bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preference for using a variety of future HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis products among men who have sex with men in three US cities
Authors: Mansergh Gordon , Kota Krishna Kiran , Stephenson Rob , Hirshfield Sabina , Sullivan Patrick 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundDaily oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available and recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) at risk for HIV infection. Other HIV prevention products are being developed, including long‐acting injectable (LAI) and event‐based oral and topical formulations. Understanding preferences for potential products by MSM can help direct further development of prevention messaging.MethodsWe present baseline data from HIV‐negative participants enrolled in the US Mobile Messaging for Men (M‐cubed) Study. Participants were asked their likelihood of and rank order preference for using daily oral PrEP and various potential prevention products (one‐ to ‐three‐month injections, 2‐1‐1 sexual event oral dosing, anal or penile gel, or anal suppository), and their sociodemographic characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable logistics regression assessed demographic associations with likelihood of use and rank order preference.ResultsOverall, most MSM reported a likelihood of using LAI (74%), sexual event‐based pills (67%) and penile gel (64%). Men who reported recent unprotected (condomless and PrEPless) anal sex most preferred a penile gel formulation (74%), followed closely by LAI and event‐based pills (73% each). Current PrEP users (vs. non‐users) had greater odds of reporting likelihood to use LAI (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI = 2.12 to 5.11), whereas men reporting recent unprotected anal sex had a greater odds of likelihood to use a penile gel (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.27 to 2.52) and an anal suppository (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.02). Hispanic/Latino (vs. White) MSM (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.40 to 3.73) and, marginally, Black MSM (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.00 to 2.38) had greater odds of reporting likelihood to use penile gel. Similar patterns were found for rank ordering preference of products, including condoms.ConclusionsMost MSM were interested in using various potential future HIV prevention products, especially LAI. However, two typologies of potential users emerged: men who prefer sexual event‐based methods (condoms, event‐based pill, sexual gels and suppositories) and men who prefer non‐sexual event‐based methods (daily pill, LAI). Men who reported recent unprotected anal sex preferred a penile gel product most, followed closely by sexual event‐based pills and LAI. Racial/ethnic differences were noted as well. These findings on product preferences can help in formulation development and messaging.
Characterizing the transient response of knee cartilage to running: Decreases in cartilage T2 of female recreational runners
Authors: Crowder Hollis A. , Mazzoli Valentina , Black Marianne S. , Watkins Lauren E. , Kogan Feliks , Hargreaves Brian A. , Levenston Marc E. , Gold Garry E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCartilage transmits and redistributes biomechanical loads in the knee joint during exercise. Exercise‐induced loading alters cartilage hydration and is detectable using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where T2 relaxation time (T2) is influenced by cartilage collagen composition, fiber orientation, and changes in the extracellular matrix. This study characterized short‐term transient responses of healthy knee cartilage to running‐induced loading using bilateral scans and image registration. Eleven healthy female recreational runners (33.73 ± 4.22 years) and four healthy female controls (27.25 ± 1.38 years) were scanned on a 3T GE MRI scanner with quantitative 3D double‐echo in steady‐state before running over‐ground (runner group) or resting (control group) for 40 min. Subjects were scanned immediately post‐activity at 5‐min intervals for 60 min. T2 times were calculated for femoral, tibial, and patellar cartilage at each time point and analyzed using a mixed‐effects model and Bonferroni post hoc. There were immediate decreases in T2 (mean ± SEM) post‐run in superficial femoral cartilage of at least 3.3% ± 0.3% (p = .002) between baseline and Time 0 that remained for 25 min, a decrease in superficial tibial cartilage T2 of 2.9% ± 0.4% (p = .041) between baseline and Time 0, and a decrease in superficial patellar cartilage T2 of 3.6% ± 0.3% (p = .020) 15 min post‐run. There were decreases in the medial posterior region of superficial femoral cartilage T2 of at least 5.3 ± 0.2% (p = .022) within 5 min post‐run that remained at 60 min post‐run. These results increase understanding of transient responses of healthy cartilage to repetitive, exercise‐induced loading and establish preliminary recommendations for future definitive studies of cartilage response to running.
Fertilizing maize croppings with blends of slow/controlled‐release and conventional nitrogen fertilizers
Authors: Andrade André Baldansi , Guelfi Douglas Ramos , Chagas Wantuir Filipe Teixeira , Cancellier Eduardo Lopes , de Souza Taylor Lima , Oliveira Lorena Solar Silva , Faquin Valdemar , Du Changwen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground: Blends of controlled‐release and slow‐release urea may help to synchronize N release from fertilizers and N uptake by maize to improve the plant nitrogen use efficiency.Aim: We aimed to investigate the effects of slow‐release urea and controlled‐release urea and their blends with uncoated urea to release N for maize uptake over time in comparison to urea and ammonium nitrate.Methods: The experiment was performed under greenhouse conditions, and the treatments consisted of conventional urea, ammonium nitrate, three controlled‐release ureas (Multicote 4M®, Nitrocote®, and polyurethane‐coated urea), one slow‐release urea, and mixtures of controlled‐ release urea and slow‐release urea with uncoated urea. These treatments were applied at concentrations of 0, 150, 300, and 450 mg N kg−1 of soil. We evaluated the dry mass, nitrogen accumulation in the shoots, agronomic efficiency index and applied nitrogen recovery after each of three maize croppings. Furthermore, we characterized the N release pattern of the controlled‐release ureas and their coating thicknesses by using scanning electron microscopy.Results: The N release curves showed that Multicote 4M®, Nitrocote® and urea + polyurethane reached 80% of the N released in water at 40°C at 36, 30, and 13 d after incubation. The highest cumulative nitrogen accumulation (1127.4 mg pot−1), agronomic efficiency index (122.3%), and applied nitrogen recovery (69.3%) occurred with ammonium nitrate, with a low residual effect of only 25.4% of the total N accumulated after 35 d of cultivation. The highest cumulative dry mass was produced when the maize was fertilized with a blend in which 40% of the N came from Nitrocote® (44.8 g pot−1).Conclusions: The results showed that ammonium nitrate is an important option as an N source, but it has no residual effect. Controlled‐ release ureas and their blends have a delayed N release and promote constant N uptake after 70 d. After 70 d, the applied N rates were also more important than the N fertilizer technologies. An adequate mixture of N fertilizers could be an interesting option to help synchronize N release and uptake by maize. Technologies involving urea blends could be an option to improve the nitrogen use efficiency in comparison to that obtained by using uncoated urea while decreasing costs in comparison with the application of 100% controlled‐release urea or slow‐release urea.
A time‐ and cost‐saving method to check the point‐to‐point distribution of soil improvers
Authors: Malferrari Daniele , Laurora Angela , Brigatti Maria Franca , Di Giuseppe Dario , Faccini Barbara , Coltorti Massimo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground: In recent times, also in compliance with several sustainable agriculture rules, the use of soil conditioners, such as zeolites, progressively increased. Zeolites are minerals characterized by unique physical‐chemical properties, which make them able to control the mobility of water, ammonium and other cations in soils. As zeolites do not exhaust their properties over time, it would be appropriate to check for their correct distribution in the amended soil.Aims: We present an efficient and inexpensive method to measure the point‐to‐point amount of zeolite spread in the soil through the analysis of a single (i.e., one peak) X‐ray powder diffraction signal.Methods: The procedure requires the preparation of a calibration curve using known quantities of non‐amended soil, zeolite and of an internal reference standard. The amount of zeolite is calculated by comparing the intensities of the selected signal in unknown sample with its analogue in the calibration curve.Results: The method returned a small underestimation (about 12 weight %) of the measured values compared to those expected which depend nearly exclusively on the valuation of the apparent density of the soil, whereas it is not affected by the type and number of phases present in the soil and in the amendant.Conclusions: The proposed method allows to check for the regular distribution of zeolite in soil, but we are confident that it could also be conveniently generalized to all the applications that require the quantitative determination of mono or polyphasic crystalline materials within a complex mixture like soil.
Long‐Term Effect of Microwave Ablation on Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis for Moderate Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Li Dishan , Wang Gang , Chen Xinpan , Guo Wang , Huang Hongdong , Diao Zongli , Liu Wenhu 
Published: January 2021

ObjectivesA previous 12‐month study confirmed that microwave ablation (MWA) was effective for moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). A further analysis was performed in this study to evaluate the efficacy of MWA for moderate SHPT over an observational follow‐up period of up to 60 months.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of patients involved in a previous randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into an MWA group (those who underwent MWA followed by drug therapy according to the patient's clinical situation) and a control group (those who received drug therapy only). The primary outcome was the composite endpoint. During the efficacy assessment phase, the two groups were compared in terms of the proportion of patients with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels <300 pg/ml and the differences in iPTH levels.ResultsTwenty‐seven patients were included in this study: 13 in the MWA group and 14 in the control group. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up periods of the MWA and control groups were 58 (54–60) and 58 (49–60) months, respectively. The proportion of patients with iPTH levels <300 pg/ml in the MWA group was slightly higher than that in the control group (6/13 [46.2%] versus 2/14 [14.3%], respectively; p = .08). Furthermore, iPTH levels in the MWA group were lower than in the control group during the efficacy assessment phase (411 ± 299 pg/ml versus 516 ± 369 pg/ml, respectively; p <.01).ConclusionsMWA helped to contain the necessary iPTH levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis for moderate SHPT in a 60‐month timeframe.
Glycolytic activity of the tissue stem cells in the macula flava of the human vocal fold
Authors: Sato Kiminori , Chitose Shun‐ichi , Sato Kiminobu , Sato Fumihiko , Ono Takeharu , Umeno Hirohito 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectivesIn our previous studies, the features of the mitochondria of tissue stem cells in the maculae flavae of the human vocal fold suggested that their metabolic activity and oxidative phosphorylation was low. This study investigated the metabolic activity, especially glycolysis of the tissue stem cells in the maculae flavae of the human adult vocal fold.Study DesignHistologic analysis of the human vocal folds.MethodsThree normal human adult vocal folds obtained from autopsy cases were investigated using immunohistochemistry.ResultsAmong the three phenotypes of cells in the human adult maculae flavae, the vocal fold stellate cell‐like cells strongly expressed glucose transporter‐1. Three phenotypes of cells in the human adult maculae flavae expressed glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase II, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase A) indicating the tissue stem cells in the maculae flavae relied more on glycolysis. The cells did not express phosphofructokinase‐1 but did express glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase indicating the cells relied more on the pentose phosphate pathway. The cells expressed lactate dehydrogenase A indicating the maculae flavae of the human adult vocal fold was likely to be an anaerobic microenvironment.ConclusionsThe present study is consistent with the hypothesis that the tissue stem cells in the maculae flavae of the human vocal fold seem to rely more on anaerobic glycolysis, especially by the pentose phosphate pathway, for energy supply. The metabolism of the tissue stem cells in the maculae flavae of the human adult vocal fold is likely to prevent toxic reaction oxygen species and be favorable to maintaining the stemness and undifferentiated states of the tissue stem cells in the stem cells system.Level of EvidenceNA.
Liver Transplantation for Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A US Population‐Based Analysis and Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Ziogas Ioannis A. , Kakos Christos D. , Wu W. Kelly , Montenovo Martin I. , Matsuoka Lea K. , Zarnegar‐Lumley Sara , Alexopoulos Sophoclis P. 
Published: January 2021

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most common histiocytic disorder. Liver involvement is seen in 10.1% to 19.8% of patients with LCH and can lead to secondary sclerosing cholangitis requiring liver transplantation (LT). We describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing LT for LCH. All patients undergoing a first LT for LCH in the United States were identified in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database (1987‐2018). The Kaplan‐Meier curve method and log‐rank tests evaluated post‐LT survival. A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) statement. A total of 60 LCH LT recipients were identified in the SRTR, and 55 patients (91.7%) were children with median total bilirubin levels at LT of 5.8 mg/dL (interquartile range [IQR], 2.7‐12.9). A total of 49 patients (81.7%) underwent deceased donor LT (DDLT). The 1‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year patient survival rates were 86.6%, 82.4%, and 82.4%, respectively. The systematic review yielded 26 articles reporting on 50 patients. Of the patients, 41 were children (82.0%), 90.0% had multisystem LCH, and most patients underwent DDLT (91.9%; n = 34/37). Pre‐LT chemotherapy was administered in 74.0% and steroids in 71.7% (n = 33/46) of the patients, and a recurrence of LCH to the liver was reported in 8.0% of the patients. Of the 50 patients, 11 (22.0%) died during a median follow‐up of 25.2 months (IQR, 9.0‐51.6), and the 1‐year patient survival rate was 79.4%. LT can be considered as a feasible life‐saving option for the management of liver failure secondary to LCH in well‐selected patients.
Protein Isolates from Raw and Cooked Foxtail Millet Attenuate Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Fu Yongxia , Yin Ruiyang , Guo Erhu , Cheng Ruhong , Diao Xianmin , Xue Yong , Shen Qun 
Published: January 2021

ScopeMillet protein has received much attention due to its beneficial role in alleviating metabolic disease symptoms. This study aims to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of foxtail millet protein isolates, including protein isolates from raw and cooked foxtail millet in alleviating diabetes, including gut microbiota and intracellular signal pathways.Methods and resultsProtein isolates from raw and cooked foxtail millet are orally administered to streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic mice for 5 weeks before hypoglycemic effect evaluation. The results show that foxtail millet protein isolates improve glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in diabetic mice. However, only the protein isolate from cooked foxtail millet reverse the weight loss trend and alleviate lipid disorders in diabetic mice. Besides, 16S rRNA sequencing show that both raw and cooked foxtail millet protein isolates altered diabetes‐induced gut dysbiosis. In addition, western blotting analysis indicated that the protein isolate from cooked foxtail millet increases the expression levels of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor (GLP‐1R), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), and phosphoinositide‐protein kinase B (p‐AKT)/AKT while the protein isolate from raw foxtail millet downregulates stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) level.ConclusionBoth raw and cooked foxtail millet protein isolates can exert hypoglycemic effects in diabetic mice through rewiring glucose homeostasis, mitigating diabetes‐induced gut dysbiosis, and affecting the GLP‐1R/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Broadband 90° differential phase shifter using improved H‐shaped network
Authors: Sun Ruying , Chen Qinghu , Han Rongcang , Lu Zhongliang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this letter, a single‐layer broadband 90° phase shifter using H‐shaped network is proposed. To achieve broadband performance, we present an H‐shaped network by combining a section of stepped impedance transmission line with two pairs of λg/8 short‐ and open‐circuited stubs. Even‐odd mode analysis is carried out and the resulted equations is derived for the proposed device. The prototype is implemented on single‐layer printed circuit board for verification. The measured results agree well with the simulations, which demonstrates better than 15 dB return loss, less than 5° phase deviation and 0.76 dB insert loss across a fractional bandwidth of 101.7%.
Heating of hip joint implants in MRI: The combined effect of RF and switched‐gradient fields
Authors: Arduino Alessandro , Zanovello Umberto , Hand Jeff , Zilberti Luca , Brühl Rüdiger , Chiampi Mario , Bottauscio Oriano 
Published: January 2021

PurposeTo investigate how the simultaneous exposure to gradient and RF fields affects the temperature rise in patients with a metallic hip prosthesis during an MRI session.MethodsIn silico analysis was performed with an anatomically realistic human model with CoCrMo hip implant in 12 imaging positions. The analysis was performed at 1.5 T and 3 T, considering four clinical sequences: turbo spin‐echo, EPI, gradient‐echo, and true fast imaging sequence with steady precession. The exposure to gradient and RF fields was evaluated separately and superposed, by adopting an ad hoc computational algorithm. Temperature increase within the body, rather than specific absorption rate, was used as a safety metric.ResultsWith the exception of gradient‐echo, all investigated sequences produced temperature increases higher than 1 K after 360 seconds, at least for one body position. In general, RF‐induced heating dominates the turbo spin‐echo sequence, whereas gradient‐induced heating prevails with EPI; the situation with fast imaging sequence with steady precession is more diversified. The RF effects are enhanced when the implant is within the RF coil, whereas the effects of gradient fields are maximized if the prosthesis is outside the imaging region. Cases for which temperature‐increase thresholds were exceeded were identified, together with the corresponding amount of tissue mass involved and the exposure time needed to reach these limits.ConclusionThe analysis confirms that risky situations may occur when a patient carrying a hip implant undergoes an MRI exam and that, in some cases, the gradient field heating may be significant. In general, exclusion criteria only based on whole‐body specific absorption rate may not be sufficient to ensure patients’ safety.
Exosomes targeted towards applications in regenerative medicine
Authors: Xie Maobin , Wu Di , Li Guangmeng , Yang Jingbo , Zhang Yu Shrike 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExosomes are membrane‐bound nanovesicles containing complex cargoes including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (mRNAs and microRNAs), which can be derived from most cells. Increasing evidence has implicated exosomes as key players in intercellular and even interorganismal communications. Exosomes confer stability and can direct their cargoes to specific cell types for promoting cell growth and tissue regeneration. Exosome cargoes also appear to act in a combinatorial manner to communicate directives to other cells. This Review focuses on recent developments and findings of exosomes applied towards applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including healing of the skin, cardiovascular, skeletal, nervous, and visceral systems. The underlying mechanisms of action of exosomes in tissue regeneration are also discussed. In addition, we highlight examples whereby exosomes have been integrated with hydrogels for biofabrication and other related biomedical utilities such as drug delivery.
The role of interferon‐gamma and its signaling pathway in pediatric hematological disorders
Authors: Merli Pietro , Quintarelli Concetta , Strocchio Luisa , Locatelli Franco 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInterferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and available evidence also points to a role in other conditions, including aplastic anemia (AA) and graft failure following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recently, the therapeutic potential of IFN‐γ inhibition has been documented; emapalumab, an anti‐IFN‐γ monoclonal antibody, has been approved in the United States for treatment of primary HLH that is refractory, recurrent or progressive, or in patients with intolerance to conventional therapy. Moreover, ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of JAK/STAT intracellular signaling, is currently being investigated for treating HLH. In AA, IFN‐γ inhibits hematopoiesis by disrupting the interaction between thrombopoietin and its receptor, c‐MPL. Eltrombopag, a small‐molecule agonist of c‐MPL, acts at a different binding site to IFN‐γ and is thus able to circumvent its inhibitory effects. Ongoing trials will elucidate the role of IFN‐γ neutralization in secondary HLH and future studies could explore this strategy in controlling hyperinflammation due to CAR T cells.