bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convalescent plasma treatment for COVID‐19: Tempering expectations with the influenza experience
Authors: Subbarao Kanta , Mordant Francesca , Rudraraju Rajeev 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the zoonotic coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2 has swept the world in 5 months. A proportion of cases develop severe respiratory tract infections progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome and a diverse set of complications involving different organ systems. Faced with a lack of coronavirus‐specific antiviral drugs and vaccines, hundreds of clinical trials have been undertaken to evaluate repurposed drugs. Convalescent plasma from recovered patients is an attractive option because antibodies can have direct or indirect antiviral activity and immunotherapy works well in principle, in animal models, and in anecdotal reports. However, the benefits of convalescent plasma treatment can only be clearly established through carefully designed randomized clinical trials. The experience from investigations of convalescent plasma products for severe influenza offers a cautionary tale. Despite promising pilot studies, large multicenter randomized controlled trials failed to show a benefit of convalescent plasma or hyperimmune intravenous globulin for the treatment of severe influenza A virus infection. These studies provide important lessons that should inform the planning of adequately powered randomized controlled trials to evaluate the promise of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID‐19 patients.
Deciphering the importance of graded poling in piezoelectric materials: A numerical study
Authors: Kiran Raj , Kumar Anuruddh , Sharma Saurav , Kumar Rajeev , Vaish Rahul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPiezoelectric materials play an important role in powering nano and microelectromechanical systems. However, these are often limited by their low sensing, actuation, and power outputs. This study proposes a novel poling direction arrangement theoretically in the piezoelectric materials which enhances the output parameters drastically. The poling angle was graded from bottom to top surface of element in linear fashion which helps in utilizing the bending and shear stresses efficiently. The sensing, actuation and energy harvesting performance of Pb[ZrxTi1‐x]O3 in graded mode was compared with those obtained from operating in transverse and shear modes. It was found from finite element simulations that a maximum sensing voltage of 11.85 V was been obtained in graded mode which was around 15 times higher than that obtained in shear mode. Likewise, a maximum strain of 8.2 μm/m and a tip displacement of 34.3 μm was observed in the graded mode. Eventually, the maximum power of 0.12 W was harvested from graded mode harvester followed by shear mode harvester where only : 1.6 × 10−3 W could be harvested. However, the associated challenge with such study is the fabrication and graded poling of piezoelectric which still is an unexplored research area for scientific fraternity.
Contamination and health risk assessment of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum from a total diet study of Jilin Province, China
Authors: Wang Bo , Liu Ya , Wang Hui , Cui Lianzhi , Zhang Zhihao , Guo Jinzhi , Liu Sijie , Cui Weiwei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and aluminum (Al) are the four most common heavy metals and can cause serious harm to human health. To evaluate contamination levels and associated safety issues of the four common heavy metals of the residents in Jilin Province, China, a total diet study (TDS) method was used. Concentration and consumption data of the four heavy metals were collected from the fifth Chinese TDS of Jilin province. In total, 12 food groups were studied and two regions were selected for comparison. According to the results, the mean concentration of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum was 0.0189, 0.0691, 0.0085, and 9.309 mg/kg, respectively. Aluminum in deep‐fried dough sticks exceeded the national limit standard. Pollution of the Songhua River Basin is not very different from that of other areas. The average consumer exposure to the four heavy metals in the 2 to 6‐year‐old group was the highest among all age‐groups. Potatoes and their products were the primary sources of dietary exposure to lead. Aquatic products and their related commodities had the highest contribution to arsenic exposure. Vegetables and vegetable products were the main sources of dietary exposure to cadmium. The highest contributor to aluminum in the diet was from cereals and cereal products. In general, there might be some potential risks to the 2 to 6‐year‐old population due to exposure to lead and aluminum. Contamination of aluminum in cereals and cereal products needs further consideration.
Dataset for H2, CH4 and organic compounds formation during experimental serpentinization
Authors: Huang Fang , Barbier Samuel , Tao Renbiao , Hao Jihua , Garcia del Real Pablo , Peuble Steve , Merdith Andrew , Leichnig Vladimir , Perrillat Jean‐Philippe , Fontaine Kathy , Fox Peter , Andreani Muriel , Daniel Isabelle 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSerpentinization refers to the alteration of ultramafic rocks that produces serpentines and secondary (hydr)oxides under hydrothermal conditions. Serpentinization can generate H2, which in turn can potentially reduce CO/CO2 and produce organic molecules via Fischer–Tropsch type (FTT) and Sabatier type reactions. Over the last two decades, serpentinization has been extensively studied in laboratories, mainly due to its potential applications in prebiotic chemistry, origin of life in extreme environments, development of carbon‐free energies and CO2 sequestration. However, the production of H2 and organics during experimental serpentinization is hugely variable from one publication to another. The experiments span over a large range of pressure and temperature conditions, and starting compositions of fluid and solid phases are also highly variable, which collectively adds up to more than a hundred variables and leads to controversial results. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to compare results between studies, explain their variability and identify key parameters controlling the reactions. To overcome these limitations, we collected and analysed 30 peer‐reviewed articles including over 100 experimental parameters and ca. 30 mineral and organic products, hence building up a database can be completed and implemented in future studies. We then extracted basic statistical information from this dataset and demonstrate how such a comprehensive dataset is essential to better interpret available data and discuss the key parameters controlling the effectiveness of H2, CH4 and other organics production during experimental serpentinization. This is essential to guide the design of future experiments.
CoNiFe2O4@Silica‐SO3H nanoparticles: New recyclable magnetic nanocatalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones/thiones under solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Karimian Azam , Rad Masoud Saadati , Mahdavi Elham 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA useful and green synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones/thiones derivatives were achieved by one‐pot cyclocondensation between substituted aryl aldehydes, diketone/ketoester, and urea/thiourea using magnetic CoNiFe2O4@Silica‐SO3H nanoparticles under solvent‐free condition. The choice of this approach showed essential advantages such as short reaction time, simple work‐up procedure, high activity of the catalyst, high yield of the reaction products, the magnetic properties of the catalyst, and environmentally amiable conditions. In addition, the catalyst recovered and reused four times without notable loss of its activity. The magnetic CoNiFe2O4@Silica‐SO3H nanoparticles were described by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The products were obtained with excellent yields (88–98%). The formation of the products was confirmed and identified with their physical properties (melting points), the FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and the elemental analysis.
Does “Birth” as an Event Impact Maturation Trajectory of Renal Clearance via Glomerular Filtration? Reexamining Data in Preterm and Full‐Term Neonates by Avoiding the Creatinine Bias
Authors: Salem Farzaneh , Johnson Trevor N. , Hodgkinson Arran B. J. , Ogungbenro Kayode , Rostami‐Hodjegan Amin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGlomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important measure of renal function. Various models for its maturation have recently been compared; however, these have used markers, which are subject to different renal elimination processes. Inulin clearance data (a purer probe of GFR) collected from the literature were used to determine age‐related changes in GFR aspects of renal drug excretion in pediatrics. An ontogeny model was derived using a best‐fit model with various combinations of covariates such as postnatal age, gestational age at birth, and body weight. The model was applied to the prediction of systemic clearance of amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and gadobutrol. During neonatal life, GFR increased as a function of both gestational age at birth and postnatal age, hence implying an impact of birth and a discrepancy in GFR for neonates with the same postmenstrual age depending on gestational age at birth (ie, neonates who were outside the womb longer had higher GFR, on average). The difference in GFR between pre‐term and full‐term neonates with the same postmenstrual age was negligible from beyond 1.25 years. Considering both postnatal age and gestational age at birth in GFR ontogeny models is important because postmenstrual age alone ignores the impact of birth. Most GFR models use covariates of body size in addition to age. Therefore, prediction from these models will also depend on the change in anthropometric characteristics with age. The latter may not be similar in various ethnic groups, and this makes the head‐to‐head comparison of models very challenging.
Empiric Therapeutic Anticoagulation and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Respiratory Failure From SARS‐CoV‐2: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ferguson John , Volk Stacy , Vondracek Thomas , Flanigan John , Chernaik Andrew 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe pathophysiology of respiratory failure associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) remains under investigation. One hypothesis is that progressive endothelial damage from the virus leads to microvascular thrombosis. It is uncertain if empiric therapeutic anticoagulation provides benefit over standard deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in critically ill patients with SARS‐CoV‐2. A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit at 3 hospitals with polymerase chain reaction‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. A Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to compare patients who were initiated on therapeutic anticoagulation prior to the time of intubation and those receiving standard DVT prophylaxis doses. The primary outcome was the difference in the 28‐day mortality of patients between the 2 groups. Twenty‐eight‐day mortality did not differ between groups, occurring in 26.1% of patients who received therapeutic anticoagulation and 29.5% of those who received a prophylactic dose only (hazard ratio, 0.52; P = .055). There was no difference in 28‐day mortality between groups in patients who were admitted with a serum D‐dimer ≥ 2 µg/mL (hazard ratio, 0.67; P = .41). Empiric therapeutic anticoagulation in patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation for confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection does not improve 28‐day mortality compared with standard DVT prophylaxis, even among those with elevated D‐dimer levels.
Genotype–Phenotype Correlation of Tracheal Cartilaginous Sleeves and Fgfr2 Mutations in Mice
Authors: Lam Austin S. , Liu Carrie C. , Deutsch Gail H. , Rivera Joshua , Perkins Jonathan A. , Holmes Greg , Jabs Ethylin W. , Cunningham Michael L. , Dahl John P. 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesTo characterize tracheal cartilage morphology in mouse models of fibroblast growth factor receptor (Fgfr2)‐related craniosynostosis syndromes. To establish relationships between specific Fgfr2 mutations and tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS) phenotypes in these mouse models.MethodsPostnatal day 0 knock‐in mouse lines with disease‐specific genetic variations in the Fgfr2 gene (Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y, Fgfr2C342Y/+, Fgfr2+/Y394C, Fgfr2+/S252W, and Fgfr2+/P253R) as well as line‐specific controls were utilized. Tracheal cartilage morphology as measured by gross analyses, microcomputed tomography (μCT), and histopathology were compared using Chi‐squared and single‐factor analysis of variance statistical tests.ResultsA greater proportion of rings per trachea were abnormal in Fgfr2C342Y/+ tracheas (63%) than Fgfr2+/S252W (17%), Fgfr2+/P253R (17%), Fgfr2+/Y394C (12%), and controls (10%) (P < .001 for each vs. Fgfr2C342Y/+). TCS segments were found only in Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y (100%) and Fgfr2C342Y/+ (72%) tracheas. Cricoid and first‐tracheal ring fusion was noted in all Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and 94% of Fgfr2C342Y/+ samples. The Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and Fgfr2C342Y/+ groups were found to have greater areas and volumes of cartilage than other lines on gross analysis and μCT. Histologic analyses confirmed TCS among the Fgfr2C342Y/C342Y and Fgfr2C342Y/+ groups, without appreciable differences in cartilage morphology, cell size, or density; no histologic differences were observed among other Fgfr2 lines compared to controls.ConclusionThis study found TCS phenotypes only in the Fgfr2C342Y mouse lines. These lines also had increased tracheal cartilage compared to other mutant lines and controls. These data support further study of the Fgfr2 mouse lines and the investigation of other Fgfr2 variants to better understand their role in tracheal development and TCS formation.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 131:E1349–E1356, 2021
Large‐scale land investments, household displacement, and the effect on land degradation in semiarid agro‐pastoral areas of Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Adugna Eneyew , Drabik Dusan , Dries Liesbeth , Heijman Wim 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAgro‐pastoral areas in Ethiopia have been targeted by large‐scale land investments, particularly for the establishment of sugar plantations, since the 1970s. This has led to the displacement of local communities. We investigate the impact of this displacement due to large‐scale land investment on land degradation in semiarid agro‐pastoral areas in Ethiopia. We conducted a survey of 866 households in two agro‐pastoral sites in Ethiopia in 2019, where extensive large‐scale land investment was implemented. We use an endogenous (switching) treatment model to assess the effect of the displacement of households on land degradation. The result shows that 75% of the surveyed households experienced moderate–severe land degradation. Forestlands and grasslands are ranked as the most degraded areas. About 43.7% of the households face a reduction in herd size and 55.8% lost land due to large‐scale land investment, while 86% of the households show a substantial decline in crops and livestock productivity due to land degradation. The results also reveal that the displacement of households leads to a significant increase in land degradation. Household exposure to drought and conflict, the number of livestock, overgrazing, and sharecropping are other drivers of land degradation. Market access, extension services, household income, and mobility, on the other hand, limit the occurrence of land degradation. We conclude that the shifts in property rights from common land used by pastoralists to private land in large‐scale plantations aggravate land degradation in semiarid drylands.
An experimental study on intraoperative recovery of recurrent laryngeal nerve function
Authors: Setså Erling J. , Svendsen Øyvind S. , Husby Paul J. , Heimdal John‐Helge , Stangeland Lodve , Dahle Geir O. , Brauckhoff Katrin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveIf bilateral thyroid surgery is planned and staged thyroidectomy considered in case of loss of neuromonitoring signal (LOS), a waiting time of 20 minutes is suggested for evaluation of early nerve recovery. This recommendation is based on clinical observations and has not been thoroughly validated experimentally.MethodsSixteen pigs were randomly studied, and electromyogram (EMG) was continuously recorded during traction injury until an amplitude decrease of 70% from baseline (BL) (16 nerves) or LOS (16 nerves), and further during 40‐minute recovery time. At the end of the experiments, vocal cord twitch was evaluated by video‐laryngoscopy.ResultsIn the 70% group, 8 of 16 nerves recovered to or above an amplitude of 50% of baseline after 20 minutes and finally one more after 40 minutes. In the LOS group, only one nerve showed recovery after 20 minutes and one more after 40 minutes. Video‐laryngoscopy revealed good or strong vocal cord twitches, in 10 of 14 nerves in the 70% group and in only 2 of 14 nerves in the LOS group.ConclusionsThe overall intraoperative recovery was low after LOS. Even after 70% amplitude depression, only half of the nerves showed recovery to amplitudes ≥50% of BL. Nerve recovery is dynamic, and a waiting time of 20 minutes seems appropriate for the identification of early nerve recovery before decisions are taken to continue or terminate surgery. The final EMG amplitude was not always well correlated with estimated vocal cord twitch, evaluated by video‐laryngoscopy. This observation needs further investigation.
Effect of nicotinamide supplementation in in vitro fertilization medium on bovine embryo development
Authors: Yuan Yu‐Guo , Mesalam Ayman , Song Seok‐Hwan , Lee Kyeong‐Lim , Xu Lianguang , Joo Myeong‐Don , Kong Il‐Keun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIncreased oxidative stress is one of the main causes of poorly developed embryos in assisted reproductive technologies. Nicotinamide (NAM) has been shown to suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through its potent antioxidative and anti‐senescent effects. In the present study, we explored the effects of short‐term NAM‐treatment (3 and 5 h) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) on the development of bovine embryos. Treatment with 10 mM NAM for 3 h significantly increased the blastocyst formation but extending the treatment to 5 h did not enhance the benefits any further. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that treatment with 10 mM NAM for 3 h decreased the expression of intracellular ROS, 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine, caspase‐3, and increased the expression of Sirt1, and incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine in one‐cell stage embryos. Similarly, the level of H3K56ac significantly increased in the NAM‐treated (3 and 5 h) one‐cell stage embryos. Contrastingly, the treatment with 10 mM NAM for 5 h increased the caspase‐9 level in blastocysts. Collectively, these findings suggest that NAM possesses antioxidant activity and supplementation of IVF medium with 10 mM NAM for 3 h improves the in vitro developmental competence of bovine embryos.
A novel sequence to improve auditory functional MRI with variable silent delays
Authors: Shrestha Manoj , Lee H. Sean , Nöth Ulrike , Deichmann Ralf 
Published: September 2020

PurposeAuditory functional MRI (fMRI) often uses silent inter‐volume delays for stimulus presentation. However, maintaining the steady‐state of the magnetization usually requires constant delays. Here, a novel acquisition scheme dubbed “pre‐Saturated EPI using Multiple delays in Steady‐state” (SEPIMS) is proposed, using spin saturation at a fixed delay before each volume to maintain steady‐state conditions, independent of previous spin history. This concept allows for variable inter‐volume delays and thus for flexible stimulus design in auditory fMRI. The purpose was to compare the signal stability of SEPIMS and conventional sparse EPI (CS‐EPI).MethodsThe saturation module comprises two non‐selective adiabatic saturation pulses. The efficiency of the saturation and its effect on the SEPIMS signal stability is tested in vitro and in vivo.ResultsData show that SEPIMS yields the same signal stability as CS‐EPI, even for extreme variations between inter‐volume delay durations. However, dual saturation pulses are required to achieve sufficiently high saturation efficiency in compartments with long T1 values. Importantly, spoiler gradient pulses after the EPI readout have to be optimized to avoid eddy‐current‐induced image distortions.ConclusionThe proposed SEPIMS sequence maintains high signal stability in the presence of variable inter‐volume durations, thus allowing for flexible stimulus design.
Feasibility and preliminary outcomes of an integrated pediatric sickle cell disease and pulmonary care clinic for children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Black L. Vandy , Ezmigna Dima , Wallace‐Farquharson Tanya , Wilkie Diana J. , Duckworth Laurie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn children with sickle cell disease (SCD), comorbid asthma is associated with increased disease severity and morbidity, but it remains underdiagnosed and optimal management paradigms are not well defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of an integrated pediatric SCD and pulmonary care clinic in children with SCD.MethodsWe implemented a pre‐post quality improvement (QI) project in our pediatric hematology clinic between 2017 and 2019. Guided by the chronic care model, patients who were ages 2‐18 years, diagnosed with SCD and suspected pulmonary comorbidities, received care in an interdisciplinary clinic. We examined feasibility and compared clinical outcomes to 24 months prior (2015‐2017) to the implementation of the integrated care model.ResultsTwenty‐four patients were included in the QI project: 88% (n = 21) received pulmonary function testing, 92% (n = 22) were diagnosed with asthma, and 33% (n = 8) with obstructive sleep apnea. Adherence to pulmonary appointments was increased by 81% (mean difference [MD] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.71‐1.92; P < .001). Unplanned acute health care utilization was reduced by 59% (MD = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.14‐4.69; P < .01) and packed red blood cell transfusion was reduced by 81% (MD = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.71‐2.04; P < .001).ConclusionAsthma is prevalent in children with SCD, and interdisciplinary clinics can improve access to subspecialty pulmonary care and reduce unplanned acute care. Additional patients and a longer follow‐up period are required to determine the true treatment effect.