: Yap J , Slade D , Goddard H , Dawson C , Ganesan R , Velangi S , Sahu B , Kaur B , Hughes A  , Luesley D 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of 10% sinecatechins (Veregen®) ointment against placebo in the treatment of usual type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN).DesignA Phase II double‐blind randomised control trial.SettingA tertiary gynaecological oncology referral centre.PopulationAll women diagnosed with primary and recurrent uVIN.MethodsEligible patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either sinecatechins or placebo ointment (applied three times daily for 16 weeks) and were followed up at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 52 weeks.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure, recorded at 16 and 32 weeks, was histological response (HR). Secondary outcome measures included clinical (CR) response, toxicity, quality of life and pain scores.ResultsThere was no observed difference in HR between the two arms. However, of the 26 patients who were randomised, all 13 patients who received sinecatechins showed either complete (n = 5) or partial (n = 8) CR, when best CR was evaluated. In placebo group, three patients had complete CR, two had partial CR, six had stable disease and two were lost to follow up. Patients in the sinecatechins group showed a statistically significant improvement in best observed CR as compared with the placebo group (P = 0.002). There was no difference in toxicity reported in either group.ConclusionAlthough we did not observe a difference in HR between the two treatment arms, we found that 10% sinecatechins application is safe and shows promise in inducing clinical resolution of uVIN lesions and symptom improvement, thus warranting further investigation in a larger multicentre study.Tweetable abstractA randomised control study indicating that sinecatechins ointment may be a novel treatment for uVIN.
Bioactive peptides from food fermentation: A comprehensive review of their sources, bioactivities, applications, and future development
Authors: Chai Kong Fei , Voo Amanda Ying Hui , Chen Wei Ning 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBioactive peptides (BPs) are specific protein fragments that exert various beneficial effects on human bodies and ultimately influence health, depending on their structural properties and amino acid composition and sequences. By offering promising solutions to solve diverse health issues, the production, characterization, and applications of food‐derived BPs have drawn great interest in the current literature and are of particular interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries. The microbial fermentation of protein from various sources is indubitably a novel way to produce BPs with numerous beneficial health effects. Apart from its lower cost as compared to enzymes, the BPs produced from microbial fermentation can be purified without further hydrolysis. Despite these features, current literature shows dearth of information on the BPs produced from food via microbial fermentation. Hence, there is a strong necessity to explore the BPs obtained from food fermentation for the development of commercial nutraceuticals and functional foods. As such, this review focuses on the production of BPs from different food sources, including the extensively studied milk and milk products, with emphasis on microbial fermentation. The structure–activity (antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, opiate‐like, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer/antiproliferative, antithrombotic, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, and mineral binding) relationship, potential applications, future development, and challenges of BPs obtained from food fermentation are also discussed.
Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of enzyme‐extracted constituents of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis powder
Authors: Choi In‐Hag , Choi Sung‐Up , Son Jin‐Sung , Jang Woo‐Whan , Chung Tae‐Ho 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study was aimed to compare the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of hot‐water and enzyme‐extracted constituents of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis powder. The products of enzymatic extraction had 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)‐radical‐scavenging activity, cytotoxic effects, and provided cytoprotection against H2O2 and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Enzymatic extraction improved DPPH‐radical‐scavenging activity relative to hot‐water extraction (P < 0.05), with inhibition rates of 33% at 500 μg/mL and 35% at 1000 μg/mL. Cell viability ranged from 100 to 122%, and was higher for hot‐water than for enzymatic extraction (P > 0.05). Hot‐water extraction achieved greater cytoprotection against H2O2 than enzymatic extraction. However, enzymatic extraction achieved greater antioxidant and cytoprotective activity against reactive oxygen species than hot‐water extraction. These results provide evidence of the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects produced by enzymatic extraction of the active ingredients from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis powder.
Association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index and risk of preterm birth in more than 1 million Asian American mothers
Authors: Gao Rui , Liu Buyun , Yang Wenhan , Wu Yuxiao , Snetselaar Linda G. , Santillan Mark K. , Bao Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAsian Americans are among the fastest growing subpopulations in the United States. However, evidence about maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and preterm birth among Asian Americans is lacking.MethodsThis population‐based study used nationwide birth certificate data from the US National Vital Statistics System 2014 to 2018. All Asian American mothers who had a singleton live birth were included. According to Asian‐specific cutoffs, maternal prepregnancy BMI was classified into underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5‐22.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 23.0‐27.4 kg/m2), class I obesity (BMI 27.5‐32.4 kg/m2), class II obesity (BMI 32.5‐37.4 kg/m2), and class III obesity (BMI ≥37.5 kg/m2). Preterm birth was defined as gestational age less than 37 weeks. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of preterm birth.ResultsWe included 1 081 341 Asian American mother‐infant pairs. The rate of preterm birth was 6.51% (n = 70 434). The rate of maternal prepregnancy overweight and obesity was 46.80% (n = 506 042). Compared with mothers with normal weight, the adjusted OR of preterm delivery was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01‐1.07) for underweight mothers, 1.18 (95% CI, 1.16‐1.20) for overweight mothers, 1.41 (95% CI, 1.37‐1.44) for mothers with class I obesity, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.63‐1.76) for mothers with class II obesity, and 1.78 (95% CI, 1.66‐1.90) for mothers with class III obesity. Similar patterns of associations were observed in Asian American mothers across different country origins.ConclusionsAmong Asian American mothers, maternal prepregnancy overweight or obesity, defined by Asian‐specific, lower BMI cutoffs, was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. The risk of preterm birth increased with increasing obesity severity. These findings highlight the importance of using Asian‐specific BMI cutoffs in assessing risk of preterm birth among Asian American mothers.
Fibromyalgia in patients with psoriatic arthritis: Impact on disease activity indices, fatigue and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Elsawy Noha A. , Helal Abdel‐Moneim H. , Abd ElHamid Hala A. , Abdel‐Fattah Yousra Hisham 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the frequency of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and its impact on disease activity indices, fatigue and health‐related quality of life (QOL).MethodsThis cross‐sectional study randomly recruited patients with PsA attending an outpatient clinic between June 2017 and December 2018. Disease activity, functional ability, fatigue, and QOL were assessed for all patients. The recruited PsA patients were screened for concomitant FM, then classified into group Ι, patients with PsA only, and group ΙI, patients with FM‐PsA. The severity and impact of FM were assessed for group II patients.ResultsA total of 60 patients with PsA were assessed with a mean age of 49.30 ± 11.69 years, of which 43.3% were female. A total of 23 PsA patients had concomitant FM (38.3%). Patients with FM‐PsA showed a statistically higher disease activity in all aspects of PsA except for C‐reactive protein, swollen joint count (SJC) and dactylitis count. Patients in both groups had similar functional levels, while fatigue and QOL were statistically worse in patients with FM‐PsA than in patients with PsA only.ConclusionThese results might highlight the importance of considering FM as a contextual factor in disease activity assessment in patients with PsA, especially in those with discrepancies in tender joint count/patient‐reported outcomes vs SJC/inflammatory markers and those with persistently high disease activity indices.
MiR‐133a acts as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer progression by regulating the LASP1 and TGF‐β/Smad3 signaling pathway
Authors: Shen Yuyao , Yang Yan , Li Yahua 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundMiR‐133a has been confirmed to be involved in the development of multiple cancers including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the precise molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional role and underlying mechanism of miR‐133a in the progression of NSCLC.MethodsQuantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) was performed to measure miR‐133a and LASP1 expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. 3‐(4, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect cell viability. The protein levels were measured by western blot. The tumor growth was measured by xenograft tumor formation assay.ResultsmiR‐133a was significantly decreased while LASP1 was increased in NSCLC tissues and cells compared with control groups. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐133a suppressed cell viability, whereas miR‐133a knockdown enhanced the viability of A549 cells. More importantly, LASP1 was verified as a direct target of miR‐133a. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐133a inhibited the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGF‐β/Smad3 pathways by regulating LASP1 in vitro. In addition, miR‐133a mimic suppressed tumor growth by modulating the TGF‐β/Smad3 pathway in vivo.ConclusionsIn conclusion, miR‐133a acted as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer progression by regulating the LASP1 and TGF‐β/Smad3 signaling pathway.
Clinical T category for lung cancer staging: A pragmatic approach for real‐world practice
Authors: Choi Yeonu , Kim Sun‐Hyung , Kim Ki Hwan , Choi Yeonseok , Park Sung Goo , Sohn Insuk , Kim Hye Seung , Um Sang‐Won , Lee Ho Yun 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundTo determine which components should be measured and which window settings are appropriate for computerized tomography (CT) size measurements of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and to explore interobserver agreement and accuracy according to the eighth edition of TNM staging.MethodsA total of 165 patients with surgically resected lung ADC earlier than stage 3A were included in this study. One radiologist and two pulmonologists independently measured the total and solid sizes of components of tumors on different window settings and assessed solidity. CT measurements were compared with pathologic size measurements.ResultsIn categorizing solidity, 25% of the cases showed discordant results among observers. Measuring the total size of a lung adenocarcinoma predicted pathologic invasive components to a degree similar to measuring the solid component. Lung windows were more accurate (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.65–0.81) than mediastinal windows (ICC = 0.20–0.72) at predicting pathologic invasive components, especially in a part‐solid nodule. Interobserver agreements for measurement of solid components were good with little significant difference (lung windows, ICC = 0.89; mediastinal windows, ICC = 0.91). A high level of interobserver agreement was seen between the radiologist and pulmonologists and between residents (from the division of pulmonology and critical care) versus a fellow (from the division of pulmonology and critical care) on different windows.ConclusionsA considerable percentage (25%) of discrepancies was encountered in categorizing the solidity of lesions, which may decrease the accuracy of measurements. Lung window settings may be superior to mediastinal windows for measuring lung ADCs, with comparable interobserver agreement and moderate accuracy for predicting pathologic invasive components.Key pointsSignificant findings of the study
Lung window settings are better for evaluating part‐solid lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), with comparable interobserver agreement and moderate accuracy for predicting pathologic invasive components. The considerable percentage (25%) of discrepancies in categorizing solidity of the lesions may also have decreased the accuracy of measurements.
What this study adds
For accurate measurement and categorization of lung ADC, robust quantitative analysis is needed rather than a simple visual assessment.
Recognizing differentiating clinical signs of CLN3 disease (Batten disease) at presentation
Authors: Kuper Willemijn F. E. , Talsma Herman E. , van Schooneveld Mary J. , Pott Jan Willem R. , Huijgen Barbara C. H. , de Wit Gerard C. , van Hasselt Peter M. , van Genderen Maria M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeTo help differentiate CLN3 (Batten) disease, a devastating childhood metabolic disorder, from the similarly presenting early‐onset Stargardt disease (STGD1). Early clinical identification of children with CLN3 disease is essential for adequate referral, counselling and rehabilitation.MethodsMedical chart review of 38 children who were referred to a specialized ophthalmological centre because of rapid vision loss. The patients were subsequently diagnosed with either CLN3 disease (18 patients) or early‐onset STGD1 (20 patients).ResultsBoth children who were later diagnosed with CLN3 disease, as children who were later diagnosed with early‐onset STGD1, initially presented with visual acuity (VA) loss due to macular dystrophy at 5–10 years of age. VA in CLN3 disease decreased significantly faster than in STGD1 (p = 0.01). Colour vision was often already severely affected in CLN3 disease while unaffected or only mildly affected in STGD1. Optic disc pallor on fundoscopy and an abnormal nerve fibre layer on optical coherence tomography were common in CLN3 disease compared to generally unaffected in STGD1. In CLN3 disease, dark‐adapted (DA) full‐field electroretinogram (ERG) responses were either absent or electronegative. In early‐onset STGD1, DA ERG responses were generally unaffected. None of the STGD1 patients had an electronegative ERG.ConclusionAlready upon presentation at the ophthalmologist, the retina in CLN3 disease is more extensively and more severely affected compared to the retina in early‐onset STGD1. This results in more rapid VA loss, severe colour vision abnormalities and abnormal DA ERG responses as the main differentiating early clinical features of CLN3 disease.
Culturally informed psychotherapy in Asian consultation‐liaison psychiatry
Authors: Della Constantine D. , Teo David Choon Liang , Agiananda Feranindhya , Nimnuan Chaichana 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPsychotherapy provides substantial benefits for patients with medical illness. Western‐based psychotherapies are commonly practiced by consultation‐liaison psychiatrists in Asia. Although such interventions benefit Asian patients, they are limited by their cultural applicability. Sociocultural factors shape the meaning, expression, and treatment of medical illnesses. In helping patients with medical problems, it is imperative that psychiatrists be mindful of the value of culture in their clinical work. The concept of the self, religion, spirituality, adaptation, coping, and defense mechanisms are all culturally determined. This article discusses how these concepts impact the practice of psychotherapy in the Asian consultation‐liaison psychiatry setting. Currently, there is a dearth of systematic research about this subject matter. Most studies describe the application of Western‐based psychotherapies for patients with medical illness with little input as to cultural modifications or implications of such interventions. The authors of this article identify culturally consonant psychotherapeutic techniques in the Asian consultation‐liaison psychiatry context. Furthermore, they also propose general guidelines in the cultural adaptation of psychotherapy interventions or development of indigenous psychotherapies.
Dose individualisation in oncology using chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia: Example of docetaxel in non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Lombard Aurélie , Mistry Hitesh , Aarons Leon , Ogungbenro Kayode 
Published: October 2020

AimsChemotherapy‐induced neutropenia has been associated with an increase in overall survival in non‐small cell lung cancer patients. Therefore, neutrophil counts could be an interesting biomarker for drug efficacy as well as linked directly to toxicity. For drugs where neutropenia is dose limiting, neutrophil counts might be used for monitoring drug effect and for dosing optimisation.MethodsThe relationship between drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts and patient survival was explored in a Phase III clinical trial where patients with non‐small cell lung cancer were treated with docetaxel. Once the association has been established, dosing optimisation was performed for patients with severe toxicities (neutropenia) without compromising drug efficacy (overall survival).ResultsAfter taking into account baseline prognostic factors, such as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, smoking status, liver metastasis, tumour burden, neutrophil counts and albumin levels, a model‐predicted drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts was strongly associated with patient survival (P = .005). Utilising this relationship in a dose optimisation algorithm, 194 out of 366 patients would have benefited from a dose reduction after the first cycle of docetaxel. The simulated 1‐year survival probabilities associated with the original dose and the individualised dose were not different.ConclusionThe strong relationship between drug effect on the first cycle neutrophil counts and patient survival suggests that this variable could be used to individualise dosing, possibly without needing pharmacokinetic samples. The algorithm highlights that doses could be reduced in case of severe haematological toxicities without compromising drug efficacy.
Incidence of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cerebrovascular disease and stroke in bipolar disorder compared to other psychiatric disorders: An electronic health records network study of 66 million people
Authors: Harrison Paul J. , Luciano Sierra 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesBipolar disorder has been associated with an increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, but uncertainties remain. The risk relative to other psychiatric disorders is not established.MethodsWe used a federated electronic health records network of 66 million people including over 700,000 with bipolar disorder. We assessed incidence of a first diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, dementia, cerebrovascular disease and stroke, in patients at least 1 year after diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Rates were compared to propensity score matched cohorts of subjects with mixed disorders, recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) or schizophrenia.ResultsParkinson's disease was commoner in bipolar disorder compared to all three cohorts (odds ratios [OR] ranging from 1.26 to 2.65). Dementia incidence was greater in bipolar disorder than in mixed disorders (OR = 1.61) or MDD (OR = 1.40), but not different from schizophrenia (OR = 0.96). Cerebrovascular disease and stroke were commoner in bipolar disorder than in schizophrenia (OR = 1.35) or mixed disorders (OR = 1.20) and equivocally raised compared to MDD. Results were robust to a wide range of confounding demographic, diagnostic and medication risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders.ConclusionsBipolar disorder confers an elevated risk for developing neurodegenerative disorders and cerebrovascular disease compared to other major adult psychiatric disorders. The results cannot be attributed to recognised confounders. The results are consistent with neuroprogressive views of bipolar disorder. The underlying mechanisms remain to be discovered.
New multivariate tests for assessing covariate balance in matched observational studies
Authors: Chen Hao , Small Dylan S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe propose new tests for assessing whether covariates in a treatment group and matched control group are balanced in observational studies. The tests exhibit high power under a wide range of multivariate alternatives, some of which existing tests have little power for. The asymptotic permutation null distributions of the proposed tests are studied and theP‐values calculated through the asymptotic results work well in simulation studies, facilitating the application of the test to large data sets. The tests are illustrated in a study of the effect of smoking on blood lead levels. The proposed tests are implemented in anRpackageBalanceCheck.