bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of mid-gestational l-citrulline supplementation to twin-bearing ewes on umbilical blood flow, placental development, and lamb production traits
Authors: Kott Michelle L , Pancini Stefania , Speckhart Savannah L , Kimble Lauren N , White Robin R , Stewart Jamie L , Johnson Sally E , Ealy Alan D 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The objective of the study was to examine how l-citrulline supplementation to ewes during mid-gestation influences placental activity, placental blood flow, lamb body weight, and carcass characteristics. Two studies were completed. A pharmacokinetic study to compare circulating plasma amino acid concentrations after a single intravenous injection of 155 µmol/kg BW l-citrulline or after an isonitrogenous amount of l-alanine (control; 465 µmol/kg BW). Increases (P &lt; 0.05) in circulating citrulline concentrations were detected for 8 h after l-citrulline injection versus the control. Similarly, increases (P &lt; 0.05) in circulating arginine concentrations were detected for 24 h after l-citrulline treatment. The second study used 12 ewes with twin pregnancies. Daily intravenous injections of either l-citrulline or l-alanine were administered for 39 d from d 42–45 to 81–84 of gestation. Ewes were limit-fed at 85% daily energy requirements during the injection period. A decrease (P &lt; 0.0001) in body weight was observed in both treatment groups during this period. No treatment differences were observed in circulating pregnancy-specific protein B concentrations or placental blood flow during the treatment and post-treatment gestational period. No treatment differences were observed in lamb survival nor in lamb birth, weaning and slaughter weights. Treatment did not influence lamb carcass composition or organ weights. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.10) for an increase in antral follicle numbers in ovaries from ewe lambs derived from ewes treated with l-citrulline. In summary, a daily l-citrulline injection increased both circulating citrulline and arginine concentrations in ewes, but daily l-citrulline injections during mid-gestation did not produce any detectable changes in placental activity and blood flow, neonatal and postnatal lamb development, and lamb carcass composition at slaughter. In conclusion, no benefits in placental function and lamb development were observed after providing l-citrulline during mid-gestation in ewes exposed to a mild energy restriction, but there was an indication that follicle numbers in ewe lambs were positively influenced by l-citrulline treatment during fetal development.
The Relationship Between the Grading of Reflective Journals and Student Honesty in Reflective Journal Writing
Authors: Genua Jo Anne 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

AIM
The aim of this study was to examine the existence of a relationship between the grading of reflective journals and student honesty in reflective journal writing.

BACKGROUND
Journal writing is often used to gauge skills and knowledge. However, disagreement exists as to whether journals should be graded as students may embellish experiences or write what the instructor wants to read. If students are not engaged in honest reflection, the benefit of reflective practice is reduced.

METHOD
Data were collected using an anonymous online survey. The nonprobability sampling technique was used to examine the existence of a relationship between the grading of reflective journals and student honesty in reflective journal writing.

RESULTS
Findings indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between grading of reflective journals and student honesty.

CONCLUSION
Instead of grading the written component, the process of reflective practice should be assessed, possibly changing to a grade of complete/incomplete.
Assessing Student Performance in a Dedicated Education Unit: Validity of the Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument
Authors: Manz Julie A. , Iverson Lindsay M. , Hawkins Kimberly , Tracy Mary E. , Hercinger Maribeth , Todd Martha 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In dedicated education units (DEUs), nurses serving as clinical teaching partners (CTPs) provide formative feedback about student performance. The Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument (C-CEI) has demonstrated validity and reliability by faculty in both the simulated and clinical environments. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the content validity of the C-CEI in the direct patient care environment when used by staff nurses functioning as CTPs in the DEU setting. Results indicate that the items of the C-CEI demonstrated necessity, fittingness, and understanding. CTPs reported the C-CEI is a valid instrument for use in the DEU setting.
Effects of gestational exposures to chemical mixtures on birth weight using Bayesian factor analysis in the Health Outcome and Measures of Environment (HOME) Study
Authors: Zhuang Liheng H. , Chen Aimin , Braun Joseph M. , Lanphear Bruce P. , Hu Janice M. Y. , Yolton Kimberly , McCandless Lawrence C. 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Studying the effects of gestational exposures to chemical mixtures on infant birth weight is inconclusive due to several challenges. One of the challenges is which statistical methods to rely on. Bayesian factor analysis (BFA), which has not been utilized for chemical mixtures, has advantages in variance reduction and model interpretation.

Methods:
We analyzed data from a cohort of 384 pregnant women and their newborns using urinary biomarkers of phthalates, phenols, and organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and serum biomarkers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). We examined the association between exposure to chemical mixtures and birth weight using BFA and compared with multiple linear regression (MLR) and Bayesian kernel regression models (BKMR).

Results:
For BFA, a 10-fold increase in the concentrations of PCB and PFAS mixtures was associated with an 81 g (95% confidence intervals [CI] = −132 to −31 g) and 57 g (95% CI = −105 to −10 g) reduction in birth weight, respectively. BKMR results confirmed the direction of effect. However, the 95% credible intervals all contained the null. For single-pollutant MLR, a 10-fold increases in the concentrations of multiple chemicals were associated with reduced birth weight, yet the 95% CI all contained the null. Variance inflation from MLR was apparent for models that adjusted for copollutants, resulting in less precise confidence intervals.

Conclusion:
We demonstrated the merits of BFA on mixture analysis in terms of precision and interpretation compared with MLR and BKMR. We also identified the association between exposure to PCBs and PFAS and lower birth weight.
Diffusion of strontium implanted in glassy carbon
Authors: Malherbe Johan B. , Odutemowo Opeyemi S. , Theron Chris C. , Wendler Elke 
Published: June 2021

Glassy carbon has properties making it attractive as a containment material for radioactive waste. In this study, the diffusivity of the radiological important fission product, strontium, is measured. Two hundred kiloelectronvolt strontium ions were implanted at room temperature. The implanted samples were either annealed isochronally for 1 h up to 900°C or by increasing the temperature linearly up to 648°C. The Sr profiles were determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The isochronally annealed samples showed Fickian diffusion at 300°C (
D
= 6.7 × 10
−19
m
2
s
−1
) with segregation occurring at the higher temperatures. Raman spectroscopy indicated a link between damage annealing and the onset of segregation. During increasing temperature, the system is dynamic with diffusion taking place. An equation to determine diffusion coefficients for ramped heating was derived. Fickian diffusion occurred with an activation energy of 1.97 eV for 414–454°C, and from 458 to 558°C, it was 0.184 eV. At higher temperatures, a segregation of the strontium towards the surface was observed. A calculation of the heat of segregation of Sr in carbon supports this segregation. The results show that the
in situ
RBS measurements with a linear increase in temperature give additional information compared with the conventional isochronal annealing.
Mapping brain structural differences and neuroreceptor correlates in Parkinson’s disease visual hallucinations: a mega-analysis
Authors: Vignando Miriam , ffytche Dominic , Lewis Simon , Lee Phil Hyu , Chung Seok Jong , Weil Rimona S. , Hu Michele T. , Mackay Clare E. , Griffanti Ludovica , Pins Delphine , Dujardin Kathy , Jardri Renaud , Taylor John-Paul , Firbank Michael , McAlonan Grainne , Mak Henry Ka-Fung , Ho Shu Leong , Mehta Mitul A 
Published: June 2021

SummaryParkinson’s psychosis (PDP) describes a spectrum of symptoms that may arise in Parkinson’s disease (PD) including visual hallucinations (VH). Imaging studies investigating the neural correlates of PDP have been inconsistent in their findings, due to differences in study design and limitations of scale. Here we use empirical Bayes harmonisation to pool together structural imaging data from multiple research groups into a large-scale mega-analysis, allowing us to apply new methodological approaches to identify cortical regions and networks involved in VH and their relation to receptor binding. Differences of cortical thickness and surface area show a wider cortical involvement underlying VH than previously recognised, including primary visual cortex and its surrounds, and the hippocampus, independent of its role in cognitive decline. Structural covariance analyses point to a strong involvement of the attentional control networks in PD-VH, while associations with receptor density maps suggest neurotransmitter loss may drive the cortical changes.
Incidence and outcome of cancer in 16- to 17-year-old adolescents in a tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Ventelä Julia , Nikkilä Atte , Jukkola Arja , Lohi Olli 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAdolescents have a unique cancer profile that includes typical childhood cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and adult-type cancers like melanoma and thyroid cancer. In Finland, adolescents above 16 years have been largely treated in adult oncology centers in contrast to many Western countries in which the minimum admittance age is 18 years. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics, therapy and outcome of cancer in adolescents aged 16 to 17 years.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis retrospective cohort study included adolescents aged 16 to under 18 years at the time of cancer diagnosis between 2000 and 2019 in Tampere University Hospital, a regional tertiary referral center. Clinical data were retrieved from hospital medical records and included diagnosis, clinical and laboratory parameters, therapy and outcome. In addition to standard descriptive statistical analyses, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression modelling were applied to study the outcome and associated factors.RESULTSA total of 93 patients were diagnosed with a malignant tumor at the age of 16 or 17 years. Males were more often diagnosed with a cancer (62%), while non-CNS (non-central nervous system) solid cancers were the most common entities (76%) and Hodgkin lymphoma was the most common cancer diagnosis (31%). Seventy patients completed their therapy in the referral center and were followed up for a median of 5.4 years. The majority of patients were treated in the adult department (69%). Complete remission was achieved for 89% of patients, while 21% experienced tumor recurrence. The 5-year event-free survival was 65% (95% CI, 54% to 79%) and overall survival 82% (95% CI, 73% to 93%).CONCLUSIONSThe majority of cancers in adolescents of 16 to 17 years of age are solid cancers. Patient outcome in our cohort was favorable and is in line with previously published data.
Breast and prostate cancer risk: the interplay of polygenic risk, high-impact monogenic variants, and family history
Authors: Hassanin Emadeldin , May Patrick , Aldisi Rana , Spier Isabel , Forstner Andreas J. , Nöthen Markus M. , Aretz Stefan , Krawitz Peter , Bobbili Dheeraj Reddy , Maj Carlo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeInvestigate to which extent polygenic risk scores (PRS), high-impact monogenic variants, and family history affect breast and prostate cancer risk by assessing cancer prevalence and cancer cumulative lifetime incidence.Methods200,643 individuals from the UK Biobank were stratified as follows: 1. carriers or non-carriers of high impact constitutive, monogenic variants in cancer susceptibility genes, 2. high or non-high PRS (90th percentile threshold), 3. with or without a family history of cancer.Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the odds ratio (OR) across the different groups while Cox proportional hazards models were used to compute the cumulative incidence through life.ResultsBreast and prostate cancer cumulative incidence by age 70 is 7% and 5% for non-carriers with non-high PRS and reaches 37% and 32% among carriers of high-impact variants in cancer susceptibility genes with high PRS.The additional presence of family history is associated with a further increase of the risk of developing cancer reaching an OR of 14 and 21 for breast and prostate cancer, respectively.ConclusionHigh PRS confers a cancer risk comparable to high-impact monogenic variants. Family history, monogenic variants, and PRS contribute additively to breast and prostate cancer risk.
Assessing the role of polygenic background on the penetrance of monogenic forms in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Hassanin Emadeldin , May Patrick , Aldisi Rana , Krawitz Peter , Maj Carlo , Bobbili Dheeraj Reddy 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundSeveral rare and common variants are associated with Parkinson’s disease. However, there is still an incomplete penetrance in the carriers of rare variants associated with Parkinson’s disease. To address this issue, we investigated whether a PRS calculated from significant GWAS SNPs affects the penetrance of Parkinson’s disease among carriers of rare monogenic variants in known Parkinson’s disease genes and those with a family history.MethodsWe calculated the PRS based on common variants and selected the carriers of rare monogenic variants by using the exome data from UK Biobank. Individuals were divided into three risk categories based on PRS: low (<10%), intermediate (10%-90%), and high (>90%) risk groups. We then compared how PRS affects Parkinson’s disease risk among carriers of rare monogenic variants and those with family-history.ResultsWe observed a two-fold higher odds ratio for a carrier of a monogenic variant that had a high PRS (OR 4.07,95% CI, 1.72-8.08) compared to carriers with a low PRS (OR 1.91, 95% CI, 0.31-6.05). In the same line, carriers with a first-degree family history and with >90% PRS have even a higher risk of developing PD (OR 23.53, 95%CI 5.39-71.54) compared to those with <90% PRS (OR 9.54, 95% CI 3.32-21.65).ConclusionsOur results show that PRS, carrier status, and family history contribute independently and additively to the Parkinson’s disease risk.
Functional dependence of COVID-19 growth rate on lockdown conditions and rate of vaccination
Authors: Mairanowski F. , Below D. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIt is shown that derived from the solution of differential equations analytical model adequately describes development epidemics with changes in both lockdown conditions and the effective rate of mass vaccination of the population. As in previous studies, the control calculations are in good agreement with observations at all stages of epidemic growth. One of the two model coefficients is uniquely related to the lockdown efficiency parameter. We obtained an approximate correlation between this parameter and the main conditions of lockdown, in particular, physical distancing, reduction in social contacts and strictness of the mask regime.The calculation of the incident over a seven-day period using the proposed model is in good agreement with the observational data. Analysis of both curves shows that a better agreement can be obtained by taking into account the lag time of the epidemic response of about 10 days.From the reverse calculation a time-varying curve of the infection rate associated with the “new” virus strain under mutation conditions is obtained, which is qualitatively confirmed by the sequencing data.Based on these studies, it is possible to conclude that the ASILV analytical model developed here can be used to reliably and promptly predict epidemic development under conditions of lockdown and mass vaccination without the use of numerical methods.The functional relationships identified allow us to conduct a rapid analysis of the impact of each of the model parameters on the overall process of the epidemic.In contrast to previous studies, the calculations of the proposed model were performed using EXCEL, rather than a standard calculator. This is due to the need to account for multiple changes in lockdown conditions and vaccination rates.
Testing for SARS-CoV-2 among cruise ship travelers repatriated to the United States, February–March 2020
Authors: Waltenburg Michelle A. , Pomeroy Mary A. , Hughes Laura , Gold Jeremy A.W. , Mayer Oren , Vang Arnold , Hallowell Benjamin D. , Foster Loretta , Xu Kerui , Espinoza Rita , Hsieh Kristina , Pieracci Emily G. , Wuyke Gabriella , Da Silva Juliana , McClung R. Paul , Steinberg Jonathan , Westercamp Matthew , Vallabhaneni Snigdha , Li Jessica , Valderrama Amy L. , Grimes George R. , Harvey R. Reid , Nett Randall J. , Stokes Kindra , Lindstrom Stephen , Miller Allison D. , Griggs Eric P. , Milucky Jennifer L. , Bjork Adam , Albrecht Valerie , Kuhnert Wendi L. , Gould Carolyn V. , Knight Nancy W. , Nelson Noele P. , Honein Margaret A. , Behravesh Casey Barton ,   CDC COVID-19 Investigation Team, Dubray Christine L. , Marx Grace E. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn early 2020, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 occurred among passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess cruise ship. During February 16–17, some US citizens, residents, and their partners voluntarily repatriated to the US from Japan.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, longitudinal evaluation of repatriated travelers where the outcome of interest was a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. Travelers who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were isolated in hospitals or at home under county isolation orders and underwent serial testing by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approximately every other day, as contemporaneous US guidance required two consecutive negative tests collected ≥24 hours apart and symptom improvement before release from isolation.ResultsAmong quarantined repatriated travelers, 14% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One-fifth of infected travelers initially tested negative but were identified on subsequent testing. All infected travelers remained asymptomatic or developed mild symptoms during isolation. Many travelers remained in prolonged isolation because of persistent viral detection based on contemporaneous policies.ConclusionOur findings support testing within 3-5 days after possible SARS-CoV-2 exposure to comprehensively identify infections and mitigate transmission and lend support to symptom- and time-based isolation recommendations, rather than test-based criteria.
Single-dose mRNA vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, including P.1 and B.1.1.7 variants: a test-negative design in adults 70 years and older in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Skowronski Danuta M , Setayeshgar Solmaz , Zou Macy , Prystajecky Natalie , Tyson John R , Galanis Eleni , Naus Monika , Patrick David M , Sbihi Hind , Adam Shiraz El , Henry Bonnie , Hoang Linda M N , Sadarangani Manish , Jassem Agatha N , Krajden Mel 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionRandomized-controlled trials of mRNA vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 included relatively few elderly participants. We assess singe-dose mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) in adults ≥70-years-old in British Columbia (BC), Canada where the second dose was deferred by up to 16 weeks and where a spring 2021 wave uniquely included co-dominant circulation of B.1.1.7 and P.1 variants of concern (VOC).MethodsAnalyses included community-dwelling adults ≥70-years-old with specimen collection between April 4 (epidemiological week 14) and May 1 (week 17). Adjusted VE was estimated by test-negative design through provincial laboratory and immunization data linkage. Cases were RT-PCR test-positive for SARS-CoV-2 and controls were test-negative. Vaccine status was defined by receipt of a single-dose ≥21 days before specimen collection, but a range of intervals was assessed. In variant-specific analyses, test-positive cases were restricted to those genetically-characterized as B.1.1.7, P.1 or non-VOC.ResultsVE analyses included 16,993 specimens: 1,226 (7.2%) test-positive cases and 15,767 test-negative controls. Of 1,131 (92%) viruses genetically categorized, 509 (45%), 314 (28%) and 276 (24%) were B.1.1.7, P.1 and non-VOC lineages, respectively. VE was negligible at 14% (95% CI 0-26) during the period 0-13 days post-vaccination but increased from 43% (95% CI 30-53) at 14-20 days to 75% (95% CI 63-83) at 35-41 days post-vaccination. VE at ≥21 days was 65% (95% CI 58-71) overall: 72% (95% CI 58-81), 67% (95% CI 57-75) and 61% (95% CI 45-72) for non-VOC, B.1.1.7 and P.1, respectively.ConclusionsA single dose of mRNA vaccine reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 in adults ≥70-years-old by about two-thirds, with protection only minimally reduced against B.1.1.7 and P.1 variants. Substantial single-dose protection in older adults reinforces the option to defer the second dose when vaccine supply is scarce and broader first-dose coverage is needed.
Poor antibody response to BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 naïve residents of nursing homes
Authors: Pannus Pieter , Neven Kristof Y , De Craeye Stéphane , Heyndrickx Leo , Kerckhove Sara Vande , Georges Daphnée , Michiels Johan , Francotte Antoine , Van Den Bulcke Marc , Zrein Maan , Van Gucht Steven , Schmickler Marie-Noëlle , Verbrugghe Mathieu , Matagne André , Thomas Isabelle , Dierick Katelijne , Weiner Joshua A. , Ackerman Margaret E. , Goriely Stanislas , Goossens Maria E , Ariën Kevin K. , Desombere Isabelle , Marchant Arnaud 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundResidents of nursing homes (NH) are at high risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and death and may respond poorly to vaccination because of old age and frequent comorbidities.MethodsForty residents and forty staff members either naïve or previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recruited in two NH in Belgium before immunization with two doses of 30µg BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine at day 0 and day 21. Binding antibodies (Ab) to SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), spike domains S1 and S2, RBD Ab avidity, and neutralizing Ab against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and B.1.351 variant were assessed at days 0, 21, 28, and 49.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 naïve residents had lower Ab responses to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination than naïve staff. These poor responses involved lower levels of IgG to all domains of the vaccine antigen, lower avidity of RBD IgG, and lower levels of Ab neutralizing the vaccine strain. No naïve resident had detectable neutralizing Ab to the B.1.351 variant. High and comparable Ab responses were observed in residents and staff previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Clustering analysis revealed that poor vaccine responders not only included naïve residents but also naïve staff, emphasizing the heterogeneity of responses to mRNA vaccination in the general population.ConclusionsThe poor Ab responses to mRNA vaccination observed in infection naïve residents and in some naïve staff members of NH suggest suboptimal protection against breakthrough infection, especially with variants of concern. Adapted vaccination regimens may be needed to provide optimal protection against COVID-19 to vulnerable populations.SummaryPoor antibody responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination were observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection naïve residents and some naïve staff members of nursing homes. This suggests suboptimal protection against breakthrough infection, especially with variants of concern, and the need for adapted vaccination regimens.