bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability of intravenous immunoglobulin versus intravenous methylprednisolone treatment in anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor encephalitis
Authors: Gong Xue , Luo Rong , Liu Jie , Guo Kundian , Li Aiqing , Liu Xu , Liu Yue , Zhou Dong , Hong Zhen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeThe aim was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) versus IVIg plus IVMP (IPI) as initial therapy in anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.MethodsThis was a multicenter study of prospectively identified NMDAR encephalitis individuals who presented from October 2011 to August 2020 to the study hospitals of western China, with a median follow‐up of 3.9 years. Prespecified candidate variables were the prescriptions of IVIg, IVMP or IPI. Propensity score matching was also performed to control potential confounders.ResultsA total of 347 NMDAR encephalitis patients were finally analyzed in this study. After TriMatch for NMDAR encephalitis, 37 triplets were generated. Compared to IVIg or IVMP, the administration of IPI exhibited a significant benefit of a higher response rate (86.5% vs. 55.6% vs. 68.7%, pcorr < 0.01), improved modified Rankin Scale score at 3, 6 and 12 months (pcorr < 0.05), and reduced further recurrence rate (10 of 37 [27.0%] vs. 9 of 37 [24.3%] vs. 2 of 37 [5.4%]; p log rank = 0.01). There was no association between treatment superiority and patient sex or the presence of tumors (p ≥ 0.05). Patients treated with IVMP had a significantly higher number of adverse events, but 99% of adverse events were mild to moderate and did not lead to a change in treatment.ConclusionIn patients with NMDAR encephalitis, adequate response, favorable outcome and less recurrence were each more likely to occur in individuals treated with a combined immunotherapy than in monotherapy individuals.
Cognitive sequelae of long COVID may not be permanent: A prospective study
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. , Rumbea Denisse A. , Recalde Bettsy Y. , Mera Robertino M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeCognitive decline is a recognized manifestation of long COVID, even among patients who experience mild disease. However, there is no evidence regarding the length of cognitive decline in these patients. This study aimed to assess whether COVID‐19‐related cognitive decline is a permanent deficit or if it improves over time.MethodsCognitive performance was evaluated by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in COVID‐19 survivors and noninfected individuals. All study participants had four cognitive evaluations, two of them before the pandemic and the other two, 6 and 18 months after the initial SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak infection in the village. Linear mixed effects models for longitudinal data were fitted to assess differences in cognitive performance across COVID‐19 survivors and noninfected individuals.ResultsThe study included 78 participants, 50 with history of mild COVID‐19 and 28 without. There was a significant—likely age‐related—decline in MoCA scores between the two prepandemic tests (β = −1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −2.14 to −0.92, p < 0.001), which did not differ across individuals who later developed COVID‐19 when compared to noninfected individuals. Six months after infection, only COVID‐19 survivors had a significant decline in MoCA scores (β = −1.37, 95% CI = −2.14 to −0.61, p < 0.001), which reversed after 1 additional year of follow‐up (β = 0.66, 95% CI = −0.11 to 1.42, p = 0.092). No differences were noticed among noninfected individuals when both postpandemic MoCA scores were compared.ConclusionsStudy results suggest that long COVID‐related cognitive decline may spontaneously improve over time.
Damming shapes genetic patterns and may affect the persistence of freshwater fish populations
Authors: Machado Carolina B. , Braga‐Silva Alline , Freitas Patrícia D. , Galetti Pedro M. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

River damming threatens freshwater biodiversity worldwide by isolating populations, reducing both gene flow and genetic variation, and affecting the ability of a given population to adapt to environmental changes.

Herein, we employed a microsatellite DNA marker panel and a multitemporal approach to assess the effects of damming on the genetic diversity of a long‐lived species from both contemporary and historical perspectives. To accomplish this, we used the migratory catfish Pseudoplatystoma corruscans as a model and sampled it in two South American basins. We tested whether: (1) populations from dammed and undammed environments would display different levels of genetic diversity; (2) ecosystem size would influence the level of genetic diversity; and (3) projected whether fish populations would maintain their current genetic diversity in the long term.

Our findings reveal that P. corruscans populations from dammed landscapes with smaller ecosystems showed smaller estimated effective population size, lower genetic diversity, and higher relatedness coefficient than in intermediate ecosystem size in both dammed and undammed environments. We also noticed changes in estimated gene flow and effective population size from both contemporary and historical perspectives, probably because of dams. Predictive genetic diversity analysis revealed a critical scenario for the long‐term persistence of P. corruscans in dammed environments with smaller ecosystem sizes.

Our study suggests that anthropogenic barriers have substantially impacted genetic diversity and genetic structuring of the migratory fish P. corruscans. Thus, the formation of conservation policies is urgently needed to avoid local extinctions of this species in fragmented riverscapes. We highlighted the effectiveness of large ecosystems and connectivity between populations in conserving genetic diversity of migratory fishes.
Polycentricity and the evolution of metropolitan spatial structure
Authors: Giuliano Genevieve , Hou Yuting , Kang Sanggyun , Shin Eun Jin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhile evidence of polycentric urban form is extensive, questions remain regarding the value of agglomeration economies in an information economy, and hence whether polycentricity will persist over time. This paper examines employment spatial structure in four U.S. metropolitan areas between 1990 and 2009. We describe the spatial distribution of employment among centers and non‐center locations across time, examine the persistence of center boundaries, and test for monocentric and polycentric form via density gradient estimations. Results show that the four areas are all polycentric but of different degree. Despite some small fluctuations, metropolitan spatial structure is persistent even in the face of economic shocks in the 2000s: employment centers have not lost their importance and influence in the metro‐wide employment distribution over time.
Understanding immunity in a tissue‐centric context: Combining novel imaging methods and mathematics to extract new insights into function and dysfunction*
Authors: Germain Ronald N. , Radtke Andrea J. , Thakur Nishant , Schrom Edward C. , Hor Jyh Liang , Ichise Hiroshi , Arroyo‐Mejias Armando J. , Chu Colin J. , Grant Spencer 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA central question in immunology is what features allow the immune system to respond in a timely manner to a variety of pathogens encountered at unanticipated times and diverse body sites. Two decades of advanced and static dynamic imaging methods have now revealed several major principles facilitating host defense. Suborgan spatial prepositioning of distinct cells promotes time‐efficient interactions upon pathogen sensing. Such pre‐organization also provides an effective barrier to movement of pathogens from parenchymal tissues into the blood circulation. Various molecular mechanisms maintain effective intercellular communication among otherwise rapidly moving cells. These and related discoveries have benefited from recent increases in the number of parameters that can be measured simultaneously in a single tissue section and the extension of such multiplex analyses to 3D tissue volumes. The application of new computational methods to such imaging data has provided a quantitative, in vivo context for cell trafficking and signaling pathways traditionally explored in vitro or with dissociated cell preparations. Here, we summarize our efforts to devise and employ diverse imaging tools to probe immune system organization and function, concluding with a commentary on future developments, which we believe will reveal even more about how the immune system operates in health and disease.
Performance evaluation of emergency department physicians using robust value‐based additive efficiency model
Authors: Labijak‐Kowalska Anna , Kadziński Miłosz , Spychała Inga , Dias Luis C. , Fiallos Javier , Patrick Jonathan , Michalowski Wojtek , Farion Ken 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe propose a novel variant of the value‐based additive data envelopment analysis model. It conducts a comprehensive robustness analysis of efficiency outcomes for all feasible input and output weights using mathematical programming and the Monte Carlo simulation. We also introduce the original procedures for selecting a common vector of weights and an approach for investigating the stability of results in a multiscenario setting. The presented framework is applied to evaluate the performance of emergency department physicians using data from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Our focus is on the physicians' performance when dealing with groups of patients' complaints related to abdominal pain and constipation, fever, extremity injury, head injury, and laceration/puncture. The obtained results emphasize the strong dependence of the physicians' performances on the selected weight vectors. However, they prove helpful in pointing out overall good performers who can serve as universal benchmarks or niche performers being markedly better in providing care to a given complaint group. They also offer a basis for developing an improvement plan for the underperforming physicians, identifying the priorities for a practice‐oriented model, and recognizing the most challenging patients' complaints.
Safeguarding communications between multiagency professionals when working with children and young people: A qualitative study
Authors: Jahans‐Baynton Kate , Grealish Annmarie 
Published: December 2021

AbstractProblemOpen and responsive safeguarding communications between multiagency professionals who work with children and young people can be critical. Few studies have examined the experience of interprofessional safeguarding communications, and most reports are of social workers. This study explored safeguarding communications from the perspectives of four disciplines.MethodSemistructured interviews were conducted in (London) England with 11 professionals who were purposively sampled for their involvement in safeguarding and child protection work: school nurses (n = 4); teachers (n = 3); general practitioner (n = 1); and social workers (n = 3). Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.FindingsFive themes emerged from participant data to describe their experiences of safeguarding communications: communication technology; care coordination; professional relationships; information sharing; and, resources.ConclusionsAlthough participants reported positive experiences they also encountered significant communication challenges in their safeguarding roles. Complex technology could alienate as well as connect professionals, for which some IT system and process improvements were recommended. However, participants also wanted more opportunities for face‐to‐face contact. Their experiences indicate that effective safeguarding communications are best assured by both.
The role of first‐trimester ultrasound screening for women with positive noninvasive prenatal testing results
Authors: Saito Mizue , Tokunaka Mayumi , Goto Minako , Takita Hiroko , Arakaki Tatsuya , Miyagami Keiko , Hamada Shoko , Oba Tomohiro , Matsuoka Ryu , Sekizawa Akihiko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to assess the utility of ultrasound screening for pregnancies with positive noninvasive prenatal testing results for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of positive noninvasive prenatal testing results and first‐trimester ultrasound screening at our department between 2013 and 2019. Invasive genetic testing was performed if the patient had positive noninvasive prenatal testing results. Fetal ultrasound and cytogenetic data were collected. Noninvasive prenatal testing was performed in the women for advanced maternal age, nuchal translucency thickness, or history of abnormality in the previous child or relative.ResultsForty‐one pregnant women had positive noninvasive prenatal testing results for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13. Twenty‐three women had positive results for trisomy 21, 13 had positive results for trisomy 18, and 5 had positive results for trisomy 13 at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation. The positive predictive value of noninvasive prenatal testing was 100% for trisomy 21, 84.6% for trisomy 18, and 100% for trisomy 13. The positive predictive value of positive noninvasive prenatal testing results and fetal morphological abnormalities was 100% for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.ConclusionCombining an ultrasound examination with noninvasive prenatal testing resulted in a higher positive predictive value for trisomy 18. Normal ultrasound examination results can help alleviate stress caused by false‐positive noninvasive prenatal testing results. In contrast, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for trisomy 21 were not altered by adding an ultrasound examination to noninvasive prenatal testing.
Developmental trajectories of Big Five personality traits among adolescents and young adults: Differences by sex, alcohol use, and marijuana use
Authors: Jones Scott A. , Van Fossen Ryan P. , Thompson Wesley K. , Baker Fiona C. , Clark Duncan B. , Nagel Bonnie J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveIndividual differences in adolescent personality are related to a variety of long‐term health outcomes. While previous studies have demonstrated sex differences and non‐linear changes in personality development, these results remain equivocal. The current study utilized longitudinal data (n = 831) from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence to examine sex differences in the development of personality and the association between substance use and personality.MethodParticipants (ages 12–21 at baseline) completed the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory and self‐reported past year alcohol and marijuana use at up to 7 yearly visits. Data were analyzed using generalized additive mixed‐effects models and linear mixed‐effects models.ResultsFindings support linear increases in agreeableness and conscientious and decreases in openness with age and inform on timing of sex‐specific non‐linear development of extraversion and emotional stability. Further, results provide novel information regarding the timing of the association between substance use and personality, and replicate past reporting of differential associations between alcohol and marijuana use and extraversion, and sex‐dependent effects of marijuana use on emotional stability.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of modeling sex differences in personality development using flexible non‐linear modeling strategies, and accounting for sex‐ and age‐specific effects of alcohol and marijuana use.
Community‐Academic Partnership to Improve the Oral Health of Underserved Schoolchildren in Rural North Carolina
Authors: Stewart Rachel , Pardi Vanessa , Buck Jennifer , Smallwood Otis , Wright Wanda 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDDental caries is the most common chronic illness for children. Caries can reduce the quality of life, cause missed classroom hours, and decrease cognition. Strategies to improve children's oral health must be evidence‐based, developed, and implemented in consultation with communities.METHODSA community‐academic partnership was formed between East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and the Bertie County Public School District to develop and implement a school‐based oral health prevention program using the PRECEDE‐PROCEED Model.RESULTSThe PRECEDE component involved social, epidemiological, environmental, educational, ecological, administrative, and policy factors that informed the development of the oral health program. The PROCEED component consisted of implementation and evaluation.CONCLUSIONSSchool‐based oral health programs can increase access to care for vulnerable children and improve learning. The application of the PRECEDE‐PROCEED model proved to be a valuable method for developing, implementing, and evaluating a school‐based oral health program.
Siblings of children with a complex chronic disorder treated by non‐invasive ventilation
Authors: Théron Nicolas , Khirani Sonia , Amaddeo Alessandro , Griffon Lucie , Touil Samira , Ouss Lisa , Fauroux Brigitte 
Published: December 2021

AimThe aim of the study was to assess the emotional and behavioural functioning of siblings of children treated with long term non‐invasive ventilation (NIV).MethodsParents of children treated with NIV completed the Child Behaviour Checklist and a qualitative questionnaire for each sibling, aged 1.5–18 years old.ResultsThe parents of 49 ventilated children were questioned about 79 siblings. For the siblings aged 1.5–5, mean total T score was 57 ± 22 (range 28–92), and five siblings (31%) were in the clinical range. For the siblings aged 6–18, mean total T score was 49 ± 12 (range 26–71), and six siblings (10%) were in the clinical range. Siblings felt responsible for their affected sibling (31%) and involved with his/her illness (52%), with 31% being worried about him/her. A change in behaviour was observed in 19% of the siblings since the initiation of NIV; 26% were impacted by the use of the NIV device.ConclusionsThe majority of siblings of children treated with NIV do not present significant emotional and behavioural problems. They feel deeply responsible for their affected sibling and involved in his/her illness and treatment, highlighting the importance to involve the siblings in the care of the affected child.
Wound healing in periodontal disease induces macrophage polarization characterized by different arginine‐metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Miyashita Yukihiro , Kuraji Ryutaro , Ito Hiroshi , Numabe Yukihiro 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackground and objectiveMacrophages play important roles from the initiation of inflammation to wound healing. Two phenotypes of macrophages, namely pro‐inflammatory type macrophages (M1‐MΦ) and anti‐inflammatory type macrophages (M2‐MΦ), have been reported. Two contrasting metabolic enzymes that use arginine as a substrate, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase‐1 (Arg‐1), have been identified as M1‐MΦ and M2‐MΦ markers, respectively. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the temporal dynamics of the macrophage phenotype during the progression and healing phases of experimental periodontitis in mice.Material and methodsA total of 63 C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following 3 groups: control (C), periodontitis (P), and healing (H). To induce periodontitis, a silk ligature was placed around the maxillary bilateral second molars of mice in the periodontitis and healing groups. In the healing group, the ligature was removed 3 days after ligation to induce tissue healing. Maxillary tissue was collected on day 0 for the control group, days 1, 3, 5, and 7 for the periodontitis group (P1, P3, P5, and P7), and days 5 and 7 for the healing group (H5 and H7: 3 days with the ligation + 2 days or 4 days following ligature removal). The left side of the maxilla was subjected to bone structure analysis using micro‐computed tomography and gene expression analysis using polymerase chain reaction. On the right side, immunohistochemistry was performed to histopathologically evaluate the localization of macrophages by phenotype in the periodontal tissue.ResultsIn the alveolar bone structure analysis, the linear distance of bone height increased significantly in the P5 and P7 groups, whereas bone volume fraction and bone mineral density decreased over time after ligature placement; in the healing group (H5 and H7), these parameters improved significantly compared with the periodontitis group (P5 and P7). Expression of genes encoding pro‐inflammatory cytokines and iNOS increased in the periodontitis group, and expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine genes and Arg‐1 increased in the healing group. Furthermore, the iNOS/Arg‐1 expression ratio increased with ligation, whereas the ratio in the healing groups (H5 and H7) significantly decreased compared with the periodontitis groups (P5 and P7). Immunofluorescence staining revealed a significant increase in the number of iNOS‐positive macrophages in the periodontitis group and decrease in the healing group. In contrast, the number of Arg‐1‐positive macrophages decreased in the periodontitis group and increased in the healing group.ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that wound healing in periodontal disease induces macrophage polarization from M1‐MΦ to M2‐MΦ characterized by iNOS and Arg‐1.
Energy Conversion Efficiency of Thermoelectric Power Generators With Cylindrical Legs
Authors: Pang Dandan , Zhang Aibing , Wen Zhenfei , Wang Baolin , Wang Ji 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Thermoelectric power generators (TEGs) have been attracted increasing attention due to their capability of converting waste heat into useful electric energy without hazardous emissions. Many theoretical models to conduct their performance analysis are developed based on the generalized heat transport theory. However, most of them are assumed that the TEGs are thermally isolate from the surroundings except for the heat exchange at hot and cold reservoirs. This paper develops a theoretical model to study the performance of TEGs with cylindrical legs, and the influence of convective heat loss between lateral surfaces of legs and ambient environment is considered. Analytical solutions for temperature distribution inside the TEG, power output and energy conversion efficiency are obtained by using eigenfunction expansion method. A new dimensionless impact factor H is introduced to capture the convective heat effect, and the maximum energy conversion efficiency can be evaluated by the figure of merit, impact factor H and temperature ratio of heat sink to hot source for a well-designed TEG. There exists an optimal leg’s height for maximum energy conversion efficiency when the convective heat loss on lateral surfaces of thermoelectric legs and electrode thermal resistance are considered. The conclusions provided in this paper will be very helpful in the designing of high-performance TEG devices.