bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prone en bloc sacrectomy with proctectomy: a surgical approach to the inaccessible and hostile pelvis
Authors: Solomon M. J. , Loizides S. , Däster S. , Austin K. K. S. , Lee P. J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimReoperative pelvic surgery is rarely hostile and unsafe. Kraske’s procedure has historically been used to approach the mid‐rectum and to resect retrorectal tumors. However, it provides limited access to the pelvis and is best in the ‘virgin’ pelvis. We have encountered a select group of patients who required completion proctectomy or resection of a disconnected ileoanal J‐pouch where trans‐abdominal access to the pelvis was not possible and access to the pelvis could only be safely gained by a prone en bloc sacrectomy.MethodWe describe a prone approach that provides an alternative route of access to the hostile pelvis. After exposure of the sacrum and coccyx and transection of the sacrum, access to the mesorectal plane is achieved and a proctectomy (or resection of an ileoanal J‐pouch) can be completed. The procedure is similar to the Kraske approach but requires a higher and wider exposure similar to the extent of an abdominal resection; however, the operation is performed in ‘reverse’.ResultsWe found that this approach was feasible and safe in the previously operated, hostile pelvis. We employed it in one patient to excise a disconnected J‐pouch with chronic sepsis and in another patient for a completion proctectomy. Both patients had an uneventful recovery and clear margins were obtained with no complications.ConclusionThe en bloc prone sacrectomy approach is a useful alternative in a very select group of patients with difficult trans‐abdominal access to the pelvis. Experience in pelvic surgery and identification of clear anatomical landmarks is paramount to avoid catastrophic uncontrollable bleeding.
Dynein assembly factor with WD repeat domains 1 (DAW1) is required for the function of motile cilia in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Lesko Sydney Lynn , Rouhana Labib 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMotile cilia propel directed cell movements and sweep fluids across the surface of tissues. Orthologs of Dynein Assembly Factor with WD Repeat Domains 1 (DAW1) support normal ciliary beating by enhancing delivery of dynein complexes to axonemal microtubules. DAW1 mutations in vertebrates result in multiple developmental abnormalities and early or prenatal lethality, complicating functional assessment of DAW1 in adult structures. Planarian flatworms maintain cellular homeostasis and regenerate through differentiation of adult pluripotent stem cells, and systemic RNA‐interference (RNAi) can be induced to analyze gene function at any point after birth. A single ortholog of DAW1 was identified in the genome of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea (Smed‐daw1). Smed‐DAW1 is composed of eight WD repeats, which are 55% identical to the founding member of this protein family (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ODA16) and 58% identical to human DAW1. Smed‐daw1 is expressed in the planarian epidermis, protonephridial excretory system, and testes, all of which contain cells functionally dependent on motile cilia. Smed‐daw1 RNAi resulted in locomotion defects and edema, which are phenotypes characteristic of multiciliated epidermis and protonephridial dysfunction, respectively. Changes in abundance or length of motile cilia were not observed at the onset of phenotypic manifestations upon Smed‐daw1 RNAi, corroborating with studies showing that DAW‐1 loss of function leads to aberrant movement of motile cilia in other organisms, rather than loss of cilia per se. However, extended RNAi treatments did result in shorter epidermal cilia and decreased abundance of ciliated protonephridia, suggesting that Smed‐daw1 is required for homeostatic maintenance of these structures in flatworms.
‘Branching’ with complex coarse woody debris reduces herbivory on recovering erosion scalds
Authors: Neilly Heather , Cale Peter 
Published: May 2020

SummaryCoarse woody debris (CWD) has many benefits in restoration, including protecting seedlings from herbivory, and it is often reintroduced where CWD is depauperate. At Calperum Station on the Murray River floodplain, artificially applied CWD (‘branching’) is being trialled to restore erosion scalds. At two erosion scalds, we applied 900 m2 of branching and created a 900 m2 branching‐free control. We predicted that branching would protect seedlings from browsing by mammalian herbivores. We planted Nitre Goosefoot (Chenopodium nitrariaceum) seedlings in each treatment and measured the number of terminal ends affected by herbivory and plant height for 8 weeks. Branching reduced the number of terminal ends affected by herbivory by ~80% and plant height loss by ~60%. Remote cameras detected some browsing by kangaroos, the most abundant herbivores on the Calperum floodplain, although cameras were too few to directly observe much of the browsing that occurred. We did not detect an effect of site browsing pressure on overall herbivory or the effectiveness of the branching. Despite the small sample size, our results suggest that branching can effectively reduce herbivory. It is likely that the effectiveness of branching in reducing herbivory is conditional on a range of factors, such as browsing pressure (i.e. scat density), so a large‐scale trial is required to clarify the role branching has on reducing herbivory in relation to these complex interactions.
Full assessment of Sida (Sida hermaphrodita) biomass as a solid fuel
Authors: Jablonowski Nicolai D. , Kollmann Tobias , Meiller Martin , Dohrn Matthias , Müller Michael , Nabel Moritz , Zapp Petra , Schonhoff Andreas , Schrey Silvia D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDue to an increased awareness of climate change and limited fossil resources, the demand for alternative energy carriers such as biomass has risen significantly during the past years. This development is supported by the idea of a transition to a bio‐based economy reducing fossil‐based carbon dioxide emissions. Based on this trend, biomass for energy is expected to be used in the EU mainly for heating until the end of the decade. The perennial herbaceous mallow plant Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (‘Sida’) has high potential as an alternative biomass plant for energy purposes. Different density cultivation scenarios of Sida accounting for 1, 2, or 4 plants per m2 resulted in a total biomass yield of 21, 28, and 34 tons dry matter/ha, respectively, over a 3‐year period under agricultural conditions while the overall investment costs almost doubled from 2 to 4 plants per m2. Subsequently, Sida biomass was used as SI) chips, SII) pellets, and SIII) briquettes for combustion studies at pilot plant scale. Pellets outcompeted chips and briquettes by showing low CO emission of 40 mg/Nm3, good burnout, and low slagging behavior, however, with elevated NOx and SO2 levels. In contrast, combustion of chips and briquettes displayed high CO emissions of >1,300 mg/Nm3, while SO2 values were below 100 mg/Nm3. Contents of HCl in the flue gas ranged between 32 and 52 mg/Nm3 for all Sida fuels tested. High contents of alkaline earth metals such as CaO resulted in high ash melting points of up to 1,450°C. Life cycle assessment results showed the lowest ecological impact for Sida pellets taking all production parameters and environmental categories into consideration, showing further advantages of Sida over other alternative biomasses. Overall, the results indicate the improved applicability of pelletized Sida biomass as a renewable biogenic energy carrier for combustion.
Comparative genetics of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and nonhuman primates
Authors: Heijmans Corrine M.C. , de Groot Natasja G. , Bontrop Ronald E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is one of the most gene‐dense regions of the mammalian genome. Multiple genes within the human MHC (HLA) show extensive polymorphism, and currently, more than 26,000 alleles divided over 39 different genes are known. Nonhuman primate (NHP) species are grouped into great and lesser apes and Old and New World monkeys, and their MHC is studied mostly because of their important role as animal models in preclinical research or in connection with conservation biology purposes. The evolutionary equivalents of many of the HLA genes are present in NHP species, and these genes may also show abundant levels of polymorphism. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive comparison relating to the organization and polymorphism of human and NHP MHC regions.
The association between father involvement in caregiving and early childhood overweight or obesity
Authors: Sato Rikako , Fujiwara Takeo , Kino Shiho , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundDespite the increasing trend of paternal engagement in caregiving, fathers remain underrepresented in studies on parenting and childhood obesity.ObjectivesThis study examined the association between father involvement in caregiving and child's weight status within a longitudinal dataset from Japan.MethodsThe data were obtained from a population‐based cohort study in Japan (N = 29 584). The association between father's involvement in child caregiving (age 18 months) on the weight status of the same children at age 3.5 years was examined by logistic regression and linear regression analysis. Furthermore, we checked the interaction between maternal employment & father involvement by creating four mutually exclusive groups of families.ResultsChildren whose fathers were highly involved in caregiving were less likely to be overweight (OR = 0.90, 95% CI, 0.85‐0.96). Employed mothers with high paternal involvement in caregiving were 30% less likely to have children with overweight or obesity compared to those with low paternal involvement (95% CI, 0.55‐0.90).ConclusionsFather involvement in caregiving is associated with the development of overweight or obesity in early childhood, and may also modify the association between maternal employment and child's weight status. Social policies to support shared child‐rearing such as expanding paid parental leave could help families to raise children with healthy weight.
Prevalence and sites of pain in remote‐living older Aboriginal Australians, and associations with depressive symptoms and disability
Authors: Wong Aaron , Hyde Zoë , Smith Kate , Flicker Leon , Atkinson David , Skeaf Linda , Malay Roslyn , LoGiudice Dina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPain is a growing public health problem associated with significant health and functional implications. Limited data exist for Aboriginal Australians.AimsTo describe the prevalence, severity and sites of pain, analgesic use and associated factors, including depression and disability, in remote‐living Aboriginal Australians.MethodsCross‐sectional study of 263 Aboriginal Australians aged ≥45 years from six remote Indigenous communities and the town of Derby in the Kimberley region of Western Australia between 2011 and 2013. Pain was assessed using a culturally adapted pain scale. Factors associated with pain were investigated with binary logistic regression.ResultsOne hundred and seventy (64.6%) participants reported having pain and 53 (20.2%) reported persistent pain. Of those reporting pain, 61 (35.9%) rated it as moderate and 70 (41.2%) as severe. The most common sites of pain were back and knee, and 38 (22.4%) participants with pain indicated three or more sites of pain. Only 70 (41.2%) participants with pain were on some type of analgesic medication. After adjustment, poor vision (odds ratio (OR) = 2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–4.00), hypertension (OR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.03–3.45) and heart problems (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.01–4.14) were associated with pain. Higher depression scores were associated with more persistent pain, but pain was not significantly associated with clinically relevant depressive symptoms, or requiring assistance with two or more personal and/or instrumental activities of daily living.ConclusionHigh levels of pain were reported, although the prevalence of persistent pain was comparable to the general population. Identifying risk factors, improving pain recognition and assessment and evaluating culturally tailored management approaches should be a priority.
Australian public hospital inpatient satisfaction related to early patient involvement and shared decision‐making in discharge planning
Authors: Chia Yong Yau Paul , Ekladious Adel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSurveys of hospital inpatient satisfaction may help develop actionable plans for quality improvement, and patients have preferred to give feedback during admission at the point of service compared to after discharge. However, patient satisfaction measurement has often been done by questionnaires post‐discharge, and without focussing on an Australian general internal medicine setting.AimsTo understand patients' perceptions of their admission experiences in an Australian public teaching hospital's general internal medicine unit, and to understand the opportunities for quality improvement.MethodsA prospective study of 50 inpatients of a general internal medicine unit at an Australian public teaching hospital was carried out using a patient satisfaction questionnaire given to patients on the day of discharge.ResultsPatients perceived deficits in early communication about discharge destination planning, and provision of written discharge instructions. Responses highlighted the importance of checking with patients to elicit further information that was not previously captured during initial history‐taking, patient‐centred communication to enable informed consent and decision making, use of language readily understandable to laypersons, and checking for patients' understanding of messages as communicated by the treating clinician.ConclusionsIn an Australian general internal medicine service, early involvement and shared decision‐making in discharge planning are valued by patients. Incorporating checking of patients' understanding of diagnoses, management, discharge instructions, and follow‐up plans into ward round routines may benefit patient satisfaction. This study stimulates further research into the use of a proforma to capture and check patients' understanding of discharge diagnoses and plans.
Clinical, psychological and demographic factors in a contemporary adult cohort with diabetic ketoacidosis and type 1 diabetes
Authors: Hare Matthew J. L. , Deitch Jessica M. , Kang Matthew J. Y. , Bach Leon A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life‐threatening but often preventable acute complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Understanding clinical and psychosocial characteristics of people with DKA, particularly those with multiple presentations, may aid the development of prevention strategies.AimsTo describe clinical, psychological and demographic factors in adults with DKA and particularly those factors associated with recurrent admissions.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of all admissions with DKA in people with T1D over a 4‐year period from 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2017 at a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Australia. Potential cases were identified by International Classification of Diseases–10th Revision coding data. Data were then manually extracted by clinicians from the electronic medical record.ResultsThere were 154 clinician‐adjudicated admissions for DKA among 128 people with T1D. Of these, 16 (13%) had multiple DKA admissions. Forty‐one (32%) had a history of depression. The most common factors contributing to presentation included insulin omission (54%), infection (31%), alcohol excess (26%) and new diabetes diagnosis (16%). Compared to people with single admissions, those with recurrent DKA were more likely to smoke (69% vs 27%, P = 0.003), be unemployed (31% vs 11%, P = 0.04) and use illicit substances (44% vs 17%, P = 0.02).ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of psychiatric illness, illicit substance use and social disadvantage among people admitted with DKA, particularly those with recurrent presentations. Insulin omission, often due to inappropriate sick day management, was the most common reason for DKA occurrence. Innovative multidisciplinary models of care are required to address these challenges.
Atomic picture of crack propagation in Li2O‐2SiO2 glass‐ceramics revealed by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Deng Binghui , Harris Jason T. , Luo Jian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFundamental understanding of the interaction between glass and ceramic phases with a running crack and the mechanisms by which propagation is hindered or altered as compared to the precursor parent glasses remains elusive for the lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics. We herein conduct extensive molecular dynamics simulations to reveal some atomic details that are otherwise extremely challenging to be probed by experiments. The results show that the crack propagation pathway in glass‐ceramics is dramatically different as compared to the precursor parent glass. In glassy sample, clean crack branching seems to be triggered by multiple cavitation events ahead of crack tip. In glass‐ceramic samples, however, branching is characterized by microcracks at multiple glass‐nanocrystal interface sites, clean nanocrystal cleavage along certain crystalline plane, and even secondary cracks due to the percolation of multiple microcracks. Additionally, the nanocrystal distribution, total volume fraction, and aspect ratio also have pronounced effects on the propagation of a primary crack and can lead to very diverse crack patterns.
Synthesis of high‐entropy diboride nanopowders via molten salt‐mediated magnesiothermic reduction
Authors: Ye Beilin , Fan Che , Han Yangjie , Ma Mengdong , Chu Yanhui 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPowder synthesis is critical for implementing the wide applications of high‐entropy diborides (HEBs). However, the low‐temperature synthesis of HEB powders was rarely reported. Herein, the low‐temperature synthesis of the single‐phase HEB nanopowders via molten salt‐mediated magnesiothermic reduction (MMR) method was reported for the first time. The results showed that the as‐synthesized nanopowders consisted of the single‐phase HEBs and their average particle sizes are in the range of 28‐56 nm. Meanwhile, they possessed the good compositional homogeneity and the low‐content oxygen impurity in the range of 4.13‐6.12 at%. In addition, their formation mechanism could be well interpreted by a classical MMR growth process.
Molecular characterization of serine/threonine protein phosphatase of Eimeria tenella
Authors: Yu Yu , Zhao Qiping , Zhu Shunhai , Dong Hui , Huang Bing , Liang Shanshan , Wang Qingjie , Wang Haixia , Yu Shuilan , Han Hongyu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAvian coccidiosis is a widespread and economically significant poultry disease caused by several Eimeria species, including Eimeria tenella. Previously, E. tenella serine/threonine protein phosphatase (EtSTP) was found to be differentially expressed in drug‐sensitive (DS) and drug‐resistant strains using RNA‐seq. In the present study, we found that transcription and translation levels of EtSTP were higher in diclazuril‐resistant (DZR) strains and maduramicin‐resistant (MRR) strains than in DS strains using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Enzyme activity results indicated that the catalytic activity of EtSTP was higher in the two drug‐resistant strains than in DS strains. Western blot and qPCR analysis also showed that expression levels of EtSTP were higher in unsporulated oocysts (UO) and second‐generation merozoites (SM). Indirect immunofluorescence localization showed that EtSTP was located in most areas of the parasite with the exception of refractile bodies, and fluorescence intensity was enhanced during development. In vitro inhibition experiments showed that the ability of sporozoites (SZ) to invade cells was significantly decreased after treatment with anti‐rEtSTP antibody. These results indicated that EtSTP acted mainly during the developmental and reproductive stages of the parasite and may be related to the resistance of coccidia to external drug pressure.
Is 640 nm high‐fluence visible red light a valuable adjunct for treating pemphigus vegetans? A single case report
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Xiaoyue , Chen Yue , Liu Shuguang , Song Pengfei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPemphigus vegetans is an autoimmune bullous disorder characterized by vegetating lesions commonly over the flexures. This disorder is characterized by vegetating lesions more commonly over flexures. Cerebriform tongue, a morphology with typical pattern of sulci and gyri over dorsum of the tongue, is a well‐known sign seen in pemphigus vegetans.AimsTo emphasize the exceptional but successful use of corticosteroid and 640 nm high‐fluence visible red light in pemphigus vegetans.MethodsThe patient was successfully treated with low dose systemic corticosteroid (methylprednisolone 20 mg daily) and high‐fluence 640 nm LED red light on pustules and exudates (LIFOTRONICR, 120 mw/cm2 power density and 210 J/cm2 energy density).ResultsThe cerebriform plaques improved quickly after the treatment of corticosteroid and 640 nm high‐fluence visible red light.ConclusionWe propose to consider low dosage of methylprednisolone and 640 nm high fluence visible red light as first‐line monotherapy in pemphigus vegetans, especially in elderly patients with comorbidities and contraindications to standard therapy, as it avoids the toxicities of systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
The Male Marriage Premium: Selection, Productivity, or Employer Preferences?
Authors: McDonald Patrick 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis paper empirically tests the three theories put forward to explain the male marriage premium.BackgroundMarried men continue to earn more than single across the Western world, despite significant changes to family life. Three theories are put forward to explain this phenomenon: (a) Marriage makes men more productive; (b) more productive men select into marriage; (c) employers prefer married men and therefore offer them higher wages.MethodWe use a multi‐pronged strategy to test all three theories. First, we analyze a Swiss national panel survey using fixed‐effects regressions with observations matched using entropy balancing, as well as fixed‐effects individual slopes (FEIS) models to isolate the selection effect. Second, we use a factorial survey experiment of over 500 recruiters in Switzerland to study the preferences of employers.ResultsPooled ordinary least squares regressions showed a marriage premium of 11%, which is reduced to approximately 3.5% when accounting for selection and 2.5–3% when introducing controls related to in‐work productivity. The results of the survey experiment showed that employers assign wages 2% higher to married men, with large differences between occupations. They are also more likely to invite married men to a job interview.ConclusionWhile selection is found to be the largest contributor to the male marriage premium, it does not explain it fully. Both employer preferences and productivity changes also play a small role.