bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody persistence in COVID‐19 convalescent plasma donors: Dependency on assay format and applicability to serosurveillance
Authors: Di Germanio Clara , Simmons Graham , Kelly Kathleen , Martinelli Rachel , Darst Orsolya , Azimpouran Mahzad , Stone Mars , Hazegh Kelsey , Grebe Eduard , Zhang Shuting , Ma Peijun , Orzechowski Marek , Gomez James E. , Livny Jonathan , Hung Deborah T. , Vassallo Ralph , Busch Michael P. , Dumont Larry J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAntibody response duration following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection tends to be variable and depends on severity of disease and method of detection.Study design and methodsCOVID‐19 convalescent plasma from 18 donors was collected longitudinally for a maximum of 63–129 days following resolution of symptoms. All the samples were initially screened by the Ortho total Ig test to confirm positivity and subsequently tested with seven additional direct sandwich or indirect binding assays (Ortho, Roche, Abbott, Broad Institute) directed against a variety of antigen targets (S1, receptor binding domain, and nucleocapsid [NC]), along with two neutralization assays (Broad Institute live virus PRNT and Vitalant Research Institute [VRI] Pseudovirus reporter viral particle neutralization [RVPN]).ResultsThe direct detection assays (Ortho total Ig total and Roche total Ig) showed increasing levels of antibodies over the time period, in contrast to the indirect IgG assays that showed a decline. Neutralization assays also demonstrated declining responses; the VRI RVPN pseudovirus had a greater rate of decline than the Broad PRNT live virus assay.DiscussionThese data show that in addition to variable individual responses and associations with disease severity, the detection assay chosen contributes to the heterogeneous results in antibody stability over time. Depending on the scope of the research, one assay may be preferable over another. For serosurveillance studies, direct, double Ag‐sandwich assays appear to be the best choice due to their stability; in particular, algorithms that include both S1‐ and NC‐based assays can help reduce the rate of false‐positivity and discriminate between natural infection and vaccine‐derived seroreactivity.
Pilot study evaluating the feasibility of stereotactic body radiation therapy for canine anal sac adenocarcinomas
Authors: Swan Michaela , Morrow Deanna , Grace Michael , Adby Natalie , Lurie David 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to treat many canine tumors is rapidly expanding. However, published studies are lacking regarding use of SBRT for management of canine anal sac adenocarcinoma (ASAC), primarily due to concerns regarding intolerable late effects. The objective of this retrospective, pilot study was to describe the efficacy and safety profile of coarse fractions administered with an SBRT regime to manage a group of dogs with ASAC. A total of 12 dogs with ASAC that received SBRT as a component of their treatment were sampled. Three patients had macroscopic primary tumors irradiated, while nine patients received SBRT following incomplete surgical resection. Seven patients also received metastatic regional lymph node irradiation. Primary tumor and nodal irradiation sites received three fractions totaling 22‐24 Gy and 22.5‐24 Gy, respectively, over three consecutive days. All patients developed acute effects including mild colitis, alopecia, and erythema. Late effects included alopecia, variable dermal pigmentation and leuko‐ or melanotrichia within radiation fields, and rectal stricture in one patient. A median progression free survival time of 549 days and median survival time of 991 days were achieved in this study. These results should be considered preliminary data suggesting that coarse fractionation administered with an SBRT technique is a safe and effective treatment regime for the management of canine ASAC, with the aim to conduct prospective studies in the future.
Invasive weed swallow‐wort (Cynanchum acutum L.) response to chemical and mechanical practices
Authors: Meighani Fariba , Karaminejad Mohammad Reza , Farrokhi Zahra 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSwallow‐wort (Cynanchum acutum) is increasingly getting a problematic invasive weed in many parts of Iran and several countries around the world. Despite the extensive invasion of C. acutum, the efficacy of different mechanical/chemical treatments for its effective control has rarely been investigated. The objective of the present study was to explore the effects of mechanical weeding (brush cutter) and herbicide applications on C. acutum biomass and density at two locations (Abyek and Yazd) in Iran during a 3‐year experiment. Treatments included: (a) no chemical/mechanical treatment, (b) glyphosate, (c) bromoxynil + MCPA, (d) mecoprop‐p‐dicloprop‐p‐MCPA, (e) triclopyr, (f) metribuzin, and (g) brush cutter. Results showed that glyphosate and triclopyr provided the highest efficacy in reducing C. acutum density and biomass relative to non‐treated control according to most post‐treatment assessments; although glyphosate showed more relative efficacy than triclopyr in reducing C. acutum density in Yazd at 1 year after retreatment and in reducing C. acutum biomass at both the locations at 1 year after treatment. It was shown that mecoprop‐p‐dicloprop‐p‐MCPA had statistically similar efficacy as glyphosate and triclopyr in reducing C. acutum density at most assessments. After retreatment, bromoxynil + MCPA at both the locations and mecoprop‐p‐dicloprop‐p‐MCPA in Abyek showed no statistically significant differences with glyphosate and triclopyr in terms of C. acutum biomass reduction. Metribuzin and brush cutter could not provide acceptable efficacy in C. acutum control. Overall, results indicated selective herbicides are also good chemical options for improving C. acutum management plans and decreasing this invasive weed damage.
Scattering of flexural gravity waves by a pair of submerged vertical porous barriers located above a porous sea-bed
Authors: Chanda Ayan , Bora Swaroop Nandan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
An analytical study is presented to investigate the scattering of oblique flexural gravity waves by a pair of totally submerged vertically placed porous barriers, located at some distance from each other, for a homogenous fluid flowing over a porous sea-bed. A thin ice-sheet, replacing the usual free surface, is considered as the upper surface where it is treated as a thin elastic plate. The complete analytical solution, under the assumption of small-amplitude theory and structural response, is acquired by employing eigenfunction expansion and least square method. Subsequently, computation for the reflection and transmission coefficients, energy loss and wave forces is carried out and discussed for different parameter values corresponding to the ice-sheet, porous sea-bed and porous barriers. This study establishes that the oscillatory behavior exhibited by the reflection of the waves. The vertical porous barriers are found to dissipate a significant portion of the wave energy when an increase in the inertial effect of the porous barriers takes place. The hydrodynamic force on the barriers also follows an oscillatory pattern and it increases when the length of the barrier is increased. It is demonstrated that, corresponding to various structural parameters, almost no reflection and full transmission take place for an impermeable sea-bed and also when only real porosity parameter of the porous sea-bed is considered. Further, variation in the elastic parameter of the floating ice-sheet is observed to command a considerable influence when the wave impinges upon the submerged vertical porous barriers.
Numerical Analysis of a Solar Air Heater With Jet Impingement—Comparison of Performance Between Jet Designs
Authors: Das Supreme , Biswas Agnimitra , Das Biplab 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
One of the ways to improve the performance of solar air heaters (SAHs) is to use jet impingement on the absorber plate to cause turbulence mixing of air in contact with the plate and thereby augment the heat transfer coefficient. Although the jet impingement is a prospective way of improving the SAH performance, comparison of performance between jet designs is not performed so far. The objective of this work is to compare the thermo-hydraulic performance of a SAH with jet impingement through conical protruding jets and circular jets using finite element method based comsol multiphysics software. The simulation studies were conducted for solar radiation in the range 500–1000 W/m2 and mass flowrate in the range 0.01–0.028 kg/s. The flow physics of the jet impingement process is investigated to understand the heat transfer and fluid flow behavior of the SAH with the chosen jet designs thereby obtain their performance insights. The outlet hot air temperature from the heater and its thermal efficiency are compared for different mass flowrates and solar radiations. Also the temperature distributions in the jet plate with the jet configurations are captured and their heat transfer characteristics compared with understand the thermo-fluidic behavior of the SAH. The results demonstrate improved performance of the novel conical protruded jet design that enhances the thermal efficiency up to 78.52%, which is an increase of 13.53% compared with the circular jet design. More elongated streamlines and higher turbulent kinetic energy with increased mass flowrate leading to a wide jet affected area inside the duct are the main reasons of its improved performance.
Ferrofluid Lubrication of Optimized Spiral-Grooved Conical Hybrid Journal Bearing Using Current-Carrying Wire Model
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Sharma Satish C. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
To systematically investigate the behavior of fluid film bearing, the determination of optimal parameters is of utmost importance. The core contributions of this article are as follows: (1) modeling of the conical bearing for spiral grooves with ferrofluid lubrication using current-carrying wire model for the fixed coordinate system, (2) deriving the expressions for the magnetic field model and frictional power loss other than Reynolds equation for ferrofluid lubrication, and (3) evaluation of optimal values of spiral-grooved bearing surface for different cross-sectional shapes and that of the current-carrying wire model for magnetic field generation in ferrofluid lubrication. The generalized minimum RESidual iterative solver and the Newton–Raphson method have facilitated the solution of complex nonlinear finite element (FE) formulated governing equations. Initially, the results have been obtained for determining the optimal values of spiral groove and ferrofluid model attributes. After that, using these optimal values, corresponding performance indicators are evaluated. It was found that there exists a optimum value of different geometric features for distinct cross-sectional shapes of spiral grooves.
Impact of genetic tests on survivors of paediatric sudden cardiac arrest
Authors: Chiu Shuenn-Nan , Juang Jyh-Ming Jimmy , Tseng Wei-Chieh , Chen Wen-Pin , Lee Ni-Chung , Wu Mei-Hwan 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo retrospectively investigate the clinical spectrum, genetic profiles and outcomes of survivors of paediatric sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).Design and patientsAll 66 patients (aged 1–20 years), with unexpected SCA or syncope related to ventricular tachycardia (VT)/fibrillation and who survived to discharge from a tertiary centre, were enrolled from 1995 to 2018. Of these, 30 with underlying diseases prior to the events were excluded. Whole-exome sequencing targeting 384 channelopathy and cardiomyopathy-related genes (composite panel) was conducted to identify the possible genetic variants/mutations.ResultsA total of 36 patients were enrolled. Male adolescents predominated (66.7%), and the median age at onset was 13.3 years. Events occurred most often during exercise and daily activities. The yield rate of the genetic test was 84.6% (22/26); 14 had pathogenic variants; and 8 had likely pathogenic variants. The most common diagnoses were long QT in nine (25%), catecholaminergic polymorphic VT in six patients (16.7%), but other long QT and cardiomyopathy genes were also detected in eight patients (30.7%). The 10-year transplantation-free survival rate was 87.8% and was better for those who received genetic tests initially at the disease onset. An implantable cardioverter–defibrillator was implanted in 55.6% of the patients, with an appropriate shock rate of 61.1%. The defibrillator shock rate was lower for those who received composite panel initially.ConclusionSurvivors of SCA in the paediatric population had favourable long-term outcomes aided by genetic test. A broad composite genetic panel brings extra diagnostic value in the investigation of ventricular fibrillation/sudden cardiac death.
Burden of chronic kidney disease and rapid decline in renal function among adults attending a hospital-based diabetes center in Northern Europe
Authors: Griffin Tomás P , O'Shea Paula M , Smyth Andrew , Islam Md Nahidul , Wall Deirdre , Ferguson John , O'Sullivan Esther , Finucane Francis M , Dinneen Sean F , Dunne Fidelma P , Lappin David W , Reddan Donal N , Bell Marcia , O'Brien Timothy , Griffin Damian G , Griffin Matthew D 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and rapid renal function decline and to identify indices associated with this decline among adults attending a diabetes center in Northern Europe.Research design and methodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 4606 patients who attended a diabetes center in Ireland between June 2012 and December 2016. Definition/staging of chronic kidney disease used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 classification based on data from the most recently attended appointment. Relevant longitudinal trends and variabilities were derived from serial records prior to index visit. Rapid renal function decline was defined based on per cent and absolute rates of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the relationships between explanatory variables and per cent eGFR change.Results42.0% (total), 23.4% (type 1 diabetes), 47.9% (type 2 diabetes) and 32.6% (other diabetes) had DKD. Rapid decline based on per cent change was more frequent in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes (32.8% vs 14.0%, p<0.001). Indices independently associated with rapid eGFR decline included older age, greater number of antihypertensives, higher log-normalized urine albumin to creatinine ratio (LNuACR), serum alkaline phosphatase, thyroid stimulating hormone, variability in systolic blood pressure and variability in LNuACR, lower glycated hemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, and lack of ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker prescription.ConclusionsDKD (using the KDIGO 2012 classification) and rapid eGFR decline were highly prevalent among adults attending a hospital-based diabetes clinic in a predominantly Caucasian Northern European country. The burden was greater for adults with type 2 diabetes. Expected as well as potentially novel clinical predictors were identified.
Effect of multimorbidity patterns on the decline in health-related quality of life: a nationwide prospective cohort study in Japan
Authors: Aoki Takuya , Fukuhara Shunichi , Fujinuma Yasuki , Yamamoto Yosuke 
Published: June 2021

ObjectivesLongitudinal studies, which consider multimorbidity patterns, are useful for better clarifying the effect of multimorbidity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and for identifying the target population with poorer clinical outcomes among patients with multimorbidity. This study aimed to examine the effects of different multimorbidity patterns on the decline in HRQoL.DesignNationwide prospective cohort study.SettingJapanese adult residents.ParticipantsResidents aged ≥50 years selected by the quota sampling method.Primary outcome measureClinically relevant decline in HRQoL was defined as a 0.50 SD (5-point) decrease in the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) component summary scores for 1 year.ResultsIn total, 1211 participants completed the follow-up survey. Among the multimorbidity patterns identified using confirmatory factor analysis, multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that high cardiovascular/renal/metabolic and malignant/digestive/urologic pattern scores were significantly associated with the clinically relevant decline in SF-36 physical component summary score (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.25, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.44 and aOR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.58, respectively). High cardiovascular/renal/metabolic pattern score was also significantly associated with the clinically relevant decline in SF-36 role/social component summary score (aOR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.42).ConclusionsOur study revealed that multimorbidity patterns have different effects on the clinically relevant decline in HRQoL for 1 year. These findings can be useful in identifying populations at high risk and with poor clinical outcomes among patients with chronic diseases and multimorbidity for efficient resource allocation.
Depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Njiro Belinda Jackson , Ndumwa Harrieth Peter , Msenga Charles Joseph , Kawala Thomas , Matola Ezekiel , Mhonda Juhudi , Corbin Hillary , Ubuguyu Omary , Likindikoki Samuel 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe WHO has classified depression as a disease of public concern. Police officers are a particular subpopulation group that is at an increased risk for mental health problems. This study examined the prevalence of depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in urban Tanzania.AimsThe aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression, suicidality and associated risk factors among police officers in Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2019 and October 2020 among 550 participants in Dar es Salaam recruited using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to screen for depression and suicidality. The Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 tool was used to measure perceived social support. Descriptive statistics were summarised using frequencies and percentages. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to establish associations between predictors of interest, depression and suicidality.ResultsThere were 497 participants in the study. Of these, 76.6% (376 of 491) were men, and the median (IQR) age was 37.0 (17) years. Around 19.8% (96 of 486) of the police officers screened positive for depression and 15.4% (75 of 413) for suicidality. A significant proportion was either moderately (29 of 96, 30.2%) or severely depressed (8 of 75, 10.7 %). Of those who experienced suicidal thoughts, 10.7% (8 of 75) reported having daily suicidal thoughts. Perceiving low social support was associated with an increased risk of reporting depression (adjusted OR (aOR): 28.04, 95% CI: 8.42 to 93.37, p<0.001) and suicidality (aOR: 10.85, 95% CI: 3.56 to 33.08, p<0.001) as compared with those with high perceived social support.ConclusionThe magnitude of depression and suicidality among police officers in urban Tanzania is alarmingly high. The study findings indicate the need for routine screening for depression and suicidality among police officers and design appropriate mental health responsive services in this population.
Clinical practice guideline for transcatheter versus surgical valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis in Latin America
Authors: Lamelas Pablo , Ragusa Martin Alberto , Bagur Rodrigo , Jaffer Iqbal , Ribeiro Henrique , Baranchuk Adrian , Wyss Fernando , Sosa Liprandi Alvaro , Olivares Gabriel , Arrais Magaly , Rendon Juan Camilo , Catrip Jorge , Agatiello Carla , Cura Fernando , Marchena Alfaro , Sandoli de Brito Jr Fabio , Mangione José A , Damonte Aníbal , Santaera Omar , Hidalgo Pedro , Nieuwlaat Robby , Izcovich Ariel 
Published: June 2021

In elderly (75 years or older) patients living in Latin America with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis candidates for transfemoral approach, the panel suggests the use of transcatheter aortic valve implant (TAVI) over surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This is a conditional recommendation, based on moderate certainty in the evidence (⨁⨁⨁Ο).This recommendation does not apply to patients in which there is a standard of care, like TAVI for patients at very high risk for cardiac surgery or inoperable patients, or SAVR for non-elderly patients (eg, under 65 years old) at low risk for cardiac surgery. The suggested age threshold of 75 years old is based on judgement of limited available literature and should be used as a guide rather than a determinant threshold.The conditional nature of this recommendation means that the majority of patients in this situation would want a transfemoral TAVI over SAVR, but some may prefer SAVR. For clinicians, this means that they must be familiar with the evidence supporting this recommendation and help each patient to arrive at a management decision integrating a multidisciplinary team discussion (Heart Team), patient’s values and preferences through shared decision-making, and available resources. Policymakers will require substantial debate and the involvement of various stakeholders to implement this recommendation.
Association between body mass index, dosing strategy, and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Ahmed Murtaza , von Itzstein Mitchell S , Sheffield Thomas , Khan Shaheen , Fattah Farjana , Park Jason Y , Popat Vinita , Saltarski Jessica M , Gloria-McCutchen Yvonne , Hsiehchen David , Ostmeyer Jared , Khan Saad A , Sultana Nazima , Xie Yang , Li Quan-Zhen , Wakeland Edward K , Gerber David E 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundIncreased body mass index (BMI) has been associated with improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in multiple cancer types. We evaluated associations between BMI, ICI dosing strategy, and clinical outcomes.MethodsWe abstracted clinical data on patients with cancer treated with ICI, including age, sex, cancer type, BMI, ICI type, dosing strategy (weight-based or fixed), radiographic response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). We compared clinical outcomes between low-BMI and high-BMI populations using Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regressions, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients.ResultsA total of 297 patients were enrolled, of whom 40% were women and 59% were overweight (BMI≥25). Of these, 204 (69%) received fixed and 93 (31%) received weight-based ICI dosing. In the overall cohort, overweight BMI was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.94; p=0.02) and had a trend toward improved OS (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.04; p=0.08). For both endpoints, improved outcomes in the overweight population were limited to patients who received weight-based ICI dosing (PFS HR 0.53; p=0.04 for weight-based; vs HR 0.79; p=0.2 for fixed dosing) (OS HR 0.56; p=0.03 for weight-based; vs HR 0.89; p=0.54 for fixed dosing). In multivariable analysis, BMI was not associated with PFS or OS. However, the interaction of BMI≥25 and weight-based dosing had a trend toward association with PFS (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.26 to 1.10; p=0.09) and was associated with OS (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.99; p=0.05). Patients with BMI<25 tended to have better outcomes with fixed-dose compared with weight-based ICI, while patients with BMI≥25 tended to have better outcomes with weight-based ICI, although these differences did not achieve statistical significance. There was no association between radiographic response and BMI with fixed-dose ICI (p=0.97), but a near-significant trend with weight-based ICI (p=0.1). In subset analyses, the association between BMI, ICI dosing strategy, and clinical outcomes appeared limited to men.ConclusionsThe clinical benefit of ICI in high-BMI populations appears limited to individuals receiving weight-based ICI dosing. Further research into optimal ICI dosing strategies may be warranted.