bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergence of the less common cannabinoid Δ8‐Tetrahydrocannabinol in a doping sample
Authors: Rzeppa Sebastian , Große Joachim , Rautenberg Claudia , Thieme Detlef , Lepp Triin , Vallimäe Henn , Keiler Annekathrin M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractΔ8‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8‐THC) as isomer of the well‐known Δ9‐THC has a similar mode of action, and the potency was estimated to be two thirds compared with Δ9‐THC. Content of Δ8‐THC in plant material is low, but formulations containing Δ8‐THC in high concentrations are gaining popularity. Δ8‐THC is to be regarded as prohibited substance according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA). Contradictory results between initial testing procedure and confirmatory quantitation for 11‐Nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC‐COOH) of a doping control sample gave rise for follow‐up testing procedures. After alkaline hydrolysis and liquid–liquid extraction, the sample was analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) using isocratic elution instead of gradient elution, which is used for standard procedure. Isocratic elution resulted in two peaks instead of one using gradient elution. Both peaks showed same fragmentation. Using certified reference materials, one peak could be assigned to Δ9‐THC‐COOH and the other one with higher intensity to the less common 11‐Nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ8‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8‐THC‐COOH) in a concentration of approximately 1200 ng/ml. As complementary method, gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) can also be used for identification. Here Δ8‐ and Δ9‐THC‐COOH can be distinguished by chromatography and by fragmentation. Additional investigations of doping control samples containing Δ9‐THC‐COOH revealed the simultaneous presence of Δ8‐THC‐COOH in low concentrations (0.22–8.91 ng/ml) presumably due to plant origin. Percentage of Δ8‐THC‐COOH varies from 0.05 to 2.83%. In vitro experiments using human liver microsomes showed that Δ8‐THC is metabolized in the same way as Δ9‐THC.
Creating a Research Ethics Consultation Service: Issues to Consider
Authors: Taylor Holly A. , Porter Kathryn M. , Paquette Erin Talati , McCormick Jennifer B. , Tumilty Emma , Arnold Jason F. , Spector‐Bagdady Kayte , Danis Marion , Brandt Debra , Shah Jina , Wilfond Benjamin S. , Lee Lisa M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article provides pragmatic advice for organizations interested in creating a research ethics consultation service (RECS). A robust RECS has the potential to build capacity among investigators to identify and consider the ethical issues they encounter while conducting their research. Determining whether to establish an RECS should begin with an institutional‐needs assessment that includes three key questions: What are the current resources available to research teams to navigate ethical concerns that arise from their research? Is there a demand or perceived need for more resources? Is there institutional support (financial and otherwise) to establish and maintain an RECS? If this results in the decision to establish the consultation service, relevant institutional stakeholders must be identified and consulted, and personnel with the requisite skills recruited. The next step is to establish an RECS and build the infrastructure to process and respond to requests. The RECS's long‐term sustainability will depend on a stable source of funding and a mechanism to receive constructive feedback to ensure that the service is meeting the institutional needs it set out to address.
A Call for Better, Not Faster, Research Ethics Committee Reviews in the Covid‐19 Era
Authors: Tamariz Leonardo , Hendler Fred J. , Wells John M. , Anderson Annette , Bartlett Stephen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWith the rapid spread of SARS‐CoV2 has come a rapid proliferation of clinical research studies, resulting in considerable strain on research ethics committees (RECS), which need to review study proposals. RECs are pressured to move through the review process quickly so that studies can get underway to address the pandemic. These committees are also asked to increase efficiency without relaxing the standards for ethical review. RECs are accustomed to external pressure for approval from investigators; however, in the Covid‐19 era, this pressure is coming from not only the sponsors and investigators but also many other stakeholders, including world leaders, the community, the media, and professional organizations. Drawing on the authors' experiences on a central REC reviewing complex multicenter Covid‐19 studies, this commentary describes challenges that are inherent to Covid‐19 research studies, such as the difficulty of obtaining informed consent from patients ill with the highly infectious virus. The commentary recommends several steps that RECs can take to ensure ethical review of research studies during the Covid‐19 pandemic and future infectious disease outbreaks.
The dark side of pseudoscorpion diversity: The German Barcode of Life campaign reveals high levels of undocumented diversity in European false scorpions
Authors: Muster Christoph , Spelda Jörg , Rulik Björn , Thormann Jana , von der Mark Laura , Astrin Jonas J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDNA barcoding is particularly useful for identification and species delimitation in taxa with conserved morphology. Pseudoscorpions are arachnids with high prevalence of morphological crypsis. Here, we present the first comprehensive DNA barcode library for Central European Pseudoscorpiones, covering 70% of the German pseudoscorpion fauna (35 out of 50 species). For 21 species, we provide the first publicly available COI barcodes, including the rare Anthrenochernes stellae Lohmander, a species protected by the FFH Habitats Directive. The pattern of intraspecific COI variation and interspecific COI variation (i.e., presence of a barcode gap) generally allows application of the DNA barcoding approach, but revision of current taxonomic designations is indicated in several taxa. Sequences of 36 morphospecies were assigned to 74 BINs (barcode index numbers). This unusually high number of intraspecific BINs can be explained by the presence of overlooked cryptic species and by the accelerated substitution rate in the mitochondrial genome of pseudoscorpions, as known from previous studies. Therefore, BINs may not be an appropriate proxy for species numbers in pseudoscorpions, while partitions built with the ASAP algorithm (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning) correspond well with putative species. ASAP delineated 51 taxonomic units from our data, an increase of 42% compared with the present taxonomy. The Neobisium carcionoides complex, currently considered a polymorphic species, represents an outstanding example of cryptic diversity: 154 sequences from our dataset were allocated to 23 BINs and 12 ASAP units.
Quadrat‐based monitoring of desert grassland vegetation at the Jornada Experimental Range, New Mexico, 1915–2016
Authors: Christensen Erica , James Darren , Maxwell Connie J. , Slaughter Amalia , Adler Peter B. , Havstad Kris , Bestelmeyer Brandon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe data set covers a 101‐yr period (1915–2016) of quadrat‐based plant sampling at the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. At each sampling event, a pantograph was used to record the location and perimeter of living plants within permanent quadrats. Basal area was recorded for perennial grass species, canopy cover area was recorded for shrub species, and all other perennial species were recorded as point data. The data set includes 122 1 × 1 m permanent quadrats, although not all quadrats were sampled in each year of the study and there is a gap in monitoring from 1980 to 1995. These data provide a unique opportunity to investigate changes in the plant community over 100 yr of variation in precipitation and other environmental conditions. We provide the following data and data formats: (1) the digitized maps in shapefile format; (2) a data table containing coordinates (x, y) of perennial species within quadrats, including cover area for grasses and shrubs; (3) a data table of counts of annual plant individuals per quadrat; (4) a species list indicating growth form and habit of recorded species; (5) a table of dates when each quadrat was sampled; (6) a table of the pasture each quadrat was located within (note that pasture boundaries have changed over time); (7) a table of depth to petrocalcic layer measurements taken at quadrat locations; (8) a table of particle size analysis of soil samples taken at quadrat locations; (9) a table of topographic characteristics of quadrat locations (e.g., concave or convex topography). Pantograph sampling is currently conducted at 5‐yr intervals by USDA‐ARS staff, and new data will be added periodically to the EDI Data Portal Repository (see section V.E.2). This information is released under the Creative Commons license—Attribution—CC BY and the consumer of these data is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use.
Characteristics and outcome of ambulatory heart failure patients receiving a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Baudry Guillaume , Nesseler Nicolas , Flecher Erwan , Vincentelli André , Goeminne Céline , Delmas Clément , Porterie Jean , Nubret Karine , Pernot Mathieu , Kindo Michel , Hoang Minh Tam , Rouvière Philippe , Gaudard Philippe , Michel Magali , Senage Thomas , Boignard Aude , Chavanon Olivier , Para Marylou , Verdonk Constance , Pelcé Edeline , Gariboldi Vlad , Anselme Frederic , Litzler Pierre‐Yves , Blanchart Katrien , Babatasi Gerard , Bielefeld Marie , Bouchot Olivier , Hamon David , Lellouche Nicolas , Bailleul Xavier , Genet Thibaud , Eschalier Romain , d'Ostrevy Nicolas , Bories Marie‐Cécile , Akar Ramzi Abi , Blangy Hugues , Vanhuyse Fabrice , Obadia Jean François , Galand Vincent , Pozzi Matteo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsDespite regularly updated guidelines, there is still a delay in referral of advanced heart failure patients to mechanical circulatory support and transplant centres. We aimed to analyse characteristics and outcome of non‐inotrope‐dependent patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).Methods and resultsThe ASSIST‐ICD registry collected LVAD data in 19 centres in France between February 2006 and December 2016. We used data of patients in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Classes 4–7. The primary endpoint was survival analysis. Predictors of mortality were searched with multivariable analyses. A total of 303 patients (mean age 61.0 ± 9.9 years, male sex 86.8%) were included in the present analysis. Ischaemic cardiomyopathy was the leading heart failure aetiology (64%), and bridge to transplantation was the main implantation strategy (56.1%). The overall likelihood of being alive while on LVAD support or having a transplant at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was 66%, 61.7%, 58.7%, and 55.1%, respectively. Age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.05; P = 0.02], a concomitant procedure (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.52–3.53; P < 0.0001), and temporary mechanical right ventricular support during LVAD implantation (HR 2.94, 95% CI 1.49–5.77; P = 0.002) were the only independent variables associated with mortality. Heart failure medications before or after LVAD implantation were not associated with survival.ConclusionAmbulatory heart failure patients displayed unsatisfactory survival rates after LVAD implantation. A better selection of patients who can benefit from LVAD may help improving outcomes.
Emerging Building Blocks for Medicinal Chemistry: Recent Synthetic Advances
Authors: Grygorenko Oleksandr O. , Volochnyuk Dmitriy M. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCurrent medicinal chemistry relies heavily on the quality of building blocks, i. e. reagents used to introduce chemical diversity into the target molecules. The last decade witnessed an emergence of many novel (or well‐overlooked old) chemotypes for drug discovery, which is related to adapting new synthetic methodologies, designing new sp3‐enriched bioisosteres, paying attention to previously underrated (or even unwanted) structural motifs, or combination thereof. In this review with 532 references, a survey of selected chemotypes that emerged recently in medicinal chemistry is provided, with a focus on the synthesis of the corresponding building blocks. Thus, saturated (hetero)aliphatic boronates, sulfonyl fluorides, sulfinates, non‐classical sp3‐enriched benzene isosteres, bicyclic morpholine/piperidine/piperazine analogs, as well as gem‐difluorinated cycloalkanes (as an example of emerging fluorinated motifs) are discussed.
Research methodologies to address clinical unmet needs and challenges in alcohol‐associated liver disease
Authors: Singal Ashwani K. , Kwo Paul , Kwong Allison , Liangpunsakul Suthat , Louvet Alexandre , Mandrekar Pranoti , McClain Craig , Mellinger Jessica , Szabo Gyongyi , Terrault Norah , Thursz Mark , Winder Gerald S. , Kim W. Ray , Shah Vijay H. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) is emerging worldwide as the leading cause of liver‐related morbidity, mortality, and indication for liver transplantation. The ALD Special Interest Group and the Clinical Research Committee at the digital American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting in November 2020 held the scientific sessions to identify clinical unmet needs in ALD, and addressing these needs using clinical research methodologies. Of several research methodologies, the sessions were focused on (a) studying disease burden of ALD using large administrative databases, (b) developing biomarkers for noninvasive diagnosis of alcohol‐associated hepatitis (AH) and estimation of disease prognosis, (c) identifying therapeutic targets for ALD and AH, (d) deriving accurate models to predict prognosis or posttransplant alcohol relapse as a basis for developing treatment algorithm and a uniform protocol on patient‐selection criteria for liver transplantation, and (e) examining qualitative research methodologies in studying the barriers to implementation of multidisciplinary integrated care model by hepatology and addiction teams for the management of dual pathology of liver disease and of alcohol use disorder. Prospective multicenter studies are required to address many of these clinical unmet needs. Further, multidisciplinary care models are needed to improve long‐term outcomes in patients with ALD.
Magnetic resonance elastography plus Fibrosis‐4 versus FibroScan–aspartate aminotransferase in detection of candidates for pharmacological treatment of NASH‐related fibrosis
Authors: Tamaki Nobuharu , Imajo Kento , Sharpton Suzanne , Jung Jinho , Kawamura Nobuyoshi , Yoneda Masato , Valasek Mark A. , Behling Cynthia , Sirlin Claude B. , Nakajima Atsushi , Loomba Rohit 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Patients with NAFLD with significant hepatic fibrosis (Stage ≥ 2) are at increased risk of liver‐related morbidity and are candidates for pharmacologic therapies. In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of MEFIB (the combination of magnetic resonance elastography [MRE] and Fibrosis‐4 [FIB‐4]) and FAST (FibroScan–aspartate aminotransferase; combined liver stiffness measurement by vibration‐controlled transient elastography, controlled attenuation parameter, and aspartate aminotransferase) for detecting significant fibrosis.

Approach and Results
This prospective cohort study included 234 consecutive patients with NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy, MRE, and FibroScan at the University of California San Diego (UCSD cohort) and an independent cohort (N = 314) from Yokohama City University, Japan. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy for significant fibrosis (Stage ≥ 2). The proportions of significant fibrosis in the UCSD and Yokohama cohorts were 29.5% and 66.2%, respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI) of MEFIB (0.860 [0.81–0.91]) was significantly higher than that of FAST (0.757 [0.69–0.82]) in the UCSD cohort (p = 0.005), with consistent results in the Yokohama cohort (AUROC, 0.899 [MEFIB] versus 0.724 [FAST]; p < 0.001). When used as the rule‐in criteria (MEFIB, MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa and FIB‐4 ≥ 1.6; FAST ≥ 0.67), the positive predictive value for significant fibrosis was 91.2%–96.0% for MEFIB and 74.2%–89.2% for FAST. When used as the rule‐out criteria (MEFIB, MRE < 3.3 kPa and FIB‐4 < 1.6; FAST ≤ 0.35), the negative predictive value for significant fibrosis was 85.6%–92.8% for MEFIB and 57.8%–88.3% for FAST.

Conclusions
MEFIB has higher diagnostic accuracy than FAST for significant fibrosis in NAFLD, and our results support the utility of a two‐step strategy for detecting significant fibrosis in NAFLD.
Feasibility of an online, mental health‐informed lifestyle program for people aged 60+ years during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: McKeon Grace , Tiedemann Anne , Sherrington Catherine , Teasdale Scott , Mastrogiovanni Chiara , Wells Ruth , Steel Zachary , Rosenbaum Simon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIssue addressedThe COVID‐19 pandemic and associated social distancing regulations have disproportionally impacted the health of older adults. Lifestyle interventions targeting physical activity, diet and fostering social connection may help to alleviate the potential negative health consequences. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of delivering an online group lifestyle intervention for older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsAdults aged 60+, living in Australia were recruited to a single‐arm feasibility study of a 6‐week program delivered via a private Facebook group between June‐August 2020. Facilitators provided motivation and education on weekly topics including goal setting and reducing sedentary behaviour in the form of Facebook posts and group video calls. Primary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability and secondary outcomes included psychological distress, quality of life (AQoL‐6D), functioning, loneliness and physical activity (PA) with assessments conducted at baseline, post‐intervention and 4‐week follow‐up.ResultsN = 11 participants were recruited and n = 10 (91%) completed the post‐assessment questionnaires. High acceptability was observed and exploratory analysis from pre‐post intervention found evidence of an effect on secondary outcomes.ConclusionsA mental health informed lifestyle program delivered online via Facebook appears feasible and well‐accepted among older adults and may help to prevent some of the consequences of inactivity and social isolation associated with the pandemic.So what?Online lifestyle interventions appear safe and may provide a scalable, cost‐effective strategy for protecting the physical and mental health of older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Changes in efficiency of tertiary public general hospitals during the reform of public hospitals in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhu Junli , Song Xinrui 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn March 2009, the Chinese government formally launched a new round of healthcare reform. As the city with the highest concentration of high‐quality medical resources in China, in the past 10 years, Beijing has also been exploring medical reforms. This article studied the performance and development of the 10 tertiary general public hospitals managed by Beijing Municipal Hospital Management Centre to provide policy basis for further deepening Beijing public hospital reform and improving hospital efficiency.MethodsThe 2011, 2015 and 2018 ‘Beijing Health Work Statistics’ were used to evaluate the performance of Beijing's tertiary public general hospitals, based on the Pabon Lasso model and the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model.ResultsBased on the Pabon Lasso model, 60%, 70% and 70% of the hospitals were entirely efficient (zone 3) in 2011, 2015 and 2018. It shows that among the 10 general public hospitals in Beijing, efficient hospitals accounted for the majority and further increased during the reform period. The DEA model further illustrates this point and shows more effective hospitals (80%) than the Pabon Lasso model, showing the efficiency of these hospitals to be improved during the reform period.ConclusionsThe efficiency of the 10 hospitals has gradually improved during the reform period, and the difficulty of seeing a doctor in Beijing at a national medical centre has been relieved to a certain extent. Combining the Pabon Lasso model and the DEA model can analyse hospital efficiency more comprehensively, and can prompt initial information for improving hospital efficiency, but the results also reflect some problems.
Osteoblast‐derived extracellular matrix coated PLLA/silk fibroin composite nanofibers promote osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wu Yunliang , Zhou Lei , Li Yuexia , Lou Xiangxin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPoly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) is one of the most commonly used synthetic materials for regenerative medicine, and silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein with excellent biocompatibility. Combination of PLLA and SF in a proper proportion by electrospinning may generate composite nanofibers that could meet the requirements of scaffolding in bone tissue engineering. The application of PLLA/SF nanofibrous scaffold for osteogenesis is well established in vitro and in vivo. However, PLLA/SF nanofibrous scaffold does not have an ideal ability to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in modulating cellular behavior. However, the role of combination of natural ECM with nanofibrous scaffold in regulating osteogenic differentiation is unclear. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel composite PLLA/SF nanofibrous scaffold coated with osteoblast‐derived extracellular matrix (O‐ECM/PLLA/SF) and analyze the effects of the modified scaffold on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The surface structural features and compositions of the O‐ECM/PLLA/SF scaffold were characterized by SEM and immunofluorescence staining. The capacities of the O‐ECM/PLLA/SF scaffold to induce osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were investigated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red staining (ARS). The results showed BMSCs cultured on O‐ECM/PLLA/SF scaffold significantly increased osteogenic differentiation compared with cells cultured individually on a scaffold or O‐ECM. Collectively, these findings indicate that O‐ECM‐coated nanofibrous scaffold can be a promising strategy for osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, opening a new possibility of utilizing composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
A necessary condition for generic rigidity of bar‐and‐joint frameworks in d‐space
Authors: Guler Hakan , Jackson Bill 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA graph is ‐sparse if each subset with induces at most edges in . Maxwell showed in 1864 that a necessary condition for a generic bar‐and‐joint framework with at least vertices to be rigid in is that should have a ‐sparse subgraph with edges. This necessary condition is also sufficient when but not when . Cheng and Sitharam strengthened Maxwell's condition by showing thateverymaximal ‐sparse subgraph of should have edges when . We extend their result to all .