bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Odor identification impairment and cholinesterase inhibitor treatment in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Motter Jeffrey N. , Liu Xinhua , Qian Min , Cohen Hannah R. , Devanand Davangere P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis study evaluated acute change in odor identification following atropine nasal spray challenge, and 8‐week change in odor identification ability, as a predictor of long‐term improvement in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) who received open‐label cholinesterase inhibitor treatment.MethodsIn patients with clinical AD, the University of Pennsylvania Smell identification Test (UPSIT) was administered before and after an anticholinergic atropine nasal spray challenge. Patients were then treated with donepezil for 52 weeks.ResultsIn 21 study participants, acute atropine‐induced decrease in UPSIT was not associated with change in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale ‐ Cognitive Subscale (ADAS‐Cog) or Selective Reminding Test (SRT). Decline in odor identification performance from baseline to week 8 was indicative of a future decline in cognitive performance over 52 weeks.DiscussionChange in odor identification with atropine challenge is not a useful predictor of treatment response to cholinesterase inhibitors. Short‐term change in odor identification performance needs further investigation as a potential predictor of cognitive improvement with cholinesterase inhibitor treatment.
Hypertrophic remodelling of retinal arterioles in patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Jung Susanne , Kolwelter Julie , Bosch Agnes , Cífková Renata , Harazny Joanna M. , Ott Christian , Achenbach Stephan , Schmieder Roland E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsAnalysis of microvascular parameters in the retinal circulation—known to reflect those in the systemic circulation—allows us to differentiate between eutrophic and hypertrophic remodelling of small arteries. This study aimed to examine microvascular changes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and reduced as well as mid‐range ejection fraction.Methods and resultsForty subjects with CHF underwent measurement of retinal capillary flow (RCF), wall‐to‐lumen ratio (WLR), vessel and lumen diameter, wall thickness, and wall cross‐sectional area (WCSA) of retinal arterioles of the right eye by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF). Applying a matched pair approach, we compared this group with reference values of age‐matched controls from a random sample in the population of Pilsen, Czech Republic. There was no significant difference in RCF and WLR between the groups (RCF: P = 0.513; WLR: P = 0.106). In contrast, wall thickness and WCSA, indicators of hypertrophic remodelling, were higher in CHF subjects (WT: 15.0 ± 4.2 vs. 12.7 ± 4.2 μm, P = 0.021; WCSA: 4437.6 ± 1314.5 vs. 3615.9 ± 1567.8 μm2, P = 0.014). Similarly, vessel (109.4 ± 11.1 vs. 100.5 ± 14.4 μm, P = 0.002) and lumen diameter (79.0 ± 7.9 vs. 75.2 ± 8.5 μm, P = 0.009) were increased in CHF.ConclusionsIn CHF subjects, we observed hypertrophic remodelling of retinal arterioles indicative of similar changes of small resistance arteries in the systemic circulation. Microvascular structure and function assessed by SLDF may thereby represent a useful, non‐invasive method for monitoring of microvascular damage in patients with CHF and may offer innovative treatment targets for new CHF therapies.
Cognitive impairment as a determinant of response to management plans after heart failure admission
Authors: Huynh Quan L. , Whitmore Kristyn , Negishi Kazuaki , DePasquale Carmine G. , Hare James L. , Leung Dominic , Stanton Tony , Marwick Thomas H. 
Published: March 2021

AimsCognitive impairment (CI) is highly prevalent in heart failure (HF), and increases patients' risks of readmission. This study sought to determine whether the presence and degree of CI could identify patients most likely to benefit from a HF disease management programme (DMP) to reduce readmissions.Methods and resultsA total of 1152 consecutive Australian patients admitted with HF (2014–2017) were prospectively followed up for 12 months. Of these, 324 patients who received DMP (1‐month duration, including post‐discharge home visits, medication reconciliation, exercise guidance and early clinical review) were matched (1:2 ratio) with 648 usual care patients. Cognitive function was assessed either on the day of or one day before discharge using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Outcomes included readmission or death at 1, 3 and 12 months, and days at home within 12 months of discharge. Poorer cognitive function was associated with all adverse outcomes. Compared with usual care, DMP was associated with lower odds of 30‐day [odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.40, 0.91] and 90‐day (OR 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.36, 0.77) readmission or death, and with 19 more days at home within 12 months, independent of HF therapy. The effect sizes of these associations were greater for patients with diminished cognition than those with normal cognition (interaction P = 0.036), and might have been more pronounced among those with mild CI compared with those with more severe CI (MoCA score 17–22; OR 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.21, 0.87) at 30 days (OR 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.16, 0.60 at 90 days). Patients with normal cognition had fewer events, irrespective of DMP.ConclusionsCognitive function may determine how HF patients respond to a DMP. Cognitive screening before implementation of a DMP may allow personalized plans for patients with different levels of cognitive function.
Human myeloid‐derived suppressor cell expansion during sepsis is revealed by unsupervised clustering of flow cytometric data
Authors: De Zuani Marco , Hortová‐Kohoutková Marcela , Andrejčinová Ivana , Tomášková Veronika , Šrámek Vladimír , Helán Martin , Frič Jan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMyeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are important regulators of immune processes during sepsis in mice. However, confirming these observations in humans has been challenging due to the lack of defined preparation protocols and phenotyping schemes for MDSC subsets. Thus, it remains unclear how MDSCs are involved in acute sepsis and whether they have a role in the long‐term complications seen in survivors. Here, we combined comprehensive flow cytometry phenotyping with unsupervised clustering using self‐organizing maps to identify the three recently defined human MDSC subsets in blood from severe sepsis patients, long‐term sepsis survivors, and age‐matched controls. We demonstrated the expansion of monocytic M‐MDSCs and polymorphonuclear PMN‐MDSCs, but not early‐stage (e)‐MDSCs during acute sepsis. High levels of PMN‐MDSCs were also present in long‐term survivors many months after discharge, suggesting a possible role in sepsis‐related complications. Altogether, by employing unsupervised clustering of flow cytometric data we have confirmed the likely involvement of human MDSC subsets in acute sepsis, and revealed their expansion in sepsis survivors at late time points. The application of this strategy in future studies and in the clinical/diagnostic context would enable rapid progress toward a full understanding of the roles of MDSC in sepsis and other inflammatory conditions.
Neurophysiological mechanisms of chiropractic spinal manipulation for spine pain
Authors: Gevers‐Montoro Carlos , Provencher Benjamin , Descarreaux Martin , Ortega de Mues Arantxa , Piché Mathieu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTogether, neck pain and back pain are the first cause of disability worldwide, accounting for more than 10% of the total years lived with disability. In this context, chiropractic care provides a safe and effective option for the management of a large proportion of these patients. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession mainly focused on the spine and the treatment of spinal disorders, including spine pain. Basic studies have examined the influence of chiropractic spinal manipulation (SM) on a variety of peripheral, spinal and supraspinal mechanisms involved in spine pain. While spinal cord mechanisms of pain inhibition contribute at least partly to the pain‐relieving effects of chiropractic treatments, the evidence is weaker regarding peripheral and supraspinal mechanisms, which are important components of acute and chronic pain. This narrative review highlights the most relevant mechanisms of pain relief by SM and provides a perspective for future research on SM and spine pain, including the validation of placebo interventions that control for placebo effects and other non‐specific effects that may be induced by SM.SignificanceSpinal manipulation inhibits back and neck pain partly through spinal segmental mechanisms and potentially through peripheral mechanisms regulating inflammatory responses. Other mechanisms remain to be clarified. Controls and placebo interventions need to be improved in order to clarify the contribution of specific and non‐specific effects to pain relief by spinal manipulative therapy.
Ammonia separation from wastewater using bipolar membrane electrodialysis
Authors: Mohammadi Mariam , Guo Hui , Yuan Pengyi , Pavlovic Vladimir , Barber John , Kim Younggy 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNitrogen pollution is a serious environmental challenge in natural water and thus selective ammonia separation in wastewater treatment is of great importance to decrease the nitrogen load to natural water systems. Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) is a relatively new ion exchange membrane technology that can be used for ammonia recovery from wastewater as a beneficial substance. A bench‐scale BMED stack with seven pairs of bipolar membrane (BPM) and a cation exchange membrane (CEM) was operated under various voltage applications to separate ammonia from dewatering centrate (liquid downstream from dewatering of anaerobically digested wastewater sludge). Ammonia in the wastewater was rapidly separated (up to 87% in 30 min) and recovered as ammonium hydroxide solution using the BMED stack. We found that the maximum rate of ammonium separation was governed by the concentration polarization near CEMs rather than water transport into BPMs. In addition, even with the significantly high organic level in dewatering centrate (408 mg/L as total suspended solids), high efficient ammonia separation was maintained over 8 repeated BMED operations without any pretreatment of the feed wastewater, indicating effective organic fouling control with regular chemical cleaning. Furthermore, BMED operation for 30 minutes at 5.0 V per cell pair was found to be ideal for high purity ammonium hydroxide production and low electrical energy consumption. Based on the high separation efficiency and low energy consumption, we suggest that BMED be further investigated as an attractive option for ammonia separation and recovery from wastewater.
Association between apathy and satisfaction with meaningful activities in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Maruta Michio , Makizako Hyuma , Ikeda Yuriko , Miyata Hironori , Nakamura Atsushi , Han Gwanghee , Shimokihara Suguru , Tokuda Keiichiro , Kubozono Takuro , Ohishi Mitsuru , Tabira Takayuki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis cross‐sectional study aimed to clarify the relationship between apathy, meaningful activities, and satisfaction with such activities of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsWe analyzed 235 older adults with MCI (≥65 years, mean age: 76.9 ± 6.4 years, women: 63.4%) who participated in a community‐based health check survey (Tarumizu Study 2018). MCI was defined as at least 1.5 SD below the reference threshold (age‐ and education‐adjusted score) on one or more of the computerized cognitive test including memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. Apathy symptoms were assessed using three of the 15 items of Geriatric Depression Scale. Participants selected meaningful activities from the 95 activities of the Aid for Decision‐Making in Occupation Choice and evaluated their satisfaction and performance.ResultsApathy in MCI was prevalent by 23.8%. The categories of meaningful activities revealed no difference, with, or without apathy. Logistic regression analysis showed that activity satisfaction was significantly associated with apathy after adjusting for age, sex, education, instrumental activities of daily living, depressive symptoms, and MCI subtype (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44–0.88, p = 0.008).ConclusionsSatisfaction with the activities that are deemed meaningful is associated with apathy among community‐dwelling older adults with MCI.
Advances of polymer binders for silicon‐based anodes in high energy density lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Yu‐Ming , Yue Feng‐Shu , Li Shi‐Cheng , Zhang Yu , Tian Zhong‐Rong , Xu Quan , Xin Sen , Guo Yu‐Guo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with graphite anodes are approaching their theoretical limitations in energy density. Replacing the conventional graphite anodes with high‐capacity Si‐based anodes represents one of the most promising strategies to greatly boost the energy density of LIBs. However, the inherent huge volume expansion of Si‐based materials after lithiation and the resulting series of intractable problems, such as unstable solid electrolyte interphase layer, cracking of electrode, and especially the rapid capacity degradation of cells, severely restrict the practical application of Si‐based anodes. Over the past decade, numerous reports have demonstrated that polymer binders play a critical role in alleviating the volume expansion and maintaining the integrity and stable cycling of Si‐based anodes. In this review, the state‐of‐the‐art designing of polymer binders for Si‐based anodes have been systematically summarized based on their structures, including the linear, branched, crosslinked, and conjugated conductive polymer binders. Especially, the comprehensive designing of multifunctional polymer binders, by a combination of multiple structures, interactions, crosslinking chemistries, ionic or electronic conductivities, soft and hard segments, and so forth, would be promising to promote the practical application of Si‐based anodes. Finally, a perspective on the rational design of practical polymer binders for the large‐scale application of Si‐based anodes is presented.image
Resistance, race, and subjectivity in congregation‐based community organizing
Authors: Gupta Jyoti 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIdeas of resistance have become common in media and political discourse in contemporary times where there is growing awareness of racial violence and xenophobia. Calls to “resist” and awakenings to public life prompt questions about the kind of citizenship being cultivated, the social meanings individuals reproduce and create through participation in “resistance,” and the changing sense of their positions and agency as they act in the world. Here I examine the citizen‐subject that comes into being through “resistance” to racial injustice, drawing on the case of Faith in Action (formerly PICO) and its development of a theological organizing framework, the Theology of Resistance. This study analyzes the discourses and content of two public data sources—The Prophetic Resistance Podcast series and news media about prophetic resistance within the organizing network. These sources offer a means to examine the negotiated nature of political selves that are created through processes that socialize and subjugate as well as through processes wherein subjects produce and sometimes transform social positions. Findings show that centering a racial analytic and prioritizing racial justice outcomes, shifts that were made within FIA, results in the cultivation of a political subject that is reflexive about internal and external subjugating forces, relational as it discards the armor of racial hierarchy and exclusion, and constructive as it creates conditions or contexts for new political subjects through prophetic action. This study contributes to the conceptual development of organizing as a mechanism to generate social change; specifically, it offers the lens of political subjectivity as a meaningful analytic to enrich understandings of this mechanism.
Low‐energy technology for producing anhydrite in the CaCO3–H2SO4–H2O system derived from industrial wastes
Authors: Kamarou Maksim , Korob Natalia , Hil Anastasiya , Moskovskikh Dmitry , Romanovski Valentin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDA high‐quality anhydrite binder could be produced due to the exergy of sulfuric acid in the CaCO3–H2SO4–H2O system derived from industrial wastes. Waste of sulfuric acid derived from the production of heat‐resistant fibers and wastes of limestone that was formed on the metallurgical enterprise were used for the synthesis of anhydrite. Such a product is safe from an environmental point of view and has many advantages, both operational and economic, over standard gypsum binders.RESULTSThe optimal technological parameters have been established and a technological scheme for producing anhydrite excluding the stage of calcium sulfate dihydrate formation has been proposed. Anhydrite production in the CaCO3–H2SO4–H2O system, due to the exergy of sulfuric acid, is a promising technology to replace the traditional thermal technology for producing anhydrite. This technology can reduce fuel costs because the required synthesis temperature is 95–105 °С, instead of 800–1000 °С in the traditional one, and this significantly reduces the cost of manufactured products.CONCLUSIONThe maximum yield of synthetic anhydrite was provided by a limestone suspension taken in a stoichiometric amount. This neutralizing agent makes it possible to obtain particles of a prismatic shape, the size of which is generally more than 20 μm. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Greenhouse gas fluxes from turfgrass systems: Species, growth rate, clipping management, and environmental effects
Authors: Law Quincy D. , Trappe Jon M. , Braun Ross C. , Patton Aaron J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTurfgrass systems can be an important source or sink for greenhouse gases (GHG), including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4). Further research is required in turfgrass systems; therefore, our objectives were to evaluate the effects of turfgrass species, growth rate, clipping management, and environmental conditions on GHG emissions. Greenhouse gas fluxes were measured in two separate field experiments in West Lafayette, IN. Experiment 1 investigated GHG flux in three cool‐season (C3) and two warm‐season (C4) turfgrass species during two growing seasons. Experiment 2 investigated fluxes in two C3 cultivars with varying growth rates and under different clipping management regimes. The C3 turfgrasses had the highest mean CO2 flux rates ranging from 0.373 to 0.431 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1 compared with 0.273 to 0.361 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1 for C4 turfgrasses. Mean hourly N2O flux rates ranged from 43.3 to 50.9 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 for C3 compared with 11.1 to 14.4 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 for C4 turfgrasses. Methane flux was more variable across time, but overall C4 turfgrasses were more likely to be a CH4 source, whereas C3 turfgrasses were often a CH4 sink. Growth rate and grass clipping management treatments had negligible impact on measured GHG flux. The differences in management practices specific to C3 and C4 turfgrasses had the largest impact on GHG flux. Results indicate the impact and importance of turfgrass species selection on GHG flux and also provide more information on our overall understanding on carbon and nitrogen cycling in urban soils.
Genetic counseling for patients with positive genomic screening results: Considerations for when the genetic test comes first
Authors: Schwartz Marci L. B. , Buchanan Adam H. , Hallquist Miranda L. G. , Haggerty Christopher M. , Sturm Amy C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEmerging genetic testing delivery models have enabled individuals to receive testing without a medical indication. This article will highlight key considerations for patient care in the setting of adult patients with positive results for monogenic disease identified through genomic screening. Suggestions for how to adapt genetic counseling to a genomic screening population will encompass topics such as phenotyping, risk assessments, and the use of existing guidelines and resources. Case examples will demonstrate principles of genotype‐first patient care.
Covered metallic stent placement for biliary drainage could be promising in the coming era of neoadjuvant chemo‐radiation therapy for all pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hasegawa Sho , Kubota Kensuke , Yagi Shin , Kurita Yusuke , Sato Takamitsu , Hosono Kunihiro , Matsuyama Ryusei , Endo Itaru , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe role of endoscopic preoperative biliary drainage for pancreatic head cancer is controversial because of the high incidence of stent occlusion before surgery. We sought to validate a suitable stent for biliary drainage in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)/neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NAC‐RT).MethodsWe evaluated patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic head cancer between January 2013 and December 2019. A covered metal (CMS) or plastic stent (PS) was inserted in symptomatic patients for biliary drainage. Recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), success rate of endoscopic drainage, adverse events, and surgical outcomes were compared between the CMS and PS groups.ResultsOccurrence rate of RBO was significantly higher with PS (97%) vs CMS (15%, P < .001), and time to RBO was significantly longer with CMS vs PS (not reached vs 40.5 days, P < .001). Delayed schedule associated with RBO for neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly lower in CMS vs PS (14% vs 50%, P < .05). There was no difference in postoperative bleeding, operation time, complications, and rate of a microscopically margin‐negative resection between groups.ConclusionsUse of CMS during NAC/NAC‐RT allows for safe chemotherapy without causing cholangitis or biliary obstruction and for surgery to be performed.
Antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination is extremely vivacious in subjects with previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Callegaro Annapaola , Borleri Daniela , Farina Claudio , Napolitano Gavino , Valenti Daniela , Rizzi Marco , Maggiolo Franco 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic calls for rapid actions, now principally oriented to a world‐wide vaccination campaign. In this study we verified if, in individuals with a previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, a single dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine would be immunologically equivalent to a full vaccine schedule in naïve individuals. Health care workers (184) with a previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were sampled soon before the second dose of vaccine and between 7 and 10 days after the second dose, the last sampling time was applied to SARS‐CoV‐2 naïve individuals, too. Antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were measured using Elecsys Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 S immunoassay. The study was powered for non‐inferiority. We used non parametric tests and Pearson correlation test to perform inferential analysis. After a single vaccine injection, the median titer of specific antibodies in individuals with previous coronavirus disease 2019 was 30.527 U/ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 19.992–39.288) and in subjects with previous SARS‐CoV‐2 asymptomatic infection was 19.367.5 U/ml (IQR: 14.688–31.353) (p = .032). Both results were far above the median titer in naïve individuals after a full vaccination schedule: 1974.5 U/ml (IQR: 895–3455) (p < .0001). Adverse events after vaccine injection were more frequent after the second dose of vaccine (mean: 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–1.14 vs. mean: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.63–2.19) (p < .0001) and in exposed compared to naïve (mean: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.28–1.98 vs. mean: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.87–2.82) (p = .015). In SARS‐CoV‐2 naturally infected individuals a single mRNA vaccine dose seems sufficient to reach immunity. Modifying current dosing schedules would speed‐up vaccination campaigns.