bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, risk factors, and healthcare‐seeking among subjects with esophageal symptoms: A community‐based study in a rural Bangladeshi population
Authors: Rahman M. Masudur , Ghoshal Uday C , Kibria Md. Golam , Sultana Nigar , Ahmed Faruque , Rowshon AHM , Hasan Mahmud 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and AimAs there is a scarcity of data on overall prevalence, risk factors, and health‐care utilization of esophageal symptoms using the Rome criteria in the rural population in Asia, we undertook a study with the aims to evaluate: (i) the prevalence of heartburn, chest pain, globus, and dysphagia of presumed esophageal origin; (ii) the prevalence of functional esophageal disorders by Rome III criteria; (iii) the risk factors for esophageal symptoms; and (iv) the health‐care utilization.MethodsThis door‐to‐door survey was conducted in three villages (Charcharia, Churain of Dhaka district, and Kharrah of Munshiganj district of Bangladesh) among the adult population (≥18 years) using the translated and validated Enhanced Asian Rome III questionnaire.ResultsOf 3559 individuals, 3351 (94.15%) responded (mean age 40.41 ± 16.04 years, female, 1924 [57.4%]). Heartburn was the most common symptom, 863 (25.8%), followed by chest pain, 367 (11%); globus, 285 (8.5%); and dysphagia, 146 (4.4%). At least one symptom was present in 1108 (33.1%) respondents. Based on Rome III criteria, 428 (12.8%), 41 (1.2%), 49 (1.5%), 26 (0.8%), and 524 (15.6%) had heartburn, chest pain, globus, dysphagia, and at least one functional esophageal disorder, respectively. Female gender, lower family income, presence of functional dyspepsia‐irritable bowel syndrome (FD‐IBS) overlap, FD only, and psychological distress were found to be risk factors for esophageal symptoms on multivariate analysis. Among the subjects with any esophageal disorders, 156 (14.1%) consulted any health‐care provider, and 517 (46.6%) took antisecretory medications.ConclusionEsophageal symptoms are common in the rural community of Bangladesh and are associated with substantial health resource utilization.
Functional morphology, diversity, and evolution of yolk processing specializations in embryonic reptiles and birds
Authors: Blackburn Daniel G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEvolution of the terrestrial, amniotic egg of vertebrates required new mechanisms by which yolk material could be processed for embryonic use. Recent studies on each of the major extant reptile groups have revealed elaborate morphological specializations for yolk processing, features that differ dramatically from those of birds. In the avian pattern, liquid yolk is housed in a yolk sac whose endodermal lining absorbs and digests yolk material and sends resultant nutrients into the blood circulation. In snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians, as documented herein, the yolk sac becomes invaded by endodermal cells that proliferate and phagocytose yolk material. Blood vessels then invade, and the endodermal cells become arranged around them, forming elongated “spaghetti‐like” strands that fill the yolk sac cavity. This pattern provides an effective means by which yolk material is cellularized, digested, and transported by vitelline vessels to the developing embryo. Phylogenetically, the (non‐avian) “reptilian” pattern was ancestral for sauropsids and was modified or replaced in ancestors to birds. This review postulates that evolution of the “avian” pattern involved increased reliance on extracellular digestion of yolk, allowing embryonic development to occur more rapidly than in typical reptiles. Comparative studies of yolk processing that draw on morphological, biochemical, molecular approaches are needed to explain how and why the “reptilian” pattern was replaced in birds or their archosaurian ancestors.
Neuroinflammatory contribution of microglia and astrocytes in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Authors: Kane Cynthia J. M. , Drew Paul D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEthanol exposure to the fetus during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These disorders vary in severity, can affect multiple organ systems, and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is common in FASD, and can result in altered behavior and cognition. The incidence of FASD is alarmingly high, resulting in significant personal and societal costs. There are no cures for FASD. Alcohol can directly alter the function of neurons in the developing CNS. In addition, ethanol can alter the function of CNS glial cells including microglia and astrocytes which normally maintain homeostasis in the CNS. These glial cells can function as resident immune cells in the CNS to protect against pathogens and other insults. However, activation of glia can also damage CNS cells and lead to aberrant CNS function. Ethanol exposure to the developing brain can result in the activation of glia and neuroinflammation, which may contribute to the pathology associated with FASD. This suggests that anti‐inflammatory agents may be effective in the treatment of FASD.
Precipitation characteristics related to atmospheric rivers in East Asia
Authors: Kim Jinwon , Moon Hyejin , Guan Bin , Waliser Duane E. , Choi Juntae , Gu Tae‐Young , Byun Young‐Hwa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPrecipitation related to atmospheric rivers (ARs) is critical in shaping climate and extreme hydrologic events in the mid‐latitude coastal regions, making it a recent topic of intense research. This study has analysed the AR climatology, AR‐precipitation characteristics and their regional variations in East Asia (EA) for 1979–2015 using an AR inventory based on vertically‐integrated water‐vapour transport and AR geometry. The AR frequency over EA varies seasonally with highest (lowest) frequency in summer (winter). The AR frequency peaks in the coastal regions of the mid‐latitude western North Pacific (WNP), then decreases rapidly away from the region towards higher/lower latitudes and inlands. ARs are related to 30–60% of the annual precipitation in EA with maximum in summer; secondary peaks occur in spring in eastern China, Korea and southern Japan, and in winter for the southern China coast. Calculating the AR precipitation on days of partial AR occurrences from daily precipitation data is a key source of uncertainties in the AR‐precipitation fraction in this study. The AR days are substantially more related to heavy precipitation than non‐AR days for all seasons and regions. Seasonal cycle of AR frequency over EA and the WNP follows the northward march of the main rainband from spring to mid‐summer, but is decoupled from it from late summer to winter as the North Pacific storm track migrates into the Eastern North Pacific. The annual cycle of AR frequency and AR precipitation varies regionally; Japan and southern China adjacent to WNP show high (low) frequency of weak‐ (heavy‐) precipitating ARs in early spring (late fall) with highly frequent heavy‐precipitating ARs in summer while the mid‐latitude coastal regions, eastern China and Korea, show low frequency of heavy‐precipitating ARs in early fall with highly frequent heavy‐precipitating ARs in mid‐summer.
Architecture of tunnel valleys in the southeastern North Sea: new insights from high‐resolution seismic imaging
Authors: Lohrberg Arne , Schwarzer Klaus , Unverricht Daniel , Omlin Andreas , Krastel Sebastian 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTTunnel valleys are assumed to form near the margin of ice sheets. Hence, they can be used to reconstruct the dynamics of former ice margins. The detailed formation and infill of tunnel valleys, however, are still not well understood. Here, we present a dense grid of high‐resolution 2D multi‐channel reflection seismic data from the German sector of the southeastern North Sea imaging tunnel valleys in very great detail. Three tunnel valley systems were traced over distances ranging between 11 and 21 km. All tunnel valleys are completely filled and buried. They differ in incision depth, incision width and number of incisions. The tunnel valleys cut 130–380 m deep into Neogene, Palaeogene and Cretaceous sediments; they show a lower V‐shaped and an upper U‐shaped morphology. For individual tunnel valleys, the overall incision direction ranges from east–west to northeast–southwest. Two tunnel valleys intersect at an oblique angle without reuse of the thalweg. These valleys incise into a pre‐existing glaciotectonic complex consisting of thrust sheets in the northwest of the study area. The analysis of the glaciotectonic complex and the tunnel valleys leads us to assume that we identified several marginal positions of (pre‐)Elsterian ice lobes in the southeastern North Sea.
Holocene records of eolian dust deposition from high‐elevation lakes in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA
Authors: Munroe Jeffrey S. , McElroy Ryan , O'Keefe Sam , Peters Andrew , Wasson Luna 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTRadiocarbon‐dated sediment cores from subalpine lakes were used to investigate post‐glacial dust deposition in the Uinta Mountains (Utah, USA). Lake sediments were geochemically characterized with ICP‐OES, ICP‐MS and XRF core scanning. Collections from passive samplers constrain the properties of modern dust, and samples of regolith constrain properties of the local material within the watershed. Ca and Eu are more abundant in dust, whereas Ti and Zr are more abundant in local regolith. As a result, the Ca/Ti and Eu/Zr ratios are indices for the dust content of lake sediment. In all records, the dust index rises in the early Holocene as watersheds became stabilized with vegetation, reducing the influx of local material. After this point, values remained above average through the middle Holocene, consistent with an increased dust content in the sediment. Dust index values drop in the late Holocene in most lakes, suggesting a decrease in dust abundance. Generally synchronous shifts in dust index values in cores from lakes in different parts of this mountain range are evidence of enhanced dust deposition in this region during the middle Holocene, and are consistent with a variety of records for increased aridity in the south‐western USA at this time.
Simultaneous determination of three iridoid glycosides of Rehmannia glutinosa in rat biological samples using a validated hydrophilic interaction–UHPLC–MS/MS method in pharmacokinetic and in vitro studies
Authors: Jeong Seung‐Hyun , Jang Ji‐Hun , Cho Hea‐Young , Lee Yong‐Bok 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to develop a method for simultaneous analysis of aucubin, catalpol, and geniposide, which are representative iridoid glycoside constituents of Rehmannia glutinosa, in rat plasma, urine, and feces using hydrophilic interaction ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The three components were separated using 10 mmol/L aqueous ammonium formate containing 0.01% (v/v) formic acid and acetonitrile as a mobile phase by gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, equipped with a Kinetex® HILIC column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm). Quantitation of this analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization and operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The chromatograms showed high resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity with no interference with plasma constituents. In all three iridoid glycosides, both the intra‐ and interbatch precisions (coefficient of variation %) were less than 4.81%. The accuracy was 96.56–103.55% for aucubin, 95.23–106.21% for catalpol, and 94.50–104.16% for geniposide. The developed analytical method satisfied the criteria of international guidance and was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies including oral bioavailability of aucubin, catalpol, and geniposide, and their urinary and fecal excretion ratios after oral or intravenous administration to rats. The new method was also applied to measure plasma protein binding ratios in vitro.
An approach to the travel and tourism competitiveness index in the Caribbean region
Authors: Pérez León Victor Ernesto , Pérez Fátima , Contreras Rubio Ignacio , Guerrero Flor Mª 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study aims to propose an index for measuring tourism destination competitiveness in the Caribbean Region. The application purpose is to fill the absence of Caribbean destinations in international rankings. Thirty three destinations and 27 indicators were considered, grouped into the 4 sub‐indexes of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. The application was based on Goal Programming and Data Envelopment Analysis. Four dimensional rankings and a global rank were established as a useful tool for policy makers. The results demonstrate the proposal's explanatory power and methodological improvements in building composite indicators to measure the competitiveness of destinations.
Reaction mechanisms of a cyclic ether intermediate: Ethyloxirane
Authors: Christianson Matthew G. , Doner Anna C. , Davis Matthew M. , Koritzke Alanna L. , Turney Justin M. , Schaefer Henry F. , Sheps Leonid , Osborn David L. , Taatjes Craig A. , Rotavera Brandon 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOxiranes are a class of cyclic ethers formed in abundance during low‐temperature combustion of hydrocarbons and biofuels, either via chain‐propagating steps that occur from unimolecular decomposition of β‐hydroperoxyalkyl radicals (β‐̇QOOH) or from reactions of HOȮ with alkenes. Ethyloxirane is one of four alkyl‐substituted cyclic ether isomers produced as an intermediate from n‐butane oxidation. While rate coefficients for β‐̇QOOH → ethyloxirane + ȮH are reported extensively, subsequent reaction mechanisms of the cyclic ether are not. As a result, chemical kinetics mechanisms commonly adopt simplified chemistry to describe ethyloxirane consumption by convoluting several elementary reactions into a single step, which may introduce mechanism truncation error—uncertainty derived from missing or incomplete chemistry.The present work provides fundamental insight on reaction mechanisms of ethyloxirane in support of ongoing efforts to minimize mechanism truncation error. Reaction mechanisms are inferred from the detection of products during chlorine atom‐initiated oxidation experiments using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry conducted at 10 Torr and temperatures of 650 K and 800 K. To complement the experiments, calculations of stationary point energies were conducted using the ccCA‐PS3 composite method on ̇R + O2 potential energy surfaces for the four ethyloxiranyl radical isomers, which produced barrier heights for 24 reaction pathways.In addition to products from ̇QOOH → cyclic ether + ȮH and ̇R + O2 → conjugate alkene + HOȮ, both of which were significant pathways and are prototypical to alkane oxidation, other species were identified from ring‐opening of both ethyloxiranyl and ̇QOOH radicals. The latter occurs when the unpaired electron is localized on the ether group, causing the initial ̇QOOH structure to ring‐open and form a resonance‐stabilized ketohydroperoxide‐type radical. The present work provides the first analysis of ethyloxirane oxidation chemistry, which reveals that consumption pathways are complex and may require an expansion of submechanisms to increase the fidelity of chemical kinetics mechanisms.
Robot‐Automated Cartilage Contouring for Complex Ear Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Smith Corey , van der Woerd Benjamin , Potra Robert , Ferreira Louis , Moore Corey 
Published: September 2020

Objectives/HypothesisAuricular reconstruction requiring manual contouring of costal cartilage is complex and time consuming, which could be facilitated by a robot in a fast and precise manner. This feasibility study evaluates the accuracy and speed of robotic contouring of cadaver costal cartilage.MethodsAn augmented robot with a spherical burr was used on cadaveric rib cartilage. Using a laser scanner, each rib section was converted to a three‐dimensional model for preoperative planning. A model ear was also scanned to define a carving path for each piece of cartilage. After being contoured, each specimen was compared against the preoperative plan utilizing deviation maps to analyze topographic accuracy. Contouring times of the robot were compared with 13 retrospectively reviewed cases (2006–2017) by an experienced surgeon.ResultsScanning the cartilage sections took 24.8 ± 6.8 seconds. Preoperative processing took an additional 29.9 ± 8.9 seconds for the preparation of the contouring path. Once the path was prepared, the robot contoured the specimens with a root mean square error of 0.54 mm and a mean absolute deviation of 0.40 mm. The average time to contour the specimens with the robot was 13 ± 2 minutes compared to 71 ± 6 minutes for the manual contouring in the reviewed cases.ConclusionsThe accuracy of the robotic system was high, with submillimeter deviations from the preoperative plan. The robot required <20% of the contouring time compared to the experienced surgeon. This represents a fast and accurate alternative to hand‐contouring costal cartilage grafts for auricular reconstruction. Laryngoscope, 131:1002–1007, 2021
Survival Outcomes in Sinonasal Poorly Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ackall Feras Y. , Issa Khalil , Barak Ian , Teitelbaum Jordan , Jang David W. , Jung Sin‐H , Goldstein Bradley , Carrau Ricardo , Abi Hachem Ralph 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveSinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare with no consensus on treatment regimen. Our goal is to analyze treatment outcomes in poorly differentiated SCC (PDSCC) using a large national database.Study DesignRetrospective database study.MethodsThe National Cancer Database was queried for sinonasal invasive SCC, grade 3 (poorly differentiated) from 2004 to 2014. Patient demographics and tumor and treatment characteristics were tabulated. Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis was performed to compare overall survival (OS) between histology subtype and primary site. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed for statistical analysis of treatment regimen on OS.ResultsA total of 1,074 patients were identified. The maxillary sinus was the most common site (45%). T4 tumors were observed in 50% of patients, with most patients treated at high‐volume facilities (77%). In KM analysis, spindle cell SCC histological subtype, primary tumors of the maxillary sinus, and poorly differentiated grade had worse OS. In our Cox‐PH model, higher T stage and age were associated with worse OS. Those treated at a high‐volume facility and those who underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation had improved OS. Chemotherapy within the treatment regimen did not confer survival benefit except in surgical patients when positive margins were present, and surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation trended toward improved survival.ConclusionsSinonasal PDSCC appears to be best treated at high‐volume centers with surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation. Poorly differentiated grade has worse OS compared to more differentiated tumors. Chemotherapy along with adjuvant radiation may have a role in patients with positive surgical margins.Level of evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1040–E1048, 2021
Dimensionally Stable and Mechanically Adaptive Polyelectrolyte Hydrogel
Authors: Qian Chen , Asoh Taka‐Aki , Uyama Hiroshi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMechanically adaptive hydrogels with reversible cross‐links can change their mechanical characteristics to adapt to the external environment. However, inevitable swelling/shrinkage occurs with the mechanical property change, which impedes the applications of these hydrogels. In this study, mechanical adaptivity with high dimensional stability is achieved in alginate‐based polyelectrolyte hydrogels by introducing an opposite swelling mechanism. The dually crosslinked alginate‐polystyrene sulfonate (Alg‐PSS) hydrogels are constructed through the copolymerization of alginate‐methacrylate (Alg‐MA) and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate (NaSS), as well as Ca2+ crosslinking. In the Alg‐PSS hydrogel network, the reversible Ca2+‐carboxylate and Ca2+‐sulfonate cross‐links can be disrupted by Na+ and soften the hydrogels. Moreover, the PSS chains crosslinked in the hydrogel network undergo the coil‐globule transition in concentrated NaCl solutions to suppress hydrogel swelling during softening. The optimized Alg‐PSS hydrogel (Alg5‐PSS0.75‐MBAA2.5) shows a dramatic tensile modulus change from 191.3 kPa in deionized water (DIW) to 15.1 kPa in 2.0 mol L−1 NaCl solution with a negligible volume increase ratio of only 0.6%. The Alg‐PSS hydrogels may find applications in artificial valves or soft robotics, where high dimensional stability and invariable volume are required for smart hydrogels.
Blinded RT‐QuIC Analysis of α‐Synuclein Biomarker in Skin Tissue From Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: Manne Sireesha , Kondru Naveen , Jin Huajun , Serrano Geidy E. , Anantharam Vellareddy , Kanthasamy Arthi , Adler Charles H. , Beach Thomas G. , Kanthasamy Anumantha G. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundAn unmet clinical need in Parkinson's disease (PD) is to identify biomarkers for diagnosis, preferably in peripherally accessible tissues such as skin. Immunohistochemical studies have detected pathological α‐synuclein (αSyn) in skin biopsies from PD patients albeit sensitivity needs to be improved.ObjectiveOur study provides the ultrasensitive detection of pathological αSyn present in the skin of PD patients, and thus, pathological αSyn in skin could be a potential biomarker for PD.MethodsThe real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay was used to detect pathological αSyn present in human skin tissues. Further, we optimized this ultra‐sensitive and specific assay for both frozen and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections of skin tissues. We determined the seeding kinetics of the αSyn present in the skin from autopsied subjects consisting of frozen skin tissues from 25 PD and 25 controls and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin sections from 12 PD and 12 controls.ResultsIn a blinded study of skin tissues from autopsied subjects, we correctly identified 24/25 PD and 24/25 controls using frozen skin tissues (96% sensitivity and 96% specificity) compared to 9/12 PD and 10/12 controls using formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin sections (75% sensitivity and 83% specificity).ConclusionsOur blinded study results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of using skin tissues for clinical diagnosis of PD by detecting pathological αSyn. Moreover, this peripheral biomarker discovery study may have broader translational value in detecting misfolded proteins in skin samples as a longitudinal progression marker. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society