bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Posterior Cervical Brown Fat and CXCL14 Levels in the First Year of Life: Sex Differences and Association With Adiposity
Authors: Garcia-Beltran Cristina , Cereijo Rubén , Plou Cristina , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Malpique Rita , Villarroya Joan , López-Bermejo Abel , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes , Villarroya Francesc 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Context
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is particularly abundant in neonates, but its association with measures of adiposity and metabolic health in early infancy is poorly delineated. Besides sustaining nonshivering thermogenesis, BAT secretes brown adipokines that act on systemic metabolism. The chemokine CXCL14 has been identified as a brown adipokine in experimental studies.

Objective
To determine the relationships among BAT activity, adiposity, and circulating CXCL14 levels in the first year of life in girls and boys.

Methods
Indices of fat accretion, circulating endocrine–metabolic parameters and serum CXCL14 levels were assessed longitudinally in a cohort of infants at birth and at 4 and 12 months. BAT activity was estimated using infrared thermography only at age 12 months.
The main outcome measures were weight and length Z-scores, total and abdominal fat content (by dual X-ray absorptiometry), BAT activity at the posterior cervical and supraclavicular regions, serum levels of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, and CXCL14; CXCL14 transcript levels in neonatal BAT and liver.

Results
Posterior cervical BAT was more active in girls than in boys (P = .02). BAT activity was negatively associated with adiposity parameters only in girls. CXCL14 levels were higher in girls than in boys at age 12 months and correlated positively with the area of active posterior cervical BAT in girls. Neonatal BAT showed high CXCL14 gene expression levels.

Conclusion
BAT activity and the levels of CXCL14—a potential surrogate of BAT activity—are sex specific in the first year of life. Posterior cervical BAT activity associates negatively with indices of adiposity only in girls.
Postural control in the elephant
Authors: Dewolf A. H. , Ivanenko Y. P. , Mesquita R. M. , Willems P. A. 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT
As the largest extant legged animals, elephants arguably face the most extreme challenge for stable standing. In this study, we investigated the displacement of the centre of pressure of 12 elephants during quiet standing. We found that the average amplitude of the oscillations in the lateral and fore–aft directions was less than 1.5 cm. Such amplitudes for postural oscillation are comparable with those of dogs and other species, suggesting that some aspects of sensorimotor postural control do not scale with size.
Nitric oxide for the prevention and treatment of viral, bacterial, protozoal and fungal infections
Authors: Bath Philip M. , Coleman Christopher M. , Gordon Adam L. , Lim Wei Shen , Webb Andrew J. 
Published: October 2021

Although the antimicrobial potential of nitric oxide (NO) is widely published, it is little used clinically. NO is a key signalling molecule modulating vascular, neuronal, inflammatory and immune responses. Endogenous antimicrobial activity is largely mediated by high local NO concentrations produced by cellular inducible nitric oxide synthase, and by derivative reactive nitrogen oxide species including peroxynitrite and S-nitrosothiols. NO may be taken as dietary substrate (inorganic nitrate, L-arginine), and therapeutically as gaseous NO, and transdermal, sublingual, oral, intranasal and intravenous nitrite or nitrate. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that NO has generic static and cidal activities against viruses (including β-coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2), bacteria, protozoa and fungi/yeasts in vitro. Therapeutic effects have been seen in animal models in vivo, and phase II trials have demonstrated that NO donors can reduce microbial infection. Nevertheless, excess NO, as occurs in septic shock, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In view of the dose-dependent positive and negative effects of NO, safety and efficacy trials of NO and its donors are needed for assessing their role in the prevention and treatment of infections. Trials should test dietary inorganic nitrate for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis and gaseous NO or oral, topical or intravenous nitrite and nitrate for treatment of mild-to-severe infections, including due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This review summarises the evidence base from in vitro, in vivo and early phase clinical studies of NO activity in viral, bacterial, protozoal and fungal infections.
First two years of reimbursed enzyme replacement therapy in the treatment of Fabry disease in Poland
Authors: Nowicki Michał , Komar Monika , Kusztal Mariusz , Mizia-Stec Katarzyna , Liberek Tomasz , Małyszko Jolanta , Muras-Szwedziak Katarzyna , Pawlaczyk Krzysztof , Podolec Piotr , Sławek Jarosław 
Published: October 2021

Fabry disease (FD) is an ultra-rare genetic lysosomal storage disease caused by pathologic gene variants resulting in insufficient expression of α-galactosidase A. This enzyme deficiency leads to accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and globotriaosylsphingosine in plasma and in different cells throughout the body, causing major cardiovascular, renal, and nervous system complications. Until 2018, reimbursed enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for FD was available in all European Union countries except Poland. We present the preliminary results of the first two years of reimbursed ERT in Poland. We obtained data from the seven largest academic centers in Katowice, Cracow, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Łódź. The questionnaire included the following data: number of patients treated, number of patients qualified for ERT, and patient characteristics. All centers returned completed questionnaires that included data for a total of 71 patients (28 men and 43 women) as of June 2021. Thirty-five patients with the diagnosis of FD confirmed by genetic testing (22 men and 13 women) had already qualified for reimbursed ERT. Mean (SD) age at the commencement of the ERT program was 39.6 (15.5) years (range 18-79 years). Mean time from the first clinical symptoms reported by the patients to the FD diagnosis was 21.1 (8.9) years, and the mean time from the final diagnosis of FD to the beginning of ERT was 4.7 (4.6) years. FD is still underdiagnosed in Poland. To identify undiagnosed FD patients and to ensure that patients in Poland benefit fully from ERT, implementation of an effective nationwide screening strategy and close cooperation with a network of rare disease centers is advised.
Effectiveness of acute L-arginine supplementation on physical performance in strength training: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pasa Camila , Godinho de Oliveira Ruberlei , da Rosa Lima Thiago , Jalousie Kommers Michelle , Régia Ferreira Viana Figueiredo Karla , Christiane Rezende Fett Waléria , Alexandre Fett Carlos 
Published: October 2021

Background: The oral administration of L-arginine has been related to improved physical performance due to a likely reduction in muscle fatigue, resulting from the vasodilator effect of nitric oxide on skeletal muscle. However, there is no precise and quantitative analysis of the information in the literature. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of L-arginine supplementation on physical performance in strength training with a systematic review and meta-analysis. We hypothesized that L-arginine supplementation would improve performance capacity and the effects involved in strength training. Methods: The study period was from 2010 to 2020. The inclusion process established articles with well-designed human experiments that included only L-arginine supplementation (without any additional compounds) testing the effects of L-arginine supplementation on sports performance related to strength training; identical experimental conditions in placebo or control group; and publications in the last ten years (until December 31, 2020). Three studies were included that compared L-arginine supplementation with placebo in anaerobic performance tests. Test analysis supplementation with other supplements was removed and there was no gender, age, and ethnicity level. Results: There was no significant heterogeneity (p>0.05) in the analysis of the three selected articles and the effects of L-arginine supplementation in muscular endurance; performance had a mean of 0.26 (95% CI = -0.129; 0.649; p = 0.190), peak torque with a mean of -0.002 (95% CI = -0.531; 0.527; p = 0. 99) of the third series of exercises and, furthermore, when comparing the integrated effect (resistance rate with the peak torque) there was no difference with a mean of 0.168 (95% CI = -0.145; 0.481; p = 0.292). Conclusions: Acute L-arginine supplementation provides no ergogenic effect on strength training performance.
A protocol for a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy
Authors: O'Connor Caroline , Leitao Sara , O'Donoghue Keelin 
Published: October 2021

Overview: The protocol outlines the process designed to systematically review clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), addressing the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies. Background: CPGs are statements that include recommendations intended to optimise patient care, that are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options. CPGs are typically created by scientific institutes, organisations and professional societies, and high-quality CPGs are fundamental to improve patient outcomes, standardise clinical practice and improve the quality of care. While CPGs are designed to improve the quality of care, to achieve this, the identification and appraisal of current international CPGs is required. Because twin pregnancies are identified as high-risk pregnancies, a systematic review of the CPGs in this field is a useful first step for establishing the required high level of care. Aim: The aim of the systematic review is to identify, appraise and examine published CPGs for the antenatal management of DCDA twin pregnancies, within high-income countries. Methods: We will identify published CPGs addressing any aspect of antenatal management of care in DCDA twin pregnancies, appraise the quality of the identified CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation version 2 (AGREE II) the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation – Recommendations excellence (AGREE-REX) instruments and examining the recommendations from the identified CPGs. Ultimately, this protocol aspires to clearly define the process for a reproducible systematic review of CPGs within a high-income country, addressing any aspect of antenatal management of DCDA twin pregnancies. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021248586 (24/06/2021)
Exploring experiences of supports for suicide bereavement in Ireland: protocol for a national survey
Authors: O'Connell Selena , Ruane-McAteer Eimear , Daly Caroline , O’Connor Clíodhna , Tuomey Fiona , McDonnell Laura , Arensman Ella , Andriessen Karl , Griffin Eve 
Published: October 2021

Background A suicide death impacts upon the wellbeing of close family members and friends but has also been shown to affect many people outside of this immediate circle. This will be the first large-scale national study of adults bereaved or affected by suicide in Ireland, using a cross-sectional online survey. The overarching aim will be to gain insight into the experiences of supports received by people bereaved or affected by suicide and to identify the barriers to engagement following their loss. Methods A cross-sectional survey will be conducted among adults in Ireland who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. This project will seek to represent people with different demographics and backgrounds in the Irish population using a multifaceted approach to survey recruitment. A range of validated measures will be used to examine participants’ current wellbeing and grief experience. A combination of closed and open-ended questions will provide participants the opportunity to share their individual experiences, the services and supports available to them, and barriers and enablers to accessing supports. Results Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests will be used to compare subgroups within categorical data items, and multivariable regression models will be used to examine differences in psychosocial and physical wellbeing across key groups. Qualitative content analysis will be used for qualitative responses to open-ended questions. Conclusions The survey will provide an in-depth understanding of the psychosocial and mental health impacts of suicide bereavement in Ireland; insight into the range of informal and formal supports accessed; and will identify unmet needs and challenges of accessing appropriate and timely supports. The findings will inform current national actions aimed at ensuring the standardisation and quality of the services and supports for those bereaved or affected by suicide.
Global Convergence of Stochastic Gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for Nonconvex Stochastic Optimization: Nonasymptotic Performance Bounds and Momentum-Based Acceleration
Authors: Gao Xuefeng , Gürbüzbalaban Mert , Zhu Lingjiong 
Published: October 2021

Nonconvex Stochastic Optimization Nonconvex stochastic optimization problems arise in many machine learning problems, including deep learning. The stochastic gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (SGHMC) is a variant of stochastic gradients with a momentum method in which a controlled and properly scaled Gaussian noise is added to the stochastic gradients to steer the iterates toward a global minimum. SGHMC has shown empirical success in practice for solving nonconvex stochastic optimization problems. In “Global convergence of stochastic gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for nonconvex stochastic optimization: Nonasymptotic performance bounds and momentum-based acceleration,” Gao, Gürbüzbalaban, and Zhu provide, for the first time, the finite-time performance bounds for the global convergence of SGHMC in the context of both population and empirical risk minimization problems and show that acceleration with momentum is possible in the context of global nonconvex stochastic optimization.
Spectral density of light waves on scattering from a collection of semisoft boundary particles
Authors: Dai Qihang , Jiang Zhenfei , Wang Hange , Ji Xiaoling , Wang Tao 
Published: October 2021

The scattering behavior of light waves from a collection of semisoft boundary particles is discussed. It is shown that the structural characteristics of the medium, i.e., the location of the particles, the effective width of each particle, and the boundary property of each particle, may play an important role in the distribution of the far-zone scattered spectral density. This result may have potential applications in the manipulation of scattered fields and in the measurement of structural characteristics of particulate media.
Stratifying the early radiologic trajectory in dyspneic patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Jung Keum Ji , Yoo Seung-Jin , Yoon Soon Ho 
Published: October 2021

Objective
This study aimed to stratify the early pneumonia trajectory on chest radiographs and compare patient characteristics in dyspneic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and methods
We retrospectively included 139 COVID-19 patients with dyspnea (87 men, 62.7±16.3 years) and serial chest radiographs from January to September 2020. Radiographic pneumonia extent was quantified as a percentage using a previously-developed deep learning algorithm. A group-based trajectory model was used to categorize the pneumonia trajectory after symptom onset during hospitalization. Clinical findings, and outcomes were compared, and Cox regression was performed for survival analysis.

Results
Radiographic pneumonia trajectories were categorized into four groups. Group 1 (n = 83, 59.7%) had negligible pneumonia, and group 2 (n = 29, 20.9%) had mild pneumonia. Group 3 (n = 13, 9.4%) and group 4 (n = 14, 10.1%) showed similar considerable pneumonia extents at baseline, but group 3 had decreasing pneumonia extent at 1–2 weeks, while group 4 had increasing pneumonia extent. Intensive care unit admission and mortality were significantly more frequent in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2 (P < .05). Groups 3 and 4 shared similar clinical and laboratory findings, but thrombocytopenia (<150×103/μL) was exclusively observed in group 4 (P = .016). When compared to groups 1 and 2, group 4 (hazard ratio, 63.3; 95% confidence interval, 7.9–504.9) had a two-fold higher risk for mortality than group 3 (hazard ratio, 31.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.5–280.2), and this elevated risk was maintained after adjusting confounders.

Conclusion
Monitoring the early radiologic trajectory beyond baseline further prognosticated at-risk COVID-19 patients, who potentially had thrombo-inflammatory responses.
Judicial judgment and media sensation of violence against medical staff in China: A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA)
Authors: Xu Jian , Cao Yongrong , Wang Yangyang , Qiao Qingquan 
Published: October 2021

IntroductionViolence against medical staff has been prevalent in China over the past two decades. Although Chinese authorities have released many laws and regulations to protect medical staff from violence since 2011, the legal approach alone is unlikely to resolve this complex issue. In particular, several cases of violence against medical staff in China have caused great media sensation.MethodThis paper proposes an integrated model that combines the environmental stimuli theory, broken windows theory, and rational choice theory. It adopts the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to untangle the causal relationship between violence against medical staff, media sensation, and judicial judgment. We examined reports of medical violence on media and news websites from January 1, 2010, to January 31, 2020, and selected 50 cases with detailed information for this study.ResultsThe results show that each condition is not sufficient for the absence ofjudicial judgment, but when combined, they are conducive to the outcome. The conditions ofhospital level,medical cost, andmedia sensationplay important roles. The providers, patients, and environmental factors are indicators of inadequate or lack ofjudicial judgment, which corresponds to previous expectations.ConclusionsThe integrated model greatly enriches the extant theories and literature, and also yields implications for preventing violence against medical staff in China. We suggest that sustainable and innovative healthcare reform should be initiated. For example, public hospitals should remain the cornerstone of national public health security. Medical staff in public hospitals must be regarded as “civil servants”. Therefore, the current legal system should be improved. The media should objectively report events concerning medical staff and improve public healthcare knowledge.
Numerical Algebra, Matrix Theory, Differential-Algebraic Equations, and Control Theory
Authors: Benner Peter 
Published: October 2021

The conference "
Numerical Algebra, Matrix Theory, Differential-Algebraic Equations, and Control Theory
" brought together about 160 experts in the mathematical research fields mentioned in its title. These research areas are strongly related and they often occur in the same real-world application. Main areas where such applications emerge are computational engineering and sciences, but increasingly also social sciences and economics.The conference was dedicated to Volker Mehrmann on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Volker Mehrmann is a leading expert in the areas of the conference, and in a unique manner unifies expertise in the mathematical fields providing the title of this conference.
Besides 24 invited and 16 contributed talks, the scientific program of the conference included a Poster Session, starting with a Poster Blitz, providing the participants with the opportunity to advertise their posters in a 1-minute presentation. This collection shows some of the posters presented there.
Ejaculate quality indicators of men with asthenozoospermia and asthenoteratozoospermia by treatment of obesity with liraglutide
Authors: Bobkov D. N. , Rozhivanov R. V. , Vityazeva I. I. 
Published: October 2021

Background: Considering the influence of visceral obesity on male infertility, the investigation of ejaculate quality indicators under obesity treatment is relevant.Objective: Evaluation of ejaculate quality indicators by obesity treatment with liraglutide in andrologically healthy men with infertility and post-pubertal visceral obesity.Methods: Infertile men with post-pubertal alimentary visceral obesity were included in a pilot observational prospective study. All patients were given recommendations for body weight loss (hypocaloric diet, daily aerobic physical activity) as well as an average daily dose of liraglutide 2.4 [2.4; 3.0] mg. Evaluation of waist circumference, antioxidant activity of ejaculate, spermogram was carried out initially and after 6 months. The differences were considered statistically significant at p <0.005.Results: The body weight decrease was -11.7 [12.4; 11.0]%, the waist circumference decrease was 8 [12; 7] cm. In dynamics, increased content of living sperm in ejaculate from 92 [90; 95]% to 95 [92; 98]%, morphologically normal forms from 5 [3; 6]% to 6 [3; 8]%, mobility of A + B from 25 [15; 36] to 35 [19; 52]%, seminal antioxidant capacity, a decrease in reactive oxygen forms in the neat ejaculate were statistically significant. Increasing the sperm count in 1 ml and decreasing reactive oxygen forms in the washed ejaculate did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion: Ejaculate quality indicators improved by the complex obesity therapy with liraglutide in young andrologically healthy men with postpubertal visceral obesity.