bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating antibodies against leukotoxin A as marker of periodontitis Grades B and C and oral infection with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Danielsen Anne Katrine , Enevold Christian , Reinholdt Jesper , Holmstrup Palle , Nielsen Claus H. , Massarenti Laura 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe facultative bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is strongly associated with periodontitis and is occasionally found in periodontally healthy subjects. We aimed to determine the prevalence of salivary Aa among patients with either periodontitis Grade B (periodontitis‐B) or Grade C (periodontitis‐C), periodontally healthy controls (HCs), and to determine if systemic antibodies against Aa or its virulence factor leukotoxin A (LtxA) may serve as biomarkers that reveal the oral presence of the bacterium and discriminate subjects with periodontitis‐C, periodontitis‐B, or no periodontitis from each other.MethodsSerum and unstimulated saliva samples were collected from patients with periodontitis‐C (n = 27), patients with periodontitis‐B (n = 34), and HCs (n = 28). Serum level of immunoglobulin G antibodies to fragmented whole Aa and to LtxA were quantified using a bead‐based assay. Aa was identified in saliva using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and current smoking status.ResultsAa was present in saliva from 11% of HCs, in 32% of patients with periodontitis‐B (P = 0.04 versus HCs), and in 37% of patients with periodontitis‐C (P = 0.02 versus HCs). Serum antibodies to fragments of Aa associated significantly with periodontitis‐C (P = 0.03), while serum anti‐LtxA antibodies associated with both periodontitis‐B and periodontitis‐C (P = 0.002 and P = 9×10−4, respectively). Moreover, a significant association between serum anti‐LtxA antibodies and Aa count in saliva was observed (P = 0.001). On the basis of serum anti‐LtxA antibody levels, patients with periodontitis could be discriminated from HCs (AUC = 0.74 in ROC curve‐analysis, P = 0.0003), and carriers of Aa could be discriminated from non‐carriers (AUC = 0.78, P <0.0001).ConclusionsAa is highly prevalent in saliva of patients with periodontitis‐B or periodontitis‐C. Systemic immunoglobulin G antibodies against LtxA distinguish patients with periodontitis, regardless of grade, from HCs, while their quantity reflects the concurrent bacterial burden in the oral cavity.
Periphyton improves soil conditions and offers a suitable environment for rice growth in coastal saline alkali soil
Authors: Zhu Ye , Shao Tianyun , Zhou Yujie , Zhang Xun , Gao Xiumei , Long Xiaohua , Rengel Zed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPeriphyton plays an indispensable role in coastal saline‐alkali land, but its function is poorly understood. Soil physical and chemical properties (pH value, salinity, soil organic matter), enzyme activity, and microbial diversity (based on 16 s rDNA, ITS and functional genes) were measured in periphyton formed on rice‐growing coastal saline‐alkali soil modified by a new type of soil conditioner. The results showed that the content of organic matter and catalase activity in periphyton were significantly higher than in the unplanted control soil. Soil pH and salinity were decreased in periphyton compared to the unplanted control soil. Based on the relative abundance, bacterial genera Desulfomicrobium, Rhodobacter, cyanobacterium_scsio_T−2, Gemmatimonas, and Salinarimonas as well as fungal genus Fusarium were more abundant in periphyton than the unplanted control soil. In terms of functional genes, the cbbM and cbbL sequencing showed higher abundance of Hydrogenophaga, Rhodovulum, Magnetospira, Leptothrix, and Thiohalorhabdus, whereas the nifH sequencing indicated higher abundance of Cyanobacteria in the periphyton compared to the unplanted soil. The relative abundance and community structure of soil microorganisms were improved by periphyton, thus reducing soil salinity and pH, and increasing soil organic matter and enzyme activity. This indicated that the periphyton can improve the conditions and offer a suitable environment for plant growth in coastal saline‐alkali soil.
A Novel Acid‐Degradable PEG Crosslinker for the Fabrication of pH‐Responsive Soft Materials
Authors: Myrgorodska Iuliia , Jenkinson‐Finch Mary , Moreno‐Tortolero Rafael O. , Mann Stephen , Gobbo Pierangelo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe design and synthesis of a novel acid‐degradable polyethylene glycol‐based N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester‐activated crosslinker is reported. The crosslinker is reactive towards nucleophiles and features a central ketal functional group that is stable at pH > 7.5 and rapidly hydrolyses at pH > 6.0. The crosslinker is used to (i) fabricate acid‐degradable polysaccharide hydrogels that exhibit controlled degradation upon exposure to an acidic environment or via endogenous enzyme activity; and (ii) construct hydrogel‐filled protein‐polymer microcompartments (termed proteinosomes) capable of pH‐dependent membrane disassembly. Taken together the results provide new opportunities for the fabrication of pH‐responsive soft materials with potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and soft‐matter bioengineering.
Panel‐based genetic testing for inherited retinal disease screening 176 genes
Authors: Sheck Leo H. N. , Esposti Simona D. , Mahroo Omar A. , Arno Gavin , Pontikos Nikolas , Wright Genevieve , Webster Andrew R. , Khan Kamron N. , Michaelides Michel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis case series reports the performance of a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 176 retinal genes (NGS 176) in patients with inherited retinal disease (IRD).MethodsSubjects are patients who underwent genetic testing between 1 August 2016 and 1 January 2018 at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. Panel‐based genetic testing was performed unless a specific gene (e.g., RS1) or small group of genes (e.g., ABCA4, PRPH2) were suspected. If a novel variant was identified, a further comment on their predicted pathogenicity and evolutionary conservation was offered and segregation studies performed. The main outcome measure is the likelihood of obtaining a genetic diagnosis using NGS 176.Results488 patients were included. A molecular diagnosis was obtained for 59.4% of patients. Younger patients were more likely to receive a molecular diagnosis; with 92% of children under the age of 6 years receiving a conclusive result. There was a change in their initially assigned inheritance pattern in 8.4% of patients following genetic testing. Selected IRD diagnoses (e.g., achromatopsia, congenital stationary night blindness) were associated with high diagnostic yields.ConclusionThis study confirms that NGS 176 is a useful first‐tier genetic test for most IRD patients. Age and initial clinical diagnosis were strongly associated with diagnostic yield.
Resonator‐enhanced radiating cable for UHF RFID readers
Authors: Putaala Jussi , Myllymäki Sami , Kokkonen Mikko , Jantunen Heli 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn antenna cable for enhancing and adjusting radio coverage is proposed. The presented solution is applied to the UHF RFID range of 866 MHz. With this leaky‐wave antenna cable, radio coverage can be efficient and customizable. A 10 × 100 mm resonator patch is attached on an opening on the cable's outer conductor to improve its radiating properties. The effect of its displacement is studied through simulations and measurements. The alignment affects both resonance frequency and signal strength. One resonator increases the radiated power by 2 dB (37%), multipliable by adding resonators. However, alignment accuracy of millimeters is needed in many cases. The greatest effect in both operating frequency and transmission loss magnitude comes from lifting the resonator from the cable's surface, averagely being 7.6% and 8.6% per mm in measured operating frequency and linear magnitude of S21, respectively. Smallest changes are observed when moving the resonator along the cable, being 0.8% and 0.7% per mm, respectively.
Efficient whole‐brain tract‐specific T1 mapping at 3T with slice‐shuffled inversion‐recovery diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Leppert Ilana R. , Andrews Daniel A. , Campbell Jennifer S. W. , Park Daniel J. , Pike G. Bruce , Polimeni Jonathan R. , Tardif Christine L. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeMost voxels in white matter contain multiple fiber populations with different orientations and levels of myelination. Conventional T1 mapping measures 1 T1 value per voxel, representing a weighted average of the multiple tract T1 times. Inversion‐recovery diffusion‐weighted imaging (IR‐DWI) allows the T1 times of multiple tracts in a voxel to be disentangled, but the scan time is prohibitively long. Recently, slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI implementations have been proposed to significantly reduce scan time. In this work, we demonstrate that we can measure tract‐specific T1 values in the whole brain using simultaneous multi‐slice slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI at 3T.MethodsWe perform simulations to evaluate the accuracy and precision of our crossing fiber IR‐DWI signal model for various fiber parameters. The proposed sequence and signal model are tested in a phantom consisting of crossing asparagus pieces doped with gadolinium to vary T1, and in 2 human subjects.ResultsOur simulations show that tract‐specific T1 times can be estimated within 5% of the nominal fiber T1 values. Tract‐specific T1 values were resolved in subvoxel 2 fiber crossings in the asparagus phantom. Tract‐specific T1 times were resolved in 2 different tract crossings in the human brain where myelination differences have previously been reported; the crossing of the cingulum and genu of the corpus callosum and the crossing of the corticospinal tract and pontine fibers.ConclusionWhole‐brain tract‐specific T1 mapping is feasible using slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI at 3T. This technique has the potential to improve the microstructural characterization of specific tracts implicated in neurodevelopment, aging, and demyelinating disorders.
Institutional leadership: Maintaining mission integrity in the era of managerialism
Authors: Beaton Erynn E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractToday, nonprofit leaders operate in a context of blurred boundaries between the nonprofit and for‐profit sectors, prompting them to engage in managerialism. Managerialism has advantages but is also among the many sources of mission drift. Philip Selznick once proposed a style of leadership, called institutional leadership, that directly addresses the risk of mission drift. Despite the importance of institutional leadership in today's era of managerialism, the concept has been underexamined in the literature. Through ethnographic fieldwork with a cohort of nonprofit leaders, I develop a framework of practices leaders can use to maintain mission integrity. My findings reveal that institutional leadership can be a collective endeavor enacted not only by the board and executives but also by staff and other stakeholders. To prevent mission drift, leaders in the study used practices related to mission reflexivity, involvement gatekeeping, enabling stakeholders, building constraints, and encouraging resistance.
Melatonin and Metformin Failed to Modify the Effect of Dacarbazine in Melanoma
Authors: Novik Aleksei Viktorovich , Protsenko Svetlana Anatolievna , Baldueva Irina Alexandrovna , Berstein Lev Michailovich , Anisimov Vladimir Nikolaevich , Zhuk Irina Nikolaevna , Semenova Anna Igorevna , Latipova Dilorom Khamidovna , Tkachenko Elena Viktorovna , Semiglazova Tatiana Yurievna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Lessons Learned
Melatonin did not increase the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in melanoma. Metformin did not increase the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in melanoma.

Background
Current data support the possibility of antitumor activity of melatonin and metformin.

Methods
From March 2014 to December 2016, 57 patients with disseminated melanoma received dacarbazine (DTIC) 1,000 mg/m2 on day 1 of a 28-day cycle, either as monotherapy (first group) or in combination with melatonin 3 mg p.o. daily (second group) or metformin 850 mg two times a day p.o. daily (third group) as the first-line of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), immunologic biomarkers, and quality of life.

Results
ORR was 7% and did not differ among the treatment groups. Median TTP was 57, 57, and 47 days, respectively, in the first, second, and third groups (р = .362). Median OS was 236, 422, and 419 days, respectively (p = .712). Two patients from the combinations groups showed delayed response to therapy. The increase of CD3+CD4+HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (p = .003), CD3+CD8+HLA-DR+ (p = .045), CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes (p = .012), CD4+CD25highCD127low lymphocytes (p = .029), and overall quantity of lymphocytes (p = .021) was observed in patients with clinical benefit.

Conclusion
No benefit was found in either combination over DTIC monotherapy. Delayed responses in melatonin and metformin combination groups were registered. The increase of lymphocyte subpopulations responsible for antitumor immune response demonstrates the immune system's potential involvement in clinical activity.
PVdF‐based electrospun fibers with various morphologies and their separator applications for secondary batteries
Authors: Karahan Toprakci Hatice Aylin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this study, pristine PVdF nanofibers (PPFs), nanocomposite fibers (NCFs), and bicomponent fibers (BCFs) were prepared by electrospinning. TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers were used in order to tune the properties and performance of the separators. The morphology, thermal degradation behavior, thermal dimensional stability, mechanical properties, porosity, electrolyte uptake, and electrochemical performance of the samples were investigated. All three morphologies were successfully fabricated under optimized conditions and 15 wt% polymer concentration was found electrospinnable at 0.4 ml h−1 feed rate and under 15 kV applied voltage. Viscosity and conductivity of the spinning solutions were found significant for the fiber morphology. For nanocomposite and bicomponent fibers, TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers were found to be well dispersed throughout the fiber axis with good adhesion to the matrix. Nanofillers were found to increase the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and electrochemical performance of the separators. Thermal, mechanical properties, porosity, electrolyte uptake, and electrochemical performance of the separators were determined as NCFs > BCFs > PPFs.
Nonlinear torsional buckling of functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite (FG‐GRC) laminated cylindrical shells stiffened by FG‐GRC laminated stiffeners in thermal environment
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong , Vu Minh Duc , Cao Van Doan , Vu Hoai Nam 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe main aim of this article is to establish an analytical approach on the torsional postbuckling for functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite (FG‐GRC) laminated circular cylindrical shells stiffened by FG‐GRC laminated stiffener system in thermal environment and subjected to torsion loads. The polymer matrixes of shell skin and stiffeners are reinforced by graphene with two graphene reinforcement directions, namely, zigzag and armchair directions. The anisotropic smeared stiffener technique for FG‐GRC stiffener system is used, and the governing equations are established based on the Donnell shell theory with von Kármán–Donnell‐type geometrical nonlinearity and the Airy's stress function. A three‐state solution of deflection is chosen and Galerkin's method is applied, the explicit forms of critical buckling torsion and expression of load‐deflection postbuckling curves relation are obtained. The effects of graphene‐reinforced composite laminated stiffeners, uniformly distributed temperature, the volume fraction of graphene of stiffened shell on the nonlinear torsional buckling behavior are numerically investigated.
Characteristics of pediatric inpatients with primary and secondary hypertension
Authors: Chen Yijun , Ye Peiyu , Liu Xiaorong , Gong Chunxiu , Li Caifeng , Yuan Yue , Zheng Huyong , Xu Xin , Dong Hongbo , Kong Qin , Yan Yinkun , Mi Jie 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTImportanceExtensive population‐based studies have explored the prevalence of primary hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents. However, there is little published data on the characteristics of different types of pediatric HTN and the causes of secondary HTN.ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of different types of pediatric HTN and the causes of secondary HTN in a hospital setting.MethodsThe study cohort comprised pediatric inpatients (<18 years of age) discharged with a diagnosis of HTN from Beijing Children’s Hospital during 2015–2020. Pediatric patients with HTN were allocated to secondary and primary HTN groups on the basis of comprehensive analyses of their diagnoses, family history of HTN, and findings on physical examination, as documented in their medical records. The Mann–Whitney U test, χ2 and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess differences in characteristics of patients with different HTN types and causes of secondary HTN.ResultsData of 1470 inpatients with HTN from 18 clinical departments were included in the analysis. Among them, 458 (31.2%) had primary HTN, and 1012 (68.8%) had secondary HTN. Compared with patients had primary HTN, children with secondary HTN were younger and had lower body mass indexes and longer lengths of stay. Moreover, children with primary HTN had mostly been managed by the Endocrinology and Cardiology Departments, 75.8% of them having obesity‐related comorbidities. In contrast, most patients with secondary HTN had been managed by the Nephrology Department, renal diseases being the leading cause of their HTN (46.3%).InterpretationSecondary HTN is more common than primary HTN in pediatric clinical settings, renal diseases being the leading cause of secondary HTN.
Clinical outcomes of concomitant rifamycin and opioid therapy: A systematic review
Authors: Kinney Eric M. , Vijapurapu Sandhya , Covvey Jordan R. , Nemecek Branden D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOpioids are one of the most prescribed classes of analgesic medications. Their narrow therapeutic index and metabolism through cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes can result in a drug interaction when used concomitantly with rifamycins. In clinical scenarios where concurrent therapy with an opioid and a rifamycin occurs, there is no standardized guidance for managing the interaction. The objective of this review was to examine literature which evaluates the concomitant use of opioids and rifamycins with clinically relevant CYP‐inducing properties. A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) criteria was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and OVID Embase were queried for studies from database inception to January 2020 related to rifamycin and opioid medications. Only full‐text, peer‐reviewed, English language articles addressing clinical outcomes from concomitant rifamycin and opioid therapy were included. The review isolated 12 articles for data extraction from an original 2260 citations identified. Rifampin (11; 92%) and rifabutin (2; 17%) were the rifamycins studied along with seven different opioids. Decreased effect of opioids with concomitant rifampin therapy manifested as withdrawal in numerous patients on methadone and a decreased analgesic effect from tramadol, morphine, and, most notably, oxycodone. Only the combinations of rifampin with buccal fentanyl and rifabutin with buprenorphine and methadone were found to have no clinically measurable interaction. Available literature suggests that a decrease in opioid clinical effects is appreciated with concomitant rifamycin therapy. Further research is needed to focus on specific mitigation strategies beyond opioid agent selection, such as dosing adjustment recommendations.
Check your sleep before you start: A secondary analysis of a stress management intervention for caregivers of stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Ravyts Scott G. , Sannes Timothy S. , Dzierzewski Joseph M. , Zhou Eric S. , Brewer Benjamin W. , Natvig Crystal , Laudenslager Mark L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveCaregiving for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients is associated with significant physical and psychological sequelae. While psychosocial interventions may reduce caregiver burden, knowledge regarding which caregivers may benefit the most from such interventions is limited. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine whether HSCT caregivers' peritransplant sleep moderated the effect of a psychosocial intervention on depression and anxiety posttransplant.MethodsParticipants included 135 caregivers (mean age = 54.23) who participated in randomized controlled trial and were assigned to receive either 8 weeks of Psychoeducation, Paced Respiration, and Relaxation (PEPRR) or treatment as usual (TAU). Sleep, depression, and anxiety were assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Caregiver symptoms were assessed at baseline (e.g., peritransplant period) and 6‐month posttransplant.ResultsBaseline sleep quality (∆R2 = 0.04,p = 0.002), sleep efficiency (∆R2 = 0.03,p = 0.02), and sleep onset latency (∆R2 = 0.07,p < 0.001) independently moderated the effect of group assignment on depression outcomes at the 6‐month follow‐up. Specifically, caregivers with poor sleep at baseline who received PEPRR reported significantly lower depression scores at follow‐up compared to caregivers with poor sleep who received TAU. By contrast, only sleep quality (∆R2 = 0.02,p = 0.01) and sleep onset latency (∆R2 = 0.02,p = 0.005) moderated the effect of the group assignment on anxiety.ConclusionsPsychosocial interventions for HSCT caregivers may buffer against psychological morbidity, particularly among caregivers with poor sleep quality.
Ventilatory response to CO2 with Read's rebreathing method in normal infants
Authors: Yamada Yosuke , Henmi Nobuhide , Hasegawa Hisaya , Tsuruta Shio , Tokumasu Satoko , Suganami Yusuke , Wasa Masanori 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMethods of evaluating the ventilatory response to CO2 (VRCO2) of the respiratory center include the steady‐state and the rebreathing method. Although the rebreathing method can evaluate the ventilatory response continuously to gradually increasing CO2, the rebreathing method has been rarely performed in infants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether we could perform the VRCO2 with the rebreathing method in normal infants.MethodsThe subjects were 80 normal infants. The gestational age was 39.9 (39.3–40.3) weeks, and the birth body weight was 3142 (2851–3451) grams. We performed the VRCO2 with Read's rebreathing method, measuring the increase in minute volume (MV) in response to the increase in EtCO2 by rebreathing a closed circuit. The value of VRCO2 was calculated as follow: VRCO2 (ml/min/mmHg/kg) = ΔMV/ΔEtCO2/body weight.ResultsWe performed the examination without adverse events. The age in days at examination was 3 (2–4), and the examination time was 150 ± 38 s. The maximum EtCO2 was 51.1 (50.5–51.9) mmHg. The value of VRCO2 was 34.6 (29.3–42.8). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the VRCO2 of cases with multiple measurements was 0.79.ConclusionThis study suggests that the rebreathing method can evaluate the ventilatory response to high blood CO2 in a short examination time. We conclude that the rebreathing method is useful even in infants. In the future, we plan to measure the VRCO2 of preterm infants, and evaluate the respiratory center of infants in more detail.