bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oligoclonal IgG bands in chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathies
Authors: Ruiz Marta , Puthenparampil Marco , Campagnolo Marta , Castellani Francesca , Salvalaggio Alessandro , Ruggero Susanna , Toffanin Elisabetta , Cacciavillani Mario , Gallo Paolo , Franciotta Diego , Briani Chiara 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumincytologic dissociation represents a supportive diagnostic criterion of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).Few studies have investigated possible systemic or intrathecal humoral immune response activation in CIDP.Aim of our study was to investigate whether the search of oligoclonal IgG bands (OCBs) might provide additional data helpful in CIDP diagnostic work-up.MethodsForty-eight consecutive patients with CIDP (34 men, mean age 59.4, range 16–83) were recruited. CSF analysis included nephelometric measurement of albumin and IgG concentrations, calculation of QALB, QAlbLIM and intrathecal IgG synthesis, and OCBs detection with isoelectric focusing. Data were compared with those from CSF and serum of 32 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), 18 patients with anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody neuropathy, 4 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy and 32 patients with non-inflammatory neuropathies (NINPs).ResultsPatients with CIDP and anti-MAG antibody neuropathy had significantly higher CSF albumin concentrations and QALB values than NINPs (p=0.0003 and p=0.0095, respectively). A total of 9 (19%) patients with CIDP presented identical serum and CSF OCBs (‘mirror pattern’) versus 3 patients (16.6%) with anti-MAG antibody neuropathy, 13 patients (40.6%) with GBS and 12.5% patients with NINPs. Only one patient with CIDP showed unique-to-CSF OCBs. First-line therapy was effective in 80.4% of patients with CIDP, irrespective of CSF findings.ConclusionsCompared with NINP, CIDP, GBS and anti-MAG antibody neuropathies had a significantly increased CSF protein and blood–spinal nerve root barrier damage. Intrathecal humoral immune response is rare in our patients with CIDP. Systemic oligoclonal activation is more frequent, but not significantly different from what was detected in the control groups.
Sources of flavoured e-cigarettes among California youth and young adults: associations with local flavoured tobacco sales restrictions
Authors: Gaiha Shivani Mathur , Henriksen Lisa , Halpern-Felsher Bonnie , Rogers Todd , Feld Ashley L , Gaber Jennifer , Andersen-Rodgers Elizabeth 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study compares access to flavoured JUUL and other e-cigarettes from retail, online and social sources among underage and young adult e-cigarette users who live in California jurisdictions that restrict sales of flavoured tobacco with the rest of the state.MethodsAn online survey used social media advertisements to recruit participants (n=3075, ages 15–29) who lived in one of nine jurisdictions that restrict sales (n=1539) or in the rest of state, and oversampled flavoured tobacco users. Focusing on past-month e-cigarette users (n=908), multilevel models tested whether access to flavoured JUUL and other e-cigarettes from retail, online and social sources differed by local law (yes/no) and age group (15–20 or older), controlling for other individual characteristics.ResultsThe percent of underage users who obtained flavoured JUUL and other e-cigarettes in the past month was 33.6% and 31.2% from retail, 11.6% and 12.7% online, and 76.0% and 70.9% from social sources, respectively. Compared with underage and young adult users in the rest of California, those in localities that restrict the sales of flavoured tobacco were less likely to obtain flavoured JUUL from retail sources (Adjusted OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.80), but more likely to obtain it from social sources (Adjusted OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.35). The same pattern was observed for other brands of flavoured e-cigarettes.ConclusionAlthough local laws may reduce access to flavoured e-cigarettes from retail sources, more comprehensive state or federal restrictions are recommended to close the loopholes for online sources. Dedicated efforts to curtail access from social sources are needed.
Assessment of natural regeneration of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 15 years post-regeneration control
Authors: Fan Zhaofei , Moser W. Keith , Poyner Cameron , Yang Shaoyang , Nepal Sunil , Kush John S. , Lauer Dwight K. 
Published: April 2021

We assessed natural regeneration of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) using the data collected from the Escambia Experimental Forest in southern Alabama. Fifteen years after the regeneration control, natural regeneration of longleaf pine remained patchy across a wide range of site and stand conditions; slightly more than half of all plots contained regeneration, but the density of seedlings and saplings varied significantly. The abundance of seedlings ≤1-year-old was positively related to stand age and time since last fire, but negatively related to overstory basal area. The abundance of seedlings and saplings was positively related to stand age, but negatively related to time since last fire and overstory basal area. The probability of achieving at least 15 000 seedlings·ha–1 that are older than 1 year but less than 1 m tall and at least 1250 saplings·ha–1 that are over 1 m tall was, respectively, positively related to the ratio of time since last fire to overstory basal area and the ratio of quadratic mean diameter to site index. A longer fire interval (> 2 to 3 years) should be adopted to naturally regenerate longleaf. We did not find clear zones of exclusion present in natural regeneration even though overstory trees, seedlings, and saplings tended to be repulsive spatially and >80% grass stage seedlings and saplings occurred outside tree crowns.
Charged compact star in f(R, T) gravity in Tolman–Kuchowicz spacetime
Authors: Rej Pramit , Bhar Piyali , Govender Megan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this current study, our main focus is on modeling the specific charged compact star SAX J 1808.4-3658 (M = 0.88 $$M_{\odot }$$

M
⊙

, R = 8.9 km) within the framework of $$f(R,\,T)$$

f
(
R
,

T
)

modified gravity theory using the metric potentials proposed by Tolman–Kuchowicz (Tolman in Phys Rev 55:364, 1939; Kuchowicz in Acta Phys Pol 33:541, 1968) and the interior spacetime is matched to the exterior Reissner–Nordström line element at the surface of the star. Tolman–Kuchowicz metric potentials provide a singularity-free solution which satisfies the stability criteria. Here we have used the simplified phenomenological MIT bag model equation of state (EoS) to solve the Einstein–Maxwell field equations where the density profile ($$\rho $$
ρ
) is related to the radial pressure ($$p_{\mathrm{r}}$$

p
r

) as $$p_{\mathrm{r}}(r) = (\rho - 4B_{\mathrm{g}})/3$$

p
r

(
r
)

=

(
ρ
-
4

B
g

)

/
3

. Furthermore, to derive the values of the unknown constants $$a,\, b,\, B,\, C$$

a
,

b
,

B
,

C

and the bag constant $$B_{\mathrm{g}}$$

B
g

, we match our interior spacetime to the exterior Reissner–Nordström line element at the surface of stellar system. In addition, to check the physical validity and stability of our suggested model we evaluate some important properties, such as effective energy density, effective pressures, radial and transverse sound velocities, relativistic adiabatic index, all energy conditions, compactness factor and surface redshift. It is depicted from our current study that all our derived results lie within the physically accepted regime which shows the viability of our present model in the context of $$f(R,\,T)$$

f
(
R
,

T
)

modified gravity.
On the interplay between educational attainment and nutrition: a spatially-aware perspective
Authors: Azizi Fard Narges , De Francisci Morales Gianmarco , Mejova Yelena , Schifanella Rossano 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFood choices are an integral part of wellbeing and longevity, yet poor nutrition is responsible for millions of deaths every year. Among the complex mosaic of determinants of food choices are demographic, socioeconomic, physiological, and also cultural. In this work, we explore the connection between educational attainment, as a proxy for cultural capital, and food purchases, as a proxy for food consumption. Unlike existing studies, which use diaries and surveys, we use a large-scale dataset of food-related products purchased from a major retailer in London over the course of one year. By using this high-resolution dataset, we are able to explore the spatial dependence of the various factors impacting food choices, and estimate their direct and indirect spatial effects. We characterize food consumption across two complementary dimensions of (1) diet composition, and (2) diet variety. By building spatial auto-regressive models on these variables, we obtain an improved fit compared to traditional regression, and illustrate the importance of spillover effects. Our results consistently confirm the association between a higher educational attainment and a healthier diet, even when controlling for spatial correlation. First, a low educational level is connected to diets high in carbohydrates and low in fibers. Second, it is also associated with higher consumption of sweets and red meats, while high educational level is linked to a greater consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fish. Third, highly-educated areas show an increased nutritional diversity, together with a lower caloric intake. Finally, we show the presence of spillover effects within the neighboring communities, which would need to be taken in consideration when designing public health policies and interventions.
On Cyclic-Vertex Connectivity of

n
,
k

-Star Graphs
Authors: Li Yalan , Zhang Shumin , Ye Chengfu 
Published: April 2021

A vertex subset

F

⊆

V

G

is a cyclic vertex-cut of a connected graph

G

if

G
−
F

is disconnected and at least two of its components contain cycles. The cyclic vertex-connectivity

κ

c

G

is denoted as the cardinality of a minimum cyclic vertex-cut. In this paper, we show that the cyclic vertex-connectivity of the

n
,
k

-star network

S

n
,
k

is

κ

c

S

n
,
k

=
n
+
2
k
−
5

for any integer

n
≥
4

and

k
≥
2

.
Abstract IA-017: Chromatin and gene transcription in hypoxia
Authors: Batie Michael , Frost Julianty , Rocha Sonia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Oxygen is essential for the life of most multicellular organism and changes in oxygen availability have implications in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In response to hypoxia (low oxygen availability) transcriptional changes are induced. The transcriptional response to hypoxia is mediated primarily by the Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) family of transcription factors. HIFs are activated in hypoxia via inhibition of prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), a group of molecular dioxygenases, which require oxygen for their activity. Whilst the role of HIFs in the transcriptional response to hypoxia is well characterized, little is known with regards to chromatin structure in low oxygen stress and how this coordinates the transcriptional response. It was recently shown that chromatin is sensitive to oxygen levels, with hypoxia altering histone methylation at hypoxia responsive genes via inhibition of specific JmjC histone demethylases. To further investigate chromatin structure and its role in hypoxia induced gene transcription, we have performed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq in human cancer cell lines in acute and prolonged hypoxia. We find that acute hypoxia leads to increased promoter accessibility at a subset of hypoxia inducible genes, and this mostly precedes changes in mRNA expression, with further changes in chromatin structure after prolonged hypoxia. In addition, ChIP-seq data on histone methylation marks (H3K4me and H3K36me3), revealed similar earlier patterns of genomic distribution. Furthermore, we dissected the impact of HIF in the observed changes using a chemical probe and specific HIF1beta depletion analysis of ATAC-seq. This work gives insights into the role of chromatin dynamics in regulating the transcriptional response to hypoxia and elucidating the mechanisms behind these changes may lead to targeted therapies for hypoxia driven diseases.
Citation Format: Michael Batie, Julianty Frost, Sonia Rocha. Chromatin and gene transcription in hypoxia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-017.
Treatment-Related Changes in Left Atrial Structure in Atrial Fibrillation: Findings From the CABANA Imaging Substudy
Authors: Rettmann Maryam E. , Holmes David R. , Monahan Kristi H. , Breen Jerome F. , Bahnson Tristram D. , Mark Daniel B. , Poole Jeanne E. , Ellis Alicia M. , Silverstein Adam P. , Al-Khalidi Hussein R. , Lee Kerry L. , Robb Richard A. , Packer Douglas L. ,   for the CABANA Imaging Investigators
Published: April 2021

Background:
The CABANA trial (Catheter Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation) was a randomized, prospective trial of left atrial catheter ablation versus drug therapy for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). As part of CABANA, a prospective imaging substudy was conducted. The main objectives were to describe the patterns of changes in the dimensions of the left atrium and pulmonary veins (PVs), and the relationship between these changes with treatment assignment and clinical outcomes.

Methods:
Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was acquired at baseline and follow-up in 121 ablation (median follow-up 101 days) and 85 drug patients (median follow-up 97 days). Left atrial volume index, mean PV ostial diameter, and ostial diameters of each PV separately were computed. We examined the relationship between the change from baseline to follow-up with subsequent clinical outcomes (composite of death, disabling stroke, serious bleeding, or cardiac arrest [CABANA primary end point], total mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization, first AF recurrence after the 90-day blanking period, first AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia after the 90-day blanking period) using Cox proportional-hazards models.

Results:

The median (25th to 75th) change from baseline for left atrial volume index was −7.8 mL/m
2
(−16.4 to 0.2), ablation arm and −3.5 mL/m
2
(−11.4 to 2.6), drug therapy arm. The left atrial volume index decreased in 52.9% of ablation patients versus 40.0% of drug therapy patients. Change for mean PV was −2.7 mm (−4.2 to −1.3) in the ablation arm versus −0.1 mm (−1.5 to 0.8) in the drug therapy arm. Changes in left atrium and PV dimensions had no consistent relationship with the risk of developing the study primary end point. Reductions in left atrial volume index, and in mean PV diameter were associated with decreased risk of AF recurrence.

Conclusions:
Ablation patients demonstrated more frequent and larger atrial structural changes compared with drug patients. These changes suggest a critical relationship between structural features and AF generation.
The Transformational Power of Barokah and Silaturahmi in Muslim Indonesia
Authors: Seise Claudia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the following article, I propose that there are localized Islamic concepts and practices that can be applied to arrive at a more nuanced understanding of Islam in Indonesia in general, and Islamic dynamics and movements in particular. I focus on two concepts: barokah, divine blessing power, and silaturahmi, keeping family and kinship ties. Both concepts are localized and add an additional nuance to the Islam found in the Indonesian Archipelago. By analyzing examples from my own ethnographic field research, I suggest that barokah and silaturahmi have transformational power attached to them that can change a person’s understanding of Islam. Therefore, they should be taken into account when analyzing Islamic movements and religious change in Indonesia.
Factors Governing Winter Snow Accumulation and Ablation Susceptibility Across the Sierra Nevada, U.S.A.
Authors: K. Haleakala , M. Gebremichael , J. Dozier , D.P. Lettenmaier 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSeasonal snow water equivalent (SWE) accumulation in California’s Sierra Nevada is primarily governed by a few orographically enhanced snowstorms. However, as air temperatures gradually rise, resulting in a shift from snow to rain, the governing processes determining SWE accumulation versus ablation become ambiguous. Using a network of 28 snow pillow measurements to represent an elevational and latitudinal gradient across the Sierra Nevada, we identify distributions of critical temperatures and corresponding storm and snowpack properties that describe how SWE accumulation varies across the range at an hourly timescale for water years 2010 through 2019. We also describe antecedent and prevailing conditions governing whether SWE accumulates or ablates during warm storms. Results show that atmospheric moisture regulates a temperature dependence of SWE accumulation. Conditions balancing precipitable water and snow formation requirements produce the most seasonal SWE, which was observed in the (low-elevation) northern and (middle-elevation) central Sierra Nevada. The high southern Sierra Nevada conservatively accumulates SWE with colder, drier air, resulting in less midwinter ablation. These differences explain a tendency for deep, low-density snowpacks to accumulate rather than ablate SWE during warm storms (having median temperatures exceeding 1.0°C), reflecting counteracting liquid storage and internal energy deficits. The storm events themselves in these cases are brief with modest moisture supplies or are otherwise followed immediately by ablation.
Polarimetric and Electrical Structure of the 19 May 2013 Edmond–Carney, Oklahoma, Tornadic Supercell
Authors: Sharma Milind , Tanamachi Robin L. , Bruning Eric C. , Calhoun Kristin M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe demonstrate the utility of transient polarimetric signatures (ZDR and KDP columns, a proxy for surges in a thunderstorm updraft) to explain variability in lightning flash rates in a tornadic supercell. Observational data from a WSR-88D and the Oklahoma lightning mapping array are used to map the temporal variance of polarimetric signatures and VHF sources from lightning channels. It is shown, via three-dimensional and cross-sectional analyses, that the storm was of inverted polarity resulting from anomalous electrification. Statistical analysis confirms that mean flash area in the ZDR column region was 10 times smaller than elsewhere in the storm. On an average, 5 times more flash initiations occurred within ZDR column regions, thereby supporting existing theory of an inverse relationship between flash initiation rates and lightning channel extent. Segmentation and object identification algorithms are applied to gridded radar data to calculate metrics such as height, width, and volume of ZDR and KDP columns. Variability in lightning flash rates is best explained by the fluctuations in ZDR column volume with a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient value of 0.72. The highest flash rates occur in conjunction with the deepest ZDR columns (up to 5 km above environmental melting level) and largest volumes of ZDR columns extending up to the −20°C level (3 km above the melting level). Reduced flash rates toward the end of the analysis are indicative of weaker updrafts manifested as low ZDR column volumes at and above the −10°C level. These findings are consistent with recent studies linking lightning to the interplay between storm dynamics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and precipitation microphysics.
Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction in Neutropenic Patients
Authors: Kajmolli Agon , Smiley Abbas , McGuirk Matthew , Gachabayov Mahir , Bodin Roxana , Latifi Rifat 
Published: April 2021

The aim of our study was to determine whether patients with neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤1,500 cells/µL) had higher rates of surgical site infection after elective abdominal wall reconstruction. This was a case series from a prospective complex abdominal wall reconstruction cohort describing the surgical outcomes of 4 neutropenic patients (ANC ≤1,500 cells/µL) within 48 hours of index operation. Median age was 55 years, 3 patients were female. All patients had liver cirrhosis as a comorbidity: 2 patients as a result of alcohol abuse and 2 patients secondary to cryptogenic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, respectively. All patients underwent a posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release and retro-rectus biologic mesh. None of the 4 patients developed a surgical site infection 90 days postoperatively. Complex abdominal wall reconstruction in neutropenic patients could be safe.
The Surgeon’s Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Initial Peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Orleans
Authors: Vu Tung V. , Alongi Ashlyn M. , Chow Christopher , Brinster Clayton J. , Brown Russell E. , Fuhrman George , Money Samuel R. 
Published: April 2021

Surgeons who care for patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection represent a unique population of health care providers whose risk of infection has not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to examine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among surgeons who cared for patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other employees within our health care system and also the general public of New Orleans. 105 surgeons at our facilities provided direct surgical care to patients with active SARS-CoV-2 infection and underwent voluntary antibody testing. 2/105 (1.9% CI .2%-6.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. 13 343 hospital employees underwent antibody testing and 1066/13 343 (8.0% CI 7.5%-8.5%) tested positive (1.9% vs. 8.0%; P = .03). We saw a significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among surgeons who directly cared for infected patients versus other hospital employees. When compared to community seroprevalence (6.9% CI 6.0%-8.0%), seroprevalence among our surgeons is also significantly lower (1.9% vs. 6.9%; P = .04).
Experiences and emotional strain of NHS frontline workers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Newman Kristina L , Jeve Yadava , Majumder Pallab 
Published: April 2021

Background: The mental health of the population has been negatively affected due to the pandemic. Frontline healthcare workers with increased exposure to COVID diagnosis, treatment and care were especially likely to report psychological burden, fear, anxiety and depression. Aim: To elicit how working as a health professional during the pandemic is impacting on the psychological wellbeing of frontline staff. Method: United Kingdom population of healthcare workers were approached by advertising the survey via social media, NHS trusts and other organisations. Open-ended survey answers were qualitatively explored using content analysis. Results: Survey collected data from 395 NHS staff was developed into three themes; (1) Despair and uncertainty: feeling overwhelmed trying to protect everyone, (2) Behavioural and psychological impact: affecting wellbeing and functioning and (3) Coping and employer support: getting the right help. Conclusion: NHS staff felt enormous burden to adequately complete their professional, personal and civil responsibility to keep everyone safe leading to negative psychological and behavioural consequences and desire for NHS employers to offer better support. As the pandemic progresses, the results of this study may inform NHS employers on how optimum support can be offered to help them cope with negative psychological consequences of the pandemic.