bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional neurological disorders presenting as emergencies to secondary care
Authors: Beharry James , Palmer David , Wu Teddy , Wilson Duncan , Le Heron Campbell , Mason Deborah , Reimers Jon , Fink John , Mulder Roger , Duncan Roderick 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundFunctional neurological disorders (FND) represent a significant proportion of presentations to outpatient adult neurology services. There is little information relating to patients presenting to acute inpatient care.MethodsWe identified patients presenting as acute admissions with FND to Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand, from 2016 to 2018. We analyzed relevant demographic and clinical data from electronic records and measured incidence of presentation to secondary care and healthcare utilization.ResultsOne hundred sixty‐two patients presented on 173 occasions with FND, representing 9% of all admissions to the neurology service during the 3‐year study period. The mean age was 40 (SD 17) years, 111 (69%) patients were female and the median length of stay was 3 (IQR 2–4) days. A total of 92 computed tomography brain scans, 77 magnetic resonance imaging brain scans and 42 electroencephalograms were carried out. On 22 (13%) occasions, patients were referred for outpatient psychological therapy. In the 3 years prior to each patient's last presentation in the study period, these 162 patients had a total of 671 presentations to the emergency department. Healthcare demand did not decrease after the index admission. The rate of acute inpatient admission for FND was 10 per 100,000 per year for the total Christchurch Hospital catchment, 6/100,000/year in rural areas, and 11/100,000/year in urban areas.ConclusionFND represented almost 1 in 10 acute neurology admissions with significant inpatient healthcare resource utilization.
Within host acoustic signal preference of frog‐biting mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae) on Iriomote Island, Japan
Authors: Legett Henry D. , Aihara Ikkyu , Bernal Ximena E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHaematophagous insects can rely on specialized host‐seeking behaviors to locate hosts. Some frog‐biting flies, for example, eavesdrop on the conspicuous acoustic signals produced by male frogs and toads. Using such auditory cues to locate a host imposes an additional challenge: how to recognize appropriate sounds when different frog species produce calls with varying acoustic properties. The limited knowledge of antennal hearing in dipteran insects hinders our ability to understand how eavesdropping flies detect and recognize frog calls. Behavioral studies suggest that frog‐biting flies use broad acoustic templates to detect and recognize their victims. Here, we use within‐species call variation to examine the acoustic preferences in frog‐biting flies. Specifically, we examine the attraction of frog‐biting mosquitoes (Uranotaenia spp.) and midges (Corethrella nippon) to the calls of a Japanese treefrog, the Ryukyu Kajika frog (Buergeria japonica), on Iriomote Island, Japan. Male Ryukyu Kajika frogs produce two call types. While both calls have a high frequency peak (3 kHz), the first call type (Type I) also contains a lower frequency peak (1.8 kHz) absent in the second call type (Type II). Using field phonotaxis experiments we found that Type I calls are more attractive to both frog‐biting mosquitoes and midges. Thus, our results suggest that the frog‐biting Nematoceran flies in this community are biased towards the acoustic properties of Type I calls. We discuss this finding in the context of the evolution of antennal hearing in flies.
First evidence of altered microbiota and intestinal damage and their link to absence epilepsy in a genetic animal model, the WAG/Rij rat
Authors: Citraro Rita , Lembo Francesca , De Caro Carmen , Tallarico Martina , Coretti Lorena , Iannone Luigi Francesco , Leo Antonio , Palumbo Domenico , Cuomo Mariella , Buommino Elisabetta , Nesci Valentina , Marascio Nadia , Iannone Michelangelo , Quirino Angela , Russo Roberto , Calignano Antonio , Constanti Andrew , Russo Emilio , De Sarro Giovambattista 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveA large number of studies have highlighted the important role of the gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, suggesting that its manipulation might serve as a treatment strategy. We hypothesized that the gut microbiota participates in absence seizure development and maintenance in the WAG/Rij rat model and tested this hypothesis by evaluating potential gut microbiota and intestinal alterations in the model, as well as measuring the impact of microbiota manipulation using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).MethodsInitially, gut microbiota composition and intestinal histology of WAG/Rij rats (a well‐recognized genetic model of absence epilepsy) were studied at 1, 4, and 8 months of age in comparison to nonepileptic Wistar rats. Subsequently, in a second set of experiments, at 6 months of age, untreated Wistar or WAG/Rij rats treated with ethosuximide (ETH) were used as gut microbiota donors for FMT in WAG/Rij rats, and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were obtained over 4 weeks. At the end of FMT, stool and gut samples were collected, absence seizures were measured on EEG recordings, and microbiota analysis and histopathological examinations were performed.ResultsGut microbiota analysis showed differences in beta diversity and specific phylotypes at all ages considered and significant variances in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio between Wistar and WAG/Rij rats. FMT, from both Wistar and ETH‐treated WAG/Rij donors to WAG/Rij rats, significantly decreased the number and duration of seizures. Histological results indicated that WAG/Rij rats were characterized by intestinal villi disruption and inflammatory infiltrates already at 1 month of age, before seizure occurrence; FMT partially restored intestinal morphology while also significantly modifying gut microbiota and concomitantly reducing absence seizures.SignificanceOur results demonstrate for the first time that the gut microbiota is modified and contributes to seizure occurrence in a genetic animal model of absence epilepsy and that its manipulation may be a suitable therapeutic target for absence seizure management.
Association of early‐life gut microbiome and lifestyle factors in the development of eczema in Hong Kong infants
Authors: Chan Carmen Wing Han , Leung Ting Fan , Choi Kai Chow , Tsui Stephen Kwok Wing , Wong Cho Lee , Chow Ka Ming , Chan Judy Yuet Wa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractChildhood eczema is common but its prevalence is variable in different regions of the world. In this study, we explore the associations of various risk factors such as the microbiome, environment, lifestyle, diet and maternal stress with the development of eczema among infants in Hong Kong. Upon enrolment in the study, the infants' parents provided demographic data by self‐reporting. At enrolment and 1 year after birth, the infants' allergic conditions, lifestyles and dietary factors and the degree of maternal stress were assessed using various questionnaires. The infants' gut microbiomes were analysed by 16S RNA sequencing, and the longitudinal changes in various bacterial strains were compared between control and eczema‐affected groups. Multivariate analyses (after adjustment for other significant factors) revealed that the changes in the abundance of Hungatella hathewayi in the gut were significantly associated with the development of eczema (p = 0.005). In conclusion, the increased abundance of Hungatella hathewayi was associated with an increased risk of developing eczema by 1 year of age. This study thus explored the potential risk factors for the development of eczema in Hong Kong infants, and sheds light on the possible association between early‐life gut microbiome and other environmental factors.
Many stones can form an arch, singly none: (Re‐)establishing trust in charities
Authors: Hyndman Noel , Liguori Mariannuziata , McKillop Donal 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTrust in charities is critical in terms of the health of the sector, and also in relation to the establishment and maintenance of social cohesiveness. Moreover, lack of trust can not only damage the charity sector (having negative impacts on public perceptions and donor giving) but can also undermine attempts at building social capital. Yet, how trust is defined, the various forms that it takes and how it is established (or re‐established, if lost) is unclear. This paper explores the various conceptions of what trust is, applies them to charities and examines trust in relation to the sustainability of the sector. A key finding is that trust has many dimensions, and charities (and the sector as a whole) need to work on a range of fronts on an ongoing basis to protect and build perceptions of trustworthiness (‘many stones can form an arch’). As a consequence, the paper presents an outline research agenda (in the form of four key questions) that encourages future researchers to enhance understanding of the important interplay between trust and charities more fully. This focuses on the relationship between charities and beneficiaries, how trust‐building activities vary with charity size/area of activity, the potential role of communicating service delivery and what ‘good regulation’ might look like.
Experimental investigation and numerical modeling of creep response of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Berardi Valentino Paolo , Perrella Michele , Armentani Enrico , Cricrì Gabriele 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPredictive models play an important role for increasing the reliability of composite structures over time, but a great deal of experimental data is requested. In this paper, results from creep experiments on uniaxial E‐glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) single ply laminates, performed at different stress levels, are presented. The tests duration was of 42 months. Analytical modeling of the viscous behavior of the tested GFRP composite, under linear and nonlinear viscoelastic hypotheses, is reported. A discussion on the comparison of creep strain response by Burgers model, with parameters obtained from fitting of data for different test duration, is also proposed. Finally, predictive finite element method (FEM) simulations were carried out for discussing the deferred behavior induced by creep, for composite layers used for repair purposes in hydrogen transportation pipes. Numerical results highlighted a non‐negligible difference in creep strain values, pointing out that a model based on experimental tests with shorter duration leads to a conservative composite design.
Fatigue life prediction of 2524‐T3 and 7075‐T62 thin‐sheet aluminium alloy with an initial impact dent under block spectrum loading
Authors: Chen D. , Cheng Z.Q. , Cunningham P.R. , Xiong J.J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a fatigue life prediction model of post‐impacted sheets considering the effects of dent size and stress ratio. Low‐velocity impact tests at four different impact energies were performed on specimens cut from sheets of 2524‐T3 and 7075‐T62 aluminium alloy. Following the impact tests, static tensile and uni‐axial constant amplitude and block spectrum fatigue experiments were conducted. Numerical models were generated to determine the initial residual stress patterns, residual stress relaxation, and stress concentration factors around the impact dent. The S‐N curves and corresponding stress concentration factors and relaxed residual stresses of three of the post‐impacted specimens were used to determine the model parameters. Good agreement was achieved between the predictions and experimental results, and it has been demonstrated that the fatigue life prediction model can effectively simulate the effects of residual stress, stress concentration, and stress ratio on fatigue damage for post‐impacted thin sheet aluminium alloy materials.
Williams expansion utilized for assessment of crack behaviour under mixed‐mode loading in alkali‐activated fine‐grained composite
Authors: Malíková Lucie , Miarka Petr , Kucharczyková Barbara , Šimonová Hana 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe paper concerns an experimental study on the crack deflection angle in a semi‐circular disc made of an alkali‐activated fine‐grained composite under mixed‐mode conditions. This study is supplemented by an extensive numerical analysis that calculates the crack deflection angles via generalized (multi‐parameter) fracture criteria. It is proved that the use of higher‐order terms of the Williams expansion for the approximation of the crack‐tip stress field leads to more accurate results. The influence of various parameters on the crack deflection angle is discussed, and recommendations on their proper choice are presented. The conclusions help in describing the crack behaviour under mixed‐mode conditions more accurately.
The rise of novelty in marine ecosystems: The Baltic Sea case
Authors: Ammar Yosr , Niiranen Susa , Otto Saskia A. , Möllmann Christian , Finsinger Walter , Blenckner Thorsten 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGlobal environmental changes have accelerated at an unprecedented rate in recent decades due to human activities. As a consequence, the incidence of novel abiotic conditions and biotic communities, which have been continuously emerging in the Earth system, has rapidly risen. Despite growing attention to the incidence and challenges posed by novelty in terrestrial ecosystems, novelty has not yet been quantified in marine ecosystems. Here, we measured for the rate of novelty (RoN) in abiotic conditions and community structure for three trophic levels, i.e., phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish, in a large marine system ‐ the Baltic Sea. We measured RoN as the degree of dissimilarity relative to a specific spatial and temporal baseline, and contrasted this with the rate of change as a measure of within‐basin change over time. We found that over the past 35 years abiotic and biotic RoN showed complex dynamics varying in time and space, depending on the baseline conditions. RoN in abiotic conditions was smaller in the open Central Baltic Sea than in the Kattegat and the more enclosed Gulf of Bothnia, Gulf of Riga, and Gulf of Finland in the north. We found a similar spatial pattern for biotic assemblages, which resulted from changes in composition and stock size. We identified sea‐surface temperature and salinity as key drivers of RoN in biotic communities. Hence, future environmental changes that are expected to affect the biogeochemistry of the Baltic Sea, may favor the rise of biotic novelty. Our results highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of novelty development in marine ecosystems, including interactions between species and trophic levels, ecosystem functioning under novel abiotic conditions, and considering novelty in future management interventions.
De‐Centering in Practice: Governance through Co‐ordination in Spanish Economic Geography
Authors: Sánchez‐Hernández José Luis 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis commentary draws on the Spanish case to shed light on the three dimensions of de‐centering in economic geography: epistemological, geographical, and idiomatic. Although the geography of contributors to the most influential Companions and Handbooks of economic geography shows hints of a timid de‐centering from the UK and the USA to other English‐speaking or English‐fluent countries in America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe, Spain still remains outside this language‐led process. However, reasons other than language must be taken into account for a proper understanding of this situation. Indeed, a small but engaged network of economic geographers has settled in Spain since the late 1980s. These scholars have developed a research agenda in close dialogue with some of the main concerns of Anglo‐American economic geography. Such a development has followed a path of its own, contingent to the Spanish academic environment and to some specific traits of that network: a sustained reliance on coordinated research projects with several universities involved (the how); a shared definition of the core research topics (the what); and a process of internationalisation that does not equate to getting our papers published in English‐speaking outlets (the where).
Botulinum toxin as a novel therapeutic approach for auriculotemporal neuralgia
Authors: Pinto Maria J. , Guerrero Angel L. , Costa Andreia 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectives/BackgroundAuriculotemporal neuralgia is a rare headache disorder. Anesthetic nerve blockade seems to be effective in most cases; however, literature is scarce about the management of refractory cases.MethodsCase report.ResultsWe report a 44‐year‐old woman with migraine without aura presented with moderate‐to‐severe right temporoparietal headache. The pain was refractory to multiple pharmacological strategies, including intravenous analgesia. A more throughout examination lead to the diagnosis of auriculotemporal neuralgia and anesthetic nerve blocks were performed. Due to early pain recrudescence, botulinum toxin (BoNT) was tried with better and longstanding pain control.ConclusionBoNT may be a useful treatment option in refractory auriculotemporal neuralgia. The best approach is yet to be established; however, the “follow‐the‐pain” protocol may be a reasonable option.
Time‐resolved 3D cine phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D‐flow MRI) can quantitatively assess portosystemic shunt severity and confirm normalization of portal flow after embolization of large portosystemic shunts
Authors: Hyodo Ryota , Takehara Yasuo , Mizuno Takashi , Ichikawa Kazushige , Ishizu Yoji , Sugiyama Masataka , Naganawa Shinji 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDiagnosis and severity assessments of portosystemic shunts (PSSs) are important because the pathology sometimes results in severe hepatic encephalopathy, which can be treated almost completely by shunt embolization. At present, morphological assessment of PSS is performed mainly by computed tomography, and ultrasound is used for blood flow assessment. In two cases of PSS‐related hepatic encephalopathy, we used time‐resolved 3D cine phase‐contrast (4D‐flow) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess blood flow before and after shunt embolization. Before the intervention, blood flow in the main trunk of the superior mesenteric vein was mostly hepatofugal. However, post‐interventional 4D‐flow MRI revealed hepatopetal superior mesenteric vein flow with significantly increased portal vein blood flow. 4D‐flow MRI is an ideal adjunct to Doppler ultrasonography, allowing for objective and visual assessment of morphology and blood flow of the portal venous system, including PSSs, and is useful in determining the indications for, and outcome of, PSS embolization.
Public attitudes towards COVID‐19 contact tracing apps: A UK‐based focus group study
Authors: Williams Simon N. , Armitage Christopher J. , Tampe Tova , Dienes Kimberly 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundDuring the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic, one of the key components of many countries’ strategies to reduce the spread of the virus is contact tracing.ObjectiveTo explore public attitudes to a COVID‐19 contact tracing app in the United Kingdom.SettingOnline video‐conferencing.Participants27 participants, UK residents aged 18 years and older.MethodsQualitative study consisting of six focus groups carried out between 1st‐12th May, 2020 (39‐50 days into the UK ‘lockdown’).ResultsParticipants were divided as to whether or not they felt they would use the app. Analysis revealed five themes: (1) lack of information and misconceptions surrounding COVID‐19 contact tracing apps; (2) concerns over privacy; (3) concerns over stigma; (4)concerns over uptake; and (5) contact tracing as the ‘greater good’. Concerns over privacy, uptake and stigma were particularly significant amongst those stated they will not be using the app, and the view that the app is for the ‘greater good’ was particularly significant amongst those who stated they will be using the app. One of the most common misconceptions about the app was that it could allow users to specifically identify and map COVID‐19 cases amongst their contacts and in their vicinity.ConclusionsOur participants were torn over whether digital contact tracing is a good idea or not, and views were heavily influenced by moral reasoning.Patient or Public ContributionNo patients were involved in this study. The public were not involved in the development of the research questions, research design or outcome measures. A pilot focus group with participants not included in the present paper was used to help test and refine the focus group questions. Summary results were disseminated via email to participants prior to publication for feedback and comment.
Updates from the 2020 World Health Organization Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumours
Authors: Anderson William J , Doyle Leona A 
Published: January 2021

The fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft tissue and bone tumours was published in May 2020. This ‘Blue Book’, which is also available digitally for the first time, incorporates an array of new information on these tumours, amassed in the 7 years since the previous edition. Major advances in molecular characterisation have driven further refinements in classification and the development of ancillary diagnostic tests, and have improved our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Several new entities are also included. This review summarises the main changes introduced in the 2020 WHO classification for each subcategory of soft tissue and bone tumours.
HIV DNA reservoir and elevated PD‐1 expression of CD4 T‐cell subsets particularly persist in the terminal ileum of HIV‐positive patients despite cART
Authors: Horn C , Augustin M , Ercanoglu MS , Heger E , Knops E , Bondet V , Duffy D , Chon S‐H , Nierhoff D , Oette M , Schäfer H , Vivaldi C , Held K , Anderson J , Geldmacher C , Suárez I , Rybniker J , Klein F , Fätkenheuer G , Müller‐Trutwin M , Lehmann C 
Published: January 2021

ObjectivesDespite its importance as an HIV anatomic sanctuary, little is known about the characteristics of the HIV reservoir in the terminal ileum (TI). In blood, the immune checkpoint inhibitor programmed‐death‐1 (PD‐1) has been linked to the HIV reservoir and T‐cell immune dysfunction. We thus evaluated PD‐1 expression and cell‐associated HIV DNA in memory CD4 T‐cell subsets from TI, peripheral blood (PB) and rectum (RE) of untreated and treated HIV‐positive patients to identify associations between PD‐1 and HIV reservoir in other sites.MethodsUsing mononuclear cells from PB, TI and RE of untreated HIV‐positive (N = 6), treated (n = 18) HIV‐positive and uninfected individuals (n = 16), we identified and sorted distinct memory CD4 T‐cell subsets by flow cytometry, quantified their cell‐associated HIV DNA using quantitative PCR and assessed PD‐1 expression levels using geometric mean fluorescence intensity. Combined HIV‐1 RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry was performed on ileal biopsy sections.ResultsCombined antiretroviral therapy (cART)‐treated patients with undetectable HIV RNA and significantly lower levels of HIV DNA in PB showed particularly high PD‐1 expression in PB and TI, and high HIV DNA levels in TI, irrespective of clinical characteristics. By contrast, in treatment‐naïve patients HIV DNA levels in memory CD4 T‐cell subsets were high in PB and TI.ConclusionElevated PD‐1 expression on memory CD4 T‐cells in PB and TI despite treatment points to continuous immune dysfunction and underlines the importance of evaluating immunotherapy in reversing HIV latency and T‐cell reconstitution. As HIV DNA particularly persists in TI despite cART, investigating samples from TI is crucial in understanding HIV immunopathogenesis.